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ISSUE 112 I OCTOBER 2013

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

MAGAZINE £3.00 where sold

C IT Y P S E C IA L

SETTING THE SCENE

CITY ON SHOW in the Bristol Art Prize

BRISTOL AT WORK

GILLY WOO and her glamorous gowns GETTING HITCHED

WEDDINGforIDEAS Bristol brides COMING UP

RESTAURANT REVIEW

OUR GUIDE To getting your Christmas party started

FLINTY RED the little bistro on Cotham Hill ALSO

AND

B R I S T O L’ S F I N E S T P R O P E R T Y F O R S A L E

FA C I N G T H E M U S I C : T V D O C , P H I L H A M M O N D

REFITTING SALE

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DISPLAY PIECES 50-75% OFF

5 SOFA STYLES IN 200 FABRIC CHOICES TO ORDER AT HALF PRICE We will be closing shortly for 3 weeks for a complete refit Any sofa style may be ordered in any fabric at 25% off – as illustrated All cabinet displays at least 50% off New cabinet orders 25% off – in any colour

40-65% OFF DISPLAY WARDROBES

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

TEL: 01173 292746

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CALL OF THE WYLDE

B AT H

B R I S TO L

12 Northumberland Place | Bath BA1 5AR Telephone +44 (0) 1225 462826 Email bath@nicholaswylde.com

6 The Mall Clifton | Bristol BS8 4DR Telephone +44 (0) 117 974 3582 Email bristol@nicholaswylde.com

Incorporating the Wylde Flower速 Diamond

SEEK US OUT

www.nicholaswylde.com

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THE | CONTENTS

OCTOBER

2013

54

44 14

ZEITGEIST

52

THE CITYIST The buzz, My Bristol and a top read

20

PEOPLE & PARTIES Snapshots from the city’s social scene

24

BARTLEBY

54 56

WINING & DINING What’s new on the city’s foodie scene

RESTAURANT REVIEW Three reasons to visit Flinty Red

BRISTOL AT WORK

62

FACE THE MUSIC

66

A woodland walk from Clifton

88 WEDDING BELLES Top tips and inspiration for your big day

BRISTOL PEOPLE What the movers and shakers are up to

Theatre, music, comedy and more

94 HEALTH AND BEAUTY Take time out and relax

100 HOME SWEET HOME Our special interiors section starts here

112 OPEN GARDENS Places to visit for autumnal colour

114 PROPERTY

CITY UPDATES News from the city’s businesses

70

WHAT’S ON

CHRISTMAS PARTIES Venues to enjoy festive cheer

Dr Phil Hammond picks his top tunes

34

FOODIE PROFILE

86 OUT AND ABOUT

Craft baking in Bristol

Pictured: Gilly Woo’s gorgeous gowns

30

ON THE PULSE Bristol cook and author Jenny Chandler spills the beans on her new recipe book

60

Stuck in the Scour

26

112

88

Five things things to do this month

16

75

The best homes in and around Bristol THE

BRISTOL twitter@thebristolmag

44

CITY ON SHOW

72

The Bristol Art Prize exhibition

46

ARTS & EXHIBITIONS

75

The latest from the city’s galleries

50

ART TRAIL

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OCTOBER 2013

A test drive of the Audi A6

ON THE COVER

FAMILY FUN

Cabot Circus after dark

by Cecilia Rouncefield, on show at the Bristol Art Prize exhibition, The Guildhall Arts Centre

Activities and events for half term

78

Creatives in west Bristol open their doors

MOTORING

EDUCATION The latest news from the region’s schools

www.thebristolmagazine.co.uk

MAGAZINE

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.co.

Abbots Leigh

A light filled lateral apartment (1,258 sq ) with views of the Cli on Suspension Bridge. L-shaped drawing room / dining room, kitchen, study. 3 double bedrooms, bathroom, shower room. Balcony.

Covered car port. Store room. Communal gardens. EPC ra!ng C. Guide price: ÂŁ390,000

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

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.co.

Cli on

A beau fully appointed family home with secluded rear garden and possibility of a double garage.

Kitchen, 3 recep on rooms. 2 cloakrooms. 5 bedrooms. 3 bath / shower rooms. Lower ground floor with si!ng room, bedroom 6, shower room, kitchene e. Gardens to front and rear. Vaulted stores.

Garage available by sep neg. EPC ra ng F. Guide price ÂŁ1,250,000

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

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.co.

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An elegant Grade II listed family house, close to excellent schooling, with a lower ground floor previously providing income as a self-contained flat. 4 recep on rooms, family kitchen, 5 bedrooms, 3 bath/shower rooms. Cloakroom. Front and rear courtyard gardens. Garage available by way of separate nego a on.

Guide price ÂŁ725,000

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

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.co.

Burrington

Recently refurbished property within a highly desirable village. 3 recep on rooms, kitchen / breakfast room. 5 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms (1 ensuite). Balcony to master bedroom. Gym/oďŹƒce.

Addi onal accommoda on with open plan living room and kitchen, shower room, 2 bedrooms.

Enclosed gardens. Swimming pool. EPC ra ng D. Guide price ÂŁ825,000

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

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A

utumn is my favourite time of year, so it’s always a pleasure putting an October issue together. I love the fashions, the food and the beautiful colours on the trees, which is why I’ve chosen my top three places to visit to enjoy the very best vibrant autumn colour – and a warming bowl of soup. I love getting my wellies on and going for a really long walk at this time of year, kicking leaves as I go and picking up conkers. I’d be interested to hear where your favourite local seasonal walks are – let us know on Twitter, @thebristolmag, and don’t forget to Tweet your pictures too.

As the evenings draw in and the days get colder, October is the time to start making your home cosy, ready to hunker down for the winter months, and in this issue we have a special interiors feature all about this season’s top decorating trend: the woodland theme. See how to bring the beauty of the outside in with wildlife motifs, wooden furniture and knitted throws in greens, oranges and rich brown colours, and take inspiration from some of Bristol’s designers and makers on page 102.

You can’t miss the Halloween themed events this month – there’s plenty of spooky fun to be had in the city, from a special food market full of suitably gory treats at Ashton Court to lantern making activities at Bristol Zoo – a great way to spend time as a family during the half term holidays.

Also in this issue we’ve got a special wedding section with ideas, tips and dates for your diary; our Bristol at Work portrait by photographer Char Stone is dressmaker and corset specialist Gill Cockwell of Gilly Woo Couture; and with Christmas just around the corner, we offer a selection of great ideas for festive celebrations, whether it’s a small family gathering or large office party...

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

CONTACT THE BRISTOL MAGAZINE: Editor Email:

Samantha Coleman sam@thebristolmagazine.co.uk

Deputy Editor Email:

Georgette McCready georgette@thebristolmagazine.co.uk

Production Manager Email: Commercial Production Email:

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

Publisher Tel: Email:

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

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

Kathy Williams kathy@thebristolmagazine.co.uk

Advertising Sales Email:

Sue Parker sue@thebristolmagazine.co.uk

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

WWW.THEBRISTOLMAGAZINE.CO.UK

OCTOBER 2013

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THE BRISTOL MAGAZINE 13

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things to do in October

Enjoy Party Pop-up theatre nightclub Empire Theatre has a launched an exciting and diverse line up of arthouse, musical, theatre and circus events. This quirky Old Market vintage building is the perfect setting for a winter of entertaining treats.

From avant-garde film showings to scratch circus performance and disco parties, this inclusive and vibrant place aims to give Bristol a good time after dark, with promoters from all over the country bringing events to the city. Don’t miss the Halloween Hillbilly Hoedown on Friday 4 October with the Screamin’ Miss Jackson & The Slap Ya’ Mama Big Band, serving up old jug band and country songs, from foot-stompin’ banjo bonanzas to tear-jerking blues ballads. And head to to the theatre on Saturday 12 October for a Star Wars themed space disco. Don your silver spandex catsuit and platforms and get grooving as the building will be decked out as an intergalactic experience, with circus artists, dance routines, trapeze artists and characters roving throughout the night. There will also be a cabaret night, circus and more in October.

For what’s on and ticket information visit the Facebook page: www.facebook.com/empire.bristol

Learn Bristol’s very own dinosaur Thecodontosaurus, uncovered in a quarry on Durdham Down in 1834, will be brought to life this autumn when local artist Robert Nicholls and Pedro Viegas from the University of Bristol build a full-size replica of the beast, based on the very latest scientific discoveries about how it would have looked when it roamed around Bristol 210 million years ago. The build begins on Tuesday 1 October at M Shed, and will run until the end of November and members of the public are welcome to drop in and observe the reconstruction of the life-sized Thecodontosaurus.

A series of public talks and family events will accompany the build. Visit: www.mshed.org

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There are plenty of kids events for Halloween this month – see family fun on page 75 – but there’s also Halloween themed fun to be had by adults too, starting with the Ashton Court Halloween producers market on Sunday 27 October, 10.30am – 3.30pm, which returns again this year for spooky fun and foodie treats.

The market stalls will be selling fresh local food, and stallholders will be in fancy dress serving up tasty treats including pumpkin soup, coffin dodger brownies, locally grown organic squashes and pumpkins and Halloween themed biscuits. And to keep the children happy, there will be fun and games too, including apple bobbing. But for a truly terrifying experience, head to Bristol Zoo for its after hours fright night on Thursday 31 October where you can watch a horror film in the historic lecture theatre, then endure a spine-chilling tour around the 177 year-old zoo grounds in the dark, full of supernatural goings-on. You must be aged 15 and over for the first film viewing and aged 18 and over for the second film viewing. Tickets cost £10, for information and to book, visit: www.bristolzoo.org.uk.

Book Tickets are sure to sell quickly for the Canford Park Charity Fireworks Fiesta on Saturday 9 November, hosted by the Bristol Round Table and Clifton Rotary Club, who are are hoping to add to the £30,000 they have already raised for local good causes in the past two years. Every advance ticket purchased from a local school or a St Peter’s Hospice shop assists that particular body raise money for its own causes. Since 2011 £8,000 has been donated to the Lord Mayor’s Children’s Appeal, which helps needy Bristol families at Christmas, along with smaller donations to Headway, which helps brain injury survivors in Bristol; Paul’s Place, which provides support to those with cognitive impairment in Bristol; The Rainbow Centre, which provides professional support to families affected by life-limiting illnesses or bereavement; and many more. This year the show, at Canford Park in Westbury-on-Trym, is promising to be bigger and better than ever with a fantastic, dazzling family-friendly pyrotechnic display. Gates open at 6pm and the display starts at 7pm. Tickets are £4 in advance, available from St Peter’s Hospice shops and many local primary schools; or £5 on the night. For further information visit: www.fireworksfiesta.co.uk

Watch The inaugural Bristol Circus Festival at Creative Common in Temple Quay kicked off with a bang on Friday 13 September but if you’ve missed the fantastic events so far, don’t fret, as the jam-packed programme goes on right until Sunday 3 November.

With 41 performances over 33 nights and featuring local, national and European companies, live bands and DJs, and individual performers, the festival celebrates the city’s historic and continuing links to the art of circus. Curated by Bristol’s very own Invisible Circus, the festival climaxes with the world premiere of their brand new show Under A Dark Moon on Wednesday 30 October – Sunday 3 November, where a shadowy landscape mixes circus and dreamscape haunted by old film and a live musical score. This month there are also exciting performances from Fringe First winners Pirates of the Carabina, family favourites The Insect Circus and stars of the National Theatre’s Watch this Space, Joli Vyann. And don’t miss exclusive performances from Mr Scruff and The Sheelanagig Band. For the full festival programme and tickets, visit the Creative Common website: www.creativecommon.co.uk

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THE CITY The buzz...

GET YOUR SKATES ON New for this year, At-Bristol is transforming Millennium Square into a winter wonderland ice rink where you can skate with friends and family next to the At-Bristol Planetarium. Launching on Saturday 9 November and running until Sunday 5 January, the ice rink will be open from 10am – 8pm each day with sessions running on the hour, every hour. Tickets cost £7.50 for adults, £6.50 for concessions and £5.50 for children, with reduced entry rates for schools bookings. For more information and bookings visit: www.at-bristol.org.uk/icerink or tel: 0845 345 1235. Tickets will also be available from the At-Bristol café during the skate sessions.

BACK WITH A BANG After more than a year out of action the Anson Rooms returns to the Bristol music scene with an exciting season of cutting edge live music for the autumn. Now fully refurbished and redesigned, the re-launched venue is bigger and better than ever with a programme of musical goodies that marks a brand new chapter for one of the city’s top music spaces. For a full programme of events and further information, visit: www.ansonrooms.co.uk

ACTING UP A dramatic society in Clifton is looking for members. The Clifton Amateur Dramatic Society was born out of a Bristol graduate panto group in 2010 has grown from strength to strength, entertaining people with plays, sketch shows and adaptations.

There is a chance for everyone to get involved from front of house, stage management, publicity, fund raising and workshops. The group also runs workshops on the first and third Monday every month at the Lansdown Pub. Sessions cost £3 for non members and £1 for members and the varied programme includes improvisation, stagecraft, physical theatre, technical and much more. Being part of CADS is a great way to meet new people and socialise too.

For further information visit: www.bristolcads.org.uk or to join, email: secretary@bristolcads.org.uk

SITTING COMFORTABLY Following a six month public appeal, the Tobacco Factory Theatre’s new auditorium seating is now fully installed and in use. The investment was undertaken to increase audience capacity, improve customer comfort and improve sightlines in the auditorium. Go along and see for yourself.

Twitterati 16 THE BRISTOL MAGAZINE

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My BRISTOL We ask VIKKI LITTLE, director of Fiesty Consultancy, what she’s doing this month...

What brought you to Bristol?

My first agency job, which was based on Queen Charlotte Street. I had been living and working in Cardiff, so was commuting over the bridge, but I enjoyed being in Bristol so much that I decided to move over here.

Which museum or gallery will you be visiting?

I’m hoping to find time to visit the Scale and Ambition: Architects Journal Small Projects 2013 exhibition at the Architecture Centre, which was excellent last year and is back for a second time this year.

What are you reading?

Where to Ski and Snowboard 2014 and Tycoon by Peter Jones.

What are your hobbies or interests?

In between working, I’ll be enjoying autumnal walks with the dogs (one of my favourite times of year) and getting fit for the ski season, which means more swimming and getting back to the gym. I’m also hoping to have a little more time to go horse riding with friends.

What is on your MP3 player?

A real mix! I’ve been listening to India Arie recently, alongside Emeli Sandé, Carly Simon and tracks from Don Giovanni. I have lots of playlists, and listen to different ones depending on what I’m doing. My driving playlist is the most listened to.

Which café or restaurant takes your fancy?

I like Bravas for tapas, The Clifton Sausage for Sunday lunch and I had a great lunch recently at The Kenny in Redland. We’re spoilt for choice in Bristol.

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

I’m a fan of F1, so I’m off to see Rush at Cinema de Lux in Cabot Circus later this month.

What attraction will you be visiting?

I’ll be off to Westonbirt Aboretum this month and next, as the autumn colours are spectacular.

Any projects/work in progress?

I’m working on some interesting projects for a number of clients, including an arrive and drive event in Gloucestershire at the end of this month and a post-launch campaign for a new dealership in Swindon, as well as planning the launch of a corporate skiing business so that I can combine one of my hobbies with business.

It’s great to be busy, but I’m looking forward to planning the first ski trip of the season.

WE’RE READING...

Last Hours on Everest by Graham Hoyland, hardback £20 (HarperCollins) This is the gripping story of George Mallory and Sandy Irvine, two mountaineers, and their fatal ascent up Mount Everest. On 8 June 1924 the pair disappeared into the mists of history. Mallory’s body was found high on Mount Everest in 1999 while Irvine’s body is still believed to be on the mountain, having possibly been discovered in 1975 by a Chinese climber who died the next day. Last Hours on Everest is a detailed reconstruction of what happened after the two mountaineers left camp on their final day; a detective story, involving a long-hidden family secret, a previously unknown sighting of Mallory, and the author Graham Hoyland’s part in the discovery of Mallory’s body. Bristol-based Graham Hoyland, a mountaineer, tv producer and director, became the 15th Briton to reach the summit of Mount Everest in 1993. He produces a compelling description of what really took place in 1924 and answers the question: did George Mallory and Sandy Irvine actually climb Mount Everest?

We’re following @CoatesandScarry, art fans, bloggers and dealers in fine art from the contemporary visual arts scene – word on the street is that they are bringing another exciting pop-up show to Cabot Circus in December...

OCTOBER 2013

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BRISTOL | SOCIETY

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

New collection launch at Bo Concept The Galleries, Broadmead, September To mark the launch of its Worry Less Live More catalogue, presenting its new season collection, the BoConcept store in Broadmead, invited customers and local interiors journalists and bloggers to enjoy Champagne, canapes and entertainment from The Paper Moon Band and swing dancers. Guests also enjoyed a current trend talk and presentation from a design consultant. The entertainment was chosen to evoke an era that influenced the new collection from international furniture retailer BoConcept which offers plenty of new designs, with new furniture, materials, textures, colours and shapes. Colours and materials from the past are redefined and merged to create completely new solutions.

The BoConcept team

Tim Plumber, Susin Durbin and Amy Granville

We are Three C director Lis Anderson with Roz Woodward

Guests gathered for a trend presentation

The Paper Moon Band

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Kelly McNaughton, Jay Monsen, MarieLouise Hudson and Kris Jonasdottir

The fashion show’s opening scene

Craig Barton and Monika Jankowska

Harvey Nichols A/W13 Fashion Show Cutler’s Hall, Quakers Friars The Harvey Nichols event was staged in the striking Cutler’s in Quakers Friars, which proved the perfect backdrop for statement collections from the likes of Alexander McQueen, 3.1 Phillip Lim, Jonathan Saunders, Peter Pilotto, Erdem and Christian Louboutin.

More than 400 guests enjoyed two shows in the evening, celebrating the luxury store’s fifth birthday in style. The models’ hair on the night was styled by Maximum FX and makeup was created by the instore team from Tom Ford. Images courtesy of Andy Espin.

Roman soldiers greeted guests as they arrived

Alexander McQueen gown, £2,385; Jimmy Choo clutch, £450; Lucy Choi shoes, £255

Roman Empire: power & People exhibition launch Bristol Museum & Art Gallery, September Greeted by Roman soldiers, guests enjoyed Roman-themed food and music at this evening event to launch the new exhibition of Roman artefacts at the city museum in collaboration with the British Museum, London.

Images: © Charlie Perham

Guests at the museum awaiting the opening of the special exhibition

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Gail Boyle, senior archeology collections officer and exhibition curator

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Unstoppable Forces

T

he other day I had a glimpse of the old Bristol, the city that grew up around a bridge and a castle to become one of England’s great 18th century ports. In those days communication with the outside world relied to a great extent on ships being carried up and down the Avon on the tide. Back then a high tide accompanied by wet weather meant widespread flooding and probably the odd shipwreck too and recently, as I said, I had a glimpse of what this meant.

Our mission was simple enough. Sixty primary school kids, of whom young Master B was one, were to board a river boat in the City Docks and cruise upriver to Netham Lock – and beyond – then turn round and come back. This ‘voyage’ was due to take a couple of hours, ie about five times longer than it would take to drive a comparable distance by road, but not an unreasonable amount of time to keep said troupe of ten year olds sitting safely on their behinds.

A small cadre of parents, including your correspondent, went along to help keep an eye on the youngsters and make sure none of them fell in, and we duly arrived at the dockside to find our boat waiting for us. Our vessel was not about to enter the Fastnet race. She was long and low, designed to trundle slowly on a sunny afternoon between Bristol and various riverside watering holes.

On this occasion, a steady rain was falling as we embarked, and the windows rapidly steamed up. As our skipper and his mate regaled us with tales of Bristol pirates and what not, small faces peered through the murk at the dark wet buildings sliding by. We cruised beneath Bristol Bridge and past the site of the former castle (the biggest, fifth biggest or possibly 11th biggest in England at one time). A peregrine falcon was seen perching high up to starboard, and to port the tall, thin shape of the shot tower.

❝ 127 Coldharbour Road, Bristol BS6 7SN T. 0117 329 1788 E: bijouxgifts@live.co.uk

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

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

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

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... for 20 minutes we battled the torrent, before being forced to give up.

❞

More bridges passed overhead, old ones with fabulous brickwork and a new one that resembled a cheese grater, then we were into the long straight of the Feeder Canal – which surely ought to have been put to use during the Olympics – and so to Netham.

It was here that things became interesting. You see, unbeknown to me, or to anyone of the other lubbers aboard, the Floating Harbour is not simply a body of water surrounded by buildings. It is in fact an ever-moving and constantly managed waterway, and on this particular day it was enjoying its fortnightly Scour. This sounds a rather satisfying, if slightly uncomfortable procedure, but for the harbour it is essential. Basically the Scour involves opening the sluices at the downstream end, near The Cottage pub, so that mud and oomska is sucked out into the Avon. At the same time water rushes in through Netham Lock, and it was this body of fast-moving water that we encountered as we tried to go through.

Unstoppable force… immovable object… for 20 minutes we battled the torrent, before being forced to give up. As if this wasn’t bad enough we now found that the water level had gone down (because of said Scour) and we were unable to turn round. We were stuck.

Various choices presented themselves, none of them particularly appealing and all involving a late arrival back at school. The kids showed themselves made of the proper Bristol stuff, singing songs and generally refusing to panic, while the skipper and his mate arranged our rescue. An hour or so later a second vessel came to take us off; we left the mariners to wait – who knows how long? – for the water level to return to normal, while we motored back to port, looking with new respect at the old brick warehouses with their rusty iron ladders and broken wharves. ■

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Argentine Tango Beginners and Improvers Lessons continue at the Redland Club, Bristol BS6 6TN on Monday evenings from 7pm with expert tuition from Tango West, Bristol's most established school of Tango. Fun, friendly and structured classes, just £8per class or £40 for 6.

FFI e-mail azul@tangowest.co.uk or call 07981 756965

THEBRISTOLMAGAZINE THEBESTOFBRISTOL PERFECTLYCOVERED BRISTOLSBIGGESTMAGAZINE PERFECTLYDELIVERED TOADVERTISETEL: 0117 9742800

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BRISTOL AT WORK Designer, dressmaker, costumier and corset specialist, Gill Cockwell of Gilly Woo Couture in her Stokes Croft studio. Photograph by Charlotte Stone Gill Cockwell (trading as Gilly Woo) began her sewing career at the tender age of six and was sketching designs and fashioning garments by the time she was ten. Gill is now a master craftswoman, making unique bridal gowns, cocktail dresses and occasion wear and since 2000 she has been building a brand that has become synonymous with quality, individuality and style. She celebrates and accentuates feminine curves with her made-to-measure corsetry-based designs that are exquisitely cut to smooth and shape the wearer’s natural contours. Gill’s dresses have graced many red carpets and wedding aisles, each handmade with love and care in the finest fabrics from her studio in Stokes Croft. www.charlottestonephoto.com

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Ladies and Girls Clothing and Accessories

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

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Gold & Platinum Studio

Loved forever...

Beautifully crafted engagement rings, wedding rings and fine jewellery designed and traditionally handmade on the premises.

All types of jewellery remodelled. Efficient repair service.

1 9 N o r th u m b e r l a n d P l a c e , B a t h B A 1 5 A R Tel: +44 (0)1225 462 300 www.goldandplatinumstudio.co.uk email: mike@goldandplatinumstudio.co.uk

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FACE | THE MUSIC

Tickling your funny bone By day Dr Phil Hammond is a GP listening to people’s ills and treating them – but by night he’s a stand-up comedian and campaigning journalist. The Somerset based doctor talks to Mick Ringham about why he takes his humour seriously and picks his top ten favourite tunes

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FACE | THE MUSIC

Jimi Hendrix

Ian Dury and the Blockheads

W

hen did you last see your doctor? For some lucky people it may be just a distant memory. However, you would indeed be missing out on a visit to one particular GP who also enjoys the reputation as being one of the country’s most unusual broadcasters and comedians. Phil Hammond was brought up in Australia but has lived most of his life in the south west, the last 17 years in the Chew Valley with his wife Jo (also a GP) and their children Will and Ellie.

He qualified as a doctor in 1991 and currently works in a specialist NHS centre in Bath as well being a presenter for BBC Radio Bristol on Saturday mornings. But when he’s not making people better, Phil’s making them laugh.

Over the past 20 years Phil has regularly appeared on television and radio shows including The News Quiz, Have I Got News for You and The Now Show.

Through his column in Private Eye he has campaigned for more transparency and honesty in the NHS. As part of this crusade he broke the story of the Bristol heart scandal in the 1990s and gave evidence to a public inquiry – and this is perhaps why he has been named as one of the top 100 clinical leaders in the NHS for his campaigns to support patients and whistleblowers in the health service.

Dr Phil has written numerous books, released two DVDs and is an active member of the Stowey Sutton Group, which is fighting to stop the dumping of asbestos in the Chew Valley, with proceeds of his recent gig at Komedia going to the cause’s fighting fund.

As one would expect the majority of his stage material is observational and is based on a medical theme, however, there are a few obligatory one-liners thrown in – let’s be honest who doesn’t like a good ‘Doctor, doctor’ joke? He’s almost certainly the only GP to star in his own show 59 Minutes to Save the NHS at the Edinburgh Fringe which received rave reviews and helped firmly establish him on the comedy circuit.

Phil is in the middle of a nationwide tour with his show Games to Play with your Doctor, where he uses his own brand of original humour to address his audience’s perception of the medical profession. To stay happy himself he says: “I walk the dogs, read, sleep, laugh, play football badly and am very grateful to be surrounded by family and friends.”

He tries to do what the doctor orders, enjoying sensible amounts of lubricants and avoiding fast food, sugar and politics. So if you’re a little under the weather and feel the need to visit a doctor try and make an appointment to see Phil Hammond on stage, he will have you in stitches – ouch!

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Kirsty MacColl ● The Clash – Guns of Brixton My mid 1970s are a bit of a blur; however there were some amazing bands around and also female singer-songwriters, such as Joni Mitchell, Carol King and for something a little more dangerous, Patti Smith. So when Miss Whitehead got up in assembly one morning and announced that today’s record, as chosen by the sixth form was White Riot by The Clash, no one went back to Cat Stevens after that. I listened to them right through medical school during the 80s while living in student digs in Brixton. ● Ian Dury and the Blockheads – Wake Up and Make Love with Me Ian is a hero of mine. Some of his lyrics are a tad explicit, but he was also able to write and perform gentler songs wrapped up in Chaz Jankel’s superb jazz funk. I saw him a couple of times and he always used to open on Wake Up with the piano introduction extended as he made a huge entrance. ● Jimi Hendrix – All Along the Watchtower In 1979 I switched from comprehensive to public school in Marlborough, a traumatic time because of the animosity between ‘town and gown’. The music was different too – the students were into Dylan, Bowie, the Doors and Lou Reed. I’ve opted for the Hendrix dramatic version of this song; I listened to it a lot during my gap year in Australia and it reminds me of one of my favourite films Withnail and I. I would have loved to have been a 60s child. ● Louis Armstrong – A Kiss to Build a Dream On From the day I started playing the trumpet, aged 11, I wanted to be Mr Armstrong. OK, I’d skip growing up in the mean streets of New Orleans, but the sheer unadulterated joy that he brings to his music is inspirational. His voice and playing style are both unique and combine brilliantly in this Hammerstein song. ● Ben Folds Five – One Angry Dwarf and 200 Solemn Faces My favourite 90s bands were Nirvana and Manic Street Preachers but the Ben Folds Five get my vote with this coruscating rant about a bullied student who makes it big and goes back to taunt his former oppressors at a school reunion. I played this as my warm-up track when I last appeared at the Edinburgh Fringe in 2002. ● Kirsty MacColl – Free World I’ve had a soft spot for protest songs since I first discovered Tom Lehrer and I nearly chose Nina Simone’s legendary Mississippi Goddamm – ‘you don’t have to live next to me, just give me equality’. I came close to choosing Tom Robinson’s War Baby and the Clash’s version of Police and Thieves but there’s something about this lady’s voice that’s always got under my skin. ● Van Morrison – Brown-Eyed Girl My wife Jo, who incidentally has introduced me to some really great music, has beautiful brown eyes, so our song couldn’t be anything else. Apparently, most men can’t correctly guess the colour of their partner’s eyes, even if they’ve been married to them for 20 years. Try it now but be warned – it’ll end in tears (green are particularly hard to spot). ● Steve Hammond – Is This Enough?

I now realise that I only have just one record left and I haven’t even mentioned the hundreds that I would have also liked to have picked, from Elgar’s Cello Concerto to Loudon Wainwright III. However, as a special bonus I will choose my brother Steve singing a track from his latest album Naked Heart. It’s only available in Western Australia, although there’s the odd copy doing the rounds in the Chew Valley. Please sir, can I have some more? ■

I became a keen student of air guitar... a neccesity for anyone with red hair and glasses because no-one would ever kiss you

Phil’s top ten: ● The Seekers – I’ll Never Find Another You One of my earliest memories is dancing round our family home in Perth, Western Australia to Bert Kaempfert’s Swingin’ Safari and also The Seekers.

This music still gets me twitching and I love Judith Durham’s voice and the harmonies around it. I also like to be reminded of my Australian roots. ● Lynyrd Skynyrd – Free Bird I moved back to England when my Dad died in 1969 and grew up in Marlborough where I became a keen student of air guitar at village hall discos.

This is a necessity for anyone with red hair and glasses because no-one would ever kiss you, so you just stood in the middle of the room, plucking, fretting and shaking wildly until your glasses flew off. But hand on heart; this is the best air guitar track ever.

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ROCK CITY John Knott takes a look at Bristol’s rock ‘n’ roll years and the bands that brought the city’s music venues to life in 1958-1963

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n the mid-50s, long before anyone had invented the discotheque, if you wanted to dance you needed live music. While jazz was everpresent in a city like Bristol, younger musicians were more interested in skiffle, the craze that peaked around 1957. Rock ‘n’ roll was still just something Americans did. We may have had Tommy Steele but that was just an impersonation of the real thing. But in 1958 Cliff Richard released Move It and British rock ‘n’ roll had arrived. It was a game changer and skiffle quickly became history.

The first Bristol band to ditch the washboards in favour of electric guitars was almost certainly The Comets but many were soon to follow. Schools and youth clubs became breeding grounds for new bands with The Eagles (not the California-based country-rockers) forming at Connaught Road School; while at Westbury Methodist Youth Club, encouraged by the club’s leader, there was a skiffle band calling themselves The Magnettes. They were desperate to turn into a rock ‘n’ roll outfit but, as singer Mike Tobin explained, “It wasn’t easy with acoustic guitars.” But they’d heard of young Tony Dodd who had an electric; he auditioned, ripped into the growling intro to Move It and he was in.

They became Mike Tobin & The Magnettes and suddenly they were taking things seriously.

The Magnettes modus operandi in those days was to listen to Saturday Club on BBC Radio where new records were played, sometimes weeks ahead of their official release. Tony taped the shows on a reel to reel and they spent the afternoon learning the songs. That night they’d add them to their set wherever they were playing; and they’d always be playing somewhere. In fact Mike remembers that if they weren’t playing three gigs a week they’d think something was wrong. They hung on to the youth club gigs like grim death but there were plenty of other venues about.

Pub-rock is an integral part of local live music now, but venues were rarely licensed in those days. Carwardine’s Tea Rooms was a regular venue and if alcohol was consumed at all, it was beforehand or by popping out to the hostelry next door. The Glen on the Downs is still remembered with affection by many but Mike’s favourite venue was the Chinese Jazz Club at the Corn Exchange. Run by a colourful entrepreneur by the name of Uncle

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Bonny Manzi (he wore a straw hat with pigtail and was of Italian descent), it featured national acts with alternating local support from The Magnettes and The Echoes.

Bristol had become a music town and competition was stiff. A band might change their stage outfits every six months just to keep their sartorial edge.

By 1960 the Bristol scene was so vibrant that The Comets manager Brian K Jones hit on the idea of a showcase night at the Colston Hall. Groups Galore, as the night was called, opened with The Comets who also acted as backing musicians for other groups’ singers with just an afternoon rehearsal.

But some of Bristol’s most popular acts appeared with their full line-ups.

Among them were Johnny Carr and the Cadillacs, probably Bristol’s most popular act of the time. They were slick, good-looking, did the moves, and, as Mike remembers, “They were all the same height.” But another act on the bill had a slightly different approach to showmanship: Dale Rivers & The Ramrods appeared in top hats and were not unknown to arrive at gigs in a hearse. They eventually evolved into The Burlington Berties but their drummer Derek Morris will always secure them a place in Bristol history. Nowadays he’s better known as Bristol’s legendary DJ Derek. Groups Galore was such a success that it continued about twice a year until 1966 (with a brief revival only a few years ago).

But 1963 brought Beatlemania. The Chequers’ Jeff Starr recalls just missing out on supporting The Beatles but Chet and The Triumphs were luckier. Nevertheless, Britain’s musical landscape had changed. Although it had established itself as a music scene, there were rumours of Bristol bands adopting Scouse accents to try and get record deals. Much to Mike Tobin’s chagrin a promoter tried selling The Magnettes as “the Bristol band with the Mersey sound.” The Beat Boom had begun and record companies didn’t seem to be interested in Bristol. In 1964 The Magnettes opened for the Rolling Stones but it was soon over with Tony going to play in Germany with Johnny Slade & The Vikings and Mike eventually moving into band management (he’s still the manager of Stackridge). But Tony is still playing today with Bula Bula and even Mike likes to have a rock out on his birthday.

DJ Derek, of course, has finally announced his retirement. He might even be serious this time. ■

...if they weren’t playing three gigs a week they’d think something was wrong

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LOCAL MUSIC LEGENDS: left, Mike Tobin singing at his 70th birthday last year; and Bula Bula, featuring former Magnette Tony Dodd and Andy Perrett.

Photographs: Jerry Tremaine. Above, clockwise from top right, Mike Tobin on the guitar; the Magnettes putside the Victoria Rooms; The Magnettes at Bath Pavillion; the Burlington Berties featuring a very young DJ Derek complete with top hats and their hearse; The Chequers on stage and Mike Tobin and The Magnettes The Magnettes in about 1962

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CULTURE BOOK Our guide to this month’s top events in Bristol and beyond Great Expectations, Bristol Old Vic, Until 2 November

Pappy’s Last Show Ever, Redgrave Theatre, Sunday 6 & Monday 7 October, 8pm

From its unforgettable opening on the wild, windwhipped marshlands, to the terrifying climax in Miss Havisham’s haunted home, Great Expectations is presented by nine actors in Neil Bartlett’s powerful adaptation that breathes thrilling new life into this classic tale. Neil has worked with some of the world’s most ground-breaking companies, directing and writing work for theatres across the world. This production marks Neil’s first return to Bristol Old Vic since training here in 1981. Box office tel: 0117 987 7877 or visit: www.bristololdvic.org.uk.

A 10-week Season of New Plays from Theatre West, The Alma Tavern Theatre, 1 October – 7 December This is year two of Theatre West’s A-Z project and although the writers have taken their inspiration from within Bristol’s city limits (each were given a randomly allocated square in the Bristol A to Z) their imaginations have no such boundaries. The season opens with a trip to Mali with a trio of hapless 30-somethings and over the course of the season are glimpses of the Indian Ocean, Japan and Northern France. By the end of the season we’re back in Dundry but the year is 1943 and all eyes are turned towards Germany. For a full programme and further information visit: www.almatavernandtheatre.co.uk.

Carrivick Sisters, Colston Hall, Friday 4 October, 8pm Join the talented Radio 2 Folk Awards finalists at their Over The Edge album launch party. It’s the Devonshire duo’s fifth release since their 2006 debut, which they recorded while still at school, and showcases their superb instrumental and vocal expertise. See both girls play a myriad of instruments including the mandolin, clawhammer banjo, and dobro as well as the violin and guitar. Box office tel: 0844 887 1500 or visit: www.colstonhall.org.

The Original Vintage and Handmade Textile and Fashion Fair, Chipping Sodbury Town Hall, Saturday 5 October, 10am – 4pm This ever-popular event is back with vintage textiles, haberdashery, fabrics, fashion, jewellery, accessories and more as well as a vintage tea room serving light refreshments. Admission: £1, children free. For further information, visit: www.vintageandhandmade.co.uk.

Orchard Harvest Day, Winterbourne Medieval Barn, Sunday 6 October, 11am – 4pm Watch cider-making with a horse-powered crush and 200 year-old cider press; learn about orchards, apples and bees, watch Morris dancing, try local food and drink, browse the stalls and learn crafts. For further information: www.winterbournebarn.org.uk.

Reginald D Hunter, Colston Hall, Sunday 6 October, 8pm Another chance to catch this popular stand-up as he philosophises about life as an American living in the UK, relationships and more. Box office tel: 0844 887 1500 or visit: www.colstonhall.org.

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Featuring the stars of BBC3 new sitcom Badults, Ben Clark, Matthew Crosby and Tom Parry, this high energy show is a cornucopia of quickfire gags, recurring characters and snappy songs. Tickets £15 from: www.thecomedybox.co.uk.

Evita, The Bristol Hippodrome, 7 – 12 October Featuring some of the most famous and inspiring stage music ever written, including the classic songs Don’t Cry For Me Argentina, On This Night of a Thousand Stars, and Another Suitcase in Another Hall, Tim Rice and Andrew Lloyd Webber’s Evita comes to Bristol as part of its national tour, starring Marti Pellow. Bringing to life the dynamic Eva Peron, wife of former Argentine dictator Juan Peron, Evita tells the story from her young and ambitious beginnings to the enormous wealth and power she gained and her ultimate rise to sainthood. Tickets from: www.atgtickets.com/bristol.

Alice in Wonderland, Tobacco Factory Theatre, 7 – 12 October, 8pm Volcano Theatre Company has taken apart another well-loved classic and put it back together in its own inimitable fashion. Step into an upside-down world where familiar things are made strange, with enchanting and horrifying results. Volcano brings you an older-than-usual Alice, in a production where the strangeness of the world she encounters is not supernatural but deeply rooted in the insanities of our culture and society.

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

La Boheme, Colston Hall, Sunday 8 October, 7.30pm Award-winning opera producer Ellen Kent brings one of the most romantic operas ever written to Colston Hall. La Boheme tells a tragic tale of hopeless romance between the doomed, consumptive Mimi and penniless writer Rodolfo. Box office tel: 0844 887 1500 or visit: www.colstonhall.org.

After Hours: A Space Odyssey, At-Bristol, Thursday 10 October, 6.30pm – 10pm Celebrate World Space Week – without the kids – in this after hours evening at At-Bristol. Gather your friends, grab a drink and join an intergalactic night out with a difference. Enjoy rooftop stargazing with the Bristol Astronomical Society, navigate remote control rovers over the recreated Martian landscape, and discover more about the cosmos. It’s also the perfect opportunity to get hands-on with hundreds of interactive exhibits. Tickets £7 (£6 members/concessions), from tel: 0845 345 1235 or visit: at-bristol.org.uk/space.

John Williams, St George’s Bristol, Friday 11 October, 7.30pm The Times calls John Williams ‘the undisputed king of the classical guitar’.

His flawless, emotionally charged and seemingly effortless playing wows audiences worldwide.

Moving from music of the 17th century to contemporary film themes, John’s performance promises not to disappoint. Box office tel: 0845 40 24 001 or visit: www.stgeorgesbristol.co.uk.

John Williams, © Janusz Kawa

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Jump Legends Race Day, Chepstow Racecourse, Saturday 12 October, gates open 11.45am

Jim Culloty will be appearing at the Jump Legends Race Day at Chepstow Racecourse

This event signifies the start of the new jump season and will feature a jockeys legends race where big names of the past will be demonstrate that they have still got what it takes to look good in the saddle with a two mile charity flat race, including Graham Bradley, Jim Culloty, Jimmy Frost, Luke Harvey, Carl Llewellyn, Adrian Maguire, Kevin Mooney, Jamie Osborne and Richard Rowe. There will also be a parade of equine legends, including Big Buck’s, the greatest staying hurdler in history, who will bid for a fifth World Hurdle at Cheltenham in 2014. During the day, racegoers will have the chance to hear from leading trainers about their hopes for the forthcoming season too. Advance tickets available from £18 at: www.chepstow-racecourse.co.uk or by tel: 01291 622260.

Exultate Singers, St James Priory, Saturday 12 October, 7.30pm Bristol’s accomplished chamber choir, Exultate Singers, performs an atmospheric programme of music written for the Russian and Greek Orthodox churches, including works by John Tavener, Rachmaninov, Tchaikovsky, Chesnokov, Schnittke and Grechaninov as part of the Bristol Festival of Song. Exultate Singers is conducted by David Ogden who has appeared on Classic FM, on BBC Radios 2, 3 and 4 and BBC television.

Tickets from the box office on tel: 0117 942 8779 or visit: www.exultatesingers.org/shop.

St James Priory, Whitson Street, Bristol BS1 3NZ.

Vocal Works Gospel Choir: Gospel Rocks, The Redgrave Theatre, Saturday 12 October, 7.30pm Gospel Rocks is an uplifting, high-energy and must-see show from the inspirational Vocal Works Gospel Choir. The programme features soulful arrangements of classic rock hits from bands including Queen, Led Zeppelin, Aerosmith, and Toto. Following the sell-out successes of the recent Broadway Soul and Movie Soul concerts, tickets for Gospel Rocks are likely to go quickly. Tickets £12 /£8, available from tel: 0117 922 3686 or visit: www.colstonhall.org/boxoffice.

Afternoon Recital, Clifton High School, Sunday 13 October, 2.30pm The Nepali Children’s Trust and the Bath Recital Artists’ Trust have joined forces to present an afternoon recital where virtuoso Russian pianist Konstantin Lapshin will play Scarlatti, Brahms, Rachmaninov and Tchaikovsky in aid of the Nepali Children’s Trust.

Konstantin Lapshin brings his love of western romantic music and the traditional Russian repertoire to Bristol in a beautiful and entertaining programme, perfect for a Sunday afternoon. Tickets are £15 for the concert or £25 to include afternoon tea and bubbly after the performance. Available through Bath Box Office on tel: 01225 463362 or visit: www.bathboxoffice.org.uk.

Mozart’s The Magic Flute, Tobacco Factory Theatre, 15 – 26 October, 7.30pm Mozart’s fantastical opera is presented by Opera Project, blending fairy tale adventure and playful comedy, to tell a tale of magic, power and love, with enchanting music. From the acrobatic Queen of the Night arias, to heartfelt duets and comic exchanges, Mozart’s opera is comical and moving. Celebrating 20 years as a company, Opera Project return to the Tobacco Factory Theatre after last year’s production of Eugene Onegin. A strong ensemble cast will sing in English with orchestra. Box office tel: 0117 902 0344 or visit: www.tobaccofactorytheatre.com.

Vocal Works Gospel Choir at The Redgrave Theatre

Cats, Bristol Hippodrome, 15 – 26 October Andrew Lloyd-Webber’s smash-hit musical is coming back to Bristol. One of the longest >>

EDITOR’S PICK...

Bristol Festival of Song, 11 – 20 October Bristol’s Festival of Song, launched in 2010, is an annual city-wide celebration of the human voice, gathering together the extraordinary range and repertoire of the city’s singers, choirs, ensembles, vocal artists and groups. For a full ten days the city will resonate with performances, workshops and open rehearsals that include a rich diversity of genres from classical, community, contemporary and gospel, to world, roots and sacred songs – not to mention seafaring shanties.

You’ll find an exciting programme with ticketed events and free events too, including the Noctis Chamber Choir performing an atmospheric late night concert in the City Museum & Art Gallery on Saturday 12 October from 10.30pm – 12.30pm. And don’t miss the surprise event as part of the last Make Sundays Special on Sunday 20 October when the festival will stage a vocal event at Bristol Temple Meads station – details of which will be posted on the website nearer the time. For a full programme visit: www.festivalofsong.org.uk.

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The Gasmen will perform a Harbourside Song Raid on 12 October

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running shows in West End and Broadway history, Cats has enchanted audiences all around the world. Adapted from TS Eliot’s Old Possum’s Book of Practical Cats, this wonderful blend of fantasy, drama and romance is set on the night when the Jellicle Cats meet for the Jellicle Ball in a sparkling fusion of music, dance and verse with unforgettable songs and an impressive set design. Box office tel: 0844 871 3012 or visit: www.atgtickets.com/bristol.

Andy Hamilton

Viktoria Mullova with Accademia Bizantina, St George’s Bristol, Thursday 17 October, 7.30pm Violin virtuoso Viktoria Mullova was last seen at St George’s performing an intoxicating solo Bach programme. This time she ups the ante, bringing with her the refined and vivacious Italian chamber ensemble, Accademia Bizantina. It’s a rare opportunity to see this thrilling ensemble in action – this is their only concert date outside London – and with a scintillating programme of Bach concertos, it promises to be a season highlight.

Box office tel: 0845 40 24 001 or visit: www.stgeorgesbristol.co.uk.

Lecture by Andy Hamilton, University of Bristol Botanic Garden, Thursday 17 October, 7.30pm Andy can often be found foraging about in the hedgerows around Bristol in search of ingredients for his bubbling alcoholic concoctions. This habit has led to numerous TV and radio appearances and high praise for his fruits of the hedgerow wine from wine writer, taster and critic, Jilly Goolden. It also inspired his book, Booze for Free, a guide to hedgerow brewing; that has sold over 30,000 copies. Andy has now written a book exploring beer in Britain, due for publication on 24 October. Brewing Britain is a beer lover’s guide to growing, brewing, drinking and of course loving, beer. Lecture venue: Room B75, School of Biological Sciences, Woodland Road, Bristol BS8 1UG. Admission: Free to Friends, visitors £5. No booking required.

Michael Portillo: A Game of Two Halves, St George’s Bristol, Saturday 19 October, 7pm Listen to Michael’s extraordinary stories followed by question time at the end. Box office tel: 0845 40 24 001 or visit: www.stgeorgesbristol.co.uk.

New Bristol Sinfonia, Victoria Rooms, Saturday 19 October, 7.30pm Enjoy an unforgettable night of stirring classical music at the Victoria Rooms as the New Bristol Sinfonia performs Mahler’s 5th Symphony – one of the composer’s most famous and best-loved pieces of music. Turn up at 6.45 for a free pre-concert talk by the conductor, James Lowe. Tickets available from: www.newbristolsinfonia.org.uk.

Castle Park Walk: One Thousand Years of Bristol History, meet at St Nicholas Steps, Sunday 20 October, 11.30am, 1pm & 2.30pm This one-hour walk, led by an archaeologist, looks at Castle Park from High Street to the eastern boundary of the castle site, including Bristol’s two oldest churches and the castle remains. Free of charge, but booking is essential as places are limited. To book contact Carol Blackmore on tel: 0117 903 9010 or email: carol.blackmore@bristol.gov.uk.

Michael Portillo comes to St George’s Pianist Freddy Kempf joins Bristol Ensemble at St George’s

Make Sundays Special, Sunday 20 October

Make Sundays Special

Baldwin Street, Corn Street and the Old City will be closed to motor traffic and opened up pedestrians and cyclists to enjoy street theatre, creative art workshops, children’s activities, sports taster sessions, food stalls, live music, walk-about performers and more.

Up Down Boy, Brewery Theatre, 22 – 26 October, 8.15pm Up Down Boy returns to the Brewery Theatre following sell-out performances and critical acclaim when it showed in the Brewery and Factory Theatres in 2010.This honest, touching and uplifting play and was inspired by the extraordinary life story of a boy with Down’s syndrome and his mother’s humorous perspective on bringing him up.

Presented by Bristol-based Myrtle Theatre (City of One, Hot Air), Up Down Boy combines drama, music, dance and animation to tell an incredibly moving story. Box office tel: 0117 902 0344 or visit: www.tobaccofactorytheatre.com.

Bristol Ensemble and Freddy Kempf, St George’s Bristol, Wednesday 23 October, 7.30pm The Bristol Ensemble is joined by virtuoso pianist Freddy Kempf, a soloist who has a long association with the professional orchestra, to perform two of Mozart’s best-loved piano concertos: The Concerto No 23 and No.21 in C. Tickets from the box office on tel: 0845 40 24 001 or visit: www.stgeorgesbristol.co.uk

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Model show at the Fleet Air Arm Museum

Autumn Model Show, Fleet Air Arm Museum, Saturday 26 October, 10am Some of Britain’s best pilots of radio controlled aircraft will demonstrate their outstanding skill in both model making and piloting with flying displays alongside a display of radio controlled tanks. There will be traders and clubs representing all aspects of model making as well as an Airfix Make and Paint workshop with prizes. Normal admission prices to the museum apply. Tickets can be purchased online at: www.fleetairarm.com. Fleet Air Arm Museum, RNAS Yeovilton, Somerset.

A Pretty Nostalgic Gathering, Kings Weston House, Saturday 26 October, 10am – 4 pm A day of British exhibitors, talks and period dance demonstrations covering the entire ground floor and gardens of the newly restored and reopened Kings Weston House. Entrance fee: £2 in advance or £3 on the door, under 16s are free. Tickets from: www.prettynostalgic.co.uk. Kings Weston House, Bristol Kings Weston Lane, Kingsweston.

Ciphers at Tobacco Factory Theatre

BristolCon, DoubleTree Hotel, Saturday 26 October, doors open 9am BristolCon celebrates its 5th year with another exciting line-up of attractions and headlining this year’s event is Philip Reeve, author of Mortal Engines and the Larklight series. He is joined by writer and publisher Storm Constantine, author of the Wraeththu novels, and owner of Immanion Press and also Bristol-born comic-book artist, Mark Buckingham, who has worked for both Marvel and DC. In addition many other well-known writers and artists will be in attendance along with discussion panels on a variety of topics, merchandise stalls, an art show, and opportunities to meet like-minded people. Evening entertainment includes music from double-bass player and stand-up comedian Grant Sharkey. Tickets £20 in advance from: www.bristolcon.org.

Ciphers, Tobacco Factory Theatre, 29 October – 2 November, 8pm Touring to Bristol for the first time in a decade, internationally acclaimed Out of Joint presents the new thriller Ciphers. In this story, a young woman is >>

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Darius Brubeck performs at St George’s

found dead and when her sister sets out to find out what happened, she stumbles into a world of secrets. A smart and provocative thriller about spies, double agents, and the human soul. Box office tel: 0117 902 0344 or visit: www.tobaccofactorytheatre.com.

Nunsense the Musical, Horfield Parish Hall, 30 October – 2 November, 7.30pm The Horfield Theatre Company present this funny and witty musical comedy about a group of nuns and their quest to put on a variety show. Tickets from tel: 0117 9695716 or visit: www.horfieldtheatre.co.uk.

BOOK NOW FOR...

A Kind of Brubeck, St George’s Bristol, Thursday 7 November, 8pm US pianist Darius Brubeck pays tribute to the music of his late father, Dave Brubeck, and other modern masters, with his quartet of sax-star Dave O’Higgins, bassist Matt Ridley and drummer Wesley Gibbens. Expect Take Five, Unsquare Dance and more, together with Darius’s own African-flavoured compositions. Tickets £16 from the box office on tel: 0845 40 24 001 or visit: www.stgeorgesbristol.co.uk.

City of Bristol Choir: Fauré Requiem, St Alban’s Church, Sunday 10 November, 7.30pm In this concert for Remembrance Sunday, City of Bristol Choir, conducted by David Ogden is joined by the Lochrian Ensemble to perform Fauré’s setting of the Requiem and Vaughan Williams’ Dona Nobis Pacem. Tickets available from tel: 01454 778477 or www.cityofbristolchoir.org.uk.

An Evening with Children’s Laureate Malorie Blackman, Bristol Grammar School, Monday 25 November, 5pm Children’s Laureate Malorie Backman talks about her new book Noble Confilct

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Children’s Laureate Malorie Blackman, author of the award-winning book Noughts and Crosses, will be discussing her new book, Noble Conflict. Tickets £5, including refreshments. For more information or to book visit: www.bristolgrammarschool.co.uk/events.aspx

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BRISTOL ART PRIZE

SS Great Britain at Dawn, by Alan Reed, watercolour 52cm x 30cm

CITY SCENES See Bristol through the eyes of the city’s creatives at an exhibition showcasing the entries from The Bristol Art Prize

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hroughout October the Guildhall Arts Centre, in Small Street, will be home to a exhibition of Bristol scenes from The Bristol Art Prize painting competition. More than 100 artists entered the competition, and the result is a really interesting and worthwhile exhibition that offers a colourful view of city.

Michael Porter, of Art Ventures Ltd., who organised the competition, allocated each painter one of 34 locations in the city and asked them to produce at least one work inspired by what they saw there.

“Of course there are views of the Suspension Bridge,” says Michael, “and there are lots of waterside views including one of HMS Arethusa at Narrow Quay as it would have looked in the 18th century. The painters enjoyed the challenge and the paintings show that art can be found everywhere.

“We have two paintings from the platforms at Temple Meads. Totally different styles both capturing the artistic essence of the place perceived in very different ways. We have a view from beneath St Philip’s Causeway that contrasts sharply with the old facades of St Michael’s Hill, and abstract impressions from King Street provide a counterpoint to the art to be found in a view of Hill Street flats.”

Final judging took place on 26 September and the winning painting (still to be announced at time of press), which best captured the spirit of Bristol, received a prize of £5,000. There were also prizes of £500 each for works depicting St Nicholas Market, The Harbourside and Cabot Circus.

Three painters with views of the Old Town also won the chance to paint for a week in Cornwall, with studio space and accommodation provided.

The winning paintings will be included in the exhibition and all the paintings in the show are offered for sale with prices ranging from £150 to £5,000. The Princes Trust will benefit from 10% of all receipts.

The exhibition will be open at the Guildhall Arts Centre during October 2pm – 5pm on Tuesdays and Wednesdays St Nicholas Market by and 10am – 5pm on Thursdays to Stephen Campbell, oil Saturdays. See an online gallery at: 40cm x 50cm www.bristolartprize.co.uk. ■ 44 THE BRISTOL MAGAZINE

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Welsh Back by Ben Hughes, oil 41cm x 51cm

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‘Drama’

A one man show of new paintings by Steven Lindsay “like revisiting Vermeer in the Dutch Golden Age of painterly skill against the Colour Field of Rothko, all intertwined with an aesthetic twist of contemporary, complexsimplicity. Lindsay using his paintbrush eloquently, capturing painterly conversations between the art history giants of a bygone age and a bygone art.”

Estelle Lova , art critic for the New Radio 2 Arts Show october 19th > nov 19th 2013

84 Hotwell Road, Bristol BS8 4UB tel 0117 929 2527

WWW.THEBRISTOLMAGAZINE.CO.UK

www.limetreegallery.com

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ARTS | & EXHIBITIONS

AUTUMN SHOWS Charles Emerson at Antlers Gallery, 11 – 26 October An exhibition of new work by rising Bristol-based photographer Charles Emerson in Antlers Gallery’s new Christmas Steps location. Just as his piece White Rose I adorns the shelves of record shops around the world on the cover of the latest album by indie-rock band, the Editors, Charles Emerson returns to exhibit in his hometown for his first UK solo show. The exhibition presents a development of his hugely popular flower series, which were originally inspired by the heavy symbolism in Dutch Vanitas paintings. Emerson’s photography captures particular moments and everything you see in the exhibition happened and is real – with no post-production or special effects. He constructs a set within his studio using a tank full of water, glass plates, mirrors and coloured and UV lights. The flowers are then submerged in the tank with a concoction of inks, dyes and paints. It is this moment which Emerson captures in his photography. Emerson lives and works in Bristol, and his photographs have been shown in exhibitions in London, New York and Sao Paulo and featured in a number of national publications. Earlier in the year he was dubbed as one of ten best emerging artists by Affordable Art Fair founder Will Ramsay.

Antlers Gallery, 11 Christmas Steps. www.antlersgallery.com Charles Emerson, Dahlia I

Andrew Hood, Delhi Street Corner

Clare Cutts at Fizz Gallery, from 1 October Continuing to support local artists, Clevedon’s Fizz Gallery has teamed up with Bristol print maker Clare Cutts whose work will be on display at the gallery throughout October. On show will be popular pieces from her collection as well as new work featuring layered 3D effects that create powerful yet delicate images.

Fizz Gallery & Framing, 65a Hill Road, Clevedon, BS21 7PD. Tel: 01275 341 141 Visit: www.fizzgallery.co.uk

Autumn Exhibition at Innocent Fine Art, 18 October – 2 November An exhibition of work by three artists, Heidi Koenig, Elaine Jones and Andrew Hood, who each evoke a strong sense of place and atmosphere. Heidi Koenig’s richly colourful abstracts are inspired both by her recent travels and the rugged Dartmoor terrain near her home. Both Elaine and Andrew are well known Bristol artists who work in Jamaica Street studios. In her latest work, Elaine exploits the contrast between atmospheric serenity and nature in its wildest forms, while Andrew uses bold oil colours to create an animated sense of place filled with the dynamism and movement of the city. This is the first time that Andrew and Elaine have come together for a joint exhibition, celebrating the similarities in difference.

Innocent Fine Art, 7a Boyces Avenue, Clifton.

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Steven Lindsay, Swimming Against a Tide of Indifference

Clare Cutts, Butterflies and chives

Steven Lindsay at Lime Tree Gallery, 19 October – 19 November After graduating from Glasgow School of Art in 1985, Steven Lindsay embarked on a successful career in the music industry. But in 2008 he returned to Glasgow School of Art and took night classes to study figure drawing, going on to start a new career as an artist. He was soon winning art prizes and in 2010 was short-listed for The Aspect Prize, Scotland’s most prestigious painting award. His work sees a traditional painting style, mostly figurative given a contemporary narrative by using space and light as a backdrop to his mostly solitary figures.

Lime Tree Gallery, 84 Hotwell Road. ww.limetreegallery.com

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ARTS | & EXHIBITIONS

High-rise by Peter Bobby at the Architecture Centre, 9 October – 17 November High-rise is an exhibition of still and moving images born out of a five-year project by Bristol-based artist Peter Bobby. Peter has toured High-rise from the Cardiff International Festival of Photography to the National Theatre on London’s Southbank, and now to his home city, Bristol. The work looks at high-rise buildings from inside and out; from conference facilities, boardrooms, auditoriums, bars and toilets on the upper floors of major developments to night-time images looking up at the isolated summits of these structures from the streets below. For the exhibition at the Architecture Centre, Peter will present a selection of works from the project as well as a dual projection of installation images from previous incarnations of High-rise. The resulting show will be a unique take on Bobby’s archive work, bespoke built for Bristol. The Architecture Centre, Narrow Quay. Tel: 0117 922 1540.

Social Deformity at View Gallery, until 17 November

Social Deformity is cocurated by the multi-talented artist, curator, poet and comedian, Clare FergusonWalker. Following the success of last year’s Myth, Magic & Madness exhibition, Clare is back to use her artist network to create a show that once again excites, challenges and provokes social comment.

Pictured is Clare’s Clockwork Heart. Clare draws upon elements of folklore and mythology, extracting age old truths woven into our collective sub-conscious. She uses the human form as a starting point to convey expression, touching on the issues of sex, death and a loss of innocence. Clare says: “As an artist if you can take a dark theme such as the blinding inevitability of death, and render that concept in a manner which is beautiful to observe, then you’ve done an alchemic job, you’ve spun gold from fear.” View Art Gallery, 159-161 Hotwell Road. Visit: www.viewartgallery.co.uk

Viv Young

Bristol & Somerset: Vanishing Lives at the Cube Gallery, RWA, until 13 November

Techniques at RE Bucheli Gallery, Until 30 November At RE Bucheli Fine Art for the next two months, exhibitions will highlight different creative techniques alongside an autumn programme featuring artist demonstrations, hands on activities and and a special event for The Big Draw: join in and draw something on the theme of Tomorrow. There will be mixed media techniques demonstrated by Rosalind Cuthbert RWA on Saturday 5 October and watercolours by David Cuthbert on Saturday 19 October. For a full programme, visit: www.rebucheli.co.uk. RE Bucheli Fine Art, 12A Broad Street.

Quentin Blake prints at Sky Blue Gallery, throughout October A new set of Quentin Blake/Roald Dahl limited edition prints have been released and are available to view in the gallery from the beginning of the month. Sky Blue Framing & Gallery 27 North View, Westbury Park.

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Clare Ferguson-Walker, Clockwork Heart

Gordano Textile Artists at Guild Gallery, 5 – 26 October An exhibition showcasing colour, form and texture in textiles from the Gordano Textile Artists, all based on the theme of Distractions. All items are for sale and the artists will be on hand to discuss their work. Guild Gallery, 68/70 Park Street.

Heartfelt charity exhibition at Philadelphia Street Gallery, Cabot Circus, 1 – 6 October Influential documentary photographer, Clifton Wood based Martin Parr has donated two signed photographs to the Heartfelt art exhibition which is being held to raise funds for Cruse Bereavement Care Bristol.

Martin’s pieces will join work from popular painters Huw Richards-Evans, Jenny Urquhart and Feona Ness, among others. All work will be sold for £40 and is signed on the back so the identity of the artist might be a surprise to the buyer when it is revealed on purchase.

There will also be a sealed bid auction of larger and 3D pieces, to be drawn by Bristol Mayor George Ferguson on Saturday 5. The exhibition will be open all week 10am – 5pm in the gallery opposite Harvey Nichols.

OCTOBER 2013

In 1959, freelance photographer Reece Winstone FRPS showed 2,000 photographs of Old Bristol, many collected from the early days of photography, at the RWA, filling two main galleries. It was a revelation. For the first time, Bristolians saw their city clearly rather than clouded by their own personal memories, seeing what had come before and what had been lost.

Winstone’s Bristol As It Was books gave birth to a new genre of published photography, adopted across the world. By 1966 Winstone’s earlier work in creating a commercial country-wide photo library of Beautiful Britain consisted of 36,000 of his own photographs. Bristol & Somerset: Vanishing Lives is an exhibition and catalogue produced by Winstone’s son, John, who has selected 150 of some 7,000 photographs depicting urban and rural locations of Bristol and Somerset. The show features many iconic Bristol locations pictured between 1930 to the mid-1960s and illustrates a major shift in British life and the practice of photography.

Royal West of England Academy Queen’s Road, Clifton. Tel: 0117 973 5129 Bristol City Centre, 1935, Ice Cream Vendor

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CREATIVE DISCOVERIES This month sees the return of the West Bristol Arts Trail, an explosion of creative talent from the Clifton and Hotwells area with more than 100 artists taking part. Enjoy the opportunity to see creative work in the artists’ own homes and studios

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his year’s West Bristol Arts Trail, on Saturday 12 and Sunday 13 October, will be particularly exciting as The Bristol School of Art, based in the RWA, will be acting as a venue for the first time. Over 20 artists will be creating a group exhibition alongside work from students of the Bristol School of Art both past and present.

Many artists in the city begin their artistic journey at the Bristol School of Art, taking courses in a variety of media from painting to printmaking, ceramics to enamelling and life drawing to history of art. They then move on to working in their own homes and studios and testing public opinion on an art trail. Some are then lucky to be picked up by galleries or invited to show at the RWA. The Bristol School of Art is a fantastic exhibition space, boasting enormous rooms with high ceilings and plenty of natural light. During the trail you will have the chance to see paintings, textiles, ceramics, jewellery and more under one roof and you can also find out about the classes on offer – and maybe feel inspired to sign up yourself. The venue is also hosting the West Bristol Arts Trail launch party on Friday 11 October, 6-9pm where you can enjoy the artwork, meet the artists and pick up a free trail map to plan your route for the whole weekend.

The West Bristol Arts Trail is a perfect way to catch independent artists alongside their art and learn about the ideas behind their work. Visit them in their homes, local shops, cafés, pubs and other venues over the weekend. Free trail maps detailing the locations and artists are available from libraries, shops and cafés across Bristol and online at: www.westbristolarts.com.

Huw Richards Evans

The M Shed Silhouette, Charlotte Rowlands

Magda Goss

Maita Robinson

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BRISTOL | FOODIE

SPILLING THE BEANS Bristol cook and author Jenny Chandler has launched a new book on pulses with recipes and information, in an effort to change the way we think about these nutritious grains

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utting her expert knowledge from eating, researching, extensive travelling and working as a cook to paper, Bristol cook and author Jenny Chandler has launched a new cookery book called Pulse, a collection of modern recipes for beans, chickpeas and lentils to tempt meat-eaters and vegetarians alike. In it you’ll find inspiration for purees, dips and nibbles, soups, fritters, starters, mains, salads, sides, sweet bits, sauces, seasonings and much more, with sections on easy timings and instructions, storing and using beans for multiple meals, nutritional benefits, and baby food, alongside pictures, descriptions, history and tips about all the most common pulses.

Pulses, or legumes, include dry beans like pinto beans, kidney beans and navy beans; dry peas and lentils; and have long been known for their highly nutritious properties, being low in fat and high in proteins, fibre, vitamins and minerals; so are eaten by many people especially to maintain good health.

Jenny says: “At last legumes are ditching their hemp-shirted hippie label and yet all the existing books have a rather worthy feel about them, and seem to be directed purely at vegetarians or people on wholefood diets – Pulse aims to revolutionise the reputation of pulses and position them as a fantastic addition to our diet.

“Pulses are extremely versatile, providing a blank canvas for so many of the styles and flavours that we have come to embrace in the multicultural British kitchen. They are incredibly economical, a vitally important factor as food prices go up and people have to rein in their spending.

“Legumes provide an increasingly significant source of protein for discerning meat-eaters who prefer to reserve their carnivorous tendencies for the higher priced organic or free range meats as a treat, and they are a great source of protein for vegetarians and vegans. More and more families are made up of both meat eaters and vegetarians, a nightmare for the timepressed cook. Pulse contain numerous recipes that can be tweaked to go in either direction, making for an easier life in the kitchen.

“But, above all, they are an absolutely delicious, under-exploited ingredient. People just don’t know what to do with them.”

Jenny is a Bristol-based teacher, mum, cook, author, consultant and food blogger (http://jennychandlerblog.com). Originally from Worcestershire, she studied Spanish and Catalan at Bristol University in the 80s and then travelled and worked abroad for many years. Between trips she trained at Leith’s School of Food and Wine in London and joined an Italian yacht as the chef, and her love of Mediterranean cooking, which influences many of the recipes in her new book, stems from the years she spent onboard, sailing around Italy, Spain and France. Her close connection with Spain also gave her the opportunity to travel widely and research her two Spanish cookbooks: The Food of Northern Spain (Pavillion 2005) and The Real Taste of Spain (Pavillion 2007).

She says: “My extensive travels have given me the opportunity to learn 52 THE BRISTOL MAGAZINE

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and appreciate how other cultures use and celebrate legumes, as well as the chance to gather a wide variety of recipes.”

When Jenny returned to England 15 years ago, she came straight back to Bristol to live and set up The Plum Cooking Company in Princesss Victoria Street, giving demonstrations and bespoke classes and workshops. She is still there today and sometimes teaches at The Bertinet Kitchen in Bath and also at Divertimenti, Leiths and Borough Market in London. It is obvious that Jenny is passionate about inspiring others to source, prepare and eat great food and her experience and knowledge has been gleaned over years of eating, researching, travelling and working as a cook.

“As a teacher I understand the importance of user-friendly recipes, background information and top tips for saving time and preparing ahead,” says Jenny. “Equally, as a working mother I appreciate the constraints of time when it comes to both the shopping and preparation of meals and the potentially frustrating limitations of cooking for picky children. In Pulse there are plenty of pointers to help with everyday catering.”

Pulse is available to buy on Amazon, in most local book shops and at Papadeli and The Riverstation in Bristol. Jenny will also be talking about her book at various events over the next few months, including: • Friday 11 October at Borough Market, London, 12pm – 2pm • Saturday 26 October at Bristol Home, Food and Festival, 1pm: cooking masterclass.

• Friday 1 November at Toppings bookshop, Bath, 8pm: talk, demo and tastings. ■

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WINE FOR GAME

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ine lovers are in for a treat this month, as Brunel’s Old Station is preparing to open its doors once again to the Tesco Wine Fair on 12 and 13 October. Bringing more than 250 wines from all over the world – along with Tesco’s team of dedicated wine experts – the Tesco Wine Fair will be celebrating its 10th anniversary, making this year even more of a reason to celebrate.

Laura Jewell (pictured), Master of Wine and Wine Category Product Development Manager at Tesco, says: “We are delighted to be bringing the Tesco Wine Fair to Bristol again this year. Our 10th anniversary is a fantastic milestone and is made even better by the fact that we’re continuing to take the Tesco Wine Fair out to exciting cities full of people who are keen to discover and learn more about wine.

“The Wine Fair is the perfect opportunity for visitors to taste a selection of the many wines we have at Tesco, as well as providing the chance for people to take part in free workshops in a relaxed and informal setting.”

To celebrate the arrival of the Tesco Wine Fair in Bristol and as the game season gets well underway; Laura Jewell MW has selected some fruity red wines to complement hearty game dishes:

Quirky Bird Shiraz Grenache Mourvèdre, Tesco, £6.99 Deliciously smooth with rich blackberry flavours. A quirky bottle of red – perfect with flavorsome and rich game birds.

Finest Viña Mara Reserva Rioja, Tesco, £9.99 A rich, powerful wine with raspberry and vanilla flavours, together with a touch of spice. This award winning Rioja is a tasty accompaniment to roast duck.

Finest Gigondas, Tesco, £12.99 This one is a blend of Syrah and Grenache, with abundant bramble fruit flavours and a real kick of spice. Fantastic with rich red meats and seasonal game, including grouse and pheasant.

Finest Château Le Barrail Medoc, Tesco, £7.99 This medal winning red wine displays ripe red berry and currant characteristics and is delicate and fruity, with soft tannins. A real crowd pleaser and delicious with a hearty roast.

If you haven’t already bought tickets to the Tesco Wine Fair yet, there is still time.Visit: www.tescowinefair.com

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THE ART OF BAKING Head to artisan bakery The Breadstore on Gloucester Road for a better slice of daily bread, says Lindsey Harrad

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nce described in the national press as ‘one of the last traditional high streets in Britain’, Gloucester Road is an eclectic enclave of independent businesses that continues to thrive, bucking national trends even in the face of several new supermarkets popping up in the local area. A traditional greengrocer and hardware store rub shoulders with trendy boutiques and vibrant cafés, but just as bread has been at the heart of our diet for over 7,500 years, The Breadstore has been the hub of the community on the Gloucester Road for many years now.

Dom Arnal is a career baker who has been in the trade for 27 years. He learned his craft with Bristol-based bakery chain Mountstevens, before moving into the artisan sector 12 years ago as a baker at The Breadstore. He went on to become the bakery manager, and when the previous owner offered Dom first dibs on buying the business in 2011, he and his wife Trish decided to give it a go.

“We didn’t change a lot when we took over because it was already a very successful business,” says Dom. “We did change a few small things, for example we gave our counters a revamp, little things like that. In terms of our products, we made a few changes – for example, we used to produce organic white and organic wholemeal loaves, but I had an issue with paying the Soil Association a large fee to get an organic certificate, when it’s us that has to do all the paperwork. We make the loaves in exactly the same way but we renamed them The Breadstore White and The Breadstore Wholemeal – it’s the same bread but we can’t officially call them organic anymore. We had to pay so much money for the certificate and do so much paperwork, it just wasn’t right.”

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With £10,000 spent on bakery purchases every minute in the UK, bread and baking are back in fashion and the industry is booming. Artisan bakeries are gradually taking a bigger slice of the action thanks to innovative products and a back to basics approach to their baking methods, resulting in purer, healthier, tastier loaves. Just as Dom believes in doing no more paperwork than is absolutely necessary, as he’d rather be baking bread, he takes the same attitude towards adding ingredients to his dough. “There’s nothing wrong with supermarket bread, it serves a purpose, and for people on a really tight budget it does the job, that’s life and I’m not going to compete with that,” he says. “But as an artisan bakery, the difference with our bread is that we only put in what’s absolutely necessary to get the bread made. If it’s not needed, we don’t put it in. People don’t always know what’s in their supermarket food, and even the staff don’t know if there’s artificial colour in their biscuits, for example.”

Dom says he’s noticed the nation’s tastes becoming more adventurous over the years.

“When I was growing up, we had white sliced bread, maybe a bit of wholemeal, and it was mainly used for sandwiches, it wasn’t the centrepiece of a meal,” he says. “But these days, people might be having some nice pasta for dinner and they want a really special tear and share loaf to serve with it. Of course, we do slice bread here, so we can offer the convenient option too. We’ve got a few supermarkets in the area, but we find most people come back to us as they find the mass produced loaves so bland. As an artisan bakery, we can offer something different – we’ve seen people’s tastes changing over the last few years, and there’s now a great demand for products such as sourdoughs, and also continental breads, with ingredients such as sundried tomatoes, green and black olives, mushroom and rosemary, pumpkin seeds and so on.”

...our bread isn’t typical – it’s slightly different every day because we’re an artisan business not a production line

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Dom says the bakery bestseller is, not surprisingly, their granary loaf, but innovative products are capturing the attention of local foodies. “People really like the flavour of our Pain Rustique sticks because we start the dough off the previous afternoon and leave it overnight, the longer fermenting process gives it a stronger flavour than most French sticks,” he says. “We also make a light sourdough, which we call our Polish loaf, as it was suggested by a Polish baker we had working for us. It’s a light sourdough loaf made with light rye with caraway seeds in it, just slightly different and has lots of flavour from the living sourdough starter we use.

We actually sell the starter to home bakers too – ours has been going for 18 years now, it doesn’t half smell but people love the idea that it’s alive and it gives the bread a lovely distinctive flavour.”

The Breadstore makes 150 of its 156 products in-house, which means a daily 4am start for Dom and his team of five bakers, but he says he loves his job, and the social side of running a business that puts him at the heart of his local community. “You get to know a lot of people, and find out about their lives. You remember when they first came in as a couple, then when they got married, now they bring their kids in. You build up great relationships with people. There’s no typical customer – we’ve got kids and 90 year olds, students, professors and busy professionals, every type of person you can imagine, but then our bread isn’t typical – it’s slightly different every day because we’re an artisan business not a production line in a factory.”

As an independent bakery, there’s no generic loaf at The Breadstore and the team can adapt quickly to new trends and meet unusual customer demands. “The best bit about my job is seeing the whole process – putting the bread in the oven, seeing the customers buy it then come back the next day and tell us how much they enjoyed it,” says Dom. “The other day we had a brideto-be come in and ask us to make some mini loaves and hedgehog rolls for her wedding – she was over the moon with them and it felt great to be able to make her so happy. I’d like to do that every day if I can. To make people’s lives happier by doing something simple like baking a beautiful loaf of bread, what could be better than that?” ■

National Craft Bakers’ Week, 7 – 13 October The Fabulous Baker Brothers, Tom and Henry Herbert, who run high street bakeries in the Cotswolds, are supporting National Craft Bakers’ Week, a campaign calling on the public to Love Your Baker. During National Craft Bakers’ week hundreds of bakeries around the country, including The Breadstore on Gloucester Road, are holding special events, tastings and promotions to celebrate craft baking and encourage support for local bakeries.

Visit: www.craftbakersweek.co.uk to find out more.

Freshly baked artisan bread at The Breadstore

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RE CI PE

The Fabulous Baker Brothers, Tom and Henry Herbert

To mark National Craft Bakers’ Week, the Fabulous Baker Brothers have shared a delicious recipe from their latest cook book – Glorious British Grub. The London Pea Souper demonstrates just one delicious way to use freshly baked bread from your local baker, or you can make the bread yourself

London Pea Souper Ingredients for bread: 5g dried yeast (or 10g fresh) 300ml tepid water 560g strong white flour 10g sea salt 20ml rapeseed oil, plus extra for rubbing on dough Ingredients for pea soup: 1 knob of butter 3 tbsp good quality olive oil 1 onion, diced 1 garlic clove, chopped Pinch of paprika plus extra to serve Pinch of cayenne pepper Pinch of smoked sea salt 500g frozen garden peas 400ml hot chicken stock 4 tbsp crème fraiche with 2 tsp horseradish cream mixed in Small bunch of mint roughly chopped (12-18 small leaves reserved) Juice of 1 lemon, zest of half 200g smoked eel fillets, to serve (optional) • Stir the yeast into the water with a fork. Weigh the flour and salt into a bowl and add the oil. Pour in the dissolved yeast and stir. Once it comes together into a dough, turn it out and knead for 15 minutes (10 minutes for machines) until smooth and elastic. Put back in the bowl, cover in cling film and leave in a warm place to double in size.

• Heat the oven to 240 degrees/ gas 9, and put in a baking sheet or stone to heat up. Divide the dough into six balls, roll under the palm of your hand into a good round shape, then cover with rapeseed oil and place in a baking tray. Cover the tin and leave it in a warm place to double in size.

• Place a dish of water on the oven base for the perfect crust. Bake the rolls for 10 minutes, then turn the temperature down to 230 degrees/ gas 8 and bake for a final 10 minutes until golden.

• To make the soup, heat the butter and oil in a large pan over medium heat. Add the onion and garlic and fry for three minutes or until soft and just colouring. Stir in the paprika, cayenne and smoked sea salt, then add the frozen peas and hot chicken stock and bring to the boil. Cover and simmer for six minutes or until the peas are cooked. Take off the heat.

• Slice the tops off the rolls and remove the inner crumb to make a bowl for the soup. Add the crumb to the soup with the crème fraiche, mint and lemon zest and juice. Blitz with a hand held blender or add to a liquidiser and blend until smooth.

• Pour a little oil inside the bread rolls and season them. Return to the oven for another five minutes to harden slightly. Pour the soup into the bread rolls and flake the smoked eel, if using, over the top. Serve with a dusting of paprika and the reserved mint leaves on top.

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FOOD | AND DRINK

WINING & DINING news and reviews Congratulations to...

Quick bites ■ If you’re looking for new wines to try with seasonal food, or sparkling wines for Christmas, don’t miss the the Tesco Wine Fair which is coming to Brunel's Old Station next to Temple Meads on 12 and 13 October. Now celebrating its 10th anniversary, the Tesco Wine Fair is a fun day out for anyone who enjoys wine. Whether you’re a complete novice or you consider yourself a bit of a wine buff, for £12 per person you can taste and explore more than 250 still and sparkling wines from all over the world. You will also be able to purchase wines at a special price with a Tesco Wine Fair discount. Perfect if you are planning a big party or even organising a wedding. For further information visit: www.tescowinefair.com

• Chef Stephen Gomes from Meluha restaurant on Park Street, has been named English Curry Chef of the Year at the English Curry Awards. Having only opened his first English restaurant Meluha in April, this accolade was especially exciting and recognises Stephen’s dedication to the future of Indian food, by taking dishes routed firmly in authenticity and adding a twist of modernity, such as his delicately flavoured Lamb Railway curry, originally served to the Raj on the first railways and still popular to this day, now served in Meluha in Kilner jars with the moreish and perfectly matched chilli, chocolate and honey nan.

• The Rummer Hotel in St Nicholas Market has won Best Spirit Bar at the Great British Pub Awards. Firmly established as a stylish independent Bristol venue, the Rummer stocks more than 100 varieties of rum and 400 premium spirits from around the globe. The bar uses the finest and most authentic ingredients, and with a team of Bristol’s best bartenders to mix them, creates a spectacular array of cocktails. In addition to the extensive cocktail list and spirit collection, The Rummer also has a wide selection of bottled beers from both local and international producers, a formidable wine list and great cider.

• The Pony & Trap in Chew Magna has retained its Michelin star rating in the 2014 Michelin Guide to Great Britain and Ireland.

Since opening in 2006, the family run pub has built a reputation for high quality food in relaxed surroundings boasting an a la carte menu that changes daily, a tasting menu that is available throughout the week and a range of monthly theme evenings. Two other Bristol independent restaurants, Casamia and Wilks, also received a Michelin star, highlighting Bristol’s ever growing reputation for quality dining. Casamia in Westbury on Trym has retained its star for the sixth year, while Wilks Peter and Jonray from Casamia, which has retained its Michelin restaurant in Chandos Road, Redland, has star for the sixth year received its first Michelin star after opening last year. Last October we raved about Wilks Restaurant in a review and predicted a Michelin star in the making, so congratulations to head chef James Wilkins.

What’s new on the foodie scene: • German restaurant chain, Bavarian Beerhouse had opened its newest venue in Queen Charlotte Street – the first outside London. A full beer, gastro and entertainment concept, the Bavarian Beerhouse serves traditional Bavarian dishes such as freshly baked pretzels, sausages of all kinds, schnitzels, meatballs and Bavarian cheeses. It also serves popular German and Bavarian beers such as Krombacher Pils Bier and Erdinger Wheat Bier, served in traditional glasses like Steins, and the waiters and waitresses are dressed in traditional costume. The restaurant, decorated like an Oktoberfest beer tent, seats 200 downstairs at long wooden tables and a further 50 upstairs, with separate bars on both floors. Every Friday and Saturday there’s music and this month, the beerhouse will host Oktoberfest.

Tesco Wine Fair

■ Independent brewer Bath Ales has teamed up with the Watershed, to create a new pale ale especially for autumn. The limited edition ale has been carefully crafted in partnership between the Watershed’s head chef, Oliver Pratt, and Shane O’Beirne, experimental brewer at Bath Ales. Brewed using the finest produce and locally sourced Herefordshire hops, the beer features a blend of autumn flavours and hints of fruity bramble.

Oliver said: “I wanted to develop a beer to match the delicious flavours in our autumn menu, which features dishes such as belly pork and apple baguette.” The beer is available in cask and is brewed in Bath Ales’ new craft brewery, which is located in Hare House at Warmley between Bristol and Bath.

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• A head chef has been appointed at Bristol’s new art venue and steak restaurant which is set to open in the harbourside at the end of this month. Francesco Scafuri will head up the kitchen at Steak of the Art, which will cater for around 100 people serving locally sourced steaks alongside an art gallery that will showcase and sell quality affordable art and hold exhibitions and events. Francesco, who is originally from Italy, has worked with Michelin starred chefs and recently transformed the fortunes of Piccolino’s in Cabot Circus. He now plans to make sure his passion to serve quality fresh food will make this new restaurant one of the best known in the city. For further information visit: www.steakoftheart.co.uk.

• A new tapas restaurant called Venga is set to open in Portishead on 4 October. The opening of Venga will be the culmination of months of hard work transforming the former café at 24 High Street, previously empty for nearly two years, by Portishead locals and wine enthusiasts Mike Yeatman and his wife Chris. The idea was first conceived during the couple’s travels and they have drawn on many influences for the menu; from Barcelona, Madrid and Granada. Both share a passion for Mediterranean food and regularly prepare tapas, catering for large groups through Wine Friends, a local outdoor activity company. Venga will offer informal dining for the authentic Mediterranean experience; the simply cooked menu will be freshly prepared sourcing ingredients as locally as possible; even the charcuterie comes from Castellano’s in Downend. To book a table tel: 01275 814391.

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FOOD | AND DRINK

The Great Bath Feast 2013

FOODIE EVENTS...

Bristol Beer Week, various venues, 3 – 9 October A celebration of everything beer-related in the west country with a week long programme of beer festivals, meet the brewer events, food and beer tastings, education sessions and brewing demonstrations. For further information visit: www.bristolbeerweek.co.uk.

Hugh Fearnley-Whittingstall at River Cottage Canteen Bristol, Wednesday 16 October Hugh Fearnley-Whittingstall will be making an appearance at River Cottage Canteen Bristol to launch his new cookbook, River Cottage Fruit Everyday. Hugh fans can meet the man himself at the book signing between 10.30am – 11.30am inside the canteen on Whiteladies Road where a large selection of River Cottage books will be available to buy, along with the new fruit book.

The Bristol Home, Food & Drink Festival at UWE Exhibition Centre, Frenchay, Saturday 26 & Sunday 27 October The Bristol Home, Food & Drink Festival, now in its third year, will play host to Bristol’s own Michelin-starred chef Josh Eggleton and TV chef Martin Blunos at the mammoth, purpose-built UWE Exhibition & Conference Centre. The event will showcase the very best that the west has to offer including a myriad of top local chefs, food and drink producers and home wares. Specially for this year’s festival, a pop-up restaurant will take place in association with The Chefs’ Forum in aid of Children’s Hospice South West. The Chefs’ Forum boasts Josh Eggleton, Chris Wicks and Adrian Kirikmaa as founder committee members and the pop-up on 26 October will see students from City of Bristol College working with top local chefs to cook and serve a fabulous feast with wine paired to each course. Tickets are available at: www.homeandfoodfestival.co.uk

Love Food Festival at Paintworks, Sunday 27 October, 10.30am – 4pm This popular local foodie festival is back this month, and this time with a Halloween theme to liven your taste buds. The free event will house a huge market with a fine array of delicious produce including hearty homemade pies, freshly baked bread, local cheese, cakes, and much more, alongside some of the region’s best street food vendors and a children’s area with spooky fun and games. Talented local sculptors Hiatt Evans and Laurens Nockels will also be joining in the fun with their pumpkin carving skills. To wash it all down there will be a choice of spiced hot chocolate, mulled cider, English wine and afternoon tea.

Feast With a Chef at Long Ashton Village Hall, Friday 1 November, 7.30pm A gourmet Halloween Feast cooked by two-Michelinstarred chef Michael Wignall from Surrey restaurant, The Latymer. The feast will feature a four-course dinner plus coffee/tea and petit fours in a relaxed and friendly setting.

Tickets cost £36, available at: www.clarehargreaves.co.uk/ feastwithachef

Cheese & Wine Evening at Arch House Deli, Thursday 7 November, 7pm At this popular event, you can taste six of the Clifton Village deli’s favourite cheeses paired with six wines designed to bring out the very best in each other. Places are limited to 20. Tickets are £25 and can be purchased from the deli’s online shop: http://shop.archhousedeli.com.

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Mary Berry

Michael Caines

T

his is probably not the best month to be thinking about going on a diet as Bath prepares to welcome visitors for a month-long feast – with something for every kind of palate. And with around 100 events laid on throughout October, there’s no excuse not to tuck into the Great Bath Feast.

A chance to try...

A brewery tour and tasting session What beer drinker could resist an invitation to enjoy a tour of the Bath Ales brewery at Warmley, with an exploration into how our local brews are made? This is followed by a fun time back at the Hop Pole, the Salamander or at Graze – depending on which date you choose – matching food with Bath Ales’ finest.

Cookery for Young People Cooks aged between ten and 13 get the chance to attend a day-long course at the prestigious Vegetarian Cookery School in Bath.

A dash of celebrity...

Lunch with Michael Caines Sit down to a delicious lunch made from Michael Caines’ recipes, while the man himself talks about his life and, of course, about food. Hosted in that most elegant of surroundings, the Bath Priory, on Thursday 17 October. Or watch the chef cook up a storm in a bookshop . . . this we have to see. Michael will be at Topping & Co on Friday 18 October.

Masterclass with Angela Hartnett One of Britain’s most successful chefs will give a hands-on Michelin starred masterclass at The Bertinet Kitchen on Friday 25 October.

Dinner with Prue Leith The Allium Brasserie is hosting an evening with Prue Leith on Wednesday 9 October, when this hugely respected cook, restaurateur, food writer and novelist talks about her long and successful life in food.

She has played a key role in the revolution in British cooking since the 60s and as a judge on The Great British Menu continues to influence the way we eat and how we think about what we cook.

Mary Berry talks Bath-born Queen of Cakes returns to her home city to share tales from her recently published memoir, Recipe for Life. The event, on Tuesday 29 October, is organised by Topping & Co and the £20 ticket price includes a copy of the book.

Also visiting Bath...

Other VIP guests include the Raymond Blanc at Brasserie Blanc, Hugh Fearnley-Whittingstall at St Mary’s Bathwick, Nathan Outlaw at The Bertinet Kitchen and writer Tim Parks, at The Olive Tree. Look out for themed evenings at Bath restaurants, including The Circus, Woods, the King William, The Tasting Room, Roman Baths Kitchen and Sally Lunn’s. For a full programme visit: www,greatbathfeast.co.uk

Nathan Outlaw

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Flinty Red 34 Cotham Hill, Bristol BS6 6LA. Tel: 0117 923 8755

REVIEW

REASONS TO BE CHEERFUL

T

here are three very good reasons to visit Flinty Red. One: the food is delicious and freshly cooked, using great and unusual ingredients. Two: thanks to input from Corks of Cotham, just along the street, the wine can be enjoyed by the glass to perfectly match and enhance what you’re eating. Three: there’s a great atmosphere at this Cotham eaterie, making it one of the best of Bristol’s very fine independents.

There. That’s my view of Flinty Red in a paragraph. If you want to know more read on . . .

I’ve never been convinced by the whole wine/food matching thing. I’m much more of the ‘let’s look at the cost of a bottle and neck that while we eat’ school of oenology. But an evening at Flinty Red has converted me.

The vibe at Flinty Red is unpretentious, welcoming and relaxed. Staff, headed up by manager Ian Gateby the night we were there, are happy to chat about what’s on the menu and offer advice – should you want it – on which wines match each dish. It doesn’t matter if you’re as ignorant as I was as to the nature of a deep fried panisse (it’s a chick pea flour cake from the South of France, probably Genoese in origin, says Ian) and you probably won’t be the only diner who wants to know what sumac is.

We begin with what Ian confides is a staff favourite after-hours snack, anchovy toast served with a small glass of perfectly chilled dry sherry. This is a heavenly combination of crunchy sourdough with its intensely salty-fishy topping and the clean but rich sherry.

You can order in the traditional manner, of starter, mains then pudding but it’s much more fun to order a series of small plates to share. This is perfect dating food, as sharing and talking about the food is very bonding – off limits subjects for dating should include politics, sport or why your boss is giving you grief.

A lot of what Flinty Red does is very good Mediterranean peasant food but with a light touch and an elegant presentation. Three slices of hot smoked pork cheek were meltingly tender to the fork, sitting on a green sea of little lentils, creamy with mustard. The crisp little cubes of golden brown panisse were hot and moreish. Dishes are very reasonably priced, with small plates costing between £3.50 to £8.

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Cuvee des Grilles, D’Escausses, unusually a red served cold. But, as Ian observed quite rightly, the tannin in the red wine complemented the braised meaty fishy octopus. I loved too the sweet, soothing fine white onion filling in the ravioli. The pasta came with a swirl of red wine butter and some almost melted unctuous pecorino cheese. The octopus was cooked in such a light, zingy gremolata of lemony leafy parsley notes that we wished we’d left some bread from earlier. Unbidden Ian arrived with a small plate of sliced sourdough and the succinct greeting: ‘bread for mopping.’

They’re very good at pacing at Flinty Red. There was a big party behind us who all got their starters at the same time and promptly, while the couple across the room said they’d wait a bit before ordering pudding. One of the nice things about this being a small restaurant, with only 30-odd covers, is that the service is personal – but it also means you’d be wise to book to avoid disapppointment.

After a little interval in which we enthused about what we’d just devoured with such enjoyment, we had another look at the menu. If we’d felt greedier we’d have shared another savoury dish, probably a plate of onglet with green beans, potato and anchovy butter, but as it was John chose an affogato with vanilla ice cream – a very generous portion drenched with Amaretto.

I had been about to order a coffee granita with vodka, cream and coffee oil torta when Ian warned me it was made with espresso. How did he know that if I drink coffee after 6pm I’m wide-eyed and awake all night? The man’s clearly a mindreader. It was a shrewd point and so I switched to try the tonka bean crème brulee – a perfect crispy/creamy combo, the tonka bean custard just the right side of not too sweet and vanilla. I know this was strictly a school night, so I can only say that the last two drinks I had were ones I took for the team. I’m not normally a fan of dessert wine but the delightfully cold, clean Muscat was surely meant to be sipped between spoonfuls of crème brulee.

Before we tottered out on to the streets of Cotham, Ian had one final naughty but nice treat, namely a small glass of Japanese shiraume umeshu sweet plum infused sake. I urge you to get yourself some in, and pop it in the fridge. Then, on Christmas Eve, when all the presents are wrapped and there’s that very quiet pause in the house before the mayhem of Christmas Day, pour yourself a glass of this beautifully coloured plum sake, breath deeply, take a sip and be thankful for being alive. Sheer pleasure.

Oh, and don’t forget the three reasons I told you to try Flinty Red . . . ■ GMc

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Fill your Christmas Party with a burst of festive cheer by hiring...

Serenata South West Whether it’s an informal ‘do’ or a Black Tie event, we entertain revellers with rousing renditions of traditional carols and modern Christmas classics.

Celebrate your own private house party

We encourage audience participation and always take requests!

For more information on booking us for your event, please email

serenatasouthwest@gmail.com or call 07944762169 Very early festive wishes to all!

Beautiful, spacious house with panaramic views over the Usk Valley and Black Mountains.

Sleeps 14

20 minutes drive from Cribbs Causeway

£99pp includes welcome drinks, 3 Course Festive Dinner and Bed and Breakfast.

Minimum 10 people

For more information, menus, and bookings please call Helen on 07837 871572 or for more information on the house and location please visit www.ownersdirect.co.uk/wales/W1075.htm

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Use our guide to plan your Christmas celebrations, whether you are looking for a small family gathering or a large office party

AVON GORGE HOTEL

THE CROSS HANDS

Sion Hill, Clifton

Staple Hill Road, Bristol

Let this Christmas be one to remember. Whether it’s a delicious dinner and guilt-free gamble at one of the red and black casino nights or a festive feast and a boogie with friends and colleagues at one of the party nights, the Avon Gorge Hotel has Christmas all wrapped up. Alternatively the Christmas elf-vents team are itching to wave their wands and create a completely bespoke seasonal extravaganza with options of table magicians, singing waiters or a photo booth to name but a few.

For more information visit: www.theavongorge.com or tel: 0117 9738 955

The Cross Hands in Fishponds, under its current ownership since 2010, and about to celebrate its fourth Christmas would love to welcome you for your Christmas party this year.

It can accommodate large parties in the private dining room which is self contained, with its own bar, ipod dock and screen if needed – allowing you to tailor a party to your needs. It can cater for up to 45 people for a delicious sit down set menu or hold up to 100 people for a Christmas buffet menu. Set menu prices from £16.50 per head for lunch bookings, £19.50 per head for evening bookings and £12.50 per head for the Christmas buffet menu. To download the Christmas menu visit: www.thecrosshandsbristol.co.uk, or for further information tel: 0117 965 7759 or email: thecrosshands@gmail.com to talk through your requirements with a member of the team.

FLINTY RED 34 Cotham Hill, Bristol

REDWOOD HOTEL & COUNTRY CLUB Beggar Bush Lane, North Somerset

The perfect place for a spot of gastronomic good cheer. Flinty Red will be firing on all cylinders in the run up to Christmas. In conjunction with the usual restaurant menu, it will also be offering an especially festive menu for office parties and for large groups (above 6) of the more turkey weary folk. Christmas group bookings however are not available on Friday or Saturday evening.

3 COURSE LUNCH £ 25.00 3 COURSE SUPPER £32.50 Using the best produce the season has to offer, cooked with flare and creativity and with a brilliant drinks list to rival no other, celebrating Christmas at Flinty Red will not disappoint. Flinty Red is a Bib Gourmand winner, Observer Food Monthly regional runner-up and one of the best small restaurants in Bristol. To see the Christmas menu visit: www. flintyred.co.uk or for further information tel: 0117 923 8755, email: info@flintyred.com or feel free to pop into the restaurant to speak to someone.

‘Flinty Red has one of the fastest growing reputations in the city’ – The Guardian ‘Food as good as this doesn’t come along very often’ – The Telegraph

Come and let your hair down at Redwood Hotel & Country Club this year and enjoy the host of festivities on offer. From festive lunches to entertainment nights, private parties to family gettogethers, celebrate with a fantastic Christmas Day and New Years Eve menu – there’s even something for the kids.

There are also a range of rooms available for private parties for up to 350, with a range of menus on offer for lunch, dinner or drinks after work available throughout November, December and January. This year Redwood Hotel & Country Club is also offering something special for the ladies – a Festive Full Monty Night on 5 December. For further details or a brochure please contact sales@redwoodhotel.co.uk, tel: 01275 393901 or visit: www.redwood-hotel.co.uk

STEAK OF THE ART Harbourside, Bristol

Steak of the Art serves up something completely new in Bristol this Christmas; a restaurant that really stands out from the herd. Opening late October, Christmas bookings are already being taken, which is no surprise given the succulent Christmas menu and the cracking price. The lunchtime menu offers a great choice of food, including steak and fish, with two courses from £15, or three courses from £18. The dinner menu is equally attractive including succulent steak and seafood all responsibly sourced and respectfully cooked; with three courses from £27.50. For bookings please email: Slakeman@steakoftheart.co.uk or tel: 07525 342381. Visit: www.steakoftheart.co.uk

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COUNTRY HOUSE RETREAT

BUBBLE CHRISTMAS PARTIES

Near Chepstow, Wales

Various venues around Bristol

Bubble is hosting this season’s hottest Christmas parties in Bristol. With dates still available at Paintworks in Bristol’s creative quarter, and in the opulent Great Hall at Bristol Grammar School, now’s the time to secure your tickets. This year Bubble is bursting back onto the festive party season with fresh themes, exciting new music acts and upgraded entertainments. Why not join in the celebrations at the Buble and Bubbles night on the 12 December at Paintworks where Kai McKenzie, the country’s leading Michael Buble tribute act will be playing? Or how about a Hollywood themed party at Bristol Grammar School? Whatever you fancy call now on tel: 0845 222 0517 to enquire or book and let Bubble create the perfect Christmas package for you.

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

AT-BRISTOL Anchor Rd, Harbourside

Come and play in At-Bristol this Christmas. Enjoy a Christmas party with real pop and get the chance to party in the fantastical world of Bristol’s science centre. Hold a drinks reception on the wonderfully wacky exhibition floor of At-Bristol or take a spin on At-Bristol’s first ice rink for an extra bit of winter sparkle to the evening. Then head to the exclusive third floor, with fantastic views of Millennium Square and the city, for dining and dancing. Feast on locally sourced inventive festive favourites and scrumptious desserts, then boogie the night away. With a city centre location, shared party nights, lunch and buffet options available, there’s something for everyone. Alternatively for an underwater themed Christmas there’s Bristol Aquarium where you can party face-to-face with amazing sea creatures and leopard sharks. For more information about At-Bristol or Bristol Aquarium Christmas Parties tel: 0117 915 8000 or visit: atbristol.org.uk/christmasparties. At-Bristol Ice Rink is available for Group bookings or private hire.

SPIEGELTENT Harbourside, Bristol This magnificent venue pops up on Bristol Harbourside and is open throughout December for Christmas parties, live music, comedy, cabaret and weekend markets. The Spiegeltent itself is a glorious round mahogany structure decked with ornate carvings, stained glass and a huge draped ceiling – a unique and magical setting by anyone’s standards. The Right Royale Knees Up Christmas party nights are booking now. The evenings include a delicious three course dinner, fantastic local and international cabaret acts, a live swing band plus DJ and dancing till late. You can’t ask more than that for your Christmas shindig. Various dates throughout December still available and groups of all sizes are welcome, with tickets from only £50 per head. Or if you really want to treat your staff and clients this year you can book the whole thing. For further information visit: www.christmasspiegeltent.co.uk or for bookings contact tel: 0117 3789663

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Bidding for Bristol:

Bristol porcelain coffee can & saucer

Sold for £1,350

Invitation to consign

£19th Century Toleware tray

Sold for £1,550

Clevedon Salerooms Quarterly Specialist Sale of Antiques Fine Art & Collectors Items on the 28th November will include a dedicated Bristol Category to include all that is best from Bristol related fine & decorative arts.

The Salerooms are currently inviting entries for the sale and will be holding free valuation days at the Salerooms on the 30th Sept, 1st & 2nd October and again on the 14th, 15th, 16th October. On these days we are open from 9.30 – 1pm and 2pm – 5.00pm.

Sheena Stoddard, Clevedon Salerooms Fine Art Consultant and former Curator of Fine Art at the Bristol City Museum & Art Gallery is excited at the prospect of what may turn up. ‘One can only imagine what works of art, either by Bristol artists or depicting views of Bristol remain in private ownership. We are looking forward to being able to shed some light and provide sale estimates’.

Kemps Jewellers

Four ‘Bristol 600’ goblets

Sold for £540

Fine Art Auctioneers & Valuers

AMPLE FREE PARKING The Auction Centre Kenn Road, Kenn Clevedon, BS21 6TT

Tel: 01934 830111 www.clevedon-salerooms.com

Kemps Jewellers established 1881

Kemps are a family business, carrying an extensive range of new and second-hand jewellery, across a wide price range, and offering you: • Professional friendly advice • Beautiful gift ideas • Gift wrapping service

K

emps Jewellers was established in 1881. Michael Kemp is the fourth generation and with his team has tried to modernise the shop, with a friendly and approachable attitude, while still offering an old fashioned service. Every effort is made to make their customers feel welcome and relaxed whether from buying a watch battery or choosing that all important piece of jewellery.

Kemps hold a surprising amount of affordable treasures. There is a large core of secondhand jewellery and new that is that little bit different.

Kemps offer a wedding package. Buy any two wedding rings and receive a 10% discount. A varied range of rings is always carried in stock with the added option of a bespoke service should you wish for that something a little different. off There is also a 10% discount on any gifts purchased a ny two for the wedding, for the bridesmaids etc.

10%

weddin g rings

• Registered pawnbrokers • Jewellery and watch repairs undertaken • Gold purchased • Old jewellery & coins

10%

off*

when you buy any two wedding rings or buy gifts for a wedding, bridesmaids etc *Items and conditions apply, call for full details

Tel: 0117 950 50 90 Email: info@kempsjewellers.com 9 Carlton Court, Westbury on Trym www.kempsjewellers.com

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■ Bristol’s new conservation attraction, the Wild Place Project, has announced it had a successful summer holidays with more than 18,000 visitors since it opened its doors in July. The Wild Place Project, located near Cribbs Causeway, offers an insight into some of the ecosystems from around the world and is home to animals from Madagascar, east Africa and the Congo. Here you can find out how the charity is helping to conserve them in the wild. Wild Place encourages visitors to get outdoors and get back to nature. From experiencing a variety of textures on the Barefoot Trail, to spotting zebras in the grassland, there are lots of adventures to be had.

■ Unite, Britain's biggest union, has welcomed Airbus’ £70 million investment into a new engineering centre at its Filton site. Pegasus House, a Grade II listed art deco building is the former headquarters of the Bristol Aeroplane Company. It will be home to top flight engineers, reinforcing Airbus’ position as a global leader in designing wings and as a key integrator of systems and landing gear technology. Unite national officer Ian Waddell says: "The unveiling of Pegasus House demonstrates the legacy of Airbus, from Bristol Aeroplane Company all the way through to the world leading company we see today. Pegasus House will be home to highly skilled engineers in wellpaid and secure jobs.”

■ Specialist property adviser Cristie & Co is offering the leasehold interest in the unique opportunity that is the Lido Kitchen in Portishead.

Currently a restaurant, cafe and tapas bar, and ideally positioned overlooking the Bristol Channel and neighbouring open air pool, the business presents endless prospects. The business comes to the market due to the current owner concentrating on new ventures and therefore opens the door for a hands on operator to push the Lido Kitchen, which was given a high specification refurbishment in 2012, further. The lease, with 29 years remaining, is on the market for £85,000.

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Home from home at hospice

An artist’s impression of Linden Homes’ new development in Clifton

21st century Clifton Linden Homes’ development on Chantry Road is the most significant new residential scheme in Clifton this century. Comprising of eight family townhouses and four two-bedroom mews houses – all with parking – the development is being marketed by Ocean Estate Agents, with reservations already being made off-plan. The four/five-bedroom and three-bathroom houses, from £675,000, boast a flexible layout over four floors, perfect for today’s family living, and have been designed to blend seamlessly with the surrounding Victorian architecture. The four mews houses, priced from £395,950, come with two double bedrooms, two luxury bathrooms and a spacious first floor kitchen – leading to a living/dining space with balcony. In addition, each has an integral garage and a sustainable sedum roof. To find out more about Chantry Villas, tel: 0844 488 3313 or visit: www.lindenhomes.co.uk

CITY BUSINESS ▲

News in brief

Hydrogenesis, the UK’s first fuel cell-powered ferry, photo: Chris Bahn

St Peter’s Hospice in Brentry, Bristol’s only adult hospice, has revealed the transformation of its day hospice as part of its 35th anniversary celebrations, which will allow patients to be more independent and comfortable. The transformation includes a new relaxed breakfast bar area, pictured below, and a new complementary therapy room where patients can benefit from aromatherapy, reflexology and massages. St Peter’s Hospice CEO Simon Caraffi says: “With the refurbishments we have aimed to make a home-from-home for those who visit as well as making sure we have the very best facilities to give them the upmost care.”

Hydrogen ferry voyaging on The UK’s first fuel cell-powered ferry has become the first passenger-carrying boat to operate outside inland waterways. The Hydrogenesis boat travelled into the Bristol Channel at high tide, leaving the floating harbour and returning three hours later. The voyage marked the completion of a six-month pilot for the city’s hydrogen-powered ferry which has won international acclaim for its innovative technology. Clean and green, producing zero emissions, the ferry showcased the advantages of this technology to businesses, residents, commuters and tourists during a pilot scheme over the summer. The aim was to kickstart enterprise in new environmental technology and new areas of economic growth in Bristol. The service was operated by Bristol Hydrogen Boats, which developed the fuel cell system. Emma Guthrie, business development manager, Hydrogen Energy Systems Air Products said: “The Hydrogenesis ferry is a genuine example of how hydrogen can be used to power a transport vehicle in a green and efficient manner.”

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ADV ERT OR I AL F EAT U R E

A DATE TO BREAK! Katie Hughes, Solicitor with AMD Solicitors considers the tricky area of break clauses and the importance of getting it right.

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NEW AND EXCLUSIVE THE

BRISTOL MAGAZINE

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

Pick us up for free when you visit.

break clause entitles the benefitting party to terminate the lease term early without penalty and can provide welcome relief to the tenant who wants out of their premises early or the landlord who wants to develop.

As a consequence of the economic climate over the past few years, break clauses have become increasingly vital for the tenant looking to rent their first commercial premises or expand into bigger premises or, the tenant who took on a lease when the rental market was at its peak and now cannot afford to pay the costly rent. With the commercial rental market not as buoyant and tenants harder to find, landlords have been reluctant to let good tenants walk away from the lease early.

A break date can either be a specific date within the term or at any time during the term on a rolling basis. Break clauses are generally conditional but beware some conditions are more complicated than they first seem.

For the party with the benefit of the break clause, it does not pay to be complacent, as the consequence for not strictly complying with the break clause conditions is lost opportunity and the associated financial implications.

A recent High Court case highlighted the need to be vigilant when exercising a break clause. In that case the lease entitled the tenant to terminate its lease on 11 October 2010 upon giving 6 months’ notice, vacant possession and paying “the rents reserved and demanded by this lease up to the termination date”. The annual rent was payable by the tenant in four equal instalments. The tenant served a break notice on the landlord and paid the rent up to 12 October 2010. The landlord argued that the break notice was ineffective as the full quarter’s rent should have been paid and not just to the break date. The High Court ruled in favour of the landlord and held that the tenant had failed to comply with the conditions of its break clause!

Where a break clause is exercised successfully, the lease will come to an end and any future liabilities will cease. The parties to the lease will generally not be released from liability for any breaches of covenant which occurred prior to the break date and in these circumstances damages can be claimed.

For more information about break clauses, please contact Katie or one of her colleagues in the Commercial Team. The Commercial Team offer advice and information on legal issues for businesses (including a free first a half hour consultation). E-mail info@amdsolicitors.com or telephone 0117 973 3989. AMD have offices at Henleaze, Shirehampton and Clifton. For a full list of services, visit www.amdsolicitors.com © AMD Solicitors

A local award winning law firm

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

This service is provided with our thanks to

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

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Cinema success

On 30 June the Whiteladies Picture House successfully raised the required £10,000 for its Kickstarter campaign to enable the charitable company undertake a feasibility study, including a full structural survey and detailed architectural drawings. Now the organisation is carrying out all of the necessary surveys and research and once completed it aims to enter into negotiations for the purchase of the building. The former ABC cinema on Whiteladies Road has been empty for over a decade and is currently on Bristol City Council’s at risk register for listed buildings. David Fells (manager of The Redgrave Theatre) set up The Whiteladies Picture House Ltd with the intention of returning the building to its former glory. David says: “The ultimate aim is to conserve the building’s architectural heritage and redevelop it as a mixed-use community arts venue, incorporating a café-bar, 450-seat theatre and a 200-seat cinema. The support we have received thus far has highlighted the community’s affection for the building, and we are so grateful to all of those who pledged during the Kickstarter campaign.”

Masterplan launched to safeguard Underfall Yard

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£4m masterplan has been unveiled to safeguard the Underfall Yard, creating a Maritime Centre of Excellence within Bristol Harbour. The Underfall Yard Trust has raised £3.5m towards this strategy and has launched a campaign to attract the final £500,000.

Ian Wilkinson, Underfall Yard Trust, Chairman explains: “Our masterplan aims to conserve this remarkable site, which comprises a complete set of Victorian buildings and historic machinery that is still operational. It will sustain the gritty, vibrant environment of the site, while creating a unique visitor attraction.

“We are preserving for the public the Underfall Yard’s historic assets and unique character, through sustainable, commercial, leisure, tourism and educational developments that reflect the longstanding maritime history of the area.”

The plan includes: bringing maritime jobs back to Bristol harbour, creating a new visitor centre in

CITY BUSINESS

Ian Wilkinson, chairman of the Underfall Yard Trust

the historic Engine House, completing the missing section of the harbour walkway, improving and adding moorings to quay areas, new workshops and offices for maritime businesses and developing maritime skills.

When the final funds are raised, restoration work is scheduled to begin next September and will be completed at the end of 2015 and launched to the public in the summer of 2016.

Luminar Group chief executive, Peter Marks celebrates the launch of Pryzm with The Lord Mayor of Bristol, Faruk Choudhury

City gets into party spirit

Bristol-based Venture Insurance Brokers Ltd has beaten 43 other local companies to become a corporate sponsor of Bristol Rugby’s new shirt. Venture Insurance was one of 44 companies to enter the club’s Championship Club prize draw in May, in the 125th anniversary season of Bristol Rugby.

Venture Insurance was the lucky winner of the prize draw, being rewarded with branding on the home and away special edition matchday shirts, as well as receiving corporate Ian Burgess (left) and Graham White (right) of Venture entertainment packages.

Insurance with George Watkins of Bristol Rugby

The former Oceana club in Canons Road has undergone a major transformation and reopened to the public as PRYZYM Bristol. The upgraded club features three distinctly styled music rooms and a VIP lounge. There’s also glamorous booth seating with table service and the very latest in sound and lighting systems.The venue is owned by the UK’s largest nightclub operator The Luminar Group. It has invested £1 million in the club and created an additional 30 jobs to add to the 65-strong team.

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New shirt sponsors

Shop online at boutiqueʼs new site

After only a few months of moving to bigger premises on Cotham hill, Bristol independent, Amulet boutique has launched its transactional website – www.amuletboutique.co.uk. Now customers can shop for beautiful clothes and accessories 24 hours a day. The site went live earlier this year and has already boosted sales both in store and online.

Amulet is best loved for stocking small boutique clothes brands of effortless chic and elegant styles, and fair trade jewellery from around the world. Although the website doesn’t house the full range of stock available in store you’ll find its main and most popular brands and products from Fever London, Emily & Fin, Ingenue, and Vero Moda represented on the website along with jewellery and accessories from Mirabelle, Azuni, and Bill Skinner.

Amulet has also introduced a new brand for its autumn winter season – YAYA – which will be online soon along with the complete new season range. Look out for British made products like knitted hats, gloves and socks from Catherine Tough, and faux fur hats and scarves from Helen Moore which will be on line in time for the winter weather and Christmas.

Amulet Boutique’s new autumn winter collection is now available online, including this outfit

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

WWW.THEBRISTOLMAGAZINE.CO.UK

Tel: 0117 926 4121

www.meadeking.co.uk

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News in Brief

■ Bristol Women’s Voice, which works to promote equality for women, is holding a series of events this season in an aim to to improve health, jobs, representation, safety, family care and transport for women. Events in October: 1 October, Women and Mental Health free workshop at The Radisson Blu Hotel.

Refreshments being served at 6pm, workshop from 6.30 – 9. On 3 October, Getting Women into Public Life lecture at City Hall, 11 – 1pm and 6 - 9. There will be more events scheduled for next year.

All women are welcome to join. For further information visit: www.bristolwomensvoice.org.uk.

■ Following the success of last year’s event, which attracted 700 women entrepreneurs, The Women Outside the Box event returns on Monday 7 October, 9.30am – 4.30pm at the Arnolfini. This year, the theme is She Who Dares and will be headlined by Julie Meyer MBE, Sue Tugman (local entrepreneur who started Funky Pigeon) and Janis Stinton (managing director of Tastetech Bristol and winner of Natwest everywoman Hera Awards). The event will feature exhibitions, a market hall, keynote speakers, panel discussions, network opportunities and workshops on business functions such as finance, marketing and sales. It will include a look at the realities of female selfemployment throughout history, including a showcase of inspirational entrepreneurs. At the event, you can also find out about the WOTB Business Club which meets on the first Tuesday of every month in central Bristol, linking hundreds of entrepreneurs and business women. For further information and a free visitor ticket (spaces are limited) register online at: www.womenoutsidethebox.co.uk

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Michael-Heppell

Fancy dressing up If you’re looking for an impressive Halloween costume, head to Fancy Dress Fanatics on Cheltenham Road, Bristol’s newest fancy dress shop offering costumes and accessories for hire and sale, for both adults and children.

The shop was opened in by Fran Gore and her fiancé Simon Minifie and the couple work closely with Fran’s costumier grandmother, Jo Lindsay, who makes most of the hire costumes. Jo has worked as a costumier for over 50 years, and has done work for the BBC, Royal Shakespeare Company and Pinewood Studios over the last 50 years making thousands of outfits for television, film and theatre projects.

MOVERS

& SHAKERS Simon Pickstock in his home brewing shop in Brislington

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■ Fancy a new social activity to meet new people in the city? Try the Bristol LeRoc Club and learn LeRoc Modern Jive, a versatile dance that you can dance to your favourite music. After your first class you'll be able to join in and dance with others, learning from them and bringing your own style to the dancefloor. The Bristol LeRoc Club is the longest running class in the south west and has welcomed thousands of people from Bristol and beyond to its classes over the years. It’s a great place to meet people from all walks of life and of all ages, in a friendly and happy atmosphere. The instructors are all fully qualified and members of the professional body. Bristol LeRoc holds regular classes at the Bristol Folk House on Park Street every Monday night from 8pm. Just turn up any week, with or without a partner for £6 per class (pay on the night). Check the website for details: www.bristol-leroc.co.uk.

Positive steps to better care

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uffield Health has teamed up with renowned motivational speaker and service guru, Michael Heppell, to build on its approach to patient care ahead of the opening of its new Chesterfield Hospital later this month. Michael Heppell, success coach to the stars and author of Five Star Service, developed a bespoke version of his hearts and minds training method to help improve internal communication at Nuffield Health Bristol Hospital and help ensure it retains its 100% positive patient feedback record as it transitions to the state-of-the-art Chesterfield Hospital in Clifton. Over the course of 12 weeks, Nuffield Health staff from the Bristol Hospital learnt from the five star service models in place at top hotels such as the Chesterfield Hotel in Mayfair, and how they could implement some of these strategies to make their patients feel comfortable, at ease and very well cared for during their stay.

Doing it for yourself Simon Pickstock, a former journalist, has set up his own company selling home brewing kits after spotting a gap in the market. Simon says: “Home brewing has suffered a lot of bad press in the past, often seen as the domain of old men in sheds, but is undergoing a revival. There has been renewed interest in craft beers with many small breweries, such as Bristol Beer Factory and Arbor ales, enjoying increased sales and appealing to a wider audience.” Simon’s company, Love To Brew is a home brew supplies shop, located in Brislington village. The shops sells a wide range of kits, ingredients and equipment, to cater to everyone from the complete home brewing novice, to the established expert. As well as starter kits, which contain everything you need to brew your first beer, wine or cider, Love To Brew sells wine, beer and cider kits, which make producing your first bottles of booze simple. Simon says: “Home brewing is all about doing things how you want. You can either make a kit exactly to the instructions, tweak it in some way, by dry-hopping for instance, making your own beer using your own choice of grain, hops and yeast, or even turning that glut of fruit in your garden into your very own country wine.” Pop into the shop, open Tuesday – Saturday.

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The Audi A6 ‘Black Edition’ pictured in Bristol. Photography by TBM

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MOTORING | TEST DRIVE

THE TRANSPORTER Broader, beefier and so much sleeker than the everyday A4, the Audi A6 sits more than comfortably into the luxury saloon segment. Dara Foley takes this understated and über cool, German muscle car for a spin

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ason Statham, Hollywood actor and action star of films such as The Transporter, The Mechanic, Crank and many more unashamedly similar parts, has established a formula that works: sharp suit, kickass martial arts, guns, lots of explosions and a dirty job that needs to be sorted. He’s an East-end lad with all the style, usually sharing the screen with a European muscle car. His films may not be Oscar material but his antihero characters appeal to a loyal band of followers, who without question, just like that ‘whip their baddy butt’ sort of stuff.

Okay, Statham drove a Beamer in the first Transporter film – BMW had a great range in 2002 – but in 2003 he defected to Audi. Audi was named as one of the top ten ‘world’s coolest design brands’, and ever since has been Statham’s on (and off) screen partner – it’s not quite Bogart and Bacall but Audi used this chemistry to full effect by starring Statham in a big budget commercial to launch their A6 supercharged model to the US market. It premiered during the 2009 Superbowl. The ad was a high octane, fun rework of a getaway driver through the ages, the gist being that after trying many inferior cars to make his getaway, Statham only got away when he landed the A6.

Without offending Bentley, Porsche, Bugatti, or Lamborghini, Audi leads the line as the premium mainstream brand in the VW Group. Competing as a very credible alternative to the other German prestige makers, BMW and Mercedes-Benz. Audi offers an enormous range, with everything from the neat A1 super-mini to the awesome R8 sports car with big sellers such as the Golf-like A3 and the ever popular, ever present A4 in between.

Understandably Audis are regarded as expensive Volkswagens, since they share much of VW’s engineering and platforms, but Audi can boast its own innovative technology, and a creative team has been allowed to think out of the VW box by creating stand alone, iconic models such as the TT, which looks just as good as a Porsche.

Fans may argue that it drives just as well as a Porsche too. A version of the W12 engine that powers the Bentley Continental GT has also been used in the A8. From mechanics and technology to brilliant design, if you are wary of dodgy DNA then Audi’s pedigree is (so far) without compromise.

So with a tailored suit, (if Collezione by M&S counts) white shirt, plain tie and a naturally balding head, I take to Bristol’s streets in the A6. While there are no Kalashnikovs in the trunk, or ninjas on my tail (that I’ve noticed); Statham would approve. This is the uber sleek A6 Black Edition, based on the S-Line sport suspension model but with menacing exterior features such as big 20-inch rotor-blade design titanium alloys, privacy glass, black grille and black trim around the windows, with equally mean Bi-Xenon all-weather headlights, LED day running lights and all LED rear lights. It’s just like the one in the movies; classy, understated, and it is as tough as they come. It looks incredible, if slightly threatening.

While the A6 Black Edition might romanticise or appeal to gangland villains, the KGB or vampires, its core market are the corporates and boardroom execs. Solicitors have become chic and style savvy, accountants image conscious, architects are afficionados of design, and should exude their flair for the subject with a show of creative awareness, and what of the bankers? Well they need to do whatever they can to look credible.

Audi has driven a wedge into the top tier company car segment and has

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used image as well as a really great car, to seduce and divide what was once a BMW and Mercedes monopoly. Its rivals: The BMW 5 series is a great vehicle, and on spec, very similar to the A6, but simply does not cut it when it comes to coolness, and the Mercedes E class, superb that it is, has about the same appeal as the colour beige, or maybe a Blackberry? Like the designs of Jonathan Ive for Apple computers, the power of style when combined with real substance is an irresistible force.

The accountants of course, will have also done the maths. There’s the tedious matter of company-car tax bands. The A6 comes with the full range of engines, the basic being the 2-litre TDi emitting just 129g/Km CO2 which means less benefit-in-kind payable to the taxman, and a bigger percentage staying in the take home.

At the pumps too, Statham will not be achieving too many Tesco points as the 2-litre diesel averages around 57 mpg combined. The idle-stop in traffic means the city consumption is almost as good as the extra urban and overall this equates to more than 800 miles on a full tank. Hollywood stars and the euro boardroom elite may not be the types to collect meerkat toys, but for the record, the basic A6 is group 27 insurance.

Although frugal, this car is no slacker, having a light but tough aluminium shell and a significant amount of high-tensile steel in its body construction the A6 is consequently fast, agile and sporty, its electric steering helps keep clean lines through corners, and in ordinary performance, the big tyres give the feel of a substantial, chauffeur driven ride.

Where the A6 excels, and to the delight of driver and all passengers is the interior. The SLine features bring sporty seats, the front seats have electric 4-way lumbar support with manual full adjustment, and all around black Valcona leather is plentiful. Distinctive Piano black inlays add a shiny touch to the blackness.

The Black Edition features a DAB digital radio and the superb Audi Music Interface (AMI) for universal connection for MP3 devices, ipods and mobile phones. The audio quality is outstanding with the upgrade to the BOSE Surround Sound system. Again, the build quality is noticeable as all the muffling and padding in the panels mean the outside noise is distant, and the audio, however loud, stays in the car. The controls feel substantial, knobs are finely engineered, and remind me of the beauty and feel of the Bentley dash.

For those needing to be transported, the rear seats will take three easily, but two adults very comfortably and the boot will hold plenty of luggage for all the family – and a body, if that’s part of the job.

Other optional features that were present in the test car were the pop-up satellite navigation on the 7-inch Driver Information System, light and rain sensors, the very impressive Audi drive select adaptive dynamics system, the Audi all round parking system plus and keyless start with a handy powered boot open on the key fob. Audi offers a great range of optional extras, many are very tempting and it’s quite easy to add pounds in upgrades. But the basic A6 model with S-Line or Black Edition add-ons will more than thrill anyone who is fortunate enough to make the executive decision. Great car. The Audi A6 range is available from £30,985 (OTR). The Bristol Magazine’s test car courtesy of Bristol Audi. For more information contact:

...It’s just like the one in the movies; classy, understated, and it is as tough as they come. It looks incredible, if slightly threatening.

WWW.THEBRISTOLMAGAZINE.CO.UK

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Bristol Audi, Lysander Road, Bristol, BS10 7FF Tel: 0117 958 1450 Visit: www.bristolaudi.co.uk

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Fun in the autumn leaves at Westonbirt Arboretum

TRICKS & Treats Enjoy quality time with your little ones at the city’s family fun venues during half term. From spooky events for Halloween to autumnal fun in the forest, there’s something to keep all ages occupied

d I sc Ove r I e s a t At - B r I st O L , t hrO u g h O u t O ct Ob e r Celebrate World Space Week with a mission to Mars from 4 – 14 October: drive over the surface of Mars with your remote control buggy, gather rock samples and analyse them in the lab. From 15 October you can get up close to human organs to find out how they work in the dissection lab drop-in sessions and activate the Vein Ray and use body paints to visualise your own veins – it’s gruesomely good. A great way to celebrate Halloween in suitably gory fashion. For something a bit more familyfriendly there’s the Fairytale SOS shows from 12 October when science comes to the rescue of some well-known fairytale characters.

Discover the secrets behind coloured flames and watch explosive live demos. For further information visit: www.at-bristol.org.uk or tel: 0117 974 7300

W I l d W O r d s : H a n se l a n d G r e t e l , St G e O r g e ’ s B r I S TO L , MO n d a y 2 1 O c t O b e r, 1 0 am & 1 .3 0 p m Come and listen to what happens next in the Hansel and Gretel tale as storyteller Michael Loader spins spells of good and evil and musicians Liz Purnell and Martin Solomon bubble away with a wicked brew of haunting melodies and devilish song on harp, dulcimer, trumpet and trombone. The 10.15am is suitable for brave 4-6 year olds and is 45 minutes; while the 1.30pm is for not so easily frightened 7-11 year olds and is 60 minutes. Tickets £6 from the box office on tel: 0845 40 24 001 or visit: www.stgeorgesbristol.co.uk.

WWW.THEBRISTOLMAGAZINE.CO.UK

C R E E P Y C R E ATU R E S AT B R I S TO L Z O O, 2 6 O c OT O B E R – 1 N O V E M B E R For some gruesome fun, head to the zoo between Saturday 26 October and Friday 1 November for the Halloween Festival when it’s £5 zoo entry for children who dress up in a Halloween costume. Join in the new, spinetingling trick or treat trail, prepare to be spooked with themed animal encounters and join in making Halloween lanterns ready for a Lantern Parade later in the afternoon – a warming glow will take the edge off October’s brisk evening chill. And discover the myths and truths about creepy creatures on Thursday 31 October, 10am – 3.30pm and make a brilliant bat bag for trick or treating. Cost: £8.50 per child. Children will need to bring their own packed lunch. For further information visit: www.bristolzoo.org.uk

S P O O K Y D I SC O V E R I E S AT W I L D P L AC E , F R O M 2 6 O CTO B E R Let your little ones enjoy themselves this Halloween with creepy crafts, spooky face painting and ghostly creatures galore in the Wild Place Project’s Halloween Festival from 26 October – 3 November, 10am – 4pm daily.

Armed with a map of clues, explore the witches’ wood with pumpkins, spiders and ghostly creatures to find hidden letters within the trees.

There will also be creepy craft activities, such as making spooky bat kites. On 28 – 30 October you can join the Holiday Forest School – three wild days in the woods for 8-12 year olds.

This is a chance to experience fire craft, creative activities, den building and woodland games

and build upon these skills. Cost: £90 per child.

For more information, visit: www.wildplace.org.uk or tel: 0117 980 7175.

d RAW TO MO R R O W AT M SH E D , SU N D A Y 2 7 O CTO B E R, 1 0 A M – 1 PM & 2 PM – 4 PM Fire up your imagination with an artist and have fun exploring ideas and drawing for the future as part of The Big Draw.

H A LF T E RM TA K E OV E R AT B R I STO L O L D V I C, 2 8 O CT O B E R – 3 N O V E M B E R Enjoy three great shows for all ages this halfterm, as well as plenty of activities and in-house fun including drawing, treasure hunts, games and more. On Monday 28 & Tuesday 29 Oct Squashbox Theatre presents Curious Creatures for ages five plus and their families. Using puppets, comedy, slapstick and live music, Squashbox uncovers the mysteries of the animal kingdom. Squashbox Theatre will also be performing Universarama on Monday 28 & Tuesday 29 October for ages eight plus and their families. Let Professor Johnson take you on a journey to the edges of space and time. The secrets of the universe will be revealed using only silly puppets, ridiculous props, simple household objects and assorted fruits and vegetables. On Saturday 2 & Sunday 3 November Shoofly Theatre presents You’re Not My Friend Anymore for ages three and up. This is a funny and poignant look at the ups and downs, ins and outs of friendship and the secrets of being a good friend. For further information and to book, visit: www.bristololdvic.org.uk. >>

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Ring-tailed lemurs with a pumpkin at Bristol Zoo

Celebrate World Space Week at At-Bristol

Hansel & Gretel at St George’s Bristol

You’re Not My Friend Anymore at Bristol Old Vic

The Big Draw at the M Shed

A U TU M N I N S P I RAT I O N S AT W E STO N B I RT A R B O R E TU M, 2 8 O CTO B E R – 1 N O V E M B E R, 1 0 . 3 0 a m – 4p m

SL AVA ’ S S N O W SH O W a t T H E B R I S TO L H I P P OD R OM E , 3 0 O c t O b e r – 3 N O ve m b e r

Be inspired by Westonbirt Arboretum’s seasonal fireworks of autumn leaf colour and create your own art. There will be a different art activity each day. Free after admission, no booking required. For further information visit: www.forestry.gov.uk.

It will be snowing in Bristol this autumn – for Slava’s Snow Show, which has taken the world by storm, delighting and touching theatregoers across the globe and transforming sensible adults into awe-struck children. Slava’s Snow Show is unlike anything you have seen before – it’s a world of wonder combining hilarity and spectacle with a cast of clowns who use water, cobwebs, bubbles and dry ice to dazzling effect.

It’s a world in which a bed becomes a boat, a web of cotton envelops the audience and one tiny piece of paper begins a snowstorm that engulfs an awestruck audience in a blizzard of sparkling snowflakes. For tickets visit: www.atgtickets.com.

r E M A R K A B L E R O M A N S D I SC O V E R Y D A Y AT B R I S T O L M U S E U M & A RT G A L L E R Y , W ED N E S D A Y 3 0 O CTO B E R, 10 A M – 4 PM A day of activities inspired by the Romans with storytelling, craft activities, costume and hairdressing. Meet Roman re-enactors, take a behind the scenes store tour, handle real Roman objects, get a Roman makeover and make a helmet to take home. Half price family tickets to the exhibition Roman Empire: Power and People on this day too.

dA Y O F T H E d E A D AT R O O M 2 12 , G L O U C E S T E R R OA D , F R O M W E D N E S D A Y 3 0 O CTO B E R During half term week there will be Day of the Dead activities including a carved pumpkin competition on Wednesday 30 October, 5pm – 8pm. Bring your carved or decorated pumpkin along to be judged and displayed at Room 212.

On Friday 1 November activities for children and adults include making Milagros which are little charms to symbolise things you are grateful for. See the Room 212 Facebook page for more details.

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Slava’s Snow Show

B la s t O f f a t t h e B r e w e r y T h e a t r e , 3 0 O c t O b e r – 3 N O ve m b e r The Noisy Animals are the biggest band in the world and they are about to blast off into outer space on a mission to find their brand new sound for their latest hit album. In a fast adventure around a rock ‘n’ roll musical universe, they encounter noisy planets, nursery rhyme characters, shooting stars and Shakespeare. Blast Off! involves some technological wizardry, turning ordinary everyday toys into magical superstars with the aid of a video camera, lots of laughs, silliness and live music. Suitable for ages four and up.

Tickets £7 from the box office on tel: 0117 902 0344 or visit: www.tobaccofactorytheatre.com.

G H O U LS A N D G O U RD S I N T H E G A RD E N, U N I V E R S I T Y O F B R I STO L B OTA N I C G A RD E N, T H U R SD A Y 3 1 O CTO B E R, 2 PM – 4 . 3 0 PM The University of Bristol’s artist-in-residence Melanie Jackson is hosting an afternoon of extraordinary pumpkin and vegetable-inspired activities for all ages, including jack-o-lantern making, vegetable sculpture and mask making.

There will also be a tour of the Botanic Garden examining its poisonous plants and fairytale flora, which will culminate in the suspension and drop of a giant pumpkin from the great height of a crane in an explosive finale. The event starts at the Botanic Garden and ends at the Chapel Field at Wills Hall. Admission is free but the event is ticketed. Book in advance at: https://giantsfallfromthesky.eventbrite.co.uk.

Children must be accompanied by an adult.

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2013 WESTONBIRT FAIR Our new columnist, mum, voiceover artist and ex-BBC Radio Bristol presenter, Faye Dicker, meets the Bristol businesses which make family life easier...

In aid of Macmillan Cancer Support and Home-Start in Gloucestershire

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f you’re anything like me, then cooking a family meal is pretty much like an episode of Ready Steady Cook. I have a cupboard full of miscellaneous items, a limited amount of time and some fierce critics.

That’s where Louise from Baby Bites is a complete inspiration. She makes cooking for a family look easy. When I met her this week, she effortlessly whipped up a tortilla for her family – which was both modest enough for an evening meal and impressive enough for guests.

Baby Bites is a Bristol based company based in Bishopston that offers kitchen workshops about baby weaning and gourmet children’s meals delivered to your door. The workshops are very much a family affair – held in a large kitchen, with settees and play mats at one end and work surfaces and hobs at the other.

Ideal for entertaining your little one, while keeping an eye on the class.

To be fair, with a background as a Cordon Bleu chef, Louise will always have the advantage over me. Yet she makes it look simple enough to try at home. I first met Louise a year ago, when it came to weaning my daughter, Jemima.

While weaning might sound simple, I had information overload. As a new parent, I needed some answers.

AtWestonbirt School,Tetbury, Glos GL8 8QG Tuesday 29th andWednesday 30th October 10am to 4pm

YOUR ONE STOP CHRISTMAS SHOP

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While weaning might sound simple, I had information overload. As a new parent, I needed some answers.

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So when I came across Baby Bites, I knew it was for me. Workshops are designed to give parents confidence with cooking and make eating an adventure.

By the end of the first lesson, I was hooked and signed up to all the stages – each time coming home with recipes, armed with information and a stack of meals.

There’s the essential baby weaning course, the weaning half day intensive course, finger foods and baby led weaning and if that’s not enough, finally there’s family foods (which I notice are held in the evening, with a glass of wine, my kind of class).

I’ve stayed in contact with Louise and was most impressed to hear how she’s branching out and looking for new teachers, hoping to take Baby Bites out and about to teach in community centres around Bristol. Not every one needs to be a chef, just a good home cook – helping to demystify meal times.

We chatted while she sautéed the shallots and let the thinly sliced potatoes bubble away in the pan together. A meal with minimal preparation and stages that allow 10 minutes to entertain the little ones, or perish the thought, have a cup of tea – is my kind of meal.

Not only that, an ideal recipe when the cupboards are starting to look bare, needing only potatoes, eggs and shallots. Okay – and maybe a splash of oil and a pinch of herbs, but even I can manage that.

The trick is to use a small, non-stick pan. Louise’s was like a Tardis, I felt sure it would be too small, but it was soon gently cooking four eggs, mixed through with shallots and potatoes.

Better still, at this time of year, a tortilla is delicious served with butternut squash or pumpkin and can even be served cold for packed lunches. That’s if you have any left overs.

For the full recipe and to hear more about Baby Bites as Louise cooks, take a look at www.freelancebristolmum.co.uk. ■

Imaginative Gift Ideas, Exciting Home Decorating Trends, Gourmet Treats and Delicacies, Luxury Clothes and Accessories and a Glittering Array of well priced Christmas Presents for Children, Family and Friends ------------------------------

• Ample Free Onsite Parking • • Restaurant serving Delicious Home Cooked • • Food All Day • • Fresh Roasted Coffee In the Marquee • •Wine Bar • ------------------------------

Raffle Tombola Silent Auction Entrance £7 online or on the door.

Children under 16 free -----------------------------For more details or to join our mailing please visit

www.westonbirtfair.org Working for Charity

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EDUCATION | NEWS

News in brief ■ Three major colleges in Bristol and South Gloucestershire – St Brendan’s Sixth Form College, City of Bristol and SGS, have got together with Bristol University, Bristol City Council, the National Apprenticeship Service and local employers to run a comprehensive Careers Fair for Bristol and the surrounds on Tuesday 8 October.

The Bristol Careers Fair will enable young people (age 14-19) and their parents to discover the options available to them and to find out the answers to some of their questions all under one roof. The fair, which is free to enter, will take place at the Council House on College Green from 5.30pm to 8pm.

There will be plenty of people to talk to with representatives from apprenticeship organisations, employers, FE colleges, sixth forms, and universities as well as talks on A-Levels and college pathways.

For more information visit www.bristolcareersfair.org.uk Students at St Brendan’s Sixth Form College

New Sixth Form for Queen’s

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op academic school, Queen’s College in Taunton, has opened a state-of-the-art Sixth Form Centre. Launched last month

by Professor Dame Glynis Breakwell, Vice Chancellor of Bath University, the new centre has been designed as an interim between school and university and is open late into the evening as well as at weekends. The school undertook comprehensive research with its Year 11 and 12 students to find out what they would like in a new sixth form and includes car parking space for those who have passed their driving tests, a specially created walkway linking the centre to the rest of the campus and an outside terrace with views over the school playing fields.

Internally, the new Sixth Form Centre includes large social spaces equipped with multimedia facilities, televisions, sofas, games areas and a kitchen. The centre will also be used by the students at the weekends as a Sixth Form Club, where students can meet up and relax with friends, take part in cocurricular activities, study individually or in groups, discuss work with staff, make themselves something

The new sixth form centre at Queen’s College

to eat and use the shower facilities after sports matches.

In addition to silent study areas with wireless laptop connections, the centre has a full IT suite, collaborative study areas and a comprehensive media resource area which provides A-Level students with information including worldwide university options and prospectuses, careers guidance, gap year ideas, technical courses and apprenticeships. Two seminarstyle classrooms, used solely for A-Level subject teaching, have been designed so that students can work in the round or in lecture style and the centre will be managed at all times by a centre manager as well as the head of sixth form and sixth form tutors.

From small seeds...

■ Cathedral Primary School welcomed its first children last month and was the only new free School to open in Bristol this year.

The school aims to offer an outstanding education to children from across the Bristol area, with a special emphasis on music. It forms a new family of schools for the city alongside neighbouring Bristol Cathedral Choir School, an 11-18 Academy which is the most oversubscribed secondary school in Bristol. For further information visit: www.bccs.bristol.sch.uk/Primary

New students at Fairfield High School planted on their first week to mark their start at the school in Bristol. Each tutor group has planted a fruit tree that they can watch growing over their five years at the school, which is located off Muller Road. Alongside the trees, the students have also buried time capsules, which they will dig up in 2018. These will contain photographs and messages that the students can eventually keep as mementoes of their school days.

The 118 11-year-olds who started at Fairfield in September have benefited from a transition programme called stepping up, which is designed to prevent the traditional dip in performance that often happens in the first year of secondary education.

The school worked closely with neighbouring primary schools throughout the children’s last year and offered a number of opportunities to help them get to know their new school, including a boxing club, a creative project and the chance to talk with someone about their hopes and fears over making

Student adventurer youngest to attempt Pole

Lewis on his Polar training course in Norway

In late November Lewis Clarke, a 15 year-old school student at QEH, Bristol, will set out on an epic world record-breaking Antarctic journey to the South Pole, aiming to become the youngest person ever to cross-country ski the full 700 miles from the coast of Antarctica to the Pole.

He will be just 16 – two years younger than the current record holder. It’s a seriously challenging goal for a 16-year-old, but Lewis already has world record breaking experience: in 2010 he led five other 12-year-old Bristol school children to become the youngest relay team ever to swim the English Channel. Like the Channel swim, the Antarctic challenge aims to raise money for charity, as well as 78 THE BRISTOL MAGAZINE

the big step into secondary school.

Head teacher Catriona Mangham says: “We make every effort to know and understand the needs of individual children before they officially start. We want every family to be part of the Fairfield family.”

For further information or details of the open mornings coming up in October, contact the school on tel: 0117 9527100 or visit: www.fairfield.bristol.sch.uk

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encouraging other young people to take on tough endeavours.

Lewis’ gruelling training regime is already under way and last February, he went on a two week polar training course in Norway; followed by a trek on the Greenland coast in April.

Lewis already has a number of supporters, including Jonathon Bradshaw, who trekked to the South Pole as part of the first Irish team to do so, in 2007/2008; TV historian Dan Snow; and Bristol’s post-production house, Films at 59, which is helping with technical filming support.

Lewis is seeking sponsorship for his ambitious trek. Visit: youngesttosouthpole.wordpress.com

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“An outstanding school”, Ofsted 2012

Oldfield School is a converter academy for boy and girls aged 11-18 We are a successful school and since 2004 designated as a High Performance Specialist School.

We have three separate specilisms, Science, Art and Sport.

Year 6 Parents and Students are invited to make an appointment to visit SIXTH FORM INFORMATION EVENING - 6th November 6pm “This is an outstanding school. Students thrive in an environment that is highly conducive to excellent learning”. Ofsted 2012.

T: 01225 423582 • www.oldfieldschool.com

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OUT | AND ABOUT

Trail through the trees Autumn is one of the best times for woodland walks, and this month’s walk features some of the finest ancient woods in the Bristol area, says Andrew Swift

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tarting in Clifton, head west across Clifton Suspension Bridge, turn right up North Road and, after 1,000 metres, turn right through a kissing gate (KG) into Leigh Woods Nature Reserve (ST555730).

Head straight uphill and carry on past a minor path branching left.

As you come into a clearing with a house to the left, bear right along a broad path. The path soon narrows to wind through the ramparts of Stokeleigh Camp, an Iron Age hillfort. When you reach the eastern edge of the camp, with a view over the gorge, bear left to follow the escarpment. A little way along, bear right at a fork and keep to the main path as it heads through the ramparts.

At a T junction, turn right and then left when the path forks. From here on, follow a series of purple waymarks. Directions, should you need them, are as follows: go through a gate and bear right. When the path forks, bear left. At a crosspath turn right. At a fork, bear left and carry on alongside a fence with a quarry on the other side. When the fence ends, turn left, bearing right when the path forks. At a T junction turn right, and at the next T junction turn left into car park, where the waymarks end.

Turn left and walk along a drive for 500 metres, before turning right along a footpath (ST551735). Go through a KG and follow a track straight on.

When you reach the hedge on the far side of the field, turn left alongside it.

Follow the hedge as it bears right and go through a KG. Cross a Tarmac drive and go through another KG. Carry straight on alongside a hedge. When the hedge bears right, carry straight on to a KG. Go through it and follow a path towards Abbots Leigh church. After crossing a stile, carry on uphill and turn left along Church Road.

At the end, cross at the lights and head to the George Inn, where, should you want it, lunch is served. Turn down Manor Road and, after 500 metres,

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follow a path alongside the wall of a house on the right called the Beeches.

When the path forks, carry straight on, crossing a lane. When you come to a rough lane, carry on along it. At the end, go through a KG and follow a bridleway – with some slippery steps – downhill. After crossing a bridge, turn left and left again across a small dam (ST535733). Bear right up steps to a lakeside grotto and turn right across another dam past Abbot’s Pool.

Originally created to provide fish for the monks of Bristol Abbey, the pool and its surroundings were landscaped by William Melville Wills in the early 20th century. Bear left on the far side and carry on along the path until you come to a car park. Carry on along a lane and, when you come to a main road, cross and carry on along a bridleway for 250 metres.

Shortly after passing a step stile in the fence on the right, turn right through a squeeze stile by a yellow post into Fifty Acre Wood (ST538727). Bear left by another marker when the path forks, and follow it as it winds through the woods. After passing a red marker the path swings left. Carry on, following red markers, as the path, after heading south, swings round towards the north. On entering a small clearing, bear left past a row of large boulders and turn left along a lane (ST535720).

At the main road, cross and head straight on along Longwood Lane. After 600 metres, opposite the entrance to Durnford Quarry, turn left through a gateway into Ashton Park and bear sharp right down a broad path. Follow it as curves left and carry on past paths branching left and right. After 850 metres, at a T junction with a white marker, turn right downhill. Follow the path as it zigzags left and right, before turning left along Clerken Combe (ST543712).

A little way along, fork right by a white marker and carry on into a meadow and past a pond. When the path forks, bear left through the meadow

...there are superb views southwards over the green hills of Somerset

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OUT | AND ABOUT

and, when you come to a stony path, turn right along it.

The path soon leads into open parkland. Carry on as a path swings in from the right, and at a T junction bear right along a Tarmac drive.

Bear left at another T junction and carry on as the drive curves round to the left of Ashton Court. A visitor centre and café can be found in the old stables at the back. Carry on past the house and go through a gateway at the end of the car park. Go through a tall KG behind the topograph on the right and head up through the deer park with a fence on your right. After going through a KG, bear left uphill when the path forks. Go through a KG at the top and bear right, following a well-worn track marked by short white posts. Back on high ground once more, there are superb views southwards over the green hills of Somerset.

When you come to a T junction, turn right past a toposcope and go through a KG. Carry straight on, and, when you come to a lodge, go through the gate, bear right and cross at the pedestrian lights (ST558727). From here you can either catch a bus into Bristol city centre or carry on along Bridge Road to return to Clifton. ■

FURTHER INFORMATION

WOODLAND WONDERS: left: Abbots Pool, originally created to provide fish for the monks of Bristol Abbey; right, Fifty Acre Wood

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Distance: 10 miles

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Difficulty: straightforward, although some stretches may be muddy

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Map: OS Explorer 154

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Refreshment stops: The George at Abbots Leigh is open all day, with food served noon-3pm & 6pm9.30pm Monday-Friday, and all day Saturday & Sunday (01275 376985; www.thegeorgeinnbristol.co.uk) . The café in Ashton Court stables is open daily. It closes at 5pm until the end of October; earlier during the winter

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BRISTOL | WEDDINGS

WEDDING BELLES If you’re planning a wedding, you’ll enjoy leafing through the next three pages looking at beautiful jewellery and impressive wedding venues and using the open days and events guide to plan your diary. And if you’re a wedding guest, check out the gorgeous personalised gifts and cards made by Bristol creatives

Luxury bridal boutique, Carina Baverstock Couture in Bradford-onAvon, highlights the bridal trends for the new season: “The church bells are ringing out, the Champagne is flowing, celebration is high and excitement tangible as the classic bride steps out.

This season, elegance, ladylike glamour and pure sophistication is key. The tide is definitely turning as designers, bridal boutiques and all aspects of the wedding industry agree traditional weddings are back in fashion. Brides should be making a statement with fuller skirts, in beautiful jacquard silks, malleable satins and fine Chantilly laces with grown up glamour reminiscent of the iconic Grace Kelly. Embrace the romantic, feminine allure as you glide down that aisle towards the rest of your life.”

Pictured, Susan Neville gown from Carina Baverstock

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BRISTOL | WEDDINGS

Above, silver and 18 carat yellow gold plate Eve necklace, Jacks Design, from £435; below, silver and pearl drop earrings, Jacks Design, £90; left, a bespoke commissioned 18 carat yellow and white gold ring set with diamonds and aquamarine, all available from Clifton Rocks, Queens Road, Clifton

Pearl and crystal beaded necklace, £65 from Allium in Clifton

SPARKLE & SHINE Wedding jewellery and accessories fit for a princess...

Left, 18ct yellow gold multi set diamond rings, from £1,420; and right, 9ct white gold etched ring set with aquamarine, from £750, both from Diana Porter, Park Street

Silver and sapphire Eve necklace, Jacks Design, £140 from Clifton Rocks

Sequin clutch, £19.50 from M&S

GORGEOUS GIFTS

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uying a wedding gift can be a bit of a minefield for your guests, so it’s a really nice idea to set up a gift list – it means you receive gifts you love, makes it easy for others to shop and ensures there are no duplications, plus your guests will have the satisfactoin of giving you something that you really want. There are plenty of gift list services to choose from, including the John Lewis gift list, which you can arrange in store at Cribbs Causeway, adding items with a scanner or by selecting online at home.

There’s an incredible choice of high quality products and you can register for the gift list for free. Choose from brands including: George Jenson, Villeroy & Boch, Sebastian Conran, Bose, Dualit, Le Creuset, Vera Wang and Bugaboo and your guests can shop in-store, online or by phone. You can even choose a gift voucher list, perfect for if you’d like to buy a larger item, or the holiday of a lifetime list: if you’re planning a honeymoon or a holiday, you can invite friends and family to contribute to this experience – expert travel providers Kuoni can help plan your perfect holiday as well as accept contributions towards it. There’s also the option to have a charity list where you can offer your guests the option of donating to support the work of Cancer Research UK. Whatever you choose, the expert advisors will help make everything as easy as possible – they’ll even keep track of your gifts to help you write your thank-you notes. For further information, pop into John Lewis at Cribbs Causeway or visit: www.johnlewis.com/twitter

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BRISTOL | WEDDINGS

GRAND DESIGNS The south west boasts some of the finest wedding venues in the country. We’ve hand-picked five of our favourites to provide the perfect backdrop to your special day...

Taunton School

Avon Gorge Hotel

Winford Manor

1. Winford Manor Old Hill, Winford, North Somerset. Tel: 01275 472292 or visit: www.winfordmanor.co.uk Award winning Winford Manor is a gorgeous hotel with 22 rooms, set near chew valley in a relaxed and peaceful environment. Sitting in 7.5 acres of parkland, it has ample space for a marquee if desired, breathtaking scenery for your photographs and extensive car parking for all your guests. As every wedding is unique, the dedicated wedding coordinator will meet you to discuss your requirements in detail, and from the moment you arrive, the friendly and professional staff will be on hand to ensure that the day runs smoothly and that your special event is truly memorable.

2. Avon Gorge Hotel Sion Hill, Clifton. Tel: 0117 9738955 or visit: www.avongorge.com Nestled in the heart of Clifton village with fantastic views of the Suspension Bridge, the rolling Somerset hills and the Avon Gorge, it is easy to see why the Avon Gorge Hotel is one of the south west’s most loved wedding venues. With its light, spacious rooms, private terraces, unparalleled views and elegant interiors the hotel can offer couples the perfect setting for their special day. Licensed for both weddings and civil partnerships the hotel is able to cater for large-scale gatherings or more intimate affairs. All wedding ceremony and reception rooms enjoy a spectacular view of the gorge and Suspension Bridge. There are a wide variety of packages to suit any budget or the dedicated wedding team can help couples create something completely bespoke.

3. Taunton School Staplegrove Rd, Taunton, Somerset. Tel: 01823 703111 or visit: www.tauntonschoolevents.co.uk The historic Taunton School is a wonderful setting for your wedding and reception. Founded in 1847, it is set in a beautiful 50-acre site and boasts a fine range of 19th century Gothic style buildings and a beautiful chapel available for religious wedding ceremonies, wedding blessings and the celebration of vows. The civil licence also offers a choice of rooms for the civil wedding ceremony. With a reputation for high standard receptions tailored to your every need, and some of the best banqueting cuisine offered in the south west, Taunton School provides a versatile venue for your special day. Couples can enjoy a traditional wedding or can work with a dedicated wedding planner to create a bespoke, personalised day to remember.

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4. Leigh Court Abbots Leigh, Bristol. www.leighcourt.co.uk This Grade II listed mansion house, built from Bath stone, offers tailored wedding packages. Leigh Court is licensed to hold civil ceremonies in its grand hall, offering a dramatic entrance for any bride. Regardless of whether you’re looking to hold just the ceremony, reception or evening party (or all three) at Leigh Court, a choice of suites is available to hire, as is the whole ground floor depending on the size of the wedding party.

5. SS Great Britain Great Western Dockyard, Bristol. www.ssgreatbritain.org Couples can choose to celebrate their ceremony and reception aboard this historic and beautifully restored Bristol landmark, the world’s first luxury liner. Guests can enjoy the full breadth of the ship’s facilities with the option of holding the wedding ceremony on the licensed promenade deck, a reception in the first class dining saloon, and evening celebrations in the Hayward saloon. The freedom to roam the ship makes for fantastic and unique photos of your special day.

What will you be gliding down the aisle to?

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here are hundreds of choices of music that can be used for a wedding ceremony, but choosing the right one for you can be tricky, especially when it comes to classical music. Which is why Bristol-based opera singer, Sam Houston set up Wedding Music Consultation, a service helping couples select the perfect classical music and musicians for their ceremony. Sam says: “When it comes to weddings, I understand why couples tend to go for the standard choices for their ceremonies – and why not? Ave Maria is popular because people love it – but I really think that with a little help, your ceremony music can be as unique as your dress, your flowers and your favours. My last bride requested Stevie Wonder’s You are the Sunshine of My Life as exit music – and, after a little bit of work, I found an arrangement for her string trio to play and she and her husband left beaming without having to lift a finger. Live music can enhance your special ceremony no end, so be as bold as you dare.” All singers and instrumentalists that Sam finds are professional musicians, so you can rest assured that your choice of music will be beautifully performed.

For further information email: info@weddingmusicconsultation.com

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BRISTOL | WEDDINGS

Ston Easton

DATES FOR YOUR DIARY...

From wedding fairs to open days, use this list of events to help plan for your big day, and offer some inspiration too The Bijou Wedding Show, Sunday 6 October, 11am – 3.30pm

Eco Wedding Fair, Saturday 26 October, 11am – 4pm

The Bijou Wedding Show is an elegant new wedding event that will be held in the stylish venue, The Bristol Hotel on the city’s harbourside. Admission is free and there will be a complimentary cocktail on arrival for each attendee, plenty of exhibitors, interactive entertainment throughout the event and a goody bag. Visit: www.thebijouweddingshow.com.

If you’re curious about your how your carbon footprint can be reduced when planning your wedding, head to this fair at the Riverstation to see a handpicked selection of wedding suppliers who think about the world around us. Visit: www.ecoweddingfair.co.uk.

Clifton Aisle of Style: Evening Bridal Charity Event, Wednesday 30 October, 7pm, catwalk show starts at 7:30pm

Chipping Sodbury Wedding Fair, Sunday 6 October, 12pm – 4pm This popular event, held at the Chipping Sodbury Town Hall is free entry and offers 50 exhibitors and a Champagne prize draw. There will also be a wedding Wishing Well foundation collecting used wedding items such as men’s suits etc, to be used by terminally ill people so that they can get married. Find more details at: www.weddingwishingwell.org.uk.

Maggie Sottero Designer Day, Sunday 12 October, 10am – 5pm

This glamorous charity event is being held at The Clifton Club, in aid of Help the Heroes and The Royal Regiment of Fusiliers Regimental Headquarters in memory of Lee Rigby. The evening, hosted by The Mews Bridal of Clifton Village, features an exclusive bridal fashion show, showcasing the very best of British and international bridal couture designers. Preview the 2014 collections alongside bridal accessories, lingerie, cakes, fragrances and more. Tickets £5, available from The Mews.

Love Actually Wedding Fair, Sunday 1 December, 11.30am – 3.30pm

Find the dress of your dreams at this Maggie Sottero Designer Day at the Rookery Bridal boutique in Edingworth, near Weston-super-Mare.

It’s an exciting opportunity to try on the gorgeous gowns that are created using the most luxurious fabrics, hand-sewn embellishments and figureflattering styles. Viewings are by appointment only on tel: 01934 751 461.

Held at Bristol Zoo, this wedding fair offers a great opportunity to view some of the best wedding venues and the chance to meet exhibitors.

This particular fair will have a Christmas theme too, perfect if you’re planning a winter wedding. Visit: www.loveactuallyweddings.co.uk.

Ston Easton Wedding Open Evening, Wednesday 16 October, 6pm – 9pm

Taunton School Wedding Fair, Sunday 23 February

Enjoy a complimentary glass of Champagne, meet the team and take a tour of one of Somerset’s most romantic wedding venues. For more information visit: www.stoneaston.co.uk.

A great opportunity to browse over 50 exhibits, view the historic Taunton School and its on-site chapel and enjoy two bridal fashion shows.

Free admission – visit: www.tauntonschoolevents.co.uk for full details.

Going to a wedding and stuck for gift ideas?

Personalised wedding gifts are really special and it means that the couple will treasure them forever. Bristol-based designer Hannah Slowley, of Elephant Grey, produces a wide range of personalised prints, all made to order in her studio. Her In Love collection of prints, pictured right, are available in four different designs and 12 background colours and can be personalised with a couple’s name and a date, from £25. Visit: elephantgrey.com. Another Bristol company, Capuccino Cards, sells gorgeous greetings cards for charity and there are some beautiful engagement and wedding cards to choose from, many designed by Bristol artists, including this Mr & Mrs card, left, hand printed from Bishopston Letterpress.

Visit: www.cappuccinocards.com.

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HEALTH | & BEAUTY

AND RELAX...

Lisa Piddington from Harvey Nichols choses her top ten relaxing beauty must-haves

With the summer a distant memory and long winter months stretching out ahead of us, we certainly don’t need much excuse to escape the rigours of daily life and take time out to de-stress. So lock the doors, turn up that chilled out playlist and soothe your body and soul with these pampering treats...

1: Aromatherapy Associates Inner Strength Bath & Shower Oil, £39.

2: This Works Deep Sleep Candle, £25.

3: Elemis Quiet Mind Relaxing Bath Elixir, £21 4: Elemis Quiet Mind Room Mist, £16.

5: Jo Malone Amber & Lavender Bath Oil, £38.

6: This Works Deep Sleep Pillow Spray, £16.

7: Harvey Nichols Camomile Flower Tea, £3.95.

8: Holistic Silk Lavender Eye Mask, £46.

9: Elemis Destress Massage Oil, £32.

10: Cowshed Relaxing Body Lotion, £18.

All items featured are available from the Ground Floor Beauty Hall at Harvey Nichols Bristol and online at harveynichols.com (Camomile tea available from the in store FoodMarket).

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Concorde: How it helped shape the world of Laser Eye Surgery Consultant Ophthalmic Surgeon, Mr Phil Jaycock explains how the science and engineering behind Concorde lives on in the world of Laser Eye Surgery and introduces the new service, Bristol Laser Vision at Bristol Eye Hospital.

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s you walk into the new Bristol Laser Vision clinic at Bristol been involved in pioneering research which has helped shape the science Eye Hospital, you are instantly struck by the iconic picture behind the laser eye surgery procedures that we trust and undergo today. that hangs in pride of place above reception. The Phil goes on to explain that “by using pioneering laser optical engineering photograph which captures the once in a lifetime scene of to look at composite structures, we were able to adapt the research that Concorde’s last flight as it soars measured the structural strength and integrity across the skyline over the of the Concorde tyre to measure the strength Clifton Suspension Bridge is the epitome of of the cornea. This work has enabled us to Bristol, of engineering and is something which is determine the safest and most effective laser very close to the heart of Mr Phil Jaycock, NHS eye surgery treatments for our patients.”

Consultant Ophthalmic Surgeon and Specialist Over recent years, laser eye surgery has in cornea, cataract and laser refractive surgery. become an increasingly popular procedure for These are exciting and busy times for Phil individuals looking for freedom from their Jaycock and his team at Bristol Laser Vision as a glasses and contact lenses. The rise in lifelong vision to set up a regional refractive popularity of this procedure almost certainly surgery unit comes to fruition. “Having qualified has a positive correlation with increased from Bristol University Medical School, I wanted patient confidence in the success and safety of to bring something back to the region,” he laser eye surgery, which has progressed explains, “so my idea was to develop a patientalongside this scientific research and centred service intertwining three key elements; development work. the treatment of private patients, and of NHS The service at Bristol Laser Vision prides patients with research, development and itself on providing patients with the safest and Mr Phil Jaycock, Consultant Ophthalmic Surgeon, teaching elements.” most effective laser eye surgery procedures, MB ChB BSc FRCOphth MD Of course his love of Bristol radiates from the using state-of-the-art technology delivered photo, but the relationship that it has with his career isn’t immediately within a unique consultant led model. For further information, or to book obvious and runs much deeper. Having worked with Professor John a consultation call: 0117 342 1600, email: info@bristollaservision.co.uk or Marshall (MBE), the founder of laser refractive surgery, Phil Jaycock has visit: www.bristollaservision.co.uk.

WWW.THEBRISTOLMAGAZINE.CO.UK

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How to build your immunity this autumn Naturopathic advice from Georgie O’Connor, lecturer at CNM (College of Naturopathic Medicine) in Bristol.

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long with good quality rest, low stress, regular exercise and daylight, the best way to develop a strong and healthy immune system is to provide all the nutrients your body needs to support immune function.

By boosting your immune system in advance, you can have a better chance of heading off or recovering quickly from any bugs that may be coming your way as the colder weather sets in.

There’s no substitute for good nutrition! When our bodies use oxygen to perform normal bodily functions, free radicals are produced which can be very damaging to the body if left unchecked. Fortunately, a good diet contains antioxidants, a class of nutrients that can prevent and repair such damage. In times of greater stress such as keeping warm, staying dry and battling with bugs, the rate of free radical production can go up, so we have to give the body extra help for the mopping-up operation. When people talk about antioxidants we usually picture brightly coloured summer fruit and vegetables which aren’t in season in the colder months. Plus we tend to hanker after ‘comfort-food’ when it’s chilly outdoors. Here are some tips for seasonal products that combine antioxidants with comfort-eating:

• Frozen fruit, although not in season, can be a brilliant source of antioxidants. Try them heated gently over porridge or with oats & yoghurt.

• A handful of almonds can provide almost half of your daily recommended amount of vitamin E which is vitally important for good skin health as well as the immune system through the winter months. Eat them as a snack or lightly crush them and sprinkle on soups or stews for added texture.

White sugar, caffeine and alcohol can suppress the immune system, and high fat foods can clog up the lymphatic system, limiting the body’s ability to clear infection, so limit consumption to give your body a break.

Some good naturopathic advice, in addition to eating well, is to stay hydrated. If cold drinks like water and diluted fruit juice don’t appeal when the outside temperature drops, then try hot water with any of the following: lemon, ginger, honey, cinnamon or fresh herbs, such as mint.

Keep your hands scrupulously clean and sneeze or cough into a disposable tissue. Viruses that cause colds & flu can live for up to 3 hours on your skin or hard surface. And lastly but by no means least, there is an advantage to shorter days and colder evenings – it’s the perfect excuse for getting under the covers! While you rest, your body can direct more energy to Georgie O’Connor, CNM lecturer. fighting off germs.

• Button mushrooms contain selenium, and B vitamins riboflavin and niacin, which are all known to play a role in a healthy immune system, so try some lightly sautéed on rye toast for breakfast.

Find out about training at CNM Bristol for a new career in Naturopathic Nutrition, or Naturopathic Acupuncture.

• Root vegetables such as carrots and sweet potatoes are great sources of carotenoids and vitamin A; have them steamed or baked with a sprinkle of olive oil, lemon juice and herbs.

• A really powerful antioxidant known to help strengthen the immune system in its battle against infections is Glutathione. It can be found in lots of foods, but cabbage is an excellent seasonal and inexpensive source; so add cabbage to your soups and stews.

• Onions & garlic have several antioxidants that help the immune system battle against seasonal viral invaders. When cooking with these, peel, chop and then leave them for 10-15 minutes to allow activation of their immune boosting properties.

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Next free-to-attend CNM Open Evenings: 10th October and 7th November 2013, 6:30pm–8:30pm

There’s still time to enrol for 2013!

Or join our evening class in ‘Nutrition for Everyday Living’, starting in Bristol on 9th October For more info and venues 01342 410 505, info@naturopathy-uk.com

www.naturopathy-uk.com

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CITY | LIVING

INTERIORS INSIDER Be inspired by the latest interiors news and products for the new season

A FUSION OF CONTRASTS

LOCAL BUSINESS IS ALL FIRED UP Feature Fire has moved to a bigger and better showroom on Winterstoke Road, Weston-super-Mare. Established over 30 years ago in Weston-superMare it is a local success story. Focussing on high quality, high specification fires and fireplaces, it has achieved steady growth, and has almost doubled in size since 2008. Owners Richard Atkin and John Cooper decided it was time to expand and give their customers more space to relax, enjoy and interact with the large and varied choice of fireplaces, fires and stoves. The new showroom and site gives Feature Fire more room to provide a wow factor, with better displays, showing top end British and European fires, and better operational layout for workshops, warehouse and offices. John Cooper has designed many of the stone fireplaces, in a range of European and English limestones, to complement the stoves and fires.

Richard Atkin says: “Come down to the new showroom and see for yourself, you’ll receive a warm welcome and the new showroom provides real inspiration for how a fireplace could transform any home”.

The new Feature Fire showroom is located on Winterstoke Road, next door to Winterstoke Decorators.

The new collection from international furniture retailer BoConcept has arrived in its Bristol showroom, offering plenty of new designs. Colours and materials from the past are redefined and merged to create completely new solutions.

The fusion of contrasts is seen in mixing warm with cold, natural with metal, wood with neon and raw with polished. BoConcept has taken the best from different time periods and given it a contemporary brush-up for a new avant-garde style that is elegant, yet authentic. The new collection and design catalogue is available in the Bristol BoConcept store in Broadmead.

BEAUTIFUL BATHROOMS Thinking of updating the bathroom? A Kit Stone bathroom not only looks stylish, but provides essential storage space. Cabinets are hand made from solid wood using traditional carpentry techniques and hand-painted in old chalk. Washstands are available in both countertop and undermount versions. For a more contemporary feel, opt for the countertop washstand, which comes complete with a ceramic washbowl and beautiful oak top. For a more traditional home, the undermount washstand is available with the option of a Carrara marble vanity unit. There’s a huge range of cabinets available at Kit Stone showroom in Portland Street, Clifton, where you can talk to the designer about creating a bespokestyle bathroom. For further information tel: 01173 702453.

NEW VENTURE FOR WILLS FAMILY

INTERIOR ADVICE ON YOUR DOORSTEP Bristol company Wesley-Barrell, in Whiteladies Road, can help you to combine furniture styles, fabrics and colours to create beautiful schemes for your home with the help of its experienced design consultants who can offer friendly, professional advice, mood boards, and can draw up room plans to provide workable solutions to suit your requirements. Wesley-Barrell has a large selection of fabrics at its fingertips from design houses such as GP&J Baker, Sanderson, Osborne & Little, Zoffany and Harlequin.To arrange an appointment with one of the Bristol design consultants, Cathy and Amelia, contact tel: 0117 9238915, email: bristol@wesley-barrell.co.uk or pop in to the shop on 84 Whiteladies Road.

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Sir David Wills, of one of the west country's most prominent families — responsible for introducing the first mass-produced pre-rolled cigarettes to the British public over 200 years ago — has launched a furniture brand called Tree to Table, producing a select range of pieces using sustainable hardwood felled from his 2,000 acre estate near Bristol. The dining, kitchen and coffee tables are painstakingly planked, barn dried and crafted by hand in a bid to harness the wood’s natural imperfections – a process which can take up to 200 hours. As a mark of quality – and to prevent fakes – each piece will also be stamped with a Griffin, part of the Wills’ family 18th century coat of arms. The Tree to Table craftsmanship lies in the hands of local cabinet maker, Chris Wood. For further information, visit: www.treetotable.co.uk

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ONE STOP SHOP FOR SOFAS Over the years, Sofa Workshop has become the expert in sofas and really does know a thing or two about style and comfort.

The relaxed and friendly welcome at the newly refurbished shop on Whiteladies Road is the ideal place to sit back and test out the numerous sofa styles while enjoying a coffee. It offers more than 50 styles of sofa, sofa beds, corner sofas, chairs and footstools, from traditional scrolled arm styles to more contemporary pieces, so you’re bound to find a sofa that’s just right for you. All the sofas are handmade in Britain by skilled craftsmen with each and every sofa frame guaranteed so you can be sure they won’t skimp on quality. One of the most popular pieces for the new season is the timeless Grande Dame sofa with its sophisticated style and distinctive detailing. Pop in to Sofa Workshop on Whiteladies Road to have a look for yourself, or for more information tel: 01179 706 171

NEW AND INNOVATIVE DESIGN SOLUTIONS IN BRISTOL A new interiors showroom, Ligne Roset Bristol, opened last month at Cribbs Causeway, offering an innovative approach to showcasing its lifestyle collections. Room layouts have been carefully designed to complement the brands on display, including names such as Bang and Olufsen, Aston Martin, Edwin Loxley Kitchens and De Dietrich Appliances. The inspiring displays include new introductions to the French manufacturers collection, from the comfortable Ploum sofa designed by the Bouroullec brothers, to the Tolbiac Shelves, a playful modular system developed with the craftsmanship of aeroplane propeller engineers. And not forgetting the iconic Togo sofa range by Michel Ducaroy, which celebrates its 40th anniversary of production with a new addition to the range; the Togo daybed, upholstered in the on-trend houndstooth fabric. As well as hosting a growing list of brands, the showroom will put on a regular selection of events, from cookery demonstrations with celebrity chefs to test drive days

by Aston Martin. And in order to assist customers further Ligne Roset Bristol can offer the help of interior designer Emma Hughes. The showroom is open Monday to Saturday, 9.30am to 5.30pm and Sundays by appointment. For further information visit: www.ligne-roset-bristol.co.uk

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Grande Dame small sofa in Moon Earth Airforce with optional scatter in Slumber Wolf, £2,079

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Handmade fabric owls, From Little Seeds; below, wooden ornament from House of Fraser

WOODLAND WONDERLAND Breathe fresh life into tired rooms with the beauty of the backcountry, says Hannah Stuart-Leach

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oodlands have been defining Britain’s landscapes for thousands of years. Some date back to medieval times, and as such, are imprinted on our national vision of this green and pleasant land. We enjoy watching them change with the seasons, especially in the autumn when we can lose ourselves in them foraging for berries and kicking up crispy coppertinged leaves as we go.

In Bristol, we can stroll and admire the orchestrated Victorian splendour of Arnos Vale, take the dog and hike through the sheltered trails of Leigh Woods which soon give way to spectacular views of the Suspension Bridge or put on our wellies and stomp through the mystical West Tanpit Wood near Failand. But as the chilly evenings close in and we start to retreat to the comfort of our fire-lit living rooms, can we bring some of the spirit of our adventures outdoors in with us?

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Bunches of wild flowers and tree branches brought back from a Sunday walk will add a special touch of seasonal charm...

❞ Absolutely, says local gardens and interiors designer Przemek Szczodry: “Woodland interiors are popular at the moment because of increasing desire and longing for nature. Because of this, current trends in patterns and furnishings reflect natural accessories and prints so it’s easy to find small decorative touches that will make all the difference to the feel of any room.”

Przemek, who owns Bristol Gardens & Interiors says woodland interiors are equally suited to classic and contemporary interiors, but selecting the correct colours and materials is important.

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faded, deep green or a shade of rich brown,” he says. “That colour pallette makes a versatile base for a variety of arrangements. For a feature wall or chimney stack use wallpaper with printed trees, branches or ferns. Team it with white linen or beige heavy cotton fabric printed with organic patterns inspired by leaves and branches. For the walls, use sketchbook drawings of wild animals and plants framed in slim black frames of all sizes. A stag head or antlers could also add to desired look, and is an interior staple for creating a slightly more country look.

“Use rustic wood furniture to provide a truly unique feel by embracing wood shape and grain. Natural solid wood is best; hand crafted using traditional methods of joinery and construction, but only with environmentally safe finishes. Accessorise your room with green or brown glass and ceramics with patterns or foliage, wild animals and insects to link the outside and in. Bunches of wild flowers and tree branches brought back home from a Sunday walk (think teasel and honesty seed pods) will add a special touch of seasonal charm too.”

WOOD WORKS Any woodland inspired room, naturally, calls for wooden furnishings. But rather than going to Ikea for a cheap impression, why not look a little closer to home for the real thing?

The Bristol Wood Recycling Project (BWRP ) on Cattle Market Road uses only reclaimed timber in its workshop – wood from building sites and manufacturing that would otherwise be sent to landfill. “Rather than hide and disguise any flaws and blemishes, we try and accentuate them and exploit the unique character of each piece of wood to reveal its natural beauty together with its manmade scars,” explains workshop manager Neil Ferguson.

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Large floor light pendant made from bent wood, at Green Woods Furniture

Shelving from Bristol Wood Recycling Project

Plate from Little Birdy Crafts

Due to the nature of the business, all the furniture you’ll find at the BWRP is one of a kind. At the moment though, they have in stock some locally coppiced hazel poles, perfect for making legs for tables and stools, as well as some sections of larch trees left over from Glastonbury Festival – ideal for making benches and chairs that look as if they’re straight from the forest.

“The Bristol Wood Recycling Project is a unique place,” enthuses Neil.

“It is an Aladdin’s cave of wooden treasures but we are also a social enterprise governed by four objectives: saving resources from waste, providing affordable timber to the local community, remaining self funding and providing volunteering and training opportunities.”

ALL THOSE PRETTY LIGHTS To mimic woodland lighting, try and keep it as soft and natural as possible.

For an easy, cheap option reminiscent of a summer night camping under the stars, simply string up some twinkling fairy lights.

For something a little more stylish, try Green Woods Furniture in Clifton.

As well as offering an impressive range of rustic furniture, they stock a beautiful range of environmentally friendly lighting. Owner Simon Bennett offers his thoughts on the theme: “I think the two main characteristics you need to aim for are lighting that emulates the glowing, partly diffused effect of light coming through the branches and leaves of a tree, along with the organic, non uniform, shadows that are cast.”

He recommends the shop’s Pendant No. 1 Shade to create this effect, made

by Cornwall-based Tom Raffield. It has a free form, organic shape and can be made from over 80 metres of steam bent ash, oak or walnut. “It looks chaotic, but has been painstakingly handmade and casts wonderfully intricate shadows when turned on,” says Simon.

FANTASTIC MR FOX & FRIENDS You’re in luck if you’re looking for woodland creatures to adorn your newly refreshed room – foxes, owls, deers and badgers can currently be found on anything from tea towels to hand illustrated dinner plates. And there are plenty of local artists and makers happy to help furnish your room with whimsical animals.

From Little Seeds stocks an adorable collection of handmade fabric owls, each with its own special character. “Buy some in a gradient of sizes and perch them on a branch or bookshelf, they’ll bring a burst of colour and WWW.THEBRISTOLMAGAZINE.CO.UK

Upcycled birds from Little Birdy Crafts

sense of humour to any room,” says textile artist Helen Williams, who creates these beautiful pieces from her space at Jamaica Street Artist Studios in Stokes Croft. “My gran was a collector of all things owl related,” she explains, “so I inherited my love of them from her.”

Continuing along an avian theme, Little Birdy Crafts (www.littlebirdycrafts.co.uk), the much-loved creative venture of artist Little Birdy, offers some gorgeous imaginings of British wildlife – her fox and badger plates beam with personality and are available in boutiques around the city.

“I think woodland creatures have an innately mystical and fairy tale quality to them that taps into our wild subconscious,” explains the artist. “I recently completed a series of Bristol creature brooches and cards and I’m currently working on a lot of new porcelain light pulls, diorama night lights and illustrative fabric designs in time for Christmas featuring bears, foxes and badgers.” She also makes one-off animal themed illustrations on vintage porcelain and textile birds made from up-cycled fabric.

SNUG AS A BUG Depending on the room you’re looking to furnish, some cosy sofa throws or crocheted bed quilts probably wouldn’t go amiss – they’ll be great to curl up under as the weather gets colder.

For the added satisfaction of having made part of your interior decor yourself, enrol on one of the Bristol School of Sewing and Textiles Courses in Clifton. Teacher Emma Hawkins runs classes throughout the year to help you put together anything from a knitted blanked to some pretty floral cushions or natural-coloured curtains. “It’s amazing how a small detail can change the feel of an old room entirely,” says Emma, who also runs beginners willow sculpture at the school, crafting incredible, natural shapes from Somerset willow.

“You can be more creative making your own furnishings and it means you can chose your own style and your own fabrics; it’s something to be proud of when you’ve made something from scratch.” ■ OCTOBER 2013

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

Are you overwhelmed with the options available?

Can’t find the solution to your problem?

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

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

Our showroom displays fittings from the UK, European and Worldwide sources.

For all areas of the home and garden.

Decorative low energy on display.

Tel: 0117 963 5943 • Fax: 0117 963 4735 Unit 2, Sheene Way, Bedminster, Bristol BS3 4TA Free Car Parking Available Email: enquiries@lightingwarehousebristol.co.uk Web: www.lightingwarehousebristol.co.uk Opening hours: Mon - Sat 9:00am - 5:30pm

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

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203 Gloucester Road, Bishopston, Bristol BS7 8NN

For a preview of the showroom search "Natural Born Flooring" on Google, visit their website at www.naturalbornflooring.co.uk or call 0117 942 7829.

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HOMES | ON SHOW

A DISTINCTIVE STRIDE This desirable Sneyd Park located house was designed and built by the renowned Bristolian Stride brothers, whose bespoke properties are in high demand, writes Marianne Swinkels

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ristol has a lot to thank Fred and Arthur for. Because between them, they’ve made their mark on the city in a very impressive way. “Individual in style” and “never duplicated” are the oft quoted qualities of this duo’s handsome legacy. And we are not talking subtle quirky personality traits or eccentric mannerisms.

We’re not even talking about two individuals who, let’s say, have stepped up to the mark and made a great impression by doing something amazing like putting the giant Gromits in situ. You know, those creative and temporary landmark dog sculptures which were unleashed all over the place this summer.

No. In this particular instance we doff our collective caps in the direction of Bristolian brothers Fred and Arthur Stride, known and loved throughout the region for the design and build of their one-off properties. These highly distinctive Stride houses, which first made their appearance in the early 1930s, continue to have more than strong kerbside appeal today.

Think Stride and you’re thinking the homey equivalent of the ‘Vorsprung durch Technik’ ethos of a certain model of car.

From the outside in, exceptional quality, craftsmanship, attention to detail and originality are the hallmarks of these well proportioned and often bespoke residences which remain in high demand.

If you locate these generous buildings into the exotically leafy smartness of Sneyd Park, where the Stride family bought up a fair few plots well into the 1970s, we are also talking a winning combination – desirable family homes in a desirably favourable postcode.

Even way back in 1924 when some of what was known as the Old Sneed Park estate was sold off for the development of private housing, the sales brochures boasted that “the design of the residences is intended to meet the

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demand of the professional or city man in Bristol who wishes to have his house in the country.”

It’s a description which still holds good, though the Sneyd Park of today is neither rural or really suburban, giving as it does quick and easy access to The Downs, Clifton Village and Stoke Bishop – just a 10 minute or so stride away from the shops, schools, cafés and city culture.

All these pluses certainly added up for the vendors of 22 Mariners Drive, now reluctantly relocating. They were so keen to buy a Sneyd Stride home, they identified the very house they wanted to live in, dropped an enquiry letter through the door – and bingo!

Nine years on, and the owners of this sought-after, mock-Tudor style Stride house in what is perhaps one of Sneyd Park’s most prestigious roads, have really upped the ante since they lucked on the property.

They fell for their “forever” home, with its handsome part brick, part rendered and timber beamed frontage in its secluded half acre plot. Set back from the already verdant roadway, with its deep expanse of front and rear lawns, mature gardens, specimen trees and views, this was ‘the’ project to end all projects. Here was a Stride with lots of scope, in a private parkland setting: tick, tick and tick again.

A mammoth renovation, modernisation and extension programme was given the planning go-ahead, leaving no room untouched in the aim to increase overall size, space and flexibility of accommodation.

Essential to the scheme was the wish to remain loyal to the property’s original features and to keep the residence, at its heart, a quality Stride home, sensitively blending old with new: the huge red brick fireplace and panelled wood entrance lobby being classic examples. The work was so extensive that the family of five had to move out for nine months. As the vendor now laughingly says: “It was a bit like childbirth. It hurt while it was happening!

...exceptional quality, craftsmanship, attention to detail and originality are the hallmarks of these well proportioned and often bespoke residences

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HOMES | ON SHOW

The building team were fantastic, but this was the first time we’d undertaken anything like this and it was daunting to see the place being gutted.”

The pain was truly worth it, presenting as it does as an exceptional refurbished detached three level house with three receptions, five bedrooms and four bathrooms. Generously proportioned, the ground floor has doubled in size with the light and airy 30ft long, oak beamed kitchen/breakfast room granting access and views to the outdoor terrace and welltended grounds. There’s also the ground floor addition of a fifth bedroom, superb study and large garage; ripe for conversion to a self-contained annexe.

And just when you’ve toured round the equally light and airy studies, en suites and dressing rooms that flow off the four double bedrooms on the second level, there’s yet more to take in.

There, in the converted eaves, is another family aka games room some 30x15 ft in size, with a gorgeous outlook over the garden – and of the old stable block complete with two stables, tack room and further storage. A footprint for another possible conversion.

What will really strike you in this extended beauty, is the internal space and light throughout which sets it apart from many of its peers. This is one light, bright abode, worthy of its Stride roots.

I’m sure Fred and Arthur would agree. ■

PROPERTY PROFILE: Where: Mariners Drive, Sneyd Park, Bristol BS9 What: Handsome detached Stride family home, significantly renovated and extended, offering the flexibility of self-contained accommodation. Set in half acres front and rear gardens, offering stable block for conversion.

Price: £1,950,000 The spec: 3 receptions, 5 bedrooms, 4 bathrooms over three levels. Open plan 30 ft kitchen/breakfast room and 31ft top floor family/games room.

Outbuildings, garage, private parking in grounds extending 0.55 acres.

Agents: Knight Frank, Regent House, 27a Regent Street, Clifton, Bristol BS8 4HR. www.knightfrank.co.uk

Contact: Tel: 0117 317 1999 or email: bristol@knightfrank.com.

WWW.THEBRISTOLMAGAZINE.CO.UK

OCTOBER 2013

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3 OF THE BEST...

Places for autumn colour Samantha Coleman picks her favourite gardens to visit locally to enjoy the changing colour of the trees this month

❶ Stourhead Gardens, Wiltshire

❸ Westonbirt Arboretum

This National Trust landscape garden is well worth the hour’s drive – at its centrepiece a magnificent lake and around the garden classical temples, grottoes and an impressive collection of rare and exotic trees with acres to explore. Although a picturesque place to visit at any time of the year, Stourhead is transformed in the autumn and it is one of the most spectacular displays of seasonal colour you’ll encounter, made even more dramatic by the reflections in the lake (pictured above). The yellow of the tulip tree is striking against the backdrop of the light stone Pantheon building and the vibrant reds of the acers are a glorious sight and a seasonal highlight for many. Early October is my favourite time to visit as you can smell the beautiful candy floss scent of the leaves from the Cercidiphyllum Japonicum trees as they fall to the ground and start to rot. I love it so much that I even bought myself a baby version of the tree in the on-site shop, and it’s happily growing away in my garden showcasing heart-shaped green leaves in the summer and brilliant colour in the autumn. Stourhead offers the perfect day to enjoy with the family – there are leaves to kick around, conkers to play and a hearty bowl of soup to warm you up afterwards. It’s a great place to pick up plants and trees for the garden too, and keep an eye out for sales of quality oak that you can fashion into a bespoke bench for your garden.

With a tree collection as big as this (16,000 trees, 2,500 different species), you can enjoy every shade of yellow, orange and red at this time of year.

Westonbirt is renowned during autumn for its wonderful maple collection of around 2,000 specimens and 300 maple cultivars. They provide an array of colour with Japanese maples (Acer Palmatum) being particularly well known for their vibrant purple, pinky reds. Some of the first trees to start to show autumn colour are the big full moon maples (Acer Japonicum) and the Chinese spindle (Euonymus Oxyphyllus) which provide lovely backdrops to family photographs, so don’t forget your camera when you visit. There are over 50 specimens of the Persian ironwood (Parrotia Persica) which produces lovely autumn colour as well as the hickories, which have pure yellow foliage. The arboretum’s Concord Glade area holds various species which turn a gorgeous shade of tawny orange and the cherry collection in Silk Wood also has wonderful shows of autumn colour, all just off the beaten track.

❷ Leigh Woods This choice is a bit closer to home and you can easily walk to the woods from Clifton – see Andrew Swift’s walk on page 86 for the route. Although not as grand as Stourhead, Leigh Woods, on the plateau above the Avon Gorge, offers a wilderness of autumnal beauty that can be enjoyed in tranquility at this time of year. Explore the diverse woodland with its winding paths through oak, small leaf lime and ash forest and enjoy the golden hues of autumn, along with with an interesting array of funghi. Keep an eye out for the autumn art trail too, with sculptures camouflaged in the trees.

112 THE BRISTOL MAGAZINE

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OCTOBER 2013

Japanese maples at Westonbirt © Paul Groom, Forestry Commission

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BRISTOL PROPERTY | IN FOCUS

V

ictoria terrace is a raised terrace of handsome Victorian town houses within a quiet road on the south side of Clifton. The house has been recently refurbished to the highest standard to include a new central heating system, new plumbing and a full electrical rewire. The accommodation is immaculately presented and there are plenty of period features including cornice work, sash windows and solid wood flooring throughout much of the ground floor. Most of the requirements for modern family living are in place, such as space for entertaining in the bay fronted drawing room, a large kitchen/breakfast room which opens onto the rear patio, which in turn leads to the lawned garden. The kitchen is modern and features a good range of quality appliances.

There are four bedrooms set over two floors. The master bedroom has an en suite shower room, and has spectacular views over the Floating Harbour and across to Dundry Hill. A traditional style family bathroom serves the first floor, and the two bedrooms on the second floor share a fully tiled shower room. To the rear of the property there is a delightful area comprising of patio and terraced gardens which are predominantly level lawn. This house is primed and ready for a busy family to move into and is ideally situated close to a variety of good schools. Contact agents Knight Frank for further details.

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

WWW.THEBRISTOLMAGAZINE.CO.UK

2 VICTORIA TERRACE CLIFTON • Immaculately presented Victorian townhouse • New heating, plumbing & wiring • Four bedrooms • Family bath room. En suite shower room, additional shower room • Smart location, close to good schools

Guide Price: £575,000

OCTOBER 2013

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Bristol & Clifton’s premier Commercial Property Agents Keep up-to-date with our latest news and market comments at our website: www.burstoncook.co.uk FOR SALE / TO LET APEX COURT, ALMONDSBURY

(0117) 934 9977 FOR SALE – BROAD STREET, BS1 4,000 sq ft clinic/office building with residential consent for student flats.

Modern office units from just 770 sq ft to 2,566 sq ft.

Good parking and close to the motorway network.

£450,000

WARMLEY – OFFICES

KING STREET, BRISTOL, BS1

Modern offices of 950 – 2,120 sq ft.

FOR SALE OR TO RENT. 2 interlinking period office buildings fitted to a contemporary style.

10 car spaces.

4,658 sq ft (NET).

Economical rents.

OAKFIELD ROAD, CLIFTON

CLIFTON OFFICE TO LET

Contemporary open plan office suite.

1,388 sq ft, 3 car spaces.

Last suite in this prime Clifton property.

Flexible leases

700 sq ft with parking.

New lease.

New lease from 1 year.

New refurbishment.

ONLY £11.50 PER SQ FT

FREEHOLD RESTAURANT REDLAND, BRISTOL

CITY CENTRE RESTAURANT

A fantastic rare opportunity to purchase freehold a thriving established restaurant with full bar license.

Established city centre restaurant with 54 covers – New lease at a rent of £16,500 pax.

A GREAT OPPORTUNITY.

£200,000 + fixtures & fittings

WHITELADIES ROAD – SHOP

CLIFTON VILLAGE SHOP Situated close to Cote Brasseris at the heart of Clifton Village – An ideal lock up shop for new/ existing business.

Prominent large shop to rent in busy retail pitch – C 730 sq ft – New lease.

RENT ONLY £12,500 PAX.

Rent on application

• • • • Julian Cook

Jayne Rixon

Andrew Oliver

Finola Ingham

FRICS

MRICS

MRICS

MRICS

Burston Cook Oct.indd 1

Sales /Lettings Acquisitions advice Valuations Landlord & tenant

• • • •

Rent reviews Development advice Investments Dilapidations

(0117) 934 9977 23/09/2013 16:21

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

(0117) 934 9977

SUPERB BS8 WATERFRONT OFFICES Contemporary refurbished office suite with fantastic views.

2,500 sq ft with 4 secure car spaces.

NEW FLEXIBLE LEASE – RENT ONLY £10.95 PER SQ FT.

FOR SALE – CLIFTON OFFICES Only £159,950 to purchase your own refurbished contemporary office unit in the wonderful Berkeley Square – 900 sq ft.

“Why rent when you can buy?”

2 BEAUFORT ROAD, CLIFTON A stunning office headquarters of 5,715 sq ft with 13 car spaces.

A mix of contemporary open plan offices and fine period rooms to suit modern office occupiers – TO LET. VIEWING RECOMMENDED.

INDUSTRIAL INVESTMENT FOR SALE 4 modern industrial units fully let until Jan 2018 to established tenant.

Net rental income £38,500 pax.

Price £433,000 ONO.

EXCELLENT BUSINESS OPPORTUNITY The Observatory plus café and caves.

FOR SALE FREEHOLD… 4 attractions in one – 44,000 paying visitors last year – Now with café/restaurant/viewing terrace. 500,000 visitors to the Suspension Bridge.

TELEPHONE FOR DETAILS. • • • • Julian Cook

Jayne Rixon

Andrew Oliver

Finola Ingham

FRICS

MRICS

MRICS

MRICS

Burston Cook Oct.indd 2

Sales /Lettings Acquisitions advice Valuations Landlord & tenant

• • • •

Rent reviews Development advice Investments Dilapidations

(0117) 934 9977 23/09/2013 16:21

CLIFTON £695,000

SOLD STC

REDLAND £595,000

SOLD STC

CITY CENTRE £550,000

SOLD STC

Freehold Investment Properties

REQUIRED Due to high demand we urgently require mixed use & commercial investment properties in prime Bristol locations.

We have buyers waiting for fully let and vacant commercial opportunities.

Contact us today to arrange a free, no obligation valuation of your property.

Bristol’s fastest growing Commercial Agency

www.maggsandallen.co.uk

0117 949 1888 60 Northumbria Drive, Henleaze, Bristol, BS9 4HW

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

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£595,000 Clifton

Beautifully restored Old Coach House, converted in the ‘80’s to make a fabulous four bedroom terraced house. Well presented throughout this property has been lovingly restored within the last two years and many original features maintained. The property also comes with a stunning South facing landscaped garden to the rear and a single garage to the front. Suitable for a couple downsizing, a family or your professionals. A viewing highly recommended.

£385,000 Monmouth

Beautifully presented two bedroom maisonette set on the ground floor of a Victorian townhouse. Located in Clifton and within easy reach of Clifton Village and Bristol City Centre. Many of its original features maintained. It consists of two double bedrooms, family bathroom, utility area and vaulted store cupboard on the lower ground and on the upper level it has a reception room and a kitchen dining room. It also comes with a CAR PARKING SPACE which is a real bonus in Clifton and a front and rear garden. EPC: E

£900,000

This is a well designed five bedroom detached house located in the Heart of Monmouthshire. Within walking distance to Monmouth Town Centre this house oozes style and sophistication. Highly suitable for a family and close to local amenities this property has been lovingly restored and is one of a select development of outstanding houses within Monmouth. Set within we believe 0.8 acre plot with a south and west facing garden and a laid to lawn shrub surround and patio area. Viewing recommended. EPC: D

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

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Long Ashton

£450,000 Long Ashton

Once in a while a true gem appears on the market and without doubt Candlemas Cottage is one of them. Built in c1850’s, this quintessential cottage has an abundance of charm and character that marries perfectly with the modern twist created by the current vendors. Beautifully presented throughout and located in a tucked away, most sought after area, this lovely property is too good to be missed so your early viewing is most highly recommended. EPC D.

£560,000 Failand

This highly individual family home, built in the 1980’s enjoys an elevated position in the heart of Long Ashton Village and benefits from fantastic views over the valley towards Dundry.

This home has been well-maintained by the current owners with recent upgrades. Arranged over four split levels and offering plentiful character the property exudes versatility in terms of room usage depending on requirements. What more could the growing family want!? EPC C

£349,950

A detached bungalow situated in the sought after rural village of Failand. The property has been refurbished and extended over the past few years by the current vendors to create a beautiful home with quality fixtures and fittings. The home has three double bedrooms, enclosed rear garden and ample off street parking situated in a quiet cul-de-sac. EPC D

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

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£499,950 Royal Victoria Park

A stunning four double bedroom barn conversion with views over open fields. This unique property has a 33ft flexible galleried living / dining / reception room, separate kitchen / breakfast room, utility room, bedroom four with en-suite to the ground floor. To the first floor there are three double bedrooms, the master with en-suite, large landing and separate family bathroom. Benefits include oil fired underfloor and central heating, double glazing, grass and decked garden and driveway parking for several vehicles. EPC C

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£450,000 Stoke Bishop

A most prestigious David Wilson family home in ‘The Highworth’ design. Five double bedroom, three bath/shower rooms (two of which are en-suite) two generous connecting reception rooms as well as a largo open plan kitchen/diner/family room. The home is situated in an excellent position on the development as it faces the protected woodland, thereby giving the feeling of privacy to the front. Further benefits include GCH, double glazing, a utility room, integral double garage, beautifully landscaped rear garden. EPC D

£439,950

Four Bedrooms, Three Reception Rooms, 1930's semi-detached family home. Elmlea and Stoke Bishop C of E junior schools are within easy walking distance. The accommodation is arranged over two floors and could easily be transformed into a five bedroom home by way of a loft conversion or side extension (subject to seeking any necessary approvals) Potentially no onward chain.

Whilst the property is generally well maintained it offers the future owners a chance to ‘stamp their own mark’. EPC E

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36 High Street, Portishead call: 01275 430440 email:

Hillside, Portbury

Guide Price

£325,000

A stunning three bedroom detached home recently refurbished to a high quality contemporary finish benefitting from an open plan living space with bi-folding doors opening to the rear garden.

Located in a quiet cul-de-sac position affording attractive views.

EPC Band C

Woodhill Avenue, Portishead

OIEO £695,000

Offers in excess off. A handsome eight bedroom Victorian semi detached family home c1870, ideally located close to the Lake Grounds with period features throughout. Boasting two large principal reception rooms, additional benefits include a spacious garden/sitting room & South facing rear garden. EPC Band E

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

Gardner Road, Portishead

Guide Price

£345,000

A substantial 1930’s extended four double bedroom semi detached family home situated close to the Lake Grounds, Marina & the High Street. In need of some modernisation, but offering great potential.

Outside affords enclosed side & rear gardens, driveway & garage.

EPC Band TBC

Newhaven Road, Portishead

Guide Price £385,000

A spacious five bedroom detached family home boasting glorious views over the Bristol Channel towards the Welsh Coastline, affording a spacious sitting room with large balcony & open planned dining room/ kitchen. Outside, a large lawn to patio garden provides a perfect outdoor entertaining space. EPC Band D

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

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£585,000 Abbey Road

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

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

So

£499,950

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

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

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£485,000 Sabrina Way

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

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

Westover Road

£399,950

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

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

£285,000 Waterford Road

This three bedroom linked detached family home benefits from a quiet, elevated, position in the highly desirable area of Westbury on Trym.

The property benefits from three bedrooms, a modern fitted kitchen with integrated appliances and large 'L' shaped living room with picture window and door leading out onto the private, enclosed rear garden.

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

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

In

Cote Lea Park

£340,000

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

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

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£439,950

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

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Lyndhurst Road

Abbey Road

£285,000

Arranged over the first and second floors in a prime Henleaze location, at the end of 'Grange Park' and just off 'Henleaze Road'. Excellent proportions accentuated by high period ceiling heights that you would expect to find in such a grand period conversion. Access to the private garden is via the kitchen breakfast room, with a balcony and further stairs leading down to the private and walled rear garden.

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

Henley Mews

£260,000

A discrete development of just nine three bedroom family homes in an exclusive mews nestled within Henleaze. The builders ethos is to build individual homes that owners can enjoy living in for many years to come. This reflects in quality of the build they provide and the fittings installed. With one detached and eight semi-detached family homes.

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

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£195,000 Clifton

£239,950

An immaculate and well proportioned one bedroom top floor flat set within an impressive Grade Two listed Georgian building. The interior presents: lounge/diner that benefits from afternoon sunshine and wonderful sunsets, modern kitchen area with side window and integrated appliances, sizeable bathroom with white suite, double bedroom that benefits from morning sunshine. EPC - D

An extremely spacious and conveniently located two double bedroom 2nd floor flat offered with no onward chain, located in the superb Oakfield Road which is convenient for Whiteladies Road, Clifton Lido, Bristol University, BBC, BRI and Clifton Village. The accommodation consists Living room/diner with period fireplace, separate kitchen, two bedrooms and a bathroom. EPC - C

Redland

Westbury Park

Please contact our Clifton branch on 0117 946 6007

£300,000

A wonderful garden flat in one of BS6's most popular Roads perfect for Whiteladies Road. Offering light and well presented accommodation that consists lounge/diner opening to a modern kitchen, two double bedrooms and a stunning modern bathroom.

At the rear there is a parking space and a private front garden at the front. EPC - D Please contact our Clifton branch on 0117 946 6007

Failand

£475,000

A stunning five double bedroom detached house with ample off street parking, a garage and 65' private lawned rear garden with a patio area and hot tub! The interior presents: 25' x 13'5" lounge/diner with dual aspect, garden room with sliding doors to the patio, master bedroom with dual aspect and ensuite shower, fitted kitchen with modern units, four double bedrooms all with dual aspect and a shower room. EPC - E Please contact our Clifton branch on 0117 946 6007

Please contact our Clifton branch on 0117 946 6007

£320,000

An elegant and beautifully presented first floor apartment affording some excellent views across the Downs from the dual aspect living room. There is a separate contemporary kitchen/dining room to the side of the property, two double bedrooms, master bedroom ensuite and a study room. Flats of this quality are something of a rarity and the accommodation is generous and light. EPC - TBC

Waterfront

£275,000

A superb opportunity to purchase a stunning two double bedroom harbour side flat in the popular Merchants Quay with an impressive lounge/diner with french doors opening to the harbour side, separate modern kitchen, two double bedrooms and modern bathroom. The property has the added benefits of a separate garage with storage space in the loft and a parking space. EPC - C Please contact our Clifton branch on 0117 946 6007

Clifton

Prices from £359,950

Ocean have a limited release of these mews houses currently under construction on Chantry Road in Clifton. The semi detached mews comprise two double bedrooms, two bathrooms, Integral garage, first floor living room with balcony. Anticipated completions are May/June 2014. EPC - TBC

Please contact our Clifton branch on 0117 946 6007

Please contact our Clifton branch on 0117 946 6007

Redland

Clifton

£574,950

Opportunity to acquire this period property with a wealth of attractive features including double bay frontage. Providing spacious accommodation across four floors including the benefit of basement cellar. Two reception rooms, Refitted kitchen leading to a utility room and ground floor shower room, refitted family bathroom to the first floor with further cloakroom. Storage basement cellar. EPC - E Please contact our Clifton branch on 0117 946 6007

Prices from £675,000

Ocean have a limited release of these eagerly awaited townhouses on Chantry Road, Clifton. The townhouses are presented over four floors and comprise:- five bedrooms, two ensuites, 30’ kitchen/ dining/family room, first floor lounge and ground floor w.c. There is off-street parking for each house and also south facing gardens to the rear. Anticipated completion May/June 2014. EPC - TBC Please contact our Clifton branch on 0117 946 6007

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43 North View, Westbury Park, Bristol BS6 7PY

0117 973 5859 www.haighandsons.co.uk Our Lettings Department is doing rather well! More properties urgently required throughout North Bristol.

Free advice and valuation, comprehensive lettings and management service from friendly, professional family business. We really are Moving People!

WESTBURY PARK – £525,000

The main features of this Victorian terraced family house? It has a lot of rooms and is very adaptable, it has an unusually large garden for the area (78ft approx), it has extensive usable cellars (including separate access from front to back), it's close to the Downs and Westbury Park primary school ... oh, and it's probably going to be snapped up, so don't wait too long to view it!

HENLEAZE – £200,000

If you're 60 years of age or more you might be interested to view this smart, modern two-bedroom apartment which offers larger rooms than you often find in developments of its type, which has an open aspect, which has lift or stairs up to its first-floor situation, and which is just along the road from the Henleaze shops.

GOLDEN HILL (WESTBURY PARK) – £249,950

Retaining a great sense of the character with which it was originally built, nicely presented throughout and offered with no onward chain, this two-bedroom end-terraced Victorian cottage has already created a lot of interest, partly because it has a 50ft garden and is below the 3% stamp duty threshold.

WESTON SUPER MARE – From £135,000

A choice of two charming one-bedroom flats forming part of a converted coach house & stables development in a sought-after part of Weston.

The one on the ground floor, with courtyard garden, has been recently refurbished and is offered with no onward chain. The one upstairs (although still with its own front door) has a sunny garden of good size. Both have allocated parking.

Here to accommodate.

More homes needed to sell or rent: if you're thinking of moving please give us a call

Stoke Bishop

Westbury-on-Trym

Westbury Park

A rare opportunity to purchase this family home within the APR for Elmlea School.

This property offers a modern kitchen/diner, two individual receptions; front with double glazed bay window and rear with French doors opening to a 16m garden. To the first floor there are four bedrooms with modern bathroom and additional WC. EPC – D.

This detached four bedroom plus study family home offers extensive views to rear and a contemporary feel throughout with a spacious, quality kitchen/diner, lounge/ diner the full width of the property, en-suite wet room to guest suite, family bathroom and luxury bathroom to lower ground floor including recessed television. EPC – D.

Superbly presented throughout and retaining many original features, this property briefly comprises downstairs WC, two receptions, rear with double stained glass doors to a modern 8.2m kitchen/diner with granite worktops and access to veranda leading to garden. Two upper floors offer four bedrooms, en-suite shower room and family bathroom. EPC – E.

£500,000

£475,000

£462,500

Multi Award Winners 2011 & 2012 Triple Award Winners 2013

Montpelier

Bishopston

Montpelier

A charming period property in Montpelier.

This substantial Victorian home is arranged over three floors and retains a wealth of period features such as intricate mosaic flooring and beautiful stained glass windows.

The property benefits from a private courtyard style garden and is ideally located within a short distance from the Gloucester Road and St Andrews Park. EPC – D.

Located on this sought after road in Bishopston is this superb example of a period four bedroom family home; the property offers an abundance of well-presented living space and retains an array of original features. Within a short walk from Gloucester Road and several popular schools including Bishop Road and Sefton Park Infants and Junior School. EPC – D.

Located on this popular road in the heart of Montpelier comes this three bedroom Victorian terraced home. Well-presented throughout and boasting a private rear garden which enjoys a sunny aspect, the property is also ideally situated within easy reach of the City Centre, Gloucester Road and all local amenities. EPC – D

£350,000

£460,000

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£289,950

20/09/2013 12:00

Beyond your expectations www.hamptons.co.uk

NEW INSTRUCTION

Almondsbury, South Gloucestershire

Guide price £1,500,000

Situated in one of South Gloucestershire’s most spectacular positions, this detached house offers a spectacular 180 degrees panoramic view of the Bristol Channel, the Severn Bridges and the Welsh Hill. This substantial house sits proudly within its 10 acres and offers a huge degree of privacy yet makes the most of the spectacular position, providing 4/5 bedrooms, 3 bathrooms, 3 reception rooms, 1 acre of formal grounds, a further 9 acres of enclosed paddock and various outbuildings. EPC Rating: D

NEW INSTRUCTION

Clifton, Bristol

Guide price £399,000

This light and spacious hall floor apartment occupies the entire floor of this impressive semi detached Victorian house offering excellent and easy access to the many amenities of Clifton triangle, Park Street as well as Bristol University and the Hospital. It boasts its own private garden to the front of the property with a southerly aspect. The apartment offers 2 bedrooms, spacious and light living space, kitchen, a study area, garage with storage and a private front garden. EPC Rating: C

Hamptons Bristol

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

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NEW INSTRUCTION

Westbury Park, Bristol

Guide price ÂŁ750,000

This substantial and beautifully presented Edwardian townhouse has undergone a transformation in recent years including a full renovation and extension over all three floors, offering a surprising amount of internal accommodation. The owners have been careful to preserve as many of the original period pieces, whilst coupling this with a modern and high quality finish. It offers 6 bedrooms, 4 bathrooms, 3 reception rooms, kitchen/breakfast room and rear garden. EPC Rating: C

NEW INSTRUCTION

Axbridge, Somerset

Offers in Excess of ÂŁ650,000

This traditional detached stone farmhouse is approached along a lengthy post and rail fenced private driveway meandering to the rear of the property where you will find a double garage and private gardens. It sits centrally within its 5.5 acres of well established grounds, enjoying the views of surrounding countryside. The farmhouse offers 4 bedrooms, 2 reception rooms, 4 bathrooms, a double garage, attached barn and a stable yard including 9 stables and a tack room. EPC Rating: G

Hamptons Sales October.indd 2

23/09/2013 13:31

Almondsbury - Guide Price £450,000

Redland - £499,950

A lovely period country home with far reaching rural outlook to the Welsh Hill. Great ground floor space with four reception rooms and central kitchen. Three bedrooms (one en suite) and bathroom upstairs. Attractive gardens, double garage and parking. Motorway 5 mins drive, Westbury 10 mins drive. EPC - D

A lovely three storey Victorian townhouse in central Redland. Two reception rooms and kitchen on the ground floor. Two bedrooms and family bathroom on the first floor.

Lower floor with additional bedroom and storage space. Attractive gardens to front and rear.

EPC - E

Clifton - £300,000

Kingsdown - £599,500

A spacious three double bedroom top floor flat situated just off Pembroke Road within a few minute’s walk of Whiteladies Rd and Durdham Downs. Sitting room, kitchen with space for a dining table. Outside storage shed. EPC - D

A lovely four bedroom Georgian end of terrace townhouse arranged over four floors overlooking historic Freemantle Square. The house is attractively presented with some lovely period features and combines these with modern day conveniences having been sympathetically refurbished in recent years. EPC - F

Clifton - £225,000

Leigh Woods - £235,000

A superb one bedroom balcony flat situated within a few minute’s walk of Clifton Village.

Beautifully appointed throughout and extremely light and airy thanks to large windows (with working shutters) this is one of the best one bedroom flats in the area. EPC - TBC

An attractively refurbished two bedroom top floor apartment with stunning views over the city. Lovely open plan living room and kitchen enjoying the views. Large communal gardens, garage and parking space. Ashton Court and Clifton Village within easy walking distance.

EPC - E

Leese & Nagle October.indd 1

20/09/2013 13:40

Stoke Bishop - £725,000

Stoke Bishop - £645,000

A lovely 5 bedroom detached family home with wonderful free flowing reception rooms and spacious bedrooms presented to a very high standard throughout. Attractive gardens to all sides, plenty of parking and garage.

A beautifully appointed classic 1930’s four bedroom semi-detached house that has been the subject of extensive improvements and a substantial extension in recent years whilst retaining much of its original charm. Close to Elmlea schools.

Kingsweston - £550,000

Stoke Bishop - Guide Price £450,000

Historic 18th century Inn for the Kingsweston estate. Rumoured to have been designed by Vanburgh (think Blenheim Palace) this is a rare opportunity to aquire a lovely house in this tucked away position. Four bedrooms, three bath/shower rooms, two recps, kitchen and basement room. Double garage and gardens.Viewing Essential!

A spacious four bedroom 1930’s semi detached house situated within a few minute’s walk of Elmlea schools and within the Bristol Free School catchment. Two reception rooms, large kitchen. Four bedrooms, one with en suite and family bathroom. Attractive gardens and useful garage and store area.

Coombe Dingle - £375,000

Westbury-on-Trym - £335,000

A lovely peaceful position situated at the head of the cul –de-sac and backing onto the woods and parkland of the Kingsweston conservation area this four bedroom house offers scope for improvement. Three reception rooms, kitchen and WC. Four bedrooms and bathroom.

Wonderful gardens and outlook. No chain.

Attached to this fabulous and very large south west facing garden (one fifth of an acre plot) which is a keen gardeners dream is a three bedroom 1970’s style semi detached house that requires a bit of updating to the buyers own style. Within a few minute’s walk of both Westbury schools and the village shops.

Leese & Nagle October.indd 2

20/09/2013 13:41

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26/9/13

88 Whiteladies Road Clifton Bristol BS8 2QN Tel 0117 973 1144 Chelsea House London Road Bath BA1 6DB Tel 01225 447971

Terms & Conditions apply - contact showroom for details.

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