The Bristol Magazine January 2014

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THE

ISSUE 115 I JANUARY 2014

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

MAGAZINE £3.00 where sold

SLAPSTICK 2014 C E L E B R AT I N G A CENTENARY OF CHAPLIN

SKI STICK 2014 SLOPING OFF TO SNOWIER CLIMES

STICK TO IT 2014 C R E AT I V E CHALLENGES + REALISTIC RESOLUTIONS

W E N Y P P A H YEAR

REFITTING SALE

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DISPLAY PIECES 50-75% OFF

25% OFF ALL SOFA AND CABINET FURNITURE RANGES

Any sofa style may be ordered in any fabric and any size with 25% discount Painted Shaker Style bedroom ranges 35% off in five soft colours including children’s range We can also make any bespoke item such as fitted alcove cupboards or special sized wardrobes also at 25% off Wooden and painted beds and complete range of cabinet furniture can be painted in any colour in the world also 25% off 25% off mattresses - we can also make any of our mattresses in bespoke sizes if required

25% OFF GERMAN WARDROBE ORDERS We are just past Clifton Down Shopping Centre 56/60, Whiteladies Rd, BS8 2PY Mon-Sat 9.30 - 5.30/Sun 12 - 5

TEL: 01173 292746

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THE | CONTENTS

JANUARY

2014

58

37 26

42 12

66

ZEITGEIST

40

Five things to do this month

14

THE CITYIST

42

Talk of the town & My Bristol

16

20

BRISTOL AT WORK A portrait of Georgette Van Hoof, race director of Run Bristol

44

PEOPLE & PARTIES

46

FACE THE MUSIC

RESTAURANT REVIEW New York style at Steak of the Art

48

Treatments and products that will give your skin some TLC as you sleep

72 OUT & ABOUT A walk along the Avon from Pill to Bristol, following the journey once made by ships heading for the docks

74 INTERIORS INSIDER Be inspired by the latest home products

80 HOMES ON SHOW

CITY UPDATES

Stylish living spaces in a converted church in Portishead

All the latest from Bristol businesses

52

BARTLEBY

66 BEAUTY EDIT

WINING AND DINING News and reviews from the foodie scene

Alison Bevan, director of the RWA, picks her favourite pieces of music

25

NEW PERSPECTIVES Be inspired to learn the age-old skill of life drawing this year

Snapshots from the city’s social scene

22

ART & EXHIBITIONS Shows at the city’s galleries this month

FAMILY FUN

PROPERTY

82

The best homes in and around Bristol

Activities for all ages to enjoy, from theatre and ice skating to crafts and walks

All blocked up over Christmas

THE

26

SLAPSTICK 2014 Highlights of this year’s silent and vintage screen comedy event

28

58

A family skiing holiday that’s hassle free

COMEDY CENTRAL The all female stand-up comedy group that is making its mark on the city

37

CREATIVE PURSUITS Workshops at Heart Space Studios

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SKI WEAR Looking good on and off the slopes

Theatre, music, comedy and much more

34

BRISTOL twitter@thebristolmag

60

WHAT’S ON

ON THE PISTE

62

HEALTHY LIFESTYLE Top tips from a personal trainer

64 FIT & FAB Winter essentials and challenges for the new year

ON THE COVER A film still of Charlie Chaplin, featured at this year’s Slapstick Festival 2014 www.thebristolmagazine.co.uk

MAGAZINE

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Clifton

Sneyd Park

An immaculate family house. 3 reception rooms, family kitchen. Master bedroom suite with ensuite bathroom & dressing room. Guest suite.

3 further bedrooms. Bathroom. Extensive cellars. Utility room. Superb enclosed gardens. Off street parking & garage. EPC rating E.

A fabulous detached home (3,212sq ft) off a favoured road. 3 reception rooms, kitchen/breakfast room. 5 double bedrooms. 4 bath/shower rooms (2 en suite). Integral double garage, ample parking. Terrace, garden with a southerly aspect. EPC rating C.

KnightFrank.co.uk/bristol bristol@knightfrank.com 0117 3171999

KnightFrank.co.uk/bristol bristol@knightfrank.com 0117 3171999

Sneyd Park

Clifton

Situated on one of Bristol's premier roads. 32' x 30' open plan family room & kitchen, cinema / snug, study, utility. Four double bedrooms (4 en-suite). Garden, swimming pool, hot tub & gated parking.

EPC rating C.

A stunning 2,642 sq ft family home in 0.33 acres of garden.

3 reception rooms. Kitchen/dining room. Utility, cloakroom. Cellar.

4 double bedrooms. 3 Bath/shower rooms (2 ensuite). Extensive south facing gardens, views. EPC rating F.

Guide price: £1,500,000

Guide price: £1,200,000

KnightFrank.co.uk/bristol bristol@knightfrank.com 0117 3171999

KnightFrank.co.uk/bristol bristol@knightfrank.com 0117 3171999

Guide price: £1,650,000

Guide price: £1,295,000

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Clifton

Leigh Woods

Sympathetically restored and retaining many period features, this 2 bedroom lateral apartment (1199 sq ft) boasts light filled accommodation with bespoke finishing touches. 2 Reception Rooms, 2 Bedrooms, 2 Bathrooms, Communal Garden and Garage.

A beautiful period house, with enclosed gardens and magnificent coach house with garage. 4 reception rooms, kitchen, conservatory.

6 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms. Fabulous detached Coach House with 50' garage and hay loft. Formal gardens.

KnightFrank.co.uk/bristol bristol@knightfrank.com 0117 3171999

KnightFrank.co.uk/bristol bristol@knightfrank.com 0117 3171999

Clifton

Sneyd Park

A Grade II listed Georgian town house. 2 reception rooms. Kitchen.

6 double bedrooms. 4 bath/shower rooms. Lower ground currently master bed with ensuite. Study, double bedroom. South facing garden.

Roof terrace. Off-street parking.

A detached house of 2,887 sq ft. 3 reception rooms, kitchen/breakfast room, conservatory. 5 bedrooms (3 ensuite), bathroom. Bed 6 with ensuite provides separate accommodation if required. Gardens, driveway, double garage. EPC rating C.

Guide price: £550,000

Guide price: £1,325,000 KnightFrank.co.uk/bristol bristol@knightfrank.com 0117 3171999

Guide price: £1,995,000

Guide price: £1,000,000

KnightFrank.co.uk/bristol bristol@knightfrank.com 0117 3171999

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Compton Martin

Puxton

Beautiful detached home (3,045 sq ft) with separate 3 bed 'cottage' (680 sq ft) enjoying views of Chew Valley and Blagdon Lakes. 4 reception rooms, kitchen / breakfast room. 4 bedrooms, 3 bath/shower rooms (2 ensuite).

Garaging, gardens. In all about 0.91 acres. EPC rating C, cottage D.

An impressive detached home (5,005 sq ft) within stunning grounds of 3.73 acres, including a fishing lake and panoramic views. 4 reception rooms, kitchen/breakfast room. 5 bedrooms, 3 bathrooms (2 ensuite).

Integral garage with studio over. EPC rating C.

KnightFrank.co.uk/bristol bristol@knightfrank.com 0117 3171999

KnightFrank.co.uk/bristol bristol@knightfrank.com 0117 3171999

Backwell

Chew Magna

A charming Grade II listed (3,149 sq ft) former farmhouse. 4 reception rooms, kitchen. 5 bedrooms, bathroom, 2 ensuite shower rooms. Covered area, utility, store, integral double garage. Yard, gardens, terraces, kitchen garden, approaching 0.9 acres.

A fantastic and beautifully presented home (4,542 sq ft) within the heart of Chew Magna village. 3 reception rooms, kitchen/breakfast room. 5 ensuite bedrooms, integral garage, enclosed gardens.

Views of the church. EPC rating C.

Guide price: £875,000

Guide price: £1,100,000

KnightFrank.co.uk/bristol bristol@knightfrank.com 0117 3171999

KnightFrank.co.uk/bristol bristol@knightfrank.com 0117 3171999

Guide price: £1,195,000

Guide price: £995,000

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H

appy new year! Here at The Bristol Magazine we pride ourselves on always having a positive outlook and celebrating the good things about Bristol, and so, in this spirit of things, I urge you to make 2014 the year that you rediscover the city and all its wonderful offerings that are right on your doorstep. We’ve got more than six free museums packed full of history and unusual objects that will always inspire and engage; art galleries showcasing the city’s wide breadth of creativity and work from artists around the world; restaurants offering culinary delights from some of the UK’s top chefs; loads of theatres and theatre groups entertaining us with some of the most-loved and cutting-edge plays; fun attractions for a great family day out; landmark monuments and sights, and so much more. Our monthly What’s On guide is always packed full of events, with something to suit all tastes and interests, which just goes to show how much this city really does have to offer – there’s never a dull moment.

This year should also be one for challenging yourself – whether it’s a fitness goal or learning a new skill. We offer some suggestions in the way of life drawing classes available all over the city for all levels, and creative textile workshops at Heart Space Studios in Coldharbour Road. Turn to page 62 for the start of our health and beauty section where you’ll find tips from a personal trainer and a list of fitness challenges you can take part in this year, including a charity bike ride – you’ll be helping out a good cause, too, by signing up.

And January wouldn’t be January without an injection of laughter to beat the winter blues, which is why we find out more about the popular allfemale stand-up comedy group, What the Frock, and preview the 2014 Slapstick Festival that celebrates silent and vintage screen comedy with a whole host of film screenings, guest appearances and talks. Turn to page 26 to see what festival director, Chris Daniels, has picked as his top ten highlights of this year’s event.

2014 is shaping up to be a good year already...

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

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ZEITGEIST Above & Beyond’s chairman Graham Nix and his wife Joy show how it’s done

5

things to do in January

Recycle

Challenge yourself If your new year resolutions include getting fit and doing something for a good cause, why not register for the Bristol to Paris Cycle Challenge taking place from 2-6 May for local hospitals’ charity Above & Beyond? Start training and collecting your sponsorship now, and you could be enjoying springtime in Paris. The long weekend charity ride from Bristol to Paris covers 430km in four days and participants will spend two days cycling through the English countryside, en route from Bristol to Portsmouth, then set sail for France for two more days of cycling through historic French towns, sleepy villages and rolling countryside, finishing at the foot of the Eiffel Tower. Then enjoy the sights of Paris before taking the Eurostar back to London. Registration is £99 and participants are asked to raise a minimum sponsorship of £1,442 for Above & Beyond’s Golden Gift Appeal. To register for the Bristol to Paris Cycle Challenge and for more information visit: www.aboveandbeyond.org.uk.

MAYK and Bristol City Council are inviting residents to donate their post-Christmas trees to Second Chance, a unique art project which will see the creation of a temporary forest on Bristol’s harbourside this month. Second Chance, as the project is called, started life in Prague in 2010, and this year will continue its international journey in Bristol and Berlin. The forest will be carefully constructed from the obsolete Christmas trees and given new life as an installation that will remain on Waterfront Square throughout January. Organisers will be collecting trees at the site on Saturday 4 and Sunday 5 January from 10am to 6pm, when you Second Chance in Prague, 2010 can drop trees off at the end of Canon’s Way, and the project will be launched on Monday 6 January. At the close of the project, all the trees will be chipped and residents will be invited to take away a bag of chippings for their gardens. Any remaining chippings will be used on Bristol’s parks and gardens.

Support St Mungo’s, which has a base at Compass Centre in Stokes Croft, is calling on hat lovers up and down the country to show their support for homeless people by taking part in Woolly Hat Day on Friday 31 January. Now in its fourth year, Woolly Hat Day sees hundreds of people donning beanies, baseball caps and berets to help St Mungo’s raise money for its work supporting homeless men and women.

This year Woolly Hat Day is supported by Martin Freeman, pictured, and the charity has a new fundraising target of £50,000, which would make a real difference to vulnerable people. You can get involved by bidding in the online celebrity hat auction for a famous piece of headgear, holding a hat party, knitting bobble hats with friends or colleagues and wearing a hat and making an online or text donation.

Request a Woolly Hat Day pack at: woollyhatday.org or email: woollyhatday@mungos.org. Follow @StMungos.

Book

Rediscover

Make sure you get your tickets for the 2014 Shakespeare at the Tobacco Factory season, which this year presents the Bard’s funny and moving As You Like It from 13 February – 22 March and Tom Stoppard’s challenging, intriguing and witty Arcadia from 27 March – 19 April, SATTF’s first production of a play from our contemporary theatre. Launched in 1999, SATTF arose from the conviction that there was an unsatisfied appetite among audiences to see Shakespeare professionally performed by large casts in an intimate space. Since its inception, SATTF has produced 25 Shakespeare plays, three Chekhov, one Molière and a Jacobean tragedy and has used hundreds of actors and creative professionals. The company now has an established, national reputation for some of the most vivid and compelling stagings of Shakespeare in the country. Box office tel: 0117 902 0344 or visit: www.sattf.org.uk.

Make it one of your new year’s resolutions to rediscover the cultural offerings that are available right on your doorstep. The city’s museums are for the people and the collections belong to the city. See paintings, sculpture, historical artefacts and dinosaur bones at the City Museum & Art Gallery; city memorabilia and Bristol icons at the M Shed; a Grade II listed mansion and 500 acres of beautiful parkland at Blaise Castle House Museum; Roman mosaics at Kings Weston; 800 years of Bristol History at Bristol Record Office, and so much more. What’s great is that they all offer free entry too. Visit Bristol.gov.uk/museums for a full list of museums and events.

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THE CITY The buzz...

My BRISTOL We ask RACHEL GOODCHILD, designer, what she’s doing this month...

■ Brighten up your January with this handmade leather satchel, available at Amulet Boutique in three sizes (from £41.99) & lots of juicy colours

PUBLICATION COURSE Arc Editorial and Literary Consultancy’s inaugural Preparing for Publication course is now open for applications. The course will be held at Spike Island art centre and led by former Random House editor, Ali Reynolds, who is editorial director at Arc. It will concentrate on the editing process and is specifically designed to show writers how to prepare a novel for publication. Course attendees will have their work closely edited and appraised and will also meet industry experts including literary agents, editors and award-winning writers. The course will run on alternate Saturdays for three months from 1 February. Deadline for applications is midday on Friday 17 January.

Visit: www.arceditorial.co.uk

LISTED BUILDINGS SURVEY Owners of Bristol's listed buildings are being urged to take part in a city-wide survey to gather their views on how the listed building consent system could be improved. It's a unique opportunity for owners to make their voices heard and play a greater role in decisions about the future of their historic properties. The group of owners, conservationists and enthusiasts who have set up this initiative need as many responses as possible, so they can present the findings as strong evidence in discussions with the heritage authorities.

Find the survey at: www.listed-buildings.org

THE NEXT ED SHEERAN? Youth Music Theatre UK (YMT) has launched a nationwide search for the best actors, singers, dancers, musicians and back stage crew to join their company which offers training and mentoring and a proven way for young people to enter the creative industries – a graduate and patron of which is Ed Sheeran. YMT will be auditioning nationwide and is coming to Bristol on Sunday 2 February at The Brewery Studio, The Tobacco Factory from 9.30am. Aspiring young performers, aged 11-21, can book at: www.youthmusictheatreuk.org/auditions

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What brought you to Bristol?

My parents still live in the Clifton house where I was born and grew up. Although I went to college and lived in California for three years in the 1980s, I returned to live and work in Bristol. I’m very pleased I did too, as it was at this point I met my lovely husband, William, and we are still married 24 years on.

What local event will you be attending?

Without a doubt, Bill Evans and the Impressionists at the Bristol International Jazz and Blues Festival 2014, which takes place at Colston Hall in March. I also love visiting the Bristol Vintage Wedding Fair at Bristol Zoo; even though I’ve been married for 24 years, I still find something lovely to buy.

What are you reading?

I usually read mostly biographies and art books.

Favourite local walk?

I love walking around the Bristol docks with my camera. There is so much to see and I always spot something new.

What is on your MP3 player?

Sometimes I listen to music while I’m working in the studio, and this tends to be either 1950s jazz or classical choral music.

Which café or restaurant takes your fancy?

I like fresh ground coffee which I can enjoy at places like the Arch Deli or Boston Tea Party in Clifton village. As I do not eat meat or fish, so finding a good restaurant can be quite a challenge. I recently discovered the culinary delights of The Flavour Smith’s Tom Green, with his pop-up restaurant. His is the finest food I have tasted in a while.

Which museum or gallery will you be visiting?

I shall be going to see Matisse’s cut-outs at the Tate, plus I am hoping to book tickets to see the Glamour of Italian Fashion at the V&A. What are your hobbies or interests?

I have a passion for creating surface designs and doing yoga (although not at the same time!). I am hoping to make more time for these in 2014.

Any projects/work in progress?

Yes – far too many really! I keep taking on projects I love. I work three days a week for an independent magazine called Pretty Nostalgic.

The rest of the time I am working on design projects. Most of my past commissions have been for companies outside Bristol such as The Art Fund, Warner Textile Archive, Paul Smith for Leica, and Charbonnel et Walker. Recently I have been doing more Bristol based work. I have just finished the branding and design for Interplay Series and I create the promotional materials for Bristol Metropolitan Orchestra. I have also just finished designing the website for Kingsweston House, a stunning Vanbrugh designed home, recently restored and available now for hire. When I am not designing for other companies I design my own products to sell to shops all around the world. I also run occasional workshops for small businesses on social media and blogging.

For further information about Rachel, visit: www.rachelgoodchild.com

BOOK OF THE MONTH...

Public Catalogue Foundation Catalogue of Paintings in Public Ownership in Bristol, £35 The Public Catalogue Foundation has photographed and catalogued paintings held by Bristol Museums, Galleries and Archives, the Royal West of England Academy, the University of Bristol, Bristol City Council and the Society of Merchant Venturers and now, for the first time, all paintings belonging to the city and its institutions are available to view in one publication, telling the story of art in the city and internationally. The catalogue brings together over 2,300 oil paintings from ten publicly-owned collections across Bristol. The largest collection reproduced is Bristol Museum and Art Gallery with over 1,200 paintings spanning Northern and Italian Renaissance painting, Baroque to modern French art, and British painting from the 17th – 21st century.

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BRISTOL AT WORK Our series of photographic portraits by Charlotte Stone shows Bristol people at work

Georgette Van Hoof Race director at Run Bristol

G

eorgette works for Bristol City Council as the race director for the Run Bristol projects – that’s the Bristol 10k and the Bristol half marathon plus off road events at Ashton Court which between them attract around 25,000 runners each year. All the events are organised in partnership with many local running club volunteers, the emergency services, UK Athletics, sponsors, local businesses and charities.

Originally from London where she trained in Fine Art, Georgette gradually became more and more involved in event management – both as a job and on a voluntary basis. She says: “I came to Bristol in 2001 and was initially involved in the site licencing of events in our many parks and open spaces. I then moved to manage the city council’s major events programme, before another internal move allowed me to focus solely on the Bristol half marathon and the development of the Run Bristol projects.

“It’s a very demanding job but the reward has been watching the growth and popularity of the Run Bristol races and working with a fantastic group of volunteers – equally proud and obsessive about what we have built up over the years.”

January is a very busy time for Georgette, as she looks ahead to the spring Bristol 10k and autumn’s Bristol half marathon. New Year’s Eve saw the launch of the 2014 Bristol 10k with the on-line entry system going live at midnight and a new-look website has also been launched that makes it a lot easier to use on mobile phones – so you can sign up to Run Bristol anywhere, anytime.

Visit: www.runbristol.com.

Georgette says: “Anyone signing up for the 2014 Run Bristol 10k can make a big difference, not just by getting fitter and healthier, but by helping to raise thousands of pounds for the race’s official charities – Wallace & Gromit’s Grand Appeal, CLIC Sargent and COCO. “2014 promises to be another great year for running in Bristol.

This will be Bristol’s seventh Bristol 10k, it takes place on Sunday 11 May and we expect a lot of interest. The 10k is one of the south west’s leading road races, regularly attracting 11,000 runners.

“Our aim is to build on the year-on-year success of the 10k and to encourage more local people to take part and experience the exhilaration of crossing the finishing line.

“And if running's not your thing but you still want to make a difference and be involved, then why not become a race volunteer or marshal or help fundraise for the race's official charities?" ■

For more information, visit www.runbristol.com

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BRISTOL | SOCIETY

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

Biodiversity Award - Ray Barnett, Bristol City Museum with winner Dave Martyn from Kings Weston Action Group

Business Award - Representatives of Rolls Royce

Bristol green volunteer awards Armada House Last month Bristol’s third annual Green Volunteer Awards celebrated those who give up their own time to protect and enhance Bristol’s environment. Hosted by Bristol Natural History Consortium and Bristol City Council, the awards are part of a wider commitment to inspire and innovate. There were winners in ten categories.

Food Award - Jenny Foster, Bristol Fairtrade with winners Feed Bristol and Severn Project

Redland High perform with Out of the Blue Colston Hall Pupils from Redland High School lifted the roof of Colston Hall last month as they performed harmonies with the internationally acclaimed a cappella group, Out of the Blue who formed in 2000 at Oxford University and recently reached the semi-finals of Britain’s Got Talent. The group spent the day at the school, leading an a capella workshop before taking to the stage at Colston Hall.

Out of the Blue on the steps of the school

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The Chamber Choir from Redland High School performing with Out of the Blue

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FACE | THE MUSIC

THE ART OF MUSIC Alison Bevan, director of the Royal West of England Academy, talks to James Russell about the important pieces of music in her life

A

fter a hectic few months, Alison Bevan is settling in as the new director of the Royal West of England Academy. While she professes herself ‘absolutely thrilled’ to be at the helm of Bristol’s oldest art gallery, the city’s art lovers should be equally delighted at the appointment, since Alison is dynamic, enthusiastic and inspiring, and she has a history of making good things happen.

The move to Bristol has been a homecoming, really, since she was brought up only a few miles away in Backwell. Subsequently her career has taken her to Nottingham, where she studied history of art, and then across southern Wales, to galleries in Pembrokeshire, Carmarthenshire and Swansea. In 1999 she took over as director of the Penlee House Gallery and Museum in Penzance, where she stayed until last autumn; her achievements there were remarkable.

She curated a series of wonderful exhibitions featuring 20th century artists like Laura Knight and Graham Sutherland, artists with an international reputation and an intimate connection to Cornwall. This involved not only securing loans of important paintings, but also winning funding from the Heritage Lottery Fund; Alison made sure the exhibitions lived on in the mind of the public by producing books in collaboration with Bristol publisher John Sansom, and kept Penlee House in the news with a series of gold medals in regional tourism awards. The results of all this hard work and strategic thinking were seen in greatly increased visitor numbers, and early last year Alison was rewarded with a British Empire Medal for ‘transforming Penlee House from an unknown venue into a popular and highly regarded community asset’.

It is hard to think of a better person to be running the RWA, which, as Alison herself says, “is a truly outstanding institution that deserves to be much better known than it is. The exhibition spaces are surely among the best in the country and, thanks to funding from Heritage Lottery, are now fit for us to show the most important and valuable art works on loan from regional and national institutions.”

This process has already started, with the loan of pictures from the Royal Collection last year to celebrate the centenary of the RWA’s Royal Charter. But 2014 promises to be the year when the RWA really starts getting noticed. Art fans in the region can look forward to seeing works

by Francis Bacon (part of Oneself as Another, curated by bo.lee projects), Turner and Constable (in The Power of the Sea: Making Waves in British Art) and the Nash brothers, John and Paul. The work of these two fabulous artists has not been exhibited together since 1912.

A full schedule of the RWA’s 2014 exhibitions will be published shortly, and in the meantime Alison Bevan kindly took the time to share some of her favourite tunes...

Alison’s top ten: ❶ Handel – Messiah My mother has always sung, so as a child I was taken to her choral concerts, and this has remained one of my absolute favourites; Christmas isn’t Christmas for me until I’ve put Handel on and sung along at full blast. Joining the choir for a scratch Messiah performance is on my bucket list – I have the score, so maybe one day...

❷ Mozart – Clarinet Concerto

Mozart

Frank Zappa

❹ The Communards – Judgement Day I first heard this on a juke box in Nottingham (where I did my degree) and rushed out the next day to buy the EP on which it was a ‘B’ side. I’ve recently downloaded the MP3 file and now use it for my alarm clock. It has all the elements of a great track for me from the honkey-tonk piano at the start to the manic gospel style ending.

❺ Miriam Makeba – Nginani Na While job hunting as a graduate, I worked at the Druidstone Hotel in Pembrokeshire, described by a critic as ‘on the horizontal side of laid back’ and a mecca for creative and interesting people. Two of my fellow waitresses introduced me to this by singing it in the kitchen. Thank you, Lucy and Helen!

❻ Frank Zappa – The Closer You Are This track is the closest my husband and I have to an ‘our tune’. Vince is an ardent Zappa fan and introduced me to this not long after we got together: that was 20 years ago and I hope I still make the stars brighter for him – as he does for me.

❼ The Be Good Tanyas – The Littlest Birds We love Ireland and have holidayed there many times. On one trip, the CD Blue Horse was in our cottage, which introduced us to the Tanyas, and through them to Po’ Girl, who we’ve seen live since, so this has lots of great memories attached. ❽ Aoife Granville – Sráid Eoin Shuffle In 2004, we eloped to Dingle, Co Kerry – just the two of us and our elderly dog.

We arranged for two musicians to play and be our witnesses, who were Aoife and Deirdre Granville: brilliant musicians and lovely people to boot. The church is where Other Voices is recorded, featuring performers from Amy Winehouse to Rufus Wainwright.

My father so adored this piece of music, he always said he’d like to be listening to it when he died. I have inherited from him both the love of it and the propensity to cry during the second movement – particularly since we played it at his funeral. It is simply sublime.

❾ Lyle Lovett – That’s Right (You’re Not From Texas) My previous job as director of Penlee House Gallery & Museum, Penzance, enabled me to become an expert on the Newlyn School artists. This led me to be flown to Fort Worth to launch a Texan millionaire’s collection of paintings: I love Lyle Lovett and this was my mental soundtrack to the trip.

❸ T Rex – Ride a White Swan My two sisters and I all love to dance, and this is a particular favourite for us all. It brings back vivid memories of us all prancing about in my eldest sister’s teenage bedroom in Backwell, engulfed in the smell of joss sticks from the oriental shop at the top of Park Street.

❿ Bryn Terfel – Hen Wlad Fy Nhadau Despite both my parents being Bristol born and bred, and having lived in Backwell to the age of 10, my maiden name of Lloyd and 20 plus years of living in Wales mean I’m staunchly Welsh, never more so than when singing this before a rugby match. ■

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eality has a habit of rearing its ugly head when you least want it to, and over Christmas we had an issue with drains. We’ve had leaks in the roof before, and cracks in the plaster, the odd power cut and a very strange episode with the boiler, when it sounded as though there was a distressed whale trapped in it. Turned out the pressure gauge had stopped working and there was so little water in the system that the central heating had turned into a kind of wind instrument.

But I digress. Not surprisingly, as I’m supposed to be talking about drains. Since people stopped emptying chamber pots out of the window we’ve developed a collective out-of-sight-out-of-mind policy to the subject of where it all goes, and it comes as a nasty shock when the unseen system of disposal stops working.

In dealing with this minor crisis I learnt a few things. First, drain unblocking companies that advertise themselves on the internet as local are not necessarily based in the vicinity. In this case the very nice woman I spoke to was in Essex; she works for a national agency, and they retain all sorts of drainage people, plumbers and electricians across the country, all of whom are local, but concealed behind the wall of advertising put up by the big companies. So a simple job costs you a third more than it ought to, but I suppose you at least know that the man who shows up at your door has been vetted.

I don’t known many drainage engineers, but I can’t believe any are cheerier than ours. Let’s save his blushes and call him Bob. Now the first thing Bob learnt when he came to our door is that our house is deceptive, being two storeys tall at the front and, at the back, three storeys. To get to the kitchen and the problem area, drains-wise, you have to go down a narrow flight of stairs. Then there are more steps and whatnot to the garden, which slopes downhill too, if it is possible to ‘slope’ in ten yards.

So Bob had to follow me down the stairs and out into the garden, whereupon he asked, ‘Where’s the manhole?’

How long have we lived here? Long enough that we ought to know by now where the manhole is, and I was fairly sure that I would have remembered if I’d seen one, or clunked it with a spade.

It was at this point that the truth dawned on me. I had absolutely no idea, a. whether or not we had a manhole or b. what we had instead. Indeed, I had no clue what happened to household effluvia once it was out of sight. Did we even have drains? Yes, surely we must, otherwise we would be a lot less popular with the neighbours. I looked at the garden and at the neighbouring houses, and down the hill to the next street. Underneath, hidden from view, were pipes laid who knows how many years before – a hundred at least. And they all connected up and flowed into a bigger pipe, and that too connected to some even more substantial conduit, and somehow all of these pipes carried their waste – downhill all the way, I may add – to the, erm, well to some kind of sewage works, I imagine.

Where this was, I had no idea. Ditto the manhole. Undeterred, Bob bored a hole in a convenient pipe (I will spare you the details), stuck his hose down it and powered up his jetting system. For 15 minutes I sat there as the whole house juddered, hoping he wasn’t going to return with expensive news. The sudden silence was eerie, and then here he came, back up the stairs. ‘All clear!’ he said cheerfully. ‘Amazing! It was right down the end of the garden, the blockage!’

What could I say? Except thank you, Bob, for doing what you do with a smile. ■

...we’ve developed a collective out-of-sight-out-of-mind policy to the subject of where it all goes

”

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CENTENARY SALUTE TO CHAPLIN To celebrate ten years of the Slapstick Festival in our fair city, we look at the highlights of this year’s silent and vintage screen comedy event

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arry Cryer, Omid Djalili, all three members of The Goodies, Harry Hill, Python Terry Jones, Phill Jupitus, Paul McGann, Lucy Porter and Tim Vine are among the celebrity entertainers who will be in Bristol from 24 to 26 January to help the city’s annual festival of silent and vintage screen comedy – Slapstick – to celebrate its 10th birthday and kick-start a global series of events marking the centenary of Charlie Chaplin’s best-loved character: the Little Tramp.

Around 5,000 people from all parts of the UK and beyond are expected to attend Slapstick 2014 which ten years on from its creation is now the biggest event of its kind in Britain and recognised internationally as one of the top comedy film festivals in the world.

One highlight of the festival’s 10th birthday edition will be a gala screening of Chaplin’s 1931 silent masterwork, City Lights, accompanied live by a 39-piece orchestra playing Chaplin’s own score for the film.

Others include the premiere of lost material starring Buster Keaton; Harry Hill making his Slapstick debut; Tim Vine encouraging a fresh look at the comedy of Benny Hill; Nick Park sharing the best slapstick antics of his Oscar-winning creation Gromit; discussions about Chaplin and the Great War, his enduring appeal and the Tramp as a global icon, and a screening of Monty Python’s The Meaning Of Life, introduced by its director, co-writer and star, Terry Jones.

Festival director Chris Daniels says: “We’re thrilled that so many of today’s top comedy performers want to be part of Slapstick’s 10th birthday celebrations and of our centenary salute to one of the greatest comedy characters of all time.

“Ten years ago Slapstick was a tiny event struggling to keep the love of classic comedy alive. Now people of all ages come from all over, knowing that they’ll get a weekend full of laugh-out-loud enjoyment in the company of some of our best known and best loved entertainers!”

❝

Here, Chris picks his top 10 unmissable highlights at this year’s event:

❶ Welcoming the Slapstick festival audience. We’re expecting to issue around 5,000 tickets for Slapstick 2014 events to comedy fans of all ages and backgrounds, many of them travel long distances to enjoy what is now the biggest event of its kind in the UK and widely recognised as one of the world’s most successful specialist film festivals. I get huge pleasure from seeing all those smiling and laughing faces. It’s incredible to think how it’s grown, especially when I think back to how Slapstick started, with just a couple of guys in a pub agreeing that it would be fun to watch some of the great silent comedies as they were originally meant to be seen – on a big screen, with an audience and live music.

The gala has become a Bristolian institution and there’s a real buzz of excitement in the audience each year which is indescribable

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❷

Our gala opening at Colston Hall on Friday 24 January. The annual Slapstick gala of silent comedy is always a special night – but this year’s gala will be even more special because it will mark not only our 10th birthday but also the start of a global programme commemorating the centenary of the first screen appearance of Charlie Chaplin’s universally-known Little Tramp character. So, we’ll be screening what is, perhaps, Chaplin’s greatest film – City Lights (1931) – accompanied by the 39-piece Bristol Ensemble (the largest orchestra we’ve ever assembled!) playing the score that Chaplin himself composed but which is very rarely heard live these days because of the high production costs involved. The gala has become a Bristolian institution and there’s a real buzz of excitement in the audience each year which is indescribable. It’s hosted this year by Omid Djalili too so I’m really excited about this one.

❞

❸ 100 years of Chaplin as the Tramp. We’re truly fortunate that two of the world’s foremost experts on silent film – Kevin Brownlow and David Robinson – are long-time Slapstick supporters and are constantly coming up with fresh and fascinating stories to tell about the stars of the silent era. This

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year their contributions will include a session looking at how Chaplin’s Tramp has become a world famous icon, another revealing what Chaplin did during the First World War and a Radio 3 Landmark Discussion on Chaplin’s cultural impact, hosted by another of our treasured experts, Matthew Sweet.

LAUGH OUT LOUD: main image, a film still featuring Charlie Chaplin – this year’s festival will see a series of events marking the centenary of his bestloved character: the Little Tramp Above, clockwise from bottom left, Harry Hill shares his top comedy moments; Omid Djalili will host the gala opening; Wallace & Gromit creator Nick Park shares some of the funniest sequences by Gromit; a film still showing Chaplin’s character, the Little Tramp; and The Goodies who will present lost Buster Keaton films Right, A film still from Withnail & I which will be shown as part of the cult comedies revisited element of the festival

❹ Lost Keaton Goodies – with The Goodies (Tim Brooke-Taylor, Graeme Garden and Bill Oddie). Noone, living or dead, has come close to matching the visual comedy genius of Buster Keaton. His films always go down a treat with Slapstick audiences and this year Graeme Garden and I heard about an amazing new discovery – a gag-filled six minute sequence that had been cut from The Blacksmith as being too naughty for the era and then forgotten.

And as we haggled for the right to be the first to screen this footage, we made an even more extraordinary find: a Keaton feature made in 1950 but never released. So, we’re putting these goodies together at an event that, fittingly, is being hosted by all three members of The Goodies – all big fans of Keaton and whose award-winning tv work was much inspired hugely by his ideas. ❺ Harry Hill’s Top Comedy Moments. The Slapstick session where we get a top current comedian to share their favourite comedy moments is always one of the first to sell-out. This time I can’t wait to hear which films, tv shows and performers will be chosen by the hilariously surreal Harry Hill, a first-time visitor to the festival and a huge visual comedy fan.

❻ Unleashing silent comedy’s top dog: Gromit. This is the event for anyone who imagines that the best silent comedy belongs to the times before talkies and colour were invented. The international success of the animations produced here in Bristol by Aardman proves that the public still relishes a well-timed sight gag or wordless chase. And here we have Wallace and Gromit’s creator Nick Park talking about, and sharing, some of the funniest sequences by one of today’s very finest silent comedians: Bristol’s very own Gromit.

❼ Rediscovering comic genius. Most people will know of Chaplin, Keaton, Harold Lloyd, the Keystone Kops and Laurel and Hardy but there were plenty of other really talented comedians setting audiences roaring with laughter in the early years of cinema. So we always make a point of showcasing some of these forgotten stars including, this year, Raymond Griffith, an incredibly talented mime; Constance Talmadge, one of the top female comics of the day, and

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Max Davidson, a German Jewish immigrant to the USA whose films about the clashes between older and younger generations are as relevant now as they were when they were made. And this time, with stand-up and actor Tim Vine we’re also taking a fresh look at a later comic who Tim feels isn’t getting the credit he deserves: his personal comedy hero Benny Hill.

❽ The music. Silent films never were completely silent; they were always accompanied by mood-setting live music. I’m proud that Slapstick keeps up this tradition and that we’re able to call on such talented world class musicians to perform for us. This year, as well as enjoying the amazing sound of the Bristol Ensemble at the gala conducted by Guenter A Buchwald, we’ll also be joined by the European Silent Screen Virtuosi, by multi-instrumentalist John Sweeney and by Colin Sell of Radio 4’s I’m Sorry I Haven’t a Clue on the piano for a screening of Harold Lloyd’s Safety Last that will be introduced by his Clue colleague, Barry Cryer.

❾

Cult comedies revisited. Another hugely popular element of recent Slapsticks lets us look at classic comedy films from more recent times. The Slapstick 2014 selection is two British blockbusters from the 20th century – on Saturday night, Monty Python’s The Meaning of Life, introduced by its director, and star player, Terry Jones, with a Q&A to follow; and on Sunday, Withnail & I, followed by a discussion led by Phill Jupitus with Paul McGann (who plays ‘I’, Marwood) and fellow cast member Ralph Brown (Danny).

❿ Our celebrity guests. Slapstick is highly unusual in that it is run almost entirely by volunteers. This includes not only the organising team but also many big-name performers who help freely with our fund-raising events or at the festival itself. Slapstick is now so loved that I regularly get messages from celebrities asking “What I can I do at the next festival?” So it looks as if Slapstick will be around for many more years to come. ■ Slapstick 2014 runs from Friday 24 to Sunday 26 January, with events taking place at Arnolfini, Bristol Old Vic, Colston Hall and Watershed throughout the weekend. For a full programme of events and to purchase tickets visit: www.slapstick.org.uk. You can also see what’s on if you search for Slapstick Festival on Facebook; follow @SlapstickFest on Twitter or look out for copies of the festival brochure. The box office at Colston Hall is also selling a Festival Pass, granting admission to all Slapstick shows, including the Gala on Friday 24 January, hosted by Omid Djalili.

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CULTURE BOOK Our guide to this month’s top events in Bristol and beyond Brendan Cole at the Bristol Hippodrome

West Side Story at the Bristol Hippodrome

Imelda May at Colston Hall

Cinderella, The Bristol Hippodrome, Until 5 January

Seven Brides for Seven Brothers, The Bristol Hippodrome, 14 – 18 January

Don’t miss the last opportunity to see the family pantomime of Cinderella starring Louie Spence as the prince’s loyal and outrageous servant, Dandini, 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.

Directed and choreographed by US award-winning Patti Colombo this new production features colourful costumes, fabulous sets, special effects and sassy high energy performances guaranteed to put a spring in your step and get your toes tapping. Tickets available from the box office on tel: 0844 871 3012 or visit: www.atgtickets.com/bristol.

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 festive 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 magic. Bristol Old Vic’s associate artist Simon Godwin directs with captivating music by Shlomo and DJ Walde and beautiful visual effects. Suitable for all the family. Tickets from the box office on tel: 0117 987 7877 or visit: www.bristololdvic.org.uk.

Babes in the Wood, Redgrave Theatre, 3 – 11 January The award winning Starlite Productions return to the Redgrave Theatre to present a fun filled family pantomime full of laughter, merriment and adventure. Join Robin Hood and his Merry Men as they battle against the evil Sheriff of Nottingham and his ridiculous duo of robbers, to free Maid Marion’s wards the Babes. Tickets from the box office on tel: 0117 965 8598.

Henleaze Concert Society: Chamber Masterpieecs, TrinityHenleaze URC, Saturday 11 January, 7.30pm Bristol’s professional orchestra The Bristol Ensemble performs Mozart’s only completed Clarinet Quintet which remains popular today due to its lyrical melodies, with the second movement the best known. This chamber recital also features Brahms’ passionate Piano Quintet. Pre-concert talk with Jonathan James at 6.45pm. Tickets from Henleaze Concert Society, tel: 0117 973 0505 or visit: www.bristolensemble.com.

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Raise the Roof, St George’s Bristol, Saturday 18 January, 11am – 1pm & 2pm – 4pm with performance at 3.15pm Join leader David Ogden, members of City of Bristol Choir and fellow fans of musicals and films for a day of singing hits from stage, screen and Strictly Come Dancing. The day will culminate in a showcase performed by the day’s cast accompanied by a live band. Tickets: singers, £12; audience £3. Book on tel: 0845 40 24 001 or visit: www.stgeorgesbristol.co.uk.

Calligraphy Workshop, University of Bristol Botanic Garden, Saturdays, 18 January – 15 February, 10am – 2pm Roma Widger is an artist and teacher who specialises in drawing, painting, illustration, printmaking, textiles, paper technology and calligraphy. Here she will teach a six-week course where you will learn about lettering, practise round hand and italic scripts. Course includes demonstration, individual tuition and group project. Advice on materials available on request. Cost: £50. For further information email: botanicgardens@bristol.ac.uk or tel: 0117 331 4906.

Howling Owl Presents: Vessel, Giant Swan, Oliver Wilde & H, Arnolfini, Saturday 18 January, 7.30pm After a stellar 2013 of lauded releases and festival take-overs, this month sees Howling Owl Records transform Arnolfini’s auditorium for an evening of forward thinking music and visuals. Headliner Vessel will demonstrate why he is fast becoming one of the most respected names in Bristol’s electronic music scene. Support comes from Giant Swan who carve and sculpt beats and drone using two guitars and a plethora of pedals while Oliver Wilde will offer you another side of his work, performing a more electronica/glitch leaning set, after H brings a wall of looped tapes and dark ambience. Tickets: £7 in advance from Arnolfini box office on tel: 0117 917 2300.

Brendan Cole: Licence to Thrill, Bristol Hippodrome, Monday 20 January, 7.30pm Join Brendan Cole, one of Strictly Come Dancing’s most charismatic choreographers and performers, and his cast of 20 musicians and dancers as they take you on a journey of music and dance in this night of theatre entertainment. Brendan will host you throughout and along with his >>

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Free Jewellery, Silver & Watch Valuations at Clevedon Salerooms

£3,400

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Clevedon Salerooms Specialist Sales have an enviable reputation for selling jewellery, silver and fine watches for the highest prices to bidders located around the globe. On Thursday 13th March our Specialist Jewellery & Silver Consultant John Kelly, Fellow of The Gemmological Association, will be providing free verbal no-obligation sale estimates on all jewellery and silver. Watches will be appraised by Marc Burridge. No appointment is necessary.

Free Jewellery Valuations Tues 21st January & Tues 4th February 9.30am – 5pm

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£4,600

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

Tel: 01934 830111 www.clevedon-salerooms.com

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The Russian State Ballet of Siberia at the Bristol Hippodrome

company will treat you to an evening of ballroom magic and Latin excitement with music from across the ages. Tickets available on tel: 0844 871 3012 or visit: www.atgtickets.com/bristol.

Russian State Ballet of Siberia, Bristol Hippodrome, 21 – 25 January The Russian State Ballet of Siberia, one of Russia’s leading ballet companies, returns to Bristol as part of its nationwide tour, bringing to life four of the most beautiful and popular ballets with traditional productions: Don Quixote (21 January), The Sleeping Beauty (22 January), The Nutcracker (23 January) and Swan Lake (24 & 25 January). The company’s dancers are highly acclaimed worldwide for their unique interpretation of both dramatic and comic roles, delivering performances of outstanding quality and depth.

Tickets from the box office on tel: 0844 871 3012 or visit: www.atgtickets.com/bristol.

Foggy And Whit: Givin’ It Gas, Bristol Old Vic, Thursday 23 January, 7.30pm

Three Cane Whale at St George’s Bristol

Foggy and Whit are hiring the theatre to present their 2014 UK chat show for sports fans.

Opinionated and hilarious, this is four-times World Superbike champion, Carl Fogarty, with friend and former British champ, TV pundit James Whitham, at their irreverent best – live and uncut, providing insight into today’s world of racing. Tickets from the box office on tel: 0117 987 7877 or visit: www.bristololdvic.org.uk.

Three Cane Whale, St George’s Bristol, Thursday 23 January, 8pm Bristol instrumental trio Three Cane Whale combine their talents and multiple soundsources to produce quietly compelling music that’s fresh and atmospheric. They are the most critically acclaimed band to emerge from the city in years and their two albums have received much support and praise. Tickets £12 from tel: 0845 40 24 001 or visit: www.stgeorgesbristol.co.uk.

Chosen Wedding Fair, Paintworks Event Space, Sunday 26 January, 11am – 4.30pm A showcase of new and emerging talent in the wedding industry with local designers offering personal, bespoke and original services. Enjoy the opportunity to meet with the designers and discover how to put your own personality and design into your day. Filling the courtyard will be live entertainment, warming refreshments, DIY tutorials and live blogging to inspire you. For further information visit: www.chosenwedding.com.

Growing organic vegetables, University of Bristol Botanic Garden, Tuesday evenings, 28 January – 25 March, 7pm – 9.30pm Tim Foster is a graduate in horticultural science who has been encouraging organic gardening for more than 30 years. His book Good Earth Gardening deals with all garden types showing that everyone can successfully apply organic practices wherever they are.

This six-week evening theory course covers site and soil, planning what to grow, crop rotation, composting, seed sowing and companion planting to help you produce food organically from propagation to harvest. Cost: £80. For further information email: botanic-gardens@bristol.ac.uk or tel: 0117 331 4906.

Van Morrison, Colston Hall, Tuesday 28 January, 8pm Singer-songwriter Van Morrison comes to Colston Hall with some of his hit songs that have made him a multi-Grammy Award-winning artist and secured his place in musical history having been inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. Box office tel: 0844 887 1500 or visit: www.colstonhall.org

Van Morrison at Colston Hall

EDITOR’S PICK...

Ferment Fortnight, Bristol Old Vic, 22 – 31 January Ferment is Bristol Old Vic’s in-house lab where new work and ideas are conceived, developed and distilled by some of the region’s most inspiring artists. Twice a year, the Bristol Old Vic sets its work-in-progress free across two weeks of eye-popping, mind-stretching performance which, with your help and feedback, may lead to a full scale production in the same way that Gloriator and Peter and the Wolf both have. See puppeteers, performers, directors, dancers, actors and animators all come together across all of the theatre’s spaces and stages.

Details of the line-up for the January Fortnight will be published on the Bristol Old Vic website: www.bristololdvic.org.uk.

Cost: £5 per show.

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What Are You Trying To Say © Paul Blakemore

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Dhol Foundation at St George’s Bristol

The Six Wives of Henry VIII at the Tobacco Factory Theatre

West Side Story, Bristol Hippodrome, 28 January – 8 February Leading the talented new cast is Katie Hall as Maria and Louis Maskell as her star-crossed lover Tony. Katie has most recently played Christine in the national tour of Phantom of the Opera and Cosette in Les Misérables at the Queen’s Theatre in the West End, while Louis has previously appeared in the national tour of Scrooge – The Musical.

Djalenga Scott brings her energy and experience from Chicago, Flashdance and The Rocky Horror Show to play the pivotal role of Anita and in the rival gang, Jack Wilcox takes on the ill-fated character of Riff, Tony’s best friend and co-founder of the Jets. Jack was most recently in Singin’ in the Rain at the West End’s Palace Theatre and has also appeared in Wicked. This bright, dynamic new cast is directed and choreographed by Joey McKneely using the Jerome Robbins’ full, original choreography. Joey has worked extensively on Broadway and was the former assistant to Jerome Robbins, so brings with him the true essence of the original production. Tickets from the box office on tel: 0844 871 3012 or visit: www.atgtickets.com/bristol.

The Six Wives Of Henry VIII, Tobacco Factory Theatre, Wednesday 29 January, 8pm A sell out hit at the Brewery Theatre last summer, and fresh from the Edinburgh Festival and a nationwide tour, The Six Wives of Henry VIII is back by popular demand for two last Bristolian hurrahs. With live original music, embroidery, Barbie dolls, silly songs and historical hysteria, this

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is an ill researched lesson in Tudor history that you’ll never forget, and this is the final chance to catch Howard and Stu before they put the portly Tudor monarch and his troubled bedfellows away.

Box office tel: 0117 902 0344 or visit: www.tobaccofactorytheatres.com

Dhol Foundation, St George’s Bristol, Sunday 2 February, 4pm After storming performances at just about every festival stage in the country as well as the London 2012 Olympics closing ceremony last year and the Royal Variety Performance, the massed Punjabi drums of Kalsi’s Dhol Foundation return to St George’s with a Bhangra-style rhythm explosion of drum and bass, tabla and hip hop with a Celtic twist. The powerful drumming and dancing is sure to get you jumping. Tickets from £10, book on tel: 0845 40 24 001 or visit: www.stgeorgesbristol.co.uk.

BOOK NOW FOR...

Exultate Singers: A Sense of the Divine, St George’s Bristol, Saturday 8 February, 7.30pm Singing music spanning 1,000 years, Exultate Singers perform choral works inspired by the universe, the moon, planets and stars. The centrepiece is the Bristol premiere of Lux aeterna

by Ligeti written for Stanley Kubrick’s iconic film 2001: A Space Odyssey. To accompany the atmospheric and mesmerising music, the travelling Planetarium from the Explorer Dome projects >>

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Ruthie Henshall at St George’s Bristol

breathtaking images of the night sky onto the ceiling and balconies of St George’s for a truly cosmic experience. Tickets from £13, available from the box office on tel: 0845 40 24 001 or visit: www.stgeorgesbristol.co.uk.

Jane Eyre, Bristol Old Vic, 10 February – 29 March A bold and dynamic re-imagining of Brontë’s timeless masterpiece presented in two parts with an ensemble cast of actors and musicians. Part one of this vivid re-telling will take you from Jane’s childhood at Reed Manor, to Lowood School and on to Thornfield where Jane encounters the man who challenges her own passion and integrity.

Part two follows Jane’s rage against the injustice of society, the discovery of bitter betrayal and, in turn, the ultimate decision to follow her heart.

Directed by the highly acclaimed Sally Cookson (Peter Pan, The Boy Who Cried Wolf, Treasure Island), and with an original score and live music led by Benji Bower the two parts will draw on dark fairy tales and folk tradition to create a vivid and compelling journey. Book on tel: 0117 987 7877 or visit: www.bristololdvic.org.uk.

Jane Eyre at the Bristol Old Vic

An Intimate Evening with Ruthie Henshall, St George’s Bristol, Thursday 13 February, 8pm

Imelda May, Colston Hall, Sunday 9 March, 9.15pm Irish rockabilly queen Imelda May comes to the Colston Hall as part of the Bristol International Jazz and Blues Festival, closing the festival with her gutsy blues and old rock ‘n’ roll. Her special blend of music takes you on a ride through influences by Wanda Jackson, Eddie Cochran and Gene Vincent, but all delivered by Imelda’s own unique voice and lyrics. Tickets from £22. Box office tel: 0844 887 1500 or visit: www.bristoljazzandbluesfest.com.

Gregory Porter, St George’s Bristol, Thursday 20 March, 8pm With sell-out performances at the Cheltenham Jazz Festival and appearances with Jamie Cullum and Jools Holland, the deep, honeyed tones and passionate delivery of the American soul-jazz vocalist and songwriter Gregory Porter have already made him a big name on the international music scene. Bringing his sense of swing, intense vocals and tapping feet, he makes his long-awaited Bristol debut with his full jazz band featuring a piano, drums, bas and saxes. Tickets £24, available from tel: 0845 40 24 001 or visit: www.stgeorgesbristol.co.uk.

N S ow al e O n!

Star of modern music theatre, Ruthie Henshall will take you on a musical journey through the stages of her extraordinary career, from Lionel Bart to Les Misérables and from Chicago on Broadway to an Olivier Award in London. It is a personal and intimate show, with Ruthie telling her story

through her own words and the music that means the most to her, singing favourite numbers from musicals and the Great American Songbook alongside contemporary pop songs that move her, accompanied only by her expert piano trio. Tickets from £15, available from tel: 0845 40 24 001 or visit: www.stgeorgesbristol.co.uk.

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COMEDY | CITY

Frock the week Samantha Coleman talks to Bristol journalist Jane Duffus, founder of What the Frock female comedy group, about her efforts to make women more visible on the stand-up circuit

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t was when local arts journalist Jane Duffus was planning a night out at a comedy club with friends that she realised there was a serious lack of women on the stand-up circuit. And the more she looked into it, the more aware she became of this misrepresentation. “Typically only four in every 48 comedians booked for live comedy in the UK is female, which does not reflect the number of enormously talented women on the comedy circuit,” says Jane.

“It’s not that there aren’t women comedians out there, or not enough funny women. There are loads. It’s just that they didn’t have a platform to make a name for themselves. The female comedians are there, they just haven’t been visible.”

So in 2012 she presented Bristol with a comedy event at the Arnolfini, called What the Frock, as part of the Bristol Festival of Ideas, featuring only female stand-up comedians, in an attempt to prove that there are funny women out there and promote women in stand-up.

Tickets for the 200 seats were sold out well in advance and it was so popular that What the Frock became a successful regular event, with a monthly comedy club at the Mauretania on Park Street and one-off shows at Colston Hall.

In addition to the monthly comedy club in Bristol, What the Frock has also expanded to put events on in London, Manchester and Exeter, working with selected women’s charities to raise money for the excellent work they do. Last year saw more than 20 packedout shows, featuring over 100 comedians, including Dana Alexander, Zahra Barri, Kate Smurthwaite and Tiffany Stevenson – all of them hand-picked by Jane from shows she’s seen and liked, recommendations, visits to the Edinburgh Festival and You Tube clips that have been sent to her.

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What the Frock is the only regular all-female comedy group in the south west and one of only three female comedy clubs in the whole of the UK. At every show you’ll get to see at least three female comedians, four including the compere. But don’t worry men, it’s not all about periods, menopause and pregnancy, and Jane is keen to emphasise that it’s not about hating men, as some people think. There are strictly no hen parties allowed too. Jane says: “It’s just a comedy night – funny jokes and stories told by very funny women.

“It should go without saying that we positively welcome men in the audience (we’ve even had a few on stage before now!).

And just as there will be lots of women in the audience of a male comedian’s show, there are also plenty of men in the audience of our allfemale shows.”

What The Frock is a one-woman business – Jane does pretty much everything except perform the comedy.

“I never imagined I would be running a comedy night,” she says. “I just kind of fell into it and I never imagined it was going to be a regular thing, but I really enjoy it.

“The important thing is that it’s not just about my little project, it’s about getting the message out that there’s lots of funny women out there.”

Never one to stand still, Jane has also launched the What The Frock Award, one of only two all-female comedy awards in the UK; hosted solo shows by some of the group’s favourite acts; put on improvisation theatre shows and will also be publishing a book in the summer of an A-Z celebration of funny women through the decades, featuring stand-ups, actors and writers along with more than 30 guest contributions.

“I’m hoping that What the Frock will bring more female comedians to the

The female comedians are there, they just haven’t been visible

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LADIES WHO LAUGH: main image, popular standup comedian Lucy Porter on a previous What the Frock comedy night © Posie Parker Photography; left inset, belly laughs galore are promised at the all-female stand-up comedy nights Above: from left, Rachel Parris will appear at the next event on 17 January; Jane Duffus, founder of What the Frock; and workshop leader Kate Smurthwaite © Emily Coles

city to do stand-up and encourage more women and performing arts students at the university to get into comedy. This is a different outlet for females in the arts,” says Jane.

And her efforts have not been in vain, for as well as a growing popularity for the stand-up nights, What the Frock has been nominated for numerous awards, has featured on Women’s Hour and has notched up column inches in the national media and press including the Daily Telegraph and Red Magazine.

“We’ve grown phenomenally and have lots of grand ideas for the new year,” says Jane. “Some people still have daft ideas that female comedians don’t exist, but we’re going to keep proving those people wrong. We’re delighted to see an ever-growing number of men in our audiences, too.”

Having had a very successful and busy 2013, with the last show at Colston Hall the second biggest to date, What the Frock returns to the glamorous setting of the Mauretania on Friday 17 January to launch its 2014 season with belly laughs aplenty. At this show, What the Frock welcomes local talent Cerys Nelmes as the new resident compere – a hugely popular circuit comedian with years of experience. Completing the bill alongside Cerys will be award-

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winning comedian Rachel Parris, Cecilia Delatori and Katie Lane, Funny Women runner-up 2013.

New for this year, Jane has also introduced What the Frock workshops, hosted by professional comic Kate Smurthwaite who has appeared on more than 500 TV and radio shows, written for Bafta award-winning show The Revolution Will Be Televised and is the head of comedy teaching at City Academy in London.

The intimate workshops, which will start in February (check the website for dates) are aimed at those who’ve always wanted to try stand-up and those who have done a few gigs but are keen to develop their skills, whether you’re looking for a new career or just a speedy confidence boost. Covering comedy writing techniques, crowd control and dealing with hecklers and performance skills, the workshops will provide an opportunity to ask questions and pick up tips from a full time professional comic. After the workshop there’ll be a showcase where all the participants do five minutes in front of a warm friendly audience. What are you waiting for? ■ For further information, tickets and details of all upcoming events, visit: www.whatthefrockcomedy.co.uk

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9 Carlton Court, Westbury on Trym, Bristol, BS9 3DF www.kempsjewellers.com (online store) 0117 950 5090 Kemps Jewellers are a family business offering an extensive range of jewellery, both new and second hand, across a wide price range.

• Wedding & Engagement Rings • Bespoke Jewellery • Silver Jewellery • Beautiful Gifts • Watches • Jewellery & Watch Repairs • Registered Pawnbrokers • Gold purchased A 10% discount on any pair of rings purchased and off any further gifts for your wedding

You can now also purchase online. Quick & Easy. Visit www.kempsjewellers.com

“History, Tradition & Quality – the only Kemps Jewellers since 1881” Connect with us for the latest offers, competitions and updates.

Opening time: Mon-Fri 9:30am to 5:30pm, Saturday 9:00am to 1:00pm, Sundays Closed

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MAKE &| CREATE

Space to create Helen Cobby looks at the workshops on offer at Heart Space Studios on Coldharbour Road for inspiration of new hobbies and craft skills to learn this year

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ave you made a new year’s resolution to take up a craft or become more creative? If so, Heart Space Studios on Coldharbour Road is the place you should be headed. The studios host a wide range of workshops, weekend courses and masterclasses, which draw upon different textileinspired techniques including stitching, knitting, quilting, felting, drawing, embellishing and beading. They provide for all levels of experience and always encourage experimentation and innovation.

Specialising in textiles, Heart Space offers expert tuition from professional practitioners and tutors who are passionate about their subject.

The teaching studio is just the right size for up to 10 people to receive individual attention and the room is stocked with beautiful, unusual and useful materials.

Janet Haigh is the founder and co-owner of the studios. She was previously a senior research fellow at UWE and a lecturer in drawing and design, specialising in patchwork and embroidery. Janet says: “We want to show people how to make personal, meaningful and useful things, for you to keep or give, with love. We aim to inspire and delight by using any materials that lend themselves to textile techniques. Enjoy expressing yourself creatively.”

Day workshops The first new year workshop is Beginners Crochet on 10 January with tutor Avril Best. This day class will focus on how to hold a hook and yarn and understand basic stitching techniques. Other stitch-based workshops include Crazy Patchwork on 16 January with Janet, which offers a chance to use beautiful scraps of material to make cushion-sized patchwork panels complete with decorative stitches. For those wanting to try out more 3D techniques, the Beaded Woven Pendant workshop with tutor Ilsa Fatt on 30 January will serve as a technical introduction to Peyote Stitch, which is the simplest and most versatile beadwork stitch.

If learning dressmaking or dipping into fashion design is your new year’s WWW.THEBRISTOLMAGAZINE.CO.UK

challenge, Heart Space offers a Strictly Corsets weekend course with tutor Lisa Keating on 13 February. This is a most rewarding course, giving time to let your imagination flourish.

It involves designing and making a fully fitted, boned, lined and back-laced corset in a full Victorian or underbust style. Other day workshops include lino printing, embellishing batik paintings and drawing with a sewing machine.

Learn stitching techniques

Weekly workshops New Year’s resolutions are always more exciting (and more likely to take off) if they involve interacting with others. Heart Space offers a weekly Knit and Stitch Club where you can share ideas, materials and skills or just enjoy working alongside others in an informal environment. Each week there is a different focus and guest speakers are often invited. It runs on Wednesday mornings and Thursday evenings.

Heart Space is also introducing a new beaded sampler course on Saturday >> JANUARY 2014

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MAKE &| CREATE

Handmade lace cuffs with beads

mornings, where you can develop different beading techniques and create textured beaded pictures.

Masterclasses Heart Space also holds masterclasses delivered by high profile designers, makers and artists, all of whom work primarily with textiles. Perfect for more experienced textile practitioners, the masterclasses offer the opportunity to enjoy the chance to experiment with rare or unusual materials and engage with new ideas. Personal one-to-one tuition and discussion will also flow from these sessions with remarkable makers. Past sessions have even involved the use of fish skins, fine leathers and feathers to develop new and innovative fabrics.

Talks If you are uncertain about what sort of skills you would like to take up, become inspired by attending one of Heart Space’s talks by professional, practicing artists. Betsan Corkhill recently spoke at the Knit & Stitch Club about her ongoing research into psychosocial benefits of knitting.

Exhibitions When you enter the light and colourful studios, you’ll notice an exhibition wall to your right, which often features seasonal themed work and mixed media shows of work by the Heart Space tutors and staff. Anyone is free to pop in and have a look.

Gift shop A great place of inspiration for creative projects in the Heart Space shop, managed by volunteer Jane-Marie Mahy. Here you’ll find quirky, affordable fabric pictures and items created by the tutors and local artists, with continuous changes of stock. Items new this month include decorative vitreous enamel door plates and jewellery.

Parties If you are stuck for ideas about where to hold parties Heart Space can also provide an unusual venue, perfect for hen parties and birthdays. Partygoers can request what they would like to make or choose from a range of fun suggestions such as garters, lace jewellery and wedding table decorations.

Children’s parties include making beaded brooches, appliquéd alphabet pets and paper collage. ■ For more information and to book classes visit: http://www.heartspacestudios.co.uk.

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Beaded jewellery from Ilsa Fatt

BOOK NOW FOR...

• Mixed media brooches – full day class, Friday 17 January, 9.30am – 3.30 pm Design and make a small stitched/b eaded brooch. Using felts, you will build up texture with thread and yarn s using dry felting needles. There will be an option for free motion mach ine stitch in addition to simple hand stitch techniques. To finish, add bead s, scraps of lace, tiny sequins along with a silver plated brooch back. Tuto r: Debby Bird. Price: £55, plus £5 materials charge.

• Lino printing onto natural fabr ics – full day class, Friday 31 January, 9.30am – 3.30 pm Learn how to design and cut your own lino block, then print with pigm ent dyes onto cottons/linens and pape r. Tutor: Jacqui Watkins.

Price: £55, plus £5 materials charge.

• Beaded lacy-knit wrist-warme rs – full day class, Saturday 15 February, 10am – 4pm Using luxurious fine yarns, learn delic ate lacy knitting and create a pair of beaded wrist-warmers. You will be guided through the process of calculating the amounts you need , casting on and off and considering different ways to incorporate bead s into your design. Aimed at peop le with a good knowledge of knitting.

Tutor: Amanda Jones. Price: £55 minus 10% if booked at least one month in advance.

• Strictly corsets – weekend cour se, Saturday 22 & Sunday 23 February , 10am – 4pm Design, cut and make a fully fitted , boned, lined, and back-laced corse t in the material of your choice, in eithe r the full Victorian or under-bust style .

Knowledge of garment construction required. Paper pattern and structuring materials provided. Tuto r: Lisa Keating. Price: £110 minus 10% if booked at least one month in adva nce, plus £50-£35 materials charge.

• Papercut window decoration – full day class, Friday 21 March, 9.30am – 3.30 pm Gain confidence using an exactokn ife and mat safely, to create a shad ow box design to hang in a window or in front of a lamp and then develop a heart or circular design to be mou nted onto organza in a circular woo den frame. Ideal for a christening, birth day, wedding or anniversary gift.

Suitable for complete beginners. Tuto r: Debby Bird. Price: £55 minus 10% if booked one month in advance.

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sa Stu U mpl nni p es ng to st d 50 ill esi % av gn dis aila er cou bl nt e !

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CITYgardens

ARTS | & EXHIBITIONS

NEW YEAR SHOWS

Richard Twose, Round Back Chair

▼ Momentum, View Gallery 16 January – 6 March

Woman and Red Horse by Janet Lynch

Janet Lynch, Innocent Fine Art 3- 31 January New to the gallery is work by prestigious artist Janet Lynch. Now based in Cornwall, Janet spent her early years in India and East Africa and her painting brings together an exotic mix of influences. Moved by the human condition she uses metaphor and symbolism but also refers to myths and legends.

Also showing at the gallery will be portraits by Carl Melegari and still life paintings by Robert Pittam.

Innocent Fine Art, 7a Boyces Ave, Clifton.

Tel 0117 9732614.

Momentum is a forward thinking exhibition showcasing a variety of interpretations of the word through the artists’ creative technique. Paintings by Tim Pavier illustrate rapid movement through his use of fluid and abstract brushstrokes and from James Tebbutt through varying styles of paint application. James Holdsworth’s work illustrates movements within society making social commentaries on our infatuations with celebrity culture and iconography. Louis Michel Masai’s depictions of birds reflect migration theories, Richard Twose’s beautiful paintings show abstracted figures moving transiently through mysterious scenes, Sherrod Barnes Ginifer’s sculptures capture the innocence and fearlessness of youth’s agility and Paresh Nrshinga’s abstract paintings, rich in colour and depth, illustrate a collision of colours representing the feeling of the birth of new beginning or perhaps capturing an explosive end. View Gallery, 159-161 Hotwell Road.

Michael Ogden’s new images, Sky Blue Framing & Gallery, January & February Bristol artist Michael Ogden has several new pastel images, including, above, Moon Rise Over Norway Cottage, St Ives. Also on show are works by Sue Brown (collagraphs), Quentin Blake, Jane Reeves’ glass paintings and contemporary jewellery. Sky Blue Framing & Gallery, 27 North View, Westbury Park. Tel: 0117 9733995.

ALDA by Carl Melegari

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ARTS | & EXHIBITIONS

City Lives at Bristol Museum & Art Gallery, Until 2 March

Emma Smith’s performance art series, 4 Days, from 2013. Image: Justin Yockney

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).

161st Annual Open Exhibition RWA, until 26 January A major new commission funded by the Wellcome Trust at the Arnolfini The Arnolfini has been successful in securing an Arts Award from the Wellcome Trust for a major new commission by British artist Emma Smith in 2014/2015. The project, 5Hz, imagines an evolution of voice for the purpose of social bonding, based on bio-medical research into vocal rhythm, culminating with an installation in Arnolfini exhibition spaces in February 2015. 5Hz involves a one-year participatory research process by collaborators artist Emma Smith, psychologist and phonetician Laurence White, cognitive neuroscientist and psycholinguist Nina Kazanina and musicologist Emma Hornby, and will explore the power of the voice to connect us to one another. The public and school groups will be invited to join in a series of open, public events and experiments throughout the year, including live brain recordings while listening to choral performances, language evolution laboratories, and talks and workshops – all contributing to the development of the artwork and final interactive installation.

5Hz builds on Emma Smith’s collaborative, performance work ΔE=W (Change in Energy = the Work), presented at Arnolfini as part of 4 Days, a performance art series last January. For further information

Wildlife Photographer of the Year, M Shed, until 23 February ¿Quieres Baile? by Aisling Hedgecock

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.

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Explore the rich array of life on our planet in this world-renowned exhibition from the Natural History Museum. The images provide an insight into the beauty and variety of nature and shine a spotlight on the rarely seen wonders of the natural world around us. New for this year is the complementing Wildlife of Bristol display celebrating Bristol’s diverse and special wildlife, encouraging visitors of all ages to explore nature on their doorstep. Get up close to rarely seen natural history specimens and discover the secrets of the city’s wild residents.

Tickets: adults £3, concessions £2, children (5 16yrs) £2, under 5’s free, family tickets £8.

M Shed, Princes Wharf, Wapping Road.

Painterly Paintings, Back in Fashion, Lime Tree Gallery, 7 – 28 January Landscapes, portraits and still life feature in this exhibition full of painting and drawing, complementary and contrasting colour, tone and texture. Lime Tree Gallery, 84 Hotwell Road. www.limetreegallery.com.

Pictured, Lilies and Eggs by Vivienne Williams

Curiosity and the Cat, Hannes Lochner (South Africa)

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CITY | ARTS

NEW PERSPECTIVES Get the New Year off to an inspired start learning an age-old skill, says Hannah Stuart-Leach

Left, a class at the Bristol Drawing School at the RWA; above and below, life drawings from The Bristol Drawing School

L

ife drawing is seen as the ultimate challenge in drawing: if you can draw the human body, you can draw anything. It has been used for centuries by artists of all disciplines to help hone their depictions of shape, tone and perspective. But that doesn’t mean it’s just for pros.

Local artist Ruth Wallace, a tutor at the RWA’s Bristol Bristol Drawing School, says although some people have more natural abilities, everyone can learn to draw well. During the 10-week sessions she’s taught, she always notices significant improvements in students’ work. It is also a meditative practice, something to become totally absorbed in. “I usually find people can’t believe the time has gone so quickly, because they’ve become completely immersed. If they came into a class stressed, that leaves their head while they’re drawing.”

Due to Bristol’s reputation as one of the country’s most artistic cities, there are all sorts of classes to choose from for all levels, budgets and interests. For beginners, advises Ruth, find a relaxed, informal and supportive class: “If you go to a beginners group, everyone else is going to be in exactly the same boat. It is only through having a go you gain confidence.”

Although many classes provide equipment as part of the entry fee, it’s a good idea to invest in certain staples. “Use whatever you’re comfortable with,” says Ruth, “but for beginners and quicker poses, charcoal is best because it’s so flexible and forgiving.” In addition, some cartridge paper – it doesn’t need to be expensive, just not too smooth and of as large a size as you can manage so you have room to play around. For pencils, she recommends a B, 4B and 6B as a starter kit – the higher the number the softer the pencil and darker the mark.

A rubber is useful too but for shading rather than erasing. “If something goes wrong it’s better to draw lightly and go over it. If you rub something out you can’t see where you went wrong in the first place so you just tend to do it wrong again.”

Most classes consist of a series of timed poses, usually ranging from a minute to an hour or more. “If you’re drawing quickly, don’t worry about light and shade because you don’t have time. Squinting at the model gives you three-dimensionality without the fiddly details people get bogged down with.”

For longer poses, she says, it is best to look at big blocks of light and shade and not concern yourself with tiny highlights and marks.

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I usually find people can’t believe the time has gone so quickly, because they’ve become completely immersed

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“Also, draw vertically if you can. If you’re drawing horizontally, you’ve got a figure standing in front of you and your brain’s trying to translate vertical into horizontal as well as everything else it’s having to do.”

A big challenge for beginners is getting proportions right. Ruth says, even if you’re drawing with charcoal, have a pencil in hand as a measuring stick. “The average human body is between seven and eight heads high, so if you look at the depth of the head and work that out, you can use it as a measure. Align the pencil with the body and check it’s the same on your drawing. It’s also a good idea to regularly step back, any mistakes will then become obvious.

“Because we’re so used to engaging with the face, we tend to give more importance to its features, making them bigger than they really are. For example, the eyes normally come half way down the head but people tend to think they’re up in the top part. The key thing is just very careful observation, believe in your eyes rather than your brain.

“It’s difficult drawing the human figure because we are so familiar with it.

We think we know it, so we tend to assume things rather than really looking.

Improving is more about learning to look, than learning to draw.” ■

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CITY | ARTS

Bristol Drawing School

Laptop Life Drawing An opportunity to draw from life using your lap-top, iPad, or tablet device.

This untutored, informal life drawing class with Lucy Ward places the emphasis on experimentation and knowledge sharing. Students must provide their own laptops for this class and will need to download a drawing app (eg. Brushes) before attending.

Where? Bristol Drawing School When? Saturday March 15, 10.30am-4.30pm Price: £50 Contact: 0117 973 5129, www.drawingschool.org.uk Hen Party Life Drawing with Lady Sketchington Don your beret and get creative with Lady Sketchington, an experienced artist who will guide your group through a life drawing class with style.

Berets, materials and retro swing music provided. The first hour is group drawing exercises using props and the second hour is from your choice of male or female life model.

Where? Hen party venue Price: £15 per person for a two-hour class Contact: Penny on 07968189060, http://lady-sketchington.tumblr.com Life Drawing: Basic Skills A five-week guided course in the basic skills of life drawing with mural painter Bill Guilding. See website for materials list. Book early to avoid disappointment.

Where? Bristol Folk House When? Starts February 24, Monday 5.30–7.30pm Price: £64.50, over 60 £59.50 Contact: 0117 926 2987, admin@bristolfolkhouse.co.uk, www.bristolfolkhouse.co.uk

CLASSES IN BRISTOL Untutored Life Drawing A fun and affordable drop-in for all skill levels. The sessions are run by Laura Todd and Lara Simo, both experienced life models, who foster an easy-going, unpressured atmosphere. Fee includes use of charcoals, rubbers, drawing boards and fixative. Paper is available at 10p per sheet or 50p for six.

Where? Café Kino When? Mondays, 6-8pm Price: £5 Contact: events@cafe-kino.com, www.cafe-kino.com/events/life_drawing.htm

Life Drawing Matthew Roy Arnold runs this drop-in Southville class accommodating all skill levels. He leaves artists to their own devices during poses, but is on hand for guidance in the breaks. Boards are supplied but bring your own materials.

Where? Tobacco Factory Green Room When? Every first and third Monday, 8-10pm Price: £5, £4 NUS Contact: 0117 902 0060, tobaccofactorylifedrawing@gmail.com http://tobaccofactorydrawingsessions.blogspot.co.uk

Bristol Folk House

Life Drawing Drop-in Fine artist Anouk Mercier offers advice and assistance in this class suitable for all abilities. Numbers permitting, a choice of two models to draw from each week. Paper and basic materials included. This term the drop-in will not always run on consecutive dates due to exhibition installations in the main galleries, check class dates on the website to avoid disappointment.

Where? Bristol Drawing School When? Wednesdays, 6.30–8.30pm Price: £10, £8 concessions Contact: 0117 973 5129, www.drawingschool.org.uk Stokes Croft Life Drawing Inspired by conventional life drawing classes and the character of Stokes Croft, this class with Tommy Petheram presents life drawing with a theatrical twist. Traditional techniques are enhanced by an inventive environment, complete with stage lighting, props and costumes. Untutored for maximum creative freedom. A choice of materials available, paper 50p per sheet.

Where? Hamilton House When? Thursdays, 6-8pm Price: £6 Contact: Tommy at grit.teeth@gmail.com www.hamiltonhouse.org/life-drawing

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Bristol Drawing School Hamilton House

Bristol Folk House

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FOOD | AND DRINK

WINING & DINING news and reviews Reviving the Great British brekkie

Quick bites ■ Last month saw the opening of Las Iguanas' third Bristol restaurant. The ethos in this latest launch – in its location opposite The Mall at Cribbs Causeway – remains the same as ever: to bring authentic South America to every table. The freshest, quality ingredients from the best British suppliers and authentic ingredients from around the world are combined daily by talented chefs to create Latin American specialities all freshly made to order. The Latinfusion menus reflect the diverse mix of Spanish, Portuguese, African and native Latino influences that make up South American culture, featuring traditional dishes like fajitas, burritos and enchiladas, alongside sizzling steaks and spicy chicken and a selection of salads, tapas and sociable sharing plates. And it wouldn’t be a Latin American adventure without cocktails, in particular the signature Caipirinha, made with cachaça, sourced and distilled near Rio de Janeiro. The new restaurant has a great family vibe too, with children’s options available.

■ A new Pizza Express has opened at The Venue at Cribbs Causeway featuring a graffiti painted brick wall that pays homage to local street artist Bansky. The wall features a picture of a chef with a pizzaiola oven, a sign saying ‘No Dough Throwing’ with two chefs throwing dough beneath it and a Dough Ball girl. Andrew Proctor, manager of the new Pizza Express says: “The artwork is quite an attraction and talking point. The new restaurant is a great spot for everything from a casual lunch or dinner to a celebration with our pizza making parties.” Visit: www.pizzaexpress.com

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inston’s Wish, the leading charity for bereaved children, is looking for supporters to join in their Great British Brekkie week on 10 – 16 February and help raise £30,000 to support bereaved children by hosting a charity breakfast. This can be anything from a traditional full English to a good ol’ cuppa and toast and can be held anywhere – your home, work, school, village hall or even the local pub.

Think muesli, muffins, fresh fruit salad, crumpets, pancakes with hot maple syrup, Henry and Tom Herbert, The Fabulous Baker Brothers of Hobbs berries with cream, freshly squeezed orange House Bakery in Chipping Sodbury are among the supporters of the Great British Brekkie event juice, aromatic filter coffee, sizzling bacon or a delicious bagel filled with smoked salmon and cream cheese. Or why not go glam with a Champagne breakfast for friends or take time out to have a tea and toast moment with your work colleagues? The possibilities are endless but they will all set you up for the day and raise vital funds for bereaved children at the same time. Every single penny counts and the £30,000 raised will allow the charity to directly support 250 children and their families before, during and after bereavement.

There are plenty of celebrities supporting the event too including Chipping Sodbury’s very own Fabulous Baker Brothers. For more information and to register, visit: www.greatbritishbrekkie.org.uk or tweet @winstonswish using #greatbritishbrekkie.

A guide for fine diners An award-winning husband-and-wife team from Somerset have helped to launch a new recipe book celebrating the very best restaurants across the south west region and recipes from the some of the finest chefs.

Gordon and Jeanette Reid of The Queens Arms at Sherborne are among the star names in the new Relish South West book which features the region’s most illustrious cooks, including the multi-award-winning, two-Michelin-starred Michael Caines of Gidleigh Park in Devon and Bristol’s Harvey Nichols Second Floor Restaurant, along with three recipes from award-winning executive chef, Louise McCrimmon.

It has been published by Relish Publications, which has created a series of fine dining guides around the UK. With a real passion for the region, the contributors to this recipe collection aim to inspire readers about the best food from the south-westerly counties, how to cook it and where to eat it.

Commenting on the new book, Duncan Peters from Relish Publications said: “The south west has been an incredible region to produce a book for, as the range of fine dining experiences and outstanding restaurants we have in the book shows. The region really drives for perfection, and there is a real sense that supporting local producers and using local sourced products is at the heart of the philosophy of many of the great chefs. This has been one of our best books to pull together, and for anyone visiting or living in the south west provides an excellent choice of recipes to try at home, and even better, a wide selection of wonderful restaurants to visit.”

Relish South West is available from the Second Floor Foodmarket at Harvey Nichols Bristol at £20. For further information visit: www.relishpublications.co.uk ■

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Steak of the Art Cathedral Walk, Bristol BS1 5LN. Tel: 0117 929 7967

REVIEW

A TOUCH OF NYC STYLE T

here are times in life when one craves something simple but delicious was £15.95, or £3.40 for a glass, while a pint of excellent Cornish Korev lager to eat, and what could be more straightforward and satisfying than from St Austell would set you back £4.30. The thinking behind the simple steak and chips? No fancy stuff, just good, honest, tender, juicy beef menu and the pricing is that this needn’t be a destination you’d only visit for perfectly cooked and served with hot, tongue scalding crispy chips that are a special occasion, but that if you fancied a steak on a Tuesday night after a fluffy inside. And you don’t want to have to take a mortgage out to enjoy it particularly challenging day at work you could justify the expense. either, or sit in some dismal old-fashioned dining room to partake in this most Steak of the Art’s bar area is big enough to happily accommodate people traditional of great British dishes. who just fancy coming in for an after work drink to enjoy the atmosphere, and Dear reader, I have found such a place. Follow me if you would, as like the to wander round the gallery area.

White Rabbit I lead the way, from the Harbourside, then scurry across At the time of writing the gallery is populated by artists’ work from the Milennium Square, past the statue of Cary Grant before slipping down past owner’s gallery in Cheshire, but the management would like to extend an the Cuban and the Living Room, to the newly opened Steak of the Art, easily invitation to Bristol artists to show their work here. Within a couple of weeks identified by its street art wall paintings. It’s not of opening several pictures had already been part of a chain, it prides itself in serving the best sold. reared and butchered west country meat, and The starter boards for £7 a piece are ideal for you can enjoy a range of Bristol Beer Factory’s sharing as an appetite whetter. We went for the finest – what’s not to like? fishy one which provided a good combination The decor is pretty special. Its style is a of fish and textures, including crispy whitebait, combination of modern industrial warehouse a shot glass of hot crab bisque, calamari with and freestyle thinking by an artist who’s let his garlic mayo and a tasty mackerel pate. imagination run loose. Diners can sit at tables The service was good, despite the fact that the on comfy padded chairs covered in bright place was busy and a large party was enjoying artwork, or pick one of the delightfully its Christmas ‘do’ in the adjoining private dining decorated themed booths. We were particularly room. Our starter was swiftly followed by our taken by the Alice in Wonderland booth, with steaks – which were served on plates rather than its painted playing card benches and intricately wooden boards (a plus in my book). They were carved wooden surrounding, but that was CLASSIC SHOT: Charles C Ebbets’ 1930s New York really at the heart of this meal – tender, juicy and occupied so we picked instead the Chrysler photograph Lunchtime atop a Skyscraper cooked medium rare, just as we’d requested. booth, inspired by the old black and white The potato chips and the sweet potato chips, photos of skyscrapers in Manhatten. Since the above photo was taken, the which I chose, were both excellent too and there was no salad frippery on the benches have been padded to be more comfortable, but looking out over side to distract from the main attraction. scenes of New York through a trompe l’oeil window was quite surreal. We also Steak of the Art’s £9.95 menu rapide at lunchtimes looked good value, liked the fact that in a booth you can enjoy a conversation without being offering a choice of main courses, including steak and chips or aubergine overheard (very Mafia, that’s us). lasagne, with a soft drink.

The menu is kept simple and well designed and the waiting staff use iPads Falling to pudding temptation we shared a plate of Salcombe ice cream to take orders. Starters are sensibly priced between £4 and £7, while a 200g (another good west country product) and a pot of crème brûlée served with a steak, with chips, is priced between £14 and £20 (the latter for fillet steak). crisp homemade biscuit and roasted pistachios. Before you leave, you simply Sauces, which are considerately served in separate little jugs, are £2 and sides, have to visit the loos, which are an art installation in their own right. I’m told of crispy onion rings, roasted root vegetables or tomato, onion and basil salad, the Gents have urinals lit up with flashing lights. are £3.

Happy and replete we plunged back into the winter night, slinking round A bottle of velvety smooth Portuguese red, Santo Isidro de Pegoes, wine the corners of the Harbourside before vanishing into the darkness. ■ GMc 46 THE BRISTOL MAGAZINE

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FOODIE EVENTS...

Veg Out, River Cottage Canteen, Whiteladies Road Tuesday 7 January The vegetarian and vegan evening celebrating the very best the season has to offer was so successful when first launched, that Veg Out is back for January. The a la carte menu includes helpful hints and tips on growing seasonal veg for those wishing to find out more about winter vegetables and how they can grow them at home. For more information and ticket prices visit: rivercottage.net/canteens/bristol or tel: 0117 973 2458.

Enjoying Bristol’s Restaurants Making new friends of all ages

River Cottage Canteen

For more information: info@bristolsupperclub.org.uk

www.bristolsupperclub.org.uk

Cheese and wine tasting, Arch House Deli, Clifton Wednesday 22 January, 7pm Taste six of the deli’s favourite cheeses paired with six wines designed to bring out the very best in each other. There will also be background information on each of the cheeses and wines. To ensure there is plenty of interaction there are a limited number of places. Tickets are just £25 per person and can be purchased at: http://shop.archhousedeli.com/gift-vouchers.

Burns’ Night supper and Scottish whisky tasting, Hotel du Vin, Friday 24 January, 7pm Enjoy a Scottish whisky tasting before dinner and a three course traditional Burns’ Night Supper with house wine in the Le Pin room.

In a true ode to Rabbie Burns, there will also be a traditional piper and address to the haggis. Tickets: £75 per person. Book on tel: 084473 64252.

Game Night, River Cottage Canteen Tuesday 28 January River Cottage HQ’s Steve Lamb will be returning to the Canteen, following the hugely successful Whole Hog event. Guests can enjoy a beautifully prepared three course set menu, based around local and seasonal game, while special guest speaker Steve demonstrates how to prepare and cook wild game. For more information and ticket prices visit: rivercottage.net/canteens/bristol or tel: 0117 973 2458.

Bristol Winter Cider Festival, Passenger Shed, Temple Meads Friday 31 January, 7.30pm – 11pm On offer will be more than 100 ciders and perries including awardwinning ciders from Ben Crossmans, Richs, Thatchers, Broadoak and Hecks, Gwatkin, Gwynt Y Ddraig, and Mr Whiteheads – as well as hog roast rolls and cheese platters. The Bristol Cider Festival will offer the best in local entertainment with Somerset’s Wurzels tribute band The Mangledwurzels providing their own brand of Wurzels-flavoured, cider-fuelled Scrumpy & Western madness to help you drink up thy cider. Tickets £7 in advance from www.clstickets.co.uk or £8 on the door.

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BRISTOL | UPDATES

News in Brief ■ Two south Bristol business women have have opened a flower and chocolate shop on 228 North Street called @228 North Street. Xanthe Ivory, 28, a florist from Somerset and Bristol born chocolatier Zara Narracott, 25, met at the Tobacco Factory Sunday market two years ago. Since then they have been expanding their businesses, with Xanthe offering pop-ups and Zara selling her handmade chocolates in shops and delis across the city. With North Street now rivalling Gloucester Road for independent shops it made sense that Xanthe and Zara would make this their home. They also have plans to offer chocolate making and floristry workshops this year, so watch this space.

■ Brunel’s original train station has reopened its doors as a new enterprise hub in an effort to create jobs and encourage business growth. The Engine Shed, a Grade I listed building built by Brunel in 1841, has had a £1.7 million transformation thanks to a partnership between Bristol City Council, the University of Bristol and the West of England Local Enterprise Partnership (LEP). Experts predict it will generate 5,000 jobs in the next 15 years in the high-tech, creative & low carbon sectors.

■ Bristol is to receive £4.8 million to help small and medium sized businesses upgrade to a high speed, high grade, broadband connection. Announced in the Chancellor’s Autumn Statement last month, this funding is provided by the Department of Culture, Media & Sport’s Superconnected Cities £100 million connection voucher scheme. Connection Vouchers cover the upfront capital cost of broadband installation up to the value of £3,000. Bristol businesses are eligible to apply for the connection vouchers, providing they have less than 250 employees, a turnover of less than £40m and meet EU ‘de minimis’ criteria.

Applications are open until 31 March 2015 at: www.connectionvouchers.co.uk.

■ Bristol based bike fitting business Bike Science has achieved the accolade of being the UK’s number one Boardman Elite Series bike dealer. Bike Science was established in 2010 by former Ironman triathlete Andy Sexton. The head office and showroom is in the heart of central Bristol and there are now six Bike Science franchises across England. Bike Science began selling the Boardman Elite Series bikes in 2011. Designed by the Olympic, champion and Tour de France Yellow Jersey wearer Chris Boardman, the bikes in the elite range offer the highest level of performance at very competitive prices. Andy Sexton, says: “At Bike Science we build an entry level bike with the same care and attention as an elite racers super bike.” Visit: www.bikescience.com

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■ Two graduates from the University of the Elliot working on the West of England were part of the team that John Lewis advert created the much-loved animated John Lewis Christmas advert, which featured a story about the friendship between a bear and a hare, set to a soundtrack of Lily Allen’s Somewhere Only We Know.

Elliot Dear was co-director and Ben Lole was production coordinator – both graduated from UWE in 2009, Elliott in animation and illustration and Ben in media practice and animation.

The ad was created by Blinkink in the UK and Hornet, a studio in New York.

Ben has been taken on full time by Blinkink since completing the project. “Since leaving UWE Bristol I have worked in broadcast and production with Aardman and on a range of freelance projects from a studio in Stokes Croft in Bristol that was shared with Elliot. I did one of the first graduate placement schemes run by UWE Bristol at Arthur Cox Animation and the experience there was a great start that has proved valuable as a stepping stone into animation work.”

Leadership skills for tomorrow’s world

F

or the second year running, the University of Bristol is offering free places on its part-time Masters in Strategy, Change and Leadership course, a programme for aspiring senior managers designed to fit around the demands of a busy job.

On the programme The University of Bristol will provide senior managers with the tools, skills and techniques they require in order to navigate their organisations through demanding times of budget cuts, increased hours, more sophisticated technology and leaner workforces.

Programme Director Helen Ballard says: “I am delighted we have the funding to offer free places again this year as we have had an extremely high

level of interest among managers and senior executives from a wide range of industry backgrounds. Excellent leadership is critical in this challenging climate, and high performing organisations are recognising the need to further develop their managers. This practical Masters degree offers a return on investment from day one.”

To find out more, contact Cheralyn Dark on tel: 0117 331 7908 or email: efimscl@bristol.ac.uk. An open evening will take place on Wednesday 5 March. Visit: www.bristol.ac.uk/efm/courses/postgraduate/new/ degrees/strat-change-leadership.html

CITY BUSINESS Smart travel comes to Bristol Convenient, cash-free bus journeys with less queuing at the stop are coming to Bristol.

Bristol City Council’s new smartcard is currently being trialled in readiness for a roll-out on the city’s Park and Ride services early this year.

The card, which has been developed by the council with bus operators, allows passengers to buy tickets online in advance. They then simply load tickets onto their smartcard at collection points at Park and Ride sites before swiping it against the ticket machine as they get onto the bus, so you don’t need change and don’t have to hang on to your paper ticket.

Passengers can top up their smartcard as often as they like and regular or infrequent travellers can store credit in an ePurse for future journeys.

The Park and Ride smartcard can be used to buy a one, five or ten day rider and weekly and monthly tickets, six monthly passes and 12 month corporate passes.

The Long Ashton Park and Ride is operated by First while CT Plus operate the Brislington and Portway sites.

■ Bristol based venue exhibition, Spotlight on Venues, is back for another year on 30 January at The Passenger Shed at Bristol Temple Meads, after a successful initial event in 2013. Created and run by In Any Event UK, an event management and venue finding agency based in Bristol, the free exhibition will showcase a variety of more than 100 venues from across the UK, including unusual and unique venues, and bring them together with potential clients. The exhibition will enable bookers both commercial and private to obtain information and new ideas, aimed at anyone who books venues for events, conferences, accommodation or one-off special events.

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CITY | NEWS

Golf club has £400,000 greens upgrade

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t a time when many golf clubs in the UK are reviewing their costs in order to stay in business, Long Ashton Golf Club has just completed a £400,000 upgrade of its greens in less than five weeks. The members-owned club, based just ten minutes from the city centre, has been widely recognised as having some of the best greens in the region but in recent years, particularly in winter, some of the greens have been rendered unplayable after periods of very heavy rain. Research carried out by the club’s project team indicated that the only permanent solution to this problem would be to reconstruct the greens. Long Ashton, which was formed in 1893, had clay-based greens which was a standard design in the days prior to irrigation systems being introduced.

James Braithwaite, the club’s course manager who oversaw the project said: “The purpose of the old greens was to retain moisture, but were not designed to cope with the periods of very heavy rainfall that we have seen in recent years.”

The club was also very aware of the changing requirements of golfers, as Vicky Rose, the Long Ashton general manager commented: “As members lives have got busier, there is a requirement to want to play golf when it’s convenient and whatever the weather.”

Such a large reconstruction of greens has only been carried out by clubs in the Home Counties, but their advice and that of the world’s leading authority, the Sports Turf Research Institute, led to a robust specification being drawn up and sent to a number of specialist contractors. Club members were well informed during this research phase, which culminated in a general meeting at which a large majority present voted to proceed. Contractor, MJ Abbott & Sons of Salisbury, Wiltshire, was selected with two critical elements of the project specified.

The turf on the clay-based greens was lifted and reinstalled on the newly constructed green in less than five weeks in order to give the best opportunity of re-establishment of the turf. The club also took the opportunity to renew the aging irrigation pipework to nine greens and construct three new tees during this period.

Since the works have been completed many members have commented that the greens look exactly as they did before and thanks to technology employed by the contractor, all greens have the same contours as before.

The heavy rainfalls of the last month or so have provided an excellent test of the newly constructed greens. James said: “Over a three day period at the end of October we had 67mm of rainfall. The new greens drained the water so well that they would have been playable at all times.”

Club chairman, Ken Trowbridge commented: “Apart from building the course in the first place, over 100 years ago, this was probably the most ambitious project ever undertaken by the club. Being on a hill overlooking the city, our fairways and tees naturally drain well and now we have greens to match. It was a huge amount of money to spend but we are the only traditional members golf club in Bristol with 18 free draining greens which will enable our members and visitors to be confident that they can play golf at Long Ashton Golf Club, whatever the weather.”

For more information contact Long Ashton Golf Club: Tel: 01275 392229

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Move house with speed and efficiency Buying, selling or even mortgaging a property can be a complex and stressful business.

Jodie Purdue, licensed residential conveyancer at solicitors, Meade King LLP at Queen Square, Bristol comments on the firm’s philosophy in providing a first class conveyancing service.

“Meade King aims to take the stress and unpredictability out of the process by being constantly available, to explain the process and talk through any concerns. By combining a great legal service with reasonable fees we aim to provide our clients with excellent value for money.

There are no hidden surprises when it comes to the costs involved. We advise you of our charges at the outset and keep you updated as the matter progresses.

With long established links with other professionals in the regional property market, we can put you in touch with local estate agents, independent financial advisors and mortgage brokers.”

If you are thinking of buying, selling or mortgaging please call Jodie Purdue on 0117 926 4121 or email her at jp@meadeking.co.uk for a no obligation fixed fee quote.

Seeing the wider picture …focusing on the detail Meade King LLP Solicitors 11-12 Queen Square, Bristol, BS1 4NT

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Tel: 0117 926 4121

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FAMILY | FUN

pLAY TIME Use our guide to help plan quality time with your little ones this month. From family friendly theatre and ice skating to craft activities and science, there’s something for all ages to enjoy

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. Tickets 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 Skate with family and friends next to the Planetarium on Millennium Square. The rink is open from 10am – 8pm each day with 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.

Ice skating in Millennium Square

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 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

St i c k M a n Tra i l , W e s t O n b i r t A r b O r e t u m, u n t i l 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 about 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.

M A R S L A B, AT - B R I S TO L , F R OM 7 jA NU A RY

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 r y 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.

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 u n t i l 5 j a n u a r y 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, 52 THE BRISTOL MAGAZINE

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Stick Man Trail at Westonbirt

Mars Rover

Investigate the planet Mars using remotecontrolled rovers and real lab equipment.

Design your very own Mars Rover, then put it to the test on a recreated Martian landscape, gathering rock samples and taking them to the lab for analysis. Drop-in sessions throughout the day, standard admission applies.

TO D D L E R TA K EO V E R : C RA Z Y C R E ATU R E S, AT - B R I S TO L , F R I D a Y 17 j A N U A R Y , 1 0 am – 4 p m A special day dedicated to the under-fives where they can create a brightly coloured bug

accessory to wear home, then flap their wings and shake their antennae at the Beautiful Bug Ball. Take a trip to the stars with a special Planetarium show, and join in with interactive storytelling and simple science experiments.

Reduced entry prices and free for under 3’s.

W e a r e fam i ly, A R n O LF I n i , S a t u r d a y 2 5 j a n u a r y, 1 p m – 5 p m Explore Arnolfini’s exhibitions and events through family activities. Get creative and join in with gigantic drawings, 3D collages and artist-led workshops. Suitable for ages 5+.

S TO R Y T EL L I N G TU E S D A Y S , A R n O LF I N I, 1 0 . 3 0 a m – 1 1 . 1 5 am While you are sitting on bean bags and cushions, story tellers will amaze you, make you giggle, jump and provide a morning of fun followed by homemade cookies and squash in the Café Bar.

C h I n e se N E W Y E A R 2 0 1 4, B R I STOL M U SE U M & A RT G A L L E R Y C I T Y M U SE U M, S ATU RD A Y 1 & S U N D A Y 2 F E B RU A R Y A weekend of celebrations to welcome the Year of the Horse – the seventh cycle of the Chinese zodiac. Take a gallop around the museum and enjoy dance and music performances, workshops and family activities providing an exciting insight into Chinese culture.

Spread your wings

A new dance school has been launched in Bristol that gives disabled children or those with special needs the opportunity to explore, move and have fun in the same session as their ablebodied friends. Flamingo Chicks is Bristol’s first dance school, aimed at all children, with classes that will help develop confidence, social skills, co-ordination, communication and concentration. Each one-hour session has a mix of drama and dance styles from ballet and modern to street dance with simple yoga at the end. There are dancing ribbons, feathers, chiffon scarves and magical routines to provide lots of fun. To book a place, visit: www.flamingochicks.co.uk.

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New year, new goals?

Part- me MSc Strategy, Change and Leadership

Free places now available

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BRISTOL

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We deliver to over 24,000 addresses every month. But if you live outside our distribution area or would like us to send a copy to friends or family then we are able to offer a mailing service for only £15.00 (6 issues) or £25.00 Euro zone; £30.00 (12 issues) or £50.00 Euro zone World Zone 1 £95.00 World Zone 2 £120.00

To subscribe just send a cheque payable to MC Publishing Ltd Designed for busy managers to fit around a demanding management role, this part- me programme will help you to: • enhance your impact as a leader • understand organisa onal complexity and issues affec ng success • improve your ability to manage change and uncertainty • make be er choices about growth and strategic direc on

Email Cheralyn at efim-scl@bristol.ac.uk or Tel: 0117 331 7908 for details www.bristol.ac.uk/efm/courses/postgraduate/new/degrees

2 Princes Buildings, George Street, Bath BA1 2ED or Telephone 0117 974 2800 for card payment

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

O

ne of the things I love about the new year is that life feels like a fresh canvas, waiting for me to make my mark on it. Out with the old, in with the new and a chance for a clean start.

And let’s face it, after Christmas is a good time to freshen up the home again.

Once the Christmas decorations are down it all starts to look faded and bare.

You go from the sparkle and twinkle of Christmas to the reality of a whole heap of disused toys, an over-stuffed wardrobe and kitchen cupboard full of gadgets you can’t access.

Which is where Alison Armitage from Divine Living Space comes in. She’s an interior designer with an instinctive knack for giving your home the right flow. Mother to a grown-up daughter, business woman and with a degree in fine art – she is the ideal woman to help any freelancing mum.

I met her in her own home one Saturday morning, after she had arrived back from holiday at 9pm the previous evening. Coupled with this, she was also in the midst of her own house conversion. Yet there was no trace of the usual post holiday chaos or builders brick dust. I was given a warm welcome as she instantly complimented the colour of my burnt orange coat, while explaining this is a shoe free home.

To say everything had its place is something of an understatement – yet nothing felt clinical or labelled. I instantly felt both compelled and embarrassed to invite her into mine, to her work her magic!

She’s always had a love of colours and order and has a clear childhood memory of wanting for Christmas the 98 rainbow colour felt tip pens, all

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vibrant yet ordered. That example almost sums her up today: artistic and streamlined, she knows how to make things work.

So just how can she create order within the plastic-toy-box-chaos of life? It would seem there are some common mistakes that people typically fall into – having storage, yet not using it properly. It’s as if she’s seen into my under the stairs cupboard, which hides a multitude of sins.

Alison says the trick is getting the storage right. One of her most dialled numbers is a great chippie, who does all her work for her – designing beautiful cupboard space, with realistic prices.

As for tidy time with toys – well they too need their place in the family home, but they just need the right one. Different boxes for different toys – it helps children with categorising them too. She recommends always having a charity shop bag on the go, so you can quickly pop things in, as you go through every day, so having a clear out doesn’t feel like a life event.

She’s a realist too. When I asked what can be done about pushchairs she said short of having a porch built, there are some things you just have to live with. Make sure they are kept on hard surfaces which are easy to clean and don’t bring too many leaves in. They won’t be there for long, so you just have to make the best of it.

As I left Alison’s home, I felt a strange sense of calm. It was impossible not to capture her ethos as I stepped back in mine and began a clear out. Maybe one day I’ll get her to tackle that under the stairs cupboard!

To hear Alison’s great tips and advice in full, check out www.freelancebristolmum.co.uk. ■

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WINTER | TRAVEL

On the piste Try the small and welcoming La Rosiere resort with its breath-taking views & comfortable apartments for a fun family skiing holiday, says Richard Payne

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rance and Italy have always rivalled each other for the attentions of British skiers, both offering easy accessibility and, essentially, great snow. But for those torn over which country to choose for their winter getaway there is a solution – both. It comes courtesy of La Rosiere, a resort that allows other, more celebrated names to grab the headlines while quietly going about its business of offering a friendly, attractive alternative. It is, in the eyes of a growing number of fans, a little gem.

A French style village with an authentic feel, it’s linked to the Italian resort of La Thuile, part of the large Espace San Bernardo, an area which is the origin of the loveable St Bernard dogs. If you believe the local claim to fame, it was also the spot where Hannibal marched his elephants through the Alps.

No elephants but growing numbers of snow enthusiasts are trekking here, willing to accept the three-and-a-half hour transfer time from Geneva or Grenoble to indulge in 160 kilometres of the sort of pristine conditions you find at altitudes ranging from 1,850 to 2,642 metres.

Everything in La Rosiere seems well thought out. For example, the central village is linked to nearby Les Eucherts not only by a free shuttle bus but an idyllic, lantern-lit walk through snow-laden woods lifted straight from a Harry Potter set.

There are stunning views at every turn, too.

Across the Tarentaise valley resorts of Les Arcs, Val D’Isere and Tignes can be spotted as can, on a clear day, three of Europe’s most iconic peaks –Mont Blanc, Monterosa and the Matterhorn. Dramatic cliff tops throwing a protective cordon around the resort each evening take on a breath-taking

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pink hue – a colour that gives La Rosiere its name.

When we visited in late March, any concerns for a lack of snow were dispelled as we turned the final corner. If anything, there was too much of the stuff.

This was a first family ski holiday, one agonised over many months, alternative locations poured over for its offerings to beginners, cost and altitude, given our late-season arrival.

Taking young children into the Alps had always seemed like a step, or slide, too far. What would they get out of it? What would we get out of it? And how could we justify the cost anyway?

We also knew one trip and we’d all be hooked. Families lucky enough to consider a skiing holiday know this is a distinct possibility.

What’s not to like? Amazing scenery, great people, exercise and justification for plenty of good food and drink.

We didn’t want big. We didn’t want brash. We wanted pretty, varied and, above all, good for families. That doesn’t mean having to sacrifice challenging routes, but we figured small equalled quiet and that would be enough for us in year one.

So La Rosiere it was. A friend’s recommendation confirmed our choice, as did the experts at ski tour operator, Crystal Ski. We wanted a package break for ease and price. A deal on the children’s lift passes and equipment hire made it all the more attractive, as did the look of the apartment, Les Cimes Blanches. Self-catering, so we weren’t tied to meal times, and close proximity to the ski lifts were

Amazing scenery, great people, exercise and justification for plenty of good food and drink

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WINTRY WONDERLAND: main image, there are wide and varied pistes to ski and explore; left inset, numerous green and blue runs are perfect for a family cruise Above: from left, the self catering apartments in the resort are spacious and high spec while comfortable and homely; there are dramatic views at every turn and each evening a pink hue from the cloud engulfs the resort

high on the priority list.

Flights from Bristol, and at a respectable hour, were another big plus. We’d decided on March skiing because the weather would be warmer. Unhappy children is one thing but unhappy and frozen children, quite another.

Bags packed and stress-free Thomson flight made, we were confident this was going to be a holiday to remember for all the right reasons – a view reinforced when on the coach transfer to resort our on-board rep asked if we’d like a meal prepared on arrival, given the shops would be closed by late evening. Attention to detail, which makes a big difference.

Lift passes and details of equipment collection delivered to our door that evening sent us to bed reassured that an enjoyable holiday was as guaranteed as the snow piled up outside our balcony.

And so it proved. Excellent French ski school instructors with good English and a smile every morning gave the two of us the confidence to explore wide and varied pistes in the morning before teaming up in the afternoon for a family cruise down numerous inviting green and blue runs.

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We had use of a swimming pool, sauna and Jacuzzi less than a snowball’s throw from our front door, a bakery-ordering service, even the use of free sledges added to the feeling of a holiday that had thought of everything. Perhaps the biggest surprise, though, was reserved for our apartment. Spacious and high-spec with two comfortable bedrooms, quiet and with great views – not features associated with every ski resort where crowds can come before comfort.

When you’re high on the hills, you can’t guarantee endless sunny days and cloud cover altered our plans on a couple of days, but with tasteful bars, restaurants, cinema, bowling, even an ice hockey team to watch, alternative entertainment was never far away.

But it was the skiing that took us to La Rosiere and it was the skiing that left us with lasting memories. This may have been our first experience of a true family resort but I doubt there can be many (maybe any) better than a little place atop the Tarentaise Valley.

Has it got us hooked again? Well, we’re going back this year. ■

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W Baker Delux Jacket in Dark Sage Green, £250 from North Face at Cabot Circus

Jumper, £48 from Fat Face at The Mall at Cribbs Causeway

Sinner Galaxy OTG Ski Goggles, £70 from John Lewis at The Mall at Cribbs Causeway

Leggings, £20 from Jigsaw at The Mall at Cribbs Causeway Jacket, £221.82 from Jack and Jones at The Mall at Cribbs Causeway

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Sophie Hulme Zig Zag Mohair Blend Jumper, £500 from Harvey Nichols Bristol

Model wears a faux fur huff (a cross between a hat and ear muffs), handmade in Devon and available from Amulet Boutique, Cotham Hill, £23.99

COVER UP: These faux fur earmuffs are a stylish way to stay warm, £12 from Topshop at The Mall at Cribbs Causeway

SNOW COOL Stay warm and look good on and off the piste on your ski holiday with these key pieces available from shops around the city

Right, Moncler Chunky Knit Wool Hat, £105 from Harvey Nichols Bristol; below, mittens, £14 from Next at The Mall at Cribbs Causeway

Oakley sunglasses, £165 from Sunglasses Hut; scarf, £39.50 from M&S, both available at The Mall, Cribbs Causeway

TOOTSIES: ▼ TOASTY below, Snow Boot, £79.50, Jack Wills at The Mall at Cribbs Causeway; right, Ugg Bailey Shearling Boots, £150 from Harvey Nichols Bristol; below right, Waterproof Boot, £100 from Timberland at The Mall at Cribbs Causeway

W Furano Pant in Borealis Blue, £250 from North Face at Cabot Circus

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HEALTH & | FITNESS

Staying on the right track Bristol based weight loss, fitness and lifestyle consultant, Kerrie Woodrow offers her top tips for a healthy and happy year

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he new year has arrived and I expect that you can recall being in the same position this time last year; feeling a little fuzzy headed, sluggish and probably a little more snug in your jeans after indulging in one too many mince pies and pigs in blankets.

By definition, a new year’s resolution is a promise that you make to yourself to start doing something good or stop doing something bad on the first day of the year. Many of you may turn your nose up at this sentiment and dismiss it with ‘I never stick to it anyway’. Whether you will be setting resolutions or not, I suspect that you are reading this because you want to make positive changes to your diet, fitness, health and wellbeing. You are in the right place, as I endeavour to impart some advice to ensure that you get back on track and stay there.

• Strive for gut health which is vital to reducing stress in the body. Less stress makes for improved sleep.

• Keep hydrated.

• Do not consume caffeine after 3pm. Caffeine stays in the bloodstream for 6-7 hours, so if you want to go to bed at 10pm and drop off swiftly and soundly then caffeine is not your friend.

• Magnesium helps to induce sleep. Take this orally or trans-dermally (salt baths).

• Reserve your bedroom for sleep and omit all electrical devices including television and tablets or phones.

• Set a bedtime and stick to it. Do not fall asleep on the sofa. Fix a routine to ensure your circadian rhythm adjusts and works for you and your lifestyle.

Planning

Re-energise with exercise

Now is a great time to make a plan and start putting that into action.

Without a plan, your goal will probably not be achieved in the time frame intended and with the results hoped for. So take some time to think about what you want to achieve over the next year, set out specific targets, how you will deliver on these and by when? An example may be: ‘I will lose three stone in a year’. Great. How? Break this goal into quarters. Map out a timeline with different tasks and actions. In the first quarter of the year for instance: • By 5 January, I will join a gym and sign up to spinning classes.

• I will buy a book on Paleo to educate myself on why eating like a caveman is beneficial.

• I will enter the Bristol 10k and devise a training plan.

• I will see a physiotherapist by 10 January to finally resolve my knee injury.

Draw out a timeline, you will be able to visualise where you want to go and track your journey. Print pictures, find that dress that you want to fit back into again – hang it on your wardrobe. Identify what motivates you, it will keep you focused.

Further break down your plan by month and week, allowing yourself an hour to work out roughly every other day. Plan mealtimes that can be enjoyed by the whole family. Whatever your goal, you are accountable.

Take responsibility for getting yourself to where you want to go, otherwise you will be in exactly the same place this time next year.

We all know that to maintain a healthy heart and body composition, exercise is important. It can also play a key role in emotional and spiritual wellbeing. Weight bearing exercise (walking, running, skipping as examples) is vital to maintaining bone strength and density. Developing lean muscle through weight training (including body weight) also protects against muscle deterioration and most people know that with increased lean muscle, our metabolisms are higher and with this we burn more calories.

Incorporate exercise as part of your daily routine, and experiment too.

Challenge yourself to find something that you enjoy. Join a local yoga class or try Zumba. Go out walking with your family or friends – we are spoilt when it comes to enjoyable walks in the surrounds of Bristol, it’s a matter of finding one that you like the look of. The local council’s website is a fantastic source for such interests. Make a day of it.

Exercise is all about feeling good and enjoying it. If you don’t feel good both during and afterwards, you will not stick to it and that is why so many people fall off the wagon come February.

Whatever your goal is, big or small, short term or long term, make it fun and make it work for you. Make that promise to yourself and work hard to keep it, you won’t be disappointed. ■

Eat well, feel well

To get in touch with Kerrie email: Kerrie@kerriespersonaltraining.com or for further information about her services, visit: www.kerriespersonaltraining.com

Nutrition plays a key role in looking and feeling good, and vital for surviving the winter blues. My advice is to eat clean, meaning real foods that have been picked from the ground or killed (vegetables, fruit and meat). Be savvy – plan your shopping list, it’s possible to shop for quality foods at reasonable prices. Aim to purchase your food as fresh and as local as possible. Head along to local farmers markets, enjoy exploring different cuts of meat and vegetables you haven’t considered before. Empower yourself to experiment with new cooking techniques and recipes. There are some great farmers’ markets in Bristol on various days. Head to Bristol Bites website which lists the markets all over the city.

Getting your zzzzzz The importance of sleep tends to be neglected when re-evaluating our health and aspiring to weight loss or fitness goals. More and more research is highlighting links between sleep patterns and weight and health. To achieve a restful night’s sleep: • Stabilise your blood sugars through limitation of carbohydrate intake and eating regularly.

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HEALTH | & BEAUTY

FIT & FAB News from the city’s health and beauty businesses, tips for a healthy and happy lifestyle & challenges for the new year

News in Brief

Best foot forward

■ Last year The Relaxation Centre in Clifton announced that it was on the verge of a deal that would save the well-loved spa from closure – and now it has confirmed the news. The current owner, Richard Hicks, who saved the centre from closure 12 years ago, will maintain ownership of the building, while a new investor, Dave Roberts, will take over the business and help it grow into the future. Mr Hicks said: “I am delighted that we have secured the future of the spa facilities and the services provided by some 80 therapists at the centre – which will continue to provide everything from massage to reflexology, acupuncture and osteopathy.” For further information about the treatments and services on offer at The Relaxation Centre, visit: www.relaxationcentre.co.uk.

Emma Davies, an experienced physiotherapist for Tri Physiotherapy, says that every January she is flooded with patients with knee injuries. She offers her top tips on how to avoid this...

■ Penny Brohn Cancer Care is launching its very own choir on 23 January, open to anyone with a cancer diagnosis, their loved ones and anyone connected to the charity, in an aim to encourage people to discover the benefits of group singing.

The weekly Thursday evening meetings will be run by experienced choir leader, Wendy Sergeant, leader of the Pill and Portishead community choirs. No previous singing experience is required, or an ability to read music, as all pieces will be learnt by ear. There will be no auditions and all abilities are welcome. A recent study by Cardiff University highlighted the benefits of singing in a choir for people living with cancer, including a significant improvement in members’ vitality and a reduction in pain. People also reported improvements in mood, confidence and self esteem. Anyone who is interested is invited to go along to the charity’s National Centre in Pill, south Bristol on 23 January for refreshments and a chat at 5.30pm followed by singing from 6.15pm – 7.15pm. For more details contact Isobel Trenouth by email on: communitychoir@pennybrohn.org or tel: 01275 370 100.

■ Brain Tumour support charity, Hammer Out, which provides support and information along with opportunities for experience-sharing and counselling in several support groups in different parts of UK, has announced its dates for the support groups in Bristol. The support group meetings in Bristol take place at Unit 1, Thornbury Office Park in Thornbury, on the third Wednesday of every month, 10.30am – 12.30pm, starting this year on 15 January. Anne Coles, Hammer Out patient and family support worker, says: “The support group meetings are offered to anyone affected by a brain tumour in a safe and secure environment where families can meet together to share warmth, friendship, information and have some fun. A cup of tea, coffee, biscuits, and a warm welcome are always at hand.” For further information contact Anne Coles on tel: 0845 450 1039/ 07923 413304, email: support@hammerout.co.uk or visit: www.hammerout.co.uk.

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see the same trend year in, year out – everyone makes it their New Year’s resolution to lose weight or get fitter, so they start running, which is great, but not so great if your body isn’t prepared for it. If you suddenly go from not exercising much to running regularly, you’re putting yourself at risk of injury, especially if you’re overweight, as excess weight literally piles on the pressure to your joints.

The knee in particular is a complicated joint; it’s located between two very mobile joints: the hip and the ankle. I often find that control at the hip and/or foot is compromised, disrupting the alignment of the knee as we run, resulting in pain and injury. The most common injuries (patellofemoral pain syndrome – PFPS and illio tibital band syndrome – ITBS) begin as a slight niggle, which can develop into a chronic injury if not assessed and rehabilitated appropriately.

These injuries generally occur when there is a sudden increase in running volume and frequency or changes have been made to the type of training, such as adding hills or sprints.

These changes exacerbate flaws in running technique, biomechanics or muscle balance leading to such injuries.

If you do find yourself battling with a niggly knee, or you’ve just developed a knee injury, then RICE (rest, ice, compress and elevate) should be applied. I advise my athletes to use Physicool (www.physicool.co.uk/bristol), a cooling bandage that can be easily applied to any peripheral joint – much easier than trying to secure a bag of frozen peas to your knee not to mention much more comfortable. Rather than shocking your injury with ice, the high-tech bandage uses rapidly evaporating alcohol to draw the heat and inflammation out from your deeper tissues and speed up recovery.

My top tips for avoiding a knee injury: • Are your trainers more than two years old? Have they done more than 400 miles? If you answered yes to either of those questions you need to invest in a new pair. The foam begins to degrade from day one, so after two years they will no longer provide you with the support you need.

• If you do need new trainers, go to a reputable running shop with a gait analysis service.

It may be a bit more expensive than what you can find online, but you will be fitted with the trainers tailored specifically to you.

• Ensure you’re stretching all the major muscle groups after exercise, and you should spend at least one session a week doing extensive stretching, like yoga or a stint on the foam roller.

Help is on hand

Clinical manager of Wessex Counselling, Julie Wilde, says one of the biggest problems in getting help with crippling anxiety and depression is that it can be so hard to spot. “This is why people sometimes struggle through decades of pain and distress,” she says. “We can be so clever at covering up that no-one sees beyond, till we break down. It takes a lot of courage to make the first step and admit to oneself: I need help, then to make that first appointment for counselling.

“Of course there are other obstacles,” says Julie, “like finding the time and money, and juggling with commitments, but often it’s the thought of spending money on oneself – yet it can make such a difference not only for you, but also people close to you.

“Commitment to ones’ own progress is saying: I put this weekly appointment as a top priority.

It’s not all going to be plain sailing but I will keep going even when it gets tough.

“It is becoming more and more acceptable to seek professional counselling. Many wish they had done it years ago. Patterns that seemed unchangeable by sheer will power on ones own can start to shift when you have the help of a skilled and experienced practitioner alongside.”

Wessex Counselling Service was established more than 30 years ago, to provide professional counselling at an affordable cost, and it is available in central Bristol. For further information tel: 01373 453 355 or visit: www.wessexcounselling.co.uk.

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HEALTH | & BEAUTY

Winter essentials

New year, new challenges

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1. Luxurious hair products from Percy & Reed are now available at John Lewis, Cribbs Causeway. The products have been designed for all hair types and styles, with treatments providing everything from intensive repair to a cosmetic veil of shine with masks, primers and glosses. This Smoothed, Sealed & Sensational No Oil Oil for fine hair, £14, is a marvellous multi-tasker that nourishes and repairs hair, giving smooth, sleek, silky locks while also adding volume.

2. The festive party season can leave skin feeling dehydrated and dull – so try Aveda’s Intensive Hydrating Masque (£28.50 available from House of Fraser) for a reviving pick-me-up to sooth and calm the skin and give it an instant moisture boost.

3. Balance Me products have been launched into the Bristol Debenhams, offering products to treat tired, dry, January skin. The Rose Otto Face Oil, £32, is perfect for keeping winter skin really hydrated and soft, with essential oils to restore the suppleness, elasticity and tone of tired skin, protecting even the most sensitive of skins.

■ Online registration is now open for next year’s Action 100 Bristol to London bike ride in aid of children’s charity Action Medical Research. The event is the longest-running in the charity’s RIDE100 series, which has events taking place across the UK between April and September.

The Action 100 takes place on 24 August and has been running for more than 30 years. Cyclists riding for the charity raise money to fund medical research to help save and change the lives of sick and disabled babies and children. The city to city challenge is more than 110 miles long and a test of endurance for any rider. The terrain is undulating throughout but picturesque and takes cyclists through no less than five counties. Olympic gold medallist Joanna Rowsell MBE, the charity’s cycling ambassador, is encouraging people to sign up to take part. She says: “It’s been great to see so many more people inspired to get on their bikes in recent years. The Action RIDE100 series is a perfect opportunity for cyclists to put themselves to the test on some great routes and for an even better reason – helping sick and disabled babies and children. I hope you’ll join us.” The Action 100 will be fully supported by the Action Medical Research team, with food and water stations, chip timing, marshals and mechanics. For further information and to sign up for RIDE100 2014 events, visit: www.action.org.uk/100.

Fabulous feet Alison Hurford of Footworks Chiropody & Podiatry Surgery in Hotwells offers her advice for pain free feet in 2014: “This is the time of year when we resolve to lose weight, drink less and exercise more, but perhaps we should also consider our poor feet, which we rely on and take for granted all year round. Foot pain, like toothache, needs to be taken seriously. Your local podiatrist is best qualified to assess all foot problems and offer appropriate treatment along with preventative advice. Just one appointment can make a massive difference to your mobility and quality of life. So this year think of your feet and give them a treat.” To make an appointment, tel: 01179 299 300 or visit: www.footworkschiropody.com.

A healthy heart in 2014 In his article in the November issue, private heart specialist, Dr Forbat highlighted the importance of educating patients using telemedicine. And for the new year, Dr Forbat suggests you make a resolution to improve your health with a Healthy Heart programme: “Keep it simple and set achievable targets. Write them down in a diary or on your smart phone to-do list with reminders.

“The important risk factors are known to most of you by now: smoking, obesity, lack of exercise, and genetic traits for hypertension, high cholesterol and diabetes. Inherited traits are often brought on or exacerbated by environmental triggers.

“Educating yourself and family is the key.

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whether you have high blood pressure, cholesterol or diabetes.

“Whatever your risk profile it will be reduced by taking daily exercise (a 15 minutes brisk walk will do) a balanced diet, enough fibre, a modest alcohol intake (less than 15 units for women and 20 units for men, including two days alcohol free a week) and adequate sleep.

“Use rewards to motivate yourself. Calculate how much you will save on reducing or stopping cigarettes and alcohol each week and put this towards new clothes, family treats, holiday savings, a pension or ISA. “Set a time limit of a day, a week or month for each target. Don’t leave it too long between targets, or you will lose track and motivation.

Share your success with those near and dear to you or make it a joint effort with your partner.

Then educate others how you did it.”

For further information visit: privatecardiologyservices.com where you can find out about Dr Forbat’s services and find out if you are at risk of a heart condition.

■ If you’re thinking of taking up a new pastime that will also keep you fit this year, you might be interested to know that Bristol Tango dancing group, Tango-y-Tu is hosting a series of beginners classes for the new year, starting with an intensive 15 hour course over five days on Thursday 2 January, 7.30pm-10pm; Saturday 4 January, 10.30am-1.30pm; Saturday 11 January, 10.30am – 1.30pm; Thursday 16 January, 7.30pm-10pm and Sunday 19 January, 10.30am-1.30pm at Westmoreland Hall in Redland. The course is suitable for absolute beginners, who are asked to wear smooth or leather soled shoes, and costs £100, including a CD. Tango-y-Tu is also presenting three monthly workshops with one of its most popular guest teachers Ruth Zimmerman of Tango Oblivion. Core elements incorporating the fundamentals of Tango will be taught over three Sunday afternoon classes on 26 January, 23 February and 23 March, 2pm – 4pm, with social dancing afterwards. These classes are suitable for those wishing to improve or lapsed dancers who wish to refresh, and will be held at Westmoreland Hall in Redland, £15 per class. For further information or to book, visit: www.tango-ytu.com/bristol.htm, tel: 07767733948 or email: janetvakis@googlemail.com.

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HEALTH | & BEAUTY

Get some beauty sleep After an endless round of Christmas and New Year parties, it’s time to give your skin some much-needed TLC. Lisa Piddington, from Harvey Nichols, looks at treatments that you can do with your eyes closed

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t's not called beauty sleep for nothing and it's the perfect post-party recovery regime. A month or so of office dos, non-stop fizz and late nights with friends can leave your complexion crying out for attention.

Luckily, sleep isn't just beneficial for giving your body time to rest and recuperate, it also helps skin cells rebuild and repair. During your eight hours shut-eye, collagen and antioxidants are replenished giving skin the chance to recover from harsh daytime aggressors such as pollution, plummeting temperatures and too much partying.

So give nature an over-night helping hand with these hard working treatments designed to work while you rest.

Bliss Youth As We Know It Night Cream, £65.

La Prairie Cellular Night Power Charge, £322.

Elemis Pro-Intense Lift Effect Night Cream, £95.

Dr Nick Lowe The Secret is Out Lift & Repair Night Cream, £31.

Rodial Dragon's Blood Hyaluronic Night Cream, £58.

La Prairie Skin Caviar Luxe Sleep Mask, £204.

Bliss Fat Girl Sleep Night Cream, £33.

This Works Deep Sleep Dream Cream, £18.

All products featured are available from the Ground Floor Beauty Hall at Harvey Nichols Bristol.

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POSITIVE PATHWAYS

Hypnotherapy

(Solution Focused Clinical Hypnotherapy) Clifton-based Practice.

Left, Litfield House in Clifton and above, Professor Mark Whitely

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

Expert treatment Leading venous expert Professor Mark Whiteley has opened a new clinic in Clifton, specialising in the treatment of varicose veins

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ast month saw the arrival of The Whiteley Clinic in Bristol; a brand new, one-of-a-kind clinic which specialises in the treatment of varicose veins.

For the first time, residents of the city will have immediate access to world-class and cutting-edge procedures for the treatment of varicose veins and other venous conditions.

Headed up by internationally renowned venous expert Professor Mark Whiteley, the clinic, which is housed within Clifton’s Litfield House, consists of a full minor operating theatre and suite of consultation rooms.

Professor Whiteley was born and raised in Bristol and felt that the city was the perfect place to expand his business, following on from the success of his existing clinics in both London and Guildford. He says: “I am delighted to be returning to Bristol to open our new clinic. The city is very special to me and I am thrilled that I have the opportunity to share my expertise and help the people of Bristol benefit from the cutting edge procedures that we offer at The Whiteley Clinic.”

Professor Whiteley will be supported in his new venture by medical director Mike Rocker who brings with him over a decade of experience and has worked as a vascular surgeon for the Royal Glamorgan Hospital since 2007 where he introduced endovascular aneurysm repair and helped to develop vascular services across the newly formed Cwm Taf LHB incorporating the Royal Glamorgan and Prince Charles’ Hospitals.

“We are really excited to welcome Mike on board and have no doubt that he will be a key factor making the new clinic a huge success,” says Professor Whiteley, who hopes that the clinic’s arrival in Bristol will help raise awareness across the south west about the facts surrounding varicose veins and the importance of seeking treatment from a veins specialist if you are concerned that you are suffering from the condition.

“There are many common myths surrounding varicose veins, such as that they are just a cosmetic issue and are extremely difficult and painful to treat,” he says. “I would like to highlight to everyone that this is not the case. Faulty veins are a real health concern and should be treated by a veins expert to ensure that the correct treatment is received.”

Often dismissed as an affliction only suffered by the overweight and elderly, Professor Whiteley and his team are keen to dispel these myths and explain that there may be some serious health repercussions if varicose veins are left untreated or are not treated correctly.

“One of the biggest misconceptions I encounter on a daily basis is that in order to get rid of varicose veins you either need to wear compression stockings for months on end or undergo a painful stripping procedure.

“The truth is that these methods are incredibly outdated and have now been proven to be ineffective in the majority of cases. At The Whiteley Clinic we have been at the forefront of research and the development of new pioneering treatments which are a far cry away from the old methods.

Over the past decade we have been UK leaders in the advancement of new, less invasive and significantly more effective techniques including Venaseal, Foam Sclerotherapy and EVLA.” With 40 per cent of the UK population suffering from varicose veins throughout their adult lives, Professor Whiteley hopes that the new Bristol clinic will encourage residents to pay greater attention to their leg health and ensure that they are taking the appropriate steps if they are concerned about any venous conditions. ■ For further information visit: www.thewhiteleyclinic.co.uk 68 THE BRISTOL MAGAZINE

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Launch & develop your business with us!

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Pain free feet for 2014 T

his is the time of year when we resolve to lose weight, drink less and exercise more. Perhaps we should also consider our poor old feet, which we rely on and take for granted all year round.

Foot pain like toothache needs to be taken seriously.

Your local podiatrist is best qualified to assess all foot problems and offer appropriate treatment along with preventative advice.

Unfortunately embarrassment and misunderstanding often prevent people seeking help and advice. This is a great shame and often just one appointment can make a massive difference to your mobility and quality of life.

So please, this year think of your feet and gisave them a treat.

Alison Hurford & Associates, Footworks Chiropody & Podiatry Surgery, Charles Place, Hotwells BS8 4QW 01179 299 300 www.footworkschiropody.com

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New Year, New View

A

NHS consultant ophthalmic surgeon and specialist in cornea, cataract and s another fun-filled, fantastical festive season draws to a laser refractive surgery. The Bristol Laser Vision service performs NHS laser close, we look forward to the New Year and all it has to eye surgery for the treatment of painful and debilitating corneal conditions. bring. After the indulgences of Christmas, many of us might It is also open to private patients for elective look at making a New Year’s laser eye surgery and refractive lens exchange resolution, perhaps to procedures to help reduce their dependency on exercise more, eat more glasses and contact lenses. healthily, stop smoking or drink less.

Having qualified from Bristol University Let’s be honest, for most of us, these good Medical School in 1997, Mr Jaycock practiced intentions peter out after a month or so, six in hospitals around the world, including one of months if we’re lucky! But what if you could the world’s leading eye hospitals, Moorfields make a resolution that could change your life in London. Now, having developed a wealth for the better, perhaps increase your selfof knowledge and experience within the field confidence, render you less stressed on a daily of refractive surgery and with a highly basis and save you money in the long run; all respected and established research platform, this by making a commitment to do just one Mr Jaycock has returned to Bristol to deliver thing this New Year. an exceptional patient-centred service to the If you’re a glasses or contact lens wearer region. and feel restricted in the activities that you can The unique service at Bristol Laser Vision is do; if you hate the look of your glasses in consultant led, allowing you to see your photos, or find them uncomfortable to wear; if surgeon, Mr Jaycock, throughout your journey you want to be able to wake up and see the and prides itself on providing patients with the clock, open the oven without steaming up or safest and most effective laser eye surgery check on the baby at 3am without fumbling procedures, using state-of-the-art technology. for your specs; whatever your motivation, Mr Phil Jaycock, Consultant Ophthalmic Surgeon, So this New Year, why not take the first step perhaps it’s time to consider the increasingly MB ChB BSc FRCOphth MD to enjoying a new view with Bristol Laser popular, more permanent solution offered by Vision.

Laser Eye Surgery.

Your eyesight is precious, so your choice of provider is paramount. Bristol For further information, or to book a consultation call: 0117 342 1600, Laser Vision, located within the safe and trusted surroundings of Bristol Eye email: info@bristollaservision.co.uk or visit: www.bristollaservision.co.uk.

Hospital launched in Spring 2013 and is the brainchild of Mr Philip Jaycock, WWW.THEBRISTOLMAGAZINE.CO.UK

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Achieve your ideal weight by eating healthily By local Nutritional Therapist Ami Gilder, graduate of CNM (College of Naturopathic Medicine).

N

ew Year is a time for personal goal setting in the form of resolutions. One of the most popular is the pledge to lose weight. In fact, many people justify their over indulgent festive habits by vowing to get healthy and lose weight come January 1st.

It’s no surprise that gyms and weight loss companies ramp up their marketing campaigns for the New Year too, and it’s all too easy to start following the latest celebrity endorsed regime in the hope that you’ll be back into your favourite pair of jeans by Valentine’s Day. Armed with a revolutionary new diet plan, the pounds melt away as you decrease your calorie intake, but how long will you keep it up? Calorie restriction can leave you feeling hungry, miserable and more likely to crave unhealthy snacks. Giving in to these cravings can cause feelings of guilt and self-deprecation, resulting in future negative eating patterns and a weightgain weight-loss roller coaster.

Calorie restriction can also trigger the body into a fasting state, slowing the metabolic rate as the body tries to conserve energy. When calorie intake is increased again, weight will therefore go on more easily and be harder to lose as the metabolic rate has adjusted in preparation for the potential of future fasts. Repeated metabolic adaptation can lead to thyroid dysfunction and hormonal imbalances which can further interfere with weight management. In fact, being overweight can often be a symptom of these underlying conditions, amongst others.

Modern diets often suggest cutting out fat or carbohydrates and with fat being the most calorie-dense nutrient it’s often the first to go. However, by choosing low fat and ‘healthy option’ foods you are likely to increase your sugar, salt and artificial flavouring intake. These can hinder nutrient absorption. High sugar foods can also be addictive and promote more weight gain than fat. Get into the habit of checking ingredient labels and if sugar is in the first three ingredients, it's not likely to be great for your waistline.

Vitally, it’s the type of fat in your diet that you should pay most attention to. Avoid trans-fats which are found in many commercially processed foods like biscuits, cakes and margarines, as they aren’t easily digested and can contribute to conditions such as obesity and heart disease. Saturated fat intake should be modest, with the exception of coconut oil, which contains saturates in the form of medium-chain fatty acids which have been shown to help promote weight loss. Other healthful fats can be found in nuts, seeds, oily fish and avocados. These foods can help your body burn fat and absorb vitamins and minerals, which in turn keeps your hunger at bay.

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Whilst studying Nutrition at CNM, I completed extensive clinical training and regularly witnessed the negative effects of extreme weight loss diets. My advice is to make gradual, sustainable changes to your eating habits and choose a range of unprocessed, whole foods in their natural form to boost your overall health and wellbeing. With a healthy mind and body you are far more likely to reach your natural weight and maintain it, whilst also reducing your risk of chronic disease.

It’s also important to remember that there isn’t a ‘one size fits all’ style of eating so the best option is to book an appointment with a qualified Nutritional Therapist who will be able to design a tailored Ami Gilder nutrition plan just for you.

Thursday 9th January 6.30pm-8.30pm and

Thursday 6th February 6.30pm-8.30pm

are FREE CNM Open Evenings in Bristol where you can 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

JANUARY 2014

New classes starting

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OUT | AND ABOUT

Down the Avon This month’s walk takes us along the Avon from Pill to Bristol, following the journey once made by ships heading for the docks. Pill is where they picked up pilots to guide them, and this walk will give an idea how treacherous the river could be.

It also includes an old tramway climbing through woods to a grotto, and a hidden valley with ornamental pools and waterfalls. For nature lovers, the first part of the walk is an especial delight at this time of year, as the mudbanks along the river are home to thousands of wading birds, says Andrew Swift

T

o get to the starting point, take the X2 bus (or the No 23 on Sundays) from Bristol and get off opposite the shopping centre in the centre of Pill. Cross the zebra crossing, bear right for 50 metres and turn left along Mount Pleasant. Keep right when the road forks, and turn right under the railway viaduct along Watch House Road. After 200 metres, turn right along a footpath by the garage of No 9.

• After passing 17th century buildings, follow a path uphill. At the top, turn to take in the view over Pill and the river, with Avonmouth Bridge in the distance. Carry on, keeping close to the hedge, and, after passing a community orchard, bear right alongside its fence. At the end, head across the grass to a drive and bear left.

• At a T-junction, turn left, right, then almost immediately left along Cycle Route 41. At a road, carry straight on for a few metres before turning left along Chapel Pill Lane. Eden Office Park, on the left, stands on the site of Ham Green Hospital for Infectious Diseases. A little way along on the left is Ham Green House, built in the 18th century, extended in the 19th, and now home to Penny Brohn Cancer Care.

• As you carry straight on down a private road, look to the left for the top of a gazebo, built around 1760 and restored after years of dereliction in 1999.

After dropping down to a lake, carry on past a metal gate and, when you reach the entrance to Chapel Pill Farm, head along the River Avon Trail. After 250 metres, you will see the mouth of Chapel Pill Creek through the trees on your left.

• The building across the river was a magazine where ships heading for Bristol

offloaded gunpowder, as it was forbidden to take it into the docks. As you carry on, look to the right to see the tower of Sea Mills church rising above the crest of the hill. Ahead lies the most treacherous stretch of the river, the notorious Horseshoe Bend, where many vessels came to grief. As you carry on round, look out for the tower of Sea Mills emerging from behind the trees on your left – a vivid demonstration of how sinuous Horseshoe Bend is.

❝ Ahead lies the most treacherous stretch of the river, the notorious Horseshoe Bend, where many vessels came to grief

❞ • A little further on, look for the remains of Sea Mills’ 18th century harbour through the railway bridge across the river. After another 650 metres, you come to a railway viaduct on the right (ST548752). Below the third arch are the remains of a dry dock where stone for building Leigh Court was offloaded in the early 19th century. The path leading through the second arch follows the course of a tramway built in the late 19th century to carry celestine from quarries in the hills above down to the dock.

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OUT | AND ABOUT

• After passing a succession of archways leading under the railway – some leading to long-abandoned quarries – you will see Clifton suspension bridge ahead. If you look through an arch with a kissing gate leading into Nightingale Valley (ST563732), you will see the gateway to Nightingale Valley Halt, opened in 1928 and closed in 1932.

• As you carry on past the suspension bridge, there is lots to see from a new perspective – Clifton Rocks Railway station, terraced gardens above the Colonnade, crumbling paddle-steamer wharves, and – perhaps most striking – the Paragon and Windsor Terrace standing high above the river.

TALES OF THE RIVERBANK: left, from top, Pill Creek; the gunpowder magazine on the river, where ships heading for Bristol offloaded gunpowder; and the pond at Chapel Pill.

Above, the Paragon and Windsor Terrace standing high above the river

• Follow the tramway path gently uphill for 500 metres until you come to a clearing, where the tramway ended (ST545748). If you look to the right, you will see a sign pointing to The Grotto. Follow it, and after passing two small caves, you will come to a viewing platform and grotto overlooking the river.

• Head back to the clearing and continue along the path you were on before (don’t take the one heading up to the right). After 250 metres, turn left along a drive. After 125 metres, turn left past bollards along a path heading downhill (ST543745). After dropping down to a pool, follow the path as it crosses a small dam before bearing right and then left uphill. Go through a kissing gate and bear left along a broad drive. Carry on uphill as it curves to the right and, when you come to a T-junction, turn left along cycle path 41 (ST548748). After heading down across the top of a railway tunnel, bear right along the riverside path.

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• A little further on, you will see the lock gate leading into the floating harbour. Carry on alongside the New Cut and, after going under the road bridge, turn left across Ashton Swing Bridge. Turn right for 250 metres before turning left across the railway. Carry straight on – with care – across two roads, turn right and, after 100 metres, turn left through the harbourmaster’s yard and right along Baltic Wharf. After skirting the Albion Dockyard, carry on along Wapping Wharf to the M Shed and turn left across Prince Street Bridge to the city centre. ■

FURTHER INFORMATION ■

Distance: 9 miles

■

Approx time: 4 – 5 hours

■

Map: OS Explorer 154

■

Level of challenge: Mostly level throughout, with the exception of the diversion through Paradise Bottom. A lookout needs to be kept for cyclists, especially on blind corners, on the riverside path.

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CITY | LIVING

INTERIORS INSIDER Be inspired by the latest interiors news and products

JANUARY BLUES...

▲

NEW IN: Espresso Maker in Midnight Blue, £30 from Bristol company Howkapow, www.howkapow.com. Made by cult colour chart company, Pantone, it holds enough to make nine espresso cups of coffee and is made from solid aluminium

Colour of the year

Just like Sunday Style editor Charlotte Stockdale has launched a new home candle collection for Jo Malone London that featuring scents that remind her of a cosy Sunday at home. The four fragrances are Incense & Embers, a smoky incense with vetiver and golden amber, reminiscent of curling up by a roaring log fire; Sweet Almond & Macaroon, soft and delectable to recreate the scent of afternoon tea; Green Tomato Leaf, earthy, leafy and tangy, the smell of the greenhouse; and Lavender & Lovage, calm, aromatic and relaxing, the thought of sinking into crisp, white sheets.

Each candle is £39 (200g), available from Harvey Nichols or visit: www.jomalone.com. ■

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▲

Meet Pantone 18-3224 Radiant Orchid Pantone’s Colour of the Year.

Leatrice Eiseman, executive director of the Pantone Colour Institute, whose expertise is recognised worldwide, says that Radiant Orchid “encourages expanded creativity and originality. An enchanting harmony of fuchsia, purple and pink undertones, Radiant Orchid inspires confidence and emanates great joy, love and health. It is a captivating purple, one that draws you in with its beguiling charm.”

The colour, like its predecessor Emerald, the colour for 2013, was selected after a worldwide search for colour influences that takes in art, new travel destinations and other socio-economic conditions and it is expected to inspire fashion, interiors and design.

To use Radiant Orchid in your interior design, Leatrice says: “Spruce up interior spaces by incorporating this eye-catching hue in paint, accent pieces and accessories. As adaptable as it is beautiful, Radiant Orchid complements olive and deeper hunter greens, and offers a gorgeous combination when paired with turquoise, teal and even light yellows. Likewise, the vibrant color is sure to liven up neutrals including gray, beige and taupe. Uplifting and bold without being overpowering, Radiant Orchid reenergises almost any color palette and provides a unifying element for diverse spaces.”

Add some Radiant Orchid into your life with this Tom Collins chair covered in House Brushed Cotton Violet, £939, available from Sofa Workshop, Whiteladies Road. Visit: www.SofaWorkshop.com.

Add a touch of understated elegance to your kitchen with this blue lace design jug, £35 from M&S. It would look beautiful as a vase to hold daffodils in the spring too

Go nautical with this blue and white striped lampshade and glass lamp base, from House of Fraser for a contemporary and stylish addition to any room

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INTERIOR | DESIGN

Hub of the home Husband and wife team Fiona and Clinton Patey, who run family business In-toto Kitchens on Whiteladies Road, offer their top ten kitchen design tips

W

e understand how important the kitchen is to your home and what a daunting task it can be creating your dream kitchen, so here are our tops tips for to making it a successful and enjoyable experience...

1. Get a head start The most effective and visually stunning kitchens are those where a designer is engaged at the early stages of the project, often before you’ve even spoken to an architect or a builder. Take advantage of your designer’s planning skills (especially when it’s free!) to help you avoid costly mistakes. The best designers will look not only at the kitchen but the whole space involved to create a truly integrated design. Remember many salesmen dress in the guise of a designer so choose carefully.

2. Shine a light Good lighting can give a major boost to a kitchen, creating the impression of space and highlighting particular room features. You can create the perfect glow by taking into account natural lighting and considering the different areas of your kitchen. As well as illuminating food preparation surfaces, lights can add a warm glow to a room and create depth and shadows; it can make a compact kitchen look larger and a large kitchen more intimate.

3. Get plastered Rather than use panels and fillers to edge the kitchen perfectly to a wall, we sometimes suggest that customers use a plastered wall to achieve a better effect. By bringing the wall out to house the units a contemporary effect can be achieved and the depth of the units looks wafer thin. People tend to think that this is an expensive option but often it works out cheaper than gloss panels – especially if you are already having building work done and are plastering other areas.

4. Add a focal point More people are using kitchens as a focal point of entertaining and living.

Breakfast bars and islands can be used for food prepping, but also for the more enticing prospect of social gatherings (or even the children’s homework!). Don’t forget to add sockets either discreetly hidden under the worktop or in the form of a pop up socket. We also like the idea of different zones for cutlery and crockery, which are all in reaching distance of the 78 THE BRISTOL MAGAZINE

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dishwasher. This will make cleaning up after meal times so quick and easy you may even be able to persuade the kids to do it.

5. Get a handle on things… or not Don’t be scared by going too modern. A handle-less kitchen can give you a timeless look (it’s been going since the 1950s) and will work really well in any property whether it’s ultra-modern or a period property. The handle-less look creates a sleek, streamlined kitchen, which can more often than not bring a wow factor to your home which will impress everyone.

6. Practical storage solutions for a busy home Keep things as neat and tidy as possible – we advise people to use smart storage solutions. For instance adding recycling bins within units saves space and clutter, while clever corner solutions such as drawers and pull-outs will increase storage and allow you to be more organised.

7. Feel the quality Many customers are often wooed by a vast array of amazing door fronts but lose sight of more important factors such as the quality of the carcass and the mechanisms. It’s no coincidence that, like the best cars, it’s the Germans that are streets ahead of the rest.

8. Kitchen layout A well-considered spatial placement of furniture and appliances, coupled with thoughtful lighting, flooring and finishing touches are the key to a successful kitchen. Don’t overload the space with too many kitchen units and don’t be afraid of leaving open spaces of uncluttered floor space. The room will seem larger and be a much better place to work in.

9. Going green Rising electricity bills and heightened environmental awareness has led to an increase in demand for eco-kitchens. Environmentally-friendly kitchen lighting such as LEDs and water efficient dishwashers are just some ways to reduce utility bills, while large windows can cause overheating or overcooling.

10. Don’t be a slave to trends Don’t be afraid of sticking to a neutral colour for your kitchen. Not only will this appeal to most buyers if you ever sell your house, you can add a splash of colour using glass splash-backs, bar stools or a few accessories. ■ For further information visit: www.intoto.co.uk/showrooms/view/bristol or tel: 01179 466433.

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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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HOMES | ON SHOW

SIMPLY DIVINE A redundant church in Portishead has been lovingly converted into eight contemporary homes boasting a stylish living space with original architectural features still intact, including magnificent stained glass windows, writes Marianne Swinkels

D

ivine intervention, or a madly ambitious scheme driven by faith and belief? Whatever view you take, there’s been a near miraculous change of fate for a landmark church which has lain empty for several years. The realities of a dwindling congregation and mounting maintenance bills sealed the fate of this glorious mid-Victorian building and its days as a place of worship were numbered. When the doors finally closed, prospects for the historic United Reformed church, handsomely located in its prestigious Portishead plot, looked on the dark side.

After more than a century of services and ceremonies, the decision to say ‘Amen’ was understandably a tough one. But perhaps closure was to be a sort of saving grace.

Because redemption, if you’ll forgive the pun, was on the way. And with it, the chance to breathe new life into a building much loved by a generation of townsfolk.

A local company specialising in converting old and redundant properties spotted the chance to save the church from disrepair and add the affectionately known Chapel on the Hill to their award-winning portfolio. It was a heaven sent opportunity: here was a striking building which had stood the test of time and could be transformed to face another worthy future.

This vision demanded a leap of faith from the developers when they won the bid for it at auction. Their challenge was this: how to build eight houses inside one empty church, leave the fabric and features largely intact and complete the whole project in little over a year. Quite a tall order.

A year or so on after being given the planning thumbs-up, The View, as it has aptly been renamed – thanks to its expansive Gordano Valley, townscape and sea views – opened its doors for a Phase 1 sales release towards the end

❝

of last year, ironically attracting more people to come to church in a few hours than in years. More than 500 visitors dropped by, intrigued to see for themselves how this impressive building had been transformed.

With Phase 2 completion of this mammoth project on the cards for February, I took a tour of this six townhouse and two duplex apartment project.

Admitting to a penchant for any property with a characterful past and a quirky feature or two, coupled with a profound dislike of the darn difficulties, downright drain on resources and draughty discomfort which can come with the reality of living in them, The View hits bulls-eye when it comes to a resolution of such conflicts. Modern, hi spec, energy efficient homes with plenty of history. The very best of both worlds. Hallelujah!

Here then are a dazzling octet of contemporary, bespoke homes, oozing heritage and a generous amount of devout and architectural loyalty to its churchy roots to boot.

A bit like Russian dolls, those beautifully decorated wooden nesting sets which stack perfectly inside each other, all the properties inside this master property shriek style, quality and design expertise.

As well it might, determined as the team of skilled stonemasons, stained glass restorers and carpenters et al were, to deliver quality without compromise – following the standards set by the original architects of the church which, before it opened in 1887, had been briefed to use “only the best craftsmen and materials”.

The devil, they say, is in the detail and every attention has been given to that in this clever blend of old and new. Each of the townhouses and

...a dazzling octet of contemporary, bespoke homes, oozing heritage and a generous amount of devout architectural loyalty to its churchy roots

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HOMES | ON SHOW

The Vestry

The circular stained glass rose windows

apartments created here feature something of the building’s former glory days. As do their names: The Chancel, The Nave, The Vestry…..

Perhaps most striking are the magnificent circular stained glass rose windows that dominate the building. The flagship house in the development, The Cloisters, is now an imposing home to one of them, exuding originality across all four floors of its flexible four bedroom and roof terraced accommodation.

The Transept equally competes as the other restored rose floods the living areas of this lofty three bedroom penthouse with light. Set over three floors with a master bedroom opening onto a roof terrace, it is elevated living at its best, boasting as it is does a plethora of exposed stone walls, stained glass, decorative woodwork and carved Bath stonework to match.

The spacious Apse is a one-off with its curved walls and fully wood panelled conical ceiling; the wonderful two bedroom Chancel boasts the only original staircase and a generous array of decorative woodwork, colonnades, windows and quarry tiles; The Vestry rightly shows off its elegant windows, roof trusses and period details throughout this flexible, multi-bathroomed, five bedroom house.

Each and every one offers its own blend of grace and space – a piece of the past with more than enough up-to-the minute eco, energy, security, safety credentials and a 10 year building warranty to bring peace of mind. Oh, and with its individual entrances, allocated parking, timber decked, stone paved or lawned gardens, discreetly dotted solar electric panels, cycle and recycling storage, modernity is given due deference in this showcase preservation.

So here’s the thing to bear in mind if you want to keep a weather eye out for the 2014 opening event: you might need to be devilishly quick if you want to live in this holy grail of a conversion. They may well be snapped up before then. ■

PROPERTY PROFILE: Where: The View, Woodhill Road, Portishead BS20 7ET

What: Conversion of redundant landmark church into a bespoke development of eight contemporary homes: 6 individually designed townhouses and two duplex apartments offering a range of unique 2 to 5 bedroom homes, roof top terraces/gardens, parking, and extensive views Guide price: From £250,000 to £500,000 Developers: Brownfield Green Ltd www.brownfieldgreen.co.uk

Agents: Goodman & Lilley, 36 High Street, Portishead BS20 6EN Tel: 01275 430440 Email: theview@goodmanlilley.co.uk

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BRISTOL PROPERTY | IN FOCUS

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his charming grade II listed Georgian family home is situated in one of Clifton’s most enviable locations overlooking Christchurch Green. The house is midterrace and its slightly elevated position offers distant views to the rear as far as the Welsh Hills. There are period features throughout, including sash windows, working shutters, coving and the lovely canopied balcony with wrought iron railings.

The extensive accommodation briefly comprises: Entrance hall, kitchen, sitting room, drawing room with balcony, study, reading room. Master bedroom with dressing area and en suite bathroom, four further bedrooms and two further bathrooms. Lower ground floor one bedroom self contained apartment, extensive cellar/basement courtyard with stores, mews garage with studio room (kitchenette and shower room) offering a variety of uses. There is an enclosed rear garden with access from both the ground floor and lower ground floor of the house and the garage and studio rooms are also accessible via Harley Mews. Number Eight is a very pretty house as well as offering extremely flexible accommodation which will appeal to a variety of purchasers and early viewing is advisable. The selling agents are Knight Frank.

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

WWW.THEBRISTOLMAGAZINE.CO.UK

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

Price on Application JANUARY 2014

|

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BRISTOL PROPERTY | IN FOCUS

8A THORNDALE MEWS CLIFTON Guide Price £425,000

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ichard Harding Estate Agents is selling this smart contemporary three double bedroom (one with en-suite shower room) coach house located on a quiet backwater on an attractive mews.

Imaginatively conceived and beautifully renovated, it is a stylish, refined and civilised city home, with a low maintenance courtyard garden. This is a luxurious yet practical city residence ideal for professional business people or downsizers alike. It is handy for local shops – just round the corner in Alma Vale Road and Sainsbury’s a little further afield, and it is on the doorstep of Clifton College and the Downs. This property benefits from a parking arrangement and is being sold with no onward chain so a prompt move is possible – just move in and unpack your bags.

Richard Harding, 124 Whiteladies Road, Clifton, Bristol.

Tel: 0117 946 6690

Strongvox appoints Goodman & Lilley Estate Agents for Portishead Development

S

trongvox Homes is pleased to announce that it has joined forces with Portishead-based Goodman & Lilley Estate agents, who will manage the sales and marketing of Crest Heights, a new development located in Portishead.

Crest Heights is a contemporary development of only nine detached three and four bedroomed homes, situated off Hillcrest Road. The development will offer three house types, with a range of accommodation to suit every lifestyle, and the properties will be finished to a high specification, as well as benefiting from views over the Bristol Channel.

Strongvox will open the doors to its four bedroom show home, The Birnbeck, early this year, as well as release the first homes for sale. Register your interest to receive an invitation to the exclusive launch evening and reserve a copy of the brochure.

Strongvox Homes is a developer based in Taunton with an ethos to build individual homes and communities to a high specification throughout the south west, all with a focus on attention to detail and keeping the design sympathetic to the local surroundings.

Clare Brimble, sales and marketing manager of Strongvox Homes says: “As a Taunton-based business we are very excited to be building in the locality for the first time. The demand for houses in Portishead is thriving and we feel that, based on current market conditions, this development holds great promise. We are also delighted to be working with Goodman & Lilley Estate Agents, who are the perfect partners to market Crest Heights.

“Thanks to their professional knowledge and understanding of the local area they have shown impressive growth since they were established, with the combination of innovative marketing and a traditional take on customer service – for us they were the natural choice. They have a dynamic and fresh approach to current market conditions, which is clearly demonstrated in their levels of business.”

WWW.THEBRISTOLMAGAZINE.CO.UK

Commenting on their appointment, Richard Goodman, co-director of Goodman & Lilley Estate Agents, said: “We are delighted to be working in association with Strongvox Homes, to market Crest Heights, which promises to be a fantastic addition to this prestigious area of Portishead.

These executive homes will nestle in a quiet residential area with fantastic views across the Bristol Channel. With class leading schools close by and the bustling centre of Portishead only a couple of minutes’ drive away, we believe Crest Heights will be the place for aspiring families to live.”

For further information and to register your interest in the development, contact Goodman & Lilley Estate Agents on tel: 01275 430440, email crestheights@strongvox.co.uk or visit: www.strongvox.co.uk

JANUARY 2014

|

THE BRISTOL MAGAZINE 85

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

(0117) 934 9977

CLIFTON INVESTMENT – FOR SALE A substantial office/film studio extending to 7,832 sq ft net area.

Let to Films At 59 until 2020 at a net rent of £100,665 pax.

FREEHOLD £1,250,000 (Yield 8.05%).

41 HIGH ST, BRISTOL, BS1

FREEHOLD OFFICE WITH RESIDENTIAL CONSENT

Fully fitted hair salon in busy City Centre location.

VERY HIGH QUALITY New lease – 703 sq ft.

Rent £11,500 pax.

Premium only £10,000

14 SMALL STREET, BRISTOL, BS1 Very well located and with permitted development to convert to 7 studio flats and 1 x one bedroom flat.

ONLY £300,000.

INVESTMENT FOR SALE 29 HIGH STREET, CHIPPING SODBURY Occupying a busy retail location and fully let to an off licence and long established beauty salon.

Net rental income of £22,000 pax.

FREEHOLD £280,000.

QUEEN SQUARE, BRISTOL

93, GLOUCESTER ROAD, BRISTOL

Open plan office suite of 1,868 sq ft in a prime office building.

Large shop unit of 611 sq ft in busy location –

New flexible lease.

Only £14,950 pax (low rates).

Rent only £13.50 psf.

OAKFIELD ROAD, CLIFTON

2 BEAUFORT ROAD, CLIFTON

Contemporary open plan office suite.

1,388 sq ft, 3 car spaces.

Stunning office headquarters of 5,715 sq ft with 13 car spaces.

Mix of contemporary open plan offices and fine period rooms.

New lease.

New refurbishment.

TO LET.

• • • • Julian Cook

Jayne Rixon

Andrew Oliver

Finola Ingham

FRICS

MRICS

MRICS

MRICS

Burston Cook Jan.indd 1

Sales /Lettings Acquisitions advice Valuations Landlord & tenant

• • • •

Rent reviews Development advice Investments Dilapidations

(0117) 934 9977 16/12/2013 16:56

AWARD WINNING PROPERTY SPECIALISTS

BURSTON COOK

INSIDER MAGAZINE

COMMERCIAL AGENCY TEAM OF THE YEAR SOUTH WEST ENGLAND – 2013

ESTATES GAZETTE

TRANSACTED MORE OFFICE DEALS IN BRISTOL THAN ANY OTHER AGENT – 2012 - 2013

EGI

TOP 3 MOST ACTIVE INVESTMENT AGENT SOUTH WEST ENGLAND – 2012 - 2013

• All of our agents are Chartered Surveyors • We specialise in commercial property • Please check our latest news and testimonials on our website

THANK YOU AND BEST WISHES FOR 2014

www.burstoncook.co.uk (0117) 934 9977

Burston Cook Jan.indd 2

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Montpelier

Montpelier

Greenbank

A rare opportunity to secure a completely restored period townhouse with a selfcontained single bedroom flat, ideally suited as an investment property. Immaculately presented and fully renovated it offers spacious, bright accommodation throughout, offering modern living in this large Victorian home. Also included are two secure off street parking spaces and two courtyard style gardens. EPC C.

A fine example of a Victorian townhouse located in the popular Montpelier. This characterful four bedroom home offers spacious accommodation arranged over four floors. The property further benefits from a large cellar ideal for a utility room or extra storage, a loft room, original features throughout and a private rear garden. EPC F.

A completely renovated and restored Victorian two bedroom property located in this sought after area. The property benefits from a bay fronted lounge, full-width dining room, newly fitted kitchen and a downstairs W.C. Further benefits include a rear garden.

This charming Victorian home would make an ideal first time purchase. EPC C.

£450,000

£320,000

£185,000

Multi Award Winners 2011 & 2012 Triple Award Winners 2013

Stoke Bishop

Henleaze

Westbury-on-Trym

Detached family residence with three individual receptions, lounge with triple aspect bay window, quality kitchen, separate utility and downstairs cloakroom. The first floor offers five family-sized bedrooms, bathroom and separate WC. To the outside of the property is an ample lawned walled garden with private outlook and mature trees surrounding. EPC D.

A substantial semi-detached Victorian style family home arranged over three individual levels with many original features. The ground floor comprises two receptions and kitchen/breakfast room with fitted Aga. Two upper floors offer; atrium roof to top floor, six family-sized bedrooms and two family bathrooms. No onward chain. EPC F.

An extensive semi-detached family home arranged over four individual levels. The two upper floors offer five family-sized bedrooms with two interconnecting receptions, conservatory and kitchen to the ground floor. In addition there is a selfcontained annexe/maisonette which offers superb accommodation for extended family, investment income or an au-pair. EPC E.

£750,000

CJ Hole Jan.indd 1

£650,000

£600,000

12/12/2013 18:53

www.maggsandallen.co.uk

0117 949 9000 60 Northumbria Drive, Henleaze, Bristol, BS9 4HW

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REDLAND

£1,700 pcm

Located in a quiet backwater only a few minute’s walk from the popular Whiteladies Road is this must see stunning home. Never let before the charming, light and airy, 4 double bedroom period terraced cottage has been modernised extensively providing beautifully presented and well proportioned (unfurnished) accommodation. This comprises of hall, sitting room (with dual fuel burner), dining room (with ample storage) French doors to rear garden, fitted kitchen with range cooker, through to utility room and downstairs WC (also included fridge, washing machine & dishwasher). The first floor benefits from 3 double bedrooms one with en-suite shower room. To the top floor is a further double bedroom (offering fantastic views), study and bathroom (with freestanding bath and shower cubicle). The low maintenance rear garden offers a patio area, to the side an area with synthetic turf lawn and gate for rear access.

Here are a selection of properties we have agreed to LET in 2013

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We URGENTLY require new properties to satisfy demand Professional and corporate tenants waiting For further information about our flexible service please contact us on 0117 949 9000

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CLIFTON

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£1,400 pcm

Lettings & Management

Maggs & Allen Jan letting THSI ONE.indd 1

£1,550 pcm

Fantastic semi-detached family home. The accommodation comprises large open plan kitchen/dining room (with white goods) leading to the level the private garden overlooking local playing fields, living room, downstairs WC to the ground floor. To the first floor are 3 double bedrooms, bathroom suite (with separate shower and bath) and an additional WC.

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Detached house situated in one of the most desirable locations in Clifton within walking distance of Clifton Village and Whiteladies Road. The accommodation comprises of open plan living areas with separate kitchen/ breakfast room with granite work tops and integral appliances, downstairs w/c. To the first floor there are 3 double bedrooms, master with en suite shower room.

Estate Agents

£1,900 pcm

The much improved accommodation has a light and roomy feel and is arranged as 5 beds, 2 reception rooms, en suite, generous kitchen/breakfast room. There is also a family bathroom and downstairs cloakroom. To the rear of the property is a secluded garden and to the front ample off street parking. In all the property is superbly presented and offers family sized accommodation.

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WESTBURY PARK

£1,300 pcm

Located on the popular Berkeley Road, Westbury Park is this unfurnished family home. The accommodation comprises 2 separate reception rooms, kitchen (with cooker & fridge/freezer), utility room and downstairs WC. To the first are 3 bedrooms and bathroom (separate shower cubicle and bath). Within striking distance of Westbury Park School, Durdham Down.

Auctioneers

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HENLEAZE

£1,800 pcm

Located on Holmes Grove, is this recently renovated detached family home. The spacious accommodation comprises entrance hall with downstairs WC, sitting room, dining room, kitchen/breakfast (appliances include washing machine, dishwasher and fridge) and undercover side access to the rear garden. On the first floor are 5 bedrooms (master with Ensuite shower), bathroom and additional WC.

Commercial/ Investment

£1,700 pcm

Situated in a prime location within Henleaze is this part furnished detached family house. The accommodation comprises 2 reception rooms, fitted kitchen/breakfast room (with built in appliances), utility room, downstairs WC, 4 double bedrooms and family bathroom (separate shower and bath). Further benefiting from integral double garage, ample off street parking and attractive rear garden.

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Chartered Surveyors

STOKE BISHOP

£1,275 pcm

Unfurnished 3 bedroom semi-detached family home. The accommodation to the ground floor offers a welcoming oak panelled entrance hall, cloakroom/WC, sitting room, dining room and fitted kitchen. To the first floor are 3 bedrooms (2 doubles & 1 single), family bathroom (bath and shower cubicle) and separate WC. The property further benefits from approx. 100ft in length private rear garden.

Land/New Homes

Energy Assessors

16/12/2013 10:46

www.maggsandallen.co.uk

0117 949 9000 60 Northumbria Drive, Henleaze, Bristol, BS9 4HW

SOLD

SOLD

HENLEAZE

SOLD

SOLD

REDLAND

BISHOPSTON

SOLD

HENLEAZE

WESTBURY PARK

HENLEAZE

Just a few of the properties sold by our Estate Agency in 2013.

”

REDLAND

SOLD

WESTBURY PARK REDLAND

HENLEAZE

HENLEAZE

Maggs & Allen Jan letting THSI ONE.indd 3

REDLAND

Commercial/ Investment

SOLD

HENLEAZE

SOLD

SOLD

WESTBURY PARK HENLEAZE

Auctioneers

SOLD

SOLD

SOLD

Lettings & Management

”

Mrs. M. Hodges, Rockleaze Road, Sneyd Park

agency@maggsandallen.co.uk

REDLAND

HENLEAZE

Maggs & Allen have a good understanding and knowledge of the local property market thereby negotiating and achieving a satisfactory price and speedy sale.

At all times the staff are friendly and helpful in keeping you informed of progress.

I can thoroughly recommend their professional, efficient service to family and friends.

0117 949 9000

SOLD

SOLD

“

To discuss your requirements in confidence please contact

Mr. O. Gardner, Ridgehill, Henleaze

Estate Agents

SOLD

WESTBURY-ON-TRYM

If you are trying to sell or are considering moving we would be delighted to assist you.

I would be very happy to recommend Maggs & Allen to any other friends or family, as we have been completely satisfied with the professionalism shown by your company

SOLD

HENLEAZE

SOLD

I just wanted to express my thanks to yourself and your colleagues for the helpful and professional manner in which Maggs & Allen sold our property. From start to finish the whole process was painless, and even though our requests were sometimes out of the ordinary, nothing proved to be too much trouble.

SOLD

STOKE BISHOP

SOLD

SOLD

“

SOLD

SOLD

HENLEAZE

SOLD

SOLD

HENLEAZE

SOLD

HENLEAZE

Chartered Surveyors

WESTBURY PARK

SOLD

WESTBURY PARK

Land/New Homes

CLEVEDON

Energy Assessors

16/12/2013 10:46

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Property Concept January:Layout 5

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MANAGEMENT • SALES • LETTING • CONSULTANCY

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Abbots Leigh

Clifton

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Clifton

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Totterdown

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Harbourside

Clifton

21 Princess Victoria Street

Tel 0117 970 6119

enquiries@propertyconcept.co.uk

Clifton, Bristol BS8 4BX

Fax 0117 970 6109

www.propertyconcept.co.uk

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Richard Harding fp JAN THS ONE:Layout 6

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Richard Harding Chartered Surveyors • Estate Agents • Auctioneers • Valuers

LD O S

CLIFTON

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

LD O S

£1.1 million

LD O S

COOMBE DINGLE

£995,000

CLIFTON

Selling in the Spring…or the New Year…or Now ?

LD O S

£895,000

LD O S

Everyone’s circumstances are different & the key to making the right decision is to get early advice now before the New Year ‘rush’ so you are aware of all the options and have time for any necessary preparations.

For sage advice about whether to sell your property currently or in the New Year or later in 2014, contact us now on 0117 9466690 and speak to one of the Partners.

STOKE BISHOP

£865-895,000

LD O S

Through sheer hard work and a dedicated service driven team with exceptional agency skills we have the maturity, experience and expertise to continually achieve successful results for our clients whatever the circumstances.

COTHAM

£775,000

LD O S

These pages display some of the many property sales that have reached an exchange of contracts in November alone through this office on behalf of our clients. This success is continuing even as Christmas is upon us, with all kinds of interesting and high quality houses and apartments in all prime areas and all price ranges.

REDLAND

LD O S

HENLEAZE

(Please note that the prices quoted are the advertised guide prices at the time of sale)

£755,000

CLIFTON

LD O S

£679,950

STOKE BISHOP

£735,000

LD O S

£589,500

HENLEAZE

Professional, Reliable, Successful

£569,950

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Richard Harding Chartered Surveyors • Estate Agents • Auctioneers • Valuers

LD O S

CLIFTON

£550-565,000

£426,000

£539,950

WESTBURY PARK

WESTBURY PARK

£350,000

CLIFTON

£420,000

WESTBURY PARK

CLIFTON

£410,000

LD O S

£329,950

CLIFTON

LD O S

£300,000

£529,950

LD O S

LD O S

LD O S

WESTBURY ON TRYM

CLIFTON

LD O S

LD O S

LD O S

HENLEAZE

124 Whiteladies Road, Clifton, Bristol BS8 2RP

LD O S

LD O S

COTHAM

0117 946 6690 www.richardharding.co.uk

£310,000

LD O S

£299,950

WESTBURY ON TRYM

Professional, Reliable, Successful

£259,950

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Goodman & Lilley January:Layout 2

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36 High Street, Portishead call: 01275 430440 email:

Nore Road, Portishead

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

Guide Price £975,000 A six bedroom detached family home carefully designed with a traditional layout to ensure all principal rooms enjoy the Channel view whilst being ideally located within close proximity to the High Street, Waitrose & The Lake Grounds. In addition, this beautiful property boasts private grounds of circa 2/3 of an acre, a self contained annex, sauna & gymnasium.

Clevedon Road, Weston In Gordano

Cambridge Road, Clevedon

Coastal Path, Portishead

£239,950

A beautifully presented two bedroom Edwardian apartment, sympathetically converted, whilst affording far reaching Channel views between the large sitting room & spacious Master bedroom. Further benefits include modern kitchen & large sitting room with traditional wide panel bay windows whilst outside comprises private garden & garage.

£599,950

A six double bedroom detached 16th Century Farmhouse, situated in the heart of a charming village set in the Gordano Valley. Benefitting from an adjoining two storey 2 bedroom annexe, four reception rooms, modern fitted kitchen, modern shower room, there are also good sized front & rear gardens, two separate driveways, garage & two additional outbuildings. Viewings highly recommended.

Guide Price £495,000 A two double bedroom detached Victorian home set in a privileged position overlooking the beach on the coastal path affording stunning panoramic Channel views, fishing rights on the beach, detached garage, pretty garden, new central heating, roof, wiring, bathroom and newly fitted kitchen. This uniquely positioned home is one of Portishead's gems and needs to be viewed to be fully appreciated.

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

Beyond your expectations www.hamptons.co.uk

SOLD

SOLD

SOLD

Almondsbury, South Glouc OIEO £1,000,000

Aust, South Glouc OIEO £800,000

Almondsbury, South Glouc Guide £800,000

Received multiple bids

Received competitive interest and sold in excess of the guide price

Highest sold price achieved on this developement

EPC: D

EPC: E

SOLD

Four out of ten Londoners moving in 2012 left the capital.

In the last three months, we have seen a distinct increase in the number of London applicants looking to buy in the South West. With 28 London offices, we can introduce you to these potential buyers first hand.

Stoke Bishop, Bristol Guide price £1,000,000 Received competitive interest and sold in excess of the guide price

SOLD

City Centre, Bristol Guide price £295,0000 Sale agreed within 3 weeks to a cash buyer

EPC: E

SOLD

SOLD

SOLD

Clifton, Bristol Guide price £350,000

Sneyd Park, Bristol Guide price £250,000

Montpelier, Bristol Guide price £495,000

Sold to a cash buyer

Agreed at the guide price on the first viewing

Sold in excess of the guide price

EPC: D

EPC: C

EPC: F

Hamptons Bristol

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

Hamptons Sales January.indd 1

16/12/2013 16:49

SOLD

SOLD

SOLD

Clifton, Bristol Guide price £445,000

Clifton, Bristol Guide price £935,000

Clifton, Bristol Guide price £500,000

Sold in excess of the guide price

Sale agreed within 5 weeks

Sold in excess of the guide price

EPC: C

EPC: D

SOLD

SOLD

85 offices, 1 fee.

Because it’s important to you.

Clifton, Bristol Guide price £400,000

Redland, Bristol Guide price £635,000

Sold in excess of the guide price

Sold within 8 days

EPC: D

SOLD

www.hamptons.co.uk

Beyond your expectations

SOLD

EPC: F

SOLD

Redland, Bristol Guide price £795,000

Redland, Bristol Guide price £695,000

Redland, Bristol Guide price £695,000

Multiple bids received and sale agreed within 10 days

Sold in excess of the guide price

Sale agreed within 4 days

EPC: D

EPC: E

EPC: E

Hamptons Sales January.indd 2

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Westbury on Trym

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£585,000 Westbury on Trym

£525,000

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, close to local amenities and schools and the exceptionally popular Canford Park, this property is marketed with a complete onward chain. extensions to the rear, side and to the loft alow this family home excellent square footage arranged over three storeys.

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.

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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£430,000 Stoke Bishop

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Stoke Bishop

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£399,950

Westbury on Trym

£340,000

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.

Located in a prestigious cul-de-sac, 6 Glen Drive has been lovingly and tastefully decorated throughout to an exceptionally high standard. The contemporary decoration is enhanced and complimented by many of the retained original features, including beautiful stainless lead inset windows to, and surrounding, the front door.

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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£359,950 Westbury on Trym

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£320,000

Westbury on Trym

£479,950

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 in the heart of Westbury on Trym village 21 Cambridge Crescent is a perfect example of a period family home in excellent school catchments, and close to all the local amenities that the thriving village has to offer. Internally the house offers stripped floor boards, open plan kitchen dining room and a separate living room, with bespoke fitted shutters to the bay.

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.

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

Ocean fp January:Layout 1

Redland

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£179,950 Clifton

£205,000

Cotham

£219,950

A well proportioned one bedroom hall floor flat located on Hampton Road, convenient for the amenities of Whiteladies Road and Chandos Road with high ceilings, two bay windows, natural light to all rooms and gas central heating. EPC - D

A stunning one bedroom lower ground floor flat with allocated off street parking on Belgrave Road in Clifton conveniently located for Whiteladies Road and in particular the BBC. This attractive property is entirely south facing and also benefits from a communal garden to the rear of the building. EPC - tbc

A fantastic opportunity to purchase this first floor two double bedroom, two bathroom, modern apartment ideally located for Gloucester Road, Cheltenham Road, BRI, City centre and the University. The property is offered with no onward chain and an allocated parking space. EPC - B

Please contact our Clifton branch on 0117 946 6007

Please contact our Clifton branch on 0117 946 6007

Please contact our Clifton branch on 0117 946 6007

Clifton

£240,000 Waterfront

£395,000

Kingsdown

£495,000

An elegant two double bedroom first floor balcony apartment set within an impressive Georgian terrace tucked away on a one way street just yards from the amenities of Whiteladies Road, this characterful property has plenty to offer. EPC - D

A modern contemporary two bedroom apartment within this landmark building directly overlooking the water in the heart of Bristol with open plan living room, kitchen and dining area with panoramic views of the city centre and and underground secure parking. EPC - F

An attractive four storey character providing a wealth of features, spacious accommodation and 50' rear garden. Situated within walking distance of local shops and amenities, Bristol University and the BRI Hospital. The private 50' garden is enclosed and is one the main benefits that a potential buyer may be attracted to. EPC - tbc

Please contact our Clifton branch on 0117 946 6007

Please contact our Clifton branch on 0117 946 6007

Please contact our Clifton branch on 0117 946 6007

Waterfront

£550,000 Redland

£574,950

Cotham

£624,950

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

A four storey period property with a wealth of attractive features including double bay frontage, two reception rooms, kitchen/breakfast room, utility room and storage basement/cellar. Internal viewing highly recommended to appreciate living space offered by this sought after family home. EPC - E

A three double bedroom semi detached home set in this elevated position with a 21' kitchen/dining room, two separate reception rooms, a full family bathroom with bath and shower, ground floor w.c. and off-street parking for two cars. EPC - D

Please contact our Clifton branch on 0117 946 6007

Please contact our Clifton branch on 0117 946 6007

Please contact our Clifton branch on 0117 946 6007

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Westbury-on-Trym - £995,000

A substantial family home with the ‘wow’ factor overlooking Durdham Downs. Beautifully refurbished throughout to an extremely high standard the house offers great family living spaces, plenty of bedroom and four bathrooms. Triple garage, indoor pool and courtyard garden. No onward chain.

Stoke Bishop - £625,000

This substantially extended 1930’s semi offers generous accommodation with a lovely open plan family kitchen/living area.Two further reception rooms. Four bedroom including a master suite. Landscaped rear garden and patio area, garage and off street parking. A few minute’s walk to Elmlea school. No onward chain.

Henleaze - £335,000

Redland - £785,000

An up together, modern three bedroom end of terrace house with large corner plot enjoying an open southerly aspect. Ideally suited to growing families and downsizers we feel there is potential to extend to the side. Walking distance of Henleaze schools and the high street.

A grade II listed Georgian townhouse in central Redland with attractive gardens and off street parking.With accommodation arranged over four floors the house offers character and space for families. Large farmhouse style kitchen opening onto the garden. Four reception rooms, six bedrooms. No onward chain.

Redland - Guide Price £425,000

Clifton - £305,000

A substantial split level garden flat offering beautifully appointed accommodation and situated within a stone’s throw from Durdham Downs. Independent entrance via a private rear garden with large garage and parking space. Large kitchen/diner, large living room, three bedrooms, bath and shower rooms.

A pleasant two bedroom garden flat in a desirable side road within a few minute’s walk of Whiteladies Road. Has its own front door and ownership of the front and private rear gardens with the rear accessed via the flat or via a side gate. Living room and separate kitchen.

Offered with no onward chain.

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