Bristol Magazine December

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ISSUE 114 I DECEMBER 2013

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

#MERRYBRISTMAS

PARTY STYLE Festive fashion at Cabot Circus

MAGAZINE £3.00 where sold

SEASONAL WHAT’SON THE LITTLE MATCH GIRL AT THE WARDROBE THEATRE WIN A YEAR’S FAMILY PASS FOR AT-BRISTOL AFTER DARK QUIRKY NIGHTS IN BRISTOL

CASAMIA’S

MICHELIN MEN A taste of their music SEASONAL SPARKLE

XMAS WINE Mimi Avery shares her taste

THE ALL NEW BENTLEY

FLYING SPUR TBM’s Bristol test drive RESTAURANT REVIEW

INDIAN TONIC A magical time at Meluha

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THE | CONTENTS

DECEMBER 2013 24

29 12

ZEITGEIST

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THE CITYIST BARTLEBY

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PEOPLE & PARTIES BRISTOL AT WORK Pictured: Ruth Sidery, company stage manager at the Bristol Old Vic

24

FACE THE MUSIC Brothers Peter and Jonray from Michelinstarred restaurant Casamia pick the tunes that inspire them in the kitchen

A GOOD READ Recommended books to give as gifts

59

SEASONAL SPARKLE

FASHION SHOOT Glamorous party wear in Cabot Circus

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FESTIVE FAYRE A round-up of Christmas markets for unique and handmade treats

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WHAT’S ON

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FEEL GOOD FOOD

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DECEMBER 2013

88 PARTY HAIR Review of an up-do at Hush Hair

94 HOMES ON SHOW A show-stopping chalet near Thornbury

A café chain with a difference

62

WINING & DINING

98 CHRISTMAS TREES Gardens lit up for the season

News and reviews from the foodie scene

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RESTAURANT REVIEW

66

CITY UPDATES

100 PROPERTY The best homes in and around Bristol THE

BRISTOL twitter@thebristolmag

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MOTORING A review of Bentley’s Flying Spur

74

FAMILY FUN Win a year’s admission to At-Bristol

78 CHRISTMAS THEATRE

Theatre, music, comedy & more

Indulgent pampering products to treat your loved ones

Mimi Avery from Avery’s Wines chooses her favourite wines for Christmas Day

All the latest from Bristol businesses

29

86 FIT & FAB

COUNTDOWN TO 2014

Indian magic at Meluha

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A walk with spectacular views over Somerset and a great country pub

Top New Year celebrations in the city

Snapshots from the city’s social scene

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82 OUT & ABOUT

NIGHTS OUT New quirky evening entertainment venues

Time for a reality check?

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ART AND EXHIBITIONS On show in the Bristol galleries this month

The buzz, My Bristol and a top read

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98

42

Five things to do this month

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52

The Little Match Girl for young audiences

ON THE COVER Taken from our festive fashion shoot at Cabot Circus, Claire wears gold Vivienne Westwood dress from Garment Quarter.

Photographer: Andre Regini www.thebristolmagazine.co.uk

MAGAZINE

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.co.

Sneyd Park

A fabulous detached home (3,212sq ) o a favoured road. 3 recep!on rooms, family kitchen/breakfast room. 5 double bedrooms. 4 bathrooms/shower rooms (2 en suite). Integral double garage and ample parking. Terrace and garden with a southerly aspect. EPC ra!ng C. Guide price: £1,295,000

KnightFrank.co.uk/bristol bristol@knigh rank.com 0117 3171999

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Cli on

An outstanding Grade II* listed Georgian home (6,718 sq ) overlooking Christchurch Green to the front and views as far as the Welsh hills to the rear. 3 recep on rooms, kitchen, master suite, 4 further bedrooms, two further bathrooms. Self-contained courtyard apartment with si!ng room, bedroom, kitchen and bathroom. Extensive cellarage/ basement, mews garage with studio, shower room and kitchene e above. Enclosed garden.

KnightFrank.co.uk/bristol bristol@knigh rank.com 0117 3171999

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SOLD

Cli on Guide £575,000

SOLD

Westbury Park Guide £1,195,000

SOLD

Sneyd Park Guide £750,000

Since this time last year

· Properties sold are up 35%

SOLD

Sneyd Park Guide £595,000

· Buyers looking to buy a home are up 9% · Offers made and accepted on property are up 11% · Properties on the market are down 5%

SOLD

Tytherington Guide £895,000

With an increase in buyers and a reduction in available properties, now is the time to contact us for a free market appraisal of your home

SOLD

Winford Guide £770,000

SOLD

St Andrews Guide £599,950 KnightFrank.co.uk/bristol bristol@knigh rank.com 0117 3171999

Bristol@knightfrank.com 0117 317 1999

www.knightfrank.co.uk

SOLD

Cli on Guide £965,000

SOLD

Sneyd Park Guide £365,000

SOLD

Winterbourne Down Guide £685,000

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his December issue is unashamedly festive, from the Christmassy events in the What’s On guide, pages of gift ideas and a party hair review to New Year celebrations, seasonal food and drink and markets full of merriment around the city this month. Not forgetting our festive party wear fashion shoot, which we shot in Cabot Circus against the backdrop of the giant colourful lights with some of the most glamorous pieces on the high street. If you’ve got a Christmas or New Year celebration to get dressed up for, be inspired by the glitzy outfits from page 29. You may have noticed the striking gold Vivienne Westwood dress on the front cover, and this fabulous party piece is available from Garment Quarter, an independent designer shop in Cabot Circus which was recently voted as one of the 50 best boutiques outside London in the Daily Telegraph. Just another reason to love Bristol.

Instead of the usual panto profile, we’ve taken a different approach and focussed on a family production of The Little Match Girl by a new company made up of two of Bristol’s most talented theatre makers.

Suitable for children aged three and over, the show is adapted from Hans Christian Anderson’s enchanting story of a young girl’s hopes and dreams, yet it has so much more to offer than your average fairytale. Brought into the modern day and with music, puppets, shadow projection and film reels, this is a magical, interactive theatrical experience to warm the hearts of all ages. You can see the play from 10 – 22 December at The Wardrobe Theatre, a charming and intimate space run voluntarily by a team of experienced theatre producers from around the city.

You’ll find more theatre in our What’s On guide, along with carol concerts and seasonal craft workshops – plus don’t miss our round-up of the latest venues on the entertainment scene offering an alternative and creative night out.

However you celebrate Christmas this year, I wish you a very merry time and a happy and healthy new year.

SAMANTHA COLEMAN All paper used to make this magazine is taken from good sustainable sources and we encourage our suppliers to join an accredited green scheme. Magazines are now fully recyclable. By recycling magazines, you can help to reduce waste and contribute to the six million tonnes of paper already recycled by the UK paper industry each year. Please recycle this magazine, but if you are not able to participate in a recycling scheme, then why not pass your magazine on to a friend or colleague.

CONTACT THE BRISTOL MAGAZINE: Editor Email:

Samantha Coleman sam@thebristolmagazine.co.uk

Deputy Editor Email:

Georgette McCready georgette@thebristolmagazine.co.uk

Production Manager Email: Commercial Production Email:

Jeff Osborne production@thebristolmagazine.co.uk Lorna Harrington lorna@thebristolmagazine.co.uk

Publisher Tel: Email:

Steve Miklos 0117 974 2800 stevem@thebristolmagazine.co.uk

Contact the Advertising Sales team on tel: 0117 974 2800 Advertising Sales Email:

Kathy Williams kathy@thebristolmagazine.co.uk

Advertising Sales Email:

Sue Parker sue@thebristolmagazine.co.uk

Address:

The Bristol Magazine, 2 Princes Buildings, George Street, Bath BA1 2ED

The Bristol Magazine and The Bath Magazine are published by MC Publishing Ltd and are completely independent of all other local publications.

WWW.THEBRISTOLMAGAZINE.CO.UK

DECEMBER 2013

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THE BRISTOL MAGAZINE 11

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things to do in December

Shop

Enjoy Christmas at the Spiegeltent is back at the Harbourside until 22 December with festive glamour and a line-up of cabaret, live music, swing dancing, roller disco, markets and a masquerade ball, all in its spectacular 1950s travelling ballroom.

One of the highlights is sure to be Christmas with The Puppini Sisters on Monday 9 December at 7pm. The glamorous retro-inspired Puppini Sisters (who collaborated with Michael Bublé on his album To Be Loved) are an internationally acclaimed vocal harmony trio, whose show was a sell out at the Spiegeltent last year. Audiences will be transported through a festive musical journey of some classic Christmas songs of the swing era. From their album Christmas with The Puppini Sisters they bring you their own sassy re-workings of festive hits from the Andrews Sisters and Bing Crosby to Mariah Carey and Ertha Kitt, featuring special guests. Tickets £20 from: www.christmasspiegeltent.co.uk.

This month sees the return of the popular annual Christmas at the Orangery event, organised by Bristol based designer Rachel Goodchild, where more than 30 designers will be selling unique gifts for Christmas in support of Penny Brohn Cancer Care.

Head to Bradbury Hall in Henleaze on Saturday 7 December between 10am and 5pm to pick up beautiful Christmas gifts, including handmade soaps, illustrations, cakes, vintage crockery, stationery, jewellery, keep-sakes, cushions and much, much more. There will also be a raffle, mulled wine, café, festive photo booth and children’s area. Entrance is £1, under 16s free. For further information visit: www.christmasattheorangery.com

Get creative Why not make someone a Christmas gift this year? Laura After Midnight, which teaches dressmaking and sewing techniques in the city, is hosting a Christmas pop-up sewing emporium on Saturday 14 December, 12pm4pm at Café Kino in Stokes Croft where there will be opportunities to create and stitch a Christmas present, decoration or stocking filler as well as a mini market of local sewers, crafters and creatives selling their products.

The emporium is running alongside Laura After Midnight’s blog of Chistmas tutorials – visit www.lauraaftermidnight.com. This promises to be an enjoyable, social and creative day of sipping tea and sewing and everyone is invited along.

Party Bristol charity Temwa and local food legends Pieminister are teaming up to celebrate a decade in business with a party of fun, food and frolics on Thursday 5 December. Hosted by Ben Norris (Mock the Week/Never Mind the Buzzcocks), the evening takes place on the roof terrace of At-Bristol and will begin with a prosecco reception at 6.30pm, followed by a three-course dinner from ethical caterers The Surplus Supper Club featuring Pieminister’s award-winning pies. Once the plates have been cleared, DJ Derek will offer up reggae beats along with live performances from Bristol favourites Babyhead, First Degree Burns and The Mankala Band. The party, called Temwa10, will celebrate the inspiring stories of Temwa and its fight against poverty in northern Malawi and will also pay homage to the driving force behind Temwa – the community of Bristol. Tickets for Temwa10 are £55, including a glass of prosecco, three course dinner and post-dinner party. Tickets for the afterparty only start at £5, doors open 9.30pm. Tickets can be booked at: www.temwa10.eventbrite.co.uk.

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DECEMBER 2013

Baking accessories from Grass Root Gifts

Out of town Immerse yourself in a performance of colour, light and sound with Patrick Woodroffe’s Light to Light display at the Holburne Museum in Bath from 4 December – 5 January. Lighting designer and artist Patrick Woodroffe has produced lighting displays for The Rolling Stones, Take That, and the London Olympic Games ceremonies and Patrick Woodroffe’s lighting for the Rolling Stones brings his spectacular display of LED lights 50th Anniversary Tour © Ralph Larmann to the Holburne Museum garden. The lights vary in brightness and colour to create a rich and layered bed of light that ripples and dances to a sound track compiled and created by English composer Matt Clifford. Open 4-6pm, Sunday – Thursday and 4-7pm, Friday and Saturday. Tickets are £3 per person. For further information visit: www.holburne.org. And while you are in Bath, get into the festive spirit with a visit to the popular Christmas market outside the abbey, which runs until 15 December. More than 150 traditional wooden huts decorated with twinkling fairy lights will be offering hand crafted and unusual gifts as well as mulled wine and hot food.

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THE CITY DESIGN TEMPORIUM For an alternative Christmas shopping destination, head to the Architecture Centre where you’ll find a pop-up shop from Made in Bristol showcasing intelligently and beautifully designed gifts from all over the UK with a unique collection to delight the discerning shopper looking for quality and originality. Made in Bristol runs the colourful artistrun shops Paper Scissors Stone and Made in Britain and it has carefully selected Bristol’s best artists and designer makers to showcase their work alongside some of Britain’s top designers in this new festive popup. Expect an unrivalled collection of jewellery, textiles, gifts, prints and artworks inspired by architecture and that are built to last. Open Tuesday – Sunday, 10am – 6pm until 22 December.

CAN YOU HOST A STUDENT? A GROUP, which provides guardianship to international students at boarding schools in the south west of England, is looking for families in Bristol, preferably close to the city centre, to host students for half-terms and exeats. Anyone interested should contact Alison Warne of Guardians UK by emailing: alison.warne@guardiansuk.com

SANTA CYCLE RIDE On Sunday 8 December, Bristol’s traffic-free Festival Way will be full of cycling Santas and riding reindeers taking part in a bike ride from Bristol to raise money for charity Sustrans. The family-friendly bike ride, which includes walkers and people on scooters, will leave Prince’s Wharf and finish at Ashton Court where a Christmas fair with grotto, carols and reindeer feeding will take place. Meeting at the M Shed from 10.30am, you can register for the ride, pick up a Christmas themed outfit and decorate your bike, with prizes for the best! You will set off on a two mile journey along the flat and traffic-free Festival Way path – and those feeling a little more ambitious can opt for a 10 mile route along Pill Path and under the Clifton Suspension Bridge. Book online at: www.sustrans.org.uk/santas

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My BRISTOL We ask SARAH THORP, artist and owner of gallery Room 212, what she’s doing this month...

What brought you to Bristol?

I was living in Tobago but missed the art and culture of the UK. Bristol struck me as an incredibly creative city so I moved here, signed up to do an art and design foundation at the Bristol School of Art and got involved with the art trails. I set up Room 212 on Gloucester Road in order to bring local artists under the same roof to show their work and help inspire everyone to become creative.

What is on your MP3 player?

Bic Runga. I got hooked on her albums while driving round New Zealand with ‘what am I going to be, what am I going to do?’ running round my head. Now I’m on the right path but incredibly busy so her tunes calm and relax me. My daughter Isis came into this world listening to her.

regularly bring me their beautiful creations so it’s like Christmas every day.

What are your hobbies or interests?

Now that the evenings are cold and dark I love to knit. The texture and colour of yarn is so uplifting and inspiring – and keeps you warm!

What local event will you be attending?

On 19 December, 6-7pm, there will be a prize draw for the Gloucester Road Christmas Window Display Competition. Gordon the Goblin will be appearing in participating shops so people can spot him and vote for their favorite display to win a hamper of goodies.

Visit: www.gordontheglobin.com/glos-road How will you spend Christmas?

In Marrakech for a total change of scene.

Which café or restaurant takes your fancy?

My local Lebanese restaurant and deli, Golden Cedar, is fantastic for a quick falafel, kafta or mezze and very reasonably priced.

What’s on your Christmas wish list?

That Gloucester Road can fend off the big chains and continue as a thriving street of independent traders.

Film or play? What will you be going to see this month?

The Lion, The Witch and The Wardrobe by the Bristol Old Vic Theatre School at the Redgrave Theatre. A wonderfully magical story which should appeal to my whole family this Christmas.

Any projects/ work in progress?

Enchanted Forest is the Room 212 theme for Christmas. All the artists are collaborating to create a beautiful and magical display.

Which museum or gallery will you be visiting?

Luckily I have my own, Room 212. Artists

For further information about Room 212, visit: www.room212.co.uk, or pop into the shop and gallery at number 212 Gloucester Road where you’ll find work from more than 50 local artists.

BOOK OF THE MONTH...

From Cod to Callaloo: The Story of Bristol through Food and Wine by Sue Shephard, £15 (Redcliffe Press) Food and garden writer Sue Shephard takes a different approach to local history: through the food we eat. In her new book, she explores Bristol’s place at the table, from the primitive diet of hunter-gatherers to the sophisticated Roman occupiers and from the origins of bread and the first tomatoes to post-war bananas and today’s global cuisine.

She describes how food and drink have been traded, cooked and eaten, and reprises recipes for salted cod, mulligatawny soup and turtle; along with an in-depth look at how Bristol’s long connections with the the sea brought in new, exotic food that has transformed the way we eat in the city today. An eye-opening and well-researched book that would be perfect for any local foodies this Christmas.

We’re following @WestonbirtArb to admire the beautiful photographs taken by walkers of autumn colour and striking winter scenes, as well as the magnificent illuminated trees for the Enchanted Christmas event which runs until 22 December.

DECEMBER 2013

© Jon Craig

The buzz...

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Time for a Reality Check

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his Christmas, as you plug in your new Gamebox or X-Play or your improved and upgraded i-Thingummy, take a moment to look out through the window at the world beyond. As the virtual worlds of the internet and on-screen gaming become more realistic, the real world grows ever less enticing.

What’s the betting you’ve already done most of your Christmas shopping online. It’s December, after all. Why would you go out to the shops when you don’t have to? Why would any of us go out at all, now that we can do almost everything – other than go to work – in the comfort of our own homes?

If you picture for a minute a map of Bristol, you can probably point to the bits of the city you actually frequent. Imagine those bits of the city coloured red on the map. Home and the immediate vicinity will be a big red splodge, encompassing the corner shop, the spot half a mile away where you’re forced to park when you get home late and – if you have a dog or a small child or a strong urge to don lycra and run round in circles – the local park.

The next largest blob will probably represent the workplace, with its adjacent car parking, newsagent, sandwicheria and so on. A thick red line connects this blob with the aforementioned splodge representing home, and then there are other, thinner lines that lead to much smaller spots of red (sorry if this is starting to sound like a murder scene, you can pick another colour if you’d rather). A hair salon, a favourite pub or restaurant, the gym.

Once upon a time your local high street would have been represented with a broad swathe of red, and more recently the supermarket would have featured.

But today we can let our mouse shop for us. Our mouse takes care of bank business too, hence the gradual disappearance of the local branch.

❝ Offer something new and people will come; make it temporary and they will hurry

Ladies and Girls Clothing and Accessories

❞

If we put all of our individually coloured maps together we would find that there are whole sections of the city that nobody is bothering with, and that places we imagine as bustling – certain high streets, for instance – are actually quiet most of the time. Compared to previous generations we use far less of the city, which begs the question: what will happen to all those areas that have lost their purpose. What use can be found for high street shops that nobody visits?

Will everything be turned into housing eventually, so that we inhabit a world of residential streets and office complexes served by delivery vans, which fill up at giant warehouses beside the motorway?

Personally I don’t find this picture particularly… Christmassy, but it’s not all bad news. The truth is that however easy it becomes to do everything without leaving the house – or even the sofa – we retain a desire to get out, go places, see people and enjoy life. We may not want to trail round the supermarket, but offer a new, exciting experience like the Spiegeltent on Harbourside and suddenly we’re itching to go out.

One of the fascinating phenomena of recent years has been the flowering of pop-up shops and restaurants – temporary ventures that attract people in the same way a new film or exhibition attracts people. Offer something new and people will come; make it temporary and they will hurry.

The old-fashioned high street served us well when life moved slowly, likewise the old model of the city in which everything had its place. But the world is different now. Buildings can be put up and taken down in no time; a restaurant can flourish for a night and then vanish, only to reappear somewhere else.

Business leaders and the city council should be encouraging this pop-up commercial world – catering to our constant desire for something new. The internet may be fun, after all, but reality is way better. ■ WWW.THEBRISTOLMAGAZINE.CO.UK

10% off full priced stock with this advertisement WE HAVE RELOCATED 14 High Street, Westbury-on-Trym BS9 3DU 0117 9502 757 www.sweetpeafashion.co.uk

DECEMBER 2013

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PEOPLE & PARTIES Snapshots from events, parties and launches in the city Crowds gathered to see The Saturdays perform at The Mall at Cribbs Causeway

The Saturdays switching on the lights with Mark Heyes and Help for Heroes bears

Christmas lights switch-on at The Mall

The Saturdays performing some of their hits

The Mall, Cribbs Causeway The Saturdays launched Bristol into Christmas by switching on the Christmas Lights at The Mall at Cribbs Causeway last month.

The band treated 10,000 fans to a performance of their most popular hits after switching on the Christmas lights assisted by four Help for Heroes bears. Money raised from collections at the event was for the Help for Heroes charity.

The Cuban opening Harbourside, Millennium Wharf The Lord Mayor of Bristol kicked off the grand opening celebrations of The Cuban as spectators lined up eagerly to enter the new Cuban restaurant and bar on the harbourside last month.

Guests were entertained at the sights of fire dancers, a burlesque performance and a visit by former Big Brother star, Josie Gibson as they sampled tapas and cocktails.

Owner of The Cuban, Roger Payne and The Lord Mayor of Bristol

Musicians entertained guests with Cuban music

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Guests at the launch

Cuban dancers entertained guests during the evening

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Ladies charity Blingo evening

The Blingo auction in the dining hall of Clifton College

Clifton College dining hall Last month ladies of Bristol got together for a glitzy bingo evening to raise money for local meningitis charity, a Life for a Cure. Guests enjoyed a three course meal, three games of bingo, a charity auction with luxurious prizes, dancing and music courtesy of the Clifton College Soul Band. The evening raised £14,000 with the support of many local businesses who donated some fabulous prizes towards the auction and bingo.

Left, Charlotte Bresnahan, Pippa Atkinson, Mel Waycott, Michelle Bresnahan, Sarah Probert, Jane Power and Jane Birakos Above, Clifton College Soul Band vocals by Dylan Trenouth, Charlotte Bresnahan, Emily Huffnet & Mabel Mole

24 Hours in Bristol photographic competition prize giving

The exhibition preview featured hundreds of competition entries and 72 finalist images on display

The Guildhall Arts Centre The 24 Hours in Bristol photographic competition, organised by Art Ventures, attracted nearly 1,000 entries. The exhibition private view and prize giving was held at the Guildhall last month with both of the city's mayors awarding the prizes.

Andy Coffin won the overall 1st prize presented by George Ferguson

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Rich Perrin’s graffiti photograph won the overall 2nd prize, and his photo of the Clifton Suspension Bridge will feature on the 2014 Destination Bristol conference guides

DECEMBER 2013

Barry Batcher’s photo of burlesque dancers won best photo 2200-2300, with Tiger the burlesque dancer and the Lord Mayor

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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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BRISTOL AT WORK Ruth Sidery, company stage manager at the Bristol Old Vic. Photograph by Charlotte Stone Ruth began her theatre career studying stage management at the Bristol Old Vic Theatre School. After graduating she worked in regional rep theatre around the UK for 10 years, returning to the Theatre School to teach on the stage management BA course. Some 10 years later, having successfully established the television and film production department there, she left to pursue her freelance career in theatre, film, TV and events. She returned to work at Bristol Old Vic on Coram Boy and joined the permanent staff following its recent refurbishment. She describes stage management as being at the heart of every successful production, facilitating everyone’s needs and keeping communication flowing. With a background in stage management you learn skills that can be transferred to many other industries. Ruth’s latest work has been on the theatre’s Christmas production, The Little Mermaid, which is currently showing. www.charlottestonephoto.com 22 THE BRISTOL MAGAZINE

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Kemps Jewellers established 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 •

Kemps would like to wish all our customers a Happy Christmas and a Happy New Year.

• Jewellery and watch repairs undertaken • • Gold purchased - old jewellery & coins •

www.kempsjewellers.com

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FACE | THE MUSIC

Jonray and Peter Sanchez-Iglesias

2013 24 THEBATHMAGAZINE THE BRISTOL MAGAZINE xx 2013 | DECEMBER | OCTOBER

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FACE | THE MUSIC

FOOD AND MUSIC Brothers Peter and Jonray Sanchez-Iglesias of Westbury on Trym’s Michelin-starred Casamia restaurant talk to James Russell about the music that inspires them in the kitchen

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hough still in their late twenties, brothers Peter and Jonray Sanchez-Iglesias have achieved extraordinary things since they took over the family restaurant in Westbury-on-Trym.

Casamia began life in 1999 as an Italian trattoria run by the boys’ Spanish father and English mother, but in 2006 the younger generation took over. In 2009 Casamia was awarded a Michelin star (which it has retained since) and the following year it was named Gordon Ramsay’s Best Restaurant; the AA has also given the restaurant four rosettes – not something its judges do lightly.

Neither brother is a restaurant industry product. Peter attended catering college to learn the basics, while older brother Jonray trained as a graphic designer. Both, however, grew up in an environment in which food mattered, and even today they draw on the memory of childhood holidays in Cornwall, where their father taught them to cook fish and game. They share an endless fascination for food, and a willingness to experiment that few restaurants can rival.

Casamia is, as the name suggests, essentially a house, and dining there is an intimate experience. Far from being hidden away in the kitchen, Peter and Jonray are on hand to chat as diners work their way through the tasting menu which is the restaurant’s focus. Read it online and the menu sounds pretty ordinary – one course is described simply as ‘Beetroot, spelt, yoghurt’ – but the reality is anything but. One reviewer was almost lost for words when presented with an egg shell inside which an entire breakfast lay, in miniature. Some courses are presented with tweezers, but not the apple pie, which made Peter a winner in the 2013 Great British Menu competition.

Being good Bristol boys Peter and Jonray are of course music lovers; they took time out from their culinary inventions to share some of their favourite tunes.

Peter and Jonray’s top ten: ❶ Julio Bashmore – Au Seve Julio is a local Bristol DJ, who grew up on the same side of Bristol as us and is now a worldwide success. Bristol is such a vibrant city and has been the home of so many successful people and we like to think that by having our restaurant here, we are doing our part to put Bristol on the map and make the locals proud.

❷ Massive Attack – Karmacoma Massive Attack is a unique, local Bristol band whose music is exceptional and enduring. After a long shift in the restaurant, we like to listen to something quite chilled to help us wind down and we find this track has exactly that affect. We would love to create the same legacy through our food and achieve a similar amount of local recognition as this fantastic band. ❸ B.I.G – Hypnotise This song has memories of growing up listening to hip hop for the first time.

Since we were teenagers we have loved RnB and hip hop artists and this is one of the first songs that ignited our passion for these genres. ❹ Coldplay Early in the morning when we are prepping all of the ingredients and dishes for the day ahead, there is a lot that needs to be done and there is normally a tight time frame in which we have to do it. Coldplay’s music is relaxing and always creates a calm mood in the kitchen.

❺ George Fitzgerald – Child There are quite a few of us in the kitchen at one time and before service it is important to unite the whole team and encourage them to focus on the task ahead. This song is ideal for those vital moments. ❻ Beverley Knight – Flavour of Old School Soul diva Beverley Knight is a close friend of ours and she has invited us to WWW.THEBRISTOLMAGAZINE.CO.UK

Coldplay

Beverley Knight

Kanye West

see her in concert a number of times. We listened to her 1995 track Flavour of the Old School growing up and it is amazing for us to be stood in an arena watching a huge audience singing the lyrics back to Beverley. She is currently starring in the stage version of The Bodyguard at London’s Adelphi Theatre.

❼ Kings of Leon We listened to Kings of Leon a lot during our time in the Electrolux Cube in London where we joined four of the country’s other leading Michelin star chefs to showcase our innovative and technical skills and presented our own unique dining experience inspired by our Seasons menu. It was an unforgettable experience and we felt very honoured to be asked to join such an impressive lineup of chefs. It was also very demanding and we needed music that we loved to give us the boost to keep going.

❽ Jay Z – Tom Ford We have listened to Jay Z constantly during our time cooking together and his innovation and creativity in music gives us inspiration in the kitchen. When this recent track – named after the rapper’s favourite clothes designer – is played in the kitchen it definitely leaves a good vibe and we are all pumped up and ready to work hard.

❾ Phil Collins – In the Air Tonight We grew up listening to Phil Collins and we find listening to his tracks helps us when we are trying to re-create nostalgic dishes, such as the Apple Pie that Peter cooked on Great British Menu, which was inspired by our Nan. This song creates such a great build through the music, incorporating the most brilliant drum solo in the middle.

❿ Kanye West – Blood on the Leaves We like to look for inspiration in many places when we are creating new dishes and we find listening to Kanye West gives us the imagination and original ideas that we like to give to others through our food. With our ingredients and recipes we try to emulate the unique way in which he connects many different music genres and artists whilst still putting his own stamp on his music. He encourages us to think outside the box. ■ DECEMBER 2013

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FESTIVE | READS

★ ★

★

★ ★

BOOKS FOR CHRISTMAS

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★ ★ ★ We asked the team at Foyles bookshop in Quakers Friars to pick the books they’d give as presents this Christmas...

1. Bridget Jones: Mad About the Boy by Helen Fielding, £18.99 Bridget is back! This new novel – the third outing for her much-loved heroine – chronicles her struggles with single motherhood, the endless emails regarding who is bringing what to the school picnic, and her search for Mr Right… not to mention trying to write the next big screenplay while navigating the worlds of online dating, Twitter and, well, just generally getting anything done without causing a house fire. The third book in the series does not disappoint, taking the reader on a whirlwind tour of Bridget’s life as a 50something, and all the highs, lows, tears and laughter that you’d expect. Recommended by Robb, supervisor and events co-ordinator.

2. The Goldfi fin nch by Donna Tartt, £20 Thirteen-year-old Theo Decker’s life is torn apart when he is caught up in a terrorist bombing at the Metropolitan Museum of Art. His beloved mother is killed, and Theo is left alone in the world, clinging to the one thing that reminds him most of her: a painting discovered among the rubble of the museum, and entrusted to him by a dying old man.

The painting – The Goldfinch of the title – becomes his talisman, and eventually draws an adult Theo into an increasingly dangerous criminal underworld. Tartt’s ten years devoted to this, only her third novel, have been well worth the wait, and 26 THE BRISTOL MAGAZINE

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apparent in the sheer richness of the writing.

Definitely my favourite new book of 2013, says Charlotte, bookseller.

a wondrous discovery for readers of any age.

Recommended by Darren, store manager.

3. Fortunately, the Milk by Neil Gaiman, £10.99

Little Danny Torrance has grown up. He is now Dan, an alcoholic, who uses booze to blot out memories of the trauma he experienced as a child in the Overlook Hotel. When Dan begins to turn his life around, he discovers Abra; a child with the brightest ‘shining’ he has ever seen. But Abra is in terrible danger and it’s up to Dan to keep her alive.

Along the way he’ll have to return to the site of his childhood nightmare, and face some old ghosts that he’d rather forget. A must-read for King fans.

Recommended by Charlotte, bookseller.

5. Doctor Sleep by Stephen King, £19.99

When Mum is away and Dad is left in charge, the kids are a little wary. They should be. When they run out of milk, Dad rushes to the corner shop and does not come back for ages and ages. When he returns, he tells them all about his incredible adventures – from being abducted by aliens and having to walk the plank to encountering a time travel machine invented by a genius Stegosaurus.

Fortunately, the milk stayed snugly in his pocket the whole time. Brilliantly clever and rip-roaringly funny, this is a great book for kids and adults alike.

Recommended by Charlotte, bookseller.

4. The Night Life of Trees by Bhajju Shyam, £30 An astoundingly beautiful book, screen printed and bound in India (you can still smell the ink on the page), which showcases some of the finest paintings by artists of the Gond tribal art tradition alongside poetic tales, myths and lore. Every page is an individual print, and each book individually numbered, making this a precious as well as beautiful gift. While the content is suitable for children, the sheer power of the images make this

6. David Hockney: A Bigger Exhibition by Richard Benefi fie eld & Sarah Howgate, £45 David Hockney’s works communicate a pure joy in the act of looking and the response in art, and this new catalogue – the result of his return to Britain after years in California – presents for the reader an insight into the evolution of Hockney’s art over the past decade. Whether the work is an oil on canvas or an iPad print, he delves into the myriad possibilities of mark-making, and while his instinctive sense of humour shines through, his work expresses a deeply serious reflection on the art of picture making. Recommended by Darren, store manager. ■

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bijoux gifts home interiors & dollshouse 127 Coldharbour Road, Bristol BS6 7SN T. 0117 329 1788 E: bijouxgifts@live.co.uk

‘Beautiful Christmas gifts you’ll love to give and indulgent treats just for you.’

‘Home interiors, stunning designer jewellery and suppliers of WoodWick candles.’

‘Come in and discover the magical world of dollshouse miniatures.’

A Gift that

is Loved

Beautifully crafted engagement rings, wedding rings and fine jewellery designed and traditionally handmade on the premises. All types of jewellery remodelled. Efficient repair service.

Shown here: silver stacking rings set with sapphires and right, hammered finish silver and gold bangles

Gold & Platinum Studio 19 Northumberland Place, Bath BA1 5AR Tel: +44 (0)1225 462 300 www.goldandplatinumstudio.co.uk email: mike@goldandplatinumstudio.co.uk WWW.THEBRISTOLMAGAZINE.CO.UK

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A DRESS TO IMPRESS Stand out from the crowd this Christmas in a dazzling dress or super chic suit, always paired with some statement heels.

Take inspiration from our festive fashion shoot at Cabot Circus

Emma wears sequinned dress, £345 from LK Bennett; pink Stella McCartney clutch bag, £450 from Harvey Nichols; and Vivienne Westwood necklace from Garment Quarter

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Claire wears trousers, £155 and matching jacket, £245 from LK Bennett; black Vivienne Westwood clutch bag, £190 from Garment Quarter; Vivienne Westwood pearl choker, £335 from Garment Quarter and black patent shoes, £195 from LK Bennett Emma wears printed dress, £169 from Biba at House of Fraser; Vivienne Westwood skeleton necklace, £255 from Garment Quarter and patent shoes, £195 from LK Bennett

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Claire wears black sparkly Vivienne Westwood dress, £300 from Garment Quarter, patent red Vivienne Westwood clutch bag, £240 from Garment Quater and sparkly black shoes, £195 from LK Bennett

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Claire wears red Vivienne Westwood Red Label dress, £575 from Garment Quarter; Vivienne Westwood clip-on earrings, £215 from Garment Quarter and shoes, £195 from LK Bennett

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Claire wears black Victoria Beckham dress, £775 from Garment Quarter; Michael Kors gold cuff bracelet, £89 from Harvey Nichols; Broadway Micro Gucci Clutch, £350 from Harvey Nichols and sparkly black shoes, £195 from LK Bennett

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WITH THANKS TO: Photographer: Andre Regini, www.kingbridge.co.uk Location: Cabot Circus Organiser: Megan Dacey of Grayling Models: Emma and Claire from Gingersnap, www.gingersnap.co.uk Stylist: Nicola Donovan, Nicola@zagal.co.uk Hair: Sean Hanna, Quakers Friars Makeup: Shu Uemura at Harvey Nichols using colours from the new season collection Shoot assistant: Katherine Hagget Retailers: Garment Quarter, Harvey Nichols, House of Fraser and LK Bennett

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Claire wears gold Vivienne Westwood dress, £520 from Garment Quarter, Vivienne Westwood clutch, £360 from Garment Quarter and shoes, £195 from LK Bennett

BRISTOL gift guide New style:Layout 1

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ry Christmas from er M a u yo g in h Wis rced ine.We have sou az ag m ol st ri B e Th most interesting the very best and ts in our special presents and trea ide Christmas gift gu

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1. Ted Baker Bike Washbag, £38, Pod, 24 The Mall, Clifton, www.thepodcompany.co.uk 2. Owen Barry leather bag available in a variety of colours, £90, Amulet, 39A Cotham Hill, www.amuletjewellery.co.uk 3. A collection of hand made Spanish Jewellery priced from £10, Artemis, 214 Gloucester Road, www.artemisbristol.co.uk, Tel: 0117 924 1003 4. Parksville Coat, £280, Jack Wolfskin, 36-37 Westgate Street, Bath, www.jack-wolfskin.co.uk 5. 9ct white and yellow gold stud earrings, £65, Kemps Jewellers, 9 Carlton Court, Westbury on Trym, Tel: 0117 950 5090 6. Penguin Ornament, £22, Bijoux Gifts, 127 Coldharbour Road 7. Manor Style Dollshouse £299, Bijoux Gifts, 127 Coldharbour Road 8. Dahon folding bike, £299, Gardiner Haskins Homecentre, Broad Plain, www.gardinerhaskins.co.uk 9. Gap baby grow, £12.99, McArthurGlen Designer Outlet, Swindon, www.mcarthurglen.com 10.Silverlit Interactive Bluetooth Remote Control Ferrari, £37.50, John Lewis, The Mall at Cribbs Causeway, www.johnlewis.com

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19 11.Origami Swan Silver Necklace, £125, Pod, 24 The Mall, Clifton, www.thepodcompany.co.uk 12.Silver Necklace, £25, Sweet Pea, 14 High Street, Westbury-on-Trym, www.sweetpeafashion.co.uk 13. Silver and vermeil stacking rings from £55 each, Curved Rose, www.curvedrose.com 14. Lareina Silver Lariat featured in Green Amethyst is available in a choice of semi-precious stones and is priced from £175, Artemis, 214 Gloucester Road, www.artemisbristol.co.uk, Tel: 0117 924 1003 15. Leather Fiorelli bag, £159, McArthurGlen Designer Outlet, Swindon, www.mcarthurglen.com 16. Yellow gold 18ct twist earrings, £710, Julie Anne Palmer, 129 Stoke Lane, www.julieannepalmer.com 17."Ready to Run" by Debbie Boon. Limited edition print, hand embellished by the artist, signed and numbered, from £195, Fizz Gallery, 65A Hill Road, Clevedon, www.fizzgallery.co.uk 18. Stag cushion, John Lewis, £20, The Mall at Cribbs Causeway, www.johnlewis.com 19. Noble Isle Gift Set Duo – Fireside (handwash and hand lotion) £35, Pod, 24 The Mall, Clifton, www.thepodcompany.co.uk 20.This glittering green tourmaline sits perfectly in the unique graphic shape of this gorgeous gold-plated ring – an ideal gift for a stylish individual, Victoria Coleman, £300, Diana Porter Contemporary Jewellery, www.dianaporter.co.uk 21.Charlie Noble Bat and Ball set, £115, Charlie Noble, www.charlienoble.co.uk WWW.THEBRISTOLMAGAZINE.CO.UK

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Gift ideas at the Spiegeltent Christmas Markets

FESTIVE FAYRE

★

★

Beautiful vintage gifts at the Vintage Christmas Fair at Chipping Sodbury Town Hall

Support local artisans and pick up a unique handmade gift for someone special this Christmas from one of the many festive markets in the city offering an alternative to the high street hustle and bustle

German Market at Broadmead until 22 December

CRM Ceramics at Made in Bristol Gift Fair, Colston hall

The popular German-themed Christmas market has taken over the shopping area of Broadmead with quaint wooden chalet-style stalls decorated with festive greenery and colourful lights offering original homemade crafts, German Christmas decorations and German-themed food and drink including glühwein, bratwurst, stollen cake and lebkuchen. And to create a real festive atmosphere, there are Bavarian beer gardens in the heart of the market, next to the Christmas Nativity Pyramid and giant advent calendar. Don’t miss entertainment from Der Alpen Klaus who regularly appears at the Munich Beer Festival, delivering his Bavarian style music and his own versions of popular Christmas music, as well as festive music from the Salvation Army band.

Producers and Craft Market at Broadmead until 22 December The local producers and craft market will also be at Broadmead every day featuring gifts with a Bristol twist, local handmade goods and fairtrade produce.

St Nicholas Market This is the place for a truly unique gift from Bristol’s largest collection of independent traders, artisans and producers, bursting with vibrant, thriving stalls selling original goods from vintage clothes to the latest fashions, from jewellery to bicycles and from local souvenirs to fossils. It’s also a great place for a good value bite to eat with everything from hog roast to a Pieminister pie. Discover little cafés serving fantastic fresh cuisine from all corners of the globe, using locally sourced produce and served by friendly traders.

Spiegeltent Christmas Markets, weekends throughout December Christmas at the Spiegeltent will bring a series of festive markets to Bristol’s Harbourside, with the finest independent traders filling the magnificent vintage mirrored ballroom and waterfront square with handmade gifts, jewellery, clothes and nik naks. Starting on 30 November, Christmas at the Spiegeltent will host a series of festive markets for four consecutive weekends where you will be able to pick up original, handmade gifts by local artisans, get your hair styled by vintage hairdressers and sip a glass of mulled wine from the Spiegeltent bar. The opening weekend sees a return of the much loved 40 THE BRISTOL MAGAZINE

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Magpies & I market, with the following three weekends featuring Christmas at the Spiegeltent’s very own market. Each weekend The Spiegeltent will feature a pop-up bistro complete with tea room and throughout the market days the whole family will be entertained with live music and fabulous vintage fairground rides. For more information visit: www.christmasspiegeltent.co.uk

Tobacco Factory Christmas Markets, every Sunday leading up to Christmas, 10am – 3pm The Christmas markets will be bursting with festive atmosphere, with more than 50 stalls offering fabulous food and gifts plus mulled drinks, hot chestnuts, craft making for kids and a chance to win a fantastic festive hamper filled with gifts from the market stalls and from the café/bar and theatre.

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The German Christmas Market in Broadmead

Christmas Market at The Full Moon pub, every Saturday Every Saturday in the lead-up to Christmas in the garden of the Full Moon pub, a Christmas market will offer local arts, crafts and everything the fine people of Stokes Croft have to offer. There will also be cinema screenings, workshops and live bands.

Vintage Christmas Fair, Chipping Sodbury Town Hall, Saturday 7 December, 10am – 3pm This popular event, from the organisers of The Vintage & Handmade Fairs will be bursting with stalls brimming with wonderful ideas for Christmas.

Carefully selected vintage dealers, artists and creative designer-makers from the south west and beyond will be displaying their wares with everything from vintage china, glass, toys, books and homewares to fabrics, haberdashery, hats, quilts, bags and dolls, along with a tearoom serving refreshments and cakes on vintage china. You’ll be able to find a unique gift for everyone on your Christmas list in a friendly and relaxed atmosphere. Entrance is £1, children free, and there are goody bags for the first 100 visitors.

East Street Christmas Market, Bedminster, Saturday 7 December, 11am – 5pm It’s the turn of East Street to bring the festive cheer with a Christmas market full of gifts, produce and food. The markets will be accompanied by music, dancing, funfair rides and family activities.

Tyntesfield Christmas Food and Craft Market, Saturday 7 & Sunday 8 December, 10am – 3pm Get ready for Christmas at the National Trust’s Tyntesfield House & Gardens as the upper courtyard at Home Farm hosts local food and craft producers showcasing their wares along with live music. After visiting the house, enjoy a stroll around Home Farm, take in the atmosphere and pick up some festive treats, from freshly baked seasonal goodies to handmade jewellery and ceramics, along with freshly roasted chestnuts and beautiful seasonal decoration.

Harbourside Christmas Market, 12 – 15 & 19 – 22 December, 10am – 8pm.

Down on the docks the tides are turning as Bristol’s harbourside continues to take strides in becoming a more cultural, centre to Bristol by providing an independent alternative to the high street this Christmas. Over eight days, in the countdown to Christmas, the Harbourside Market will transform one of the incredible, unused buildings (formerly Chicago Rock) into a wonderful indoor market. The stripped back space will become home to more than 30 stalls selling local produce and handcrafted wares and the walls will be covered with the work of local artists with a bar providing mulled cocktails and a chance to relax.

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The Christmas Nativity pyramid at the German Christmas Market in Broadmead

Made in Bristol Gift Fair at Colston Hall, Saturday 14 December A huge number of innovative designer-makers create in Bristol, and this Christmas more than 100 of them will set up shop within the Colston Hall foyer for the fifth Made in Bristol Gift Fair. Now an annual celebration of Bristol’s creativity, the fair is the perfect opportunity to buy original, affordable gifts handmade in Bristol. Local designer makers will be showcasing a diverse selection of quality jewellery, ceramics, original artwork and so much more, making it a key destination for art lovers especially.

Christmas Market at the SS Great Britain, Saturday 14 December, 10am – 4pm Mullion Cove, local biscuit bakers and event organisers, are collaborating with Brunel’s SS Great Britain to create a special outdoor Christmas market for one day only. A select group of the finest local food producers and crafts people will come together to bring the sights, sounds and smells of the festive season to Brunel Square – located outside the iconic visitor attraction. Stalls will be festively dressed selling unique Christmas presents made by local food producers and crafts people; including jewellery, art, cider, chilli sauces, Christmas cakes and puddings, fudge and pies. For extra indulgence there will be mulled wine and cider, as well as a hog roast. Plus the SS Great Britain’s Dockyard Café Bar will also be serving hot food.

Folk House Festive Flea Market, Bristol Folk House, Park Street, Saturday 14 December, 10am – 4.30pm There’ll be lovely local and independent stall holders in fine festive fettle at this annual Christmas market. They will be selling everything from vintage clothing and accessories to records, books, bric-a-brac and toys plus gifts such as cheese and homewares. The café will be serving up delicious treats too.

SouthBank Christmas Market, Sunday 15 December, 12pm-4pm The SouthBank Club in Dean Lane, Bedminster is an arts bar, music venue and social club comprising meeting rooms, gallery space, music club and dance studio. Its Christmas market promises to be a winter wonderland featuring arts and crafts, speciality foods and unique gifts, as well as children’s entertainment, mulled wine and a café/bar. ■ DECEMBER 2013

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CULTURE BOOK Our guide to this month’s top events in Bristol and beyond

The Little Mermaid at the Bristol Old Vic

Christmas Star Concert at Bristol Cathedral

The Last Voyage of Sinbad the Sailor at the Tobacco Factory Theatre

The Lion, The Witch and the Wardrobe, The Redgrave Theatre, until 19 December

The Henleaze Christmas Festival, Henleaze Road, Wednesday 4 December, 4pm – 8pm

Bristol Old Vic Theatre School presents this magical musical adaptation of CS Lewis’ classic story for all the family to enjoy this Christmas.

Tickets online at: www.oldvic.ac.uk or from the box office on tel: 0117 973 3955.

Now in its sixth year the festival draws in the crowds with a festive mix of more than 50 stalls, entertainment, late night shopping and a variety of food and drink, including roast chestnuts, slow cooked pulled pork, Mexican beef chilli and Lebanese kofta kebabs. Stalls will be selling everything from jewellery, pottery and craft work to cakes, cheeses and sweets while the Panama Jazz Band perform. The Henleaze Junior School choir will launch proceedings and the Bradbury Hall in Waterford Road will have performances from Red Maids’ School bell ringers and choir, Henleaze School of Dancing and the Gilbert and Sullivan Operatic Society.

There will also be a big wheel, roundabout, helter skelter and a grotto with Father Christmas in Cardigan Road. The festival, which is co-ordinated by James Goodchild, Partner at Maggs & Allen Estate Agents, will be raising money for local charities through a prize draw for which local businesses have donated prizes include hampers, chocolates, wine, beauty products and a balloon ride for two. For further information visit: www.henleazechristmasfestival.co.uk

The Last Voyage of Sinbad the Sailor, Tobacco Factory Theatre, Until 12 January Set sail on the last voyage of Sinbad the Sailor – his most dangerous, heartbreaking and hysterical journey ever. For this special Christmas show, The Tobacco Factory Theatre and Travelling Light have reunited members of the teams behind Cinderella and Ali Baba, to bring you this new telling of Sinbad’s most fantastical adventures, plus a brand new tale that’s never before been told. Tickets from the box office on tel: 0117 902 0344 or visit: www.tobaccofactorytheatre.com.

The Little Mermaid, Bristol Old Vic, Until 18 January Immerse yourself in the underwater world of Hans Christian Andersen’s The Little Mermaid and experience a tale of heroic adventure, true love, luminous music and a generous splash of festive magic. The Little Mermaid continues Bristol Old Vic’s run of special Christmas shows including smash hits Peter Pan, Coram Boy and Swallows and Amazons.

This year Simon Godwin (Bristol Old Vic Associate Artist) directs with music by Shlomo and DJ Walde. Tickets from the box office on tel: 0117 987 7877 or visit: www.bristololdvic.org.uk.

Christ Church School Christmas Fair, Sunday 1 December, 1pm – 4pm Raising funds for Christ Church Primary School on Royal Park, this Christmas extravaganza will include stalls selling festive fare such as Christmas trees, toys, greetings cards, jewellery, cakes and books alongside seasonal food and drink, games, art and craft activities, as well as a grotto, with gifts for children of all ages. There will also be carols courtesy of the Bristol University Brass Ensemble and a raffle including a £250 Easyjet flight voucher. Entrance is £1 per adult, under 16s free.

Hobbs Show 2013, Christmas Spiegeltent, Tuesday 3 December, 7pm This year, Doug and the team have put together a very special cabaret-style red carpet evening at the Christmas Spiegeltent with a drinks reception, three-course themed dinner cooked by The Flavour Smith, fashion show, and dancing till late.Time: Tickets £75 from tel: 0117 929 1635 or visit: www.hobbs-style.co.uk.

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Coldharbour Road Christmas Open Evening, Thursday 5 December, 6pm – 8pm Join in the festivities as Coldharbour Road’s independent retailers and artisans, galleries and eateries celebrate Christmas with customers old and new. Meet artists, enjoy music, food and drink and pick up some unique Christmas gifts.

Christmas concerts in the chapel, Tyntesfield House, Friday, Saturday & Sunday, 6 – 22 December, various times A series of concerts from choirs and string quartets in the beautiful, intimate setting of the chapel. For a full programme, see: www.nationaltrust.org.uk/tyntesfield. Book on tel: 0844 249 1895.

The Great British Rock n Roll Fair, LITTLEWHITESPACE, Clifton Down Road, 6 – 15 December For ten days only fans of British music culture will have the opportunity to view and buy rare and iconic British rock ‘n roll collectables, including photographic prints, limited edition books, music inspired clothing, furniture, autographed and limited edition guitars and more – all signed and authenticated by their originators.

Christmas party night, SS Great Britain, Friday 6 December, 7.30pm Enjoy a festive, fun evening in the First Class Dining Saloon with dinner, drinks, dancing and exclusive access to explore the ship. Tickets: £40 per person, book on tel: 0117 926 0680 or visit: www.ssgreatbritain.org for further information.

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Creating Christmas Garlands, University of Bristol Botanic Garden, Saturday 7 December, 2pm – 5.30pm A Christmas wreath workshop with Green Garland, a Bristol-based business with a passion for creating beautiful, fragrant wreaths and gifts from locally grown and gathered sustainable, compostable materials. Participants will be guided in producing a decorated Christmas garland using fresh plant material. Cost £45. For further information and how to sign up visit: www/bristol.ac.uk/botanic-garden

Winter Lantern Parade, Bedminster, Saturday 7 December, 4.30pm Three months of lantern making in local schools and organisations reaches a climax on local streets with Bedminster’s winter family event. Starting at 4.30pm from outside Compass Point on South Street, the colourful illuminated parade travels via Bedminster’s streets before returning to Compass Point School, where there’ll be hot food and warming drinks, music and other seasonal entertainment including Bedminster’s biggest illuminated lantern.

Sing for Sue, St Mary Redcliffe, Saturday 7 December, 7pm

Bristol Male Voice Choir

Get into the festive spirit with the Bristol Sings for Sue Christmas concert, in aid of charity Sue Ryder.

Enjoy a mulled wine and mince pie and sit back as BBC’s Will Glennon presents the Bristol Male Voice Choir and a Russian ballet performance. Tickets start from £7, available from tel: 0117 929 3618 or visit: www.sueryder.org/singforsue.

Jacqui Scott performs in Best of West End at Colston Hall

Bristol Concert Orchestra: Rachmaninov’s 2nd Symphony, St George’s Bristol, Saturday 7 December, 7.30pm The programme features Rachmaninov’s romantic 2nd Symphony, extracts from RimskyKorsakov’s Christmas Eve and a rare performance of Britten’s Movements for a Clarinet Concerto, with soloist Nicholas Shipman and conducted by Stefan Hofkes. Tickets from tel: 0845 40 24 001 or visit: www.bristolconcertorchestra.org.uk.

The Best of the West End, Colston Hall, Saturday 7 December, 7.30pm The West End comes to Bristol for an evening of show stopping songs from The Phantom of the Opera, Les Miserables, Wicked, Mamma Mia! and The Lion King. The concert will host four of the best West End singers with musical backing from 55-piece ensemble, the Orchestra of Welsh National Opera. Tickets from £19.89 from: www.colstonhall.org or tel: 0844 887 1500.

Swingin’ at the Spiegeltent, Christmas Spiegeltent, Sunday 8 December, 7.30pm It’s time to party like it’s 1929! Swing Dance Bristol presents a night of retro indulgence, with music from the 1920s to the early 1940s. Tickets £15 from www.christmasspiegeltent.co.uk.

After Hours: Christmas with LEDs on, At-Bristol, Sunday 9 December, 6.30pm – 10pm

The Christmas Spiegeltent in the Harbourside

EDITOR’S PICK...

Cinderella, The Bristol Hippodrome, 6 December – 5 January This year’s family pantomime at the Hippodrome is Cinderella and starring as the prince’s loyal and outrageous servant, Dandini, is Louie Spence, alongside actress Suzanne Shaw as Cinderella and local comedian Andy Ford as Cinderella’s loveable best friend, Buttons. With belly-laughs aplenty, live orchestra and glitter galore, it is the perfect treat for children of all ages. Tickets: £10 – £35, available on tel: 0844 871 3012 or visit: www.atgtickets.com/bristol

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Join At-Bristol for a special after hours events without the kids – take to the ice on Millennium Square, then head inside and warm up with a mulled cider before getting hands-on in crafty workshops; visit the Planetarium and explore hundreds of interactive exhibits. Tickets £7/£6, ice skating £7.50 supplement. Book on tel: 0845 345 1235. >>

Suzanne Shaw, Louie Spence and Andy Ford star in Cinderella at the Hippodome

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Handel’s Messiah, St George’s Bristol, Wednesday 11 December, 7.30pm Bristol Ensemble and the Choir of Royal Holloway bring Handel’s masterpiece, Messiah, to life in a semi-staged performance in the intimate acoustic of St George’s Bristol. Tickets £10 - £23 from the box office on tel: 0845 40 24 001 or visit: www.stgeorgesbristol.co.uk.

Se7en Dwarfs, The Wardrobe Theatre, 11 – 22 December

Exultate Singers present Carols by Candlelight at St James Priory

Christmas with the Salvation Army at Colston Hall

Following last year’s sell-out success Oedipuss in Boots, The Wardrobe Theatre has once again conspired to bring you a darkly comic, adult only, anti-Christmas pantomime.

Se7en Dwarfs is a daring merging of the classic family fairy tale Snow White & The Seven Dwarfs and David Fincher’s cult 1995 horror/thriller Se7en which featured murders inspired by the seven deadly sins. All tickets £5 from: tickets@thewardrobetheatre.com or visit: www.thewardrobetheatre.com

Carols by Candlelight, St James Priory, Whitson Street, Thursday 12 & Saturday 14 December, 7.45pm Bristol’s accomplished chamber choir, Exultate Singers, will sing an exquisite programme of Christmas music, conducted by David Ogden. The ticket price includes interval refreshments of warm mince pies and a Christmas spiced fruit punch, together with a programme. Tickets: £15 adults, £13 concessions and £5 under 18s available from: www.exultatesingers.org/shop or Opus 13 music shop on tel: 0117 923 0164.

Music and words for Christmas with Bristol Bach Choir, St George’s Bristol, 13 & 14 December, 7.30pm Join Bristol Bach Choir for an evening of festive music and poetry. Hear new settings of traditional carols together with more familiar offerings such as Vaughan Williams’ Fantasia on Christmas Carols and Morten Lauridsen’s O Magnum Mysterium. The glorious music is complemented with a varied selection of seasonal readings. Tickets cost £10-20 from: www.bristolbach.org.uk or tel: 0117 214 0721.

Carols in the Barn, Winterbourne Medieval Barn, Saturday 14 & Sunday 15 December, 3.30pm Wrap up warm and enjoy a mulled wine, mince pie and Christmas carols in this atmospheric medieval barn. Tickets are £2 adults, £1 children and are available from Daisy’s Café on Flaxpits Lane or tel: 01454 774479. For further information visit: www.winterbournebarn.org.uk.

Christmas Fair, Windmill Hill City Farm, Saturday 14 December, 12 – 4pm Enjoy a Christmas market, carols, crafts and the chance to buy a local Christmas tree as Windmill Hill opens its new visitor centre and play area. Free entry.

Christmas with the Salvation Army, Colston Hall, Sunday 15 December, 3pm For one night only this famous brass band will bring their trumpets and have the whole hall dancing and singing to everything from Deck the Halls to I saw Three Ships. Perfect for all generations. Tickets £6.45 (incl booking fee) from tel: 0844 887 1500 or visit: www.colstonhall.org.

David Attenborough talks at St George’s Bristol

Life Behind the Lens: In the Company of David Attenborough and Friends, St George’s Bristol, Monday 16 December, 7.30pm David Attenborough is joined by wildlife film making colleagues and friends to share their stories of wildlife film making. We’ll hear tales of adventure revelation and what happens when animals don’t follow the script. Presented by the Natural History Network. Tickets from the box office on tel: 0845 402 4001 or visit: www.stgeorgesbristol.co.uk.

BUMP Spiegeltent Rollerdisco, Christmas Spiegeltent, Monday 16 December, 7pm For one fun filled night, the Spiegeltent will be transformed into a retro roller rink with disco lights, rollerskates and classic disco tunes. The Rollerdisco will run from 7pm-10pm and afterwards the rink will become a dance floor where you can bust your best disco moves. Tickets £12 from: www.christmasspiegeltent.co.uk.

Bristol Cabot Choir: A Christmas Fanfare, Bristol Cathedral, Monday 16 December, 7.30pm

Retro rollerdisoc at the Christmas Spiegeltent

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An uplifting concert with festive music and carols from Bristol Cabot Choir performing with Bristol Brass Consort and Preludes Project Children’s Choir. Highlights include Rutter’s Candlelight Carol and Bruckner’s Ecce Sacerdos Magnus with a festive brass medley. The finale will be the Hallelujah chorus from Handel’s Messiah. Tickets from tel: 0117 968 6822 or online at: www.bristolcabotchoir.org. >>

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Sheelanagig return to the Tobacco Factory Theatre

Opera North: The Crow’s Bones, St George’s Bristol, Tuesday 17 December, 7.30pm A collection of ghost songs old and new led by Lau accordionist Martin Green and performed by a specially assembled group of folk luminaries.

Drawing together songs of murderous visitations and unnatural happenings, Crow’s Bones takes you in to a musical land of broken music boxes and twisted gramophones to reveal the dark heart of folk song. Tickets from the box office on tel: 0845 40 24 001 or visit: www.stgeorgesbristol.co.uk

Sheelanagig and Friends, Tobacco Factory Theatre, Tuesday 17 December, 7.30pm Back in the Factory Theatre for their sixth annual Christmas party, Sheelanagig perform their dynamic and irreverent Balkan stage show and introduce some of the finest acts from the south west and beyond. The concert features the soulful vocal talents of young singer Abi Swift; traditional Scottish and original folk music from BBC folk award winning Ewan McLennan; smokin’ bluegrass-soul-folk from virtuosic London misfits Kidnap Alice; and 2006 world slam champion, stand up poet and armchair revolutionary Elvis McGonagal. Tickets £20 from the box office on tel: 0117 902 0344 or visit: www.tobaccofactorytheatre.com

Gerry Cottle’s Turbo Circus

Gerry Cottle’s Turbo Circus, Creative Common, 17 December – 5 January See incredible circus acts from Gerry Cottle’s Turbo Circus as it takes up residence at Creative Common

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for 30 shows, bringing Bristol audiences a brand new, super-charged Christmas spectacular featuring sky high daredevils, rock ‘n’ roll skaters, illusionists, acrobats, jugglers and comedy chaos.

This colourful, high-energy show of 50 acts is action packed from the very opening moment.

Tickets from £8, available from tel: 0844 844 0444 or the on-site box office. For further information visit: www.turbocircus.co.uk.

Christmas Star Concert, Bristol Cathedral, Thursday 19 December, 7.30pm A magical evening of traditional carols and festive readings in the beautiful surroundings of Bristol Cathedral, in aid of Above & Beyond charity’s Golden Gift Appeal. The Bristol Metropolitan Orchestra, the Above & Beyond Singers, Ashley Down School Choir, the Taunton Deane Male Voice Choir, Ashley Down Primary School Choir will all perform alongside internationally renowned cellist Sara Lovell and flautist Catherine Maytum.

Tickets £10, available from tel: 0117 3700 486 or visit: www.aboveandbeyond.org.uk

Bristol Choral Society: Handel’s Messiah, Colston Hall, Saturday 21 December, 7.30pm Bristol Choral Society will perform Handel’s Messiah from memory, with the exquisite playing of stylish period orchestra Music for Awhile and a distinguished quartet of soloists conducted by Adrian Partington. Tickets from Colston Hall on tel: 0844 887 1500 or visit: www.bristolchoral.co.uk.

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Christmas with the Phoenix, Tyndale Baptist Church, Whiteladies Road, Saturday 21 December, 7.30pm In their 50th Anniversary year, the Bristol Phoenix Choir present festive music and readings, with punch and mince pies in the interval. Conducted by Paul Walton, with David Bednall on the organ.

Tickets £10 including refreshments (16 and under free), available from the ticket office tel: 01454 880458.

Christmas Spectacular, St George’s Bristol, Saturday 21 December, 7.45pm

Christmas Spectacular with the Bristol Ensemble at St George’s Last Night of the Christmas Proms at Colston Hall

A glorious evening of festive music performed by the 80 voices of City of Bristol Choir and professional orchestra the Bristol Ensemble under the baton of conductor David Ogden, including sparkling arrangements of Christmas music for choir and orchestra, audience carols, readings and Christmas pieces for orchestra alone. Tickets £10£23 from the box office on tel: 0845 40 24 001 or visit: www.stgeorgesbristol.co.uk.

A Baroque Christmas with Mhairi Lawson, St George’s Bristol, Sunday 22 December, 7.45pm An exquisite evening of Christmas music from the golden era of the Baroque including festive music

by Handel, Vivaldi and Corelli sung by soprano Mhairi Lawson, one of the UK’s leading early music specialists. Her performance of Handel’s Gloria is eagerly anticipated, a work that was lost for nearly three centuries before a score was discovered in 2001. The piece, scored for solo soprano and ensemble, is virtuosic, expressive and

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full of intricate vocal writing. Tickets £10 - £23 from the box office on tel: 0845 40 24 001 or visit: www.stgeorgesbristol.co.uk.

Christmas Spectacular, St George’s Bristol, Monday 23 December, 7.45pm Accomplished chamber choir Exultate Singers and professional orchestra the Bristol Ensemble under the baton of the entertaining conductor David Ogden, present an evening of festive music including arrangements of Christmas music for choir and orchestra, audience carols, readings and Christmas pieces for orchestra alone. Tickets £10 £23 from the box office on tel: 0845 40 24 001 or visit: www.stgeorgesbristol.co.uk.

Last Night of the Christmas Proms, Colston Hall, Saturday 28 December, 7.30pm The Orchestra of Welsh National Opera will present an unforgettable evening that will have the hall on their feet in a grand flag-waving finale.

Tickets from £17.74, available on tel: 0844 887 1500 or visit: www.colstonhall.org.

BOOK NOW FOR...

Shakespeare at the Tobacco Factory, 13 February – 3 May 2014 The 2014 Shakespeare at the Tobacco Factory season presents the Bard’s funny and moving As You Like It and Tom Stoppard’s challenging Arcadia. Tickets from £12. Box office tel: 0117 902 0344 .

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ARTS | & EXHIBITIONS

ON SHOW IN THE CITY 161st Annual Open Exhibition RWA, until 26 January Once again, the Annual Open Exhibition at the RWA showcases the cream of painting, drawing, printmaking, photography, sculpture and architecture selected and curated by an expert panel from thousands of submitted works. Last year’s show featured 541 works by 351 artists, with every piece for sale. With prices starting at £25, there is something to suit all tastes and pockets. This year, visitors to the exhibition will be asked to vote for their favourite artwork. The You Choose Award will go to the most popular work in the show voted for by the public, with the artist receiving an £800 prize sponsored by The Affordable Art Fair. Enjoy the opportunity to view an eclectic mix of work by unknown, emerging and established artists, many of them local to the city. RWA, Queen’s Road, Clifton. Tel: 0117 973 5129. Adults £5, concessions £3.50, under 16s/students free.

A Girls Friday Night Out, © Martin Parr

City Lives at Bristol Museum & Art Gallery Until 2 March City Lives is the second in the Global to Local trilogy of exhibitions showing at Bristol Museum & Art Gallery. Half the world’s population lives in a city environment and it is estimated that by 2050 this will rise to more than three quarters. Featuring artists from around the world, City Lives explores some of the issues arising from urbanisation today. The exhibition presents new works acquired through Art Fund International in partnership with Arnolfini. Free entry. Bristol Museum & Art Gallery, Queen’s Road (top of Park Street).

Merzstar, Aisling Hedgecock

Joëlle Tuerlinckx: WOR(L)D(K) IN PROGRESS?, Arnolfini, 7 December – 16 March Arnolfini presents a major solo project by Joëlle Tuerlinckx. The most comprehensive presentation of her work in the UK to date, WOR(L)D(K) IN PROGRESS? Joëlle Tuerlinckx: WORLD(K) IN PROGRESS?, offers an overview of the artists’ Installation view, Haus der Kunst, Munich 2013 practice from the past 20 years, along with newly produced works.

Tuerlinckx's site-specific practice often focuses on the exhibition spaces, the role of galleries, and the galleries’ relationship to their communities. Her work is has a unique, sensual and transient approach, and a precise use of materials, colours, and abstract shapes, culminating in expansive, complex installations. Film projections, video, drawings, collages, photographs and found objects are often combined with subtle alterations to the spaces and gestures that highlight the time and space of the viewing experience. Free entrance. For more information visit: www.arnolfini.org.uk.

Altered States at View Gallery, 14 November – 5 January Altered States seeks to explore how the human race and the elements interact, live with and fight against each other. Destructive acts of nature, personal and sentimental connections and a spiritual awareness of nature reclaiming back its original state will all feature.

This fraught relationship will be interpreted through seven diverse artists, each exploring their own take on the theme.

Mixed Exhibition at Guild Gallery until 7 January

▼

A rare chance to see drawings and watercolours from the master engraver, Trevor Haddell alongside colourful hand-built pots from sculptor Nicola Mortimer and contemplative, serene sculpture of the human form from Jo Jones.

Bristol Guild of Applied Art , 68/70 Park Street.

Tel: 0117 926 5548

On the Edge by Jo Jones

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New for this month, View Gallery has also launched an online print room showcasing more than 50 prints in a wide range of eclectic styles, from both new and existing artists to View. The idea behind this is to make art accessible to everyone easily and build up a new audience to the gallery. All prints are limited edition, signed and exclusive to the gallery – the majority are an edition of 25. To see the prints, visit: www.viewartgallery.co.uk. View Gallery, 159-161 Hotwell Road.

Pictured, John Clark: Musical, available from the online print room at www.viewartgallery.co.uk

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Christmas show, RE Bucheli Fine Art, until 11 January A special exhibition for Christmas with a selection of work made in the south west. Meet the artists on 7 December, 2pm – 4 pm and discuss their work. R E Bucheli Fine Art and Frames, Albion House, 12A Broad Street, Bristol. Tel: 0117 929 7747 www.rebucheli.co.uk

Exquisite Christmas Exhibition, Diana Porter Contemporary Jewellery, until 31 December Sparkling precious stones, finelycrafted sculptural forms and intricate detailed pieces feature in this festive exhibition of inspired Christmas gifts from more than 80 designers including: Victoria Coleman, Zoya Dickinson, Rachel Entwhistle, Kaoru, Katie Lees, Amie Pepper and Clarice Price Thomas.

Diana Porter Contemporary Jewellery also showcases the work of top UK and international jewellery designers as well as Diana Porter’s full collection. Diana Porter Contemporary Jewellery, Park Street www.dianaporter.co.uk

LandEscapes, an exhibition of charcoal drawings by the artist Mossie Quille, will open at Centrespace Gallery this month. The artist, who studied drawing and illustration at the Ruskin School Of Art Cambridge, talks about the exhibition...

“LandEscapes is the culmination of a year-long charcoal drawing project, always working outside directly from life, the works have been executed exclusively in charcoal.

Many thoughts and emotions cannot be related or shared in words alone and this is why I believe art, and more specifically drawing, is so important. Among other things, these drawings are attempts to articulate and depict, through the act of recording our environment, thoughts and feelings that we relate to as self awareness. Looking, sketching, and familiarising, I will return to one spot often on several occasions prior to committing to a series of drawings. The Branches Longwood Estate, Hampshire , subject matter being not simply a portrayal of our rural Mossie Quille surroundings, but rather, the location has been chosen for its value to me in inherently evoking and informing moments of self reflection. This is my first solo exhibition, and I am fascinated at the prospect of seeing the works all in one place for the first time. I hope that visitors to the gallery will also enjoy the experience.”

LandEscapes by Mossie Quille is at Centrespace Gallery from 6 – 18 December. For further information visit: www.centrespacegallery.com

Tyntesfield Winter by Sarah Brown

Coldharbour Framery & Gallery Christmas Show, until 24 December A Christmas show featuring gallery favourites, including ceramics by Tean Kirby and Eleanor Bartleman, and Michael Simpson’s bronze Nature Trail series. You can meet many of the artists in person at the festive Christmas open evening on Thursday 5 December – Abigail McDougall, Jenny Urquhart and Catherine Williams will all be on hand with new work specially created for the evening. Coldharbour Framery & Gallery, 111 Coldharbour Road, Westbury Park, Bristol. www.coldharbourgallery.co.uk

Christmas Exhibition, Sky Blue Fine Art, throughout December New artworks will be on show in this mixed exhibition, including a small series of the Avon Gorge from the same spot in different conditions for which there are limited edition prints that would make great Christmas presents. Sky Blue Gallery, 27 North View, Westbury Park. Tel 0117 9733995 Innocent Fine Art Christmas Show, 3 – 31 December Throughout December Innocent Fine Art is showing an exciting mix of new work by gallery artists including Paul Lewin’s dramatic Penwith seascapes, Abigail Reed’s charismatic animal studies and distinctive Bristol views by Tom Hughes and Sarah Brown, to name just a few. Innocent Fine Art, 7a Boyces Ave, Clifton.

Tel: 0117 9732614

From the Avon Gorge series

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Poppies by Catherine Williams

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“Crimson Crowns” by Morag Muir

Lime Tree Gallery, 84 Hotwell Road, Bristol BS8 4UB

Tel 0117 929 2527

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CITY | ENTERTAINMENT

Something a little bit different There are more and more venues in the city offering alternative and quirky evening entertainment. Here we profile the new ones on the scene...

T

he great thing about living in Bristol is that there is an evening out to suit all tastes and interests; from live music and theatre, to circus, dancing, and cabaret – and everything in between.

Until recently, Bristol was desperately lacking in any small to medium size venues offering night time entertainment; now there are lots to discover. And there seems to be an increasing amount of venues offering an alternative night out for The Empire Theatre creative and cultural Bristolians wanting something more than a sticky nightclub playing chart music or a commercial cinema. oozes glamour and is a perfectly A much needed addition to Bristol’s night luxurious location for celebrating. time venues; The Empire Theatre opened in the Keep an eye out on the website for up summer as part of a regeneration initiative of coming events: the Old Market quarter, offering an exciting www.mauretaniabristol.co.uk. programme of performance, cultural and music The club area of the building also events including circus, cabaret, film and live offers a unique experience of music. sophistication and partying within the The Empire, which takes its name from a Bristol nightlife scene; the notable theatre which used to exist on Old international events in particular are Market is produced by leading Bristol creative very popular. On the La Fiesta nights Keda Breeze who was appointed to take on the The Director’s Cut cinema in Horts pub you can enjoy world music, salsa venue by the placemaker for the area. Keda dancing and a buffet of authentic began life in the entertainment industry working Italian food and drink in the café next door, which is also part of Java. For as an international circus showgirl, and since went on to produce projects further information and events listings visit: www.javabristol.co.uk. such as Bristol Hoochie Coochie.

If quirky theatre is more your kind of thing, head to The Little Black Keda is working in partnership with Rag Satguru who is a leading force Box on Chandos Road, Bristol’s only boutique micro theatre. Not only is it in the dance music industry best known for projects such as Just Jack, a theatre but it is also home to its very own community choir and an In:Motion, Love Saves the Day and going on to manage high profile dance atmospheric speakeasy-style cellar bar downstairs which is used on show music artists. Keda says: “We hope to provide a valuable platform for nights and for acoustic music events and even open mic sessions on artistic events which draw upon the rich creative talent in the city. We want occasion. to give the people of Bristol a night out with a difference.”

The Little Black Box Theatre was established back in 2011 in what It’s a great event-based venue with loads of space and tonnes of started life as a Victorian greengrocers and then became a café and deli. character – as well as charming original features on the outside of the However, this didn’t stop the Connell family when they saw it and decided building, inside there are two large rooms, one with facilities for circus and straight away that it would be perfect to convert into this original, trapeze acts and a viewing platform, another with a top soundsystem and distinctive performance space. stage; two bars (one of which will soon be turned into a 1920s-style The Little Black Box Theatre Company produces powerful, inventive cocktail bar) and smaller rooms full of pretty vintage furniture where you and creative theatre throughout the year. Imminently it is staging a can chat and play cards.

Christmas show, The Eight: Reindeer Monologues by Jeff Goode, a darkly The Empire team are as keen for the venue to be as diverse as possible comedic departure from the usual Christmas sugar coated theatrical fare. and would love to hear from creative productions large or small to talk An unmissable, sometimes shocking and anarchic antidote to the festive about any ideas they may have ideas for events in the venue. The Empire season that puts fairytale and fantasy on trial. has just launched a website – www.empiretheatrebristol.com – where you Other Bristol based and touring theatre companies as well as fresh, new can find all upcoming events and ticket information. Don’t miss the Squid talent from the universities also make imaginative use of the space, Party on Saturday 14 December, 9pm – a new night featuring the very best performing both well-loved and original pieces of theatre. The auditorium live gypsy, swing, ska and reggae music with live circus performers, holds between 30 and 50 audience members depending on the show – a immersive nautical decor, and much more to be announced. truly bijou gem of a venue. For a programme of events and ticket Keda also runs the events for The Mauretania, a beautiful old members information visit: www.thelittleblackbox.net. style club at the bottom of Park Street, inside the Java club. It has been a Last month saw the the unveiling of the totally transformed Horts pub nightclub since 1935 and all of its interiors are from the great Mauretania on Broad Street which now has a fresh new look and a brand new 26-seat Ocean liner, originating from 1908. The room has been completely cinema. preserved from when it was opened in the 30s. Six months ago Keda was The 18th century pub has been given a major makeover and as well as brought in to raise the venue’s profile and curate cultural and creative enjoying a new menu, diners can reserve a seat at the Director’s Cut cinema events. So far this year the venue has seen the likes of some great events for screenings of everything from the latest releases to cult classics. including pop-up restaurants, the Magpies and I vintage and handmade Completing the entertainment offering here is a calendar of regular live markets and 20s style cocktail parties. music and comedy nights. Visit: www.hortsbristol.com for further The beautiful room with its elegant bar and lounge area, sparkling information. ■ chandeliers, polished dark wood columns and lavish velvet curtains just 56 THE BRISTOL MAGAZINE

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Countdown to 2014

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PARTY | TIME

See in the new year in style with a top night out in our fabulous, diverse city. With everything from fine food and drink, cabaret and circus to music, dancing and cocktails, there should be something to tickle everyone’s fancy

Bournemouth Symphony Orchestra: New Year Viennese Gala, Colston Hall, Monday 30 December, 7.30pm Why not celebrate the coming of 2014 with the impressive Bournemouth Symphony Orchestra?

Escape to Colston Hall for an evening of glittering dance-halls in a concert filled with memorable polkas, marches, gallops and waltzes. With the power of a full symphony orchestra this will be a night to remember.

Tickets £1 to £25 from the box office on tel: 0844 887 1500 or visit: www.colstonhall.org.

New Year's Eve at the Glassboat, 7pm Celebrate New Year’s Eve on the water for one of the most popular events in the city. This black-tie, five-course celebration has sold out for the past three years and so tickets will sell fast. Tickets £60 per person, to book tel: 0117 929 0704.

Colston Hall New Year’s Eve Party with Bellowhead, 7.30pm Looking for that extra special event this New Year? Colston Hall will be the place to be with a complete venue takeover featuring live music from folk legends Bellowhead. This raucous 11piece band plays traditional dance tunes, folk songs and shanties, on more than 20 instruments between them. They will be joined

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will be transformed into The Blind Tiger 1920s speakeasy by the Mayfest team, bringing in the New Year with a touch of cabaret and theatre.

Tickets £45 from: www.colstonhall.org or from the box office on tel: 0844 887 1500.

Harvey Nichols Bristol New Year’s Eve Party Inspired by F Scott Fitzgerald’s novel, The Beautiful and Damned, this New Year’s Eve party promises a celebration to rival all others.

Enjoy entertainment on arrival, a pre-dinner cocktail, canapé reception and a bespoke five course dinner by head chef Louise McCrimmon followed by live music and dancing until late.

Dress code: New York 1920s jazz glam. Tickets £95 per person from tel: 0117 916 8898.

New Year's Eve Vaudeville Circus Ball with Cirque Bijou at Tobacco Factory, 7.30pm Celebrate with a night of Vaudeville circus and big-top talent, with the amazing performers of Cirque Bijou – featuring circus acts, burlesque, slack rope and stilt walkers, contortionists, cabaret, photo-booth and hot food stalls.

Bigger than ever, the party takes over the Tobacco Factory building and moves into the newly opened Thali Café next door as well, offering four different areas to explore; from

high-energy to the bizarre, the comic, and the unusual, Cirque Bijou have handpicked an extraordinary programme of entertainment.

There will also be live music from Eastpole Orchestra and Mad Apple Circus, plus djs.

Dress to impress in a Vaudeville style, and be in with the chance to win a prize for the best costume. Tickets: £30, available from the box office on tel: 0117 902 0344 or visit: www.tobaccofactorytheatre.com.

New Year’s Eve 1920s Prohibition Party at The Square Club The Square will be transformed into a prohibition joint straight from the 1920s where you can see in 2014 with all the glitz and glamour of the era with entertainment and live music all evening. Dress code: dapper suits and stylish dresses of the 1920s. Tickets £125, to include drinks, canapes, entertainment, live music from a jazz band, dj and casino area. Buy tickets at: www.thesquareclub.com.

Just Jack & Futureboogie at The Empire Theatre, Tuesday 31 December Just Jack and Futureboogie are once again joining forces to guide you on a journey into and beyond 2014. And enjoy sets from Move D, Felix Dickinson, Outboxx, Christophe, Tom Rio, Alex Scott and many more. Tickets from: www.residentadvisor.net/event.aspx?530273

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WINE FOR CHRISTMAS

by Mimi Avery of Averys Wines Enjoying Bristol’s Restaurants Making new friends of all ages

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he excitement might be palpable or the bah humbugging may have set in – but whatever your feelings at this time of year, you are likely to be entertaining or entertained over the festive season. Choosing a wine, either a regular favourite or something new is always fun, and the anticipation of sharing it with friends, over a fine meal or just on the sofa in front of your favourite programme, is mouth watering.

Here is a small selection from our wine cellars in Culver Street to whet your appetite: • Bubbles are a fine way to start, and for bigger events you may well produce our easy drinking cava or floral prosecco. But if the event is a little more special or intimate a delicious glass of Champagne always brings another level to the proceedings, and can be drunk throughout the meal. We have launched, this year, a 2004 vintage Champagne to celebrate 50 years of working with the Boizel family who produce our own label champagne, and at £34.99 this is excellent value for a vintage offering. However in the run up to Christmas we will be offering it to you at £26.99.

For more information: info@bristolsupperclub.org.uk

www.bristolsupperclub.org.uk

• The classic white would be Chardonnay from Burgundy or Sancerre Sauvignon and my current white of choice is our Bourgogne Blanc la Bouette, £13.99. It is particularly rich, aromatic and elegant without being overly oaked or highly priced and it can be drunk as an aperitif or with fish and chicken and light vegetarian dishes.

• When thinking of a festive red one would often suggest Burgundy or Bordeaux but you could be different and plump for a seasoned Rioja – our Project Winemaker Seleccion Especial, 2010, £9.99 – is only three years old but is wonderfully balanced with spicy vanilla oak married to rich fruits of the forest on the palate. Particularly good if you like all the trimmings with your turkey – it will not only stand up to the cranberry sauce but also cut through the stuffing.

• The piece de resistance, unless you head for the traditional port, my friends have nick-named “Christmas juice” – it is the Pedro Ximnenez (PX) grape, ostensibly sherry, but at the very sweet end of the spectrum. It is rich and unctuous – liquid raisins – absolutely made for Christmas pudding or cake – but also delicious on its own or drizzled over vanilla ice-cream.

Our Lustau PX comes in bottles and handy halves (£11.99 for a half).

All these wines are available from the Averys shop at the bottom of Park Street: Averys Cellars, 9 Culver Street, by the Hatchett Pub and O2 Academy. Open 10am -7pm Monday – Saturday, tel: 01179 214146, free delivery to BS1-9.

For further information visit: www.averys.com WWW.THEBRISTOLMAGAZINE.CO.UK

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FOODIE | PROFILE

THE FEEL GOOD FACTOR From nought to four branches in as many years – Friska is flourishing in Bristol. And, as Emily Mawson discovers, the sky is the limit for the young entrepreneurs behind this café chain with a difference

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riska means healthy in Swedish. But you do not need to speak the language to guess what this Bristol-based café chain is about. From the tempting jars of nuts and seeds on the counters to the company slogan ‘Feel Good Food’ and the seasonal produce served on bluerimmed enamel plates, you get the idea.

“Our philosophy is simple,” says 30-year-old Griff Holland, who founded Friska in 2009 with fellow Bath University graduate, 28-year-old Ed Brown.

“We make and sell the tastiest and most interesting dishes that we can, using ingredients we can be proud of and serving them in a friendly way which makes our customers feel like part of the gang.”

The pair – who, despite studying economics together, first got to know each other at a networking event after graduating – certainly make a winning team. Brazil-born Griff is the foodie: “I cut my teeth in the hospitality industry as a kitchen porter in a local pub,” he reveals, adding that he went on to work at the Boston Tea Party and The Real Olive Company. He teases that Bristol local Ed, who previously worked in property consultancy, is “the poster boy of Friska”. (He spends his free time on his surfboard or his bike.)

“He brings business rigour to the partnership, too,” adds Griff. “He’s the best business partner I could hope for. I think he feels the same way...”

Friska was initially Griff’s idea. “I was inspired by a high quality fast food place I had been to in America – I just thought, ‘Why isn’t there anything like 60 THE BRISTOL MAGAZINE

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this back home?’” Later, and looking at the UK food market with Ed, the pair spotted a gap: “People were watching Jamie Oliver on television and reading Ottolenghi in the Weekend Guardian, but they were drinking mediocre coffee and eating boring sandwiches for their lunch.”

The duo set about changing that, and devised an inspiring menu (featuring seasonal fruit and vegetables, free range meat sourced from the west country and bread from Hobbs House bakery) for their first store in Victoria Street.

“We picked this location because it really hits our target market of 20 to 40year-old professionals looking for something interesting to have for breakfast or lunch,” explains Ed. “It still took 18 months of hammering home our Feel Good message until people finally started to come, though.”

When Friska took off, it did so with gusto. Since Friska Victoria Street opened, the company has expanded into a further three locations (Queen’s Road, Bath Road and Bristol & Bath Science Park). Customer satisfaction shows in the anonymous compliments the team regularly receive – one customer left behind a napkin annotated with the message “That was yum!

Thanks!” The staff, too, speak highly of their work place. “Friska is a great place to work,” says Victoria Street store manager Lottie Pettinger. “The customers are lovely; we are always getting really nice feedback; and I scarcely have to deal with complaints.”

But it is the figures that really do the talking. This year, Ed and Griff are

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forecasting a turnover of £1.5 million. They have become award-winners, too, after Friska was named the Business West Green Business of the Year 2013.

“Being able to say that Friska is a zero waste to landfill company is something we are really proud of,” smiles Ed, adding that Go Green (a unique Bristol-based initiative which helps companies save money through reducing,

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People were watching Jamie Oliver on television and reading Ottolenghi... but they were drinking mediocre coffee and eating boring sandwiches

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reusing and recycling waste materials) has greatly helped them. “Being a responsible business is fundamental to everything we do, and we are always looking to improve our environmental and social impact,” he says.

Bristol is of course the perfect backdrop for Friska’s mission, as Destination Bristol’s head of tourism Kathryn Davis explains: “Bristol has a growing reputation for being a city that takes good quality food seriously, while also being community-focused and a Fairtrade City. Friska’s emphasis on using fresh, seasonal produce sourced locally and responsibly, and their efforts to support environmental projects, are very in tune with the spirit of Bristol.”

But there are no plans to limit Friska to the city, as Ed and Griff hope to expand throughout the UK. Griff concludes: “We said in our original business plan that we wanted to get to 50 stores across the UK within 10 years... and this is still the plan.” ■ For further information visit: www.friskafood.com

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WINING & DINING news and reviews A dining experience in the office

Quick bites ■ Experience traditional Victorian Christmas dining on board the SS Great Britain this month. On Thursday 12 and Friday 13 December at 12.30pm enjoy a mulled wine reception and three-course Christmas lunch for £37 per person, while on Thursday 12 December at 7.30pm, indulge in a traditional Christmas dinner while you are serenaded by Dickensian carol singers for £60 per person. To book visit: www.ssgreatbritain.org ■ The growing Thai Tapas group is bringing Koh Thai Tapas to Bristol, replacing the Zizzi restaurant on the Clifton Triangle. Work has begun on the refurbishment with plans to open in February. The new site will host a 100+ cover restaurant and include an alfresco area and bar.

■ Congratulations to bEATS, Bristol's street food collective, who have been awarded Best Street Food Collective in the UK at this year’s British Street Food Awards. bEATS was created earlier in the year by a group of street food traders and they have been serving the finest street food in Bristol at events throughout the summer.

■ Westbury-on-Trym’s Michelinstarred Casamia restaurant has teamed up with Champagne house, Moët & Chandon to create a bespoke Grand Vintage Champagne Bar. The stylish and contemporary bar is made from solid French oak and is showcasing the 2004, 1999 rosé, 1990 Brut, 1952 and 1972 in Magnum, which will all be available by the glass. Casamia is also working with Cathedral Kitchens to create a unique sommelier section, holding wines from across the globe, carefully selected by new head sommelier, Jean Sebastian to accompany the seasonal menus.

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A new bar and restaurant called The Office is making waves south of the river, adding a much needed relaxed, contemporary destination to the Wells Road in Totterdown.

Chef Matt Elliott and co-owner Simon Davis have created an exciting selection of Mediterranean inspired small plates and evening dishes, brought to the plate with seasonal British produce. Ingredients are locally sourced wherever possible, and the menu includes some great British produce including Trealy Farm cured meats, artisan cheeses, and bread from renowned Bristol baker Laura Hart.

The menu changes daily, inspired by the seasons, and includes small dishes such chickpeas, tahini, chili and spinach (£3.50) chicken skewers in a roasted pepper and garlic yoghurt (£6), marinated lamb skewers and salsa verde (£6.50), salt and pepper squid (£5.50) alongside daily specials.

Will Pollet (co-owner) says: “We feel that The Office can give this part of Bristol what it has needed for some time, a relaxed, contemporary and friendly place to eat and drink, with exciting food, good wines and cocktails, and a great atmosphere.”

In December 2012 Will and Simon refurbished this former hairdressers and have given the interior a stylish contemporary feel with a bespoke polished concrete bar, industrial lighting, benches and tables made from reclaimed scaffolding and bare brick walls. The intimate restaurant and bar is open daily, and takes bookings for more than six people. For further information and opening times visit: www.officebarbristol.co.uk.

New look for Revolution Bar The typical student hangout that is the Vodka Revolution Bar on St Nicholas Street has undergone something of a transformation as part of a nationwide initiative. And it’s very much out with the old and in with the new in terms of food and decor. You’ll now find a bright, relaxed space with floral, contemporary furnishings and sleek design for a fresh vibe.

Not only that but there’s a new cocktail menu (we can highly recommend the mojito) and a new food menu too, offering a wide choice of quality dishes including mezze sharing plates, chicken and chorizo papradelle, chicken katsu curry, steak, pulled pork, noodles, stone baked pizzas, wraps and flatbreads alongside gastro pub favourites, all well presented and reasonably priced. You won’t be disappointed by the dessert selection either, with everything from a rich cheesecake to a warm and gooey chocolate brownie served on a pretty vintage plate. And while you peruse the menu you can enjoy delicious and moreish cheesy popcorn (just £2.50) which also makes a nice appetizer.

It’s an ideal place to go for a catch up with friends after work any day of the week if you’re after a relaxed dining experience and on Fridays you can enjoy complimentary food samples and cocktail making lessons.

But don’t stay longer than 8pm unless you want a real party atmosphere, as that’s when the live music starts and it’s pretty hard to have a conversation. Don’t forget to download the Secret DJ app too, because you can use it at this bar to choose your own music to play, sort of like a jukebox. Fancy a bit of folk music to dine to? Open the app, select a song from the extensive list and it will play around the whole venue. ■ SC

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FOOD AND DRINK FOR CHRISTMAS...

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Bristol based Kate Percy, author of Go Faster Food, has used her experience as an athlete, cook and mother of three to produce a new, accessible guide to what, when and how to fuel children on a daily basis. An essential tool kit for any busy parent, Go Faster Food for Kids includes 101 fuss-free, easy to follow and nutritious recipes that will help children fulfil their potential – not just on the sports field but also in the classroom. It also offers top healthy eating tips for active children, performance-enhancing tips and case studies.

Kate bases her mouth-watering recipes on her personal experiences of training and racing around the world, and cooking for her active family. A member of the Fitness Writers Association, Kate writes a monthly recipe feature for Running Fitness and 220 Triathlon magazines, and writes columns for many other publications, including Runner’s World, Health & Fitness, Cycling Plus, The Daily Mail and The Mail on Sunday. Kate also writes regular updates on her website, gofasterfood.com.

Go Faster Food For Kids is £16.99, available from Amazon.

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You are what you eat

Get the party started with this Blackberry & Gin Fizz from M&S, £4.99. Reminiscent of 1920s cocktail parties, the sweet, refreshing and bubbly drink will put the sparkle into any festive celebration.

Independent brewer, Bath Ales, has unveiled five limited edition premium beers just in time for Christmas. Forming part of the Sulis Collection, and created using only the finest ingredients, the range includes four Imperial Stouts – Speyside contains flavours of coffee and delicate rose, Islay no.

1 is smoky with a spicy kick, Islay no. 2 has a smoky taste with toffee, and Highland evokes liquorice and chocolate. A Barleywine completes the collection. A long-forgotten style of beer, it is fruity and strongly malted, with a complex bitterness to the beer. The range is on sale from the Bath Ales website, www.bathales.com and at Bath Ales pubs.

Local food and music in harmony Bath Ales and Colston Hall have joined forces to create a locally inspired café bar and restaurant within the concert hall, offering something for locals, foodies and concert goers alike.

Independent brewer Bath Ales is known for its distinctive beer range including Gem, Dark Side and Wild Hare. It also has a growing range of south west gastro pubs, including Bristol’s craft beer bar, Beerd, The Hare on the Hill, The Wellington and Graze Bar in Queen Square.

Bath Ales took over Colston Hall’s popular café bar in the new foyer area last month and will reopen the 40-seater bistro on the upper ground floor in the new year.

Both areas will undergo a refurbishment at the beginning of 2014 to bring the distinctive Bath Ales touch to the spaces, focussed on quality and individuality through its food offering and décor.

Marguerite Jenkin, Finance and Commercial Director of Bristol Music Trust which runs Colston Hall explains: “The café bar is always buzzing with activity, so we’re hoping that even more people will use it as a space, popping in to enjoy a free concert in the foyer, while the restaurant will offer pre-concert packages and an excellent food offering in its own right.

The partnership will ensure we deliver an exceptional audience experience, on a par with the entertainment offering at the city’s leading concert venue.”

The existing team will remain in place in the café bar and will be augmented by some of the core Bath Ales team.

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Local award-winning ice cream producers Mendip Moments has created a special festive range featuring Christmas Pudding, Damson & Sloe Gin and Amaretto ice cream, a perfect accompaniment to seasonal desserts – yet equally as delicious and satisfying enough to be the starring role at the table. Our favourite is the Christmas Pudding ice cream which won a Gold Star in the Great Taste Awards 2012 and is made with traditional Christmas puddings then packed with with additional sultanas, cherries, apricots and rum. All ice creams available from £4.69 for 500ml from delis all around Bristol including Zest, Arch House Deli and Farrington Farm shop.

This pouch of loose leaf tea will make a great stocking filler. Created by Bristol company Attic tea it is a true Bristolian product, combining the heritage of importing tea, tobacco and spices. The spices mixed with the black tea make a fantastic chai blend, packaged in a tobacco style pouch complete with material make your own tea bags to offer the ideal way to enjoy fantastic loose tea wherever you are. Available from independent Bristol retailers, £4.95, or visit: www.attictea.com

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Meluha 51 Park Street, Bristol BS1 5NT. Tel: 01179 304 693

REVIEW

THE INDIAN MAGICIAN W

ith the party season upon us, it’s time to gather with friends, family or colleagues to eat, drink and be merry. But instead of one person hosting a dinner party, spending all evening in the kitchen, you could take the party out and have an award-winning chef cook up the finest, most visually impressive dishes before your very eyes.

Stephen Gomes has just been crowned Indian Chef of the Year by the Cobra sponsored Good Curry Guide – and I know this as I was present when he was presented with his national award while we were at his chef’s tasting table. Meluha in Park Street may only have been in Bristol for a few months, but chef Stephen comes with such a glowing CV – including preparing dishes for the biggest stars in Bollywood – that this modern Indian restaurant is already picking up a growing fan base and a string of accolades.

We joined a tasting evening upstairs at Mehula, where for £45 a head, Stephen takes his diners through a performance of sheer culinary theatre, with the ultimate in pleasurable audience participation. That’s not to say he’s a drama queen.

As we watched through the big glass window into the kitchen beyond he neither appeared to break into a sweat nor raise his voice as he and his team produced course after course of perfectly executed dishes.

This is Indian food, but not as we know it.

Instead Stephen plays with our senses with a clever mix of spice, heat, flavours and scent. A light lemony foam with a pair of plump prawns, with just a kick of wasabi was our appetite whetter.

There were many highlights to this feast. At one point, with all the flourish of magicians the waiters brought out upturned glass jars. Set down before us they then removed the glass, only for curls of smoke to waft out then evaporate, leaving only the faintest evocative trace of bonfire, like lapsang souchong but lighter. Under the glass was a perfect piece of salmon tikka and lemongrass chicken tikka.

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All tasted as incredible as they looked. But all were not as they appeared.

Yes, you’d expect a samosa on an Indian menu, but what was that savoury umami taste which gave this one such a comforting flavour? The answer, smiled Stephen, was Marmite. Even the Marmite haters round the table enjoyed this trick.

The chef’s tasting table is a great occasion for a party. There is always something to talk about with your fellow guests. We tried to guess what ingredients had been used in some of the dishes – some Stephen would share, others he smiled his enigmatic smile and changed the subject.

One of the things he likes to do is take the classic Indian dish, or way of cooking, and take it on a journey to meet a different culture. Fusion has had a bad name, but when an Indian lamb shank cooked in spices meets a Japanese inspired sauce, the result is hot, spicy and very moreish. We were also blown away by the naan bread, one of which was flavoured with chilli and chocolate and lightly glazed with honey. So good it has to be wrong.

Normally you might pass the pudding menu back in an Indian restaurant, but here chef Stephen is taking his magic to the finale. We were served a beautiful platter containing no less than half a dozen delicious titbits – from the familiar popping candy ice cream served in mini cones, to the extraordinary, which included curry mousse, mango agar agar topped with teriyaki ice cream and crispy, curly whirly honey noodles.

Meluha’s hosts, Jay and Rebecca Miah have a number of offerings for December. Diners can always opt for the a la carte menu in the main restaurant or book a Christmas menu, which is £30 for three courses. Dishes incude prawn Bollywood, made with a thick tomato and fenugreek flavoured dish, lamb roghan josh and turkey – but served with a jalfrezi sauce. You can be sure that Meluha’s take on the mince pie will be lifted by the imaginative use of spice and is served with a korma homemade ice cream. ■ GMc

Stephen takes his diners through a performance of sheer culinary theatre, with the ultimate in pleasurable audience participation

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PRIVATE DINNER PARTY AT COUNTRY HOUSE RETREAT Near Chepstow, Wales

How about your own private house party for the festive season?

Ever dreamt of creating a special festive occasion without the hassle of cooking and clearing up? Well, this country house retreat set in 13 acres of pasture and woodland, with panoramic views over the Usk Valley and The Black Mountains offers just that. Dinner, bed and breakfast and a chance to relax and celebrate, with no worrying about transport or time limits. Only a 20 minute drive from Cribbs Causeway, the spacious house sleeps 14 and is beautifully decorated for the festive season. Your celebratory evening would comprise of; welcome drinks, a three course dinner of home cooked, locally sourced produce and a choice of menus, for £99 per person. Accommodation included. So gather your family and friends, a minimum of eight people. BYO. For more information, menus and bookings contact Helen on tel: 07837871572 or for more information on the house and location please visit: www.ownersdirect.co.uk/wales/W1075.htm.

Bristol Rugby Club players tackle teams cocktail charity challenge P

o Na Na on the Clifton Triangle in Bristol had an injection of brawn last month as players from Bristol Rugby Club visited the venue to try out the charity cocktails they created.

Bristol Rugby Club, along with Bristol Rovers football club, each devised a cocktail to go on sale in the nightspot. Bristol Rugby Club’s drink was called ‘Rucking Beauty’ and all money raised will support the Bristol Rugby Community Foundation, while Bristol Rovers’ cocktail was called the ‘Pirates Punch’ –in honour of their badge – and raised money for St Peter’s Hospice.

The cocktails were on sale at the North African themed venue on Queen’s Road throughout November.

Naturally, players Mariano Sambucetti, Adam D’Arcy and Community Foundation CEO Ben Breeze couldn’t resist coming down to Po Na Na to sample their creation.

Media Manager Tom Tainton from Bristol Rugby Club said: “Football and rugby are arch-rivals in British sport, so it’s great fun to be able to go head to head with Rovers like this. But of course, it’s all for a good cause, so whoever sells the most cocktails, the real winners are these great Bristol charities.”

Ben Reynolds, Group General Manager at Po Na Na commented: “It was great to have the guys from Bristol Rugby Club come down to Po Na Na to try out their creations. These cocktails are raising money for such a great cause and they were a big hit with our customers!”

The initiative comes shortly after the complete refurbishment of Po Na Na. Following a complete makeover, the venue now has boasts a sumptuous yet stylish interior that includes a rich turquoise and purple colour scheme, new LED lighting, new sound-to-light systems, backlit boards and pewter lighting. The club’s VIP area has also been completely WWW.THEBRISTOLMAGAZINE.CO.UK

[L-R Mariano Sambucetti, Ben Breeze, Adam D’Arcy] re-vamped. Gone is the old booth style seating and in its place, an open, wider area for drinking and dancing, along with handmade tables with built-in sunken ice wells.

For more about Po Na Na, please go to: www.facebook.com/PoNaNaBristol or visit the venue’s website: www.bristolponana.com.

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News in brief ■ Bristol jeweller Clifton Rocks has moved to a new shop in the heart of Clifton Village, at 31 The Mall. To mark this new chapter, Clifton Rocks is adding the work of 20 different designers to its unique contemporary collection, including beautiful stone encrusted rings from Ruth Wood and architectural pieces from Katie Lees. Shop owner Clare Chandler says: “I’m really excited about our new home – we’ve put a lot of work into making the shop look gorgeous, but also welcoming. There’s more space to show off the work of our amazingly talented designers.” For further information visit: www.cliftonrocks.co.uk ■ Whether we’re wearing boxers or briefs, tightie whities or generous Bridget Jones style pants, it’s fair to say that being able to buy new underwear when we need it is something most of us take for granted. However, this isn’t the case for homeless people; those living on the streets say that underwear is often the most difficult item of clothing to get hold off. To help, Bristol charity The Flamingo Foundation is launching a Christmas campaign calling on people to donate a pair or pack of new undergarments as a festive gift.

Pants can be donated at a variety of local venues including the Cordial and Grace Cafe in Clifton Village and the Forestry Commission HQ on Coldharbour Lane anytime from now until 20 December. The full list of drop off points is available at: flamingofoundation.org.

The Flamingo Foundation is also selling pants-themed Christmas cards in their online shop and the sale of each card funds one pair of pants. All pants will be gifted through local homeless charities making sure it goes directly to those in need.

■ Objets de Desir, a Bristol company selling products from artists and designs form around the world, which has a pop-up shop at Cabot Circus until the end of the month, has recently launched an online boutique, created by owner Rachel Drake. Shop for unique and handmade pieces that are not available on the high street at: objetsdedesir.com

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National award for city boutique Gloucester Road based independent fashion and accessories boutique, Fox + Feather has won Best New Business at the Drapers Independents Awards 2013, in recognition of the work of entrepreneurial business owner, Clare Serjeant, it was announced at a reception last month at The Waldorf Hilton, London. With 15 categories, the awards covered a wide range of achievements in fashion retailing. After review by a panel of judges, made up of influential figures and experts from the independent retail sector, Fox + Feather won in celebration of their great range of UK designed fashion brands for men and women, and their commitment to providing the best possible shopping experience. Owner Clare Serjeant says: “We are completely thrilled and honoured to have been given this award. We have worked very hard to build our business and love being a part of the fantastic Gloucester Road community. We hope that this award will help us to continue to expand our range and and help promote the local and national designers that we love.”

CITY BUSINESS New plans for Old Vic The team at Bristol Old Vic last month unveiled their dramatic plans for refurbishing the building’s old front of house areas. Taking their steer from the history of the theatre and King Street, from audiences past and present, from visitors, neighbours and artists, they submitted their plans for a new foyer design inspired by an Italian piazza, with natural light filling the space through high-level windows and a glass roof, offering a welcoming café atmosphere in the day and in the evening, a restaurant will offer a quick snack or a full pre-show dinner. The plans also aim to provide a fully wheelchair-accessible building with a lift to all levels, more ladies’ toilets and for the first time in its 250-year history, the 1760’s front wall of the Georgian theatre will be exposed and visible from the street. The plans also include a new studio theatre and the refurbishment of the 18th century Coopers’ Hall. The building will include environmental design features too, such as a planted roof and air cooled through an underground labyrinth to ensure the new buildings are energy efficient as well as reducing the carbon footprint. The £12 million programme will be supported from a range of funders, with £5 million already earmarked from Arts Council England. A fundraising appeal will be launched next year.

An evening with Deborah Meaden To raise money for its Golden Gift Appeal in the city, charity Above & Beyond is hosting a special evening with Deborah Meaden, successful entrepreneur and panel regular on Dragon’s Den, at the M Shed on Thursday 23 January, 5.30pm – 8.15pm. You will hear Deborah talk to Dave Harvey, the BBC’s business correspondent for the west of England, about her experience starting out and the lessons learnt, what it takes to succeed, as well as her views on doing business in the west country. You will also have the opportunity to pose your own question to Deborah. Tickets are £25 each and are available from www.aboveandbeyond.org.uk or tel: 0117 3700 842.

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If you’re not there The do’s and don’ts of business Choosing and appointing guardians tax planning

By Shelley Faulkner, Solicitor AMD Solicitors

It can be frustrating for SMEs to hear that some of the world’s biggest companies manage to pay a very small percentage of tax on their UK operations.

Google, for example, paid less than £12 million in corporation tax in 2012 despite reporting UK revenues of more than £3 billion.

Meanwhile, Facebook paid no corporation tax at all last year, despite enjoying estimated UK revenues of £223 million.

But it's important to remember, of course, that corporation tax is paid on profits and not revenue or turnover. And it's entirely possible that Google could have reported a financial loss despite such a headlinemaking revenue figure (as it happens, Google reported profits of £37 million and Facebook reported a pre-tax loss of £2.4 million in the UK).

The lesson here is that every business - global, large, medium, small or micro - is responsible for managing its own tax affairs to the letter of current UK tax law. With sensible tax planning smaller firms can legitimately reduce their tax liabilities.

Some basic dos and don’ts for small businesses and employers: DON’T… • Neglect your tax affairs until the end of the tax year. The more organised and detailed you are in your accounting, the more likely you are to meet deadlines and avoid paying above and beyond what you owe • Overvalue stock or work that is currently in progress • Forget to review any pension arrangements or employee remuneration packages DO… • Ensure that tax returns are filed accurately and paid on time to avoid penalties • Explore ways of withdrawing profit in the most tax-effective manner • Consider methods that will improve the way you collect cash and settle invoices Business tax planning is a complex issue and it makes good business sense to allow a firm of experienced chartered accountants and business advisers to do the leg work for you.

That's where we come in. Contact us today on enquiries@hollingdalepooley.co.uk or call 0117 973 3377 to discuss your business tax planning needs.

Hollingdale Pooley Bramford House, 23 Westfield Park, Clifton, Bristol BS6 6LT

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T

he thought of not being there for your children is unimaginably awful. Statistically, you are almost certain to see your children and your children’s children grow to maturity. In the extremely unlikely event that you and your spouse or partner were to die prematurely, however, your choice of guardians will be taken into account in determining who would look after your children. Assuming that you are well placed to consider who could best provide for their needs in these circumstances, choosing and appointing guardians could potentially be of great significance for their future.

Who to choose How and who to choose depends upon a large number of factors. The age of your children, and their individual characters and needs will be important. Are they close to their siblings, or very different in age and temperament? Are they settled at school or in their favourite clubs and activities? Do older children in particular have strong and vital friendships? Or is the priority to avoid interrupting education at a crucial stage?

Where do your relatives live? What age are the grandparents, and do you have siblings with children of their own? Do you have particular views as to how you wish your children to be educated, or in which religion you wish them to be raised? There may be only one obvious choice for a guardian, or there may be a number of sensible options.

Guardians can be appointed by a parent in a will, or in a written document. More than one guardian can be appointed, and a replacement guardian can be chosen in the event that the first cannot act. If each parent appoints a different guardian, the two appointments will take effect together. No appointment will take effect however, while a parent with ‘parental responsibility’ for the child survives.

A guardian who is named in a will (or other document) acquires parental responsibility on the giver’s death, if no other parent with parental responsibility survives. The appointed guardian is not under an obligation to care for the child, however. Should they be unwilling or unable to do so, or if someone else insists that they should care for the child, the court can resolve the dispute.

Choosing and appointing a guardian is one of the rights and responsibilities of parenthood, and may be one step you can take to care for your child even in the unimaginable situation that you are no longer able to do so.

For further advice and assistance contact Shelley 0117 9621205 or email shelleyfaulkner@amdsolicitors.com.

AMD have offices in Clifton Henleaze and Shirehampton © AMD Solicitors

A local award winning law firm

Telephone us on (0117) 9621205 or visit our website www.amdsolicitors.com DECEMBER 2013

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SPUR OF THE MOMENT Made in Britain and highly desired by the world’s super-rich.

Dara Foley enjoys the fastest and finest example of four-door automotive luxury.

It’s quite a big event when the new 2014 Bentley Flying Spur visits Bristol.

O

ne of the great ironies of modern times is that the communist led People’s Republic of China may well have done a much better job of managing the last six years of capitalist meltdown than all the elected governments of the west. As the Obamas, Merkels, Camerons and Cleggs have pondered, while shuffling their feet, the tiger economy of China has roared, advancing with ravishing strides. Within a generation, some half a billion people have been elevated out of poverty to create the world’s largest middle-class demographic. This is statesanctioned capitalism that now fuels a powerhouse of long-term consumer demand and especially fertile ground for the luxury brands of the world to take root and prosper.

In 2009 China surpassed the US to become the worlds largest car market and with sales in 2013 expected to top a staggering 18 million, Beijing alone is expected to have more sales in the luxury segment than the US and western Europe combined. Bentley, now with 38 dealerships, was one of the first luxury car marques to establish itself in China.

With a current average of 2,300 Bentleys snapped up each year, China is second only to the US in sales. So little wonder that earlier this year Bentley's PR gurus chose an 80km route from Beijing to the Great Wall for the maiden drive of its new luxury saloon; the Flying Spur.

Despite a 200% luxury car tax, modern China has discovered the joy of supreme opulence and a new long black Bentley is the finest ostentation of status. However China also boasts the greatest number of chauffeurs, so most owners might only appreciate half of what this incredible machine offers.

Auto enthusiasts will have noticed that the 2014 Flying Spur does not use "Continental" in its name. Historically, Bentley has used the "Continental Flying Spur" badge on two types of four-door cars since 1957. The first was a four-door saloon body, made to order by coachbuilders H. J. Mulliner & Co. in London and placed on a Continental chassis at the Bentley motorworks in Crewe. The second version, from 2006, is a four-door version, again using the Continental chassis but with the whole car produced in Crewe. With the 2014 Flying Spur, Bentley decided to drop the moniker to clearly distinguish it from its sporty two-door Continental GT. The new generation of Flying Spur owners, as well as the traditional ones will not be disappointed, inside they will find themselves in a spacious cabin, cosseted and enveloped in plush, hand stitched and diamond quilted leather, with deep wool carpeting underfoot, and a pleasance of high polished wood and brushed metal all around, not forgetting the famous embroidered Bentley wings in the headrests and the Breitling analogue clock in the dashboard.

Outside, re-designed lines update the coachwork with a striking new, smoother front end with the larger LED headlamp moved to the outside, and a fullwidth lower air-intake. The softer lines sharpen down the wings culminating in broad, muscle-car haunches over the rear wheel arch. Nothing new in the finish though, Bentley's trademark paintwork - noticeably rich and glasslike.

There's also a respectful reintroduction of the famous Flying-B, no longer on the bonnet, but on the two side vents.

Bentley owners will know and expect the highest specifications. After all at a starting price of around £140,000, perfection should come as standard, but

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what is truly sensational about this car is the machine itself. It is a triumph of advanced engineering. Weighing in at two and a half tonnes, and bursting with 616bhp from the W12 6-litre twin turbo engine; the Flying Spur can be propelled from 0 - 60 in just 4.3 seconds, topping out at 200mph, making it the fastest, most powerful four-door production car in the world. With that in mind, another of the most impressive new innovations is the acoustic floor and sound proof glazing. The acoustics team at Crewe has added a new level of refinement in noise elimination.

In Bristol or in Beijing, the dilemma must be the same, should I sit up front and thrill to the finest driving experience, or should I relax in the back, and let a lucky chauffeur do the job? In the rear cabin Bentley has afforded every luxury for the passenger; the legroom is extensive, all seats have multi touchof-a-button comfort settings with back massage and individual heating and air-conditioning functions. A flick of the switch raises the privacy screens, so any gawpers or the lenses of prying paps are soon dealt with. A clever detachable, touch-screen remote control operates the climate control, info-tainment and comms system and offers a variety of app like functions throughout the car even allowing anyone in the back to view the speedometer or trip computer. It is supremely comfortable and glamorous and one can only imagine, for a passenger, any journey can't be long enough. For me though, I'll play chauffeur.

Having reviewed the Bentley Continental GT Speed earlier this year, the driving seat and dashboard were a familiar pleasure - the organ-stop vent controls still bring a broad smile - so I had no anxieties about introducing this car to all the delights of Bristol traffic on a Saturday afternoon. However the Flying Spur is 5.3m long, wider and lower than the Continental so threading it through the narrower stretches of Cliftonwood >>

In Bristol or in Beijing, the dilemma must be the same, should I sit up front and thrill to the finest driving experience, or should I relax in the back?

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Open 7 Days & Online required careful concentration, but once out and onto the Hotwells Road, and a very quick dash along the Portway, the bigness was soon mastered. In fact coupled with the weight, the immense reserves of available power - you will probably never need all 200mph worth - means this is an elegant and refined ride at any speed. Around town, it handles like a car half its size, the all-wheel drive means its turning and parking is light, responsive and simple. Thanks to those acoustic engineers, noise elimination is quite brilliant, as is the lack of vibration, in Penn Street outside Harvey Nics, I was guilty of trying to start it when it was already running. Rookie error. It is completely silent - the cabin fan at its lowest setting making the only audible sound. Conversely for an optional £5,610 extra, the 11-speaker Naim audio system will add a 1,100 watt soundtrack to your drive; and you will never be embarrassed by your musical choices as the outside world will not be troubled. Onlookers were plentiful though as it's quite an event to see one of the first examples of this beautiful car in Bristol city centre.

On the motorway, it’s a similar story. The W12 engine remains super quiet at speed, road noise seems well suppressed and the 8 speed automatic gearbox shifts effortlessly. The ride is very stable and holds a perfect straight line, even in heavy crosswinds. I only took the car up to UK motorway speed limits, (honest, officer) but it was obvious that it was running at a fraction of its capabilities. The highly developed air-suspension dealt with pretty much everything a bad road can give, and if you fancy a sportier, firmer drive the dampers can be adjusted through ride settings on the drivers touch-screen display. Understandably with a car of this mass and velocity, the braking system needs to be one of the best in its class too, it is. And for the big traveller…the boot is enormous, think isotype for a four-man tent.

Bentley owners will not be too concerned about running costs (what China's 18 million new drivers p.a. might do to petrol futures - experts can only guess) but for the record, the new Flying Spur has improved its average fuel consumption to 19mpg and lowered its emissions significantly to 343g/km CO2.

Rolls-Royce, and perhaps the Mercedes S class, are the only real competitors offering travel in this rarified air, and of those only the Rolls Ghost offers comparable interior space and amenities, although at a far higher price point. Indeed ownership of the 2014 Flying Spur may well offer a perfect employment opportunity for some very fortunate chauffeurs, for the occidental motorist, real privilege is best served when seated at the wheel.

Handmade in Crewe, Britain. ■ The Bristol Magazine’s test car courtesy of Bentley Cheltenham.

For more information on the Bentley Flying Spur contact: Bentley Cheltenham, Rutherford Way, Cheltenham.

GL51 9TU. Tel: 0333 240 3659. http://www.cheltenham.bentleymotors.com.

Commuter Pannier £89

iphone wallet £35.99 ipad/Map cover £35.99 Handlebar bag £76.50 Plus the full range of

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News in Brief ■ Two students at The Red Maids’ School organised a fashion show last month which raised £732 for charities in Uganda that the school has close links with, including The Bujagali Trust which creates educational opportunities for young people in Uganda and The Busoga Trust which locates water sources and educates local communities about sanitation and builds wells. Lara Hill and Fatima Yaqub, both aged 16, spent three months negotiating with major high street retailers, training a team of student models and arranging lighting and music, to produce a wonderful evening of fashion and entertainment.

Clothes and accessories from Amulet Boutique

Creative collaboration in Cotham Local businesses in and around Cotham Hill recently collaborated for a fashion shoot in the area to showcase their offerings and the result is a professional and striking collection of images. The photographer, Danni L Baker, is only 19 and self taught. The model is Donatella Pegler, make-up artist is Jenny Davies, Kyle from Hair@58 created the hair styles, clothes were from Amulet Boutique and styling by the shop’s owner, Hemali Modha. Hemali says: “I wanted to create some looks for this season, showing how to look great and still stay warm. Layering is a word that’s been bandied around for several seasons but I know from speaking to customers how hard it can be to do well and do without adding bulk to your frame. I wanted to show how you can layer using a combination of colour, print and texture to get a really exciting look. We also have a party look with a lurex dress and a couple of key statement pieces of jewellery, some smouldering eyes and some grungy/chic hair.” To see all the images visit: www.amuletjewellery.co.uk

Fashion show at the Red Maids’ School

■ After eight years, Tom Trevor is leaving his post as director of Arnolfini to develop a number of curatorial projects internationally. During Tom’s time at Arnolfini audience figures have risen and collaborations have developed at all levels, from the local to the international. In 2011, on the occasion of its 50th anniversary, Sir Nicholas Serota described Arnolfini as “one of a handful of the most significant cultural centres in Europe.”

MOVERS

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SHAKERS Going for gold

Mayor George Ferguson wears gold trousers to celebrate £1m raised for the Golden Gift Appeal © Chas Breton

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Congratulations to charity Above & Beyond who reached the first million of its £6million Golden Gift fundraising appeal to transform Bristol’s hospitals.

To celebrate, the Mayor of Bristol George Ferguson honoured the promise he made when the appeal was launched to wear gold trousers, instead of his trademark red ones, for a week to generate awareness.

At the celebration with volunteers who’ve baked, raffled and marshalled for the appeal, the Mayor said: “It’s tremendous that Above & Beyond have reached the first million in such a short time. It’s so important that we do add to what is already an excellent health service by being able to provide the truly gold-standard healthcare that this appeal will help make possible.”

This appeal will raise £6m to help transform the Bristol Royal Infirmary (BRI) and Bristol cancer centre, the Bristol Haematology and Oncology Centre (BHOC), improving the hospital environment, fund innovative research, support and train hospital staff, and provide state of the art equipment to deliver today’s life-saving care and the pioneering treatments of tomorrow. For further information visit: www.aboveandbeyond.org.uk.

DECEMBER 2013

▲ Bristol-based children’s ride-on luggage company, Trunki celebrated last month when the two millionth Trunki suitcase rolled off the production line, marking a very successful seven years. The last two years have been particularly busy for the company, making suitcases in the UK, buying a factory, growing the team, growing the brand globally and launching three new product ranges – all dedicated to making travelling with tots a doddle. Trunki was founded by designer Rob Law and started trading in May 2006, in an office in a converted chapel in the centre of Bristol, with a control room, slide and play room. It now sells its suitcases across 97 countries worldwide and has stacked up an impressive collection of awards.

Pictured above, Trunki founder, Rob Law in the company’s Bristol city centre office

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All TOgether NOw

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Winter Wonderland at The Mall, Cribbs Causeway

Use our guide to help plan quality time with your little ones this Christmas. From family friendly theatre and ice skating to craft activities and music, there’s something for all ages to enjoy T w e lve d ay s O f C h r i s t ma s t ra i l , T yn t e s f i e l d H O u se , t h r O u g h O u t d e c e m b e r, 10 a m – 3 p m Solve the clues to uncover the 12 objects around the estate and fit the age-old festive song back together. Cost: £2.50 per trail (includes a prize) after standard admission.

W i n t e r WO n d e r l a n d a t T h e M a l l , C r i b bs C a u s e way, Un t i l 5 J a n u a r y Get your skates on for the large outdoor ice rink which provides hours of fun for all ages, with a nursery ice rink for younger children and novices where Seal skating aids are available to hire. Children can share their Christmas wishes with Father Christmas in his Enchanted Ice Castle which will perform a musical light display every hour, and afterwards take a ride on the Christmas Train inside The Mall, or if it’s dry, enjoy a ride outside for just £2 – tickets are available from the driver. Tickets for all Winter Wonderland attractions can be purchased at: www.mallcribbs.com.

I c e Sk a t i n g , M i l le n n i u m Sq u a r e , Un t i l 5 Jan u a ry At-Bristol has transformed Millennium Square into a huge ice rink where you can skate with family and friends next to the Planetarium. The rink is open from 10am – 8pm each day with 74 THE BRISTOL MAGAZINE

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sessions running on the hour, every hour. Tickets cost £7.50 for adults, £6.50 for concessions and £5.50 for children. To book visit: www.atbristol.org.uk/icerink or tel: 0845 345 1235.

Tickets will also be available from the At-Bristol café during the skate sessions.

T h e P O la r Ex p r e s s, d a r t m O O R ra i lway, d e vO n, u n t i l j a n u a r y

Discover the magic of Christmas aboard The Polar Express this winter. Inspired by the hit film The Polar Express and book by Chris Van Allsburg, the train rides are set to the film’s soundtrack, where pyjama-clad passengers can relive the magic of the story and see their favourite characters come to life as they are whisked away on a magical round trip. During the journey, the conductor will punch tickets and chefs will serve hot chocolate, while passengers enjoy a sing song and a reading of the book. At the end destination Santa will board the train to greet the children who will be given a special sleigh bell. Advanced booking is required and tickets start from £20 per adult and £15 per child. Tel: 08000 23 23 83 or visit: www.UKPolarExpressRide.com

A n t a rc t i c a a t t h e B r i s t O l O l d V i c St u d i O, u n t i l 4 J a n u a ry

The studio is once again transformed into a wintry wonderland for younger audiences to

enjoy, as the Little Bulb Theatre take you on a journey armed with songs, instruments, puppets and plenty of snowy surprises. Box office tel: 0117 987 7877 or visit: www.bristololdvic.org.uk.

St i c k Ma n Tra i l , W e st O n b i r t A r b O r e t u m, 1 D ec e m b e r – 3 1 J a n u a r y Forestry Commission England has teamed up with popular children’s character Stick Man to create a special adventure trail at Westonbirt Arboretum. The trail, inspired by the Julia Donaldson and Axel Scheffler character, is designed to help children find out more the importance of wood and trees to their daily lives. Children will be able to hunt for clues, write poems, build dens, draw pictures and create their own Stick Man character. To find out more and download free online activity sheets visit: www.forestry.gov.uk/stickman.

S a n ta ’ s I n ve n t i O n W O r k sh O p, At B r i s t O l , F r O m 5 d ec e m b e r Become a creative Christmas elf and get crafty in Santa’s invention workshop. Design your own light-up decorations and create science-inspired stocking fillers to take home with you – >>

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Give a year’s worth of family fun for Christmas...

>> from cool kaleidoscopes to rocket mice.

Drop-in sessions throughout the day, free with standard admission. All materials provided.

A ve r y V i c t O r i a n C h r i st ma s a t T yn t e s f i e l d H O u se , e v e r y w e e k e n d f r O m 7 – 2 2 d ec e m b e r

younglings of the land go on a quest to try and bring their Dream Queen back; they meet unusual characters along the way and find hidden talents to help them achieve their goal.

An enchanting play for all the family to enjoy.

Tickets £2 from: www.acta-bristol.com.

w i n t e r f e st i va ls d i s c Ov e r y d ay, B r i st O l Mu se u m & A r t G a l le r y, Su n d a y 15 d ec e m b e r, 1 1 am - 3 p m

Join a Victorian romp around the National Trust-owned house with four very special Victorian characters. You may even bump into a jolly old man with a big white beard. There will also be a Christmas performance from the Pantaloons Theatre Company and a guided storytelling tour around the house. Standard admission charges apply.

Discover what the museum’s diverse collections reveal about winter festivals throughout history with nativity scenes, Inuit life and the Roman festival of Saturnalia. Activities are drop-in and suitable for all ages.

W h O se H O Ov e s ? a ct i v i t y, M S h e d, S u n d ay 8 d ec e m b e r, 1 1 am – 3 p m

B r i st O l z O O ’ s En c h a n t e d C h r i s t ma s, 1 8 , 1 9 & 2 0 d ec e m b e r

Make your own wildlife inspired wrapping paper for Christmas and learn how to identify animal footprints in the snow. Free.

S u p e r S am & Me g a M a x s a ve C h r i st ma s, T h e B r e w e r y T h e a t r e a t t h e TO b a c c O fa c t O r y, 11 d ec e m b e r – 5 j an u a ry

Time is running out for Sam and Max to get ready for Christmas, but one thing after another keeps going wrong – they can’t find the tape to wrap up the presents, the lights won’t switch on and they just can’t seem to get that sparkling star onto the top of the Christmas tree. Luckily, help is at hand!

Superpowers will be deployed, goodies will do battle with baddies and underpants will be worn outside trousers as Super Sam and Mega Max take on their toughest ever assignment and try to save Christmas. A new show for 2 – 6 year olds and their families, combining music, movement, silliness and a touch of magic. Box office tel: 0117 902 0344 or visit: www.tobaccofactorytheatre.com

T h e d r e a m Q u e e n, T h e A ct a C e n t r e , B e d m i n st e r, 1 1 – 13 d ec e m b e r

The Dream Queen is an original play, devised

by Phoenix Theatre. It is a magical story of how the Dream Queen is tricked and trapped in a mirror by her evil sister who rules the kingdom as the Queen of Nightmares. As the 76 THE BRISTOL MAGAZINE

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Bristol Zoo will be filled with all things Christmas, from reindeer and seasonal entertainers to a market and carol singers. The zoo will also welcome on stage Santa himself.

Book tickets at: www.bristolzoo.org.uk

M I N I M E S SI A H, C O LS TO N H A L L , S ATU RD A Y 2 1 d e c e m b e r, 4 . 3 0 p m – 5 .3 0 p m

This bite-sized family-friendly concert introduces children to Handel’s festive favourite with a condensed performance taking in some of the favourite highlights, including the Hallelujah chorus, in under an hour. The perfect start to your family Christmas, performed by Bristol Choral Society, soloists and orchestra Music for Awhile. Box office tel: 0844 887 1500.

C h i l d r e n ’ s C h r i s t ma s C a r n i va l , S t G e O r g e ’ s B r i st O L , S U n d a y 2 2 d ec e m b e r, 1 . 3 0 p m & 3 .3 0 p m

Get Christmas off to a jolly start with George Kleinsinger and Paul Tripp’s much loved Tubby The Tuba, an enchanting musical tale that has captured the hearts of children all over the world. The orchestra also plays a selection of Disney songs, and with plenty of audience participation in festive favourites, this is a seasonal delight for all the family. Tickets available from the box office on tel: 0845 40 24 001 or visit: www.stgeorgesbristol.co.uk.

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A Victorian Christmas at Tyntesfield House

For a Christmas gift with a difference, why not treat your friends or family to an annual membership to At-Bristol? They’ll get unlimited free entry for a whole year – that’s plenty of opportunity to explore hundreds of interactive exhibits, take part in hands-on lab activities, and be wowed by explosive live science shows.

They’ll also be able to enjoy unlimited tours of the night sky in At-Bristol’s Planetarium, as well as taking part in exclusive members-only previews and special activities throughout the year – it really is a gift that keeps on giving. For more information on memberships, visit: atbristol.org.uk/membership, or call: 0117 915 7177. Plus, mention The Bristol Magazine for a 10% discount on any family membership purchased in December.

WIN! a family membership to At-Bristol We’ve teamed up with At-Bristol to offer you the chance to win a year’s worth of exciting and engaging days out for the whole family. To win one annual membership for four people (maximum two adults), just answer the following question: What is the name of At-Bristol’s interactive night sky centre?

Email your answer, along with your full name, address and telephone number to: competition@at-bristol.org.uk. Deadline for entries: Friday 27 December.

Please note: by entering this competition you are agreeing that your details may be used for marketing purposes.

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LIGHTING UP LITTLE FACES Samantha Coleman discovers the magical theatrical delights waiting for young children and families at the Wardrobe Theatre this Christmas, courtesy of new theatre company Dot & Ethel

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hristmas is a magical time for any child, but throw in a heartwarming fairytale brought to life on the stage and you’ll have their imaginations truly captured. Which is what new theatre group, Dot & Ethel is aiming to do in its new production of The Little Match Girl at the Wardrobe Theatre this Christmas.

Dot & Ethel is a fresh new theatre company made up of two of Bristol’s talented theatre makers, director Heidi Vaughan and designer Harriet de Winton, who aim to to create imaginative experiences for audiences, making work that celebrates creativity and tells stories in a generous way; rich in theatrical techniques and with dollops of fun.

“Dot & Ethel was born from a real desire to create work that was driven by audiences rather than ego. To make theatre which is imaginative, affordable, open and responsive,” says Heidi.

Heidi and Harriet met working on Bath’s egg theatre summer school a couple of years ago. As Harriet says: “To work with 60 teenagers and keep a smile on your face is a pretty good sign of a great working relationship so I knew we would continue to work well together having faced the ultimate challenge. Our approach to storytelling seemed to work so well and comfortably; it felt like we had been doing it for years.

“The name, Dot & Ethel, conjures up an image of a pair of friends sat together telling stories, a perfect backdrop to our creations. Every meeting we have ends up being longer than we planned because we’ve always got so much to chat about!”

Heidi trained at Bristol University where she was awarded the John Lavender Prize for outstanding contribution in the field of theatre and film. Over the last 15 years she has worked as a director, senior manager, head of department and workshop leader in venues including the egg in Bath; Nuffield Theatre in Southampton; Oxford School of Drama; Bristol Old Vic; The Sherman in Cardiff; The Point in Eastleigh and the Oxford Playhouse.

Her recent commissions include A Hundred Years for 100 Stories with the Travelling Light Theatre Company, A Starry Night with the Bristol Old Vic Theatre School and The House of Bernarda Alba at the egg.

Harriet trained at the Bristol Old Vic Theatre School and on graduating, began designing for the nationally acclaimed Shakespeare at the Tobacco Factory, which she has done for the last five years, continuing into the 2014 season.

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She has designed for numerous venues including the Tobacco Factory Theatre, Bristol Old Vic, The egg, The Wardrobe Theatre, Salisbury Playhouse, Newbury Corn Exchange and national tours across the UK and Europe with new companies making fresh and different work including for the RSC. Alongside theatre design Harriet has added many creative strings to her bow; she is founder and creative editor of Cloth Magazine, illustrator and stylist for numerous publications, event and installation designer and super blogger, all from her studio in Stokes Croft.

The pair have collaborated on many projects but this is their very first production as Dot & Ethel. For The Little Match Girl they have teamed up with puppeteers and music makers (including music man Seamas Carey who does a lot of work with the renowned Kneehigh Theatre) to create a magical festive treat for children aged three and over and their families, adapted from Hans Christian Anderson’s enchanting story of a young child’s hopes and dreams; simple pleasures and losses – yet, it has much more to offer than your average fairytale.

Heidi says: “It is incredibly uplifting and raw, playful and tender and will be pure delight for Bristol’s younger audience when brought to life by the creative storytellers. The show itself has a real sense of event around it, we love the liveliness of theatre and the fact that the dynamic of our audience allows every show to be different and exciting. It is an open piece, very much bringing the audience with us on our journey.”

While keeping true to the tones and images of the original story, Dot & Ethel have chosen to modernise the tale. The match girl (played by three different performers) is eager to find what she is missing as she heads out into the cold in search of her Granny. The hostility of the seasonal shoppers, in search for their next bargain, leaves her lost, alone and frightened until she has a brilliant idea of striking a match. With each strike she is taken out of

It is incredibly uplifting and raw, playful and tender and will be pure delight for Bristol’s younger audience when brought to life by the creative storytellers

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ENCHANTING EXPERIENCES: left inset, Harriet de Winton and Heidi Vaughan, aka theatre company Dot & Ethel; above, rehearsals for The Little Match Girl and right, Heidi and Harriet try out different theatrical techniques using a projector

the cold and into another world where we will witness truly joyful, magical experiences that are wholesome and smile-raising.

“The way we’ve approached the story is to find the sense of adventure from new experiences which we’ve made very interactive,” says Heidi. “Children will be involved in creating bits of the story – we want them to feel like they are going on the journey too.”

The ending of the original story is very sad and I wondered how Heidi and Harriet would approach this, especially in a Christmas show. Heidi says: “It’s no different from Raymond Briggs’ The Snowman. We don’t want to patronise children, they need to understand that all things come to an end. However, we haven’t made the end of this show overtly sad, instead we see the little girl delighted in achieving her quest as a new year begins. Which is where the magic elements come in. It is a really beautiful ending.”

Despite bringing the story into the modern day, the play has many nostalgic elements and subtle nods to the original text. “We have taken inspiration from the peculiarity of dated objects and older technologies including vinyl, newspapers and slide projectors and their new uses through a young child’s imagination,” says Harriet. “The audience will step into a world of forgotten treasures full of things to discover through touch, smell and sound.

Enchanting puppets, shadow projection, film reels and evocative nostalgic music that mixes folksy accordion with songs of The Andrews Sisters, and a little help from the audience will all add to the magic of this captivating show full of hope, optimism and Christmas cheer.”

The Little Match Girl will be at The Wardrobe Theatre on St Michael’s Hill from Tuesday 10 – Saturday 22 December at 2pm.

All tickets are £5 each. Next year the show is already scheduled to go on tour, so you can catch it in Bristol first. Heidi says: “There’s nowhere quite like Bristol, it’s unique, responsive and supportive, and the Wardrobe Theatre is fantastic platform for this play.

There’s a great pub where you can go for a family meal before walking up the stairs into the cosy dark green room for a really special theatre experience. It’s a charming Edwardian space completely befitting a play for children where they can interact and join in, and parents can feel comfortable too.” ■

The Wardrobe Theatre The Wardrobe Theatre is a relatively new theatre space above the White Bear Pub on St Michael’s Hill.

It provides a mix of theatre, comedy and local regular nights and is run on a voluntary basis by a team made up of experienced theatre producers across Bristol willing to put in the hours to make something special.

The focus of the venue is to support new work being made locally and on being accessible, with theatre shows always under £5.

The Wardrobe is a family friendly venue with relaxed and comfortable seating. Moving around and fidgeting is encouraged, and the staff are helpful and always on hand.

It is a place where anything can happen. Where fresh nutritious performance is premier, where arts cuts don't stop the passion, and where the people of Bristol can experience the thrill of live performance.

The Wardrobe Theatre, above The White Bear, 133 St Michael's Hill, High Kingsdown, Bristol, BS2 8BS. For further information visit: www.thewardrobetheatre.com

For all the latest from Dot & Ethel, follow them on Twitter: @DotandEthel. For tickets to The Little Match Girl, reserve them by emailing: tickets@thewardrobetheatre.com and turn up 25 minutes before the show to pay them, or get your tickets on the door.

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

T

here is something about Christmas which I both love and loathe. The magic still sweeps me up every year and I always get impossibly excited on the big day. Yet the run up fills me with dread, suddenly the list of jobs gets longer and even more tasks need to be fitted in.

Like every family, we have our traditions – every year my Dad wants to play a game and at some point we have a feeble attempt at charades. If it’s a year we’re in Devon, then a quiz will always be conjured up.

It’s all these trimmings that add to the magic, yet also add to the migraine.

Which is why when I heard of Sharky & George, my eyes lit up. Sharky & George is a children’s events company, that, in its own words, throws ‘jaw dropping parties.’ Its aim is simple – to find the fun in everything. When you hear their story, you realise they really are the Peter Pan of business.

Sharky & George was founded by two chaps: Sharky, aka, Charlie Astori and George Whitefield, who clearly have a love of pranks. In fact, it was pranking one of their school masters that both got them into trouble and started their business. The teacher in question was unimpressed with the prank and so decided their punishment was to organise his daughter’s party. It was such a success that Sharky and George realised they were onto something.

The business was launched in 2003 and the rest, as they say, is history.

Sharky says his best toy is a water bomb catapult. While George says his is a remote controlled sailing boat. Fun is very much their ethos – even their business cards are pictures they drew in felt tip. Both Bristol graduates, they were keen the business should go back to their roots – so team mate Archie Sample moved to head up the south west region while the other two operate from London.

When I met Archie, I wasn’t expecting him to have a degree in medical science. Or that he had previously been a footman and wine taster – I think this gives you an idea of the calibre of the team. They very much have that cheeky, private school boy feel about things and love what they do.

I was keen to ask his advice on how to entertain a family of different ages for a Christmas party and he was full of ideas. Anyone remember sardines?

Great if you’ve got a lot of space to play with! Or how about table football using coins pushed along a table?

Their approach is simple, they want every one to be involved. And they’re clearly doing something very right – taking a look at their recently launched book, Don’t You Dare, it’s covered in quotes from very happy celebrity parents. The book is jam-packed with games, pranks and good honest fun for all ages, with stickers, riddles and activities too.

The classic party is where Sharky & George started and is still at the heart of everything they do. They offer party games, races, competitions and goody bags for £250 + VAT. Another job taken care of.

Still being relatively new to the Bristol scene, they are recruiting new leaders and caterers. So if you know a prank or two, it could be right up your street.

To hear Archie share the secrets of a good family party, check out: www.freelancebristolmum.co.uk. ■

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OUT | AND ABOUT

A good pub ending Although relatively short, this month’s walk takes you to one of the highest spots on Mendip, with spectacular views and an impressive prehistoric hillfort. You need a clear day to fully appreciate it, but, whatever the weather, it ends at one of the finest and most unspoilt pubs in Somerset, the Crown at Churchill, with roaring fires, home-cooked food and a range of beers straight from the barrel, says Andrew Swift

T

he walk itself is ideal for adventurous children, as there is plenty to look out for along the way. It is also ideal for dogs, with livestock only likely to be encountered on one or two short stretches – although watch out for some barbed wire bordering the path at a couple of places. It is also short enough to be suitable for adults unused to walking over rough terrain, as there are no stiles – although good walking boots are essential and walking poles are recommended.

• To get to the starting point drive south-west from Bristol along the A38 for around 13 miles until you come to the traffic-light controlled crossroads at Churchill. Turn right along the A368, and, after 300 metres, just before the Nelson Arms, turn left along Skinner’s Lane. 125 metres up the lane, you will find the Crown Inn, opposite which there should be parking (ST445595).

• Leaving the car, carry on up a rough lane called The Batch past the Crown.

Carry on past a bridleway heading off to the left, but, after 500 metres, look for two footpaths leading into the woods on the left (ST444590), and take the one heading steeply and diagonally downhill. When you come to the main road, cross and bear left along the pavement for a few metres before turning right down a steep flight of steps with a handrail.

• When you come to a lane, turn right. After a few metres turn left by Oak House. After 180 metres, turn right by Walnut House, following a waymark for the Limestone Link. Just before you reach a gate, turn left uphill (ST446590). A few metres along, carry on past a broad track branching off uphill, and follow the path through a chicane. Carry on uphill for 700 metres 82 THE BRISTOL MAGAZINE

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as the path slowly dwindles, before going through a gate in the fence on the right with a sign for Dolebury Warren (ST452591).

• Once through the gate, bear left along a muddy bridleway which soon leads into the open, with extensive views to the north. Follow the bridleway straight on through another gate. After 400 metres it curves up to the right past a stand of conifers before heading through another gate (ST456589) and carrying on through a succession of fields for 500 metres.

❝

When you reach the summit, one of the finest views in Somerset – with Steep Holm straight ahead – lies before you

❞

• Follow the bridleway as it curves right through a gate (ST461589) and carry on along a muddy, stony track alongside a fence for 300 metres. When you come to a waymark, bear right uphill along a wide strip of greensward (ST465586).

• After 400 metres, when you come to a copse of conifers, don’t take the path bearing left but carry straight on along a broad path through the copse. After going through a five-bar gate, don’t be tempted to take the path bearing left

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OUT | AND ABOUT

SPECTACULAR SOMERSET: left, following signs to Dolebury Warren, you’ll enjoy open, extensive views to the north; above, on the ramparts of Dolebury; above right, the walk finishes at the Crown at Churchill which boasts roaring log fires, perfect to warm up next to on a frosty day

but head straight ahead uphill towards the ramparts of Dolebury Fort, dating from around 500BC. When you reach the summit, one of the finest views in Somerset – with Steep Holm straight ahead – lies before you. The ramparts of the fort, the turf scoured from the banks of stone by the merciless wind, lend a bleakness reminiscent of west Cornwall to this high place. In the middle ages, when rabbits were an important source of fur and food, a warren was established here. The pillow mounds created for the rabbits to build their warrens are still very much in evidence, as are the foundations of the lodge where the warrener once lived (ST451589).

• From here it is all downhill. The quickest option is to carry straight on, heading for a distant gap in the ramparts, but for a more spectacular conclusion to the walk, bear off down to the left and follow the ramparts round to that gap. The drop on the other side of the ramparts is steep and underlines the strategic importance of the fort, as well as the scale of the prehistoric civil engineering project that created it.

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• When you get to the gap in the ramparts (ST447589), take the path through it, and follow it as it swings left and then right downhill. After going through a gate, turn right along the lane by Walnut House. At the main road, bear left for a few metres before crossing and heading up a bridleway. At the lane, turn right to return to the Crown. ■

FURTHER INFORMATION ■

Distance: 3.5 miles

■

Approx time: 1.5 – 2.5 hours

■

Map: OS Explorer 141

■

Refreshment stops: The Crown at Churchill (BS25 5PP) is open all day, with food served from noon to 2.30pm. No credit cards. Tel: 01934 852995. It welcomes well-behaved children and dogs.

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HEALTH | & BEAUTY

PARTY PERFECT Outshine the competition at the Christmas party this year. Lisa Piddington from Harvey Nichols offers advice on how to be the belle of every ball

F

rom the perfect pout and sultry smoky eyes to a beautiful hairdo and manicure, you can easily knock ‘em dead at the office party with one simple rule … when it comes to your make-up, pile on the glam!

Red lips will also be the sexy choice for the party season, but why not take your inspiration from the catwalk and go nude with barely there shades of pink, berry and peach? You can add an injection of colour with bright jewel-toned eye shades teamed with inky liners for high impact. Don’t be afraid to play around with dark colours – think 1920s starlet with heavy lashes and dark lids. For a modern twist, try a dash of jade or a high pearl shimmer for real impact.

One rule of thumb, though. Heavily made-up eyes look great with pale lips, and vice versa. You don’t want to end up looking like a pantomime dame on a bad day.

Hair for the season is sleeked back chic or cascading waves, so start with a great nourishing treatment to beautify your barnet. Invest in a firm hold hair spray to ensure your chosen style stays in place long after the canapés have been munched.

Finish off with on-trend varnish in a rainbow of colours to show off perfectly manicured talons and don’t forget to paint your toe nails too and set off your Jimmy Choo peep-toes to perfection.

1: 2: 3: 4: 5: 6: 7: 8: 9: 10:

4

1

Benefit They're Real Mascara, £19.50.

OPI nail varnish, £11.50.

Laura Mercier lip stain, £16.50.

GHD Straight & Smooth spray, £14.50.

Dr Hauschka Eye Shadow, £13.

Show Beauty hair treatment oil, £50.

NARS velvet lip pencil, £17.50.

NARS lip gloss, £17.50.

Tom Ford Eye Defining Pencil, £26.

Tom Ford Eye Colour Quad, £62.

2 3

All products features are available from the ground floor beauty hall at Harvey Nichols Bristol.

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CHRISTMAS | WISH LIST

BEAUTY BOUTIQUE ★

This Christmas treat your loved ones to some perfect pampering products that are truly indulgent

SURPRISE! When you lift the lid of this Christmas ornament box from Jo Malone London, it springs open to reveal a beautiful English Pear & Freesia Body Creme (15ml) and Pomegranate Noir Cologne (9ml). It looks lovely hanging on the tree too – so why not hide it there? Available from Harvey Nichols, £20

★

CHIME TO UNWIND: This miniature sized bottle of Aromatherapy Associates luxurious Revive Morning Bath & Shower Oil is presented within a charming bell-shaped box which makes a perfect stocking filler. It also has a loop at the top of the box if you wanted to hang it on the tree to be found on Christmas morning. And on Boxing Day, after excessive partying and entertaining, run a hot bath, pour in this soothing oil, lie back and relax and unwind – bliss.

Available from Space NK, £10.

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IT’S A WRAP: In support of climate change, iconic British fashion designer Vivienne Westwood has designed a limited edition 100% organic cotton knotwrap exclusively for LUSH this Christmas, which can be used as a stylish alternative to gift wrap and then worn as a headscarf or neckerchief or can even be framed as a piece of art.

The knot wraps are available in camel or light pink and feature symbols for the fight against climate change and environmental degradation.

Each one costs £15 from LUSH and all profits go to support the Climate Revolution.

DECEMBER 2013

FOR THE MEN: Perfect for a man that enjoys cycling, the Ted Baker Tour de Ted Christmas gifts are smart, functional and fun. They will love the Mean Clean Cycling Machine set (£22 available from Boots) which comes with a classically styled wash bag complete with a body spray, hair and body wash and soap on a rope.

★

★

✵

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PUCKER UP: For Christmas 2013 Guerlain celebrates Paris in the spotlight with its Crazy Paris collection of charming, playful, brightly coloured makeup. The festive season is all about being glamorous so opt for a dazzling pin-up look with the deep pink, provocative Rouge G De Guerlain Hydrating LongLasting Lip Colour (£36 from House of Fraser and John Lewis). With its elegant black lacquered case and integrated mirror it makes a luxurious gift that will be treasured in every woman’s handbag.

SHIMMER LIKE A STAR: This limited-edition bareMinerals READY Face & Body Luminizer of solid mineral powder features shimmering shades that swirl delicately over skin with a plush all-over brush for a radiant glow from head to toe. And with rich sea minerals and cold-pressed kiwi seed oil, it delivers skin-nourishing benefits too. Available from House of Fraser, £35.

✵

★

★

★

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Dr Lance Forbat BSc (Hons) MBBS St. Thomas’ MD London, FRCP (London/Glasgow)

®

Dr. Forbat practises exclusively as a private cardiologist. He can see you in clinics at the Spire, Nuffield and Litfield House. He has wide clinical experience offering a unique service for patients using telemedicine. Detailed, illustrative and candid explanations are provided with a friendly, approachable manner. He visits the home or workplace if required for clinical or personal preference. He has his own ECG and cardiac ultrasound (ECHO) equipment so he ensures the same standards and easy availability of test results.

A personalised service from “Heart2Heart” Doctor includes • Managing patients seen at clinics in different parts of the UK, to accommodate their travel plans and maintain continuity of care • Telemedicine to diagnose, treat and then titrate medication (e.g. for blood pressure, angina, heart failure, arrhythmia) including trips abroad • Telemedicine to keep patients out of hospital and enabling early discharge

www.privatecardiologyservices.com

POSITIVE PATHWAYS

Hypnotherapy

(Solution Focused Clinical Hypnotherapy) Clifton-based Practice.

Hypnotherapy can help with; Stress and anxiety, Depression,Addictions and Phobias, Smoking, OCD,Anger management,Weight management, Fertlity, Childbirth, Children's issues, Performance enhancement and Confidence issues.

Contact Amanda Gazidis (DHP) AfSFH Ba (Hons) on 07594440949 or at agazidis@yahoo.co.uk to book a FREE INITIAL CONSULTATION

THEBRISTOLMAGAZINE THEBESTOFBRISTOL PERFECTLYCOVERED BRISTOLSBIGGESTMAGAZINE PERFECTLYDELIVERED TOADVERTISETEL: 0117 9742800 WWW.THEBRISTOLMAGAZINE.CO.UK

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THE BRISTOL MAGAZINE 87

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REVIEW

Hair up and away we go Samantha Coleman visits Hush Hairdressing salon for an on-trend party look to turn heads

H

aving a short bob hair cut means that getting ready for a special occasion is never that exciting, because there’s not really a lot that I can do with my style apart from blow dry it to perfection.

Despite loving the easiness of having shorter hair, I always feel jealous of female friends and family members who can have their hair done in exotic up-dos, or glossed and curled down their back for a special occasion.

So when I booked an appointment at Hush Hairdressing on Baldwin Street to get my hair done for a glamorous party, I certainly wasn’t expecting an up-do. But Ria, an incredibly experienced hair stylist, especially in hair up, insisted that a shorter hair length doesn’t necessarily mean that there are fewer styles available. She proceeded to give me a whole list of options for my hair, including curls, some up and some down, pinned back; and my favourite – the one I chose – curled and pinned into an up-do.

I sat back with my complimentary tea and delicious chocolate as Ria worked her magic with the curling tongs. Her expertise is effortless and she worked quickly with lots of hairspray and grips to pin the curls back, adding a bit of height at the top of my head with the technique of backcombing. Once all the curls had been pinned back, apart from one, which she left at the side of my face to soften the style, Ria then spritzed on a glossing spray for extra shine, which really brought out the golden blonde tones in my hair. And in around 30 minutes I was ready to go with a super chic look that instantly added glamour to my outfit.

You can even treat yourself to a full pampering session at Hush with an organic colour and conditioning treatment beforehand, as well as a manicure at the nail bar where they offer everything from a quick file and polish to an elegant French manicure to nail tip extensions (which are available in glitter for added sparkle).

If you’re thinking of what look to My up-do opt for this Christmas, salon director Glenn offers his thoughts on styling for the party season and what’s currently on trend: “Curl is in this season, fusing funky texture and colour to create strong waves, crushed bobs and strong ponytails with eyecatching slices of rainbow tones and soft pastels. These are fantastic, distinctive styles for Christmas and New Year dos.

“Party hair this festive season is all about texture and volume with a touch of dishevelment, think effortlessly glamorous and slightly thrown into place!” ■ For further information and prices visit: www.hushhairbristol.co.uk or to make a booking tel: 0117 930 0350.

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Launch & develop your businesswith us!

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BRISTOL MAGAZINE The Bristol Magazine has all the treatments and all the wonderful therapies to help your business feel fantastic!

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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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ADVERTISEMENT FEATURE

Alternative Christmas Menu

By Nutritional Therapist Georgie O’Connor, lecturer at CNM (College of Naturopathic Medicine).

If you have friends or family with special dietary requirements, read on for some great foodie ideas that could keep them happy without exhausting the cook!

W

hilst Christmas is a great time for gatherings, it can leave cooks struggling, especially with so many people now making different dietary choices, looking for lighter options to the traditional fare, or being intolerant to certain foods! Before planning your menu, make sure you know the do’s and don’ts for individual guests, and aim to keep things simple by opting for something that can be eaten by as many people as possible. The following delicious course ideas are scrumptious enough to please everyone, but are ideal for guests who are vegan, or who are intolerant of dairy foods or gluten. However, if you use ready-made stocks, sauces etc, always read the label before use to check that the contents are indeed free from whatever may disagree with your guests!

and stir through 3 cups of cooked quinoa. Serve warm or cold.

Dessert For sublime orange chocolate mousse, drain and pat dry 340g of extra firm silken tofu, then blend with ½ tsp. of orange extract and 60mls of maple syrup. Gently melt 130g of dark chocolate and combine with the tofu. Pour into pretty dishes and pop in the fridge to set. Serve topped with toasted almonds and orange zest.

Starter For a dressing that will go with almost everything, roast a head of garlic for 20 minutes at 220C. When cool, squeeze the cloves into a blender with 140 ml sunflower oil, 4 tbsp. cider vinegar, the juice of two oranges, 1 tsp. each of grain mustard and tamari sauce. Place in an airtight container and store in the fridge.

When ready to serve, peel, pit and thinly slice an avocado - dip in the dressing so it keeps its colour, then segment 2 oranges and combine with ½ cucumber and lettuce leaves of choice. Drizzle a few tablespoons of the dressing over the top to make a perfect starter!

Main course Try this special holiday version of a nut loaf (check that no-one has a nut allergy first!). Preheat the oven to 180C. Sauté a finely chopped medium onion with 2 minced cloves of garlic, 500g of chopped mushrooms, 115g chopped cashews and 115g chopped walnuts for approximately 10 minutes.

Meanwhile, combine 125ml marsala wine with 1 tbsp. of cornflour, the juice of a lemon, 40g of oat flour, and ¼ tsp. each of dried rosemary, dried thyme, salt and lots of freshly ground pepper. Pour this into the pan with the nuts & mushrooms and cook until the mixture thickens. Line a 9 x 5 x 3-inch Loaf Pan then press in the mixture and bake for 30 minutes.

Vegetables Everyone can partake of the veggies you cook, provided they’ve been steamed, or cooked in sunflower or vegetable oil, or as I like them, sautéed in pure gluten-free vegetable stock.

For a lighter option to all the roasted root vegetables and brussels sprouts, try this guacamole quinoa salad: In a bowl, mash together an avocado with the juice of 1½ limes and a ¼ tsp. salt. Mix them together with a large diced tomato, a crushed clove of garlic, 4 tbsp. chopped fresh coriander & parsley, ¼ tsp ground cumin and ½ tsp. Cayenne, 90 THE BRISTOL MAGAZINE

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Drinks Help keep your guests hydrated by offering soft drinks such as naturally sparkling water with orange or mango juice; or spiced teas with cinnamon, orange zest, or cardamom rather than mulled wine – you’ll be surprised how many will be grateful for the lighter options.

Georgie O’Connor

Have a wonderful, healthy Christmas!

Thursday 5th December 6.30pm-8.30pm

FREE CNM Open Evening in Bristol Find out about training with CNM Bristol for a career in Naturopathic Nutrition or Naturopathic Acupuncture.

For details and to reserve your place: 01342 410 505 info@naturopathy-uk.com

www.naturopathy-uk.com

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CITY | LIVING

INTERIORS INSIDER Be inspired by the latest interiors news and products

Tango and Raffa chairs from Couch

Great British designs in Bristol A new designer furniture showroom, Couch, is opening in Clifton on 5 December run by owners, husband and wife team Ian and Judy Archer who met whilst studying textile and furniture design at college. They were soon collaborating on projects where shape, texture and pattern were amalgamated to offer creative and highly innovative design solutions. This young design business has seen steady growth and its ethos of genuine, well designed products, manufactured in the UK, has a growing reputation both locally and further afield. Judy believes the Guild Mark Award, received for their Raffa chairs this year, for British Design and Craftsmanship, has added credibility to the brand: “As a new furniture business, both online and on the high street, we have to differentiate ourselves from the morass of inexpensive, poorly made furniture that doesn’t last. Couch’s large sofas are not £500 but for between £1,500 and £2,000, you can have a stunning piece of design, that will last, and the Guild Mark Award acknowledges this.” A significant amount of Couch’s business comes from the London area, which brought them to the attention of prestigious retailer Heal’s, who commissioned an exclusive range by Ian and his Frame collection is now in their stores. Having already had new model launches in Milan and New York with Ercol – another great British brand – it has been an great year for Couch and Ian; leading Elle Decoration to declare him a rising design star. You can see the full range of Couch products online at: www.couchdesign.co.uk, or view its latest collection in store at 24 Alma Vale Road, BS8 2HY. Tel: 0117 2390432.

Save on fuel bills with energy-efficient doors With the recent focus on ever-increasing fuel bills and the feeling that whichever energy supplier you switch to you’ll still see a hike in your heating costs, it’s time to consider the ways in which you can lower your energy costs.

Specialising in a bespoke supply and fit service for windows and doors, Fensa-registered Crystal Clear is a founding member of the UK’s Double Glazing and Conservatory Ombudsman Scheme (DGCOS) and has a team of experts who have been fitting energy-efficient windows and doors to homes in Bristol and the surrounding area for over 13 years.

Crystal Clear supplies and fits some of the UK’s most energy-efficient, maintenance-free doors and windows, offering expert guidance on the ideal choice for every age and style of home. These A-Rated windows include a ten year guarantee and reduce the energy you need to heat or cool your home by up to 20%, keeping you warm and draught-free during those cold, wet winter months.

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GIFT IDEAS FOR THE HOME...

Bristol-based illustrator Lucie Sheridan has the perfect Christmas gift for design conscious couples with her Boob/Moob cushion collection featuring quirky bright torsos. Boob/Moob cushions, £26 each, available from www.luciesheridan.co.uk and shops Fig 1, The Makers and Howkapow.

There’s a range of beautiful home decor items at the recently opened Clifton Workshop on St George’s Road. From lampshades, cushions and tea towels to notebooks, tote bags and pen cases, each item has been designed and handmade by Caroline Quiroga with traditional screen printing techniques using quality fabrics, recycled paper and eco-friendly inks. Pictured, lampshades from £35.

Doors are awarded an A to G rating using the Door Energy Rating (DER) scheme, in a similar way to the existing Window Energy Ratings. Add to your home’s kerb appeal and remove the need for annual repairs and painting, while reducing heat loss, with a lowmaintenance door from the range of composite, aluminium and PVCu styles.

Crystal Clear supplies and fits the latest Apeer 70 and MODO doors, which can be A-rated, combining good looks with superior energy-efficiency. For further information, visit Crystal Clear, 22a Emery Road, Brislington, tel: 0117 971 7880 or visit: www.crystalclearbristol.co.uk. ■

MODO Composite Door from Crystal Clear

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HOMES | ON SHOW

SHOWY CHALET There is nothing shack-like about this chalet with its swimming pool, bar room, games room, orangery and seven acres boasting beautiful lawns as well as barns, writes Marianne Swinkels

H

ad I been set up on the equivalent of a joke property blind date? Or been set a challenge to test my lousy sat-nav skills?

It was difficult to tell. The mission itself was straightforward enough: to view a chalet in out-of-town Alveston. So there I was, scooting around the desirably rural north of Bristol environs on the look-out for anything meriting the name. Something small.

Anything at all that hinted chalet: a snazzy beach-style painted shed; a lodge with a maritime-themed frontage perhaps; or a place befitting the typical chalet dictionary definition – something vaguely akin to a wooden Swiss Alps ski resort dwelling, ‘hi-de-hi’ type holiday camp accommodation, or chalet bungalow.

But found nothing that matched my mindset.

Small wonder I was scouring around in vain. With a price tag nudging the £2 million mark, I should have been thinking big. A residence more along the lines of châteaux than upmarket shack.

The thought only struck as I passed a house nameplate marked The Chalet, ventured through the wrought iron gates, up the avenue of lime trees flanking wellgroomed grounds and parked up beside a handsome and very generously proportioned beauty of a building.

Just how incongruous can you get? The search for this misnomer – an impressively large residence belying expectations of some cutesy, small-scale hideaway more synonymous with its chalet name – had ended rather grandly.

Rightly retaining its name, evolving as it has from its Victorian roots as a rural family retreat and summer holiday chalet for a wealthy Bristol family, this seven double bedroomed home in its seven acre plot has been hugely transformed from its 1905 origins.

This impressive property, constructed from local red brick and part

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rendered elevations under a pitched and tiled roof, has been shaped by its century long history; different owners making their own mark.

But the gold award for The Chalet must be handed to the present owners who, in 2000, took on a then direly dilapidated building and spent more than a decade on a remarkable refurbishment programme, virtually doubling the house in size. A daunting project for a couple with young children, who both agreed from the outset that they would go more than the extra mile to retain the character and appearance of the original chalet.

They will admit to “being a bit daft,” talk of “leaps of faith” and confess that they lived in utter chaos for years once the work started in earnest. They wanted a place with space as they moved from a modern suburban home with postage size garden to this mini-estate offering maximum challenges on the fringes of the old market town of Thornbury.

And boy, did they get both.

But enter this versatile building which merges formal and informal spaces and ample live/work/leisure/entertaining and income generating opportunities, and it is obvious that their labour of love has paid off and deserves high accolade.

Allow yourself time if you choose to view. You’ll need it. If you want the ‘wow’ factor first, head straight for the 63 foot long beamed swimming pool complex with spa bath, changing room, shower facilities and gym. Or maybe enter the limestone floored reception hall and go through to the games room and orangery, which ties the original home to the large contemporary extension.

It is often said that the kitchen is the heart of the home. But offering, as The Chalet now does, some 984 square metres of internal space, the question to ask yourself is which one? The 32 feet long first floor kitchen/breakfast room with its hand-crafted units and enough space to host a cookery class in. Or

If you want the ‘wow’ factor first, head straight for the 63 foot long beamed swimming pool complex with spa bath

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the cottage style flagstoned kitchen on the lower ground floor.

This basement level also offers a whole lot more. A potential selfcontained annexe with a cinema-worthy sitting room, snug pub-style bar room, laundry and shower rooms and easy access to an outdoor terrace and gazebo there is huge scope here for entertaining or income generation.

As there is for the whole house. A dual aspect drawing room, formal dining room, snug room, studies and utility rooms pan out from a panelled hallway. And a duo of staircases give rise to the collection of bedrooms, bathrooms and ensuites; every one of them boasting far reaching views of the Severn Estuary and Bristol Channel.

But you must not stop there. The Chalet’s land has also been transformed and turned into a gardener’s paradise. True to its origins – the first Victorian owner Samuel Wilmot was also an ardent horticulturalist – the overgrown and long neglected garden also demanded a massive DIY SOS style rescue.

Lost in the rubble and wilderness of the seven acres were exotic species, landfilled ponds and water courses. A far cry from the beautiful ponds and water features, the well-stocked borders, lawns, play and leisure areas you’ll now see. Allow time too to stroll round the field and the two service roads which lead to barns – just ready and waiting for a horse or two – the other outbuildings, workshops and tractor stores...

I’ll own up. Heading back to my little home was easy. The only thing troubling me now was simply this – how to quickly raise nearly two million quid? ■

PROPERTY PROFILE: Where: The Chalet, Alveston, near Thornbury, South Gloucestershire BS35 3LG

What: Impressive family home built 1905 in seven acre grounds, extensively refurbished and re-landscaped over the last 11 years. Includes internal swimming pool complex, barns and outbuildings. Extensive Severn Estuary views.

Guide price: £1,950,000 The spec: First floor Orangery, games room with galleried landing above, kitchen/breakfast room, drawing room, dining room, & snug. Lower Ground floor offers potential self-contained annexe, with sitting room kitchen, bar room.

7 double bedrooms, 2 ensuite & family bathrooms Agents: Savills, The Mall, Clifton Village, Bristol BS8 4DR Tel: 0117 933 5800, email:rbrooks@savills.com www.savills.co.uk

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Very Best Wishes for the Festive Season From all the team at T H E

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Advertisers Please Note: The Deadline for Receiving Copy for the January 2014 Issue is Wednesday December 11th

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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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IN THE NIGHT GARDEN Gardening writer Jane Moore turns her attention to a very different type of bulb as she gets festive with a trip through some magical outdoor light shows

T

here is little point in writing about anything seriously gardening in December because frankly none of us have our minds on the job. This month, even for professionals like Anna and me, is totally subsumed by all things Christmas.

There is simply no escaping it. At the hotel all is decidedly festive and for us outside it’s all Christmas trees, holly and ivy and, of course, outdoor lights that fill our days.

Now I fear many of you may be preparing to turn the page in horror at such frequent and casual repetition of the C word, convinced that I will spend the rest of the page waxing lyrical in a somewhat syrupy fashion about you-know-what. But hold on and read on. Shelve your inner ‘Bah humbug’ and embrace the magic of the season as I aim to give you a round-up of the best outdoor light shows on offer in this countdown to Christmas.

Kew Gardens: The Illuminated Trail

For a seasoned gardener all paths lead to Kew and that horticultural nirvana is only a quick blip up the motorway, after all. This spectacular trail has been crafted by a specialist outdoor event company called Culture Creative and features a trail though the heart of Kew Gardens where you will encounter light, sound, performance and interactive installations to delight and amaze the whole family. Although the details are a closely guarded secret, the trail will take in the Palm House at night, some curious botanists and beautifully lit specimen trees.

Prices and times: adult: £12.50, children (5yrs -16yrs): £8, children under 5 go free. Family ticket (2 adults and 2 children, 5yrs -16yrs) £38. Thursday 28 November – Sunday 1 December, Thursday 5 – Sunday 8 December, Thursday 12 – Sunday 15 December, Thursday 19 – Monday 23 December 2013 and Thursday 26 December – Saturday 4 January.

The illuminated trail opens at 4.30pm and closes at 10pm. Visits are timed at 30 minute intervals from 4.45pm. The full trail takes approximately 75 minutes.

Westonbirt Arboretum: The Enchanted Christmas

Locals may have visited Westonbirt’s winter spectacular before but each year the route changes, taking in different specimens, paths and vistas in this vast 98 THE BRISTOL MAGAZINE

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tree collection. Even if you know our National Arboretum like the back of your hand, it’s amazing how different it all looks lit up like, well, a Christmas tree.

Prices and times: Friday, Saturday and Sunday evenings, Friday 29 November – 22 December, 5pm to 8.30pm (last admission to the trail at 7.15pm). Adults £10, concessions £8, children £5. Book in advance online or call: 03000 680 400.

Hestercombe Gardens: Winter Wonderland

These beautiful Lutyens and Jekyll gardens lend themselves to inspired illuminations and the organisers promise a magically lit pathway of sparkling lights and festive decorations. Trees will be lit up against the night sky and Father Christmas will be in his garden grotto, then you can warm up with skating and hot drinks from the café afterwards. Prices and times: every weekend in December and every day in the week leading up to Christmas and after Christmas until Sunday 5 January, 4.30pm to 7pm. Adults £4.50, children under 16 £2.75, members free.

The Holburne Museum: Light to Light

The winter light shows at the new-look Holburne are becoming something of a Bath staple – if anything this spectacular can ever be called a staple.

Following on from last year’s Labyrinth, Light to Light has been designed specifically for the Holburne by lighting designer and artist Patrick Woodroffe. The museum garden will host a spectacular display of LED lights of varying brightness and colour to create a rich and layered bed of light that ripples and dances to a sound track compiled and created by English composer Matt Clifford.

Over the last 40 years Patrick Woodroffe has produced lighting designs for an extraordinary collection of people including Abba, Lady Gaga, Take That, The Rolling Stones, The Three Tenors, and the London Symphony Orchestra as well as special events including the opening and closing ceremonies of the London Olympic and Paralympic Games. He has also created many important architectural lighting schemes, including the gardens at Highgrove House and many galleries worldwide.

Patrick’s stage this winter is the Holburne Museum’s garden. Put on your

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LIGHT FANTASTIC: main picture, Bruce Munro’s previous installation at the Holburne in Bath was a roaring success – this year Patrick Woodroffe is the designer Above: look at trees in a new light with Westonbirt’s Enchanted Christmas trail.

Westonbirt picture by Paul Groom

‘silent’ headphones and immerse yourself in a performance of colour, light and sound.

Prices and times: Wednesday 4 December – Sunday 5 January, 4-6pm (Sunday - Thursday), 4-7pm (Friday and Saturday) closed 24 to 26 December and on New Year’s Day. Free (charge for hire of headphones).

Also at the Holburne…

Light Art with Patrick Woodroffe, Bruce Munro and Martin Richman. The museum plays host to three leading light artists/designers who will debate and explore light art and its uses in public art to coincide with the launch of the Holburne's third winter light installation. Tuesday 3 December, 7.30pm, Ticket £10/£8. To book tel 01225 388569.

Waddeston Manor: Winter Light

The National Trust’s Waddesdon Manor near Aylesbury might be a bit of a drive but not only is the garden well worth it in its own right but it is also home to an exciting light sculpture exhibition

WWW.THEBRISTOLMAGAZINE.CO.UK

this winter. Bath folk may already be familiar with Bruce Munro’s work at the Holburne Museum in Bath in 2011, where he created Field of Light, an enchanting outdoor installation which inspired the invitation to work with the Trust at Waddesdon.

Since then Bruce Munro has created Blue Moon on a Platter and Angel of Light and his four year residency at Waddesdon continues with an exhibition of six large scale light-based installations situated around the gardens. The darker winter evenings showcase these light works to perfection and the house and gardens are open after hours for special late night evening openings every Friday, Saturday and Sunday from 29 November to 29 December.

Prices and times: Friday 29 November to 29 December, 3pm to 8pm, £8 Adult, £4 child, NT member free. The trail will take on average approximately 30 minutes ■ Jane Moore is the head gardener at the award-winning gardens of the Bath Priory Hotel. Follow her on Twitter @janethegardener.

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BRISTOL PROPERTY | IN FOCUS

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umber 7 Downfield Road is a beautiful semi-detached townhouse just a quarter of a mile from Whiteladies Road. The house has been meticulously renovated with a great deal of attention to detail and is an extremely light and airy family home. All the period details are in evidence including cornicing, ceiling roses, sash windows and working shutters. The décor in contemporary, neutral and creates a calm and restful feel.

The spacious hall gives access to two interconnecting reception rooms at the front of the house and both rooms have period fireplaces. The large kitchen/breakfast room has a central island with breakfast bar and there is also space for dining at the table. The kitchen and an additional sitting room at the rear of the house both have access to the terrace and garden. There are six bedrooms on the upper floors. The master bedroom has the luxury of a large dressing room and en suite bathroom. Bedroom two also has an en suite and there is a family bathroom serving the bedrooms the second floor. The lower ground floor has a laundry/utility room with garden access and there are two further large storage rooms which, subject to consents, have the potential for conversion to self contained accommodation. There is off street parking at the front of the house and a single garage.

The gardens at both front and rear are enclosed and provide a great deal of privacy as well as really adding to the sense of space. There is a great deal to discover in this property and viewing is highly recommended.

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

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DOWNFIELD ROAD CLIFTON • Stylish and spacious family home • Potential to add self contained accommodation • Six bedrooms • Three bath/shower rooms • Large enclosed gardens • Parking

Guide Price: £1,650,000 DECEMBER 2013

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ADVERTISEMENT FEATURE

Much more than a nursing home At Riversway Nursing Home we understand the many difficul&es encountered by people with demen&a and their families.

Our beau&fully appointed purpose built home in Bristol has enjoyed many years of caring for people with this debilita&ng condi&on which will affect one million people by the year 2020.

Riversway has undergone development recently with the crea&on of a dedicated 17 bedroom suite with trained support staff to care for residents with demen&a. The facility boasts a re-designed lounge and dining area and is intended to represent a transforma&onal approach to the support we offer.

Specialist care

Our dedicated, highly skilled staff provide a wide range of person-centred services for adults and older people with a wide range of needs including general nursing care, planned respite care, end of life care and demen&a care.

We believe the home offers a posi&ve lifestyle choice – a choice for ‘your care, your way.’

Our aim is to provide the people we care for and support with a posi&ve and personalised lifestyle, offering choices and the ability to maintain control of your life.

We pride ourselves on going the extra mile for the people we care for and support, and in addi&on to an excellent team of nurses and support workers, we have a 102 THE BRISTOL MAGAZINE

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dedicated and commi'ed team of housekeeping, catering, ac&vi&es and administra&on staff, all of whom provide an essen&al role in making life at Riversway as comfortable and posi&ve as possible.

“A huge thankyou to all of you at Riversway Nursing Home for the love and impeccable care you showed my father in law during his three month stay.” J & AH

Many people o en feel that life in a care home must signify an end to independence and enjoyment of life. At Riversway we believe that every person joins our community to con&nue their lifestyle and enjoy as much independence as possible.

Staff at Riversway are dedicated to providing high quality care for residents, their carers, rela&ves and significant others.

Our philosophy is that people are individuals who deserve dignity, respect and person centred care in a caring, homely environment to enable them to live as full and enjoyable a life as possible within the confines of their illness or disability.

Alongside our team of nurses and care staff, Riversway has its own unique lifestyle support team which works with small groups and individuals to con&nue their interests and hobbies.

“On behalf of my dad, I would like to thank all the staff involved with his care. His me le was made for the be er with your help and care.”

AB

Joining our community

In their own words

Families o en write with kind words for our staff – following are just a few examples.

“Sincere thanks from the bo om of my heart. I am going to miss all of you all my life.” WH

“We thank you for the care, kindness and a en on that you have given over the last couple of months, and they are now much stronger for it, enabling them to move forward.” J, J & J

For further informa on, please contact us: Riversway Nursing Home Crews Hole Road, St George, Bristol, BS5 8GG www.riverswaycare.com info@riverswaycare.com Tel: 01179 555758

Bristol & Clifton’s premier Commercial Property Agents Keep up-to-date with our latest news and market comments at our website: www.burstoncook.co.uk FULLY LET CITY CENTRE INVESTMENT Two modern shop units let until 2017 and 2019.

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4,906 sq ft modern open plan office suite with 13 car spaces.

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1,700 sq ft retail showroom with restaurant consent. Busy and popular location

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Rent reviews Development advice Investments Dilapidations

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www.alexandermay.co.uk Clifton branch: 01179 744 766 35 Regent Street, Clifton, Bristol, BS8 4HR W NE ICE PR

Pembroke Vale

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£1,150,000 Ashley Down

A beautiful Bath stone town house located in Clifton. Spread over four floors, including an original vault cellar and with subject to planning be converted into a self contained flat. There are five large double bedrooms, four with en-suite bathrooms, plus a family bathroom. On the ground floor the property has a large entrance hall, drawing room, library and a substantial kitchen/breakfast room with French doors providing access to a secure rear courtyard garden. To the front is a small garden and off street parking for one car. EPC: E

£349,950 Clifton

Suitable for Investors - This is a six bedroom terraced house, with two bathrooms, separate kitchen and a rear garden. We believe the current rental income is £2,200 pcm. This achieves a 7% yield.

Currently let to students this property also has scope for further development. HMO to be renewed by purchasers EPC: E

£325,000

This is an attractive light and airy two bedroom, well presented apartment on the top floor of a Grade II listed Georgian building.

This property consists of: two double bedrooms, separate kitchen with a granite work surface, sitting room and bathroom. In addition and for exclusive use of the apartment this property comes with two full head height loft areas which offers generous storage space and with subject to planning and permission from the freeholders it could be converted. A viewing is highly recommended.

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

Long Ashton

£1,200,000 Wraxall,

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.

£1,300,000 Dundry

"The Carriage House" sits within the private Belmont Estate and stands in a commanding elevated position with uninterrupted views across the estate and towards the Bristol Channel. This magnificnet Grade II Listed property sits in a plot of c2 acres, which includes a walled garden and private woodland and also offers approx 3000 sq foot of internal accommodation including six bedrooms. EPC F

£295,000

Yew Tree Cottage dates back to 1879 and sits in a commanding position in the semi-rural village of Dundry with far reaching views towards the iconic Clifton Suspension Bridge and surrounding countryside, yet is less than 5 miles to Central Bristol. This charming property enjoys a sitting room with inglenook fireplace, dining room, modern kitchen & utility room with three bedrooms and modern shower room. To the rear, mature, level gardens enjoy the vista and there is off-street parking and a garage to the front. EPC E

Westbury on Trym branch: 01179 500 118 25 Canford Lane, Westbury on Trym, Bristol, BS9 3DQ N

W NE ICE PR

Coombe Dingle

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£650,000 Coombe Dingle

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

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OIEO £600,000 Stoke Bishop

LARGE DETACHED FAMILY HOME (circa 2500 sq ft) Set in a popular cul-de-sac. Substantial modern family home with five bedrooms, master en-suite and family bathroom, two reception rooms plus study and conservatory, kitchen/breakfast room, utility room. All set in a good sized plot with integral double garage and further off road parking for a large number of vehicles. EPC C

£375,000

Modern style detached family home in a convenient location, extremely close to shops and amenities. Accommodation comprises, entrance hall, sitting room, large open plan kitchen/dining room, study, wc, four bedrooms (the master having an en-suite wet room) and a family bathroom. The property is double glazed and warmed by a gas central heating system. Outside there is an enclosed garden, mainly lawned with a large deck. There is also an attached double garage and further off road parking to the front. EPC D

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36 High Street, Portishead call: 01275 430440 email:

Woodhill Road, Portishead

Guide Price £550,000 A beautiful Victorian stone fronted five bedroom semi detached family home situated in a prestigious location close to the High Street. Retaining many period features & well proportioned living accommodation throughout, in brief: entrance vestibule, kitchen/breakfast room & shower room/W.C. whilst outside affords lawned gardens, detached double garage & parking.

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

Ham Lane, Kingston Seymour

Guide Prices £750,000 A beautifully appointed five bedroom detached stone fronted family home, circa 2800 sq ft, situated in a private non-estate, semi rural position. Built in the 1970’s, this property retains character throughout & affords a spacious entrance hall, a superb 29ft dual aspect living room, conservatory & high quality fitted 26ft kitchen with granite work surfaces. Outside benefits further from established rear & side gardens, large driveway & one bedroom annexe.

HoNew m es

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The View, Woodhill Road

Guide Prices from £250,000 We are delighted to announce our sole agency for the marketing of The View development, created by Brownfield Green. A beautiful & sensitive conversion of the old United Reformed Church, this bespoke development of 6 town houses and 2 duplex apartments will benefit from allocated parking & contemporary style interiors whilst retaining unique historical features. Viewing is essential.

Beach Road West, Portishead

Guide Price £695,000 An elegant five bedroom Victorian semi detached town house occupying one of the best positions in Portishead affording uninterrupted Channel views. Fully renovated- the modern style creates a flow of light & vision whilst enhancing many of the period features - with the bespoke orangery adding to the reception space. Ideally located within reach of the many shops, bar & restaurants and facilities of the High Street.

To arrange a viewing at your earliest convenience, call us on 01275 430440 or visit us at www.goodmanlilley.co.uk

www.maggsandallen.co.uk

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istmas Henleaze Chr Festival 2013

60 Northumbria Drive, Henleaze, Bristol, BS9 4HW

FOR SALE

redland

£680,000

A superb opportunity to purchase a detached five bedroom family home in a highly desirable road in Redland. The ground floor has a living room with double doors onto the dining room, and a large kitchen/breakfast room with four bedrooms and a bathroom on the first floor. On the top floor is the 5th bedroom with further study area and en suite. The property has great potential and a good size rear garden with a purpose built office. The house is close to Redland Green School, Redland Girls High School, and Colston School.

FOR SALE

UNDER OFFER

Westbury On trym

£399,950

An attractive late 1930s semi-detached family home situated on a quiet and neighbourly cul-de-sac in Westbury On Trym, not far from Elmlea School. Delightful westerly facing rear garden along with a wider than average drive to the side providing off street parking for several cars and leading to the detached garage. On the ground floor is a spacious entrance hall with plate rack and original corner cloak cupboard, living room, dining room, kitchen/ breakfast room and cloakroom. To the first floor are three bedrooms and shower room (previously bathroom). The property has been in the same ownership for many years and whilst much loved and cared for would now benefit from some sympathetic modernisation. Properties of this quality are scarce to the market in this location so an early enquiry is advised. No onward chain!

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Westbury On trym

£410,000

Built in 1938, Dragon’s Holt is a charming, detached house situated within mature gardens set back from Sheepwood Road. On entering there is a welcoming entrance hallway leading to the living room, doors to the dining room, kitchen and cloakroom. An attractive large window on the stairs again overlooks the rear garden. From the landing are doors to three of the bedrooms and bathroom as well as access to the loft space. The master bedroom is a substantial size, while the second bedroom allows access to a further double room. A fourth double bedroom with views make it a great size for a family. The mature gardens and grounds which surround the property are well established and secluded with a variety of bushes, shrubs and trees. The front garden has a long driveway leading to the garage. Lawn and patio area complete this engaging home.

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Henleaze

Henleaze

Westbury-on-Trym

Well-presented throughout, this natural four bedroom 1930’s semi-detached family home offers a spacious open plan kitchen/dining/ sitting room to rear with Velux windows and French doors onto a landscaped garden. First floor offers four family-sized bedrooms and a spacious bathroom. Positioned within a quiet backwater of central Henleaze within Hill Burn. Awaiting EPC.

A unique thatched Grade II listed residence positioned within central Henleaze filled with character throughout in a substantial plot consisting of flagstone path and driveway, garage and private garden. The property briefly comprises all its original multi-pane windows, two double bedrooms with working bespoke shutters, two receptions and downstairs cloakroom/WC. EPC - E.

Beautifully restored three storey quaint cottage in the heart of the oldest part of Westbury-on-Trym village offering timber double glazed sash windows, quality built-in kitchen, spacious living room with wood burner, garden room with French style double doors onto a private roof terrace and many unique features. EPC – D.

£425,000

£250,000

£500,000

Multi Award Winners 2011 & 2012 Triple Award Winners 2013

Bishopston

Ashley Down

St. Werburghs

This three bedroom, semi-detached Victorian property located on the popular Egerton Road, deep in the heart of Bishopston, is situated only a moments walk from the bustling Gloucester Road, local amenities and local schools including St. Bonnaventures’s, Bishop Road and the popular Redland Green School. Further benefits include front and rear gardens and a garage. EPC – E.

Immaculately presented throughout and having undergone complete refurbishment, this three bedroom property is located in the ever popular Ashley Down only a short walk from the Gloucester Road. The spacious accommodation is of a contemporary style with high quality fixtures and fittings throughout with a high level of attention to detail. Further benefits include an enclosed rear garden. EPC – TBC.

A larger than average doubled bay fronted, three bedroom, Victorian terraced home located in the popular St Werburghs. The property is only a short walk from all local amenities including Mina Road Park, St. Werburghs City Farm and the popular local primary school. The property boasts two separate reception rooms and a large rear garden, an ideal buy to let or first time purchase. EPC – D.

£385,000

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£285,000

£239,950

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Eastfield Lodge Introducing to the market Eastfield Lodge sat within the popular Eastfield. This detached period grand family residence dates back to 1812 and is approached via electric wrought iron censored gates leading to a landscaped practical family garden, a circular driveway surrounded by mature cedar trees and shrubs, an extensive raised patio surrounding the front facade with newly planted silver birch trees with a detached Coach House style stone built modern double garage, vegetable plot and ample parking. The property itself is approached via double doors leading to a welcoming central hallway with period features throughout. The ground floors offers original herringbone restored flooring and coving, four/five individual receptions with sash windows, working shutters and double doorways throughout. The right hand side has an atrium roof and bi-fold doors overlooking garden with a contemporary style bespoke quality kitchen with central ‘L’ shaped island, Quartz worktops and upstands, ample storage, modern appliances and ample space for dining table. The rest of the ground floor comprises additional four receptions with fireplaces, working shutters, sash windows, coving and continued solid herringbone restored flooring throughout.

Additional through hallway/cloakroom area with downstairs shower room. The lower ground floor consists of several individual vaulted rooms with original flagstone flooring, storage, art rooms, boiler rooms and, beneath the right hand side of the property, a self-contained one bedroom apartment with its own private entrance and courtyard which could be ideal for extended family or alternatively as an investment/ income. To the first floor is a spacious landing, again with central custom made feature window, four individual double bedrooms, three bathrooms; two of which are en-suites and a high quality bathroom with en-suite in Jack-and-Jill format and central bath. The second floor accommodation offers two additional double bedrooms with access to the roof area. The property has been completely restored by its current owners over the last seven years.

Price Guide £1,500,000

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Westbury on Trym

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£585,000 Westbury on Trym

£499,950

Westbury on Trym

£439,950

An exemplary example of a detached home built in 1929 and offering spacious and well proportioned family accommodation. This property has been presented to exacting standards and has been extended at ground floor level to provide a 17 foot kitchen/diner, utility room, and possible fourth bedroom with adjacent shower room. The plot occupies approximately 1/3 acre and has a charming and private rear backing onto Canford playing fields.

Located on Abbey Road, this family home is walking distance to the shops in Westbury on Trym village. With excellent access to public transport and road networks. Arranged over three stories, the property has four well balanced bedrooms, substantial kitchen dining room with a separate bay fronted reception room to the front the garden is substantial and turn backs directly on to parkland at the rear.

A gardeners paradise offered with no onward chain. This well presented Semi-detached home includes a quite magnificent c230' west facing rear garden which is beautifully mature and offers a wonderful safe playing environment for children and superb summer entertaining space for the family. The house has three bedrooms and no chain.

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

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

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

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£485,000 Stoke Bishop

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£430,000

Stoke Bishop

£499,950

Originally a Three bedroom 1930's dwelling, the current owners have sympathetically and substantially extended the existing footprint to create a Five bedroom family home. The extensions allow extraordinarily flexible accommodation rarely found in such a prime position. Within walking distance to Elmlea school, the local shops on Stoke Lane and nestled in a prime Westbury on Trym cul-de-sac.

Offered to the market for the first time in 40 years this natural four bedroom semi detached house is marketed with no onward chain. On the exceptionally popular Parrys Lane, close to all the local amenities this position affords, not to mention being centrally and equidistantly situated to benefit from many excellent local school catchments. Brimming with classical original features this property will generate early interest.

Nestled in the centre of substantial grounds, this four bedroom detached family home has overwhelming potential for expansion and extension, to both sides and to the rear (subject to the necessary planning permission and consents). With a central hallway and receptions to either side the longest measuring in excess of 25 foot in length.

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

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

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

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£399,950 Westbury on Trym

£359,950

Westbury on Trym

£340,000

Nestled in a prime Stoke bishop cul-de-sac is this beautifully renovated family home. Lovingly restored by its current owners incorporating original features; such as picturesque led inset stained glass windows and floor boards; and cleverly contrasting and complimenting the historic with the modern, such as granite work surfaces and marble flooring.

Nestled in the heart of Westbury on Trym village this period family home is still immersed in opulent period grandeur but has been lovingly restored and updated by the current owners to exacting standards. Major improvement's include a new roof, the removal of a wall to merge two original receptions into one large family room, a focal point at the heart of the house.

Located approximately just 300 metres from Westbury on Trym C of E Primary School, this beautiful family home has been lovingly and carefully renovated by its current owners. Located in a prime Westbury cul-de-sac with the addition of off street parking and a short walk into the heart of the village, this property is ideally suited to families.

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

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

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

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£150,000 Cotham

£189,000

Clifton

£230,000

A well proportioned ground floor flat with private sun terrace and garage set within the desirable Goodeve Park development in tranquil Sneyd Park with the use of the heated indoor swimming pool with sauna and changing rooms, sizeable well maintained communal gardens, ample off street parking for residents and a communal laundry room. EPC - D

A newly refurbished one bed hall floor flat on Cotham Road, a short walk from the BRI Hospital and Bristol University. Accommodation comprises a 16’11 x 13’9 living room with high ceilings, separate fitted kitchen, impressive 15’ x 14’ bedroom and bathroom with travertine tiling.

Externally the front garden is private to the flat. EPC - TBC

A one bed garden flat providing spacious living accommodation and a 27’ office store room detached from the main dwelling - suitable for potential buyers seeking storage and office space. Situated in the ever popular Clifton area of Bristol, within walking distance of Whiteladies Road and Clifton village. EPC - D

Please contact our Westbury-on Trym branch on 0117 946 6007

Please contact our Westbury-on Trym branch on 0117 946 6007

Please contact our Westbury-on Trym branch on 0117 946 6007

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Kingsdown

£320,000 Westbury Park

£320,000

Clifton

£334,950

A three bedroom house in need of modernisation within the popular Kingsdown development just off the top of St Michaels Hill.

Accommodation comprises a 22’ living room to the ground floor, separate kitchen and w.c.. To the first floor are three bedrooms and a bathroom. Externally is a single garage and walled garden. EPC - TBC

A substantial first floor apartment overlooking the Durdham Downs with good sized living room, kitchen/dining room and additional stusy/storage room. EPC - D

A two double bedroom garden flat set in one of Clifton’s most popular roads with the 19’ living room, kitchen/dining room and large central hallway. EPC - F

Please contact our Westbury-on Trym branch on 0117 946 6007

Please contact our Westbury-on Trym branch on 0117 946 6007

Please contact our Westbury-on Trym branch on 0117 946 6007

Sneyd park

£345,000 Waterfront

£550,000

Clifton

£600,000

A well presented three bed garden flat located yards from the Downs with one allocated off street parking space inner hall/dining hall, living room with bay window overlooking the private garden, three bedrooms with sizeable en suite to master, stunning kitchen breakfast room, modern family bathroom, utility room. EPC - TBC

A simply stunning three double bedroom apartment with unrivalled water views over Bristol Harbour. This property is entirely south facing within a prime location, internally finished to a high standard and presented to the market in excellent decorative order throughout with two allocated underground parking spaces. EPC - C

An ideal investment property situated on Blackboy Hill in Clifton comprising a generous shop with full height basement rooms for storage and three apartments above with their own independent access at the rear of the property. Business it unaffected at Holmwoods clothing shop.

EPC - TBC

Please contact our Westbury-on Trym branch on 0117 946 6007

Please contact our Westbury-on Trym branch on 0117 946 6007

Please contact our Westbury-on Trym branch on 0117 946 6007

Horfield Guide Price £1,000,000 Situated within a few minute’s walk of Gloucester Road is this unique opportunity to acquire a development and refurbishment site consisting of a pair of existing 1920’s semi’s (currently arranged as one house with outline planning to reinstate to a pair of semi’s) and four properties sited in the existing extensive rear garden. Outline planning is in place subject only to detailed matters on landscaping.

For further information or to arrange a site visit please contact Mark Leese on 0117 9741741.

Cotham - £450,000

Stoke Bishop - £625,000

A substantial garden maisonette offering over 1500 sq/ft. of accommodation plus basement storage. Three large double bedrooms, kitchen, and living room. Attractive rear garden with terrace and level lawn area. Ideally suited to families and professional couples wanting space!

No onward chain.

A large and family friendly 1930’s semi in a prime location within walking distance of Elmlea Schools and the catchment of Bristol Free school. Superb open plan family living area, 2 receptions, master bedroom suite, 3 further bedrooms, family bathroom. Utility, garage and large loft! Attractive landscaped rear garden and parking to the front.

Kingsweston - £550,000

North Newton Somerset - £575,000-£645,000

Attractive family home originally a coaching inn set on the Kingsweston estate. Now offering character accommodation perfectly suited to family life. Four bedrooms, two bathrooms, two reception rooms, modern kitchen. Basement storage area with scope. Attractive gardens and double garage.

Three traditional style new build homes set in a picturesque Somerset village situated within an hour’s drive of Bristol. Built by an award winning local builder to an incredible standard these individual homes could be a solution to those struggling to find what they want in the city!

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Property Market Booming!

From one bedroom flats through to larger family houses the north-west Bristol property market is in our opinion enjoying an extraordinarily busy late summer and autumn period.

If you are thinking of selling imminently or contemplating selling in the New Year and want some initial advice, one of our highly experienced team will be delighted to assist and advise as required.

Please call either our Clifton or Westbury office to arrange a free initial market appraisal.

Sneyd Park - £750,000

Cotham - £840,000

Sale agreed in October within a week.

Sale agreed in October within a week.

Clifton - £299,950

Stoke Bishop - £439,950

Sale agreed in November within a week.

Sale agreed in November within a week.

REFITTING SALE

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DISPLAY PIECES 50-75% OFF

FINAL REDUCTIONS ON EX DISPLAY PIECES 50-75% OFF Our refit is now under way, but some areas of the store remain open Any sofa style may be ordered in any fabric at 25% off – as illustrated Painted Shaker style bedroom ranges 35% off in four soft colours - delivery pre Christmas including childrens range New cabinet orders 25% off – in any colour

40-65% OFF DISPLAY WARDROBES

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