Bristol Life - Issue 305

AUTUMN INTERIORS INSPIRATIONAL HUES FOR THE HOME

SLIP INTO NEUTRAL ISSUE 305 / SEPTEMBER 2021 / £3

ISSUE 305 / SEPTEMBER 2021 / HUE GOES THERE?

A COOL AND COLLECTED CLIFTON HOME* * (AND HOW TO COPY ITS STYLE)

WHAT’S THE BIG (TOP) IDEA?

KING STREET

TAPAS Y COPAS

WRITING ON THE WALL

THE THEATRE ON THE DOWNS A NEW EXCUSE TO VISIT AN OLD FAVOURITE

IT’S CASAMIA…

…BUT NOT AS YOU KNEW IT

(DON’T TELL THE OTHER ROADS, BUT IT’S OUR FAVOURITE)

THE COLOURFUL WORLD OF TOZER

HYPER-LOCAL

BRISTOL’S RETAIL HEROES

EDITOR’S LETTER

I 17

Hue’s hue?

Six super-sexy colourways to transform your home

was a June baby; by rights, I should love the summer months.

But I don’t. I’m aware that plenty of you, perhaps even most of you, relish long, languorous days spent beneath starched blue skies. Some of you even have an inexplicable attachment to picnics.

But I am not among your ranks. As far as I’m concerned, al fresco just means wasps.

So yes, I’m thrilled that we’ve reached September. Let’s hear it for the leaves turning, the evenings drawing in, and air as cool and crisp as a wad of new fivers.

Autumn is also my favourite time for producing a magazine. As the temperatures drop, we turn the focus back on indoorsy delights, including a new season in the arts – still compromised by Covid, but very much a thing, thanks to inventive local creatives (see page 48 for a great example). We also start to crave fresh new looks for the home – be inspired by our colour-coded feature on page 17, and our cover story on page 108.

Autumn; bring it on. Thank goodness the sun has gone in and we no longer have to go out to enjoy it. Back in three weeks, with yet more proof that this is the best season of all. Apart from the sudden return of house spiders the size of my hand; I could easily do without those.

DERI ROBINS Follow us on Twitter @BristolLifeMag Instagram @BristolLifeMag

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

Issue 305 / September 2021 COVER A cool and collected home on Richmond Terrace; page 108

INTERIORS

48

17 HUE GOES THERE? Six hot (and cool) colourways

for the home

ARTS 41 42 48 56 60

ARTS INTRO Out on the wily, windy moors...

WHAT’S ON The autumn season gets into gear THEATRE Hey! Let’s do the show right here!

BRISTOL HEROES Shop local (we’re sure you do) BOOKS Our annual opportunity to use the header

‘autumn leaves’

FOOD & DRINK

62 RESTAURANT Bar 44. We’re moving in.

66 FOOD NEWS It’s Casamia, but not as you knew it 71 CAFÉ SOCIETY Stan dares to drop the S* word

(*Shoreditch). There’ll be hell to pay.

73 RECIPE You can’t make a tortilla without breaking eggs

(so we didn’t try)

SHOPPING

74 EDITOR’S CHOICE It’s one of those ‘get the look’

numbers

79 FASHION The DFL gilet

EDUCATION

82 NEW TERM Pandemics and panaceas

BUSINESS

95 BRISTOLWORKS Feeling the white collars of

professional Bristol

PROPERTY

66 62

103 PROPERTY NEWS Building the city 108 SHOWCASE The architect’s home

REGULARS 8

SPOTLIGHT Sustainable fashion, and a certain dodgy

lock-up door

13 BRIZZOGRAM Focus on King Street 122 BRISTOL LIVES The delightful Tozer

Editor Deri Robins deri.robins@mediaclash.co.uk Senior art editor Andrew Richmond Graphic design Megan Allison Cover design Trevor Gilham Contributors Colin Moody, Stan Cullimore, Milly Vaughan, Jack Head 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

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

SPOTLIGHT

Fashion

WEAR IT WELL

Following a pesky profusion of pandemicrelated postponements, Bristol’s Sustainable as ion ee will finall a e place e ween 11-19 September.

Put together by a team of volunteers led by Amelia Twine, the fashion week will deliver a heady mix of community-led events, panel discussions and workshops, while the SFW Hub weekend, running 11-12 September at M Shed, brings together speakers and guests fro di eren areas of e s s aina le fas ion industry to share insights and expertise. e re so pleased o finall e a le o rin

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

Sustainable Fashion Week to Bristol after all this time, says Amelia. ‘Our tiny team of volunteers has worked so hard in reaching out to the community to create a busy programme of activity.

“SFW 2021 will have a brilliant variety of di eren in s oin on o elp inspire and empower people to make positive changes in their fashion habits. The growing movement calling for a fashion industry that is climatepositive, socially just and inclusive is going to reach new heights this September.

“We’ve also teamed up with the brilliant Bristol Market to host our marketplace, bringing together stalls from a collection of some of Bristol and the South West’s best-

loved makers and sellers during our Hub weekend.”

Bristol Market founder Géraldine Roul says s e s e all e ci ed a o e firs live ar e and collaboration with Sustainable Fashion Week.“I’ll be meeting some of the vendors for e firs i e af er avin wor ed wi e at the online market in the past 18 months.

Amelia and I have selected a great range of sustainable fashion makers, and we hope you’ll find so e ni e clo es o c eris and love for many years to come.”

Second-hand Rose? In 2021, nothing could be cooler.

For more sustainablefashionweek.uk @sustainablefashionweek_uk on instagram

Refresh Your PR Strategy with Admire PR Back to school and back to the office?

It’s a good time of year for a fresh start.

www.admire-pr.com

Effective promotion - Ethical Transparency - Measurable ROI Get a new perspective on what PR can do for you by booking a free 20 minute call with Admire CEO Andrea, email: office@admire-pr.com and QUOTE BLIFE20

© PAUL BL AKEMORE

xxxxx

Festival

OPENING HOURS

Bristol Open Doors, the annual festival that allows you to peer behind normally locked doors and learn a lot of pub-quizworthy facts about the city, returns between 10-12 September.

This year the festival is launching a new explorer wristband which allows you to choose from over 60 adventures. For Covid reasons too obvious to explain, everything needs to be prebooked; after buying your wristband you’ll receive a code to book into your adventures.

You can book up to four adventures per explorer, ranging from a dio o rs of ris ol eacon and edcli e aves o o door theatre at Ashton Court and a chance to be guided around the conservation plans at Temple Church – but don’t dither for too lon as slo s are alloca ed on a firs co e firs served asis.

Many new venues have been added to this year’s audio tours; if you’re joining one of these you’ll need a fully-charged smartphone with headphones, with your GPS enabled.

For more: bristolopendoors.org.uk

Fools, horses and a garage door

LOVELY JUBBLY

Speaking of locked doors (left), how much would you be willing to pay for an old metal door from a Bristol Council lock-up? Hang on; what if the garage had previously belonged to a certain Derek Edward Trotter of Only Fools and Horses ?

Del Boy’s no 22 lock-up could still be found at Duckmoor Road in Bedminster until May this year, when it was replaced during refurbishment works. The garages were built in 1962 at a similar time to nearby high-rise Whitemead o se e fil in loca ion a s ood in for el o s elson andela o se supposedly in Peckham. Other Bristol locations used in the show included Welsh Back, Brunel Lock Road, Penn Street in Broadmead, Park Avenue in ed ins er and ac fields ane in a l s. eedin o find a new o e for is classic piece of e ora ilia ris ol i Council approached The Bottle Yard Studios, who, in a move which would have i pressed el o and odne no end sold e door for a si nifican s o specialist collector Scott Harrington, owner of the Best of British Collection.

The Trotters would have laughed all the way to the bank.

For more: thebottleyard.com

Maybe don’t try this at home

© LUKE MACGREGOR

Street-art tours are back (although in this case Greta has literally left the building...)

© PAUL BL AKEMORE

SPOTLIGHT

Arts

CIRCUS CITY

It feels a long time since Bristol hosted a multi-date, multi-venue, multiartform, multi-national festival of live performance. There’s one on its way, though, because 30 September-16 October sees the return of the UK’s biggest celebration of contemporary circus, with an international line-up of indoor and o door even s co inin circ s s ills wi sic fil ea re urban dance, juggling, Chinese pole, tipsy hoop swirling, and a jukebox cabaret of camp classics which may or may not require you to sing along to YMCA...

For more: bristolcircuscity.com

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

SPOTLIGHT

KING IN THE WEST

King Street! Named after that original merry monarch, Charles II. 17th-century almshouses and Byzantine-style warehouses. Wonky, halftimbered inns, once frequented by sailors, pirates and the writers who immortalised them. Cobbles, gables and overhanging upper storeys.

The world’s longest-running English-speaking theatre. Pubs with live jazz. It’s acceptable to have a favourite Bristol street, yes?

@richimal_roams

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@eliza_moreland

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@elenaem11

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

INTERIORS

...the answer, according to today’s eclectic interiors wisdom, is that virtually anything goes. Here are six hot (and cool) colourways to inspire you...

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

From terracotta to dusty rose and punchy hot pinks, these pretty tones bring all the softness and warmth

1. Forecast Lundy wall tiles, £1.06 each, Fired Earth, Whiteladies Road; firedearth.com; 2. Audrey Rose velvet chair, £475, Graham & Green, Bath; grahamandgreen.co.uk; 3. Bay old rose pot, £16, Neptune, Whiteladies Road; neptune.com; 4. Jersey side table, £279, Bo Concept, Merchant Street; boconcept.com; 5. Kitchens from £25,000, Harvey Jones, Princess Victoria Street, harveyjones.com; 6. Vola mixer tap, from £762, Hobson’s Choice, Bath; hobsonschoice.uk.com; 7. Velvet cushion, £45, Bristol Artisan, Lower Redland Road; thebristolartisan.com; 8. Bespoke upcycled chest of drawers, £475; Handsome Vintage, on etsy; 9. SMEG fridge-freezer, £1,589, NE Appliances, Enterprise Trade Centre; neappliances.com

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

INTERIORS

Botanical colours create a restful vibe, with a wide-ranging palette from olive to sea-green

1. Shepton display cabinet, from £1,250, Neptune, Whiteladies Road; neptune.com; 2. Fabric by Designers Guild, £POA, Bracey Interiors, Waterloo Street; braceyinteriors.co.uk; 3. Bert & May Pradena tile, £6.60 each, Fired Earth, Whiteladies Road; firedearth.com; 4. Pot, £9.95- £14.95, Pod Company, The Mall; thepodcompany.co.uk; 5. Colorado Beetle in Freaky Leaves wallpaper, £39 per m, Addicted to Patterns; addictedtopatterns.uk; 6. Green Smoke estate emulsion, £49.50 for 2.5l, Farrow & Ball, Princess Victoria Street; farrow-ball.com; 7. Essex Bath, made to order, £3,840, Ripples, Whiteladies Road; ripplesbathrooms.com; 8. Iva basin, £2,045, Ripples, Whiteladies Road; ripplesbathrooms.com

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

Citrussy shades of yellow and orange add freshness and energy to your interiors

1. Stoneware vase, from £32, Midgley Green, Clevedon; midgleygreen.com; 2. Babouche modern emulsion, £53 for 2.5l, Farrow & Ball, Princess Victoria Street; farrow-ball.com; 3. Hyde lamp, £366; davidhuntlighting.co.uk; 4. Cole & Son Fornasetti Senza wallpaper, £POA, Bracey Interiors, Waterloo Street; braceyinteriors.co.uk; 5. Number Three Clock, £45, Pod Company, The Mall; thepodcompany.co.uk; 6. Florence scatter cushion, £52, Neptune, Whiteladies Road; neptune.com; 7. Croc lamp, £312; davidhuntlighting.co.uk; 8. Shorty Locker, £129, Truce, Princess Victoria Street; truceonline.co.uk; 9. Welsh Vintage Star Gorse throw, £169, Midgley Green, Clevedon; midgleygreen.com

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

INTERIORS

Dramatic and moody, mono tones are equally at home in a Georgian interior as they are in a contemporary urban pad

1. Bloomingville jug, £13.50, Mon Pote, North Street; monpote.co.uk; 2. Paint & Paper Library Steel emulsion, £51 for 2.5l, Bristol Guild, Park Street; bristolguildgallery.co.uk; 3 Cole & Son Geometric wallpaper, £POA; Bracey Interiors, Waterloo Street; braceyinteriors.co.uk; 4. Quooker Pro3 Flex tap, from £1,242, Hobson’s Choice, Bath; hobsonschoice.uk.com; 5. Lamp, £216; davidhuntlighting.co.uk; 6. Lulu sofa, £POA, Archer + Co, Alma Vale Road; archerandcompany.co.uk; 7.Elba lounge chair, £269, Bo Concept, Merchant Street; boconcept.com; 8. Little Greene Jack Black emulsion, £48.50 for 2.5L, Nola Interiors, Gloucester Road; nolainteriors-bristol.co.uk

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

The easiest of all colour schemes to achieve and live with, and a failsafe shortcut to Nordic cool

1. House Doctor rattan table, £75, Mon Pote, North Street; monpote.co.uk; 2. Edinburgh washstand, £2,685, Neptune, Whiteladies Road; neptune.com; 3. Ashcroft placemats, set of six, £84, Neptune, Whiteladies Road; neptune.com; 4. Natural English sheepskin, £80, Midgley Green, Clevedon; midgleygreen.com ; 5. Ginko wall light, £174; davidhuntlighting.co.uk; 6. Leach Pottery jug, from £80, Midgley Green, Clevedon; midgleygreen.com; 7 Mr Clarke clocks, £65-£98, Pod Company, The Mall; thepodcompany.co.uk; 8. Rattan cocoon chair, £675, Cox & Cox; coxandcox.co.uk; 9. Cole & Sons Wood wallpaper, £POA, Bracey Interiors, Waterloo Street; braceyinteriors.co.uk

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

INTERIORS

Timeless and elegant, blue hues bring a splash of coastal tranquillity into the home

1. KitchenAid mixer, RRP £499, Kitchens Catering, 167 Whiteladies Road; 2. Little Greene emulsion, RRP £48.50 for 2.5l, Nola Interiors, Gloucester Road; nolainteriors-bristol.co.uk; 3. Jug, £30, Pod Company, The Mall; thepodcompany.co.uk; 4. Large Helmshore throw, £190, Neptune, Whiteladies Road; neptune.com; 5. Designers Guild fabric, £POA, Bracey Interiors, Waterloo Street, braceyinteriors.co.uk; 6. Larders from £4,000, Harvey Jones, Princess Victoria Street; harveyjones.com; 7. Escalas Ocean tile, £1.66 each, Fired Earth, Whiteladies Road; firedearth.com; 8. Sass & Belle bowl, £11, Fox + Feather, Gloucester Road; foxandfeather.co.uk; 9. Mind the Gap Rhodes Fabric, £87 per m, Bristol Guild, Park Street; bristolguildgallery.co.uk

www.mediaclash.co.uk I BRISTOL LIFE I 23

0117 961 2709 www.bespokeframelessglass.com info@bfglass.co.uk Bespoke Frameless Glass ltd, 8b Avondale Business Centre, Woodlands Way, Kingswood, Bristol BS15 1AW

Artisan Craftmanship and Design Conception to Completion

The Kitchen...

where memories are made and seasoned with love.

Get in touch: 01604 751810 denismccahill@johncharleskitchens.co.uk stevebiggs@johncharleskitchens.co.uk www.johncharleskitchens.co.uk

The Bespoke Furniture, Upholstery & Soft Furnishings Experts A family run independent business born and bred in Bristol since 1999.

Offering a wide range of services; - Made to measure curtains - Bespoke furniture - Upholstery - Replacement cushions - Homeware from Nkuku Our workshops are open for business.

Open Monday - Saturday.

196 North Street, Bristol, BS3 1JF 01173 702745 | sales@swupholstery.co.uk

www.swupholstery.co.uk

Are you tired of all the greys and the beiges?

Do you dream of a home full of colour but you’re not sure where to start?

It’s common to feel nervous about adding eye-catching colours or statement pieces to your home. But, working together, I can elp o s ep awa fro e re and e race colo r findin e colo rs a spea o o and wor in o r o e. f o ave recen l oved o e renova ed e ended or are s redecora in can elp o confiden l invi e colo r in o o r home. This isn’t about following a trend or a fad, it’s more about creating a home that is unique and personal to you.

Kay is an award-winning Interior Designer with a gifted passion for colour. She is The Build Interior Designer o es and ris ol roper wards esiden ial n erior esi ner and isin ar finalis .

Call for a free phone consultation: 07906 167 710 kay@k-interiors.co.uk | www.k-interiors.co.uk

BRISTOL’S LEADING INDEPENDENT BATHROOM AND TILE SPECIALIST Within our large showroom we showcase the industry’s leading brands and more importantly we have an experienced, warm and friendly team to help you choose your dream bathroom.

With over 30 Five Star Google and Facebook reviews come see what the fuss is about!

6 Eldonwall Trading Estate, Bristol BS4 3QQ

Email: sales@ttabw.co.uk Telephone: 01179 770011 b

JAS Building Services

Quality First

Residential & Commercial Extensions – Renovations – Refurbishments

Call us today on: 01454 877520

www.jasbuildingservices.co.uk

BRING YOUR IDEAS TO LIFE Bristol based cabinet makers specialising in beautiful handcrafted kitchens & furniture

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Little Greene paints, Nola Interiors

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Rebel Walls paper, Bracey Interiors

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stylemongersofbristol.co.uk TME Interiors

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Eastgate Shopping Centre ikea.com Just Shutters

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WINDOWS AND DOORS

Parkway Lighting

177 South Liberty Lane bristolwindowsltd.co.uk

Bristol Lighting Company

343-347 Fishponds Road parkway-lighting.co.uk

92 Walcot Street, Bath grahamandgreen.co.uk

PLUMBING & HEATING

Pod Company

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Dixon Road 360-propertysolutions.co.uk

Red Dog Glass Design

Honeycomb Interiors

Truce

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Victoria Richards

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Nola Interiors

BV Studios, 37 Philip Street eddogglassdesign.com 54 Princess Victoria Street truceonline.co.uk HandsomeVintage at etsy

29 Ashville Road hannahredden.co.uk BV Studios, 37 Philip Street honeycombinteriors.co.uk

Bracey Interiors

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David Hutton

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Bristol Boiler Company

50 North Street bristolboiler.co.uk

384 Gloucester Road maininteriordesign.com 168 Gloucester Road nolainteriors-bristol.co.uk

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360 Heating and Plumbing

23 Highdale Road k-interiors.co.uk

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Studio Cwtch

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24 The Mall, Clifton thepodcompany.co.uk

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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

WILD THING

© HUGO GLENDINNING

We’ve loved everything – everything! – that Emma Rice has done since she formed her Bristol-based theatre company Wise Children; Wise Children, Romantics Anonymous, Flying Lovers and Malory Towers were all out-and-out feelgood charmers.

However, the productions of Emma’s we loved most during her long stint as artistic director of Kneehigh Theatre were the heartrending, searing tragedies – Tristan, The Bacchae and so forth – and we are now so ready to discover what she has in store for us with her new adaptation of Wuthering Heights.

Cast in the role of Cathy is Lucy McCormick, a performer who makes nightclub interruptions, cabaret interventions and extravaganza theatre shows, marrying absurdity with feminism and the grotesque – a world away, it’s safe to say, from insipid Merle Oberon, who played Emily Brontë’s heroine in the classic (though not especially good) Hollywood movie.

Wuthering Heights is co-produced with the National Theatre, Bristol Old Vic and York Theatre Royal, but lucky us, we re e in i firs . a c i a ris ol Old Vic between 9 October-6 November.

For more: bristololdvic.org.uk

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

The Psychedelic Furs (admittedly not looking especially psychedelic here in black and white)

WHAT’S ON

The result of Thilde’s four-year project to document the homeless community in America; at MPF martinparrfoundation.org

spiri of e oo an s o lar e chunks of narration omitted from the movies. thewardrobetheatre.com

13-23 September

ART

SECRET POSTCARD AUCTION An online outing for RWA’s annual chance to bag a masterpiece from wi o nowin e ar is who has created it. rwa.org.uk

TETHERED George and Hal are putting on a play. George needs it to be perfect.

Hal’s fallen out of love with it... award-winning surreal comedy from ChewBoy Productions at Alma avern almatavernandtheatre.co.uk

10 September-10 October 2021

Until 3 January

FRANK BOWLING: LAND OF MANY WATERS A major exhibition with one of Britain’s greatest living abstract pain ers. rnolfini arnolfini.org.uk

ISLAND LIFE Fascinating exhibition of photos s owin e a pla pro es and leis re a ris ol se . lso showing: James Barnor’s Ghanaian Modernist, and Lips Touched with Blood

by Sarah Waiswa; bristolphotofestival.org

Until 2 October

Until 6 January

THEATRE ON THE DOWNS Wardrobe Ensemble’s theatre festival on the Downs; p 48. bristololdvic.org.uk

11-12 September

BEAUTY AND THE BEAST o loved e ani a ion o ind of enjoyed the live movie; now marvel as the tale as old as time invites you to be its guest at Hippodrome; atgtickets.com

Until 26 September

NOT ALL BLACK AND WHITE An exhibition of prints with the co on read of sin lac w i e and red a a r aller thatartgallery.com

Until 24 October

IN PROGRESS olo s ows five of oda s os innovative photographers and p o o ased ar is s. rps.org

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

VAREKI (WHEREVER) RWA tours a selection of vibrant pop-up shows to community venues while the gallery’s closed; rwa.org.uk SIX BRISTOL ARTISTS e wor of op local ar is s fro Andrew Hood’s energetic street and beach scenes to Anthony eiler s eweller osie s rave s sculptures and Tom Hughes’s dawnto-dusk oils. Clifton Contemporary r cliftoncontemporaryart.co.uk

11 Sep-19 December

THILDE JENSEN: I AM NOT INVISIBLE

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

SHOWS

Until 18 September

Until 11 September

DR FAUSTUS A bold one-man interpretation of e arlowe classic a l a avern almatavernandtheatre.co.uk

Until 2 October

THE GREAT GATSBY This stripped-back female twohander from Wardrobe Ensemble comes the closest we’ve seen to the

14-16 September

16 September

COMPLETELY WONDERFUL & THE JONATHAN WESTHORP ELECTRIC TRIO It’s a gig! It’s also a comedy set!

Sound meets improv meets groove ee s a wi la s s ories so nds and feels all for id.

At Bristol Improv Theatre; improvtheatre.co.uk

20-22 September

THE INDECENT MUSINGS OF MISS DONCASTER 2007 Meet Miss Doncaster. Life hasn’t turned out the way she expected... one wo an s ow wi alls ear and or s ire ri a l a avern almatavernandtheatre.co.uk

21-23 September

A MIDSUMMER NIGHT’S DREAM

WHAT’S ON contemporary circus ; see page 10. bristolcircuscity.com

6-9 October

THE ADDAMS FAMILY Click-click: Sam Womack is our Morticia and Cameron Blakely our Gomez; atgtickets.com

9 October-6 November

WUTHERING HEIGHTS Emma Rice and her company Wise Children take on the Brontë classic; see page 41. bristololdvic.org.uks

TOP: Be their guest: the Hippodrome reopens with the tale as old as time MIDDLE:

Jean Daniel Broussé is the only son of a 3rd-generation French baker; he’s also queer, a circus artist and intolerant of the patriarchy. Pain (an Anglo-French pun, get it?) is part of Circus City

BOTTOM: Sass central as Priscilla sashays into the Hippodrome

Love is confusing enough without magic being involved and a donkey showing up. Confused couples compete for the wrong person’s a ec ion co pe i ive perfor ers r to steal the show, combative fairies battle for supremacy: two actors play them all. It can only be Out of Chaos; tobaccofactorytheatres.com

21-25 September

GREASE Dig out your black leather jacket or your Pink Ladies zip-up; Danny, Sandy and the crew are back to tell you more; with guest star Peter Andre, if you pick the right (or wrong) night; Hippodrome; atgtickets.com

23-25 September

POWER A solo circus-theatre work celebrating the ways we can feel powerful, even in an uncertain world. Circomedia, circomedia.com

28 September

PAUL ZERDIN: HANDS FREE The winner of America’s Got Talent brings Sam, Albert, Baby, Roger the bodyguard and an urban fox – and yes, they’re puppets – to Redgrave; redgravetheatre.com

28-29 September

LEARNING TO FLY James Rowland returns to TFT with the story of a friendship he made as a lonely teenager with the scary old lady who lived in the spooky house on his street. tobaccofactorytheatres.com

28 September-2 October

MUSIC

14 September

GOAT GIRL The London girls bring their warped, country-tinged sound to Trinity; trinitybristol.org.uk

15 September

JOHN SMITH: THE FRAY ransa lan ic lend of fin ers le and slide guitar, steeped in the lineage of British folk; at St George’s; stgeorgesbristol.co.uk

18-19 September

TOKYO WORLD ive fields of sic fea rin over 100+ artists; tokyoworld.org

18 September

EN MASSE A three-day multi-venue festival at The Cube, Strange Brew and Trinity, with a diverse programme including multi-media installations, DJ sets, and experimental live performances. trinitybristol.org.ukg ASH The Norn Irn indie-rockers celebrate 25 years in music with their Teenage Wildlife: 25 Years Of Ash tour; at O2, academymusicgroup.com

25 September

DOT TO DOT e firs a n even for e award-winning festival with a reputation for bringing the hottest new talent to intimate city-centre stages; dottodotfestival.co.uk

PRISCILLA QUEEN OF THE DESERT The dragtastic classic sees Tick, Adam and Bernadette digging out the wigs, heels and all the glitter to put on the show of the lifetime again. The sass of it... Hippodrome; atgtickets.com

27 September

30 September-16 October

30 September

CIRCUS CITY The UK’s biggest festival of

THE PSYCHEDELIC FURS To celebrate the 40th anniversary of classic second album Talk Talk Talk, the post-punkers bring their Made of Rain tour to O2; academymusicgroup.com SPIERS AND BODEN The Bellowhead founders, arguably

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

WHAT’S ON e fines ins r en al d o on e radi ional scene rin eir s rin s and in s o ed rave redgravetheatre.com

1-2 October

A CELEBRATION OF KEITH TIPPETT ris ol eacon and eor e s co os a wee end of sic cele ra in e ini i a le a er vario s ven es bristolbeacon.org

3 October

JASON DONOVAN o o e conf sed wi e local e a van e for er Neighbours ear ro and cele ra ed rea coa o erer rin s is a inee loo s and pop o ippodro e atgtickets.com

7 October

FUN LOVIN’ CRIMINALS e or an and e lads rs on o e sic scene in a e cras in e ri pop par wi eir own lend of s les and e or less ower as ide c ar a refres in coc ail of roc n roll f n l es so l ip op and a . academymusicgroup.com

COMEDY 10 September

MARK THOMAS: 50 THINGS ABOUT US s ow of son s on s loo radi ion wi s nic in s a es ar and iden i a sor of f nn na ional edi ion of Who Do You Think You Are?. ne in a series of o ed o i s a a also incl des i on rod in and o ade. tobaccofactorytheatres.com

26 September

ADAM KAY: THIS IS GOING TO HURT a is i a o doc ors eco in co edians da a s ares en ries fro is diaries as a nior edic in an elec rif in evenin of s and p and sic a e ippodro e atgtickets.com

2 October

SAM AVERY: TODDLERGEDDON ow do o raise a oddler wi ore a i de an an e an o ne o ia e wi a pre sc ooler w o nows o re cl eless e ano er once o n and foo loose ale s and p discovers e o s of paren ood ed rave redgravetheatre.com

OTHER

Ongoing

SHOW OF STRENGTH e ea re wal s are ac fro Crime & Crinolines in lif on o Blood & Butchery in e ie Bloody Blackbeard and Buccaneers in e ci cen re and The Mansion Through Time: At Home With The Smyths a s on o r c ec we si e for f ll lis and i es. ood f n. showofstrength.org.uk ROCK ’N’ ROLL WALKING TOUR (SUNDAYS) a e a wal aro nd ris ol s iconic sic ven es pas and presen and ear ales of e fa o s ands w o pla ed e facebook.com/ Bristolrockandrollwalkingtour

Until 30 September

ENCOUNTERS ris ol s renowned ani a ion s or fil and fes ival co pe i ion re rns for an online o in encounters.film

10-12 September

FOODIES FESTIVAL e s i es food fes ival re rns o e owns fea rin c efs fro Masterchef and Bake O a on o ers foodiesfestival.com BRISTOL OPEN DOORS e ann al c ance o loo e ind closed doors and discover e ci s idden reas res see p . bristolopendoors.org.uk

11-12 September

BRISTOL WING FEST i li e rills oc sed o e now i s all a o c ic en ere s sic a e rowin eer and o r on drin in oo as win s can onl e o so far wingfest.co.uk

11-19 September

SUSTAINABLE FASHION WEEK e al erna ive o fas fas ion see p sustainablefashionweek.uk.

16 September

BRISTOL LIFE AWARDS e i es siness s indi in e ris ol calender p s e la in o s on a e bristollifeawards.co.uk

19 September

GREAT BRISTOL HALF MARATHON; THE 10K o eld on e sa e da is ear as r nners loop p fro ar o rside o e or e and ac a ain. or r nners of all a es and a ili ies. greatrun.org n

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

TOP:

Fun lovin’ Huey and the lads; MIDDLE: Circus City – When the Dirty Dancing lift is just too easy; BOTTOM: We can’t get enough of Island Life, and Tired Drink Picture ©Tom Wood 1985, remains a firm favourite

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

THEATRE

SWARD PLAY Over the past few years, The Downs has hosted everything from A-lister gigs to pop-up restaurants featuring some of the best chefs in the city. And right now, Bristol’s favourite expanse of greenery is home to The Theatre on the Downs – Wardrobe Ensemble’s inventive twofin ers p o ovid Words by Jamie Rees www.mediaclash.co.uk I BRISTOL LIFE I 49

D

uring the past 18 months, while Covid was busily closing theatres down all over the city, Bristol producers had to become more creative than ever. During full lockdown, digital theatre plugged the gap to some degree; today, companies like the Wardrobe Ensemble continue to evolve new ways of ensuring that live shows can go on, at a time when most places are either closed or operating on a massively reduced programme.

In recent times, fringe theatre has grown increasingly important, with Edinburgh’s annual festival becoming the largest of its kind in the world. Meanwhile, in Cornwall, the now disbanded Kneehigh found its spiritual home in a marquee called Asylum.

Now, it seems that examples set up north and in the Duchy might have inspired a new venue in Bristol: the pop-up Theatre on the Downs, in which the Wardrobe are currently hosting a three-month theatre festival.

Wardrobe Ensemble producer Hannah Smith told me how it came into being, and why it was needed so badly. e firs s ar ed al in a o e idea las ep e er when we did a few weeks of development on the show that would ultimately become Winners (performed this August). We knew that we wanted to produce it in the summer of 2021, but we didn’t know whether any theatres would be open. We also thought there’d be a lot of companies like ours, with new shows that they wanted to make, and nowhere to stage them. So we started to think about how we could put something on ourselves, and looked into the idea of tents.

“We’d performed one of our shows, 1972: The Future of Sex, in The Mix at Bestival in 2016, and thought it was the best theatre tent we’d ever been in. It felt like a proper space, and the lighting rig was fantastic. So when we s ar ed p in is pro ec o e er e i was e firs tent that came to mind. Luckily it was available. We are s ar in o in a o ne ear alread fin ers crossed we’ll be back.”

The Wardrobe Ensemble, celebrating its 10th birthday this year, is a collaboration of nine actors, musicians and devisers who aim to explore the big ideas of our time through intimate human stories. Surely this is now more important than ever? I was keen to hear just how far e pande ic as in enced e pro ra e for e inaugural Theatre on the Downs.

“It’s always been one of our top priorities to create work that people feel they can engage with on a personal

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

“Settings such as this demystify the theatre experience for many people”

level,” says associate artist Tom England.“We spend a lot of time thinking about how our grandparents, or ‘non-theatre’ friends, might respond to our work. We are always looking to create work that connects people to, rather than alienates them from, the subject matter we’re dealing with, whether it happens to be capitalism, in the case of Winners, or any of the other themes we have dealt with in our previous work. In the current climate, crea in wor a nifies people in so e sense feels as important as ever, if not more so.”

The programme for the Theatre on the Downs is designed to appeal to a wide range of people from di eren a e ro ps and ac ro nds e an people will be new to the idea of outdoor or fringe theatre in this type of setting. I asked the team what makes this kind of theatre experience so special.

“Fringe theatre, and theatre in settings such as this, are so important in that they demystify the experience in many ways,” says Tom. “Often, theatrical spaces can be intimidating, particularly for people who perhaps don’t visit the theatre regularly.

“Fringe theatre performed in outdoor settings or di eren inds of ven es feels li e a ore direc e c an e between the audience and the artists. It’s a spectacle without the cultural and historical baggage of more established theatre venues. We love performing in this

THEATRE

5

FOR THE DIARY...

10 SEPTEMBER Stop Trying to be Fantastic A story about suffering, saviour-complex, selfacceptance, and a magpie who refuses to quit.

11 SEPTEMBER Hero & Leander or I Love You but Everything’s Under Water Six multi-instrumentalists tell an epic seaside tale through songs encompassing folk, indie, sea shanties and choral music. A story of bad rulers, worse weather, and how to keep on keeping on.

12 SEPTEMBER Topsie Redfern’s Crystal Balls Drag queen Topsie is going back to her roots, in a journey of queer self-acceptance.

14-18 SEPTEMBER Beauty and the Beast Living Spit’s Howard and Stu reprise their two-handed take on the tale as old as time.

21-24 SEPTEMBER Beautiful Evil Things Following their multiaward-winning Odyssey, Ad Infinitum return to the world of Ancient Greece, as one woman unearths the epic stories of legends that have been buried in myth for far too long.

One we enjoyed earlier: Wild Swimming by FullRogue Theatre played during August and early September

kind of setting; it’s incredibly invigorating. Most of our shows have premièred at the Edinburgh Fringe, and we love the energy and buzz around fringe theatre and these kinds of settings. It’s a privilege to be running our own venue, and providing artists with a space to present their work in our home city.”

I ask Hannah and Tom to recommend a few shows for s efore e pro ra e finis es in c o er. anna p lls o five s sees “I can’t wait to see Hero & Leander or I Love You but Everything’s Under Water a i ea re re ellin of e classic ree . s o a si piece and and will e really magical. Continuing with the Greek myth theme, d nfini are presen in a wor in pro ress of a new show, Beautiful Evil Things, which looks at Greek legends from a female perspective, churning up stories hidden for thousands of years.

“We’ve also got Topsie Redfern’s Crystal Balls, a drag show about getting back to your roots. And Clevedon legends Living Spit are performing their version of Beauty and the Beast, which will be hilarious.” ll is and plen of fa il friendl s ows o oo . or f ll lis in s and online ic e in visi e we si e theatreonthedowns.co.uk n

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

SPONSORED CONTENT

WEIGHING IN

NUFFIELD HEALTH offer outstanding care in weight management across the Southwest

W

eight management is one of those topics on which everyone has an opinion, including healthcare professionals, but these opinions can be overgeneralised and actually detrimental rather than helpful. Stereotypical views of weight as a reflection of laziness and greediness, combined with yet another diet that has been unsuccessful in the longer-term compound a personal sense of failure and shame. And the more times a person goes around the cycle of weight loss, the

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

harder it is to believe that anything can change.

The tide is changing, however, from old messages of ‘you just have to eat less and move more’ to recognising the complexity of factors that influence weight. Sleep, stress, endocrine disturbance, gut hormones, nutrition and physical activity levels all have a part to play, as well as genetic factors which can be activated under certain physical and environmental conditions.

WHAT WE OFFER At Nuffield Health Bristol Hospital, we provide a range of different interventions to meet an individual’s needs. Our specialist weight loss team is made up of consultant bariatric surgeons James Hewes and Alan Osborne, dietician Dafydd Wilson-Evans, and consultant clinical psychologist Vanessa Snowdon-Carr. Between them, they offer a multidisciplinary

approach which begins with a comprehensive assessment to understand when difficulties with weight developed, eating habits, physical and emotional health and wellbeing, before suggesting the options for treatment.

Wellness interventions Because many people want to refocus on weight management, we offer a number of different options, including individually tailored support from dietitians, group interventions for dietary change, or a focus on habits and behaviour change with a clinical psychologist.

We offer more specialised psychological help if needed for disordered eating and mental health difficulties, as these issues are likely to have an impact on how food is used.

Gastric balloons A gastric (stomach) balloon is an inflatable medical device that is temporality placed into the stomach to reduce weight. It is helpful for weight loss when other dietary approaches have

SPONSORED CONTENT

Pictured right: Nuffield Health Bristol Hospital’s team of weight loss specialists; consultant bariatric surgeon Mr Alan Osborne, consultant clinical psychologist Dr Vanessa Snowdon-Carr, dietician Dafydd Wilson-Evans, and consultant bariatric surgeon Mr James Hewes.

not been effective and surgery is not wanted or recommended. At Nuffield Health Bristol Hospital, we use the Allurion Balloon, which does not require any surgery, endoscopy or anaesthesia and is placed in a brief 20-minute appointment. The balloon is filled with saline and remains for approximately four months before passing naturally.

On average. people lose between 13-15kg in weight. With this package you will be offered nutritional and psychological support as well as an individually tailored exercise plan and a threemonth membership at a local Nuffield Health gym. We are the only service within the UK that offers psychological support as a standard part of the balloon package.

Bariatric surgery While interventions that focus on altering nutrition and activity in combination with behaviour change have been found to result in weight loss of approximately 10%, bariatric surgery has demonstrated significantly more weight loss, as well as weight maintenance over the longer-term.

Our team meets the highest standards of recommended practice by offering a multidisciplinary approach from surgeons, dietitians and psychologists as a standard. This is rare within private practice, and we are proud of our approach at Nuffield Health Bristol Hospital, providing comprehensive support with specialists in their field.

We provide the following surgeries, all performed laparoscopically using keyhole surgery: • Gastric bypass – this procedure involves creating a small pouch at the top of the stomach which is then connected to the small intestine. As a result, the rest of the stomach is bypassed. By doing so, it not only reduces the amount that a person is able to eat but it also changes the gut hormones which are linked to hunger and feeling of fullness. It results in rapid weight loss in the first six months before stabilising over time.

• Sleeve gastrectomy – this procedure removes a large section of the stomach leaving a ‘bananashaped’ section that is closed with staples.

As with the bypass, it reduces appetite in the short-term, reduces the amount of food able to be eaten at any one time, and affects the gut hormones.

• Gastric banding – this uses a device that is placed around the top of the stomach, creating a small pouch. It is connected to a port placed under the skin so that fluid can be added to the band to adjust the pressure. It helps to make changes to the way a person eats as well as enabling an earlier sensation of fullness.

• Revision surgery – sometimes people need to have their gastric band or sleeve revised to a gastric bypass.

Help after bariatric surgery Bariatric surgery is a very powerful tool for weight management, but long-term success requires a person to make changes to how, what and why they eat. We provide support for 18 months following surgery as standard, and also offer support to individuals who have had their surgery elsewhere. n

FREE ONLINE EVENTS If you would like to find out more about the options available, Nuffield Health Bristol Hospital is holding a series of free online events, at which the weight loss specialists will share insights about the treatments they offer and answer your questions: • TUESDAY 21 SEPTEMBER, 18:30-19:30.

What you need to know about bariatric surgery • WEDNESDAY 22 SEPTEMBER, 18:30-19:30.

What you need to know about the Allurion Balloon • THURSDAY 23 SEPTEMBER, 18:30-19:30.

What you need to know about weight management, emotional eating and binge eating.

For more information about what we offer, please contact the enquiries team at Nuffield Health Bristol Hospital by calling 0117 911 6062, or visit our website: nuffieldhealth.com/hospitals/bristol.

To book your place on any of these events, please contact the enquiries team at Nuffield Health Bristol Hospital by calling 0117 911 6062, or visit our website: nuffieldhealth.com/hospitals/bristol

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

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1

HYPER LOCAL Grab your bag-for-life, and head out to support Bristol’s indie retail heroes...

Words and pictures by Colin Moody

BRISTOL HEROES

T 2 3

his is part of a citywide photo project I’ve been working on for several months now, to encourage people to shop local and support their indie businesses.

You know, the ones who kept you fed and alive during this crazy time.

Reopening safely now is a big, vital step. I have been amazed by how much of a workload these businesses have endured while most of us were locked down. And as we began to go and meet and shoot pictures with these traders, it was clear that this city boasts an impressively diverse and exciting hyperlocal retail world.

We used local knowledge and locals to guide us round these neighbourhoods, and it’s all there for you to explore: just go to wheresittobristol.com. Then grab the keys and your bag for life, and head on out.

This project is brought to you by Bristol City Council to support the safe economic recovery of the city’s high streets following the pandemic. It is my absolute joy to hear these stories and document them.

I have taken 3000 portraits so far – often multiples at each business – because some of them provide so many services. Come and meet just eight of them.

1

There are a few hillsides in St Werburgh’s that lead up to the railway tracks. Pass two more tunnels, whistling your favourite tune into echo perfection, and you may end up in a magical place.

Purple Patch, Watercress Farm, Boiling Wells Lane. What an address! Are we in the countryside?

Here, Mary and her small dedicated team grow proper produce with love. Salad, veg boxes, beautiful bouquets, all seasonal and grown organically, less than two miles from the city centre. Mary took me through e field f all swee corn waf in o and fro and showed me what’s growing in one of the polytunnels.

I found out afterwards that the local restaurant at which I’d just eaten had all that delish salad from right here on her patch. Only 0.5 salad miles to travel.

Boom! And you can taste the freshness. Tried to get a photo to capture that.

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“Only 0.5 salad miles to travel from field to plate. Boom nd you can taste the freshness”

Mo here learned his trade from his brother in Gambia. He and his anvil have been on Church Road for 13 years. Boy, does he have a loyal customer base. Because once you rock up into his shop, Secka Gold, at that counter, he will work on your beloved jewellery right there in front of you. Need the ring a tad wider? Rolex strap taken down a notch? You can’t swipe on a phone to access this kind of service.

And then there are the handmade pieces. You can see how these businesses become essential so quickly, and then the ring no longer falls down the back of the food waste bins, the Rolex holds on just right.

Maybe we should have a Mo on every street. Let’s go see. Come on, Bristol. Where’s it to? Church Road. edfield. o s ore o e plore on a we si e and all the social.

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

3

Mamma P’s. Fishponds Road. Three generations seen here; that’s Mamma P in the centre. I waited patiently while she was s in e i c en o find a i e e ween customers to come outside to get this family portrait.

Signature dishes here are goat curry and jerk chicken. As you can see, she keeps a careful watch over the other two. You can see the heritage, you can taste it, and the smell made me stay… I think we broke for lunch here.

With our rich food culture, we are a city that knows all about good taste. We are spoiled to have all of this. Now we just have to keep co in o o en o ese avo rs.

4

The fan on the ceiling sends a cool breeze rippling over the T-shirts of the team players Lee loves. Now it’s your turn to be a team player. Use your local high street.

Lee opened Bavetta Barbers over 16 years ago, and he’s been serving his local community ever since. I’ve never been made to feel more welcome. Not many barbers can supply a co pli en ar co ee and race c e sea s next to the latest games machine. It’s not just a haircut here, it’s a hang and chat place.

As we did just that, a new local Italian student came in for advice on what to do for a night out. We discussed this over great Italian co ee. fel cool. o wan o feel cool o e talk to Lee. See where your day goes.

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5

“We seem to have the best of the good old days back with aplomb. Did it start with the sourdough revolution?”

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

6

BRISTOL HEROES

5

Thanks go to the Temesgen family who showed us exactly what their mindblowing dishes look and taste like. Real Habesha res a ran on aple on oad even o ered o show us and our local guide how they roast co ee eans e radi ional iopian and ri rean wa . e ans will no wan o leave.

Hats were optional, but we went for it. Come for the injera. Stay for the ambience.

6 7 8

Boom! Hannah is a powerhouse of inspiration here on Brislington Hill. Maybe you need to deal with 2020. Pop the gloves on, and hit the bag. Boom! It’s infectious.

Local business Stand Strong Academy is all about encouraging adults and kids to be active. ar ial ar s fi ness and confidence oes p and p. nd fel confiden o e al os between Hannah and the bag. She didn’t hang around, so I didn’t either. I just had to keep cranking up the shutter speed to 500th of a second. And look at that motion blur. Boom!

7

Remember the days when you could pop down the high street with that ripped jeans problem? Oh, come on, you know where I’m going with this. What once was is back.

Places like Alteration Station, who are highly regarded as tailors, have been sorting those unexpected extra holes in garments and saving the day for years now.

We seem to have the best of the good old days back with aplomb. I don’t know whether it started with the sourdough revolution, but now there are good bakers, tailors, even forges, drapers and much more back for good if the annel a e o sew o a e p rend is anything to go by. I genuinely didn’t have to ask him to put that tape measure round his neck, and soon as I stepped away the sewing machine went back to work. So many garments, and the people that wear them are back in the game now, thanks to places like this.

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This is where the Shop Local campaign e an. as ree . nd arren ere as a particularly great presence on this block, being that rare thing of being a caller. He uses the old s le of callin o e o ers. nd e is loved for that, and for his low prices. as ree see s o e oin ro so e changes, but this fruit-and-veg shop is still one w ere o can co e ra a ca li ower and share your troubles any time. Still can’t forget watching him talking to people coming out after the great pause, and what it meant. Both to him and them.

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 59

EMILY & DAN ROSS STORYSMITH BOOKS

Autumn leaves

The best thing about the advent of autumn? The heady new selection of new literary releases . . .

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very so often, the publishing industry arranges itself around the release of a single book. Arguably 2021 has more than one such book in its release schedule (we’ve still got a Richard Osman sequel to co e for s and so an of o r indie bookshop colleagues across the country, the arrival of a new Sally Rooney novel is enough to send customers into a pre-ordering frenzy.

We were among the chosen ones who ac all ana ed o sna e a cop of Beautiful World, Where Are You? in advance of its release serio sl we ad o si n doc en s and now that the publishing event of the year is finall ere i s i e for s o le o now

“If you’ve already written two arguably generation-defining novels, the pressure for the follow-up must be something else.

Rooney’s tactic is to tackle that pressure head-on” 60 I BRISTOL LIFE I www.mediaclash.co.uk

what we thought, and also to remind you that there are some other great new books out too.

Beautiful World, Where Are You?

by Sally Rooney If you’ve already written two arguably enera ion definin novels li e Conversations with Friends and Normal People, the pressure for the follow-up must be something else.

Sally Rooney’s tactic is to tackle that pressure head-on and have as one of her main characters a prodigiously talented and successful young novelist who wrangles with the complexities of her position in a series of email exchanges with her best friend. But aside from that, anyone who already loves Rooney will be delighted with the economic prose, the knotty relationship narratives, the emotional directness and her stunning ability to make the most complicated and n anced an in erac ions e or lessl understandable. Almost annoyingly good.

The Sex Lives of African Women

by Nana Darkoa Sekyiamah After gathering endless hours of interview material, Nana Darkoa Sekyiamah seamlessly threads together this extraordinary collection of real stories from real African women throughout the diaspora, simultaneously glorious in their frankness and united in their defiance an er and pain. ese e periences are not airbrushed in the retelling – expect arresting details both physical and emotional – but they are honest, gripping, and perfectly balanced. o ear ese s ories old wi s c a enc shouldn’t be a novelty, but the sheer fact of their existence makes this book truly important.

Heatwave

by Victor Jestin (translated by Sam Taylor) Possibly the ultimate holiday-gone-wrong novel, this almost unbearably tense sliver of a book is expertly paced to include the events of a single weekend.

Socially awkward 17-year-old Leonard is the only witness to a boy’s death during a sticky beach holiday, and his actions in the moment lurch his entire life into a spiralling vortex of dread and discomfort. Jestin’s measured writing only serves to intensify the horror of what’s happening and, perhaps needless to say, things do not go swimmingly.

A Long Way From Douala

by Max Lobe (translated by Ros Schwartz) ransla ed wi o r and war fro French-Cameroonian author Max Lobe’s text with elements of ‘Camfranglais’ left in for good measure, it’s the tale of Jean and Roger, two competitive brothers split apart when one of them leaves home to follow his dreams of becoming a professional footballer. Jean’s pursuit of Roger takes him and their mutual friend/half-brother Simon across the more dangerous areas of the country at a torrid political time, but these ele en s pla second fiddle o e s eer o and anguish of youth, of impetuous and malformed masculinity. A road trip novel to remember. o in o r s ified cla o r o e o r ands on the new Sally Rooney, don’t forget there’s a whole host of books out there which don’t have the same kind of anticipation. Or marketing budget, for a a er. in li e a oo seller in a world of tentpole releases, we encourage you to take a chance on something unexpected.

Storysmith, 49 North Street; storysmithbooks.com

BAR 44

You really don’t need an excuse to visit this superb tapas joint, but we’ve found one for you anyway...

By Deri Robins; photos by Ben Robins

RESTAURANT

T

hese are turbulent time for hospitality. Despite c iperones paired wi wo rews e s rella alicia lassic ade fro having to operate beneath a big fat question mark pilsen and roas ed al s and a l en free olden eer wi a fr i n crea ed s a s or a es s dden clos res and e avo r. i and refres in e se e seafood o o rea e ec s as pernicio s c rse of no s ows people are openin a pinot or sauv blanc might do if you were going down the vino route. new res a ran s lef ri and cen re less eir o dis es were e cep ional. ic c n s of o a a a sal c red optimistic little cotton chef ’s whites. na delicac o ll of en co e across in adi ca e piled i ledl ile we re alwa s een o review new places pi ledl li e a inia re p e lo lanco on a n al ond and sesa e it takes the thinnest of excuses to lure us back to crac er. iperones a c lefis were pan seared and served in a old favo ri es so w en o r in o pin ed wi e er ro wi coc les w ic a e a speciali in alicia alwa s tidings that Clifton tapas restaurant Bar 44 had partnered up with Estrella remind me of Swansea market . alicia as par of e eer s na ional as rono on we ad o r e ains ca e wi a dar er s ron er rew in e for of e coats on before we’d got to the end of the email. eserva e red wine of e eer world ess and an ideal rin ep e er s rella is cele ra in e accompaniment for two of the best things best of Spanish food and drink with the help I’ve eaten this year. If you like the classic tapa of some of the UK’s best restaurants. If Bristol of a er ines wi one s wai n il o DINING DETAILS is an in o o i s c osen i s par ner si es discover what the molasses-like miel de caña Bar44, 18-20 Regent Street, Clifton e ceedin l well eca se if o ll pardon can do for a confi roas ar ic o e. co ple of 0333 344 4049; bar44.co.uk panis ar is e do s co ones. cute duck and smoked morcilla mini-burgers Opening hours Wed-Thurs 4.30-11pm; Fri-Sat e can s ill re e er wal in in for e firs packed a mighty punch with their piquillo midday-midnight; Sun midday-6pm i e in s . ad s een opened pepper sa ce c wi fres apple and fennel.

We visited Wednesday evening wi e confidence and lan els o o in i wo ld e if as ed for Cuisine Tapas si lin s o wen and a alie or an e c p deadpanned e eldes son Prices The Estrella Galicia set pairing menu costs £45 who’d honed their ‘tapas y copas’ formula at know a wind-up when I hear one. eir ardi enar and ow rid e ranc es.

The booziness of the beer rose with each Atmosphere Laidback, friendly nciden all if o ass ed copas was co rse so i was in a err fra e of ind a Service Spot-on, informed but unobtrusive els o wo ldn e e firs o d s ill we tucked into a dark chocolate mousse with Vegan There’s a vegan menu be wrong. It translates from Spanish as ‘and olive oil ice crea wi a li le of eer Children? Special menu for niños y niñas lasses so apas and drin s asicall . cara el for e po rin and is s a e if e or ans are ispanop ile o eir ver o ave an sense a all o ll ave s opped core and if o love pain oo and are a pin counting the calories. ad a o can pa i a visi is ear o ll s ed a ear w en o r a p in is in o s o ld s appl i direc l o e es ali pon e lon ar osaic ilin rals ndi ivas and ips ipped referencin an ancien episode of The Mary Tyler e s elves pon s elves of s erries. wen is a renowned a ori on Moore Show. As this screened two decades before the eldest son was born e la er and s in case e s no aro nd o a e e poin in person e ass ed was ein ori inal and wi al o e loo ed a li le the legend ‘sherry is sexy’ is spelled out in neon over an archway. If you’d nonplussed by my inexplicable lapsing into Bronx. alwa s o for ified wines were s for ris as ri es and coc ne ven if o re no a eer connoisse r o ll no ice e di erence soap le ends prepare o leave that preconception at the door. between the light 4.7% Classic and the 7.2% Black Coupage (the sherry is is lovel we said w en we firs wal ed in. e s co e ere of e eer world a lac li orice n er a wen s as well wi ever ni . a e l nc i e oo. o e open for rea fas nd a e swee s as i did wi a final dis of a ed a o o c eese alf oa s was even before we’d tasted the food. il alf s eep s and ver ver s ron . ere s defini el a i e and a place for s rai forward nadorned love ar . love e d cor and e food and e wai s a w o are apas if o wan o e perience e c isine a an al o e er ore sweet and attentive yet unobtrusive. I love the fact that if you blank out the eleva ed level co e o ar w ere ead c ef an roo s ives ever ris olian c a er o co ld easil e in an p ar e apas ar in eville dis a refined and ele an spin. avin polis ed o owls of sal ed or or a. s one of ose places a o find o rself plo in o a alan al onds and fa ordal olives fro ar ona we cleared e re rn o even efore e s ar ers arrive and we ave no idea w we ve dec s for e firs co rse a fis do le ac involvin na ar are and left it so long. Don’t be like Bristol Life; get along as soon as you can. n

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

Bringing you the very best of Colombia!

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

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

Zak (right) with sous chef Summer Starkey

Yes, Casamia’s still at The General. And yes, the food’s still amazing. But there’s a new head chef in town, and the vibe could hardly be more different. Meet Zak Hitchman. . .

Zak, how long have you been at Casamia?

I took over as head chef in July 2020, having started in September 2019 as sous chef. A few months after that there was a lot of talk of changing the menu and style, but then lockdown came and it gave us the chance to do it all in one go rather than slowly making changes here and there. e e anc e lesias owner o ered e e head chef position, painted the restaurant black, had a huge new sound system installed and just left me to it with the food.

What’s your signature style of cooking?

er as i e ini al food coo ed on fire and served in a dark restaurant with loud music playing.

Talk us through the new vibe, décor and kind of experience we can expect

e new vi e is defini el ore li e oin o a gig or the theatre than a traditional restaurant. ere s a defini e s ar and end o e eal wi a short intermission somewhere in the middle. It’s all become very much a show, which is not really something I had any interest in until we started playing around with that concept.

IT’S CASAMIA, BUT NOT AS YOU KNEW IT...

Casamia. It’s that rarefied, Michelin-starred gaff down The General, right? Where an army of white-clad chefs preside over a light-filled kitchen in an almost laboratory atmosphere of calm, explaining each course to the diners in reverent tones...?

Oh, wait . . .

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

FOOD & DRINK pineapple on sticks and proper isc i in isc i s. n e menu at the minute, the tandoori chicken dish is based on the very inauthentic but very British curries my Mum made when I was growing up.

There are no real rules; I like to keep it very freeform and the menu is changing all the time. We use a lot of Japanese ingredients and techniques, even in the tandoori dish; I wouldn’t say it’s Japanese food, although ere are so e apanese style dishes.

We have a huge sound system, and I control the music each service. I change the soundtrack all the time, and my sous chef Summer Sharkey controls the lighting during service. There’s a projector on the wall s owin so e espo e s ade for s to play, along with silly YouTube videos. It’s always evolving and at the minute there’s a big finale wi lasers disco li s and spar lers.

We’re starting to think it sounds very Bristol: unconventional, disruptive, creative, edgy yet unpretentious...

I think that sums us up nicely. Casamia has become a very creative space that’s full of a a in food lo d sic oe s ra i sill videos on the projector, and hopefully over the loud music you can just about hear the sound of everyone enjoying themselves, too!

What’s on the current menu?

It’s 22 courses long; there are no real rules regarding the number of dishes, but it’s never fewer than 20. It’s all made up of small dishes wi e avo r ever in is ep s all and light, nothing more than about three or four bites, all served in a dark spotlit room with a nice view of the kitchen soundtracked by funky, probably quite loud and often weird or unexpected but always fun music.

For more casamiarestaurant.co.uk

More tasty bites…

How have you changed the service style?

The whole restaurant is much more relaxed; we’ve turned it into something closer to a cool ar ra er an a fine dinin res a ran .

Restaurant manager Joe makes sure everyone has a comfortable, enjoyable time.

Sam (left) and Jake

It all sounds very different from the old Casamia. What reactions have you had?

The majority of our guests absolutely love it, a small group are not sure what to make of it and leave a little confused, and a very small group of people wish we’d never changed, the music is too lo d and wan eir fine dinin res a ran ac .

What’s going on in the kitchen?

e re r in o coo as c as we can on fire such as slowly smoking our sheep southern s le. rin service vir all e w ole en is coo ed on e fire ivin ever in a li le s o ac ro nd avo r a ravels through the menu, even into the sweet dishes.

You’ve said that despite the fact that you sometimes serve Asian, Indian dishes etc the menu is British at heart…

I haven’t done much travelling at all, and the menu is mostly made up of dishes I grew up eating – curries, roast dinners, cheese and

TEAM SPIRIT A few months ago we brought you news of Burra, a new n ipodean s le caf opened a pair of ris ol Bears players; now teammates Jake Woolmore and a edlow ave co fo nded a new spiri in. ell partly it references rugby; partly i s down o e di eren o anicals w ic a e p e ondon dr in w ic is ade a e ew alle is iller in ew a na.

“With a leading part of our team being involved in professional rugby, we had to tip our hat to our love of e spor is is w ere e na e ca e fro they say. “We understand that 15 individuals working together can seek great results, so why couldn’t 15 o anicals do e sa e For more: xvgin.co.uk

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

FOOD & DRINK THE BRIGHT CIDER LIFE

The Cider Box has opened a second site in Bristol, bringing shelves of modern craft cider to Wapping Wharf. The shop sells cans and bottles of fine fermented juice alongside kegs pouring ‘the freshest cider in Bristol’, served cold and sparkling to take away. Seasonal specialities include cider slushies during the summer months, and hot spiced cider when the nights draw in. For more: theciderbox.com

IT’S SAFE TO GO BACK INTO THE SHOWER...

Britain doesn’t really do motels; nor does it do diners, at least not to the huge extent as the USA. In fact, both have slightly bleak connotations: lonely nighthawks, hard-up waitresses, blondes meeting grisly ends in showers, etc etc.

But forget about Edward Hopper, Tom Waits and Norman Bates. Hold the Raymond Carver. Banish, even, all thoughts of the impecunious Rose family. Mollie’s Bristol, a new, affordable, really rather cool concept designed by Soho House, is here to change your perceptions.

Based at Cribbs Causeway, the retro-inspired roadside hotel and diner is the second site for the group following a successful launch in Oxford. The ‘budget-luxe’ offering features 123 bedrooms, all-day food, cocktails and a communal workspace, with bottomless tea and a house coffee blend. Even Moira Rose would like it here.

For more: mollies.com

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

TURNING JAPANESE

Japanese kitchen and bar Kibou will open in October at the old Nettle & Rye site in Clifton. The decor will echo the vibe of downtown Tokyo, with friezes, projected animations and lifesized acers, while the menu will centre on sushi rolls and classic Japanese dishes such as ramens, katsu, baos and gyozas; a standalone bar will serve Japanese whisky, brews, sake and cocktails.

For more: kibou.co.uk

TEQUILA. NO, FROM TAPS . . .

You heard. Jose Cuervo are opening ‘t e world s firs e ila aproo eir words in o es rof e ween ep e er. e pop p will serve ice-cold cocktails in a brightly coloured, bold and vibrant space; the ‘perfect ins a ra a le e perience si . erved fro e s and delivered via an a en ic ap s s e e pop p will see favo ri e coc ails re orn wi muy divertidos new na es. Fancy a personal e ila as erclass o can oo one of ose p oo. asil ored now a ere will also e a le a es and DJs banging out the tunes. For more: @JoseCuervoUK on instagram

SPRAY CAN

Bristol Beer Factory have collaborated with street art collective Vanguard to bring you the coolest new brew on the block.

Defined as a ‘lager for the counter culture’, the beer celebrates the evolution of Bristol street art as “a scene that fights the norms of society and questions the status quo”. More specifically, it takes the notion of German alt-bier, renowned for its depth and dark notes, and flips it pale.

“Bringing street art energy, this is a beer for those who fight normal. Drink fresh ‘n’ chilled, and recycle the can today for a better tomorrow.” They say.

For more: bristolbeerfactory.co.uk

© BEN ROBINS

CAFÉ SOCIETY STAN CULLIMORE

Yeast of Eden Bristol Loaf: bread of heaven on downtown East Street

S

ince the last issue of Bristol Life was chockf ll of e o s of I thought it might be worth moseying down a wa . ee w a all the fuss was about. eanderin s ended p a a ra er p ar e a air on ed ins er arade as ree .

I’m talking about The Bristol Loaf.

As you’d imagine, baked goods are a big thing here – the donuts, I am reliably informed, have something of a cult following, as the photo culled left from its Instagram page helps to explain. e food o erin oes wa further than that, from brekkie through brunch and lunch to early evening small plates.

Bristol Loaf has a whi of Shoreditch before the house prices went ballistic and the traders swamped the place completely”

The Bedminster branch was the second slice for Bristol Loaf. The siness firs la nc ed as a a ers in edfield ranc ed in o as a full-on bakery, café and ethical s per ar e las ep e er and they’ve just opened a third bakery and café in the Bristol Beacon foyer.

Anyway, back to Bedminster, where my dining companion and I took one look at the menu and launched into it like greedy weasels.

Filling our faces and hearts with joy, wonder and tasty things. Very nice it was, too.

I had the leek kimchi toastie with assorted pickled veg. (Fun fact; in Korea, they pronounce it, ‘gimchi’.

Not sure how true that is, or how much fun it is as a fact, to be honest.

But still. Impressed me when my mate mentioned it.)

Apropos said mate, he had the tomato and radish salad. Followed by cake, washed down with lashings of co ee and in ea. ll in all the whole thing was really rather marvellous.

As well as the café, there’s a bijou branch of Hugo’s Greengrocer, a well-turned-out and nicely stocked area full of fab cheese from TwoBelly, and organic wine from The Bristol Vine. Or so I learn from the website. In truth, I didn’t really get past the food and drink I was absorbed in. It was one of those days. Expect you know the sort.

I need to be careful what I say next, because I don’t want to fall

foul of the sourdough-ruinedBristol brigade. But once upon a pre-Covid time, I used to spend a fair slice of my time in London, often in the bits that were in the middle of changing lanes, socially speaking. Toying with the notion of en rifica ion. ooc in alon in the halfway zone, somewhere between hipster heaven and junkies’ delight. Have to say, the Bristol Loaf reminded me very much of the places I used to visit back in those carefree days.

There, I’ve said it. Bristol Loaf as a w i of oredi c a o i . oredi c efore o se prices went ballistic, and the Canary Wharf traders swamped the place completely. And if invoking oredi c is oo in a a or maybe Hackney, before the house prices ca p wi oredi c .

In every important sense, though, the Loaf has thoroughly Bristolian values, with an emphasis on ethics and sustainability, and fun plans for workshops, courses and community events.

It’ll be interesting to watch this space. ee ow lon i a es for the rapidly gentrifying world of or ree o oin p wi is par of as ree and for eir very own love train; for better or for worse. n Former Housemartins guitarist Stan is now a journalist and travel writer stancullimore.com

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

RECIPES PHIL HAUGHTON

If our review on page 62 has you yearning for the classic tastes of Spain, you’ll love PHIL HAUGHTON‘s recipe this issue . . .

CLASSIC TORTILLA This classic Spanish dish is found in so many good cafés and restaurants, and there is fierce competition about what constitutes the authentic and the best. Let’s be clear – it was always a frugal, peasant dish that had lots of potatoes, onion and any other veg, cheese or meat scraps. At times it may have been cooked with only one or two eggs to a kilo of potatoes.

This recipe is a little more generous than that, although still cooked in the traditional way.

2. Add the potato and onion and fry gently until a light golden colour and the potatoes are just cooked. Turn the slices carefully during frying using a spatula to avoid breaking them up too much. The potatoes should have soaked up all the oil. Add a little ore if i see s oo dr . a e o e ea and cool in a bowl. Add salt and pepper to taste.

3. Beat the eggs and pour into the bowl, and leave these to merge together for an hour or so. It’s a great dish to prepare in the afternoon or evening and cook the next day.

Ingredients 600g peeled waxy potatoes 200g onion 5 organic eggs Salt and pepper Lots of olive oil (And a cupful of love for the chickens who supplied you the eggs)

4. Using the same pan, heat some more olive oil and add your egg, potato, and onion mixture. Spread the whole lot out evenly across the pan. It should have eggy mess just topping the whole mix. Cook gently until golden brown underneath and then, using a plate if it’s easier, turn and cook the other side. Don’t overcook it and keep the heat on the low side.

Method 1. Slice the potatoes and the onions thinly.

Heat a 25 cm frying pan (non-stick does help). Add a small cupful of olive oil.

5. Serve warm or at room temperature. I like to sprinkle parsley over it or perhaps a little tarragon. It’s even better on day two, eaten at room temperature.

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 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

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

CUPERTINO DESK, £899-£1769 Workspace and storage, all in one sleek, innovative package From Bo Concept 51, 53 Merchant Street; boconcept.com

SMEATON CONCRETE LAMP, £85 Sculptural and smooth pendant light with gold metallic accents From Graham and Green, 92 Walcot Street, Bath; grahamandgreen.co.uk

GODA CUSHION, £49.90 Slubby Bloomingville cushion, with the all-important hygge factor From Fox + Feather, 41 Gloucester Road foxandfeather.co.uk

WHITER SHADES OF PALE

SERAX TERRAZZO SIDE TABLE, £145 Designed by Antonino Sciortino, and bringing all the ’50s-inspired minimalism and pazazz rom ig 1, nit , Gaol erry Steps fig1.co.uk

Inspired by the cool and collected home on page 108?

Here’s how to get the look . . .

INDIVI SOFA, £1670 Trends come and go, but the modern elegance of this sofa is timeless. The high armrests accentuate the stylish silhouette and complete the clean look From Bo Concept, 51, 53 Merchant Street; boconcept.com

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

CONSTANCE GREY TABLEWARE, £7.50-£8 In understated mid-century style, with a detailed rim that lifts everything up a notch From Graham and Green 92 Walcot Street, Bath grahamandgreen.co.uk

HK LIVING VASE, £36 Clean and contemporary; if used for owers o i s a loo er s on i s own you can gently bend the stems around the circle shape From Mon Pote, 217 North Street; monpote.co.uk

ED’S CHOICE BOUCLÉ OTTOMAN £1,165 A side table, a footrest and space seat all in one, by ferm Living From Truce, 54 Princess Victoria Street truceonline.co.uk

KITCHEN UNITS, £POA Matt, supermatt or ultramatt? Tactile surfaces play a central role in i c en desi n w ic is w c en a s o ers all ree finis es in its Easytouch range From Kutchenhaus, Clifton Down Shopping Centre, kutchenhaus.com

WARDLEY OAK CHAIR, £301 Classic Windsor chair in a style popular since the 18th century; ideal when you want a minimal look without sacrificin war and character From Neptune 98 Whiteladies Road neptune.com

TWIGGY FLOOR LAMP, £POA Designed by Örsjo, and brimming with functionality, personality and Scandi innovation From Oskar Furniture, 47 Whiteladies Road; oskarfurniture.co.uk MELFORD BRITISH WOOL THROW, £200 Woven in Lancashire, with a herringbone pattern, tasselled edges and natural, tone-on-tone shades of British wool From Neptune, 98 Whiteladies Road neptune.com

AIRY COFFEE TABLE, £POA The well-named Airy has a light and oa na re crea in e impression of a tabletop that hovers in the air Furniture, 47 Whiteladies From Oskar Furniture Road; oskarfurniture.co.uk

POT HOLDER, £16 Add softness and texture with these natural cotton pots; plants available, too From Twig Plants 175 North Street; twigplants.co.uk

www.mediaclash.co.uk I BRISTOL LIFE I 75

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

Stella Nova Maily vest, £259, Grace & Mabel

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Paul Smith vest, £91 in sale, Grace & Mabel

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Tulle cardi vest, £65, Fox + Feather

Stine Goya sleeveless vest, £150, Grace & Mabel

leece academy

Here come the DFLs with their ubiquitous gilets...

O

ne of the an e ec s of Covid is that people have started to reevaluate their life choices – in particular, where they choose to live. One not entirely s rprisin rend as een e le in li e depar re of fa ilies fro e capi al see in a e er

quality of life in less crowded, less overpriced cities (at least, they were before they came). Cities such as Bristol, for example, where the incomers are often known by e no en irel a ec iona e i le of DFLs: Down From Londoners.

There are many ways to spot a DFL, but one of the surest is by the ubiquitous uniform of the c el ile a eece n er with a leather trim. It is their entry

“The gilet is the DFL’s entry outfit into a new life in est- est London, as an estate agent once cringingly described it

Creta vest, £60, Fox + Feather Max Mara teddy gilet, £1,022 in sale, Harvey Nicholls Lapwing gilet, £110, Finisterre

o fi in o a new life in es es ondon as an es a e a en once crin in l descri ed i . a a po callin a e le lac as I did move from London seven ears a o so w ile is doesn a e e a orn and red Bristolian, neither does it make me a fresh DFLer. So when does one lose e new id a o own umm, status, and be fully accepted and in e ra ed Back in the day, I knew The nowled e ac ro es across London like a cabbie, but here, in e era of a e a as a edl la . opef ll savin race is e fac a don own a c el. a and e in conversa ions wi ell in ondon... reall wan o no li e ile s o can den a e are s pre el prac ical for alancin

e wea er i s and lows. nd al o love fas ion also love f nc ionali so can we find a ile id ro nd ere ec nicall a ile is ipped at the front, but in the spirit of r in o find so e in a i ore ori inal a doesn co e with a Labrador, some of my selection are loosely based on this theme and include sleeveless vests, buttons and less traditional fabrics. ic leaves e wi one es ion. i ro er as just made his move out of London, and his birthday is fast approac in . o ld i a c el ile n all ones e could rock one, in an ironic way. n millyvaughan on instagram camillapettman mac.com

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

MEET THE HAIR & BEAUTY EXPERT After so many months langusihing in the lockdown wilderness, doesn’t your skin and hair deserve a little tlc from the beauty professionals?

JASMINE MANLEY

CATHERINE EVANS

BEAUTY BY JASMINE 07833971598; Insta: @beautybyjasmine1412

ROBERT JOHN HAIR & BEAUTY 01275 842177; robertjohnhair.co.uk What would you say is the most important part of your service?

To listen and understand a client’s needs and manage their expectations. Our customer service is five-star from the minute a client walks in through our doors.

What’s the best advice you have received?

Staff are the biggest asset to the business; treat them well; or, treat people how you would like to be treated.

Best part of your job?

Being around the team and clients and making them feel good, I didn’t ever appreciate how much clients love coming to see us for their hair or beauty treatments until Covid hit and they couldn’t come. We missed them as much as they missed their treatments!

How have you overcome clients’ fears around Covid restrictions?

We have split our team of 25 into three teams to create more room in the salons, and adhere to social distancing. We have invested in fogging machines which are used at the end of every day.

We wear full PPE, sanitise regularly and have screen dividers throughout the salon.

Previous achievements you look back on fondly?

My whole career; from starting as a shy 16-yearold apprentice, winning many competitions across the country, to climbing the ranks and purchasing the business from my two bosses that had faith in me to carry on their 49-year business in 2017.

Relocating and opening our barbershop with my husband Sam in the middle of the pandemic to a huge space opposite the salon.

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

Catherine Evans

Jasmine Manley

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

A thorough consultation and aftercare instructions. It is important that my customers and I are on the same page in regards to what they wish to achieve and what can be achieved during their visit, along with how to get the best results from their treatment once they leave.

What’s the best advice you have received?

Always be yourself, and look after those who look after you.

Do you prefer trend-led or classic styles?

I love both. Being able to accommodate each individual, whether they prefer classic or trend-lend styles, is one of the reasons I enjoy what I do.

Best part of your job?

Making people feel good. It is really important to me that people feel relaxed when they come to visit, and leave looking forward to their next treatment with me.

How have you overcome clients’ fears around Covid restrictions?

Good communication. Talking to each customer prior to their appointment and tailoring their service to make them feel comfortable.

What makes your business unique?

I think it’s hard to be completely unique in 2021. I did hand-deliver personalised cupcakes to my clients during the end of the first lockdown as a thank-you for their continued support; I suppose that’s unique!

What are your goals for the future?

I am hoping to be involved in an exciting new project next year called The Bank Fitness, a hub for the health and fitness industry, based in Henleaze.

Previous achievements you look back on fondly?

Establishing myself as a recognised therapist in Bristol after two years working in Qatar.

SPONSORED CONTENT SOPHIA TURKI CONSOL consol.eu

What is the most important part of your service?

We tailor all tanning programmes and recommendations to each individual customer based on their skin type, tanning history and needs to ensure optimum results in the safest way.

What’s the best part of your job?

Working with so many tanning studios and staff to develop their knowledge within tanning and beauty, and enabling Consol to provide a 10/10 bespoke service to our customers nationwide.

What makes your business unique?

Our self-service, no-appointmentnecessary ethos and extensive opening hours (7am to 10pm).

Do you offer anything unique that readers may not know about?

Our Broadmead studio now has the latest Erogline Lightvision sunbed!

What are your goals for the future?

To continue to provide our customers

with the solutions to their tanning needs, and offer the most effective memberships and products to suit all.

What previous achievements do you look back on fondly?

Seeing our in-house staff become tanning experts, which in turn has resulted in thousands of tanning success stories.

Helping brides feeling like a million dollars on their big day without the stress of fake tanning.

Seeing clients overcome skin conditions, and feeling happy in their own skin after years of struggles.

Providing a solution for a nation that struggles with Vitamin D deficiencies and improving so many clients’ overall health.

What do you love about Bristol?

How diverse it is. We see so many different people come through our door, as Consol is for everybody!

Anything you’d like to add?

We have a special offer running in September where you get £10 free credits when you top up £25.

DANIEL RYMER

KARA HOUSON

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

For me the most important part of any visit to a hairdresser or barber is the consultation before any treatment is carried out. Understanding a client’s needs and what they want to get out of the appointment is vital.

Do you prefer trend led or classic styles?

I am lucky enough to be booked for various fashion weeks in Paris, New York & Milan which allows me to work on new trends which are seen on catwalks at some of the world’s most influential fashion shows before bringing them back to the salon.

It’s so inspiring to be able to create haircuts that actually become trends, and then hopefully in years to come could then be seen as “classic styles”.

What makes your business unique?

During the most recent lockdown we started the transition from a male grooming salon to a barbering specialists. We had been seeing a rise in the number of short haired female and non binary clients over the past year so we felt that we needed to reflect that in the salon name and the services we offer.

Do you offer anything unique that readers may not know about?

Keeping real to our own independent roots, we’re recently partnered with Hello Jungle based in Stokes Croft. They have completely transformed the salon with a stunning display of plants which are all for sale, and can be taken home on the day of a clients appointment.

What is the most important part of your service?

Ensuring that all of our customers leave feeling relaxed and are more than happy with the treatment they have had.

What can a client expect from an appointment with you given the current Covid guidelines?

We follow all government guidelines provided, but we also want to allow our customers time to switch off, so ultimately ensuring they have space and relaxation throughout their treatments.

What’s the best advice you have received?

Take your time in everything you do; even if it is a busy day, do not allow this energy to be transferred to your client; take, one thing at a time.

Best part of your job?

Meeting different people from all walks of life on a daily basis; constantly learning.

What makes your business unique?

Having everything under one roof. The spa being part of a beautiful hotel means you don’t just get a luxurious spa, but you can also enjoy the fantastic food at Curious Kitchen or even make a night of it!

Do you offer anything unique that readers may not know about?

Caudalie is our product house. It’s not a very well known brand in the UK but the company (based in Bordeaux) is very unique, and their foundations and company values are very similar to us at Daniel Thwaites.

What are your goals for the future?

I would like to progress and hopefully one day go on to be spa treatments manager.

DANIEL RYMER BARBERING SPECIALISTS 0117 925 9777; danielrymerhair.com

AZTEC HOTEL & SPA 01454 201019; spa-and-fitness.co.uk/aztec

Daniel Rymer

Kara Houson

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

PANDEMIC AND PANACEAS Old normal, new normal and hybrid models. Technological advances born out of Covid that look set to last. Increasingly flexible government guidelines. Latin suddenly back on the agenda . . . As Bristol emerges from lockdown, four local schools tell us about the preparations, precautions and strategies they’re putting in place for the new term

By Ursula Cole

T

he ‘Covid situation’ is still in flux, meaning that schools embarking on a new term this September have had to weigh up many elements in their strategies.

“After such a turbulent year, during which our students and staff have risen to every challenge thrown at them, we are really hoping that we’ll be as close to normal as possible this month,” says Jeremy McCullough, head at Colston’s.

And if circumstances dictate otherwise, the staff are ready. “If we are required to operate in different ways, our experiences mean that we know we can operate a testing system on-site, successfully maintaining bubbles and providing excellent remote learning provision, if necessary.

“We have also identified a number of ‘Covid keeps’ that we will continue to employ into next year and beyond. For example, making teaching videos available to reinforce and revise key topics, the ability to submit homework electronically using Showbie, and even the use of our graduate assistants as mentors to students who are, for whatever reason, experiencing personal difficulties.”

Rebecca Tear, head at Badminton School, has taken several steps to ensure a safe return to routine education. “As we are a boarding and day school, we have had to plan effectively to ensure we can communicate with our boarders, some of whom are international, and we need to manage quarantine arrangements in a timely manner,” she says.

“Fortunately, the government guidelines give much greater flexibility for schools for the new academic year, but nevertheless there are many measures such as sanitising stations, increased cleaning routines and the like, which we plan to retain as we see the benefit that they bring.

“When the pandemic struck, we all hopped online, and the amazing resilience of our community, staff and pupils enabled an almost seamless transition of our work. We are keen to redress the balance

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

EDUCATION

“Times of crisis such as these always elicit some positive outcomes”

Constantly revising guidelines: Clifton High School

EDUCATION now we are, hopefully, spending more time back on campus; face-toface communication, building confidence in using our voices, and vital collaboration skills are at the heart of our academic and pastoral focus for the coming terms.

“However, we also plan to capitalise upon the great self-directed learning skills that students displayed during the online provision; it would be foolish not to take advantage of that gain, and help the students grow this further for the strength of their lifelong learning skills.”

Plans for the new term at the Steiner School are also constantly under review, with staff and management ready to adapt to the apparently everchanging situation.

“We are able to respond to changes with a high degree of agility,” says head teacher Nicola Forder. “Sanitisation will remain a key priority, as will the ventilisation of rooms. Should the need arise, the bubble system to prevent potential cross-contamination of groups can be reinstated, using one-way systems and staggered drop-off and pick-up times.”

“If there is one thing all schools have learned during this pandemic, it’s not to plan too early,” said Matthew Bennett, head of school at Clifton High School. “The rules change so quickly that work often has to be repeated or decisions reversed. To that end, the guidance for how we have to operate this term will be assessed and updated accordingly.

“We know that not all families agree with many of the rules put in place, but regardless, we are obliged to follow them. Early on in the pandemic, we installed a dozen outside taps and hand basins, which were a success, and it is our intention to retain them for the time being. There were a number of procedural, day-to-day systems that altered as a result of the pandemic, particularly around registration and lunch, that we will be retaining beyond the pandemic. Times of crisis such as these always elicit some positive outcomes.

“We have also developed a hybrid method of teaching should any member of a class, or whole group of pupils, be self-isolating as a result of Covid. This means that pupils in the room can be taught at the same time as those at home, with the lesson live-streamed to them. We will continue to utilise the technology in this way.”

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

“If there is one thing all schools have learned during this pandemic, it’s not to plan too early”

top: Classroom learning gets back to normal at Colston’s; bottom two pics Badminton School bringing on the next generation of scientists and artists

CLICK AND CORRECT

The pandemic has given rise to a rapid rollout of technology required for home-learning. Even with Covid receding, many IT innovations brought in over the last 18 months have proven their worth, and will continue to remain in situ.

The Steiner School has retained several connectivity measures to ensure students have the maximum benefit from both technology and more traditional teaching methods. “Remote learning through Microsoft Teams has been established across the school,” says Nicola Forder. “This provides us with the opportunity to continue to connect with families and bring other aspects of school life to them through events such as class assemblies.”

It’s a similar story at Badminton. “We have had a blended approach to learning for some years,” says Rebecca Tear. “Everyone has become increasingly comfortable, confident and innovative in the virtual space, and we have definitely increased IT usage for delivery of ideas, submission of work and messaging.

“We are planning ways to make greater use of the collaboration aspect and our reflective student journals are definitely one great example of something that has grown from a need during the pandemic; we will be improving and using those over the coming terms to ensure students and their teachers are in touch about how learning is progressing.”

“In addition to the (slightly boring but important) ability to submit work electronically, more exciting technological advances have included our prefects’ weekly news video, and the heads of school podcast, both of which have been designed to maintain the sense of school community while we have been kept apart,” says Jeremy McCullough.

“This is perhaps where the pandemic has had the biggest impact on us as a school going forwards,” says Matthew Bennett. “From September, we are starting a programme of issuing every pupil in the senior school their own iPad. Currently all teachers have one, and this proved invaluable during lockdown.”

Other digital advances have been introduced at Clifton High School, including Apple pencils. “All of this will support tried-and-tested methods of paper and pen, and textbooks will still exist, just enhanced by technology.”

Children are famously adaptable when it comes to digital advances, but online meetings have proven popular with parents, too.

“We have noticed that some parents would prefer to continue having online parents’ evenings,” says Matthew. “For many families, juggling young children, work commitments and parking in Clifton have meant that an online parents’ evening has been much preferred. So we’re aiming to offer both an in-person and online appointments in the future to meet the needs of a changing world.”

ALGORITHM AND BLUES

Everything from sporting activities to after-school socialising was curtailed during lockdown; but schools have detected a bounce-back rather than ‘re-entry anxiety’ that is apparently a phenomenon in wider society.

Matthew Bennett has certainly noted an uplift in the school spirit at Clifton High School. “At the start of the summer term, as restrictions eased, we designed and implemented a complete outdoor adventure programme. All of our Reception to Year 6 pupils enjoy up to one-anda-half hours per week of outdoor education now; from kayaking and climbing, to hiking, visits to a farm school and a rewilding project. This programme will continue to grow, and we look forward to introducing similar strategies into the senior school to offer greater opportunities to all our young people.

“Sport has been something we have endeavoured to continue throughout the pandemic. Although competitive sport was not possible, having our own pool and use of extensive sports facilities both on and off site has meant that we were able to satisfy the needs of our pupils.

When competitive sport returned in a limited capacity in the summer, the excitement from the children was palpable.”

At Badminton, Rebecca Tear says it was a real delight to hear some music being performed, and seeing the occasional sports match towards the latter part of the last academic year.

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

EDUCATION

Future astronaut?

Pupils at Colston’s

“It was amazing to see how much these meant to our students and their families; it was incredible how emotional some of the ‘firsts’ of these events were. No matter how innovative schools were, an online event, live or recorded, cannot convey the same emotion or require the same performance skills. The student commitment to joining in was so impressive – we can’t wait to make more opportunities available next term.”

“There is no doubt that everyone was delighted to be able to get back to playing sport in the summer term, and our trips to Thorpe Park after Year 7 and 8 exams have never been so much enjoyed,” said Jeremy McCullough. “We were even able to perform Shakespeare out and about on our school grounds, and news that we will be performing Grease as our whole school musical in December has got everyone looking forwards to auditions happening remotely over the summer.”

LANGUAGE MATTERS

A £4 million Department for Education (DfE) scheme to introduce Latin will initially be rolled out across 40 schools from next year in an effort to counter the subject’s reputation as elitist. We asked how this is being viewed.

“It is such great news that Latin will be supported by the government across state schools,” says Rebecca Tear at Badminton, which has been the South West hub for the Classical Association for many years.

“At Badminton we really celebrate learning Latin and taking the opportunity to appreciate Classics. It is a brilliant way to understand the basis of all the languages that grew from it, such as Spanish, Italian and French, and the cultural aspects of art and literature that reflect it in one way or another.

“Enabling appreciation of its structure and logic is also a real benefit for getting to grips with grammar generally, and for gaining an insight into the role of structure and logic in learning; it is one way to get a sense of solving non-number puzzles.

“All these attributes build skills such as deductive reasoning and form a great foundation for further study. Of course, the curriculum is always packed with great ways to learn, and finding the time to enable them all will always be a challenge; what subject should be traded to provide academic time and space for Latin will be the number one question.

“We hope that more pupils in more schools will now find a love for Latin and the classical world, and we would encourage local ones to come and join us at Badminton for one of our lectures; often given by renowned experts in the classical field.” n

Badminton pupils welomed the return of live arts events and sport with real emotion

Clifton High School crafters

YOU HAVE BEEN READING Badminton School Independent boarding and day school from nursery to sixth form Westbury Road; badmintonschool.co.uk Clifton High School Independent co-educational day school from nursery to sixth form College Road; cliftonhigh.co.uk Colston’s School Independent co-educational day school from nursery to sixth form Bell Hill; colstons.org Bristol Steiner School Independent co-ed day school for children aged 3-11 Redland Hill; bristolsteinerschool.org

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

SPONSORED CONTENT

THAT’LL LEARN YOU BRISTOL CITY COUNCIL’S ADULT LEARNING SERVICE has been offering classes for over 50 years – and you may be surprised at the huge amount of choice...

B

ristol City Council’s adult learning service has been offering adult education classes from Stoke Lodge in Bristol for over 50 years.

Back in 1971 courses included ‘motor car maintenance for ladies’ and ‘understanding decimalisation’! You won’t find those courses on offer this autumn, but you will find over 250 different courses and workshops.

LANGUAGES TO LOVE You can learn French, German, Spanish, Italian and Portuguese with classes from beginners to advanced conversation and lots of add-on activities to complement the classes, such as

“THERE’S ALWAYS SOMETHING NEW, SO I KEEP COMING BACK”

book and film clubs, and one-off sessions focusing on regions, cultural icons or historical events. Most of the language tutors at Stoke Lodge are native speakers and relish the chance not just to get you speaking their native tongue but also to develop a love for their countries and culture.

ARTISTIC ASPIRATIONS Bristol Adult Learning also has a loved and well-respected arts and creative programme, with many skilled and experienced artists to learn from. You’ll see some of the traditional classes you might expect, such as oil painting, life drawing and watercolours, but there is a lot of variety to get your creative juices flowing and lots of classes you didn’t even know existed, such as drawing anatomy and understanding how to draw the human body; sketching architecture and urban landscapes; calligraphy, printmaking, papercraft and collage.

If you fancy a more three-dimensional activity you can also sign up to classes in pottery, upholstery, dressmaking, needle felting, embroidery, willow weaving, floristry or stained -glass making.

“THE TIME FLEW; IT WAS COMPLETELY ABSORBING” SOMETHING DIFFERENT? How about art history, music appreciation, creative writing, computer courses, film studies, cookery, bridge, history, gardening, family history and philosophy. There is a lot of love out there for Bristol Adult Learning – many learners come back to classes year after year and always mention how much fun they had. Clearly the social side of learning is just as important and the skills and knowledge.

Most courses are offered at Stoke Lodge in Stoke Bishop, with a few also taking place in St Pauls or offered online. Stoke Lodge is an amazing old building in gorgeous grounds with free onsite parking. The centre is buzzing, and everyone is welcoming and friendly. With so much on offer there is sure to be something for everyone. n

FEELGOOD FACTOR After a tough year, health and wellbeing classes are likely to be popular this autumn.

You can try tai chi (held outside in the beautiful Stoke Lodge grounds if the weather is good), reiki, stress- reduction, meditation, mindfulness, self-massage and mind and body awareness classes.

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

All the latest courses are listed in full at: bristolcourses.com. You can book places online, by calling the team on 0117 903 8844 or by visiting Stoke Lodge, Shirehampton Rd, Bristol BS9 1BN.

ST BONAVENTURE’S PRE-SCHOOL IS NOW TAKING ADMISSIONS FOR SEPTEMBER 2022 INTAKE We are open term time only, Monday – Friday 8:15 – 5:30.

Please contact us if you would like further information or to request an application form.

Email: admin.stbonaventures.ey@bristol-schools.uk Instagram: @stbonspreschool | Phone: 0117 3532887

www.stbonaventuresearlyyears.co.uk

It’s the city’s business

BRISTOLWORKS Island life

S

pike Island’s public gallery spaces were forced to close for the majority of last year, during all three lockdowns. While the team were kept busy rescheduling the gallery’s exhibitions programme for when restrictions lifted, they also set about refurbishing and redesigning the co-working space formerly known as Spike Design.

“Although Spike Island is best known for its galleries and artists’ studios, the building has also een providin an a orda le wor space for s all creative businesses since 2007,” says director Robert Leckie.

“We have a long history and experience of supporting Bristol’s cultural and creative industries.

As we navigate our way out of the pandemic, we reco nise a people a feel di eren l about how they want to run their businesses.

We have used the last few months to refurbish the workspace, and we are relaunching it with a new na e o re ec e fac a i s no s for designers – we get a broad range of creative industry businesses in here. It will now be called Spike Island Workspace.

© MA X MCLURE

Spike Island – so much more than a cool, contemporary art gallery – is launching a new creative co-working space, with the aim of helping Bristol’s small businesses to find a way out of the pandemic

e elieve a we o er e os e i le and a orda le crea ive wor space in ris ol and we look forward to seeing familiar faces and new ones joining us to grow their business and be part of our dynamic community. We’re excited to support Bristol’s creative businesses and play an important role in the recovery of the city’s vibrant arts and creative sector.”

The newly named workspace relaunches with a new brand identity, including a new logo designed from gestural letterforms – almost pencil sketches – to honour the history of the workspace, along with a playful and warm colour scheme to complement the architecture and atmosphere of this unique workspace within a former tea-packing factory.

Spike Island Workspace memberships cost only £165 per month (ex. VAT) with just a two-month minimum term. The price includes 24/7 access, business rates, internet, utilities and kitchen facilities; there’s also the option of additional storage. The workspace aims to be accessible for all, with level access from the main entrance, disabled street parking, disabled access toilets and showers.

For more: spikeisland.org.uk

MORE ABOUT SPIKE ISLAND Spike Island is home to a dynamic community of hundreds of artists and creative businesses, working in flexible, affordable workspaces, alongside UWE Bristol’s Fine Art department, Spike Print Studio, and café bar Emmeline.

The venue directly supports artists through new commissions, over 70 subsidised studios, and sector-leading artist development opportunities that widen access to its programme and facilities.

Its exhibition services business supports the bespoke production and installation of artists’ film and video throughout the UK and internationally.

BRISTOLWORKS

HUBOOM...

DESIGN FOR CHANGE p rpose il new wor desi ned for or anisa ions wi a s ared co i en o social c an e is read for i s new enan s. rea line e la es pro ec fro ical roper o ers a f ll serviced wor space a ain wor s wi in a new r eco inspired ildin . nside are i spec odern facili ies desi ned o o er e i le and a orda le o ces for li e inded eco o iva ed or anisa ions incl din c ari ies no for profi co panies social en erprises e ical sinesses and co ni or anisa ions. e co ina ion of open plan oors wi ee in roo s and co nal spaces allows for colla ora ive pro ec s wi enan s enefi in fro wor in alon side one ano er. s we ead owards a safe re rn o wor in in o ces an people are opin for ore fro eir wor space sa s ara a p ell ical roper ies re ional ana er for and ales. rea line is a place w ere social c an e or anisa ions can ave eir ea wor in alon side eac o er once a ain and ave e oppor ni o ee o ers wi social c an e a i ions in a r l incl sive accessi le and crea ive environ en . or spaces are now availa le and appoin en s o view are open o oo in e ail sales e icalproper .co. or p one .

For more: ethicalproperty.co.uk

oo w ic provides end o end f lfil en services for e o erce sinesses of all si es is e pandin i s ris ol ased ea roles d e o increased de and for i s sof ware driven services. e posi ions will e predo inan l filled f lfil en cen re opera ives a i s new ore si e near von o and a es e ea o an increase of in s wo ears. ecen on s ave seen a oo for e fir wi reven e increasin a s a erin per cen e ea re lin in si e and ware o se space adr plin over e pas on s wi an avera e of over c s o ers ein ro on oard a on . s increasin n ers of cons ers are s oppin online we re ein con ac ed ore and ore e o erce sinesses w o wan o sell eir prod c s direc o

cons ers sa s co fo nder ar in s loo in nders anda l app in e p o o a ove wi a l odd. e ran e fro s ar ps o es a lis ed and rowin sinesses a re ire e s ppor of a co pan li e oo o provide ali f lfil en services e can rel on.

The new recruits will help to ensure we con in e o o er a personalised service o o r c s o ers we re reall loo in forward o welco in e on oard.

For more: huboo.co.uk

BUILDING MOMENTUM o onl ave n il ep e er o s i o r ris ol roper wards no ina ion so es e crac in . s free o en er and ere are plen of ips on e we si e o elp o a e o r no ina ion s and o . ere are now onl five i sponsors ips re ainin for e awards incl din wards eadline. e r eonin s ccess of e ove er awards follows a ri p an vir al even in e r ar w ic e ceeded all e pec a ions wi an ca e ories sponsored and an ndreds a endin e even . ponsors associa ed wi e even enefi fro an nrivalled siness ar e in ca pai n in prin online social edia e ail and a s o lder even s. e in o c for ore de ails arrie e. di on ediaclas .co. neil.snow ediaclas .co.

For more bristolpropertyawards.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

LEFT: Who will end the evening with

one of these in their hot little hand?

BELOW: Bristol Life Awards 2021’s

© PAOLO FERLA

host with the most, Laura Lexx

FINALISTS See website for the full list TICKETS At bristollifeawards.co.uk AWARDS The Bristol Life Awards ceremony will be held on 16 September 2021 at Ashton Gate. Nothing beats being there…

SOCIAL MEDIA Follow us on Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn and Twitter for all updates SPONSORS We thank our sponsors so far on board for 2021, led from the front by our headline sponsor, Marsh Commercial. And then also our other category sponsors: Anderson Financial Management, British Corner Shop, Brunel Insurance Brokers, Burston Cook, Curo, Lexus Bristol, SLX, Spaces, Thatchers, Total Produce and VWV; and of course, Bristol Life itself. Also including our feature sponsors Bristol Sport and Triangle Networks and Silver Sponsors Acorn, Clarke Willmott, Dovetail & Slate, Proctor + Stevenson and Yuup.

The heat is on

H

Bling it on. It’s almost time for the Bristol Life Awards 2021... ave you got the tux out of storage? Splashed out on a new frock?

Finally remembered where you keep the posh shoes that haven’t seen the light of day since late 2019?

We’re about to o live wi e firs proper Bristol Life Awards since 2019, and to say that we’re excited would be a laughable understatement.

We received a huge number of nominations, we eld e rand eveal of e finalis s via oo and the case for each and every one was put in front of our god-like judges. Now all we need is to throw the party of the year.

We like to look after you, all you Bristol Life Awards attendees; we like to see you smile. In 2017

our Awards were hosted by the very funny Mark Watson; in 2018 it was the absolutely charming Alun Cochrane, and 2019 we welcomed local lad John Robins – a bit of an award-winner in his own right – back to Bristol.

And this year we have Somerset-born Laura Lexx; if you want to know why we invited Laura, check o e praise and accolades sec ion of er we si e lauralexx.co.uk It’s been brilliant to see the support coming from across e ci since finalis s were anno nced and the event is shaping up to be an incredible evening once again. Tickets are still available; log on to bristollifeawards.co.uk and follow the links.

As ever, we’ll be running a big review section, so don’t miss our 22 October issue.

For more: bristollifeawards.co.uk @BristolLifeAwds

Virtual one hour sessions, all free to attend Search Bristol Life on LinkedIn for upcoming dates and registration If you would like to get involved, please email events@mediaclash.co.uk

PROPERTY BUILDING THE CIT Y

CARRIAGE PROPOSAL Let’s start with a bit of historical context.

From 1804, the original Carriageworks in Stokes Croft was home to T&J Perry’s Carriageworks and Harness Factory; after burning down, it was replaced by a building designed by Bristol architect Edward William Godwin.

The redesign was considered to be a masterpiece of Victorian industrial architecture, with its three storeys of elegant arcading, including window arches of purple pennant and brown Bath stone, and lower arches left open to display the carriages, becoming a cultural and historic pillar of the area.

After decades of disrepair, the majority of the Grade-II building couldn’t be saved, but now the façade has been carefully restored to its former glory – and new homes within the refurbishment scheme have just gone on sale.

Other than the new apartments, Carriageworks will be a mixed-use development that will also transform the

site of neighbouring Westmoreland House, which up until its demolition in 2018 had remained derelict since the mid-1980s.

The studio, one-, two- and threebedroom apartments are now available to reserve. elp o is o ered on a lar e number of the apartments, which have a guide price of between £215,000 and £425,000. Two show homes – a one- and two-bedroom apartment – are now open, with viewings available on request.

The apartments are part of a wider scheme that will bring 145 new homes to the area and create a number of new retail spaces alongside a market square. These commercial spaces will be made available exclusively to independent retailers, with the public marketplace designed for use by small, artisan businesses.

The sales o ce is open Tuesday-Saturday, 10am-5pm. To make an appointment, contact Savills on 011 100 0 For more carriageworksbristol.co.uk

BUZZING BEDMINSTER

Having called the city home since 2011, former Bristol University students Daniel and Kelly decided that it was time to put down roots. The home they chose was City & Country’s development Factory No.1, enticed by the convenience and social prospects that have fuelled a growing population of young professionals. avin a vi ran lifes le on o er was important to them, says Daniel.

“Bedminster really appealed to us.

It has a thriving social scene, which we can’t wait to enjoy further. We love being able to pop to The Bristol Loaf in the morning and go to the Bristol Beer Factory in the evening, both of which are right on our doorstep.

“There’s also a great choice of pubs and restaurants to choose from, which we can’t wait to enjoy with friends and family this summer.”

Prices at Factory No.1 start from £278,000 for a one-bedroom apartment. For more information call 01174 534 693 or visit cityandcountry. co.uk/factoryno1

SPONSORED CONTENT

REIMAGINING THE PAST REDLAND COURT is enhancing history with imaginative renovation and restoration

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hether it’s the lure of a building with a story to tell, or the character enhancing historic features, we all love a property that’s living its new ‘best life’. Regeneration of heritage-listed buildings, of which there are two at Redland Court, gives new life and purpose to old buildings. While the Manor House was originally a family home, the School Hall, built in 1905

by Bristol builder William Cowlin and Sons, accommodated the growth of Redland High Girls’ School, and is one of the most imaginative renovations of an historic building in Bristol.

In its time this School Hall has served as the meeting place for morning assembly, a gym, and a performance space. Now it is home to seven individual and exceptional homes ranging from an outstanding one-bedroom apartment with views across north Bristol to a superb three-bedroom

house with private courtyard.

“This Grade II listed building was definitely one of the most challenging to convert,” says Juniper Homes director Jon Morgan. “Ceiling heights and varying floor levels made it hard to envisage the finished result, so the stunning properties now available really are a credit to the architects’ vision.”

The beams of this turn-of-the century building and the soaring ceiling heights have been cleverly retained and the space transformed, including beautiful mezzanine living spaces, more art gallery than lounge, and flooded with light.

The preservation of large attractive windows, many with beautiful views throughout, and small details such as the ornamental bracket on the stairway of Apartment 4, are a delight.

The great advantage of an historic conversion is the opportunity to live in an old building that doesn’t require the usual costly maintenance.

These homes enjoy double-glazed windows,

excellent insulation, a communal heating system and communal solar panels, all helping to reduce your home’s energy bills. Combined with the all-new benefits of a new build, you’ll find magnificent kitchens, stylish flooring, fitted wardrobes, air-source underfloor heating, slate floor and wall tiles, wine fridges and the latest Siemens’ fully integrated appliances.

There is allocated parking for all two-bed + units.

With the development set in a private residents’ park, Redland Court is Bristol’s most prestigious landmark development. With so much thought, attention to detail and the exceptional specifications the next chapter of life at Redland Court has begun. n

INFORMATION • One-bed apartments from £365,000 • Two-bed apartments from £525,000 • Three- and four-bed homes from £895,000-£1.5m

Marketing Suite open Thursday-Saturday 10am-4pm. Just pop in, or call Savills on 0117 910 0360 or Ocean on 0117 946 9838 www.mediaclash.co.uk I BRISTOL LIFE I 105

COOL AND COLLECTED Architect Nicola Chan talks us through the restoration of her Richmond Terrace apartment

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I

n 2016, architect Nicola Chan and her husband Tom Williams swapped London for Bristol, initially buying a Victorian house in Easton.

However, two years later they found themselves craving precisely the sort of apartment living that they had left behind in the capital.

Drawn to leafy, elegant Clifton, with its grand Georgian architecture, they found just what they were looking for: a two-bedroom apartment spread across e firs oor of a ea if l Georgian town house.

The apartment itself was tired and oddly confi red so icola and o se a o a sensitive restoration process, opening the space up and carrying out almost every element of the work themselves, from laying the parquet oorin o desi nin e in eriors.

As they move on to their next project, Nicola takes us through the renovation process, and tells us why pulling down walls was a priority and about her love for subtleties in design.

PROPERTY

PROPERTY r o se in as on ad a arden and was i er an o r a in London, but I quickly realised that I missed the sense of space you get in a single-level apartment,” said Nicola. “The thing about Victorian houses is that the staircases and hallways take up a lot of space.

“We were attracted to Clifton because of the amazing Georgian buildings, and the fact that there are lots of green spaces where we co ld wal o r do . wan ed o find a a we co ld open p as so many apartments have been really awkwardly subdivided in a way that doesn’t make the most of the architecture. is a is spread across e firs oor of a Grade-II Georgian building on a pretty horseshoe-shaped terrace, and we immediately knew it was the one. The fact it’s elevated means you get amazing light and views – it looks out onto trees in a churchyard at the front and onto beautiful communal gardens at the back, which we have access to, and are managed by a group of gardeners who live in the terrace. Even though we don’t have direct access to the garden, the views from the windows make you feel like you’re a part of nature. e a was ver ired wi ei e carpe s a nolia walls and oddly positioned walls that obstructed the windows. The amount of corridor space wasn wor in as i ean e a was spli p strangely. We wanted to revert to the original Georgian proportions, by reconfi rin e roo s o a e awa e allwa s and a e e os

“Modern living is about spaces being e ible and performing multiple functions”

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PROPERTY of the huge sash windows throughout, especially the three running alon e fron of e a .

“The building had been renovated in the 1990s, which meant that our renovation was relatively straightforward, as we didn’t have to deal with all the problems that come with working on listed buildings for e firs i e. ll e old la e and plas er ad een s ripped o l c il e ori inal windows and cornicin re ained. e pa c ed p the cornices where needed, and sanded down the window frames and s ers efore repain in e .

“In terms of the layout, we opened up the rooms along the front of e a o crea e a i open plan livin area wi e i c en r nnin down one side of e space and ree e re i windows loo in o on o e rees. ow i s a s per e i le space w ere we ea en er ain friends wa c elevision and wor fro o e w en we need o. e ac of e a we rned wo edroo s and a a roo into two really nicely proportioned bedrooms, putting a bathroom in e iddle of e a . or s i was reall i por an o priori ise e space iven o e edroo s. e realised a w a we wan ed o ac ieve was co ple el na orda le if we ired ilders so decided o do a lo of e wor o rselves. e spen a o fo r on s p llin down i s internal walls and laying a herringbone parquet oak oor. e wo ld ave loved to have salvaged the original oors e d een ripped out when the building was conver ed in o a s in e 1990s, and we were just lef wi ired carpe . e parquet took hours and hours to lay, but it was wor i . e pale e in e a is quite calm and pared back, as we didn wan o dis rac fro e e is in fea res. o il e kitchen, and we decided to keep it white, as it would have been quite over earin if we d one for ano er colo r. s an arc i ec don li e followin w a s rend . ainl wor wi e is in ildin s cele ra in eir ori inal fea res. o o is that the design of a space should never distract from the character of e ildin . apprecia e e s le ies of w a desi n can do. favo ri e spo in e a is an old rcol enc in e open plan livin area. s ri ne o e window and o e s c a nice view of e rees. e ve collec ed lo s of old c airs for e a oo incl din some Thonet ones for the dining table, which we made out of a piece of lac an ade wood a we res ed on op of res les. e ve ried o i old and new ro o e a o crea e a co eren w ole. e c an e e la o i e a lo in e open plan roo dependin on ow we re sin e space. e can se i p for friends co in over for a fil ni or ove e dinin a le in fron of e i windows for dinner. avin is e i ili reall elped s over loc down as e space co ld e adap ed o s i o r needs. or e is is w a odern livin is all a o i s a o spaces ein e i le and performing multiple functions, whether you create distinct zones or HOUSE NUMBERS define even s a corner wi f rni re.

Bedrooms 2 ew of s can a ord o ses wi Receptions masses of rooms, so it’s about thinking 20ft living room/kitchen about how one large space can answer Bathroom 1 all o r needs. ope e ne owners Where? Richmond Terrace will love e open plan space as c as we ave. ere is so c scope for Guide price £465,000 di eren in erior la o s and we d ope For more: The Modern that someone could feel they could put House; 020 3795 5920 eir own s a p on e place. n themodernhouse.com

“The design of a space should never distract from the character of the building”

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SPONSORED CONTENT

MAKE YOUR MARK BOX MAKERS YARD has changed Bristol’s renting scene for the better, making renting fairer and more flexible, and allowing you the freedom to live how you want to live in your favourite city On-site residents’ gym

Residents’ roof terrace

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ristol has always been a pioneering city, so it’s unsurprising that since Box Makers Yard came on the scene earlier this year, the city has fully embraced its innovative way of renting; one that’s fairer and more flexible and that enables residents to live life to the full in the city they love.

Designed specifically for renters, you’ll find this collection of spacious studio, one-, twoand three-bedroom apartments moments from Temple Meads Station and Castle Park, and 12 minutes’ walk into Bristol’s city, with riverside walks, bustling cafés, restaurants, and awesome independent shops just a short stroll away.

The offer here is hard to match; a great location, design-led apartments, plenty of private and shared outdoor space, and thoughtful extras that make renting a whole lot more inviting.

Box Makers Yard is the creation of Legal & General, a company on a mission to improve the quality of renting for city dwellers. And the quality is tangible throughout the development.

THE FINER DETAILS • Studios from £1,040 pcm, average size 428sq.ft.

• 1 beds from £1,160 pcm, average size 538sq.ft.

• 2 beds from £1,590 pcm, average size 763sq.ft.

• 2 bed with study option from £1,505 pcm, average size 763sq.ft.

• 3 beds from £2,150 pcm, average size 1,047sq.ft.

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Living area and kitchen

“ THE ROOF TERRACE IS A DREAM; IT’S A LOVELY SPACE TO RELAX. THE GYM IS GREAT QUALITY. THE COMMUNAL LOUNGE IS A NICE SOCIAL AREA TO MEET NEIGHBOURS. THE BUILDING AS A WHOLE IS FANTASTIC AND SO PERFECTLY PUT TOGETHER; I HAVE LOVED EVERY MINUTE OF LIVING HERE” Oscar, verified resident on HomeViews, Box Makers Yard; tenant 2021 The apartments feature high-spec kitchens, parquet wooden floors, plenty of built-in storage, grade A/A+ appliances and floor-toceiling windows which fill the open-plan living rooms with light. A premium-quality furniture package curated by a team of interior designers is available for those who need it – including bespoke pieces from Scandinavian designer HAY – all set up and ready for when you move in.

There are plenty of apartments available without furniture for those who prefer to BYO. Over the last year, flexibility within our homes has become a necessity, so Box Makers Yard has made their apartments available with a study or a workspace within your bedroom. There’s plenty of room, so you could opt for either a king-size bed or a smaller sofa bed alongside our bespoke desk and chair. Fibre-optic broadband is included in the rent, and available wherever you are from the moment you move in, so working from home has never been so easy.

Outside of your apartment, there’s an array of communal spaces for residents to enjoy: a leafy rooftop terrace with 360-degree views of the

city; a fully-equipped on-site gym; a clubroom with workspaces; lounge areas; a grand piano and games area, and two private dining rooms.

Sustainable travel is well catered for, with plenty of bike storage and car parking with electric charging bays.

What really sets Box Makers Yard apart are the thoughtful details that come included. You decide the length of your stay here, from six months to five years. There’s an on-site team to help with everything from receiving parcels and maintenance issues, to organising events for residents to meet and mingle. Pets are welcome and you can decorate your apartment – it’s your apartment to enjoy however suits you best.

There really is something for everyone here.

Book your viewing and join their community today. n To book a viewing, contact the residents services team: 0117 374 1840 boxmakersyard.com @boxmakersyard

BRISTOL LIVES

“A digitally produced sign isn’t so special – it feels like it lacks heart” the techniques and materials used today are exactly the same.

I evolved my lettering style accidentally. I keep thinking I

should show that I can be a little ore refined and ele an en I check back at my Instagram and think, ah well, obnoxiously loud and bright will do (again). I’m in love with letters that look like they have some depth, so I use a lot of s ade e ec s in le erin .

TOZER

Meet the artist behind some of the most colourful, distinctive signs to be found in the city

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hen we put our recent BS3 issue together, there was only one real choice for the cover: we knew we wanted to focus on that big ‘Welcome to East Street, Bedminster’ sign, with its red and yellow lettering. We knew the piece was by Tozer – but who or what, exactly, was a Tozer, and how did they come to paint it in e firs place nswers elow...

My name’s Tozer (my surname, though nobody calls me by my firs na e and r n o er i ns a traditional signwriting studio based out of Bedminster.

I always painted and drew, even

as a child. I’ve got fond memories of begging my parents to bring huge sheets of paper down from the loft all of the time so I could scribble all over them.

I studied illustration at UWE.

I was interested in taxidermy, and had been following a few signpainters for a couple of years, so I studied signwriting

and created a few signs for a fake taxidermist shop where you could e o r loved ones s ed ended up being so fascinated by it that I never gave it up. I’d sit at home all day and paint practice strokes, ignoring the briefs my tutors sent.

With illustration, I never found my style. As it’s so subjective, the

perfectionist part of me could never e sa isfied. i si nwri in w ile ere s defini el crea ive freedom, you can see mistakes, glaringly obviously, the more you practice and learn. It does mean you can’t take me anywhere and expect me to not moan about the quality of the chalkboards, though.

The amount of skill and hard work that goes into traditional signwriting is so powerful. Once

you recognise that, a digitally produced sign just doesn’t feel so special – it feels like it lacks heart.

With a handpainted sign, you can see and feel that somebody was there, painstakingly creating it wi passion and e or s as e did hundreds of years ago. A lot of

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In 2015 I began taking on some chalkboard work, just

with Posca pens, and trading it for beer and food. After a while I realised I was also going to need some cash (though an extra beer or three doesn’t go amiss, even to this day). Word of mouth came in very handy back then, and still does.

My work is hugely mixed

– fascias, menus, gilded commissions, cars, motorbike helmets, banners, big murals, A-Boards… it’s part of the reason I love what I do.

In September 2020, I saw a wall down the road from my studio on West Street calling out

for some paint. I asked the fellas at Upfest if I could be let loose on it (for free; I just had a bit of spare time and wanted to have some fun).

They said yes, and handed over some leftover exterior paint from their stash. I ended up creating the Come Together piece, and Bedminster BID and Upfest liked it so much they commissioned the Welcome to Bedminster wall, and the Love Local one on North Street a few months later.

I’ve got almost 100 Bristolbased clients now. A few of my

favourites are Black Sheep Tattoos

signage, VX, Glass Designs on North Street, Sweatbox Yard’s huge mural, Poco Deli and Live Ink’s lovely large window gilds.

I was born and raised in Nottingham, but Bristol called

to me for University – even after one of the worst possible interview days (rain, broken luggage, missing coach, etc). I love travelling, but I’m always called back to Bristol, and it’s home now. My partner just moved down from Birmingham, and I’m showing him the ropes.

I’ve lived in Bedminster for four years now, and I love it. It’s got

just enough going on for me. I’m a bit of an introvert in many ways, so it’s the right mix of quiet, with a bunch of great local options for places to eat, drink, etc, and some lovely parks and woods close by.

Secret skills? I can eat obscene portions of food, and I can do backbend kickovers. I used to be very bendy and athletic, running, climbing, yoga-ing, but then Covid hit and I just made banana bread and ate it all day, so a lot of that skill’s gone.

Most regrettable habit: said

banana bread-eating.

In a parallel universe, I’d liked

o ave een a fil direc or a mix between Tarantino, Kubrick, Lynch, and 1980s horror B-Movies.

Immediately after answering these questions I’m gonna

eat pancakes, go to the Tobacco Factory market, then ride my Suzuki VanVan to a little painting job for East St Emporium. Seeya!

For more tozersigns.com