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THE
ISSUE 109
I
JULY 2013
BRISTOL THE MAGAZINE FOR THE CITY OF BRISTOL
MAGAZINE
www.thebristolmagazine.co.uk
£3.00 where sold
t i m oleashed r G Un DO THE T E OL WH
GS OUT?
THE MAN FROM
MULBERRY Roger Saul’s retail revolution FLOWER MILES
BUY BRITISH A home grown success story FESTIVAL FEVER
OUR GUIDE To summer in the city AND
O N T H E M A R K E T : B R I S T O L’ S F I N E S T P R O P E R T Y O N S H O W
SALE
Sofa Library July fp:Layout 1
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25% OFF ALL SOFA ORDERS 25% OFF ALL CURTAIN ORDERS
The Sofa Library make beautiful hand built bespoke upholstery in three weeks at our Bristol factory. Over 60 styles - ranging from period and historical pieces through to the most contemporary shapes and in all sizes from chair to four seater and above
EX DISPLAY SOFAS CURRENTLY 50 – 75% OFF We also fabricate hand made curtains and every type of blind in about two/three weeks and make made to measure cabinet furniture in either solid oak or other timbers – up to 50% off during sale Up to 25% off wardrobe orders
180cm wardrobes from £350
5 metre corner robes from £1300 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
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contents
July 2013
48 82
46
24 14
36
ZEITGEIST
42
16
THE CITYIST
46
BARTLEBY
48
The city’s musical map
20 24
52
27
WHAT’S ON A guide to this month’s top events
78
FOOD & DRINK BRISTOL PEOPLE
54
82 FLORAL FANCIES Fresh picks at a flower farm in Somerset
85
PROPERTY The best homes for sale and to let in and around Bristol
FACE THE MUSIC Sue Mountstevens, elected Police and Crime Commissioner, picks her top tunes
58
INTERIORS A renovated home with original features, lots of character and an interesting past
New faces and movers and shakers
CELEB INTERVIEW Roger Saul, founder of Mulberry, on his latest retail venture in Somerset
GROMIT UNLEASHED
THE WALK Escape the humdrum in Wiltshire
The trendiest cocktail bars in town and the latest foodie news
SUMMER FASHION Garden party essentials
76
How to discover the giant decorated dogs on the new public art trail
The buzz, My Bristol and a top read
18
ARTS & EXHIBITIONS What’s on show in the city’s galleries
Five things things to do this month
BUSINESS PROFILE
THE
BRISTOL twitter@thebristolmag
A Bristol-based digital library of wildlife
36
PARTY IN THE CITY A round-up of all the festivals in the city over the summer
39
CLIMBING THE WALLS Street art at Bristol’s new climbing centre
64
FAMILY FUN The best events and activities in the city as the kids break up for summer
68
TRAVEL On safari in Exmoor with Johnny Kingdom
40
BRISTOL CREATIVES Jamaica Street Artists celebrate their 20th anniversary
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ON THE COVER Jack Gromit designed by Martin Band for the Gromit Unleashed public art trail in Bristol from 1 July
HEALTH AND BEAUTY Travel products for your hols
www.thebristolmagazine.co.uk
MAGAZINE
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Knight Frank July:full page
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.co.
Cli on
An impressive and recently refurbished 4,699 sq detached home on one of Cli on's finest addresses, with the benefit of self-contained accommoda on if needed. 4/5 recep on rooms, kitchen/dining room, 2nd kitchen/dining room. 6/7 bedrooms, dressing room, 4 bathrooms. Front & rear gardens, rear balcony, garage, ample off street parking. EPC ra ng F. Guide price: £2,550,000
KnightFrank.co.uk/bristol bristol@knigh rank.com 0117 3171999
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.co.
Cli on
A spectacular 2,133 sq apartment with beau ful period features. Drawing room, Smallbone kitchen. 3 double bedrooms (2 ensuite), dressing room to master. Shower room. Vaulted storage. Gated parking space. Concierge service. EPC ra ng C. Guide price: ÂŁ965,000
KnightFrank.co.uk/bristol bristol@knigh rank.com 0117 3171999
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.co.
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A most impressive first floor apartment with ample parking and development opportuni!es. Communal entrance hall, private entrance, drawing room, kitchen, bathroom, WC, dining room, master bedroom and guest bedroom, large u!lity, flexible accommoda!on, two garages, off-street parking for several vehicles, two addi!onal lower ground flagstone floored storage rooms and ample front vaults. Guide price: OIEO £500,000
KnightFrank.co.uk/bristol bristol@knigh rank.com 0117 3171999
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.co.
Sneyd Park
A stunning and recently refurbished 3,813 sq family home in excep!onal private gardens. 3 recep!on rooms, kitchen/breakfast room. 5 bedrooms, 2 dressing rooms, 5 bath/shower rooms (3 ensuite). Games room/bed 6. Level gardens with stable block, integral garage, parking. In all about 0.55 acres. EPC ra!ng D. Guide price: ÂŁ1,950,000
KnightFrank.co.uk/bristol bristol@knigh rank.com 0117 3171999
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.co.
Cli on
An impressive 1,472 sq maisone e with south facing full width balcony, central to Cli on village. 33 open plan drawing room and kitchen/breakfast room. Master bedroom with ensuite. 2 further bedrooms, bathroom, shower room. Private balcony. Communal gardens. Guide price ÂŁ575,000
KnightFrank.co.uk/bristol bristol@knigh rank.com 0117 3171999
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.co.
Merchant Quay
A well presented modern 1,636 sq town house overlooking the floa'ng harbour. 3 recep'on rooms, kitchen, u'lity. 4 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms (1 ensuite). South facing rear garden, double garage, off street parking, communal garden. EPC ra'ng D.
KnightFrank.co.uk/bristol bristol@knigh&rank.com 0117 3171999
Guide price: £545,000
Winterbourne Down
A detached family home. 3 recep'on rooms, conservatory, kitchen/breakfast room. 4 bedrooms. 2 bathrooms (1 ensuite), double garage, single garage (music studio). Outbuildings. River frontage, fishing rights. Gardens. EPC ra'ng D. Guide price: £685,000
KnightFrank.co.uk/bristol bristol@knigh&rank.com 0117 3171999
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EDITOR’Sletter
W
elcome to the July issue of The Bristol Magazine. Firstly, I’d like to introduce myself as the new editor. I feel very honoured to be at the helm of the city’s biggest publication which every month brings you the very best local writing on Bristol living, as well as a guide to what’s on and all the latest happenings. And what an exciting time to be in Bristol, for as we go to press, it has just been named European Green Capital 2015 – a tremendous achievement that will really put Bristol on the map. In next month’s magazine we take a look at the ways this will impact on the city. This month though, we’ve got a jam-packed issue, with something for everyone, from business news, art and property, to high profile interviews, a country walk, and our regular What’s On section, which you will notice, has had a facelift. All the events are now listed in date order, to make it easier for you to plan your free time. Summer is when Bristol really comes alive and so you don’t miss out on anything, we’ve included a two-page guide to all the festivals happening over the next three months, as well as some of the best family events and activities to enjoy as the kids break up for the school holidays. And if you’re wondering why our loveable pooch is on the front cover, turn to page 46 to read all about the exciting Gromit Unleashed public art trail which will hit our streets on 1 July. I hope you enjoy this magazine as much as I’ve enjoyed putting it together. I welcome your comments, so please feel free to get in touch. SAMANTHA COLEMAN
All paper used to make this magazine is taken from good sustainable sources and we encourage our suppliers to join an accredited green scheme. Magazines are now fully recyclable. By recycling magazines, you can help to reduce waste and contribute to the six million tonnes of paper already recycled by the UK paper industry each year. Please recycle this magazine, but if you are not able to participate in a recycling scheme, then why not pass your magazine on to a friend or colleague.
CONTACT THE BRISTOL MAGAZINE: Editor Email:
Samantha Coleman sam@thebristolmagazine.co.uk
Deputy Editor Email:
Georgette McCready georgette@thebristolmagazine.co.uk
Contributors:
Verity Clark, Theo Cooke, Alex Jenner-Fust, Sarah Merson, Mick Ringham, James Russell, Hannah Stuart-Leach, Andrew Swift, Marianne Swinkels
Production Manager Email: Commercial Production Email:
Jeff Osborne production@thebristolmagazine.co.uk Lorna Harrington lorna@thebristolmagazine.co.uk
Publisher Tel: Email:
Steve Miklos 0117 974 2800 stevem@thebristolmagazine.co.uk
Contact the Advertising Sales team on tel: 0117 974 2800 Advertising Sales Email:
Kathy Williams kathy@thebristolmagazine.co.uk
Advertising Sales Email:
Sue Parker sue@thebristolmagazine.co.uk
The Bristol Magazine and The Bath Magazine are published by MC Publishing Ltd and are completely independent of all other local publications.
WWW.THEBRISTOLMAGAZINE.CO.UK
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ZEITGEIST
5
things to do in July
Discover
Search
As part of the National Garden Scheme, the University of Bristol Botanic Garden in Stoke Bishop will be holding an open day on Sunday 7 July, 10am-5pm. Stroll around the organic flowing network of paths which lead you through collections of Mediterranean flora, rare natives and European and Chinese herbs. You can also explore the glasshouses, home to the Giant Amazon Waterlily, tropical fruit, medicinal plants, orchids and cacti. There will be special tours of the garden throughout the day, along with plant sales and refreshments. Admission: £4.50. For further information tel: 0117 331 4906.
Bunty Giant Gromits will be stationed in different locations all around the city from 1 July for a new public art trail in support of Wallace and Gromit’s Grand Appeal. Each one has been individually designed by local artists and some celebrities too. See our feature on page 46 to find out about the exciting ways you can discover the decorated dogs and get a passport stamped at special locations. The University of Bristol Botanic Garden
Laugh As they always say, laughter is the best medicine, so if you’re in need of a good giggle, head down to Queen Square on 3 – 6 July to see some of the UK’s best stand-up comedians on stage for the Bristol Comedy Garden. Highlights include: star of Jonathan Creek and Stephen Fry’s partner in witty knowledge on Qi, Alan Davies; Anglo/Iranian megastar Omid Djalili; multi-award winning local hero Mark Watson; Mock The Week regular Josh Widdicombe; Live At The Apollo star Seann Walsh and multimedia genius Adam Buxton. And don’t miss the Silent Disco under the stars to keep you smiling – and grooving – even after the comedy has stopped. There will also be great food and drinks available along with live music and walkabouts to keep you entertained. To book, visit: www.bristolcomedygarden.co.uk
Watch
Pic: Alan Davis
Enjoy A former derelict piece of land behind Bristol Temple Meads railway station has been transformed into a unique events space called Creative Common – a collaboration between The Invisible Circus and Bristol City Council with support from Arts Council England. The creative arena was offically launched last month by Mayor of Bristol George Ferguson and it was announced that the 2013 season, directed by Esther O’Callaghan OBE (formerly Manchester International Festival) will offer a nine month artist-led, cultural programme merging site specific, immersive circus and physical theatre, compelling independent cinema, interactive public art and exhibitions, thought provoking debates and interviews and award winning local food, drink and live music from Bristol and beyond. See what’s coming up on the website: www.creativecommon.co.uk. Don’t miss the family screening of Wallace & Gromit’s A Grand Day Out on Sunday 21 July.
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André Rieu’s annual concert series from his hometown Maastricht, in The Netherlands, will be broadcast to his fans in the UK for a worldwide cinema event, and three cinemas in Bristol are taking part: Cineworld, VUE at Cribbs Causeway and Cinema de Lux. See André perform with his famous Johann Strauss Orchestra along with his sopranos, tenors and some very special guests, live on the big screen on Saturday 13 July at 7pm. The renowned Dutch violinist and conductor is one of the world’s most successful touring artists and each year he performs these concerts, with thousands of fans flying from all over the world to witness the music event set against the beautiful backdrop of the medieval town square in Maastricht. Visit: www.cinemalive.com
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THE CITY The buzz...
My BRISTOL
JMW Turner RA (1775-1851), The Mouth of the Avon, near Bristol, seen from cliffs below Clifton, c.1791-2
TURNER IN TOWN Bristol Museum and Art Gallery – with the support of the Art Fund and the Friends of Bristol Art Gallery – has been successful in securing a watercolour of the Avon Gorge by JMW Turner (1775-1851). The watercolour was painted during the young Turner’s stay with family friends in Bristol when the artist was only 16 years old. The watercolour has now arrived at the museum and is being carefully examined by the art gallery’s curators and conservators before it goes on public display, hopefully this summer.
We ask Julian Bracey, co-director of Cirque Bijou, what he’s doing this month... What brought you to Bristol? I studied design in Birmingham and Montreal where I started to get interested in performance. I toured my own street show around Europe and Australia and then came back to set up Cirque Bijou in Bristol.
over the summer.
What are you reading? I love all forms of design and I’m lucky to be doing some work in Barcelona so I’ve been reading books on the great Spanish designer Antonio Gaudi. His buildings are like full blown theatre sets.
Your passions? What hobbies or interests will you be pursuing? I’m lucky that my job is one of my main passions, so developing my skills as a theatre maker, designer, and production manager takes up a lot of my time. When I’m not doing that you can often find me in Leigh Woods on my mountain bike or out with my children.
What is on your MP3 player? A lot of Muse tracks, I’ve been designing large set pieces for their current stadium show, including a 4m tall animatronic robot. Which café or restaurant takes your fancy? I really love Bauhinia in Clifton, it’s great, authentic Thai food.
ALL PACKED? If you’ve got a holiday planned, but are unsure what summer clothes suit you best, don’t worry, because help is at hand at John Lewis in Cribbs Causeway which has launched a new service for women called Holiday Head To Toe. The service is designed to give you advice on what to wear and how to look your best all summer and on holiday in a one-stop shopping experience. You will be treated to a beauty consultation with experts from Bobbi Brown and an appointment with a personal stylist who will recommend colours and styles that suit your body shape as well as reflecting this season’s trends. To book your appointment tel: 0844 6931738 ext 5731 quoting Head to Toe Holiday service. Offer available until 1 August.
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What will you be going to see this month? The Harbour Festival, of course. We’ll be performing all weekend during the festival (2628 July), but I always try and take a break from the circus stage and go and see what’s going on elsewhere in the festival – the dance stage always has some exciting performances. I’d like to go to St Paul’s Carnival and the Balloon Fiesta too. Bristol really comes alive
Which museum or gallery will you be visiting? I have a three year old son so trips to the City Museum and MShed are regular occurrences for us, there’s tons for him to see and do there.
What local outdoor event will you be visiting? The Bristol Festival of Puppetry – it’s a local event with world class artists. I’m hoping to bring the robot I’ve been touring with. Any other projects/work in progress? We’re working with some really talented urban performers and experimenting a lot with video mapping. This summer we’re directing the Circus Space degree show Happy Families (you can see extracts at the Harbour Festival) and we’re also in the process of setting up the UK’s only professional integrated circus company, Extraordinary Bodies, that will include disabled and non-disabled performers and exparalympic athletes.
We’re reading... Durdham Down Bookshop picks its top summer read: NW by Zadie Smith, Penguin, £7.99 A new book from Zadie Smith is always a treat to be savoured. Her fourth novel, NW, is a snapshot of contemporary London life. Centering on four characters, Leah and her successful friends Natalie, Felix and Nathan, Smith examines what it means to be a part of a vibrant and diverse society in one of the world’s most exciting cities. Although her protagonists all grew up on the same council estate in Willesden, their lives have diverged, through opportunity, education, attitude and luck. Zadie
Smith’s telling of the stories of these lives is intimate and engaging, her language rich and nuanced. Stylistically assured, funny, moving, infuriating and above all, alive, this is a very important book from a writer at the height of her power.
We’re following @creative_common to hear about the latest happenings and events in Bristol’s exciting new creative space in Temple Quay. They’ll be showcasing music, performers, artists and more over the summer. Watch this space...
JULY 2013
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THE CITY’S MUSICAL MAP
A
while ago I was ruminating in this column about Bristol’s failure to build itself an arena, and the other day the subject came up again in conversation. Neither I, nor the friend I was chatting with, could remember whether plans to build a major music venue next to Temple Meads were on hold, or ongoing, or simply not on. Ditto the various sports stadia that may or may not be built. It’s almost as though Bristol had decided to do the opposite of whatever its Welsh neighbour (and regional rival) Cardiff was doing. They have a fantastic infrastructure supporting big sport and big music. We… haven’t. I don’t know how important this is for sport lovers, but in terms of music Cardiff can keep the stadium acts. The absence of a major new music space has given us something else: a network of smaller venues, some of them tiny and all of them possessing a unique character. So what if we can’t accommodate the biggest stars in the pop music firmament; we get to see upand-coming acts in more intimate surroundings. Once upon a time Colston Hall attracted the chart-toppers of the age, and the list of great names who have played there over the years is remarkable. Bob Dylan plugged in his electric guitar at the hall during his infamous 1966 tour, while The Beatles and The Stones also took their turn on the stage. In the 70s and 80s you could have gone to see punk rockers and heavy metal bands kicking up a racket, and today there’s an eclectic line-up of vintage heroes and acts categorised rather endearingly as Leftfield. Elsewhere in the city are performance spaces squeezed into buildings that were originally designed for quite different purposes. Take The Louisiana,
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just down the road from M Shed. You’d know it from the wrought iron veranda that looks like it should be adorning a building in New Orleans, but for indie music fans it is a Great British venue; upstairs, in a small hot room with a low stage, future stadium-fillers like Coldplay have played to no more than a few hundred people. But The Louisiana was built in a very different age, when the Port of Bristol filled the centre of the city and gave it meaning. I only discovered this recently, thanks to a helpful volunteer from Friends of the Avon New Cut, but once upon a time a ferry to Wales used to dock against the side of the New Cut, just across the road from the pub (beside the patch of grass known today as God’s Garden), which was built in grand style as a hotel for passengers using the ferry. While this ferry was plying its trade, the Holy Trinity Church, built in the 1830s in the Perpendicular style, was offering the solace of religion to the people of Old Market. City planning and population changes saw the Grade II listed church close in the 1960s, but its significance to local people remained when, in 1978, it opened as a community centre and music venue catering to the disaffected youth of St Pauls. The centre’s fortunes ebbed and flowed, but today the Trinity Centre is firmly on the musical map.
... today there’s an eclectic line-up of ❝ vintage heroes and acts categorised rather endearingly as Leftfield ❞ Back to Harbourside now for the final leg of this brief musical tour, and Bristol’s best-loved floating music venue: Thekla. Built in Germany in the 1950s (and powered by a recycled U-boat engine), the SS Thekla spent two decades hauling timber between North Sea ports before eventually running aground in Kent. In the early 1980s she was rescued by novelist Ki Longfellow-Stanshall, restored and sailed to Bristol, where she became a venue for music, theatre and general creative mayhem known as The Old Profanity Showboat. As the Harbourside has evolved, the Thekla has changed ownership but otherwise remained, one of the quirky institutions that makes Bristol such a delightful place to live, work – and play. ■
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A PRETTY PICTURE: country garden tableware collection dinner plate £3, side plate £3, bowl £3, mug £3, cake stand £15, hi ball £2.50, all from Marks and Spencer; Lollipop Dress, £199, from Mulberry
2
SUMMER STYLE: Pink heart dress, £65, NEXT
A perfect picnic
1
▲
Stay stylish this summer with this pick of garden party essentials, by Verity Clark
2 ▲
3
BEST OF BROGUES: 1: Lollipop loafer, £65, from Dune, The Mall at Cribbs Causeway; 2: Millie Derby, £139, from Hobbs, Cabot Circus; 3: Bertie Lorento leather mocassin, £59, from John Lewis, The Mall at Cribbs Causeway, www.johnlewis.com
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Harvey Nichols Champagne Hat Box, £45, Harvey Nichols, Quakers Friars www.harveynichols.com
FLORAL FANTASY: Blue jacket, Betty Jackson.Black, £45, Debenhams, www.debenhams.com; Fee G floral jacquard dress, £199, from Harvey Nichols, Quakers Friars; Paradise Print Skirt, £48 and Daisy Chain Earrings, £16 from Oliver Bonas, Quakers Friars
HEADS UP: Cloche, £25, from M&S, The Mall at Cribbs Causeway
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The retail revolutionary Roger Saul, founder of the global success story Mulberry talks to Sarah Merson about his latest vision and why his heart – and his latest venture – are rooted in Somerset
R
efined quality and top craftsmanship are attributes you might expect of any luxury goods brand but certainly of iconic British brand, Mulberry. Founded in 1971, by Somerset-born designer, Roger Saul along with his mother, Mulberry was then and is today, the epitome of top notch design and superb quality. And, in summer 2011, Roger brought his sense of style, and love of luxury and high standards, along with his entrepreneurial spirit to Shepton Mallet when he launched a regeneration scheme to turn a former Somerset woollen mill into a designer shopping destination. Roger has transformed Kilver Court with its retail outlets including British favourites Toast, LK Bennett, Jack Wills, Jayne Clayton Interiors and Hawick Cashmere into a unique shopping experience for visitors. Not
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only the shops but the quintessential British Harlequin Café (where afternoon tea is served in Her Majesty’s Coronation mugs), ballroom (currently hosting about 30 weddings a year), new Sharpham Park Pantry and farm shop, add to the rural lifestyle ideal. The factory shop ethos isn’t anything new but it was Roger who developed the idea of the Mulberry Factory shop, which opened in 1980 as the first designer factory outlet, and is still there today, just two minutes up the road from Kilver Court. In the 1980’s, Roger was behind the concept of in-corner concessions, which gave a mini presentation of a brand, and it’s this concept, which formed the heart of Kilver Court’s original designer village. Roger tells more of the Kilver Court story: “In July 2012, Phase 1 of the regeneration project saw us opening the designer emporium, which acts as
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FORWARD THINKING: Roger Saul hasn’t rested on his Mulberry laurels – Kilver Court in Shepton Mallet is his latest ambitious project Picture courtesy of Tyson Sadio DESIGNER SHOPPING: above, staff from the various outlets at Kilver Court join Roger Saul in promoting the centre as a destination Right, the gardens at Kilver Court are a delight
a sort of department store space hosting labels such as Myla, Aubin Wills (elder sibling to the Jack Wills label), Miller Harris, Beatrix Ong, Margaret Howell, MiH, Celtic Sheepskin, Links of London, Isabella Oliver and Cabbage & Roses. “Privy to the success of the Mulberry Factory shop, Margaret Howell was the first to come on board. We launched with a grand sale, which we invited other brands along to and things quickly took off enabling us to move onto Phase 2 of the project; the opening of individual shops to create a mini village. “From a designer’s point of view, Kilver Court is like a safe place to be along with other respected brands. In that sense, we’re a bit like the custodians of their brand image. And, from the customers’ point of view, who come from a 30 to 40 mile radius, there’s the opportunity to buy quality designed products at between 30 –70% discount. I call it, ‘smart shopping.’ The grand sales concept remains central to the development of Kilver Court; we hold them once a quarter, giving brands the opportunity to test the market.” So, why Shepton Mallet and why Kilver Court in particular? Well, despite his international career with Mulberry, Roger grew up less than five miles away in the village of Lottisham and while he had apartments in London and New York, Somerset remained his primary home. He famously married Dior model, Monty, in 1977 and they raised their three boys at their family home, Sharpham Park, near Street.
from the customers’ point of view, who come ❝ from a 30 to 40 mile radius, there’s the opportunity to buy quality designed products at between 30 and 70 per cent discount
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“Back in the 70s when I started Mulberry, we were in that ‘anything is possible’ period. And, while the goal, via Kilver Court, is to eventually take this model of a British designer outlet village off around the world, the reality is that we’re living in very different times now,” he says. “Not to say that I don’t love the process of heading off into the unknown but one of the things that most excites me now is regenerating an old building like Kilver Court. From buildings to brands, Kilver Court is all about restoration, regeneration and renewal.” Kilver Court dates back to the 1500s when it was a textiles mill. During the Industrial Revolution, wool production was superseded by silk in the 1800s for which Kilver Court became especially well known as Queen Victoria’s wedding dress was made here. Later, in the 1900s, Kilver Court was bought by the Showerings drinks company and in 1947 became the home to Babycham. WWW.THEBRISTOLMAGAZINE.CO.UK
With a history of commercially successful restoration, Roger first set about his own restoration when he bought the property in 1996. “As we started peeling back the layers, we found all these amazing industrial features, which as well as reflecting the history and heritage of the building, are also the perfect backdrop for the village. Last year we continued to give acknowledgment to the heritage of Kilver Court by rebuilding Silk Lane now the main avenue of shops,” enthuses Roger. The garden and lake also have their own story to tell. Dramatically framed by the Charlton Viaduct, which was built in 1874 to take the Somerset and Dorset Railway across the valley, it was Ernest Jardine, who in the late 1800s re-designed the mill pond as an ornamental lake, complete with rowing boats, to be enjoyed by the workers. The garden, which was opened to the public in 2008, has been lovingly preserved and is based on George Whiteleg’s 1960s Chelsea gold medal winning design. More recently, the raised bed plant nursery has been opened to visitors too. The newest addition at Kilver Court is the Sharpham Pantry serving spelt based dishes, developed at the 300 acre Sharpham Park estate, Roger’s home and other business with its own dedicated organic spelt mill. The spelt is largely grown, harvested and stone ground to retain natural oils and goodness, on the estate. Roger is as passionate about the health benefits of spelt as he is about the virtues of traditional milling methods. It came about because of a personal connection: “My sister, Rosemary, was diagnosed with stomach cancer and her doctor advised her to eat spelt for its natural digestive properties. We couldn’t find British grown spelt anywhere though so we decided to experiment with it at Sharpham Park. That was in 2004, and with sustainability at the core, I’ve pursued an organic spelt farming practice ever since.” More recently Roger has been working closely with Bowel Cancer UK to help raise awareness of how, by eating whole grains and fibre (of which spelt is a great source), we can stack the odds against developing bowel cancer. “We launched the Great British Spelt Recipes, which are recipes donated by celebrity chefs including Sophie Dahl, Hugh Fearnley Whittingstall and The Fabulous Baker Brothers. We’ve had food demos in Fortnum & Mason and we’re making more noise in support of Bowel Cancer UK by holding a fundraising dinner, also at Fortnum & Mason.” So what’s the ultimate plan for Kilver Court? Roger smiles: “The dream is for the village to have 40 shops, three or four restaurants and a hotel, then eventually, we’ll take the concept off around the world.” There’s still a long road ahead but one thing’s for sure, his undeniable enthusiasm and business savvy will likely take him that extra mile. ■ Visit: www.kilvercourt.com, www.sharphampark.com & www.greatbritishspeltrecipes.com JULY 2013
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CULTURE BOOK Our guide to this month’s top events in Bristol and beyond Kneehigh Theatre’s Tristan & Yseult, Bristol Old Vic, 3 – 20 July This critically acclaimed production catapulted Kneehigh onto the national stage. This is the original tale of forbidden desires, broken hearts and the agony of choosing one human being over another. Seen through the eyes of the Unloved, Tristan & Yseult blends comedy, live music, grand passion and tender truths in an irresistible night of love. Box office tel: 0117 987 7877 or visit: www.bristololdvic.org.uk.
Junkyard Explosion Workshop, Windmill Hill City Farm, Bedminster, 6 July, 10am – 3pm Recycling sculpture wiz, Barry Lewis will be demonstrating how to turn found and recycled objects into amazing sculpture creatures and more. Cost: £20 / £15 concessions, children over 8 accompanied by an adult £10. To book, tel: 0117 963 3252.
St Paul’s Carnival, St Paul’s area, 6 July, 11am – 2am After a year off, this famous street parade of music, dance, food and colourful costumes is back, showcasing all things African and Caribbean. This year’s theme is Migration – We Deh Ye which celebrates the history of people migrating to the country over the years.
St Paul’s Carnival
The Big Sing, The Amphitheatre, Harbourside, 6 July, noon From noon climb aboard the Matthew, visit the kids’ tropical discovery marquee, browse around the local craft and artisan market and at 3.15pm hear 1,000 voices raised in song for WaterAid’s Big Sing for charity. For further information visit: www.singforwaterwest.org.
Woodspring Wings Show, Woodspring Wings Airfield, Yatton, 6 and 7 July This is one of the country’s biggest model air shows with exciting displays and fun for the whole family. Some of the biggest and best models the UK has to offer will be there, with everything from First World War biplanes to modern jets. Also featured at the show is an exciting high-altitude rocket launch, model car racing from the Yatton Model Car Club and a large model railway. Ticket prices are £6 for OAPs, £8 for adults, £20 for families, children £5 and under 5s free. Families can camp at the site for an extra fee too. Visit: www.woodspringshow.co.uk.
Woodspring Wings Show
Vintage market
Variety Show, Newman Hall, Henleaze, 8 – 12 July, 7.30pm The Ship & Castle theatre company presents The Good Olde Days, an evening of variety entertainment including music, comedy, escapology and sing along in the style of yesteryear. There will be a bar, waitress service and as much audience participation as you want. Tickets from £8, box office tel: 0117 956 1695.
Vintage Market, Mauretania, Park Street, 13 July, 11am – 5pm Magpies and I, organisers of the popular handmade and vintage market in Bristol and Bath, will be holding a regular monthly market at the Mauretania, one of Bristol’s most historic buildings, situated at the bottom of Park Street. In this 1920s styled venue you can pick up vintage and handmade gifts from local crafters, illustrators, knitters and vintage traders. You can also enjoy a vintage tea party, sampling fresh sandwiches and delicious homemade scones, or if you’re feeling daring, treat yourself to a fresh fruit cocktail. There will be a hair parlour you can visit too, offering vintage hair and make-up make overs, ready for your Saturday night. Free entry. www.thebristolmagazine.co.uk
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WHAT’Son Goldney Gala: Secret Garden Festival, Goldney Hall & Gardens, 13 July, 11am – 9.30pm Celebrate 60 years of the Sue Ryder charity’s care work with a party in the gardens of Goldney Hall. The festival will be a fun day for all, with plenty of entertainment including circus acts, Shakespeare, live music, dance, ballet, stilt walkers and a headline performance from Radio 2 artist, Ben Montague. There will also be refreshments in the vintage tea room, a Pimms tent, face painting and stalls. All money raised will help Sue Ryder continue its work of providing personalised care to people living with a life-changing illness. Tickets from £9, available on tel: 0117 929 3618.
Chapel Concert with Amici Choir, Tyntesfield House, Wraxall, 13 July, 7.30pm Amici is an a cappella choir formed in 2006 which has performed extensively in England, France, Belgium and Germany. Its repertoire stretches from the late-medieval period to the 21st century and in this concert, in the beautiful and inspiring setting of the private Victorian chapel, Amici will perform a varied programme with music ranging from Byrd and Palestrina to Gershwin and Cole Porter. Tickets cost £10 per person, tel: 01275 461900. Goldney Hall gardens
The Boy Who Cried Wolf, open-air, outside the Bristol Old Vic, 13 July – 1 September Following Sally Cookson’s popular Treasure Island in 2011, Bristol Old Vic once again returns to the open air location of King Street for a summer show that will set imaginations aflutter. A grassy meadow will form the set for this production, covering over the cobbled Georgian street outside the Bristol Old Vic where the acclaimed family theatre director Sally Cookson and composer Benji Bower create a sparkling al fresco version of the stories adapted by Michael Morpurgo including The Tortoise and The Hare, The Lion and The Rat, The Boy Who Cried Wolf, as well as some unfamiliar gems, all told in a summery whirl of colour, music, song and mischief. Box office tel: 0117 987 7877 or visit: www.bristololdvic.org.uk.
Out There Music Summer Concert, St Alban’s Church, Bayswater Avenue, 14 July, 5pm Come and hear Out There choir, chamber choir, children’s choir and orchestra sing and play a broad range of music including the 1812 Overture, Adele, U2 and music from Les Miserables to name but a few. A bar and hog roast will also be available, all in aid of Changing Tunes. Tickets £5 from tel: 07754 518254.
Giselle and Swan Lake, The Bristol Hippodrome, 19 – 21 July Two of the most popular and dramatic ballets, presented by the Sofia National Ballet from Bulgaria. The company is fast developing an international reputation for its remarkable and breath-taking performances featuring 90 performers, including an acclaimed corps de ballet and a full orchestra. Their outstanding talent is perfectly showcased as they delight audiences with their magnificent artistry, elaborate sets and beautiful costumes. Box office tel: 0844 871 3012 or visit: www.atgtickets.com.
The Sofia National Ballet at The Bristol Hippodrome
EDITOR’S PICK... Magic shows at the Smoke and Mirrors Magic Bar, Denmark Street (behind the Hippodrome), 12 and 13 July: Mario Morris, 8pm If you haven’t experienced a show at Smoke and Mirrors, you are in for a treat. This boutique magic theatre pub is an undiscovered gem in Bristol that many people, all ages, are raving about. It’s the UK’s only dedicated magic theatre pub, and every weekend you can see award winning magicians perform great magical illusions up close in an intimate setting, with small candlelit tables, atmospheric music and a relaxed ambience. During the 90 minute shows you will experience mystery, intrigue and amazing magic that will keep you guessing for days. A top night out for those who enjoy a bit of audience participation mixed with humour, theatrics and skill. Smoke and Mirrors showcases professional magicians from all around the world, and on the 12 & 13 July, the renowned Mario Morris will bring his energetic street magic to the stage. Tickets are from £12, to book visit: www.smokeandmirrorsbar.co.uk.
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WHAT’Son Open air screenings: Disney’s The Lion King and Ghostbusters, Bristol Zoo Gardens, 20 July, 5pm and 8pm Throughout July and August Bristol Zoo Gardens will host openair film screenings across three evenings. Get your cushions and rugs ready for a choice of three family films and three cult classics on a big screen. On 20 July will be family favourite, Disney’s The Lion King and then later on that night adults can enjoy the classic Ghostbusters and reminisce on the first time Slimer oozed onto the screen. On 3 August is A Bug’s Life, followed by The Goonies, and on 17 August, Happy Feet followed by Anchorman. Guests are encouraged to come in fancy dress. Doors open for the first screening at 5pm and the second at 8pm. For tickets and information, visit www.bristolzoo.org.uk.
Exultate Singers
Exultate Singers, Clifton College Chapel, Clifton, 20 July, 7.30pm As part of the Bristol Shakespeare Festival, Exultate Singers, Bristol’s accomplished chamber choir, performs settings of Shakespeare texts by Jaakko Mäntyjärvi and Ralph Vaughan Williams, alongside a celebration of Benjamin Britten’s 100th birthday with performances of Rejoice in the Lamb, Hymn to St Cecilia and music by Parry, Whitacre, Elgar, Howells, and James MacMillan. Tickets £15 (£13 concessions, £5 students, £2 under 18s), available from Providence Music shop on tel: 0117 927 6536 or online from www.exultatesingers.org/shop.
Hot Air, Tobacco Factory Theatre, 25 July – 10 August
Hot Air at the Tobacco Factory Theatre
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From some of Bristol’s finest theatre makers comes a brand new piece of touching and funny theatre and music that celebrates Bristol people and one of the city’s most celebrated industries; hot air ballooning. In Hot Air real stories and experiences are woven together with music and magic to ignite a fictional, yet familiar, story of a day in the life of a balloon fiesta. Box office tel: 0117 902 0344 or visit: www.tobaccofactorytheatre.com.
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WHAT’Son Somerset Chamber Choir, Wells Cathedral, Wells, 27 July, 7pm The Somerset Chamber Choir will perform Mozart’s Requiem and Ave verum corpus plus James MacMillan’s Seven Last Words and In splendoribus sanctorum with Southern Sinfonia, Ruby Hughes (soprano), Helen Sherman (mezzo-soprano), Andrew Tortise (tenor) & Callum Thorpe (bass), under conductor Graham Caldbeck in the majestic setting of Wells Cathedral. Box office tel: 01823 336344 or visit www.somersetchamberchoir.org.uk.
Bristol Proms, The Bristol Old Vic, 29 July – 3 August Combining the tradition of the 18th and 19th century proms held at Bristol Old Vic with the cutting-edge technological innovations being spearheaded in the city, Bristol Proms is a reinvention of the classical concert experience, led by Tom Morris, one of Britain’s most celebrated theatre directors. Embracing the theatricality of live music, and featuring performances in the dark, a digital hack, and house music played on the cello, the Bristol Proms offers a programme that is daring, accessible and interactive. Don’t miss: The Fitzhardinge Consort singing exquisite a cappella choral music in complete darkness; virtuoso violinist Daniel Hope and the acclaimed Royal Philharmonic Concert Orchestra performing Max Richter’s take on Vivaldi’s timeless Four Seasons with a visual accompaniment; and Nicola Benedetti’s dynamic playing will be used to construct visual representations of atomic motion. All promenade pit tickets cost £5. For a full programme of events and for tickets, visit: www.bristololdvic.org.uk.
BOOK NOW FOR... Jimmy Carr: Gagging Order, Colston Hall, 23 August, 8pm Bristol Proms at the Bristol Old Vic
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One of the UK’s best-loved comedians revisits the Colston Hall for a show peppered with great one-liners, lightning-quick comebacks and masterful wordplay. Tickets £25 from www.colstonhall.org.
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ACTiv8 Youth Group at Bristol Old Vic Theatre School Limited places available for summer
Also 10 week course running during term times on Sundays for school year groups 3 - 13 For further info and to book a place please contact Marchia Abokie on 0117 980 9252 or via marchia.abokie@oldvic.ac.uk
www.oldvic.ac.uk
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FESTIVALspirit
Party in the city Bristol is about to come alive with festival fever, just as it does every summer. There’s a festival for everyone to enjoy, whatever your tastes, from food and drink, to theatre, music and dance. We kick off our festival round-up with a look at the Bristol Harbour Festival, Bristol’s fabulously fun, free fiesta
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ristol’s biggest free event will once again transform the city’s harbourside, with three days of cultural celebrations from 26 – 28 July. Attracting hundreds of thousands of visitors, The Bristol Harbour Festival features seven areas including dance, music, children’s activities, an on-water programme and circus performances. The main music stage in Queen Square will be home to soul, reggae, funk and jazz and will feature Bristol 80s live dance sensation Pigbag Revived, Gaby Young and the Other Animals and Bristol Legend DJ Derek’s last ever outdoor gig. Just around the corner, the Cascade Steps stage offers a mellow location on the water with acoustic musicians, up and coming local talent and slam poetry. BBC Radio Bristol will also host a stage at the ss Great Britain – a great backdrop to live music. A new children’s area will see Castle Park transformed into Treasure Island with a huge
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galleon surrounded by shark infested waters with pirate poems, singing mermaids, wandering pirates, sea dogs, face painting and storytelling. This area will also feature the Circus Stage with fabulous acts by Cirque Bijou. A highlight of this year’s festival is sure to be The State of Happiness – the Amphitheatre area will be transformed into the world’s 207th nation, run by Happy City and their Agents of Happiness, with interactive performance, music, theatre and creative activities for all the family, designed to prove a happier planet needn’t cost the earth. Millennium Square and the Harbourside will be transformed into a mecca for dance fans, with a stage featuring every genre from ballet to Bollywood and breakdance to salsa. While on the water there will be tall ships, trips around the harbour on historic vessels, an acrobatic jet ski display, dog rescue displays and gig racing. And dotted around will be markets selling locally sourced arts and crafts and delicious street food. For a full programme, visit: www.bristolharbourfestival.co.uk ■
Tango,The Complete Reworks of Shakespeare
All the World’s a Stage This year’s Bristol Shakespeare Festival (BSF) celebrates its first decade with the most varied and exciting programme yet. Running over two weeks and three weekends from 5 – 21 July, the festival brings professional productions, pop-up performances and participation opportunities to venues all over the city. For those seeking a traditional summer pack-apicnic show, the festival presents the best professional touring companies at Brandon Hill, Blaise Estate, and in the grounds of Berwick Lodge where the show will go on whatever the weather as actors from The Lord Chamberlain’s Men, Heartbreak Productions and GB Theatre Company weave their magic against the setting sun. New for this year, local actors have created the BSF Theatre Company to appear at charity events and present pint-sized performances in pubs. The Redgrave Theatre and Bristol School of Performing Arts have supported the company, and thanks to Dawkins Ales, three brand new brews of festival Shakesbeer will be available at licensed venues. The programme includes eclectic events and plenty of workshop opportunities and concludes with a grand finale of new interpretations. The Complete Reworks of Shakespeare is still inviting contributions for a day of contemporary, experimental and multimedia takes on the Bard at the Colston Hall on Sunday 21 July. Tickets are available from The Tobacco Factory Theatre Box Office and can be purchased via the Bristol Shakespeare Festival website: www.bristolshakespeare.org.uk. Visit the site for full details of the programme and any last minute updates.
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Showcasing the best of the west
Don’t miss...
A celebration of Bristol culture, inspiring passion and creativity is what Brisfest is all about, and this year, the music Primal Scream and arts festival, which takes place on 21 & 22 September in the Ashton Court Estate has announced that award-winning band Primal Scream will headline alongside Toddla T Sound, Fabio & Grooverider, Kurtis Blow, The Nextmen, DJ EZ, Yes Sir Boss, The Boxettes, Dr Meaker and an eclectic mix of over 200 local acts. There’ll be 14 stages covering everything from bands and DJs to comedy and circus, street theatre and walkabouts, all curated by a diverse range of programmers including Mr Wolfs, Factory Studios, Recreo, Weapon of Choice, Jelli Records, Nokia Music, Nando’s, dBs Music, Remix and Arcadia. Excitingly, Brisfest will, for the first time, be offering festival-goers overnight camping tickets at Ashton Court, in addition to daily entrance tickets. As well as allowing fans to pitch their own tents, you will also be offered high-quality pre-erected tents in a secure environment for a hassle-free family weekend. This new venture means that Brisfest will be opened up to revellers and music lovers from across the country since they can now make a weekend of the event. Early bird tickets have now sold out but a limited number of second wave tickets are still available at £31 for the weekend, before final wave tickets go on sale at £35. Family tickets are also available. For more information and to purchase tickets, visit: www.brisfest.co.uk.
Balloon ascents from Ashton Court
■ Bristol Pride Week, 5 – 14 July A week-long celebration with events including film, sports, talks, theatre, comedy and performance in venues all over the city. Highlights include a special screening of Mamma Mia! at Showcase Cinema de Lux, where audiences get the chance to sing along and will be joined on the night by screenplay writer Catherine Johnson who will introduce the film and answer questions; a comedy night at The Lanes and a performance of Drag King Richard III in conjunction with the Bristol Shakespeare Festival. The Pride Day festival takes place on 13 July with music and arts in Castle Park. ■ Foodies Festival, 12 – 14 July The summer food and drink festival returns to the Habourside after two hugely successful years. The three day celebration of fine food, drink and culinary talent will feature a chefs theatre where Michelin starred and top chefs create some of their favourite dishes and share their top tips and techniques. This year’s line up includes: British TV chef Martin Blunos, Manisha Parmar of Great British Bake Off fame as well as BBC1 Saturday Kitchen’s Susy Atkins. The theatre is compered by The Telegraph’s food and cookery writer Xanthe Clay all weekend. You can enjoy a drinks masterclass, local music and there’ll be plenty for the kids too. ■ Bristol Cycle Festival, 13 – 21 July Featuring 50 events over nine days, this celebration of cycling boasts rides, talks, games, crafts, and films, ranging from family-friendly play sessions, to challenges for the toughest cyclist. Highlights this year: traffic-free roads and city centre games for the Big Bike Spectacular, bicycle café on Quay Street, a retro bike ride, a hill ride, a ride to a picnic on an organic farm in the Chew Valley, bike maintenance courses and a tandem weekend away on Devon’s Tarka Trail for visually impaired riders.
Watch the ascents from your tent
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or the first time in the event’s 35 year history, Bristol International Balloon Fiesta will offer a campsite for this year’s event, which takes place from 8 – 11 August on the Ashton Court Estate. Collaborating with Camping Ninja, the campsite will be set within walking distance of the main arena so visitors attending for the whole weekend or overnight can enjoy being in close proximity to the events of the four day fiesta, including the spectacular night glows, family entertainment, music, fairground rides, food stalls and of course, the mass ascents of 150 hot air balloons of all shapes and sizes rising majestically into the skies over Bristol. Chris Hathaway, Chairman of the Bristol International Balloon Fiesta Committee says: WWW.THEBRISTOLMAGAZINE.CO.UK
“The Bristol International Balloon Fiesta is one of the UK’s best loved events with thousands turning out at 6am to see the balloons take flight from the estate. This idea gives a cost effective option for our visitors travelling to the event from miles around to stay nearby and stroll onto the event site for our balloon launches and glows or just pop their head out of the tent to see them take off nearby, providing the wind is in the right direction.” The campsite opens on Thursday 8 August at noon and closes on Monday 12 August at 10am. Bookings can made with Camping Ninja by visiting: www.campingninja.com/theofficialbristolballo onfiestacampsite.
■ Bristol Festival Of Puppetry, 30 August – 8 September This internationally renowned biennial festival of all things puppet-related has a bursting programme this year celebrating puppetry in all its weird and wonderful forms. Held at the Tobacco Factory, the Bristol Festival of Puppetry is the only English festival to celebrate the artform of puppetry on stage and film attracting audiences from far and wide. Expect a rich and diverse programme that presents local and regional companies and artists, while showcasing some of the very best international puppetry and animation. ■ The Bristol International Festival of Kites & Air Creations, 31 August – 1 September Expect an action-packed aerial extravaganza with international kite guests alongside flyers and enthusiasts from across Europe. The sky above the Ashton Court Estate will be filled with flying displays, kite fighting battles, artistic creations, synchronized routines to music and power kites as well as colourful ground-based inflatables and air sculptures of all shapes and sizes. There will also be plenty of activities for children such as free kitemaking workshops, alongside specialist kite traders and a selection of food and drink stalls.
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CITYhappenings
CLIMBING THE WALLS There’s a huge new climbing centre in Bedminster, and we went along for a sneak preview before it opened to see Bristol street artist Jody face his fear of heights to create some amazing pieces on the walls
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ou may have noticed a hive of activity going on in the old 1920s picture house on Winterstoke Road in Bedminster over the past year. And that’s because a team of experts have been transforming the space into Bristol’s biggest climbing centre, Redpoint, which has just opened to the public. Inspired by rock climbing all over the world, The Redpoint Climbing Centre boasts a 3D climbing experience with inventive structures, shapes and angles for all levels, as well as bouldering areas, expert instruction and quality facilities, including changing rooms, showers and an impressively designed Art Deco bar and café serving local food and drinks, open until late. And to really cement its place in Bristol, the walls and ceilings have been taken over with amazing pieces from Bristol street artist Jody, whose photo realist work has being wowing Bristolians for more than 20 years. After his successful Heart + Soul exhibition at the Paintworks event space in May, which was produced by Mike Bennett of See No Evil, Jody has been busy with this project, spray painting climbing themed images on the gigantic walls of the climbing centre. “It was a real challenge for me because I have a fear of heights,” says Jody. “In order to create the large picture of the climber on the wall, and the images on the ceilings, I had to be harnessed, climb up a really
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high ladder and then onto a platform and paint from there. At one point my vertigo was so bad that I started to see white blobs everywhere. But, they always say that you should do one thing everyday that scares you, and I did that for two weeks! So I feel pretty good about myself now, and it was such an exciting project to be involved with.” Around the centre you’ll be able to spot Jody’s distinctive pieces, all hand sprayed, looking up and down at you, including an eye peering through the ceiling and of course, the unmissable giant climber with his defined muscles. Look out for a few hidden surprises too. “I had the complete run of the place,” says Jody; “it was great, it was like my own little project. It’s an amazing space, so there was plenty of scope for my imagination to have full rein.” You might be seeing a lot more of Jody over the year, as he’ll be busy with commissions, projects at festivals and hard at work in his job as an art director and designer – all of which he does from his studio in his back garden. Jody also has plans in the pipeline for a show in London next year, for which he’ll be working with a top fashion photographer and models to create some striking imagery. But in the meantime, you can enjoy his work every time you fancy a climb. ■ For further information about the climbing centre, including opening times and prices, visit: www.redpointbristol.co.uk
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BRISTOLcreatives Last year’s open studio event, images by Alice Hendy
OPEN CELEBRATIONS Hannah Stuart-Leach visits Jamaica Street Artists as they celebrate their 20th anniversary
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nside the distinctive green façade of the Edwardian carriageworks in Stokes Croft are a group of artists who’ve become a treasured mainstay of Bristol’s cultural landscape. The Jamaica Street Artists, one of the largest artist-led collectives outside London, have become notable for their diversity – among them are photographers, textile artists, fine artists and illustrators – and now their longevity. On the first weekend of July, they are celebrating 20 years with a special open studios event. “Our annual Open Studios is a really exciting community event and it’s brilliant seeing so many people coming in and taking an interest in what we do,” explains JSA artist Abigail McDougall, who has been involved in six Open Studios. “I look forward to every single one of them so much because the studios are transformed and opened up. This is our 20-year anniversary so it will be great to celebrate everything we’ve achieved together.” JSA’s Open Studios has proved to have grand appeal, in part due to the many interests covered by the work of the 36 multifarious artists. Since the studios were set up in 1993, art coming from the studios has won many fans in Bristol and beyond, and visitors can often be seen queuing up on the street during the weekend-long event. Grateful for the support they’ve received, as well as offering the yearly opportunity for visitors to see the inner workings of a large art studio – meet the artists and buy work directly from them – the Jamaica Street Artists have arranged a mini-canvas auction, to be hosted by Mayor George Ferguson. The studios have grown up with area, and this year’s event hopes to reflect the connection it has with it. “The studios have become a really important part of the local community and we have seen really big positive changes in the Stokes Croft area, which was really very run down when I first came to Bristol,” explains Abigail, who arrived after graduating from Falmouth College of Arts. The relationship between the studios and Bristol is mutually beneficial. Many of the artists, wherever they’ve come from in the world – some as far afield as Argentina and Australia – find inspiration for their work in their adopted home. With privileged views out of the studios’ gargantuan windows onto Stokes Croft, Bristol’s Creative Quarter, artists delight in capturing the colourful street scenes they watch playing out daily. 40 THE BRISTOL MAGAZINE
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Abigail, who was born in Oxford but grew up in Canada, Italy and Dorset, following the work of her theatre director father, has become known for her watercolour landscapes featuring Bristol scenes. “My favourite places are the harbour and all along the Avon,” she says. “I love painting water and reflections – all of my paintings are inspired by a scene with a special light quality or atmosphere.” This year, however, she is excited to be showcasing work from her travels to London and around the UK.
It’s brilliant seeing so many people ❝ coming in and taking an interest in what we do ❞ Studios like Jamaica Street can be pivotal to the careers of up-and-coming artists such as McDougall, who was on the waiting list for about a year before a space became available. As well as rescuing them from the isolating experience of working from home, they offer peer advice and a supportive environment in which to develop their practice. Open Studio events provide much-needed funding to help ensure their survival. JSA’s three-day extravaganza will offer rare access to all three floors of the studios. Visitors will have the opportunity to meet the 36 artists and get an insight into their working lives. Each floor is shared by artists of various disciplines so on the second floor, for instance, you’ll find Abigail working alongside artists including fellow landscape painter Anthony Garratt, food illustrator Emma Dibben, art doll maker Romina Berenice Canet, mixed media sculptor Jan Blake and textile designer Hatty Powis. Highlighting this impressive range and to celebrate their important anniversary, a commemorative assortment of 20 postcards featuring selected works from the artists will be available to buy. Jamaica Street Studios are located at 37-39 Jamaica Street, Stokes Croft. The Open Studios is on Friday 5 July 6-10pm, Saturday 6 July 11am-5pm and Sunday 7 July 11am-6pm, with the auction from 4-6pm. ■
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ARTSgardens &EXHIBITIONS CITY
SUMMER SHOWS
Coates and Scarry 6 Philadelphia Street, Quakers Friars, Bristol. Tel: 0754 0793 264 www.coatesandscarry.com
27 June – 8 July Following their hugely successful show at the RWA last year, Coates and Scarry have curated the best of their extraordinary artists to present another exhibition in the city, showcasing their unique eye for uncommon and innovative art. The Summer Show runs alongside a solo show by Rose Sanderson, a Bristol based artist whose work is inspired by the natural world, and seeing beauty in the seemingly ugly. Carlo C
SOPHIE RYDER: MONUMENTAL
BUCHELI GALLERY SUMMER SHOW
SARAH SENSE: WAVING WATER Rainmaker Gallery 123 Coldharbour Road, Bristol. Tel: 0117 944 3101 www.rainmakerart.co.uk
RWA Queens Road, Clifton, Bristol. Tel: 0117 973 5129 www.rwa.org.uk
12 June – 8 September
Until 10 August
One giant eye, two enormous feet and 200 huge rabbits make up this exhibition by leading sculpture artist Sophie Ryder. Monumental showcases wire drawings, tapestries, wire sculpture, bronze castings, plaster charcoal drawings, etchings, solar prints, film, sketchbooks, litho prints, paintings on stones, bronze and ceramic plaques and fibreglass models. Entering the gallery, you are met with a pair of giant feet almost blocking the doorway. Never before seen indoors, this piece, entitled Sleeping Feet, was one year in the making.
A migrating exhibition in which Native American artist Sarah Sense interlaces photography with traditional Chitimacha basket designs to create imagery showing the migration of people crisscrossing rivers and oceans.
Ros Cuthbert RWA, Voice and Bass, acrylic and collage
R E Bucheli Fine Art Albion House, 12A Broad Street, Bristol Tel: 0117 929 7747 www.rebucheli.co.uk
Until September RE Bucheli is working with local and international artists this summer to exhibit works on paper that showcase different skills and approaches, including etching, silk-screen, collage, drawings, watercolours and ink, as well as giclee prints in short-run editions.
Sophie Ryder, Sleeping Feet Image by Alice Hendy
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Sarah Sense, Weaving Water 8
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“A Garden in Summer” by Michael G Clark PAI
Lime Tree Gallery, 84 Hotwell Road, Bristol BS8 4UB
Tel 0117 929 2527 www.limetreegallery.com
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ARTS&EXHIBITIONS COLDHARBOUR GALLERY: SUMMER SHOW
ART VENTURES: INSPIRED
Coldharbour Framery & Gallery 111 Coldharbour Road, Westbury Park, Bristol. Tel: 0117 944 6244 www.coldharbourgallery.co.uk
Artist Bonnie-Helen Hawkins transforming one of the courtrooms in the old Assize Courts into an art gallery
Until August The pick of UWE’s newest graduates have been invited to exhibit in the gallery – first up, from 15 July, printmaker and illustrator Benedict Blyth. Also showing, recent work by many of the gallery’s local artists, including Emily Ketteringham and Nell Nile.
The Guildhall Arts Centre Broad Street, Bristol.
Until 20 December The former Guildhall and Assize Courts building in Broad Street has a new use, as an art gallery. The courtrooms, meeting rooms, corridors and cells will be used by Art Ventures Ltd, in association with The Prince’s Trust, to create an arts centre that will be open for the rest of the year, home to exhibitions of painting and photography as well as lectures and theatrical events. There will also be studios for painters and sculptors and spaces for workshops. The first show, Inspired, is an exhibition of painting and sculpture from artists across the region, with regular changes of work. Areas of the building will be opened phase by phase as more local artists and art organisations get involved. The centre will also be home to The Bristol Art Prize, a painting competition for both professional and amateur artists with a first prize of £5,000. Details can be found at www.bristolartprize.co.uk. Benedict Blyth, Reclaiming the Playground
YORGOS SAPOUNTZIS: THE PROTAGONISTS
A NEW TWIST AT ROOM 212
Arnolfini 16 Narrow Quay, Bristol. Tel: 0117 917 2300 www.arnolfini.org.uk
SUMMER EXHIBITION Lime Tree Gallery 84 Hotwell Road, Bristol. Tel: 0117 929 2527 www.limetreegallery.com
20 July – 8 September Yorgos Sapountzis presents a project that creates an imaginary park of Bristol’s public sculptures in the galleries of Arnolfini. Developed in collaboration with local actors and groups, his works explore the symbolic energy and presence of monuments, and involve them in theatrical actions or temporary installations. Using simple materials, such as fabric and metal sheets and tubes, the artist builds pieces on or alongside the sculptures. Yorgos Sapountzis, Deus Ex Machina, installation view
Sarah Thorp, textile bead necklace
Gallery Room 212 212 Gloucester Road, Bristol. www.room212.co.uk
Until September Textile designer Sarah Thorp is exhibiting alongside local artists throughout the summer. A wide range of media will be on show including prints, paintings, textiles, jewellery, wood carvings, clothing and ceramics.
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Paul Kennedy, Metals Rest in Peace
Until 31 August Throughout the summer Lime Tree will be constantly refreshing the gallery with new work from a wide variety of artists spanning landscapes, still life and figurative paintings. Continuing to promote both emerging and established artists, the exhibition introduces Adam Kennedy and his award winning dockside scenes alongside paintings by collected artists Michael Clark, Philip Richardson, Paul Kennedy, Morag Muir, Rachael Rebus and Judith Bridgland.
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Vintage Retro & Collectables 109 St George’s Rd, College Green, Bristol • www.Relicsfurniture.co.uk
Vinyl and Music memorabilia
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Every dog has its day The wait is finally over – Gromit Unleashed, an innovative public arts trail raising funds for the Bristol Royal Hospital for Children, hits our streets on 1 July. We find out exactly how you can enjoy discovering the giant decorated dogs
T
here have been many mutt-erings in the city since it was first announced last November that our streets were to be graced by giant sculptures of one of the world’s best-loved dogs this summer. Now, at time of press, we are just days away from seeing 80 5ft Gromits, each individually designed by an eclectic mix of artists, designers and celebrities, animating the streets of Bristol. From 1 July, Gromit will officially be ‘unleashed’ in Bristol for ten weeks as an innovative public arts trail, all in aid of Wallace & Gromit’s Grand Appeal, the Bristol Children’s Hospital charity. It is set to become a huge tourist attraction for the city, attracting not only people from the region, but also national and international visitors too. The fibreglass sculptures of Gromit will be located all around the city and they are not hard to spot, as each one is decorated with different patterns, colours and ideas. Look out for the ones designed by Aardman co-founder, Peter Lord; artist Sir Peter Blake; children’s author and illustrator Sir Quentin Blake; Axel Scheffler, who drew children’s favourite The Gruffalo; top designers Sir Paul Smith and Cath Kidston; and comedian Harry Hill. To add to the list of celebrities involved is One Direction’s Zayn Malik, who has designed a superhero-inspired Gromit named The Green Gromit which will take up residence at The Mall at Cribbs Causeway. Wallace & Gromit creator and Grand Appeal patron Nick Park, who has been closely involved with the initiative, has also designed one of the sculptures. He says about the project: “I can’t wait to see how Gromit will look decorated by so many different artists. I love the concept of these art trails and to have Gromit at large is slightly scary in a nice way for me, but also an incredible honour.” There will also be Gromits decorated by artists from all around the UK 46 THE BRISTOL MAGAZINE
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and beyond, but mainly from Bristol and the south west, including Laura Cramer’s witty Vincent Van Gromit and Tom Berry’s striking aMazing Gromit! featuring a leaf maze. Painters, illustrators, graphic and digital designers, sculptors, street and installation artists will bring a wide range of imaginative designs and creative wit to the project, inspired by themes including Bristol, nature, landscape, space, invention and travel. From brightly coloured floral Gromits to striking, interactive ones, there are plenty of discoveries to be made along the Gromit Unleashed trail.
I love the concept of these art trails ❝ and to have Gromit at large is slightly scary in a nice way for me, but also an incredible honour
❞
Nick Park
And there are a number of ways to enjoy it: • Pick up a free map – A map of the locations of the Gromits will be available to pick up around the city. The map features three suggested routes of varying distances and durations to see the Gromits, as well as a welcome from Nick Park and information on the Gromit Unleashed app; The Art of Gromit Unleashed Shop on Upper Maudlin Street; The Wallace
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GROMIT AT LARGE: main image, Gromits decorated by, from left, Paul Smith, Cath Kidston, Richard Williams and Simon Tofield; above, clockwise from top left, Cath Kidston – Antique Rose; Martin Band – Jack; Richard Williams – Roger; Simon Tofield – Doodles; and Harry Hill – A Close Shave
& Gromit exhibition at The Mall at Cribbs Causeway; Gromit souvenirs and The Grand Appeal. • Get a passport stamped – pick up a free commemorative passport which can be filled with embossed stamps featuring mini pictures of Gromit at six locations on the trail. As you visit each sculpture on the stops, you will be rewarded with a mini Gromit stamp in your passport. The six passport stops will be located at the Grand Appeal’s office in Upper Maudlin Street, The Mall shopping centre at Cribbs Causeway, Windmill Hill City Farm in Bedminster and the Bristol Tourist Information Centre, the M Shed and At-Bristol, all located at the Harbourside. • Download the Gromit Unleashed app – A Detect-O-Gromit app has been developed by Bristol-based web design agency, Element 78 Solutions Ltd, which will include information on all the Gromit designs and their artists, as well as a host of interactive features. Using the app you can watch films about the making of the project from the Gromit Unleashed artists; follow trails around the city to win Wallace & Gromit prizes; listen to exclusive audio content about some of Bristol’s most famous landmarks; explore an interactive map of the city marked with
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each Gromit location; find all 80 Gromit sculptures to win a place on the Gromit Unleashed leader board; and share your Gromit Unleashed photos and experiences. The app will cost 69p, of which 40p will go to the Grand Appeal. After the trail, the Gromit sculptures will be auctioned off to the highest bidders in aid of Wallace & Gromit’s Grand Appeal. All funds from Gromit Unleashed will go towards the charity’s appeal to support the expansion of Bristol Children’s Hospital, one of the leading multi-disciplinary children’s hospitals in the UK. The Grand Appeal has pledged to raise an initial £3.5 million for state-of-the-art equipment, including an intraoperative MRI scanner, family facilities and child-friendly artwork to enhance the £37 million investment by the NHS. Nicola Masters, director of The Grand Appeal said: “Wallace & Gromit are famous around the globe so Gromit Unleashed will help shine an international spotlight on Bristol and encourage people to visit the city, as well as raising much-needed funds to help sick children at Bristol Children’s Hospital.” So get involved, and happy hunting! ■ For further information and the latest news on the project, visit: www.gromit-unleashed.co.uk.
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FOOD&DRINK
WINING & DINING news and reviews Quick bites
Going back to an age of refinement
■ Yurt Lush – a café in a yurt – has opened in Temple Quay at Bristol’s art and events space, Creative Common. Eat Drink Bristol Fashion, best known for transforming Queen Square into a spectacular tipi village once a year, have joined forces with Creative Common to provide Bristol’s enterprise zone with high quality, sustainably sourced food in a unique venue. Eat Drink Events have constructed Yurt Lush from three adjoining Mongolian yurts and the café includes a bar, kitchen and seating for up to 70 people. Featuring a menu designed by renowned Bristol chef, Josh Eggleton, Yurt Lush will be open to all from 7am to 4 pm daily and on selected evenings for special events throughout the summer.
Theo Cooke discovers the trendiest cocktail bars in town
■ The Love Food Festival will be returning to the Paintworks event space on Sunday 21 July, bringing together some of the finest producers in the south west alongside street food offerings, cookery demonstrations and a great family atmosphere with a children’s area. Don’t miss the tasty handmade pies from Lovett Pies, artisan cheeses, local ice cream, Dick Willows’ awardwinning cider and freshly baked bread from The Thoughtful Bread Company, among many many more. The festival will run from 10.30am – 4pm and entrance is free.
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B
ristol, in its customary enigmatic fashion, nurtures an array of cocktail bars that make a quiet drink slightly more of an occasion. The cloak and dagger style speakeasy bars, conceived in the US during the prohibition era, have emigrated to the fashionable spots of London and now in Bristol they can be found buried behind closed doors. Three in particular spring to mind, but who knows how many more may be lurking out there. Hausbar, in Upper Belgrave Road in Clifton, claims “no foam nor jelly” on its menu – and no pretentions are what they serve. The exclusivity and surreptitiousness are striking, yet in reality only once you have found the hidden stairs, rung the concealed doorbell and been personally welcomed inside to your table can you begin to appreciate its unique qualities. Expect unusual art, smooth jazz, hidden drinks cabinets and barmen highly trained in the art of cocktail etymology. That, along with some astonishing drinks – try the bittered gin horseneck, passion fruit marguerite and the prohibition tequila sunrise – which are all made with extreme flair and noticeable expertise. A complete obsession of owner Aurelius Braunbarth with a fine spirit collection is quickly apparent through the endless rows of wonderful bottles lining the bar. One does, however, soon realise why water is made available everywhere within. Hyde & Co is more of a themed bar where a combination
Hausbar
of 1920s attire, period décor, vintage lampshades, gentleman’s club atmosphere, and a secret library have pushed it up into the top 100 in the worldsbestbars.com list. Again, door knocking is essential and quality of drinks is guaranteed. You will have your work cut out finding the front door though despite its central location off Berkeley Crescent. The Milk Thistle, Hyde & Co’s big brother in Colston Avenue, is bolder, bigger and more eyecatching with taxidermy (each has its own name) and skins plastered to the walls amidst intriguing portraits and shelves brimming
with dusty books. Make sure you try The Old Fashioned cocktail, served in a beautiful glass with Courvoisier Exclusif, Amer Picon, demerara sugar, Angostura bitters and orange bitters. Get familiar with the house rules too, which are important in these kinds of establishments. Namedropping is very much frowned upon, as are gentlemen approaching ladies they are not previously acquainted with. In all likelihood, failure to obey these rules may result in doors being closed in faces, and these are certainly not the kinds of places you would like to be barred from too. ■
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Bristol’s Award Winning Restaurant
AA Rose"es, Frontrunner for The 2014 Good Food Guide’s Readers’ Restaurant of the Year in the SW
a la carte menu available lunch and dinner Tues-Sat
Current Offers: Sunday lunch from £12.00 Tues-Sat lunch from the fixed price menu £10 for 2 courses inc. glass of wine OR 50% OFF your first drink
12-16 Cli on Road, Cli on, Bristol, BS8 1AF. T: 0117 973 7248 • e: eat@themuset.com
w: www.themuset.com
Twi"er @TheMuset • Facebook: The Muset
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WIN.... An example of a Your Space apartment
Ab b o t s Leig h
Starters Soup of the Day ★ Potted Pork & Toast ★ Goats Cheese Bruschetta
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e are offering one lucky reader the chance to win a pair of tickets to the Home, Food & Drink Festival, tickets to the charity popup restaurant by top Bristol Chef Chris Wicks and accommodation at a luxury serviced Your Space apartment – the ultimate foodie experience. The Bristol Home, Food & Drink Festival, now in its third year, will be held at the purpose-built UWE Exhibition & Conference Centre in Frenchay on 26 & 27 October. The hugely successful event, organised by Nationwide Exhibitions, will showcase the very best that the west has to offer including a myriad of top local chefs, food and drink producers and beautiful home wares. Visitors will have the opportunity to enjoy live cookery demonstrations by two Michelin-starred TV chef Martin Blunos and other award-winning local chefs including Josh Eggleton, Chris Wicks and Vince Castellano. This year a fabulous pop-up restaurant will take place in the evening on the 26 October which will see students from City of Bristol College working with top local chefs to cook and serve a fabulous feast with wine paired to each course. To really showcase Bristol’s fabulous world-food scene, husband and wife team, Sherrie Eugene-Hart and Pat Hart will be showcasing Carib-Asian cuisine, while Romy Gill will bring Indian delicacies and Abie Pixley, Creole food. In addition, local producers will be holding an array of contemporary food and drink master classes in the demonstration theatres. These will include sessions on cake-making, sugar craft, butchery, bakery, cocktails, cheese and cider. But food isn’t the only item on the agenda: you will find a range of quality companies showcasing new and innovative ways to improve the home. Exhibitors will range from external security solutions, Devon Duvets (as sold in Harrods), water purification systems, garden gazebos and loft ladders. You will also be able to browse, sample and experience the best exhibitors Bristol and the west has to offer such as Robert Welch Knives, Bramley & Gage liquors, Riverford Home Delivery and the Upton Cheyney Chilli Farm. For this competition, The Home, Food and Drink Festival has teamed up with Your Space serviced apartments to offer a home from home experience after the evening pop-up restaurant in aid of Children’s Hospice South West on Saturday 26. One lucky winner will receive this fantastic prize which will give them and a guest access to the show all weekend and a complimentary stay in a Your Space luxury apartment in which to relax and recharge for a foodie-packed Sunday. The Your Space apartments are fully-furnished and equipped apartments providing more space and freedom than a hotel room and located within the city centre. For a chance to win this exciting prize, just answer the following question: Where in Bristol will the Home, Food & Drink Festival be held? Email your answer, along with your name, address and phone number, with Home, Food & Drink Festival in the subject line to: competitions@thebristolmagazine.co.uk, or alternatively, send your answer on a postcard to: The Bristol Magazine, 2 Princes Buildings, George Street, Bath BA1 2ED. Closing date: Friday 2 August. For further information about the festival, visit: www.homeandfoodfestival.co.uk.
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Mains Pie, Creamy Mash & Gravy ★ Classic Fish & Chips Tart of the Day with Salad Desserts Chocolate Brownie ★ Home made Ice Cream ★ Panna cotta
2 courses £9.50 • 3 courses £12.50 Available Mon - Fri from 12 til 3pm & 6 til 7pm (excludes Bank Holidays) Please call or email to reserve a table Manor Road, Abbots Leigh, Bristol BS8 3RP Tel 01275 376985 www.thegeorgeinnbristol.co.uk • Email: thegeorgeinnbristol@gmail.com
THEBRISTOLMAGAZINE THEBESTOFBRISTOL PERFECTLYCOVERED BRISTOLSBIGGESTMAGAZINE PERFECTLYDELIVERED TOADVERTISETEL: 0117 9742800
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BRISTOLpeople NEW FACES... • Leading independent school Clifton College has appointed Mrs Jo Newman as the new headmistress of Butcombe, Clifton College’s Pre-Prep. She will replace Dr Wendy Bowring, who is retiring in July. Mrs Newman will join the school in September from Yateley Manor Prep School in Hampshire, where she has been head of the Pre-Prep for the past five years.
Bristol makeup artist is en vogue A City of Bristol College student has been recognised for her work by Vogue Italia, which has recently published a photo showcasing her skills as a make-up artist on their website. Marta Kopaczynska, a 28-year-old student on the college’s Level 3 Diploma in Theatrical and Media Make-up, submitted a photo of her work to the Vogue Italia website and it was handpicked to appear online. Marta and her colleagues created the photo shoot as a practice exercise, to hone their skills and create different images. Tara O’Hare, theatrical and media make-up lecturer at City of Bristol College, said: “We are so proud that Marta’s undeniable skill has been recognised and commended by Vogue Italia. This arm of the leading fashion publication, printed in the fashion capital, has a global following and is a momentous success for Marta, her model and the photographer.” “I am incredibly pleased and hope this is the beginning of future success,” said Marta Kopaczynska.
■ Bristol Old Vic’s ‘dream team’ were awarded the prestigious Stage Management Team Award at last month’s National Stage Management Awards Ceremony held in London, for their work on A Midsummer Night’s Dream, the hit production staged at Bristol Old Vic earlier this year, and currently touring the USA. The team was made up of Robin Longley (stage manager), Rebecca ‘B’ James (DSM) and Andy Guard (ASM). They were nominated by director Tom Morris who said: “I have worked with some very classy teams, but Robin, B and Andy are in another category altogether.” They beat off stiff competition from teams from the Royal Opera House, St James’ Theatre, St Martin’s Theatre as well as the multi Olivier-winning production The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night Time. ■ Bristol’s very own Bob Baker, co-writer of three Oscar and BAFTA winning Wallace & Gromit films, creator of K9 and writer for Dr Who, has released his autobiography, K9 Stole my Trousers. The book, published by Fantom Films, details his rich and varied life including adventures from a wine-tasting tour of France, mad sea voyages with Keith Floyd and playing jazz with John Fortune. It’s a personal tribute to some of the finest talents in TV in the last 50 years.
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MOVERS
& SHAKERS • Jacqui Hollman, pictured above, is the new owner of Allium Jewellers, 42 The Mall in Clifton Village. Jacqui has worked in Clifton for 12 years but is new to jewellery and has been looking forward to starting this new venture and meeting customers.
▲
News in brief
Champagne on the steps A wine shop with a difference has opened on Christmas Steps. Aptly called Champagne on the Steps, it is a boutique wine merchant that sells wine on tap. It was opened last month by Eve Hall, a 24-year-old Bristolian who studied wine in London. The idea behind the shop, says Eve, is that customers can taste the wines (there are nine on tap at the moment, including six wines from the west country) and then pick their favourite. Eve will then bottle it and cork it, ready for the customer to take away. Then just bring the bottle back and choose a different wine to fill it if you wish. Eve says: “The reason for buying wine this way is it is obviously much more fun, you get nicer wine for your money and it is better for the environment.” In her beautifully decorated shop, Eve also sells wines, Champagne and sparkling wine from all around the world.
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A sense of fair play Sue Mountstevens, the first elected Police and Crime Commissioner for Avon and Somerset Constabulary talks to Mick Ringham about her challenging new role, her change of career and her pride in her supportive family
F
or someone who grew up most mornings with the aroma of fresh bread and the sight of trays of jam filled doughnuts in the familyrun bakery, being elected as Avon and Somerset Constabulary’s first independent police commissioner is, by any stretch of the imagination, a heck of a career change. But Sue Mountstevens seems to be the type of person who takes this kind of transformation in her stride. Sue was the fifth generation to join the family business, the Mountstevens bakery chain, after attending Bristol polytechnic. She started in the bakery, as she says: “From the bottom, putting the cherries on the Danish pastries.” She rose to become director of the business and 20 years later, after the company was sold, she dedicated herself to family life as well as becoming involved in the criminal justice system. She was appointed as a local magistrate, a position she held for 15 years before becoming a member of the police authority. 54 THE BRISTOL MAGAZINE
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When, last year, the government decided to hold elections to appoint police and crime commissioners throughout the UK, Sue decided to stand – she was the only woman candidate in the election and the only independent one, not affiliated to a political party. She was elected by a convincing majority and became the area’s first independent commissioner, liaising between the general public and the police covering the entire Avon and Somerset area. She said: “It is such an incredibly worthwhile job, which takes in all aspects from anti-social behaviour to major crime and also making sure that victims get satisfaction from the justice system. As well as protecting the vulnerable in society, there is also the issue of helping to reduce reoffending.” She talks with genuine passion about her new post, where she freely admits the greatest challenge facing her today is police services being cut and here she has promised to ‘harangue’ government ministers over the force’s budget.
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DEDICATED: Sue Mountstevens is at her desk by 7am SONGS OF SIGNIFICANCE: left to right, Phil Collins’ Another Day in Paradise, Simon and Garfunkel’s Bridge Over Troubled Water and the Pointer Sisters’ Jump for Your Love
The average day sees Sue behind her desk by 7am sharp and sometimes returning home late in the evening. With the backing of her team, who she describes as “stunning” she offers advice to the public on all sorts of issues. Sue also clocks up hundreds of miles each week, visiting the six policing districts, talking to the police and listening to the concerns of residents. With a demanding work schedule which would surely challenge the capacity of most people, I asked her if she had any time to relax and if so how? She said: “I do enjoy jogging, or as one of my children describes it, a quick plod around the village where I live. I also find the English tradition of mowing the lawn rather therapeutic.” She is the proud mother of three grown-up children, Richard, Katie and Jamie and is happily married to husband Stephen. As for her musical tastes, they are continually up-dated on her iPod with recommendations from family and friends and if there was one person in the musical profession she would choose as a dinner guest, she answers without any hesitation: “Paul McCartney, I grew up in that generation and those songs are still relevant today as they were then.” As I walked back to my car after my interview with Sue, I noticed a parking ticket secured neatly to my windscreen. Looking down at the single yellow line, I realised my mistake, oh well as they say – it’s a fair cop!
also marrying into our small community. This song sums up how important our community is to us both.
Sue’s top ten:
● Tina Turner – Simply the Best One of the things my Dad would often say was ‘do the things you enjoy and you will succeed.’ I have tried to keep to those words all my life. I’ve loved most of my jobs and have tried to do them to the best of my ability, otherwise there’s no point in attempting them.
● The Eurythmics with Aretha Franklin – Sisters are Doing it for Themselves This song really empowers me and I also love dancing to it. Sometimes I feel that we women are our own worst enemy, by that I mean, if we feel we can’t do something, some of us don’t try, however the reality of the situation is totally different. Feel the Fear and Do It Anyway is a book which I would highly recommend anyone to read as a confidence boost. ● Simon and Garfunkel – Bridge Over Troubled Water When I was a teenager, I used to listen to this while studying for my O Levels. I persuaded my parents that I could do the two things at the same time, which I am happy to say, I managed quite successfully. But, as you get older it doesn’t happen like that, and listening to music has to be more scheduled or out of hours to enjoy. ● Phil Collins – Another Day in Paradise This particular record makes me feel how privileged I am meeting others, especially young people that aren’t so lucky. I continually wonder how some teenagers succeed when the odds are stacked so much against them. It’s one of the areas that most concerns me. ● Vic Damone – On the Street Where You Live This is from the film version with Audrey Hepburn and is especially dedicated to Stephen my husband. We had this played at our wedding. I have lived in our village for many years and I think that he felt not only was he marrying me at the time but
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● Rod Stewart – You’re in My Heart I owe a great deal to Stephen. He’s had to put up with an awful lot in me doing this very full-time job. He’s behind me and backing me all the way and I wouldn’t be able to do this without him. I love the lyrics of this number – it’s so desperately romantic. ● The Beatles – The Long and Winding Road To be honest this really describes my CV. I’ve had a hardworking but very joyful life and it’s been incredibly enjoyable. All the things I’ve done in the past, are now contributing to my present job. The old saying ‘you can’t buy experience’ is so true and if I can make a difference, then it will all be worthwhile. ● Tchaikovsky – Swan Lake I find this really poignant and each time I listen to it, it sends shivers down my spine. It’s one of those pieces of music that you can just lose yourself in and means various things to me at different times. I have seen this performed in the round at the Albert Hall which was absolutely wonderful.
● Pointer Sisters – Jump for My Love Seeing Hugh Grant in the film Love Actually start dancing to this, sums up what I try and do dancing round the kitchen. I love watching this film, particularly at Christmas with the kids and we turn the volume up really loud and all have a dance to this track. It’s full of power, drive and energy and I defy anyone to sit still when it’s being played. ● Gustav Holst – I Vow to Thee, My Country This was adapted from a poem by Cecil Spring-Rice. “I vow to thee, my country, all earthly things above, Entire and whole and perfect, the service of my love: The love that asks no question, the love that stands the test, That lays upon the altar the dearest and the best; The love that never falters, the love that pays the price, The love that makes undaunted the final sacrifice.” My son Richard was a Captain in the army and was sent to Afghanistan and I found that during this emotional time, I just couldn’t listen to any music whatsoever. I felt my life was on hold and now listening to that hymn again, reminds me of all the anxiety and pain that all families are still going through today. I was lucky, he came back but I never will forget that traumatic time. ■ Contact the PCC via the website: www.avonandsomersetppc.gov.uk. JULY 2013
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News in brief
■ The Wave: Bristol has announced that its in-land surfing experience will be taking over a 40 acre site near Bristol which straddles land at Over Court Farm in Almondsbury and Washingpool Farm in Easter Compton. The Wave: Bristol is collaborating with outdoor activity centre, Mojo Active and they will be sharing use of the site. At the centre will be a freshwater lagoon and using the latest technology, will generate perfect surfing waves of up to 1.6 metres high, at a rate of approximately 120 waves per hour, with room for experienced surfers and beginners. For further information visit: www.the-wave.co.uk. ■ Spire Bristol Hospital, The Glen, has launched a history project to celebrate the site’s long and interesting heritage. Situated in the old quarry site at the top of Whiteladies Road, The Glen has been a key Bristol landmark for more than 90 years and for many it holds special memories. In a bid to capture memories, The Glen is asking people to send in their recollections of the site and its colourful history, from its time as a music hall in the 20s, a restaurant in the 40s, a nightclub in the 50s, to its opening as a hospital in 1986. Stories are being collated via The Glen’s website – http://www.spirehealthcare.com/bristol/t he-glen-project/ – and will be chronicled in a special booklet called The Glen Project.
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Leading south west company, Bradbury’s has opened its latest kitchen showroom in the heart of the city centre. Bradbury’s ALNO store, located on Bond Street South, opposite Cabot Circus, will provide inspirational contemporary kitchen designs in partnership with leading German kitchen and appliance brands, ALNO and Miele. It is owned and operated by independent kitchen designer, Andy Bradbury, and offers the best in kitchen design from a highly experienced creative team. Sign up for the launch party on Thursday 18 July to see cookery demonstrations on the latest, appliances – the first time they will have been seen in Bristol. For further information visit: www.bradburysltd.co.uk or tel: 0117 941 4179.
CITY BUSINESS ▲
■ Popular children's party organisers, Sharky & George, have expanded their unique brand of energetic, fun and imaginative parties to a new base in Bristol. Growing demand for Sharky & George prompted the move to Clifton, in order to have good access to the whole of the south west to deliver their classic and survival party formats, including movie making, discos and cooking. Sharky & George have also just launched Don’t You Dare, a compendium book of pranks, games, things to do on the beach, fun facts and more. For further information visit: www.sharkyandgeorge.com
CHARITY SUPPORT
Sharon Da Costal, Michael Clarke; partner, Clarke Willmott; George Ferguson, Mayor of Bristol; June Borrough: Founding Director of Pierian Centre and Margaret Brereton
A fundraising appeal to open the first specialist cancer unit for young patients living in the south west has been officially launched by world snooker player Jack Lisowski. The launch by Teenage Cancer Trust saw the charity unveil designs for its £2.5m state-ofthe-art unit which will be situated in the Bristol Haematology and Oncology Centre. The charity revealed that it has raised £1.5m towards the build but a further £1m needs to be achieved before the unit becomes operational in early 2014. Teenage Cancer Trust is now appealing to local communities to take part in its £1,000 Challenge, calling on 1,000 individuals, groups, schools and communities to raise £1,000 each to reach the £1million fundraising goal. For further information visit: www.teenagecancertrust.org/southwest
Young apprentices Last month saw the launch of CommunityApprentice, a new programme for young people in Bristol that is supported by Mayor George Ferguson. Over 100 guests attended the event at Harvey Nichols in Cabot Circus in which young people from across the city presented their ideas, and previous examples of project work to businesses and individuals to encourage them to support the scheme both financially and by acting as mentors. The structured ten-month programme has been designed by Bristol-based charity, Envision and requires young people, competing in teams, to identify a social problem, create a solution and execute it within a deadline. They will be mentored throughout the programme and participate in activities designed to develop skills such as creative thinking, organisation and problem solving that many employers say are what they most need in new recruits. Envision aims to source support to work with 1,000 community apprentices over the next three years.
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The Perils of Homemade Wills It is estimated that only 30% of adults in this country have made a Will and of those, many will be “homemade” Wills. Although a Will must be in writing, there is no limitation on the type of writing or on what it appears. In the past, for example, Wills have been written on the back of an unused cheque and a hen’s egg! The latter was not approved. Problems often arise with definitions. For example, a gift of “all my money” might seem obvious but do you mean cash or money held in bank accounts and shares? The most common problems arise when executing the Will. A Will signed in the wrong place can create doubts as to whether in fact it was signed at all. It is also important than anyone who benefits under the Will (or their spouse) should not witness it. If you are in any doubt about the validity of a “homemade” Will, ask your solicitor to check it for you or better still, ask them to draw up a new Will for you. The cost of doing this will be a fraction of the cost of sorting out an invalid Will after your death. For further advice please call Mary McCartney on 0117 926 4121 or email her at mm@meadeking.co.uk.
Seeing the wider picture …focusing on the detail Meade King LLP Solicitors 11-12 Queen Square, Bristol, BS1 4NT
www.meadeking.co.uk
Tel: 0117 926 4121
Free Jewellery, Silver & Watch Valuations at Clevedon Salerooms
£3,400
£19,600
£41,500
£7,600
Clevedon Salerooms Specialist Sales have an enviable reputation for selling jewellery, silver and fine watches for the highest prices to bidders located around the globe. On Tuesday 23rd July & Tuesday 20th August our Specialist Jewellery & Silver Consultant John Kelly, Fellow of The Gemmological Association, will be providing free verbal no-obligation sale estimates on all jewellery and silver. Watches will be appraised by Marc Burridge. No appointment is necessary.
Free Jewellery Valuations Tues 23rd July & Tues 20th August 9.30am – 5pm
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£4,600
Fine Art Auctioneers & Valuers The Auction Centre Kenn Road, Kenn Clevedon, BS21 6TT AMPLE FREE PARKING
Tel: 01934 830111 www.clevedon-salerooms.com
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Documenting the wild world James Russell talks to Richard Edwards, the executive director of Wildscreen, a Bristol-based international wildlife and environmental organisation celebrating the tenth anniversary of the launch of its online digital library of the world’s endangered species
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curious news story hit the headlines of newspapers recently, not just in Bristol or even Britain, but around the world. According to Indian journalist Akila Kannadasan in The Hindu: A nocturnal parrot that cannot fly has captured the imagination of nature lovers across the world. Called kakapo, the bird has been selected as the world’s favourite species in an online poll in which 162 countries participated. The article went on to explain that the poll had been launched by ARKive, an extensive digital library relating to the world’s endangered flora and fauna, in celebration of the organisation’s tenth birthday. What it didn’t mention is that ARKive is a project run from the Bristol office of Wildscreen, the international wildlife and environmental organisation that celebrated its 30th anniversary last year.
For the younger generation particularly, ❝ who spend so much of their lives online, we have to make natural history easy to access – and inspiring
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The online digital library was launched in 2003, but it would have started life earlier had the technology existed. Veteran BBC producer and Wildscreen founder Chris Parsons came up with the idea of archiving the films submitted to the festival back in the early 1990s, but in those days this would have meant renting a large warehouse and filling it with video tapes. Now, of course, films and photos can be submitted digitally and shared almost immediately with a global audience. Since ARKive was launched, with the help of the Heritage Lottery Fund, in 2003, more than 7,500 film makers and photographers from every corner of the earth have submitted material, and the website receives over a million visits a month. 58 THE BRISTOL MAGAZINE
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Richard Edwards is executive director of Wildscreen and has been working on the ARKive project since its inception in 2001. The main aim of the vast global project is, he said, to help people reconnect with the natural world. “We want to inspire people to care,” he explained. “We want to celebrate the wonder of just how amazing life on earth really is, to say ‘Have a look at these species – aren’t they incredible?’ For the younger generation particularly, who spend so much of their lives online, we have to make natural history easy to access – and inspiring.” When Sir David Attenborough launched ARKive a decade ago, nobody could have predicted how popular it would become. Richard is impressed not only by the project’s global reach but also by the tremendous variety of people who have contributed their work. Alongside films made by the BBC and National Geographic are others submitted by amateur naturalists, conservationists and scientists working in the field. The centralised and digitised library includes more than 100,000 inspirational films and
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INSPIRING: main image, Richard Edwards at Bristol Harbour, image by Clint Randall; left inset, the kakapo was voted the world’s favourite species in an online poll by ARKive, photograph by Mark Carwardine Above, from left, Tiger by Anup Shah; and Sir Peter Scott at the first Wildscreen Festival in 1982
photographs of the world’s threatened species, including the extremely rare. “With so many fans, followers and supporters all over the world, we thought we should celebrate our anniversary not with a party in Bristol but with some kind of event that everyone could get involved with and that highlighted the fascinating diversity of life on earth,” says Richard. Rather than give people a list of endangered creatures to choose from, ARKive made the poll open-ended. Even so, the kakapo was a quite remarkable choice for ‘world’s favourite species’. A flightless parrot that lives only on two New Zealand islands and is almost unknown outside that country, the kakapo is one of those creatures that was perfectly suited to life on a small island but quite unable to cope with the arrival of humans and the accompanying rats, dogs and other predators.
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What this endearing bird has in its favour is, as Richard puts it, “passionate champions, who saw in the poll an opportunity to promote the conservation of the kakapo on a global stage.” From the Conservation Department in New Zealand to a campaign group called, fittingly, Kakapo Recovery, these champions used their own organisations and the various social media networks to encourage participation and win votes for the parrot. At the same time they showed just what could be achieved through social media. “These were passionate people,” Richard explains, “using modern technology to create a buzz. We live in a noisy world and for conservationists to make themselves heard is a massive challenge.” ■ For further information about ARKive and Wildscreen, visit: www.arkive.org and www.wildscreen.org
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A smooth ride Alex Jenner-Fust test drives the new Mazda 6: sleek, sensible and one of the most fuel-efficient cars around
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f ever a car was likely to be found posing on a beach, it’s the Mazda 6. Fresh from an early-morning run, it hasn’t even broken a sweat and is ready to head home for a protein shake and a bowl of granola. Keeping in tip top shape is vital to a car that’s competing for top spot in the fleet market. With company car buyers tempted by accomplished rivals like the Ford Mondeo and traditional superiors like the BMW 3 Series, the new Mazda 6 has its work cut out. That’s why the engineers have put the old 6 out to pasture and given the car a Shane Warne-style overhaul. It looks sleek and groomed, and it has lost a serious amount of weight, making it one of the most fuel-efficient family cars around. We drove the 6 in gangster spec (my term, not Mazda’s) which blinged up a pearlescent white range-topping Sport model with extra bodykit and shiny black alloy wheels. Perfect if you want to attract attention, less useful if you want people to let you into busy lanes of traffic. However, even in a more restrained guise it would add more sparkle to the daily commute than a Ford Mondeo. Inside there are no surprises – the dash is smart but sensible, everything (except the digital clock lurking low on the centre console) is where you’d expect to find it. There’s even a new dial for real economy geeks which demonstrates how effectively the ‘intelligent energy loop’ system is storing the kinetic energy generated during deceleration. This energy is then used to power functions like the air-conditioning, reducing the power demands on the engine and the amount of fuel you’ll use. If keeping bills low is a priority and you drive enough miles to justify the initial extra outlay, the diesel version is the best bet. Emissions of just 108g/km put it into the same low road tax band as BMW’s greenest 320d, and claimed fuel economy of 62.8mpg is impressive, too. The 6 feels solidly planted on the road and it’s happy to flex its muscles and sprint when required. The 173bhp 2.2-litre diesel engine we tested is the strongest in the range; drivers with a closer eye on economy would be best served by the 148bhp version, while the petrol option is a 2.0-litre engine with either 143 or 163bhp. The ride is a lot more forgiving than the 19-inch wheel rims would suggest and at steady speeds the car feels smooth and comfortable. Unfortunately for a car that’s likely to spend hours pacing the motorways it didn’t settle into the kind of cruisy refinement one would like at higher 60 THE BRISTOL MAGAZINE
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speeds. It sounds great though. The car feels roomy in the back, although the door pockets will only fit a small bottle of water. The roofline arcs well above the front passengers’ heads but those in the back will find it a tighter fit. The Mazda’s boot is slightly larger than that of a BMW 3 Series but the saloon styling demands similar care when reaching in for items from the back to avoid bumping your head or falling in. The Mazda’s efficient metabolism makes it an appealingly affordable car to run, while its athletic performance and well-toned physique make it an enjoyable companion on the road, too. It’s enough to make one think about joining a gym. ■ With thanks to Bristol Street Motors, St Philips Causeway, Bristol BS4 3BD. Tel: 0117 311 5000, www.bristolstreet.co.uk/mazda
Three of the best... driving experiences The thrill of the open road has never been more elusive thanks to roadworks, speed restrictions and traffic congestion. Today the safest way to push your driving to the limit is at a dedicated venue, and we’ve found some of the best in the south west. • Race track thrills: The race circuit at Castle Combe offers a huge variety of experiences, from racing round the track in your own car, in a single-seater or as a passenger on a white-knuckle ride in a Ferrari. www.castlecombecircuit.co.uk. • Master the skid pan: Also in Castle Combe, Drive-Tech Ltd offers a skid pan experience as well as karting and off-roading. You’ll get to drive front and rear-wheel drive cars over a slippery surface that replicates an icy road, and learn how to manage a car that’s skidding. There’s a focus on safety and it’s fun, too. www.drivetechltd.co.uk. • JCB racing: If you’ve ever fantasised about a career in construction, take a trip down the M5 to Devon for a day out at Diggerland. Here you can drive and even race JCB diggers. www.diggerland.com.
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Going Above and Beyond for Bristol We take a look at a new campaign by Bristol charity Above & Beyond that aims to raise money to improve the facilities and care services in Bristol’s hospitals, and ways that you can show your support
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ast month, local hospitals’ charity Above & Beyond launched a £6m appeal – its biggest ever – to transform two of our city’s, and indeed the region’s, most important hospitals: the Bristol Royal Infirmary (BRI) and Bristol’s Cancer Hospital, the Bristol Haematology & Oncology Centre (BHOC). Mayor of Bristol George Ferguson helped to launch the appeal in the BRI’s Old Building – which is the oldest working hospital building in the UK. He expressed pride in Bristol as a ‘caring city’ and praised the charity for continuing a tradition of caring that goes back to the founding of the hospital with pledges from 78 visionary Bristol citizens in 1735. The charity presented the Mayor, known for his trademark red trousers, with a pair of gold trousers as part of its mission to encourage people to support this important cause, which has been named the Golden Gift Appeal, hence the golden trousers! The Golden Gift Appeal will fully equip the BRI and the BHOC to deliver the life-saving treatments of today – and the pioneering treatments of tomorrow – to millions of people in our city and region. Its aims include to give patients greater privacy and dignity in care with welcoming, comfortable hospital surroundings; provide staff with the latest state-of-the-art equipment that’s vital to help them save more lives; and bring expert medical teams together to provide the best treatment and care for their patients in modern, purpose-built facilities. The appeal will also be fundraising for specific projects that the NHS cannot fund, including the region’s first dedicated adult Bone Marrow Transplant Unit, a world-class intensive care monitoring system, new individual rooms for very sick patients, and family rooms for their loved ones. On top of this, the charity’s appeal will fund artworks in the adult wards in the new BRI Ward Block and in the refurbished Emergency Department to brighten up the areas, influencing a positive and happier feeling among patients and their visitors. Currently there are pieces being created by national awardwinning photographer Simon Roberts depicting Bristol scenes, and Simon is also inviting everyone to log on to his website – www.beholdrespondinspire.com – and submit their own photos of Bristol and the west over the year. These photos will appear on an online gallery and some along with Simon’s own images in the BRI. Sarah Talbot-Williams, Chief Executive at Above & Beyond says: “No one chooses to go into hospital – yet at some point in our lives it is likely we will need to – either for treatment ourselves or to visit a loved one. What any of us would want in this situation is the best possible treatment and care delivered in welcoming surroundings. “That is why we have launched the Golden Gift Appeal. With the help of inspirational local supporters, our appeal will fund gold standard healthcare in first-class hospitals for some of the most vulnerable patients in Bristol and the south west. The Golden Gift Appeal will make sure that we have hospitals we can all be proud of – fully equipped to care for our health for generations to come. That is why we need your help today. Every donation big or small means that – together – we can give patients in Bristol and the south west the gift of goldstandard healthcare.” There are numerous ways that you can support the campaign and get involved with the fundraising: 62 THE BRISTOL MAGAZINE
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• DONATE: Visit: www.goldengiftappeal.org.uk and click on donate. • GET FUNDRAISING: The fundraising team have loads of ideas, resources and tips if you want to organise an event in your local area. • RUN: Put your best foot forward for the appeal in the Bristol Half Marathon on Sunday 15 September. Above & Beyond will provide all runners with a running vest, training tips, a running shop discount and the loudest cheers when you cross the finishing line. • BAKE: The Biggest Ever Bristol Bake-off takes place from 16-23 September. Join nurses, school students, companies and community groups around the city by inviting your friends, family, colleagues or neighbours to hold a bake sale. The charity can offer recipe and fundraising tips to make your event golden and make-you-own children’s chef hats are also available. • ROW: Join the Bristol Dragon Boat Festival on Sunday 22 September for an exhilarating day of racing where crews of 16 paddlers and a drummer race in Chinese style dragon boats over a 150m course. You don’t need to be super fit – all that’s required is good teamwork. It’s the perfect challenge for sports clubs, business teams and any team with a sense of fun. To register your team visit: www.funrasiers.org.uk/index.php/otherevents and then let Above & Beyond know you’re taking part and they will provide you with t-shirts and sponsorship forms. • WALK: take part in the family-friendly Golden Leaf sponsored walk on Sunday 20 October. • BE A DAREDEVIL: Skydive, cycle, adventure race and overseas trekking challenges are available if you’re an adrenalin junkie. For more information call the fundraising team on tel: 0117 3700 485 or visit: www.goldengiftappeal.org.uk ■
CARING CITY: clockwise from top, the BRI Old Building founded in 1735, image © Alan Russell; an example of what the new family rooms for intensive care patients’ relatives will look like, image © Peter Alvey; The Holker Family, Ashley Vale Allotments, Bristol by Simon Roberts is one of the pieces of art that will adorn the walls of the adult ward in the new BRI Ward Block and in the refurbished Emergency Department
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FAMILYfun Dora The Explorer Live at the Bristol Hippodrome
KIDS TIME There are plenty of events and activities on offer for all the family to enjoy this month. Use our guide to plan quality time with your children as they break up for the summer • Make Your Own Gromit, At-Bristol, from 25 July Take a break from hunting out giant Gromits across the city with a visit to At-Bristol to meet an Aardman model maker, who’ll teach you the tricks of the trade and help you make your very own Gromit. Once your creations are ready to star on the silver screen, bring them to life in the unique animation exhibit. You’ll also get a chance to meet Wallace and Gromit themselves – they’ll be here every day over the summer. Model making workshops £3 in addition to standard admission price.
• Adventureland Golf, Arnolfini, 25 July – 26 August This summer a crazy golf course with a difference comes to Arnolfini. Artist Doug Fishbone’s Adventureland Golf consists of nine holes, each designed by some of the UK’s leading contemporary artists including: Turner-prize nominated David Shrigley, Jake and Dinos Chapman, and Doug Fishbone himself. Cost: £2/£1 children. Tel: 0117 917 2300.
• Sunset Specials, Bristol Zoo, 26 July Visit the Zoo after hours and take advantage of the rare opportunity to enjoy the zoo as the sun goes down. All the zoo’s animal houses and exhibits will be open and throughout the evening there will be animal displays, talks and opportunities to meet some smaller creatures up close. Tickets: adult £12, children £8 from: www.bristolzoo.org.uk/sunset-specials
• Dora the Explorer Live: Search for the City of Lost Toys, Bristol Hippodrome, 26 – 28 July Following its UK premiere in London’s West End last year, this live musical adventure, which 64 THE BRISTOL MAGAZINE
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brings the popular children’s show to the stage, follows the story of Dora’s search to retrieve her lost her teddy bear Osito. With the help of the audience and courageous friends, Dora uses her map-reading, counting, musical and language skills to successfully pass through the number pyramid and the mixed-up jungle to reach the City of Lost Toys. Box office tel: 0844 871 3012 or visit: www.atgtickets.com.
• ACTiv8 Summer Skills Weeks, Bristol Old Vic Theatre School, 29 July – 23 August ACTiv8 is the youth theatre group of the Bristol Old Vic Theatre School. Students will learn the skills and crafts of an actor with which to make exciting, innovative and truthful theatre, while playing theatre games and building a good company spirit. Week one is for 7-11 year olds, week 2 for 12-15s and week 3 for 16+, with the option to stay for the devised project in week 4. For further information, visit: www.oldvic.ac.uk
• Teddy Bears’ Picnic, Lacock Abbey, Wiltshire, 30 July, 11am – 2pm Pack a picnic and bring teddy along for a lunchtime outing at Lacock Abbey with activities for you and your cuddly best friend to enjoy. For more information tel: 01249 730 459.
• Storybus, Departs from stop 1 on Broad Quay, 30 July, 5.30pm Dynamic Bristol performer Chris Brown returns for another season of highly successful Story Bus trips. As Captain Barnacle he will lead you on an open top bus swashbuckling adventure with stories of the high seas, dastardly pirates and ghostly sailors. Tickets £8/£4 adult, £5/£2.50 child, for further information visit: www.citysightseeingbristol.co.uk.
WIN TICKETS FOR A FAMILY DAY OUT AT CHEPSTOW RACECOURSE...
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e have teamed up with Chepstow Racecourse, located just over the Severn Bridge in Monmouthshire, to offer you the chance to win one of four family tickets to the Big Family Fun Raceday on Monday 26 August. Horses will be the stars of the day but there will be an added attraction as the Welsh racecourse plays host to the fantastic Only 1 Direction tribute band. Only 1 Direction will be making appearances throughout the afternoon and entertaining the crowd with some of the original band’s biggest hits. Gates open at 12.05pm and the kids will love all the fun lined up especially for them. As well as Only 1 Direction there will be a range of other entertainment ... and all for free, including bouncy castles, inflatable assault course, sumo suits, bungee run, face painting, pony rides and the Panic Circus, a travelling circus made up of puppets and clowns. For a chance to win, just answer the following question... What are the names of all of the members of the boyband One Direction? Email your answer, along with your name, address and telephone number, with Chepstow Racecourse Competition in the subject line to: competitions@thebristolmagazine.co.uk, or alternatively send your answer on a postcard to: The Bristol Magazine, 2 Princes Buildings, George Street, Bath BA1 2ED. Closing date: Friday 26 July. For further information about the racecourse, visit: www.chepstowracecourse.co.uk
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DO YOU HAVE A SPARE ROOM? FRIENDLY HOSTS WANTED FOR OUR INTERNATIONAL STUDENTS We are looking for welcoming, hospitable hosts to accommodate our international students. • Long and short stays available • Great experience • Great rates of pay For more information, please contact: Emma Petty Accommodation Officer 27 Oakfield Road, Clifton Bristol BS8 2AT 0117 909 0911 Email: emma@ihbristol.com Web: www.ihbristol.com
Study Travel Exams Holidays
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NEED ARTWORK? BROCHURES? PRINT? ADVERTISEMENT DESIGN COMPANY LOGOS FLYERS MENUS LEAFLETS BROCHURES FULL SERVICE, DESIGN + PRINT SOLUTIONS TEL: 0117 974 2800 EMAIL: STUDIO @ THEBRISTOLMAGAZINE.CO.UK
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ADVERTISEMENT FEATURE
Much more than a nursing home At Riversway Nursing Home we understand the many difficul'es encountered by people with demen'a and their families.
Our beau'fully appointed purpose built home in Bristol has enjoyed many years of caring for people with this debilita'ng condi'on which will affect one million people by the year 2020. Riversway has undergone development recently with the crea'on of a dedicated 17 bedroom suite with trained support staff to care for residents with demen'a. The facility boasts a re-designed lounge and dining area and is intended to represent a transforma'onal approach to the support we offer. Specialist care
Our dedicated, highly skilled staff provide a wide range of person-centred services for adults and older people with a wide range of needs including general nursing care, planned respite care, end of life care and demen'a care. We believe the home offers a posi've lifestyle choice – a choice for ‘your care, your way.’ Our aim is to provide the people we care for and support with a posi've and personalised lifestyle, offering choices and the ability to maintain control of your life. We pride ourselves on going the extra mile for the people we care for and support, and in addi'on to an excellent team of nurses and support workers, we have a WWW.THEBRISTOLMAGAZINE.CO.UK
dedicated and commi(ed team of housekeeping, catering, ac'vi'es and administra'on staff, all of whom provide an essen'al role in making life at Riversway as comfortable and posi've as possible. Joining our community
Many people o en feel that life in a care home must signify an end to independence and enjoyment of life. At Riversway we believe that every person joins our community to con'nue their lifestyle and enjoy as much independence as possible. Staff at Riversway are dedicated to providing high quality care for residents, their carers, rela'ves and significant others. Our philosophy is that people are individuals who deserve dignity, respect and person centred care in a caring, homely environment to enable them to live as full and enjoyable a life as possible within the confines of their illness or disability. Alongside our team of nurses and care staff, Riversway has its own unique lifestyle support team which works with small groups and individuals to con'nue their interests and hobbies. In their own words
Families o en write with kind words for our staff – following are just a few examples.
“A huge thankyou to all of you at Riversway Nursing Home for the love and impeccable care you showed my father in law during his three month stay.” J & AH
“Sincere thanks from the bo om of my heart. I am going to miss all of you all my life.” WH
“On behalf of my dad, I would like to thank all the staff involved with his care. His me le was made for the be er with your help and care.” AB “We thank you for the care, kindness and a en on that you have given over the last couple of months, and they are now much stronger for it, enabling them to move forward.” J, J & J
For further informa"on, please contact us: Riversway Nursing Home Crews Hole Road, St George, Bristol, BS5 8GG www.riverswaycare.com info@riverswaycare.com Tel: 01179 555758 JULY 2013
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THE BRISTOL MAGAZINE 67
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OUT&ABOUT
THE WILD, WILD WEST Hannah Stuart-Leach goes on safari in Exmoor with charismatic BBC wildlife filmmaker Johnny Kingdom
A
fter a crack-of-dawn journey from Bristol to north Devon I battle against the wind up the driveway of Exmoor Riverside Caravan Park, near South Molton. I’m not sure I’ve come to the right place, but then I catch the unmistakable sight of the man I’m here to meet. Arms outstretched he greets me, “Hello my lovely! You’re here!” and embraces me like an old friend. Wildlife filmmaker Johnny Kingdom looks just like he does on TV, clad head to toe in camouflage with feathers protruding from his trademark leather bushwacker hat. First impressions suggest he will be just as excitable as his on-screen persona, too. Johnny, who still resides in the same house in Bishop’s Nympton he’s lived in most his adult life, is known for his documentaries, notably his 2006 BBC2 series Johnny Kingdom: A year on Exmoor. Their appeal lies in the passion he conveys amid the wilds of nature, especially in his native Exmoor. In his latest adventure shown on BBC4, Johnny Kingdom and the Bears of Alaska, his unaffected thrill at seeing hulking brown bears on Kodiak Island is touching and instinctive. We set out for our Exmoor safari in Johnny’s shiny black Mitsubishi Barbarian with grisly clouds hanging overhead. We’re here to see and learn about the wildlife, plants and animals of this hilly open moorland, but in particular, we want to spot a stag. Although Johnny warns us “We might not see anything, it’s like pea soup up there,” it doesn’t dull the mood. We drive up through fog and down into mist, over the undulating hills of
Exmoor’s hilly open moorland is the perfect place to spot deer and stags
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Exmoor. As we admire the scene, Johnny fills the car with laughter, regaling us with humorous anecdotes from his colourful past. He says on his safaris, people are often most interested in his eclectic CV. Tattoos up his arms are reminders of his time in the army, which took him to China and Hong Kong as a rebellious young man and, he says, gave him much-needed discipline. When he returned, he spent years in labour intensive industries, from grave digging to tree felling, yet manages to make light of even the most gruelling circumstances. Poor visibility stunts our view, but the heavy atmosphere over the starkness of the moors is beautifully dramatic. We are yet to see any of the stag we have come to admire, but there are lots of steep muddy grooves in banks where they’ve crossed the road to feed. “Look at that, see! Would you just look at that!” Johnny exclaims each time. Johnny is remarkably youthful for 74. As well as having a supportive family – he’s just celebrated 50 years of marriage to his wife Julie, who often appears in his shows – his impassioned approach to his work surely helps keep him young. “The problem is,” he reasons, “you can’t go on forever. Which is why I just enjoy what I do.” Bubbling with ambition, Johnny tells us his next project is to document moose in Scotland, “I’ve been into deer all my life, and the moose is the biggest deer in the world. I’ve got to see that.” His latest offering is a DVD revealing a behind-the-scenes version of his trip to Alaska, and he’s still buzzing from the experience. “To see all those bears was amazing. It’s something I’ll never forget,” he says. We pull up by a field of sheep and brightly numbered lambs. They seem to be just as giddy as Johnny; I can barely hear him over their hungry baas. He hands me some super strength Swarovski binoculars, which he calls glasses, and I make out silhouettes of deer in the distance. March and April is when red deer shed their antlers, Johnny explains, ahead of rutting season in October. He digs out the mighty antlers of a coveted Royal Stag from the boot of the truck to show us. The antlers – for roe deer too, which lose theirs around November and December for rutting in the summer – fetch high prices, so are extremely desirable despite the difficulty of locating a matching pair in the vast open landscape. “It gets really crazy down here, with people looking for antlers. I used to walk miles and miles looking for them.”
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OUT&ABOUT
AT ONE WITH NATURE: left, inset, wildlife filmmaker Johnny Kingdom leads safaris around Exmoor, pointing out wildlife, plants and animals with his expert knowledge; above, on Johnny Kingdom’s safaris you might spot red deer and stags roaming the moorland at any time of the year Images by Tom Milner
Johnny isn’t content with our distant sighting, and we drive on. We pull over by woodland near the River Barle, where Johnny used to fish for salmon with bare hands. We’re close to Draydon Rails, where he tells us an annual bolving competition (bellowing like a stag) is held. He does an impression of a stag roaring to demonstrate. “I judged it one year, it’s all for charity. A man called Elvis wins every time,” he adds, matter-of-fact. Johnny’s media exploits have led to many special encounters – his highlights include receiving a personal letter of appreciation from Sir David Attenborough. Ever grateful for the opportunities he’s had, he likes to help his local community when he can. Having reached rock bottom himself, after a serious tractor accident, which set him on a spiral of depression, he is all too familiar with life’s ups and downs. It was thanks to the kindness of a friend, Roger Gregory, who lent him a video camera to film wildlife and inspire his recovery, that Johnny’s career – which as well as a long list of TV shows has produced more than 30 films, an autobiography and innumerable photographs – took off. Driving the truck through a stream, Johnny asks, “Did you imagine Exmoor like this?” Looking out at the river with water as clear as gin and listening to skylark, I tell him no, I’ve never been anywhere quite like it. We reach the highest point in Exmoor, the Five Barrels, as late morning sun breaks out. My window is open and a cleansing
WWW.THEBRISTOLMAGAZINE.CO.UK
heather-laden breeze wafts in, making the golden view over the hills all the more captivating.
It gets really crazy down here, ❝ with people looking for antlers. I used to walk miles and miles looking for them
❞
Suddenly we halt – Johnny has spotted something. “Quick, quick!” he beckons excitedly, stopping the truck and frantically ejecting himself. “Get your glasses, I can see stag!” Scrambling out of our seats, we get into position. Sure enough, a herd of ten magnificent stags, antlers mostly in tact, are parading through copper coloured ferns. Watching them is hypnotic, and I understand now some of the joy Johnny finds here. ■ Johnny Kingdom’s safaris cost £90 and run from March to November. The safaris involve a tour around Exmoor of around 4 hours, stopping to see the wildlife on the way. Visit: www.johnnykingdom.com for more information and to book.
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THE BRISTOL MAGAZINE 69
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HEALTH&beauty
BON VOYAGE
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You don’t need to leave your favourite beauty products behind on the bathroom shelf when you head off to warmer climes. Lisa Piddington picks her hero travel sets
Whether it’s the heat of Hawaii, the romance of Rome or the temptation of Thailand, wherever you’re heading for your summer sojourn make sure you take your everyday beauty essentials with you to keep you pampered and preened for your holidays. Find suitcase room for luxurious travel sets, packed with a host of miniature must-haves that ensures you keep up your daily beauty regime away from home
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❶ Benefit Feelin' Dandy Tips & Tricks set, £25.50; ➋ Tweezerman petit tweeze set, £26; ➌ Elemis Traveller Kit, £68; ➍ Macadamia Natural Oil Hair Care travel set, £30; ➎ Eve Lom Travel Essentials, £75; ➏ Acqua di Parma travel sprays, £54; ➐ Crème de la Mer Beyond Radiance set, £240; ➑ This Works award winning kit, £29; ➒ Cowshed travel candles, £22. All products featured are available from the Ground Floor Beauty Hall at Harvey Nichols Bristol
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0117 942 0011
WE LOOK AFTER YOUR EYES BECAUSE LIFE IS FOR LOOKING AT BEAUTIFUL THINGS
She wore blue velvet.... or beige or red If you have been searching for that perfect frame, look no further. Lunar has a great selection of lovely frames from easy to wear, simple metals to the bright and colourful plastics..... and yes they even have velvet ones!!! 0117 942 0011 open Mon - Sat 9.30am - 6pm www.lunaroptical.com info@lunaroptical.com 291 Gloucester Road, Bristol, BS7 8NY
College of Naturopathic Medicine fp July:Layout 23
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ADVERTISEMENT FEATURE
Hay Fever, the natural approach By experts from CNM (College of Naturopathic Medicine).
H
ay fever is an allergic reaction to pollen, which occurs during the spring or summer months. Exposure to pollen causes an increase in IgE antibodies, which cause the mast cells (specialised white blood cells) to secrete histamine and leukotrienes, which trigger an inflammatory response resulting in itchy, streaming eyes and nose. We are exposed to countless potential allergens every day and once the allergic load passes a certain threshold, this triggers the inflammatory response. Allergic reactions like hay fever are often accompanied by low stomach acid resulting in poor breakdown of food particles and the passage of larger particles through into the intestines. ‘Leaky gut’ is also frequently found, allowing large particles and allergens to cross the intestinal membrane into the blood stream, initiating the allergic response. Either condition may be caused by stress, overuse of certain medications (eg aspirin, NSAIDs, antacids), sugar, refined grains, dairy or wheat. The naturopathic approach, which is at the core of all CNM training courses in natural therapies, associates hay fever with weak adrenal, immune or digestive function. A naturopathically-trained therapist would firstly seek to identify the source of the hay fever, and then make detailed recommendations specific to the individual. However, hay fever sufferers may find the following general naturopathic advice to be helpful. Reduce sources of allergens including pollen, animal dander, dust and exhaust fumes, processed foods and food additives. Investigate whether dairy is a potential allergen for you, and how to avoid and compensate for it, if so. Avoid sugar, refined grains and wheat, which encourage leaky gut and can impair immune function. Aim for 9 servings of vegetables and fruit per day, as a source of vitamin C, antioxidants and bioflavinoids, which act as natural antihistamines and anti-inflammatories. Include onions, garlic, red skinned apples, pineapple and oily fish or flaxseed oil in your diet. Before meals, drink half a glass of water with a squeeze of lemon juice to stimulate stomach acid production. Therapists may recommend supplementation, potentially with vitamin c, bioflavanoids and probiotics. Homeopathic remedies, which can stimulate the body’s own self-healing mechanism, can be taken orally or as a nasal spray. Relevant herbal medicines can help relieve itchy, watery eyes, 72 THE BRISTOL MAGAZINE
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and assist healing of mucous membranes in the upper respiratory pathways. Some people use a salt pipe to help clear airways. Steam inhalations can greatly relieve congestion. Try 2 drops each of lavender, eucalyptus and peppermint in a bowel of boiling water. Neil Kingham, who is a Chinese Medicine practitioner and a lecturer at CNM, says that blocked noses can sometimes clear instantly using this selfhelp Acupressure tip for hay fever: the relevant acupressure point is easily located on either side of the nostrils, in the naso-labial groove (the lines that run from the nostrils down to the corners of the mouth). To use this point apply firm pressure with your fingertips for a minute or two, or until the point feels slightly sore or you feel a sensation of warmth or tingling. If you like, you can also apply small circular rotations instead of direct pressure. Do whatever feels best!
Free Health Talk Wednesday 17th July 2013: 6pm – 7pm Acupuncturist and Chinese Medicine expert, Neil Kingham will be discussing and demonstrating the power of Acupuncture.
Free CNM Open Evenings Thursday 4th July or Thursday 1st August 2013: 6:30pm – 8:30pm Find out about training at CNM Bristol for a new career in
Naturopathic Nutrition, or Naturopathic Acupuncture. For more info and venues 01342 410 505, info@naturopathy-uk.com
www.naturopathy-uk.com
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CENTRE4HEALTH CLINIC At Whiteladies Health Centre with Susanna Priest
Kendal Lymphology Centre; Cumbria. Lymphatic Management, uses a light medical massage to reduce oedema and stimulate the lymphatic system, this is called Manual Lymphatic Drainage (MLD). For MLD Therapy patients often have, swollen limbs or ankles, lymphedema, Lipoedema, Pre and Post-Operative Shoulder, Hip and Knee replacements, Cosmetic Surgery and the need to detox. Decongestive Lymphatic Therapy combines MLD and specialist bandaging to reduce swelling and improve mobility and appearance. A Compression Hosiery fitting service if offered using attractive modern hosiery (no Norah Batty tights!) Before setting up our service in Bristol I was working in a major NHS London Hospital in the Lymphatic Departments.
hair
CARLO &beauty M
MOROCCANOIL ®
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Main stockists of REDKEN
Tel: 0117 968 2663 • www.carlohairandbeauty.co.uk 6 Rockleaze Rd, Sneyd Park, Bristol BS9 1NF
POSITIVE PATHWAYS
Hypnotherapy Hypnotherapy is a safe, effective and powerful tool for change. Clinical Positive Solution-focused Hypnotherapy is effective in treating; Depression ⟹ Anxiety ⟹ Anger ⟹ Addictions and phobias Lack of confidence ⟹ Weight issues ⟹ Smoking Insomnia ⟹ Relationship issues ⟹ Exam nerves And more... Reduced introductory rates from my beautiful Clifton Practice. Initial consultation (approx 1 hour) - Free Taster Trance session (approx 40 mins) - Free Following sessions (1 hour) £30 pounds each Anti-smoking (1-2 hrs) - £50 pounds
tel - Amanda Gazidis on 07594440949 or (0117) 9735 660 email - agazidis@yahoo.co.uk www.facebook/Positive Pathways Hypnotherapy
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ElectroMagnetic Stimulation (EMS), a gentle, effective therapy helping conditions like arthritis, back pain, joint pain, sports injuries, MS and fractures. 'M'Technique™, a hypnotic massage for stress and insomnia, which I practiced at NHS Cheltenham Hospital. Bristol: Tuesday and Friday Whiteladies Health Centre, Whatley Road, Clifton, BS8 2PU Nailsworth: Monday, Wednesday and Thursday Suite 2, 2 Market Street, Nailsworth, Stroud, Glos GL5 5AB. Free car parking.
www.centre4health.co.uk FOR DETAILS AND TESTIMONIALS
Tel: 07867 934677 / 01453 836230 susanna@centre4health.co.uk
Bristol Laser Vision fp this one:Layout 1
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Enjoy a clearer view…...with Bristol Laser Vision
T
he launch of the Bristol Laser Vision Clinic, a laser eye surgery unit within the interna0onally renowned Bristol Eye Hospital, has introduced an unparalleled refrac0ve surgery service to our City of Bristol and to the South West region.
Mr Philip Jaycock MB ChB BSc FRCOphth MD Consultant Ophthalmic Surgeon, Bristol Laser Vision, Bristol Eye Hospital
Mr Philip Jaycock, NHS Consultant Ophthalmic Surgeon and Specialist in cornea, cataract and laser refrac0ve surgery has established an innova0ve three part service, which integrates the treatment of Private pa0ents and NHS pa0ents with research and development elements. The formula0on of this idea has enabled University Hospitals Bristol NHS Founda0on Trust to bring the most advanced and personalised laser eye surgery technology and diagnos0c equipment to Bristol Eye Hospital, for the benefit of its pa0ents. Mr Jaycock explains that the service is u0lising advanced laser technology to offer NHS pa0ents, who are suitable, laser treatment for painful and debilita0ng corneal condi0ons. “The introduc0on of this service has enabled us to provide NHS pa0ents with a locally delivered solu0on at Bristol Eye Hospital and has already treated NHS pa0ents with excellent ini0al results.” As well as offering new NHS treatment op0ons, the introduc0on of the Schwind Amaris 750S excimer laser and AMO iFS (Intralase) femtosecond laser will further enable the team at Bristol Eye Hospital to carry out pioneering research projects in cornea and laser refrac0ve surgery. Alongside their commitment to NHS pa0ents, the service at Bristol Laser Vision is open to Private pa0ents with short sightedness, long sightedness and as0gma0sm who wish to reduce their dependency on glasses and contact lenses. In addi0on the service is providing Private corneal cross-linking procedures for pa0ents with progressive keratoconus.
Having qualified from Bristol University Medical School in 1997, Mr Jaycock has prac0ced in hospitals around the world, including Guy’s, King’s and St Thomas’, as well as one of the world’s leading eye hospitals, Moorfields in London, where he completed his fellowship in cornea and refrac0ve surgery with Professor David Gartry, who performed the first laser eye treatments in the UK in 1989. Dedicated to delivering clinical excellence and with a special interest in research and development, Mr Jaycock has worked with a number of pioneering ophthalmic surgeons who have advanced the field, including Professor John Marshall (MBE), the founder of laser refrac0ve surgery. In one of the longest follow up studies in the world Mr Jaycock demonstrated the long term safety and effec0veness of laser refrac0ve surgery for trea0ng short sightedness and long sightedness. Now, having developed a wealth of knowledge and experience within the field of refrac0ve surgery and with a highly respected and established research pla/orm, Mr Jaycock returns to Bristol to deliver an excep0onal pa0entcentred service to our region. Bristol Laser Vision offers a unique combina0on of excellent pa0ent care and surgical exper0se, bespoke vision correc0on using the most advanced and personalised laser technology and equipment and a clear and transparent price, all encompassed within a Consultant delivered service at Bristol Eye Hospital.
The Bristol Laser Vision Team From le to right: Rachael Scotson, Samantha Wheldon, Philip Jaycock, Tina Shah, Nicola Riddles
For further informa0on or to book a Private consulta0on, please contact the Bristol Laser Vision Team at Bristol Eye Hospital. Bristol Laser Vision, 3rd Floor Bristol Eye Hospital, Lower Maudlin Street, Bristol, BS1 2LX Telephone: 0117 342 1600 • E-mail: info@bristollaservision.co.uk • Website: www.bristollaservision.co.uk
The Bristol Laser Vision Team look forward to welcoming you on your way to a clearer view…..
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OUT&ABOUT
Escape the humdrum Andrew Swift suggests a day-long walk in Wiltshire which offers lots of variety, including a country park with lakes, an ancient hillfort, woodland and an old railway line
W
e’re following in the footsteps of one of England’s greatest nature writers, Richard Jefferies for this walk. He was born at Coate, south of Swindon in 1848, and grew up alongside Coate Water, a reservoir which supplied the Wilts & Berks Canal. Our walk starts at Coate Water, before climbing almost 180 metres to Liddington Castle, a hill fort which was one of Jefferies’ favourite haunts. ‘There is a hill to which I used to resort’, he wrote in his autobiography: ‘The labour of walking three miles to it, all the while gradually ascending, seemed to clear my blood of the heaviness accumulated at home. On a warm summer day the slow continued rise required continual effort, which carried away the sense of oppression. The familiar everyday scene was soon out of sight . . . I began to breathe a new air and to have a fresher aspiration . . . By the time I had reached the summit I had entirely forgotten the petty circumstances and the annoyances of existence.’ Unlike Jefferies, we have to stick to rights of way, meaning that the walk is now considerably longer than three miles. We also have to contend with a motorway, so that for much of the time the sound of skylarks is accompanied by the distant roar of traffic. Despite that, there is much that he would recognise and the same sense of achievement arriving at one of England’s most dramatically situated hillforts. From the car park at Coate Water Country Park (SU176827), walk up the slope and turn left along the lakeshore. After passing a turning to Richard Jefferies’ Birthplace Museum, the lakeside path becomes increasingly rural. After bearing right across a railed causeway, bear left along a path and cross the motorway. Follow the path as it bears left and winds up through woodland to join the course of an old railway. After passing the remains of a bridge, carry on for 150 metres, before turning left at a T junction (SU183804). After a few metres, turn left down a footpath signposted to Chisledon. Go through a kissing gate (KG) and head diagonally up a field to a kissing gate in the far corner (SU185801). 76 THE BRISTOL MAGAZINE
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At the Washbourne Valley information board, bear left, cross a stream and carry on uphill. Follow the path as it swings right and then left into an industrial estate. Bear left, carry straight on and, just before reaching a barn, go through a KG on the left. Bear right along a rough path alongside the fence and follow the fence as it curves right. When you reach a kissing gate, go through it and continue in the same direction. At the corner of the field, bear right for a few metres before going through a gap in the hedge (SU191806). Turn left, and after a few metres turn right along a narrow path. At the road, turn right for 50 metres, before crossing and going over a stile to the right of Nursery House. Carry straight on across another stile and through a KG, before heading straight up a field. At the top, go through a KG and turn right (SU194806). At the top of the lane, turn right through Badbury village. When the road swings right by a telephone box, carry straight on up a lane.
The labour of walking three miles to it, all ❝ the while gradually ascending, seemed to clear my blood of all the heaviness accumulated at home
❞
At the end, turn left along the road for a few metres before turning right up a drive to Folly Farm. When the drive forks, bear left past a gate signposted to the Ridgeway (SU203790). When the path forks again, bear right following a Ridgeway Circular Route sign. After going through two metal gates, you will see an ancient rampart snaking along the contours ahead. Carry straight on and follow the path as it curves right along the rampart. After it curves round to the left, turn left (following a circular walk sign) at another gate, and turn left along the Ridgeway (SU214783). After 1,500 metres, turn left to follow a sign to Liddington Castle
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OUT&ABOUT
LAKE DISTRICT: Coate Water Country Park STORM THE RAMPANTS: Liddingstone Castle, an ancient Wiltshire hilltop fort
(SU212797). After going through a KG and turning left, turn left to climb through the ramparts. After a circuit of the hillfort, retrace your steps to the Ridgeway and head back along it. Continue past the turning to Chisledon and, after joining a byway, carry straight on. At a crosspath, turn right and then left to continue along the Ridgeway. At the next crosspath, turn right along a byway towards a mast (SU212765). Carry on downhill, and at the road turn right for 100 metres, before crossing to head along a byway. The road is busy and fast and there is no footpath. You will need to take extreme care, and time, stepping onto the verge to allow vehicles to pass where necessary. After 75 metres, turn right along a cycle path along an old railway line (SU197766). After 1,000 metres, when a track crosses, turn right and then left to continue along the cycle path (SU195776).
After another 1,750 metres, cross a road and carry on. At the next road, cross and carry on along Station Road. After passing the Landmark Hotel, where the road swings left, carry straight on along Stroud’s Hill. Head diagonally across the green on your left (the site of the railway station) and at the far end follow a path into the woods. Bear right across the old railway line, turn left down the Washpool Valley and then left under a railway bridge (SU185799). Carry straight on for 300 metres. At the road, turn right down a footpath signposted to Coate Water. Go through a roofed gate (SU182800), down a path, through a KG and down a field. After crossing a brook, head uphill, following the path as it curves alongside a row of hawthorns. Cross a stile, follow the path uphill and carry on, following a signpost to Coate Water, along the left-hand side of a large field. Follow the path through woodland before going through a KG (SU181810) and heading diagonally across a field. Go through a gate, bearing left along the cycle path to cross the motorway. When you reach the causeway, turn left along the lakeside walk. When you reach a road, turn right along a cinder path and then right along another path. Ignore a path branching off to the left, but head on through an avenue of trees and alongside the lake to return to the car park. ■
FURTHER INFORMATION ■
Length of walk: 16 miles
■
Map: OS Explorer 157 and 169
■
Getting there: take Junction 15 off M4, head north on A419, take first exit, head west along A4259
203 Gloucester Road, Bishopston, Bristol BS7 8NN
For a preview of the showroom search "Natural Born Flooring" on Google, visit their website at www.naturalbornflooring.co.uk or call 0117 942 7829. WWW.THEBRISTOLMAGAZINE.CO.UK
JULY 2013
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CITYproperty
Well worth courting Marianne Swinkels visits Court Farm in Almondsbury, a seven bedroom fully renovated home that dates back to the 15th century, with orginal features, immense character and an interesting past
I
t isn’t everyday when viewing a property that I’m invited to crawl, literally on hands and knees, to gain access to a room. But there I was at Court Farm, on the outskirts of Bristol in Lower Almondsbury, doing just that. If there are any lovers of the Miranda TV comedy series reading this, you’ll understand it was one of those laughable “such fun” moments. I must admit to a penchant for quirky historic buildings. Checking out the enormous attic in this Grade 2 listed house and somehow unexpectedly squidging myself through a narrow tunnel adjacent to an attic chimney breast definitely ticked that particular box. Why, you might well ask? A brief claustrophobic moment revealed all: an eccentric entrance to another huge bedroom in the rafters with glorious views over distant apple orchards, the gardens below, the central village location within a stone’s throw of the fine spired parish church. All quite lovely – especially when I realised I could exit at the other end of these sleeping quarters via a decent stairway.
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... an eccentric entrance to another huge bedroom in the rafters with glorious views over distant apple orchards
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But seriously, it’s not everyday you come across a seven bedroom place with a provenance dating back to the 15th century – a family home which once formed part of a collection of ecclesiastical buildings belonging to St Augustine’s Abbey in Bristol. There are still hints today of its past life as a dwelling owned by the Abbey with the divine aim of catering to its monks culinary needs: a cheese store, hayloft, cow shed and milking parlour, cider press et al would all have once had a place here. For the historically minded, Almondsbury – originally the ‘Bury’ or camp 78 THE BRISTOL MAGAZINE
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of Alomond, a Saxon chieftain – was blessed in location as it lay on the main Bristol to Gloucester route. It was after the dissolution of the monasteries under King Henry’s VIII’s reign, somewhere around 1535, that this medieval manor played out its lengthy history as a working farm in what was a close knit agricultural community on the far northern outskirts of the city. A survey as old as 1767 records ‘a house of 7 bays, a barn of 5 bays and a cart hovel and stone buildings covered in slate of good repair.’ The tithe map of 1838 and the first edition of the 25 inches to the mile Ordinance Survey map, surveyed in 1879, show that this Almondsbury farmstead pretty much stayed that way, retaining its form and function for several hundred years, until it shook off its agricultural mantle forever in the late 1980’s. It was then that a serious conversion and renovation project got underway. Bought at auction, Court Farm took on a new owner and a new lease of life. Comprehensive repairs and alterations, under the ever watchful eye of English Heritage, involved stripping out internal partitions, exposing roof and floor timbers, opening up fireplaces, revealing features and
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CITYproperty
ORIGINAL FEATURES: main image, Court Farm in Lower Almondsbury dates back to the 15th century when it was owned by St Augustine’s Abbey and used as a dwelling to cater for its monks; left inset, the drawing room, with exposed roof timbers and an open fireplace feature Above, the reception hall with wooden staircase and wide galleried landing; inset, the spacious kitchen
demolishing outbuildings. It was a significant labour of love which dramatically transformed Court Farm into the spacious house of immense character that it is today. Original features are in evidence throughout – the stone fireplaces and magnificent inglenook in the Baronial hall; the stone mullion windows and rare 17th century round bulls-eye porch window, the pegged beams and bread oven. Now home to a medical couple and their three children (who also went on to become doctors) for the past 20 years, it was a classic love at first sight move, when a career change prompted relocation from an Edwardian semi in London’s Putney, to work in Bristol. It was a big move to a big place. Extending over three floors this spacious home, which nudges over the £1million mark, boasts five reception rooms, two bathrooms and an en suite, a detached double garage, generous half acre plus formal garden and adjoining wild meadow paddock where bees and chickens are kept. And, of course, those seven lovely large bedrooms – two of which adjoin in those lofty beamed rafters. I could have done with a thread – as used in the Greek mythological tale as a canny means of escape from the Minotaur’s labyrinth of caves – to help me find my way around! I honestly lost my bearings on this property tour and yet, for all those many rooms, Court Farm is a charming family home of immense character. With the ground floor dining room leading off the kitchen, a split level drawing room, another reception room, a conservatory and reception hall with wide galleried landing, there is a comfortable flow – and lots of open light – to this house. As the current vendor says: “What we wanted was a home with lots of character and space, lots of space, in a great environment, with a friendly community spirit, outside Bristol yet with easy access to city life. It was a lot to ask for, and we certainly struck lucky. We’ve had a couple of wonderful decades in a place which has offered us all of that and so much more. We
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love this village with its beautiful church, school, forge, great village pub and very active community shop.” Arguably one of the most important buildings here, Court Farm certainly makes a significant contribution to Almondbury’s character. And offering as it does views across the Severn Estuary to Wales one way, and a mile or two’s jaunt to retail pleasure at Cribbs Causeway the other, this home really is worth courting. ■
PROPERTY PORTFOLIO Where: Court Farm, The Pound, Almondsbury What: Grade 2 listed renovated property dating back to the 15th century Price: £1,150,000 The spec: 7 bedrooms, 5 reception rooms, 2 bathrooms & and an en suite bathroom. Detached double garage, gardens, driveway and paddock of 0.7 acres in total Agents: Savills, Clifton. Contact: Richard Brooks, rbrooks@savills.com or tel: 0117 933 5800
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FLORALfancies
Fresh as a daisy Sarah Merson visits Georgie Newbery, owner and flower farmer at Common Farm Flowers in Somerset for a look behind the scenes of this floristry business that champions British grown, sustainable flowers
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eorgie Newbery knows a thing or two about flowers. It’s not surprising perhaps given that she grows 250 different varieties each year on her flower farm in Charlton Musgrove, near Wincanton. The thing about Georgie though is that she’s not a trained horticulturalist or florist. What she does have is a somewhat infectious passion for flowers, which coupled with an energetic fervour to succeed, is helping her business, Common Farm Flowers, evolve into a successful one. Originally from London, Georgie worked as an author and later, in TV production before she met a man called Fabrizio in a tweed jacket and walking boots, from Somerset. She quickly moved in with him and they married. “Moving to the countryside was, of course, quite an adjustment but when, in 2004, we bought our house along with seven acres of land, it was a case of having to create a business of some kind. I’m a firm believer in doing what you love and what comes naturally to you. There’s no point in starting a business in something which isn’t a part of who you already are, and hoping to succeed. It’s a bit like the cleaner who’s own home is always dirty and messy. “Both my grandmother and my mother were keen gardeners, and despite living in the city, I knew I’d inherited the gardening gene. I just loved flowers – from growing, to cutting, and arranging them in beautiful hand tied bundles; flowers were my thing. By this time, we had two young children and increasing our cash flow
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became a priority. I realised then, that the satisfaction I felt from growing sweet peas from seed and cutting them endlessly in order to keep them flowering until October, was a chore that most people don’t want. They do however, want a beautiful bunch of sweet peas on their kitchen table to give pleasure to the eye and to spread a beautiful scent around the home. So, there it was – the seedling that was to become, Common Farm Flowers, a mail order, fresh cut floristry business, was planted.”
... because we cut fresh every day, we ❝ don’t have any wastage; there are no greenhouses full of cut flowers waiting to be sold on through the system.
❞
Georgie started by selling the sweet peas to local residents, from a barrow outside her front door. Today she grows 20 different varieties of sweet peas, about 30 types of dahlia, and different types of cornflower, larkspur, delphinium, calendula, alliums, peonies, roses, sage and lavenders, as well as all sorts of shrubs, herbs, and biennials. Georgie also grows wild flowers – including cowslips, campion, cow parsley, hogweed, buttercups, ox eye daisies, ragged robin, teasel, knapweed, ladies’ bedstraw, several wild
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FLORALfancies
BRIGHT AND BEAUTIFUL: main image, Common Farm Flowers in Somerset grows all kinds of flowers, including wild flowers, which are freshly cut, tied, boxed and posted in one day Above, Georgie Newbery opened Common Farm Flowers as a result of her love of growing, cutting and arranging flowers Below, Georgie admits that she is not interested in having a beautiful display of flowers in the garden, but instead prefers to admire the flowers when they’re cut and arranged in a fresh bouquet
scabious, ladies smock, sorrel and guilder rose – which Fabrizio brings on as plug plants. “Throughout the spring and summer months, I’m out early each morning, scissors in hand, to cut the best of the blooms as they appear,” says Georgie. “That’s the key to growing cut flowers as a business; you can’t be afraid to cut them! Unlike lots of gardeners, I’m not into having a beautiful display of flowers in the garden. In fact, anyone visiting might be disappointed by the show of colour, or lack of it, on the farm. I’m much more interested in what the flowers look like when they’re cut, taken indoors and arranged to create beautiful, fresh, seasonal bouquets. “Sometimes customers will tell me if they don’t like a particular type of flower, or colour (often orange!) but often, they leave it up to me to come up with the goods. The way I see it, they’re buying my taste, as well as quality, and crucially for many, British grown, sustainable flowers.” Common Farm Flowers are not certified organic but they do work with nature and certainly look after their soil. As Georgie says: “It’s that age-old ethos of nature gives back what you put in. Our compost heap isn’t just for compost, it’s also somewhere for the grass snakes to live. We also keep bees but not for commercial use.” And it’s this green-thinking that has gained Georgie a very loyal customer base. “I’d estimate that the flower industry is about ten years behind the food industry as far as public awareness goes, but this sort of sustainable practise is key to the success of the British flower farmer and most of our customers appreciate this,” says Georgie. “A cheap bunch of flowers bought from the supermarket on your way home on a Friday night might very likely have come from three different continents and travelled up to 15,000 miles. But because we cut fresh every day, we don’t have any wastage; there are no greenhouses full of cut flowers waiting to be sold on through the system. Our flowers are freshly cut, tied, boxed and posted that day. They then last about a week in water. It’s slightly different in the winter months when we don’t grow as much here. Instead we buy in from our trusted Cornwall flower farmer friends who we know will provide top quality flowers.” Common Farm Flowers aren’t the only British flower farmers of course; there are hundreds, but anyone looking at their site – www.commonfarmflowers.com – will notice the popular blog and social media element. “This is the vehicle we use to get ourselves out there and let people know what we’re doing here in our quiet Somerset village,” says Georgie. “I spend about half an hour a day blogging, tweeting or on Facebook. It pays off too; we have thousands of followers on Twitter, 850 on Facebook and our blog gets between 20,000 and 25,000 hits a month.” But, as Georgie is well aware, you have to be quite tactical
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where social media is concerned. She says: “There’s no point in tweeting about wedding flowers in the middle of the night (although I’m a terrible insomniac and this is when I often come up with the best ideas). You’re far better off putting something on Facebook on a Saturday morning when brides are lying in bed with their boyfriends planning for their wedding day.” Another arm to the business is the popular workshop programme covering everything from social media for businesses, propagating and garden design to cookery, making Christmas decorations and growing and arranging your own wedding flowers. Centered around the same big wooden table that I sat at while chatting with Georgie, I can just picture the laughter that’s generated at the workshops, not to mention the freshly baked bread (still in the oven unfortunately during my visit) which is served for lunch. “Our workshops are a lot of fun,” admits Georgie, “and something I’d like to do more of in the future. I love the teaching side of things but I also always learn something as well. Many of the people who have come along to our workshops have found them to be a good networking opportunity.” So, what’s next for Common Farm Flowers? “This year I’ll be concentrating on creating a cushion of mostly wild flowers with a white, blue and yellow palette.” What we can be sure of is that the flowers will be fresh cut, seasonal, exceptionally beautiful and of course, British. ■ For further information visit: www.commonfarmflowers.com
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the directory
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Car Services
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BRISTOLproperty
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towey is a small, unspoilt village within the Chew Valley. The village was in the ownership of the Strachey family for many years and the uninterrupted occupation of the Sutton Court Estate helped to maintain its architectural style. There is a real sense of community and many sporting and social activities are shared with neighbouring villages. Manor Farm dates from the 17th century and fine examples of the original architecture remain, in particular the cross-beamed ceilings and large fireplaces. The property has been in the same ownership since 1981 and during this time it has been completely renovated and converted from a derelict farmhouse. It is now a fabulous mini country estate with a gross floor area of 777.5 square metres. The main farmhouse provides a six bedroom family home which is largely south facing onto an enclosed courtyard garden. The Granary houses an indoor swimming pool, conservatory and studio/office and ancillary accommodation is provided by the two bedroom Manor Farm Cottage and the one bedroom Hay Loft flat. There are five garages and several additional outbuildings as well as a stable block and two paddocks. In all, the property stands on approximately four acres and there is an option to buy nine acres of neighbouring grassland. The possibilities for all this gorgeous North Somerset perfection are too numerous to mention. The ground and outbuildings offer space for extended families, staff, parties and all manner of country pursuits. Agents Knight Frank can provide full details.
MANOR FARM, STOWEY BISHOP SUTTON • Six bedroom family home • Two bedroom cottage • One bedroom hay loft flat • Separate Granary providing indoor pool and office • Outbuildings, garaging, stable block and paddock • Low maintenance garden and grounds
Guide Price: £1,800,000
Knight Frank, Regent House, 27A Regent Street, Clifton, Bristol. Tel: 0117 317 1999
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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
(0117) 934 9977
MARSON HOUSE, CLEVEDON SUIT OCCUPIERS INVESTORS DEVELOPERS Fitted to a high standard this attractive property suits immediate office use or conversion potential c 4,000 sq ft. Offers now invited for the Freehold FREEHOLD RESTAURANT FOR SALE Fully fitted to a very high standard for restaurant / wine bar use – Thriving established business – ground floor available individually or with ‘4 bed’ flat if required – * Rare opportunity * Terms on application
WHITELADIES ROAD – SHOP
STOKE BISHOP - LARGE RETAIL SHOWROOM
Prominent large shop to rent in busy retail pitch –
A very busy main road frontage in established location – EXCELLENT CUSTOMER PARKING – 2,500 sq ft sales. LOW RATES. LOW RENT.
C 730 sq ft – New lease. Rent on application RIVERSIDE, ST ANNES
CLEVEDON OFFICES
Modern industrial unit of 5,112 sq ft (incl 1,456 sq ft offices).
New build high quality offices – 2,400 sq ft. 8 car spaces.
Excellent Central location.
FOR SALE OR TO LET.
To rent.
OAKFIELD ROAD, CLIFTON
FREEHOLD FOR SALE
Ground floor office suite c 905 sq ft + on site parking –
RARE opportunity to purchase offices of 4,254 sq ft on 0.31 acres
New lease.
Guide £275,000-£300,000 Freehold for Sale.
• • • • Julian Cook
Jayne Rixon
Andrew Oliver
Finola Ingham
FRICS
MRICS
MRICS
MRICS
Burston Cook July.indd 1
Sales /Lettings Acquisitions advice Valuations Landlord & tenant
• • • •
Rent reviews Development advice Investments Dilapidations
(0117) 934 9977 17/06/2013 16:28
FOR SALE - THE OBSERVATORY A SUPERB INVESTMENT AND LEISURE OPPORTUNITY...
Following extensive renovations, The Observatory is being offered for sale freehold through commercial property specialists Burston Cook. One of Bristol’s most iconic historic buildings, The Observatory stands above Clifton’s world renowned suspension bridge with outstanding views over the bridge, over the Avon Gorge and across the city of Bristol. This is a superb investment and leisure opportunity, the building having consent for a new licensed restaurant plus dining/viewing terrace. In addition to this valuable restaurant, the building benefits from a substantial existing income stream from visitors to the camera obscura and prehistoric caves. Leading from The Observatory, there is St Vincent’s Cave (also View from Giant’s Cave known as Giant’s Cave), which was first mentioned as being a chapel in the year AD 305, with a visitor’s viewing balcony situated some 27 metres below the cliff top. The camera obscura is an outstanding visitors attraction in The Observatory itself, housing the original camera obscura dating back to the late 1800’s and used by renowned artists to draw the Avon Gorge and Leigh Woods. The obscura is still in full working order for visitors to enjoy. The sale of The Observatory offers the purchaser a superb investment and business opportunity and offers are now being sought to purchase the freehold interest in the region of £2 million. For further information please contact Burston Cook Dining/Viewing terrace
Please telephone Julian Cook FRICS Andrew Oliver MRICS or Jayne Rixon MRICS (0117) 934 9977 Burston Cook July.indd 2
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INVESTOR REQUIRES Quality Rental Properties £1,000pm - £5,000pm O ptions to rent & buy
from: £200k - £1.8m
TEL. 07576 775412 (References Available)
35 BELMONT ROAD ST. ANDREWS
£570,000
D
ating from 1886, this stunning house, known as Tiverton Villa, is one of the few detached residences in the area and offers generous living space with an abundance of natural light and stunning views. Restored to the highest of standards it boasts a wealth of Victorian features including magnificent stained glass, decorative cornicing and mosaic tiled floors. Gardens surround three aspects, including a tranquil rear garden with an array of mature plants, trees and shrubs and a gated driveway providing off street parking. Rarely does such a unique and characterful property present itself on the open market. An internal viewing is highly recommended to appreciate the exceptional quality of this accommodation. EPC – E CJ Hole Bishopston, 94 Gloucester Rd, Bristol. Tel:0117 923 2888
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Commercial Sales & Lettings
0117 949 1888 www.maggsandallen.co.uk SOLD STC WITHIN 24 HOURS
SOLD STC WITHIN 1 WEEK
Westbury Park
£125,000
Well presented lock up shop unit (A1 Retail) of approximately 600sqft with front forecourt, rear vehicular access and parking. Situated in a popular location within a varied parade of shops and amenities within close proximity to the Durdham Downs and Henleaze Road. Early enquiries recommended.
NEW INSTRUCTION
£99,950
Well presented and self contained lock up shop/cafe (approx 450sqft) situated in a prominent location just off Blackboy Hill, Clifton. To be sold with vacant possession.
NEW INSTRUCTION
City Centre
£550,000
Attractive Grade II listed 5 storey building situated in a prime City Centre location arranged as ground floor bar with basement (tenanted at £27,500p.a) with 3 additional storey’s of auxiliary above. Potential for conversion of the upper floors to office space or residential subject to consents. Potential to generate in excess of £50,000p.a once fully occupied.
Estate Agents
Clifton
Lettings & Management
Maggs & Allen Commercial July.indd 1
Auctioneers
Paintworks BS4
£220,000
Very well presented and improved self contained workshop/creative space (just under 1,000 sqft gross internal area) with allocated parking. Situated in the highly popular Paintworks Development, Arnos, Vale, Bristol’s creative quarter. Early enquiries recommended.
Commercial/ Investment
Chartered Surveyors
Land/New Homes
Energy Assessors
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East Fields Road, Stoke Gifford
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Fo Dowry Square, Hotwells offers over £300,000
£310,000
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36 High Street, Portishead call: 01275 430440 email:
Pier Road, Portishead
Guide Price £750,000
A detached five bedroom family home situated in a small cul-de-sac near to Portishead’s Marina, benefitting from secured gates leading to the front garden, drive & double garage- as well as a well tendered enclosed rear garden with patio area and sun deck. A stunning home that must be seen to be fully appreciated. EPC band TBC
Beach Road East, Portishead Offers Over £525,000 A handsome five bedroom detached Edwardian family home located in a superb position close to Portishead High Street, Marina and The Lake Grounds. With far reaching views towards the Gordano Valley, additional benefits include dual entrance driveway, garage and enclosed rear garden. EPC Band F
sales@goodmanlilley.co.uk www.goodmanlilley.co.uk
Nore Road, Portishead
Guide Price £825,000
A five bedroom Edwardian detached family home enjoying fantastic far reaching Channel views over the Welsh Coastline & beyond. Additional benefits include sun terrace & 33ft x 21ft L- shaped conservatory opening to the southerly facing rear garden spanning 150ft in length. EPC Band E
Combe Avenue, Portishead Guide Price £675,000 A beautifully commissioned- individually built detached four bedroom family home with curved façade of white & glass serving as a definitive feature to maximise natural light, offering beautiful southerly views from almost every room to give the house an equally distinctive feel. Benefits further by being situated close to local amenities. EPC Band C
To arrange a viewing at your earliest convenience, call us on 01275 430440 or visit us at www.goodmanlilley.co.uk
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Stoke Bishop
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£639,950
This imposing four double bedroom detached family home occupies a fantastic position in Stoke Bishop backing onto Stoke Lodge playing fields. With large 'L-shaped' reception and kitchen/breakfast room and four double bedrooms. Boasting mature gardens front and rear with garage along with off street parking. Energy rating - D
Westbury on Trym
Sold
This light and spacious extended four bedroom 1930s semi detached house is positioned on Abbey Road in the highly sought after Westbury on Trym. With a light and spacious reception rooms, loft conversion and extended kitchen breakfast room create a substantial family home. Energy rating - D
Westbury on Trym
£375,000
An extended four bedroom linked detached family home, nestled within a quiet cul-de-sac in the highly desirable Westbury on Trym. With mature rear gardens and double garage and driveway parking. Energy rating - TBC
Please contact our Westbury-on Trym branch on 0117 962 1973
Please contact our Westbury-on Trym branch on 0117 962 1973
Please contact our Westbury-on Trym branch on 0117 962 1973
Henleaze
Westbury on Trym
Repton Hall
SOLD
Sat between the bustling centre of the historic village of Westbury on Trym and the shops on Henleaze Road, 49 Cheriton Place is being marketed with no onward chain. A fine example of a three bedroom family home, with an extended kitchen/dining room and a separate bay fronted living room. Energy rating - E Please contact our Westbury-on Trym branch on 0117 962 1973
Henleaze
£315,000
Available with no onward chain, a beautifully presented three bedroom bay fronted terraced family home. Located in the highly sought after Henleaze area of Bristol this property benefits from off street parking and a garage. With an extended family kitchen breakfast room and further development potential. Energy rating - TBC Please contact our Westbury-on Trym branch on 0117 962 1973
£330,000
This beautifully presented bay fronted mid-terrace family home with a garage occupies a position equidistant from Westbury on Trym village and Henleaze high street. The accommodation offers two light spacious reception rooms and three bedrooms. With mature rear garden, garage this property offers much more than your typical terrace. Energy rating - D Please contact our Westbury-on Trym branch on 0117 962 1973
Repton Hall
£240,000
With stunning panoramic views across Bristol this apartment is in excellent decorative order and marketed with no onward chain. With Two well balanced double bedrooms, one with en-suit, spacious family bathroom and contemporary kitchen. Energy rating - TBC Please contact our Westbury-on Trym branch on 0117 962 1973
SOLD
Number 2 Repton Hall is nestled within the main converted building of this grand estate. Built in 1802 Repton Hall has an absorbing history, originally used as an administration building for Brentry Hospital and believed to be designed by Humphry Repton, it now houses luxurious apartments and forms part of the Brentry conservation area. Energy Rating - TBC. Please contact our Westbury-on Trym branch on 0117 962 1973
Westbury on Trym
£120,000
A fantastic opportunity for investors and owner occupiers alike, this one bedroom ground floor apartment has been subject to a complete top to bottom refurbishment. With a private garden accessed from the living room, neutral decor throughout this property is able to be moved into straight away. Energy rating TBC Please contact our Westbury-on Trym branch on 0117 962 1973
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Clifton
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£189,950
An impressive one bedroom top floor flat set within an attractive Georgian terrace opposite the Clifton Lido with private original staircase leading to the top floor landing, large living room with wooden floors, period style open fireplace, separate fitted kitchen, bedroom to the rear, bathroom with white suite and a separate WC. Energy rating - D Please contact our Clifton branch on 0117 946 6007
Sneyd Park
£285,000
A wonderful period Garden flat, in a stunning location with spacious and well thought accommodation including lounge/dining room that opens to a modern kitchen, an internal room that is currently the main bedroom with en-suite, double guest bedroom, 38’ x 18’ ‘alfresco dining terrace’ and a garage which also houses a sauna. Energy rating - D Please contact our Clifton branch on 0117 946 6007
Redland
£435,000
A beautiful end terraced home in Redland’s only Street, Woolcot Street! This lovely home offers characterful accommodation including two reception rooms, kitchen, conservatory, two double bedrooms and a spacious modern bath/shower room. At the rear of the property is a sizeable and well manicured garden. Energy rating - E Please contact our Clifton branch on 0117 946 6007
Redland
£279,995
A homely two bedroom garden flat in an extremely convenient location with a private entrance into accommodation comprising a lounge, dining hall, galley kitchen, two double bedrooms, bathroom and a utility room. At the rear is a beautiful private garden that consists a patio and mature shrubs. Energy rating TBC Please contact our Clifton branch on 0117 946 6007
Clifton
£289,950
A stunning second floor apartment located between Pembroke & Whiteladies Rd. Accommodation comprises an open plan 20’10 living room/kitchen, two generous double bedrooms, oak flooring, a travertine tiled bathroom, kitchen with integral appliances and granite work surface, there is gas central heating and no onward chain. Energy rating - D Please contact our Clifton branch on 0117 946 6007
Clifton Wood
£539,995
A simply stunning period home with impressive views over Bristol. Cliftonwood Crescent is superbly located with accommodation over four floors and consists lounge with bay window, spacious dining room with French doors onto the southerly aspect garden, separate kitchen, utility/WC area, five bedrooms and a large bathroom. Energy rating - D Please contact our Clifton branch on 0117 946 6007
Clifton
£284,950
Stylish Clifton townhouse for sale in a tucked away cul-de-sac yards from Whiteladies Road. An alternative to an apartment this property is sure to appeal to variety of buyers and presents itself over four floors of accommodation consisting of kitchen/diner, cloakroom, lounge, two bedrooms, en-suite bathroom and an ensuite shower room. Energy rating - D Please contact our Clifton branch on 0117 946 6007
Henleaze
£415,000
A nicely proportioned three bed semi on the Bishopston/Henleaze border with off-street parking for three cars and a single garage. Accommodation comprises two separate receptions, a ground floor W.C. and an 18’ft extended kitchen/dining room, three bedrooms, a bathroom and an enclosed lawned rear garden. Energy rating - TBC Please contact our Clifton branch on 0117 946 6007
Redland
£550,000
Ideal as an investment property or a family home (subject to refurbishment) this property is sure to appeal to a variety of buyers. On the ground floor the property currently offers bedroom, lounge/diner, kitchen and bathroom, externally there are two parking spaces and a garden. Upstairs offers three bedrooms, lounge, kitchen and bathroom. Energy rating - D Please contact our Clifton branch on 0117 946 6007
www.maggsandallen.co.uk
0117 949 9000 60 Northumbria Drive, Henleaze, Bristol, BS9 4HW
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£2,000 pcm Stoke Bishop
Located in a coveted location within Redland is this handsome period semi-detached family home. The unfurnished accommodation comprising large sitting room, dining room, breakfast room, kitchen and utility room (downstairs WC) to the ground floor. To the upper floors are 5 / 6 bedrooms, master bedroom with Ensuite, family bathroom (shower over bath) and a further shower room to the top floor.
£1,275 pcm Stoke Bishop
Situated on a quiet road is this part furnished 3 bedroom semi-detached family home. The accommodation to the ground floor offers an entrance hall, cloakroom/WC, sitting room, dining room and fitted kitchen. To the first floor are 3 bedrooms, family bathroom and separate WC. The property further benefits from approx. 100ft in length private rear garden, off street parking, detached garage and gas central heating.
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£1,300 pcm
Situated in a much sought after location within Stoke Bishop is this unfurnished semi-detached home. The accommodation comprises to the ground floor oak panelled hall, downstairs WC, 2 separate reception rooms and kitchen/breakfast room (with fridge, freezer, washing machine & dishwasher). To the first floor are 3 bedroom (2 doubles & 1 single) and bathroom suite.
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Here are a selection of properties we have agreed to LET so far in 2013
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We URGENTLY require new properties to satisfy demand Professional and corporate tenants waiting Westbury on Trym
£1,550 pcm
Located in a quiet cul de sac within close proximity of Stoke Lane is this fantastic semi-detached family home. The accommodation comprises large open plan kitchen/dining room (with white goods) leading to the level the private garden overlooking local playing fields, living room, downstairs WC to the ground floor. To the first floor are 3 double bedrooms, bathroom suite (with separate shower and bath) and an additional WC.
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Lettings & Management
Maggs & Allen July Letting.indd 1
£1,300 pcm Westbury on Trym
Located in a popular location within close proximity of Henleaze School and local shops & amenities is this unfurnished 3 bedroom semi-detached home. The accommodation comprises to the ground floor 2 reception rooms, kitchen/breakfast room, conservatory and utility space. On the first floor are three bedrooms and family bathroom.
Auctioneers
£1,700 pcm
Situated in a prime location within Henleaze is this part furnished detached family house. The accommodation comprises 2 reception rooms, fitted kitchen/breakfast room (with built in appliances), utility room, downstairs WC, 4 double bedrooms and family bathroom (separate shower and bath). Further benefiting from integral double garage (electric up & over door) & ample off street parking.
LE
£1,150 pcm Henleaze
An unfurnished two double bedroom period character hall floor apartment which forms part of a Victorian property. The spacious accommodation comprises sitting room overlooking the front of the property, kitchen/ breakfast room, 2 double bedrooms, front garden as well as the rare advantage of a garage to the rear.
Henleaze
T
LE
Redland
Estate Agents
For further information about our flexible service please contact us on 0117 949 9000
Commercial/ Investment
Chartered Surveyors
£1,650 pcm
A light and spacious original four bedroom semi-detached family house with off street parking and a stunning, large south/west facing rear garden that incorporates a raised patio a wonderful alfresco style undercover seating area. The light and bright accommodation comprises four good size bedrooms, three receptions including a rear extension that opens onto the modern kitchen creating a large open plan family space, utility room with downstairs shower room, family bathroom and separate WC.
Land/New Homes
Energy Assessors
17/06/2013 16:29
Henleaze
Westbury Park
Westbury-on-Trym
Situated adjacent to Durdham Downs, a fine period family home arranged over three individual levels. The ground floor accommodation offers two receptions and a feature archway through to a quality built in kitchen. The two upper floors have five bedrooms, two en-suite bathrooms and bathroom. Further benefits include a 20m rear garden. EPC - E.
Positioned within Florence Park and boasting many original features and character throughout. Two receptions, rear with French doors onto a 21m southerly facing garden, and kitchen/diner. Two upper floors offer five bedrooms, a study, bathroom and shower room. Within the APR for Redland Green Secondary and offered with no onward chain. EPC - E.
Detached period extended family home with a southerly facing established private garden measuring 25m. The ground floor offers a through lounge with French doors to garden, dining room, kitchen/diner, separate utility and cloakroom. Central landing offers access to five double bedrooms, including master bedroom with roof terrace and en-suite shower room, and additional family bathroom. EPC – F.
£675,000
£545,000
£700,000
Bishopston
Montpelier
Montpelier
Positioned in Queens Drive within the Bishopston and Westbury Park borders, this significantly extended detached property offers vast potential throughout and benefits from a large, south easterly facing garden. The property is situated within close proximity to several Infant and Junior Schools and is situated 0.7 miles from Redland Green Secondary. Marketed with no onward chain. EPC - E
Located in the heart of Montpelier is this three double bedroom, Victorian property, within easy reach of the vibrant Picton Street and with Gloucester Road and Bristol City Centre only moments away. This turn of the century property has been extended on the ground floor providing generous living accommodation. An internal viewing is recommended. EPC – C
A fine example of a sympathetic upgrade that blends old character features with modern touches. This Georgian townhouse is ideally located in one of Montpelier’s premier roads and enjoys an open aspect across Montpelier Park. The spacious accommodation is presented to a very high standard with impressive room proportions on all three levels. Launched to the market via an open day. EPC - E
£500,000
CJ Hole July.indd 1
£300,000
£380,000
18/06/2013 11:39
Beyond your expectations www.hamptons.co.uk
NEW INSTRUCTION
Keynsham, North Somerset
Guide price ÂŁ685,000
This beautifully appointed detached stone building, originally a working barn, was converted and substantially extended to this idyllic family house located at the end of a private road where it enjoys an abundance of far reaching country views and a peaceful environment. The house has been updated thoroughly and now presents in impeccable order throughout offering 4 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms, 2 reception rooms and detached garage complex. EPC Rating: C
NEW INSTRUCTION
Redland, Bristol
Guide price ÂŁ299,000
This well proportioned dual aspect hall floor apartment is situated in a desirable location in Redland and offers light and airy accommodation. The apartment offers 2 bedrooms, a spacious reception room, independent kitchen, 2 bedrooms and a family bathroom. EPC Rating: D
Hamptons Bristol
Sales. 0117 322 6362 | bristol@hamptons-int.com
Hamptons Sales July.indd 1
17/06/2013 16:32
NEW INSTRUCTION
Coombe Dingle, Bristol
Guide price ÂŁ1,495,000
This generous detached house was originally constructed by a well regarded local developer and has been substantially extended and enhanced by the current owners during their ten year occupation and now presents a beautifully finished family house of nearly 5,000 sq ft. It occupies a wonderful position in the well regarded Grove Road and has green aspects to all sides. 4 Reception rooms, leisure room, games room, 4 bedrooms and 4 bathrooms. EPC Rating: D
NEW INSTRUCTION
Almondsbury, South Gloucestershire
Offers in Excess of ÂŁ1,000,000
A bespoke family house, situated on a large plot approaching 1 acre with a self-contained 1 bed annexe and swimming pool. Designed with large family needs in mind, the generous accommodation of over 5,000 sq ft is well planned, providing both generous entertaining spaces as well as more functional utilities and studies. The house offers 6 bedrooms, 4 bathrooms and a large garden. EPC Rating: D
Hamptons Sales July.indd 2
17/06/2013 16:33
Westbury Park £825,000
A beautifully refurbished Edwardian six bedroom semi detached family house situated just off Durdham Down and within easy walk of local shops, schools etc.Three reception rooms, large kitchen diner opening onto a 70 ft rear garden. Six double bedrooms and two bathrooms. Garage and off street parking.
Westbury Park £615,000
A lovely spacious Edwardian semi opposite Westbury Park school and within walking distance of Redland Green. Currently split as two flats and ideal for reinstatement as a family house with large for the area 55ft garden. Would provide three reception rooms, five bedrooms and family bathroom. A wonderful opportunity for someone to stamp their own personality on a desirable family home.
Redland £775,000
A fantastic family home overlooking Redland Tennis Club. Offering deceptively spacious accommodation with attractive sunny garden and large garage. Three reception rooms, farmhouse style kitchen, utility & cloakroom. Upstairs are six bedrooms, the master with en suite bathroom, family bathroom and shower room.
Leese & Nagle July.indd 1
Kingsdown £550,000
A lovely Georgian townhouse situated on unspoilt cobbled Somerset Street. The house is arranged over four floors and offers surprisingly spacious accommodation with great views over the city to the rear. Currently large kitchen/diner, stores and utility space. Two reception rooms, five bedrooms and two bathrooms. Provides an opportunity to improve to own specifications. No onward chain.
Montpelier £425,000
Absolutely fantastic Grade II listed town house, being one of a handful of architecturally important buildings in the fashionable Montpelier area. A fine example of the elegant Georgian era, oozing with lovely period details throughout the roomy and flexible 4 storey home which is beautifully presented throughout. Attractive private gardens to the rear and side and rare benefit of a garage.
Clifton £300,000
A two bedroom, ground floor flat with private front and rear gardens and own entrance offers well presented accommodation throughout. The living room is to the front with fitted kitchen located off. The main bedroom is a good size with fitted wardrobe. The second bedroom has access to the beautiful rear garden, a study/storage room and family modern bathroom. Suitable for rental purposes as well as owner occupation.
17/06/2013 16:40
Sneyd Park £825,000
A two bedroom, ground floor flat with private front and rear gardens and own entrance offers well presented accommodation throughout. The living room is to the front with fitted kitchen located off. The main bedroom is a good size with fitted wardrobe. The second bedroom has access to the beautiful rear garden, a study/storage room and family modern bathroom. Suitable for rental purposes as well as owner occupation.
Stoke Bishop £625,000
Essentially half of a very large detached house on prestigious Stoke Hill. Split in the 1980’s the house still sits within a quarter acre plot and offers scope for updating/remodelling/extending (subject to consents). Currently provides lovely living room, dining room, kitchen and utility & Cloaks downstairs and four bedrooms, bathroom and shower room upstairs. Open double garage and side store rooms. Ideally suited to someone with vision and those who want something a little different.
Westbury-on-Trym £497,500
Occupying a corner plot and originally built for the builders own occupation this is a spacious and beautifully presented four bedroom semi with attractive gardens, garage and off street parking. Two reception rooms, spacious kitchen opening into a large conservatory, utility and cloakroom. Upstairs there is a lovely master bedroom with luxury en suite. Two further bedrooms and a spacious family bathroom. The fourth bedroom is provided via a loft conversion.
Leese & Nagle July.indd 2
Stoke Bishop £745,000
A very handsome 1930’s detached house extensively refurbished and extended by the current owners creating an exceptional family environment. Three reception rooms including a lovely family area adjoining the kitchen/breakfast room. Spacious reception hallway which is currently used as a dining area! Utility room and cloakroom. Upstairs there are five bedrooms (one with en suite) and a family bathroom. West facing rear gardens of manageable size and off street parking.
Stoke Bishop £565,000
A very stylish and substantial 1950’s built four bedroom detached family home located in this highly regarded leafy Stoke Bishop side road. This lovely home meets all modern day requirements, offering roomy extended family accommodation, a quiet location, character and a lovely long rear garden to name but a few.
Westbury-on-Trym £375,000
This is a great example of a late 1930’s semi-detached family home which has a larger internal footprint than many in the area. Extended on the ground floor it now provides three reception rooms, and a kitchen/breakfast room on the ground floor. Upstairs are three bedrooms and family bathroom. Attractive rear garden, garage and off street parking.
17/06/2013 16:41
Ripples fp:Ripples-SALE2013_FP Local.qxd
88 Whiteladies Road Clifton Bristol BS8 2QN Tel 0117 973 1144
Chelsea House London Road Bath BA1 6DB Tel 01225 447971
20/6/13
15:44
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