Bristol Life - Issue 331

ISSUE 331 / MARCH 2023 / £3

GO AZTEC WEST: BRISTOL’S SECRET SUPERSPA

BRISTOL LIFE AWARDS ’23: THE PREVIEW!

ISSUE 331 / MARCH 2023 / ART OF THE CITY

ROLL UP FOR WALDO’S CIRCUS OF MAGIC AND TERROR

PUTTING THE BAND BACK TOGETHER: THE COMMITMENTS RIDE AGAIN

IT’SS THE T GREAT GRE BRISTOL

WHAT (OR WHO) DO FOOTBALL ANTHEM VINDALOO, BRISTOL ROVERS AND COME DINE WITH ME HAVE IN COMMON?

ARTS LOVE-IN!

The aubergine couldn’t resist the a-peel of the banana smoothie

ALL THE BEST SHOWS, EXHIBITIONS AND GIGS COMING YOUR WAY (AT LEAST, THE ONES WE KNOW ABOUT SO FAR)

EDITOR’S LETTER

C

Dublin soul

32

They had absolutely nothing, but they were willing to risk it all.

Roddy Doyle’s been putting the band back together . . .

raving a little escapism? An injection of fun and glamour? I’ve been getting the sense that this is what a lot of people want right now. Because that’s how it always tends to go, in times of uncertainty, austerity and anxiety; think of the way everyone went mad for over-thetop musicals during the Great Depression.

It’s understandable, after the past few years and the continuing fallout from the lockdowns, Brexit and anything else you want to chuck into the mix, that what we fancy – well, what we’ve always fancied, probably, but maybe now more than ever – is a chance to park reality for a couple of hours and immerse ourselves in alternative worlds; whether it’s seeing life through the eyes of an incredible artist, taking in a show, or sipping indulgent cocktails at a bar shimmering with nostalgic lustre (I don’t think it’s a coincidence that Aqua’s new Grand Café and Bristol Hotel’s Rick’s Bar have just opened within weeks of each other).

And that’s really what this, our mid-March issue, is all about. A look at all the best shows, gigs and art coming our way this spring and summer. An extended Bristol Heroes in which Colin argues that art is life, death, love and all that other stuff.

We also peek behind the curtains at a pair of musicals guaranteed to take you out of yourself, connect with others and feel a sense of community.

Always thought going to the theatre was a passive experience? I pity the fool who expects me to sit silently in my chair when The Commitments perform Mustang Sally.

We’ve also popped in to check out the aforementioned elegant new bars; hell, we’ve even spent a day kicking back at a spa.

Think of this magazine as a collection of recipes to restore your spirit and salve your soul. Failing that, a pint of cider #outsidefini as soon as the weather breaks will probably do the trick just as well. This is Bristol, after all.

DERI ROBINS Bristol Life editor Follow us on

@BristolLifeMag;

@BristolLifeMag

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

Issue 331 / March 2023 ON THE COVER Poster for Animal at Tobacco Factory – just one of the fabulous shows lined up for our delectation, edification and deli ht this sprin and su er turn to pa e

6

ARTS

13 ARTS INTRO ales fro the cit 14 WHAT’S ON ou can tell its sprin , we ve u ped the listin s

section up to four pa es he est stuff co in our wa etween now and idsu er.

THE BIG INTERVIEW Roddy Doyle: how the The Commitments chan ed his life, and wh he s puttin the and ac to ether THEATRE hip crac in i top deli hts BRISTOL HEROES rt it s life, and death, and love, and all that other shizzle BOOKS Meet the author, then drink wine

22 ARTS PREVIEW 32 38 44 51

FOOD & DRINK

52 RESTAURANT & SPA Go Aztec West 56 FOOD NEWS little of old world la our does

ou ood

59 CAFÉ SOCIETY tan s ac on the

support the

harf traders. Please

harf. e li e tan

SHOPPING

22

60 ED’S CHOICE t s

other s a , and we don t want to hear an of our oh, it s ust a all ar anniversar nonsense

52

BUSINESS

55 BRISTOLWORKS few local stories efore we et to....

71 THE BRISTOL LIFE AWARDS his he i est and ost

la orous usiness ni ht of the ear. ere s how it went down last ear, and how it s hi hl li el to o down this ear

PROPERTY 88 SHOWCASE

hat s nown in the trade as a

eor ian e

REGULARS

6 SPOTLIGHT 11 BRIZZOGRAM 98 BRISTOL LIVES da

utton

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, Storysmith Books 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.

We’re a West Country-based publisher, creative agency and event organiser Magazines Our portfolio of regional magazines celebrates the best of local living: Bath, Bristol, Cardiff and Exeter. Agency From the design and build of websites to digital marketing and creating company magazines, we can help. Events We create, market, promote and operate a wide variety of events both for MediaClash and our clients Contact: info@mediaclash.co.uk

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

SPOTLIGHT Music

NOTES FOR THE DIARY It’s taken five years, it’s gone over budget (but then what mega refurbishment hasn’t?), it’s got itself a brand new name – and now Bristol Beacon has finally announced the big reveal date for its multi-million pound transformation.

On Thursday 30 November, Bristol will be officially introduced to the new performance spaces, which include the 2000+-capacity Beacon Hall, 500-capacity Lantern Hall and the new 200-capacity Weston Cellar. Ahead of publishing the full reopening programme, some of the first events have already been announced, featuring big names with long-standing relationships with the venue, from Jools Holland to The Bootleg Beatles. In December, Sophie Ellis-Bextor will bring her kitchen disco to Beacon Hall, as will acclaimed music collective Penguin Café; there’ll also be comedy shows from John Robins and Ross Noble.

Bristol favourites This Is The Kit are booked to play their first Beacon Hall concert on 3 February – their biggest show in the city to date. The show represents a continuation of the ‘Bristol Beacon presents’ in-house programme that has seen the hall work with over 40 venues during the five-year refurbishment. There’s also the return of Simple Things Festival, for its 10th edition; co-founder Thomas Frost says that “the reopening of Bristol Beacon is one of the most significant moments for the city; it will be great to be back at our spiritual home for our 10th edition”.

To keep up to date with more news and reopening announcements, including ticket details for the first shows, sign up to the Bristol Beacon newsletter at the website below.

For more: www.bristolbeacon.org

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

SPOTLIGHT Bristol Zoo

WILD THINGS While discussions rumble on about the fate of its old Clifton site, Bristol Zoo has pu lished the first i a es showin how it s li el to loo when it reopens at Wild Place in 2024. s reveal that visitors will e immersed in nature from the moment the step foot inside the oo. a es include a Central African forests area, the future home of the Western lowland orillas, alon with several other endan ered species includin a new roup of cherr crowned an a e on e s, frican re parrots, slender snouted crocodiles and several e tre el rare species of est frican fish, which visitors will e a le to see in a new underwater viewin area.

There are also pics of a conservation learnin ca pus, where visitors will e a le to see scientists up close at wor . ccordin to chief e ecutive r ustin orris, the new oo will offer ani als the space to thrive, and ive future enerations a chance to co e face to face with ani als in nature, while learnin ore a out the charit s conservation and education wor . o ple entin the ani al species plan at the oo itself, focused on 76 species that are most in need of protection, the oo will continue to carr out conservation pro ects for species under threat in four continents. ift species will e ovin fro the ori inal ristol oo ardens,

fro the estern lowland orillas to lue e ed lac le urs, ol nesian tree snails, indanao leedin heart doves, Tarictic hornbills, Socorro doves, European turtle doves, tur uoise ec os, le ur leaf fro s and orfu illifish. ew species will also e ovin over fro other oos and a uariu s around the world, as part of well esta lished, cooperative reedin pro ra es, includin two lac rhinoceros, orth frican red nec ed ostriches and rev s e ra. onstruction of the new ristol oo is e pected to e in in and will e phased over a nu er of ears, with ild lace ro ect re ainin open throu hout.

For more: www.wildplace.org.uk

Playable City

PLAY IT AGAIN, BRISTOL Bristol is an inherently playful city, so it was no surprise that tech-based festival Playable City began here in 2012. And now, this July, stand by for Playable City Sandbox, a creative research and development programme that provides a space in which participants have the chance to transform an experimental idea to a working prototype, over three months of rapid research and development.

The installations will once again place play at the heart of the city, sparking imagination and conversation about inclusion, sustainability, surveillance and the future of cities.

Up for our fascination and delight this year

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

is Squeeze Me, in which inflatable soft robotic technology is used to create huge, inflatable and illuminated creatures which will be wrapped around trees, lampposts and other street furniture, inviting passers-by to hug, squeeze, lean on or poke them.

Then there’s How (Not) to Get Hit By a SelfDriving Car, a game that challenges people to avoid being detected as human in the eye of an AI; House of Weaving Sings, created with Somali communities, integrating weaving songs and woven tapestries; and Street Pixel, hardware graffiti designed to reinvigorate the relationship between people and their cities.

Zoomscape Zoetrope is a light experience, designed to be viewed from moving train windows from Bristol Temple Meads station, capitalising on the railway as a cinematic space of arrival; then there’s Fireflies, an immersive experience using virtual content to turn the

Go on; squeeze them...

streets and landmarks of Bristol into a colourful, sci-fi-infused digital jungle.

The interactive exhibition will be in Bristol for one week in July 2023.

For more: www.playablecity.com/cities/bristol

SPOTLIGHT

LIFE IN BLACK AND WHITE Strong architectural shapes, and a kind of mid-century timelessness: mono pics are always scroll-stoppers

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

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

CLOCKWISE: Asmaa Jama; Christopher Fielden; Helen Dumore; Magnus Mills; Valda Jackson; Tessa Hadley; Shagufta K Iqbal; KM Elkes; Sanjida Kay

TALES OF THE CITY

“It is impossible to capture the essence of a city, its multitudes, its contradictions, its extremes, in a collection of just ten stories,” say Heather Marks and Joe Melia; but in their just-published anthology The Book of Bristol they’ve had a go at it anyway. ach of the stories is set in different parts of the cit each was written a different local author, from big names such as Tessa Hadley, Magnus Mills and the late, great Helen Dunmore, through to emerging authors such as Sanjida Kay, Asmaa Jama and Valda Jackson. a en to ether, the stories cover an different facets of ristol s co ple histor and co unities, offerin a fascinatin snapshot of a cit whose identit swin s on a pendulu , according to Shagufta K. Iqbal – whose story The Cycle concludes the book.

The Book of Bristol costs £9.99; www.commapress.co.uk www.mediaclash.co.uk I BRISTOL LIFE I 13

WHAT’S 10-31 March ON 2023 EXHIBITIONS

mysticism in ancestral lands.

Spike Island; spikeisland.org.uk

BETWEEN WORK AND WINDOW Photographs of Academicians in their studios, by Anne-Katrin Purkiss; at RWA, rwa.org.uk

Until 28 May

Until 12 March

Until 9 April

A YEAR IN THE LIFE OF CHEW STOKE VILLAGE Photographs taken by Martin Parr in 1992, during a year spent documenting the village; at MPF, martinparrfoundation.org

Until 1 May

PHOTO OPEN EXHIBITION A celebration of contemporary photography in all its forms, at RWA; rwa.org.uk

Until 21 May

HOWARDENA PINDELL: A NEW LANGUAGE An exhibition surveying Howardena’s six-decade career, from early abstract paintings to more political works; at Spike Island; spikeisland.org.uk SHOW ME THE WORLD MISTER Exhibition by Ayo Akingbade co prisin two new fil co issions shot on location in Nigeria; The Fist is a portrait of the Guinness brewery in Lagos, where histories of colonialism, industrialisation and labour collide; Faluyi looks at familial legacy and

What happens when there’s no war left to fight? The Winston Machine does its damndest to find out

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

theatre comedy company Ding For Disco revives A Doll’s House with a noughties teen-movie makeover.

At Wardrobe; thewardrobetheatre.com

WILDLIFE PHOTOGRAPHER OF THE YEAR Nature red in tooth and claw: the world’s best wildlife photography shows at M Shed; bristolmuseums.org.uk

THIS HOUSE UK politics is in crisis, and the country is in economic peril.

Fights break out in the Houses of Parliament and the government whips can barely contain the chaos.

Sounds familiar? Well this time, it’s 1974, and in James Graham’s bitingly funny political thrillcom we discover just how far these parties will go for political survival...

At TFT, tobaccofactorytheatres.com

THE COMMITMENTS You can’t go wrong with classic soul and streetwise Dublin wit; the book was reat, the fil was super , and the West End show apparently broke records. We’re not sure which ones. Hippodrome, atgtickets.com

24 March

11 March-1 April

SHOWS

15-18 March

GARRY FABIAN MILLER: ADORE One of the most inventive and original photographers of his time, who uses a ‘cameraless’ practice that experiments with darkness and light, and weaves in work by creatives who have inspired hi at rnolfini

Until 29 May

BODEGON Argentinian artist Natalie Bo shows her colourful paintings, along with work by Matias Aleman, at The Island; nataliabo.art

Until 11 March

TENDER NAPALM Misplaced Theatre takes on Philip Ridley’s explosive, poetic and brutal play, examining the language of love and the politics of sexual attraction among the ruins of a relationship scarred by catastrophe; Alma Tavern, wearemisplaced.com

Until 18 March SISTER ACT

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WALDO’S CIRCUS OF MAGIC & TERROR Dazzling, uplifting new circus theatre musical; see page 38.

At BOV, bristololdvic.org.uk WE WERE PROMISED HONEY! A lone performer tells the story of the future of the audience; what’s going to happen to them in the decades, centuries, millennia after the end of this show. At Bristol Old Vic, bristololdvic.org.uk

17-18 March

BRITNEY’S PEERS The Ibsen x Spears collab you never knew you were waiting for, as female and genderqueer-led

20-25 March

21-25 March

THE TALENT On stage is a small sound booth; inside it sits a solitary voiceover artist. ff sta e, in a space never seen but only heard, two disembodied voices ask her to con ure different voices for commercials, self-help audiobooks, meditation tapes, computer games, robo-calls… anything and everything. Is she the powerful protagonist in her own narrative, or a cheap ventriloquist of capitalism’s audio de ris uess we ll find out at Wardrobe; thewardrobetheatre.com THE WINSTON MACHINE At the height of the Blitz, harlotte s in a passionate affair with a pitfire pilot, fi htin fascis in red lipstick and living each day like her last. Eighty years later, Charlotte’s granddaughter Becky is stuck in her hometown, singing old songs at other people’s weddings

WHAT’S ON

there but Sarah-Louise Young will. thewardrobetheatre.com

28 March-4 April

THE KING AND I Shall we dance? With more cracking tunes than you might remember, the Rogers & Hammerstein classic from the great age of musicals comes to Bristol Hippodrome, atgtickets.com

COMEDY Ongoing

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

10 March

CHLOE PETTS: TRANSIENCE Chloe uses her trademark cerebral laddishness to examine her desperate attempts at living in the moment, and her (strictly non-romantic) love for men. At The Wardrobe, thewardrobetheatre.com

11 March TOP: Michelle de

Swarte: she’s been around a few blocks before arriving at the Hen & Chicken; MIDDLE: They’re still looking for that ball they lost in 1992: A Year in the Life of Chew Stoke Village BOTTOM: Ah,the 1970s...

This House at TFT

and dreaming of a better time..

What happens when there’s no war left to fi ht ro andins Theatre at BOV, bristololdvic.org.uk

23 March

ORPHEUS DISMEMBERED Storyteller Ben Haggarty and musician Jonah Brody lead us to the dark places, reading between the lines of Greek mythology to restore these stories to their terrifying glory. Dark, magical and provocative; whatever you do, don’t look back... from Crick Crack Club at The Cube; crickcrackclub.com

27 & 29 March

GETTING HOME A mysterious incident brings travel chaos to the airport all i hts are grounded, but nobody knows why.

The stranded passengers need to leave quickly, and must work together to find their wa ho e. ornerstone Theatre at Acta; acta-bristol.com

28 March-1 April

AN EVENING WITHOUT KATE BUSH oved ate for decades, or onl ust u ped on the Stranger Things ’ 80s revival Bush bandwagon? Either way, come and pay homage to the music and mythology of one of the ost in uential voices in ritish usic, at ardro e ate won t e

CRAIC HOUSE A night of the best Irish comedy with Michael Legge; at Bristol Folk House, bristolfolkhouse.co.uk FIN TAYLOR: DADDY SELF-CARE Fin’s going after our cultural obsession with mental health. Have we reached the final frontier of a narcissistic society’s obsession with labels? At 1532, 1532bristol.co.uk JARLATH REGAN Star of the hit Irish panel show unambiguously named The Panel, Jarlath is known for his uplifting, inventive and relentlessly funny stand-up; catch him at the Hen & Chicken; henandchicken.com JUSTIN MOORHOUSE: STRETCH AND THINK Justin’s new show may contain yoga, Madonna, shoplifters, Labradoodles, funerals, ‘is tapas a rip off , electric car char in spots used by doggers and a lot more. And he’s got a new suit. Come on, it’ll be fun; Wardrobe, thewardrobetheatre.com

12 March

JON UDRY’S VARIETY BUNGALOW A cabaret night of circus, comedy and all things unusual from Jon, the winner of British Young Juggler of the Year, at Wardrobe; thewardrobetheatre.com

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WHAT’S ON MIKE WOZNIAK: ZUSA Ever wondered how Mike’s GreatAunt Zusa made it from Poland to Luton with a war nipping at her heels? ere s our chance to find out. t TFT, tobaccofactorytheatres.com

15-16 March

GRUBBY LITTLE MITTS Winners of the Amused Moose top debut sketch show at Edinburgh 2022, this is sketch comedy with teeth and e e alls. t once slapstick, sitcom and surreal, wildl different s etches delivered at breakneck speed traverse into strange realities where normal rules of en a e ent do not appl ... at Wardrobe; thewardrobetheatre.com

16 March

MICHELLE DE SWARTE: MOVED Michelle’s moved country four times, been homeless three times, worked as a fashion model, cleaner, reporter, presenter, writer, cat-sitter and actor. arried, divorced, on dru s, off dru s. n Moved, she breaks down the highs and lows of burning your life to the ground and starting again, when 40 is around the corner; Hen & Chicken, henandchicken.com

17 March

GRACE CAMPBELL: A SHOW ABOUT ME(N) Grace tells us how she let go of her need for male validation, with a show that is bound to make all en o sessed with her. ot that she cares, o viousl . en and hic en, henandchicken.com

18 March

STEPHEN BAILEY The working-class, ginger, gay, northern, bitchy best-friend you wish you had brings his gossipy camp and conspiracy theories to Hen and Chicken; henandchicken.com

23 March

SAUSAGE, EGG, JOSH PUGH, CHIPS AND BEANS Josh takes us through his past two years, trying to have a baby and accidentally losing Captain Tom’s irthda cards. entl surreal stuff at TFT; tobaccofactorytheatres.com SIMON MUNNERY ve een u ed three ti es and arrested once. hat a night!” Come and see Simon turn distressing life occurrences into comedy gold at Hen and Chicken, henandchicken.com

24 March

CHLOE PETTS: TRANSIENCE ee also arch. o acco actor Theatres, tobaccofactorytheatres.com

25 March

STEPHEN GRANT n possession of i pressive speed, energy and intellect, Stephen creates a magical energy which has audiences han in on his ever word. t en and Chicken, henandchicken.com

26 March

RHYS JAMES: SPILT MILK You’ll know Rhys from Richard Osman’s House Of Games (dressing gown, luggage, decanter), Celebrity Mastermind (The US Office, 3rd place) and Pointless Celebrities (wore a tu edo, out in round . ow, for our edification and a use ent, here at BOV; bristololdvic.org.org.uk MARK STEEL: AN EVENING AND A LITTLE BIT OF A MORNING here s so uch to ell a out.

There’s the modern world in which you spend so long trying to work out iTunes that it’s easier to form a and and learn the son s. ut there’s also so much to be delighted a out. i e the fact that ever one in ortha pton nows the si n that says ‘Family Planning Advice use rear entrance . hatever has happened in the room, in the town or in the world that day will almost certainly be in Mark’s show; at TFT, tobaccofactorytheatres.com

30 March

TOM HOUGHTON: ABSOLUTE SHAMBLES Tom delves even deeper into his ludicrous life as he tries to smarten up the not so honourable aspects of himself; at Hen and Chicken, henandchicken.com

MUSIC

10-11 March

PANGEA Pangea returns to Trinity with a celebration of sound-system music fro across the lo e. rinit trinitybristol.org.uk

11 March

BUTLER, BLAKE AND GRANT or an la e the centrifu al force in teenage fanclub; ernard utler renowned for his songwriting and his Mercury no inated al u . a es rant equally well-known for his solo work as he is for his work with

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TOP: The DC movie for DCU-haters: Joker at Bristol Film Fest ABOVE: Brett sounds: it’s Suede at O2

WHAT’S ON rock/soul/funk band Love and Money. Here, they perform a selection of each other’s songs – and it’s an errant joy... At Redgrave; redgravetheatre.com

12 March

TURIN BRAKES The South London four-piece have clocked up seven Top 40 albums since their Mercury-nominated The Optimist; they say that new album Wide-Eyed Nowhere offers a sweeter, groovier set of songs in no hurry to be anything but themselves.” Hear them at St G’s; stgeorgesbristol.co.uk

13 March

CLAVISH Stamford Hill’s most promising rap e port a es his first appearance at Trinity; trinitybristol.org.uk

14 March

JOESEF The Glasgow singer-songwriter’s ‘sad boy’s music’ is packed with honest and impassioned lyrics set to soul-warming, jazz-inspired, lo fi pop instru entals. t rinit Centre; trinitybristol.org.uk

18 March

TIDE LINES The four-piece Scottish Highland band bring old-age folk into the new age; check them out at Trinity Centre; trinitybristol.org.uk

19 March

DUNDUNDUN African and Latin rhythms combine with jazz and electronics in uplifting soundscapes and deep hypnotic grooves; at Trinity Centre; trinitybristol.org.uk

20 March

THE FUREYS One of Ireland’s most acclaimed middle-of-the-road, folk and traditional bands brings a lifetime of music and tales to The Redgrave; redgravetheatre.com

22 March

ABOVE: Tuneful acoustic (mostly) rockers (though slightly folky) Turin Brakes at St George’s; RIGHT: Man up: Mike Wozniak at the TFT

28 March

SUEDE The 1990s faves are back performing all their classic hits and tracks from their latest album, c ; see them at O2, academymusicgroup.com

OTHER Ongoing

FRANC MOODY Soul/funk and cosmic sounds from the London-based six-piece, at Trinity; trinitybristol.org.uk

BRISTOL FILM FESTIVAL The year-round fest with the something-for-everyone remit screens at various venues; e c

24 March

18 March

DONAE’O Producer, songwriter, rapper, and vocalist Donae’o has been an early adopter of almost all crucial urban movements coming out of London; hear him at Trinity; trinitybristol.org.uk

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BRISTOL COMIC CON AND GAMING FESTIVAL Blessed are the geeks: come to Ashton Gate for the best of props, vendors, gaming etc, and make sure to cosplay to the nines; c c n

REMEDIAL AND SPORTS MASSAGE

STUDY PART TIME IN BRISTOL STARTING APRIL 2023 There are spaces available on the Level 5 Remedial and Sports Massage (RSM) Diploma starting this April at the Bristol College of Massage & Bodywork.

The college – established in 1986 – are offering a unique fast paced, in-depth, career changing course in a supportive and fun environment. It’s a part-time course spread over 12 months with home study to fit around other commitments.

The RSM course provides students with in-depth knowledge of how to manage a wide range of muscle and joint related problems.

This includes integrating a variety of assessment, treatment and rehabilitation skills as well as covering the more specific area of competitive sports.

Meeting Level 5 academic standards, the course opens the door to a wide range of future career opportunities such as working in a private setting, working with sports teams or even building your own successful massage business.

Every training weekend is packed with information, experience and opportunities to use your new practical skills. It’s ideal for individuals with massage experience and the curiosity to learn more. For more information or to apply please visit the website www.bristolmassage.co.uk Lower Ground Floor, 109 Pembroke Road, Clifton, Bristol, BS8 3EU - 0117 946 6371

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

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FITTING AND DELIVERY SERVICE

Find us at: The Old Coachworks, Bath Road, Longwell Green Bristol, BS30 6DL Telephone: 0117 947 7721 Visit us online: thecarpetbarn.co.uk

ARTS

At home with the Bennets: P&P* (Sort of)

ARTS

3

Spring is busily doing its springing thing, and Bristol’s galleries, theatres and concert venues are busting out all over Words by Deri Robins

T 2 here’s a headily eclectic selection of cultural delights in store for SS23, and many of Bristol’s venues have announced their up-and-coming programmes.

Below are some of the highlights we know about so far. We’ve ade the cut off date id ul , otherwise we’d be here all day…

THEATRE

Pantos in April? Christmas shows in July? Austen karaoke?

Yep, I think we have all the main bases covered….

1

TAKE THE P&P OUT OF AUSTEN Pride & Prejudice* (*Sort of) blew the roof off ristol ld ic when it was More hot stuff at Bristol Old Vic…

1

Fancy running away to the circus? We’re so intrigued

by Waldo’s Circus of Magic and Terror (11 March-1April) that we’ve given it its own feature; turn to page 38.

A steamy new reimagining of Anna Karenina (7-24 June) brings Tolstoy’s masterpiece bang up to date in a heartbreaking tale of marriage, loyalty and betrayal. You’ll be hot under the collar before the interval.

last in town. It then went on to a hit run in the West End, winning an livier for est co ed . f you love the book and/or a bit of karaoke, bring your pals, have a girls’ night out and see how this all-female cast gently take the P&P out of Austen.

9-20 May, Bristol Old Vic BLESS THIS HOUSE UK politics is in crisis, and the country is in economic peril. Fights break out in the Houses of Parliament and the government whips can barely contain the chaos. Sounds familiar? Well, this time, it’s 1974, and in this not-so-distant past, Westminster is at war with itself again. erfor ed ristol ld ic heatre chool, a es raha s political comedy-thriller This House introduces us to the farcical and fanatical world of 1970s Westminster. Plus ça change, then...

10-18 March at Tobacco Factory Theatres.

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SEE THE MUPPETS DIE HARD ALL OVER AGAIN MDH: Puppets Do a Movie a fast, s art, lo fi action thriller parody with big laughs, plastic machine-guns and a glamorous talking pig – was such a hit for The Wardrobe at Christmas that they’re doing it all over again this summer.

4 July-12 August, The Wardrobe More at The Wardrobe and TFT

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

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WATCH PANTO IN APRIL Why not, given that Mother Goose co-stars Sir Ian McKellen as Caroline Goose and John Bishop as her husband Vic? Bring the kids, for sure, but come for the grown-up state-of-the nation lols.

12-16 April, Bristol Hippodrome.

Also at the Hippodrome, Disney’s The Lion King roars back with its spectacular costumes, top songs, and *that* opening sequence – but we won’t spoil the surprise for you...

18 May-1 July, Bristol Hippodrome

Also at TFT…

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Also at The Wardrobe…

The Talent, 21-25 March (inset pic).

On stage is a small sound booth; inside it sits a voiceover artist.

Off stage, two voices ask her to conjure different voices for commercials, self-help audiobooks, meditation tapes, computer games … Bristol’s genrepushing theatre company Action Hero presents a post-pandemic, posthuman vocal soup that wonders aloud about how the human voice lives on outside the body.

The theatre is also hosting Bristol Old Vic Theatre School’s Summer Festival (25 May-17 June): eight cutting-edge contemporary works, with a double bill every night (pic right).

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

Animal (12-15 April) introduces us to David: gay, disabled and horny. He can’t eat, drink or shower by himself, let alone the rest. Totally inexperienced, he embarks on a sexual and romantic odyssey.

Can he keep it casual while also relying on roundthe-clock care?

Can he manage the thrill and uncertainty of random hook-ups after a lifetime of knock-backs?

modern times: Henrietta Lacks, whose cells form the basis of the most important medical research and breakthroughs Family Tree (13 happening today, to 17 June) is a from cancer to powerful and COVID (left). poetic drama But Henrietta about race, health, never knew any the environment, of this. Her cells and the legacy were taken without of one of the her or her family’s most influential knowledge or Black women of permission…

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ARTS

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SEE THE CITY THROUGH WOMEN’S EYES Found Cities: Lost Objects, a group exhibition curated by Turner Prize-winning artist Lubaina Himid, explores modern city life from a female POV; themes range from safety and navigation to concepts of belonging and power.

19 May-13 August, RWA

ART

Whether the art comes with a thought-provoking message, is simply gorgeous to behold, or both, Bristol eyes are in for a treat this spring and summer

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SPEAK A NEW LANGUAGE Howardena Pindell: A New Language surveys the Philly artist’s six-decade career, from early abstract paintings to political works that tackle subjects from slavery to racism and AIDS, calling for

‘a new language’ for people of colour working in the arts.

Until 21 May, Spike Island

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COME LET US ADORE HIM Bristol-born Garry Fabian Miller is one of the most inventive and original photographers of his generation, using a cameraless practice that experiments with darkness and light. Adore offers a a or retrospective of his work.

U i

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GAWP AT THE BEST PHOTOGRAPHY IN THE WORLD In a month-long campaign this spring, World Photography in Focus brings several prestigious photography e hi itions to ristol, offerin us images of the world’s most spectacular sights, wonderful wildlife and fabulous food.

Set between the Royal Photographic Society and the Martin Parr Foundation, the Travel Photographer of the Year has some of the most jawdropping images you’ll ever see (check out www.tpoty.com). It’s the first ti e this collection has een displayed anywhere in the world,

6 and its outside location means it can be seen 24 hours a day, seven days a week.

29 April- 31 May, Paintworks Pink Lady® Food Photographer of the Year, the world’s leading awards for food photo raph and fil , rin s a fresh selection of images you’ll want to lick (though prepare for some hard stares if you do).

20 May-11 June, RPS Photo Open Exhibition The RWA’s Open showcases the sheer quality and range of photographic work being produced by photographers and artists, both across the UK and abroad today.

Until 1 May, RWA

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Venice Kimono by Anthea Hamilton

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

ARTS Wildlife Photographer of the Year: simply, the best wildlife photography in the world.

Until 29 May, M Shed Picturing High Streets 60 photographs capturing candid scenes and characters will be exhibited in Broadmead as part of a touring exhibition celebrating high-street heroes.

Throughout March and April, Merchant Street International Photography Exhibition 164 The latest edit of the world’s longest-running contemporary photography exhibition, with 46 exhibitors selected from thousands of entries from around the world. So they’re likely to be pretty good…

Until 7 May, RPS

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HOLD THE FRONT PAGE You have until 9 April to take in A Year in the Life of Chew Stoke Village at Martin Parr Foundation (lavishly covered in our previous issue).

Next up at the gallery is The Dynamic: the fascinating story of the short-lived but highly distinctive local newspaper The Abertillery and Ebbw Valleys Dynamic, focusing on the newspaper’s editors and the community they represent, as told for er staff photo rapher Sebastian Bruno. Fascinating!

20 April-2 July, MPF More arty ideas…

Studio 74 gallery’s Art for your Interiors runs from 20 March to the end of April, with focus weekends with advice on finding art for your home to spring interior trends.

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

FROM TOP: Making our own holiday

snaps look hilariously lame: Travel Photographers of the Year Katy Gomez, Dana Allen and Athanasios Maloukos

COMEDY

There’s no shortage of LOLs to be had between now and summer; quite apart from the endless roster of big names streaming into the Hippodrome, from Stewart Lee to Jimmy Carr, Frankie Boyle and Michael McIntyre, there’s the Comedy Garden (14-18 June), ongoing gigs at Comedy Loft and Stand up for the Weekend, loads of improv at The improv Theatre, not to mention the Wells Comedy Festival, which always punches above its weight, over the late May bank holiday.

Oh, and there’s Jayde….

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JAYDE SAVES THE DAY Bristol comedian and actor Jayde Adams has been having a busy old time of it, what with dancing in Strictly and starring in TV series Alma’s Not Normal and Ruby Speaking. She’s also in the upcoming Greatest Day, a e hat s fil version of their musical The Band.

She’s so popular round these parts that a second date has now been announced for her Men, I Can Save You show, which when released on Amazon Prime was longlisted for an Emmy and had over 156 million views.

2 April & 25 June, Bristol Old Vic

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MUSIC

Obviously the BIG news this year is the reopening of Bristol Beacon in the autumn – see page 6 for the full lowdown.

In the meantime, though…

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CLAP A HAND OVER ONE EAR… … because Bristol Folk Festival’s back, with a stellar line-up of UK and

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

world artists between 28-30 April, from trio Lady Maisery – dubbed the future of folk – to Eliza Carthy; Bristol sea-shanty superstars The Longest Johns, and Welsh supergroup Calan

(see pic above) – “A storming juggernaut of cool-Cymruwith-attitude power-folk with a jaw-dropping repertoire”, according to Folk Wales.

28-30 April, various venues

ARTS

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EXPECT A MIRRORBALL Arctic Monkeys are about to embark on their biggest UK tour to date, starting right here in Bristol. We’re told to expect an expansive, crowd-pleasing set.

29 May, Ashton Gate Stadium

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SAVE THE DAY Beloved homegrown dance fest Love Saves the Day returns to Ashton Court: this year we have the (original three) Sugarbabes, Fatboy Slim, and Years and Years headlining over dozens of names that the cool cats among you will know, and the rest of us just pretend to.

27-28 May, Ashton Court Estate

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SEE A GIG, SUPPORT A FOREST At Forest Live you don’t just get to kick back in beautiful woodland while listening to some of the most popular acts on the circuit; the price of your ticket helps to support the nation’s forests. This year’s headliners are Paul Weller (left) Tom Grennan, and Jack Savoretti with Natalie Imbruglia.

8-18 June, Westonbirt Arboretum

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

ARTS

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HIT UP THE HARBOUR Bristol Sounds is ac for five da s in une na es alread in the diar are eclectic north ondoner aco ollier, anc and a es, and an all da festival headlined he evellers (left). ore to e announced dou tless the ll e ra in so eone who s stoppin off on their wa to, or headin ac fro , laston ur .

21-25 June, Lloyds Amphitheatre

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FILM

The full line-up for Cinema Rediscovered (26-30 July) won’t be unveiled until June, but we know there’s a focus on Bristol-born director J. Lee Thompson. In the meantime, fancy a trip to Bhutan?…

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

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RECONSIDER YOUR LIFE CHOICES Lunana: a Yak in the Classroom is the first fil fro hutan to win an scar no ination. irected awo ho nin or i in his feature directorial de ut, it tells the stor of en or i, a cit ased teacher sent a ainst his will to wor in the world s ost re ote school in the hutanese villa e of unana, where es, he does in fact find a a in the classroo . poiler alert the enthusias of his oun pupils and the war th of the villa ers slowl win en over, a in hi thin afresh a out what it eans to e happ and en o a sense of elon in . ven the trailer ade us well up.

10-16 March, Watershed

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“I wanted to capture the rhythm of Dublin kids yapping and teasing and bullying”

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

THE BIG INTERVIEW

DESTINATION ANYWHERE..

. . . but next stop, Bristol Hippodrome: The Commitments author Roddy Doyle is putting the band back together again...

Words by Deri Robins

© ANTHONY WOODS

H

e’s written12 novels, three story collections and eight books for children, but whether he likes it or not, Roddy Doyle is probably still best-known for The Commitments.

Published in 1987, it remains his lightest, funniest and most purely enjoyable book. The working-class Dublin setting may be typical of the larger Doyle canon, but it lacks the bleakness of his subsequent subject matter. Take 1993 Booker-winning Paddy Clarke Ha Ha Ha, for example (gritty coming-of-age tale, marital breakdown). Or The Woman Who Walked into Doors (alcoholism, battered wife, child abuse). Or TV drama Family (yet more domestic violence).

The Commitments was of a decidedly lighter ilk. All the trademark north Dublin underclass ingredients were present and correct, but it was very much a comedy piece, charting the fortunes of one Jimmy Rabbitte, a young music fanatic who attempts to lick a ragbag of local isfits into a u lin soul and. ri in with youth, energy and good humour, and so dialogue-heavy that it was already halfway to being a screenplay, the oo was e ora l turned into a fil lan ar er in 1991. It remains so popular that a group containing some of the actors still tours today. ollowin the success of the fil , odd was inundated with offers to turn the novel into a sta e usical. e initially rejected the idea; it’s said that he’d become resentful of the success of The Commitments to the seeming exclusion of his other novels. Eventually he capitulated, and failin to find a suita le writer for the oo of the musical, he ended up writing the show himself.

Today, he remembers the original stage show in 2013 as “a brilliant experience, from my point of view. It stayed in the West End for over two years, then it went on a successful tour.” And now, his Dublin saviours of soul are back on a new nine-month tour of the UK and Ireland, arriving at Bristol Hippodrome on 20 March.

For the original West End production, Roddy lived in London for 12 weeks, attending rehearsals every day, doing daily rewrites. “I attended every preview and then the meetings the next day as we discussed what was and wasn’t working. My role this time round has been less vital, although sitting in on the read-through with the new cast was ust terrific.

If the reception to the latest production is anything like the way the original was greeted 10 years ago, he’ll be a happy man. For The Sunday Times, it was “a sweet soul, solid old, five star last. The Telegraph declared it “touched the sublime”. The Times deemed it “unstoppable fun”. as odd felt e otional returnin to this first wor of fiction t s rou ht ac a lot of e ories, es. was a geography and English teacher at the time when I wrote the novel. I wanted an excuse to bring a bunch of young people together in book form, and capture the rhythm of Dublin kids yapping and teasing and bullying. ut needed to find a settin outside school, and that s when the idea of a band came to me. A big band with a brass section and backing vocals as opposed to three or four young men, that was the norm back then.”

Roddy has resisted the temptation to update the action in the new show to the 2020s. “The vibrancy is still there, but so is the tension caused by lack of communication.

For instance, will Deco, the obnoxious lead singer, turn up on ti e hese da s, ou d trac hi down on our mobile in no time at all. But there wasn’t that option in the late ’80s. And I chose ’60s music – Motown and

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

Roide, Sally, roide: Dublin’s saviours of soul roar back into town

© ELLIE KURT T Z

Memphis soul – because, at the time, it felt timeless. Now, 35 years later, it turns out I was right.”

The Commitments novel had proved a game-changer for Roddy’s career. “I loved teaching, and the holidays were great, a time when I got into the habit of writing. I wrote The Commitments in 1986, it was published the following year and I was working on the screenplay in 1988. But I was still teaching up until 1993.”

The Snapper and The Van followed in 1990 and 1991 respectively, and, along with The Commitments make up what’s known as The Barrytown Trilogy. Then, in 1993, at the age of 35, Roddy hit the literary jackpot. Paddy Clarke Ha Ha Ha, the story of a rumbunctious 10-yearold living in a rapidly changing late ’60s north Dublin suburb, won the prestigious Booker Prize.

“I was delighted. It was a great compliment, although I can’t remember what I said in my acceptance speech. But I do recall then being taken away to be interviewed when all I really wanted to do was get back to the table and share the moment with my wife and publisher.

“But it felt as if I’d instantly become public property, and I didn’t like it. What I wanted more than anything was to go back to Ireland and live as near a normal life as possible. I deliberately continued to use public transport, for example. But now, almost 30 years later, I can take it in my stride.”

Is there a stylistic similarity in all of his books? They all seem to share an extensive use of dialogue . . .

“That’s true. I think that the best way of establishing characters is to get them talking. That’s especially true of The Commitments – and it gave me a template which I used for some years. The fact is, we talk a lot in Ireland.”

© ELLIE KURT T Z

THE BIG INTERVIEW

“I think the best way to establish characters is to get them talking.

And the fact is, we talk a lot in Ireland”

His is a disciplined approach to work, usually writing from nine until six each day. “But I’ve become a bit more relaxed as I’ve got older. There’s nothing quite as nice as oin to see a fil at the cine a in da li ht. nd never feel guilty.”

Whatever came afterwards, The Commitments will alwa s hold a special place in odd s heart as his first published book. But he’s also fond of The Woman Who Walked into Doors; who can forget the moment when the narrator, Paula, after years of domestic abuse, realises that her husband, Charlo, has been interfering with their daughter – and brings down a frying pan on his head? d found it reall hard to write in the first person as a wo an. t too a lon ti e to find aula s voice. also had little or no experience of violence or physical pain. ut into the second ear, it e an to ow reall well.

Even so, he worried whether he’d created something authentic. In 1994, he’d written a four-part series called Family for the BBC which featured Paula and her immediate circle. “When it was broadcast in Ireland, it caused an absolute storm. It was condemned by the Catholic church. Where were the songs from The Commitments? Where was the laughter? There wasn’t any.” hen he was contacted o en s id, who d heard he was writin the oo . hen d finished, ave the the manuscript, which they then distributed among ten women who’d been through abusive relationships. few wee s later, went to a eetin to listen to their reaction to it. I sat down, the only man in the room, and kind of held my breath. The person in charge asked if anyone wanted to say anything. ‘Yes,’ said the woman in front of me. ‘How did you get inside my f*****g head?’

It’s the best review I’ve ever had in my life.” t , odd re ains prolific. etire ent see s unlikely; he was once quoted as saying that he hoped to die mid-sentence.

“Well,” he says, “it might be nice to get to a full stop.”

Think he just did, n The Commitments plays at Bristol Hippodrome 20-25 March www.atgtickets.com

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

THE OUTSIDERS Daredevil tightwire feats! Powerful magic!

Electrifying music! Love, loyalty and risk-taking, all beneath the twinkling stars of the big top!

Come one, come all, to see the spectacular new musical Waldo’s Circus of Magic & Terror…

Words by Ursula Cole

W

OK, so what can we expect from Waldo’s?

irst and fore ost, a reall entertainin evenin a een to shine a li ht into the shadows, the untold stories and histories of people li e e. isa led people, and so an others, were othered and persecuted in er an as the a is rose to power. or e, this stor is a warnin of what can happen when populist ove ents are left unchec ed.

TOP: Tilly Lee-Kronick and Jonny Leitch give us a twirl BELOW: Dominic Owen in rehearsal with Jamie (right)

© PAUL BL AKEMORE

e re ac in randen ur . he a is are urnin oo s and suspending civil rights. Many are desperate to escape, ut for aldo and his travelling circus of outcasts and acro ats, the show ust o on...

This is the premise and ac round of an e traordinar new production traordinar odies, a theatre co pan which rin s to ether the s ill and talent of deaf, disa led, and non disa led artists the roup is a colla oration etween show a ers, ir ue i ou and iverse it , a charit that cha pions diversit and e uit in the perfor in arts.

Waldo’s has een co written disa led actor a ie eddard. avin rown up in a ti e when opportunities for disa led people in the arts were li ited, a ie was luc to land the lead actin role that ic ed off his professional career Skalligrigg, for in . es co ented that disa led persons and artists are acutel aware of the sti atisation of particular roups and people throu h the rowth of fascis in the past and now . opefull there have een strides towards diversit in recent ears es, there have een strides, he sa s. he world entered is ver different to the world now. have een fortunate to have had opportunities denied to those efore e, and su se uent enerations are in turn uch ore visi le and have reater opportunities. ut thin we are in a particular o ent in histor where people are othered , and an of the advances we have ade are ein lost. ne onl has to loo at the wa the pande ic disproportionatel affected certain roups, or how eu enics u les up under so an a endas the i plications for disa led people are dan erous and terrif in and are si erin now as then. e ust e ever vi ilant.

ARTS

Waldo’s is described as a spectacular new circus musical – can we expect a lot of physical theatre, then?

Yes! We have amazing circus and physical theatre performers, alongside fantastic musicians and actors. It’s a heady mix. Weaving together these different strands is far fro eas , ut will rin a out a thrillin and thou ht provo in show.

Is it based on the real lives of circus performers of that era?

t s i portant to stress that this is a fictional narrative, ut an of the stories of the performers and circuses of Weimar Germany have fed into our show. ircuses were places of sanctuar , and provided the means of escape or hiding for those at risk during those times.

What was the reality of life for people who failed to conform to ‘normal’ standards in 1930s Germany?

here were awful and different tra ectories for those roups dee ed unfit , endin up with the horror and rutalit of the inal olution . t is hard to co prehend now what it ust have een li e for so an , and individual stories have een lost in the sheer nu ers and inhumanity of the time. It’s important that these individual stories – factual or fictional are used to shine a li ht on this period of histor .

Brecht and Weill; Cabaret; Expressionism; Neue Sachlichkeit – what is it about pre-war Germany that continues to produce such a rich seam of art, literature and film?

he ei ar epu lic was undou tedl a period of rich artistic activit , and what is interestin is the wa in which uch of this was su su ed the ational ocialists and later the a is. ven ore interestin is the art that ana ed to su vert and challen e the do inant ideolo . o e of the outsider art was incredi le, and was created in dan erous and horrific conditions.

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

DESIGNED WITH CONSIDERATION, INSTALLED WITH CARE

Our Showroom 36: Woodborough Road, Winscombe, Somerset, BS25 1AG Contact us: www.idesigninteriors.co.uk | 01934 844144

PHOTO BY STEVE TANNER

ARTS

ABOVE AND BELOW: rehearsing Waldo’s

Much of the art of that era basked in a kind of seedy decadence – is that an aesthetic we can expect to find among the ‘painted-on glamour’ of Waldo’s big top, and does the fact that the play is set in a world that’s gradually becoming darker and more dangerous heighten the emotion of the personal stories?

The circus is a very deliberate setting for this story beyond the particular experiences we researched. Circus is a place for outsiders and nonconformists. Circus is a bubble insulated from the outside world, and in Waldo’s we were keen to explore the way it gradually seeps in. This is re ected in our set and costu es and the disinte ration of la our.

The darkness draws in. The bubble is burst as our characters have to negotiate a new and frightening world.

We know that Charles Hazlewood, of Paraorchestra fame, has written the score….

Charles Hazlewood and Paraorchestra are amazing composers and musicians, and people with whom I have always wanted to collaborate.

One of the Waldo’s company, the multi-talented Jonny Leitch, has actually been involved in both companies, as aerialist and drummer, for several years. The scale and themes of Waldo’s made this an obvious and deli htful connection. harles usic and in uences are the ost eclectic I have ever come across, and he is weaving both the music of the time and now together in an incredible score.

Waldo’s Circus of Magic & Terror plays Bristol Old Vic 11 March-1 April

www.bristololdvic.org.uk

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

BRISTOL HEROES

ART FOR LIFE Art is life.. and death, and love, and all that other stuff…

Words and pictures by Colin Moody

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2 ife imitates art. Or is it the other way round? Or are they just one and the same?

Come with me now as we explore eight random art heroes, and Bristol once again punches above its weight effortlessl a ainst a tide of ho o enised art the fi ures on the beach with the umbrellas always gives me the fear).

Real art. Real lives.

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For every art lover there is the plus-one at the private view. Mustn’t judge, but the fella at the back here might be one.

But he is a hero; he’s there at Spike Island, and he is letting art into his life. When Damien and his mates grabbed a derelict warehouse and splashed the white on the walls, the world was on its way to getting the pickled shark, and every time you step into art temples of white, you might once again have a moment to realise that art is life, it always has een, and death, and love, and all that stuff.

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“Maybe that’s why our art is so good. It’s not just of the hand, it’s of the land”

Always loved those pagan rituals in the streets of Cornwall and evon, where earl urnin fires are swun over heads or stran e horse li e fi ures enter houses down to the shoreline, enchantin and slightly terrifying all at once.

Been recently looking for art events in Bristol that feel like they are of and a out co unit , and none finer than the e ie lantern parade.

Here, I was particularly drawn to the ship, passing along with hundreds of handmade lanterns from local schools down the human stream that is North Street.

Try to think of your next walk down your high street as if you are at sail heading for port; at every shop stop, weigh anchor and explore. But for me there is something even deeper here. I’m reminded of how our body is a ship for our soul, carrying it around all this time, and to see the reed and paper vessel here lit up, carried slowly, brings us light in the dark days, heading to unchartered shores; well, it gets to me.

Ancient Egyptian pharaohs were carried down the Nile up the Milky a into the infinite, and when we carr this ship down our street, do we not carry some important cargo of sorts towards a new place, a place of hope and possibility? And do we not all become richer for that?

Thank you, the lantern parade. Looking forward to the next tide.

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

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Art is all around us.

By nature’s hand, we have an abundant harvest of apple trees here in the South West that provides us with that most godly of liquids: cider. ttendin first ever wassail this winter, was a a ed to find it an art fest, too. ere the rin of fire is half lit, and the o will not ust li ht up the scene for us to see, it hopes to scare away those dark spirits that would, uess, do ad thin s to those heavenl apples. his was a s all affair last ear, apparentl , ut ou could ar ue it s been one long winter, with Covid and all, and we all had demons to shift.

You could tell when it was our turn to shout and make noise; we really went for it! t is hope that the art of to orrow will alwa s re e er the power and energy of these rituals, for when you sup on the cider barge in the su er, re e er that these fine fol ade it taste all the sweeter for you by ridding the branches and nooks of darker bitterness. a e that s wh our art is so ood. t s not ust of the hand, it s of the land.

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Martin Parr has been busy – he always has, hasn’t he?

A Year in the Life of Chew Stoke Village is on display at the Martin Parr Foundation now; such a resource of inspiration for artists and photographers.

There’s always something fun about attending a launch when visitors start to live instead of ust visit a show. i e havin that past that ou d saved from earlier, while the rest point and discuss.

Art and life, once again, two sides of a spinning coin that spins so fast it’s ust one lur.

Here’s to real life appearing more and more in our art. Mavericks welco e co e on, et our ca era out and add our stor in there. t might seem odd taking a snap of a woman eating a pasty now, but in 50 years it could be high art… cut to 2073, and fresh from the underground station, a Bristol art enthusiast enters the gallery and points… “look, look Simon, they did eat those, they were called pasties…”

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Upfest. Never miss a single thing. Art on every corner around south Bristol, so vibrant, so alive.

Or check that social on the phone and miss it all.

Do yourself a favour when it comes back in 2024; pop the phone away

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

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BRISTOL HEROES

“Art and life, once again, two sides of a spinning coin that spins so fast it’s just one blur”

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JONCRAIG Photographer Bristol   @joncraig_photos

EVENT | PORTRAIT | LIFESTYLE | PRESS | PR | MAGAZINE SHOOTS | LANDSCAPE | ARCHITECTURE | INTERIORS

BRISTOL HEROES

for three hours, yeah, just three hours, and spend some quality time with the art and the artists.

Be more Aldous Harding, and drift into these amazing worlds. See where it sends you. Climb out of your barrel, and enter this world.

Now see it as a child. Life is colour, a sound can become a symphony, dinosaurs made of whole streets can step over you while you reach out and touch the infinite. et the sound of the no le spra action send you to places you have never trodden. ’Cos that ping is probably just a software update notification an wa , and ou ro e the spell for that

6

My favourite art on TV was the scene in Nathan Barley when the producer who had just had a pint of beer poured on his head while he was at a contemporary art launch just stood there, believing this could e an art happenin o ent as people stared, as he dripped in ood eer, and as ed the circlin crowd a part of so ethin a a in , is so ethin a a in happenin ri ht now love art, and love a ood press launch it s so e citin , the artist is there, the art lovers are all there, and it feels as if this could be, wow, right now. o, to all the art lovers, the u ers, the a ers, the overs and the sha ers, sa this. ou are part of so ethin a a in .

7

7

9

Art: you can see it, you can buy it, and you can hang it on your wall. ut for e, what love a out our cit is that art itself is part of the space around us. t can e fro the no le of an e perienced ra ti artist wor in the wall under sodiu li hts, it can e how the person putting up the race poster chooses to hang three in a row right on top of the us stop lass to add a slash of inspiration as ever person steps off the us, it can e when the li htin technician in a ood for it puts a el over the li hts to a e the actors see li e the are perfor in in another ti e and space, or it can e when ust once, and ou don t now why, every swan in town slowly swims over and then meanders in a group li e odels ac sta e at a c ueen show waitin to o on. ust don t for et to ta e the picture. nd that is wh will alwa s want to wor as an artist and e around the art of Bristol. And the light is good here, too.

8

nd ri ht up to date, ristol alwa s loo s at the i the es and old ideas. ere o in ade previous pa e, left presents with the pi e sland tea new fil co issions shot on location in i eria. n until a , ore international art that dares to loo at the es of histor , colonialis , industrialisation and ta in our art palette into challenging spaces that demand discussion and more of that growing awareness. Panoramic ambition.

9

Judah Adunbi at a contemporary art show in Bristol with a difference.

Abolition is NO shed li ht on the lon presence, in uence and interest in fri an herita e people in ristol, showin art and stories that inspired debate and much more.

Our city has a rich culture of learning from our citizens from many corners of this world. Judah was standing by one painting, and it just ade e thin that the ore we listen to our voices fro this rich cit of ours, the ore we will learn. nd in a world of post truth alaise, learning is more vital now than ever before. Truth will radiate out from our cultural leaders, and we will gain more from it than if we join in this debate. Truth always has a way of shining light where it needs to go. penin our e es is onl part of the ourne we need to e open for change, and the possibility of hope.

Art and people. That’s my hope.

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

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

A PERFORMANCE VENUE AND MEETING PLACE FOR EVERYONE

Trinity-Henleaze URC, at the heart of Henleaze can offer you flexible and fully accessible spaces of the highest quality!

We have a range of facilities with modern equipment throughout. Our premises regularly cater for family gatherings, formal meetings, recitals, clubs and societies and groups wanting a friendly space to meet.

We would love to talk to you about your requirements Contact us here: 0117 9623431 | Email: admin@thurc.org.uk Find us on FB: @trinityhenleazeunitedreformedchurch

WWW.THURC.ORG.UK

EMILY & DAN ROSS STORYSMITH BOOKS

Come for the author, stay for the wine; Dan and Emily have a tasty line-up of literary talks this spring

O

ne of the best things about owning your own bookshop is that you get to ask your favourite authors to come and visit you at work and tell you about their new books. This tends to happen in front of an audience of similarly excited folk who are very eager to listen to said authors impart wisdom on the creative process and whatever else they’d like to know, and there also tends to be wine.

And we won’t pretend that we aren’t also motivated by the wine.

Ultimately it does come down to the same thing each time: we look at each other and say, “What about this author?” So that’s what we’ve been doing these last few months – asking our favourite authors to

come and visit us. As a result, this issue’s column is a little celebration of the authors we’re going to be welcoming to the shop in the coming weeks and their new books, all of which will only be enhanced by hearing about them from the authors themselves…

Cursed Bread by Sophie Mackintosh You may already know Sophie Mackintosh’s debut novel The Water Cure which was deservedly nominated for the Booker Prize a few years back. Her third novel, blessed with the utterly excellent title of Cursed Bread, could e her finest yet. Based in part on the real-life poisoning of an entire French town in the 1950s, the sense of creeping dread is all-encompassing, the unsettling ooze of suspicion and

confusion completely palpable.

We have questions, as you might imagine. Sophie will be with us on 14 March.

that works beautifully on the page and to the ear. We can’t wait to hear it in the esh. ill will e with us on 30 March.

Nothing Special by Nicole Flattery If you were to make a wishlist of contemporary authors to publicly big-up your work, Sally Rooney would most probably be at the top.

It’s very easy to see why Rooney is such a fan of Nicole Flattery, as this unique debut novel is quite special: part coming-ofage yarn, part dreamlike fable of the perils of glamour, it tells the story of a Mae, a young New or er offered an escape from a life which is rapidly heading nowhere. pecificall , that escape is a o offer fro nd Warhol, for whom she becomes a typist and witness to all manner of debauchery and enlivening misdeeds. The fallout, both emotionally and existentially, is a true delight to experience. Nicole will be here on 27 March.

Biography Of X by Catherine Lacey Mississippi-born Catherine Lacey has quietly been producing stateof the nation fiction a out the US, sensitive yet spiky novels and short stories written in exquisite prose (we recommend her novel Pew as a good starting point). Well, she’s about to become a much bigger deal with her new novel, Biography Of X, which is – stay with us a non fiction biography of a fictional person, written that fictional person’s fictional widow.

X is an artist, polymath and iconoclast in the mould of Laurie Anderson or Susan Sontag, and the labyrinthine tricks played in the novel are ingeniously addictive. It is an astounding concept, brilliantly executed, and simultaneously manages to craft an alternative history of America in a manner not dissimilar from Hanya Yanagihara’s To Paradise. Catherine will be with us on 3 April.

“The sense of creeping dread is all-encompassing, the unsettling ooze of suspicion palpable”

Brother Poem by Will Harris We actually have history with Will Harris. Back in March 2020, when he was an emerging poet accruing acclaim and accolades across the board, we jumped at the chance to host him for a reading in our shop. And then, well, that didn’t happen. So we’re putting it right this year, and fortunately Will’s new collection, Brother Poem, is typically astute and affectin . itiousl combining themes of contemporary anxiety and loss, this is an invigoratingly jarring experiment

We could go on, list endless more reasons why we’re excited to drink in the unique atmosphere of a packed bookshop after closing time, but essentially it boils down to this: come for the authors, stay for the wine. See you there.

Visit Storysmith at 36 North Street, Bedminster; 0117 953 7961 www.storysmithbooks.com www.mediaclash.co.uk I BRISTOL LIFE I 51

S

AZTEC HOTEL & SPA

Deri Robins takes it easy for a little while at an award-winning retreat

ometimes, you need to slow down and… just… stop.

It’s not always that simple; not when you have a full-on, full-time job, a house that seems to accumulate fresh layers of dirt and clutter the second you turn your back on it, three energetic dogs, and a partner who has, shall we say, very different ideas on what constitutes an acceptable level of domestic order. t least the ids are rown and own have no idea how I used to juggle the demands of small children with all of the above. I suspect I drank slightly more heavily in the evenings.

Which rather lengthy preamble explains why I found myself at the Aztec Hotel and Spa in Almondsbury last month, hellbent on a full day of r&r. Because that’s the beauty of a spa day; it removes you from the hectic diurnal whirl, and virtuall co pels ou to switch off. ure, no od confiscates our phone at reception, there s nothin that actively prevents you from checking your work emails every few minutes, but somehow, if you have any sense, you don’t.

The Aztec Hotel is doing rather well for itself at the moment, having

been named the UK’s Best Boutique Spa in the Good Spa Awards 2022. Photos on the website show attractive young couples smiling away in the relaxation suite, but I knew there was no way on earth I’d get Your Man through the doors of a spa. To misquote Raymond Chandler, he’d have looked as inconspicuous in towelling slippers and a bathrobe as a tarantula on a slice of angel food cake. Instead, I invited the daughter, whose company I actively seek out now that she has reached an interesting age.

Even its architect wouldn’t describe the exterior of the Aztec Hotel exterior as a thing of beauty; it looks pretty much the same as all the other lowlying brown-brick buildings that make up Aztec est. his, however, has the effect of positivel enhancing the pleasurable surprise on entering the reception area, where everything is really rather comfortable and appealin . he staff are welco in , the dinin areas e tensive and glamorous, and in case you were in danger of forgetting where you were, colourful canvases of Bristol landmarks and framed black-andwhite shots of the city are all over the walls.

We were instantly won over by the seriousness with which the food

“Just like Christmas, spa days abide by ee e

RESTAURANT and drin is ta en here. here are a ind o lin nu er of enus, fro rea fast and runch, with or without coc tails, to all da loun e enus, and so ethin called, for reasons have failed to discover, the lac heep evenin enu. t would have een so eas for the itchen to rest on its laurels and send out erel ade uate food, iven the captive custo er ase there reall aren t an dinin alternatives up at tec est ut e ecutive head chef arc a ne does not do this not at all. n his restaurant he urious itchen, the chefs are usil pushin the oundaries of classic dishes the also create as uch as possi le fro scratch, s o in , curin , pic lin , preservin and so on in season. ather prodi all , we d oo ed ourselves in for lunch efore our so ourn in the spa as well as dinner afterwards. ven the lunch enu has su enus, offerin a wide and eclectic selection. waited with interest to hear what the dau hter would order. he tends to re ard enus as a ind of rou h uide, a wor in pro ress rather than a done deal rather li e e an in When Harry Met Sally. ure enou h, she went for a little so ethin fro one enu, a couple of plates fro another, while stuc conventionall to a starter and ains. plate of salted herita e eets with pic led erries, lue cheese and crunch ha elnuts was eautifull alanced and a visual deli ht. ess co ple , ut still vastl en o a le, was a co fort food classic fish fin ers undled with ush peas into a rioche un. eelin unusuall louche for a hursda lunchti e, also noc ed ac a ar arita. ust li e hrist as, spa da s a ide different rules. he spa itself offers a serene chillout rela ation roo in which ou can either do e or ossip eep the noise down efore and after treat ents. fter prisin athro es thou h not spa shoes, the d run out fro the us receptionist, the dau hter and whiled awa an hour or so here, en o a l dissectin the shortco in s of her rothers, efore ein separatel whis ed off for our facials a five sta e affair usin vinotherapie products audalie. hese had a lovel al ond scent the e foliant felt a little li e ein ru ed ever so entl with

a aretti, leavin s in nota l plu per and fir er. therapist was e cient and s ilful a not a fan of overl indful treat ents, which ust a e e i le, so was rateful that no od struc a sole n little on at the end. e rie inspected the pool area, which had a fa il friendl vi e, with ids frolic in a out on foa swi in aids we also po ed our heads into the sauna and stea roo s. hen we hied ourselves ac to the rela ation roo , partl ecause a on the la elessl health her al teas, fresh fruit and trail i we had espied a owl of donuts. ein irredee a l reed , we were alread e cited a out dinner, and headed ac to the restaurant as soon as decentl possi le p to disport ourselves on curved eco es ue curved an uettes. pro a l shouldn t sa we were surprised at the e cellence of the food and service there s no reason on earth wh a restaurant in tec est shouldn t e at the top of its a e ut oth reall are deli htfull ood, and could hold a confident candle to the est in ristol. fresh tastin ha e te pura ca e prettil tan led with shallots and chilli with pic led rhu ar , followed a enerous owl of wonderfull plu p ussels in a classic white wine sauce per ed up with crisp chori o. lon with frites, which never reall do the o of sauce oppin e cientl , was furnished with a lar e slice of arlic toast, which did. au hter did her usual it of this, it of that thin , includin thic slices of cured sal on, and roasted reast of duc served lushin pin another heft offerin , fro a itchen that see s hell ent on feedin ou well, and to hell with the risin cost of in redients. e rounded off a thorou hl indul ent few hours with e cellent puds of panna cotta and ho e ade oran e custard tart, and for e, re ret to sa , a totall unnecessar ut e cellent udslide coc tail. ecause the dau hter was drivin and, well, ou now, spa da . . . n Spa days start at £45; a one-night break with use of the spa, a 25-minute treatment, dinner and a stayover costs £155 pp. Aztec Hotel and Spa, Aztec West, Almondsbury BS32 4TS; 01454 201090; www.aztechotelbristol.co.uk

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

FOOD & DRINK S N A P S H O T S O F B R I S T O L’ S F O O D S C E N E

TAKE FIVE

Thought Bristol had it all?

Fine dining, burgers, pizzas, tapas, steak houses and vegan emporiums, gastropubs, global flavours – yep, it pretty much covers the waterfront. But Ben Smithson, MD of Aqua Restaurants, has spotted a gap in the market.

Welcome, then, to the Aqua Grand Café…

B

en s father first set ua up in on Welsh Back, and the family has taken great pride in being a huge part of the Bristol culinary scene ever since. But Ben (shown in the middle pic) had a dream...

It has been a vision of mine for a number of ears to rin ac all the ti eless rench classical dishes, at a place where you can relax in sumptuous surroundings inspired

by Parisian café culture. It all stemmed from my working career in London at the Savoy Grill in early 2005, working alongside the greats, providing that Michelin star experience, along with a combination of my dining experiences across Europe.

There is just something magical about

rench classic cuisine that draws ou in. t the Grand Café, from breakfast to lunch, afternoon tea, cocktails, and dinner, you’ll be greeted on arrival by professional, nowled ea le and en a in staff, all dressed classically to create a magical experience while jazz music subtly plays in the background.

I chose to base the Café at our

Whiteladies Road branch because of the building’s impressive frontage and great pavement presence. When you enter, you’ll see the double-height ceilings with a striking 6ft chandelier, and the original features that just make it work.

We’ve invested £400k

into regenerating this restaurant, from the imposing tiled entrance to the new cocktail bar, panellin , new oa oorin , sophisticated banquettes, and marbled, linen-laid tables.

My personal favourite is the new pastry section, where our head pastry chef creates unbelievable sweets and pastries.

It is so important to me to get every aspect a solutel spot on. avin visited

the factor at erita e ilverware new I’d found the right people; it was a fantastic experience seeing them hand-make the crockery in the design I precisely wanted.

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

There is nothing quite like the Grand Café in Bristol. It truly is what hospitality is all

about, from being greeted at the front door by our concièrge, taken to your table by the host, drinks expertly crafted by our experienced mixologists, served by knowledgeable head waiters. We carve smoked salmon and gravlax at the table, prepare beautifully seasoned steak tartare and fillet the finest of fishes in front of ou. nd then, wh not finish off with a handmade pastry?

The menu does exactly what a grand café should, from serving

breakfasts at 7.30am, light or long lunches, afternoon tea, dinner and cocktails. The enu offers ever thin from pastries to fruit salad, omelettes, croques, sandwiches, coq au vin, boeuf bourguignon, the finest of chou pastr , chocolate tru es and the est apple tarte tatin.

A tour of the classic dishes.

My favourites include the Omelette Arnold Bennett, a dish inspired by the

Savoy Grill, and the classic croque monsieur with frites. The steak tartare using the best fillet stea fro urst ar in li rid e is sensational, while the magical turbot to share is an absolute winner. To complete the experience, apple tarte tatin or the salted caramel éclair is phenomenal…

Find the Aqua Café at 153 Whiteladies Road www.aquagrandcafe.com

HOT PLATES

LIFE OF PIE POUR IT AGAIN, SAM

Is it mere coincidence that as one grand café opens on Whiteladies Road (see left), a new bar with a similarly nostalgic feel beckons at the Bristol Hotel? Could it be that in these – what shall we call them? – less-thansatisfactory times, we’re all craving a hefty dose of golden-age glamour and escapism?

Rick’s – and yes, of course they’re referencing Bogart’s Rick’s Café Americain in Casablanca here – hopes to invoke the style, lustre and romance of an earlier era. The new bar serves classic and curated cocktails alongside sophisticated nibbles; the place is dripping with greenery, wicker and rattan (which to us evokes Somerset Maugham colonial chic just as readily as Moroccan casbah, but we’re certainly not quibbling, as it’s all rather lovely).

There’s a cherishable exchange in the movie, in which Rick/ Bogart is asked why he wound up in Casablanca.

“I came for the waters.”

“The waters? What waters? We’re in the desert”.

“I was misinformed.”

There’s no water-based misinformation here, though; indeed, there’s a suntrap terrace overlooking the harbour, where you’ll find us this summer, sipping demurely on our As Time Goes By cocktail: tequila, whisky, dry vermouth and banana, wearing our very best 1940s-print vintage frock. www.doylecollection.com/hotels/the-bristol-hotel

The Pieminister legends are celebrating 20 years this month, and Tristan Hogg and Jon Simon have just brought out their second book; we’ll have the full lowdown in our next issue, but for now, know that it’s called Live & Eat Pie, and offers not ust classic pies ut an other pastr ased deli hts, too. www.pieminister.co.uk

EVERY MOUTHFUL HELPS Aid Box Community, the Bristol-based charity providing practical aid and community for asylum seekers and refugees, has launched a series of fundraising online cookalong classes.

Taking place every Wednesday until 19 April, each live cookery class features a dish from traditional cuisines around the world taught by refugee chefs, with assistance from some of Bristol’s top chefs. Costing £30, with discounts for group and series bookings, the classes will be filmed from The Pony & Trap’s new demo kitchen.

Josh Eggleton (left) says it’s the ideal way to launch the venue’s new cookery school, and its new beginning at The Pony Chew Valley.

“I can’t really think of a better way to do it, because we really want to integrate community and support as many projects as we can. This is sort of a landmark event for us; to be cooking with diverse communities while supporting our community.”

More at www.aidboxcommunityscookeryclasses.co.uk

Xxx

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

CAFÉ SOCIETY STAN CULLIMORE

Trains and boats and cranes

T

And coffee. Obviously

his week’s coffee shop of choice is Little Victories,

by Wapping Wharf, down on the harbourside. Regular readers of this column might well remember the Café Society crew visited this establishment a while ac . ave it a lowin , thumbs-up review. To be honest, didn’t expect to be writing about it a ain. nd definitel not so soon. But I really had no choice.

Let me explain.

“Possibly Michaelangelo had a similar look on his visage while doing a particularly tricky bit of the Sistine Chapel”

A couple of us were out for a morning stroll around the docks recently. It was one of those picture-perfect Sunday mornings.

The sun was shining, the birds were buzzing and everywhere you went there was an air of quiet excitement borne on the breeze.

One of those days when you feel very lucky to be alive in such a vibrant, happy part of the world.

When life feels good and the living is super-easy.

After a bit of a stroll, with our legs well and truly stretched, thou hts turned to the finer thin s in life. We quickly decided we had earned ourselves a couple of ta eawa coffees. ivin us the chance to sit down, sip away and watch the world go by.

On that particular morning, there was a lot of it to watch. A huge crane had been set up at Lloyd’s Amphitheatre, and people were being raised up so they could bungee jump from a great height.

Outside the M Shed, a steam train was runnin . hu n past with open-topped carriages full of shiny happy faces. In between these paid-for excitements, the walkways were thronged with passers-by, chatting, smiling and en o in the finest that earl sprin has to offer. lorious.

And then, when I went into the café to order drinks, the world got a whole lot better. You see, after giving the order, paying in cash,

dropping some change into the tip jar, the only thing left to do was to wait.

My eyes casually fell on the bloke behind the counter, a bearded barista creating a pair of lattes. He heated milk, poured coffee into a cup, an ed the milk jug on the counter, the way baristas usually do. All perfectly normal so far. But then. Well, then, dear reader, something extraordinary happened.

When it came to pouring hot milk into the cup, the bearded barista’s face took on a look I’ve never seen in a human before. An intensity unparalleled. Though, possibly Michelangelo had a similar look on his visage when he was doing a particularly tricky bit of the Sistine Chapel. This man was concentrating. I mean, really concentrating. Not only that, he also looked like the happiest human being in all of creation.

Absorbed in the moment, loving life, in full ow, a an at the top of his world.

Made me think. All those people down on the docks, paying to be dropped from cranes, carried by trains; I don’t think any of them were having half as much fun as the bearded barista.

It really was – inspirational. n Former Housemartins guitarist Stan is now a journalist and travel writer www.stancullimore.com

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

AERY INSPIRE VEGAN CANDLE, £27 Sustainably made in Bristol with 100% plant-based wax and carrier oils free fro para n and palm; the fresh, uplifting scents of rosemary, eucalyptus and cedar candle are perfect for clearing the mind From Frankly Store, Unit 5, Cargo www.frankly.store

FRNCH FANELY BAG, £101.40 (FROM £169) Neat little envelope bag in high-quality leather, for mothers who prize chicness over practicality From Fox + Feather 43 Gloucester Road www.foxandfeather. co.uk

MATER DATA

In case it has unaccountably escaped you, 19 March is Mother’s Day. Ignore it at your peril

STINE GOYA JASMINE DRESS, £310 Voluminous tiered mini dress with puffed lon sleeves and a ru ed collar de ure, ethereal and ever so slightly other-worldly From Grace & Mabel 32 The Mall www.graceandmabel.co.uk

SILVER ‘STRATA’ LETTER PENDANTS, FROM £62 Choose the Mum’s initial from this lovely range of etched silver pendants From Diana Porter, 33 Park Street www.dianaporter.co.uk

STRAW FEDORA HAT, £26 Natty little hat with a black chevron pattern and large black bow; ideal for trips away or chilling in the garden during the 2023 heatwave we may or may not eventually be having From Oliver Bonas 21 Philadelphia Street www.oliverbonas.com

GLASS MOOMINMAMMA MUG, £15 Here’s Moominmamma, optimistically waiting for the mini-Moomins to arrive earin owers and ifts. on t let her down, Moomin kids!

From Fig 1, Unit 9, Gaol Ferry Steps c

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

VIVIENNE WESTWOOD BRACELET, £235 All hail Queen Viv. This faux-pearl bracelet with its Swarovski crystal-embellished bones might appeal to the Mum with a bit of edge. And maybe also one who likes dogs From Harvey Nichols 27 Philadelphia St, Quakers Friars www.harveynichols.com

ED’S CHOICE PHOEBE SMITH CERAMICS BUTTER DISH, £45 Hand-thrown in Bristol by Phoebe in limited numbers; sure to delight the house-proud Mum From Prior Shop, 23 Philadelphia Street www.priorshop.uk

SCOTTISH OAT AND RED ROSE MASK AND EXFOLIANT, £13 Vegan, cruelty-free and sustainable, made from organically grown red rose petals, Scottish oats, Australian pink clay and essential oils; it will leave the Mum smelling pleasantly like a rose oatkcake From Mon Pote 177 North Street www.monpote.co.uk

PALM SPEAR CANDLE, £20 Bristol makers Iftin Candles delicately handcraft their vegan, soy-based candles in the most beautiful sculptural shapes; check out the range at their online shop Find Iftin Candles on etsy

CERAMIC FACETED MUG, £30 Carmarthenshire potter Tim Lake’s playful, earthy mugs reference Japanese and Eastern pots, interpreted in a lively contemporary manner; they’re a joy to hold and use, and will make the Mum think fondly of you every time she has a cuppa From Midgley Green (the Clevedon shop has now closed, but they’re still online) www. midgleygreen.com

VIVIENNE WESTWOOD VEGAN LEATHER BAG, £210 The shape says ‘granny bag’, the metallic finish and lo o sa s an thin ut From Harvey Nichols, 27 Philadelphia Street, Quakers Friars; www.harveynichols.com

KATIE VICTORIA WRAP SHAWL, £112 Made from 100% merino lambswool, and easy to wear as a wrap, shawl or folded into a chunky scarf; she could even use it as a small lap blanket From Prior Shop, 23 Philadelphia Street www.priorshop.uk

HETTY HARE TABLE LAMP, £135 Whimsical yet not remotely twee lamp for the Mum who appreciates a bit of quirk. The lamp includes a light grey shade that complements the distressed finish From Graham and Green 92 Walcot Street, Bath www.grahamandgreen.co.uk

www.mediaclash.co.uk I BRISTOL LIFE I 61

It’s the city’s business

BRISTOLWORKS The Big Number

£500K

The investment that Bristol’s specialist education provider boomsatsuma is set to receive from Bristol & Bath Regional Capital; see page 67

FUN FACT

Made to order

S

ustainable clothing brand Unfolded has launched a kidswear clothing range in support of The Grand Appeal, with 25% of every purchase being donated directly to charity to fund their essential work for ill children and their families.

The 10-piece Grand Appeal Unfolded collection consists of fun and funky children’s clothes for ages 3-10 years, including tracksuits, dresses and t-shirts each costing between £10 and £25.

Unfolded is a British clothing brand driving improvements in the fashion industry by making

Unfounded’s founder Cally was recently on Dragons Den, where she turned down Peter Jones – for the second time!

ualit clothin at afforda le prices without creating any waste, paying garment workers better and supporting children’s education to create long-term impact in the manufacturing communities in India.

Fact: of the 80 billion new items of clothing being made each year, an estimated 30% are never sold. Unfolded avoid this waste by designing in collaboration with customers and only starting production once orders come in.

Over 500 parents helped design this collection, which is made with sustainably sourced materials.

Alongside its sustainable credentials, the company is on a mission to create long-term change in the

manufacturing communities where their clothes are made, by supporting children in education through local partners in India.

“We are so thrilled to partner with Unfolded,” says Helen Haskell, head of fundraising (corporate) at The Grand Appeal. “Their clothes not only look good but do good. With every purchase from the collection, you’ll make life better for children and families at Bristol Children’s Hospital, where 100,000 children are treated every year.” www.thisisunfolded.com/collections/ the-grand-appeal-kidswear

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

PRIVATE CLIENT - FAMILY - PROPERTY - COMMERCIAL

Animated sitcom Dodo by Wildseed

The French connection

Behind the scenes at the museum Aerospace Bristol is set to receive a £470k rescue grant from South Gloucestershire Council. The package includes a 10-year loan of up to £316k for the museum, along with a £154k grant to restore the number of school trips.

Although Lib Dem Cllr Maggie Tyrrell expressed ‘grave concerns’

about the use of the funds, Tory council leader Toby Savage said the money was essential to support the museum, which is struggling to repay the loan in the wake of the pandemic, the cost-of-living crisis and rising interest rates, and is in danger of insolvency.

For more: www.aerospacebristol.org

(L-R) boomsatsuma’s Lindsey Davis and Mark Curtis welcome BBRC’s Ryan Munn to their Leadworks course centre

Removing the brakes Bristol & Bath Regional Capital has announced a half a million-pound capital investment that will support Bristol-based specialist creative education provider boomsatsuma to double its education capacity and create more than 20 new jobs this year.

The investment will help boomsatsuma build on its mission to provide pathways for young people, particularly those from Bristol’s marginalised communities, into the region’s creative and digital workforce.

“We are passionate about Bristol, its richly diverse communities, and its world-leading creative and digital industries,” says Mark Curtis, creative director at boomsatsuma. “This investment ta es the ra es off our plans that were slowed by the last three years of access restrictions from Covid and means that we can reach twice as many young people from across the cit , and we can confidentl begin recruiting for over 20 new jobs this year alone.”

For more: www.boomsatsuma.com

ristol ased fil production studios Wildseed has been bought by a Paris-based company – the second ta eover of a production fir fro the city by a French group in just over a year. Mediawan Kids & Family’s acquisition of a majority stake in Wildseed follows that of Bristol animators A Productions in January last year.

IN BRIEF

Flight or fight? Following the High Court’s decision to approve the expansion of Bristol Airport, Bristol Airport Action Network (BAAN) launched a fundraising campaign on Crowd Justice which raised over £13k in three days. The money will be used to cover legal costs. www.crowdjustice.com Magmatic, the Bristol-based children’s travel products business behind the Trunki kids’ ride-on suitcase, has been sold to an international group of brands in a deal handled by city-based national law firm Burges Salmon.

Trunki inventor Rob Law was famously rejected by the Dragons’ Den panel in 2006 when he pitched for a £100,000 investment. He has since sold more than 5m Trunkis… www.trunki.co.uk First Bus has become the new sponsors of the South West’s first inclusive and queer friendly rugby team, Bristol Bisons RFC. The sponsorship will include the First Bus logo appearing on the teams’ brand-new kit from April 2023, and will last until at least the end of the 2024/25 rugby season. www.bisonsrfc.co.uk

NEW APPOINTMENTS Law firm Clarke Willmott, which has one of the largest

Aardman managing director Sean Clarke warns that acute challenges faced by the industry means children’s TV content will increasingly be made abroad, saying that serious competition from other countries on tax relief, and a dire skills shortage made worse by Brexit, is damaging the industry.

For more: www.wildseedstudios.com

of its seven branches in Bristol, has made three senior appointments as it looks to build on its most successful year ever: the firm’s 2021/22 revenues rose by 12% to £59.6m on the previous 12 months.

New CEO Peter Swinburn will relocate to the Bristol office later this year; newly joining are head of environment, social and governance Karen Higgins, internal communications manager Rachel Ramsay and head of communications Sarah Brickell. www.clarkewillmott.com

FREE DIGITAL MASTERCLASS

Bristol-based digital marketing agency InSynch is hosting an in-person free masterclass and networking event on 13 March at Village Hotel in Bristol, providing industry-leading expert digital marketing knowledge to business owners and managers.

The event will provide local businesses with expert knowledge and resources, using real-life examples and answering questions throughout, giving an in-depth explanation as to how businesses can expand their knowledge base, meet their goals and achieve their targets through various digital marketing strategies. www.insynch.co.uk/events/ insynch-bdm

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SPONSORED CONTENT

HELPING YOU HIRE BETTER

by Helen Sanders of YOUR PEOPLE PARTNERS

A

s specialist recruiters for small businesses, we are often asked to help our clients with interview preparation and how they might identify the qualities they are looking for. Firstly, it is important to understand what you really need.

The challenges of a small business are different to those of big corporations, and in our view the reliance on CVs and interviews, then some kind of gut feel, together with poor onboarding means that many small business owners are at risk of making very costly hiring mistakes.

Recent research on this topic has shown that issues around lack of productivity and lost revenue, together with salary etc, can mean a poor hire costing anything from £10k-£180+k for more impactful roles.

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

As we all navigate the issues in the current economy, this has become even more important, in our view. Recruitment is never without some risk – we are dealing with people after all – but it has never been more important to do all you can to minimise the risks. It is crucial to get the correct personalities on board in your team. This should go beyond cultural fit, to cultural add. What can this person bring to the team? Not just, ‘does their CV seem to show they have the skills we need?’.

So, bearing this in mind, we have compiled a list of 10 of the most important qualities to look for when hiring talent. We have also included some ideas of questions/discussion points you might use to tease these qualities out. This is not meant to be exhaustive, so feel free to amend to your needs.

SPONSORED CONTENT

Here are 10 important qualities to look for when hiring talent, and questions that can help to discover them.

1. Enthusiasm, passion, and taking initiative Question/discussion – Describe a time when you exceeded people’s expectations.

2. Willingness to learn Question – How do you respond to feedback?

Can you give me an example of how this worked in practice?

3. Ability to communicate effectively Question – How do you prefer to communicate with colleagues? Are there any limitations to that approach?

4. Soft skills/emotional intelligence Question – What three words would a current manager/colleague/direct report use to describe you? Is that different from how you would like them to?

5. Interest in your role and company Question – What motivates you to do your best work? How can we ensure that this motivation remains consistent?

6. Identifying potential Question – If you join the team, what’s the one thing you would love to have achieved in a year’s time? What support would you need to get there?

7. Culture add...not fit... but add Question – What superpower will you bring to our team/company? How will that positively impact us?

8. Ability to thrive in difficult circumstances Question – How do you handle stress or tight deadlines? Are you able to give any specific examples?

9. Curiosity, character and self awareness Question – How have you changed over the last year? Are there any specific events that caused this? Have all/any changes been positive/negative?

10. The ability to listen to feedback and act on it Question – Describe a time you faced a challenge at work and how you handled it.

In hindsight, would you have handled it any differently now?

We hope that this list will help you design a better interview, so that the personal qualities of the applicant are not overlooked.

The companies supported by our team at Your People Partners think very carefully about the skills and personalities that they need to add to their teams. We encourage them to prioritise cultural add over cultural fit, and this consistently leads to more dynamic, innovative and successful companies across Bristol and beyond. Our wraparound recruitment service takes the risk out of hiring.

We offer a 12-month guarantee, because we know how to get it right. n

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.

If you’re thinking of hiring in the next six months, call Helen on 0117 290 0211 for a completely free, no obligation assessment of your process. www.yourpeoplepartners.com

“NAIL YOUR CULTURAL ‘ADD’ FRAMEWORK AND YOU COULD GIVE YOUR BUSINESS A BIG COMPETITIVE ADVANTAGE” www.mediaclash.co.uk I BRISTOL LIFE I 69

JAS Building Services

Quality First

Residential & Commercial Extensions – Renovations – Refurbishments

Call us today on: 01454 877520

www.jasbuildingservices.co.uk

© @JONCRAIG_ PHOTOS

BRISTOL LIFE AWARDS

THE BRISTOL LIFE AWARDS 2023 Get ready to celebrate the great and good of the city at the Bristol Life Awards, on 16 March at Ashton Gate. In this special preview, we meet the judges, showcase our finalists and take a look back at last year’s glittering ceremony

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© OWEN MATHIAS PHOTOGR APHY

BRISTOL LIFE AWARDS

Get ready to meet the next Bristol Life Award Winners in March

When: The Bristol Life Awards 2023 take place on Thursday 16 March Where: Ashton Gate Stadium, with the afterparty in the Sports Bar Categories: There are 20 Award categories, plus the overal Platinum Sponsors: 13 Fields, Bupa Dental Care, Bristol City Football Club, Bristol Life, Bristol Property Awards, Bristol Rugby, Clockwise Bristol, EntreConf, Genero, Glamorgan County Cricket Club, Lexus Bristol, Park Plaza, Safehands Recruitment, and Crumbs Tickets: Last ones available on our website now, and selling out fast with huge demand.

T

he Bristol Life Awards is just around the corner! Our annual event, which has been running since 2017, is the most prestigious, most tightly contested Awards ceremony in the city, with the greatest number of local companies involved. And it is the absolute highlight of our year.

The nominations closed on 18 January and, once again, we were blown away – not just by the sheer number of entries, all several hundred of them, but by their strength, quality and depth. We’re constantly astonished by the genius, innovation, creativity and determination within our city. he finalists have now een announced see page 82) and all 20 categories – from arts to retail, wellbeing to restaurant, education to charity – are bursting with much-loved and respected organisations. The shortlist represents a snapshot of the est the cit has to offer, and, at the ceremony itself, this is felt in real life. With everyone dressed in their finer , athered at shton ate, the positive, anticipatory vibe and the strong feeling of community underneath it all is palpable.

So who will win? Our independent panel of ud es find the on pa e , chosen fro various sectors of business life for a balanced array of minds and voices, will decide. It’s a painstaking process, each entry poured over, discussed and debated. It’s never an easy decision, but that’s part of the excitement. Winners will be announced live at the Bristol Life Awards on 16 March at Ashton ate tadiu .

Across all of the industries, every year we discover fresh talent, celebrate excellence and create meaningful community connections as we come together to celebrate another group of fantastic finalists, and raise a lass to our winners.

Everyone comes along hoping to win, of course, but in the end, whether they go home with a trophy or not, they leave with a sense of something gained.

This might be the potential for a new business partnership or simply a reminder of the vital role we all play in the evolution of the city we love. t s ti e et our la er than la outfit and dancing shoes ready, and prepare to celebrate the very best of Bristol.

For more: www.bristollifeawards.co.uk

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BRISTOL LIFE AWARDS

THE JUDGES WILL DECIDE… Every year, there’s a fresh panel of impeccably impartial and independent judges for the Bristol Life Awards. It’s a diverse and knowledgeable group from a wide variety of sectors and sizes of business. They, and they alone, decide who the winners will be…

BEN MCLAUGHLIN, COO at BoxHall/ BoxPark AISHA THOMAS, director at Representation Matters

Aisha was an assistant principal before becoming an educational consultant in her organisation Representation Matters, which has a firm focus on anti-racist practice, equity, justice, and liberation.

In June 2022, Aisha was awarded an MBE for her services to education and her anti-racist practice.

GRANT MCCALL, director at AMD

CHLOE SMITH, senior communications officer at The Grand Appeal

CHARMAINE VINCENT, CEO at Baltimore Consulting Charmaine is an awardwinning entrepreneur, CEO, business owner and coach at Baltimore Consulting. With 24 years of experience, Charmaine has achieved some remarkable career milestones, including completing an MBO and taking 100% ownership of her business.

In 2018, Chloe joined The Grand Appeal during Gromit Unleashed 2 – the much-loved sculpture trail featuring some of Aardman’s iconic characters – and now leads on communications for the Bristol Children’s Hospital Charity.

DEBBIE HARTSHORN, people director at Bristol Airport

Debbie is a chartered fellow of the CIPD, with extensive HR experience in sectors including manufacturing, FMCG and care services.

She joined Bristol Airport in May 2017 and is a member of Women in Aviation and Aerospace, Bristol Women in Business, and the BITC Southwest Employment and Skills Working Group.

PAUL DODD, founder at Huboo

MARTIN JENNINGS, CEO at Parmenion

Martin provides the inspiration that has seen Parmenion go from strength to strength over the past seven years. His determination to be the best possible partner for financial advice businesses has powered Parmenion to exponentially grow its assets under management.

In 2017 Paul co-founded Huboo, an eCommerce fulfilment partner.

With a background in engineering and distribution, Paul understood the pitfalls of fulfilment, which led him to create Huboo’s unique hub system and to write the first hub software programme.

Ben spent the early part of his career in entertainment, working in live music and DJing. He then joined BOXPARK in 2018, and is now looking ahead to opening the next wave of sites in 2023 including the new premium BOXHALL concept in Bristol.

Grant qualified as a solicitor in 2008 and became a director at AMD in 2011. Grant wanted to build an offering in Bristol, specifically tailored to SME business owners who could access high level business law services which were usually associated with larger, national commercial law firms.

STEPHEN SYMONDS, Headmaster at Tockington Manor School POKU PIPIM OSEI, CEO at Babbasa

Poku is an award-winning social entrepreneur and CEO of Babbasa – the first black-led social enterprise to win the prestigious Queen’s Award For Enterprise (Social Mobility) in 2020.

He advocates and advises on key strategic boards including Business West (Chambers of Commerce) and UWE Business School.

Stephen is only the third headmaster at Tockington Manor School and Nursery in its 75-year history. Since taking over the reins in 2013, he has grown the school by 84% – a figure he’s understandably proud of.

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AWARDS 2023 FIN A LIS T S’ A ND SPONSORS’ RECEP TION Tristan Chalmers and Mary Jane Chalmers Amanda Gallagher and Cara Hough

PHOTOS BY JON CRAIG Gareth Crankshaw, Matt Roberts, Amy Hunter, Kat Sunnucks and Charlotte King

THE FINAL COUNTDOWN

A drinks reception for the 2023 finalists and sponsors was held at Lost and Founded last month. Somewhere among this crowd are the eventual winners . . . www.bristollifeawards.co.uk @joncraig_photos joncraig_

photos Eve Arslett, Aisha Thomas, Sonia Cohen, Charlotte Sproul and Sandra Gordon Coreena Dutton, Craig Pritchard, Marcus Rayer, Rachel Baker and Nick Gwilliam

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

Roxy Keshavarz, Ricardo Paredes and Rita Jenkins

Katy Jenkin and Jade Kazee

Mike Tomlin

Blaise Penny-Kirkwood and Leyth Hampshire

Philip McTeer, Tim Huffadine and Joe Mitchell

Charlie Kershaw, Emily Haberfield and Joanna Le Vannais Sarah Goreeph, Andrew Sperring and Richard Freke

Dylan Pepler and Nick Callaghan

Bob Irwin and Levanna McLean

Laura Hilton, Trish Johnson and Mark Mikkelson

Gemma Kelsall

Jamie Butt, Harriette Dixon and Simon Jones

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BRISTOL LIFE AWARDS

CATEGORY SPONSORS

BRISTOL LIFE delivers

eye-catching design and engaging and relevant editorial to create a much-loved magazine covering the very best of life in Bristol, in all its many guises. mediaclash.co.uk/bristol-life | @bristollifemag

BRISTOL PROPERTY AWARDS celebrates the best

of Bristol’s dynamic property sector. From residential to commercial, from lettings to new builds, Bristol simply teems with clever property companies shaping our city’s destiny. bristolpropertyawards.co.uk | @brispropertyawd

CLOSE BROTHERS ASSET MANAGEMENT

provides a full range of advice, investment management and self-directed services to private clients and professional advisers. closebrothersam.com | @closebrothersam

CRUMBS provides a

little slice of foodie heaven and voice for the hospitality trade.

Crumbs supports all things food and drin throu hout ristol, ath, ardiff and Exeter. crumbsmag.com | @crumbsmag

ENTRECONF is the event

for the entrepreneurs and change-makers. Combining inspiration and practical advice, EntreConf brings together entrepreneurs and advisers, brokering dynamic and valuable new business relationships. entreconf.com| @entre_conf

HAWKINS INSOLVENCY offers

relief to stressed-out directors struggling with corporate debt, and joy to shareholders of wealthy companies who wish to release their funds in the ost ta e cient wa . hawkinsinsolvency.co.uk

Hear more from our sponsors

JAS BUILDING SERVICES is a family-run,

multi-award-winning building services company which specialises in home renovation, extension, and new uild pro ects. offers a turn-key solution using proven projectmanagement techniques. jasbuildingservices.co.uk | @jasbuilding

LEXUS BRISTOL is a state-of-the-art Lexus Centre, desi ned to offer new and existing Lexus owners the opportunity to ‘experience amazing’. lexus.co.uk/bristol | @lexusbristol SLX provides production excellence, from lighting and audio to video and rigging.

SLX delivers the tech, the experts, and the innovative solutions. slx.co.uk | @slxmedia THATCHERS cares about

its ciders, and cares about tomorrow. Its vision is to create sustainable, great-tasting cider for generations to come; enjoyed, loved and respected the world over. thatcherscider.co.uk | @thatchers_cider

VWV is a full service law fir , with a head o ce in ristol and other o ces in ondon, Watford and Birmingham.

VWV always puts the client at the centre of the fir . c

FEATURE SPONSORS

6 O’CLOCK GIN

ASHTON GATE

THE IVY CLIFTON BRASSERIE

TRIANGLE NETWORKS

SILVER SPONSORS  3SIXTY Real Estate  BOM IT Solutions  Bristol Harbour Hotel & Spa  Burston Cook  Exacta Technologies  Future Stars Coaching  NE Appliances  Padel4all Bristol  Professional Apprenticeships  ZiaBia Events Consultancy

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AWARDS THROWBACK A LO O K BAC K AT O U R 2022 E V E N T

Jodie Fraser, Georgina Evans and Alice Baker

PHOTOS BY @JONCRAIG_PHOTOS Our host with the most, Mr Mark Olver

Angela Appiah Shippey, Marty Reid, Ben Shorrock and Sofia Vakilzadeh

HIT REWIND . . .

Asia Ratkusic, Lucy Grantham, Joe Arnold, Lucy Jackson and Ciara Campion

Editor Deri with Inkie and crew

As ever, the Bristol Life Awards 2022 was a supremely joyous affair. Held at Ashton Gate Stadium, this epic showcase of successes from the city was filled with extraspecial moments and, once again, the most glamorous event in the Bristol business calendar.

The event sells out every year, and sees hundreds of people – from local businesses, organisations, charities and projects – coming together to celebrate each other’s achievements. It’s one of the biggest networking events in the capital too, with unlimited potential connections and relationships to be gained. Bring on the Bristol Life Awards 2023, on 16 March at Ashton Gate! Tickets available now. www.bristollifeawards.co.uk

Anna Wilson, Grace Cupper, Siobhan Fagan, Sahra Tulloch, Lucy Harttrup and Claire Pennell

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Jack Flounders and Eleanor Thatcher

PHOTOS BY A ARON GEIS PHOTOGRAPHY

Caleño Drinks

Nikki Facey

First Aid Bristol

Gabi of SelectDJs Children’s Hospice South West

NE Appliances

Georgia Hussey

Elly Rowley and Ben Trought

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HARRIET HILL, REGISTERED NURSE

HELPING

CONFIDENCE IN THE SOUTH WEST

We offer non-surgical and affordable alternative treatments to people with busy lifestyles.

Our Services

Awards 2022

• Fat Dissolving • Fat Freezing • Wrinkle reduction • Skin Tightening • Waist/Abdomen Contouring And so much more...

BRISTOL’S UP & COMING FACE & BODY CLINIC Tel 07876 828545 | Email: Info@hillclinics.com Contact us for a free consultation. www.hillclinics.com

Call: 01275 370360 or 0117 9070818 | contact@mortgage-style.co.uk | www.mortgage-style.co.uk

5-star friendly service from your local mortgage brokerage team Get ‘hassle-free’ mortgage advice & specialism for: ■ Hard to place mortgages ■ Self-employed ■ Buy to let ■ Bridging & Development ■ Equity Release for over 55’s

Good luck to all Finalists of the Bristol Life Awards 2023!

◆ We work for you not the lender ◆ Access 100’s of exclusive mortgage deals & rates not available on the high street ◆ Our support team chase your case through to completion

Mortgage Style Ltd is registered in England and Wales under reference 5743648.

Registered office address: Elm Tree Farm Estate, Sheepway, Portbury, Bristol BS20 7TF. Mortgage Style Ltd is an Appointed Representative of HL Partnership Limited who are authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority. A mortgage is a loan secured against your home or property. A fee may be payable.

Your home or property may be repossessed if you do not keep up repayments on your mortgage or any other debt secured on it. The financial conduct authority does not regulate most forms of buy to let mortgages, most forms of commercial mortgage, some forms of bridging finance, estate agents, letting agents, tax advice and legal services.

PROPERTY

PARK LIFE

How green is this valley – and how elegant is the home that sits within it...

By Ursula Cole

C

ompton Martin. It sounds a bit like the name of an early 20th-century novelist; or maybe an elegant couple you’d meet for cocktails: “Oh, we’re seeing the Compton Martins for whisky sours at The Athenaeum”.

Enough with the whimsy. As I’m sure I don’t need to explain, Compton Martin is a delightful small village within the Chew Valley area. It’s proud of its history – it’s listed in the Domesday Book, it has a Norman church – but also of the fact that Kylie Minogue performed a surprise set here, at the Ring O’Bells pub, in 2010.

Being less than 15 miles from Bristol, it’s the ultimate location for country-lovers wanting easy access to the ri ht li hts of the cit the locals can ustifia l oast about having ‘the best of both worlds’, which may sound a little smug, but then anyone dwelling in Compton Martin has much to feel smug about.

It’s in this delightful pocket of bucolic bliss that you’ll find he treet a curious na e, perhaps, for a ho e that, far from facing onto a busy road, is set at the end of its own long, suitably sweeping driveway.

The elegant Grade-II house was mostly built in the early 1800s, but its origins are probably 200 years older.

Once admitted through the gated entrance, you’ll sweep (there is no other way) up the aforementioned driveway, marvelling at the extensive parklike grounds that surround the house.

Pull up behind an ancient oak, and after duly acknowledging the lovely whitewashed facade, and all that immortal Georgian symmetry, enter the house through the panelled door with its rounded fanlight. The hallway ra les off to the ac , leadin to stone oored utilit areas that include a spectacularly large boot room; we’ve seen s aller studio ats in lifton.

You’ll probably gravitate, though, to the door on your right, which leads to a 25ft sitting room connected to an almost equally huge kitchen. To the right of the hallway lies a 14ft ‘snug’; both living rooms are airy and light, with front-garden views and charming features that include alcove cupboards, fireplaces and tall shuttered windows. nder oor heatin runs throu hout the drawing room into the beautifully fitted itchen, which in addition to the

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PROPERTY

hallwa and snu features oa oorin esti a le local fir haunce s. on the itchen essentials are a uilt in wine cooler and as fired . pstairs, five dou le edroo s and a stud are served two en suites and a rather lu urious fa il athroo in which ar le a ounds head ac down a ain and ou ll find a lar e cellar in the ase ent. utside, a su stantial uartet of out uildin s consists of two ara es, an outdoor o ce and a arn with e posed oa roof trusses and li e washed walls, currentl a if ou d rather put it to a ore leisurel use, it would a e a wonderful dinin area. he current owners are clearl een ardeners, ecause the rounds are e uisite. ree st le terrace with a stone seatin area shaded a ature rapevine has panora ic views across the lawn to the endip ills there s a itchen arden area ust waitin to e revived, while steps lead throu h a ap in a stone wall to an talian wal wa ordered neatl clipped ew hed in , with prus trees and deep orders. lower lawn a es a wonderful pla area, with a ate at the far end leadin , id llicall enou h to the villa e. ll in all, a coveta le o tic er of a ho e, co inin shedloads of ori inal character and ele ance with st centur purpose. n

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

HOUSE NUMBERS Where?

Guide price

Compton Martin £1.825 m

Reception rooms 2, plus large kitchen/breakfast room Bedrooms

5/6

Bath/shower rooms

3

Anything else?

An astonishingly large boot room...

Outside 2.2 acre grounds, office, gym For more: Savills, 20 The Mall, Clifton 0117 933 5802; www.savills.co.uk

Block & Estate Management Raising the bar in block and estate management services across Bristol.

DNA Property Management St Brandons House, 27-29 Great George Street, Bristol, BS1 5QT Email: info@dnaproperties.co.uk Tel: 01179 200141

www.dnaproperties.co.uk

Transparent property management offering genuine cost savings with no compromise on service level standards

A STUNNING GEORGIAN HOUSE, FULLY REFURBISHED, TO PROVIDE AN EXQUISITE FAMILY HOME Guide Price £3,450,000

BACKWELL HOUSE - JUST 15 MINUTES DRIVE FROM CLIFTON, BRISTOL

The main living accommodation is principally arranged over two floors and would ideally suit a growing family.

The ground floor provides 4 beautiful reception rooms plus conservatory and kitchen / utility around a stunning central staircase leading to the first floor which provides 7 ensuite bedrooms, each with beautiful views over the grounds.

The second floor currently provides a further 2 ensuite bedrooms, which could be readily adapted for other uses within this family home. The property also benefits from a good sized basement, partially fitted out and ideal for a variety of ancillary uses.

The house is approached via a sweeping driveway and sits within approximately 14 acres, comprising front lawn, a rear private garden and surrounding paddocks. There is an outdoor swimming pool which can be readily recommissioned along with a former tennis court.

In addition, there are numerous outbuildings which could offer scope for useful rental income to include fitted offices, a billiard room with garaging below, further garaging, stores and stables.

Burston Cook: Julian@burstoncook.co.uk Tom@burstoncook.co.uk 0117 934 9977

Knight Frank James.Toogood@knightfrank.com 0117 405 4802

(0117) 934 9977

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 Rennisons Yard, BS6 FOR SALE - POA. 2,988 sq ft

Portishead, BS20 TO LET – POA 1,395 – 4,964 sq ft

A unique opportunity to purchase within this thriving new development.

The scheme comprises 6 commercial units, ranging from approximately 291 sq ft – 927 sq ft, set around an attractive courtyard and benefitting from secure bike storage.

Two new-build commercial units forming part of the Harbour Crescent development to be fitted to a high standard. Use Class E – would suit a range of uses.

Warminster, BA12 FOR SALE - £850,000 Exl.

Queen Square, Bristol TO LET (MAY SELL) – POA 3,539 sq ft (329 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.

Julian Cook FRICS

Jayne Rixon MRICS

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 let or for sale by way of the long leasehold.

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

Marsh Street, BS1 TO LET - £16,000 pax 983 sq ft (91.35 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 shower and secure bike storage.

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

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

St Augustine’s Parade, BS1 TO LET – POA 1,363 sq ft (127 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.

Stunning offices located in the heart of the city centre, which have undergone extensive refurbishment and benefit private entrance, bike storage, shower facilities, and basement storage.

Pembroke Grove, Clifton TO LET – POA 2,793 sq ft (259 sq m)

Whiteladies Road, Clifton TO LET - £42,000 pax 2,030 sq ft (188.59 sq m)

An attractive, self-contained office, providing a mix of open plan and cellular space split over two floors.

New lease available.

High quality, contemporary studio space located on Whiteladies Road benefiting from a mix of modern open plan accommodation, and meeting rooms with period features. There is 1 car parking space to the rear.

Charlie Kershaw MRICS

Finola Ingham MRICS

Tom Coyte MRICS

Holly Boulton BSc(Hons)

Vicki Grimshaw BSc (Hons)

(0117) 934 9977

© JMP

BRISTOL LIVES

“It’s the people here that make Bristol the greatest city on earth”

ADAM TUTTON

The CEO of Bristol Rovers Community Trust, chairman of Bristol Rovers Women FC and a director of St Paul’s Carnival has quite the surprising CV . . .

A

dam’s pre-Rovers career included a stint as a record producer in London, creating the famous football anthem Vindaloo along with its star-studded video. He’s still no stranger to the media, having recently taken part in (and won) an episode of Come Dine with Me…

After completing a business degree at London

University, and a varied range of employment, I trained as a schoolteacher in Hackney, before returning to my home town of Bristol with my young family. After several years working in Bristol schools I was seconded to run an education programme at Rovers to engage young pupils at risk of exclusion

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from school. After five years as head of education, where we saw rapid growth, I was offered the role of chief executive officer.

When we developed our charity’s strategy it was

important to us that we supported everyone within our community, ensuring we were a fully inclusive organisation, and our projects needed to reflect that. Within our wide range of projects I am particularly proud of the growth of our education programme and the formation of Bristol Rovers Community College. I must admit I also love our long-running Extra Time Project, our weekly social group for over 60s. It’s a great chance to have a coffee and natter with the older, often wiser members of our community.

My earliest memory of supporting Rovers is being

Cool Britannia period of the late ’90s, and club regulars included the actor Keith Allen, artist Damien Hirst and Blur bassist Alex James. Over a drunken evening with them in 1998, the idea for an unofficial World Cup Song was born, and I was offered the opportunity to set up Turtleneck Records. 600,000 copies of Vindaloo later and a gold disc, my involvement with the classic song still brings a smile to my face.

The issue of racism is still prevalent within football

Come Dine with Me was great fun. Unsurprisingly, my theme for the evening was football.

The menu consisted of ‘Chicken satay still gleaming’, ‘3 loins on a shirt’ and a dessert of ‘Lionel Eton Messi’. The food went down well, and I was really delighted to be crowned winner at the end of the week.

stood in the Tote End at Eastville in 1976 with my dad. I was five years old. It was a freezing day, and I remember completely losing the feeling in all my fingers due to the cold, but it didn’t matter. I was hooked. The noise, the emotion, the passion, the tribalism. I felt incredibly alive that day, and continue to do so at every Rovers game I attend, home or away.

and society in general. I’m very proud of the work we have done at Bristol Rovers FC to tackle racism and improve inclusivity for all at our matches. This has included regular Show Racism the Red Card events with local schools, as well as our My Rovers, My Shirt kit launch campaign that highlighted the rich cultural diversity of the club’s supporters and was recognised nationally at the 2022 Football Business Awards.

I’ve lived most of my life in Bristol and regularly attended Carnival. I have always loved

the event. Over the years I have had the good fortune to meet and build relationships with a wide range of people and businesses across Bristol. In my role as business development director I hope to be able to bring these partners together to help fund and improve Carnival for all.

After university I had a job as head barman at London’s

private members club, Groucho’s. This was during the

For a special meal out in Bristol

I don’t think you can beat The Ivy or the new Aqua Grand. For a more informal, relaxed meal, we always enjoy an afternoon at Bravas or The Lido

My family and I are just in the process of moving to Henleaze. As for Bristol, without

doubt it’s the people that make this one of the greatest cities on earth.

Immediately after answering these questions I’m heading

off to Clevedon Marine Lake with my partner for a cold-water swim. Therapy for the mind, body and soul…

Twitter: @AdamTutton Instagram @tuttslife www.bristolrovers.co.uk

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