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January 2012 l No. 204
must-have
gizmos
Cooking up a storm
Five local chefs set to make it BIG
Passport to plenty
Suits you sir Cool kit for guys
We review new eaterie Za Za Bazaar
And relax…
Get the New Year off to a cracking start with a toasty winter break guaranteed to put a smile on everyone’s face
➻ Beauty F204_COVER.indd 7
Win A Romantic Night in Devon!
BRISTOL & bATH'S
MAGAZINE
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/january 2012 Well here we are, at the start of another year when we promise ourselves we’ll live healthier, happier, more cultured and community-minded lives. Feels good from this vantage point with a whole 12 months of possibility lying ahead of us, doesn’t it? And boy, are we going to help you on your way (to the more cultured bit, at least). Been cooped up too long with Uncle Baz and his pervading aroma of Werther’s Originals and mothballs? It’s time to treat you and yours to a souped-up New Year break, crammed to the gills with fresh country air, gorgeous interiors, sweeping grounds, gourmet cuisine, and a heap of history. Tall order? Think again… on page 4, Joe Spurgeon highlights 15 of his favourite luxury breaks to get your New Year off to a flying start. And to help you look the part, turn to page 24 for our pick of the best men’s suits around, while for the ladies Niki Whittle gives us her take on 1940s style on page 27. We’ve also got five more wonder gizmos to help make life that little bit easier and more fun (p31), plus this month’s interiors experts Lumination show us how to make the most out of each room with clever lighting solutions (p42). Ooh, and if you must focus on the healthier side of life, Melissa Blease helps you pick vitamin-rich fare that’ll leave you feeling full and happy! Turn to page 55 before you hit the supermarket.
Happy New Year!
Rachel Nott Folio editor
Win a voucher from motel rocks! page 20
4 Stellar winter breaks picked by Joe Spurgeon 10 Mike White’s top things to do in January 14 We follow in Autumnwatch’s footsteps with a visit to Slimbridge 18 Avon Wildlife Trust take us on Bath’s beautiful Skyline Walk
feathered friends at slimbridge 14
Competitions 20 Win a romantic night in Devon plus £75 to spend at Motel Rocks!
Lifestyle
PIC CREDIT: HEATHER TAIT
New leaf
Features
24 Anna Britten likes a man in a suit 27 Niki Whittle shows us how to work 1940s style 29 Solelution is our shop of the month 31 Five gadgets Velimir Ilic can’t live without 32 Our salon spy gets a new look at SeanHanna 33 How to stay safe on the roads this winter 37 St Brendan’s Sixth Form College in the spotlight
Homefront 42 Lumination are our experts this month 46 Velimir Ilic surveys the property scene
Eating Out West 52 Five rising kitchen stars to watch 55 How to eat healthy and still stay full 57 Restaurant review: Chequers 58 Restaurant review: Living Room 61 Restaurant review: Hoi Faan 62 Restaurant review: Za Za Bazaar 64 Recipe from Cathay Rendezvous
31 Groovy gadgets to make everyday chores a little bit easier
24 Guys, listen up! It’s time to smarten up with a lovely new whistle
4 @folioeditor
editor@foliomagazine.co.uk
Chase away the winter blues with a winter break
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 or editor@foliomagazine.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-ordinator Sam Ulewicz 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.
62 We review new Bristol eatery Za Za Bazaar
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Right, top to bottom: The Castle; Cedar Falls; Vale Resort; Pear Tree Inn food; Pear Tree Inn exterior; and Bishops Caundle Cottage
Clockwise from above: Combe House Devon exterior; and interior; Woolley Grange; and Longleat
THE GREAT
ESCAPES
Joe Spurgeon eyes up 15 extra special winter breaks to get your new year off to a flying start
Above: Upper Crossway Cottage; Ro-Fawr Farm; and Tracy Park
Clockwise from far left: Thornbury Castle; Firebeacon; and Woolley Grange
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Feature FAMILY FRILLS ➻ Woolley Grange
The original ‘Luxury Family Hotel’, Woolley Grange achieves something of a holy grail when it comes to holidaying with the wee ones: not only is there plenty for you to do en masse (swimming, walking, exploring), but the children’s facilities are second to none, giving them the times of their little lives and giving you some valuable, wellearned R’n’R. An Ofsted-registered nursery, dressing-up boxes, full-time nannies, playrooms and plenty of space to kick a ball, build a den, bounce on a trampoline or run wild are all part of the Woolley way. Assiduous adults, meanwhile, have a contemporary oak and Bath stone-studded spa and a fine-dining, best-of-British restaurant to get stuck into. How much? From £160/night (double, B&B)
ABOVE PAR ➻ Tracy Park
Like golf? You’ll love it at Tracy Park, handily stowed between Bristol and Bath. You’ll find two championship courses, one of which has been awarded an HSBC Gold Award, as well as a stylish boutique hotel in an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty. Hitting balls not your thing? Roam the ample grounds or dip into the astonishing history of the house, which reaches back as far as the 11th century (and a
Most Romantic Hotel. And it’s not hard to see why. The picture-postcard, environmentally conscious, grade-I Elizabethan Manor resides in 3,500 acres of richly verdant country estate, gardens and cedar trees, just a short distance from the lapping of the sea, and a brief drive from the cathedral city of Exeter. Inside, fires roar, welcomes are equally warm and genuinely imaginative gourmet cuisine is served in the candlelit restaurant while you fall in love all over again. How much? From £199/night (double, B&B) FFI: GITTISHAM, HONITON, NR EXETER, DEVON, EX14. TEL: 01404 540400, WEB: WWW.COMBEHOUSEDEVON.COM
UNPRETENTIOUS PUB PERFECTION ➻ The Castle
With each room individually styled, this 250-year-old grade II-listed building has plenty of idiosyncratic personality. Period features have been given a tasteful art-deco facelift with a meticulous attention to detail: toe-cuddling thick carpets, ‘watering can’ showerheads, flat-screen TVs, super-king-size beds and underfloor heating are just some of the modernisations
FFI: WOOLLEY GREEN, BRADFORD ON AVON, WILTS, BA15. TEL: 01225 864705, WEB: WWW.WOOLLEYGRANGEHOTEL.CO.UK
There’s plenty to keep the kids (and you!) happy at Woolley Grange
WHEN YOU WANT IT ALL ➻ Cadbury House Hotel & Spa
Right from top: Tracy Park; Cadbury House Hotel & Spa; and The Castle
The best of the best. DoubleTree by Hilton’s Cadbury House has the lot: wild-child celebrity chef Marco Pierre White’s mouthwatering menu in the sumptuous Steakhouse Bar and Grill, the largest independent health club in the South West, a heated indoor pool, personal fitness training, a hairdressing salon and one of most comprehensive spas in town, with treatments including a fish pedicure and the popular couple’s massage. And that’s without even mentioning the four-star oversized beds, wall-mounted plasmas, chocolates, flowers… How much? From approx £83/night (double, B&B). Special seasonal deals available
FFI: FROST HILL, CONGRESBURY, BRISTOL, BS49. TEL: 01934 834343, WEB: WWW. CADBURYHOTELBRISTOL.CO.UK
mention in the Domesday book) before the Normans, Tudors and Stuarts all left their mark. Back in the 21st century, the warm, honey-coloured Cotswold limestone oozes rural chic, with fully modernised bedrooms loaded with luxury toiletries, four-poster beds, double-high ceilings and free-standing baths to soothe those aching golf muscles. How much? From £149/night (double, B&B), special deals available FFI: BATH RD, WICK, NR BATH, BS30. TEL: 0117 937 1800, WEB: WWW.TRACYPARK.CO.UK
HEAVEN IN DEVON ➻ Combe House Devon
You won’t find many people who disagree with Combe House Devon’s proud mantra of ‘Somewhere different, somewhere special’ – not least travel experts Condé Nast, who recently proclaimed them the UK and Ireland’s
guaranteed to cause maximum ‘ooooh’ factor. From your cosy quarters, gaze across Georgian rooftops or explore the exemplary culinary kingdom of Bradford on Avon, a highlight of which lies right beneath you in the pub’s own refreshingly unpretentious kitchen, which “panders to the needs of both the pub traditionalist and modern-day foodie” but where they are quick to claim: “We are not a restaurant masquerading as a pub where you have to spend at least £30 a head or be squashed into a corner should, heaven forbid, you just want a pint of beer.” We’ll drink to that. How much? From £100/night (for two, B&B) FFI: MOUNT PLEASANT, BRADFORD ON AVON, WILTS, BA15. TEL: 01225 865657, WEB: WWW.FLATCAPPERS.CO.UK/THECASTLE
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Feature DE-STRESS AND DELIGHT ➻ Cedar Falls
Life getting noisy? Unwind and ease off the gas at Somerset’s serene Cedar Falls Health Farm, a 17th century mansion in 44 acres of unspoiled countryside. Original oak panelling, large open fireplaces, lovingly restored carved ceilings and plumped leather sofas provide the perfect backdrop for a tempting selection of spa treatments and natural therapies. Do little, do a lot – it’s your call, but the indoor and outdoor pools, golf course, tennis courts, saunas, gym and oodles of fitness classes are all waiting for you when you feel like getting active. How much? From £122/ person (includes all meals). A one-night Winter Warmer Break (mulled wine on arrival, warming body wrap, festive spice back, neck & scalp massage and a special ESPA candlelit bathing gift) from £195pp (until end Jan) or visit website to download vouchers for £50 off a two-night stay or £25 off a spa day (until end Jan)
FFI: BISHOPS LYDEARD, TAUNTON, SOMERSET, TA4. TEL: 01823 433233, WEB: WWW. CEDARFALLS.CO.UK
FLAT-OUT FAMILY FUN ➻ Longleat Hotels
If you live in the South West and you’ve not ‘done’ Longleat – safari, stately home, trails, treks and general family adventuring – then you need to take a long hard look in the mirror. With enough to fill up more than a weekend or three, the best way of living La Vida Longleat is to sink into a proper minibreak at one their nearby hotels: the Homewood Park Hotel and Spa combines fine dining with a modern spa, while the rural Bishopstrow House (‘a temple to relaxation’) on the banks of the River Wylie is ideal for families, blessed with two fabulous indoor and outdoor heated pools and all the modern marvels of a luxury award-winning retreat. How much? Bishopstrow rooms from £99/night (sleeps 2), Homewood rooms from £140/night (sleeps 2). Special offers available from £75
Above, main image and bottom inset: Cedar Falls; top inset: Longleat House Below left to right: Pear Tree Inn; and Thornbury Castle
jewels of Dorset and Somerset, with Sherborne Castle, numerous National Trust properties and gardens, Longleat Safari Park, Montacute House, Yeovilton Air Museum and more within reach. Or just kick back in your chocolate-box abode, where the house has a traditional woodburner, roll-top bath, DVD player and many other comfy trills and frills. You’ll find a pub and a shop a short stroll away. Dogs welcome, too. How much? From £370 for a 7-night winter stay (sleeps 4). Short breaks available FFI: SHERBORNE, DORSET, DT9. TEL: 01237 459888, WEB: WWW.HOLIDAYCOTTAGES. CO.UK/DORSET/BISHOPS-CAUNDLE-COTTAGE
GASTRO FANTASTICO ➻ Pear Tree Inn
If pub accommodation conjures up images of a stinky, stale attic room above a loud, boisterous booze barn, prepare yourself for a trip to Wiltshire. The Marco Pierre White-endorsed Pear Tree Inn combines all the elements of a proper country pub (lots of excellent real ales, warm welcomes, open log fires) with plenty of added extras, not least that rural inn/fine dining menu full of strength-
restoring seasonal homecooking like roast rump of lamb à la dijonnaise, with gratin dauphinoise and roasting juices. The rooms are strewn with French flourishes and homely heritage touches, and when you’ve eaten and drunk your fill, both the Cotswolds and Mendips are on your doorstep for the taking. How much? Single rooms from £70/ night, doubles from £90/night. Winter Warmer offer (until end Feb) includes three-course dinner plus B&B from £125 (1 night) or £199 (2 nights) FFI: TOP LANE, WHITLEY, MELKSHAM, WILTS, SN12. TEL: 01225 709131, WEB: WWW. WHEELERSPEARTREE.COM
LIVE LIKE A KING ➻ Thornbury Castle
A romantic mix of late medieval castle and 19th century mansion house, Thornbury Castle oozes elegance and a history to make the mind boggle. Find a life stretching back to Saxon times: various
FFI: BISHOPSTROW HOUSE HOTEL & SPA, WARMINSTER, WILTS, BA12. TEL: 01985 212312, WEB: WWW.BISHOPSTROW.CO.UK. HOMEWOOD PARK, ABBEY LANE, HINTON CHARTERHOUSE, BATH, BA2. TEL: 01225 723731, WEB: WWW.HOMEWOODPARK. CO.UK
HISTORY HAVEN ➻ Bishops Caundle Cottage
From your handily positioned thatched cottage (built in 1738), you’re bordered by the very best of the South West. From your snuggly HQ you can explore the
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royals – including Henry VIII and Anne Boleyn – have graced the castle with their majestic presence. And you’ll feel no less regal thanks to the service and splendour of your temporary dwelling: peruse the grounds and the first-ever English Tudor garden, take tea in the library and dinner in the hexagonal Tower Dining Room where seasonal English cuisine cooked with flair (sample dish: roast breast of Gressingham duck with chicory) is the norm, before having a complimentary sherry nightcap and crashing out on your four-poster bed. Special, indeed. How much? Rooms from £190 (bed and breakfast)
fitness classes a week). Pick yourself a spa, golf, leisure, family or ‘experience’ escape (including a Welsh cookery weekend and a chocolate lover’s break) or just sink into the vast beds and tuck into the local speciality Welsh lamb in the AA rosette-winning grill restaurant. Cardiff’s just a short distance away, too, if (for some unimaginable reason) you ever feel like leaving. How much? Leisure breaks from £75/ night for two people B&B, spa breaks from £99
FFI: THORNBURY, SOUTH GLOS, BS35. TEL: 01454 281182, WEB: WWW. THORNBURYCASTLE.CO.UK
FFI: HENSOL PARK, HENSOL, NR CARDIFF, VALE OF GLAMORGAN, WALES, CF72. TEL: 01443 667800, WEB: WWW.VALE-HOTEL.COM
WALKING IN A WINTER WONDERLAND ➻ Ro-Fawr Farm
TRANQUILLITY TROVE ➻ Upper Crossway Cottage
Take your pick from three tastefully converted farm buildings each overlooking the River Towy and valley. The surrounding countryside is a walker’s paradise whether you’re as fit as a fiddle or still carrying a little holiday weight and just fancy a little leg-stretch. Devour your Christmas paperbacks by the dancing flames of a log fire and remember the simple pleasures of the quiet life before taking a dip in the indoor heated pool. The former milking parlour, Y Llaethdy, sleeps two, while the Victorian Barn and Y Bwthyn (the Cottage) each sleep four. How much? Ro Fawr Farm offers 7-night breaks from £311 for Y Llaethdy and £399 for the Barn and Y Bwthyn. Short breaks available
FFI: TOWY VALLEY, CARMARTHENSHIRE, WALES, SA32. TEL: 01558 668505, WEB: WWW. SELFCATERINGWESTWALES.CO.UK
LUXURY AT LEISURE ➻ Vale Resort
Above, clockwise from left: Ro-Fawr Farm; Vale Resort; and Blaenfforest
If you can dream it, it probably exists at the award-winning oasis of pleasure, Vale Resort, the highest-rated four-star hotel in Wales, which boasts two championship golf courses, the largest spa in the country (which includes water therapies, holistic treatments, facials, massage and even a special men’s spa) and all manner of other sporty-foodie-kiddy distractions (there are, for example, more than 50
In a peaceful and picturesque corner of south-west Herefordshire, this tempting two-bed cottage nuzzles up against orchards and meadows in the shadow of the majestic Black Mountains, with the glorious River Wye an ever-friendly neighbour. Inside, the cottage has a clean, pristine, functional and cosy feel, with bed and breakfast available most times of the year as well as all the modern comforts and rustic twists you’d hope for, toe-toasting woodburner and all. Outside, the world’s your Welsh/English oyster: historic churches, gardens, hill walking, castle hopping, photography, painting, canoeing, dozing, dreaming… How much? From £240/£280 for a midweek/weekend short break (sleeps 4)
Ffi: Newton St Margarets, Hereford, HR2. Tel: 01981 510620, web: www. uppercrosswaycottage.co.uk
OUTDOORS ADVENTURE ➻ Firebeacon
Your archetypal outdoorsy country pad, this. Perfect for smaller groups or families, this homely barn conversion lies at the end of a long private drive on the Devon/ Cornwall border and is surrounded by panoramic rolling countryside where circular strolls and, just three miles away, coastal and clifftop walks (with breathtaking views at Hartland Point and Welcombe) await. Unwind and have a poke around the 260-acre farm, head into
Hartland for a pint, get some history at the 12th century Hartland Abbey, head to the beach or check out some of the area’s nearby attractions, like the bonkers Big Sheep (www.thebigsheep.co.uk), where you’ll never look at fluffy livestock the same way again. There’s even a play zone (with trampoline, swing, slide and seesaw) for the little ones, assuming they’ve still got any energy left after their calorieburning day in Devon. How much? From £350 for a 7-night stay (sleeps 4) Ffi: Hartland, North Devon, EX39. Tel: 01237 459888, web: www. holidaycottages.co.uk/devon/ north-devon/firebeacon
FIDO-FRIENDLY FAIRYTALE ➻ Blaenfforest
Dogs, children, cyclists and naturalists are all welcome at this recently restored, exposed-beam luxury cottage set on a working farm in the beautiful, wildliferich Teifi Valley. Feast on local (very local) produce during your stay (your welcome pack includes local eggs, fresh flowers, wine and chocolates) before taking a romantic, wrapped-up promenade around the fairytale Blaenfforest gardens and woodland. Fancy adventuring a little further? Hop in the car and in 20 minutes you’ll hit the coast, with the wonders of Cardigan Bay, Carmarthenshire and Pembrokeshire all nearby. How much? A 7-night break from £400 (sleeps 4). Short breaks available
FFI: THE GRANARY, NEWCASTLE EMLYN, CARMARTHENSHIRE, WALES, SA38. TEL: 01559 371264, WEB: WWW. COTTAGEHOLIDAYSWALES.COM
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what’s new
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VINTAGE TEA PARTIES, SINGING YOUR SOCKS OFF AND A SPOT OF OUTDOOR SWIMMING… MIKE WHITE GETS OUT AND ABOUT
A delightful personal exploration of alfresco swimming to savour and (appropriately) dip into
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FANCY A DIP?
Local author Susie Parr (wife of famous photographer Martin) has written a beautiful book that is both a historical tale and a deeply personal exploration of the joys of swimming outdoors, full of nostalgia, fascinating insights and humour. Although an alfresco plunge is unlikely to be on most people’s minds for several months, The Story of Swimming is a book to savour and dip into until the warmer weather returns. THE STORY OF SWIMMING (DEWI LEWIS, £25) IS AVAILABLE IN ALL GOOD BOOKSHOPS. FFI: WWW.DEWILEWISPUBLISHING.COM
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VALENTIN’S DAY
Take a trip back to the roaring twenties with this brand new but very vintage-looking film (silent, and black and white), which has been scooping up awards and critical adoration across the globe. Suave, pencil-moustached silent movie star George Valentin is struggling to adapt to the arrival of talking pictures when feisty young dancer Peppy Miller whirls into his life and turns his world upside down. To quote Venue’s illustrious Film editor: ‘If you’re looking for a film to put a smile on your face and a spring in your step during a cold, bleak January, you really won’t find anything better than this.’
THE ARTIST IS AT CINEMAS NATIONWIDE FROM 30 DEC. FFI: WWW.VENUE.CO.UK
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GREAT SCOT!
A warming night of fun to raise funds for charity and celebrate Scotland’s most famous poet, Robbie Burns. Festivities include a fine four-course dinner with a wee dram (of course) and music from a 10-piece pipe band. The first Burn’s Nights were actually held in July, on the anniversary of the great man’s death, but in 1803 the decision was made to mark his birthday instead – a happier event to celebrate, and being in January, a much better time of year for whisky by the fire. CHARITY BURNS NIGHT DOUBLETREE BY HILTON CADBURY HOUSE, FROST HILL, CONGRESBURY, BRISTOL, SAT 21 JAN, £40PP. FFI: 01934 834343, WWW. CADBURYHOTELBRISTOL.CO.UK
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Head to Clifton Rocks for all sorts of handmade delights such as these pretty bird hoops
GOING FOR A SONG
If you’ve ever thought about joining a choir, then here in the West the man to contact is Grenville Jones. His groups include the Last Choir Standing and the 90-man Bath Male Choir, the 100-strong, mixed voice Bath Chorus, the Wednesday Night Welcome Choir, the Norland College Choir and the Good Afternoon Choir project, which already has large groups in Bath and Devizes and will be starting in Weston-super-Mare this month. Then there are the hugely popular Stockingtops, 40 girls who like some ‘sing with their swing’. His choirs are making waves nationally – in December, Grenville was on stage with the Bath Chorus and X Factor star Rhydian Roberts, and at their sixth Annual Concert at the Forum, Any Dream Will Do star Lee Mead appeared as guest soloist. Grenville is also the founder of the Goldies charity, which brings music to hundreds of elderly people across the West of England and Wales – and of the Choirskool, which encourages children to sing. Across the ages, across the region – if you fancy a sing, give Grenville a ring. GRENVILLE JONES RUNS CHOIRS ACROSS THE REGION. FFI: WWW.GRENVILLEJONES.BIZ
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LOVE BIRDS
Beat the January blues by treating yourself to a piece of unique handmade jewellery from Clifton Rocks – like these silver love bird hoop earrings set with rubies by Jana Reinhardt. In January, the store is having a sale, with 10%-30% off selected pieces. Need we remind you, gentlemen, that it’s Valentine’s Day next month? SILVER LOVE BIRD HOOP EARRINGS £209 FROM CLIFTON ROCKS, 100 QUEENS RD, CLIFTON, BRISTOL. FFI: 0117 973 1342, WWW. CLIFTONROCKS.CO.UK
TIME FOR TEA?
Mrs Stokes Secret Tea Parties are ‘vintage afternoons with a twist – tea, cakes, glamorous friends and minimakeovers’ – which usually happen in a secret location, only revealed to the lucky few who book a place. In 2012 there will be 10 dance parties throughout the year, the first three being held at the Bath Society Meeting Room above Green Park Brasserie. Although these aren’t a secret, the year’s later events will be – if you like tea, dancing and vintage shopping, keep your ears to the ground…
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THE MAGNIFICENT SEVERN
This film premiere in Bristol’s magnificent cathedral is your first chance to see the drama-documentary Severn and Somme, telling the remarkable story of the Gloucester-born composer and war poet Ivor Gurney. The film was shot on locations around Bristol with an appropriately local cast, and the screening will be accompanied by a live performance from the Bristol Classical Players, showcasing some of Gurney’s orchestral works, including the War Elegy, Coronation March and Gloucestershire Rhapsody – the first time that these works have been performed together in one concert. SEVERN AND SOMME BRISTOL CATHEDRAL, COLLEGE GREEN, SAT 21 JAN. TICKETS FROM CHRIS WORTHINGTON AT REDCLIFFE FILM PRODUCTIONS (0117 944 5553) OR PROVIDENCE MUSIC, ST GEORGES RD, BRISTOL (0117 927 6536, WWW.PROVIDENCEMUSIC.CO.UK)
BATH SECRET TEA PARTY BATH SOCIETY MEETING ROOM (ABOVE GREEN PARK BRASSERIE), GREEN PARK STATION, GREEN PARK RD, BATH, SAT 28 JAN, 1.30 PM. FFI: WWW.SECRETTEAPARTY.COM
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BY THE LIGHT OF THE MOON
The Full Moon Orchestra isn’t like other orchestras – it’s a spontaneous public event, open to everyone, which lasts for two hours each full moon. Anyone with ‘a musical instrument, voice or dance move’ is welcome (and surely that’s most of us?) – or you can sign up to be the conductor at the beginning of the session, and take a turn at leading the ensemble. Each rehearsal doubles as a performance open to the public, so you can mingle and watch or join in with the orchestra as you please.
FULL MOON ORCHESTRA ARNOLFINI, BRISTOL, MON 9 JAN (& TUE 7 FEB), 7PM, FREE. FFI: WWW. ARNOLFINI.ORG.UK
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Parties, Weddings Club Nights & Festivals
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Birds of a
feather A pic credit: Nick Cottrell
Below: ne-ne goose in the snow, and right: Andean flamingo
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s well as being a fantastic day out for nature lovers of every age and stripe, a visit to Slimbridge – the Wildfowl and Wetlands Trust’s flagship bird reserve on the Severn estuary – is eloquent testimony to our growing national fascination with wildlife. A lifelong birder, I made regular trips to Slimbridge as a callow pre-teen some 25 years ago, packed lunch and fellow junior obsessive in tow. We had some great sightings from the reserve’s hides overlooking the Severn – spoonbills, jack snipe, little ringed plover and black tern – but my lasting memory is of the other birders sat beside us. Back then, birding was a very male, very middle-aged domain – we were easily the youngest visitors in the hides, and the only ones not clad in the male
pic credit: James lees
Clockwise from left: A glorious sunset over the swans of Slimbridge; a Black Tailed Godwit takes a dip; fluffy Chilean flamingo chicks
pic credit: simon mackie
pic credit: nick cottrell
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Bird lover Steve Wright takes a family trip to Slimbridge to get up close and personal with all sorts of wonderful wildlife birder’s year-round plumage of greying beard and fading green mac. When I returned last month, girlfriend Rach and enthused toddler Theo in tow, though, the feel of the place couldn’t have been more different. Slimbridge’s exotic bird areas – where ducks, geese and swans from across the globe potter happily about among landscaped ponds, mudflats and reedbeds – have always been a magnet for families wanting to get up close to (some very colourful) birdlife from across the planet. Now, though, those hides – for so long the traditional habitat of the shy, awkward ornithologus hominus obsesivus – have also become family-friendly places. The Sunday of our visit came flush in the middle of a spell of great bitternspotting at Slimbridge. A shorter, squatter, elusive and well-camouflaged relative of the grey heron, the bittern is one of those birds that ornithologists will travel far and wait long to see – its extraordinary looks, legendary secrecy
pic credit: graham maples
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pic credit: james lees
clockwise from top left: When the kids need tiring out, Welly Boot Land will do the job; two ne-nes in the snow; the state-of-theart Slimbridge centre; a Bittern enjoys a light lunch of vole
pic credit: nick cottrell
and unmistakable booming call giving it near-mythical status. To my good fortune, not one but two bitterns were showing well just outside one of the reserve’s further hides on that Sunday, and I sat enraptured watching one of the birds, at the edge of reeds just metres from the hide, for a happy half-hour. I would say the atmosphere in the hide was hushed but, with around 60 people of all ages and both genders crammed inside, I think ‘excited’ describes it better. Thanks to programmes like the BBC’s Springwatch and Autumnwatch – the latter had just finished filming at Slimbridge when we arrived – and the visionary efforts of the WWT and RSPB, nature observation and conservation are now an interest, even a passion, for thousands of Britons – men and women, young and old. And Slimbridge, with its fantastic mix of exotic and wild native birds, is perfectly placed to channel all this interest and educate us in the wonders of nature. The bittern was just one part of a fine haul of birds your correspondent saw from Slimbridge’s Zeiss Hide that
pic credit: james lees
pic credit: adam freeman
pic credit: nick cottrell
Feature
morning. Other highlights included (give me a moment, non-birders) the similarly elusive water rail; a peregrine, hawking low over the mudflats; dozens of tall, leggy black-tailed godwits; and tens of delicately plumaged golden plovers grazing among an enormous flock of lapwings. Oh, and a delightful view of two kingfishers right in front of the hide – one hypnotic flash of azure hotly pursued by another. It was, in short, a particularly rich hour’s birding – but not an unusual one for this fantastic reserve, with its hugely important Severn shorelines and meadows. Better still, you can head to Slimbridge at any time of the year and be confident of seeing something interesting, from summer’s visiting hobby falcons to a wealth of waders in autumn. Back outside, Theo was becoming increasingly beguiled by the ranks of exotic waterfowl that wandered around inside their penned-off areas. Highlights included the beautiful, black and chestnut redbreasted goose, an endangered native of Siberia; the technicolour-hued wood duck and harlequin duck; and, of course, the various A gorgeously plumed species Kingfisher and Black Tailed Godwit
pic credit: james lees
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of flamingo, with their palette of pinks ranging from rose petal to smoked salmon. His favourite though, was the friendly, confiding Hawaiian goose or ne-ne, one of which seemed to be ambling curiously (and hungrily – make sure to buy a bag of birdseed when you go; the feeding is half the fun) towards us around every corner. When Theo needed a change of scene (and, being two, that’s fairly often) it was off to Welly Boot Land, the reserve’s dedicated watery play park for younger visitors. Puddles and ponds to splash about in, streams to dam, rope bridges to precariously (but safely) straddle, and more: Theo was in his element for a good hour, while Rach and I pottered happily around, taking turns to break off and gaze at some more waterfowl and refuelling ourselves with coffees from the handy kiosk. After lunch – a tasty and robust affair in Slimbridge’s bustling Water’s Edge restaurant – it was off to one of the twice-daily Wild Bird Feeds – brilliant, commentated feeding sessions for those new arrivals (and Autumnwatch stars), the Bewick’s swans, tired out from their journey from Russia to Gloucestershire. By the end of the day our party included one happy birder and one very tired toddler. From exotic rainbow-coloured ducks to elusive reedbed wonderbirds, a trip to Slimbridge will provide all ages with some memorable interactions with our avian friends. WWT SLIMBRIDGE SLIMBRIDGE, GLOS, GL2. OPEN DAILY, 9.30AM-5PM (5.30PM APR-OCT). LAST ADMISSION 1HR BEFORE CLOSING. FFI: 01453 891000, WWW.WWT. ORG.UK/VISIT-US/SLIMBRIDGE
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Look out for the perky Nuthatch as he scurries up and down the branches in search of winter food
feature
lifestyle
the bath
skyline
RARE BATS We continued onwards into the spectacularly landscaped Prior Park, crafted in the 18th century by Ralph Allen, a local entrepreneur and philanthropist who owned the mines at Combe Down and Bathampton that mined the distinctive stone for the city. We walked through the meadows around Claverton Down, which are teeming with wildflowers and invertebrates during the summer months, and walking onwards we came to Bathampton Woods. The woods are a Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI) due to their abundance of the rare greater and lesser horseshoe bats. The area once contained the mines that extracted the stone for Bath, with the woods planted over them in the 19th century. The combination of deep mine
Pic credit: Vito Huang
Wander up to Alexandra Park and marvel at the views across Bath Pic credit: Gareth edwards
T
he city of Bath is renowned for its wonderful architecture and old English charm, and there’s no better way to admire this than from above, by undertaking the magnificent Bath Skyline walk. The six-mile circular route created by the National Trust is easily accessible from Bath city centre. Beginning at Bathwick Hill, close to the city centre, you’re taken on a journey through history, passing ancient Iron Age hillforts, Roman remains, splendid stately homes and serene woodlands. The Look outatforBathwick the meadows Hill are rich in commondiversity, dog violet... grassland and in summer make a perfect picnic spot. Walking briskly in winter, however, we took a bit of a detour from the official route and wandered up to Alexandra Park to marvel at the views across the Roman city. Looking down from our peaceful surroundings, the bustling streets (and Christmas market) were clearly visible, and famous Bath landmarks such as the Abbey and Royal Crescent stood proud against the historic backdrop.
Josh Newton from the Avon Wildlife Trust heads for the hills and woods above the Heritage City
Thanks to the deep mine networks and surrounding woodland, Bath is one of the most important bat habitats in the country
networks for bats to roost in and woodland to feed in has made Bath and the surrounding area one of the most important bat habitats in the country. A PLACE FOR ALL SEASONS The Bath skyline passes through such a diverse range of habitats that there’s something new to spot every season. If it snows in January or February, we’ll definitely go back – this would be a wonderful walk to do at such a time, looking out over snow-covered fields and
meadows and looking at the distant city – a classic English landscape. You’d also see a multitude of animal tracks – fox, badger and deer, crisscrossing the fields. With its ease of access from the city centre, splendid views of the city and rich variety of wildlife to spot, it’s easy to see why this route was the most downloaded of all the 170 walks from the National Trust website in 2010. Avon Wildlife Trust Our guide comes courtesy of this leading local charity working for people and wildlife. Ffi: 0117 917 7270, www.avonwildlifetrust.org.uk
HOW TO GET THERE By foot: Within a mile of the city centre, up a steep hill. Join the walk at point 1 on the map. By bus: City Sightseeing tour bus from Bath Spa station, alight American Museum. Buses 8, 18 and 418, City Centre to Bath University, join walk at point 1 or point 5 for level walk. By train: Bath Spa station 1 mile, then walk to point 1. Ffi: Download a map at: www. nationaltrust.org.uk/bathskyline
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profile
Fancy owning a one-off? Want to grab yourself a bargain? Head to Bristol Flea Market at Ashton Gate
BATH & BRISTOL FLEA MARKETS For stallholders information contact Shaun on bathfleamarket@live.co.uk tel: 07730 283632 www.bathfleamarket.co.uk
vintage chic
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he Bristol Flea Market has now been running for a couple of months after its inaugural success at Bath Racecourse in 2011. The Bristol event is held monthly at Ashton Gate Stadium and features more than 120 exciting stalls from across the country, even some from France and Denmark. The stallholders sell hundreds of items, from vintage clothing and jewellery to quality shabby chic furnishings and gardenalia. With some of the best dealers signed up to exhibit at the event you will be sure to find the perfect item for you and your home. Doors open at 9am and the event closes at 3.30pm. The flea market team has put together some easy hints and tips if you’re thinking of coming along: • Don’t be afraid to make the trader an offer
you feel to be more suitable, • they can only say yes, no or make you a compromise. • Say your offer with confidence. An item is only with what somebody is prepared to pay, the stallholder wants to sell and you want to buy. • Don’t forget the traders don’t get these items for free and they often make very small profits, so bear this in mind when deciding on the price you are willing to pay. • Thousands of people visit the flea markets and if you see something you really like make an offer and get it there and then as often someone else will snap it up instead. • Last of all, make sure you check any electrical items before using them. Flea markets are full of high-quality items but it’s best for peace of mind.
29 January 2012 marks the first of a full season for the Bristol flea market, and we’ve decided to start as we mean to go on! Here are some dates for your diary, we hope you can make them: 29 JANUARY, 19 FEBRUARY, 18 MARCH, 15 APRIL, 13 MAY, 28 OCTOBER, 25 NOVEMBER
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Competitions luxe mini break!
Win A ROMANTIC NIGHT IN DEVON! Partial to a romantic hotel? Well, what say you to a night in the most romantic in the realm? Anointed ‘Most Romantic Hotel in UK and Ireland 2012’ by Condé Nast Johansens, Combe House is a privately owned, grade I-listed, Elizabethan luxury country house hotel with a renowned restaurant and gardens. Located in lush, rolling countryside near Honiton in Devon, it’s also just a stone’s throw from the seaside. Folio has teamed up with Combe House to offer one lucky winner a midweek night’s stay for two (upgraded to best room available on the day), including bed and breakfast and three-course dinner with canapés, together with a welcome bottle of bubbly. Make sure you pack a suitably romantic room-mate… COMBE HOUSE GITTISHAM, HONITON, DEVON. FFI: 01404 540400, WWW.COMBEHOUSEDEVON.COM
To Enter ➻ COMBE HOUSE
Just answer the following question: With which three counties does Devon share its borders? Email your answer, with ‘Combe House’ in the subject line, to: editor@foliomagazine. co.uk by Fri 20 Jan. Entries after this date will not be counted. Winner will be picked at random and notified by Mon 6 Feb. Travel dates are subject to availability. Please include your full contact details (name, address, postcode, email, mobile, landline).)
➻ MOTEL
Just answer the following question: On which Bristol street will you find the Motel store? Email your answer, with ‘Motel’ in the subject line, to: editor@foliomagazine.co.uk by Fri 20 Jan. Entries after this date will not be counted. Winner will be picked at random, notified by Folio and announced on the Motel Bristol Facebook Page by Mon 6 Feb. Please include your full contact details (name, address, postcode, email, mobile, landline). THE WINNERS Elemis comp: Congratulations to Julia Wilson who won an Anti-Ageing Cleansing Collection. Correct answer: Britain. The Montpellier Chapter hotel comp: Congratulations to Shirley Bowers who won a mini-break. Correct answer: Simon Hopkinson.
fabulous compS
Enter today to be in with a chance of winning these great prizes!
Win A MOTEL ROCKS VOUCHER! Clothing brand Motel Rocks have been vamping up the feminine silhouette for years now. Drawing inspiration from vintage and retro, left-field and punk styles, as well as the American thrift-store culture, they’ve recently been seen on the backs of Eliza Doolittle, Little Mix and The Saturdays among other quirky young things. The only Motel Rocks store – Motel on Bristol’s Park Street – is offering one lucky Folio reader a £75 voucher to spend in store. And you don’t even need to show proof that you’ve recorded a hit single! MOTEL 24 PARK ST, BRISTOL. FFI: 0117 934 9173, WWW.MOTELROCKS.COM
£75 to spend!
20 folio/jan 2012
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r1 fo
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London’s No1 Waxing Boutique now taking Bristol by storm The only wax worth taking your clothes off for! 20% off Treatments
bristol@stripwaxbar.com 0117 916 8864 Quakers Friars Cabot Circus p21.indd 1
12/19/2011 5:43:27 PM
➻ life style brand new children's store, jewellery website, and news on the podium... NEW VENUE
THE WEST WING
➻ Hayesfield Girls’ School in Bath have just announced their
plans to promote the facilities at their new West Wing in Upper Oldfield Park with a pricing structure that will enable local-based organisations and schools to use the facilities. The new building was opened last May, with former pupil and gold medal athlete Amy Williams MBE cutting the ribbon for the new sports centre, which is named after her. The West Wing includes a state of the art, 330-seat concert theatre with raked seating and sound-recording facilities. It will be named the Roper Theatre to recognise a major contribution from Brian and Margaret Roper and the Roper Family Charitable Trust. Their contribution will enable the theatre to be made available at a competitive rate to local art-based music groups, choirs and schools. It will also allow other schools to use the state of the art recording facilities. FFI WWW.WESTWINGATHAYESFIELD.ORG.UK
win... ...this cute romper! Send an email to editor@ foliomagazine.co.uk with ‘Milk & Cereal’ as subject, stating preferred size (3-6m, 6-12m, 12-18m) by 20 Jan. Winner will be chosen at random. Ffi: milkandcereal. co.uk
JEWELLERY WEBSITE
FEELING PRECIOUS? ➻ Bristol jeweller Clifton Rocks are kickstarting 2012 with a new website showcasing more of the work of their handpicked UK designers, including wedding and engagement collections. The site will be regularly updated with new designers and commissions, inspiring browsers to have something unique made for them. Sign up to the mailing list (click on the News page), and you’ll be in with a chance of winning a £50 Clifton Rocks voucher (winner will be drawn on 31 Jan). You can make orders by phone; online ordering will be available later in the year. CLIFTON ROCKS 100 QUEENS RD, CLIFTON, BRISTOL. FFI: 0117 973 1342, WWW. CLIFTONROCKS.CO.UK
NEW SHOP
TOT COUTURE ➻ An exciting new children’s clothes store has opened up in Bath’s artisan quarter on Walcot Street, with partners Charlotte and Jon having stocked the shop with a range of quality brands not previously available in the Bath area. The age range starts with clothing and accessories for premature babies and goes up to gorgeous gear for eight-year-olds, and the range will be increased next season to cater for children up to 12 years of age. Well-known and popular brands you’ll find here include Mayoral, Emile et Rose, Sarah Louise, Pretty Originals, Aravore, Hatley and Mini Vanilla. There are also quality accessories and gifts for newborns and christenings, from photo albums, dolls and hair bows to pram blankets and music boxes, and you can order via the website as well as shopping in-store. “After my daughter Amelia–Jane was born,” says Charlotte, “I just couldn’t find the quality traditional clothes I wanted for her locally and had to travel long distances in order to source them. I dreamed of a new business close to where we live, and felt that Bath was the ideal place to open an independent children’s boutique. We offer quality clothing at affordable prices, and welcome everyone to come and browse through our extensive stock, whether you’re looking for something for a special occasion or everyday clothes that are just a little bit different from other high-street stores.” TUESDAY’S CHILD CLOTHING 27 WALCOT ST, BATH. FFI: 01225 311992, WWW.TUESDAYSCHILDCLOTHING.CO.UK
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lifestyle
Waitrose will be expanding their store to fill the Podium Shopping Centre
The Podium
Talk of the town Folio talks to store owners about Waitrose’s expansion of their current store into the whole of Bath’s Podium Shopping Centre
S
ince Waitrose announced its plans to take over the Podium Shopping Centre in Bath towards the end of last year, opinion has been polarised. For many the Waitrose store suited their needs perfectly, while the mix of 20 local and high street businesses rubbed shoulders very happily in their bustling city centre shopping mall. But after 22 years of trading (the Podium opened in 1989), Waitrose and the Podium’s landlord O&H feel that it’s time for change – all 20 small businesses have shut their doors for the last time to make way for the 40,000 sq ft store, which will include a selection of John Lewis products such as kitchenware, homeware and electricals, creating up to 55 new full-time jobs. “Our plans will provide Bath shoppers with a quality new store that will match the latest offer our customers can enjoy elsewhere,” comments Waitrose retail manager Dan Knibb. “The Podium has been our home for 22 years, and by updating our store we can ensure that continues.” Despite the store’s expansion, the library will remain, which is heartfelt good news for Bath’s many book lovers and users of this enormously important facility. The 20 businesses in the Podium were all on three-month break clauses so had a few months to find new premises or reassess
their strategy. Some moved out well in advance of Christmas Eve, leaving pop-up space for temporary units, while others such as Up to Seven stayed until the very last day. “January and February are the worst time of year for business anyway, so being shut for a couple of months isn’t that bad – it’s the slowest time of year,” Mary Dawson of Up to Seven tells Folio. “But this isn’t a bolt out of the blue. We didn’t think it would be so quick but we’ve known this was going to happen since Waitrose got their certificate of lawfulness from the council. And all the shops signed their rights away when they signed the lease saying they only needed this much notice.” While Mary is sanguine about the situation, she does question the ethics of a supersize supermarket pushing out independent shops. “At the end of the day it’s the council’s fault for letting it go through. Originally it was just independent shops, a library and a small supermarket.” Mary is still looking for new premises but has been able to store stock at her studio on Walcot Street. Atrium Gallery, who have been trading in the Podium for 22 years, also have yet to find a new shop. “We don’t have a physical space on the high street at the moment,” Martin Tracey tells us. “There are lots of empty shops but we can’t find one in the right place, of the right size, for the right price. We’ll carry on looking in the new year. The shop won’t be going online though.” For the Bertinet Bakery, their short stint in the Podium has been nothing but positive. “We knew we were on a temporary lease so it’s not really an issue for us,” says Jo Harrod Bertinet. “It’s got us into the centre of Bath for trading, which is great, and we’ve had seven months to find our new location in the centre of town.” FFI TO FIND OUT MORE ABOUT WHAT’S HAPPENING TO THE INDIVIDUAL BUSINESSES, CHECK THEIR WEBSITES. FOR DETAILS ON THE WAITROSE DEVELOPMENT, VISIT WWW.WAITROSEBATH.CO.UK
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fashion
lifestyle
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Meet Kaden. He’s 23, lives in Montpelier, works “in animation” and loves manga comics and Natalie Portman. He’s also wearing a blummin’ nice suit. Because that’s just the way he rolls, OK? (Black herringbone suit £595, white shirt £79, tie £69, knitwear £145, Marc Wallace)
O
h, the pleasure of a uniform. Not in a kinky sense, but in terms of how little thought it requires. Consider men’s workwear – it’s so easy to get dressed of a Monday morning if you’re a carpenter or a copper; much less so if you’re headed for today’s liberal office environment where every day can be Dressdown Friday and there will always be someone in a cooler T-shirt than you. But before you rush enviously down to Alexandra in Broadmead for a chef’s jacket, take heart from the fact that the high streets are currently reporting a spike in men’s tailoring. For now, an average Joe can safely wear a suit to work without everyone asking what time his hearing is. See, in these penny-pinching times, it’s understandable for chaps to want something that will last and make them feel as though they’re ridin’ high even when their bank balances are in the gutter. Gary Barlow’s recent prime-time exemplifying of the look may have, subconsciously or not, had something to do with it. Do suits really not fit in with your job in digital media/recycling/bookselling? Then dress it down with a fine-gauge crewneck jumper or a pair of trainers. Or simply nod to sartorial savvy with what we’ll call a ‘disco shirt’ over your jeans. And don’t forget to smile and brush the imaginary dirt off your collar whenever a lady compliments you.
working
WONDERS Anna Britten likes a man in a suit
24 folio/Jan 2012
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fashion
lifestyle
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Fitted but not too Essex, nice narrow collar, complexionbrightening satsuma colour. Don’t wear on EasyJet unless looking for second income. (Limited Collection shirt, £29.50, M&S)
A great navy suit is the bedrock of any gentleman’s wardrobe. And you can wear it with black or (preferably polished, chocolate) brown belts and shoes. (Handmade navy doublebreasted suit, £1,600, Roy Duffy)
A gentlemen’s outfitters par excellence since 1985, Clifton Suits score their cloth from the finest mills, including Harris Tweed, and offer bespoke and ready-to-wear suits as well as shirts, ties, accessories, outerwear and women’s clothing. (Suit, prices vary, Clifton Suits)
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Interview, presentation,
industry awards ceremony? Bristol’s Roy Duffy will make you your own swanky suit. Prices start from £575 for a standardconstruction, made-to-measure two-piece. (Striped three-piece, £995, Roy Duffy)
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Fine-gauge crewneck that’s not only a warming extra layer but also makes your suit look more ‘thrown on’, for those days when everyone’s in mufti mode. (Arty Sim stripe jumper, £60, French Connection)
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This, lads, is how to do the dress-down shirt and attention-deflecting statementfootwear thing. Rodin ‘Thinker’ pose optional. (Black wool suit £595, gingham shirt £95, shoes £495, Marc Wallace)
Contacts CLIFTON SUITS TRIANGLE WEST,
BRISTOL. FFI: 0117 909 9948, WWW. CLIFTONSUITS.CO.UK FRENCH CONNECTION PHILADELPHIA ST, CABOT CIRCUS, BRISTOL (0117 926 8108) & 3 GREEN ST, BATH (01225 442874). FFI: WWW. FRENCHCONNECTION.COM MARC WALLACE EDGAR BUILDINGS, GEORGE ST, BATH. FFI: 01225 466155, WWW.MARCWALLACE.COM MARKS & SPENCER BRISTOL: 78 BROADMEAD (0117 927 2000), AVON MEADS RETAIL PARK, BS2 (0117 971 9136) & LONGWELL GREEN RETAIL PARK, BS30 (0117 960 5887). BATH: STALL ST (01225 462591). FFI: WWW. MARKSANDSPENCER.COM ROY DUFFY PERSONAL TAILORING 66 WEST ST, BANWELL, SOMERSET, BS29. FFI: 01934 824210/07730 504362, WWW.ROYDUFFYTAILORING.CO.UK
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“Roy arrived and right from the beginning he was everything we had hoped for from a personal tailor. Roy has precision advice and he excellently carried through all the details needed for a beautifully sharp suit. I felt a million dollars and it is amazing how Roy’s suit made me feel confident about myself and therefore the day. Champagne on the morning and a brush up on the suit demonstrated Roy’s committment to the service. Thank you so much. Best wishes from Lucy and Marcus Toop”
WE BUY
Gold, Silver & Platinum in any form or condition and at the highest price in Bath.
WANTED
Sovereigns, Krugerrands, Quality watches and Silver items. Please call in or telephone for a price. Made to measure two piece suits from £575, in the comfort of your home or office.
Nigel Dando 11 Pulteney Bridge Bath, BA2 4AY Tel/fax: 01225 464013 www.nigeldando.co.uk
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fashion Vintage… Niki wears… Dress by Whistles at John Lewis, £175; Shoes – Niki’s own; Ring by House of Harlow at ASOS, £51
How to wear...
1940S FASHION Personal stylist and image consultant Niki Whittle gets the vintage look
W Work the trend… Niki wears… Cardigan from Fat Face, £48; Trousers from Monsoon, £65; Faux fur tuck stole from Topshop, £20; Hat from John Lewis, £30; Shoes – Niki’s own
e all need to add a little glamour to our wardrobe during these dull, depressing winter months – and thanks to Gucci and Donna Karan’s 1940s-inspired autumn/winter collections, we can do just that. Forties fashion embraced curves; the female silhouette was the star of the show, with cinched waists, cropped jackets and pencil skirts. Pretty pussy-bow blouses and wide-leg trousers added an air of sophistication while gloves, hats and fur trims gave the elegant finishing touches. It’s a trend that works for every occasion. Wear a pussy-bow blouse and pencil skirt to the office, a pretty tea-dress to lunch with friends, or elegant wide-leg trousers with a fur shrug to a winter wedding. You can go all-out vintage, or put your own modern spin on the look – it’s up to you. For my style, I wanted a vintage vibe. While I love vintage clothing, I rarely have the time to hunt down those little gems, but luckily for me, this season it’s easier than ever to get the vintage look straight from the high street. This tea-dress is perfect: the print is gorgeous and it’s so retro. What’s your style? If vintage isn’t your bag, then put your own stamp on the trend and make it work for you. How about teaming your favourite winter outfit with this cute hat and fur stole? Make like a 1940s glamour puss and never leave home without a pair of gloves, matching hat and fur trim. Ffi www.nikiwhittle.com / www. hipshapesandbristolfashion.blogspot.com
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shopping
lifestyle Independent shoe shop SoleLution stocks a wide range of brands from Josef Seibel to Fly London
Shop of the
All pics: Mark Simmons
Month
Melissa Blease meets the foot experts at independent shoe shop SoleLution
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hink about it… when was the last time you had a really comfortable time in a shoe shop. And how do you feel about shopping with little ones in tow? Suddenly, shuffling back into those worn-out slippers and putting it off until another day seems like a very good idea indeed. But shoe shop SoleLution can uplift your sole and your soul, offering a relaxed environment aided and abetted by staff who are experts in the fitting field, together with a range of
footwear that offers quality, value for money and style. “Personally speaking, I haven’t always had the greatest time shoe shopping, primarily because I have very wide feet,” says SoleLution owner Tanya Marriott. “But you can’t help the shape and size of your feet! Our ethos is to treat our customers as we’d like to be treated ourselves. We appreciate that we may not be able help every customer, but we’ll do our very best to try.” The first branch of SoleLution opened its doors in Portishead in 2005, offering quality branded footwear for all the family. In April 2008, Tanya took over Holbrook Shoes in Clifton Village, a shop that - like Tanya’s existing shop – enjoyed an excellent reputation, particularly in fitting children’s shoes. “We didn’t want to see another independent with a similar reputation to ours lost for good,” says Tanya. “Today, as well as taking great care of adult feet, every member of staff is trained to fit children’s shoes properly, too, so that we’re able to give advice to parents and ensure comfort and style for healthy but fashionable little feet!” To this end, SoleLution stock a wide range of goodquality children’s footwear, from first shoes to school shoes and something for the
“We treat our customers as we’d like to be treated ourselves”
Every member of staff is trained to expertly fit children’s shoes
weekend. The line-up includes Start-rite and Hush Puppies in a range of width fittings alongside a selection from Ricosta, Hi-Tec and the ever-popular Geox range. For grown-up girls, the women’s collection includes tasty offerings from quirky Spanish label El Naturalista, European comfort brand Josef Seibel and much-wanted selections in the Rieker, FitFlop, Hush Puppies, Hotters and Padders range. And the boys aren’t left out, either: Hush Puppies, Joseph Seibel, Barkers, Fly London, Boxfresh, Padders and Reiker complete the offering for men. “Each new season brings something fresh and exciting to our shelves, but we like to maintain a strong focus on stylish comfort,” says Tanya. “The 2012 spring and summer season will bring new styles from FitFlop to look forward to, a new colour palette from Moshulu and a focus on fitness and style from Skechers, to name a few. We’re also anticipating gorgeous wedges from Fly London, funky pumps from Rocket Dog and exciting innovations from Camper for Kids.” SOLELUTION 1-2 BOYCES AVE, CLIFTON VILLAGE, BRISTOL (0117 973 8350) & 114 HIGH ST, PORTISHEAD (01275 843399). FFI: WWW.SOLELUTION.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
? e r e h w y n a e u Can’t find Ven Once it’s gone, it’s
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ithout w e u s is y r e v e n o s your hand
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2.9 Subscribe for just £ 0117 934 3741 ll ca r o s b u /s k .u co Log onto venue. g of each month. in n in eg b e th t a s In outlet r stockists Visit venue.co.uk fo
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gadgets
lifestyle
think
smart 1 4
Five more of the latest wonder gizmos from Velimir Ilic
MIXOLOGISTS Any baking enthusiast would probably give up their favourite scone recipe as well as their right arm for this gorgeously sleek kitchen accessory. Made by ever-dependable product designers Dualit, it comes with a five-speed setting and whisk, beater and dough hook attachments to help you whizz up your favourite recipes. It’s beautifully finished in chrome – you might spend more time admiring and caressing it than actually cooking.
BE MY PAL Simultaneously retro and futuristic, this portable, rechargeable little number takes Tivoli’s popular series of DAB PAL radios to the next level. A simple one-button operation scans all available stations, and you get crystalclear digital reception, even in remote areas. Available in five hi-spec finishes, with an integrated alarm-clock/snooze facility, it’s a fabulous addition to the bedside table of exacting audiophiles everywhere.
DUALIT HAND MIXER £54.95, KITCHENS COOKSHOP
TIVOLI AUDIO PAL+ £249, WWW.TIVOLIAUDIO. CO.UK
LOST AND FOUND Sick of asking strangers for directions and ending up on a wild goose chase? Forgotten where you’ve parked your car? This idiotproof little gizmo will guide you back to wherever you started from (and save potential grief from your other half for getting you both lost). Just push a button when you leave, and when you return, its GPS tracking will point you in the right direction, and even tell you how far you’ve got left to go.
5
2
ECCO GPS KEYCHAIN £64.95, WWW.CLICKSHOP. COM
3
SCREEN DREAM Boasting a range of simultaneous watching and recording possibilities, this is a neat little box of tricks for telly enthusiasts. With built-in Freeview tuner, a whopping 500GB hard drive (it can store up to 125 hours of HD programmes or 300 hours of standard definition ones), live pause, instant rewind and series record, you can get your dose of Saturday-night Strictly whenever you like.
HUMAX HDR-FOX T2 FREEVIEW HD DIGITAL TV RECORDER £249.95, RICHER SOUNDS
KISS ME QUICK Forget all that tiresome fiddling about with dental floss – this is fast, painless and effective flossing, the 21st century way. The Airfloss zaps pressurised air and water – or even zingy mouthwash – between your teeth to dislodge plaque, leaving your mouth feeling super-fresh. And it’s easily recharged, so you’ll actually look forward to using it. Whoever thought flossing could be so much fun?
PHILIPS SONICARE AIRFLOSS £60, JOHN LEWIS
Contacts Clickshop (online). Ffi: www. clickshop.com John Lewis Cribbs Causeway, Bristol. Ffi: 0117 959 1100, www.johnlewis.com Kitchens Cookshop 4-5 Quiet St, Bath (01225 330524) & 167 Whiteladies Rd, Bristol (0117 973 9614). Ffi: www. kitchenscookshop.co.uk Richer Sounds 4a York Place, London Rd, Bath (0333 900 0088) & 143 Whiteladies Rd, Bristol (0333 900 0024). Ffi: www.richersounds.com Tivoli Audio (online) Ffi: 0800 047 0487, www.tivoliaudio.co.uk
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Hayley applies Quatrolights to give Rachel a more natural looking colour
beauty
lifestyle
sean
hanna
It’s not just the most comfortable sinks in town that Rachel Nott loves about this place
L
eaving a blustery, rainy day outside, I step through the doorway and straight into a warm and bustling salon. “Gosh, you’re busy today, aren’t you?” I announce to the slickly dressed chap standing behind the reception desk. “Fridays are always busy,” he replies with an unapologetic smile as he takes my jacket and leads me to my seat. He then furnishes me with a pile of magazines – the latest Vogue, Elle and Hair Ideas – which I’m more than happy to devour. I’m also presented with a menu featuring a list of hot and cold drinks – all complimentary, even the wine and beer – and if I’m feeling peckish, I can even order a freshly made snack from nearby Chandos Deli. Hayley is doing my hair today and she comes over all smiles, asking me what sort of look I’m after. I’m sporting just-past-shoulder-length straight blonde hair with two inches of dark regrowth which I’d like to swap for Jennifer Aniston’s latest sheeny shiny ‘midi’. When it comes to colour, Hayley recommends Quatrolights, one of SeanHanna’s latest services, where four shades are woven through the whole head of hair to produce a more natural multi-toned effect. She picks out a light ash, two golds and a dark blonde that fairly closely Right: How Rachel looked when she arrived at SeanHanna. This picture: Now with added va-va-volume!
matches my natural colour. They’re all just the sort of shades I was thinking, so I’m sold. While the colour is being applied, Holly comes over to give me a lovely complimentary hand and arm massage. I apologise for the state of my badly chipped nail polish – I didn’t have time to redo them before coming out! Holly seems concerned for my poor neglected hands and asks whether I’d like her to check if a therapist from the nearby Sanctuary Spa can nip over and give me a file and polish for a mere tenner. I politely decline – I really don’t want to make a fuss when the salon’s so busy – but I do love the idea of the cosy collaboration between these Quakers Friars businesses. You can even get 25% off at chic eatery Brasserie Blanc if you eat there straight after having your hair done. The foils take about an hour to put in, during which time Hayley and I chat easily on a range of topics from cooking to reality TV shows to the upcoming Hairdresser of the Year Awards that some of the Bristol team are attending. The salon is filled with a mix of clients, from a four-year-old boy having a trim to a lady in her fifties who’s admiring her new look in the mirror, and plenty in between, all attracted by the modern warehouse feel (plenty of exposed brick and gunmetal grey hair stations), the friendly, unpretentious welcome and the lovely extra services I’ve mentioned, plus – the big one for me – the most comfortable sinks in Bristol (they’re the only ones I’ve tried that don’t give me neck-ache) complete with soothing colour-changing lights. Time for the chop, and Hayley gets to work, adding plenty of shape and body into my freshly coloured locks, graduating it gently so that it falls
“These are the most comfortable swingily around my face. I’ve said sinks I’ve tried that I’d like to see what it looks like with plenty of volume so Hayley in Bristol” applies a Redken Aerate 08 volumising product, winds rollers into my hair and blasts it with the hairdryer. I haven’t seen such volume since, ooh, watching TOWIE on catch-up that morning. I’m not sure I’m going to be able to recreate this look at home, but hey, at least I’ll always have the Jennifer…
Contacts SEANHANNA QUAKERS FRIARS SQUARE, CABOT CIRCUS, BRISTOL. FFI: 0117 934 9393, WWW.SEANHANNA.COM (Sign up to the Innercircle on the website to receive regular newsletters and special offers. Book your next appointment within eight weeks before you leave the salon to receive 10% off a cut and blowdry or colour)
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motoring
lifestyle
Winter driving tips news After Christmas’s good cheer, the icy months of January and February are upon us: and here at Folio we feel it’s our duty to remind our readers to drive safely upon Britain’s icy roads. Every year, somewhere in Britain, motorists are caught out by a sudden shift in the weather – you’ll probably remember the television footage of cars and trucks stuck overnight during last winter’s snows. So, here are some safe winter driving tips, courtesy of Guy Salmon Land Rover, Bristol. Land Rover know more about winter driving than most – their vehicles are used by the emergency services to get blankets, medical aid and help to stranded motorists.
➻ Emergency response drivers
have to be out in all weathers – but do you? The safest place to be is at home in the warmth. If you don’t need to drive in bad weather, don’t.
levels are correct and that your tyres are correctly inflated.
➻ On ice and snow, you need to allow around 10 times further for braking than on tarmac, so don’t follow someone else’s taillights too closely. Keep the momentum going up hills, and keep the speed low for descents.
➻ If you do set off, preparation is key. Plan your journey and allow extra time. Take a snow shovel, warning triangle, torch, de-icer, a Thermos of hot tea or coffee, bottled water and snacks. Also pack some extra clothing or a blanket.
➻ Ideally, don’t travel alone
and let someone at your destination know you’re on your way, and don’t forget your in-car mobile phone charger.
➻ Make sure that all oil, water, antifreeze and screen-wash
And… Winter Driving Courses from £99 If you expect to be driving regularly in difficult conditions this winter, or just fancy getting a bit more confidence behind the wheel in winter, you can head to a Land Rover Experience Centre and acquire some invaluable off-road driving skills. To book visit www.landrover.com/ experience and search for your nearest Centre. FFI www.guysalmon.bristol. landrover.co.uk
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motoring
lifestyle
Brand new Beemers news
➻
Happy times ahead for BMW lovers, as the New Year brings two exciting new arrivals from the German auto giant. Fans of BMW’s class-defining 3 Series will be pleased to hear that the new generation of the iconic saloon – the world’s best-selling premium vehicle – is on its way. The sixth-generation 3 Series majors on BMW’s sporting character, with more dynamic lines and a more athletic overall impression than the outgoing fifth generation. It’s also a tad bigger than its predecessor, with a wider stance and more impressive on-the-road presence. There’s more space inside, too, an extra nine centimetres of length creating more legroom for front and rear passengers. The new 3 is available in three trims (Sport, Luxury and Modern) in addition to the entry-level version, with a sportier M Sport version in the pipeline for
The striking 6 Series Gran Coupe is BMW’s first fourdoor coupe
summer 2012. As ever, you can also choose from a huge range of engines: the frugal 320d will give you 68.9 miles per gallon, an impressive statistic to rival any supermini, while at the other end of the scale the six-cylinder, threelitre petrol 335i will produce 306
brake horse power from as low as 1,200 revs per minute. A little further up the BMW hierarchy, the company is also unveiling an addition to its big, beautiful 6 Series family. The new 6 Series Gran Coupe, which joins the Convertible and Coupe in the
6 line-up, is BMW’s first four-door coupe. The low-slung Gran Coupe promises a captivating mix of sporty driving pleasure, elegant design, interior luxury and practicality. From the front, the new model presents a striking visual image, with its twin round headlights, optional adaptive LED headlights and distinctive silhouette with flowing coupestyle roof line. Its high-end interior includes a flatscreen Control Display, eight-speed auto gearbox, Start-Stop function, Dakota leather upholstery and heated front seats and electric seat adjustment with memory function for the driver and front passenger. It’s a practical car, too, with a third rear seat and split/ folding rear seat backrests that allow boot capacity to increase from 460 to 1,265 litres. FFI www.bmw.co.uk
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Education
lifestyle
According to Ofsted, Nailsea ‘students’ contribution to the school and wider community is outstanding’ – the highest grade available to the inspectors!
SPOTLIGHT ON…
ST BRENDAN’S SIXTH FORM COLLEGE, BRISTOL ➻ Universities and employers around the directors from the Old Vic and the National country say that students from St Brendan’s Theatre. Other performing arts students have Sixth Form College in Brislington stand out just finished their annual three-week festival. from the crowd, not only because of their Students gain skills, understanding and qualifications but also because of their preparation for the future from helping skills, experience, hobbies and others, as well as having lots of volunteering, gained outside fun. They recently raised over and inside the classroom. £2,000 for charities This enrichment gives through events they students the edge in organised themselves. the competitive job In the run-up to market. Christmas, St Brendan’s contributions were students Adam and made to hampers for Brett Williams have families coping with just completed a difficult Nepal trek, climbing circumstances, and St Brendan’s student Brett over 4,000 metres to students entertained Williams has completed a deliver school books, more than 100 senior Nepal trek, climbing over uniforms and playground citizens at the annual ‘Tea 4,000m to deliver essential equipment to a primary school equipment to a primary and Tinsel’ party. Former school. Golf enthusiast Will students often contact the Mullins is combining his AS school to tell them that the Business Studies and BTEC Sport with an experiences they had there were amazing England Future Regional Advanced and how much they now appreciate them. Apprenticeship in Sporting Excellence ST BRENDAN’S SIXTH FORM COLLEGE FFI: (AASE) and hopes to be playing in the Ryder 0117 977 7766, WWW.STBRN.AC.UK, WWW. Cup in the not too distant future. Drama and FACEBOOK.COM/ art students have been chosen to take part in STBRENDANSSIXTHFORMCOLLEGE (OPEN the National Theatre’s Connections project, EVENING: THUR 9 FEB, 6-9PM) working on a newly commissioned play with MATHS CHALLENGE
No problem!
Pupils at Rose Hill Westonbirt Preparatory School
➻ In keeping with their pledge
to concentrate on core academic subjects, practical mathematics teaching has been given a real boost at Rose Hill Westonbirt Preparatory School near Tetbury. Activities (including the regional Maths Challenge and Explore Learning workshops) allowed pupils to develop problem solving and practical skills in real-life situations. Explore Learning held two interactive workshops for Years 3-4 and Years 5-6, and described pupils as the most well-behaved, focused group they had visited! Pupils were also put to the test with Rose Hill Westonbirt’s very own Maths Challenge morning, where children were tasked with a specific brief to design and build a robot that met rigid criteria – it had to be free-standing, have a specific purpose, be exactly 57cm tall and include a variety of angles and a circle with a
specific diameter. Congratulations to the winning team who built a wonderful ‘Robot Waiter’ with built-in storage facilities! The morning was rounded off by an exciting maths trail around the grounds of Westonbirt School and a Brain Stretchers activity. ROSE HILL WESTONBIRT PREPARATORY SCHOOL FFI: 01666 881400, WWW. RHWESTONBIRT.CO.UK (OPEN MORNING: THUR 9 FEB, 9.30AM–12.30PM)
OFSTED REPORT
CARING FOR THE COMMUNITY ➻ A recently published Ofsted
report is full of praise for Nailsea’s secondary school, saying: ‘students enjoy their learning and show considerable enthusiasm in developing and practising a range of skills’; ‘self-evaluation is sophisticated and accurate’; there’s ‘well-managed investment’ and ‘students’ contribution to the school and wider community is outstanding’ – the highest grade available to the inspectors. Nailsea School’s results are on an upward trend at both GCSE and A-level. The recent awards of ‘Investors in Families’ and ‘International Schools Award’ – for the school’s excellent work with both the local and international community – are recognised, as well as the rapidly improving standards of academic excellence. Strong leadership from the head and chair of governors is specifically praised, as is leadership at all levels. “We’re delighted with this report,” says chair of governors Sally-Ann Hancock. “Coming at this time of year, three weeks into the term and six months before we were expecting it! – the inspectors got a ‘warts and all’ perspective. To achieve such a positive report shows that this is what the school is really like, and we’re so proud of the staff and students.” NAILSEA SCHOOL FFI: 01275 852251, WWW.NAILSEASCHOOL.COM
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➻ home front Solar power, furniture sales, new curtain & upholstery store, & more... SOLAR POWER
SUNNY SIDE UP ➻ Is solar power dead? Not in the South West. With the government
we love... Farrow & Ball’s Pigeon, Railings, Babouche and Brassica paints. Nostalgic shades just perfect for ontrend 2012 decorating. Ffi: www.farrow-ball.com
announcement bringing forward the cut in the Feed-in Tariff (FIT), due to massive demand and falling prices, some have predicted a huge drop-off in solar installations. But at leading local solar company Solarsense, things are still very busy – thanks to falling panel costs, they’ve managed to reduce their prices to approximately half what they were 18 months ago. The South West is by far the best UK region for solar photovoltaic (electric) power, due to its ideal conditions (high UV, cooling winds, low pollution levels), so investing in a solar PV system still gives a return on initial outlay of around 8% upwards – tax-free and index-linked for 25 years of payments. “Our clients are still going ahead with solar after the 12 December deadline because they still see it as a far better return than you could get from any bank,” says Solarsense MD Stephen Barrett (pictured, left). “Perhaps more importantly, it gives a measure of future security against rising fuel costs.” Recent high-profile Solarsense installations include Bristol Zoo, Bristol ethical food co-op Essential Trading and several systems for the Duchy of Cornwall. They’ve also just secured a contract to install solar PV at around 30 Bristol schools in the coming months. The zoo stand to reap great benefits from their roof-mounted, 184-panel, 46.92kW solar PV system, having registered for the 32.9p/kWh FIT rate (for systems of 10-50kWp). With an annual estimated generation of 37,929 kWh, this translates to an annual income of over £12,000, not to mention savings on electricity bills. “It makes environmental sense and financial sense – a success story all round,” says Bristol Zoo head of estates Tim Wilson (pictured, second from right). “We chose Solarsense because of their strong track record of installing systems in high-profile historic sites, and also large solar arrays like the system they installed at Worthy Farm, home of the Glastonbury Festival.” SOLAR SENSE HELIOS HOUSE, BROCKLEY LANE, BACKWELL, BRISTOL. FFI: 01275 461800, WWW.SOLARSENSE-UK.COM
FURNITURE SALE
HOME COMFORTS
➻ New Year is the perfect time for improvements, with an unpredictable housing market and the soaring cost of socialising meaning that more and more of us are choosing to make the most of our homes. If you’re looking for a new centrepiece to add ‘wow’ to your interior or need to furnish an entire home, Bristol’s Quarter is the go-to place for solidly constructed furniture and eyecatching accessories. Set over two floors, the shop displays an array of bedroom, dining and occasional furniture, from solid oak beds, stylish chests of drawers and mango wood coffee tables to intricate mosaic mirrors, modern cube storage units and practical extending dining tables and chairs. There are also smaller items such as clocks, picture frames and some gorgeous lamps. Best of all, Quarter’s January sale promotion brings you 20 per cent off everything, as well as some end-of-line clearance pieces at half price. QUARTER 188 CHELTENHAM RD, BRISTOL. FFI: 0117 924 7777, WWW.QUARTERFURNITURE.CO.UK
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homefront UPHOLSTERY & CURTAINS
FIT FOR A QUEEN
➻ The Sofa Library’s new retail store on Whiteladies Road adds 4,000
square feet of retail showroom to the original showroom at their Bristol factory. Whether you’re after traditional, cool contemporary or easy family styles that nod to either tradition, the Sofa Library can complete your upholstery order in 10-20 days and offer 10,000 fabric choices. If standard sizes don’t fit your requirements, they will alter them for about £50 and can even change designs, combining various elements of different models. They also fabricate bespoke window and bench seating and all types of soft furnishing. Curtains can be traditional (elaborate swags, tails) or simple and modern. Sofa Library make curtains and upholstery for many of London’s top hotels, including Park Lane’s Metropolitan, and have worked for Royal families including the Royal Estate at Windsor. But despite these impressive credentials, prices are lower than at most other bespoke makers, and frame and curtain-making prices are reduced by a fabulous 50% in their January sale. You’ll also find wide ranges of cabinet furniture and solid oak pieces (again reduced by 50% during their sale), a full interior design service and plenty of in-store advice.
THE SOFA LIBRARY 56-60 WHITELADIES RD, BRISTOL & UNITS 5-6, EASTPARK TRADING ESTATE, GORDON RD, BRISTOL. FFI: 0117 951 2624, WWW. THESOFALIBRARY.CO.UK
Expanded Showroom NEW TILE SUPERSTORE
TWO’S COMPANY ➻ A new tile showroom opens its doors this month at Parkway Trading Estate, just off junction
three of the M32, heralding the coming together of two styles of tile retailing all under one roof. Backed up by 35 years of experience in the tile industry, Bristol’s renowned Exclusive Tile company (with premises on Zetland Road) will show the latest in design and technology at their two showrooms. You can browse a whole myriad of different styles, from stone with glass borders, and whites with panels, through to the latest in porcelain design and new technology. Using their extensive contacts throughout the tile industry, both in the UK and on the continent, they bring a huge choice of ranges at prices to suit all pockets. As well as supplying from their many stock ranges, they also offer a special-order service direct from Europe’s top factories for clients wanting something completely different. The highly experienced sales and design staff will spend as much time as is required to make sure all their clients are happy with their final choice. To celebrate the opening of the new showroom, there are some great special offers up for grabs: designer whites from £11.95 sq m, porcelain floor tiles from £14.95 sq m, and honed and filled travertine from £19.95 sq m. Let them help you design that perfect bathroom or kitchen in a relaxed atmosphere over a cup of coffee. DISCOUNT TILE SUPERMARKET UNIT 4, PARKWAY TRADING ESTATE, ST WERBURGHS, BRISTOL EXCLUSIVE TILE STUDIO 15-17 ZETLAND RD, REDLAND, BRISTOL. FFI: 0117 942 8599, WWW.EXCLUSIVETILESTUDIO.CO.UK
Windows of opportunity
➻ Only a year after opening their showroom in Brislington, Crystal Clear have tripled the size of the display area, enabling them to showcase the very latest range of contemporary composite doors, featuring traditional looks and high security locking systems with a full range of stainless steel designer hardware. Customers can browse modern, slimline, bi-folding doors, available in any colour to suit their requirements. As well as the latest range of doors, the display will feature the new slimline aluminium windows which replicate original Crittal style designs and composite timber and aluminium window systems. There will also be a full range of secondary glazing for sound and draught insulation in the showroom. Crystal Clear 22a Emery Road, Brislington, Bristol. Ffi: 0117 971 7880, www. crystalclearbristol.co.uk (Opening hours from 16 Jan, Mon to Fri 7.30am-4.30pm, Sat 8.30am-12.30pm)
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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 40 folio/jan 2012
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Q&A
homefront
Close up with gordon gurr
Let there be light! Lumination’s senior partner tells us how to lift the domestic gloom Words: Melissa blease
L
umination is the South West’s leading specialist lighting retailer with stores in Bristol and Cirencester (both within the long-established homefront haven that is Gardiner Haskins), Taunton and Barnstaple.
Tell us a bit more about Lumination Our stores are staffed by experienced professionals who can guide customers through the thousands of lighting design options available. For customers who have more challenging requirements, our design service starts with one of our specialists visiting your home to assist in making your selection
– this service is available at any stage from initial planning to an electrician arriving on Monday morning. And, alongside our huge range of light fittings available from stock, we provide a special ordering service which means that whatever you select is usually delivered within two to three weeks from ordering. Getting the lighting right is so important – how do we find the options that are best for our lifestyles? First, you need to consider location. Most rooms offer two or more alternative approaches to creating the right lighting effect, but much will depend on how the room is to be used: where a TV is located, if there’s a dining table to be lit, or if there are any special features that deserve highlighting and thus form part of the overall lighting solution – these are just some of the considerations that lead to selecting the right type of lighting for you. Next, consider the level of impact you’re looking for: a dominant ‘Wow!’ piece or something subtly effective? Now you’re ready to explore all the available options – remember, there will always be a number of possible solutions. Some domestic dark spots are notoriously difficult to shed light on: narrow hallways, chilly bathrooms, gloomy corridors. Help! Making sure that there’s sufficient light and that it’s evenly distributed is probably the first issue, trying to avoid creating variation in light levels and any dark corners. Much of the lighting effect is through reflection of the light from the surfaces – ceiling, walls and floor. Changing the decoration from dark solid colours to light, bright pastels will have an immediate impact on the lighting effectiveness.
Add drama to a winding staircase with a cascading chandelier. Libra, £1339
Any quick-fix tips for readers who may be on a limited budget but need to bring light and warmth into their home? ‘Easy fits’ – decorative fittings that hang directly onto the standard pendant lampholder and basically decorate what would otherwise be a bare light bulb – start at £20 and offer an instant uplift to any room. I’m also really excited about advances in effective, affordable LED lighting, which is growing in popularity and taking over from the mains halogen GU10
Top left: Merin, £2744; Above: Pegasus, £1722; Below: save energy and money with an LED lamp, £18
spot, offering comparable light output at a tenth of the power consumption. As electricity prices increase, the cost savings are now very significant – in a typical domestic application we’re seeing payback in under 12 months. What’s new in the world of lighting for the brand new year ahead? Classic or contemporary crystal options will continue to top the style charts – fabulous, stunning fittings that create real impact and are gorgeous, glamorous and practical. LUMINATION GARDINER HASKINS, BROAD PLAIN, BRISTOL (0117 922 6435). PLUS BRANCHES IN CIRENCESTER, TAUNTON & BARNSTAPLE. FFI: WWW.LUMINATION.CO.UK
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Discount tile supermarket Bristol’s best value outlet for all kinds of tiles
ffer O g n i n Ope ned and
one ho izes. t s l a r u Nat tine, 3 s r e v a r t filled c vat n i 2 m 5 ÂŁ19.9
Discount Tile Supermarket Unit 4 Parkway Trad. Est. St Werburghs Bristol BS2 9YB 0117 955 8552 44 folio/jan 2012
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The Lodge at Kelston Park overlooks gardens designed by Capability Brown
Property news
one of a
kind
Grade-II listed Cleeve Mill dates back to the 14th century and is on the market for £1.25m
Velimir Ilic takes a look at some of the more unusual properties on the market
E
veryone has a set idea of what their ideal house or flat should look like. Glossy magazines and weekend newspaper supplements bombard us with aspirational lifestyle images or chi-chi virtues, so it’s no wonder that unusual buildings such as converted barns, warehouses or churches are becoming increasingly popular as distinctive urban and rural dwellings, designed to stand out from uniform terracing or boring bungalows. But according to Joanne Ramsay of Bristol estate agents Maggs and Allen, buyers are exercising caution and spending their hardearned cash wisely. “With unusual properties, people are mostly purchasing those in need of renovation, generally at under £500,000,” she says. “They want to add value to a property, so that they can get more money out of it in the future.” Nevertheless, demand remains for higher-spec, finished buildings. Maggs and Allen currently have a four-bedroom, recently renovated stonebuilt barn conversion – originally part of Lodge Farm – for sale in Mangotsfield. Full of charm, the grade II-listed detached property has a guide price of £650,000. Over in Frenchay, picturesque Cleeve Mill is another grade II-listed building on the market. Built in the 14th century, it was previously used as a corn mill, iron mill and old teahouse. It’s a snip at £1.25m, given that you’d almost be buying a slice of history. “Such unusual properties are always easier to sell,” says Lisa Costa of Chappell
and Matthews, who are handling the sale. “People are on the lookout for something slightly different – any good-quality converted building that comes on the market is usually snapped up fairly quickly.” Out towards Bath, there are more choice examples of unusual conversions. Just sold with Winkworth in Bath is The Lodge at Kelston Park – for this highly individual detached lodge house originally built in the 1760s, and overlooking gardens designed by Capability Brown, the £295,000 guide price looks to have been a bit of a steal. “The uncertain nature of the market is generally making buyers think before committing to a purchase,” says Edward Legge, senior negotiator at Winkworth. “But unique properties with individual character consistently attract high demand. This reflects classic market behaviour, where buyers make their decision with the heart.” Over in Wick, Riding Barn Hill is another particularly lovely example of a converted stone barn, priced at £795,000. Converted in 2004, it’s a hugely characterful four-bedroom detached house set in four acres of land, and kitted out with lots of English oak and stone-exposed walls and fireplaces. Along with extensive lawned gardens, there’s a detached stable, block paddocks and even a swimming pool. “There’s a lot of demand for unusual property types in villages such as Bitton, Wick and Kelston, and in convenient semi-rural locations,” explains Ian Salter of Andrews estate agents. “As well as the equestrian appeal, a lot of this is connected with the land
For a cool £4.5m this fivebedroom former rectory in Bathampton could be yours...
often on offer with this type of property.” The pièce de résistance, though, has to be the Old Rectory in Bathampton, a grade II-listed former rectory with five bedrooms, four reception rooms, three bathrooms and a one-bedroom self-contained flat, orangery and billiard room to boot. Set in two acres of stunning grounds (with trout lake!) and dating back to the 17th century, it’s exquisitely finished with period flourishes, and currently available with Savills in Bath at a staggering guide price of £4.5m – the price tag might be hefty, but on an aspirational level, it’s pretty hard to beat. ANDREWS 87 BATH RD, LONGWELL GREEN, BRISTOL. FFI: 0117 932 8335, WWW. ANDREWSONLINE.CO.UK CHAPPELL & MATTHEWS 151 WHITELADIES RD, BRISTOL. FFI: 0117 905 1081, WWW. CHAPPELLANDMATTHEWS.CO.UK MAGGS & ALLEN 60 NORTHUMBRIA DRIVE, HENLEAZE, BRISTOL. FFI: 0117 949 9000, WWW. MAGGSANDALLEN.CO.UK SAVILLS EDGAR HOUSE, 17 GEORGE ST, BATH. FFI: 01225 474500, WWW.SAVILLS.CO.UK WINKWORTH 1 WOOD ST, BATH. FFI: 01225 829000, WWW.WINKWORTH.CO.UK
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ns y
property
new lease of life
hot spot
empty properties
B
ristol City Council’s empty properties team are winning their battle to bring hundreds of empty homes back into use. The issue is very much in the public consciousness after last month’s National Empty Homes Week together with Channel 4’s recent The Great British Property Scandal series, presented by high-profile advocates for change such as Kevin McCloud and Phil Spencer. So far, 250 properties across Bristol have found new occupiers – a big stride towards the council’s final target of 433 over the next couple of years. “It’s been a real success story,” says councillor Anthony Negus, cabinet member for Housing, Property Services and Regeneration. “Providing more homes for people in Bristol is one of our key targets, and bringing empty houses back into use has a major part to play in that.” As well as targeting properties only empty for a short time (meaning that they need less work to be brought back into use), the council is also homing in on houses that have been empty for more than 10 years. “In the last three years or so, over
southville ➻ Much gentrified since the 1980s, artsy Southville is
1,000 empty homes across Bristol have found new occupiers,” says Negus. “Our aim is to help homeowners bring these properties back into use through a range of support, including helping them to find residents.” FFI WWW.NO-USE-EMPTYWEST.CO.UK
very much on the up. Often cheekily referred to as Lower Clifton – an aspiring nod to its affluent nearneighbour – it’s a vibrant location with a great social mix, and the area’s 19th century terraced housing attracts lots of young families and couples. “Victorian houses range from £200,000-500,000, and flats from £120,000-£250,000,” says Chris Moody of local estate agents Ocean Home. Main drag North Street has a buzzy vibe – there’s a well-stocked deli, independent shops, cafes and bars, the popular Hen and Chicken comedy club and renowned theatre/farmers’ market venue the Tobacco Factory. For schools, Ashton Gate and Southville primaries have a solid pedigree; and Greville Smyth Park is a lovely space to chuck a frisbee around. Bristol city centre is within easy walking distance, too.
OCEAN HOME THE PLAZA, 275 NORTH ST, SOUTHVILLE, BRISTOL. FFI: 0117 923 1866, WWW.OCEANHOME.CO.UK
property of the issue ARCHFIELD RD, COTHAM, BRISTOL, £1.15M
harbourside
grass is greener
➻ A retired technical manager has moved from one side of Bristol’s floating harbour to the other, in order to benefit from spectacular southfacing views at the city’s prestigious waterside development. Graham Hobbs recently moved from The Quays into his new apartment at Crest Nicholson’s Harbourside development, and is making the most of an over-sized balcony that benefits from plenty of sunlight and takes in views of Cabot Tower, the ss Great Britain and the famous docks. “Since retiring, it’s become more important for me to enjoy my views,” explains Mr Hobbs. “The light and airy feel [at Harbourside] is perfect, and because it’s brand new, all I needed to do was move all my furniture in.” With only four properties left, potential buyers looking for premium homes on the waterfront are being urged to act quickly to secure a deal. “We’re down to our last few apartments on The Crescent,” says Susan Young, Harbourside sales and marketing director. “It isn’t hard to see what made Graham fall in love with the development, with its central location, stunning views and high-quality finish. And because it’s south-facing, the properties here are flooded with natural light.”
➻ Approached by stone pillars and iron gates, this impressive Victorian detached family house cuts quite a dash inside and out. Set in a prime spot near Cotham Gardens Park, the stained-glass windows, walled garden, raised flagstone balcony terrace and gravelled driveway create a positive first impression. A beautiful entrance vestibule leads to an array of other rooms, including oak-panelled reception hall with parquet floor and period-finish drawing room. There’s also a dining/family room, sitting/morning room (with access to the raised balcony), inner lobby and utility room with shower. The kitchen/ breakfast room is fitted with hardwood work surfaces, and also opens out onto the raised balcony terrace and gardens. In the basement, large cellar rooms (with a height of around seven feet) extend beneath the ground floor. Spaced over two floors, there are eight sizeable bedrooms (one ensuite, another currently used as a kitchen), some with period cornices, fireplaces and tiles. Outside, there are well-stocked flower beds, a rockery and lawned gardens, with high hedges and mature trees for privacy. RICHARD HARDING ESTATE AGENTS 124 WHITELADIES RD, CLIFTON, BRISTOL. FFI: 0117 946 6690, WWW.RICHARDHARDING.CO.UK
FFI 0117 908 8888, WWW.HARBOURSIDE.CO.UK
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➻ eatingoutwest Tea cafes, thai food, pop-up restaurants, and more... Thai chef
we are siamese ➻ Now that ‘Green Curry’ is a staple of pub menus, it’s hard to recall quite
how rare it used to be to find a Thai restaurant in the UK before the 1980s. It’s a bizarre fact that one of the first successful Thai eateries in the South West was actually based in Chipping Sodbury, of all places – the Siam Thai Restaurant started there some 35 years ago and the owners went on to launch Siam Harbourside down on Bristol’s waterfront. With their elaborate carved wood panelling and furniture, profusion of plants and flowers and traditionally costumed staff, the restaurants evoked an atmosphere of old Siam (the name by which Thailand was known until the 1950s) and introduced the curious to such delights as pad thai noodles and spicy fishcakes. Now, of course, Thailand has become a centre for western holidaymakers and the cuisine is much more widely appreciated so it’s fitting that, after changing hands in 2010, Siam Harbourside has been discreetly updating itself to match the needs of a more discerning public. New head chef Chaiya Phumpruksa was trained in exclusive hotels in Chang Mai, Rayong and Pattaya before moving to the UK where he became head chef at Cheltenham’s popular Thai Emerald restaurant. He brings both traditional and contemporary touches to Siam Harbourside, reflected in an extended menu of meat, seafood and vegetable dishes that’s already pleasing customers. From January onwards customers can sample a wide range of these dishes on Sundays as part of their lunchtime buffet (£8.95/£4.45 child) or, of course, call in any lunchtime or evening to peruse the impressively full range of choices. SIAM HARBOURSIDE 129 HOTWELL RD, BRISTOL, BS8. FFI: 0117 330 6476, WWW.SIAMHARBOURSIDE.CO.UK
bright ideas
do it yourself ➻ Fancy running your own restaurant for a night? Bristol-based food writer, restaurant manager and all-round foodie Kate Hawkings was enjoying the growing trend for ‘popup’ eateries when an unused restaurant in Kingsdown got her thinking. Conversations with landlords ensued, and Lido-trained chef Rob Birse was recruited to launch 40 Alfred Place – a properly set up restaurant available for anyone with a good idea for ‘popping up’. It’s a unique proposition that promises all kinds of possibilities, and Kate’s happy to welcome almost any of them. “Recessions are great for throwing up creative ideas,” says Kate, “and the pop-up phenomenon is a powerful expression of that. We’ve got pretty much everything onsite to allow anybody just to walk in and do what they like.” And they’re doing just that – since opening in October the place has seen evenings featuring pizza, curries,
a Mexican ‘Day of the Dead’ celebration and a reconstruction of Barny Haughton’s legendary Rocinantes cafe/ bar presided over by the man himself. In between there are private functions and a daytime cafe open for breakfast, lunch and ‘in-betweens’. Among the treats planned for January there’s a haggisfuelled Burns Night on Wed 25 Jan, but to keep up with their highly spontaneous timetable you’re well advised to get on the mailing list or follow their tweeting (@40alfredplace). Or, of course, you could get your own evening together… 40 ALFRED PLACE KINGSDOWN, BRISTOL. FFI: 0117 944 3060, WWW.40ALFREDPLACE.NET
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dinner menu
source-y!
bar/club makeover
party time ➻ When an old friend gets a makeover it can put you on the spot… Do you like it? Does it suit them? What do you say? Thus when much-loved Bath nightspot Mandalyns went in for an ‘overhaul’ (their word), regulars were understandably anxious about what would happen to their favourite cocktail haunt. Turns out they needn’t have been – once the bandages came off, they found a stylishly retro bar complete with iconic divas on the candlelit walls, but with house specialities like Camp Queen and Muscle Mary getting a vigorous shaking behind the wellstocked bar. Popular features like the Tuesday quiz
➻ Great to hear that wonderful night, presided over by the luminous Rusty Nail, and Thursday’s studentfriendly karaoke session are still on the agenda, as is the daily ‘happy hour’ (mystifyingly 180 minutes long, from 6-9pm). And there’s still The Snug – a backroom hideaway from all that, which you can book for private parties. In short – it’s still Mandalyns, Bath’s most popular gay venue, where everyone is welcome – whether gay, lesbian, bi or straight – and every Saturday is party night. MANDALYNS 13 FOUNTAIN BUILDINGS, LANSDOWN RD, WALCOT, BATH. FFI: 01225 425403, WWW.MANDALYNS.CO.UK
independent Bristol food hall Source now has a toilet! Not just for the convenience (hah!) but also because it means they can finally open for dinners in the evenings. Joint manager Joe Wheatcroft says: “It’s a nightmare for [head chef] Ross [Wills], as we open for breakfast at 8am, then there are lunches, and now dinners… but it’s great to be doing dinners at last!” For the time being the evening service is only available on Thursday, Friday and Saturday from 6.30pm, so advance booking is recommended.
SOURCE FOOD HALL & CAFE EXCHANGE AVE, ST NICHOLAS MARKET, BRISTOL. FFI: 0117 927 2998, WWW.SOURCE-FOOD.CO.UK
new cafe
monkey business ➻ When Tracey Bovingdon started her first ‘Tea Monkey’ in Milton Keynes she was quick to put people right about what she was about: “It isn’t a tea shop… it’s a funky tea cafe and so much more than just tea.” That was in March 2011, and by December she was launching her fifth branch, in Bath’s Little Southgate shopping centre. With wall-mounted iPads, iPod charging points and a customer-led music library (open to local unsigned acts as well as Justin Bieber) plus 40 different types of loose-leaf tea served in special hassle-free ‘tea sacs’, they’re as far from the traditional tea shoppe as you can get. They even do coffee from groovy Italian La Marzocco machines, and a range of cupcakes that includes a flavour of the month, gluten- and dairy-free versions and even a 16-portion giant model. TEA MONKEY UNIT SU19, LITTLE SOUTHGATE, BATH. FFI: WWW.TEA-MONKEY.COM
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➻ EatingOutWest
the generation
game O ne of last year’s highlights (if you were lucky enough to get into one) were ‘evenings with the chefs’ organised by a discreet cohort of local kitchen artists. Representing some of our most influential and successful culinary projects, Nathan Muir (New Inn, Backwell), Toby Grittin (Pump House, Bristol), Josh Appleton (Pony and Trap, Chew Magna) and the Sanchez brothers (Casamia, Westbury-on-Trym) took turns to host a special meal, with each contributing one of four courses. Inevitably competitive, the evenings were also a collective recognition of a ‘new generation’ whose work brought fresh style to the local gastroscene and whose
pioneering ideas about foraging, plot-to-plate and hi-tech wizardry brought both TV crews and Michelin stars to the area. They’re far from being played out, of course, as the newly unveiled ‘research kitchen’ at Casamia proves, but they can’t rest on their laurels, either. There’s already another bunch of talented foodmeisters coming up to challenge them, and we’ve hunted out some bright sparks who are setting the dining scene alight in their turn. Many are self-taught and all share a respect for great ingredients, freshly sourced and celebrated with artistry. And we think they’ll all go far.
Ash Bennett
Age: 28 Works at: New Inn, Backwell Training/experience: While he was working as a personal trainer,
Tony Benjamin puts his money on our hottest new rising stars
a meeting with Conran-trained chef Nathan Muir (Robin Hood’s Retreat, Bristol) led to a skill swapping that launched Ash’s career as a chef. He worked in top-notch hotels around the UK before becoming chef/proprietor of Nathan’s new venture. Food philosophy: “Head in the sky but feet on the floor – it’s about refined food but making sure people get fed. I like transforming ‘average’ ingredients with chef’s technique and a bit of love – like peasant cooking with cheffy flair.”
George Kostka
Age: 33 Works at: Ronnie’s, Thornbury Training/experience: A trainee forester in Slovakia, George became a self-taught chef, with Marco Pierre White’s ‘Canteen Cuisine’ a big influence (“such simple and beautiful dishes!”).
He’s still open-minded about new techniques. “Not every new trend is good but I’ll always try them to see.” Food philosophy: “Keep flavours simple but do things with a twist, so that people rediscover them. Get that perfect and the food speaks for itself. In these hard times you need to be making exceptional food – ‘good enough’ is not good enough!
Richard Buckley
Age: 30 Works at: Demuths, Bath Training/experience: Lifetime vegetarian Richard started in gastropubs at 16 and eventually worked at the renowned Willow veggie restaurant in Totnes. Influences include meatless legends Dennis Cotter (Café Paradiso) and Mark Evans (the former Cafe Maitreya, Bristol).
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Clockwise from top left: Ash Bennett; George Kostka; Lee Evans; Richard Buckley; and Eddy Rains
Food philosophy: “Totally ingredient-led – a local producer brings us something and we make a dish that really shows it off. We’re using more modern techniques to do so much more with the food. It must have the ‘X factor’ – something on every plate that really grabs you.”
Lee Evans
Age: 31 Works at: Apple Tree Inn, Glastonbury Training/experience: After catering school, Lee worked in Michelin-star hotels, including the Bath Priory under Robert Clayton. Having put The Wheatsheaf at Combe Hay firmly on the gastropub map, Lee embarked on his first solo venture, the Apple Tree, early in 2011. Food philosophy: “It’s all about good-quality ingredients and not doing stupid amounts with them – enough to enhance without overwhelming. And it has to work
together – a dish is a dish, not clippings off other dishes. Four flavours – five, tops – is more than enough on a plate.
Eddy Rains
Age: 28 Works at: The Wheatsheaf, Combe Hay Training/experience: After winning the Gordon Ramsay Scholar award while at college, Eddy’s career went global, including stints with New Zealand fusion pioneer Peter Gordon, Shaun Rankin’s Michelin-starred Bohemia in Jersey and Michael Caines at the Bath Priory. Food philosophy: “Using good technical cooking to glorify really local seasonal produce. At the Wheatsheaf we’ve got the garden and hedgerow stuff all around – you can find our chickens’ eggs out there, too. I’m aiming for a combination of fine dining and country pub, with an emphasis on simpler dishes.”
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➻ EatingOutWest
order, order! ➻ Doorstep delivery schemes
BACK TO OUR
ROOTS Healthy eating without the hunger pangs? Melissa Blease knows how
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ccording to outspoken French lit chick SidonieGabrielle Colette, ‘January is the month of empty pockets and indigestion; an anxious evil to be endured.’ If you’re among the millions who have managed to put on all the extra pounds that your bank balance shed over the festive season, you’re unlikely to argue. This month, frugality and moderation replace frivolity and indulgence at the top of the lifestyle charts. Bleurgh! It’s enough to make you reach for the rancid remains of the Christmas pudding... or it’s time to take a fresh look at the brand new year ahead.
A healthy-eating regime doesn’t have to mean an end to treats or satiated satisfaction. There’s a vast assortment of vibrant, exciting, wholesome seasonal produce waiting to be enjoyed rather than endured as winter rolls along. Treat it with the respect it deserves, and hunger pangs just ain’t on the menu. Filling, low-fat roots and tubers (including spuds, parsnips, swede, turnips, carrots, onions and leeks) are abundant right now. Use them to create tasty casserole bases and fresh, silky broths before adding the leafy greens (purple sprouting broccoli, cabbage, spinach, kale, etc) that are guaranteed to bring a plentiful supply of vitamin- and iron-rich goodness
to your table. On the protein front, goose, turkey, venison, pheasant, sustainable cod and scallops are trending right now at rock-bottom prices, while those in search of sweet treats should indulge their senses in the juicy, vitamin C-laden satsumas and dramatic blood oranges that are currently at their succulent best. Kick-start your day with a steaming bowl of porridge, replace cream with low-fat crème fraiche, ditch blobs of butter in favour of drizzles of olive oil and opt for quinoa, couscous or brown rice in favour of mashed potatoes, chips or hunks of bread, and your healthy-eating regime has suddenly turned into a walletfriendly, tasty treat. However, it is a truth universally acknowledged that even the most inspired domestic gods and goddesses need to take a break from the hob from time to time. But putting yourself at the mercy of a commercial kitchen doesn’t mean that you have to lose control. These days, healthy options abound on even the most mercantile menus, and staff are generally helpful when it comes to specific requests for a lighter order. Simple fish and poultry dishes (grilled, no sauce) teamed with plain or chargrilled vegetables instead of chips, or a baked potato instead of mash, offer a feast without the belly-
are the perfect option for those short on time and/or fresh inspirations. Riverford Organic (www.riverford. co.uk) oversee a network of independent franchisees who deliver over 40,000 boxes of locally sourced, region-specific, seasonal organic vegetables, fruit and meat a week to households across the UK on a one-off, weekly or fortnightly basis. If you like what you see here, you’ll also salivate over a selection of similar schemes specific to the Bristol area to be found under the ‘Box Schemes’ sub-header at Bristol Local Food (www.bristollocalfood. co.uk). In Bath, JP Organics (www.jporganics.co.uk) deliver locally sourced vegetables, fruit, eggs, bread, meat and dried goods – all certified by the Soil Association – direct to your door, while the ‘Complete Boxes’ (veg, fruit, salad and more) from Larkhall-based greengrocery guru Tony’s (www.tonysvegbox. co.uk) start at just £12 for a supply to keep two to three people in enough fresh stuff to last around a week.
busting fuss. Remember, though, that ultimately you’re in charge of how much (or rather, how little) you eat. In healthy-eating terms, size really does matter, and you’re not obliged to either order or scoff a supersized meal just because it’s there. Baileys cheesecake, meanwhile, is off the menu altogether – but then again, puddings are just soooo last year. folio/jan 2012 55
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➻ EatingOutWest
ReView
the chequers When the gods invented gastropubs, this thoroughly decent, ultra-welcoming Bath hostelry is what they had in mind, says Melissa Blease
I
magine the poshest roast chicken dinner you can possibly – well, imagine. For me (and, I’m guessing, for you too) it would involve a soft, possibly poached chicken breast wrapped around a smooth, lightly porky stuffing that’s most definitely never met either dried sage or a cardboard box. Served alongside it, a wing has been boned and confited to paté -point, but still magically retains a crisp skin. Instead of careworn roasties, there’s a generous disc of soft, creamy fondant potato for the chicken to rest on, pan-fried just enough to add that allimportant crusty jacket homage to a dish that is, after all, a Great British Classic, while sweet red cabbage, a silky, light bread sauce and a couple of al dente brussels sprouts add the finishing flourishes to this portrait of poultry perfection. It was this very dish made very, very real that summed up, for me, what Chequers – the smart little gastropub that revels under the illustrious ownership of Joe Cussens and Justin Sleath, head honchos of the awardwinning Marlborough Tavern, just up the road – is all about: real food, realistically priced and cooked to imaginative perfection, served up in proper pub surroundings. When Joe and Justin first cast their magic wand over this longestablished hostelry (there’s been an inn on the very same site since 1776) a couple of years ago, they envisaged a two-tier experience: a well-heeled urban sanctuary serving gastropub classics in the cosy, street-level bar and a fine-dining option available in the elegant, airy but intimate supper room upstairs, with all menus overseen by former Dower House protégé Leigh Evans. But in a J&J establishment, the customer decides where, how and what they want to eat – and as a
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result, Chequers menus are today a thoroughly democratic experience. Opt for a burger at the bar or a threecourse, foodie-flamboyant feast at a chunky, funky table by the fire. Dress up, dress down or bring man’s best friend with you (Chequers gets a bonus point from me for being one of the few Bath pubs that welcomes well-behaved dogs), and expect to be made to feel right at home. But don’t think that I’m basing my heartfelt recommendation on ‘that’
“you decide where, how and what you want to eat – as a result, chequers menus are a thoroughly democratic experience.”
chicken dinner alone. Starters – one of perfectly seasoned, non-bouncy salt and pepper squid and another of plump, fresh king prawns in garlic and chilli oil accompanied by chargrilled focaccia – both came with a very well dressed heap of fresh leaves, and both dishes were generous enough to constitute a refreshingly light lunch without proving too substantial to be a palate-livening prelude to heartier fare. Next up, the main course that inspired the start of this review came to the table, along with an equally first-class combination of roast pork belly and crackling accompanied by earthy Stornoway black pudding, roast celeriac and a whole poached apple: a portrait of British winter on a plate, manly without being over-macho. For pudding (and you can’t endure January without at least one treat), smooth, not-too-rich chocolate mousse with homemade honeycomb and macerated tangerines struck the perfect balance between grown-up sophistication
and playground whimsy, while the chestnuts that infused a lustrous pannacotta grounded an ostensibly elegant dessert that can often, in my opinion, be just too much gelatinous cream – wonderful. And the final countdown at bill time? Just over £55pp, including a bottle of miraculous malbec. Now that too many pubs who serve school-dinner mush decorated with a sprig of thyme at a fake oak table in front of a flame-effect fire call themselves a gastropub, it’s truly heartwarming to find a venture that flips the careworn idiom on its head entirely: a decent pub that serves glamorous, gastronomic grub in the kind of surroundings that make going home a silly idea. Check mate.
Contact
THE CHEQUERS 50 RIVERS ST, BATH. FFI: 01225 360117, WWW.THECHEQUERSBAR. COM The Verdict HHHHHHHHHH
Pub perfection – live it up or snuggle down under one bang-up-to-date roof
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➻ EatingOutWest
ReView
the living room Tony Benjamin manages to avoid the paparazzi but not the cocktails at this friendly and smartly comfortable Harbourside restaurant and bar
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hen it first opened there was much noise about the Living Room, with barside sightings of local slebs and a coterie of footballers’ WAGS a regular occurrence. A few years later that may still be the case, but the place has settled down a little and become a bit more discreet. If me and the Lovely She were avoiding the paparazzi, it feels as though they would helpfully arrange a back-door escape rather than clear the way for flashbulbs. As it is, we’ve nothing to fear on that front, so happily settle for a cocktail – cocktails remain a big feature of the ridiculously wide-ranging drinks list – and a perusal of the menu undisturbed by media glitz. I’m not a great judge of cocktails but my rum-based ‘Sour’ is exactly that, which pleases me, while She has something pinker, fizzier and fruitier, called ‘Raspberry Colonel’. So far, so stereotyped, methinks. We’re upstairs in the restaurant seating, all retro sixties design, nicely underlit from big round lampshades and with a fine view of the bar just in case… but we’re easily distracted by the cocktails and the food on offer. There’s a friendly amiability about the service, too, as befits the name of the place, and the whole thing feels comfortable. The food choices add to the impression – nothing too exotic, but a wide enough selection, ranging from Lancashire hotpot to coq au vin and a good selection of steaks and fish dishes. She starts with butternut and blue cheese risotto, creamily done with a real stilton punch, while I have a rich brandy-breathed
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chicken liver parfait with opulent port jelly. These ‘noisy’ dishes make for a rich kick-off to the meal, but we’ve been more restrained with our choices of main course. Sipping on a glass of nicely pushy shiraz, I get what they call ‘pork T-bone’ (basically a loin chop), evenly grilled to sunbed brown, alongside a neat pile of apple and potato gratin and dressed with sage and onion jus. That’s a nicely thought out combination of flavours kept
“like the dÉcor, these dishes could have come from the sixties (but only if you knew where the best chefs were).”
in balance, so the pork remains in charge, as it should, complemented by the sweetly crisp honey-roasted beetroot, parsnip and carrots that we share as a side dish. The Lovely She has a fishy stack, with a steak of smoked haddock perched on mustard mash and wilted spinach, topped with a soft poached egg and generously embellished with hollandaise sauce. Again, a wellchosen combination of flavours and textures add up to rich and effortless eating, complemented by a sharptongued glass of white Australian Knappstein. Like the décor, you sense that either of these dishes could have come from the sixties (but only if you knew where the better chefs were to be found). I don’t ask her, but it may have been a similar sense of nostalgia that prompted She to opt for the ‘Black Forest’ trifle, a gloopy glassful of boozedup cake and fat-flavoured griottine cherries that provides something of a fireworks display to end with. My chocolate and ‘salted’ caramel tart is
nice enough, its soft, sweet pastry holding a dusty custard of dark chocolate, but it lacks the underlying salty tang I was hoping for. We share a simperingly sweet glass of Moscato d’Asti that nevertheless left us with a clean-tasting end to proceedings. We return to surveying that bar in the frustrated hope of seeing some kind of ‘face’, but it’s Monday night, so there seems little chance of that. We aren’t bothered, though, because we’ve had a nicely relaxed meal in smart surroundings with attentive and friendly service, and even the soundtrack of classy soul and funk has been to our taste. The food and drinks come to £35 a head (that’s cocktails for you) and that seems about right.
Contact
THE LIVING ROOM EXPLORE LANE, HARBOURSIDE, BRISTOL. FFI: 0117 925 3993, WWW.THELIVINGROOM.CO.UK The Verdict HHHHHHHHHH
Comforting food done with flair, and a smart/casual dress code
12/21/2011 5:21:31 PM
The
New Inn at Backwell
www.newinn-backwell.co.uk Award winning food Fine wines Local ales 01275 462199
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➻ EatingOutWest
ReView HOI FAAN This bright, noisy Chinese restaurant goes big on portions, flavour and uncharted territory Good old spag bol: a student fave
Table Talk
Pasta joke…? ➻
S
ad though it was to see the Bath branch of Italian-themed diner Say Pasta utter its last strands, a new Chinese venture on the same site offered cause for much celebration. Bath isn’t strong on decent Chinese food; only Widcombe’s Hon Fusion really cuts the Asian mustard, and sometimes, you need to be able to take a Far Eastern holiday a bit closer to the city centre. Hoorah, then, for Hoi Faan – a bright oriental ensemble offering menus that juggle a cast-list of at least 260 characters (and that’s before we even begin to explore side-dishes), from traditional classics (crispy/sizzling dishes, tides of sweet and sour, chilli and black/ yellow bean sauces, etc) all the way through to scrumptious ‘Clay Pot’ combos (think Chinese casseroles), a neat selection of south-east Asian fusion dishes and more ‘daring’ options that appear to have inspired recent I’m a Celebrity... menus: vinegar whelk spinach, chicken’s feet, tripe, fish head and pig lungs add a stamp of
authenticity. Meanwhile, masses of vegetarian and seafood options and – I have it on very good authority – superb dim sum complete a summary of the line-up on offer. Phew! So, where does one begin an expedition through and across such unexplored territories? First, try and bagsie the big table in the corner by the window, the one with a spinning lazy susan at the centre (because yes, one has to share). Next, find a combination of ingredients that you’re most likely to like, and trust your senses to guide you – judging from my recent experience, such a method won’t let you down. Don’t rely on the staff for recommendations: they’ll tell you that it’s all delicious (and why wouldn’t they?) – and anyway, the fans that extract steam from the kitchen or pump air conditioning into the restaurant are so noisy that you can barely hear yourself think, let alone take advice! Of our feast for four (which came in at around £26pp, with a couple of glasses of wine/ beer each and side dishes), crispy pork and tofu clay pot, fragrant chilli chicken, Japanese tofu with enoki mushroom and wasabi king prawns were all, everybody agreed, fresh, flavoursome and characterful enough to prove the restaurant’s worth as an uplifting experience to be returned to time and again. In summary, Hoi Faan is jolly good fun. (Melissa Blease)
Contact
HOI FAAN 41-42 ST JAMES’ PARADE, BATH. FFI: 01225 318212, WWW.HOIFAAN.COM The Verdict HHHHHHHHHH
Huge portions of audaciously authentic Far Eastern delights. If background clatter could be subdued, we’d give ‘em eight stars!
Whatever the official coalition line may be, since David Cameron’s intervention in the ‘Eurocrisis’ negotiations it’s felt as though a chill wind has blown across the English Channel. Obviously that’s mostly to do with politics and economics, but there has to be some concern that it could spill over into the world of food and drink – and that would be a truly disastrous outcome. For all that we’ve once more become rightly proud of classic British dishes – stews, sausages, pies and crumbles as well as misleadingly named delicacies like toad-in-the-hole and bubble-andsqueak – we’ve also become positively addicted to much of what Europe has had to offer. Just take our addiction to all things Italian: find any young person learning to feed themselves, and odds are that spag bol will be one of the first items in their repertoire. Check their bins, and pizza boxes are guaranteed to be festering out there. After years of fishburgers, vegburgers and the like, it’s easy to forget that it was the doughty German citizens of Hamburg who came up with the notion of a spiced minced beef patty, while their colleagues in Frankfurt invented the ‘hot dog’ sausage. The French influence obviously starts on the wine rack, while the Belgian contribution to our binge-drinking culture is a Stella one, and Spanish tapas is fast becoming as ubiquitous as chip shops. Take the Eurozone countries off our menus and you’re looking to places like Scandinavia and Switzerland. Pickled herring might be OK, but fondue? Not for nothing have the Swiss been left to their own devices all this time. (Tony Benjamin, Food & Drink editor)
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10 of the best Pub lunches If you’ve time and inclination, a leisurely midday munch-up in a friendly hostelry is always one of life’s great pleasures, so here are a few choice destinations… ➻ The Assembly Alfred St, Bath • There’s a free pint of Bellringer with the ploughman’s at this friendly Abbey Ales house. ➻ The Bank of Stokes Croft Stokes Croft, Bristol • The Bank’s awesomely good-value pizza menu now offers the popular weekend brunches all week through. ➻ The Chequers Rivers St, Bath • Really top-notch grub, with the classy two-course set lunch option going for a measly tenner on weekdays.
➻ EatingOutWest
ReView za za bazaar The fixed-price buffet journey around the globe at this bustling Harbourside eatery is fantastic value
➻ The Cork Westgate Buildings, Bath • Plenty to choose, but we go for the squabble-avoiding ‘pick your own’ bar platter. ➻ No.1 Harbourside Canons Rd, Bristol • The small but perfectly formed daily menu comes, Canteen-style, with a bowl of soup. Watching the ferryboats is another complimentary bonus. ➻ Nova Scotia Nova Scotia Place, Bristol • Always a good selection on the chalkboard, and a fine warming fire to keep things comfy. ➻ The Porter George St, Bath• Still one of Bath’s best go-to places for super-tasty veggie and vegan food that even carnivores come back for. ➻ Royal Oak Gloucester Rd, Horfield, Bristol • Ranging from confit of chicken to fishfinger sandwiches, there’s plenty to choose from in the Oak’s ‘two for a tenner’ weekday lunch deal. ➻ Star & Dove St Luke’s Rd, Bristol, BS3 • Their amazing olde-worlde menu now offers simmering ‘pot of the day’ stews bubbling on the bar, served up with chunky bread for about a fiver. ➻ White Hart Widcombe Hill, Bathwick, Bath • There’s always a side helping of friendly hospitality with their Euro-flavoured lunch menu.
T
he short walk upstairs can’t prepare you for what’s on the other side of the door. Imagine a bustling funfair where all the activity is about eating – and you might come close. The enormous bustling hangar of Za Za Bazaar is ringed with dazzlingly decorated booths and eating areas, with a line of attention-seeking stalls down the middle dispensing food on all four sides. What feels like the population of a small town is thronging, fetching colourful platefuls of Indian, Far Eastern, European and Tex-Mex food, and the sense of restless activity never stops. I see a small boy looking furtively around while helping himself to sweets from the dessert bar but he needn’t worry – it really is unlimited here. My friend the Starving Troubadour brings a lifetime of road-tour eating to the occasion, so heads off for buffalo wings and ribs while I’m drawn to a dosa, the crisp pancake individually cooked to order and the rich sambar gravy spot on. “Try the ribs,” urges the Troubadour. “Perfect!” I pick one up while my fajita is being assembled. It is, indeed, a pleasure – crisply blackened outside yet succulent and fatty within – and the tasty beef and spiky salsa make the fajita enjoyable, too. I try cottage pie and mushy peas from the ‘classic GB’ stall – again finely done, like reliable pub food. My selfassembled plate of conscience-salving salad is mocked by the Troubadour, now happily
tackling a plate of “classic Chinese takeaway” food, with orange sweet-and-sour pork a glowing feature. I dither over sushi while contemplating Vietnamese pho soup but get distracted by teriyaki with deep dark sauce as the Troubadour swans by with a mini burger and chips. “You could end up never seeing the person you’re eating with,” he observes, disappearing into the crowd. At some point it hits us that we have to say no. No to the replenished tureens of chilli con carne or beef in black bean sauce, no to alluring kebabs and pick’n’mix stirfry. As with any other fairground, the risk is going too far. There’s a difference between ‘all you can eat’ and ‘eat all you want’ and I’m thinking the latter while seduced by the former. There’s no doubt we’ve already had fantastic value for our £12.99 (the weekday evening fixed price; £15.99 at weekends) – and for the price, the quality of food, cooking and service has been surprisingly good. While it’s probably not the best place for a romantic tête-à-tête, the sense of eating fun is already attracting families and matey groups, and as long as they keep up standards, there’s no reason Za Za Bazaar shouldn’t do very well indeed. (Tony Benjamin)
Contact
ZA ZA BAZAAR HARBOURSIDE, BRISTOL. FFI: 0117 922 0330, ZAZABAZAAR.COM The Verdict HHHHHHHHHH
All the street you can eat, under one roof
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Look around and see, feel, smell and breathe in the freshness of our working brewery, open plan kitchen and our stylish bar. Everything is there for you to be a part of the experience. All of our innovative pizzas are creatively designed on a delicious crust and stone-baked to perfection. We also serve fresh kilo pots of mussels that perfectly compliment our beer, creative salads, pastas, classic appetisers and indulgent desserts. We have a flavour for every palate.
53 Colston Street, Bristol, BS1 5BA
0117 925 2706 www.zerodegrees.co.uk bristol@zerodegrees.co.uk Reader Offer:
Celebrate the New Year with your friends and family with this
2for1 offer
on main meals.
Bring this voucher to claim your free main meal when you buy another. T&Cs:The cheapest dish will be free. Valid til 31/1/12, sundays to thursdays. Please give this voucher to your waiter/waitress before ordering. Extra toppings or substitutions are excluded from this offer. Not to be used in conjunction with any other offers, promotions or set menus. This offer is not valid on takeaway.
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➻ EatingOutWest Recipe
xiong liu Age: 45 Nationality: Chinese Restaurant: Cathay Rendezvous
➻ Chef Liu is 45 years old and
graduated from the Quand Zhou Catering School when he was 20. Quand Zhou, known historically as Canton or Kwangchow, is the capital and largest city in the Guangdong province of southern China on the Pearl River. Quand Zhou is a key national transportation hub and trading port, with a varied cuisine that has been the main influence on the Chinese food that we know in the West, with steamed dishes that retain the natural flavours of the food and fast stirfry dishes that retain the goodness of the fresh ingredients. Chef Liu has more than 20 years’ experience of working in top restaurants and has won numerous prizes and cookery competitions in China. He became a qualified nutrition in 2005 before he relocated to the UK in 2009.
Xiong liu AT
CATHAY RENDEZVOUS Address: 30 King St, Bristol BS1 4DZ Tel: 0117 922 6161 Web: www.cathay-rendezvous.com
I
n 1497 the great explorer John Cabot sailed from Bristol on a voyage of discovery trying to find Cathay (the old name for China) by sea to the West. Instead, Cabot discovered Newfoundland in North America. Unfortunately for him, he never experienced the gastronomic delights from China, but you can at Cathay Rendezvous…! Situated in the oldest street in Bristol, Cathay Rendezvous occupies an iconic and prestigious building dating back to 1738, which was originally the first purpose-built library in Bristol. Behind the elegant facade, the restaurant occupies four air-conditioned rooms set over two levels accommodating 150 diners. The permanent dancefloor and stage make Cathay Rendezvous a great choice for weddings, parties and family celebrations or more formal corporate events. Cathay Rendezvous opened in 1996 and has entertained many celebrities and famous names, including George Harrison, Peter O’Toole, Pete Postlethwaite and Terry Waite, who said, “I’m a captive of your cuisine.” Now, a new master chef from Quand Zhou, China is at the helm and presiding over the diverse styles of cooking and the innovative menu.
Cathay Rendezvous presents a unique experience in oriental cuisine that spans the main gastronomic styles from China. The presentation of each dish is truly authentic and represents the ultimate in the elegance of this wonderful culture. The main restaurant is called the Nanking Room, where a collection of world-famous Nanking Cargo porcelain is on permanent display together with other interesting antiques from the Ching and Ming dynasties. These are tranquil surroundings in which to enjoy the imaginative and creative menus on offer.
‘A NEW MASTER CHEF IS PRESIDING OVER THE DIVERSE STYLES OF COOKING AND INNOVATIVE MENU’
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King prawns in kung po sauce and wine
Recommended...
INGREDIENTS
âžť This dish has
9 pieces of king prawn 7 pieces of cucumber 100g seasonal greens 40g minced beef
Seasonings: 1 tsp hot chilli sauce 1 tsp Szechuan kung po sauce 1 tsp sesame oil 2 tsp fermented glutinous rice wine
TO MAKE
1 2
Deep-fry the king prawns in hot oil for two minutes, then remove.
Boil the cucumber and seasonal greens. Drain, and set on a serving plate.
3
Stir-fry the minced beef until cooked, then add all the seasonings and the king prawns, mix well and serve.
FLAGSTONE WORD OF MOUTH VIOGNIER a rich and spicy character, so a fruitdriven, soft wine is needed to do it justice. The Word of Mouth Viognier is loaded with a combination of peach, apricot and honey flavours, with a lovely floral hint on the nose. The wine is rich and not too acidic, so it complements both the dense kung po flavour and the chilli spice. A match with layer upon layer of flavour and texture – a must-try! FFI WWW. MATTHEWCLARK.CO.UK
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