Our artistic swimmers have been making a splash in Paris ahead of the Olympics
MASTERCHEF MAESTRO
The winning veterinarian who stole the show
FEELING CURIOUS?
Open your mind at the city’s science centre this summer
BEAMING WITH PRIDE
Marking 15 years of Bristol Pride celebrations
ARABIAN NIGHTS
Aladdin’s magic carpet lands on stage at the Hippodrome
Everyone’s favourite antiques expert Chris Yeo on unearthing the city’s history through fascinating objects
Royal news, counting butterflies and a market at Underfall Yard
Get the lowdown from local comedian Amy Mason before she heads to Edinburgh Fringe
Botanical prints and whimsical wears from
It’s back. Check out what’s in
Hear from Disney’s man behind the music, as we get ready to welcome Aladdin to Bristol Hippodrome
Don’t panic... We bring you some of the best things to do this summer to keep the whole family entertained
Bristol Pride’s Cabaret Stage expert Aled Osborne chats choosing acts and why our festival is so special
Gorgeous creations from all four corners of the
Bristol has produced yet another MasterChef winner. We speak to Brin Pirathapan.
Bristol’s synchronised swimmers, both hobbyists and athletes, are already stars at the Olympics
Gloucester Road Books recommend some reading for Bristol Pride
To honour the carnival’s Back-a-Yard format this year, Andrew Swift explores St Pauls
We explore the benefits of bathroom technology, and how a smart loo could transform your daily routines
Members of artistic swimming group Almost Synchro, captured on camera by photographer Cat Wynn (catwynn.com). Head to page 48 to read about their involvement with the Paris Olympics.
The home of appliances.
EDITOR from the
We’re in a a bit of a celebratory mood here at the magazine. It’s hard not to be really, when you look at this month’s issue. We The Curious is triumphantly reopening its doors, much to the relief of many parents across the city desperately eyeing ‘things to do with the kids this summer’ lists. Take a breather and order a celebratory coffee if you’re reading this out and about in the city, because as well giving you all the info about our favourite science centre’s return (page 20), we also have our very own hit list of summer fun now that your little ones are very much free and ready to receive near-constant entertainment (page 28).
We can’t possibly make our way through July without donning as much brightly coloured gear as possible and joining in with Bristol Pride’s events. Whether you’re part of the LGBTQ+ community, or simply want to show your support and have a good ol’ knees up on the Downs – our city’s festival is renowned across the country for embodying the true spirit of Pride. We hear from Aled Osborne on page 32, who’s helped organise Bristol Pride for more than a decade, and knows a thing or two about what makes our celebration so special. If you’re not feeling particularly celebratory, then you might as well go and sit in a dark room and see if some of the UK’s funniest comedians can at least force a reluctant chuckle out of you.
Luckily the south west’s comedy clubs are currently brimming with people polishing their latest shows ahead of the Edinburgh Fringe festival next month – we hear from local funny woman Amy Mason who’s doing just that on page 14 – so strike while the iron is hot because tickets are being snapped up fast.
Rosanna Spence
Publisher Steve Miklos
Email: steve@thebristolmagazine.co.uk
Financial Director Jane Miklos
Email: jane@thebristolmagazine.co.uk
Editor Rosanna Spence
Tel: 0117 974 2800
Email: rosanna@thebristolmagazine.co.uk
Assistant Editor/Web Editor Maria Robinson
Email: maria@thebristolmagazine.co.uk
Production Manager Jeff Osborne
Email: production@thebristolmagazine.co.uk
Advertising Sales Liz Grey
Email: liz@thebristolmagazine.co.uk
For advertising enquiries please contact us on: 0117 974 2800 Email: sales@thebristolmagazine.co.uk
The Bristol Magazine is published by MC Publishing Ltd. An independent publisher.
Every month The Bristol Magazine is hand delivered to more than 15,000 homes in selected areas. We also deliver direct to companies and businesses across the city. Additionally there are many places where we have floor-stands and units for free pick-up:
Bristol Pride’s bustling two-week festival programme, which has more than 40 events between 28 June and 14 July, culminates on 13 July when thousands of people are expected to join the annual parade through the centre of town. The party will continue on The Downs, where more than 200 performers will take to its many stages, including the Uplift Stage, Dance Performance Stage, Circus Tent and Cabaret Stage. The day also features a dedicated family area and youth area, community area, silent disco and multiple bars and food stalls. bristolpride.co.uk
See Bristol on screen
Calling all armchair detectives! New BBC Three series A Good Girl’s Guide to Murder hits our screens at the start of July. Based on Holly Jackson’s hit novel, the story centres on a historic case involving a schoolgirl murdered by her boyfriend. This ‘dark and devious’ crime thriller cracks the case wide open again. Look out for filming locations including Redcliffe Caves and the Avon Valley Railway.
Head for the harbour
Bristol Harbour Festival returns from 19-21 July, bringing the best of the city’s emerging artists, as well as established and international performers across all genres. New for 2024 is The Expression Stage in Millenium Square, which will be a cultural hub bursting with creativity, from spoken word, talks and panels to jazz and blues. A family playground will bring circus-style performances to College Green; the Bristol Rising Stage and the Dance Tent will present emerging artists from grassroots music and dance institutions to Queen Square; and the Main Stage will feature Eva Lazarus, She’s Got Brass, Grove and The Beatles Dub Club, with programming from industry heavyweights Greenpeace, Global Local and a Made In Bristol Sunday curated by Proud and Swans Events. bristolharbourfestival.co.uk
Watch films outside
Bristol Film Festival’s Clifton Summer Screenings take place 4-7 July. Relax in the beautiful Mall Gardens before taking your seats in unique pop-up cinemas. With covered seating, state-of-the-art LED screens and wireless headphones, you can enjoy classic films come rain or shine. New for this year is screen2, hosting a range of talks, short films, cult movies, and Vintage Screenings (which combine a film and wine tasting).For more info and to book, visit the website. bristolfilmfestival.com
Embrace all the fun of the fair
The Portishead Summer Show (27-28 July) is a combination of a traditional flower and produce show and a country fair. It is a real community event that has been going since 1863. There will be more than 300 competitive classes across the weekend spanning horticulture, floral art, handicrafts, cookery, photography and art. The arena will be packed with attractions, including live music, circus skills, mini pony show, fun sports and a children’s fancy dress competition. portisheadsummershow.com
The Cityist
Former Propyard warehouse to become new cultral space
AMAAD – the team behind European festivals Love Supreme, The Long Road, ION and Junction 2 – is the new operator of the warehouse space in St. Philips formerly known as Propyard.
Programming across Prospect’s inaugural year will celebrate a cross-section of entertainment, with comedy, sport and pop-up food, drink and fashion markets taking place. The venue’s new music series will see AMAAD working in partnership with local club promoters including Team Love, The Blast and Dance Corp, as well as touring artists, to bring a diverse range of sounds to the space. Prospect’s first 12 months are set to showcase music from jazz and country through to house, drum ‘n’ bass and techno. Investment ahead of reopening includes bolstering cloakroom and washroom facilities, planning an artisan food and drink offering and installing a new state-of-theart sound design to minimise its external impact.
prospectbristol.com
My Bristol
Meet Chris Yeo, Clevedon Salerooms Valuer and Antiques Roadshow expert
I started working in Bristol 35 years ago on Whiteladies Road.
We moved to Somerset from Oxford when I was a baby, then I moved to Bristol around 25 years ago. Even though I grew up in the Mendips, I was always more into the city than I was the countryside. Bristol was the nearest place to experience that cosmopolitan life, but it doesn’t wear you out, I love the buzz here – and the city’s architecture.
My favourite historic building in Bristol is what was the Vandyck Press building on Park Row. It’s now home to the University of Bristol Theatre Collection. It’s a really interesting proto-modernist building, which I just love – it’s really rugged and different. There’s also a wonderful collection of late Georgian buildings on Dowry Square in Hotwells, where I lived for eight years. You get a real sense of Bristol as a maritime city there.
People-watching and finding little places for reverie is one of my favourite hobbies.
I love going to the Clifton Lido, or to Riverstation restaurant on the Harbourside. It’s great there by the water when the sun is out.
When I leave the city for some peace and quiet, I go to my little retreat on the Somerset coast. It’s a listed Victorian building right on the seafront, with bracing sea air and miles of sand. I wanted somewhere I could put all my books and have plenty of room to collect things. But I’ve been there just under a year and already the place is full.
My greatest weakness is books.
I love books. Books for reference, books for leafing through, new books, old books, second-hand books, antiquarian books. I have far, far too many books, but they all mean a lot to me.
Right from a young age, I was collecting the Reece Winston’s Bristol from Old Photographs books. They’re a wonderful record of how much the city’s changed over the years and how much we’ve lost. I can always get lost in those.
My favourite Bristolian is Ken Stradling. He passed away a couple years ago aged 100. He taught me so much. He was my mentor and a living
embodiment of everything I find fascinating about my job. To be able to work with and for Ken was such a pleasure, a privilege and an education.
Bristol’s history is constantly around me when I’m at the auctions.
We once had a couple of plates that were rescued from the Mansion House when it was looted and burned down during the Bristol riots in the 1830s, and it was great to see those. And we had a truncheon that dates from the time of the Bristol riots as well. Clevedon Salerooms’ July auction also has a collection of Bristol pictures, with many showing the city after the Blitz. A lot of artists went out sketching and painting the devastation in the city and their pieces are really poignant; they are very striking works of art and I’ve been completely absorbed cataloguing them.
I’m hoping to have a short break soon to take five. Spring was very busy with auctions, filming Antiques Roadshow and giving talks to groups. We’re also looking forward to working with music venue St George’s Bristol soon – so watch this space!
For more information about Chris and upcoming auctions at Clevedon Salerooms, visit the website clevedonsalerooms.com
The Queen affirms Westonbirt Arboretum charity patronage
Her Majesty The Queen has announced her patronage of the Friends of Westonbirt Arboretum. The charity based at Westonbirt Arboretum works in partnership with Forestry England to protect and conserve the 600 acres and 15,000 trees for people to enjoy.
The Friends have recently awarded the arboretum with funds to update and replace the fleet of mobility scooters and wheelchairs, thereby enhancing accessibility for all visitors. Funds have also been raised to establish a community woodland at the arboretum, with 600 individuals from local schools and community groups already planting 3,300 trees over the winter months.
forestryengland.uk/westonbirt
Yard Fest returns with the launch of Underfall Market
The best of Bristol’s makers, craftspeople and artisan producers are set to join an outdoor market venture at Underfall Yard.
Underfall Market opens to visitors on 20 July and will include up to 20 stalls from Bristol’s local traders at the historic habourside setting.
Launched as part of the Yard Fest weekend which returns for its eighth year, the market is the first new initiative for the yard since it was badly damaged by fire in May 2023.
“It’s great to announce this new initiative for the yard,” says Loz Rush,Underfall Yard Trust’s events and development manager. “ We’ve already had strong interest and are calling out to traders who want to get involved to register their interest in the event. Anyone interested can drop us an email at events@underfallyard.co.uk and we’ll send more details.” underfallyard.co.uk
People urged to take part in annual Big Butterfly Count
Wildlife charity Butterfly Conservation has revealed the dates of this year’s highly anticipated Big Butterfly Count, which will take place from 12 July until 4 August.
The annual citizen science programme attracts tens of thousands of people out into their garden, local green space or the countryside to spend 15 minutes counting butterflies and helping to inform conservation action.
Hot on the heels of scientific evidence that proves counting butterflies is good for your mental health and wellbeing, reducing anxiety by almost 10%, the charity is calling on people to get out for the Count this summer.
It is open to anyone, of any age, in any part of the UK –towns, cities or the countryside. No green space is too small – a back garden, a small terrace or balcony with some pot plants, a public park, allotment or country lane are all important spaces to explore, track and report.
Last year, more than 135,000 Counts took place up and down the country, with participants spending a combined total of almost four years counting butterflies. The information gathered helps scientists to understand how butterflies and moths are faring, informs conservation projects, government policies and supports other experts with their research and vital work to protect our planet.
For more information and to take part simply visit the website or download the free Big Butterfly Count app. bigbutterflycount.org
Image credit: James Beck
Free Mason
Before she sets the Edinburgh Fringe festival alight with her debut stand-up hour-long show, local comedian Amy Mason will perform a preview of her performance in the south west. We catch up with her ahead of jam-packed summer of laughs...
The off-kilter Funny Women finalist and BBC New Act nominee Amy Mason (who hails from Bristol, pictured below) will perform her new show at Komedia in Bath as part of the venue’s Edinburgh Fringe preview series. Mason will talk about on coming out in her 30s, raising kids, rinsing homophobes, and confronting her wild past. This will be a hotly anticipated debut stand-up hour from a ‘brilliant’ (according to Bridget Christie) rising star. You might be among one of Mason’s 8.5 million views on TikTok, catching her hilarious impressions of various ‘Bristol Mums’. Her work has also been heard on BBC Radio 1 and Radio 4...
My show Free Mason is a brand-new hour of stand-up. It’s my debut comedy hour! I’ve been working on some bits of it over the past year at gigs, but as a whole the show is totally new. I’ll be performing it at Pleasance in Edinburgh during the Fringe festival from 31 July to 26 August (see you there!).
It won’t be my first time on stage in the city. I was last performing in Edinburgh 10 years ago with a storytelling show The Islanders. This is my first time as a comedian.
If I were to choose my favourite all-time comedian… I love Tig Notaro’s ability to use serious, personal subjects in her comedy in a totally authentic way. I also love her laid-back, unhurried delivery and ability to think on her feet.
I’d always harboured a secret desire to do stand-up. But there weren’t so many visible women comedians around when I was young – and I had no idea what the route in was. After I had my first daughter, I bit the bullet and went and did my first open mic.
I’ve always liked to make people laugh.
I can’t help it. I make jokes even when I really shouldn’t. Just ask any teacher I've ever had, and now my daughter’s teachers too.
My children only find me funny when I do stupid voices for their toys or silly dances. They think my jokes are nonsensical and/or rude. I told my eldest one the other day and she said: ‘Why would you tell people THAT?’
Before stand-up comedy, I was into stories.
I left school at 16, worked in bookshops for years and started writing in my late 20s. I made my first storytelling show with Bristol Old Vic, and then wrote a novel The Other Ida
My favourite comedy nights in Bristol are… Eva Bindeman’s night called Scrambled in Fishponds is great. Chops Comedy near me in Bedminster is always fantastic, too.
Bristol is brilliant for comedy.
In terms of other BristoIian comedians I’m impressed by, I love June Tuesday, Alasdair Wallace, Eva Bindeman and Millie Malone. There are tons!
If I were to describe my style of comedy in three words, it’d be…
Deadpan, surreal and BRILLIANT. (Did I say that you should come to my show?) n
Amy Mason will preview Free Mason alongside Katie Norris’ Farm Fatale at Komedia in Bath on Sunday 21 July. Mason will then be at the Pleasance, Edinburgh, 8pm throughout August during the Edinburgh Fringe Festival. Komediabath.co.uk; edfringe.com
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Blooming marvellous
Wake up and smell the roses! If you haven’t kitted out your summer wardrobe just yet and have a holiday on the horizon, don’t panic. Our friends at Seasalt Cornwall have shared some petal-powered, meadowperfect outfits guaranteed to dazzle, even if the sun isn’t shining.
Think wildflowers, folk patterns, cottagecore chic and more...
The Mall, Cribbs Causeway, Patchway, BS34 5DG seasaltcornwall.com
Lowland Heather Dress s in Penny Bam Pear, £79.95 s
Millicent Jacket. in Dark Sienna. £85.95
Forest Lodge Embroidered. Dress in Bramble. £85.95.
Penderleith Shorts in Basket, £49.95,
Stars Align Playsuit in Poppy Inkwell. £72.95 s
Teva Orange Original Universal Slim Sandals, £50
Peaceful Haven, Linen Culottes, £69.950
Wheatear Top. in Chalk. £57.95,
We The Curious
Offering up a blend of hands-on exhibits, interactive experiences and creative activities, We The Curious sparks curiosity and inspires people of all ages to explore and question the world around them. With more than 200 things to do all under one roof, it's the perfect destination for families, school groups or grown ups, and those with a curious mind (hint: that’s everyone!). It’s also out-and-out, unadulterated fun.
“We couldn’t be more thrilled to welcome back our visitors, with fresh energy and a range of incredible exhibits and activities that many of them won’t have got to experience yet,” says Donna Speed, CEO of We The Curious. “The reception we’ve had since we announced our reopening date has blown us away, and we want to thank all our partners, supporters, members and more that have supported us over the past couple of years while we’ve been closed. It is so, so exciting to finally be at this point where we are opening our doors – we’ve missed you!”
We The Curious is truly Bristol’s science centre. The whole ground floor exhibition hosts Project What If, inspired by real questions from the people of Bristol. On the first floor you’ll find the fantastic Animate It section, created with Aardman Animations. There’s also the unique and revolutionary scientific research space Open City Lab, dedicated to ‘open source science’ and democratising science, where the public can influence scientific research. It exemplifies that independent, doing-thingsdifferently vibe Bristol is known for.
And as an educational charity, We The Curious strives to make science and getting curious open to everyone in Bristol, offering free or subsidised trips to communities where there may be barriers to access, and running their hands-on experiences out and about across the city too. Over the past two years, most of the work that’s taken place there has been behind the scenes. This has included replacing the roof, all of the heating, cooling and electrical systems, rebuilding the second-floor event space, reinstalling a new array of solar panels on the roof, and reinstating the exhibition floor and 200+ exhibits to how they were before the fire.
During that time, the Exhibitions team has also been refreshing some of We The Curious’ most popular exhibits, and the foyer and shop have had an overhaul. While visitors may not see many major differences to the We The Curious of 2022, it’s been a huge, extensive undertaking.
Pique your curiosity
So, what can visitors expect from this July, when We The Curious opens for the first time in more than two years? First, you’ll still find lots of the centre’s favourites (some will have had a bit of a spruce-up): Climb into a bubble, construct something out of massive Lego-style bricks in the BuildIt section (and knock it down again), launch a parachute from an impressive height, or whisper across the room via giant dishes. You can still step into a tornado, and spend ages dreaming up, devising and trying out your own flying machine or ball run at the Tinkering Space
While it should’ve been open since 2021, the We The Curious team is especially excited about visitors experiencing Project What If, a huge ground floor exhibition inspired by real questions from the people of Bristol. Project What If invites visitors to escape into a world where art, science and curiosity collide, exploring seven thematic zones filled with innovative, interactive displays and installations.
The exhibition space is organised around seven intriguing questions that cover themes like happiness, the universe, invisibility, illness, and time. These were whittled down from over 10,000 submissions, collected from every postcode in Bristol, with the ‘Question Askers’ themselves playing a pivotal role in the development of the content for their own burning topic. Visitors can expect to play with light, make themselves invisible, and peer into the TARDIS.
“Project What If is about seeing some of life’s big mysteries explored in new and exciting ways,” says Speed. “It’s wonderful to see these incredibly thought-provoking questions from people of all ages come to life, and understand that science is not just about answers, but about the importance of asking questions. It’s been a bumpy old time; starting with the pandemic where we were closed for 14 months, during that time we carried out our planned ground floor transformation for Project What If.
“We then reopened for only 10 months before the fire in April 2022. As a result, many of our visitors, even regulars from before the pandemic, won’t have experienced it. It’s really exciting to finally give Project What If the big welcome it deserves.”
On reopening you’ll also find the Impossible/Possible programme of events, seeing We The Curious’ programming spaces come alive with workshops and experiments tackling some of the trickiest issues facing us today. Some of the questions they’ll be tackling head on include, can you make milk without a cow? Can plants grow without water? And, is there a way to prevent diseases just by looking at our shopping habits?
Then there’s the stellar experience that is the We The Curious Planetarium. Inside that giant silver ball on Millennium Square, you’ll find the UK’s first 3D digital Planetarium offering presenter-led shows designed by the brilliant talented and passionate in-house team, meaning they are totally unique to We The Curious. As well as seasonal stargazing and a chance to explore the solar system, there’s also a really fun new show –
Spin the Spaceship (2D) – perfect for children under six and their grownups, where you will zoom through space to help Blurgle Wurgle, a friendly alien, find a new home by dancing to spin the spaceship.
The joy of exploration
With its reopening, We The Curious invites everyone to rediscover the joy of exploration at their own pace and in their own way. It’s a place where science and art meet, where questions are celebrated, and where every visit is a journey into the unknown.
“It’s such a special feeling knowing we’ll soon have thousands of people back through our doors,” says Speed, who’s been at We The Curious since the year 2000. “And it’s always been really important to us to make it inclusive and accessible too. At school I never felt that science was ‘for me’, and we want to shout from the rooftops that science is for everybody.
“We know that ‘science’ can seem intimidating, but that’s the brilliance of the place – you can tentatively dip your toe, or jump right in, whatever makes you comfortable. And it’s impossible not to have fun while you’re doing it!
“Whether you're a child experiencing the wonder of science for the first time or an adult looking to delve deeper into the mysteries of the universe having visited countless times already, we promise you’ll find something surprising here.” n wethecurious.org
After a long hiatus, We The Curious, Bristol’s much-loved science centre, is – depending on when you read this – either just about to reopen or has just reopened its doors, on 2 July. Here’s what you can expect to find (it’s been worth the wait!) Image credits (top to bottom, L-R): Alex Smye-Rumsby, Lisa Whiting, Joe Meredith Photography, Thomas Buttery Limbic Cinema, Lee Pullen, Daniel Watkiss
What’s On
Our guide to some of the best things to see, do and experience in and around Bristol this month
We Are Warriors at Redcliffe Caves n Throughout July Thurs & Fri 12-7pm, Sat & Sun 11-6pm Thousands of flickering lights are nestled into the sloping, red sandstone walls, while a soundscape of breaths, words, chants and song reverberates in the space. A beacon calling you in, We Are Warriors is made up of the voices of 130 Bristolian women and girls, aged 8-80, holding space for the experiences of women and people everywhere. Tickets via Headfirst and more info at: inbetweentime.co.uk
Soul Sipping at The Granary Club
n Every Friday, 9pm-1am
51 Queen Charlotte Street, BS1 4HQ
Head to historic late-night cocktail bar The Granary Club for Soul Sipping – an evening of sophisticated drinks served alongside soul, jazz, funk and rare groove tunes from DJ Paul Alexander. Entry is free and no booking is required. The bar’s mixologists work with the chefs upstairs in The Granary restaurant to find innovative ways to integrate surplus ingredients and byproducts into the drinks menu. thegranaryclub.com
Possession n 9-13 July, 7pm
Tobacco Factory's Theatres' Spielman Theatre
In a remote cottage in the heart of Dartmoor, two lovers celebrate an upcoming debut art exhibition. As a storm outside intensifies the late-night drink, drugs and occult speculations mount, the thin line between love and possession is crossed. After 15-years of performing in weird and wonderful venues across Bristol (crypts, city farms, ferry boats) this will be Darkstuff Productions’ first national tour. tobaccofactorytheatres.com
Silent Disco at Bristol Museum & Art Gallery
n 12-13 July, 7.30-10pm or 10.30pm-1am
Amazing DJs will set the scene for party positive vibes in the beautifully illuminated surroundings of a historic museum. Flick the switch of your wireless headphones to change what you’re listening to as our DJs take you on a journey of musical greats through the decades. bristolmuseums.org.uk
Choral masterpieces at Bristol Beacon n 13 July, 7.30pm
Choral performances including Mozart’s grand and voluptuous ‘Great’ Mass in C Minor, Handel’s Zadok the Priest and Sir John Rutter’s bright and brilliant Gloria performed by a choir of 200 voices from City of Bristol Choir and the Chorus of Westerly from Rhode Island, USA, joined by the professional orchestra Bath Philharmonia. Tickets £16.35 to £23.98 for adults, half price for under 26 year olds, £2.18 for under 18s. bristolbeacon.org / 0117 203 4040
Edinburgh Fringe Previews n 17 July, 8pm Smoke & Mirrors
Every Wednesday and Sunday night leading up to the world-famous Edinburgh Fringe Festival the bar hosts some of the year’s best comedy acts as they polish their shows ready to make the journey up north for August. Bristol’s Dani Johns takes to the stage on 17 July with her show Cringe, along with another local comic Louise Leigh. smokeandmirrorsbar.com
Dani Johns will preview her Edinburgh Fringe Show Cringe at Smoke & Mirrors
Summer Fiesta
n 18 July, 6pm Fairfield High School
The Summer Fiesta is a festival-style event taking place in the school’s playground. There will be music, dance and drama performances together with a halal barbecue, food stalls and local market stalls. The event is free to attend and all are welcome to join the school in celebrating the work of its students. fairfield.excalibur.org.uk
Later Life Summer Fair
n 19 July, 11am-2pm Newman Hall, Henleaze
Organised by the Later Life Alliance, the fair was born out of recognising the post-pandemic need to provide the local community with an opportunity to find out about events, activities, groups and support. The fair is free to attend and there will be a tombola, raffle, a variety of stalls and entertainment along with access to lots of local information and support services. haroldstephens.co.uk
The Great Western Chorus celebrates 50 years n 20 July, Bristol Harbour Festival
The Great Western Chorus is celebrating its 50th birthday this year. The a cappella choir is based in Southmead and are the UK’s most successful male chorus in the British Association of Barbershop Music’s national championships. The choir has won gold a record 10 times in its 50-year history. See the group out and about this year as it celebrates in the Bristol Harbour Festival. greatwesternchorus.com
Make a Macramé Dress in a Day with Knots & Stalks n 20 July, 10.30am-5.30pm Prior Shop, Cabot Circus, Philadelphia Street, Broadmead
This workshop is a great opportunity to learn a relaxing and creative new hobby. Make your own unique macramé dress out of recycled cotton in the colour and length of your choice. This workshop is beginner friendly, but it is suggested that you attend one of Knots & Stalks’ half-day workshops to learn and perfect the basic knots, so that you are more confident when you approach your dress. knotsandstalks.com
poster, Janus Films
Cinema Rediscovered n 24-28 July
Various venues
The festival of classic cinema and film restorations returns to venues in and around Bristol UNESCO City of Film for its eighth annual edition. Expect big screen experiences of brand-new film restorations, rediscoveries and film on film rarities from around the world, alongside a multitude of starting points for lively conversation. The Full Festival Pass (£120) allows you to select from 60+ Cinema Rediscovered screenings and events. watershed.co.uk/cinemarediscovered
Summer Show Portishead
Saturday 27 & Sunday 28 July 2024
Are you looking for somewhere local to go then why not come along to the Portishead Summer Show on Saturday 27 and Sunday 28 July?
The 2024 Show includes Kevin’s Community Circus, The Mini Pony Show, M & M Gundogs, Aldabra Giant Tortoises, dancing from Stepping Stones and Aspire Schools of Dance. We also have music from the Chicken Teddies and the Fab Twinsa Beatles and 60’s tribute duo as well as Punch & Judy, Children’s fun sports, bouncy castle and a Fun Dog Show.
You can purchase tickets in advance with a 20% discountsingle adult £8, weekend £12, children under 17 are free and FREE CAR PARKING.
For further information see our website www.Portisheadsummershow.com or call 07989 140367
Olfactive O
Sip and Scent Masterclass
Join our Olfactive O fragrance expert and wine specialist for an exclusive Wine Tasting & Perfumery Masterclass.
Thursday 25 July –6.45pm
British independent perfume house, Olfactive O is now available at Harvey Nichols Bristol. Each scent is created in the UK in partnership with a secret Grasse-trained perfumer, using the finest aromatic materials and botanical essences. Discover their innovative scents at our Sip & Scent Wine Tasting, where Olfactive’s owner and founder Olivia will take you on a sensory journey, sampling her perfumes alongside wines chosen by our wine specialist which have been inspired by the fragrances.
Tickets are £35 per person, including a tasting of 5 wines & light nibbles. £20 of the ticket is redeemable on Olfactive O products purchased at the event.
To book: email: Reception.bristol@harveynichols.com or scan the QR code to book online
Le Samouraï!
The Flower Show Field, Clevedon Road, Portishead, BS20 7RA
EXTRA DATE ADDED! 30 AUG, DIE FLEDERMAUS
Songs from the heart
Earning a staggering number of accolades for his work on The Little Mermaid, Beauty and the Beast and the film version of Aladdin, among others, Alan Menken is an undisputed master of the stage and film musical.
For the touring stage version of Aladdin, which brings its magic carpet to Bristol Hippodrome this summer, he reveals that he had a very particular vision…
Production photos by Deen Van Meer
It’s always been a dream of mine,” says superstar composer Alan Menken, “to somehow restore the telling of Aladdin the way Howard Ashman and I first envisioned it, and how we wrote it.
The Disney film version is a dazzling action-adventure tale with great animation effects and a handful of songs, some with lyrics by Howard and some by the great Sir Tim Rice. But the original concept that Howard first pitched was a tribute to those old Bob Hope–Bing Crosby ‘Road’ pictures, almost a satire of that kind of Hollywood romantic comedy. And it was also meant to be a celebration of the jazz of the 1930s and ’40s, particularly the music of such breakout stars of the era as Fats Waller and Cab Calloway.”
So when Thomas Schumacher, president and producer of Disney Theatrical, told Menken he was putting together a script of Aladdin to license to amateur theatrical groups, the multiple Oscar-winning
musician saw an opportunity to revisit the roots of the Aladdin project.
“Remember, this was years before we even considered developing Aladdin for Broadway,” says Schumacher. “I thought Alan would be way too busy to get involved with our little licensing project, but he really wanted to do it.”
“They came to me with a script based closely on the movie,” recalls Menken. “It would have been fine, but it wasn’t the musical-comedy homage to popular jazz-era movies that Howard and I first proposed. So, I said, ‘Look, I have a whole treasure trove of existing material that was never used, songs for the main characters and characters that were eliminated in the film, including Aladdin’s three sidekicks, Babkak, Omar and Kassim.’”
And so Chad Beguelin, who was writing the script, dug into Menken’s trunk and came back with something altogether new.
A Whole New World
“As we began to work,” Menken says, “it became clear that we were going to need some new songs – along with hits from the film – and songs that were written but never used. So, I suggested that Chad write the lyrics, since he was writing the new libretto and was already an accomplished, Tony-nominated lyricist in his own right. Chad was absolutely terrific at creating new songs that fit perfectly with those Howard, Tim and I had written for the film.” For Menken, the journey has been deeply personal, because his beloved musical partner, Howard Ashman, died before the Aladdin film score was complete.
Menken is particularly grateful to have restored Proud of Your Boy, a song for Aladdin to sing to his fretful mother.
“It was the hardest thing to lose from the film,” says Menken, “and not just because the song was lost – I’ve lost a lot of songs in my career – but because we had also lost Howard. That song packs an enormous emotional punch, and men in particular seem to relate to it deeply. So many of us go through a phase when we are disappointing our parents, or we think we are.
“I’m delighted to have had a hand in reshaping Aladdin. I love the show and all the music. But I am especially happy that Howard’s poignant Proud of Your Boy once again has pride of place in the story of a boy who finally became all that a mother could wish for in a son.” n
This feature is excerpted from the book Disney’s Aladdin: A Whole New World (The Road to Broadway and Beyond) by Michael Lassell. Disney’s Aladdin is playing at Bristol Hippodrome from 10 July until 11 August; tickets available via atgtickets.com/bristol
We ask the cast: What’s your favourite song from the show?
Desmonda Cathabel (Jasmine)
“I’m a little bit biased, but I really like These Palace Walls, which is Jasmine's big song in the first act. It’s not in the movie but it is a really important addition to the musical because it expands on her character. I think the song is fierce. It’s thrilling, it lifts people up and I just love singing it.”
Gavin Adams (Aladdin)
“That’s quite a difficult question because I enjoy all of the songs for various reasons. Arabian Nights is amazing because I get to see the ensemble do all these incredible stunts and dances and it’s just such a pleasure to watch from the sidelines because I only appear at the end of that number. Then Proud of Your Boy is such a beautifully written song and one that everyone can relate to because who doesn’t want to make their mother proud?
“These Palace Walls is also amazing because I just love listening to Desmonda Cathabel, who’s playing Jasmine. She’s got such an incredible voice and singing the duets that I have with her is such an amazing experience.”
Yeukayi Ushe (Genie)
“That’s a really difficult question because the score is beautiful. Prince Ali is great and so full of life but I would have to say my favourite has to be Friend Like Me. In that number you get treated to all of the magic, all of the glitz, all of the glamour, all of the abundance, and the song builds and builds and builds.”
Alan Menken
SCHOOL’S OUT!
Looking for things to do during the holidays? From drama workshops to paddleboarding and following a secret trail around the world’s first amazement park, here are some ideas for a summer of family fun...
Join the Pauline Quirke Academy of Performing Arts at Cotham School 5-9 August (10am to 4pm) for its Matilda the Musical ‘Megamix’ Summer School! This fun-packed, five-day course will involve learning choreography, scenes and songs from the smash-hit musical Matilda
No previous experience needed, and the summer school is open to anyone aged 5-18. Join the Academy to learn new skills, make new friends and experience the fun! For further information and a booking form, please contact the Principal Carly on carly.bond@pqacademy.com or 07421023706.
Prepare for a summer of fun and adventure at Wimbleball Lake. Less than a two-hour drive from Bristol, Wimbleball is the perfect location for your next family escape. With a range of activities including kayaking, stand up paddleboarding and sailing, the friendly activity team are on hand to help you discover an activity as a family, organised group or individual. For more information or to book activities and camping, visit Wimbleball Lake’s website.
WAKE THE TIGER
127 Albert Road, Bristol BS2 0YA; wakethetiger.com
Wake The Tiger is the world’s first Amazement Park and Bristol’s award-winning, self-guided, immersive visitor attraction for all ages.
Step through a portal into the alternate world of Meridia where you will explore more than 40 unique spaces. Plus, this summer join Wake The Tiger for the Sundust Secrets trail. Seven secret notes have been scattered within the Amazement Park. Find them and uncover seven letters, and if you work out the secret word you’ll be in for a fun surprise... Even better, there are now NEW discounted family tickets available, to make the experience affordable fun for everyone.
The Gruffalo is celebrating his 25th birthday with a brand-new forest adventure. This interactive family trail features all sorts of partythemed activities and games, along with fun facts to teach you about life in the forest for the Gruffalo and other creatures. Follow the trail to help find the missing party items to give the Gruffalo a birthday to remember. Search for balloons, pine cones, apples and the Gruffalo himself, and complete fun activities and rubbings as you go along. The trail is located in the Old Arboretum, which is a dog free area.
Get the party started with a Gruffalo Party Trail pack. Pick up your pack for just £4 from the Welcome Building or Westonbirt shop, packed with fun things to do on your party adventure. Also, to celebrate the Olympic Games, you can embark on a quest to find hidden Gruffalo character signs and enjoy some sporty challenges. This free activity will run from 23 July to 16 September. Pick up an activity leaflet before you set off from the Welcome Building.
SS GREAT BRITAIN
ssgreatbritain.org; Great Western Dockyard, Gas Ferry Road, BS1 6TY
Climb aboard Brunel’s SS Great Britain this summer for a fantastic family day out. Explore the sights, sounds and smells of Victorian life at sea, discover two fascinating museums and meet costumed characters, including the mind behind the design, Mr Brunel.
New for this summer, get hands-on with Brunel’s Brick Building experience. Inspired by Brunel’s awe-inspiring bridges, daring tunnels and record-breaking ships, families are invited to get creative with brick building by assembling designs or inventing their own. See if you have what it takes to become a master engineer! Tickets are available online.
Create a brand new piece of theatre with Tobacco Factory Theatres this summer! Working with highly experienced theatre practitioners, young people will develop their drama skills through games, imaginative play, role play and storytelling. Each day, young people will be encouraged to expand their self-confidence, communication ability and team work. Led by a professional theatre director, young people will develop these skills through creating, rehearsing and performing their own original piece of theatre, which will be performed with the support of a full creative team in their Factory Theatre. The summer school run between 19-30 August and is suitable for ages 5-18.
Until 31 December
Bursting with pride
Bristol Pride is marking 15 years of inclusive and diverse festivals that have illuminated the city’s LGBTQ+ community since 2010, so we caught up with Aled Osborne (aka famous local drag queen Miss Beaver, who has programmed the famous Cabaret Stage for more than a decade) ahead of this year’s parade and spectacular event at Clifton Down on 13 July
Pride festivals have come a long way since the first parade held on these shores in London on 1 July 1972. It’s estimated that 2,000 joined the march to show their support to the LGBTQ+ global community, which was still reeling from the Stonewall uprising three years earlier across the Atlantic. Since then those 2,000 attendees have turned into many hundreds of thousands who flock to more than 280 Pride celebrations held across the UK each year. Yet despite the many events curated at villages, towns and cities, those in the know all acknowledge that Bristol’s annual Pride festival is a rather special affair, glittering with a certain magic that sets it apart from many others.
“Bristol Pride keeps the very meaning and purpose of Pride in general very close to its heart,” says Aled Osborne (aka Bristol scene drag queen Miss Beaver), who’s a key part of the organising team and has programmed the Cabaret Stage line up for 11 years. “Bristol in general is such a welcoming city, and has its own kind of vibe. Last year, one of my headliners [series two winner of RuPaul’s Drag Race UK vs The World] Tia Kofi was a bit weepy back stage because of how incredible the feeling was at Bristol Pride.”
“ If you ever need a place to feel seen, to feel loved, to feel represented, and to feel 100% safe while having the best time with thousands of other people who think like you, then you should go to a Pride event ”
For Osborne, one of the reasons Bristol’s event is so special is that despite its growth into a huge city-scale Pride, it still feels like a tightknit community celebration.
“Even though it’s one of the largest UK Prides now – and with that comes all the additional challenges associated with holding an event of its size – it still holds true to its core values,” he continues. “Everybody wants to be there. From the acts to volunteers to paid members of the Pride team to everyone who turns up, we’re all there for the same reason. If you were to cut through the middle of Clifton Down on the day like a stick of rock – everybody has Pride running through them. It shows on the stages, when you’re walking around the festival, backstage.”
Osborne also flags the fact that Bristol Pride entry is by donation, making the event more accessible for members of the community who may not have the means to be able to pay for tickets themselves. There are different tiers of donation available, with a sliding scale of benefits on the day – from free travel on First Bus to onsite bar discounts and afterparty entry. And though the team is grateful for its success and welcome reception in the city each year, its members are always keen to remain conscious about ways of improving the event.
“Bristol Pride is always evolving,” says Osborne. “It’s always looking to be better at what it’s doing, never resting on its laurels – whether that’s regarding sustainability, diversity, considering what ‘pride’ actually means and in turn not allowing certain people at the event because their ethos
doesn’t match what Pride is all about. We’re asking how can we be better? How can we represent the community even more? That shows on the day with regards to who is booked and performing. The line-ups speak for themselves, we really think about it with care.”
Speaking of line-ups, 2024’s festival on 13 July following the parade is positively beaming with pride. More than 200 artists will be performing at the festival across five stages, with the newly named Uplift Stage, Dance Performance Stage, Circus Tent and – of course – the Cabaret Stage, which will be headlined by RuPaul’s Drag Race star Heidi n Closet and Pixie Polite. The day also features a dedicated Family Area and Youth Area, Community Area, Silent Disco and multiple bars and food stalls. Pop legends The Human League will also take to the main stage for a headline set on Saturday evening – a performance that Osborne recognises will be poignant for many people in the crowd.
“They’re synonymous with the 80s and early 90s when things were tough and as a community we had to get together and fight for a myriad of reasons. A lot of the community are going to hold The Human League’s music close to their heart as it will remind them of that era within our movement when we had to band together.”
A busy beaver
Osborne balances Pride commitments with a 9-5 job working at a local HIV charity with gigs as professional drag queen Miss Beaver.
“This is my 11th year involved with Bristol Pride, which is crazy. I won a local drag competition back in 2012, and one of the prizes was to perform on the main stage at Pride – which was a smaller event that year due to Jubilee and the Olympics, on College Green rather than Castle Park, so they didn’t have space for the Cabaret Stage. At the time I was working in one of the LGBTQ+ venues that no longer exists on Old Market, booking cabaret for their weekly cabaret slots on a Sunday.
“Daryn Carter, one of Bristol Pride’s directors, knew that and reached out to me after the 2012 Pride and asked me to help, knowing they wanted a Cabaret Stage back for the 2013 event.”
Osborne’s in depth knowledge of both local and global cabaret performers was exactly what Bristol Pride needed, and he’s never looked back, nearly doubling the number of acts booked on his stage in the years that have passed. “I had quite a small, dedicated team back then on our humble little stage, but the acts were still phenomenal. As it’s progressed,
I’ve ensured that there’s a good representation of good local talent. Bristol’s drag scene has evolved exponentially. The number of drag performers in Bristol now compared to when I was first booking is absurd, in the best way. Now, thankfully I have so many to choose from, because our drag scene is amazing, although it makes my job a lot harder!
“Over the years as Pride has evolved, I always try and keep some Bristol favourites on the list. Now it’s got to a place where I don’t have to host the stage for the whole day. All the hosts throughout the festival are local talent – and every act on our diverse line up this year is the best in their field.
“Now we have a huge stage, with a catwalk and a big screen next to it dedicated to our performers. The crowd in front of that stage are just D because they are phenomenal. They feed all the performers everything they need to get through the day.”
Feel seen and loved
At the heart of Bristol Pride is a dedicated team who spend all year planning, programming and spreading the word about a jam-packed two weeks of events (which this year started on 29 June and runs until 14 July). More than 45,000 people are welcomed to the celebrations 15 years on from its first gathering, with 25,000 marching last year alone.
There’s a huge community joining forces to embrace, support and lift each other up. Though not everyone will have attended a Pride event before, Osborne urges newcomers to join the fun.
“If you ever need a place to feel seen, to feel loved, to feel represented, and to feel 100% safe while having the best time and the most fun with thousands of other people who think like you, then you should go to Pride. Whether that’s your first time, your 20th time, or 50th time; it could be your home Pride, or one that’s out of area because you would feel a bit safer being somewhere else instead; come and join us, and remember to take all it in. At some point throughout the day, find a spot, breathe, and just soak it all up. It is one, if not the best, feelings you’ll ever have.” n
Bristol Pride’s two-week events programme runs from 29 June to 14 July, with the parade and festival on 13 July. For more information and to donate, visit the website bristolpride.co.uk
Images above
(L-R): Ra'Jah O'Hara; Son of a Tutu, credit
Bhagesh Sachania (and bottom left); Aled Osborne hosting the Cabaret Stage in 2019.
Images below (L-R): Joyful Pride crowd; Aled Osborne as Miss Beaver; Pride parade volunteers
ART and the galleries
Country: An Australian Aboriginal Group Exhibition by Coe Gallery; 16 July until 8 August (closed weekends)
Coe Gallery’s summer exhibition is Country – a group Aboriginal art exhibition exploring ‘country’ and the connection each artist has with their homelands and culture. Among this exhibition the gallery is delighted to introduce two new artists who will be showcasing their works in the UK for the first time: Ngiyampaa/Wangaaypuwan and Wiradjuri artist Maddy Hodgetts and Ngiyampaa and Wiradjuri artist Melnunnie. Hodgetts’ artwork above depicts the Buugan river, which starts in Wiradjuri Country and flows through Wangaaypuwan Country. With influences of traditional Ngiyampaa styles, the artwork depicts a mapping line style seen in local cave art, while using symbols to represent special landmarks and stories on Country.
The Vestibules, College Green, BS1 5TR; coegallery.com Image: ‘Buuganga’ (Bogan River) by Maddy Hodgetts
Horsepower at Rainmaker, until 31 July
Horsepower is an exhibition of contemporary Native American art that invites us to slow down and visualise a world without cars, not only in times past but also in the future. It asks us to consider why we are in such a hurry and what we might gain from re-introducing these beautiful creatures into our daily lives?
The show includes paintings and photography by five contemporary Native American artists: Tony Tiger (Muscogee / Sac & Fox-Seminole), Jopovi Romero (Pojoaque / Cochiti Pueblo / Santa Clara Pueblo / Ohkay Owingeh), Nocona Burgess (Comanche), Del Curfman (Apsáalooke), Eugene Tapahe (Diné) and Rick Grimster (Mvskoke).
rainmakerart.co.uk; 140 Whiteladies Road, BS8 2RS
Nengi Omuku: The Dance of People and the Natural World at Arnolfini; 29 June until 29 September
Arnolfini invites audiences to journey into the lush landscapes of Nigerian artist Nengi Omuku’s exhibition The Dance of People and the Natural World, whose work immerses human figures within nature, highlighting the relationship between both individual and collective thought and ideas of belonging. Entry is free, but donations are welcome.
Image: Jopovi Romero, Riding Dirty: Crow Futurism II, cyanotype with gold leaf
Summer
exhibitions at
Royal
West
of England Academy, until 11 August
As part of a triple bill of exhibitions honouring global majority artists, the RWA brings the pioneering work of Rasheed Araeen to Bristol for the first time. Conscious Forms includes an impressive array of Araeen’s bright, abstract sculptures. Alongside these works, informed by Araeen’s engineering training and immersion in Islamic geometry and architecture, are figurative paintings and collages dating from the 1950s to today.
Meanwhile, Windrush: Portraits of a Pioneering Generation is a moving exhibition honouring the accomplishments and legacy of the Windrush Generation. Finally, Valda Jackson: Miss Polly showcases a powerful and evocative installation by esteemed writer and artist Valda Jackson MBE RWA. This thought-provoking exhibition delves into the realms of neurological research and the concept of the ‘unfinished brain’. rwa.org.uk; Queen’s Road, Clifton, BS8 1PX
The Changing Face by Carl Melegari at Clifton Contemporary Art, until 20 July
Carl Melegari’s portraits and figure paintings radiate life. Their deeply textured surfaces and muted, monochromatic palette are imbued with presence and character, balancing abstraction and the figurative. His latest collection at Clifton Contemporary Art conjures this inherent balance through powerful studies of the human face, revealing fleeting expressions and innate personality, while revelling in the sheer physicality of oil paint.
From Chris Yeo, Valuer at Clevedon Salerooms and regular expert on BBC’s Antiques Roadshow
Georgie Porgie pudding and pie
I’m quite sure that by the time you read this you will have had quite enough of opinion polls, so I’ll keep it brief. A few years ago, for reasons best known to itself, English Heritage conducted a poll to find ‘Britain's Most Useless Monarch’. Shakespeare’s great bogeyman Richard III, scored highly but top of the rubbish heap came George IV AKA the Prince Regent. To my mind this was a complete travesty. Okay, he was extravagantly self-indulgent, greedy, lazy and irresponsible, preferring a life of luxury over the tedious business of governing but (as the joke goes) he had his bad points as well. Personally, I’m happy to overlook Georgie Porgie’s shortcomings for one good reason: without a doubt, George’s crowning achievement was to give his name to the style of decorative art known as Regency.
In the decorative arts it’s customary for a stylistic epoch to take the name of the current ruling figure; we think of Victorian or Elizabethan in England, or any number of Louis in France. Yet few played such an active role as George IV. He was arguably the best patron and collector of art ever to sit on the English throne. In a time when wealth and privilege counted for everything, George was the undisputed leader of fashion and he defined the taste of a generation. His appetite for collecting art and antiques was prodigious. In three years he spent the vast sum of £160,000 on furniture alone.
Those of us in search of Regency elegance need not to part with such sums. At Clevedon Salerooms’ latest Fine Art auction, a very stylish library armchair sold for £680 proving that good, well-made and well-proportioned examples of Regency furniture can add style and elegance without breaking the bank. ■
Bristol-based Veterinary surgeon Brin Pirathapan won the judges’ and the nation’s hearts recently when he claimed the prestigious title of MasterChef Champion 2024. But has he swapped his vet scrubs for chef whites since his win?
Well, well, well. Hasn’t Bristol done… very well when it comes to televised cooking competitions?
The dust had only just settled on local chefs
Tommy Thorn and Kasae Fraser making their triumphant journey to the final three on MasterChef: The Professionals earlier this year when Bristol-based vet Brin Pirathapan stormed onto our screens, hot on their tails for sister series MasterChef.
Cooking his way past 57 other culinary competitors after eight weeks of increasingly tough challenges, Pirathapan gave judges John Torode and Gregg Wallace what Torode claimed was “the best final we’ve ever done” in the show’s 20-series history. Pirathapan’s unique, creative ingredient combinations helped him ultimately claim the title of champion, making him one of the hottest new chef talents to watch in the UK. We spoke to him a few days after his win was televised…
Has winning MasterChef finally sunk in now that the world knows about it?
It was nearly six months between filming my win and it being announced. Obviously, that's a long time, but we had a lot going on.
We've been doing a lot of fun stuff away from MasterChef. So it was quite nice that no one knew just yet. I had some time to enjoy it within my family and with my fiancé. Since then, it's all been busy, but in a really good way. I'm just trying to figure out the kind of projects I want to take on and figure out where I want to go with it all. I’m very tired, though!
Did you have a favourite moment from the show?
I think probably the 20th anniversary banquet was up there with one of the best things I've ever done. It was the first huge service we’d done on the show. Then to finish by going into this room and getting a standing ovation from all of our heroes was unbelievable. I was on cloud nine for a long time after. Even looking back at it now, it just doesn’t seem real.
What was the toughest challenge for you?
It was all tough in that I always gave myself lots to do, and I would just be grinding away constantly. But the one that really sticks in my mind is the second challenge, when I had to cook for three of the past contestants, and I just gave myself way too much to do. You only get one hour and 15 minutes to produce a plate. I just didn’t execute it as well as I could have, or would have liked to.
Brin Pirathapan celebrating his win, and right, in action on the show
Was there a stand-out dish that really epitomises your current approach to cooking?
The octopus and grapefruit is the pinnacle of the way my mind works. I didn’t know I had the ability to think like that until I was just doing it, and then it just turned out that octopus, grapefruit and rosé are an incredible combination. But I don’t know where it came from. I don’t know how I came up with it, and I wasn’t expecting to get the feedback I did. I really felt like that dish was me saying to the judges, ‘This is me, and this is what I can do. So from now on, you’re going to get kind of this level or higher.
What are some of your favourite Tamil Sri Lankan meals and flavours from growing up?
A classic dish my parents used to make was a Sri Lankan mutton curry. It’s full of depth and uses a cut of meat that generally isn’t used often. I took that for granted as a kid, but growing up and now knowing more about the culinary world, I realised they took a cut of meat that is not seen as fancy or as nice – as it can be tough – and cooked it in a way that helps it take on great flavours and makes it delicious to eat. It would be eaten with their fried aubergine curry, which is just next level. They would bring that to every party. And then there’s a really simple tomato and red onion salad that my dad always makes.
I think the reason I like that is because all three of those dishes with their different flavours balance so well eaten with really sticky plain rice. It is that balancing of multiple flavours which taught me to be the chef I am today.
supper clubs around Bristol, which I’m trying to sort out. So you’ll have to watch out for them, because they’re definitely coming. There’s also potentially a book and some other exciting adventures. If I were to eventually have a restaurant, I would go down the fine dining route, but with a lot more of the bold flavours that you saw from me on the show – being able to balance multiple elements in each dish, and it working even though it might not look like it would on paper.
What would you say to other budding Bristol chefs who might want to enter MasterChef but are unsure?
If you’ve allowed yourself to even consider applying, it’s probably time to apply. There is never, ever going to be a time where you think, ‘I’m good enough to win this’, because who knows who you’re going to be up against. I honestly didn’t think I was going to get on the show when I got on it; I didn’t think I was going to make it to the quarter finals or anything. So you need to believe in yourself, but there’s an aspect of just having to take the leap. I learned so much during the show, I became 100 times better than I was when I started –unlocking techniques and flavour development skills that I didn’t know I had. And it honestly was the best few months of my life. n
Where is your favourite place to dine out in Bristol?
I think top for me at the moment, is Sonny Stores in Southville. I remember going in, and the vibe was just so relaxed, but still bustling for a Wednesday lunchtime. The food sang for itself, and the produce they used was clearly of the best quality. It felt like a place where the food was the priority, and you wanted more of everything.
You’ve said you want to do another Chef’s Table from the show – if you could only have three chefs there who would it be?
I was in that era of growing up with Gordon Ramsey constantly on screen. So, I couldn’t not have Gordon there. Then Nathan Outlaw, because I learned a lot of my fish skills and cookery from him. And Monica Galetti. I’ve already cooked for her twice, but she’s such a formidable force pushing women to the forefront of cooking, and I think that's super important. What she’s done has been incredible for women in in the culinary world.
What’s the future looking like for you?
Veterinary practice is always going to be there. But for now, I’d like to really pursue food. A restaurant is probably more of a long-term goal. At the moment, I think I would like to do quite a lot of private dining and
Catch up with MasterChef on BBC iPlayer; masterchef.com; Follow @brin.pirathapan on Instagram
Orange wine
Recommendations by Tom Bleathman from The Great Wine Co.
Orange wine has grown drastically in popularity in recent years, but what exactly makes an orange wine orange? Orange wine, also known as skin-contact white wine, is made in a similar way to red. White grapes are fermented together with their skins and seeds, then left in contact with the juice for a period of between one day to many months. This creates a wine with an orange hue resulting in lots of complexity, tannin, and increased levels of dryness and texture –more substantial than a white wine and capable of taking on bigger flavours. Discover more at greatwine.co.uk
Saint-Roch is a brand-new producer to GWC, and they produce superb wines from the Roussillon region in France. Tangerina, Château SaintRoch has alluring aromas of rose petals, rosehips, vanilla, Earl Grey tea and New Zealand IPA hops. The texture is marvellously silky and with super-fine tannins. Beautifully done. £19.50
A fantastic entry into orange wine is Orange Wine Albariño. Martin Codax is world famous for its traditional Albariño white wine, but this version has been aged on its skins for six months. The nose has aromas of baked apples, oranges, and dried rose petals. The palate is rounded with a touch of fresh apple and fine tannin. Great for easy sipping in the back garden. £22
FOOD & DRINK NEWS
National award nomination for Clifton eatery
Clifton restaurant 1 York Place, run by Freddy and Nessa Bird of littlefrench, was shortlisted for 'Opening of the Year' at the recent National Restaurant Awards. The Bristol restaurant, which was launched by the husband and wife team in December 2023, was shortlisted alongside some eminent names from throughout the UK including The Devonshire (which won the award) and Mountain – both found in London's Soho.
The awards were announced at a celebration in London on 10 June and were attended by the UK's best chefs, restaurateurs, food writers and influencers.
Since its launch, 1 York Place has received much critical acclaim – including reviews from Tom Parker Bowles in the Mail on Sunday and from William Sitwell in The Daily Telegraph
The 46-cover neighbourhood restaurant spotlights quality European produce, with a classic à la carte menu alongside a wine list curated by Freddy. The menu draws inspiration from his culinary career to date, from his training at Ballymaloe Cookery School, to working at the prestigious two Michelin-starred The Square with Phil Howard, and at Moro with Sam and Sam Clark.
1 York Place, Clifton, BS8 1AH; 1yorkplace.co.uk
Dining space at 1 York Place
(credit: Tim Soar)
Glow with It
Shine bright thanks to the Summer Glow Menu by Nutritionist, Emily English (@emthenutritionist) available at Harvey Nichols Bristol. Harvey Nichols has teamed up with Emily English to curate a new line-up of superfood juices and brunch dishes, in partnership with wellness brand Bamford, to promote good gut health and bright skin. Whether it’s a thirstquenching juice that’ll hit the spot or one of our flavourful brunch dishes, the Summer Glow Menu takes inspiration from its predecessor’s best-sellers to leave you feeling revitalised. From Spicy Halloumi Tacos to The Collagen Booster, you can enjoy 10% off your next Beyond Beauty purchase when you buy anything from the menu, plus receive a complimentary Bamford Candle when you dine on any brunch dish and juice.
The Summer Glow Menu will be available at the Second Floor Restaurant & Bar during the following times: Sunday: 11am – 5pm Monday to Wednesday: 10am – 5.30pm Thursday to Saturday: 10am – 9pm
Local food fund launches £150,000 fundraising campaign
Bristol Local Food Fund (BLFF) – a voluntary initiative raising funds for community food projects – has announced a campaign to raise £150,000 by the end of 2024 to help tackle rising food insecurity in Bristol. One in 12 Bristolians experience food insecurity, according to BLFF, affecting people from all walks of life across the city.
With £100,000 raised by the Anti-Banquet event in February soon to be distributed, BLFF now aims to step up its impact and grow its network of supporters. To entice the local community to join its movement for food justice, BLFF has teamed up with some of Bristol’s best independent food businesses to offer foodie rewards as an added incentive, inc.uding Hart’s Bakery, Nadu, Kal Dosa, Pizzarova, Hugo’s Greengrocers, Gingerbeards Preserves, Ah-Mas Dumplings, Better Food, Eatchu, Forest Bakery and KASK.
Every new supporter that commits to a minimum donation of £10 per month will be able to choose a gift voucher reward from one of the supporting businesses, ranging between £10-15 in value.
bristollocalfoodfund.com
City distillery adds new gin to portfolio
6 O'clock Gin has introduced the latest addition to its portfolio of artisan gins: 6 O’clock Gin Hazy Orange. Following the recent launches of its Elderflower gin and the Spiced Orange and Cranberry gin, this new creation has been designed to celebrate the joy of summer.
Developed by head distiller Mark Hancock, Hazy Orange encapsulates botanicals led by juniper and coriander seeds, blended with hand-crafted orange essence for a bold hit of citrus. The natural oils from the fruit have been consciously retained to enhance flavour and mouthfeel, resulting in the ‘haze’.
It’s available in a 70cl bottle from the distillery and through regional wholesalers.
6oclockgin.com
The Ethicurean team reveals new venture
The team behind Green Michelin-starred restaurant The Ethicurean, which closed its Wrington site in October last year, has announced a new project: Ethicurean Life. Ethicurean Life is the brainchild of the restaurant’s co-founder Matthew Pennington and Nicola Cradock, who joined Pennington’s team in 2017. Together they will launch a monthly subscription-based seasonal recipe club and online community, as well as in-person masterclasses and workshops, which will be held across the UK. The pair will also provide a consultation service to like-minded hospitality businesses, helping them enhance their offerings and embrace sustainable practices alongside team training. Through Ethicurean Life, Pennington and Cradock want to help people reconnect with nature and transform their relationship with food.
ethicureanlife.com
CAMRA Bristol crowns pub of the year
The Bristol & District branch of the Campaign for Real Ale (CAMRA) invited local members to nominate pubs for consideration in the annual branch Pub Of The Year competition. This year’s winning pub is The Horseshoe in Chipping Sodbury, with the Merchants Arms in Hotwells as runner-up, who were judged with other nominated finalists against various nationally designated criteria to decide the result.
“Pub Of The Year is not just about the beer,” says CAMRA Bristol & District Branch Chair Richard Brooks.
“Judges are expected to consider the full customer experience and whether a pub offers that something extra. This year, judges commented that they particularly liked the atmosphere, friendly staff, community focus and overall impression of The Horseshoe, Chipping Sodbury. The Merchants Arms in Hotwells is clearly on a roll, as it has achieved Runner-up branch Pub Of The Year for the second year in a row. The judges found it to be a welcoming community local with a cosy interior and excellent real ale.”
camrabristol.org.uk
Harbouring good feelings
If you’re after riverside dining, it doesn’t get much better than Harbour House. Rosanna Spence visited one recent Friday evening to try the local, seasonal menu that celebrates the great and the good of southwest produce
Like or loathe him, there’s no arguing that Jay Rayner is one of the most renowned restaurant critics of our time. I admit I’m a fan, so ever since he wrote in The Guardian that Harbour House is a “delightful place to be”, we’ve been keen to see if the eatery lived up to his hype. It’s good news: the two years that have passed since his glowing review have been very kind to Harbour House.
There’s no denying that the main attraction of the venue is its location. Set inside an impressive historic 19th century boatshed –designed by no other than Isambard Kingdom Brunel himself during the Clifton Suspension Bridge’s construction – you’d be hard pressed to find a more tranquil harbourside dining spot in Bristol’s centre (though I’ll give a well-earned nod to its neighbour Riverside here, which shares the same envious position by the water).
But even if you come for the location, you’ll stay for the food and drink. And though we were visiting for a laid back Friday dinner service, I wouldn’t hesitate to stop by for a quick bite or pint the next time I find myself wandering along that end of Bristol’s Floating Harbour.
That’s because Harbour House manages to be everything to everyone. The design is comfy enough to feel relaxed, but refined enough to warrant a celebratory booking. There’s a nautical pub feeling around the central bar, with one side seating groups of friends drinking and soaking up the views, with bustling tables of diners the other side. The cosy armchairs surrounding a few of the tables along a wooden-clad interior wall are crying out for a few cups of coffee, a Richard Osman novel and a typically drizzly Bristol day on the water to gaze out at.
When the sun shines though, the glass door walls of Brunel’s boatshed – supported by gorgeously ornate steel columns – are folded back to let people pour out onto the glorious terrace overlooking the water. It can feel like there’s no better place to be.
Menu makers
Members of the Harbour House team (who, by the way, are incredibly friendly and attentive) are understandably proud of the produce they purvey. One glance at the restaurant’s supplier map and you’ll see it’s a who’s who of food and drink brands. Producers range from 1.3 miles away – Bristol Distilling Co. – to 138 miles away. The latter of which is the family-run Wings of St Mawes in Cornwall, and the distance can be forgiven because the company specialises in sustainable, seasonal seafood delivered daily to Harbour House, meaning all fish was in the ocean 24 hours before being served. Local brewers, greengrocer, butcher and more make up the rest of the stellar cast. But rather than reel them all off, let’s meander through our menu choices…
English asparagus with Grana Padano and crushed peanuts
Scallops with garlic and chilli butter and chorizo gratin
I kicked off with glass of Aldwick Estate ‘Jubilate’ Classic Cuvée –from a fine Mendips vineyard not too far from Bristol Airport that I’ve had the joy of visiting before and will always choose if on the drinks list – a perfect kick of fizz to wake up your palate.
Before I dive into our food choices, I’d like to give an honourable mention to something I didn’t order – purely because it was on the sandwich menu and though I’d have loved an attempt at squeezing both lunch and dinner into one sitting I wasn’t sure the team would have appreciated me taking a nap on one of those inviting armchairs. I’ll be returning ASAP to order the roast beef ciabatta with rocket, caramelised onions, and honey and mustard relish. Why? Because it comes with a gravy dip, as every beef sandwich should.
Back to the task at hand, though. We ordered a delicate plate of English asparagus with wild garlic pesto, Grana Padano and crushed peanuts; and two grilled southwest scallops with a garlic and chilli butter and chorizo gratin. Though the servings may feel small to some, the flavours were big and we were grateful to have awakened our appetites, ready for the main event.
And what an event it was. My dining partner went for a generous portion of Gloucester-based Ben Creese Country Butcher lamb cutlets
served with polenta, wild garlic pesto and seasonal greens. I followed in the hallowed footsteps of Mr Rayner and ordered the roast cod with butter beans, spicy N’duja and charred sweetheart cabbage. The flavours were well rounded, the cod was as buttery as the beans and the tomatobased stew wrapped everything together in a silky blanket that had a satisfying kick to it.
When it came to dessert, we had very different ideas. My dining partner was determined to tackle the profiterole tower, piled high between layers of dark chocolate sauce, whipped cream and toasted hazelnuts. It’s meant for two (‘or not!’ the menu teases) but seeing as she’s pregnant we decided that counted. I, on the other hand, chose a Wogan coffee (one of my favourite local coffee roasters) affogato with a house-made rosemary shortbread. It was a divine way to see the last of the sun’s rays glitter on the water before waddling – probably more so than my pregnant counterpart – out the door to see what else the harbour had in store. n
Harbour House is open Mon-Sat 12pm to 11pm and Sunday 12pm to 10pm (we hear the roast is impeccable); it is located at The Grove, BS1 4RB; hhbristol.com
Profiterole tower
Water-side terrace with a view
It’s going swimmingly!
Ready for some current affairs? We’re talking water, not politics. Synchronised swimming is about to become big news, being put on the global map by an incredible group of people who share a Bristol connection – from the world-class athletes going for gold at the Paris 2024 Olympic Games, to an award-winning photographer whose work has been used across the host French city to promote the sport
What do Henleaze Lake, Team GB athlete Kate Shortman and photographer Eva Watkins have in common? Well, apart from all being in, born in or having studied in Bristol (Watkins is an alumna of the University of West England), they’ve all made an impact on the upcoming Olympic Games in Paris, which officially begin on 26 July and wrap up on 11 August. Plus, they’ve all been involved with synchronised swimming – or artistic swimming as it’s now known in the sporting world.
Shortman (who’s currently studying at the University of Bath) – and her fellow artistic swimming partner Izzy Thorpe – have been making waves in the sport already, with their sights firmly set on gold at the upcoming games as part of Team GB.
At the recent European Championships in Belgrade, the pair secured silver in both the Tech Duet and Free Duet competitions, following on
from their silver and bronze at the World Championships in February and Tech Duet gold at last month’s Olympic Test Event in Paris. Outside of the professional sport, and waist-deep in cold water is Almost Synchro, a team of artistic swimmers – who are mostly females aged 50 and above – who have been training, improving their wellbeing and generally having a wonderful time at Henleaze Lake after first coming together there to mark the water’s centenary in 2019.
Watkins, having photographed the group for a project, which you can read about in a moment, had her images (above) of the synchro swimmers featured on billboards across the Paris Metro as part of a citywide celebration of sport in preparation for the Olympics’ arrival this summer. And there you have it – our city has provided three fantastic offerings that will help put synchronised swimming on the global map, and each has shared their thoughts with The Bristol Magazine about their hopes for the future of the sport and how it’s impacted their lives…
Almost Synchro at Henleaze Lake, one of the images used on billboards across the Paris Metro (Credit: Eva Watkins)
THE PHOTOGRAPHER: EVA WATKINS
“I began this project in my final year of university in 2019-2020. I have always enjoyed creating work with groups of people doing something unique. My university tutor at the time, Liz Banks, told me about the synchronised swimming team she performs with in lakes/ponds/the sea called Almost Synchro.
“As someone who loves wild and cold-water swimming, working with them on a project felt like a perfect fit. Something that became very apparent during this project was their bond with one another as a group, cheering each other on to brave the cold water. They taught me how important it is to have those around you for support. We spoke a lot about the physical and mental benefits they’ve experienced since forming the team, how being in the water releases oxytocin.
“Seeing my work in the Paris Metro stations in promotion of the Olympics was something I never imagined would happen to me. Despite visiting Paris to see it on display, I’m still in disbelief and find it incredibly surreal. I am hugely thankful to Almost Synchro for allowing me to create work with them, and to Fisheye and RATP for giving me the opportunity to display my work in such a fantastic way.”
THE SYNCHRO SWIMMER: VIX ELLIS
“Synchro swimming, and being part of Almost Synchro, has given me renewed confidence. I’m about to hit 50 (I’m the baby of the group!) and so many women I know are really struggling with transitioning into this next stage of their lives.
“But I feel better than I ever have done, physically and mentally, and synchro has definitely played a big part.
“For years I wouldn’t wear shorts, I was so self-conscious about my bottom half, and now I’m performing, parading around the streets in protests and appearing on national TV in just my swimming costume! Being part of a team, being challenged, staying fit, being in the water all year round, wearing matching costumes and hats is like being a child again… but better. We’re challenging social stereotypes, championing body positivity, dancing in the water and having a right laugh along the way. Hopefully, Eva’s brilliant pictures, the connection with the Paris Olympics and recent coverage of Almost Synchro will inspire more people to get their own groups together, get in the water and give it a go. Synchro is for everyone, it doesn’t need to be competitive or serious and
there’s something really special about being part of a team. I honestly believe that ‘proper’ synchro is the most challenging sport there is. It’s time everyone got behind it and showed it the respect it deserves.”
THE TEAM GB ATHLETE: KATE SHORTMAN
“My favourite aspect is the artistry and beauty of the sport. All swimmers really put their heart into the performance and it is such a strong and kind community so everyone is supporting each other and can appreciate moves which are particularly difficult and artistic.
“I’m expecting the Paris Olympics to be a very different experience to our last Games. Tokyo, regardless of Covid-19, was the best experience of my life so far! It was incredible to have achieved a lifelong dream and we were just ecstatic to be a part of the team. This time around, we are training with a much higher ranking within our reach due to the rule change and hope to achieve a historic result, so the focus is different but we are still trying to enjoy every moment as much as possible. It is still a small sport, but one which is gaining a lot of traction and engagement, so to be a part of that and know that it is just the beginning is really exciting to see where it will go. Team GB trains at Hengrove Park Leisure Centre and anyone who wants to try should enquire at City of Bristol Synchro Club.” n almostsynchro.com; evawatkins.co.uk; teambath.com
Kate Shortman and Izzy Thorpe (Credit: LEN)
Almost Synchro (Credit: Cat Wynn; catwynn.com)
Bristol at work
LOCAL BUSINESS AND COMMUNITY ORGANISATION UPDATES
SS Great Britain to exhibit at RHS Hampton Court Palace
At this year’s RHS Hampton Court Palace Garden Festival, Brunel’s SS Great Britain will be showcasing the ship’s horticultural history in a fascinating floral exhibition.
In the Victorian era, the iconic steamship became a floating garden, transporting rare plant species between Britain and Australia in Wardian cases. These mini glass houses were early types of terrarium, and their protective capabilities enabled plants to survive long and arduous voyages.
The SS Great Britain Trust will be displaying two Wardian cases at the RHS festival, which is taking place from 2-7 July. The Wardian cases will celebrate the inbound and outbound plant species carried by the ship between 1859 and 1875.
Museum staff have created the display with RHS Gold Medal winning designer Jane Porter, in line with new research conducted by the charity’s Brunel Institute. Visitors to RHS Hampton Court Palace will be able to view the Wardian cases in the festival’s legendary floral marquee. ssgreatbritain.org
New Abbey
Wood hotel opens
Travelodge has opened its seventh hotel in Bristol, creating 25 new jobs in the process. The new Travelodge hotel is situated in the Abbey Wood Retail Park, close to the Bristol Ministry of Defence offices. The site is located within easy access to the M4, M5 and Bristol city centre. Sustainability has been when designing the hotel, which has a BREEAM Very Good rating and an Energy Performance Certificate rating of B. The hotel also includes a number of sustainable features such as PV cells on the roof, EV car charging and bird and bat boxes incorporated into the hotel building. travelodge.co.uk
Central workspace launches after £12m refurbishment project
A contemporary workspace in the heart of Bristol’s bustling commercial district will officially launch this week following a £12m major refurbishment. Set in Bristol’s city centre by Castle Park, BLOK is an eight-minute walk from Temple Meads Train Station. Already 60% let prior to practical completion and boasting a series of new tenants, including Coreus Projects, 5 Values Consulting, RWK Goodman and Nathaniel Lichfield Partners, the completed BLOK building will serve as a welcome addition to the city’s thriving business sector. Having purchased the tired 1980s-built property in 2021, Boultbee Brooks decided against demolition and instead employed Mutiny Architecture & Design to come up with plans which could breathe new life into the existing structure.
The building now offers 70,000 sq ft of modern workspace and a further 11,000 sq ft of occupier welfare and amenity space, including communal lounge, meeting rooms, presentation spaces, independent coffee shop, courtyard garden, roof terrace and private gym.
“In line with our core ethos of ‘Repurpose, not Rebuild’, we’re passionate about reviving older buildings and giving them a new lease of life, with the aim of keeping our carbon footprint as low as possible,” says Boultbee Brooks’ managing director James Whitcher.
“From the outset we committed to retaining the existing façade, instead prioritising expenditure in areas of the scheme that would deliver the highest level of day-to-day benefit for the occupiers using it, resulting in one of the most amenity rich workspaces in Bristol at a very competitive price point. We look forward to announcing and welcoming new businesses to BLOK over the summer.”
boultbeebrooks.co.uk
Image credit: Jon Craig
Bristol at work
LOCAL BUSINESS AND COMMUNITY ORGANISATION UPDATES
Businesses called on to help beat holiday hunger
Community of Purpose is calling on businesses to join its mission to support families in need in Bristol, unlocking 6,000 more places for holiday support.
The organisation’s Break Free programme offers the chance for children from disadvantaged backgrounds to receive hot meals outside of term time, keep active and nurture friendships, strengthening their social skills and self-esteem. They take part in sporting activities and visit cultural places, thereby relieving the financial and time pressures which many of their parents and carers face. Almost three quarters of those who take part in Break Free receive free school meals.
Now the social enterprise is looking to scale up its operation, by increasing the number of business supporters from 70 to more than 100.
The team estimates that it can support more than 6,000 young people through its activities if 30 more businesses came on board.
Co-founder and CEO Amy Kington says: “We have seen just how much of an impact we are already making, with 70 fantastic businesses on board. From Lancer Scott to Arthur David and Hobbs House Bakery – we welcome businesses big, small, young and well-established. They just need to be passionate about supporting young people in Bristol.
“If 30 businesses each offer £5,000, an incredible 6,000 more children can come along to Break Free. That’s two hot meals per day, plus structured and supportive activities which all contribute to happier, healthier young people with a stronger sense of self and value. This is invaluable not just to the individuals themselves, but to their families too.
The school holidays make up 25% of the year at 13 weeks cumulatively, so the impact that these programmes have is massive.
“We look forward to making even more of a difference with businesses across the city.” communityofpurpose.com
New GM for Cadbury Hall
Staff at Barchester Healthcare’s Cadbury Hall Care Home in Yatton have welcomed a new general manager to head the team. Audrene Abrigo will oversee the running of the 34bed home and will be responsible for a team of 45 staff. Prior to starting in this position, Abrigo worked in various roles and health care environments including the NHS, care leader in a residential home, deputy manager, regional clinical development nurse in the Cotswolds, and has now been promoted to general manager. Abrigo began her career in care as a kitchen assistant in a nursing home, and therefore has over 16 years of experience in the industry, working in both private large care home groups.
barchester.com
City hoteliers say Bristol needs more big gigs
The Bristol Hoteliers Association (BHA) has called for more big gigs across the city, while applauding Ashton Gate – home of Bristol City Football Club and Bristol Bears rugby team – for its efforts in putting the city on the musical map. The BHA is eagerly awaiting the opening of the YTL Arena Bristol, located at the former Filton Airfield’s Brabazon hangar. With a capacity of 19,000, it is set to be the fourth-largest venue in the country and an all-year-round destination, with conference and exhibition facilities as well as a proposed outdoor cinema, ice rink and sports courts.The BHA says more big gigs and major events in Bristol all year round could provide a welcome boost to business for the city’s hospitality sector. bristol-hoteliers.co.uk
Auctionet - A Brief History
Auctionet was founded in 2011 by a team of auctioneers, valuers and tech-wizards who, while all working within a renowned Swedish auction house, came to realise that the auction industry was totally failing in its attempts to co-exist with the rapidly changing, tech-fuelled demands of the 21st century.
While many within the industry would see the traditional auction modelsomeone on a rostrum shouting and banging a hammer - as a romantic nod to centuries past, the fact of the matter is that auctions are, for the most part, wholly unsuited as profit-making entities in the modern world. Storage costs, staff costs, building costs and every other type of cost that goes into running a traditional auction setup have all increased in the last twenty years.
So, Auctionet did a full ‘180’ and turned the model on its head by adopting the Concept of Lean and adapting it for the auction world. No more stockpiling items for specific sales on specific dates - instead, we pursue a course of Continuous Online selling which involves the auction houses processing, uploading and selling items on a daily basis as opposed to weekly, monthly or even quarterly.
We then began adapting premises and internal processes to suit this dynamic, and built a transport and logistics system from scratch to ensure a smooth and constant flow of goods out of the building, leaving the auction houses free to focus on getting more stuff in to the building.
As a result, our partner auction houses are able to sell more items at a faster rate and in a more efficient manner - which in turn leads to happy sellers and happy buyers, and a more profitable auction house!
Lawrences Fine Art Auctioneers
Auctionet partnered with one of the best-known and well-regarded provincial auction rooms, Lawrences Fine Art in Somerset. Since taking the helm, we have converted their weekly sales into Continuous Online sales and have increased the quality of the quarterly sales, ensuring that all items are being sold in the most appropriate sales and are being marketed to a much larger, Pan-European and global, audience.
So, if you are looking to transform your organisation through lean management, creating a more effective way of working whilst maintaining a strong output, why not come on this forward thinking, tech-savvy way of working with Auctionet.
Contact: Andy Sagar - Managing Director Auctionet UK | E. andy.sagar@auctionet.com | auctionet.com
5 practical ways to ensure you don’t run out of money in retirement
Here are five ways to help ensure you don’t run out of money in retirement.
1.Track all your pension pots
• If you think you have lost a pension pot, you can request statements from your providers.
• You can also use the Pension Tracing Service.
2.Determine how much is “enough”
• A financial planner can help you determine how much retirement income you need.
• You may need to budget more for your pension or adjust your retirement plan.
3.Consider delaying your retirement
• If you are unlikely to reach your target fund at your desired retirement age, you might consider delaying your retirement.
• Delaying by even one year can considerably boost your pension fund.
4.Ensure you access your pension pot tax-efficiently
• You can usually withdraw 25% of your pension, up to £268,275, as a tax-free lump sum.
• Taking your income as tax-efficiently as possible helps you retain more of your wealth and can make your pot stretch further.
5.Talk to a financial planner
• We can help ensure you have a retirement plan that provides a sustainable income, allowing you to enjoy your retirement without the fear of running out of money.
• To find out more, get in touch.
We are Independent Financial Advisers who specialise in retirement planning and estate planning
If you would like a review of your pensions and investments and whether you are on track to achieve your financial goals, please contact us for a free consultation.
Feeling proud
This month, our friends at Gloucester Road Books have chosen stories in honour of Bristol’s Pride celebrations
Anote from the team: “Our primary aim is that the shop be a fascinating place to explore. We have a significant focus on titles published by small independent presses. There are lots of really brilliant small publishers putting out incredibly exciting books, and we want to help get these out into the world. The stock is carefully chosen and constantly changing, so even if you pop in every week there will always be new books to find.”
gloucesterroadbooks.co.uk; @gloucester_rd_books; 184 Gloucester Road, Bishopston, BS7 8NU. Open Monday and Tuesday 9.30am-5pm; Wednesday to Saturday 9.30am-6pm
A Green Equinox by Elizabeth Mavor, Virago Modern Classics, £9.99
This fabulously camp novel was shortlisted for the Booker Prize in 1973, and after decades of being out of print was republished by Virago last year. It follows Hero, an antiquarian bookseller in a quaint English town who undergoes a series of transformations initiated by falling in love with her lover’s wife. This is both a very funny novel and wonderfully rich in its descriptive, abundant style.
Playboy byConstance Debré, translated by Holly James, Tuskar Rock, £10.99
Playboy is the first volume of a trilogy written by Debré that met wide acclaim when it was published in France in 2018. It follows the life transformation of a woman who abandons her marriage, legal career, and her life in Paris to become a lesbian and writer. Written in clear, segmented prose, Playboy chronicles an astounding process of transgression and liberation.
Truth and Dare by So Mayer, Cipher Press, £10.99
The indie publisher of queer fiction and nonfiction, Cipher Press, has published this wide-reaching and personal debut fiction collection by critic, So Mayer. Described by the publisher as a ‘queer quantum tour’, Truth and Dare is a thrilling and highly-engaging read, blending science fiction, gender theory, public and secret histories and more!
Love Leda by Mark Hyatt, Peninsula Press, £10.99
Written in the 1960s this never-before-published novel follows Leda through the streets of Soho in a time before the Sexual Offences Act of 1967. Leda is estranged from his family and semihomeless, he pursues both transactional and unrequited love, and despairs over his place in society as a gay, workingclass man. The writing is fresh and acerbic and stands as an important document on queer life in 1960s London.
Greasepaint by Hannah Levene, Nightboat Books, £12.99
This experimental novel stages an ensemble cast against the backdrop of 1950s New York. Levene appropriated oral histories, fiction of the butch-femme bar scene, as well Yiddish anarchist traditions, and rolled them into her raucous characters who flit between the dinner table and bar. Published by the ever-exciting American press Nightboat Books.
Education matters
NEWS FROM THE CITY’S LEARNERS & LEADERS
Bristol Steiner School saved after £1m rescue effort
Bristol Steiner School had double cause to celebrate recently, marking its 50th anniversary amid news that fundraising efforts had successfully avoided its closure after being put into administration in December 2023. Parents, alumni and the local community raised nearly £1m, while other rescue efforts included crafting a new business and building a robust pipeline of new students to secure its future. Cost-saving measures have also been implemented, as well as a new website launched.
“Bristol Steiner School has always been more than just a place of learning; for our students it is somewhere they can be themselves and truly thrive,” says Siobhan Allison, one of the school’s new trustees. “Our new trustees are committed to preserving this legacy while driving forward with a sustainable vision for the future.” bristolsteinerschool.org
University of Bristol webinar to help leaders apply for special masters course
Potential applicants are encouraged to attend an introductory webinar on Monday 15 July for the University of Bristol’s part-time MSc in Strategy, Change and Leadership. The programme is delivered through a total of 16 work days and six Saturdays across two years – and is designed for those aspiring to, or holding senior manager and leadership positions and will fit around existing professional roles. This master’s degree provides senior managers with the tools and techniques they need to navigate their organisations through demanding times by understanding organisational complexity and issues affecting success; improving the ability to manage change and uncertainty; making better choices about growth and strategic direction; and increasing overall leadership impact.
For those wanting to know more information, there is an online event taking place on Monday 15 July from 5.45pm to 6.30pm.
To find out more, or to apply for 2024 entry, visit bristol.ac.uk/strategy-change-leadership-2024
Withywood SEND school in world top 10 list
Venturers' Academy, a school for children with autism located in Withywood, has made the World's Best School Prizes top 10 list, organised by T4 Education. Executive head teacher Trystan Williams says: "Our school community is absolutely brimming with pride and excitement at the incredible achievement of being named one of the world’s top 10 schools, in the ‘Overcoming Adversity’ category... This accolade says so much about our amazing pupils and staff, as well as our wonderful parents and carers, governors, sponsors and the wider community who are so supportive of our determination to create lifechanging opportunities for each and every one of our brilliant students.” venturersacademy.org
Sustainable start-ups scoop £30,000 in university contest
A start-up that is fighting fast fashion by digitising customers’ wardrobes has won a share of £30,000 in funding. Weaving Change’s app will model users’ clothes on a personalised avatar and use an algorithm to suggest outfit ideas. It was one of four businesses to win in the University of Bristol’s New Enterprise Competition. Fifteen student and graduate start-ups pitched their business plans to a panel of business experts and the winners were announced at a special event.
Weaving Change won £7,500 and a six-month membership at the award-winning University of Bristol tech incubator, SETsquared Bristol, which is also one of the competition sponsors. Other winners include SLANT, Accommdeep and Lettus Digest. bristol.ac.uk
The Spirit of Summer
Embark on a sensory journey of summer fragrances with our edit created by Harvey Nichols Bristol. Whether you're curating a scent wardrobe for him, for her, or simply for 'you', the luxury curation includes some of the world’s most exciting and exceptional niche, premium and fashion fragrance brands, capturing the essence of summer memories, from cocktails at sundown to gentle waves at the beach. All fragrances are available at Harvey Nichols Bristol.
CREED
Queen of Silk Eau de Parfum 30ml. £165.00
Casting a hypnotic spell over all who encounter it, Queen of Silk emerges as a captivating new women’s perfume from Creed fragrances. Mirroring the coveted elegance of silk, this eau de parfum delicately embraces the skin with a gossamer-like touch, leaving an enchanted aura that shimmers with luminous vibrancy. Inspired by the distant lands through which this precious fabric once journeyed, Creed’s Queen of Silk weaves together exotic whispers of Chinese osmanthus, decadent tuberose and ethereal Javanese patchouli that dance seductively with cedar, agarwood and the smouldering softness of Madagascan vanilla in a lingering, sensual testament to timeless refinement.
SOL DE JANEIRO
Limited Edition Beijos De Sol Perfume Mist
90ml. £24.00
Take a bite out of summer with Sol De Janeiro’s limited-edition Beijos De Sol Perfume Mist with fresh notes of peach skin, coconut milk, and frangipani petals.
MAISON FRANCIS KURKDJIAN
724 Scented Hair Mist 70ml. £70.00
GOLDFIELD & BANKS
724 scented hair mist delicately perfumes the hair while leaving it soft, thanks to its light, airy texture. The mist does not weigh down the hair and leaves it feeling refreshed. Luminous, vibrant and comfortably addictive, 724 invites you to feel the city rhythm. To the tempo of bergamot from Calabria, a crystalline white flower accord and sensual musks, 724 captures what all megalopolises have in common: that vibrant energy resonating in unison like a 724-beatsper-minute pulsation. 724 scented mist is castor oil-based and held in the House’s iconic glass bottle. An exceptional feel-good olfactory experience to savour every day.
AERIN
Mediterranean Honeysuckle Eau De Parfum 50ml. £105
Escape to the sun-drenched azure-blue Mediterranean with AERIN’s Mediterranean Honeysuckle Eau De Parfum. Sweet honeysuckle and sparkling grapefruit will help take you there, evoking lush flowers and shimmering beaches. Italian bergamot sun-warmed and citrusy and mandarin oil impart lasting freshness. While lily of the valley and lush gardenia build to the sensuality and richness of jasmine sambac absolute. This is a fragrance as magical and elegant as its inspiration.
Sunset Hour Eau De Parfum 100ml.
£138.00
As a blazing sun dips into the Indian Ocean, the scent of fragrant native fruit pervades the languorous evening breeze. A heavenly elixir of citrus and spicy delights awaits, giving way to a deliciously gourmand and sensuous floral heart. Best served at sunset hour.
SISLEY
Izia Eau De Parfum 100ml. £160.00 ( was £200.00 )
The starting point of a modern and multifaceted new fragrance Sisley’s modern and feminine Izia is built around a rose with a unique scent. Imbued with radiant and sophisticated top notes of white bergamot and pink pepper it seduces with its airy floral heart of d’ornano rose and the warmth of a cedar base softened with amber accord and musks.
XERJOFF
Accento Eau De Parfum 100ml.
£235.00
The head notes in Xerjoff’s Accento Eau De Parfum immediately burst alive with the freshness of Italian citrus and floral notes leaving you in a loving embrace of warm Oriental undertones.
BRUNELLO CUCINELLI
Pour Homme Eau de Parfum 100ml. £175.00
Inspired by the textured landscape of the Italian region of Umbria, Brunello Cucinelli Pour Homme is a tribute to the complexity and beauty of nature. The combination of traditional raw ingredients with the elegant yet understated bottle, results in a distinctive fragrance that thoroughly captures the spirit of Solomeo and Cucinelli.
Bristol Hypes: Embrace Sunshine with These Summer Health Hacks!
Summer is finally here, longer days, warmer temperatures and a renewed sense of energy. With the change in season, it’s also important to adjust our health routines. We’re all about making the most of our body’s natural healing power. And summer is an opportunity to do just that!
Soak up the abundant sunshine for Vitamin D, (Safely) essential for strong bones and a healthy immune system. But don’t just lounge –get moving! Bristol boasts stunning parks and green spaces that are perfect for a morning jog, a leisurely bike ride, or even a fun dance session in the park. Remember, dancing is not just about coordinated steps and rhythm; it’s about expressing gratitude as you release endorphins, nature’s mood-boosters.
Staying hydrated is crucial in the summer heat. Instead of sugary drinks, infuse your water with berries, herbs, or cucumbers for a refreshing twist! Carry a reusable water bottle (preferably glass) with you and sip throughout the day.
Summer brings seasonal delights of fruits and vegetables bursting with vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants – nature’s perfect goodies for recharging your body. Why not explore your local farmer’s markets and stock up on crisp salads as well? Grilling is a fantastic way to prepare delicious and healthy summer meals.
Enjoy Bristol’s vibrant arts scene, waterfront, and inviting parks that create positive energy!
These are just a few simple steps to make the most of your summer health. If you incorporate movement, mindful hydration, seasonal eating, and a dose of Bristol’s positive energy, you can keep your body feeling fantastic all summer long!
Want to know more? Stay tuned for our next article, where we’ll explore seasonal health hacks, and share tips on creating delicious and healthy meals using local produce. In the meantime, follow our founder on Instagram (@graceekall) for delicious recipe videos and helpful information on boosting your body’s natural healing power!
New ‘Taste of Summer’ spa package launched at Aztec Hotel & Spa
The Daniel Thwaite’s Spa Group has announced it’s new ‘Taste of Summer’ spa package (from £115 per person, with a £10 supplement on weekends), available throughout July and August at Bristol’s Aztec Hotel & Spa. The package includes a luxury Caudalie self-care gift, worth over £40. Guests are treated to three hours of pure relaxation amidst the serene ambiance of Aztec Hotel’s Daniel Thwaites spa, featuring a rejuvenating pool and tranquil thermal experiences.
A delicious two-course lunch is included in the hotel’s restaurant, offering a selection of classic foods, or healthy spa-friendly options.
The highlight of the package is the indulgent Caudalie facial treatment, a 50-minute facial massage using products that are tailored to each individual skin type or concerns. The motion of massage on the skin helps the products penetrate deeper, and releases any tension in the facial muscles, for firmer, healthier, more beautiful skin. The treatment finishes with a shoulder, neck and finally, scalp massage to target any knots of stress, to leave truly soothed and refreshed.
aztechotelbristol.co.uk
Give your recovery a sporting chance
With Euro 2024 currently underway, Wimbledon beginning on 1 July, and the Olympics at the end of the month, it’s set to be a summer of great sport! If you suffer a sports-related injury, Nuffield Health can oversee your complete recovery, from treatment through rehabilitation.
In recent years, more and more people of all ages have come to realise that the key to a long and healthy life is, quite simply, exercise. While this can offer considerable benefits to our health, for some there may be a price to pay; an injury related to their chosen sporting activity.
There are two kinds of sports injuries: acute and chronic. Acute injuries occur suddenly, like a sprained ankle, twisted knee, or various fractures. Chronic injuries tend to happen after exercising over a longer period of time, and include most painful tendon conditions and stress fractures.
What’s so special about sports injuries?
While there are injuries that are very specific to certain sports, in general there is nothing particularly special about sports injuries compared to those that occur outside the sporting environment. In the majority of cases, the damage is exactly the same, and quite often the treatment will be too. There may be circumstances where treatment would be different in high level athletes, but your consultant at Nuffield Health Bristol Hospital will apply the same principles when considering what type of treatment would be most appropriate for you.
What can people do to prevent sports injuries?
• Choose a sport that is right for you. Be realistic about your body shape, your strength, and how flexible you are.
•Always warm up before you play any sport.
• Learn how to do your sport the correct way, get some lessons, especially in more technically challenging sports such as swimming and tennis.
•Use safety gear where appropriate.
•Make sure you have the appropriate equipment for your sport. For example, the wrong racket can contribute to you developing tennis elbow. Inappropriate shoes can contribute to painful conditions such as plantar fasciitis, shin splints, and other overuse tendon problems.
If you are participating in sports that involve a lot of landing from a jump or pivoting movements, as in netball and hockey, it may be worthwhile seeing a physiotherapist who can teach you the correct landing techniques. This will minimise the risk of serious knee injuries such as patellar dislocations and anterior cruciate ligament ruptures.
Know
your limits
Build up your exercise tolerance levels gradually. This will not only make it less likely that you will get injured, but also make it much more enjoyable. There is not much joy in exhausting yourself in your first ever session, only to find that you have to take two weeks off to recover.
If you have a medical condition that may interfere with certain sporting activities, speak first to your GP, physiotherapist, or consultant.
Why choose Nuffield Health?
Nuffield Health is the UK’s largest healthcare charity, and we’re committed to our purpose of building a healthier nation. The consultant team at our Bristol Hospital not only includes a number of orthopaedic surgeons who specialise in the treatment of sports-related injuries, but also specialist physician in Sport
and Exercise Medicine, Dr Guy Evans, Chief Medical Officer with the Lawn Tennis Association. Nuffield Health Bristol Hospital is also proud to be the Official Medical Partner of Bristol Bears Rugby.
Our physiotherapists have an excellent track record in the rehabilitation of upper and lower limb sports injuries, and as well as the Hospital, you can also book an appointment to see a physiotherapist at a Nuffield Health fitness and wellbeing gym. Our family of gyms includes two Bristol sites – in Clifton, just a short walk from the hospital, and Stoke Gifford (pictured), near Bristol Parkway station. In addition to physiotherapy, our Bristol gyms have personal trainers whose specialist knowledge in strength and conditioning can aid members in overcoming pain and discomfort post-injury, and return to training freely, while Pilates classes with instructors qualified in clinical Pilates are also available.
Scan the QR code for more information about the services available at Nuffield Health Bristol Hospital, including physiotherapy and treatments for sport-related injuries. You can also book an appointment on the website, or by calling 0117 911 6062.
FULL BODY HEALING IS COMING TO BRISTOL at CURA in Westbury
MBST has been used in Bristol for the past 6 years. It works by dialling energy directly into damaged/inflamed cells , resetting the cells abnormal function and stimulating a repair process in the tissue.
We see great outcomes in 80-90% of patients who are suffering pain/immobility with conditions that have struggled to respond to traditional treatments/interventions. Using weak electromagnetic fields, it’s completely safe and non invasive.
The technology is continuously being adapted and improved continuously and the latest model is coming to our clinic in July 24.
Called the OsteoSpin Mk 2, it has that capability of treating the whole body in one course of treatment unlike the existing devices which break treatment courses down into individual areas.
Whether you have multiple site arthritis, Osteoporosis, Neuropathy , multiple tendinopathy, Fibromyalgia it offers the ability to improve the patient as a whole being with a view to improving the quality of the entire patients’ function/ quality of life.
In addition to treating patients suffering with pain, data coming from Germany and Spain is showing dramatic improvement in bone density AND quality in osteoporosis patients with an overall reduction in fracture risk.
If you’re interested in looking into this technology, call /email us.
Jean responded so well to the disc/ nerve treatment for her Disc bulge with s1 nerve root compression. Injections only helped temporarily yet 3 months post MBST she was able to come off all meds , had no leg pain and is still currently in great shape, even after a persistent cough!!
Neil suffered a severe disc herniation with nerve root compression and dreadful leg pain. His pain was 10/10…after disc and nerve MBST last December his response was so fast and complete he went on 2 golfing trips by the end of March including long haul flights and is still doing really well.
Angela on the other hand came to me with a very painful neck as a result of a long term Whiplash leading to arthritis…6 months following MBST treatment for cartilage and bone, she’s got full range of motion and is virtually pain free.
The heart of St Pauls
Last year it was decided that St Pauls Carnival would be held biennially, so, while there will be plenty of community events this summer, full-scale celebrations will not return until 2025. It seems appropriate, therefore, for Andrew Swift to honour this uniquely vibrant corner of the city by taking a walk through the heart of St Pauls, where, as we will see, the spirit of celebration goes back a very long way 1 2 3 4
We start outside the Full Moon on Stoke’s Croft, which has been welcoming punters for over 300 years, and is now covered by a suitably celestial mural. If you head down the side of the building and carry on past the Bimm Institute, you emerge into Wilder Street, laid out by Peter Wilder in the mid-18th century. The only building to survive from back then, though, is No. 25 on the left, once the Royal Oak beerhouse. Turn left into Upper York Street and left again along Backfields, where in 1790 a circus impresario called Benjamin Handy erected a wooden amphitheatre based on the design of Astley’s Amphitheatre in London (image 1). In 1833, it was superseded by a new amphitheatre, built by another showman, Jem Ryan, but in 1859 the Wesleyans acquired the site and built the school on your right, which later became a coroner’s court and mortuary.
Turn right along Moon Street, heading towards the vibrantly Italianate façade of City Road Baptist Church. Before you reach it, turn right past the only surviving part of the once extensive Stoke’s Croft Brewery, which for over 30 years has been home to the legendary Lakota Club. More recently, the Lakota has also taken over the former coroner’s court.
A left turn by Basement Beer, one of Bristol’s newest microbreweries, takes you along Backfield Lane, where Ducrow Court, on the right, stands on another site with a distinguished history. In 1761 RC Carter, a ‘riding master’ from London, built ‘circular stables’ here in which he laid on public performances of equestrian showmanship, along with other events. In 1769, for example, over 400 spectators cheered on George Milsom, a Kingswood collier, as he beat William ‘The Nailer’ Stevens, a former England champion, in a bare-knuckle boxing bout.
Over 50 years later, in 1824, the circus impresario, Andrew Ducrow, built an even grander amphitheatre here, which he called the National Olympic Arena. In 1861, at the opening of City Road Baptist Church, so many people turned up to hear the celebrity preacher, Charles Spurgeon, that he agreed to address them in Ducrow’s Arena instead. After a crowd of over 2,000 had been admitted, however, it was full to overflowing, and the doors had to be closed against the surge of people trying to enter – at which point a riot broke out, which had to be broken up by the police. The arena was later taken over by the Salvation Army as a citadel – known as the Salvation Circus – before burning down in 1895.
At the end, turn right along Brunswick Street, right again along Wilder Street, and after 85m turn left through the gates of Brunswick Cemetery Gardens. After the Unitarian cemetery here closed in 1963, its gravestones were moved to create an open space in which a series of sculptures by Hew Locke, commemorating companies connected with Bristol, was installed in 2010. They include not only familiar names such as the Merchant Venturers and WD & HO Wills but also Ducrow’s Circus (image 2).
On the far side of the cemetery is Brunswick Square, laid out in 1766. The short terrace on the west side features some of the most exuberant Georgian architecture in Bristol, thanks to the ‘Gibbsian surrounds’ of its doors and windows. The two Greek Revival buildings on the north side –a Unitarian Meeting House (image 4) and a Congregational Chapel bearing a striking resemblance to Birmingham’s Curzon Street station –date from over 60 years later.
Head to the south-east corner of the square and continue east along Pembroke Street. Turn right at the end and then left along Norfolk Avenue, where a plaque at the end commemorates the Bamboo Club. Opened by Tony and Lalel Bullimore in 1966, this was the first Bristol social club to welcome the city’s African-Caribbean community. As well as acting as a community hub, it featured artists such as Bob Marley, Martha Reeves and Desmond Dekker. The Sex Pistols were also booked to play their only Bristol gig here on 21 December 1977, but three days earlier the club was destroyed by fire. It never reopened.
Turn right, then left along Orange Street and first left into Lemon Lane. On the next corner, a plaque on the right marks the childhood home of Elizabeth Blackwell, the first woman to be enrolled on the British medical register. In 1836, at No. 6 Wilson Street along to your right, George Müller established an orphanage. After expanding into three more houses in the street, it was relocated to the newly-built Orphan Home at Ashley Down in 1849.
The four-storey brick building ahead was a boot an shoe factory, built in 1895. Carry straight on into a park laid out in the former graveyard of St Paul’s church (image 3), whose capriciously tiered tower soars pagoda-like above you. It seems fitting that such a flamboyant building should now be home to Circomedia, a centre for contemporary circus and physical theatre training, with its former graveyard transformed into a park with play areas for children and a space for circus and carnival performances.
Head north out of the park and turn left along Bishop Street, where, as in Wilder Street, only one original building survives – the former Portland House pub on the left. Turn right at the end and first left along Chapter Street. At the end is Cave Street, where the redbrick Georgian row to your left still bears a ghost sign from the time when it was Parsons’ Boot Factory (image 5).
Head south into Portland Square, laid out in 1787 but not completed until 1823, and, despite the vicissitudes it has suffered over the years, generally reckoned to be Bristol’s ‘most complete and beautiful square’. Walking along its west side, where work is finally underway to rebuild houses lost to bombing, you come to No 2, where one of the square’s best-known residents, William Day Wills – the ‘WD’ in WD & HO Wills – lived from 1835 to his death in 1865. His neighbours included wealthy merchants, retired army officers, clergymen, surgeons and attorneys. There were also a couple of boarding schools, while the Bristol Conservatoire of Music was at No. 22. Standing on the edge of the city, with nothing except fields and market gardens to the north and east, this tranquil square was as desirable – and as exclusive – as anywhere in Clifton.
In the third quarter of the 19th century, however, those quiet fields disappeared under factories and terraced houses, prompting the square’s wellheeled residents to up sticks and seek more refined surroundings. Their former homes were snapped up by industrialists, and by 1879, 10 of Portland Square’s 34 houses had become factories. By 1894, the number of factories had risen to 21, with no less than 15 of them turning out boots and shoes. Eventually, even Wills’s former home, along with the houses on either side, was taken over by the Excelsior Shoe Company.
After St Pauls suffered heavy bombing in the Second World War, the 1950s brought decline and decay as one by one the factories closed. But a new era was about to dawn. St Pauls provided affordable housing for economic migrants, particularly from the Caribbean, and a strong community spirit – forged in such landmark campaigns as the Bristol Bus Boycott – was created.
In 1968, to celebrate their achievements and their heritage, the residents organised the first St Pauls Festival, which, as St Pauls Carnival, has grown in size and reputation to become one of the UK’s most accessible and inclusive events. This corner of Bristol may have changed dramatically over the past 300 years, but the pride and panache which were there at the start are still very much alive today. n stpaulscarnival.net; circomedia.com; situations.org.uk/projects/hew-locke-ruined
IMAGES: 6. Portland Square c1910; 7. Portland Square 1920; 8. St Pauls park today
Pension Death Benefits Pre-75 Should Be Completely Tax Free!
Richard Higgs, Chartered Independent Financial Planner
However – a word of caution. Although pension tax treatment for a pre-75 death can be extremely generous, financial planning is critical. Why?
Because pension death benefits pre-75 are only completely tax free if benefits are moved into a pension plan that allows flexi-access beneficiary drawdown.
To protect your family from paying tax on any inherited pension benefits, you will need to do what you can to ensure that you do not die holding any manner of legacy pension schemes you may have taken out over the years.
Some older pension plans may have associated guaranteed benefits, and it may not be possible or suitable to move them, but many plans will be able to be changed to a flexi-access option.
If you currently have old pension plans, or any significant pension plan for that matter, take advantage of a complimentary pension review with us so we can help ensure your dependents benefit from tax free pension benefits should you die before age 75.
The advice requirements do not end there. The beneficiary nomination for drawdown will not be valid unless you actually nominate the receiving dependant or individual. This is usually done via ‘Expression of Wish’ forms which include a ‘Cascade of Wishes’ (this allows you to nominate for example your spouse, then children to receive benefits for maximum protection of wealth) which should also tie in with your other estate planning and Will advice. We can organise all of this for you here at Harold Stephens.
You have done an excellent job saving and investing for your retirement. Now let’s ensure that your pension remains tax free for your beneficiaries even after you’ve gone.
To book a complimentary pension review, call 0117 3636 212 or email office@haroldstephens.co.uk.
We record regular video updates on a range of later life financial topics - search ‘Harold Stephens IFA’ on YouTube.
www.haroldstephens.co.uk
50 High Street, Westbury on Trym, Bristol BS9 3DZ.
Home is where the art is
In desperate need of a splash of colour to transform a newly decorated room or space at home?
A piece of art might do the trick. Getting the nuance and tone just right isn’t easy, and you might need expert insight to help you choose your next vibrant work of art
Is there a better way to illustrate your personal style at home than by adding art to the mix? Art is so much more than simply decoration—art can shape the atmosphere of a room, beckoning your attention to different walls, corners and nooks, plus telling a story while it’s at it. Since art can transform a room and create its character, there’s a huge amount of scope to play with and it can be difficult to know where to begin. Will you choose a contemporary piece to brighten up a darker, more traditional or vintage interior? Or would you add a classical work of art to contrast against more modern décor?
When it comes to decorating with art, there are different approaches. Some people like to start with a piece of art as the focal point, while others prefer to add art as the finishing touch to complement the rest of the space. You can either choose hues from the room’s colour scheme and seek art that also contains them, or choose colours from the art and feed those through to soft furnishings and other elements in the decoration. Don’t forget, this could work with anything contained within the art –from textures to shapes and everything between.
Whether you’re starting with a blank canvas or looking to complete a space, art can bring your home to life in a way that’s uniquely yours.
Guiding your vision
“The power of art in transforming a space is truly remarkable, says Sandy Prater, owner of FIZZ Gallery. “Whether it's a striking painting, a captivating sculpture, or a vibrant print, the right piece of artwork has the ability to completely change the energy within a room.
“However, ‘I’ve just finished my room and it needs a pop of colour’ is one of the comments I hear more than any other from my clients.
“Very often clients know they would like to inject colour into a room but they are not sure how best to do this when it comes to artwork. Concerns of getting it wrong with bold colours, size and placement are all understandable.”
Sandy believes the effect of colour in transforming a space cannot be overstated: “Whether it's a bold statement wall, a vibrant piece of artwork, or a splash of colour in the form of accessories, the right combination of hues can have a big impact on how you feel in a room. Bright and energetic colours can infuse a space with vitality and excitement, warm tones can create a cozy and inviting atmosphere, while cooler shades can lend a sense of calm and tranquillity. For many it’s a minefield – but help is at hand.”
All images courtesy of FIZZ Gallery (art above: Dan Pearce, A Heart Full of Love)
In response to this common dilemma, FIZZ Gallery has put together A Pop of Colour: an exhibition featuring more than 10 artists – each known for their use of vibrant and bold colour palettes in affordable contemporary artwork. Whether your home needs an injection of colour, or you are an avid art collector – you’ll find an exciting mix of original artworks including abstract, landscape, urban, pop-art, seascape, portraiture, wildlife and more.
Located 20 minutes from Bristol, the gallery and its exhibition is conveniently situated for art enthusiasts and interior design aficionados alike to pop by. n
A Pop of Colour runs from 30 June until 13 July at FIZZ Gallery, 26 Hill Road, Clevedon, BS21 7PH; fizzgallery.co.uk
Art: Akiyama The Silent Way
Below, A Colourful Day II by Anna Gammans; centre, Bowie Fame by Pete Humphreys
Game of thrones
If you’re a fan of intelligent home tech, then why settle for bog standard when it comes to your bathroom? Transform your daily routines for the better and make your WC A-OK, with a smart toilet. From hygiene to sustainability, once you’ve updated your loo you’ll never look back
Our lives are absolutely brimming with smart innovations.
From smart rings, phones, doorbells, watches and televisions to home audio, heating, home voice assistants and lighting – we’re managing more and more of the practical and atmospheric elements of our homes with smart tech. But how smart is your bathroom?
“While living rooms and kitchens often steal the spotlight when it comes to smart home upgrades, bathrooms are indeed an underrated space ripe for innovation,” says Richard Harris, senior manager at Gardiner Haskins. “Incorporating smart technology in bathrooms not only elevates the aesthetic and functional value of the home but also enhances personal comfort and hygiene. Imagine a sanctuary where every element, from lighting to water temperature, is perfectly tailored to your preferences, turning your daily routines into luxurious experiences.”
We couldn’t agree more. When you take a closer look at your bathroom, almost every corner can be enhanced with intelligent tech. This could mean smart underfloor heating so bare feet on cold tiles become a thing of the past. Smart mirrors that respond to voice commands can reflect so much more than your face. Mirror, mirror on the wall, play me my morning playlist while I enjoy daylight-specific LED lighting that adjusts for skincare routines, and so much more. Showers can be upgraded with mood lighting, customised water configurations, scented aromatherapy diffusers and timers, so the shower is running just how you like when you stumble in first thing in the morning. Add to that intelligent ventilation and dehumidifiers, automated blinds, audio soundsystems, leak sensors and you’d have no reason to leave the room except to pop downstairs for food.
These smart, luxurious additions will no doubt propel your daily routines into the futuristic stratosphere. But we haven’t even got to the star of the show. The porcelain deity that no household can afford not to worship. It has been widely revered in Japan since the 1980s, and finally the UK is recognising its value – and is making it more accessible than ever before on these shores. Prepare to be bowled over by the smart toilet. You don’t have to feel flush
According to Richard, “Smart toilets gained immense popularity in Japan, where the pursuit of advanced technology and impeccable hygiene standards is paramount. The UK market has embraced this trend, offering models that incorporate the same sophisticated technology found in Japanese designs. Features such as automated cleansing, heated seats, and customisable settings are now readily available, ensuring that UK consumers can enjoy the same level of innovation and comfort that has made smart toilets a staple in Japanese households.”
Geberit AquaClean Tuma
Geberit AquaClean Mera
Geberit whirlspray technology
Though you might assume that installing a smart toilet would be a major investment, there are in fact a range of models available to suit most budgets – and you can even convert your existing loo into an intelligent one to save it from landfill.
“It’s a straightforward process, thanks to the availability of retrofit smart toilet seats,” notes Richard. “These can be easily installed on most standard toilets without the need for extensive plumbing work or renovations. With user-friendly instructions and a range of features, upgrading your current toilet to a smart one can be done quickly and conveniently. You're not just upgrading a fixture; you're elevating your entire lifestyle.” n
For more information about smart bathrooms and the Geberit range of smart toilets, visit Gardiner Haskins’ Bristol showroom at 1 Straight Street, Broad Plain, BS2 0FQ; gardinerhaskins.co.uk
Reasons to choose a smart toilet
Close the lid on waste
Sustainable benefits include removing the need for toilet roll (which uses more water than the cleaning functions and efficient flush), economy modes use minimal power when on standby.
Clean as a whistle
“Smart toilets provide a level of cleanliness that traditional toilets simply can't match, thanks to features like self-cleaning nozzles, adjustable water sprays, and hands-free operation,” says Richard. There are also descaling functions and rimless ceramic designs available, meaning no hidden areas for deposits to build up.
Retrofit rollout
You don’t have to buy a new toilet, and can convert an existing loo instead. No structural adjustments are needed and models can be ready to use after just a few hours. Odour extraction units are integrated, and an extra-slim cistern and the required sanitary technology are housed beneath an elegant surface.
De luxe derrière
Smart toilets deliver a luxurious, spa-like experience, “transforming daily routines into indulgent rituals,” says Richard. Features include heated seats, gentle driers, adjustable temperatures, ambient lighting and unique user-specific settings.
Can-do attitude
Features that improve accessibility, which is great if you’re less dextrous or live with other physical impairments. Night lights can help orientatation in the dark and make it easier to fall asleep again after night use, remote control operated functions, hands-free cleaning, built-in proximity sensors, and easy-release touchless toilet lids that lift and lower automatically when in use and before flushing.
Geberit AquaClean Mera orientation light at night
Gardiner Haskins smart bathroom display
Al fresco appetites
Elly West investigates the benefits of outdoor living in the UK, and the best ways to add al fresco dining options to your garden come rain or shine
Photo: Askar Abayev
Just about every garden that I design includes a space for sitting outside, and with the warmer weather comes the allure of outdoor living and al fresco dining, with barbecues, picnics and perhaps the odd sundowner or two. There’s something special about combining food with the ambience of a garden, surrounded by plants, fresh air and the sound of birdsong. Eating outside makes us feel as if we’re on holiday. It’s indicative of summer, social occasions, relaxation and celebration.
Cooking and eating outside may have been a necessity in civilisations gone by, particularly in hot countries where cooking indoors would be impractical. But from simple firepits and rudimentary grills, we now have the opportunity to enjoy sophisticated outdoor kitchens and, depending how far you want to go, this may include a sink, fridge and worktops along with the barbecue, pizza oven, ceramic Egg and/or teppanyaki grill! The appeal of eating under the sky remains timeless, however we want to do it.
For most of us, outdoor cooking means a barbecue, a word that originates from the Spanish ‘barbacoa’. After Columbus landed in the Americas in 1492, the Spaniards were said to have found the Taíno people roasting meat over a grill resting on sticks above a fire. Barbacoa was used to describe this slow cooking of meat over an open flame.
The word was first used in print in 1526 by the Spanish explorer Gonzalo Fernández De Oviedo y Valdés, and Samuel Johnson’s 1756 dictionary listed ‘barbecue’ as ‘a term for dressing a whole hog’. Since then, it’s often shortened to BBQ in the UK, United States and Canada, barby in Australia and New Zealand, and braai in South Africa.
When planning a garden, places to sit and eat are high on most people’s wish-lists. While breakfast and evening spots may be positioned to maximise the sun, midday eating generally needs to be somewhere more sheltered from the light and heat, perhaps shaded by a tree, umbrella or pergola structure. Ideally, this would mean every garden having (at least) three separate sitting and eating spots, which can be a stretch in a small space.
However, it doesn’t have to be complicated. Look at where the sun rises and sets, and it might just mean positioning a chair outside the back door for breakfast, evening drinks on a bench at the end of the garden, with a table and chairs for full-on meals somewhere in between.
‘Great’ British weather
As well as levels of sunlight, we may also want to consider the vagaries of our British weather when planning an outdoor dining space. Pergolas, awnings and outdoor heaters can make dining possible even in cooler or wetter conditions.
Weather-resistant furniture and appliances are also essential to prolong the season for outdoor meals. Some pergolas have louvred slats on the roof that can be closed to cope with light showers, or retractable shades that protect from sun or rain.
Positioning an eating and cooking area near to the house and your indoor kitchen is sensible, as the chances are you will be back and forth between the two. Allow some space between your cooking and seating areas for safety, and because of the smoke. Next to a wall is a good option for an outdoor kitchen as it will offer some protection from the
elements. Be careful to avoid overhanging trees or getting too close to a fence however, as you don’t want to set your surroundings on fire. If you’re building your own outdoor kitchen, think about the materials you use. Ideally, they should be non-porous and able to cope with the seasons. If you use wood, choose constructional timber suitable for outdoors. Composite deck boards are a good option. Or use masonry materials, such as bricks, render and porcelain slabs. Add some lighting to extend your evenings beyond sunset.
The great outdoors
Eating outside is a multi-sensory experience, where the sights, sounds and smells of the outdoors enhance the enjoyment of the meal. Eating in the garden also allows for a deeper appreciation of food and its origins, especially when the meal includes home-grown produce. I love a summer where I can enjoy lunch on the patio for days on end, picking sun-warmed tomatoes and eating them with balsamic vinegar and fresh home-grown basil. There are also numerous health benefits to eating outdoors. Fresh air and natural surroundings can improve your mood and reduce stress levels, helping you feel relaxed and rejuvenated.
Eating outdoors helps you get more vitamin D, essential for healthy bones and a strong immune system. And it’s often a mindful and leisurely experience – eating slowly helps with digestion. Connecting with nature is important for all of us, and the simple pleasure of cooking and eating outside can offer much-needed respite from a world that can sometimes feel fast-paced and disconnected. n ellyswellies.co.uk
Plant of the month: Passion flower
If you’re looking for something quick-growing that will scramble over a pergola, then a passion flower, Passiflora, is the perfect contender. The flamboyant flowers, which appear from early summer until autumn, are exotic to the point of almost looking unreal, with showy anthers and stigmas in the centre, surrounded by a kalaidescope of ray-like petals. These beautiful and unusual climbers look more like they’d be found in a tropical jungle than a UK garden, but many varieties are hardy and will grow well in this country, especially given some shelter and a south-facing aspect. Passiflora caerulea is one of the most commonly grown, and is mostly evergreen, although it can lose its leaves in colder winters. It needs some support with wires or trellis to climb, around which it will send out curling tendrils, and can reach around 10m or more in height. Pruning can be done in early spring as necessary, removing old flowered stems, and retaining a framework of strong, healthy stems. Overgrown and out-ofcontrol plants can be cut back to around 30-60cm from the base, which stimulates new growth. You may lose a year of flowers, but new shoots will then appear and you can then train them and keep them in check.
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Buying a Home to Renovate…
Buying a house that requires renovating can be an incredibly rewarding endeavour. For some buyers it’s the dream of ‘doing the project’ and creating a truly bespoke home. Others may see the potential return on investment, or the driver may simply be to make the property accommodate their needs. Whether it’s a full refurbishment or smaller scale modernising, every project comes with a unique set of challenges and potential pitfalls.
1.Budget Realistically
Renovating a house is invariably more expensive than anticipated. From the outset it is important to be realistic about your own capacity in terms of spare time, as well as one’s own skill set: do you want to project manage the build and appoint separate contractors for each aspect of the renovation, or instead hire a contractor who can project manage, thereby overseeing the entire renovation.
Early on it is always advisable to get multiple quotes from contractors for each aspect of the renovation/or contractors that will coordinate the project as a whole; always then set aside a contingency fund of 10-20% of your budget (depending on the nature of the project) for the unexpected. Whilst to a selling agent and their vendor the cost of your intended refurbishment is by enlarge irrelevant to the value of the house they are selling, to you as a buyer the estimated cost of refurbishment will have a significant bearing on how much you wish to offer for the property.
As well as the costs of the renovation, you will also need to consider survey costs, architectural fees, planning consultancy fees, costs associated with planning applications, and whether you need to rent temporary accommodation whilst the works are being carried out.
2. Planning Considerations
Depending on the period of the property, and extent of the works you intend to carry out, be realistic in terms of planning considerations. If the house is Listed, check which category of Listing. Any works that affect the character of a Listed building requires Listed Building Consent. This applies to exterior and interior changes, as well as to extensions and additions. As well as being a Listed building, much of Clifton also falls within a Conservation Area which will also have implications in terms of planning considerations.
If the property is Listed, it is advisable early on to instruct a local planning consultant/conservation specialist to provide an early opinion on the feasibility of your plans for the property being approved.
When considering any renovation project, a considerable challenge will be the length of time it will take for the planning application to be approved. Whilst this will vary between Bristol, North Somerset, and South Gloucestershire Councils, in Bristol we are seeing some applications taking up to a year before being reviewed.
3.Interior Designer
If you intend to work with an interior designer, it’s strongly advisable to get them involved as early as possible in a project. Having the interior designer work collaboratively with the architect and contractors from the outset not only enables you to create a more cohesive finished look but can also save time and additional cost in not having to, for example, reconfigure aspects of the build to later allow space for statement pieces!
4.Insurance Considerations
Buyers are often forced to think about insurance at Exchange of Contracts, thereafter, giving it very little thought. When you are doing a project of any scale, you cannot rely on your contractor’s insurance but rather it is essential you speak to your own insurer to explain the nature of the works being carried out and the extent of cover under your existing policy.
5.Sanity Check
Depending on the motivations for carrying out the renovation project, once you have a clearer idea on the costs associated with the refurbishment, it is often worthwhile sanity checking with an agent whether your renovation costs will far exceed the future value of the property; a factor often less relevant to the buyer looking for a long term bespoke home, as the buyer who may be looking to sell their home in the short to medium term.
Buying a house that needs renovating, and turning it into your dream home, can be one of the most fulfilling projects for a homeowner. By budgeting carefully, understanding regulations, hiring the right professionals, and managing the project effectively, you can navigate the complexities of a renovation and achieve a very special outcome. Whatever stage you are at in the search for your perfect home or investment property, we’d love to chat.
Six O’Clock Gin bar, Spicer and Cole, Coffee #1, The River Station and Mud Dock to name a few…
The building comprises approximately 2,751 Sq Ft (255.6 Sq M) plus basement vaults of 592 Sq Ft (55 Sq M) and a rear courtyard garden.
In addition, there are 4 car parking spaces located on the Square.
The long leasehold interest is available to purchase and the permitted use under the long lease is as offices.
BRISTOL & CLIFTON’S PREMIER COMMERCIAL PROPERTY AGENTS
Keep up-to-date with our latest news, deals, testimonials and market comment at our website: www.burstoncook.co.uk
Fairfax Street, BS1 TO LET - £12,000 pax
986 sq ft (92 sq m)
A ground floor commercial unit in an excellent, city centre location refurbished to a high specification and fully fitted as a laser studio benefitting from air conditioning, CCTV and video door entry systems.
Whiteladies Road, Clifton TO LET - £23.75 psf pax
1,860 sq ft (173 sq m)
A three-storey Use Class E building prominently positioned on Whiteladies Road and due to be redecorated throughout to provide modern, attractive accommodation.
High Street, Shirehampton TO LET - £15,000 pax
1,968 sq ft (183 sq m)
A bright, sizeable Class E retail/ office unit which is split across two floors and benefits from a rear courtyard. The nature and location of the property offer a range of possibilities and potential for users.
Gloucester Road, BS7
TO LET - POA
2,318 sq ft (215 sq m)
A double-fronted ground floor commercial unit on the vibrant Gloucester Road. The property is currently used for retail purposes but could suit a range of other uses to include offices, medical, and leisure.
Eden Office Park, Pill
TO LET (MAY SELL) - POA
2,702 sq ft (251 sq m)
A modern, two storey office building located in an attractive and landscaped business park location on the outskirts of Bristol city centre only a 10-minute drive from Clifton. Excellent parking provision.
Stute House, Clifton FOR SALE - POA
2,783 sq ft (286 sq m)
An attractive coach house currently in use as offices providing accommodation over two floors. The property benefits from double garage and offers potential for a range of alternative uses (STP).
Whiteladies Road, Clifton TO LET – POA
1,276 sq ft (119 sq m)
A spacious Class E unit on a popular pitch bordering Redland and Clifton. The property is positioned amongst bustling shops and restaurants with high footfall and is an exceptional site for either retail or office use.
St.Thomas Street, BS1 TO LET - POA
10,907 – 26,945 sq ft (1,013 – 2,503 sq ft)
HQ office building with secure parking for 21 cars. Available to lease as a whole or floor by floor and could suit other commercial uses. Highly competitive quoting rent.
Eagle House, BS1 TO LET – POA
5,565 sq ft – 11,840 sq ft (517 – 1,100 sq ft)
A landmark building in the heart of the city centre offering Grade A accommodation. Exceptional break-out spaces, to include auditorium, bookable meeting rooms, showers, and bike storage.
Springfield House, BS1 TO LET - POA
From 1,445 – 8,444 sq ft (134 – 784 sq m)
A modern office providing bright accommodation with dual aspect outlook over Welsh Back within close proximity to the new BOXHALL development. Secure parking and bike storage.
Coombe Dingle, Bristol | Guide Price £3,995,000
An exceptional opportunity to acquire two architect designed family houses in a quiet and peaceful setting on the edge of 650 acres of woodland; with state-of-the-art technology, beautifully landscaped gardens and exquisite interior-designed interiors.
A pair of stunning architect designed family houses in an incredibly private location on the edge of Blaise Castle Estate – for sale as a pair | Shared gated driveway and off-street parking for 15 to 20 vehicles | First home covering circa 4000 sq. ft and the second home circa 4500 sq. ft | Very private landscaped gardens and grounds | Each with underfloor heating throughout and state of the art Loxone “smart home” automation systems | A circa 500 sq. ft garage each | One with a spa style swimming pool and hot tub, and the other a detached home office in the garden | Sauna and outdoor kitchens | Truly unique lifestyle opportunity | EPC: B (for both)
In all circa 8500 sq. ft (790m2 ) @rupertoliverproperty
