Folio198

­­folio­­ bristol & bath

free take one! the west’s best lifest yle m ag

New look

july 2011 l No. 198

Our salon spy

checks into Green Street House

eating

out west

18-page food & drink section!

Win

Are we nearly there yet?

Top family breaks to make that car journey so worth it

➻ Beauty F198_COVER.indd 3

A tea dress!

Give your bedroom the wow factor

BRISTOL & bATH'S

MAGAZINE

fashion health interiors property food 29/06/2011 17:15:27

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/July 2011 Summer loving Tick, tock, tick, tock… Hear that? Oh yes, it’s the steady countdown to the summer holidays! But how to keep the kids away from a full-fat TV diet and onto a more edifying set of experiences? Once you’ve checked out our top must-dos in July (page 16), enjoyed a trip to the American Museum (page 14) and fitted in a gentle nature trail to Dolebury Warren (page 20), how about whisking the entourage away on a familyfriendly break? From a slice of life down on the farm to living the high life in superstar hotels, there’s a holiday idea to suit your style and budget. Turn to page 4 to get the break-away buzz…

And once you’re back? Well, we’ve plenty to keep you off the streets and get you into your garden or favourite local green space to enjoy a little laidback summer dining – but don’t even think about packing that rug without taking a look at our outdoor eating feature on page 64! And all you urban junkies out there won’t be disappointed either – all your shopping dreams can come true. See inside for a little inspiration…

Until next month,

Rachel Nott Folio editor

PS To celebrate Folio’s 200th issue, we want to know what you love about living in Bristol or Bath. From picnics on the Downs to concerts in the Abbey we want to hear from you! Why not drop me an email – r.nott@venue.co.uk

Win this pretty tea dress from silk & sawdust! page 22

Features 4 Steve Wright picks out the best family-

friendly breaks worth a fortnight of ‘Are we

there yet?’

14 Eugene Byrne says hello to our cousins

across the pond at the American Museum 16 Mike White’s must-dos for this month 20 Our second walk in the series from Avon

Wildlife Trust

Competitions 22 Win dinner for four at Las Iguanas, and a

vintage-style Silk & Sawdust dress

Lifestyle 26

30

32

35 39 40

43

Anna Britten trawls the local boutiques for classic summer style Mike Gartside visits our shop of the month, Nicholas Wylde Amanda Robinson gets some much needed me-time at Green Street House The latest health news Adult learning in the spotlight We test-drive the new Mondeo and Alfa Romeo’s supermini Hannah Bellis uncovers Italy’s answer to graffiti-loving Bristol, Calabria’s Diamante

Homefront 48 Plum Kitchens show us their grand design 52 Lesley Taylor updates your bedroom 54 Trish Gibson gets on her gardening gloves

to tell us how to make the most of your

outdoor space 56 Mike Gartside surveys the different living

options in the heritage city

Eating Out West

4 family-friendly breaks just a car ride away

26 Hit your local boutiques for easy-to-wear classics

52 How to turn your bedroom into a sumptuous sanctuary

64 How to pack the best picnic and fire up a

bonza barbie 68 Gourmet ready meals as you’ve never

tasted them before 71 Review: Cote Brasserie, Bath 72 Review: Prosecco, Bristol 74 Review: Aio, Bath, plus Table Talk 75 Review: Star & Dove, Bristol, plus Top 10

coffee and cakeries 76 Dark chocolate, orange and Guinness cake

recipe from Farrells Irish Italian restaurant

Cover image: Feather Down Farms, www.featherdown.co.uk See our FamilyFriendly Breaks feature on page 4.

Subscribe to Folio and get Venue with it! Just send a cheque for £37.50 (payable to Folio) to our Bristol address or phone with credit/debit card details and you’ll get the next 12 issues sent to your home, or 6 issues for £19.50 – the only way to guarantee you’ll get every copy of the West’s fastest-growing lifestyle magazine. Ffi: 0117 934 3741 Folio Bristol 4th Floor, Bristol News & Media, Temple Way, Bristol, BS99 7HD tel 0117 942 8491 fax 0117 934 3566 email r.nott@venue.co.uk Folio Bath Bath News & Media, Floor 2, Westpoint, James West St, Bath BA1 1UN tel 01225 429801 fax 01225 447602 Editor Rachel Nott Group Editor Dave Higgitt Production Manager Cath Evans Design Team Sarah Clark, Sarah Malone Sub-editor Jo Renshaw Publications Co-ordinators Emma Gorton, Ruth Stuart-Torrie Commercial Manager Becky Davis Advertising Bex Baddiley, Adam Burrows, Nejla Unal, Ben Wright Distribution Dave Higgitt Ring us now for details of how to reach our 75,000 readers – and if you’re a reader, contact our advertisers now! Do please let them know where you read about their services.

Thank you. Folio articles preceded by the words ‘Folio Profile’ have been supplied by a third party, and the information contained within them does not necessarily constitute a direct recommendation by the publishers. However, we only accept submissions from bona fide companies whom we know from long experience to provide quality goods or services.

68 No time to cook but fancy a night in? Head to Cook in Clifton...

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Feature

A family

affair

From a converted horsebox deep in the woods to a clutch of yurts by the majestic River Wye, Steve Wright checks out some of the UK’s best family-friendly breaks

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Left: Feather Down Farms (both pics) offer the perfect mix of luxury and wilderness.

Above: camp out in the beautiful grounds of Shropshire’s Acton Scott Hall, one of a clutch of Country House Hideouts where you’ll also find (inset) splendid isolation and all-ages fun.

Below left: kids will make plenty of friends, feathered and otherwise, at Feather Down Farms. Below right: the comfy, all-mod-cons interior of Endless Sky’s VW campervan

Feather Down Farms

➻ A slower pace of life is the name of

the game at Feather Down Farms.

With their 28 ultra-comfortable, fully furnished family tents at small farms up and down the country, Feather Down have hit on a brilliant premise: opulent, all-mod-cons camping on a working farm, allowing you and the family to escape the daily grind and feel nature all around. Each Feather Down site features a large, thickcanvas tent that keeps the warmth in without shutting out the sounds of nature. There’s room and equipment inside for six people. As well as a master bedroom and double bed, each tent also features a cosy cupboard bed, for one adult or two kids to squirrel themselves away in.

After a peaceful night’s sleep, fire up the wood-fired stove in the morning

and roll up the front of the tent to let the view in. Then lay the table for a family feast, collect eggs from the Chicken Coop, toddle down to the Farm Larder for bacon and milk… this is self-sufficiency at its easiest and best. There’s a coffee grinder in every tent for a proper start to the day, and a hot shower in a converted stable block or barn nearby. Each Feather Down site is on a small farm where the farmer and their family are passionate about preserving the long-term sustainable future of our countryside, and there are bags of fun farm activities – egg collecting, cider tasting, animal feeding – awaiting. Happy hideaways!

Feather Down Farms Their 2011 season lasts until late Oct. All prices are per tent: all tents sleep up to 6 people (max 5 adults). Weekend breaks from £279, mid-week breaks from £239, full week from £405. Ffi: 01420 80804, www.featherdown.co.uk

Country House Hideout

➻ If you fancy spending some idle

days in a tent fit for a Victorian explorer, set in the exquisite grounds of one of England’s finest country

houses, Country House Hideout should be high up your shortlist.

These luxury tents are decorated in opulent, turn-of-the-century, AngloIndian style but also come complete with explorer microscope, telescope, comfy beds, wood-burning stove, eco shower and your own private bathing tent. And these luxury tents are sited in the grounds of some of England’s finest, most beautiful country houses, including Layer Marney Tower in Essex and Acton Scott in the Shropshire Hills, where the BBC’s Victorian Farm was filmed. Or try Chesters, next to a beautiful walled garden within an estate in the Scottish Borders; or Wyresdale, set in its own 500-acre fell in the Forest of Bowland near the Lake District.

Country House Hideout Three-night weekends from £399 for up to 8 people (max 6 adults), 4-night midweek stay from £299, a week’s stay from £579.

Ffi: 01420 549150, www. countryhousehideout.co.uk

endless sky campervans

➻ Fancy an adventurous weekend

away without the hassle of pitching a tent or the expense of an upmarket hotel? Bristol-based endless sky campervans have the solution: a few nights in their beautifully appointed VW T5 campervan. The van sleeps three adults (or two adults and two children), with comfortable memory foam mattresses that mould to your body. A comprehensive list of facilities, meanwhile, includes a radio, CD player and iPod connector, electric sockets, bedding, a two-plate hob, grill, electric fridge and sink with pumped water, and a picnic table, chairs and rug. You can also raise the roof, meaning no crouching required inside for anyone under 7ft. folio/july 2011 5

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Valley Yurts Just 20 minutes into Wales and you are a million miles away from the city.

No wi fi, no tv, no x box - but a babbling brook to dam, acres of woods to make dens in and a campfire to toast the marshmallows on‌‌..and when everyone is sleepy with star watching, snuggle up in bed by the wood burning stove in a real Mongolian Yurt.

Address Hidden Valley Yurts, Lower Glyn Farm, Llanishen, Chepstow, Monmouthshire, NP16 6QU e: amanda@hiddenvalleyyurts.co.uk w: www.hiddenvalleyyurts.co.uk t: 01600 860723

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Eating out wEst 2011/12 BRistoL & BAtH’s most compReHensive FooD GuiDe Over 500 reSTauranTS, CafeS, barS & PubS liSTeD & revieweD

“Undoubtedly the region’s one true eating out guide” Alex Reilly, director of the Lounges and Goldbrick House

0117 934 3 741

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Plus Takeaways, Delis, Specialist food shops, Caterers, Dining clubs, Out of town restaurants & pubs... and Michael Caines!

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Feature

The van’s also got plenty of space to pack your surfboards (for hire if you need ‘em), bikes and other family holiday essentials. And that’s all there is to it. Simply pitch up somewhere picturesque, from windbuffeted headland to bowery wooded valley, kick back and relax.

And if you should find yourself caught in a rainstorm, fear not – that maddening, rain-lashed half-hour spent pitching the tent is a distant memory. endless sky campervans Ffi: 07990 911579, www.endlessskycampervans.com

WildWise

➻ Based near the pretty town of

Above: kids get to explore their inner Bear Grylls at WildWise Events; and the elegant Hidden Valley Yurts, seen from inside and out. Right: Woolley Grange near Bradford on Avon, part of Von Essen’s ultrarestful Luxury Family Hotels strand

Totnes in south Devon, WildWise run outdoor family events on the great unconquered wilderness that is Dartmoor. Mixing bushcraft, guided walks, natural history and storytelling, WildWise invite intrepid explorers to build shelters, build fires, forage for wild food and generally enjoy the great outdoors in all its glorious variety. The company employ a team of experienced naturalists and outdoor lovers, and there’s a varied programme of events throughout the year – from children’s, teenagers’ and family camps to hosts of themed day events. Upcoming dates for your diary include a Wild Day Out for Families (Sun 31 July), a Family Bushcraft Day (Sat 20 Aug) and special Wild Ones camping weeks for 8-12-year-olds from 29 July-1 Aug and 15-18 Aug.

Hidden Valley Yurts

➻ Love the idea of a family camping

holiday – but daunted by the reality? A holiday at Hidden Valley Yurts, offering all the joy of a back-to-nature, great-outdoors holiday with precisely none of the effort, might just be the answer. Each of Hidden Valley’s six fully furnished yurts is lined with pure sheep’s wool felt and furnished with a wood-burning stove, so you and your family will be keeping toasty whatever the weather.

The Hidden Valley site, in the beautiful, thickly wooded Wye Valley between Chepstow and Monmouth, also features a full-size bath, piping hot showers and a fully equipped kitchen complete with cookers, fridge-freezers and a dishwasher.

All the essentials of daily life, in short, are taken care of (barring TV and internet – and you’ve not come here for those, have you?), leaving your and your clan all the time in the world to enjoy this Arcadian valley.

And what a valley it is… Wander through over 80 acres of wildflower meadows and ancient woodland, meet the friendly herd of black- and whitespotted Jacob sheep and their companions, a herd of gentle alpacas.

There’s a shallow brook to dam and a campfire to toast marshmallows on.

Open-air living, in short: at a pace that everyone will enjoy.

Hidden Valley Yurts Ffi: 01600 860723, www.hiddenvalleyyurts.co.uk

Luxury Family Hotels Part of the Von Essen dynasty of luxury hotels, this group of five top-notch family hotels offers impeccable familyfriendly facilities within the luxury and comfort of some of the UK’s most elegant country houses. You’ll find beautiful buildings in stunning locations, sumptuous interiors, fabulous food, spa treatments and superb service, alongside a host of extras to make your family’s stay as trouble-free as possible.

Every hotel has a complimentary, Ofsted-registered creche, babysitting and

➻

WildWise Ffi: 01803 868269, www. wildwise.co.uk

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listening services, high tea, baby equipment, toys and games galore – and, most importantly, a warm welcome for guests of all ages. You and the nippers will be able to glug down gallons of fresh air as you try out some timeless family activities, from rock pooling and tree climbing via croquet and cookery to storytelling and gardening. The quintet features the beautiful Woolley Grange Hotel, a Jacobean manor in 14 acres of grounds near Bradford on Avon. Or if the sea is calling, book yourselves into the fabulous Moonfleet Manor overlooking Chesil Beach on the Dorset coast, with the famous Abbotsbury Swannery and all the delights of Weymouth just a few miles away.

Luxury Family Hotels Ffi: www. luxuryfamilyhotels.com

Farm and Cottage Holidays

➻ With more and more families

Above, left to right: family fun down on the farm across the West Country, courtesy of Farm and Cottage Holidays; tranquil summer days beside Brokerswood’s five-acre lake; simplicity and comfort at Canopy and Stars’ Swallowtail

choosing to stay close to home for their holidays, the West Country is the perfect destination for a relaxing family break. Vast open spaces, award-winning bucket-andspade beaches, beautiful towns and villages stuffed with all-ages fun: there’s plenty to see and do out West.

Farm and Cottage Holidays manage some 1,500 family-friendly properties across Somerset, Dorset, Devon and Cornwall, and each one offers everything the modern family needs to unwind: safe and enclosed gardens with swings, sandpits, swimming pools and more, dozens of great family attractions within easy reach – and plenty of space. Cottages can sleep from four to eight, although a few larger ones can house 10 and above.

There are cots and highchairs in every property.

Choose from farms and cottages in the rolling Dorset hills or the traditional seaside towns along Devon’s south coast, isolated hideouts on the tops of Exmoor to cosy cottages among the fishing villages and secret coves of south and west Cornwall. Visit the website for a full rundown of the hundreds of beguiling boltholes.

Farm and Cottage Holidays Cottages from £300 for a week’s stay in July, £385 in August. Ffi: 01237 459856, www. holidaycottages.co.uk

Brokerswood Country Park

➻ If the image of you and the nippers

jogging gently through beautiful broadleaved woodland on a vintage steam train sums up your perfect family break, you should head for Brokerswood, a beautiful woodland and country park in lush Wiltshire countryside. As well as awardwinning camping and caravanning facilities, Brokerswood has a five-acre lake, two adventure playgrounds, an undercover play area for under-sixes, a woodland trail walk, narrow gauge railway, picnic and barbecue areas and a cafe serving food throughout the day.

Part of the last remaining corner of the ancient forest of Selwood, Brokerswood Country Park is now an oasis of 80 acres of precious, natural woodland. The Park has won awards for the quality of its campsite, and earlier this year Brokerswood received a David Bellamy Gold Award in recognition of its excellent conservation work – the woods are a wildlife haven, with summer birds and butterflies a speciality.

As well as the myriad activities right outside your tent door, there’s masses to take in around and about, from Stonehenge and the Westbury White Horse to Salisbury, Bath and the Mendips.

And if you live nearby and just want to make a day of it, entry to the Park costs just £3.75 (adults) and £2.75 (ages 3-16). A busy calendar of fun family activities includes a pirate theme day (Sun 10 July – including pirate ship building and races on the Park’s five-acre lake), Legends of the Lake (Sun 28 Aug – an afternoon of sketches, music and singing) and The Hallowe’en Ghost Train (29-31 Oct, with spooky rides for children on the woodland express).

Brokerswood Country Park nr Westbury, Wilts. Ffi: 01373 822238, www. brokerswood.net

Canopy & Stars

➻ This company, run by world-famous

green publishers Sawdays from a set of renovated barns just outside Bristol, groups together some of the most eccentric and unusual places to stay in the UK – from luxury yurts and treehouses to gypsy caravans, safari tents and shepherd’s huts.

Every place in the Canopy & Stars collection is handpicked for its special features, be they a private chef or masseur, cooking courses, horse riding on private beaches or luxury picnic hampers delivered by donkeys. Highlights include the wildlife haven of Swallowtail Hill in East Sussex, where families can bed down in one of two bell tents by a pond and a wood, or in a wooden meadow-keeper’s cottage. There are bushcraft courses, a beautiful beach nearby and animals to feed on the farm. Or, not far away, try the Horsebox, a converted horse transporter deep in the wildlife-rich Wilderness Wood, where hardy outdoor families can find Junior Ranger activity programmes, barbecue weekends and the odd celebrity guest speaker at candlelit outdoor dinners.

Closer to home, families will love the Wood Life, a fully equipped safari tent in woods near Exeter with sleeping space for six, a fully equipped kitchen and absolutely everything you could need to hand. Head out into the woods to catch a glimpse of the resident badger sett. Later, back from your nature ramble, unwind on the veranda before a roaring campfire.

Green escapism at its very best.

Canopy & Stars Ffi: 01275 395447, www. canopyandstars.co.uk

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Feature

W

America

The beautiful

Eugene Byrne tucks into mom’s homemade apple pie to celebrate the 50th anniversary of the only museum of Americana outside London

hat probably surprises most visitors to the American Museum is that it’s not about the America of popular imagination. It takes you away from the exuberant (and occasionally crass) culture of 20th century America and instead transports you to the 18th and 19th centuries, a land of God-fearing settlers in New England, where large slices of the country were still the domain of Native Americans. A world of small towns, picket fences, apple pie and Huck Finn is about as modern as most – but not all! – of it gets.

Visitors come to see the naive art, explore the extensive grounds and gardens and watch the re-enactors who turn up on various summer weekends to re-create the War of Independence or American Civil War, or life in the Wild West. Then there are the craft and furniture displays. On hot days, says curator Laura Beresford, you can actually smell the different types of wood in the many pieces of old American furniture.

“There’s this wonderful array of scents to the woods, much different to the ones you’d get in Britain,” says Laura. “There were never any shortages of wood in America, unlike here. There are no veneers; everything is made from great slabs of wood. I remember the first time I opened a mahogany desk here – I was almost knocked backwards by the smell.”

The museum opened on 1 July 1961, thanks to the efforts of two wealthy, gay art-lovers, John Judkyn and Dallas Pratt.

Judkyn (1913-1963) was from an aristocratic English family. Pratt (19141994) was born into great wealth (Dallas in Texas was named after one of his ancestors), went to Yale, studied medicine at Columbia and became a psychiatrist. An antique collector, he was

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Lady in Red Visit the American ➻ Museum anytime between now and 30 October and your admission ticket also gets you into a rather special exhibition…

left to right: Marilyn Monroe on the set of Gentlemen Prefer Blondes (1953). The red sequinned gown is in the exhibition.

Pic: Sunset Boulevard/ Corbis; The American Museum in Bath; Dallas Pratt and John Judkyn, photographed in about 1940; American War of Independence re-enactors.

They’ll be at the museum over the first weekend of July

also a confirmed anglophile, travelling over by Cunard liner every year.

Pratt and Judkyn acquired and shipped over much of the collection over a few years in the late 1950s, and bought Claverton Manor in 1958. They proceeded to turn many of the rooms into a series of different American domestic interiors. Their museum included panelled rooms from old houses in Massachusetts and Connecticut, artefacts of everyday life in historic New England, New Mexico and New Orleans, Navajo rugs, the brightly painted tinware of the Pennsylvania Germans.

One of the things that strikes every visitor is the sheer range of American culture and decorative art. There’s Shaker and Federal furniture, the 19th century China trade, and the Museum’s famous collection of textiles, including its quilts. In 1961 this was quite revolutionary. Stately homes up and down the country were opening to the public, but this was one of the first to focus on the lives of ordinary people, rather than the rich and powerful.

The museum is marking its 50th birthday with publications, parties and lectures, as well as a gallery trail titled Fab@50. This features 50 objects from the museum’s collection that tell the story of the museum, and of America

Marilyn – Hollywood Icon features photos, posters and personal items and 20 of the gowns and outfits that Marilyn Monroe wore in various movies. “Anyone who says Marilyn was fat doesn’t know what they’re talking about!” says American Museum curator Laura Beresford. “Most of the costumes are fairly robust, so you get the silhouette quite well.

“The costumes were all worn by her - they were made for the studios and have the studio labels inside to show their provenance. You can see the sweat stains, the stretches and pulls.

She didn’t like wearing underwear, so elaborate costumes of this period tend to have built-in leotards, as well as internal straps and stretches of cloth to hoist everything in. You wouldn’t have a clue that any of this was in there... she would have had to have a very meticulous way of getting into them in the first place.”

Since opening in March, the exhibition has proved very popular.

“What’s been a real surprise is how many people still adore her. They’re arriving in packed coaches, and quite often you’ll see people racing up to try to get into the exhibition. It’s as if they want to get there first so that they can spend a little time alone with her.

“But why this particular blonde? It’s a real mystery, her continued appeal. You can’t say it’s just nostalgia; there’s more to it than that. A lot of people seem to think that if only they had been her friend, they would have been able to help her. They seem to have this intensely personal relationship with her, and at her very best she was lovable – she had that childlike, sweet nature and I think people are responding to that. They have strong protective feelings towards her.”

– objects include books, documents, and Renaissance maps, clothes, paintings, prints, sculpture and, of course, quilts. The actual anniversary weekend, which takes in the Fourth of July, features lots of special events and re-enactments (take a look at the website for details).

The museum’s world-leading collection of American folk art also has a dedicated new gallery. It includes charming naive paintings from the period just before the invention of the camera, scrimshaw and lots of sculpture, including three immense Cigar Store Indians.

Judkyn was killed in a car crash in France two years after the museum opened. It was the first of a number of bereavements that affected Pratt profoundly. He donated generously to various philanthropic causes in Britain and in later life became an animal rights campaigner, using his medical knowledge to try to abolish laboratory experiments on animals.

The museum he and his partner set up has attracted over three million visitors… and counting.

American Museum & Gardens Claverton Manor, Bath, BA2. Ffi: 01225 460503, www.americanmuseum. org Open Tue-Sun 12noon-5pm till 30 Oct, plus bank holiday Mons & Mons in August, and Mon 4 July (free admission). Normal admission: £9 adult/£8 senior & student/£5 ages 5-16/£24 family. See website for information on special 50th anniversary events 1-4 July

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what’s new

Bristol Zoo's 175th birthday celebrations – come along and feel the buzz...

what to do in...

July

Singalongs, sewing, vintage shopping and boat races. Mike White comes up with some seasonal inspiration

2

Fete accompli

Here’s a village fete for the whole city, as Bristol Zoo celebrates its 175th birthday. Alongside all the usual animal fascination, adventurous family play areas and awardwinning 12-acre gardens, the party promises music, dance, theatre, artists and craftspeople reflecting Bristol’s wonderful diversity.

Bristol Zoo’s Big Village Fete Sat 16 July, 9am-5.30pm, Bristol Zoo Gardens, Clifton. Entry £14 adult/£8.50 child (family tickets also available). Ffi: 0117 974 7399, www.bristolzoo.org.uk

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Make do and mend

Turning something old and worn into something new and beautiful is extremely satisfying, as is making something unique from scratch. Enter vintage boutique Cox and Baloney’s ongoing series of friendly workshops… On Mon 4 July, a four-week ‘Upcycling and Reworking’ course begins, or for absolute beginners there’s a half-day basic sewing machine skills workshop (also on Mon 4 July, and repeated on Sat 9 July). On Thur 7 July you can begin to learn how to use a dressmaking pattern, honing your skills in three more weekly sessions until your DIY fashion dreams become a reality.

Cox and Baloney 182-184 Cheltenham Rd, Bristol.

Ffi: 0117 944 3100, www.coxandbaloney.com (Upcycling 6.30-9.30pm, £120 for four weeks; Basic Sewing Machine Skills 10am-1pm, £30 per day; Using a Dressmaking Pattern, 6.30-9pm, £120 for four weeks)

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Flea smitten

If you love the quest for rare, unusual or vintage treasures, then add this brand new flea market at Bath Racecourse into your diary. With over 250 stalls laden with all sorts of pre-loved, antique, shabby-chic and hard-to-find oddities, it’s perfect for finding that unexpected gem.

Bath Flea Market Sun 24 July, 9am, Bath Racecourse, Lansdown. Entrance £3/junior £1.50. Ffi: 01225 424609, www. bathfleamarket.co.uk

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what’s new Make a date with Captain Jack Sparrow (well, his costume at least...)

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Costume drama

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Bath’s very own V&A

In these straitened times, resourcefulness and thrift are the buzzwords of the shopping set. Timely indeed, then, is the arrival of this new monthly vintage and antiques fair, spreading itself luxuriantly across Bath’s Green Park Station on the last Sunday of each month. “Higher quality than a car boot sale, cheaper than an antiques showroom and no bric-a-brac,” promise the organisers. Forage for jewellery, ‘brantiques’ (upcycled furniture), decorative accessories, vintage fashion, kitchenalia, curiosities and much else besides, as well as Mrs Stokes’ pop-up tearoom, a barbecue and a handy delivery service for those things you can’t carry home.

Bath Vintage & Antiques Fair Sun 31 July, 11am-5pm, Green Park Station, Bath. Ffi: 07723 611249, www.vintageandantiques.co.uk

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The Fashion Museum’s new exhibition is a fascinating showcase of the last five decades of British costume design, showing stunning silver-screen couture – and outrageous costume design – from Oscar-nominated (and Oscarwinning) Hollywood hits including The Duchess, Elizabeth, Shakespeare in Love and Pirates of the Caribbean.

Dressing the Stars: British Costume Design at the Academy Awards 12 July-29 Aug, Fashion Museum, Bennett St, Bath. Entry: free.

Ffi: 01225 477789, www. museumofcostume.co.uk

Hello darling!

Bespoke corsets, handmade jewellery, classic chinaware and even erotic greetings cards are among the treats to be discovered at this proudly independent shopping cornucopia, which happens three times a year. The aim is to champion the best of the region’s designers and independent sellers, from fashion to homewares and everything in between.

It’s Darling Vintage & Artisan Fair Sat 16 July, 9.30am-5.30pm, Brunswick Room, Guildhall, High St, Bath. Ffi: www.itsdarlingfair.co.uk

PIC CREDIT: Colin S Pearson

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Water chorus

A massed choir in full song is always a rousing sound, so imagine the treat for your ears as this year’s Big Sing gets under way, with 1,000 or so voices lifted in harmony to raise money for WaterAid. More than 21 community choirs will congregate on Bristol’s Harbourside to belt out seven watery-themed songs, from African ballads to singalong pop numbers, raising awareness of (and much-needed funds for) water and sanitation projects that WaterAid organises across the developing world.

The Big Sing Sat 9 July, 2.30pm, Lloyds Amphitheatre, Harbourside, Bristol. Ffi: www.singforwaterwest.org

8

Eau yes!

In addition to the already packed bill for this year’s Bristol Harbour Festival (see feature in the Venue section of the magazine, p18), comes Water Week (Mon 25-Fri 29 July), with a dizzying dockside array of walkabout entertainment, music on boats, boat races, sea shanties, workshops, wildlife and boat trips galore. With a jolly tip of the hat to yesteryear, the organisers are also staging a rowing tug of war, as featured in the first ever Harbour Festival, way back in 1971.

Water Week 25-29 July, various venues including Harbourside, Bristol. Ffi: www.bristolharbourfestival.co.uk

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profile

lifestyle

Private dining at

ellenborough park

Ellenborough park Southam road cheltenham gl52 3nh Tel: 01242 807 572 Web: www.ellenboroughpark.com

A unique private dining experience in Cheltenham

F

or that extra special Private Dining experience, Ellenborough Park, Cheltenham’s newest country house hotel, offers the ultimate in luxurious and intimate dining. Head chef, David Kelman’s hand crafted menus showcase the finest local produce, delivering a true taste of Cotswolds cuisine.

Ellenborough Park has a variety of Private Dining areas to suit all occasions. The 16th century house has five rooms which offer Private Dining for twelve to thirty people, all with interior detail such as original wood panelled walls and stone fireplaces.

Specially tailored menus are created after consultation with the chef, who uses a mixture of home grown and local ingredients, from farmers, butchers and artisan cheese makers to deliver exceptional seasonal food, reflecting the very best the region has to offer.

Just 10 minutes from Cheltenham and set in 90 acres of parkland adjacent to the world famous racecourse, the estate has 62 bedrooms including four suites, with interiors by internationally acclaimed designer Nina Campbell.

Sample Seasonal Menu Salad of New Season English Asparagus, Truffle Bon Bon, Wild Mushrooms with a Toasted Sesame Seed and Cucumber Dressing Line Caught Mackerel with a Smoked Haddock Cream and Orange Salad Roast Fillet of Hereford Cross Beef, Chateau Potatoes, Water Cress Puree Broad Beans and Baby Vegetables Iced Strawberry Parfait, Poached Cucumber Pimms Jelly and a Lemonade Foam

To discuss Private Dining or to make a reservation to dine at Ellenborough Park call 01242 545454 or email dining@ ellenboroughpark.com

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feature

Walkers enjoying the view from Dolebury Warren

lifestyle

Dolebury

Warren High on the ramps of an Iron Age hillfort, looking out over the Mendips and across the estuary towards Wales, this place brings history alive…

H

arebell, early purple orchid and small scabious flower in the limestone grassland that covers the summit and slopes of Dolebury Warren – the perfect place for a picnic on a summer afternoon, with its dramatic slopes and stunning views. The unusual mixture of wildflowers makes this a nationally important site for wildlife, where lime-loving plants like rockrose flourish alongside such acid-loving plants as bell heather, which survive on patches of acidic sand blown onto the site during the ice age. The small pearl bordered fritillary butterfly is found among the dog violets and bracken on the heathland, while small blue butterflies feed on harebell and kidney vetch on the grassland.

Did you know…?

Look out for the common dog violet...

Begin at the car park at the end of Doleberrow (1). Go over the stile and climb the flight of steps through the woodland to the top of the hill. Ahead you'll see a large bank, the remains of the ramparts of an Iron Age hill fort. Walk all the way along the top of the bank, turning left to the highest point of the hill. From this viewpoint (2), continue east, away from the fort, along a broad path towards the distant strand of pine. Pass through a gate and head straight on, keeping the pines on your right. At the end of the plantation follow the path that forks to the right. At the top of the slope (3) the views open up again and you can see over to Blackdown, the highest point of the Mendip

...and the small pearl bordered fritillary

hills. Turning left, continue until you reach a gate (4). Go through, following the fence line to enter a second gate to your left (5).

Continue on, and follow the track to a third gate (6). Turn left through the gate and begin to walk through the first of three fields. In the corner of the last field (7) you’ll see a kissing gate that marks the beginning of the woodland pasture path. Follow this through the wood until you come to an old field gate (8). Turn left and head up to the top of the hill, returning to the hilltop viewpoint.

Return from here to the car park.

(Please keep dogs on leads. No suitable access for wheelchairs or pushchairs.)

Avon Wildlife Trust Our walk comes courtesy of this leading local charity working for people and wildlife. Ffi: 0117 917 7270, www.avonwildlifetrust.org.uk

credit Richard foulsham

The Walk

An Iron Age hill fort was built here around 500BC, and the ramparts can still clearly be seen. At the highest point you can understand why our ancestors chose this site for their fort, with views across North Somerset to the Severn Estuary.

Look out for the remains of the Warrener’s Hut. This dates back to 1830, but the name of the reserve comes from its use in the middle ages and for many subsequent years as a rabbit warren, where rabbits were bred for food and fur.

Listen for the distinctive call of buzzards and ravens. They’re often seen swooping down the valley and around the pine plantation to the south. You may also hear cuckoos in springtime.

How to find the reserve Nearest postcode to reserve BS25 1QL (0.706 km from grid reference) Grid ref ST 446 588 Bike View a location map of the reserve on the National Cycle Network website: www.sustrans. org.uk Public transport For more info, visit: www.traveline.org.uk Car Take A38 southwards from Churchill village and after the redbrick terrace houses turn left into Dolebury Bottom. Follow the road that runs parallel with the A38.

Please drive slowly along the lane, and park in the small car park at the end of the lane. Follow the footpath to the summit.

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Competitions

Win Vintage-style summer dress from Silk & Sawdust Finding vintage clothes that fit, work for everyday use and are in good condition isn’t always plain sailing. London label Silk & Sawdust, however, recreate classic designs from the 1920s through to the 1980s for the women of today. Each limited-edition boutique dress is based on a vintage pattern or original vintage piece, and uses stunning fabrics, as well as vintage buttons, ribbon and the like.

Let the Golden Age of Hollywood into your wardrobe with the help of this gorgeous ‘Nancy’ tea dress in coral chiffon, which was inspired by a fashion illustration in a 1940s Vogue pattern book. It has draped shoulders, a Peter Pan collar, original glass buttons and a self-coloured belt balanced with a bias-cut skirt. We have one Nancy dress, worth £119, to give away. Are you ready for your close-up…?

cute tea dress

Silk & Sawdust Ffi: www.silkandsawdust.com

fabulous compS

Enter today to be in with a chance of winning these great prizes!

To Enter

➻ Silk & sawdust

Just answer the following question: To which decade does the Nancy dress hark back? Email your answer, with ‘Silk & Sawdust’ in the subject line, to: editor@ foliomagazine.co.uk by Friday 22 July. Please include your full contact details (name, address, postcode, email, mobile, landline).

➻ Las Iguanas

Just answer the following question: What’s in a caipirinha? Email your answer, with ‘Las Iguanas’ in the subject line, to: editor@ foliomagazine.co.uk by Friday 22 July. Please include your full contact details (name, address, postcode, email, mobile, landline).

THE WINNERS Didmarton Bluegrass Festival comp: Congratulations to Luke Brennan, who won a pair of tickets to the Didmarton Bluegrass Festival, 1-4 Sept. Correct answer: Chris Stuart and Backcountry.

Bristol Wine School comp: Congratulations to Christine Rowlands, who won a place on Bristol Wine School’s ‘Introduction to Wine’ course. Correct answer: Bordeaux Quay.

Win Dinner for four at Las Iguanas Quirky Latin American restaurant Las Iguanas is serving up sugar and spice and all things nice for summer 2011. Blaze a trail with their new whole or half chickens: honey peri-peri or spicy barbecue jerkstyle. Get your teeth into flame-grilled churrasco, and round things off with a chocolate brownie sundae – all cooked fresh to order. Wash it all down with one of their new tropical punches or legendary cocktails (the signature caipirinhas, made with cachaça, sugar and lime, are brilliant).

Founded in Bristol – and now stretching to 22 eateries nationwide – Las Iguanas’ salsa beats and funky decor promise a fantastic night to remember, whether you’re at their Bristol Harbourside, Clifton or Bath branch.

We have a meal for four at Las Iguanas, including a bottle of house wine, to give away to one lucky winner. Vamos a comer!

Meal for four

Las Iguanas Ffi: 0117 927 6233 (Anchor Square, Harbourside, Bristol), 0117 973 0730 (113 Whiteladies Rd, Clifton, Bristol), 01225 336666 (12 Seven Dials, Sawclose, Bath). Web: www. iguanas.co.uk

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profile

lifestyle

the giant flea and vintage market

bath flea market

J

uly 24th marks the beginning of something great for the city of Bath. A giant flea and vintage market is being launched and will be held monthly at the Bath Racecourse. The market will show case over 250 selected stalls selling everything and anything vintage and antique, including vintage and couture clothing, to French inspired shabby chic furniture.

Founder of the flea market Shaun Baker says ‘It’s an exciting thing for Bath, the market will bring in tourism and visitors to our city, as we all know every great tourist city needs a great flea market. It will also give local traders and craftsmen the opportunity to

trade, visitors will be able to find those unique and unusual items, that will absolutely fit their personality and their home, along with finding items none of their friends or colleagues will have, however will definitely envy.

The event is expected to attract thousands of visitors each month and will cater for the whole family with traditional games and rides for the children to enjoy, even the family dog is welcome to join in with the fun!

We would also recommend making a day of it by bringing a picnic on the grass or savor the onsite catering including Hand cut Sandwiches and cream teas.

Over all, we guarantee this will

bath flea market Bath Racecourse Lansdown Bath, BA1 9BU Tel: 07730 283 632

Web: www.bathfleamarket.co.uk email: Bathfleamarket@live.co.uk

be a memorable and enjoyable shopping experience for you and the family!

Shaun also added ‘I challenge anyone not to find something they absolutely adore at the market! I would also like to offer Folio readers children FREE ADMISSION (24th July only). All you need to do is bring along your copy and that’s another day of the school holidays sorted!

Event dates: 24th July 2011 14th August 2011 11th September 2011 Further dates to be announced Adult entry £3 Junior 15 and under £1.50 Student £2

Even 24th 14th 11th Furth

www Bath

Adul Junio Stud

OLD BANK ANTIQUES CENTRE 14-17 Walcot Buildings, Bath Ideal for

Parties, Weddings Club Nights & Festivals

Situated on the London Road (A4), just a short walk from the top of Walcot Street. Old Bank Antiques Centre is the largest retailer of antiques in Bath, without being stuffy and too grand.

Get in touch throug h our website

www .itsyourbooth.com

or email us: enquiries@itsyour booth.com

This is how antiques shops used to look: a hoarder`s paradise. fifteen dealers spread through lots of showrooms in four shops with everything from 17th century to 1970s retro. Experienced and professional advice is always available. Customer parking is at the rear, accessed via Bedford Street. Deliveries can be arranged anywhere in the UK or the rest of world, at cost price.

Furniture restorer on premises.

Open seven days a week and most bank holidays Visit our website: www.oldbankantiquescentre.com Tel: 01225 469282 & 338813 Email: alexatmontague@aol.com

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July 2 vinta The m vinta shabb Fo mark city n oppo will a their Th the w famil We savor Ov exper Sh at the (24th the sc End

Voted in the Top 50 antique shops in Great Britain 2010 by The Independent on Sunday

Hire Our Photo Booth For Your Eve nt

The g

29/06/2011 15:20:06

➻ life style cute kids' Tees, me-time pampering, & beautiful boutiques handpicked for you GIFTS & HOMEWARE

Because You’re Worth It ➻ Iota bristol has long been a must-visit destination for gifts and unique

home accessories. And now fans of Gloucester Road’s present-buying heaven can shop from the comfort of their own living room via the new website, www. iotabristol.com. Owner Méibh O’Connor Morse is delighted about the new development. “We’ve had so many people asking whether they could buy our stuff online, so we really felt it was time to bring iota into the 21st century.”

The website reflects iota’s long-established philosophy of beautiful things at affordable prices, stocking an ever-changing array of products ranging from must-have jewellery to retro homewares and quirky gifts, including brands such as Wild & Wolf, Pip Studio and Love & Toast. Recent additions include quirky Italian design house and surreal Parisian designer Zoe de las Cases. Miho makes beautifully engineered MDF snap-together wall decorations (stag’s head, anyone?), while Zoe combines strong graphics with a lovely Gallic retro feel.

Méibh thinks that the website offers benefits even for those who live only a short stroll from iota’s home base. “If you’re local but want to send a present to an auntie in Leeds or a girlfriend in New York, you no longer need to worry about buying the item and then having to pack it up and queue in the post office. We can do all that for you.” And loyal iota fans can also share favoured items with others, ensuring that they get presents from this unique shop even from people who aren’t lucky enough to live in Bristol. iota bristol 167 Gloucester Rd, Bristol. Ffi: 0117 924 4911, www.iotabristol.com

eco-chic boutique

Feelgood Summer Living

READER

offer

➻ From the moment you walk into

the relaxed, artful display space at Luma in Bath, you just know you could completely restock your home here.

Luma’s impeccable sourcing has created a selection that’s as virtuous as it’s indulgent. From the hand-carved to the handwoven, from the lovingly restored to materials washed up by nature, you can be sure that your Luma finds are as kind to the planet as they are to the people who produced them.

For alfresco dining, we love their rustic fruit bowls, made from reclaimed teak (from £25), and you can protect your treats with a stylish Fairtrade wire cover (£12.95). Add fresh summer colour to your dining area with a selection of chic cushions that reuse fabrics with designer style (from £25).

“A collection of pretty tealights

Left: teak bowl with apples; above, zigzag cushions

and lanterns is always effective,” says Luma owner Alison Satasi, “and will help your long summer evenings stretch way into the night. We have a great selection, including simple handblown recycled glass, pretty silvered glass and cute eco-paper lanterns.” Giant circular mango-wood pizza boards are another great option – fabulous for serving antipasti, breads and cheeses, as well as pizza. Luma also have an enormous selection of recycled glasses, carafes and jars, so there’s no excuse for not completing your table with eco-style.

Luma’s Bath store, which opened last September, appeals to the heart as well as the conscience. “A few people really hunt down products with an ethos and will certainly find us online,” says Alison, “but the vast majority who come in just love the shop. I wanted it to feel natural, light and open: a neutral, effortless backdrop against which products can be showcased.”

And now for the really good news?

Just mention Folio magazine before 31 July, and get 20% off everything excluding furniture and sale goods.

Luma 11 Milsom Place, Bath. Ffi: 01225 444218, www.lumadirect.com

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lifestyle HEALTH SPA

Me, me, me! ➻ For some special ‘me’ time, you’d be hard pushed to find a more relaxing spa experience than Cedar Falls, a Georgian manor house set in 44 acres of Somerset countryside.

Unwind in the sauna, relax by the pool, refresh with an exercise class or enjoy a round of golf…

The possibilities are endless, and that’s before you consider the treatments on offer! Unusually, Cedar Falls offers both traditional beauty and body treatments alongside complementary therapies. From delicious massages with ‘mmm’inducing oils to healing reiki, you’ll be left feeling truly cared for.

If all that relaxing leaves you with an appetite, scrumptious threecourse lunches and dinners await.

Focusing on fresh local produce, an unstuffy willingness to cater for special diets and a great wine list, Cedar Falls is so much more than just another spa.

Cedar Falls Health Farm & Natural Therapy Centre Bishops Lydeard, Taunton, Somerset. Ffi: 01823 433233, www.cedarfalls.co.uk

love the unique over the mainstream? then check out www.howkapow.com for covetable pieces in the form of jewellery, accessories and more...

READER

offer

jewellery

pearly Queen ➻ As a special collaboration in conjunction with Folio, contemporary jeweller Catherine Amesbury is offering an exclusive 10% discount off her beautiful ‘Bella’ Collection this month. The necklace and bracelet pictured are made with cream freshwater pearls but can be personalised with your choice of pearl colour or a selection of semi-precious stones. Prices start from £55 – just give Catherine a call to take advantage of this offer.

Catherine Amesbury Showroom & workshop: 11 Seymour Rd, Bishopston, Bristol. Ffi: 0117 924 9813, www.catherineamesbury.com

KIDS’ CLOTHES

Word on the Street

➻ “Following the birth of my sons, Henry and Dylan, I was disappointed to find that most of the kids’ clothes on sale were bland and unoriginal, featuring all the same slogans and familiar TV characters,” says Jo Simmons, the brains behind new Bristol-based Milk & Cereal, whose clothing lines for toddlers and children are all made from 100% organic cotton – healthier for your little one’s skin and better for the environment.

“With our first collection for Milk & Cereal,” says Jo, “I wanted to add a unique twist, so I asked four of my favourite street artists – Paris, Inkie, Cheo and Feek – to come up with an exclusive design for our cotton tees. And they agreed! With Bristol being the street-art capital of Europe, and with street art becoming so popular, I knew that these exclusive designs would appeal to both children and adults.”

In addition to a range of brightly coloured, cool Milk & Cereal designs, Jo will be introducing new designs by other popular urban artists on a regular basis to keep the range fresh and current. “Next on the agenda is Hero73!” Check out the website for clothes that are fun, comfortable and don’t cost the earth!

Milk and Cereal Ffi: www.milkandcereal.co.uk

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fashion

lifestyle

1

Whether you’re on the deck of your own yacht, or just cruising down to Beeses Tea Gardens on the ferry, there’ll be no going overboard in these perfectly practical aubergine canvas pumps by Ruby+Ed. Ruby+Ed pumps, £29.90, Sassy & Boo

3

Push it to the maxi!

Cotton, rose-festooned floorsweeper at Redland’s Sweet Pea. We like how the black background gives it a little edge of mystery.

Osia Maxi Dress, £28, Sweet Pea

2

Natural, slightly rumpled linen – does anything scream ‘continental summer’ louder? Accessorise with tanned limbs, everywhere from Aldi to the Algarve. Dress, £39.50, Pale Blue

sun Under the

Anna Britten trawls the local

boutiques for when the clouds part

4

The best shorts we’ve found this summer – gorgeously cut, go-withanything and with a hint of preppy Martha’s Vineyard style.

Sessun check seersucker short, £60 (from £120), Urban Outfitters

S

ummer. Really going to happen? Or, like the Rapture, dreamed up by conspiracy theorists?

Either way, it’s always good to get some crisp cottons in for those days when Mr Sunshine decides to put in an appearance. And even for those days when he doesn’t, quite frankly, because it’s only mithering French exchange students who wear polo necks and puffa jackets in July.

Being a British woman, as we all know, is about wearing that adorable Stella McCartney rip-off sundress if it kills you.

It’s about persevering with bejewelled flip-flops even when your toes have turned blue, and learning how to say ‘Coat? Of course I don’t need a coat!’ with

convincing insouciance. So fold up those bobbly winter treggings and yield those shins to the world! Mothball the hoodies, the cardies and anything made of corduroy! Refuse to let your woolly hat appear on yet another holiday snap!

Friends, we’re all in this together.

Consider your number one summertime accessory a stiff – if slightly shivering – upper lip.

You’ll find no shortage of optimistic frocks, shorts, kaftans and the like at your local indie boutique this summer.

What’s more, because such places are less interested in keeping up with shortlived trends than serving their local clientele, they’re chock full of timeless, easy-to-wear classics to carry you from one summer to the next, and the next, and the next. Like these, in fact.

26 folio/july 2011

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fashion

lifestyle

5

ear Head to a boutique n -to-wear, you for timeless, easy summer classics

gif

6

Clevedon’s Pale Blue score a summery hit with this delicious, Marimekko-ish summer dress.

Dress, £37.50, Pale Blue

Mauve on up in this iris print skirt in organic Fairtrade cotton imported directly from rural India. Your lap has never been so right-on. Skirt, £28, Bishopston Trading Company Company

7

Blend into the greenery in this sage, short-sleeved Fairtrade cotton lawn top with covered buttons, from BTC’s Crete-inspired summer collection. Top, £23, Bishopston Trading Company

Contacts

8

Perfect for the beach, boutique festival or beer garden alike, this asymmetric, geometric, totally fantastic tunic deserves to have mojitos bought for it all summer long.

Kandinsky Tunic, £42, Elsie Riley

Bishopston Trading Company 193 Gloucester Rd, Bristol. Ffi: 0117 924 5598, www.bishopstontrading.co.uk Elsie Riley 59 Broad St, Bristol. Ffi: 0117 934 9139, www.elsieriley.com Pale Blue 16 Hill Rd, Clevedon. Ffi: 01275 874420 Sassy & Boo 9 Green St, Bath. Ffi: 01225 447938, www.sassyandboo.com Sweet Pea 127 Coldharbour Rd, Redland, Bristol. Ffi: 0117 924 5478, www.sweetpeafashion.co.uk Urban Outfitters Concorde St, Cabot Circus, Bristol (0117 929 3221) & SouthGate Shopping Centre, Bath (01225 787480). Ffi: www. urbanoutfitters.co.uk

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you...

WE WANT TO HEAR FROM

Tell us about your big day or wedding plans; let us know all about the gorgeous dress you discovered or about that perfect venue. Ask us any questions you have about planning for your nuptials or share some useful tips of your own.

Email the editor at h.mottram@bepp.co.uk and you could be gracing the pages of our next edition.

28 folio/july 2011

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28/06/2011 14:12:44

7 Quiet Street, Bath BA1 2JU Tel 01225 330563

THE FINEST IN LINGERIE, BEACH AND NIGHTWEAR

Oxfam Boutique.

We sell secondhand (Loved For Longer) clothing and accessories; together with a small range of (Fair Trade) new products, including clothing, accessories and jewellery.

We are always in need of donations of both clothing and accessories.

Eligible donors can complete a simple (Gift Aid) form that will enable Oxfam to claim 28p from the Government, in addition to every £1 we raise when we sell their donated items.

In addition, we also sell a range of (unwrapped) gifts. The money from these gifts is normally targetted at a specific area of our work.

The purchaser receives a card that can be given to a third party as a gift; the card illustrates the specific project towards which the money will be directed.

As part of our ongoing partnership with fashion students from Bath Spa University we aim to continue selling garments created by the students from fabric and existing garments that we cannot sell in the shop. This (Reinvented) range has proven to be very popular with many of our customers, seeking to acquire a uniquely styled item.

We are hoping to develop a (Made with Love) range of ‘hand-made’ jewellery and accessories. Volunteers are currently being recruited for this role, together with other positions including Sales Assistants and those interested in working with our online sales.

Phone the shop or pop in for more information

Oxfam Boutique 12A George Street, Bath BA1 2EH

Tel: 01225 464 838 Registered Charity No. 202918

folio/july 2011 29

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shopping

lifestyle

“A customer will always own something individual”

Shop of the

Month

Mike Gartside discovers it’s not just gold that glitters at unique jeweller Nicholas Wylde

I

have a passion for coloured stones,” says Nicholas Wylde, the independent family jeweller who’s built up a devoted customer base in the West Country over his near 25-year career. His shops are known for their relaxed, five-star service, and while he regularly pops a champagne cork for his clients, he has good reason to celebrate himself now: his Bristol shop in the Mall, Clifton has just completed its first successful year in business, while the Bath shop is about to pass the quarter century mark in a few months’ time.

Inventive, custom-made design and a welcoming environment have seen many hundreds of couples and individuals seek out his jewellery over the years, to mark engagements, weddings, anniversaries and other special occasions. His customers at the western end of the A4 were so eager to browse his wares that some even requested that he open a Bristol outlet.

“After one year, we’re delighted to have repeated the success of Nicholas Wylde, Bath, in Bristol,” he says. “We design and make our own collections so

that a customer will always possess something individual rather than massproduced. We specialise in beautiful stones and diamonds sourced worldwide, while our workshops in both shops deliver every service including dedicated after-sales attention.” Manager of the new shop James Seller and his team have played a crucial role in bringing the Nicholas Wylde ethos to Bristol.

Each shop has its own champagne bar to celebrate those special occasions in extra style, while plentiful supplies of tea and coffee are on hand to help you make that important decision – browse his extraordinary creations in platinum, gold, diamond and other precious stones to gain inspiration for your own creation.

Book a free consultation and either Nicholas, James or one of their designers can suggest ideas or materials to fashion a piece of jewellery that will stay with you for ever.

Nicholas Wylde 6 The Mall, Clifton Village, Bristol (0117 974 3582) & 12 Northumberland Place, Bath (01225 462826). Ffi: www.nicholaswylde.com

Nicholas Wylde's Bristol shop offers you the same warm welcome as his wellestablished Bath outlet

4

1Platinum, three stone diamond engagement ring, £4105 2Platinum engagement ring with brilliant cut diamonds from Nicholas Wylde’s W collection, £3685 3Platinum, tanzanite and diamond three stone dress ring, £2020 4Baguette-cut aquamarine and diamond pendant set in 18 carat white gold, £3475

3 1

2

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Womens Clothing and other lovely things

p31.indd 1

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beauty

lifestyle

green Street

house

The salon’s exciting new Artistic Colour Gloss treatment keeps nails looking gorgeously glossy and chip-free for up to 21 days

Amanda Robinson ditches the lawnmower and the keyboard and heads to Bath city centre for some serious me-time

I

t’s a familiar juggling act, that old work/ life-balance combo, and conscious that I was fighting a losing battle, I booked myself into the elegant Green Street House in Bath city centre for some dedicated me-time. What could be more relaxing than a facial, I thought?

And with treatments from Dermalogica, Elemis and REN, Green Street House really does have every skin type covered, whether you’re prone to breakouts, sensitive, ageing or just in need of an indulgent pampering.

I was whisked upstairs to the comfortable waiting room, gently bustling with the to-and-fro of clients, to fill in a consultation form, relax with a cup of tea and wait

for my therapist, Jemma. I have to own up and confess that I’m not a spa junkie, so I was more than willing to listen to what was on offer from the 20 or so deliciously tempting options. What’s not to love about the REN ‘Skin as it should be’ 60-minute treatment (£60), which promises an ‘energising radiance and happy, healthy skin’?

Surely this had to be the me-time fix I was looking for...

Lovely Jemma explained that the REN products are gentle enough for everyone as they’re free of the synthetic nasties that can often aggravate your skin. I liked the sound of the holistic ethos, but I loved the delicious scents of the botanical oils in the products even more… with 10 separate REN products used in the facial, the fragrances combined with Jemma’s skilful ministrations for an aromatherapy journey that lulled me into a gloriously welcome state of relaxation. The warm rose oil-scented towels cosseted me at every stage of the process, and while the Smooth and Renewal peel mask was working its magic, the neck and shoulder massage was an unexpected delight. I emerged from the fragrant cocoon of towels, eyes de-puffed and skin a-glowing.

Onto stage two of my afternoon, which was the very new Artistic Colour Gloss with manicure treatment (£35 special offer for July). This exciting innovative technique from Hollywood is applied like nail varnish, but sets under LED light to create a highgloss durable finish that lasts for up to 21

“The neck and shoulder massage was an unexpected delight”

Chic and understated, Green Street House is perfectly situated in the heart of busy Bath

days. Plus, miracle of miracles, it has no drying time – just made for people like me who have been known to scuff their nails even before leaving the salon.

With my cuticles prepped and nails shaped, Jemma explained that the hand massage and handcream treatment is done afterwards to ensure that the nails are clean and oil-free for the application of the Colour Gloss. I dithered over the colours – well, there were 38 in the palette – from pearly pinks and neutrals to dramatic plums and dark greys. I finally settled on a lovely deep cerise red called Flashing, which, four days on, is still glossy and chip-free despite the rigours of my usual day-to-day routine (including several serious typing sessions and a heavy-duty grass-cutting and weeding session in the garden), so I have high hopes indeed for a couple of weeks of beautiful nails.

The time passed very pleasantly at Green Street House – chic and understated, it’s perfectly situated right in the heart of busy Bath and open seven days a week during the summer.

Betsi Hughes and her charming staff offer a late night on Thursday, so you can pop in after work, and 15% off all treatments all day Monday. You really should pay a visit to discover its sleek charms for yourself. As for me, I’ll definitely be back.

Contacts Green Street House 14 Green St, Bath.

Ffi: 01225 426000, www.greenstreethouse.com

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THICKER, FULLER LOOKING HAIR IN JUST 30 DAYS. GUARANTEED.* Various

products availble in Salon products are used in the Salon.

6 Rockleaze Rd, Sneyd Park, Bristol BS9 1NF Tel: 0117 9682663 www.carlohairandbeauty.co.uk

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MARK SIMMONS PHOTOGRAPHY Tel: 0117 9140999 Mobile: 07778 063 699 “The photo’s are amazing! Thank you so much for capturing so many great images, they are awesome. You brought out the best in everyone, your B&W’s are especially stylish - we’ll be recommending you!”

Natural Weddings

Joby & Zoe

www.marksimmonsphotography.com 34 folio/july 2011

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health

lifestyle Bristol Drugs Project (BDP) have launched project 'Pod' to offer free help to users of ketamine and other drugs

Why pod?

Mike Gartside discovers a scheme to help users of ‘other’ drugs

D

rug addiction affects people in all walks of life.

A recent national poll quoted by Bristol Drugs Project (BDP) revealed that 19% of people questioned said their lives had been affected by a drug addition.

Whether they were a friend or relative of an addict, or a user themselves, that percentage equates to 82,000 people in Bristol alone whose lives have been touched by drugs.

We’re used to hearing about substances like heroin, cannabis and cocaine in the media, but one drug that’s become particularly prevalent among young people is ketamine.

Abuse of this substance can lead to a range of medical issues including bladder damage.

BDP have just launched a new service for people who have a problem with ketamine. “We’ve always worked with people in difficulty with the whole range of

drugs, including ketamine, cannabis, amphetamine, cocaine and mephedrone,” says Maggie Telfer, BDP’s chief executive. “But there’s a misplaced perception that we only offer help to those using heroin and crack. We needed to send a clearer message out about the support we provide for people running into ‘problems with other drugs’, which is why we called it ‘Pod’.” The weekly Pod sessions are firmly grounded in evidence of what works and, like everything BDP do, are free and confidential.

For drug user Hattie, Pod has proved invaluable. “The support I’ve had has been great,” she says. “I hope Pod will bring more people to the project: they helped me and they can help you.”

Bristol Drugs Project 11 Brunswick Square. Drop-in: Mon–Fri 9.30am–5pm, Sat 9.30am-12.30pm. Ffi: 0117 987 6000, www.bdp.org.uk

HYPNOTHERAPY

The eyes have it new therapy

Summer ease ➻ If the weather’s fine and you’re at your most relaxed, that’s often the time when you’ll benefit most from cosmetic or therapeutic treatment, according to Clifton Medi Spa, a longestablished Bristol practice offering therapies ranging from non-surgical cosmetic procedures to acupuncture, colon hydrotherapy and massage.

They’ve recently taken on new therapists Hao Su, a Chinese massage specialist, and Gay Darke BScNMed, an expert in naturopathic and functional nutrition, who can identify vitamin and mineral deficiencies in your diet and advise on changes. The spa’s other existing practitioners include owner Eiran Jones, Dr Kang Nian Dong and Dr Alan Wyn Jones, who continue to apply science to your feelgood factor.

Clifton Medi Spa 56 Royal York Crescent, Bristol. Ffi: 0117 973 4594,www. cliftonmedispa.co.uk

➻ Hypnosis has been in the news recently, with reports that stage hypnotist David Days apparently knocked himself unconscious during a show while his subjects were in a trance. He later said his fall was choreographed and that he kept a close eye on them all the time. Meanwhile the Royal Society of Medicine (RSM) has called for a greater use of properly trained hypnotherapists in the NHS, who, say the society, could effectively treat conditions from depression to irritable bowel syndrome.

The Association for Solution Focused Hypnotherapists (AfSFH) have responded to both these stories with assurances that, in the right hands, hypnotism is entirely safe, with “gold standard” training existing for hypnotherapists. “If doctors could refer patients to properly trained hypnotherapists, it would save the NHS a great deal of money,” says the RSM’s Jacky Owens. “And vulnerable patients would be less likely to turn to hypnocowboys.”

“The hypnotic ‘trance’ is a perfectly natural state,” says AfSFH’s Stephanie Betschart.

“Should anything befall the hypnosis practitioner, their subject would ‘wake up’ in

The Royal Society of Medicine is calling for greater use of properly trained hypnotherapists in the NHS who, they say, could effectively treat conditions from depression to IBS

their own time. We welcome the news that the Royal Society recommends hypnosis by medical professionals. The Hypnotherapy Practitioner Diploma is recognised by the Open University as the equivalent of 45 points at Undergraduate Level 1 (FHEQ Level 4).”

Association for Solution Focused Hypnotherapy 8-10 Whiteladies Rd, Clifton, Bristol. Ffi: 0117 329 5389, www. afsfh.com

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profile

lifestyle

Sherif Wilson on making the natural choice

Nuffield Health

M

odern techniques and innovation in reconstructive surgery are helping provide a life-enhancing range of choices to the thousands of women who have undergone breast cancer surgery in the UK. While dealing with the impact of breast cancer is a traumatic and difficult time, the focus for many women following a mastectomy and other treatment is to get back to the way they looked before the surgery.

It’s not so long ago that external silicone implants worn with pocketed bras were the norm, and silicone implants are still a tried and tested option. However, one of the most successful reconstruction techniques is the

DIEP flap, where we take tissue from the lower abdomen. At Nuffield Health, we’re committed to pioneering these new ways of caring for women who have gone through the ordeal of breast cancer. We know there are physical scars that need to be healed – but also recovery on an emotional and psychological level.

We understand this at Nuffield Health St Mary’s Hospital and have developed a team of experts to be on hand at every step of the way to help inform the right decisions for each individual woman. In fact, it’s remarkable how often it’s the seemingly small things that make a positive difference – being able to wear a swimsuit on the beach, an evening dress or a top that was a

Nuffield Health Nuffield Health St Mary’s Hospital, Upper Byron Place, Clifton, Bristol BS8 1JU Tel: 0117 987 2727 Web: www.nuffieldhealth.com/ bristolhospital

favourite before the cancer surgery… they’re all examples that I’ve personally seen have a dramatic effect.

It’s such encouraging news that more women than ever are surviving breast cancer, and we must ensure that the choices they have over their bodies improve also.

Sherif Wilson is a plastic and reconstructive surgeon at Nuffield Health St Mary’s Hospital, Bristol.

To find out more about Nuffield Health services in Bristol, including breast reconstruction, please contact us.

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Clifton Medi Spa Non-surgical Cosmetic and Health Treatments from highly qualified and experienced Doctors and Practitioners. Available treatments include: • Podiatry/Chiropody • Chinese Medicine, Acupuncture • Chinese therapeutic Massage • Colon Hydrotherapy • Naturopathic and Functional Nutrition • Reflexology • Non surgical Cosmetic treatments including Sculptra, intense pulsed light and Wrinkle relaxing treatments • Beauty Therapy (including massage) For a professional consultation contact us at:

0117 9734 594

Email: info@cliftonmedispa.co.uk www.cliftonmedispa.co.uk Clifton Medi Spa, 56 Royal York Crescent, Clifton, Bristol BS8 4JP

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BRISTOL & bATH'S mAGAZINE

www.venue.co.uk

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education

lifestyle Improve your career prospects with a postgraduate qualification from Bath Spa University

Back to

school

Josh Arnew gets himself an adult education

I

t’s never too late to learn something new. Just ask Backwell College, whose adult community courses programme throws up everything from Stained Glass, Sugarcraft, Interior Design and Creating a Photobook to Art, Block Printing, Creative Writing, Sewing and Textiles, French, Italian, Photography and Digital Imaging. Courses run Mon and Tue evenings using the school’s excellent facilities, with plenty of space for parking.

Norton Radstock College also provide lots of exciting learning opportunities for adults. Increase your skills and qualifications to further your career or find a job, or take a short course in your spare time or a taster workshop to discover a new hobby. School-leavers can kickstart their careers with Apprenticeships (not just for 16-18-year-olds!) or HNDs and Foundation Degrees, avoiding hefty university fees or loans. A newly

Norton Radstock College offer apprenticeships, HNDs and Foundation Degrees in a newly refurbished campus

refurbished campus, modern facilities and friendly rural environment make this a great place to learn, with a free college bus service from surrounding areas.

Whether you want to explore a subject you feel passionately about for personal enjoyment or improve your career prospects with a postgraduate qualification, Bath Spa University (with high-quality teaching and research supervision from committed staff) offer a whole gamut of choices. Taught postgrad subjects include Business and Management, Art & Design, Science and Health, Education, English and Creative Writing, and Music, with AHRC-funded studentships for arts and humanities subjects. Or study for an MPhil or PhD in their lively research environment.

Due to government cuts, Bristol’s universities are ending their lifelong learning programmes in modern languages, but Fabienne Vailes has stepped in to launch new school The Language Experience (TLE) to keep foreign-language evening classes going in the city. Fabienne has been teaching French, Spanish and English for several years in Bristol, and was teaching at both Bristol University and UWE. The emphasis at TLE will be on high-quality teaching with maximum class sizes of 12, and careful screening and assessment of teachers, with classes held at Redland High School. More than 10 of the best local university teachers are already signed up.

Or learn French with the French at Alliance Française de Bristol. Classes – run

by French nationals, all experienced teachers – are relaxed, friendly, flexible, personal, encouraging and fun, and take place in teachers’ own homes. Lessons (end of September to June) comprise 30 two-hour evening or daytime sessions, with maximum group sizes of eight to 10. AF’s other courses include individual tuition, business courses, drama, cookery and singing workshops, exam revision and language immersion for young students Choose from Interior Design, Creative Writing, Modern Languages, Photography and more at Backwell College

going on the Bristol/Bordeaux exchange.

Events include talks, tastings, walks, concerts, quizzes and trips to France. Call or see website for details of September enrolment.

If you’re interested in holistic massage, Bristol College of Massage & Bodywork’s wellgrounded client-centred training, with high student-staff ratios, includes regular monthly introductory workshops, comprehensive professional MTI Level 4 Diploma training programmes (with two yearly intakes, Oct and Feb) and advanced courses for qualified therapists. Find out more at this month’s drop-in open evening on Mon 11 July (6-7.30pm), where you can chat to tutors, have taster sessions and start your massage journey.

Another route into helping others change their lives for the better comes with the Clifton Practice’s government-recognised Hypnotherapy Practitioner Diploma (HPD) course, which involves around 150 hours of classroom study (plus required reading).

Choose between weekend (10 consecutive monthly two-day courses) or weekday (12 more intensive sessions), with tuition in small groups, teaching you not just hypnotherapy but also how to be thoroughly effective as a psychotherapist. No experience is necessary, and the next courses start in September.

Contacts Alliance Française Ffi: 0117 924 7809/3367, www.afbristol.org.uk Backwell School Ffi: 01275 465942, kpatterson@backwellschool.net, www.backwellschool.net (contact Kathy Patterson, Community Arts manager) Bath Spa University Ffi: 01225 875875, www.bathspa.ac.uk/pgrad Bristol College of Massage & Bodywork 30 Alma Vale Rd, Clifton, Bristol. Ffi: 0117 377 1201, www. bristolmassage.co.uk The Clifton Practice 8-10 Whiteladies Rd, Clifton, Bristol. Ffi: 0117 317 9278, www.cliftonpractice hypnotherapytraining.co.uk The Language Experience Ffi: 0117 924 3711/01275 376952, www. languageexperience.co.uk Norton Radstock College Ffi: 01761 433161, www.nortcoll.ac.uk

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motoring

lifestyle

Wherefore

art thou?

Kate Edser enjoys Alfa Romeo’s feisty new supermini

A

lfa Romeo’s MiTo Cloverleaf is not to be trifled with. It’s nimble, fun and stylish but also seriously solid, which isn’t a superlative often used to describe a supermini. Everything about this feisty beastie has been ever so slightly reinforced.

Sitting rather squat, with nice beefy tyres, the deeply grooved bonnet hints at a snarl, not a smile, while the omission of side pillars means the merged front and rear windows appear like the slit of an eye when viewed from the side. Headlights, meanwhile, give it a rather surprised look, taking the edge off the otherwise hard-nosed look.

Smallish cars can often appear rather sweet, almost comical, but any onlooker would be forced to take the MiTo seriously.

Alfa have developed a unique system, Dynamic, Normal and All-weather (or DNA), with the associated switch neatly slotted into a very smart gadget near the gear lever. It allows the car’s personality to be adapted to the needs of the driver and different road conditions, by altering the throttle response and stiffness of steering. In

Dynamic mode, the gloves are off, with power and braking delivered very quickly. In Normal mode, the experience is much smoother.

And in this mode, fuel consumption is reduced to a minimum, thanks in part to prompts on the dash indicating optimum times to change up or down. Engine response becomes more gradual still in All-weather mode, to keep skidding to a minimum on icy or slippery surfaces. The system defaults to Normal mode every time you begin a new journey, and it’s quite a giggle to switch to Dynamic mode while in motion, when G-force kicks in smartly! Steering is light, sometimes a little too light, but general handling is good and it’s a zany little thing to swing around when being driven positively.

A car is an extension of your personality, so for those with the means, the MiTo is the perfect outlet for creativity.

Wessex Bristol Alfa Romeo, Feeder Rd, Bristol. Ffi: 0844 247 3510, www.wessexalfaromeo.co.uk

Model Alfa Romeo MiTo Cloverleaf Price £17,955 OTR Max speed 136mph Engine 1.4-litre Multi-Air 170bhp petrol with six-speed gearbox CO2 (g/km) 139

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motoring

lifestyle

World wise The Mondeo once defined an entire social stratum.

Jonathan Crouch reckons it’s kept up with the Joneses

T Model Ford Mondeo (various) Price range £17,695-£29,345 Max speed 115 mph (1.6 TDCi ECO) Co2 (g/km) 114 (1.6 TDCi ECO) Combined mpg 65.7 (1.6 TDCi ECO)

imes have changed and Ford’s Mondeo has changed with them. Once a mascot of New Labour, ‘Mondeo man’ is a far more sophisticated person today. He doesn’t feel the need to pay extra for a premium badge on the bonnet of his company car when this Ford is bigger, sharper to drive and even, in some ways, better finished. Private buyers can see the logic too, but there simply aren’t as many of them out there as there used to be, with the traditional medium-range market plundered by SUVs and MPVs. Ford’s response to this was pragmatic. For the third-generation Mondeo, a platform was developed from which S-MAX and Galaxy MPVs could also be constructed. All three models are built at the company’s Belgian Genk factory, with production volumes altered to meet demand. It’s worked well: the MPV models have gained rave reviews, while the Mondeo crushed Vectra, Passat and Laguna rivals at its launch in 2007, selling over half a million units worldwide.

Since then, though, all those cars have

improved hugely and Ford has needed to evolve in both design and engineering. The result was an improved version launched near the end of 2010 which, more recently, was further refreshed with a revised range of engines offering better economy, lower emissions and tax-break benefits. Here’s a car with an advanced set of driving dynamics: the ride is absorbent, yet you’re properly in touch with what the car’s doing. In this improved model, the refinement is excellent and, at the wheel, all the controls work with beautiful precision.

The most recent revisions see an engine range spanning 1.6, 2.0 and 2.2-litre displacements boasting emissions that are lower by up to 20 per cent than those of previous models. The introduction of a 1.6-litre diesel engine to Mondeo, and Ford’s Auto-Start-Stop system couple performance, comfort and refinement with lower consumption and emissions.

The Mondeo has always got packaging, comfort and convenience right. Now it’s back in front of recent rivals.

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Travel

lifestyle

Could Italy’s Diamante be the perfect summer holiday spot for Bristol street artist Banksy?

Hannah Bellis makes a B-line for Calabria Clockwise from top left: Norman castle in the hills; chillies drying in the sun; one of the town's murals; Diamante's dazzling coastline

S

art

Sun, spice and street

hould Bristol ever need to be twinned with a town in southern Italy, I’ll be lining up to make the case for the beautiful coastal town of Diamante in the region of Calabria down in the toe of Italy. Of course, unlike Diamante, Bristol doesn’t have a fantastic seafront along the Tyrrhenian coast, sparkling crystal-clear sea, surrounding mountains with spectacular views and even a Norman castle or two. So I won’t be including these incentives in my petition to the council – even though they make Diamante very nice indeed. But the thing that really settles the case is the fact that both cities are well known for their impressive murals.

You can’t top Banksy’s satirical street art in Bristol, but Diamante’s murals have a much more colourful flavour, which works well in their sunny coastal setting. The other difference is that Diamante’s municipal council invited artists to the town to work on the walls.

In 1981 the council were looking for ways to revive the winding streets of the old town, so they got together with street painter Nani Razzetti and invited 85 international painters to come and add their work to the walls. The event was such a success that it’s become an annual event, so as murals fade and

crumble away, new elements are added to existing art to keep the pieces evolving and the colours alive. And now it’s not just the old town but also the walls of the seafront, new town and shopfronts that are alive with the murals – there are over 150 in total. It’s the ultimate outdoor street art museum.

Another thing that brings hot colour to Diamante is the chilli. The whole region of Calabria is alive with it. Every meal you get is served with a helping of fresh chilli, and you’ll see balconies hung with the peppers drying in the sun all across the province. But Diamante takes things one step further… Diamante has a king: His Majestic King Hot Red Pepper.

Every year in September they crown a new king at the annual chilli festival – a local man is festooned with garlands and a crown made with red and green chillies of all shapes and sizes and presides over the celebrations. As well as the coronation ceremony, there’s a host of street performances, chilli food stalls, concerts and films, as well as a chilli competition where specimens from all over the world are judged. Visitors can also take part in the prestigious chillieating competition, though there’s something about Calabria’s climate that makes this peperoncino so very hot… so watch out. Even if you’re not visiting in September, you can still get a taste at the Accademia del Peperoncino, Academy

of the Hot Red Pepper, founded in 1994, which wants to spread and strengthen the Calabrians’ love of chilli.

Calabria’s chilli paste and liquid spicy salamis are not for the faint-hearted, though, so if your palette is a bit more modest, head to Caffe Nini instead. The terrace overlooking the ocean at this little cafe is the place to be seen in Diamante, especially during high season when the town is full of stylish Neapolitans. And whenever you visit, don’t miss the famous caffe freddo alla nocciola (iced coffee with a hazelnut cream – a fantastic foil for all those chillies) and the huge assortment of cakes and ice-creams.

I don’t know how the Italian patrons can look so good when there’s food like this on offer. Somehow, I don’t think my British genes could handle it quite so well, so perhaps it’s for the best that Bristol doesn’t get too close to Diamante after all. But if you’re reading this, Banksy, I think I’ve found your ideal summer holiday destination.

Contacts

Accademia del Peperoncino Via Fausto Gullo 1, Diamante. Ffi: www.peperoncino.org Caffe Nini Via S. Lucia 32, Diamante. Ffi: www.caffenini.com

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➻ home front What's new, what's HOt, what's happening in the world of Homes & gardens NEW APPLIANCES SHOWROOM

Built-in Brilliance ➻ Calling all aspiring cooks and foodies… Get yourself along to the official

opening of independent, family-owned Nailsea Electrical’s new showroom on Gloucester Road on Sat 23 July, with the chance to meet Bristol’s own Michelinstarred chefs Jonray and Peter Sanchez-Iglesias (pictured). Nailsea Electrical’s new built-in showroom will be the first of its kind in the UK, featuring more than 300 state of the art built-in kitchen appliances from the world’s top designer brands, all fully fitted and working for you to see, touch and try before you buy.

The Sanchez-Iglesias brothers from Casamia, winner of Channel 4’s Ramsay’s Best Restaurant, will cut the ceremonial ribbon at 10.30am, then take to the stage to run cooking demonstrations throughout the day. They’ll also be offering advice on how best to use some of the new cutting-edge appliances such as steam ovens and induction hobs.

“A new kitchen is a major investment for anybody,” says Nailsea Electrical owner Peter Gilks, who runs the company with his son, Ben, “but until now there’s been nowhere to go in the UK to see an extensive range of appliances fully working. This means people often end up choosing from a static display, a picture in a brochure or online. At Nailsea Electrical we’ve always prided ourselves on offering expert advice on the most appropriate appliances to fit customers’ needs, but now we can go a step further and let them see, touch and try out different models before making a final decision.”

Nailsea Electrical New showroom opens on Gloucester Rd, Bristol on Sat 23 July. Ffi: 0117 924 6002, www. nailseaelectricalonline.co.uk

framing award

Masters of the Art ➻ Congratulations to Bath’s Framing

Workshop, who have just bagged themselves the Fine Art Trade Guild National Award for Sales Promotion and Cultural Contribution to the City of Bath at the Art and Framing Industry Awards 2011. “The Framing Workshop has made an outstanding contribution in demonstrating the very best of our vibrant and innovative industry,” said Maxwell Roberts, Master of the Fine Art Trade Guild.

Louise Hay, the Guild’s chief executive, continued: “Throughout the year the Framing Workshop continued to maintain a high profile in Bath. Sponsorship, public relations and winning a range of competitions, combined with extremely high standards of craftsmanship, have contributed to the business’s outstanding growth.”

It was this level of craftsmanship that led to Ian Pittman, who’s been with the Framing Workshop for over 16 years, achieving a runners-up medal in the Framing Guild Challenge Open Competition with its ‘Collections’ theme (pictured). Ian created a magnificent piece of work with his handveneered deep box frame holding the

personal collections of a couple from childhood through to their marriage, depicting courting, wartime service, aristocratic upbringing and wedding memories.

“We’re immensely proud of our achievements in this prestigious national competition,” says proprietor Martin Tracy (pictured, receiving the award from Annabelle Ruston, editor of Art Business Today). “It took Manchester United over 100 to win 19 national awards. We’ve now won 15 national titles in just 20 years! To be at the very top of our game is testimony to the hard work and dedication of our staff, along with the loyalty of our many customers.”

“For many of us a successful business is great to have in the city,” comments MP Don Foster, “but a successful business that contributes back into the city is something very much to be cherished and praised.

The Framing Workshop has made an outstanding contribution to community life here in Bath.”

The Framing Workshop 80 Walcot St, Bath. Ffi: 01225 482748, www. theframingworkshop.com.

The Framing Workshop's Martin Tracy receiving the prestigious award; and right, Ian Pittman's winning frame 'Collections'

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homefront NEW TILE RANGE

National Treasures

➻ The latest addition to Fired Earth’s beautiful tile ranges is a wall tile collection designed in conjunction with the National Trust. Last year saw the launch of Fired Earth’s National Trust paint range, inspired by some of the properties within the Trust’s care, and the new tiles are available in shades that complement the paint.

Hughenden Manor in Buckinghamshire and Charlecote Park in Warwickshire are the inspiration for the subtly decorative hand-pressed Circle and Star relief tiles, available in three versatile colours. Matching base tiles and dados come in five colours, with prices from £2.24 per 15cmx15cm tile.

The relief tiles can be used to do anything from creating feature walls in bathrooms or kitchens to making striking panels behind basins or baths, or adding a patterned border to a wall of base tiles. (Pictured: new relief tiles in Earls Grey Circle, £9.95 each).

Fired Earth 65a Whiteladies Rd, Clifton, Bristol. Ffi: 0117 973 7400, www.firedearth.com

our new crush? bristol-based online gift shop www.brambleandbloom.co.uk for gorgeous handcrafted accessories for home and garden

FLOORING

Walk This Way ➻ A hidden gem in Redland’s Zetland Road (with another branch in Weston), Disney Flooring can sort you out with just about any type of flooring you’re after. Friendly, knowledgeable staff can guide you through the ranges of carpets, wood, linoleum and plant fibres like seagrass and sisal. They’ll measure your home professionally, and when the fitters arrive they’ll move furniture for you, so you can get on with your day. If you’re in the market for rugs and runners, there’s at least 50% off all in-store rugs. Stock changes frequently, so keep your eyes peeled for a bargain!

Disney Flooring 11 Zetland Rd, Redland, Bristol (0117 942 4949) & Albert Ave, Weston-super-Mare (01934 615005).

Ffi: www.disney-flooring.com

technology

switched on ➻ Audio and visual equipment, computing technology, entertainment devices, mobiles, appliances… the list could go on and on. You name the product, and leading technology store Best Buy, one of the sponsors of this month’s Bristol Harbour Festival, will have it.

“We believe that technology should make your life easier,” say the company’s techie wizards. “But we’re not just about providing the technology – we’re here to make sure that you have everything you need to make the most of your purchase. Whether that be through connections – including fixed and mobile broadband – content or services, we can bring your product to life, and have you up and running before you even get out of the store!” This lot clearly just love what they do. “You love technology, and we love being the ones to help you enjoy it to the maximum.”

Which is why their expert and highly trained staff – those wondrous ‘Blueshirts’ – are always on hand with knowledgeable and impartial advice.

Their price promise isn’t bad, either. “We’ll match or beat any prices on technology from anywhere else,” they say, “and technical support packages to cover all the technology you own.” Now just show us where that ‘on’ button is, again, and I think we’ve got it…

Best Buy Cribbs Causeway Retail Park, Bristol. Ffi: 0800 380 0000, www.bestbuy.co.uk

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the curtain exchange

Extensive Fabric Ranges Made to Measure Home Visits Fitting Service 11 Widcombe Parade, Bath, BA2 4JT Tel: 01225 422078 Mon - Thurs & Sat 10am - 4pm. Fri 9.30am - 1pm

the

wooden blindcompany

bespoke shutters & blinds

Expertly measured & installed by us, We are a local, family business, With over a decade of experience.

Contact us now to be inspired!

t: 0117 960 6289 www.thewoodenblindcompany.co.uk 46 folio/july 2011

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MyGranddesign

heart of the

home The project The brief

The solution

Seriously keen social cooks Marissa and James wanted a luxury, sleek kitchen befitting their home – one that would grow with their family and enable them to cater for and entertain a large social gathering.

“Initially they wanted everything to be white,” explain the Plum Kitchens team, “but our feeling was that this would have been a bit stark on such a scale, and so we started the design process…”

Plum Kitchens know that proper bespoke design evolves. “It isn’t a case of looking at a catalogue and selecting ‘that kitchen’, which is available to all and sundry. With Plum Kitchens you get a huge choice of materials (some more luxurious than others) to choose from – something that allows you to stamp your individuality on your home.”

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MYGranddesign

1

WHITE MAGIC

James and Marissa’s kitchen design evolved over nine iterations and incorporated their chosen materials of ‘blocks’ of horizontal through flowing macassar ebony veneers teamed with white near perfect gloss Parapan and white Corian worktops. The macassar ebony handle separators are a lovely design feature.

2

WHAT’S COOKING?

3

JELLYBEAN ISLAND

Two full-size ovens, a microwave, a large warming drawer and the hob with the offset wok burner (allowing other burners to be used at the same time) form the heart of the kitchen, enabling James and Marissa to cater for a large gathering.

The jellybean-shaped island has sinuous parallel curves that are cleverly echoed in the handle-less door and drawer fronts. The jellybean curve is also picked out in the bar-top separating the dining area from the kitchen, which forms another social gathering area.

The LED cabinet lighting is all controlled by a switch hidden under a wall unit, controlled by a simple wave of the hand.

4

UNDERFLOOR HEATING

Plum Kitchens strengthened the floor, laid underfloor heating, moved radiators, tiled, re-wired (using the clients’ own electrician) and plastered and fitted the kitchen.

Plum Kitchens in Action Designer and Plum Kitchens ➻ owner Nathan Stewart has

teamed up with Cowshed Bar & Grill owner Adam Denton, who’s opening a destination deli-butchery in July, Ruby and White’s, next to his restaurant on Whiteladies Road. There will be daily cooking demos by a professional chef on Plum Kitchen’s luxurious furniture, using luxury Swiss V-ZUG appliances. Nathan will meet potential clients there, who will be able to see the quality of his work on the only kitchens in the region that will take a battering from professional chefs on a daily basis and still look great.

“It’s a new concept for a kitchen showroom,” says Nathan. "We’ll be proving that our kitchens aren’t fragile showroom-only models – a kind of Darwinism for kitchens, if you like. Anything that doesn’t stand this extreme testing ground will evolve, giving my potential clients great confidence in our luxury products.”

Ruby and White butchers, 48 Whiteladies Rd, Bristol. Ffi: www. rubyandwhite.com

➻ testimonial

a cut above

“We love our new kitchen. Its sleek and stylish design is unlike anything else we saw on the market – something to be proud of for years to come. The whole experience seemed a cut above the competition, from the innovative design ideas and detailed hand-drawn diagrams to the overall project management, covering all aspects of the build. Plum Kitchens were a pleasure to work with and we’d recommend them to anyone.”

James Ellis, Kingsdown, Bristol

Contact

Plum Kitchens Unit 3, Foundry Yard, Foundry Lane, Bristol, BS5 Tel: 0117 900 0858 Web: www.plum-kitchens.co.uk

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Try our Border Design Service to kick start your Summer garden!

CLEEVE NURSERY THE FOOD HUT Open 10.30am - 4.00pm

Bedsteads-uk.co.uk

Antique Beds and Furniture In Brass, Iron, Wood & Upholstered Wood

  Restoration service and bespoke furniture making also available

Chelvey Court Barn, Chelvey, Backwell, Bristol BS48 4AA.

Tel: 01275 464 114 50 folio/july 2011

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FREE TAP WHEN YOU BUY ANY 2 MAIA WORKTOPS OR BREAKFAST BARS*

Contour Geometry Curve When purchased between June 1st to August 31st Inclusive Available From

Bristol Decorative Surfaces Ltd Units 2-3 New Gatton Road, St Werburghs, Bristol BS2 9SH T 0808 200 4444 E sales@bdsbristol.co.uk W www.bdsbristol.co.uk * Must be purchased in one transaction. Not to be used in conjunction with any other offer. Terms & Conditions available on request.

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Open-plan living is really popular right now, especially with combined sleeping and bathing areas, though it’s easier to incorporate this trend where space is plentiful. If you’re lucky enough to have a large bedroom, the impact can be quite dramatic

interiors

1

Time for Interior designer Lesley Taylor works her magic on your boudoir

2

Baths and showers in the bedroom ensure the ‘wow’ factor, but practical issues must be addressed. Make sure the floor and surrounding walls are tiled, and if you’re opting for a trendy wetroom, the floor must also be tanked

T

bed

he bedroom is a very special place. Like many people, I see my bedroom as a retreat from the outside world, a sanctuary in which to rest, relax and recuperate. For those reasons, particular care and attention should be paid to the decoration of this space.

Sadly, when it comes to the design and decoration of a home, the bedroom is often one of the last areas to be addressed. While the kitchen, living space and bathroom usually take precedence, as they’re more frequently on show, it’s the bedroom that waits patiently in line until resources, time and effort can be spent on its transformation.

Although it’s not an area of the home that can be flaunted and admired by guests on a daily basis, the bedroom is a space that requires extra special care and attention. Along with meeting your needs for a good night’s sleep, it’s the one space you can truly call your own. Treat the bedroom as a haven of solitude, a place where you can dream of returning to after a stressful day at work, the perfect cocoon for you and your partner to enjoy, day in, day out.

With bedrooms, it’s important to create a good balance between comfort, functionality and glamour. As with most areas of interior design, form should follow function. It needs to

work for you on a practical level but, of course, also needs to reflect elements of your personality, and look fabulous, too.

The design possibilities should be determined by how big or small the room is. In a compact space, the focus should be on the bed. In a larger room, you can make statements with bespoke pieces of furniture, window dressings and huge free-standing mirrors, but where space is limited, make sure the bed is the star of the scheme. The high street is flooded with gorgeous baroque, French-style beds that, when placed in the centre of the room, would instantly grab attention for all the right reasons.

Such an extravagant yet elegant addition to the bedroom will only require simple, unfussy accessories and fabrics to complement its natural beauty. If you do opt for an overtly decorative bed, team it with a plain duvet cover that won’t overpower the arrangement, and use cushions or a silk throw at the end of the bed to add interest and character.

If you don’t want to replace your existing bed, you could always invest in a new headboard. This is a great way of altering the ambience of the room without breaking the bank. For a warm and inviting feel, a luxurious velvet headboard would work perfectly and could be coordinated with velvet cushions to add those all-important finishing touches.

Alternatively, local antique shops are great for

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interiors 4

3

6

5

3 For a quick and cost-effective fix, use an eye-catching wallpaper print on one focal wall and accessorise around it

4 For a scheme

that reflects the season, use a neutral colour on the walls and floor and accessorise with the latest colours and patterns: fresh shades and light fabrics in the spring and summer, and plush, velvety fabrics in rich tones for the cooler months

additional ambient lighting should be integrated to set certain moods. The addition of two bedside lights – either table mounted or wall hung – can have multiple effects, including creating added interest through an inspiring design and instantly evoking atmosphere via simple dimmer switches.

Whether you want to enjoy a romantic evening with your partner, get lost in your favourite novel or simply unwind after a long day, soft, diffused lighting will set the mood perfectly.

As far as colours go, if you opt for neutral tones such as cream, white, ivory and mocha, you can ensure the longevity of the design via the careful finding hidden treasures such as ornate, rustic selection of en-vogue accessories each headboards that would fit in well with the season. This way, you can inexpensively current trend for vintage-inspired homeware. and regularly revamp your bedroom.

There are a few clever tricks that can help This summer, for example, imagine a you to make the most out of a smaller space. pure white background, crisp white floral Choose a pair of curtains or blinds in a similar bedspread and off-white linen curtains shade to the colour of the walls, again flowing effortlessly in the breeze, brought sticking to neutral hues. The blend of pale to life by freshly cut flowers bursting with tones will create an illusion of space, helping vibrant colours and an array of bold, the room to appear larger than it actually is floral-patterned cushions – glorious! while ensuring a sense of light and airiness.

Then, when winter dawns, you can Then, to enhance the feeling of space, keep replace the vivid bouquet with deep red clutter to a minimum, making sure that the roses and swap the floral cushions for a focus is on the bed. lavish, velvet throw and a comfy rug.

Although the aesthetics of a room are an Practical features must not be integral part of the design process, the forgotten. Of course you want to create a lighting scheme should also be considered room that wows, but as you’ll probably with great care. While a ceiling-hung light is spend around 40 per cent of your time in needed to illuminate the room as a whole, the bedroom, it needs to fulfill all your

7

functional requirements, too. If you’re an avid telly addict, this may involve the hanging of a flat-screen television, or if, like me, you bring work home with you most nights and your home doesn’t have the benefit of a separate study, you’ll need a tidy desk area where you can focus amid comfortable surroundings.

If you’re feeling adventurous and have lots space to play with, you could draw upon the trend for open-plan living to create a bedroom that adheres to the luxury associated with five-star boutique hotels. An Edwardian rolltop bath placed at the foot of the bed is the ultimate style accessory. Imagine being surrounded by scented candles, relaxing in a warm bubble bath in the comfort of your own bedroom while your husband reveals the events of his day on the adjacent bed…

Touches like this not only enhance the room’s aesthetics but also help with the smooth running of hectic, modern lifestyles.

5 Where space is

limited, make a focal point out of the bed and use bedside lighting to create a calm and relaxing ambience to set the mood

6 The latest

products on the market make openplan bedroom/ bathroom schemes easy. For a luxury, hotelinspired space that gives you that special holiday feeling every day, you could always put a freestanding tub at the foot of your bed

7 Make the

space your own by introducing throws and cushions in your favourite shades

Contacts

Cargo 26 Milsom St, Bath (01225 466066) & 26-27 Somerset Square, Nailsea (01275 853438). Ffi: www.cargohomeshop.com The Curtain Exchange 1 Widcombe Parade, Bath. Ffi: 01225 422078, www.thecurtainexchange.co.uk Dible & Roy 28 Bridge St, Bradford on Avon. Ffi: 01225 862320 Silcox Son & Wicks 5-7 New St, Kingsmead Square, Bath. Ffi: 01225 463933, www.silcox.co.uk

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gardening

homefront

In the

garden

Ideas and inspiration from Trish Gibson to help you make the most of your garden this month

Grow Something Special CLEMATIS

Y

ou really can find a clematis for every season, whatever your colour scheme. And there are plenty of ways of displaying them, too – whether you train your plant to climb over a pergola or trellis, through a tree or up a freestanding wigwam.

The late-flowering viticella clematis are happy in sun or partial shade and not fussy about the type of soil you grow them in. Pruning is easy for all late-flowering clematis: simply cut back the stems to leave a pair of strong buds 15-20cm above ground level in early springtime.

Growing tips If planting beside a wall or fence, dig a hole 45cm away from it.

Plant clematis as you would any other shrub, covering the crown of the plant with 2cm of soil. They do like to have cool roots, so provide a good mulch of lawn mowings, compost or stones.

Jobs for July

Clematis viticella ‘Etoile Violette’ flowers from mid summer to early autumn

➻ Others to try ‘Snowdrift’ This has superb evergreen foliage, and its large sprays of pinkish-white scented flowers appear in early and mid spring. Give it a fairly sheltered spot. Prune back to healthy buds after flowering if you need to limit its size.

‘Nelly Moser’ This well-known clematis has a distinctive darker band of pink down each petal. It has two bursts of bloom – early spring and late summer. To prune, remove dead or weak stems in late winter and cut the rest back to the highest pair of strong growing buds.

‘Niobe’ With its stunning, velvety, deep ruby-red flowers with golden yellow centres, this compact large-flowered clematis is perfect for growing in a container in partial shade.

Remove dead or damaged stems in early spring and cut all remaining stems back to strong buds.

Divide the rhizomes (thick rootstocks) of bearded irises: dig them up, remove the oldest pieces from the centre and replant the rest individually, having cut the leaves back by about half. Water well.

Smarten up specimen bamboos by nipping out young side shoots – the stems look really good if they’re clear of shoots for the first metre or so above ground.

Thin the fruits of apples and pears.

We’ll be buying…

This smart garden thermometer to get an idea of how the weather’s behaving and what we should be doing in the garden.

Position it under cover by the back door. Just £16 plus £4.95p&p.

Ffi www.greenfingers.com

This month we'll be visiting...

A garden full of surprises – East Burford House near Shepton Mallet, which is opening for the first time under the National Gardens Scheme, includes a lake with shell beach, rills, a pagoda and children’s playground. A valley woodland nearby is the ideal place for a bringyour-own picnic lunch.

Ffi East Burford House, West Compton, Pilton. Open Sun 17 & Mon 18 July, 11am-5pm, admission £4, child free. Web: www.ngs.org.uk

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Propertynews Property news

ancient and

modern Lured by Georgian grandeur or Roman decadence? Mike Gartside seeks out a nest in the Heritage City

B

ath, the city of crescents and ancient spas, where the shopping experience still has a faintly period ambience and the cream teas are second to none… who could blame anyone for wanting to live there? As with most historic cities, Bath is very much a living environment, and a place either behind or close to one of those elegant facades is usually available at every point in the price spectrum.

Which is why, if you’re moving to the Heritage City for the first time and need to be careful with the pennies, you’d be well advised to consider something a bit more modern, not to say 21st century, to start off with. The new SouthGate retail development, which opened last year near the city’s train and bus stations, demonstrates a vibrant, modern heart beneath the city’s grand exterior, and comes with its own exciting portfolio of properties, The Residence at SouthGate.

Seventy-four one- and two-bed private apartments have been created in the centre of the city, starting at the very affordable price of £185,000. The location has proved so popular that The Residence at SouthGate has already sold

eight apartments since it opened for business last month.

The living space has been designed to balance Bath’s famous neo-classical design with the requirements of modern urban living. The result is an environment that’s hidden away from the bustle of the city centre yet is right on the doorstep of some of the country’s best restaurants and shopping outlets.

“Not only is it a perfect choice for buyers looking for a city-centre base, but it’s ideally located with excellent transport links – less than a five-minute walk from Bath’s train station and bus stations,” says Christine Hamilton of King Sturge, who are overseeing sales.

Of course, if you’re holding out for an iconic frontage, you’ll have to adjust your budget to the other end of the price scale. No.1 Brock Street, on sale with Savills, boasts a splendidly columned facade, designed by John Wood The Elder and overlooking The Circus. It’s on the market for a cool £3.5m. Knight Frank, meanwhile, have a slightly more affordable property in the elegant Camden Crescent at a guide price of £345,000, and Pritchards are offering a grade II listed fivebed Georgian townhouse at £675,000.

Yes, a little piece of history can be yours at a price, but there’s nothing to stop you getting your foot on the first rung of the Bath property ladder at one of its bright, modern young neighbours in the city centre.

The Residence at Southgate Ffi: 01225 480228, www.theresidenceatsouthgate.com Knight Frank 4 Wood St, Queen Square, Bath. Ffi: 01225 325999, www.knightfrank.com Pritchards 11 Quiet St, Bath. Ffi: 01225 466225, www.pritchards-bath.co.uk Savills Bath Edgar House, 17 George St, Bath.

Ffi: 01225 474500, www.savills.co.uk

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property

look out for...

hot spot

fireplaces

A

fireplace can be the heart of your home, but it needs some careful thought. “Any home with an existing fireplace is good news, and that applies to most of the housing stock in Bristol and Bath,” says Richard Atkin of Feature Fireplaces. “You need a fire that suits your lifestyle. Wood-burning stoves are popular but don’t suit everyone.

Some like chopping the wood and bringing it in, but for working couples who just want to switch something on when they get home, natural gas is a good option. Look out for decorative gas fires installed in the 1980s – they’re a nightmare. All the heat disappears up the chimney. A modern gas fire improves efficiency from 15% to 80%. An open fire can be nice but often drags centrally heated air up the chimney. A stove is a far better investment."

Feature Fireplaces Warne Park, Warne Rd, Weston-super-Mare. Ffi: 01934 628142, www.feature-fireplaces.co.uk

Bathwick ➻ With a full range of educational facilities close by, from primary to university level, and a short distance from Bath city centre, it’s not surprising that Bathwick has strong appeal.

“We’ve sold three nice properties recently,” says Duncan Nash, partner in local estate agency Whitfield Nash. “Two detached family houses and one semi-detached home sold either at the asking price or within two per cent. Although they’re not period properties, one had potential for an extension with views over the Abbey.”

The fact that Bathwick St Mary Primary School recently won a glowing Ofsted for outstanding performance has only helped boost interest in the area among families with young children.

Fireplaces add value to your home but make sure your fire suits your lifestyle

Whitfield Nash 2 Princes Buildings, George St, Bath. Ffi: 01225 480444, www.whitfieldnash.co.uk

property of the issue…

Belgrave Terrace, Bath, £750,000

Holiday homes

woodland hideaway ➻ Whether you’re looking for your own idyllic hideaway or a useful

revenue earner to let to other holidaymakers, a new development in Cornwall promises many weeks of away-from-it-all bliss and an excellent return on investment to boot. The Cornwall Hotel Spa and Estate near St Austell is home to a small hamlet of deluxe homes nestled in its woodlands, developed specifically to provide a peaceful, four-star holiday environment. With a fine-dining restaurant and award-winning spa and pool a short stroll away, the estate’s Woodland Homes offer country peace and quiet with easy access to luxury. “These quality, purpose-built holiday homes will catch the eye of discerning buyers,” says sales director Sam Weller. “The attraction is a home, furnished and equipped to a very high standard, that someone else will look after when you’re not there.”

Woodland Homes The Cornwall Hotel Spa & Estate, St Austell, Cornwall. Ffi: 01726 874545, www.thecornwall.com Two-bed homes from £285,000; three-bed homes £340,000. Properties are also available to rent

➻ The main rooms in this light, spacious, grade II-listed family home near Bath city centre all come with gorgeous views over Bath and beyond. A substantial Victorian property with a prestigious address, it retains many period features (original cast-iron fireplaces, sash windows, ceiling cornicing). Versatile accommodation, spread across four floors, includes a drawing room, four bedrooms and a further bedroom/study on the lower-ground floor, two cloakrooms, bathroom, cellar and storage vault, utility room and kitchen/ dining room with floor-/wall-mounted units and central island, granite worktops, fireplace, pantry cupboard and oak floors.

To the rear is a single garage and south west-facing garden with two level lawned areas and two terraces for alfresco dining.

Junction 18 of the M4 is a 15-minute drive.

Ffi: Pritchards, 11 Quiet St, Bath. Ffi: 01225 446225, www.pritchards-bath.co.uk

Just moved in? ➻ Fo

r a chance Folio email r.not to be featured in t@ tell us why you fel venue.co.uk and l new home. The in love with your firs picked will win t three to be £2 of Kenneth Co 5-worth le Home goodies from House of Fraser

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xxxxx

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➻ eatingoutwest from food fests to new eateries, get your teeth into these tasty treats new hotel

Right Royal Banquets ➻ After three years of painstaking restoration work, one of the Cotswolds’

most striking historic buildings was relaunched last month as a prestige hotel and restaurant. The history of Ellenborough Park, situated outside Cheltenham, stretches back to the 16th century, but the latter part of the 20th century saw its oak-panelled interior and elaborate stonework fall into disrepair and decay. Over 100 contractors and craftspeople, including 20 skilled stonemasons, used local materials to bring the historic character back to a fully refurbished building that’s set to be one of the premier destination hotels in the region.

One major attraction will no doubt be the recruitment of David Kelman as executive head chef for the hotel’s restaurant. Well-known for his insistence on using fresh, local and seasonal produce, Kelman earned three AA rosettes for his highly skilled contemporary British cooking in a previous head chef post at Lower Slaughter Manor, and as one of Wales’ most acclaimed chefs he’s regularly called upon to knock up banquets for royal occasions.

It’s an experience you can share with Her Madge, if you want, as one of Ellenborough Park’s distinctive features is a range of private dining rooms where groups of between 12 and 30 people can enjoy that Kelman cuisine in beautifully restored and highly atmospheric Elizabethan panelled surroundings, complete with splendid stone fireplaces and handpainted ceilings.

Ellenborough Park Southam Rd, Cheltenham Spa, Glos. Ffi: 01242 545454, www.ellenboroughpark.com

FOODIE FEST

Eat Your Heart Out ➻ Taking full advantage of the gathering of classy foodie destinations already lurking in its stone-clad interiors, Bath’s classy Milsom Place shopping centre proved an inspired choice for an annual celebration of local cuisine. Matching the general growth in regional tastiness, Flavours of the West goes from strength to strength, with this year’s weekend event offering artisan goodies alongside a programme of demonstration cookery from some truly top names who just happen to have BA postcodes.

The AGA Rangemaster Cookery Theatre will take place in the former Georgian chapel of The Octagon, where demos from master baker Richard Bertinet (BBC Food Champion of 2010) and award-winning vegetarian guru Rachel Demuth and demuths head chef Richard Buckley are just a couple of highlights from a programme that also features Daily Telegraph writer Xanthe Clay, Lucknam Park’s Michelin man 60 folio/july 2011

EOW dps 198.indd 60

Hywel Jones, Bath Priory head chef Sam Moody and Chris Emery, the dazzling young chef from The Wheatsheaf.

It’s a line-up certain to inspire you to rush out and snaffle some of the top artisan goodies from the multitude of producers heading for the event, like handmade cheeses from Bath Soft Cheese, Gould’s Cheddar or 2010 ‘supreme champion’ Golden Cenarth from Caws Cenarth Cheese Company or maybe locally produced salami and chorizo from The Bath Pig, while Andy Fussell will be there to explain the health, taste and sustainability benefits of his cold-pressed rapeseed oil.

But if you just want to indulge yourself – and why not? – there are stacks of treats on offer, with Clevedon-based Serious Treats’ almost legendary brownies and the equally renowned Raspberry Mud Cakes from Bristol’s Crumpet Cakes both inexcusably lush.

Check the Flavours of the West ad in this magazine for a special readers’ offer, too.

Left: carb-filled goodies from The Thoughtful Bread Company; above, Caws Cenarth Cheese

Flavours of the West Sat 2 (10am5pm) & Sun 3 (11am-5pm) July, Milsom Place, Bath, free admission. Ffi: www. milsomplace.co.uk

29/06/2011 14:10:38

BBq Fest

Just for the grill COCKTAIL BAR

Party People ➻ You might easily overlook Amoeba’s discreet frontage tucked away in King’s Road, Clifton, but find your way into the warmly decorated interior and you’ll discover a surprisingly big cocktail bar with hidden depths. As well as the comfortable street-level bar with its scatter cushions and benches, there are larger downstairs rooms accommodating from 20 to 50 or more people (and available for hire as a party venue) as well as a leafy garden with covered corners.

A popular evening gathering spot, Amoeba offers a very wide selection of wines, full seasonal cocktail menu and impressive range

of over 30 beers from all over the world.

Bottled beers include the classic Anchor Steam Ale from the US (served in a specially chilled glass) as well as the more local Summer Lightning from Salisbury brewers Hop Back, while Japanese Asahi and Dutch Oranjeboom beers can be had on draught.

Cocktails are available at all times, but there’s a special ‘2-for-£9’ offer before 9pm every day.

Amoeba 10 King’s Rd, Clifton, Bristol. Ffi: 0117 946 6461, www.amoebaclifton.co.uk Open Mon-Fri 4pm-12midnight (1am Fri), Sat 1pm-1am, Sun 1pm-12midnight

➻ Last year’s debut for this US-style barbecue fest was a major success but the 2011 Grillstock claims to be even ‘bigger, better and louder’. As well as the popular King of the Grill BBQ cook-off competition and life-threatening chilli eating contest, there’ll be expert tuition from the Newman’s Own BBQ Academy and the chance to sample and buy pretty much anything related to coal-fired cookery, from spicy rubs and smoking woodchips to megacookers. With live entertainment from the great Invisible Circus and a full music programme including Cajun legends Sarah Savoy & the Francadians and ‘metalgrass’ mayhem from Hayseed Dixie (pictured), the weekend promises to be a blast.

Grillstock 2-3 July, Lloyds Amphitheatre, Bristol Harbourside. Ffi: www. grillstock.co.uk

READER

offer Wine and Dine ➻ When bright new planet in the Bath foodie firmament Côte Brasserie arrived in Milsom Place then naturally we sent our reviewer to suss the place out. She came back with stars in her eyes (see review on p71) but it seems the love goes both ways, and les gens charmants at Côte are making an offer to our readers that you may well not want to pass over. All you have to do is quote 'Folio' when booking your table any Monday-Thursday before Thurs 28 July and as long as you order main courses, your table will receive a complimentary bottle of either Sauvignon Blanc La Place or Merlot Chemin de Marquiere to accompany your classic French bistro food. We’ll raise a toast to that. Bon appétit!

Côte Brasserie 27 Milsom Place, Bath. Ffi: 01225 335509. www.cote-restaurants. co.uk

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Opening very soon

Princess Victoria Street fine dining experience 'fifty' will be born.

Showcasing the best of seasonal locally produced foods and English classics in a modern style.

The menus will offer a set 2 or 3 course lunch menu or light a la carte choices.

The evening a fine dining 7 course tasting menu and a la carte.

A vegetarian tasting menu will be available so non carnivore gourmets can enjoy the experience too.

After 10 years on Islay, off the west coast of Scotland, followed by 5 years on Alderney, Channel Islands, Scott Chance has brought his 32 years of fine dining experience to Clifton. With his wife Wendy and talented young Chef Dany Lancaster they bring a great new dining experience to Clifton Village.

Scott and Dany, both with pedigree backgrounds in catering were amazed at the wealth of quality ingredients available and with the countryside full of good wild foods for foraging it is an ideal location for a restaurant.

Using modern slow cooking techniques and in-house smoker served alongside a great wine list the Clfton dining scene is in for a treat.

For more information phone: 07881 790 302 or visit www.restaurantfifty.co.uk

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➻ EatingOutWest

Get the inside/outside vibe – whatever the weather – at Spyglass (above); or do it yourself with a culinary alfresco installation from Wood Fired Oven (below)

the great

outdoors Kitchen Gardens

➻ Dahling, those fiddly disposable foil trays are just sooo last year! Yup, 2011 is all about... the wood-fired oven. Stylish, easy to use and remarkably adaptable, a wood-fired affair can cope with fish, meat, vegetables, bread, pizza and more – once you’ve got the hang of it, wood-firing’s got it all going on. Embers in Bristol are exclusive distributor for the très chic Bluestone wood-fired ovens, while Wood Fired Oven offer all kinds of culinary alfresco installations, from a single oven to a whole outdoor kitchen and all manner of landscaping options.

Embers 117-119 St Georges Rd, College Green, Bristol. Ffi: 0117

Melissa Blease munches her way through some tasty summertime treats

925 1115, www.embersbristol.com Wood Fired Oven Ffi: 01225 867971, www.wood-firedoven. co.uk

Get Out – And Stay Out!

➻ Bristol’s Spyglass Barbecue & Grill is a summer-season institution. Plenty of cosy heaters around this cleverly converted barge ensure that this inside/outside experience is a comfortable one whatever the weather, while the sophisticated, Mediterranean barbecue-inspired menus are supplemented by rustic salads made from ingredients sourced from their own kitchen garden, guaranteeing a full-on, fresh

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Dates for the diary ➻ 2-3 July, Amphitheatre,

Not so hot on the bbq? Let the pros do it for you at Spyglass (above); or for stress-free picnics, pick up a luxury hamper from Carluccio's (below)

experience. The impromptu, weather-permitting barbecues at the White Bear, meanwhile, are garnering legendary-status acclaim all of their own. In Bath, Sawclose summertime hotspot Market make full use of their spacious terrace (with views across to the Theatre Royal) by offering a salacious selection of antipasti, burgers and pizzas and regular, hugely popular hog roast shebangs.

Follow Market on Facebook for lively, summer-themed meal/ drinks deals and details of the next hog roast event.

Market Sawclose, Bath.

Ffi: 01225 330009, www. marketbath.com Spyglass Barbecue & Grill Welsh Back, Bristol. Ffi: 0117 927 7050, www.spyglassbristol.co.uk White Bear 133 St Michaels Hill, Bristol. Ffi: 0117 904 9054, www. whitebear-bristol.co.uk

Pick up a Picnic

➻ Upmarket Italian eatery and deli chain Carluccio’s offer a lavish selection of picnic hampers, including vegetarian options and a children’s menu.

Each selection (£45 for two people; kids £10pp) is packed with authentic Italian flavours and comes in a reusable coolbag, complete with paper plates, napkins, cutlery and cups. Planning to get out and about in and around Bath? The Best of British deli do individual picnic boxes (£9.95) packed with tempting, fully organic moveable-feast options, including indulgent cakes and thirst-quenching tipples... talking of which, no picnic or barbecue is truly complete without a sip of cider.

The Bristol Cider Shop serves up a fascinating range of 50plus varieties of locally sourced scrumptiousness, alongside apple or pear perries and cider-related ephemera. Hic! Best of British Organic Delicatessen 12 Broad St, Bath. Ffi: 01225 448055, www. bestofbritishdeli.co.uk Bristol Cider Shop 7 Christmas Steps, Bristol.

Ffi: 0117 382 1679, www. bristolcidershop.co.uk Carluccio’s Quakers Friars, Cabot Circus (0117 933 8538) & The Mall, Cribbs Causeway, Bristol (0117 950 8760). Ffi: www. carluccios.com

Bristol Harbourside (www. grillstock.co.uk) • Barbecues: if you’re going to do it, do it right - and this is the place to watch and learn from the experts (or just leave it entirely up to them while sampling the consequences). All the top BBQ technology will be on display, plus any amount of taste-enhancing goodies to help you bring the best out of that gorgeous hunk of pork or beef.

Visit website for full programme of events and admission prices, and see preview on p61.

Stourhead Picnic & Firework Display (pictured) Sat 23 July, Stourhead, Wilts (www. nationaltrust.org.uk) • A unique opportunity to picnic against a backdrop of the unspoiled beauty of a world-famous landscaped garden (near Mere, Wiltshire). Pack a hamper and enjoy a summer evening lakeside picnic and spectacular firework display.

Cinema under the Stars 29-30 July, Holburne Museum, Great Pulteney St, Bath (www.holburne. org) • The lavishly refurbished Holburne Museum and the Little Theatre Cinema have collaborated with open-air cinema specialists Filmair to present a magical opportunity to enjoy the big screen under a big sky. This year’s screenings will be Wes Anderson’s family-friendly spectacular Fantastic Mr Fox (Fri) and Peter Weir’s Napoleonic seafaring epic Master and Commander (Sat). Rustle up a picnic (or let the Holburne’s Garden Cafe do it for you), wear warm clothes and prepare to party on in fine Heritage City style. Gates open 7.30pm, films begin at 9pm (or as soon as it’s dark enough).

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farrells irish ita lian restaur ant

NOW OPEN 44 Temple Street, Keynsham, Bristol BS31 1EH t. 0117 9866 330

e. info@farrellsrestaurant.co.uk

www.farrellsrestaurant.co.uk

The

Experience FINE FOOD & ENTERTAINMENT IN EXOTIC SURROUNDINGS

Byzantium Bistro NOW OPEN FOR LUNCH ALL DISHES ÂŁ6 OR LESS! TUESDAY - SATURDAY 12PM - 6PM

Book Now on 0117 922 1883 www.ByzantiuM.co.uk folio/july 2011 67

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➻ EatingOutWest

Cooking up a storm: Dale Penfold and Edward Perry, founders of gourmet ready meal franchise Cook

In from the

cold Tell us about Cook…

Edward Perry and Dale Penfold set up Cook in 1997 to make meals by hand, using exactly the same ingredients and techniques as you would at home. The idea was sparked partly by Edward’s mother, who’d cook a big batch of stew and freeze it for eating over subsequent weeks. Edward set out to do the same on a bigger scale. We don’t sell to the big supermarkets because, while it might mean bigger sales, we’d sacrifice our independence and freedom to do things differently.

How were you lured into the Cook family?

I’d been an enthusiastic consumer of Cook food for years. I loved the convenience of readymade frozen meals that were both extremely tasty and free from the added

preservatives that tend to pervade other ready meals, and we loved the Cook ‘family’ ethos.

When we moved to Bristol, we were disappointed to find there was no alternative to Cook, and made contact with the owners when the opportunity of a franchise arose. The rest is history...

Isn’t the food a bit expensive?

It’s all about value rather than price. Our food is never going to be the cheapest, simply because we believe delivering good value is about the quality of ingredients and the attention to detail that comes with preparing meals by hand. That said, it can often be cheaper to serve our food than to make it yourself – and there’s no waste.

We went to a supermarket and bought the ingredients to make our award-winning Moroccan

Frozen food is just low-grade, factory-produced convenience grub, right? Not so. Joe Spurgeon meets Amanda Gould of Cook, Clifton’s pioneers of gourmet readymade meals from the freezer spiced lamb tagine for six people, and it cost £2 more than it would have done to buy six portions already prepared. And we didn’t factor in time spent driving to the supermarket or cooking, or the cost of the petrol.

“It can often be cheaper to serve our food than to make it yourself – and there's no waste” amanda gould, Cook

But isn’t frozen food less nutritious?

Freezing is nature’s way of preserving food. You don’t need any additives or preservatives – it’s natural food and flavour, preserved in a natural way. And the faster you freeze something, the fresher and more nutritious it is. There’s plenty of research that shows frozen vegetables are more nutritious than their supermarket ‘fresh’ equivalents. Because we freeze our dishes at -35˚C immediately after they’re cooked, flavour and nutrition are locked in.

What’s your favourite dish?

Right now, the new fish curry (tilapia and lentils) and the new sea bass with asparagus tips and linguine in a lobster & saffron bisque. Other top dishes are the Moroccan lamb tagine with minted couscous, and

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Party Time Who wants to be stuck in a kitchen while everyone else frolics in the sunshine? Not Kristal McNamara – off on a weekend hen do and about to put Cook’s menu to the test

➻

Could there be a more discerning bunch than a gaggle of hungry hen-doers, aged between 22 and 62? We picked up food for 18 from a massive range at Cook’s Clifton shop (not a Turkey Twizzler or crispy pancake in sight) and shipped it down to HQ for the weekend. Here’s what we tried…

this – a chunky, hearty, carnival of flavours and colour. The ginger smokes but doesn’t overpower, and the thick, fiery red-brown sauce recalls the finest street food in Rabat.”

Minted Couscous (serves 2, £2.99) They say: “Couscous with oven-roasted peppers, STARTERS/CANAPES mushrooms and sweet Sundried Tomato & Pesto sundried tomatoes, finished Tartlets (£6.25 for 12) with mint.”

What we thought: “Despite a pastry/filling ratio that unnecessarily We say: “The perfect partner The three standout favoured the carbohydrate camp, to those tagines. The couscous winners – chocolate the piquant pesto and a velveteen was a simple, subtle, refreshing torte, raspberry tomato heart got the tastebuds blend – not too stodgy – and, pavlova and tagine with those sundried tomatoes, standing to attention. A solid start.” carried secret little flavour-bombs in its midst. Huge Mini Quiches with Smoked Salmon and Rocket portions, too.” (£6.50 for 12) What we thought: “Inoffensively delicate canapeDESSERTS style starter with some pungent salmon sorcery Raspberry Pavlova (serves 8 to 10, £11.99) beneath a creamy lid – on the bland side for some They say: "A light pavlova roll packed with fresh tastes, but a safe, cutesy-looking bet for a party.” cream and raspberries.”

We say: “Could have been made fresh minutes before eating – wispy and light with a thick, lava-like MAINS creamy core, finished with seriously tangy summer Moroccan Spiced Lamb Tagine fruit. We say yes!” (serves 4, £17.95) They say: “A slow-cooked, aromatic North African stew with pieces of lamb marinated in a Rich Lemon Tart (serves 8, £8.50) spice, then braised in stock for three hours and They say: “Classic French biscuit pastry base with a finished with chickpeas, apricots and dates.” lemon filling.”

We say: “Devoured in minutes. Quivering We say: “This sharp, tangy little citrus number hunks of tender lamb, gristle- and fat-free, fall packs a punch. The base was a smidge on the soft, apart on the tongue. A dancing party of spices denture-free side for some, but for the rest, it was like a summer’s day in Paris. Magnifique!”

– cinnamon, cumin, paprika, ginger – explodes in the mouth. The sweeter apricots and dates make for a welcome counterbalance. An instant Chocolate Mousse Torte (serves 10, £13.99) classic.”

They say: “Rich, dark chocolate mousse on a crisp, buttery, biscuit base, topped with a thin layer of cream and dusted with cocoa powder.”

Vegetable & Chickpea Tagine We say: “The undoubted winner, a decadently (serves 2, £5.95) They say: “Sweet roasted vegetables, aubergines, dense wall of chocolate, richly aromatic and ginger and a blend of Moroccan spices.” just heavenly. Well worth the extra few quid and We say: “You don’t need to be a veggie to get into perfectly offset by a handy raspberry coulis.”

➻

wild mushroom & butternut squash lasagne. We also have a soft spot for the Indonesian range.

You do more than just frozen food, don’t you?

Yes, we also do additions including Luscombe’s soft drinks, Olives Et Al marinades, tapenades and olives, and the best liquorice you’re ever likely to find.

What do you think of the foodie scene in Bristol?

We love it! We live in Westbury-onTrym and have really enjoyed meals at Casamia, where the hype is more than matched by the quality. [My husband] Jon discovered Bell’s Diner and, having regaled us all with tales of eating squirrel as a starter, lured us there as a family. We’ve also discovered numerous independent small pubs and restaurants. We’re spoiled for choice!

Cook Clifton 3 St John’s Court, Whiteladies Rd, Bristol. Ffi: 0117 317 9748, www.cookfood.net

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➻ EatingOutWest

ReView CÔte

She’s no big fan of high-street chains, but Melissa Blease is pleasantly surprised by the new Gallic arrival on Milsom Street

I

t’s a terrible shame that the Moon and Sixpence – one of Bath’s longeststanding social/good times institutions (established circa 1978) – fell foul of the vagaries of the current financial climate earlier this year. It’s also a bit ironic (although not that surprising, given that darn FC) that the lovely, fairly recently refurbished, multi-faceted nest that the M&S so suddenly vacated was swiftly occupied, magpie-style, by a high-street chain operation, the like of which many Bathonians are accusing of turning their beloved city into yet another bland ‘leisure experience’ epicentre, as replicated across the UK. But if we choose to take the ‘glass half full’ approach to such ch-ch-changes, the city could have done far worse than being asked to welcome a branch of Côte to the fold, not least because this French-themed venture (USP: ‘simple, freshly prepared French food at value-for-money prices’ served in surroundings ‘inspired by a modern interpretation of the many bistros and brasseries so popular in Paris’) has chosen to land in Milsom Place, the chic shopping complex already largely dominated by fellow upmarket franchisees (Jamie’s Italian, Yo! Sushi), and therefore only subtly impinging on Bath’s more ‘characterful’, independent venture-lined lanes and byways.

Fans of the M&S will already be familiar with the sense of urban sanctuary offered by Côte’s unique location: several atmospheric cobbled passages lead directly through to an elegant vista that combines newly restored highlights of the building’s original ancient setting with modern renovation flourishes, complete with covered courtyard alfresco opportunities (including a subtly glamorous, open-air, upper-level bar area), all big on contemporary charm but cleverly retaining a sense of Heritage City historical tradition. We took to a table by sliding doors directly

READER offer p61 opening out onto the courtyard, thereby revelling in an indoor/ outdoor experience that meant rain couldn’t stop play.

Aperitifs (the kir royale at £3.95 is an absolute bargain), accompanied by a platter of thyme-infused

“fans of the moon and sixpence will already be familiar with the sense of urban sanctuary offered by cÔte's unique location”

reblochon pissaladière and fat slivers of saucisson sec, segued very neatly into our starters: fat, perfectly seared scallops scattered with smoky, salty lardons and drizzled with a warm, garlicky tomato dressing and a generous heap of nicely balanced steak tartare – so far, so very French indeed. Our mains played a good game of keepy-uppy on the Gallic theme, too, especially in the case of his roast sea bass fillet accompanied by braised fennel, tomato concasse and an accomplished champagne beurre blanc. Had my rib-eye steak not been a tad too well done for my medium preference, all would have been perfect in main-event world, but any hint of heavy-handed behaviour was balanced by a very decent béarnaise sauce, perfect frites, a dreamy side of creamed spinach and the friendliest, most efficient service I’ve encountered in Bath in a very long time.

To finish, Beloved insisted on ordering dark chocolate mousse and crème caramel, the latter deservedly billed as Côte’s speciality of the house – both

He and the Côte kitchen get a gold star for making such lavish indulgence irresistible. For all this and more (digestifs to balance those aperitifs, good wine, coffee, etc) our total bill came to around £90 – not too dissimilar to the bottom line that had to be crossed when leaving the old M&S, then, and most certainly not that far removed from that days-goneby experience in terms of fresh flavours and distinctly nonfranchise food. It’s possible, however, to push the crosschannel ferry out for far, far less here (two courses for £9.95, 12noon-7pm, for example) without feeling as though you’ve travelled too far away from the independent zone. Santé!

Contact

cÔte 27 Milsom Place, Bath. Ffi: 01225 335509, www.cote-restaurants. co.uk The Verdict HHHHHHHHHH

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➻ EatingOutWest

ReView pROSECCO Tony Benjamin digs deep into his pork belly to unearth the secret behind the smart simplicity at one of Gordon’s Best Local Restaurants

E

ver since they were controversially pipped for the title of ‘Gordon’s Best Local Restaurant’ some 18 months ago, business has been brisk at Prosecco. Even the recent arrival of upmarket French franchise Côte next door doesn’t seem to have ruffled their feathers – the welcome is as comfortable, relaxed and relaxing as ever.

There’s a neat, smart simplicity to the decor at this compact, family-run Clifton restaurant, which matches the food philosophy of Italian chef/ owner Diego Da Re. Trained in fine dining in top restaurants across Europe, he’s ultimately inspired by the approaches of his grandmother and father, who conjured delicious food from the simple, seasonal ingredients available to them.

Completely free of unnecessary exotica, the Prosecco à la carte menu fits neatly onto one side of A4, using straightforward descriptions like ‘potted smoked trout with summer pickles’.

Having decided to do the proper Italian four-course thing, but nervous as to quantity, me and The Lovely She decide to share that trout dish as our antipasti. It’s a good call, the subtly blended flavours of lemon and butter emphasising the pink smokiness of the fish flavour, while crunchy pickled asparagus wait to be found in the sweet pickle. Going ‘by-the-glass’ on wine, TLS has a bigflavoured unoaked chardonnay and I opt for crisper soave – both work well with this and the subsequent ‘pasta’ course, where Diego’s approach really begins to shine.

Whatever the phrase ‘gnocchi with creamy dolcelatte sauce’ conjures up for you, the flavoursome marshmallow-melting nuggets and their fragrant accompaniment would surely match your expectation, while pappardelle with shredded roast duck in thyme sauce is revelatory.

The pasta itself is eggy perfection, while the slow-cooked duck has

become a dense ragu with intense aromatic flavours. Best not to rush such pleasures, so we take our time, enjoying the combination of rich food and decent wine, pausing a while before the main courses arrive.

Given our relative state of contentment at this stage, it’s important that the next dishes look good enough to tempt us further, and indeed they do. My pork belly with three salsa accompaniments is artfully laid out, the cube of skinless meat surrounded by a neat traffic light of spoonfuls of red, yellow and green salsa, with an unfeasibly slender spear of biscuit-crisp crackling balanced on top, while her roast lemon sole is a giant of a fish that fills the plate and gleams with a sheen of chilli, lime and garlic butter.

Preparing for business, TLS tops up her chardonnay while I switch to a knockout barbera, deep red yet with perfectly controlled intensity.

The food is, yet again, delightful.

The pork is almost fat-free, rendered away by slow cooking, and takes on a different hue with each of the chilli, apple and ‘verde’ salsa. The seaflavoured sole folds away from the bone, moistened but not drenched by the butter. We’ve picked chunky bread and a green salad to go with

them, and the combination gives a rustic simplicity to the spread, which, once again, we don’t rush.

By the time we’re done, the room is beginning to thin out as family parties head homewards, but there’s no sense of urgency about the

“completely free of unnecessary exotica, the À la carte menu fits neatly onto one side of a4, using descriptions like 'potted smoked trout with summer pickles'"

staff, and TLS enjoys her dessert of strawberry semi-freddo (delicious chilled fruit mousse belying its strangely Spam-like appearance) while I go for the more Tuscan combination of rich, raisiny vin santo with crisp biscotti cantuccini and a shot of properly Italian espresso.

It’s at this point that the man himself appears, chatting with the remaining diners like old friends he’s welcoming into his home.

Asked about the food, he’s happy to share his secrets and, inevitably, ‘simplicity’ turns out to be the result of meticulous, painstaking cookery combined with a serious understanding of ingredients. The meal has come to £90 (including drinks), but that’s what happens if you push the gondola out at one of Gordon’s Best Local Restaurants.

The guarantee of such quality eating seems well worth the investment.

Contact

Prosecco 25 The Mall, Clifton, Bristol. Ffi: 0117 973 4499, www. proseccoclifton.com The Verdict HHHHHHHHHH

Happily, grandma’s skilful culinary secrets are in the safest possible hands

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➻ EatingOutWest

ReView AiÓ Ineffably charming, contemporary Sardinian bistro that ticks all the right staycation boxes MasterChef 2009's winner Mat Follas in action

Table Talk All good foodies go to heaven ➻

The last weekend of June welcomed the Foodies Festival to Bristol Harbourside for the first time. There was an impressive turnout on the Friday afternoon, and everyone walked away with full bellies and a few new recipes. The purpose-built marquees held some fantastic hands-on tutored tasting sessions: wine, liqueur, cheese and chocolate were all on the list, with masterclasses covering cocktail mixing and food and wine matching. Michelinstarred chefs cooked live, talking us through favourite dishes and sharing top tips in enjoyable interactive seminars. Chefs Martin Blunos and Mat Follas were among the star line-up, and charming French chef Richard Bertinet proved very popular, attempting to teach a brave audience volunteer how to need dough.

Stallholders encouraged passers-by to take free samples… classic cheddar or sticky toffee cheese? A satisfying gin and tonic or a blueberry liqueur? With so many innovative, irresistible bite-sized portions on offer, festivalgoers moved from posh pork pies to artisan chocolates in one fell swoop. Prize for best cheese has to go to the Cheshire Cheese Company (the Baileys & walnut-based spiced honey chocolates were a personal favourite). Hendrick’s Gin went the extra mile with their Victorian chicinspired design and costumes, and their generous samples went down very well, too.

This was a fantastic opportunity to try and buy foodstuffs that aren’t usually available to purchase in Bristol. At lunchtime the Thai, Jamaican, Indian, British and Deep South restaurants offered very reasonably priced dishes, and the live music was a nice added touch. With record-breaking weather that Sunday afternoon, there was no better way to end this top event than with an authentic Italian gelato. Please come back next year!

(Laura Barton)

L

ast time we visited for review purposes, Aió was a newcomer to the Bath scene: a sparkling beacon of independent joy to offset the franchise invasion that was just beginning to attempt to dictate the pace and tone of eating out in the Heritage City. Two years on, and the invasion continues at a pace.

Aió, however, continues to thrive, proving that an authentically warm welcome, surroundings that aren’t dictated by a Head Office diktat and properly fresh food are the armaments that can help win the war against heavily branded, loss-leading assembly-line fodder.

The Aió experience thrums with vibrancy from the off. Pavement tables on the busy thoroughfare to the front lead into a softly lit dining room decorated with cute, seafood-themed Amalfi Coast knickknackery, and there’s another cheerful dining room and a dinky, private alfresco patio outback. Had we struck it lucky with the weather, it would have been nice to eat under the stars, for food here (lots and lots of fresh fish, plenty of meaty chargrilled skewers, fascinating fregola) lends itself perfectly to a staycation experience. Having said that, there’s a nicely paced, lively ambience indoors, too, courtesy of Aió head honchos Mauro Matta and Salvo Cuomo – a team with over 15 years’ combined experience in bringing la dolce vita to Bath.

We started our Roman holiday with the ‘Antipasto Mare’ sharing platter (£8.95pp): a well-considered piscatorial selection including dusky, spicy grilled sardines, smooth marinated salmon and perfectly crisp fritto misto, served with shards of flatbread and dinky slivers of roasted vegetables in Kilner jars – a grand adventure indeed. To follow, two fish dishes straight off the specials board: crispyskinned mackerel fillet dotted hither and thither with mussels, olives and capers (£12.95) and a huge, whole sea bream (£16.95), liberally stuffed with spears of rosemary and plump garlic jewels before being subjected to the grill. We didn’t need the side of chips (my idea – there’s no hint of the dreaded ‘upsell’ at this establishment), but they turned what was already an oceanic feast into a banquet of sheer, fresh indulgence. Nor did we need to finish with two thoroughly indulgent desserts (sorry, the note-taking faculties went awry at this stage), but when in Rome, etc... or rather, when in Bath: the city’s original invaders wouldn’t be disappointed by their legacy. (Melissa Blease)

Contact

Aió 7 Edgar Buildings, George St, Bath. Ffi: 01225 443900, www.aiorestaurant.co.uk The Verdict HHHHHHHHHH

Smart but informal, fresh, cheerful and value for money

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10 of the best Coffee’n’cakes, tea’n’tarts or whatever takes your fancy ➻ Jazz Cafe Kingsmead St, Bath • Great coffee and indulgent slabs of cake, with Bath’s tree-lined Kingsmead Square providing excellent people-watching entertainment.

➻ EatingOutWest

ReView The star & Dove Olde English treats at this Totterdown pub

➻ Ben’s Cookies 21 Union Passage, Bath • The coffee’s good but – guess what? – it’s their fabulous cookies that score the points.

Who’d have thought it?

➻ Metropolitan Cafe 15 New Bond St, Bath • Tucked above the Bloomsbury shop, this intimate little place offers delicious cakes in a bright, relaxing setting right in the heart of Bath’s retail heartland.

➻ Cafe Grounded 287 Church Rd, Redfield & 66 Bedminster Parade, Bristol • Both branches are top for coffee, with ace sofas to flop into, but it’s the nearby St George’s Park that gives Redfield the edge over Bedminster.

➻ Tart 16 Gloucester Rd, Bristol • Bristol’s undisputed shrine to self-indulgence offers a sophisticated selection of temptations with no treat too sweet. ➻ St Stephen’s Cafe 21 Stephen’s St, Bristol • This unexpected oasis just a few yards from The Centre is a haven of calm, with lush, crumbly cakes and flaky Lebanese delights among the homecooked comfort food.

➻ St Andrew’s Park Cabin Off Effingham Rd, Bristol • On a nice day, there’s nothing finer than a proper slice of featherlight Victoria sponge taken alfresco under the trees amid the park’s bustle. ➻ Primrose Cafe 1 Boyces Ave, Clifton Village, Bristol • The menu combines class and imagination, making their afternoon tea choices a legend. Take a pavement table and watch the world go by. ➻ La Ruca 89 Gloucester Rd, Bristol • Find the steps at the back of the treasuretrove of a health food shop and you rise into a chirpy, comfortable place with a homemade cake selection waiting for you.

➻ Bristol City Museum Cafe Queens Rd, Bristol • Happily child-friendly and nicely laid out, this is a haven for parents and tiddlers, with coffee and walnut cake a stand-out among the sweet selection.

W

hen I lived nearby it was the Cumberland and, like many BS3 locals, defiantly dodgy. Reborn as gastropub the Star & Dove in 2008, it’s had a chequered story, closing in January this year, and now open again with good real ales and an excellent wine list. More importantly, with three chefs now running things, the food is back on… and what food it be! Here’s your chance to ‘go for an English’ with a vengeance, whether it’s ‘beer food’ (bar snacks) or the ‘old kitchen’ menu of historic recipes, some dating back to the 17th century. It’s an approach favoured by Heston Blumenthal with his Dinner place in London and, judging by the meal we had, deserves to be a great success in Bristol.

We arrived around 8pm on a Friday – possibly not the best time to dine in what’s clearly a very popular local pub, but a good test of the service – and started on a bottle of Strawberry Hill red wine.

They had foreign bottles, too, but we were determined to go with the English thing, and the light, energetic flavour was pleasingly complex. We baggsied some ‘beer food’ for starters, with a half-pint of pig crackling, rollmops and bread, all made in house and all delicious distractions from our perusal of the ‘old kitchen’ menu.

The faded parchment and gothic script seemed a bit over the top but then we saw

our neighbour’s portion of baked mackerel arrive, stiffened tails sticking up out of a pewter tankard, and it all seemed of a piece.

The nine dishes were all ‘dated’ and priced between £7 and £10, and after some helpful explanations of ancient terminology we were ready to roll.

My companion went straight for River Exe mussels, meaty prawns, gravy and ‘sippetts of toasted bread’ and got a heap of tasty shellfish in thick meaty broth scattered with rough croutons. The powerful flavours lifted it way above expectations and received unreserved approval. I had broiled baby fowl with paté and English greens – another perfect combination, the creamy paté enriching the stew of vegetables and the tiny bird so softly cooked that even the bones melted in the mouth.

Rich puddings followed – lashings of treacle and a punchy syllabub standing out – and then a bill of around £40 for the lot… another throwback, and very welcome, too.

The place was heaving but the service was impeccable and the food a real experience – I’ll certainly be going back as soon as I can.

(Tony Benjamin)

Contact

The Star & Dove 75 St Lukes Rd, Totterdown, Bristol. Ffi: 0117 933 2892, www.staranddove.co.uk The Verdict HHHHHHHHHH

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➻ EatingOutWest Recipe Camilla MIllard Age: 23 Nationality: British Restaurant: Farrells Irish Italian

➻

After being taught how to cook by her mother, also a chef, Camilla started working at Ross on Wye’s Lough Pool Inn, run by Stephen Bull, at age 14.

Meanwhile, she completed her GCSEs, followed by AS and A levels, going on to study at University College Birmingham.

While on placement with her degree, she worked as a pastry chef at Gordon Ramsay’s Knightsbridge Boxwood Cafe, then the Light House Restaurant in Wimbledon.

After graduating with a first-class BA (Hons) in Culinary Arts Management, she moved to Keynsham with her partner and worked at Bath’s Pump Rooms. During this time, she had her now 11-month-old daughter, who keeps her very busy when she’s not working!

“After seeing Farrells restaurant being built, and being highly intrigued by the Irish-Italian fusion, I approached Barry and, as they say, the rest is history...

“I’d describe my food as fresh, exciting and wholesome with a modern twist. I love both food and cooking. The buzz of the kitchen and a busy service make the hard work and commitment 110% worthwhile. I couldn’t imagine my life without it.”

camilla millard at

farrells Irish italian Address: 44 Temple St, Keynsham BS31 1EH Tel: 0117 986 6330 Web: www.farrellsrestaurant.co.uk

A

fter over 20 years’ extensive experience in the Bristol restaurant trade, Barry Farrell felt it was time to set up his own individual concept in restaurants. With his role in catering and hospitality having taken many twists and turns over the years, this just felt the right time to launch his first venture.

“I’ve had the idea for the ‘Irish Italian’ for many years now,” says Barry. “Good hearty homecooking mixed with the culture and elegance of Italy. The fusion promises to be a beautiful mix of culinary delights.” Expect a revival of traditional Irish cooking alongside some fresh takes, with many products sourced from Ireland – Donegal fish stew, Irish mist mushrooms with toasted wheaten bread, parfait of Bushmills, mutton and Guinness cannelloni with Irish cheddar, Cashel Blue pear and walnut salad, Ulster mixed grill with white pudding, traditional Guinness & ale pie. “We’ll be using lots of whisky in our cooking. There’ll be exciting new pizza and pasta dishes alongside old favourites, and a fresh daily fish selection with a hint of the Amalfi Coast.

“Great cooking starts with great shopping – supporting local farmers, hunting out unusual,

fresh natural products. I want to feed the public to a consistently high standard in a comfortable, homely environment. Everyone’s welcome at Farrells, from the very young to the very young at heart.”

Father-of-three Barry is expecting his fourth child this month. “Life’s all about family and having fun – and I hope this spills over into my restaurant. I’m passionate about food and growing up in the Irish community, alongside many Italians. I’ve always considered myself ‘the Irish Italian’. The two cultures are very similar – they both believe in strong family values and having the craic! Well, what more is life about?”

“Life’s all about family and having fun – I hope this spills over into my restaurant” barry farrell, Farrells

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Dark chocolate, orange & Guinness cake with chocolate glacage and vanilla ice-cream INGREDIENTS Guinness cake: 450g salted butter 450g soft brown sugar 8 eggs 570g self-raising flour 4 tbsp cocoa powder 1 orange zest 1 cup Guinness Chocolate glacage: 260ml double cream 160g unsalted butter 80g golden syrup 640g 70% chocolate Vanilla ice-cream: 4 pints double cream 850g egg yolks 600g caster sugar 3 vanilla pods

TO MAKE

Preheat oven to 160˚C/320˚F/gas mark 3.

Line 2”x8” round cake tins with greaseproof paper.

For the vanilla ice-cream, bring the double cream and scraped vanilla pods to a boil. Whisk egg yolks and sugar together until well combined. Pour over boiled cream and whisk until all egg mixture is incorporated. Allow vanilla pods to infuse in the cream and egg mixture until cool. Once mixture has cooled, pass through a fine

sieve and churn in an ice-cream machine until correct ice-cream consistency is obtained. Place in container and freeze until required.

To make the chocolate cake, beat butter and sugar until pale light brown in colour, approx 6 mins. Slowly beat in each egg, one by one, allowing sufficient time for the egg to combine fully. Fold in sifted flour and cocoa powder and gently combine, ensuring you don’t knock any air out. Fold in orange zest and Guinness. Pour into cake tins and cook for 35-40 mins until cooked.

Insert knife and it must come out clean.

If it doesn’t, cook for a little longer. Once cooked, allow to cool in tins for 10 mins then remove and place on cooling racks to cool fully.

For the chocolate glacage, bring double cream, butter and syrup to a boil. Pour over chopped chocolate and leave for 2 mins.

Then mix together to form a shiny thick chocolate glaze.

To ice the cake, place each cake onto a cake board and pour glacage over the top.

Using a palate knife gently smooth the glacage over the top and sides of the cake.

Allow to set at room temperature before putting in the fridge.

When serving, take cake out of the fridge and allow to reach room temperature. Slice a portion and place on plate, sitting a ball of fresh vanilla ice-cream next to it and a few fresh raspberries.

Recommended... bartali antico blasone

➻ When choosing a wine to partner such an indulgent dessert, the key rule to remember is always go for a dessert wine that matches the sweetness of your pudding. And Bartali Antico Blasone ticks all the boxes, working well with a range of desserts from the rich intensity of this gooey chocolate, orange and Guinness cake to the lightness of fresh fruit and Tuscan cantuccini. This golden amber–coloured nectar has a bouquet of dried fruits with final notes of honey, resulting in a great bodied wine packing a powerfully sweet punch. Bartali Antico Blasone is one of the dessert wines on Farrells’ wine list, so why not book a table and try this delectable combination for yourself? folio/july 2011 77

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