GOODWILL HUNTING
COLIN MOODY’S BRISTOL TREASURES
THE PONY CHEW MAGNA
IT’S FAMILIAR… YET EXCITINGLY DIFFERENT…
UPPER CRUST
THE LIFE OF PIE
‘MORE VALLEYS THAN A MALE VOICE CHOIR ON PROZAC’ THE RISE AND FALL OF THE UK’S QUIRKIEST LOCAL PAPER AND NOW HERE IS THE MEWS A SPACE-SAVVY NEW-BUILD ON PRINCESS VICTORIA STREET
SWEET LIKE CHOCOLATE YAY, EASTER!
SURF’S UP
NICK HOUNSFIELD: RIDING THE CREST OF THE WAVE
JEN REID: ACTIVIST, AUTHOR AND ACCESSORIES QUEEN
ALICE’S WONDERLAND: TEMPERLEY X ROMO
ALL OUR OTHER INTERIORS CRUSHES THIS SPRING
BELOW: Too late to include in the main body of the mag, much too thrilling to leave out altogether: news just in that Danny Dyer, David Tennant and Aidan Turner are all in town, filming new Disney+ series Rivals at The Bottle Yard, and we’re really not sure how to remain calm in the light of this information
It’s o cially spring, but I’m keeping my ed’s photo cosily wrapped up in its furry scarf for at least another month. ou can catch your death if you peak too early. nd while in our next issue we’ll be cautiously embarking on a few al fresco pursuits, for this one we’re stopping indoors.
ell will freeze over before we publish an pril Bristol Life without a big interiors feature. f course, while fashion in the home often mirrors what’s happening in clothing, the former tends to change far more slowly than the latter, for fairly obvious reasons: while most of us are happy to invest in a few new outfits each year, only trend-crazed mavens will rush to repaint their homes bright pink simply because the Pantone gods have decreed, from the lofty heights of their maximalist-papered ount lympus, that the olour of the ear should be iva agenta.
This admittedly makes our job slightly tricky, because there are only so many times you can say grey is out’ or silver is the new brass’. It’s further complicated by the fact that these days, virtually anything goes. hether your dream home resembles an ustin Powers pad stu ed with shag rugs and lava lamps, or an explosion in a cottage garden, or a rutalist underpass, or a minimalist sea of Japandi neutrals, there will be a supplier for you. This freewheeling attitude to style is all very well, but what if you don’t have a clear vision for your home? here do you even start? It reminds me of being a teenager and consulting Jackie magazine on how to behave on a first date, only to read the immortal advice just be yourself . I never found that especially helpful.
ndaunted, we sought the help of our local experts, who helped us to pinpoint some of the freshest ideas around. eel free to copy them slavishly, pick-and-mix from the eclectic suggestions, or just treat it as a fun read. e’ll be doing another interiors feature in eptember, by which time there may be something radically new to tell you about.
DERI ROBINS Bristol Life editor
Follow us on @BristolLifeMag; @BristolLifeMag
Fantasia Wallcovering: Malachite by Alice Temperley x Romo. “Fantasia is a hypnotic display of agate-inspired swirls, which exudes a psychedelic sophistication, punctuated with flashes of metallic that catch the eye”. So there. More on page 38
12 STYLE COUNSEL Who’s loving what in interiors right now, and why?
24 ALICE’S WONDERLAND Minimalists, look away now: it’s the new collection from Alice Temperley x Romo
37 ARTS INTRO The Dynamic duo
38 WHAT’S ON Four pages of cultural can’t-misses
46 PHOTOGRAPHY Hold the front page! We love this so much we put it on the Arts intro page, too
50 BRISTOL HEROES Treasure hunting
59 BOOKS eality it’s fine, honest
64 RESTAURANT The Pony’s back in business
66 FOOD NEWS Heaven preserve us, it’s the Single Variety Co! Plus news and openings and other tasty stu
68 LIFE OF PIE Our favourite pastry-botherers have a new recipe book. Yum!
71 CAFÉ SOCIETY Stan, the FC and Big Ralph head over to Totterdown
72 ED’S CHOICE Sweet like chocolate
89 BRISTOLWORKS News, views, and our EntreConf dinner with ick ounsfield
96 RESIDENCE Mews report: a cool and collected new-build on Princess Victoria Street
Senior art editor Andrew Richmond
Graphic
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.
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Editor Deri Robins deri.robins@mediaclash.co.uk design Megan Allison Cover design Trevor Gilham Contributors Colin
Even Bristol’s most ardent fans would struggle to find anything good to say about the tra c. very now and again a bold solution is put forward for consideration; we remain stubborn fans of the cable cars, although sadly nobody has mentioned this option for a while.
The most heated transport-related debate du jour, however, is this: will Bristol get an underground train system?
Well, it depends on who you ask. If it’s metro mayor Dan Norris, that’ll be a resounding ‘no’. If it’s Mayor Marvin Rees, then yes, Bristol could, and should, have a tube network, which he says would take three years to plan and seven to build, in the
form of four main lines running to Bath, Bristol Airport, Emersons Green and Cribbs Causeway.
Interestingly, in an interview in New Civil Engineer, tunnelling expert Martin Knights claimed that it would be “relatively easy” to achieve, posing “no more challenges than any recent tunnelling that’s taken place in London,” including the new Elizabeth Line.
Marvin has criticised the many Bristol politicians who oppose the idea of a masstransit system beneath the city’s streets.
“The lack of ambition of both Bristol City opposition councillors and the combined authority is staggering,” he said. “Bristol residents have made it clear that transport
is the number-one dissatisfaction in the city, and without mass transit there is no plan for improvement, particularly as the city continues to grow. We cannot keep spending money improving ways to bring people into the city when residents cannot move around the city.”
Marvin has also raised the possibility of trams returning to Bristol’s streets, saying that while he personally supported removing cars from the city centre, he accepted that this would be unpopular with much of the electorate. For more: www.bristol.gov.uk
Of course, some have jested that a Bristol metro system is about as likely as a herd of unicorns prancing through the city centre.
Oh, wait…
Enter Unicornfest, a new public trail aiming to raise funds for Leukaemia Care. The trail will place a herd of life-sized unicorns painted by Bristol artists, including Inkie, Silent Hobo and Jenny Urquhart, in over 59 prominent destinations across Bristol for nine weeks between July and September. It all ties in nicely with this year’s ‘650 Years of Bristol’ celebrations, with unicorns being part of the city seal since 1569.
Over 40 sponsors and partners have been secured, with IKEA, Sweet Projects and Propyard as main event sponsors. Sponsors and artists were matched during a Valentine’s Day event, where they had the chance to collaborate on their designs and paintings of choice.
The artists have now started work on their designs, and if you head over to The Galleries, where the herd is currently stabled, you’ll be able to see them in action as they paint the unicorns. Think of it as a cross between Gromit Unleashed and Upfest. But with unicorns. For more: www.theunicornfest.co.uk
OK, snow half-day. Well, for a couple of hours, at least. But it kind of pitched. And it was pretty. And Bristol, being Bristol, made the absolute most of it . . .
April heralds the return of many lovely things to the city. Cheerfully optimistic alfresco festivals. Bokehtastic instas of da odils at Ashton ourt. The first brave drinkers outsidefini. And – of course! – Bristol Life’s spring feature…!interiors
Words by Deri Robins
Although we attempt this twice a year, distilling the season’s hottest interiors trends into one comprehensive feature always feels like wresting an octopus. Why so? Because at some point, maybe five or six years ago, the world’s designers collectively shrugged, and said: “Sure; here are some handy trends for your inspiration – maybe give neo-brutalism, cottagecore or maximalism a whirl? –but you know what? Anything goes. Do your own thing”.
This is great in many ways – whatever style or design era floats your boat, you’ll be able to shop for it – but if you don’t have a strong visual eye it can be a bit of a minefield. It was so much more straightforward in, say, the 1970s, when all the dedicated follower of fashion had to do was slavishly fill the house with rattan egg chairs, terrazzo-topped tables and shag rugs – all currently on trend, incidentally.
Just to add to the confusion, styles are endlessly blurring and mutating. Take the newish trend of Japandi: a mix of the Japanese philosophy of wabi-sabi, a way of life which values slow-living and simplicity, with Scandinavian hygge, which embraces comfort, cosiness and wellbeing. Get it right, and your home will look calm and chic. Get it wrong, and it’ll resemble an Premier Inn junior suite.
So, let’s not attempt to come up with any hard-and-fast guidelines. Instead, let’s simply ask our interiors experts what they’re loving most right now. Think of it as a kind of interiors pick’n’mix…
PREVIOUSPAGE: Mind the Gap’s signature eclectic, boho style TOP: Nothing says ‘maximalism’ with more cheerful élan than this shocking-pink animal-print wallpaper by Lust Home LEFT: Surprisingly, Arte’s Città di Castello can make rooms seem larger
“Maximalism means more; more colour, more pattern and more texture, combining florals and other botanical motifs, which work wonderfully well layered together,” says Stefan Ormenisan of Mind
The Gap (available at Bracey Interiors).
“A great starting point is the choice of wallpaper, which will deliver the greatest impact in an interior. Then add more pattern and colour with fabrics and accessories; the joy of maximalist interiors often lies in the combination of patterns, such as ikats, geometrics and stripes mixed with floral designs. To avoid making a space look overly busy, refine your colour palette by limiting it to a level of saturation, choosing mid-tones, brights or pastels but not mixing across these colour tones, to ensure your interior is stylish and cohesive.”
And not wholly unconnected, we feel, is the current passion for surrealism. “For a trompe l’oeil pattern that will create a showstopping finish, opt for one that plays with the linear lines of a design to extend the framework of a room and make it feel larger”, says Philippe Desart of Arte ( available at Jane Clayton), citing their Città di Castello design, “in which interplay of lines and colour creates a 3D effect, as well as a evoking a sense of escapism.”
For yet more maximalist wonderment, see Alice Temperley’s new collection with Roma on page 24.
“It was so much more straightforward in the 1970s, when all you had to do was fill the house with rattan chairs, terrazzotopped tables and shag rugs”
Also known as ‘mono spaces‘ – and no, in this context it doesn’t mean ‘black and white’.
“In the colour-drenching trend, a single shade or closely related colours adorn everything from furniture to fabrics and paint colours, from skirting to ceiling: walls, window frames doors and radiators,” says Ruth Mottershead, creative director at Little Greene.
“Colour drenching gives a room a sense of purpose,” agrees Finola Kelly of Nola Interiors, which stocks Little Greene. “With a bold use of colour on walls, woodwork and even the ceiling, your eyes are drawn to the detailing, which stands out more due to the richness and depth of colour of the different paint finishes.”
The ideal product for this effect, says Farrow & Ball’s Charlotte Cosby, is their all-new Dead Flat paint.
“It’s multi-surface, being suitable for walls, woodwork and metal. The completely flat look creates richer, uninterrupted colour from ceiling to skirting board, even over radiators. The matt quality makes the colours look even richer, especially the darker shades”.
Also, “You can create the illusion of more space in a bedroom through painted wardrobes to match the walls or hide radiators; it’s a decorator’s dream,” says Farrow & Ball’s Patrick O’Donnell.
Farrow & Ball’s new Dead Flat paint creates an immersive richness inset: Little Greene mixes olive, dock blue, citrine and lime to colour-drenching effect
Given that virtually every paint company comes up with a different Colour of the Year you can forgive us for taking these with a pinch of salt. That said, we’re big fans of Benjamin Moore’s Raspberry Blush – a fiery red-orange, basically the colour of a good Wapping Wharf sunset.
“Just as a sunset provides us with a sense of warmth and calm, rich and vibrant reds, oranges, pinks, and yellows have the ability to change the mood of a room without overwhelming the senses,” say the experts at Lust Home.
“Architectural features are a fantastic host for making a statement with warm rich colour, be that skirting, panelling and doors or cornicing and ceiling, yet these elements are so often painted white,” says Andy Greenall of Little Greene.
“For an intriguing, welcoming space that exudes design and colour interest, team the deep and sultry Kasbah on the ceiling, cornicing and skirting with the historic, cocooning pink Jaipur on walls. This intense colour combination will spark the imagination, evoking Eastern travel and romantic sunsets.”
Paint & Paper Library; also rocking the colourdrenching trend hereWe’reloving Neptune’s use of sunset hues in their laundry of dreams . . .
LEFT,
Whether you prefer your florals big and blowsy or delicate and ditsy, Little Greene can oblige;
Addicted to Patterns’ Galaxy Fern dual design
“The latest spring collection of florals features quintessentially classic English designs, but be prepared to see bright strong colours! If those prove too challenging, William Morris continues to use soft colours in an eclectic mix of designs,” says Alison Bracey of Bracey Interiors.
And remember what we said earlier about merging trends?
“Next season will be filled with a real mix of colours and patterns, from tropical to classical styles, marrying graphics with florals,“ says Justyna of Addicted to Patterns. “Ferns and Galaxy is our dual-pattern wallpaper inspired by the Victorian style of decorating, using a combination of prints on one wall. We are bringing together floral and geometric motifs that are printed onto one panel –one motif goes below and the other above dado rail – hand-printed to specific measurements.
“Storytelling through pattern, and being faithful to craftsmanship, allows us to charm your interiors with in-depth colour and textures.”
Ruth Mottershead at Little Greene further explains the enduring appeal.
“As well as creating a design statement in an interior, floral wallpapers can provide a sense of intimacy and comfort. Our National Trust wallpapers have been uncovered from beautiful designs from the past, they have been redrawn and recoloured for the modern interior, with a beautiful painterly feel.”
“’Pare down to the essence, but don’t remove the poetry’ – Leonard Koren.
“This is the quintessence of wabi-sabi; a way of life as well as an aesthetic ideal that celebrates the beauty of imperfection as well as the inconspicuous details of everyday life,” says Marta at Marta Rossato Interiors.
“We love bringing this aesthetic to life, achieving simplicity without inviting boredom or crossing over into ostentatious austerity. Fashioned out of natural elements and materials, layered with unrefined textures and soft edges, inhabited by pre-loved and repurposed items, our spaces are modern and enveloping, elegant and relaxed, unconventional and lived-in. We work
with clients and artisans to create one-ofa-kind solutions that leave room for the unexpected, for life to happen.”
Claire Trigg of Chaunceys describes how a recent project taps into the trend.
“This beautiful kitchen (above) has plenty of rustic charm with its bespoke cabinetry and cladding made from Chaunceys’ reclaimed oak, rescued from historical railway carriages.”
LEFT: Muddy, earthy tones, smokey hues of dusk, off-whites of unbleached cotton and hemp
Rustic charm, a hint of industrialism and reclaimed materials: wabi-sabi, Chaunceys style Get
Micro-cement is synonymous with superior technical performance and endless design options; here by resinlab
Soft shapes and natural materials create a warm, inviting space
Inconspicuous details leave room for life to happen . . .
Limewash paint gives an earthy, unrefined look to the space. Here in Bone, from Bauwerk
A rough, tactile surface with simple, irregular shapes and soft, vague edges, fashioned out of natural materials.
Handmade by Poterie Design
It took a pandemic to revolutionise the way we work, which in turn has revolutionised our homes. Sure, we need an fit-for-purpose space, but few of us want any part of our home to resemble an office.
“Our Georgian-styled Chichester workstation is a clever way to introduce a ‘home office’ into any room,” says Simon Temprell of Neptune.
“It looks particularly impressive with a contrasting interior colour. Shelves in the top section will support anything from books to a small printer, while the false drawer front conceals a pull-out work surface. With both a lockable drawer and a filing drawer, this station keeps everything you need safe and close to hand.”
LEFT: Contemporary use of terrazzo by Ivywell Interiors
BELOW: Creative use of Fired Earth’s Rivage
INSET: A woodland glade beneath your feet: Gardiner Haskins
With a little creativity and flair, even the simplest brick-format tiles can be used to eye-catching effect – take Fired Earth’s Rivage collaboration with Nina Campbell, which can be combined to form bold and beautiful geometric patterns. And harking back to the evergreen (literally) trend of botanicals: “Nature-inspired hexagonal porcelain tiles, in collaboration with the National Trust, transport you to fresh woodland glades,” says Carine Butcher of Gardiner Haskins. Meanwhile, Ivywell Interiors are loving terrazzo in this guest bathroom, using Terrazzo Nouveau mono matte and Hexagonal Blush tiles behind a basin from Mandarin Stone. n
Take a trip down the rabbit hole to the home of Alice Temperley, the doyenne of British boho fashion who’s collaborated with Romo on a new interiors range – and it’s just as opulent and head-turning as you’d expect
By Ursula Cole
Once described by US Vogue as “the designer making the biggest waves in British fashion”, Alice Temperley is known for her ethereal, elegant silhouettes, inspired by the romance of a bygone era. Her pieces are created using virtuoso craftsmanship and extraordinary fabrics; the result is a resolutely British bohemianism that appeals to women from all walks of life. Kate of Wales is a fan, so is Keira Knightley and Beyoncé. Even Carrie Bradshaw once rocked a Temperley in Sex and the City; the ultimate seal of approval from the ultimate fashionista.
May we refer you to our main interiors feature on page 12? Specifically the sections on sunset hues and colour-drenching?
“Opulent palms, bursting blooms of colour and swirling seas of marble create an evocative landscape embellished by extravagant, bohemian trims”
ince launching as Temperley ondon in , lice has grown the business into a multi-purpose studio housing the brand’s atelier, training workshop, warehouse and pattern-cutting room, alongside a flagship bouti ue. It was only a matter of time before she began to move into home decor; interestingly, when studying at the Royal ollege of rt she’d focused on textiles and print, not fashion – what she loved most, she says, was the process of working into fabrics, and the whole creation .
nd now, in a match made in interiors heaven, lice has collaborated with mily ould of fabric and wallcovering company omo –another ritish brand renowned for its flamboyant and distinctive designs. lice and mily realised that through working together they could create something extraordinary. rawing on lice’s extensive archive, the new collection features richly glamorous wallpapers, fabrics and cushions, with designs ranging from blowsy florals to rt eco geometrics and leaping leopards.
mily says that seeing the Temperley archives for the first time was like being a kid in a sweet shop There were a couple of designs that stood out to me, she said the uphoria monkey print being one of them I could just see it being a perfect fit for the omo customer.
ach piece in the collection is a mini-masterpiece, capturing the intricacies of shimmering beads and glimmering metallics, and recreating delicate embroideries as large-scale works of art. pulent palms, bursting blooms of colour and swirling seas of marble create an evocative and heady landscape, embellished by extravagant, bohemian trims. The famous Temperley love of leopard print – a neutral’, in lice’s book – is used in wallpaper, bedcovers and pou es that ruella de Vil would have (literally) slain for, while plain richly-coloured velvet complements the collection, providing a balance to all the drama.
To display the new collection, lice has chosen to showcase it at her own home, ricket ourt in omerset. It’s not too far from the
Ilminster cider farm where she grew up; a country girl, she’s often said that the natural world has always strongly influenced her designs. The photoshoot o ers a glimpse into lice’s wonderland a trip down the rabbit hole to a mystical, maxilist world.
To say it’s all a bit uirky would be an understatement. There’s an inexplicable carthorse in the dining room, and glitter balls in the bathroom. pair of giant disco balls dangle from the classical portico, next to a naked make statue draped in pearls. There’s something for everyone in the collection, says lice, from the leopard, which goes with absolutely everything, to the bolder prints that are evocative and heady. ach design can stand alone or be layered together to create depth and atmosphere.
nd while it may not be one for all the minimalists out there – we can just picture fans of Nordic neutrals nervously clutching their dough bowls and shrinking away, – for the brave and bold it’s a genuinely magical collection, guaranteed to uplift the home and enthral anyone who lives in it. n
Romo is available from a number of Bristol designers and shops, including Bracey Interiors, SJP Interiors, Sofa Magic and The Sofa Library: www.romo.com/stockists
Ripples
88 Whiteladies Road www.ripplesbathrooms.com
Saltford Kitchens Saltford www.saltfordkitchens.com
Schmidt
170-172 Whiteladies Road www.home-design.schmidt
The Kitchen Den Unit 11 & 12 Podville, Great Park Road www.thekitchenden.co.uk
The Tile and Bathroom Warehouse
6 Eldon Way www.thetileandbathroomwarehouse.com
CONTRACTORS
Bristol City Roofing www stol ty oofin o u
Build Bristol Group www.thebuildbristolgroup.com
JAS Building
www.jasbuildingservices.co.uk
Scott Brothers Bristol; www.scottbrothersuk.co.uk
Urbane Eco 15 Avon Valley Business Park www.urbane-eco.co.uk
CARPETS & FLOORING
Bristol Carpet & Flooring
Various Showrooms across Bristol www stol a et oo n o u
Chauncey’s Timber Flooring Unit 1 St Philips Trade Park, Albert Rd www.chauncey.co.uk
Silk Road Rugs Westway Farm www.silkroad-rugs.co.uk
The Carpet Barn
The Old Coachworks Unit 1A, Bath Road www.thecarpetbarn.co.uk
FURNITURE
Bo Concept
51-53 Merchant Street www.boconcept.com
Cox and Cox www.coxandcox.co.uk
Foxon & Foxon Unit 111, Central Park Trading Estate www.foxonandfoxon.co.uk
Mon Pote 217a North Street www.monpote.co.uk
HUSK Unit D, St Vincents Trading Estate www.madebyhusk.com
HOME INTERIORS
Antichi Decori
61a High Street, Hanham www.antichidecori.co.uk
Addicted to Patterns www.addictedtopatterns.uk
Gardiner Haskins
Brunel Rooms, Straight Street www.gardinerhaskins.co.uk
Ikea Eastgate Shopping Centre www.ikea.com
Farrow and Ball 16 Princess Victoria Street www.farrow-ball.com
Fired Earth 65a Whiteladies Road www fi edea th o
Just Shutters Bristol www.justshutters.co.uk
Lust Home www.lusthome.com
Neptune Whiteladies Road www.neptune.com
Bracey Interiors Waterloo Street www.braceyinteriors.co.uk
Hannah Redden Bristol www.hannahredden.co.uk
Ivywell Interiors www.ivywellinteriors.com
Jane Clayton Old Mills, Paulton www.janeclayton.co.uk
Marta Rossato Interiors www.martarossato.net
Nola Interiors 168 Gloucester Road www.nolainteriors-bristol.co.uk
Refine Property www efine o e ty o
Westworks Interiors www.westworksinteriors.com
WINDOWS AND DOORS
Timber Windows
29 The Mall, Clifton www.timberwindows.com
Vyoo 439a Bath Road www.vyoowindows.com
All the suppliers and designers mentioned in our big interiors feature, along with some others we think you may find useful
One of the greatest joys of interior decorating is that no two homes are ever the same. Our individual approaches to colour and pattern and the stories we tell through our homes means that the opportunity for creativity is never-ending. How we use colour can say so much about us – from the fresh greys and whites of a kitchen to the lively ochres of a dining room. A room’s decor articulates the environment we want to create and live in, as well as our own histories.
Choosing paint colours is one of the most exciting and affordable ways to transform your home, with the ability to create different moods and emotions. Yet, the intricate nuances and interactions between these colours, as well as their response to different types of lighting, can make the process daunting and time-consuming.
Neptune’s new colour consultancy demystifies this process, bringing you the unrivalled understanding of colour held by their own design experts. Neptune’s edited collection of interior paints includes over fifty shades, and they add a new seasonal colour twice a year. They believe that colour is the bedrock from which we weave our stories, whether that’s the enveloping richness of shades like Constable Green, the pale refinement of Salt, or the uplifting joy of their new shade, Rhubarb. n
To book a consultation, visit www.neptune.com/colour-consultancy Or call or visit Neptune Bristol 98B/C Whiteladies Road, Bristol, BS8 2QY tel: 01172 464 200
BOOK YOUR CONSULTATION
A consultation can be arranged online, or by calling or visiting your nearest store.
INITIAL BRIEFING
Your chance to share your vision with your consultant and give them an idea of the shades and combinations you’re drawn to.
AT HOME VISIT
Your consultant will visit your home and, at the end, give you a wallet containing swatches of the proposed paint colours for each room.
A CUSTOM COLOUR PLAN
You will then receive a detailed plan outlining the colours, finishes, areas of application, and quantities.
For £200, you’ll benefit from a one-hour consultation at home, and expertly-chosen palettes for four of your rooms. If you’re looking for help with more than four rooms, it’s an additional £50 for every hour thereafter.
NEPTUNE’S new colour consultancy guides you in curating a cohesive paint palette that’s tailored to you and your home, from walls and ceilings to woodwork and architectural features.
Within our large showroom we showcase the industry’s leading brands and more importantly we have an experienced, warm and friendly team to help you choose your dream bathroom.
With over 30 Five Star Google and Facebook reviews come see what the fuss is about!
6 Eldonwall Trading Estate, Bristol BS4 3QQ
Email: sales@ttabw.co.uk
Telephone: 01179 770011
We have one of the largest selections of carpets, laminate, vinyl and karndean flooring in bristol and the south west region. Our flooring showroom is conveniently situated at longwell green bristol with free parking; so when buying your next carpet or flooring, why not come and experience our wide range, first class fitting service and great prices for yourself?
You’ll be spoilt for choice with our wide range of carpets & flooring...
SNAPSHOTS OF BRISTOL’S CULTURAL LIFE
What happens when old-fashioned journalism collides with the modern world?
Advertised as ‘More Valleys than a male voice choir on Prozac’, TheAbertillery Dynamic was a free local newspaper that – briefly but memorably – aspired to hold power to account. After 36 editions, worn out and broke, editors Julian Meek and Tony latman signed o their last edition now, artin Parr oundation celebrates the work and times of this most unlikely pair of press barons with a new exhibition of photos by Sebastián Bruno. Full feature on page 46.
The Dynamic shows at Martin Parr Foundation 20 April-2 July www.martinparrfoundation.org
Until 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 ristol ippodrome, atgtickets.com
1 April
AN EVENING WITHOUT KATE BUSH
Loved Kate for decades, or just recently jumped on the Stranger Things bandwagon? Either way, come and pay homage to the music and mythology of one of the queens of ritish music ate won’t be there but arah- ouise oung will. t Wardrobe, thewardrobetheatre.com
2 April
THE SILENT TREATMENT
The true story of a singer who loses her voice and embarks on an unexpected journey of selfrevelation, from arah- ouise oung again see above : an intimate solo show combining storytelling, physical theatre and song, at Wardrobe; thewardrobetheatre.comk
4-8 April
YOUNG FRANKENSTEIN
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
JEM SOUTHAM: A BEND IN THE RIVER
Dusk and dawn riverbank photography, taken by Jem over five years expect lots of swans to feature. RWA; rwa.org.uk
Until 21 May
HOWARDENA PINDELL: A NEW LANGUAGE
n exhibition surveying the Philly artist’s six-decade career, from early abstracts to more political works; at Spike Island; spikeisland.org.uk
SHOW ME THE WORLD MISTER
Two new film commissions 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 mysticism in ancestral lands. Spike Island; spikeisland.org.uk
Until 28 May
GARRY FABIAN MILLER: ADORE
One of the most inventive and original photographers of his time,
who uses a camera-less’ practice that experiments with darkness and light, and weaves in work by creatives who have inspired him at rnolfini a nolfin o u
Until 29 May
WILDLIFE PHOTOGRAPHER OF THE YEAR
Nature red in tooth and claw: the world’s best wildlife photography shows at M Shed; bristolmuseums.org.uk
Until 1 April
WALDO’S CIRCUS OF MAGIC & TERROR
Uplifting new circus theatre musical set in Weimar Germany; from xtraordinary odies, at bristololdvic.org.uk
el rooks monster musical comedy gets the stage treatment at edgrave. un fact: did you know that Gene ilder, the film’s r rankenstein, trained at ristol ld ic Theatre school? e know, right?? redgravetheatre.com
5-6 April
DRY SEASON
Menopause? Seriously? WTF? ristol’s ity Poet at yons, thought they were far too young to worry about it; biology thought di erently. ow their hormones are going haywire, their diary is full of NHS visits and sleep is a distant memory... a witty and honest spoken-word show about anxiety, insomnia, and selfconscious jogging, at Wardrobe; thewardrobetheatre.com
5-15 April
IF YOU FALL
Today, in the UK, care for older family members is often outsourced – but the care system is breaking at the seams. d Infinitum bring some deeply human stories to bristololdvic.org.uk
9 April
THE MAGIC OF MOTOWN
All the glittering costumes, dazzling dance routines and outstanding
CLOCKWISE: Hang on Harold! Safety Last! at St George’s; Nice stack: Teachings in Dub at Trinity; the only Dame that would induce us to watch a panto in April. Or at any other time, tbh: Ian as Mother Goose; Adore at Arnolfini
12-16 April
MOTHER GOOSE
Panto, in April? Unusual; but weirdly irresistible,given that Ian McKellen’s playing Mother Goose, John Bishop his wife Vic, it’s coming at us with all the West End bells and whistles. Bring the kids, though a lot of the humour may sail over their downy heads; at Bristol Hippodrome, atgtickets.com
19-22 April
MADE IN DAGENHAM
“Sometimes in your life, you got to stand up for what you know is right and be prepared to fight . ased on the true story of the 187 women who went on strike and brought the Dagenham Ford factory to a standstill: a landmark moment which triggered the passing of the 1970 Equal Pay Act. At Redgrave; redgravetheatre.com
21-22 April THE KING OF REGGAE
musicianship you’d expect from the most fabulous era in pop, with tracks that Dreamgirls could only dream of; Hippodrome; atgtickets.com m
11-15 April
EVITA
The musical based on Eva Peron’s rise from a poor girl in rural Argentina to the most powerful woman in South America was a phenomenal hit in the late 1970s; now The Really Useful Group put their spin on it. All together now: “Another suitcase in another haall... edgrave redgravetheatre.com
12-13 April
KIOTA
Showcasing Black and People of Colour (BPOC) creatives from various artistic disciplines, celebrating the diverse voices that exist in Bristol and the surrounding areas. At Wardrobe; thewardrobetheatre.com
12-15 April
ANIMAL
David is gay, disabled and horny. He can’t eat, drink or shower by himself, let alone the rest. Can he keep it casual while also relying on round-the-clock care? Can he manage the thrill and uncertainty of random hook-ups after a lifetime of knock-backs? Find out at TFT; tobaccofactorytheatres.com
From a government yard in Trenchtown to Rastafarian icon, this new narrated musical by Rush Theatre charts the life and times of Jamaican superstar Bob Marley and the impact his music had worldwide. BOV; bristololdvic.org.uk
Ongoing
CLOSER EACH DAY
The world’s longest-running improvised comedy soap continues to bubble amusingly away at The Wardrobe; thewardrobetheatre.com
1 April
HAROLD LLOYD IN SAFETY LAST!
The perfect date for a bonus Slapstick event, no? A silent comedy centenary screening of an undisputed comedy masterpiece, it was incredibly dangerous to make, shot high up on the side of real LA skyscrapers. At St George’s, stgeorgesbristol.co.uk
JARED CHRISTMAS
The storytelling improv master from New Zealand is here to Stand up for the Weekend at the Hen & Chicken, henandchicken.com
2 April
JAYDE ADAMS: MEN, I CAN SAVE YOU
Change is always hard, and what better person to lead the men selflessly by the hand into the new world than Bristol’s own Jayde? At BOV, bristololdvic.org.uk
JONATHAN KAYE: KNOWONE’S FOOL
onafide st-century fool Jonathan returns to ristol bringing radical improvisation into a completely uni ue fooling performance. narchic and improvised theatre at its best, at ardrobe thewardrobetheatre.com
3 April
STEWART LEE
fter a decade of high-concept shows involving overarched interlinked narratives, massive sets and enormous comedy props, tewart enters the post-pandemic era in streamlined solo stand-up mode. ne man, one microphone, and one microphone in the wings, in case the one on stage breaks. Is he the world’s greatest living stand-up? uite possibly. nly ippodrome is big enough to contain his fan base. atgtickets.com
6 April
ZOE LYONS: BALD AMBITION oe has kept herself busy having what can best be described as a monumental midlife crisis. long the way, her hair decided the best thing to do was abandon ship. It’s not easy being a middleaged woman: try doing it with a combover. t , 1532bristol.co.uk
7 April
ROB KEMP: AGENDA show about the shame of being a bloke who wants to wear a dress, told by a bloke wearing a dress. xpect se uins, and a personal story about identity, gender expectations, and being true to yourself. t ardrobe thewardrobetheatre.com
8 April
JOHN KEARNS: THE VARNISHING DAYS heart-stopping, glasses-dropping, hard-rocking, wig-shaking, levothyroxine-taking, kneeknocking, boot-licking, justifying, teeth rattling, digressing new show from the stand-up comedian to the stars: yep, that’s John, allegedly. ardrobe thewardrobetheatre.com
10 April
SOOZ KEMPNER: PLAYSTATION
In ooz got a Play tation and finally felt grown-up. ut is she? en and hicken, henandchicken.com
14 April
GARRETT MILLERICK: JUST TRYING TO HELP
The world’s angriest optimist returns for another bash at sorting out life’s inexplicable complications no-holdsbarred stand-up for people who like to keep things simple, at ardrobe thewardrobetheatre.com
18 April
MARCUS BRIGSTOCKE: ABSOLUTE SHOWER
arcus celebrates the personal triumphs and small victories of the past couple of years., while acknowledging it has, in so many ways, on so many days, for the most part, been an absolute shower of shit bristololdvic.org.uk
19 April
BABATUNDE ALESHE: BABAHOOD
The star of Celebrity Gogglebox talks family and fatherhood in his debut tour at T T tobaccofactorytheatres.com
19-20 April
THE ONE LIKE JUDI LOVE
Judi stops o at on her first o cial tour, bringing us her fresh, unapologetic and charismatic real talk bristololdvic.org.uk
19-23 April
RUSSELL HOWARD
ristol’s own comedy king’ puts the world to rights in his own uni ue way at ippodrome atgtickets.com
31 March-1 April
TEACHINGS IN DUB
roots and culture event of the highest order, in which the mighty earth rocker ba hanti-I meets roots ambassador Jah outh for the first time, at Trinity. trinitybristol.org.uk
1 April
BLUEGRASS & AMERICANA FESTIVAL
ristol olk ouse plays host to a day-long festival packed with – you guessed it – bluegrass and mericana bristolfolkhouse.co.uk
2 April
SAM RYDER
The viral TikTokker and Spaceman responsible for giving the nited ingdom its best result at urovision since is on a huge tour, and its coming to academymusicgroup.com
4 April
THE MATT GOSS EXPERIENCE ot a ros tribute act, but actual
ABOVE: Stewart. Is he the best stand-up in the world? Head to the Hippodrome to find out; BELOW: From TikTok sensation to Eurovision stardom, now at O2; it’s Sam Ryder with his flowing Viking locks
Matt performing his hits, original music, and a tribute to Cole Porter. Blimey, he’s changed a bit since the ’90s; but there again, he’s been headlining in Vegas for 11 years. Hippodrome, atgtickets.com
5 April
BACH BY CANDLELIGHT
Virtuoso pianist Andrei Gavrilov performs an all-Bach concert at St George’s; stgeorgesbristol.co.uk
7 April
KABAKA PYRAMID
A conscious revolutionary lyricist with a signature musical style, blending the power, energy, and melody of reggae with the lyricism of hip hop. Trinity; trinitybristol.org.uk
14-15 April
THE BEATLES DUB CLUB
A special DJ set showcasing The Fab Four like you’ve never heard them before, as DJ Chris Arnold takes you on a magical mystery tour of his collection of covers, remixes and tracks that sampled the greatest band that ever was, at OMA; oldmarketassembly.co.uk
15 April
ELLES BAILEY
Smoky-voiced Bristol singersongwriter and bandleader Elles has powered her way to the forefront of the British blues and roots scene; in 2021 she was named UK Blues Artist of the Year for the second year in a row. Hear her at Trinity, trinitybristol.org.uk
17 April
RYAN ADAMS
Remember when gravel-voiced rocker Bryan Adams was pegged to play Harbourside, and we didn’t believe it would happen, and it didn’t? Well, here’s Ryan instead, and it’s safe to assume he’ll turn up at Bristol Hippodrome, at least; atgtickets.com
20 April
ANDY SHEPPARD TRIO
The former Bristol-based jazz man (he’s now relocated to Portugal; nice) is one of the best saxophonists and improvisers on the circuit, with a rare melodic gift. He’s back at regular haunt St George’s with his gang of three. stgeorgesbristol.co.uk
Ongoing
BRISTOL FILM FESTIVAL
The year-round fest with the something-for-everyone remit screens at various venues; stolfil est al o
1 April
BRISTOL CIDER AND CHEESE FESTIVAL
Could there be a more Somerset festival? Meet the best indie producers at this day-long fest full of talks, tastings, music and, they say, mischief; at Propyard, e ent te o u
SOUTH-WEST RECORD FAIR
You know the drill; more vinyl, CDs etc etc that you can shake a stylus at, all over the foyers of Beacon; sw e o d a s o u
14-15 April
HOPYARD
It’s craft beer at Propyard, get it? Honouring both Bristol’s independent brewing movement and those from further afield, opyard presents all the names you’d expect to be there, and more. propyard.co.uk
15 April
EAT: BEDMINSTER
Over 60 food and drink stalls take over East Street, showcasing the very best of local food and drink eat est als o
21-30 April LYRA
Nowt to do with Philip Pullman’s resourceful heroine, but the Bristol poetry fest, featuring both inperson and online events: readings, performances, workshops, panel discussions, a lecture, a walking tour, open mic, poetry slams and a film. ly a est o n
A free local newspaper juxtaposing a Sheep of the Week column with regionally unpopular political views, handwritten, edited and distributed by two men sharing a single computer. What could possibly go wrong?
Words by Deri Robins
Photos by Sebastián Bruno
“The ring of this phone was the only sound that wouldn’t make Julian jump off his chair” – Tony Flatman
It’s a cross between your standard Llanbollocks gazette and Private Eye”, says Julian Meek, in the 2019 documentary on the now-defunct Abertillery and Ebbw Valleys Dynamic. In the o ce window, a sign advertising the paper reads ore alleys than a male voice choir on Prozac . ales’ most distinctive local newspaper was first launched in Abertillery in May 2015, with a circulation of . It was published regularly for two years, co-edited by Julian and sports and business editor Tony latman, e uipped with a single computer.
It was a cultural success but a financial disaster. ith uncompromising vision, the newspaper campaigned to emain in the referendum, in a region – laenau Gwent – with the highest eave vote in ales. The short but intense life of the newspaper coincided with some of the most tumultuous years in recent British history, marked by the coming of fake news, austerity policies and rexit.
Commemorating this excellent publication, a new exhibition at artin Parr oundation focuses on the newspaper’s editors and the community they represented, as told by the paper’s former sta photographer, ebasti n runo. The exhibition includes photographs, archive materials, film, a telephone over which visitors can hear Julian, and a mock-up newspaper o ce a companion book includes an amalgam of articles from The Dynamic to immerse both visitors and readers in Tony and Julian’s universe.
ebasti n worked on The Dynamic project from - . elow, he describes how he first stumbled across the paper and its editors.
It was eptember , and we had just arrived in bertillery, a former mining town in the outh ales valleys. e found a place to live on lma treet, a two-bedroom flat above Perfect Image. The rent was a month bills not included with a pay-as-you-go meter for gas
“It was a cross between your standard Llanbollocks gazette and Private Eye”CLOCKWISEFROMTOPLEFT: “All of Tony’s copy is handwritten, he doesn’t use a computer” – Julian Meek; Sheep outside Tesco, Abertillery; The Dynamic Office, 17 High Street, Abertillery; Dog grooming parlour, Tredegar
and electricity. Spacious and fairly light, just a three-minute walk from the high street.
“It took precisely seven minutes to walk the length of the town centre. In those seven minutes I counted four co ee shops: ector’s ozy af , the o ee hop, o ee ean and eja rew, along with the all-important chippy. The other stores included the ubiquitous Greggs, arth aper, Pawfection Pets and aron’s ashions. nd the town’s five pubs: the olling ill, the omerset otel, the ear, ommercial, and ’ poons.
I first stepped into ’ poons on a Tuesday afternoon. The place was buzzing, as it was steak day: . for a pint, steak and chips. I approached the bar. There were six people in front of me, and only one person serving. Laying on the bar was a copy of a newspaper that someone had used to mop the slops from an overflowing pint. The Abertillery and Ebbw Valleys Dynamic: your free local paper’.
“It was unusual, to say the least. It was unclear where one article ended and another began, and I had never seen a publication with a column called heep of the eek’, a mix of current political a airs and agriculture. I was gripped, and started to ask around. ho was behind this uirky idea? The barmaid directed me to igh treet: just ask for Julian, love’.
eaning against the window was a handmade sign: Dynamic ewspaper’. The o ce was unconventional. Inside were two desks, two chairs, a stopped clock and two filing cabinets. There were stacks of newspapers, and on top of them an overflowing bin. Instant cappuccino sachets were littered around a kettle, and more newspapers.
n the wall was a sign: verybody is welcome to this o ce. ome when they enter, others when they leave’.
ozing behind one of the desks, surrounded by heaps of crumpled notes, old cigarette butts and books was Julian eek, the editor in chief. at at the opposite desk was Tony latman. etween the two of them, they had managed to write, publish and distribute a -page fortnightly newspaper since .
ebasti n had initially intended to stay in bertillery for just three months; his original idea had been to make a small project about the community with photos taken for the newspaper. owever, he uickly became fascinated with Tony and Julian, and began to chronicle their work and e orts to keep the paper going. Three months became two years, during which time Sebastián helped with the design of the paper and its distribution and developed a friendship with the editors.
lthough the paper o cially stopped publishing in ay , it was relaunched in to coincide with a documentary film ebasti n was commissioned to make for the . t the time there was an attempt to turn the newspaper into a community enterprise, but it didn’t come to fruition. ne final newspaper was published in ecember , after which the Covid pandemic dealt the coup de grace.
Time and time again I get asked, when is the paper coming back?’, says Julian. e will never stop being The Dynamic; it has become an integral part of who we are. n
The Dynamic by Sebastián Bruno runs 20 April-2 July 2023 at Martin Parr Foundation, Paintworks; www.martinparrfoundation.org
The companion book includes a newspaper with a selection of the best of the paper’s articles. Published April, pre-order price £25, RRP £30
Sebastián is an Argentine/Spanish photographer, filmmaker and educator whose work seeks to understand and explore the complexity of human relations within political, historical and social contexts. He graduated from the University of South Wales with a BA and MA in documentary photography, and has been a visiting lecture at the university since 2017.
In 2019 his film Dynamic Duo was aired on BBC Wales, earning him a nomination in the 2020 BAFTA Cymru’s breakthrough category. His work has been exhibited internationally, and he was awarded the Premio Mallorca de Fotografía Contemporánea 2022.
“I had never seen a publication with a column called Sheep of the Week, a mix o ol t al a a s and agriculture”TOP: Julian following a pub review, Blackwood ABOVE: Tony on distribution day
Julian Meek, editor in chief, Abertillery
You know that thing news outlets do every year, listing the top 10 amazing people in their city? Well, this isn’t one of those lists. Not exactly…
Words and pics by Colin Moody
Here is a slightly sideways look at the idea of Bristol Treasures. An alternative reality, in which for some reason we get a chance to view things a little di erently, and see some unusual qualities of some of our citizens. This is all from the imagination, people; they say we have a city choc-ful of creativity here, so I’m being ultra-creative with this selection. Let’s see where this takes us.
1Number One here, Marvin the Mayor who might be auditioning for a role in the new Matrix prequel, longboard parked in the corner, having a chat on local media. Let’s not get into politics here, but I’m raising a little treasure flag to say that while we had a mayor, they certainly took us in a very Bristol-shaped direction. Adios, the mayorship; let’s see where those sweet four sets of wheels and some plyboard take Marvin next.
2Where were you when they handed out free burgers on College Green, and the police had to move in to control the crowd, but the smell of the burgers was just too much, and the only way they could maintain control was to start handing out the delicious free burgers to everyone whose app alert found them within a one-mile radius of the free giveaway, and therefore within running distance and elbow-shoving acquisition of said free burgers?
Ahh, missed it, right?
Never mind. Treasure Two is the WPC; there she is in the right of the picture. Just look at the look on her face. She’s holding herself together with some grace, I feel; she can’t seem to believe this is all real. hen the world is shoving out its hundred fists demanding free burgers, you and you alone stand there, arms folded with some level of control.
ne mayor and one police o cer so far what an unusual bunch of treasures, you might think; but remember, this is a sideways look at our city of treasures. If you can keep your arms folded while those around you are reaching with intent around you…
3
The Grand Iftar sees thousands of people from di erent communities and backgrounds all breaking bread together; but I’m declaring the person who put all those classic white chairs down all over the edges of the event to be a treasure. It meant all the local leaders and elders had somewhere to sit while the crowds poured in to and fro. Last year’s event was pared back due to Covid, but the hopes are it will return to its usual community levels once again.
The whole world comes to Bristol; it’s always been so, we are a port city, a city of sanctuary, a city of pioneers and one in which someone took the time to make sure those who needed it had a clean white chair to sit upon.
Back to the board room.
Treasure Four, you might think, is anyone who has taken a turn down in the city centre to attempt to level up their skills on their skateboard.
The council put in little metal grooves a year or so ago to try and stop the free spirit of skateboarding taking root on this huge empty space. Someone had complained it was unsafe.
ut my hat goes o to Treasure our, the elder gentleman who slowly put down his wreath on the cenotaph just 12 feet away and then walked very purposefully up to this group of boarders and told them in no uncertain terms that it was vital that they keep at it, because it’s what he and his fallen buddies had fought for; for just this kind of freedom.
5
cript for film which shows how we build better communities. cene : atchday at shton Gate hip shop interior.
lder football fan enters chip shop as oung oy an is handed his chips and fish. lder football fan looks a little down, no one knows why. oung oy an notices and thinks for a moment. e holds out his open dinner. hip?
lder football fan smiles.
The end.
Jammy is normally pushing his juice cart around town you will see him at festivals, and he’s excited about t Paul’s arnival returning this year. ut here he is away from juice and ice for a few hours, enjoying life on ast treet, playing dance hall at volume . eems to have woken up a fella top middle, but rather than opening the window and shouting him down, it looked more like he wanted to hear the music.
6
aking these two fellas treasures.
7
In our sideways look at treasures, I’m popping in at umber even a day trip to evern each. hat a space
nsel dams was an merican esterner who explored in monochrome contrast prints the most impressive natural landscapes that merica had to o er. ut here in the outh est we have our own incredible landscapes hidden in plain sight, and you don’t have to trek with huge cameras to the middle of the national parks of merica to find them.
ere is what’s left, after a storm, of some great hunk of a tree embedded by tidal forces into the grey sand of evern each. ature’s greatest creation the tree takes one last strong jab at the sky before tide and tearing rain turn it to soil and memory.
s an explorer in the visual realm, I encourage you to get down and have another look at the space around you. There are whole worlds down there. There is treasure to be found.
8 ruit and veg. ot a treasure?
ith rexit and the world crisis of an excuse we have seen nonseasonal treats such as certain fruit disappear from our shelves, with humourmongers suggesting we have a slice of turnip in our gin and tonic instead.
o, let’s not forget what a treasure it is to have anything as beautiful as an orange in January, or a vine-ripened treat in ebruary. The glow of positivity from this horde of oranges would be sadly missing if we
didn’t have that trade. ow all we need is some kind of collective club we could belong to with the largest trading network of countries just a stone’s throw… oh yeah
o enjoy the horde of vitamin in the winter while you can. very ripe eville treat needs to be appreciated.
hy, you may ask, have I presented such a disparate and slightly abstract view of the treasures of our city? The seeds of the answer are in that very uestion.
It is often the marginal, the overlooked, that are somehow at the core of our collective being. The act of putting out the chairs just right before the Iftar, I would argue, is the strongest sign of community cohesion there is. That before the events themselves occur, the pieces are being put into place.
This issue’s heroes are there as a rallying call. on’t let the details slip you by. pen your eyes. nd see the treasure.
Colin Moody; content creation, online images Twitter @moodycolin; Instagram @colinmoodyphotography colinmoodyphotography.wordpress.com
“Take another look at the space around you. There are whole worlds down there. There is treasure to be found”
The brand new NORTH BRISTOL PRIVATE HOSPITAL opened its doors to patients in February 2023
This new facility of medical excellence is set to become the private treatment epicentre for patients in Bristol and the south west of England and Wales. With individualised, bespoke treatments at the heart of its offering, you will experience expert care within exemplary facilities locally.
With an eye on the detail and patient welfare at its core, your stay at NBPH promises to provide the best possible recovery experience. Located on Aztec West Business Park, it is only a 30-minute drive from Bristol Airport and very close to both the M4 and M5 motorway junctions and Bristol Parkway Train Station.
Specialist care governed by safety will be the hallmark of your hospital treatment. You can expect best-in-class nursing support and clinical facilities delivered in luxurious surroundings and supreme comfort.
Kelly Cavallo, Hospital Operations Manager says, ‘At North Bristol Private Hospital patient care is at the heart of everything we do. Being able to welcome patients to the hospital and watch our exceptional team support them through their surgical experience is amazing and I am very proud of what the team have achieved so far. I am looking forward to leading the team through the continued development of our facility’.
Whether you are visiting us for cosmetic surgery, with procedures such as breast reduction, breast enlargement, tummy tuck, or labiaplasty, a routine operation or medical treatment, our facilities are designed to make your entire journey smooth, safe, relaxed, and comfortable.
WE PROMISE:
• Meticulously trained administrative and front of house staff
• Exceptional management staff who take pride in making your treatment journey as smooth and enjoyable as possible
• Friendly specialist consultation provided in the privacy of comfortable chaperoned consultation rooms
• Excellent and spacious operating theatres and treatment rooms
• Round the clock nursing staff, with femaleonly team available on request
• Ultimate in luxury and comfortable surroundings for the perfect post-operative overnight stay – a home from home experience
• Variety of restaurant options and comfortable hotel accommodation facilities for your family and visitors within walking distance
• Free onsite parking
Come and see why we are different and contact us for a consultation. n
North Bristol Private Hospital, 150 Aztec West, Bristol, BS32 4UB info@NBPH.co.uk; tel: 01179 114 000 www.northbristolprivatehospital.co.uk
e decided for this issue’s column that we’d retreat from fantastical things. Not because we’re feeling especially worldweary, or even especially worldenergetic, but just because there happens to be a surfeit of good stu rooted completely in real life, of storytelling and pontificating and relaying and regaling that which happens to have happened. You know we’ll get drawn back towards all things non-real very soon (we always do), but this column’s crop shows us that the real world has every delight, surprise and consternation you might associate with fiction. h, and dogs.
Polly Barton
With its knowingly grandiose title, Polly Barton’s remarkable project of a new book is already one of the most talked-about releases of the year (we mean nationally, not just us chattering about it incessantly in the shop). Taking the form of 19 frank and sensitively edited conversations about pornography – attitudes towards, benefits of problems with, ethics of – Barton coaxes gleaming truths from her carefully chosen interviewees thanks to her brilliant command of tone and knowing the precisely correct question to ask. It is resolutely not a comprehensive or arch history of pornography (surely this exists somewhere else), but it is an eye-opening banquet of knotty
ideas presented with anxieties and humanity completely intact.
Rowan Hisayo Buchanan and Jessica J Lee
As guardians/colleagues of a shop dog (Roy the cockapoo sends his regards), we were only too happy to see this multifarious essay collection on the myriad joys, pains and mystifying smells of canine ownership. Featuring the work of some of our very favourite authors (Evie Wyld! Eley Williams! Sharlene Teo!), expect all aspects of companionship to surface in this slight but a ecting volume. From sled dog encounters to notions of wildness in our beloved domesticated doggos, even the most dog-agnostic (dognostic?) person will find undeniable warmth in here.
From a gifted truth-teller, this is a painstakingly researched and beautifully written history of a little known government department which logged reports of premonitions submitted by the general public through the 1960s and beyond. Like all our favourite history books, it hits that perfect intersection of ‘I can’t believe this is true’ and ‘it’s so ludicrous it must be true’. Tragedies like the Aberfan disaster, plane crashes, assassinations: all predicted if you
look at the premonitions from a certain angle, and Knight’s knack for relaying them sensitively, analytically and with a nose for the absurd, gives this book the dynamic feel of a well-plotted thriller.
Space Crone by Ursula
K Le Guin
Le Guin is one of those talismanic authors for whom the phrase ‘if you know, you know’ could’ve been invented. Not exactly underappreciated in her lifetime (she left this realm in 2018), but very much overdue for the current resurgence in interest her work is enjoying, our dear Ursula was many things – visionary fantasy writer, imaginer of terrifying sci-fi scenarios designed to tweak the existential fear in everyone, and radical polemicist. This newly collected volume (with a glorious title specifically brings together her writings on feminism and gender, and inside you’ll find her spirit undimmed and direct as it ever was as she tackles subjects that linger in the discourse even now.
We can’t live perpetually in the real world though, can we? Dipping our toes back into reality is nice and all, but rest assured we’ll be back on the shores of fiction next time –especially if there’s dogs.
Visit Storysmith at 36 North Street, Bedminster; 0117 953 7961
www.storysmithbooks.com
Welcome to the real world; there’s actually a lot of good stuff out there, you know . . .
“The real world has every delight, surprise and consternation you might associate w th fi t on
MBST stands for Molecular Biophysical Stimulation. It uses exactly the same technology as MRI scanning, just without the detectorcoils and imaging software.
MBST was discovered by a German doctor who noticed that some of his MRI patients had reduced symptoms following their MRI scans. He then assembled a team of biologists and physicists to research these positive effects at a cellular level.
Cells that had not functioned properly due to damage, were stimulated in such a way by the energy transfer that they could again fulfil their original tasks. It does this at cell level in a number of ways:
• Optimising cell oxygen levels
• Improving cell energy production
• Optimising intercellular signalling pathways
• Reducing inflammatory mediators
• Readjusting the Circadian clock of targeted cells, leading to less cell death and stimulating cell reproduction.
To you and I, this translates to a healing process in the tissue which the energy is applied to. This leads to a reduction in pain and an increase in the natural mobility and lifestyle of the patient without any need of invasive therapy. Obviously there are limitations of the effects relating to a number of factors such as severity and complexity of a patient’s case, however the technology is constantly being improved and we’re getting better at selecting the right patients and conditions in order to get higher success rates and better overall results. n
Susan was diagnosed with hip arthritis 12 years ago. She came to me in a lot of pain with difficulty lifting her leg in/out of the car and turning in bed. She was keen to avoid/postpone surgery. This was quite a severe case to take on.
As I’ve observed with MBST of hips, it took a few months to heal which is understandable as cartilage doesn’t grow overnight, however we were delighted to part company 8 months after MBST with very little pain and a 90% improvement. Nice outcome.
Christine is someone I love looking after, with her great stories and a wonderful attitude to life. As a well known quilter she relys on her hands, but in recent years arthritic changes set in throughout her hands, leading to severe pain and inability to even make a fist.
In April 2022 we embarked on 2 courses of MBST to treat both her hand cartilage and bone marrow oedema in her fingers. She was in the top 30% of fast responders, very quickly being able to close her fist for the first time in years. Her pain is diminished and she is still doing very well with the occasional top up of laser therapy. A real transformation in a difficult condition to treat.
James Scrimshaw of CURA CLINICAL explains how new technologies are providing effective answers to people’s pain and suffering
It’s all wonderfully familiar, yet excitingly different Let us explain...
Words andThe post-lockdown world has witnessed a number of shock closures in hospitality. Most have been driven by economics: what with one thing or another, comes the universal message, profit margins have been comprehensively screwed.
But the most surprising announcement of all came out of the Pony & Trap. Possibly the best known of all Bristol’s restaurants, not least due to chef-proprietor Josh ggleton’s national profile and local ubiquity, the family-owned Michelin-starred gastropub in Chew Magna wasn’t throwing in the napkin: quite the reverse. Rather ambitiously, given the current climate, it was going to rebuild and reinvent itself.
To be honest, at this stage in proceedings – we’re talking late 2020, 2021 – we weren’t entirely sure what the Pony wanted to be. There was talk of a cookery school. Baking, foraging and fermentation courses. A wedding venue. A big emphasis on community and charity work. Special food events. But there wasn’t a lot of chat about it coming back as a traditional restaurant.
So (we wondered): if we weren’t getting hitched, and we didn’t fancy foraging or fermenting, would there be anything in it for us?
Fast-forward to the Pony’s crowdfunder in 2022, and things became clearer. Along with the new classes, events, steak nights and fish and shellfish suppers, there would still be -la-carte dining at the newly built Garden Restaurant, and the return of the Sunday roast.
Valley hills forming a glorious backdrop. You’re welcome – encouraged, even – to stroll through the garden before, after or even instead of dining; we cravenly opted to save that particular treat until the sky was a little less lowering and there was more stu growing in the vegetable beds, content to admire the beauty beyond from the comfort of our window table.
Having driven myself, for once (and what an idiotic decision that had been I eked out a half of orth treet ider as we perused the menu and decided we fancied it all. At the Pony Bistro, my big crush had been the mushroom parfait, so I wasn’t going to miss out on the mushroom p t . It was a silky-smooth, bosky flavour-bomb delight, beneath a little pom-pom hat of port and raisin jelly, and unless The Last of Us has put you o mycelium for life, I warmly suggest that you give it a whirl.
Just as densely flavoured was a starter of mussels, served out of their shells in a miraculous cidery sauce, with crunchy little fried cubes of bread and salami. I swiped the plate so comprehensively – yes, with my finger, is that a problem? – that the KPs probably thought twice about bothering it with the dishwasher.
The Pony Chew Valley, Moorledge Road, Newtown, Chew Magna; 01275 332627; www.theponychewvalley.co.uk
Opening hours À-la-carte Wednesday-Friday midday-3pm, 5-8pm; special meal events on Saturdays; carvery roasts on selected Sundays
Prices Snacks £4-£5; starters £9-£14; mains £20-£30; puds £8
We felt on surer ground. We bought Christmas and Boxing Day hampers from the crowdfunder, because who in their right mind would cook at Christmas when they could get the Eggleton elves to do it? The target was exceeded, the refurbishment almost completed, and the Pony hosted its first wedding two days before Christmas. At the same time, its urban little sister, The Pony istro, held the final service at its orth treet pop-up. Bedminster continues to pray for its return.
Drinks Short but meaningful wine list; cider and beer from Bristol Beer Factory
Atmosphere Laidback and local Veggie A third of the choices are veggie Service Unpretentious and friendly, but informed and highly professional
nd then, at last, the Pony’s new Garden estaurant opened. o fanfare, no press junket, just a few under-the-radar invitations for friends and family. It would serve lunch and dinner Wednesday to Friday, with a reassuringly familiar-looking menu of produce-led classics, cooked with carefully ambitious refinement but without a trace of pretension.
And so we found ourselves haring hungrily back up Moorledge Road for the first time in – wow – four years. t first glance, everything looks unchanged; it’s still the pretty whitewashed roadside local it’s always been. Step inside, however, and it doesn’t take long to see what’s been achieved. The old nooks and crannies have been tastefully Farrow-&-Balled, with a private dining room created at ground level, but beyond this lies something new: wooden stairs curve down to a vast space with picture windows leading out to a terrace, with the kitchen garden and the Chew
A grassy new-season lamb shoulder in almond cream, served pink with feral-tasting kidneys, sweet spiced beets and the bitter hit of Gordal olives made a hearty and heartwarming mains. It teamed a treat with wilted hispi cabbage lounging on a bed of Westcombe ricotta under a green goddess dressing.
A nostalgic nursery classic heading up the list of puds promised a very wobbly trifle’. ell, that’s not wobbly from where I come from, mate. Trifle is my signature dish, I’ll have you know, but admittedly not everyone likes their cream sinking into the custard because the latter is so sloppy. The Pony’s is a more shapely a air, whose flavours change weekly depending on what they can lay their hands on. What they could lay their hands on that week was rhubarb; its tartness is famously tricky to tame without drowning everything in sugar, but the Pony has no trouble with this at all. It came set in jelly – every trifle needs jelly, don’t argue – topped with custard and cream and popping sugar sprinkles. If this dish could talk, it would probably say, “we care very much about food and provenance but we’re not po-faced about it, and we really want you to have a fun time”.
Hospitality is still having it far from easy, but if there was ever a sign of normality being restored, it’s the sight of the Pony back in the saddle. All this reinvention has meant surrendering the family’s long-held Michelin Star, but Josh says he isn’t bothered, and we believe him.
However, based on our meal, he’d better brace himself. The Pony may still o er ham, egg and chips as an option, but this is so much more than a standard gastropub – and rather like James M Cain’s postman, the Michelin man is entirely capable of ringing twice. n
Before launching Single Variety, Nicola spent over 12 years in the food industry, working for Sainsbury’s and Waitrose in product development, and for elfridges as a food buyer.
“I met many small business owners who were just starting out with a product launch,” she says. I thought, if they could do it, so could I
I had lots of di erent product ideas initially, but settled on jam after a holiday to ri anka with my now-husband and business partner Ross, where we ate the most delicious passionfruit jam. I came home, started making jam and discovered I was pretty good at it.
The concept gave us a USP – every product we make showcases one single variety. e don’t mix any flavours, we just find the best-
tasting ingredients and turn them into the most delicious jam possible.
There were a lot of chilli jams on the market, but none showcasing one single variety. Jalapeno Jam was the first chilli jam I developed; we now have three main chilli jams in the range, mild, hot and very hot, and we do limited-edition specials throughout the year.
We moved to Bristol because we loved its independent nature. e’ve had so much support from other local businesses, and we’re now stocked in many delis across the city. e’ve also been working with Pizzarova, who use our Jalapeno Jam on a pizza, and supply our chilli jams to restaurants such as orge ern. I think Bristol is the best city in the UK to run a business – you can’t beat the support here.
We now have 10 products in our core range, which are available all year round. This
includes our three chilli jams; of these the Jalapeno Jam is my absolute favourite – nice and spicy, but won’t blow your head o . ur malfi emon armalade was a seasonal product last year, and was so popular we’ve started making it all year round; I’m really proud to say that we’ve just won a Gold award for it in the international armalade wards. We also make seasonal flavours throughout the year, such as our lphonso ango Preserve in ay.
We’d like to grow the business organically over the coming years. This might include new product areas such as curds, sauces, and more. In the longer term, I’d love to create a jam factory destination here in Bristol, where we’d produce all our jam, but also have a jam caf , shop, o er tours and maybe even jam-making classes. I think that’s uite a long way o , but it’s nice to dream
For more www.singlevariety.co.uk
Seven years ago, Nicola Simmons began making preserves from her home kitchen in London. Fastforward to 2023, and Single Variety Co is a thriving local business which just won the Bristol Life Best Retail AwardNicola with her jammin’ crew
“Bristol is the best city in the UK to run a business –you can’t beat the support here”
Over at Propyard, it’s all about the hops, the music and the street food when Hopyard returns over the weekend of 14-15 April, showcasing the very best of beer- and cider- making talent from Bristol and beyond.
There’s a line-up of 18 breweries, ft. the usual local suspects along with those from further afield; the beats promise to be pretty standout too, with Friday’s session bringing a takeover from Bristol Hifi, with Massive Attack legend Daddy G and Queen Bee; on Saturday UK-based DJ duo The Nextmen hit the decks. www.propyard.co.uk
May as well set up camp on Feeder Road this month, because on 1 April, Propyard is also hosting the Bristol Cider and Cheese Festival, a collab between local foodie legends The Cider Box and Bristol Cheesemonger. It’s the second edit of this fest, revamped with new cidermakers, cheese workshops and tastings, live music and DJs. www.yuup.co
eat:Bedminster takes over Bemmie on 15 April, with over 60 food and drink stalls along East Street and Dean Street selling the best of local food and drink. You can chat to local makers and admire/swerve strolling entertainers, and there are even art workshops –because south Bristol. www.eatfestivals.org
Oh, and then there’s Fire in Your Soul (13-14 May); a new festival in Chew Valley from the Valley Fest crew; a farm-to-fork celebration with wood-fired cooking, demos and classes etc, set to the sweet sounds of live soul and country music. www.yuup.co
There’s only one thing better than eating great seafood, and that’s eating it right on the harbour. Check out Noah’s, then, when it opens at the former Lockside site in Cumberland Basin this spring; it’s brought to you by Bath’s The Scallop Shell group, and is the first venture for next-generation husband-and-wife team, chef Daniel and FoH Joie Rosser. The daily-changing menu will feature familiar favourites, from classic fish and chips to grilled fish and fruits de mer. Oh, and Noah is the name of their baby. www.noahsbristol.co.uk
Scratch bakery Crosstown sells sourdough doughnuts, small-batch ice-cream, homemade cookies, chocolate and specialty co ee from its Queen’s Road branch. For Easter, until 11 April, it’s selling its Hot Cross Bun cookies– spiced vegan dough filled with creamy cinnamon custard, topped with Seville orange glaze. Until 30 April there’ll also be Banana Salted Caramel cookies, made from banana and chocolate-chip cookie dough topped with gooey sea-salt caramel and coconut; and Pistachio, with butter cookie dough layered with chunks of pistachio and milk chocolate chips. Then it’s allchange again on ay, when two new cookie flavours will take over the starring role. www.crosstown.co.uk
Congrats to The Blaise Inn, Cor and Marmo – three of just 20 UK restaurants to be newly awarded a Michelin Bib Gourmand, which celebrates places offering great food at reasonable prices. The trio join Root and Box-E on the Bib list. www.guide.michelin.com
The Macaron Boutiqueby Edible Art has launched a pop-up at Harvey Nichols, offering 24 flavours of macarons. Owned by top pastry chef Damien Wager, Edible Art is “paving the way for a new wave of patisserie within the UK, combining classic French techniques with modern American methods”. NB ask for ‘macarons’, not ‘macaroons’. Macaroons are those chewy coconutty things. Common mistake.
www.harveynichols.com
We have lots to rattle through this issue, so let’s grab a coffee and a canalé and get stuck in – kicking off with a quartet of foodie festivals…
It’s hard to credit it, but Pieminister’s first book, A Pie for All Seasons, first came out ten years ago. Things have moved on a bit since then. For one thing, founders Tristan Hogg and Jon Simon have introduced a fully plant-based pie range. They’ve also set themselves a series of ambitious sustainability goals to hit by , and become a certified - orp.
Important issues such as animal welfare, food waste and food miles have always been top of the agenda for us, but we’ve really upped our game since the last book, which only had one plant based recipe in it, says Jon. “We’ve learned so much about sustainable food production over the years it felt like time to reflect Pieminister through another raft of amazing pie recipes which we try to share in this book.
Why is it that virtually everything tastes better in a pie?
There’s something about breaking through a pie crust and watching the steam rise that’s really comforting. Take any slow-cooked stew or casserole and encase it in a good pastry, and it will elevate it to new heights of wonder.
You’ve been named the Supreme Champion at the British Pie Awards. What makes Pieminister pies so special? imple it’s the combination of proper traditional pie-making methods slow-cooking the filling, getting the pastry just crisp enough,
but not dry with innovative recipe ideas that reflect the times. The pie that won the wards’ Pie of Pies was our meat-free steak’ ale pie. This was uite a bold move for the Pie wards judges: a lot of them are very traditional in their thinking, and would never have believed that a jackfruit pie could win.
We see you’ve included some retired ‘RIPie’ classics in the book – why did you retire such well-loved pies? ome of our favourite pies just didn’t sell enough to justify full-scale production of them. ost missed here at are the ig heese, the Thai hook and vergreen but the good news is that they’re in the book in some form or another, so they live on . . .
To be contentious, why should we bother making pastry from scratch?
e’re realists here and sometimes, a readymade pastry does the job just fine. ut e ually, making shortcrust pastry is super-easy, fast, cheap and does taste better than the shopbought version.
hat we’ve tried to get across in the book is that pastry’s not something to feel intimidated by, and if it cracks, or splits when you’re trying to line a tin or tray, just patch it up The book has some great easy versions of some of the trickier pastries, too, like our ough Pu or oodle a hybrid of strudel and filo pastry . nd we’ve popped in a code, which takes you to a series of short videos of each pastry being made, to help you step by step .
Give us your favourite pie from the current menu…
Tris: it has to be the Tikka to ide. Jon: always and forever, The Freeranger.
It’s not just pies in the book, is it?
Throughout the book we have pages in which we share what we’ve learned over the years about sustainable cooking and eating, in a way that helps to demystifies some of the more complicated issues, and suggests easily attainable steps that make a big di erence. e’ve worked with some amazing people doing interesting things in the food world, from liza who runs ristol Greens asket cheme to ick at the von Gleaning etwork, to en at Tempeh eads and at rampton at a regenerative farmer on artmoor. They’re in the book, too.
We’ve long been a fan of your puns. Who’s the top Pieminister punmeister?
Tristan started it, and we curse him constantly as we sometimes run out of inspiration, but it’s too late to stop now. In fact, we’re working on a vegan version of our oo and lue steak and stilton pie and can’t think of a name. Its working title is ooless lueless and we’re reaching the point where we give up and this working title becomes the actual title. Problem is, it’s too long to fit on a box….
Any pie flavours you tried that were a hilarious fail?
Tuna and wasabi.
Fancy a taste of what’s in the book? Oh, go on then….
oconut, rum and pineapple definitely deliver on the palm-fringed beach vibes, but we recommend dialling things up with cocktail umbrellas, glac cherries and a can of s uirty cream.
Ingredients
g oz packet of ready-rolled pu pastry
For the filling
1 medium ripe pineapple
tablespoons brown sugar g oz unsalted butter, softened ml fl oz spiced rum
teaspoons mixed spice
small bunch of fresh mint, finely sliced small bunch of basil leaves, finely sliced est of limes
tablespoons desiccated coconut, toasted anilla ice cream, to serve
Method
. ut the top and bottom o the pineapple and peel o the skin with a serrated knife. lice into cm in slices, cut each slice in half to make a semicircle, then, with a pastry cutter, remove the core of each slice.
. Put the brown sugar, butter, rum, the mixed spice and half the herbs into a heavy-based saucepan and melt together. ring to the boil for – minutes or until syrupy, then add the pineapple slices to the pan and cook over a low heat for minutes, turning the pineapple over several times to coat it in the caramel.
. Preheat the oven to fan gas mark .
. nroll the pu pastry and cut around a cm in ovenproof frying pan to make a large circle of pastry. pread half the caramel around the bottom of the pan, then arrange the pineapple slices, slightly overlapping so that they all fit in well. ay the pastry over the top and tuck in the edges, then bake for – minutes until the pastry is pu ed up and golden.
. hile the tart is cooking, make the topping by combining the lime zest, desiccated coconut and remaining herbs.
. nce the tatin is cooked, allow to stand for minutes, then invert it on to a serving plate. Reheat the remaining caramel and pour over, then top with the coconut mixture. erve with scoops of vanilla ice cream. n
Live and Eat Pie costs £19; you can buy directly from www.pieminister.co.uk
A tropical island fantasy full of fruit and sunshine, this is a kitsch’d up tarte tatin
“What we try to get across in the book is that pastry is not something to feel intimidated by”We’ll bring you the recipe for these Pide Pipers in a future issue, if you’re good
This issue’s hotspot of desire is The Sundial Kitchen in Totterdown, somewhere between the Wells Road and Victoria Park. Must admit, it’s not a part of Bristol I know too well, though having visited once, I’m looking forward to getting better acquainted in the future. It has all the things you could hope for in a hipster-heavenly neighbourhood bakery nearby, sumptuous greengrocer, fine-looking pub, The Shakespeare, over the road.
The café itself has bucketfuls of kerb appeal, too. The architecture alone is worth the wander. Gets even better once you’re inside. It’s a welcoming space, the kind which inspires you to relax and enjoy. There’s a mouthwatering menu, a friendly soul behind the counter and, lots of room between tables for assorted stu . Which was handy, as we were there to meet up with the af ociety oreign orrespondent along with one of our top taste testers, Big Ralph. Which is why I noticed the space between tables, incidentally. We were the second table to bring in a buggy, and there was still room for more. Which is always nice. and ig alph pictured left) were in town for a few days between assignments, and wanted to show us their latest fave place for co ee and good times. adly, had already eaten by the time we met up (you know what it’s like when you have babies, schedules go out the window), so had to forgo her usual, The Big Sundial Brunch. An item so large, she assured me, that if you ate it without care, there was every chance you might explode.
In truth, every single thing on the menu looked good. Damn good. However, I am busily being a born-again kimchi lover right now, so dived in for the kimchi
fried rice. What can I say? Reader, if it was human, I would have married it, but it wasn’t, so I didn’t. Instead, I ate it. And it was good. Damn good. It was also quite large. Exploding after eating was definitely on the cards.
And it wasn’t just the big-name stu that shone the had a simple cheese toastie and gave it big thumbs-up all round. Even Big Ralph got in on the action, sucking on a few choice segments of buttered toast, (you know how babies are, fancy manners go out the window). All in all, it was superb. If I lived round the corner from this place, I would never make a home-cooked meal again. I’d be too busy eating here, all day, every day.
If all that wasn’t enough excitement, before we left, I even managed to have a lovely chat to the sweet soul behind the counter all about the joys of cabbage. With particular reference to coleslaw, sauerkraut and, of course, the mighty kimchi.
So, if you are looking for a place to impress your friends, your family or just to improve your chances for life, love and tastiness. Head for the sundial. It’s time! n
Former Housemartins guitarist Stan is now a journalist and travel writer www.stancullimore.com
Stan, the FC and Big Ralph head for The Sundial, where the size portions should probably come with a danger warning . . .
“If the kimchi fried rice had been human, I would have married it”
STRAWBERRY VEGAN EASTER
EGG, £30
This headturner of an egg is crafted from real strawberries and ethically sourced cocoa beans, with a melt-in-the-mouth texture that’s to die for, although as it’s vegan, nothing actually did
From Harvey Nichols 27 Philadelphia Street harveynichols.com
WOODEN FOXGLOVE, £20
Decorative wooden bloom, laser-cut and hand-painted by Anna Wiscombe from birch plywood
From Bristol Artisan 3 Lower Redland Road thebristolartisan.com
OLLI ELLLA SMALL APPLE BASKET, £20
Ideal for Easter egg hunts, non? Handwoven from rattan with a cute little lid
From Mon Pote, 217a North Street monpote.co.uk
MRS POTTS FLAKED HOT CHOCOLATE, £12.90
Mrs Potts sells all kinds of chocolate-related wonders, from vegan chocolate bars to their signature flaked hot chocolate, which comes in six di erent flavours
From Mrs. Potts Chocolate House, 50 Park Street mrspottschocolatehouse.co.uk
CHICKEN EGG CUP, £18.50
You can get egg cups in any animal design, but why wouldn’t you choose a hen? Made from stoneware and hand-painted in realistic detail
From Graham and Green 92 Walcot Street, Bath grahamandgreen.co.uk
JOHN DERIAN
EASTER BUNNY
JIGSAW, £22
CHOCOCO SEA SALT CARAMEL EGG, £19-£28.80
Great British Food called it "The most mouth-watering Easter chocolate,” while its Dorset sea-salt caramels won a 2020 Two-Star Gold Great Taste Award. We wouldn’t contemplate Easter without one. Preferably two From Papadeli, 84 Alma Road; papadeli.co.uk; chococo.co.uk
On a healthfood kick? Swerve the chocolate then, and immerse yourself in this nostalgic jigsaw featuring a pair of kissing bunnies using a rather resentful-looking lamb as a stool
From Maze Clothing, 26-28 The Mall mazeclothing.co.uk
o what do ristol s most stylish Easter bunnies have in store for us this year?
JELLY CAT SOFT TOY, £12.50
This bashful egg has a goofy smile and creamy marshmallow fur, and may well usurp Teddy in the huggable soft-toy stakes
From Soukous 44a, 46 Cotham Hill soukous.co.uk
EGG ROYALE CREAM LIQUEUR, £29
For adults only! Made by the folk at Gravity Drinks, the glass egg bottle is filled with a rich chocolate alcoholic cream liqueur made with real cream, cocoa and vanilla. Now you can have your Easter egg and drink it too.
From Harvey Nichols 27 Philadelphia Street, Quakers Friars harveynichols.com
HAPPY BUNNY RABBIT, £44
Far too beautiful to eat, though we absolutely would, this handcrafted chocolate bunny shines a spotlight on the best cocoa from Ghana for a balanced, sweet and creamy taste, delicate aromas and intense, complex flavours. In white, dark, blonde or ruby
FILIPPI COLOMBA ORANGE & CHOCOLATE EASTER CAKE, £26.95
Traditional Italian Easter cake from famous artisan bakery Filippi
From Papadeli, 84 Alma Road papadeli.co.uk
AND MERCHANTS
From Harvey Nichols, 27 Philadelphia Street harveynichols.com BISCUITS, £10
Not a chocolate fan? (Weird; but OK). How about these biccies instead, made from free-range eggs and butter by a family business in West Yorkshire? Worth buying just for the tin o n t aol e y te s fi o u
ADOPT A CHICKEN, DONATION FROM £3 PER HEN
Since 2005 the British Hen Welfare Trust has been rescuing hens from slaughter and rehoming them as pets; all the info, including the Bristol branch, at link below. bhwt.org.uk
HOUSE DOCTOR EGG CUP, £7
Ideal for the Nordic home, made of stoneware in beautiful blue and grey shades by Scandi-boho company House Doctor
From Mon Pote, 217a North Street monpote.co.uk
hat better way to launch ristol otel’s new ick’s bar than to invite some of the most prominent women in the city to drink cocktails on International omen’s ay? any thanks to Plaster for including us in such elevated company
Stacey Olika
Jane Guy and Claire Ladkin
Amelia Kallman, Deri Robins and Kellie Hasbury
Vicky Lee and Natalie Johnson
Bristol’s glamorous new art gallery held its o cial launch party last month at – the clue is in the name –Whiteladies Road
Danica Clements, Dan Miles, Simon and Tracey Gait
Debbie Lee
Bristol’s first Wellness Weekender will see ORIGIN WORKSPACE open its doors to the whole community to offer more than 15 sessions, including inspiring talks, classes, and workshops
This is the first time the thriving co-working space will open up to the public as well as members, creating an accessible event for Bristol with wellbeing at its core. The event, being held across three days from Thursday 20 April to Saturday 22 April, includes a full line-up of events, from wild swimming to 1-2-1 reiki treatment, live entertainment and yoga sessions for all the family.
Origin Workspace opened on Berkeley Square in Bristol in 2019. Run by Rob Hingston, the team uses the space to support local charities and entrepreneurs, partnering with men’s mental health charity Talk Club, The Prince’s Trust, South Bristol Youth, Gympanzees, and Access Sport.
As part of April’s event, guest speaker Jamie Catto, a founding member of the band Faithless, will draw on his successful career in film production and music to help channel our minds and tap into our creative power.
Meanwhile Activ8 will host training sessions in Origin’s on-site gym, local food nutritionist Laura Wooding will run the event’s on-site pop-up café Grab & Glow, and charity Talk Club will give everyone the opportunity to take part in a team journalling session focused on improving mental health.
According to CIPD, the professional body for HR and people development, 51% of organisations take a strategic approach to employee wellbeing. These organisations are “far more likely to report positive achievements from their activity” for both individuals and the organisation as a whole.
Origin Workspace’s wellness team, Rob Hingston, Parm Dlay, and Jill Watson, have seen first-hand the positive impact that providing these activities can have for entrepreneurs and businesses in Bristol.
Rob Hingston, Head of Origin, says: “The Wellness Weekender is one of two we aim to deliver each year. We’re lucky to have
Rob Hingston, Head of Origin Workspace, is particularly passionate about running. Not only does he provide a weekly running club and two-yearly park runs for Origin members, he is also a big supporter of the Bristol 10k and half marathon.
Parm Dlay, Operations Manager, runs a wellness company of her own and is helping Origin create more wellbeing opportunities for members and the public.
Jill Watson, Wellbeing Coordinator, runs Hearts & Roots, offering yoga, meditation, and nature immersions.
the use of such an amazing space right in the heart of Bristol where both members and the local community can now enjoy the benefits.
“At Origin we believe strongly in helping our members build healthy businesses by offering something different and unique to other co-working spaces. By providing an onsite wellness team, workshops, yoga studio, and gym we provide mental, physical and nutritional support. Through our wellness programme for members we have built strong connections with local specialists in everything from food and mental health to exercise and healing traditions.”
Daily or weekend tickets are now being sold on Eventbrite – scan the code at the bottom of this page to access now. Family and kids’ class tickets are £5. Earlybird weekend passes start from £18 for Origin Workspace members, and £23 for non-members.
Earlybird tickets are on sale until 31 March, so grab your weekend pass now to take advantage of early pricing options. Your pass gives you access to all the sessions, with the kids’ class, plus one-to-one treatments available separately. n
Friday 21 April 2023
07:00 - 09:00
Waves of Wellness: Wild Swimming in Clevedon
Join the Emergent Purpose team for their signature yoga and wild swim social at Clevedon Marine Lake. Transport provided from Origin Workspace.
12:30 - 13:30
Insanely Gifted: A Lunchtime Talk with Jamie Catto
Drawing from his own processes in groundrea in film production, philosophy voya es and music, Jamie Catto facilitates professional, personal and creative breakthroughs.
17:00 - 18:30
Laugh and Lounge
Saturday 22 April 2023
09:00 - 15:30
Grab & Glow Pop-Up Café
Grab a pre- or post-event snack, lunch or energy ball from Laura’s onsite weekend café. Serving healthy buddha bowls, wraps, juices and smoothies.
09:30 - 10:30
Family and Kids: Yoga, Mindfulness and Craft-Making
A family-friendly wellness session with practices to feel calm, connected, and focused. Suitable for ages 5-12 accompanied by parents or caregivers.
13:30 - 14:30
Breathwork, Meditation and Mantra
40 Berkeley Square, Bristol BS8 1HP
Tel: 0117 440 0400; www.originworkspace.co.uk
Join us in the lounge to set your weekend up with an endorphin filled happy hour, featuring live comedy and a chance to socialise with your fellow wellness weekenders.
Support and balance the yin in your nervous system with an afternoon of calming breathwork, guided meditation and an introduction to Vedic mantra.
Get advice from the experts, who will help to organise your money and achieve your financial and lifestyle objectives
07971 261024; miles-finch.trulyifa.co.uk
What piece of advice would you offer to someone that is considering investment this year? Investing is extremely complicated. You have to think about your risk level, tax, your overall objectives and so much more. Instead of doing it all yourself why not use an Independent Financial Adviser? With their experience they help establish your goals and look after the whole process for you.
What sets you apart from other businesses in the sector?
0.60% of all financial advisers in the UK are under the age of 25, and I am one of them! This means I am able to look after my clients rights throughout their retirement without them having to chop and change advisers. Add into this I am an Independent Financial Adviser not bound to any pension or investment provider and I have just been voted one of the Top Rated Advisers for 2023 being featured in The Times Newspaper.
Are you expanding your offerings this year?
Yes I continue to take on new clients all throughout the South West and I pride myself on helping people of all wealth levels and backgrounds. No matter if you’re just getting started with investing or approaching retirement, I can advise you on an independent basis and we can work together on a long term plan.
DOMUS FINANCIAL SERVICES
0117 959 6474; domusfinancial.co.uk
What areas do you specialise in?
07507 611213;
matt.west@allica.bankFor businesses that are doing well, what recommendations would you make for expanding their offering?
Three top tips from me:
1. Talk to experts both professional (to make sure you are getting sound business advice) but also experienced operators and mentors.
2. Create a minimum viable product to test the market first.
3. Get feedback from your potential customers and end users.
What sets you apart from other businesses in the sector?
Sadly, for most businesses, talking to someone at their bank is often incredibly difficult. This can be frustrating, especially considering the nature of the role banks play for a business, and often leads to poor service.
Allica Bank is bringing back the local relationship manager (people like me!) and using technology to make them even more powerful and accessible than before.
Are you expanding your offering this year?
Savings rates, particularly for businesses, have been poor for a long time, so we’ve just launched an instant access savings pot for businesses that rewards customers with 3% interest a year. It’s part of our new business current account. We’ve also increased our maximum lending limit to £10m and expanded the range of assets we can fund using asset finance.
and later life. Other advisers will have their own specialities or be more generalist, but to get the most out of your investment into professional advice you’ll want to go to those who know about the things you need most.
My focus is on helping people get the most out of their pensions, their retirement and preparing for long-term care matters.
What are your top three tips to get the most out of retirement?
1. Have a reason to get out of bed in the morning and have something to retire to.
2. Plan your expenditure carefully, the more detailed the better. Don’t assume you will just spend less when you stop working, and take into account costs for treating health problems, so you’re not completely reliant on NHS waiting lists.
3. Ensure you know how you will remain social and active.
What should I look for in a financial adviser?
Firstly check they are properly qualified and on the FCA register. Trust and rapport are paramount; you have to get on well with each other. Lastly, that they do what they say they will do when they say they’ll do it.
Why should someone decide to use you as their financial adviser?
My particular expertise is in retirement
What do you enjoy most about your work?
Meeting clients from all walks of life, getting to know them, hearing their stories, and doing my bit to help them towards their goals and the things that are most important to them.
What are five things a financial adviser can do for me?
1. Reassurance and financial security for the future.
2. Remove the complexity around your finances to give you an understanding of what you have, what you want and a clear and realistic plan to get there.
3. Efficient arrangements that mitigate tax, manage risks, protect against inflation and reduce costs.
4. Challenge assumptions that could be wrong.
5. Ask difficult questions that no one else will.
What does the process involve?
Book in an appointment directly on our website. The first meeting is at our cost, following which we will both be able to determine if we are a good fit, whether I can help, what needs to be done as well as the cost involved. It is then up to you whether to proceed or not.
07825 757760; www.coronationwealth.co.uk
What sets you apart from other businesses in the sector?
I pride myself on my vast industry, regulatory and legislative knowledge, which I believe is second to none. I have been in the industry for a long time, and this experience allows me to advise clients with absolute confidence that my recommendations are right for them.
What would you say to someone that is considering investing this year?
Investing is a proven way to make your money work harder, and ultimately for clients to achieve their financial goals. There is a vast range of options available from very cautious approaches for inexperienced investors, to more sophisticated options for those with an appetite for higher risk with the potential for larger gains. Turbulent economic times are often when the savviest investors enter or increase exposure to the markets, so now is a great time to discuss this.
The value of an investment with St James’s Place will be directly linked to the performance of the funds you select and the value can therefore go down as well as up. You may get back less than you invested.
WEALTH
CORONATION WEALTH MANAGEMENT LLP
07785 535616 www.coronationwealth.co.uk
What first attracted you to the industry?
I love people and enjoy helping them understand and solve their financial problems. My job offers me a chance to make a difference in people’s lives. Developing meaningful relationships with my clients and working with them throughout their lives is truly amazing. I’m trying to make a positive impact in the industry and remove some of the preconceptions associated with this role. I don’t look like the ‘traditional’ financial adviser, and I like that.
How do you inspire women to be more confident, and take control of their finances?
I recognise that women are underrepresented in the financial space. I want to make them comfortable talking about money. I think the best way to help women take control of their finances is to educate them. Knowledge is empowering. I am part of multiple female networks that include young entrepreneurs and experienced business owners, where I actively share my knowledge and create a safe space to ask questions. I am determined to help and educate everyone, regardless of their background or experience.
WEALTH MANAGER
CORONATION WEALTH MANAGEMENT LLP
07367 478847
www.coronationwealth.co.uk
What challenges do you foresee businesses facing in 2023?
Inflation and general economic difficulties are affecting not just the UK but the global economy. Challenges such as the continued impact of the Russia/Ukraine war on businesses having trouble obtaining supplies look likely to continue which brings with this the issue of managing increasing customer expectations. The continued need to invest in digital transformation technology while at the same time maintaining vigilance when it comes to data and device security could also prove to be a challenge for businesses. In addition to which, the need for businesses to operate sustainably will add increased pressure as this is an issue that is becoming ever more urgent.
What would you say to business owners who are worried about this upcoming financial year? Speak to specialists, experts, and mentors who can provide support through these difficult times. This will help to build a team of trusted advisers not just for now but for the future. Business owners should make maximum use of whatever funding is out there, whether it be governmental support, in the form of reliefs, grants or investment options, or through local authority channels.
CORONATION WEALTH MANAGEMENT LLP
07909 911848; www.coronationwealth.co.uk
What advice would you give to someone looking to exit/sell a business?
My advice would be that whatever your desired outcome may be, get started in good time and engage with professionals as early as possible. This will allow enough time for planning which could save time, money, and stress during the process of selling.
What’s a common issue your clients are facing?
A common issue my clients often face is knowing what to do with their business, having built it to a strong level and sometimes having excess cash within it. Also, another common issue is clients not knowing what they want to do with their businesses, careers, and lives in general. That’s why the goals-based planning model works well. I’ve seen the success of this first-hand with family, friends, and clients who experience challenges, pitfalls, and successes of exiting a business or business planning.
Exit strategies may involve the referral to a service this is separate and distinct to those offered by St James’s Place.
*Coronation Wealth Management LLP is an appointed representative of and represents only St. James’s Place Wealth Management plc (which is authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority) for the purpose of advising solely on the group’s wealth management products and services, more details of which are set out on the group’s website www.sjp.co.uk/products. SJP Approved 20/03/2023.
HARBOURSIDE CORPORATE FINANCE
0117 233 8800
harboursidecf.co.uk
What sets you apart from other businesses in the sector?
We are a boutique team that specialises in helping owner-managers in buying and selling businesses, supporting them through the process of what will usually be a once-in-a-lifetime experience. Many corporate finance specialists are geared towards larger entities and struggle with owner-managed businesses, where a proprietor is involved day to day and has a true finger on the pulse of the operations. There can be many potential pitfalls in selling a business and lots of jargon which can hide some important matters that could have a significant impact on the eventual proceeds received by the seller. We help translate into plain English and steer owners through the details to get them the best deal possible.
What advice would you give to someone looking to exit/sell a business?
It’s never too soon to begin engaging with advisers and starting to think about things that will make your business more valuable and to discuss what preparation can be done to help take some of the stress out of the transaction later down the line.
CLOSE BROTHERS ASSET MANAGEMENT
Ben.Staniforth@closebrothers.com
At Close Brothers Asset Management, we believe in the importance of relationships. We like to put a face to a name for our clients, which is why we interviewed our new managing director, Ben Staniforth. Ben covers the Midlands and South West areas for our financial advice business offering advice on retirement, investments and estate planning.
What are the most common financial problems/issues people bring to you in this current climate?
Our advisers have to deal with many issues at the moment such as the cost of living crisis, clients having to readjust their goals, and some clients being nervous about what the future holds, which is very understandable in turbulent times such as these. The most common question is around retirement, and when will that be possible now the investment markets have dropped –everyone’s situation is different, which is why it is important to really understand the individual client and their circumstances. Through a collaborative approach with the many specialist professionals we work with locally it allows us to advise on long-term solutions for our clients. Our advisers are also having conversations with clients on their concerns for the planet – many clients
MILSTED LANGDON
0117 945 2500
milstedlangdon.co.uk
For businesses that are doing well, what recommendations would you make?
There are tax changes coming in from 6 April 2023 which will increase both personal and corporation taxes. For individuals, the tax-free dividend allowance is reducing from £1,000 to £500 from 6 April 2023 and the amount of earnings where you start paying the additional tax rate (45%) is reducing from £150,000 to £125,140. You might want to consider taking out either a dividend or bonus prior to the end of the current tax year. Another consideration is the rate at which corporation tax is payable, which will increase from 19% to 25% from 1 April 2023.
What sets you apart from other businesses in the sector?
The Milsted Langdon philosophy is ‘helping you thrive’. This is a message that is not only focused on our clients, but also on our people. It’s an ethos that can be applied to everything that we do, across our many teams of specialists, from accountancy, audit, tax and VAT to wealth planning, forensic accounting, corporate finance and restructuring and insolvency advice. There is a real focus on the client experience, as well as the employee experience, and going above and beyond to exceed expectations.
are conscious of the environmental, social and governance factors that shape our future planet, and want to make sure they can invest their money in a way that is aligned to their beliefs.
Why should everyone consider financial advice?
Everyone has a financial need (sometimes without even knowing they have one) whether it’s trying to save for a first home, help the kids out with their education, save more than they spend, become more financially literate, pass money onto family members, helping out with care fees, or help planning for retirement. It doesn’t matter how much or little money you have, there is always something a good planner will be able to do to put you in a better positon.
If someone is interested in gaining financial advice, how should they start?
I would encourage those who are interested in financial advice to speak to myself directly, or I’m more than happy to put them in touch with a member of my team.
*Capital is at risk and the value of your investments can go down as well as up.
JONATHAN FRY
ELITE FINANCIAL CONSULTING LTD
01179 553791; elitefinancialconsulting.co.uk
What challenges do you predict businesses facing in 2023?
We face another year of volatile markets and high inflation, the continuation of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine and inflationary pressures worldwide. This is affecting interest rates and
STYLE LTD
0117 9070818; mortgage-style.co.uk
Tell us a little about your business...
Mortgage Style is an award-winning, independent mortgage brokerage based in Bristol. We can help with all types of mortgages including first-time buyers, remortgages and purchases but also specialise in more complicated scenarios such as selfemployed mortgages, contractors, elderly, unusual properties, buy-tolet, limited company mortgages, development and bridging finance, commercial mortgages and protection.
When was your firm founded, and by whom?
Mortgage Style was founded in 2006 by Marcus Robinson. Marcus wanted to create a service for people where they got the very best advice but also a seamless and stressless journey from start to finish. After winning several awards in the industry Marcus gained the confidence to go it alone. Marcus started the business in a spare bedroom and remortgaged his house to finance things; it wasn’t an easy few years as the credit crunch
markets, which will in turn affect all of us in some capacity or another. You may notice the impact on your pension, savings, investments, and any mortgages held. The cost-of-living crisis is not going away any time soon, so people’s disposable income will be squeezed further with a lot of unknowns in relation to the cost of household utilities.
So, in such troubled times, what can a financial advisor offer?
Having a financial adviser in place will provide reassurance during this difficult time. I can help you find the best products, matched to your circumstances. My clients have really benefited from regular contact with me and from the reassurance of an experienced professional to help guide them through.
What piece of advice would you offer to someone who is considering investment this year?
Regardless of the market volatility, investing money in the long term is always worth considering. We ensure clients have a nest egg emergency fund to access savings immediately where required, and ideally if people can save regularly from their disposable income or savings this will build your wealth. Where a client can invest, it would be worth maximising your savings allowance, ISA allowance and
hit fairly early on, but Mortgage Style weathered the storm and is now thriving with offices near Portishead and 13 staff.
What sets you apart from others in your sector?
In many ways we are quite similar, but we try to do everything to our best ability with the customer at the centre of all decisions. However, we also offer advice in more specialist areas than many of our competitors, where they will refer the business to a third party, so we can keep everything in-house, therefore saving our clients time and money. These more specialist areas include hard-to-place cases where even other brokers refer to us and also areas such as limited-company buy-to-let lending for landlords, bridging and development finance, commercial finance and much more. If you read our Google and Trust Pilot reviews, you’ll see that our clients are extremely pleased with our service and we work very hard to accomplish this.
We are very proud to have recently won at the Bristol Property Awards for best finance company; this recognises how hard our staff work and what a great job they are doing.
pension contributions. Where possible utilise the Capital Gains Tax allowance for investments held in direct stocks and shares, property such as a buy-to-let and money held in a general investment account. Investments should be considered as part of an overall financial plan, to help towards retirement or any specific goals you may have.
Are you expanding your offerings this year? No plans to increase our offering as we already specialise in mortgages including equity release, investments, pensions and protection for individuals and businesses. We have access to solicitors and accounts as well as a will-writing service, so we offer most services within the sector already. We do plan however to work more closely with local solicitors, accountants and estate agents. I will also be working with local schools providing financial advice, teaching the basics of financial education to the next generation.
Anything else you’d like to tell us?
As always, my advisers and I are on hand to help with any new or existing clients, and Elite would like to thank those clients who have supported us over the years. I would also like to thank my staff, who are brilliant and committed to helping clients; and finally our families for offering such support on this journey.
IFAMAX WEALTH MANAGEMENT
0117 33 22 626; ifamax.com
For business owners who are doing well, what recommendations would you make for how to best extract those profits?
Ensure you are working with your accountant to set up an effective and tax-efficient income; be it salary or dividends. Above this, you should be looking into the efficiency of employer pension contributions and even investment accounts within the company.
What piece of advice would you offer to someone who is considering investment this year?
Do not let ‘market noise’ put you off! Most investors, at some time, will be either tempted to time when to be in or out of equity markets. It would be great to be able to capture the upsides and avoid the downsides, but that is wishful thinking.
What sets you apart from other businesses in the sector?
We would love the chance to discuss our ‘second opinion service’ with those looking to get a second opinion on their current financial plan and solutions implemented to date (if any!). If suitable, this service is a no-cost, no-obligation review of your current personal financial situation.
HAROLD STEPHENS –LATER-LIFE FINANCIAL PLANNING
0117 3636 212; haroldstephens.co.uk
What piece of advice would you offer to someone who is considering investment this year?
I always emphasise to clients that it’s time in the market, not timing the market that’s important. You should be comfortable with the level of risk you’re taking, be confident you are diversified sufficiently and see investments as a long-term commitment, this way you won’t get spooked by the short-term ups and downs. This year is no different to other years, the golden rules stay the same.
What sets you apart from other businesses in the sector?
What makes us different to other IFAs is our commitment to focusing purely on providing independent advice for people in later life and also our passion for helping people in vulnerable circumstances, for which we have won a national award. We can help with all aspects of later-life financial planning to help clients gain clarity, confidence and financial freedom in their retirement. We also offer extended services such as arranging lasting powers of attorney, wills and probate, meaning our clients can have just one point of contact
JWD MORTGAGES
0117 235 4270; jwdmortgages.co.uk
What sets you apart from other businesses in the sector?
As a boutique team of advisers, we deal with you personally, and get rid of the jargon which is often found. We front up what lenders can and cannot do and provide a honest view on the costs of borrowing that you may face – always fighting to get you the lowest cost deal. Not only do we ensure a clear and transparent view is provided, we offer time, support, and clear planning to ensure that you and your family get the best level of service.
What one piece of advice would you offer to businesses worried about this upcoming financial year?
The best advice is to be part of a good networking group and try to attend to what matters to people most. This often means improving service levels and offering deeper conversations into the advice they seek. Being and staying in touch with people is the underlying best advice we can see.
For businesses doing well, what recommendations would you make for expanding the offering?
Keep it up - and you rule! We always agree that keeping up good networking, using local support and ensuring we ensure full and clear transparent outcomes is key.
Are you expanding your offerings this year?
Yes. In November 2022 we hired a colleague who lives centrally in Bristol – sharing that local and personal touch we aim for. Further plans are in the pipeline.
for simplicity. We are also deeply committed to making a positive impact on the local laterlife community which involves organising free events throughout the year and collaborating with local charities such as BRACE Dementia Research, Bristol Dementia Action Alliance, Age UK Bristol and Alive Activities.
How has the availability of digital technologies impacted your delivery of financial advice to clients?
Through Covid, we embraced digital technologies which enabled us to continue providing services to our clients to the best of our ability, and we were grateful for that. The amount of our clients in their 80s and 90s that quickly became Zoom experts was impressive! We offer a personal finance portal to all clients, continue to offer video or telephone meetings if required and send documents digitally to be environmentally friendly where possible. However, we have always prided ourselves on being a steadfast feature on the high street, always a friendly face to see if you ever pop in. Our preferred delivery of financial advice is unwaveringly old-fashioned with face-to-face meetings over tea and cake and we find our clients love that level of service.
0117 450 1300; integrity365.co.uk
What one piece of advice would you offer to businesses which are worried about this upcoming financial year?
Focus on retention now to save on recruitment costs in the year ahead. Your employees are your greatest asset and equally your greatest risk due to the challenges of recruitment and retention. To keep and attract quality talent, employers need to consider alternative ways to make employees feel valued outside of their salary by introducing benefits they will value and appreciate. This does not mean implementing expensive benefits from the outset. Instead, start gradually and show your staff you are considering their needs and looking to increase their overall remuneration package to retain them.
What piece of advice would you offer to someone who is considering investment this year?
Think about your investment horizon. It is easy to let current events cloud your thinking, but stock markets reward patient investors who can hold their nerve through the more difficult periods. If you have a shortterm investment horizon, consider whether you should be taking any risk at all, but if you are investing for the longer term, consider periods of volatility as part of the investment cycle.
0345 833 4771; directassetfinance.com
What challenges do you predict businesses wil face in 2023?
The biggest challenges for businesses in 2023 are in some ways a continuation of those they have faced in recent months. This includes high inflation and the upward trajectory of interest rates, which making borrowing more expensive.
There is still uncertainty around supply chains across all industries, which has yet to recover following COVID. This is exacerbated with negative reporting through MSN outlets, which creates more uncertainty and impacts on confidence within SMEs. However, my belief is that the landscape is more encouraging, and the SME community are a resilient bunch who will find a way to move forward.
What sets you apart from other businesses in the sector?
We do the simple things well. We do what we say we will do and when we will do it. We manage our customers’ expectations and keep in regular contact. It’s about delivering a first-class service - providing the funding our customers need to grow their business and in the desired timescales.
What advice would you offer a small business starting up this year?
For anyone who is looking to start their own business, I would recommend finding a mentor to lean on for support and advice.
It’s important to have a trusted confidante who you can bounce ideas off, let off steam or someone who simply offers an encouraging word in your ear. Running your own business can be a lonely and it is sometimes a rollercoaster. It is also highly rewarding. It’s key to have someone around whom you trust –and that includes letting you know when they don’t agree with you!
My other piece of advice is stay strong, be resilient and believe in yourself.
07872 601662; otiumpartners.com
What challenges do you predict that businesses will be facing in 2023?
With the backdrop of increased costs and interest rates, many businesses are facing real challenges around their funding, whether for working capital or investment purposes. Banks are looking very closely at loan affordability on the back of increased costs, and for many businesses this will mean that credit and loans are harder to obtain, even refinancing what they already borrow. We can help in pretty much any situation with both strategic and practical advice and solutions.
What one piece of advice would you offer to businesses that are worried about this upcoming financial year?
Don’t be afraid to ask for help and advice. Whether that’s from your accountant, financial advisor or specialist consultant. There are plenty of us out there who have seen a wide variety of circumstances and can offer practical and helpful guidance and solutions. Pick up the phone!
What piece of advice would you offer to someone considering investment this year?
Make sure that any investment will add real value to your business, ie profit. There are no prizes for growth in turnover and costs if they don’t translate to the bottom line.
01225 427 474; unividual.co.uk
Tell us a little about the firm...
Established in 2000, Unividual is a chartered financial planning company like no other. Family-run, women- and LGBTQIA-led, we offer financial advice for everyone – not just the rich and famous. Our foundations have always been about treating people as unique individuals. In a non-inclusive industry, Unividual have become trailblazers for bespoke financial advice instead of a onesize-fits-all service. Unividual has progressed
paragonbank.co.uk
Will 2023 be positive for the development sector?
from being a small family-run company to one of the largest, privately-owned chartered financial planning firms in the UK, with eight financial advisers spread across the country, from Bath to London and up to Edinburgh, and around 30 members of staff.
How does the firm ensure equality, diversity and inclusion?
In 2021 the Financial Conduct Authority reported only 7% of UK adults received financial advice. Why? Because people can’t find a finance expert they can relate to. So, Unividual are on a mission to build a business
reflective of today’s world that can educate people on their finances. We want every person and business in our local communities to have the opportunity to improve their financial situation, safeguard themselves against their fears and overcome challenges. This year we are applying to become an Includability employer, which recognises firms which prioritise the wellbeing of staff and inclusive workplaces. Unividual have worked hard to change our marketing and our recruitment processes, and as a result the business now has a diverse workforce with 47% of employees from an ethnic minority group, 57% are women and 43% of our leadership team are women. Our efforts in building a diverse business was recognised in 2021 when we were awarded a space on the HM Treasury Women in Finance Charter, something we have held for three years.
How does the firm look after employee’s mental health?
In 2022 Unividual spent £2,000 per employee on wellbeing for the second year in a row. We believe that employers have a duty to support colleagues with wellbeing because of the commitment they show within their roles that creates stress in their lives. In 2021 Unividual employee’s average wellbeing score was 5 and this moved to 7.8 after our most recent staff survey in January 2023.
NICHOLLS STEVENS FINANCIAL SERVICES 0117 929 0456 nichollstevens.com
After the challenges presented by the pandemic, 2023 is set to be a year of stability for the development sector. The pace of increase in interest rates has slowed and material costs have stabilised, as well as the supply of labour and materials. As the year progresses, confidence will grow in both the public and business about investing for the future.
What should developers be thinking about?
Improved conditions present developers with the challenge of not waiting too late to secure financing. Some developers have been sitting on their hands until a clearer economic picture emerges, while others have been carrying on as normal, but as buyer demand returns, we are likely to see an upturn in developer activity. The Paragon team is ready to start talking with you to develop bespoke finance solutions that will help you get started and ensure you have access to the technology, supplies, and work force you’ll need.
How can Paragon support developers?
Core to Paragon’s approach is building strong and lasting relationships with clients. Through difficult years for the UK economy, we have continued to support trusted partners and have demonstrated our commitment to the sector where others have stepped away. It’s that consistency that our customers like, as well as the experience and expertise of our team.
What piece of advice would you offer to someone who is considering investment this year?
There is still uncertainty in the market. At times such as these it is preferable to invest on a monthly basis rather than committing a lump sum to the market in one transaction. By investing in this way you acquire shares or units at varying prices throughout the year rather than on one day in time which unfortunately could be the wrong one. The second piece of advice would be to take advantage of the Chancellor’s announcement in the budget to increase the maximum pension contribution upon which you can obtain tax relief from £40,000 to £60,000. Saving for your older years with tax relief at your highest marginal rate of tax is a gift which should not be ignored.
What sets you apart from other businesses in the sector?
We have been working with clients to plan and maintain their retirement income since 1986. We have listened to our clients and developed services to meet their needs not just at retirement but throughout their later years.
You came! You saw! You conquered! (Well, some of you did *). undreds of ristol’s finest congregated once more at Ashton Gate Stadium on 16 March, for what many have said they felt was the best Bristol Life wards to date. It’s hard to put a finger on what made this year’s event so joyful; maybe it was the fact that nobody seemed to feel the need to utter the dreaded words ‘Covid’ or ‘lockdown’ any more.
You could say it was the most ‘normal’ Awards since 2019 – and given the past few years, normal has really become the gold standard.
Huge, huge congratulations to all our winners – you can see who won what at the link below –and an extra-special ‘yass queens!’ to Lisa and Rhi of Wake the Tiger, who were summoned to the stage on not just one but two occasions, for Best Leisure and Tourism and the overall Platinum for sheer Bristol brilliance.
Big thanks to all our judges and sponsors. Look out for the full review in our next issue, with all the photos and all the action.
nly kidding – all you finalists are absolute, superstar winners too.
For more: www.bristollifeawards.co.uk
to Bristol Life columnists Dan and mily oss of torysmith Books, which has been named the outh est of ngland’s Independent ookshop of the ear by the ritish ook wards
“It’s a huge honour and recognition of the incredible work our specialist booksellers put into the shop,” Dan told us.
e already knew that ristol was one of the best literary cities in the country, but the recent explosion in independent bookshops really cements that status, and we know there will be many other ristol bookshops nominated for this award in the future.
The Awards celebrates those stores which creatively support their local communities. Here’s what they had to say about the industry: Independent bookselling has come out of the other side of the pandemic at its healthiest point in decades, and our regional and country finalists for this year might be our strongest ever.
“The through line is innovation, as all of the winners have experimented with new ways to expand their businesses to get books into more readers’ hands. The great indie booksellers in Britain and Ireland never sit back, they are always pressing forward. For more: www.storysmithbooks.com
Also, congratulations to Katherine McQueen, joint MD at Bristol-based animation production studio A Productions, who has been included in the E2E Female 100 list launched in association with The Independent The list celebrates the most influential, fastest growing and highest performing female-led businesses in the UK. Celebrating women in business across a host of sectors, 100 shines a spotlight on leading innovators and changemakers, promoting unique businesses and celebrating entrepreneurial excellence.
I feel very honoured to be featured in the E2E Female 100 list alongside many inspirational female business leaders, says atherine.
“Leading A Productions with joint managing director and founder ark Taylor is a real joy and a privilege, thanks to our incredibly talented team and the amazing roster of productions
we work on – both past and present. or me, it’s crucially important to ensure A Productions is a welcoming, diverse and inclusive place to work; I believe everyone should have the opportunity to shine and I am committed to creating authentic shows which truly speak to their audiences.
To see so many extraordinary multi-generational women in the top from a host of innovative sectors is a testament to the amazing work so many women are achieving, daily, said halini hemka, and founder of .
rom vegan kitchens to finance and leadership, the diverse range of businesses which have not only been founded but survived or thrived during the pandemic is incredible. Each and every person on this list should be incredibly proud of what they have achieved.”
For more: www.aproductions.co.uk
ristol ity ouncil and ristol o-operative nergy’s The ottle ard tudios is one of the first community energy projects to receive support from a brand-new . million kickstart initiative.
The state-of-the-art facility is the biggest community-owned solar rooftop array in the est of ngland and one of the largest of its kind in the , consisting of more than , photovoltaic panels.
For more: www.bristolenergy.coop
Nick founded The Wave in 2010, starting with a budget of just £500 and a vision of bringing surfing, nature and ‘blue health’ to people of all ages, backgrounds and abilities. After building a team and raising £30 million, it opened in Bristol in autumn as the first place in the world to use ground-breaking Wavegarden Cove technology.
In his pre-Wave life, Nick – just like his dad, his wife, sister, brotherin-law and sister-in-law – had been an osteopath. “We called it the family practice.”
And then came the trigger moment: Nick’s dad was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer. “He died at ristol oyal Infirmary. I made a slightly crazy promise to him that I would do something in his name that he’d be really proud of. Something that would pull together all of his passions, which are also my passions: looking after people’s health.
“I made that promise at that time, not even knowing what I was getting myself into. And then slowly,
seeds of an idea started coming through. About creating a space where people could engage, which could also turn into a business.”
Nick knew the importance of creating a killer team who bought into the vision. “When you truly trust people around you, anything’s possible. I had a team who were way more bright than me to be able to work out the legals and the financials and all the rest of it.
Through luck or judgment, Nick chose the right people. What advice would he give to any entrepreneur looking to appoint advisors?
“First of all, choose the one that actually backs you and doesn’t charge you to start o with. ut then it’s about making sure you’re working with somebody you can scale up with, who is willing to treat you and the absolute grassroots as though you were the most high-
flying business of all time about treating you with the respect that what you’re bringing forwards is just as important as if it was Elon Musk, standing front of them.”
or the first two or three months, says Nick, “we were like rabbit in headlights none of us had ever done what we were doing at that time before. It felt like we had the whole eyes of the world watching us, waiting to see how we were going to react to tricky situations.”
In early 2020 – as if the pandemic were not enough – Nick su ered a stroke traumatic for anyone, but for a very fit man in his early 40s, who had just launched a business, a potential disaster.
“Again, it was about trusting the people around me. I needed to raise another five million pounds to save the business and make sure that our sta , wave-makers and investors were all right, while not being able to communicate the need to make sure that they were all right.”
So did the experience changed him as a manager? “Yeah, massively. Through [recovering up at The Wave] I realised that a massive part of my rehabilitation was being in
blue spaces around water. It gave me a renewed vigour to be able to message how important being by water is to people’s health and wellbeing.”
It also cemented Nick’s determination that The Wave should be for everyone.
“I realised that it was still being used by the lucky few. We weren’t yet fulfilling our vision, which was about all ages, all backgrounds, all abilities. Right at the start we’d known it’d be really easy to market surfing to white, middle class males. We knew that it would be really hard to do the opposite.”
This year, Nick has concentrated on more social impact work, trying to reach out to communities that would not normally have the ability to use The ave and also to reflect diversity in his own sta .
“It’s been working, but we’ve got a long way to go.”
o the ull tal find the e ent on ou u e www thewa e o
EntreConf returns on 22 June at Watershed with a whole host of fresh inspiration for start-ups and established businesses.
NEW: nominations are open for the first EntreConf Awards on 28 September, celebrating entrepreneurial excellence and recognising the vital roles of advisors. For full details see www.entreconf.com
At our latest EntreConf dinner, NICK HOUNSFIELD of The Wave explained how he took a slice of the ocean and put it in some fields just north of Bristol, creating the first inland surfing destination of its kind in the worldNick in conversation with Greg Ingham at Avon Gorge Hotel
“WHEN YOU TRULY TRUST THE TEAM AROUND YOU, ANYTHING IS POSSIBLE ”
Need a textbook example of how to maximise space in a bijousized home? Look no further than Lizzie O’Neill and Tim Freeman’s delightful new-build on Princess Victoria Street . .
Words by Ursula Cole; photos by Pete Helme Photography
When civil engineer Tim Freeman bought the former Village Pottery on Princess Victoria Street, he planned to build himself a home while drawing on skills acquired from working on other, smaller renovation projects. Like so many good ideas, it didn’t go exactly to plan – but it ultimately had a happy and unexpected ending...
Architect Lizzie O’Neill had been recommended to Tim by a mutual friend while he was looking to develop the design and obtain planning approval. Fast-forward to a few months later, and the working relationship had turned into a romantic one.
“Our relationship developed when Tim was put in a potentially devastating situation after his builder had gone into liquidation. Left with a build deserted at slab level, and substantial financial losses, we decided to manage the build together,” says Lizzie.
The experience created a strong bond, both to one another and to the building they were creating.
“We’re certain that the quality of the build, and the details that make it so unique, are a direct result of the time and care we took to manage the process and do a lot more of the work ourselves,” she says.
Anyone familiar with Clifton will remember the Village Pottery. Did any of the old building make its way into the new build?
“The original building had little architectural merit, but we loved the history of the pottery, so we incorporated it into the name of the house,” says Lizzie. “We also wanted to bring a sense of craft into the interiors, which we’ve done with the use of handmade terracotta tiles, bespoke joinery, and our own clay-based artwork which hangs in the stairwell.”
The biggest challenge was the size of the plot. “Although it measures 18m in length, the site tapers from 3.5m to 3m in depth, and fronts directly onto the pavement,” says Lizzie. “This presented an exciting design challenge when it came to fitting in a two-bed house. The design is upside down, with two bedrooms, two bathrooms and the entrance hall on the ground floor and an open-plan living-kitchen-dining space,
study and terrace on the first floor. Internally the house feels surprisingly spacious, despite its similarity to a houseboat.
ustainability was also key. s a compact home in the centre of lifton illage, the house lends itself to living in a more sustainable way – everything we need on a day-to-day basis is a short walk or cycle away.
nd the house re uires very little energy to run. hoosing electricity as an energy source ensured the house was future-proofed the method of construction used structurally insulated panels while the envelope of the house achieves high levels of air-tightness and thermal performance.
Planning application was submitted in ay , in the full knowledge that it wouldn’t be a breeze to get it through. significant amount of time was invested in the design, and compiling a thorough document that reflected on the architectural heritage of surrounding buildings, the site, and how the design of the new house would successfully integrate into this historic context.
The application was met with a number of objections from local residents, understandably worried about the development of the plot. ortunately we had a great case o cer who understood our vision for the site, and after a bit of back and forth, planning was granted in ugust .
THE PROJECT TEAM AND SUPPLIERS:
Client + project manager: Tim Freeman
Architecture and interiors: Lizzie O’Neill, EJ Studio Build, carpentry, tiling & plumbing: James SeagerArtisan Carpenters
Structural engineering: Mat Wildman
Decorating: Nigel Davies
ASHP: Alto Energy + Andrew Galliver
Electrical: Mathew NicholsonMJN Electrical
Render: Dot & Dab
Roofing: Single Ply Solutions
Tanking: Cannon Clarke
Windows + doors: Spitfire, Origin, Roseview
Kitchen: Husk + IKEA
Window boxes: Style N’ Steel
Railings: Scotties Gates
The outside of the house has been designed to reference the local vernacular of traditional mews houses found within the area, with stone window surrounds and uoins, sash windows, steel window boxes, steel railings and vertical panelling either side of the front door, to emulate the garage doors of neighbouring houses. The latter four are painted a grey-green colour that complements the greenery of the neighbouring shrubs and trees.
Inside, the aim was to enhance the sense of light and space, given the narrow, compact nature of the house, using a unified palette. n o -white paint was chosen as a simple backdrop, with natural-coloured finishes – whitewashed engineered oak flooring, solid oak sills and shelves, oak veneer kitchen doors, a self-made oak dining table and o -the-shelf plywood with a light wash for the bedroom joinery.
urniture also plays an important part, with the staircase balustrade, dining bench seat and T unit painted in a unified set of colour. The T unit doors have a rattan infill to provide texture and visual interest, as do the bamboo blinds and artwork.
Glazed tiles in neutral tones were used in the bathrooms, with recycled terracotta in the hallway. The slate-like blue-grey kitchen worktop and splashback create a striking focal point at the centre of the upstairs space, adding a block of colour to the earthy palette.
hile izzie says that the time she and Tim took to complete the home means there is little they would change, they’re particularly happy with the upstairs open-plan living-kitchen-dining space.
Its full of so much natural light throughout the day, and it works really well being above the street at first-floor level. very part of the layout is e ciently designed to provide a function we even s ueezed in a small breakfast bar. nyone who comes to visit is always surprised by how spacious it feels upstairs.
utside, the small first-floor terrace o ers a perfect sun trap. e made planting beds out of stone recycled from a section of wall removed during the build. These are filled with a mix of evergreen plants, including jasmine, olive trees, herbs and bulbs. n -shaped floating iroko bench seat provides plenty of seating.
uilding a new house is never straightforward, says izzie, especially when your builder goes into li uidation and leaves you in a incredibly stressful situation. There have been numerous setbacks and hurdles, big and small. ut we’ve learnt that there is always a solution it just sometimes re uires some fairly inventive thinking or pure determination to succeed.
“There is always a solution; it justrequiressometimes some fairlythinkinginventive to succeed”
Ihelp people to navigate and take control of the challenges and opportunities that surround retirement and ensure they are in the stron est financial position to make the most of what can be the most fulfillin and rewardin years of their lives. Retirement is not just about pensions and taxes though… with property often being someone’s largest asset, mortgages in later life play a big part in the planning I do with clients.
What is the maximum age for a mortgage? Mortgages can extend well into your nineties or even later. However, the challenge is proving you can afford the mortgage. This is usually an issue because of a shorter mortgage term meaning higher repayments or a lower income, particularly if you’re already retired. However, alternative options are available in these instances such as retirement mortgages or equity release. Lenders have adapted rather well to accommodate an ageing population who are also working longer.
What is a retirement mortgage?
These are interest-only mortgages that have less strict criteria around affordability and no end date. The loan itself is repaid when you die or move into care.
What do I do if I have an interest-only mortgage and no way to repay the capital when it ends?
You’re not alone; there are approximately 40,000 interest-only mortgages maturing each year until 2032. The first step is to seek advice, ideally from an adviser who is qualified but not exclusively involved in equity release, as they will be able to look at all the options open to you and the relative benefits and drawbacks of each one.
The main point is that there are options, and with enough advance planning you can often find a way to stay in your home without having to downsize, which of course is another option altogether.
Despite its bad press in the past, significant steps have been taken to protect borrowers with organisations such as the Equity Release Council who require lenders to have a no-negative equity guarantee, and ensure independent legal advice is taken by the borrower.
It certainly has a place for the right borrower, and talking from experience, has completely changed the lives of some my clients for the better, who have been asset-rich but cash poor. Furthermore, interest rates are now much more aligned to normal mortgage rates and there are a wide range of features to suit different needs. Nevertheless, there are drawbacks including a
reduced inheritance for your family, and meanstested benefits potentially being affected, so other types of retirement mortgages could be more suitable, which is why expert advice is so important.
How can our readers reach out to you for help with their own mortgages?
They can reach me on the contact details below or book an appointment directly either on the website or by scanning the QR code. The first appointment is at my cost and is an opportunity to ask any questions, see if and how I can help as well as discuss their options. n
Your home may be repossessed if you do not keep up repayments on your mortgage. Equity release will reduce the value of your estate and can affect your eligibility for means-tested benefits.
Alexander Johnston
0117 959 6474; www.domusfinancial.co.uk
Alex.johnston@domusfinancial.co.uk
Domus Financial Services, Trym Lodge, 1 Henbury Road, Westbury-on-Trym, Bristol, BS9 3HQ
Alexander Johnston at DOMUS FINANCIAL SERVICES breaks down the mortgage issues facing those near to, or during, retirement
• A stunning, property located on Queen Square, providing the opportunity to have your own HQ office with this prestigious BS1 address.
• The property comprises an attractive, self contained office building which has been newly refurbished to a contemporary standard and benefiting from large, feature windows throughout offering stunning views over the Georgian park.
• Fully refurbished to include shower, kitchenette, useful basement storage and rear courtyard/ bike storage.
• Approximately 1,707 sq ft (158.5 sq m).
Further information can be obtained via the sole agent:
Vicki Grimshaw Finola Ingham
Vicki@burstoncook.co.ukFinola@burstoncook.co.uk
• Queen Square is conveniently positioned within easy access to Temple Meads Railway station (5 min cycle), Cabot Circus and Broadmead Shopping Centre, Bristol’s ‘Old Quarter’ and waterfront. (0117) 934 9977
Have there been any downsides?
Yes and no… you can’t make a statement as I did and not expect any backlash. However, I quite welcome it as it demonstrates that we still have a long way to go, and while there are people who have these racist views, I will continue to do what I can in my own way to dismantle them, make change, and encourage the younger generation to do the same.
Has the BLM movement led to any significant change?
and eyecatching. The philosophy is ‘wear it loud and rock it proud’. My future plan for the business is to introduce a sustainable fashion line that incorporates army surplus wear with bright and bold statement phrases.
What are your best childhood memories of Bristol?
Attending Carnival.
Would you describe Bristol as a diverse city?
During Bristol’s Black Lives Matter protest of 7 June 2020, shortly after the Colston statue was toppled, Jen climbed up onto the plinth and struck a pose which was later captured as a statue by Marc Quinn. The statue was uno cially placed on the plinth, but removed within 24 hours.
Today, Jen is an author, activist and public speaker, and has recently launched an online fashion accessories store.
How has the moment you stood on the Colston plinth affected your life?
It’s changed it dramatically. I now visit schools and businesses across the UK and tell the story of the events that took place during the BLM protest in Bristol, and how the Surge of Power
statue came about. I am also an ambassador of Cargo Classroom, who create lesson plans for Key Stage 3 which address and celebrate the resilience and visionary leadership of individuals of African or African diaspora descent who have catalysed change.
I am now an author, and my book A Hero Like Me is due to be released in June – three years after The Surge of Power was erected and removed.
What has this prominence allowed you to do that you may not have been able to do before?
It’s not a case of what I have not done before, it’s a case of having a platform to be heard. It’s also a orded me the opportunity to interact with ‘little people’, who I feel are the generation of change. I’m really inspired by them and how much they strive for change.
The BLM movement has made people realise and listen to what people of African or African diaspora descent have had to endure, ie injustices, racism etc. However, it remains to be seen whether people have understood, and if they will make changes to their behaviour and language.
Tell us about A Hero Like Me. How did it come about. My love of children, and how I can maximise my interaction with them, led me to contact publishers and pitch the idea of a picture storybook.
A Hero Like Me tells the story of those events that took place on 7 June 2020 through the eyes of a little girl who walks past a towering statue of a man every day. The book empowers children to have the courage to stand up for what is right, and be their own hero.
And now you’ve launched accessory brand Big Stush! What does stush mean?
Stush is Jamaican patois for posh, classy and stylish.
Can you describe the style of the pieces and the philosophy behind them?
The style is cute, cool and eclectic. The pieces are playful
There are 92 languages spoken in Bristol, so it is diverse. However, more needs to be done to cater for their needs.
Favourite places to eat, drink and shop?
My favourite place to drink is Nadu in Stokes Croft as they have a very extensive rum selection. Tare in Wapping Wharf’s seven-course menu is divine. My favourite place to shop is Afro Street, recently opened in The Arcade in Broadmead.
Do you have any secret skills?
I can’t keep anything secret, but one of my favourite skills is speaking up, speaking out and being fearless when I see or experience injustices.
And what is your most regrettable habit?
When in conversation, I don’t let people finish their sentences, and talk over them.
If a film of your life was to be made, who would you like to play you?
It would have to be Angela Bassett, not only because she’s an amazing actress, but her cheekbones are to die for.
www.bigstush.myshopify.com
For more about A Hero Like Me see www.angelajoybooks.com
She’s probably still best known for the pose she struck on the Colston plinth – let’s find out what Bristol’s ‘accidental activist’ has been doing since June 2020...
“You can’t make a statement as I did and not expect any backlash”
© KHALI ACFORD
