Meet Doug Allan OBE, world-renowned wildlife cameraman, environmental speaker and local resident
16 BEACHY KEEN
Coastal clothes from Finisterre to take you through summer into autumn
20 ED BYRNE INTERVIEW
Can death and grief ever be funny? One of our favourite comedians says ‘yes’, and proves it too 26 PAPERBACK PICKS
Our friends at Gloucester Road Books share reads now out in paperback
What’s occuring in the city this month? 34 WE’RE ONLY HUMAN
Hear from one of the stars of Come From Away, the feel-good show about the power of kindness
36 UNREAL WORLDS
An exclusive visit to Bristol’s new home of virtual production: Distortion Studios
40 ART & EXHIBITIONS
Catch the city’s summer shows before the wheel of the year shifts again 52 LOVE TO LEARN
Sign up to that course. Learn that new skill. Take up a new hobby. The time is now...
56 APPLE OF OUR EYE
We catch up with fifth-generation cider maker Eleanor Thatcher 62 HAIR CARE
Local experts explain how hairdressers can support people experiencing hair loss
WE DO LIKE TO BE BESIDE THE SEA
Andrew Swift escapes the summer crowds for a coastal walk
HOMES
Create your own vacay-inspired interiors 76 GLOBAL GARDENS
Elly West shares her top tips for recreating far-flung destinations
On the cover
It’s a bird! It’s a plane! Nope... it’s the annual Bristol Balloon Fiesta. What would our city be without it? We particularly love this special shape making an appearance this year.
Images: left, Ed Byrne (credit: Roslyn Gaunt); right, Distortion Studios
The home of appliances.
EDITOR from the
At first glance, the features our August issue shines a spotlight on might appear a tad gloomy. One of Ireland’s finest exports Ed Byrne is bringing his latest show Tragedy Plus Time to the Beacon imminently, which sees him plunging his comedic prowess deep into the murky waters of grief after the death of his brother. The musical Come From Away, which set against the earth-shattering backdrop of 9/11 takes to the Hippodrome’s stage soon. And we speak to hairdressers about the discomfort many people experiencing hair loss because of cancer treatment and other medical conditions go through and how they can seek support.
But don’t be fooled by the subject matter of these pages; I urge you, with every atom of my being, to believe in the process. I love those often overused quotes about how cracks let the light in. Because, sometimes, it’s true – an improbable empowerment can punch its way through some of the darkest moments in peoples’ lives.
Ed Byrne’s decision to deviate from his usual material and create jokes from his pain, it turns out, isn’t depressing at all. As Jason Barlow, who spoke to Ed, writes: “The genius of it is that it takes the most difficult of subject matter and encourages the audience to laugh in its face in a way they would otherwise simply never do.” Ed himself adds: “Death is universal. We will all lose someone. So the best thing to do is laugh at it.”
Come From Away may unfold in the wake of a terrorist attack – but the stories it chooses to tell are ones of unbound kindness that permeated the disaster. It’s won a ton of awards and one of the show’s stars Sara Poyzer told me she sees audience members simultaneously hysterically laughing and sobbing, and still gets overwhelmed by the sheer hope and humanity in every performance.
And if you’ve ever experienced any type of hair loss, you’ll be all too familiar with how isolating and unnerving it can be. But you’re not alone, and the hairdressers we chatted to are keen to get a positive and supportive conversation going, finding ways to keep you feeling like yourself during an aesthetic transition like that.
Even if you’re not a talker, then hopefully you’re a reader – and you’re able to find some form of comfort from the stories this month’s magazine shares.
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Is it even summer if the sky isn’t bustling with balloons? We’re keeping everything crossed for optimum weather conditions for everyone involved in this year’s Bristol Balloon Fiesta, which takes place across three days (9-11 August). The team is busy preparing a playground of entertainment for you all at Ashton Court, with a stage set ready and waiting for more than 100 hot air balloons to take flight. As always, the event is free to attend, but you’ll need to book parking. bristolballoonfiesta.co.uk
Learn about bees
The Bee and Pollination Festival returns to the University of Bristol Botanic Gardens this year on the earlier weekend of 24-25 August, from 10am until 5pm. This is a great place to learn about the vital role pollinators play in our lives, see demonstrations, exhibits, and talks, buy honey and see the Botanic Garden in all its late summer finery.
botanic-garden.bristol.ac.uk
Watch a theatre performance
Join the Clifton Amateur Dramatics Society for an unforgettable Victorian experience of The Importance of Being Earnest at The Clifton Club in the heart of Clifton Village. This elegant event will ensure you fully enjoy the wonderfully witty words of Oscar Wilde in a beautiful and historic venue where the drinks will be flowing and there will certainly be no shortage of cucumber sandwiches... The shows will run from the 29-31 August, doors open at 7pm, the performance commences at 7.30pm and carriages are at 10.15pm. Stop your bunburying and purchase your ticket via the website; the cast looks forward to welcoming you as their esteemed guests for the evening. bristolcads.org.uk
See the show
The Wiltshire Game & Country Show takes place from 10-11 August, set within the beautiful surroundings of Bowood House, near Calne, Wiltshire. With main arena attractions running throughout the day, supported by a host of smaller country sports arenas and workshops, and the very best in countryside activities and entertainment, it will be an unbeatable family day out in the stunning grounds of Bowood House. Tickets start at £6. livingheritagecountryshows.com/ wiltshire-game-country
Venture to the Vegan Fayre
Bristol Vegan Fayre takes place at Document on Saturday 24 August (11am-6pm) with live music from local acts including Albex Acoustic Duo, Emaline Delapaix, David Robinson aka The Cold Heart Revue, Fossilheads Climate Crisis Cabaret, David Camilli, Giles Bryant and Sweet Goose are joined by Swedish-based Vystopia for an eclectic lineup with animal rights and the environment central themes for the performers. Ibiza Chill will play all day in the outside covered canopy area, and comedy includes Ishi Khan, Lee Brace and Cheekykita, plus a selection of uplifting talks, including Kerry McCarthy MP, and kids’ area too. There’s plenty of entertainment at the show (plus lashings of plant-based food, obviously).
Tickets £5, plus booking fee, from vegfest.co.uk/bristol-vegan-fayre-summer-24
The Cityist
BSL-led hip-hop show heading for Tobacco Factory Theatres
New inclusive theatre company Fuse Theatre will be at Tobacco Factory Theatres from 4-7 September for the company’s inaugural performance of Follow the Signs. A fully BSL-led, hiphop gig theatre show, Follow the Signs is performed through BSL, rap, spoken English, movement and creative captioning, to be shared and celebrated by Deaf and hearing audiences together. It tells the story of acclaimed dancer and choreographer Chris Fonseca: from infanthood when he lost his hearing after contracting meningitis, through a school system unable to value his differences, into teenage years where music and dance entered his life, to meeting Raffie Julien, a mixed-race Deaf woman whose lived experience seemingly couldn’t be more different. Fuse Theatre was founded by dancer/choreographer Chris Fonseca, director Harry Jardine and Bristol-based producer Sian Weeding.
tobaccofactorytheatres.com
My Bristol
Meet Doug Allan OBE, wildlife cameraman and environmental speaker
I moved to the Bristol area in 1988, about five years after I started filming. The BBC’s Natural History Unit was the epicentre for wildlife TV and being on their doorstep had big practical advantages.
I live a couple of streets from The Downs. It’s a running track, a cycle circuit, a dozen and more football fields, a place for personal fitness groups, an outing to study nature for Bristol primary schools, a social space for dogs and their walkers, the site for entertainments from music festivals to food festivals. That big green space is inspiring to me because it’s an example of what far sighted thinking from business leaders can give to the people of a city. The sort of public-spirited imagination we’ll hopefully now be seeing more of in Bristol.
There are places in the Chew Valley and Cheddar Gorge where it’s possible to feel the wildness. Wander through the woods there over April, May and June and you’ll see and hear wonderful things. I had a memorable quiet evening canoe paddle over a stretch of the River Avon with Bevis Watts when he showed me the beavers who now live there.
When I received news of my OBE, I felt firstly how fortunate I was to have friends and colleagues who thought enough of me to put their time and effort into the nomination process. The citation itself included my “promotion of environmental awareness” – which was a very satisfying reflection of what I’ve been trying to do over the last few years by speaking to pupils and young adults at schools across Bristol and beyond.
The biggest buzz for a cameraperson is to have the chance to film behaviour that hasn’t been covered before. And if that action is particularly spectacular or dramatic and involves charismatic animals, then you really have hit the jackpot. So I was particularly proud to film (along with fellow Scot Doug Anderson) the killer whales washing seals from ice floes in Antarctica by creating a wave with their tails beating in unison. I’d tried filming it for another BBC series a couple of years earlier. We were unsuccessful then, but we applied what I learned on that trip for our return to Antarctica for Frozen Planet Witnessing that behaviour, realising the level of intelligence the killers were showing, seeing it enough times that we could shoot all the angles, knowing that
here was a real highlight – when all those come together then it‘s bound to be a standout in your life. It’s hard to pin down one favourite place where I’ve filmed, but Antarctica will always be special. I worked there as a diver and a scientist between 1976 and 1983. It was where my interest in photography began, where I first met David Attenborough and where I did my first full on filming assignment.
All animals have been my teachers. You can’t hide from polar bears on the ice or whales and seals in the water, so you learn the field craft that then helps you move close. It’s sometimes specific knowledge about the animals, but often a “feel” for them, an empathy that you project out somehow. It’s a massive privilege when an animal chooses to accept your presence. After all, their other option is to walk, run or swim away. I’ve learned most from being in the presence of wild animals in challengingly wild places with people who are intimate with those spaces and their nature. So, travelling an Arctic ice edge for days in the company of an Inuk, looking for belugas and narwhal, listening to him talk about his relationship with his environment – that’s as fascinating as being involved in a film about the birth of icebergs where it’s the company of the scientists who are stimulating.
I enjoy cycling when I’m not working. The scenery moves at just the right speed and helps with the fitness. It’s by far the best way to access the city centre, and there are some bonny loops into the countryside all round Bristol itself.
Doug Allan will be speaking at St George’s Bristol on Monday 28 Oct at 7pm. For more information and tickets, visit stgeorgesbristol.co.uk
Cabot Circus awaits new flagship M&S store
M&S has confirmed plans to return to Bristol, with the opening of a brand-new flagship store in Cabot Circus, in the unit currently occupied by House of Fraser.
The 80,000 sq ft store is backed by a £21m investment by the retailer and will offer customers M&S Food, Clothing and Beauty departments. The opening is anticipated to create an estimated 150 new jobs for the local area. Cabot Circus will complement M&S’ existing offer across Bristol, including its Avonmeads, Eastgate, Imperial Park and Whiteladies Road stores, as well as Cribbs Causeway (with work currently underway to transform this site) and Longwell Green.
marksandspencer.com
Beacon’s first night of the proms
Bristol Beacon will host the region’s first ever programme of fullscale orchestral concerts at the world-renowned BBC Proms across the August Bank Holiday weekend, as part of the recently introduced Proms Across the UK.
Proms Bristol will see four concerts taking place: The Virtuous Circle with Paraorchestra (Sat 24 Aug); BBC Singers at 100 (pictured below, Sun 25 Aug); Evelyn Glennie plays Jennifer Higdon with the Bournemouth Symphony Orchestra (Sun 25 Aug); and CBeebies Prom: Ocean Adventure (Mon 26 Aug). bristolbeacon.org
All eyes on the skies for the Fiesta
Get ready to elevate your spirits and let your imaginations take flight during the Bristol International Balloon Fiesta when its lineup of awe-inspiring and nostalgic special shape hot air balloons make an appearance at the event.
The city’s Fiesta will return to the rolling hills of Ashton Court Estate from Friday 9 to Sunday 11 August, and this year the main arena will host at least 14 of the hugely popular and unique special shape hot air balloons.
The star-studded line-up will feature beloved classics, as well as recent favourites, including: Astro the Alien, Wallace & Gromit’s Moon Rocket, Daisy The Cow (pictured), the Scottish Piper ‘Pipy’, a Maxwell House Coffee Jar, an Orange, the Roziere, Action Man, Rupert The Bear, Thomas the Tank Engine, Lloyds TSB, Michelin Man, and Buster and Bella the Bulldogs.
The iconic Fiesta is a free-to-attend, three-day event that celebrates the city and its heritage links to the remarkable world of hot air ballooning. During the day, the event programme spans across acres of the countryside estate, offering entertainment, activities, food and drink, trade stands and exhibitions. On Friday and Saturday, visitors can stay beyond nightfall to experience the event’s famous Night Glows. This year, the event will also host the British National Hot Air Balloon Championships, with 15 balloon teams competing twice daily at dawn and dusk.
bristolballoonfiesta.co.uk
Credit: Chris Christodoulou
Miriam Margolyes shows support for Jacobs Wells Baths
Acclaimed actress Miriam Margolyes (pictured below) recently took time out of her busy tour schedule to visit Jacobs Wells Baths while in Bristol, showing her support for the ongoing recovery efforts of this historic building. As an early supporter of the campaign, Margolyes’ visit highlights the importance of restoring Jacobs Wells as a vital community and cultural heritage hub.
During her visit, Margolyes met with the Trinity team (the organisation leading the project) and some of the professional team from PH3 Design who have developed the recently approved planning scheme to restore the space. Planned works include a street-facing main entrance and modernisation of the previously unused ground floor Pump Room, transforming it into a new cafe-bar and studio.
“I’m thrilled to have a chance to visit Jacobs Wells and encourage the council [which owns the asset] and my fellow-supporters with their exciting plans to return this listed building to the service of the local community,” said Margolyes. “This will help so many to have a go – opportunity knocks at last.”
trinitybristol.org.uk
RWA and Bonhams partner for auction
The Royal West of England Academy (RWA) is partnering with Bonhams to host a unique auction event showcasing exclusive artworks by prominent international artists, and work from the estates of renowned artists. The auction will be held online from 9 August and culminate on 22 August 2024. Many of the artworks will also be on display in the RWA galleries from 15-22 August. Bonhams is waiving all fees for this sale, including buyers’ commission, making this an attractive proposition for collectors. Proceeds from this fundraiser will raise crucial funds to support the RWA’s mission of delivering life-enhancing creative inspiration and engagement to underserved communities in Bristol.
rwa.org.uk/bonhams-auction
Cancer charity Penny Brohn UK opens well-being venue
Cancer charity Penny Brohn UK has opened its meeting rooms and gardens near Bristol to West Country businesses planning well-being events for its employees.
Organisations can now hire the extensive indoor and outdoor facilities at Ham Green House just outside Bristol. Set in beautiful, landscaped gardens, the Grade II-listed Georgian mansion and its purpose-built modern therapeutic wing offer flexible spaces for all types of events, from employee wellbeing days to larger conferences and life celebrations. All money generated from venue hire at Ham Green House goes directly towards Penny Brohn UK’s pioneering work supporting people with cancer and their families.
To hire, contact dida.moore@pennybrohn.org.uk or visit hamgreenhouse.org.uk
Credit: Alastair Brookes - KoLAB Studios
Ham Green House
Image: Nick Walker, V andalism’ fragment
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The Beauty Drop
Keep your finger on the beauty pulse thanks to the ‘new in’ edit from Harvey Nichols Bristol. Featuring limited-edition luxuries and soon-to-be staples, take your pick of the latest beauty to drop. All products are available at Harvey Nichols Bristol or online at harveynichols.com
RODIAL Lip Oil £29
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£8.80
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TOM FORD Glow Tone Up Foundation 12GM, £66
The first Tom Ford Soleil foundation offers a healthy glow and natural sheer coverage for all skin types. The lightweight Glow Tone Up Foundation Hydrating Cushion Compact evens skin tone, minimises imperfections, and brightens the complexion with a dewy glow. With SPF40 protection, long-term firming benefits, and a refreshing cooling sensation, it’s Soleil perfection. Available in flesh tone shades for a radiant look and tone up shades for instant glow, it’s enriched with the Tom Ford Infusing Complex and pearl powders for well-hydrated, comfortable skin.
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Makeup Must Haves Hamper
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OLAPLEX The Hello, Healthy Hair Kit, £33
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GHD Glide Limited Edition Hot BrushFondant Pink Charity Edition, £179
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Ed Byrne (image credit: Roslyn Gaunt)
Good grief!
Ed Byrne’s latest show sees him flex his creative courage and explore comedy that takes death and grief as its cue. But Tragedy Plus Time, which comes to Bristol Beacon on 5 September, is anything but depressing. In fact, Jason Barlow writes that the show’s genious lies in helping audiences laugh in the face of life’s toughest subject matter...
Astaple of revered panel show Mock the Week, Ed Byrne has also sledded down the side of a volcano for Dara and Ed’s Great Big Adventure, upstaged Martin Sheen and Robert Downey Jr on The Graham Norton Show, and demonstrated his driving skills on Top Gear and The World’s Most Dangerous Road. Is there no end to his talents? Well, He's also proven himself to be quiz show dynamite on the likes of The Chase: Celebrity Special, The Hit List, Pointless Celebrities and All-Star Family Fortunes. Never agree to attend a pub quiz with Ed Byrne. You will lose.
But for all his dalliances with the world of television light entertainment, Ed remains at heart one of the world’s truly great standup comedians. He has honed his craft for a remarkable 30 years now, garnering a hatful of awards and a constant, borderline bewildering stream of five-star reviews along the way. Whisper it, but it’s tempting in 2024 to take story-telling skills and a wit as sublime as Ed’s for granted. However, while he prepares to take his 14th show, Tragedy Plus Time, to the Edinburgh Fringe and onwards for a comprehensive UK tour, audiences need to ready themselves because Ed Byrne is heading into highly emotional new territory.
“Heart-wrenching, soul-bearing” new material
“It’s something of a departure, and I’m slightly worried about that,” he concedes. “I’ve never really had the desire to write a show that had an overly serious element to it. I got a lot of five-star reviews on the last show [2019’s If I’m Honest], but some four-star ones that opined, ‘well it’s funny, but that’s all it is…’ As if that’s not enough these days. Frankly, just being funny is a furrow I’ve been happy to occupy. But this new show features some heart-wrenching, soul-bearing stuff.”
That much is indisputable. For Tragedy Plus Time, Ed bravely ventures into the world of grief and loss, a decision prompted by the passing of his younger brother Paul, aged just 44, in February 2022. Comedy that takes death as its cue is not unprecedented, but it’s a path that takes considerable creative courage to explore.
“I was in two minds about whether to do a show of this nature,” Ed explains. “Then I decided this was the subject I was going to tackle but I wasn’t quite sure how to go about it. But once I started down that road, that was it… Then my main worry was, how funny is it going to be and is it going to work?”
These were legitimate concerns. Of course, there’s funny and there’s funny. In Tragedy Plus Time, Ed consistently delivers the latter while expertly locating the poignancy that sits at the intersection of sadness and loss. This isn’t gallows humour; this is something else altogether.
“The first time I performed it,” he continues, “it lasted more than an hour. That surprised me, but it was too long, so I had to decide whether to cut funny jokes or material that’s meaningful. That kind of decision was new to me, and what’s really annoying is that the one person I would have asked for advice on that is the guy the show’s about. It’s like when you get dumped by someone and you’re heartbroken. The one person
you’d usually want to talk to about it is the very person who dumped you. Says Ed, “I’ve spoken to people who worked with Paul, who was a comedy director, and they’ve said that his thing was, ‘you can be as emotional as you like and as serious as you like, but there has to be a joke’. So the idea of saying something purely for the emotional gut punch was off the table.”
The nature of grief
Nor is Tragedy Plus Time unrelenting by any means. The genius of it is that it takes the most difficult of subject matter and encourages the audience to laugh in its face in a way they would otherwise simply never do. Ed has also deliberately eschewed a linear narrative structure in favour of an approach that mirrors the unpredictable nature of grief itself.
“Obviously I don’t want the whole thing to be an onslaught,” he says. “That’s partly because of the digressions, and that’s why they’re there. But they also illustrate how grief works in that you can still have a good time, you can still be happy, you can still have a laugh about other things and be frivolous. But grief is always there waiting for you when you’re done with being silly.
“The show does elicit a very pure emotional response in the audience. There’s something about the fact that when somebody dies, everyone else carries on like nothing’s happened. Because nothing has happened to them. So there’s an anger in grief, too… how can everyone else carry on as though nothing has happened?”
“ Death is universal. We will all lose someone. So the best thing to do is laugh at it ”
Ed candidly admits that mining his family’s bereavement for comedic effect would challenge his performing skills – and emotional bandwidth – in a unique way. Is this a nightly catharsis for the Irish comedian? To an extent, yes.
“Death is universal. We will all lose someone. So the best thing to do is laugh at it,” he says. “Although I was aware, when I was first writing and performing this new show, that there was a danger I might, you know, lose it onstage. I did a work-in-progress at the Museum of Comedy and there was an audible crack in my voice.
“On the third performance I did actually cry on stage, and I’m sure for anyone who was there [assumes a very theatrical voice] ‘it was a very powerful experience’. But I don’t want it to be the sort of thing where I rip my heart out and stamp on it for the audience’s delectation. I’ve been able to throttle back my emotions and keep them in check.”
A must-see left-field move
What of the origins of the concept that comedy is Tragedy Plus Time? It’s widely credited to American writer, humourist and quote machine Mark Twain, as many of these things are. Having researched it, Ed says there’s no conclusive proof that he coined it. Twain’s contribution to the arts might have benefitted from an audio/visual dimension, if such a thing had existed in the 1880s, but it’s something Ed has avoided. Until now.
“There are WhatsApp messages from Paul that I wanted to share and I could have just read them out. But that wouldn’t have the same resonance, and you have to see them to fully appreciate the context. Then there’s a video of a weird guy who produces celebrity obituaries…to be honest, I’m still tinkering with the audio/visual aspect, so there may well be more of that in the show. It’s a supplementary element, though, it’s not integral. I don’t want anyone to worry unduly about the introduction of technology to the proceedings.”
Tragedy Plus Time isn’t Ed Byrne deconstructing comedy or going meta. That’s not what he does. Nonetheless, this is a satisfyingly leftfield move from one of the undeniable masters of comedy. It is as moving as it is funny, and vice versa.
“Is it OK to talk about this stuff? I’d say this. Every night hundreds of people who didn’t know who Paul Byrne was will leave the theatre knowing who Paul Byrne was. I’m happy with that, and I think I give a good account of him on stage. I wouldn’t say he’s up there with me [in spirit] every night, but he’s ‘there’ every time I think about the show, and I’ve got to make sure I do right by him. I briefly entertained a notion of writing a one-man play, with me sitting and talking to him towards the
end of his life. But you know, I’m a stand-up comic. It’s what I do. I said to the audience in one of the early previews, ‘yes, it is sad. But don’t worry because the show is funny. Because believe it or not, I’m actually quite good at this.” n
Ed Byrne will perform Tragedy Plus Time at Bristol Beacon on Thursday 5 September, 7.30pm. Tickets are available at bristolbeacon.org
Image credit: Roslyn Gaunt
Page turners
This month, our friends at Gloucester Road Books share their favourite recent paperback fiction releases...
Anote from the team: “Our primary aim is that the shop be a fascinating place to explore. We have a significant focus on titles published by small independent presses. There are lots of really brilliant small publishers putting out incredibly exciting books, and we want to help get these out into the world. The stock is carefully chosen and constantly changing, so even if you pop in every week there will always be new books to find.”
gloucesterroadbooks.co.uk; @gloucester_rd_books; 184 Gloucester Road, Bishopston, BS7 8NU. Open Monday and Tuesday 9.30am-5pm; Wednesday to Saturday 9.30am-6pm
Crook Manifesto by Colson Whitehead, Little, Brown Book Group, £9.99
The second in the glorious series of literary crime novels by Colson Whitehead features Ray Carney, who is mostly a very decent man, but just can't quite manage to keep himself out of trouble. The combination of Whitehead's elegant crisp prose, Carney, and the evocation of the New York of the past make this the most elevated kind of escapism.
The Maniac byBenjamin Labatut, Pushkin Press, £9.99
The Maniac is a dazzling, kaleidoscopic novel mixing fact and fiction on the origins of the atom bomb and the genius of the minds behind such revolutionary inventions, with a focus on the precarity of such genius to sometimes slip into madness. The novel also spans the inception of AI and the horrifying spectre of what happens when a search for knowledge has no moral or humanistic bounds.
The Fraud by Zadie Smith, Penguin, £9.99
Truth and fiction. Jamaica and Britain. Who deserves to tell their story? Zadie Smith’s first foray into historical fiction lays bare the deluded pretence of Victorian England. Centred around the real-life Tichborne Trial of 1873 in Kilburn, which captivated the nation, Smith’s comprehensively researched and wonderfully crafted sixth novel showcases her storytelling splendour in all its page-turning glory.
Open Up by Thomas Morris, Faber & Faber (out on 1 August), £14.99
A suite of short stories exploring a tenderly-felt and vulnerable masculinity. The setting of each story varies in location and theme, from fidelity to realism, and Welsh football matches to a family of seahorses under the sea, but Morris’ voice threads them together through a consistently intimate, charming, and honest pursuit of selfdiscovery.
1 August), £14.99
Following the distinctly elegant and cool voice of White on White, Savaş’ latest novel promises to continue in her style of mesmeric, simple prose that cuts to the heart of human experience. The characters of The Anthropologists look for an apartment in a foreign city and struggle with the complex vagaries and sense of alienation that building a life in modern-day adulthood can bring.
The Anthropologists by Ayşegül Savaş, Simon & Schuster (published
What’s On
Our guide to some of the best things to see and experience in and around Bristol, whether you’re on summer holidays or are simply on the hunt for something to do...
Space Shanty
n Throughout August
M Shed, BS1 4RN
Space Shanty has transformed M Shed into a maze of interactive installations, digital artworks, and historical artefacts. At the heart of Space Shanty is space rat Bemmie the Ratronaut. From stowing away on Bristol’s ships to exploring distant planets, Bemmie shares his journey through video screens, audio snippets, and augmented reality, offering a glimpse into his interplanetary escapades and introducing visitors to space-themed shanties. bristolmuseums.org.uk
Lumosphere
n Until 16 August, from 10am-6.15pm Friary Building, BS1 3DF
Lumosphere is an immersive and interactive walk-through experience where art and technology collide, transforming Cabot Circus’ historic Friary Building in Quakers Friars into a 45 multi-sensory experience for all ages. Interact with the art, hear incredible soundscapes and gaze into extraordinary projections within this other-worldly installation. Tickets available via Yuup. yuup.co/lumosphere
Milk Poetry
n 5 August, 7.30pm
The Wardrobe Theatre, BS2 0DF
Milk Poetry selects the finest, freshest poets from the UK and beyond to produce the most nourishing and eclectic spoken word bonanza you could ever hope for, curated and hosted by Malaika Kegode (Outlier). Suitable for ages 14+, this instalment features award-winning writer and performer Maria Ferguson, as well as Wakefield-born poet, educator and activist Matt Abbott. thewardrobetheatre.com
Open-Air Cinema at Clarks Village n 6-18 August
Clarks Village, BA16 0BB
Enjoy an alfresco movie after a day out shopping at Clarks Village. The Open-Air Cinema will host three screenings a day (12pm, 3.30pm and 7pm), ranging from blockbuster hits to family favourites and ‘80s classics. Tickets from £8 for under-12s, £12 for adults and VIP tickets with a deckchair and treat box for £20. The daily 12pm movie is discounted to £5 per person or £18 for a family of four. Under-ones are free. Guests can also enjoy Clarks Village’s unique mix of
brands at discount outlet prices, its stunning landscaped gardens, wide paved malls, restaurants and adventure play park for families. clarksvillage.co.uk/summercinema-2024
Bristol Balloon Fiesta: Sunrise Ascent n 9 & 10 August, 5.30am-9.30am Clifton Observatory, BS8 3LT Witness the breath-taking morning ascent at Clifton Observatory’s Rooftop Terrace. The 360 Cafe will be open early from 5.30am serving breakfast pastries and coffees for you to enjoy alongside the first morning ascent of 2024’s International Balloon Fiesta. Please note that this is a free, nonticketed event. Space on the Rooftop Terrace is limited on a first come, first serve basis. The rooftop terrace will then be open to the public until 2pm.
cliftonobservatory.com
Pirate Taxi
n 21 August, shows at 3pm & 6pm
Trinity Centre, BS2 0NW
Pirate Taxi is an outdoor circus show from the internationally acclaimed Pirates of the Carabina. Taking place in, on and around an old-school London Taxi, Pirate Taxi includes original live music, humour, a mechanically ingenious set, and extraordinary aerial performance. Sometimes serious, but more often funny, Pirate Taxi tells the directors’ own tale of finding their way via Circus to rural Somerset – weaving in themes of journeys, companionship, and the annual migration of birds. trinitybristol.org.uk
Massive Attack Climate Change Accelerator
n 25 August, 2pm-10.15pm
Durdham Down, BS9 1NE
Massive Attack’s first UK show in five years will mark 25 years of climate activism on the part of the band, and a first physical fruition of their collaboration with climate scientists and analysts. The all day show will trial new standards for the decarbonisation of live music. Other acts performing include Killer Mike, Lankum, Sam Morton and DJ Milo. massiveattackbristol.com
Space Man and Bemmie the Ratronaut, Space Shanty at M Shed
Crowds at Forwards Bristol (credit: Beth Whelan)
BRISTOL EVENTS | AUGUST
Forwards Bristol
n 31 Aug & 1 September, from midday Durdham Down, BS9 1NE
The festival aims to present high quality, diverse and heritage music acts alongside emerging artists from Bristol & beyond. Headline acts across the two days include Four Tet, Jessie Ware and LCD Soundsystem. Forwards has also partnered with Channel 4 to deliver a series of talks in a dedicated space on site, with speakers such as Brian Eno, Ginny Lemon and Mariam Musa. forwardsbristol.co.uk
DogFest
n 31 Aug & 1 Sept, 9.30am (gates close 5pm)
Ashton Court Estate, BS41 9JN
With two days of thrilling dog action, set against the backdrop of seven of the UK’s most gorgeous stately homes and gardens, it’s no surprise DogFest is the social highlight of the season. You’ll find world-class displays from top canine athletes, free expert advice and workshops, have-a-go activities to take part in, shopping, treats plus plenty of play! Tickets available online. dogfest.co.uk/bristoldogfest.co.uk/bristol
Frampton Country Fair
n 8 September, gates open 9am
Frampton Court Estate, GL2 7EP
Head along and celebrate all that is great about the countryside and the people who work and live in it. Held in 30 acres of beautiful parkland of Frampton Court Estate, this is one of the last truly traditional country fairs. With over 400 trade stands, three display rings and a traditional fun-fair, there is so much to see and do. Frampton Country Fair is a non-profit-making event, which supports charities and good causes relating to the countryside and local area. Maintaining a focus on the countryside is a key part of the event's purpose. Led by Janie Clifford, one of the exhibits which has grown dramatically since its introduction at Frampton in 2000 has been the Living Working Countryside. This is a showcase for rural skills; some of which, over time, have been in slow decline but in recent years have seen a resurgence in interest – including dry stone walling, spinning and weaving, a working smokery and thatching. Also, a blacksmith, farrier and saddler. Native breeds also feature prominently, including: local ones such as Gloucester Cattle, Gloucester Old Spot Pigs, Oxford Sandy and Black Pigs (now more famous because of Clarkson's Farm) and Cotswold Sheep. framptoncountryfair.co.uk
Family Diary
Here’s our pick of the best things to see and do with the little ones this month
Blend and Bend Family Yoga
n Every Tuesday, 6-27 August 11.30am
Bristol Hippodrome
Blend and Bend Fun Family yoga gives you 45 minutes of uninterrupted time with your child(ren) in the surroundings of the iconic Bristol Hippodrome. Block of 4 classes. This is a participation class for adults and their children which runs for 45 minutes in The Grand Bar. atgtickets.com
SS Great Britain
n Throughout August
Get hands-on this summer holidays with new activities packed full of fun for the whole family to enjoy: Brunel’s Brick Building, Botany Sticker Trail, Brunel’s Apprentice. Summer holiday activities are free with admission.
ssgreatbritain.org
Sundust Secrets Interactive Scavenger Hunt at Wake The Tiger
n Throughout August
It’s Sundust season! Among the sun’s golden glow, a Top Secret box has been found that can only be opened with a secret word. There are seven notes scattered throughout the experience. Find the notes and figure out the secret word to unlock the box. Free activity included in the price of your ticket.
wakethetiger.com
Summer of Sharks at Bristol Aquarium
n Throughout August
Can you spot all of the sharks? Bristol aquarium is home to six different types of shark, with breeds both native to the UK and from around the world. You can find the lesser spotted catshark, bull huss shark, Arabian carpet shark, brownbanded bamboo shark, banded Japanese smooth hound and the Port Jackson shark amongst the thousands of aquatic creatures available to explore at the aquarium. Tick them off on your activity sheet as you go around! bristolaquarium.co.uk
Spin the Spaceship at We The Curious
n Throughout August
Zoom through space and explore the Solar System in this under 5s Planetarium show. You’ll get to interact with Blurgle Wurgle - a new bespoke puppet - as you look for a new home in the solar system. Together you'll spin the spaceship and travel through the solar system to 3 different destinations to see if any of them have the right conditions for Blurgle Wurgle to live there! There'll be actions in each location and lots of dancing to help spin the spaceship, as you learn about our solar system and have fun along the way. wethecurious.org
Summer Holiday Crafts at John Wesley’s New Room n 6, 13 and 20 August, 11am-12pm and 1-2pm
Make the most of your summer holiday by joining the exciting summer craft workshops at John Wesley's New Room. Get creative, have fun, and create memorable keepsakes. Don't miss out on this fantastic opportunity to add some crafty joy to your summer break. newroombristol.org.uk
PYO Sunflowers and Maize Maze at Glenavon Farm n 9-11 and 16-26
August, 9.30am-4pm
Picking Patch hosts a family friendly summer event over sunflower season. From sunflower picking, a puzzle maize maze, escape rooms, graffiti and crafts, to local food and drink. Nine varieties of sunflower will be growing together with various shades, hues and sizes for you to choose and pick. Entry is £5 per group of 4, which is redeemed for 6 sunflower stems to pick. Once on site there is lots of free activities such as a games area, picnic pods and handcrafted photo opportunities, as well as some really exciting paid for extra activities. pickingpatch.com
Hoo-Ha! Festival at Bristol Beacon n 27-28 August. 10am-3pm ( 10 August at Beacon Music Centre Southmead )
Hoo-Ha! Festival returns to Bristol Beacon this August, offering a plethora of music, dancing, and fun for little ones and their families. After a year off, Hoo-Ha! is back with a bang for 2024, and it’s bigger than ever before. This year, the festival is also expanding to a second location at Beacon Music Centre in Southmead for a one-day mini version of the event. Expect the spaces to be packed to the brim with shows, shenanigans, and spectacles. There will be plenty of opportunities for creativity with various activities, things to discover, see, and do. Entry is free, and no tickets are required. bristolbeacon.org
Exploring the Solar System at We The Curious
Sunflower season at Glanavon Farm
Humankind, human kindness
Come From Away may be a musical set against a backdrop of 9/11 and the Twin Towers tragedy, but as West End legend Sara Poyzer – who plays the first female American Airlines pilot Beverley Bass in the touring production visiting Bristol Hippodrome in August – tells Rosanna Spence, it’s also a must-see, life-affirming tale of humanity at its very finest
Sometimes, real-life events are so surreal and have such a lasting impact on everyone involved that the stories deserve to be told over and over again – no matter how tragic the context in which they were forged. That couldn’t be truer for the multi-award-winning (four Oliviers and one Tony, to be exact), 100-minute, non-stop triumph of a tale Come From Away; the smash hit show that tells the incredible real-life story of 7,000 air passengers from all over the world who were grounded in Canada during the wake of 9/11, and the small Newfoundland community of Gander who invited these ‘come from aways’ into their lives with open hearts, despite their arrival doubling the Atlantic island town’s tiny population.
We spoke to theatre royalty Sara Poyzer (with West End credits including Donna Sheridan in Mamma Mia!, Billy Elliott and TV appearances in Casualty and Doctors among others), whose real life character Beverley Bass, the first ever American Airlines female pilot, was one of the many thousands of lives upturned on that fateful day. Taking time to chat mid-tour, Poyzer reflects on what makes Come From Away unlike anything you’ll have seen before – and why it’s essential to keep telling this story about the boundless generosity humans were capable of when faced with unprecedented terror.
What’s been the reaction to this award-winning show?
“Often, when you first tell people what the musical is, they pull a little face over a musical about 9/11 set in a remote island in the Atlantic, thinking: ‘How’s that gonna work?’ But it just does. One of the posters on our side of our buildings says Come From Away is ‘One of the best musicals of the century’. That speaks for itself. Don’t worry about the fact that it’s 9/11 and it’s a bit of a strange storyline. I promise you, you’re going to have a really great time. We should be telling those stories during a
difficult moment for people both locally and internationally, when there's a lot going on. I think it's good to be reminded of how utterly amazing people can be. These people on this tiny island, just said, ‘Yeah, come here all 7,000 of you. We got you. We’ll take care of you, feed you. We’ll clothe you, we’ll give you a bed. We’ll water you, we’ll get your meds sorted out. We’ll take care of your kids. We’ll feed the babies.’ It makes me get goosepimples just talking about it.
“ I think it’s good to be reminded of how utterly amazing people can be ”
It’s so painful and poignant in some ways obviously, as it’s about 9/11 which was a horrific time, but it’s also about human kindness, with people taking care of others during a really difficult time in their lives, and it’s beautiful. It absolutely breaks your heart and also fills you with joy.”
Even though the story is that of 9/11, how is it still relevant to audiences across the UK today?
“The story’s context could be the situation in Gaza. It could be a family coming over here from a foreign country fleeing from war or terror. Humans are at our best when we open our hearts. When we’re fearful, we close doors. Not only do the people who have had doors close on them suffer, but I think if you’re the person who’s acting in fear, you suffer too. Come From Away really demonstrates how amazing it can be to be open. Those people who met for that brief spell in Gander are friends still to this day. Even being in the cast for this show means we’ve joined a special
Sara Poyzer as Beverley Bass
kind of gang. I think we have a lot to learn from Gander. They have an absolutely open door, open heart policy. I think it’s something we could do with a bit more of and I think it’s just such a wonderful message.
How have you approached playing Beverley, the real-life character whose plane was diverted to Gander on 9/11? I’ve approached it in the same way that I would like to play either a fictional or a non-fictional character, with a smattering, of course, of the truth of Beverley Bass. I got to speak to Beverley [via a Zoom call].
What I do know is that I’m not doing an impersonation of her. What I’m trying to do is bring her stories to light in the most truthful way I can. She’s a bit more reserved in reality than the Beverley Bass in the show. Being a pilot was very much a man’s world then, which is now for taken for granted. But she’s definitely got a kind of fortitude and incomparable quality to make her say, ‘No, I’m going to be a female pilot’. Her dad, said she couldn’t do it, but she said: ‘I’m flying planes. That’s what I’m going to do’.
So, I definitely take that a bit of that maybe more hidden strength that she has and brought it to the fore for the character. The song that I get to sing called Me And The Sky is just an absolute masterpiece in storytelling. My love is singing, but more than that, it is storytelling. And that song is the brilliant story she tells. It is actually almost verbatim. She said to her dad, ‘I’m going to fly a plane for the rest of my life’, and for planes to then be turned into deadly weapons, was so heartbreaking. Everybody has a heartbreaking story around 9/11, but hers is particularly about her love of aeroplanes, and their being used in such a terrifying and deadly manner.
Tell us more about the quick transitions between the cast playing different characters and the staging audiences can expect during this fast-paced, non-stop show...
The storytelling has to be so clear because there’s not a lot on stage with us. You switch characters with a hat or a jacket, and it’s really important that we create the right images with the little furniture and props that we have. We haven’t got fancy sets. We haven’t got big flying in pieces of sets or big costume changes. It’s all about the actors and the subtle movement of a chair, for example.
The concentration is turned up to max. I’m off stage twice for about 30 seconds throughout the 100 minutes, and I feel myself going, ‘Okay, let’s just have a little bit of a regroup’, because there’s no time, and it has to be so precise on stage. But then I think if you’re storytelling well, it is always going to be exhausting because you need pinpoint accuracy and focus. But it’s such a joy to do it. I hope the audiences feel our love, because I think we feel their love as well. And in fact, today, I did the matinee show and I really welled up at the end of it, because it just felt really moving. It’s important to say there’s a lot of laughter in the show, mixed in with all the heartbreak. There’s loads of really funny stuff that happens in the show, too.
What’s your
favourite
moment in Come From Away?
The opening and the closing bookends of the show. When we’re all on stage together for the first time, and we sing Welcome to The Rock. We’re going to tell you about this moment in time. And then the end is beautiful and brilliant. Those moments never cease to move me and make me feel dead grateful that I’m in this extraordinary show. I would say if people haven’t booked tickets, they should, because it’s so life affirming, and it’s such a brilliant use of storytelling. And I say that with no element of, ‘Oh, I’m just selling this because I’m in it’. I’m saying that because it’s one of the best shows I’ve ever been in. n
Come From Away arrives at Bristol Hippodrome from Tuesday 20 August and runs until Saturday 31 August; atgtickets.com/bristol
Simple staging creates effective storytelling
There’s joy as well as heartbreak
Sara Poyzer says audiences will remember how the music made them feel
Beverley Bass’ story tells of her love of planes
The doors of perception
Lights, camera, portal to limitless virtual worlds… action! Rosanna Spence visits the team at newly launched Distortion Studios in Brislington to discover the reality-bending work it’s doing to put Bristol on the map when it comes to world-class, expert virtual production services
Bristol’s vast, labyrinthine industrial estates are a creative treasure trove. You never quite know what’s waiting to greet you behind each steel shutter. Among the mechanics, tool traders and building merchants you might find a circus troupe swinging from the rafters, or an artisanal alcohol distiller experimenting with botanical flavours.
But what about a gargantuan wall that can create any landscape, planet, time of day, alternate reality, fantasy galaxy… and more? Waiting behind two monolithic, completely soundproof doors blocking the clangs and bangs from nearby label printers and panel beaters is the team from Distortion Studios, who are the proud custodians of such technology.
Distortion Studios is a virtual production (VP) paradise. But before we deep dive into the incredible plans the team has for Bristol’s film crew community – having only ‘officially’ launched in early spring this year –take a pew and familiarise yourself with the land and lore of VP.
VP merges real-time computer graphics with traditional filmmaking, allowing the creation of immersive virtual environments during filming. Actors perform in front of LED screens showing these environments, created by incredibly skilled techs who know their way around real-time
software engines like Unreal Engine (this tech, which Distortion Studios uses for its work, is behind the graphics from Fortnite and Harry Potter Hogwarts Legacy games, for example). This setup lets filmmakers see and adjust scenes instantly, reducing the need for extensive post-production. It saves time and money, enables quick creative decisions and enhances realism in films: better efficiency for the producers; improved viewing experiences for us.
As an example of what’s possible, some of Distortion’s projects in its infancy include a TV commercial for a university showcasing the endless careers that are available as a result of getting a degree from there, which involved filming six virtual locations in five days: a TV Gallery, a desert archaeological dig, a theatre, a board room, a scientific lab and a Canary Wharf-esque location; and a documentary showcasing natural disasters across history.
I’m told that ideal applications for VP include film shoots when you need golden hour to last all week, when you want a crew to film airside at an airport, require a snowy scene when it’s midsummer outside, and need a 30-strong crew to be in a jungle one week, a beach the next and then Mars a day later.
Back to reality
So, who’s behind Distortion Studios? Though there are more than 10 permanent members of the skilled team, all bringing their own impressive credentials to the table, I met with managing director Jonathan Brigden, studio manager Pete Martin, marketing manager Amy Hunter and newest member of the team – virtual production producer Bedos Mavambu (who’s worked on projects including Barbie and Masters of the Air).
Though the team took over this studio in summer 2023 (working on a few jobs before temporarily closing in December to completely renovate the studios before re-launching), its roots run deep in Bristol’s creative sector, with founder Steve Garratt first setting up Paintworks-based editing and animation outfit Studios Giggle around 17 years ago.
After many successful years merging animation projects, VFX, live events (including an official Game of Thrones premier) and launches –2020’s pandemic hit. Live work disappeared, but the need for better virtual events gripped a population tiring fast of standard Zoom calls.
Venturing into extended reality technology and delivering such events and productions for global brands meant the Giggle team could explore VP more seriously. It might have taken four years, but the ideal space
eventually presented itself and Distortion was born, made possible with funding from Creative UK. The studio means there is a new home for VP in Bristol, powered by creatively- and technically-skilled people who can see projects through from inception to its final touches.
Building a wall
And, oh my, what a studio it is. The huge space is evenly divided into traditional green screen facilities at one end, and a soaring 11-metre by 4-metre LED screen at the other. Specially placed stickers glinting like constellations on the ceiling above map out the camera’s position anywhere in the studio during filming. The screen gently curves around, with each modular LED panel comprising four smaller panels, making repairs much less strenuous and easier to target. The wall is adaptable, and can be extended and even curved for full 360-degree filming angles –perfect for wraparound immersive worlds we often see in fast-paced car advert creatives.
As much as Distortion’s work is all about building walls to create new worlds, it’s important for the team to break down the perceived walls which can sometimes become barriers to people engaging with VP technology. Everyone at the table (which we’re sitting around in the heart of the studio – a kitchen that wouldn’t look out of place in a swish show home, but also feels like a familial, friendly co-working space) assures me that VP isn’t as ‘scary’ as some may think. Though they admit there’s a lot of teaching to do, this crew is in an ideal position to guide the way, with invaluable technical skills in its full-time employed workforce (often a rarity in an industry usually reliant on freelancers).
“ Skilled people will be the very thing that will help Bristol establish itself as a virtual production hub faster than any tech or money injection ”
This means there is a consistent team of artists and technicians on hand constantly developing their knowledge base against rapidly changing technology. The studio can be dry hired as required by production companies, who may prefer to bring their own teams in, but it’s more likely that they will require Distortion’s expertise (and ability to scale a project size up or down as needed) to ensure the highest levels of VP quality, which will shine through in the final creative.
Bristol’s ecosystem
Distortion’s team may be focused on trying to put Bristol on the map for VP, but by its own admission, this won’t happen by its presence in the city alone. They flag that a major issue impacting film production is the skills bottleneck that happens when new technology comes into play. What Distortion hopes is that its work will feed and foster a community of locals who can go there and learn, upskilling and strengthening the area’s VP expertise. After all, I’m told skilled people will be the very thing that will help Bristol establish itself as a VP hub faster than any tech or money injection would.
Thankfully, the city’s creative ecosystem is already alive and well. The team tells me it’s a very special place to nurture the kind of technical talent that can work with Unreal Engine and VP, drawing more productions to the area – and keeping them there, rather than utilising the city as a
All images provided courtesy of Distortion Studios
filming location and then returning to London or elsewhere to complete the VP elements of any project.
Bristol has certainly been getting a lot of attention for its film industry recently. Its City of Film win earlier this year at Cannes Film Festival meant studio lights were focused on south west England, and Distortion acknowledges that our region enjoys lots of joined up thinking that attracts and completes projects to a high standard (with the likes of Bristol Film Office, Bottle Yard Studios and the University of Bristol-led MyWorld global centre of creative technology innovation working closely together). Distortion is now part of this citywide conversation, entering this ecosystem as the Bristol’s only independent VP studio at the time of writing, creating more opportunities to skill share in line with tech advancements – keeping productions in the local area.
Sustaining sustainability
Filmmaking can be a carbon-heavy business. But Distortion is determined to become net-zero and is putting sustainability at the heart of its processes, despite being a young enterprise. Though the LED wall draws a lot of power, its very purpose means that productions don’t have to fly crews around the world to different locations, or fill trucks with heavy equipment to flit between sets.
Future plans, which require upfront investment for long-term savings, include installing solar panels on the roof and eventually undertaking the Albert Studios Sustainability standard (a production studio-specific assessment that helps reduce their environmental impact over six key areas: climate, circularity, nature, people, management and data).
Until there’s enough data to report for that assessment, the team will remain focused on working with suppliers sharing its ethos and avoiding any green-washing. An EV charger has been installed, a team pool car purchase is imminent, tariffs are with renewable energy provider Good Energy, caterers are chosen who limit waste and source sustainably – and speaking of waste, refuse collection is taken by a contractor which genuinely recycles things properly. Computers are built in-house so that when tech moves forward suddenly the team knows how to replace one part rather than the whole machine, and laptops are given to university students and gamers when they’re not suitable for production any longer.
“ This next-generation LED wall is simply an extension of the real world ”
I was curious to know if those standing in front of the virtual wall are facing the future of film production, changing the way creative projects are made forever. But the Distortion team promises that the reality of this evolution is much more organic. We’ve been exposed to this type of technology under more analogue guises since backgrounds were first projected onto film sets to make it look like actors are driving cars. This next-generation LED wall is simply an extension of the real world, giving producers more flexibility and almost infinite control over every creative element. Films and live events will still need prop departments, hair and makeup, and most other elements essential to traditional filmmaking. Rather than making jobs obsolete, VP is helping the industry break down the doors of perception, and Distortion hopes it can help future generations of film industry workers find new ways to push the technology and further boost the viewing experience. Our imaginations may now be the only limit. n
For more information, visit the team’s website: distortion.studio
Behind the modular LED wall
Backgrounds are built in Unreal Engine
ART and the galleries
‘Country’: An Australian Aboriginal Group Exhibition by Coe Gallery; until 8 August (closed weekends)
Coe Gallery’s summer exhibition is Country – a group
Aboriginal art exhibition exploring ‘country’ and the connection each artist has with their homelands and culture.
Among this exhibition the gallery is delighted to introduce two new artists who will be showcasing their works in the UK for the first time: Ngiyampaa/Wangaaypuwan and Wiradjuri artist Maddy Hodgetts and Ngiyampaa and Wiradjuri artist Melnunnie. Hodgetts’ artwork above depicts the Buugan river, which starts in Wiradjuri Country and flows through Wangaaypuwan Country. With influences of traditional Ngiyampaa styles, the artwork depicts a mapping line style seen in local cave art, while using symbols to represent special landmarks and stories on Country.
In Praise of Beauty by Adébayo Bolaji at Arnolfini, until 29 September
Based upon a new body of work (commissioned by New Art Exchange in Nottingham, where the exhibition originated this spring), In Praise of Beauty includes the monumental works in acrylic and oil pastel The Vessel and No Beauty Without Struggle; mixed-media series I Love You; drawings and mythologicalinspired sculpture with The Head of Medusa
Showing alongside is A Notebook on the Voice, a film which Adébayo Bolaji describes as “a scrapbook, exploring ideas on what it can mean to have a voice, to use it, or to have it used...”
For its reimagining at Arnolfini, Bolaji will also be adding a small number of new paintings and collaged works, developed over the last four months as part of his ongoing philosophical enquiry into ideas of beauty.
arnolfini.org.uk; 16 Narrow Quay, BS1 4QA
Image: Adébayo Bolaji, Because of Love, 2024. Courtesy of Bolaji Studio
The Vestibules, College Green, BS1 5TR; coegallery.com
Image: ‘Buuganga’ (Bogan River) by Maddy Hodgetts
‘OCEANIC 31’, Bristol Aquarium, 2 August until 2 September
Oceanic 31 is a new shark and ray art project from The Shark Trust. The organisation has brought together artists from a variety of backgrounds (including professional diver Cassie Anderson, whose art is pictured here) who are passionate about wildlife, conservation, and using art as a tool for positive change. The artists have kindly agreed to donate the pieces to The Shark Trust’s cause. Each artist has focused on one species of Oceanic Shark or Ray.
The full 31-piece exhibition is on tour around the UK, arriving at Bristol Aquarium on 2 August. Finally, the pieces will be auctioned off, with funds going towards the Big Shark Pledge. Limited-edition prints are available for some of the pieces on display.
sharktrust.org/oceanic31; bristol aquarium.co.uk
Image: Cassie Anderson, Shortfin Devil Ray. Acrylic paint on a slice of wood
Summer exhibitions at Royal West of England Academy, until 11 August
As part of a triple bill of exhibitions honouring global majority artists, the RWA brought the pioneering work of Rasheed Araeen to Bristol for the first time. Conscious Forms includes an impressive array of Araeen’s bright, abstract sculptures. Visitors are invited to sit on and reconfigure colourful cubes around a central ‘reading room’ installation. Alongside these works, informed by Araeen’s engineering training and immersion in Islamic geometry and architecture, are figurative paintings and collages dating from the 1950s to today.
Meanwhile, Windrush: Portraits of a Pioneering Generation is a moving exhibition honouring the accomplishments and legacy of the Windrush Generation. On display are10 portraits of remarkable Caribbean-British individuals by ten leading artists, including Sonia Boyce MBE and Amy Sherald. Finally, Valda Jackson: Miss Polly showcases a powerful and evocative installation by esteemed writer and artist Valda Jackson MBE RWA. This thought-provoking exhibition, featuring spoken word, text, sculpture and painting, delves into the realms of neurological research and the concept of the ‘unfinished brain’. rwa.org.uk; Queen’s Road, Clifton, BS8 1PX
‘Celebrating Bristol’ by Keith Dury at Fizz Gallery
Fizz Gallery is permanently exhibiting the digital art of Keith Dury at its Clevedon gallery, including a collection of seven contemporary, colourful prints celebrating historic and modernday Bristol. Dury’s work is quirky and contemporary in its interpretation of the urban landscape and yet it refuses to be compromised, each artwork being created with meticulous attention to detail. Months of exacting work go into each picture and so the artworks often yield surprises to those who are eagle eyed (or use magnifying glasses...).
fizzgallery.co.uk; 26 Hill Road, Clevedon, BS21 7PH Image: Keith Dury, Bristol Town (22”). Limited-edition print on paper
From Chris Yeo, Valuer at Clevedon Salerooms and regular expert on BBC’s Antiques Roadshow
Hidden Treasure
Working in a fine art auction house you soon realise that treasures can be found in the most unlikely circumstances. At our most recent fine art auction, a forgotten piece of household furniture netted a small fortune for one lucky owner. The item in question was a rare 19th century Polynesian chief’s staff or pole club which had come to our attention by email. ‘Is this worth anything?’ was the question that accompanied a photograph, of which my colleague immediately recognised the importance. The vendor had inherited it from his parents who, for many years, had been using it as a curtain rail at their home near Frome. Quite how such a significant object came to be performing a rather mundane task was explained by the fact
that his ancestors had been involved in missionary work and the staff had almost certainly been brought back to England by them.
Measuring an impressive six foot, the outstanding feature was its intricately carved terminal, completed using shark tooth, shell and stone tools. To the best of our knowledge, only two similar staffs had come to auction – both sold in the US. We were delighted when we had commission bidding interest initially from New Zealand, and then three telephone lines were booked, one from a UK collector and two from Continental Europe. After a spirited bidding battle, the UK collector got it for £15,500 – proof positive that remarkable finds can surface anywhere. ■
Rosanna Spence visits Curious Kitchen – Aztec Hotel & Spa’s freshly launched restaurant from executive chef Marc Payne – on a lazy, hazy afternoon to try its brand new Sunday roast experience for herself
How do you feel about staycations? I think I’ve been reconvinced of their restorative potential to refill our proverbial cups in a more nuanced way than a desperate hop on the plane to the continent might do. A friend of mine recently returned to her desk positively beaming and emanating an envy-inducing calm energy after a week spent gently passing time at home with a gloriously sparse to-do list. We’re all so focused on our daily routines that when it’s time to come up for air we have just enough breath to bark at the calendar “How is it August already?!” Sometimes a self-indulgent act is to simply treat home as the holiday, and reinvigorate yourself wrapped in comfortable surroundings.
The same approach can be applied to a slightly wider radius around your home. There’s no faster way to feel like you’re on holiday instantly than to visit a nearby hotel for the afternoon, surrounded by people who
have chosen our city as their destination. Bristolians enjoy a generous amount of fantastic hotels that we walk or drive past every day. So, inspired by my friend’s staycation, and accepting a kind invitation, I navigated my way to one such local resort on a recent humid, hazy Sunday afternoon. And for good reason, too. Aztec Hotel & Spa’s Curious Kitchen is a dining space that manages to feel at once cool and contemporary yet oozes farmhouse chic (helped by the gorgeous huge oak beams holding everything in space above your head – plus the supersize hearth). Alongside a seasonally changing menu bustling with fresh ingredients and supported with homemade smoked, cured, pickled and preserved delights from executive chef Marc Payne’s team is a newly reimagined Sunday lunch offering, served on the first Sunday of each month between 12.30pm and 2.30pm. When a meal is billed as decadent and immersive, you can never be quite sure what you’re going to get. But arriving in the restaurant, we knew immediately it was going to hit the mark in the right way on both counts.
Lazin’ on a sunny afternoon
We could hear the Curious Kitchen before we could see it – thanks to a guitarist gently singing acoustic versions of big hits. She was strategically placed so as not to interfere with conversations – just loud enough to tune in when you wanted to, but not have to lean over your plate to hear your fellow diners’ words. Oh, and talking of entrances… the gorgeous walkin glass-panelled wine store at the restaurant’s reception was nothing short of rent worthy. I’m still considering selling up and moving in there – please, Aztec, I promise I’ll keep it tidy.
We took our seats along the glass wall at the far side of the restaurant where the dining room meets a covered terrace with plenty of tables and blankets (because: English summer) overlooking lush gardens. I know
Chefs expertly carve the meat
Take your pick of sweet and savoury desserts
I’m committing to the theme of staycations here, but I admit I was envious of the people soaking up slices of sunshine from loungers – clearly on a spa break that I’ll be booking myself in to ASAP.
Back to our table, and it was time to begin our immersive meal… and by immersive the team provides a homely blend of serving yourself family-style from a smart buffet, and some interaction with the knowledgeable chefs who (thankfully) carve your meat and serve your roast trimmings.
There’s a wealth of drinks on the menu to whet your whistle. A selection of sparkling and classic cocktails tick the right boxes, with all the usual suspects vying for attention if you’re feeling particularly celebratory. The gin menu deserves its own acoustic performer, with no less than 15 to choose from – divided into aromatic, fruity and citrus tasting notes – plus a local gin offer that the team can tell you more about. Getting ahead of myself and eyeing up the meat being carved, I settled for a glass of Dead Man’s Dice Argentinian Malbec for a warm and spicy kick to complement the beef. If roast dinners aren’t really your thing – or you plan on ordering the nut roast with sage jus – then you just need to let your server know if you’d prefer the seasonal day boat fish or watercress risotto with goats’ cheese and black truffle so the team can make sure it’s served at the right time. Tempting as it was, my heart was already destined for another, roast-shaped romance.
Three-part adventure
You’d be forgiven for wondering if you’ll even have enough appetite for the main event. Because first there’s a buffet of starters to help yourself to: chicken liver parfait in cute Kilner jars with chutney and bread; prawn Marie Rose with hot smoked salmon, crisp gem lettuce, tomato and
cucumber; heritage tomato and mozzarella salad with rocket, balsamic and basil; and hand-raised pork pies with piccalilli, sausage roll and burnt apple purée.
Still got room? Excellent news, because it’s back to the serving bar we go. Which, by the way, wasn’t crowded, there were no awkward lines to wait in, no kids’ hands meddling with the inviting displays and, best of all, enough food for everyone to have generous portions. A buffet connoisseur’s dream.
The chefs handled the serving of our main meals while explaining how long the meat had been aged and lovingly prepared for: roast rare beef with jus gras; glazed ham with parsley sauce, triple-cooked roast potatoes, creamed potato, roasted root veg, braised apple and West Country cider red cabbage, cauliflower and broccoli cheese, buttered peas, crispy-yetpillowy Yorkshire puddings and pigs in blankets. Gravy and other sauces were waiting patiently for us to tuck into back at our table, with plenty to go around.
Just when you thought the feast was over, it’s time for dessert. We’d been eyeing up the dessert bar for the best part of an hour. Why? The chocolate fondue fountain next to a pile of strawberries and toasted marshmallows. And the towering pile of salted caramel profiteroles. Plus, a giant raspberry and gin cheesecake. Don’t forget the billowing lemon meringue pie. Or the selection of cheeses, grapes, chutney and fruitcake. After sampling most of it, and covering myself in melted chocolate, it was time for tea, coffee and mints while looking out over the gardens.
Actually, ignore everything I said earlier about the joys of staying at home, I’d rather holiday here instead. n
The whole family are welcome at Curious Kitchen’s Sunday roast service
Summer sippin’spritz
Recommendations by Tom
Bleathman
from The Great Wine Co.
The Great Wine Co. is renowned for offering wines from around the world, but did you know they also sell a large array of spirits? A fantastic, summery way to enjoy these is in a spritz cocktail. To make a spritz, just remember the simple 3:2:1 rule: 3 parts sparkling wine (I recommend the delightful Ruggeri Argeo, £16.65), 2 parts spirit (this will be the main flavour of your drink) and 1 part soda water. Here’s a few of my favourite spritzes to make at home, all available from The Great Wine Co. Discover more at greatwine.co.uk
St Germain is a French elderflower liqueur crafted with up to 1,000 fresh, hand-picked elderflowers in every bottle, harvested each spring throughout Europe. Beloved by bartenders worldwide, it boasts notes of elderflower, peach, pear, and grapefruit. Wonderfully refreshing. £32.50
Specialising in high-quality liqueurs, Vedrenne is familyowned and has been based in Nuits-Saint-Georges, Burgundy for over 100 years. The Vedrenne Crème De Peche is perfumed like peach skin on the nose, while the juicy full texture of the flesh comes through in the taste. It’s like summertime in a bottle! When made into a spritz, it’s known as the famous Bellini cocktail. £18
The Nonino family has been distilling since 1897, when Orazio Nonino first established the distillery. Over 100 years later, the fifth generation remains at the heart of the business. The Nonino Aperitivo is made with 16 botanicals finely crafted together, resulting in a lovely citrusy spritz with just a hint of bitterness. £22.50
FOOD DRINK
CHICKEN AND LEEK CARBONARA
(Serves 2)
This lighthearted version of traditional Carbonara is great for using up leftover roast chicken and moves from hob to table in around 20 minutes. To make a vegetarian version, replace the chicken with 200g sliced, pan-fried mushrooms and opt for a vegetarian alternative to Parmesan. Whatever you do, don't waste those egg whites! Seal them in an airtight container and either store them in the fridge for up to three, days or freeze them for when the next meringue-mood hits.
• 1 tbsp butter
• 175g leeks, finely sliced
• 1 large garlic clove, peeled and crushed
• 150g roast chicken, shredded
• 150g linguine or spaghetti
• 3 medium egg yolks
• The zest of ½ lemon
• Dijon mustard (to taste)
• 30g Parmesan, finely grated, plus extra to serve
1. Melt the butter in a large frying pan and gently sauté the leeks for around five minutes, or until soft but not coloured. Add the garlic and the chicken to the pan and sauté for a further five minutes, stirring occasionally, until the chicken is piping hot.
2. Meanwhile, cook the pasta according to the instructions on the packet and whisk the egg yolks with the Parmesan.
3. Drain the cooked pasta, reserving 3-4 tbsp of the cooking water. Slowly whisk the reserved pasta water into the egg yolk mixture. Take the sauté pan off the heat, add the pasta to the chicken and leek mixture, then add the egg mixture, the lemon zest and the mustard.
4. Toss with tongs for a couple of minutes until a glossy sauce has coated the strands of pasta (the residual heat in the pan will cook the egg yolks).
5. Divide between warm bowls and serve straight away, topped with extra Parmesan and plenty of freshly ground black pepper.
Recipe by Melissa Blease
Loungers’ largest site now open
The former Pitcher & Piano venue on Bristol’s Harbourside has been transformed into Bristol-born brand Loungers’ largest café/bar to date, called Ritorno Lounge. The venue’s interior has been completely stripped back, with new highlights including a 10.5mlong feature bar, stained glass windows depicting scenes of historical Bristol, a huge back bar mural paying homage to Lounges across the UK and celebrating the return of the company to the city of its roots and a DJ area.
Ritorno Lounge is open all day, every day for breakfast, brunch, lunch, dinner and drinks, including full kids’, gluten-free and vegan menus, served in a relaxed, welcoming space. A real home from home, Ritorno Lounge caters for all tastes throughout the day with a varied and innovative all-day menu. Particular attention will be paid to families, with a selection of games, books, colouring pencils and pads on offer. A full menu, high chairs and baby-changing facilities are also available for Little Loungers.
thelounges.co.uk
Forget bottomless brunch...
Clifton’s KIBOU Japanese Kitchen & Bar brings a new take on ‘bottomless’, with its brand-new bottomless sushi menu.
Available from 12pm to 5pm every Saturday, the new menu features a selection of Japanese hot small plates to share, plus an unlimited assortment of house nigiri, hosomaki and uramaki.
Available every Saturday and priced at £34 per person, the menu can also be enjoyed with an additional unlimited drinks package for £21 per person. Booking is essential, and bottomless sessions are limited to 90 minutes per person.
kibou.co.uk
Review: All aboard Noah’s
Bristol’s underpasses are home to many things. Flea markets, skate parks, the odd van dweller, street art, and plenty of foot and cycle paths. But did you know one of the city’s finest fish restaurants is also neatly sandwiched between a slip road onto the A3029 and Brunel Lock?
Family-run Noah’s comes from good stock. Opened in spring 2023 by the same team behind the mightily successful fish and chip eatery The Scallop Shell in Bath, Noah’s is well worth venturing beyond Underfall Yard for. Once you’re through the front door, you’d never even guess you were tucked between so much concrete – but the fact that you know exactly where you are does add a certain magic to the whole place.
We headed straight for the terrace out the other side, however, which has recently seen a fresh lick of paint and is an ideal spot to soak up a sunny evening session.
Considering Bristol’s inner city landscape is defined by water and its rich maritime history, to some it might feel like there’s a surprising deficit of dedicated harbourside fish restaurants (though we tip our hat to the operators we all know and love in the area doing great work). Thankfully Noah’s delivers on all kinds of fish and chip seekers’ wants and needs.
Fancy a beer-battered prime north Atlantic prime cod loin (MSC approved) served mushy peas, tartare sauce & fresh cut chips? Fill your boots. Oh, you’d rather Newlyn thornback ray wing, or three hand-dived Orkney Isle scallops with garlic and fresh herb butter? Come on in. Rather than conjure all sorts of adjectives to describe how delicious each morsel was, know this: Noah’s served some of the best seafood we’d eaten in recent memory. Go there. Tell your friends. Make them go there too. Turns out underpass dining might just be one of the best ways to get your southwest seafood fix.
The Gainsborough Bath Spa is one of Bath’s most-recommended destination hotels, with a five-star rating and its luxurious and recharging Spa Village, including a range of exclusive signature therapies. This year, the hotel launched a new brasserie concept to add even more panache to its already high-class offering...
When it comes to five-star luxury in Bath, there's no doubt that The Gainsborough Bath Spa Hotel stands out with its elegant spa and first-class facilities. Built in the 1800s, the hotel occupies two Grade II-listed buildings with distinguished Georgian and Victorian façades and is named after the Bath resident and artist Thomas Gainsborough. With its beautiful three-pool complex, this is the only hotel in Bath offering access to the city’s natural thermal mineral waters. The hotel is designed by New York-based Champalimaud Design to be welcoming, elegant, vibrant and social –
a modern interpretation of a classic design. Dining at the hotel is another major attraction. Meals are served in the contemporary-styled Gainsborough Brasserie, featuring wooden floors, dark wooden tables, leather armchairs, and original artwork. The Brasserie offers a gourmet delight with an internationally-inspired menu, delicious food and a relaxed, convivial atmosphere. It’s no wonder the hotel has received rave reviews from critics, journalists and guests from around the globe. We sat down with the Gainsborough's ever-hospitable general manager Marc Mac Closkey to learn more about this highly successful Bath restaurant...
The dining concept at our Brasserie is a kaleidoscope of globally inspired gourmet experiences with new flavours where East meets West, featuring the freshest and choicest ingredients to make up its diverse spread of gastronomic creations.
The Brasserie’s signature dish is ‘Dancing Prawns’ , hot wok’d prawns coated in our secret house-made citrusy aioli emulsion and sprinkled with crystalised walnuts. For a unique experience, I would recommend the Yukibana Creamy Sashimi Pasta, which is our carbonara of the sea with chilled capellini pasta (hugely popular in Japan) scallop, salmon, spotted shrimp, salmon roe, crab sticks and finished with a creamy egg yolk sauce. For something more traditional, try our classic honey mustard-crusted rack of lamb, portobello mushroom confit, charred asparagus, pomme purée and chimichurri.
We have a very talented brigade of passionate chefs who have worked at some of the most renowned kitchens in Kuala Lumpur. They are led by chef Oon Tin Jie, who oversees the daily kitchen operations and personally ensures that every dish is cooked to perfection.
The menu evolves around the seasons with a core selection of our most popular dishes supplemented with some seasonal creations to keep everything current and diverse.
Plant-based dishes are in big demand so we included several on the menu – our most popular would be the Roti Canai with Lentil Curry – crisp and fluffy grilled flatbread with tempered heritage spiced lentil and cauliflower hummus. Children are always welcome and we have a specific menu available.
Sour and Spicy King Prawns
Yukibana Creamy Sashimi Pasta
We have crafted a wine list to complement the food – diverse and international with a focus on some grape varietals that pair well with Asian cuisine, as well as some traditional options that work very well with the Western cuisine. Our team of skilled bartenders serve delicious innovative cocktails tailored to your personal taste, along with traditional classics –or simply choose from our stellar collection of Champagnes, artisan gins, martinis and local ales.
We have retained the original interiors of the restaurant – Georgian architecture, original artwork and an impressive wine wall create a refined yet relaxed dining environment – a place where you can spend quality time with your friends and family.
I believe the right time to open a restaurant is when you have the right concept and the right people to make it happen. With a diverse and interesting menu of globally inspired gastronomic experiences, a collection of talented chefs and a five-star service team I believe that our new, more relaxed approach to dining will be a huge hit with hotel residents and visitors to the city alike, as we want everyone to enjoy treasured moments with friends and family at the Gainsborough! n
Looking to add a new string to your bow? Here are some adult courses available around the city if you’re in the market to take up a new pursuit, challenge or discover that hidden talent...
BRISTOL FOLK HOUSE
bristolfolkhouse.co.uk; 40a Park Street, BS1 5JG
Bristol Folk House is an adult education centre providing a variety of parttime daytime and evening courses and weekend workshops for over 18s. The centre provides a welcoming environment in which to explore your creativity and learn new skills. A variety of courses are on offer in areas including arts, crafts, languages, pottery, music, dance, writing and wellbeing.
The onsite café-bar serves fantastic food and drink and a cosy space to get together before and after classes and there’s an exciting program of live folk music, ceilidhs and comedy nights at weekends.
Concessions are available for over 65s, students, NHS workers and for people in receipt of benefits.
Bristol Folk House began in the 1870s with the aim of supporting access to education in the community. The first programme of activities was produced for the academic year in 1920-1921.
RWA DRAWING SCHOOL
rwa.org.uk; Queens Road, Clifton, BS8 1PX
Discover your creative potential at the RWA Drawing School! Under the guidance of experienced artist-tutors, immerse yourself in a variety of art forms, including drawing, painting, print-making, sculpture, mixedmedia collage and much more. Approaches range from academic and historical, to experimental and contemporary, and classes are designed to nurture your creativity at any level, whether you are a beginner or more experienced artist. All classes are held in the RWA’s beautiful building – the perfect location to discover and develop new skills, meet like-minded people, and find your artistic voice.
The Autumn term boasts an exceptional selection of inspiring classes for you to enjoy, so enrol today and let your creativity soar. For more information visit rwa.org.uk.
Suitable for either hobby orchardists or those looking to advance their horticultural careers, the Certificate in Community Orcharding (CICO) is a Level 3 course accredited by Crossfields Institute, starting in September 2024. It combines high-quality online learning with seven practical days over 11 months. Students learn the skills necessary to create a flourishing orchard including orchard design, pruning, grafting, biodiversity, tree ID, and more. The course uses a permaculture-based approach, teaching students how to naturally enrich the soil and manage pests and disease. “I'm now a project manager at a forest garden and I would not have this job without my CICO experience,” says Bethany.
WRITE YOUR NOVEL
lilwritingshed.com, j.samanthaforrest@outlook.com
This work-in-progress online (Zoom) course from Lil Writing Shed helps you write the story you want to tell. Suitable for you whether you are starting out or have a finished draft. Weeks alternate between feedback and sessions in writer’s craft. Learn how to structure your story and scenes, create characters your readers engage with, receive clear, in-depth explanations with lots of examples from published fiction. Participate in friendly feedback groups and apply your editorial skills to your own work; receive insightful critique and encouragement from the tutor. Enrol now for the autumn term. Further creative writing courses and inperson workshops aid in releasing ‘writers' block’, honour your inherent creativity, encourage self-expression and support well-being. They may also serve in progressing a longer piece of work. “Inspirational and thought-provoking writing courses in a supportive environment, full of freedom and fun,” says Kate.
THE MAKERSHED WOODWORK & FURNITURE MAKING
St Pauls Learning Centre, 94 Grosvenor Road, St Pauls, BS2 8XJ; themakershed.co.uk
The Makershed runs recreational courses in woodwork and furniture making using traditional hand tool techniques. Everyone is welcome, from complete beginners to more experienced makers, and you’ll be taught how to use hand tools effectively to make things from wood.
Level 1 beginners make a handy toolbox while learning all the essential foundation skills. They can then learn more challenging cabinet making joinery such as dovetails and mortice and tenons, progressing onto designing and making their own piece of furniture under expert guidance. Courses run during evenings, weekday daytimes and weekends in The Makershed workshop at St Pauls Learning Centre.
THE PRACTICAL SUSTAINABILITY COURSE
shiftbristol.org.uk
“So much more than a great course. More of a life shift” Take a year out, to immerse yourself in education designed to engage your heart, head and hands. Delivered expertly by over 40 passionate and knowledgeable tutors, the course specialises in practical skills, system theory, permaculture design, and collaborative approaches. Whether you are fresh from university, looking for a career change, or are making the most of your retirement, this course is a playful opportunity to get curious about your passion for sustainability, within a supportive student community. The course includes; Organic Horticulture, Soil & Ecology, Woodland Management, Green Building, Renewable Energy, Commoning, Group Dynamics, Personal Resilience, Community Engagement, Circular Economies, and much more... Running from September 2024 to July 2025, book now to avoid disappointment! Sliding scale fees of £ 2,495 to £3,695.
GET BEHIND THE POTTERY WHEEL
clayshed.co.uk; Unit 6, Lawrence Hill Industrial Estate, Russell Town Avenue, BS5 9LT
Clay Shed offers a range of six week pottery courses, weekend workshops and private group events, suitable for complete beginners to more experienced makers. Choose from dedicated throwing to more general ‘try a bit of everything’ courses. Weekend workshops range from monthly throwing taster sessions to visiting artists teaching specialist skills. Adult group events can cater for private parties, corporate team building exercises or hen parties.
Whether you want to make functional pots, or sculptural forms, the expert tutors at Clay Shed will help nurture your creativity at any level. And class sizes are small and intimate, providing valuable one-to-one time each week with your tutor. Learn new skills and develop your creativity alongside like-minded people in Clay Shed’s purpose-built pottery studio in BS5. Sign up now for classes starting this September
Have you ever dreamed of strolling along the charming streets of Paris, sipping café au lait at a quaint café, or exploring the stunning landscapes of the French countryside? Now is your chance to make those dreams a reality. Alliance Française, the leading provider of French language courses, is offering a unique opportunity for adults to learn French and immerse themselves in the rich French culture. The highly qualified and experienced teachers will guide you through the intricacies of the French language, from basic greetings to advanced conversation skills. From gastronomy to art, music to cinema, you’ll explore the diverse facets of French life and gain a true appreciation for its beauty and sophistication. Whether you’re a complete beginner or looking to brush up on your existing skills, the classes cater to all levels. With flexible schedules and small class sizes, you’ll receive personalised attention and ample opportunity to practise your newfound language skills with fellow enthusiasts. The enrolment evening is 5 September at 6pm and Pétanque in Queen Square is 4 September at 6pm. For more information, visit the website above and get in touch to reserve your spot. À bientôt!
UNIVERSITY OF BRISTOL BOTANIC GARDEN
www.botanic-garden.bristol.ac.uk; University of Bristol Botanic Garden, Stoke Park Road, BS9 1JG; 0117 428 2041; botanic-gardens@bristol.ac.uk
The University of Bristol Botanic Garden offers Royal Horticultural Society (RHS) courses for those who are looking to further their career or interest in horticulture. Set in a fantastic location within the beautiful Botanic Garden, the teaching room provides a welcoming and relaxed learning environment away from the demands of everyday life.
Bookings are currently being taken for the RHS level 2 Certificate in the Principles of Plant Growth and Development for an Autumn start. Part-time courses led by experienced tutors are available either daytime or evening, suitable for adults of all ages with an interest in horticulture. Please visit the website above for more information.
TRADITIONAL UPHOLSTERY SCHOOL
traditionalupholsteryschool.co.uk
The Traditional Upholstery School was founded in 2016 by Joanna Heptinstall to teach upholstery skills and lampshade making. Courses and workshops are designed to suit those looking to retrain and learn to upholster to a professional standard, and also those who just want a creative and rewarding hobby. The characterful, light and spacious workroom in a Wiltshire village provides a creative and sociable teaching space. Joanna offers a friendly and supportive environment which allows students to flourish. Small class sizes allow all students to thrive and produce high quality work, whether enjoying a satisfying hobby or working towards a new career.
BEPRACTICAL DIY
bePractical.co.uk; 33 Brislington Hill, BS4 5BE
Feeling overwhelmed by that DIY to-do list? Whether you're looking to boost your own skills or nudge someone else into action, bePractical DIY is here for you. Offering a variety of DIY courses suitable for all skill levels, the small, friendly classes are very hands-on. There are plenty of options for complete beginners and improvers, which will help you build your DIY confidence, provide ongoing support, and give your self-esteem a boost, as you check off those DIY projects one by one.
“Been waiting for something like this for years! A friendly, safe space for everyone,” says Tracy from Bristol. “I can only encourage you to give it a go. Already loving it and I’m going to sign up for every course they do!”
My family tree
of directors at the Thatchers family company – furthering her ability to blend deep-rooted traditions with opportunities to innovate, and making more growing decisions now that will affect generations to come
If there’s one thing the south west knows, it’s cider. For as long as communities have farmed these gentle hills, we’ve grown apples and pressed them – creating crisp, glittering drinks synonymous with the region. It’s no wonder that Thatchers – arguably one of the UK’s most renowned cider brands – not only hails from the heart of Somerset, but has consistently worked in harmony with its natural surroundings on Myrtle Farm for 120 years.
Last spring, The Bristol Magazine visited the Thatchers orchards to see the work Eleanor Thatcher – who has become the family’s fifth-generation cider maker on the land – and orchard manager Chris Muntz-Torres were doing to protect, preserve and care for the UK’s largest and most diverse collection of apples used in cidermaking.
Our eyes lit up once again when we saw the news that Eleanor was further rooting herself in the family business by joining the board of directors, following six years of working across the business to learn as much as possible. Her passion is – of course – cidermaking, but also protecting the environment, ensuring the sustainability of the business for future generations, reducing Thatchers’ carbon footprint and protecting biodiversity. This is exactly the kind of direction any internationally
celebrated brand would want to be heading towards – and Eleanor’s father Martin Thatcher said of her recent appointment: “I see it as my duty to ensure when the time is right, I hand down a business that is able to thrive both now and in the future. Eleanor’s appointment brings with it her unique blend of tradition and innovation. Her dedication to our family’s heritage, combined with her forward-thinking approach, makes her an invaluable addition.”
Core beliefs
Although Eleanor’s appointment to the board confirms her commitment to the business, she explains that her day-to-day life won’t change too much: “I’m still working my way through the business and taking on more responsibility for things and continuing to learn. It’s really exciting though. I spend a lot of my time making cider and also experimenting, trying new things and looking to the future. So that customer relationship work is still there – I spend a lot of time with our customers. Understanding what our customers and consumers want, and staying close to that, is really important.” Eleanor has gone from growing up among the trees to making key growing decisions, and her dedication to Thatchers as a family business
Eleanor Thatcher (and bottom right, with her father Martin)
was clear from the very outset: “I used to have really great learning experiences going out with my grandfather in the orchards, learning about the different apple varieties, so I learnt a lot during that time.
“I absolutely love cidermaking. For me, it's not a job. It’s a passion and I was never forced into it. This has been very much my choice.”
She remains unfazed about the potentially-daunting prospect of one day leading the company, instead focusing on the daily tasks at hand.
“I think when you really enjoy what you do, and are doing it all the time, you don't worry about it so much. We very much have a cycle around orchards, we get into their routine of harvesting and blending instead. It’s core for us that our cider is perfect every single time, and the bit about my job that I love is about blending together different varieties of apples to get the same consistent taste and as well as being out in the orchards. Being able to be so close to our orchards and our apples is really great.”
Planting ideas
Thatchers is keen to stay green – and it’s an approach to cidermaking that Eleanor will continue. Examples already in place include being one of the first cider makers to ditch plastic rings from packaging and use lightweight cans; on-site bee hives, wildflower strips and ensuring the orchards provide a home to as many species of bird, mammal and insect as possible; and investing in water recycling systems to reduce water use across the production process – among many others.
“As farmers we’re very much linked to the countryside and our environment,” Eleanor says. “We know that it is super important. And we also know that we want to look after what we have for future generations. We’re making long-term decisions all the time. We’ve invested heavily in solar, and now have 3,420 solar panels. We’re doing regenerative farming. We’re creating wildlife areas at Myrtle farm. Being a family business means we can make those decisions about investing in the environment and the community because we don’t have to remain focused on short-term projects.”
Tree planting is also a major long-term undertaking for the family. Thatchers had planted 158,000 trees by 2010, with plans to plant 13,000 more next year.
“It’s really exciting,” Eleanor says. “We had 50 acres of land. And we’ve been working on a project to improve the soil there, taking samples of it every quarter. We’ve seen a real improvement in the soil health, which has taken about three years. That's just the land preparation, so we’ll move on and plant trees around Easter next year. It’s really important for us to have healthy soil, which means we’ll have healthy trees and great quality apples. It takes times for the new trees to get up to their full yield, but great quality cider starts in the soil, and that’s a big investment upfront but it really makes a difference long term.” The plan is to plant lots of Katy apple trees (which are of course used in Thatchers’ Katy Cider, but also make an
appearance in many other ciders produced by the family here too), but Eleanor points out that it’s vital to mix a few different apple varieties into every orchard, avoiding a monoculture and therefore boosting pollination across the land. There is one drawback though of making the orchards so inviting to animals – and that’s rabbits munching happily on the young saplings. Nothing a rabbit guard can’t protect against, however, Eleanor assures us, as long as they’re added to the trees immediately.
“We tend to do all the tree planting in house,” she adds. “We plant via GPS. It’s quite the task to make sure everything's lined up and perfect because that orchard could be there for over 100 years. So, it’s really important that we get it absolutely perfect; we get out there and spend a lot of time making sure that everything is right.”
The generation game
Leading the charge for a fifth generation of cidermakers is a fantastic opportunity, especially in the often male-dominated drinks industry. But Eleanor is determined to enrich the range of perspectives making the business decisions.
“For us as a family business, it’s all about bringing in the next generation. We see things differently. Right now, there are three generations working in the business – including my father and grandfather – and we all share the same vision for the company. We might not agree on certain aspects, but we’re always working towards the same thing.”
And she adds that blending modern and traditional insight is useful in a practical sense, too.
“A lot of the traditional techniques are still helpful in modern cidermaking today. We can learn a lot from what previous generations have done, but we have to continue to move forward, try new things and innovate. And I think we've done that with a lot of our new ciders, like Blood Orange and Juicy Apple [launched this year and available in pubs and bars]. I’m closer to the age of the people drinking those ciders, so that gives it a different perspective too.”
For Eleanor, it’s vital that her family business continues to innovate, and considering Thatchers has no less than 458 apple varieties to experiment with, there’s a real opportunity to keep up with changing consumer tastes. Plus, she reminds us, that you can come along to see Myrtle Farm for yourself, with tours you can book around the mill and visiting the on-site pub The Railway Inn At Sandford – just off The Strawberry Line – so you can conduct your own research into which cider you prefer.
As Eleanor and the team prepare for a busy harvest from September, Thatchers is certainly in safe hands, with decisions being made now to ensure future generations of south west cidermakers (plus the quality and biodiversity of the orchards) thrive. n
thatcherscider.co.uk
Bristol at work
LOCAL BUSINESS AND COMMUNITY ORGANISATION UPDATES
Local start-ups benefit from £11m in loans
Start Up Loans, part of the British Business Bank, has announced that it delivered more than £11million in loans to businesses in the south west in the past financial year (2023-2024). The funds have been lent to 874 businesses via the bank’s appointed Business Support Partners, which is primarily SWIG Finance in this region. Spread across the south west, the diverse range of businesses includes an animal therapist, mobile cocktail bar, baker, green builder, photographer, sewing café and ceramics studio. One of the city’s local businesses to benefit is BKW CrossFit (pictured), a new community-based gym in east Bristol, set up by a group of four friends: Adam Facey, his partner Raquel Sanjurjo Doval, and friends Holly Hawkins and Hayden Cotton. In 2023, the friends took the plunge and each took out a Start Up Loan, amounting to £60,000 between them, via British Business Bank delivery partner BizBritain. startuploans.co.uk; bkwcrossfit.com
Donors sought for new sperm bank
Bristol-based fertility treatment provider BCRM is appealing for local men of all backgrounds and ethnicities to donate sperm for the newly-launched sperm bank at its Aztec West clinic. Most UK fertility clinics, which must be licensed by the Human Fertilisation and Embryology Authority offer access to donor sperm, but few clinics in this country have their own sperm. Men who wish to explore the possibility of becoming a donor can obtain further information by emailing spermdonors@bcrm.clinic, or calling the laboratory office on 0117 2591159 (ext. 7600). fertilitybristol.com
Step Together celebrates 30 years
Step Together Volunteering – a charity supporting young people in Bristol with vital one-to-one coaching and bespoke opportunities to help them build skills, positive community connections and confidence – is celebrating its 30th anniversary by launching its ‘30 Club’ Fundraising Celebration. The team hopes to bring together 30 businesses and organisations to each donate or raise £1,000 toward its ‘30 Club’ Fund, which will support the local Young People’s Programme. The £30,000 raised will help to support 30 more young people over the next year, leading them to brighter and better futures. In turn, the team hopes the 30 organisations involved will benefit from increased community connections and the skill sharing opportunities that arise from such charity partnerships. The 30 organisations are also invited to join Step Together in marking its anniversary at a special celebration event in September. Please contact Lucinda.horton@step-together.org.uk or visit step-together.org.uk if you’d like more information.
Community fund aims to improve quality of later life
Financial and legal advice firm Harold Stephens has launched a community fund, which aims to reduce loneliness and social isolation among older people in north-west Bristol by providing small grants to local organisations and individuals. These grants of up to £500 empower recipients to implement projects that foster social connection and enhance wellbeing. Applications are reviewed three times a year, with the next deadlines being 31 August. Decisions are communicated within six weeks of the deadline. For more information and to apply, visit the website. haroldstephens.co.uk/community-fund
Step Together’s Get Growing’ Allotment in south Bristol
6 practical steps for setting ambitious financial goals
Here are five ways to help ensure you don’t run out of money in retirement.
1.Assess your current situation
• Review your savings and investments.
• Analyse your income and expenses. Evaluate your non-essential spending to see where you can save.
2.Visualise your future
• Envision your ideal lifestyle and reflect on your principles. Let them shape your financial goals.
• By aligning your financial planning with your values, your goals can support your desired future and reflect your priorities.
3. Create SMART goals SMART goals are:
• Specific • Measurable • Achievable Relevant • Time-bound
Divide your goals into:
• Short-term • Medium-term • Long-term A financial planner can help you assess suitable savings and investing options.
4. Break your goals down into targets and measure your progress
Breaking your goals into smaller targets allows you to:
• Track your progress
• Stay motivated
• Make adjustments where necessary. You can periodically measure your progress.
5. Revise your goals as circumstances dictate
• Regularly revising your goals allows you to stay aligned with your evolving circumstances and ensures you remain on track to achieve your aspirations.
6. Speak to a financial planner
• A financial planner can work with you to create a plan encompassing your life goals, finances, and principles.
To find out more, get in touch.
If you would like a review of your pensions and investments and whether you are on track to achieve your financial goals, please contact us for a free consultation.
Perennial Wealth® Ltd is an appointed representative of 2plan wealth management
Education matters
NEWS FROM THE CITY’S LEARNERS & LEADERS
Sidcot School and Weston College reach for the stars
While frolicking in the fields at Glastonbury Festival may be a distant, dusty memory for thousands of revellers – the many art installations that the event is also world famous for often still exist, continuing to tell their creative stories long after the site returns to its farming roots.
One such artwork was the result of Sidcot School Art Lead Learners, who joined forces with Arcadia Reach CIC (a non-profit initiative of the renowned lighting and events company Arcadia, famed for its awe-inspiring festival creations), to design and build a new installation, which was displayed at this year’s festival. Evolving as a concept after Arcadia's co-Founder and Sidcot bursary alumnus Pip Rush Jansen visited Sidcot to deliver a careers talk, the school’s students collaborated not only with the creative organisation on this project, but thanks to generous private funding and a grant from the Ganton Educational Trust, they were also able to involve students from Weston College.
The project’s brief centred on organising a series of hands-on workshops exploring the exciting intersection of art, science, music and engineering.The workshops focused on a theme of functional sustainability, challenging students to reimagine used metals and materials found during a junkyard foraging trip into new, functional works of art. Through collaborative brainstorming, the Sidcot and Weston students arrived at a truly stellar concept: a large-scale solar system. They then set to work diligently, using various metalwork techniques such as plasma cutting, welding, cutting, hammering, and bending to bring their vision to life. Sidcot and Weston’s Solar System was showcased at Glastonbury Festival, alongside Arcadia’s new Dragonfly stage. The whole structure was powered by wind and solar energy, with bio-ethanol flames. Sidcot School has confirmed to The Bristol Magazine that it will continue to collaborate with Arcadia. sidcot.org.uk; weston.ac.uk
Collaborating in the workshop
In action at Glastonbury
Go to your Dream University with Bath Academy
Results Day can be a day full of joy. However, for those who do not achieve the grades they were hoping for it can be a very stressful period: university rejections, fear of failure and uncertainty of next steps.
Bath Academy continues to guide prospective families through these difficult times, and has done so for over a decade. Below is an overview of steps to consider on Results Day on the 15th of August:
• Examination results will be released by schools early in the morning, typically via email
• Universities will have updated their decisions for each student on UCAS at the same time:
• Those that meet the entry requirements will be offered a place
• Those who do not receive an offer from any of their chosen universities will be informed
• Students who have not received an offer have the option of applying through Clearing (a process which can present an opportunity for students to gain a place on a course at another university if they have unfilled spaces)
• Students can speak with their school or college about further options, however, they can also ring and speak with universities that they had hoped to gain entrance to and ascertain whether there are spaces still available on other similar degree courses
• Other students who wish to stick to their first-choice top-ranked university will choose to Resit their A Levels
Bath Academy continues to offer impartial advice to families who are unsure of their next steps, on, and following, Results Day each year. This can be done over the phone, or by booking a time to visit the college to speak with the Principal, Mr Naylor, who will discuss a wide-range of potential options with families at 27 Queen Square.
For those who choose to come to Bath Academy, they will undertake a One Year A Level Resit programme, are taught in small class sizes of (no more than) 8 students and the teaching style is specifically tailored to apply student knowledge to examination questions. The average grade improvement over the past three years has been two grades (or more) for students who Resit their A Levels.
You can contact Bath Academy on 01225 334 577 or via admissions@bathacademy.co.uk www.bathacademy.co.uk
The root cause
Major changes to your hair’s appearance can be worrying – be it due to genetics, ageing, conditions or as a side effect of certain medical treatments – which is why we spoke to hairdressers offering specialist support to find out how people can seek better support, and feel more like themselves, when going through any hair loss and regrowth journey
Hair – or the absence of it – punctuates most moments in our lives. Some of us are born with none, others have plenty. We then grow it and lose it in various patterns as the years go by. It can reflect our personality, fashion choices and political beliefs, as well as religious lifestyles and ethnicities. For many, it’s an extension and expression of how we’re feeling inside. When it starts to thin, or fall out completely, our confidence – indeed even our sense of self – can start to come undone.
Ageing, health conditions, cancer treatment, stress, menopause, male pattern baldness, genetics and more can all interrupt our relationships with our hair, can leave us feeling like we’re losing control over our bodies, often when we’re experiencing other symptoms. Rather than spiral into a negative relationship with your hair loss journey, it might be useful to discuss your concerns with someone who’s spent more time looking at the top of your head than most: your hairdresser.
Danni and Luci, who run hair loss specialist salon Auburn & Onyx in Abbots Leigh, believe that support during can come from the close relationship we often build with hairdressers: “It's crucial that we actively listen to any concerns, and approach each client with compassion and
understanding. Hair loss can leave people feeling extremely vulnerable and self-conscious, so it's important to provide a salon setting that can be a safe space for clients to express their feelings and concerns.”
They explain that as well as offering emotional support, hairdressers can suggest hairstyles that can camouflage thinning areas or give the appearance of fuller hair. “Alternatively, if the hairdresser is unable to disguise the hair loss, they can educate clients on other options available and guide them towards appropriate specialists.”
Rightly so, Danni and Luci say that there’s no ‘correct’ way to deal with hair loss and everyone’s reaction is different – but visibility and seeing others’ journey can really help.
“A lot of people can go through many years of their lives without having to worry about their hair, so when someone starts to suddenly loose hair, it can be a very uneasy place to be. In the past couple of years social media has made a really positive impact and we are seeing much more awareness being spread. Individuals affected are sharing their stories and supporting each other, which is so beautiful to see. As a salon we are working really hard with our clients to continue to break the silence and stigma around hair loss, and we are so inspired by the movement we are already seeing.”
You don’t have to go through your hair loss journey alone
Noel at Noco Hair
One inspiring person in Bristol who’s been working closely with her hairdresser to share her hair loss journey is Claire Stewart. In the words of her salon Noco Hair in Clifton, Claire is “a true warrior who has overcome cancer”. Noco’s co-founder Noel Halligan has created a YouTube video that follows her determination and the extraordinary bond she shares with her hairdresser in her journey with hair loss and regrowth, all while raising awareness for cancer research. The video, which is titled Don’t Shave Your Own Hair Off if you have Cancer! Watch this 1st!, documents Claire’s challenges of hair regrowth post-chemotherapy and her personal decision against wearing a wig, as well as her empowerment and transformation through her cancer journey, culminating in her participation in the Bath Half marathon as a testament to her strength and resilience.
“Hairdressers should be better at what they do about asking questions and understanding the situation and being able to prefer or give videos or give information, but we don't really have any information,” says Noel, stating this is what spurred him onto make the important video.
After running some events with cancer support charity Penny Brohn UK, Noel has been actively trying to stimulate open conversations about client hair loss – for whatever reason – and is especially keen to help people reframe the way people approach the way they experience hair loss before, during and after cancer treatment.
“Hairdressing as an industry needs to up its game talking about this type of stuff,” he adds. “People know that they’re going to have a really tough time ahead, but with our help they can fight, feel stronger and come out the other side of treatment and eventually have hair again – even if it might be different to how it was.”
“ By asking the right questions, you tend to draw out more information, and we openly try and get our team to examine, diagnose and prescribe, rather than just going straight in and taking a bit of length off ”
Noel Halligan
According to MacMillan, on average someone in the UK is diagnosed with cancer at least every 90 seconds. That’s a lot of cancer treatment. Many, but not all treatments may have side effects that cause hair thinning, partial hair loss or total hair loss from all over the body.
Noel is really passionate about opening a dialogue between hairdressers and clients during this process, so they don’t feel they have to shave their hair at home in preparation for what’s to come. His documented journey with Claire demonstrates this, using his skills to help her gradually reduce her hair length, followed by much shorter faded styled, and then shaving it off professionally in an act of empowerment, rather than desperation.
The key to this kind of support and relationship was by opening up, and for hairdressers knowing how to address Claire’s situation properly.
“Sometimes people think they’re the only person that's going through any kind of hair loss,” notes Noel. “One thing we train our team on is rather than saying, ‘What are we doing today?’ at the start of a consultation. Instead we say, ‘What don't you like about your hair?’ By asking the right questions, you tend to draw out more information, and we openly try and get our team to examine, diagnose and prescribe, rather than just going straight in and taking a bit of length off.”
Opening with a better question for clients is central to Noel’s approach. It could lead a client to say that they like their hair length, but it’s thinning around the hairline. Is this because they tie their hair up a lot? Is it because the layers are too heavy and it’s pulling on the hairs that are more ready to shed? Is it male pattern baldness? Or, as Noel asks, is it something more serious that the client needs to address?
This is something Luci and Danni agree with, which can help proper diagnosis, treatment and aesthetic solutions: “Firstly, and most importantly, your health should always be checked by your GP to ensure there isn't anything underlying that may need medical attention,” they advise. “Hair loss solutions will vary depending on whether you go down a medical or non-medial route. Medical options include hair transplants, platelet-rich plasma therapy and micropigmentation. Non-medical options include wigs, hair pieces, mesh integration and trichology tested extensions. We always book our clients in for a consultation prior to the application of any type of hair enhancement, to determine the most fitting solution suited to their requirements.”
If you’re particularly nervous or about these kind of conversations, or find a salon setting overwhelming and intimidating, then Noco has a dedicated area you can sit in with your hairdresser, which isn’t completely isolated, but is separate enough for people having sensitive conversations – or who might want more privacy for religious reasons. Likewise, Auburn & Onyx has been designed to be a safe space and a relaxing environment for people dealing with hair loss and needing an extra dose of self care. Noel, Luci and Danni are all committed to helping spread awareness of the support and solutions for hair loss hairdressers with the right training and approach can offer. As Claire bravely puts it in her video, embarking on her hair loss journey alongside her hairdresser helped her regain some control over her body, putting her back at the helm so she could steer her ship again. n
auburnandonyx.co.uk; nocohair.com
Non-medical options include hair pieces and mesh intergration (Auburn & Onyx)
MBST is a device that is bringing a new area of science to the medical forefront
Proven at cellular level to reset and regenerate damaged cells, numerous outcome studies on NMRT (nuclear magnetic resonance technology) are indicating very positive results from applying this therapy.
Preliminary studies indicating good results are:
• Improving post operative outcomes in total knee replacement
• Improving bone density and quality leading to reduced fracture risk in Osteoporosis patients
• Improving lung function and patient ability from long COVID and chronic lung conditions.
• Reduced symptoms in Inflammatory bowel disease such as diverticulitis.
These advances are alongside the treatment of Orthopaedic conditions we currently seeday to day in my clinic.
Our technology in Bristol spans the entire range of devices capable of treating all areas of the body:
The 350 is a device designed to treat hand and foot arthritis as well as ligament and bone injury. Our results generally lead to significant improvements in hand function and less pain day to day. We do see some good results with some more severe cases but catching things earlier is always better with this technology. Christine
The ASF (below) focusses on more specific areas of the body and helps to stimulate tissue repair in arthritis, muscle and ligament injury in Shoulders, hips, knees as well as spinal conditions. This includes nerve damage, sciatica and bone healing.
If you’re interested in looking into this technology, call /email us.
Marlene's severe neck pain due to arthritis has responded amazingly to MBST. A great side effect is that reducing cellular inflammation in her body has lead to a remarkable improvement in her symptoms of diverticulitis.
Brian's post operative nerve pain has responded so well to the MBST nerve treatment. The full body treatment has further improved his foot pain and abnormal sensation.
The newest technology is the Osteospin, designed to stimulate full body healing of arthritis, osteoporosis, neurological disorders and connective tissue disorders.
A sea change
Feeling the urge to escape the city? Andrew Swift can help, having recently walked part of the Somerset Coastal Path for some peace and quiet, and a generous blast of sea air. Follow in his footsteps on this three-hour adventurous jaunt...
There is no better time than August for taking a walk along the coast, and if you add in a stretch of ancient woodland and a nature reserve on a high and windy common, the combination is unbeatable. This month’s walk, only four miles long and less than 30 minutes’ drive from Bristol, is ideal for anyone in need of a quick blast of sea air amid spectacular scenery.
To get to the starting point, head to Walton in Gordano, which lies on the B3124 between Clevedon and Portishead. Turn north along Walton Street (signposted to St Paul’s church) and follow a narrow lane for 600m, until you come to a wider section with room for parking on the left (ST423735: BS21 7AP). Pull in here, walk back a little way along the lane and, just after passing Spring Head Cottage, turn right.
and after 650m you emerge on the edge of a golf course (ST418731). Carry on for another 200m before turning right along a stony track – passing a sign warning of golf balls from the right.
After the track leads through a kissing gate (KG), continue along it for another 175m before turning right when you come to a tarmac drive (ST415729). When you reach a car park, carry straight on along a footpath past a five-bar gate. After another 50m, turn left at a T junction and follow the path through a gap in the hedge to be greeted by a view of the estuary far below.
Follow your sense of adventure
After a few metres, bear left up steps to follow a rough track up through Rock Wood. The track eventually levels out
Carry on along the path for 200m before turning right to follow it steeply downhill. Care is needed here, as there are not only tricky steps to negotiate but also ferns spilling luxuriantly across the path. At the bottom you come to the Somerset Coast Path
Far-reaching views along the Somerset Coastal Path
Estuary view
(ST410732). You cannot turn left here as the path is closed due to a serious landslip at Ladye Bay – some of the cliffs along here are particularly friable. A right turn, however, leads to what the Coast Path Guide describes as ‘the best bit of the path anywhere between Bristol and Stert Point’, running along a ‘lovely, charming, coy stretch of coastline, all secretive coves and bays’.
It is also overgrown, but, as most of what impedes your progress consists of ferns and similarly innocuous vegetation, forging your way through this green tunnel, with the sound of the surf for company, only adds to the sense of adventure. The views are stunning and there are some fascinating rock formations and small caves, as well as a rock arch near Roger’s Seat, which you pass around 1200m further on (ST420740). There are also several places where you can scramble down and clamber around on the rocky ledge below. Caution is needed, however, as not all of this stretch of coastline is so benign, with cliffs rising to over 30m at some points.
A recent episode of Saving Lives at Sea featured the rescue of a man who had fallen while trying to scramble down such a cliff to save his dog. If you stick to the path, however – and keep dogs on leads – you should be absolutely fine.
An ancient monument
Beyond Roger’s Seat, you pass below Portishead Signal Station, which was built in the early 20th century on the site of what maps describe as a ‘pigeon house’ – the cove below it is still known as Pigeon House Bay. The station was manned by watch-keepers who signalled to ships anchored offshore, using flags, to let them know when berths were available at Avonmouth. It was later converted to a communication relay station.
After passing the signal station, the path runs below the chalets of Walton Bay Caravan Park. As you pass a gate on the right leading into the caravan park, you will see a rough track on the left leading down to Walton Bay, a pebbly cove hemmed in by seaweed-strewn boulders. Continue along the coast path, and, 300m further on, after passing a waymark on your left, turn right up an overgrown path which leads through a KG and past a massive crab apple tree (ST430747).
Continue uphill alongside a hedge through a field where there are likely to be cows. Go through a KG at the top, cross the road and head straight on along a lane which soon degenerates into a stony track. After 250m the track leads into Common Hill Woods, designated by Natural England as Ancient & Semi-Natural Woodland.
As you enter the woods, bear right when the track forks and continue on in the same direction, to emerge, 700m or so further on, on Walton Common (ST428738). This secluded spot is not only a nature reserve, managed by the Avon Wildlife Trust, but also a scheduled ancient monument, with Bronze and Iron Age remains. Although encircled by trees, it also has some spectacular views out to sea and across the Gordano Valley.
Walton Common richly rewards leisurely exploration, and, although it is easy to lose your bearings, if you head for the west end of the common, you will find that all tracks eventually curve downhill to converge and swing north through a KG before heading down to the lane where the walk started. n
Length of Walk: Four miles
Approximate Time: Three hours
Terrain: Steep climbs and descents, one flight of tricky steps, along with rough and overgrown paths. A short section across a golf course and one or two places where cattle may be encountered.
Map: OS Explorer 154
akemanpress.com
Walton Common
Following the coastal path (and below)
Pensions and Inheritance Tax: What you need to know
Richard Higgs, Chartered Independent Financial Planner
When it comes to pension lump sum death benefits, the scheme administrator/ trustees typically decide who receives these benefits, whether they come from a personal or occupational pension.
Beneficiaries are selected from a list of eligible discretionary beneficiaries specified in the pension policy documents. If the trustees/administrator have discretion over the payment of death benefits, these benefits are generally exempt from inheritance tax (IHT).
Members can state their preferences through completing an Expression of Wishes, indicating who they would like to receive their benefits upon death. Although this document is not binding, there is an expectation that the member's wishes will be considered, maintaining the IHT exemption.
If a pension is inherited while in drawdown and stays invested within the pension environment, it remains outside the beneficiary’s estate. However, if inherited funds are withdrawn and not spent, they will become part of the beneficiary’s estate upon their death.
While the member is alive, their pension fund, even if subject to a discretionary trust, will not incur the IHT periodic or exit charges that typically apply to discretionary trusts. Retirement benefits held in trust for the member and death benefits for the beneficiaries do not constitute a gift with reservation.
Generally, pension death benefits are IHT-free. However, there are exceptions when these benefits may be included in the deceased’s estate for IHT purposes.
If you have pension plans, such as a SIPP, personal pension, occupational AVC, or any legacy plan, get them reviewed by a financial adviser to ensure they remain IHT-free upon death.
Be cautious about taking pension advice, particularly regarding transfers or contributions when in ill health, as incorrect decisions can jeopardise the IHT exemption.
If uncertain, schedule a complimentary IHT and pensions initial review with us or your adviser. Call 0117 3636 212 or email office@haroldstephens.co.uk.
We record regular video updates on a range of later life financial topics - search ‘Harold Stephens IFA’ on YouTube.
Wish you were here at home
Some people have a holiday home. We say, why not bring your holiday... home? Whether you’re marvelling at Italian churches, hiking in the British countryside, on a Serengeti safari or traversing Tokyo – here are some expert tips to help you flavour your interiors
Don’t let that holiday feeling go. This may be our August issue – fully in the midst of summer holiday season – but soon your vacation memories may be no more than a few Instagram posts, fading tan lines and specks of sand in the bottom of your suitcase. If that all sounds far too morose, and you want to hold onto that ‘just back from…’ glow, then it’s time to turn your home into a holiday haven.
You may prefer a subtle nod to your favourite getaway with a print or ornament, or some reading might fancy scuba-diving deep into a dedicated themed interior. Either way, we’ve spoken to some local interiors experts who can help you bring your holiday home.
Home and away
“Our favourite quick fix to banish holiday blues is to incorporate soft furnishing with colours and patterns that remind you of the destination,” says Mégane Leeding, interior design manager at Ivywell Interiors. “There’s plenty of choice for fabrics or ready-made cushions. Artwork and pictures are also great for creating a gallery wall, it’s an easy and low-cost option to incorporate memories from visited places, whether with prints or artefacts.”
Leeding also points out that specially curated furniture is a great way to create a destination-based interior – plus, Danish and Japanese interiors are already very popular, so there are plenty of products available. “Just investing in a few pieces, such as a feature chair, banana sofa or desk can change the feel of the room. Always check small independent shops first as usually their collection will feature beautiful and authentic pieces that can be upcycled.
“Cloakrooms or small guest rooms are great spaces to incorporate a holiday destination at home. Wallpapers and murals are both ideal for doing so with a wide range of colours and graphics available.”
Leeding adds that not all destination-based interiors have to feature exotic wallpapers and vibrant colours. “A curated colour scheme and a wellchosen materials palette can be sufficient to evoke sunny beaches, coastal sceneries or warm sunsets.” ivywellinteriors.com
Versa-tile vacations
Once you’ve settled on colour schemes – and before you finalise your room’s adornments, consider how your choice of flooring might evoke your particular destination. Perhaps you’re partial to Portugal’s delicately ornate tiles, or prefer the earthen tones and warm palettes of terracotta used across south America.
“Moroccan tiles are renowned for their intricate patterns, rich colours, and timeless feel,” adds Rachel Prestwich of Quorn Stone. “They have long been admired for their ability to transform any space with a unique charm and character, from sophisticated patterns to glazed Zellige-style tiles. Zellige-style tiles are reminiscent of original artisanal, enamel-coated tiles crafted in Morocco with a rich glaze, unique texture, and beautiful variation of pigments. These tiles add an authentic rustic charm to walls
Danish-style kitchen simplicity
(Credit: Ivywell Interiors)
Subtle exotic plant prints
(Credit: Ivywell Interiors)
and splashbacks, from pearlescent whites such as Safi Seashell to rich greens in the Arta Emerald, or earthy terracottas found in the Farini Cinnamon. Whether for kitchen, bathroom or hallway, you can bring a snapshot of inspiration from travel adventures in Morrocco to your home.”
Prestwich notes that terracotta effect tiles (such as Quorn Stone’s Oliva range – which is an alternative to natural terracotta) can bring those warm red and orange hues we know and love, but are a maintenance-free, hardwearing and available in square, hexagon and brick tile formats. mystonefloor.com
If all this has left you staring at your surroundings, wondering how you can inject some holiday vibes into your interiors, then here’s some of our favourite product picks…
Piglet in Bed Cabin Wool Blanket L185 x W140cm johnlewis.com £149
Capricorn Boringdon. Mural Wallpaper littlegreene.com. £262 per roll. The Little Botanical Zen Bonsai Set johnlewis.com £44
Lisbon Fine China. Serve Bowl, 20cm. johnlewis.com. £7.50.
PORTUGUESE PETISCO.
JUNGLE TREK. DANISH CHURCH.
JAPANESE PLANTS.
SCOTTISH COTTAGE ITALIAN VILLA.
Pamplona Azul. Patterned Porcelain Tiles. Quorn Stone; mystonefloor.com From £54.99 per m2.
Pamplona Azul tiles in a bathroom (Credit: Quorn Stone)
Warm, earthy tones (Credit: Ivywell Interiors)
Blue-sky thinking
Thinking about replacing their worn-out showers, Natalie and Andrew entrusted Gardiner Haskins with four complete bathroom installations – and the business rose to the challenge
Words by Annabelle Grundy and photos by Colin Poole (photoword.co.uk)
When Natalie and Andrew called into the Gardiners Haskins Bristol showroom, they had already been talking over new bathroom plans for some time. From initially discussing replacements, their ideas had gradually expanded, and they were now thinking about a complete refit for each bathroom.
“Looking around various local bathroom suppliers, we could see how design has moved on,” says Natalie. “Our bathroom and ensuite were looking tired, so I wanted improved layouts, some storage, good-quality fittings, and a more inviting feel, but it was going to be tricky. We weren’t sure quite where to start, or what might be possible, and there was just so much choice.”
Loraine greeted the couple at the showroom. Chatting with them, she established their situation, then showed them around. She pointed out different products and features, before suggesting an initial meeting
with bathroom designer Olga Karpisz. “Lorraine was really helpful, but certainly not pushy,” recalls Natalie. “We definitely needed someone with expertise to advise us, and it was clear there was no charge or obligation, so we were happy to come in for a chat with Olga.”
Over two face-to-face meetings, she talked them through all the options, created new designs for each room and made recommendations.
A soak in the tub
One of Natalie’s ‘must-haves’ was a beautiful feature bath in the family bathroom, where she could enjoy a relaxing soak. Although she was thinking of choosing a freestanding model, the idea of dust gathering behind was a worry.
Researching online, she found a style with a lip that fits snugly into a corner, solving the problem. Olga tuned in to Natalie’s concerns and when it came to choosing the right bath filler, she stepped in.
“I was quite taken by a freestanding, floor-mounted bath filler, but Olga had spotted that I wanted easy-to-clean features and no dusttraps,” says Natalie.
“She listened to me, and then guided me towards a wall-mounted bath tap instead, which was the right choice. Olga really understood what we liked and wanted, and her input made all the difference.”
Improving the layout in both rooms was a key requirement, and Natalie was looking for a more modern, spacious feel overall. She hoped to move the ensuite hand basin from under the window, and the WCs in both rooms to more convenient positions, as well as getting rid of the big, awkward step up into each of the existing shower cubicles. She and Andrew had spoken previously to a local fitter, who had led them to understand these alterations could not be achieved.
However, Olga brought on board Gardiner Haskins’ trusted fitting contractor John, who visited Natalie and Andrew’s home. After assessing the spaces, he reassured them he had the skills and technical know-how to make the changes they wanted.
Sleek, stylish finishes
The bathrooms have been updated with stylish, large-format wall tiles, minimising grout-lines and maximising colour and impact. For each room, she sourced a low-level shower-tray, creating a near-seamless feel. She suggested large, drencher shower heads, and neat, smooth action sliding shower doors that do not jut into the rooms. The noisy, electric shower pumps were replaced by a new pressurised hot water system, boosting water-pressure and delivering a powerful shower. Around the
hand-basins space-enhancing, built-in storage conceals charging points for toothbrushes and shavers, and keeps surfaces clutter-free.
With plans agreed, John began with the family bathroom, followed by the ensuite. From the start, Natalie and Andrew were impressed with his quiet, polite attitude and high standard of work.
As things progressed and having invested time and energy in research and decision-making, the couple decided to push on, asking Gardiner Haskins to re-fit a second ensuite bathroom and the ground-floor cloakroom as well. These two projects were completed in a follow-up phase, a few months after the first was finished.
“There were a couple of minor snags along the way, but once I’d alerted Gardiner Haskins, they were sorted quickly and efficiently,” Natalie remembers.
All four installations have now been in use for some months, and Natalie and Andrew could not be happier with them. Natalie loves the colourful tiles and deep, luxurious bath in the family bathroom, while Andrew tends to use the more masculine-looking ensuite shower room, with its clean, functional lines and smart, chunky fittings.
“They all look fantastic, plus they’re really practical and easy to look after,” says Natalie. “We achieved what we had in mind, and we had good value and excellent service from everyone associated with Gardiner Haskins. I’d have no hesitation in recommending them to friends – and I have!” n
Has your summer vacation left you feeling inspired?
Elly West looks at ways you can transform your outside space into a fragrant Mediterranean garden, tropical oasis and more
Summer holidays are here, offering the chance to escape from everyday routines. Gardens that we see while taking a break can be great sources of inspiration with elements to bring home and adapt, recreating memories and turning our gardens into our own personal paradise. By incorporating appropriate plants, design elements and cultural accents, we can feel as if we’re on holiday without stepping foot on a plane, boat or in a car.
The first stage in recreating a holiday garden is to decide on the theme, whether it’s the lush, tropical feel of a Caribbean island, the aromatic silver-leaved gardens of the Mediterranean, a serene Zen garden of Japan, or the colourful, vibrant, Victorian style of a British seaside resort. Different destinations have their own unique style, architecture, decorative features, colours and materials.
Look back through photos or do some online research, and perhaps put together a mood board of ideas that you can refer back to when choosing elements to add to your outdoor space.
Take your pick
Plants are at the heart of any garden, so while it’s essential to choose plants that evoke the same feel as your chosen holiday, the key is to then select similar varieties that will survive our climate.
A tropical garden will feature lots of lush foliage plants, so consider hardy palms such as Chamaerops humilis and Trachycarpus fortunei, along with bamboos, phormiums, cordylines and the glossy palmate leaves of Fatsia japonica. Some other tropical-style plants that can be grown here, but may need wrapping in winter, include tree ferns and hardy banana (Musa basjoo).
There are also lots of tough UK-friendly flowering plants that will add to the theme, that bring flowers as well as architectural foliage. Kniphofia, hostas, daylilies, crocosmia, hardy hibiscus and geums will all suit a
tropical space, and should come back year after year.This rich mix of flowers and foliage textures and colours can then be complemented with bamboo furniture, tiki torches and vibrant cushions. A small pond or other water feature can also add to the lush island atmosphere.
Mastering the Med
Recreating a Mediterranean-style garden is also very achievable with the right mix of plants and hard-landscaping. Think earthy tones in sunbaked shades of terracotta, brown and cream, rustic furniture, plus gravel paths and scented, drought-tolerant planting.
A gravel garden filled with silver-leaved plants, grasses and herbs makes a great alternative to a water-thirsty lawn. Lavender, olives, rosemary and sage, and pergolas draped with knobbly vines will all add to the Mediterranean vibe. Pastel colours tend to look washed out in bright sunshine, so typical Mediterranean planting often includes reds, oranges and vibrant pinks and yellows.
Italianate gardens bring their own unique style, with roots in ancient Rome and resurrected during the Renaissance, and are very much about formality and manicured evergreens. These impressive outdoor rooms would have complemented the majestic villas of wealthy Romans, featuring lots of carefully clipped hedges and topiary to divide the space.
The focus is on evergreen shrubs and hard landscaping to create symmetry in the bones of the garden, herbs and fruits rather than flowers, although some climbing plants such as roses, jasmine or wisteria would fit well with the theme. Lemon trees arranged symmetrically in pots will give an Italian feel, although they will need bringing indoors to a conservatory or similar in winter in the UK. Columnar Italian cypress, clipped yew, plus herbs such as lavender, rosemary and tansy are all good choices that are hardy for our British gardens. Vegetables are not typically found in Italianate gardens, although if you wanted to grow some food
for Italian cuisine, then you can’t go far wrong with tomatoes, garlic and onions, with herbs such as basil, oregano and rosemary.
Add a Roman bust or large terracotta urn to create a focal point that will transport you to Tuscany.
French gardens can be equally formal, such as those around the Palace of Versailles, featuring ordered gravel paths and symmetrical planted beds of box and topiary shrubs. Less elaborate French gardens may favour a simple palette of whites, blues, pinks and purples, with gravel paths and clipped hedges. Borders might be less structured and more colourful than those at the famous palace, but maintain a neat edging, for example with a closely clipped hedge. A small bistro set, or perhaps a table on a lawn with a table cloth, some wildflowers and jam jars with candles in, and on a sunny day you could almost be in the French countryside.
Courtyard gardens and smaller spaces might lend themselves well to a Moroccan style. A typical Moroccan courtyard often sees a central water feature surrounded by stone or glazed tiles, encircled by walls or hedges. Patterns are typically mathematical or cosmological. Grow citrus trees and foliage plants in containers, and choose hand-carved furniture, lanterns and other decorative artefacts inspired by Islamic art and architecture, and jeweltoned fabrics. For inspiration on our doorstep, King Charles’ garden at Highgrove includes the Islamic Carpet Garden, with a stunning mosaic fountain in the centre surrounded by steps decorated with colourful Moroccan tiles.
Whatever style you go for, it’s fun to add to the holiday feel with some outdoor decoration, brought back from travels or inspired by photos. Include somewhere for sun loungers or a hammock for lazy days. Outdoor lighting and a firepit will extend those summer evenings outdoors, making you feel like you’re on holiday without leaving the home. n ellyswellies.co.uk
Plant of the month: Pelargoniums
These bright, cheery flowers are evocative of holidays in the sun, often seen grown against white walls, in pots, window boxes and hanging baskets in the Mediterranean and elsewhere.
Although they are commonly known as geraniums, these distinctive summer bedding plants are not to be confused with true geraniums – a hardy cottage-garden herbaceous perennial (dies back in winter, returns in spring) with soft leaves and blue, purple, white or pink flowers.
Pelargoniums, on the other hand, don’t survive frosts so are generally grown as annuals, just flowering for one summer. However, it is possible to overwinter plants indoors if you want to, rather than buying fresh new ones each year. Pelargoniums have rounded clusters of red, orange, pink, purple or white flowers, and if you give them a high-potash feed and remove dead flowers, they can keep going from spring right through to late autumn. Choose a sunny spot and keep them well watered if they are in a container.
The future of sustainability starts with your home
As the UK aims to meet its net-zero targets by 2030, innovative solutions that address environmental concerns and enhance daily living are becoming essential. A recent report commissioned by the National Trust and Historic England has spotlighted the significant impact of our homes, which currently contribute a staggering 40% to the nation’s greenhouse gas emissions. The key to addressing this issue lies in retrofitting our homes.
As the UK aims to meet its net-zero targets by 2030, innovative solutions that address environmental concerns and enhance daily living are becoming essential. A recent report commissioned by the National Trust and Historic England has spotlighted the significant impact of our homes, which currently contribute a staggering 40% to the nation’s greenhouse gas emissions. The key to addressing this issue lies in retrofitting our homes.
At its core, retrofitting is about making our homes more energy-efficient, a crucial aspect of our journey towards sustainability. The simple yet impactful act of upgrading insulation, windows, and heating systems can significantly slash energy consumption. This not only plays a vital role in curbing the overall environmental impact of our structures but also translates to lower energy bills.
“We’ve set ambitious targets for a net-zero future, so addressing the carbon footprint of our homes is non-negotiable. Retrofitting provides a practical and effective solution that allows us to preserve the historical charm of our buildings while aligning them with the demands of the 21st century.” Says Simon Andrews at Retrofit West.
Retrofitting your home is also about improving comfort and wellbeing. Comfort isn't just about improving warmth and reducing draughts, it’s about the air we breathe. Old buildings often play host to unwelcome guests like dampness and mould, causing respiratory issues and a general feeling of discomfort. Retrofitting combats these issues with improved ventilation systems and insulation.
While the upfront costs may seem daunting, the long-term savings are proven.
Homeowners stand to benefit from reduced energy bills, and the increased energy efficiency adds value to the property. Additionally, the retrofit industry itself can become a source of job creation and economic growth, supporting the development of a sustainable green economy.
Increased Government funding may be on the horizon as the new Labour government included commitments to invest an extra £6.6 billion to upgrade 5 million homes for increased energy efficiency and lower bills, alongside the mission to make Britain a clean energy superpower in their manifesto. On a local level, the West of England Mayoral Combined Authority is funding the Retrofit West advice service through its Green Recovery Fund, a £60m pot to help meet the region’s climate and ecology ambitions. This provides homeowners in Bristol, South Gloucestershire, Bath and North Somerset with free impartial retrofit advice as well as discount vouchers on energy efficiency surveys.
Retrofitting is not a one-size-fits-all approach but a tailored solution for each property, considering its unique charm and structural nuances. It is especially important in a city like Bristol which is built primarily of historic buildings full of period features that impact the character of a home.
If you’re considering retrofitting your home and don’t know where to start, contact Retrofit West. Retrofit West is a community interest company funded by the Authority to help householders plan, design, and deliver energy-efficient and sustainable home improvements. You can contact their free advice service, get a voucher for a discounted survey or use their free home plan builder to see what changes you could make at retrofitwest.co.uk.
PROPERTY NEWS
DISCOVER THE LATEST NEWS FROM BRISTOL’S PROPERTY EXPERTS
Buying a Listed Home
As a city that blends historical charm with modern vibrancy, the draw of Bristol to home buyers is the opportunity to own a home recognized for its architectural and historical significance.
From the elegant Georgian townhouses of Clifton and Kingsdown to quirky cottages in Redland, Bristol offers a stunning selection of Listed properties. If you are considering purchasing a Listed property, it is important to understand how the fact it is Listed may impact upon the future use and enjoyment of the property, and what every buyer should consider prior to making an offer.
1.Understand the Listing
A Listed property is one that has been placed on the National Heritage List for England due to its special architectural or historic interest.
Historic England maintains a register of all nationally protected historic buildings. There is a misconception that the Listing can, for example, simply apply to the front of a property. The Listing will cover the entire building (including any later extensions and additions) as well as the curtilage of the building and any structures thereon.
A buyer should always review the entry for the property to understand whether it is Grade I (for buildings of the highest significance), Grade II or Grade II* Listed. You should check for specific details on why the property has been Listed and whether there are any features noted as being particularly significant. This will give you a good indication of the key features of the property that you are unlikely to be able to change.
2 Specialist Surveyor
As early as possible appoint a surveyor who specialises in historic buildings. As well as carrying out a full inspection on the physical condition of the property and identifying any potential issues such as dampness, structural integrity or necessary repairs, the surveyor should also advise on past works done.
3 Have past works been authorised
Where the previous owners have carried out works, it is essential to check whether the requisite Listed building consent was obtained. Whilst these are questions that that will be asked between the buyer and seller’s lawyers, before putting forward an offer it is always recommended to ask the selling agent for details around consent for works that have been previously carried out.
In cases where consent has not been obtained for works carried out, whilst there is the risk of enforcement action, it does not necessarily mean that as a buyer you should run a mile! You may wish to consider retrospective consent for the works done, though this will often be met with reluctance on the part of the seller and may be a factor you consider after the purchase. The more common solution is to explore with the seller whether they will bear the cost of indemnity insurance. Issues however arise in this respect if as a buyer you are considering future works which may therefore void this policy.
4 Future works
Depending on the Listing any changes to either the interior or exterior of the property are likely to require Listed building consent, separate from planning permission. Buyers often contrast this factor to other homes that an owner can do a lot more, without consent, under “Permitted Development”.
If for you the Listed property needs alterations to make it the ‘dream home’, before proceeding with an offer, instruct a specialist heritage consultant to advise you on how likely it is that consent will be granted for your proposed works. You will also need to be mindful as to the potentially extensive period of time before which consent will be granted.
A further aspect to consider for properties in many parts of Bristol is whether the property falls within a Conservation Area. Whilst the home you are interested in may not be Listed itself, it will again be under tighter planning obligations than a near identical property outside of the Conservation area.
5 Specialist Insurance
The rebuild cost of a Listed home may often be significantly more and as such you are likely to need specialist insurance. Again, where works are being carried out, ongoing discussions will need to be had with your insurers to ensure your policy is not void.
Owning and preserving what is such a tangible piece of this city’s rich history is incredibly rewarding, but clearly not without its challenges. Along with getting excited about the possibility of owning such stunning period features, it’s always recommended to do as much due diligence around the Listing prior to progressing with an offer.
Whatever stage you are at in the search for your perfect home or investment property, we’d love to chat
