Bristol weekly Magazine 12th - 19th January 2023

Turn those frowns upside down if you’ve missed out on Belly Laughs tickets as Comedy on the Cobbles is returning to King Street and Welsh Back on Monday 16th January for a one-off night of January-blues-banishing comedy, food and drink.

With many of Bristol’s Belly Laughs events now sold out, this fresh batch of tickets for the second year of the Comedy on the Cobbles event are sure to be snapped up in no time. Working in partnership with Bristol City Centre BID, the event will see some of the city and wider UK’s finest comedians entertain and delight audiences across 11 of the city centre’s eateries, bars and pubs for a one-of-a-kind jam-packed night of comedy.

The evening will see comedians dashing between King Street and Welsh Back venues, including Kongs of King Street, The Llandoger Trow, Bristol Old Vic, Small Bar, Aqua and many others, with audiences being treated to a surprise range of comedians throughout the evening.

It’s not just all giggles, the Belly Laughs events support local, independent businesses and provide much-needed funding for local charities through TAP For Bristol in partnership with Caring in Bristol and Redcliffe and Temple BID.

With the first £5 of every Comedy on the Cobbles tickets going straight to TAP For Bristol, the additional 755 tickets available for the King Street and Welsh Back events will raise £3,775 for the charity.

TAP For Bristol, which has contactless donation points set up across the city, works with local charity Caring in Bristol, providing funding for their homelessness prevention project, as well as providing emergency support grants to other charities within Bristol that support those in need.

Tickets for Comedy on the Cobbles range from £5 to £30 depending on the venue and whether or not food and/or drinks are included in the ticket price. Some tickets include extra goodies such as pizza and prosecco, burgers and beer, or a drink and a slice, with the additional money going straight back to the Bristol venue.

Vicky Lee, Head of Bristol City Centre BID, said: “We can’t wait for Comedy on the Cobbles to return to the centre of Bristol for the second year. King Street and Welsh Back have such a great buzz about them, and the evening’s entertainment from Belly Laughs’ top tier comedians is sure to bring lots of laughter. What could be better than an evening of good food and great comedy that helps support a local charity in some of Bristol’s best independent venues? We’ll see you there!”

BEDMINSTER GETS A PIZZA THE ACTION AS BELLY LAUGHS COMES TO BS3

Belly Laughs has teamed up with Bedminster BID to bring two evenings of pure comedy gold at Pizzarova, Zara’s Chocolates and with more locations to be announced soon

Bringing side splitting performances to BS3 on January 30 - 31, Belly Laughs will travel to Bedminster’s independent hospitality-hotspots as leading comedians perform short, intimate sets across each venue. Dashing from venue to venue, last year saw the likes of Nish Kumar and Mark Watson leave audiences howling, but until they burst through the door with their first joke, the line-up of comedians is kept top secret.

Combating the January Blues, supporting hospitality and providing some much needed laughter, the event is all in the name of charity and Belly Laughs has partnered with Caring in Bristol and will be donating the proceeds to them and the Julian Trust Night Shelter. Tickets are on sale now and selling out fast on Yuup, starting at £5 with some venues offering up all sorts of goodies to accompany a night of giggles at an extra cost.

Teaming up with Bedminster BID, Belly Laughs will be taking over big and small venues across the bustling BS3 highstreets at the end of January, including artisan bakery The Bristol Loaf. Offering the highest quality, organic ingredients, the Loaf offers natural wines, artisan coffee and has a cosy interior to settle in and prepare to be left in stitches.

Getting a slice of the action are sourdough connoisseurs, Pizzarova, who have recently opened up their latest restaurant on North Street and joining in the fun for the first time, Little Yellow Cafe will offer a sharing platter and wine to tuck into.

Providing the ultimate cosy vibes is Zara’s Chocolate which will be serving up the most sumptuous hot chocolate with marshmallow and salted caramel on the side. A delicious alternative for anyone partaking in Dry January and the perfect treat to warm up this winter.

Other Bedminster venues taking part include COR Restaurant, The Steam Crane, Alpha Bottle Shop & Tap Room, Tobacco Factory, Kask Kitchen, Friendly Records, Kask, North St Standard and Bosh Kitchen at The Elephant House.

Simon Dicking, Chair of Bedminster BID said: “We’re beyond thrilled to be bringing Belly Laughs back to Bedminster for two nights of hilarious comedy. January can be a tough time for everyone, so being able to support the amazing charities and our incredible independent venues at the same time is just brilliant. We’ve always been massive fans of Belly Laughs, and where else would you be able to see this many comedians all in the same night?”

Bringing the best of Bristol and beyond’s comedy scene to the city, Belly Laugh organisers are sure to provide cracking evenings of comedy which will have audiences crying with hysterical laughter. Tickets are limited and selling out fast so keep an eye out for additional tickets and locations to go live on the Yuup website.

To keep up to date with all Bedminster BID news, events and updates, follow them on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter or visit the website.

WHATS ON

JANUARY 13

Friday the 13th Warmley Clock Tower Ghost Hunt Description: Friday the 13th Ghost Hunt at Warmley Clock Tower in Bristol with Haunting Nights This dark and imposing building known as The Clock Tower started life over three hundred years ago as a pin factory which employed hundreds of people including many children .

Venue: Warmley Clock Tower 144 Tower Rd N, Warmley, Bristol BS30 8XU

Marvin Muoneké Live at The Royal Hotel

Description: Join us for a fantastic evening of live music and entertainment. There is no need to book in advance, but we recommend you get here early to grab a good seat.

Venue: The Royal Hotel 1 South Parade BS23 1JP Weston-super-Mare,

McDowell & Westaway

Description: McDowell & Westaway’s uplifting mix of Electronic / Rock n Roll is made for the dance floor. Featuring Pete Westaway on synth and beats with guitar and vocals from Mark McDowell, it’s a sound that incorporates 60’s US garage, shoegaze, rave and electro.

Venue: The Elmer’s Arms 53 Old Market St, Bristol BS2 0ER

JANUARY 14

Shanghai Shuffle Description: Join us for a night of the best of the 20s

Venue: The Shakespeare Henry St, Totterdown, Bristol BS3 4UD

Bristol Bachata Latin Party Description: Special New Year 2023 Bristol Bachata party with first time ever in Bristol guest teachersIman & Camy from London Latin Soul Academy!

Venue: Windmill Hill Community Vivian St, Bristol BS3 4LW

Barry Steele and Friends Description: Barry Steele is widely recognised as one of the world’s leading vocalists playing homage to legend Roy Orbison. He has stunned audiences across the globe with his uncanny similarity and ability to authentically revive the exquisite toe-tapping sound of this musical legend. Now in its fifteenth year, Barry Steele and Friends are proud to present their new show for 2023 as they not only celebrate the 35th anniversary of the creation of the Traveling Wilburys but honours the 35 years since The Big O passed away.

Venue: Playhouse Weston 126-130 High St, Weston-super-Mare BS23 1HP

JANUARY 15

Hartcliffe Funday

Description: “the discovery lab” (11.30Am-12.30Pm) Science/art workshop (1.30Pm-3pm) free craft kits (2.45-3Pm) Please remember these are FAMILY ART events. Parents & carers must remain present at all times. Workshop activities are for families to do together. Lunch can be purchased at this event from Hartcliffe Community Centre.

Venue: Hartcliffe Community Centre Hareclive Rd, Bristol BS13 0JW

SILC Sunday Workshop and Tea Dance

Description: What is SILC? SILC is a smooth, musicality focussed partner dance syllabus that compliments a slower tempo of music such as Blues, Soul, Funk, Contemporary R&B, Acoustic, lyrical, Latin and Folk. SILC is usually danced in 2nd rooms and chill-out zones or at events where the music twists to a slower tempo, such as the local favourite Bristol switch freestyle and of course in the SILC room at national Ceroc weekenders.

Venue: Port Of Bristol Sports And Community Hub Nibley Rd, Shirehampton, Bristol BS11 9XW BS7 8NZ

JANUARY 16

JANUARY 17

Cost of Living Support Drop in

Description: . If you are being affected by the cost of living crisis then drop in and get free advice and support from a range of organisations.

Venue: Shirehampton

Methodist Church 24 High St, Shirehampton, Bristol BS11 0DL

Diverse Bristol D&D

Description: The Diverse Bristol Dungeons & Dragons and Board Games Social. Takes place on the 1st and 3rd Tuesdays of each month from 6pm - 10pm. Bring along a friend if they are interested in learning to play D&D, beginners and experienced players are all welcome!

Venue: The Geek retreat 17 St Augustine’s Parade, Bristol BS1 4UR

JANUARY 18

Jonny Bruce Organ Quartet

Description: We kick off our 2023 series with the brilliant trumpeter Jonny Bruce and his phenomenal Organ Quartet. Joining Jonny in the front-line is the highly rated tenor saxophonist Greg Sterland.

Venue: Bristol Music Club 76 St Paul’s Rd, Clifton, Bristol BS8 1LP

Copy of Nigerian Cookery Class

Description: JChef Atem will teach delicious, authentic Nigerian dishes followed by a sit-down meal. Warm & easy, like being with family!

Venue: Mivart Studios Mivart St, Easton, Bristol BS5 6JF

Property Deal Network Bristol

Description: Its a FREE monthly networking group for property investors in Bristol A Networking Group for Property Investors who want to be active in pro

Venue: Niko’s Lunch Bar, 72 Park Street, Bristol, BS1 5JX

JANUARY 19

The Genius of David Bowie Celebration

Description: Each January we try to hold an event celebrating the life, times and genius of David Bowie, around the anniversary of both his death, his birth and the release of his Swan Song, ‘Blackstar’. This was as close as we could get.

Venue: 2 Court Rd

Kingswood

Bristol BS15 9QB

Grace Mack

Description: Grack mack and the pack are a fourpiece indie folk band new to the Bristol music scene. Their style fuses Grace’s indie singer-songwriter works from her previous solo work, Connor’s math rock based lead guitar parts and will and louis’ background in blues. Grace likes to describe her lyrical content and melody lines as ‘melodies of her thoughts’ they focus on relatable life events and growing up, inspired by Holly Humberstone, Phoebe Bridgers and Florence and the Machine.

Venue: Golden Lion 244 Gloucester Rd Bishopston, Bristol BS7 8NZ

UPCOMING EVENTS

PORTISHEAD CAMERA CLUB

AT REDCLIFFE BAY HALL, PORTISHEAD

Please

Come along to make new friends, discover how to take better pictures and appreciate the company of like-minded people.

The club seeks to help its members enjoy their photography, explore new techniques and invites expert speakers to share their camera skills.

Till is a profoundly emotional and cinematic film about the true story of Mamie Till Mobley’s relentless pursuit of justice for her 14 year old son, Emmett Till, who, in 1955, was brutally lynched while visiting his cousins in Mississippi.

In Mamie’s poignant journey of grief turned to action, we see the universal power of a mother’s ability to change the world.

WHITNEY HOUSTON: I WANNA DANCE WITH SOMEBODY

AVATAR 2 THE WAY OF WATER

FAILED LAUNCH OF THE UK’S FIRST ATTEMPT AT A SATELLITE

A Virgin Orbit Boeing 747 carrying what would have been the first satellites to get into space from anywhere in western Europe took off from Cornwall at 10pm on the 9th January. The rocket carrying the satellites was released at 35,000 feet an hour later – and briefly made it into space. But then came “an anomaly that has prevented us from reaching orbit”, and mission failure. Now UK air accident investigators are trying to work out what went wrong.

Cornwall is not the only site in the UK getting into the space race. The Shetland Islands boast 150,000 sheep, close to 25,000 people, and one half-finished spaceport. When a retired RAF flight lieutenant proposed repurposing a former airbase as a satellite launch site on the island of Unst in 2017, the community council thought it was an April fool’s joke; six years later, it has a completed launch pad and hopes to send rockets into orbit this year.

The space industry is booming and the UK is at the forefront of this new frontier. Scott Hammond, deputy CEO and operations director of SaxaVord Spaceport UK, is excited about the prospects for the future. “Ten years ago, it was a dream. But as we move towards it being a reality, the excitement builds,” he said.

While Shetland and Cornwall, along with a site in Sutherland, are the most advanced, further spaceports are under construction in Argyll, Prestwick, Snowdonia and the Outer Hebrides. The UK Space Agency estimates that the wider industry generated £16.5bn in income in 2019/20 and employs about 47,000 people.

Monday’s failed launch is a setback for the industry, but there is no doubt that space exploration is here to stay. Thanks for everything, space!

WHAT WENT WRONG WITH THE LAUNCH?

Although the cause is still under investigation, Virgin Orbit stated that the issues occurred during the firing of the rocket’s second stage engine. The company was unsuccessful in reaching the 17,000 mph required to gain the appropriate altitude; one possibility is that the rocket’s casing did not detach as intended, resulting in reduced speed.

This outcome is not entirely surprising; documents submitted to the Civil Aviation Authority before launch estimated a 27% chance of failure. Despite this setback, Matt Archer, director of commercial space flight at the UK Space Agency, asserted that numerous positive achievements have been made. He acknowledged that space exploration is difficult, but encouraged his team by saying that failure often provides more useful information than success.

Hammond echoed this sentiment, remarking that it’s easy to feel negative about the situation but that failures are simply part of the business. Computers can simulate conditions to a certain extent, but until an actual launch occurs, one can never be sure what will happen. In this case, learning from what went wrong will be key to future success.

They didn’t get satellites into orbit, but I think they’ve achieved 90% of their tick list.” The markets took a less philosophical view: Virgin Orbit’s shares finished 14% down on the Nasdaq stock exchange.

AMERICAN BUS RENOVATED IN TIME TO GIVE BIRTH ON BOARD

A couple spent over 800 hours and £35,000 converting a yellow American school bus into a luxury home – just in time to give birth to a beautiful baby boy on board.

Sam and Rachel Dix from Bristol arranged for the 37ft by 8ft vehicle to be shipped from New York to Southampton and then to a farm in Somerset.

And baby Bodhi was born in the newly renovated home – with his birth certificate citing ‘American School Bus’ as the place of his arrival.

Rachel, 32, designed the layout, while self-employed carpenter Sam built it. Sam, 33, said: “It may seem a bit crazy to buy an American bus, but we knew it had potential to be an incredible home

TRANSFORMATION

Like thousands of people across the UK who tune into the Motorhome Matt podcast, which provides insights into buying your first motorhome and making money from it, they were inspired to take to the road.

But the couple went a step further when they bought the Hyde Park Central School bus, built in 2005, which is 296 feet squared and held up to 72 children.

Sam, who has become friends with Matt Sims, who heads the podcast and is CEO of hire firm The Motorhome Holiday Company in Hewish, Somerset,, said: “Matt has great ideas for making a passive income from your vehicle and guiding first time buyers on the right vehicle for their needs.”

The podcast covers topics from saving energy and money - to cooking in a campervan.

The bus was transformed over a six-month period, with the seats pulled out and wooden flooring, a kitchen, a bathroom, a bedroom fitted inside.

Sam carried out most of the work by himself but a professional installed electrics – and his parents helped paint inside.

The exterior is still the iconic yellow –with solar panels on top, which helped keep their electric bill down to a mere £20 over six months. And photo footage shows the remarkable conversion.

Sam said: “It looks like an ordinary bus from the outside, but inside it is a comfortable, fully functionable living space.

“We’ve turned heads when we’ve driven around in it and people have been surprised when they’ve come inside.”

BABY READY BIRTHING SUITE

Sam also put a light on top of the bus so the midwives could find them in the dark when Rachel went into labour on the organic farm they were parked up on. The midwives arrived around 8pm and Rachel gave birth in the living room three hours later.

And video footage inside the bus shows the emotional birth of Bodhi, whose name means ‘awakening’ in Sanskrit.

The name is a tribute to Sam and Rachel’s quest to live life to the full after losing Rachel’s dad to cancer when he was 52.

Sam said: “Midwives visited us on board the bus in advance. They said they’d been to a range of home births, including on a barge, but that this was a first for them.

“They were impressed by how comfortable and spacious it is inside. It had been a mad rush to get the bus ready and on the farm in time for the baby’s arrival, but it worked out well and it’s brought us lots of happiness.”

Rachel added: “Birthing Bodhi in the home we poured our hearts and souls into was incredible.

“After working so hard to create a beautiful and loving home, welcoming our son into our arms on the floor of the bus was a moment forever engrained into my soul. It was magical and I hope it inspires other women to explore home birthing.”

Sam put the vehicle in storage with MHC storage in Congresbury, Somerset, while making preparations.

The couple had a raised double bed in the bus and their older boy, Ellis, slept in a cubby underneath, while Bodhi had his moses basket. They enjoyed living close to nature in scenic locations.

Travel plans

The family now has plans to renovate a third vehicle, to go travelling in, and have put the bus up for sale. Sam has changed the layout and refurbished inside the bus.

Sam said: “This has been a project of love and we’ve enjoyed our time on the bus. I think it would suit an individual or couple, possibly with young children, looking to set off on an adventure.

“Or it could work as a business venture, if they have land, to rent it out. It is an interesting and comfy space for anyone wanting to experience a luxury, skoolie stay.”

MAKING AND SAVING MONEY WITH YOUR MOTORHOME

Matt, who has 30 years of business experience, said: “There are many ways to make money from a motorhome – from impressive renovation work like Sam and Rachel carried out, to using a third party to do the hard work for you.

“It depends on your skillset, time and inclination but a motorhome can be a good investment for pretty much anyone if they do their research.”

Matt, who has bought and sold 13 businesses and heads one of the biggest motorhome hire businesses in the UK, also looks at off-grid and environmentally friendly options, such as fitting solar panels.

He said: “We can all take small steps to reduce our emissions and save money, which is good for our planet and good for our pocket.”

Matt has interviewed a range of guests on his show, including writer, presenter and environmentalist Martin Dorey, who promotes sustainable habits, and the president of the AA, Edmund King.

Recent topics range from the future of electric motorhomes to cooking a Michelin star meal in a motorhome.

VEGGIE CHILLI CHEESE SUB

Ingredients

2 sub rolls

1 tbsp olive oil

2 tomatoes, roughly chopped

1 red onion, finely chopped

1 tin of kidney beans, drained

1 tsp all-purpose seasoning (optional)

½ tsp chilli powder (optional)

150g mild cheddar cheese, sliced

1 green chilli, sliced

1 small tin of pineapple, chopped Method

Heat the oil in a saucepan on a medium heat, then add the chopped onion

Fry for 8 minutes before adding the spices and cook for a further 2 minutes until the onions are soft

Add the chopped tomatoes and cook for 5 minutes until reduced, then add in the kidney beans, cook for 2 - 3 more minutes until you have a lovely quick bean chilli. Season to taste

Meanwhile, preheat the grill to high

Take the sub rolls and slice in half lengthways, then lightly toast the cut sides under the grill until golden

Remove from the grill and start to build the sandwiches on the bottom pieces of bread

Divide the bean chilli between the subs, then layer over the cheddar

Top with the sliced chilli and diced pineapple P

lace the bottom piece back under the grill until the cheese is molten and bubbling

Remove, top with the sub lid and serve immediately

MUSHROOM AND BABY POTATO FRITTATA

Ingredients

500g baby potatoes, halved

1 tbsp olive oil

150g baby button mushrooms, large ones halved

120g grated mature Cheddar

6 medium eggs, beaten

Method

Put the potatoes into a pan of cold water.

Bring to the boil and simmer for 12-15 mins, until tender, then drain

Preheat the oven to 180°C, fan 160°C, gas 4

When the potatoes are nearly cooked, heat half the oil in a 20cm ovenproof frying pan (base measurement) and fry the mushrooms over a medium to high heat for 5 mins

Lower the heat and cook for a further 5 mins, then remove the mushrooms from the pan

Add the remaining oil to the pan and put it over a low to medium heat

Add the cooked potatoes and mushrooms to the pan, and season

Add three-quarters of the cheese to the beaten eggs and pour over the vegetables

Sprinkle over the remaining cheese and cook gently for 5 mins

Transfer to the oven and cook for 15 mins, until cooked through and golden Serve in wedges

FRIDAY 13TH

Whenever there's a Friday the 13th, people always get a little bit weirded out. Even if you're not superstitious, you can't help but feel like something strange might happen. It's just one of those things.

The fear of 13 actually dates back centuries. Some people believe it started with the Code of Hammurabi, which supposedly left out the 13th law. But actually, that was just a mistake made by a translator who omitted a line of text.

It’s fascinating to see how the number 12 has been prominent throughout history, compared to the number 13. We have 12 months in a year, 12 zodiac signs, 12 hours in a day and even 12 days of Christmas.

This is likely due to the influence of the New Testament of the Bible and other Judeo-Christian traditions. However, despite all this, the number 13 still manages to hold a place in our superstitions and culture.

For example, the great Austrian-American composer Arnold Schoenberg had such a severe case of triskaidekaphobia (the fear of the number 13), that he omitted numbering the 13th measure in some of his later works, substituting it with the notation “12a.”

He was also reportedly deeply afraid of dying on a year or at an age that was a multiple of 13. When he turned 76, a colleague suggested it would be an unlucky year because 7+6=13. Indeed, Schoenberg did pass away that year, on…wait for it…Friday the 13th of July, 1951.

Even Schoenberg, the number 13’s greatest enemy, was best known for developing a 12-tone system of musical composition.

We don’t really know how Friday the 13th became associated with bad luck and superstition. There are a lot of theories out there, but most of them have been debunked.

It might have something to do with the fact that it was the day of the week that Jesus was crucified, or because prominent figures and writers in the 14th and 15th centuries publicly denounced the day.

Whatever the reason, we tend to associate Friday the 13th with bad luck. So if you’re feeling superstitious today, be extra careful!

The Friday the 13th hysteria began in the 20th century. Some people say it started with Thomas Lawson’s book “Friday, the Thirteenth” which is about a stockbroker who deliberately crashes the stock market on this day.

The New York Times was one of the first media outlets to talk about the superstitions around this date in 1908. Then in the 1980s, the “Friday the 13th” movie franchise made it even more popular.

THE CAR BANNED SCHEME OUTSIDE BRISTOL SCHOOLS IS SET TO BE EXPANDED

The council is looking to expand its School Streets initiative to three new schools in Bristol. The plan would see traffic banned outside St Bernadette Catholic Primary School, Fair Furlong Primary School and Ashley Down Primary School during certain times of the day.

This would make the roads safer for children, cut down on air pollution, and encourage walking and cycling. Cabinet member for transport, Don Alexander, said that the council is "ramping up" the programme. If successful, these three new schools would bring the total number of participating schools in Bristol up to eleven.

This initiative is part of the council's larger goal of promoting active travel and getting people into the habit of walking, cycling, and scooting from a young age.

“We hope people across these three areas support the proposals, which could transform the roads outside the schools, creating a more pleasant environment for everyone,” added Mr Alexander.

Emergency vehicles and blue badge holders are exempt from the restrictions, and residents who live in the area can gain access with a permit.

Amy Sood, headteacher at Ashley Down Primary School, said the project creates “safer pavements for everyone” at the school’s busiest times of day.

Bristol City Council has launched a public consultation over the proposals, which ends on 17 February.

“We continue to encourage active travel to Ashley Down and can see the benefits this has to children and families,” she said.

TENANT SELECTION – PART ART, PART SCIENCE

In our line of work, we regularly meet landlords when things go wrong. This can be for many reasons but, by far the most common, are issues with tenants. Strangely, given this fact, tenant selection often takes a back seat and is either assigned to a junior member of staff or, treated like a process requiring form filling, a cursory glance and a credit check.

Without a doubt referencing is crucial, but we see it as only one part of the tenant selection procedure. We look at tenant selection as part science and part art, where the referencing – (right to rent checks, credit checks, references) make up the science and the interpersonal equation makes up the other part.

Often landlords and letting agents attempt to speed up and short circuit the tenant selection process with the use of online forms and, is it any wonder, in areas of high demand, where you can be dealing with hundreds of enquiries for every vacancy. The problem here is that by using forms, you can run the risk of missing a crucial touch point. If you couple this with a cursory viewing, then this isn’t really tenant selection at all – it’s a “first come, first served buffet” where your property is on the menu and your sanity is given to chance! There is nothing wrong with a form, as a first stage procedure but don’t leave it there. You would be surprised by what kind of a “feel” you can get from an email exchange and/or a telephone call. Couple this with a good quality viewing, where you have had 2/3 “touches” before the viewing, and you are leaving far less to chance!

Pre- viewing, what types of things are we looking for?

· Kindness, consideration and politeness (will someone speak to my team, with the same level of respect that they would give to me or to my tenant manager or a person they perceive to be a decision maker)

· Rudeness (are they rude, arrogant or unnecessarily abrupt)

· Consistency (do they contradict themselves, or are they telling lies)

· If it’s an HMO, will they be a good mix for the house (discuss this with them, it’s for their benefit as much as the rest of the house)

· Do their needs and wants accord with the landlord’s (again this is for their benefit as much as the landlord’s – make sure to discuss any pertinent issues with them)

Following the above, will ensure that, by the time you get to the viewing, you will have a good sense of the applicant. Also, the applicant should have a greater sense of you, and this will enable a more honest and relaxed atmosphere during the viewing. Allow 20-30 minutes for the appointment and relax and remind yourself of the purpose of the meeting.

The purpose is not to get as many people through the door as possible, showing them the features of the property and stopping only to consider whether they appear “vaguely human” but to make a genuine assessment of whether you believe they would make a good tenant. In order to do this, consider the following – and this is where the art comes in.

AT THE VIEWING:

· Do they accord with the sense you have of them from your other “touchpoints” – is there consistency and truth so far?

· Are they courteous? If you invite them to treat the property with respect (for example, when you take your shoes off at the door) do they accept and follow suit?

· Are they polite?

· Do you like them?

· Do you get a sense that they would make a good tenant? This might sound similar to the point above and, I guess that it is but, the subtle difference here is – will there be mutual respect and when things go wrong (as they often do) do you feel that they will stand “side by side” with you and be understanding and cooperative or not?

The above might seem like difficult questions to answer in a 20-30 timeslot and without the aid of a crystal ball – but here are five points to take into consideration which might help:

1. This is number one for a good reason, because over the years we have learned to rely on this one a lot. Follow you gut instinct! Listen to your gut, especially when you meet a person for the first time, as it will give you a visceral reaction before you have a chance to think. Your gut will relay whether you are at ease with a person or not and it is your “internal truth meter.”

2. Don’t shy away from the small talk. Maybe you feel uneasy about small talk in a formal situation but relax, it can give you the opportunity to familiarise yourself with the applicant. Small talk helps you observe how a person behaves in normal situations. You can then use this as a benchmark to accurately spot any behaviour that is out of the ordinary. If you get a baseline for how the prospective tenant normally acts, you will get a better feel for them as an individual and be better able to spot any inconsistences. So, get them away from the “script” and “off topic” and find out what they are really like.

3. Think about their word choices. What are they really telling you? Often people will give away what they are trying to conceal by their choice of language. A classic one here is the two-word construction of “yeah-no” this can give away ambivalence, or the phrase “I try not to” indicating that they know the correct answer to a question is no but that really their answer is yes!

4. Body language – another big one for us. Does this accord to what they are saying? A classic here is a smile which doesn’t reach the eyes or a “yes” coupled with the shake of the head. Do you feel that there is a consistency with what the individual says with their words and what they say with their body language?

5. And we’ve saved this one until last because it’s a big one – lies, and how can you tell? Here are a few signs to look for:

(i) Does their voice change?

(ii) Does their body language change?

(iii) Do their eye movements change (averting, looking down, won’t look at you – when this has previously not been an issue)

(iv) Do they stop using the word “I” (often people who are uncomfortable telling lies, will stop referring to themselves in the first person)

(v) Is the content of what they are saying too elaborate or detailed? Sometimes when people lie, they rehearse a whole story beforehand. If this is the case, listen for something that sounds rehearsed.

(vi) Do they fidget and look uncomfortable or nervous when they haven’t previously?

Again, getting them off topic, as above, will help you establish a baseline and make better assessments about whether you feel you are hearing the truth.

Take the time and the effort to get the tenant selection right, it will make a whole world of difference. A good landlord and tenant relationship, where both parties respect each other and appreciate the part that each other plays and its importance in the lettings process is a wonderful thing – when you get this right, most other aspects will fall into place, so give it the consideration and importance it deserves!

PORTISHEAD RAILWAY GROUP AGM

In 2017 the estimated cost was £116 million. Revised since then to £152m plus. Brought down to £152m including factoring in inflation).

The DfT (Dept Transport) have now taken on the delivery risk and will be awarding contracts.

There were 989 documents needed for the DCO, submitted 3 years ago – the first 6 months were taken up by Public Examination, then should be 3 months to submit to Planning Inspectorate. Didn’t know why there was such a long delay. Two departments within DfT not talking to each other??

Currently there is a 6 week pause for any judiciary challenge, finishing Dec. 28th.

Formal notices for compulsory purchase and public notices can now be drawn up. Not a lot of permanent compulsory purchase, but land will be temporarily required for construction/storage yards.

Example of work to be done - gardens in Pill that back on to the cutting (which has to be widened) will need massive underpinning as the slope will be steeper.

Environmental mitigation in Avon Gorge has been going on for some years including growing saplings from the rare whitebeams, at least one of which has very low fertility. JW said they’d been out collecting seeds a few weeks earlier.

During 2023 the full business case is documented, should get approval by May 2024 and contracts awarded July 2024. There’s a 2yr build, opening 2026.

Original idea was for 2 trains/hour, but these would run at 55mph through the gorge and require very expensive civil engineering, also the level crossing at Ashton Gate would need very expensive traffic works. At 1 train/hour (18/day) @30 mph (as freight) less civil engineering and the Ashton Gate crossing problems can be mitigated.

The full business case requires current market prices, even so the project does deliver value for money, journey time 23 minutes.

DfT say 3 car platform length but GWR want 5 car lengths – still to be resolved. A member of the audience spoke about problems for people disembarking at Nailsea/Backwell, having to push buggies etc through carriages to get off.

The rolling stock will come from Thames Valley (which is getting new).

Notes of report from James Willcock, MetroWest Phase One Project manager “The DCO (Development Control Order) decision and the way ahead.”

URGENT APPEAL TO FIND 50 MORE FOSTER CARERS IN BRISTOL

Marvin Rees, the Mayor of Bristol, has launched an urgent appeal today (Tuesday 10 January) calling on residents to become foster carers, after revealing that a rapid decline in the number of people joining the fostering community has led to a shortage of carers in Bristol.

At the same time, the demand for foster carers is continuing to rise. In Bristol, there are more than 750 children and young people in care but only 353 households foster with Bristol City Council. This means the local authority needs to place around 40 per cent of children with private fostering agencies or in children’s homes, which can lead to sibling groups being separated and children living outside the city, away from everything they know: their communities, schools and friends.

Marvin Rees, Mayor of Bristol, said: “We’re calling on our residents to help make a difference to the children in care who need a home in Bristol.

“The community spirit in our city is unbelievable and I am confident enough people will come forward to offer a caring, loving home. This is what happened during the pandemic when an extra 24 households were approved as short-term foster carers following our emergency appeal. We need people to step up again as we’re at crisis point. Our current foster carers are doing an incredible job but, put simply, there aren’t enough of them.

“Sadly, we are not the only local authority facing a critical shortage of foster carers. It’s a national trend, which could be exacerbated by the cost of living crisis. That’s why we’re offering a welcome grant of £500 to every new foster carer along with their weekly allowance and other benefits.

“Unlike fostering agencies, that are run for a profit, all our funding is spent on supporting local children through difficult times, to place them in homes where they can thrive.

“If you have space in your home and in your life for a child who desperately needs you, please contact us to find out more about becoming one of our amazing foster carers.”

The council is keen to recruit all types of foster carers - from short to long term as well as those who can offer weekends and short breaks.

Foster carers come from every sector of society, income level, ethnicity, gender, sexual orientation, age and religion.

Councillor Asher Craig, Deputy Mayor of Bristol with responsibility for Children’s Services, said: “The children in our care deserve a safe and secure home where they can be loved and supported as they grow up.

“You don’t need any specific qualifications to become a foster carer, but it helps if you already have experience with children or caring for people - whether that’s with your own family, childminding, or having worked in a caring profession.

“All our foster carers get one-to-one support from a dedicated social worker, as well as training and skills opportunities, and a range of other benefits.

“What’s more, when you foster with us, you become part of a wider fostering family through Bristol Foster Carers Association, which links you up to other local foster carers and looked after children.

“Our foster carers tell us that, despite the challenges, fostering is the most rewarding thing they’ve done. If you’ve been thinking about opening up your home to a child who needs stability, love and support, now is the time to act.”

Alex Kear, a bus driver with First Bus, has been fostering with his husband for 11 years. In that time, they have fostered five children.

Alex said: “The best bit about fostering is seeing children having fun, being relaxed and able to enjoy life which was difficult when living at home. It’s a joy to be able to see them progressing at school and achieving good results and making new friends in the fostering community.

“The advice I would give to people considering fostering is to do it. It can be very rewarding to see the children you look after turning difficult corners in their lives that you have supported them through.”

Children across Bristol need families now. It’s a lot to consider, which is why the council recommends contacting the fostering service first for an information pack and an informal chat.

Just 15 spaces are available at this one-off special event. Families and carers are therefore encouraged to secure their space by booking online at https://bit.ly/TomPercival20Jan23.

North Somerset has been chosen as one of five locations within a series of national events being organised by the Book Trust in the run up to World Book Day on Thursday 2 March 2023.

The event will be filmed by the World Book Day team and those attending will be required to give permission to take part in this national promotion.

Details of all the events taking place across North Somerset libraries are available on the council's website at www.n-somerset.gov.uk/libraryevents

Children aged three to four (and their adults!) are invited to an audience with Tom Percival, the author of many bestselling children’s picture books.

The free session will take place at The Campus Library in Weston-super-Mare on Friday 20 January between 1.45pm and 2.45pm.

Tom, who lives in Gloucestershire, will read from his new book the latest in a long line of bestsellers including Ruby's Worry, Perfectly Norman, and Ravi's Roar. You can find out more about Tom at http://tom-percival.com.

Activities will include songs, rhymes, stories with other activities with plenty for children to make and do.

A happyplace to live

We pride ourselves on having happy homes, where residents and their families can enjoy spending quality time with each other and develop new friendships along the way.

Our homes in Bristol are located close to local shops and amenities, and benefit from strong connections with community groups. We offer a busy and varied activities programme that includes something for everyone and ensures residents get the most out of every day.

We care for individuals with a variety of care needs including Residential, Nursing and Dementia Care.

HOME IMPROVEMENT TIPS

How to strip wallpaper

Wall papering can be a pain, especially if you don’t have a steam stripper. So what’s the best and easiest way to remove wall paper?

First put a dust sheet down on any flooring you want to keep clean and reuse.

Tip: It’s not advisable to paper over existing wall paper. The new, wet paste may soften the older layer making the previous covering expand or pull away from the wall. So strip it off before redecorating.

The washing up liquid acts as a wetting agent and the wall paper paste helps to keep water on the wall while the paper soaks. If the wall paper is painted or washable then you will have to score the paper in a criss cross motion first to allow the wetting agent to soak in.

Allow at least five minutes soaking time, then use a wide stripping knife to lift the paper from the wall. Slide the scraper under a seam and push it away from you. Be careful not to dig it into the plaster.

If the paper won’t shift, sponge on more soapy water and allow a longer soak.

If there are several layers of paper on a wall or if the paper has been painted over, it is much easier to get off with a steam wall paper stripper. Hire one from your local tool hire service. The stripper gives out steam from a metal plate softening the paper so that it can be removed. But be careful when using a steam stripper on plasterboard , it can soften the surface so use the stripping knife as little as possible.

Sponge the old paper with warm water to which has been added a squirt of washing-up liquid.

Poets Walk

Situated in Clevedon, Somerset, this 9-hectare coastal site includes Church Hill and Wain’s Hill. It comprises limestone grassland, scrub and secondary woodland, supporting a rich diversity of wildlife and offering delightful walks with stunning views over the Bristol Channel. Poets’ Walk was designated as a Local Nature Reserve in 1993.

The site is managed by North Somerset Council assisted by volunteers from the Friends of Poets’ Walk. The plateau grassland is tractor mown in late summer while the steeper, more wildflower-rich slopes are mechanically trimmed or scythed.

The formal paths of Poets’ Walk (celebrating the poets Coleridge and Tennyson among others) were constructed in 1929, and the circular path around Church Hill dates from 1923. Running across the southern face of Church Hill is the origi nal path to St Andrew’s Parish Church.

Wain’s Hill is the site of an Iron Age hill fort and is a Scheduled Monument.

Park in the Salthouse Fields carpark or by the road at the West End.

1 The Lookout (recently rebuilt) – originally built ca 1835 for the sugar merchant Conrad Finzel and now popularly known as the Sugar Lookout.

1 The Lookout (recently rebuilt) –originally built ca 1835 for the sugar merchant Conrad Finzel and now popularly known as the Sugar Lookout. bollard 1930s marked the zigzag path and grazing wandering pathway.

2 This iron bollard from the 1930s originally marked the top of the zigzag path (then fenced) and prevented grazing cattle from wandering onto the pathway.

onto the pathway.

prevented grazing cattle from wandering onto the pathway.

from

3 The Tennyson posts (‘darkened heart’ sculpture) – erected 1994 with lines from the poem In

(‘darkened – erected from A.H.H. after Tennyson’s

– scrub has recently been cleared by volunteers who now maintain the grassland by annual scything.

4 The ramparts of the Iron Age hill fort – scrub has recently been cleared by volunteers who now maintain the grassland by annual scything.

5.World War II shelter – now gated, popularly

Download Poets Walk map here

NEW PARTNER IN CORPORATE AND COMMERCIAL TEAM IN BRISTOL

National law firm has appointed Sarah Coe as partner in its specialist corporate and commercial team.

Sarah, who joins the firm’s Bristol and London offices, specialises in commercial, intellectual property (IP), and technology law. She offers transactional support to its corporate team nationally in those areas.

Her work covers the full range of contractual and e-commerce issues relevant to businesses seeking to enter new markets, exploit innovation in their existing product lines or develop new technology.

“We are delighted to have Sarah on board,” said Simon Thomas, managing director of Clarke Willmott’s commercial division.

“Sarah has a strong City-based private practice background as well as extensive experience delivering specialist legal and strategic advice to general counsels and management in-house.

“Her appointment at the end of last year brings additional expertise and experience to our growing commercial team and there are more appointments in the pipeline. We have already been introducing Sarah to our clients with a very positive response.”

Qualified in England and Wales and New Zealand, Sarah joins Clarke Willmott from Norton Rose Fulbright’s London office where she worked on commercial, IP and tech-based agreements and provided transactional support on large deals for their corporate teams.

She brings experience specialising in advising software, FinTech and platform developers on the full range of applicable licensing and contractual business documentation required for a business set-up. She also has specific experience in advising entrepreneurial start-ups and enjoys working on educational and tech-based initiatives.

Clarke Willmott LLP is a national law firm with offices in Birmingham, Bristol, Cardiff, London, Manchester, Southampton, and Taunton.

MAKE YOUR MONEY GO FURTHER IN 2023

The start of a new year is the perfect time to take a fresh look at your finances and make your money stretch further, writes Samuel Gee of Manning Gee Investments.

The cost-of-living crisis is making it harder than ever to make ends meet for many of us. Rising household bills and a looming recession are set to put people’s finances under even greater strain during 2023.

But by having a clear understanding of your financial situation and a bit of planning ahead, you may be able to weather the economic storm.

Here are our top tips for boosting your financial wellbeing in 2023:

Get financially organised. Check your income and outgoings; are there any savings to be made? Do you really need to subscribe to so many streaming and delivery services? Cutting back on Netflix or Prime deliveries are simple ways to save money.

The more you’re aware of your financial situation, the better off you’re likely to be. Simply burying your head in the sand will only lead to more problems whereas having an awareness of your financial position makes it possible to find solutions.

Have an emergency fund. If you haven’t got one, make this your biggest immediate goal if you can. Aim to save your first £1,000 or whatever amount you can put aside. Something is better than nothing. This will provide you with greater finan -

Pay down your debts. Pay off the smallest debts first if you can, not necessarily the highest interest ones. The satisfaction of a paid-off credit card can be an amazing and liberating feeling.

Don’t forget to keep an eye on offers to move balances to zero percent deals, potentially saving hundreds of pounds in interest. If you’re struggling with debt, there are some great charities like StepChange who can really help make a difference and support you in dealing with your lenders and creditors in a positive and proactive way.

Protect the people you love. Low-cost life cover can be life changing for families who need it. But don’t be tempted to cut essential payments like this just to save a few pounds a month.

And don’t forget to make your will otherwise the people you love may not end up with what you want them to.

Family outgoings. Once you’ve achieved these steps, start to save three to six months’ worth of outgoings to help you and your family, and keep topping it up. This additional saving to your initial emergency fund will be a great base to helping protect your financial position

Invest for your retirement. Saving 15 per cent off your income should be the ideal starting point, depending on your age. But again, saving something is better than nothing if at all possible. The more you save, the better your retirement can be.

Check your mortgage. Are you on the best deal? Could you save by remortgaging with your lender or elsewhere? Ensuring what’s likely to be your largest debt is in the best place possible can free up that extra bit of cashflow to help you month-to-month.

Use cash tied up in your home. In the right circumstances, equity release can be positively life-changing but shouldn’t be used for spending on frivolous items like a dream holiday. It’s crucial that you seek professional advice before making important decisions that could affect your home and your children’s inheritance.

By having a better understanding of your financial situation and putting a little aside for a rainy day where possible, you can protect yourself and your loved-ones during uncertain times.

For more information visit: mgi.advicefront.com

SOVEREIGN SHOPPING COMPLEX TRANSFORMED TO HIGH STREET BOOST

The Sovereign Centre in Westonsuper-Mare has undergone a huge revamp to bring more footfall to the high street. The centre has been remodelled to include new workspaces, a bike hub and an independent coffee shop. The Sovereign Centre is now re-named The Sovereign.

Two large retail units at The Sovereign have been converted into 30 mixed size studio spaces, meeting rooms and coworking desks. The new ‘We are Super’ workspaces offers 20 desks for coworking that can be hired for a day or on a monthly rate.

Two meeting rooms, managed by social enterprise Meanwhile Space, will be available for hire. It is hoped that the new spaces will help businesses and individuals adapt to new ways of working flexibly at the heart of Weston.

The bike hub is expanding to offer the latest in cycling equipment, knowledge, and a bike hire scheme for visitors and residents. Local e-bike retailer UFO is moving into a larger space, and Can’t Dance Coffee is expanding to the previous Food Court. This work will cre ate an attractive café space, a new cycle hub, and a modern co working space.

North Somerset Council executive member for placemaking and economy Councillor Mark Canniford said: “I’m delighted that the work at The Sovereign has completed and we’re able to open the new areas to the public and the business community. Enhancing and refurbishing key parts of the interior of this building has created an attractive café space for a popular independent coffee business, a new cycle hub, supporting active lifestyles and a mode rn co working space, bringing together a package that results in a great place to work, visit and enjoy in the town centre.”

The improvements to the shopping complex, owned by North Somerset Council, are being funded by a cash injection of £1.7 million from the West of England Combined Authority and £65,000 from the Department for Transport. The development is included as part of the new Weston Placemaking Strategy to bring a series of improvements and breathe new life into the seaside town.

The former Tory-led authority borrowed £21 million to purchase the centre which it hoped would generate an income of up to £1.1 million a year which would be pumped into local services But the impact of coronavirus on the centre has seen many shops move out and units left vacant and the value of the building plummeted to £4 million.

Plans were announced last year to transform the shopping complex into a multiuse events space with a rooftop bar with street food outlets, a bar and live music. The outside of The Sovereign has also been given a new look as part of the overhaul.

Meanwhile Space director Emily Berwyn said: “Meanwhile Space is delighted to be supporting the setup and operation of the new vibrant uses in the Sovereign Centre. These fantastic spaces have been repurposed to attract different kinds of activity that wasn’t previously available in the shopping centre.

in partnership with North Somerset Council