Bristol Life - Issue 269

ISSUE 269 / SEPTEMBER 2019 / £3

A LOVE AFFAIR WITH THE CITY

ISSUE 269 / SEPTEMBER 2019 / ALL WE ARE SAYING IS GIVE BS1 A CHANCE

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EDITOR’S LETTER

E

xcuse me while I desaturate and up the contrast on my editor’s photo, to #BeMoreYoko.

That’s better. I draw the line at entering the spirit of her Film Number Four, though – if you turn to page 32, you’ll see what I mean.

If the hype has somehow passed you by, you need to know that this globally celebrated New York artist and activist has chosen Bristol for her new show of films and installations; so if you’ve never really known exactly what it is that Yoko does, or where she sits in the cultural panoply, here’s your chance to find out.

And speaking of culture (seamless link), as we were tucking into a flawless breakfast at Bristol Old Vic recently, it got us thinking: when, exactly, did arts centre cafés and restaurants become so downright great? And could we run a little feature on the subject? We could, and we did – turn to page 48.

Some of them could even provide the perfect venue for a large-scale Christmas party – but that’s another feature altogether. So we did one of those too; it’s on page 75.

Happy early autumn, Bristol. For those of you who are sorry to see the summer fade away, we sympathise, but we are not among your ranks. I mean, have you seen the quality of the new season’s programming? Turn to page 24, and do cheer up.

DERI ROBINS Yoko Ono 1969 by Ian Macmillan

Follow us on Twitter @BristolLifeMag Instagram @BristolLifeMag

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Issue 269/September 2019

VINTAGE

14 PAST PERFECT Call it retro, call it pre-loved;

we just can’t get enough of the stuff

48

THE ARTS

23 ART PAGE We’re going to need a greener boat 24 WHAT’S ON More than we can fairly squeeze into four

pages, tbh 32 38 44 48 54

ART All we are saying is give BS1 a chance OPEN DOORS Open sesame time THEATRE Time for pride. No, not that Pride...

ARTS VENUES Eat, drink, think Bristol fashion BRISTOL HEROES Happy together

FOOD & DRINK

62 RESTAURANT Why we’re moving to BS3 67 FOOD AND DRINK NEWS Edible Bristol 70 RECIPES There’s more to apples than a crumble,

you know 72 STAN He’s not in a café! He’s in a cocktail bar!

75 CHRISTMAS PARTIES It’s the most wonderful time of

119

the year, tra la la. But it may not be, if you don’t book the work party in time...

SHOPPING

86 EDITOR’S CHOICE Think pink

BUSINESS

103 BRISTOLWORKS Creative Bristol; and eyes on the pies

PROPERTY

119 SHOWCASE A chance to own one of the loveliest homes

in Clifton

REGULARS

@CHILL1983

9 11 92 130

SPOTLIGHT INSTAS EDUCATION BRISTOL LIVES Jules of FullRogue

11 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, Mary Mann Advertising manager Neil Snow neil.snow@mediaclash.co.uk Account manager Craig Wallberg @craig.wallberg@mediaclash.co.uk Account manager Dan Nichols dan.nichols@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, and Exeter. 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 7

SPOTLIGHT

Hobbs Show 2019

OOOH; FASHION

“This is the last fashion show I’m doing,” Bristol hairdresser Doug Hobbs told us in 2014. And in 2016. And again in 2018…

We just don’t believe you any more, Doug. And sure enough, we hear that not only is the 2019 Hobbs Show very much a thing, ut it has a fighting chance pun alert, see below) of being the biggest ever.

Having seen and enjoyed the mega scope and am ition of previous shows, we know that’s saying quite a bit. In fact, the Hobbs Show is the UK’s largest fashion, music and dance event outside London, and a hugely professional catwalk event.

The 2019 show is set to be the biggest in its year history, with a plethora of local designers and fashion shops taking part, and a host of well known names strutting their stu for a great cause this year, it’s pioneering ristol charity mpire ighting hance, who also won the first ever Bristol Life Charity Award. he show will take place at ennywell Studios on Saturday 19 October; almost

Expect an international-level of fashion, hair and MUA – though suppliers and performers are all local and independent

800 seats will be available and tickets will range in price from to 75.

More than a fashion show, the event also includes performance and music. he first show was held in 7, and over the years has supported many local charities as well as providing a spectacular platform for local performers and artists.

“The target we’ve set ourselves is to raise 7,5 , says oug, and we’ve already had some really great names from sport and show usiness coming forward to take part although there’s always room for more! ust as importantly, the event often provides a launchpad for some of the amazing young creative talent that Bristol has to o er. is the event’s lead sponsor, with the Bristol designer clothing retailer Garment Quarter also having a major presence at the show, along with over a do en designer outlets. ance troupes, circus performers, musicians and s will keep the audience entertained efore, during and after the show.

For information on tickets, go to www.hobbs-style.co.uk

EMPIRE FIGHTING CHANCE

The charity was born on the streets of Bristol in to com at the impact of deprivation on the lives of young people aged etween eight and 5. t uses a powerful com ination of non contact o ing and intensive personal support to challenge and inspire them to realise their uni ue potential.

Harnessing boxing’s grittiness and street cred, it attracts young people and uses the gaps etween physical activities to inspire other changes in their lives to mentor and educate, as well as provide therapy and careers support. mpire ighting hance now inspires over 5 young people each year across ristol, outh Gloucestershire, North Somerset and South ales many of whom face multiple, comple o stacles and come to mpire ighting hance after a series of failed interventions. www.empirefightingchance.org

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SPOTLIGHT A BRIDGE TOO FAR . . ?

Never! If anything defines Bristol, it’s its bridges – and we’re not just talking that big one Brunel slung across the Gorge. The recently published From Brycgstow to Bristol in 45 Bridges lovingly chronicles the way that these edifices have been intimately woven into the 1000 year history of the city – we’ll be featuring the book in a bit more detail in an up and coming issue, but for now, here are some lush Bristol bridge shots from Instagram

@bristolpictures

@sirchristophofswashington

@bristolexplorer

@lewis_mhill

@richmccluskey

@gertie.photography

@trav_tography

@sambinding

@josh.perrett

@richimal_bristol

@criagderrick40

. . . and here’s that book we mentioned earlier

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

RYA Powerboat Courses in Bristol Maritime Leisure, Education, Careers

bristolmaritime.co.uk t: 01179 291153 contact@bristolmaritime.co.uk

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

VINTAGE

THINGS ‘AINT WHAT THEY USED TO BE (SO LET’S BUY VINTAGE!) Consider yourself a style maven, with a sharp eye for design equalled only by a lively eco conscience? Prefer to set the trends rather than slavishly follow them? Sometimes, the key to looking great in the present can be found in the past…

F

Photos by Alex Entwisle; www.entwisleproductions.com

or as long as we can remember, retro’s been cool. Whether you call it vintage, retro, second-hand (or the rather feysounding ‘pre-loved’), there’s a shop out there for you.

Vintage wasn’t always prized so highly. For our grandmothers, second-hand equalled ‘second-best’ – a hand-me-down necessity rather than a cool lifestyle choice.

Obviously, we’re not talking Georgian silver or Ming vases here; vintage is less about priceless antiques, and more about the everyday clothing, furniture and accessories that have gamely survived from a previous era. here are several reasons to uy the stu . ne, vintage is distinctive.

If you want to stand out from the crowd, and be 99.99% sure that no ody will turn up at a party or the o ce dressed exactly like you, choose vintage. Two, it’s blamelessly sustainable, for reasons we hardly need to spell out. hree, while you may e a le to find a cheap fake fur in rimark, you will never find anything of e ual uality, for the same price, as that silk-lined mohair 1950s swing coat with pearl buttons.

Four, it’s a time-travel ticket to a more stylish decade – the swinging ‘60s, the roaring ‘20s, the psychedelic ‘70s and the mildly bonkers ‘80s.

Seriously, have there really been any new fashion ideas since 1990?

Apart from maybe skinny jeans and sportsluxe? By the same token, the best thing about modern fashion is that in the absence of anything startlingly new, anything goes, meaning that practically anything you pluck from a vintage rack will be more or less on-trend.

Then there’s the furniture. All those Swedish and Danish midcentury modern design heroes; all that Ercol we once chucked into skips with gay abandon (idiots!). The inlaid glamour and sharp lines of Art Deco. Swinging egg chairs made from cane, that look as if they’ve just een vacated y atti oyd. turdy ictorian armoires. ell made stu , designed to last, for which it should be honoured.

OK, less of the nostalgic musing; let’s go shopping...

BEYOND RETRO

A blast from the past in thoroughly modern Broadmead, Beyond Retro o ers a lisfully vintage alternative to the chains. arments from the ’7 s, ’80s and ’90s are colourfully showcased in a jumble of clothing racks and shelves; the store hums with the u of nostalgia, and rifling through the vintage pieces to find a uni ue gem is roughly seventeen times more fun than queuing at H&M. Sustainability is the name of the Beyond Retro game; by repurposing cool vintage clothes, and campaigning for the fashion industry to reduce their waste, eyond etro are fighting for the to have wardro es that make less impact on the environment.

BS8

BS8 on Park Street is a mini village of wall-to-wall vintage clothing.

Whether you’re dying to recreate the Mama Mia! look or prefer to channel Dexy’s, there’s a huge collection of dungarees across multiple racks, merging in with the hippie, tie-dye and bohemian sections.

You can try shoes on while perched on old cinema seats for extra vintage feels, and there are dozens of sunglasses in a range of styles from festival to Blues Brothers. nafraid to em race the wacky, the shop has platform knee high pink leather boots towering above the counter, while records and books sold upstairs allow you to delve yet deeper into the past.

DEAR OLD THING

Antique furniture and collectables hand-picked for quality and diversity, with a quick turnover of recycled and reclaimed chairs, bureaus, mirrors, wardro es and dressers, is the schtick of ear ld hing, who o er one 5 per cent discounted item per day. The best way to get the full experience is to browse the goods in person at their shop on West Street, but the website is updated regularly along with posts on Instagram, Twitter and Facebook.

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DIG HAÜSHIZZLE

Vintage doesn’t get any cooler than this. Cassie and Edd may have closed their popular Christmas Steps shop, but the lively online website with its blog, tips and inspiration, alongside the frequently updated (and far too tempting) gallery of products, is a perennial joy to visit. Oh, and Cassie was recently featured on BBC show Interior Design Masters.

FOCUS ON THE PAST

The quaint little Waterloo Street shop is the kind of place that has you murmuring, “Aladdin’s Cave” and not even caring that it’s a cliché.

There’s a diverse selection of vintage from many walks of life in their quaint little shop, from china and pottery to silver and glassware, painted furniture, antique rugs and mirrors as well as books, luggage, clothing and accessories. The competitively priced stock is often designed seasonally, with Christmas, Easter and summertime in mind.

HEARTFELT VINTAGE

As if the handpicked, carefully restored, top-drawer vintage stock at this charming Alma Vale Road shop wasn’t enough, from hand-stitched silk dresses to cosy knits and shimmering cocktail frocks (some of the pieces are nearly years old), the girls o er afternoon tea, along with tea parties with every kind of activity theme imaginable, from crafting to dancing to vintage-style make-up.

LOOT VINTAGE

Head to Haymarket Walk for racks of vintage for guys and gals, with classic brands such as Adidas, Calvin Klein, Ralph Lauren and Levis.

The extensive collection runs the full gamut of retro from patterned silk shirts and corduroy co-ords to cowboy or biker boots, while their own Loot Label clothing allows them to design, hand-make, and transform vintage fabrics into seasonally inspired products. Check out the denim department, which creates rand new coats and ags from di erent tones of patchworked denim.

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

VINTAGE NOOK DECO

The Clifton Village boutique sells beautiful vintage dressers, trunks, cabinets and desks, restored to full function while keeping the charm and individuality of each worn and loved piece.

Nook’s also an expert in contemporary and traditional restored Oriental furniture, and give new leases of life to items with vibrant lacquers.

RAG AND BONE

A great little shop in Old City that mixes the two worlds of antiques and vintage reclaimed items; a diverse range of retro style furniture and house numbers are displayed alongside oil paintings and ornate mirrors, posters, crockery, radios cabinets, armchairs, rugs and big metal signs. The chilled, relaxed vibe encourages you to spend as long as you like browsing through the cosy two floors of the shop and the more you look, the more you see. Great for unusual, reasonably priced small gifts.

RHUBARB JUMBLE

Clothing, homeware and furniture of the 1950s, ’60s and ’70s can be found at vintage specialists Rhubarb Jumble on North Street, where handpicked, unique pieces from the UK, USA and Europe make the store vibrate with vintage. The eclectic collection of brooches, boots and bits and bobs grew out of owner Amy Logan’s genuine love for old things; the excitement is contagious, as you browse through the jumble to uncover a piece of treasure, such as a Lea Stein dachshund brooch or a ’60s Mod shift dress.

“Vintage is distinctive and taina e an o er a time tra e tic et to a more t i h era

SOBEY’S

With a big emphasis on reusing second-hand vintage clothing to reduce waste, Sobey’s, which has a branch on Park Street as well as The Arcade in Broadmead, is stocked full of quality reworked clothing, with a wide selection of tops, jumpers and shirts cropped in Sobey’s signature style.

Bags and accessories are skilfully made from the scraps of material left over from the rework to get the most out of the beautiful vintage textiles; they also sell new vintage-inspired clothing from the labels POP and Run&Fly, featuring fabrics and cuts from many di erent eras. unes from the ’60s, ’70s and ’80s get you in the mood as you browse.

SOMETHING ELSIE

Kate Seymour is one of the newest kids on the Cargo block, with some of the oldest stock – but her beautifully reclaimed clothing looks so bandbox new that people ask her every day if it is, in fact, vintage. Most eras are represented, but Kate’s a self-confessed lover of the 1980s; she also sells new, ’80sstyle jewellery by Hyprnrml. Oh, and Elsie’s the name of her little daughter.

SOURCE ANTIQUES

As specialist reclaimers, Source, on Flowers Hill, salvages and restores vintage furniture, lighting and industrial materials to their former glory, and also upcycles in order to create something unique and bespoke; one recent project, for example, involved the reclaiming of vintage factory lighting.

Source have embellished Boston Tea Party cafés across the West Country, and using diverse vintage materials fit whole kitchens, in classic 1950s designs and/or striking metal contemporary units.

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Focus on the Past is a small Antique Centre on 2 floors buying and selling a wide variety of Antiques furniture and collectables for every taste from classic to quirky and traditional to kitsch.

Focus on the Past

25 Waterloo St, Clifton Village, BS8 4BT. Tel: 01179 738080. Online: focusonthepast.org

VINTAGE

UNCLE SAM’S

The ultimate American vintage clothing store, Uncle Sam’s oozes rock’n’roll razmatazz at its Park Street store. With retro hits playing in the ackground you can flip through racks of vintage clothing and accessories in a room draped in merican and ritish flags; head deeper into the shop, and you’ll find 7 s florals, vintage dresses and skirts, along with lots of) dungarees and leather ackets, merican sports erseys and vests. deal for Brokeback chic, too, with cow oy oots and elts aplenty.

URBAN FOX

t the end of orn treet, r an o has vintage ackets galore, from men’s leather, camouflage, denim and multi coloured nylon outdoor wear to more feminine full length coats and furs. loral skirts and dresses pop with colour, there are shoes from onverse to cow oy oots, and a variety of shirts and statement vintage ties. asy to find on fine days, y the racks of colourful awaiian and paisley shirts displayed ust outside their door, on the edge of t ick’s arket.

VILLAGE GREEN

ne of the outi uey ist of all vintage fashion emporiums, on lifton illage’s elegant, swellegant he all. hillippa, inda and i ie are on hand to o er friendly and e perienced advice as you rowse the designer and high end high street clothing and accessories, at a fraction of their original cost; the ideal way to look like a million dollars without spending a fortune. n

YOU HAVE BEEN READING

Rag and Bone www.ragandbonebristol.com Rhubarb Jumble www.rhubarbjumble.com

Beyond Retro www.beyondretro.com BS8 www.facebook.com/BS8.bristol Dear Old Thing www.dearoldthing.co.uk Dig Haüshizzle www.dig-haushizzle.co.uk Focus on the Past www.facebook.com/ focusonthepast Heartfelt Vintage www.heartfeltvintage.co.uk Loot Clothing www.gimmetheloot.co.uk Nook Deco www.nookdeco.co.uk

Sobey’s Vintage Clothing www.facebook.com/ SobeysVintageClothing Something Elsie www.facebook.com/ somethingelsievintage Source Antiques www.source-antiques.co.uk Uncle Sam’s www.uncle-sams-vintageclothing-store.business.site Urban Fox www.urbanfox.me Village Green www.villagegreenboutique. co.uk

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Be Sustainable. Be Unique.

Shop Vintage at Beyond Retro Bristol.

Shop over 10,000 unique vintage pieces, 7 days a week on Broadmead!

Find the best wardrobe staples like denim, workwear, sportswear and dresses to statement pieces from every era.

Sustainable, handpicked and as individual as you are, we’ve got the best brands, prices and choice to suit your style.

20 Broadmead, Bristol, BS1 3HA | www.beyondretro.com

THE ARTS

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

PLASTIC NOT-SO FANTASTIC Thought Jaws was terrifying? It has nothing on recent reports about the devastating environmental impact of single-use plastics on the Earth’s oceans.

This is the subject of yet another hugely impactful visual message created by artist Jody Thomas, who’s just completed his new mural Cause – sited, appropriately enough, above the water features in Millennium Square. It’s the second time this summer that Jody has chosen to focus specifically on environmental issues in his work, following his headline-grabbing mural of Greta Thunberg on the side of the Tobacco Factory.

(Last time we checked, Greta was using this image as her Instagram avatar. ) Cause was created in partnership with We The Curious, who in une ecame the first science centre in the world to declare a climate emergency. We The Curious also joined with Bristol City Council and Bristol University to make a public declaration to become carbon neutral by 2030, in the hope of inspiring other organisations and individuals to take action.

“When the idea for the Jaws poster came up, my first thought was: where would this have the most impact?” says Jody. “I immediately thought of Millennium Square. I’d read about We The Curious’s declaration, with their focus on sustainability and environmental impact; also the s uare is a very popular and high tra c walk through for many people and would set the perfect stage for the piece.”

One picture is worth 1000 words, and all that. www.wethecurious.org www.jodyart.co.uk

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WHAT’S ON 6 September-6 October 2019

It’s early autumn, and now the Bristol arts scene is really sucking diesel . . .

Hawkwind? The Byrds? Beak?

Sheryl Crow? Or could it be Penguin Café at St George’s?

EXHIBITIONS Until 8 September

JAMES N. KIENITZ WILKINS: THIS ACTION LIES The Brooklyn artist’s moving-image work combines documentary and scriptwriting to investigate the role that narrative plays in the construction of truth; spikeisland.org.uk

Until 15 September

LIBITA CLAYTON: QUANTUM GHOST Immersive sound installation, large-scale photograms and live performance by Spike studio artist Libita; spikeisland.org.uk

with Whitley Bay and the people of the North East, who despite the harsh weather, enjoyed their seaside. See her captures at MPF, martinparrfoundation.org

Until 3 November

ON SET WITH AARDMAN: MAKING EARLY MAN M Shed’s unmissable peek behind the scenes of the Aardman movie; bristolmuseums.org.uk

14 September-15 December

SPACE STEPS: THE MOON AND BEYOND Exhibition celebrating the 50th anniversary of the moon landing; at RPS; rps.org/spacesteps

STILL I RISE: ACT 3 Major exploration celebrating Bristol’s history as a hotbed of radical feminist and queer resistance, placing the work of local artists and collectives alongside individuals and groups from around the world, from the 19th century onwards. arno fini.org.

Until 5 October

16-30 September

Until 29 September

MARKÉTA LUSKACOVÁ In the late ’70s, Czech photographer Markéta fell in love

TRANSFORMATION Exhibition featuring high-quality art y prisoners and e o enders

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from HMP Leyhill; at Alchemy 198, alchemy198.co.uk

SHOWS

28-29 September

UNICORNS, ALMOST The story of soldier/poet Keith Douglas’s Faustian pact with the Second World War, which both gifted his penetrating poetic voice, and then took it away. Performance poetry by Owen Sheers, who penned the extraordinary Pink Mist.

At Bristol Old Vic; bristololdvic.org.uk

ST WERBURGH’S ART TRAIL You know the drill; artists and makers across the neighbourhood invite you into their homes; many other events in parks, shops and pubs, too; stwerburghsarts.org.uk

28 September-31 December

INTERVENTIONS/2 series of avant garde films and art installations by Yoko; see page 32

29 September-1 December

ANNUAL OPEN It’s the 167th year for the RWA Open, and anyone can submit work for consideration, in a wide variety of disciplines (go on, then...); rwa.org.uk

5-6 October

ART ON THE HILL This weekend, it’s the turn of Windmill Hill and Victoria Park to host a trail; artonthehill.org.uk

Until 7 September

THE SCANDALOUS LOVE OF OSCAR WILDE In this one-man play, as Oscar awaits the warrant for his arrest for ‘gross indecency’ he recalls the scandal he has brought to his wife, Constance, and the love of his life, Lord Alfred Douglas. At Alma Tavern; almatavernandtheatre.co.uk

7-28 September

PRIDE AND PREJUDICE* (*SORT OF) Blood of the Young pick up the karaoke mic to deliver an oddly faithful yet utterly di erent take on P&P at BOV; bristololdvic.org.uk

WHAT’S ON 7 September-23 November

Zephaniah, the poet explains how he fought injustice and discrimination to lead a remarkable life at St George’s. stgeorgesbristol.co.uk

THE LION KING Baaaaa Sowhenyaaaa! It’s the autumn biggie for Bristol Hippodrome, as the massively popular ‘Hamlet on the Serengeti’ musical tale comes to town; atgtickets.com

21 September

MACBETH ..or indeed, ‘William Shakespeare’s Macbeth’ (to distinguish it from Verdi’s, we suppose); it’s the original, uncut text, but set in the dark aftermath of a nuclear WW3, in a post-apocalyptic design with immersive soundscapes; at Loco.

Sounds dark. locobristol.com

8-10 September

THEN THERE’S US Raw Alchemy Theatre explores the views di erent generations have regarding homosexuality, and the impact this has on a young gay couple; At Alma Tavern, almatavernandtheatre.co.uk

23-27 September

10-21 September

ABOVE: If the young Albert Finney was a photo by Markéta Luskacová, it might look a lot like this one LEFT: It’s either the next big hipster hair trend or The Barber of Seville at TFT BELOW:

If this poster for Wild Swimming makes you smile, turn to page 130. If it makes you hungry, we think there’s a spare bag of Monster Munch in the office kitchen cupboard . . .

SCOTLAND! The Latebloomers take you on a wild ride with rhythm, body percussion, singing, stomping, clowning and Hibernian spirit, at Wardrobe; thewardrobetheatre.com

WILD SWIMMING FullRogue’s “interrogation of gender and privilege and a wilfully ignorant history of English Literature” – more on page 130. thewardrobetheatre.com

24-25 September

11-12 September

THE TAPE FACE SHOW New jokes. New props. Same tape: the most expressive pair of eyes in the mime biz comes to Redgrave; redgravetheatre.com

JEREMIAH Critically acclaimed rap storyteller Jack Dean presents a raucous new musical show about the muchmisunderstood Luddite rebellion; at Wardrobe; thewardrobetheatre.com

30 September-1 October

11-13 September

NO EXIT The door’s locked, the room is bare and there is no way out.

Inside are three people who have never met before . . . Alma Tavern, almatavernandtheatre.co.uk

13-14 September

FATHER FIGURINE Body Politic questions the stigmas around the mental health of men and boys through provocative hiphop theatre and dance; at Wardrobe, thewardrobetheatre.com

AWKWARD CONVERSATIONS WITH ANIMALS I’VE F**KED Linus Karp’s Bobby discusses onenight stands that are as awkward as f**k, in a one-man tragicomic psychological examination of loneliness, which also illustrates the absurdity of society’s treatment of animals. Alma Tavern; almatavernandtheatre.co.uk

1 October

18 September-5 October THE BARBER OF SEVILLE Opera Project return to TFT with Rossini’s exuberant prequel to The Marriage of Figaro; tobaccofactorytheatres.com

JAY RAYNER: MY LAST SUPPER t’s your final meal on arth; what are you going to have? In a new show based on his new book, Jay tells the stories of the killer dishes that would end up on his table, linked to anecdotes of his life; he’ll also get the audience to design its own last meal. At Redgrave; redgravetheatre.com

20 September

1-5 October

BENJAMIN ZEPHANIAH n his first tour in eight years, coinciding with new autobiography The Life And Rhymes Of Benjamin

SILLY FUNNY BOYS New show from Wardrobe faves Sleeping Trees. Remember their movie trilogy afia e tern ci i No? OK, put this right immediately

PAUL ZERDIN’S PUPPET PARTY Paul and his dysfunctional puppet family are back, not just with established favourites Sam, Albert and Baby, but his new bodyguard, an urban fox, and (yep) a talking ice cream; Redgrave, redgravetheatre.com

REASONS TO STAY ALIVE Stage adaptation of Matt Haig’s frank and funny bestseller, chronicling his journey out of the depression that almost crushed him; at BOV; bristololdvic.org.uk

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WHAT’S ON and catch their new show at thewardrobetheatre.com

2-4 October

BOBBING FOR APPLES: THE HALLOWEEN SHOW It’s Halloween. There will be weird.

Soul Cake Theatre bring four tasty tales of love and revenge laced with dark humour and unpleasantness to Alma Tavern; almatavernandtheatre.co.uk

5-19 October

EXTRAORDINARY WALL (OF SILENCE) d nfinitum com ine the company’s signature style of physical storytelling with the beauty of British Sign Language in three powerful coming-of-age stories; at BOV; bristololdvic.org.uk

MUSIC

13 September

BRODSKY QUARTET & LAURA VAN DER HEIJDEN St George’s faves the Brodskys team up with 2012 BBC Young Musician winner Laura for a Borodin – Boccherini – Schubert triple bill; stgeorgesbristol.co.uk

15 September

FEROCIOUS DOG Called ‘the best live band in Britain’ by someone or other, not to mention the woke-ist, the Dogs bring their Fake News and Propaganda tour to Thekla. theklabristol.co.uk

17 September

EDWYN COLLINS The musician, producer and former punk provocateur has just released his 9th album, Badbea, and is coming to Trinity; www.3ca.org.uk

21-22 September

TOKYO WORLD ive fields of music featuring over 100+ artists, including Craig David, Ms Banks and De La Soul among a host of newer acts; Eastville Park tokyoworld.org

pop balladeer launches her new album Safe Place at Southbank Club; ladynade.co.uk

2 October

QUERCUS The unique folk-meets-jazz partnership of vocalist June Tabor with Iain Ballamy on sax and Huw Warren on piano. It’s the kind of show St George’s seems expressly designed for, with acres of acoustic space for voice and instruments to roam in; stgeorgesbristol.co.uk

4 October

THE TALLIS SCHOLARS A centuries-spanning programme from Peter Phillips and his plainchant Scholars, at St George’s; stgeorgesbristol.co.uk

5 October

PENGUIN CAFÉ Scion of the famous Penguin Café Orchestra, and with many of its hallmarks, the ever-enigmatic Penguins transcend popular and classical music, in a truly unique and immersive sound at St George’s; stgeorgesbristol.co.uk

COMEDY

Until 7 September

JOHN ROBINS: HOT SHAME ohn returns with his first new show since sell-out tour The Darkness Of Robins. Expect soul-bearing, self-lacerating, piping-hot shame. tobaccofactorytheatres.com

8 September

SINDHU VEE: SANDHOG Acerbic home truths from the Edinburgh Best Newcomer 2018; at TFT; tobaccofactorytheatres.com

16, 30 September

CLOSER EACH DAY The world’s longest-running improv comedy soap continues to froth amusingly away at Wardrobe, thewardrobetheatre.com

19 September

ENCOUNTERS ristol’s est and freshest film fest celebrates its 25th year with a typically top-notch programme of film, animation and virtual reality; .enco nter .fi m

GRIFF RHYS JONES: ALL OVER THE PLACE ri ’s on tour again, and this time he’s on about the pains of celebrity, the vicissitudes of parenthood and encounters with the great, the good and even the royal. At Redgrave; redgravetheatre.com

29 September

21 September

24-29 September

LADY NADE Bristol’s own alternative rootsy

ALFIE MOORE: FAIR COP UNLEASHED

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

ABOVE: “It’s a lion; oh yes, it’s a lion” (and repeat) LEFT: The eyes have it: Tape Face comes to Bristol BELOW:

Craig’s officially cool these days, and he’s coming to Tokyo World

WHAT’S ON adio ’s cop turned comedian’s new tour is ased on a dramatic real life incident from lfie’s police case ook involving a mysterious clown... edgrave, re gra etheatre.com

22 September

RICHARD HERRING: RHLSTP r ichard erring’s eicester uare heatre odcast’, as it likes to e called on formal occasions; and now he’s taking the live show on the road. ; ri to o ic.org.

24 September

LUKE WRIGHT: POET LAUREATE he wordy wordsmith didn’t get the royal nod, ut that’s not going to hinder his mission to write poems to unite a nation divided y austerity;at ardro e, thewar ro etheatre.com

26 September

HARRY & CHRIS t’s the ’s favourite comedy rap a duo, and they’re ringing their award winning wordplay, awe inspiring musicality, eye row raising romance and unashamed oy to edgrave; re gra etheatre.com

29 September

7-8 September

COFFEE HOUSE PROJECT he ca eine fuelled cele ration of the est the city has to o er returns to assenger hed with its artisan roasters, indie food and drink retailers, and home grown aristas. theco eeho epro ect.co.

8 September

HOLLY HEDGE FUN DAY his e cellent local animal rescue shelter invites to a mostly canine focused fundraiser day at shton ourt; ho he ge.org.

13-15 September

BRISTOL OPEN DOORS he annual chance to peek ehind the locked doors of some of the most fascinating uildings in the city; see page ri to open oor .org.

15 September

SIMPLYHEALTH GREAT BRISTOL HALF MARATHON ancy a challenge he alf is ack for its third year as part of the reat un eries; over , runners every year take the scenic route for charity. greatr n.org

JON CULSHAW omedian and impressionist on ulshaw and legendary comedy producer ill are come to edgrave for the first time following their sell out tour last year. re gra etheatre.com

16-18 September

30 September

22 September

JOHN ROBINS: HOT SHAME ee also 7 ep) ohn’s not uite finished with ristol, and this time he’s at edgrave; re gra etheatre.com DANIEL SLOSS: X irty, sweet and clever aniel’s rated shows tend to sell out as uickly as they’ve een announced; est hurry to the nson ooms ooking site, then ri to .org.

OTHER

Until 7 September

BRISTOL FESTIVAL OF GIN nlike many of the national drinks fests, a local, fundraising a air, at toke ishop all. ristolroundta le gmail.com KNOWLE WEST FEST ocal community fest, for all ages, at ilwood ommunity entre, with the kind of ur an music nights that efit the irthplace of one ricky. fi woo centre.org.

.

BAIT he acclaimed ristol made film set in a small ornish community comes to u e. on’t e pect o ar . aitfi m.co.

BRISTOL GAMING MARKET ack for a second year, with everything from classic video games, consoles and oard games to custom made artwork. assenger hed; ri to gamingmar et.com

25 September

5X5 he unmissa le series of talks from five very di erent speakers returns to he tation this time it’s le eard, an ichards, r. atthew . ompkins, ate ar ers and uth aniel. ho they ee the we site; e ent rite.co.

28-29 September

COMMUNITY REUSE FESTIVAL euse, arts and creative play unite for a two day programme that cele rates ristol’s e citing and innovative reuse culture. urated y hildren’s crapstore; chi ren crap tore.co.

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

ABOVE: Richard Herring, for whom this magazine has a soft spot LEFT: Hands up who likes dogs? How about smiley dogs that look like foxes?

Help to raise funds for canines in need at the Holly Hedge charity day BELOW:

Hey, prince charming; Hot Shame is nothing to be scared of

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DOLLS HOUSE & MINIATURES FAIR September 22nd, 10am-4pm The Royal Hotel, Weston-Super-Mare Entry adults £2.50, children £1

To experience the exquisite world of dolls house miniatures, visit one of our public fairs where you will find exhibits, displays and demonstrations by some of the leading craftspeople in this field.

tel: 01895 834348 | wendyhobday@wendysworld.co.uk

Our fleet of VW California Ocean campers provide off grid warmth & comfort during Autumn nights

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IMAGINE A BETTER WORLD 32 I BRISTOL LIFE I www.mediaclash.co.uk

ART Yoko Ono 1969 by Ian Macmillan

Hold the front cover (we did!), because world-renowned artist Yoko Ono is presenting her first solo e hi ition in Bristol. Intriguingly, it’s not showing at some cool, contemporary gallery, but the historic Georgian House.

Already we have a few questions…

Words by Deri Robins

E

verybody knows her name.

Most of us think we know what she looks like; although admittedly that iconic 1960s image of a pale face framed by curtains of long black hair is about 50 years out of date.

But where does Yoko Ono sit in the cultural panoply?

Sure, she’s famous, but what does she actually do? Is she an artist, a musician, a film maker or an activist?

Well, all of the above; though it’s only fairly recently that Yoko has received fitting recognition for her work, including the lyric credits to many Lennon songs (notably Imagine) that were previously airbrushed out of history.

As an Asian-American woman who dared to fall in love with a Beatle, an outspoken, provocative voice of feminism, and a category-defying avant-garde artist, Yoko has had to navigate decades of misogyny, distrust and racism; despite this, she seems serenely free of bitterness or resentment. What matters most to Yoko – what has always mattered to Yoko – is that she adheres to her artistic vision as truthfully and steadfastly as possible.

In our mind, Yoko is always dressed in mono, standing serenely in a large, uncluttered white room filled with light (that Imagine video has a lot to answer for), so we e perienced a frisson of surprise on learning that she wasn’t showing her new work in the cool, contemporary space of nolfini or pike sland, ut in the very heritage setting of The Georgian House.

We had a lot of questions for the show’s curator, the artist and composer immy alvin, and we kicked o with this: Why has Yoko chosen Bristol for her show, and how did you become involved in curating it?

“Yoko had originally agreed to be in a show I’d planned to curate in 2011 for the RWA,” says Jimmy. “It was called Tremor, and was due to featured Yoko, Brian Eno, Bryan Ferry and many leading artists, but sadly it didn’t happen due a funding issue.

“In 2013, I saw Yoko’s show Intervention at Ernst Fuchs Museum in Vienna, and thought, I have got to make this happen in Bristol – and now it’s all coming together, in the setting of The Georgian House Museum.”

And if that seems an unusual choice of venue, the clue’s in the show’s title. It’s a deliberate intervention – reclaiming the space in a new and e citing way to ring a whole new audience to the Georgian House, who will then e pulled in to e plore its significance in ristol’s history.

“Yoko is an artist whose thought-provoking work challenges people’s understanding of art and the world around them, says immy. y e periencing conceptual art in this une pected conte t, it will create a platform as an invitation to all members from all communities to join in the conversation.

“As we are all co-creators of our cities’ legacy, and art is one of the few authentic platforms that allow us to have di cult ut necessary conversations, this will e, in e ect, a show within a show. have always een a fan of the u taposition of old meets-new in unusual settings; it’s always interesting. You would normally e pect to see modern conceptual art in a modern white gallery space, but that always comes with attachment and baggage that can sometimes diminish

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

ART Film No 4 consists entirely of close ups of famous persons’ buttocks. If you happened to be part of the NYC tribe of artists in the late ‘60s, you’ll probably recognise some of them

IN HER OWN WORDS… “It’s a waste to not say anything with art“ “There are many women now who think, ‘Surely we don’t need feminism anymore, we’re all liberated and society’s accepting us as we are’.

Which is just hogwash. It’s not true at all” “I did not break up The Beatles. You can’t have it both ways. If you’re going to blame me for breaking The Beatles up, you should be thankful that I made them into myth rather than a crumbling group” “I am glad that we are sometimes happy and sometimes not. You get your wisdom working by having different emotions” “I think energy is the most important thing that we can give to people as performers. Anything else is a little bit pretentious.

But energy is not” “If one billion people in the world think peace, we’ll get peace” “I am more interested in experiencing life rather than finding out its meaning ” “If you have too many quotes from other people in your head, you can’t create. You have to keep your head empty” . . .

the impact of the art. I love the idea of having one of the most important iconic artists/activists in the world taking over that particular space, as it was owned by the Pinney family, who were involved with the slave trade. mnesty international states that human tra cking is at an all-time high, so I want to bring into focus that the slave trade is not just a thing of the past, but happening on a huge scale right now.

“The Georgian House represents the past, and asks: how can we learn from it? Having conceptual art there by an artist and activist brings that conversation into the here and now, for all of us to join the conversation.”

Yoko, of course, has been an art activist for as long as she’s been making art; and unlike some of her peers, she’s never taken her foot o the activism pedal, as Jimmy explains. n the s there was a definite conscious movement towards a united change to make the world a better place, but then most people got sidetracked by the hedonism and forget that the revolution actually needed implementing.

“When you look at where we are now politically, worldwide, it’s a testament that something that was meant to unfold didn’t actually happen the way it was meant to. The real counter-culturetoday is coming from the very young, like Greta Thunberg.

“Yoko’s activism is born out of her pure passion for the world we live in; she has the most important message for us right now, so I am saying this: we are all activists, and we all have a small or big part to play. You’re an activist if you make informed choices about what you eat, or don’t eat, as all of these informed or misinformed choices are impacting on our communities locally and globally.

“People are now waking up to this fact. You can see the impact of globalisation everywhere; all cultural phenomenon, unconsciously or consciously, is demanding a response from all of us, and this plays out in how we live our lives, and treat others and the planet, and our immediate environment’s art is the true authentic voice for our collective voice to be heard: that’s what activism is all about.”

SHOW TIME

The show, called Interventions/2, o ers the first chance in years to see nine of the films oko no made in the 1960s and early 1970s all together in the UK – including the astonishing Cut Piece 5) filmed y avid and

Albert Maysles of a performance at Carnegie Hall.

“There’s also the more recent piece, Arising, which was first shown at he enice iennale in , says Jimmy; “A powerful work addressing the abuse of women that includes testimonies from survivors of sexual and violence abuse.

“Then we have Wish Trees – these invite the audience to compose a wish on a piece of white card, which is then hung on the tree for people to read; the whole show will be like an installation.”

And while diehard Yoko fans may bristle at any implication that the artist is, or ever was, primarily ‘Mrs Lennon’, memories of John are ever-present in the show; indeed, he co directed some of the films , and stars in the 1968 movie Smile.

John once called Yoko “the world’s most famous unknown artist: Everybody knows her name, but nobody knows what she does” – maybe Jimmy can nail this down for us? or me, oko no has always een an artist first and foremost. Even before she married John, she had a fascinating past, full of struggles that she had had to overcome.

“For a start, she is a Japanese woman coming from a very male dominated culture, who had to fight for her right to be an artist and overcome huge prejudices; not just in her own country. When she came to England she was lamed for splitting up he eatles; people gave her a tough time, yet still she shines. er work has always een relevant; she has finally been given full credit for writing the lyrics to Imagine, the most popular song of all time. Many people forget that Yoko was hanging out in New York with Marcel uchamp and ohn age efore she met ohn, so she was a huge influence on him, as much as he was on her; it was an equal relationship.

“You can’t last as long as she has unless you’re saying something relevant, and her work always does that. here wouldn’t e any artists without her she was saying it all years before, and better. She is a counterculture artist, something that’s so rare these days – most art is only ever about money and consumerism.

“My favourite work in this show is Arising, as it addresses a subject that is not often given the oxygen it deserves. It’s a truly powerful piece, that incorporates a film made y oko along with testimonies from survivors of sexual and violent abuse, that will be displayed close to the film.

“When it’s installed, it makes a powerful empowering statement that voices the unspoken for so many victims; for me art has to always be that voice that speaks for those that cannot be heard.” n nterventions ilms y oko no shows at The Georgian House Museum 28 Sept 2019 - 31 Dec 2019 www.bristolmuseums.org.uk

www.mediaclash.co.uk I BRISTOL LIFE I 35

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OPEN DOORS

THE HIDDEN CITY Expect the unexpected at this year’s Bristol Open Doors festival.

Come on in . . .

© CHRIS WILKINS

T

here are hidden, mysterious corners in every city.

Driveways glimpsed beyond gated passageways; unknowable, ancient chambers protected by heavy locked doors; entrances barred by hi-vis stewards, who shake their heads at your tentative approach.

No entry, mate.

Once a year, however, along comes Bristol Open Doors, with its huge, jangling bunch of keys to unlock the city and o er you the ‘open sesame’ get-in you’ve always wanted. An architecture festival with a di erence, it gives you the chance to storm the barriers and take a look behind the scenes of some of Bristol’s most fascinating buildings, from private venues to sta only’ ones in pu lic ones. he rollcall this year includes an airfield, science labs, historic boats, a renewable energy wind farm, a working Victorian boatyard and an asylum chapel, along with even more tours, talks, workshops, activities and exhibitions than usual. What will you discover?

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

New Build Extensions Refurbishment Alterations Kitchen installations Bathroom installations Roofing works General Building Works professional, local builders you can trust Tel: 01172 591 591 Email: info@halgroup.co.uk Online: www.halgroup.co.uk 23 Chandos Road, BS6 6PG

THE ARCHITECT’S TOP 10: ICONIC BUILDINGS AND SITES Bristol’s ever-changing cityscape has seen some exciting additions over the years. From the awardwinning new foyer spaces of Bristol Old Vic to the future transformation of Filton Airfield & Brabazon Hangars into a thriving new neighbourhood, this years Open Doors offers a RIBA-curated list of the top 10 buildings and sites of architectural interest in our programme this year, chosen by the people who know it best.

1. BRISTOL BUSINESS SCHOOL A rare opportunity to walk freely around this cutting-edge staple of architecture in Bristol.

2. BRISTOL OLD VIC Step inside this ‘bold reinvention’ of Bristol Old Vic Theatre. It recently claimed the RIBA South West Award for the foyer space, designed by Haworth Tompkins.

3. COPPER BUILDING Join Ferguson Mann Architects on a tour of Copper Building with a talk on its history and design. An exciting opportunity to participate in the scheme’s VR experience.

4. LUXE FITNESS Join architect Lydia Robinson from Design Storey on a tour exploring the history of the building and learn about its conversion into a state-of-the-art gym.

5. FILTON AIRFIELD AND BRABAZON HANGARS Board a coach tour to see how this historic local landmark will be transformed into a thriving new neighbourhood for Bristol (see main text).

6. FINZELS REACH Join Elgan Jones from award-winning developer Cubex to see how this once neglected site has been transformed into a truly desirable location and new neighbourhood.

7. ST GEORGES BRISTOL An exemplary case of future-proofing a listed cultural building. Interlinking new & old spaces – the new box office, cafe, kitchen and bar adjoin an existing crypt.

8. THE GENERAL After a huge restoration & conversion project which reinstated many original features, hear about the design thinking and renovation process with developer City & Country.

9. THE ROBINSON BUILDING Book on a tour for a rare chance to see inside a converted Victorian colour printing and paper bag factory, now redeveloped into apartments.

10. WALKING WAPPING WHARF Join Alec French Architects on a tour of this once derelict site. A major regeneration transformed this historic area into a thriving new neighbourhood for Bristol.

The Estate We’re In; housing issues analysed

Going Underground: Wild Sound Where and when? edcli e aves, 5 eptem er Best for: amilies and tten orough fanatics t’s not every city that has caves right in its city centre. ristol does. ehind a small door in the anks of the har our lie a comple network of tunnels that e tend eneath edcli e. utting a new spin on the cave e ploring e perience, he s have een working with wildlife colla orators ounded u alo to create a uni ue wildlife sound installation in the depths of the caves, featuring the sound of cave dwelling creatures, from salt mining elephants to seal pups, tiny insects and petrel sea irds.

From Concorde to Concerts Where and when? ilton irfield and the ra a on angars, 5 eptem er Best for: nyone curious a out the city’s plans for an rena. ver since the original hopes for an rena ne t to ristol emple eads was crushed, has een steadily progressing plans for a 7, capacity indoor arena on the former ilton irfield’s ra a on hangar. he airfield is set to undergo a radical transformation, and the hangars that once housed the uilding of oncorde now have a new future want to know more a out what they will ecome oard a coach tour, step inside the cavernous hangars efore transformation starts, and discover the plans for its future.

The Estate We’re In: Wayne Hemingway, Kieran Yates & Cllr Paul Smith Where and when? he rchitecture entre, eptem er Best for: nyone with the remotest

interest in the city’s housing issues ayne emmingway kicks o the launch night of ristol pen oors with a de ate on the past, present and future of council housing. he varied panel of e pertise and opinion includes award winning designer ayne, cultural commentator and ournalist ieran, and the ristol city councillor who is leading the city’s innovative council housing initiative, aul mith.

The Bottle Yard Studios When and where? hitchurch ane, eptem er Best for: anyone pining for Poldark ome and take a guided tour of the former wine production warehouses, now transformed into world renowned television studios, covering seven acres that’s over five foot all pitches). ou’ll e a le to take an e clusive peek ehind some closed doors and learn a out the thriving television industry in ristol. lease keep the magic secret until it lands on your screen .

Bristol: Feats of Engineering When and where? any di erent sites and themes see we site Best for: runelophiles and anyone in thrall to the city’s engineering heritage t’s a given that ristol is home to some of the world’s most famous oats and ridges, and has a long if not always glorious) maritime history. ut sometimes we’re linded y familiarity to the most rilliant infrastructures and engineering ehind our most famous landmarks; sometimes we can’t even see the engineering at all what makes our har our float ). artnering with the oyal cademy of ngineering, ristol pen oors sheds some light on ristol’s est feats of engineering. n Bristol Open Doors takes place across the city 13-15 September; bristolopendoors.org.uk

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

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You are what you eat In his new book Super Nutrition, author and chef TERRY MCILROY tells us how he ate himself healthy – and how you can, too

A

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My thought process shifted to cause and effect, and I wondered if what I was eating – or more importantly not eating – was the cause, and the presenting symptoms were the effect?

I enrolled on a three-year, part-time diploma in nutrition with the College of Naturopathic Medicine. Going back to school was daunting,

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but I was hungry for the knowledge.

I bought a juicer and a smoothie machine, started consuming more fruit and vegetables, and went to see a nutritionist. With these small dietary adjustments my presenting symptoms all but disappeared. It was transformational!

The course inspired me to combine my chef skills with my newfound passion for nutrition, and create my own recipe book with recipes and lifestyle tips fuelled by the correct nutritional protocols.

My new book Super Nutrition is my life’s work; it outlines the ways I’ve used nutrition and my passion for food to heal body and mind, improving my physical and my emotional wellbeing. n

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Colleges across the UK and Ireland.

For more information please visit naturopathy-uk.com or call us on 01342 410 505 www.mediaclash.co.uk I BRISTOL LIFE I 43

the mane attraction Oh yes, it’s a lion: Disney’s leonine blockbuster is padding stealthily towards Bristol . . .

S

ome dubbed it ‘Bambi on the Serengeti’; others, ‘Hamlet with lions’. Whatever the similarities to any literary and movie predecessors, the fact remains that Disney’s The Lion King, with its admittedly uncuddly-sounding plot about a lion cub trying to reclaim his murdered father’s land (that’ll be the Hamlet bit, then), became one of the best-loved tales of all time.

It all started with the 1994 animated movie – one of the big successes of Disney’s ‘comeback’ era, along with The Little Mermaid, Aladdin and Beauty and the Beast.

The film began in jaw-dropping style, with that opening sequence: an epic, overhead procession of animals, set to a mesmerising Zulu chant that (as we subsequently learned) translates, rather bathetically as “Here comes a lion, father; oh yes, it’s a lion” (and repeat). More recently, we’ve had Disney’s ‘live action’ remake, with the CGI beasties voiced by Beyoncé, Donald Glover and Chiwetel Ejiofor.

The stage version’s been going for the last two decades. Brace yourself, stats fans: there have been 25 global productions, seen by over 100 million people in over 100 cities in 19 countries, earning it the highest worldwide gross of any entertainment title in box office history. The latest tour, which opens at Bristol Hippodrome this month, is the autumn big-hitter for the theatre.

We met three key figures behind the show, and asked them what they felt was the secret of The Lion King’s phenomenal appeal.

“GREAT CREATIVITY”

Lebohang Morake, also known as Lebo M, has worked on both the film and stage versions as a composer, singer, and performer, and has recorded four songs for the soundtrack of the remake.

The director of the original Broadway show, Julie Taymor, said she was inspired by the music of Lebo in her stage adaptation, which resulted in the inclusion of many South African influences.

“People can relate to aspects of most of the characters,” says Lebo. “In every family there’s a Scar, a Timon and Pumbaa; a mother or father of authority. And everyone can relate to death. I’m still amazed how much that touches people. There’s great creativity in the staging of the show, and a great universality in the story.

“The Lion King introduced a new audience to animation, a new audience to theatre, long before we even go to the obvious new opportunities for South African music and South African talent. It’s opened doors in many ways. It’s a very proud legacy.”

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

ARTS THE LION KING IN NUMBERS • Since its Broadway première on 13 November 1997, 25 global productions have been seen by more than 100 million people • The Lion King has been performed in nine different languages: English, Japanese, German, Korean, French, Dutch,

Spanish, Mandarin and Portuguese • Produced by Disney Theatrical Productions, under the direction of Thomas Schumacher, The Lion King has made theatrical history with six productions worldwide running 15 or more years

• Having played over 100 cities in 20 countries on every continent except Antarctica, The Lion King’s worldwide gross exceeds that of any film, Broadway show or other entertainment title in box office history • There are six indigenous African languages spoken in

the show: Congolese Swahili, Tswana Zulu, Xhosa, and Sotho • There are 232 puppets in the show, some of which were inspired

by Japanese Bunraku puppetry. They include rod, shadow, and fullsized puppets.

“A UNIVERSAL STORY”

President and producer of Disney’s Theatrical Productions, Thomas Schumacher, was a producer on the original 1994 The Lion King movie, and is an executive producer on the new film version.

“The Lion King was the first movie to be translated into 32 different languages,” says Thomas. “It was even translated into Zulu. Whether you were a kid in Israel, a grandma in South Africa, a college student in Finland, you all saw the same story – because it’s about all of us. It’s about family and community and responsibility and growing up: I think that’s just so universal.”

“EXTRAORDINARY MUSIC”

Richard Oriel is general manager of production for the Disney Theatrical Group, and has worked on many big name musicals including Miss Saigon, Sunset Boulevard, Oliver! and Cats.

“There are many elements that make The Lion King a huge success,” says Richard. “The storytelling is set against extraordinary music from such diverse talents as Elton John, Hans Zimmer and Lebo M, accompanied by Garth Fagan’s choreography, all sewn together by Julie Taymor’s exquisite vision. It’s the fusion of these different creative influences that combine to make something so unique and ground-breaking.

“Disney also manage to keep the show fresh. Each show gets crafted round the individual company.

There will always be some parts of it that couldn’t change, but essentially, it’s given a fresh creative look every time the show is performed, wherever that is in the world.”

®DISNEY

Disney’s The Lion King plays Bristol Hippodrome 7 September-23 November; www.bristolhippodrome.net

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

eat, think bristol fashion Fancy a nice slice of tart with your art?

A sourdough roll with your rock’n’roll?

When it comes to catering, every modern arts centre needs an offering that’s as slick as its programming...

By Lisa Warren 48 I bristol LIFE I www.mediaclash.co.uk

ARTS VENUES xxxxxxx

B

ack in the bad old days, the choice of victuals at theatres and concert halls was pretty paltry. A pot of ice-cream in the interval with a splintery spoon; maybe a glass of rough wine, or a non-craft beer. Shudder. And art galleries? A cup of tea uilders) or co ee instant), and a slice of something y r Kipling if you really lucked out.

But look how things have changed; today, in order to attract discerning punters, every venue needs to supply a level of catering that can rival any café or restaurant in the city; somewhere you’d want to visit even if you weren’t already going to see a show, a gig or an exhibition. If music be the food of love, play on . . .

BRISTOL OLD VIC

It’s been quite the transformative year for the English-speaking world’s oldest continuously working theatre. Gone are the mismatched tables, chairs and bashed leather sofas (though we’d become rather fond of them); the whole front of house has had a RIBA-winning overhaul – seriously, it’s stunning – while rated local caterers Fosters now run the 7 ar itchen, from morning co ee, reakfast and lunch right through to evening pre-show dining, cocktails and dinner. Ruling the kitchen is Italian chef Coco Barone, whose Sunday lunches have gained an almost evangelical following. The plays here are quite good, too.

TOBACCO FACTORY THEATRES

There’s been a fabulous café-bar at the TFT for as long as we’ve been running this magazine, and the décor was aceing ‘industrial style’ before most people had even heard of the thing. The large, contemporary space has long been a mecca for Southville and Bedminster folk, who come for the high-quality modern British-European fare and excellent range of drinks, with many of Bristol’s exciting array of craft breweries represented. There’s also a big sun trap of an outdoor terrace, with its its own bar.

ST GEORGE’S BRISTOL

St George’s triumphantly unveiled its new front of house at roughly the same time as Bristol Old Vic, and it’s another beauty, set in a pavilionstyle extension. The café is open from breakfast through to lunch; from 5pm it becomes a bar. The chef with the best name in town, Oakan Brousse, serves everything from substantial roast lamb and aubergine salad to imaginative soups and sarnies; make sure you take a moment to look up and admire Luke Jerram’s beautiful installation, Apollo.

Part of a food-drink-theatre hub from the very beginning, The Wardrobe at Old Market Assembly has always mixed culture with catering

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

Autumn Exhibition: Sept 14 - Oct 14 84 Hotwell Road, Bristol, BS8 4UB Telephone : 0117 929 2527. Find us on social media: For more information visit: www.limetreegallery.com

Are you even from Bristol if you’ve never #outsidefini-ed?

THE WARDROBE

Over in Old Market, Bristol’s most laidback and fringey theatre was sorted from the word go, having always been a part of the Old Market Assembly concept: bar, restaurant and music venue, with the little theatre out back. The vibe may be relaxed, unpretentious and boho, but they’re dead serious about the award-winning food, with a seasonal and sustainable flexitarian dinner menu showcasing local supplier produce with creative, flavourful dishes.

ROYAL WEST OF ENGLAND ACADEMY

If anything, a great café at a gallery is even more important than at a theatre – all those calories burned off by walking around while knowingly stroking your chin need to be replenished, and pronto.

The café at RWA is called Epiphany, and it deserves to be more widely known. Founded by Bristol barista Alex Zeal and baker Bethen Reid, it serves brunches, ‘stuff on sourdough’ and salads, soup and sandwiches to sustain you on your culture-filled day; the smoky beans on toasted Hobbs House sourdough with rosemary butter come recommended. We particularly enjoyed learning the Proustian nugget that Bethen’s madeleines are inspired by memories and recipes passed down by her French grandmother.

WE THE CURIOUS

We’re big fans of the industrial style WTC café, not least for the brilliant floor-to-ceiling illustrations by Bristol-based illustrator/ inventor Alan Snow. Obviously sustainable food and drink is high on the agenda, and the café has won awards for its initiatives, including the Soil Association Food for Life Gold Catering Mark.

The gift shop’s great too – but that’s another feature . . .

ARNOLFINI

The Arnolfini champions contemporary art while contemplating current affairs and pushing the boundaries of different mediums of expression – all of which needs a lot of good coffee, food and beer.

Luckily, they’ve partnered with Bristol Beer Factory to supply the café-bar with famously picturesque views of the waterfront. Along with a few fish and meat dishes the menu’s largely veggie and vegan, with special dishes for children. The bar’s open until late, and drinking al fresco on a balmy evening while dangling your legs over the harbour walls is such a sacred part of the Bristol summer that it has its own instagram hashtag – #outsidefini.

M SHED

Not content with having some of Bristol’s best small restaurants as its next-door neighbours, Bristol’s ‘museum about Bristol people’ has its own M Café on the ground floor, with a range of fresh, Fairtrade and organic hot and cold food and drinks, including a selection of homemade cakes, sarnies and specials. It’s recently added a new bar serving a specially brewed ale by Mad Dog, best enjoyed when they open up the glass walls, allowing you to loll about on the outdoor seating in Museum Square. The current Aardman Early Man exhibition is an ideal excuse to visit.

SPIKE ISLAND

The much-loved waterside arts hub is almost as well known for its spacious and attractive café as it is for its contemporary art exhibitions. The seasonal menu draws on organic and locally sourced ingredients to make everything from proper brekkies to lunch bowls, pasta and toasties, though nobody will bat an eyelid if you make a mug of great coffee and home-baked brownie last half the morning as you tippetty-tap away on your laptop.

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

ARTS VENUES Hang on – what if there isn’t a café?

It’s a scary thought, we know – but don’t panic, because no arts centre in Bristol is far from a great hostelry or two

GRAFT Graft offers workshops and tours to help you learn about and celebrate Bristol through the medium of graffiti, and the talented artists have made their mark at many locations around the city. “When designing murals, we take inspiration from the history and location of the site, as well as the cultural background and ingredients of the food and drinks served there,” says founder, Rob Wheeler.

Workshops take place at the Island on Nelson Street and the Old Fire Station, after which the guys recommend the volunteer-run Kitchen café inside the latter.

Graft also run workshops at St Werburgh’s Community Centre, where the on-site Neck of the Woods café offers great breakfast, brunch and lunchtime meals.

HIDDEN

One of the most intriguing and surprising galleries/shops in town, this tiny Clifton Arcade gallery sells astonishingly prestigious work by famous 20th-century artists, along with contemporary local pieces. After marvelling at the presence of some of the biggest names in modern art history, you can go off and contemplate selling a kidney to buy one over a coffee at the Primrose Café, right at the end of the arcade where it meets Boyce’s Avenue. One of Clifton’s most established favourites, it’s one of the best places in town to indulge in a spot of al fresco café society.

PORTSIDE

After admiring the mesmerising glass paintings of local artist Jane Reeves, among the work of other artists, many of whom are inspired by the Bristol area, nip into nearby cafe Spicer + Cole for a cup of Extract Coffee and one of the tempting savoury tarts, frittatas, cakes or pastries.

LIME TREE GALLERY

Bristol Old Vic www.bristololdvic.org.uk

Spike Island www.spikeisland.org.uk

Tobacco Factory Theatres www.tobaccofactorytheatres.com

Hidden www.myhiddenworld.co.uk

St George’s Bristol www.stgeorgesbristol.co.uk

Portside www.portsidegallery.co.uk

Lime Tree holds a diverse collection of contemporary art by dozens of skilled artists, with a Hotwells location that’s handily sited for refreshments aboard The Grain Barge. Idyllic on a non-rainy day, you can watch all the waterside activity – SUP boarders, little boats, and the elegant gliding swans who make the rest look like amateurs – from the upper deck while tucking into a menu that celebrates the best seasonal produce from local farms and suppliers, a range of craft beers, lagers and ciders from some of the UK’s most exciting independent breweries.

The Wardrobe www.thewardrobetheatre.com

Lime Tree Gallery www.limetreegallery.com

PAINTWORKS

Royal West of England Academy www.rwa.org.uk

Paintworks www.martinparrfoundation.org www.rps.org

YOU HAVE BEEN READING

Arnolfini www.arnolfini.org.uk M Shed www.bristolmuseums.org.uk

Graft www.graftworkshop.co.uk We The Curious www.wethecurious.org

Over the past few years, this cluster of media hubs and new-build homes off the Bath Road has acquired two sublime resources for photography fans – the Martin Parr Foundation, and the Royal Photographic Society. Both always have some fascinating exhibition or other going on, and luckily for you, they’re right next to the excellent Bocabar – a fairylit food and drink lounge with comfy sofas and local art for sale. They’re known for their pizzas, along with local draught beers and ciders, cocktails and wines, along with Ottolenghi-inspired tapas. n

Apparently there are some great plays on at the Tobacco Factory, too...

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

1

HAPPY TOGETHER Clap along if you feel like a room without a roof; in this issue, Colin’s here to champion Bristol’s happiness heroes Words and pictures by Colin Moody 54 I BRISTOL LIFE I www.mediaclash.co.uk

BRISTOL HEROES

2

H

appiness, happiness. If we all just made sure we got that sorted, right? And yes, it can be hard, working 9-5, with pressures at home. But this city has an uncanny ability to jump outdoors with passion and va va voom, and make joy giving happiness en masse. So here are a few of those who do just that, or who were caught up in the oy of the moment. aterfights, community ambassadors, icons – maybe even you.

1

3

There’s only one place to start with happiness heroes, and that’s with e night, Big Issue seller of legend.

He’s been making people happy for years, and now via a very carefully worked and sympathetically approached fundraiser we’ve enabled him to get a van, which has helped him to become more emboldened with his community focus, if that’s possible.

I recently asked him to tell me about the neighbourhood for a new book and when it came to the whole area he summed up the attitude he wanted to impart to us by saying “the turf belongs to everyone”.

2

Cleo Lake (centre) was our Lord Mayor for a term, and in her last week of o ce she held a party in the traditional civic home of the role. There are some iconic paintings that hang there, and she pointed out the significance of a few of them to me. ut her iggest gift of all to the city is happiness through dance. She danced every week in o ce, and even set up regular dance sessions in City Hall, so when you needed to see her it was in the main ballroom, dancing. Right under the Queen’s portrait. Class.

3 4

Free burgers. Get your free burgers here.

It might have been a tricky situation for the police dealing with hundreds – or was it thousands? – I can’t remember, because when they rushed the Landrover for the third time it was all a blur.

This was the day that Oowee decided to celebrate a big birthday with a mega burger giveaway.

The police had to step in, but by far my favourite thing I’ve heard from anyone ever in this city was from the copper on the left, who had to start handing out burgers once he was kettled by the crowd to the front: “You lot, seriously; it’s just a burger...”

But the hands never stopped reaching until every burger bun and pickle was away.

I saw one guy who was late to the party have a pop at some busker who was displaying the Extinction Rebellion logo on his jacket, in a kind of Orwellian burgerless melancholy that was half-hearted and soon petered out.

Here’s to anyone whose burger made them happy.

Would have been nice if a few more of you had handed them to the homeless guys on your way past Tesco, but after all, you did fight your way to the front for this one.

“I saw one guy who was late to the party having a pop at a busker, in a kind of Orwellian burgerless melancholy” www.mediaclash.co.uk I BRISTOL LIFE I 55

BRISTOL HEROES

5 6

he fire riga e turned up with their engine – not to control the crowd, but to join in the fun”

4

I could go in to details about how this resident on Gloucester Road was moved to raise money for a local hospital by creating amazing displays in his garden, but I wanna get right to the happiness bit.

He made a Dalek from bits and bobs, and it activates when you walk past it. Yessss! Got an old dented council compost bin hanging around? That’s the body of the thing. And Bishopston Hardware for the weaponry (egg whisk, etc).

Oh and he’s made loads of kids happy via the South West Children’s Hospice. Many of them.

Top bloke.

5

I wouldn’t have mentioned that banana, but they did.

Always a laugh. The happiest waste team I’ve ever seen are these lads on East Street outside a greasy spoon. They were joshing and laughing so much it cheered us all up.

6

iant waterfight in illennium uare, . hey tried something similar in London; three people ended up being arrested, one for GBH, while another had to be taken to hospital with injuries. In Bristol, there were no casualties or arrests. he fire rigade turned up with their big engine – not to control the crowd (who included former mayor George Ferguson) but to join in the fun with their hose. Bristol, huh?

7

7

You know who you are You donated the bear And that bear will make someone very happy.

I call this delayed happiness, but it really works.

8

Anyone who hangs out with their mates and makes sure you have a good time – you are happiness champions, too. These two mates were front and centre for the Windrush stage at St Pauls Carnival this year.

Cool.

Happy.

Both.

So Bristol.

8

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

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

ADVERTISING FEATURE

Meet the eco-friendly business

It’s never been more important to be green – but who’s going the extra mile in saving the planet?

ALISTAIR MCHARDY

HARRY WOOD

ATMOSPHERE ELECTRIC BIKES 0117 9087153; www.electricbikes.org.uk How long has your business been established?

12 years, going on 13 now.

What is the most enjoyable part of your job?

Watching customers get the ‘Electric Bike Smile’.

The first time they try one of the bikes, and realise that they can go anywhere now. Revelation.

How is your business eco-friendly?

Another car off the road – perfect for commuting in our jammed city. We no longer use company vans as a business, and staff commute on electric bikes.

What advice could you give to anyone to become more eco-friendly?

Try an electric bike and just be amazed how it can change your life, while freeing up our roads and cutting carbon emissions – all with a smile.

Which product is your most popular?

We have some Danish bikes which are just so cool and great value.

Is there anything else you think we need to know?

We are all passionate here about getting people the right ebike and spreading the word.

What stands you above your competition?

We have been dedicated to this new form of transport for over 12 years – which means we know what we are talking about and committed to get the right bike for our customer.

CHILDREN’S SCRAPSTORE 0117 914 3002; www.childrensscrapstore.co.uk

Alistair McHardy

Harry Wood

JAKE VOELCKER

JANE THOMAS

BRISTOL BICYCLES 0117 329 7363 www.bristolbicycles.co.uk How is your business eco-friendly?

We believe that with higher levels of cycling, Bristol will be a healthier, happier place to live and work for cyclists and non-cyclists. Our mission is therefore to make cycling as accessible as possible to all ages, genders, and levels of experience.

What is the most enjoyable part of your job?

For me the satisfaction comes when someone who wasn’t previously a cyclist, or someone who thinks they can’t cycle any more, has a go on a Bristol Bicycle or one of our electric bikes and thinks “Yeah, I can do this!” I’m very grateful to be part of empowering that change.

What new technology has been introduced in your sector and how does this help you?

Electric bikes are very exciting for people who need to carry kids or a lot of luggage, or for people with a long commute, especially long uphills. An electric bikes makes hills as easy as cycling on the level!

BRISTOL TANDEM HIRE 07470 311592 www.bristoltandemhire.co.uk

Jake Voelcker

Jane Thomas

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

How long has your business been established?

Children’s Scrapstore started off as a Friends of the Earth project in 1982, and has moved several times over the years. In 2003 we moved to Scrapstore House in St Werburghs, which remains our home, and from which we run a wide variety of events and workshops.

How is your business eco-friendly?

We are a charity with a combined focus on reuse, play, and art. We locate and reuse industrial byproducts, surplus materials and waste from the business community. We collect waste and are always looking for new items of scrap and new suppliers.

This service is free and we divert around 200 tonnes from landfill and energy recovery each year. In our Art Shop we only stock recycled paper, and try where we can to favour UK suppliers. We are also encouraging our suppliers to use less plastic in their packaging.

What advice could you give to anyone to become more eco-friendly?

Make green decisions at home when you can (eg take advantage of the Bristol Reuse Campaign, and buy reused and reconditioned household goods) and encourage your place of work to prioritise sustainability (eg conducting a travel to work survey or a waste audit).

How long has your business been established?

We are in our fifth year of hiring our high-spec British built tandems. Our youngest cyclist, so far, was aged seven months; the oldest 88 years!

What is the most enjoyable part of your job?

Meeting new-to-tandem-riding cyclists and watching them pedal away, chuffed that they can do it – and then hearing about their adventures later.

How is your business eco-friendly?

Being web-based means we organise our hires around pre-arranged central collection hubs, which we cycle to, wherever possible. Temple Meads Railway Station is a popular choice to start from, with our riders. We have a number of traffic free routes from here.

How do you feel you could become more eco-friendly?

We are enjoying putting together more routes to our favourite places, cafes and pubs.

Is there anything else you think we need to know?

Tandem cycling is an inclusive activity – it is especially great for people who are non-riders or who want to gain confidence in cycling.

ADVERTISING FEATURE NICK LLOYD

URBANE ECO LTD 0117 909 8090 www.urbane-eco.co.uk How long has your business been established?

I’ve been in building for 40 years plus, and in the last 15 or so I’ve become very interested in using natural products, both for the health of the planet and for the health of the occupants.

How is your business eco-friendly?

We are currently building a Passive house, which is a house where a comfortable interior climate can be maintained without active heating and cooling systems. So extremely low heating bills, for a start!

Uniquely we have incorporated Building Biology standards into this new build, which means that anything potentially harmful to human health has been eliminated, so it’s all made with breathable and natural materials, including a thin clay block system, wood fibre insulation, lime plaster, clay eco paint, untreated wood and natural oils.

There are also low EMF emissions as there are hard-wired data cables throughout the house and radial electrical

circuits in the bedrooms.

What new technology has been introduced in your sector and how does this help you?

This new build has a very advanced mechanical ventilation heat recovery (MVHR) unit combined with an air source heat pump that maintains a perfect indoor air quality, and eliminates allergens, mould and humidity, and helps to heat the house in the winter, and cool it in the summer.

Plus, the PV panels on the roof are connected to an indoor storage battery so you do not waste any electricity and you can monitor its output remotely via an app.

What stands you above your competition?

I have been training with the Green Register in Bristol for many years and am on their steering group. I am also collaborating with renowned Building Biology architect Tomas Gaertner of SEDesign on the current new build. Plus, we have a extremely well-trained team. So, I am totally confident we can deliver a fully sustainable, healthy, high-quality product each time.

Expertise You Can Trust

Sustainable Building Solutions

We believe your house should be a healthy place to live too - and our approach takes into account important issues such as indoor air quality, humidity, and the wider impact on the environment “We’re really pleased with the end result.

You have a great team of people”

S External, internal or hybrid wall insulation S Energy efficient windows and doors S Warm roof insulation systems S Whole house retrofit S Passive House new build S Breathable insulation systems for sale S All with natural and healthy materials

“Damp is no longer a problem and condensation has dramatically reduced” “Efficient and professional... fantastic job” “The men have all been courteous, interested, helpful and adaptable... it’s really cosy now” “We wouldn’t hesitate to do it again”

0117 909 8090 | info@urbane-eco.co.uk | www.urbane-eco.co.uk Unit 15, Avon Valley Business Park, Chapel Way, St Anne’s, Bristol BS4 4EU

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

Conquering Bristol Hills the Eco Way. Test Rides, Finance, Cycle to Work, and lots of help

Open: Tuesday to Saturday from 9.30 - 1700

Atmosphere Electric Bikes 137 St Georges Rd, Bristol. BS1 5UW. t. 01179087153 For more information: www.electricbikes.org.uk

Discover & explore your own tandem journeys on one of our carefully chosen routes around the beautiful cities of Bristol and Bath.

A great activity for all the family!

info@bristoltandemhire.co.uk // 07470311592 // www.bristoltandemhire.co.uk � @bristandem //  www.facebook.com/bristandemhire

DELICIOUS INNOVATIVE CUISINE Three Course Menu £38.50 (off peak Mon - Wed £30) Festive Feasting Tapas Menu available at Chandos Social for small parties. £29 any day.

5-7 Chandos Road, BS6 6PG | 0117 973 3669

www.otira.co.uk

BIRCH

If you’ve always dreamed of having the perfect neighbourhood bistro at the end of your street, it could e time you moved to Words by Deri Robins

A

short while ago, we were taken to task on Twitter for not running negative restaurant reviews. Odd, we thought; nobody would expect us to put together a shopping feature filled with products that we didn’t think were very good.

The clue’s in the magazine’s mission statement: we celebrate the best of the city. We’re not going to devote two precious editorial pages to something we don’t like; we’re here to point you in the direction of places that we think are great, though obviously we’re happy to flag up any small glitches or disappointments that may have diminished our enjoyment of our visit. Let others point and jeer, and bring second-rate businesses to their knees. We’re far too busy enthusing about the good stu , and we’re not even sorry.

What we are sorry about is that we never got around to visiting irch when it first opened in . am each and Beccy Massey became overnight food heroes, but after five years of intensive restaurant running, they sold up and moved to the country to make cider instead.

Lovely for them; not so great for the rest of us.

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

We all perked up no end, though, when Birch reopened in a matter of weeks, with much the same name, vibe and seasonal-cooking philosophy. It must have been tempting for new owners, twin brothers Tom and Ali Masters, to have jiggled the mojo in order to put their own stamp on a airs, so respect to them for taking a self e acing if it ain’t roke, don’t fi it’ approach. y dining partner, a firm fan of the first irch incarnation, said she felt immediately at home. The ar’s a it di erent, there are new, leaf green an uettes and the art on the wall has been changed, but if you weren’t concentrating you probably wouldn’t notice the di erence; it’s still the same light, airy, minimal neighbourhood bistro of dreams. ead chef ee loomfield’s menu changes weekly. ee worked with om at the eymour rms in lagdon, but his CV also takes in stints at Bibendum and Lutyens; closer to home he’s also worked at Muiño. He takes a similar small-plates approach here at Birch, though his unday lunches are rapidly ecoming the stu of legend. he welcome was una ected and warm, and fresh bread arrived in minutes. We always mark down any

RESTAURANT

restaurant that doesn’t o er this as a complimentary courtesy, and the fact that irch does means that we were o to a flying start. etween three to four dishes per person is recommended, so if you go with three mates you’ll e a le to sample every one of them. irst out of the traps was a generous portion of arancini four fat rice alls with plenty of surface crunch and inner gooeyness. u tly flavoured with tarragon, these leapt to a whole new level when dipped into a osky orto ello mushroom ketchup. couscous salad, uicy with tomatoes and pomegranates, came moulded prettily into a disc topped with a uenelle of la neh, on a smoky puddle of a a ganoush. lo al flavours team eautifully with local sourcing at irch, and a orean style tuna tartare with egg yolk set us wondering, not for the first time, why anyone ever others cooking fish when it’s so damn delicious raw. very cook swears lind y their own method for the perfect pork crackling; ee’s trick is to put the fat into a dehydrator for two days efore shoving it into the fire. he end result is crunchy without eing teeth shattering, while the meat stays luscious and tender, all set o with eautifully udged accompaniments in the form of lack pudding and urnt apple pur e. his dish made us want to ook up pronto for unday lunch as did a generous portion of her crusted lam rack, served with fondant spuds , a y shallots and lack olive tapenade. he lam ’s served rosy pink, and your veggie friends may have to politely avert their ga e as you connect with your inner arly an and rip every last shred from the one. he pud list is short and sweet, my plus one digging into a decadent chocolate fondant while lamelessly derived my five a day from a erry compote; asically a car free, guilt free take on the summer pudding a dish whose appeal always eluded me read soaked in uice o). irch reopened a year ago, and outhvilleans must e reathing easily in the knowledge that their renowned local is in safe hands. udging y a packed dining room on a sleepy late ugust evening, so can om, li and ee. o, there you have it. nother thoroughly decent meal, with all essential o es ticked. o feel free to inspect the dishes shown on this page to see if you can detect a flaw, ecause ’m afraid we’re stumped. n

“The tuna tartare set us wondering why anyone ever bothers coo ing fi h when it’s so damn delicious eaten raw”

DINING DETAILS Birch, 47 Raleigh Rd, Bristol BS3 1QS; 0117 902 8326; www.birchbristol.co Opening hours Tuesday-Friday, 6pm-10pm; Saturday, midday- 3pm, 6pm-10 pm; Sunday, midday-4pm Prices Small plates £3.5-£18; puds £5.5-£6.5 We visited Friday evening Service and atmosphere Relaxed and friendly but informed and efficient Veggie choice Four out of 12 dishes Disabled access All on one level

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

45 Whiteladies Road, Clifton, Bristol BS8 2LS

FOOD & DRINK I T ’ S T H E TA S T I E S T PA G E O F T H E M A G A Z I N E …

CHANGE FOR A QUARTER While great cooking and sourcing has always been at the heart of Somer Dining at The Chocolate Quarter in Keynsham, the guys are taking things to a new level by appointing Chris ‘Bell’s Diner’ Wicks as executive chef.

As the Chocolate Quarter is essentially a retirement home, albeit with many areas open to the public, Chris is exploring a new concept based on the science behind how people appreciate food as they age so think small, light portions, with ig flavours in exciting new combinations – which sounds to us a pretty healthy way of eating for people of all ages. www.somerdining.co.uk

THE ITALIAN JOB Here’s a tasty collab, if you like. Local bar/restaurant group Hyde & Co have joined forces with popular Clifton neighbourhood restaurant Rosemarino, with the aim of bringing some fresh new ideas to the latter.

Rosemarino has long been known and loved for its casual Italian- inspired food and drink.

“The restaurant scene in Bristol is so fast paced,” says co-founder Sam Fryer (top, middle), “and we’ve always felt it’s important not to forget the more established venues among all the new openings. The partnership with Hyde & Co is a great opportunity for us to start a new chapter and bring some fresh new ideas to the table.

“Nathan (Lee, top left) from Hyde & Co and I began working together 17 years ago in local institutions such as The Glass Boat and Goldbrick House, so it’s exciting to be collaborating with him again, and pooling our shared expertise.” he talian influence

will remain strong at Rosemarino, as co-founder Mirco is now based in Verona and will continue to supply top quality and exclusive Italian produce.

Head chef Emilio Allegretti, from Modena, has also brought his expertise to the new menu, including a selection of cicchetti alongside Rosemarino’s famous all-day brunch and laidback evening dining.

“We opened Hyde & Co at almost the same time as Rosemarino opened in Clifton, nearly ten years ago, and we’ve both weathered the storm of a very unpredictable decade for the food and drink industry,” says Nathan Lee. “We saw this partnership as a great opportunity to help out a fellow Bristol restaurant and celebrate everything that our industry has to o er.

Rosemarino will be undergoing a gradual refurbishment over the next few weeks, but will still be open seven days a week. www.clifton.rosemarino.co.uk

HONOURING HERITAGE Larkin Cen’s restaurant Woky Ko: Kauto on Queen’s Road will reopen on 9 September as Woky Ko: Jing Xu. Jing Xu means ‘honouring heritage’, and the menu will be based on Siu Lap Dong – a casual type of eatery popular in China which serves meats roasted on spits over an open fire, creating a deep flavour in the roast.

The restaurant will have a faster paced counter service, with upstairs reserved for private hire and group bookings.

Open seven days a week, dishes will be available for both dine- in and takeaway customers. www.wokyko.com/ jing-xu

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

NEW MENU

Find a little sunshine on Gloucester Road at The Blue Lagoon!

- Cocktail of the week: two for £7.95 everyday - Half price Pizza: Monday to Friday, between 2pm and 5pm - Live music all week

Private Hire Festive Feasts Supper Clubs Events Get in touch to book your Christmas celebration with a difference hello@thecityfarmcafe.org.uk Windmill Hill City Farm, Philip Street, Bedminster, Bristol, BS3 4EA

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

APPLE WATCH

A

pples have come a long way since that unfair bad-boy rep they earned in the Garden of Eden. They may no longer be forbidden, but they’re still incredibly tempting, and this season they come into their own.

Can’t think of anything more original to put them in than a crumble?

You need James Rich’s new recipe book Apple: Recipes from the Orchard on your kitchen shelf, pronto. And bearing in mind the crisper, cooler, shorter days ahead, we thought we’d share a couple of recipes that are perfect for early autumn: a warming soup, and a gurt big jug of rum-laced cider punch.

CURRIED PARSNIP AND APPLE SOUP Serves 4

I am a big fan of parsnips and their subtle herby sweetness, which incidentally makes them a great companion to apples. Throw in some curry spices and you have an aromatic and flavourful bowl of hearty warmth.

This soup is very quick and easy to make – and what’s more will fill your home with beautiful sweet and spicy aromas while it cooks.

Ingredients 2 tablespoons olive oil 1 onion, chopped 600 g (1 lb 5 oz) parsnips, peeled and chopped 2 medium potatoes, peeled and chopped 2 garlic cloves, crushed 1½ teaspoons curry powder 1½ teaspoons ground coriander 1 teaspoon ground ginger Salt and freshly ground black pepper 1 cooking apple, such as a Bramley, peeled, cored and chopped litre flo cups) chicken stock Juice of ½ lemon

Method 1. Heat the olive oil in a large saucepan over a medium heat. Add the onion and fry for 2 minutes. Then add the parsnips and potatoes and fry for a further five minutes until they begin to soften. Add the garlic and fry for a further two minutes.

2. Throw in the spices and some salt and pepper and give everything a good stir with a wooden spoon to allow the spices to toast. Add the apple and fry for one minute.

3. Add the chicken stock and bring to the

boil. Reduce to a simmer and cook for 25 minutes until all the vegetables are soft and mush easily with the wooden spoon. Take o the heat and leave to cool.

4. Blitz the soup in batches using a food processor or hand-held blender until it is smooth. When everything is blended, add the lemon juice and stir.

5. To serve, warm the soup, then ladle into bowls. Top with a swirl of crème fraîche and a sprinkling of crushed, toasted coriander seeds.

To serve Crème fraîche Coriander seeds, toasted and crushed

Did you know that the apple’s widespread popularity is down to the Romans? Or that the fruit is a member of the rose family?

You’ll be an instant apple expert after reading this book…

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

© JACQUI MELVILLE

WHAT DID THE ROMANS EVER DO FOR US?

RECIPE

UNCLE MIKE’S CIDER PUNCH Serves 4

Uncle Mike’s Cider Punch is something that should carry a polite advisory note. While it is absolutely delicious and will have everybody coming back for more, it is certain to get the party started – no bad thing in my book.

My Uncle Mike used to serve this when the whole family got together at one of his many parties and autumn bonfires, and while we were never absolutely sure what he added into the punch bowl each time – and to be honest it was more a case of whatever he had spare would be thrown in, rather than a tried-andtested recipe – he always created something that would give us rosy cheeks, warm hearts, and a rather quiet and subdued morning after.

Ingredients litre flo cups) medium dry cider ml fl o scant cup) dark rum ml fl o scant cups) ginger eer ce cu es star anise crisp, sweet eating dessert) apple, such as rae urn or alsta , cored and sliced, handful of straw erries and rasp erries, halved orange, sliced oda water, to taste

© JACQUI MELVILLE

Method om ine the cider, rum and ginger eer in a ug with plenty of ice. dd the star anise and fruit. op up with soda water, to taste, and serve as a delicious long drink for la y summer days.

For more: Apple by James Rich is published by Hardie Grant at £20

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

app

o r again

What’s the point of having a former Housemartin as a columnist if you don’t send him in to review at least one cocktail bar*? With this in mind, we weaned STAN CULLIMORE off the caffeine, and perched him at the bar at Hyde & Co (*If you have no idea what we’re on about, Google ‘Housemartins’ greatest hits’. . . )

T

COCK TAIL PHOTOS BY KIRSTIE YOUNG

his city is celebrated for many things: street art, street food, ships, balloons: it’s a long and lush list. But in this column, we’re making a homage to the drinking dens of Bristol. The ones we have right here on our own doorstep. Though one bar in particular.

Think about it. Wherever you go, whenever you wash up somewhere new, one of the first things you want to do is find a place to drink.

I’m talking about those delightful dives, those watering holes, where pleasure and ice cubes can be found at the bottom of a glass, life can be lived in low light and tomorrow is far, far away.

Turns out, I’m not the only one who thinks this way. The talented souls at Hyde & Co, one of the brightest and most innovative stars in the city’s oo e driven firmament, have come up with an entire menu filled with cocktails named after the great drinking dens of Bristol, past and present.

As directed by my editor, who had a sudden lightbulb moment that involved sending a former member of The Housemartins in to review a happy hour, set o with an empty note ook, a throat dry enough to build a sandcastle and a crack team of cocktail connoisseurs, with the aim of giving these tipples the ultimate taste test. e were foundered at the first hurdle, which involved finding the front door and that was when we were all still stone cold sober). In our defence, Hyde & Co models itself on the old speakeasy vibe; no street names, no pack shots, no neon signs. The way in is through an anonymous matt black door halfway up a side street behind

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

Rocotillo’s, down on the Triangle. We managed to wander past it several times before realising we had arrived at our destination. Look; it was just very well hidden. fter finding a discreet name check hidden underfoot, rang the ell. his fires o a light ehind the ar to alert the sta that customers are a’ calling. f the sta are feeling friendly, they open the door and let you in. Not quite sure what

e were o n ere at the fir t h r e which in o e fin ing the ront oor an that wa when we were a ti tone co o er they do if they’re not feeling friendly. Our luck was in. Mia, our host for the evening, let us in, settled us down in a comfy nook and left us with the book of beverages: a delightful document that lists the drinks, each named after a famous drinking den, along with their contents and a potted history of the bar in question. It has pretty illustrations, too. went for a hu ar avern who knew that rhubarb was grown commercially in Barton Hill until the 1940s? Me, now.) My companions had

an assortment of better-known famous names; a Mauretania, a Western Star Domino Club and a tasty tonic water for our lucky designated driver.

Mia got busy behind the bar, aided and abetted

by Harrison, returning minutes later with a tray packed full of hope and happiness in liquid form. All the cocktails – around a tenner a pop – were gorgeously presented. Each individual drink is an absolutely perfect balance of form and function full of flavour, packed with su tle, yet razor-sharp alcoholic overtones, guaranteed to get you sipping with a grin on your face as wide as the Suspension Bridge.

They also have the kick of a rocket-powered mule, right to the bottom of the ice cube. After two or three of these fired up eauties, you won’t be walking home in a straight line any time soon.

The rest of the evening passed in a delicious blur. We were catching up with old friends, so the conversation was as spicy, bright and welcome as the procession of cocktails that arrived. By the time we were ready to head for home, we were a happy band of blissful boozehounds, all mixed up with no plans for the morrow. n i it e o i o can fin it at he a ement pper ron ace www.h ean .co ormer o emartin g itari t tan i now a o rna i t an tra e writer www. tanc imore.com Could they be any more Bristol? THIS PAGE, FROM FAR LEFT: Hatchet; Hole in the Wall; Rhubarb Tavern OPPOSITE PAGE, LEFT: Granary; RIGHT: Dugout

CAFÉ SOCIETY

They’re happy it’s a lovely place to be: Stan (middle) with his crack team of cocktail connoisseurs

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

CHRISTMAS PARTIES

ON THE TH 105 DAY OF CHRISTMAS… Don’t shoot the messenger, but it really is time you booked your Christmas party . . .

Christmas is Ruby the Elephant’s favourite time of year at The Coconut Tree.

Look at her happy little face!

CHRISTMAS PARTIES

N

o, we know. Honestly; we agree with you. It’s not remotely beginning to look like Christmas; it barely resembles autumn. But we also know this: if you’re hoping to book a festive meal for a largish group, there’s no point hanging about until mid- December and then saying, “So, what does everyone fancy?. All the best places will be solidly booked up by the end of November; frankly, even leaving it until October can be a bit dodgy.

So, if you’re in charge of the office do, flick past this section at your peril. Wait much later, and it’ll be takeaway kebabs all round – and good luck with making that look like a lifestyle choice.

That said, we do feel a tiny bit sheepish showing you pictures of snow, fairy lights and candles draped with ivy this early in September, so meet us halfway, yeah? Just stick on some Nat King Cole, pour yourself a large sherry, and let’s talk turkey. You may jeer now, but you’ll thank us in the long run.

BAMBALAN

BAR 44

Did someone say sherry . . ?

As you’d expect from this bunch of hispanophiles, Bar 44 is offering a Spanish twist on festive fare, offering two sharing tapas feasts. Up to 50 people can be seated in the restaurant, with two subterranean private dining rooms for more intimate get-togethers.

What’s on the menu?

Choose from the tapas feast and the roast platters, which you’ll find on their website. www.bar44.co.uk

CARGO CANTINA

Based on the cantinas of Mexico, Cantina can be hired exclusively for up to 25 people; they can also create bespoke experiences, from cocktail masterclasses to Mexican bingo.

What’s on the menu?

Traditional Mexican bar snacks and tacos made from fresh, carefully sourced ingredients, along with what they swear are the best margaritas in town. www.cargocantina.co.uk

THE CHRISTMAS STEPS

Is this the most Christmassy pub in Bristol? This Dickensian quarter is insanely picturesque, and this pub, housed in a 400 year old sugar refinery, is the perfect spot to tuck into a Christmas meal.

What’s on the menu?

The menu is created using local, ethical suppliers with a vegan option for every course. Can we tempt you with the venison haunch, roscoff onions and prune and Earl Grey sauce? Or how about the Hokkaido squash stuffed with lentils, wild winter mushroom and vegan parmesan? www.thechristmassteps.com

THE COCONUT TREE

Our favourite Sri Lankans are poised to help you throw a proper party, with street-foodstyle sharing feasts, and prices that start from as little as £12 per person for lunch.

What’s on the menu?

Expect all the usual faves from the menu, along with special festive dishes: turkey or jackfruit rolls with tangy cranberry sauce, Sri Lankan-style split sprouts and cashews, and devilled pigs in blankets. www.thecoconut-tree.com

COLSTON HALL

“Colston Hall – isn’t it closed at the moment?” No! Only the actual concert hall.

They’re still putting on spectacular events, day in, day out – “we’ve got the flexibility,

© KHALI PHOTOGR APHY

With food as fresh, vibrant and colourful as the décor, Bambalan takes the non-trad route (though when you think about it, what could be more historically apt for a Christmas celebration than Middle Eastern food?). They can cater for parties of all sizes, from team lunches to full-venue takeovers, with more

space on the heated outdoor terrace, and some of the best views across the city centre.

What’s on the menu?

Bam’s Christmas menu is designed specially for sharing, taking inspiration from their usual Middle Eastern inspired menu, with plenty of cocktails to wash it all down. www.bambalan.co.uk

THE BARTENDER

Lewis Spindlove and his team can bring the party, with a pop-up cocktail bar in your office (for some reason we’re thinking a Mad Men dress code...)

‘Aving it large at the Milkie

“We can supply bespoke mobile bar units, entertaining bartenders and great drinks,” says Lewis.

“We’ve got some amazing seasonal drinks, including the Mince Pie, Gingerbread Bellini, and my favourite; the Christmas Cake Old Fashioned, made by macerating the whole cake in a bottle of Bourbon….” www.thebartender.co.uk

Does Cantina mix the best margaritas in town? Only one way to find out

in-house expertise and the entertainment contacts to make your bash the party of the year!” they say.

What’s on the menu?

A range of options from the finest Bristol caterers, from grazing buffets to a multicourse sit down meal, from traditional festive fare to a colourful Caribbean feast. www.colstonhall.org/venue-hire

GAMBAS

Spanish-inspired seafood and tapas, with a laidback festive vibe and a party menu.

Gambas can be booked exclusively, and is happy to create special food and drink experiences from sherry tastings to tapas pairings, bringing a warm beaker of the south to your Bristol Christmas.

What’s on the menu?

Tapas classics to share, alongside meat, seafood and vegetarian specials and a selection of Spanish wines. www.gambasbristol.co.uk

HYDE & CO

Escape the festive madness at Bristol’s original speakeasy, where the talented mixologists will be serving their awardwinning cocktails in an atmosphere reminiscent of 1920s NYC. Fancy a festive event with a difference? How about a cocktail masterclass or spirit-tasting? www.hydeand.co

THE KENSINGTON ARMS

Grace Dent recently rained superlatives on this Redland gastropub, to the surprise of absolutely nobody in Bristol. It’s a total

charmer with its ‘rural pub in the city’ vibe, great food, nice linen and superb service; if you need a plus-one for your Christmas bash, we think we’re free that day…

What’s on the menu?

They had us at the plum bellini, or rose and pomegranate negroni, served with pig twigs; hauled us in with the promise of confit duck, ham hock and pistachio terrine, followed by goose breast; and sealed the deal with a sticky toffee pudding. Fish fanciers and veggies won’t struggle, either. www.thekensingtonarms.co.uk

“Leave it much later to book, and it’ll be takeaway kebabs all round – and good luck with making that look like a lifestyle choice...”

MASA + MEZCAL

The ultimate party destination; ideal for bigger parties, and with a later licence for bands, DJs and entertainment, allowing you to throw a Latino style party that everyone will still be talking about next July.

What’s on the menu?

Get stuck into an array of botanas (Mexicaninspired snacks) before sharing a range of authentic Mexican fish, vegetarian and

vegan dishes. The guys also have the biggest selection of mezcal in the city, and you can get your party started with a guided tasting, with specially created cocktails – or if you prefer, house beer Masa, made in collaboration with Good Chemistry Brewing. www.masaandmezcal.co.uk

THE MILK THISTLE

With four floors to play with, The Milk Thistle has festive fun covered. Private dining room The Attic can be hired for dinner parties, The Lounge accommodates larger cocktail parties, or you can throw the ultimate Christmas shindig and hire the whole venue.

Canapés, buffets and festive feasts are all catered for by sister restaurant The Ox (see page 79), so you’ll be well fed. www.milkthistlebristol.com

OTIRA

Tuck into Stephen Gilchrist’s innovative modern New Zealand cuisine in the intimate, elegant yet rustic dining room. The fabulously friendly service is the icing on the Christmas cake.

What’s on the menu?

Really imaginative spins on a winter’s feast.

Starters such as roast parsley root, fennel meringue and dukkah, or smoked eel with sweet potato and cod roe mousse; mains such as quail stuffed with oysters, pancetta and pearl barley, Marmite and celeriac purée. Puds include sweetened pumpkin, frozen ewe’s yoghurt, chestnuts and gingerbread latte soil.

Meanwhile, next door in intimate little Chandos Social, smaller groups can dig into a festive tapas menu. www.otira.co.uk

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

CHRISTMAS PARTIES Knowing the ss Great Britain’s attention to detail, if it doesn’t snow for real, they’ll bring the stuff in. . .

THE OX

The rich colours, atmospheric lighting and fin-de-siècle glamour makes The Ox special at any time of year, but the ruby red interior could have been designed for Christmas; ideal both for team lunches and private dining in the Green Room.

What’s on the menu?

A crowd-pleaser of a feast, from beef rump to duck, brill or roast celeriac, that stays true to The Ox’s ethos of fine British fare. www.theoxbristol.com

PASTURE

“Fire, meat, music…” Pasture is ideal for Christmas parties, due to the large and flexible two-storey space: book for predinner drinks, an extensive menu and live music, for those wanting to stay and party.

What’s on the menu?

Obviously there’s steak, but the set Christmas menus offer a good meat/fishy/ plant-based balance – we’re tempted by the mushroom Wellington with pickled chestnuts even though we’re not veggies. Cocktails at £6 help to kick off proceedings. www.pasturerestaurant.com

PATA NEGRA

There won’t be a turkey in sight at Pata Negra; instead, expect authentic Spanish tapas feasts, perfect for sharing. For larger bookings, Pata Negra boasts two private event spaces, with capacity for 120 on each floor, including private bars, sound systems and dance floors. The entire venue can also be booked for groups of up to 300.

What’s on the menu?

All the charcuterie, boquerones, croquetas

etc of your Andalucian dreams… www.patanegrabristol.com

THE PONY & TRAP

The mother ship in the Josh Eggleton galaxy, where the Michelin-starred chefpatron can usually be found presiding over the kitchen alongside his crack team. The Pony itself is the ultimate rural pub, with a very local and unpretentious vibe, set in lovely Chew Magna countryside.

What’s on the menu?

Hearty yet sophisticated fare, with that extra Eggleton touch that means so much. We’ll be the guests taking far too long deciding between the ox cheeks and the artichoke and cheddar pasty. www.theponyandtrap.co.uk

“Nobody will object if you take a ‘Jack an o e e fie at the prow . . .”

ROOT

Meanwhile over in Cargo, chef Rob Howell will be doing what he does best, serving sharing platters of mostly plant-based varieties in a little restaurant that’s just begging to be booked out for exclusive use.

What’s on the menu?

Rob ’s trademark sharing dishes in a mostly plant-based feast with a few fish and meat

dishes; the cured sea bream should be on every Bristol foodie’s bucket (or indeed, Christmas present) list. www.eatdrinkbristolfashion.co.uk/root

THE SPOTTED COW

A fabulously Christmassy setting, with the cosiness dial turned up to max thanks to a large log-fired wood burner and plenty of candles. The imaginative menus using local suppliers have made this an absolute fave for the discerning Southville/Bemmie set.

What’s on the menu?

A very reasonably priced traditional feast with a free glass of gin fizz or prosecco; think whole roast pigeon, cranberry and lentil nut roast, vegan leek and cheese crumble, and venison with faggots. www.thespottedcowbristol.com

ss GREAT BRITAIN

What could be more Christmassy than a Victorian style feast on a ship? And not just any ship, either, but Brunel’s masterpiece; and not in just any old bit of the ship, but the First Class dining saloon, whose opulence was once admired by the famously hard-toimpress Queen Victoria. You’ll be able to explore the ship, and nobody will object if you take a ‘Jack and Rose’ selfie at the prow.

What’s on the menu?

First-class cuisine (and service) as befits first-class passage. The team have worked with Bristol’s finest chefs to create a festive dinner menu that ranges from winter terrines to confit turkey, and ends up with a decadent chocolate and clementine torte.

There’s also a buffet menu. www.ssgreatbritain.org

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

Celebrate Christmas in style at Bristol Marriott Hotels

Join us for a charming night of decadence, dining and dancing.

Enjoy the spirit of the ball at our Christmas Masquerade.

Make an entrance with your own mask or try one of ours on for size. It will be a night to remember with a delicious three-course festive meal and superb entertainment including casino.

There will also be a prize on the night for ‘Best Mask’!

From £28 per person.

Quote “Bristol Life19” and receive a complimentary bottle of bubbly*

Mercure Bristol North The Grange Hotel, Old Gloucester Road, Northwoods, Winterbourne, Bristol BS36 1RP Tel: 01454 355012 | Email: christmas@mercurebristol.co.uk www.mercurebristol.co.uk/bristol-hotel-offers/festive-celebrations

Celebrate the festive season with us!

Prepare for an enchanting evening of delicious food, fantastic DJ music to get you on the dance floor and a fun party atmosphere, great for celebrating with friends or colleagues.

Party Nights at Bristol Marriott City Centre Festive Party Nights - From £29.95 per person Every Sunday to Thursday from 21st November 2019 Deluxe Party Nights - From £44.95 per person Every Friday & Saturday from 22nd November 2019 All-inclusive Party Nights Sunday to Thursday - £49.95 per person Friday to Saturday - £64.95 per person Party nights at the newly restored Bristol Marriott Royal Hotel Private Lunches from £25 per person.

Sunday to Wednesdays from £44.95 per person Thursdays to Saturdays from £49.95 per person Call us now on 0117 929 4281 for availability.

Email us on mhrs.bristol.events@marriotthotels.com

Disclaimers: (V) - Suitable for vegetarians.

If you have any dietary requirements or are concerned about food allergies, e.g. nuts, you are invited to ask one of our team members for assistance when selecting menu items. All prices include VAT at the current rate. Gratuities are discretionary.

*for bookings over 10

CHRISTMAS PARTIES THINK BIG; NO, REALLY BIG… For the biggest, most glamorous Christmas shindigs in town, there are two clear options . . .

HYPE Famous for hosting Bristol’s most ambitious Christmas parties at Passenger Shed, Hype can cater for 700 revellers a night.

This year’s immersive theme is The Greatest Show, taking inspiration from the movie of (almost) the same name, with a dash of PT Barnum, Moulin Rouge and all things circus thrown into the mix.

As you might expect from the theme, they’ve

WOKY KO: KAIJU bumped up the live entertainment even further this year, with a huge cast of singers, dancers, circus performers and musicians guided by a professional director, choreographer and musical director.

“It’s going to blow people’s socks off!” they say. “You don’t need to be a giant corporation; we can take groups as small as eight, with the flexibility to add and take people out of your booking if people leave or join the business.” www.hypeagency.co.uk/ venues/bristolvenue THE CHRISTMAS SPIEGELTENT A party at Spiegeltent is so much more than a party; it’s a bit like time travel to an ealier era, specifically

the late 19th century, 1920s and 1930s, when these Belgian ‘mirror tents’ – hand-hewn pavilions known for hosting wild and decadent parties – were used as travelling dance halls, bars and bohemian entertainment salons.

The wooden mirrored rooms exude mystery, beauty and romance; if it’s easy to picture Marlene Dietrich singing Lily Marlene in one of them, that’s because she did.

The Christmas parties, masquerade balls, live music events and foodfilled festive soirees are all carefully pitched to suit the ambience. Oh, and overdressing is simply not possible. So much glitz… www.christmasspiegeltent. co.uk

One for the ‘and now for something completely different’ set: Larkin Cen’s ramen bar and Japanese grill at Cargo is ideal for both group bookings and exclusive hire.

What’s on the menu?

The chefs will be cooking meat, fish and veg over the traditional Japanese robata grill in the open kitchen as you tuck into grilled sharing plates and celebratory drinks. www.wokyko.com/kaiju

YURT LUSH

The atmospheric tipi is snug with woodburning stoves, and a-twinkle with fairy lights. It always feels a bit like a mini-festival here, and Oscar Davis’s cooking is always on point. It also couldn’t be handier for the train, unless it was actually on Platform One. What’s on the menu?

A very well-priced set feast; we think we’ll have the pan-roasted scallops with apple, hazelnuts and chorizo fritters followed by roast loin of venison, though don’t hold us to it. n www.eatdrinkbristolfashion.co.uk/yurtlush

© EVENT PHOTOGR APHY BRISTOL

“If it’s easy to picture Marlene Dietrich singing Lily Marlene in a Spiegeltent, that’s because she did”

Believe the Hype; the glitz and glamour of this year’s Greatest Show theme will be off the scale

www.mediaclash.co.uk I BRISTOL LIFE I 81

Perfecto Coffee Machines

Perfecto Coffee provides the best coffee machine and grinder combination to give you the benefit of freshly ground coffee in every cup of coffee.

View our products online!

www.perfectocoffee.co.uk

07818187373 | perfectocoffeeuk@gmail.com |

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FRAMELESS SUNNIES, £15 Not only are they fun, funky and a snip at the price, but they’ll give you a rosetinted view of the world – even down the Croft on a rainy autumn afternoon From That Thing, 45-47 Stokes Croft; www.thatthing.co

TOILE FABRIC AND PAPER, £POA Timorous Beasties, a word in your shelllike, please! We just adore your modern urban toile, but we can only see London, Edinburgh, Glasgow and New York in the range – when you doing Bristol?

From www.timorousbeasties.com

LA VIE EN ROSE

Millennial pink; rose gold; pale dogwood: whether you think it’s ironically pretty, post-pretty, or just plain pretty, we can’t get enough of it. Think pink!

ALEXANDER MCQUEEN T SHIRT, £185 Innocent sugar pink, and an ominous skull – if this contradiction doesn’t scream ‘unisex’ we don't know what does From Harvey Nichols 27 Philadelphia Street www.harveynichols.com

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

BARTS SKIPPER HAT, £27 The Greek fisherman’s cap has been seen on celebrity heads from Kate Moss to Liam Gallagher (Kate wore it better). We’re loving this pretty feminine pink colourway, made from a warm wool blend and with ad usta le fitting From Fox + Feather 43 Gloucester Road www.foxandfeather.co.uk

SALCOMBE GIN, RRP £40 The prettiest, rosiest gin we’ve ever seen, with such a delicately citrus taste that we’re almost reluctant to add anything extra, even tonic. We didn’t swig from the sample bottle neat at our desk, you did From Clifton Cellars 22 The Mall www.cliftoncellars.co.uk

ED’S CHOICE EVENFALL 4; SIGNED GICLÉE PRINT BY JODY THOMAS, £120 Don’t tell Jody that we’re suggesting you choose his work to match your colour scheme.

Oh, actually, go ahead; we reckon he wouldn’t mind...

From www.jodyart.co.uk/about

PINK KNOTTED SWIMSUIT, NOW £70 (WAS £140) Flattering plunge-necked one piece, from our current lingerie crush, Bristol online shop Fleur of England rom www. e ro eng an .com

ANNIE SLOAN CHALK PAINT, RRP £19.95 It’s not easy choosing just one colour from Annie Sloan’s glorious range, so we’ve gone right ahead and chosen the ‘Antoinette’ for you.

You’re welcome From My English Home, Clifton Arcade www.myenglishhome.co.uk

ESTELLA BARTLETT ‘SCORESBY’ BAG £50 It’s wide and spacious, it comes in ‘vegan leather’, it has a handbag charm and a little tag that reads ‘dare to dream’, and we’re seeing nothing not to love here From Pod Company 24 The Mall www.thepodcompany.co.uk

COLAB CRUISER DECK, £225 Bristol artists CopyRight and Gemma Compton combine street art with a romantic narrative in these strong iconographic decks; we’d purely love this one on our wall From www.cantcopyright.co.uk

VIVIENNE WESTWOOD ORB PASTELLE WATCH, £215 Pink’s a dream match for silver, and we’re loving the dangling addition of Viv’s trademark orb charm From Garment Quarter 23-25 Penn Street www.garmentquarter.com

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

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ADVERTISING FEATURE

The vein choice Why should you treat varicose veins? And why might they come back? Prof Mark Whiteley of THE WHITELEY CLINIC has all the research – and some exclusive solutions!

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aricose veins were once thought to be ‘only cosmetic’, but this is incorrect. Studies show varicose veins deteriorate in stages:

Thread veins (spider veins or “broken veins”) Varicose veins Swollen ankles Red or brown marks at the ankles or eczema at the ankles Leg ulcer (an open sore at the ankle)

Each year, one in 20 people at any of these stages will deteriorate to the next worst stage. One in 10 people have visible varicose veins, and the same number again have ‘hidden varicose veins’.

Hidden varicose veins can cause ankle swelling, red and brown stains, and leg ulcers, without any visible surface varicose veins. If varicose veins or hidden varicose veins are treated properly, the deterioration reverses.

EFFECTIVE TREATMENT In the past, doctors thought that varicose veins came from only two veins – the great and small saphenous veins (previously called ‘long” and ‘short’ saphenous veins).

However, The Whiteley Clinic research has shown that there are over 150 different veins on each side that can be involved. These include

accessory saphenous veins, above and below knee perforators and pelvic veins.

A common cause of recurrence after treatment is that the original scan was inadequate and significant veins were neither identified nor treated. Duplex scanning should be done by expert vascular technologists. When a doctor does their own scan, they can miss 30% of these other veins. Hence NICE guidelines say varicose veins should be treated by a team – not a doctor by themselves.

Once the problem veins have been identified, the optimal treatment for each can be selected.

Such treatments include Echotherapy (SONOVEIN® – exclusive to The Whiteley Clinic in the UK), Endovenous Microwave, Endovenous Laser, TRLOP, and Pelvic Vein Embolisation.

Foam Sclerotherapy is useful in small veins but has poor results in big veins.

There are other endovenous treatments such as radiofrequency ablation, mechanochemical ablation, glue and stripping, but each of these have drawbacks and so are rarely or never used now in The Whiteley Protocol®.

THE LOWEST POSSIBLE RISK OF RECURRENCE Each individual patient has their own pattern of venous disease. Not surprisingly the old ‘standard approach’ to varicose vein surgery –

concentrating on just two main veins – gives poor long-term results, even if the new techniques are used.

The Whiteley Protocol® allows us to tailor combinations of treatments aimed specifically at each individual pattern of venous disease.

Our 15-year audit has proven treatment by The Whiteley Clinic to have the lowest possible risk of recurrence. n

For more information visit www.thewhiteleyclinic.co.uk or please call 0330 058 1850† The Whiteley Clinic, Litfield House Medical Centre Clifton, Bristol BS8 3LS Calls cost no more than standard landline rates

†

www.mediaclash.co.uk I BRISTOL LIFE I 91

EDUCATION

THE EXTRA FACTOR

Great exam results are important – but as every good school knows, that’s only part of the story

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t’s that time of year again. The GCSE and A level results are out, and you can’t move for photos of triumphant, paper-clutching teenagers leaping into the air like so many migrating salmon.

But as any good school (and we feature four of these below) knows, parents want a fully-rounded education for their children – sociable and inventive activities, that broaden the curriculum and bring on each child’s skills and talents. et’s see what’s on o er.

BADMINTON

Independent, boarding and day school for girls aged 3 to 18 years in Westbury-onTrym What extra-curricular activities do you offer your pupils?

There’s a vast and eclectic range, testament to the hugely varied interests of both the girls and the sta t adminton there is no one ‘type’ of girl, so our enrichment programme is dynamic, diverse and dedicated to enabling the girls’ wide-ranging curiosities and cultures. ome of the activities on o er have an academic bias, such as ICT Programming Club and Young Engineering. Others allow the girls to grow and pursue their talents, from orchestras to debating, cross-stitch and theatre tech. Health and well-being is also a focus in all that we do, with activities including running, fencing, judo, dance, Duke of din urgh, pilates and crossfit.

There’s been a huge growth in the number of activities that schools offer. Why do you think that is?

It’s becoming increasingly important that students leave school with more than just ualifications, and parents are looking for development of their child as a whole, not just

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

academically. This is particularly apparent with university applications where personal statements or substance to discuss at interview often hold equal weight to grades.

At Badminton, girls learn so much more than just a thin veneer of facts; they leave us with a toolkit of experiences and understanding that’s come from real life, hands-on practice of their subject matter. t is not the case of simply filling them up with knowledge, it’s a out filling them out with experiences as well. www.badmintonschool.co.uk

“It’s not the case of imp fi ing p pi up with knowledge; it a o t fi ing them out with experiences as well” CLIFTON COLLEGE

Co-educational independent school in Clifton, for pupils aged 3-18 Tell us about some of the activities you offer your pupils

We believe co-curricular activities are a key part of a pupil’s education and development and the provision at Clifton College is extensive and varied. The activities we o er include sport, art, drama and music activities as well as Combined Cadet Force (CCF), Duke of Edinburgh Award, volunteering opportunities and wilderness and survival courses.

What activities are most popular?

Many of the activities are extremely popular, from taking to the stage in the annual House Play Festival to powerboating courses with the CCF, or sailing on Chew Valley Lake. Our own Forest School is also very popular with our younger pupils.

What are the most exciting activities that you offer?

We aim to provide as wide a range of activities as possible, from sea kayaking in Norway to walking in the Alps or taking on Duke of Edinburgh challenges in Morocco. Closer to home, we also look to provide something for every interest, from real tennis or rackets to astronomy club, Model United Nations and electro workshops. www.cliftoncollege.com

COLSTONS GIRLS

Independent secondary academy for girls in Montpelier What activities do you offer?

Our vision is to inspire students to become confident, ethical and compelling individuals with the aspiration and qualities to shape a better future for all.

Enrichment is so fundamental to our core purpose at CGS that it is not extracurricular, but part of the school day. Every student selects from a wide range of inspiring activities designed to stretch, challenge and inspire, from engineering and computer programming to rugby and trampoline, public speaking competitions to language learning, school plays to knitting, chess club and origami. Beyond our compulsory school day enrichment programme we have the full range of sports teams and fi tures.

What activities are most popular?

The Duke of Edinburgh Scheme is immensely

clockwise from top left: Connecting with the great outdoors at Clifton College; Red Maids girls love an adventurous challenge; Colstons Girls tackling issues; sailing is hugely popular at Clifton College; Colstons Girls have a full range of sports teams and fixures

www.mediaclash.co.uk I BRISTOL LIFE I 93

EDUCATION

Tune into Redmaidio to catch the Fi Glovers (or Jo Whileys?) of the future

popular, and almost every Year 9 student chooses to take up the nationally recognised bronze DofE. The programme involves helping the community/environment, ecoming fitter, developing new skills, and planning, training for and completing an expedition. In years 10/11 students progress onto Silver, and in the Sixth Form, Gold, which includes a challenging wild camping expedition, a team residential activity and a ualification that includes points for university application and a visit to uckingham alace to receive the ward.

Are there any volunteering opportunities?

promotes social action opportunities through the nvision ommunity pprentice opportunity. e are partnered with reat estern ail, who provides professionals as mentors. hrough a mi ture of weekly coaching sessions and workshops the students are supported to identify an issue they care passionately a out, come up with a way to help and make it happen. hey complete film, pitch and oardroom challenges. ecent and our coeducational Sixth Form) projects have included challenging gender stereotypes in careers; promoting discussion of mental health; challenging Islamophobia, and helping local homeless people. www.colstonsgirls.org

RED MAIDS

Independent school for girls aged 4-18 in Westbury-on-Trym Tell us about some of the activities you offer your pupils

e o er a wide variety of . hile we have a very strong uptake of the mainstream activities such as sport, music and drama, we also have students who show particular talents or interests and we hope we provide something for all of them. or e ample, we run an afterschool coding clu , which allows students to develop their knowledge of computer science and helps e uip them with new skills that they can then apply to national competitions. Students are also encouraged to take the initiative to run their own activities or groups, and this is particularly evident in our Sexuality and ender cceptance group, which was instigated by sixth form students and is overseen by our Head of PSHE. Are there any volunteering opportunities?

e run uke of din urgh, which has a volunteering element to it, and we also have strong connections with local and international charities, such as aring in ristol, nited orld chools and he Moldova Project.

Our international trips are strongly linked to our extracurricular provision – rather than simply visiting a country for the duration of the trip, there is a substantial programme put in place in the run up to such trips to am odia, epal and orocco), which gives students a deeper understanding of the country and culture they will e immersed in.

This programme also gives the group time to plan how to est use the resources they have gathered and their time to most e ectively support the communities they will e working with.

We have also run ‘Paint Pals’ in con unction with the charity live, which is an inter-generational project that brings together children in local schools and older people living in care homes through art.

What’s the most unusual or exciting extra curricular activity that you offer?

he school has its own radio station, Redmaidio. Students present and produce their own radio shows, including interviews with visiting speakers, music shows and quizzes. This gives students the opportunity to reach the whole school community and to learn new skills.

The Science Department hold regular issection lu s which are always exceptionally popular. n www.redmaidshigh.co.uk

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

ADVERTISING FEATURE

Cheers, Drive

Meet James Orgar of 2ND2NONE DRIVING SCHOOL – your local choice for driving lessons that almost guarantees you a first-time pass

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hat sets 2ND2NONE apart from the competition, says James, is the customer service. “We aim to help everyone that contacts us looking for driving lessons, and our team will go out of their way to help customers in any way that we can. We have over 600 customer reviews from previous customers – check them out.

What misconceptions are there about driving schools?

Most people think we are all the same, in how we teach and talk to our pupils, and that we probably have an easy job just sitting next to learner drivers all day. If only.

What are the best parts of the job?

Helping people gain their freedom and independence, seeing them grow with confidence and become qualified drivers. There’s nothing better than taking on a newbie, who has never driven a car before, helping them grow and develop their driving skills to the driving test and beyond. Its also one of the saddest times having to say goodbye to some wonderful pupils that you get to know, and sometimes share neardeath experiences with, during training!

If you could give one bit of advice to new drivers, what would it be?

Drive sensibly and don’t overestimate your driving skills. Far too many new drivers are involved in road accidents; try to ignore peer pressure and most importantly turn off your phone while driving, as any distractions can have fatal consequences.

How long have you been established?

The driving school has been established in Bristol since 2009 so this will be our 10th year.

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

Automatic or manual: which do you prefer?

We offer both manual and automatic lessons, but I still prefer teaching manual lessons.

What services do you offer at your driving school?

Manual and automatic driving lessons. Intensive driving courses over 1-2 weeks. Under-17’s driving lessons for ages 12+. Driving instructor training courses. B+E trailer courses.

How do you envisage the future of driving lessons?

There seems to be an ever-growing demand for automatic driving lessons, and not just from older learners, but also from some 17-year-olds who haven’t had lessons before. With the arrival of more electric and hybrid cars on the market, I only expect this demand to grow.

How can pupils save money on their driving lessons?

Many driving schools offer block-booking discounts, so this can save you money on your lessons. I would also advise you to keep up regular driving lessons of at least two hours a week, but more the better, as this will help you develop your skills and save you unnecessary lessons in the long run.

How often should people be refreshing their driving skills?

If it was up to me, I would say every 10 years or so. I have been lucky in the fact that I’ve had to take loads of extra driver training over the years: my original drivers licence; my PSV licence so I can drive buses, followed my LGV licence for trucks; my driving instructor driving test, and my fleet qualifications have all helped me gain driving experience.

What areas do you cover?

Bristol, Bath, Thornbury, Yate, Portishead, Nailsea, Clevedon, Weston-super-Mare and the surrounding areas.

Is there any advice you can offer to people about to sit their test?

I often see very good confident learner drivers fall apart when it comes to their driving test. My advice to them would be to try and relax, think of the driving test as a simple assessment – you know you can do it, and your driving instructor wouldn’t let you take the test if they didn’t believe you were ready. Remember, all you have to do is take out a stranger for 45 mins and show them how good you are and driving, relax, and the time will fly by. Failing that, try eating a banana before you take your driving test, I’ve read that they can help people reduce their nerves.

Is there anything else we need to know about your driving school?

We are currently on a recruitment drive for new driving instructors to join our driving school in Bristol due to customer demand; anyone interested in training to become a driving instructor should get in touch through the number above. We are also able to help existing driving instructors with dual control car hire as part of a self-employed franchise. n

www.2nd2nonedrivingschool.co.uk 0333 7729642

There has never been a better time to consider that career change and train to become a qualified driving instructor.

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It’s the city’s business

BRISTOLWORKS THIS ISSUE >>BRISTOL’S CREATIVE CHALLENGE (104) >>BOUGHT AND SOLD (107) >>JON SIMON PIEMINISTER (109)

British Corner Shop, Cabot Circus, Clear River, Clifton College, Curo, ersfield, e us ristol, icholas Wylde, Regus and VWV. “We are thrilled that so many businesses enjoyed the Awards last year, with so much positivity and support from the full array of Bristol’s organisations,” says Steph Dodd, MediaClash’s Events irector. ow for the challenge of making the ne t year an even etter celebration for the city.”

The Bristol Life Awards will be held on 30 April at Lloyds Amphitheatre, with the allimportant nominations opening this ovem er.

Information for businesses on How to Win a Bristol Life Award will be available via the website.

“We’re keen for all companies to put the best possible case forward for a Bristol Life Award,” says Steph.

“Our comprehensive online guide will walk usinesses through e actly what the judges are looking for and e plaining how the wards work.

You know what they say about being in it to win it? Yep; that.

For sponsorship enquiries, please contact Neil Snow neil.snow@mediaclash.co.uk

© PAOLO FERL A

F

ollowing the record-breaking success of this year’s celebrations, plans are very much underway for the fourth Bristol Life Awards, with the organisers aiming even bigger for 2020.

Last year saw a record number of nominations, finalists, sponsors and memorable, emotional moments; over 650 tickets sold out, with a lengthy waiting list.

Limited sponsorships now remain for 2020. The Awards are supported y an eight month, high profile, all-channels, integrated media marketing campaign that peaks in April. In 2019, the Awards were trending on Twitter in the UK, such was the massive interest in them.

The 2020 Awards are set to be the most highly-supported yet, with the initial roster of sponsors including Platinum Sponsors Jelf, along with Category Sponsors that include Brunel Insurance Brokers, Burston Cook, Acorn Property Group, Amarelle, Anderson Financial Management, Bristol Airport,

© WHITE VILL A PHOTOGR APHY & FILMS

It’s back . . .

Jubilant 2019 winners The Coconut Tree

Stories & ideas to share?

Get in touch with our business editor, the experienced business writer and event host Christian Annesley at christian.annesley@ mediaclash.co.uk

Bristol’s creative challenge The city has a great number of thriving creative and digital businesses, which all add up to deliver one of the strongest creative economies in the UK. What challenges and opportunities does the sector face in Bristol, and how is the city’s creative story unfolding?

CHRISTIAN ANNESLEY takes stock

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

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ristol has always been known for its strong creative and digital sector, with the likes of Aardman Animation among those putting the city on the map in creative terms.

But what’s the state of play right now in the city’s creative industries?

What’s making it tick and giving it a head start on other cities that can make similar claims to being creative hotbeds?

One clear place to start is that Channel 4 will be arriving in the city before the end of the year (see the box-out on C4’s forthcoming home at Finzels Reach). Its creative

hub will bring new commissioning to Bristol, which is already a major centre for TV production thanks to its natural history programming heritage, to the longstanding presence of the BBC and, more recently, because of the very successful film and production facility supported by the city council at Bottle Yard Studios.

EVENTS AND COLLABORATION

Before Channel 4 arrives, however, the city has already had a busy year in creative terms, with some notable events in the mix, bringing people together and revealing some strengths that sometimes

BRISTOLWORKS

CHANNEL 4’S NEW HOME IS READY The space that will house Channel 4’s new Creative Hub at Finzels Reach has just been completed by the developer of the space, Cubex Finzels Reach is the new waterfront neighbourhood in Bristol that’s been evolving for the past few years. A few months ago, Channel 4 confirmed its plan to locate its new Creative Hub there.

Now that Cubex has finished redeveloping the space, which is part of the Fermentation Buildings project, Channel 4 will press ahead with its fit-out and expects to open the hub before Christmas.

Channel 4’s new hub is being billed as a base for key creative decision-makers that will help to support the company’s relationship with the production sector. Commissioning departments represented in Bristol will including drama, factual and popular factual, as well as a department for creative diversity, which supports on and off-screen diversity.

stay hidden. One worth picking out was Social Media Week Bristol (SMW Bristol), which ran from 10 to 14 June this year at venues across the city, with more than 2,500 tickets sold. SMW is a global event brand shining a light on all aspects of social media and Bristol has been a host city three times now, roughly on an 18-month cycle, thanks primarily to the work of the Redland-headquartered PR agency Ambitious.

Sarah Woodhouse, one of the agency’s directors, says the work

by Ambitious on SMW Bristol has been revealing each time around for the kinds of themes and presentations that are most popular over the course of the week, and for the way that the ticketed events bring together many creatives that might otherwise remain invisible to one another.

“Bristol is already a collaborative creative city, with lots of activity and a shared sense of community, but I love the way SMW Bristol has amplified that and this year more than ever. There is so much collaboration between agencies to

fulfil client riefs and in order to compete against holding companies in London that have full service agencies or else own lots of agencies with di erent specialisms. ristol can compete against that kind of firepower through its link ups.

Woodhouse makes that point that in Bristol there are many agencies that specialise in a creative discipline like internal communications or PR, but that then partner with other agencies on tenders if a brief is wider than their o ering.

“I know that happens everywhere but I do think is very marked in ristol and it’s a real strength. he networks and community here are visible at events and festivals like SMW Bristol and in the regular monthly groups in the city, like Rules of Engagement or Glug or the Bristol Tech Festival, for example.

Thousands come along and in the process show o the readth of the talent pool here in creatives and digital and also how far it e tends in unexpected directions, with many large in-house creative teams and a great many freelancers doing highvalue work.

A first look at C4’s new home at Finzels Reach

“BRISTOL IS ALREADY A COLLABORATIVE CREATIVE CITY, WITH LOTS OF ACTIVITY AND A SHARED SENSE OF COMMUNITY, BUT SMW HAS AMPLIFIED THAT” www.mediaclash.co.uk I BRISTOL LIFE I 105

etfli and ma on in television, for e ample. atural history is one great strength is this space, but there is so much going on across do ens of disciplines, and so much evidence of Bristol’s businesses competing for and winning world-class work.

The just-announced private equity investment in Plimsoll Productions is one high profile ristol success story, and there are many others.”

GREAT STATE AND BRISTOL

Great State, with its ‘creative melting pot’ talent

THE DIVERSITY CHALLENGE

While there is much to celebrate, Woodhouse, like others, picks out the diversity agenda – and the creative city’s relative lack of diversity as its struggles to be more inclusive – as a weakness to work on. It chimes with many in the city, as demonstrated by the popularity of diversity and inclusion themes at this summer’s SMW Bristol.

Another who says this diversity issue is a live problem is Bristol Media director Paul Appleby, though Channel 4’s plans to work on that very agenda when it lands in the city is one cause for optimism.

“The diversity lead being taken

by C4 is promising, but the point is it’s an ongoing challenge for all,” says Appleby. “We have hundreds of projects going on across the city at any one time, and you want those projects to come from a broad rather than a narrow base of cultures and backgrounds, but also for there to e some e ort to oin things up.

“We do have a well-networked city in creative terms, but there are still too many islands of activity that would enefit from eing rought together. But it’s not easy to do, and there’s even plenty of disagreement about the best approach to linking things up, and to ensuring that Bristol’s diversity and potential is realised and shared around.”

Appleby says public sectorfunded, inevitably centralised projects tackling the challenge

rarely work for long, because money runs out and projects lose their impetus, even if C4’s intervention should be more sustainable.

“A more federated, bottom-up approach to working together and to inclusiveness and diversity is probably the way to go, but it’s easy to talk about and harder in practice.

It can potentially be sustainable but there’s plenty to do to pull it o .

The kind of creative work in the city is shifting, too, as so much is being transformed all the time by technology and innovation, while the proliferation of content being produced means there are more niche audiences and modes of consumption than ever.

“That poses challenges when we talk about working together, of course,” says Appleby.

“Every content producer is looking to deeply engage individuals and find audiences, and every individual has personalised content needs in a world of more and more stu and endless messages. hen you layer on top of that the need to find connections and reak down silos and elites, there’s a lot to unpick.”

Brand development agency Great State, which has London and Bristol o ces, is one good e ample of the city’s strength in creative.

Creative director Jack Ashdown says the city works for the company because it is a creative melting pot, with lots of talent to tap.

“We have a great base of freelance talent we call upon when we need it; the variety means we can mi up the work we produce and bring in new ideas easily.

“There’s also a great creative community. For us, events like Thread and the West Of England Design Forum bring some of the best creative talent in the world to talk in the city, while Social Media Week Bristol, UX Bristol and loads of other great conferences put the city on the map within our industry.”

Having worked in London and Bristol, Ashdown says the

BRISTOL WORKS

The broader picture of Bristol’s success as a creative centre is undisputed, however.

“As a creative place, Bristol works. The createch industry is building all the time, and more of the work is global than ever, with commissioning from the likes of

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

Upping their social media game at SMW

main noticea le di erence is that the network is smaller and more personable here, which means you get to meet a lot of people face-toface and talk through their work.

“It means that when we need a certain style of creative or skillset, there’s often a shortlist of people in mind that you’ve already met at an event or over a co ee. t feels much more like a community.”

When it comes to the question of diversity, Great State’s HR director Victoria James adds: “As a company representing a global marketplace, we know we need to have a diverse mi of talent to bring understanding, challenge and greater creativity of thought to our culture and work.

“Personally, I think it’s important that it’s not ust a u word or tick o ut is considered a real business requirement that everyone is committed to achieving and sustaining. In our industry, change cannot happen overnight or without support – but we recognise the need for it. As a business we are relatively diverse but there are always areas to improve. We are most actively trying to find talent from under-represented communities and attract more BAME applicants into the agency. e also make a conscious e ort to support neurodiversity and create an inclusive and comfortable work environment for diverse minds.”

BRISTOLWORKS

Penguin declined to comment on the recent Plimsoll deal

DEALS SPOTLIGHT

Bought and sold TV production company gets private equity backing

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limsoll Productions, a five year old production house in the city that specialises in wildlife programming, has received a minority investment from the private e uity firm . he deal is for to take an unspecified minority stake in the company that values it at m. limsoll will continue to e led y its and founder rant ansfield. ristol is the acknowledged international centre for natural history programming and limsoll

is one of the most successful independent production companies of its type in the . ts team specialises in wildlife, documentary, live and factual entertainment shows. ince the usiness was founded in , it has grown rapidly, with a total workforce today of more than across its o ces in ristol, ardi and os ngeles. t is the company ehind more than 5 series, live shows and seven films, including the mmy nominated Hostile Planet with Bear Grylls (for National

eographic), Yellowstone Live (for ational eographic), Rescue Dog to Super Dog for hannel ) and Britain’s Parking Hell for hannel 5). n a changing and increasingly glo alised market, the company distri utes to more than 5 countries worldwide through agnify edia, a company it took a significant stake in three years ago. oday its content is roadcast across more than 7 international territories. n the current financial year to end ugust, the usiness is on track to generate sales in e cess of 5m. limsoll’s management team is led y ansfield and y hristine wen, plus creative talent that includes head of natural history artha olmes, head of documentaries ichard lein and creative director om ugh ones. ith ’s support and investment, the plan is for ansfield and his team to continue to drive the usiness forward, investing in its natural history and documentary divisions as well as driving further e pansion into the and new glo al markets. he transaction was led y ndy yndon, head of in the outh est and ales, with support from ead of in ardi ewi ughes. ndy yndon and ewi ughes will oin the oard, along with ’s head of new usiness ndy rove. rant ansfield, limsoll’s founder, said n little more than five years we have uilt limsoll roductions into one of the leading international production companies. ur focus on premium, multi platform, multi genre productions has ena led us to produce award winning shows for the iggest names in the usiness, and it’s our passion for delivering this type of content that drives us.

or us, this deal is a out giving limsoll roductions e tra support and e pertise to uild on our success. e will e adding to our creative firepower and aiming to create ever more entertaining and am itious shows. ndy yndon, head of in the outh est and ales, added emand for wildlife and natural history documentaries is higher than ever efore. limsoll is the usiness meeting this demand and, under rant’s leadership, it has firmly esta lished its international reputation. his has helped to deliver consistent, year on year growth and a strong pipeline of productions.

For more: www.plimsollproductions.com

PLIMSOLL PRODUCTIONS INDUSTRY Television production DEAL TYPE Private equity investment VALUE OF DEAL Not disclosed VALUATION £80m TURNOVER £35m HEADCOUNT 400 OFFICES Three: Bristol, Cardiff, LA MANAGEMENT LEAD Grant Mansfield ADVISORS For LDC: KPMG Corporate Finance, Osborne Clarke, Oliver & Ohlbaum and Deloitte.

For Plimsoll Productions: ACF Investment Bank, Westbrook Advisers and PwC. Finance: Tosca Debt Capital provided the banking package and was advised by DLA Piper

Reach the best in the west Auent, active and inuential and just a call away

Bristol Life team 01225 475800

BRISTOLWORKS Piemasters Tristan Hogg (left) and Jon Simon

PIEMINISTER – FAST FACTS © NICOL A THOMPSON

Founders and co-owners Jon Simon and Tristan Hogg Launch 2003 Initial set-up costs £50,000 HQ Stokes Croft, at a former printworks. For a few years this was also the company’s manufacturing base. Since 2006 the pies have been made in a dedicated facility in Westburyon-Trym

Eyes on the pies

It’s something of a Bristol institution now, but when the posh-pies company Pieminister got underway in the early 2000s the opportunity looked less tasty.

CHRISTIAN ANNESLEY caught up with one of the two founders, Jon Simon, to find out just how they got from there to here

I

n business, sometimes you just have to get started and believe in what you are doing – even if you don’t quite know where the journey will take you. s riefly sit nursing a co ee and waiting to meet with Pieminister’s Jon Simon in the quirky, converted industrial space that has been in the company from the very beginning, it’s amazing to reflect that this same spot was a derelict printworks for many years.

When Simon and his co-founder (and brother-in-law) Tristan Hogg took it on in 2003, it was, says Simon, just a concrete shell that had stood unloved and unwanted for about a decade. Potential was just about all it had.

“It was exciting, all the same. We got a great deal from the council to turn it around – and rolled up our sleeves and just got on with it,” says Simon with palpable relish at the memory.

Even at that point, he and Hogg had a vision. Inspired in part by their respective trips through Australia around the millennium, where they had found cool kids eating pie and mash at eateries like Harry’s Cafe de Wheels, they joined forces and forged a plan.

“At the time, I was running pubs quite successfully in South London, and so had a feel for the emerging gastropub scene that I could in part translate into our pies vision.

Tristan, meanwhile, was a trained chef and always had food and hospitality in his sights.”

Hogg, it should be added, also came up with the name.

“That was in 2002 and it was part of what made us believe,” says Simon. “It was the start of us thinking through just what we wanted to create in terms of the brand and the positioning and the pies themselves.”

Setting up in Bristol was also down to Hogg, in that he had grown

Headcount About 270, with 25 working at head office Retail outlets 15, with two current openings Turnover £19.5m

up in the city. It was, in truth, an easier proposition for the duo than launching in London.

“Bristol is very popular today and commercial space is tight, but it was a bit more patchy then and that opportunity the council gave us to take over the printworks on Stokes Croft was a chance that we had to take,” says Simon.

Before landing the space, they had already started cooking from the kitchen table, with a high-end pie in their sights – something demonstrably of better quality, with better provenance and o ering a etter eating e perience than the would-be competition.

“We just knew it was a neglected area, you see,” says Simon. “There were some fairly ordinary o erings stocked in the supermarkets and some average pies in pubs and handful of longstanding East London pie places – and not much else. Once, there were 30,000 pie and mash shops in London!”

A FAST START In all, Simons reckons it took an initial £50,000 of investment, plus lots of sweat and hard work by the hands-on pair, to get Pieminister operational. (One shrewd investor stumped up £10,000 of that for a small stake in the enterprise and is presumably very happy today.) It opened its doors in December 2003, selling out of a shopfront on Stokes Croft, and it was immediately clear they were onto something.

“We had a queue on day one and never looked back,” says Simon.

“We started wholesaling quickly, too – supplying to local pubs and delis.

I remember some were quite farflung one in heddar, one in oss on-Wye, and so on. I was driving for hours and it was loss-making, but it put us on the map. It grew our reach and our story.”

That impulse to reach out and spread the word also took Pieminister to Borough Market

www.mediaclash.co.uk I BRISTOL LIFE I 109

BRISTOLWORKS

“WE WEREN’T VERY WELL PREPARED. WE JUST TURNED UP WITH A PIE TO OUR FIRST MEETING WITH WAITROSE” open pie-and-mash shops, and for that to be the business, but the reality is that opportunities to sell wholesale require lower set-up costs, and the market opportunity is large. So why not?

“I remember we did a trade show early on and learned about foodservice as a sector and came away with loads of leads. You just get to know the market and where and how you can sell,” says Simon.

“We hadn’t properly researched wholesale at the start, but the opportunity soon presented itself.”

Jon Simon

COMING UP

GETTING INTO WAITROSE The other thing that came along, next to the pubs and delis, was a chance to supply Waitrose – and Simon says a supportive buyer there made the process easier to navigate, despite the pair’s inexperience.

“We weren’t very well prepared, I remember. We just turned up with a pie to our first meeting. ut we soon got up to speed, and in particular it prompted us to sort out our branding and packaging, which has always been a strength and was well-received from the o . here were lots of technical demands, too. It took a few months to tick every box, but we secured a listing and have kept it ever since.”

LESSONS LEARNED

early on, adds Simon.

“It was already a food mecca by 2004 – we got accepted in March, a few months after opening in Bristol and we were the first pie stall on the market. But it also meant a lot more travel. It was just two days a week, though. It was open Fridays and Saturdays, rather than the six days a week it is open today.”

OPPORTUNITY AND SCALING UP Really, from the vantage point of 2019 and 16 years of growth, the story of Pieminister has been one of

constant new opportunities and new markets, even if there have been some missteps along the way.

“One thing that drove us to scale up fast from the start was that pie-making and pie-selling is a volume business. It is hard and tricky to make a first class pie. t requires good kitchen facilities and good ingredients. For it to work, you therefore need to sell lots of pies. We soon realised that, and chased down every lead in the early days. It wasn’t very considered, but it just about worked out as we got established,” says Simon.

The original vision had been to

expensive. Some locations have just flown from day one, like when we opened in Oxford in the covered market. But others haven’t worked out. Maybe the biggest mistake was opening in a Derby shopping centre – what was then called estfield er y with lots of other independent food outlets. It cost a lot and it didn’t pay its way. We weren’t the only ones to lose out after being beguiled by a brilliant sales pitch y estfield, ut it was an expensive mistake.”

What else have Simon and Hogg learned on their journey in business? What would they have done di erently “In terms of what we have got right, I would say we’ve always reacted quickly to opportunity and taken some big calls, like taking on a much larger premises when a great chance came along in 2006.

It was a real risk at the time but the right step. It’s in Westbury-onTrym and is on a large site and we picked it up on great terms,” says Simon. “We’ve bought the site subsequently, which was also a stretch, ut it has paid o .

And the mistakes made?

“We’ve perhaps been too gung ho at times. As you grow, the challenge is often the up-front costs that you have to find. pening restaurants, in particular, is

n , ieminister has the enefit of scale and established processes, and is aiming for growth through retail openings and by steady growth across wholesale. These days, a third of the business is the shops, a third is the supermarkets and a third is wholesale to independents like pubs. e still like trying out stu .

We’ve not lost that urge, even as we’ve grown to £19m turnover today,” says Simon. “We’ve been moving the shops over, for example, from a daytime o er to something that’s got the evening covered, too.

We sell craft beers these days and we’ve grown the menu. We like that side of things, as there is more to it. It’s creative. Selling into the supermarkets is great for visibility and volume, but the challenge is mostly just to keep them happy and maintain a margin.”

The ethics and sustainability of what Pieminister does is also still prominent, and the world is catching up on that front.

“Others have a similar message these days – the likes of Honest Burgers, say. But we think about ethics and sustainability across the board and have done so since the start. We are always trying to improve, and to work with our suppliers on how they can get better.

When it comes to the pies, too, we are on trend, of course – selling a growing number of vegan pies as there’s a move away from beef. We think about dairy and gluten and intolerances, too. There’s always room for improvement and we try to challenge ourselves.” www.pieminister.co.uk

www.mediaclash.co.uk I BRISTOL LIFE I 111

BRISTOLWORKS

Tim Baber

In it together Angel Interiors was launched in January 2016 by three brothers: Jonathan, Robert and Matthew Newman, who together have over 30 years combined experience in interior installations

W

e decided to pool our skills and knowledge in carpentry, electrical engineering, fitting and design, to create what we call a one-stop showroom,” says Jon. “We formed Angel Interiors to give customers the reassurance of dealing with one company throughout the whole process.”

Angel Interiors seemed the perfect name for the company.

We appreciate that deciding on a new kitchen or bathroom can be a daunting and disruptive experience, and ‘Angel’ seemed to encompass our ethos: clear, honest advice and exemplary service at an exceptional showroom showcasing outstanding products and design, to make sure our customers’ dream come true.

The advantage of running a family business is mutual trust and a genuine passion for a shared goal. This was highlighted when we were working 24/7 to get the showroom completed, involving early mornings and late nights. It was achievable because we were in it together. Being brothers, we know each other inside out; we understand perfectly how to utilise our individual skill sets.

Of course, at times, being a family business can be challenging. We are brothers after all; but without doubt for us, our strong family values give the core structure and dynamics for the company. A family business makes for a stronger business.

lighting, electrics and budget.

We welcome challenging briefs; the team are here to create the exceptional, not just acceptable.

Every project, large or small, is equally important to us; customer satisfaction is paramount. Our reputation is at stake.

Our in-house award-winning designer Tim Baber joined the team in 2017. His industry knowledge, coupled with outstanding creativity and flair, uickly esta lished im as a firm favourite with both the company and our customers. Angela Newman joined the fold in July 2019 and manages the day-to-day running of the showroom, freeing up valuable time for the rest of the team to visit customers, discuss design and project-manage.

We pride ourselves that our guidance and advice is honest; it’s all about listening to the client, not missing that all important ‘must have’ element.

Together, we create a living space that is luxurious, tasteful, perhaps a little edgy, featuring various textures and accessories.

Everything has to have a purpose, a function if it’s to complement the design perfectly.

We specialise in creating stylish, sophisticated, sometimes edgy, never mundane living spaces that are both aesthetically pleasing and meet the clients’ brief. Tim’s designs are quoted as ‘elegant with an eclectic twist’.

We design rooms based on in-depth discussions with clients, taking into account not just product design but plumbing,

We have no favourite style – it’s really down to the space and setting, although Tim, if pushed, would say the ‘New York’ style with Art Deco features would be on his personal wish list.

Trends come and go, style and sophistication is timeless.

But an essential element in any project are key pieces which can be vintage or modern day classics; these will be of lasting value and quality to be valued in years to come.

WHAT ARE THE BIGGEST MISTAKES PEOPLE MAKE IN PLANNING A KITCHEN? • ot deciding on the complexity of the project.

Do you really want to start from scratch, or just want to spruce up and upgrade?

Set a realistic budget; it’s easy to go over budget once you see numerous options available, so be clear to your designers, as they can advise you on products that keep the project on budget yet give that all-important wow factor.

• orgetting about lighting the correct use of colour and materials can create a per ect illusion of bright space.

• Just considering the existing space, and not looking at what can be achieved – built-in niches in shower areas, wall-hung units and integrated mirror cabinets are examples of how to overcome challenges.

• ot making sure an experienced designer and installer visit your home and advise you on plumbing, to ensure the products you would like are compatible to your system

We have a very busy year ahead not only with residential projects; we are working on some large developments, exciting in design and structure, which will involve sourcing trips to Germany, so watch this space!

For more: Angel Interiors Unit 23 The Cattle Market, Chew Road, Winford 01275 595359 www.angelinteriors.co.uk www.mediaclash.co.uk I BRISTOL LIFE I 113

ADVERTISING FEATURE

The personal touch Peter Golding of NEATH RAISBECK GOLDING LAW knows that the key to being a great lawyer lies in the maintenance of close client relationships, and going the extra mile

A

fter graduating from Bristol University, Peter quickly began creating relationships with clients, through demonstrating a broad, thorough knowledge and application of the law, he climbed the legal ladder. Peter became the managing partner at Bush & Bush, a historic firm established in the early 1800s. Today, Peter is one of the three partners at Neath Raisbeck Golding Law. Throughout his day-to-day work, Peter regularly calls upon his breadth of knowledge of the law. Ranging from residential and commercial property transactions, to setting up charities or complex trusts, Peter’s experience gives his clients the benefit of advice in several areas from one single lawyer.

In his private client work, Peter is often drafting wills, administering estates, tax planning and creating trust documents. Furthermore, Peter regularly deals with property matters and Land Registry applications, as well as issues surrounding charities, family law, and more.

Peter regularly deals with different generations of families, and his clients benefit not only from his wealth of knowledge, but also his

understanding of the family matters, and how he applies these to his work.

Peter is known for developing strong relationships, and longstanding clients are often invited to events held by Neath Raisbeck Golding Law. Similarly, Peter’s relationship goes beyond the office. In the unfortunate event of terminal illness he frequently visited and continued to care for his clients throughout their stay in hospital or nursing home, and attended their funeral to pay his respects.

Getting to know the families on a personal level can often be important to give accurate and effective legal advice, and this inevitably creates a closeness between Peter and his clients.

Peter’s clients are generally based in Bristol, especially in the Clifton area. As you can tell from the picture, Peter can often be seen cycling around Bristol, on his way to client meetings or otherwise.

He is very much a local solicitor, and due to the closeness between him and his clients, he is often happy to meet them at their convenience.

Alongside working for individuals, Peter has longstanding relationships with many charities in Bristol. He has helped set up and run many local charities, and even sits on the board as a trustee, including for All Aboard Watersports and more.

These charities benefit from having a very experienced lawyer in this field on their board, and many other charities gain the advantage of his advice regarding other issues.

Peter’s ethos surrounding his work is simple- to be able to help people in the community. From helping them to write their wills to moving home, Peter helps families put provisions in place so that the family, and future generations, are protected.

His greatest aim when a client presents a problem, is to find a solution that is best for his client.

Peter’s experience and methodology with his clients is that if you have a problem, he will be able to help – and he has probably already done it for someone you know, too. n

W: www.nrglaw.co.uk E: hello@nrglaw.co.uk A: Bush House, 77-81 Alma Road, Clifton, Bristol, BS8 2DP www.mediaclash.co.uk I BRISTOL LIFE I 117

PROPERTY A PL ACE TO C ALL HOME

SION HILL Step inside a Clifton classic . . .

By Lisa Warren www.mediaclash.co.uk I BRISTOL LIFE I 119

A PROPERTY PLACE TO CALL HOME

O

ver the past 17 years or so – which, as it happens, is precisely the length of time that this magazine has been going – we’ve seen many areas of Bristol up and come.

There’s one corner of the city, however, that has had nowhere to up and go to – it always was, and continues to be, unsurpassingly beautiful.

Clifton is not especially edgy; it’s not covered in street art. This fact doesn’t seem to bother it. Serenely confident in its own elegance, with sweeping eorgian terraces and a lofty location high up a ove the orge, it’s rather like the most beautidul woman in the room – it doesn’t feel the need to jump on every new fashion.

And in an area dense with desirable streets, there are a handful of very special standouts – including Sion Hill, in the heart of the Village, gazing across to the Suspension ridge and the wooded anks of the orge.

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

t’s here that you’ll find the magnificent, dou le fronted rade eorgian eauty we’ve featured on these pages. Built in 1780, it spreads airily over four floors, including a si ea le self contained asement flat, an unusually large south facing walled garden, and the considera le enefit of a dou le garage with an inspection pit for those keen on mechanical tinkering.

There are no fewer than seven double bedrooms (it could easily be eight, as the master suite has bagged two rooms to itself), while the ground floor has two connecting reception rooms along with a huge open plan dining room and kitchen, designed by that master of contemporary style, Ben Argent. here’s a pleasing sense of space and flow throughout, with a wonderfully restrained décor that allows the array of period features eorgian sash windows and working shutters, period doors and fireplaces, original radiators, ceiling cornices, the ornate staircase – to shine.

Reached from both the main hallway and its own private front door, the lower ground level has an open plan feel, with wonderful oak floors, a large reception room, double bedroom (or games room, if you’re all bedroomed out), bathroom, utility/second kitchen and vaulted storage. The back hallway opens to the huge walled garden, with its long lawn and attractive sitting spaces. There’s gated access to the garage, and a chance to buy yet another bit of garden at the furthest point from the house, which could be developed subject to the usual kind of permission. n

PROPERTY

HOUSE NUMBERS Bedrooms

7-8

Where

Clifton Village

Bathrooms

2

Reception rooms

3

What else?

Lower ground floor with further two reception/ bedrooms, bathroom, kitchen

£3m

Goodman Lilley, 156 Henleaze Road, Henleaze 0117 213 0777 www.goodmanlilley.co.uk

Outside Large town house garden, double garage Guide price

www.mediaclash.co.uk I BRISTOL LIFE I 121

Wonderfully positioned opposite the outstanding beauty of the Clifton Suspension bridge is this stunning Grade 2 listed Georgian townhouse. This beautiful home is classic in style and modern in function.

Don’t miss out on viewing this property for yourself, book a viewing today!

REGISTER YOUR INTEREST:

0117 2130777

156 Henleaze Road, Henleaze, Bristol BS9 4NB.

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

(0117) 934 9977

CLIFTON OFFICES

CLIFTON RESTAURANT

• New contemporary studio style office suite

• Landmark corner unit • Clifton Village

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KNIGHTSBRIDGE COURT, DOWNEND, BS16

STUDIO OFFICES CLOSE TO BBC – BS8

• Modern office building

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• 780 sq ft + 3 cars

• 2,030 sq ft

• Open plan

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• To rent – only £12 psf

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110 WHITELADIES ROAD

WHITELADIES RD – OFFICES

• Large shop to let

• 1st floor suite of offices

• 1,600 sq ft

• 1,000 sq ft + 2 car spaces

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• New lease - £20,000 pax

• New lease – rent on application

BATH ROAD STUDIOS

INVESTMENT FOR SALE, KINGSWOOD, BRISTOL

• Join other top office occupiers at this iconic unique office hub in central Bristol

• Established hair salon • Let at £6,000 pax • Affordable investment

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• Price on application

• To rent

HOTWELL RD, BS8 • To rent / may sell

SHOPS IN CLIFTON

• Busy prominent location

*SHOPS TO RENT OF VARIOUS TYPES & SIZES THROUGHOUT CLIFTON*

• 1,235 sq ft • Rent / price o/a

Julian Cook FRICS

Jayne Rixon MRICS

Charlie Kershaw MRICS

Finola Ingham MRICS

TEL: HOLLY BOULTON OR TOM COYTE ON 0117 934 9977

Tom Coyte MRICS

Holly Boulton BSc(Hons)

• Sales/Lettings

• Development advice

• Acquisitions advice

• Investment

• Valuations

• Dilapidations

• Landlord & tenant

• Property Marketing

• Rent reviews

• Auction Services

AWARDS 2019

(0117) 934 9977

We are delighted to have won 5 top industry awards in 2019...

Julian Cook FRICS

Jayne Rixon MRICS

Charlie Kershaw MRICS

Finola Ingham MRICS

Tom Coyte MRICS

Holly Boulton BSc(Hons)

• Sales/Lettings

• Development advice

• Acquisitions advice

• Investment

• Valuations

• Dilapidations

• Landlord & tenant

• Property Marketing

• Rent reviews

• Auction Services

BRISTOL LIVES

“I have a weak pelvic floor. It’s something we’re trying to address as a company” to be working to breaking point.

We aim to push the scripts that Marek writes to their limits, both in the rehearsal room and in performance. We always want to maximise drama. We always want to go fully rogue.

Who are your theatre heroes, past and present?

JULIA HEAD The Bristol-based directer is about to stage the new play Wild Swimming at Bristol Old Vic – a fact which would have amazed her 17-year-old self…

“I used to think theatre was boring, and that having to sit still inside for more than an hour was an awful suggestion,” says Jules.

“When I was 17, my school took me to watch Sally Cookson’s Jane Eyre at Bristol Old Vic. I thought I’d hate it, because the book is really thick, and there’s this annoying woman on the front cover in a big pastel dress. It was, however, utterly incredible and changed my whole life, really.

“I joined Bristol Old Vic Young Company, finished school and was fortunate enough to be part of Made in Bristol – a year-long training scheme that teaches you about theatre-making, and gives you the space and support to start

making your own work. After that I just sort of stayed.

“I worked as an usher, in the box office and with the Engagement Department. And now, through a series of very supportive people, I am here.”

Tell us a bit about FullRogue, and how it came about

FullRogue is a theatre company consisting of me, Marek Horn, Ruby Gilmore, and various other brilliant people who come and go.

We exist to approach new writing in new and anarchic ways. We believe in the drama of a good story, but we also believe in the innate drama of the live event.

Plays aren’t sacred; control over the theatrical event is an illusion.

We always want the play and the actors and the set and the costume

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

Sally Cookson. Hero. All of the women (and Dan) of the Bristol Old Vic Engagement Department – heroes. Miranda Cromwell – hero.

My best mate Nell – hero. Christine and the Queens – massive hero.

And the best thing you’ve ever seen on a stage?

Jane Eyre by Sally Cookson. Yerma

by Simon Stone. Session by MAYK. Most embarrassing moment you’ve ever had on stage?

I wasn’t on stage, but the other day at the Edinburgh Fringe I was operating the show and Annabel said something hilarious and I (stood in the tech box) pissed myself laughing. I’ve got a weak pelvic floor. t’s something we’re trying to address as a company.

What’s Wild Swimming about?

Wild Swimming is about Nell and Oscar, who meet on a beach in Dorset in the 1600s. They keep meeting again and again, on this beach... for the next 400 years.

It’s an exploration of artistic expression, cultural progress and an unsympathetic look at the plight of modern masculinity. But it’s also just about these two mates who love each other and hate each other and are infuriated by each other, and what happens to their friendship when you put 400 years in the way.

Why should we buy tickets?

It sounds quite serious and boring,

right? But it’s actually a great night out! It’s pretty funny and Alice and Annabel who play Nell and Oscar are completely wondrous, hilarious performers, so you should come and see them be wondrous. Oh, and there’s snacks… you might get a Wagon Wheel if you’re lucky.

Tell us a bit about your Bristol life. Where’s your manor?

Southville. I live in this crazy house on a corner with my wonderful housemates and FullRogue producer Ruby. She thinks she lives with me because we’re friends, but it’s actually just so she can get rid of spiders.

Where’s your favourite spot for an aftershow drink or meal?

Renato’s on King Street. We go there all the time… maybe too much. Paul and Sabrina are the best and always take the piss out of me for having a lime and soda.

Favourite shop?

sda edminster, specifically at 3am. It looks like a scene from an apocalypse movie, but I love it.

Do you have any secret skills?

I would win The Hunger Games. No problem.

Most regrettable habit?

I regret nothing. I make so many mistakes that I’d have to regret everything, and that feels exhausting, so I regret nothing.

Who would play you in a film of your life?

Daisy May Cooper from This Country.

Wild Swimming shows at Bristol Old Vic 10-21 September www.bristololdvic.org.uk; www.fullroguetheatre.com