MEMORY LANE

A flick through Memory Lane

To celebrate our milestone issue, we picked a few favourite covers corresponding with landmark city highlights and happenings, spanning 2004 to today, and chatted to a few of the locals about how Bristol has changed

Choosing a front cover isn’t as simple as you might imagine; there are always copious considerations. It can be a chaotic, yet joyful kind of affair, largely due to Bristol being apt to throw a curveball to keep us on our toes –suddenly announcing, dangerously close to press day, something super cool, cutting-edge and completely outside the box that we simply cannot ignore.

There are just so many cooking pots of creativity and innovation constantly bubbling away in the background; one minute Michelinstar chefs are doing breakfast in bed in a bed store in Bedminster; the next a dinner table is dangling 100ft from a crane above the Harbourside; then all of Gloucester Road happens to be in a hip hop chip shop, having it large. (Bring back those quirky little events!)

We get everything from scientists and artists coming together to build a house suitable for life on Mars (due to pop up beside M Shed next year); to hot air balloon orchestra happenings in the sky, an abandoned fishing boat flotilla in Leigh Woods or a gert waterslide appearing on Park Street (here’s looking at you, Luke Jerram).

And these are examples of show-stopping projects that didn’t make the cover: that’s how much amazing stuff is happening in Bristol all the time. It’s a first-world problem, needless to say; we’re ridiculously fortunate to live in a place stationed among fast-flowing streams of talent, making for non-stop cracking content. It’s an impossible ask to call to mind the last time we were stuck for a story.

Thank you to our eyes and ears

As well as our own team on the ground, werely on a host of informants –from enthusiastic residents to wonderful businesses and their comms teams –to tell us about what’s going down in various corners of this sprawling city. Here we’ve solicited some reflections on and memories of the past couple of decades –how the city has changed since the mag started in ’04 –from a few eminent locals.

Darryl Bullock, author: The Bristol Magazine was first published in the same year that I moved to the city, and over the last 17 years there have been massive changes with the magazine, my life and the city itself. My motivation for moving to Bristol was two-fold: I was in a new relationship and I was also writing for several local publications, including Venue and The Spark; The Bristol Magazine has managed to outlive all of them.

The city has changed hugely as 17 years ago there was no Cabot Circus, no Bristol Mayor, no Bristol Pound; since 2004 we have seen major green initiatives, a reinvention of Bristol as one of the UK’s top food destinations, the establishment of the city as a major hub for film, television and digital, and last year the world looked to us as the city’s intransigent burghers were finally forced to accept that kowtowing to a shameful past was no longer acceptable. I have seen other cities marvel at our green initiatives, and our measures to improve the local economy. Bristol has always struck me as a people’s city, and it is the people who are prepared to stick their neck out and run the risk of ridicule that make the changes. These things have not always worked, but at least we tried.

The Bristol Magazine cover that sticks in my mind is a Jenny Urquhart from 2013, marking that year’s Balloon Fiesta: that had a huge impact on me and when I put out The Green Guide to Bristol and Bath I used illustrations by Jenny for the covers. ➲

Image : Paul Box

Image : Luke Jerram At the Leigh Woods flotilla in 2015, artist Luke Jerram –who has set up the Dreamtime fellowship to support Bristol creatives at the start of their career

Filmmaker Michael Jenkins feels the city has become more welcoming and accessible

The Park Street waterslide: what a marvellously mad city moment

Grace Jones going for it on the Downs Macy Gray at Bristol Jazz and Blues Festival

The Downs Bristol 2019 went heavy on international female acts, with Lauryn Hill and Grace Jones joining Loyle Carner and Bristol’s Idles. We dug out our fave Grace moments –from the outrageous to... the Russell Harty interview. Emma Payne interviewed the soul singer for the February 2017 issue, on the release of her Stripped album and before she headlined the city’s jazz and blues festival which focused on Bristol’s impressive history in both genres.

Looking past the poster girl Showing the love for Lando

Rainmaker Gallery’s celebration of Native American women, on the 400th anniversary of the death of Pocahontas, aimed to release her from the symbolic duty of standing for all Native American women. It illustrated their strength and diversity through the work of contemporary Indigenous North American artists from the USA and Canada. In autumn last year we spoke with the West Country speed demon, who’d been busy making the Grand Prix top 10 and bagging podium finishes. Bristol-born boy wonder Lando Norris, Formula One’s youngest ever British driver, talked about broadening the sport’s fanbase, Twitch fame and recognising true team efforts at McLaren.

Street art gets sumptuous

Back in 2017 we all got very excited for Upfest as per, paying homage to the luxurious, distinctive and distinguished brand of graffiti created over the years by one of Bristol’s best street artists, Jody. This cover showed off his unique aesthetic.

Sporting greats making a splash in the city

February 2020 focused on brilliant Bristol synchronised swimming duo Kate Shortman and Isabelle Thorpe, who had just performed their World Championship routine in a pool full of plastic in order to help highlight the marine pollution problem. We spoke to them as they trained for the Olympic Games in Tokyo (they have now officially qualified!)

A little bit of Hollywood in Whitchurch

Remember when Sky Atlantic’s not-youraverage Nordic noir Fortitude came to Bristol to film at The Bottle Yard Studios, bringing movie star Dennis Quaid and Game of Thrones’ Richard Dormer for extra icy thrills?

A spaceman came... to Bristol

Morph gets everywhere –even our July 2009 cover

Conservation kudos: Bristol Zoo at 175

The Bristol Mag x Harvey Nichols at The Ethicurean: SS17 fashion shoot

Things got cosmic when Canadian astronaut Colonel Chris Hadfield hit the Hippodrome to speak about how he got from the corn farm where he grew up in Ontario to his world-famous exploits in space. He talked to us about physical and emotional effects of space travel and his 2013 viral cover of David Bowie’s Space Oddity.

TV’s Andy Clarke has seen the food community come together like never before

Dagmar Smeed, marketer: I started working for the SS Great Britain Trust in January 2004. It seems a lifetime ago, before the ship was transformed by its glass ‘sea’, Bristol Beacon was upcycled with a magnificent copper foyer, and Cabot had its Circus. The city is more confident, a recipient of multiple awards, and lauded internationally for its creativity and independence. Hard to believe that, back then, many regarded Bristol as Bath’s bigger, ugly sister. In many respects change has been transformative, but as a city we know we must address deep-rooted and increasing inequalities. It is up to us all within the sector to be authentic and relevant to Bristol in its entirety –not just a few select postcodes –and seek to provide a platform for more diverse talent.

Those in tourism and the arts are so much more supportive of each other. There is a generosity of spirit, plus imaginative partnerships and collaborations. Our city is blessed with talented creatives and it’s great to see what can be achieved –special mention goes to Watershed and its work with young people through Rife and the Pervasive Media Studio and the teams at Ujima and BCfm, who volunteer at the radio stations and are behind many other artistic and community groups. My favourite mag covers are from July 2005 and 2011, featuring respectively the ‘relaunched’ SS Great Britain and Bristol Zoo Gardens’ ‘Wow! Gorillas’.

Michael Jenkins, filmmaker: For me, Bristol feels a lot more accessible. For a long time, certain areas you wouldn’t venture to but I feel like the city has opened up and is more welcoming –especially somewhere like the harbourside. The film and TV sector I’m in has really grown. There are over 150 production companies in the city which means there should be ample opportunities to pursue a career in film or TV. The coverage of the BLM marches in Bristol that happened last year was really good. I think with the rise of fake news, it is vital for local news and information to be disseminated by trusted sources. I feel having a space like The Bristol Magazine will always be relevant.

Luke Jerram, artist: Since 2004 Bristol has become far more popular as a tourist destination. The docks have really become an amazing place to visit. Wapping Wharf has been transformed and become great for food and drink. Bristol seems to have finally, collectively, woken up to its history as a city built from money made through the slave trade. It’s great to see the names of streets, schools and music halls changing to reflect this.

In the Bristol art world, since 2004 it feels like we’ve taken a step backwards in some ways. The effect of central government cuts to the local budgets has

Gardening writer Elly West has been glad to see Bristol leading the way with eco-friendly initiatives in recent years

Why do we need local magazines?

• Having magazines at a time like this is important. There’s a real pleasure to holding a physical magazine and reading off paper, compared to spending more time staring our computer screens –Luke Jerram

• A city, especially one like Bristol, has its own cultural identity that’s often underrepresented by local newspapers – which concentrate on bad news – or national magazines that are invariably London-centric or stuck with a theme. City magazines are incredibly important; they can showcase local good news and initiatives in a way that simply is not done elsewhere –Darryl W. Bullock

• I’m always so pleased to see print publications fight on. The endlessness of the internet’s information is causing major issues with people’s ability to focus and I hope they start to realise the value of curated offline content in large enough numbers for these publications to keep surviving –Penfriend

• The magazine has become a key voice for shared social, economic and cultural aspirations. It is relevant to emerging causes and new art forms and sheds light on individuals shaping the city and the world in the unique Bristol way. I’ve learnt more about friends like Aisha Thomas, Daniel Edmund; much-admired public figures David Olusoga and Peaches Golding. My favourite draw is being introduced to unfamiliar individuals that I am enriched to learn about. Being true to the ‘all’, showcasing everincreasing brilliance and innovation, has become the magazine’s hallmark – Ade Williams

• A city magazine not only provides Bristolians food for thought on local issues they may not have been aware of, but acts as a tour guide for people coming to the city who don’t know any more about its history other than the slave trade and Banksy. A magazine connects people, inspires and provides a balanced look at life in our region. More than ever, we need a way to celebrate our community and discover our area –Andy Clarke

• A well-designed read providing a guide to life in Bristol... what’s not to like? Different voices, covering everything from that must-have bangle, to events and scrummy recipes. For me, a good magazine in 2021 should reflect the city’s DNA, champion the environment and not be afraid to ask a few probing questions! –Dagmar Smeed

caused some arts organisations to close. There is less money available to do large and ambitious projects here. I still try to make things happen in Bristol, but often I’m subsidising these events with funding from my internationally touring works. (I’m looking forward to the Museum of the Moon coming to Bristol Cathedral this summer!)

There is still a drive of new energy coming from younger artists setting up their studios. I’m keen to support artists at the beginning of their career and have set up the Dreamtime fellowship at Spike Island, which is currently seeking applications...

Elly West, gardening journalist:

This is my fifth year of writing for the magazine and during that time (particularly over the last 18 months) we Bristolians have been enjoying our outdoor spaces more and more. When the magazine launched it would all have been about painted blue fences and softwood decking, influenced by TV programmes such as Ground Force. Now we have moved towards more wildlife-friendly gardening using native plants, meadow turf, a more naturalistic look –and Bristol has been leading the way with eco-friendly initiatives including Feed Bristol and Incredible Edible. Over the last few years I’ve spoken to RHS Gold Medal winners, prize growers, craftspeople, amateur gardeners and those running community projects, all kind enough to provide words for my monthly gardening column, and it’s clear, we love our green spaces –I can’t see that changing over the next 200 issues!

Ade Williams, pharmacist: Since arriving in Bristol, I have witnessed the emergence of a more confident, socially

Darryl W. Bullock has seen cities marvel at our initiatives conscious, vibrant city. There have been cataclysmic events that have served as a lightning rod. In confronting issues –with schisms emerging –being a Bristolian is to be proud of our voice and work in the world today, despite the parts of our proud history that are saddened with unwelcome legacies. We now must face up to our past and current realities in full view of the world.

Ours is a city in flux; so much energy is being expended to create a dynamic, prosperous new identity. We may come at things from different perspectives, but Bristol will only be the place we desire when all our fellow citizens are also proud to call it their home. Bristol has a proud healthcare heritage, and our local NHS is at the core of the identity and character of the city. Even as we grapple with the challenges of inequalities, clinicians know that our world-leading local healthcare still seems inaccessible to many communities. Awakened now to championing lasting change, we invest relentless resolve and dedication daily. An NHS that cares for all of Bristol to the best of its ability is being birthed.

Andy Clarke, TV producer: In 2004 I was living in London; I came back to Bristol for the occasional weekend to see friends and family. I moved away from my hometown Thornbury in 1995, at 18, so I didn’t know much about the social scene. Bristol was somewhere we went for the occasional family-friendly restaurant with the folks or to find a bar to do shots with school friends. When I decided with my husband to move back here in 2015, one of the main draws was the unique, flourishing independent hospitality scene –the choice of bars and restaurants off the scale! Despite lockdown setbacks, we’ve seen the food and drink community come together like never before and I’m so proud to be able to support the industry in my city. My favourite moment in the history of The Bristol Magazine has to be the summer 2020 issue with the hearts drawn out in Queen Square [pictured, right]. If ever there was a moment where I was smiling but had a tear in my eye, it was when I saw this cover. It symbolised hope for the future and the re-emergence of Bristol as a supportive community while coming out of one of the darkest periods in living memory. ■

‘Wow! Gorillas’ at Bristol Zoo

Seeing limb difference as a superpower

Speaker, TV presenter and model Tilly Lockey and her Bristol-designed Open Bionics Hero Arm –the world’s most affordable multi-grip bionic arm –celebrating limb difference as a super power.

Issue one: The Bristol Magazine launches

Hello, old friend! The first issue back in ’04. Flick to p22 for more memories of the early days; p14 for nostalgic Noughties stuff.

Bristol pulls together

We’re still a little too close to this one to avoid welling up when we think about it... Summer 2020 was about staying positive and supporting each other through the new ground of the pandemic, applauding the way city was geeing itself up.

Crystal Maze reboot at The Bottle Yard

A purpose-built 30,000 sq ft maze, complete with futuristic and Aztec zones, was built at The Bottle Yard, for Richard Ayoade and his contestants.