The Bristol Magazine November 2016

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THE

£3.95 where sold

Issue 149

I

NOVeMBeR 2016

MAGAZINE THEBRISTOLMAG.CO.UK

HIGH SPIRITS

Gin-making at Psychopomp on St Michael’s Hill

RAW TALENT

Meet local chocolatier Adam Farag

PLUS

Festive fun & foodie gift ideas

WINTER WARMERS Top-notch recipes from Josh Eggleton

SING CITY

DARCEY BUSSELL BRINGS HER NEW DANCE FITNESS INITIATIVE TO BRISTOL

Immerse yourself in Bristol’s finest ensembles T H E C I T Y ’ S B I G G E S T M O N T H LY G U I D E T O L I V I N G I N B R I S T O L

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Our new dedicated wardrobe, carpet and flooring showroom is now open in the old Maskreys building next door to our existing store at 56-64 Whiteladies Road.

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NEW SHOWROOM

FINE CARPET

We make bespoke sofas and upholstery and curtains in our own factory in Bristol and design and make painted or solid pine or oak cabinet furniture from standard ranges or made to measure and to your own or our designs Curtains and Blinds Sofas and Fabrics Bespoke Cabinet Furniture and Wardrobes

Sofas, Curtains and Cabinet Furniture Made to order in 2-4 weeks

terms and conditions apply

We are just past Clifton Down Shopping Centre 56/64, Whiteladies Rd, BS8 2PY Mon-Sat 9.30 - 5.30/Sun 12 - 5

TEL: 01173 292746

All types of reupholstery Traditional to comtemporary styles Antique and Vintage pieces

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Global Real estate advisoR oF the YeaR Our understanding of the ever-changing market enables us to price your property accurately so you can rely on Knight Frank to get you moving.

Call +44 1172 950 425 to arrange your free market valuation.

Knightfrank.co.uk/bristol bristol@knightfrank.com

Guide price £1,250,000

KnightFrank KnightFrank.co.uk

Clifton Beautiful Grade II Listed townhouse (3,212 sq ft). 3 reception rooms, kitchen, 4/5 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms, shower, self-contained 2 bedroom apartment, roof terrace, garden, off-street parking.

Guide price £695,000

nTheMarket.com

Guide price £450,000

Clifton

Clifton

Beautiful period family home (1,544 sq ft) with parking. 3 receptions, kitchen, 4/5 bedrooms, bathroom, shower room, sunny rear gardens, parking for 2 vehicles, visitor parking for 1 vehicle, private road.

A superb example of a characterful 2 bedroom (1,065 sq ft) garden apartment enjoying a central Clifton location. Kitchen, 2 reception rooms, 2 bedrooms, bathroom, sun room, courtyard and walled garden.

Guide price £575,000

Guide price £2,250,000

Clifton

litton

Immaculate and spacious lateral apartment (1,556 sq ft) with 2 balconies and open plan sitting/dining/kitchen/breakfast room, two bedrooms with en suite, guest WC, allocated off street parking. EPC F.

A stunning former farmhouse (4,676 sq ft). 5 reception rooms, kitchen/breakfast room. 5 bedrooms, 3 bathrooms. Party barn, 4 stables, swimming pool/pool house, stores, tennis court. About 10.2 acres. EPC F.

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GLobaL ReaL estate advisoR oF the YeaR Our understanding of the ever-changing market enables us to price your property accurately so you can rely on Knight Frank to get you moving.

Call +44 1172 950 425 to arrange your free market valuation.

Knightfrank.co.uk/bristol bristol@knightfrank.com

Guide price £1,550,000

KnightFrank KnightFrank.co.uk

Leigh Woods A light and airy family house (3,401 sq ft) with flexible accommodation. 3 receptions, kitchen/breakfast/ dining room, utility room, gym, laundry room, 2 cloakrooms, store room. 5 bedrooms, family bathroom.

2 garages and garden.

Guide price £2,250,000

nTheMarket.com

Guide price £1,150,000

hinton blewitt

blagdon

Wonderful listed former Rectory (7,610 sq ft). 5 reception rooms, kitchen/breakfast room, 2nd kitchen, 6 bedrooms, 5 bath/shower rooms, utility, cellar, extensive heated garaging and gardens.

A Grade II listed house (5,367 sq ft) with superb views of Blagdon Lake.

2 receptuions, study, playroom, kitchen/breakfast. Library (bed 5), 4 bedrooms, bathroom. Gardens, garage/former coach house, orchard, paddocks.

Guide price £379,950

Guide price £465,000

harbourside

Clifton

Harbourside apartment (890 sq ft) with private terraces, parking and fine views. Open plan dining/sitting room, kitchen, 2 bedroom, bathroom, 2 private terraces, allocated parking. EPC C.

A fine example of a lateral 2 bedroom (1,043 sq ft) apartment close to a host of fantastic amenities. Kitchen, drawing room, 2 bedrooms, 1 bathroom, guest WC, garage at the rear. EPC D.

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Global Real estate advisoR oF the YeaR Our understanding of the ever-changing market enables us to price your property accurately so you can rely on Knight Frank to get you moving.

Call +44 1172 950 425 to arrange your free market valuation.

Knightfrank.co.uk/bristol bristol@knightfrank.com

Guide price £730,000

Clevedon A beautifully presented Grade II Regency house (3,811 sq ft) in an elevated position with stunning views over the Bristol Channel. 3 receptions, study, kitchen/breakfast. 4-5 bedrooms, 3 bathrooms. Pretty gardens.

Guide price £675,000

KnightFrank KnightFrank.co.uk

nTheMarket.com

Guide price £950,000

Chewton Keynsham

Farrington Gurney

A beautifully presented attached Grade II listed village house (1,713 sq ft).

3 reception rooms, 3 to 4 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms, gardens, detached double garage, adjoining modern office and parking.

Grade II* Listed house (4,208 sq ft).within striking distance of Bristol, Bath and Wells. 3-4 reception rooms, kitchen/breakfast, 6 bedrooms, 4 bathrooms. Secondary accommodation. Outbuilding with planning consent.

Guide price £450,000

Guide price £695,000

West harptree

Pensford

Development opportunity (1,077 sq ft) with amazing views of the Chew Valley Lake. 1 reception room, 3 bedrooms, 1 bathroom, garage, pretty gardens. EPC G. oPeN hoUse booKiNGs, Call FoR a slot.

Individual detached property (4,481 sq ft) with panoramic views. 2 receptions, kitchen/breakfast room, 5 bedrooms (1 en suite), shower and bathroom, indoor swimming pool, level gardens, integral double garage. EPC C.

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Contents November 2016 REGULARS ZEITGEIST

ART

52

Emma Cullen checks out the fiercely independent Co-LAB

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16

Five of the best things to do in the city this month

CITYIST

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18

We catch up with author Victoria Fox and report on local goings-on

BARTLEBY . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 22 ...On the transition from soporific to more soccer-based Sundays

BUSINESS UPDATES

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WHAT’S ON & HAPPENINGS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 32 Get your diaries out!

EXHIBITIONS

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48

See what’s showing at the city’s galleries

70

Bite-sized news from local firms and organisations

EDUCATION NEWS

THE CULTURE

76

What’s going on at our local schools and colleges?

FILM

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34

Highlights from The British Film Institute’s Blackstar programme in Bristol, including a Prince party – raspberry berets at the ready!

MUSIC

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38

Don your mittens and immerse yourself in the city’s finest ensembles

FEATURES ONE TO ONE

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24

BRISTOL AT WORK . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 54

We chat to Darcey Bussell about her impressive career, as she brings her new dance fitness programme to Bristol

FESTIVE FUN

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It’s beginning to look a little bit like Christmas... Emma Payne rounds up some of the local activities on offer

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FOOD & DRINK Meet modern-day Willy Wonka, raw food expert and Seed Fund 2016 winner Adam Farag of Adam’s Fresh Chocolates

46 NEWS

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The latest from the city’s dining scene

56

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Contents November 2016 RECIPES

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58

Michelin-star chef Josh Eggleton shares a couple of recipes featured as seen on The Great British Menu

GIFTS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 60 Stuck for what to buy the fanatical foodie this Christmas?

GOOD SPIRITS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 62 We head to Psychopomp microdistillery on St Michael’s Hill for a lesson in gin making

BODY, MIND & SPIRIT HEALTH & BEAUTY NEWS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 80 Updates from the world of wellness and aesthetics

REVIEW . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 82 We check in on Pamperbanana in Henleaze and try out their indulgent Thai compress massage and pedicure treatments

SKINCARE

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84

Lucy Reetooraz, from the newly opened Amphora Aromatics, shares some tips for staying hydrated and radiant this season

LEISURE CLAY SHOOTING

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64

Louise Harrold heads to Lady’s Wood for a date with a difference

SHOPPING

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28

Gift ideas for your first festive foray – don’t tell us you’ve got Christmas nailed already...

MOTORING

Image © Tony Wu/Wildlife Photographer of the Year

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66

Dara Foley is all about the Aston Martin DB11 right now...

WALK THE WALK . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 88 Andrew Swift suggests a jaunt around beautiful Somerset

HABITAT INTERIORS

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90

Autumn’s new mood sees rich and dramatic colour, tactile textures and lustrous metallics hitting the local interiors scene for the season ahead, says designer John Law

GARDENING . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 98 ON THE COVER

There’s still plenty we can be doing in the garden, even as temperatures begin to drop, says Margaux Speirs

PROPERTY

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102

We take a look at a substantial semi-detached period property on Clifton’s St John’s Road

Even more great content online: thebristolmag.co.uk

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NOVEMBER 2016

Follow us on Twitter @thebristolmag

Former prima ballerina Darcey Bussell, who visited Redmaids’ recently to introduce her new dance fitness programme DDMIX. Turn to page 24 to read more about her illustrious career, and the role that got away...

Like us: Facebook.com/ thebristolmag

Follow us on Instagram @thebristolmag

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THIS MONTH WE’VE BEEN...

Preparing to...

...Get our skates on and show off some icecool moves at the Millennium Square Ice Rink (see p46) – it’s an annual tradition now!

• at-bristol.org.uk

Crazy about...

from the

EDITOR “...Great dancers are not great because of their technique, they are great because of their passion...”

– Martha Graham

...The Newton tub by Maison Valentina – it’s ridiculously cool and brings a whole new meaning to the phrase ‘bubble bath’...

• maisonvalentina.net

T

hat’s a sentiment with which our cover star this month wholeheartedly agrees, and now former prima ballerina Darcey Bussell is pouring the unbridled passion that has informed her entire career – from being principal dancer at The Royal Ballet to a judge on Strictly and president of the Royal Academy of Dance – into her new mission to get adults and children moving via dance fitness initiative DDMIX. We caught up with Darcey ahead of a visit to Redmaids’ in Bristol – where she recently launched the schools branch of her programme and totally inspired us to try a bit of Bollywood, have a go at the hand jive and vamp up our vogue.

Flick to p24 to read our chat with her in full.

Yes, yes, we’ve also been thinking of the C-word and all the festive joy it brings – if you’re about to embark on your first Christmas shopping foray, flick to pages 28 and 60 for gift inspiration, or if you’re looking for things to do as Yuletide approaches, you can thank our Emma Payne. She’s been busy rounding up local events to get you into the spirit, if you find that decking the halls is still the furthest thing from your mind, come the end of the month.

Speaking of the season to be merry, we tried our hand at gin-making this month, at smart new bar and distillery Psychopomp on St Michael’s Hill (see p62). We completely fell in love with all the gleaming Portuguese-copper contraptions within – which made us feel like nutty professors – and the masses of fragrant flavours ready for the fusing, as we created our very own bespoke blend.

Elsewhere, find top picks from Bristol’s BFI Black Star film programme; and warming recipes from chef Josh Eggleton; meet 2016’s Seed Fund winner – local raw chocolatier Adam Farag – or see what we thought of Pamperbanana’s pedicure and Thai massage.

There’s stacks more, of course – we’ll leave you to curl up with a cuppa and dive in...

AMANDA NICHOLLS EDITOR Editor’s image by Paolo Ferla; ferlapaolo.com

@thebristolmag

14 THE BRISTOL MAGAZINE

thebristolmag.co.uk

|

NOVEMBER 2016

@thebristolmag

Anticipating... ...The arrival of the new Jo Malone London store at Cribbs Causeway this month.

We love their first Christmas scent, the orange bitters cologne (£90) with hints of mandarin.

• jomalone.co.uk

Eyeing up...

Jayson Lilley’s beautiful screenprints in goldleaf and ink – see them at Smithson Gallery’s pop-up fair at The Forge next month (see p46). Adore this one of the Gorge...

• smithsongallery.co.uk

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ZEITGEIST

Top

5

things to do in NOVEMBER

TIME TO REGRESS?

IMMERSE YOURSELF...

There’s a new festival in town, and it had our attention from the moment it launched at an ambiently lit Bristol South Swimming Pool recently. An impressive performance by local synchronised swimming team Bristol Central Synchro set the watery scene for the festival, which takes place from 18 – 20 November.

Fusing video installations, multi-sensory performances, visceral living sculptures and limitless explorations into music and audio, the festival line-up is as adventurous as it is unpredictable. A general festival pass costs £50, but there will be individual event tickets also available.

• submergefestival.co.uk

Dance like there’s no tomorrow – literally – when touring party collective Regression Sessions bring their apocalypsethemed after-dark production to Bristol.

Expect a cocktail of techno, house and drum and bass at this grown-ups’ event, with eclectic entertainment including artists, facepainting, inflatables and retro video games; this is interactive nightlife like you’ve never seen it before. Catch the tour at Lakota on 11 November – you might even spot us flying headfirst into the ball pit. Tickets cost £15.

• regressionsessions.com

BRUSH UP YOUR SHAKESPEARE The Shakespeare Schools Festival returns this month from 14 to 23 November, with a series of performances from schools across Bristol and Somerset. The UK’s largest youth drama festival is of particular significance in 2016 – as it’s 400 years since the death of the bard – and features his best-known plays including Hamlet, Macbeth, Twelfth Night and countless others. Offering young people the opportunity to improve their confidence and teamworking skills, this is a chance to support local students and watch some classic theatre at the same time.

• tobaccofactorytheatres.com

SUPPER TIME! The resplendent 19th-century Backwell House was the backdrop to our October fashion shoot, and since then we’ve been head over heels for the unique elegance of the place. The Huntsman’s Supper, which takes place on 18 November, will feature a four-course menu of irresistible regional game, including pheasant, venison and Blagdon trout – all courtesy of guest chef Andy Spooner of The Full Spoon.

Not forgetting lashings of delicately spiced mulled wine by the fire – what more could you possibly want on a chilly winter evening?

Tickets cost £35 per person.

• backwellhouse.co.uk

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AFRIKA EYE Afrika Eye’s unique celebration of African culture returns to the Watershed from 11 – 13 November for a weekend of screenings, debates and live music. Visitors will be able to gain an unparalled insight into life throughout Africa and the diaspora, with films including They Will Have To Kill Us First, detailing the 2012 ban on music in Mali, and God Loves Uganda, which discusses tolerance of homosexuality in Uganda. Alongside the powerful cinematic offering, there will be a rare opportunity to learn some percussive skills from Ghanaian master drummer Abass Dodoo, who’ll be bringing the beating heart of Africa to Bristol. Can’t wait to get involved?

In the run-up to the festival, Ripton Lindsay (pictured) will be creating a Jamaican-inspired piece with talented young dancers, which will premiere in the week before Afrika Eye takes over at Watershed.

• afrikaeye.org.uk; watershed.co.uk

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THE CITY THE BUZZ

My

BRISTOL

We take five with local author Victoria Fox

Mad skills From 14-20 November, Bedminster Town Team is offering a chance for local artists, businesses and residents to share their skills, and for the public to explore the area while learning something new. BS3T for Skills workshops will be held in venues around the area, creating a hop-scotch path for visitors and residents to jump onto and join in.

Previous workshops have included producing monoprints on tissue and Japanese paper with artist Ruth Ander; West African drumming; woodcarving; and climbing. This year, Skills Week will run in conjunction with Snowflake Sessions, inviting visitors to join artists in decorating snowflakes for the Christmas lights switch-on on 26 November.

• bedminster.org.uk @BedminsterTT

They know where it’s at...

On 10 November, All Saints are headlining The Mall’s Christmas concert for BBC Children In Need, performing their hits and switching on the festive lights. The Mall, which has been giving away 10,000 free tickets with a suggested £2 donation per head, is giving 100% of the proceeds to Children In Need.

“We’re very excited to welcome All Saints to The Mall,” said Maria Crayton, head of marketing at The Mall. “The event has drawn some big names to Bristol in previous years with Blue, The Saturdays, JLS and Olly Murs helping to raise a total of over £70,000 for charity. We’re looking forward to another hugely successful event this year for BBC Children In Need”.

• mallcribbs.com

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So, tell us a bit about your background I was born in Northamptonshire but came to Bristol when I was 13 to study at Badminton School. My boarding school experience was great – I loved the independence and how close our friendships grew. My dad is from Somerset, and my husband’s sister moved down a few years ago, so there was always a pull south-west. I knew I’d come back later in life, because I love the city so much. After university in Brighton and employment in London, we decided to bite the bullet and up sticks. Getting out of the Big Smoke was great for my state of mind, and the space and peace I find so helpful when I write; but we lost nothing, because Bristol has all the exciting, vibrant, creative hallmarks of the capital alongside those things.

What do you rate about this city?

The variety is one thing. You’ve got the polished shops and cafés of Clifton, together with the jewel of the suspension bridge, then the wild history of the gorge and the lush green spread of the Downs. There’s the liveliness of Park Street and the winding alleys of the old town; then being close to the water is an added bonus. Bristol has a great situation geographically, too: a gateway to the beautiful counties of Devon, Somerset and Cornwall, and also those gorgeous beaches in Wales. Some of my favourite bands are from Bristol – Portishead, Massive Attack – and the city has always felt creatively important. I think Bristol attracts people who are unafraid to express themselves. It’s a very cool place.

Tell us a bit about your new book, The Santiago Sisters It’s a sexy, escapist beach read set between

the dusty pampas of South America, the polished mansions of Europe and the glitz of Hollywood. Twin Argentine sisters Calida and Teresa are torn apart in their teens when an A-list actress jets in and adopts one of them. So begins an explosive adventure of rivalry, revenge and retribution – and tango!

What are you reading or listening to now?

I’m reading Fates and Furies by Lauren Groff and listening to Jamie XX, In Colour.

Which foodie spot are you loving?

Last year we moved to the Chew Valley so it has to be Salt & Malt at the lake – glorious on a sunny day. The other night we went to The Pig near Bath, which has a fantastic atmosphere and delicious negronis!

Favourite watering hole in Bristol?

That’s a tough one. I’ll say The Prince of Wales on Gloucester Road, because it’s late opening and has a good beer garden.

Which Bristol creatives do you admire?

There’s a gang of us who meet on The Glass Boat for lunch, chats and fizz. I admire them all so much for their friendship, wisdom and writing: Jill Mansell, Kate Riordan, Lucy Robinson, Lucy Diamond, C L Taylor, Emylia Hall, Veronica Henry, Karen Swan and Victoria Routledge.

What’s next?

I’m currently editing my next book, a Gothic timeslip saga set in Florence.

• victoriafox.net

READ ALL ABOUT IT...

Charlotte Pope at Foyles bookshop recommends the new illustrated edition of Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets The Harry Potter series is a phenomenon of the children's literary world, and there are no signs of its popularity waning. With the introduction of such fan favourites as Dobby the house elf and Gilderoy Lockhart, The Chamber of Secrets is a firm favourite among fans, and now illustrator Jim Kay has put his spectacular skills to work on the title. Taking on the job of bringing J.K. Rowling's vivid wizarding world to life is no easy feat, but he handles it admirably. The artwork is stunningly detailed and a joy to look at: Kay’s depiction of Dobby, in particular, is just perfect. Such creations as Aragog and his spiders and the vicious Basilisk are glorious on the page, and add so much to the reading experience. A worthy hardback addition to any Potter fan’s library.

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THE CITY

BRISTAGRAM Some of our favourite recent snaps taken by folk around the city! Tag your best pics of Bristol using #thebristolmag

Street art in St Nicks (@ louloudea ne)

Raise some dough!

The Grand Appeal has launched a campaign inspired by the edible exploits of The Great British Bake Off’s latest batch of bakers. Whether you are a beginner or a pastry pro, the idea behind Wallace & Gromit’s Big Bake is to get budding Bristol bakers raising some dough for Bristol Children’s Hospital via bake sales. Anyone can take part at any time throughout the year, via free fundraising packs available at bigbake.org. The money raised will support the charity’s £1.5million Home from Home Appeal, to fund new family accommodation at the hospital. Wallace and Gromit were joined by Bristol Children’s Hospital patient Harriet Thomas, her brother Sam and parents Debbie and James (pictured) to launch the campaign at a special pop-up space at The Arcade in Broadmead recently. “Harriet was born with a hole in her heart and underwent open heart surgery last December when she was just three years old – the doctors and nurses could not have been more caring and kind,” said Debbie. “When The Grand Appeal asked us to be a part of this year’s Big Bake we jumped at the chance! It was brilliant fun to bake the recipes together as a family.” The campaign even has its very own ‘star baker’ – royal baker Fiona Cairns – who is best known for creating the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge’s eight-tiered wedding cake, and has donated four recipes for bakers to download from the website and whip up themselves at home.

unch festival’s la @submerge entral Synchro ol C with Brist

• To sign up for a fundraising pack, visit bigbake.org @bristolc idershop celebratin g th site in Wap eir new ping Whar f

Glad tidings Cards for Good Causes’ Bristol pop-up shops are now open – in Tyndale Baptist Church on Whiteladies Road and John Wesley’s Chapel on The Horsefair until 14 Dec, and in the Chipping Sodbury Tourist Information Centre until 17 December – selling a huge selection of charity Christmas cards, including ones from local Bristol charities BRACE and Great Western Air Ambulance. The Whiteladies Road shop will also be offering Christmas goods including stocking fillers and gifts. Cards for Good Causes is the UK’s largest charity Christmas card organisation, selling cards on behalf of over 250 charities across the UK. The network of pop-up shops, which spring up each year in churches, libraries and other community centres, relies on over 6,000 volunteers who give their time to support the work of the organisation in raising important funds for numerous charities.

xx

• For more information, visit cardsforcharity.co.uk

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y to stillery read 2 @microdi – see p6 n gi e m make so

The epic rough ti d Clevedo n by @ja e at sonjedb rown

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THE BRISTOL MAGAZINE 21

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Sunday fundays

L

ast year, life at Bartleby Towers was turned on its head by the arrival of Jarvis Cockerpoo, a small, black, furry whirlwind masquerading as a dog. I predicted then that my already poor productivity would become much worse with a puppy around, and this, indeed, proved to be the case. But he gradually picked up the soporific vibe of our lives, and is today a model of canine calm – most of the time.

Now it’s the dog’s turn to have the rhythm of his life upset, by the youngest family member’s sudden and unexpected decision to join a football team. I don’t mean that he has thrown caution to the winds and rushed off to sign with Barcelona – his adopted team is humble. In under14s Bristol football, in fact, there are only a handful of teams that are lower down the pecking order.

Nevertheless, he is now a fully paid-up member of the English football leagues, and my Sundays are not what they once were. If one were to imagine a ‘before and after’ scenario, one might first see yours truly lying in bed with dog on feet, wondering dozily whether to roast the chicken in a conventional manner or to spatchcock the so’n’so. In the second image – captioned ‘after’ – I am bawling on the touchline, barely restrained by the Respect barrier as I press forward to express my opinion about the referee’s eyesight.

Maybe there’s a slight exaggeration here (only in the ‘after’ scene – the ‘before’ is entirely genuine), but the truth remains that I am now what the Romans called a Pater Footballis, or Soccer Dad. One of the thousands who support their kids every weekend alongside the equally numerous (and equally passionate) mothers. It is a world in which the trials and triumphs of the Premiership are played out on a small scale, with each week offering the chance for glory – or despair. This season I have watched the same group of boys lose 10-0, win 10-0 and enjoy every degree of success or failure in between.

Our coach, I’m happy to say, is an easy-going chap who encourages the kids to enjoy themselves. This they undoubtedly do. Some of the opposition sides, on the other hand, are managed by men who seem to think that the best way to improve the performance of a bunch of 13year-olds is to hurl abuse at them. Mostly what this seems to do is encourage the players to shout at each other, with the odd mum or dad joining in for good measure.

This I can understand. When one’s child is supposed to be marking a demon centre-forward and is instead drifting about, thumbs twitching as he daydreams about playing FIFA 2017 on his Xbox, it requires superhuman restraint not to bellow “Mark the MAN! Mark the MAN!” It’s a frustrating business, watching from the touchline, and tense too.

Fortunately, our little knot of supporters is genial and non-shouty, with some small children and dogs to distract from the serious business taking place on the pitch.

Although, sometimes the distraction can take over. Last Sunday, Jarvis was having an end-of-match walk round the playing fields when he abruptly lay down and refused to move. Cajoling, treats, more cajoling – nothing worked. He couldn’t move. His eyes had gone all weird, he was drooling – he was completely out of it. Rather alarmed, we whizzed him off to pet casualty, where, on arrival, he jumped out of the car and trotted off – a bit groggy but otherwise quite normal. We were told his funny turn was probably caused by something he found in the bushes and, being a dog, he consumed without stopping to consider whether it was a wise move. Something mouldy perhaps. Possibly marijuana. Or maybe he simply misses soporific Sundays... ■ 22 THE BRISTOL MAGAZINE

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Editor Tel: Email:

Amanda Nicholls 0117 974 2800 amanda@thebristolmagazine.co.uk

Web Editor/Staff Writer Emma Payne Email: emma@thebristolmagazine.co.uk Publisher Email:

Steve Miklos steve@thebristolmagazine.co.uk

Production Manager Email:

Jeff Osborne production@thebristolmagazine.co.uk

Production Assistant Email:

Jessica Hope jessica@thebristolmagazine.co.uk

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At Artemis we are proud to offer our instant jewellery commission process - if you can’t find the perfect piece in one of our existing collections, you can sit and create something unique and special with one of our talented designers Artemis is also known as an Aladdin’s cave of gorgeous gifts and Christmas decorations which complement our jewellery perfectly Free gift wrapping service with any purchase Tel: 0117 924 1003 www.artemisbristol.co.uk 214 Gloucester Road, Bishopston Bristol BS7 8NU

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ONE | TO ONE

ON POINT Former prima ballerina Darcey Bussell on bringing her new dance fitness programme to Bristol, Strictly Come Dancing, and the role that got away... Words by Emma Payne

W

e can probably all admit to looking on enviously at the sequin-garbed celebs on BBC’s Strictly Come Dancing at one time or another, envisaging a sudden career change and attempting to emulate the tango with all the seductive charm of Bambi. Cue kindly judge Darcey Bussell’s latest venture – dance fitness programme Diverse Dance Mix, which offers an informal way to explore the art form, sans obstructive living room furniture. With classes already established for adults in London, Darcey’s new focus is encouraging a new generation of twinkle toes to get involved.

“Our biggest project, or the thing I’m most devoted to, is the schools,” Darcey enthuses during a chat with us before a visit to Bristol’s Redmaids’ School to deliver a taster session. “It’s for every kid to have a go at, so any ability and any age can have a chance to experience dance.” To ensure accessibility, the choreography is carefully adapted and kept simple so that beginners with absolutely no experience can follow the steps. Sounds like we would just about manage it, then...

❝

...Students get a flavour of big, important national dances still performed around the world...

❞ One of the motivations behind DDMIX is broadening children’s perceptions of dance. “We try to deliver at least 20 different styles in our dance programme,” says Darcey, and on perusing the impressive line-up we spot everything from waltz to Bollywood, hand jive and Russian dance. “We have a lot of fun with it, but students are actually getting a little flavour and understanding of some big, important national dances, which are still performed around the world.”

DDMIX isn’t just an opportunity for children either, as Darcey’s aim is also to encourage anyone who might be interested to train and become an instructor. “We’re determined to recruit more so that we can feed the programme into as many schools as possible,” she explains, with the hope that DDMIX could eventually run alongside the core P.E. curriculum. “We’ve devised this so it’s easy to deliver. P.E. teachers that are interested in music or have rhythm would be able to deliver it themselves as well. So we’re not just isolating it to experts in dance!”

There’s hope for us then, especially with Bristol firmly on the cards as DDMIX expands. Proud to launch the programme, and give it a perfect score à la Strictly, was Redmaid’s School with which Darcey has a special connection. Teacher and dance instructor Dawn Clark, who now runs a Saturday morning ballet club at the school, also studied at the Royal Ballet School, which Darcey joined aged 13. “Our paths obviously crossed constantly even though she was in the year above me,” says Darcey of her former classmate. “And you always admire the

kids above you because they’re that one step ahead, and they’re always very supportive.”

We need a little support simply watching archive footage of Darcey in some of her most memorable roles at The Royal Ballet Company, where she was principal dancer for almost two decades. Be it Giselle, Manon or The Nutcracker, each masterpiece presents different emotional and physical challenges for the soloist – the latter in particular. (Who knew it was possible to stretch a leg that far above one’s own head?) But as a headstrong principal dancer, Darcey took it all in her stride. “However hard things get, you’re not going to give up all that training!” she laughs. “There were times where you’d get exhausted physically and mentally, but it’s such a fulfilling career because you know you’ve worked for 10 years to get into a job.”

And the dramas within the studio diminish when compared to the sensationalism of ballet’s greatest plots; doomed lovers, murder, vengeance and supernatural disturbances are all tropes of the most popular 19th-century works, and all of them conveyed corporeally.

“You have to express yourself through your body,” explains Darcey, whose lyrical, sensitive style helped her to stand out as a professional.

“If you’re telling a narrative it has to travel across an orchestra pit, right across into the public. You can appreciate a great physique and a great technique, but if a dancer doesn’t have soul and a passion for it, it doesn’t travel. It’s different with every choreographer or director and how they influence you,” she adds. “When you’re an experienced principal you always want to make every show your own. You can’t change the steps; it is really just your interpretation of the character.

It’s your own personality that will shine through.”

For a soloist, the opportunities to explore every aspect of humanity are limitless, but even in such a varied career as Darcey’s, some stones are destined to be left unturned. “There are a couple of roles I would’ve loved to have done,” she agrees, though there’s no sense of regret in her voice. “One that sticks out is a big classic called Don Quixote. It has a big influence from the Latin world and South America. It’s very athletic and you’re a very confident person when you dance it. You have to be very feisty, and when I performed it in the dress rehearsal I injured myself. I always blame myself for getting over excited. So I suppose that’s the one that got away!”

It’s also testament to those responsible for the set, costumes and lighting that these complex stories continue to appeal to modern audiences. “I just love the visuals, for me it’s like you’re transporting a piece of magic across to the public. Without special effects!” Darcey laughs. Could one of those creative avenues have offered a potential alternative career, perhaps? “I would’ve loved to be a part of the design team, and I know I would’ve really enjoyed that,” she agrees.

“All those years working in a theatre have really made me interested in design and lighting, and I really appreciate the techniques that you use in a live theatre.”

And yet, somehow we can’t quite imagine Darcey scaling a lighting rig or sitting at a sewing machine – her impact on the world of ballet is such that it’s impossible to think of her in any other role. At 20 years old she was appointed principal at The Royal Ballet, after just a year working with them – most dancers are expected to put in a good three years before such a promotion – and enjoyed a glittering career which

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ONE | TO ONE that everything I missed about being in The Royal Ballet I get an element of with the show. It’s another live performance and everybody is working for the same goal, which is lovely, but it’s on a very different level because I’m not the dancer anymore!”

Although Strictly has brought Darcey to a whole new audience, it is but one branch of a busy post-ballerina career. Since her final performance – Kenneth MacMillan's Song of the Earth in 2007 – Darcey’s successes have included children’s book series Magic Ballerina, a visual autobiography, and taking the position of president of the Royal Academy of Dance in 2012. With such a wealth of accomplishments it’s hard to imagine keeping the balance between family and work – “Not many dancers would juggle having two children and keeping a career going!” – but Darcey has characteristically harnessed the challenges and found inspiration through her daughters. “My kids assisted my career – I know that sounds really strange, to have kids as part of your learning, but what you put into art is about life.”

❝

...My kids assisted my career – what you put into art is about life...

❞

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• Darcey is looking for dance teachers, fitness instructors and exdancers to become accredited DDMIX instructors in the Bristol area.

Primary and secondary schools can also introduce DDMIX into their PE curriculum, with schemes of work existing for KS1, 2 and 3.

DDMIX can either teach current staff members or offer their own peripatetic instructors. For more information, visit diversedancemix.com Image (c) Redmaids’ High/Barbara Evripidou

only ended in 2007. “When you have immersed yourself from a very young age – and I feel incredibly blessed that I fell into something I enjoyed so much – it’s hard to think of what else I might have done,” she concedes modestly. But when asked if she would ever return to the stage, the answer is clear: “Fortunately there are a lot of younger, much fitter people than me so I’ll leave it to them!”

Indeed, despite its deceptive effortlessness on stage, the physical toll of 30 years in ballet cannot be underestimated – frankly, we remember taking one adult beginner’s class once, and that, alone, introduced us to muscles we didn’t realise we had. But when your career requires you to push your body to its limits, injury is all part of the job. “Those were the times I learnt the most about myself – my weaknesses, my strengths, and what I was capable of achieving,” muses Darcey. “I used it as a path to getting stronger, to being a better person in the end, instead of using it as a negative or as an excuse. It’s all part of the journey.”

The secret to Darcey’s positive outlook?

Music. “I turn on the radio as soon as I walk into the kitchen in the morning because the sound of the music just lifts you,” she says, and for a moment we entertain the idea of the greatest English ballet dancer in a generation thoroughly enjoying a bit of Justin Bieber while rustling up breakfast. But the thought suddenly pales in comparison with the prospect of watching the likes of Ainsley Harriot salsa to the sound of Don’t Touch Me Tomatoes – surely one of the highlights of Strictly 2015 – and having to offer the kind of supportive criticism that Darcey does so well.

“Don’t worry, I’m aware of that!” she laughs, as we point out the disparity between dancing in Swan Lake and doing the jive in penguin costumes. “Being part of Strictly is like being part of another dance company,” she explains, with the same friendly enthusiasm that has made her a firm favourite on the judging panel. “I feel

Certainly this ethos is mirrored in the spirit of DDMIX, which focuses on the fun of dance and improving fitness and wellbeing rather than becoming a slave to the gym. And it’s definitely something we can get on board with – the latter establishment having been largely absent from our lives since the days of feigning illness during P.E. at school. “I just think, why can’t kids in schools – instead of only being delivered team sports – have access to dance and have a chance to have fun with it?” Darcey posits. And we have to say, if the option was there, we would’ve waved farewell to the drudgery of netball and hockey in the rain without a moment’s notice... n

Below: 10 out of 10 for Darcey’s DDMIX programme from the Redmaids’ students

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SHOPPING | CHRISTMAS

The

PRESENT time GloveS, £22 Leather gloves are a winter staple for us, and we love these fleecelined beauts in warm claret

boSe noiSe cancellinG heaDPhoneS, £249.95 If you’re into your music you can’t get much better quality than Bose...

hot DiamonDS necklace £59.95-£69.95 You know, showing you care with diamonds always works a charm...

If you’re one of those people who has Christmas sorted in September, we salute you (and hate you, a little bit) – but if you’re like the rest of us, we thought you might need a little inspiration before you head out on the first festive shopping trip of the year...

Scent of a Dream eau De Parfum, £49-£96 Make-up artist Charlotte Tilbury has teamed up with none other than muse Kate Moss for her first fragrance...

mulberry reverSible cufflinkŚ, £115 Smart and silver plated – Dad’ll dig ‘em

All products available from John Lewis at The Mall, Cribbs or johnlewis.com haPPy SockS Pack of four, £28 This limited edition set will fulfil the obligatory sock quota

ruark Dab bluetooth raDio, £199.95 You could blast out the Queen’s speech through this lovely little device crafted in walnut

michael korS laDieS’ watch, £259 Promise you won’t keep it for yourself... teD baker coat, £́299 We love the gorgeous Aurore long-line wrap coat in oxblood

GoPro hero SeSSion camcorDer, £159 Ideal for the sporty one in the family – now they can capture their frontflips on the winter slopes and play them back!

clarinS eau DeS JarDinS 100ml fraGrance Gift Set ́ , £33 Mum’s the word...

uGG SliPPerS, £75 It’s probably not Christmas if you don’t get new pyjamas and slippers, is it?

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eyeShaDow Palette, £38.50 Urban Decay’s Naked Ultimate Basics is the must-have make-up item right now

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Beautifully crafted engagement rings, wedding rings and fine jewellery designed and traditionally handmade on the premises. All types of jewellery are modelled. Efficient repair service. Established 1970

Tsavorite garnet and diamond ring set in 18ct gold and platinum - ÂŁ925

Gold & Platinum Studio Handmade and Bespoke Jewellery 19 Northumberland Place, Bath BA1 5AR | Tel: +44 (0)1225 462 300 VISIT OUR NEW WEBSITE : www.goldandplatinumstudio.co.uk | e: mike@goldandplatinumstudio.co.uk 30 THE BRISTOL MAGAZINE

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LOCAL | EVENTS

WHAT’S ON There’s plenty to do in the city this month...

Rock ‘n’ roll is back at Bristol Hippodrome

A Girl And A Gun tackles women and violence at Wardrobe Theatre

Shappi Khorsandi comes to Tobacco Factory Theatre

FROM 1 NOVEMBER

4 – 10 NOVEMBER, TIMES VARY

Boyz n the Hood, Watershed

1 NOVEMBER, 8PM

Cat’s Eyes, The Lantern Created by Italian-Canadian opera soprano Rachel Zeffira and The Horrors lead singer Faris Badwan, the unique sound of Cat’s Eyes is sure to captivate audiences at Colston Hall’s intimate second space. Tickets cost £15.50; colstonhall.org 2 NOVEMBER, 8PM

A Girl And A Gun, Wardrobe Theatre

John Singleton’s hard-hitting portrayal of addiction, poverty and gang culture in South Central LA revolutionised black filmmaking when it was released in 1991. This film is presented as part of the BFI Black Star programme. Tickets from £4.50 to £9; watershed.co.uk 5 NOVEMBER, 7.30PM

A witty, fun and unflinchingly provocative look at the relationship between women and violence in computer games, film and music videos. Starring feisty artist and theatremaker Louise Orwin and a different male performer at each performance, this show will challenge your perception of women in the media. Tickets cost £8; thewardrobetheatre.com

Bristol Poppy Ball, Cadbury House Hotel The first Bristol Poppy Ball will feature a sparkling drinks reception, four-course dinner and a range of entertainments and speeches, including music from blues band Gee Baby I Love You. Tickets cost £65, and all proceeds go to The Royal British Legion; bristolpoppyball.co.uk 6 NOVEMBER, 7PM

3 NOVEMBER, 6.30PM – 10PM

After Hours: Light, At-Bristol

Sir Tony Robinson, Bristol Old Vic

Ever wanted to explore AtBristol without the kids? Well now is your chance… This adults-only evening features over 200 interactive exhibits and a range of activities including cyanotype photo art, giant lego and liquid nitrogen ice cream tasting. Tickets from £7 to £8; at-bristol.org.uk

Join national treasure Sir Tony Robinson for an in-depth discussion of his memoir and a Q&A covering his stellar career, from Oliver! to Blackadder and Time Team. There will also be a book signing backstage from 8pm after the event. Tickets from £8 to £10; bristololdvic.org.uk

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FROM 8 NOVEMBER 9 NOVEMBER, 5.30PM

The Big Clifton Switch On, Clifton Village In the run up to Christmas the streets of Clifton Village will be glowing with decorations and fairy lights following the annual lights switch on. Carol singing, musical performances and a 10ft Christmas tree – what’s not to like? Entrance is free; bidcliftonvillage.co.uk 12 NOVEMBER, 8PM

Shappi Khorsandi, Tobacco Factory Theatre Live at The Apollo and Have I Got News for You star Shappi Khorsandi is back with more of her razor-sharp wit, mischievous delivery and endless charm as she sends a love letter to Britain.

Tickets cost £15.50; tobaccofactorytheatres.com 12 – 20 NOVEMBER, 2.30PM & 7.30PM

Frankenstein, Tobacco Factory Theatre Living Spit are back with their unique take on Mary Shelley’s gruesome gothic horror. Expect original music, preposterous puppets, grotesque gags and diabolical dance moves. Tickets from £12 to £14; tobaccofactorytheatres.com 13 NOVEMBER, 2PM

The Battle of the Somme, Curzon Clevedon

This powerful 1916 film features front-line action as it happened on one of the bloodiest days in history.

Accompanied by internationally acclaimed pianist Stephen Horne, this is a fitting tribute on the 100th anniversary of the battle. Tickets from £9 to £11; curzon.org.uk

FROM 15 NOVEMBER 16 NOVEMBER, 7.15PM

Singers of the Future, Redmaids’ High School Donald Maxwell and Suzanne Murphy present a concert featuring young singers from the Royal Welsh College of Music and Drama, performing muchloved treasures of the operatic repertoire. Tickets from £5 to £7; redmaidshigh.co.uk 17 – 20 NOVEMBER, TIMES VARY

Feel It Festival, Circomedia Delve into a programme of talks, workshops and discussions on the topic of being human.

Featuring research from the University of Bristol and explorations by artists, performers and musicians.

Ticket prices vary; bristol.ac.uk 18 – 19 NOVEMBER, 10AM – 1PM

Modern Calligraphy, The Forge Relax and learn something new with a calligraphy workshop led by illustrator and designer Imogen

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LOCAL | EVENTS

Owen, including a wholesome lunch halfway through the day.

Tickets cost £48; theforgebristol.com 19 NOVEMBER, 2 – 10PM

Pizza, Beer & Fizz Festival, The Old Fire Station This inaugural event is exactly what it says on the tin: five of Bristol’s best-loved pizza traders, craft beer and ‘Betty’ the pink prosecco van, all accompanied by live local DJ sets. Tickets from £3.50 to £14; foozie.co.uk 20 NOVEMBER, 11AM - 4PM

Bristol Mid Century Market, The Trinity Centre Calling all rockabilly lovers and vintage fashionistas: Bristol's only 1950s fair is back. This is the place for the best vintage and reproduction clothing, atomic homeware, glittering jewellery and much more. Entrance costs £2; midcenturymarket.co.uk

26 NOVEMBER, 10AM – 4PM

Bristol Mid Century Market is the city’s only 1950s fair

Made in Bristol Gift Fair, Colston Hall Featuring over 100 designers, the fair is a vast emporium of unique handmade gifts including jewellery, toys, ceramics art and home accessories – all created by the best of the region’s designers and makers. Entrance is free; colstonhall.org 28 NOVEMBER – 3 DECEMBER, 7.30PM

Million Dollar Quartet, Bristol Hippodrome Put on your blue suede shoes and follow the story of ‘father of rock ‘n’ roll’ Sam Philips (Jason Donovan) and the infamous recording session that united Johnny Cash, Carl Perkins, Jerry Lee Lewis and Elvis Presley.

Tickets from £12 to £37; atgtickets.com

Alternative pop group Cat’s Eyes star at The Lantern

NEXT MONTH...

2 DECEMBER, 6.30PM – 8PM

20 NOVEMBER, 7.30PM

Les Diaboliques, Arnolfini Since the 1970s, Les Diaboliques have been at the forefront of feminist engagement with free improvisation. Listen in awe to music of depth, intensity and delirious humour. Tickets from £12.50 to £14; arnolfini.org.uk 23 NOVEMBER, 7.30PM

FROM 22 NOVEMBER

La Serenissima, St George’s Bristol Celebrate the Italian musical tradition with treasured works from Vivaldi, Tartini and Albioni, as well as lesser-known pieces by Corelli. Tickets from £5 to £25; stgeorgesbristol.co.uk

Festive Cider Tasting, Bristol Cider Shop Check out Bristol Cider Shop’s new digs at Whapping Wharf with a Christmassy cider tasting.

Try 10 different tipples and choose your favourite for the big day. Tickets cost £20; bristolcidershop.co.uk

The Battle of the Somme screens at Curzon Clevedon

10 DECEMBER, 11AM – 3PM

Christmas Market, Redmaids’ High School Redmaids’ High have Christmas covered with a traditional market featuring artisanal gifts, trees and wreaths, homebaked treats and classic entertainments including festive ensembles and a photo booth. Entrance is free; redmaidshigh.co.uk

EDITOR’S PICK...

2 NOVEMBER, 7PM

Planet Earth II, Cinema De Lux Ten years after the release of Planet Earth, Sir David Attenborough is returning to Bristol for an exclusive premiere of the highly anticipated sequel, Planet Earth II – which reveals our planet from a completely new perspective using significant advances in both filming technology and our understanding of the natural world. Travelling through jungles, deserts, mountains, islands, grasslands and cities, the series explores the unique characteristics of Earth’s most iconic habitats and the extraordinary ways animals survive within them. Synonymous with nature filmmaking, Sir David has been bringing the wonders of our planet to audiences since 1952, and Bristol’s long association with wildlife documentaries makes it the perfect location to premiere the first episode. If you registered for the draw and were lucky enough to bag tickets for this unmissable event, which will see Miranda Krestovnikoff (Coast and The One Show) ‘in conversation’ with Sir David and members of the Planet Earth II production team – we wager this will 100% be a big highlight of your month.

• bbc.co.uk; showcasecinemas.co.uk

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FILM

BLACK STAR As the British Film Institute unveils the UK’s biggest ever season of film and television dedicated to celebrating the range, versatility, magnetism and power of black actors, we pick out a few highlights from the Bristol programme Image courtesy of Park Circus Warner Bros

Purple Rain 13 November, 6pm Whether or not you spotted the Prince-themed artwork in the city in the run up to Colston Hall’s major Black Star announcement, we hope you’ve heard about the party of the month by now. If not, listen up. The venue will be hosting the programme’s headline event – a tribute to the pop icon – including performances from Alex Penfold and dance group Funk Supreme; as well as a screening of the rock-cinema masterpiece Purple Rain followed by a set by distinguished DJ Norman Jay MBE. Raspberry berets, lace gloves, extravagant ruffles and generally outrageous purple attire encouraged.

Jimi: All Is By My Side 25 November, 11pm See John Ridley’s absorbing directorial debut and portrait of ultimate guitar hero Jimi Hendrix at the Watershed – with Outkast's André Benjamin perfectly cast as the gifted young musician discovered by Linda Keith while playing backing guitar in a New York club. Drop into the bar before the film from 10pm for a specially curated Come The Revolution audio/visual treat – a journey from Hendrix to hip-hop – with a DJ Scott Xylo and visuals by Bristol’s Limbic Cinema.

What’s Love Got To Do With It 18 November, 11pm Experience the highs and lows of Anna Mae

OUR ‘STARS UNDER THE RADAR’ STRAND SHOULD BRING SOME OUTSTANDING PERFORMANCES BACK INTO POPULAR CONSIDERATION – EDSON BURTON

Bullock – Tina Turner – in this unflinching biopic also showing at the Watershed. Follow her from a Tennessee church, through a meteoric rise to stardom and a turbulent marriage from which she eventually breaks free. Head to the café from 10pm to hear Bristol poets present a spoken-word homage to the star, and her stellar back catalogue.

Come The Revolution House Party 4 & 5 December, 5.30pm At Trinity Centre, Bristol’s Come The Revolution invites you to experience some of the funniest films starring comic geniuses who happen to be black stars. Enjoy Eddie Murphy shine in Coming to America, and I'm Gonna Git You Sucka, directed by trailblazer Keenen Ivory Wayans, starring a young Chris Rock, followed by a ’90s-themed hip-hop night!

controversially didn't win any of the 11 Oscars it was nominated for, this film has stood the test of time – a powerful tale of friendship and love. See it at the Watershed.

To Sir, With Love: 13 November, 3pm Sidney Poitier stars as a Mark Thackeray, a novice teacher at a tough school in London's East End, who faces a a class of unruly white working class kids who test him to his limits.

Thackeray meets the challenge by encouraging the students to rise above their 'you'll-neverdo-anything' mentality and treating them as young adults who will soon enter a work force where they must stand or fall on their own.

Also at the Watershed. ■ • watershed.co.uk; colstonhall.org; 3ca.org.uk

The Color Purple: 20 November, 12pm Adapted from Alice Walker's celebrated novel, Steven Spielberg's impressive, dignified film was monumental for black stardom, launching the careers of Whoopi Goldberg and Oprah Winfrey. The film spans 40 years in the life of Celie (Goldberg), a poor southern black woman whose friendship with two women helps her overcome the brutality she has experienced at the hands of her father and husband (Danny Glover). Although it

See Angela Bassett as Tina Turner on 18 November

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Jimi: All Is By My Side will screen at the Watershed

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FESTIVE | MUSIC

SING CITY ‘Tis the season to don your mittens and immerse yourself in the sounds of Bristol’s finest musical ensembles – from traditional to contemporary, we’ve got it all

Top pick...

Exultate Singers – photo by shotaway.com

Carols By Candlelight, St James Priory 15 & 17 DECEMBER, 7.30PM

The Exultate Singers present their annual exquisite concerts of carols and Christmas music in the beautiful setting of St James Priory in central Bristol, conducted by David Ogden. Ticket price includes a complimentary programme and interval refreshments. Tickets from £4 to £18; exultatesingers.org

EXULTATE SINGERS

Opening celebration concert, Redland Parish Church Halls 9 NOVEMBER, 7.30PM

A celebratory Baroque concert as part of the opening festival for the halls built in the £2.4million development at Redland Parish Church. Tickets cost £12; exultatesingers.org

HENLEAZE CONCERT SOCIETY

Treasures of the Baroque, Trinity-Henleaze URC 12 NOVEMBER, 7.30PM

The music of Hertel, Bach, Albinoni, Pachelbel and Handel features in this programme dedicated to the solo instruments and musical triumphs of the Baroque era.

Tickets from £5 to £16; henleazeconcertsociety.org.uk

BRISTOL PHOENIX CHOIR

Music from East and West, St Mary Redcliffe 12 NOVEMBER, 7.30PM

Borodin’s Polovtsian Dances, Schubert’s Mass in G and Pärt’s Beautitides, played in support of the Bridge Foundation for Psychotherapy and the arts. Tickets cost £12.50; bristolphoenixchoir.org.uk

CITY OF BRISTOL CHOIR

For An Unknown Soldier, St George’s Bristol 13 NOVEMBER, 7.30PM

The Lochrian Ensemble and singers from Bristol Youth Choir join City of Bristol Choir to perform two powerful and moving works for Remembrance Sunday: Jonathan Dove’s For An Unknown Soldier and John Rutter’s poignant and soaring setting of the Requiem.

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Tickets from £10 to £25; cityofbristolchoir.org.uk

BRISTOL ENSEMBLE & CHOIR OF ROYAL HOLLOWAY

Minimalists II, St George’s Bristol 16 NOVEMBER, 7.45PM

Leading contemporary composer Arvo Pärt is celebrated in this concert, with works including the mystical Salve Regina and Adam’s Lament, as well as the Symphony No.4 ‘Los Angeles’, the first of Pärt’s symphonies to be written in his signature tintinnabuli style. Tickets from £12 to £23; bristolensemble.com

BRISTOL SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA

The Battle of the Somme, Clifton Cathedral 18 NOVEMBER, 7PM

Marking the centenary of the Battle of the Somme, this screening of the iconic 1916 silent film by Geoffrey Malins and John McDowell is accompanied by composer Laura Rossi’s acclaimed orchestral score, performed live. Tickets from £12.50 to £20; bristolsymphonyorchestra.com

An Evening of Film Music, St. George’s Bristol 1 DECEMBER, 7.30PM

Enjoy classic Hollywood film scores, including The Magnificent Seven, Psycho, Wolf Hall and The Godfather. Solo violinist Roger Huckle joins the orchestra for John Williams’ moving Three Pieces from Schindler’s List. Tickets from £5 to £15; bristolsymphonyorchestra.com

BRISTOL BACH CHOIR

A Celebration of Saint Cecilia, St James Priory 19 NOVEMBER, 8PM

Celebrations in honour of the great muse and patron saint of music St. Cecilia. An uplifting candlelit recital of simply sensational choral favourites, including Tallis, Britten and Whitacre. Tickets from £5 to £18; bristolbach.org.uk

BRISTOL CHORAL SOCIETY

Belshazzar’s Feast, Colston Hall 26 NOVEMBER, 7.30PM

Revel in the vivid stoytelling of Walton’s Belshazzar’s Feast and other selected works with Philhramonia Orchestra, BBC National Chorus of Wales and Bristol Choral Society, as the latter bids farewell to music director Adrian Partington. Tickets from £8.50 to £36; bristolchoral.co.uk

HARMONIA SACRA

Advent Reflections, Church of St Thomas the Martyr 27 NOVEMBER, 6PM

From Palestrina to Pärt, this energetic and uplifting concert will include traditional Advent music as well as a selection of contemporary works from upcoming composers Nathan James Dearden and Lawrence Whitehead. Tickets cost £12; harmoniasacra.co.uk

BRISTOL CONCERT ORCHESTRA

Shostakovich, Bruch and Tchaikovsy, St George’s Bristol 3 DECEMBER, 7.30PM

The sweeping romantic drama of Tchaikovsky's Romeo & Juliet opens this concert with a nod to the Shakespeare400, before a rare performance of Bruch's Concerto for Clarinet and Viola. Completing this winter warmer of a concert is surely Shostakovich's most popular Symphony – his fifth. Tickets from £8 to £15; bristolconcertorchestra.org.uk

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The Colourful World of Sapphire Sapphires of every size and colour on show in our free in-store events coming this November at Nicholas Wylde Bristol Showroom – 8th & 9th November Bath Showroom – 10th & 11th November Following the success and popularity of last years’ Opal Events, we’re delighted to announce that booking is now open for our new in-store events celebrating the timeless beauty of one of the most precious gems of all – sapphire.

These special free events, designed to

Nicholas Wylde is the South West’s leading jewellery designer, creating

be educational as well as entertaining,

beautiful bespoke jewellery in his unique and visionary manner.

will see an abundance of stunning

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designs.

You’ll be able to hear talks on their history, folklore and about some of the

For more information and to reserve your place contact: David Currie: david.currie@nicholaswylde.com or call the Bristol or Bath branches

most famous sapphires in history.

You’ll never see so many gorgeous sapphires collected together in one place. It’s also a great opportunity for you to select and buy your own precious gem for that perfect jewellery item – just in time for Christmas!

These events are designed to be small, intimate gatherings to ensure everyone is well looked after.

The dates are 8th and 9th November in the Bristol store and 10th and 11th November in the Bath store. There will be two events organised each day – an afternoon one that runs from 3pm to 5pm and an early evening one from 7pm to 9pm As well as a wonderful display of sumptuous sapphires, you can bring along your own gem to get care and cleaning tips, as you enjoy afternoon tea, cake and nibbles in the day and canapés and a glass of bubbly in the evening!

All November sapphire events are completely free and if you wish to reserve a place please contact us and specify which store (Bath or Bristol)

THE CAROUSEL COLLECTION Brand new for Christmas 2016 Our events will also be an opportunity to see Nicholas’ new collection ‘Carousel’, which he has designed especially to incorporate the vast range of coloured sapphires. The collection consists of Pendant, Ring and Earrings which can be designed in any colour combination you choose

and time of day (afternoon or early evening) that would suit.

BRISTOL SHOWROOM

6 THE MALL CLIFTON BRISTOL | BS8 4DR | TEL: 0117 974 3582

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BATH SHOWROOM

12 NORTHUMBERLAND PLACE BATH | BA1 5AR | TEL: 01225 462826

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History, Tradition & Quality the only Kemps Jewellers since 1881 9 Calton Court, Westbury on Trym, Bristol, BS9 3DF

www.kempsjewellers.com

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IT’S BEGINNING TO LOOK A LOT LIKE...

Yep, the C word will soon be at the forefront of our minds as we hurtle towards the festive season – Emma Payne rounds up some of the local events to check out as the build-up begins...

Wow the kids with Westonbirt’s Enchanted Christmas – image ©Paul Box

W

e don’t think it’s ever too early to start getting excited about Christmas, and no sooner have the kids gone back to school than their minds have turned to the prospect of twinkling trees, advent calendars and limitless presents (they wish). While you might still be a way off clambering into the attic and decking the halls, the city is primed and ready for Yuletide action, with winter wonderlands, festive markets and no end of superbly seasonal productions about to begin – go on, get involved, you know you want to...

Cinderella at The Bristol Hippodrome 10 December – 8 January

It’s panto season! Oh no it isn’t, oh yes it is, etc, etc... Copious sequins and glitter, dazzling sets, Shetland ponies, bumbling Buttons and the obligatory audience participation are just the beginning of this year’s pantomime at the Hippodrome. National treasures Jayne Torvill and Christopher Dean will be bringing another dimension to the classic rags-to-riches formula, starring as the fairy godparents in a series of mesmerising skating routines. Kick off Christmas in traditional riproaring style, and don’t worry, it’s completely fine to love singing along more than the kids, too...

• atgtickets.com

Ice Skating at At-Bristol

Christmas parties provide something for the adults. Don’t miss their first ever New Year’s Eve party too – complete with a festival of live music, DJs and roaming entertainment.

• christmasspiegeltent.co.uk

The Snow Queen at Bristol Old Vic 2 December – 15 January

Step aside Frozen – Hans Christian Anderson’s magical fairytale is the original story of love and friendship conquering over icy evil! Join inseparable best friends Gerda and Kai as their happy village life is turned upside down by the legendary Snow Queen, leaving Gerda to rescue the frosty monarch’s prisoners. Directed by Lee Lyford, Bristol Old Vic’s interpretation enlivens the adventure with live music and original songs, resulting in a uplifting show guaranteed to melt even the coldest of hearts.

• bristololdvic.org.uk

Nativity at Noah’s Ark Zoo Farm 1 – 17 December

The golden rule of theatre and television is never to work with children or animals...but Noah’s Ark Zoo Farm have bravely included both in their programme of nativity productions! The performances will take place in the Ark Arena, and feature a variety of interpretations;

5 November – 3 January

Once you‘ve experienced the effortless grace of Torvill and Dean, the overwhelming temptation to put your own pirouetting skills to the test can be satisfied at At-Bristol’s annual Millennium Square ice rink.

Stationed next to the bauble-like planetarium, it will be hosting several events including Little Boots sessions for wobbly younger ones, and Disco Boots evenings for a party with a difference. Don’t like the thought of falling over in front of your nearest and dearest? There’s also a whole range of stalls and foodie treats to check out.

• at-bristol.org.uk

Spiegeltent 25 November – 31 December

Spiegeltent is back for it’s fifth year of cabaret, theatre, shindigs and shenanigans in the awe-inspiring mirrored ballroom in Waterfront Square. Children are bound to be captivated by the programme of magical family theatre, an interactive winter wonderland adventure, and the chance to meet Father Christmas himself – while the famous XX THE 46 THEBRISTOL BRISTOLMAGAZINE MAGAZINE || NOVEMBER JULY 2016 2016

At-Bristol’s popular Millennium Ice Rink – image © Joe Meredith

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FESTIVE ACTIVITIES Redcliffe Brownies and Guides present a carol-studded take on the birthing of baby Jesus on 10 December, while there’s a rock ‘n’ roll retelling by The Rock Project on 17 December – and watch as pupils from all over the city take part in traditional school productions featuring real animals every weekday in-between.

• noahsarkzoofarm.co.uk

Traditional Christmas Markets Throughout November and December

Nothing says Christmas quite like the glittering lights and bustling stalls of a jam-packed festive market. Those looking to find the perfect present should enjoy the Broadmead Local Christmas Market from 2 – 23 December, with unique ‘made in Bristol’ niceties including handmade chocolate, craft beer, cider and affordable art. Set alongside the splendour of Bath Abbey, the nearby Bath Christmas Market will fill the streets with carol singers, street theatre, boutique traders and shimmering traditional chalets from 24 November – 11 December.

• visitbristol.co.uk; bathchristmasmarket.co.uk

Victorian Christmas Dinner at the ss Great Britain 8 December, 7.30pm

Indulge in a Victorian feast which would’ve had Ebenezer Scrooge clutching at his purse strings for dear life. Served in the First Class Dining Saloon, the decadent menu will include sloe gin-cured salmon, traditional turkey breast with all the trimmings and a chocolate and Armagnac mousse to finish – plus the essential mince pies and Christmassy libations. Be regaled with tales of Brunel-based adventure and see the banquet down with music from an Irish trio until midnight.

• ssgreatbritain.org Bath Christmas Market is an ideal place to find unique gifts

Fancy a resplendent Victorian Christmas dinner at ss Great Britain?

Enchanted Christmas at Westonbirt Arboretum 25 November – 18 December

Ever so slightly fatigued by questions about Christmas lists, presents and the impossibility of Santa’s one-night world trip? We reckon any over-excited little darlings will be rendered totally speechless once they step into the enchanting illuminated forest at Westonbirt. Open every weekend in the lead up to the big day, the glowing woodland paths take children on an adventure past stiltwalkers, a traditional carousel and a spectacular lighting display. Once eveyone’s worn themselves out, settle down for storytelling with Mrs Claus and enjoy a hearty hog roast, complete with mulled wine for the adults.

• forestry.gov.uk

Christmas Light Switch On at Cabot Circus 11 November, 5.20pm

This eclectic show kicks off at The Galleries with a performance from Vocal Works Gospel Choir. Children from Cabot and Luckwell Primary Schools, who will have been busy making their own lanterns, will then join the choir alongside members of the public and LED drummers, in a parade all the way to Cabot Circus. Upon arrival, the audience will be treated to a performance from laser violinists Lumina Duel – this is a jam-packed Christmas celebration not to be missed!

• cabotcircus.com

Smithson Christmas Pop-Up at The Forge 3 – 4 December

Winter Wonderland at Cribbs Causeway 10 November – 8 January

The Cribbs Winter Wonderland is always a firm Bristol favourite, complete with 1,000 square foot rink, enchanted castle, a magical train ride though The Mall and a selection of tasty treats. This year, the lights are being switched on by feisty ’90s girl group All Saints on 10 November at 7.30pm, followed by a charity concert in aid of BBC Children in Need – tickets are available for a suggested £2 donation.

• mallcribbs.com

If you know someone as well as you think you do, there’s no better gift than a unique piece of art. Smithson Gallery’s Christmas event features work from the fabulous Jayson Lilley, Kelly Stewart and Clare Cutts among many other artists. But it’s not just about the art; a range of gifts, designers and even Christmas flowers will be on show, perfect for perusing with a cup of coffee. They’ve also plumped for a beautiful new location, The Forge, whose subtle contemporary spaces provide the perfect backdrop. • theforgebristol.com Magical illuminations at Westonbirt Arboretum – image © Paul Box

Children’s Christmas Carnival at St George’s Bristol 20 December, 2pm & 4pm

Be whisked away by the sounds of the festive season with an exciting concert full of childhood favourites. Join Bristol Ensemble as they fly into the heartwarming tale of The Snowman with a performance of Howard Blake’s charming sountrack, then celebrate 50 years of a beloved family musical with a ‘mini’ Sound of Music. Cap the evening off with carols galore – expect everything from Sleigh Ride to Jingle Bells, so bring your best singing voice!

• stgeorgesbristol.co.uk THEBRISTOLMAG.CO.UK

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EXHIBITIONS

STATE OF THE ART The North Bristol Art Trail, 26 & 27 November One of the most established trails in Bristol and a popular date in the art aficionado’s pre-Christmas calendar.

There are many well-known artists on the trail, who sell their work professionally all year round, but launched their careers on the trail.

Huw Richards Evans, who started showing his wonderful seascapes on the art trail over a decade ago, is a great example. He’s now is a fulltime artist with work in galleries including Hidden in Clifton Arcade, and the beautiful new Backwell House. The joy of the trail is that you can still pop into Huw's house and have a chat over a cup of tea.

Maita Robinson pulls a good crowd too, with music, singing and poetry in her home as well as imaginative collages, while Toni Burrows' house is always one of the most popular because almost every wall and surface of her three-storey house is covered with amazing mosaics.

Room 212 owner Sarah Thorp is opening up her newly built ecohouse and jewellery maker Katie Johnston will be showing work there.

• northbristolartists.org.uk

Lomahaftewa: Looking for Beauty in the Future, Rainmaker Gallery, 18 October – 30 November As Rainmaker celebrate 25 years of operation, they look back to the work of their very first visiting Native American artist, the late Dan Viets Lomahaftewa. His Hopi name Lomahaftewa translates as 'looking for beauty in the future' – a meaning which has particular resonance in these times of change and uncertainty. Lomahaftewa's art relates directly to his Hopi culture and references ancient petroglyphs and pictographs left by indigenous ancestors. The work in this exhibition includes paintings, monotypes, etchings and collagraphs, and is the last remaining inventory offered for sale by the artist's family.

• rainmakerart.co.uk

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Warrior Treasures, Bristol Museum & Art Gallery, until 23 April Be captivated by a dazzling collection of gold, silver and semi-precious gems from Anglo-Saxon weaponry. Damaged and fragmentary, these superbly crafted fittings were discarded, but who buried them? And did they intend to come back for them? This collection is part of the Staffordshire Hoard, considered one of the most significant Anglo-Saxon finds. Don’t miss the opportunity to come up close to these magnificent treasures and discover how a sword was more than a weapon – it signified a warrior’s status, wealth, family and even religious beliefs.

• bristolmuseums.org.uk

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Wildlife Photographer of the Year, M Shed, 12 November – 5 March The world renowned competition Wildlife Photographer of the Year – developed and produced by the Natural History Museum, London – returns to M Shed, featuring 100 breath-taking images. The most prestigious photography event of its kind, it has provided a global platform showcasing the natural world’s most astonishing sights for over 50 years, and with balletic whales to lizard-chasing parakeets, this year’s selection is strong on visual drama and narrative. Today the competition receives over 42,000 entries from 96 countries, resulting in an incredible calibre of imagery, such as Luis Javier Sandoval’s winning ‘Impressions’ image, right – wow!

Photo © Luis Javier Sandoval – Wildlife Photographer of the Year ‘Impressions’ winner

• bristolmuseums.org.uk/m-shed

Bristol In A Different Light, Coldharbour Framery and Gallery, until 30 November Enjoy varied, colourful scenes of Bristol by both new and established local artists such as Cath Read, whose distinctive paintings and prints of Bristol we’ve long admired (Bristol City Lights pictured left); and sought-after watercolourist Abigail McDougall. See also new works by fellow gallery regular Jenny Urquhart; Ruth Molloy’s graphic images of the iconic bridge; and up-and-coming artists Bex Glover and Scott Foster’s new take on some of Bristol’s lesser-known landmarks.

The bright autumn colours are echoed in the new range of ceramics by raku potter Andrew Niblett, who combines fiery copper-fumed raku with a glint of metal in his own unique style.

• coldharbourgallery.co.uk

Also not to be missed... ● Harry Bunce, Clifton Fine Art, 24 November – 1 December Having shown an early talent for art, Harry Bunce moved west to study, graduating from Bristol with first class honours. Following a relocation to rural Somerset, he became inspired by local folklore – and, drawing on influences as diverse as John Emms, Howard Hodgkin and Beatrix Potter, began painting extraordinary anthropomorphic portraits, often with a darker side. His work now hangs in homes as far afield as the US, Canada, Australia and New Zealand – see new work at Clifton Fine Art this month.

• cliftonfineart.com ● Colour, Lime Tree Gallery, 5 – 30 November A powerful exhibition by four of Scotland’s leading artists, all known for their use of colour. Judith Bridgland’s paintings feature powerful, vigorous use of paint and sophisticated compositions, while Pam Carter has developed her own very successful take on the West Coast tradition of using strong colour to interpret the drama of light in the landscape – often inspired by the changing light sequences of the Western Isles. Peter King has created a distinctive style of painting, both still-life and landscape – colour and the tactile qualities of paint are essential to his painting style – while Alison McWhirter (Tulips in a Yellow Vase, pictured left) has an instinctive, unerring command of colour, often in novel combinations mixed directly on the canvas, creating a spontaneity which is instantly recognisable.

• limetreegallery.com

● Annual Open Exhibition, RWA, until 27 November This renowned exhibition returns for its 164th year with dynamic, varied work from exciting emerging and established artists, that includes painting, drawing, printmaking, photography, sculpture, illustration and mixed media. All work is for sale, so it’s the perfect opportunity to discover new artists or invest in well-known names. This year’s invited artists are international photographic artist Susan Derges and Royal Academician Tim Shaw, renowned for his monumental, and often politically motivated sculpture.

• rwa.org.uk

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Tulips in a Yellow Vase by Alison McWirter

Colour: Nov 5 - 30 Judith Bridgland, Pam Carter, Peter King, Alison McWhirter

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

Tel 0117 929 2527

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ARTS

KEEP CALM AND CO-LAB Bright, bold and big-hearted; one Bristol arts collective is shaking up our shopping quarter says Emma Cullen

W

alking through Bristol’s retail hub – I’m talking Broadmead and Cabot Circus – is sometimes a challenge; it takes grit, determination and impeccable weaving skills. Crowds throng and a visit to this shopping quarter sometimes feels like swimming in a current, especially in the run up to Christmas. Yet amidst this bevy of high-street shops is my own little haven, a delight that I want to share. It’s a sanctuary of calm; somewhere that always leaves me feeling inspired rather than drained. Whenever I dive into Co-LAB, I find instant relief in wandering through the independently designed clothes and past islands of art.

Co-LAB – something that started small and has now grown into a successful creative organisation – features the work of over 200 local artists, promoting a ‘shop local, shop social’ ethos, and is a vivid showcase for the wealth of talent we have in Bristol. I caught up with Sophie Bass – talented artist and manager of Co-LAB – to find out more about this bright, bold enterprise.

EC: It’s great to see such a strong independent in a really central Bristol location! Tell us a bit more about Co-LAB...

SB: It’s funny, isn’t it? As a fiercely independent store, we stick out like a sore thumb in the city centre and we love it! We’ve got so much more to offer than the mass-produced and obvious – everything here is made with love by independent artists and there is something so unique and special about that. By shopping here you are supporting individuals. We would perhaps be more suited to an area like Stokes Croft but actually it’s maybe more powerful to be such active representatives of the creative scene right here in the centre of the city that we all love so much.

What’s involved in running an arts collective like Co-LAB? I spend a lot of time scouring the internet, visiting local art fairs and markets, attending exhibitions and just being involved in the scene.

There’s so much talent in this city, it is really inspiring, and I’m constantly discovering more. I also really welcome people just getting in touch and sharing their work with me; that’s how a lot of our stockists came about. The Bristol art scene is like a family. It’s about sharing and inspiring one another, so in that respect I think we have a great impact. In a practical sense as well, we have a great financial impact on the scene and every time we pay our artists I really realise how much we benefit our community, as much as they benefit us.

Speaking of benefitting the community, hasn’t Co-LAB also run internships for long-term unemployed people?

Yes, and as a past intern, I can say from experience that these work out amazingly well. After two years I’m now the shop manager, and the opportunity to work here really has changed my life and given me an innumerable amount of new skills. It can be challenging and risky but giving a chance to those who might not have had much previous experience or are less established is so beneficial, and not many places do so. If that person has real determination, a good work ethic and, above all, a deep-rooted care for the cause then they’ll doubtless excel.

It’s about giving people a springboard into their chosen career path and equipping them with the necessary skills and confidence.

You’re also an artist – tell us a bit about what inspires you…

I did an illustration degree at Falmouth and now I work freelance as well at Co-LAB. I work in gouache, pen and collage mostly, with a lot of colour. I’d say that I work from a feminist standpoint exploring womanhood, sex, nature, music, mythology and symbolism. I’m

inspired by African and Caribbean folk art, Indian miniatures and the tantric art of the Kama Sutra, ’80s dancehall vinyl and ’90s jungle mix-tape covers, Gauguin’s Tahitian phase, Frida Kahlo, Alejandro Jodorowsky, Orthodox Icons, Celestial Cartography... The list goes on.

What tips do you have for any budding designers and artists on how to get their work noticed?

Personally, I choose work that stands out and has something a bit different about it. It should excite me and feel like it was made with a lot of thought and love, but also have a professional finish. Branding yourself is really important too. All the little touches that go with the end product are vital; a sense of fun and style goes far. Always share your work and embrace feedback, both positive and negative.

Research the shops or galleries you’re approaching; see what kind of style they are looking for in order to tailor what you show them.

What do you most love about Bristol and its art scene?

I love how friendly and diverse it is. It’s so colourful. The connections between the music and the art scene are so strong, and they’re two of the most important things to me and why this city is so exciting. One of the things I love most is cycling from the Easton underpass down the Riverside Park into town – even on a grey day it always looks so bright due to the long stretch of ever-changing street art and all the big, beautiful trees.

With Christmas on the horizon, what can we expect to see at Co-LAB? Last year we released the very first Co-LAB Christmas catalogue. It’s a gift guide with a difference – 50 pages of present ideas all made locally and independently. So expect number two coming out soon. We’ll also be releasing the fourth range of our Artist Series Clothing. For these ranges we work with our stockists to create limited runs of t-shirts.

Our summer range was Paradise Island-themed and went down a storm – for our upcoming winter range we’re going to space with our Into The Cosmos theme. Expect big things, and a big party!

Featured artists Name: Sad Ghost Club Medium: Gouache and pen You’ll love their stuff if you’re looking for…

Thoughtful work that is at once beautiful and gentle but which highlights deeply important mental health issues.

Name: Tapt Medium: Screen-printed clothing You’ll love their work if you’re looking for…

Truly Bristolian street-wear Name: Matt Manson Medium: Homeware and textiles You’ll love their artwork if you’re looking for…

Intricate geometric design to blow your mind Name: Lucie Sheridan Medium: Screen-print and homeware You’ll love what they do if you’re looking for…

Vibrant, bold and hilarious homeware.

• bristolcolab.com

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Adam’s interest in raw chocolate began after he sustained a back injury and started looking into ways to change his diet

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BRISTOL AT WORK: Adam’s Fresh Chocolate We shine the spotlight on the innovative, Bristol-based winner of the Seed Fund 2016

A

dam Farag’s raw chocolate journey began around 13 years ago, when he started looking into ways to change his diet following a sports injury to his lower back. “The issue was partly caused by muscle deterioration and I was faced with some pretty unappealing and invasive treatment options,” he explains. “I began researching the benefits of a raw vegan diet and was put onto an amazing raw chocolate recipe from the other side of the world by a friend who was travelling through South America.”

The new diet played a central role in getting Adam fighting fit again – along with plenty of yoga and rolfing treatment (muscle manipulation) – but the chocolate, in particular, stuck with him. “There wasn’t a huge amount of interest from friends and family when I was knocking up nettle juice and wheatgrass concoctions, but the chocolate was a different matter,” laughs Adam. “And the business really blossomed from me wanting to share my creations with them.”

❝

...There wasn’t a huge amount of interest from friends when I was knocking up nettle juice and wheatgrass concoctions but the chocolate was a different matter...

❞ And blossomed it has, with Adam and business partner Mark Claydon winning this year’s Seed Fund – which helps fledgling food businesses from the South West to flourish – and now set to benefit from £100,000 worth of business support. “It’s incredibly exciting to be working with industry experts – we’re bracing ourselves for a whirlwind of a year ahead,” he says. “Mark and I are just a couple of primary school pals learning as we go, so the input of professionals in branding, business, communications and much more will be so important. People's diets can be massively improved by eating mineralrich raw foods – we want to help people lead healthier lives, and to have this support to help spread our message is invaluable.”

What seems to set Adam’s Fresh Chocolate apart, as well as its organic, single origin, unroasted and micronutrient-rich cacao, is the use of yacón as a sweetener. It’s a sunflower-like perennial from Peru which is full of health benefits – and a bit like a Peruvian sweet potato, apparently. “It was one of the many South American superfoods I came across while eating a raw food diet and although it is tricky to work with, it gives the chocolate a unique fudge-like texture,” says Adam.

So, it’s free from refined sugars, dairy, gluten and soy, providing a healthy way to get that chocolate fix – could the angelic creation be final, definitive proof that chocolate can actually be very good for us?

“The production and use of cacao is evolving all the time and there’s

not a lab in the world that can identify all of the nutrients within it,” he says. “People’s perceptions of chocolate have changed dramatically in recent years, but there’s a long way to go. One of our aims for the future is to get raw chocolate into school lunchboxes, to give kids a healthy boost at break time, without the usual sugar crash afterwards.

We know it will take a while to bring it into the mainstream, but The Seed Fund will give us the tools to take our message to a much wider audience than we could have ever hoped for at this early stage in our business.”

Being Bristol’s answer to Willy Wonka sounds like heaven to us – but is the reality as much of a dream job as it sounds? “Making chocolate for a living certainly is as good as it sounds and to be honest, I don’t even think of it as a job,” answers Adam. “It’s been my passion for over a decade and I’m delighted to be able to share it with as many people as possible. Of course, it’s always nice to be compared to Willy Wonka – he’s what every chocolatier aspires to, right? My daughter even got called an Oompa Loompa when helping out at a show recently, but if I recall correctly, I think that was Mark…

“Tasting new batches is definitely a perk of the job, but watching others try it for the first time is even better,” he adds. “I’ve been tinkering away in the kitchen for a long time and am always refining, adapting and inventing new recipes. My love of raw chocolate began at home and I don’t think I’ll ever stop cooking with it. The possibilities are endless – I eat different varieties every day. We mix it into raw super smoothies and grate it onto our salads – my girlfriend even uses the cacao as a skin product, absorbing its powerful nutrients from the outside as well as in. Chocolate has been the cornerstone of my diet for so long, I don’t think I could ever get tired of it. I change my recipes at home a lot, and it’s part of a much wider balanced diet that’s evolved a lot since my strict raw vegan days.”

Innovative, forward-thinking and health-conscious: it sounds like a brand that’ll fit well with a city such as ours. “Bristol is the perfect location to grow our business from, with there being so many likeminded, passionate people in the city,” Adam agrees. “There seems to be a greater awareness of the power of our diets here and so much positive energy, so we couldn’t think of a better place to be. There are so many great things being created in the region – although what I would really love to see is more nutrient-packed super foods made available at accessible price points. We think everyone should be able to benefit from the best that nature has to offer, so we hope to see as many companies as possible working hard to make their products affordable, and a truly realistic alternative for people’s weekly shopping lists.”

We couldn’t agree more – now, where’s that bar of banana and coconut we had stashed away under the desk...? n • adamsfreshchocolate.com

We very much like the look of the hazelnut blackcurrant squares...

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FOOD & Drink

TASTY TITBITS FROM THE CITY’S RESTAURANTS, CHEFS AND PRODUCERS xx

HELLO BETTY!

A new boozy business venture has been launched in Bristol, and we love it. Betty’s Bubbly, purveyor of fine prosecco, is run

by Annie Hawksley from a little Italian Piaggio Ape van which Annie has converted into a vintage-style, licensed mobile bar serving chilled Glera Frizzante on tap and in bottles. Available to hire for weddings, garden parties and corporate events around Bristol and surrounding areas, Betty has also been spotted at a number of festivals and shows recently, showing off her floral baskets, fairy lights and gazebo. She has two kegs on board, each of which serve 160 glasses of chilled Glera Frizzante from two taps located to the rear of the van. “I spotted this darling little Piaggio for sale and just had to have it,” says Annie. “I wanted to buy a little catering van of some sort and this was the perfect opportunity. Vintage, pink and so cute, I kept the colour!”

• bettysbubbly.co.uk

NEW AT THE WHARF

BRANCHING OUT...

Cider makers Thatchers have produced their first ever apple gin.

Crafted with cider from their Katy apples, Thatchers Orchard Cut uses a selection of botanicals, as well as fresh apple for characteristic flavour. The gin has a citrusy and refreshing taste, with floral and apple notes. Juniper, local Somerset lavender, coriander, macadamia nut, buttercup, Seville orange, lemon and lime have all been chosen to work alongside the apple flavours, providing a beautifully balanced drink with floral and fruity notes. “By using cider from our own Katy apples, this fantastic gin is very much at home in our family,” explained Martin Thatcher, fourth generation cidermaker at Thatchers. “With people looking for individuality and character in their gin, just as they do in their cider, this new offer once again demonstrates the brilliance and versatility of apples.” The Thatchers Orchard Cut 70cl glass bottle has a full wrap label, representing the cut in the tree. The gin is 42%, and will retail at £33.99, currently from Thatchers Cider shop at Myrtle Farm.

• thatcherscider.co.uk

VEG OUT...

Vegfest arrives at Bristol’s Amphitheatre on 21 & 22 May, offering sumptuous vegan cuisine from globally inspired caterers serving everything from sushi, paella, stir-fries, barbecue fare and falafel wraps to Caribbean stews, pizza, Moroccan street food and Thai curries.

Visitors can also expect five licensed bars, juice, chai tea and smoothie stands, and tips on creating amazing vegan plates during cookery demos from some very inventive chefs, plus talks on vegan nutrition, lifestyle, campaigns, a kids area and workshops on vegan activism – all with a soundtrack of acoustic music performed on two stages plus DJs, hip hop/electronic dance group Stereo MCs and vegan reggae artist Macka B. Tickets £5/£8; bristol.vegfest.co.uk

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Independent Bristol-born business Biblos, known for its fastfood fusion of Middle Eastern and Caribbean cuisine, has announced its launch at Bristol’s Wapping Wharf this winter.

“Our new eatery will serve the fresh homemade wraps for which Biblos is renowned, as well as our new Kitchen Calypso menu which is exclusive to Wapping Wharf, and there’ll be a bigger emphasis on Caribbean-inspired dishes,” said co-owner William Clarke. “While we’re very well known in the east of the city, it’s exciting to have this opportunity to branch out into a completely different part of town.”

• facebook.com/biblosuk; wappingwharf.co.uk

Mint Room Page Bristol NOV.qxp_Layout 1 21/10/2016 15:46 Page 1

TRY OUR £10 LUNCH MENU

Bar - Champagne Lounge - Restaurant

Enjoy Christmas with a touch of Indian Magic

2 courses : £30 or 3 courses: £35 Book early to avoid disappointment

The Mint Room, 12 - 16 Clifton Road, Clifton, Bristol BS8 1AF Tel: 0117 329 1300 www.themintroom.co.uk

info@themintroom.co.uk

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FOOD | RECIPES

Food photography courtesy of The Pony & Trap

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FOOD | RECIPES

WINTER WARMERS After local Michelin-star chef Josh Eggleton’s recent appearances on this year’s Great British Menu, and news of his takeover at The Kensington Arms, we thought we’d ask him to share a couple of his favourite TV dinners – just to make sure he’s got enough on his plate...

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es, as if launching the only all-organic chicken restaurant in Bristol – that’s you, Chicken Shed – over at buzzing Wapping Wharf wasn’t enough, Josh Eggleton has been busy breathing new life into beloved local watering holes like The Kenny in Redland lately; as well as conjuring up a new festive taster menu at The Pony & Trap; and somehow still finding time to represent his ’hood on national television. Having been glued to Great British Menu recently, we badgered the chef of the moment into delivering some dishes from this year’s show...

Hake fish cakes (makes 10; takes 45 mins) “This dish was from the Great British Menu fish course, for which I presented a number of elements on a plate designed to celebrate the RNLI. It looked like a lifebuoy and was made with the same people who do our plates at Eat Drink Bristol Fashion. You can't beat a good fish cake. You can make them any size you want and add mashed potato if that's how you like them. I like to leave my fish raw rather than cooking it first, so that when I fry them, the fish is just cooked perfectly.”

Ingredients: • • • • • • • • • • •

500g fresh hake, skin removed 1 tsp Maldon salt 2 egg whites Zest and juice of 1 lemon 1 small banana shallot, minced 15g mini capers 10g flat-leaf parsley, finely chopped 10g dill, finely chopped 200g plain flour 200g panko bread crumbs 2 whole eggs, whisked

❼ Fry in a deep fat fryer at 180°C for 5 minutes and/or until golden.

Oxtail ragout (feeds 4-6; takes 4-6 hours) “This dish is from the main course I created on the show this year. It was served as part of an ensemble with various components but it can also stand up really well on its own. This is a beautifully simple dish using equal quantities of oxtail and red grapes cooked low and slow in the oven. You can make it a rustic affair with some fresh bread, wet polenta or roasted potatoes in winter.”

Ingredients: • • • • • • • • • • •

3kg oxtail 3kg red grapes 500lml water mixed with 500lml red wine 10 black peppercorns 1 tsp yellow mustard seeds 2 sprigs rosemary Maldon salt 100g celeriac/turnip, 5mm dice 1 carrot, 5mm dice 1 stick of celery, 5mm dice 1 stick of celery, 5mm dice

Method ❶ Preheat the oven to 140°C. Wrap the rosemary, peppercorns and mustard seeds in a piece of muslin and tie closed with string to create a sachet.

Method

❷ Put the oxtail, grapes and sachet in a roasting tray. Bring the water and red wine to the boil in a pan and then pour over the oxtail and grapes.

❶ Put the hake in the freezer for 15 minutes to firm up – this will make it easier to cut accurately.

❸ Cover with a baking paper cartouche and then tightly cover with aluminium foil. Place in the oven until tender – about 5 hours.

❷ Cut 200g of the hake into 8mm cubes and place in a colander, mix the salt into the cubes and set aside in a sink or bowl for 5 minutes. ❸ Put the remaining hake in a food processor and blend until smooth. Add the egg whites and blend again. Pass the fish paste through a sieve into a bowl. ❹ Rinse the hake cubes and pat dry with a paper towel; then add them to the bowl with the fish paste. Fold in the lemon juice and zest, capers, shallot, and parsley and check the seasoning. ❺ Divide the mix into 10 equal sized balls or patties and place on a tray in the refrigerator to firm up. ❻ Meanwhile, put the flour, bread crumbs and eggs each in a separate bowl. Dust the fish cakes in the flour, then coat in the whisked egg and, finally, coat in the bread crumbs.

❹ When cooked, put the meat and grapes in a colander. Remove the grapes and put them through a moulin, then add them to the cooking liquor in a pan and reduce until the desired consistency is reached. Discard the sachet. ❺ Gently pick the meat off the bones; discard the bones. Mix the meat into the reduced sauce and check the seasoning. ❻ Gently sauté the diced vegetables in the butter with a pinch of salt for about 2 minutes – do not colour. Drain off the butter. ❼ To serve, spoon the hot oxtail into a copper pan/ramekin and garnish with the diced vegetables.

• @josh_eggleton; theponyandtrap.co.uk n THEBRISTOLMAG.CO.UK

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SHOPPING | FOODIE GIFTS

Eat, drink and

BE MERRY GINGER GROVE BLACK TEA, £10.95 Williamson Tea’s Ginger Grove, with real ginger pieces, is uplifting and warming – grown on slopes looking down onto Kenya’s Lake Victoria

NAPKIN RINGS, £150 PER SET OF FOUR Silver plated, with tiny turtles clinging on!

Found this year’s Christmas shopping list filled with fanatically foodie friends or family that you need to buy for? If you’ve a sister into sushi, a gran into the grape or a cousin who can’t contain themself when it comes to cocktails, we might have just the thing...

MONKEY SHOULDER GIFT PACK, £36 Loving the cute cage – did you know Monkey Shoulder is named after the injury distillery workers were prone to after turning the barley?

All products available from Harvey Nichols Bristol or harveynichols.com via the collect in-store service

CHRISTMAS A DEUX, £65 A bounteous hamper makes for the ultimate treat

BOOK, £32 Get the budding mixologist in your life exploring the cocktail as a culinary art form. Brian Van Flandern shares famous recipes conceived while working at Per Se in New York

GIN KIT, £44.95 Everything you need to become your own alchemist and transform a bottle of spirits into a unique home-blend in 36 hours

SUSHI KIT, £4.95 Make mealtimes more fun! Add in ingredients such as avocado, prawns in panko crumbs, cucumber…

CHIVAS REGAL, £425 The Chivas Regal 18-year-old by Vivienne Westwood is a one-off for those whose passions span both fine whiskies and high fashion

RIEDEL DECANTER, £495 A must-have for the wine enthusiast. With its tight coils, the serpentine ‘Boa’ double-decants, 'opening up' wine in seconds

HORS D'OEUVRES CUTLERY, £50 We just adore these snail shell-engraved beauts

MARU-KYUSU TEAPOT, £85 Getting a brew on is a beautiful thing with the chic grey clay Azmaya teapot

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SHOT GLASSES, £34.95 A far cry from the shot glasses of our uni days, these retro brass ones make for a stylish feature in any cocktail cabinet

BLOODY HELL HOT SAUCE, £19.95 It might be the quirky bottle that grabs your attention, but it’s the habanero peppers, chipotle, mango, tomatoes and spices that’ll bring the heat!

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We felt like crackpot professors among the beautiful Portuguese-made copper stills – and were thrilled with our end product

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FOOD & DRINK

GOOD SPIRITS Amanda Nicholls discovers a magical place – a place where the time is always gin o’clock, and where long-held booze-based wishes are gladly granted by fun, friendly experts – on St Michael’s Hill...

U

ntil this year, Danny Walker and Liam Hirst had been crafting their own gins and honing their making process from a Montpelier basement. Then, around six months ago, the selftaught distiller duo found themselves a charming premises on St Michael’s Hill, installing Bristol’s first microdistillery specialising in the Mother’s Ruin in the process – and now, they’re sharing their expert knowledge with local gin aficionados by way of public workshops every weekend.

Having discovered this, and counting ourselves as precisely such folk, we join a couple more of our kind, on our next available Saturday morning, for a welcome G&T garnished with a large wedge of grapefruit and made with Psychopomp’s own rich Woden gin – a classic London dry with juniper berries, coriander seed, angelica root, cassia bark, fresh grapefruit zest and fennel seed. There’s a wonderfully old-school vibe to the place, with the exterior signage still reading ‘A.Jenkins, groceries, provisions’, and the interior chicly pared back.

Various metallic contraptions gleam bright against white tiled walls, while a shelf lined with spice, herb, plant and fruit-infused liquids – everything from hyssop and peppermint to gunpowder tea and burdock root – demands closer inspection.

After a short tasting session, detecting the different notes in Danny’s equally delicious Pata Negra and Papa Ghede gins – the latter named after a Haitian type of psychopomp spirit, said to guide souls to the afterlife – we’re talked through the basic requirements for making gin.

We’ll be adding botanicals to a neutral spirit base, says Danny – who’s full of anecdotes and facts about gin making and its history – and the bottom line is that juniper has got to feature. After measuring some out, along with the requisite coriander, cassia – that’s the sweet bark you’d find around a cinnamon stick – and angelica root – which acts as a binding agent – we pick our individually preferred flavours to add to our own unique blends. With Danny helpfully having removed any flavours likely to clash badly (cocoa can be a little dodgy when paired with the wrong thing, he warns...) we can’t go too far wrong, we reckon, seizing spirits, gung ho, and having a sniff.

Deciding on a light, floral, fruity vibe for The Bristol Magazine’s signature concoction, we pour out rhubarb, rosemary, elderflower, lemon thyme and pink grapefruit zest into our metal still, before heating and distilling the 37.5% ABV mix to separate the water and

alcohol – which is sent through a copper tube – and patiently wait for the gin to collect in a little tumbler.

Feeling like crackpot professors among the beautiful Portuguesemade copper pots and flasks, we’re thrilled when the purified liquid, now a solid 80%, begins to trickle out of the metal tube. “It’s almost like being in a hospital waiting room, expecting a child to be born,” we muse, suddenly realising we may be investing slightly too much emotion into our boozy new baby.

After binning off the citrusy ‘heads’ that drip out first, we mix the liquid we’ve collected with water that has gone through a reverse osmosis system to get it as close to H2O as possible – the purer you can get the water, the more it’s about the flavour of the gin. Danny hands us a hydrometer to test the ABV once more – it’s now a respectable 44% so we bottle it up and give it its own little heated seal and label while thinking up names for our new, prized creations.

If, like us, it’s a long-held ambition of yours to create your own take on a fashionable, versatile and historic spirit, we highly recommend heading to St Michael’s Hill’s wondrous emporium... n • Workshops cost £100 per person and include tuition, G&Ts and a bottle of your own recipe gin to take home; microdistillery.co.uk

One half of Psychopomp’s expert distilling duo, Danny Walker – who’s full of anecdotes and facts during our workshop

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SPORT

xx

TRIGGER

HAPPY

Louise Harrold heads to Lady’s Wood, fiancé in tow, and puts an old rivalry to bed during a very different kind of date...

I

t would be fair to say that my partner and I have a tendency to be competitive with each other; so much so, that it has become a long-running joke among our families. Put Trivial Pursuit in front of us, or ask us to partake in a parlour game, and our normal affections are thrown out of the window as we battle for supremacy. Eventually, after one particularly tedious (for everyone else) Boxing Day game of Taboo, a solution was enforced upon us by our nearest and dearest; we must always play on the same team, therefore allying our desire to win, and sparing everyone else’s sanity. It worked, and peace was restored.

So when I was invited by the prestigious Lady’s Wood school to sample a clay shooting experience for two, and said partner, J, asked if he could be my plus-one, you can understand my hesitation. A solemn promise of best behaviour on both sides, and just a 30-minute drive later, we arrived at the beautiful estate in Chipping Sodbury, to meet our instructor for the day, Chris Hanks.

Friendly and warm, Chris welcomes us with tea, and hands out our protective gear in the form of glasses, ear defenders, and a hat. It’s tempting to linger in the main building – a beautiful Cotswold stone lodge, stylishly adorned with impressive oil paintings and authentic décor – but instead we dutifully head out into the early morning sunshine to begin our instruction.

The grounds at Lady’s Wood do not disappoint; soaking up 65 acres of glorious Gloucestershire countryside, it is easy to forget we are only half an hour from Bristol. As we arrive at the first shoot station, Chris guides us through the correct procedure of gun handling; combining the all-important health and safety talk with warm humour, so that we grasp the paramount importance of gun safety and yet feel completely at ease – armed and disarmed, if you will... While J and I have both handled a shotgun before, we are still complete novices – however all are welcome at Lady’s Wood, from the absolute beginner through to the experienced crack-shot.

As I step up to position, and with the butt of the gun secure in the pit of my shoulder and my cheek resting on the barrel, I let off my first shot and am surprised and delighted when I see the clay burst into little pieces. I try to resist the urge to be too gleeful at my initial success, but this proves quite difficult as I soon realise just how exhilarating clay shooting is. And I am not the only one of us to hit their targets; as J’s cartridges also start to find the clays, and with surprising regularity.

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While the sport can be a competition, our rivalry is kept at bay and replaced instead by camaraderie, and as we work our way round the different stations, the air at Lady’s Wood does not once turn blue; but is instead filled with encouraging exclamations (“good shot!”; “oh, you almost had that!”)

The clays are set up differently at each stand so they whizz through the sky from various directions – sometimes towards you, sometimes away from you, sometimes skimming across the ground, and each presenting a new challenge. The real test of the day comes at the impressive 120ft high tower, one of the highest in the country, from which clays appear suddenly and move quickly through the air. They appear tiny from the ground and so I am thrilled when, with careful guidance from instructor Chris, I’m able to hit one and our session ends on a high.

As J and I depart, invigorated by our morning’s work, we chat excitedly chat about visiting again. It seems we are of the same opinion, and somehow finally on the same team. And as for the final tally? Oh, don’t spoil it...

• ladyswood.co.uk

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MOTORING | TEST DRIVE

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MOTORING | TEST DRIVE

THE GOLDEN TOUCH Aston Martin’s iconic DB series is now properly into double digits – and the success of the DB11 is key to the next chapter of the company’s history. Dara Foley not only takes a tour of this most beautiful car but learns the golden rules of design

Y

ou may forgive yourself if you are inexplicably drawn to this feature… It's probably that beautiful image of the new Aston Martin DB11 – but could it be something in the layout of these pages that also arrests you in your tracks? No, there’s nothing strange going on here – you could simply be observing an ageold principle of aesthetic perfection.

For over 2,000 years, artists, philosophers and mathematicians have marvelled at the divine science of proportion; known quite simply as the ‘golden ratio’ or ‘golden section’. It’s a not-so-simple formula – one that in maths is closely allied to the Fibonacci sequence – but in the human eye it alludes to wondrous artistic compositions in nature, art, architecture, and design. In other words: everything created using the golden ratio (roughly 1:1.6) is so indescribably appealing to us that we can’t help but love it.

From the majesty of the Parthenon to the mystery of the Mona Lisa by da Vinci, from the curlicues of a Stradivarius to the ‘rectilinear’ perfection of Le Corbusier buildings; maybe a pair of coveted heels by Louboutin, or even the original iPod – we are under the spell of all things that possess these magical proportions.

So, to answer the opening question, and working with the production team at The Bristol Magazine, the layout of these pages closely work to the principles of the golden ratio. And with that in mind, please enjoy – this is where Aston Martin comes in.

For over 12 years, the DB9 has been Aston Martin’s best-selling car; winning design awards and widely acclaimed for its sleek lines and calculated application of the golden ratio. It is beautiful, prestigious, and romantically observes the racy pedigree that all started with the David Brown lineage of grand tourers known affectionately as the DB series. Perhaps the most famous and iconic (before the DB9) was the classic DB5 which, with its own golden cues, is fondly remembered for its 1964 cinematic premiere as James Bond’s car in Goldfinger.

These days, however, customer demands and new technology challenge every car maker to constantly improve; even the most beautiful sports cars must perform new tricks. Aston Martin are masters of reinvention – like many motor manufacturers, they have had a colourful and chequered history – and in a recent interview with CEO Dr Andy Palmer, Aston Martin was likened to a “103-year-old startup,” which is a fair declaration of the tenacity needed to succeed.

Aston Martin may well have an embarrassment of past glories, but it’s the current balance sheet that is most relevant as they move into what Dr Palmer describes as their ‘second century plan’. His remit to steer Aston Martin to future success seems simple – do what you do best, but do it better and on a bigger scale.

I was recently invited to the grand opening of the Dick Lovett Aston Martin Bristol showroom – a very glitzy evening where, in a bullish and positive speech, Dr Palmer outlined a purposeful five-year plan to expand the range, with new cars such as the DBX and Lagonda to broaden the appeal, but also to upgrade the current DB, Vanquish and Vantage models. There’s an honest passion to Palmer’s words, and when he declares that he will “personally inspect and approve the first 1,000 DB11s off the production line because it is the most important car in Aston Martin’s history,” you know he is genuinely leading the charge, on the front line of the company’s new era.

Key to everything is the success of the new flagship model; the DB11.

This is chief designer Marek Reichman’s complete reinvention of the DB9. Reichman designed the DB10 as a concept car – which, by way of an introduction to the DB11, was seen in the most recent Bond movie; Spectre.

The DB11 was unveiled at the Geneva Motor Show in March, and will soon be seen on the streets of the UK. The company claims that not a single piece of the DB9 has been carried over, however the DB11 is, unmistakably, every inch an Aston Martin, and while the Reichman

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design is a beautiful blend of classical styling, it also offers a completely modern, alluring appeal.

Most noticeably, the trademark AM front grille is bigger and wider than the DB9 with a striking new LED headlamp array. The styling of the clamshell bonnet is more forceful, with the pronounced bonnet strakes feeding the windscreen. The positive rake, coupled with the swage and shoulder lines, which gently ride over the rear haunches, accentuate a powerful, more rugged look than the DB9. Reichman has used the lines to include some clever aerodynamics too; rather than mar the profile with a spoiler or raised rear wing, vents hidden in the side strake extract the turbulent, high pressure air from the wheel arches to improve airflow down the vehicle. And with a new innovation AM call ‘AeroBlade’, intake vents by the rear window gather in the forced air and feed it through hidden ducts in the bodywork to flow over the rear of the car. This ‘virtual spoiler’ generates exceptional stability to keep the car nicely pushed down with very little drag.

While this piece is primarily about design and style, at the heart of every Aston is performance, handling and power; under the bonnet sits a new 5.2 litre turbocharged V12 engine, which is capable of 600BHP, and 6500 rpm. The DB11 will do 200mph, and achieve 0-62mph in just 3.9 seconds. Although all new, Aston’s huge following of purists will love the fact that the V12 engine’s ‘grumble’ is still as meaty and resonant as ever – just begging to be heard while driving through a long tunnel...

Aston Martin have made the car lighter, but stronger and safer too, using an aluminium bonded platform. This means the driver can confidently use every bit of the engine’s power through the eight-speed ZF automatic gearbox that drives the rear wheels. There’s a new adaptive suspension set up and three driving modes – Gt, Sport, and Sport +.

Inside, the DB11 is completely refreshed and, as expected, the painstaking craftsmanship that goes into every Aston is all present and correct, as is the display of all the latest technology. One of the major introductions is the new instrument cluster featuring a full colour 12inch LCD which sits behind the driver's wheel, similar to the ‘virtual cockpit’ of the new Audis – this displays all the information in easyto-follow graphics. A centrally located eight-inch panel sits in the centre of the dash and has all the usual infotainment, navigation and connectivity services. Despite packing the car with all this tech, Aston have still managed to keep everything understated and classy, and uncluttered. The switchgear is simply presented and of the finest manufacture, and virtually every surface is luxuriously swathed in the highest quality leather.

Aston Martin have previously offered various levels of a personalisation, through the Aston Martin ‘Q’ service, but in meeting the demands of the modern car buyer, the DB11 is available as one of the most customisable production models the company has ever provided. For both inside and out, there's a huge scale of choices,

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trims and striking colour schemes available. A Volante convertible model is not available just yet, but anticipated within the next 12 months.

There are many other new features too. The DB11 includes keyless entry/keyless start, parking control (including parallel and bay park assistance) and a 360-degree bird’s-eye camera. In the rear there’s a little more space and leg room for the two passengers than the DB9, but it’s fair to say this is still a two (plus two) car, with complete comfort awarded to the two up-front. Luggage space is also 20% more generous than the predecessor’s.

While most press reviews concentrate on power, performance, handling and all the wonderful engineering that has gone into the DB11 – and they have been very positive too – you, probably like myself, should simply take some time to admire the artistic brilliance of Reichman’s design.

Should you visit the Aston Martin showroom, you may wish to take a tape measure to acknowledge the tailored dimensions of the DB11.

The styling is breathtaking. And as you appreciate all those 1:1.6 golden ratio lines that sweep over the profile and spiral inward, it’s the art of the designer that draws one thing to your attention – that the focus, at the centre of it all, is the driver. I can’t help but love it. ■ Aston Martin Bristol, Vantage Point, Cribbs Causeway, Bristol BS10 7TU; 0117 9007007; astonmartinbristol.co.uk

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FROM ZERO TO NIRO

I

ntroducing Kia’s new cutting-edge crossover – the Niro. Other hybrid vehicles may have come before it, but what sets the allnew Niro apart is the fact it is the world’s first dedicated hybrid utility vehicle making it both eco-conscious and family friendly, a unique addition to the global compact SUV market.

As a classic hybrid vehicle, the Niro combines a petrol engine with an electric motor in the shape of the extremely efficient 1.6L Kappa GDI engine although its smooth-transitioning 6-speed, dual-clutch automatic transmission is unheard of among hybrids. Kia claims fuel economy can reach up to 74.3mpg – fantastic fuel consumption for a family vehicle of this size and specification. In addition, CO2 emissions of 88g/km exempt the vehicle from road tax, placing it in the 15% BiK tax band for business users.

Not typical of its hybrid status is the layout of the vehicle – where most hybrid vehicles place the battery under the boot floor depleting all important boot space, the Niro battery is placed under the rear seats. This has resulted in a generous 427 -litre boot space, which is easy to take advantage of with the large tailgate opening and low loading lip allowing for easy loading of whatever shopping or luggage you may need to

pop in there. This comfort-focused design with plenty of room for all the family and luggage is complemented with generously sized cubbies front and rear for water bottles and other bits and bobs.

For the first time ever, one innovative vehicle really does bring together exceptional style, perfectly-proportioned interior, sporty driving feel and high-MPG efficiency in a hybrid-only model. The allnew Niro is also a winner when it comes to high functionality, providing a clean, modern cockpit available with the latest hi-tech innovations and advanced safety features including DAB Radio and Cruise Control to name just a few.

Long-awaited, the entirely new 2017 Kia Niro is ready now – book your test drive today to find out how you can receive your £1000 off.

For more information, please call Wessex Garages on Feeder Road on 0117 332 2656 or visit www.wessexgarages.com

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BRISTOL UPDATES BITE-SIZED BUSINESS NEWS FROM ACROSS THE CITY

DO YOU MEAN BIZ? A new networking group launched in Bristol recently. We Mean Biz – the brainchild of networking skills expert and founder of the Women Mean Biz organisation Philippa Constable – aims to share the benefits of Philippa’s unique, highly successful networking model and focuses on members getting to know each other as people by building authentic relationships, and creating a comfortable networking environment for people that are passionate about their business. “A unique aspect of our group will be that attendees are encouraged to leave their suits behind and come dressed in their ‘normal’ clothes – we want to get to know the real people behind their businesses. Smart business clothes or suits often cover up the real person – hangers will be provided!” said Philippa.

• wemeanbiz.co.uk

Philippa Constable launched the group at the end of September

GET SMART

CALLING LOCAL ARTISTS Bristol Marriott Hotel City Centre has transformed one of its meeting spaces into a ‘creative social lab’ with the help of local artists. The space is being given a makeover every three months, when a new artist can demonstrate their own creative style. Up-and-coming illustrator Hannah Edwards, who moved to Bristol recently to start her freelance career, created the ‘Community Street’ project’s first design. “I’m so pleased to be able to redesign this part of the meetings space and get involved in such a unique project,” she said. “The hotel offers a fantastic event space and the fact that they’re using it to showcase local talent shows the team’s dedication to getting involved with the local community.” The space can be used for exhibitions and emerging local artists, charities and societies during off-peak times as part of the initiative. General manager Charles Barks added: “We’re always keen to get involved with the local community and what better way than to allow local artists to showcase their talents?”

• marriott.co.uk

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NEW HOME! National property consultancy Lambert Smith Hampton has successfully marketed The Georgian House in Bristol, after overseeing a £35,000 refurbishment. The historic building will now be occupied by Stuff Advertising – which specialises in digital, brand and advertising communications – after the company agreed a five-year lease as part of an expansion plan. “The refurbishment brought about a real increase in enquiries from businesses looking for a stylish period building and it transformed its look and feel,” said Roxi Foster, LSH office agent (pictured). “It quickly led to Stuff Advertising signing up.” Stuff’s creative director Richard Spruce added: “We were looking for somewhere that allowed us to continue our growth, offered a creative space for our team and retained a bit of Stuff’s long-standing reputation for doing things differently.

Roxi and the team at LSH were great and the whole process went much more smoothly than our previous experiences.”

• lsh.co.uk; stuffadvertising.com

Bristol solicitors Barcan+Kirby have published new research revealing that many Bristolians are burying their heads in the sand when it comes to managing their care in later years. The research focused on those with elderly relatives and grown-up children and questioned them on their attitudes towards Lasting Power of Attorney (giving someone you trust the authority to make decisions on your behalf if you become unable to do so yourself). The research revealed only one in 10 adults in the South West has an LPA in place. “There is a real reluctance to even discuss wishes and concerns about old age,” said partner Angela Thomas. “Part of the issue may be that people are now healthier for longer, with those of retirement age likely to remain very active. It may be that people feel that an LPA is something that can be put on the back burner, or they don’t see themselves as ‘elderly’ and don’t like to think about getting older.” Judith Brown, chair of Bristol Older People’s Forum, added: “No one likes to feel that the time may come when they are unable to take care of themselves but the reality is, it may happen. Having an LPA or will in place means everyone is clear on what needs to happen so that what is already a very difficult time does not become any harder.” • barcankirby.co.uk

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PRACTICAL | MATTERS

SHOULD YOU CONSIDER A PRENUP? CHRIS MILLER MANAGING PARTNER AT BARCAN+KIRBY BRISTOL EXPLAINS THE BENEFITS

O

nce the preserve of the famous and wealthy, prenups are now a typical part of middle-class marriage preparation. But whilst a prenup isn’t a particularly ‘romantic’ proposition for most people, it can be a sensible idea.

W

e generally think of marriage as a lifelong commitment, so the notion of planning for divorce can feel quite uncomfortable. However a prenup doesn’t mean that you have one eye on the exit. Instead consider it a form of insurance that protects both parties against a potentially messy and expensive separation.

Unlike in the US, prenups in the UK aren’t legally binding – however they serve as a useful indicator of your intentions at the time of your marriage and provide a strong basis for a negotiated settlement should you separate. So who should have one? If any of the circumstances below apply to you then you should consider it.

Finance + property Mine. Yours. Ours. These words take on new meaning when you’re married, especially for couples entering marriage with differing incomes and savings, as well as differing debts. By establishing in writing who earns what, who owns what and who owes what before the marriage, you create a clear guide which can inform a fair settlement of income and assets in the event of any divorce proceedings.

Inheritance If you expect to inherit during your marriage, then a prenup can define inherited assets, including possessions of sentimental value, as yours and yours alone. Prenups can’t always protect an inheritance completely from a divorce settlement, but advance clarification that it’s yours and yours alone builds foundations for a strong case to keep it away from the negotiating table.

Second marriages + families With second marriages and blended families now the norm, it’s not unusual for someone to have continuing obligations to their former spouse or children from a past relationship. A prenup can define which assets will be set aside for any prior commitments and which marital assets can be shared in the event that you get divorced.

Business If you own your own business, it may be an asset with a cash value – which means it can be divided up as part of a divorce settlement. You can build protections for your business into a prenup, protecting your livelihood from being stripped or sold off to pay for a divorce. n A degree of scepticism about prenups is normal, but getting one doesn’t mean you don’t trust your spouse – in fact, agreeing an exit plan before you marry is a smart move and one that could potentially save you both a significant amount of stress and money further down the line.

Chris Miller, Barcan+Kirby LLP, 49/50 Queen Square, Bristol, BS1 4LW; 0117 3252929; barcankirby.co.uk

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ADVERTISEMENT FEATURE

What Being A Smart Investor Really Means

F

or most investors, the investment world can appear very complicated. The investment choice is vast and making sense of it all can be daunting. The financial services industry works hard to make it so with ‘advice’ coming from a multitude of sources. Add to this the ‘noise’ from financial papers and magazines and TV news with their daily valueless comments and favoured financial gurus; throw in thousands of Google search pages and it is no wonder investors are left confused.

You can be a well-informed investor by understanding a few basic concepts in what investing is really about rather than what you have been lead to believe it is about by others.

Without this simple grounding you are at risk of giving up a significant proportion of your wealth.

Belief Systems: The Old Way Investing is not that complicated with essentially two beliefs evolving from active decision making with the objective of beating the markets: 1. Selecting shares in the belief of knowing when they will go up or down 2. Timing markets by choosing when to go in (buy) or come out (sell) investments Surely, paying an educated professional manager employed by large companies with their access to market information and a team of analysts with their superior skills and insights makes sense?

Active Management: The Traditional Approach Active management is one of share (stock) picking and market timing. The starting point is the belief, from the research and the information available to them, that a stock is either overvalued or undervalued (mispriced), which then represents a buy or sell opportunity.

Secondly, the ability to time investment decisions, in other words, know when it is a good time to buy and when it is a good time to sell.

Whilst it is true that some managers appear to be adding value digging deeper reveals different and worrying insights.

There has now been over seven decades of academic studies across all markets where the conclusions unquestionably demonstrate that two thirds of active managers consistently underperform the market after costs; that there is no way of identifying in advance the one third that will outperform the market and the few who do outperform do not reliably repeat this over meaningful periods of time.

Economists & Nobel Laureate’s state that any individual without extra information or extra market power could beat the market is extremely unlikely. It adds up to people who think they can do it and other people who believe them.

(whether active or tracker) is compared with a peer group benchmark or against a benchmark brief completely divorced from an investors own requirements is best replaced with tailored solutions.

Recent years have taught us one thing – there are few if any risk free investments. Whilst it is true, that you cannot eliminate risk completely from a portfolio, it is wise to know what kind of risks you are dealing with and how to control them. Market, specific, management, credit, currency, commodity, liquidity and volatility are all dimensions of risk which need to be taken into account when constructing portfolios.

The definition of risk according to the Oxford English Dictionary is “the chance or possibility of loss or bad consequence”. For investors, a more meaningful description might be an unexpected call on capital or income as a result of a poor or no financial plan.

Structure determines the long term returns of a portfolio whereby strategic asset allocation makes up for 94% of portfolio performance.

The balance of 4% and 2% respectively are due to share picking and market timing.

Enhanced Institutional Asset Class Investing is a scientific approach founded on over seven decades of academic and empirical evidence. By building strategic portfolios of asset classes, embracing modern portfolio theory, with broad market exposure to known risk factors, superior risk adjusted returns are captured at much lower cost without compromising the rewards of long term investing. This buy-andhold strategy and regularly adjusting the portfolio back to its original state through rebalancing results in systematic returns and minimises downside risk. There is no attempt to time the markets or forecast future share prices.

The key question is whether your adviser or investment manager can systematically predict superior performance year by year and produce excess returns net of costs?

Investment decisions should be built on solid foundations of effective strategies and processes and an economic framework to quantify portfolio returns.

The smart investor understands the basic principles and uses institutional strength portfolios. Greater levels of certainty are achieved by structuring the portfolio to maintain your lifestyle rather than an investment manager’s benchmark.

You will be capable and confident knowing that you are making prudent investment decisions without: • Needlessly sacrificing your lifestyle AND • Taking unnecessary investment risk

The active manager is up against the economic evidence of Capital Market Efficiency revealing that past prices are of little benefit in forecasting future prices. Collectively, all the individual shares in listed companies form what is termed The Market(s). The market is referred to as being ‘efficient’ whereby current share prices reflect all known available information and investor expectations. Mispricing does occasionally occur but not in any predictable pattern.

Intuitively, the speed of information about a particular stock is almost immediately communicated and fully priced in the stock’s value. For active managers to consistently succeed, markets must consistently fail.

The body of evidence reaches the same conclusions; the average actively managed fund does no better than the market after fees, transaction costs and tax.

This being the case, as investors, the traditional approach of active management must be directly challenged and alternatives considered.

Indexing Tracking In part, at least, this challenge has been somewhat overcome by adopting an index approach to investment. Tracker funds are used to replicate the performance of a benchmark index such as the FTSE 100. The fees are significantly lower than the active investment manager or fund.

There are understandable criticisms. The tracker fund has to replicate the index in question. In the case of the FTSE 100 a single company can account for more than 10% of the index and where the largest ten company shares can often make up over half the value of the index.

The situation is further compounded during periods where certain sectors of the largest companies become less favourable. The outcome is unnecessary single stock risk with the index giving you a serious diversification problem.

A further observation is one of a forced buyer and seller situation. Every quarter the index must be realigned back to its benchmark of stocks making up the index. If a stock enters or leaves the index, or if a stock’s weighting in the index has gone up or down it must be either bought or sold whether or not it makes sense to do so.

This procedure is known by all parties trading the stock and exposes inflated demand or lack of it creating price anomalies.

Performance is undermined because of unnecessary dealing costs and buying and selling a stock not because it is a good or bad investment but simply to reflect the index.

The New Paradigm: Enhanced Institutional Asset Class Investing

Author: Steven Coles MScIT ACIB CFP Tel 0117 9706958

The traditional approach to investment whereby an investment manager’s performance

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BUYING A PROPERTY WITHOUT BUILDING REGULATION CONSENT FOR ALTERATIONS – WHAT ARE THE OPTIONS? Are you thinking of buying a property but are concerned that alterations have been made to it without the appropriate Local Authority Building Regulations Approval? Laura Wilkinson a Property Law Specialist Solicitor at AMD Solicitors looks at the issues.

B

y law building works carried out to a property must comply with certain standards to ensure that they are safe and energy efficient.

However, unfortunately it is quite common to discover that building works have been carried out without the necessary Building Control Consent having been obtained. The reasons for this vary but range from ignorance of the law to a deliberate decision not to apply for consent where it is clear that Building Regulation Approval would not have been granted for the works.

Your Conveyancing Solicitor will be aware of the circumstances where Building Regulations would be required. Therefore it is important that you or your surveyor makes them aware of any works that may have been carried out on the property to enable them to make the necessary enquiries. The seller should also disclose any works undertaken at the property in the information supplied to the buyer prior to purchase.

What if there is no Building Regulation Approval for the works undertaken?

A Local Authority can take enforcement action against the owner of a property (even if that person did not undertake the work themselves), requiring the property owner either to undo the works undertaken or to carry out rectification works.

Should you choose to proceed with the purchase of the property despite the lack of Building Regulation Consent you will be exposed to the following risks:a) An insurance company may refuse to pay out under a Buildings Insurance Policy if there is inadequate Building Regulation Consent for alterations to the property. b) If there is no Building Regulation Approval for the works, they could be structurally dangerous.

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c) The Council could take enforcement action against you requiring you to undertake costly rectification works and causing you considerable inconvenience. d) If you are a cash buyer you can choose to take on these risks but if you are buying with a mortgage your Conveyancing Solicitor will need to report the facts to your mortgage lender and they will almost certainly require some form of further protection from the risks.

What can I do to protect myself against the risks?

However, there can be significant problems in relying upon an Indemnity Insurance Policy and before choosing this option you should discuss the level of cover and the insurer’s terms with your Conveyancing Solicitor.

Buying and selling a property can be a complex and sometimes stressful experience.

Our experienced Conveyancing Team at AMD Solicitors can advise you on issues such as these. If you would like any advice or assistance with the process of buying or selling your property, please give us a call on 0117 9735647or call in to our office at 139A Whiteladies Road. © AMD Solicitors

a) The best solution for you may be to ask the seller to apply for retrospective Building Regulation Consent from the Local Authority. A building inspector will need to come out to the property to inspect the work and, if they are satisfied that it complies with Building Regulations, they will issue a “Regularisation Certificate”.

However, by contacting the Council the seller would not subsequently be able to take out an Indemnity Insurance Policy (as referred to below). b) Currently the most common way to deal with a non-compliance issue is to take out a Lack of Building Regulation Consent Indemnity Insurance Policy. Your solicitor will request that the seller’s solicitor obtains at the seller’s expense a policy to provide cover for the owner against the cost of any expenses or losses resulting from the Local Authority taking enforcement action against them. The Indemnity Policy route will be quicker (policies can be taken out online and put on risk immediately) and may well be cheaper than requesting Retrospective Consent. A typical policy premium will be between £100 to £400 and is a one-off payment.

Laura Wilkinson

A local award winning law firm

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

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By Dr Caroline Pascoe, Headmistress of Haberdashers’ Monmouth School for Girls

INDIAN SUMMER H

elping pupils achieve the best academic marks they can is a top priority for us – but there is so much more to an HMSG girl than good grades.

Alongside co-curricular lessons in music, drama, sport or CCF, we teach our girls the importance of humility and encourage them to embrace adventure.

In the summer holidays, a plucky group of 40 pupils from HMSG and Monmouth School broadened their horizons and embarked upon a monthlong expedition to India.

Accompanied by six members of staff including myself, the teenagers leapt at the opportunity to explore a new land and help make a big difference to less fortunate children.

Our life-changing trip began with a two-week stay at Upper Valley School in the village of Burua, where our caring pupils pulled up their sleeves and set to work revamping the rundown building.

We painted, plastered and sanded to give the school a total makeover, and money we collected through fundraising challenges before we left paid for local builders to finish building a third floor for classrooms.

The reward for our pupils’ hard work was a once-in-a-lifetime trek in the stunning Indian Himalayas which included a visit to a Buddhist monastery.

After an eight-hour Jeep ride along some hair-raising roads, we made it to our first camp at 4,600 metres.

The trek was by no means easy, but it certainly brought with it laughter, teamwork and bonding in some of the world’s most inhospitable conditions with snow and glaciers being a common sight.

Overcoming physical and mental challenges during those unforgettable four weeks was hugely character-building and humbling for our pupils, who returned with an exciting new outlook on life.

*The Schools have an established bus route covering the Thornbury area.

For more information, visit habs-monmouth.org, call 01600 710433 for Monmouth School or 01600 711104 for HMSG. THEBRISTOLMAG.CO.UK

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EDUCATION NEWS UPDATES FROM THE CITY’S SCHOOLS AND COLLEGES

BRING LEARNING TO LIFE

ART AT THE HEART

RETURN TO REDMAIDS’

Bristol Grammar School launches its newly-built 1532 Performing Arts Centre on 11 November. Providing stateof-the-art performance and practice spaces, it includes a theatre with retractable seating, top-of-the-range sound equipment and an extensive LED lighting rig. The Mackay has been transformed into a 159-seater recital hall with excellent acoustics, and attached is a recording studio and band practice room, while the centre also has a drama studio, a dance studio with floor-to-ceiling windows and a sprung floor, plus 10 music practice rooms, three music classrooms, a bar which will be open during evening performances, and a box office for enquiries and ticket collection.

• bristolgrammarschool.co.uk

High-flying Oxford University graduate and former Redmaids’ student Jenny Seaborne has joined the careers team at Redmaids’ High School as a graduate fellow to support students in accessing the world’s leading universities. Jenny, who has just graduated with a maths degree will pass on her first-hand knowledge of applying for and living the Oxbridge experience. “This is a really interesting role with so much potential,” she said.

“The school has always enjoyed the benefit of visiting speakers but there are many lectures and other events outside of school that extend one's academic understanding and interests even further.

This type of extension activity can make all the difference in the girls' university applications." • redmaids.co.uk

The Into Film Festival returns to Bristol from 9 – 25 November, giving young people all over Bristol the chance to enjoy a free educational trip to the cinema. The world’s biggest youth film festival will host a diverse programme of over 40 screenings and events across the city for five to 19 year olds, including a tribute to Roald Dahl’s centenary year and screenings linked to diversity, wellbeing and anti-bullying. The celebration of film and education, open to schools, colleges, home educators and youth leaders, is hosted as part of an ongoing initiative to place film at the heart of young people’s learning and personal development, and supporters include actors Michael Sheen, Eddie Redmayne, Carey Mulligan, Sir Kenneth Branagh, Ralph Fiennes, Sir Ian McKellen and Helena Bonham Carter. This year’s programme – including blockbusters, novels adaptations, documentaries, foreign language and world cinema – is curated around six themes and explores changes in circumstance, environment, bullying and transition. It will offer the chance to debate current topics including immigration, loss and discrimination as well as individuals, movements and achievements that have changed the course of history or challenged our way of life. "The festival is a wonderful opportunity for young people to experience the magic of cinema for free with their friends, discover films they wouldn't normally see and discuss them afterwards,” said Col Needham – IMDb CEO and founder, Into Film Trustee and Bristol local. “They get to see film differently and learn about careers in the industry through Q&As with different practitioners working in film.”

• intofilm.org

To arrange a visit please contact the Registrar The Downs School, Wraxall, Bristol BS48 1PF 01275 852008 office@thedownsschool.co.uk

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CARLO hair&beauty M

MOROCCANOIL ®

Stockists

Main stockists of REDKEN

Tel: 0117 968 2663 6 Rockleaze Rd, Sneyd Park, Bristol BS9 1NF 78 THE BRISTOL MAGAZINE

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HEALTH & BEAUTY WHAT’S GOING ON IN THE LOCAL SPHERE? Make sure you’re looking your best this season with style and make-up tips from Style Palette’s experts

NEW TO BRISTOL

ME-TIME FOR MUMS

MAKE LIKE MO FARAH!

Holistic and wellness therapist Katy Batt of Realistic Holistic is hosting a special bespoke afternoon event aimed at local mums at The Forge – the event space just off Colston Street – on 13 November from 1pm-4pm. Guests are invited to escape the demands of everyday life with a relaxing retreat that’ll see them welcomed into the beautiful, cosy venue that is The Forge, and treated to warming drinks and a sumptuous afternoon tea.

Then, the group will explore the importance of self-care and wellbeing, using holistic and spiritual methods, including crystal healing, oracle cards, journaling and meditation. The idea is to give guests the opportunity to reconnect with themselves, and with other mums.

Of course, as with all the best gatherings, we’re told all guests take home a goody bag too... Limited spaces are available so if you fancy a winter’s afternoon of relaxation, contact Katy.

Taking part in Movember this year? Why not go a step further with your fundraising attempts – and improve your fitness at the same time – and sign up to be a Morunner? The Bristol race will this year take place at Ashton Court Estate on 12 November at 10am. Runners can choose to take part in the 5K (£18 entry) or 10K (£22 entry) race, and all receive a curved MoRunning medal and MoRunning headband; plus drinks supplied by Volvic; a free running magazine and free trial with British Military Fitness; as well as photos to download and a 20% discount voucher code for online purchases from Up and Running. There will also medals for best fancy dress up for grabs; and yellow winners’ jerseys for first finishers, as well as free entry into 2017’s race. Parking is available via Church Lodge car park, however space is limited so the advice is to either avoid driving or travel with friends.

• katybatt.com; theforgebristol.com

• mo-running.com

Cosy up at The Forge during Katy Batt’s retreat on 13 November

Celebrity stylists and personal shoppers alike will be divulging their tricks of the trade at an intimate style and beauty event to be held at The Bristol Hotel next month – on 3 December from 12pm-5pm. The boutique event, which will be the first in Bristol from events company Style Palette – is open to 250 guests, all of whom will be treated to an afternoon tea and the chance to hear from leading professionals from the UK’s fashion, hair styling and beauty scene. There’ll be beauty treatments and big fashion discounts galore – plus prizes for the best dressed, so guests are invited to dress as glamorously as they see fit. “The idea is to give women the chance to spend the day lost in a dream land of fashion, make-up and style,” event organiser Laine Bedford told us. “We spend a luxurious afternoon at a top hotel, enjoying afternoon tea and listening to women who spend their days offering style advice to celebrities. The speakers are all passionate about making women feel positive about themselves from the inside out; whatever age or shape they are.” The interactive event will include a series of guest speakers, including Emmeline Stevens, a local personal stylist who knows everything that’s worth knowing about the fashion scene in Bristol. Also confirmed are celebrity make-up artist Karla Powell – who can list Pixie Lott, Mischa Barton and The Saturdays among her former clients – expert image consultant and stylist Cleo Lacey, who has worked with high-end designers such as Amanda Wakeley; and make-up artist Gemma Aldous – who, after enjoying a successful modelling career, decided to retrain and has worked as a top make-up artist for famous faces including the likes of Courtney Cox, Emeli Sande, Will.i.am, Michael Bublé and Tinie Tempah.

Tickets for the event are available to buy online and include a glass of prosecco, afternoon tea and a goody bag to take home. For group bookings, email info@stylepaletteevents.com, or to keep up to date with the latest news, follow the event on Twitter @PaletteEvents.

• stylepaletteevents.com

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HEALTH & BEAUTY

TOP BANANA...

The Bristol Magazine visits the recently relocated Pamperbanana for a warming treatment ideal for winter, and a spot of pre-party season prettifying

H

aving held its own on Henleaze Road for getting on for a decade, Bristol beauty salon Pamperbanana moved to a new premises just a few doors down the road around a year ago, so we thought we’d check in and see how they were doing in their new home – and, erm, make sure all the facilities were in working order too...

After our coats are taken at the door, we’re greeted with a slick, stylish interior complete with smart little nail stations and a pretty tiled pedicure area (more on that later). As I’m taken to one of the double rooms (which accommodate couples’ treatments) to try out their Thai compress massage, the team explain how they’ve gone more and more down the holistic route, doing everything from hot stone and bamboo to Himalayan salt scrub therapies as well as advanced skincare treatments using Environ and CACI. Combining traditional remedies with modern techniques, the Thai treatment comprises deep massage with heated compresses containing up to 14 traditional Thai herbs – the likes of lemongrass, kaffir, lime, turmeric, camphor, prai, menthol and tamarind – to rejuvenate and stimulate body and mind. Once I’m sprawled out on the heated bed, my therapist begins by ‘tapping’ my lower back, limbs, upper spinal regions and shoulders with the warming compress, with a decent amount of force, before rolling it across pressure points and addressing my knottiest zones.

As much as they are generally divine, massage treatments can often feel a bit two-dimensional – your back is addressed, then your front, and none of the muscles in between – but this is amazingly thorough, with plenty of attention given to frequently ignored areas too. An hour and 15 minutes later, I stir lazily and get up to meet my companion Emma, who has been perched on a ‘spa pedicure throne’, where guests can choose their own colourful lighting depending on what kind of mood they wish to evoke, and play their own music while enjoying a treatment. “Attempting to choose from over 100 CND Vinylux polishes is no mean feat,” she says, showing off her newly polished toes. “But, after overcoming the child-in-asweetshop sensation, I went for the glittery turquoise. Once on my equally sparkly mosaic throne, I sank my toes into the aromatherapy water and let atmospheric music and lights wash over me. Therapist Kara advised the best way to maximise the final look, using specialist topcoats and CND’s Solar Oil, and once she had moisturised, polished and perfected my tired feet, I began to wonder how I could ever put my trainers back on – surely only a brand new pair of party heels would do...” ■ • The Thai massage costs £69.50 while the Express Pedicure costs £30.50; pamperbanana.co.uk

Clockwise from top: The stylish interior; the nail stations are ideal for pre-wedding parties; a heated herb compress is used in the Thai massage; the new site is just down the road

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Special offer:

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BEAUTY

WISE UP TO WINTER SKIN It’s time to prep and protect, says Lucy Reetooraz

W

ith Bristol’s Amphora Aromatics having opened its doors on Cotham Hill last month after a facelift, we asked Lucy Reetooraz from the aromatherapy and natural skincare specialists for five steps we could take to boost our skincare routines over the coming months and keep our skin smooth and hydrated, whatever the weather.

Exfoliate, exfoliate, exfoliate The perfect pick-me-up for dull winter skin is a circulation-boosting body scrub. Epsom salts are mineral rich, therapeutic and a natural exfoliator, helping remove dead skin cells, draw out impurities and reduce inflammation. You should find your skin feels incredibly soft and smooth after using them. TIP: Creating your own body scrub is easy. Take a cup of epsom salts; four tablespoons of carrier oil (jojoba, sweet almond or grapeseed); 10 drops of lavender essential oil and 10 drops of lemon essential oil. Mix in a bowl and place in a dry, air-tight container. To use, simply scoop out a handful and gently massage in circular motions over damp skin. Wash off with warm water.

Restore the balance Oil cleansing is a 100% natural way of cleansing, and effective in removing makeup as well as impurities – leaving skin soft and supple. As seasons change and skin adjusts to colder temperatures, carrier and vegetable oils can help deep-cleanse skin as well as work to balance natural oil levels – particularly beneficial for skin prone to acne and breakouts over winter.

TIP: Jojoba oil is the top choice for oily skin, whereas rosehip or grapeseed work well on mature or dry complexions. Pour a few drops of oil into your palm and massage over dampened skin. Next, place a clean, hot flannel over your face to create a natural steam treatment. Leave on for roughly a minute. Gently use the corners of the cloth to remove any excess oil.

Replenish and revive Switching from a conventional toner – often containing dehydrating alcohol – to a refreshing, reviving hydrosol or floral water, can restore balance to sensitive skin. Delicately fragranced, hydrosols are the natural by-product from extraction of an essential oil by water or steam distillation. The properties are the same, but much gentler. TIP: To refresh tired eyes, soak two cotton pads in rosewater and place over your eyelids for 10-15 minutes. Or, create a face or body mist by filling a spray bottle with your chosen hydrosol – from chamomile, geranium or jasmin to lavender, neroli or rose.

All about the serums Keeping skin nourished helps prevent dry patches and irritation. Packed with vitamins and minerals, natural serums penetrate skin on a deeper level than standard moisturisers – giving natural ingredients a chance to really work hard to repair and protect skin. Ideally, apply just before moisturising, allowing time for it to sink in. TIP: For a quick rejuvenating serum, take our aloe vera clear gel as a base, add three drops of neroli oil, and seven drops of lavender oil to help cool and calm irritated skin. Mix and massage a small amount over the face.

Lock in the moisture Rich in vitamin E and fatty acids, coconut oil forms the perfect base for an intensive winter moisturiser and can leave skin feeling healthy and hydrated – absorbing easily. TIP: Create a nourishing moisturiser by blending 20ml of coconut oil with two drops of rose and two drops of chamomile oils. Mix well and gently rub into the body/skin after a bath or shower to lock in the moisture, keeping skin strong and supple.

• For more recipes and tips visit amphora-aromatics.com 84 THE BRISTOL MAGAZINE

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Pelvic problems? Don’t suffer in silence!

Although pelvic floor problems are relatively common, they are rarely spoken about and can be very distressing. But there is no need to suffer in silence. Miss Elisabeth Adams, Consultant Urogynaecologist at Nuffield Health Bristol Hospital, The Chesterfield discusses some of the more common problems, and what treatments are available to get you back to doing the things you love.

T

he pelvic floor is an important sling of muscles which lie a bit like a hammock at the bottom of the pelvic bones, holding up the bowel, bladder, uterus in women, and prostate in men. The muscles can be damaged during childbirth but also by chronic constipation, heavy lifting jobs, gardening and by prolonged coughing (such as in COPD or smokers lung). Yoga and Pilates can be very helpful in the early stages, as they involve a lot of strengthening pelvic floor exercises.

When the pelvic floor gets damaged gravity takes hold of the organs and there can be prolapse of the vagina or womb and also of the bladder and bowel at times. This can be associated with bladder or bowel incontinence.

Many women suffer in silence with these conditions, and may believe that they are ‘normal’ after childbirth but in many cases, pelvic floor physiotherapy as first line treatment, medications and sometimes surgery, may be successful. For prolapse there is also the option of pessaries which are mechanical soft supports for the vagina.

Other issues after childbirth include sexual problems due to vaginal stretchiness, sometimes embarrassing issues such as an urgency to get to the toilet and occasionally

constipation, prolapse, incontinence, psychosexual and relationship issues and chronic vaginal and bladder pain problems.

air being passed from the vagina because of laxity. Women may feel their bottoms aren't quite the same as they were before the delivery, and may feel dissatisfied with sex.

This is even more common when there has been a serious tear such as a third or fourth degree tear, or forceps delivery for example.

These issues are surprisingly common, with some significant studies showing over 30% women suffer some form of pelvic floor dysfunction after childbirth.

Miss Elisabeth Adams is an experienced Consultant Gynaecologist who is a specialist in pelvic floor disorders, known as a Urogynaecologist. She has been working in this area for 15 years as a Consultant in Liverpool and recently moved to Bristol where she holds regular clinics at Nuffield Health Bristol Hospital, The Chesterfield.

Miss Adams is nationally regarded in her work, having been involved in a number of national studies and projects in Urogynaecology, and also set up one of the first accredited units in the country. She works very closely with physiotherapy, urology, colorectal and pain teams within the NHS and privately. Many of the issues patients have span several areas of expertise.

Miss Adams is able to advise on pelvic floor issues including childbirth trauma,

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If you are suffering from any pelvic floor related issues and would like to get some professional advice in a supportive setting, Miss Adams is holding a free information evening at Nuffield Health Bristol Hospital, The Chesterfield on Tuesday 22nd November at 6.15pm. She will also be joined by a Physiotherapist who specialises in Women’s Health who can talk you through our enhanced recovery programme – Recovery Plus.

Light refreshments will be provided and parking is available on site. Spaces are limited so please call 0117 4058 659 to book your place or visit nuffieldhealth.com/hospitals/bristol/events for more information.

Nuffield Health Bristol Hospital The Chesterfield, 3 Clifton Hill, Clifton, Bristol BS8 1BN

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ACUPUNCTURE FOR RELIEVING MENOPAUSE SYMPTOMS

By Acupuncturist Amanda Hair, for CNM (College of Naturopathic Medicine).

E

ntering the menopause as women move away from child-bearing age can bring its fair share of challenges. Physical and emotional changes which can affect our already busy and stressful lives can lead some of us to consider taking hormone replacement therapy, rather than managing the transition naturally.

It also seems that the trend for women experiencing peri-menopausal symptoms is happening earlier, in our mid to late thirties, yet the age for having gone through the menopause remains the same, late fifties to sixties. So, it’s possible that many women could be experiencing the hot-flashes, mood changes and sleep disturbances up to ten years earlier, and do so for longer than previous generations.

Why is this happening?

One explanation is that as a nation we are entering puberty earlier. Our weight and height has increased, so hormone production begins sooner and ends sooner as a result. We are also exposed to far more hormone disrupting toxins than were our predecessors. Chemicals in our cleaning and personal care products, our environment, make-up, packaging, and nonorganic foods, are all known to unbalance our oestrogen levels.

From a Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) perspective, many of the symptoms displayed are those classed as Yin Deficiency.

Typical Yin deficiency is where we have a deficiency of body fluids and we

can become hot and dry: dry skin, vaginal dryness, constant thirst, and extremely hot palms of our hands and soles of our feet. This dryness can lead to the typical hot flashes and night sweats. Sadly, it’s not as simple as increasing our water intake, although this is helpful.

Diet Tryptophan is an essential amino acid needed for growth, development and for creating serotonin (the happy hormone) in the body. It is important to increase intake through the perimenopause stage. Foods high in tryptophan include nuts, seeds, tofu, cheese, organic meats such as chicken and turkey, fish, oats, beans, lentils, and eggs.

Increasing iron levels is also recommended, with plenty of dark leafy greens, watercress and beetroot. As well as increasing some foods, it’s important to decrease foods which are energetically heating, such as chocolate, alcohol and spices.

In summary, acupuncture combined with other appropriate natural therapies, can help maximize results for women who want to manage their Amanda Hair menopause naturally.

Acupuncture In acupuncture, very fine specialist needles are placed in acupuncture points along channels which relate to the major organs within the body. The Kidney organ is responsible for our growth and reproduction in Chinese Medicine, so activating this channel will activate the movement of Water through the body.

Acupuncture needles may also be placed locally, on the scalp, or retained in the ear using seeds.

The needles are retained for up to 25 minutes, during which time many people notice an extreme sense of relaxation.

A recent study reported in the Daily Mail, tells how having acupuncture reduced menopausal night sweats and hot flashes by up to 40%. However, as with all symptoms, it is likely that relief could be increased by taking a holistic approach to restoring balance.

Acupuncturists who train at CNM, graduate in both TCM Acupuncture and in Naturopathy.

This duality in diagnostic skills enables them to see their clients’ health through many lenses.

Not all women who experience menopause symptoms are Yin deficient, of course. An indepth case history would be taken, with advice tailored to each individual’s unique condition.

Advice given would cover other natural therapies, including appropriate nutritional and herbal therapy, and lifestyle suggestions, in order to get the best possible results for their client.

THEBRISTOLMAG.CO.UK

Attend a FREE Open Evening Geoff Don

to find out about part time training with CNM Bristol for a career in Naturopathic Nutrition or Naturopathic Acupuncture.

Thursday 17th November at 7pm Please book online at

www.naturopathy-uk.com 01342 410 505

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WALK | THE WALK

TOR DE SOMERSET Didn’t bag yourself Glastonbury tickets? Follow Andrew Swift’s lead and take in the area’s other attractions...

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omerset is brimful with superb viewpoints – from Glastonbury Tor to Crook Peak; Burrow Mump to Brean Down. Getting to most of them involves a degree of climbing, and at this time of year, when paths are sodden and slippery, that can be less than tempting.

There is one place, however, where the views are sublime, but the going is all but flat and partly accessible to wheelchair or pushchair users. Add in a large free car park and carefully managed woodland – now in its late autumn glory – and Combe Wood, south of Street, is the perfect choice for an undemanding but memorable November walk.

Since discovering Combe Wood some years ago, I have returned many times. The views are so far-reaching, and so broken up by stretches of dense woodland, it is not a place

you tire of. It lies on the edge of a high escarpment, and the views it commands are – with one magnificent exception – to the west and north. A glance at an OS map will reveal why they are so spectacular, for – apart from the lesser hills of Dundon and Lollover below the ridge – from here the watery moors of the Somerset Levels stretch away to the blue range of the Quantocks, 15 miles distant.

Deep within the woods, meanwhile, lie remnants of a prehistoric earthwork called the New Ditch. Why it was dug is unknown, and – although some 3,000 years old – its steep sides still present a formidable challenge for anyone attempting to probe its mysteries.

Further along the escarpment is a more recent monument, a 33-metre column raised in memory of Lord Hood, the famous naval commander who acted as a mentor to Nelson.

Hood’s father was vicar of the nearby village of Butleigh, and the monument was designed in 1831 by the Bath architect Henry Goodridge. It commands the only eastward view from the escarpment – that magnificent exception I mentioned earlier – with a swathe of woodland cut back to reveal a surprise view of Glastonbury Tor. Beyond the monument, the woods give way to the downland slopes of Collard Hill, owned by the National Trust, before the ground drops away to the town of Street. So this is largely a ‘there and back’ walk along the escarpment, but with a succession of such superb views you are unlikely to regret retracing your steps.

Directions

● To get to Combe Hill Wood, head south to Wells, carry on along the A39, and after passing Glastonbury, bear left at a roundabout along the B3151. Two miles further on, bear left along a road signposted to Keinton Mandeville.

After a mile and a half, pull into a large car park on the right (ST503329). ● The ‘all ability access path’, suitable for wheelchairs and

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Image above: Spot Glastonbury Tor from Hood Monument Below: The intricate Hood Monument itself Opposite page: The lovely view from Combe Hill

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WALK | THE WALK

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pushchairs, can be found halfway along the left-hand side of the car park, by three information boards. After heading along it for 75m, turn right at a T junction by a triangular patch of grass. After 150m, the trees open up to reveal a view of a wooded hillside, with an orchard on the slopes below.

After another 150m you come to another T junction. Before turning right, turn left and walk to the edge of the escarpment to take in what must count as one of the most memorable vistas in Somerset.

Turn to head along the path leading away from the escarpment.

After 200m, you come to a crosspath with boards indicating the location of the New Ditch. The ‘all ability access path’ bears right here, to return to the car park, but to continue the walk, over somewhat less even ground, head straight on down a short flight of steps and carry on through the woods.

After going through a kissing gate (KG) you emerge into the open.

When the path forks, bear right to head into a meadow with woods on your left. At the end of the wood, carry on along a ridgeway path as the views open up northward. After the path re-enters woodland, you will glimpse the Hood Monument ahead. As the path heads towards a gate leading to the road, cross a stile in the fence on your left, and immediately go through a KG to follow a path winding through the woods. Just past a crosspath heading downhill, go through a KG with a sign for the Polden Way to emerge below the monument (ST495337).

If you want to continue on to Collard Hill before heading back, carry on past the monument, ignoring a path bearing left. When the path forks, you can go either way, although the right-hand path is likely to be less slippery.

After going through a KG, turn right along a lane for a few metres before turning left through a KG. Carry on through two more KGs into National Trust-owned Collard Hill (ST490339). Here there are views not only to the east and west, but also north to Brean Down, Uphill and the Welsh mountains. As the path starts to descend, turn to retrace your steps – and take in the views from a new angle. ■

At a glance...

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Distances: ‘All ability access path’ circuit: 0.75 miles; two miles if extended to the Hood Monument; three miles if extended to Collard Hill.

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Map: OS Explorer 141

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Facilities: Free car park; no other facilities on site. Dogs are welcome, off the lead, in Combe Hill Wood; livestock may be encountered on other parts of the walk. Combe Hill Wood is managed by the Ninesquare Trust. For more information, visit combehillwood.co.uk

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THE BRISTOL MAGAZINE 89

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INTERIORS

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Style Substance Autumn’s new mood sees rich and dramatic colour, tactile textures and lustrous metallics hitting the Bristol interiors scene for the season ahead, writes local designer John Law

HIS DARK MATERIALS: NLXL marble wallpaper

by Dutch designer Piet Hein Eek

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INTERIORS

T

he winds are changing, and we, for one, love the sense of freshness that autumn brings – from the colours in the landscape to an excuse to stockpile the red wine and, in our line of work, new season interiors collections aplenty. And while you might not be in the market for a whole house interior overhaul, a great way to revamp and refresh your home comes in the form of soft furnishings, fabrics or a one-off item that you covet. Some new cushions in a jazzy fabric, feature wallpaper, or reupholstering a much-loved item of furniture can completely transform a space. We’ve been lucky enough to have trawled some of Europe’s biggest design shows over the last few months, so here’s what’s been catching our eye along the way...

When we worked with Zerodegrees, for example, our brief was to design a collection of eclectic outdoor dining spaces that not only reflected Bristol’s strong reputation of recycling and upcycling but also the history of the city and specifically its role in transport.

So for their gates, we pieced together salvage items from Bristol-based scrap sculptor Jason Lane, local scrap merchants, and one of our colleagues donated her husband’s bike chains, some disused trampoline springs and even a tea strainer which was turned into a hot air balloon! The results, created by Ironart, are completely one of a kind, and something we hope people will stop to admire for years to come.

❝

Romance in the stone One of the key trends that caught our attention at Maison & Objet this year, was fabric or wallpaper that’s masquerading as stone, and particularly marble. We’re big fans of Dôme Deco’s reinvented take on this theme, with their abstract marble wallpaper backdrop to their new ‘mystical’ collection for winter, which sees high gloss bronze items mixed with velvet and various shades of blue, or Zoffany’s exuberant malachite-inspired Serpentine fabric.

...Velvet epitomises luxury and grandeur and always seems so apt when temperatures start to plummet...

❞

Blue is the warmest colour Every shade, from turquoise to cerulean, is well represented among AW16’s soft furnishing collections, though from what we saw in Paris last month, cobalt definitely seems to be leading the way. Gorgeously vibrant with inky depths, it’s the perfect shade to pep-up the current obsession with neutrals.

Scandi is still chic It’s the trend that refuses to go away, mostly because large swathes of calming neutral colours and the pursuit of ‘hygge’ – the Danish approach to creating a cosy atmosphere – makes for an incredibly relaxing interior space. We’ve been using Ferm Living’s gently colourful cushions featuring gold zips and their collection of pendant lights in an array of shapes and sizes – which come in soft, muted hues of pale pink, blush, grey and pale blue – to add character and warmth to spare Scandi schemes.

Find the one The key to a scheme with wow-factor for any season is a one-off piece that really reflects your sense of style, whether it’s something old, new, or picked up on your travels, which deserves to be made a feature of.

We’re also really loving the artist Fuller’s hand-drawn map of Bristol right now, pictured below (see also fullermaps.com), which references contemporary culture and society and is intricate enough to be a daily reminder of everything that makes the city so special – from the Clifton Suspension Bridge to notable coffee and burger joints, cycling routes and everything in between.

Velvet overground It’s the fabric that epitomises luxury and grandeur and always seems so apt when temperatures start to plummet. While jewel colours, from bright emerald to earthy russet and warm plum, will always be popular at this time of year, we’ve also seen a move towards embossed and printed velvets and jacquard weaves too. If you’re looking for a statement, design-led piece of furniture to add headturning appeal to any room, you can’t go wrong with the beautifullycrafted and aesthetically-pleasing Gubi beetle chair, or more decadent still, their gently-curved grand piano sofa. Their furniture has that allimportant timeless yet relaxed vibe that reminds us of the new Jetty restaurant at Bristol Harbour Hotel.

Cobalt was leading the way at this year's Maison & Objet, as shown here with Dome Deco's new Glorious collection

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INTERIORS

From Jane Churchill’s Atmosphere collection AW16, showing warmer base tone fabrics and velvet

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INTERIORS

Heavy metal We’re seeing a move away from greys to richer, warmer, wheaten tones as base fabrics, combined with metallic detailing in gold and copper for the season ahead. These fabrics are ideal at this time of year as they add warmth and lustre to your room scheme when it needs it most – a feeling which is only enhanced by careful attention to lighting. Similarly, soft, muted Gustavian colours, such as gentle pinks, putty and smokey blue, are also inclined to really pop against a backdrop of gold.

Richer, warmer tones are coming through for autumn – as seen with Dome Deco's new Lucent collection

Printed love Fabrics with an almost luminescent liquid sheen have been popular for a while now, and new for 2016 is the added element of texture and print on sheer fabrics to opalescent paisley. A little goes a long way when it comes to shimmering silks and voiles, so a set of curtains, a selection of well-placed cushions or a focal-point piece of furniture will be plenty to add a sense of joyfully playful, headturning interest.

We love the abstract marble wallpaper backdrop to Dome Deco's new mystical collection for winter

Think pink

Get a load of Gubi’s decadent Grand Piano Sofa

Pink was the unlikely star of spring, and shares the joint top spot as Pantone’s colour of the year in its sugary Rose Quartz guise. As autumn falls, it’s the pastel peachy hues, corals, dusty pinks and nudes which seem to have made the cut as favourites of designers; us included, as shown in one of our latest designs to create a luxurious and opulent master bedroom. It’s a colour that looks particularly current when styled against an industrial backdrop, or, alternatively, when paired with green. We suggest you crack open a bottle of that red and contemplate your interior motives... ■ • John Law is a director at Woodhouse & Law, the well-established full service interior and garden design partnership, based at their showroom and studio in Bath; woodhouseandlaw.co.uk

One of Woodhouse & Law's room schemes, using pink to create an opulent master bedroom

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THE BRISTOL MAGAZINE 93

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GARDENING

BARE ROOTIN’ There’s still plenty we can be doing in the garden, even as temperatures drop, says Margaux Speirs

N

ovember in Bristol – probably cold and almost certainly raining a fair bit, so we townies are unlikely to be spending much time in the garden.

But don’t let that stop you sitting somewhere warm and comfortable while you sketch out a plan for a new flower bed or other garden improvement to work on once spring has sprung. Could you even be tempted outside for a short time to plant something arriving bare rooted by post, satisfied in the knowledge that buying it at this time of year will have saved you a lot of money? Because now is an ideal time to buy and plant a whole range of deciduous trees, fruit trees, roses, shrubs, perennials and even some vegetables which are suitable for transporting without soil during their dormant season. They are described as ‘bare rooted’ because the plant nurseries which have grown them have removed them from the soil, washed the soil from the roots and packaged them in such a way as to retain moisture. If they are not sent out straight away they will have been stored in conditions which keep them dormant (usually at high humidity and around freezing).

If you can see your way to planting during these winter months, it is such a good way to restock a garden, lay a hedge or put in trees. You will be amazed at how much cheaper a bare rooted plant is to the potted versions sold at nurseries later in the year. Because shipment costs are so much less than when they have to be transported in damp soil, you will be able to buy bare rooted plants from specialist nurseries all over the country by mail order, opening up much more choice than your local garden centre can perhaps offer.

There are some obvious risks in buying bare rooted plants but you can minimise these by following a few simple guidelines. Firstly, check them when they arrive and if the roots are brittle rather than flexible – i.e. totally dried out – or if they are mushy and smelly – i.e. rotting – your plant probably won’t grow and you need to get your money back. Secondly, put the plants into the ground as soon as you can after purchase – ideally the day they arrive in the post. Even if the bed you intend them to go into is not ready, you should put them in a pot or trench of earth (with the level of the soil no further up 98 THE BRISTOL MAGAZINE

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their stems or trunks than the soil line showing from their previous planting depth). If they have been warmed up in the process of transporting they may start to behave as if it’s no longer winter – breaking out of their dormancy and seeking moisture and nutrients. If you cannot plant them straight away then store them in a cool area and out of sunlight, keeping the roots wrapped so moisture is kept in (and spraying some water onto the roots if the inside of the packaging feels dry). This way, if necessary, you could keep them out of the ground for a couple of days after delivery. In every case, just before you plant them, rehydrate the roots in a bucket of water. The packaging they arrive in should tell you the correct soaking times.

Here is a plan for an ornamental edibles bed which you can order bare root between November and March so that next summer you can stroll in the garden, munching and harvesting, and this time next year you can sit by the fire and enjoy your surplus berries as homemade jam. As with any design scheme, you are looking to achieve a range of heights – lowest at the front of the border – and foliage, with evergreens for structure.

You will need a sunny bed with fertile soil – if necessary buy some good compost and dig this in. (I order organic manure on line from Mr Muck as it comes in sealed bags and is clean and easy to use as well as being reliably weed-free). For a southfacing bed measuring three metres by three metres, and assuming a fence or wall at the back, I suggest planting a step over apple tree cordon along the three open sides. This method of training fruit trees has been used since Victorian times and provides a low edging which is both ornamental (with blossom in spring and ripening fruits through late summer to autumn) and productive. Each tree needs at least 2.4m horizontal growing space so a bed this size would need three trees. Choose self-fertilising varieties and install a low trellis to support your cordon. (The RHS website includes advice on making a post a wire trellis system and pruning instructions for step over cordon training.) Behind the cordon, plant a row of three rhubarb crowns. These have huge, handsome, lush leaves which need a metre space to spread into. To extend the edible season, use a forcing pot which keeps the new growth in the dark for longer

Image above: Plant a row of rhubarb crowns and use earthenware forcing pots for the most aesthetically pleasing result

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than if the stems were simply left to grow naturally. I think earthenware forcing pots can look rather beautiful but you can always use an upturned bucket! Put the pot over a crown in January and the forced rhubarb stems can be harvested around eight weeks after, which may be up to a month earlier than unforced crops. Move the pot from plant to plant each year so you’re not forcing every plant every year.

In the centre of the bed, fill a large pot with ericaceous soil and plant a blueberry bush. If it’s not self-fertile, you’ll need to find room for two plants. ‘Sunshine Blue’ is a good variety – self-fertile and semi-evergreen, with shocking pink flowers in spring, growing to about a metre high and across, and bearing a good crop from the second year onwards. (These plants are quite difficult to source bare rooted so you may need to buy them already grown in a pot.) Either side of the central blueberry, plant two gooseberry plants. I particularly like Xenia – a red dessert fruit, sweet enough to pick and eat straight off the plant. Allow each plant a growing circle with a diameter of 1.2m, making sure they do not overshadow the rhubarb plants. If you don’t like gooseberries, white or redcurrant bushes would also do well and they only need spacing at 45cm intervals so you could fit in six or seven plants. Along your back wall, grow a couple of climbing fruits – for instance, the compact, thorn-free blackberry ‘Oregon Thornless’ and the unusual Japanese raspberry which is not only fruitful but lovely to look at (rubus phoenicolasius). Interspersed among your soft fruits you can grow salad and herbs from seeds or plugs next spring. You will have competition from the local bird life for your edible crop, so be ready to net it when it comes into fruit.

The Forest of Avon Trust, based at Ashton Court, runs an interesting fundraising scheme whereby you can order bare rooted fruit trees and soft fruit bushes. They use economies of scale to bulk buy and sell them on at a profit for the trust, enabling them to plant local trees and improve local woodlands for people and wildlife. To use this scheme, you need to order in advance and collect your purchases from Ashton Court in February. n Margaux Speirs is a qualified garden designer and runs her business from her home in Bristol; margauxspeirsgardendesign.co.uk

PLANT OF THE MONTH: CYCLAMEN HEDERIFOLIUM There are several distinct groups of cyclamen but the one that flowers throughout winter and into spring gets my vote as so little else is flowering then. It bears fairly large flowers in shades of pink and the flowers emerge before the leaves in early autumn. Its lovely marbled foliage looks a bit like ivy. Plant a few together under trees or shrubs in any fairly fertile, well-drained soil and, as they self-seed, within a few years you will be enjoying gorgeous winter ground cover.

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PROPERTY | PICK

Through the keyhole...

We check out a substantial semi-detached home arranged over three storeys on a sought-after road, with period features and fully enclosed private gardens

U

p for sale for the first time in 26 years, the attractive and well-proportioned property that is 32 St Johns Road is one that’s definitely worth a gander if you’re a house hunter hoping to set yourself up somewhere between popular Clifton Village and bustling Whiteladies Road.

Head in via the little pedestrian gate and past the pretty frontage to the entrance porch, where a glazed front door opens up into a lovely tessellated hallway leading to three elegant, high-ceilinged reception rooms, each with period cornice work. The drawing room and dining room also feature a marble fireplace each, and there’s access to the garden from the dining room which makes it even more of an excellent entertaining space. On the half landing you’ll find the family kitchen, which also opens out onto the back garden and offers plenty of space for informal dining, as well as abundant storage areas including full floor-to-ceiling cupboards and a separate larder. Below ground lies a cellar space with an expanse of storage, a workshop, a utility room and a wine cellar.

The first floor – lit from above by a glazed ceiling light – lays claim to two bath/shower rooms and five charming double bedrooms. The two to the front of the property feature prettily arched twin sash windows, whereas the master bedroom to the back of the house overlooks the garden and has a set of fitted wardrobes, as well as its own sink and vanity unit. While the fifth bedroom, or study, can also be found on the first floor, there’s a further bedroom up a shallow flight of stairs – currently used as a nursery.

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Over the second floor is a superb configuration of rooms with a great amount of flexibility; this part of the property was previously used as an au pair’s annexe and with two double bedrooms, a shower room, a lovely dual-aspect sitting room and fitted kitchen, there’s enough space for a family, and to let out for extra rental income.

Outside, you’ll find a tidy front garden laid mostly to lawn and surrounded by mature hedging, while to the back of the property, there’s a fully enclosed private garden which, happily, catches the morning and early afternoon sun. It’s predominantly paved which, of course, means it’s very low maintenance, and it’s a great space to host alfresco drinks in the warmer months – it’s been the spot for many a fabulous party over the past couple of decades, so we’re told. The mature trees here provide extra privacy, and it’s super-easy to head inside for a refill with all the garden’s direct access points, which also include the front entrance porch and cellar workshop. n

PROPERTY PROFILE Guide price: £1,325,000 Agent: Fine & Country, 147 Whiteladies Road, BS8 2QT Contact: 0117 9461946; fineandcountry.com

Main image: We love the period frontage of number 32, and the prettily arched twin sash windows of the front bedrooms Opposite page, clockwise from top: Charming reception spaces; the paved back garden area; a lovely tessellated entrance hall

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PROPERTY | PICK

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THE BRISTOL MAGAZINE 103

KF PIF full Page NOV 16.qxp_PIF Full Page 18/10/2016 16:02 Page 1

BRISTOL PROPERTY | IN FOCUS

B

erkley Crescent is an elegant redbrick 18th century crescent in the heart of Clifton. Number four has been lovingly restored and immaculately maintained and is a chic and stylish example of city living. There are five floors of period charm and elegant proportions with the added benefit of a self contained basement apartment with access at the front. The entertaining rooms on both the ground and first floors are particularly well presented, with an immaculate bespoke kitchen complete with integrated appliances and central island flowing through to the dining room which overlooks the garden. The drawing room has superb views towards The Wills building. Also on the first floor is a study with southerly views. The upper floors provide four consistently sized bedrooms with a luxury en suite and family bathroom. Further versatility comes in the form of a two bedroom lower ground floor apartment with kitchen and bathroom and independent access offering an excellent rental opportunity. Outside there is a south facing courtyard garden, perfect for entertaining and well as a lovely sun terrace and secure private parking for four vehicles. Further information on this class act in Clifton is available from agents Knight Frank.

4 BERKELEY CRESCENT CLIFTON, BRISTOL • Immaculate Grade II listed townhouse • 4/5 bedrooms • 2 Bathrooms plus shower room • Separate 2 bedroom apartment • Sun terrace and private courtyard garden • Secure private parking for four vehicles

Guide price £1,250,000 Knight Frank, Regent House, 27A Regent Street, Clifton, Bristol. Tel: 0117 317 1999

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OFFICES –

(0117) 934 9977 THE DISTILLERY

MEWS OFFICES, WESTBURY ON TRYM

• An amazing high specification office building

• Suit offices or D1 medical use • 1,184 sq ft

• studio style open plan space

• New flexible lease • Rent £12.50 per sq ft

• 6,380 sq ft

FOR SALE – INVESTMENT OR OCCUPIER

HARBOURS EDGE – BS8 • Studio open plan office unit

• Superb studio offices

• 818 sq ft

• Prime city centre

• 2 car spaces

• 2,014 sq ft

• Terms on application

• Guide £350,000 CLIFTON OFFICES TO LET

10/12 GLOUCESTER RD OFFICES WITH PARKING

• Light and airy office suite

• 978 sq ft suite • 4 car spaces!

• 737 sq ft

• Only £11 per sq ft

• Only £8,500 pax • Flexible short lease

• New lease

CLEVEDON - OFFICES

PARK STREET – BRISTOL

• High spec modern offices of 1,159 sq ft

• Offices to let in fashionable location between Clifton City Centre

• For sale - £165 psf • To rent - £12.50 psf

• 1,450 to 3,115 sq ft • New flexible lease

ALL SAINTS LANE BS1

CLIFTON OFFICES TO LET

• Impressive period offices

• Attractive light and airy period offices to let

• Up to 2,096 sq ft

• Period offices to let

• Flexible smaller sizes • Flexible lease terms

• From c 600 sq ft to 3,183 sq ft • New flexible leases • Rent on application

Julian Cook FRICS

Jayne Rixon

Burston Cook November.indd 1

MRICS

Charlie Kershaw MRICS

Finola Ingham MRICS

Tom Coyte BA Hons

• Sales / Lettings • Acquisitions • Valuations • Landlord & tenant • Auction Sales

• Rent reviews • Property Management • Investment Sales / Purchase • Development & Planning • Dilapidations Advice

17/10/2016 16:21

INVESTMENTS & RETAIL

(0117) 934 9977 INVESTMENT – BRISTOL LET TO CO-OP

16 COTHAM HILL • Busy & prominent shop to rent

• Rent £38,000 pax

• Very busy student thoroughfare

• FRI lease to the Co-op • Price £425,000!

• New lease • Rent £16,500 pax FOR SALE – WEST HILL, PORSTISHEAD

HIGH STREET, SHIREHAMPTON

• Offices (1,750 sq ft) + one bed flat + car park

• Lock – up shop

• Suit redevelopment

• 576 sq ft

• Only £395,000 ONO

• New Lease

INVESTMENT FOR SALE

FOR SALE THE OLD CHURCH

• Prominent & busy pitch

• City centre bar / restaurant

• Spectacular property

• Fully let FRI lease

• Art studio / office

• Rent £28,119 pax

• 3,000 sq ft

• Price £325,000!!

• Price on application

HIGH STREET KINGSWOOD

17 THE TRIANGLE CLEVEDON

• Shop to let

• Retail opportunity

• Prominent retail pitch

• Prominent Town Centre location

• Shop / A2 office use

• Low rateable value

• £9,000 pax

• New lease

66 PARK STREET, BS1

FOR SALE – NORTH ROAD, BS6

• Prime shop unit

• Popular location on North Road • A2 offices plus retail unit • Freehold for sale • Residential development potential (STP)

• 1,941 sq ft sales • Excellent footfall • New lease

Julian Cook FRICS

Jayne Rixon

Burston Cook November.indd 2

MRICS

Charlie Kershaw MRICS

Finola Ingham MRICS

Tom Coyte BA Hons

• Sales / Lettings • Acquisitions • Valuations • Landlord & tenant • Auction Sales

• Rent reviews • Property Management • Investment Sales / Purchase • Development & Planning • Dilapidations Advice

17/10/2016 16:21

Andrews - Bristol - November.qxp_Layout 3 14/10/2016 15:20 Page 1

Clifton Clarendon Road, Redland, BS6 7EU ÂŁ350,000

Bishopston Arundel Road, BS7 8HA ÂŁ450,000

Bishopston

A beautifully presented, top floor apartment in the heart of Redland, with two double bedrooms. This apartment benefits from a fabulous view over Bristol, off street parking and is located within close proximity to Durdham Downs 0.8 mile, Whiteladies Road 0.7 mile and the city centre 1.2 mile. Energy Efficiency Rating: C

This beautiful detached three bedroom home built in 2013 has been finished to a high standard and is in the primary catchment for Bishop Road and Redland Green schools. The property comprises: Entrance hall, downstairs cloakroom, open plan kitchen / diner with integrated appliances, living room with wood burner and bi-fold doors leading to the garden which feels very private and has a side access gate, there are also solar panels on the rear roof. Energy Efficiency Rating: B

Andrews - Bristol - November.qxp_Layout 3 17/10/2016 16:31 Page 2

Westbury-on-Trym This five bedroom semi-detached corner plot house is located in a cul-de-sac. It has versatile accommodation Green Dell Close, which could offer itself to being a separate ground floor annex. Open plan hallway/reception room following through to the lounge, dining room with access the rear garden. Single garage. Energy Efficiency Rating: E BS10 7RG £445,000

Clifton Hampton Road, Redland, BS6 6HZ £230,000

A one double bedroom, second floor apartment set in this enviable position just a 0.3mile walk from Whiteladies Road, the BRI and St Michaels Hill. The property boasts a 14’7 by 13’4 open plan living area with modern integrated kitchen facilities. Energy Efficiency Rating: D

Westbury-on-Trym

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CITY | BUSINESS

THINKING PROPERTY

Live in

style

ROBIN ENGLEY, ASSOCIATE AT KNIGHT FRANK ESTATE AGENTS BRISTOL

A TOUCH OF GENIUS

A

utumn is here, which has brought with it a further positive run of sales for Knight Frank Bristol. Many of the new instructions that were mentioned in my last column have gone on to sell, leaving a number of disappointed buyers. As ever, the houses both in Clifton and the surrounding ‘town’ areas and indeed the country patch, continue to appeal hugely to buyers within the city, however there remains a growing number of buyers from the South East and London.

The latest edition of The Bristol Magazine highlights more new instructions coming to the market. Along with our rural report which can be found under our research pages on KnightFrank.com , Knight Frank has also launched a unique digital tool, myPropertyGenius.co.uk, which gives property owners a snapshot of the latest local area trends that are driving property values in their postcode - 24/7.

The tool is a first in the property market, bringing together a unique combination of data to provide detailed local area insight, including: • Property trends: property market data • Area trends: local area trends that may impact property values • Lifestyle trends: interesting facts informing you about the social side of your postcode The presence of craft breweries, premium supermarkets and loft extensions can all be indicators that property prices are on the up. But how is your area doing in terms of signs that it might be in the next house price hotspot? myPropertyGenius.co.uk can help you uncover the answers.

By entering your postcode and property details you can discover: • How much your property has increased in value over time • How quickly Knight Frank sells properties in your area • The likelihood of getting the kids into your first choice school • What people in your area are eating and talking about. ... And much, much more besides.

It’s all shareable too, so you can compare your area with friends and family on Twitter and Facebook.

I really hope that the Property Genius becomes of strong interest to those actively looking to purchase a property, whilst Knight Frank continues to look for new ways to give our buyers and sellers the best research material as well as showcasing a strong track record of selling Bristol’s prestigious properties.

With a festive Christmas period on the horizon, there is still plenty of time to market your home and capitalise on the shortage of stock that continues to plague the South West.

For any advice about the market and the price of your home please do not hesitate to contract myself, Freddie or James Toogood who will be happy to help. n Robin Engley, Knight Frank, Regent House, 27a Regent Street, Clifton Bristol. BS8 4HR Tel: 0117 317 1999

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his delightfully stylish two bedroom mews house forms part of Thorndale Mews, a quiet row located on a private road just off Alma Vale Road, Clifton, within a Conservation area. A short stroll to the bars and cafes of Clifton Village and Whiteladies Road, this property has been imaginatively refurbished by the current owners with exceptional attention to detail.

Upside down in accommodation, the front door and lobby area gives access to a master bedroom with built-in wardrobes and en-suite, second bedroom with built-in wardrobes, family bathroom and walkin utility/pantry. The light filled upper floor gives access to a bespoke Tom Howley kitchen with a central island, granite work surfaces and Gaggenau appliances. A south facing balcony through patio doors, and an open-plan sitting/dining room with solid oak parquet flooring complete this fantastic entertaining space. Viewing of this unique property comes highly recommended. EPC Rating D. Price £549,950 Property Concept.

21 Princess Victoria Street, Clifton, Bristol BS8 4BX Tel: 0117 970 6119. www.propertyconcept.co.uk

Stoke Bishop

Redland

Westbury Park

A natural four bedroom detached family home offering two receptions; both with fireplaces, kitchen breakfast room with dual aspect granite worktops and access to a 25m, south westerly facing garden. Loft conversion creating one loft room and one open plan gallery landing. Integral garage, private parking and a secluded outlook to rear.

EPC D.

A substantial, 1930s, three storey family home with five bedrooms, family bathroom and additional shower room. Spacious living room with stone fireplace, full width kitchen/diner to rear with Corian worktops and access to a 22m family garden. Extensive panoramic views from upper floor. Positioned within close proximity to Redland Green Secondary School.

EPC F.

A well-presented three bedroom semidetached family home with two receptions, additional dining area and a high-gloss finish kitchen with triple aspect. Westerly facing mature veranda and garden with double garage providing vehicle access to rear.

Positioned within close proximity to Henleaze Infant and Junior School and on the Westbury Park and Henleaze borders. EPC D.

Guide £800,000

Guide £750,000

Guide £625,000

Stoke Bishop

Westbury-on-Trym

Brentry

A detached, three storey, five bedroom family home with modern kitchen/breakfast room with quartz worktops and breakfast bar, two receptions and three bathrooms (two en-suites). Off street parking, integral garage and a 15m x 15m garden. In close proximity to Bristol Free School, Stoke Bishop Primary School and Elmlea Infant’s School. No onward chain. EPC E.

A substantial, detached family home with L-shaped kitchen diner with quality Quartz worktops and island with Neff appliances.

Four bedrooms, master with en-suite, family bathroom and additional snug/office area.

An ample 19m, rear, private, secluded garden, parking and integral garage. This property has been significantly updated with still some cosmetic details to finish. EPC C.

An extended, four bedroom, detached family home offering kitchen/diner with triple aspect and french doors to a 130ft garden, two reception rooms, additional office/study and two bathrooms (one en-suite). Ample parking for several vehicles within a secure gravelled driveway and integral garage. Conveniently located for the M4 and M5 motorway networks and Cribbs Causeway. EPC D.

Guide £800,000

CJ Hole November.indd 1

£675,000

Guide £500,000

14/10/2016 14:14

Clifton t: 0117 923 8238 (sales) t: 0117 946 6588 (lettings) clifton@cjhole.co.uk

www.cjhole.com The Telegraph reported last month that the over 55’s are sitting on £1.5 trillion of housing wealth. The Week reported that in a third of the UK house prices are typically ten times the average salary and that rent can consume up to 73% of a £37,000 salary. The BBC reported that there‘s a critical shortage of properties for people to rent.

The lack of property coming to market in North Bristol could well be explained by that phenomena of older families and landlords who bought in the 80’s and 90’s but have stayed put or are at least keeping their capital invested in bricks and mortar. There is no substantial new build in Clifton, Redland, Cotham or Sneyd

Park and as a result of this locked-down, limited supply, house prices and rents have largely escalated or (even during the crash) held firm. And they still are.

For first and second time buyers and renters searching for a home in this area, that’s a heartache but not insurmountable. Property does and will continue to come up; it’s just a question of being pragmatic and well prepared. Have your finances in order, know your agents well and hold your nerve.

Howard Davis M.N.A.E.A Managing Director - CJ Hole Clifton

REDLAND Guide Price £675,000 A charming Victorian built family house retaining much of its original character throughout. The generous accommodation includes: Entrance hall, two reception rooms, kitchen/breakfast room, utility/storage room, cloakroom, four bedrooms and family bathroom. Externally to the front of the house there is a small garden area and to the rear the garden enjoys most of the day’s sunshine and offers a good size lawn area, patio and a rich variety of shrubs & plants.

EPC D

CENTRAL £410,000 (Last Three Bedroom Apartment Remaining) This apartment is on the third floor with views over Castle Park, offering: Open plan living/dining/kitchen, three double bedrooms (two with en suite shower rooms) and a family bathroom. There is parking available by separate negotiation. The property is in the heart of the historic city and just a few minutes’ walk from Harvey Nichols, Cabot Circus and St Nicholas’ market and less than a mile from Bristol Temple Meads station.

EPC B

Download our dedicated iPhone App today

CJ Hole Clifton November.indd 1

Other offices also located at: Bishopston, Clifton, Hanham, Henleaze & Southville

14/10/2016 14:13

FAILAND Guide Price £650,000 A beautifully presented detached family house located in a quiet cul-de-sac. This lovely property offers fabulous living/entertaining space both inside and out. The property consists: Formal lounge with triple aspect windows, generous modern kitchen/diner with wide bi-folding doors on to a lovely patio area, separate dining room plus study room, four double bedrooms, en-suite plus a family bathroom. Integral double garage, driveway and a good size wraparound garden.

EPC D

STOKE BISHOP Guide Price £750,000 A detached 1930’s built family house situated in an attractive cul-de-sac location. The house requires some areas of modernising, however it offers a bright spacious interior, offering: Entrance hall, two receptions, kitchen/breakfast room, cloakroom, four bedrooms and family bathroom. A driveway leads to the front of the house opening to a wider parking area with two detached garages. The mature, well stocked gardens offer a rich variety of plants, shrubs and small trees.

EPC D

Download our dedicated iPhone App today

CJ Hole Clifton November.indd 2

Other offices also located at: Bishopston, Clifton, Hanham, Henleaze & Southville

14/10/2016 14:13

City Centre £475,000

Lime Kiln Road – Two bedroom Penthouse

Clifton Office 0117 946 6007

A luxurious and very spacious penthouse apartment forming part of a beautiful and historic Grade II listed building. The expansive living space is open plan creating a wonderfully bright environment helped by the stunning circular feature window which looks out over the floating harbour. Offered to the market with no chain. EPC - D

Henleaze £495,000

A beautifully presented maisonette set within a previously grandiose house. Excellent proportions accentuated by high period ceilings that you would expect to find in such a grand conversion. Located equidistant to the centre of Westbury-onTrym, Henleaze high street and the ‘Durdham Downs’. EPC - F

n ew io N uct r st

In

Westbury-on-Trym Office 0117 962 1973

Grange Court Road – 3 bedroom maisonette

oceanhome.co.uk

Ocean November.indd 1

14/10/2016 14:16

Clifton £335,000

Sunderland Place – Two bedroom flat A modern first floor apartment in excellent condition throughout and located on a quiet back road in Clifton. This property is homely and well laid out with a large open plan living space leading to a private balcony. This property benefits from a security entry phone system and private garage. A perfect first home or investment. EPC - D

Westbury-on-Trym £400,000

Westover Road – 3 bedroom house Anchored in a prime position for schooling and the local village shops, Westover Road is a tranquil crescent, a quiet oasis away from the hustle and bustle of village life and from traffic; perfect for active families. Internally the sense of space and light is abundant throughout. EPC - TBC

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Property Concept November.qxp_Layout 5 14/10/2016 15:23 Page 1

MANAGEMENT • SALES • LETTING • CONSULTANCY

Clifton £549,950

Clifton £450,000

This delightfully stylish two bedroom mews house forms part of Thorndale Mews, a quiet row located on a private road just off Alma Vale Road, Clifton, within a Conservation area. A short stroll to the bars and cafes of Clifton Village and Whiteladies Road, this property has been imaginatively refurbished by the current owners with exceptional attention to detail. Upside down in accommodation, the front door and lobby area gives access to a master bedroom with built-in wardrobes and en-suite, second bedroom with built-in wardrobes, family bathroom and walk-in utility/pantry. The light filled upper floor gives access to a bespoke Tom Howley kitchen with a central island, granite work surfaces and Gaggenau appliances. A south facing balcony through patio doors, and an open-plan sitting/dining room with solid oak parquet flooring complete this fantastic entertaining space. EPC Rating D

This is a very stylish light & airy garden flat within a Grade II* listed building with a private entrance and delightful courtyard gardens to both front and rear. The flat retains some interesting period features throughout which the owners have cleverly enhanced. Cornwallis Crescent is a most attractive period terrace which enjoys a real sense of community centering around its superb mature south facing private communal gardens with this flat having direct access to them. There are ample storage areas throughout the flat both internally and externally with one of the vaults being fully tanked and now used as a work from home office. The spacious reception room has two large windows with window seats and a dining area leading to the contemporary well fitted kitchen. There are two double bedrooms, generous hallway and contemporary bathroom along with front storage vaults.

Council Tax Band C.

Bishopston £239,500

Failand £295,000

Situated in the Gloucester Cricket Ground development this stunning third floor flat really has the “wow” factor with cricket pitch views from both the kitchen/sitting room and also the bedroom. The well-proportioned, light and airy accommodation incorporates an open plan kitchen/living space with the added benefit of a balcony, double bedroom, with fitted wardrobes and contemporary bathroom. There is also lift access to all floors. This purpose built apartment was built to a high specification and is in an ideal location for easy access to both the City Centre and vibrant Gloucester Road, with its wide array of independent shops, cafes and restaurants. This property is being sold with no onward chain and would make an ideal first home/investment purchase. A full rental history is available. EPC rating: B.

This delightful Victorian mid-terrace cottage is a short drive from Brunel's Suspension Bridge and Clifton, with its mix of boutiques, coffee shops and restaurants. Failand has excellent transport links to the city, and is surrounded by the most beautiful walks including, Ashton Woods and the beautiful Tyntesfield Estate. The area also boasts golf courses, and easy access to local schools, including Flax Bourton, Wraxall Junior, Backwell, Gordano and Nailsea. The approach to the property is via a pretty front garden, a cottage style front door leads into a charming sitting/dining room with wood burning stove and French doors to the enclosed rear garden. The modern kitchen is situated to the rear, with two good sized double bedrooms, and a bathroom on the first floor. This property benefits from a boarded loft room with two sky lights and lovely far reaching views. With its easy access, this would be ideal for an office or child's bedroom. This is a freehold property with private off street parking. Council Tax Band C.

21 Princess Victoria Street

Tel 0117 970 6119

enquiries@propertyconcept.co.uk

Clifton, Bristol BS8 4BX

Fax 0117 970 6109

www.propertyconcept.co.uk

Cliftons Nov.qxp_Layout 1 14/10/2016 12:05 Page 1

Fine & Country November.qxp_Layout 1 14/10/2016 14:14 Page 1

Redland | Bristol

Guide Price ÂŁ1,150,000

A beautiful Grade II listed family home arranged over 3 floors in the heart of Redland. The property comprises: open sitting room/kitchen, cinema room, play room, master bedroom suite, 4 further bedrooms, 2 bathrooms plus en-suite, a private rear garden with rare tropical trees. There is also the potential for a self-contained apartment; all within a mile of Whiteladies Road. EPC Rating: Exempt

Fine & Country November.qxp_Layout 1 14/10/2016 14:15 Page 2

Clifton | Bristol

Guide Price ÂŁ1,350,000

A rare opportunity to acquire a substantial semi-detached period family home, situated on a sought after road with an expanse of internal accommodation arranged over three floors, along with private, fully enclosed gardens. The property comprises: 3 receptions rooms, family kitchen, 5 first floor double bedrooms, family bath and separate shower room, superb second floor suite, 2 further double bedrooms, kitchenette and shower room. There is the added benefit of useful cellars. EPC Rating: E

Richard Harding November.qxp_Layout 6 17/10/2016 13:11 Page 1

Richard Harding Chartered Surveyors • Estate Agents • Auctioneers • Valuers

CLIFTON guide £1,250,000

An exquisite and stylishly renovated 4 bedroom (all with en suite) grade II listed townhouse situated in the heart of Clifton Village, yet enjoying the rare benefit of gated off street parking for 2 cars and a sunny level garden. Prime Clifton location on Clifton Down Road quite literally within a stone’s throw of the shops, restaurants and boutique shopping of Clifton Village, also close by Durdham Downs, the Suspension Bridge and Victoria Square.

CLIFTON guide £1,000,000

Enjoying an elevated position with sweeping panoramic skyline vistas across the city plus views of the Downs to the front; a most appealing and well-presented, 5 double bedroom bay fronted Victorian period family townhouse with gardens and balcony. Excellent location; fronts the wide open spaces of the Downs - a marvellous playground and amenity, handy for Whiteladies Road/Blackboy Hill shops, near St Johns Primary School and Clifton College with Clifton High School and Clifton Village only a little further afield; easy access to the city centre/business/shopping/commercial districts, the waterfront, university and Park Street environs and main hospitals.

Professional, Reliable, Successful

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

Richard Harding November.qxp_Layout 6 17/10/2016 13:10 Page 2

Richard Harding Chartered Surveyors • Estate Agents • Auctioneers • Valuers

SOLD

SOLD

WANTED

SOLD

REDLAND, Lower Redland Road

CLIFTON, St John’s Road

REDLAND, Warwick Road

guide: £1,250,000

guide £1,250,000

guide £1,450,000

SOLD

SOLD

Thinking of selling your home?

CLIFTON, Anglesea Place guide £895,000

SOLD

These recent, successful sales in your area have generated a pool of buyers who are still looking, are well known to us and are keen to secure a similar property. Your home could be just what they are looking for.

If you are concerned that the current shortage of property will make it difficult for you to find your next home we have the experience and know-how to help solve that problem.

COTHAM, Elmgrove Road guide: £1,250,000

SOLD

Please call us on 0117 9466690 and speak to one of the partners.

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

REDLAND, Woodstock Avenue guide £895,000

SOLD

SOLD

SNEYD PARK, Knoll Hill guide: £1,095,000

SOLD

CLIFTON, Canynge Square

HARBOURSIDE, Pooles Wharf Court

REDLAND, Greenway Road

guide £795,000

guide: £750,000

guide: £925,000

Professional, Reliable, Successful

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

Abbots Leigh - Guide Price £825,000

Redland - Guide Price £825,000

Individual detached 5 double bedroom family house set in an idyllic semi rural location with elevated countryside views in desirable Abbots Leigh. The house was built in 1983 and was discreetly tucked into the hillside. The accommodation is both flexible and spacious in its layout with plenty of space for growing families. EPC - D

A lovely 4 bedroom semi-detached Victorian family home in central Redland offering adaptable accommodation with potential to tailor to the new owners personal preferences. The house retains a great deal of its period charm but has also been sympathetically upgraded by the current owners over the past thirty years of their ownership. EPC - TBC

Frenchay - Guide Price £675,000

City Centre - £450,000

A unique and very private detached house enjoying a tucked away position just off historic Frenchay common. Offering flexible accommodation with possibility to create an annexe this is a superb family home. Dating back to the 1850’s and originally an outbuilding to the neighbouring Georgian mansion Riverwood House. EPC - E

An attractively and sympathetically refurbished two double bedroom late seventeenth century Grade II listed townhouse with private courtyard style rear garden situated in a historic and convenient position just off Bristol City Centre.

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Clifton - £450,000

Cotham - SSTC

A beautifully presented ground and lower ground floor two bedroom, two bathroom maisonette with private rear garden and allocated parking space set in a highly desirable central Clifton location. The flat is offered for sale with no onward chain. EPC - D

15 viewings – 6 Offers. Sale agreed within one week. Similar properties required, call for a free market appraisal.

A smartly presented double glazed two double bedroom top floor flat. EPC - D

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Stoke Bishop - Guide Price £745,000

Westbury-on-Trym - £670,000

We are pleased to offer this delightful 1960s built 4 bedroom detached house located in the much sought after location of Stoke Bishop. This property has so much to offer to a number of different buyers whether for the growing family or the downsizer. EPC - D

We are delighted to offer this impressive 1930’s 6 bedroom semi-detached family home arranged over three floors. This wonderful property of circa. 2000 sq. ft. has been in the same family for over 50 years. Viewing of this fine home is highly recommended and so an early viewing is advised. EPC - F

Westbury-on-Trym - Guide Price £615,000

Stoke Bishop - Guide Price £399,950

This is an attractive 4 bedroom semi-detached house situated on a highly desirable side road with a circa. 70 foot long level rear garden. Built in the early 1950’s to a traditional style, the house retains a number of original features including parquet flooring and still has plenty of further scope including potential to significantly extend on the ground floor. EPC - E

We are delighted to offer this secure architect designed detached bungalow accentuating modern urban living. This home will prove to attract those with the appreciation of having a maintenance free property with the considered benefit of being able to live on one level, yet still having the fortunate position of living in one of Bristol’s premier roads. EPC - C

Westbury-on-Trym - Guide Price £270,000

Westbury-on-Trym - Guide Price £269,950

A charming 2 bedroom period ‘chocolate box cottage’ set on an historic road in the heart of Westbury-on-Trym village in this unique conservation area. The cottage sits in the centre of a terrace of three. We believe it will suit many different types of buyers from either young professionals through to the more mature person. EPC - D

We are delighted to offer to the market this recently refurbished and beautifully appointed 2 bedroom ground floor flat. It has the rare benefit of giving direct access to the large communal garden via French doors off the living area. EPC - D

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