Bristol Life – Issue 335

ISSUE 335 / EARLY SUMMER / £3

ISSUE 335 / EARLY SUMMER / PIER RECOGNITION

SHORE THING

NEW!

NETWORK: OUR FRESH & EXPANDED BUSINESS SECTION!

CLEVEDON – BEYOND THE PIER

WELCOME TO SILICON GORGE BRISTOL: TECH CITY

ROY DIVISION

HOW TO DRESS LIKE OUR FAVOURITE TV BILLIONAIRES

MANC STATEMENT JAMES: SURVIVING 40 YEARS IN THE BIZ

THE IMMORTAL

THE EXTRAORDINARY STORY OF HENRIETTA LACKS

EDITOR’S LETTER

W

Coast def

Beyond the pier: our locals’ guide to Clevedon

10

hile working the room (actually, garden) at a lovely networking brunch at The Pig last month, I found myself chatting about blue health with the estimable Abby Richardson of The Wave.

I knew that being by water is good for body, mind and soul, but assumed it was all down to the sound of the waves – all that white noise (or is it brown noise? Or green, pink, blue? Can anyone tell them apart?) – but apparently there’s more to it than that. If I remember what Abby told me – and it’s not easy to concentrate while balancing a quail Scotch egg in one hand while trying not to tip berry prosecco down your clean frock with the other – it also has something to do with the fact that when you stare at light dancing on the water, it changes your brainwaves’ frequency and puts you into a mild meditative state.

Of course, I hear you say, bristling with Bristol indignation, you don’t need to leave town for that; you can get your light-dancing-on-water fix without budging from Harbourside. But for soothing wave sounds, I’m afraid it does mean a hike to the coast – which long preamble explains why we strongly recommend a jaunt to Clevedon this summer. There’s the pier, the prom, the marine infinity lake; there’s the beautiful Art Deco Curzon cinema. There are artisan bakeries; there’s guacamole and Whac-A-Mole. But enough with the spoilers already; just turn to page 10.

Many thanks to Sarah of Discover Clevedon, with whom I was hooked up by yet another lovely person at The Pig. Always go to networking things; they can save you hours of time.

Another dude we chatted to this month was Jim Glennie of James, who turns out to possess the kind dry wit you’d expect from a founder member of a band who’ve survived 40 years in the biz. James play Bristol Sounds this month; more on page 26.

That’s all my column space used up, so I’ll let you get on. It’s finally sunny out there. n oy une; by the time we return with our next issue the nights will be drawing in again; a thought which fills me with inordinate delight.

DERI ROBINS Bristol Life editor Follow us on

@BristolLifeMag;

@BristolLifeMag

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Issue 335 / Early summer 2023

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ON THE COVER We’ve been rolling up our trouser legs and going for a paddle down Clevedon; see feature page 10

OUT OF TOWN

10 CLEVEDON Beyond the pier

ARTS 19 20 26 32 34 41

ARTS INTRO It’s the slightly unsettling Tiger Lillies WHAT’S ON There’s a summery feel to proceedings MUSIC Manc account: Jim Glennie on 40 years of James THEATRE The extraordinary story of Henrietta Lacks BRISTOL HEROES Art is life BOOKS As are books

19

FOOD & DRINK

42 FOOD AND DRINK NEWS Openings, events, tasty stuff 47 CAFÈ SOCIETY Stan sniffs out an excellent new opening 48 RECIPES Summertime cooking from the brilliant Bank

SHOPPING

50 ED’S CHOICE Let Ken, Rom and Shiv be your style guides,

though ideally not your moral compass

BUSINESS

56 TECHNOLOGY Welcome to Silicon Gorge 63 NETWORK Our spruced-up and no longer

pink business section

PROPERTY

72 SHOWCASE Victorian ecclesiastical Gothic meets

contemporary Bristol street art. Works for us

REGULARS

6 SPOTLIGHT 9 BRIZZOGRAM 82 BRISTOL LIVES It’s Ben Hardy of the Ballon Fiesta!

56 Editor Deri Robins deri.robins@mediaclash.co.uk Senior art editor Andrew Richmond Cover design Trevor Gilham Contributors Colin Moody, Stan Cullimore, Storysmith Books Commercial manager Neil Snow neil.snow@mediaclash.co.uk Business development manager Craig Wallberg craig.wallberg@mediaclash.co.uk Business development manager Jake Horwood jake.horwood@mediaclash.co.uk Production/distribution manager Sarah Kingston sarah.kingston@mediaclash.co.uk Deputy production manager/ production designer Kirstie Howe kirstie.howe@mediaclash.co.uk Chief executive Jane Ingham jane.ingham@mediaclash.co.uk Chief executive Greg Ingham greg.ingham@ mediaclash.co.uk Bristol Life MediaClash, Carriage Court, 22 Circus Mews, Bath, BA1 2PW 01225 475800 www.mediaclash.co.uk @The MediaClash © All rights reserved. May not be reproduced without written permission of MediaClash.

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

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SPOTLIGHT Festival

PHOTO BY @BRISTOLMOSAIC

JAM SESSION

TV

WHO GOES THERE?

Only David Tennant and Neil Patrick Harris, that’s Who, seen waltzing through Old City in the newly-landed trailer for Doctor Who’s 60th anniversary special.

We knew that David, Neil and Catherine Tate were filming in town last June, but this was the first time we’d had eyes on the episode. You can see it on the telly in November; in the meantime we’re big fans of what local photographer @bristolmosaic has done with screengrabs cleverly placed over their locations...

Want to smash the system by lunchtime, but also need to rustle up a batch of blackberry and apple jelly for the summer fête? Then ‘In the Kitchen with Jeremy Corbyn’ – part of this year’s Bristol Transfomed, the city’s grassroots festival of socialist politics, arts and culture – is the event for you.

The theme of this year’s festival is ‘Everything for Everyone’, with a focus on political education and empowering workers. According to the festival’s Instagram page, Jeremy will be joining them for a chat about the right to food and its production and sustainability, as well as taking questions from the audience on a wide-range of topics and demonstrating his top tips for jam-making.

Less culinary-focused discussions during the fest include ‘How can Strikes Win?’, ‘Right to Jeremy talks jam with Labour oam’ and ow the eft Should Tackle Inflation’, minister Mark Drakeford though we’re probably most tempted by ‘Why Horror Cinema Should Matter to the Left’.

Keen to build a better world? Find out how between 16-18 June, at Lost Horizon, Malcolm X Centre, Docklands Youth Centre and the People’s Republic of Stokes Croft. www.bristoltransformed.co.uk

Charity

TREW LIFE

Wanna feel old? It’s 30 years since Aardman released The Wrong Trousers – the film which also sparked The Grand Appeal’s annual fundraising event of the same name.

The event is back on 30 June, and The Grand Appeal is calling on the people of Bristol and beyond to parade in their weirdest, wackiest and just plain wrong trousers, from py amas to funky flares.

Registrations and school sign-ups can all be made via the link below – and be sure to share your photos and stories on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, or LinkedIn using the #WrongTrousersDay tag. www.wrongtrousersday.org

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SPOTLIGHT

YARD TIMES

Glorious Underfall Yard, taken before the fire.

The council has committed to rebuilding, and there’s a crowdfunder, too; get involved at www.justgiving.com/theunderfallyardtrust

@porthjess

@carolyn.eaton

@michael.brookk

@aishling_jana

@craigderrick40

@hvginst

@catch.photos

@msheathergee

@thebristolwing

@human_imperfect

@tomstevensphotography

@zfjsutton

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OUT OF TOWN

BEYOND THE There’s more to Clevedon than a rather nice iron wharf, you know…

Words by Deri Robins

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OUT OF TOWN

D

riving from Clifton, heading over the bridge, you’ve barely left the dapply light of Beggar Bush Lane behind you before you start to get intimations of the sea. Once past Tickenham, the ambience gradually changes from rural farmland to seaside suburb; if the roads are clear, you’ll reach Clevedon in under half an hour.

You’ll probably head for the seafront right away.

It’s mercifully free of the kiss-me-quick tat associated with the brasher kind of seaside towns, with even the attractions on offer at Salthouse Fields having a kind of throwback innocence, with donkey rides for the kids at the weekend and a miniature railway. There’s an amusement arcade, but it’s all old-school fun – penny arcades, Whac-A-Mole, air hockey; this ain’t Margate, babes.

Then there’s the community-run marine lake, thought to be the world’s largest seawater infinity pool. ou can bathe here all year round if you’re hard enough.

The seafront is dominated by the promenade, with its traditional bandstand, wind-sculpted trees and pastel Regency houses. Presiding over the scene in its singular glory is the main reason for most day trippers’ visit: the slender, lovingly restored Victorian pier – one of only two Grade-I piers in the country, along with Brighton’s ruined (and far less classy, anyway) West Pier.

Like most of its ilk, the pier was a legacy of the Industrial Revolution, having been built at a time when technological innovation went handin-hand with a new fascination for leisure and travel. It was first opened in 1869 to receive paddle-steamer passengers from Devon and Wales, and now has a museum, gift shop and restaurant offering dreamy views across the Bristol Channel.

As you amble along, you’ll notice the sun, should it deign to shine, glinting off the many brass pla ues. They’re everywhere, from the planks beneath your feet to the space above the wooden seating running the length of the pier. Some are etched with the names of donors; others – some funny, some touching – bear memorials or proposals

of marriage. Each one has played a part in the restoration of the pier.

Tour buses arrive at regular intervals to disgorge their passengers; we found ourselves mingling with a coach party from South Wales, whose chief preoccupation consisted of peering back across the Severn to identify the places they’d just left behind.

Once you’ve exhausted the possibilities of the prom, where the brass band does indeed play tiddly-om-pom-pom, at least during the summer months, you can exchange it for the sylvan delights of Poets’ Walk – a spectacular pathway named after the many Victorian writers who visited, including Coleridge, Thackeray and Tennyson.

The town has plenty more Spotters’ uide-worthy delights, including the heritage centre in Waterloo House, a listed Doulton fountain near the bottom of Alexandra Road, the unusual pagodalike Old Market, and the clocktower.

However, it’s on Old Church Road that you’ll find the only serious rival to the pier: the Curzon cinema.

Opening in 1912, this glorious picture palace has the snappy claim of being the oldest continuously operating, purpose-built cinema in the world – surely a hook-up with Bristol Old Vic, the English-speaking world’s oldest continuously working theatre, is a collaboration waiting to happen?

It was saved from closure in 1996 and is now community-run; its Art Deco features and historic projectors make it a mecca for film buffs; patrons have included ardman’s Nick ark, eter ord and ave Sproxton, and the late lan ickman and Terry illiam. Today it hosts both mainstream and art-house films, live comedy and music, and is generally a hub for local creativity.

There’s also a vibrant professional arts scene at the studio-sized Theatre Shop, which began life as an experiment in an abandoned shop; there’s a heady mix of independent boutiques, cafés and restaurants, and a much-loved artisan market..

Factor in the new working-from-home culture, meaning you can be blue-sky Zooming at 5pm and walking the dog under actual blue skies at 5.30, and it’s no wonder that Clevedon’s house prices have rocketed in recent years. Let’s take a more in-depth look at its many charms . . .

“The waterfront is mercifully free of the kiss-me-quick tat associated with brasher seaside towns”

The marine lake. Oh yes, it looks inviting now, but are you hard enough to take a dip in December?

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FOOD AND DRINK

From fine dining at Scoozi to tapas at scala, odern British at uro to hinese tapas and wine – and surely that’s everything anyone could reasonably ask from a night out – at unior oons, there’s a lively restaurant scene, supplemented by deli and enoteca urrays, casual dining at Feast and beers, burgers and cocktails at imehouse.

There’s a surprisingly innovative caf scene, too; Butterflies may be a classic tea room, but also serves exotic sian daily specials’; Barista Barber offers cuts with coffee and cake; health-conscious Sow and rrow holds nutritional workshops, while even longstanding family bakery ullins fully embraces the zeitgeist, with a sourdough menu to give any Bristol artisan baker pause; we’d consider a special trip to re-up on their ewel bar flap acks alone. Then there’s Tiffin, which has no need to do anything uirky to get your attention it already has the US of being right on the beach.

MARKET FORCES

levedon’s historic charter market in ueen’s S uare has been oined more recently by the excellent artisanSunday arket on the first Sunday of every month, between

pril to September, on lexandra oad. There are usually more than stallholders, and the laidback vibe and uality produce from local independent makers, producers, crafters, artists and more make it a ma or draw www.theclevedonsundaymarket.co.uk)

SHOPPING

If your idea of a fun day out involves parting with hard cash then levedon will be delighted to part you from it. There’s Three T for preloved fashion, and Store for the urious for gifts – “imagine arry otter’s cooler older brother had a love child with Frida Kahlo, then washed up on the levedon coast and opened a shop”, said one enchanted reviewer. Sadly, two favourite lexandra oad interiors shops, Nineteen and idgley reen, are no longer open, but the latter, at least, continues to offer its immaculately curated stock online; in the meantime content yourself with the many craft and art shops around, Need more recommendations Over the next two pages we ask the locals where to go and what to see. No apologies if we mention the same place twice – it means they must be – to use the most heinously clich d phrase in the travel writer’s book – well worth a visit . . .

OUT OF TOWN If you want the real insider lowdown, you need to talk to Sarah MacCuaig of Discover Clevedon and Clevedon BID. Here are Sarah’s 11 must-sees and must-dos.

1

The Curzon Clevedon Clevedon’s independent Grade-II picture house is known for its original interior and art-house films.

The newly refurbished original balcony with sofas and armchairs for seats reopened for the first time in 5 years this February. www.curzon.org.uk

2

Nelson & Forge Passionate about crafting quality, handmade leather goods that last a lifetime, Steve comes from a farming family in North Somerset, and holds sustainability at the heart of his leather-sourcing. I’d recommend his sneaker-making workshop, where you can choose the colour and texture of your leather before learning how to craft a stylish pair of shoes. www.nelsonandforge.co.uk

3

Store For The Curious Fascinating, independent spot for quirky gifts and interiors. @storeforthecurious on instagram

1

2

THE CURZON

Head of programme Petra Mansour gives us the history:

“Purpose-built in 1912 by local entrepreneur Victor Cox, The Picture House, as it was called then, opened five days after The Titanic sank, with a fundraiser for relatives of the victims.

“The neo-classical architecture, the tin panelling that decorates the interior, and the detail of the striking staircase to the balcony and boxes is the reason for the Curzon’s Grade-II listing. Threatened with closure in 1996, the cinema was saved thanks largely to

Interior designer Kay James of K Interiors recommends…

“A stroll through Herbert Gardens, popping into either Leaf and Bean or 67 BaristerBarber for a coffee, browsing the shops on Hill Road, buying fresh rye sourdough bread from Pullin’s bakery; windowshopping at Fizz Gallery and Three6T. Down to the seafront to take in the view and the swimmers in the Lido, then picking up deli goods from Murray’s on the way home.”

3

4 Caroline Smith of the co-working Mercury Hub recommends...

“Within a five-minute walk from the Mercury Hub you have the majestic Clevedon Pier, coffee and cake at Leaf and Bean or 67BaristaBarber, independent bookshops, bakeries, clothing and children shop Wilfred and Alice. Becky in Three6T has the most beautiful array of preloved high-end and high-street clothing labels, Saker is a stationery lover’s heaven, and Store for the Curious –the way Jon displays his merchandise makes you feel like you’re walking around a modern art gallery…

“One of my most favourite things to do is grab a spot on our pebbly beach with some takeout fish and chips – we get breathtaking scenes as the sun sets over the Channel to the Welsh valleys.”

4

Saker Stationery Independent fine stationery – ust gorgeous for greetings cards, independent artists, etc. @sakerstationery on instagram

5

Doe Plants and Living New to Clevedon: plants, homeware and lifestyle; they’re keen on sustainability and regeneration. @doeplantsandliving on instagram

6

Feast Great cocktails, loaded fries, a great community feel, super child-friendly. @feast.frenzy on instagram

local support, and now flourishes under the ownership of the community.

“This building has survived two World Wars and the dawn of the digital age, and is the oldest, continually running, purpose-built, independent cinema in the country (with one of the longest descriptors!), entertaining audiences from 1912 to the present day.

“We frequently conduct behind-the-scenes tours. A favourite ‘horrible histories’-style fact is that 100 years ago the audience were regularly sprayed with bottles of disinfectant as they literally were ‘the great unwashed’...! www.curzon.org.uk

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OUT OF TOWN

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Vintage and Vine stylish bottle shop and wine bar open for coffee during the day, with great views across Hill Road. @vintageandvineuk on instagram

8

Escala A Spanish-style tapas bar with incredible views across the seafront. The small plates menu changes with whatever’s seasonal; you can’t beat the scallops with a glass of white wine watching the sun set over the Pier. www.escalatapas.co.uk

9

The Riff Corner A new live-music venue that’s always busy, great atmosphere, and brings quality bands to Clevedon from a network across the South West. t e i o ne o

10

Rise Bakehouse Clevedon recently gained a small-batch sourdough bakehouse which makes all their pastries and savouries fresh in the morning, and sell out every single Saturday. www.rise-bakehouse.co.uk

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The Waverley The world’s last sea-going paddleship is returning to Clevedon Pier in June, which is huge news. There’s

5

Jessica Mendoza-Lewis of Willow Chiropractic recommends…

“The Clevedon Distillery has exceptional gin, the delightful ambience of its evening bar, and incredible events; it’s a social hub for locals and visitors, it’s locally inspired and globally conscious.

“With its charming interior and friendly staff, Cafe Fusion is our go-to destination for a cup of coffee and lunch; we recommend their freshly made soup of the day.

“There’s a lovely tea shop at the end of the pier and a new restaurant that offers picnic-style food by day and fish dishes in the evening. The Bristol Channel has the secondhighest tidal range in the world, and watching the tide sweep in and out can be spectacular. The paddle steamer Waverley is an occasional visitor.”

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Petra Mansour of The Curzon recommends...

“We are particularly excited about how our little end of Clevedon is developing. ‘The Village’ has long been the poorer cousin to Hill Road, but in the last couple of years things have really started to change.

“If we aren’t in the Curzon bar before a film, we pop next door to Teatro for a bite to eat, Riff Bar for musical inspo, or a little further up at vibrant Feast.

“Better Weigh Deli is a favourite for catering or a quick coffee on the way in to work, and the wonderful Veg Box will be supplying our comedian’s rider again this week with fresh fruit.

“Doe Plants and Living has injected a corner of plant and homeware heaven to the Triangle, and Sow and Arrow and the new Rise Bakery supply extra treats, in what is turning into a little foodie area of its own.”

a sunset cruise from the Pier – details can be found on the Discover Clevedon website below, where you can also find the best summer events, such as the levedon Literary Festival (from now until 11 June) which hosts cultural events, music and workshops. www.discoverclevedon.co.uk Pier recognition Once described by Sir John Betjeman as “the most beautiful pier in England” (he compared it to a painting by Turner, the old romantic), and constructed with sections from one of Brunel’s railways, the pier has provided the location for The Remains of the Day and Never Let Me Go; One Direction also scampered along it in their You and I music video. The pier was almost lost when two of its spans collapsed in 1970; the campaign to save it was spearheaded by Betjeman. After 28 years, and at a cost of £4million, it finally reopened in 1998. www.clevedonpier.co.uk

CoWork in the heart of Clevedon.

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Vibrant, Unique & Bespoke Interiors Award-winning local Interior Design company K Interiors and now Kay’s Bespoke Furnishings offers all aspects of luxury interior design, creating beautiful and individual homes for clients across the Southwest.

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Telephone: 07906 167710

THE ARTS S N A P S H O T S O F B R I S T O L’ S C U LT U R A L L I F E

I IN

ver wished you could flag down a time machine, and hitch a lift back to pre-war Berlin Well, you can’t. But you can head to edgrave on 1 une for the next best thing, when alternative cabaret trio The Tiger illies return with a career-spanning concert.

Fronted by falsetto-voiced artyn ac ues, the rammy- and Olivier-lauded illies serve an unholy mash-up of Brechtian street opera, gypsy music and steampunk; their songs are savage and macabre, dark and deviant, filled with the seedy tales of the demimonde. Imagine ell’s own house band crossed with Kurt Weill, and you’d be close.

The Tiger illies From the Circus to the Cemetery plays edgrave on 1 www.redgravetheatre.com

une; tickets 2 .25

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WHAT’S ON 2-23 June 2023 EXHIBITIONS

Until 30 August

THE DYNAMIC The fascinating story of Wales’s distinctive but short-lived local newspaper, as told by former staff photographer Sebastián Bruno. MPF; martinparrfoundation.org

FOUND CITIES, LOST OBJECTS: WOMEN IN THE CITY Curated by Turner Prize-winner Lubaina Himid, this Arts Council Collection exhibition explores modern city life from a female perspective, from safety and navigation to belonging and power. RWA; rwa.org.uk

Until 4 June

Until 10 September

Until 2 June

WESTON WALLZ No Upfest in BS3 this year, but over in Weston-super-Mare the team are doing what they do best, bringing new murals from local, national and international artists; upfest.co.uk

THE CAVE ART OF LASCAUX Step back 21, years in time and visit the Stone Age cave art of Lascaux in immersive 3D. At Bristol Museum & Art Gallery, bristolmuseums.org.uk

Until 11 June

BS9 ARTS TRAIL 87 talented Henleaze, Westbury-onTrym and Stoke Bishop artists display and sell work in many different types of media, at 15 venues; bs9arts.co.uk

PINK LADY® FOOD PHOTOGRAPHER OF THE YEAR The world’s leading awards for food photography and film holds its 12th exhibition at The Royal Photographic Society; events.rps.org

Until 23 July

STREET LIFE An urban-themed exhibition of work by RWA Academicians, complementing Found City, Lost Objects; RWA; rwa.org.uk

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10-11 June

SHOWS Until 3 June

WE NEED NEW NAMES aradise home of 1 -year-old Darling and her friends, four children on the edge of innocence.

But when Darling moves to

Bristol, beer, beats and burgers: the Craft Beer Festival is mostly brought to you by the letter B

Michigan, the world she encounters is far from the American utopia of her dreams…Based on the novel by the first Booker-shortlisted Black African woman, a coming-of-age story full of humour and humanity.

At BOV, bristololdvic.org.uk

Until 1 July

THE LION KING Nants ingonyama bagithi Baba! It’s the third outing for Disney’s lionfest at Hipppodrome, with spectacular set pieces, puppets, masks and songs you know off by heart. atgtickets.com DORIAN Oscar Wilde’s life intertwines with his characters at Wardrobe; part of BOVTS’s Summer Festival, in a nightly double-bill with Wasted by Kae Tempest. thewardrobetheatre.com THE ADDAMS FAMILY Click, click. Not the mega touring Sam Womack shizzle, but BAOS Youth at Redgrave, redgravetheatre.com

2-5 June

JANE AUSTEN’S EMMA As opposed to..? Regency romps are all the rage: hard on the heels of Pride

& Prejudice* (*sort of) at BOV comes antaloons’ affectionate pastiche at Redgrave, redgravetheatre.com

7-24 June

ANNA KARENINA “Love robs you of your sanity, mauls your heart, will probably kill you. But without love there is no point in living.”

Tolstoy’s classic reimagined for the stage, specifically, Bristol Old ic’s. bristololdvic.org.uk

12-17 June

STRICTLY BALLROOM It’s the musical based on the Luhrmann movie, and stars that Kevin lifton off of that other Strictly; at Bristol Hippodrome, atgtickets.com

13-17 June

FAMILY TREE See p 2; at TFT; tobaccofactorytheatres.com

15-17 june

NO ONE WILL TELL ME HOW TO START A REVOLUTION Surely there must be a manual somewhere? Luke Barnes’s tale of recently relocated teenage sisters embarking on a journey of self-

WHAT’S ON improvised comedy soap continues to bubble amusingly away at The Wardrobe; thewardrobetheatre.com

4 June

PHIL WANG: WANG IN THERE, BABY! Phil’s chatting race, family, nipples, and everything else that’s been going on in his Philly little life, at BOV; bristololdvic.org.uk

10 June

THE TIGER LILLIES: FROM THE CIRCUS TO THE CEMETERY See page 19; at Redgrave, redgravetheatre.com

11 June

TOP: He could be hurtful, he could be purple, he could be anything you like: Mika at Bristol Sounds MIDDLE: Bring them the finest wines known to humanity: Withnail and I at Bristol Film Fest; BOTTOM: Dog-grooming Parlour in Tredegar by Sebastián Bruno: it can only beThe Dynamic

discovery runs as part of BOVTS’s Summer Festival at Wardrobe, in a nightly double bill with Tiny Dynamite

by Abi Morgan; thewardrobetheatre.com

20-21 June

PIXIEMATOSIS The clue/warning’s in the title: unhinged puppetry for adults and older children, featuring sqwonky puppets, odd automata and a slew of charity-shop rejects. A bit like watching a lost episode of Bagpuss filmed by the Tales of the Unexpected crew. Or maybe witnessing Fingermouse being folded up and used to stop a pub table wobbling. Come along, be charmed, be appalled; get swept up in the existential madness of it all, at Wardrobe; thewardrobetheatre.com DEFINITELY LOUISE From the comfort of her flat, an excitable, precocious, irrepressible woman with a lot to say discusses life, her many opinions and her best friend, all the while avoiding the advances of her over-eager neighbour. A show about the vulnerabilities and self-esteem issues, at Alma Tavern; almatavernandtheatre.co.uk

22-23 June

FINDING MELANIA A dark clown comedy exploring the grotesque behind the glamour, and what it takes to stand by your man; from Denise Stephenson at Wardrobe, thewardrobetheatre.com

COMEDY Ongoing

CLOSER EACH DAY The world’s longest-running

WONDERHAUS Showcasing the best new ideas in comedy, dada, clowning, circus, slapstick, mime and general tomfoolery, at Wardrobe; thewardrobetheatre.com

MUSIC

See also Festivals

2, 9 June

PROJECT ZULU The choir of children from the Madadeni township are here to wow you with their traditional Zulu songs and dances; see them busking in the city on the 2nd, at Clifton College on the 9th; projectzulu.org

3 June

ANDY SHAUF Candian songwriter Andy’s jazzinflected romantic ballads unfold like short fiction, with a touch of the ominous; trinitybristol.org.uk

8-10 June

FOREST LIVE The annual large-scale gigs at Westonbirt Arboretum; this year, in consecutive order, it’s Paul Weller, Tom Grennan and Jack Savarotti. forestryengland.uk/music

20 June

BARNS COURTNEY The English folk-rocker combines powerful, raw and raspy vocals with bluesy rock tones and catchy riffs; at Trinity; trinitybristol.org.uk

21-25 June

BRISTOL SOUNDS Five days/nights of big hitters: we’re talking Mika, Jacob Collier, James (see page 26), Self-Esteem, and A Beautiful Day out with The Levellers, at Sounds’ usual home at Lloyd’s Amphitheatre; on Facebook

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WHAT’S ON

9-18 June

FESTIVAL OF NATURE The UK’s largest free celebration of the natural world – celebrating its 20th anniversary this year, don’t you know. bn o

10 June

AFROFEST Music, dance, fashion, and lots of family stuff too, at Trinity; t init b i to o

14-18 June

BRISTOL COMEDY GARDEN The comedy fest with the awesome line-up is back at it’s original home of Queen Square, where we much preferred it anyway, not that anyone asked us; b i to ome a en o

22-26 June TOP: Paul Weller drags on a lifetime of ever-changing moods at Forest Live MIDDLE: Modern city life from a female POV, at RWA

BOTTOM: If hell had a house band: The Tiger Lillies at Redgrave

FESTIVALS Ongoing

BRISTOL FILM FESTIVAL The year-round fest with the something-for-everyone remit screens at various venues; b i to fi m e ti a om

Until 30 June

FESTIVAL OF VOICE A month-long celebration of the power, beauty and universality of the human voice continues at St George’s; t eo e b i to o

Until 31 August

UNICORN FEST The new public art trail sees a herd of unicorns prancing across the city, painted by Bristol artists; in aid of Leukaemia Care and to celebrate #Bristol650. t e ni o n e t o

3-4 June

WEEKENDS OF WONDER Invisible Circus brings a free street performance festival to Broadmead. b i to o in a te o

9-10 June

BRISTOL CRAFT BEER FEST Do they have brews for you! Back at Harbourside with the usual heady offering of beer, beats and street food, b i to a tbee e ti a o

9-11 June

BRISTOL VOLKFEST Good tunes, good rides, good times. If it has even the most tenuous link to a Volkswagen, expect it to be celebrated, at Long Ashton; b i to o e t o

GLASTONBURY If you have tickets, you’ll know who’s playing. If you don’t, don’t torture yourself by looking. Emily Eavis warmly suggests going to Shindig instead. a tonb e ti a o

22 June-1 July

ST PAULS CARNIVAL It pains us not to put the apostrophe in auls, but we get told off when we do. Bristol’s celebration of African and Caribbean culture finally returns in full force, with the traditional Caribbean street carnival. t a a ni a net

OTHER Until 3 June

ROYAL BATH & WEST SHOW The ultimate country bonanza of farm animal shows, horse trials, food (a whole marquee devoted to cheese!), dog agility, along with motorcycle feats, llamas, baby animals, shopping of the rural kind, etc etc; honestly, there’s never a dull moment. bat an e t om

4, 11, 18 June

BRISTOL TRANSATLANTIC SLAVERY WALK Ongoing tour providing a history of Bristol as a port, how it came to participate in the slave trade, and Colston’s divisive legacy; b i to to o

22 June-16 September

BRISTOL’S SUMMER FILM TAKEOVER xplore the city through a different lens with this takeover from by Bristol’s excellent UNESCO City of Film; b i to it o m o n

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SOME KIND OF

WONDERFUL

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

They’ve been playing for four decades, they’ve had their ups and downs, but today their appeal is stronger than ever. As James prepare to headline Bristol Sounds, we asked founder member and eponym Jim Glennie: what keeps you keeping on?

Words by Deri Robins

J

ARTS

ames are a bit of a marvel. Starting out in the early ’80s under the rather unpromising moniker of Venereal & the Diseases, they were part of a wave of bands coming out of Manchester at the time, but always refused to be defined by the scene. “We’ve always turned inward and done something weird,” as founder member Jim Glennie once said.

Ploughing their own distinctive furrow, the band has disbanded, reformed and witnessed numerous changes of personnel; they’ve survived fist-fights on stage, near-death experiences and brushes with cults. And yet James endure; they’ve sold over 17 records (their latest, Be Opened by the Wonderful, comes out on 9 June), outlived everything from acid house and indie-dance to grunge and Britpop; they remain one of the best-loved and most celebrated bands on the circuit, their gigs selling out faster than ever.

The date that Bristol needs to get excited about is 2 une, when ames play Bristol Sounds at arbourside. We had a chat to the band’s longest serving member, bassist Jim Glennie, after whom the band was named. Though don’t read too much into that decision…

Jim, you’re still packing stadiums after 40 years – what’s the secret of James’s longevity?

It’s about reinvention. You have to keep moving forward, as individuals and as a collective. It’s important not to settle, to keep stirring things up.

That’s what keeps things vital and exciting.

When you began, the band wasn’t into making records, it was more about playing live – now you have 17 albums (not including compilations), 25 million copies sold worldwide, and counting…

When we first started, we struggled to get gigs because we didn’t have a record out. We would have been uite happy ust playing live, at least for a while, but you could say our arm was forced by circumstances. No record e uals no gigs. ive was very important to us. It was the litmus test for the songs as they developed, and for us as a band as we tried to work out what we were. Plus, we were very wary of the industry, and had no desire to rush headlong into it.

The band writes songs collaboratively – can you give us an idea how the process works?

There are four songwriters in the band and we write through improvisation. The four of us get into a room with a drum machine and play. Nothing is pre-prepared. It’s all spontaneous.

The drum machine starts and off we go. We listen to each other and magically, something appears. Everything is recorded onto multitrack so that it can be worked on at a later date. These initial ams last from ten minutes to well over an hour. The best ams are worked into demos, and the best demos become the songs for the next album.

“LET’S CALL THE BAND JAMES…”

“We’ve had our moments of hedonism, but it all starts to get very self-destructive.

Even musicians realise that, eventually”

James first formed in 1982 in Manchester, when Paul Gilbertson persuaded his friend Jim Glennie to buy a bass guitar and form a band. Gavan Whelan joined on drums, and they played a string of gigs under the names Venereal and the Diseases and Volume Distortion before settling on the name of Model Team International, then shortened to Model Team. The shamanic Tim Booth joined the band, as a dancer, and was soon promoted to lead singer. In August 1982, after a brief period as Tribal Outlook, the band renamed themselves James, after Jim Glennie.

“No one ever calls me James, so I don’t associate it with my name in that respect,” Jim said in an interview with XS Noize.

“We couldn’t use Tim, because he’s the singer, and that would be weird. Our drummer was called Gavan, which sounded too ‘heavy metal,’ and the other one was Paul, so it was either James or Paul, so we went with James. It didn’t seem like a big deal at the time we just thought, “Cool let’s call the band ‘James.’”

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

ARTS The band took around seven years to really take off – did you ever think of quitting back then?

We did have a rough time of things in the beginning. It was hard to get anyone to take any notice, just to get anyone to bloody listen.

Being a creative is always going to be a troublesome path. I’m glad I wasn’t a solitary musician working on my own, with no one to help me through the dark days. With a band you have buddies to pick you up when you’re down and then you’re there for them when they need it.

What would you say to a young band in a similar situation today?

This is a vocation. Do it because you love it. If you get anything more from it than that, well, life doesn’t get much better than that.

James rose to fame on the wave of Madchester – did you identify with the movement, if in fact it was one?

We have always done our best to avoid scenes. They pigeonhole you, and then of course when the scene goes out, you go out with it.

What’s the most rock’n’roll moment you and the band have ever experienced?

I can’t go there, to protect the innocent and the guilty. We’ve had our moments of hedonism, but it all starts to get very self-destructive.

Even musicians realise that, eventually.

“A band is a delicate thing and you have to look after it, otherwise it’s a car crash and everything goes up in smoke”

Jim Glennie

It takes approximately a hundred jams to make an album. In a lot of the jams it doesn’t really feel as if we are looking for songs. It’s more about exploration and enjoyment; the song is a byproduct of that.

The band broke up, reformed, people have left and new people joined – have James had an unusual number of changes?

I don’t think we have had an unusually large number of personnel changes, it’s just that we have been going for so long. People have had other things they want to do, or of course end up not being happy here.

They sometimes come back, though, it’s not a one-way door.

Getting new members does stir things up, though. Things get shaken up and reframed, and that’s no bad thing; relatively new members Deborah Knox Hewson and Chloe Alper being perfect examples. Both of them have pushed us somewhere else musically, and the next album will be heavily influenced by their contributions.

You’re the longest-serving member of the band – does this mean that you’re preternaturally patient and good-natured?

Well, I guess there must be some reason I’m still here. I’ve had some serious struggles within the band, but on reflection I see they were personal issues coming out. I was growing up and dealing with a lot of self-realisations, and the band wasn’t a particular stable environment to do that in.

All good now though. I’m a lot more stable, as is the band. A band is a delicate thing and you have to look after it, otherwise it’s a car crash and everything goes up in smoke.

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What is your all-time favourite James song?

I don’t really have a favourite.

It’s like saying which child you like best, the others will get upset. Whichever new songs we are working on are always exciting. You don’t quite know how they are going to turn out.

Do you still change the set every night?

We do change the set every night. It keeps things fresh and keeps us on our toes. lus different sets work for different days of the week and different settings. n all-seated gig on a Tuesday will be very different from an all-standing gig on a Saturday.

What are the band’s current riders at gigs? Should Bristol be getting the cider in?

Well, our rider is relatively healthy these days. There are still drinkers in the band, so I’m sure some cider would be appreciated. But seriously, you have to look after yourself on the road, otherwise you start to have problems. It’s a slippery slope.

What can the home crowd expect when you play Bristol Sounds?

We always try to get the balance between the familiar and the rarity, the old and the new. We might take you on a bit of a journey, but we want people to go away having sung themselves hoarse and danced themselves silly.

How would you like the band to be remembered?

I’m happy that we have left a huge body of work to be discovered and hopefully enjoyed by future generations. That’s enough for me.

And if there is an afterlife, hopefully we’ll be headlining the mainstage… n James play Bristol Sounds on 23 June. New album Be Opened by the Wonderful including some of the band’s most loved and rare tracks, reimagined with orchestra and choir, is out on 9 June; www.wearejames.com www.gigantic.com/bristol-sounds-tickets

SPONSORED CONTENT

NATIONAL SMILE MONTH 15th May-15th June

BRUSH FOR BETTER HEALTH

Local family-run dental practice CK DENTAL celebrates National Smile Month

T

he dental team at CK Dental, based at 1 West Mall in Clifton, is shining a light on the importance of ‘Brushing for Better Health’ – the theme of this year’s campaign organised by the Oral Health Foundation.

This comes at a time when there is an oral health crisis in classrooms across Britain.

Recently, The British Dental Association reported a decline in children’s dental health, and tooth decay is now the leading cause of children’s hospital admissions. The dental team is highlighting the importance of starting good oral health habits at an early age.

“The most important thing you can do to maintain your child’s oral health is to ensure they are brushing their teeth,” said principal dentist Cornelius Krause. “Ideally, twice a day.

“Until the age of seven, children should be supervised while brushing their teeth to ensure it is done correctly. They should brush for two minutes.”

Maintaining dentists’ appointments is also

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crucial to help identify and treat any signs of tooth decay – both for adults and children.

For more detailed advice on how to care for your children’s teeth, book an appointment with the dentists at CK Dental.

A FAMILY-FRIENDLY DENTIST OFFER To celebrate National Smile Month, CK Dental is currently offering 50% off new patient check-ups.* Visit the friendly team at West Mall in Clifton and begin brushing for better health! n

To book an appointment call 0117 472 1600 or email enquiries@ckdental.co.uk. www.ckdental.co.uk CK Dental, 1 West Mall, Clifton, Bristol BS8 4BH *terms and conditions on the website at www.ckdental.co.uk/offers-and-promotions

As part of their ‘Brush for Better Health’ crusade, the CK Dental team made a special visit to the reception year children at Christ Church C of E Primary School in Clifton. Practice manager Sheryl Krause and head nurse Beth Cains used interactive games to teach the children about looking after their teeth. They brought toothbrushes and egg timers, helping the children to understand the importance of brushing for ‘two minutes, twice a day’.

“The children really enjoyed the activities and they were all left with goody bags with some healthy treats, toothpaste and stickers,” said Sheryl.

ACCIDENTAL HERO This month, the Actors Touring Company bring their production of Family Tree to Tobacco Factory Theatres.

They say it’s a story that should have been told many years ago…

Words Jamie Rees

Aminita Frances as Henrietta

THEATRE

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From left: Aminita Francis as Henrietta, with Keziah Joseph (Betsey), Mofetoluwa Akande (Anarcha) and Aimee Powell (Lucy)

hen it comes to famous woman in history, names like Frida Kahlo, Rosa Parks, Amelia Earhart, Marie Curie and mmeline ankhurst trip off the tongue.

But Henrietta Lacks?

Henrietta was an African-American woman whose cancer cells, involuntarily donated in 1 51 during her treatment at John Hopkins hospital in Baltimore, are the source of the HeLa cell line – the first immortalised human cell line, and one of the most important cell lines in medical research history. er cells were the first ever to survive and multiply outside the body, and their use changed the course of modern medicine.

In 2021 a life-size bronze statue of Henrietta was unveiled at the University of Bristol in 2021, in honour of the extensive biomedical science research which uses her cells. Now FamilyTree, a new play by o isola debayo, tells her story.

“Henrietta has been overlooked for far too long, likely due to the deep-seated and longlasting effects of slavery and racism on societal structures,” says executive producer Melina Barnett. “It is imperative that we authentically explore the stories and lives of Black people, including those like enrietta acks, whose cells have proven to be of incredible importance. She deserves to be a household name, rather than just another Black woman who was exploited and abused by the establishment.”

Family Tree challenges the ethics of the medical fraternity over the years. In this powerful new play we are witness to the experiences of narcha, Betsy and ucy, three young enslaved frican- merican women whose bodies were subjected to experimentation, abuse, and exploitation without their consent, all in the name of advancing modern gynaecology.

“The play begins with the stories of the three women before it then moves on to enrietta acks, who lived during a pivotal moment in merican and world history,” says elina. “The play is also brought to the present day with our three N S nurses. lthough their stories are fictional, they are based on real-life experiences of Black women and people of colour who bravely served on the front lines during the ovid pandemic, making this a very relevant and timely piece.”

Music plays a pivotal part in the production, with composer and sound designer Francesca mewudah- ivers introducing hip-hop to the soundscape, to enhance the lyricism of the piece. “ o isola artfully crafts their writing with subtext that unfolds in multiple layers,” says ellina. “ ven when paying close attention to watching Family Tree, the more you watch it, the more you want to analyse the script. The beautiful layers of the story can be heard, felt, and seen. It celebrates Black life and pays homage to our ancestors before us, even as it explores the darkest corners of the lives of Henrietta acks, narcha, Betsy, and ucy. usic, hip hop, and wordplay are avenues for exploring the story, but the clever lyricism is completely embedded in the storytelling.

“Audiences of Family Tree can expect to feel a real sense of empowerment when exploring the incredible stories of these women.

This production will take you to the highest heights of laughter while also nourishing your soul and mind with knowledge and a deeper understanding of the trauma experienced by these women. Their stories live within us. very element of this production was carefully and skilfully crafted by the creative team, with a celebration of Black women at the forefront. I can assure you that the writing does not hold back, leaving you wanting to know more and go on a deep dive of your own personal research.”

Melina believes that this play will resonate deeply with Bristol audiences. When it came to putting the tour together, Bristol was at the top of this company’s list – not least because of the statue of enrietta at the University.

“Bristol has a complicated past with slavery, prejudice and racism, involving individuals such as dward olston and occurrences like the Bristol Bus Boycott. Nevertheless, there have also been influential female figures, including rincess ampbell, leo ake the first black woman to serve as ord ayor in Bristol , elen Wilson- oe the first black woman to sculpt a statue of a black woman, Henrietta Lacks), and the Windrush generation. iven all these reasons and more, it was crucial for us to introduce Family Tree to Bristol.” n

“Bristol has a complicated past with slavery, prejudice and racism”

Family Tree runs at Tobacco Factory Theatres from 13 to 17 June Tickets at tobaccofactorytheatres.com.

Twitter & Insta: @Theatre_Jam

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

ART IS LIFE Or should it be, life is art? Maybe both . . .

Words and pics by Colin Moody

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BRISTOL HEROES 2

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elcome to ‘living like an artist’ heroes.

Some of the people I’ve met, in the real and artsy worlds, over the last few weeks who qualify in some way in this category of heroes.

How, you ask, do you quantify living like an artist? Do you have to cover the walls in aluminium foil? Are beloved pets stuffed and mounted next to creaking ancestral easels while coffee grounds stain themselves deeper into discarded canvases? No, that’s not a re uirement but I’d definitely shoot that, too .

No. For me, to live like an artist, you just need to be connected to a big feeling, have passion that pushes out beyond you and explodes into the space the rest of us are just travelling through.

So, here’s an early contender.

1 3

“To live like an artist, you just need to have a passion that pushes out beyond you and explodes into the space the rest of us are just travelling through”

Holysseus Fly at House Of Savalon at Loco Club. Quite a night of queer drag cabaret and vibes. A safe space and a celebration. But the moment came for me when Holysseus mounted the middle stage and… connected.

I’ve always lived by the mantra that no-one is free unless we are all free, and in communities which have had to fight for every step to freedom, moments like this must mean more than most can comprehend.

2

“Hey Colin, can you go shoot a Bristol DJ and MC as they play drum and bass on a rowing boat around the harbour?”

“Sure.”

And what a joy. To bring real, powerful music full of life and forwardsmomentum energy to this space. Hospital Records were taking to the water ahead of their dedicated night of d’n’b at this years Siren Festival. ocal Will be na s left and ohnnie arko right, with his feet up were giving the harbour a flavour sample of a full evening on

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BRISTOL HEROES

4 Saturday 29 July.

Live like an artist.

Choose d’n’b.

Choose rowing Choose taking the boat near the wall, and watching whole families riding on the groove.

Choose legendary label Hospitality, who are curating a climatic night to end the Siren series.

Choose life.

Choose the front of the boat, and let’s see where we end up.

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It’s worth pointing out at this point that these images and these words have not been generated by AI. Or have they?

Well, they haven’t.

But isn’t that just what these new clever AI energy-hungry server slaves to your ego would say? I think that last sentence proves it’s not been anywhere near a chatbot.

So enjoy. Saw a music copywriter with his head in his hands by the Cottage pub yesterday: “it’s all over for me, man…” he muttered before drawing a big slug on his roll-up.

Nah! You can tell. Probably an army of copy-and-paste lookiesoundie-like bloggers got a rude awakening coming, but while we’ve got art and music (same thing) these devils won’t win.

And that’s evident in this next ‘live like an artist’ hero; someone who has dressed up and come along to an XR demo (pre-Covid, this one) to join something.

Living like an artist is something we can all do. And once you take that step it can lead down some amazing roads.

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Dance is one of the purest art forms there is. And it’s a language we can all understand. You can represent your culture, your emotions, your art.

Coronation weekend here, and as the tea dance begins, someone has to go first. ere’s to the dance instigators, the ones who you see nodding on the night bus, hip swinging as they step out of the store. Shout out to Edson Burton at this point, with whom I have personally developed a language of communication of pure dance. When we meet he or I will

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

5

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BRISTOL HEROES

“Live like an artist.

Choose d’n’b.

Choose rowing.

Choose life.

Choose the front of the boat, and let’s see where we end up” 7

8

move and the other will react. We see where it goes. It’s how we say hello.

So hit the sunbeam, and shake it like your mother showed you how, and feel as free as you can. Summer’s coming. It’s like high season of moving. Cut that rug; rugs can always be replaced but this feeling is just for now.

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My entry for the Bristol version of American Gothic.

Spike Island’s open weekend is a plethora of artistic experience that always fills me with oy.

And open studios encourages the artists to come out, too. Don’t know who these two are, but from the artist on the left, in particular, I get a strong idea of the kind of world they want to live in.

Stuffy old paintings are dead and gone, but little artistic moments like this are the new energy.

Every time you curate your look and step out of the door you are living like an artist.

And don’t we all deserve that life. See you on the street with your look.

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And here’s another artist. Jimmy Galvin here, at a recent fundraiser for Bristol Drugs Project at the Mount Without. Jimmy, like me, feels that we’re all getting a little lost on those little screens and it’s time for a big reconnect. So if you are reading this in the online edition, can I recommend you go pick up a hard copy of BL, and on the way, listen to Jimmy’s music, and let it take you to the moon and back.

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Johnny on the left is the artist, his mum and his dog are also artists now, innit.

Some people don’t get artists. I like it like that.

You might need to read some of them books to get some insight.

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rtists ust see things different, don’t they…

Colin Moody; content creation, online images Twitter @moodycolin; Instagram @ colinmoodyphotography colinmoodyphotography.wordpress.com www.mediaclash.co.uk I BRISTOL LIFE I 39

EMILY & DAN ROSS STORYSMITH BOOKS

and the semi-ethereal. This might sound a bit whiplash-inducing, but Elsewhere is a masterfully consistent collection of stories about language, belonging and estrangement – and features the only story we’ve ever read that heavily revolves around using a breast pump (seriously, it’s so brilliant . an will be in conversation with translator, author and all-round smart person Polly Barton in our shop on 22 June.

When did you last check in with your local bookseller?

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opefully, across the many instalments of this column you’ve so far endured, we’ve managed to disperse among you the general feeling that supporting your local independent bookshop is to be considered A Good Thing. And if that’s not the case, well, we’ll put it down to us being too subtle in our tactic of relentlessly going on about ourselves in print. Fortunately this month, the arrival of Independent Bookshop Week 1 -2 une adds some industrial clout to our vague by-osmosis approach, and across the country you’ll find that indies

are doing just a little bit more than usual to remind people of the value of a great bookshop. Of course we’re no exception, and to that end two of our recommendations this month come from authors who will be joining us in person during IBW for very special live events!

Elsewhere by Yan Ge hinese author an e’s first English language collection (she has already enjoyed a glittering literary career writing in her first language makes for such unexpectedly perfect juxtapositions: intimate and observational character stories set in modern day Dublin and Stockholm; sweeping and meticulous political intrigues in medieval China; the sharply realist

too familiar with the inimitable sense of wrenching ennui he can conjure just by relaying simple details in beautiful prose.

His second novel, eagerly anticipated and much lauded by basically everyone, is similarly wrought in the most appealing way. The Late Americans elegantly chronicles the loosely interlocking lives of a group of university students in Iowa, with each character deftly detailed and thrust into the melodrama.

Taylor is already a big deal in America (he’s the recipient of a steadily growing number of awards and fellowships , and it seems that the UK is next on his list.

Fortunately, the hype on this one is entirely ustified – we’re honoured to host Brandon in at The Station on Silver Street on 21 June, which will make an ideal opportunity to learn more about the book everyone will be addicted to this summer.

It wasn’t always the case that Bristol had such a rich supply of independent bookshops. Now, with the number of indies heading into double digits, is a very fine time to be a book-lover in our city.

So when Independent Bookshop Week rolls around, ask yourself: when did you last check in with your local bookseller? Our top recommendation this month is to pop in and see. Chances are they’ve got something planned for you.

“With the number of indie bookshops now heading into double digits, it’s a fine time to be a Bristol book-lover”

Men At War by Luke Turner Mining a youth spent obsessing over military model-making and derring-do war fiction, uke Turner takes a thoughtful and considered – maybe even gently radical – approach to how we see masculinity in conflict. With World War Two as a focus, Turner excavates a new narrative of that time, eschewing the jingoistic, the heteronormative, the deafeningly masculine. In doing so, he offers an alternative view of combat and those who found themselves at its sharpest edges, sensitively recasting their roles in a more emotionally adept fashion – love, objection, trauma, fear.

The storytelling is beautiful, the research present but not intrusive: this book takes a familiar story of war and personalises it in new, sensitive ways.

The Late Americans

by Brandon Taylor Anyone who read Brandon Taylor’s Booker Prize-nominated debut novel Real Life will be only

Visit Storysmith at 36 North Street, Bedminster; www.storysmithbooks.com www.mediaclash.co.uk I BRISTOL LIFE I 41

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

TAKE FIVE

Dan and Joie Rosser have just opened Noah’s – a new fish & chips and seafood restaurant at Cumberland Basin, at the site made famous by the former Lockside Inn

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an’s been cheffing for 12 years; perhaps unsurprisingly, as a scion of the family who run the award-winning Scallop Shell in Bath, he has specialised in seafood for almost his whole career, including stints at The Seahorse in Dartmouth and Sabor in London.

“I started at the family fishmongers at the age of 15,” he says. “Seafood is my passion, and my aim with Noah’s is to bring the people of Bristol the most amazing seafood sourced from around the UK, cooked simply in a relaxed atmosphere.”

How close is Noah’s offering to the Scallop Shell’s?

It’s very similar, only with our vision and personal touch. If you like The Scallop Shell, hopefully you’ll like it here too, but they have a very different feel. We love our location, and think there’s nothing better than eating seafood with a harbour view.

“We love our location, and think there’s nothing better than eating seafood with a harbour view” 42 I BRISTOL LIFE I www.mediaclash.co.uk

Give us a taste of the current menu

The menu is simple, but uses amazing produce, treated with respect and cooked to maximise its potential. The hand-dived scallops we source from the Orkney Isles are incredible, so we just grill them and serve with garlic and fresh herb butter. I love the smoked cod’s roe on toast, and the lemon sole, simply grilled, seasoned and served classically with brown butter, lemon and capers. When the fish is that good you don’t need to do too much with it.

Where do you source the fish and seafood?

From the UK’s south coast markets – Newlyn, Plymouth, Brixham – and we’re also buying from a couple of small day boats near Looe. Scotland has the most incredible shellfish in the world, so we’re sourcing hand-dived scallops, langoustines, razor clams and surf clams. The exciting thing about seafood is that it’s a wild product, so the markets and boats predict the menu. Native products are starting to come through with lobster and cock crabs.

The restaurant has moved into the old Lockside café site, featured in Only Fools and Horses – pretty iconic, then!

Gary built an amazing reputation, which has certainly helped us put the site on the map, and the Only Fools and Horses link helps. We love the building and its uniqueness under the flyway. It’s very cool for the kind of relaxed restaurant atmosphere we’re trying to create, and the view is just incredible, and perfect for eating seafood.

Noah’s is named after your baby son – is it a coincidence that you gave him a name closely connected with boats…?

It is! The building previously looked like a portacabin, so rather than painting it we decided to clad it to look like a smart, luxurious ark. It was a bonus . . .

For more: www.noahsbristol.co.uk

HOT PLATES

TASTY BITES . . .

WE’RE ‘AVING ‘OOPS Boosting the almost unfairly great BS3 foodie scene even further, a new café has just opened at 61 East Street.

Designed to be a ‘love letter to British café culture’, Lucky Strike serves an accessibly priced and nostalgic breakfast, lunch, and dinner menu.

GM Tom Montgomery and head chef Matthew Nicholson met while working at Souk Kitchen, but bonded over their love for British food.

Their aim is to bring back forgotten caff and bistro classics in a fun, refined, sympathetic and affordable way; we’re talking playful riffs on favourites such as ham, egg and duck fat potatoes, and ‘Lucky (spaghetti) oops’ for breakfast or brunch; an evening menu offers bistro dishes which veer eclectically from ox tongue, sauerkraut and bacon (£6.50) to vegan mushroom and Guinness pie (£10).

Stan’s already been in; see page www.luckystrike.cafe

SAKÉ LIKE IT’S HOT Sticking with BS3, and why wouldn’t you, Lonely Mouth is taking over Kitchen by KASK all this month on Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays, combining the Japanese soul food of the former with the immaculate drinks pairings of the latter.

Drawing inspiration from time spent in Tokyo and her love for its people and culture, Lonely Mouth’s Olivia Maxwell-Yates says that the pop-up offers “an ideal chance to concentrate on the dishes that make me nerdy about food. The menu is short, so the effort and ingredients will be great quality, and I’ll have time to experiment with specials and new dishes”.

“This is the longest residency we’ve had, and brings an amazing opportunity to play around with new flavours to find ever-more interesting food and drink pairings,” says harlie Taylor of K SK. “Just as exciting is the opportunity to change up the customer experience, working with Olivia on the interiors and the music to create a real Lonely Mouth takeover. This isn’t ust a pop-up, this is effectively a new restaurant on North Street.”

Oh, and the name? “When you’re not hungry, but you eat because your mouth is lonely.” Best excuse we’ve heard since that line about having a second stomach for dessert. www.kaskwine.co.uk/kitchen

POURING THIS SEPTEMBER… It’s only a few more months until Bristol Cocktail Weekend, with the first wave of venues being announced and tickets now on sale.

Brought to us by drink and dining connoisseurs Living For The Weekend and Bristol City Centre BID, the event will see Bristol’s top cocktail institutions serving up exclusive signature cocktails between 28 September-1 October.

Among those taking part are Blame Gloria, Loose Cannon, the Naked Malt Hub at Bambalan, Milk Thistle, Filthy XIII, Flight Club, Harbour House, Rick’s at The Bristol, Tonight Josephine and The Aperitivo Co, with more still to be announced; cocktails cost £6 at each venue, and at the end you can vote for your favourite drink. www.bristolcocktailweekend.co.uk

BREW GOES THERE Given its close connections with the city – it’s been supplying some of our best cafés for many years – it’s perhaps surprising that B orp independent speciality coffee roasters Origin hasn’t opened a coffee shop in the city before now. Well, in August they’re putting that right, when they launch their first caf outside London and Cornwall on Victoria Street.

Expect an impeccably designed space in keeping with Origin’s clean, modern,

and minimalistic aesthetic, a “full sensory experience led through coffee,” in the form of classics and limited releases, including a batch cold brew and an oat milk soft-serve, complemented by cakes and pastries. It also wants to be a hub for events and brewing courses, highlighting Origin’s continued commitment to making incredible speciality coffee easy and accessible to all. o i in o ee o

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HOT PLATES AMUSES BOUCHES . . .

New(ish) but already well-regarded restaurant ABOE (the acronym stands for A Bit Of Everything) has opened a new garden just in time for the summer. The ‘secret garden’ out the back will be open over the weekend for casual dining or drinks, while hosting ABOE’s new Sunday Sessions, bringing live DJ sets of laidback music to Whiteladies Road every weekend. www.aboebristol.com

FARM TO CITY

Mere words cannot express our love for Castle Farm Midford, where chef Prav Nayar draws on his mixed Indian and Scandi heritage to create his own distinctive cuisine. And while you really need to schedule in a visit to their beautiful rural main HQ in Midford, just outside Bath, you can get a taste of what the kitchen can offer at special collaboration Farm to City at Harvey Nicks on 7 June, where the team will be bringing the flavours of alaysia and South sia with a six-course tasting menu.

We’re green with envy just thinking about you going.

Tickets cost £55 per person; book at www.harveynichols.com

Om Burger, the former veggie branch of Burger Theory on Stokes Croft, has now gone omnivore, with ‘creative burger’ chef Rory Perriment turning the site into Bristol’s second Burger Theory.

But nil desperandum, you plantbased aficionados!

“If you’re missing our Om Burger restaurant, we will still be serving up our vegetarian burgers via Uber Eats, and have kept a few mainstays at our Stokes Croft location. So although we’re sad to see her go, we’re doing our best to keep her alive!” say the guys. www.burgertheory.co.uk Or, you could just go to Wapping Wharf.

VeBurger has just been opened by Dillona Berjani and Cindy Tassell, who took over the Cargo 2 unit after the success of the delivery service they launched last year.

Find them on insta: @veburgeruk Larkin Cen’s former Woky Ko site on Queen’s Road has become new Sichuan restaurant and takeaway Guoguoyan, serving noodles and wonton; desserts include grass jelly sago coconut milk soup and tofu puddings. At time of going to press there was no website or social links available, you’ll just have to trust us.

NEW KID ON THE BLOCK Award-winning pizza restaurant B Block in The Chocolate Quarter has announced a new pizza menu, crafted by new head chef Jake roctor, that combines simple ingredients with fine-dining concepts.

Joining the team from Bertha’s Pizza, Jake wants to bring new ideas to the restaurant, delving deep into traditional and Middle astern flavours; ust to give a flavour, the new menu is currently trialling a courgette pizza with soy sauce and paprika marinade.

For ake, pizza is an obsession; on holiday in Italy, he once devoured 16 pizzas in 10 days. We bow down to his commitment.

“B Block has a loyal following for its pizzas, made in a brilliant wood-fired oven,” he says. “I’m excited to be oining food development manager] Adrian Kirikmaa and the team to continue producing the best pizzas this side of Napoli.” www.b-blockpizza.co.uk

Hannah Catley, the former BakeOff chef who founded Lockdown Loaves in Winterbourne during – guess when – is opening a new bakery and café called Catley’s on King’s Road. Find it on instagram at @catleys_ Not content with taking over Lloyd’s Amphitheatre for its usual two-day shindig on 9-19 June, this year Bristol Craft Beer Festival is holding a full We Are Beer Week – a citywide craft beer takeover between 6-11 June; see what’s happening and where and why at www.bristolcraftbeerfestival.co.uk Just announced: Swoon Gelato is opening a new branch at Wapping Wharf this summer; more details in our next issue. www.swoononaspoon.co.uk

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CAFÉ SOCIETY STAN CULLIMORE

Get lucky

It’s your classic caff, but with a twist . . .

F

or this week’s coffee shop of choice, we go south of the river to ast Street.

To ucky Strike. small, rather finely formed piece of loveliness with more charms than a ladle full of lucky charm bracelets.

In some ways, it’s more caff than caf ; although this is no mere greasy spoon, unless the spoon in uestion is a hand carved, one-off piece of wondrous woodwork with a decidedly tasty menu.

On looks alone, this place is a winner. retty much how a

“It’s pretty much how a hipster café would look if Wes Anderson was in charge of the décor”

hipster caff would look, if Wes nderson was in charge of d cor, and a talented, thoughtful chef of the kitchen affairs.

What brought us to their door was word of mouth. Our correspondent told us about this haunt in Bedminster that had the nerve to offer spaghetti hoops on toast as a main course. ah. She felt this was a foolish notion. Who would pay good money for a tin of sweet, slimy hoops on toast, she asked idiculous.

Turns out, word of mouth was not well informed; there is absolutely nothing ridiculous about this place. It hasn’t got time.

It’s far too busy being completely fabulous. fter chatting to the friendly and magnificently moustachioed bloke who welcomed us in and took our order, we soon found out that the spaghetti hoops on offer were made on the premises, served al dente, along with a delicious pasta sauce, also cooked in house.

To be honest, I was tempted; very much so. Sounded like the sort of thing everyone should try, at least once, if they were to live a full and rewarding life. ind you, I was also tempted by the porridge with brandy prunes. Bet it’s completely brilliant. This is one

of those places where there are so many good things on offer, you need a bunch of repeat visits to work your way through them all. owever, after a full and frank discussion with my stomach, we plumped for the s uare sausage, black pudding and tattie scone brioche. s did my companion.

They were modestly ex uisite. s were the coffees we sipped alongside them. itto for the choice of music playing gently in the background, by the by; with the likes of Nick rake and an the an accompanying our meaty munching, we were in brunchy heaven. ould go on, but hopefully you get the drift; this place has everything you could possibly wish for in a top-notch café experience. Not only that, but it’s slap-bang in the middle of an area that is going through a gentle change of gear. ven as we brunched, over the road, busy souls were working on creating a music venue with brewery and kombucha lab. an’t wait.

So, if you are interested in good food, good vibes and good coffee, strike out for the south; you might ust be lucky! n Former Housemartins guitarist Stan is now a journalist and travel writer @stancullimore on instagram

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RECIPES

BANK

Fire up the barbie; Wells Road restaurant Bank, loved for its creative small plates and easy-like-Sunday-morning vibe, has launched a new menu; here, owner Dan O’Regan kindly shares a few summery recipes to try at home

PARSNIP, PEANUT, CRISPY CHILLI AND WILD GARLIC TABBOULEH Ingredients

2 large parsnips, scrubbed and cut in half lengthways 15 g roasted salted peanuts, crushed large handful of wild garlic , cleaned and shredded [*if you can still fin ome i not e e e e a i 5 g bulgar wheat 5 ml stock 1 g raisins, sultanas or other dried fruit of choice crispy chilli oil ao an a brand is great, but it’s possible to make it yourself if you have time Method

BARBECUED LAMB SHOULDER IN GREEN HARISSA Ingredients

2kg lamb shoulder, butterflied you can keep on the bone if preferred but if so, make some large slashes into the flesh to reduce cooking time and allow more room for harissa 1 tablespoon cumin seeds 1 tablespoon of coriander seeds 1 teaspoon of smoked paprika cardamom pods 1 bunch parsley 1 bunch coriander cloves of garlic spring onions 2 alapenos uice and zest of 1 lemon 125 ml rapeseed oil or mild olive oil

1. Oil and salt the parsnips then grill over hot embers, adding a few smoking chips if you have any, until golden brown then allow to cool.

2. lace the bulgar wheat and dried fruit in a pan or heat-safe mixing bowl. Bring the stock to the boil and pour over the bulgar wheat, cover with a lid or clingfilm, and allow the stock to soak into the grains; 15 minutes should suffice. . rate or shred the smoked parsnips then fold into the bulgar wheat with the crushed peanuts, wild garlic and a few tablespoons of crispy chilli oil. Season carefully as both the peanuts and the chilli contain a lot of salt. an e oa ban b i to om

Method

1. ay the lamb shoulder out on a cooling rack in the fridge for a few hours to dry up a little. wipe off any li uids from its packaging.

2. To make the harissa, start by dry-toasting the cumin, coriander and cardamom until fragrant and starting to pop, allow to cool a little, then grind in a spice blender or pestle and mortar. Finely chop the herbs, garlic, alapenos and spring onions, and stir together in a bowl with the spices, lemon and oil. ll of this can be done in a food processor, but if the blades are dull you may end up bruising the herbs and it can go a little brown. Season to taste – it should be aromatic, lightly spiced and very herbaceous with a little tang at the end. ub half of your harissa into the lamb, and leave for a few hours or overnight to marinate. . Fire up the barbecue, and allow the coals or wood to come to grey white embers. oast the lamb over medium-hot embers, turning over every five minutes to create a even crust and to allow it to cook evenly. ooking over fire re uires intuition and attention, as the temperature can fluctuate if not tended to. The lamb can be cooked to your liking; I prefer to go to medium with lamb to allow the fat time to render. If using a temperature probe then between 55 and degrees celsius is ideal. Take the lamb off the grill, and rest in a roasting dish or serving platter, under foil, for at least 2 to minutes. . While the lamb is resting I recommend grilling some green vegetables on the barbecue. sparagus, green beans, broccoli etc. Toss the grilled vegetable in some garlic butter.

When the lamb is rested, carve into slices across the grain of the meat, drizzle some of the remaining harissa over the top and serve.

Tabbouleh, couscous or a rice salad all make excellent accompaniments. ukka and yogurt tzatziki will garnish nicely.

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

And as you really can’t cook a summer feast without a cocktail in hand...

BANK COCKTAIL 5ml peritivo o. Sofia 15ml tawny port we use Noval 1 year 25ml lemon uice 15ml apple uice 1 ml sugar syrup inch of sea salt gg white rated chocolate Method

Shake first seven ingredients with ice. ouble-strain back into shaker, and discard ice; dry shake for texture, pour, and garnish with grated chocolate. n

ED’S CHOICE

PATEK PHILIPPE NAUTILUS STAINLESS STEEL WATCH, £55,240 People always seem to be giving other people watches in Succession, and somehow we don’t think they got them at Swatch.

If a new Patek blows the budget, you can always buy a pre-owned model. But yeah, that’ll be five figures, too From Goldsmiths, Cabot Circus www.goldsmiths.co.uk

ELIN HORGAN SILVER EARRINGS, £45 Elegantly minimal, at a minimal price. You don’t need billions to get the Roy look; being part of a dysfunctional family can be surprisingly affordable Fox + Feather 41 Gloucester Road www.foxandfeather.co.uk

ROY DIVISION

Nothing succeeds like Succession – while money talks, wealth whispers. The threads worn by our favourite dysfunctional dynasty are an exercise in understated luxe; you don’t have to shop designer to get the look – that’s the beauty of muted basics – but don’t let us hold you back if you really want to . . .

YELLOW SAPPHIRE AND SILVER PENDANT, £255 Shiv tends to leave the flashier bling to brother Kendall, favouring delicate, minimal chains From Diana Porter 33 Park Street www.dianaporter.co.uk

CHANEL SQUARE SUNGLASSES, £440 To be worn in darkened rooms and at terrible parties at all time From Harvey Nichols 27 Philadelphia Street, Quakers Friars www.harveynichols.com

PEREGRINE X MORGAN JACKET, £295 Team with baseball cap, black shades and Gucci Rush trainers, and you’re all set to launch Waystar Living+ to a room of top shareholders From Peregrine www.peregrineclothing.co.uk

PAUL SMITH TROUSERS £137.50 (FROM £275.00) Because Shiv don't go nowhere without a high-waisted pant – and here putting the Roy into royal with this Prince of Wales check From Grace and Mabel 32 The Mall www.graceandmabel.co.uk

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

BURBERRY WOOL TAILORED JACKET, £1,750 Shiv knows that when you need to focus on taking over a multi-billion-dollar media company, it’s handy to have a classic capsule wardrobe re uiring zero effort to throw on in the morning From Harvey Nichols 27 Philadelphia Street, Quakers Friars www.harveynichols.com

SARAH STRAUSSBERG LILY NECKLACE, £820 Gerri mostly kept it corporate for three seasons, but by the final one we see her laying on the glamour, wearing a gold link necklace not dissimilar to this one From Clifton Rocks 31 The Mall www.cliftonrocks.co.uk

FOLK SEOUL SHIRT IN WOAD, £120 harismatic youngest son oman is the preppy king; you’ll never see him in anything outr , and rarely in a tie From Maze, 26-28 The Mall www.mazeclothing.co.uk

MUNTHE READING JACKET, £169.50 (FROM £339.00) Shiv’s been known to rock a hoodie, and is fond of a check; we see her throwing this over her signature high-waisted trousers From Grace and Mabel 32 The Mall www.graceandmabel.co.uk

GUCCI RUN SNEAKERS, £635 s Kendall knows only too well, when your world is falling apart it helps to be wearing some dope kicks From Harvey Nichols 27 Philadelphia Street, Quakers Friars www.harveynichols.com WAFFLE SHAWL CARDIGAN £135 Favoured e ually by ogan and oman. eregrine’s wool is sourced as regeneratively as possible, not that either oy would care, frankly From Peregrine www.peregrineclothing.co.uk MISHA BROOKS DRAPED SATIN MIDI DRESS, £375 Shiv mostly looks as if she’s slept in double-breasted suiting, but when the occasion demands she has no problem at all channelling old- ollywood glamour From Harvey Nichols 27 Philadelphia Street, Quakers Friars www.harveynichols.com BASEBALL ICON CAP, £65.00 (FROM £125) Icon In your dreams, K . Of course, the baseball cap he wears in the show is a cashmere Loro Piana number costing around , but that’s just silly From Garment Quarter 47b Merchant Street www.garmentqurter.com

PAUL SMITH SCARF, £110 Shiv doesn’t often do patterns, but has been known to add a splash of colour to her endless neutrals with a vibrant yet classy scarf From Grace and Mabel 32 The Mall www.graceandmabel.co.uk www.mediaclash.co.uk I BRISTOL LIFE I 51

THE OPEN ROAD

Whether you’re a ‘van lifer’ or just fancy taking to the open road for a staycation, there’s never been a better time to invest in a campervan.

So who you gonna call . . .?

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

SPONSORED CONTENT

WEST 51

TEL: DEAN – 07837 403386 / MATT – 07837 403411 WWW.WEST51CAMPERS.CO.UK Founders Matt and Dean established WEST 51in 2021 after their enthusiasm for camper vans and the great outdoors led them on many adventures around the UK. “Each new experience inspires the custom designs of our selfsustaining, VW T6 camper vans to ensure they are always ready for bigger and better adventures,” they say. “Why not spend more time in nature, away from cities and tourist destinations, and let our camper vans take you there?

“WEST 51 currently has two fully equipped camper vans ready for you to hire. Our campers are custom-built and converted by a specialist team using the most reputable brands on the market.

Book online in three easy steps! Visit our website, or Instagram @west51campers (click on the link in our bio). Choose your van and check availability, book now and let the adventure begin.”

CHERRY CAMPERS LTD

TEL: 07706466404 / 01443 887333 WWW.CHERRYCAMPERS.CO.UK Cherry Campers Ltd are Volkswagen Transporter and Crafter conversion specialist based in Cwmbran, South Wales. They don’t just build campervans, they own them which gives them the perfect point-of-view to tailor a conversion to your needs.

“From our experience we know that every one of our clients is individual and expects different features,” they say. “We pride ourselves on conversions that reflect our client’s passions, interests and activities and gives them the most practical and satisfying adventure vehicle. We have professional relationships with a diverse range of quality suppliers, so we can source the perfect parts to build your conversion.

“To discuss how we can build your dream vehicle, we recommend to book an appointment to come in and meet us.”

INFINITY CUSTOMS

TEL: 0117 9679929 WWW.INFINITYCUSTOMS.CO.UK Infinity Customs are a bespoke van conversion company based in Bristol that specifically fulfils bespoke orders for the trade and public sector clients.

“Ten years ago, we opened up our CNC workshop to the world of vans, furniture and all things creative,” they say.

“We have been on one hell of a journey, learning, developing and creating some serious builds. We offer full custom-designed units for all makes and models of vehicles, motorhomes and even boats.

“We mainly specialise in undertaking projects that many other companies choose not to take on, purely because they are not on-the-shelf and require a fully bespoke design. We are very lucky to have full in-house design and cutting options, which gives us a nice edge in the market. It allows customers to sketch a design that we can then turn into a 3D CADM before we cut and build the design they have chosen. It’s nice that we are able to be a part of their journey and are able to make it a reality for them.

“During the last 12 months, we and many other van conversion companies have seen our orders more than double, as more and more people realise the beauty of having your own contained unit, giving you the freedom to travel anywhere in the UK and create your own road trip and life experiences.”

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

PLAN YOUR NEXT

adventure

WITH US...

WEST 51 offers Camper Vans For Hire.

Our campers are custom-built and converted by a specialist team using the most reputable brands on the market.

Our vans comfortably sleep a family of 4, and pets are welcomed!

Pick up and drop off of the Campers any day Monday – Friday. We’ve hand-picked every part of the experience, just for you...

Whether you’re interested in booking a camper van, learning more about our fleet, or exploring available options, we’re here to help.

Email: info@west51campers.co.uk Telephone: Dean – 07837 403386 Matt – 07837 403411

www.west51campers.co.uk

to g # U w et Bri se he 10 st n % ol1 bo di 0 ok sco in un g! t t: 0117 279 0980 | m: 07956 846307 e: simon@bristolcityroofing.co.uk

www. bristolcityroofing.co.uk

FAMILY FRIENDLY GLAMPING IN SOMERSET Relax and spend some quality time with your family in our beautiful Geodesic Domes. Let the kids run free in our 6 acres of meadow. No price increase during school holidays!

www.tractorsandcream.co.uk

Reach the best in the west Affluent, active and influential and just a call away

Bristol Life team 01225 475800

TECH

“There’s no tradeoff between form and function – both have to be great” Owen Maddock, Cinemaworks

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

TECH

AT THE SHARP END BRISTOL HAS ALWAYS BEEN A TECHNOLOGY PIONEER. WELCOME TO SILICON GORGE . . .

WORDS BY URSULA COLE

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

B

y the time the 21st century dawned, digital wizardry was developing apace. Television channels proliferated, mobile phones were becoming ubi uitous, and a fledgling internet was slowly making its presence felt. And Bristol kept pace every step of the way.

Over the next two decades, the worldwide web became an indispensable part of just about every aspect of our lives, from social media to ordering a meal or bagging an eBay bargain.

A huge increase in the adoption of technology in the home and workplace has steadily taken place, and the pandemic accelerated the trend with the working from home revolution. More recently, artificial intelligence has decided to make its presence felt.

Some people are worried about this development; but it’s important to remember that we’re still a lot smarter than computers. Apart, we guess, from those of us who have such difficulty setting the clock on our new microwave that we’ve stayed up until midnight to plug it in.

In this feature, we take a look at some of the geekery-pokery that the innovative techy souls of Bristol are involved in.

The company, the products, the people CINEMAWORKS (www.cinemaworks.co.uk)

Based in Redland, Cinemaworks installs home cinema rooms, mostly for residential clients around the South West and Wales, with the occasional one in London. They survey your space, then take a very comprehensive look at your viewing requirements. As founder Owen Maddock puts it: “We do everything that’s needed to create a fabulous, immersive viewing and listening experience: design, specify, install, programming, calibration and handover.”

Owen is an expert home-cinema designer and home-technology consultant. “There’s no trade-off between form and function,’ he says; “both just have to be great.”

This is the future we want: VR, Ultraleap style; INSET OPPOSITE: Lettus Grow

Vision on:

“We’re part of the working group writing the next generation of global home-cinema standards, so we work to the latest best practice before it’s even published,” says Owen. “For clients, that means better performance and deeper emotional impact. A well-designed system has better bass, is more immersive, and puts you more convincingly inside the worlds you see on screen.”

Ongoing mission:

Owen is currently judging the Custom Electronic Design & Install Association global smart home technology awards. He’s done this for the last few years, and it continues to fire him with enthusiasm.

“It’s amazing to see the best work across the entire industry, and it’s a great source of ideas and best practice.

“I’m also creating some revisions for a luxury cinema space we’re doing on the South oast. The room is built slightly differently to the architect’s plans, so we need to tailor our design accordingly. I’m excited because it’s the perfect counterpoint to our showroom – technically similar, but bigger, and with more subdued styling.”

LETTUS GROW (www.lettusgrow.com)

A former Bristol Life Award winner, this Brislington-based B Corp farming technology company uses aeroponics, a sustainable method of growing plants without any soil or pesticides, meaning that minimal resources are required. The technology can be deployed in greenhouses or vertical farms to help reduce the impact of food production.

Aeroponic technology uses ultrasonics to turn water into a mist, which gives plant roots all the nutrients they need at different stages of their growth cycles. “It uses far less water, and can grow some crops up to twice as fast,” says Adam Waterman, LettUs Grow’s software architect.

Ongoing mission: “A fabulous, immersive viewing experience” – Cinemaworks

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“The most exciting thing we’re working on at the moment is our aeroponic rolling benches, designed to be used in commercial growing

TECHNOLOGY MARLIN COMMUNICATIONS (www.marlincomms.co.uk)

A leading provider of state-of-the-art technology for business communications; their Bristol branch is based in Clifton.

Overview:

“Our goal is to help organisations connect, collaborate, and grow,” says assistant marketing manager Alex Schwarz. “With a wide range of services including voice, video, connectivity, security and mobile solutions, we leverage our extensive network of trusted partners and years of in-house expertise to tailor the perfect combination of technologies that meet our clients’ unique needs.”

STRIPE OLT (www.stripeolt.com)

facilities. Huge amounts of our food is grown in greenhouses, so if we can improve the productivity and reduce resource use, we could have a massively positive environmental impact on our food system.”

UNLEASHED SOFTWARE (www.unleashedsoftware.com)

From its fourth-floor Beacon Tower HQ , Unleashed provides inventory management software for live, accurate stock control. ”We’re affordable and simple, but able to do complex things,” says content marketing lead Bryony Hampton. “And all wrapped up with great customer service.”

Ongoing mission:

Unleashed’s latest release helps accurate bulk reordering. Bryony explains that this “helps businesses complete the important daily tasks of controlling stock levels to satisfy demand”.

ULTRALEAP (www.ultraleap.com)

Ongoing mission:

To find out more about this complex but vital sector, Stripe OLT will be launching a new podcast this autumn. Hannah explains the concept: “Restricted Access with Ryan Pullen is a compelling new podcast that takes you behind the scenes of the largely unknown world of defence, protection and cyber security, from founders and CEOs to threat intelligence analysts and government advisors. This podcast explores the people and stories that intertwine with this rapidly changing world.”

“Ultraleap’s technology is widely regarded as Bristol as a technical hub the world-leading solution”

This Glass Wharf-based company is a world pioneer in virtual touch modules – mid-air haptic technologies that allow users to directly interact with digital and virtual worlds, using only their hands – no controllers, wearables or keyboards needed.

Ultraleap’s technology means there are no touchscreens, no control sticks, no wearables: all controlling is done by natural interaction through hand tracking and motion control. Ultraleap’s technology is widely regarded as the world-leading solution, its mid-air haptics being the only commercial solution that uses ultrasound to create tactile sensations.

Ongoing mission:

The winners of the 2023 Bristol Life Award for Tech, Stripe specialises in cyber security and IT expertise. Delivering synergetic, managed IT and managed cyber security, with an ever-evolving technological landscape, Stripe inhabits a key area of the industry.

Marketing officer Hannah Evendon Morley knows the cyber-security world is something of a mystery for many business owners. They know they need to protect themselves, understand that anti-virus is no longer sufficient as a sole defence mechanism, but are unsure about which solutions they need to protect their business effectively, and this is only becoming exacerbated by the rate at which technology is changing.

“Just look at the advancements in AI over the last six months,” says Hannah. “Our mission is to make cyber security accessible to SMEs across the UK, offering enterprise-level threat detection and response services, without the corporate price tag.”

The company has just announced a new hand-tracking camera, the Leap Motion Controller 2 – a successor to the Leap Motion Controller that’s smaller, lighter and offers better performance for those wanting to add natural interaction to VR headsets, PCs and beyond.

Bristol has a growing reputation as a tech hub, with the city’s digital sector often being compared to Silicon Valley in California – although naturally Bristol has a nicer climate.

Owen Maddock at Cinemaworks has an incisive view. “Bristol’s a relaxed place, with great food and great coffee, but still big and diverse enough for collaboration and meeting interesting people.

Our favourite Bristol tech company is Open Bionics (www.openbionics. com), who make Marvel-themed prosthetic arms – real superheroes.

Alex Schwarz at Marlin believes the region is fast becoming a centre of excellence for legal technology, because firms are adopting the latest communication technology.

At LettUs Grow, the word is that it’s Bristol’s networking which is key to success. “Bristol has an excellent network of academic groups and start-up business hubs that have really helped us in our journey,” says Adam Waterman. “The city is becoming increasingly diverse and is

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

Come on and LettUs Grow . . .

particularly geared towards making a positive environmental and social impact, which makes it a great place to foster innovative ideas.”

It’s a view echoed by Bryony ampton at Unleashed. “We support some very innovative customers in the region with their inventory, such as, ettUs row, gile ehicle Technologies and TrueStart offee.”

Ultraleap’s communication officer Tessa Urlwin says that Bristol’s long heritage of innovation and technology has been invaluable for Ultraleap as a growing business. That is, she believes, the main reason that so many tech companies have made Bristol their home.

AI: a threat, or force for good?

normal to have the client, their interior designer, architect and builder in a meeting. The human face-to-face element is essential to what we do.”

Adam Waterman at LettUs Grow believes AI can be a force for good: “There are a few different ways I could potentially support a farming operation in the future, whether that be generating yield estimations or optimising growth recipes. But as with all tech innovations in the agricultural space, I is ust a tool. ost of the work of a grower is far too varied and nuanced to be replaced by I. nother very important factor is to be asking where companies are getting their data from – otherwise there’s no telling on how reliable or valid it may be.” lex Schwarz at arlin thinks that “ I is having a profound impact on unified communications. ustomer experience is now instant, with intelligent virtual assistants; communication is more efficient, with in-built natural language processing capabilities, and I algorithms power intelligent callrouting, ensuring calls are directed to the most appropriate person or department. ll these advancements in I create opportunities for businesses to streamline communication, optimise workflows and provide efficient customer service. Our role is to help organisations understand how this technology can integrate with their existing infrastructure.”

Stripe O T actively uses I every day, and the company sees it as a positive asset. “We’ve built it into our monitoring and detection services, our analysts use it to evaluate signals sent from a variety of icrosoft technologies such as efender and Intune, and soon we’ll likely be using icrosoft o- ilot to support every area of the business.” n

“If we can reduce resource use, we could have a massively positive environmental impact on our food system”

The worst-case scenario is familiar, largely through ollywood and not-so-imaginative fiction machines ac uire huge intelligence, break our arms if we try to switch them off, and go on to become our evil overlords. In the final analysis, artificial intelligence easily defeats human stupidity.

The more benign scenario is that AI robots carry out all our menial tasks – everyone gets a universal wage – and we become free to en oy our newly found leisure time in cultural, artistic or sporting pursuits. t inemaworks, Owen addock sees I broadly as an asset.

“I’ve been using it to help me write scripts and automate some of the more technical elements of our design process, to speed things up and reduce costs for us and the customers.

“Ultimately I think we’ll spend the same time on design, but go even deeper and make the rooms perform better than we can now. That said, a lot of what we do is client-focused and collaborative – for example, it’s

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NETWORK

BUILDING BETTER CITIES

THE CITY’S HOTTEST BUSINESS NEWS

OUR NEW BUSINESS SECTION!

TALES FROM THE CITIES

Highlights from our Property Symposium page 64

NEWS AND VIEWS This month’s top stories page 67

EQUITY RELEASE Expert tips from Mortgage Style page 68

ENTRECONF

The event, the awards... page 70

FORWARD THINKING Exploring the future of our cities at the latest Property Symposium

By Sarah Moolla Photos by Jon Craig

S

ignage, students, and scooters were just a few of the wide-ranging, visionary and thought-provoking subjects discussed at the recent Property Symposium.

Held at Bristol’s M Shed on 21 April, and attended by 160 people, the event, hosted by MediaClash’s CEO Greg Ingham, was centred around the topic ‘City of the Future’. Along with keynote speakers, expert panels, and city planning representatives from Bath, Bristol, ardiff and xeter, the Symposium was also designed to facilitate networking opportunities and included lunch supplied by the M Shed catering team.

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

THE HIERARCHY OF WAY-FINDING

The first keynote speaker was Tim Fendley, founder, CEO and creative director of worldrenowned Applied Information Group, and his insights as a leading authority on cities and wayfinding made for a fascinating opener.

The clutter of, and often contradictory signage, from different organisations on lampposts, on the pavement, on street corners, can result in confusion. Left, right, backwards, forwards – which way do we go It can leave many of us wanting to go home – but there is another way, as Tim explained. It is a system created by considering the hierarchy of way-finding needs – these are emotional connection, awareness, and predictability.

Tim’s work with major projects such as Legible London (and similar projects in Vancouver, Rio de Janeiro and Madrid) have been based on this hierarchy, seeing as many as 36 separate systems in one city brought together for a more cohesive direction scheme.

He also noted how big events attracting large numbers of visitors, such the Olympics and Eurovision, can help focus the collective mind, highlighting how creating clear signage can actually be achieved relatively swiftly.

A DEMOCRATIC ENVIRONMENT

What makes a city worth visiting, investing in, living in, in the first place r ooman Foroughmand Araabi, senior lecturer in urban planning at the UWE, believes this to be “an amazing culture, diversity, and a celebration of that diversity, along with being culturally sensitive.” So how do we work to help ensure that in our cities r raabi referred to the

NETWORK “FIRST WE SHAPE THE CITIES THEN THEY SHAPE US” DR HOOMAN FOROUGHMAND ARAABI Senior lecturer in urban planning at the UWE

famous Winston Churchill quote: “First we shape the cities, then they shape us.” He went on to state that it is a democratic environment that helps create this, key areas of focus being “housing, retail, public spaces, and aesthetics.”

URBAN TRENDS

Next up was a Visionary Panel made up of George Cardale, UK board director with Savills; Nicholas Stubbs, founding director of Arc Global; Nick James, Futureground’s sustainable place strategist; Pepper Barney, director of BiBO; and Rachel Holmes, business development manager with Colliers, who discussed urban trends, the long-term impact of high numbers of student population, and how the working-from-home revolution has affected city centres.

INVESTMENT

This was followed by four presentations outlining brief histories, current stats, future hopes, and long term visions for Bristol, Bath, ardiff, and xeter. First was Bristol ity ouncil chief executive officer Stephen Peacock. He spoke of Bristol’s positioning as one of the largest cities in the UK, and how it is currently thriving. Stephen also addressed the negative impression given by the empty Juliet Gamlin

Dr Hooman Foroughmand Araabi

units and dereliction in the Temple Quarter area that surrounds Temple Meads station, which is an important gateway to the city. He revealed the situation is hoped to be addressed with a £95 million investment to help create jobs, new homes, and a campus for University of Bristol in the area.

Along with looking after residents’ needs, there is the continued and amplified celebration of ardiff’s eltic heritage to attract both visitors and investment. Projects include a new business park, regeneration of Atlantic Wharf, an international sports village, and a cycle super-highway.

REGENERATION

SUSTAINABILITY

Simon Martin, director of regeneration and housing for Bath North ast Somerset Council, talked of Bath’s strong identity as a globally recognised city but also how the city is more than just gorgeous Georgian buildings.

Recognised problems for Bath’s longterm future included the less economically active population, which is due to an older demographic, and Bath being the third most expensive city in the UK in which to buy a home. Simon noted, “There is competition for space in a constrained city.” Going some way to help solve this is the “regenerating of old O sites and brownfield land”, along with the repurposing of large spaces over city centre shop units for housing.

CELEBRATION

rincipal officer for Invest in ardiff, uliet Gamlin, delivered an inspiring long-term vision for the Welsh capital for 2030 and beyond. ardiff is one of the fastest growing cities in the UK, and transport links between the suburbs, their surrounding spaces, the Bay and the centre are an integral part of its future.

Juliet also spoke of the priority given to affordable housing “Bringing residential homes back in the cities is key to surviving. We need to attract and keep young people.”

xeter ity ouncil’s director of city development Ian ollinson believes the key to a successful future for the city is “adding to what is unique to your area – that’s what will help a city a prosper and grow.”

He also highlighted the role sustainability plays in city planning now, and how it’s about “working with what you’ve got, using imagination and creativity.” This is what the council-led pro ect iveable xeter hopes to deliver – to strengthen neighbourhoods, create new communities, invest in sustainable transport, and deliver the infrastructure needed to attract investment and improve uality of life in xeter and the surrounding region. Specific end goals of xeter council’s strategy includes becoming a carbon neutral city by 2030 and 12,000 new homes by 2040. n For more: www.bristolpropertyawards.co.uk You can see a full recording of the Property Symposium made by Life Media by visiting the Bristol Property Awards website.

The event was organised by MediaClash, partnered by Interaction, Futureground, Mode Consult, and was in association with the Bath Office Company, JAS Building Services, and Vickery Holman.

Stephen Peacock

Tim Fendley

Ian Collinson

Simon Martin

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NETWORK DRIVING POSITIVE CHANGE BBC Springwatch presenter Gillian Burke and retail expert Mary Portas joined Bristol-based Triodos Bank for its annual meeting on 27 April at Bristol Old Vic. The event brought together high-profile advocates for responsible business, sustainability campaigners, Triodos customers and members of the public to exchange ideas on the power of personal finance in driving forward positive social and environmental change.

Triodos Bank UK has been based in Bristol for over 25 years and plays an active role in the region’s sustainable business community. The bank, which has its uropean head office in the Netherlands, only finances organisations creating positive change.

The event offered the opportunity to meet the Triodos team, understand how the bank is performing and hear first-hand from the

impactful organisations it is funding.

Mary spoke in her capacity as a Triodos Bank customer and co-chair of the Better Business Act, a campaign backed by Triodos that calls on the government to ensure businesses are legally responsible for benefitting workers, customers, communities and the environment while delivering profit.

“For over 40 years, Triodos Bank has been a driving force in the move towards a vibrant world that provides a prosperous life for people on a thriving planet – all powered by our brilliant customers,” said Zoe Sear, Triodos director of marketing and communications.

“We’re delighted to once again bring together the city’s passionate community, and hear from a host of exciting changemakers delivering real impact.”

For more: www.triodos.co.uk

Gillian Burke (left) with Mary Portas

FULL MARKS FOR SPARKS

CONGRATULATIONS TO… Nikoleta Facey of Marsh Commercial, named as Highly Commended in this year’s Oliver Rose BIBA Young Broker of the Year Awards.

“I’m incredibly proud to be representing Marsh in this award,” said Niki. “I earned photo opportunities of a lifetime with Sir Mo Farah and Huw Edwards, and all this took place at the record breaking BIBA Conference this year with over 9,000 attendees – the biggest and best yet!”

For more: www.marshcommercial.co.uk

New creative hub Sparks Bristol opened within the former M&S store in Broadmead on 13 May, with over visitors over its first weekend.

The groundbreaking project merges art, education, shopping, and sustainability. Part-art installation, part-retail space, part-educational centre, the eclectic, community-focused pilot project reimagines the purpose of empty department stores on the high street, revitalising city centres and making them fit for the 21st century.

“Welcome to the future! We are putting the art back in the department store,” exclaimed ringmaster Doug Francisco of Invisible Circus, as bouncing kangaroos spilled from the store onto the streets.

The Circus is the creative force behind Weekends of Wonder, which will run every weekend in the shopping quarter until 4 June, “Our unique mix of ethical and local retail, travel and energy advice, with lots of creativity and fun, is bringing a true Bristol feel to Broadmead,” said Jenny Foster, project director at Global Goals Centre, the Bristol education charity which has teamed up with Artspace Lifespace to turn the former M&S store into Sparks. “We are all about sustainable

solutions while saving money, selling products by over 75 local sustainable makers and producers, promoting reuse and recycling and breathing fresh life into our city centre.”

Open Wednesday to Sunday, Sparks offers a range of departments to shop and explore, from fashion to food, gifts, plants, nature, travel, energy and more.

The upper floors will become an arts hub with hireable rehearsals, events and creative desk space, opening in June.

For more: www.sparksbristol.co.uk.

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

PRIVATE CLIENT - FAMILY - PROPERTY - COMMERCIAL

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“EQUITY RELEASE IS USUALLY USED WHERE A NORMAL MORTGAGE IS NOT FEASIBLE OR POSSIBLE”

EXPERT TIPS

EQUITY RELEASE

Kelly Flanagan of MORTGAGE STYLE reveals the pros and cons of equity releases, and how to start the process

K

elly is the specialist e uity release advisor at ortgage Style, a team of independent mortgage brokers based in Portbury.

The company offers mortgage advice on all types of property finance – including e uity release for people aged over 55.

“There has been a fierce increase in demand for e uity release over the last decade,” says Kelly. “In 2016 there were approximately 34 products, and now there are almost 1,000!”

Why do people choose equity release?

The main reasons are: to pay back existing interest-only mortgages coming to the end of their term; home improvements; releasing money to gift to children so they can buy a property; the purchase of second homes, and income for retirement.

There was even a lady who raised money to get a new set of teeth

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Is now a good time to consider equity release?

Now is a great time. ates have reduced hugely over the last few years, with fixed rates for the life of the mortgage meaning the rate will never change. verage fixed interest rates are 5.5 for life with arrangement fees as low as 5.

When is equity release the best solution, as opposed to, for example, taking out another mortgage?

Equity release is usually used where a normal mortgage is not feasible or possible. For example, the client’s age may cause a problem, or the fact that they do not have enough income to support a mortgage.

What else do I need to know?

You should be aware that most lenders’ deals have early redemption penalties for the first five years. This is not exercised if the debt is being repaid because the borrower has

KELLY FLANAGAN Mortgage Style

gone into long-term care or passed away. Also, you should only speak to a properly ualified advisor, who should have the following letters after their name e ertificate in Regulated Equity Release).

We’re interested. What’s the first thing we should do?

The first thing you need to do is to decide how much you want to borrow and then speak to an equity-release ualified advisor such as ortgage Style. large proportion of mortgage brokers cannot advise on e uityrelease mortgages.

Why is it important to consult a specialist broker?

The main reason is so you can access all of the lenders across the market, making sure you get the best deal available to you. They will also support you through the whole process.

Which equity-release lender should I choose?

There are still relatively few lenders offering e uity-release products compared with standard mortgages, but that number is growing steadily and, as an independent advisor, ortgage Style can find the best deal for you from any available at the time you apply.

Other than the amount released, are there any hidden costs?

No; you will need to budget for legal work, but you would be notified of this cost before you proceed.

Once the loan has been approved, is there anything else you can help us with? es, once the loan is approved, the legal work will start. We will help chase this through all the way until the funds land in your bank account.

We can also recommend relevant insurances, solicitors, accountants and will-writers.

If we decide to go ahead, what’s the next stage? ontact us for a free consultation on 11 1 52 1 or using kelly@mortgage-style.co.uk.

For more: mortgage-style.co.uk

What are the main pros and cons of equity release?

PROS: • Provides access to funds where people cannot raise the money in any other way.

• All lenders have a ‘no negative equity guarantee’ now; this means the debt will never be more than the house is worth.

• Equity release can also help reduce your inheritance tax liability.

• You have the option to let the interest roll up, which means you don’t have to make repayments, so there is no monthly cost.

CONS: • Well, there is only one. If you allow the interest to roll up monthly, when the debt comes to be repaid, the balance could be a lot more than you borrowed.

THE FUTURE IS UNWRITTEN

THE ENTRECONF 2023 LINE-UP 1.0 10.00: Registration, Networking 10.30: The Future is Unwritten: this is EntreConf 10.40: Funding a dream: how to pitch something that doesn’t exist 11.10: The Entrepreneur’s Playbook: Lessons Learned on the Path from Inception to Exit 11.45: Keynote: Unicorn company, AI opportunities with Nigel Toon, Graphcore 12.30: Seed to Scale: Unveiling the Art of Funding Entrepreneurs 13.00: Lunch, Networking 13.30: EntreConf Awards Finalists I revealed 13.45: B Corps: What, why, how does it help, with Lombard Odier 14.15: Meet the Trailblazers: The Equitable Future of Entrepreneurship 14.45: Networking 15.15: Keynote: entrepreneurial transformation of Future, with Zillah Byng-Thorne 16.00: Stay hungry: how to keep your founding zeal, with Dimo Dimov, University of Bath 16.30: Collaborative advantage: Storm Consultancy 17.00: EntreConf Awards Finalists II 17.15: Networking

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22 June 2023.

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EntreConf: from bespoke dinners to full-blown, day-long conference for hundreds of entrepreneurs

THIS IS ENTRECONF

The conference for the region’s entrepreneurs returns this month. EntreConf’s founder GREG INGHAM gives a flavour of what to expect…

N

ew ideas in profusion. New ways of working, new ways of seeing the world, of working, of running companies, of working with partners.

New products and services.

New business thinking, basically.

And that is the world of EntreConf: the future is unwritten…

It’s bounding back as a full-day conference at Watershed on 22 June, with a rich breadth and depth of remarkable speakers (see box).

Want to know how the seismic disruption of AI will create legions of opportunities for entrepreneurs? Come and listen to Nigel Toon, founder of one of the region’s Unicorn companies and AI specialist, Graphcore.

How did a then-ailing Future become one of the UK’s largest media business in a matter of years through entrepreneurial

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

transformation? And how other businesses can be changed, utterly?

Outgoing boss Zillah Byng-Thorne will tell you how. Zillah has just been appointed chair of MC Saatchi by the way, the biggest independent creative agency in the world.

Stellar names at past EntreConfs illustrate its remarkable drawing power, from Levi Roots to the owner of the TED Conference business, Chris Anderson; from green energy maverick Dale Vince to former Amazon and Google EVP, Ann Hiatt.

“THIS IS AN EXCEPTIONAL REGION FOR START-UPS AND SCALE-UPS AND CHANGE-MAKERS” GREG INGHAM, EntreConf

Almost as important as the major players are the stars of tomorrow, the emergent, disparate companies who are strongly featured at EntreConf and in the new EntreConf Awards.

It’s a bit like seeing an unknown band on a minor stage at a festival who then go global: you were there. You saw them. Early…

As an investor or advisor or someone seeking partnerships or the alchemy of new business thinking, EntreConf is unmissable.

MIND SPA FOR BUSINESS OWNERS EntreConf is a mind spa for business owners. We can all do with fresh thinking, revelatory insights and prompts to actions.

The pandemic meant that many had to rethink why they did what they did – and even how they could do it. Others were displaced from old patterns of work, prompted to start new businesses. We are, very nearly, all entrepreneurs now.

And why not? This is an exceptional region for start-ups and scale-ups and changemakers. Many great role models and advisors. Several superb universities and incubators.

It’s this rich heritage, and just as rich prospects, that EntreConf reflects. It features keynotes, panel sessions, the grand reveal of the first-ever ntre onf wards finalists, some surprise guests, provocations, entrepreneurs’ tales, deep-dive insights into specialisms and multiple prompted casual encounters with other entrepreneurs.

EntreConf is sector-agnostic: anyone can learn from any area.

(Arguably it’s easier to learn from a less connected area: no blinding mirror-comparisons with what you do.)

Stimulation is in overdrive when you’re around entrepreneurs.

EntreConf on 22 June is set to be a catalyst for new business thinking…

For more: www.entreconf.com

ENTRECONF AT-A-GLANCE What: Conference for entrepreneurs Where: Watershed When: June 22 from 9.30am Featuring: keynotes from AI specialist Graphcore and media giant Future. Plus speakers from Storm Consultancy, Burges Salmon, Wake The Tiger, Lombard Odier, Mayden, Unividual, Link Stone Advisory, Meshii Wifi, Growth Lending Bank, NatWest, Farleigh Performance, Sparedesk, Kitchen Cosmetics, Babbasa, British Business Bank, University of Bath with more being added And..? The Grand Reveal of the finalists in the region’s first-ever celebration of entrepreneurs, the EntreConf Awards, held on 28 September, Bristol Museum How much are tickets?

From £40 +VAT Where from: www.entreconf.com which has full details of the lineup and all you need to know about EntreConf, along with a stellar video back catalogue of former speakers

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FINALISTS REVEALED AT ENTRECONF Join us on June 22 for EntreConf

Celebrating entrepreneurs and new business thinkers: partnerships now available EntreConf: 22 June EntreConf Awards: 28 September For partnerships: annie.kelly@mediaclash.co.uk For event details: claudia.butler@mediaclash.co.uk

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PROPERTY

CONVERSION The Cloisters: where Victorian ecclesiastical heritage meets 21stcentury street art

By Ursula Cole

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

C

PROPERTY

hurch conversions can go either way.

The best kind allow the architectural majesty of the original building – the lofty double-height space, the pillars and arches, maybe the odd apse – to continue shining on, with newly created domestic rooms being fitted around them, rather than the other way around. Such homes have character in spades, as well as being rather unique.

Then there are the less successful kind of conversion – typically, when too many apartments are shoehorned inside the church, meaning that those lovely ecclesiastical features are brutally bisected – an arch disappearing strangely into the ceiling of 1a, its top emerging, equally oddly, from the floor of 1b above – and so on.

Happily, The Cloisters on Kersteman Road in Redland is very much of the former ilk, with a large central part of this lovely brownstone Victorian-Gothic church having been turned into a single, four-storey dwelling. It’s versatile, it’s light, and it’s very spacious, with buckets of distinctive historic quirk, enhanced by an imaginative décor that introduces a contemporary Bristol sensibility to proceedings.

The front entrance opens straight into the dramatic ft main room – high-ceilinged at first, but turning into a snug living space at the back. It’s the ideal place to hang a massive chandelier – the kind that owners of more modestly sized homes can only dream of. There’s a huge stained-glass tracery window, stone pilasters and a carved archway; a large scale street-art mural works surprisingly well within the heritage features (which are, we guess, not so dissimilar to an industrial space).

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

PROPERTY

cross the hallway you’ll find another wealth of churchly features in the expansive kitchen diner, where skylights and another large stained-glass tracery window drop in plenty of natural light; a limestone tiled floor makes a sympathetic fit, while practical matters are taken care of by wall and base units, a central island topped with uartz, a range cooker and an . The original stone wall and carvings further enhance the room, which includes a walk-in utility space. wooden staircase connects all floors, rising at first to a first-floor mezzanine, currently a bathroom and an en-suite master bedroom; at the end of the latter, a large stone carved archway fitted with glass doors leads out to an inner balcony overlooking over the main living area.

On the opposite side of the hallway, a second living room with a matching balcony similarly surveys the kitchen.

The stairs continue to a second-floor dressing room, winding up to the two third-floor bedrooms, one ensuite, and a bathroom finished with a white suite and limestone tiling. The fourth and fifth bedrooms lie on the top floor, with vaulted ceilings rising up within the roof pitch; one is currently used as an office. s you’d expect, there are wide views across the neighbouring edland rooftops, and far beyond, from these higher rooms.

Outside in the south-facing courtyard, the sun warms up the attractive stone walls of the building; it’s an ideal barbecue spot. There’s private parking nearby, too. nd as absolutely nobody familiar with Bristol will need to be told, the location could hardly be bettered – the vast green expanse of the owns, the extraordinarily rich culinary pickings of handos oad and otham ill and the boho delights of Stokes roft are all easily walkable, as is the city centre The loisters is one of the most striking and unusual homes we’ve featured on these pages; connoisseurs of the distinctive and inspiring should apply at once. n

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

HOUSE NUMBERS Where? Kersterman Road, Redland Bedrooms 5 Receptions 2 Bath/shower rooms 4 Outside Courtyard garden; parking Guide price £1.2m For more Elephant, 2 The Promenade, Gloucester Road; 0117 370 0556 www.elephantlovesbristol. co.uk

GET IN TOUCH FOR A FREE QUOTATION...

07765 190683 info@scottbrothersuk.co.uk www.scottbrothersuk.co.uk

• Patios & Decking • Bespoke Garden Rooms & Sheds • Turf & Artificial Grass • Driveways & Paving • Fascia, Soffit & Guttering • Cladding & Panelling • Bespoke Pergolas & Gazebos • Seating Areas & Fire Pits • All Types of Fencing & Gates • General Maintenance • 3D Design Service • Bespoke Childrens Play Areas

BRISTOL LIVES

“This might seem odd to admit, as an event organiser, but I really don’t like crowds or noise” of Ashton Court, was a pretty special one, too.

Do you have a favourite special-shape balloon?

Rupert the Bear – we brought him back in 2018 for the 40th anniversary. And Bertie Bassett... and the minions... sorry, I think they are all great!

You can’t please everybody – tell us some of the funniest complaints you’ve had.

BEN HARDY

Ben’s been operations director at Bristol Balloon Fiesta for 14 years. He’s probably seen a thing or two in his time…

B

ack in 2000, when Ben Hardy was in his last year at university, he took a summer job working at Bristol Balloon Fiesta.

Following that, he began a career as a fundraiser and event organiser, but was asked to join the Fiesta’s organising committee in 2003; since then he’s stuck around, taking on his current role in 2010.

It’s no mean feat; up to 500k people visit the Fiesta each year, with around 100 balloon crews taking part.

Has the event changed much over the years?

Even during my time it’s developed and changed. The days of the GWR FM free music concert are long gone, as have the regulations that govern air displays, which means we can no longer see the ed rrows fly over shton Court. But with those changes come new exciting elements – for

the second year we’ll be hosting our children’s entertainment stage, Brizzle Kicks, as well as introducing ‘meet the pilot’, an opportunity for the public to learn loads about ballooning.

We’ve also introduced Sky Lounge, a ticketed area for people to watch the Fiesta up close and personal – with some slightly nicer toilets . . .

What makes the Fiesta so special?

For me, it’s the people involved in putting it on. It’s a real team effort, like a family. I love every single one of them, even though I may not show it at 5am in the morning as we are getting ready for a mass ascent Does any one year stick in your memory?

2015. A great year; all seven ascents took off. That said, 2 1 , when we flew arth ader out

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

What has been your proudest moment?

Responding early on to Covid; we supported the building of the Nightingale Hospital at Filton, and delivered the community testing programme for every local authority in the West of England.

The speed and pace the team and I worked at was incredible.

What’s your favourite restaurant in Bristol?

We serve about 40,000 pints each year! And use about 80,000 toilet rolls…

Seven Lucky Gods; the best meal I’ve ever had. That said, I love exploring all of Bristol’s food scene – we are very lucky to have such a selection. Marmo has become a bit of a favourite for something special and some lovely wine. Quick lunch out, Cow and Sow on Queen Square, it’s around the corner from the office so conveniently delicious.

What other Bristol events have you worked on?

What other Bristol events do you most enjoy?

You’ll have to ask to ask our social media team at Plaster about this one, but I believe there was one very lengthy exchange about a latex allergy.

Tell us a fun Fiesta fact

I’m also the MD of REM – a leading event management company, based here in Bristol but working across the UK and Europe. We’ve been involved in many of Bristol’s core events over the years fireworks on the Suspension Bridge and Luke Jerram’s Park and Slide; we delivered the operations and events for Bristol’s year as European Green Capital, the Tour of Britain and the arrival of the Olympic Torch in 2012.

We’ve delivered quite a few Bristol Harbour Festivals too, and I really enjoyed working with the Arcadia team in Queen Square back in 2015. … and the most nerve-racking event you can recall?

The 150th anniversary of the Clifton Suspension Bridge firework show in 2 1 . uckily it went off without a hitch.

This might seem odd to admit as an event organiser, but I really don’t like crowds or noise, so I rarely go to any events in my spare time. That said, I went to the Bristol Craft Beer Festival last year and LOVED IT. As well as organising mega events, do you have any secret skills?

I used to sing and play a musical instrument; there is even a VHS recording of me playing the lead role Tony in my school’s production of West Side Story – but that was a while ago now and I’m out of practice.

And what is your most regrettable habit?

I am the most impatient person on the planet. Period.

For more: www.rem-events.com b i to ba oonfie ta o