The Bristol Magazine July 2016

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THE

Issue 145

WWW.THEBRISTOLMAG.CO.UK

£3.95 where sold

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july 2016

MAGAZINE

ETERNAL FLAME AS WE CELEBRATE 400 YEARS OF SHAKESPEARE, BRISTOL SHOWS THE BARD IS STILL AS RELEVANT AS EVER

T H E C I T Y ’ S F I N E S T M O N T H LY G U I D E T O L I F E A N D L I V I N G I N B R I S T O L

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NEW SHOWROOM

Our new dedicated wardrobe showroom will open in the old Maskreys building next door to our existing store at 56-64 Whiteladies Road towards the end of July We will also be showing new sofa styles and an increased range of painted and solid oak cabinet furniture

Promotional offers will be available upon opening and remaining Clearance ex-display pieces are 50-75% off

Curtains and Blinds Sofas and Fabrics Bespoke Cabinet Furniture and Wardrobes

FABRICS

terms and conditions apply We are just past Clifton Down Shopping Centre 56/60, Whiteladies Rd, BS8 2PY Mon-Sat 9.30 - 5.30/Sun 12 - 5

TEL: 01173 292746

All types of reupholstery Traditional to comtemporary styles Antique and Vintage pieces

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THE | CONTENTS

JULY 2016

34 54 58 62

18 12 ZEITGEIST

42 SUMMER FUN GUIDE

Five fab things to do this month

14 THE CITYIST We take five with Bristol racing driver Dino Zamparelli

18 THEATRE Get your fill of the Bard across Bristol as part of the Shakespeare festival

22 SHOPPING: BEACHWEAR Ensure you’re the best-dressed on the shore, whether holidaying near or far

46 WHOLE LOTTA BRISTORY Julian Lea-Jones digs up another little piece of the city’s past

47 FREELANCE MUM Faye Dicker meets local nutritional therapist Rosie Letts

...Measures the greatness of our city

26 WHAT’S ON Populate your summer events diary

50 RESTAURANT REVIEW We head out to Wrington, to rural idyll and foodie paradise The Ethicurean...

52 NEW KID ON THE BLOCK

30 UPFEST We meet Dutch 3D artist Leon Keer ahead of his visit to Bristol, and get a street art lesson from the talented Cheba

34 STATE OF THE ART See what’s happening at the city’s galleries

38 THE OTHER ART FAIR It’s back! With 80 emerging artists and immersive pop-up experiences to boot

62 FITNESS Helen Dorritt looks at fun, alternative ways to get in shape this summer

66 BEAUTY Emma Hollingworth packs us a bag full of hand luggage heroes for our hols

72 WALK THE WALK

Andrew Swift heads out to sunny Nunney this month

74 HOME 48 FOOD AND DRINK NEWS Updates from the industry

24 BARTLEBY

Get the lowdown on what to expect from The Ivy Collection’s new restaurant in Clifton Village

How about ditching the commute and setting up an office in the garden?

76 GARDENING Margaux Speirs offers top tips on creating a striking white garden

92 PROPERTY FOCUS Three properties we think are worth exploring if you’re on the move

54 BRISTOL AT WORK Meet the talented Fleur Turner, of Bristol luxury lingerie label Fleur of England

56 BRISTOL UPDATES Business news from across the city

58 MOTORING

40 SPORT Our top 10 things not to miss at highoctane sports and music festival NASS

Even more great content online: thebristolmag.co.uk 4 THE BRISTOL MAGAZINE

If you’re not sure what to do with the kids this month, we’ve a little inspiration

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ON THE COVER

“Not of an age, but for all time” – The RSC marked the 400th anniversary with the spectacular Shakespeare Live show in Stratford-upon-Avon. Turn to p18 to see how Bristol is celebrating (Image © RSC, photographer Lucy Barriball)

Dara Foley takes the prestigious new Bentley Bentayga for a spin at Silverstone

Follow us on Twitter @thebristolmag

Like us: Facebook.com/ TheBristolMagazine

Follow us on Instagram @thebristolmag

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Knight Frank July template.qxp_full page 22/06/2016 10:22 Page 1

HELPING YOU MOVE IN 2016 Call us today on +44 117 295 0425 to arrange your free market appraisal.

Knightfrank.co.uk/bristol bristol@knightfrank.com

Guide price: £825,000

KnightFrank KnightFrank.co.uk

Cotham A generously proportioned (2,641 sq ft) family home. Flexible accommodation over 4 floors, kitchen/breakfast room, drawing room, utility, 8 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms, shower room. Garage via separate negotiation.

Guide price £1,750,000

nTheMarket.com

Guide price £1,400,000

Stoke Bishop

Leigh Woods

An exquisite family home (3,283 sq ft) in a quiet and private location.

3 reception rooms, kitchen/dining room, utility room, cloakroom, 5 bedrooms, 4 bathrooms (3 ensuite). 2 garages, garden and terrace. EPC D.

A semi-detached 4 bed house (3,175 sq ft) within the gated Bracken Hill development, benefitting from integral double garage, private gardens and use of the communal gardens beyond. EPC B.

Guide price £389,950

Guide price £1,250,000

Clifton

Sneyd Park

A highly desirable 2 bedroom apartment (869 sq ft) with balcony and parking. Open plan kitchen/drawing room, master suite, guest bed, guest shower room, balcony and parking. EPC D.

A unique house (3,487 sq ft) with stunning views. 2 reception rooms, kitchen/breakfast room, utility room. 5 bedrooms, 2 bath/shower rooms.

Sun terrace, terraced gardens, swimming pool, parking, garage. EPC F.

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HELPING YOU MOVE IN 2016 Call us today on +44 117 295 0425 to arrange your free market appraisal.

Knightfrank.co.uk/bristol bristol@knightfrank.com

Guide price: £625,000

KnightFrank KnightFrank.co.uk

Stoke Bishop A Grade II listed house (4,130 sq ft) with outbuildings. 5 reception rooms, kitchen/breakfast room, 2nd kitchen. 7 bedrooms, 4 bathrooms. Garden, home office, stables, tack room, stores. Paddock.

In all about 2.38 acres.

Guide price £310,000

nTheMarket.com

Guide price £2,250,000

Harbourside

Clifton

An immaculate waterfront apartment with stunning views. Drawing room, kitchen, bedroom with en suite, bath/shower room, guest WC, utility cupboard, terrace with waterfront views, allocated undercroft parking. EPC B.

A Grade II* listed townhouse (5,200 sq ft). 3 reception rooms, kitchen/ breakfast room, 5 bedrooms, 3 bathrooms (2 ensuite), self contained 1/2 bedroom apartment, cellars, garden, o/s parking, communal gardens.

Guide price £675,000

Guide price £625,000

West Harptree

Pucklechurch

Unique village house with views and business potential. 2 receptions, kitchen/breakfast room, 4 bedrooms, ensuite, family bathroom, double garage, landscaped gardens, paddocks, orchards. In all about 3.7 acres.

Immaculate detached barn conversion conveniently located between Bath and Bristol. Kitchen/dining room, sitting room, 3 bedrooms, bathroom.

Parking, sun terrace, pond, outbuilding, garden, rural views. EPC C.

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HELPING YOU MOVE IN 2016 Call us today on +44 117 295 0425 to arrange your free market appraisal.

Knightfrank.co.uk/bristol bristol@knightfrank.com

Guide price: £1,750,000

KnightFrank KnightFrank.co.uk

East Harptree Beautiful former farmhouse (4,600 sq ft). Kitchen/breakfast/family room, 4 reception rooms, 5 bedrooms, 3 bathrooms. Integral garage, stable, barn, gardens and terraces, paddocks. In all about 6 acres. EPC F.

Guide price £1,100,000

nTheMarket.com

Guide price 1,495,000

Badgworth

Chew Valley

Charming listed Georgian House (4,238sqft). Breakfast/kitchen/living room, 3 reception rooms, conservatory, 4/5 beds 2 bath/shower rooms, attic rooms, triple garage with office/games room over. In all about 6.5 acres.

Stunning listed country house. 4 reception rooms, kitchen, cellar, master suite, 4 further bedrooms, 2 bathrooms, top floor kitchen. Garaging, workshop and garden room, beautiful grounds and paddock.

Guide price £675,000

Guide price £995,000

East Harptree

Pensford

An attractive edge of village home in idyllic and peaceful setting. Reception hall, kitchen/dining room, sitting room, snug/study, utility room, cloakroom, 4 bedrooms, office, bathroom. Delightful 'English Country' gardens. EPC E.

Individual detached property with panoramic views. 2 receptions, kitchen/breakfast room, 5 bedrooms, 1 en suite, further shower and bathroom, indoor swimming pool, level gardens, integral double garage.

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The market is becoming very exciting. We have an increase in buyers keen to purchase. A shortage of available property is leading to competition. In some instances sales have been achieved prior to a public launch and this year we have sold ÂŁ13,000,000 of property confidentially. If you are considering a sale, now is the time to make contact.

James Toogood Partner, Bristol 0117 317 1999 James.toogood@knightfrank.com

Clifton

Guide: Confidential

Abbots Leigh

Guide: Confidential

Clifton

Guide: Confidential

Clifton

Guide: Confidential

Clifton

Guide: Confidential

Clifton

Guide: Confidential

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Photo © Jon Craig (joncraig.co.uk)

THIS MONTH WE’VE BEEN...

Positively

glowing

...Thanks to St.Tropez’s super-popular Gradual Tan In Shower Lotion Golden Glow (£14.50). We’ve never been big fans of fake tan but this way it’s so much easier, tidier and less of a faff! sttropeztan.co.uk; boots.com

from the

Congratulating!

EDITOR “O for a muse of fire, that would ascend the brightest heaven of invention!”

T

he amount of celebrations going on to mark the 400th anniversary of Shakespeare’s death, in Bristol and across the country, just goes to show that the Bard is still setting worlds alight, and inspiring others – innovative local theatre production companies and the like – to do the same with their own take on his ancient works. This issue, with the Bristol Shakespeare Festival now in full swing, we look at what’s going on across the city and beyond – from the legendary Timothy West taking on Lear at Bristol Old Vic, to a one-woman Richard III at the Rope Walk in Bedminster, and a subterranean adventure in Redcliffe Caves with Macbeth and co.

And there’s so much else going on by way of the arts this month – starting with The Other Art Fair which begins on 22 July and this year features an immersive, multisensory, Debussy-based experience, and Upfest, which kicks off a day later. On p30 we chat to talented Dutch artist Leon Keer, who’s known for his incredible 3D creations and will be appearing at the festival this year, while on p32 we put our own stamp on a corner of Southville with local street art supremo Cheba.

Elsewhere, our thoughts turn to summer holidays, as we hunt for hang luggage heroes at Harvey Nichols and bag up some top-notch beachwear – and consider some alternative summer fitness ideas that seem a lot more fun than gymming it (p62).

And if you want a taste of the real-life Good Life, we suggest you head for The Ethicurean in rural Wrington, which thoroughly impressed on a recent visit. Or, you might want to make a reservation at The Ivy Collection’s latest venture in our very own Clifton Village – we get a flavour of what’s to come as of 2 August on p52. Meanwhile, there’s a little extra luxury on p58 as Dara Foley test-drives the new Bentayga, and on p54 we meet the founder of a sumptuous local lingerie label. See you in August!

AMANDA NICHOLLS EDITOR Editor’s image by Paolo Ferla; ferlapaolo.com

@thebristolmag

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Romy Gill, founder of Thornbury restaurant Romy’s Kitchen and active fundraiser for charities including Frank Water and Action Against Hunger; Simon Cook, former council leader and Lord Mayor from 2004-2005; and Tom Morris, artistic director at Bristol Old Vic, received MBEs in the Queen’s birthday honours recently. All three have done great things for our city – massive kudos!

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ZEITGEIST

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5

things to do in JULY

THEM’S THE BRAKES

BRIS IS BEST The Brisfest team are back this month, with their new city-centre event, Brisfest Soundscape. On 30 July, audiences are invited to grab themselves a wristband from just £10 and explore over 15 independent music venues focusing purely on the best local acts and celebrating the South West’s rising talent. There will also be a daytime hub of activity around the Station and Island with outdoor stages and market stalls creating a festival vibe and welcoming all ages.

• Visit: brisfest.co.uk

Popular London indie band Turin Brakes are heading to Bristol Zoo’s large undercover tent on 30 July with their new studio album Lost Property. With 16 years of touring under their belts, the boys have earnt themselves quite a reputation, captivating audiences with their stage presence. There’ll be refreshments available on site and the chance to visit some of the wonderful animal residents too, as the sun goes down to some supersummery sounds. Tickets £20.

• bristolzoo.org.uk/whats-on

PRAYERS ANSWERED...

Yes, a brand new, dedicated prosecco bar has opened in Bristol! So if you’re part of the fastgrowing prosecco-loving posse, why not head to Scavi & Ray at The Mall at Cribbs? Their first permanent prosecco bar will offer bespoke sparkling cocktails, Italian artisanal foods, sweet treats and a unique blend coffee, plus Scavi & Ray Spumante, a crisp, dry, fine Italian sparkling wine, and Scavi & Ray Rosato – a fresh rosé with a delicate and fruity aroma – to enjoy at the bar or take home.

To find out more about Scavi & Ray, visit scavi-ray.com.

• mallcribbs.com

HAPPY BIRTHDAY! Bristol Harbour Festival celebrates its 45th anniversary from 15-17 July with four miles of entertainment around the harbourside. A music stage will go up in the Lloyd’s Amphitheatre, making the most of the natural harbour acoustics, while the dance performance and participation stages will be in Queen Square, surrounded by a continental food and craft market. Beautiful aerial acts, daredevil stunts and family entertainment will return to Castle Park and a new route featuring music and markets will run along Redcliffe Quay and Merchants Quay to connect the festival areas. Of course, the festival also showcases Bristol’s maritime heritage, encompassing M Shed and Wapping Wharf, the ss Great Britain – the venue for a music stage and market – and the new visitor centre at Underfall Yard. Photo below by Colin Rayner Photography.

• Visit: bristolharbourfestival.co.uk

PRIDE AND JOY 2016’s Bristol Pride Day takes place on 9 July and this year sees the music and arts festival taking over Bristol Amphitheatre and At-Bristol’s Millennium Square. Featuring bustling food and market zones, on-site bars, a community area, a cabaret stage and an expanded family area with games, science exploration and kite making, the event will also feature a new dance performance stage with everything from street and contemporary dance to circus skills and Zumba classes. Acts gracing the main stage include Wildflowers; singer of the anthemic Everbody’s Free, Rozalla; Little Boots and multiple Brit, Ivor Novello and World Music Award winner Lisa Stansfield. • bristolpride.co.uk

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THE CITY THE BUZZ

My BRISTOL

We take five with Bristol racing driver Dino Zamparelli

Events include storytelling with author Sean Taylor

Word up!

Bookseller Foyles is hosting its second annual children’s festival in Cabot Circus from 23 July to 14 August. The three-week celebration of storytelling and imagination will see dozens of events, many free to attend, bring much-loved children’s books to life. There will also be opportunities for children to try writing, maskmaking and even conducting an imaginary orchestra! The opening weekend will see a Roald Dahl-themed Phizz-Whizzing Treasure Hunt on 23 July, followed by riddles, rhymes and storytelling with award-winning Bristol-based author Sean Taylor on 24 July. Other highlights include activities to mark Beatrix Potter’s 150th birthday on 28 July and a day-long celebration to coincide with the publication of Harry Potter and the Cursed Child (see below) on 31 July.

For more information visit: foyles.co.uk

Hazy days Somerset cider maker Thatchers is to stage a music event at the Passenger Shed on 22 July.

Hosted by BBC Radio 1 presenter Huw Stephens, The Haze Sessions – named after Thatchers’ new cloudy cider – will feature up-and-coming acts By The Rivers, Bristol’s The Showhawk Duo (pictured below), Keston Cobblers, Anteros, Melodie Causton and Rachel Clark, tipped for big things by the music industry. Music lovers were able to apply for free tickets on the Thatchers website from 6 June to 1 July, and successful applicants will be treated to an evening of music, street food and drinks to complete the festival vibe.

The event is strictly over 18s.

• thatcherscider.co.uk

How long have you been in Bristol?

I was born here; but moved to France aged seven. We moved back when I was around 14 so I’ve been back nearly 10 years. I love Bristol – it's got everything you want from a city and so much character!

What are you up to at the moment?

I am currently racing in the 2016 Porsche Carrera Cup Championship of Great Britain.

Porsche are a strong manufacturer on the motor racing scene, and Porsche as a marque won the world famous Le Mans 24 Hours last year. So there's a lot of buzz and excitement around Porsche at the moment. It's great to be racing in a 27-strong car field and to be fighting for the title!

Any other exciting news?

Well the season is going well so far! We've had two rounds of racing at Brands Hatch and Silverstone, and we've taken one win and three second places. So I'm currently second in the championship, and ready to fight for it until the end of the year! I’m also running a project called #BristolBonnet, getting local businesses engaged with my racing programme in the Porsche series. Anyone who is interested can, for a small fee, see their logo on my bonnet, live racing on ITV4! Other benefits include being involved with local charity GoInspire. If you’re interested in joining, email dino@dinozamparelli.com.

What do you love most about Bristol?

Bristol has some great open areas like the Downs, for chilling out with friends, or actually doing some exercise and fun activities!

I train down at David Lloyd Long Ashton, and

their facilities are great for someone as active as me in the gym. There's always fun stuff to do on the weekends and with the new Ashton Gate stadium being rebuilt, there are typically great football and rugby matches going on.

What’s pumping through your car speakers?

I have just rediscovered some of Stereophonics’ best hits. So when the sun is out, I'm blasting out some of their old-school stuff!

Which restaurant are you loving right now?

I'm spending some time eating in this quaint little family-run restaurant on the top of Black Boy Hill called Piazza di Roma – it has some great food!

Which sports personalities/clubs do you rate?

I love going to watch Bristol City and Bristol Rugby. It's great to see Bristol boys being really competitive and always gunning for wins!

Surprise us...

My first ever car was the yellow Fiat Cinquecento that you might have seen on The Inbetweeners... Yup, I was as cool as that!

• dinozamparelli.com

READ ALL ABOUT IT...

This month Charlotte Pope at Foyles bookshop recommends Harry Potter and the Cursed Child by J.K. Rowling, Jack Thorne and John Tiffany The last time we saw Harry Potter, he was standing on Platform 9 and ¾ waving goodbye to his youngest son as he set off for Hogwarts for the first time. “All was well,” and yet fans were left clamouring for more.

Their prayers were answered with Harry Potter and the Cursed Child, the eighth story of the saga, bringing the story to the stage for the first time. But if you do not have a ticket for the play, you won’t have to miss out on the action. On 31 July (J.K. Rowling and Harry Potter's birthday), the script of Cursed Child will be released as a book. Harry is now an overworked employee of the Ministry of Magic, and a family man with three school-aged children, who is realising that his past cannot stay buried. Information about the plot itself is shrouded in secrecy, but it’s assumed that the ‘cursed child’ of the title is Harry's son Albus Severus, who is forced to contend with his family's legacy.

Sure to be one of the hottest book releases of 2016.

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THE CITY Take it to the bridge!

As part of last month’s BBC Music Day, BBC Bristol and BBC Wales teamed up to celebrate the 50th anniversary of one of Bristol’s most famous landmarks, the Severn Bridge. Grammy Award-winning singer-songwriter Amy Wadge, who penned a song about the bridge, performed at dawn, some 80 metres high at the very top of the bridge. Bristol’s Renewal Gospel Choir, Gospel Generation Community Choir, and Only Men Aloud, who all collaborated on a choral arrangement for the song, also performed live with Amy, from a viewing platform below. • bbc.co.uk

BRISTAGRAM Some of our favourite recent snaps taken by folk around the city! Tag your best pics of Bristol using #thebristolmag

Banksy’s latest Bri stol piece made it al l the way to @CNN

Photo © BBC Music Day

Notes for notes Portishead’s Adrian Utley and renowned musician, songwriter, composer and producer John Parish are collaborating to support Trinity’s Centre’s Notes for Notes appeal. Their ‘Trinity Anthem’ will help raise vital funds towards the £500,000 cost of conservation repairs essential for the late-Georgian building. For John P every every £5 raised, Trinity will exchange one ari Matias sh – photo © Corral musical note. When they reach 4,000 notes, they will launch the unique piece of music celebrating the musical heritage of the centre and city. “The Trinity Centre has a fantastic history,” said John. “The work of the Trinity Community Arts charity, that goes on inside, is so important, we want to keep a roof over their heads and see them doing what they do best for another 40 years at least!” • 3ca.org.uk

4 was @loubear8 ley Bever by d se es impr all Colston H Knight at

Photo © Carly Wong

The Mat thew and geranium s by @lw wren al ered nation al that garn att Cardy) Croft mur M es by ok o St ot The – ph (@guardian attention

Puppy love Game of Thrones star Maisie Williams and her pooch Sonny visited the RSPCA Bristol & District Branch and Bristol Dogs and Cats Home recently to promote the charity's campaign to adopt a rescue pet rather than support the cruel puppy trade business.

Maisie adopted Sonny earlier this year from Bristol Dogs and Cats Home, and has since been an active voice in the #adoptdontshop campaign. “I decided to adopt and not buy from the start,” said Maisie. “Puppy farming is a big problem and I didn't want to risk inadvertently supporting that so I visited the Bristol Dogs and Cats Home with my mum. Sonny was adorable, like a little fluffy cloud! We couldn't resist him. There are so many lovely animals needing loving homes, it makes perfect sense to visit Bristol Dogs and Cats home if you're looking for a pet.” • rspca-bristol.org.ukPicture © Populous Arena Team

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Bristol’s @theshim merband rocking Cardiff City Stadiu m (pic @alicecpe a)

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The new exciting interior design showroom in the Clifton Arcade featuring high quality products from Lladro to Alessi, as well as wallpapers and fabrics from Sanderson. To contact, tel: 0117 3298799 or email: infor@cocteau.co.uk for more information.

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THEATRE

British theatre legend Timothy West plays King Lear at Bristol Old Vic – photo © Paul Blakemore

If we were to choose one performance to sum up the year of Shakespeare, it would be Benedict Cumberbatch as killer king Richard III in The Hollow Crown: The Wars of the Roses – fantastic! Image courtesy of the BBC

GB Theatre presents As You Like It on Brandom Hill Bowling Green

See GB’s take on Romeo & Juliet from 2-3 July – photo © Chris Hopkins

Emily Carding stars in one-woman show Richard III at the Rope Walk – photo © Manuela Giusto

Join Insane Root at Redcliffe Caves... Photo © Jon Craig

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THEATRE

SHAKES AND THE CITY Bristol shares the River Avon with Shakespeare’s home town, and we’ve always had a special affinity for the legendary wordsmith. This month sees the Bristol Shakespeare Festival celebrating 400 years of the Bard’s legacy, while Timothy West’s King Lear is set to shake the historic Old Vic theatre.

Words by Pat Reid

O

n 23 April 1616, Warwickshire playwright William Shakespeare shuffled off his mortal coil – that’s Shakespearean for ‘he died’ – and a billiondollar industry was born. Four centuries later, the series of celebrations collectively dubbed ‘Shakespeare 400’ constitute what is probably the world’s number one cultural event this year. And all because this Will Shakespeare wrote a few plays and poems and people liked them.

There’s more to it than that, of course. But Shakespeare could never have become England’s greatest icon if millions of people all over the world hadn’t loved what he did.

Here in the UK, the chief celebrants have included the BBC, with (among many highlights) a stunning performance by Benedict Cumberbatch as Shakespeare’s Richard III in The Hollow Crown: The Wars of the Roses. In Stratford-upon-Avon and London, theatrical superpowers the Royal Shakespeare Company and Shakespeare’s Globe are both cranking out turbopowered seasons of plays and attendant special events.

In Bristol, meanwhile, we’ve long had a Shakespeare tradition with a distinctive flavour of its own. The Old Vic Theatre – of course also celebrating a milestone this year, its 250th anniversary – has been staging the Bard’s plays for centuries.

This month sees their production of perhaps his greatest and bleakest work, King Lear, with veteran thespian Timothy West in the title role.

The small and dynamic Shakespeare at the Tobacco Factory are currently on tour with Hamlet and All’s Well That Ends Well, gamely cementing their reputation for thrilling productions that incubate new generations of talent. And then there’s the Bristol Shakespeare Festival, which delights in bringing a dazzling variety of productions to a dizzyingly diverse range of venues all over the city. So here’s our Best of Bristol Shakespeare, a handy guide to some of the most exciting things happening (in iambic pentameter) this month and beyond.

King Lear: Bristol Old Vic until 10 July One of this summer’s pleasures has been catching glimpses of Timothy West around Bristol, cutting a dash in an immaculate linen suit. The acting titan has been in town to prepare for the most cathartic Shakespeare role of them all – King Lear. It’s a gigantic physical and mental challenge for West, who has a long and distinguished association with the Old Vic. However, at 81 years of age, he seems set to unleash a typically powerful and convincing Lear. The youthful supporting cast from Bristol Old Vic Theatre School will no doubt highlight the play’s themes of generational conflict and familial disintegration.

• bristololdvic.org.uk

As You Like It/Romeo & Juliet: Brandon Hill Bowling Green, 2 – 3 July Grab your picnic chairs and blankets and head over to Brandon Hill, because the picturesque park that’s home to Cabot Tower (and a legion of well-fed squirrels) is a simply wonderful place to experience the joys of open-air Shakespeare. Since 2010, GB Theatre have been staging the Bard’s plays in beautiful locations. This year they’re presenting a comedy (As You Like It) and a tragedy (Romeo and Juliet) directed by Bristol-based Nancy Medina. And with typical Dunkirk spirit, the performances will go ahead in the event of wet weather. We wouldn’t expect anything less of a company whose patron is the mighty Felicity Kendal.

• bristolshakespearefestival.org.uk

Romeo & Juliet: Blaise Castle Estate Dairy Farm, 7 – 10 July Cardiff’s Taking Flight have the noble aim of challenging perceptions of disabled and sensory impaired people. And they’re achieving this through their trademark outdoor theatre featuring entertaining performances, live music and lashings of comedy. Their merrily idiosyncratic take on masterpiece Romeo and Juliet is set in Verona at the 1963 college boat race.

Performances feature British Sign Language by Sami Thorpe, along with live audio description. It’s a promenade performance – so the audience moves around with it. This performance is suitable for all ages and Taking Flight have even specified that babies are welcome!

• bristolshakespearefestival.org.uk

Richard III: The Rope Walk, 12 – 14 July Another hit from last year’s Bristol Shakespeare Festival making a welcome return is Brite Theater’s witty interpretation of Richard III. Imaginatively staged as a one-woman show, it features the charismatic Emily Carding as everyone’s favourite “poisonous bunch-backed toad” – Shakespeare’s gleefully malevolent royal uber-villain Richard III. Adapted by Carding herself, along with artistic director Kolbrun Bjort Sigfusdottir, this one-hour show is free and involves plenty of audience participation and interaction – so get to the front if you’re keen to play a part. Sadly the venue does not have wheelchair access, but the production is suitable for under-12s with adult supervision.

• bristolshakespearefestival.org.uk

Macbeth: The Redcliffe Caves until 14 July Last summer, new local company Insane Root staged one of Bristol’s most acclaimed and talked-about Shakespeare productions of recent years when they presented Shakespeare’s Macbeth in the subterranean location of Redcliffe Caves.

Appropriately enough for a company who take their name from a line in Macbeth, Insane Root are on a mission to make audiences see Shakespeare’s darkly thrilling tragedy with fresh eyes. They also advise audience members to bring sturdy footwear and warm clothing – no matter how hot the aboveground weather – because it’s always cold down in the caves.

Unfortunately this unusual and historic venue does not have wheelchair access.

• bristolshakespearefestival.org.uk

Folksy’s Bottom and friends – photo © Emma Holbrook

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THEATRE

A Midsummer Night’s Dream: Berkeley Castle, 17 – 27 July

Impromptu Shakespeare: The Wardrobe Theatre, 23 – 24 July

Situated 20 miles from Bristol (heading northbound along the M5), Berkeley Castle is understandably keen on the theory that Shakespeare could possibly have penned A Midsummer Night’s Dream to perform at the 1596 wedding of Lord Thomas Berkeley and Elizabeth Carey.

What’s certain, though, is that the castle is a marvellously magical setting for Shakespeare’s timeless tale of mischievous fairies and foolish mortals. The Berkeley family still reside in the castle today, and the play’s producer Tom Berkeley is also a member of the clan. “Never again will this play be performed at a venue so fitting on such a special anniversary,” he says.

• berkeley-castle.com

Saturday 23 July sees actors from Impromptu Shakespeare hosting Making it Up! – a fun-filled introduction to the delights of improvisation for children aged 8-12. The three magic improv techniques (“listen, say yes, and jump in”) will be used to tell stories, make theatre and play silly but useful games – and no experience is needed to join in. The following day, an improviser from Impromptu Shakespeare will lead a five-hour workshop (with a short lunch break) aimed at actors and improvisers who already have a bit of experience. This is the place to be if you want to learn a whole raft of techniques useful for performing Shakespeare’s plays or improvising in a Bard-like style.

• bristolshakespearefestival.org.uk

Much Ado About Nothing: Brandon Hill Bowling Green, 29 July

A Midsummer Night’s Dream: Royal Shakespeare Theatre, until 16 July

Taking their name from Shakespeare’s own company during the reign of Queen Elizabeth I, The Lord Chamberlain’s Men are an all-male troupe specialising in open-air theatre with Elizabethan costume, music and dance.

And, yes, that does mean the female parts will be played by blokes.

Featuring the legendary war of words between sharp-tongued Benedick and “my dear Lady Disdain” Beatrice, Much Ado About Nothing is an excellent showcase for the company, and the idyllic setting of Brandon Hill should help transport audiences back to the era when Shakespeare himself trod the boards with the original Chamberlain’s Men. Again, it’s an outdoor venue, so bring picnic chairs and blankets, and don’t expect rain to stop play.

• bristolshakespearefestival.org.uk

Fancy venturing a little further? Just over 70 miles away from Bristol, Stratford-upon-Avon is perfectly within reach for a day trip or weekend break. Apart from being the birthplace of William Shakespeare himself, it’s also the home of the Royal Shakespeare Company, and there’s still time to see their flagship production of one of the Bard’s most popular and accessible plays. Under the banner of ‘A Play For the Nation’, this take on A Midsummer Night’s Dream has already toured the UK with 14 different sets of amateur actors taking the roles of the much-loved ‘Mechanicals’. If you wished you could have been in the audience for the RSC’s superstaremblazoned Shakespeare Live broadcast on 23 April, then grabbing a ticket to this supremely special version of the Dream could be the next best thing.

• rsc.org.uk/a-midsummer-nights-dream ■

As You Like It: Boiling Wells Amphitheatre, 22 – 23 July Locals will know Watercress Road as the location of St Werburgh’s City Farm, and from thence it is but a short walk (via eco village and railway tunnel) to the Boiling Wells Amphitheatre. This is the location of Folksy Theatre’s As You Like It, which promises a fun and accessible all-ages show that mixes “live music, interactive performance and puppetry”. Folksy are a rural touring theatre company and this is their fifth time at Bristol Shakespeare Festival. The outdoor venue has no seating (and no wheelchair access), so you’ll need to bring those ubiquitous blankets and low-back chairs. Again, the show will go on even if it rains.

• bristolshakespearefestival.org.uk

Fancy a bit of Impromptu Shakespeare at The Wardrobe Theatre?

The Lord Chamberlain’s Men perform Much Ado About Nothing on 29 July – photo © Jack Offord

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SHOPPING | FASHION

BRALET AND HIGH WAIST BRIEF, £22 & £16 Feeling fruity? This lush orange print is for you...

Next, The Mall at Cribbs; next.co.uk

FLOPPY HAT, £10 Keep cool in the heat of the afternoon.

River Island; riverisland.com

OVERSIZED TOTE, £27.50 Ideal for keeping your essentials sand-free. White Stuff, The Mall at Cribbs; whitestuff.com

PRU PORTUGAL SUNGLASSES, £16 Still digging the ’70s vibe? Us too!

Topshop, The Mall; topshop.com

MALIBU SWIMSUIT, £40 We’re feeling the Americana vibe as Independence Day approaches. American Apparel, Cabot Circus; americanapparel.co.uk

LAYATEA HANGING GARDENS SET, £39 & £35 Keep it feminine with this floral two-piece from Ted Baker, Cabot Circus; tedbaker.com

On the

BEACH

KELLY SWIMSUIT, £40 This tie-dye halter has got Ibiza written all over it...

French Connection, Cabot Circus; frenchconnection.com

Got a date with the golden sands of some far-distant shore this month? Hoping to enjoy some Great British coastline?

Dress to impress, won’t you...

MIAMI SHIRT, £14 A super-summery sartorial addition to his holiday... Next, The Mall at Cribbs; next.co.uk SWIM SHORTS, £18 This photographic print is so wonderfully retro. Next, The Mall; next.co.uk

VADELLO BIKINI, £90 How about this orange and gold number from the recently launched Bristol swimwear label Balearic Beachwear; balearicbeach.com

SARONG, £22 Sashay between beach and balcony in this peach melba wrap. Accessorize, The Mall at Cribbs; accessorize.com

HEIDI KLEIN BIKINI SET £95 & £85 It’s got to be a long weekend on the shimmering Italian coast for this chic striped set.

Harvey Nichols; harveynichols.com

QUICK-DRY SHORTS, £29.50 We love these sky blue beauties by David Gandy for Autograph. Marks & Spencer, The Mall at Cribbs; marksandspencer.com

CUT-OUT SWIMSUIT, £140 A high quality, ultra-elegant one-piece in ink blue from Bristol’s Fleur of England; fleurofengland.com

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CITY | SHOPPING

INDULGE YOURSELF WITH OUR SUMMER STYLE SHOW! RARE HANDBAGS, BESPOKE SHOES, AMAZING DIAMONDS

Ladies, come join us for a luxurious free exhibition show with champagne, chocolates and a feast for the eyes ...

BRISTOL SHOWROOM

6 The Mall, Clifton 25 – 30 JULY This summer we’re bringing the fabulous to town with a very special event showcasing a collection of stunning vintage collectible designer handbags, gorgeous hand-made shoes and, of course, dazzling diamonds! Nicholas has brought together all these elements that ladies love for a week-long exhibition at both our Bath and Bristol branches. Come along to see a colourful collection of vintage bags, designer shoes and our own unique ranges of sumptuous diamond jewellery while you enjoy a complimentary glass of bubbly from Nicholas’ own branded champagne, supplied by www.greatwesternwine.co.uk and a delicious chocolate by www.charlottebrunswick.com

Exclusive designs hand made on the premises.

Have your precious family jewellery remodelled into a new personalised design you will always wear combining old and new.

Ready made collection.

Wedding and Engagement rings designed with your ideas and style.

Tel 0117 962 1111

VINTAGE COLLECTABLE DESIGNER HAND BAGS These bags are vintage cool from such iconic names as Hermes, Chanel & Louis Vuitton. And for the collectors among you, all are available to buy! Come along and be stunned by these unique vintage bags – including an Ostrich-skin Dior bag screen-used by Sarah Jessica Parker in the 2008 movie ‘Sex in the City’! In collaboration with www.luxdluxvintage.com

FABULOUS HAND-MADE SHOES If you have lovely bags you must have lovely shoes to compliment and these bespoke designer shoes certainly fit the bill! In collaboration with www.chaniibshoes.com

‘WOW–WORTHY’ DIAMONDS From our unique Wylde Flower Diamond ® to our extensive ranges of gorgeous jewellery, the ‘Wylde Effect’ has been weaving its magic for nearly 30 years! For this event, along with the Wylde Flower Diamond ®, Nicholas has put together a selection of fabulous diamonds with fancy cuts, including horse’s head, rare colours and gems with stunning sparkle.

Village Green is a boutique where ladies can buy beautiful pre-loved designer labels at affordable prices.

To attend one of these unique and special events, please book your place by calling the Bristol showroom on 0117 974 3582 or by emailing: bristol@nicholaswylde.com

From Prada, Gucci and Joseph to Reiss, Hobbs and Ted Baker.

5 The Mall, Clifton, BS8 4DP 0117 9706776

Open: 10am to 5.30pm, Tues to Sat

Nicholas Wylde, Goldsmith & Jeweller, 6 The Mall, Clifton, Bristol BS8 4DR n

www.villagegreenboutique.co.uk villagegreen5

villagegreenboutique

villagegreenboutique

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The great outdoors

T

he eminent Victorian writer John Ruskin once commented that ‘the measure of a city's greatness is to be found in the quality of its public spaces, its parks and squares.’ He was probably talking about that London, a metropolis made habitable by its parks, but we Bristol folk also owe a debt of gratitude to the creators of our green spaces.

Some have come to us in strange ways. Castle Park only exists because of the Luftwaffe’s misjudged attempts to destroy the City Docks, while the pocket-sized Dame Emily Park in Southville occupies the site of a former coal mine (not a great place to build houses). This urban oasis has in common with the larger Greville Smyth Park and magnificent Ashton Court Estate, the fact that it was given to us by the Smyth family – testament to their philanthropic spirit and/or the revolutionary impact of 20th-century death duties.

Our local park was one of those established in Ruskin’s time, when reformers began to see that a healthy, happy city needed green space for recreation; in the early days the park boasted an outdoor swimming pool, a fancy red brick lodge for the keeper and his staff, an array of cannons (aimed towards the centre of Bristol but not, presumably, in anger) and ornamental gardens worthy of Kew. Woe betide the Edwardian child whose ball landed in the flowerbeds as photos suggest that the staff were not especially tolerant.

We don’t have big gardens on our hilltop, so the park is much appreciated, and in terms of our health and happiness, its value is incalculable. On any given day you’ll encounter dog walkers, footballers, children playing cricket, or manhunt in the woods, artists sketching the view, foragers gathering elderflowers or crab apples (depending on season), naturalists counting bugs, young couples enjoying a romantic moment, boot campers, joggers, gardeners – paid and amateur – picnickers, coffee drinkers and bacon sarnie

❝

THE MEASURE OF A CITY’S GREATNESS IS TO BE FOUND IN THE QUALITY OF ITS PUBLIC SPACES, ITS PARKS AND SQUARES

❞

munchers, the occasional community police officer, cyclists, solitary readers, gaggles of students, tight rope walkers, jugglers, even the occasional horse.

But it was not always thus. In the 1990s, the park fell into neglect, becoming the haunt of muggers, joyriders and juvenile arsonists. I remember a Bonfire Night in the early noughties when a gang of kids in hoodies set fire to a tree stump then attacked a fire engine with rockets. Anything flammable was burnt, leaving a wasteland of seatless benches and ruined play structures.

What had caused this sad state of affairs? The population in the surrounding area was declining in number and ageing, the local primary school undersubscribed. More importantly, parks were low on the list of council priorities, so investment was minimal. There were few picnickers, few mums and babies, few kids playing. The park was a place to treat warily and avoid after dark. Many parks across the city were the same, underfunded because it’s hard to measure the value of fresh air and exercise.

A host of factors brought the park back to life. Residents got together, began fixing benches, set up an informal ‘park watch’ group and won funding for a new (fireproof) play area, which attracted children and parents.

Meanwhile, the council responded to a new, more holistic approach to public health by increasing investment in parks, funded by selling off brownfield sites to developers. Once a cause for concern, the park began to attract young families to the area, which swelled the park-going population still further.

Music aside, the 1990s was perhaps not Bristol’s greatest decade, but the improvement to our park and others in the years since then really seems to mirror an upsurge in the city’s fortunes. Ruskin, it seems, was right. ■ 24 THE BRISTOL MAGAZINE

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LOCAL | EVENTS

WHAT’S ON There’s plenty to do in the city this month...

The fantastic Seal plays the Colston Hall

Into the West will be showing at the Tobacco Factory

FROM JULY 1 UNTIL 17 JULY, 7.30PM (PLUS MATINEES)

Into The West, Tobacco Factory Bristol favourites Travelling Light present their award-winning tale of two traveller children on a wild ride across Ireland. Imagine a glorious white horse comes out of a sea mist and into your troubled life. Imagine trying to keep her on the 14th floor of a Dublin tower block. Now imagine the police are after you, and your only escape is to ride into the West… An internationally-acclaimed story of grit and magic, love and loss, hope and discovery; Tickets £7-£28; tobaccofactorytheatres.com

suffragette imprisoned for assaulting Winston Churchill, and a woman who worked in Fry’s chocolate factories and became a world-famous singer; and find out more about female contributions to Bristol’s history; bristolmuseums.org.uk UNTIL 8 SEPTEMBER

Summer Kitchen, At-Bristol Munch your way through crickets and corn tortillas as you explore future foods and resourceful crops!

Part of The Crunch, an exciting year of activities, experiences and discussions about our food, our health and our planet (created by Wellcome Trust). Drop-in sessions throughout the day, free with standard admission; at-bristol.org.uk

UNTIL 19 JULY, 12PM

Bristol’s Brilliant Women, M Shed Discover the stories of brilliant Bristol women in a tour of the M Shed galleries. Hear about a

2 JULY, 11AM-4PM

Mid-Century Market, Trinity Centre The UK's leading 1950s vintage fair returns. Having started in

See Shaelee Rooke at the Wardrobe Theatre this month

London in 2013, the market specialises in clothing, jewellery and homeware from the midcentury period of the 20th century.

Entry £2; midcenturymarket.co.uk 4 JULY, 7PM

Seal, Colston Hall See multi-award-winning singersongwriter Seal perform hits – the likes of Crazy and double Grammy-winner Kiss from a Rose – as well as newer material.

2015 saw the release of his ninth studio album, 7, for which Seal reunited with producer Trevor Horn for their first collection of original material since 2003.

Tickets £34.94 to £134.38; colstonhall.org 7 JULY

The Bristol Whisky Club, Hyde & Co Hyde & Co are celebrating all that’s great and good about America (but mostly the food and booze) as they take guests through the evolution of American whiskey. Tickets include a flight of whiskies, a tutored tasting and American finger food. Tickets £20; hydeand.co

FROM JULY 8 9 JULY

Colour Vibe 2016, Easter Compton Grab your friends and sign up for the most colourful fun-filled day of your life! You'll be blasted with colour at each of the stations

Bristol’s Cary Grant is celebrated this month on 16 and 17 July

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around the 5K course, starting at Washing Pool Farm (BS35 5RE).

Sign up and make a difference to the lives of children and young people with cancer. Registration £15, minimum sponsorship £75; clicsargent.org.uk 9 JULY, 1.15PM

Free music at the Lord Mayor’s Chapel Head to the Lord Mayor’s Chapel on your lunch break for a concert given by the Chapel Singers, with the Lochrian Ensemble and Imogen Triner on oboe. To include music by Albinoni and Haydn.

Visit: lordmayorschapel.org.uk 9 & 10 JULY

The Celebrity Cup, Celtic Manor See some of the biggest names in sport and showbiz swap paparazzi for putters in this thrilling clash between teams representing Wales, England, Scotland and Ireland.

Tickets £5-£22; celtic-manor.com 12 – 16 JULY, 7.30PM

Guys and Dolls, Bristol Hippodrome Enjoy a sizzling New York tale of gamblers, gangsters and nightclub singers set to some of Broadway’s greatest show-stopping tunes, including Luck be a Lady and Sit Down You’re Rockin’ the Boat.

West End and Broadway star Richard Fleeshman (Coronation Street, Ghost: The Musical) plays Sky Masterson with Hollywood’s Maxwell Caulfield (Grease 2,

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LOCAL | EVENTS

Chicago) as Nathan Detroit and Louise Dearman (Wicked, Evita) as Miss Adelaide. Complete with choreography by Cuban ballet star Carlos Acosta. Tickets from £15; atgtickets.com

FROM JULY 15 15 & 16 JULY, 1PM AND 10AM

Bristol Book Fair, The Passenger Shed Whether you are a keen reader looking to expand your collection, or a seasoned collector looking for one elusive title to complete your library, you can browse rare and vintage books, maps, manuscripts and ephemera to suit all budgets and tastes. Tickets £2 (or free with ticket downloaded from website); bristolbookfair.org 16 JULY – 20 NOVEMBER

The Luminous Robot Circus, At-Bristol Roll up, roll up and take part in the robot circus! Meet a cast of almost inconceivable luminous robot performers, which each tell a story of how we might live alongside robots in the future.

Regular shows at weekends and during school holidays, free with standard admission; at-bristol.org.uk 16 & 17 JULY

Cary Grant Festival, various venues Maritime Bristol’s role in transforming local lad Archie Leach into the Hollywood superstar Cary Grant is celebrated with screenings, vintage entertainment, red carpet glamour, talks and tours. In keeping with the actor’s boyhood love of the docks, the festival is taking inspiration from the Golden Age of Transatlantic Travel by offering chances to dress up, hear vintage music, taste fine wines, watch a movie set on a cruise ship and play deck-games; carycomeshome.co.uk

18 JULY, 7PM

Rufus Wainwright, Colston Hall This New York-born singer songwriter has had a prolific career, releasing numerous albums and collaborating with Elton John, Boy George, Joni Mitchell and Mark Ronson among others. His new album, Take All My Loves: 9 Shakespeare Sonnets, features Florence Welch, Helena Bonham Carter, Carrie Fisher and William Shatner. Tickets £40.31-£59.12 including booking fee; colstonhall.org 18 & 19 JULY, 8PM

Shaedates: Or How I Learned To Love Myself, The Wardrobe Theatre Shaelee Rooke is back with her new one-woman show. Shae has a boyfriend but she knows he’s not the one. It’s not until she notices someone else – someone who’s always been there – that she’s brave enough to make a change. A tender, surreal and imaginative comedy about a woman who finds true love by dating herself.

Directed by Toby Hulse. Tickets £7; thewardrobetheatre.com

Want to see feel-good musical Guys and Dolls? Head to Bristol Hippodrome

Browse the Mid-Century Market on 2 July – photo © Becky Matthews

19 – 21 JULY , 7.30PM

Oliver Twist, The Redgrave Theatre It's 2016. Same story, different time. This brand new version of the classic tale of the orphan boy Oliver, has been adapted from the original text by Charles Dickens.

Tickets £9/£11; redgravetheatre.com

Catch prolific New York-born singer songwriter Rufus Wainwright at Colston Hall

FROM JULY 22 23 JULY, 1.15PM

Come Into The Parlour, Lord Mayor’s Chapel Three Mens Company pays a light-hearted tribute in words and music to the Edwardian era. Free concert performed by John de Barham, Jeremy Watkins and John Marsh. lordmayorschapel.org.uk

EDITOR’S PICK...

15 JULY, 6PM

Echo and the Bunnymen, Harbourside Amphitheatre Headlining Bristol Harbour Festival’s Friday night concert are an Eighties-born band who have influenced the likes of Coldplay, The Killers and Red Hot Chili Peppers, and whose back catalogue includes classic songs including Killing Moon, The Cutter, Never Stop and Bring On The Dancing Horses – now being introduced to a new audience. Personally, we’re hoping they play their version of All You Need Is Love – swoon! Songwriter, guitarist and vocalist Nick Heyward (of Haircut 100) will be supporting. Tickets cost £21.50 plus booking fee.

• bristolharbourfestival.co.uk

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Piano for sale

Beautiful handcrafted Blüthner piano for sale

Manufactured in 1973.

Has been tuned regularly.

Selling for £4,500.

Contact Mrs Sally Eustace for more details.

Tel: 01225 833751

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CITY ART

PAINTING THE TOWN So, the way we see it, there’s street art and then there’s street masterpiece...

TBM chats to incredible 3D street artist Leon Keer ahead of his visit to Upfest later this month

W

hile Dutch pop-surrealist artist Leon Keer cut his teeth designing and producing giant advertising murals commissioned by the likes of Coca-Cola – not exactly the humblest of beginnings – the art he is best known for nowadays is on quite different level. Call us sheltered, but we’ve never seen 3D street art quite like it, so – before Upfest kicks off in a couple of weeks – we decided to find out more...

The Bristol Magazine: First things first. How do you do it?!

Leon: Well, the first thing I do when I arrive at a possible location is check for the correct placement of the artwork because the sun, and possible shadows from buildings, trees

and other objects, might either help or interfere with the 3D effect that I want to achieve. With most of my drawings, I take a piece of string and attach it to the viewpoint from where you can observe the painting at its best. I then use this as my guide for all the vertical lines in the painting.

What inspires you?

Pop art and surrealism. I also get my inspiration from the stories and memories I gather from travelling around the world. A simple passer-by could have a great story and that might spark an idea that’s then transformed into an artwork.

How did you get into this kind of art?

After designing and executing my advertising murals, I built up my experience working on many different surfaces and in ever-changing weather conditions, which taught me a lot about the best material to use for any specific artwork or conditions.

What do you think about the Bristol art scene?

I have seen a lot of great street art coming from Bristol. I can’t wait to visit and find out more about this vibrant city, and meet its artists.

Work for the International Sarasota Chalk Festival, showing an arcade ‘claw crane’ and toys waiting to be grabbed

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We love that you use your art to talk about contemporary themes such as environmental issues – can you tell us a little more about this?

Yes, there are lots of global concerns that we should all care about. I try to focus on these as well as emphasising the more local concerns relating to us such as social disorder, environmental issues, the refugee crisis today and

Above: Of course, we haven’t seen Leon’s Upfest creation yet, but this piece depicting gummy bears gathering around their deceased pal at Malta Streetart Festival, is currently our favourite by far

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CITY ART political mischief. My art doesn’t directly point a finger at anyone but it can hopefully be seen as a spark that encourages others to think differently. But it’s always accompanied by some humour as I believe the world is, in general, an awesome place.

What do you think about negative attitudes towards street art?

Every artist should get the opportunity to express themselves. Some art has more quality than other art, but you also have to take experience into account. Artists have to be able to practice their skills, otherwise how else would we have the opportunity to witness great street art pieces, years later? Thanks to the perseverance of lots of street artists, I am seeing more opportunities arise in every city and respect coming up from larger amounts of spectators.

❝

...My art doesn’t directly point a finger at anyone but it can hopefully be seen as a spark that encourages others to think differently...

❞

What’s the most challenging part of your process?

Probably working together with other artists to create bigger paintings. The result, often quite outstanding, is a synergy of emotions and skills, built up by several minds blending together. It’s difficult to achieve but generates the most fulfilling memories.

A piece by Leon and Peter Westerink of Planet Streetpainting at the Corniche in Abu Dhabi in 2011

How long does it take? What essentials do you take out on-site?

Four to five days, on average. The most important materials are string, tape, chalks for drawing the first sketch and then my own brushes!

What can we expect from you at Upfest?

I am working on my sketch now and over the coming weeks, and it will be a 3D street art piece on the ground somewhere, but that's the only thing I can reveal for now!

Which Bristol artists do you admire?

I like the humoristic approach of Banksy's art, underlining issues without expression of his own opinion.

Dream collaboration?

I would love to work with Mr. Ron English someday.

The street art scene has developed so much in the last few years – where do you see the movement in the next 10?

I think more cities will start hosting their own street art festivals each year. The public is embracing this art form already. As for me, I will try to keep surprising spectators with my illusionary street art – hopefully combining it with some new technology. Watch this space! ■ Upfest takes places from 23-25 July. For more information about the festival, visit upfest.co.uk, or for more on Leon, visit leonkeer.com

Leon is looking forward to finding out more about Bristol and meeting its artists at Upfest

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UPFEST

Photography @NeilJamesB

A SPACE OF ONE’S OWN TBM’s editor Amanda Nicholls gets a lesson in the ways of the ‘nebula funk’ from long-standing city street artist Cheba. Photography by Neil James Brain

I

t doesn’t feel as though there are many plain, ordinary walls left in Southville these days, with gorgeous, eye-catching art round pretty much every corner. A good thing, that suits the area, we think most folk agree. So, when offered the chance to put our stamp on a little patch of it and get into the spirit of Upfest, we jumped at it.

Of course, we’d need a bit (a lot) of help. Having rocked up at the Tobacco Factory courtyard – where said patch is waiting to be jazzed up – we’re introduced to our teacher for the afternoon, Trevor. It takes us a while to cotton on that Trevor is, in fact, Cheba – long-standing member of the Bristol alfresco art scene and pioneer of the genre, with a distinctive body of work now mostly comprised of striking celestial scenes. You’ll have seen his stuff, most likely, adorning local spots like The Full Moon in Stokes Croft. His artworks have earned him gigs with the likes of Red Bull; seen him exhibit all over the world, including the House of Commons; open his own gallery, Weapon of Choice; and share space with the likes of Inkie, Nick Walker and Banksy.

So here we are, stood before a stark blank canvas – beside an amazing painting of a wand-toting Alan Rickman sporting an Aladdin Sane bolt – with a veritable street art supremo, feeling like today could be the day our complete lack of artistic talent is exposed… No pressure, then.

First things first, Cheba gives us a rundown of the different kinds of caps we can fix to our cans – soft caps for stencils, highlights and such; fat caps for filling out large areas; thin caps for detail work – and shows us the angles needed to achieve different effects. We point our colours – first, a sky blue to go over the black base layer of our galaxy – slightly up and away from the wall to create a light coverage. Then, with dark blues, purples and a bright yellow fluoro that’s sprayed over the top to create the look of an aurora, we layer up the rest of the wall with ‘nebula funk’ as Cheba calls it, before adding in star clusters and comets by spraying directly onto the wall – making sure to push down on the cap with the right amount of pressure so as not to cause the paint to dribble down the wall.

It's really quite relaxing. "I usually put my headphones in and listen to a bit of hip hop, jazz, rock, jungle or maybe classical while I paint,” says Cheba. "I've been doing it for about 16 years now and it's interesting how, in that time, perceptions have changed so much. I've gone from ‘vandal’ to ‘graffiti artist’ to ‘street artist’ to ‘artist’."

Back in the early 2000s, Cheba started out ‘hunting walls’ and decorating the city with his own minimalist characters before the idea of space and the contrast between nature and urban environments came to influence his work. “I always like to try new painting techniques and I'd been working on some more abstract pieces in my studio,” he remembers. “I was asked to design a Gromit for the Gromit Unleashed trail and found this new way of painting more free and exciting so I went with it and kept experimenting.”

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Within just an hour, we’ve created a pretty complex Milky Way – and to our great surprise, Cheba gives us a 10 out of 10, praising our ‘natural’ can control. (Of course, he’s humouring us, we decide, as we step back and admire the view.)

True, street art has stepped up a gear in recent years, but looking at what today’s painters create – and the level of skill it takes – it’s hard to believe it would ever be considered anything but art. So keep an eye out for Cheba at Upfest this month – he’ll be collaborating with Fanakapan – and y’know, if you fancy it, you can always take a peek at our handiwork too...

• For commissions, contact Cheba at artbycheba.com

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ART & EXHIBITIONS

STATE OF THE ART Jim Starr, The Square Hotel, 19 July until February 2017 Painter, illustrator and printer Jim Starr is returning to Bristol after exhibiting in London, Paris and New York, to hold his 100th show at The Square Hotel this month. Jim – who has a home and studio in Stokes Croft – creates original, often complex works, each uniquely different, and his new paintings and large scale 're-mixed' screen prints reflect a lifelong enjoyment of bird-watching and wild places.

Jim, whose inspirations include Andy Warhol, Robert Rauschenberg and Jim Dine, also mines a rich seam of pop culture and street influences. “The shape, feel and character of birds present thousands of possibilities for making paintings,” he says.

“Herons, for example, are elegant when perched or resting and sometimes ungainly and comical on the move, while birds of prey – 'top guns' of the avian world – are evolved to perfection, sleek in flight and regal when at roost.”

• screenprintjim.com Left: We love Jim’s style, and the beautiful, dramatic backgrounds he gives his birds

Stuart Whipps: Isle of Slingers, Spike Island, 9 July – 18 September

Bristol Beats and Bass, The Island Bristol, 23 – 30 July Bristol-born Michele Curtis, an artist with an original blend of creative artistic talent and refreshing entrepreneurial spirit, presents an exciting new audio-visual show celebrating the legendary faces of the St Pauls Carnival Sound System, such as Smith & Mighty, Massive Attack/Wild Bunch and Roni Size. The exhibition reveals over 20 gorgeous portraits and accompanying biographical accounts of Sound System influencers and pioneers from the 1980s and 1990s. These will be showcased alongside those original Sound System mixes lifted from cassette, to offer an evocative and authentic ambience.

Raised by Jamaican parents in Easton, Michele Curtis is fast becoming recognised for her ability to capture people’s uniqueness through wonderfully executed fine art portraits.

• theislandbristol.com

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See multiple strands from the work of British artist Stuart Whipps drawn togther in his largest, most comprehensive exhibition to date. Having trained as a photographer, the process and history of photography underpin much of his thinking. The show also takes Portland stone, slate and shale as a starting point, guiding the viewer through several unexpected narratives. • spikeisland.org.uk

Michele Curtis presents new portraits – photo by Buki Koshoni

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ART & EXHIBITIONS

The Story of Children’s Television From 1946 to Today, at M Shed, 2 July – 25 September

Morph © Aardman Animations Ltd 2015

M Shed's exhibition traces the fascinating history of children’s television, bringing together seven decades of iconic objects, memorabilia, merchandise, clips and images.

From puppetry to CGI and live shows to dramas and fantasy, the exhibition looks at how the magical programmes of our childhood have created memories and nostalgia in adults and children alike. The Story of Children’s Television is the story of all of our childhoods, and how television helped to shape the way we view the world around us. Take a wander down memory lane, to a celebration of children’s television, past and present.

Harry Corbett and Sooty, 1955 © BBC

• bristolmuseums.org.uk

Walking the Coast Path, Coldharbour Framery & Gallery, 2 July – 27 August At this time of year, many of us tend to be drawn to the sea, and so Coldharbour Framery and Gallery is hosting a summer exhibition featuring views from our coastal paths all the way from Pembrokeshire via Clevedon and Portishead down to Devon and Cornwall. Welsh artist and printmaker Ian Phillips headlines the show with his fabulous linocuts featuring breathtaking views of the Pembrokeshire and Devon coastlines. There are also several contributions from many of the gallery regulars, including gorgeous paintings by Jenny Urquhart, etchings by Catherine Williams and woodcuts

by Merlyn Chesterman.

• coldharbourgallery.co.uk

Oyster-catchers Wait

by Ian Phillips

Also not to be missed... ● Colour is Life: Paintings and Pastels by Lynn Golden, Clifton Contemporary, 16 July – 12 August There’s nothing minimal or monochrome about the new exhibition at Clifton Contemporary Art. Bold, immediate and full of life, Lynn Golden’s latest floral paintings and pastels will fill the gallery with seasonal colour and energy. Working direct from the subject onto a primed board or dark abrasive surface, Lynn achieves a mesmerising depth of colour and strength of form. Regular trips to Barbados have also inspired the use of metal leaf, which evokes the play of light around her subjects and creates a unique vibrancy. A perfect show for high summer!

• cliftoncontemporaryart.co.uk

● Landscapes & Wetland Wildlife by Jo Bansall, Hours, 9 & 10 July (open by arrangement until 21 July) After living abroad for many years, artist Jo Bansall is rediscovering Bristol and the surrounding areas. This exhibition includes paintings of early morning visits to Shirehampton Park and golf course and the wetland wildlife at Slimbridge. Jo has a classic training in figurative drawing and oil painting and everything is painted on the spot, en plein air. For her bird paintings, she uses a small pair of binoculars that were given to her by her father at the age of just 13 when she started taking an interest in wildlife.

• hours-space.com Pictured left: Black Tailed Godwit by Jo Bansall

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Inviting entries for our Specialist Sale...

Wurlitzer Juke box

Portrait Miniatures - Napoleon III

Damien Hirst print

Estimate

Estimate

Estimate

Zsolnay pottery jug Estimate

£600 - £900

£6,000 - £9,000

£2,000 - £3,000

£4,000 - £6,000

Consignments for Clevedon Salerooms next Quarterly Specialist Sale on the 1st September already include some interesting and varied items from across the Bristol region. The Salerooms will be holding six free no-obligation Valuation days on the dates below in July where the public are invited to bring items they may be thinking of selling. There is ample free parking and no appointment is necessary.

Interiors, Antiques, Collectables & Jewellery Auction Thurs 14th & Thurs 28th July at 10am On view day before, 10am – 7.30pm and sale day from 9am to start

--------------------------------------------------

FREE VALUATION DAYS at the Salerooms

4, 5, 6 & 18, 19, 20 July 9.30 – 1pm and 2pm – 5pm

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Fine Art Auctioneers & Valuers The Auction Centre Kenn Road, Kenn Clevedon, BS21 6TT

Tel: 01934 830111 www.clevedon-salerooms.com

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SIGNIFICANT OTHER The Other Art Fair returns to the Arnolfini from 22 – 24 July, presenting 80 emerging artists alongside unique and immersive pop-up experiences, interactive installations and much more...

Recognise this local spot?

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THE OTHER ART FAIR

W

hen The Other Art Fair launched in Bristol last summer, it attracted some 4,500 visitors over the duration of the weekend.

Pretty decent, no? Such was the success of the city’s inaugural, pioneering event – which offers potential buyers the chance to meet artists face-to-face and learn about their personal methods and influences – that it’s back for a second year.

The Other Art Fair Bristol is the sole UK edition outside of London (though there’s one in Sydney too) and its accessible nature attracts a varied audience of art lovers – the majority of which are completely new to the art-buying experience.

There’s a broad range of genres on show, including photography, print-making, painting, sculpture, mixed media, ceramics, street art and even taxidermy, and with prices starting from just £50, the feel of the event is really inclusive.

This year’s line-up has been steered by a specialist selection committee featuring some of the UK’s best names in curation, including Arnolfini CEO Kate Brindley; Royal Academician and previous Tate trustee Paul Huxley; and Andrew Nairne, director of the University of Cambridgerun Kettle’s Yard gallery. The raft of artists that have been chosen include Bridget Davies, a Sussex watercolour artist who creates elegant yet mischievous female figures and whose timeless fashion-inspired prints have caught the attention of top companies such as Anthropologie, John Lewis and The Shard; and urban printmaker Gerry Buxton, who will be showcasing a new series of iconic street scenes created by sewing together 27 photographs to capture characters and their journeys through city spaces. Recognisable from his prestigious collaboration with the Victoria & Albert Museum, is Bristol-based Alexander KorzerRobinson, who is returning with his exquisitelycollaged antiquarian book sculptures, while other notable Bristol contributors include Alice Freeman, Greg Harris, Luke Mitchell and a real favourite of ours, recent graduate Victoria Y-J, who showcases stunning abstract coastal landscapes influenced by mood, movement and texture from her original home in North Cornwall. Also on show will be the

The Boatman

by Greg Harris

work of Claire Newman-Williams, who’s had a stellar career as a portrait photographer, shooting the likes of Stephen Fry and Tom Hiddleston, and now works on personal multi-media pieces that blend evocative images and ancient text. And, while the 2016 guest artist is yet to be revealed, previous artists have included documentary photographer Martin Parr, Tracey Emin, taxidermy artist Polly Morgan and British conceptual artist Gavin Turk – all of whom have produced limited edition prints sold exclusively at the fair for between £50 and £100.

“The Other Art Fair is designed to create an inclusive and relaxed environment to purchase art, whether you are a regular art buyer or looking to make your first investment for a new home,” says the fair’s director Ryan Stanier. “Our fair is unique as a platform for art lovers to buy directly from artists, meet them, and understand the exciting processes behind individual artworks. Bristol is a fantastic culture-rich city so it’s the obvious place to host our only fair outside London. The talent pool is huge in the region so visitors can expect to discover great local talent as well as national names.”

SOUND AND VISION – AND MORE! We love Victoria Young Jamieson’s vibrant works Waiting Showgirl

by Bridget Davies

A Walk With The Boys

by Bridget Davies

Inner Life by Alexander Korzer-Robinson

This year, The Other Art Fair has also teamed up with BitterSuite and the Phaedra Ensemble to put together a unique concert, where we’re told visitors will be able to smell, feel, touch and even taste the music as well as listen to it. Debussy’s famous Quartet will be performed by the Phaedra Ensemble in Bristol for the first time, inspiring all the senses of those who get their hands on tickets. They’ll be blindfolded by performers and led through a sensory experience that will involve gourmet tastes created by chef Adam Thomason, special bespoke scents made by perfumer Sarah McCartney and touch and movement choreographed by BitterSuite, all designed to match the beautiful instrumental music. Lasting around 30 minutes and involving 15 performers and a live string quartet, we have to admit, it really does sound like a pretty rare, one-off treat.

“The performers’ interactions with the audience are all designed to make the music more than just an audio-visual experience – it’s about experiencing classical music in a truly sensory way,” BitterSuite founder Stephanie Singer tells us. “The performance is inspired by the neurological condition synesthesia that leads to confusion of the senses by blindfolding the participants. Each person in the team works in unison to amplify the string quartets’ stunning sounds.”

“This kind of event is exactly what excites us as a team – creating pop-ups within the fair that encourage people to think more about what and how they experience the world and the art we are exhibiting,” adds Ryan. “We present experiential surprises such as this to encourage visitors to immerse themselves fully in the arts as a whole. We are so looking forward to bringing this to Bristol – a city with a real appreciation for both classical music and something a little bit unorthodox.”

The unique 30-minute performances take place at the fair at the Arnolfini on 23 July, at 11.30am and 2.30pm. Tickets for the performances cost £15 and include unlimited access to the fair on both Saturday and Sunday.

• bristol.theotherartfair.com

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SPORT

10 THINGS NOT TO MISS AT... NASS On the Sunday, the best dirt riders will battle it out to be crowned champion

Thinking of heading to the high-octane action sports and music event descending on the South West this month?

There’s much more to it than you might think – here are a few of the highlights planned for the weekend...

B

ristol is home to a big BMX, skate and action sports community – so it’s no surprise that so many are drawn to NASS, now a wellestablished festival comprising top extreme sports athletes as well as a monster music line-up and plenty of other entertainment...

Wheels on fire

Back for a second year by popular demand, and taking the madness and mayhem up a notch – Evel Knievel-style – is a special ramp circuit set ablaze to add a touch of wow-factor to proceedings. Skaters and BMXers shoot through it in the middle of the festival for all to see – and, should the weather not play ball, spectators can always warm up around it... Sounds like hot stuff to us.

Music to our ears

It’s not just the sport that brings thousands of revellers to the Bath and West Showground; the line-up also includes an eclectic mix of upcoming music artists and bigger names across the genres of hip hop, punk, garage, drum and bass, jungle and more. American alternative hip hop group Jurassic 5 will be headlining the main stage this year, alongside one of the forefathers of drum and bass, Andy C, and Australian electronic dance music duo, Knife Party.

Get dirty

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all riders wanting to practice, ready for the following day’s competition, and by Saturday, the riders will be throwing down all their top tricks to secure a place in the final. On Sunday, the top 10 riders from each of the classes will battle it out in the final to see who will take the 2016 Nass Fest Dirt Crown.

Head down to your local

Yes, the festival has even got its own watering hole this year. Truck and Bearing may appear to be a reincarnation of your old man’s local but on closer inspection, festival goers will notice an out-and-out action sports theme – think skateboard benches, tables made of BMX parts, skate deck lamps and beer bottle chandeliers. If craft beer and ales are your thing, you’re in luck; plus there’ll be good old pub grub and an outdoor beer garden, complete with mini ramp. By day, the biker’s boozer will offer a place to get together and kick back with a pint, while after hours, expect something along the lines of an epic lock-in as DJs move in and crank up the volume until the wee hours.

The ultimate collaboration

With Bristol the unofficial alternative capital of street and skate culture, it makes sense that NASS has decided to join forces with Upfest to create the event’s biggest ever ‘paint jam’. A selection of collectives and artists, including the prolific, renowned Loch Ness, My Dog Sighs and Lokey, will be painting live across the weekend on hoardings, walls, boards and vehicles, and creating some exciting one-off installations.

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Wheely big news...

Moonshine sessions

Chief spokesman

Who’s the best b-boy of them all?

NASS is being taken to a whole new level this year, as the host for the 2016 International BMX Freestyle Federation World Championships. These are returning to the UK for the first time in 28 years and descending on the West Country with the world’s leading freestyle BMX athletes. It’ll be one of the largest global BMX freestyle events of the year with more than 450 professional and amateur athletes from over 40 countries convening to compete across four specialities of BMX freestyle; park, vert, dirt and flatland.

BMX legend Mat Hoffman will be gracing the stage to chair the world championships. Such a big step for NASS’s reputation in the action sports scene requires a suitably big name, and Mat, nicknamed ‘The Condor’ and considered one of the best vert ramp riders in the history of the sport, is the man for the job.

Southbank surprise

2016 is shaping up to be a big year for NASS, with many features getting revamped to meet the growing demand. The Southbank area is no exception. Its specially created in-the-round stage offers a unique 360° performance experience and this time, there’ll be an extra surprise aerial element that will see Southbank reaching new heights, quite literally...

Alongside the usual vert and park competitions, there’ll be night-time hype in the form of The Moonshine Sessions, hosted by the Moonshine Skateboards team. The sessions will take place on the Friday night from 10pm-12pm with team members consisting of vert legends Jockie Olson and Sean Goff and upcoming ‘rippers’ including Clay Kreiner and Jesse Thomas. With an array of giveaways, from Moonshine decks to T-shirts, it may be worth cheering extra loud...

The UK’s leading b-boy crew, Soul Mavericks, are brining the latest urban breakdance moves to NASS. Renowned for putting the UK b-boy scene on the international map, they have competed around the world at the biggest global events as well as London 2012 Opening Ceremony and The Royal Opera House. The festival’s new outdoor arena will also see the likes of newly crowned UK b-boy champion Sunni Brummit; Gavin Vincent (‘Gavzen’); Juan David Gaveria (‘Spin’); and Anthony Jackson (‘AJ-47’). ■ NASS takes place from 8-10 July. Tickets available at nassfestival.com There’ll be plenty of entertainment, including Soul Mavericks

And it burns, burns, burns, the Ring of Fire...

Photo © lewisroyden.co.uk

If you’re a fan of electronic dance music, make sure you catch Australia’s Knife Party

Drum and bass forefather Andy C

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THE GUIDE TO SUMMER FUN

With the school holidays just around the corner, The Bristol Magazine has created a go-to guide for fun for all the family this summer SS GREAT BRITAIN Great Western Dockyard, Gas Ferry Road, Bristol, BS1 6TY Tel: 0117 9260680 Web: ssgreatbritain.org Brunel’s ss Great Britain has enjoyed over 170 years of adventure, travelled a million miles at sea and been around the world 32 times. It’s been an incredible journey and it’s far from over, especially as it remains Bristol’s most popular place for families to visit.

Now one of the UK’s best-loved all-weather attractions, Brunel’s ss Great Britain is a fantastic day out for the whole family. You can explore the decks, dockside or down below the spectacular glass sea. Be transported by sights,

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THE FASHION MUSEUM sounds and even smells as you investigate life on board. You can even see if you’ve got what it takes to be a Victorian sailor and scale the mainmast with Go Aloft!

Even better, is that a visit to the ss Great Britain does not only have to be an adventure for the summer as once tickets are purchased they are valid for a whole year.

This summer, if you book your visit during the 18 – 24 July you will be able to join in with the celebrations and step back in time to 1843 when the ship was first launched. Mr Brunel will even be on hand to take you on a special dockyard walk, recounting stories of the launch.

Open Monday – Sunday, 10am – 5.30pm. To book tickets, visit: ssgreatbritain.org.

Assembly Rooms, Bennett Street, Bath, BA1 2QH Tel: 01225 477789 Web: fashionmuseum.co.uk The Fashion Museum is home to one of the world’s leading collections of historic and fashionable dress.

You’ll see everything from sumptuous Georgian gowns to spectacular outfits by some of today’s top designers, and even be able to try on replicas of costumes from centuries ago. Look out for a series of fun, fashion-themed events for families over the summer holidays.

Tickets: adults £8.75, concessions £7.75, children £6.75, family £27.

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SUMMER | FUN

M SHED Princes Wharf, Wapping Road, Bristol, BS1 4RN Tel: 0117 3526600 Web: bristolmuseums.org.uk/m-shed

Take a trip down memory lane this summer with M Shed’s new exhibition The Story of Children’s Television from 1946 to Today, opening 2 July.

From the earliest days of Muffin the Mule to the multi-channel world of today, the exhibition traces the fascinating history of children’s television, bringing together seven decades of iconic objects, memorabilia, clips and images.

Familiar faces including Mummy Woodentop, Gordon the Gopher, The Wombles, Sooty, Morph and the singing veggies from Mr Bloom’s Nursery will be on display alongside infamous objects like Blue Peter’s original Tracy Island.

The exhibition explores how children’s television is at the forefront of technological advancements in the wider world, looking in detail at animation, drama, puppets and factual programmes.

The Story of Children’s Television is part of M Shed’s Summer of Childhood experience that takes place over the holiday period. Introducing play and nostalgia throughout the museum, visitors can jump on board M Shed’s very own Playbus, take part in outdoor games, go for a train and boat ride, and slurp on a cool milkshake from M Café.

Tickets: £5 adults, £5 concessions, under 16s go free. Up to four children per adult ticket. You can book your tickets in advance at bristolmuseums.org.uk.

TEAMSPORT KARTING Teamsport Bristol, Avonmouth Way, Avonmouth, Bristol, BS11 9YA Tel: 0844 998 0000 Web: team-sport.co.uk/bristol

FREEDOG Unit 2a-2a Templegate Park, Mead Street, Totterdown, Bristol, BS3 4RP Tel: 0117 2034888 Web: freedog.com/bristol

If you fancy a day of exhilarating fun then a visit to Teamsport is a must. With state of the art karts and an exciting multi-level circuit, this is definitely an activity that will put a smile on the faces of children and parents alike.

Suitable for ages 8 up, the 500m track has plenty of twists and turns to race around. The venue has recently been refurbished and, as well as the superb split-level track, there is a spectator area, free parking and the Fuel Bar, serving food and drink all day. Check the website for plenty of deals throughout the week.

THE HELICOPTER MUSEUM Locking Moor Road, Weston-super-Mare, BS24 8PP Tel: 01934 635227 Web: helicoptermuseum.co.uk The Helicopter Museum is home to the largest collection of helicopters in the world. The museum's unique collection features two aircraft from the Queen's Royal Flight, a Russian Anti-Tank Hind Gunship in addition to the current world speed record holder.

Other highlights include the quirky helicopter-boat, a massive 37 passenger helicopter and a group of aircraft from the Vietnam War. Open cockpit days are held regularly, as well as a host of events aimed at all ages. So why not get the whole family together for a day out to remember?

Treat yourself to a helicopter experience flight on selected days, or enjoy the children's play helicopter and play area in the sunshine.

Weston-super-Mare’s largest indoor attraction also provides an onsite café and gift shop.

Suitable for all the family in all weathers, rain or shine. Opening hours: 10am – 4.30pm. Tickets: £7 adults, concessions £6, child £4.50.

A new addition to Bristol, Freedog is far more than your standard trampoline park. Providing exhilarating fun for all ages, you can also choose from a range of additional activities including wall running, trapeze, and making your way across the slack line. See if you can get through the laser maze without breaking the beams.

Perhaps a parents versus kids game of dodgeball is in order? Whatever activity you choose you can be sure all of you will get a great workout.

Prices: £10 per person for one hour, then £5 for an additional hour.

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SUMMER | FUN

CAMPUS SKATEPARKS Whitchurch Road, Bishopsworth, Bristol, BS13 7RW and Watleys End Road, Winterbourne, Bristol, BS36 1QG Tel: 01179 641478 & 01454 501014 Web: campusskateparks.co.uk If your kids like to skate, or are interested in learning, take them along to one of the two Campus Skateparks situated in Bristol.

Campus has grown from strength to strength since it was first opened in 2001 by a youth worker and a social worker who wanted to use the positive energy and influence of skateboarding to engage with children and young people.

With the two indoor skate parks specially designed to give different challenges, both venues have retained the ethos they were first built upon and remain a valuable not for profit addition to the Bristol skate scene.

WINDMILL HILL CITY FARM

FLEET AIR ARM MUSEUM RNAS Yeovilton, Ilchester, BA22 8HT Tel: 01935 840565 Web: fleetairarm.com The Fleet Air Arm Museum is Europe’s largest naval aviation collection and is a day out guaranteed to thrill the entire family.

Go on board the world famous Concorde, step inside a rescue helicopter and immerse yourself in the aircraft carrier experience. As well as the exciting exhibits inside the museum there will also be search and rescue make and take and camouflaged themed family workshops running from 1 – 26 August, 1.30 – 3.30pm.

So if you’re looking for a fun filled family day out, the Fleet Air Arm Museum is an all-weather attraction. Book online now to save 20%, fleetairarm.com. Tickets: adults £16, children £12, concession £14.

AT-BRISTOL

Windmill Hill City Farm, Philip St, Bedminster, Bristol, BS3 4EA Tel: 0117 963 3252 Web: windmillhillcityfarm.org.uk

Anchor Rd, Harbourside, Bristol, BS1 5DB Tel: 0117 9151000 Web: at-bristol.org.uk

If you are looking for a feelgood day out with the kids, then what better than a visit to Windmill Hill City Farm? This independent community project, founded by a group of volunteers, celebrates its 40th birthday this year.

It's the oldest city farm outside London, and remains free to all visitors. Stroll around the gardens and meet the farmyard animals, go on one of the pretty nature trails, visit the wildlife garden, play areas and much more.

With a regular schedule of events taking place over the summer, culminating in the 40th birthday party extravaganza in September, there are activities suitable for all ages.

A particular highlight for your diary is the Farm and Bushcraft Holiday Club on Monday 15 August where children have the opportunity to go behind the scenes of the farm, feeding the animals, and making dens. It is advisable to book early.

At-Bristol remains a hugely popular choice for family fun over the holidays. With a new exhibition for 2016, The Tinkering Space, it will be opening in At-Bristol to inspire the inventor in us all. Launching on 23 July, you’ll be able to design, make and modify your own creations and even the space itself.

To celebrate this launch, At-Bristol is hosting a season of Robot Encounters across the science centre this summer. You will be able to meet the Robots, teach new tricks to Baxter – the larger-than-life robot, and have a chat with the adorable pint-sized robot Nao. Families can also get to grips with a 3D printed bionic hand as it copies your own movements in the Superhuman Lab, and take part in The Luminous Robot Circus – a visually spectacular show with a cast of robot performers. Robot Encounters is free with standard admission to At-Bristol.

Image: Joe Meredith Photography

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SUMMER | FUN

THE ROMAN BATHS Stall Street, Bath, BA1 1LZ Tel: 01225 477785 Web: romanbaths.co.uk Walk around the steaming great bath where people bathed nearly 2,000 years ago, see the ruins of the temple of Minerva, and explore the fascinating museum.

Every evening in July and August, the Roman Baths will stay open until 10pm for a season of torchlit summer evenings.

Tickets for adults in July and August are £15.50, concessions £13.25, children £9.50, family tickets (two adults and up to four children) are £44. Free to Bath and North East Somerset residents with a Discovery Card.

Opening hours in July and August: 9am – 9pm (exit 10pm).

FOYLES Cabot Circus, Bristol, BS1 3BH Tel: 0203 2062660 Web: foyles.co.uk

WELLS CATHEDRAL Cathedral Green, Wells, BA5 2UE Tel: 01749 674483 Web: wellscathedral.org.uk

The bookseller Foyles will be running Storybox, its second annual children’s festival at Foyles Cabot Circus, Bristol, from 23 July – 14 August.

The three-week celebration of storytelling and imagination will see dozens of events bring much-loved children’s books to life, including the worlds of Harry Potter and Roald Dahl.

The opening weekend will see a Roald Dahl themed Phizz-Whizzing Treasure Hunt on 23 July, followed by riddles, rhymes and storytelling with Bristol-based author and storyteller Sean Taylor on 24 July.

Other highlights include activities to celebrate Beatrix Potter’s 150th Birthday on 28 July, Monty the Maestro and his Marvellous Magical Orchestra on 30 July, and a daylong celebration to mark the publication of the long-awaited Harry Potter and the Cursed Child on 31 July.

Set in the heart of medieval Wells and easily reached by car and public transport, visitors are welcome to the cathedral every day of the year.

Family trails and holiday workshops will be available throughout the summer including badgemaking and learning about saints (10 August), and soap carving and mason’s marks (24 August) – no booking required. Or join a free scheduled daily tour with one of the cathedral’s enthusiastic cathedral guides, available every day (except Sundays).

The cathedral also runs free window walks and embroideries tours on most Saturdays and Wednesdays (April – October) from 11.15am. A different theme is offered each month. And why not make a day of it and visit the popular Wells Market which also takes place every Wednesday and Saturday. Opening Times: April – September, 7am – 7pm. Donations are welcome on entry.

There may be a small separate charge for family workshops to cover cost of materials.

STOURHEAD Near Mere, Wiltshire, BA12 6QF Tel: 01747 841152 Web: nationaltrust.org.uk/stourhead Every Friday in August get outdoors and closer to nature with wild family fun at Forest Fridays (11am - 3pm) at Stourhead. Bring the family, a picnic, and enjoy a range of wild adventures led by bushcraft expert Greg, who will be sharing outdoor skills and teaching the art of fire lighting and camouflage.

Talented artists the Whispering Woodfolk will be bringing the woods to life with workshops on trapeze, stone carving and storytelling, and the Stourhead tree climbing team will be offering you a chance to climb some wonderful Red Oaks in the garden.

Each Forest Friday event will end with an enchanting aerial performance in the trees, capturing the magic of the forest and offering a glimpse into another world.

To enjoy Forest Friday there is a cost of £5 per child, plus normal admission to the house and gardens. Tree climbing has an additional cost of £2.50 per climb on a first come first serve basis; adults are more than welcome to have a go at climbing too.

The whole family can also delve into the history of Stourhead by visiting the country house and discover more about the Hoare family who lived there. Admission: £15.60 adults, £7.90 children, free for National Trust members.

Image: NTI/John Millar

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WHOLE LOTTA

BRISTORY

Good neighbours To coincide with Independence Day on 4 July, historian Julian Lea-Jones unveils another little piece of Bristol’s history, connecting us with our pals across the pond

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hoever would have guessed that, despite their unfortunate origin, bricks from bombed Bristolian homes could save lives, and finish up as part of a New York road? Improbable as it may sound, the following true story of civic ingenuity and neighbourliness across the Atlantic is the outcome of various initiatives and unusual circumstances that could probably only happen in wartime.

In 1940, bomb rubble and debris littered the streets of Bristol and clearing it to provide access for the emergency services was a priority task.

Lorries took the rubble to a special mooring on the ‘New Cut’ in Clarence Road, opposite the Mayor’s Arms public house. The mooring was chosen to be away from the main commercial and dock area but to still allow dredger barges to dock in the New Cut before dumping their cargo in the Severn.

This arrangement changed when the United States of America entered the war, when the rubble was then used to provide essential ballast for the ships that had brought much-needed supplies to Britain and were returning empty. Many of the supply ships were ‘sam boats’, known more familiarly

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as ‘liberty boats’. These ships, which were hurriedly built, were of allwelded, very stiff construction and needed to be well ballasted to survive the rigours of the Atlantic crossing. If not, they were known to split at the seams or even to capsize. On returning safely to New York, the ballast was taken to the East River, for foundation material for the new East River Drive.

In October 1941, Walter Binger, Commissioner of Works for New York, visiting Bristol to discuss wartime civil engineering projects, was asked about what had happened to the bomb site rubble sent off to New York as ballast. He explained that most of it was off-loaded on the shore of the East River, near East 25th Street, where he was responsible for the building of a new river driveway. Until that very moment he had been completely unaware of the sad origins of his ship-borne hardcore, but upon his return to New York, proposed that a memorial should be erected near the dumping spot – and so it was that The English-Speaking Union provided plaques both in New York and Bristol to commemorate the act of goodwill.

You can learn more about the story and the ships and seamen it saved in Julian’s book Bristol Curiosities – available on Amazon. n

The liberty ship SS John W Brown

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Mum, voiceover artist and BBC Radio Bristol presenter, Faye Dicker, meets the Bristol businesses that make family life easier...

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s a parent of two young children, meal times can be something of a struggle – and eating out is a completely different occasion than it was four years ago! Of course, I wouldn’t have it any other way, and at least we’ve come out the other side of a fussy phase, where any food consumed had to be yellow...

It’s very easy to be all-consumed (no puns intended) with just how much food our little ones eat, and not think about ourselves. Yet step a back to life just before children, when looking after our diet and making sure our bodies were in the best condition could make a huge impact on conception.

As a nutritional therapist, Rosie Letts has always had a keen interest in diet and the role food plays in our health. It was only after having her own children that she realised there was so much lacking in the main stream when it came to family advice. So, armed with first-hand experience and expert training, she launched Bump & Beyond Nutrition – assisting parents on their reproductive journey, from the moment they decide to conceive a child, to when the children start school. As Rosie explains, the science of genetics has improved so dramatically – we now know what our grandmothers ate before and during their pregnancy affects the way our DNA is expressed. While our

genes are malleable to an extent as adults, it’s while we’re in the womb and as young children that most good can be done.

Which is all well and good, but when I cast my mind back to my pregnancies – when I was desperately trying to stay healthy – if I so much as contemplated eating anything green and leafy, I wanted to vomit. It’s often the body trying to tell us something – Rosie has had consultations with pregnant women addicted to licking walls, which is typically symptomatic of an extreme calcium deficiency. As for chocolate cravings, that’s often a lack of iron and zinc.

What I love about Rosie is that she’s been there and done it – she understands the reality of being a parent and how exhausting the journey can be. Take breastfeeding – until you’ve been there it’s impossible to understand just how draining it can be. And it’s nothing to do with the umpteen night feeds! Having a little person plugged into you can sap you of all energy. It’s well known that a breastfeeding mum needs an extra 500 calories, but sadly they can’t all be in cake form... There’s so much iron and zinc in breast milk, it’s important to pay attention to getting extra good quality grains, meats, greens and vegetables. Then comes weaning, with its own set of worries – just how much do these little people need to eat and how often? It reassured me to learn that children don’t eat in the same way as adults – it’s more a case of healthy grazing. The most important thing we can do is lead by good example – eat good food, in good formats and together as a family. Talking to Rosie changed my mindset when it came to family meals and while I’m sure plates aren’t about to be licked clean, I feel well on my way to healthy eating success!

Rosie offers consultations on pregnancy and conception and also runs private weaning classes. For info, visit bumpandbeyondnutrition.com n • freelancemum.co.uk

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THE BRISTOL MAGAZINE 47

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FOOD & Drink

TASTY TITBITS FROM THE CITY’S RESTAURANTS, CHEFS AND PRODUCERS

CONGRATULATIONS! The Community Farm in Chew Magna has won Best Box Scheme in the Soil Association’s recent BOOM (Best of Organic Market) awards. The Community Farm grows, sells and delivers locally sourced and organic produce to homes throughout Bath, Bristol and North Somerset, and ploughs its profits back into learning experiences and activities for local children, adults and vulnerable people. “For a small, community-owned social enterprise to have won this award is amazing,” said The Community Farm’s managing director Ped Asgarian. “It seems a fitting reward for some of the most dedicated and passionate people I have had the pleasure of working with. We're making this project succeed through a belief in what we are working towards and a desire to overcome adversity. It's good to know we're having a positive impact on this planet and we're being recognised for doing so."

• thecommunityfarm.co.uk

LET THE GAMES BEGIN Did you know Bristol now has its very own board gaming cafe? The first of its kind in the city, Chance and Counters is located at the bottom of Christmas Steps, and serves everything from locally sourced charcuterie, cheese and vegetable platters – think honey-glazed parsnips, Mediterranean grilled veg, finocchiona and Wookey Hole aged cheddar – to panini and baguettes filled with the likes of black pepper salami, Cornish yarg and red onion marmalade. Meanwhile, at the bar, there’s plenty of choice, including Arbor Ales and Crack Hops, for you to enjoy while you pick from over 300 games!

• chanceandcounters.com

WELCOME TO BRISTOL Wild Beer Co is making its first foray into Bristol with the opening of a new restaurant and craft beer bar at Wapping Wharf. “We intend to create a unique eating and drinking experience,” said Rich Kilpatrick, managing director. “There’ll be a creative interior and an external terrace perfect for waterfront alfresco dining, and we will be pouring our own range of beers as well as others from some of our best brewing friends, at home and abroad.

Food will play a big part in what we do at Wapping Wharf; flavour and taste lead everything we produce and we are as passionate about food as we are about beer.”

• wildbeerco.com

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NEW MENU ALERT Marco Pierre White’s Steakhouse Bar and Grill within DoubleTree

by Hilton, Cadbury House Hotel in Congresbury, has unveiled a new menu. Designed by Marco, it features steak sourced from Royal Warrant appointed butcher, Campbell Brothers, and côte de boeuf from the Duke of Buccleuch Estates – a brand new sharing option. Inspired by classic British dishes and reflecting Marco’s passion for simplicity, the bill of fare also includes everything from pork belly Marco Polo, seared yellowfin tuna steak and lobster macaroni, to Welsh rarebit with poached egg and Crème Du Barry. For those with a sweet tooth, it also delivers a selection of new desserts such as Mr White’s Rice Pudding, The Box Tree’s Eton Mess and Cambridge burnt cream.

• mpwrestaurants.com

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A quality local independent Italian that's family run and well established.

WWW.PIAZZADIROMA.CO.UK 178 WHITELADIES ROAD, CLIFTON, BRISTOL, BS8 2XU OPEN 6PM TO 11PM TUESDAY TO SUNDAY (AND BANK HOLIDAY MONDAYS)

T: 0117 973 4183

THE MENU

SPECIAL OFFERS PICTURES&

REVIEWS ON OUR FACEBOOK &WEBSITE

FROM A ROMANTIC MEAL TO A PARTY BOOKING, YOU WILL BE WELL LOOKED AFTER

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RESTAURANT | REVIEW

THE ETHICUREAN Amanda Nicholls heads out to pretty Wrington, to get a taste of The Good Life

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e’ll just come right out and say it; The Ethicurean just might be the loveliest place we have ever been. If we could live there, we would.

Without a second thought. Goodbye urban jungle, hello bucolic nirvana.

So, sure, the outcome here may be pretty much a foregone conclusion, but it would be remiss of us (and no fun) not to colour in the picture a little and explain how we arrived at said conclusion...

The drive from busy central Bristol on the balmiest Friday we’ve felt in a while, through the winding roads of North Somerset, past the airport and through Wrington village – the latter leg admittedly the result of a wrong turning due to far too much excited chatter about the evening ahead and not enough attention to my navigating duties – is brought to an end by a large, weathered barrel promising cider and real ale in large painted letters.

Here we turn and begin a breath-taking descent down Long Lane into Barley Wood Walled Garden. Built for Henry Herbert Wills and his family in 1901, this quaintly-named rural corner of the world is now the domain of gardener Mark Cox and his many heritage and heirloom varieties. Plus the founders of The Ethicurean – the multi-talented Paûla Zarate, brothers and self-taught chefs Matthew and Iain Pennington, and writer, hunter and mixologist Jack Adair-Bevan – who live and breathe the locavore lifestyle.

Flanked by lush greenery and surrounded by a spectacular panorama of fields and hills in various verdant hues, stretching right out to the Mendips, we pass signage for beehives, artists’ studios and the promised cider barn, and stroll through a restored Victorian walled kitchen garden chock-full of edibles and 50 THE BRISTOL MAGAZINE

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neat rows of pansies poking their heads out from beneath the soil, before discovering the restaurant itself.

Housed within a rustic former orangery – slightly ramshackle but most pleasingly so – it’s a relaxed space featuring requisite rough-hewn wooden beams; whitewashed brick walls hung with dried wild flowers; and glass jars labelled ‘oaked plum’ that we presume are liquid works in progress for the resident mixologists and foragers. Elegantly mismatched loft-style lighting; old milk bottles filled with fresh flowers, and a stack of The Ethicurean’s own cookbook give the place extra character – not forgetting those views, which see our shoulders relax and the stresses of the day dissipate almost instantly. This really is The Good Life, we toast, but on entirely another level.

The service is genial, polished, unintrusive and well-executed; the staff smart, friendly and softly spoken. Having sampled a little of their The Collector vermouth – made in the vine house and all too easy to put away – we pick out some preprandial beverages of our own choosing. It has to be the fragrant rosemary and orange Manhattan (with a lovely Cointreau kick) for me, while across the table, it’s all about the simple and refreshing pine gin and Barley Wood apple juice with bitters and honey. This is selected from an exciting list of options including chipotle and rosemary apple juice; fennel and ginger hot chocolate; A Very Approachable Negroni; brews

Above: We drank in the gorgeous Somerset panorama during our pre-prandial stroll around the gardens

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Photo by Jason Ingram

Photo by Jason Ingram

from Bristol’s Moor Beer Company; and The Ethicurean Barley Wood Green Man medium-dry cider.

It’s Feast Night, which means for £41, diners can enjoy a fivecourse affair that celebrates the connection with the surrounding fertile land. We turn our attentions to the golden beetroot and apple soup with frozen whey that’s first on the agenda and delicately drizzled with nasturtium oil – the light earthiness of the beet perfectly offset by the sweetness of the fruit and the slight salinity of the whey. While my fellow diner B isn’t sold on the temperature of the gazpacho-style dish, I’m intrigued and pleasantly surprised at how the elements complement one another.

Our second plate, featuring pretty spirals of courgette, pickled and compressed cardamom and dukkah, is a light and equally pleasing

❝

Our second plate, featuring pretty spirals of courgette, cardamom and dukkha, is a light and equally pleasing creation

❞ creation, quickly devoured as we watch spring greens for our next courses being collected from the garden; as well as folk enjoying alfresco drinks in the last of the rays while house pooch Ocho pogos for their waiter, leaping into the air to intercept treats.

After a beautiful, intricate dish of soused cod with mussels and black garlic, I take a slight detour with the pescetarian option of hake, cauliflower and elephant scape – a type of true garlic – while B delights in tender duck with said spring greens and caramelised carrot. To finish, there’s a hunk of mouth-watering apple and toffee cake with clotted cream more like a cool, milky sorbet.

The ultra-local, seasonal produce alone warrants a visit to The Ethicurean – add to that the chilled vibe and indelible rural dining experience and it’s a veritable foodie paradise that totally deserves the many awards it’s racked up. We’ve got ourselves a whole new set of life goals and we’re already planning our return. ■ The Ethicurean, Barley Wood Walled Garden, Long Lane, Wrington, Bristol, BS40 5SA; 01934 863713; theethicurean.com THEBRISTOLMAG.CO.UK

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FOOD & DRINK

THE PRESTIGE

We love the sound of the seared scallops – photo by Paul Winch-Furness

As top London celeb haunt The Ivy prepares to open its first restaurant outside of the capital – in our very own Clifton Village – we get the lowdown on what to expect from the man in the know, operations director Yishay Malkov The Bristol Magazine: So, why Bristol, and why Clifton?

Who is designing the interior – how will it differ?

Yishay: We’re always on the lookout for new locations and Bristol has been on the radar for a while now. Our hearts were always set on Clifton as the ideal spot for our first site outside of London – the community, elegance and history of Clifton Village are really in line with our beliefs and offering.

We work with Martin Brudnizki Design Studio on the look and feel of each of The Ivy Collection’s interiors, so there will be some similarities. However, The Ivy Clifton Brasserie has been designed to define the different dining offerings – i.e. the ground floor includes a café area, the main restaurant, a six-cover dining bar, the orangery and two private dining rooms.

What can we expect from the new restaurant?

The Ivy Clifton Brasserie will offer the same service and approach in evidence across all The Ivy Collection sites. Reservations are encouraged, however some tables will be held back for walk-ins. The interiors have been designed not just in keeping with the existing Ivy Collection establishments, but also to add individuality to the site. Homage has been paid to the area through the artwork on the walls – reflecting notable landmarks and historical interest in the area. There will also be a beautiful dining orangery with 45 covers, which overlooks a landscaped garden area. Antique mirrors hang on the walls, and natural light floods in, not only from the glasspanelled walls, but also from timber sky lanterns above.

Will it be as formal and exclusive as its famous sister?

Our dress code is smart casual and we aim to offer accessible all-day dining in a relaxed yet sophisticated setting. As our menus will include breakfast, brunch, lunch, afternoon tea, light snacks and dinner, there is something for everyone and every occasion – be it an informal breakfast, weekend brunch with friends, working lunch, birthday, anniversary or formal dinner.

Who’ll be beavering away in the kitchen?

Our menus are created by The Ivy Collection’s chef director Mark Askew, and our group executive chef, Sean Burbidge, with help, of course, from the brasserie’s head chef Dominik Malecki. A selection of dishes on the menu is inspired by the original Ivy in West Street, Covent Garden. Highlights from our all-day menu in Bristol include crushed avocado with lime, coriander, sunflower, pumpkin, linseed and pomegranate on dark caraway toast for breakfast; buttermilk pancakes with smoked, streaky, sweet-cured bacon, blueberries and maple syrup for weekend brunch; and seared scallops with truffled pea purée, crème fraîche and lamb’s lettuce for lunch and dinner, or slow-roasted lamb shoulder with soft Parmesan polenta, roasted peppers and rosemary sauce. As for the desserts, well, I think they have to be tried to be believed.

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What’s planned for the launch?

For all The Ivy Collection openings, it’s imperative that our team gets to know the local community and builds relationships with the people who live and work in the neighbourhood. With this in mind, we will be hosting various local preview events and activities between now and opening day on 2 August. Then, it’ll be business as usual, ensuring our team focuses on the aspects on which we pride ourselves as a group – good quality food, friendly and efficient service and being welcoming to the community.

Getting this right is paramount to us. We’re keen to get to know our neighbours – from the local shops, nearby restaurants and hotels, to residents and those who work in Clifton. We believe that by supporting each other locally, together we can add to the area, continuing to set Clifton Village apart as one of Bristol’s most desirable destinations.

• theivycliftonbrasserie.com The look of the place has been kept under wraps, with the exception of one enticing sketch...

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Bar - Champagne Lounge - Restaurant

Your Food, Our Passion

The Mint Room, 12 - 16 Clifton Road, Clifton, Bristol BS8 1AF Tel: 0117 329 1300 www.themintroom.co.uk

info@themintroom.co.uk

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Fleur is very hands-on throughout the process

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BRISTOL AT WORK: Fleur of England We chat to Fleur Turner, owner and founder of the Bristol-born luxury label

H

ailing from the Surrey Hills near Guildford, Fleur Turner made her acquaintance with Bristol in 1998 as a graduate, simultaneously falling in love with the city along with her now-husband. “I’d always wanted to have my own lingerie label – since I can remember – but it all came together in my final year at university where I created the origins of Fleur of England for a fashion marketing project,” explains Fleur. “Then I worked for a Marks and Spencer's lingerie supplier, and in the Far East for a year but I missed Bristol so much I came home and set up my business.”

And what a good idea that turned out to be, as Fleur began to build up a client list that now includes the likes of Anne Hathaway, Kourtney Kardashian and Millie Mackintosh, and receive a royal seal of approval along with a Fashion Export Newcomer award from Princess Anne in 2003.

Fleur of England has gone from strength to strength from its base on Zetland Road. “We have just launched our swimwear collection, called Resort by Fleur, and are launching a fantastic new website in July,” enthuses Fleur, whose background also takes in lingerie technical design.

“I'm really excited about AW16 too. It is a new mood for Fleur of England – we have pushed the collection further to have a modern, directional edge.”

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Fleur, who’s now looking ahead to SS17, is hands-on throughout the process, and loves it. “I am currently putting all the shoots together; choosing models, locations and photographers,” she says. “It's really creative and I love doing it as it creates a mood and direction for the whole season.”

But she’s not alone at FOE HQ – there’s some serious girl power going on behind the scenes and keeping the cogs of the company turning. “I work with the most amazing team of talented women,” she says. “There’s LucyAnn, my technical and production manager; Jennie, my assistant designer; Sally, my financial controller; Olivia, my digital executive; Philippa, who works on customer service and supports Lucy-Ann; Yasmin, who works with Jennie on wholesale; Sophie, who supports Olivia with social media; and Lauren, a graphic designer has just joined the team. I couldn't do it without them, we have a wonderful working environment and all support each other professionally and personally.”

Having such a strong backbone to the business gives Fleur more opportunity to spend time gathering inspiration for new collections. “I love to travel and have adventures with my young family,” she says. “I adore being in the countryside and am constantly inspired by nature. I also visit a fabric show called Interfiliere in Paris too, to find fabrics. But if I am totally honest, I don't stick to trends; I do my own thing and create our own embroideries and prints so that we remain unique. But I have always been inspired by Stella McCartney and her own personal style. When I was

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studying, I worked at Graduate Fashion Week and saw her first catwalk show. I loved her work instantly, particularly the iconic, feminine, delicate slip dresses mixed with tailoring and all finished off with a tiny top hat. I love the fabrics she uses and the way she designs for women who like to be feminine but not girly. She also shows that you can still work and have a family life as long as you have a support network in place.”

As for more local inspirations, she’s spoilt for choice, she says. “Bristol is a fantastic city for creatives and designers. Some of my favourites are Blanche in the Brambles on Park Street – we have used their beautiful faux fur accessories in a previous photo shoot – and Diana Porter jewellery. I love how Bristol is so diverse – I enjoy visiting everything from the fruit and veg shops and boho furniture stores in the buzzy Gloucester Road area, where we’re based, to the Clifton Village arcade and antique shops, and having tea and cake at Anna. We’re very happy to be here.”

• fleurofengland.com n

Capri silk robe, £400, from the SS16 collection

Fleur juggles the running of the company with her lovely young family

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BRISTOL UPDATES BITE-SIZED BUSINESS NEWS FROM ACROSS THE CITY

HITCH YOUR WAGON

Nice ride!

Two Bristolians have launched a travel service based on hitch-hiking and also helping to save the rainforest. Barry Cash, from Bishopston, and Chris Herbert, from Stoke Bishop, used their savings to create hitch Green Thumb Travel, hoping to cut carbon emissions, cut traffic and raise money for charities.

“We believe this initiative will help significantly reduce fuel emissions and improve Bristol’s transport system,” said Barry. “It’s not practical for people, such as the elderly or infirm, to cycle. This should provide a quick, cheap and practical way to get around the city.”

Those accepting a lift will use an app to record the vehicle registration and their destination. The fee is £5, with £1 going towards Size of Wales, Orangutan Land Trust and Rainforest Saver Foundation – which enables poor farmers to adopt sustainable farming methods – and drivers can sign up to receive offers such as discounted car maintenance.

• greenthumb.travel

A RINGING ENDORSEMENT

IN WITH THE NEW

BRISTOL MEANS BUSINESS

Tobacco Factory Theatres has appointed Mike Tweddle as its new artistic director and Lauren Scholey as its executive Director. They will jointly take over from outgoing director Ali Robertson, who begins a new role as executive producer with Kneehigh. Mike co-founded touring company Out of Chaos as well as BE Festival, Birmingham’s European theatre festival, and international ensemble Babakas, while Lauren has been deputy director at Tobacco Factory Theatres since 2012 and was previously executive director at Candoco Dance Company. “This is an exciting time as we look to expand our role as a producing theatre of national renown,” said Lauren. “It’s with huge anticipation that we welcome Mike to the team, one of the country’s most talented entrepreneurial directing and producing talents. I am looking forward to the new collaboration and being a part of the next evolution of this incredible organisation.”

• tobaccofactorytheatres.com

A major new £650,000 conference and meeting centre has opened its doors at the DoubleTree by Hilton hotel over on Redcliffe Way. Offering the most up-to-date facilities in the city, the ground floor of the space can be used either as two separate meeting rooms or as one individual room hosting 150 delegates. There is also a stateof-the-art break out room. Meanwhile, on the reception floor, there are also two smaller meeting rooms that can accommodate up to 120 delegates, plus a board room that’s ideal for meetings for up to 14 people. The final element of the improvements can be found on the first floor, where five new double bedrooms have been added, taking the total number of rooms at the venue to 206. “The new facilities are a stunning addition,” said sales manager Nicola Beaumont. “It’s great news for the hotel and also good news for the city, which has benefitted from an increase in both tourist and business travellers.”

• doubletree3.hilton.com

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Bristol Old Vic has received £180,000 from The Ronald Duncan Literary Foundation to transform the theatre’s work with new writers and plays over the next four years. Trustees were impressed by the theatre’s nurturing of new playwrights and the exciting work being produced, including Pink Mist.

“The Foundation has for many years supported young playwrights, musicians and poets as instructed by the late Ronald Duncan whose vision was to ‘encourage talent, not mediocrity in the arts and sciences’,” said chair Krysia Cairns. Tom Morris, artistic director of Bristol Old Vic, added: “This exceptional donation is a ringing endorsement of our work with new writers and new plays and will help bring both to new audiences.” • bristololdvic.org.uk

Pink Mist – photo by Mark Douet

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YOUNGER PEOPLE WITH DEMENTIA LIVING WELL Tony Hall, Chair of the Bristol Dementia Action Alliance, tells the story of his remarkable wife Barbara, who began to have symptoms of dementia at the age of 53

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t first started in 1999 when Barbara told me she couldn’t remember our children’s birthdays. “What mother can’t remember her children’s birthdays, I brought them into the world?” she said. I replied “If you’re worried, let’s go and see the GP”. So started a saga which lasted nine years, before we eventually received an accurate diagnosis in 2008.

On visiting the GP, we were told that Barbara didn’t have Alzheimer’s disease, but may have a memory problem and we were referred to a consultant at Southmead Hospital. 18 months later we saw the consultant, who didn’t really help very much. We saw him a number of times and Barbara was prescribed Aricept and Galantamine, neither of which did her any good. Later on, we were also referred to a speech therapist because Barbara started using the wrong word when she was speaking, for example she’d say she’d picked the apples in the greenhouse, when we all knew she meant the tomatoes.

It was this speech therapist who told us she thought Barbara had Frontal Temporal Dementia (FTD) and that one of her doctor friends was working on a research project into the disease at University College London. She asked if Barbara would be willing to be involved in the project. She was and subsequently was diagnosed formally. We had all suspected she had dementia, but now we knew which type.

Around the same time, we started attending a drop-in run by Alzheimer’s Society. There we met other people living with dementia. Some of these folk enjoyed walking, so we set up a walking group. We also discovered another Alzheimer’s Society group, recently started in Bristol, called Singing for the Brain and all of us joined that too. I also started attending a Carers Support Group.

As Barbara’s dementia progressed, we discovered The Limes Day Support Service in Kingswood and Barbara started attending one day a week. She has been going there for five years now and attends three days a week. Barbara only feels safe in two places in the world: at home and at The Limes. n

Andrew Jack, of AMD Solicitors considers

THE NEW INHERITANCE TAX RULES – VERY GOOD NEWS FOR SOME

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nder the new inheritance tax rules, far more estates will pass free of inheritance tax post 5 April 2017. By 5 April 2020, some estates worth £1 million will pass free of inheritance tax.

The residence nil rate band For deaths from 6 April 2017, an additional inheritance tax free “residence nil rate band” will be available. This will begin at £100,000 in the tax year 2017/18 and will increase by £25,000 each tax year, reaching £175,000 by 2021. This “residence nil rate band” is available where the deceased leaves a property (or the proceeds of sale of a property), in which they have lived at some point, to their direct descendents (children and their issue).

The residence nil rate band is available on top of the existing inheritance tax nil rate band of £325,000, so that in 2020/21 an individual will potentially be able to leave £500,000 free of inheritance tax. As is now the case with the standard nil rate band, where the first of a married couple to die leaves their estate to their spouse, the inheritance nil rate band can effectively be “passed on” to the surviving spouse. The estate of the spouse who is second to die will therefore potentially have two nil rate bands (£325,000 x 2 = £650,000), plus two “residence nil rate bands” (£175,000 x 2 = £350,000).

For those with a conventional family, and a modest home and savings (and subject to the rate of house price increases in the coming years) it is therefore likely that no inheritance tax will be payable on their estate.

However it is crucial to establish that the wording of your will is compliant with the new rules, to avoid the risk of the additional tax free band being wasted. The detail of the new rules is awaited at the time of writing this note.

For advice on inheritance tax, administration of estates, wills, lasting powers of attorney and all private client issues contact Andrew, Brenda Smyth or another member of the team on 0117 9621205, email probate@amdsolicitors.com, or call into one of our four Bristol Offices. © AMD Solicitors 100 Henleaze Road, Henleaze BS9 4JZ 15 The Mall, Clifton BS8 4DS 139A Whiteladies Road, Clifton BS8 2PL 2 Station Road, Shirehampton BS11 9TT AMD are conducting a series of talks entitled “Planning for your Future”: 21 July at 3pm Tynedale Baptist Church, Whiteladies Road BS8 2NR 28 July at 3pm – Leonard Hall, URC, Waterford Road, Henleaze BS9 4BT Please book a place by emailing probate@amdsolicitors.com or call 0117 962 1205/1460

A local award winning law firm

Telephone us on (0117) 9621205 or visit our website www.amdsolicitors.com THEBRISTOLMAG.CO.UK

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MOTORING | TEST DRIVE

The Bentley Bentayga at Silverstone. Image by TBM

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THE BENTLEY BENTAYGA When it comes to SUVs, there’s none finer than the new Bentayga, Dara Foley discovers Bentley’s new 4 x 4 is top of the class.

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ccording to industry analysts, the global market for sports utility vehicles (SUVs) is booming, with sales expected to top 20 million units by 2020. SUVs offer consumers a combination of safe, comfortable and luxurious motoring options, as well as the a sense of power, presence and the idea that off-road ability is handy when it comes to making our way along our terribly pot-holed streets. Added to that, the appeal has increased not only due to recent reductions in fuel costs but also higher aspirations with new-found social mobility across all emerging markets worldwide. As demand increases, the major manufacturers seize the opportunity to bring bigger, better, faster and more opulent models to the cavalcade.

At the top end of what has become affectionately known as the ‘Chelsea Tractor’ market, Land Rover, with its Range Rover variants, Mercedes with its GLS, Porsche (Cayenne), BMW (Xs), Audi (Qs) and Volvo (XC) series have all been in high demand, and are a lifestyle choice for motorists wanting a badge with status and quality. So when Crewe-based Bentley Motors introduced the Bentayga to create a super-luxury element to the SUV segment late last year, the game of big car one-upmanship changed overnight, and Bentley has just top-trumped them all. It’s reported to have invested over £800 million in its development – with new facilities creating new jobs – and it is the biggest in the manufacturer’s history. So far it seems like a shrewd move. The reviews are excellent, and all cars are soldout for the first year of production. The Queen was one of the first to place an order, and as far as endorsements go, being fit for royalty is not a bad place to start.

Bentley calls this “the fastest, most powerful, most luxurious and most exclusive SUV in the world” and while Rolls Royce is in advanced development of its own SUV, until then, it seems there really is no other car that can compare to the Bentayga.

With an entry price of just over £160,000, although Bentley will expect most sales will be in excess of £200,000 with optional extras – the Bentayga will mostly appeal to current Bentley owners, who, perhaps with a Continental, Spur or Mulsanne in their garage, are also likely to have one of those other SUVs for everyday use. They can now be seriously

tempted by the choice to upgrade to the badge they most cherish.

Indeed the Bentayga is like nothing ever produced in Crewe. At a recent test drive at Silverstone, I was fortunate enough to spend some quality time with one, and found this car to be as supreme off-road (or on some very unkempt country roads) as it is fast on the track. At the same event, I switched from the McLaren 570 to the Bentayga, and on the long straight at the Stowe Complex, only the track professional driver could really exploit any difference; and was surprised at just how fast the Bentley was.

This is an incredible feat of engineering, considering it is over 5 meters long and weighs a solid 2.5 tonnes. The 6-litre W12 power plant of an engine can generate 600hp and propel the Bentayga to a blistering 060mph in 4 seconds, and then on to a top speed of 187mph.

While being whisper-quiet inside, it is a velvety smooth ride and handles with complete assurance, but performs like the best sports car. This is mainly due to Bentley’s superb adaptive air suspension system – even on track corners there is very little roll. There are four standard ride settings for road – ‘Bentley Drive’ for everyday comfort, ‘Sport’ to activate a stiffer suspension and liven the twin turbo chargers, ‘Comfort’ which gives a dreamy ride, absorbing cobblestones as if they are non-existent and ‘Custom’... just in case there’s something they’ve not thought of. The allterrain specifications give four more preset drive modes, two specifically for off-road – the mud and trail and sand modes – while the others give improved performance on dirt, gravel, snow, ice and even wet grass. All drive modes can be enhanced further by the added advantage of four ride heights.

The big attraction with the Bentayga is its styling, undeniably Bentley DNA: the diamond hatched grille and the trademark build quality which is all there, but in a muscular, bold body design that sets the range apart.

A few years ago, there was much speculation as to what the Bentayga would look like, with a lot of early Photoshop mash-ups on the web. Most took the ‘pimp my Q7’ route but, thankfully, they had it all wrong, and while 4x4’s may all, by definition, have visual similarities, Bentley has brought its own exquisite styling to create a stately, fearless and very beautiful car. continued over >

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MOTORING | TEST DRIVE

Optional extras: If the standard Breitling simply won’t do, then a diamond and solid gold Tourbillon will add around £150,000 and, for those who like to picnic, the £22,000 Linley Hamper by Mulliner is an absolute must.

Inside, every inch is sumptuous, with quilted, hand-stitched leather, fine fittings and devilish detail throughout. The padding is deep and deluxe and any outside noise or vibration seems far distant. Even the rumble of the giant 22-inch tyres is perfectly muted. The simplest things are a real joy too, robust trumpet-style valves that control the air vents, knobs – that require turning – have precision-milled edges, and buttons – that require pushing – give a deep, affirmative click to let you know if they’re on or off.

The two front seats are super plush, and multi-adjustable – heated or cooled if needed – and the back massage makes a long journey a spa-like experience. However, this is a utility vehicle too, therefore the boot needs to be as expansive as other SUVs’ – in the test car, there was a fetching Linley Hamper set by Mulliner (an optional accessory at £22,000 and essential utility) but plenty of space also for a pair of Purdey’s, a bag of Callaways, and a full shop of Waitrosia.

As standard finishing touches go, a small ‘old-school’ analogue clock sits unassumingly in the centre of the dash, bearing the name Breitling – chosen perhaps because of a winged emblem, similar to Bentley’s famous Flying B. Just another one of the well-considered adornments that make the Bentayga a true delight. The Breitling clock is also upgradable, a masterpiece decorated with diamonds and machined from solid gold, the Tourbillon version is likely to add £150,000 to the price!

The big feature in 2016 across all prestige cars is the continuation of advanced technology convenience, and the Bentayga has it all, in various specifications. The ‘touring specification’, as on our test model, is packed with new features to make you feel safe and in control on all journeys.

Each feature has been created to make long drives easier, automatically adjusting and warning you if there is a potential problem. So if you lose concentration on the motorway, Lane Assist uses cameras and sensors to ‘lock-on’ to the white lane lines and when in operation, automatically adjusts the steering... Yes, it is driving itself.

While the Adaptive Cruise Control is not a new feature, the long-range sensors that measure a specified time gap with the car in front are. In a step towards fully automated driving, it includes Stop & Go, Dynamic Distance Monitor, Corner Speed Assist and Speed Limit Assist. The Stop & Go function brings you to a controlled halt if the traffic ahead stops and then restarts when the traffic moves within three seconds. Traffic Assist combines Lane Assist and the ACC into play together when you are in slow-moving heavy traffic. Bentley Safeguard Plus includes a system which will intervene if there is the potential for a frontal collision, preparing

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Bentayga for a full, safe emergency stop if required.

And then there’s Advanced Night Vision, which uses thermal imaging technology to alert you to any warm-bodied potential hazard ahead. The Head-Up Display makes driving even safer, projecting key information on to the inside of the windscreen, so you can keep your eyes on the road for more of the time.

Despite all this seemingly complicated tech, controlling it is very simple and the touchscreen LCD makes everything easy to understand – which is probably the greatest testament to clever, intuitive design.

For entertainment, the option to include a 20 speaker system by British hi-fi manufacturer Naim Audio, will add £6,300 to the price matrix.

As you might imagine, the running costs and fuel consumption will be high, at an average 19.9 mpg, but not too many Bentley customers will worry about that, as it will still be cheaper for four adults to enjoy a return trip to London by Bentley in ultimate style (on one full tank) than a single first class return by train.

Overall, the Bentley Bentayga is the epitome of elegance and quality – quite simply a wonderful car that makes for the most compelling luxury product. And globally there will be no shortage of purchasers wanting the very best.

Should you be fortunate with your investments, win the lottery, or merely do rather well in life, then this has to be one of the finest things for one to enjoy. ■ Test car courtesy of Rybrook Specialist Cars Bristol, The Laurels, Cribbs Causeway Centre, Cribbs Causeway, Bristol BS10 7TT; Tel: 0117 203 3990 rybrook.co.uk

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FITNESS

GET SET FOR SUMMER! With the light evenings beckoning us outdoors, it’s time to ditch the gym and try one of the city’s slightly more fun fitness activities, says Helen Dorritt

Imagine getting so good at stand-up paddle boarding that you could do yoga on it. This is 100% our new summer fitness goal – impressive!

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FITNESS

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orget New Year's exercise resolutions, with the sun finally making an appearance and providing extra motivation as well as a healthy dose of vit D, summer is a great time to kickstart a new fitness regime or try a new activity, especially one that doesn't involve the usual trip to the gym or simply donning your trainers and pounding the pavement. With this in mind, we’ve rounded up some of the more unusual pursuits offered in Bristol this season and beyond...

only is one of these classes a great cardio workout, you’ll also be working on some serious core strength, plus your flexibility and stamina into the bargain.

It’s also an opportunity to overcome any fear of heights in a really enjoyable way. Don’t look down, now!

• You’ll find information on all the classes at circomedia.com. Classes are run in four to five-week blocks with an average price of £6.50 per hour, and need to be booked in advance.

Just hanging out Stand up and be counted Bobbing around the Floating Harbour, enjoying views of the ss Great Britain and watching the sun glint off the water – how does that combination grab you? Join in a stand-up paddle board session with SUP Bristol and that could be you next Saturday. SUP Bristol is based on Baltic Wharf and offers the chance to take part in the UK’s fastest growing watersport. An offshoot of surfing, stand-up paddle boarding involves you standing or kneeling on a wide board and paddling your way through the water. It’s a really inclusive activity that’s suitable for all ages and is a great way to build your strength, balance and core stability. You don’t need to be a champion swimmer, and if you’re a little nervy in the water then there’s the option to wear a buoyancy aid. Start with a taster session, see if you like your harbourside adventure and then, if you get bitten by the SUP bug, you can then attend the regular morning and evening sessions, or try SUP yoga!

• A 1.5 hour taster session costs from £25.00 and takes place on Mondays and Thursdays at 6.30pm. A 2.5 hour harbourside adventure costs from £35.00 and takes place on Saturdays at 11am and 4pm. Book online at supbristol.com

Yoga fans might fancy taking their preferred activity to the next level – literally – with an aerial yoga session at the Pink Kitten Dance School in Montpelier. Using a suspended fabric sling, you’ll be able to improve your flexibility and strength and get super bendy via really deep stretches. There’s also the opportunity to learn tricks in the sling, from simple flips to spins and swings, and put these together into fun aerial dance routines. Start with the beginner’s class, and then graduate onto the advanced class for deeper and harder stretches.

• A four-week course costs £40 and can be booked at pinkkittendanceschool.com Hang out to get fit

Hooping mad Nope, hula hoops are not just toys for children -- they’re definitely for adults, too! If getting your spin on sounds like fun, Cat Hoops runs weekly classes over in Totterdown. You’ll begin in the starter/improver class, where Cat will teach you the basic moves using full-sized hula hoops, before learning the more complex moves, step by step. You can then graduate onto the intermediate/advanced class, where you’ll learn more fancy tricks and how to incorporate these into routines. While the emphasis in Cat’s classes is on fun, you’ll certainly find that you’re improving your fitness on the side. As an adult hoop is considerably heavier than the one you’ll have used as a child, this is a great workout for your core, and should improve your flexibility too.

• Cat Hoops runs classes at the Holy Nativity Church Hall, Wells Road, Totterdown on Thursday evenings. Classes are sold in blocks of six and cost £48. They must be booked in advance at cathoops.co.uk

Roll up, roll up...

You may know that Bristol has its very own circus school, but did you know that it also runs evening classes for adults in aerial arts? Taking place across Circomedia’s two sites in St Paul’s and Kingswood is a smorgasbord of airborne classes, including static trapeze, silks, rope, hoop and, of course, the one that immediately springs to mind when thinking of the circus, flying trapeze. Circomedia has one of the UK’s only full-size flying trapeze rigs, and the18th-century church of St Paul’s provides an amazing backdrop as you swing through the air! While a background in climbing or gymnastics can help, aerial really is suitable for anyone, regardless of age or fitness level. Not

Time to burn...

Not for the faint hearted, bootcamp fitness classes have been a popular outdoor exercise choice for some years now. Bristol Bootcamp Company holds early morning classes across the city including Greville Smyth Park in Bedminster, Clifton Downs and Page Park in Mangotsfield. Sessions last for 45 minutes and are aimed at all levels of fitness. The activities change frequently to keep you on your toes, and comprise a mix of bodyweight

Fancy a Saturday spent bobbing round the harbour?

Feel the burn with an alfresco bootcamp in Greville Smyth Park, Clifton Downs or Page Park

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FITNESS

Perhaps try indoor bouldering – you’ll find your fitness levels reach new heights... exercises with various equipment such as kettlebells, medicine balls and boxing gloves and pads. If you’re not an early bird, then there are also evening sessions on offer, and you can mix and match the two to suit your schedule. To give you a taste of what it can do for your fitness, Bristol Bootcamp Company offers a free trial for all newcomers.

• View the full schedule of classes at bristolbootcampcompany.co.uk.

Sessions cost £5 and are booked in advance – minimum of six sessions.

Reach new heights

selection of routes, allowing you to move from the easiest beginner ones to those that require you to hang by your very fingertips! All three have excellent cafes too, for the obligatory cake and coffee post-climb. And of course, if you find that you love bouldering indoors, then there’s always the option to take it outdoors and enjoy the sunshine.

• Visit blocclimbing.co.uk, redpointbristol.co.uk and theclimbingacademy.com for more details on each centre. An unlimited bouldering session costs between £6 and £8.50 depending on the time and centre, with no need to book.

Indoor bouldering is a form of rock climbing that’s done without ropes, removing the need for harnesses and belaying. Sessions take place in indoor centres on climbing walls set with a variety of routes, with a huge padded floor for safety. Equipment required is minimal – all you need is a pair of special climbing shoes, which can be rented from the centre. Beginners will need to take part in a short induction session, and once signed off, be able to explore routes to their heart’s content. Bouldering quickly builds on the major fitness elements, and is also a good mental workout as you negotiate the best route up to the top. We’re spoilt for choice in Bristol, with three climbing centres offering bouldering – Bloc in St Werburgh’s, Redpoint in Bedminster and The Climbing Academy in St Philips. You’ll find a huge

Improve your strength and stamina at Circomedia while looking super elegant – well, eventually!

Airhop also has dodgeball courts, foam pit lanes and a Total Wipeout zone

Jump for joy An hour’s trampolining can burn up to 1,000 calories – and is a lot more fun than an hour in the gym! It’s also a fab low-impact activity that helps strengthen your middle and improve your balance, and it gives you a good cardio workout. And let’s face it, bouncing up and down is sure to put a smile on your face and reduce stress levels. Bristol is the new hotspot for trampolining, with two trampolining parks recently opening. Airhop in Patchway has a main court with over 135 wall to wall trampolines, plus dodgeball courts, foam pit lanes and a Total Wipeout zone. Freedog in Totterdown has a huge open-plan main court and features a special underfives section for toddlers, so little ones can also join in the fun.

• An hour of jump time costs £10 at both centres and needs to be booked in advance. Visit airhop-bristol.co.uk and freedog.com/bristol for more infomation. ■ 64 THE BRISTOL MAGAZINE

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CITY | BEAUTY

Hand luggage

HEROES MARIO BADESCU FACIAL SPRAY, £11 A refreshing, hydrating mist to use anywhere, anytime, this facial spray with aloe is simply formulated with fragrant herbal extracts and rosewater for a pleasant, pick-me-up for dehydrated, tight, uncomfortable skin

MOROCCAN OIL TRAVEL LUXURIES SET, £39 Argan oil-infused products giving skin, hands and hair abundant nourishment and maximum moisture replenishment

Harvey Nichols Bristol beauty manager Emma Hollingworth packs us a bag full of the travel-sized products she can’t live without, whether it’s an exciting city break or an exotic long-haul destination on the agenda

DR. PAWPAW ORIGINAL BALM, £6.95 The only British-made, multi-purpose miracle balm to contain the hero ingredient pawpaw along with olive oil and aloe vera oil – smooth and longlasting

All products available from Harvey Nichols Bristol or harveynichols.com via the collect in-store service MASKERAIDE ALL NIGHTER FACIAL SHEET MASK, £5

PINCH PROVISIONS MINI EMERGENCY KIT, £16

Cut to contour your face and soaked in skin-purifying oils, this should be applied to freshly cleansed skin to awaken, refresh and replenish the complexion

With 17 beauty, personal care and style essentials, this saffiano-style pouch contains everything a girl-on-the-go needs

DUFFY KNITTED COTTON BLEND TRAVEL SET, £290 With a matching travel pouch, Duffy’s luxurious two-piece is the perfect travel outfit whatever the destination

SHOW BEAUTY MINI DRY SHAMPOO, £16

OLEHENRIKSEN GREASE RELIEF CLEANSING CLOTHS, £13

This revitalising dry shampoo maintains an alluring finish that feels beautifully fresh, day and night, and provides a whole lot of volume!

These uniquely textured cloths work on normal, oily and combination skin to refine and exfoliate. They use grape, sugar cane and grapefruit extract to lift away dead, dull skin cells and refine pores

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THIS WORKS IN TRANSIT SPRAY-ON MOISTURE, £18 This daily replenishing hydrator provides instant relief from environmental stresses to leave skin calm, smooth and healthy. Using a Bio-Boost blend of plant oils and sea minerals, it restores skin balance while organic aloe vera water provides relief from irritation

HOLISTIC SILK BLOSSOM EYE MASK, £48 You’re going to want a bit of shut-eye on the journey if you can get it, and this fine silk and velvet mask, filled with soothing lavender, is perfect

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A HEALTHY CAREER CHOICE “Re-training as a Naturopathic Acupuncturist enabled me to overcome my own health problems.

It has also given me a career which is rewarding both personally and financially.”

Amanda Banks, Graduate of CNM (College of Naturopathic Medicine).

I

suffered persistent bouts of painful Interstitial Cystitis along with gut problems for years. Western medicine was unable to give me any answers, despite extensive testing.

In a quest to resolve my health issues I tried many different things, including sporadic sessions of acupuncture, which I’d found really helpful but I felt it could do more. I instinctively knew there was another piece to the jigsaw. My own research eventually led to an improvement in my gut health, though at one stage my weight plummeted as my diet became so limited that I was eating only 6 foods. I desperately needed to learn more as the Western medicine I was being offered was not helping.

My research led me to CNM, where I could train as an Acupuncturist and a Naturopath combined, the extra piece of the jigsaw I was looking for.

The naturopathic approach combines a number of other therapies which alongside acupuncture can help to resolve long-standing issues. I gained important knowledge and tools, which as a practitioner I use to re-educate patients on diet and lifestyle choices. My aim is to uncover and address the root cause of health issues, treating the whole person mind, body and spirit. Acupuncturists believe that we all have meridians or channels within the body and disease or illness occurs when these meridians are out of kilter.

Inserting the acupuncture needles at appropriate points along these

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meridians brings them back into balance and hence stimulates the body’s natural healing process.

My CNM training was a huge turning point both personally and physically. The course pushed me way out of my comfort zone, with essays to be written and exams to be passed, but the knowledge I was gaining allowed me to improve my own health. We had a very close study group and under the guided supervision of the lecturers we treated each other; in turn we started to notice changes/improvements as we began to understand more about our individual cases. The course requires hundreds of hours of clinical practice, and a very busy student clinic facilitated a huge amount of hands-on experience with a wide range of health issues.

Having graduated I set up clinic and within the first 6 months I was seeing about 20 clients a week and a year later, approximately 35 clients a week. The combination of Naturopathy and Acupuncture has proved to be an excellent selling point for me and enabled me to build a good reputation, particularly in the area of supporting people with Interstitial Cystitis.

I am convinced that the results I see in clinic are due to the excellent teaching staff at CNM and the fact that with naturopathy you can educate your patients on how to improve their conditions/diseases outside the clinic.

The investment I made to study has given me a wonderful career, the flexibility of being my own boss, job satisfaction, and it’s financially beneficial. I feel privileged, and I’m so passionate about the benefits of Acupuncture that I also want to pass on my knowledge. So I’ve now chosen to cut back on my clinical hours so I can fit in teaching other student practitioners looking to start their wonderful new careers.

CNM is the UK’s leading training provider in a range of natural therapies.

Attend a FREE Open Evening to find out about part time training with CNM Bristol for a career in Geoff Don Naturopathic Nutrition or Naturopathic Acupuncture.

16th July, 7pm-9pm Please book your place on line, or find out about studying with CNM at

www.naturopathy-uk.com 01342 410 505

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Let’s talk about knee arthritis If you are suffering from knee pain, help is at hand. Consultant Orthopaedic Surgeon Mr Jonathan Webb from Nuffield Health Bristol Hospital, The Chesterfield, discusses knee arthritis, including its main symptoms and when it’s time to see a Consultant.

W

hen people talk about knee arthritis they are usually referring to osteoarthritis or ‘wear and tear’ damage to the knee. Arthritis of the knee is also a term used for some less common painful inflammatory diseases of the joint, such as rheumatoid arthritis. The underlying process in knee osteoarthritis, which may eventually cause severe pain, is of damage and complete wearing out of the articular cartilage (joint surface) in any part of the knee joint. This results in bone grinding on bone in the knee, which is a painful and disabling condition.

Knee osteoarthritis may occur without a previous injury, but sometimes it comes on gradually after an initial injury to the joint surface, and it is well known that having a torn meniscus cartilage increases the risk of developing knee osteoarthritis later in life.

Symptoms of knee osteoarthritis The predominant symptom of knee osteoarthritis is pain. This can be a relatively mild background ache in the knee, which might interfere with sporting activities or a long walk, right up to constant severe disabling pain which makes walking very difficult or impossible. Pain may also be so severe that sleep can be disturbed and there is pain at rest. The normal activities of daily living may become difficult to perform. Sometimes, because of the roughening and fragmentation of the knee joint surface, there may also be catching, clicking, clunking or similar symptoms. Swelling of the knee joint is often seen. In severe cases the shape of the knee may change.

Treatment of knee osteoarthritis If you have osteoarthritis of the knee you may well have had some form of treatment before coming to see a knee surgeon. These non-surgical treatments include simple pain killers, anti-inflammatory tablets, injections of cortisone or other substances, advice about weight loss, modification of activities and physiotherapy.

If there is a diagnosis of early arthritis or you are relatively young, it may be possible to realign your leg (osteotomy) to offload the damaged part of your knee. This can dramatically reduce your symptoms as well as prolonging the lifespan of your knee. If there are symptoms of mechanical locking in the knee, or stiffness, then keyhole surgery, arthroscopy, of the knee may improve this.

However, knee arthroscopy treatment cannot reverse the arthritis damage. Eventually the decision might be made between yourself and your surgeon, that the pain has reached the point where the only option is a knee replacement (knee arthroplasty).

Mr Jonathan Webb at Nuffield Health Bristol Hospital, The Chesterfield has a well-proven track record of long term success. To learn more or to book a consultation please visit nuffieldhealth.com/consultants/mr-jonathan-webb or call us on 0117 405 8978.

Nuffield Health Bristol Hospital The Chesterfield, 3 Clifton Hill, Clifton, Bristol BS8 1BN

Mr Webb specialises in knee surgery and sports medicine. He has a particular interest in arthroscopic (keyhole) surgery and reconstruction of knee ligament injuries. He undertook a Fellowship at the North Sydney Orthopaedic and Sports Medicine Centre in Australia. This is a prestigious unit treating National and International athletes from across Australia as well as providing the medical staff in charge of running the Sydney 2000 Olympics.

He successfully combined his medical training with a first class rugby career, playing for Bristol and Bath Rugby Clubs. He played 33 times for England, winning two Five Nations Grand Slams and reaching the Rugby World Cup Final in 1991. His empathy combined with the latest techniques in orthopaedic surgery for the knee has already helped treat national and international athletes from a variety of sports.

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WALK | THE WALK

GET OUT! Andrew Swift enjoys a summery saunter around sunny Nunney – a charming old Somerset weavers’ village with a 14th-century moated castle ome places seem to have all the elements of a tourist honeypot – except for the tourists. Nunney, between Frome and Shepton Mallet, is one of those places. In 2007, it was named ‘the prettiest village in England’ in a BBC documentary, and time seems to have passed it by.

Nunney’s prosperity came from weaving – and if you cross the bridge from the old market square and turn left along Horn Street, past the old lock-up, you come to rows of old weavers’ cottages. Beyond them is Penny’s Mill – now offering bed and breakfast, but still with water roaring through the sluicegate beside it – and further on are grand houses built for the men who grew rich from the cloth made in their mills.

Heading in the other direction, past the George – Nunney’s sole surviving inn – you come to the church and the old cross.

Here the brook broadens to the width of a river – much appreciated by the local ducks, whose squabbling is likely to be the noisiest thing you will hear in this haunt of ancient peace.

There is one thing that makes Nunney really stand out.

Beside the brook, set down amid cottage gardens, with a farmyard at the back, is a moated castle. Unusually, it is not set on a rocky eminence, or even a grassy knoll, but occupies a site where you might reasonably expect to find a school or community centre. Yet, as Arthur Mee has written in his guide to Somerset, ‘there can hardly be a city which would not be proud of this castle.’

It was built in the 1370s by Sir John de la Mere, who was so impressed by the castles he saw in France while fighting in the Hundred Years War that, when he returned home, he decided to build one himself. You can still see Sir John’s effigy – along with those of several of his descendants – in the church.

After being modernised in the late 16th century, the castle fell victim to Cromwell’s troops in the Civil War and the interior was gutted. A cannon ball also shattered part of the north wall

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which, after standing for over 250 years, collapsed into the moat in 1910. The rest of the walls, however, along with the towers at each corner, are still largely intact, and, over 600 years after it was built, the castle looms over the village like an enormous child’s fort.

The castle is the climax of a short but delightful walk along Nunney Combe to the village of Whatley. Although it may be muddy in places – and there is one section along a narrow ledge with tree roots to trip the unwary – it is ideal not only for adventurous children, but also for dogs, and there are plenty of places to stop for a quick paddle or leisurely picnic. There is also a café near the castle, and teas are served in Nunney church on summer weekends. And, for a full day’s outing, you could combine a visit to Nunney with a trip behind a steam engine on the East Somerset Railway, five miles to the east.

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...In 2007 it was named ‘the prettiest village in England’...

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Directions ● Nunney is half a mile north of Nunney Catch roundabout, on the A361 between Frome and Shepton Mallet. ● When you reach the village square, turn left across a bridge (following a sign for Mells and Shepton Mallet). After 150 metres, just after leaving the 30mph zone, turn right into a car park (ST735457). ● On leaving the car, go through a gate into the old quarry and turn right. After 50 metres, turn left along a narrow footpath. After going through a kissing gate (KG), carry on along a path between high hedges. After another KG, follow a well-worn track diagonally to the right, across a field.

This leads to a ford across the brook, guarded by tortoises and a duck, with a crocodile on the far bank – all fashioned from wood (ST736462). Go through a handgate to the left of the ford, and, after crossing a bridge, turn left through a meadow with horse jumps.

Image above: The castle was built by Sir John de la Mere – great name – who wanted to replicate the castles he’d seen while fighting in France in the Hundred Years War

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WALK | THE WALK

This page: The ford across Nunney Brook

● At the end of the meadow, carry on along the muddy track.

The combe narrows dramatically before broadening out again.

When you come to a parting of the ways, turn left across a bridge by an old sluice gate, before turning right to carry on along the left bank of the brook. The path slowly narrows, winding along a slim ledge before crossing a boardwalk made from concrete sleepers. ● A bridge, through which the brook runs in a narrow culvert, marks the end of Nunney Combe (ST743472). Beyond it, the brook runs through fields with no public access, and, while there is a choice of ways back to Nunney, they lie either through fields grazed by cattle or along roads. A better option is to turn round and retrace your steps along one of Somerset’s most scenic hidden combes. ● After walking through the horse-jump meadow, do not turn right across the brook, however, but go straight on. Go through a KG and head along a drive between manicured lawns. Carry on past a high wall which once surrounded Nunney Edge Tool Works, established alongside the brook in the late 18th century. A little further on, you can glimpse the back of Nunney Court, built by the Fussell family, which owned the works. ● At the T junction by Fulwell House, turn right. After passing the church and the village cross, go right across a footbridge into the castle grounds. As you turn right around the moat, look over the wall to see old farm buildings, including a 15thcentury tithe barn. A bridge across the moat leads into the castle, entry to which is free. You can still make out where the great hall, kitchens and private quarters were, along with the remains of a spiral staircase and the chutes which served as toilets. ● When you leave the castle, head west along Castle Street, at the end of which is the Castle Kitchen café. From here, turn right up the road and right again through a gate onto a footpath leading back to the car park. n

At a glance...

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Distance & time: 3 miles, 1.5 to 2 hours

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Level: No stiles and, despite occasional fallen trees and narrow paths, suitable for all but the smallest children. It may be muddy in parts, however, and is unsuitable for pushchairs.

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Castle Kitchen, open daily to 5pm (4pm on Sundays).

George Inn, food served all day. Both welcome wellbehaved children and dogs.

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Map: OS Explorer 142

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SPECIAL | HOME OFFICE

DITCH THE COMMUTE! Sometimes known as the ‘shoffice’ (shed + office), a garden office or studio is the perfect solution for those wishing to work from home. Here Poppy Squire, at local garden buildings specialists Garden Affairs, offers tips on how to achieve a better work/life balance

Opposite, clockwise from top: Garden Affairs’ versatile Emily log cabin; the ideal spot for quiet, inspired thinking; a mini garden office; a flat-roofed garden studio under 2.5 metres high is space saving and conforms to the latest planning regulations; style your interior in your own bespoke style – how many times in your life do you get a space just for you?

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any of us have had those weeks at work: five or six 12-hour days on the trot, pushing to meet that deadline, and plenty regularly work well over the average eight hours a day, with long and punishing commutes at either end. The UK has one of the longest average working weeks in Europe at nearly 43 hours, and it isn’t healthy: NHS Choices says we lose 131 million working days to sickness and injury every year and stress is the number one cause, followed by back pain. A 13-year University of Massachusetts study in 2005 found a steadily rising risk of workplace injury with amount of overtime worked. Bad enough, but now a UCL study claims a working week of more than 55 hours increases our risk of stroke by 33% and of coronary heart disease by 13%. Should we be pausing to think about this?

Probably. Most of us need to work, but if long, sedentary hours in the office mean that we’re living with daily stress, perhaps a poorer diet and not enough exercise, we could be risking more than a few days off with a bad back... The ‘shoffice’ could be the answer to many workaday problems: commuting, home clutter, city centre noise, distractions and that colleague with the slightly irritating habit... Here are five golden rules to help you create the perfect workspace at home and ensure you get the very best from home working.

Rule 1 A garden office means less hassle – but think through your options. It’s so much quicker to have a garden office installed in your garden than extend your home, and you can usually do it without needing planning permission (but do check). Think about all the things you want from your garden office – considering factors like size, design, specification, heating, utilities, built-in storage – your decisions depend on your budget and what you need, now and in the future. It also has to fit in with your garden, and enhance the view from your house. Visit a display centre to see the quality of a building for yourself and be wary of buying cheaply, going by a picture on the internet. It’s a good idea to check the quality of the timber, plus the doors and windows before you buy.

Rule 2 A garden office means no commute – so plan to use your time effectively. Not spending two hours a day in traffic or on the train is always going to be a winner, but think about how you use that time instead. You might choose to work more hours in the morning or evening, if that’s when you’re most effective, and take a break when your eyes and brain need it. Few of us would choose a run to the bus to keep fit, but working from the garden might limit the exercise we take as part of our daily routine, so use your extra time to do active things you do enjoy, like gardening, or taking the dog out. “I decided to book a daytime exercise class and treat it as an appointment that I couldn’t miss,” one of our customers told us. “I might as well make the most of working flexibly, and I want to make sure I don’t get lazy!”

You could spend the hours you’ve gained on work, or other tasks in the home or garden; being with family; or enjoying a hobby.

A garden office means you’re separating work and home, which is better for everyone. At Garden Affairs we can assist at the design stage and advise on the best use of space to maximise this advantage. Being close to family is great, but you will need to establish some basic ground rules, like only being called on in an emergency during working hours, having no small children in the office, and finishing work to re-join the family at a reasonable hour. “When I’m working, I’m working, and when I’m being dad, I’m being dad,” said one business consultant who has a Garden Affairs office in a courtyard garden and has found it’s made both working and parenting easier. “Lock the door, walk away, it makes it so easy."

Rule 4 A garden office is quiet – but you don’t need to be isolated.

Making the move from a busy workplace to home-based working is often a welcome break. No more interruptions, office politics, catching colds from the air conditioning. Still, plan for times when you get to meet people you like. There are bound to be friends nearby who’d also enjoy meeting up, or you might prefer connecting with local business networks, social media meet-ups or community organisations to bounce ideas around and even spot new work opportunities. Then when you’ve had enough of your fellow man, you can come back to the welcoming workspace in your garden and carry on in the peace and quiet!

Rule 5 A garden office is yours – so don’t compromise! How many times in your life do you get to design your very own space, just to meet your own specifications? For most of us, it’s a rare opportunity to stamp a bit of personality on a room which will also help us be efficient and enjoy our work. Even on a tight budget you can create a garden office that says something about you, be it zen minimalist, shabby chic, quirky or practical, sleek or traditional.

Yes, you’ll need deskspace, lighting, seating and storage, but they come in every style and shape. The pictures on the walls and inspirational objets d’art are all about the busy worker who’s looking at them. You’re going to be spending a lot of time in this bespoke space, it’s a place to express yourself. Keep these rules in mind and look forward to happy and productive times in your own beautiful, tranquil oasis... gardenaffairs.co.uk ■

Rule 3 Your garden workspace reduces conflict with home – but guard your space and time. Anyone who has worked in a back bedroom or at the dining table knows it’s near impossible to fit work and home into the same space and preserve sanity! It’s hard to keep things tidy, and it’s tricky to leave work behind for the evening.

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GARDENING

WHITE OUT Like the sound of summer afternoons spent sitting among bright, fragrant blooms in striking ivory hues?

Margaux Speirs offers up her tips for creating your own white garden

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n the heat of a summer’s day, a well-planned garden should, of course, offer a cool, shady place to settle down for the afternoon. However, clever use of colour in planting can also have the effect of making us feel hotter or cooler, and many garden designers will plan for silvery leaves and white and blue flowers (i.e. cool colours) to dominate a garden in July. White blooms, especially larger flower heads, also look luminous in low light, which is another useful attribute in summer when we are more likely to be using our gardens in the evenings. If they’re scented, all the better – especially in the evening when floral scents are often more noticeable.

The most stunning white garden to visit is at the National Trust-owned Sissinghurst Castle in Kent, created by Vita Sackville-West in the 1930s. There, the emphasis is on white flowers and silvery foliage all year, whereas for most smaller urban gardens, I think it is unnecessarily restrictive to tie oneself to white in every season, particularly as the year moves in to autumn and nature gives us a show of hot colours in the dying foliage. But a summer white garden can be very elegant, with no clashing colours and a freshness and purity that makes you want to spend time in it. Even if you just create a white garden near your seating area, I think you will surprise yourself by how much pleasure it gives you and your guests to the garden. Hiding two or three discreet solar lights in the border will also increase the luminosity of the surrounding pale petals in the evening.

So, with achieving a white flowering garden in mind, here are a few design suggestions. Plan from largest to smallest plants; include some evergreens and shrubs so there is a permanent structure as well as more ‘frothy’ perennials, bulbs or annuals, and have some dense ground cover at the front edges to suppress weeds and to edge the path or terrace. Including plants with variegated leaves, such as hostas and cornus (with silvery white rather than yellow edges) enhances the white theme.

For the canopy (assuming you don’t have room for a huge, magnificent tulip tree) clerodendron trichotomum variant fargesii is an unusual shrub which grows vigorously and eventually into 76 THE BRISTOL MAGAZINE

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a small tree, about 20 feet tall and broad. In July, heads of pink buds open into balls of small, white, star-shaped flowers which are very fragrant. Later on, these become bright blue berries with maroon leaves, so it has more than one good season of interest and it also has the RHS Award of Garden Merit. It needs fertile, well-drained soil in full sun, and ideally in a sheltered spot such as in front of a sunny wall, because it may not be entirely hardy in cold areas.

For a white flowering wall climber, it’s hard to beat rosa ‘Climbing Iceberg’ which flowers continuously over a long period, bearing large, slightly scented flowers on almost thornless stems, and climbing to around 3 metres.

When you come to the next tier of tall shrubs, the silverygreen leaves of elaeaganus ‘Quicksilver’ are a good addition, especially when planted alongside a darker-leaved shrub such as deutzia setchuenensis var corymbiflora, whose narrow leaves are a dark greyish green in colour and which bears clusters of long lasting, star-like white flowers.

If your garden does not dry out in summer, then hydrangeas are enduring performers, flowering from mid-summer to early autumn. ‘Annabelle’ is a very popular variety, with large, round, creamy white flower heads (1.5m tall) and the taller hydrangea paniculata floribunda (at least 3 metres tall) is also lovely in a white garden, whether in sun or partial shade.

For small shrubs (circa 75 cm to 1 metre tall), cistus (rock rose) is drought tolerant and evergreen and the variety C. x dansereaui bears white, yellow-centred flowers for many weeks over the summer months. For silver foliage, convolvulus cneorum has masses of funnel-shaped shining white blooms in early and mid-summer and pretty silvery-green lance-shaped evergreen leaves. For a slightly moister garden or in partial shade, hebe rakiensis is a similar shape and size, also evergreen and bears white flowers from early to mid-summer.

If you fancy some airy spires of white (grouped in threes or more, between your shrubs), choose white lupin or delphinium ‘Sandpiper’. (But be aware, these are loved by slugs and snails!)

There is also a delightful summer flowering bulb in the gladiolus

Image above: We love the idea of an all-white garden space for summer.

Plan from largest to smallest plants and include some evergreens and shrubs so there is a permanent structure

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family – G. murielae – which is incredibly good value at about £15 for 100 bulbs, with a heady scent and long-lasting flowers, starting in July and lasting into autumn (though you need to buy and plant it in the spring).

I always like a few daisy-like flowers too – cosmos (annual – ‘Sonata White’), anemone x hybrida ‘Honorine Jobert’ and argyranthemum ‘Starlight’ are all lovely, as are the later flowering echinacea purpurea ‘White Swan’ or ‘White Lustre’. Again, these are best planted in small groups and not singly, otherwise their effect is lost somewhat.

For ground cover, the furry-leaved stachys byzantina 'Silver Carpet' quickly forms an evergreen blanket along the border edge.

(Some varieties do not bear flowers; I actually quite like the purplish pink flowers which develop in summer, but if you are looking to create an exclusively white garden then avoid the flowering varieties.) Alternatively, for a more shaggy carpeting perennial, pick erigeron karvinskianus – whose flowers feature outer petals that start white then mature to pink or purple.

Of course, you’ll also want a lovely aroma – I recommend phlox paniculata cultivars which come in lots of shapes and sizes and blooms throughout summer, into autumn. Choose an RHS awardwinning variety such as ‘Mount Fuji’. Alternatively, there are several white-coloured pinks (!) such as dianthus 'Haytor White' which is highly scented. However, I think the pleasure in garden scent, as with pleasure in any perfume, is fairly subjective, so the best way to choose plants is probably to walk around the nursery and sniff them out yourself. Tobacco plant nicotiana is a wide genus including annuals, perennials and even shrubs but the most highly scented is nicotiana alata 'Grandiflora', a half hardy annual which is moth pollinated so it sends out its fragrance in the evenings and night time when the moths are around. Definitely one to include near a terrace or on a balcony used for summery evening dining – delightful! n Margaux Speirs is a pre-registered member of the Society of Garden Designers and runs her business, Margaux Speirs Garden Design, from her home in Bristol. For further information, tel: 07903 779910 visit: margauxspeirsgardendesign.co.uk

PLANT OF THE MONTH: While we’re on the subject of scented white July-flowering plants, there is a lovely dwarf shrub which flowers its heart out in June and July – philadelphus 'Manteau d'Hermine' (mock orange). It is easy to grow, in any well-drained, fairly fertile soil in full sun or in partial shade. It’s bushy and compact with arching branches and it smells absolutely wonderful. Unlike many varieties of philadelphus, which can get very big, it only grows to about 1 metre tall by 1.5m across, so it is also well suited to a smaller garden.

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BRISTOL | PROPERTY

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his outstanding Grade II listed period townhouse is situated at the heart of Clifton Village and has spectacular views of the suspension Bridge. The property has been enhanced and beautifully maintained by the current owners and it is a particularly sunny, light filled home. On the ground floor the superb open kitchen and dining room has hardwood oak flooring and sash windows with working shutters. The kitchen itself has Scandinavian designed units and a full range of quality integrated appliances. The first floor features an elegant dining room with a full width balcony from which to enjoy those iconic views. This room links through folding doors to a separate library. The second and third floors offer four well proportions double bedrooms, filled with natural light with the front aspect overlooking the Bridge and Christchurch Green. The bedrooms are serviced by tow family bathrooms. The lower ground floor is currently being used mainly for storage but with a utility room, WC and three further rooms, it does provide options for further living or office space. At the rear of the house there is a courtyard garden and on the second floor mezzanine level there is a delightful sun terrace with panoramic views over the Somerset hills. This quintessentially ‘Clifton’ property is available to view by appointment with agents Knight Frank.

Knight Frank, Regent House, 27A Regent Street, Clifton, Bristol. Tel: 0117 317 1999

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14 SION HILL CLIFTON • Quintessentially Clifton • Views of the Suspension Bridge from full width balcony • Four bedrooms • Two bathrooms • Ground floor additional living/office space

Guide price £1,250,000

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BRISTOL | PROPERTY

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NEW INSTRUCTION

Bitton | Bristol

Guide Price ÂŁ1,350,000

An exciting opportunity to acquire a four bedroom house in the most beautiful of settings in Bitton. Sitting within circa 18 acres of land with a natural spring fed lake and stables, the lifestyle opportunity Little Normead Farm presents is truly special.

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COMING SOON

Banwell | Somerset

Guide Price ÂŁ995,000

An exceptional family home (of circa 4000 sq ft) with an abundance of accommodation and private, fully enclosed gardens, situated on the edge of The Mendips. Entrance hall, drawing room, dining room, sitting room. Family kitchen. Breakfast room. Cloak room & cellars. Five double bedrooms. Five bathrooms (four en-suite). Double garage & summer house. Private, fully enclosed gardens. Driveway and generous OSP. EPC Rating: E

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www.maggsandallen.co.uk

0117 973 4940

Property Consultants

22 Richmond Hill, Clifton, Bristol, BS8 1BA

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Bristol & Clifton’s premier Commercial Property Agents Keep up-to-date with our latest news and market comments at our website: www.burstoncook.co.uk

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PRIME CLIFTON OFFICES

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Andrews - Bristol - July.qxp_Layout 3 22/06/2016 10:18 Page 1

Clifton Redland Road, Redland, BS6 6YT ÂŁ450,000

Bishopston Longfield Road, BS7 9AG OIEO ÂŁ500,000

Bishopston

An exceptionally light and spacious first floor apartment measuring 1259 sq ft comprising two double bedrooms (1 with en suite), study/bedroom 3, a feature bay-windowed living room measuring 21ft x 16ft with double doors to large kitchen/dining room measuring 17ft x 12ft. Large sash windows, high ceilings and spacious rooms throughout. Allocated off street parking. Situated in the leafy fringes of the Downs, very convenient for Whiteladies Road, Blackboy Hill and Clifton Village. Energy Efficiency Rating: D

Situated in a popular road just moments from St Andrews park is this well loved three bedroom family house offering bay fronted living room with fireplace and stained glass windows, dining room with French doors leading to a beautifully landscaped rear garden providing a lovely place to sit and admire the planting. Modern kitchen fitted in 2015, utility room and cloakroom. Modern first floor bathroom. Energy Efficiency Rating: D

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Westbury-on-Trym A fine family home with an abundance of charm and character. This six bedroom semi-detached Victorian property offers substantial accommodation over three floors. Whilst in need of some refurbishment this Southfield Road, 1900’s home is a rare opportunity to create something remarkably special. Energy Efficiency Rating: E Bristol, BS9 3BH £900,000

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Situated on a plot measuring over half an acre backing onto open farm land is this charming detached cottage. If you enjoy the outdoors or are looking for somewhere you can enjoy the 'good life', then the gardens of this lovely home will not disappoint. Energy Efficiency Rating: E

Westbury-on-Trym Yate

Clifton t: 0117 923 8238 (sales) t: 0117 946 6588 (lettings) clifton@cjhole.co.uk

www.cjhole.com Summer. It’s the season for roofers, window restorers and gardeners. If you’re considering a move there are lots of things to take into account, not least the condition of your property. It’s widely acknowledged that you don’t invest ‘lots’ of money before a sale but you certainly ensure your home looks its best. Unless you’re selling a property in need of serious work, pay some attention to the garden, clear paths, clear rubbish and make sure all the rooms are clean, tidy, clutter free and well-aired. This may sound like ‘teaching your grandmother how

to suck eggs’ but you would be astonished how many people don’t do it, and just how much difference it makes. Ask any social psychologist, first impressions really do count. If you would like advice on how to best present your property for sale or let, we’d be delighted to help. Just call the CJ Hole Clifton team on 0117 938 8238.

Howard Davis M.N.A.E.A Managing Director - CJ Hole Clifton

STOKE BISHOP Guide Price £750,000 A detached 1930’s built family house situated in an attractive cul-de-sac location. The house requires some areas of modernising, however it offers a bright spacious interior. A driveway leads to the front of the house opening to a wider parking area and has two detached garages, it has well stocked gardens offering a rich variety of plants, shrubs and small trees. The rear garden is mainly laid to lawn and enjoys most of the day’s sunshine.

EPC D

PILL £425,000 Located at the end of a quiet cul-de-sac is this lovely spacious detached bungalow. Local shops are just at the bottom of the road and there are good road links in to Bristol and the M5 motorway. To the front of the property is a generous driveway allowing parking for several cars with a garage at the end. The property offers: spacious lounge with windows on three sides, separate kitchen/breakfast room, four bedrooms, family bathroom and en-suite shower room.

EPC D

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Henleaze

Henleaze

Westbury-on-Trym

A substantial three storey 1920’s family home with five bedrooms and four receptions. The property offers welcoming central reception hallway, stairwell and landings, master bedroom measuring 8m in length with fivepiece suite bathroom. Office, conservatory, kitchen leading to south facing garden measuring 16m backing onto the gardens of Grange Park and ample parking. EPC D.

A substantial three storey period family home with five bedrooms, two bathrooms (one ensuite), two receptions with period fireplaces; one with French doors to bay leading to garden, kitchen/diner with granite worktops and atrium style skylight to roofline. The property further benefits from many period features and is in good decorative order throughout. EPC E.

A significantly extended and renovated family home offering four bedrooms with ensuite to master bedroom, three receptions; living room with bay and contemporary fireplace, dining room with patio doors to garden and playroom also with French doors to garden, recently installed modern kitchen and spacious family bathroom. Secure garage and off street parking. EPC C.

Guide £875,000

Guide £675,000

£565,000

Westbury-on-Trym

Stoke Bishop

Westbury-on-Trym

A superbly presented, substantial semi detached, five bedroom family home with a welcoming reception hallway, three individual reception rooms, built in John Lewis separate kitchen, utility and rear lobby, extensive loft, veranda and a 100ft + garden, integral extended garage and ample parking. Marketed with no onward chain. EPC D.

Superbly presented throughout, this natural five bedroom semi-detached family home has open plan kitchen/lounge/diner with two sets of bi-fold doors leading to a south easterly facing private garden. Modern kitchen/diner with granite worktops and island/breakfast bar, separate living room with period fireplace.

Ample garage and parking, family bathroom and separate shower room. EPC E.

A 1930’s detached, five bedroom family home with three individual receptions and spacious kitchen, a welcoming central hall and stairwell to first floor split landing with family bathroom. Practical rear, westerly facing garden and substantial driveway suitable for several vehicles. Positioned adjacent to Elmlea Infant and Junior School.

EPC E.

Guide £825,000

Guide £765,000

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Guide £750,000

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PROPERTY | FOCUS

Porch House, £950,000 Occupying a splendid position on the edge of the picturesque village of Wedmore – which itself enjoys an elevated setting above the Somerset Levels – is the Grade-II detached property Porch House. With wellappointed, flexible accommodation, it includes a charming, self-contained, single storey cottage with two bedrooms, as well as extensive parking; a lovely family kitchen, a drawing room with inglenook fireplace; and three further reception rooms; plus a games/TV room and party barn (yes, we did just say party barn).

Upstairs, there’s a master bedroom suite, four more bedrooms and three further bath/shower rooms, as well as a generous attic space ideal as a kids’ den. We also quite like the sound of the historic ‘porch room’ with its unique period features; and the surrounding gardens, which include an attractive loggia.

Heads up, house hunters! Here are three properties, each with their own charming offering, that we think are well worth checking out

Contact Fine & Country, 147 Whiteladies Road, Clifton, BS8 2QT 0117 973 3081; fineandcountry.com

Windsor Road, £795,000 This substantial six-bedroom home is ideally located on a sought-after residential street, just a very short walk from St Andrews Park and all the amenities of thriving, buzzy Gloucester Road. The spacious accommodation spans three floors, and beyond its entrance hallway, lays claim to a bayed lounge/dining room, breakfast room, kitchen and cloakroom – on the ground floor – as well as three spacious bedrooms on the first floor. The master bedroom comes complete with an en-suite bathroom, while the other bedrooms have the use of the main family bathroom. Finally, up on the top floor, find three pleasant additional bedrooms as well as period features that continue throughout the house. Head outside, and you’ll find that the property offers landscaped front and back gardens; the latter including a spacious lawn and patio area perfect for play, and also benefitting from a southerly aspect, ideal for afternoons of sun worship.

Contact CJ Hole, 203 Whiteladies Road, Clifton; 0117 9238238; cjhole.co.uk

8 Downfield Road, £1,650,000 We’re very keen on this impressive detached property between Whiteladies Road and Clifton Village, close to the open expanse of the Downs. Stone-built, number eight is a distinguished home with plenty of period charm, including intricate coving and shuttered sash windows, plus enclosed gardens, and a tandem garage offering secure parking or the possibility of a workshop.

Inside, it’s light and spacious, with its bay-windowed drawing room, adjoining dining room – a great place for entertaining – and an extra space that could constitute a potential second kitchen area, family room or additional reception room with access out to the rear garden. The lower ground floor has been enhanced by the current owners and features a study and stateof-the-art kitchen/breakfast room with garden views, abundant storage areas, a built-in wine fridge, central island and breakfast bar. Meanwhile, upstairs, are five well-proportioned bedrooms split across the first and second floors, with a bespoke bathroom servicing the first floor and a shower room for the second.

Contact Hamptons, 80 Queens Road, Clifton; 0117 3691316; hamptons.co.uk

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Richard Harding Chartered Surveyors • Estate Agents • Auctioneers • Valuers

REDLAND guide £1,250,000

An exquisite family home situated in a peaceful & convenient Redland location. Offering 5 double bedrooms (2 with en suite), 2 reception rooms and an enviable, large thro’ kitchen/dining room with bi-folding doors leading seamlessly out onto a level south facing 80ft rear garden. Further benefitting from off street parking for 2 cars. Situated in leafy Redland, a perfect location to explore all the city has to offer. Within just a few hundred metres of St Johns’ Primary School & Redland Green Park. EPC: D

A bright, welcoming & immaculately presented 4 bedroom (potentially 6 bedroom) detached family house with fabulous extended ground floor living space including an enviable kitchen/dining room with bi-folding doors accessing a large (130ft x 53ft) rear garden, ample off street parking & garage. Tastefully renovated by the current owners in recent years. Sociable well-arranged layout, tasteful fresh decor & abundant natural light. Planning approval granted for a generous loft conversion, if required. EPC: D

An elegant & inviting 4/5 bedroom (1 en suite) grade II listed period town house presented to an exceptionally high standard throughout with a fabulous 31ft x 17ft thro' kitchen/dining room leading out onto a 28ft x 17ft south westerly facing rear garden. Convenient & enviable location within a short level walk of the shops, restaurants & popular Saturday farmers market of Whiteladies Road, also within just a few hundred metres of Durdham Downs & opposite the well regarded St John's Primary School. EPC: E

CLIFTON guide £895,000

STOKE BISHOP guide £695,000

WESTBURY PARK guide £575,000

HENLEAZE £565,000

A bright and spacious 4 double bedroom (1 en suite), 2 reception room plus study Edwardian terraced family home with much retained character and a south westerly facing rear garden. Excellent location. Easy for the Downs, North View/Henleaze shops etc & Whiteladies Road. Within 1km of Redland Green School & 400m from Henleaze Junior School. A welcoming and surprisingly roomy period home in a great location for families.

EPC: D

Professional, Reliable, Successful

SNEYD PARK guide £1,095,000

A spacious & inviting 4 bedroom, 2 reception room 1930’s character home offering a fabulous extended kitchen/breakfast room with bi-folding doors leading out onto a level south easterly facing rear garden. Further benefiting from ample off street parking, a converted storage garage/utility & much more. Situated in a desirable Stoke Bishop location within circa 700 metres of Elmlea School and convenient for the local shops of Stoke Hill.

Also within easy reach of Stoke Lane/Westbury Village. EPC: D

A homely, welcoming & exceptionally well-located 3 bedroom, 2 reception room 1930’s semi-detached family home situated within a short level walk of Durdham Downs & the shops, cafes & amenities of Henleaze Road.

Further benefiting from a level rear garden, 2 off street parking spaces & a garage. Fabulous location within close proximity of excellent shops & facilities of Henleaze Road, also within a few hundred metres of Waitrose supermarket, the Orpheus cinema, Durdham Downs & bus connections to central areas. EPC: D

0117 946 6690 www.richardharding.co.uk 124 Whiteladies Road, Clifton, Bristol BS8 2RP

Westbury Park £425,000

Alma Vale Road – 2 bedroom flat

Clifton Office 0117 946 6007

Wonderfully bright and spacious first floor flat with fantastic views out over the. In summary, this well proportioned flat has been well maintained and is presented to a high standard. Outside to the rear is a sizable garage and private courtyard garden. EPC - D

Westbury-on-Trym £550,000

Westbury-on-Trym Office 0117 962 1973

Falcondale Road – 5 bedroom house A wonderful opportunity to purchase this sizeable family home that is offered to the market for the first time in almost a quarter of a century, located on Falcondale Road which offers convenience for the local village shops, bus routes and the nearby Canford Park.

EPC - TBC

oceanhome.co.uk

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Redland £415,000

Kellaway Avenue – 4 bedroom house Beautifully presented and newly renovated detached house with flexible layout and separate one bedroom annexe. Two en suite bedrooms including a master bedroom with a walk out balcony. Offering off street parking. This attractive property will suit a variety of buyers. Presented to the market in excellent decorative order throughout. EPC - D

Henbury £600,000

Passage Road – 4 bedroom house A charming and individual detached family home offering exceptionally flexible accommodation throughout. Entering through the gated access of the drive way, which enables parking for numerous vehicles, allows the first glimpses of the handsome exterior of this 1930s property. EPC - TBC

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Beyond your expectations www.hamptons.co.uk

Clifton The elegant, Grade II* listed Berkeley Crescent exudes an air of sophistication and classical Georgian charm. 4-5 bedrooms with gated parking, gardens, sun terrace and separate 2 bedroom flat, offering the potential for rental.

Guide Price £1,350,000 • • • • •

Grade II* listed Georgian townhouse Four/Five Bedrooms Separate two bedroom courtyard apartment Private courtyard garden Private gated parking.

Hamptons Bristol

Sales. 0117 322 6362 | bristol@hamptons-int.com

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Stoke Bishop

Clifton Village

A light and airy 3 bed converted apartment in the sought after Sneyd Park area. Occupying the first floor, this splendid apartment benefits from period detail intertwined with flexible living space. EPC: Exempt

The exclusive Grade II listed 10 St. Vincents Rocks is situated within its own private, gated development on the corner of West Mall and Caledonia Place in a prime Clifton Village location with secure allocated parking.

Clifton

Kingston Seymour

Occupying an elevated prestige position in the sought after York Gardens in Clifton Village, this opulent, versatile family home offers an array of characterful features in need of modernisation with off street parking for two cars. EPC: TBC

Occupying a tucked away position in the centre of the picturesque village of Kingston Seymour, this beautifully presented 5 bedroom family home offers exceptional light and space with an attached annexe, gated parking, garage and car port. EPC: D

Guide Price £435,000

Guide Price £900,000

Guide Price £400,000

EPC: Exempt

Guide Price £775,000

Hamptons Bristol

Sales. 0117 322 6362 | bristol@hamptons-int.com

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Almondsbury - Guide Price £950,000 Dating in parts from the Seventeenth century this detached five bedroom former farmhouse benefits from grounds extending to 1.4 acres, is situated in a small hamlet and has excellent communication links onto the motorway networks and back into Bristol. Believed to originally be the ‘Home Farm’ to ‘Over Court’ estate the house has an interesting history. Whilst it is a thoroughly modern house today a great deal of period character is retained with exposed beams, fireplaces and some mullion windows providing character. The current owners have been in occupation for over 30 years and have sensitively maintained the house adding an extension in the 1980’s that provides two of the bedrooms, bathroom and a lovely kitchen/breakfast room and adjoining utility that overlook the extensive gardens. We feel there is potential to further extend the house if desired. Externally the drive provides parking for numerous cars and access to the double garage, single garage and via double gates through to the garden. The house is offered with no onward chain. EPC - D

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Stoke Bishop - Guide Price £525,000

Stoke Bishop - Guide Price £539,950

This is 1930’s 4 Bedroom semi-detached family house, full of character neatly set back from the road and situated in a select cul-de-sac in the highly sought after Stoke Bishop district.

EPC - E

We are delighted to offer this particularly attractive 1930’s 3 bedroom semi-detached family house situated in this highly desirable part of Stoke Bishop with a distinctive village feel with shops, scout hut and village hall literally around the corner. EPC - E

Westbury-on-Trym - £325,000

Stoke Bishop - Guide Price £595,000

An extremely spacious two bedroom mid terrace house suitable for professional couples and smaller families situated on a popular modern development with convenient access to the city and motorway networks. The house has off street parking for two cars in front of the integral garage and path to the side to the front door. EPC - C

This is a quaint semi-detached Edwardian lodge house which will appeal to all those that are seeking something quite charming, yet a little different to the main stream properties in and around the surrounding area. EPC - D

Stoke Bishop - Guide Price £499,950

Westbury-on-Trym - Guide Price £550,000

A roomy extended 1930’s semi-detached house located on the lower slopes of the ever popular Stoke Bishop suburb. The property has been extended to the side to provide an additional double bedroom plus a very useful double length garage underneath. EPC - D

An attractive larger than average four bedroom 1920’s semi-detached house situated in a good sized plot conveniently situated within a few minutes’ walk of Westbury village. EPC - E

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