Magzbox com bristol life august 2015 by nordicsalex

ISSUE 198 / AUGUST 2015 / DEARLY BELOVED

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EDITOR’S LETTER / ISSUE 198 / AUGUST 2015

We’re Bristol. We paint walls

QUEEN OF ARTS Enter the colourful world of Alex Lucas. She created the illustration on the front of this month’s cover especially for us!

Through more luck than judgement, there’s a neat tiein between two of this issue’s features. We’ve been fans of artist Alex Lucas for ages. From her painted house in Picton Street to her promo map for Old Market, her output represents the ‘softer’ side of street art, making a fascinating contrast with the edgy output of this year’s Upfest – which we also profile on page 36. Thanks to all these artists for making this issue look so downright beautiful – and also to photographers Sam Gibson and Ruth Garner, who did roughly the same job for our wedding feature. And thanks to Pata Negra for the tapas. And to Baz for the Larkin. And to Ani and Sue for the hats. And to the Harbour Fest for the light show. And the artists who created all 70 Shaun the Sheep. Bristol, you’re just so talented. Deri Robins, editor Twitter @BristolLifeMag

ISSUE 198 / AUGUST 2015 M EET T H E T EAM Editor Deri Robins deri.robins@mediaclash.co.uk Senior art editor Andrew Richmond Graphic design Megan Thomas Cover design Trevor Gilham Contributors: Mal Rogers, Stephen Morris, Josh Eggleton, Seb Barrett Senior advertising manager Lisa Rodd lisa.rodd@mediaclash.co.uk Deputy advertising manager Helen Kembery helen.kembery@mediaclash.co.uk Account manager James Morgan james.morgan@mediaclash.co.uk

44 THE ARTS 27 Arts Intro Stalk a contemporary artist’s home without getting arrested

28 What’s On Stuff you really won’t want to miss

36 Upfest 2015 One spray like this a year will see us right

40 History Fading variety stars, fascists, performing sheep, and Diana Dors

SHOPPING

50 Editor’s Choice A bigger splash

54 Window shopping Rings and bling and things

FASHION Don’t wait for an invitation to buy a hat

FOOD

BUSINESS

56 Restaurants

73 Business Insider

Viva Corn Street

Why judges wear wigs, why Bristol’s indies have made a film – and what’s George Ezra doing with that massive green button?

A MAN’S WORLD 63 Seb Barrett How not to play golf

SPORT

44 Fashion

Bristol Life, MediaClash, Circus Mews House, Circus Mews, Bath BA1 2PW 01225 475800 www.mediaclash.co.uk

Bristol gets the vow factor

Josh’s back from The Great British Menu, and says he’s hiding behind the sofa (aww c’mon chef – bet you did great)

Lights fantastic

Managing director Jane Ingham jane.ingham@mediaclash.co.uk Chief executive Greg Ingham greg.ingham@mediaclash.co.uk

WEDDINGS

60 Yes, Chef!

43 Shopping Intro

Production and distribution manager Sarah Kingston sarah.kingston@mediaclash.co.uk Deputy production manager Christina West christina.west@mediaclash.co.uk Production designer Kirstie Howe kirstie.howe@mediaclash.co.uk

65 Kyle Traynor Kyle’s taking summer stock

PROPERT Y 84 Property Showcase

About MediaClash MediaClash is a Bath-based publisher and creative agency, publishing a portfolio of City Magazines, celebrating the best of local living, and the foodie magazine, Crumbs (www.crumbsmag.com). Contact: kyle.phillips@mediaclash.co.uk; 01225 475800; Twitter: @CrumbsMag Digital and Content Agency We also create and publish content marketing for clients. Our work ranges from the design and build of websites to devising company magazines. Contact: Ant Grimley; Anthony.Grimley@mediaclash.co.uk; 01225 475813 Twitter: @TheMediaClash

There are blank slates – and then there’s Bracken Hill House

DEPARTMENTS 9 66 83 98

Spotlight Great Escapes Snapped! Bristol Lives

On the cover Alex Lucas’ bespoke Bristol Life cover!

AMD are an award winning firm Visit our website for details at www.amdsolicitors.com

PHOTO BY JON.CRAIG.CO.UK

The day they launched the Balloon Fiesta

The day Bristol got its own fanfare

The day Bristol Old Vic made us cry

SUMMER STOCK

The day they lit up Lloyds

DAYS LIKE THESE A crazily amazing month in the city

On this page, we usually look ahead to events still to come, but July in Bristol was so outstandingly wonderful that we’re taking time out to applaud the creativity, imagination and sheer brilliance of all those who’ve made it such a month to remember. The Shauns started appearing on 6 July – 70 giant sheep painted by a bunch of artists who have somehow pulled off the impossible task of making them even cuter than the Gromits. With so much world-class drama being staged across the city it seems invidious to select just one, but Pink Mist took us all by surprise; edge-of-the-seat gripping and unbearably touching, Owen Sheers’ tale of three Bristol boys scarred by war had

audiences and critics leaving King Street in tears; never has the Bristol Old Vic bar been so quiet at half-time. We’ve had world-class stand-up in the Comedy Garden, Grillstock in the rain and Grillstock in the sun (depending on when you turned up); there were clear skies for the multimedia show at the Harbour Festival, while the city has never looked more beautiful than on the morning of the Balloon Festival launch. Oh, and thanks to the Bristol Proms, the city now has its own, official, fanfare. And the Proms themselves were ace. Sheep-shape and Beat that, August. Bristol fashion

IWNETDEDRIIN OG R SS SPECIAL

The VOW FACTOR Speak to a wedding stylist, and they’re bound to tell you that your wedding should be “an expression of your personality.” Which is all well and good, if you know exactly what that means… By DERI ROBINS Photos by SAM GIBSON and RUTH GARNER

emember those gawky teenage years, when you were so utterly clueless about how to dress and behave on important occasions? On a first date, for example, or the big youth club dance? Out of sheer desperation, you asked your mother for advice, but the best she could come up with was that chocolate teapot of a phrase, “just be yourself” – leaving you more confused than ever. Modern weddings can be a bit like that. Seriously, getting married was so much simpler 50 years ago, when everyone followed the same formula – big white frock, shiny black car; 2.5 bridesmaids. Nice bit of Mendelssohn as you marched down the aisle on the arm of your dad; everyone outside for the photos! Speech, speech! Piling sausage rolls from the buffet onto plates; page boys skidding across the dance floor; cans rattling on the back of the Austin Allegro; off to catch the plane to the honeymoon; don’t do anything we wouldn’t do! – Byeee!!! (If you were particularly racy you might possibly have tied the knot in a registry office, risking a year or so of sulks from the motherin-law, but otherwise there were few variations on the above.) Then people started to have the brilliant notion that you didn’t have to do the same thing as everyone else. You didn’t have to wear a white dress! You could get married in a hotel! You could have brunch rather than an evening buffet! You didn’t even have to have w

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All photos except page 15 by Sam Gibson (see end of feature). Anna and Sam had a tipi-style wedding in Long Ashton (see also pages 15-16, 22-23)

A WHITE BRIDAL DRESS IS A RELATIVELY NEW IDEA

Now thatâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s how you rock the traditional white dress and morning suit: Photo by Ruth Garner

WEDDINGS SPECIAL a three-tiered cake with a tiny plastic happy couple on top! By the start of the 21st century, things had really got out of hand. Couples were made to feel inadequate if they didn’t ring the changes. Brides were pushed to the verge of a nervous breakdown trying to think up an original spin on the wedding ‘favours’ (seriously, do grown-ups really need party bags?). And while the idea that ‘your wedding should be personal to you’ is theoretically exciting and empowering, it can be a poisoned chalice – just like that clueless teenager, desperately trying to work out precisely what ‘being yourself ’ actually meant, choosing a style of wedding that’s ‘really you’ can be daunting. Whole specialist wedding magazines are devoted to this very subject, and we only have space to skim the surface here – so in our usual helpful manner we’ve consulted a group of Bristol experts to bring you their latest thoughts on the subject. Whatever concept you come up with, Bristol, needless to say,

can handle it, from the winsome to the wacky – just take a look at the range of local weddings on these pages, from festival-style tipi nuptials in Long Ashton to a boat ride reception on Harbourside and a grand traditional service at Goldney Hall. Really – all you have to remember is that there are two good reasons for getting married; one, to make a lifetime commitment to the person you love; and two, as an excuse for a damn good party; one that you – that’s YOU, the bride and groom (or the bride and bride, or the groom and groom) – not your mum nor your mum’s second husband nor your third cousin – will love to bits. Sure, if you’re really into crafty stuff, and want to spend weeks hand-gilding placeholders in the shape of hibiscus flowers, go nuts – but by the same token, any tradition or trimming that doesn’t interest you can be ruthlessly jettisoned. Having said all that, if you ARE looking for creative ideas, and

BRIDES

ARE PUSHED TO THE VERGE OF A NERVOUS BREAKDOWN TRYING TO

THINK OF ORIGINAL ‘FAVOURS’

– SERIOUSLY, DO GROWN-UPS

REALLY NEED PARTY BAGS?

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are keen to bone up on the latest trends, read on. RACHEL HAGAN did the interviews:

REQUESTING THE PLEASURE…

Even the most informal wedding needs a formal invitation – this really isn’t the occasion for a Facebook group invite – and Harriet de Winton of De Winton Paper Co in Redland makes some of the most beautiful we’ve seen. Harriet’s in the perfect position to judge style trends, and reports that a lot of A/W 2015 weddings are “favouring a deep rich ‘marsala’ palette: think bounteous displays of glossy pomegranates, offset with muted greens. The wild abandon of nature wins over glossy perfection these days.” A general trend that Harriet’s noticed is couples wanting to turn their stationery into an ‘experience’ – “adding personal w

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WEDDINGS SPECIAL touches, such as inventive packaging – printing everything on a tea towel, or packets of seeds to grow in time for the wedding.” Local wedding stylist Sue Fyfe-Williams also finds that traditional invitations are increasingly being replaced by ingenious handcrafted creations. “One music-loving couple bought old vinyl singles and printed the wedding invitation in the middle of the record,” she says.

ANY COLOUR AS LONG AS IT’S WHITE…

. . . is emphatically no longer the rule for the wedding dress. As anyone who has ever seen an episode of Downton Abbey or Poldark will know, the idea of a white bridal dress is a relatively new idea, anyway – until late Victorian times, brides just wore their best dress. “Bright, vibrant colours are everywhere this summer,” says Emma Mordey, wedding coordinator at Berwick Lodge Hotel. “Splashes of colour are being shown off in brides’ shoes, accessories and bridesmaids’ dresses, flowers, bunting and decoration. Although ‘same colour, different style’ dresses are still a favourite for wedding parties, more and more bridesmaids are wearing dresses of the same style but in multi-bright-colours. Strong colour is a great way of reflecting the couple’s personality, as well as making photographs unique and striking. Lw

Above: Sian and Will at their Riverstation wedding; below, proof that rain never stops play when a great photographer’s behind the lens

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Our Bristol boutique exclusively stocks Belle & Bunty, Claire Pettibone Romantique and Lusan Mandongus Our Devon boutique exclusively stocks Annasul Y and Catherine Deane

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Whether you’re taking a weekend break or embarking on a longer adventure, enjoy a unique getaway in one of our fully refurbished, classic VW Campervans. All are complete with a fully rebuilt or brand new engine, and a host of all-inclusive items. Please see our website for more details.

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WEDDINGS SPECIAL

FROCK TACTICS

As any wedding planner will tell you, even the most frantic bride will calm down a bit when the dress is hanging in the wardrobe – whether it’s a full-on Disney princess meringue, a vintage tea dress or Hollywood-goddess crimson velvet. “The dress really is such an individual choice,” says wedding stylist Sue Fyfe-Williams. “One of my brides is currently upcycling her grandmother’s dress, and many brides are choosing a coloured gown. However, I am yet to see a beautifully tailored trouser suit or jumpsuit, à la Solange Knowles. Brides may adopt an element from a public figure, but generally take a pragmatic approach to keep within budget. “Colour is a stylish way of creating a coherent look for a wedding,” says Sue. “Accents can also be picked up in the cake, flowers and the groom’s outfit. There is a trend away from the traditional morning suit towards more casual attire, linen suits, coloured blazers and bow ties (or no ties). Hermione Harbutt, who sells exquisite headpieces and other bridal accessories from her shop in Clifton Arcade, reports that

“A current bridal trend, as inspired by celebrities such as Olivia Palermo, is the two-piece wedding gown. Many of the major bridal designers are embracing this trend in their latest collections, including Vera Wang and Elizabeth Stuart, allowing brides to choose separate skirts and tops to create their perfect gown.” And Hermione has seen a huge amount of interest in her floral garland headdresses, which rejoice in such names as Violette, Florrie and Forget-me-Not. “This current trend really homes in on the relaxed, boho style of sleek, flowing dresses and soft, loose hairstyles,” she says.

MAKING UP IS HARD TO DO

. . . so many brides entrust their face to a professional make-up artist on the day. Vintage style is still huge, reports local MUA Elle Hitchens. “Everyone loves eyebrows at the moment! I believe a welldefined and groomed brow is the perfect architecture to the rest of your makeup. I enjoy recreating the good old-fashioned Hollywood glamour of the ’40s, with a classically contoured eye. It’s such a strong look.” w

Leigh and Dave’s wedding at Goldbrick House

THERE’S A TREND AWAY FROM THE TRADITIONAL MORNING SUIT TOWARDS MORE CASUAL ATTIRE

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WEDDINGS SPECIAL Fellow MUA Emily Woolley agrees that retro make-up is a big trend. “A strong black eyeliner creating a cat’s eye paired with a rich red lip is a really simple but effective look. It suits girls who don’t like eye shadow, as adding that would be too much. “Lipstick is very much back in fashion – choosing the right colour can make or break your look. Currently I’m seeing lots of brides who like the coral/peachy toned lipsticks. They’re very fresh and not too overpowering.” As with so many aspects of your wedding look, the golden rule is not to veer too far away from your normal style, if only to avoid scaring your groom. “The nude lip is always a reliable classic – and avoids any startled expressions at the end of the aisle!” says Emily

I‘VE SEEN BASKETS OF

PICNIC BLANKETS PROVIDED FOR GUESTS, OFTEN IN THE BRIDE’S COLOUR PALETTE

FAIRY LIGHTS AND FESTIVALS

The biggest decision you’re make as a couple is the overall style of the reception. “A lot of people still want to create a ‘classic’ wedding day, and hark back to a more romantic era,” says Harriet de Winton. “Nostalgia is clearly evident in the hand-made, villagehall weddings that are currently all over Pinterest. Other trends that I feel are set to stay are naked wedding cakes, pop-up ice cream parlours, and the use of suspended decorations, such as lanterns, pom-poms and fairy lights in the trees.” “Festival-style weddings are popular, with street-food vendors and novel forms of entertainment,” says Sue Fyfe-Williams. “Afternoon teas served on beautiful vintage china are also still big news, both for weddings and hen parties – partly because they’re quintessentially British, and partly because they’re inexpensive. “Many couples incorporate aspects from their lives into

Festival-style at Long Ashton

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the theme of their wedding – books for librarians, vintagestyle cameras for photographers, and medicine bottles for pharmacists; maps as seating plans and tennis racquets as signage, for example. “I‘ve seen baskets of picnic blankets provided for guests, often in the bride’s colour palette, and umbrellas, and basket of oldfashioned embroidered hankies supplied for emotional speeches. Little jars of sweets, indoor fireworks, hand-crafted offerings to match the theme – all creative choices that won’t blow the budget.” Tell us about the flowers, Rachel Husband at The Rose Shed! “Couples looking for more interesting ways to decorate the space are choosing hanging flowers such as big flower balls,

suspended flower garlands or a beautiful floral arch,” says Rachel. “Table decorations can be so varied, so it’s important to work within the feel of your venue. A mixture of tall and low vases work well in marquees or elegant country houses, while more rustic jugs and kilner jars work better in country barns”. “Although there will always be a demand for floral pastels, there is equally a demand for blooms that provide a riot of colour: dahlias, ranunculus and big blousey peonies augmented with some fragrant greenery,” suggests Sue Fyfe-Williams.

CATER, ALLIGATOR

Whether your idea of the perfect feast is pie and mash from a street-food van or a sit-down three-course meal, the wedding breakfast is a hugely important part of the proceedings. Your guests will forgive the absence of dinky little pots of lavender and basil on the table, but they’ll expect some decent grub. And it’s always nice to surprise them. Emma Mordey tells us that many couples are opting for extra courses in the form of amuses bouches. “These delicate teasers are injected with flavour and bring in an element of surprise,” she says. “This summer has also seen the demise of the hog roast and the return of the barbecue – so much so that we’ve had a permanent barbecue pagoda built in the grounds at Berwick Lodge this year. There’s something nostalgic about a good British barbecue with family and friends.” And the puddings? “Strawberry season brings original desserts to the menu, such as strawberry and champagne soup – my feeling is that cold soup desserts are set to stay for summer 2016.”

And we’re guessing that despite its recent revival, sherry at the reception is considered a bit old hat, right? Yep – turns out that even Pimm’s and prosecco have moved aside to make way for summery cocktails. “Le Rose Fizz – a mix of Prosecco, rose and rhubarb liqueur – is a favourite at Berwick, along with the ‘Mr and Mrs’ – Prosecco, gin and elderflower,” says Emma. Finally, Sue Fyfe-Williams adds that “reception drinks can be a great opportunity to support local providers, such as cider for a hot summer day – local breweries may even customise labels to commemorate the day. “Or how about bejewelled jugs of Sangria?” What, Sue, now? Oh, go on then…

YOU HAVE BEEN READING BERWICK LODGE hotel and wedding venue www.berwicklodge.co.uk DE WINTON PAPER COMPANY bespoke stationers www.dewintonpaperco.com SUE FYFE-WILLIAMS wedding stylist www.suefyfe-williams.co.uk THE ROSE SHED florist www.theroseshed.co.uk

HERMIONE HARBUTT headpieces www.hermioneharbutt.com/ weddings ELLE HITCHENS mua www.ellehitchens.co.uk EMILY WOOLLEY mua www.beautybyemilyfaith. wordpress.com

Massive thanks to amazing Bristol photographers SAM GIBSON and RUTH GARNER and their wedding couples for letting us share their photos on these pages www.samgibsonweddings.co.uk www.ruthgarnerphotography.com

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Music/theatre/film/more

GHOST IN MY HOUSE

If you fancy wandering around a dreamlike version of someone else’s home – and who doesn’t? – you’ll love this installation by artist Do-Ho Suh. Do-Ho has created a version of his New York apartment specifically for Bristol, allowing us to mosey around ghostly corridors and transparent, pastel rooms. Obviously there’s a message: born in South Korea, Do-Ho has spent most of his adult life abroad, and explores his personal sense of physical and cultural displacement through his work; he does this here by representing real objects – furniture, rooms, staircases – as mementoes of real spaces, but in unusual materials and on an unexpected scale. It’s all rather mesmeric and strangely soothing. New York City Apartment is at Bristol Museum & Art Gallery until 27 September. www.bristolmuseums.org.uk

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7 August - 7 September 2015

J U ST A F EW S U GGES TI ON S FOR YOU R MON TH

Left to right: Laughter’s the best medicine with Doc Brown; the Kite Fest’s back; Annie and Sandy (awww!) are at the Hippodrome

Exhibitions UNTIL 31 AUGUST

THE BRISTOL WHALES Get along and admire the two life-size whale sculptures on At-Bristol’s Millennium Square – part of the European Green Capital year. UNTIL 10 SEPTEMBER

PETER RANDALL-PAGE, KATE MCCGWIRE, JAMES RAVILIOUS, INTO THE FIELDS In celebration of Bristol’s year as European Green Capital, these four exhibitions are at RWA. www.rwa.org.uk UNTIL 20 SEPTEMBER

GEWÄSSERZEITEN Self-taught Reto Pulfer presents his first solo exhibition in a British institution. This is his new work, based around the theme of water and using

painting, drawing, writing and music to create a complex, synaesthetic installation. www.spikeisland.org.uk

will be showcasing paintings, prints, coasters and much more, to bring back memories of the hot air balloons floating over Bristol. www.room212.co.uk

UNTIL 31 OCTOBER

WITHDRAWN Luke Jerram’s installation in Leigh Woods still has a few more events to host before the boats are towed away. www. lukejerram.com/withdrawn 31 JULY - 15 NOVEMBER

RICHARD LONG: TIME AND SPACE Richard Long’s offsite work Boyhood Line, which was launched on The Downs, Bristol on 20 June, accompanies this major solo exhibition of Long’s artwork at Arnolfini. www.arnolfini.org.uk 1-9 AUGUST

UP, UP & AWAY August is the month for Bristol’s Balloon Fiesta and Room 212

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Olivier awards and has been seen by over 300,000 people in its West End run. Bristol Hippodrome; atgtickets.com 5-8 AUGUST

12 & 26 AUGUST

OLD CITY RESIDENCY PROJECT Multi-award-winning artist Beatrice Haines showcases a contemporary response to the Old City during her month long residency at Centrespace Gallery. www.centrespacegallery.com

Plays/Shows 4-8 AUGUST

THE CURIOUS INCIDENT OF THE DOG IN THE NIGHT TIME Mark Haddon’s tale of Christopher Boon comes to life on stage. Simon Stevens’ adaptation has received seven

A THOUSAND SEASONS PAST Performed in an open-air temporary theatre, 60 young people from Bristol Old Vic Young Company, Travelling Light Youth Theatre and Hanham Woods Academy take you back in time, through the area’s haunting history. www.bristololdvic.org 7-8 AUGUST

THE ENGINEER’S CORSET In celebration of the 150th anniversary of the Clifton Suspension Bridge, this production is based on real events that took place in the life of Isambard Kingdom Brunel. www.cliftoncollege.com

W H AT ’ S O N

LIFE RAFT A contemporary adaptation by Bristol Old Vic’s Young Company of Georg Kaiser’s The Raft of the Medusa, and inspired by a true story from the Second World War. Acclaimed director Melly Still directs this world premiere – not one to miss! www.bristololdvic.org 31 AUGUST - 5 SEPTEMBER

ANNIE Everyone’s favourite mop-top is forced to live a life of misery during the 1930’s Great Depression, until she’s improbably adopted by a famous billionaire. Craig Revel Horwood drags up as Miss Hannigan. Bristol Hippodrome; www.atgtickets.com

Music 14 AUGUST

THE STRANGLERS Believe it or not, they’ve been around for four decades now. The punk legends are back in Bristol, bringing live music to the rather unlikely setting of Tyntesfield, as part of their 2015 live tour. www.thestranglers.net 20 AUGUST

SHLOMO The former astrophysicist has been named the ‘‘Harry Potter of beatboxing’’ by BBC Radio 1’s Tim Westwood. Shlomo pushes the boundaries of beatboxing, creating an incredibly energetic live show like nothing you have seen before. www.colstonhall.org 5 SEPTEMBER

MARTHA REEVES AND THE VANDELLAS A once in a lifetime chance to see the Motown legends and their full eight-piece live band! After 51 years of music and 26 chart hits, watch them in the much-loved, grade II historical landmark – the Trinity Centre. www.3ca.org.uk 12 SEPTEMBER

FOLKLORE TAPES Combining storytelling, puppetry and music, Arnolfini hopes to rekindle the nation’s folk record to life. www.arnolfini.org.uk

ARTS

Comedy 5 SEPTEMBER

DOC BROWN: THE WEIRD WAY ROUND You’ll probably recognise Ben ‘Doc Brown’ Smith from his roles in the likes of Miranda and The Inbetweeners. Straight from his UK sell-out tour Of Mic And Men, Doc is a must see. www.colstonhall.org

Film UNTIL 6 SEPTEMBER

SONG OF THE SEA An enchanting, captivating movie, featuring hand-drawn animation, Song of the Sea delves under water and explores the ancient legends of the sea – dwelling Irish selkies. Perfect family viewing. ww.watershed.co.uk 29 AUGUST

BRISTOL SUNSET CINEMA: THE PRINCESS BRIDE Bristol Sunset’s first screening. in association with FilmAir, who use cinema-quality projectors and sound systems to guarantee the best viewing possible – what better way of taking in your favourite fantasy adventure of princesses, villains and dashing heroes? www.facebook.com/ BristolSunsetCinema

Other UNTIL 31 AUGUST

SHAUN IN THE CITY We have the painted Shauns for another month, Bristol. www.shauninthecity.org.uk 1 AUGUST-13 SEPTEMBER

THE BISHOPSTON, COTHAM AND REDLAND ‘GREEN TREASURE HUNT’ As part of the Bristol 2015 Neighbourhood Arts Programme, follow cycling and walking routes to reveal your local green treasures. www.greentreasure.net co.uk 6-9 AUGUST

BRISTOL INTERNATIONAL BALLOON FIESTA Another outing for Europe’s biggest hot-air balloon event. www.bristolballoonfiesta.co.uk

Top to bottom: Balloons, boats, curious dogs in the night time and whales, Bristol! 14 AUGUST

22-23 AUGUST

SUNSET SPECIALS A later closing time at Bristol Zoo means that you can enjoy the park whilst the sun sets, accompanied by music from a live band and plenty of talks. www.bristolzoo.org.uk

BRISTOL INTERNATIONAL KITE FESTIVAL This year the festival has moved to a much more accessible site on Clifton and Durdham Downs. There will be flying displays, a wind orchestra and the inevitable ‘much much more’. www2.kite-festival.org.uk

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ONE TO ONE

ARTS

QUEEN of ARTS “Where words fail, the image can bridge the gap” – welcome to the quirky, colourful world of Alex Lucas By DE R I ROBI NS

ven if you don’t know the name, you’ll recognise her work from murals around the city: giant hares in boxing gloves, lions lounging louchly in doorways, cyling giraffes – North Bristol would be a considerably duller place without Alex Lucas. We’ve been fans of her work ever since we saw her red house on Picton Street. You can’t miss it; it’s the only one covered with branches filled with painted birds and flowers. Then we noticed more murals; spotted her handiwork on the Bristol Pound; admired her hand-drawn map of Old Market. Her style is immediately recognisable, combining a nostalgic, almost storybook quality with a highly original, quirky wit; in her own words, she’s a “Bristol artist who loves to draw unconventional illustrations that make people smile and enjoy the space around them.” Turn the page to discover more about the colourful world of Alex Lucas . . . w

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ARTS

ONE TO ONE

Much of your work is in and around your home in Picton Street – what do the neighbours say? They’re very accepting and supportive of my work, which is handy, as they do have to live with it everyday. I have a fondness for rabbits and hares, and they can be seen along Stokes Croft, along with Mr Dandy Lion who is posing in a doorway. The Bristol Bike project hosts a range of animals cycling along an Arthur Conan Doyle quote featured on City Road. There are a few foxes darting around a few local streets too – but you’ll have to keep your eyes peeled for them. Yes, what’s with the foxes? Foxes often carry a bad reputation, but for me, they typify the cheeky, mischievous and risky parts of ourselves. I often use animals in my work, as they lend themselves as anthropomorphic vessels through which humans may relate. For example, rather than seeing a human face that already carries its own expression and personality, we see a odd-looking bat that is trying to unicycle, with a face that may remind us of a family member or a friend. I want the viewer to project their own relationships into my work and relate to the image through their own life experiences. Street art intrigues me in its rebellion, accessibility and the invitation to others to participate with it. Do you have an all-time favourite piece? I am still in love with my flying bunnies on The Little Shop wall. People often ask why I drew this, but I love that it means nothing at all – it’s just a very exuberant piece of art.

Below: Alex outside her painted house on Picton Street; opposite, fantastic Mr Fox: the original design, for a mural above a local takeaway, is available from Alex’s shop as a signed print

What building would you love to get your hands on? There are so many! When I walk through Bristol, I often take snapshots on my phone, in the hope of one day being able to brighten them up. I think the large Waitrose in Clifton has huge potential. You’ve said that you want to show the ‘softer side of graffiti’ – please tell us a bit more about that There’s a lot of tagging in my area, often on the front of people’s houses, and I find that quite hard to understand. There are many places to practice in the area, and the idea of painting in someone else’s space seems rather disrespectful. It’s really important for individuals to express themselves, but there should be a recognition of space and respect for one another in our communities. I feel that tagging gives graffiti a bad reputation as many people consider that to be the main aspect. Street artists hold a great responsibility, since the images they produce have the power to disturb or enlighten the viewer. Images are the strongest power of communication and are shared across cultures and acknowledged without words. Tell us about a few favourite commissions The Old Market street map was great fun. I met many of the traders who are based in the area, where we worked together on creating a new ‘look’ for the Bristol emblem, and I learned a lot of history. I also recently worked with Rich Pancost, Professor of Biogeochemistry and Director of the Cabot Institute; we ‘flooded’ St Werburghs and introduced swimming plesiosaurus to City Farm. How’s the shop going, and what do you sell? I started with opening my front window in my house every Friday and Saturday – I loved the interaction that it gave me with my neighbours and customers. I now run the Little Shop with an artist friend, Amber Elise, and we’re celebrating its second birthday this September. We showcase a range of artists’ work, from Bristol and beyond, and every three months we change the stock and the inside of the shop to freshen things up. I sell my prints and cards and the occasional cushion or tea towel. I enjoy selling cards as I have found you can be a bit risqué with them. Bristolians especially seem to be partial to the odd cheeky card. . . You’re involved in a lot of community stuff, we learn… I work with a vibrant, energetic team of people organising the Picton Street Christmas Fayre ¬ all the money we raise goes to local charities such as the Food Bank, Shelter, The Children’s Hospice South West and Bristol One25. There seems to be a sense of togetherness on the day, not only from the team of people working to put up the décor and the stewards but also from the stallholders. What’s up next? Well, now I’m off to finish off my brightly coloured isometric floor pattern we’ve painted on the garden patio before it rains and then I might have a cup of tea. Hopefully some more animals may pop up on a few walls this summer. Keep your eyes peeled . . .

For more: www.lucas-antics.com 34 I BRISTOL LIFE I www.mediaclash.co.uk

STREET ART

INTRIGUES ME IN ITS REBELLION, ACCESSIBILITY AND THE

INVITATION TO OTHERS TO PARTICIPATE

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

SEE SPRAY Just look how Upfest 2015 has changed Bedminster

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

UPFEST

ARTS

hree days. Around 250 street artists. Around 25,000 visitors. 30,000 sq ft of surfaces; 25 huge outdoor walls. Upfest – that’s the Urban Paint Festival, as almost nobody calls it – may be just one of squillions of Bristol festivals, but do any of them leave a more lasting legacy? Because when all the market stalls are packed away, when all the fag ends and Bristol Beer Factory bottles have been swept up and the last chords of the final band have faded, the North Street area will have been changed forever – or at least, until next year’s fest. Yep. One spray like this a year will see us right. For more: upfest.co.uk

Page 36 Argentine artist Martin Ron was let loose on the Tobacco Factory; Optiknerve, Mish Mash and Shush; Skieone This page, clockwise from top: legendary Bristol style writer Turroe; My Dog Sighs also did the branding for Upfest ‘15; Inkie, part of the city’s graffiti heritage; Thierry Noir, the first street artist to paint the Berlin Wall; Street Cred/Mastercard painting – Fake; elusive street artist T.WAT

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

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H I S T O RY

T H E AT R E

E F I L D N ISLA

Psychics, performing sheep, variety favourites and fascists: for 70 years, the grandiloquent ‘Knightsone Pavilion and Opera House’ in Weston-super-Mare was a stomping ground for rising stars and big names alike By ST E PH E N MOR R I S 40 I BRISTOL LIFE I www.mediaclash.co.uk

onceived by Weston-super-Mare’s town’s councillors as a means of attracting a better class of visitor, the Pavilion was built on the Knightstone, a wind-blown island made into a peninsular, with a sea-water lake, by a causeway. Building it partly on stilts over the swirling tides of the Bristol Channel made room for an open-air swimming pool next door. It was a mile from the town, cold and draughty and susceptible to the weather. Not long after a grand Edwardian opening in 1903 (fancy dress and brass bands) the causeway was damaged by storms and the theatre’s ‘sparks’ drowned – his body was later found off Pembrokeshire. Meanwhile the council, who owned and managed the building, announced that booking acts on a fixed fee was tantamount to speculating with public money and thus could offer only shared terms – a guarantee of second-rate entertainment. Professional impresarios tried and failed to turn a profit and when the Grand Pier opened with a 2000-seat theatre in 1904, the white elephant on the ‘island’ seemed certain to fail. It didn’t, of course – at least not for 80 years – and for much of that

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time was an unlikely and much-loved success, as British as fish-and-chips and shivering on the sands. And in new book Knightstone, the Story of Weston-super-Mare’s ‘Island’ Theatre, Jonathan Shorney tells how it all happened; how electric moving pictures put bums on seats, and off-season conferences filled not only the venue but the town’s hotels. David Lloyd George spoke here, as did Lord Haldane, speaking at the NUT conference, and barracked by suffragettes. Touring companies offered theatre, and gramophone recitals were staged by Miller’s music shop (recordings by Caruso, Gracie Fields and Yehudi Menuhin). When war broke, out after a week’s pause, shows resumed, including weekly smoking concerts for the troops with free smokes provided by Imperial Tobacco. Later the Pavilion was requisitioned as a hospital – thus the story of Knightstone is also that of the wider world, amplified and condensed, and a barometer of the age and popular taste. In 1919, for Shackleton’s illustrated talk of his Antarctic adventure the crowds queued around the block. In a massive coup for a provincial house, Paul Robeson performed on Easter Sunday 1934. Robeson sang folk songs, including a traditional Somerset air Oh no, John! No! A year later, Oswald Mosley strode onto the same stage to rally his Blackshirts – his fascist standard bearers guarding the flanks. Through the ’30s and ’40s, the great impresarios George Hay and Gordon Lane hosted top-class variety on Knightstone’s little stage and thousands packed the theatre to see Max Miller, Robb Wilton and Max Wall. Ballet Rambert performed, and full houses brought in more big names: Norman Wisdom, Cyril Fletcher, Richard Murdoch and Billy Cotton. From 1945 visiting stars were invited to judge the Modern Venus beauty contest at The Pool – a welcome duty that none refused and which

famously discovered 13-year-old Diana Fluck – later Diana Dors. Rex Harrison played here, and a freckle-faced Julie Andrews sang Come to the Fair. It couldn’t last. As Frankie Howerd played to holiday crowds in 1952, a transmitter on a hilltop 14 miles away in South Wales, brought BBC television programmes to Weston for the first time. Tastes were changing, big bands and variety were out of vogue, and holiday-makers would soon seek their sunshine in Spain. By the 1970s Knightstone had ditched its off-season schedule and become a cabaret club open in summer only. Easier access by road encouraged day-tripping rather than overnight stays. The ’80s was a series of musicians on the way down: The Searchers, Desmond Dekker, The Sweet, Mud; and roller-skating, pool, snooker and darts. Knightstone closed the doors for the last time in 1991 – not a good time for town planning or political imagination. Poor Weston. To adapt comic Reg Dixon’s catchphrase, the town was ‘not well, proper ill’. An ageing resort became an ageing resort corralled by suburbs and dual carriageways; Tesco extinguished hopes for a struggling high street and one of the worst of many schemes for the old place included demolition and turning the marine lake into a car park. Now the old lady is flats and a café – a benign end to a troubled but much-loved and lucky life.

Knightstone: The Story of Weston-super-Mare’s ‘Island’ Theatre By Jonathan Shorney is published by Redcliffe Press, £12.50; www.redcliffepress.co.uk

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

Fashion/gifts/stores/more

–

LIGHT FANTASTIC

And if you’re thinking, hey, this is a bit counterintuitive, do we really want water coming through our light fittings? – the answer is hell yes, when it looks as beautiful as this. There’s something almost magical about The Axor LampShower, with its water jets raining down from the rim of the cage-like lampshade; the integrated ambient lighting creates a feel-good atmosphere throughout the entire bathroom. From £1236 in chrome. Ripples, 88 Whiteladies Road, Bristol; 0117 973 1144 www.ripples.ltd.uk

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

you really don’t need a wedding as an excuse to don a fabulous piece of

headwear

turning heads It’s Sue Fyfe-Williams’ latest fashion shoot – and what could be more appropriate for our wedding issue than this display of INCREDIBLE hats? By l i sa wa r r e n 34 I BRISTOL LIFE I www.mediaclash.co.uk

PHOTOGRAPHY

FA S H I O N

Xxxxxxxxx

Good hair spray: Jason in action

K, so we’re not suggesting that you upstage the bride by turning up in a number like this (left) – though it’s tempting, right? In fact, the hats on these pages really have nothing to do with this issue’s bridal theme – as Ani Townsend of Milliner’s Guild would be the first to point out, you really don’t need a wedding as an excuse to don a fabulous piece of headwear. Ani and her team made all these incredible creations for the latest fashion shoot by Sue FyfeWilliams. As usual, Sue selected a quintessentially Bristol location – in this case, the Benjamin Perry Boathouse on the Harbourside – all rustic red brick, weathered timbers and ship-shape action, with ferries, gig rowers, canoes and barges, all packed with ‘revellers’ (that’s Bristolspeak for ‘on the Thatchers’). w

CREDITS Photography Simon Burgess; www.simonburgessphotography.com Styling Sue Fyfe-Williams; www.suefyfe-williams.co.uk Hair Stylist Jason Paget; jasonpadge@gmail.com MUA Linda Wong; linda@nerogroup.com Model Iris Fitzgerald; www.iris-fitzgerald.com

Bet you’ve never thought of doing THIS with the Bristol Pound . . .

Model Jess Sage; jessica_sage100@hotmail.com

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

PHOTOGRAPHY

FA S H I O N

But as this IS our bridal issue, we asked Ani for some tips for choosing a wedding hat anyway . . . • Most people choose their outfit first and a hat to complement, but it’s much easier to match a dress to a killer hat than the other way around.

HATS AND HEADPIECES WORN AT A SLIGHT ANGLE PROVIDE A MUCH

SOFTER LOOK

• Your headpiece needs to complement and balance your outfit, but it doesn’t need to match the exact colour. Instead, choose a colour that matches the tone of your outfit or perhaps pick out a colour within the pattern. • Ensure that you choose the style that best complements your face shape and height. If you’re petite, avoid a down-turned brim as others will only see the top of your hat, not your face. Choose instead a brim or saucer with a up-turned brim, which will open up your face and provide a little height. A brim no bigger than your shoulders is a good rule to keep in mind, with the exception being if you’re tall and slim. • I always recommend that hats and headpieces are worn at a slight angle, as this provides a much softer look. • The final golden rule is to choose the hat that makes you feel wonderful, not the one you think you ‘should’ wear. Be true to your own style and the hat will just help you shine.

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

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MANAGING TAX RISKS – TAX AVOIDANCE IS NO LONGER A GAME! To manage your tax risk, contact EDGE TAX LLP for advice...

n recent years, the government has adopted a more aggressive stance against perceived tax avoidance and has used the media very effectively to get its message across, turning tax into front-page news rather than a dull subject for the business pages. Jimmy Carr and Gary Barlow certainly never expected the attention they got after signing up to what was probably sold to them as legitimate tax-planning schemes. What many don’t realise is that the uncertainty, discomfort and pressure of a HMRC enquiry can affect anyone and wreak havoc on ordinary people’s lives. Everyone is exposed to tax risk, whether they are a business owner, property investor, contractor, an employee with high income or in receipt of benefits (car, cheap loans, share options, etc). Even the unemployed, students and retired individuals with just pension and investment income can be affected. When providing services we automatically consider a client’s defence as if challenge is certain. The change in environment is further demonstrated by the planned amalgamation of two of HMRC’s investigations teams. Specialist investigations and criminal investigations will merge, allowing HMRC to better share expertise and knowledge and approach investigations with a view to criminal prosecution from the outset. HMRC will receive more funding to tackle tax avoidance and pursue criminal investigations. A specialist resource will be created to focus on trusts, pension schemes and non-domiciled individuals. In 2017 HMRC will begin to receive

“THE UNCERTAINTY AND PRESSURE OF A HMRC ENQUIRY CAN AFFECT ANYONE” information about offshore accounts, creators of offshore structures and their beneficial owners. This should concern anyone with assets offshore; not just for unpaid taxes but also for the inconvenience of enquiries. There will be a new time-limited disclosure facility starting in 2016 under which someone may correct their tax affairs before this information is shared. It will be less generous than other disclosure facilities which are ending this year. New penalties are proposed where artificial tax avoidance schemes are used. The indication is that the penalty will be proportionate to the amount of tax recovered.

Taxpayers who repeatedly use tax avoidance schemes will be “named and shamed”. Now is the time to disclose undeclared income and gains or review planning and structures (especially offshore) to make sure they will withstand scrutiny. Edge Tax LLP specialise in defending those under tax investigation, analysing risks for those who may have an issue and providing advice to those who wish to avoid one! Please contact us for an informal no obligation discussion. BL

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

1. CHINA WHITE

2. LOVE ON THE ROCKS

3. WET AND WILD

4. WELL GEL

5. RAIN AND SHINE

Didde vase, £39 Doesn’t actually need flowers. Maybe one elegant, exotic thing on a long stalk. From BoConcept, 23-25 Merchant Street, Bristol; boconcept.com

Glass tumbler, £10 This ever-so-slightly-’50s tumbler by Donna Wilson makes us think of the seaside, which we do very much like to be beside. From Soma Gallery, 4 Boyce’s Avenue, Clifton; somagallery.co.uk

Fresh fish (price varies) There’s salmon and mackerel and bream and, yes, lobsters – and you won’t get a fresher bit of fish in the whole of Bristol. From Spiny Lobster, 128-130 Whiteladies Road; thespinylobster.co.uk

Bobbi Brown Long-Wear Gel Eyeliner, £18.50 This won’t run, even if your eyes or the skies do. From John Lewis, The Mall at Cribbs Causeway; johnlewis.com

Glittery flipflops, £10 Because ‘glamorous’ and ‘wet’ need never be mutually exclusive conditions. From Sweet Pea, 14 High Street, Westbury on Trym; sweetpeafashion.co.uk

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

ED’S CHOICE

SHOPPING

9 8

A BIGGER SPLASH JUST LIKE 1950S HOLLYWOOD SWIMMING SENSATION ESTHER WILLIAMS, WE’RE DANGEROUS WHEN WET. THAT SAID, WE CAN BE A BIT OF A LIABILITY WHEN WE’RE DRY, TOO.

6. ORANGE AID

7. RETURN OF THE MAC

8. SPLASH OUT

9. SPOKES PEOPLE

10. JUST ADD ICE

Orla Kiely watering can, £38 We can’t remember when it was last dry enough to need one of these, but we think the instructions were ‘fill with water, and pour’. From From Pod, 24 The Mall, Clifton; thepodcompany.co.uk

Ilse Jacobsen raincoat, £175 If you live in Bristol, a raincoat is never off your back for long. May as well look great while you’re wearing it. From Grace & Mabel, 17 Regent Street; graceandmabel.co.uk

Jo Malone White Mint & Jasmine Cologne, £86 Evokes a ‘sun-drenched morning in an English country garden,’ apparently – as opposed to the usual ‘just drenched’. From Jo Malone, Harvey Nichols, 27 Philadelphia Street; jomalone.co.uk

Elements 01 by Simon Spilsbury, £30 The damp reality of a Bristol bike journey, charmingly and poignantly rendered. From Bristol Guild, 68-70 Park Street, Bristol; bristolguild.co.uk

Spot tumbler, £6.95 This playful Bitossi tumbler is hand-dipped in pigment, and comes in loadsa colours to mixology and match. From Howkapow; howkapow.com

www.mediaclash.co.uk II CLIFTON BRISTOL LIFE LIFE II 51 www.mediaclash.co.uk 69

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A D V E R T I S I N G F E AT U R E L E G A L

LANDLORD’S NIGHTMARE/ TENANT’S DREAM JOHN TODD Solicitor with AMD SOLICITORS has advice for those renting out their property

n the 1960s,’70s and the ’80s, tenants started to acquire a considerable degree of security of tenure. The situation was such that prospective landlords would not let their (empty) premises for fear that they would never regain possession of them. The Government of the day introduced the Housing Act 1985 which made provision for shorthold tenancies which meant that, upon the landlords giving the required notice, they could recover possession. The 1988 Housing Act consolidated this and such tenancies became Assured Shorthold Tenancies (ASTs). Accordingly, the position has been much

John Todd of AMD Solicitors

safer for landlords since then but is still not without its difficulties. What to watch for are: 1. The AST must be for a fixed period of not less than six months and not more than three years. 2. Very importantly, any deposit paid by the tenant must be paid by the landlord into a deposit protection scheme, or the appropriate deposit insurance taken out. If this is not done, the landlord can be punished by being ordered to pay not just the return of the deposit but three times the value of the deposit. Even the deposit situation is not without its difficulties, as landlords must give tenants the prescribed Information; and if the deposit has not been paid into a deposit protection scheme, or the appropriate deposit insurance taken out, and if the prescribed information has not been handed to the tenants any notice seeking possession will not be valid.

i. The tenancy must end on the last day of a period of the tenancy and not earlier than two months after the date the notice was given. ii. Even in giving the two-month notice, care must be taken to allow at least two days for the notice to reach the tenant. Accordingly, to allow for a two-month notice to expire on, e.g. 6 January 2015, the notice should not be posted later than 4 November. The problem with getting any of these requirements wrong is that a court will throw out a claim for possession, leaving landlords having to serve a fresh two-month notice, effectively having to start all over again and losing valuable time. Note that the two-month notice should not be confused with notices that can be given to recalcitrant tenants who do not pay their rent or do not abide by their covenants when a different form of notice and procedure should be used. BL

3. With ASTs, landlords can recover possession of their premises, so long as they have given the appropriate notice, but even this is beset with difficulties, namely: a) the notice must be in a prescribed form and not just any wording will do. b) The notice must be for a minimum of two months (one month in the case of the tenant) and if given in the middle of a fixed term tenancy, cannot expire before the end of the fixed-term tenancy. Accordingly, landlords should be wary about granting tenancies for too long a period. c) Even the giving of the notice can have its pitfalls:

To guard against falling unwittingly into some of these traps, it is always advisable to obtain specialist advice. AMD are pleased to advise in these situations and contact can be made with Chris Brown at our office at 2 Station Road, Shirehampton, Bristol BS11 9TT (telephone 0117 9235562) or John Todd at our office at 100 Henleaze Road, Bristol BS9 4JZ (telephone 0117 9621205). AMD have offices at Henleaze, Clifton and Shirehampton. Use your smartphone here to connect to our website, amdsolicitors.com

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

SHOPPING

SPECIAL SHOPS

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

SPECIAL SHOPS

SHOPPING

DIANA PORTER The bespoke contemporary designer makes rings, necklaces, bracelets, earrings, cufflinks and brooches – and alongside her own work, her Park Street shop showcases the work of around 85 top jewellers

By SUZ I E DAV I DSON-K E L LY

he current window display at Diana Porter shows some striking rope necklaces by Fern Jelleyman – large-scale, chunky numbers, that come down to your waist. They have more wearable everyday pieces in the showroom, too, but these rare items are grabbing a lot of attention. “Having large-scale pieces to show in the window, that are tactile yet not breakable, is a hard balance to get,” says Harriet Camille-Todd, the shop’s marketing manager, who’s worked with Diana for eight years. Diana, Harriet and shop manager Laura Sims all go to exhibitions and trade shows together to source new and exciting pieces from various designers – because alongside Diana’s own creations, you’ll find the work of 85 different jewellers in this gallery-like space on Park Street, with pieces that range from the affordable to the ‘very special’. “We’re always featuring new designers and exhibitions, so it’s a really exciting place to work,” says Harriet. “Everyone is passionate about jewellery, and loves being around sparkly things”.

Unsurprisingly, they get a lot of male customers looking for *that* ring to surprise their girlfriends. “There’s so much choice, and we help them to narrow it down. We always advise to go with their instinct; we help them select a ring, and offer them the option to exchange it if they (or their girlfriend) wants to.” And there’s a rather brilliant compromise if they just can’t make up their mind. “For the purpose of a proposal, the men can go away with a token ring, then come back together with their fiancée to choose exactly what she wants – it’s really romantic for them to come back together to design the bespoke ring.” Perhaps unsurprisingly, Diana’s work is moving away from the traditional idea of an engagement ring. “Originally, engagement rings would just be a single solitaire but now you can commission rings with multiple stones – not necessarily diamonds but semi-precious stones. You can make your ring really unique. “A lot of people fall in love with a stone, and we then base the design of the ring around its shape and colour.” Fancy having it engraved? “A lot of customers come here for Diana’s unique method of etching words around the outside of the rings – you can commission your own words on the outside, whether it’s a name or a message.” And obviously there’s a range of cufflinks, earrings, necklaces, bracelets – in fact, every possible wedding-related accessory. “Pearls are very bridal, so Di does a few pieces with pearls and diamonds, too – we have some knitted silver work with a vintage look that’s hugely popular for wedding jewellery.” It seems once people start coming to Diana’s shop they don’t stop – possibly because despite the eye-popping pieces that glint from every cabinet, it has a charming, friendly, unassuming atmosphere. Offering a range of every day wear and some wacky ‘out there’ pieces, there’s quite a mix of jewellery. “We have a lot of customers who collect Diana’s work and our other designers too, so we have a lot of repeat customers.”

EVERYONE IS PASSIONATE ABOUT JEWELLERY AND LOVES BEING AROUND SPARKLY THINGS

There’s a beautiful consultation area, where customers can discuss their unique requirements and examine the vast range of stones on offer. “Park Street is such a great place to work. There’s still a good community here – it’s been important for Di to be on such a historic street, and to be an independent shop,” says Harriet. “The location is perfect, especially for those customers who travel especially to see us – most recently from Edinburgh and Germany. We can recommend nearby places for lunch on the Harbourside, along with other places to visit. Diana is Bristol-born and bred, and this is her only shop (she stocks in other shops around the country), so it’s really important to her to give her customers the local lifestyle experience.” Clockwise from top left: The DP team smile a welcome; Diana Porter bangles, perfect for stacking; Diana’s famed Sibyl necklace; supersparkliness; Off-the-cuff gift ideas include these Alice Menter bracelets; shimmering knitted jewels by Maria Rzewuska; etched in gold

The Shop & Workshop, 33 Park St, Bristol; 0117 909 0225; www.dianaporter.co.uk

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

R E S TA U R A N T

Pata Negra Oh look! There’s yet another reason to visit Old Market – and this time it comes with a Spanish flavour By DE R I ROBI NS

apas are, more or less, the original tasting menu. For some 500 years, the Spanish have been picking away at their meals, sampling a little bit of this and that, nicking something from their neighbour’s plate. It’s an extraordinarily delightful way of eating, especially as none of the restraints of a modern tasting menu kick in. You really like the sherry and garlic chicken and marinated courgettes? ¡Estupendo! Simply get the kitchen to rustle up some more. Or barter with your dining companions: “Look, let me finish off the chorizo, and you can have the rest of the bread. . .” Although this seductively social way of dining has now snuck into every postcode of Bristol, there are few better places to sample it than at Pata Negra in Old Market. On the old Copper Jacks site, it’s the latest venture from Nathan Lee (Milk Thistle, Hyde & Co, The Ox), whose new gaff was inspired by his love of Spanish food and culture: “You can pop in anytime for coffee or wine, and end up staying for tapas,” he says, dangerously. And the rest, Nathan. Because they’ve got the Spanish concept entirely right here — stay for tapas, yeah, right Nathan, but somehow still find yourself sitting there long after sunset, sipping a late-night port from the Douro Valley, or maybe that old Basque favourite, a Picon Punch. If you fancy a change of scene, you could head upstairs, to live music bar Noche Negra, but we were more than happy to linger on in the main dining area – all bar stools and club-class sofas as well as conventional tables and chairs – softly lit by the kind of fringed standard lamps you used only to see in your auntie’s drawing room, but which now have mysteriously become a staple item for all vintagey bars and restaurants. Fringed lampshades aside, we could have been lounging in a friendly old bar on the banks of the Guadalquiver; hams as brown as violins hung above the counter, and the

TAPAS ARE, MORE OR LESS, THE ORIGINAL TASTING MENU

FOOD

polished wooden floor looked ready for flamenco action. Or, indeed, a game of seven-card stud – ask about the poker nights, when your skill at the table determines the cost of your meal. The kitchen is overseen by Dave Daly, formerly of Michelin-starred Harveys, Bordeaux Quay and Rockfish. The gastronomic accent of his Pata Negra menu tilts in the direction of both the Balearics and northern Spain; hence the very welcome presence of Menorcan Xoriguer gin behind the bar, and pintxos (the northerly equivalent of tapas) on the menu. Our pan con tomate — toast suffused with tomato and garlic, and shimmering with olive oil — would be a staple in Cantabria or the Basque country. So would the hand-carved, almost translucent jamón bellota that came as a starter. This is the ultimate ham, in our book – so tender and oily it almost seems like porkscented butter. As I dug into the patatas bravas, Your Man, who spent two years as a Gaditano, explained that in southern Spain potatoes are referred to as ‘papas’. Thus it was that an English businessman recently came a cropper involving lower-case ‘papas’, t-shirts, and the Pope (or El Papa, in Spain). You’ve probably got the picture: several thousand T-shirts proclaiming in Spanish ‘Long live the potato’, just in time for Pope Francis’s visit to Seville. As it happens, that phrase neatly reflects our own emotions. I can never decide whether I prefer my patatas with aioli or spicy tomato sauce, and clearly neither can Dave Daley, as he serves them with both. The happy Andaluz notes of smoky and garlicky tomato sauce made a robust accompaniment to rich, honey-slathered roast aubergine with goat’s cheese and pine nuts, and a garlicky pair of almost indecently oversized gambas. “How come,” Your Man said, happily sucking the head of a fat oily crustacean, “in Britain it used to be if you wanted a snack anytime outside proper mealtimes it was a ham sandwich or nothing? But just over there,” – he pointed out the window, down in the vague direction of Baldwin Street, and Spain beyond – “they’d have all this?” His gaze fell on the array of classic tapas spread in front of us — earthy, tangy morcilla served with fried egg; rich piquillo peppers; charred pork skewers served with honey yoghurt and crushed almonds. I could see his point. Food historians have grappled with this paradox for decades — how the vernacular cuisine of relatively poor rural communities (Italy, Spain, France) in effect became the template for modern gastronomy. Meanwhile the rest of us were content to eat chips at a bus stop. We’d need plenty of more Menorcan gin before we could solve that one. Maybe even a Picon Punch. After all, it was still early . . . Pata Negra is a very welcome addition to the Old City’s culinary circuit. It seems unlikely the people of Bristol will have to go back to ham sandwiches anytime soon.

DINING DETAILS Pata Negra, 30 Clare St, BS1 1YH, 0117 927 6762 Opening times 12–3pm & 6–10.30pm; afternoons, 3-6pm, pintxos available Monday-Saturday We visited Thursday evening Prices from £2.50-£12; most meat and fish in the £4-£7 range Vegetarian choice several vegetarian dishes Wine list focus is on Spanish and Portuguese from £19 upwards Service/atmosphere you could be in a backstreet bar in Cadiz; staff helpful, efficient, can-do, friendly

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

Bar - Champagne Lounge - Restaurant

FOOD

JOSH EGGLETON, Chef pat ron Here’s Josh’s official GBM ‘don’t mess with me’ expression

YES, CHEF! Sucker for punishment that he is, Josh is back on the telly – and he has a message for the next generation of chefs

IF I’M REALLY

UNLUCKY THE FINAL CUT WILL INCLUDE SOME FOOTAGE OF ME MILKING A COW

s this issue of Bristol Life hits the streets, I’ll be hiding behind my sofa for the start of the South West week on Great British Menu, which airs from 10 August on BBC 2. Although it was one of the hardest things I’ve ever done (at least, since the last time I did it) I met some top chefs on the show who really pushed me to be my best. When I went on the show last year, I thought the producer was joking when he said it would be like the hardest ever service, multiplied by 10 – but that pretty much summed up the experience. This year’s theme is the Women’s Institute, in honour of its 100th anniversary. The WI was designed to revitalise rural communities and to encourage women to produce food for Britain during the First World War. I really liked the fact that the brief offered a chance to celebrate local produce and simple recipes. So to get the inspiration for my recipes I looked to my family, as well as meeting up with the local WI, who gave me the idea for my dessert ‘Mission Milk’, showing the cheeky side of the WI and

. . . and here’s his ‘concentrating really hard’ one

riffing on the famous calendar girls. It took me a while to get permission to use the original image, but the charity who owns it finally agreed. The producers wanted to highlight that while the British restaurant scene was really primitive, the WI were creating dishes to firstclass standards and inspiring a generation to cook with fresh food and to be self-sufficient. What a movement. I’m hoping to inspire a new generation to get into the kitchen at the moment by working with the City of Bristol College to recruit 50 new apprentices to the food industry in the area. We are seeing a wealth of new places to eat in Bristol, but there’s a huge shortfall in the number of young people looking at hospitality as a career, even though conditions and working hours are much improved from a few years ago. We give chefs at the Pony three days off a week, which is probably a lot more than people might imagine. So if you know some inspirational young people who would fit into a kitchen or front-of-house role then get in touch. Oh, and make sure you tune in to support Dominic Chapman, Jude Kereama from Kota and myself, representing the South West on BBC 2. If I’m really unlucky the final cut will include some footage of me milking a cow.

For more, www.theponyandtrap.co.uk 60 I BRISTOL LIFE I www.mediaclash.co.uk

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A MAN’S WORLD

SEB BARRETT

THE APPLE UNBITTEN Golf clubs, Larkin and existential crises, in one column. You’re spoiling us this month, Seb . . .

wo years ago, I agreed to play in a charity golf day. I hadn’t swung a club in anger since 2009, when a round played in the scorching conditions of the Australian Outback was compounded by a hangover that would have felled Oliver Reed. After that, the mere thought of teeing up turned my mouth dry and made me want to heave like some sick version of Pavlov’s dog. Yet here I was, standing in front of a group of thirty or so corporate types, the first to tee off by dint of my surname starting with ‘B’. In my mind was the insidious

IN THE END, YOU ARE

COMPETING

WITH YOUR OWN NAGGING AND INADEQUACIES, AND THE YOU CAN GET OVER THEM THE

DOUBTS SOONER BETTER

thought that nobody was actually willing me to hit a good shot; it might have been for charity, but it was still a competition. I concentrated hard, and swung the club with all my might. It had the power. In fact, the ball soared a fair distance up the hill, before landing somewhere near the white stake that marked out-of-bounds. A fellow contestant thought he was being helpful in suggesting I take another shot, rather than let me play the ball from where it lay. I teed up again and, wanting to get out of the withering limelight post-haste, rushed my swing. The ball trickled a few feet in front of me into some long grass. In a haze of humiliation, against a backdrop of barely suppressed laughter, I hacked at the ball. It went deeper into the rough. I needn’t go on, except to say that my friend who had invited me along that day looked embarrassed to be associated with me. Embers of the burning shame of all those people watching me in my moment of abject failure still singe the pit of my belly. Philip Larkin, my favourite poet (yes, I have one of those), wrote in As Bad as a Mile: “Watching the shied core/ Striking the basket, skidding across the floor,/ Shows less and less of luck, and more and more/ Of failure spreading back up the arm/ Earlier and earlier, the unraised hand calm,/ The apple unbitten in the palm.” Replace the apple core with a golf ball, and the basket with a well-manicured green, and you have the existential crisis faced by a golfer in the moments after he has hit a particularly bad shot. A split-second or millimetre can be the difference between a good shot and a bad one, and yet the disproportionate anguish it causes – and in a game that is far from life-and-death – is demoralising. In conversation with a sports psychologist who works with world-famous Formula One drivers and footballers, he recounted

to me how professional golfers are often the hardest to treat. Unlike the continuous flow of most other sports, golfers have an inordinate amount of time between shots to dwell on any mistakes they have made during play. Plenty of time for negative thoughts to creep in. Now I know that it wasn’t all those people watching me tee off that made me hit a terrible shot (or three): it was me. In the end, you are competing with your own nagging doubts and inadequacies, and the sooner you can get over them, the better and more enjoyable your game will become. In essence, play like no one is watching. Seb Barrett works in sports communications. Follow him on Twitter @bazzbarrett

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

SPORT

KYLE TRAYNOR Loosehead prop

AT THE CANTEEN OUR EATING TIMES DON’T LOOK TOO DISSIMILAR TO FEEDING TIME AT THE ZOO

BOYS OF SUMMER Ever wondered what a professional rugby player’s summer is like? Wonder no more . . .

e’re well into our pre-season preparations, and the target is simple: the promotion that we all desperately want. So here’s an insight into what a professional player’s summer looks like. Throughout July and August, the focus is on improving the physicality of the squad, primarily through weight training and fitness. Most players have individual target areas to improve, whether that be speed, power or strength. A typical week will consist of three hard days of training at the beginning of the week, a rest day on Thursday, then two more training days. Believe me, the rest days are a godsend when they come around. Early in the week, we focus on strength-based gym work such as heavy squatting and dead-lifting, with the afternoon spent doing set-piece work with the forwards. I’m not entirely sure what the backs do during this period, but every time I look over they tend to be stood around chatting. As the week progresses, we move to more power-focused work. This includes complex movements in the gym such as power cleans and plyometric exercises. The afternoons are pitch-based, combining cardiovascular touch-based games and power circuits. This is the part that most players dread in pre-season – I’ve seen plenty of boys vomit during these sessions over the years . . .

Let’s get physical: summer’s the time to boost fitness

During this time, the dietary requirements are crucial. Fuelling sufficiently and eating to recover post-session are important to enable gains and adaptations to the body. The canteen at the club’s training base provides copious amounts of food, and our eating times wouldn’t look too dissimilar to feeding time at the zoo, with boys stacking large amounts of protein on their plates. This is, of course, all in line with what our nutritional goals are for pre-season. There’s no hiding place: we are constantly monitored for our body fat levels by the club’s nutritionist. For me personally, pre-season is a great time of the year. The sun is on our backs when we are training and working hard without the stress of having to perform and prepare for a rugby match at the weekend. There are new members of the squad who joined over the summer, and this is a great time to build relationships and form friendships while slogging it out in the gym or training field. It’s also the perfect opportunity to show them around our great city, and with loads going on over the summer – the Harbour Festival and Grillstock in the last few weeks, to name but two events – this makes it very easy for new guys joining the club to settle here. Follow Kyle on Twitter @KyleTraynor

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

DEVON SENT No wonder small children get Devon and heaven mixed up. Theyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;re practically interchangeable By DERI ROBINS Top and bottom: English Eccentric at its stylish best at Glazebrook House; top right, the bonkers little sea tractor at Bigbury; above, Mothecombe Beach

G R E AT ESCAPES

S Look who we met on Dartmoor

A great big beautiful brute of a lobster at Oystershack

Just like sharing a bed with Sergeant Troy

mall children often make the adorable mistake of mixing up ‘Devon’ and ‘heaven’, and as it happens they’re not far wrong. Especially when it comes to that south bit of the coast that runs between Exeter and Plymouth. Bucket-and-spade nirvana alternates with estuaries bristling with yacht masts – and if, unaccountably, you tire of seeing the sea, just a little way inland lies Dartmoor; 368 square miles of moorland inhabited mostly by sheep and tough, resilient, surprisingly friendly wild ponies. But let’s get back to the seaside. Salcombe’s narrow streets, old inns, ships’ chandlers and fishermen’s cottages cling to the sides of Kingsbridge Estuary. As befits such a maritime area, it’s the centre for all manner of water sports, from kayaking to dingy-sailing. At Salcombe Boat Hire –it doubles as the local fishmonger’s – you can hire your own little motor boat and cruise round the harbour, or head up Frogmore Creek and moor at one of the beaches. Just round the corner, accessible by road and ferry, you’ll find the South Sands Hotel; it’s rumoured that they’ll let you in even if you’re not wearing Jack Wills or Boden. Even more upscale and buzzing is nearby Dart mouth. As well as an estuary full of lottery-win boats, there are winding Elizabethan streets, independent shops and art galleries to distract you, along with gourmet restaurants and bistros – look out for Mitch Tonks’s piscine gaffs The Seahorse and Rockfish. No wonder you can never find a parking place. Once you head a little further west, to the little town of Modbury, everything becomes a lot more low-key. This is the gateway to the Erme Estuary – although to be fair, it’s something of a hidden gateway; indeed a gateway that barely takes its gateway duties seriously at all. There’s a few straggling visitors, certainly, but Modbury and the surrounding countryside could easily be crossreferenced, ‘England, secret’. From here, it’s just a few miles to Mothecombe Bay, an impossibly beautiful cove used as a film set more times than it cares to remember. Credits include Sense and Sensibility, International Velvet, Hornblower, Poirot, Jonathan Creek and – rather perversely, given the book’s doggedly Cornish obsession – Rebecca. Some ten miles or so down the coast, Bigburyon-Sea would be your standard Janet-and-Johnstyle beach – sandcastle-builders, kite-fliers, insanely excited dogs – were it not for one thing: off the mainland lies an island, on which stands a glittering white Modernist building known as Burgh Island Hotel. To say that Burgh Island is a cut above your average hotel is like saying that St Paul’s Cathedral is a rather nice church. It’s impossible

to appreciate just how special this place really is until you’re actually standing on the island, entirely cut off at high tide, with gulls and cormorants wheeling above. Even if you’re not privileged enough to be staying in the hotel, you can pop over for a pint at the ancient Pilchard Inn. At low tide you can simply walk across the sands, but what’s the fun in that when a few hours later you can clamber up the steps of the eccentric little sea tractor, which will then trundle through the waves over to the landing jetty? Speaking of eccentric, you really need to know about new hotel Glazebrook House, in South Brent. The traditional Georgian building is demurely white-washed, and looks fairly predictable from the outside. Then you spot the oversized chandelier in the porch. Then you find yourself checking in at a reception desk shaped like a Spitfire wing. Next, you notice the oddball collections on the walls: the bugles, the bowler hats, the illuminated magnifying glasses. The stuffed flamingo, and the emu skeleton. A bust of HRH EII, crowned by a halo of fairy lights. It could easily be a bit of a jumble, but somehow all this eclecticism is pulled together with enormous flair and style: English Eccentric at its contemporary best. The Alice in Wonderland-themed bedrooms are an equally endearing mix of the cool and the bonkers. Our White Rabbit bed was edged in white fur; our bathroom a sea of sleek black marble. There were 3-D glasses for the TV (admittedly, we couldn’t make these work, but then we were trying them out on an old episode of On the Buses). There were vintage Coronation china mugs for our cups of tea, while the mini-bar appeared to have been stocked by Willie Wonka. All in all, one of the wittiest, eccentric-verging-on surreal and downright luxurious boltholes we’ve been in since – well, ever. There’s just one more stopover we’d like you to consider before heading home to Bristol. Back over in Bigbury, the brightly-coloured, unpretentious-looking Oyster Shack lets the seafood do the talking – it’s not just oysters, obviously, though that’s how it began, and they claim that theirs are the purest in the land. The daily menu is influenced by the finest catch of the day; the place is an absolute local legend, with laid-back staff and a jolly good-natured hubbub, and we’d eat there every single day if we could. Devon, hey. Out of the mouth of babes, etc.

TRAVEL FILE Glazebrook House Hotel South Brent – room rates £159£239; 01364 7332; www.glazebrookhouse.com. The Oyster Shack Stakes Hill, Kingsbridge; 01548 810876; www.oystershack.co.uk Burgh Island www.burghisland.com South Sands Hotel www.southsands.com

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

G A R D E N I N G A D V E R T I S I N G F E AT U R E

JACKSONS FENCING NEWS, TOPICAL TREATS AND MORE... Our Hampton Court show garden update...

Jacksons Secret Garden Party Show Garden at RHS Hampton Court Flower Show

ny of you who are regular readers of this page can't help but have noticed that I've mentioned that we had a show garden at RHS Hampton Court Palace Flower Show this year. It would be remiss of me not to let you know how it went now that it's all over. I must admit, with more than a little relief, it's been a really amazing experience – very busy and pretty exhausting but, all in all, very positive. The build up started on 10 June through Monty Don filming for the BBC in the garden

to 28 June and what was just a green piece of parkland was transformed into a stunning (even if I say it myself!) show garden. It was fascinating seeing our garden take shape over the weeks, and of course, all the other stands, exhibits and show gardens as well. I got a bit nervy the closer we got to the show opening – the media appeared, we had a few interviews and even Monty Don was filmed in the garden, saying some very complimentary things about our Jacksons Secret Garden Party. And then in the afternoon of 29 June, the medals were announced. I'm delighted to say we got a RHS silver gilt medal, which I'm told is just a shade below a gold – not bad going for a first attempt! I've put lots of photos up online for you to see, especially for those who didn't get a chance to visit the show, or see any of the many programmes on television that week. If you go

A view inside the garden showing the colourful planting

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

to your local page – www.jacksons-fencing. co.uk/bathlocal – there is a link. There are also instructions on how to vote for your favourite garden – if you remember our garden featured six smaller gardens within our one big garden – you will be able to view gardens one to six and then email in with which one you like best. Someone will be picked at random from these emails as the lucky winner of £300 worth of Jacksons vouchers. And talking of winners, we ran a draw over the last few months to win five pairs of tickets to Hampton Court Flower Show. I'm pleased to say most of the winners dropped by the show garden to say hello and pick up their goody bags. It was great to meet them all.

Visit www.jacksons-fencing.co.uk/ bathlocal or call 0800 408 4754 to talk to your local Jacksons Fencing Centre louise@jacksons-fencing.co.uk

CHRISTMAS PA R T I E S OTHER VENUES Our pick of some of the best Christmas party hot-spots Speigeltent Bristol www.christmasspiegeltent.co.uk Marriott Bristol www.marriott.com/hotels/travel/ brsry-bristol-marriott-royal-hotel The Clifton Club www.thecliftonclub.co.uk Rosemarino www.rosemarino.co.uk Thali Café www.thethalicafe.co.uk Royal Thistle www.thistle.com Goldbrick House www.goldbrickhouse.co.uk Biblos On The Hill www.biblos.co.uk Avon Gorge Hotel www.theavongorge.com Zazu’s www.zazuskitchen.co.uk Square Club www.thesquareclub.com Pata Negra www.patanegrabristol.com Cosy Club www.cosyclub.co.uk/bristol Leigh Court www.leighcourt.co.uk.

Last year’s Alice in Wonderland party

SLEIGHBELLS RING Biblos on the Hill

. . . are you listening? August is the time for booking up the work Christmas party. No really, it is

he Hype Christmas parties at the Passenger Shed have become as much a part of the Bristol Christmas as Santa and fake snow. We’ve glammed up for Gatsby, we’ve danced at The Nutcracker, we’ve visited Narnia; and if you’re thinking “what theme will they come up with next?” the answer is ‘Carnival’ – an explosion of colour and spectacle, accompanied by rip-roaring rhythm. Carnival Christmas 2015 promises a rollicking

FOR THE FIRST TIME EVER THERE WILL BE LIVE DODGEM CARS AT THE VENUE

fusion of elements assembled from African, Brazilian and Caribbean cultures, creating the biggest indoor street party Bristol’s ever seen this December. You’ll be greeted by fire eaters and an insistent rhythm as you enter the Passenger Shed (sorry, ‘Rio’) to the beat of the drums. And the riot of colour, movement and sounds never lets up throughout the night. The live entertainment is central to the evening and is almost as essential as the dinner – followed this year by actual Dodgem cars in the venue. As regular Hype party goers will know, the evening will end with floor-filler party tunes to see you through to home time – Christmas will have officially begun . . . For more: www.hypeagency.co.uk/bristol

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

Shake-ups/launches/intel/promotions

B R IS TO L G E T S S ER I O US St John’s Chambers’ Susan Hunter with Justice Lamb

QUOTE OF THE ISSUE

“WE PICKED BRISTOL AS OUR FIRST CITY AS WE FELT IT WAS LEADING BY EXAMPLE”

STRICTLY LEGAL

HERE COMES THE JUDGE

Ever wondered why 21st-century lawyers still wear wigs? The sponsors of our learned friend Justice Lamb give us the low-down

ven if you haven’t embarked on the full Shaun the Sheep trail, we bet you’ve spotted our learned friend shown above in Queen Square. The one on the right, that is; we’re pretty sure that the one on the left is far too busy winning cases to stand around posing for tourists. Designed by artist Mike Ogden, as part of the Shaun in the City trail (we may have mentioned this once or twice, it’s a public art event that raises money for the Grand Appeal), ‘Justice Lamb’ was unveiled by sponsors St John’s Chambers on 6 July. Justice, you’ll note, is fetchingly dressed as a High Court judge, complete with traditional wig. Lawyers and judges started wearing these around 1680; today they may seem an almost comical anachronism, so we asked St John’s Chambers why they’re still used. “They provide anonymity,” they told us. “Not in the sense of providing a disguise or camouflage, but a distancing from personal involvement. The wig is an emblem of privilege, and young barristers are keen to

What have we been excelling at now? Find out on page 76

retain them – senior members of the bar less so. “Wigs confer dignity and solemnity on court proceedings, and court dress is worn at hearings in open court in all Senior Courts of England and Wales and in county courts. Court dress, however, may be dispensed with at the option of the judge. For example, in very hot weather, or where it may intimidate children, such as in the Family Division and at the trials of minors. “In the Supreme Court of the United Kingdom and in the Judicial Committee of the Privy Council, counsel need not wear court dress if all advocates in a case agree on this. The judges dress in conventional business attire. Court dress is not worn at hearings in chambers and in the magistrates’ courts.’ So now you know. ‘Justice Lamb’ is one of 70 sculptures in the ‘Shaun in the City’ trail, and will be auctioned this autumn to raise funds for The Grand Appeal. www.stjohnschambers.co.uk; www.shauninthecity.org.uk

5000 THE BIG NUMBER

That’s a lot of pledges – what are they for, and how many more do we want? Find out more on page 74

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

BUSINESS INSIDER

Itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s only the Kaiser Chiefs, pressing a big green button on our Harbourside!

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

BUSINESS INSIDER

GREEN MACHINE

JUST #DO15 IT

Nothing to see here: just a bunch of top celebs throwing their might behind #do15

THE

#DO15 CAMPAIGN IS ALL

ABOUT MAKING

BRISTOL A BETTER PLACE TO LIVE AND

WORK

Kevin McCloud has pledged to develop more sustainable housing

es, we know it looks like they’re all playing some outsized game of Frustration, but there’s a reason why all these celebs are pressing a giant button on Harbourside. They’re “doing something green for 2015” – the message behind Bristol 2015’s #do15 campaign, which since April has been encouraging us all to pledge our support for the city’s year as Green Capital. The campaign got a huge boost last month when the Summer Series brought George Ezra and the Kaiser Chiefs to Bristol. The lads all pledged to ‘do something green in 2015,’ along with Bristol DJ Raleigh Ritchie (better known as Unsullied leader Grey Worm to doting Game of Thrones fans), and rock band, Everything Everything. Ahead of their performances on Bristol’s Harbourside, the musos all committed to being more ‘green’ and to celebrate the city’s year as the European Green Capital. Kaiser Chiefs’ frontman Ricky Wilson and bassist Simon Rix pledged to use less plastic bottles and replace with reusable cups, while Raleigh Ritchie pledged to get outside and enjoy nature more. See you on the Downs, Raleigh! George Ezra pledged to reduce his meat intake, which, due to increasing consumer demand and consumption across the world, is having a major impact on the environment. Everything Everything’s lead singer Jonathan Higgs pledged to reduce the number of plastic bottles the foursome uses, and took away a Bristol 2015 reusable cup for each of his bandmates. So far, more than 5,000 pledges have been made by people across the city the first six months of the year. As Zoe Sear, director of Bristol 2015, said: “The #do15 campaign is all about making Bristol a better place to live and work, and to have such a diverse range of celebrities pledging to do their bit will undoubtedly encourage others to get involved. We’re already well on our way to reaching our target of 10,000 pledges by the end of 2015.” Other celebrity pledges include: • Comedian Marcus Brigstocke, who pledged to cycle more and halve his meat intake. • Grand Designs interior guru Kevin McCloud, who pledged to work with communities to develop greener, more sustainable housing schemes via his Bristolbased architecture firm, HAB Housing. • Radio and TV presenter Miranda Krestovnikoff, who pledged to drive less and walk and cycle more instead. Other famous names supporting the #do15 campaign include celebrity chef Hugh Fearnley-

Yet another reason to love George Ezra

Whittingstall, sustainability author Leo Johnson and nature documentary presenter, Simon King OBE. “Bristol is an incredibly exciting city,” said Hugh Fearnley-Whittingstall, “and one of the most forwardthinking and ecologically aware in the UK. “Its dynamic drive towards greater sustainability has helped win it the status of European Green Capital – and, as a ‘green ambassador’, I’m honoured to be playing a small part in this very exciting year for the city.” Thanks, HFW! For more information and to pledge your support, visit www.do15.bristol2015.co.uk, follow @Bristol_2015 on Twitter or join the conversation on Facebook at www.facebook.com/ Bristol2015

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

BUSINESS INSIDER

BRISTOL’S INDIES

START ME UP A thought-provoking new video made by #actlocal has a clear and simple message: shop local, Bristol . . .

alling all shoppers: if each of us spend £100 a year on local businesses instead of in the chains, it’ll put an extra three million a year into the economy. It’ll also help all those little indies and start-ups – you know, the ones that make Bristol such a fascinating place to live in, the ones we boast about at length to our non-Bristol friends – to survive. To get the point over, Bristol-based creative agency Konichiwa has put together a video featuring 15 small local businesses, from designers to bike repairers to street-food vendors to little specialist shops, allowing them to tell us what they’re all about and why they need our support. Each of them talks straight to the camera, which also gets up-close and personal to show us exactly what they do for a living – fashioning handbags from recycled bike tubes, lovingly brewing the best coffee in the city, and so on. It really makes you root for them – take a look at the video. We asked Ursula Hutchison of Konichiwa to tell us a bit more about the #actlocal campaign, and why they made the video. What’s the general idea behind #actlocal? It’s a campaign that asks people to support local and independent businesses. We began this campaign in Bristol in the form of a documentary, to showcase a city that’s leading by example. The aim was to share the campaign online to reach thousands of people – not just in Bristol, but all over the country. We want to change people’s perceptions about where they shop and which businesses they support. I think people already know the importance of supporting local, but the idea of this campaign was that if we can uncover the passion and dedication behind these businesses, and outline what difference we can make by supporting them, we can create awareness and encourage people to #actlocal. How did the Bristol business get on board? We launched a callout online and in print around the city. We then offered up to 15 local businesses a chance to be part of our #actlocal documentary, seeking some of Bristol’s best-loved and lesser known independents. These businesses were then asked why they felt going local is so important. It’s a been a good year for start-ups, with 8130 new businesses in Bristol alone – why is this? People who have found themselves out of work from the recession have set up their own companies and tested out new business ideas. This is a great city to start up a new business – I find the 76 I BRISTOL LIFE I www.mediaclash.co.uk

Designer Katcha Bilek makes handbags from recyled bike tubes Opposite page, clockwise from top left: BEATS; East Bristol Bakery; Mr Teas’ Teas; The Kitchen

people of Bristol really supportive of people trying to do something for themselves and shopping locally. I have been involved in various other projects over the years in Bristol, from street-food to community events, and I don’t think I would have had as much confidence in setting up my business without this journey and belief in the people in Bristol. What has been the reaction to the documentary? The documentary went live on 4 July, on Independents Day, with some screenings at Co-LAB. It was then launched online. So far it has been very well received. People have said it has made them think about the way they spend their money, and has given them an insight into businesses around the city they wouldn’t have otherwise known about. How important is it that we use the Bristol Pound? You’ve probably heard the statement: “If each of us spent £100 a year on local businesses, instead of chainstores, it would put an extra three million a year into the economy and would create thousands more jobs every year.” It’s quite simple – by using the Bristol Pound, or supporting local businesses, the money will stay within the local economy, which helps improve your community and area around you. One of the businesses owners Alex Poulter from East Bristol Bakery says in the documentary, “By supporting your local baker, butcher, greengrocer or going into your local pub, you’re part of the local community and everyone is much better off because of it.” Is Bristol leading the way in the use of local currency? As Stephen Clarke, the director and chief officer of The Bristol Pound says in the documentary, they are now offering leadership to other cities not just in the UK but all over Europe – so in that respect, yes, I would say so. We picked Bristol as our first city as we felt it was leading by example. Watch the #actlocal documentary online at www.vimeo.com/132604260, and uncover the hidden dedication, drive and passion behind the likes of East Bristol Bakery, Bristol Wood Recycling Project, Co-LAB, The Kitchen and many others

BUSINESS INSIDER

WE PICKED BRISTOL AS OUR FIRST CITY AS WE FELT IT WAS LEADING BY EXAMPLE

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

4 Whiteladies Road Clifton, BS8 1PD Tel: 01179 292281

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Call free for a no obligation consultation

0800 097 8611 www.johnhodge.co.uk | email: mailbox@johnhodge.co.uk

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BUSINESS INSIDER

quality, and seek to represent as many artists from the South West as possible. We have our stable of regular artists, with whom we have a personal relationship which has built up over the last two years. We also have ever-changing displays, events and exhibitions throughout the year of their work. It’s not just paintings, is it? No, Tinca has a diverse, eclectic and contemporary selection of fine art, prints, ceramics, glass, wood, stone, bronze and bronze ceramique, as well as jewellery and interiors. We pride ourselves on having something for all tastes and pockets; we also sell a range of our artist cards, which are very popular. ART

TINCA Bristol is overflowing with galleries offering pretty much every style of art and sculpture, etc – so why should you trek down to Portishead? Let Marian Eyre tell you why ….

arian Eyre, sister Catherine and brotherin-law Gary opened Tinca on Portishead High Street two years ago. “The inspiration to open a Fine Art Gallery and Framing Workshop was borne from our passion for art, and from many years attending art trails and galleries throughout North Somerset, the South West and anywhere we happened to be visiting,” says Catherine, who explains that ‘Tinca’ is the Latin name for tench – “one of the directors of the company is a big fisherman, and this is his favourite fish.” Fair enough . . . What were you and the team doing before you opened Tinca? We all have diverse backgrounds which help us in running the gallery, from failed art student to careers in sports administration, events management and interior design, healthcare, human resources, as an electrician and builder, as a director – but the gallery is a passion and belief for all of us. Who makes up your customer base? Many of our customers are loyal locals, who have supported us right from the beginning and have been spreading the word to friends and family. Many come to find that special purchase or gift. We also get visitors from all over the South West who have been looking for a piece of art for many months and have looked online, liked what they saw and have travelled to see, first-hand, the many wonderful artists we have the pleasure of representing. We don’t sell through the website, we feel it is a window for those looking to see what Tinca has to offer. We also run an Own Art Scheme which enables customers to purchase their artwork over a period of time, agreed with each individual, interest-free. How do you choose the artists you represent? We have no specific criteria; we just set a high bar for

Top: Love by Harry Bunce; bottles by Boop Designs Right: gallery favourite Huw Richards Evans

Prices range from £1 to £5000 – can you pick out some lovely things from the bottom, middle and top price ranges? Something lovely from the bottom range would be Laura Pearcy’s Boop Ceramics; her work is inspired by memories of her childhood, and her bottles and jewellery are simple but exquisite (£18-£27). Middle range would include art by Huw Richards Evans, whose work gets braver and bolder each season. His beautiful seascapes and coastal scenes are mostly inspired by the local coastline, hills and countryside (artwork £165 for small original pieces going up to £1,600). Top range would have to be James Tatum or Lynn Golden. James is inspired by his surroundings, from his home near Dartmoor to wherever his travels take him. His artwork is expressionistic and always plein air (original artwork from £595 to £2,000). Lynn’s artwork, with its bold colours with gold and silver leaf is available from £395 to £2,000. And finally, who would you put in the ‘ones to watch’ category? Harry Bunce has a unique take on fairytale and folklore characters; he’s great to work with, and has a brilliant attitude and sense of humour. Another artist we have just started representing is Max Oliver – we were so impressed with his seas, skies, and coastlines that we asked him to give us a body of work for the gallery. Someone showing so much talent at such a young age – we cannot wait to see how he develops over the years to come. www.tincagallery.co.uk

WE DON’T SELL THROUGH THE WEBSITE – IT’S JUST A WINDOW ON WHAT TINCA HAS TO OFFER www.mediaclash.co.uk I BRISTOL LIFE I 79

St John’s CHAMBERS

For your chance to

win

#RaisetheBaa

To donate to The Grand Appeal, The Bristol Children’s Hopsital Charity, please visit www.grandappeal.org.uk/donate

Would you like to work in Media Sales? We are always looking to hear from talented individuals who would like to work for MediaClash, presenting advertising opportunities and marketing solutions across our portfolio of fantastic local titles. We are a growing business and anticipate there being various opportunities over the next few months. If you would like to join our continuing

St. John’s Chambers is proud to sponsor Shaun in the City – supporting The Grand Appeal, the Bristol Children¹s Hospital Charity. Help us #RaisetheBaa by taking a ‘selfie’ with Justice Lamb in Queen Square Bristol for the chance to win a Tablet device! Don’t miss entering the Chambers’ selfie competition running until 12 noon on 28th August. It’s easy to enter – just tweet us your selfie with our Shaun using the #RaisetheBaa to @stjohnschambers

success story please email your CV in conﬁdence to steve.hawkins@mediaclash.co.uk or give us a call anytime on 01225 475800 for a chat about the company, our magazines and available positions.

Each week the selfie with the most ‘retweets’ / ‘favourites’ will be entered into our main prize draw. The overall winner will be announced at 5pm on Friday 28th August. © and TM Aardman Animations Limited 2015. All rights reserved. “Shaun in the City” is a fundraising initiative by Wallace and Gromit¹s Children¹s Foundation, raising money for children in hospital across the UK. Charity no. 1043603.

For more information about our competition or services visit: www.stjohns chambers.co.uk T: 0117 923 4710. E: rose.kemery@stjohnschambers.co.uk

a @stjohnschambers

Please send CV and covering letter to: steve.hawkins@mediaclash.co.uk 01225 475800

o.uk

lash.c

ediac

.m www

A refreshing approach Raising the bar in responsive web design We engaged MediaClash with a challenging brief to develop three individual sites whilst maintaining a consistent brand identity. The sites MediaClash delivered are vibrant and innovative with great functionality and have already driven an increase in direct bookings. Karen Kevelighan, artbarbath.co.uk

MediaClash are specialists in Strategy & planning, SEO, Analytics, Web design & build, E-commerce, Copywriting and Email marketing.

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Get the website you deserve. Contact Steve on 01225 475 800 or steve.hawkins@mediaclash.co.uk to discover how we can help you. mediaclash.co.uk

@themediaclash

15/04/2014 09:07

Adventures in party-going

SOCIETY

SNAPPED! AC ROS S B R IS TO L , O N E S H I N D I G AT A T I M E

METCALFES The city-centre legal eagles managed to negotiate excellent terms with the weather for their annual summer party Photos www.joncraig.co.uk

Andy Flanagan, David Boniface and Clare Ryley

JJ’s Jazz band

David Parsons, Tony Forster, David Corbett and Marion Corbett Tony Barlow and Nicky Gibney

SARAH KENNY

Jonathan Morgan and Bob Durie

Happy birthday Sarah Kenny – 25 years old this year, and looking amazing!

Peter Allen, Mrs Hoyle, David Hoyle, Sarah Kenny, Sebastian Hoyle, Martin Hoyle

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

PROPERTY

SHOWCASE

Wills

84 112I I BRISTOL CLIFTONLIFE LIFEI Iwww.mediaclash.co.uk www.mediaclash.co.uk

SHOWCASE

PROPERTY

Just over the Suspension Bridge lies one of the most beguiling homes in the whole of Bristol (and just wait until you see the gardens). All it needs is a careful new owner to steer it into the modern age . . . By L I SA WA R R E N

power

www.mediaclash.co.ukI ICLIFTON BRISTOLLIFE LIFE I I 113 85 www.mediaclash.co.uk

PROPERTY

SHOWCASE

o reach Bracken House, you really need to travel in two directions; one, over the Suspension Bridge from Clifton to Leigh Woods; and two, back in time. Both the house and its historic gardens offer the most magnificent throwback to a Victorian era of samovars in the drawing room and croquet on the lawn. It’s no surprise to learn that, like many other grand 19th-century Bristol homes, it was built for a scion of the Wills family (Walter Melville, to be precise, grandson of tobacco magnate Henry Overton). And typical of its era – it was built in 1866 – it offers a textbook example of Gothicky fairytale romance. At the front of the house, fanciful human forms and mythological creatures romp among foliage in intricate Romanesque gable ends; rearing above them is a tower topped with a leaded cupola and almost absurdly tall Victorian chimneys. As for the deep, half-timbered portico beneath, we’ve probably stayed in smaller holiday cottages. Its empty, dolls-house-like rooms offer the most enticing kind of blank canvas; just add a programme of

The empty rooms offer a blank canvas for the new owner (but what a canvas!) while the gardens could rival any of Bristol’s parks

HOUSE NUMBERS

1866

when Bracken House was built

1.1

acres of INCREDIBLE gardens

£1.752M guide price

bedrooms and 7 bathrooms

35FT

the former ballroom; you’ll probably want to turn it into a kitchen 86 I BRISTOL LIFE I www.mediaclash.co.uk

modernisation, and you’ll end up with one of the finest houses in this city. We’ve rarely seen a more impressive display of period features – there are ornate fireplaces, leaded light windows with stone transoms and mullions, intricate ceiling coffering and mouldings and endless architraves throughout. The undoubted clincher, though, is the remarkable reception hallway, with a stairwell that sweeps – no other word will do – up to the first-floor landing. From the hallway you can turn into the drawing room with its deep bay, the family room with its two deep bays, or a dining room – but it’s our bet that once the house has had its makeover, every member of the family will gravitate to the vast former ballroom, which has been earmarked as a kitchen/living/dining/spend-most-of-every-day-in-here room. On the other side of the house, there’s a utility room that’s bigger than the kitchen in many suburban homes. As for the final huge room on this floor, far be it for us to dictate the configuration of your dream home, but it’s worth mentioning that planning permission is in place for a garage, with a roof terrace above. The top two floors are also very much up to interpretation, but we’re currently looking at seven bedrooms and as many bathrooms. Once you’ve stopped gazing in slack-jawed amazement at the sea of plasterwork – those pillars! That ceiling! Etc etc – you can brace yourself for a tour of the grounds. One-point-one acres in all, these once served Bristol University as their Botanic Gardens, a role they played up until 2005; today they form the most enviable and idyllic retreat, with a huge array of mature trees and plants; there are level lawns, a Pulhamite rockery – just like the one found in the gardens of Buckingham Palace – an ornamental pond and a garden walk. Hydes of Bristol, 1 The Mall, Clifton, Bristol; 0117 973 1516; www.hydes.co.uk

PROPERTY

NEWS

WE EXPECT THAT WOULD-BE SELLERS WHO HAD ADOPTED A ‘WAIT AND SEE’ APPROACH PRE-ELECTION WILL NOW BRING THEIR PROPERTY TO THE MARKET

RICHARD BROOKS Keepi ng you up to date w it h issues t hat a f fect t he loca l proper t y ma rket

TAKING STOCK (AND SEEKING STOCK) The Bristol property market has emerged from the GE15 ‘wobble’ relatively unscathed, with competition for the best homes as hot as ever

s we stop to draw breath over the summer ‘break’, it’s time to take stock of the market and make some predictions for the remainder of the year. At the outset there was a fair amount of uncertainty. After a very positive 2014, the prospect of a pending general election was sufficient to cast an element of doubt – a wobble if you like. Would vendors come to the market early, or would they bide their time to see what a new government would bring? All things considered, the Bristol market has fared well. Locally, we did see a temporary slow-down in activity in the weeks around the election, but not to the degree that the capital experienced. And we have seen strength and consistency return. We anticipate deferred demand from the pre-election period flowing back into the prime market over the remainder of 2015 and 2016, particularly given that the spectre of a mansion tax has now been removed. The sentiment among buyers is positive and as we move into the summer months, we expect this to continue. The ongoing challenge remains that demand exceeds supply; there is just not enough

All this, plus woodland and panoramic views at Southdown in Coombe Dingle (£1.15m)

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

Classic architecture meets contemporary ideals at Mortimer Villa (£1.25m)

property on the market in Bristol to satisfy the appetite of motivated buyers. Improvements in the London market are likely to be sufficient to trigger a renewed ripple effect into markets beyond the capital such as Bristol, as those relocating from London find it easier to sell their existing home and take advantage of the price differentials with the rest of the country. And locally, we expect that would-be sellers who had adopted a ‘wait and see’ approach pre-election will now bring their property to the market. In the meantime, competition for the very best of the current houses will be hot, with many would-be buyers left disappointed. In terms of prices, despite some rumours circulating locally, we are not witnessing a post-election hike. Restored market confidence needs to be considered in light of where we were in the cycle prior to the period of pre-election uncertainty. The market is still adjusting to higher rates of stamp duty, and the mortgage market review makes borrowing more of a slog, so while the removal of the mansion tax threat is helpful, significant short-term price growth will be limited. Looking longer term, Savills Research five-year prime market forecasts are for steady growth totalling +22.7 per cent in prime London and +23.9 per cent across the prime regions. For more information or to arrange a market appraisal of your property please call Savills in Clifton on 0117 933 5800

A D V E R T I S I N G F E AT U R E P R O P E R T Y

A ROOFTOP RETREAT House-hunters wanting to live the high life in the World Heritage city of Bath should visit CREST NICHOLSON’S Bath Riverside where a number of new penthouse apartments are currently for sale.

ouse-hunters looking for the exclusivity of a top-floor pad within walking distance of the city centre and Bath Spa railway station will love the latest release of properties at Crest Nicholson’s award winning Bath Riverside. Located in Leopold House, they present the perfect retreat for those wanting a living space that has plenty of room and is light and airy. Finished to the highest specification, the balconies and terraces offer the ideal spot for al fresco meals while looking over the rooftops of the World Heritage city. The peace and security of these topfloor retreats is unique in the South West. Flooded with natural light through generouslyproportioned windows, the bespoke fully-fitted Alno kitchens are also finished to the highest specification while the property is softly warmed through underfloor heating. The city centre is a pleasant 10-minute stroll away via the pedestrian towpath, so residents can enjoy all that the historic city has to offer without using a car, while those working in Bristol can hop on a train and be in Temple Meads within 15 minutes. Susan Young, sales and marketing director at Crest Nicholson said:

“The penthouses from earlier phases at the development were quickly snapped up by those looking for something a little special. They are unlike anything presently available in the region and offer a real wow factor.”

“Penthouse living is all about the lifestyle, and with up to 1597 sq ft available there is plenty of space to settle into a new way of living.” On top of the countless benefits a new property can bring, Bath Riverside also possesses a number of special features that have made it the South West’s leading property development. Its location, the variety of styles and oversized nature of the properties on offer all add to its premier status, while the private courtyards, herb sensory gardens, landscaped seating areas and contemporary design have seen the development already win a handful of national awards for design. Susan added: “Epitomising why Bath is celebrated across the world for its luxurious living, these properties enhance the city’s reputation for having some of the most striking and sought-after homes in the UK. “They also provide the development with its own distinctive style and elegance and a more modern twist on the city’s Georgian past.” BL

For further information please visit www. crestnicholson.com/ bathriverside/ or call 01225 463517.

www.mediaclash.co.uk I BRISTOL LIFE I 95

Residential Sales & Lettings

The Oak House, The Avenue, Clevedon GUIDE PRICE £1,050,000 One of the towns finest examples of period Edwardian elegance The Oak House occupies an equally impressive location on the tree lined Avenue in Clevedon’s Walton St Mary district.

Beaufort Mews, Clifton Village GUIDE PRICE £665,000 A rare opportunity to purchase a Freehold detached modern mews house, with two off-street parking spaces, flexible accommodation with two/three bedrooms and a delightful courtyard setting, all in the heart of Clifton village

Ben Scott

Jacquie Chewins

Stan Pitman

Joseph Wells

Contact us today for a free valuation: 01179 064050 or clifton@mayfairproperties.net 114 - 116 Princess Victoria Street, Clifton, Bristol BS8 4DB

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BRISTOL LIVES

Q&A

rowing up in a hotbed of creativity – she’s the daughter of an English artist and a Hungarian quilt-maker – it’s perhaps not too astonishing that Emylia Hall has ended up with a career in the arts. She lives in Bristol with her husband, comic-book writer and children’s author Robin Etherington, but was initially inspired to write while living in the Alps. She’s just about to publish her third novel, and we’re trying hard not to hold all of the above against her, because she seems really nice . . . What brought you to Bristol? We moved here in 2007, by way of London and the French Alps. I’m a Devon girl, so have always been drawn to the West Country, and my husband’s brother lives here. So to us the city felt fresh, yet familiar, a mellow place, but still big enough to be exciting. I wrote my first novel, The Book of Summers, here, so will always associate Bristol with a new and exciting chapter in my life. Is it an inspiring city to live in, creatively? My son was born last year, and almost every morning since that spring we’ve gone for a long walk across the city. The Harbourside is a favourite – we’ll do a loop, starting at M Shed and coming back down past The Pump House. I love the light on the water in the early morning, and the stiff breeze gives a coastal feel. In fair weather we might head up Park Street to Clifton then on to Ashton Court, a scenic circuit that drops us back to Southville by way of North Street. I make good use of the thinking time while I’m walking – what began as a means of getting my son to sleep has now become part of my working process. What’s your people-watching station of choice? Everywhere! I’m very curious, so I’m always people-watching. Whereas before I spent a large proportion of the day hidden away at my desk, I’m now out and about a lot with my son. Watching the world go by over coffee and cake is a frequent pleasure, and our walks are perfect for observing the ebb and flow of city life.

EMYLIA HALL Ever fantasised about becoming a successful novelist, complete with hideaway hut at the end of the garden? Try to control your pangs of envy, because Emylia’s living that dream – and she attributes part of her success to Bristol What else inspires you? I think the best poetry captures truth like nothing else. I’m in awe of the craft that’s required to create something that conveys emotion and meaning and beauty with such brevity. I keep my poetry books in the kitchen so I can dip into them when I’m waiting for the kettle to boil.

Do you have a writing routine? The afternoons are my time to write. I have a hut at the bottom of the garden and it’s a perfect hideaway, cosy and colourful, and full of books and pictures. I make a pot of coffee, plug into my headphones (I almost always write to music), and work until dinner.

When did you first realise that you wanted to be a writer? I always wanted to write a novel some day, but I didn’t decide to take a real shot at it until I spent two winters living in the mountains. Flying on a snowboard, amid the splendour of nature, the freedom was emotional as well as physical; anything and everything felt possible.

Are you pretty self-disciplined? There’s nothing like having limited writing time to make me focus – now when I hit my stride it takes quite a lot to distract me. It also helps that the wi-fi doesn’t stretch as far as my hut.

Your third novel is out this month (as we expect you know) – what can we expect? The Sea Between Us is set in Cornwall’s far west, and it’s full of the things I love – landscape, surf, art, music, and love. As well as being a story of girl meets boy, it’s about family, our connection to place, and discovering yourself creatively. 98 I BRISTOL LIFE I www.mediaclash.co.uk

The Sea Between Us by Emilya Hall is published by Headline at £7.99 on 27 August

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