BRISTOL UPDATES

CALLING ALL ASPRING FILMMAKERS

Redmaids’ High School has recently announced that the Bristol Schools 48-Hour Film Challenge is back this summer and will take place between 2426 June. The challenge is now open for registration for students from schools and extra-curricular clubs from across the city. All Bristol students aged 7-18 are invited to take up this fast-paced and creative challenge and shoot, edit and submit a short original four-minute film with any device or their mobile phones within 48 hours.

The project is endorsed by IMDb, the world's most popular and authoritative source for movie, TV and celebrity content. At the same time, it has also received endorsement via Bristol Film as the UNESCO City of Film, which supports Bristol’s dynamic and diverse film communities. The challenge is hosted by Redmaids’ High School and film education charity Into Film. Schools are invited to register their challengers by 17 June 2022. Teams must also have a designated adult to oversee the weekend, and there is a charitable donation fee of £5 per team. The earlier teams register, the more workshops and guidance they will have access to, so early registration is encouraged.

• For further information or to register, visit: info.redmaidshigh.co.uk

THE UNSEEN CYBER EXPERTS

While you are reading this article, a complex range of cyber threats from around the world is targeting the UK’s national infrastructure, including energy supply. Behind the scenes, Cyber experts at Leonardo in Bristol are working 24/7 to protect the UK’s Critical National Infrastructure from cyber attacks.

The health of the UK’s energy network is a high priority for the UK Government and electric, nuclear and renewable energy are used to power factories, blue light services and hospitals as well as heat homes, fuel cars, and support industry.

Scott Bartlett, Head of Consulting for the Leonardo Cyber & Security Division said: “We’re only just starting to discover the potential of what 5G technology can achieve across society, whether that be at your local power station, or on your phone. This could cover everything from energy supply, water and defence, to communications and emergency services. All of these elements deliver critical components for the general smooth running of society and have potential application not just in the UK, but all around the world. 5G provides freedom of action, and that freedom needs to be protected.”

• uk.leonardocompany.com

FULL FIBRE BROADBAND ARRIVES IN PORTISHEAD & CLEVEDON

Bath-based Truespeed has propelled the expansion of its gigabit broadband into North Somerset, having started rolling out its full fibre network into two new West Bristol areas, Portishead and Clevedon. Connected by more than just their iconic coastal routes, the two seaside towns will now be connected to ultrafast, gigabit broadband. Over 8,000 premises across these areas of North Somerset are set to benefit from Truespeed’s ultrafast, ultra-reliable broadband offering speeds of up to 900Mbps. Designed to provide the ultimate online experience, the state-of-the-art network delivers around the clock reliable connectivity. Reaping the benefits of guaranteed symmetrical upload/download speeds, residents and businesses can use multiple devices simultaneously to stream HD films, video call and upload and download large files with no drop-in service. Thanks to its futureproof 10Gbps capability, the network will continue delivering cutting edge speeds and crystal-clear connectivity for decades to come. Keeping its community focused ethos at the forefront of the expansion, the South West based firm is investing £9 million into North Somerset with the arrival of its ultrafast network. The firm also remains steadfast in its commitment to provide schools and community hubs passed by its network to free broadband for life and has provided over 100 free connections to date. Planning and building works are already well underway in both areas, with the first customers expected to go live by early summer 2022. Truespeed’s highly skilled teams are working closely alongside local residents, businesses and councils to ensure the build is completed at pace and preserves the area’s iconic scenery. On a mission to bring under-served towns, cities and rural communities across the South West the benefits of affordable, full fibre broadband, Truespeed is providing a service that will benefit communities for generations to come.

• truespeed.com

SAVE REDFIELD CINEMA

Campaigners from across the city, including comedian Stephen Merchant and his father, actor Ron Merchant, are currently petitioning to save an East Bristol cinema from being developed into 44 bedsits. Redfield Cinema, situated on Church Road, was originally a 750-seat venue from 1912–1961. When it closed, the space became a bingo hall for 20 years before being bought by Wetherspoons in the 1980s. The St George’s Hall pub, however, closed in September 2021 after Lawrence Hill-based property developers Landrose purchased the site. Although a bar, kitchen and dining area has been built, most of the cinema remains intact –including 150 balcony seats.

Developers have revealed plans to include a “community-run boutique” 20-seat cinema within the historic art deco building, which will sit alongside a shop and gym, but campaigners say this is not enough.

Alongside screening movies, the group of passionate local volunteers wants the cinema to become an events space, community kitchen and cultural hub. So far, the petition has secured almost 9,000 signatures and attracted over 2,000 members to the campaigner’s Facebook group.

• Find out more about Redfiled Cinema at: saveredfieldcinema.com Speaking of Stephen Merchant, his highly successful comedydrama, The Outlaws, is back with a bang on 5 June. The official synopsis for season two reads: “Following on directly from the first series, the Outlaws still have time to serve on their sentences –but now they must face the fallout from their actions. If they thought the criminal underworld or the local police were done with them, they are sorely mistaken.

“The Outlaws must depend on one another while working with unlikely allies to atone for their sins –but can they save themselves without sacrificing their souls?”

As well as writer-director Merchant, the cast includes Academy Award winner Christopher Walken, Eleanor Tomlinson, Rhianne Barreto, Gamba Cole, Darren Boyd, Clare Perkins and Jessica Gunning, all of whom will be returning for the second series.

In 2021, The Outlaws became the BBC’s biggest comedy launch of year with 11 million streams on iPlayer.

• The Outlaws season two will air on BBC One on 5 June, with all episodes arriving on BBC iPlayer. Season one is available to stream on BBC iPlayer now

Image credit: BBC/Big Talk/Four Eyes

SPECIALS SKINCARE

Harvey Nichols Bristol’s assistant beauty manager and make-up artist Layla Touati lets us in on her skincare must-haves....

AUGUSTINUS BADER, The Rich Creaml, £135

Augustinus Bader’s The Rich Cream is an intensely luxurious, super hydrator that stimulates skin’s natural processes of rejuvenation to dramatically improve the complexion’s appearance.

LA PRAIRIE, Pure Gold Radiance Concentrate £705 A generous serum, Pure Gold Radiance Concentrate provides immediate and longterm benefits to the skin for an unprecedented glow. The formula, infused with the Pure Gold Diffusion System, is designed to smooth the skin and refine its texture to revitalise its appearance and help even skin tone.

ANATOMICALS, Never Lose Your Cherry, Cherry Lip Balm SPF8 15ml, £2.50

Fight back against the elements with Anatomicals’ wonderfully rich Cherry Lip Balm. Perfect for wind-beaten dry lips, or as a luxurious treat for anyone seeking the softest lips in town, it’s our new handbag must-have.

All products are available from Harvey Nichols Bristol; harveynichols.com LA MER, The Hand Treatment, £88

The Hand Treatment creates an emollient barrier to visibly diminish age spots while protecting and helping heal even the driest skin.

CAUDALIE, Resvératrol Lift Instant Firming Serum, £48

Caudalie's Resveratrol Instant Firming Serum corrects wrinkles and fine lines and smooths facial contours to give back to the face its original Vshape using an exclusive patented alliance of Resveratrol, hyaluronic acid and vegan collagen.

SOL DE JANEIRO, Bom Dia Bright™ Body Cream 75ml, £20

In Brazil, skin is on display all year round so Brazilians want theirs to be silky-smooth with a healthy glow all the way down to their toes. Skin that’s radiant and renewed, remarkably soft and visibly more even toned. This is your skin – with a Brazilian spin.

WORRIED ABOUT A HERNIA?

Up to 100,000 hernia surgeries are carried out on adults in the UK every year. Mr Dan Titcomb, a Consultant Upper GI Surgeon at Nuffield Health Bristol Hospital, tells you what you need to know about hernia surgery.

What is a hernia, and how is it caused?

A hernia is a protrusion of abdominal contents through a defect in the muscles of the abdominal wall. These muscles play a vital role in posture, mobility and physical exertion, and helps protect our internal abdominal organs.

Hernias may occur suddenly after a period of strenuous exertion, but in many people they may present typically as a painless bulge. Symptoms such as aching and dragging may accompany the bulging, which can feel worse as the day progresses, and is eased by rest and sleep when the bulge usually reduces in size.

The most common hernia is an inguinal hernia, which occurs in the groin, and accounts for around 70% of all hernias. Inguinal hernias also occur ten times more frequently in men than women. A hernia can often be pushed back by gentle massaging and pressure, which can improve the symptoms. However, after a fit of coughing or physical exertion, a hernia may protrude further than normal, becoming trapped, which may compromise circulation. This is known as strangulation, and requires emergency repair. For this reason, before they get to this stage, most symptomatic hernias should be considered for elective surgery.

Elective surgery dramatically reduces the risk of operative complications, and is highly successful. The recurrence rate for hernias is less than 1% in a year, and less than 5% in a patient’s lifetime.

What does surgery involve?

Most hernia operations are conducted as day case surgery, and the operation itself takes between 30-60 minutes. Most are repaired with a general anaesthetic, although in some cases they are performed under a local.

For repairing inguinal hernias, keyhole (laparoscopic) surgery is suitable in most patients, with three small incisions made beneath the umbilicus to allow access to the groin. If not suitable for this approach, a small groin incision is made, but in both operations, the contents of the hernia sack are pushed or pulled back inside the abdomen, and the area of weakened muscle is reinforced with a synthetic mesh, tacked in place with absorbable tacks or sutures.

What to expect after surgery.

The patient should feel minimal discomfort after surgery, and they usually leave hospital 4-6 hours after their operation. They will be able to eat and drink shortly after surgery, and at home, painkillers are recommended for 48 hours. Increasing amounts of light physical activity and walking will help, and most people will be able to drive and return to work two weeks later – although this may be longer for high impact jobs with heavy lifting. If you’re worried about a hernia and would like to discuss your options, you can book an appointment with Mr Titcomb, or another of our Consultants at Nuffield Health Bristol Hospital who specialise in hernia surgery – Mr James Hewes, Mr Alan Osborne, Mr Shakeeb Khan, Mr James Hopkins and Mr Reyad Abbadi – by calling 0117 911 5339, or visit our website: www.nuffieldhealth.com/hospitals/bristol.