Bristol Life - Issue 304

ISSUE 304 / LATE SUMMER 2021 / £3

ISSUE 304 / LATE SUMMER 2021 / TIME FOR BEDMINSTER

SOUTH SPECIFIC

BS3: LIFE ON THE STREETS SUMMER OF STREET ART + TAPAS IN THE RAIN + THE STAR MAKERS

EDITOR’S LETTER

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Spray down south

CLOCKWISE: Paul Monsters x Hasan Kamil, Ashton Road; Cheba, East Street; Mazcan x Mishfit, North Street, opposite the Masonic; Andrew Burns Colwill, Luckwell Road

Upfest’s ‘75 walls in 75 days’ project brought showstopping new pieces to BS3 this summer

’ve never lived in Bedminster, but I have family and friends who do, and over the past few years I’ve increasingly found myself looking for excuses to pay them a visit.

Bristol’s changing all the time; maybe nowhere more than in BS3. I know that some locals worry that all this up-and-coming malarkey could cost the area its unique character; but right here, right now, it seems to hit that sweet spot between oldschool and cool-for-school, with box-fresh new venues opening next door to proper butcher baker hmon er rocer and traditional boozers. And that’s even before you get onto the world-beating street art and the mu t - aceted o er n o the Tobacco Factory...

As it happens, this issue has ended up being a bit of a love letter to Bemmie. t the ub ect o our b area ro e on a e h e a e a e on ou nd a selection of the best new art created for e t th ear e cou d ha e ed tho e pages three times over, so we’ve put a few more pieces on the left of this column, too.

If you’re a north Bristolian who hasn’t crossed the river for a while, we hope our new issue will tempt you down to explore this wildly independent corner of the city.

Just one thing: don’t call it Bedmo. If you do, everyone will think you’re visiting from Shoreditch. The locals are friendly, but there’s no sense in pushing your luck.

DERI ROBINS Follow us on Twitter @BristolLifeMag Instagram @BristolLifeMag

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Issue 304 / Late summer 2021 COVER Photo by Ben Robins (no prizes for guessing where). Plenty more where that came from on pages 10-21

STREET LIFE

10 OUR FRIENDS IN THE NORTH Ain’t no stopping

them now. They’ve got the groove

ARTS

25 ARTS INTRO It was about time someone did

something about that archway

26 WHAT’S ON Things are happening. We’ve gone back

up to three pages

10

32 UPFEST You can’t keep us away from BS3 this month 38 THEATRE The delightfully unluvvie Bristol Old Vic

Theatre School

44 HEROES Bristol nightlife: use it or lose it 51 BOOKS They’re back! (They’re also in BS3)

FOOD & DRINK

56 RESTAURANT Albondigas, panzanella, vino tinto:

we’re all going on a summer holiday to Cotham Hill

58 FOOD & DRINK What exactly is Team Canteen; and

other burning issues

61 CAFÉ SOCIETY In which Stan gets so existential that

he forgets to review the food

63 RECIPE That Phil Haughton: he seems a fun-gi

26

SHOPPING

66 EDITOR’S CHOICE Time for Med 71 FASHION Frock tactics

BUSINESS

81 BRISTOLWORKS A new chair for St Pauls Carnival,

and a rather special Business Surgery

85 BRISTOL LIFE AWARDS PREVIEW We look

back at, and indeed forward to, the biggest Awards ceremony in the city

PROPERTY

123 PROPERTY NEWS And now the shipping news 125 JACK HEAD Are there any Bristol property hotspots

yet to be discovered?

128 SHOWCASE A flat-out charmer on Pembroke Road

REGULARS 7 9 74 138

SPOTLIGHT BRIZZOGRAM SOCIETY BRISTOL LIVES Caroline Burrows, pedal poet

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Editor Deri Robins deri.robins@mediaclash.co.uk Senior art editor Andrew Richmond Graphic design Megan Allison Cover design Trevor Gilham Contributors Jamie Rees, Colin Moody, Stan Cullimore, Milly Vaughan, Jack Head, Phil Haughton Advertising manager Neil Snow neil.snow@mediaclash.co.uk New business manager Craig Wallberg craig.wallberg@mediaclash.co.uk Account manager Jake Horwood jake.horwood@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 West Country-based publisher, creative agency and event organiser Magazines Our portfolio of regional magazines celebrates the best of local living: Bath, Bristol, Cardiff and Exeter. Agency From the design and build of websites to digital marketing and creating company magazines, we can help. Events We create, market, promote and operate a wide variety of events both for MediaClash and our clients Contact: info@mediaclash.co.uk

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© DAVID NOTON

SPOTLIGHT

ABOVE: A taste of what to expect from Limbic; TOP RIGHT: The dry dock; BELOW: What’s known

in the trade as a ‘hero shot’

ss Great Britain

IRON ISLAND

If Brunel’s masterpiece of a ship can no longer go to the ocean – and that would be a bit tricky, given that it’s now in a permanent dry dock – then the ocean will come to the ship.

Between 23 August-19 September, a new immersive multimedia experience will recreate the sights, sounds and movement of a living sea around the hull of the ss Great Britain. Working with poet Saili Katebe and composer Joe Acheson, multimedia design studio Limbic Cinema will transform the dry dock into a huge d ta ro ect on theatre ed th the ener o the world’s underwater oceans.

The dramatic, cathedral-like dock where the h a r t con tructed bet een and no co ered th a a ea that helps to maintain the conservation environment that protects the fragile iron hull. At the front end of this dock, Limbic Cinema will combine projection, lighting and surround-sound to transport audiences on a journey through underwater worlds.

Much of the 1,000 square metres of laminated glass overhead will be darkened, providing a unique space for projection-mapped imagery to emerge on the walls and the iron hull. Speakers

set within the dry dock will resonate with music and sounds of the ocean, with an original score composed by Joe Acheson of Hidden Orchestra.

Visitors will descend beneath the glass sea to walk around the iron hull, becoming immersed in the multisensory storytelling as they reach the bow. Set in three acts – Departure, Storm and ce e d the aud ence be taken on a ourne across the ocean, encountering various sea life before a storm has the ship rising and falling in the waves with thunder and lightning all around. o n ceber na a more reflect e ace a the h na ate care u throu h an ce e d “Today, the ss Great Britain rests back in her original dry dock, but she was designed for a com ete d erent en ronment the or d oceans,” says Kate Rambridge, she ship’s head of programming “In fact, this astonishing ship travelled more than a million miles at sea, and she still carries traces of salt in her iron hull. Although she’ll never sail again, digital multimedia can bring the sea back to the ship, and show how she performed in that element – so that audiences can see her, once again, as resilient, graceful and dynamic.”

Entry is included with admission to Brunel’s ss Great Britain. Time slots are available to book now from 23 August to 19 September. ssgreatbritain.org/ironisland

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SPOTLIGHT

FLIGHT CLUB

Fly, my pretties... It was the sight we all needed to see: skies filled with jewel-coloured balloons, and Stuart the Minion menacing King William III in Queen Square.

Thank you, Bristol Balloon Fiesta; you were incredible!

@aaronpjsims

@bristolballoon

@eddcope

@bristolballoon

@matthewpriceartist

@polly_newt

@dan_smith92

@sambinding

@richimal_bristol

@helenisbell

@mickael_pics

Taken by us! @bristollifemag

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STREET LIFE

SOUTHERN EXPOSURE Warning: the following ro e o ab e to cau e outbreak o d at act on amon tho e n n other r to o tcode and hou d be a roached th caut on ou e been arned Words by Deri Robins Photos by Ben Robins xxxxxx

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LEFT: Dan Kitchener’s new piece for Upfest,

by NatWest bank; INSET: Inkie’s 2018 Born and Bread on Parson’s Bakery; OPPOSITE FROM TOP: Bristol Beer Factory, Albatross Café, Sweven Coffee, Bristol Loaf

THE BS3 BIGHITTERS

1

L

et’s kick off with a fun fact.

Bedminster is even older than the city of Bristol; once a small part of Somerset, its origins are probably Roman, centred around what’s now East and West Street.

Fast-forward to the 1800s. BS3 bloomed during the Industrial Revolution: steel, coal, glue, leather, paint, glass – and, of course, tobacco – brought work and a huge population spike to the area. But eventually the coal pits, factories and tanneries closed down. The Tobacco Factory stands as a proud reminder of South Bristol’s industrial history, but inside the still-bright redbrick building, it’s arts, leisure and food that hold sway today, not industry.

Radical changes have taken place over the last decade. It’s true that ome o k br t e at the ord entr cat on and not e er one thr to the k a on ca o a ne art an baker r n u or ne about an upmarket new housing development on East Street.

From where we’re standing, though, right here, right now, it’s that ideal balance between old-school essentials and cool-for-school luxuries that makes the BS3 ’hood so special, along with its sense of community and its laidback vibe.

We’d hate you to miss out, so we’ve put together this locals’ guide to the best of BS3 – tell them we sent you, OK?

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“Not everyone thrills to the klaxon call of a new artisan bakery firing up”

THE TOBACCO FACTORY Saved from demolition 27 years ago, the Tobacco Factory was repurposed as a creative and social hub for the community.

At the heart of the building lies Tobacco Factory Theatres; it also has a superb cafébar, an outstanding Sunday market (10am-2.30pm) and a Five-Acre Farm Box scheme.

Look out, too, for the return of the pop-up ‘box shops’ in December.

“The Tobacco Factory has always played a central role in the local area,” says theatre AD Mike Tweddle.

“One of the things the theatre achieved when we first opened was to bring people out of the centre of the city and across the river. Now we see a regular regional and national audience travelling to south Bristol.”

2

UPFEST The location for Europe’s biggest street art festival, Upfest has helped to revolutionise Bristol’s art reputation. Check out this year’s big-hitters on page 32.

3

ASHTON GATE STADIUM The Gate is gradually transforming from a stadium into a full-on sporting quarter.

At the heart of the latest proposals is a 4000-seater sports and convention centre, at which the Bristol Flyers Basketball team will be joining Bristol City and the Bristol Bears, a hotel, gym, new homes and office space.

STREET LIFE COME ON OVER FOR...

THE CAFÉ SOCIETY

Cool decors, laidback vibes and a serious attitude to the bean makes BS3 a coffee freak’s paradise ALBATROSS CAFÉ Café with cocktails served in a cool, eclectic interior with a chilled vibe, prettily dripping with foliage.

BRISTOL LOAF Much more than a sourdough bakery and café, with a branch of Hugo’s Greengrocer, Two-Belly cheese and The Bristol Vine, a new organic and natural wine shop.

FARAHWAY ARTS & CRAFTS CAFÉ o ee cake cockta and creat t th ca bar a o sells art and craft equipment and holds workshops.

SWEVEN The white-tiled bar is an insta-vision, the focus is community-based, and the team is passionate about de er n h h- rade co ee TINCAN COFFEE he com an be an th a ma fleet o e t a truck before opening a permanent shop in Southville. It has a kind of a Brooklyn vibe, if you’re a comparisons fan.

TOBACCO FACTORY CAFÉ BAR A th n to a eo e rom morn n co ee to har n me e and roa t and flatbread he outdoor ard ar is a dream when the weather’s playing ball.

COME DOWN FOR...

THE SHOPPING

Bedminster’s high streets are among the most diverse in the city, with a mix of hip new favourites and old-school classics. The quality of the greengrocers, fishmonger, bakers and butchers is enough to make other postcodes weep with envy DEAR OLD THING Time, space and furniture fold in on themselves at this vintage store; once you’ve stepped inside you’ll never th nk about flat ack urn ture a a n GLASS DESIGNS AND GALLERY Independent gift shop focusing on supporting artists, designers and makers in Bristol and beyond KASK WINE Natural wine shop, bar and deli, also serving Bristol beers, local gins, cheese and charcuterie plates. We’ve taken part in their virtual wine tastings, and though we can’t remember that much about the na ha -hour e can de n te recommend them MON POTE It’s a rare Bristol Life shopping feature that doesn’t include an item from Anna and Natalie’s beautiful lifestyle boutique. The shop has a wonderfully tranquil atmosphere, with top Scandi or Scandi-inspired interior brand and a n ce ne n a ordab e o ten oca e e er STORYSMITH Everything a bookshop should be. Independent,

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STREET LIFE passionate about books, and strongly integrated with the community. We’d say that even if Emily and Dan weren’t our book columnists and didn’t have a cute dog.

some of the best fish and chips anywhere in the South est to authentic exican and Spanish cuisine, anything you can do, BS3 can do better.

TOYVILLE Indie toyshop with a wide range of toys and games; very much a am a a r th nd a and oe on ander always prepared to personally vet each product.

THE ASHVILLE Popular steakhouse, famous for its T-bone steak challenge o o b and bee oodne A charm n cotta et e ace th a co bar o er n beer on ta

TRYLLA As well as selling all manner of items from clothing to toys and ceramics, owner Alice hosts regular pottery classes.

BRISTOL BEER FACTORY The home of independent craft beer in Bristol; order online and they’ll deliver. Regular tours, £20 including a bott e o beer o er the dea a to earn about the brewing process. The tap room is the ideal place for a pint and a convivial catch-up.

UPFEST GALLERY The hub of the annual street art festival, the reason that one hu e outdoor a er and a ace to nd r nt of favourite pieces that have since been painted over.

ZARA’S CHOCOLATES BS3’s own Willy Wonka, Zara Northcott knows that chocolate isn’t just for Easter and Valentine’s Day. As well as making handmade chocs, she serves homemade icecreams and hot chocolate, depending on the seasons.

ZERO GREEN r to r t ero- a te ho br n our o n conta ner them th oo e roduct e h them and a at the till. Eco heroes.

HEAD DUE SOUTH FOR...

THE FOOD AND DRINK

The foodie offering south of the river can rival that of the lo oad, apping harf, lifton or pretty much anywhere else in the city. rom banging burgers to impeccably sourced British fare, from

DID YOU KNOW?

EL RINCÓN People come for the incredible authentic Spanish food – you’d expect nothing less, with a Valencian in the kitchen – but they stay for the great company, smiling service and, if you turn up on the right day, the live music.

THE MALAGO Winner of the 2020 Bristol Life Award for best restaurant.

Friendly, independent, brother-and-sister-run bar and restaurant serving modern British cuisine with an uro ean nfluence THE OLD BOOKSHOP The distinctive, eccentric Old Bookshop recently chan ed hand t t a bu a e er th e mu c a diverse menu and one of the quirkiest decors in the city.

• The Tobacco Factory has a resident beekeeper who keeps his hives on the Tobacco Factory roof, producing Southville Honey every summer.”

• Hilary Clinton’s greatgrandfather was born in Bedminster in 1866.

• Above Taylor’s estate agents is a sign reading ‘Poet’s Corner 1882’. This is in honour of a Bedminster butcher, whose meatthemed poems earned him the title of ‘the worst poet in Bristol’.

• The royal imposter Princess Caraboo ended her days in Bedminster. She lived on Prince Street, now renamed Princess Street in her honour. She became a leech-seller, gathering and selling to the BRI. • There were once 115 sheep in Bedminster, according to the Domesday Book.

THE CORONATION Hang with Bedminster locals in The Corrie; Monday n ht ub u n ht th ree rub or a er h

BEMMIE OR BEDMO?

Bemmie, please. Unless you’ve just relocated from West Brompton, and wish to stand out from the crowd. In the wrong way.

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The Six Sisters row, by local female street artists Bex Glover, Alex Lucas, Zoe Power, Gemma Compton, Sophie Long and Ejits

WHAT WOULD MAKE BS3 EVEN BETTER?

“Can it improve? Maybe a beach?” Dave Smeaton, The Spotted Cow

“Personally I’d love a local independent cinema and a shoe shop, but that’s me just being picky” Steve Hayles, Upfest

Venessa Scott working on her vibrant new Mancara One piece for Upfest

STREET LIFE place is still Old Bedminster, with a few mad touches nc ud n the h tank beh nd the bar th terra n and a ace n ader am n tab e r nk r ce are a ton h n rea onab e

tak n o er the rch rem e on Ra e h Road e kne t a n a e hand he tron n red ent - ed unfla h ea ona menu th t ta an nfluence n tant on heart and m nd nc ud n a ra e re e rom a Ra ner

THE MASONIC he r end e t ub n Pro er r to bar ta a nt o b tter or hatcher o d a chee e-and-on on ro ame o dart no better a to end an e en n

THE SPOTTED COW he a tro ub ame tron and th - ear-o d ub a ma or actor th t beer arden and ome do a the be t unda roa t n r to

NORTH STREET STANDARD oca bre ea ona rub ndu tr a -ch c coo and the m ht mac n chee e et t o n menu hat t be the tandard tru e or d rt

THE STEAM CRANE nd e reehou e that de ne the be t o the n enumbered end o orth treet ou kne t a named a ter the a rba rn team crane the or d on ur n e am e on arbour de r ht

THE PONY BISTRO Southville house prices silently crept up a notch when the eton am announced the d be o en n a ne b tro ne t to r to eer actor n a k tchen headed b u o ar e che cook ea ood rom the outh e t coa t e etab e rom the Pon ra arden and other oca ro er and ua t -reared meat to create a ea ona chan n menu A er ect a d n n e er ence a ou e er come acro THE ROPE WALK A arm e come homemade ood th a tron e an o er n and a e - tocked bar ner Ann e a ma or a er on the treet art cene o there a a ometh n ntere t n on the a SONNY STORES hen e heard that Pe u nn a ormer che at ondon R er a and r to anch ou d be

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SOUK KITCHEN he ood o the a tern ed orth A r ca and n act much o the e - ttoman m re mo t be o ed o a the eekend hak huka brunch VIVA LA MEXICANA ou on t nd a a ta or a ue ad a here but ou nd ome out tand n e - e d he dee and com e mo e bo o c r ed ra ho er and ou re ee n rea bo d the n ecto ar ado THREE LIONS e endar boo er o er n ort on ar e creen the uno c a home o r to t an th a a ce ebrated on the r t home ame o the ea on th red moke flare fla n n and b ocked road he e en ha e a hoto o a er ma a e am at one o the e er occa on

SHOUT OUT TO…

...the local businesses the locals rate. Here are a few of their favourite things “Mark’s Bread – I love their sandwiches! And the Bristol Loaf; that’s a great store” Holly, Pony Bistro “The Tobacco Factory market.

The local pubs! Barley Mow, The Coopers (classic oldschool). Sonny Stores is a great new addition” Josh, Pony Bistro “Krakus deli, Bristol Loaf, HQ salon, Sea Pearl fish & chips, Strongman Moustache Barbers” Allyn, Luxe Fitness “Bristol Fish, Krakus, Windmill Hill Farm Shop and Café” Annie, Rope Walk “Bristol Beer Factory for great local beers that we are very proud to stock at the restaurant. Hugo’s for his beautifully fresh produce that we serve alongside our steaks” Elle, The Ashville “Workout Gym and Southville Deli” Jo, Perfect Yoga

COME FOR THE...

BRILLIANT BASICS

Never mind the artisan whatsits and the craft whaddycallits, one of the greatest assets of BS3 is its range of essential shops. And while they might sell ‘ the basics’, they do it so well that they’ve become local legends...

BRISTOL FISH oca hmon er e n the be t da -boat catche rom the outh coa t Po n and eat an o ter at the counter he can be o ened e ht to a m nute thou h don t ho d me to that and eaten there and then a am EAST STREET FRUIT MARKET ot on doe arren e a ma e arra o re h ru t e e m k etc but he doe o th a nature on tt e tune about cherr e a art cu ar a our te HUGO’S GREENGROCER a c ru t and e a on th tu ou ne er nd do n A do Padron e er tru e and tomat o an one LION STORES h e edm n ter cont nue to chan e hard are hero on tore rema n a ode tar ner erek na man a ont o a and oca kno ed e e e ta ed true to the o en-a -hour t e o ho the a t o the d no aur n a chan n and ca e he a r ca RARE BUTCHERS here a er ood rea on h ou nd eo e ueue n around the b ock here on hr tma e e ha e been amon them nner o be t oca butcher n the r to ood ood a ard our ear runn n ARGUS FISH BAR u te o b the be t h and ch n the c t ner ame be an ork n n the ho hen he a e en and hat he doe n t kno about cr batter and ch nt orth kno n

Humans and dogs of Bedminster: CLOCKWISE FROM TOP LEFT: Kegs appeal: Clem Elphick of Bristol Beer Factory; Steve Hayles of Upfest, wearing his art on his sleeve; Pony head chef Hugo Harvey seems to like BS3; our columnists Emily and Dan Ross have their hands full at Storysmith Books

WHAT MAKES BS3 SO SPECIAL?

Once again, we quizzed the ever-obliging locals…

“It’s nice to see a suburb thriving and evolving.

There’s a lot of culture, from the football stadium we work with to the brewery, who of course we work with too. And all the independents on the street. And the location of it within the city; I love being by the river” Josh Eggleton, The Pony Bistro “It’s a breath of fresh air to be in the city for me – I love that I can walk outside the restaurant and find loads of amenities, whether you’re on a quick break or a half-day. Getting a coffee or your dinner for the way home is such a treat, having

CLARK’S PIES he be t e n r to he tr ck to et there at around am be ore the e run out o the teak and k dne

spent so long working in the countryside” Holly Eggleton, The Pony Bistro “The great mix of people from all backgrounds.

The independent businesses and small traders, and the great choice of local food, events and community initiatives” George Ferguson, owner of the Tobacco Factory, architect and former Mayor of Bristol “I think what makes the area special is its community feel. There are more exciting independent businesses springing up along East Street, and you get the feeling it’s going to be a very vibrant street before too long” Annie Pope, The Rope Walk “The independent spirit. There are so many excellent independent businesses, from butchers

to record shops, pubs and bars. And the street art; there’s more and more all the time, with each piece bringing more colour and character to the area” Dave Smeaton, The Spotted Cow “The independent food and drink venues are just amazing; the quality is spectacular, and a lot of it comes from local producers” Elle McMahon, The Ashville “My three boys were bought up here; they loved the skate parks and the street art” Jo Derrick, Perfect Yoga “The independent shops, many of which are unique to this area, act not just as local amenities but places for the community to meet and enjoy life” Steve Hayles, Upfest

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STREET LIFE We’re on the move; we’ve got the groove...

WHERE WILL IT ALL END?

Southville is commonly known as the posh bit of BS3. But where does Bedminster end and Southville begin?

“Southville is west of East Street and north of North Street. Bedminster is south of North Street and east of East Street” Allyn Condon, Luxe Fitness “There is no exact line, but I believe Southville is the area bounded by Coronation Road/The Cut; North Street and Dean Lane which is hugely expanded by estate agents when selling houses.

Bedminster generally lies to the south and east of that.

Tobacco Factory lies at the meeting point of Ashton, Southville and Bedminster…

Greater Bedminster seems to take in the whole bang shoot!”

George Ferguson, Tobacco Factory

COME TO ENJOY...

THE ARTS

“If you find out the answer to this question, could you let us know? We’ve always wondered!” Elle, The Ashville

NORTH STREET GALLERY Run by four artists as a space to support local, new and emerging artists, who might not otherwise have any gallery representation as yet. Pop into the open evening on 2 September to check it out.

“I love a controversial question.

I prefer to sit on the fence and use the term Greater Bedminster so everyone is happy” Steve Hayles, Upfest “We’ve both worked and lived here long enough to know not to get into that debate Mike and Dave, TFT

It’s not all down to Upfest and the Tobacco Factory.

But yeah; it mostly is FIDDLERS CLUB Bedminster’s legendary music mecca; the likes of The Fall, Robert Plant, Feeder and George Ezra have all graced its stage.

HEN AND CHICKEN Lively boozer with an equally lively comedy scene that’s hosted most of the middle-to-big range acts on the circuit.

SHOW OF STRENGTH Innovative theatre company known for creating work in non-trad t ona ocat on ou can nd he a annon conducting pub/walking tours every Tuesday night, divulging BS3’s darkest, deepest secrets.

TOBACCO FACTORY & UPFEST See panel page 12

WITNESS THE FITNESS

LUXE FITNESS Voted as one of the best new gyms in the UK, and a Bristol Life A ard na t th d erent c a e and orkout t on menta hea th and enera tne NOW YOGA All-inclusive – not beginners’ classes as such, but beginners are welcome, and all levels are catered for. to nour h the bod bu d tren th and m ro e fle b t Online classes available, too.

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NOW YOGA soon to be be found at the new RELAX ECOSTUDIO.

YOGA CLASSES IN BRISTOL AND SOUTH WEST The classes are all-inclusive for any level to nourish the body, build strength, and improve flexibility E-mail: nowyogabristol@gmail.com

www.nowyoga-bristol.co.uk

STREET LIFE FOOD & DRINK

217 North Street

Tobacco Factory Café

North Street Galley

Viva La Mexicana

Occasion Cakes

291 North Street

RETAIL

Rare Butchers

The Coronation

Bristol Fish

El Rincón

Clark’s Pies

The Malago

Dear Old Thing

107 West Street

Toyville

The Masonic

George Carr Power Products

Trylla

Argus Fish Bar

114 West Street The Ashville

15 Leigh Street Bristol Beer Factory

TOP: Storysmiths

BELOW: Hugo’s at

Mon Pote

The Three Lions

206 West Sreet

18 Dean Lane

Raleigh Road

149 East Street

281 North Street 250 North Street

252b North Street

Storysmith

49 North Street

Bristol Loaf

DIRECTORY

ATTRACTIONS AND CULTURE Fiddlers club

Willway Street Hen and Chicken

210 North Street

Windmill Hill City Farm

Phillip Street

Show of Strength

74 Chessel Street

298 North Street

Sweven

12 North Street

220 North Street

Tincan Coffee

234 North Street Tobacco Factory Café Bar

Raleigh Road

110 North Street North Street Standard

11-13 North Street

HEALTH & FITNESS

The Old Bookshop

65 North Street

CrossFit Fort Ashton

Baynton Road

The Pony Bistro

291 North Street

Luxe Fitness

1 St Peters Court, Bedminster Parade

The Rope Walk

Now Yoga

Sonny Stores

Albatross Café

60 North Street

HOME IMPROVEMENT

Souk Kitchen

Bristol Loaf

Bristol Boiler Company

The Spotted Cow

Farahway Arts & Crafts Café

South West Upholstery

The Steam Crane

Tobacco Factory

Raleigh Road

CAFES

96 Bedminster Parade

223 North Street

5 Nelson Parade

Clanage Road

47 Raleigh Road

50 North Street

196 North Street

CH-CH-CHANGES

Long-time residents and businessowners tell us how they’ve seen the area up and come “It’s an area that rarely stands still, with new events each year from the lantern parades to the festivals. Upfest has brought some of Bristol and the UK’s greatest graffiti artists to the area, and it’s a thrill to see walls and streets transform as it all comes together to create that annual celebratory moment. With the future redevelopment of East Street introducing new shops, tap rooms and restaurants, it’s an exciting time for south Bristol.”

Mike Tweddle and David Dewhurst, Tobacco Factory Theatres

277 North Street 139 North Street 4-6 North Street

135 North Street

259 North Street

Taunton Leisure

38-42 Bedminster Parade

37-47 North Street

20 North Street 8 North Street

Glass Designs Gallery

Upfest Gallery

East Street Fruit Market

Zara’s Chocolates

Hugo’s Greengrocer

Zero Green

261 North Street

132-134 East Street 73 North Street

234 North Street 200 North Street 12 North Street.

Kask Wine

51 North Street Like Sew Amazing

204 North Street

The Lighting Studio

Unit 2, Bedminster Retail Park Lion Stores

219 North Street

“From Windmill Hill to Ashton Gate; the cafés, delis, gyms, bakeries, the Tobacco Factory Theatre, the transformation of Bristol City Football ground – all have made such a difference to the area.” Jo Derrick, Perfect Yoga “Loads more small businesses opening up, complete refurbishments and improvements to Imperial Arcade. It’s become more stylish, with trendy coffee shops, craft beer shops and bars.”

Allyn Condon, Luxe Fitness “The rise in independent local businesses has made the area a real destination spot. What has stayed the same though is the real mix of people, from the older original residents to the

newer families and young people.”

Annie Pope, The Rope Walk “The area has become a creative hub over the past 15 years, from the introduction of the Tobacco Factory to new artists’ studios, street art and hot-desking locations such as Gather Round.

Groups of individuals coming together with a common purpose to improve the area for the community, both the Greater Bedminster Partnership and the Bedminster Business Improvement District over the past ten years have had a real impact on improving our communities and high streets.”

Steve Hayles, Upfest

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

Your LOCAL Plumbing & Heating Company Bristol Boiler Company employs a highly skilled team of plumbers and gas engineers who are all Gas Safe registered - providing you with the highest standards of workmanship.

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You will find Bristol related prints, Stokescroft China, Bristol Blue Glass, cards for all occasions, handmade jewellery, textiles, glassware, suncatchers, candles and soaps.

The Rope Walk has a beautiful function room for corporate events or for larger parties why not hire the whole bar area?

Two lovely outside spaces with local artwork adorning all the walls inside and out. We also cater for all events and all our food is homemade and locally sourced.

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At the rear of the shop is a studio specialising in Stained glass design, build, restoration and repair.

Glass Designs, 261 North Street, Bristol BS3 1JN 0117 378 9227 | Online Shop: www.glassdesignsgallery.co.uk  @glassdesignsgallery  @dadswellglass

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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

STYLE COUNCIL Ever caught yourself thinking that Paris and Feek’s old graf in the archway beneath St John on the Wall was starting to look a bit, well, shabby? You’ll like Bristol Council’s new initiative to spruce the walls up, then.

In a joint heritage project, Bristol artist Andy Council (no relation!) has created a new mural to celebrate the history around the mediaeval gateway to Old City. The artwork, on both of the pedestrian side arches, shows four beasts made up of architectural landmarks found in the area, as well as some architectural features found inside St John’s crypt.

It’s all part of a wider programme of artist commissions connected to the pedestrianisation of the Old City. Stop by and take a look, why don’t you. And do give our regards to Broad Street…

For more bristol.gov.uk

Photo by Peter Hall @thatpeterhall

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

leisure, at Bristol Museum. Also showing: James Barnor’s Ghanaian Modernist, and Lips Touched with Blood

by Sarah Waiswa; bristolphotofestival.org

Until 6 January

VAREKI (WHEREVER) RWA tours a selection of vibrant pop-up shows to community venues while the gallery’s closed; rwa.org.uk

4-9 September

BS9 ARTS TRAIL Artists and makers welcome you into their homes and studios in Henleaze, Stoke Bishop and Westbury-onTrym; bs9arts.co.uk

SHOWS

Until 21 August

RICHARD II Somewhere between Mad Max, Game of Thrones and an environmental movement, Quandary Collective blends Shakespeare’s text with visceral movement and live electronic music. At Eastville Park Swimming Pool, eventbrite.co.uk

Until 26 August

BRISTOL SHAKESPEARE FESTIVAL The bardfest continues, indoors and outdoors, with trad, experimental and quirky shows, online events and workshops; bristolshakespearefestival.org.uk

10 August - 18 September

WHAT’S ON 20 August-20 September 2021 ART Until 31 August Ongoing

UPFEST Over 75 days, 75 walls were painted by artists on the walls of BS3 (and they still seem to be at it). Go down and admire their work; see pages 3 and 32 for highlights. upfest.co.uk

Until 29 August

CHLOE DEWE MATHEWS: THAMES LOG From the source of the Thames to its mouth, Chloe’s photos capture a range of rituals and routines; at Martin Parr Foundation, martinparrfoundation.org

STAYCATION Room 212 celebrates the great British holiday, from Bristol to Cornwall, through paintings, ceramics, jewellery etc. room212.co.uk

Until 5 September

VERONICA RYAN: ALONG A SPECTRUM The largest solo exhibition to date by Veronica, an artist best known for creating sculpture that’s evocative of the shapes, forms and objects of the natural world.

At Spike Island. spikeisland.org.uk

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

Until 26 September

FRANK BOWLING A major exhibition with one of Britain’s greatest living abstract a nter At Arno n arn fini rg uk

Until 31 October

VANGUARD Mega street art exhibition at M Shed celebrating the role of Bristol’s creatives in the development of UK street art. bristolmuseums.org.uk SHOOTING STARS Rare candid snaps of the world’s most iconic stars, taken during the 1970s by Carinthia West. At the American Museum. americanmuseum.org

Until 3 January

ISLAND LIFE Fascinating exhibition of photos showing the UK at play, protest and

THEATRE ON THE DOWNS Wardrobe Ensemble have launched a summer-long theatre festival in a pop-up theatre; our top picks are Winners, Wild Swimming and Living Spit’s Beauty & The Beast. Tickets at bristololdvic.org.uk

19-29 August

DATE NIGHT A pop-up comedy performance brought to your (south Bristol) doorstep; check the TFT website for how to get your street on the visit list. tobaccofactorytheatres.com

24-28 August

PEOPLE ARE CATS. PEOPLE ARE DOGS Which are you? Five darkly comic Covid-era female monologues ema o ue he ou nd out A ma Tavern, almatavernandtheatre.co.uk

25 August-18 September

BEAUTY AND THE BEAST You loved the animation, you kind of enjoyed the live movie; now marvel

WHAT’S ON eandertha nto a tour-de- orce that o er ne ho e or a chan n or d Red ra e redgravetheatre.com

9 September

JENNY ECLAIR: SIXTY! enn contem ate a decade o m end n decre tude hou d he ce ebrate cra nto a ho e or u t bu a et o ord c- a k n o e Red ra e redgravetheatre.com

10 September

MARK THOMAS: 50 THINGS ABOUT US A ho o on on oot trad t on n ck n tatue art and dent t a ort o unn nat ona ed t on o Who Do You Think You Are?. ne n a omed o er e o at that a o nc ude eo orcott mon rodk n and om tade tobaccofactorytheatres.com OPPOSITE PAGE: FullRogue are back on the Monster Munch as Wild Swimming returns; CLOCKWISE FROM TOP LEFT: Please don’t touch the Idle; Conor Harrington makes a Blind Exit for Vanguard; turning not especially Japanese at Tokyo World

at the ta e a o d a t me on ta e a ne er A ard- nn n mu ca n te ou to be t ue t at the odrome atgtickets.com

ound or ummer er e but an ec ect c ne u at A on a e here cam n too avonvalley.co.uk

8 September-2 October

IDLES r to homecom n heroe head ne a da o mu c on the o n u orted b a hand cked e ect on o nat ona and oca ta ent seetickets.com

THE GREAT GATSBY h tr ed-back ema e t ohander rom ardrobe n emb e come the c o e t e e een to the r t o the book nc ud n ar e chunk o narrat on om tted rom the mo e thewardrobetheatre.coms

9-11 September

DR FAUSTUS Roma arne d rect arr oa n a bo d one-man nter retat on o the ar o e c a c at A ma a ern almatavernandtheatre.co.uk

MUSIC

Until 29 August

TERRACE SESSIONS e on return to r to eacon th Au u t th r to art t at the heart o the ne-u t Phoen c an nd a a Pa nter ake our me and other bristolbeacon.org

20-21 August

SUMMER SOUNDS ot to be con u ed th r to

3 September

4-5 September

LOVE SAVES THE DAY he mo t r to o a mu c and dance e t a come to the o n t aha a tt e m der and o tha hett ank Pa a eu and other act ou re not coo enou h to ha e heard o P ea e don t retend lovesavestheday.org

15 September

JOHN SMITH: THE FRAY A tran at ant c b end o n er t e and de u tar tee ed n the nea e o r t h o k at t eor e stgeorgesbristol.co.uk

18-19 September

TOKYO WORLD e e d o mu c eatur n o er art t or a ho e eekend tokyoworld.org

COMEDY 26 August

RHYS JAMES: SNITCH The fast-talking boyish one with the no ta c cht ck r on the modern or d at Per orm n Art Centre. chucklebusters.com

2 September

GARY MEIKLE: iBROW GUY he a ard- nn n cott h tand-u u de ou throu h e ebro et uette o c and ho t chan ed h e tc etc Red ra e redgravetheatre.com

3-5 September

ADAM BUXTON... RAMBLES Read n rom h ne book Adam ramb e on about to c nc ud n arenthood h cu tura nfluence o the con rontat on on tra n board n choo trauma dead dad and a d o e At tobaccofactorytheatres.com

7 September

ROB NEWMAN’S PHILOSOPHY SHOW u t -a ard nn n com c Rob ea e to ether et che un a e ame ond n o teth e ectr c der and n n

OTHER Ongoing

SHOW OF STRENGTH he theatre a k are back rom Crime & Crinolines in Clifton to Blood & Butchery n emm e Bloody Blackbeard and Buccaneers in the city centre and The Mansion Through Time: At Home With The Smyths at A hton ourt check eb te or u t and t me ood un showofstrength.org.uk ROCK’N’ROLL WALKING TOUR (SUNDAYS) ake a a k around r to con c mu c enue a t and re ent and hear ta e o the amou band ho a ed them facebook.com/ Bristolrockandrollwalkingtour

Until 30 August

MUSEUM OF THE MOON uke erram m Moon, with its d deta ed A A ma er o the unar ur ace h ne on at r to athedra th urroundound com o t on b an one bristol-cathedral.co.uk

21-22 August

BEATS & EATS he a e Po -u re ent t r t e ent n r to th treet ood dr nk and er ormance rom oca art t At o d thevillagepopup.com

23 August-19 September

IRON ISLAND The ss Great Britain float a a n a mb c nema br n the ea back to the h ee a e ssgreatbritain.org

www.mediaclash.co.uk I BRISTOL LIFE I 27

WHAT’S ON 27-30 August

the same spot at Lloyds, but it’s all about chicken; there’s music, axe throwing, beer and bourbon drinking too, as wings can only get you so far; wingfest.co.uk

TROWBRIDGE CRAFT BEER AND CIDER FESTIVAL With up to 60 regional beers and ciders, plus street food and live music; at Innox Mills, trowbridgebeerfest.co.uk

11-19 September

SUSTAINABLE FASHION WEEK The alternative to fast fashion; sustainablefashionweek.uk.

10-12 September

FOODIES FESTIVAL The UK’s biggest food festival returns to, you guessed it, the Downs, featuring chefs from Masterchef and ake , among others; foodiesfestival.com

19 September

GREAT BRISTOL HALF MARATHON Over 10,000 runners loop up from Harbourside to the Gorge and back again; for runners of all ages and abilities. greatrun.org n

11 September What does it mean to lead a country? Quandary Collective do their best to find out with their adaptation of Richard II

2-5 SEPTEMBER Taking place over four days at Lakota Gardens under a stretch tent, this year’s acts range from retro ’70s jazz to trad New Orleans jazz, Blue Note to modern, funk to blues and even a little bit of Hendrix. Here’s a taster; see website for full line-up.

2 September

LADIES SING THE BLUES Bristol’s Victoria Klewin, Elles Bailey and Lady Nade take you from the music of early blues queens Bessie Smith, Ma Rainey and Ethel Waters through to 1950s greats such as Etta James, Ruth Brown and Big Mama Thornton.

PEE WEE ELLIS Classic tunes, old favourites and a few surprises from some of the best musicians on the UK jazz scene.

3 September

CHRIS CORCORAN BLUES BAND The ‘guitarist’s guitarist’s unique brand of instrumental jump blues is an exciting, dynamic and completely original presence in a world in which rock-flavoured blues are the order of the day.

GET THE BLESSING Get The Blessing first gathered together in Easton, drawn through a shared appreciation of Ornette Coleman and a wish to keep the spirit of his groundbreaking free jazz alive. Expect ‘thumping tunes, monstrously infectious beats and joyous collective spontaneity’.

4 September

Dennis Rollins

SNAZZBACK From busking in Bristol, Snazzback have coalesced into an ensemble that embodies a myriad of different sounds, freely exploring ambient, dubstep, rumba and funk flavours with a collaborative and improvisatory mindset. For Bristol Jazz and Blues Festival they’ll be performing Herbie Hancock’s Head Hunters.

DENNIS ROLLINS’ FUNKY-FUNK! Fresh from the Maceo Parker ‘School of Funk’, Dennis joins an elite lineage of trombone players responsible for changing the instrument’s perceptions. To Jazz & Blues Fest he brings an electrifying, hard-hitting six-piece outfit delivering fat angular bass lines and sumptuous horn melodies.

Ladies Sing the Blues

5 September

ADRIAN COX’S SUNDAY SERVICE Nominated for Jazz Clarinettist of the Year in the British Jazz Awards 2019. Adrian runs a weekly solo live stream concert known as the Sunday Service, highlighting the work of various jazz musicians. Now Sunday Service goes live with a set taken from the past 15 months of live-streamed concerts.

Chris Corcoran

THE JAZZ DEFENDERS Enchanting and enigmatic sounds, showcasing soul jazz music at it’s finest, born from a deep love of Blue Note jazz.

ELECTRIC LADY BIG BAND PLAY JIMI HENDRIX 16 of the UK’s best jazz, funk and blues musicians perform Jimi Hendrix’s 1968 psychedelic epic Electric Ladyland.

For more: bristoljazzandbluesfest.com

Adrian Cox

© AL AIN BROECK X

BRISTOL JAZZ & BLUES FEST

BRISTOL WING FEST A bit like Grillstock used to be, on

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

t: 0117 279 0980 | m: 07956 846307 e: simon@bristolcityroofing.co.uk

www. bristolcityroofing.co.uk

UPFEST

Something really special was needed to replace Jody’s Sea Change on the Tobacco Factory. Enter Greek artist Insane51, who creates murals that ony reveal their secret when viewed through 3D glasses...

By spring this year, large summer gatherings of any kind were looking unlikely. Instead of the usual Upfest weekend, festival gaffer Steve Hayles came up with an alternative: he’d invite a bunch of artists to paint 75 walls in 75 days. That said, the 75 days are now up, and artists still appear to be spraying away…

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

U UPFEST

e t ha been a tt e d erent th ear a te e a e Actua t been rett d erent the a t e ear th our a t ro er e t a he d n and a a o ear n e d ho ed ou d ha e been our b comeback but t ob ou a n t to be he u d d ut on an on ne e t a a t ear n the orm o rtua et an on ne er on created n co aborat on th r to R tud o ubr R ho recreated edm n ter orth treet th ront e ra h c t a n t u te the ame thou h o here e are n a te e and e e ada ted once a a n de er n our a ro ect ho t n ome o the ne t treet art ta ent a e a br n n the ncred b e reek art t n ane to our hore o o n a br e er od o uarant ne h e th ear a n t hat e had or na ho ed or e re toked th the re u t br n n a mo t an e ua ba ance o ma e and ema e treet art t to the a o edm n ter t been reat rom our team er ect e a e e been ab e to end more ua t t me th each o the art t and th oad o ne ocat on e e been ab e to ro the tota number o treet art a n edm n ter to around and the ua t o ork ha been out tand n e concur ere a a er o ome o th ear b -h tter e e uee ed a e more onto a e n For more upfest.co.uk

TOP: Inkie (West Street); BOTTOM: Irony (Hen and Chicken); OPPOSITE PAGE, CLOCKWISE: JXC

(also Hen and Chicken); Sian Storey (Ebenezer Gate Pocket Park); Skyhigh (Dean Lane); Curtis Hylton (Chessel Street); INSET: Zabou (Redpoint Climbing Centre)

GOT TALENT

“Bristol Old Vic Theatre School almost singlehandedly cast The Crown”

THEATRE

O

This autumn, Bristol Old Vic Theatre School celebrates its platinum anniversary. The opening ribbon was cut in 1946 by none other than Sir Laurence Olivier, setting the bar of things to come – and they’ve been raising it ever since . . .

Recent production Absolute Scenes at Bristol Old Vic; RIGHT: the School on Downside Road, lit red in support of the events industry

© CR AIG FULLER

© MARK DAWSON PHOTOGR APHY

Words by Jamie Rees

n my way to Bristol Old Vic Theatre School to meet CEO Fiona Francombe and artistic director Jenny Stephens, I was feeling a little nervous. I’d had a similar sensation 25 years earlier, when I visited the School to audition for the National Youth Theatre in my teens. As then, there was no need for trepidation; as then, I was pleasantly surprised by what I found when I got there.

As soon as you arrive at the 19th-century building overlooking the Downs, you get the sense that you’re somewhere where great things happen. There’s a quiet grandeur to the hallowed halls of this famous school of acting. But as soon as you meet the people who work here, you realise that this is a place that’s far more about nurturing than it is about luvvie pretension. e tarted our con er at on n the ta room o ee on the o toa t on o er and an o ortun t to meet ome o the team ho had made it in during lockdown. Quite unusually, for this sort of thing, m nter e ee eemed more ntere ted n nd n out about me than talking about themselves. This is a school that cares about people. Ten minutes in, I still hadn’t asked a single question, talking only of my wellbeing in the pandemic and a shared love for a city that was both a new home for me and Fiona.

We moved to one of the rehearsal studios as we continued to chat.

I wanted to know how Fiona was settling into her new role as CEO, having started her tenure during the strangest of times.

“It’s not quite how I imagined it,” she confessed. “It’s now almost e act month nce ed out an a cat on orm or the ob and it’s been extraordinary knowing that I was going into a recruitment process that was completely online in an industry that’s all about people and communication.

“To know that I was going to walk into a completely virtual world was very strange. My biggest regret is that so far I have never experienced working in this building as it usually is. To me this is normal, and yet it’s not norma m u t er much ook n or ard to hate er norma turns out to be.”

Someone who knows exactly what normal is at the School is Jenny Stephens, now almost 10 years into her role as artistic director. How has this past decade been for her?

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

THEATRE “Joyous. I often refer to myself as the Head of Fun. I mean, it has been challenging recently but it’s normally a very happy ship. We’re obviously dealing with young people who are about to enter an industry that e en n the be t o t me o at e and d cu t omet me ou re dealing with students who are anxious, as well as being young and changing. It’s a real period of growth and change for them. It’s such a thrill seeing the people that you taught in this room, people you’ve interviewed and auditioned, and there they are on the telly.” he choo under tandab roud o t raduate he ro ca reads like a who’s who of the English stage: Olivia Colman, Daniel a e Patr ck te art erem ron randa R chard on Pete Po t eth a te amantha ond ene der aom e arr ark tron Pear ack e and tho e are u t the actor he choo also trains gifted artists, costume-makers, technicians and directors, nc ud n the art t c d rector and de ut art t c d rector o the Ro a hake eare om an and the techn ca d rector at the at ona Theatre. o hat the ecret beh nd th or an at on e traord nar ucce e or me th nk t the tandard o ta a ona ou know that the people who come to work here are incredible. They are all professionals who want to carry on giving, imparting their knowledge and skill to the next generation. don t kno ou can d t t nto a entence thou h here u t ometh n er ec a about the ace And e ut t do n to ta and the ability to attract incredibly good young talent. The school tracks fantastic talent year after year.”

Jenny agrees, “I think that there is a virtuous circle here, because we’re successful. A lot of people apply, a lot of interesting people, which then means we are in a position to select really diverse students. It’s incredibly competitive; about a hundred people apply per available place. It varies rom cour e to cour e becau e e e ot a ho e ran e o ub ect We’ve got the production arts courses, covering stage management, ht n techn ca theatre and m here a o the co tume department, there’s a scenic arts course, we have students studying r t n an A n d rect n an A n de n “I also think the size of the school is a factor. It’s not enormous, so the fact that we do know people individually, and everyone gets their moment in the sun, is hugely important.”

© CR AIG FULLER

“Bristol isn’t a shouty city, and this isn’t a shouty theatre school.

We just quietly get on with it”

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

ABOVE: Three Seagulls at Bristol Old Vic; BELOW LEFT: artistic director and ‘head of

fun’ Jenny Stephens (left) with new CEO Fiona Francombe

nce arr n n r to ha e een t o o the choo roduct on Hedda Gabler an on ne er ormance at r to d c and an outstanding production of The Laramie Project in which the ensemble playing and characterisation was as good as anything I’ve ever seen on the stage.

“These are completely professional shows,” says Jenny. “I think that plays into it. The production standards here raise the work, especially as e er orm n ro e ona ace uch a r to d c he obacco Factory and Circomedia. th nk there a o ometh n about the nature o r to a an o en and inclusive city. We’ve always been a school where people can wear the r o n c othe ou ee ome drama choo here ou ha e to ear black, no make-up, hair tied back: a blank sheet of paper. We have never been a school like that; it’s always been a school that celebrates actors of distinction who are allowed to bring their individuality. It’s in the choo A h choo c ear roud o t r to an root hat doe t mean to be uch an m ortant ece o the c t cu tura and ca e he choo one o r to be t-ke t ecret a ona r to isn’t a shouty city, and this isn’t a shouty theatre school. There are plenty o other choo that do that e u t u et et on th t and erha e re a ct m o our o n mode t ut do th nk that there erha more that we can do in terms of our visibility in the city, and being much more tangible in terms of our presence.”

And what better time to do this than at this great milestone in the choo h tor o to an m ortant ue t on ho doe the choo an to ce ebrate and there be a art and am n ted n For more oldvic.ac.uk

YES MA’AM

© DES WILLIE - NETFLIX

© DES WILLIE - NETFLIX

The School has almost single-handedly cast The Crown: The Queen (Olivia Colman), Princess Anne (Erin Doherty), Prince Charles (Josh O’Connor), Prince Andrew (Tom Byrne) and the Duke of Windsor (Alex Jennings) all trained here.

Some they trained earlier: TOP ROW: Jeremy Irons, Patrick Stewart, Gene Wilder LEFT MIDDLE ROW: Daniel Day Lewis, Mark Strong, Miranda Richardson, Pearl Mackie BOTTOM ROW: Pete Postlethwaite, Samantha Bond, Naomie Harris

FUN FACT

Three Bristol Old Vic Theatre School students have played Miss Moneypenny in the James Bond movies: Samantha Bond, Naomie Harris and Caroline Bliss.

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

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1

NIGHT MOVES Last night a DJ saved our life.

Or was it the night before...

Words and pictures by Colin Moody

BRISTOL HEROES

2

T

he heart is a drum.

Keeping time for everyone.

Think that was a Beck lyric.

But it gets me thinking: here we are, on the threshold of a fully active nightlife economy again. Bands putting drum kits in the back of the van for a gig in town. Bar managers plugging in the XLR cables into that mixer behind the booth, because there is a DJ coming to save everyone’s life that night. Or was it last night.

It’s all a bit wonderful and worrying. There is hope.

There is fear. I was in town to photograph some nightlife venues this week, and one owner was clear that it’s not the best time, this has to work. It’s been so long, people have been stretched so thin by the experience, and the cost has been huge in many ways.

So here are eight nightlife heroes, taken mostly before Covid, that I hope will entice you out of your home into the wider world once more. Such a huge part of our city’s economy is tied up with dusk-todawn activities, so rather than pick people for this Heroes slot I’ve chosen eight feelings. Eight moments that might resonate.

3

1

The pit. It’s where I met a good mate, who posts on social media as Pit Lad, and we’ve been friends ever since. Maybe you’ve met that someone special right up against the rail by the pit? ’Cos when you’ve both got the same Idles tattoo, it makes it so much ea er to k ck o the con er at on doe n t t h shot is one of many events in town; I’m not gonna say which one. But it’s that moment just seconds before the band comes on and makes the night.

2

Taken in late July. Hero 2 is that feeling you get when you are out with your mates and a blow-up version of your man for a rite of passage.

I’ve been up town only a few times at night recently, but it seems that quite a few postponed celebrations are all intersecting at once. I only snapped a couple of shots between assignments, but this one I like. The rule generally in street photography is to get people in a natural state, not acting up for the camera. That’s for social, not for a gallery show. But I have to say that seeing people I don’t know, so happy to be together, locking into one unit of party time joy, is so nice to see.

So, Hero 2 is that feeling: out with your mates, because you are allowed to now, and it means everything. Blow up fella is called Danni, btw.

“The answer to ‘Can we do it here?’ always seems to be a klaxon-volumed ‘Yes’”

3

Nightlife is not all about partying. It can also be about your community. Like here, at the grand Iftar, back in the days before Covid, when a local group decided to set up a cake stall to help save lives.

It’s a very special city that even at night remembers to go out and do what has to be done to support those less fortunate. From Islamic Aid here, to your local gym doing a fundraiser sparring sesh, to vigils outside city hall, nighttime can be a very powerful time to remember to u ort to rea rm be e o u ho e Hope to see a lot more of this.

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

4

What the time, Mr Wolf ’s?

It’s time for bands to play once more.

And stepping into the place in the centre, the r t th n that truck me a ho ood the a r cond t on n a And once e t ch ed enou h th a dur n that heat a e the ne t ch ed th n a the band here ha been uch a on au e bet een gigs for DJs, bands and all those nighttime oet And ou are about to head out u t en o Reach out ou can a mo t touch the band ut ea e remember e are t not a o ed to touch the band o er ou don t touch the band

5

en Re d here ht n a ma re at Pro ard r to ne e t cu tura e ent ace en n uch a b enue n the e t me o bo d and end a rea o t e me a e or n ht e o n or ard he an er to an e do t here a a eem to be a k a ono umed e

4

5

“There has been such a long pause between gigs for DJs, bands and all those nighttime poets” 6

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

BRISTOL HEROES

6

Last live set night on the Thekla before they shut everything down. Everything.

Just look at the connectivity we’ve been missing. The guy on the mic, vocalising over the track, making direct connection to everyone in that electric blue moment.

People want a piece of it, so they get their phones out, and thank goodness they did. Have we been replaying these mp4s forever during furlough times to keep the spark alive? But no camera can really show you the interplay between the music, the people, the vibrations in the hull of the ship itself where the gig took place. It has to be live. These images are just postcards from all that, saying ‘wish you were here’.

7

“So, do you remember back in 2020 when they let the clubs open back up?

You could sit down, sit down next to me.

And listen to the music and have a few bevvies.”

Do you? Did you give it a try? If you did, you were supporting a nighttime economy on its knees. Heat gun to the forehead, temperature normal, in you go.

8 7

8

Strange Brew. Another new venue, club, events space.

They let me in when they were building it during lockdown; in one of those windows of neo-life between lockdowns, actually, but I’ve started to forget what was what in before-now times.

Windows were still covered in that white c oud bru hed-on tu that the do to hut down spaces.

And it gives me hope.

Bristol’s biggest DJ booth being built, artwork resourced from adjusted budgets and imagination.

I’ve noticed quite a few people ha e been a ected b the cr to think about following their dreams.

Follow their dreams, get a ping, isolate for 10 days and then right back to it.

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 47

RESIDENTIAL & COMMERCIAL CONTRACTOR

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EMILY & DAN ROSS STORYSMITH BOOKS

Turning over new leaves

A

s July turned into August, we ordered in a hefty selection of our favourite books and took them a few miles south of the shop to the Chew a e ec ca to the wonderful Valley Fest, for a weekend of bookselling, chef signings and general outdoor revelry.

For us, it was a strangely normal social e er ence e ed our tent th book we welcomed in browsers without checking numbers at the door or nervously assessing their mask etiquette, and we talked about books to people we hadn’t met before: in other words, a wonderfully usual bookselling experience.

Despite this, back in the shop, things still aren’t quite back to normal. But a taste of

“Tense and human, lyrical and knotty, it’s a supremely chewy book that will reward anyone who can’t resist the complexities of relationships gone wrong”

Bookselling has almost returned to pre-Covid normal. Almost. normality goes a long way, and this column is about recommending the very best new books, just for you. So even if we’re not quite back to the idyllic bookselling of pre-pandemic times, we can certainly pretend…

The Great Mistake by Jonathan Lee A gorgeous epic, perfect for anyone who hasn’t quite gotten over their wanderlust in these tricky months. Jonathan Lee’s sumptuous and sensitive novel tells the (partially true) story of Andrew Haswell Green, known in real life as ‘The Father Of Greater New York’ who was murdered in bizarre circumstances outside his home at the grand age of 83. In this ct ona ed er on o h e reen a h statesman who worked his way up from poverty to a position of quiet power, a key authority behind the construction of indelible landmarks such as Central Park and The Brooklyn Bridge, and a bashful, repressed romantic Cursed Bunny by Bora Chung (translated by Anton Hur) It’s a bit early in the year for spooky books, but we have been absolutely obsessed with Cursed Bunny since it arrived in July.

These short stories, translated from the or na orean are nflected th dark horror and crammed with surprises, sometimes fantastical and often troubling, but each one razor-sharp. A woman encounters a voice emanating from her toilet, a bunny ornament (the Cursed Bunny of the title) proves to be the downfall of a large corporation, and a boy e ca e h bea t ca tor on to nd the or d

outside equally disturbing. Each story is wild in concept and hugely entertaining in execution.

Assembly by Natasha Brown In 100 pages, an unnamed black woman reckons with the white male corporate environment she’s worked so hard to enter. The result is a bullet of a novel, a sharp and merciless collection of capsule-like paragraphs that successfully dismantle the white privilege that still seeps unchallenged into modern life. Our Oxbridgeeducated narrator has fought for her place in the nance or d and no he hacked u th a white colleague whose parents are that kind of wealthy – marquee-party-in-the-garden wealthy.

It’s during the build-up to one such party that our story takes place, and Natasha Brown is gleeful in her exquisite attack.

Paul by Daisy Lafarge We’ve been fans of Daisy Lafarge’s poetry for a long time now, so when we heard that she had a novel in the works we went into something of a frenzy of expectation.

Fortunately, Paul more than lives up to our hopes. It’s the spiky yet graceful story of Frances, who falls under the spell of the titular Paul at an eco-farm in the south of France. Tense and human, lyrical and knotty, it’s a supremely chewy book that will reward anyone who can’t resist the complexities of relationships gone/going wrong.

Excitingly, we’ll be welcoming Daisy Lafarge to tor m th n ate e tember or our r t in-store author event since 2019. If you’re feeling normal enough, we hope you can join us.

Storysmith, 49 North Street; storysmithbooks.com

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

SPONSORED CONTENT

MEET THE

WEDDING PLANNER Weddings are back! But they’re just as tricky to organise as they ever were, maybe even more so; fortunately, these friendly wedding planners are happy to take the strain . . .

LOTTY FURLONG

SIMONE PARKINSON

BACKWELL HOUSE 01275 794502 backwellhouse.co.uk

BERWICK LODGE HOTEL 0117 450 7605 berwicklodge.co.uk

What is it that you love about working on weddings?

Building a relationship with my couple. There is nothing better than feeling like I’m co-ordinating a friend’s wedding. I love making a couple’s ideas come to life on the wedding day.

How and why did you get involved in the wedding industry?

I’ve always been drawn to the events industry, with a logical brain, a keen eye for detail, a lover of a list and all things planning, I knew this was my calling! I received a first-class degree in event management from Bournemouth University and joined Berwick soon after, nearly three years ago.

What is it that you love about working on weddings?

A wedding day is undoubtably one of the best days of our lives. It shows, as the couple and their guests just exude happiness! You can’t help but absorb that joy too. Having worked with, and grown close to, each unique couple, it is so beautiful to finally see their day come together.

When did you work on your first wedding?

I have worked as a wedding co-ordinator since 2014. My first wedding was a small winter wedding. I remember being so nervous as I was so aware of the importance of the day. The day went so well, and it helped me realise that I had started a job I wanted to make my career.

Simone Parkinson

What is it you do that makes you different to your competitors?

Our ‘yes attitude’ – at Berwick Lodge, nothing is ever too much trouble! Time and time again, we have amazing comments about our professional, personable and friendly service.

How long before the big day should clients get in touch with you?

I’ve planned weddings in as little as 12 weeks, and as long as three years in advance. I’m incredibly flexible.

What’s the best bit of advice you could give a couple?

When it comes to the day itself, leave it in our capable hands, enjoy every minute of it and don’t sweat the small stuff… the day will be perfect!

Lotty Furlong

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

What is it you do that makes you different to your competitors?

I think my relaxed persona, without compromising on standards, sets me apart. I like to view my wedding couples as friends while keeping a professional approach to the planning. Being the only wedding co-ordinator at Backwell House allows for a more personal approach and a more consistent planning process. With my creative background, teamed with my attention to detail and love for styling, it makes for a great combination for the preparation and the wedding day itself.

What’s the best bit of advice you could give a couple?

To do what you as a couple want. Too many couples can get bogged down with trying to please others. Remember it’s your wedding, and should be about celebrating you.

SPONSORED CONTENT ARLENE YALUNG

JASMINE JOHNSON

DE VERE TORTWORTH COURT 01454 263 633 devere.com/deveretortworthcourt

DE VERE TORTWORTH COURT 01454 263701 devere.com/deveretortworthcourt

What is it that you love about working on weddings?

Listening to the couples’ ideas of how they would like their wedding day to be.

What is it that you love about working on weddings?

I love speaking with people about their wedding plans. I’ve always felt there’s a certain privilege to be involved in a couple’s big day.

How would you describe your signature style?

Understanding and being a good listener.

Tell us a bit about one incredibly original or fun wedding you’ve been involved with I recently worked with one father of the bride who really wanted to make his daughter’s wedding the best ever. I built a rapport with the family and made sure I was around on the day so they knew I was on hand if they needed me.

How and why did you get involved in the wedding industry?

I started working in the hospitality industry when I was 16 as front-of-house for wedding and events. I enjoyed the excitement of the day and the planning processes, so I began working my way up to the position of a wedding co-ordinator.

Arlene Yalung

How and why did you get involved in the wedding industry?

Because I love organising events and help people fulfil their ideas for their special day.

What’s the best bit of advice you could give a couple?

My best advice for couples is to know what you want and not to feel pressure from outside opinions or try to meet the needs of others. It’s your wedding day and you want it be perfect.

What is it you do that makes you different to your competitors?

By understanding what they would like and building a rapport with the family, not just the bride and groom.

THÉRÈSA JORDAN

What’s the best bit of advice you could give a couple?

Enjoy the day and take everything all in. Please yourself and not others, it’s your wedding not theirs.

Jasmine Johnson

HUMMINGBIRD EVENTS LTD 07792614240 hummingbirdevents.co.uk What is it that you love about working on weddings?

It’s an opportunity to be creative and to watch two people share their love in front of friends and family.

OLIVIA COLEMAN PRISTON MILL

01225 423894; pristonmill.co.uk What is it you do that makes you different to your competitors?

I am one part of a small team who make Priston Mill the venue that it is. We are passionate about what we do and how we do it, making sure each couple feel completely understood, appreciated and just as important as the couple before them. We make the whole experience personable, enjoyable and stressfree, plus our chefs make the most amazing brownies.

How long before the big day should clients get in touch with you?

As soon as you get engaged, have a glass of something to celebrate. After that, you’ll want to book your venue. Prime dates, Saturdays between MaySeptember are often booked two years in advance.

If you are flexible on the day of the week we have more availability and some great offers, allowing us to arrange a wedding in just a few months.

If you were getting married soon, what would you do?

First thing’s first, book the big four: venue/catering, florist, photographer & DJ/band. After that I would delegate, everyone loves a wedding and are often so keen to help out. Don’t be embarrassed to accept ‘favours’, contributions here and there are what makes the day personal to you.

How would you describe your signature style?

Bespoke and traditional but with a modern twist.

How and why did you get involved in the wedding industry?

I got into wedding planning by chance and honed my craft in London. I fell in love with wedding planning because I get to create a memory for people that will last a lifetime.

Olivia Coleman

What is it you do that makes you different to your competitors?

I offer a totally stress-free approach to wedding planning.

I am an extension of the couple and care as much about their wedding as they do while always offering that personal touch.

What’s the best bit of advice you could give a couple?

It’s your day, do what feels right for you.

What’s hot for 2021/22?

Personalisation! Dried flowers with earthy tones and some serious partying!

Thérèsa Jordan

Why would someone hire a wedding planner?

Why wouldn’t they? Not only is it an extra pair of hands in the planning process but they’re there to ask the questions that the couple may not have thought of as well as having the inside knowledge about all things weddings.

A one-stop shop!

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

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MUIÑO

Fancy a trip to Spain, but not quite ready to face foreign travel? You can still enjoy a beakerful of the warm South – just head to Cotham Hill

By Deri Robins

RESTAURANT

A

h; España. Flamenco; starched blue skies; siestas, certa n eem to be a re a o b tro- t e re taurant anch tt e tapas and vino tinto. Prawns without the cocktail. rench a on th book-ahead et menu reak n read the Pon And e ta no matter here ou o n a n a orth treet e e ne er een a ta a menu e d dn t ke thou h and art ab e to break out at an t me e ne er a to o er-order our to har n ate or t o eo e ou After 18 months of lockdown, the siren call a e take e ht of a week on the Med is almost irresistible. But e ordered a robu t em ran o m d-Au u t t ma ha e been but a r tra e ted ou and t r n at the be t o the eather d dn t e act cream out or an th n ch ed there d been t me add n the o b t o uarter-o -a-m e a hot todd on the menu e d robab ha e one or that th t e a r ort ueue and the threat o our de t nat on made nroad nto a a r o amon cro ueta a t tt e fla our bomb udden um n onto the red t and t no onder o man o u ha e and a ate o hummu h ch e mo ed u ha th r ed bread cho en to er e ore n tra e a to ether th ear o man che e to the rtue o a m e d h o her ta e tomatoe And he an th n a n can do r to that I order it whenever I can. Chef Huw serves can do too r ht he c t no ouch hen h n a an ane a a ad trad t ona a u can t come to e ta a ter a the u t o b a rec e t ub u tou acro the ed here DINING DETAILS d erent name And b ue k e eem to thr t hou e e kno that the be t th n to Muiño, 32 Cotham Hill; 0117 907 7112 be a b t be ond t at the moment but ke a do th da -o d bread to m chunk o t muinobristol.com tatement b the comm tted to r nt th nto a bo o re h tomatoe here the can Opening hours Monday to Saturday, 5pm-10pm; uarantee that b the t me ou re read n th reed oak u a the u ce u add a flu Saturday 12-2.30pm e a be e ter n n a heat a e a a n c oud o bu a o mo are a o e and ba to We visited Saturday lunchtime o t m ortant the ta a ou nd create the substantial kind of dish that had us Cuisine Mediterranean tapas n r to are not u t the e ua to but hee h adm tt n that there ma ha e been Prices Tapas/nibbles £2.50-£12.50; puds £6.50-£7.50 re uent better than d he er ed n man method n that our to madne a ter a ne hbourhood an h bar a a uch a A a r o robd n na an u er- ra n Atmosphere It’s a family-run affair, and it shows those at Muiño on Cotham Hill, for example, came char r ed n a m e ar c and ar e Service Informed, friendly here o ner A e er dee o e o an h butter, while a plate of Padron peppers took us Veggie Good choice cu ne e dent n e er d h retent ou back to our a our te ca eta bar n here are t o rea on h A e cho e the ad our at u c tender meatba h ch name u o t an h or m er and a o the name o h a our te our an a a anc n t on ca n a bond a becau e he once re taurant n a c a a re on to h ch he e treme attached Perched lived in Andalucia, came in a robust tomato sauce. at the er to north- e ter corner o the countr a c a reen ce o ced tender o n ere er ed nk and tender th the a n here the k e o ten mean m ch e the and ca e ro ent unda -roa t fla our o m nt and ea here ma e en ha e been and do n to the At ant c and the countr de a erdant a the ot o d e re not e en a o o n a na d h o cr tr e-cooked ud th thou h der a unch ao e a t ted u o n nce then t been a -chan e n e n hed o th a o ato a a th nk t the n ce t a to end the k tchen o o n the arr a o head che u arr ck ho had an mea o b becau e the tt e touch o theatre n o ed n our n re ou orm at e ner he menu dra on a re on o an hot e re o o er ce-cream ea e m m e ou And becau e er e ndeed t ran e r ht acro the ed d n do n nto orth A r ca th n are not m ro ed b a a h o P added that too re u t n n r otou d he o un h ne oodne that ere u t the A tonka bean anna cotta a teamed to reat e ect th um t cket on a co d and ra n uncht me he cene out de the ndo oached cherr e and a b cu t crumb ot on do the bean m art a a con derab e brant the ra n ha n eem n a hed a the ea n nutt ta te but there the en o ab e r on o kno n that co our rom the treet e atched a d ert n roce on o ede tr an the re banned n the A o are nder or that matter a on da h n a t n dr n outer ear h e e at mu and co th n th ha and ab nthe un are ne thou h o that t robab e en n cer at u o on unn da th the ndo de ou re m n the fla our and co our o the ed ou kno hat o en but then ou ou dn t et to en o the chaden reude to do u t o o er to otham e t o a ou on t need to br n At one o nt a e ear back e eemed to be re e n noth n our a ort or our make-u nto one o tho e tt e a t c ba a but ta a menu a the cra e be un to abate e er o ht here ou ad throu h ecur t n our ock at horr ca ear o c ock n

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

FOOD & DRINK S N A P S H O T S O F B R I S T O L’ S F O O D S C E N E Double trouble: Dom Borel of Bianchis with Josh Eggleton

TEAM CANTEEN If you follow the local food news, you’ll have picked up on the fact that chef Josh Eggleton is on a disruptive mission: to address the problem of food inequality, to connect with people outside the rarefied world of fine dining, and generally think outside the hospitality box.

And that’s where Team Canteen comes in…

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

So, Josh; what exactly is Team Canteen?

It’s a kitchen and dining space, currently at Breaking Bread, where we provide training and work opportunities for young people and others who would usually face barriers to access.

It’s also a hub where good-quality ready meals can be created as emergency and community food provision – a project previously carried out at partner restaurants during lockdown. na t a ta canteen er n hea th and nutritious food for the team at Breaking Bread.

As well as a hub, it’s a restaurant, yes?

Yes; organisations and individuals can hire the tent at low cost, or free, for workshops, demos, supper clubs and events.

Who can use the site?

Anyone! Other charities, community groups and organisations or projects. Small businesses. Anyone who is under-represented; we want to support them and shout about their cause or cool idea.

FOOD & DRINK Why did you decide to set this up?

e et eam anteen u to the ho e that the local hospitality industry had committed to tackle during lockdown, addressing food ne ua t e anted to cont nue the ood a d ork once a our re taurant reo ened We’ve read that it’s a collaborative project; so how does that work?

It’s a collaboration with other charities and ro ect ho a read ro de ood a d o Team Canteen can be somewhere to pack food boxes, host charitable events, support small business who need a platform to shout about their new business, or a place where other organisations can come to us or u ort ar n n r to or e am e ho ec a e n a d but ood n t the r r t knowledge base; we can give them our food kno ed e and u ort the r cau e What happens when Breaking Bread closes at the end of August?

e are current ook n to nd a ermanent space, but we will remain operational when end u t not n th h ca ace

More tasty bites…

BOV PRESENTS

In the final stage of Bristol Old Vic’s mega-refurbishment, elegant Coopers’ Hall – originally built as a Georgian banqueting hall in 1744, but used as a part of the foyer since the 1970s – has been restored to use as a restaurant, with a room created by theatrical set designer Ti Green.

Just as the theatre hosts various visiting companies, the restaurant will have a changing programme of guest Bristol chefs. The ‘Bristol Old Vic Presents’ food series currently hosts a pair of Italianflavoured favourites, Pizzarova x Grano Kitchen, who have created a suitably Mediterranean-inspired menu for the summer.

Eyes on the website and socials for the autumn line-up. bristololdvic.org.uk/eat-drink

EVEN MORE BETTER FOOD

Bristol’s much-loved organic and Fairtrade shop Better Food, founded by our regular columnist Ph au hton e and n nto a ourth branch The shops and cafés, which recently won Best Independent Retailer at the Soil Association’s BOOM Awards, sell groceries, beer and wine, hea th roduct and hou eho d ood he company already has branches on Whiteladies Road, Wapping Wharf and St Werburgh’s; now, messing with the alliterative mojo, they’re about to o en on ouce ter Road For more betterfood.co.uk

How does TC fit into your larger vision?

As we reach out through Team Canteen, it initiates more and more contact with ra root or an at on t eed nto another project which we will be starting up oon e o er ree ace to d ne at our restaurants to people who mightn’t come to eat th u due to the co t hrou h the Nourish – Team Canteen programme, we are able to connect with all sorts of d erent eo e n the c t e ant to th nk d erent and out de the bo For more breakingbreadbristol.co.uk/teamcanteen

TIME FOR TREE

Pieminister are known for their ongoing commitment to sustainability. Every plant-based patty or pie eaten this summer generates a donation to Forestry England, for the purchasing and tending of new trees which will be planted this autumn. To further boost this effort, Pieminister has commissioned Bristol artist Parys Gardener to illustrate a new limited-edition ‘tree towel’; it retails at £6.50, £1.50 of which goes to the forest fund. Buy online at pieminister.co.uk

WINGS GREATEST HITS

If you’ve been pining for Grillstock – and we confess to having been partial to all that meat, music and mayhem – then a new festival coming your way may he to the a Between 11-12 September, Bristol Wing Fest will transform Lloyds Amphitheatre into a poultryeating mecca, showcasing a range of restaurants, street-food traders and pop-ups, who will display their culinary talents and compete against each other over a ho n drum and flat There’s also blues music, brass bands, bourbon masterclasses, axe throwing and BBQ cooking demonstrations, alongside DJs playing summer party be tune Think of it a ou tr n mot on For more wingfest.co.uk/Bristol

THE BOYS OF SUMMER HAVE (ALMOST) GONE Breaking Bread will finally close its tent flaps at the end of August, but the guys are planning to go out with an ambitious programme of events at The Pipe & Lovers, the Pergola and the Homegrown restaurant tipi.

Look out for the special Bank Holiday Weekender closing party at the end of the month, with food producers, street food, music and entertainment to celebrate the end of the summer in style. breakingbreadbristol.co.uk

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

CAFÉ SOCIETY STAN CULLIMORE

e re i still unwritten

Cafés have always brought out the philosopher in writers . . .

G

ot a question for you. hat a ca or Hmm. Sounds simple enough, but actually, I’m not so sure.

However, before we dive into the mind maze that links metaphysics and ca e ne a o me to ntroduce th eek co ee hou e o cho ce Cafe Napolita sits cosily on a corner of Mina Road, deep in the heart of St Werburghs. Not a part of town I am hugely familiar with, which is exactly why I went there.

Wanted to make a change. Turn a page. Seek new trails.

Which brings me neatly back to my opening remark. Seems obvious that ca are d erent th n at d erent t me to d erent eo e They perform varying functions depending on your mood.

Sometimes they are a place to meet friends, family and even strangers. To gossip, smile and laugh. Others are a spot to sit and n ma n cent solitude, while staring moodily at your Macbook or phone. Then there are those special times, when they provide a service, a sanctuary, a refuge from the cares of the world.

It was one of those special times for me and my companion. We were both getting ready to move on with our lives. Both of us wondering how the future would play out. For my granddaughter, it was the end of an era. A rather damp, squib-like end, to be honest.

Just like many other school kids, her last year of school has been less than te ar t a a o her na ear at primary school before moving on to secondary. Obviously, thanks to all the lockdown shenanigans, the usual Year 6 rituals were squished and squashed beyond recognition.

Sigh.

For me, it was also the end of an era. That morning, I had chatted to an agent, a lovely man who has helped me travel the world for the last few years, visiting schools, allowing me the privilege of working with thousands of kids and

sniggering. Which is all very well.

But, since our hearts and minds were more concerned with other things, I can’t say I really noticed what we ate.

Which is a shame, as it all looked really rather good. Despite the name, it’s as much a restaurant as a café, with the kind of life-enhancing ta an de ht ou d ho e to nd pastas and pizzas, salads and sarnies and o on a on th a n u ar un-Italian full-English.

It has all the rustic-industrial-chic feels, too, from warm exposed brick everywhere, walls lined with wine bottles and a co ee menu that includes things like beetroot latte and turmeric latte, chais and matchas.

Luckily, unlike life, in Café Society you can always turn back time, by simply paying another visit.

Which is what I intend to do. I shall return, raise a cup and pay more attention to the chocolate tahini tarts, Italian custard pies, and the Parma ham, sundried tomatoes and olive rolls. Maybe even have a Wiper and True brew instead of co ee ho kno he uture still unwritten… n Former Housemartins guitarist Stan is now a journalist and travel writer For more stancullimore.com

a are i eren ing a i eren i e i eren pe p e ey per r arying un i n epen ing n y ur ” their teachers. Thanks to the Covid crankery, past, present and future, we decided to call it a day. Press the stop button. It’s just not worth the hassle for the foreseeable. Double sigh.

All of which explains why my granddaughter and I decided to pop into this café, new to us, in a relatively unknown part of town. To think about the future.

Obviously, since we were in a café, it also involved ordering, eating and

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SERVING THE FINEST AUTHENTIC INDIAN CUISINE IN BRISTOL, AVON CONTACT US TODAY TO BOOK A TABLE AND SAMPLE OUR UNFORGETTABLE INDIAN FOOD. URBAN KOHINOOR 211 Whiteladies Road, Bristol, BS8 2XS Tel: 0117 973 1313 / 07576 804136 Email: info@urban-kohinoor.com

OPENING HOURS Monday, Closed Tuesday - Sunday, 5:30 PM - 10:45 PM www.urban-kohinoor.com

RECIPES PHIL HAUGHTON

We always thought that PHIL HAUGHTON seemed like a fun-gi . . .

PHIL’S MIXED FUNGI TAGLIATELLE Fungi can help to detoxify the body, reduce inflammation and improve cognitive ability – and quite apart from their medicinal properties, they are also simply delicious to eat.

These days you can find so many more varieties in shops, including mixed boxes that are perfect for this recipe. It lends itself to any wild or bought mixed fungi, and I can recommend any of those grown locally by the Bristol Fungarium.

If you are intent on foraging your own, be very careful that any wild fungi you have harvested is edible.

Ingredients 100ml olive oil 150g to 200g mixed fresh fungi 2 tablespoons unsalted butter 3 cloves garlic, thinly sliced 2 teaspoons chopped fresh rosemary leaves ½ teaspoon crushed red pepper or a small amount of fresh chopped red chilli 250 ml vegetable stock 400g dried tagliatelle (you can also use fresh pasta or pappardelle) A bunch of chopped parsley 100g freshly grated Parmesan cheese, plus more for serving

Method 1. Bring a large pot of salted water to the boil.

2. While the water is heating, in a large frying pan heat some olive oil until shimmering.

Add the mushrooms and cook, stirring, until they wilt and give up their liquid; then increase the heat to boil the liquid away and carame e the mu hroom about e to eight minutes.

3. Reduce the heat to medium, add the butter and let it melt. Stir in the garlic, rosemary, a pinch each of salt and red pepper and cook just until fragrant, for about 30 seconds.

4. Add the vegetable stock and simmer until reduced by half. Reduce the heat to very low, just to keep it warm.

5. Meanwhile, add the tagliatelle to the boiling water and cook until al dente, for eight minutes or so depending on the type of pasta. When the pasta is ready, transfer it to the sauce, keeping a bit of the pasta water.

6. Drizzle with the remaining olive oil, sprinkle with the parsley and toss to coat, adding a little reserved pasta water if it’s too dry. It’s now ready to eat, with extra parmesan on top if desired.

Phil Haughton has more than 40 years’ experience of living and working with organic food. He is the founder of the award-winning retailer Better Food, an independent organic food store and café with three (soon to be four) sites across Bristol stocking local, organic and ethically-sourced products, supporting the local and rural communities through responsible and thoughtful retail.

Food for Thought is Phil’s Haughton’s first book.

Through a colourful mix of inspiring personal stories, tempting recipes, helpful tips and insightful contributions from 12 thought leaders and change makers, Phil shares his passion for organic farming and his mission to create a world where food, nature, business and community can all thrive together in harmony.

For more: betterfood.co.uk

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SASS & BELLE MOJAVE BOWL, £11 To us, this ombre glaze and rustic texture positively shriek ‘midsummer morning on Myrtos beach’. Fanciful, much?

From Fox + Feather, 41 Gloucester Road foxandfeather.co.uk

TUTTI & CO SCRUNCHIE, £4.75 We see you zig-zagging down the lanes of Positana, your hair casually tied back in this pretty scrunchie From Mon Pote 217 North Street monpote.co.uk

ASYA VASE, £9.99 An organic-shaped stoneware charmer; if you can’t add a sprig of bouganvillea, an English hedgerow posy will do From Movement Boutique, 5 The Mall movementboutique.co.uk

EASILY MED

No trip to the warm south planned this year? Us neither.

Doesn’t mean we can’t dream about Mediterranean blue hues, though . . .

BANDEAU TOP, £19 (FROM £39) Deep blue palms adorn a pristine white background, making this perfect for your next getaway (how does Weston-superMare sound?)

From Mint Velvet, 44 Regent Street mintvelvet.co.uk

HYDRO FLASK COFFEE £29.99 Yes, we’d like to be sipping our morning co ee h e a n over the Aegean, too; but the Gorge is also quite nice at this time of year From Ellis Brigham 160 Whiteladies Road ellis-brigham.com

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

BLOOMINGVILLE THROW, £65 Ideal for snuggling up on a chilly Bristol night, while wondering wistfully what the temperatures are like at that very moment in Menton From Fig 1, Gaol Ferry Steps fig uk

WAYFARER SUNGLASSES, £24 Shield your eyes from the dazzling un or u t kee the r to ra n o either way these classic shades have full UV protection From Oliver Bonas, 21 Philadelphia Street oliverbonas.com

ED’S CHOICE NAIL VARNISH, £9.50 Natural vegan polish in a tranquil chilled-out hue.

Which you’ll probably need, when you spy the quarter-of-a-mile security queue at the airport From Fox + Feather 41 Gloucester Road foxandfeather.co.uk

BAGGU BAG, £12 Made from 40% recycled nylon, this holds the equivalent of three plastic shopping ba e re o to do the daily shop; see you back at the villa From Truce, 54 Princess Victoria Street truceonline.co.uk

BUTCHI + GOSMOS FACE MASK, £7.50 If you have to wear a mask, it may as well evoke turquoise waves gently lapping an idyllic Paxos cove. andmade n r to made to order n e e From That Thing, 45-47 Stokes; Croftthatthing.co

SHELL CANDLE, £16 Handmade from 100% natural soy wax, veganfriendly, and almost as nice as picking up an actual scallop shell on a Galician beach From Mon Pote 217 North Street monpote.co.uk

RICE CERAMIC JUG, £58.95 he k nd o ob t ou nd n our Mediterranean holiday home, but can ne er nd n oca ho ho e er ho hard ou earch o d the flo er e re using ours for sangria r ig a erry ep fig uk BABOUCHE SLIPPERS, £29 Ethically handmade by Morroccan artisans.

Just as handy for padding around your Clifton kitchen as your Marrakech riad From Movement Boutique, 5 The Mall movementboutique.co.uk

OMBRE KNITTED TOP, £69 When the nearest thing you can manage to a dip at Benirras is this dip-dyed number in the wardrobe. Oh well...

From Mint Velvet 44 Regent Street mintvelvet.co.uk

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WANTED We buy for cash

SCRAP GOLD & PLATINUM Simply bring your old jewellery to our showroom in Bristol or send it in to us by special delivery.

(Please give us a call for more details) On your behalf, we can also sell re-saleable, unwanted jewellery items in our windows on a sale or return basis.

Photo ID required in all circumstances.

KEMPS OF BROADMEAD 33 Union St, Broadmead, Bristol BS1 2DJ T: 0117 926 4888 | www.kempsltd.co.uk Email: kempsbroadmead@gmail.com

Bringing you the very best of Colombia!

121 Whiteladies Rd, Bristol, BS8 2PL 01174522072 Info@thecolombiancompany.com www.thecolombiancompany.com

Embroidered Aztec smock dress, £69, Fox + Feather

WINDOW SHOPPING MILLY VAUGHAN

Cheesecloth dress, £65, Fox + Feather

Marni floral print cotton shirtdress, £640, Harvey Nichols

Sideline Jupiter Dress, £175, Maze Rebecca Vallance polka dot dress, £360, Harvey Nichols

Munthe Remee Dress, £279, Grace & Mabel

Soraya dress, £95, Chaos and Colour

Frock tactics Whatever the weather, a dress should be your summer go-to

A

h the r to ummer – there’s nothing like t on o den da driving through cow parsley’d hedgerows to picnic in Chew Magna. Or for h and ch do n e ton r maybe just a stroll to Harbourside to neck a c der out de n t a depends on how you roll.

The summer days seem to tretch on ore er or at ea t or a

day and a half. Because when the r to ummer doe na and the smugness we feel is directly proportional to the knowledge that it probably won’t land for very long.

The older folk reminisce about the mythical summer of 1976 in the same reverential tones as they recall England winning the World Cup in 1966; an ancient legend passed down by our ancestors.

“To pack for a family summer holiday in St Ives you need to think like a contestant on Love Island crossed with an explorer on a Shackleton expedition”

Lily and Lionel dress, £280, Movement Boutique

Baum und Pferdgarten Adianna Dress, £169, Grace & Mabel Melody print mini shirt dress, £99, Mint Velvet

A far more familiar August scenario these days involves turning the central heating back on one da then ook n u a rconditioning companies the next.

To pack for an family summer ho da n t e ou need to think like a contestant on Love Island crossed with an explorer on a Shackleton expedition. hat a d a nd m e kneedeep in a paddling pool during et another ummer ta cat on th ear t rather u t m current home- e arat on-an et m not sure what a therapist would chalk th u to the andem c ne reen n er an a e th n or a o n me to u m de re to dress for four seasons in one day.

And th m r end here the summer dress comes in.

Dresses are the single most er at e tem ou can o n and come in a variety of styles that suit every shape. he oo roo ummer o-to dre e re u re ero e ort to

thro on and ou can a er u or do n th chunk kn t o er h rt or e en o a tee under a dre ad u t n ea to the vagaries of the temperature throughout the day.

If you want to be savvy and economical you can even wear the same dress for work/day/ n ht a re u red and acce or e accordingly. I love dressing down a maxi or midi dress with chunky anda or on er e and a den m jacket – if you’re feeling really bo d channe our r na ha k and team with biker boots. In the e en n u t dre u the dre th hee e e er and a cropped jacket.

Whatever your preferred style: m d m n ma t- h rt dre h rt dre ra or ka tan flora tr e or a n ou ut a dre on ou re read to o Whatever the weather… n @millyvaughan on instagram camillapettman@mac.com

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TIME TO RELAX Your guide to some of the best spas around the city

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

Henge

Deacon Blue

Luke Hasell

GET ON HIS LAND!

Farmer Luke Hasell welcomed around 10,000 festival goers to his Chew Valley farmland for the r t a e e t nce e a eacon ue and o h e e tor headlined the music stage, top chefs held demos, festival feasts were served n t and t d dn t ra n one tt e b t ome o the abo e ma not be ho true Photos by @JonCraig_Photos

Alex Pearce, Jen, Neil and baby Jimmy Snow, Nell Robins and Louis Smith

Texas

SOCIETY

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SPONSORED CONTENT

Wales TUC Congress delivered from ICC Wales

ITV 6 Nations podcast with Flats&Shanks

The main event As a live events company GENERO GROUP takes your brand and creates spectacular, bespoke and innovative experiences that keep your guests talking about you...

T

he last year has undoubtedly been a difficult one, and we’re very excited that the world is safely beginning to return to a new kind of normal. When physical events are back up and running we will be at the forefront of this.

Over the last 16 months we’ve been working incredibly hard to overcome the challenges set upon the events industry by Covid-19. The main transformation across the industry has been the necessary shift from live to hybrid and virtual events to ensure that those interactions still had the opportunity to happen in some format, be it training, networking, awards, AGMs and Congresses. The events industry as a whole has

Plaid Cymru Autumn Conference

shown agility, resilience and proactivity to be able to support their clients, both existing and new, who perhaps wouldn’t have had reason to engage with an ‘event’ facilitator previously.

Genero Group have taken this opportunity to strive, including the development and setup of Genero Creative Group, this now enables us to support the growing need for creative media and remote services, which includes a fully brandable filming studio – Studio G with access to greenscreen technology. This technology allows event contributors to film live or pre-record with fully customisable and bespoke backdrops – anything from a 3D event environment to a beach in the Maldives – we can put your event anywhere you like, you dream it

we can make it happen! Already we’ve produced virtual awards, presentations and the ITV 6 Nations podcast with Flats&Shanks. Whereas pre-pandemic online events and streaming was perhaps around 20% of our turnover, it quickly became 100% – overnight in fact. We have upskilled our staff, upgraded our equipment and invested in new tools to enable us to deliver the same exemplary standard of hybrid and virtual events as our reputation precedes of live events.

Hybrid events merge a live event with an online event. This can be in any format, from live audience with remote contributors, a remote audience with live contributors and anything in-between. Hybrid events we have delivered have included numerous award ceremonies, Wales TUC Congress delivered from ICC Wales and streamed internationally, Plaid Cymru Autumn Conference plus many more. We’ve also delivered online conferences for Jean Monnet Network of EU Counter Terrorism, Wales Gene Park, Welsh Government with MIT, Play Wales to name a few.

We’ve been working in this industry for over 20 years so no matter the size or complexity of the event, physical or hybrid, the team at Genero will provide you the perfect live event, in line with Government guidelines and with the safety of attendees at the heart of every decision we make. n

Contact the team at Genero today by emailing info@genero-group.co.uk to discuss your ideas or find us online at www.genero-group.co.uk www.mediaclash.co.uk I BRISTOL LIFE I 77

It’s the city’s business

BRISTOLWORKS Roots manoeuvre

From Dragons Den to Carnival chair . . .

HOW TO WIN ONE OF THESE . . .

S

t Pauls Carnival has announced the appointment of Levi Roots to its board as chair. A multitalented businessman, food writer and musician, Levi will begin his three-year term this September, taking over from current interim chair and long time board member Carole Johnson, who will resume her role as vice-chair.

Levi found national fame in 2007 when he appeared on BBC’s Dragon’s Den, pitching the Dragons the Reggae Reggae Sauce he’d been selling at food fairs and Notting Hill Carnival for 16 years. And yes, he clinched the deal; you can still watch him charming the room on YouTube.

His fusion expertise in music, food and carnival culture, combined with his experience as a businessman, makes Levi the perfect choice for the St Pauls Carnival board, according to executive director LaToyah McAllister-Jones.

“We’re really excited to be welcoming Levi to the St Pauls family,” she says. “He brings with him such rich experience, and his guidance and counsel as chair of the board will be invaluable.

“It’s been a tough few years for everyone, and after two years of not being able to put on Carnival we can’t wait to come back with a booming bass in 2022. I have no doubt that Levi will play a key role in what will be a huge celebration for everyone in Bristol.”

Levi says he he’s looking forward to getting stuck into his new post.

“I can’t wait to get started. I have a long-time love for Bristol, and carnival culture has always been central to my experience and business – it’s the perfect blend of music and food – two things I am very passionate about.

“Going back to the early 1970s, Bristol, especially, St Pauls, was a regular trip for me as part of the Sir Coxsone

Outernational sound system. My connection to Bristol continued after that with my sauce business. I was a regular at St Paul’s Carnival, selling Reggae Reggae Sauce well before its launch on the BBC. “Local Bristol shops in Stapleton Road supported me.

I was also very welcomed in St Nicholas Market, and supplied many stalls including Jenny’s Caribbean takeaway and shops in Clifton. When the sauce was eventually aunched n t Pau arn a a one o the r t carnivals to invite me to play live with my band.”

Although St Pauls Carnival couldn’t be held this year, a global online event, Global Carnival: A Cultural Evolution, saw a streamed panel debate between representatives from four international carnivals – St Lucia, Notting Hill, Trinidad and Tobago, and St Pauls on 3 July – the traditional day of carnival in Bristol.

For more leviroots.com; stpaulscarnival.net

Nominations are flowing in for the 2021 Bristol Property Awards, but time is running out, with a closing date of 21 September. It’s free to enter via the website, where you’ll also find plenty of tips to make your nomination stand out. For more bristolproperty awards.co.uk

KEY DATES

21 September Closing date for submitting your nomination 24 September Finalists revealed 22 October Official Awards preview in Bristol Life 12 November Bristol Property Awards 2021 at Ashton Gate Stadium

BRISTOLWORKS Greg Ingham in conversation with Ann

WORD ON THE STREET achette ha announced an to o en e ne o ce n d nbur h e ca t e anche ter he e d and r to o er the ne t month o o n a ear- on con u tat on th ta ho have volunteered to relocate. The publisher is act e ook n or o ce ace and e ect u to ondon-ba ed ta rom acro the bu ne to move over the next year.

“Inclusion is at the heart of everything we do at Hachette, and regional diversity is another way to bring fresh ideas into our business,” said Hachette UK CEO David Shelley. “We want to forge closer links to the brilliant pool of creative talent outside the ‘London bubble’, and connect more closely with readers, authors and booksellers around the UK to enrich our publishing. ur ne o ce are a reat a or u to reta n ta ho no on er ant or can a ord to e n the capital. We also intend to recruit locally, rather than automat ca creat n or back n ro e n ondon and ho e to o er tra nee h once the o ce are u e tab hed he r to o ce o en n n u headed b ck a e mana n d rector at ohn urra Pre member o ta are mo n into a co-share with holiday company and travel publisher, Sawdays, on Bristol Harbourside. The team will be joined by recent hire Jade Chandler, publishing director at Baskerville, a new crime and thriller imprint at John Murray Press.

For more: hachette.co.uk

MEDIACLASH PRESENTS August’s Bristol Life Business Surgery featured Ann Hiatt, a strategist and consultant in the technology sector.

Ann, from Washington (state), is currently based in Europe, but has global clients in Silicon Valley, Europe and the Middle East. Her CV includes a t o- ear -month t nt artner n e Bezos, founder and executive chairman of Amazon, as well as nine years as righthand to Eric Schmidt of Google.

Ann explained how the job at Amazon wasn’t delivered to her door.

“I wanted real-life work experience and it was suggested I might work with Amazon. The interview took nine months, and nc uded three d erent round o interviews.”

After negotiating these, the big interview ho e nto e n the meet n th e Bezos, the Amazon boss only asked her two questions. “One was a brainteaser,” she said, “and then he asked me about my life goals.”

The brainteaser was a straightforward question: “How many panes of glass do

you think there are in Seattle?”

Ann came up with a satisfactory answer based on population etc, although “not being starstruck . . . .maybe just being myself, could have helped.”

Ann’s meteoric career trajectory has taught her many lessons, but her overall philosophy can be summed up as this: “If at all possible, say yes” – something she learned from Google chairman Eric Schmidt.

“Being ready to take on a challenge doesn’t mean being ready to be perfect at it. You learn the most [by saying] yes to things that terrify you.”

Ann Hiatt is from a farming background in rural Washington, but from an early age she was ambitious. At the age of 10 she was convinced she wanted to be a professor.

“My parents were hardworking people and made their dreams come true,” she told the Business Surgery. “I learned that from them. . . . don’t be apologetic about big dreams.”

Watch the Business Surgery on You Tube.

BRISTOL LIFE AWARDS 2021

© BEN ROBINS

SPECIAL PREVIEW SECTION

Celebrating the very best of the city, The Bristol Life Awards takes place on 16 September at Ashton Gate Stadium. In this special preview, we give you a taste of what to expect, and introduce our panel of illustrious judges www.mediaclash.co.uk I BRISTOL LIFE I 85

© SAM FROM WHITE VILL A PHOTOGR APHY & FILM

BRISTOL LIFE AWARDS

IT’S THE FINALIST COUNTDOWN Who made the 2021 Bristol Life Awards shortlist?

B

ristol; you’re amazing! We know you’ve all had an incredibly busy past few months, but that didn’t stop you from inundating us with your Bristol Life Awards nominations. We received hundreds in all, from sectors right across the city: from retailers to restaurants, culture to charity, health to hospitality, legal to leisure. Taken together, they provide a fascinating snapshot of Bristol business, from the smallest of

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the indies to the largest of the corporates.

Each nomination was carefully read, reread and read again. Discussions were held, and decisions were reached. On 20 May we held our Grand Reveal over Zoom – a live event in which the business community learned for the r t t me ho had made t onto th ear Bristol Life Awards shortlist. If you missed it you can still watch the event on YouTube; or just turn to page 88 to see who made the cut.

It’s now over to our impeccably impartial and illustrious panel of judges to choose the winners.

These, as ever, will be revealed at the big Awards

HEADLINE SPONSOR Marsh Commercial is an expert consultant in insurance, risk management and employee benefits for businesses and individuals. Its strength is its expertise and the relationships it builds, helping its clients to thrive.

OTHER SPONSORS Anderson Financial Management, Bristol Life, Bristol Sport (Feature), British Corner Shop, Brunel Insurance Brokers, Burston Cook, Curo, Lexus Bristol, SLX, Spaces, Thatchers, Total Produce, Triangle Networks (Feature) and VWV.

ceremony, held this year on 16 September at Ashton Gate Stadium.

After the tumultuous year we’ve all had, we can t a t to e come ou R n a our ner to the most hotly anticipated and most glamorous Awards ceremony in the city. Tickets invariably sell out quickly, so we strongly suggest you head to the website and join the waiting list pronto.

There are still a few exciting opportunities left to sponsor a Bristol Life Award category. For more information please visit our website or email harriette.dixon@mediaclash.co.uk For more: bristollifeawards.co.uk

GET INVOLVED With more and more interest in being closely associated with the most prestigious event in the Bristol business calendar, sponsorship opportunities are now available. Please contact Harriette: harriette.dixon@mediaclash.co.uk

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BRISTOL LIFE AWARDS

THE JUDGES WILL DECIDE…

AINE MORRIS, executive director, Bristol Food Union Aine also heads up brand partnerships and food programming for Yeo Valley’s annual music and food festival, Valley Fest.

Every year we appoint a fresh panel of impeccably impartial and independent judges for the Bristol Life Awards. It’s a disparate group from a wide variety of sectors and sizes of business. They and they alone will decide our all-important winners…

AMY COPPOCK, executive director, Coutts

Having been in the finance industry for over 20 years, Amy has attained multiple qualifications.

She is also passionate about supporting the sustainability agenda.

CHRISTELLE PELLECUER, Multi-disciplinary artist and entrepreneur

ANDREW SPERRING, managing director, JAS Building Services Since joining the family firm in 2016, Andrew has been crucial to the business development of JAS. He is the strategist and leader for steering the company, and implementing its vision.

DAVE LEES, CEO, Bristol Airport

Dave joined Bristol Airport in August 2018, after several years as managing director of Southampton Airport. Dave has also had a successful aviation career across a range of roles at other UK Airports including: Heathrow, Gatwick and Stansted.

NATASHA VOLKK, business development manager, TLT

GLYN BLAIZE, COO, Amdaris

Glyn entered the sales industry in 1999 after injury led to early retirement from a successful rugby career.

He went on to found tech start-up Northstar. ai and is now Group COO for Amdaris.

Christelle is the founder and creative director of Razana Afrika and is also a trustee at Arnolfini and Tobacco Factory Theatres. Her professional background includes working in the education sector for over 15 years.

MARK KELLY, managing director, Ashton Gate and Bristol Sport

With a wealth of experience in hotel and venue transformations and rebrands, Mark joined the Bristol Sport group in 2013. He oversees the operation and management of the stadium and two elite training facilities.

With over 20 years’ experience in business development, marketing, communications, events and sales, Natasha specialises in developing client bases, expanding service lines and looking for opportunities to facilitate client introductions.

SEB LOYN, planning and development director, YTL Developments Seb now leads the team responsible for one of the most exciting regeneration projects in the country: transforming the historic former Filton Airfield into a thriving new neighbourhood for Bristol, known as Brabazon.

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THIS IS EXACTA TECHNOLOGIES

EXACTA TECHNOLOGIES is a group of world-leading designers and manufacturers of fully customised branded appliance, white-box servers, custom-built desktop workstations and fintech solutions

O

ver the last 20 years the company has evolved massively, which has allowed us to grow our product ranges and our team. The Exacta Technologies Group is made up of three distinctive brands: Platform

by Exacta, Blackcore by Exacta, and Proline by Exacta. Each brand is positioned in a different market sector, delivering high performance technology to every industry.

to design, build, and deliver a truly bespoke system purpose built to make your software sing.

BLACKCORE BY EXACTA Blackcore designs high-speed reliable systems built to address the diverse and demanding needs of the financial trading industry. We continuously innovate, build, validate, and deliver reliable production-ready solutions with leading-edge technologies backed up by the suite of services expected by electronic trading institutions.

PLATFORM BY EXACTA

PROLINE BY EXACTA

Platform offers the complete end-to-end service for software companies, from consultation, design and build to logistics, road-mapping and support. We understand that your brand is your differentiator, and we will work closely with you

Proline utilises our years of expertise and knowledge of proven processes to build innovative, state-of-the-art, high performance workstations. Based on absolute flexibility and uncompromising utility. Designed from the inside

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out, Proline workstations remove the barriers so you can do your greatest work on any application.

Our Ultimate Range of Workstations are aimed at the postproduction industry; we have deployed this powerhouse system into postproduction houses, in Bristol, London and Manchester.

One of our postproduction clients based in Bristol told us: “The switch to the PL Ultimate has impacted every aspect of the creative process. Through much faster and more reliable processing, production efficiency has taken a major leap forward. Render times are now 25% (x4) of what the production team were previously planning for, allowing us to hit deadlines faster and with a lot less stress.” To see a client report four times increase in productivity was a massive compliment to our team. At Proline we are proud to transform the way professionals work.

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OUR HQ

COMPANY VALUES

At the end of 2019 our CEO Nick Rogers felt we were outgrowing our home of almost 19 years. Despite the disruptive start to 2020 we had sustained record growth and were ready to move to a new location. In March 2020, the day before the country entered a national lockdown, we moved to our new state-of-the-art production facility in Emersons Green. It was slightly melancholic to leave behind the picturesque Chew Valley, but we knew it was the best decision for the growth of Exacta Technologies.

Our new HQ, a 20,000 sq ft production facility and office space, has not only massively expanded our capacity and capabilities, but also invigorated our ever-growing team.

We are proud of our work ethic and appreciative of our dedicated team. We are honoured to have several long-serving members in our company.

Interestingly, many of our management team started their careers with us almost 15 years ago, working in manufacturing. Their knowledge of the business, as well as their exceptional skills and experiences, have shaped the values we have as a company, where everyone is given the opportunity to excel. For the last 15 years we have been hiring apprentices, who have learned valuable skills in computer engineering. The majority of these apprentices have moved into team leader and sales positions. n

OUR TEAM Over the last two years our team has grown rapidly, hiring roles in new departments and growing our production and logistics teams.

In 2020, at the peak of the global pandemic, we hired over 10 new members of staff in production, logistics, sales and marketing. This year we have welcomed nine new members to our team, filling roles in purchasing, support, and production. There will definitely be more career opportunities at Exacta this year, so keep an eye on our LinkedIn!

Interested in exploring the Exacta Technologies Group? Head over to our websites: exactatech.com blackcorebyexacta.com prolinebyexacta.com tel: +441173510000 email: sales@exactatech.com

2021 The last two years have been unusual to say the least, however now it finally feels as though we are back to the new ‘normal’. Exacta Technologies, despite the pandemic and global technology shortages, has still grown and had recordbreaking months due to the support of our clients, vendors, and partners. We are excited about the remainder of 2021; with the lifting of restrictions, we are hopeful to attend in person events, meetings and team activities. This year we have also been working towards our eco-friendly company practices. So far in 2021: we are in the process of installing solar panels on the roof of our HQ, we have introduced a cycle-to-work scheme, and we have introduced a system recycling program for our clients.

Thank you for taking the time to read about Exacta Technologies. We are proud to be building technology in Bristol & working alongside the best Bristol has to offer

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Struggling to find the perfect talent for your business?

Experts in our fields & focused on your needs g2 is the award-winning technical recruitment agency within the technology, engineering, life sciences, energy, and public sectors. We place contract and permanent staff across the world.

We have offices in London, Bristol, Manchester, Birmingham, Nottingham, Cardiff, and overseas in the USA, Germany, Belgium, and the Netherlands.

We support both our clients and candidates from the start of the recruitment process and continue to do so, as our teams are on hand and dedicated to you and your recruitment needs.

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BRISTOL LIFE AWARDS I N T H E RU N - U P TO T H E C E R E M O N Y O N 16 SE P T E M B E R , W E LO O K BAC K AT T H E FU N W E H A D I N 2019: T H E L A S T T I M E W E W E R E A B LE TO H OS T A PRO PE R LY B I G SH I N D I G ...

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THE AFTER PARTY

Shenanigans continued late into the night at Revolución de Cuba, with Sam FM’s Downsy on the decks for the third year running. Guess you can pretty much predict the requests by now, then Ian . . .

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PROPERTY BUILDING THE CIT Y

THE SHIPPING NEWS

Building has begun on Cargo Work – a unique Grade-A office space in the heart of the Wapping Wharf community Cargo Work has been designed by award-winning architects Alec French, the team behind phase one and two of the apartments at Wapping Wharf, and is constructed by equally lauded specialist contractor Halsall.

With space for up to 230 people across 20,270 sq ft, the new building will be set within the stone walls of the former JS Fry warehouse, once part of the old Bristol Gaol, bringing this longderelict site back to commercial use. Main construction works on the shell and core of the building are now underway, with the creation of the steel frame following in September. he contem orar er at e ne ace are de ned to reflect their industrial dockside setting, in keeping with the Cargo shipping containers housing the neighbouring independent businesses. Geared to employers looking to prioritise well-being and fle b t the o ce are c ad n u c c ed h n conta ner components, and feature a glazed courtyard canopy, balconies and terraces with views across south Bristol. Organisations which take the space at Cargo Work will also have the opportunity to ork th the de e o er to t out and n h accord n to the r own creative vision, resulting in a bespoke, tailored working environment.

Cargo Work has been designed to be highly sustainable and low in energy-use; brise soleils prevent heat gain inside the building and photovoltaic roof panels take advantage of the building's sunny position to create solar energy. It will include 47 secure bicycle racks and seven parking spaces, as well as EVcharging provision.

Lambourn Commercial and Carter Jonas are the joint agents marketing Cargo Work. “What we are hearing from the market that ar er or an at on are tru n to nd un ue creat e workspaces which will support their strategy to attract and retain the best talent,” said Damian Lambourn. “Cargo Work will help meet this gap.”

“Wapping Wharf has been an enormous placemaking success, so it is no surprise that people want to work as well as spend their leisure time in this wonderful waterfront neighbourhood,” a d Andre ard ck o arter ona ar o ork o er something very special for occupiers.”

For more cargowork.co.uk

CLOCKWISE FROM TOP: Cargo Work has been created within the walls of the old JS Fry warehouse, formerly part of Bristol Gaol; spaces have been designed to be flexible and sustainable; balconies and terraces offer views across south Bristol; the lobby

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

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PROPERTY JACK HEAD

B Hot-to-trot-spots Are there any remaining Bristol postcodes that have yet to up and come?

“My colleagueNick wrote an article entitled ‘Hotspot Fishponds’, so there is little ambiguity over which area he thinks is still ripe for growth . . .”

ristol’s Hidden Hotspots: are there any actually left?

Last week I read an article in The Sunday Times that featured Long Ashton, the tranquil commuter village right on the edge of Bristol, as one of eight places in the UK where average house prices had risen by more than £100,000 this year.

On some level, this was unsurprising. Long Ashton is lovely, and its close proximity to the city makes residents feel like the ha e u ed o a ma or e hack – surrounded by greenery, et u t a tone thro rom a that r to ha to o er he sounds of birds and wildlife in the nearb e d near dro n out the distant sirens of the emergency services, so what’s not to like? here no doubt that pandemic-induced lifestyle changes, the stamp duty tax cut and low interest rates have combined to create the perfect storm, to push Bristol’s average house prices up at a rapid rate. So, has Bristol’s house price-ometer smashed through the red, or are there less-talked-about areas that still have plenty of room for shortto mid-term unusual growth?

Nick, my colleague and co-founder of Boardwalk, recently wrote an article for our Bristol Lifestyle magazine titled ‘Hotspot Fishponds’, so there can be no ambiguity over which area he thinks is still ripe for growth. And I agree with him – Fishponds is one of Bristol’s few remaining ‘up-and-coming’ suburbs.

Its sense of community, abundance of green spaces, independent shops, Victorian-era housing and close proximity to the city centre all make it very attract e to r t- and econd-t me home-buyers. All these attractive positives have fuelled a recent price growth that looks set to continue, matching the recent

success of its nearby neighbours St George, Easton and Greenbank.

Another area hot-to-trot is Shirehampton. According to Rightmove, average house prices rose 26% here in the last year.

Shirehampton’s rising popularity and relatively low average houseprice starting point, leads me to conclude that there is plenty of room left for growth here in the coming years. Buyers are attracted to its ease of access to the countryside and the M5, and to the city centre and Clifton via the Portway.

It’s on the outskirts of the c t but bene t hu e rom t uninterrupted transport routes. h reham ton n t u t e located geographically; it has a real village feel about it, and bene t rom reen ace r ht on its doorstep, such as Blaise Castle and Kings Weston House and the r ar e ad o n n round he na area that rema n a little under the radar, but has become very popular with buyers, is Brislington. Spurring its growth are a number of similar characteristics shared with Fishponds. Close to the city centre, with a large percentage of the everpopular Victorian housing and a growing number of independent local businesses, Brislington is an up-and-coming suburb.

If you’re lucky enough to be on Bristol’s property ladder, and your area hasn’t been included, then there should be little reason to feel downhearted. With the popularity of Bristol’s lifestyle looking as robust as Boris’s fathering activities, my bet is that strong demand for property will be with us for the foreseeable future.

Jack Head is the founder of Bristol agencies Boardwalk Property Co. and The Letting Game instagram: @thepropertypatron email: jack@boardwalkpropertyco.com

www.mediaclash.co.uk I BRISTOL LIFE I 125

PROPERTY

R

Prepare to be charmed by a br ht mmacu ate ton apartment within an Italianate Georgian mansion

By Ursula Cole

F

ixer-uppers are all well and good, providing you have the time, skill, vision, boundless enthusiasm and bottomless budget to carry out a the actua n -u How much pleasanter to move straight into a fla e home that a read re urb hed and decorated to the h he t o b e tandard A home that a mmacu ate a an ne bu d et a a h th er od charm e e ance and ood ta te uch a home at Pembroke Road u t ook at this building: the Georgians did terraced town houses e ceed n e but t a hen the d d ta anate a that the tru e ce ed them e e Honey-coloured stone, tall arched windows and ornate, o a- ke ba u trade add u to a tt e touch o u can n the heart o and e th home come th the dea -mak n bonu o be n ocated n one o r to mo t ou ht-a ter ocat on ead e t and ou oon be ba k n n the rare ed bout uer o ton a e ead north and ou reach the erdant e an e o the o n n no t me tro ea t- h and outh- h and ou ha e the end e reta and d n n d er on o h te ad e Road at our d o a ou e en et to ca the Art eco er man our oca cture hou e ou be h h- n the che on otham and hando Road be ore ou kno t at occu e the arden floor h ch mean and e kno ou re a ahead o u here t ha the r ate u e o the charm n arden out the back t um tuou re ented th n th t o n r ate entrance o there no need to tumb e o er a tho e d r t n fl er and d rector e that always pile up in communal hallways, because nobody can be bothered to ck them u te ead do n rom our a ocated dr e a ark n ace to a entrance orch that b enou h or the d e t n o coat and boot rom here a door ead nto the entrance ha here a amorou eam n a nut floor flo nto the kitchen and open-plan dining room, through to the inner hall and nto the br ht tt n room n th home arden floor certa n doe n t e uate a dark he k tchen a er ou ooker th marb e orkto and integrated everythings, while the open-plan dining space is o onder u oc ab e that e en the mo t d ed- n the- oo

www.mediaclash.co.uk I BRISTOL LIFE I 129

PROPERTY

m anthro t nd them e e menta com n d nner art n tat on on to ho the ace o Adm re too ou the de ht u tt n room th t h h ce n or na a ter ork and re ace there noth n remote er od about the ce n mounted ro ector and c nema creen thou h or the r n or urround- ound ho e o a con derate nature or ho u t can t be do n th other eo e no e a rec ate the ound n u at on throu hout the ent re n accommodat on he current o ner c ear tech- a ha a o n ta ed a three- a ht n tem th an nte rated e-am c rcu t and no e re not e act ure hat that mean e ther he ma n bedroom ha m ar or na eature to the tt n room and rench ndo to the back terrace ome o ce e thou ht ou d a k A orted one o the other t o bedroom b enou h to do er ce a a ork- rom-home ace th t enou h room or a k n ed o a bed he r ate back arden a o e oa beaut u and ca ed th ace to t d ne enterta n crochet u e or hat ha e ou At the ront the re dent ha e creat e o et the ar e ark n ace th reener there a o a h dden communa arden th an area o a n and onder u mature anted border

HOUSE NUMBERS Where? Pembroke Road, Clifton

Other rooms Utility, store rooms Outside Private back garden and communal garden

Reception rooms Sitting room, open-plan kitchen-diner

Guide price

Bedrooms

3

Bathrooms

1 + cloakroom

£895k

For more: Rupert Oliver, 14 Waterloo Street; 0117 452 3555; rupertoliver.co.uk

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BRISTOL LIVES

“There’s something about the city that feels alive, optimistic and full of possibilities”

CAROLINE BURROWS

Turning pedals into poems, one verse at a time...

D

uring lockdown, Bristol writer Caroline Burrows started to see the quirks and oddities of the city with fresh eyes. Combining her twin loves of cycling and poetry, and posting with the hashtag #BristolBikeBard, Caroline began to map out her local area in verse…

I came back to Bristol after

tud n or an A n creat e writing at Lancaster Uni. In 2018 I’d left my job as a teacher, sold m flat and one to tud t a a leap of faith to follow the dream.

Since coming back I’ve written poetry, including commissions or en de o ta u eum with Bristol Festival of Ideas. The museum is a former Victorian mental health hospital, so they focus a lot on removing the stigma and stereotypes surrounding mental health, which is a subject close to my heart.

The Bristol Bike Bard endeavour

was something I started doing in lockdown, to help me get outside and back into the ‘Bristol groove’.

I love cycling and poetry, so a lot of my writing references cycling.

It’s a big part of my life.

I started exploring my local area in a much more in-depth

way than I ever had before, and began writing poetry verses almost every day. I went past streets I’d never noticed before, learned more about Bristol’s history, watched nature changing and dflo er ro n n the cycle of the seasons. I saw all these quirky things that I previously overlooked. Being able to pay more interest to my local area was the silver lining of lockdown.

My love of poetry was sparked when I was in my early thirties.

I did an Open University degree in literature as a mature student,

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

which cemented my interest in both literature and poetry. I became really interested in the construction of stories, and I began writing more in my spare time.

I then attended evening classes at a college in Bristol.

always bump into someone you know. It’s got a real energy to it.

There’s something about the city that feels alive, optimistic and full of possibilities.

I’m a bit of a night owl, so my creative brain wakes up late in the day. I sometimes wonder

favourite spots. I went there for the winter solstice to watch the sun and moon crossing paths. It has a great viewpoint overlooking the city and its rugged hill during the summertime looks a bit like a heath, reminding me of Wuthering Heights.

whether I lived in another time one n a d erent e da usually starts with work and some video-editing, then after three or four hours on the computer, I get out on the bike for a break. The Bike Bard verses inspire me to go out and get a bit of exercise. After coming back and working on more poetry, I then get started on a few bigger projects that I’m currently working on.

I’ve moved around a lot in my life, but Bristol is the only place I’ve ever wanted to return to.

hen ot o the tra n here felt like I’d come home. I felt a real sense of peace. The city also has this odd sensation that you can walk around anywhere, and you’ll

I really love heading up to Trooper’s Hill. It’s one of my

In the future, I’d like to organise a bike tour, tracing the

history of poetry and literature, writing a poetry map in verse. The tour would trace historical poets n d erent area and ou d a o be an opportunity to collaborate with others along the way. I’ve done a couple of social engagement projects and I’d quite like to do a tour that involves the people I meet on the journey.

Find Caroline on instagram @versecycle