The Bristol Magazine August

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THE

THE MAGAZINE FOR THE CITY OF BRISTOL www.thebristolmagazine.co.uk

ISSUE 110

I

AUGUST 2013

MAGAZINE £3.00 where sold

The 35TH international

BALLOON FIESTA all eyes on the skies HIGH FLYING

DON CAMERON faces the music SCHOOL’S OUT

OUR GUIDE to surviving summer in the city IN THE GARDEN

TOP TIPS from a head gardener 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 I E S O N S H O W

SALE

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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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THE| CONTENTS

AUGUST242013 52 42

46 14

72

ZEITGEIST

44

16

THE CITYIST

46

SOCIETY Snapshots from the city’s events, parties and launches

22

BARTLEBY

24

FACE THE MUSIC

52

54 56

BRISTOL UPDATES All the latest news from the city’s businesses

ARTS & EXHIBITIONS WILD DISCOVERIES The city’s new family attraction: a conservation park

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THE WALK Taking in the heights of Bristol

66

INTERIORS A Cotswold home revitalised

72 GARDEN PROFILE Tips from Berkeley Castle’s head gardener

76

PROPERTY The best homes for sale and to let in and around Bristol

THE

BRISTOL twitter@thebristolmag

The Alpha Romeo Mito Live

Summer shows at the city’s galleries

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64

FOOD HEROES

MOTORING

FIT AND FAB Health and beauty news and reviews

RESTAURANT REVIEW

We meet the duo behind award-winning Somerset apple juice and cider makers, Orchard Pig

WHAT’S ON Theatre, festivals, music and more

38

FOOD & DRINK The latest foodie news and new eateries on the scene

RIVER LIFE A thriving sailing club on the Avon

28

SUMMER HOLS GUIDE

Delicious dishes at Zazu’s Kitchen

Bristol balloon entrepreneur Don Cameron picks his top tunes

26

48

50

A question of transport

60

A guide to all the events and activities at the city’s family attractions

The buzz, My Bristol and a top read

18

OUT & ABOUT Interactive storywalks for children

Five things things to do this month

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LOCAL BUSINESS Dr Jackson’s skincare products have taken the beauty world by storm with their natural ingredients from around the world

ON THE COVER Front cover design by Jenny Urquhart. Limited edition, signed prints available and 100% profits go to The Grand Appeal. www.jennysgallery.co.uk

www.thebristolmagazine.co.uk

MAGAZINE

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Over 20 Years’ experience of designing and installing Kitchens, Bathrooms and Bedrooms including carpentry and joinery works.

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A beau%fully presented garden apartment (1,385 sq ) overlooking the Downs. Drawing room, kitchen, master bedroom, guest bedroom with ensuite bathroom, third bedroom, contemporary shower room and study room, parking for 3 vehicles. EPC Ra%ng D.

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Guide price: £445,000

Cli on

A generous family house, with a large rear garden and OSP for two cars. 2 recep%on rooms. Full width open plan family room & kitchen. Conservatory. U%lity. Cloakroom. 6 - 7 bedrooms. 2 bath / shower rooms. Top floor kitchene&e. Cellars. Fully enclosed south facing garden. Off-street parking.

Guide price: £1,150,000

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Westbury Park

A fabulous 4,300 sq bay-fronted family house overlooking The Downs. Drawing room, open plan kitchen / family room, study. 6 bedrooms. 2 bath / shower rooms. Lower ground floor with 2 beds, si#ng room, bathroom, u"lity / kitchen and separate access. Gardens front and rear. EPC ra"ng D. Guide price: ÂŁ1,195,000

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EDITOR’S | LETTER

T

he summer holidays are well and truly upon us, and if you’ve already searched out all the Gromits and are worrying about ways to entertain your children, you can breathe a sigh of relief because we’ve got loads of ideas packed into this issue.

From our guide to all the activities and events at the city’s family attractions, to sailing on the Avon and following an interactive story walk in Exmoor, as well as discovering the exciting new Wild Place conservation park in the city, we’ve got pages packed full of suggestions to keep all ages and interests happy, whatever the weather.

One of the highlights of the month is sure to be the annual Bristol International Balloon Fiesta, so we caught up with festival founder and Bristol balloon entrepreneur, Don Cameron of Cameron Balloons to find out what his top ten favourite pieces of music are in our Face the Music feature. This year the fiesta, which is celebrating 35 years of bringing colour to the skies, is offering visitors a chance to camp near the event site at the Ashton Court Estate, so you can be close to all the entertainment, including the spectacular night glows, as well as enjoy watching the morning ascents by sticking your head out of the tent.

Making the most of the fine weather is important, and a lovely way to spend a sunny afternoon is by visiting a beautiful garden, taking in the flora and fauna and admiring borders and water features. As part of a new monthly feature profiling different gardens in the area, in this issue we take a closer look at the grounds of nearby Berkeley Castle and ask head gardener Chris Gill what his trials and triumphs are and top tips for planting this season. The terraced gardens here boast many rare plants and a wide variety of unusual shrubs and trees, as well as a lily pond that was originally built as a swimming pool, a butterfly house and a yurt restaurant. It’s well worth a visit.

We’ve also highlighted our top five things to do this month, including a Segway tour of Bristol Zoo after hours, taking in the sights and sounds in whole new experience.

Summer in the city never disappoints. However you spend it, I hope you have a fun-filled month.

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.

New and exclusive The Bristol Magazine is now specially available to customers of John Lewis at The Mall at Cribbs Causeway in the upstairs café and in the espresso bar on the lower ground floor

WWW.THEBRISTOLMAGAZINE.CO.UK

AUGUST 2013

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THE

BR I STOL MAGAZINE Follow us on Twitter @thebristolmagazine Contact us: Editor Tel: Email:

Samantha Coleman 0117 974 2800 sam@thebristolmagazine.co.uk

Deputy Editor Email:

Georgette McCready georgette@thebristolmagazine.co.uk

Production Manager Email:

Jeff Osborne production@thebristolmagazine.co.uk

Commercial Production Lorna Harrington Email: lorna@thebristolmagazine.co.uk Publisher Email:

Steve Miklos stevem@thebristolmagazine.co.uk

Contact the Advertising Sales team 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. We are independent of all other local publications

The Bristol Magazine is distributed free every month to more than 20,000 homes and businesses throughout Bath and the surrounding area. We also have special distribution units in the following city centre stores and coffee shops

THE

BRIST OL MAGAZINE 2 Princes Buildings, George Street, Bath BA1 2ED Telephone: 0117 974 2800. Fax: 01225 426677 www.thebathmagazine.co.uk Š MC Publishing Ltd 2013 Disclaimer: Whilst every reasonable care is taken with all material submitted to The Bath Magazine, the publisher cannot accept responsibility for loss or damage to such material. Opinions expressed in articles are strictly those of the authors. This publication is copyright and may not be reproduced in any form either in part or whole without written permission from the publishers.

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ZEITGEIST

5

things to do in August

Ride

Enjoy It’s that time of year again, when we can look to the skies and see brightly coloured hot air balloons floating by. This year the Bristol International Balloon Fiesta takes place on 8 – 11 August at its usual location, the Ashton Court Estate. The event features four days of extravagant hot-air balloon displays including morning ascents of more than 150 hot air balloons of all shapes and sizes, night glows and fun activities on the ground to keep the family entertained such as fairground rides, food stalls, bars, face painting and an acoustic music stage. For the first time in the event’s history, there will also be an official fiesta campsite, set within walking distance of the main arena so you can be in close proximity to the event and even watch the ascents from your tent at dawn. To find out more about this year’s festival, visit: www.bristolballoonfiesta.co.uk

Bristol Zoo is now offering Segway tours after hours, so you can take in the sights and sounds in a whole new experience. It’s the first UK zoo to offer this exciting opportunity.

All tours will be led by an experienced Segway guide, who’ll start each session with an introduction and a short safety briefing.

You will then get to have a practice run before being led around Bristol Zoo’s 12 acres of gardens where you’ll experience the zoo and its inhabitants like never before, including 12 huge and incredibly life size animatronic dinosaurs. Each tour will last 45 minutes and groups will be small, of no more than seven, allowing for a great interactive experience for family and friends alike. Prices for Segway tours are £30 per person. All the money generated by these tours will go towards supporting Bristol Zoo’s valuable conservation work around the world. For dates and times, visit: www.bristolzoo.org.uk or tel: 0117 974 7300.

Get involved On Sunday 23 June Bristol held its first ever Make Sundays Special event when selected streets in the old city were closed to traffic and opened up to people for family fun events all day, including street games, performers, historic tours and markets. The event was the first in a series of Make Sundays Special events, and the next will run on: 18 August, 29 September and 20 October, 11am – 4pm. Join in the fun and games, soak up the atmosphere, take the cycling and walking route through Creative Common and Castle Park or just relax in the street lounge. Keep up to date with what’s on at: www.bristol.gov.uk/sundays

Party The King of Funk and Soul, Craig Charles, will be curating, performing and compering his Fantasy Weekender at Creative Common on 24 – 26 August.

Charles has teamed up with his friends Soultrain, Bristol’s longest running club night, to invite special guest live Lee Thompson performances all throughout the weekend. There will be DJs, live music, interactive circus performances from The Invisible Circus and local and sustainable food served at Creative Common’s onsite restaurant and bar, Yurt Lush.

Tickets can be bought in person at Creative Common Good’s Yard box office or online at: www.bristolticketshop.com 14 THE BRISTOL MAGAZINE

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AUGUST 2013

Watch

Aardman’s The Pirates!

From 30 August – 8 September, the city will be abuzz with all things puppet-related as the internationally renowned Bristol Festival of Puppetry kicks off with a jam-packed programme celebrating puppetry in all its weird and wonderful forms. Expect a rich and diverse programme that not only presents local and regional companies and artists, but some of the very best international puppetry and animation too. Don’t miss: Peter Lord (Aardman co-founder and Puppet Place patron) hosting a night of his favourite short films (A Celebration of Puppet Animation, 4 Sep); Tom Morris presents an open masterclass on puppetry for the big stage with original War Horse puppeteer Toby Olié (A Matter of Life and Death, 4 Sep) and for the first time the festival moves outside for a special late night performance of the UK premiere of Vindstille by Dutch company The Lunatics. For the full programme and ticket information visit: www.puppetplace.org/festival

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THE CITY The buzz...

FIXED UP & LOOKING SHARP A pop-up shop featuring fashions redesigned from charity shop donations will be open in Cabot Circus over the weekend of 3 – 4 August to raise money for CLIC Sargent, the cancer charity for children, young people and their families.

It is part of the Fix Up Look Sharp fashion brand run by CLIC Sargent which offers a range of specially-designed, on-trend items created using donated stock such as curtains, bed sheets and other unwanted fabric. Last year the charity launched its range online with an ASOS boutique and also sells items at its vintage clothing shop in Gloucester Road. The brand has been designed and produced by fashion graduate Ruth Strugnell, who is a deputy manager at one of CLIC Sargent’s shops, and her design partner Gemma Pope, from Bristol.

My BRISTOL We ask Louise Masson, general manager at Harvey Nichols, what she’s doing this month...

What brought you to Bristol?

I came to Bristol from Edinburgh earlier this year to join Harvey Nichols. I have worked in retail for many years, with some of the high street’s most famous names, and I am extremely excited to now be working at such a fantastic store.

What are you reading?

I have a Kindle which means I upload lots of books and often have more than one on the go. I am currently reading The Lady Cyclist’s Guide to Kashgar by Suzanne Joinson because I often go on cycling holidays and was attracted by the title.

What is on your MP3 player?

I have a huge amount of songs representing a very diverse selection – Adele, Jamie Cullum and U2 as well as a lot of classical music, including my all time favourite: Rachmaninoff Symphony No 2.

A redesigned outfit created from stock donated to CLIC Sargent charity shops

Which café or restaurant takes your fancy?

It will come as no surprise that I think our Second Floor Restaurant is outstanding. I have been hugely impressed by our head chef Louise McCrimmon and her team. I really enjoy eating out in Bristol, there are so many great places that reflect a really vibrant dining scene and I can often be spotted at Hotel du Vin and The Pump House.

What will you be going to see this month?

I am planning to see Hairspray at the Bristol Hippodrome and the new film, Man of Steel.

Which museum or gallery will you be visiting?

The M Shed’s exhibition by the National Portrait Gallery of the Taylor Wessing Photographic Portrait Prize looks amazing. I’m also a regular visitor of The Bristol Museum – it’s perfect to wander around on a day off and proved to be the perfect backdrop to our fashion show earlier in the year.

What hobbies or interests will you be pursuing?

I have joined a group of friends to cycle around Bristol on a Monday evening and have enjoyed discovering a host of new places.

What local outdoor event will you be visiting?

It can only be Gromit Unleashed! We have our very own Gromit at Harvey Nichols – designed by street artist Cheba. I’m really keen to cycle the trail over the summer and get to see all 80 of them.

Plans for the summer?

I’m still getting to grips with the city and surrounding area so I am keen to continue exploring. I am also expecting lots of family visits from north of the border – to see the Gromits rather than me!

WE’RE READING...

HISTORY COMES TO LIFE Ever been intrigued by the Red Lodge on Park Row? Well you can delve into its colourful history thanks to a new film documentary by Bristol-based Galliard Films that brings to life the interesting men and women who lived at the Red Lodge from 1580 to the 1920s. The film features period costumes, commentary from the museum’s curator and is set against the backdrop of one of the last surviving luxury Elizabethan domestic interiors in the south west. To watch, visit: www.youtube.com/watch?v=TbPZYYx_8iw

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FOYLES BOOKSHOP reviews its top summer read: A Stitch in Time by Amanda James, £7.99 Sarah Yates is a 30-something history teacher, divorced and disillusioned, fed up with teaching kids who just don’t appreciate her. Then one evening, when the doorbell rings and a strange and handsome man appears, Sarah embarks on a journey that will change her. After being transported back to her home town of Sheffield during the Blitz, then on to the events of the suffragette movement, Sarah rises to the challenge of trying to give people their happy endings: but will she ever find hers? Amanda James’s latest novel is a must-read, with lovable

characters who bring the past back to life in a very memorable way; you will laugh with them, cry with them and feel their joy and pain.

An absorbing time travelling tale which explores how our past affects our present and our future – just perfect for the long summer evenings.

We’re following @wlpicturehouse to hear about the latest developments in the efforts to reopen The Whiteladies Picture House as a center for the arts, for cinema, theatre and comedy.

AUGUST 2013

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BRISTOL | SOCIETY

PEOPLE & PARTIES Snapshots from events, parties and launches in the city

Bristol International Balloon Fiesta 100 club members dinner

Fiesta Sponsor winners Barton Willmore with the Lord Mayor of Bristol Faruk Choudhury & Lady Mayoress Mrs Shilpi Choudhury

Ashton Court Estate, July 2013 At this glitzy dinner event, Bristol International Balloon Fiesta launched its plans for this year’s festival and leading planning and design consultancy Barton Willmore was named as the headline sponsor. Drawn by The Rt. Hon Lord Mayor of Bristol Faruk Choudhury, Barton Willmore was one of four businesses selected to be named sponsors of the Bristol International Balloon Fiesta.

McBaile Exclusive Catering was announced as the sponsor for the Thursday Nightglow and Airbus will represent the Saturday Nightglows, while the sponsor of the Red Arrows will be EuroRecycling.

IMAGES: CHRIS COOPER PHOTOGRAPHY

Lord Mayor of Bristol Faruk Choudhury, Don Cameron from Cameron Balloons and Lady Mayoress Mrs Shilpi Choudhury

Members of the Myrtle Theatre company who put on a performance from Hot Air, which is currently on show at the Tobacco Facroy Theatre

Laura Rawlings, Martin Evans and Paul Hawkins, BBC

The winners: Barton Willmore, McBaile Exclusive Catering, Airbus and EuroRecycling with the Lord Mayor

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BRISTOL | SOCIETY

Miele demonstration

Ron Blount (Blanco) and Andy Bradbury, MD of Bradburys

Bradbury’s ALNO store opening City centre, July

Showroom manager Phil Harflett, and ALNO kitchens MD Jonathan Wagstaff cut the ribbon

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Bristol city centre’s first luxury kitchen showroom was opened officially last month when ALNO kitchens MD Jonathan Wagstaff cut the ribbon at Bradburys – the ALNO store, located opposite Cabot Circus next to the Future Inn Hotel. Guests at the launch were treated to a feast of delights served by home economists from Miele, who held three cookery demonstrations on the 6000 series of touch screen appliances. Guitarist, Mike Martin serenaded visitors between the cooking demonstrations while they perused the high quality ALNO kitchen displays. This is Bradbury’s second showroom in the south west, complementing its operation in Exeter, from where the company has been trading for 15 years.

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A Question of Transport

S

o it trundles on, like a bus stop-starting up Gloucester Road. The great Bristol transport debate has been going on for several lifetimes already and it shows no sign of reaching its destination. In a sense the debate reflects the kind of city we live in, topographically tricky and peopled by a diverse mix of hard-nosed engineering types, eco-warriors and people who are willing to get out there and protect their patch. There are visionaries a-plenty, but their visions are of very different cities, some go-getting and others relaxed, some sprawling and others compact.

Recently Mayor Ferguson and his Council crew have been pondering plans for BRT2. BRT stands for Bus Rapid Transit, which compared to building railways is a cheap and cheerful means of moving lots of people around. As the name suggests, travelling by BRT is a lot like travelling by bus, except that the bus lanes are segregated, purposebuilt roads along which the vehicles whizz, undeterred by parked cars, dawdling pedestrians, etc.

You might remember the hoo-ha when a BRT route was proposed between Bristol and Bath, using the existing cycle path. Underlying the plans was the unspoken assumption that a big scheme involving lots of engineering and smart new vehicles was a good thing. To the many people who already used the path, travelling under their own steam as walkers or bike riders, it wasn’t. In the ensuing battle those in possession of the path won the day, and every politician

and their dog claimed that they and they alone held back the juggernaut of progress.

The thing about transport in Bristol is that everyone agrees that there is a problem, but there is no obvious solution. The problem is rush hour or, more accurately, ‘snail hour’ traffic. Outside those busy periods at the beginning and end of the working day Bristol’s roads seem to do the job OK, but 6pm can see whole areas of the city at a standstill. To traffic planners the solution is to take a proportion of commuters off the roads, by moving them onto some form of mass transit system. This has been done in Bristol’s twin cities, Porto (underground trains), Bordeaux (tram) and Hannover (tram and light rail), but so far we’ve spent a lot of money on consultations but without getting anywhere.

Sheffield has a Supertram, which presumably has all kinds of special powers, and Bristol almost had one too. Line One would have linked the Union Street Bus Station, Temple Meads, Lawrence Hill, the MoD at Abbey Wood, UWE, Bristol Parkway and Aztec West. Commuters would have been able to park at the M5 Park and Ride and whizz into town. Brilliant! But South Gloucestershire council wanted Supertram to go to Cribbs Causeway and, when it didn’t get its way, pulled out. The scheme collapsed, and in its place we now have BRT. Well why not? If buses are better, why not link the same places in that way?

But the plans being discussed at the moment don’t link the city centre and the north. Instead, if built (at a cost of however many tens of millions), BRT2 will connect central Bristol with that great engine of commerce and industry, Long Ashton. At the moment buses from the Park and Ride at Long Ashton come into the city via Hotwells Road, and they do this pretty well. If built, BRT2 will take these buses off the road and send them along the route currently followed by the steam train that takes tourists from M Shed to Create.

You can’t build new transport infrastructure without making some sacrifices, but I’m not sure our leaders appreciate what M Shed, the steam train, the cranes and the rest of the Floating Harbour Experience mean – to residents AND tourists. BRT2 may seem harmless, if not entirely necessary, but we should beware of tinkering with the laid-back, history-filled Bristol that everybody loves. ■

“

The thing about transport in Bristol is that everyone agrees that there is a problem, but there is no obvious solution

”

Kemps Jewellers History, tradition & quality • The only Kemps Jewellers 1881 9 CARLTON COURT, WESTBURY ON TRYM • 0117 950 5090 Kemps are a family business, carrying an extensive range of new and second-hand jewellery, across a wide price range, and offering you • Professional Friendly Advice • • Beautiful Gift Ideas • • Gift Wrapping Service • • Registered Pawnbrokers • • Jewellery and watch repairs undertaken • • Gold purchased - old jewellery & coins •

www.kempsjewellers.com

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Allium OF

CLIFTON

contemporary Jewellery All items beautifully gift wrapped

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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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Open: Tuesday – Friday 10.30 til 5.30 Saturday 10.00 til 5.30 Sunday 11.00 til 4.00

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FACE | THE MUSIC

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FACE | THE MUSIC

Flying High Don Cameron, founder of the Bristol Balloon Fiesta and of Bedminster-based Cameron Balloons, talks to James Russell about his colourful career and the music that has inspired him along the way

Y

es, it’s the time of year when our eyes turn to the skies and our thoughts to balloons. On 8 August the 35th International Bristol Balloon Fiesta will get under way at Ashton Court, and one man is looking forward to it more than most. Don Cameron is the founder not only of Bedminster-based Cameron Balloons – the world’s largest balloon manufacturer – but also of the Fiesta itself.

That the first Fiesta was held in 1979 was really down to a bit of bad luck. The previous year Don had attempted to fly a balloon across the Atlantic but had ended up in the sea 100 miles off the French coast. He was asked by the Bristol Junior Chamber of Commerce to give a talk about his adventures, and in the pub afterwards the idea of a balloon meeting was mooted. This was far from a major event, with only 20 or so balloons from Britain and Europe, and a solitary truck for catering. But it caught the imagination of the public, and since then the annual ritual of mass balloon launches, spectacular night glows and extraordinary special shapes has attracted ever bigger crowds. This year visitors can even camp in the official camp site – but make sure you’re booked in ahead of time.

Of course Bristol has a long association with flight, and it was as an aeronautical engineer that Glasgow-born Don Cameron arrived in the city in the early 1960s. It so happened that around the same time an American, Ed Yost, invented a new type of hot air balloon, with a nylon envelope full of air heated with a propane heater. When Don and his friends at the gliding club found out about this they decided to build their own balloon and, after a certain amount of trial and error, launched the Bristol Belle on 9 July 1967; it was the first flight by a modern hot air balloon in Western Europe.

Don made further balloons for people, initially as a hobby. It wasn’t long, though, before he had so many commissions coming in that he decided to set up the company that was soon selling balloons all round the world. In the international ballooning community, Bristol became synonymous with excellence and adventure, and today the Fiesta attracts crowds of enthusiasts to the city each summer.

Given his tremendous influence on the Bristol summer, we thought it was time to ask Don Cameron if there were any particular tunes that inspired him, and this is what he told us...

Don’s top ten music choices:

Don’s top tracks include, anti-clockwise from below, A Man’s a Man for a’ That

by The Corries; Time by Pink Floyd; and Up, Up and Away in My Beautiful Balloon by Nancy Sinatra

❺ Ludwig van Beethoven, Ode to Joy Composed in 1785 by German poet Friedrich Schiller and set to music by Beethoven as the finale of his Ninth Symphony, the Ode to Joy celebrates the brotherhood of man, and as such it has been adopted as the anthem of the European Union. Although I think that some things need to be changed in the EU, I think it is important for us to be part of it. Europe is a much better place today than it was in my childhood in the 1940s. ❻ Gilbert & Sullivan, I am the Very Model of A Modern Major-General I have always enjoyed the hilariously contrived verses of Gilbert and Sullivan and this piece, from the 1879 comic opera The Pirates of Penzance, is one of the best. Full of tongue-twisters that have to be delivered at breakneck speed, this is probably the most famous song in the G&S repertoire.

❶ Nancy Sinatra, Up, Up and Away in My Beautiful Balloon I suppose I can’t get away from this one. It happened to be popular at the time I was first becoming involved in balloons and it was impossible to escape it. Would you like to ride in my beautiful balloon? Would you like to glide in my beautiful balloon? The answer was obviously ‘yes’.

❼ Pink Floyd, Time In the 1970s HTV made a film about hot air ballooning, and we used it at seminars and other occasions hundreds of times. The background music was Pink Floyd and it is forever imprinted on my mind.

❷ Bessie Smith, St Louis Blues This is the classic of the New Orleans traditional jazz and blues genre, recorded in 1925 with Louis Armstrong on cornet and Fred Longshaw on harmonium. I first heard this kind of music in my teens, but I still think it is far better than its later developments.

❽ The Beatles, Yellow Submarine This infectious tune was popular during the 1960s when a group of us were building the Bristol Belle, the first modern type of hot air balloon in Western Europe (the concept had been invented in America). It was a balloon, not a submarine, and it wasn’t yellow, but the tune seemed to reflect our mood.

❸ Edith Piaf, Non, je ne regrette rien As many have felt, the French singer Edith Piaf was unique; such an amazing voice from such a small person, whose last name is actually a nickname, meaning ‘sparrow’. This piece is her classic trademark.

❾ Giuseppe Verdi, The Grand March from Aida This is a rousing march – fitting its title perfectly. It is curious to think that the opera was first performed in Cairo.

❹ The Corries, A Man’s a Man for a’ That This was Robert Burns’ reaction against the excesses of the aristocratic class system of his day. He was not, in general, a writer of protest songs, but this is certainly one. It still resonates today, although the world has greatly changed. It was sung controversially at the opening of the Scottish devolved parliament.

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❿ City of Bristol Pipes & Drums, Bonnie Dundee I am the honorary president of the City of Bristol Pipes and Drums and, although I have left it too late in life to learn to play these wonderful instruments, I enjoy listening to them. The band is open to all. Some of the members are people who have moved from Scotland, but many, including some of our expert players are born and bred in Bristol.

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Simply messing about in boats A thriving sailing club on the River Avon sees sailors of all ages taking to the water for hours of fun, and regular competitions.

Georgette McCready went down to the river bank to watch an evening’s racing

T

here has been much talk about the Olympic legacy and speculation about whether it has really inspired people to take up new sports. But perhaps one aspect of the story has been left out, namely the concept of play, of enjoying an activity for its own sake and not for the purposes of medal chasing or record breaking.

If you want an inspiring reminder of the pure pleasure to be had in taking part in sport and getting the most out of it at all levels of skill, I’d recommend you go and hang around on the riverbank at Saltford to watch members of the Bristol and Avon Sailing Club in action.

On a sunny evening, white clouds scudding across the skies and the meadows opposite at Kelston looking suitably picturesque, I went to see the sailors racing on this stretch of the Avon, just up from The Jolly Sailor pub.

More than a dozen dinghies, mostly with lone sailors, some with two crew on board, lined up at the start – their performance delightfully enhanced for the viewer by a very brisk, gusty and unpredictable wind which caused a few upsets and much laughter.

The dinghies are kept in the club yard, literally metres from the slipway into the river.

They vary from modest craft to the latest sleek racers, but handicap points make this a level playing field when it comes to racing. If, like me, you’ve only ever sailed at sea or on big lakes, this river sailing is clearly very skilled, with much tacking to avoid the riverbanks and other craft.

On top of the skill being shown to nimbly negotiate the course, there was clearly a lot of fun going on too. A whoop would go up from the bank as someone saved their craft from capsizing and there was much laughter when a competitor brought his boat to the bank, having taken on several inches of water. “A case of the floating paddling pool,” someone joked as he started to bail out his waterlogged craft.

Andy Cooper is the current Vice Commodore. He’s a fairly typical example of a club member, having joined when his son gave up rugby and they were looking for an activity to enjoy together.

He said: “It’s been great for us, when we first came down we used the club’s Comet dinghies and we signed up to the RYA (Royal Yachting

Association) training course, which is offered to all members.”

The 58-year-old club is affiliated to the national body, the RYA, which means that there’s always a safety boat and current regulation is adhered to when it comes to health, safety and racing rules.

Members, who range from children through to veterans in their 80s, can come down just for a fun session of sailing to unwind after a day’s school or can take part in one of the regular race sessions.

This club is far removed from the dusty image of chaps in yachting caps and blazers, nor do they have the ‘all the gear, no idea’ breed of shiny kit sailors. Members are people of all ages, abilities and backgrounds who just want to get on the river and pit their skills against weather and water.

The club was founded in 1955 by a group of male sailors looking for somewhere in the Bristol area to sail their dinghies. At that time as a commercial dock, sailing wasn’t permitted in Bristol dock waters. The club took over a little tea hut near the Jolly Sailor and soon cleared a field for boat storage.

As with all thriving clubs, it is the people who make the organisation a success, giving up their time and skills for nothing to make things happen. In the early 1960s members teamed up to buy the land where the clubhouse now stands and cleared the plot of weeds and rocks by hand with volunteers. The clubhouse not only has a bar and function room, but a fine verandah, changing rooms, showers and storage for sails and other paraphernalia.

Members store gear here and, for £44 a year, can keep their dinghies in the lock-up yard.

Potential members are more than welcome to go along to Saltford and take a taster session before committing. Membership costs vary. Scouts, guides and local schools use the club for sailing taster sessions and it welcomes enquiries from other youth groups under the RYA OnBoard scheme to encourage sailing. ■

“

This club is far removed from the dusty image of chaps in yachting caps and blazers

”

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Bristol and Avon Sailing Club meets at the clubhouse, Mead Lane, Saltford on Thursday evenings and Sundays. For more information visit: www.bristolavon-sailing.org.uk

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CULTURE BOOK Our guide to this month’s top events in Bristol and beyond Battle of the Atlantic exhibition, Fleet Air Arm Museum, RNAS Yeovilton, Somerset, ongoing The Fleet Air Arm Museum’s new exhibition will dramatically display a Fairey Swordfish, Fairey Fulmar and the newly restored Grumman Martlet detailing The Battle of the Atlantic, the longest campaign of World War II. In addition to the aircraft on display there will be a representation of a German U-boat conning tower along with a rare example of a German gyrocopter. The year 1943 is seen as the point at which the balance of success in this battle shifted in favour of the Allied Forces and 2013 is therefore the year chosen to commemorate the 70th anniversary. For further information visit: www.fleetairarm.com.

Argentine Tango Course, Westmoreland Hall, Redland, Thursdays, from 1 August, 7.30pm – 10pm Bristol’s Tango-y-tu is running a five week course in Argentine Tango for beginners and recent beginners every Thursday from 1 August. Enjoy learning this popular dance in a relaxed atmosphere, with hands on help from class instructor Janet who has 16 years experience. Cost: £20 per session or £75 prepaid for five. To book, contact tel: 07767733948 or for further information visit: www.tango-y-tu.com/bristol.htm.

Showjumping at The Festival of British Eventing, Gatcombe Park

The Festival of British Eventing, Gatcombe Park, Minchinhampton, Gloucestershire, 2 – 4 August The Festival of British Eventing at Gatcombe Park, the home of the Princess Royal, incorporates the British Open, Intermediate and Novice Championships. As well as a weekend of top class eventing there will be a shopping village, arena attractions and entertainment for all the family. The festival is renowned for hosting the world’s best horses and riders competing at the highest level and includes a combination of dressage, show jumping and cross country. For further information visit: www.gatcombe-horse.co.uk

Bristol Proms, The Bristol Old Vic, until 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.

Food and Craft Market, Tyntesfield House, North Somerset, 4 August, 10am – 3pm The upper courtyard at Home Farm will turn into a hive of activity as local food and craft producers set up their stalls and showcase their wares.

After Hours: March of the Makers, At-Bristol, 6 August, 7pm – 10.30pm Join an evening of creative play and fun, especially for adults. You’ll have a chance to create a world class flying model aircraft with engineers from Rolls Royce, create a Plasticine character with a model maker from Aardman, and join in with mechanical-mish-mash, an opportunity to take a washing machine and turn it into a light fitting (or a microwave into a hat). And of course, if you’ve ever wanted to come and play on the exhibits when the children aren’t around? Well – now’s your chance. Buy tickets from: www.at-bristol.org.uk/afterhours.

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Hairspray at the Bristol Hippodrome

Hairspray, The Bristol Hippodrome 6 – 17 August This popular West End musical comedy comes to Bristol telling the story of Tracy Turnblad, a big girl with big hair and an even bigger heart as she sets out to follow her dreams, inspire her mum and win the boy she loves. Stage and screen star Mark Benton will play the larger than life Turnblad family matriarch Edna and will be joined by EastEnders star Lucy Benjamin, X Factor finalist Marcus Collins and newcomer Freya Sutton as teen heroine Tracy Turnblad. Box office tel: 0844 871 3012 or visit: www.atgtickets.com/bristol.

Hot Air, Tobacco Factory Theatre, until 10 August From some of Bristol’s finest theatre makers comes a 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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King Lear, Theatre Royal Bath, until 10 August An extraordinary production of William Shakespeare’s King Lear is being performed exclusively at the Theatre Royal Bath starring David Haig in the title role. Directed by Lucy Bailey, one of the UK’s most exciting directors, this new staging of the Bard’s powerful tragedy sees the drama unfold in 1960s East London, in a ruthless world of dangerous rivalries, tense turf wars and explosive family feuds. Striking design by William Dudley, one of the UK’s most prolific and revered theatre designers and winner of seven Olivier Awards, incorporates video projection and an extended stage. This is Shakespeare as you’ve never seen it before. Box office tel: 01225 448844 or visit: www.theatreroyal.org.uk.

Jimmy Carr: Gagging Order, Colston Hall, 23 August, 8pm One of the UK’s best-loved comedians revisits the Colston Hall for a show peppered with great oneliners, lightning-quick comebacks and masterful wordplay. Tickets £25 from www.colstonhall.org.

Basket Weaving, Cameron Centre, Lockleaze, 26 August, 10am – 3pm

David Haig as King Lear at the Theatre Royal Bath

Join local horticulturalist and conservation educator, Steve England, and learn how to identify and collect natural materials from within the woods and then when Jimmy Carr you return to the base, sit around a camp fire and learn how to weave a basket from what you have collected, including hazel and ash. Spaces are limited to ten, book online at: www.steveengland.co.uk. Steve also regularly organises outdoor events such as wildlife, geology and fossil walks, history tours and bush and wood craft workshops.

Ghost: The Musical, Bristol Hippodrome, 27 August – 14 September Fresh from the West End, the smash-hit musical is based on the Oscar-winning movie starring Patrick Swayze that captured the hearts and imaginations of a generation back in the 90s. Sam is trapped as a ghost between this world and the next, trying to communicate with girlfriend Molly through a phoney psychic in the hope of saving her from his murderer. With a score by rock legends and Grammy award-winners, Dave Stewart (Eurythmics) and Glen Ballard (Michael Jackson and Alanis Morrisette) and featuring the unforgettable Unchained Melody, Ghost is a rollercoaster ride of romance and comedy with dazzling state-of-the-art staging. Box office tel: 0844 871 3012 or visit: www.atgtickets.com/bristol.

Margaret Atwood, St George’s Bristol, 28 August

Margaret Atwood, image: George Whiteside

Booker-prize-winning Margaret Atwood’s presentation of The Year of the Flood was one of the highlights of the 2009 Festival of Ideas – and now she is back for this year’s Festival of Ideas with her new novel MaddAddam, the concluding part to the Oryx and Crake trilogy telling the story of the remnants of humanity after the Waterless Flood pandemic.

Told with her usual wit, dizzying imagination, and dark humour, Margaret Atwood’s unpredictable, chilling and hilarious new book takes us into a challenging dystopian world and holds up a skewed mirror to our own possible future. Tickets £8 from the box office on tel: 0845 40 24 001. >>

EDITOR’S PICK...

Treefest 2013, Westonbirt Arboretum, 24 – 26 August Treefest is Westonbirt’s signature summer event celebrating nature, trees, woodcraft and family fun with activities and exhibitors showcased across the whole Bank Holiday weekend.

Alongside more than 100 craft exhibitors and a food hall, woodworking will be celebrated in a large Working Woodlands area with opportunities for visitors to try traditional woodcraft skills for themselves. Big carving will return, with this year’s sculptors creating pieces inspired by fairytales, while families can follow a trail around the festival to enjoy storytellers and puppet theatre, watch falconry and – new to this year’s event – see axe carving and racing from The Welsh Axemen. Local live music will also be on offer until 8pm on Saturday and Sunday and 5pm on Monday. Camping for Treefest weekend ticket holders will be in a newly refurbished Camping and Caravanning Club-accredited site at The Holford Arms in the nearby village of Knockdown just 1.5 miles from the arboretum, from where a free shuttle bus will operate every morning and evening. For further information and tickets visit: www.forestry.gov.uk/westonbirt-treefest

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NE W A ND E XCL USIVE THE

BRISTOL MAGAZINE

is now specially available to customers of John Lewis at The Mall at Cribbs Causeway Our display stands are situated in the Espresso Bar on the lower ground floor, and in The Place to Eat cafĂŠ on the top floor.

Pick us up for free when you visit.

Supplies are limited and the stands are re-stocked by the John Lewis partners on a daily basis.

This service is provided with our thanks to

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Lonnie Liston Smith and the New Cosmic Echoes, Coslton Hall, 30 August, 7.30pm

Bristol International Kite Festival

From Jay-Z to Young Jeezy and Mary J Blige, the hip-hop world has long been smitten with Smith’s funky yet melodic virtuoso piano/keyboard sound, sampling tracks like A Garden Of Peace, Expansions and Bridge Through Time. With his jazz/funk fusion, he will lead his band through his much-sampled back catalogue. Book tickets online at: www.colstonhall.org

The Smoking Puppet Extravaganza, Tobacco Factory Theatre, 30 August, 8pm The Big Bad Wolf welcomes you to a hand-picked night of the finest puppetry entertainment the world has to offer. A night of quirky characters and magical entertainment as part of the Bristol Festival of Puppetry.

Tickets from the Tobacco Factory Theatre box office on tel: 0117 902 0344.

Jelli-fest, Creative Common, Temple Quay, 31 August, noon – 11pm A showcase of local Bristol talent over a whole jam-packed day of music.

Highlights include: Mini Attack, Barry Walsh Band, The Bartones, Scarlett Shocks, Jacanda and Bashema. There will also be a local market and promenade performances throughout the day. An event for the whole family to enjoy. For tickets and more information, visit: www.jellirecords.com.

Bristol International Kite Festival, Ashton Court Estate, 31 August – 1 September Enjoy an action-packed aerial extravaganza with international kite experts showcasing spectacular flying displays, kite fighting battles, artistic kites, synchronised routines flown to music and power kites as well as colourful ground-based air creations and banners of all shapes and sizes. To add to the festive atmosphere there will also be play structures and children’s attractions, kite traders, a licensed bar and an array of food and drink.

For a full programme visit: www.kite-festival.org.uk. Entry to the festival is free but there is a car parking charge. >>

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The Boy Who Cried Wolf, open-air, outside the Bristol Old Vic, until 1 September

The Boy Who Cried Wolf at the Bristol Old Vic Image: Mark Douet

A grassy meadow forms 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 have created 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.

BOOK NOW FOR...

Bill Bailey: Qualmpeddler, The Bristol Hippodrome, 25 – 28 September, 8pm This show has the all classic Bill Bailey elements: trademark musical mashups, multi-lingual riffs, films, songs, philosophising and silliness on a grand scale… plus one amazing owl. Box office tel: 0844 871 3012 or visit: www.atgtickets.com/bristol Bill Bailey

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 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 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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N SA O L W E O N !

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Are you looking for new lighting for any area at the home?

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Can’t find the solution to your problem?

Come and see the experts to help you through the options available.

We have one of the largest displays in our freshly refitted showroom Lighting design service available.

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Crystal Lamp & Shade rrp £210

Our £169

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CITYgardens

ARTS | & EXHIBITIONS

ON SHOW IN THE CITY Taylor Wessing Photographic Portrait Prize exhibition at the M Shed, until 3 November This exhibition at the M Shed provides an exciting and unique opportunity to see the 60 shortlisted portraits by some of today’s most talented emerging photographers alongside those of established professionals, capturing famous faces and intimate moments. The judges selected 60 portraits for the exhibition from 5,340 submissions entered by 2,352 photographers. The exhibition comes to Bristol following huge success at the National Portrait Gallery in London last year. The images explore a range of themes, styles and approaches to the photographic portrait. Each one tells its own story and will inevitably evoke its own reaction. A programme of talks, tours and special events accompany the exhibition too, including a lunchtime talk on Inventing Identities in Portrait Photography on Friday 16 August, 1pm – 1.30pm, by Dr Barnaby Haran, teaching fellow on history of art at The University of Bristol. Dr Haran will look at photographic portraiture as a collaborative relationship in which photographer and subject negotiate the production of the image. Visit: www.mshed.org for further information.

Sophie (detail) 2011 by Wendy Carrig

Quentin Williams at The Guild Gallery, Park Street, 10 – 31 August “Figurative art should speak for itself,” says Quentin Williams of his latest solo show. Enigmatic portraits, still life and landscapes from the quiet palette of a man with failing eyesight makes this beautiful show especially poignant.

Artemis by Sarah Jeffs

Antlers Gallery presents Spatial at Temple Studios, Temple Gate, until 10 August

Guild Gallery, Bristol Guild of Applied Art, Park Street.

Tel: 0117 926 5548 Nude and Still Life by Quentin Williams

An ambitious new show in an industrial warehouse next to Temple Meads of large-scale and impressive new works by five artists that explore ideas of architecture and space. Their works include oil paintings, installations, graphite drawings, photography and sculpture. Visit: www.antlersgallery.com Summer Salon at View Gallery, until 25 August Throughout the summer the gallery experiments with its curating and presents a themeless exhibition showcasing new artists, new work and new styles, refreshing and rehanging all the time. Three new artists that have already made an impression on visitors, in particular husband and wife duo Kate and Paul Kessling with their heavily layered multi-coloured abstract paintings inspired by the natural landscape.

View Gallery, Hotwell Rd, www.viewartgallery.co.uk

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Skywriting by Kate and Paul Kessling

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Evening, Baltic Wharf by Abigail McDougall

Sarah Sense: Weaving Water at The Parlour Showrooms, College Green, 1 – 6 August In this third and final installation of Weaving Water, Sarah Sense weaves a web of images and maps that visually explore the link between her Native American ancestry in Louisiana, the little known story of Native American enslavement and transportation to the Caribbean and historical connections to Bristol. Work from this migrating exhibition is also on show at Rainmaker Gallery, 123 Coldharbour Road until 10 August. For further information tel: 0117 944 3101 or visit: www.rainmakerart.co.uk

Abigail McDougall at LITTLEWHITESPACE, Clifton Down Road, until 12 August Popular local artist Abigail McDougall, who is based at Jamaica Street Studios, has returned to the Clifton popup venue LITTLEWHITESPACE to exhibit her latest collection of colourful oil and watercolour scenes of Bristol. For further information tel: 0117 381 2012.

My Basket Story #3, Sarah Sense

RWA Friends exhibition at The Long Gallery, RWA, 17 August – 26 September

Ian Hamilton Finlay, Public Sculpture Commission, St George’s Bristol, 2002.

An exhibition of paintings by RWA Friends, Simon Holmes and Sue Hudson-Price including coastal scenes and abstract images showcasing bold colours.

Showing exclusively in Bristol at Innocent Fine Art will be new work by Storm Thorgerson, Dan Baldwin and Joe Webb. A selection of signed limited edition silkscreen prints include the late Storm Thorgerson’s iconic design marking the 40th anniversary of Pink Floyd’s The Dark Side of the Moon. Dan Baldwin’s work is a colourful mix of figures, symbols and motifs while in contrast, new gallery artist Joe Webb uses collage elements in his silkscreen prints from vintage magazines and printed ephemera.

Simon Holmes, Undercliff

Ian Hamilton Finlay at Arnolfini, until 7 September Quentin Blake illustrations at Sky Blue Framing, throughout August An exhibition of lively Quentin Blake illustrations, including those created for Roald Dahl’s stories. Also on show are new glass wave paintings by Jane Reeves, and a selection of contemporary jewellery. 27 North View, Westbury Park. Tel: 0117 973 3995.

Quentin Blake, All Join In

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New work at Innocent Fine Art, 6 – 31 August

An exhibition of works by Ian Hamilton Finlay (1925 –2006), one of the most prominent post-war British artists. Finlay was a poet and artist; his sculptures, stone works and neon signs combine language and landscape, and expand the idea of how words can be used and distributed. Initially associated with concrete poetry, he was above all a publisher, founding Wild Hawthorn Press in 1961, which produced many publications, often very small in scale. Along with an extensive selection of Finlay’s published works, prints, posters, magazines and books, the exhibition presents a series of interventions by contemporary artists and writers, including Will Holder and Christian Flamm, who reflect the artist’s ongoing influence today. This will culminate in a weekend of events at the end of the exhibition including performances, readings, talks and discussion. The exhibition also includes a series of six sculptures by Finlay in the grounds of the music venue, St George’s Bristol as an off-site project, which was installed permanently in 2002. For further information visit: www.arnolfini.org.uk

AUGUST 2013

Innocent Fine Art, 7a Boyce’s Avenue, Clifton, Bristol. Tel: 0117 973 2614 www.innocentfineart.co.uk

Absent Minded by Joe Webb

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FAMILY | FUN

BrIstOl’s new wIld Place A new family attraction called The Wild Place Project has opened in Bristol, offering visitors the chance to see animals from around the world and the efforts to conserve their natural environments

H

ere’s something fun to do with the kids in the summer holidays... explore the exciting new family attraction that has opened in Bristol, offering an insight into some of the eco-systems from around the world. Located just off junction 17 of the M5, The Wild Place Project is an open space of natural beauty and woodland, home to okapi, zebra, lemurs and other wild animals, as well as a beautiful meadow – the perfect spot for children to run free.

You can explore the area and its animals through adventure, play and learning, with an emphasis on protecting threatened habitats on our doorsteps and around the globe. Discover lemurs in Madagascar, zebras and eland roaming in the grassland in Edge of Africa, okapi in the Secret Congo and find out how the Wild Place Project is helping to conserve all of them in the wild.

You can also get involved in a variety of outdoor adventures from climbing up the scramble net in the Fun Fort to enjoying a variety of textures on the Barefoot Trail, or pay a visit to the RHS Chelsea Flower Show garden and the Sanctuary Garden.

A popular feature of the park is sure to be the interactive lemur walkthrough, where you can get up close to three species of lemur: mongoose, red-bellied and red-ruffed. There will also be talks on the conservation work the project does, as well as activities and craft making, and don’t miss the replica of a Madagascan market stand.

The 136-acre site is owned by the Bristol, Clifton and West of England Zoological Society and this summer it has opened approximately 30 acres in the first step towards a bigger visitor attraction. It is still very much a work in progress and there is scope to develop and expand the Wild Place Project over the coming years.

Dr Bryan Carroll, CEO of the Society says, “We are very excited to be able to welcome the public to the Wild Place Project. It encourages families to get outdoors and get back to nature by providing adventure, fun and learning.

This is an extremely exciting first step on a wonderful journey towards creating the world-class National Wildlife Conservation Park.”

The Wild Place Project is open every day from 10am – 5pm in peak season, closing at 4pm off season. For further information and ticket prices, visit: www.wildplace.org.uk. ■ 42 THE BRISTOL MAGAZINE

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INTERACTIVE WALKS FOR KIDS Sarah Merson enjoys an adventure with her family in Exmoor, on a walk with a story that unfolds on your smart phone as you go along – a great day out for all the family in the summer holidays

S

ince Isla, the youngest member of our family came along we’ve been getting out and walking more. Given that she’s a young black labrador with plenty of energy, walking (in all weathers) has become par for the course. Convincing all three children (ten, seven and five years-old) though that yet another stomp through the woods really will be fun, isn’t always the easiest. So, when I heard about Storywalks (www.storywalks.info), a sort of interactive breadcrumb story trail that reveals itself as you walk, it sounded like just the ticket.

Created by artist and storyteller, Christopher Jelley, Storywalks are available in four different locations on Exmoor: Dunster, Dulverton, Porlock Weir and Horner Water. Supported by Somerset Art Works, Storywalks are free to use; all you need is your smart phone, some walking boots and a bit of imagination.

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So, armed with those things as well as a picnic, we set off to discover a hidden valley above the village of Horner in the Vale of Porlock, and the setting for the story of The Last Queen. Named Horner Water (as it follows the Horner river), the trail starts at a grassy sward next to an ancient bridge, called Pool Bridge. Resting our backs against a tree, smart phone in hand, we started to read about a fair and righteous queen who a long, long time ago graced the fertile earth of this valley. For her 96th birthday, the queen held a party at her palace with guests travelling from far and wide to join in the celebration.

As we walked downstream, the next part of the story revealed itself, and we took it in turns to be the narrator.

Among the visitors to the palace was a man from this very valley who had walked the long journey with nothing but a piece of hard cheese and water drawn from the river we followed. While at the palace, the man sought time

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and council with the queen herself but without success. Ever hopeful of meeting the noble queen, the man made the journey back to the palace for the queen’s birthday the following year and the year after that.

Each time, he was welcomed into one of the lavish guestrooms and presented with indulgent food, but the man didn’t sleep in the feather bed or eat the rich food. He chose instead to sleep curled up on the hearth like a dog on a rug and drank only the water from his flask. Finally, on her 98th birthday, the queen agreed to see the man.

To reveal more of the tale would surely spoil it should you choose to walk the story trail, but such was our experience that we were all captivated not only by the beauty of the location and the path that runs alongside the river carving its way through the deep sided valley but also by the jewel-encrusted splendour of the queen and her magnificent palace. Seemingly incongruous at first, the two, it turns out are part of the same, adding character to one another as they unfold.

Talking as we walked, the children were lost in the story while also in anticipation of where we’d end up. Assuming that the towel we’d brought along was for Isla, their eyes widened at the sight of a beautifully tranquil setting; that of Pazey pool where the rushing waters stood calm and still. We dipped our feet in the freezing water and thought that on a hot day it would be great to plunge in for a spot of wild swimming. As for Isla, she loves water whatever the temperature and wore herself out, eventually, by bounding in and out of the pool and hunting out the best sticks for a game of catch.

Beyond the pool was a hollow tree, and hidden inside, a small box.

Instructions on our phone prompted us to sign the journal inside. “Do you think one day the queen will come here again and invite us to her palace?” asked our youngest, Jude as we hid the box back inside the tree. “No Jude, it’s just a story,” replied Louis, our eldest, as he promptly asked when we can do the next Storywalk.

Keen to keep going, the following week we found ourselves in the medieval

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village of Dunster helping to rescue the fairy in the tale of The Winding Charm.

As recommended, we’d taken with us some scissors and thread and made our own charms from finds along the trail. Ours were somewhat rudimentary but you can use anything that’s natural and biodegradable – leaves, flowers, twigs, feathers or stones – as they’re to be released downstream in order for the magic to work! But, will it be enough to save the fairy? Only you and your imagination can find out.

So whenever we mention a walk now, it’s not only the dog waiting with baited breath by the door! Let’s just hope that Christopher develops some more Storywalks soon. ■

HOw dOes It wOrk? To access each tale you must begin at a given point (the exact location of which is shown on www.storywalks.info) and walk in Christopher’s footprints as the story unravels. Once you reach various points along the trail, the next chapter in the story and images will reveal themselves along with directions to the next location. If you’re not certain that you’re heading in the right direction, you can refer to the handy little distance counter on your screen, which decreases as you get closer to the next story zone. And, here’s the clever bit and the reason why Christopher recently won an award for the technical innovation behind Storywalks at the Shepton Mallet Digital Festival; so long as you install the beginning of the story before you set off and when you still have an internet or wifi signal and don’t navigate away from the story while you’re walking, the tale will still unravel even though each of the walks are off grid as it were.

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SUMMER HOLIDAYS GUIDE

There are plenty of events and activities on offer all over the city for the whole family to enjoy during the summer holidays, from steam train rides and outdoor film screenings to animation workshops and history discoveries. Use our guide to plan quality time with your children as they break up for the summer G R O M I T F U N, A T - B R I S T O L, U N T I L 3 1 A U G U S T 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, you can bring them to life through animation – plan the storyboard, direct the action, and add sound effects as you create your own animated adventure (workshops have limited capacity so booking in advance is recommended). Wallace and Gromit themselves will be visiting AtBristol every day over the holidays, so if you’ve always wanted to meet the famous duo, now’s your chance. You can also take part in the Where’s Gromit? challenge for the whole family: see if you can crack the clues and work out where he’s been hiding. And don’t miss the Gromit Steam Dog in the foyer and Astro Dog outside on Millennium Square. Here you can collect one of your six passport stamps too and see if you can make it onto the leader board.

S U M M E R F I S H - T I VA L , B R I STO L AQ U A R I U M, U N T I L 1 S E PT E M B E R Dive in to a summer of fun events and themed activities at Bristol Aquarium over the school holidays; discover the amazing aquatic animals that live around our coastline from elegant seahorses and acrobatic octopus to graceful sharks and giant stingrays. Take a whistle-stop tour of the world’s oceans and find out where our more exotic fishy residents come from and learn about the science of the seas.

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M A K E Y O U R O WN S M A L L P R OJ E CT, T H E A R C H I T E CTU R E C E N TR E , S ATU RD A Y 1 0 A U G U ST, 1PM – 4 PM Feeling creative? Enjoy a free family friendly afternoon (children under 16 must be accompanied by an adult) of model making in the Architecture Centre gallery. Using the current AJ Small Projects exhibition as inspiration, materials will be provided for you to make your own miniature project. For further information visit: www.architecturecentre.co.uk

D I SC O V E R B R I S TO L ’ S M U SE U MS W I T H FA M I L Y E X P L O R E R K I T S , A T M S H E D A N D B R I S T O L M U S E U M & A RT G A L L E R Y Discover the city’s museums afresh with the new family Explorer Kits – try the photo trail, take a closer look with binoculars, a magnifying glass and more. Suitable for under 7s. £2 to hire (plus £8 refundable deposit). For further information visit: www.bristol.gov.uk/museums

B OAT, CRANE AND TRAIN RIDES AT THE M SHED, UNTIL OCTOBER

Get the family together and take a ride on the M Shed’s largest exhibits: the boats, train and cranes. Sail on the Mayflower, John King Tug and Fire Boat Pyronaut for great views of Bristol’s harbourside, be transported back to the days of steam with a ride along the dockside on Bristol Harbour Railway or experience the historic industrial electric and steam cranes. Buy tickets on-board on the day. For further information, as well as ride dates and times, visit: www.mshed.org

A N I M A L A D V E N TU R E S AT B R I STO L Z O O, T H R O U G H O U T A U G U ST There’s a lot going on at the zoo this summer, not to mention that DinoZoo is back by popular demand. See 12 life-like dinosaurs around the zoo that come to life using state-of-the-art technology. On Thursday 8 August, 10am – 3.30pm (for children aged 8 – 12 years), have fun creating sculptures and 3D pictures out of wild things and craft your own paper from natural materials – meet at the Education Centre, £8.50 per child, book on tel: 0117 9030609. On Thursday 15 August, 10am – 3.30pm (for children aged 8 – 12 years), spend a morning searching for ladybirds and go dotty playing ladybird games, and in the afternoon make your own minibeast pop-up book – meet at the Education Centre, £8.50 per child, book on tel: 0117 9030609. On Friday 16 August visit after hours and take advantage of the rare opportunity to enjoy the zoo as the sun goes down. All of the animal houses and exhibits will be open and there will be an animal display and opportunities to meet some smaller creatures up close plus animal talks. On Saturday 17 August it’s outdoor film night: take a picnic and settle down to watch Happy Feet within the zoo grounds. For tickets, visit: www.bristolzoo.org.uk/film-nights-at-bristol-zoo

A SU M M E R O F C EL E B RAT I O N AT T H E S S G R E AT B R I TA I N, T H R O U G H O U T A U G U ST To celebrate the 170th anniversary of the ship’s launch this summer, the SS Great Britain will come to life with special events and recreations

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AND IF IT’S RAINING...

Sharky & George, Bristol-based children’s party organisers offer their top tips on how to have fun indoors:

of what it was like to travel on board. See the restored Victorian pissoir with its cheeky sound installation that promises a family friendly brand of toilet humour, and eavesdrop on dockworkers whistling and muttering as they spend a penny in the lively addition to the Great Western Dockyard. Explore what life would have been like for the ss Great Britain crew with the family activity wheel and listen to crew talks too, transporting you back to discover what life would have been like aboard Brunel’s ss Great Britain travelling across the high seas. You can even dress up in costume and pose for a Victorian-style family portrait to take home with you.

EVENTS IN THE GROUNDS AT TYNTESF IELD HOUSE, THROUG HOUT AUGUST

As well as hunting for Gromit at Tyntesfield over the summer, you can also get involved with hands-on activities during the living history weekends and watch outdoor family friendly theatre too. On Saturday 10 and Sunday 11 August discover what life was like as one of Queen Victoria’s soldiers. Explore their camps, weapons and manoeuvres and you can even enrol in soldier school too – £5 per child for a one hour workshop at select times during the weekend. On Saturday 17 and Sunday 18 August step back in time to the late 18th century as the grounds come alive with the sights and sounds of life as a soldier of King George III, during the great struggle for power in America.

Learn how to be a soldier in the 18th century (£5 per child for a one hour workshop) and train

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with muskets and uniforms. Or how about a climbing challenge on the mobile rock wall (£4 per person) on Saturday 31 August? Don’t miss the evening events too, like the bat walk on Wednesday 28 August when warden Darren will show you the bat haunts on the Tyntesfield estate by torchlight; and the family outdoor theatre production of Babe the Sheep-Pig by the ever popular Illyria on Friday 30 August – bring a picnic, settle down, and enjoy this heartwarming tale of friendship, courage and determination.

HAIRSPRA Y THE MUSICAL MASTERCLASS AT THE HIPPODROME, WEDNESDA Y 7 SATURDA Y 10 AUGUST

Perfect for budding actors, this three and a half day masterclass offers an exclusive look behind the scenes of the hit show Hairspray as well as experience of tutoring of the highest standard from industry professionals. Candidates will be put through their paces with a Hairspray song, watch the cast from the auditorium and gain a first hand insight into a professional company preparing for a performance. Also included are top priced seats to watch the matinee performance of Hairspray and a chance to meet and talk to cast members afterwards. Candidates will also work in a rehearsal studio with industry professionals who will teach musical theatre songs and dances from a variety of West End and Broadway shows, with a performance at the end. Open to anyone aged from 12 to 21 and costs £130. For further information or to book, visit: www.atgtickets.com/bristol

To keep children entertained through the school holidays, Sharky and George have written a book full of tomfoolery that will make long car journeys, dreary wet weekends and quiet afternoons at home a delight.

Don’t You Dare (Egmont, £12.99) is packed full of big games, small games, fun things to do in the woods and on the beach, plus pranks, facts and creative activities.

All of it promotes good, honest fun and is presented in a colourful illustrated guide that kids will just love – there are even stickers at the back and a secret section. One of the ideas for a rainy day is the Bedroom Minefield game: This is ideal for a messy bedroom (that needs to get tidied, but do not tell your children that). You have to move from the your bed to the door without touching the ground.

Books, beanbags, pillows or pants are all your friends here in this game, as they provide the best stepping stones. Touch the floor and you are in trouble as you will get snapped up by sharks or crunched by crocodiles. Once you have made it across make it harder – pick one item off the floor and put it back where it has come from and try the new extreme version of the course.

You can even time your runs and if you have not made it out of the bedroom in time the minefield will go off. If you have a tidy bedroom throw a pack of cards up in air and use them as stepping stones.

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WINING & DINING news and reviews Good food and great achievements

Quick bites ■ To celebrate Gromit at large in the city, the Second Floor Restaurant in Harvey Nichols is offering a Gromit Unleashed Afternoon Tea for £16.50, with £1 going to Wallace & Gromit’s Grand Appeal charity supporting Bristol Children’s Hospital. This fun afternoon tea will delight families as they enjoy a selection of sandwiches including Wensleydale (Wallace’s favourite) and chutney, smoked salmon and cream cheese and Coronation chicken; homemade fruit scones with jam and clotted cream; a Gromit jammie dodger cookie; fruit cake and Wensleydale; a Gromit strawberry cup cake; and strawberry jelly trifle, all served on a special Gromit plate with a pot of Yorkshire tea.

Westbury-on-Trym restaurant Casamia was crowned Best Restaurant in the Bristol Good Food Awards 2013 (BGFA), sponsored by jeweller Nicholas Wylde, at a ceremony at the Bristol Marriott Hotel last month.

Attended by 450 guests from the city’s hospitality industry, the awards dinner marked the culmination of two months of deliberations by the BGFA judges, who included food and wine expert Angela Mount, Telegraph food writer Xanthe Clay, Michelin starred TV chef Martin Blunos and TV wine expert Susy Atkins.

Bristol foodies cast more than 24,000 votes earlier this year to nominate the finalists in each category, which included 100 restaurants, cafés and delis, as well as nearly 40 local food and drink producers.

Casamia wins Best Restaurant, pictured with Nicholas Wylde (right)

As well as Casamia, award recipients included Toby Gritten who claimed the title of Best Chef, and Josh Eggleton who was recognised as Best Ambassador for Bristol Food.

Almondsbury Garden Centre sponsored the Local Producers Awards, and winners included Native Breeds for Best Local Charcuterie and Bramley and Gage for Best Local Spirit.

Awards on the night were also

presented by foodie luminaries including Richard Bertinet and Hrishikesh Desai, as well as Masterchef 2013 finalist Larkin Cen. Chefs Chris Wicks and Adrian Kirikmaa worked with students from City of Bristol College to create a delicious three course meal for guests, served with wines supplied by Enotria World Wine. For a list of all the winners and awards, visit: www.bristolgoodfood.co.uk

Fresh thinking

■ As a result of the popularity of the barbecue festival which is held in the harbourside every summer, Grillstock recently launched its first pit barbecue take-out joint at St Nicks market serving low 'n' slow 18-hour hickory smoked pulled pork. It has now also opened its first eat-in Smokehouse on the Clifton Triangle serving all sorts of low 'n' slow deep south barbecue inspired dishes including ribs, hog dogs, brisket rolls and burgers crammed with pulled pork and slaw with sides of fries, chilli, cornbread and more.

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The tiny walled Flinty Red garden, situated behind Corks of Cotham, is now in its third year of supplying the kitchen with fresh salad leaves, beautiful herbs, courgettes, beans, edible flowers, and this year, cultivated blackberries, black currants and raspberries.

Ian Gatenby, restaurant manager and one time horticulturalist, has taken the garden under his wing and is very keen on the kitchen garden project being a success. He says: “Last year we planted too early and then the cold, wet weather hit causing all the seed to either fail, rot, or bolt. This year we can reap the benefits of the fine weather and have produce coming thick and fast from the garden direct to the Flinty Red kitchen.”

Fruit trees are a favourite in the garden and Ian is ambitious with both fig and morello cherry plantings.

He says: “The fig tree was donated to us as an eight foot single pole with a few leaves on top, which has been cut and trained into a fan shaped bush. It’s looking great, but no fruit this year. We are hoping that it will form buds over the autumn which will ripen to a bumper crop of fresh brown turkey figs next season. And the morello cherry tree will ultimately provide us with a big jar of cherries to add to pre-dinner cocktails.”

Flinty Red chef and co-owner Matthew Williamson says; “Having Ian on board is such an asset. I can’t tell you the number of restaurants who would love to have a restaurant manager who is there serving the food and also growing it for the customers. I can talk to Ian about an ingredient I am keen to cook with, and then he will not only grow it for me but he will then be able to pick it just up the road. We’re not talking food miles here. It is metres. It makes such a difference to pick herbs and flowers just half an hour before a busy Saturday night service.”

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WHAT’S NEW ON THE FOODIE SCENE...

The Stable Bristol, Waterfront Following the success of its sister restaurants in Bridport and Weymouth, The Stable Bar and Restaurant which has a great reputation for serving stone-baked gourmet pizzas topped with locally sourced ingredients and complemented by over 57 varieties of cider, has opened on the bustling waterfront in the city centre.

Founders Nikki and Richard Cooper, along with co-owner Andy Briggs, have created the biggest Stable restaurant yet, seating up to 200 customers. You’ll find a busy, friendly eaterie with an informal, relaxed atmosphere and the long communal benches are great for group meals and for making friends.

The pizzas are fresh and flavoursome, and all are made with local ingredients, including The Clifton Suspender (£10.50): free-range chicken, roasted red pepper, local field mushrooms, tomato and mozzarella; The Bristol Blaster (£10.50): local chopped pork, Naga chillies, garlic, red onion, basil leaves, mushrooms, tomato and mozzarella; and The Avon Gorger (£10): herb roasted potato, local blue cheese, roasted Spanish onions, English spinach, tomato and mozzarella. Also on the menu are salads and handmade gourmet pies, as well as gluten free and vegetarian options too. You won’t be disappointed by the choice of cider on offer either; pick from local varieties including Orchard Pig, Thatchers and Burrow Hill to name just a few. This is a great place to meet with friends for drinks and a bite to eat after work. There are also tables outside for those balmy summer evenings.

Meluha, Park Street From the delicious pop rock oyster with grapefruit granita to the unusual and addictive beef taramina with sugar cloud, Stephen Gomes has created the menu at his new restaurant Meluha to be adventurous and entertaining yet anchored solidly in authenticity.

Chef Stephen started his experimentations in 2007 at his Cardiff based restaurant Moksh, literally translated as ‘liberation’. This was the starting point for his reinvention of Indian cuisine, the evolution of which is Meluha, ‘The abode above’.

Location on Park Street, Meluha is designed with a journey through the senses in mind. The décor is a fusion between authenticity and modernity, with bright graffiti and flashes of colour, against the calm and welcoming spiritual purples. The menu is presented in chapters, to lead diners through an exploration of flavours and scents and for the adventurous, Meluha’s taster menus offer a five course profusion of bubbles, foam and clouds of spices.

Roll for the Soul, Quay Street Roll for the Soul is a new community bike hub that combines a café, shop and workshop side by side, so you can get a good quality feed, a coffee, a cold beer or a cider, and get your bike fixed up all at the same time.

Flinty Red is a Michelin guide Bib Gourmand winner, Observer Food Monthly regional runner-up and (we’re proud to say) one of the best small restaurants in Bristol…

34 Cotham Hill, BS6 6LA. 0117 9238755 info@flintyred.co.uk • www.flintyred.com

Monday to Saturday for Dinner • Tuesday to Saturday for Lunch

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‘I think Flinty Red stands out for where dishes are done differently, it's for a purpose, not just for the sake of it. Where they're not done differently, it’s because they were already perfect’ The Telegraph ‘Flinty Red has one of the fastest growing reputations in the city’ The Guardian

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We are an informal restaurant with a daily changing menu and a large selection of wine by the glass and carafe.

Look out for the many wine tasting events organised by Flinty Red.

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Zazu’s Kitchen 225 Gloucester Road, Bristol BS7 8NR. Tel: 0117 944 5500

REVIEW

In the kingdom of cool T

wo friends who both live in Montpelier – one a busy working mum, the other a single party animal – have separately insisted I try Zazu’s Kitchen on Gloucester Road as they’re both big fans. So, on a weary Wednesday evening when we didn’t feel like cooking, we headed up the Severn Beach line to Montpelier, which is currently basking in the accolade of being in the Times’ top 30 coolest places to live.

It’s a great, mixed neighbourhood, with students, pensioners and families all living alongside each other and more than its fair share of creative types and entrepreneurs all busy trying to make the world a better place. And Gloucester Road is one of the most interesting streets to spend time mooching round the independent shops and stopping now and then for reviving coffee and cake.

Early on a warm summer’s evening the street terrace outside Zazu’s Kitchen was already busy with people lapping up the sunshine. Inside, with its simple wooden tables and chairs, the place was already buzzing, and looking at the different ages of the diners and drinkers I could see why my disparate friends, Busy Mum and Party Animal, could both be happy here.

The unique selling point about Zazu’s is that it serves interesting, tasty and delicious seasonal food with just enough pzazz to merit the wow! factor, but without being in any way pretentious. This may be due in part to owner Toby Bywater’s background, working under Raymond Blanc, the master of understated customer service and great food.

The menu changes almost weekly and there’s a daily specials board. Starters range from £5.95 to £6.95, but they’re so generous you could probably get away with having one with a glass of wine for a satisfying after work supper.

And if you get there between 6pm and 7pm, Monday to Friday make the most of the early bird offer of two courses for £11.95.

Zazu’s keeps the number of dishes down to four or five for each course, so they’re all fresh. We liked the sound of a goat’s cheese and beetroot cheesecake and the tasty sounding veggie harissa marinated haloumi with tabbuouleh,

tomato and aubergine salad.

My dining companion, a Dad type of meat-eating person, thoroughly enjoyed his hearty starter of crispy, salty, ham hock with seasonal peas and poached egg (yolk perfectly runny) and was doubly delighted when his main course of steak was cooked precisely as he’d requested, medium rare. So many restaurants get this wrong and Zazu’s earned an extra tick for a juicy and tender steak and slim, crispy fries rather than the Jenga style blocks that some places serve.

Me being the Mature Mummy type diner, was lured by the daily specials starter of creamy scallops with properly crispy belly pork and chorizo salad. A happy marriage of flavours indeed. The same could be said for my main course of fillet of sea trout (completely bonefree) on a bed of healthy samphire with buttery Jersey Royal potatoes and a creamy fennel sauce.

Main courses range in price from £11.50 to £18.50, so they’re not cheap, but the portions are a good size and complete, so you don’t feel the need for side dishes.

A bottle of Chilean Merlot, £17.50, lifted our mid-week spirits and we settled back to enjoy a happy couple of hours in Zazu’s good vibe. The service was efficient and friendly, but with none of that crouching by the table and calling us ‘guys’ which so many eateries seem to go in for.

There is background music and because of the furnishings, Zazu’s is lively and fun, so not for diners who like to eat in silence. It’s also childfriendly, with a couple of young diners next to us happily tucking into smaller platters.

Our pleasant evening concluded with a jewel-bright, red berry summer fruit crumble, just the right side of tart, with a dollop of clotted cream, and a cheeseboard of a trio of well kept British cheeses, chutneys and crackers.

Replete and happy we left the cool kingdom of Montpelier for our own, far less fashionable neighbourhood. We’re thinking of checking out the new Zazu’s in Southville next time we’re at the Tobacco Factory. ■ GMc

“

It serves interesting, tasty and delicious seasonal food with just enough pzazz to merit the wow! factor, but without being in any way pretentious

”

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FOOD | HEROES

Cider house rules

Melissa Blease meets the duo behind award-winning Somerset apple juice and cider makers, Orchard Pig, and explores some of the myths attached to what is traditionally Britain’s most widely enjoyed fruit, the humble apple

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FOOD | HEROES

TOP OF THEIR TREE: main picture, Orchard Pig founders Neil Macdonald and Andrew Quinlan Above, clockwise, the brand names invoke the party spirit; Gloucester Old Spots are the best judges of a good apple; bringing in the harvest in Somerset, and, finally enjoying the fruit of their labours

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pple-based liquid refreshment: it is what it is – isn’t it? Well no, not always. Find yourself at a bar that’s proud to stock the Orchard Pig range of thirst quenchers and everybody from designated drivers and the driest of teetotallers to south west ciderheads know they can expect to be served a party in a glass. Would you like your apple juice Very Berried, Totally Minted or Deeply Rooted? Whichever you choose, you’re going to get a side order of sparkle with your alcohol-free sup of choice. Meanwhile, modern day Wurzels are offered to align their own personality-profile with the labels on the pump. Are you a Navel Gazer, an Explorer, a Philosopher or a Reveller? Draft or bottled, it’s all going on – and the whole range is carefully crafted from a mix of over ten varieties of hand-graded apples, harvested from unsprayed and naturally maintained local orchards before being crushed, pressed, fermented and matured for at least six months.

The Orchard Pig story began in 2004 just outside Glastonbury, when friends Andrew Quinlan and Neil Macdonald were enjoying their homemade cider at a hog roast with friends. “That was the point when inspiration hit,” says Orchard Pig brand manager Emmy Webster.

“The whole idea was born out of Andrew and Neil’s shared passion for locally-sourced produce and their respect for Old Spot pigs, who traditionally feast on the apples that make the best tasting cider.”

But a pursuit that essentially started out as a hobby almost got out of control as soon as the first samples were put out. When Andrew and Neil got to the point where they were regularly producing 25,000 pints of cider in one go, they knew they had to either had to close the shed or make a professional go of it – and make a go of it they did. Today, thousands of litres of Orchard Pig ciders and soft drinks are still made using a variety of west country apples from Somerset orchards managed by the Orchard Pig Ground Force, and the team is hoping to celebrate brewing its one millionth pint of cider this year. Their entire range offers an authentic taste of the west country, and has garnered illustrious acclaim from the Great Taste Awards, the International Cider Challenge and the Quality Food and Drinks Awards. But really, OP popularity is all down to the nation’s thirst for apple-centric fizz, with or without an alcoholic kick. But as a cider novice, how do I know which pint has my name on it? “It depends what kind

of a drinker you are,” says Emmy. “We’ve noticed that people who drink our ciders are often quite promiscuous in their drinking habits, and will flit between categories. The high tannin levels in our dry cider means that it is often likened to wine – we’re the only cider to be listed by Laithwaites (Direct Wines); at one of their recent tastings it proved the most popular drink of the night.

We’ve also got one of the lowest carbonation levels in the sparkling cider category, making it a perfect match for food. More apples mean less bubbles; less bubbles mean less bloating!”

And just as you can with wine, you can cook with Orchard Pig too – Emmy recommends using cider to hydrate couscous to give it a lovely fruity tang, or using it as stock when slow-roasting a pork tenderloin to add a unique twist to the classic pork and apple pairing. But all told, nothing beats a pint of cider as the sun sets over the west country horizon. Share it with Rosie, sing about it with the Wurzels or even mull it over on a crisp autumn night – just make sure you’ve selected your brew from the cider house that rules.

For centuries, apples have been intrinsically woven into the tapestry of English folklore. Tales of carefree scrumping – a most innocent crime, otherwise known as helping yourself from a branch weighed down by Mother Nature’s bountiful harvest – on the walk home from school on an autumn afternoon have been handed down from generation to generation.

An apple was as common a sight in lunchboxes and canteens as strawberry-flavoured milkshake or chips-with-everything might be today. Teachers graciously accepted a gift of a rosy red apple from the children of parents keen to encourage positive attention; grandmothers attached an almost mystical reverence to the fruit they believed would “keep the doctor away.”

So keen were household cooks to preserve the domestic harvest for the harsher months to come that many long hours were spent individually wrapping each apple in newspaper, to be stored in cardboard boxes in the driest, coolest place in the house. And then we discovered the art of cider making. We Brits have been turning apple juice into cider for over a thousand years – and it’s been produced in Somerset for centuries. Today it’s estimated that roughly 47 per cent of the UK adult population define themselves as regular cider drinkers – and Orchard Pig is a clear snout ahead in the cider boom. ■ Find Orchard Pig in Bristol bars, pubs and supermarkets.

“

Tales of carefree scrumping... have been handed down from generation to generation

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THE ALFA ROMEO MITO LIVE With all the punch of the standard MiTo, the Live is a special limited edition that combines passion and technology.

Dara Foley takes one for a spin

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n 1967 Dustin Hoffman played Benjamin Braddock in the film The Graduate, the beautiful Ann Bancroft played cool seductress Mrs Robinson. In some kind of movie metaphor, the aimless Hoffman cruised backwards and forward along hot, desserted highways in his spectacular 1966 convertible Alfa Romeo Spider. The film is a modern classic, and like me, left many young lad with three things; a well played Simon and Garfunkel album, a healthy leg fetish on middle aged women, and a total weakness for the Alfa Romeo Spider. In fact ever since then I have been just a little bit in love with Alfa Romeos; the badge itself is one of the most heraldic designs on a car and would not look out of place on medieval flags or on a rider in the famous Palio di Siena horse race. There's something very evocative about Alfa’s sporty, sexy, 'Ciao Bella' Italianness.

But like any good love affair there have been some testing moments when the dream may not have been as good as the reality. In the early 70s as part of a government labour policy, Alfa Romeo was asked to create jobs in the poorer southern regions of Italy. The factory was named Alfasud and

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produced some very fine and popular cars like the Alfasud Sprint which had great engines and style, but Alfasuds did not favour the climate of northern europe, and soon turned into rust buckets – they were (rather unfairly) dubbed ‘Alfacruds’ and suffered a huge backlash, the much respected Alfa Romeo was also tarred by the same brush.

Throughout the 80s Alfa worked hard to re-establish its reputation and with a series of numbered models like the brilliant "33" and "164" which were in production for more than 10 years and rightly so, the build quality was excellent. Following on into 2000s and the "145" and the "147" have been even more popular and many fine examples still purring nicely can be seen today, bodywork unviolated. And that brings a slightly different problem for a motor manufacturer producing long lasting cars but with a fan base of drivers not sufficient enough to want constant upgrades. A good example would be Saab, which produced such great cars that they lasted beyond their "planned lifespan" – consequently all their devotees rarely needed newer models, and look what happened there. That's a worry for manufacturers

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like Alfa who are now producing great cars. Its premium super mini, the MiTo, with sporty looks and powered by the wonderful TwinAir turbo petrol unit is excellent and super efficient, but are there enough buyers prepared to break away from their workaday Fords, Audis, and VeeDubs? The slick marketing men are in control. Whatever happened to independent decision making?

Well try this... Like the Vauxhall with its Adam, Alfa has taken the techie route to make wider appeal. Main brands are notoriously miserly with their included extras, and it's all the fancy pantsy stuff that the modern driver expects as standard.

Earlier this spring, Alfa Romeo launched the Alfa MiTo Live, a limited edition of 250 cars, combining everything the standard MiTo has to offer but with added safety features and plenty of cool technology.

It comes fitted with a high fidelity BOSE sound system and Pioneer’s innovative AppRadio system which lets users connect and access their smartphone’s apps such as maps, photos, calendar and so much more through a whacking seven-inch multi-touch screen.

Like the standard MiTo there's impressive fuel economy with low (98g/km) CO2 emissions which makes a good company vehicle too as it is not only low in benefit-in-kind, but also has a long depreciation curve. It's zero road tax and should a congestion charge come west, then the MiTo would be exempt.

The MiTo Live however best suits 17-25 year old drivers, it qualifies as insurance group 9, and Alfa has taken an extra step at tackling high insurance with its optional Marmalade telematics based cover, this is similar to black box monitoring systems, but with Marmalade’s advanced telematics – drivers start on a lower premium with no curfews, no penalties and no extra charges for driving at night. And there's an online feedback programme which allows drivers to review their journeys at any time and e-learning modules for developing safer driving skills demonstrating how they can be a lower risk. Marmalade also means drivers can start building a No Claims Bonus immediately. In all there's a potential to reducing insurance

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premiums by up to 50 per cent.

All MiTos have their signature ‘D.N.A’ switch allowing the driver to choose between three different driving settings: Dynamic – a super-sporty mode, Normal – for regular urban driving conditions, and All-Weather.

D.N.A controls the behavior of the engine, brakes, steering, suspension and gearbox, tightening for a pacy drive in Dynamic while actively keeping an eye on conditions and stability in All Weather. The handling is very refined, the acceleration thrilling, and the over-revving TwinAir engine makes a satisfying roar as it turbocharges.

The one thing top Italian cars always have is great vocality... think Ferrari, but an octave higher. The TwinAir is basically two, two cylinder engines working together to make an 875cc turbo powerplant. As well as boosting efficiency, the managed air flow improves torque, while the constant flow of air keeps the small turbocharger spinning, pushing power up to 85bhp. TwinAir technology has been evident since the 2008 and this automotive revolution is enviably being looked at by most major motor groups.

Alfa MiTo Live is finished in Alfa Red special paint and comes with contrasting gloss black roof, wing mirrors and door handles. It's fitted as standard with 17” titanium sport alloy wheels.

There's a sporty rear bumper, spoiler, carbon look dash, tinted windows, and titanium grey surrounds on the lights add to the special features.

Priced from just £16,590 OTR with some very competitive financing packages. Hire purchase starts from 0% with 45% deposit.

Overall the MiTo Live competes really well against all those more mainstream, more mundane brands. It’s high specification, it is different, and it is an Alfa Romeo. Mrs Robinson, are you trying to seduce me?

The Bristol Magazine’s test car courtesy of Wessex Garages.

For more information on Alfa MiTo Live, contact: Wessex Garages, Feeder Road, Bristol, BS2 0SB Tel: 0844 247 3178 http://www.wessexgarages.com

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News in brief

Bloodhound

■ Sweet Pea women’s fashion and accessories has expanded into a new shop on the High Street in Westbury-onTrym. With a large and varied collection, Sweet Pea offers the latest trends from Yumi, Uttam Boutique, Great Plains and Influence – all at reasonable prices too.

Sweet Pea is a charming boutique with contemporary decor and a warm welcome is guaranteed; owners Emma and Gemma are passionate about fashion and keen to make your experience as pleasurable as possible.

■ Balfour Beatty, through its Cowlin brand, has been awarded a £6.3 million contract at Southmead Hospital for the North Bristol NHS Trust. The project at Westbury-on-Trym involves the design and construction of a new four-storey extension to the existing Learning and Research building at the hospital.

As well as providing accommodation for Trust offices and research laboratories, the project, which is due for completion in spring 2014, will also include expansion of the hospital library and the reconfiguration of the existing Learning & Research building.

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SPONSOR A THEATRE SEAT In January the Tobacco Factory Theatre in Southville announced that it had been awarded a substantial grant from Arts Council England towards the installation of a new seating system in the theatre. Since then, it has secured another 4 per cent of the total cost from Bristol City Council, but it still needs to raise the remaining £150,000 in order for the work to go ahead at the end of this month. The theatre is therefore asking supporters and theatre-goers to be part of the transformation and help raise the final amount by sponsoring a seat for either £150 or £300. To sponsor a seat or make a donation go the JustGiving page: http://www.justgiving.com/tobaccofactorytheatre or for further information visit: www.tobaccofactorytheatre.com

CITY BUSINESS ▲

■ A new technical centre for the Bloodhound, the project to develop a 1,000 mph car to attempt the land speed record, has been opened at a site in Avonmouth. This move marked a major milestone for Bloodhound, which will be the most powerful land vehicle ever created. Universities and Science Minister David Willetts, who opened the centre last month, said: “Bloodhound is British science and engineering at its visionary best. The project’s success will not only be measured in miles per hour, but also in how it inspires future generations.

Hospital to housing

Action for M.E. Ambassador Robert Cathery, Action for M.E. Chief Executive Sonya Chowdhury, Samantha Cameron, volunteer fundraisers Helen Buckenham and Liz Smith, and double Olympian canoeist and Action for M.E. Ambassador Anna Hemmings

Savills in Bristol has been appointed by City & Country to market apartments at the Grade II-listed former Bristol General Hospital.

Following its closure in April and the transfer of services to the new South Bristol Community Hospital, the property began its transformation into City & Country’s first major development in the south west. The aim; to secure the Bristol landmark for future generations by restoring the buildings to their former glory and creating new waterside residential development in the Bathurst Basin.

The works, which are due to begin in the autumn will involve full restoration and residential conversion, alteration and extension of hospital buildings and the construction of new residential buildings, culminating in 190 new waterside dwellings with 150 underground car parking spaces.

Savills will launch the first phase of apartments, off plan in 2014. To pre-register your interest, contact tel: 01179 100 354.

Downing Street reception for city charity Samantha Cameron hosted a reception at 10 Downing Street for Bristol-based charity Action for M.E., the UK’s leading charity for people affected by Myalgic Encephalomyelitis (M.E.).

The Prime Minister’s wife was able to meet many of the guests gathered in the State Rooms at the prestigious event which was held on 18 June to say a very special thank you to many of the charity’s supporters, many of whom have helped the charity for years. Action for M.E. Chief Executive Sonya Chowdhury said, “This was a fantastic opportunity for us to say thank you to some long standing friends and hello to some new ones. When Samantha offered to host the event, we were absolutely thrilled. There can be few places in the world as iconic as Number 10 and we were delighted to be able to celebrate past successes, highlight the much that still needs to be done and share some of our exciting plans for the future at such a high-profile venue.”

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Cohabitation agreements –

By Alison Dukes Family Law Specialist with AMD solicitors considers the myth of the common-law spouse

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hair

CARLO &beauty M

MOROCCANOIL ®

Stockists

Main stockists of REDKEN

Tel: 0117 968 2663 • www.carlohairandbeauty.co.uk 6 Rockleaze Rd, Sneyd Park, Bristol BS9 1NF

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ne of the hardest tasks for a family lawyer is advising a woman (or a man) at the end of a relationship, who believes they have rights as a ‘common-law spouse’. However long an unmarried couple live together, if they do not marry, a financially dependent partner has no entitlement to maintenance or a cash sum from their partner on the breakdown of the relationship whilst in contrast at the end of a marriage the Court has wide powers to redistribute wealth.

In terms of the family home, if this is held in one partner’s sole name, the other can only claim an interest in it if they have directly added to its value by contribution.

If one partner has promised the other a share of the property in the event that they split up, it may be possible to persuade a court that they are bound by this promise. Proving such a promise, however, is likely to be far from straight-forward.

Where an unmarried couple have children, the partner who cares for them most of the time will have financial claims against the other for child support.

A Court may also be willing to transfer a house to the partner with care of the children, or to order the payment of cash to provide a home for them. Such a home will only be given for the period whilst the children are in education, however, and on the children leaving home, the financial provision will end and the house would revert to the paying partner.

Claims on death It is particularly important for unmarried couples to draw up Wills in order to provide for each other in the event of death. This is because unmarried partners do not benefit at all from their partner’s estate under the ‘Intestacy rules’ which determine who inherits if no valid Will has been left.

If a partner dies without making adequate provision for their partner’s maintenance needs, an application can be made to the Court for a share of the estate to be awarded to meet these needs if the partners had lived together for at least two years, or if they were being maintained by the deceased prior to their death.

Given the severely inadequate protection currently provided by the law in England and Wales to cohabiting couples, taking specialist legal advice is essential.

A Cohabitation agreement is a contract made by an unmarried couple setting out the financial agreement they have reached. Each partner should have received specialist legal advice to make the agreement For advice on the legal issues arising from cohabitation contact AMD’s team of specialist family solicitors. email alisondukes@amdsolicitors.com or telephone 0117 9621205 to speak to Alison or one of her colleagues. Or visit our website www.amdsolicitors.com © AMD Solicitors

Winner of the local law firm of the year award 2011

Discover your retreat behind the door of Number 16, Royal Crescent

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

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BUSINESS | PROFILE

Naturally good ingredients Skincare products have been transformed by the use of natural ingredients in recent years. One man leading the way in science-based cosmetics is Dr Simon Jackson at the company’s HQ in the Paintworks. Samantha Coleman finds out more

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few months ago I read an interesting article in Vogue about how South Africa is the new hot spot for collecting ingredients for beauty and skin care products, due to the incredible anti-inflammatory, anti-oxidant and nutrient properties of the fruit grown there, as well as the increasing reliability of local harvesting, supply and distribution chains. I was even more interested when I discovered that Dr Simon Jackson, the man pioneering this use of natural ingredients from around the world in his range of Dr Jackson’s skincare products, is in fact working from his base here in the city in the creative hub of the Paintworks.

So, in a quest to find out more, I paid a visit to Simon in his open plan space at the Paintworks which is cluttered with unusual fruit, pharmacy bottles, books and plant illustrations. He catches me looking at a strange coconut-like fruit in the corner of the room and brings it over to me. “This is a baobab fruit,” he says. “Baobab is known in Africa as the Tree of Life because there are many traditional uses for every part of it, from the leaves to the roots. The seed oil is used by African woman to protect their skin and hair against the harsh Savannah environment and to treat dry skin conditions. It is prized as a moisturiser, used as a lip balm for anti-chapping and used on nails against breakage. The fruit has six times as much vitamin C as an orange, is a plentiful source of antioxidants and combats skin ageing by improving skin firmness and strength.” Pretty impressive.

And at that point I could understand why Simon’s products are so sought after and now being sold in high end stores like Harvey Nichols and Liberty, with a high price tag to match.

After studying his PhD as a pharmacognosist (the study of medicines from natural products) at Kings College, University of London, followed by a post-doctoral research position at the Royal Botanic Gardens at Kew, specialising in skin disorders, Simon spent many years travelling the world learning from traditional healers and conducting research into indigenous plants.

He has now used this knowledge to create a range of cosmetic products including skin creams, face oils and an all purpose coconut balm, all of

which contain ingredients that utilise the very best of nature.

The skin creams for example, include an ingredient called kigelia and the fruit from this tree is traditionally used to treat eczema, psoriasis and other skin irritations, as well as age spots, redness and blemishes. Imagine all of this in one bottle, with active ingredients from other natural sources too – it ticks all the boxes and means that you only have to use one product instead of two or three.

Dr Jackson’s luxury products have been laboriously researched, formulated and produced entirely by Simon, who is regarded as one of the world’s leading scientists in plant medicine. It was on a trip to the Amazon rainforest when Simon met a local Shaman that he became fascinated with nature’s powers of healing and the ancient medicines derived from indigenous flora from different parts of the world.

He says: “What I’m trying to bring to the beauty industry is science. I’m raising the benchmark in natural-based science and cosmetics. I want to educate people.”

Simon’s products can be used by men and women of all ages and on all skin types – they are fragrance free, chemical free and colour free. They have been featured in all the top beauty magazines and beauty experts have been raving about them. They have been so popular that Simon is now in the process of developing more products for the range, which means further travelling and research.

But when Simon isn’t travelling the world, he lives and works here in the city, where recently he has been holding talks at St Mungo’s, the Bristol homeless charity, to educate homeless people on safe herbs. He is hoping to get involved with the local community a lot more, so keep your eyes peeled.

■ Visit: www.drjackson.co.uk

“ ”

What I’m trying to bring to the beauty industry is science... I want to educate people

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HEALTH | & BEAUTY

The eyes have it Glasses and contact lenses are a thing of the past thanks to the effective laser vision correction treatments at Bristol Laser Vision

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f you suffer from poor eyesight, the chances are that you have wished for freedom from your glasses and/or contact lenses at some point. And an increasingly popular solution to this is permanent vision correction offered by laser eye surgery.

With the wedding season in full swing, it’s often an important consideration for brides and grooms-to-be, to throw away their glasses and contact lenses in time for their big day. It’s also a practical solution for those who enjoy sports but struggle with the restriction of glasses and contact lenses, or if you have suffered from contact lens related problems and have been advised to reduce your usage.

Your eyes are precious so your choice of clinic is paramount in ensuring that you receive the very best care and treatment. At Bristol Laser Vision, a laser eye surgery within the internationally renowned Bristol Eye Hospital, a refractive surgery service has been brought to the region; offering bespoke vision correction using state-of-the-art technology.

Philip Jaycock, pictured above, consultant ophthalmic surgeon and specialist in cornea, cataract and laser refractive surgery, has established the innovative three part service, which integrates the treatment of private

News in Brief ■ Bristol-based Meningitis UK is urging runners to take part in the 25th Bristol Half Marathon on Sunday 15 September and run for the charity to help raise vital funds to fight the disease. Full support will be given to runners for the charity as well as a free running vest or t-shirt and an information pack on how to prepare. There are several Golden Bond places, which guarantee a place for the charity, and any independent runners can choose to run for Meningitis UK. The charity needs to raise over £10,000 every day to fund its life-saving and life-changing services. To take part, contact Emma King on tel: 0117 303 3345 or email: emmaking@meningitisUK.org for a sponsorship pack.

■ After seeing three generations of her family affected by prostate cancer, Bristol woman Katie Gransden is supporting an upcoming fundraising event in Bristol to raise money for the Southmead Hospital Prostate Cancer Appeal. Katie, along with her husband and children, will be taking part in the Big Run for the Future on Sunday 8 September and are urging others to take part too. The Big Run for the Future is a 5k family funrun open to all ages and abilities and will take place on Durdham Downs. You can walk or run the course and don’t forget to bring a picnic for after the event when there will be family entertainment. This year the run will have a robot theme to celebrate the pioneering robotic treatment happening at the Bristol Urological Institute at Southmead Hospital, so runners and spectators are being encouraged to dress in robot fancy dress with prizes for the best dressed. Register for Run for the Future by visiting: www.runforthefuture.org

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patients and NHS patients with research and development elements.

Bristol Laser Vision offers elective laser eye surgery to private patients who are looking to achieve freedom from their glasses and contact lenses. Alongside this, the service provides NHS patients laser eye treatment for painful and debilitating corneal conditions.

Laser eye surgery has been around for over 20 years and has never been safer. At Bristol Laser Vision, located within the trusted surroundings of Bristol Eye Hospital, patients can be confident in the knowledge that they are in the best of hands. ■ Bristol Laser Vision, 3rd Floor, Bristol Eye Hospital, Lower Maudlin Street. Tel: 0117 342 1600, email: info@bristollaservision.co.uk or visit: www.bristollaservision.co.uk

FIT & FAB The latest health and beauty news in the city Ted Baker Alaric sunglasses, £75 from Lunar Optical, Gloucester Road, Bristol

STAY SAFE IN THE SUN...

Protect your eyes from the sun’s harmful rays with these stylish shades...

Bvlgari ladies Brilliant Cut Square sunglasses, £378 from John Lewis at The Mall, Cribbs Causeway White sunglasses, £12.50 from Next

Tiffany & Co Oversized Square Jewelled Tortoiseshell sunglasses, £238 from John Lewis at The Mall, Cribbs Causeway

Prada Shark sunglasses, £155 from John Lewis at The Mall, Cribbs Causeway

VEINCARE:PIF Full Page

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Simple Vein Treatments Samantha Coleman visits the VeinCare Centre in Clifton to talk to vascular specialist Dr Haroun Gajraj about the effective treatment of vein conditions

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hen I went to visit Dr Haroun Gajraj, vein specialist, at the VeinCare Centre in Litfield House Medical Centre, Clifton, I was surprised to find out that as many as 40 per cent of adults are troubled by vein conditions, the majority of which are in the legs, and most of them hereditary. Dr Gajraj says: “Vein conditions such as varicose veins, thread veins, phlebitis, varicose eczema and varicose ulcers can affect all ages and not only can they cause significant discomfort, they can make BEFORE many people feel very self-conscious.

Unfortunately vein conditions are not a priority in the NHS, and many hospitals do not have the facilities to offer the latest treatments to alleviate these conditions.”

Dr Gajraj was a vascular consultant in the NHS for 13 years, but he left over five years ago to found the VeinCare Centre company, which specialises exclusively in providing the very latest vein care treatments privately. Dr Gajraj says: “There has been a transformation in the treatment of vein problems, out of hospitals and into the clinic setting which offers an effective walk in and walk out service.”

AFTER Dr Gajraj has more than 30 years’ experience treating people with vein conditions and he is the only specialist in the south west, and outside London, exclusively treating vein problems. Dr Gajraj devotes five days a week to treating patients, alongside conducting research into the latest treatments and vein care technology and regularly lecturing on veins. He says: “In the last 15 years there have been enormous improvements in vein care treatments. At the VeinCare Centre we offer the very latest, safe and effective treatments which are all ultrasound guided for ultimate precision.” These include: • The Endo-Venous Laser (EVL) – A procedure performed under local anaesthetic using the precision of a laser to seal veins with faulty valves shut so that your leg looks and feels better fast. And because there is no stripping of the vein (a treatment that was frequently used in the NHS), bruising and pain is minimal and you can return to normal activities within a matter of hours.

• Sapheon Venaseal – Venaseal treatment (also known as the superglue treatment) uses medical adhesive to safely and effectively treat varicose veins. It does not require local anaesthetic around the vein, so there are fewer injections. A tiny catheter is positioned inside the unhealthy vein through a small puncture in the skin, then a small amount of adhesive is delivered inside the vein to seal it. After the treatment, blood then travels back to the heart in nearby healthy veins.

• Microsclerotherapy – this treats thread veins directly. A non-toxic chemical is injected through a very fine needle directly into the vein. This irritates the lining of the vein causing the walls to stick together and prevent blood flowing through the vessel. Over a period of time the treated blood vessel is absorbed by the body and eventually disappears.

There are four VeinCare Centres in the south west, including this one at the Litfield House Medical Centre in Clifton. And it’s more like visiting a luxurious hotel – there’s nothing clinical or intimidating here. Instead, you’ll enter a beautiful Georgian building, furnished to the highest standards, with comfortable sofas to relax on while you wait and tea and coffee making facilities too. The staff at the centre all deal exclusively with vein problems and so are knowledgeable and helpful if you want to ask any questions about the treatments available. There is also a short YouTube video, presented by Dr Gajraj, on different vein conditions and how the treatments work, just follow the link: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nnPc1aKlIek&feature=share&list=UUju QEbitSmOpqrlgwQMhzQw. Many of Dr Gajraj’s clients have been referred by word of mouth and the amount of positive testimonials speak volumes on how effective these treatments are. ■ The VeinCare Centre, Litfield House Medical Centre, Clifton. To make an appointment tel: 0800 698 3467 WWW.THEBRISTOLMAGAZINE.CO.UK

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HEALTH| & BEAUTY

Tidy tresses for sun-soaked days HUSH Hairdressing, Bristol’s leading organic and mineral-based salon offers tips on how to make the most of our long-awaited summer sun, with hairstyles for an evening after a day soaking up the rays...

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he look for this summer is relaxed, effortless glamour, with movement in abundance for mid to long hair and texture for shorter styles. Big 40s-style waves and undone up-dos can be easily achieved with a little forward thinking.

Work a smoothing or styling cream into damp hair in the morning and place in a mid pony, twist hair into a bun and secure with grips or pins. Undo your bun at the end of your day and scrunch in a little serum for perfect 40s-inspired waves. For beach-style waves and more texture, try braiding the pony before placing the hair into the bun. This also gives incredible body and texture when putting hair up into an undone up-do or a loose casual chignon.

Texturising dust and salt sprays will give added texture without weighing the hair down and try using a dry shampoo directly after washing and drying your hair for added body.

To flatten frizz and fly-aways, dampen your hands with water and add a drop of hand lotion, then gently pull your hair back into a French twist. Wait ten minutes; then take your strands down for beautiful, frizz free hair.

HUSH Hairdressing, Baldwin Street. Tel: 01179 300 350, www.hushhairbristol.co.uk

SKIN DEEP

Nail this summer’s biggest trends right down to your fingertips. Lisa Piddington, from Harvey Nichols, picks the most fashionable varnishes from new nudes to beautiful bolds Just as your accessories add the finishing touches to an outfit, so too do your nails.

Whether it’s glorious gold toes for a day on the beach or multi-coloured finger tips, it’s the easiest – and often the cheapest – way to work the trends. This summer it’s all about contrasts as colours range from barely-there French manicures to dark purple, vermillion and navy. Super glamorous metallics remain a favourite into the new season while twotone nails add the perfect pop of colour and impact.

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How to look your best for lazy days on the beach and warm evenings by the pool, with top tips from Bristol’s beauty experts

▲

Perfect pinkies

1: Tom Ford – Viper, £25 2: NARS – Versaille, £14.50 3: nails inc – St Martin’s Lane Modern Art, £12 (arriving in August) 4: nails inc gel effect polish – Porchester Square, £14 (arriving in August) 5: Butter London – Thames, £12 6: O.P.I – Cajun Shrimp, £11.50 7: NARS – Purple Rain, £14.50 8: Butter London – Jaffa, £12 9: Butter London – Pillar Box Red, £12 10: Tom Ford – Ginger Fire, £25 All products featured are available from the beauty hall at Harvey Nichols Bristol

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Model Poppy Delevingne unveils the latest colours from nails inc.

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ADVERTISEMENT FEATURE

GM Food, why should it matter to you?

By Eli Sarre, graduate in Nutritional Therapy from CNM (College of Naturopathic Medicine) in Bristol.

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eat, fish, eggs and dairy sold in all the major UK supermarkets may be produced from animals fed on GM grains. This ‘indirect’ GM in our food chain is not required to be labelled, currently an issue of fierce debate and worldwide campaigning. Despite GM material being present in our food chain, there is no scientific agreement that the process is safe.

Naturopathic Nutrition considers every aspect of our good health. Our ancestral diet as humans is inherited from Palaeolithic times, around 200,000 years ago. Our bodies require vegetables, fruit, nuts, seeds, wild meat and fish in order to function at their optimal best. During the last 60 years, our diet has become increasingly processed. As Western nations we have become mass consumers of vast quantities of sugar, grains, processed meat and vegetable oils. Obesity, heart disease, allergies and cancer rates are rising.

Just like humans, animals have a natural diet. When we alter this natural diet in favour of grain feeding we alter the ratio of omega 3 and 6 fats within the meat. Beneficial omega 3 fats are reduced and harmful trans fats are increased. Furthermore, scientific testing and reports from farmers indicate that animals fed on a GM diet suffer from debilitating diseases.

To date, the primary focus of GM has been the development and commercialisation of herbicide resistant crops. Since 1996, when GM planting began in the US, the sales and usage of herbicide has increased dramatically. There is increasing evidence that mass spraying and use of herbicides may have a negative effect on wildlife - and the health of farmer producers and residents living close to GM crops. According to the US’ Centers for Disease Control, chronic disease appears to have doubled within the American population since 1996.

Although herbicides are tested in order to establish ‘acceptable safe levels’, there are no measures in place for the cocktail of chemicals we are exposed to daily. Chemical toxins may disrupt the way we absorb and use nutrients from our food or may mean that we excrete them from our body. Some are known carcinogens and some may trigger asthma attacks or eczema. Some may be more toxic in combination than the same compounds alone. Pesticides are designed to resist being washed off in rain or water.

We don’t yet know enough about genes and DNA to be able to predict the consequences, though we do know that GM crops have the propensity to destroy neighbouring WWW.THEBRISTOLMAGAZINE.CO.UK

crops due to the transport of pollen by bees, insects and the wind. In a trial of GM food on humans commissioned by the UK’s Food Standards Agency in 2002, it was revealed that GM material may have the capacity to move out of food and enter gut bacteria after only one meal. The intestinal microflora, a complex ecosystem, is vital to the correct functioning of our digestion and immune system.

According to the principles of naturopathy, it is advisable to eat food which is as close as possible to its natural state. Until GM produce is labeled as such, organic certification is the best guarantee against GM material. It ensures farmer producer communities and neighbouring villages are not placed at risk during farming, and protects us from consuming pesticide residues in our diet. The side effects of organic? Your very good health.

Eli Sarre graduated in Nutritional Therapy from CNM in Bristol and is the Marketing Co-ordinator at organic food and drink wholesaler, Eli Sarre, CNM graduate. Essential Trading Co-operative.

Free CNM Open Evenings Thursday 1st August or Thursday 5th September 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

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OUT | AND ABOUT

VERTIGINOUS BRISTOL Andrew Swift suggests a walk around some of the city’s high spots, from Totterdown to Clifton, taking in the panoramic views and steep drops to the valley below – perfect for if you’re feeling adventurous

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ristol’s setting – its gorges, cliffs, hills and declivities – has inspired builders and architects to some of the most vertiginous set-pieces of urban design anywhere. Bearing in mind that with the school holidays upon us, adventurous children (and adventurous parents) might be looking for a different sort of challenge, this month’s walk steers a course around some of the city’s high spots, from Totterdown to Clifton.

We start by heading south past Temple Meads along the Bath Road. As you cross the railway, you will see the multi-coloured houses of Totterdown up to your right. When the road forks at Three Lamps Junction, bear right up the Wells Road.

Take the next right up Bellevue Road, right again up Vernon Street and bear left along Higham Street. At the end, the first panoramic view over the city awaits. It is not a promising start. There is a precipitous drop down to the railway here, but luxuriant undergrowth on the other side of a protective fence makes it difficult to see anything.

Turn left along Bellevue Terrace, left again down Bellevue Road, and take the second right up Cambridge Street. Follow it up to the right, right again past the Thali Cafe, and at the end turn left along Richmond Street.

On your right is the row of multi-coloured houses you saw from below.

Although they enjoy a fantastic view, to get an idea what it is like you have to walk to the end, where at the top of a flight of steps you can look out across the chimney pots to the city beyond.

Walk down the steps and turn right under the railway. Follow the pavement round, cross the end of Mead Street, and cross York Road at the lights. Turn left and then right across the footbridge over the New Cut. Cross at the lights, and turn right and then left up Somerset Street. At the end, with the converted base of an old glass cone ahead, turn left along Mead Lane past the old Bell Inn. Turn right along a pedestrian way towards St Mary

Redcliffe, passing an old railway tunnel on the right, and head through the churchyard. Go through the gate on the far side, down the steps and left across the dual carriageway at the zebra crossing.

Turn left uphill and then right along Redcliffe Parade, built on a revetment high above the harbour –ideally placed for rich merchants to keep a lookout for sugar-laden ships returning from the West Indies.

Go down the steps at the end, turn left past the Ostrich, right across a footbridge and right along the harbourside. Turn right across Princes Street swingbridge, and then left along the harbourside past the Arnolfini. Turn left across Pero’s Bridge and carry on towards At-Bristol, but, before you get there, turn right past Prezzo.

Cross the dual carriageway, go up the steps ahead and turn left along College Green.

Opposite the Central Library, turn right down College Street. Cross two zebra crossings at the bottom and go up Brandon Steep to the left of Brunel House, built as a hotel by Brunel.

At the top of Brandon Steep, carry on along Queen’s Parade, and continue along a footpath which curves right downhill. Go down steps on the left, and, a little way down to the left, by the excellent Bag O’Nails pub, turn right across Jacob’s Well Road. A few metres along to the left, turn right through an archway under a block of flats and head up a flight of steps.

After climbing past cottage doorways and secret gardens, bear left past a bus stop and carry on up past World’s End House. At the top, when faced with a choice of two roads ahead, take the left-hand one and continue along Clifton Wood Terrace.

Turn left down Church Lane by the Lion pub. At the top of the steps – where there is a splendid view of the harbour – turn right along Clifton Wood Terrace and continue along Rosemont Terrace and Crosby Row. At the end, cross the road ahead, turn left down to Hotwell Road and turn right.

Carry on past Holy Trinity Church and Dowry Square, and head straight

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...look up to the right to see a streetscape that could have been transplanted from Brighton

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OUT | AND ABOUT

Left: Royal York Crescent, right; the Clifton Suspension Bridge and view from Windsor Terrace

on up Hope Chapel Hill past the Adam & Eve pub, Albemarle Terrace and Hope Square.

When you reach Rutland House, look up to the right to see a streetscape that could have been transplanted from Brighton, before crossing and carrying on along Victoria Terrace. When the road forks, bear right, carry on through a gateway, walk along Windsor Terrace and look over the railings at a vertiginous drop of 21 metres. Walk back along the terrace, bearing up to the left at the end and looking up to see the Paragon towering above you.

At a junction, carry on left uphill, carry on across the next junction, and bear right along York Gardens. At the end, cross and walk up steps to the high pavement of Royal York Crescent, and turn left. At the end is a six-metre drop to the road, as well as a splendid view, with Totterdown in the distance, and the tree-covered summit of Kelston Round Hill behind it. You can also look along the other side of the Paragon from here.

Head down the steps, but, before you get to street level, climb another flight of six steps and carry on along Wellington Terrace.

(If you carry on down to the street, however, there is the option of taking a break at the child- and dog-friendly Portcullis Tavern, where snacks are available.)

As you walk along Wellington Terrace, look out for George and the Dragon on Prince’s Buildings opposite, looking as if they were modelled on a soft toy. At the end, carry on past the Avon Gorge Hotel and the cliff railway station, before heading out onto the suspension bridge for the grand finale of this brief tour of vertiginous Bristol.

From here, head east along the main road leading away from the bridge. After passing the end of the Mall, cross the green towards the spire of Christ Church and cross two roads to a bus stop with regular services to the centre and Temple Meads. ■

FURTHER INFORMATION ■

Length of walk: 5 miles

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Approximate time: 3 to 4 hours

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Refreshment stops: Portcullis, Wellington Terrace, Mon-Fri 4.3011; Sat 12-11; Sun 12-10.30

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Map: A street map would be useful

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Level of challenge: Straightforward, although with numerous flights of steps and hills

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.

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COUNTRY | INTERIORS

OUT WITH THE OLD Keri Gardner transformed a modest former Cotswold rectory into a contemporary home which works perfectly for family life, writes Kathy Hurst. Photography by Brett Symes

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his Cotswold home, which Keri Gardner shares with her three young boys, is a lesson in how to blend the old with the new. Constructed some 200 years ago from local stone, the modest former rectory is every inch the rural dream: gabled, stone-mullioned windows; gently weathered clay roof tiles; and elegant chimneystacks that reach upwards to the skies. Keri says: “It’s what initially drew us to the house. I loved the period style and the original features.”

Yet, despite its antiquated origins, the property is no relic. After months of painstaking work – overseen by Keri, who has a keen eye for design – the house has been transformed into an enviable contemporary space where dramatic, decorative flourishes abound.

Bold, statement wallpaper is a defining feature throughout the house, cleverly employed as a means of introducing colour and pattern. In the vast, open-plan living area, there are numerous chic touches: from oversized lamps and elegant barstools in leather and walnut; to a beautifully aged console table and a cowhide rug, the latter bought from the roadside in Chamonix. The extension itself – a light-filled, timber-clad space with bi-fold doors opening out onto landscaped gardens – has been designed to ensure that the living space is bright throughout the day.

The Gardner family lived in the property for four years before deciding to embark on the renovation. Keri says: “The house was in a good state when we moved in, just not to my taste, so I had the luxury of taking my time. It’s a very valuable lesson: if you’re in too much of a hurry, there will inevitably be regrets.”

As a result, Keri was able to understand the rhythms of the house, to see where light falls at particular times of the day and the best angle from which to enjoy the sunset.

“By the time I sat down with an architect, I had a very clear idea of what I wanted to achieve,” she says. “I’d taken time to research precisely which beams to use in the living area and exactly where to position the fireplace and the soft seating area. Now I can sit and enjoy views in three directions

– of the church, the gardens, and cows which graze in the fields.”

While the existing kitchen was serviceable and attractive, Keri felt that it was out of keeping with the contemporary extension. “The old scheme had cream, painted Shaker units and wooden work tops, but as soon as we decided to knock through to create our new, open-plan living space, I knew we’d have to update it. It would have been an almost Alice in Wonderland experience walking from a small cottagey kitchen into this lofty, modern space.”

Keri was keen to create a seamless transition between the original house and the extension – opting for sleek, flat-fronted contemporary units and keeping handles on drawers and cupboards to a minimum. “The units themselves are a muted grey which is 60 per cent gloss and 40 per cent matt.

They have a lovely sheen. I wanted to avoid high gloss which shows every finger mark and tends to be a nightmare when you’re living with little people,” she says.

The kitchen is very much a family room and the palette has been softened with a variety of stylish touches: walnut worktops and open shelving; glass splash backs in a delicate duck egg shade; and a composite white quartz work surface, with subtle blue flecks.

“I find the quartz a much more practical option than black granite which can get quite watermarked – and I like the way it helps to reflect light around the room.

I also installed wooden flooring as I find it so much more calming and quieter than tiles. I can’t stand the sound of chairs being dragged across stone floors!”

Keri’s love of feature walls is clearly evident in this part of the house, in the form of Cole & Son’s Cow Parsley wallpaper – a wistful nod to the property’s countryside setting. “I felt that with the hard, grey units there were too many blocks of colour and I decided to break it up with some pattern. People thought I was mad to paper behind the Aga. But, despite the fact that the kettle’s often on the boil, it’s been absolutely fine – no peeling or stains whatsoever.”

Much of the furniture was sourced from boutiques and design shows.

“When I came here I didn’t have many bits and pieces: it meant that when I

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By the time I sat down with an architect, I had a very clear idea of what I wanted to achieve

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COUNTRY | INTERIORS

came to style the house I pretty much had a blank canvas. I collected things over a three year period – during the build and after it was completed. It’s helped the house to evolve and to develop a slightly eclectic look.”

Luxurious purchases sit happily alongside rugs and vases from Ikea; the blue and white urns in the kitchen were found in a local antiques shop; and rattan seating (designed for outdoor use) was picked up from a stall at nearby Badminton Horse Trials.

As Keri points out, however, the most impressive feature is the view through the bi-fold doors. “It’s like a huge picture,” she says.

“We’ll often have them wide open and the whole area is transformed into a room off the garden. And we’re in such a sheltered spot that, even into the autumn, the patio is warm and protected from the wind.”

Keri’s approach to the renovation was meticulous – from her sourcing of Glumlam beams, used in place of steel supports, to her decision to alter the location of the kitchen sink. “It’s commonplace in design to install a sink beneath a window, but, in this particular property, it was completely impractical. For a few hours each afternoon, the sunlight would be blinding. When I reconfigured this area, I shifted the sink along a metre or so: it makes tasks like washing up just that bit easier.”

She also opted for sensor-controlled lighting and taps – energy efficient and conducive to relaxed family life. “Children are notoriously bad at switching these things off and, without the sensors, I’d be forever following the boys around – or dealing with flooded bathrooms,” she laughs. “It’s one of those boring details, but something which works really well. It’s great to live somewhere which suits us down to the ground – right down to the location of the kitchen sink.”

The open plan downstairs living space is light and spacious

● MY FAVOURITE CORNER: “I love cosying up on one of the chaises longues. They’re a great place to sit and read, watch television or just gaze into the dancing flames of the fire. They’re an unusual choice, but make a real style statement. I find them so much more comfortable than a conventional sofa. The muted, checked fabric is very restful, and I’ve chosen soft furnishings in similar tones. As the nights start to draw in, the throws really come into their own – the children and I will snuggle up here for bedtime stories or I’ll come here to relax after they’ve gone to sleep.” ● WHAT LESSONS HAVE YOU LEARNT DURING THE RENOVATION? “The whole project has really reinforced for me the importance of patience. The work overran by four months, but we’ve had no issues whatsoever with the build. Given the age of the original house, I find it pretty amazing.” ● WOULD YOU DO ANYTHING DIFFERENTLY? “I probably wouldn’t coincide the start of the project with the arrival of a baby! I’m fortunate in that I’m very organised and had planned the renovation meticulously. It’s very important to have a clear vision and strategy.” ● WHAT WAS THE MOST DIFFICULT PART? “The low point was undoubtedly when we took out the end wall of the house and had three steels inserted to support the chimney. We lived here throughout the renovation and spent several months exposed to the elements, protected only by a piece of tarpaulin. It certainly makes me appreciate all the more the home we have now.”

The kitchen had a complete revamp – only the Aga remains

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● INTERIOR INSPIRATION: “My dream home is something akin to a boutique hotel – all crisp white sheets, bathrooms with clean lines, and dramatic wallpaper. The master bedroom, with its velvet, upholstered bedstead, always makes me feel that I’m on holiday. I’ve incorporated wallpaper into the scheme as it helps to give depth and personality. There are lots of low, sloping ceilings in the upstairs rooms which meant I wasn’t able to hang pictures behind headboards – instead, I’ve created focal points with pattern. I also think a papered wall allows you to keep other aspects of the room plain and simple. ■

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CITY | LIVING

INTERIORS INSIDER Be inspired by the latest news and products from the city’s home improvement and interior businesses

STYLISH BUYS...

NEW LOOK FOR LESS South west company Granite Transformations, which has a showroom in Henleaze, has renovated its website (www.granitetransformations.co.uk) to highlight the advantages of using its work surfaces and replacement kitchen doors. Dudley Rochelle of Granite Transformations says: “Having a whole new kitchen can run into the tens of thousands of pounds. But if your carcasses are sound why not just change the tops and doors? Granite Transformations offers a specialist granite work surface that fits directly over your old worktops with no mess and no fuss. They are scratch, chip, heat and stain resistant and come with a lifetime guarantee. So combining this with replacement doors will give you a new look kitchen at a fraction of the price.”

BRIGHT IDEAS This contemporary chandelier with sweeping curves from the Penn Contemporary Range can work with high or low ceilings to bring some glamour into your home. Available in polished nickel or brushed brass finishes, £599, from the Lighting Warehouse, Bedminster. Visit: www.lightingwarehousebristol.co.uk or tel: 0117 963 5943.

INSTANT PZAZZ Amy Wood Upholstery opens for business from her new workshop at Bristol Reclamation on Park Road, Southville on Monday 5 August.

Amy will work with her clients to make the perfect choice of fabric and transform their furniture into something special. Amy has trained in modern and traditional upholstery and takes pride in creating beautiful, unique pieces.

Having furniture upholstered in fabric you have chosen is a great way to inject your personality into your home decor. For further information visit: www.amywood.co.uk or tel: 07702 887 470.

NEWS IN BRIEF: • Bathroom retailer Ripples has relocated its Bristol showroom to new premises on Whiteladies Road, offering a selection of bathroom displays, a dedicated spa display, chrometherapy lighting, heated walls and flooring, wet room solutions, freestanding baths, and stylish modular furniture, as well as handcrafted Ripples bespoke furniture and made to measure mirrors and shower screens.

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• Local chartered architecture practice, Doug Fowler – Architect, has signed up to take part in Architect in the House, a charitable initiative by the Royal Institute of British Architects (RIBA) and Shelter. Homeowners can receive an hour consultation with an architect for a donation of £45 to Shelter. Whether it’s inspiration for a study, an extra room, or just better living space you need, an architect can offer creativity and professional advice.

Visit: architectinthehouse.org.uk

AUGUST 2013

HOME FRONT Bristol-based doors, windows and conservatory specialist, Crystal Clear, has been appointed by Apeer as the exclusive supplier in Bristol for its new range of composite doors. The Modern Door (MODO) collection from Apeer is both stylish and practical, with 12 cutting edge designs, enhanced by modern glasswork and contemporary steel glazing trims.

Every door in the collection combines security, durability and energy efficiency, together with innovative designs to suit every style and size of home. The doors also feature a pioneering multi-point locking system that automatically locks when the door is closed from the inside or outside. The range of Apeer doors is on display at Crystal Clear’s showroom in Brislington and on www.crystalclearbristol.co.uk.

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IN | THE GARDEN

Green treasures As part of a new monthly gardening feature profiling different gardens in the area, we take a closer look at the grounds of Berkeley Castle and ask head gardener Chris Gill what his trials and triumphs are and top tips for planting this season

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ocated just 40 minutes’ drive from Bristol city centre, Berkeley Castle and its terraced gardens offer visitors a beautifully preserved Norman fortress to discover and a treasure trove of rare and unusual plants, shrubs and trees to delight garden enthusiasts. Berkeley Castle has been lived in by the same family for almost 900 years, longer than any other English fortress. Both the castle and the family have played major roles in the history of the country, especially in medieval times. Most famously the deposed King Edward II was murdered at Berkeley Castle in 1327. Today you can take a guided tour of the castle and stroll through the woodland and terraced garden.

In the gardens where Queen Elizabeth I walked in 1574 and Edward Jenner pioneered the smallpox vaccine in 1796, you can enjoy a calm oasis.

Approaching through the Georgian walled gardens, you’ll encounter far-reaching views across the River Severn from a series of terraces, climbing almost 30ft from the lower lawn to the Outer Bailey.

The oldest terrace and bowling green, thought to be where Queen Elizabeth I played bowls during her stay at the castle, date from the 12th century, while further terraces and a swimming pool (now a lily pond) were created in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. Gertrude Jekyll, British horticulturist, garden designer, artist and writer, contributed to some of the original planting schemes with ancient magnolias, roses, shrubs, perennials and climbers.

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The gardens contain many rare plants which thrive in the warm micro-climate against the south facing stone walls of the medieval castle alongside woodland, historic trees and summer borders.

Alongside its renowned collection of roses which can be found from the walled car park to the terraced gardens, Berkeley Castle boasts an array of specialist tropical plants in its popular butterfly house. It also has more rare and specialist plants within the grounds, many collected by the Berkeley family over the centuries.

These include the yellow and orange flowered Berberis montana, a native of Chile and seldom seen in UK gardens; Cercis siliquastrum, commonly known as the Judas Tree (the flowers are thought to represent the drops of blood from Judas Iscariot who hanged himself from a tree after betraying Jesus); and Buddleja alternifolia, whose soft, velvety leaves, long, fragrant purple flowers and delicious scent of honey make it a popular with visitors and bees.

Berkeley Castle is open every Sunday, Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday until 30 September and every Sunday in October, from 11am to 5pm.

All activities, events and guided tours are included in the castle entrance fees: adult £9.50, junior (4-16) £5, 3 and under free, family ticket (2 adults, 2 children) £24 and concessions (full time students and over 60’s) £7.50.

More information can be found at: www.berkeley-castle.com or tel: 01453 810 303. Berkeley Castle, Berkeley, Gloucestershire GL13 9BQ.

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Head Gardener Q & A: Chris Gill How long have you been head gardener at Berkeley Castle?

23 years

When did you first get interested in gardening?

When my parents moved to a new house in Tresham that had half an acre of garden. It was originally divided into three large plots as the previous owner grew mainly vegetables. I initially continued with vegetable gardening and over time became interested in developing a more floral garden, experimenting with a variety of annuals. My mother has always had a keen interest in gardening and together we developed the large area into a more attractive garden.

Highlights of the garden/points of interest?

The gardens at Berkeley Castle are fascinating to work in because they feature such a wide variety of unusual shrubs and trees. Two large Magnolia delavayi situated on the top terrace are currently coming into flower to the delight of visitors and a yellow flowering Caesalpinia with barbed rose-like thorns is also an unusual crowd pleaser. We also have a Dahlia imperialis, which Mr John Berkeley acquired in France several years ago and which has successfully flowered since, usually around October. Although the majority of his personal plant collections are held in the gardens at Spetchley Park in Worcestershire, Mr Berkeley takes a keen interest in the gardens at Berkeley Castle. He is a hugely knowledgeable gardener and a keen collector of rare plants.

What are the most recent developments in the garden?

There has been substantial redevelopment in the kitchen garden, which dates from the late 18th century, including the addition of a Yurt restaurant and a newly refurbished butterfly house and gift shop. This has led to new areas of planting and the introduction of old troughs to display attractive annuals to give the entrance to the site seasonal colour. There has also been necessary pointing work carried out on the gun terrace wall resulting in freshly created borders, including a collection of Cistus and Olearia.

Is it a garden that can be enjoyed all year round?

The garden is at its best during the summer and autumn months although there are some late flowering winter shrubs and spring bulb displays to be enjoyed earlier in the season.

Do you work alone or do you have a team?

I am the only full-time gardener but I have an excellent team of part-time assistants and dedicated volunteers.

Do you have any specialist interests?

I am particularly interested in cultivating climbing plants such as clematis, roses, sweet peas, wisterias and thunbergias. I also enjoy growing unusual tropical plants for the butterfly house, for example Justicia, Canna lilies and passion flowers.

What inspires you?

To be able to cultivate something from seed, nurture it, plant it out and watch it develop into something beautiful that will be noticed and enjoyed by visitors to the castle.

Does the garden hold any challenges?

There are some difficult areas to access with machinery due to the terraced nature of the gardens here. The Keep Garden, for instance, is only accessible through the castle itself. An on-going feud with local moles also brings its own frustrations and challenges!

Your proudest achievements?

Growing the flowers that were used for my own wedding – the reception was held in a marquee in the kitchen garden. And I consider it a privilege to work in a beautiful garden and watch it mature and develop over the years.

What can visitors look forward to?

The lavender borders are just coming into their own and this month the herbaceous borders are still looking magnificent. There is a recently installed fountain in the lily pond (originally built as a swimming pool)

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“

... I consider it a privilege to work in a beautiful garden and watch it mature and develop

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that is proving very popular with visitors. There is also a newly planted dahlia border on the gun terrace, which will be at its best from August onwards.

Can you offer any gardening care tips for this time of year?

• The hot weather we have been enjoying demands regular and careful watering of the garden – but do remember to water in the evening as the plants are likely to scorch if watered in the heat of the day (the droplets of water act as magnifying glasses!). You can place water retaining granules under your dahlias and other water-loving plants such as astrantia to reduce the need for constant watering.

• As early flowering herbaceous plants go over, you are likely to want to cut back either to encourage a second flush of flowers, or to make room for other plants. Always make sure that you have your secateurs, garden shears or hedge cutters sharpened so that the cut is neater, more accurate and less damaging to the plant.

• Don’t let summer fruits go over – you will be surprised at how quickly berries ripen in the sunshine and it is worth checking the plants each evening. The birds tend to spread the word quickly, so you have to be vigilant!

• The vegetable garden will need daily watering – particularly salad leaves and any squashes you may have rambling through the garden.

• Plan ahead – high summer is a time to sit back and let the garden thrive but you can usefully be planning ahead to ensure you are prepared for the autumn. Know which trees and shrubs you are going to prune, and select bulbs to plant up for early spring colour. ■ AUGUST 2013

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Imagine a garden you can actually enjoy...

Whether you’re relaxing with your friends or spending time playing with your kids, gardens provide a wonderful space for any home. In reality, however, gardens are often less of an extension to your home, and more an unusable space.

Due to the unpredictable British weather, gardens often become an overgrown boggy wilderness, and when the sun does decide to shine we spend the first few days working on the garden rather than enjoying it.

Added to this, with people’s increasingly busy lifestyles relaxation time comes at a premium. Therefore, less and less time is available for garden upkeep, meaning we are unable to relax in the garden without putting in the hard graft beforehand.

Imagine a garden that’s ready to enjoy 365 days a year…

Bristol based Uppergrass, a family business who specialise in the supply and installation of synthetic grass, are passionate about enabling people to maximise their outdoor space.

With a stringent focus on using only the highest quality artificial grass designed and manufactured in Germany, and through implementing the highest level of workmanship together with an absolute focus on personal service, Uppergrass have built a strong name in the industry.

Uppergrass can provide a solution to meet every need; including child friendly play surfaces, pet friendly lawns, Swimming Pool surrounds, balconies and roof terraces.

With our extensive design service and vast experience combined with your imagination the options are endless.

Contact us to see how we can transform your outdoor space www.uppergrass.com • 01275 848254

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Bristol Classified - August 2013:Layout 4

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AUGUST 2013

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THE BRISTOL MAGAZINE 75

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BRISTOL | PROPERTY IN FOCUS

P

ear Tree Cottage is a charming family home in a popular village to the west of Chew Valley Lake. Roses and climbers scramble across the front of the house, creating a picture postcard first impression. Careful restoration has ensured that period feature such as inglenook fireplaces, crossbeam ceilings and flagstone floors have been retained.

There are three principal reception rooms: a drawing room, sitting room and a separate dining room. The drawing room and dining room both have double aspects giving plenty of light. The focus of the designer country kitchen is a wonderful cream four oven gas Aga. Additional space for busy families comes in the form of a rear hall, utility room and cloakroom. Upstairs there are five good bedrooms, the master having an en suite bathroom and the remaining four sharing the use of a bathroom and separate shower room. There is plenty of outside space totalling 1.3 acres. A large outbuilding provides garaging for a number of vehicles and there is also ample parking at the side of the property. Two store rooms one with an upper level could potentially provide home office or studio space (subject consents). The lovely garden is well stocked and bounded by a belt of semi mature trees which adjoin the neighbouring countryside. As if this were not enough, the absolute cherry on the cake comes in the form of a heated outdoor pool.This country home brings life to the proverbial chocolate box cottage with roses around the door and can be viewed by appointment with agents Knight Frank in Clifton.

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

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PEAR TREE COTTAGE CHEW STOKE • Charming period cottage in private grounds • Five Bedrooms • Two Bathrooms (1 en suite) • 1 Shower room • Charming gardens, backing onto open countryside • Heated swimming pool • Outbuilding with triple garaging

Guide Price: £1,225,000

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COLSTON AVENUE Invest from £75,950 7% minimum assured for 5 years

Student property offers an unrivaled investment opportunity, assured rental yields combined with high occupancy rates ensures this growing niche market is a must for any investment portfolio....

Introducing Colston Avenue - Bristol, home to 131 individual luxury studios each offering the highest standard of student living accommodation.

This is the fifth development launched under the luxury Vita Student brand, it follows the sell-out success of four previous projects comprising more than 600 properties. Generous in size, each studio is completely self-contained with fitted kitchen and designer en-suite shower room offering residents much sought-after privacy and their own sanctuary within a city centre development.

• Self-countained city centre apartments from £75,950 - 7% minimum NET rental assured for 5 years • • Prime city centre location minutes from 2 universities • • Bristol’s highest quality student accommodation • • 49,500 students in Bristol and just 13,000 student beds • • The only student project in Bristol to also cater for over 7,000 international students • • University of Bristol is ranked 11th in the UK with more applications per place than any other University in the country • • Developed by the UK’s No.1 student property brand • • Fully managed and completely hassle and hands free •

For more information including brochure and student investment guide: Call 01202 567 230 or Visit www.abacusinvestor.com

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Student Property Investment B

ristol is set to become the latest destination for a new luxury student property development worth ÂŁ14 million.

The project will see 131 top-quality studios being built in the city centre, just a two-minute walk from The University of Bristol. The studios are to be marketed to investors who wish to take part in the student property gold rush. Investment in student accommodation reached a record ÂŁ2.7 billion in 2012.

Latest 2012 data shows that student housing is outperforming other asset classes by some margin, as it has delivered 9.6 per cent total returns in 2012. (Source CBRE) A shortage of funding available to universities has meant that there is a glut of purpose built accommodation, allowing private developers and investors to fill the void. The market will remain under supplied at current levels in relation to both the growth in student numbers and latent demand from students currently housed outside the sector, as banks disappear from the debt and development markets. (Source - Savills ) This is where the Colston Avenue development looks to succeed, the development follows on from the record sell out of 600 units in Manchester and Liverpool in under six months. Gone are the days of mouldy walls and well trodden carpet, each high specification studio is fully self contained with private designer kitchen and en-suite, 100MB broadband, flat screen TV and much more. The decision to create a premium product in city centre locations across the UK is in response to a growing demand from students in the UK and abroad for much higher quality accommodation. Bristol is home to 49,000 students but

THE SOFA LIBRARY The Sofa Library in Whiteladies Road have developed an enormous addition to their cabinet furniture ranges that mirrors the bespoke options of their upholstery. You can now buy all models for living, dining and bedrooms in either pine, oak or painted finishes and in hundreds of standard sizes, but more interestingly in any bespoke size to suit your space and bespoke sizes are only a small additional charge to the standard cost.

The painted pieces can be done in literally any colour - Farrow and Ball, Little Green etc. and can even be made with one colour outside and another inside (particularly useful in bookcases) and with solid oak or pine tops if required. All pieces can be made in various style options - Plain Finish, Shaker or with Georgian or Victorian moulding styles or you can literally design your own piece.

The ranges are vast and cover every conceivable requirement from beds and bedroom storage to extendible dining tables and chairs and side boards, to home office and bookcase systems and wine storage.

You can even have bookcases and desks etc. made to fit into an alcove or other space.

Prices are significantly lower than the brand leader (which is made in China) and everything is made in England from sustainably sourced timber and ready in the same time as Sofa Library sofas - about three weeks. New painted fitted kitchen and bathroom collections will be launched in March.

These ranges are not yet on the website because an entirely new trading web site is being built for the March launches, but The Sofa Library are at www.thesofalibrary.co.uk and the store is at 55-60, Whiteladies Road, Bristol, BS8 2PY, tel: 01173-292746

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just 13,000 purpose built beds, the new development at Colston Avenue looks to cater to this undersupply, specifically the 7,000 foreign students.

The benefits to the students are clear, the benefits to the investor are equally so. Priced from ÂŁ75,950, the investor is guaranteed a minimum 7% return for 5 years.

This is fully managed and a completely hands free investment. Colston Avenue is due to be built in time for the intake of September 2014 students.

For more information contact the selling agents Abacus Investor: 01202 567230 or www.abacusinvestor.com

EXCELLENT BUSINESS OPPORTUNITY FOR SALE FREEHOLD The Observatory plus Restaurant/Café and Caves THE BUSINESS OPPORTUNITY… • 4 attractions in one – 1) The Observatory/Camera Obscura, 2) St Vincent’s Cave, 3) The Bridge Viewing terraces, 4) The café & dining terraces.

• Now with full planning consent for visitor’s restaurant/café with large restaurant/viewing terrace.

• The best bird’s eye view of and just a few minutes walk from Brunel’s world renowned Clifton Suspension Bridge, which attracts 500,000 visitors per year.

• Despite no promotion/marketing, the building being under renovation and only being open for part of the year and with no restaurant/café, The Observatory attracted over 44,000 paying visitors in the last 12 months.

• 500,000 people visit the Clifton Suspension Bridge each year thus providing a significant visitor base to maximise custom to both The Observatory/Caves and café/terraces.

• The café/restaurant can be accessed independently from The Observatory thus tapping into the significant local customer base visiting Clifton and the Downs (dog walkers, mothers with toddlers etc).

• The full renovation only recently completed with café/restaurant finished to a shell for the new owner to fit out to their own requirements.

• A unique opportunity to purchase (freehold) one of Bristol’s top visitor attractions which will stand the test of time.

FREEHOLD - £2,000,000 Please telephone Julian Cook FRICS Andrew Oliver MRICS or Jayne Rixon MRICS (0117) 934 9977 Burston Cook August.indd 1

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Clifton branch: 01179 744 766 35 Regent Street, Clifton, Bristol, BS8 4HR TC

NE

Clifton

SS

£495,000 Clifton

This is a beautifully presented maisonette located in a desirable area of Clifton overlooking Durdham Downs. Located on the first and second floor the property consists of: three double bedrooms, family bathroom, modern kitchen, sitting room, cinema room/dining room and a separate cloakroom. An allocated car parking space also comes with the property.

Viewing highly recommended. EPC: C.

£335,000 Harbourside

This is an exceptional two bedroom contemporary apartment located in the heart of Clifton Village. The property comes with a designated underground car parking space together with two bedrooms, open plan kitchen/sitting room, two bathrooms (oneen-suite), dressing room and is located on the third floor at the front of the building which makes the apartment light and airy.

A viewing is highly recommended. EPC: B.

£275,000

This is a well presented contemporary apartment located in The Crescent, Hannover Quay. It benefits from being ‘second line’ to the waterfront, therefore being much closer to the water than most of the other apartments in the building and having good water views. It consists of: two double bedrooms one with en-suite, additional bathroom, open plan kitchen/sitting room and a private balcony overlooking the harbour. Resident underground permit car parking. Viewing highly recommended. EPC: B.

Long Ashton branch: 01275 393 956 50 Weston Road, Long Ashton, Bristol, BS41 9HH

Long Ashton

£1,200,000 Failand

An impressive and extremely individual residence, sat in a commanding position with stunning views over the valley, believed to have been built in the late 1800's and sits in an enviable, southfacing plot approaching one acre in Long Ashton. This private family home, with six bedrooms, is tucked away yet only c3 miles from Clifton Village, as well as having Ashton Court Estate on its door step. The property is approached via electric double wooden gates leading to a driveway with parking for several vehicles. EPC E.

W NE ICE PR

Coombe Dingle

£625,000 Long Ashton

A superb detached property built in 2005 It is located within this popular semi-rural North Somerset Village that lies a short distance of Bristol City Centre and the motorway network, making it ideal for both families and commuters alike. The property offers spacious contemporary accommodation to briefly include spectacular dual aspect sitting room, separate dining room and beautifully fitted kitchen/breakfast area. Upstairs there are five generous bedrooms and integral double garage. EPC D.

£499,950

This imposing, detached four-bedroom period property offers spacious and well-maintained accommodation. Located in arguably one of Long Ashton's finest roads this imposing 1930's semi detached family home boasts stunning southerly views.

It is sure to attract considerable interest from those looking for a home of character and distinction. Open plan kitchen/diner, conservatory and a large home office on the ground floor. This property is perfect for a family's next home. EPC D.

Westbury on Trym branch: 01179 500 118 25 Canford Lane, Westbury on Trym, Bristol, BS9 3DQ NO IN A CH

£699,950 Westbury On Trym

Situated in a conservation area, this large (circa 2900 sq ft) family home sits in approximately 1/3 of an acre. There is an attached annex to the side of the property that offers great use for a number of buyers, dependant relative, teenager, extra income. In total, three/four reception rooms, five bedrooms, three bath/shower rooms, farmhouse style kitchen, two utility rooms. GCH, Double glazing, garage, driveway. EPC E.

Guide Price £1,000,000 Sneyd Park

Large (circa 3600 sq ft) family home situated in an enviable position opposite Durdham Downs. The accommodation comprises eight bedrooms, two/three reception rooms, four bath/shower rooms (two en-suite) an extended kitchen/diner, utility room, cloaks. There is a hugely impressive entrance hall reached via a vestibule. Period features throughout, GCH, Oversized garage to the rear. EPC F.

£369,950

Rockleaze. A really spacious – circa 1200 sq ft – elegant and impressive two double bedroom courtyard garden apartment with garage and off street parking set in a grand period building perfectly situated fronting the beautiful Downs. The apartment further benefits from an impressive reception hall, large living room measuring 27’2” x 14’11”, an allocated garage and the use of off further street parking. This property also comes with the added advantage of having no onward chain. EPC D.

Bishopston

St. Andrews

Bishopston

Situated within the catchment for Bishop Road and St. Bonaventure’s Primary Schools and within the APR for Redland Green Secondary, this substantial three bedroom property is in need of modernisation throughout and has the potential to become a stunning family home. EPC - F.

Recently refurbished four bedroom semidetached family home with spacious accommodation arranged over two floors.

The property boasts open plan living space along with separate study, utility room, ensuite to the master bedroom and bathroom on each of the ground and first floors.

EPC - E.

Charming Victorian property boasting, to the ground floor, a stunning lounge, full width dining room which opens into the extended kitchen/breakfast room. To the first floor can be found two well-balanced bedrooms and family bathroom. EPC - C.

£325,000

£455,000

£275,000

Henleaze

Westbury Park

Henleaze

Situated within close proximity to Henleaze shops and amenities and Durdham Downs, this superb five bedroom Victorian semidetached family home offers open living space with French style doors onto a 17m garden, shaker style kitchen/diner, utility and cloakroom. Two upper floors offer five bedrooms, modern bathroom and additional WC. 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.

Well-presented throughout, this Victorian family home offers three receptions, rear with full width bi-fold doors leading to an 18m southerly facing garden. Two upper floors offer five/six bedrooms, bathroom and additional shower room. Positioned within a quiet backwater with immediate access to all Henleaze local high street shops and amenities. EPC - D.

Price Guide £650,000

CJ Hole August.indd 1

Price Guide £650,000

£575,000

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Richard Harding Chartered Surveyors • Estate Agents • Auctioneers • Valuers

SNEYD PARK guide £1,300,000

A handsome & impressive 5 bedroom, 5 reception room detached Victorian period family house with a south facing rear garden, off street parking and garage; generously proportioned throughout & retaining many period features; an excellent family house over 3 large floors - offers extensive and flexible accommodation which could alternatively be adapted to provide a selfcontained annexe. EPC: E

0117 946 6690 www.richardharding.co.uk

124 Whiteladies Road, Clifton, Bristol BS8 2RP

COOMBE DINGLE guide £995,000

An exceptional detached family residence with gorgeous garden, generous accommodation (3000sq ft +) & a wonderful setting offering peace & tranquillity, circa 3.5 miles from city centre. Ample parking & garaging.

EPC: D

One of Redland's classic big family houses in a coveted location within 250m of Redland Green School - a very handsome large 6 double bedroom Victorian period semidetached family house with south west facing rear garden & off street parking. EPC: F

REDLAND guide £915,000

An outstanding large traditionally styled 5 bedroom, 4 reception, 3 ‘bathroom’ detached family residence in an exclusive location with double garage, off street parking and a lovely 51ft x 37ft rear garden.

STOKE BISHOP guide £780,000

A substantial & impressive 4/5 bedroom, 2/3 reception Victorian family town house tucked away in a peaceful culde-sac just a few minute's walk into Clifton Village. Truly magnificent views & a level south facing rear garden. Full of original character and features including fireplaces, sash windows & cornicing. EPC: F

HENLEAZE guide £679,950

A substantial 5 double bedroom Edwardian period semidetached family house located in highly sought after Florence Park, close to Westbury Park School & the Downs. A generously proportioned home in a fantastic location for families. EPC: D

WESTBURY PARK guide £622,500

A well-proportioned 4 bedroom, 2 reception semi-detached period home located on a popular & peaceful residential road within circa 500 metres of Cotham School, further benefiting from a level westerly facing rear garden and osp; a civilised & well-presented period home offering light & airy accommodation with plenty of original character. EPC: F

A delightful 4 double bedroom, 2 reception, 2/3 ‘bathroom’, Victorian period semi-detached family house of character with a lovely south facing garden in a sought after road with a friendly neighbourly community. Well-presented throughout and retaining a number of period features.

CLIFTON guide £735,000

Professional, Reliable, Successful

COTHAM guide £565,000

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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 D

Farley Down, Clevedon Road

£435,000

A four bedroom detached home positioned on a generous sized plot affording stunning views of the Bristol Channel & Welsh coastline, situated between Portishead & Clevedon. Arranged over two floors with a 24ft living/dining room opening to a large sun terrace with tiered front garden, two driveways & double garage. EPC Band E

sales@goodmanlilley.co.uk www.goodmanlilley.co.uk

Easton-In-Gordano

Offers Over £400,0000

A four bedroom detached family home presented to a high standard throughout, set in a commanding position located close to local amenities, Clifton and the M5. A spacious property benefitting further from a large integrated garage, ample parking and beautifully landscaped gardens, laid mainly to lawn with a patio area. EPC Band D

Nore Road, Portishead

Guide Price £975,000

A stunning six bedroom detached family home situated in a non- estate position with annex, gymnasium & sauna. Sitting in private grounds of circa 2/3 acre, the home enjoys views over the Channel & Welsh coastline.

Built in 2003 with rendered elevations, the property has been carefully designed to ensure all principal rooms enjoy the outlook. EPC Band D

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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Abbey Road

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In

£499,950 Shirehampton Road

Located on Abbey Road, this family home is walking distance to the shops in Westbury on Trym village. Arranged over three stories, the property has four bedrooms, kitchen dining room with a separate reception room. A raised decked area leads to a lawned rear garden. To the front there is off street parking and a garage to the rear.

Please contact our Westbury-on Trym branch on 0117 962 1973

ld So

Royal Victoria Park

£639,950

This four double bedroom detached family home occupies a fantastic position in Stoke Bishop. With garage and driveway. The ground floor comprises of a large living space with separate dining area and kitchen, the accommodation upstairs is split over two floors with four bedrooms, family bathroom and ensuite shower room.

Please contact our Westbury-on Trym branch on 0117 962 1973

Please contact our Westbury-on Trym branch on 0117 962 1973

£350,000

The beautifully maintained gardens at 130 Northover Road are a stand out feature of this charming three bedroom family home.

The open plan reception room to the ground floor has views of both the front and rear gardens, with a large hedge row running all along one perimeter the outside space is exceptionally private, and with a sunny rear aspect.

Please contact our Westbury-on Trym branch on 0117 962 1973

ld So

Reedley Road

Please contact our Westbury-on Trym branch on 0117 962 1973

In

In

£440,000 Northover Road

£450,000

A detached David Wilson five bedroom family home, located in a prime position in John Repton Gardens. The property is almost 1900 sq ft of executive build called ‘The Highworth’ and includes five bedrooms, two of which have en-suites. There is a double garage to the ground floor and three reception rooms and a kitchen.

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This modern interpretation of a three storey Georgian townhouse offers excellent amounts of space both within the property and gardens too. Built within the last ten years the house benefits from a wealth of reception space and flexible accommodation.

Arranged over three floors this executive family home benefits from a stunning kitchen.

John Repton Gardens

Wyedale Avenue

£249,950

19 Wyedale Avenue is a three bedroom family home located just a street away from Grove Road, with its rural walks around Coombe Dingle and the Blaise Castle Estate. An open plan kitchen dining room at the rear is an ideal entertaining space for families and is over 20 foot wide with a door leading to the patio section of the garden, which in turn leads to the lawn.

Please contact our Westbury-on Trym branch on 0117 962 1973

w n Ne ctio u r t Ins

£285,000 Matford Close

Ocean are proud to have sold Reedley Road using an Open Day. Should you be interested in learning more about our bespoke marketing strategies please contact us. Reedley Road is a three bedroom family home, with no onward chain, off street parking and a garage. With two receptions to the ground floor and a kitchen dining room.

Please contact our Westbury-on Trym branch on 0117 962 1973

£213,950

A stunning linked detached three bedroom home with views over the beautifully maintained rear garden from the conservatory. A reception room to the front allows' equally pleasant views over the front garden. An open plan kitchen dining room adds a social element to the property. Further benefits include a garage and off street parking Please contact our Westbury-on Trym branch on 0117 962 1973

Howecroft Court

£180,000

Located in the picturesque Stoke Bishop, Howecroft Court benefits from far reaching views. Offering two bedrooms, a bathroom, kitchen and living room, this property offers easy access to the Downs and Clifton. Nestled in a quiet back water of Stoke Bishop a viewing is the only way to appreciate this tastefully decorated and well maintained apartment has to offer.

Please contact our Westbury-on Trym branch on 0117 962 1973

Ocean fp August:Layout 1

Cotham

18/7/13

14:01

£245,000

A bright and extremely attractive top floor flat in Archfield Road with well laid out accommodation consisting lounge, kitchen/diner, two double bedrooms, a modern bathroom and two spacious storage cupboards. Externally the property further benefits from a parking space and use of a communal garden. EPC: E. Please contact our Clifton branch on 0117 946 6007

Redland

£319,950

Page 2

Clifton

£289,950

Redland

Clifton

Please contact our Clifton branch on 0117 946 6007

£319,950

SOLD SSTC SIMILAR REQUIRED

characterful semi detached period cottage built in the 1800's with two bedrooms, two separate reception rooms and a secluded courtyard garden with clay pavers. EPC: F.

Please contact our Clifton branch on 0117 946 6007

Please contact our Clifton branch on 0117 946 6007

Redland

Redland

£399,950

Please contact our Clifton branch on 0117 946 6007

£289,950

A three bed semi detached bungalow comprising a good sized lounge, kitchen/breakfast room with double doors opening on to the rear garden. Externally there are lawned front and rear gardens, a shared driveway leading to off-street parking and a garage in need of refurbishment. There is a loft room accessed via a pull down ladder with windows to the front and rear. No onward chain. EPC: E.

A wonderful garden flat located perfectly for Whiteladies Road and its superb mixture of shops, bars, coffee shops and restaurants.

Offering light and well presented accommodation that consists lounge/diner opening to a modern kitchen, two double bedrooms and a stunning modern bathroom. At the rear there is a parking space and a private front garden at the front. EPC: D.

A fabulous opportunity to purchase a family home in the Redland Green school catchment area. This sizeable period home has huge potential to improve the current accommodation which comprises lounge, sitting/dining room, breakfast room, separate kitchen, three double bedrooms and a modern bathroom. At the rear is a patio garden with flower beds and mature shrubs. EPC: D.

Westbury Park

A stunning top floor apartment located on a highly popular street between Pembroke & Whiteladies Road. Accommodation comprises a 21ft living room, two generous double bedrooms all with oak flooring, a modern high gloss fitted kitchen and contemporary white bathroom suite. This flat has fantastic front and the rear roof top views of Clifton. No onward chain. EPC: F.

£425,000

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. EPC: E. Please contact our Clifton branch on 0117 946 6007

Please contact our Clifton branch on 0117 946 6007

£365,000

Occupying the entire Hall floor flat of this Victorian Detached property with sitting room with bay window & fireplace, kitchen/diner, spacious entrance hall/library, three double bedrooms and a beautiful 'Ripples' bathroom. Located within 500 yards of the Downs and convenient for both Clifton village and Whiteladies Road. EPC: D. Please contact our Clifton branch on 0117 946 6007

Redland

£440,000

A simply stunning Victorian house tucked away on Evans Road in a unique row of Victorian houses. The sizeable courtyard garden is brimming with character with reclaimed church arches and a pond.

The interior presents: two open reception rooms, four bedrooms, kitchen with breakfast area and bathroom. This unspoilt gem is deceptively spacious. EPC: E. Please contact our Clifton branch on 0117 946 6007

Commercial Sales & Lettings

0117 949 1888 www.maggsandallen.co.uk SOLD

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URGENT REQUIREMENT FOR OFFICE SPACE IN CLIFTON TO LET OR FOR SALE SOLD

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Estate Agents

Lettings & Management

Maggs & Allen Commercial August.indd 1

Auctioneers

Commercial/ Investment

Chartered Surveyors

Land/New Homes

Energy Assessors

17/07/2013 15:15

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Tower House, Whiteladies Road

ÂŁ695,000

A rare opportunity to acquire this attractive period Grade II listed four storey end of terrace property arranged as office space (approx. 2,900 sqft net internal floor area) benefiting from roof terrace, many original features, independently accessible basement level and off street parking for 6 vehicles.

The property is situated in a prominent location on Whiteladies Road, a stones throw from Clifton Triangle and within close proximity of the BBC. The offices are currently let at ÂŁ45,000pa on a recently signed 5 year lease. Planning consent has previously been granted for conversion to numerous flats which has now lapsed.

commercial

I

Early enquiries are recommended.

0117 949 1888 www.maggsandallen.co.uk

Estate Agents

Lettings & Management

Maggs & Allen Commercial August.indd 3

Auctioneers

Commercial/ Investment

Chartered Surveyors

Land/New Homes

Energy Assessors

17/07/2013 15:16

Property Concept August:Layout 5

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MANAGEMENT • SALES • LETTING • CONSULTANCY

Clifton £589,950

Clifton £359,950

A delightful period house beautifully restored and improved retaining some lovely original features. Set back from the road, this property offers excellent flexible accommodation over four floors, a superb kitchen/living conservatory room with Aga, elegant living rooms, four/five good size double bedrooms, all with en-suites, and a self-contained suite in the basement with a small kitchenette and separate entrance. There is a pretty sunny, walled rear garden ideal for al-fresco dining. Within a short walk of the Hotwells Primary school, Harbourside and Clifton Village, with its eclectic mix of independent shops cafes and restaurants, this is a fantastic opportunity to purchase a very stylish home and early viewing is strongly recommended.

A most elegant first floor apartment set within this imposing Grade II listed period property in Clifton Park. This sought after location is within walking distance of Clifton Village and within easy access to Whiteladies Road and the City Centre. The spacious accommodation comprises delightful south facing sitting room with access to a private stone balcony, large hallway, currently used as a dining area, attractive light filled, modern kitchen to the rear of the property, master bedroom with recently refurbished contemporary en suite shower room, second bedroom and modern bathroom. This property further benefits from a mature communal garden and boasts a beautiful orangery which links to an off street parking area, parking available on a “first come first served” basis.

Sneyd Park £219,000

Clifton £274,950

A particularly spacious and very light second floor apartment in this purpose built block in Sneyd Park. Cedar Court stands on an elevated position with stunning views, well maintained communal gardens, private garages and off-street parking for guests. The well planned accommodation consists of an L shaped entrance hall, a large double aspect sitting room with access to a private balcony, a master bedroom with en-suite bathroom, two further double bedrooms, one currently used as a dining room, and further shower room with large walk in shower, hand basin & w.c. All the bedrooms have large built in wardrobes. The property benefits from lift access and is being sold with no onward chain.

Viewing recommended. EPC rating D.

An absolutely delightful garden flat on St. Paul's Road, with its own entrance courtyard, being sold with no onward chain. The apartment is perfectly situated and is equidistant between Clifton village and Park Street with Bristol University and the Bristol Royal Infirmary both close at hand. This apartment is a real delight from the moment you enter, and consists of a lovely hallway currently furnished with a table and chairs. There is an impressive master bedroom to the front, shower room with large walk-in shower, super kitchen with range cooker and granite worktops, sitting room with French doors to a charming private and leafy garden and a second bedroom on a mezzanine level.

21 Princess Victoria Street

Tel 0117 970 6119

enquiries@propertyconcept.co.uk

Clifton, Bristol BS8 4BX

Fax 0117 970 6109

www.propertyconcept.co.uk

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MANAGEMENT • SALES • LETTING • CONSULTANCY

Bishop Sutton £1,149,500

City Centre £269,950

Redlands House is an elegant country house, on the edge of the village of Bishop Sutton, set in a superb position with outstanding views towards Chew Valley Lakes and across open countryside. The accommodation incorporates impressive drawing room, dining room, new shaker style kitchen, adjoining conservatory, 5/6 bedrooms, modern bathroom and en-suite. The present owners have carried out an extensive refurbishment programme including a great deal of landscaping. Standing in approximately 4 acres, including two paddocks and a small vineyard/orchard, the house offers manageable country living and offers a location with good access to Bristol, Bath & Wells.

NEW HOME. This stunning first floor apartment, formally the show flat, is set within the architecturally iconic Eye development, with its unique shaped exterior sitting alongside Temple Quay, a vibrant residential and commercial quarter of Bristol, within walking distance of The City Centre and Temple Meads Station. The accommodation includes a spacious kitchen /sitting room with a curved wall of floor to ceiling windows affording wonderful views of the water vista below and two double bedrooms again with water views. There is an en-suite to the master bedroom and a separate bathroom. Being sold with no onward chain, the show flat furniture and contents are available by separate negotiation and parking is available locally on a lease basis. EPC rating C.

Harbourside £249,950

Harbourside £159,950

This second floor apartment in the prestigious Great Western House occupies an enviable position on the Harbourside. Completed in 2010 this purpose built development sits on the historic site of Brunel's original steamworks alongside the present site of the SS Great Britain. The well planned accommodation, finished to a high specification throughout, incorporates a good sized open plan kitchen/living room with a balcony, two double bedrooms, one with en-suite shower room and a separate bathroom. The apartment further benefits from an allocated secure parking space. This is arguably one of the best locations on Bristol’s waterfront and affords an opportunity for those wanting to find either a Harbourside home or as they have very good rental history as an investment. EPC rating B.

A stylish, first floor apartment in sought after Steamship House. Built on the site of Isambard Kingdom Brunel's original steamship works this purpose built development sits adjacent to the SS Great Britain and enjoys an enviable location on the waterfront with cafes, restaurants and the newly opened M Shed Museum within easy walking distance.

Clifton Village, the City Centre and all major transport links are easily accessible. The accommodation, which is being sold with no onward chain, incorporates a large kitchen/sitting room with a balcony, a good sized double bedroom and a bathroom. This apartment was built to a high specification and would make an ideal first purchase and a full rental history is available. EPC rating C.

21 Princess Victoria Street

Tel 0117 970 6119

enquiries@propertyconcept.co.uk

Clifton, Bristol BS8 4BX

Fax 0117 970 6109

www.propertyconcept.co.uk

Stoke Bishop Guide Price £900,000

An exceptionally attractive 5 bedroom detached family home constructed in the 1930’s from brick and rendered elevations under a brosley tiled roof. The property is in a wonderful position being towards the end of a cul-de-sac in one of Stoke Bishop’s premier roads. This is a truly wonderful and much loved family home and really an opportunity not to be missed.

EPC rating – E

Westbury-on-Trym Guide Price £600,000

An attractive detached Edwardian house requiring updating set in a large plot with far reaching views over Westbury-on-Trym. The house provides scope for extension and modernisation to the incoming purchasers own requirements, there are 4 double bedrooms & a family bathroom.

There is also an integral garage and drive parking to the front. EPC rating – E.

Westbury-on-Trym £425,000

This is an impressively extended and modernised four bedroom 1930’s semi-detached family house offering spacious family orientated accommodation. The accommodation is presented in a modern contemporary style throughout and at over 1600 sq/ft it is ideally suited to growing families. Houses within this price range are rare at the moment and so recommend a viewing at the first opportunity. EPC rating – D

Leese & Nagle August.indd 1

Henleaze Guide Price £550,000

An elegant Edwardian Family home situated in this highly sought after road that is only a short walk to the renowned Durdham Downs. The house retains some wonderful character period features which are subtly combined with modern day conveniences including a fabulous solid timber fronted kitchen and a stylish bathroom. We highly recommend a viewing of this charming family home at the first opportunity. EPC rating – E

Stoke Bishop £450,000

An attractive four bedroom, three reception room semi-detached house with garage and parking in popular Stoke Bishop. With well proportioned accommodation the property is ideal for growing families who wish to put their own stamp on a property ideally located for well reputed schools. The secluded rear garden is mainly to lawn, off-street parking and the garage is to the side. EPC rating – E

Westbury-on-Trym £240,000

An immaculately presented light and airy two bedroom, two bathroom first floor apartment with private residents gardens and gated parking and within easy reach of the city centre and motorway links. The apartments have visitor parking and shared cellar storage and a bike store. EPC rating – C

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Clifton £249,950

A really super top floor flat presented in great condition and located in this quiet road off Whiteladies Road. This lovely flat has been greatly improved by the current owners to include a new kitchen & bathroom. The icing on the cake is an allocated parking space located to the rear of the flat. Well worth a look! EPC rating – E

Montpelier £182,500

Located in this highly regarded and very contemporary development in Montpelier. This very conveniently located development is located just moments from Cheltenham and Gloucester Roads, whilst being a 10 minute walk into the city centre. This great flat boasts an allocated parking space, in addition to very good energy efficiency. EPC rating – B

Clifton £350,000

An impressive and spacious 2 bedroom lower ground floor apartment with allocated parking in an imposing Bath stone fronted Victorian property. Set well back from road the apartment benefits from its own entrance accessed from the front of the property. Allocated parking is to the rear of the property. Offered with no onward chain. EPC rating – D

Leese & Nagle August.indd 2

Redland Guide Price £685,000

A substantial late 1920’s five bedroom detached house occupying a corner plot with lovely rear garden enjoying a sunny south westerly aspect. At the far end of the garden is a recently rebuilt 37 ft long garage of which part has been part converted into a garden room with French doors to the garden. EPC rating – E

Clifton Guide Price £435,000

A superb three bedroom/two bathroom mews house in a prime Clifton location on a private road. This imaginative conversion provides high quality accommodation that is stylish and contemporary. This is a delightful city residence full of character and offering the wow factor and must be viewed to appreciate all it offers. EPC rating – B

Clifton £114,950

A fabulous location in Hotwells overlooking Cumberland Basin for this most practical purpose built studio flat. This is the slightly larger of the 2 studio flat designs in the building and this one also boasts one of the best positions in the block too. Communal garden and bicycle storage area. EPC rating – D

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88 Whiteladies Road Clifton Bristol BS8 2QN Tel 0117 973 1144

Chelsea House London Road Bath BA1 6DB Tel 01225 447971

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