Bristol Life - Issue 330

ISSUE 330 / FEBRUARY 2023 / £3

EASY LIKE SUNDAY LUNCHTIME

YES, IT’S THAT OLD ‘BEST PLACE FOR A ROAST’ CHESTNUT AGAIN!

TWO - YES, TWO! - PROPERTY SHOWCASES

SNAP! THREE AMAZING PHOTOGRAPHY EXHIBITIONS YOU DON’T WANT TO MISS

ISSUE 330 / FEBRUARY 2023 / SNAP!

THE GUY BEHIND THE LENS SO, WHO IS THIS COLIN MOODY FELLA?

RAVE ON AVIAN BUILD A LITTLE BIRDHOUSE IN YOUR SOUL

ESTATE OF GRACE

BARROW COURT: A MAGICAL HISTORY TOUR

EDITOR’S LETTER

© FAYDIT PHOTOGR APHY

I

Roast def

42

OK, Veganuarians. You’ve had your fun. This month we’re going meaty, beefy, big and bouncy . . .

t’s been quite the month already. We’ve had mermaids in the harbour, giant sonic flowers at Quakers Friars, and mirrored monoliths at Temple Church – thanks for those, and all the other marvels, Bristol Light Fest. We’ve had the starriest names in British comedy at Slapstick, and a TARDIS landing in Clifton; guess Who was responsible for that one.

All in all, February has gone off with quite the bang.

At this time of year, presumably for the benefit of those lacking calendars, magazine editors tend to prattle on about spring being just around the corner. You don’t catch me out that way. If you want to make the universe laugh, tell it your plans; if you want it to do a complete U-turn and invoke the snow gods, try putting all your cheerful predictions about crocuses and daffodils poking up their shy little heads into print, then just wait and see what happens.

With this in mind we’ve played it safe for this issue by concentrating on indoorsy delights – specifically, those to be found in cosy Bristol galleries, where you can currently view no fewer than three outstanding photographic exhibitions.

Chilly days also require hearty, comforting food – which seamless link takes us to our big feature this issue. Sunday lunch: the very words sound like a hug. Choosing the best in Bristol was always going to be a challenge, but we hope we’ve included some of your favourites.

In every issue of Bristol Life we feature a standout home for sale, but as far as I can remember we’ve never had one quite as magical as Barrow Court, where every panel, cornice and pillar is imprinted with centuries of history. Plenty of homes come with dressing rooms and en-suites; this one has its own solar, mediaeval chapel and Jacobean staircase.

Back at you in three weeks, when the weather will be doing whatever it fancies doing,

DERI ROBINS Bristol Life editor Follow us on

@BristolLifeMag;

@BristolLifeMag

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

Issue 330 / February 2023 ON THE COVER How does relocating to Barrow Court sound to you?

See inside its hallowed halls on page 82

ARTS 13 14 22 26 30

ARTS INTRO A life well lived WHAT’S ON Intimations of the spring season ahead PHOTOGRAPHY: 1 The Parr pavilions PHOTOGRAPHY: 2 Artists in their lairs BRISTOL HEROES How to access your inner sparkle

X6

FOOD & DRINK

36 RESTAURANT On the waterfront 39 CAFÉ SOCIETY Will Stan ever run out of Bristol cafés to

discover? Hasn’t happened yet

42 SUNDAY LUNCH It’s not just about eating copious amounts

of meat. But yeah, it mostly is.

SHOPPING

50 ED’S CHOICE Build a little birdhouse, if not in your garden,

then in your soul

LIFESTYLE

55 HAIR & BEAUTY A new stylist at an old favourite

EDUCATION

56 SCHOOL REPORT Is Rishi right about the maths thing?

This, and other pressing issues, addressed by our local heads

BUSINESS

75 BRISTOLWORKS Sustainable city

PROPERTY

82 ESTATE OF GRACE A magical history tour 90 COLOUR THERAPY And now for something completely

different

REGULARS

30 26

6 SPOTLIGHT 9 BRIZZOGRAM 98 BRISTOL LIVES Colin Moody

Call us mono-manics, but we quite fancy the idea of running a whole photographic issue in black and white.

It’s unlikely to happen, to be honest. FROM TOP: Bemmie Lanterns by Colin Moody; Bristol Heroes, also by Colin Moody; Eileen Cooper RA, by Anne-Katrin Purkiss

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 Commercial manager Neil Snow neil.snow@mediaclash.co.uk Business development manager Craig Wallberg craig.wallberg@mediaclash.co.uk Business development 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, Carriage Court, 22 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.

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SPOTLIGHT

BEMMIE IS LIT n February, the Bemmie Lanterns – or the The Bedminster Winter Lantern Parade, as it likes to be known on formal occasions – returned to light up the streets of BS . It was the th outing for the non-profit community project, and the culmination of many months of work by the local schools, residents and businesses who build thousands of lanterns for the parade every year. Funds of around k always need to be raised, along with the organisation of volunteers and stewards.

Thousands of locals and visitors turned up to watch the lantern bearers march and dance down orth Street in the biggest street party of the year, celebrating the wonderful imagination and inclusivity of this most creative of Bristol ’hoods.

For more www.lanternparade.org

© ANDRE PAT TENDEN

Community

History

TAKE ME TO CHURCH

ive or take the occasional one-off event, Temple Church in Redcliffe has been closed to the public for over years. ow, after hosting the beautiful mirrored maze Continuum above during Bristol Light Festival, it’s set to reopen permanently this spring.

The church is so-called because of its links to the nights Templar, the mediaeval military order founded to protect pilgrims to the oly Land. Their unusual round th-century church was later replaced with a more spacious rectangular one; although this was all but destroyed by bombing during World War II, its leaning tower and walls survived.

It’s taken a m conservation project representing two years of work by nglish eritage to stabilise the fragile structure; there’s now a new roof for the vestry, and repairs have been made to the stained glass and many of the monuments.

The church will be free to enter every day from April.

For more www.english-heritage.org.uk

© COLIN MOODY

WHISTLE BLOWERS

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St Paul’s Carnival is set to return this summer with the theme ‘Learning from Legends’ – one that has particularly poignancy for Bristol’s African and Caribbean community following the recent death of Bristol Bus Boycott activist and Carnival forefather Roy Hackett.

It’s 60 years since Roy spearheaded a month-long boycott of the Bristol Omnibus Company, challenging its systemic racial discrimination in recruitment. His actions, and those of other fellow Bristolians, paved the way for the Race Relations Act of 1965.

Bristol University awarded Roy a posthumous doctorate in science at his funeral last year.

This year’s Carnival also marks the 75th anniversary of HMT Empire Windrush arriving in Britain, with traditional fringe events in the run-up to the fullon, day-long traditional street carnival on 1 July.

“We’re well underway with our planning for the return of Carnival after a three-year hiatus due to the pandemic,” says

the event’s executive director, LaToyah McAllister-Jones. “This year was always going to be a big one, but is all the more important as we celebrate the lives and contributions so many people have made to carnival. www.stpaulscarnival.net

SPOTLIGHT

BRIGHTNESS FALLS Mermaids in the Floating Harbour; Ophelia in her watery grave; giant sonic flowers; an ambient mirror maze – thanks for ten days of wonder, Bristol Light Festival!

@matthewpriceartist

@shonette_

@matthewpriceartist

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@shotawaydotcom

@aishling_jana

@kruggy01

@andrepattendenpersonal

@thiscitymum

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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

© GARRY FABIAN MILLER. COURTESY THE ARTIST AND INGLEBY GALLERY

A LIFE WELL LIVED

Garry Fabian Miller is regarded as one of the most inventive and original photographers of his generation. pening this month at Arnolfini is Adore, a major new exhibition which celebrates the lifetime’s work of this Bristol-born photographer, inviting viewers to explore a ‘camera-less’ practice that experiments with darkness and light, and weaves in work by the artists, writers and thinkers who have inspired Garry over the years. arry’s first solo e hibition was at Arnolfini in , when he was just years old.

From the beginning, his work displayed a deep a nity with nature; he is the most patient of photographers, returning to capture the same grove of hawthorn trees throughout the seasons, year after year. For Garry, the slowing of time has taken on – literally – a deep-rooted importance. The exhibition will also stretch beyond the galleries, with a celebratory festival of musicians, filmmakers, writers, poets and collaborators who have contributed to arry’s e traordinary practice, culminating in a programme of live events and activities designed to share his a rmation of a life well lived’.

Adore is at Arnolfini

February-

ay; admission is free. www.arnolfini.org.uk www.mediaclash.co.uk I BRISTOL LIFE I 13

WHAT’S 17 FebruaryON 9 March

EXHIBITIONS Until 25 February

KLEINER SHAMES: ACCUMULATE Kleiner has an innate desire to explore different techniques: playing the same song with different instruments’ is key to his evolving portfolio of work, which traces an e ploratory path from his early days of writing gra ti.

At That Art allery; thatartgallery.com

Until 9 April

A YEAR IN THE LIFE OF CHEW STOKE VILLAGE Photographs taken in by artin Parr; see page , At PF, martinparrfoundation.org

Until 29 May

WILDLIFE PHOTOGRAPHER OF THE YEAR The world’s best nature photography shows at Shed; bristolmuseums.org.uk

Until 5 March

18 February-21 May

TURNING POINT Four short films inspired by oral histories about the Black Caribbean e perience after World War I. At Bristol useum, bristolmuseums.org.uk

18 February-28 May

WE WERE EVERYWHERE World War e periences from prepartition India at Bristol useum Art allery, combining archival material with objects from the British mpire and Commonwealth Collection; bristolmuseums.org.uk

Until 12 March

BETWEEN WORK AND WINDOW Photographs of RWA Academicians

by Anne- atrin Purkiss; see page , rwa.org.uk

HOWARDENA PINDELL: A NEW LANGUAGE An e hibition surveying owardena’s si -decade career, from early abstract paintings to more political works; at Spike Island; spikeisland.org.uk GARRY FABIAN MILLER: ADORE ne of the most inventive and original photographers of his time; see p . Arnolfini; arnolfini.org.uk

SHOWS

Until 25 February

MY FAIR LADY o musical ever had a better-written

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They can’t run this fast any more. Well, two of them can’t run at all. A Hard Day’s Night at Slapstick Festival

book all that Shavian wit ; few had better tunes. one had better hats. ippodrome, atgtickets.com

17 February

MILO EDWARDS: VOICEMAIL ilo hasn’t had a voicemail in a while. e’d like to talk about that, and a lot of other things, at Alma Tavern, almatavernandtheatre.co.uk

17-18 February

EMILIA In , milia Bassano is the first woman to have her poetry published in ngland. For centuries, history has overlooked her in favour of her male contemporaries. But now, years later, comes organ Lloyd alcolm’s triple livier Award-winning comedy, now directed by Sally Cookson and performed by B TS students, at Circomedia; oldvic.ac.uk

18 February

THE DOLLY SHOW The U ’s best tribute show of the big-hearted Queen of Country; Redgrave, redgravetheatre.com SPARK 2023: LOVE BEYOND VALENTINE’S An e ploration of unconventional love in all its forms from SPAR , an

annual festival of new performance and art; TFT, tobaccofactorytheatres.com

19-20 February

CYCLES A play about identity, relationships and self-acceptance, at Alma Tavern; almatavernandtheatre.co.uk

22-24 February

THE WALL Can we remove the barriers that normally separate us Two performers from different continents meet live for the first time on screen. Two further performers are on stage in Bristol, interpreting their encounter. A real-time, unscripted conversation between people who can’t travel, due to borders and other barriers. At TFT, tobaccofactorytheatres.com

24-25 February

AN INDIAN ABROAD Stifled by life in middle-class India, rishnan visits the e otic isle of reat Britain to learn about life and who he is: Pariah han at The Wardrobe; thewardrobetheatre.com

24 February-4 March YOU BURY ME nly Cairo, eh

nly Cairo

WHAT’S ON will push you to your absolute limits and then suddenly… you’re in love. ou’re in love and you’re entangled and stuck. ow does this city do that Coming of age in the aftermath of the Arab Spring, six young Egyptians navigate friendship, loss and Grindr dates in the city that made them. A story about a place of exhaust fumes, drunken phone calls, first kisses, hysteria, sweat and laughter; at Bristol Old Vic, bristololdvic.org.uk

HELP! I THINK I’M A NATIONALIST The controversial comedy show about identity, second homes, xenophobia and bagpipes returns to Bristol Old Vic; bristololdvic.org.uk

1-4 March

TINK Tink was a big, brilliant young fairy until one day, in a tragic cliché, she began to shrink… A modern coming-of-age musical monologue about finding lost light. At TFT; tobaccofactorytheatres.com

25-26 February

FROM TOP: Float like a butterlfly: it’s Bourne’s Sleeping Beauty; He’s not the messiah, but he’s famously the nicest man in showbiz: Mike at Slapstick; “Only Cairo will push you to your absolute limits”: You Bury Me at BOV

5 March

MADE IN CHEKHOV Made in Chelsea meets Chekhov in an experiment into the limits of verbatim theatre and a full-hearted celebration of British trash TV; at TFT, tobaccofactorytheatres.com

COMING OUT OF MY CAGE (AND I’VE BEEN DOING JUST FINE) Mr Brightside hasn’t left the UK charts in years. ow did it end up like this? An interactive investigation with karaoke, lip-syncing, and absolute bangers. This What’s n entry is dedicated to our commercial manager eil. At The Wardrobe, thewardrobetheatre.com

28 February, 1 March

THE POETICAL LIFE OF PHILOMENA MCGUINNESS Probably the only comedic oneperson play about an Irish nurse struggling with poetic ambitions during World War I you’ll see in Bristol this month; Alma Tavern; almatavernandtheatre.co.uk

28 February-4 March

6-18 March

SLEEPING BEAUTY Be still our beating hearts: it’s the reawakening of Matthew Bourne’s fairytale. We’ll be wrestling our regular theatre critic amie Rees to the floor for tickets. ippodrome, atgtickets.com ELVIS IN BLUE HAWAII Not the Elvis, obviously, he’s still dead, but a new comedy from Spitz & Co, with their trademark mayhem and audience interaction. At The Wardrobe. thewardrobetheatre

1 March

THE GREATEST MAGICIAN: AN EVENING OF WONDERS James Phelan once tweeted the correct lottery numbers for a rollover of more than mill. ur question is, if he can do that, why is he still bothering to go on the road?

And how do we go about holding him at gunpoint until he reveals the next winning numbers? At Redgrave; redgravetheatre.com

1-3 March

A MIDSUMMER NIGHTS’ DREAM Shakespeare’s best-loved comedy becomes a macabre Edwardian fable in the hands of Bristol Old Vic Theatre School students, at Malcolm X Community Centre; oldvic.ac.uk

SISTER ACT The nuns are back, with their sparkling tribute to the power of friendship, sisterhood and the Motown sound; at Bristol ippodrome, atgtickets.com

COMEDY Ongoing

CLOSER EACH DAY The world’s longest-running improvised comedy soap continues to bubble frothily away at The Wardrobe; thewardrobetheatre.com

Until 19 February

SLAPSTICK FESTIVAL Silent comedy, mid-century musicals, classic TV and a load of starry talking heads; slapstick.org.uk

17 February

A CELEBRATION OF FATHER TED Wished The Banshees of Inisherin had had had, well, a few more laughs?* Try Joe Rooney’s event at Redgrave instead, with its screening of a classic episode, Q&A, sandwichmaking session, all-inclusive Lovely Girls Competition, dancing priests and a sing-along to My Lovely Horse.

We’re being disingenuous; we loved it, so . redgravetheatre.com

18 February

DALISO CHAPONDA The Britain’s Got Talent finalist shows

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WHAT’S ON CLOCKWISE: Coming over here, making us laugh: Montana man Rich Hall; watch Sherlock’s bestman speech for Watson at the very place it was filmed (that’s The Orangery) at Bristol Film Fest; The Nova Twins; just like the Cocteaus and Thompsons, they’re not twins at all

us his comedy chops at the Hen & Chicken; henandchicken.com WILL DUGGAN: ICEBERG One of comedy’s funniest and grumpiest rising stars brings his acclaimed schtick to The Wardrobe; thewardrobetheatre.com

19 February

URZILA CARLSON: IT’S PERSONAL A show about keeping your cards close to your chest while walking around naked. Can we have it all?

Yes, but also bloody no, but also it’s none of your business, because it’s personal... At the Hen & Chicken, henandchicken.com

23 February

ESHAAN AKBAR: THE PRETENDER We’re all pretending we know what we’re doing. We don’t. And it’s about time we all had a proper laugh about it, reckons Eshaan. At Hen & Chicken, henandchicken.com

25 February

RIA LINA The only Filipina comedian in British stand-up, Rina has a BSc in experimental pathology, an MSc in forensic science and a PhD in virology. She knows how people tick. Hen and Chicken, henandchicken.com

2 March

RICH HALL: SHOT FROM CANNONS Your favourite Montana stand-up returns with new rants, cuttingedge observations, thrilling musical interludes and a formidable knack for laughs. You’ll pay for the whole seat, but you’ll only need the edge of it. Redgrave; redgravetheatre.com

3 March

JACOB HAWLEY: BUMP Men will do a 55-minute show about identity, social class and drinking olive oil, instead of going to therapy. Wide-boy Jacob Hawley considers whether ample mental health is an exclusively middle-class pursuit, if he’s finally graduated from drugs to antipasti and, all considered, if he’s ready to be a father. Hen and Chicken, henandchicken.com DANE BAPTISTE The London-born stand-up was the first black British act nominated for a comedy award at Edinburgh.

We just YouTubed him, and he made us laugh a lot. At the Hen and Chicken, henandchicken.com

4 March

ALISON SPITTLE: WET Alison loves to do star jumps in the water. She also likes to watch people fight in chip shops. er two worlds collide as a fight breaks out in aquaaerobics, and she’s never felt so alive... At Tobacco Factory Theatres, tobaccofactorytheatres.com

5 March

TROY HAWKE: SIGMUND TROY’S! Fresh from proving decisive links between IKEA, the CIA and the Nazis, 1930s throwback investigator Troy Hawke returns to battle a new enemy on behalf of all people everywhere… the bastard saboteur in his own mind… At Tobacco Factory Theatres; tobaccofactorytheatres.com

7-8 March

RYAN LANE WILL BE THERE NOW IN A MINUTE A new character/clown comedy exploring what it means to understand Welsh and Queer identity, featuring wigs, waterproofs and witches. There’s lovely! At The Wardrobe; thewardrobetheatre.com

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MUSIC

17-18 February

HIGHRISE: 20 YEARS OF EXIT RECORDS The legendary Exit Records is celebrating 20 years of cutting-edge sonics this year, and Trinity Centre is proud to be hosting its Bristol show. Trinity; trinitybristol.org.uk

18 February

THE NOVA TWINS Thompson, Cocteau, Nova: you really can’t go wrong with a band with Twins in it name. Catch the zeitgeist-capturing, polymath pioneers at Trinity Centre; trinitybristol.org.uk

28 February

THE GIGSPANNER BAND A unique force in British folk music, whose virtuosic performances appeal both to traditionalists and those looking for something more experimental; they’re on at The Redgrave; redgravetheatre.com

1 March

DARK SIDE OF THE MOON Celebrating the 50th anniversary of the Pink Floyd prog-rock classic, Bristol Ensemble perform a chamber orchestral version at St George’s; stgeorgesbristol.co.uk

2 March

COURTNEY MARIE ANDREWS Layered, futuristic sounds and tender advice from the Phoenix girl, at Trinity; trinitybristol.org.uk

5 March

ELIZA Signed at age 17, this London pop princess went Platinum with her debut album. Lately she’s showcased a smoky R&B vibe with jazzy beats and blurry vocals; at Trinity Centre; trinitybristol.org.uk

OTHER

Ongoing

BRISTOL FILM FESTIVAL The year-round fest with the something-for-everyone remit screens at various venues; ri olfil i al. o

19 February

BRISTOL ROCK’ROLL WALKING TOUR et fit, learn musical trivia to entrance your friends: a guided walk around Bristol’s legendary venues past and present with stories of the famous acts who played them. Find them on Facebook. ■

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THE PARR PAVILIONS Cricket on the green; home-made jam; summer fêtes, and pints down the pub: Martin Parr’s A Year in Chew Stoke captures the very quintessence of English village life in the early 1990s

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D

PHOTOGRAPHY

uring his long and distinguished career, Martin Parr has turned his camera lens on everything from food to sport, the English weather, household décor, car ownership, stale relationships, global tourism and consumerism. It would be quicker to list the aspects of modern life which haven’t come under his scrutiny.

Internationally renowned as one of the foremost photojournalists and visual chroniclers of our times, his work takes an intimate, satirical and anthropological look at the world, zeroing in on communities and locations as disparate as kiss-me-quick English seaside resorts, rural Ireland and the Tokyo subway.

Martin, in his own words, makes “serious photographs disguised as entertainment”. His images are accessible, but there’s always a subtext you can take or leave, whether he’s shining a light on the way we live, how we appear to others or the things we value, allowing us, the viewer, to perceive things that have always seemed familiar in a completely new way.

Luckily for us, he’s lived in Bristol since the late 1980s. In 2017 he opened the Martin Parr Foundation at Paintworks, offering an invaluable resource for local and national photographers.

The gallery stages a changing programme of exhibitions by both emerging and renowned photographers, and currently running is an exhibition of Martin’s own work: the 1992 project A Year in Chew Stoke.

Martin spent a year photographing Chew Stoke for The Telegraph magazine, which featured the images over 16 pages with an exhibition at the village hall. Although there’s a book available, the vast majority of the photographs remain unpublished; this exhibition draws upon the

“Martin makes ‘serious photographs disguised as entertainment’”

Village life: it’s not just an idyll of fêtes, homemade jam and roses round the door

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

PHOTOGRAPHY

extensive archive prints and contact sheets made during a golden era of magazine commissioning, to show the story behind the story.

The project proved to be the perfect subject matter for a photographer who loves to e plore the difference between the mythology of a place and its reality. Throughout the year, Martin made frequent visits to the village, often accompanied by journalist Robert Chesshyre. Chew Stoke had been chosen not only due to its proximity to artin’s home, but because it offered a quintessence of nglish village life, with a shop, village hall, pub, post o ce, church and schools: the key establishments round which village life rotates.

Over time, Martin and Robert formed relationships with the villagers, who extended invitations to cricket matches, weddings, Christmas plays and community events. In addition to these formal gatherings, artin captured the uno cial details and rhythms of village life: the milk deliveries, school drop-offs, gardening, keep-fit classes, cups of tea, pints in the pub, jars of homemade lemon curd, and jumble sales.

At the time, tensions were becoming apparent in the village due to an influ of newcomers commuting to Bristol, and high house prices forcing some villagers out. Collectively, the images provide an insight to both the individuals and the delicate social structures of Chew Stoke.

“The village has a cherished place in most nglish hearts, says Robert. “Research shows that seven out of ten Britons would live in the country if they could. We carry a warm mental picture: timeless, unspoilt, sunlit; roses at the cottage door; cricket on the green; a stream flowing through frosted fields; lingering evenings in a village pub; carols in a country church.

But there is an alternative image; of young people forced to leave because scarce housing has been taken by commuters and the retired; of failed village shops and non-e istent buses; of isolation and the wagging of gossips’ tongues... Which of these notions does the modern village match?

Between Chew Stoke and Bristol rises Dundry ill, over ft high and as total a barrier between town and country as there can be in Britain. Throughout , artin and I crossed that frontier regularly.

This is our report from the other side.

As artin e plains, his bigger project during his -year career has been documenting life in the UK, particularly how people go about their leisure pursuits. Chew Stoke fits into that. To look at what’s going on in one village, and photograph it quite carefully and intensely.

“Such an important part of this project is its associated archive, which is held in the Martin Parr Foundation as part of my legacy.

When founding this centre for British photography, part of its aim was to preserve and display important archive materials from a variety of photographers, as this is often just as interesting – sometimes more so – than the widely published work. ■

“Collectively, the images provide an insight into both the individuals and the delicate social structure of the village”

A Year In The Life Of Chew Stoke Village by Martin Parr runs until 9 April at Martin Parr Foundation, Paintworks www. martinparrfoundation.org

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PHOTOGRAPHY

PORTRAIT OF THE ARTIST

I

Currently running at RWA, an intriguing new exhibition is sure to fascinate fans both of art or photography – and it’s unmissable for those who love both

n Between Work and Window, a collection of portraits of Royal West of England Academicians, photographer Anne-Katrin Purkiss set out to capture notable British artists in their lairs.

The project began over 30 years ago, with photographs of the artists being commissioned for press and news agencies. It’s been continued by Anne-Katrin, largely out of personal interest, but also from commissions from art galleries and publishers.The images are more than just a snapshot of artists in their working habitat; they also document social change, as well as reflcting new practices and approaches to using studio space.

The 35 photographs for this exhibition have been selected to illustrate these developments.

A third of the portraits were taken specifically for the show during the past year, and range from photos of long-standing Academicians to another generation of artists from different cultural and social backgrounds, working with new media and in less conventional spaces.

The term ‘between work and window’ describes both the place of an artist in their studio and the photographer’s place for recording a moment during a studio visit. It refers also to the metaphorical space between the outside world and the artists’ way of seeing and interpreting it. ■

Between Work and Window runs at RWA until 12 March 2023; entrance is free For more www.rwa.org.uk A photobook of the photographs which make up this exhibition is available to buy on a print-on-demand basis from www.blurb.co.uk.

ABOVE: Dorcas Casey; BELOW: Luke Jerram

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“The images are more than just a snapshot of artists in their habitat; they also document social change”

CLOCKWISE FROM TOP LEFT: Seyed Edalatpour; Sir Frank Bowling; Tim Shaw; Ken Howard

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

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

• Round-the-clock nursing staff, with femaleonly team available on request • Ultimate in luxury and comfortable surroundings for the perfect post-operative overnight stay – a home from home experience • A variety of restaurant options and comfortable hotel accommodation facilities for your family and visitors within walking distance • Free onsite parking Come and see why we are different and contact us for a consultation. ■ The Senior Management Team

YOUR TREATMENT, OUR SPECIALITY

Whether you are visiting us for cosmetic surgery, a routine operation or medical treatment, our facilities are designed to make your entire journey smooth, safe, relaxed, and comfortable.

AT NORTH BRISTOL PRIVATE HOSPITAL, WE PROMISE:

• Meticulously trained administrative and front of house staff • Exceptional management staff who take pride in making your treatment journey as smooth and enjoyable as possible • Friendly specialist consultation provided in the privacy of comfortable chaperoned consultation rooms • Excellent and spacious operating theatres and treatment rooms

150 Aztec West, Bristol, BS32 4UB; www.northbristolprivatehospital.co.uk; info@NBPH.co.uk;

OPENING OFFER

The North Bristol Private Hospital is offering an introductory opening promotion to the first 20 patients who contact us for a free 15-minute mini-cosmetic consultation with our expert patient advisor. To book your free consultation appointment, please email us at info@NBPH.co.uk quoting ‘Bristol Life Magazine’ offer.

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THERE’S SOMETHING INSIDE SO STRONG All you have to do is locate your inner sparkle…

Words and pics by Colin Moody

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

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H

BRISTOL HEROES

ave you found your new-year sparkle yet? Did you look down the back of the sofa? No? Here’s a mad idea out of left field; take a peek inside, past the memory of digested Christmas leftovers and find that magic. as to come from you. But just in case you needed some fun and inspiring moments I’ve selected eight heroes who have, or are about to, send some out-there shimmering. sparkling energy your way soon. So come on, Superman; put down that last atchmaker and let’s get to it

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Throwing it back a bit, to the first image from my lens to appear on a cover of Bristol Life magazine. I remember this encounter like it was yesterday. A cold anuary morning, and some wisdom.

I’ve been feeding these birds for years. This one here is young, you can still see some of the darker colour feathers there, and that’s mum and dad, but they let me feed the youngster, because they remembered how I was with them.

Slow sparkle here. ore of a life mantra rather than a quick-fi from a self-help book moment. Don’t ask how I got the shot; it could have gone sooooo wrong.

2

ero has to be the guy on the right here. At Strange Brew he came for ahn, on the left, and rode every dubstep soundwave like fuzzy felt on a bass speaker. Tuned in and rocking out, and as close to the lineup as you can get without being sat ne t to them on the private jet.

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3

I wear pink; it makes the boys wink.

She says.

But hurry up if you want a picture.

There’s the thing; too busy to stop, and hair flair at ma . egative energy never had a chance here, did it I was out for a walk in Broadmead, and she came round the corner, and it was like the sun came up. ever just dress for the mall; dress for the ball.

Sparkle hero just took it to .

4 4

Throw those curtains wide; it’s looking like a beautiful day.

St Paul’s, and the day is afoot.

Do yourself a favour. Push that window open as far as it can go, and learn to fly.

5

; bit of a warning, now. February can be the kind of month that sidles up to you when you are feeling less than perky, a bit low. It can slink an arm around you and lead you down some dark alleys.

I’m leaving this hole to infinite darkness here to remind you all to watch out for this. Turn around if this is your way ahead; call a friend; silence kills. If you can’t find your sparkle, it’s . We got this. Whether it’s Talk Club or just a te t to a friend to check in, we got this. ot all massive holes to infinite voids are conveniently barricaded away from unwary new year wanderers, so be careful out there.

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www.mediaclash.co.uk I BRISTOL LIFE I 31

BRISTOL HEROES 6

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6

Slink into the new season. That’s maybe how you sparkle. This was at Upfest a few years back. And since attending my first one a decade or more ago, I soon learned that while dance, music, gra ti and art may all have their own tribes, they intersect like a supercharged highway junction, and it was here I first found the sparkle of these energies in flow. o, e perience it for yourself. This is the moment before the killer dance moves, and who knows It could be you ne t year.

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ou don’t have to be big to give out a lot of good vibes. orph here, meeting the press back in the day at Watershed.

I love how he pops up at the hand of his creator all over the city, often in reaction to some major sports event or cultural moment.

Reminds me to always listen to the inner child, to keep my sparkle, and resist the temptation to be normal.

8

There are differing opinions on the whole wear a themed outfit to a festival’; back in the day, it was your own style you took to the field. I do find it rich pickings when people clearly take time to craft some kind of style.

It’s inner energy manifesting on the outside; the caterpillar is now on wing, but while mates from the free party scene lament the hipster invasion it all needs documenting.

So there are eight sparkle heroes for you. Well, seven, and a bit of health and safety advice.

Take care out there.

Colin Moody; content creation, online images Twitter @moodycolin; Instagram @colinmoodyphotography colinmoodyphotography.wordpress.com

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

an u i gra i an ar all have their own tribes, and they intersect like a supercharged highway junction”

HARBOUR HOUSE

It’s safe to go back to the water since this prime Harbourside spot received a lease of new life

By Deri Robins

I

RESTAURANT

’d last set foot in the joint formerly known as Severnshed in rugs and greenery. Tall ceilings create the happy kind of acoustics which 2003. I know this, because while I often struggle to remember soak up the chatter below and bounce it back in an agreeable hubbub. my own children’s ages, I can pinpoint an old feature in Bristol The Grade-II space was originally built as a boat shed by Brunel, Life in a nanosecond. It’s a kind of superpower. The review who couldn’t have designed an inelegant structure if he’d tried. He’s ran in issue 22, in the unlikely event that you care. honoured at Harbour House with the Brunel’s Favourite cocktail; as if Although Severnshed enjoyed a few years in the culinary to pre-empt any quibbling over whether IKB’s tipple of choice after a sun, by the time we visited its reputation had begun to slip. We hard day’s bridge-designing was, indeed, rum and Bristol cream sherry, were served a serviceable but rather forgettable meal, soaked up a few it comes firmly garnished with a small top hat. Though tempted by the rays out on the terrace, and left thinking, “killer spot, beautiful building, novelty of this, I defaulted to my usual margarita. I’ll know that I’ve nice people; pity the food’s not more exciting”. made it if I ever walk into a Bristol restaurant and am presented with The next time it bleeped on our radar was during the Great one of these without being asked. Harbour House’s are impeccable.

Camembert Mark-up Scandal of 2018, when a guest took to social We went with coastal flavours all the way. Three fat smoked haddock media to complain that his £13 cheesy starter had arrived in its original kedgeree arancini were crispy, nicely flavoured and unstodgy; they may Asda box, clearly marked £1.15. David Mitchell ROFLed at length not have been the most exciting we’ve ever had, but we loved the mildly about it in The Guardian. After sacking the chef, Severnshed carried on for curried, retro-style Coronation dip. We also had scallops – just a couple, a bit, but eventually threw in the napkin just before the first lockdown. but huge, meaty beasts, with lavish amounts of buttery coral, the subtle New owners took over in the summer of flavour in no way overawed by the chilli 2020, rechristening the restaurant Harbour butter dressing and diced chorizo .

DINING DETAILS House. Just as Severnshed had begun My dish of the night was a generous bowl Harbour House, The Grove, BS1 4RB promisingly, with a head chef of River of seafood linguine. Apparently, portion0117 925 1212; www.hhbristol.com Cottage provenance, so Harbour House cutting is a thing in many strapped-for-cash Opening hours Tuesday-Saturday: midday-11pm; kicked off in style under Ross ibbens, whom restaurants, but Harbour House doesn’t seem Sunday: midday to 10pm you may remember from the shortlived but to have received the memo. The pasta came We visited Tuesday evening excellent Wellbourne. Ross has since moved tangled with mussels, crab and prawns in an Prices Starters £4-£10; mains £15-£22; puds £5-£7.5 on, but he’s left Harbour House with a good, indulgently rich bisque whose flavour zapped Drinks Good choice local beers and ciders, international solid menu which at first glance suggests the us momentarily to the seafront at St Mawes. wine list, classic and signature cocktails and huge gin list offering at one of the better gastropubs or It’s often said that fish is a good test of a brasseries, but on closer inspection reveals kitchen’s prowess; certainly, while we cook Atmosphere Buzzy, relaxed an interestingly pescatarian bent; while there salmon all the time at home, we’ve never Service Very on-it and charming are plenty of meaty options, there’s a whole approached the silky perfection of the one Children Both menu and atmosphere ideal for families section dedicated to South West seafood. served to Your Man at Harbour House. It We visited during Bristol Light Festival, came with a suitably wintry accompaniment popping into St ary Redcliffe en route to admire phelia in her of butternut squash roulade and a very good emulsion of mushroom watery grave. We’d considered coming for lunch; the waterfront view and cavolo nero. guarantees an endless diversion of things sculling back and forth, not We were having far too nice a time not to eke the evening out with to mention the potential thrill of seeing somebody fall off their SUP. pudding, so we shared Harbour House’s fresh mango take on Eton We’ve never once seen this happen, by the way. Either those things are a mess, served old-school in a nice little retro glass with one chunk of doddle to paddle, or Bristolians have exceptional balance. meringue cleverly propped up to resemble a wafer. Well, I say ‘share’...

On the other hand, it seemed the ideal place to kick back with several Prices are sensible, the vibe is buzzy, the staff are lovely, and in cocktails; an indulgence I’m no longer young or louche enough to short, Harbour House everything you could hope for from a dining contemplate in the middle of the working day. An evening visit it was. experience, whether you’re in a big group or tucked into a cosy corner The initial welcome always sets the tone, and after being led to à deux. The food is uniformly excellent; the kitchen isn’t seeking our table by the excellent Justyna, we were primed to like Harbour to reinvent the culinary wheel, but it doesn’t need to; sometimes House very much. From the comfort of our padded club-lounge-style absolutely fine’ is, well, absolutely fine. As long as they remember to armchairs we peeped through a potted palm at the room, admiring the take the price off the camembert before serving, arbour ouse seems way that the industrial rafters and stripped-back wood were softened by destined for a long and happy stint down at the boat shed. ■

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

CAFÉ SOCIETY STAN CULLIMORE

A grand day out What’s needed in the maudlin, moody days of winter is a brisk walk – followed by coffee and cake...

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utumn may well be a time of mists and mellow fruitfulness, true enough.

But right now, as I type, we’re in the wet wilds of winter, a time of maudlin moodiness and indoor chilliness here at Caf Society Q , with sunshine, warmth and affordable central heating nought but long distant memories from a gala y far, far away.

Recently, the o ce boy and I were watching the thermometer

“Even in the depths of the big chill, we had to earn our treats the old fashioned way”

dip, listening to the soft sound of our teeth chattering, breath condensing, claws scrabbling on icicles when a thought occurred. aybe, just maybe, it was time for an o ce outing. A fact-finding mission. A jaunt to check out one of these lovely new caf s which have been pinging up round town like snowdrops in spring. ight even get warm whilst we were about it. uzzah Incidentally, I should probably stress here that the abovementioned claws don’t belong to me, or the o ce boy; they belong to Pickles, the part- time o ce pooch who helps us with research.

Long story short, we decided to make our way to Agno Caf Deli, a coffee shop which has recently arrived on Whiteladies Road, opposite Clifton Down shopping centre. f course, we couldn’t just slip along and go for coffee and cake; oh, no. That would be greedy. ery much so. ven in the depths of the big chill, we had to earn our treats the old fashioned way. Things always taste better that way, especially cake.

After piling on enough warm clothing to swaddle a paddle of platypuses, the three of us set off for a stroll among the leafy lanes and treelined avenues of Clifton.

In particular we were heading for the posher parts and their environs, hoping that maybe they

could afford non-central heating.

The sort that might spill onto the streets. After an hour or so, we decided enough was enough, and headed to the caf .

We walked in through something that looked a lot like an automatic sliding door, but wasn’t.

Then found ourselves in front of a glowing head-height screen with a menu on it. I presumed this was where you ordered food and drink, but it wasn’t. Luckily, the people standing behind the counter looked lovely and friendly, and they very much were.

They welcomed us in with our small dog, and didn’t even mind when we got all over-e cited by the selection of enormous and gorgeous-looking baked cakey treats on offer.

The o ce boy went for a square of carrot cake big enough to feed a family of four while I went for a slice of marble cake that would have stopped a lesser man with a smaller appetite, in his tracks. But thankfully, a couple of hours in the cold had given us appetites more terrific than a lion in a tutu. ven Pickles got in on the act, sna ing a few crumbs to keep herself smiling.

All in all, a good day out. ■ Former Housemartins guitarist Stan is now a journalist and travel writer www.stancullimore.com

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

SPONSORED CONTENT

JAM SESSIONS

Award-winning jam company SINGLE VARIETY CO has made its new home in Bristol

N

icola Elliott founded Single Variety Co from her kitchen table in her one-bed-flat almost seven years ago. Having previously worked for food and retail giants Sainsburys, Selfridges and Waitrose, Nicola felt she was equipped with the knowledge and experience to pursue her passion to run her own food business. The idea of jam came from a holiday to Sri Lanka where she tasted the most amazing passionfruit and mango jam in a tiny boutique hotel on the beach. That was the moment she decided to take the plunge and start making jam herself.

AMALFI LEMON MARMALADE “We hand-slice fresh Amalfi lemons for this special marmalade.

They’re large, very fragrant, a little sweet and a little sour – resulting in an absolutely delicious marmalade.”

In 2016 in south west London, Nicola started selling at farmers markets alongside her 9-5 job.

The reaction was fantastic, with Single Variety Co gaining regular customers very quickly and local shops requesting to stock the jams.

Fast-forward two years past the dingy rented kitchen spaces, unreliable staff, and doing everything on a very small scale; In 2018 Nicola took the very difficult decision to outsource production and distribution. The business grew rapidly over the next two years to the next significant milestone in 2020. She sold out of jam on Black Friday with the rest of the weekend still to come. Single Variety Co had outgrown the producer and the distributor.

Nicola and husband, Ross had just had a baby boy and were already Bristol-bound, when Nicola said ‘shall we open our own jam factory?!’

At that point Ross came on board and they set up family and work life in Bristol. They now have a fantastic team of six full time staff and are immensely proud to prep, cook, jar, lid and label every single jar from their jam factory in Warmley.

You can find their jams in Papadeli, Two Belly, Hugo’s Greengrocer, Dave Giles butchers, Pizzarova, Pinkmans and The Rodney Hotel to name just a few. Their chilli jams are also available for foodservice through Arthur David.

JALAPENO JAM “This has been oh-so-popular since launching it on day one back in 2016. Packed full of the good stuff with no tomato, pepper or onion to bulk it out – this chilli jam looks, smells and tastes like a jalapeno. As it should do, right?

Fantastic with meats, cheese, burgers and pizza.”

What makes their jams so special?

Single Variety Co are experts at making seriously delicious fruit preserves and chilli jams. They seek out the tastiest variety for each flavour and then cook quickly to preserve the freshest flavour. They have won multiple Great Taste and Taste of the West awards and have hundreds of five-star reviews online. ■

Single Variety Co is an award-winning jam company based in Warmley.

Shop online at www.singlevariety.co.uk Call 0117 452 5303.

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

EASY LIKE LUNCHTIME

What do we want? Lunch!

When do we want it? Sunday!

Where do we want it?

The choice is wide, varied and exciting…

Words by Deri Robins

SUNDAY LUNCH GRAIN BARGE

Say what? Moor is more: why eat Sunday lunch on dry land when you

could be on a boat?

What’s so great about Sunday lunch, anyway? “When else is

there an opportunity to eat delicious roast potatoes drowned in gravy, cauliflower baked to perfection in cheese sauce and all of the other tasty trimmings, washed down with a pint, glass of wine or a Bloody Mary?”

And what makes YOUR Sunday lunch special?

“We serve sustainable seafood, veggie and vegan roasts, and we promise you meat-eaters that you won’t miss the beef…”

Tempt us with something on the current menu…

“Our nut roast is pretty special. Our salmon en croute is served with seasonal greens, root veg mash and lemon butter sauce. And you can’t leave without having our sticky milkstout pudding…”

Chef, what ingredient are you excited about at the moment?

“I’m super-excited that wild garlic season is almost upon us. There’s so much you can do with it; it makes food such a beautiful vibrant green and it grows free in many local areas, so it’s natural and sustainable when picked correctly. I also love the purple-sprouting broccoli from our own Five Acre Farm. It’s so versatile, and can be prepared in lots of different ways – roasted with other veg, or just charred with some pan-fried fish.

Can we bring the dog? es We’re a dog-friendly barge, and we absolutely love meeting your pups.” www.grainbarge.com ABOVE: Grain Barge: you won’t miss the meat, honest

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RIGHT: Bar 44: roasts or tapas, take your pick

re there two more enticing words in the English language than ‘Sunday lunch?’ (Other than Bristol Life, we mean?)

Excellent words in their own right, but it’s when you put them together that the magic happens.

For Saturday-night ravers, it’s the perfect hangover cure. For the family cook, it’s a welcome break from the kitchen. And while for many of us the main lure is an excuse to devour hilariously vast slabs of roasted meats, here in vegan-capital-of-the-world (probably) Bristol we expect a decent plant-based selection on the menu, too.

Below, by popular consensus, are some of the best places for the Sunday lunch of dreams…

BAR 44

Say what? One of the city’s best tapas restaurants; on Regent Street What’s so great about Sunday lunch, anyway? “We love a lazy

Sunday at Bar 44, and Clifton has the perfect vibe for that. Get up late, go for a wander around the village, and then pop in to see us for a late, leisurely home-cooked Sunday roast with friends or family.”

What makes YOUR Sunday lunch special?

“It’s a sharing Sunday roast with a Spanish twist. Everything is homemade by head chef Dan and the team on site – and we don’t just do a roast, tapas are available too.”

Tempt us with something off the current menu…

For the roast: wonderfully huge fluffy orkshire puddings with chorizo; crispy roasties in duck fat with garlic and thyme; cauliflower cheese with Manchego, and lashings of homemade gravy. Horseradish alioli finishes off the -day dry-aged ereford beef, and burnt apple sauce is perfect with the overnight roast Duroc pork belly. From the tapas menu: shellfish bisque, braised bomba rice, scallop and tarragon alioli.

What ingredient is chef excited about at the moment?

“Celeriac is bang in season, and is often underrated or only seen as a purée. We have a delicious tapas dish on at the moment – roast celeriac carpaccio with sherry-sautéed girolles and walnut herb dressing. We also feature celeriac in our vegetarian Sunday roast.”

Can we bring the dog? “Not inside, but for sunny days we have a few pavement tables where dogs are very welcome.” www.grupo44.co.uk/bar44

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

SUNDAY LUNCH HARBOUR HOUSE

Say what? Open from lunch to late, this is the latest restaurant at the

former Brunel boat house at The Grove. More on page 36.

What’s so great about Sunday lunch, anyway? “It’s the perfect

meal for any occasion, from a family gathering to a catch-up with friends or even a hangover cure. And you can’t go wrong with lashings of gravy and Yorkshire puddings...”

And what makes YOUR Sunday lunch special?

“Our local Gloucester butcher Ben Creese supplies us with some amazing cuts of meat. And unlike many places, we serve our cauliflower cheese with all roasts at no e tra charge.

Tempt us with something on the current menu…

“It has to be the 28-day aged Hereford beef rump with all the trimmings. Traditional is always the best.”

What seasonal ingredient is chef excited about at the moment?

“Squash. We use a variety throughout the menu, and it’s so versatile; roasted, mashed, fried. It always delivers on flavour.

Can we bring the dog?

“They’re welcome any day of the week. They get their own Harbour House bowl to drink from, and plenty of fuss from our team.” www.hhbristol.com

THE KENSINGTON ARMS

Say what? Since the ‘Pony & Trap’ evolved from a traditional

gastropub into the ‘Pony Chew Valley’, The Kenny in Redland is the only remaining pub in Josh and Holly Eggleton’s portfolio, making it even more special than before (though to be fair, it’s always been pretty special).

What’s so great about Sunday lunch, anyway?

“It’s the best meal for a gathering of friends and family in a proper local pub.”

And what makes YOUR Sunday lunch special?

“Our Sunday lunch is a week-long process; if we can make it ourselves, we will, using the best farm vegetables from Hugo’s greengrocer in Bedminster to our pasture-fed organic reared meat selection from the Chew Valley, and the three-day stocks for our famous gravy.”

Tempt us with something on the current menu…

We have a lovely fish special on at the moment of Cornish hake, with Dorset nduja sausage and a velouté of blood orange, caper and tarragon, alongside our usual Sunday offerings.

What seasonal ingredient is chef excited about at the moment?

“Calcot onions are bang in season now. Also blood oranges are in full swing, making excellent parings for desserts and salads alike.”

Can we bring the dog?

“Of course!” www.thekensingtonarms.co.uk

THE OX

Say what? The Hyde & Co group’s fabulously atmospheric steak

house and cocktail bar, within a former bank vault on Corn Street.

Why is Sunday lunch the best meal of the day?

“If there’s one time to really indulge it’s Sunday, and The Ox brings indulgence in spades, with a top notch selection of wines and expertly made cocktails.”

And what makes YOUR Sunday lunch special?

“As the name suggests, The Ox team are specialists when it comes to meat, so no surprise that beef is what they do best, served up with all of the trimmings (we’re talking Yorkshire puddings with all meats).”

Tempt us with something on the current menu…

“If you’re looking to pull out all the stops you can’t go wrong with our sharing roasts. Choose from charcoal-roasted 10oz beef sirloin and porchetta, served with roasted bone marrow with onions and parmesan; or go all out with a 30oz T-bone/bone in rib of beef, all served with roast potatoes, roast carrots, braised red cabbage, leeks and greens, orkshire pud and cauliflower cheese.

What seasonal ingredient is chef excited about at the moment?

“The Ox’s roasts change seasonally, showcasing some outstanding seasonal fish and vegetarian options alongside the more meaty mains.

Can we bring the dog? “Sadly not – all that meat would just be too much of a temptation...” www.theoxbristol.com

PIEMINISTER

Say what? You know what they say: everything tastes better when it’s in a pie. Head for the original branch in Strokes Croft, or Broad Quay in the city centre.

What’s so great about Sunday lunch, anyway?

“Sunday is a day when most people have time to relax, and can sit down with friends and family and catch up over a long leisurely feast.”

And what makes YOUR Sunday lunch special?

“There are so many components to a good Sunday roast, and our piebased version is no different in that respect; whether you opt for meat, veggie, plant-based or gluten free, it involves lots of different delicious roasted crunchy things and gallons of gravy to pour over it all.”

Tempt us with something on the current menu…

“It has to be our new Tikka to Ride pie. It’s a free-range British chicken curry pie, so you’re combining two of the greatest culinary inventions ever – a roast and a chicken tikka curry!”

The Ox: come for the beef, stay for the cocktails. Or vice-versa

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

What seasonal ingredient is chef excited about at the moment?

“Sunday lunch is a tradition going way back – we all have memories of family roasts”

The Star and Dove:- pre- or post-prandial walks in Vicky Park advisable but by no means essential (no-one will know)

Pasture: the vegan option. Just kidding!

In fact, they do an excellent nut roast

“We’re revitalising the carvery. Everything was a good idea at some point, right?” rhubarb and bay leaf custard, very wobbly trifle’. elly just set, thick custard, even thicker cream, finished with hundreds and thousands. If you want to try something e tra fancy with rhubarb, try juicing it and dressing some raw scallops. Delicious.

Can we bring the dog?

“It’s more a seasonal pie – our Moolin Rouge, which is back for the last throes of winter. It’s a rich, warming bourguignon pie, filled with British beef, free-range British bacon and red wine.

Can we bring the dog?

f course you can www.pieminister.co.uk

THE PONY CHEW VALLEY

Say what? One of the most intriguing reinventions in recent years has seen super-siblings osh and olly ggleton reopening their ichelinstarred Pony Trap as the Pony Chew alley, with new menu concepts as well as a completely new look both inside and out.

What’s so great about Sunday lunch, anyway?

“Because it’s Sunday lunch. It’s about the most British thing I can think of. reat meat, great roasties, a load of veg, all wrapped into one.

And what makes YOUR Sunday lunch special?

We’re revitalising the carvery. verything was a good idea at some point, right We want to get our chefs in front of the guests and open the conversation about each element of the roast. Which meat, and why plain the cooking process; do you want e tra crackling Bringing that personalisation back to the Sunday roast.

Tempt us with something on the current menu…

The star of the show is always our freshly carved-to-order meat, but the Bristol Beer Factory sticky toffee pudding is pretty gorgeous.

What seasonal ingredient are you excited about at the moment?

“Rhubarb. Bang in season. At the moment we’re getting our favourite forced orkshire rhubarb. We’ve brought it to our menu with a classic

es, but only if you sit in the bar. www.theponychewvalley.co.uk

STAR AND DOVE

Say what? The Star has been quietly serving some of the best food in Bristol over the past few years – and it’s not just the Totterdown locals who rave about the Sunday roasts What’s so great about Sunday lunch, anyway?

It’s the one meal of the week the whole family looks forward to, and the only meal you base your whole day around. It’s an institution and a tradition going way back – we all have memories of Sunday roasts.

And what makes YOUR Sunday lunch special?

We put a lot of thought and care in to each individual component that makes it to your plate. veryone has their favourite parts to a roast, be it crispy, fluffy roast potatoes, orkshire pudding, thick, meaty gravy or crunchy pork crackling. Fortunately, we have them all Tempt us with something on the current menu…

Rhubarb is now coming in to season. We’ve created a dessert based on just that: sugar-baked pink rhubarb, vanilla custard with elderflower – which combines so well with our plum sak .

What seasonal ingredient is chef excited about at the moment?

As well as rhubarb, squid is in favour at the moment. Although available year-round, line-caught squid are in abundance in SouthWest waters right now. We’ve paired them with a seaweed mayonnaise.

Can we bring the dog?

f course Pups will be well looked after and fawned over. We’re on the corner of ictoria Park – a great dog-friendly walk, with views overlooking part of Bristol’s skyline. The perfect way to work up an appetite. www.thestaranddove.com

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

SUNDAY LUNCH THE ZAZU GROUP

Say what? The Zazu group has several esteemed gastropubs across

the city: The Alma Tavern in Clifton, The astfield and The Westbury Park in Henleaze, The Greenbank in Easton, and The Knowle in (guess!) Knowle. They all have their own style and vibe, but share one thing in common – they know how to serve a great Sunday lunch.

What’s so great about Sunday lunch, anyway?

“It’s all about family and friends getting together and enjoying the weekend, and that’s what we’re all about Whether it’s a big family celebration or some much-needed hangover scran, we can sort you out (and we’ll do the dishes).”

What makes your Sunday lunches special?

We are privileged to have a strong crowd of regular customers at all our pubs, and every Sunday we feel like we’re welcoming our family and friends to our home for a celebratory feast. And of course, we love to see new faces and bring them into our Sunday club.”

Tempt us with something from the current menu

“To start, a spicy Smoked Mary – served in all our pubs and the best Sunday pick-me-up. From The Westbury Park, a classic striploin of beef with celeriac and wholegrain mustard remoulade, served with orkshire pud, garlic roast potatoes, cauliflower cheese, honey and fennel-glazed carrots, parsnips and Savoy cabbage. Finish with a scrumptious vegan chocolate mousse from The Knowle; or how about a twist on the classic tiramisu with blood orange from The Alma?”

What ingredient is chef excited about?

We think a great Sunday lunch is super-consistent and as close to mum’s home cooking as possible (we might even say it’s better... even if you can’t). However, we love to experiment with seasonal ingredients in our starters and puds, and have been making the most of the forced Yorkshire rhubarb and blood oranges this season. And with spring just around the corner, expect to see lamb on the menu...”

Can we bring the dog?

“Of course! All our pubs are dog-friendly, and we have several pub dogs in the family. Visit The Knowle, and you can add your pooch to the pup photo board...” ■ Find all the pubs on Facebook

ABOVE: Classy gastropubbery at The Westbury

BELOW: Do not lick this page: steak heaven at Pasture

NOT ONLY, BUT ALSO

Plenty more where the those came from! If the following are not on your radar, they should be: Bank While the current Sunday offer is brunch at this Wells Road favourite, from March they’ll be offering their BANK take on a Sunday lunch/roast. We’re going to take a punt and predict it will be pretty damn great. www.bankbristol.com Bianchis How about Sunday lunch Italian style at the Bianchis group’s elegant Montpelier restaurant? We’re talking (just to pluck a few dishes from the menu) parmesan arancino and garlic aioli, or friggitelli peppers, followed by antipasti panzanella, or fritto of soft-shell prawns with crab aioli; secondi of delica pumpkin and roasted onion or porchetta and salsa verde, rounded off by fig and almond frangipane with mascarpone. www.bianchisrestaurant.co.uk The Bank Tavern Not to be confused with BANK; The Tavern’s legendary roast dinner was named the best in the UK by The Observer Food Monthly in 2019, since when you have had to practically put your name down at birth to get a table. On John Street, www.banktavern.com Canteen Now 100% veggie / vegan, the plates come piled high with all the trimmings – you won’t miss the meat at this super-chilled Croft favourite. www.canteenbristol.co.uk Pasture Sam Elliot’s classy steak joint offers a large, airy second-storey space on Portwall Lane, opposite St Mary Redcliffe. The staff are as great as the sample cuts they will bring to your table for approval – both steaks and roasts are available on Sundays. www.pasturerestaurant.com

“Sunday lunch! It’s the most British thing I can think of...”

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

The Spotted Cow Much-loved Bemmie favourite serving a blamelessly sourced Sunday lunch with all the classics at fair prices, good fish and veggie options, and a kids’ menu for £6. www.thespottedcowbristol.com

WOODEN BIRDHOUSE, £13.88 (FROM £18.50) Designed with the help of ornithologists, this box is perfect for little birds such as tits and sparrows From Mon Pote 217a North Street www.monpote.co.uk

ACORN BIRD FEEDER, £9.69 (FROM £17.95) The birds won’t care whether they’re pecking at an acorn-shaped feeder or a standard one, but styleconscious garden owners just might From Graham and Green 92 Walcot Street www.grahamandgreen.co.uk

BROSTE DEKO PAPER BIRD, £3.60 (FROM £6) They say: hang these paper decorations from the Christmas tree. We say: why not all year round?

From Mon Pote 217a North Street www.monpote.co.uk

FLOCK TACTICS

Build a little birdhouse in your soul: National Nest Box week falls in February, and we’re here to honour our feathered chums WILLOW BIRDS, £30

Claire Kinsella uses locally foraged willow to weave these lovely birds; when they catch a draught, they bob in the air as if they were flying From Midgley Green 26 Alexandra Road, Clevedon www.midgleygreen.com

ALESSI 9093 BIRD KETTLE, RRP £129 The 9093 kettle with its bird-shaped whistle was first created for Alessi by ichael raves in , and they’ve seen no reason to change it ever since From Bristol Guild, 68 Park Street www.bristolguild.com

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

SWALLOW BIRD NECKLACE, £20 old-plated jewellery necklace from aty Welsh presented on a laser-etched birch ply board From UStudio 115 Gloucester Road www.ustudio.shop

ED’S CHOICE NORDSTJERNE SCULPTURAL BIRD, £135 Blamelessly sustainable, being crafted from reused vintage stone carvings From Maze Clothing, 26-28 The Mall www.mazeclothing.co.uk

SOPHIE CONRAN BIRD FEEDER, £15.95 Bring a little designer style to the garden with this charming ceramic feeder in the shape of a pomegranate; also available in the shape of a pear From Pod Company, 24 The Mall www.thepodcompany.co.uk

BIRD BATH, £59.99 Birds need nesting boxes, and food in winter, but a bird bath is also hugely important for them to keep their feathers clean and fluffy, to keep them warm From Almondsbury Garden Centre, 51-53 Over Lane www.almondsbury.co.uk

HANGING LINOCUT BLACKBIRD, £27.00 Screen-printed by Kate Millbank on both sides of the birch plywood.

Hung from green and white cotton twine; they’re perfect anywhere, but look especially beautiful in windows From Bristol Artisan 3 Lower Redland Road www.thebristolartisan.com

BIRD FEED TIN, £24.95 Not only a stylish storage solution, but one guaranteed to keep rodenty intruders at bay From Pod Company 24 The Mall www.thepodcompany.co.uk

WAGTAIL FENCE TOPPER, £7.95 (FROM £14) Delightful little steel silhouette, just as happy perching indoors as out From Slimbridge Wetland Centre Bowditch, Slimbridge www.shop.wwt.org.uk

BIRD HOUSE, £15 (FROM £30) A sweet addition to a garden wall or fence, this little birdhouse has a bamboo roof and walls painted a soft speckled blue. A hinged roof permits careful sneaky peeks inside and easy cleaning.

From Cox &Cox www.coxandcox.co.uk

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

CURA CLINICAL: MBST HELPING PATIENTS WITH ARTHRITIS

We’ve had an exceptionally busy 2022 with MBST in Bristol, treating nearly 300 patients who were living in chronic pain.

A lot of those patients had tried most other avenues and were intrigued and hopeful of it having a positive impact on their lives.

Many were on NHS waiting lists that were only getting longer. Following the delivery of the next generation device in February, 85% of those patients had an extremely positive response to MBST which is an outstanding outcome, especially considering the lack of alternatives for the treatment of their condition.

RELIEVING THE PAIN AND REVERSING THE ‘LIFE SHRINKING’ EFFECTS THAT ARTHRITIS BRINGS TO OUR LIVES.

Jane kindly allowed me to use her testimony. This is probably one of the most painful cases of neck pain due to arthritis I’ve seen. Jane was unable to live her life due to the severity, often having to sit still for days due to the pain, unable to lie down, with regular migraines and a vice like feeling in her head. She had MBST for neck cartilage last year (almost a year ago).

Whilst Jane still has some fluctuating pain her life now looks very different. She swam at Henleaze lake 4 times last week and does exercise classes every day she doesn’t swim. There is no way she could have considered exercise a year ago. This case is a great example of the fact that healing from MBST is NATURAL for which reason it takes time, but over time it can change lives.

Rob (above) is a great example of how MBST heals cartilage in a moderate to severe arthritic knee. 15 months after his MBST therapy he now runs, plays racket ball and golf without any pain, and that’s without his braces. He’s recently undergone a course on his severe arthritic neck, and after three to four months has significantly less neck pain and improved mobility. Over the next six months I expect his condition to reach over 90% improvement.

I treated Zoe, who is a Pilates instructor, for her arthritic thumbs in February this year: This is her take on MBST: “Just 4 days into the 9 day course I honestly felt as though I could already notice improvement, my thumbs felt different. By day 7 I was full of hope and by the end of it I was jumping for joy! I am now 3 months on and am completely pain free in one thumb and 90% more comfortable in the other (which had been significantly the worse). I can peg out laundry without feeling like the guy on the Skittles advert and hardly notice if I get kicked in the pool! I have recommended many friends and clients to James, I truly believe in it. James himself is kind, personable and fun. If you have joint pain- look no further”.

MBST is an award-winning innovation designed to manage long-term injury, osteoarthritis and elite sports injuries available here in Bristol. To talk about your treatment, contact Cura Clinical’s Director, James Scrimshaw, and be one of over 270,000* people worldwide who have been treated successfully with MBST. • Osteoarthritis • Back & Disc Problems • Bone Conditions & Fractures

• Cartilage Damage • Ligament, Tendon & Muscle Damage • Sports & Accident Injuries

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0117 959 6531 www.curaclinical.com

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BEAUTY LEFT: The salon’s decor is packed with charm and character; BELOW: Aveda transformation

HAIR AT 58

Nell Robins gets a major glow-up at a Cotham Hill favourite

H

air at 58 is one of Bristol’s best-loved and most highly rated salons. It’s been open for 14 years, and won the Bristol Life Award for hair and beauty in 2018. Since then, owner Sam Bell has received numerous industry accolades; she’s also a member of the Aveda UK styling team, enabling her to work backstage at the biggest fashion weeks in the world.

Growing a talented team is crucial to Sam, and to this end she took on new stylist Antonia shortly before Christmas. Antonia was attracted by the atmosphere, team and the unbeatable Aveda products, as well as the inspirational leadership of Sam, from whom she says she’s learning new things every day.

I felt pretty confident I’d be putting my hair in safe hands, and was keen to be inspired by the recent trends Antonia has been seeing.

“The big one at the moment is reverse balayage,” she says – ie, when hair colours are added as lowlights near the roots and throughout the strands, to bring added depth to your colour.

“This is becoming huge! People are pulling back from traditional colour techniques such as full-heads or highlights, and are bringing down their natural colours rather than dyeing up. Balayage is still such a massive trend; it’s just changing form.”

Reverse balayage sounded good to me. My hair was dry and tired and the lighter tones were now just looking grey. I also wanted a new cut and shape.

Antonia suggested introducing rich copper and golden tones throughout my hair to break up my previous faded colour, giving a warmer boost and creating depth and multi-tones, while keeping a super-natural moneypiece to brighten up the front hairline and lighten my face. I told Antonia that as I work in the hospitality industry I wear my hair up a lot, so she suggested putting lighter pieces through the perimeter of the hairline too, keeping it even throughout.

Antonia told me that Aveda colour would bring shine, richness and multi-tones, both to my natural and previously coloured hair, because of its naturally derived,100% vegan formula. It’s like giving your hair a drink, while keeping it hydrated.

For the cut, we went brave and bold, taking about si inches off the bottom to revive the condition and thickness of the hair, using a blunt one-length base line then adding in some long layers to accentuate movement and bring out the colour. This made my hair feel light and fresh; the dry ends were gone and the rest looked so healthy. I’ve always had grownout bangs, but I went shorter on these too, softening the length with face-framing layers.

Finally, Antonia used Colour Control shampoo and conditioner to conserve and

prolong the colour and add shine, before blowdrying and finishing. Aveda’s utriplenish style treatment foam added volume without weight, while hair oil added moisture before styling with a wand to add beachy waves.

There’s no mystery why Hair at 58 has earned itself such a devoted following. From the moment I arrived, I was made to feel so welcome; the team seem to be really in tune with each other and also with their customers; eavesdropping shamelessly, I could hear that many of them have come to be good friends.

The tall Georgian building and decor is just beautiful, too, with understated glamour and lots of trailing greenery making the whole aesthetic green and fresh.

I left with bouncy, glossy hair and a spring in my step, smirking inwardly at admiring glances from passers-by on Cotham Hill. I loved my experience of Hair at 58, which manages to combine huge styling talent with the relaxed, unpretentious feel of a neighbourhood salon.

Book ahead if you fancy giving them a whirl – they are understandably popular! ■

VISITING DETAILS

Hair at 58, 58 Cotham Hill; 0117 973 7793 You can book online at www.hairat58.co.uk Restyle with Antonia: £64 Colour £184 Open Tuesday-Saturday

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

SCHOOL

REPORT In which we put some of the pressing questions of the day to three local schools . . .

Words by Ursula Cole

Collegiate – the school formerly known as Colston’s

© EVOKE PICTURES

EDUCATION

O

ABOVE: Nobel-prize winners of the future at Badminton; RIGHT: Tockington Manor:

online teaching is rarely a substitute for a physical school

bviously, when it comes to choosing a school for your child there’s no substitute for visiting in person and meeting the heads and teachers – not merely to gauge whether they might be a good fit for your family’s views and ideals, but to hear their take on current educational preoccupations, from the PM’s insistence on maths being taught to the age of 18, to online learning. To get you thinking, however, our local heads are here to throw light on some of these issues.

What do you think about the PM’s insistence that all pupils study maths in some form until the age of 18?

ven if there is an issue with pupils leaving secondary education with inadequate numeracy skills (and I am not sure there is convincing evidence of this), we think a better way to address this might be through creatively reforming the CS curriculum and rethinking the sort of mathematics pupils are taught up to the age of 16,” says Stuart Dalley, acting head at Badminton School.

“In the latest iteration of the mathematics CS curriculum, pupils need to obtain

on average 13% in their Higher Tier examinations to achieve a grade 4 (high pass). Therefore, to be ‘passably good’ at mathematics, it is accepted that the pupils won’t access a shocking 87% of the curriculum. Instead of insisting the pupils spend an additional two years studying the of content they didn’t get the first time around because it was too challenging, too abstract or too irrelevant, it would be better to overhaul the teaching of mathematics up

“Making maths compulsory will limit the pupils’ choices in other subjects” to 16 to ensure that pupils are equipped with mathematical knowledge relevant to their future. In addition, making maths compulsory will limit the pupils’ choices in other subjects, or put them off post- education altogether if maths was a subject they found particularly unenjoyable. Singling out maths as the only compulsory subject post- CS sends a message that it is the most important subject to study, and we are not convinced that this is the right approach.”

With a growing choice of online schools, why is physical attendance important?

“If school were only about academic lessons, then it would finish years earlier and be a pretty dry place to attend,” says David dwards, head of Collegiate Prep.

“Schools are places for children to explore their development as emotional, physical and social parts of society. It’s a place to make mistakes (like a child biting in nursery) as well as a place to celebrate success.

A tiny number of children find the process truly di cult I’m not talking about a little friendship issue). For those exceptional cases perhaps, an online offering is the best of the worst. School prepares you (as best it can) for the next stage of your life, so unless that life is in a lighthouse then I would suggest attendance is a key feature.”

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

EDUCATION

ABOVE: Collegiate: there is only one question to ask: will my child be happy here?

LEFT: The prep and pre-prep with a family feel: Tockington Manor

On a similar note, how likely is that all exams will be online by 2025?

The importance of physical attendance at school revolves around the core concept that schools are not just places of academic study, agrees Stuart Dalley. All too often, online schools’ are there to meet a specific academic teaching need, but fall short in offering the wider variety of school life. Physical attendance is by far and away the best way – if not only way – to benefit from social face-toface interactions, strong in-person pastoral care and the richness of e tra-curricular life and all of the opportunities that go with that.”

While online teaching may well be able to cover a prescribed curriculum it can never be a substitute for being in school,” agrees Stephen Symonds, head at Tockington anor. We all saw the damage to some pupils’ wellbeing and social development the two lockdowns caused throughout the country. oing to school is about so much more than just academics, particularly in a family-feel, rural school like Tockington anor. It is about learning key life skills through social interaction, which can’t be taught from home.

While it would seem almost certain that e ams will eventually be online, we do not think this will be fully in place by , says Stuart Dalley of Badminton. amination wheels often turn very slowly, and there is still much to be done on the logistics side to make provision for online e aminations. We don’t discount it as highly likely in the future, but not by .

“School prepares you for the next stage of your life, so unless that life is in a lighthouse, attendance is a key feature” How much notice should you take of Ofsted grading? Is it still a relevant indicator of outstanding teaching?

This can vary, depending on the findings of the report, says Stephen Symonds of Tockington anor.

Like the ISI inspections which

independent schools like ours are subject to, Ofsted inspections are thorough and rigorous.

However, due to the prescriptive nature of the finalised reports they sometimes fail to capture the feel’ of the school, and do not always fully reflect the overall ambience that e ists.

A school ranked as e cellent’ does not necessarily mean that it is a happy school, and a school graded simply as good’ may well have a tremendous working environment that was, for whatever reason, not captured by the inspection team. isit the school before making your own judgment, and try to talk to other parents. If a school has failed in an area, you should ask what has been done to rectify the problem – you might be pleasantly surprised to see that the school has come through such a judgment and is now better than ever.”

In-person open days are fully back. What are the key questions parents should ask?

David Edwards of Collegiate Prep suggests the following: What is the school most proud of What part of the curriculum is the school looking to develop Is the head available to meet What would my child love if they come here ame three things in your year that make this a special place. And from eremy cCullough, Collegiate head: There is only one question: will my child be happy here Stephen Symonds has further tips.

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

© EVOKE PICTURES

EDUCATION

ABOVE: Collegiate: parents can help by being honest, supportive and realistic

RIGHT: A rich balance of both academic and extra-curricular life at Badminton

“Open days are a great way of seeing the school’s facilities, but quite often they are show days’, and do not reflect fully the day-to-day atmosphere you will see during a normal working day, so make sure you get a personal tour. For this reason, Tockington Manor School has moved exclusively to tours on request rather than open days.

‘When visiting the school, take note of the interaction between the staff and pupils, and the pupils with each other. ere are five possible questions parents can ask themselves as they have their tour: Are the pupils engaged in lessons Do the pupils and staff appear relaxed and happy? What is the noise level like? Does the school appear to be ‘gelled’?

Does the head know the children?

“For open days, we would suggest posing the following questions to the school directly: How does the school track and assess pupils’ progress? How does the school feed back to parents and pupils? Are children assessed against the national average, resulting in teacher comments like, ‘your child is where they should be for their age’, or is a more individualised assessment programme in place which can inform both teachers and parents exactly where the pupil is against their assessed potential? Are there afterschool clubs? How does the school deal with bullying?

“More often than not, you will know when a school is right as soon as you arrive.”

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

How can parents best help their children at the start of a school year?

“In the same way that they can help them at every stage of the school year; by being honest, supportive and realistic,” says Jeremy McCullough, “and by taking that approach with the school as well as with your children.

School can be a challenging time, and not

“Open days are often just ‘show days, and on r a o day atmosphere” every day will be filled with subjects and activities your child will enjoy, so it’s important to manage their expectations and support them, and the school, every step of the way.”

“Set some clear targets for the autumn term and for the year ahead, as this will help them to be motivated from the start,” says Stephen Symonds. “A child with a clear target will be more focused than a child who cannot see reasons why they are being asked to do the many things they are.”

David Edwards suggests that parents “name everything! Nothing is as sad as losing your new prize rugby boots or hockey stick.

“School is a place of compromise; pupils don’t get everything they want all the time.

Stay with the group and listen to instruction.

Make the most of each and every lesson.

“Opportunities will come thick and fast.

What you do with these will be key to your happiness and success. njoy the process; the teachers work hard to make lessons enjoyable.

Contribute, and your experience will be far more positive. If you have an issue then talk to a trusted adult at school; they can then support you swiftly.” ■

YOU HAVE BEEN READING BADMINTON SCHOOL

An independent boarding and day school for girls aged 3 - 18 years www.badmintonschool.co.uk

COLLEGIATE SCHOOL

Formerly known as Colston’s School, an independent co-ed for children aged 3-18 www.collegiate.org.uk

TOCKINGTON MANOR

Independent co-ed preparatory school for pupils aged 2-13 www.tockingtonmanorschool.com

SPONSORED CONTENT

BRISTOL CLEAN AIR ZONE

Helen Brewer of AMD SOLICITORS considers the impact of the introduction of the Bristol Clean Air Zone (‘the Zone’) and whether landlords and tenants alike should be worried about the impact on property prices in and around the area

I

n 2020, emission levels across the UK were at record highs due to increased traffic volumes, and in particular diesel vehicles, on our roads. In an attempt to tackle this issue, the government introduced a new Environment Act 2021 which gave the Secretary of State the power to set legally binding, longer-term, environmental targets lasting at least 15 years, across a variety of areas relating to the environment.

Due to Bristol’s poor air quality, it was included as one of the cities that would be required to meet these targets. In order to ensure compliance with these new regulations, Bristol City Council developed ‘the Zone’, which came into effect on 28 November 2022.

The Zone covers most of the city centre, including Park Street, Brandon Hill and St Andrew’s Road. The Zone’s boundary is shown on Bristol City Councils website here: www.bristol.gov.uk/residents/streets-travel/ bristols-caz/view-a-map Now, the big question many landlords and tenants may have is whether this will have an impact on property values and market rents where properties are located within the Zone.

There is a concern amongst tenants located in

Bristol city centre that the introduction of the Zone, coupled with the pedestrianisation of roads such as Princess Victoria Street in Clifton Village, will have a negative impact on footfall and drive people away from these areas.

Following Covid, and the effect this has had on the high street tenants, there has been a move towards agreeing turnover rents in new leases, so if there are any future periods of closure, tenants are paying rent based on money coming in rather than a fixed sum.

However, commercial landlords should be especially aware of the effect this might have if their lease contains a turnover rent provision, because if footfall to areas within the Zone is reduced, then this may be passed on to the landlord with a rent reduction.

Not only this, but as the economy continues to struggle there is a concern that businesses may start to fail and tenants will look to either surrender their lease early or look to assign the remainder of the term to another business.

The good news is that the consensus amongst industry experts seems be a no.

Looking at property prices when the LEZ came into effect in London in 2008 a comparison to prices inside the area to outside did not show a major difference in valuation. ■

If you are a struggling tenant or a landlord who has just been approached by your tenant looking to assign their lease, contact either Helen Brewer or another member of the commercial property team on 0117 9735647 or info@amdsolicitors.com as soon as possible, as there may be unwanted consequences of delaying seeking advice. www.amdsolicitors.com 100 Henleaze Road, Henleaze BS9 4JZ 15 The Mall, Clifton BS8 4DS 139 Whiteladies Road, Clifton BS8 2PL 2 Station Road, Shirehampton BS11 9TT

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

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Ince trainee solicitor wins Junior Lawyer of the Year Award Ellie Jones, second year trainee solicitor at Ince (Bristol) was recently named Junior Lawyer of the Year at Bristol Law Society’s annual awards, which recognises and celebrates the best of Bristol’s legal profession.

Ellie joined Ince in September 2021 as a trainee solicitor. She graduated with a first-class honours LLB Law with Human Rights and Social Justice as well as combined LLM focusing on the ethical impact of AI in the legal sector.

Without doubt, it was Ellie’s passion for human rights and social causes, along with a strong desire to be part of something good and to effect positive change which drove her to undertake the exceptional work leading to her award-winning nomination.

Ellie was nominated for the award by Partner and Head of Bristol office, Daniel Crockford, for her work with Julian Clark, Ince’s Global Senior Partner, and Carl Hunter OBE, Chairman of the British Exporters Association, in helping in the battle to eradicate modern slavery at sea.

She joined forces with Julian to form the Eradication of Modern Slavery at Sea Working Group, with the aim of amending the International Maritime Organisation’s (IMO) Safety of Life at Sea (SOLAS) Convention.

As a passionate member of the group, Ellie proactively engages with human rights charities, Parliamentary members and other professionals seeking support for the initiative.

She has volunteered to take notes, proposed and undertook research, and engaged in awareness-raising PR activities and webinars. This was all in her own time and not as part of her ‘day job’.

“Ince (Bristol) is passionate about nurturing and developing talent. I am proud that, by only having a relatively small intake of trainees each year, it means that we really get to know the individuals, giving them the highest levels of support, training and development.”

Following her win, Ellie said: “I would not be in receipt of this award today without the support of Julian and Carl who gave me the opportunity to be involved in the SOLAS project to help eradicate modern slavery at sea.

I am passionate about human rights and once I heard about the project, I wanted to contribute and get involved.

With over 700 people, including 450+ legal and business services professionals, our Bristol solicitors are part of The Ince Group, an international legal and professional services group dedicated to empowering our clients to seize new opportunities for growth.

“Ince is a fantastic firm for trainees - I am so grateful for the opportunities I’ve been given and the trust the Partners have placed in me.”

Commenting on Ellie’s win, Daniel Crockford said: “Ellie is an exceptional young lawyer and always goes above and beyond. She is a credit to any organisation she works for, as well as to herself and those who support her.

Ince offers a broad range of services and has deep sector specialisms making us the partner of choice for all our clients’ complex legal and strategic needs. In particular, our Bristol lawyers cover family law, corporate and commercial law, employment law, real estate law, marine and shipping law, insurance and dispute resolution, private wealth and private client.

For more information on how we can help you, please get in touch: Email: hello@incegd.com Tel: 0117 929 0451

Above: Ellie Jones, Ince trainee solicitor, receiving her award from Delyth James, Department of Law, UWE Bristol, (award sponsor), together with Bristol Law Society co-presidents, Erin Sawyer of Irwin Mitchell and Edd Thompson of Temple Bright.

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LIFE FOCUSED PLANNING

ELLIS DAVIES FINANCIAL PLANNING LTD is a highly regarded independent financial planning business specialising in providing financial advice to business owners and retirees, helping them to make informed decisions about their financial futures.

T

he company’s recent move to offices on Alma Road, Clifton, represents an exciting development.

“One of the key reasons for the move is the creation of a longterm home for the business, says Richard llis, financial planner and director. We had an opportunity to purchase the premises, having previously leased offices, and this gives us the opportunity to become part of the community in Clifton. We really are at a growth phase for the business and want to settle in Clifton and immerse ourselves in the community. Clifton is vibrant and thriving and we already have many clients here and in the surrounding areas.

We are looking forward to contributing to the community, supporting local initiatives, and he e

ffi e shers

a e

e

era

ultimately, helping more people achieve their financial goals and life aspirations. ur move brings us closer to the niversity of Bristol with whom we have strong connections in helping their staff improve their financial wellbeing, says co-director and financial planner Nick Davies. We are also acutely aware that there aren’t too many independent financial planning firms in Clifton itself that provide a service such as ours, which looks to help people realise their life ambitions through effectively planning their finances. We look forward to helping more clients achieve financial freedom.

Ellis Davies Financial Planning works with many clients on a retained fixed-fee basis. This has helped them to build a planning business based upon integrity, transparency and fairness. any of our clients have been referred to us by accountants or lawyers where their clients were paying huge fees to large wealth management firms who delivered very little in the way of service, says Richard. It is really important to us to deliver value to our clients and look after them and their families over a significant number of decades. We continue to invest in our business and our team to deliver this over the long term.

Peter is a long-standing client of llis Davies Financial Planning, who has been working to identify how his retirement ambitions could be fulfilled through effective planning. Having retired in 2020, Peter has been able to focus on his ambition of competing for his country in the World Triathlon Championship in Abu Dhabi which he did successfully in November 2022.

“Nick Davies’s retirement planning and

e er m e he r a hl f r

financial advice provided us with the confidence that I could finish working far sooner than we expected which has given us the ongoing financial security to live life to the full , said Peter. llis Davies Financial Planning Ltd is now located at 91-9 Alma Road, Clifton. An initial meeting is offered free of charge to understand how we might be able to work with you. ■

For more information visit www.ellisdaviesfp.co.uk or call 01179 92 3820 to book a physical or virtual meeting. www.mediaclash.co.uk I BRISTOL LIFE I 69

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SAY HELLO TO CULTURAL ADD Small business owners: break free from the limits of cultural fit in your hiring strategy by elen Sanders of YOUR PEOPLE PARTNERS

I

t’s not a revelation that small businesses can struggle to find the right new employees to grow their business. The struggle is not finding talented people.

There are plenty of them in and around Bristol.

However, if we hire by CV and keywords, focusing on matching previous experience and skillsets in role, this does not automatically mean they’ll thrive in your company. If this was a larger company of 50 employees, then yes, we can hide them a little and just make use of their skills without worrying too much about the fallout if they don’t fit if they don’t add something to your team.

While larger organisations focus on cultural fit, small businesses can prioritise cultural add to ensure a more holistic approach to finding people who will gel with your existing team and customers.

What does cultural add even mean?

Cultural add can be thought of as a unique ingredient in a recipe.

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Hiring the same type of people over and over again, with the same background and personality, is like following osh ggleton’s recipe for pear and ginger chutney exactly as written. n the other hand, if you make your own version by adjusting the ingredients, like adding more cinnamon or using apples instead of just pears, that’s like bringing a new perspective to the table a cultural add. So, next time you hire, think about what unique elements you can bring to your company culture, much like how you’d think about what to add to your chutney recipe.

Cultural add refers to an employee who brings new perspectives and ideas to the company, enriching the existing culture.

Additionally, small businesses often have limited resources and a smaller pool of potential employees. Prioritising a ‘cultural add’ approach to your hiring allows you to attract a wider pool of candidates who can bring fresh ideas and energy to the company.

es l ral a ffer l ral fi Cultural fit is essential for larger organisations. It helps to maintain consistency and prevent conflict within the company. However, small businesses have more flexibility to embrace diversity and new ideas. They can benefit greatly from employees who bring a unique perspective and can help the company grow in new directions.

I don’t advocate for these four qualities over all else when hiring. However, we know from experience that those candidates who can illustrate how their curiosity has led to a given outcome in their current company, by their being able to communicate a new idea, will fit in well with most of our small, entrepreneurial clients.

In order to identify cultural add, we help our small business-owner clients to focus on the following qualities in their potential hires • pen-mindedness curiosity • Adaptability • Willingness to learn and grow • Ability and confidence to communicate new ideas well

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It is also important for small businesses to create an inclusive company culture which values diverse perspectives and encourages employees to share their ideas. This can be achieved through regular team-building activities, open communication, and a supportive work environment.

CULTURAL FIT (same recipe each time) Refers to alignment of an individual’s values, beliefs, and behaviours with your company’s mission, values, and work environment.

CULTURAL ADD (enhance with new ingredients) Refers to unique perspectives, experiences, and skills that enhance and diversify existing company culture.

In conclusion, cultural add is a crucial factor when considering hiring new team members and the future success of small businesses. By embracing diverse perspectives and new ideas, small businesses can thrive and grow in ways they never thought possible.

• Both cultural fit and cultural add are important for a successful and harmonious workplace.

• Balance between seeking employees who fit in and employees who bring new ideas and perspectives is crucial when hiring new headcount as a company grows.

The companies supported by our team at Your People Partners prioritise cultural add over cultural fit and it consistently leads to more dynamic, innovative and successful companies across Bristol and beyond.

Nail your cultural ‘add’ framework and you could give your business a big competitive advantage. At Your People Partners we have integrated the Cultural ‘Add’ Exploration Service into our wraparound recruitment framework.

We help you to recruit the right people that will add to your team, and help you onboard them well for the first 12 months of their tenure with you. We’d be happy to have a call with you if you’d like to know more. ■

Helen Sanders leads the Your People Partners team based in Bristol. She has been helping companies to hire well since 1998 and clients include terptree, Proctors+Stevenson and Tickitto.

Call 0117 290 0211 and ask for Helen, Callum, Kay-lee or Benjamin. We’d love to help next time you’re thinking about adding to your team. www.yourpeoplepartners.com

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

PROPERTY SYMPOSIUM

CITY OF THE FUTURE CONFERENCE What will be different about cities in 2030 and 2040?

What impacts are there now for planning, developers and architects? How has the pandemic accelerated thinking?

21 APRIL 2023. M SHED, BRISTOL SCAN HERE TO SIGN UP

• Top level keynotes • Stimulating panels • Networking with region’s leading property companies

KNOWLEDGE PARTNER

To partner with this exciting event for our region, contact bristollifecommercial@mediaclash.co.uk

THE FUTURE IS UNWRITTEN

2023 LOADING The conference for entrepreneurs and new business thinkers returns in June. This time, it’s live…

CONTENT: claudia.butler@mediaclash.co.uk COMMERCIAL: annie.kelly@mediaclash.co.uk CONCEPT: greg.ingham@mediaclash.co.uk

EntreConf.com

@Entre_Conf

It’s the city’s business

BRISTOLWORKS LUNAR LANDING

A

double celebration for Lunar Optical this year: not only has the popular independent opticians notched up a decade of trading at its Gloucester Road branch, but the family-run business is about to open a second practice in Jill and Clifton Village on Killian 20 February.

“Killian, I and the rest of the Lunar team are really excited to be opening up in Clifton,” says CEO Jill Sunderland.

We will be offering clinic e cellence alongside amazing frames, Nikon lenses and our renowned high standard of customer service.”

“We are looking forward to bringing the same high standards provided by Lunar Optical in Gloucester Road to Clifton Village,” says practice manager illian Sunderland. We pride ourselves on offering great style advice as well as thorough eye examinations and lens recommendations. Please feel free to pop in on February for a glass of fizz.

Lunar Optical, 3 The Mall, Clifton; www.lunaroptical.com

If you really need us to label this boat, you’re not from Bristol

If you showcase it, they will come

A

s part of larger plans to attract more international visitors to Britain, Visit West, the Destination Management Organisation for Bristol, Bath & North East Somerset, North Somerset, and South Gloucestershire, is working with the national tourism agency Visit Britain to host travel trade buyers and tour operators from around the world at the end of the month.

Over 30 buyers from Canada, the Netherlands, Belgium, Italy and Spain will experience some of the highlights and key attractions within the Visit West region, including the ss Great Britain, Aerospace Bristol and Cheddar Gorge and Caves.

“We are delighted to be working with Visit Britain, bringing representatives from several countries to the region,” said Kathryn Davis, MD and CEO of Visit West.

“This gives us an incredible opportunity to show why this area is worth visiting as we rebuild our international profile following the devastating impact of the pandemic on our inbound visitor market.

“Working with the travel trade is critical in this, as they provide an essential link to future visitors. Both Bristol and Bath feature in the top inbound destinations according to the International Passenger Survey, welcoming more than 1m international visitors to the region in 2019.”

Visit West also has an extensive programme of additional activity planned to promote the region, both in the UK and oversees, including attending ITB Berlin, one of the world’s largest and most important travel trade events.

For more www.visitbristol.co.uk

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

PRIVATE CLIENT - FAMILY - PROPERTY - COMMERCIAL

BRISTOLWORKS

Green city Three stories that caught our eye this month that underlines our region’s commitment to sustainability

Our friends, electric

Delivered by BAM Construction for the CEG Group, a visionary state-of-the-art o ce building is currently being built close to Temple Meads.

Described as ‘smart and sustainable’, Q Development is Bristol’s first new-build o ce to commit to deliver net zero carbon in operation. The all-electric building will be powered by green energy via 600 sqm of PV panels, while low-carbon heat-pump technology will heat the 200,000 sq ft building, which has a rooftop bar, restaurant, business lounge, café and kitchen, 50-seat auditorium a fitness suite and breakout spaces.

There will also be a dedicated bicycle entrance and ramp to the underground parking spaces with e-bike charging.

For more: www.eqbristol.co.uk

Leap years In a new initiative designed to take Bristol closer to being carbon neutral, Bristol City Council has partnered with renewable energy companies Ameresco and Vattenfall Heat UK to created Bristol City Leap, which aims to bring £1bn of investment into the city while transforming how Bristol uses energy, reducing its carbon footprint by 140,000 tonnes. ver the ne t five years, Bristol City Leap will invest nearly £500 million into low carbon energy infrastructure, such as solar, wind, heat networks, heat pumps and energy e ciency measures – all of which will help meet its targets of becoming carbon neutral by 2030.

Mayor Marvin Rees has called City Leap a “big deal” for the city.

This is a world first, and sets out a clear blueprint for city-scale decarbonisation for other cities and regions to follow.

“Bristol City Leap will have a real impact for Bristol residents, including the ways we power and heat our homes, which is perhaps more important than ever before.

“With Bristol City Leap, our city will become a real focal point for new low carbon technologies and smart energy systems, while creating thousands of jobs and ensuring a just transition.”

For more: www.bristolcityleap.co.uk

Office politics According to the latest market monitor

by Alder King, The South West commercial property market enjoyed above average increases in take-up and rental growth last year, while businesses continued to strive to meet environmental, social, and governance (ESG) standards.

ESG is now the dominant topic for the property industry, with investors, developers and occupiers fully focused on sustainability goals, net zero targets and energy standards. It is the most significant decision-making factor for o ce occupiers and will become increasingly important for the industrial sector as it prioritises meeting short and longer term sustainability goals.

Established hybrid working patterns have encouraged occupiers to focus on taking less space, but of a higher quality. This has created a clear two-tier market between new/newly

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refurbished space with strong ESG credentials versus older unrefurbished space. While supply has increased in many markets, much of this is poorer quality unrefurbished space, much of which will attract alternative uses. In out of town markets, older business park buildings are also being lost to alternative uses including residential and, interestingly, industrial.

For more: www.alderking.com

2023 FINALISTS ANNOUNCED Tickets available now SEE THE FULL LIST HERE

bristollifecommercial@mediaclash.co.uk #BristolLifeAwards ︱ bristollifeawards.co.uk A

Production

PHOTO BY A ARON GEIS PHOTOGR APHY

PHOTO BY JONCRAIG_PHOTOS

EXETER LIVING BRISTOLWORKS AWARDS

e

l co

t o

PHOTO BY JONCRAIG_PHOTOS

The finalists for this year’s Bristol Life Awards have now been revealed – but who will be named the outright winners?

GRAND REVEAL DAY SPONSOR

N

ot long now, Bristol! The finalists for this year’s Bristol Life Awards were announced on 25 January during our online Grand Reveal event.

Missed the announcement? You can find out who made the cut on the website below.

Now all that remains is for our impeccably impartial panel of judges to study the nominations and choose the winners; after that, it’s all steam ahead for the big Awards ceremony on 16 March at Ashton Gate Stadium. It’s always the most glamorous business event of the year, at which pretty

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much any and every local organisation – big or small, from shops to restaurants, salons to galleries, and charities to schools – can win one of the coveted awards.

Nothing beats being there – and tickets invariably sell out! Anyone can attend the event, whether they’re up for an award or not. Among the company of nearly 700 people, the networking and collaboration opportunities are on another level, and the party, well, that speaks for itself.

Don’t miss our next issue, in which we’ll carry a full preview of the event. www.bristollifeawards.co.uk

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Tom and the team of Talk Club

GIVING BACK When you think of a local workspace getting involved in a social media video, Tyson Fury probably doesn’t spring to mind as one of the video’s main stars.

But that’s exactly what happened when men’s mental health charity Talk Club got their office team at ORIGIN WORKSPACE involved in their latest campaign.

“T Left to right: Simon Wright, Head of Business Development at Prince’s Trust. Jess Knights, Illustrator and entrepreneur on the programme.

Rob Hingston, Head of Origin Workspace

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yson has been quite open about his struggles with mental health”, explains one of the charity’s co-founders Tom Watson. “His team got in touch with us to say he wanted to support our work as part of his single, so we featured in the music video to Sweet Caroline and got a lot of the people at Origin involved.

“They are always very supportive of everything we do, offering free meeting space, and Origin Workspace has even helped sponsor some of our activities. I went to one of Tyson’s fights afterwards and they played our video as he did his ring walk – my personal three minutes of fame!”

Talk Club is just one of five local charity partners which Origin Workspace supports; the others are Access Sport, Gympanzees, South Bristol Youth and The Princes Trust.

“These opportunities are key for us,” says Access Sport CEO Helen Rowbotham.

“Partnering with businesses is important, and we’ve even had members of Origin Workspace volunteer at one of our BMX tracks to clean and tidy – and they got the chance to have a go on the track afterwards!”

Their Bristol team has been based at the Berkeley Square workspace for a year, and sports fan and head of Origin, Rob Hingston, sits on their Bristol Steering Group, focused on local fundraising. While they have a strong focus in Bristol, Access Sport is a national charity on a mission to make inclusion the norm in community sports.

“As part of our cycling programme we’ve worked with local partners to help develop four BMX pump tracks in places like Lawrence Weston and Stockwood. Many of these places don’t have other existing community sports facilities. These tracks are open all the time

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South Bristol Youth

and we provide managed sessions as well as storage containers full of bikes for people to use.”

As we catch up with each of the charities to find out more about how they work with Origin, Rob’s name comes up again and again. It’s clear supporting charities is a real personal passion for the team at Origin Workspace.

“Origin has been really supportive in the development of the charity”, continues Talk Club’s Tom. “They offer us meeting spaces, help us host events and Rob is a keen runner so he has helped with the Talk & Move sessions.

They go above and beyond by sponsoring some of our sessions and running kits too.

“We all run the charity part-time at the moment so this support is integral to our growth; we’re very happy to have found Rob and the rest of the Origin team and to have

Gympanzees Photo by: Jon Craig

Access Sport

them backing us.”

Gympanzees is also based at Origin Workspace, where it has access to reduced charity rates on its membership and extra support from the team.

It delivers fully inclusive leisure facilities that are easily accessible, so that every disabled child and young person in the South West can enjoy a life filled with exercise, play and friendship. Last year 7,000 people visited its pop-up facilities over just 36 days.

“There are 66,000 children and young people with disabilities who live within an hour of Bristol”, explains CEO and founder Stephanie Ween. “Families need a permanent solution, not just temporary pop-ups.”

“The support we’ve had from Origin is genuinely helping us work towards this mission”, says fundraising manager Victoria Noel. “We can use the meeting rooms, which has helped us secure significant funding, and get support from the other companies based here. But on top of that the Origin team has become directly involved in our fundraising.

They booked out an entire table at our charity ball last year, helping to raise over £80,000, and this year they are hoping to rally a team for our Three Peaks Challenge. We also held our Project Home campaign launch event at Origin.”

It’s easy to see how reduced membership rates and fundraising has a direct impact on a charity’s ability to meet its mission, but Origin Workspace is also using the space to support the city in other ways.

The Prince’s Trust partnership was officially launched at Origin in February. Origin has made a donation to the scheme, and will be the headline sponsor for their Bristol 10k marathon runners in May. Those small businesses who benefit from the scheme are also able to use Origin Workspace, and some of the workspace’s members have volunteered to be

mentors.

Meanwhile South Bristol Youth was founded in 2012 to help young people in south Bristol achieve their best. The area has one of the lowest higher- education participation rates in the country, and the charity is on a mission to turn this around.

Camilla Chandler was part of the founding team and has since headed the charity as chief executive. “We work with all the schools in south Bristol to support young people to go on to apprenticeships, higher education, or highquality employment,” she says.

One of the ways the charity inspires them is by showing them what this could look like in the future.

“We work with all institutions in Bristol, from the universities through to businesses – and we’re lucky that this includes Origin Workspace.

The young people get to visit Origin and meet entrepreneurs, learn about the businesses that are based there, and feel comfortable in a professional environment.

“While they’re here, we use the meeting rooms to do public speaking training and personality profiling to give them career suggestions, or sometimes work with them on a CV. They get to go on the rooftop, too, which has an amazing view and they can see across to their homes in south Bristol. It’s very inspiring for them.” ■

40 Berkeley Square, Bristol BS8 1HP Tel: 0117 440 0400 www.originworkspace.co.uk

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

PROPERTY

ROMANCE IN THE STONE Few homes can trace their origins back to a 12th-century nunnery; even fewer come with their own solar and private chapel. But then Barrow Court is no ordinary home…

Words by Ursula Cole

E

ngland has no shortage of dropdead gorgeous stately homes, but you generally need to buy a ticket to look around them.

However, for many of those (admittedly very fortunate) scions of noble families who have inherited a historic pile, the cost of maintenance can prove exorbitant. Some have responded by turning their ancestral homes into wedding venues. Other buildings have been acquired by the National Trust.

But very rarely do these kind of homes come on to the market – and equally rarely in such quality and originality as Barrow Court. ere’s the history. The first dwelling on this site was built in the 12th century – a Benedictine nunnery, funded by the FitzHardinges family of Berkeley Castle.

After the dissolution of the monasteries in 1536, Henry Vlll gifted the property to John Drew of Bristol, who turned it into a private mansion and gave the building its current name. Two further families added their own influences during the ne t years.

In the late 19th century, Barrow Court was bought

by Anthony Gibbs, the son of William Gibbs of Tyntesfield the othic gables and tall chimney stacks

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

PROPERTY

of the latter can still be glimpsed from the windows of Barrow Court today). Anthony sold it to his brother Henry Martin Gibbs, who largely rebuilt the Jacobean house and the church into the form you see today, while commissioning the eminent garden designer Francis Inigo Thomas to lay out the formal gardens.

During the Second World War – and we’re getting proper Brideshead Revisited vibes here – the property was used as a military hospital. It became a college of education from 1949 to 1976, but remained in the Gibbs family ownership until they sold it in 1976. At this time, the house was divided into several separate dwellings.

When the estate of Barrow Court was divided up in the 1970s, planning permission was given for 18 residences to be created from the various parts of the main house, livery yard, barns and cottages. The main house became seven separate dwellings, three of which make up the home that’s for sale today; the current owner decided it would be a travesty to divide up the principal part for the main house, so he bought three parts of the main building and has kept them as one residence ever since.

Once purchased, the home received a meticulous and extensively planned restoration which has continued to the present day; its owner has been careful to be true to the original design and quality, while introducing all modern comforts and facilities.

It was a house well-worth preserving. During the Gibbs era, no expense was spared, with the very best

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

“From the gallery of the Jacobean staircase, all on figur ga own n ol n l a i i or low

PROPERTY craftsmen of the day introducing that era’s striking, exuberant architectural style to the historic stone rooms. The quality and detail throughout is jawdropping – we could write realms about every carved stone detail, every mullion, fireplace, panel and pillar, but its splendour is amply conveyed by the photos.

Though inestimably grand, the home is very liveable, balancing tremendous entertaining spaces with more intimate rooms for family life. The Great Hall makes a wonderful introduction to the house, with its striking Corinthian-pillared fireplace bearing the ibbs coat of arms. The Jacobean staircase is a true work of art; from the gallery, tall stone figures gaze down benevolently at visitors below. Soaring above are fine plasterwork ceilings with Gothic and Renaissance motifs, with a large drop pendant above the stairs. ust off The reat all, a more intimate panelled parlour on a raised dais has a rich arabesque patterned ceiling and a decorative frieze. et more heavily decorative friezes and ceilings continue throughout all the main rooms, none being more impressive than that of the first-floor panelled reat Chamber, or solar.

Designed as the private family living quarters, the suite is exceptionally light with wonderful views over the gardens; it includes the main bedroom, with his-andhers dressing rooms; a music room; sitting room, and bathroom; there’s even an exquisite private chapel with stained glass windows, vaulted ceiling and incredibly

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HOUSE NUMBERS Guide Price

£2.75m

Bedrooms

7

Bathrooms

5

Receptions Great Hall, drawing room, dining

room, sitting room, library, solar, music room chapel, self-contained apartment Outside Use of extensive listed gardens and tennis court Hamptons, 8 The Mall Clifton 0017 4632168; www.hamptons.co.uk

fine carved wooden detail. Seven more bedrooms over this and the second floor leave plenty of space for guests, if sociable new owners fancy reviving the grand tradition of the country house weekend .

Further unique features include the Aviary, complete with working metal bifold shutters. There’s also a selfcontained apartment, and two cellars; one for wine and one for more prosaic utility needs. utside, the . -acre formal gardens and glorious country views are as persuasive as the interiors. The first glimpse of the house is at the end of a long single-track lane, from which you pass through a stone archway onto a long tree-lined private driveway.

Laid out by Indigo Thomas in the s, the formal rade-II grounds include terraces, vistas, pavilions, a notable obelisk pillar and a tennis court. The gardens are on descending levels, from a broad terrace to a pond encircled by yew and flanked by formal beds on either side. The sculptures are by Alfred Drury, the most important being the daughters of the year, each decorated with flowers appropriate to the month. An elegant balustrade borders a large lawn with views to the valley beyond.

The grounds continue into the arboretum, with its collection of late- th-century trees including katsura, cypresses, udas and gingkos. The house is surrounded by open countryside, much of it still owned by descendant of the ibbs family.

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

BRISTOL & CLIFTON’S PREMIER COMMERCIAL PROPERTY AGENTS Keep up-to-date with our latest news, deals, testimonials and market comment at our website: www.burstoncook.co.uk Whiteladies Road, Clifton TO LET - £42,000 pax 2,030 sq ft (188.59 sq m)

Julian Cook FRICS

Jayne Rixon MRICS

Emersons Green TO LET / MAY SELL – POA. 5,063 Sq Ft

Cool studio space located on Whiteladies Road with meetings room and 1 car parking space.

Finished to a contemporary standard.

The property comprises a modern, semi-detached, 3 storey office building providing an open plan working accommodation over 3 floors. Located on a popular business park and befitting from excellent car parking.

Westfield Office Park, Clevedon TO LET - £12.50 psf pax 1,722 sq ft (160 sq m)

Buckingham Court, BS32 TO LET - £15.50 psf pax 3,089 sq ft (287 sq m)

A modern office building offering open plan accomodation which has been newly refurbished to a high specification. Junction 20 of the M5 Motorway is within 2 miles away.

A self-contained office building offering modern accomodation within an established business park with good road connections.

Excellent parking ratio being 1:257 sq ft.

Queen Square, BS1 TO LET – POA 2,506 sq ft (233 sq m)

Marsh Street, BS1 TO LET - £16,000 pax 983 sq ft (91.35 sq m)

A bright office suite with dual aspect outlook towards Broad Quay and across Queen Square.

Attractive, high quality fit out to include air conditioning and LED lighting.

A prominent, ground floor commercial unit with self-contained entrance. Provides open plan space and benefits from a Use Class E so is therefore suitable for a range of uses.

St Augustine’s Parade, BS1 TO LET – POA 2,170 sq ft (201.60 sq m)

Queen Square, Bristol.

TO LET (MAY SELL) – POA 3,539 sq ft (329 sq m)

Modern, loft-style office suite located in the heart of the city centre providing open plan space with period features and excellent natural light. Benefitting from showers and secure bike storage.

An impressive Georgian office building with a triple window façade and attractive views across the Square.

Currently used as offices and due to be fully refurbished. Available to rent or for sale by way of the long leasehold!

Warminster, BA12. FOR SALE £850,000 exl. 7,810 sq ft (729 sq m) on 0.4 acres

Queen Square, BS1 TO LET - £26.50 psf pax 2,728 sq ft (253 sq m)

An income-producing commercial investment opportunity with future development potential, subject to necessary consents. Situated in a stunning, rural setting with river frontage and large parking.

A modern, newly refurbished, open-plan office. The specification includes air conditioning, bike storage, shower facilities, and two car parking spaces.

Charlie Kershaw MRICS

Finola Ingham MRICS

Tom Coyte MRICS

Holly Boulton BSc(Hons)

Vicki Grimshaw BSc (Hons)

(0117) 934 9977

PROPERTY

C L UR T RAP The new owners of this maximalist colour-pop of a home are highly unlikely to suffer from the winter blues...

Words by Ursula Cole

S

alisbury Road is a quiet row of terraced and semi-detached houses between St Anne’s Park and the ightingale alley ature Reserve.

Locals love the area because of its nearness to the river, offering wild swimming, open green spaces and woodland. It’s also where you’ll find Beeses, the wonderfully quirky food and drink venue right on the River Avon; one of Bristol’s best-kept secrets, though hugely popular with those in the know. The area is also close to Arnos Court Park, a runners’ and dog-walkers’ mecca Set along the row is this charming three-bedroom ictorian terraced house, with its e uberant colourpop of an interior, high ceilings, generous sprinkling of original features and beautiful e posed floorboards.

There are two reception rooms on the ground floor, both with working open fireplaces; the e pansive front room has a large bay window while the second has a very cosy, warm feel; ideal for a home o ce or library.

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A PLACE TO CALL HOME

The centrepiece of this home is a bespoke DeVol kitchen with its ‘side return’ extension, which really opens up the space and makes for a vast open-plan kitchen/dining room geared to modern living. Double doors open out onto a large rear garden which leads to a large, fully insulated timber cabin. Upstairs are three bedrooms and a study o ce room which could equally serve as a nursery. A fabulous bathroom has a working fireplace, large freestanding bathtub and walk in shower; yellow Victorian crackle tiles contrast nicely

“Yellow Victorian crackle tiles contrast nicely with the aesthetic of the room”

PROPERTY

with the aesthetic of the room.

The loft of this property has been converted to create another versatile room, which is currently being used as another o ce; it has a surprisingly good ceiling height, and plenty of insulation.

Let’s end with the words of the current owners.

“We have loved living here for over 15 years.

From top to bottom we have stripped the house back to its bricks, renovating, and retaining as much of the original house as possible while improving the functionality of our home. We’re going to really miss the local community, our morning dog walks around St Annes Park, and evening trips to The Langton for a couple of drinks. Having made the decision to move back to Somerset due to family commitments, we hope this house becomes a special home for a new family to create as many memories in as we did.”

HOUSE NUMBERS Where Salisbury Road, St Anne’s What?

Victorian terraced house Guide price

£525k

Receptions 3; office; loft room Bedrooms

3

Bathrooms

1

Outside Good-sized garden with large timber cabin Boardwalk, Henleaze House, 13 Harbury Road 0117 989 8222; www.boardwalkpropertyco.com

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BRISTOL LIVES

“Bristol has a soul.

You don’t have to tread over people to rise here” think beyond the image. Being e hibited at the Bristol useum, alongside work by icons of British photography, that piece acquired a foundation. It goes on and teaches and adds to the narrative.

The Where’s It To? campaign

COLIN MOODY

While not wearing one of his many other hats, Colin creates the Bristol Heroes feature in our magazine.

He’s our Bristol hero…

C

olin is a professional photographer, shooting at many festivals and cultural events in Bristol and across the UK. “At heart, I’m an itinerant documentarian,” he says. “I love the energy of life.”

feeling and responding to the energy. It’s always considered, and after a while I suppose instinctual, in those quick grabbed moments as fleeting as life itself.

I first got into photography

tribes all intersecting, no single fi ed area; it’s always evolving, a tad revolutionary, often a bit messy, and that energy bursts out from between the cracks. The greatest moment ever might be that of an old face smiling at you in the café on the corner.

when my dad gave me my grandfather’s old camera, and I first saw the world through a tiny square piece of refracted glass. I’ve been putting things into squares and rectangles ever since. Now I see life as pictures.

It’s a buzz.

My hero is Henri Cartier Bresson. He’s my inspiration,

every day, he was always moving and getting into the right place but it never felt it was about photography for him; not style, not flair, it was about life.

My style evolved as I always

reacted to what was there. I don’t go in with a shot list, it’s about

Rich pickings are here in Bristol because we have many

Favourite areas to shoot? The

centre, the Croft, East Street.

Where things are in flu . elps to know the history and the politics of a space. And talk to people; listen more than you talk.

My photo of Colston’s statue

going into the water got shown at galleries and shows, but I got people to write all over it and it made more sense then, to

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

represented nearly two years of work, taking photos of every high street in Bristol. Every single portrait showed another person holding up more than their fair share of the indie sky, in each neighbourhood. Butchers, bakers, every kind of business. It’s a direct line to the beating heart of Bristol’s indie spirit.

My next book is a look at our Bristol nightlife culture.

Three years in the making so far, because of Covid. That inspired me to make a film, with Save Bristol Nightlife, and then develop that with a filmmaker I met on a night walk. That has been my main focus creatively at this time. It’s got photography in it, but it’s a huge collaborative project from all over the city to tell stories about what we’ve lost and what we’ve held on to over Covid. The film is also a bit of a love letter to Bristol and its power to help and heal. We are about to plan how we bring that back to the city which made it.

I won some awards for my short films years ago, and have

been waiting for a project to find me to stir me here. Then I found Annie Mcgann and Tom Whitson, and we’ve made this feature-length documentary, which now I’ve mentioned twice, so you can clearly see it means a lot to me. Again, news soon on that.

I do presenting at events all over

the UK; I love it. I use the same energy I use when I’m interacting with people with a camera but

channel it into being a presenter on TV, radio and events.

ADHD drives my photo desire

but sometimes I move from project to project so fast I don’t always take time to keep in touch with people. otta fi that.

Perfect condition for hyper-focus on getting the shot, but got to keep tabs on how fast I roll out of there, too.

I moved to Bristol from London 13 years ago. I’ve

never known a place like Bristol.

People do show a lot of themselves on the street and at Carnival, Pride, festivals… I’ve dipped in and loved the real connections I’ve made here. Professional and personal developments that feel more real than the cul-de-sac thinking I knew growing up.

Bristol has a soul. You don’t have to tread over people to rise here.

I live in Hotwells. It’s a place

of flow, the tide rushes in there, it’s in the place where things are moving. It needs a community hub space, though.

Favourite meal out? Hotwells

has the Indian Rassasy.

Banging. But when I took the Where’s It To? photos I was sent,

by Inkie, to Jean’s Bistro on the Gloucester Road. Best Thai I’ve ever had. I’m back every month.

Phenomenal.

This year I’m most looking forward to getting that feature

film shown all over the city in the places that need it, which feature in it. Making it useful, meaningful, that’s driving things forwards. Then finish book three with my friend Jazz, and look for the energy, the story and to see where it goes…

For more: www colinmoodyphotography.wordpress.com

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