The Bristol Magazine December 2015

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THE

Issue 138

I

DeCeMBeR 2015

MAGAZINE

WWW.THEBRISTOLMAG.CO.UK

£3.95 where sold

WE MEET THE MAKERS

SANTA SPEAKS: WE MEET THE MAN OF THE MOMENT

ONCE BITTEN: FEEDING THE LIONS AT BRISTOL ZOO

91 WAYS: VARIETY IS THE SPICE OF LIFE

HE’S BEHIND YOU: WARWICK DAVIS FACES THE MUSIC

IT’S BRISTMAS! THE BEST FESTIVE MARKETS

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THE | CONTENTS

DECEMBER 2015

76 34

24 52

22 16 ZEITGEIST

48 ARTS & EXHIBITIONS

5 things to do this month in Bristol

18 THE CITYIST

Winter exhibitions across Bristol

52 FOOD FOR THOUGHT

My Bristol, book review and the buzz

20 BARTLEBY

Feasting and fasting in other cultures

60 FOOD & DRINK NEWS

A night on the tiles

Festive nibbles from around town

22 BRISTOL AT WORK

64 DO YOUR BIT

Say ho-ho-hello to Santa

Can you spare some time to volunteer?

24 FACE THE MUSIC

72 BRISTOL UPDATES

Warwick Davis picks his top tunes

News and views from across the city

30 BRISTOL GEMS

74 WRITTEN IN THE STARS

Meet our city’s talented jewellers

Pioneering British astronaut Tim Peake

34 MERRY BRISTMAS WIN

Beautiful prints from local artists

40 WHAT’S ON 46 THE MAGIC HOUR Unseen Bristol

Explore our industrial past

102 WILD PLACE A sneak peak in The Lodge

106 GARDENING What to do with your Christmas tree

108 PROPERTY PROFILE Good things come in small packages

110 CITY PROPERTIES Beautiful homes to buy or rent

78 FAMILY FUN Christmas crackers for the kiddies

Get creative with your little ones

84 EDUCATION NEWS What our schools are up to

Even more great content online: thebristolmag.co.uk

|

100 OUT AND ABOUT

Feeding the lions at Bristol Zoo

81 FREELANCE MUM

It’s a jam-packed month

6 THE BRISTOL MAGAZINE

Get ready for the party season

76 JENNY DARES

Our pick of top Christmas markets

38 COMPETITION

90 FIT & FAB

DECEMBER 2015

Follow us on Twitter @thebristolmag

ON THE COVER

Samantha Coleman meets five of the city’s top jewellery designers on page 30

Like us on Facebook.com/ TheBristolMagazine

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Knight Frank December.qxp_full page 20/11/2015 14:51 Page 1

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Clapton In Gordano Guide Price £1,250,000

0117 295 0425 KnightFrank.co.uk/Bristol

Knight Frank December.qxp_full page 24/11/2015 09:11 Page 3

CHRISTMAS IS A TIME FOR PLANNING Over the festive break, hundreds of people will be contemplating their next move.

Contact us today for a fee market appraisal to make sure your property is waiting for them in the New Year.

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THE | EDITOR

EDITORS PICKS THEATRE The Light Princess at Tobacco Factory Theatres A princess with no gravity? It’s a novel idea and I can’t wait to see how TFTs weave a magical story around it. Until Sun 10 Jan

ALBUM The Uninhabited World

by Jemima Surrender So excited to get my hands on a copy of the first album from this brilliant Bristol band www.jemimasurrender.com

BOOK The Lion, Unicorn & Me

by Jeanette Winterson Who wouldn’t love to hear the story of the Nativity from the donkey’s point of view? Warm, funny, and beautiful

from the

EDITOR WISHLIST

“Christmas isn’t a season.

It’s a state of mind” – Dr Seuss

T

he eagle-eyed among you may have spotted someone stealing the limelight in my editor’s picture this month, so let me take this opportunity to introduce the newest member of the team here at TBM – Lily the little Labrador cross. Now readers, I do know that a dog isn’t just for Christmas, so let me assure you that although Lily’s making her first appearance in our December issue, I went through a long and careful search process to make sure that she was right for me, and I for her. You see Lily is a rescue dog, who I adopted in early November. She hasn’t had the best start in life so needs a lot of love, care and compassion – and I was certain that I could offer her all three. In bucket loads.

Her arrival is certainly timely, though, given that our Christmas issue is crammed full of heartwarming ways in which you can embrace and celebrate these three excellent human traits. For I believe that love, care and compassion – just like the cuddly little canine that inspired them in me – aren’t just for Christmas. They should be nurtured in our lives all year round.

So what better way to give a something back to the world than to undertake a spot of volunteering? Whether you are looking to just help out over the festive period, or perhaps get involved with a project long term, there are plenty of opportunities to suit a variety of aims and interests, as Hannah Stuart-Leach discovers on p. 64. Or perhaps, after a long week at work, all you really yearn for is time to unwind with friends over a glass of wine and some tasty food?

Well good news – that’s also a great way to welcome people into your life, as members of local charity 91 Ways showed me on p. 52.

But if you simply can’t see beyond the dreaded Christmas shopping list this month, why not turn straight to Sam’s festive features? Starting with a showcase of the city’s top jewellers on p. 30, and moving on to a round up of the best Christmas markets on p. 34, they offer plenty of food for thought when it comes to finding unique and thoughtful gift ideas.

And, as always, there’s a zillion other brilliant features jam-packed inside the magazine. So I’ll bid you farewell, and wish you a very merry Christmas from all of us here at TBM!

JENNY HAYES EDITOR

@thebristolmag

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DECEMBER 2015

www.thebristolmag.co.uk

It’s a bit of a tradition in our family to get dressed up on Christmas Day – after all, it’s a special occasion! This year, I’ve got my eye on a gorgeous little black number, teamed with a colour pop clutch, both from local boutique Sweet Pea, www.sweetpeafashion.co.uk

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THE

B R I S TOL MAGAZINE Follow us on Twitter @thebristolmag Co-Editor Tel: Email:

Jenny Hayes 0117 974 2800 jenny@thebristolmagazine.co.uk

Co-Editor Tel: Email:

Sam Coleman 0117 974 2800 sam@thebristolmagazine.co.uk

Web Editor Email:

Demelza Durston demelza@thebristolmagazine.co.uk

Publisher Email:

Steve Miklos steve@thebristolmagazine.co.uk

Production Manager Email:

Jeff Osborne production@thebristolmagazine.co.uk

Advertising Sales

Kathy Williams Sue Parker Liz Grey

For advertising enquiries please contact us on: 0117 974 2800 Email: sales@thebristolmagazine.co.uk Financial Director Email:

Jane Miklos jane@thebristolmagazine.co.uk

The Bristol Magazine is published by MC Publishing Ltd. An independent publisher.

The Bristol Magazine is distributed free every month to more than 20,000 homes and businesses throughout the city. We also have special distribution units in the following stores and many coffee shops, hotels and convenient pick-up points.

THE

BRIST OL MAGAZINE Bristol and Exeter House, Lower Approach, Temple Meads, Bristol BS1 6QS Telephone: 0117 974 2800 www.thebristolmagazine.co.uk Š MC Publishing Ltd 2015 Disclaimer: Whilst every reasonable care is taken with all material submitted to The Bristol Magazine, the publisher cannot accept responsibility for loss or damage to such material. Opinions expressed in articles are strictly those of the authors. This publication is copyright and may not be reproduced in any form either in part or whole without written permission from the publishers.

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ZEITGEIST

The top

5

things to do in DECEMBER

FAMILY FAVOURITE

EAT, DRINK AND BE MERRY Yurt Lush and the outside space at Temple Quay will be transformed into an alternative festive retreat from 14 – 20 December, when Eat Drink Bristol Fashion & The Cider Box create a pop-up village of Christmas crafts, carols and delicious hot toddies. Called A Winter’s Tale, it promises to be the ultimate Christmas market with roasted chestnuts, a holy cheese mountain, a vintage and craft fair and of course hot spiced cider, made using traditional Somerset cider with spices from the East. Head down for a festive post-work drink, take part in a holly wreath making workshop or grab your mates for a seasonal drink and dance. The whole week will feature soul warming acoustic music, craft classes, workshops and storytelling sessions. The market will also feature real British Christmas trees for sale. For more information visit www.eatdrinkbristolfashion.co.uk

Christmas just wouldn’t be Christmas without a visit to the Bristol Old Vic to see its hotly anticipated festive production. Continuing its tradition of presenting the most imaginative, entertaining and festive musical theatre at Christmas, Bristol Old Vic is reuniting the creative minds behind past favourites Peter Pan (2012) and Treasure Island (2011). Sally Cookson and her team’s theatrical chemistry present Sleeping Beauty – brought bang up to date with a new spellbinding story and role-reversal. The outcome is a hilarious adventure of magic and mayhem that you won't want to miss. Book tickets at the box office on tel: 0117 987 7877 or visit: www.bristololdvic.org.uk

The Snow Maiden

BOOK NOW The Russian State Ballet of Siberia returns in 2016 for a nationwide tour, stopping at the Bristol Hippodrome on 5,6 & 7 January with performances of Swan Lake, The Nutcracker and a premiere of its new production – The Snow Maiden. Under the artistic directorship of Sergei Bobrov, the dancers will delight audiences with their breath-taking physical ability and dazzling costumes as each storyline unfolds to the live accompaniment of the Russian State Ballet Orchestra of Siberia.

To more information and to book tickets, visit: www.atgtickets.com

BRANCH OUT See more than 100 individually decorated Christmas trees on display at St Mary Redcliffe Church from 8 – 13 December as part of Treefest, a celebration of Bristol’s diversity and creativity. It showcases trees – from the traditional to the quirky – from businesses, schools, community groups and charitable organisations from across the city and aims to raise money for three Bristol charities: Bristol Underprivileged Children’s Charity, the Arc Café and St Mary Redcliffe Church to support its outreach programme. Treefest is open between 10am and 5pm.

BRACE YOUR ELF Festive cheer has spread across the streets of Bedminster as a troupe of 100 wooden elves (designed and decorated by local schoolchildren and artists) have mischievously hidden in windows, trees and around the streets for all to find. Each elf will have its own secret location within Bedminster and Southville and several of the most photogenic elves will be waiting with a sElfie stick, ready to capture magical Christmas memories. There will also be interactive areas, featuring voice activated experiences, different lighting effects and falling snow. To help you along your way, there’s a Bedminster Winter Map, available from shops, cafes, venues and the tourist information office. For more information visit www.bedminster.org.uk.

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ist

THE CITY THE BUZZ

My BRISTOL We ask Dan Tyndall, vicar of St Mary Redcliffe, what he’s doing this month...

Get your skates on...

And enjoy a slide round At-Bristol’s gorgeous outdoor rink. There’s somethiing magical about skating in the shadow of the shiny Planetarium, no matter what your age, and with the music pumping and lights sparkling the atmosphere is great. If you get a little chilly, why not hop off to enjoy a hot chocolate or mulled wine? You can even do a little Christmas shopping afterwards as the Harbourside Christmas Market is right next door, open every weekend and featuring the city’s best artists, designer-makers, producers, collectors and creators. Tickets for a session at the ice-rink are £8.50 for adults, £7.50 for concessions and £6.50 for children. To book, tel: 0117 915 1000 or visit: www.at-bristol.org.uk

Festive Insight See the city from a new perspective this Christmas, aboard a Bristol Insight seasonal tour.

The Twilight and Illuminations tour takes place at night, so you can enjoy the festive lights twinkling on Bristol’s famous landmarks. And don’t worry, you won’t catch a chill as you’ll be tucked up with a cosy blanket, hot drink and a mince pie. Or, if you’re looking for something different to do for your Christmas work ‘do’, why not consider the wining and dining tour atop a beautiful vintage bus? Whichever you opt for, you’re sure to get a fresh and enlightening perspective on the sights and sounds of Bristol.

Twilight and Illuminations tour: £12 adults, £6 children. Christmas parties tour, £40 pp. For details, visit: www.citysightseeingbristol.co.uk

What brought you to Bristol?

I was offered the opportunity to become the Vicar of St Mary Redcliffe, the best job in the Church of England!

Film or performance?

I recently saw Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night Time which has to be among my top 10 shows.

What are you reading?

Spool of Blue Thread by Anne Tyler: a beautifully written book which portrays an authentic view of family life that many of us would recognise.

Which museum or gallery will you be visiting?

My top priority is the Richard Long exhibition at the Arnolfini.

What’s on your MP3 player?

I’m more of a podcast person with a penchant for Today in Parliament, More or Less and Last Word.

Which café or restaurant takes your fancy?

Our own Arc Café serves great food five days a week. South of the river, Raj Mahal and Souk Kitchen get the thumbs up.

Favourite watering hole?

I believe there are over 30 pubs in my parish and it would be invidious to name a favourite … but I am trying to visit them all!

Evening in or evening out?

That’s really hard to answer. I love going out to the theatre, but entertaining in our own home is a real joy as well.

What hobbies or interests will you be pursuing?

I try to go swimming twice a week at Dean Lane pool. And we make sure we get out to local theatre and music about once a month.

Favourite local walk?

It has to be our very own Pipe Walk, our annual walk tracing the route of the ancient pipe given in 1190 that brought water from Knowle to Redcliffe. Next walk Saturday 22 October 2016.

Any projects/work in progress?

That’ll be TreeFest, a week-long display of decorated Christmas trees inside St Mary Redcliffe, celebrating the creativity and diversity of Bristol and raising funds for three worthwhile Bristol charities. Come and view the display inside our amazing church building.

For more information visit: www.treefest.org.uk

BOOK OF THE MONTH...

The Little Book of Bristol by Maurice Fells £9.99, hardback (The History Press) This new book of facts about Bristol makes a great little stocking filler for the Bristolian in your life who thinks they know all there is to know about our great city. A book to dip in and out of, it is full of anecdotes about Bristol’s story – some bizarre and some surprising, but always intriguing. For instance, did you know that the front door of The Hatchet on Frogmore Street, which dates back to 1606, is said to be covered in a layer of human skin preserved by a coat of tar?

Or that St Mary Redcliffe Church with its stately spire, is still the tallest building in Bristol? Split into sections such as Wartime, Literary Bristol and Quirky Bristol, the book takes a fresh look at city life, past and present, in an easy-to-read and entertaining style. The author, Maurice Fells is a born and bred Bristolian who is passionate about the city’s rich history, and for this book, he has delved into the deepest and darkest archives to bring you a highly interesting read.

Available from most bookshops in Bristol.

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rs he c u vo le fi t ailab G av

Serious stuff

I

had a strange experience recently, one of the oddest in fact that I’ve had in a long time. It was refreshing. So what was this bizarre happening? Let me set the scene. Ms Bartleby and I decided some time ago that we needed to go out occasionally and so booked tickets to see a remarkable American singer-songwriter called Ezra Furman. It happened to be that the gig was the night after the dreadful events in Paris, and the O2 had installed a metal detector at the entrance. It made going to the concert a bit like taking a trip on a plane, which was in fact rather fitting. Mr Furman is a wild and crazy man who generally performs in a dress – that evening it was a pencil skirt and blouse – and plays songs that have a Bob Dylan-ish lyricism and violent changes of tempo.

Having been thoroughly rock-n-rolled, we emerged into the heart of a Bristol weekend and decided it wasn’t time to go home just yet. Something about the thought of Paris and those misanthropic killjoys made us want to stay out and have more fun. Since we generally struggle to stay up later than the kids this was unusual, to say the least, but what happened next was more unusual still.

We decided to visit that marvellous performing arts festival-project-thing, Sanctum. I don’t know whether you managed to go along, but Sanctum could have been designed as a riposte to Banksy’s Dismaland. Rather than transforming a derelict lido into a Bemusement Park staffed by highly-trained grumps, American artist Theaster Gates took the bombed-out Temple Church and turned it into a performance space, bringing in an array of musicians, poets and what-have-you whose world-view generally was a lot more positive than Mr B’s.

❝ WE WERE ALIVE AND FREE, AND DAMMIT WE WOULD WAIT!

❞

Several things about Sanctum were striking. First, the performances went on 24 hours a day for 24 days, which meant you could go along at four in the morning on a Tuesday and somebody would be there, bravely reciting their verses or strumming their sitar. Second, it was free. Third, there was no programme. Well, there was, but we the public had no access to the info.

This was, in a way, more radical than Dismaland, which had a website providing plenty of information about what to expect from your visit. At Sanctum you simply turned up, stood in a queue, and waited to see what happened. In an age when you can visit a holiday destination on your phone before you go, just to make sure you do it all properly when you get there, it was great to see people waiting in the night for they knew not what.

Anyway we pottered across town, popped into the pub round the corner and then went to stand in line. Nothing happened. Ms Bartleby met a friend and launched into a conversation so animated someone asked her if she was performing. Nothing continued to happen. The building in which the performances took place was a cross between an old ship and a tent, erected within the nave of the ruined church, and it was impossible to see what was happening inside, so all we could do was wait.

Home became an increasingly attractive prospect, but we were alive and free, and dammit we would wait! So we did, and were rewarded as people began to emerge from the gloom of the church. A few, then rather more. As we entered, a woman warned us in a fierce whisper that there would be full frontal male nudity, and that any noise, such as laughter, would get us ejected.

I had about ten metres in which to process this surprising news, then we were through a door and into the Sanctum, where a slender young man, a dancer to judge from his physique, was performing a sort of tortured ballet to a soundtrack of rolling thunder. He was naked and serious, involved in his work, and nobody was laughing. n 20 THE BRISTOL MAGAZINE

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DECEMBER 2015

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THE BRISTOL MAGAZINE 21

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BRISTOL AT WORK Our series of photographic portraits by Charlotte Stone shows Bristol people at work

Seasons greetings from Santa Claus

D

id you notice a faint jingle of bells in the skies above Bristol early in the morning of Sunday 15 November? Or spot the police helicopter out searching for its source? Many bemused residents certainly did, and it wasn’t until later in the day it all became clear – Santa Claus was coming to town. As soon as we heard he’d safely landed at his temporary residence in The Mall’s Winter Wonderland, TBM hot-footed it over to sit on his knee and find out more about the world’s ultimate man of magic and mystery.

“Ho-ho-hello! It’s good to be back in Bristol again, and what a welcome I received at The Mall’s Winter Wonderland this year. I arrived with my sleigh and reindeer and we had a marvellous Christmas parade, and now I’ve settled into life at the Enchanted Ice Castle alongside the Ice Queen and her ice fairies.

“I think it’s wonderful here. It’s snowy everyday, so it reminds me of my home at the North Pole. Plus, there are two ice rinks right near my castle, so when all the visitors have gone home for the day I’ll often have a little whizz round with the Ice Queen and some of the ice fairies who are helping me while I’m at The Mall.

“They might be mischievous little fairies at times, but I really couldn’t get by without them as they look after all the presents I bring with me to the Enchanted Ice Castle, and make sure all the children who visit me get one.

“The only thing I can’t bring with me to The Mall is my reindeer.

Because they have such a great journey ahead of them on Christmas Eve, I leave them to rest back at home. I do miss them while I’m away – especially cheeky Rudolph with his bright red nose – but I’m lucky to be able to call upon nine friendly reindeer from the Cairngorms who come down to pull my sleigh at the opening parade. They do a great job every year, and afterwards I enjoy giving them a pat and a carrot before they head back to their home in Scotland.

“I also miss Mrs Claus, and would love to be able to bring her with me so she can meet all the lovely, welcoming people of Bristol, but she is a very busy lady. We work as a team, so she runs the workshop while I’m over here, supervising the elves and making sure all the presents are ready on time. It’s a very important job, and we don’t mind being apart for a few weeks if it means making children happy across the world.

“Before I left, though, I did leave the John Lewis catalogue open on our coffee table with a few items circled – so hopefully Mrs Claus will get the hint and I’ll have a few presents to unwrap myself when I get home on Christmas Day. I usually ask for chocolates, socks and some new pyjamas, and in return I surprise her with a holiday. We always like to get away somewhere warm after Christmas.

“I’ll be here at The Mall until Christmas Eve, when I must head off to deliver presents to all the children who’ve been good this year. And to those of you who’ve been naughty, I say it’s never too late to change your ways – it’ll be worth it when you wake up to a stocking crammed full of presents on Christmas morning!” n Santa is a very busy man, so it’s essential to book in advance to see him at The Mall. Tickets: £5 (including gift), visit: mallcribbs.com www.charlottestonephoto.com

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DECEMBER 2015

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FACE | THE MUSIC

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FACE | THE MUSIC

OH, YES HE DID As he prepares to tread the boards at Bristol Hippodrome this month, Warwick Davis takes time out to tallk panto, sitcoms and Star Wars with Jenny Hayes

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Main image: Warwick Davis is set to bring the laughs to Bristol this month as he takes on the role of Prof in Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs

ollywood superstar, comedy genius and national treasure. Warwick Davis scores the hat-trick, so it was a real treat to be able to chat to him ahead of his appearance at Bristol Hippodrome in Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs. Not only is he a charming raconteur, but also humble and amusingly selfdeprecating, despite shooting to fame at the tender age of 11 playing Wicket the Ewok in one of the most successful movie franchises of all time. Which begs the question, how did this breakthrough role in Star Wars not go straight to his head?

“Well, I didn’t really become famous overnight,” Warwick explains. “I was famous among my peers and school friends, but as far as the rest of the world went it was a pretty slow burner because I’m unrecognizable as the character of Wicket the Ewok.

Even at school I didn’t brag about it – you can’t about those sort of things because you’d just get beaten up. So I mainly kept a low profile and only talked about it if someone asked me.

“And for me, becoming well known and famous is just a byproduct of what I do as an entertainer and as an actor. My quest isn’t for that. So it’s very flattering and very lovely when you get recognition for the work that you do, because it means people are enjoying it and you are doing a good job, but for me it’s about the things I do as opposed to the end result of becoming famous.”

It’s a refreshing attitude to come across nowadays, and I wonder if it is perhaps Warwick’s sense of humour that has helped keep his feet so firmly on the ground throughout his life?

“When you’re 3ft 6in, you have to have a sense of humour about it,” he says. “Otherwise I don’t think you’d get on terribly well in the world. So I’ve always been able to find humour in the situtations I find myself in, and to have a bit of a laugh at myself.

So I think my sense of humour has been instilled in me by the fact that I am short. That’s where it came from – really having to take a step back and recognise that the situations you find yourself in are funny, or even ludicrous.”

And of course, some of these situations were hilariously recreated in the sitcom mocumentary he created with Ricky Gervais in 2011, Life’s Too Short.

“Life’s Too Short arose out of the fact that my family was being asked to take part in a reality TV series, which wasn’t something I was interested in doing. But as I started thinking about it, I realised it could be fun to manipulate reality in it – to give people what they might assume my life is like.

“That was the genesis for Life’s Too Short, and it was great fun to be able to play out an alternative version of myself – one that says and does the things I wouldn’t as the real Warwick. But a lot of the situations we used in the series happened to me, or were very close to things that had happened to me. And that’s what was great – we were able to show what can happen to people who are short, people who are different in society, and I think that as well as making a lot of people laugh and entertaining them, it made people sit back and think a little bit.”

So, was it this sense of the ridiculous that made you want to take a turn in this year’s panto at Bristol Hippodrome?

“Actually, what attracted me to panto was the fact that it’s live theatre. Knowing that when I go out on stage, in front of an audience, I’ve got to get it right first time. There’s something very exciting about doing that, and you can’t replicate it in any other thing you do. Live theatre is great because no two shows are ever the same and, with pantomime especially, the audience is the final cast member. They complete the show and are very much part of it, because of all the interactive elements.

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“I always play the show to one person, or maybe a family. I imagine that they might have saved up and that it’s a real treat to come and see the pantomime. I think of them, and I deliver the show to them, and that’s why you have to be giving it 100 per cent when you go out there.

“It’s been great being here in Bristol too. Bristolians are really friendly people, and my co-star Andy Ford has been teaching me some of the language. Apparently I’ve got to call everyone ‘my luvver’ but, being from Surrey, I’m not sure I can carry it off!”

Well, readers, there’s only one way to find out... n Catch Warwick Davis in Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs at Bristol Hippodrome from Saturday 5 December until Sunday 3 January. To book, visit: www.atgtickets.com

Warwick’s top 10: ❶ Groovy Kind of Love by The Mindbenders I’ll start with a really special one. This is the song that my wife Sam and I would say is ‘our song’. ❷ Let it Snow by Dean Martin For me, this tune sums up spending Christmas with a loved one perfectly, and it never fails to make me feel warm and cosy. ❸ We Will Rock You by Queen This is an epic rock anthem that it’s impossible not to join in with. A classic. ❹ Witchita Lineman by Glen Campbell I think this song is brilliantly orchestrated, and it also has a great story lyric. ❺ Close to You by The Carpenters This one brings back vivid memories of sitting in the back of my dad’s E-Type Jaguar, listening to songs on his 8-track cassette player. ❻ Straight Back Down to Earth by Curiosity Killed the Cat I used to listen to this on my Sony Walkman. I played it on repeat while flying to New Zealand to film Willow, and I have loved it ever since. It brings back fond memories. ❼ I Can’t Feel My Face by The Weekend This is a great contemporary track that I find can really raise your spirits. ❽ When You Are A King by White Plains This was the first record I owned, when I was about seven. I would play it repeatedly on an old record player my dad gave me, and get lost in my imagination. ❾ Midnight Cowboy by John Barry A track that is very visual, and evokes a feeling of space and adventure. Try playing it while driving through the Lake District. Beautiful. ❿ Open Eye Signal by Jon Hopkins I could have included a song by Jon for each of my 10 choices as I absolutely love all of his work. Open Eye Signal is from the album Immunity, but it doesn’t typify his work. He is a very versatile musician who is always evolving. n DECEMBER 2015

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THE BRISTOL MAGAZINE 25

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rhubarb clifton

Lifestyle - Furniture - Gifts

Bristol stockists of Nkuku, Second Female clothing, Seven Boot Lane

4a waterloo street t: 0117 973 2778 | www.rhubarbhome.co.uk : Rhubarb Clifton |

@RhubarbSue

Village Green is a boutique where ladies can buy beautiful pre-loved designer labels at affordable prices.

From Prada, Gucci and Joseph to Reiss, Hobbs and Ted Baker.

5 The Mall, Clifton, BS8 4DP 0117 9706776

www.villagegreenboutique.co.uk villagegreen5

villagegreenboutique

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DECEMBER 2015

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THE BRISTOL MAGAZINE 27

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BRISTOL | FASHION

Chandelier drop earrings from Next, £10

festive FASHION FIX Accessorize Geo triangle crystal ear jackets £15

Embellishments, molten metallics and sequins will get your wardrobe party-ready in no time this Christmas, says The Mall at Cribbs Causeway’s stylist

Peep toe shoe boots from Office, £75 Red maxi dress from Lipsy, £75

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Red split front f there’s one time of year when it’s maxi dress from acceptable to overload on sparkles, it’s New Look, right now. Christmas parties are the perfect £29.99 excuse to pull out a showstopper, so be bold with your colour choices and don’t shy away from drama – whether it’s a plunging neckline, thigh high split or a backless number.

This season’s must-have item is the LRD (little red dress) or, if you prefer a bit more coverage, the MRD (maxi red dress). Take inspiration from Dolce & Gabbana and go for a red and black floral print, which oozes Mediterranean glamour. Opulent winter florals and faux fur make great buddies, so don’t be afraid to add a stole or wrap for a taste of that 1940s femme fatale inspired look. Visit John Lewis and Phase Eight for some fabulous pieces.

Following the AW15 catwalks, this season’s silhouette is all about ladylike glamour, with cinched-waists, high necks and midi-length skirts all giving a more polished look and feel. M&S has this look spot on right now, as do Hobbs, Warehouse and Lipsy.

If you’re a little black dress kind of girl, invest in some fashion-forward footwear to update your look. Shoe boots and metallic gladiator heels are both great options. Look for a pair with this season’s must-have accessory, the pom-pom.

Berry tones are also big news when it comes to beauty this season. Luxuriant burgundy-hued lips and nails are the perfect accompaniment to a glitzy frock or if you’re wearing red, add some glam with a gold nail polish and shimmery eyeshadow – we love this Bobbi Brown palette, which offers options for both smoky eyes and sparkles.

Finally, don’t forget that jewellery can also add a bit of festive cheer. Star motifs are all over the high street right now and can be worn throughout the year, so they make a great little gift to yourself.

Remember, great jewellery is for life, not just for Christmas!

*Please note that some items shown are taken from current stock and are subject to availability.

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Gold nail polish, £5 Accessorize

Feather jacquard dress, £78 Warehouse Plum lip gloss, £6 Accessorize

Whistles Estelle one shoulder dress, £128 John Lewis

Clutch bag, £35 M&S

Star motif earrings, £4 Accessorize Gold strappy sandals, £29.99 New Look

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Faux fur tippet scarf, £25 Accessorize

DECEMBER 2015

Red sandals, £29.99 from New Look

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THE BRISTOL MAGAZINE 29

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BRISTOL | ROCKS

A CUT

above the

REST Christmas is one of the busiest times of the year for those in the jewellery industry. From one-off bespoke pieces and diamond rings, to second hand and antiques, giving the gift of jewellery never disappoints. Especially if it’s from one of Bristol’s independent jewellers, who are successfully beating off competition from the high street chains. To celebrate, we gathered together a handful of the city’s shining stars and asked them about how they started up and what’s kept them going. Photograph by Char Stone, words by Samantha Coleman, shoot location: St Vincent’s Bar & Grill, Clifton

MICHAEL KEMP OF KEMPS JEWELLERS Westbury-on-Trym

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emps Jewellers is one of Bristol’s longest running businesses, having been established in 1881. It has since earned an enviable reputation for quality and service and is one of the few companies in the area that can boast continuous family ownership since the late 19th century.

It all started when clock maker William Wickenden Kemp opened his business at 60 Stokes Croft, then a smart and fashionable shopping area, and enjoyed successful trading from the outset. Kemps moved to its current location in Westbury-on-Trym in the 70s.

Michael Kemp is the fourth generation of the family to run the business, which he says he fell into by chance: “It was never my ambition to be in the jewellery business, but when I didn’t get on in school I went to work with my father for a year and never left. That experience really opened my eyes to what was out there and as I learnt on the job, my skill set grew.

Having failed at school, it was a confidence boost to find that I could put effort into my work and get a rewarding outcome. When my father retired and I was more established I couldn’t wait to get stuck into the business and introduce fresh ideas.”

Kemps offers a varied and interesting range of jewellery, both new and second hand. As well as wedding and engagement rings, watches, gold and silver jewellery, remodelling and repairs, Kemps also offers a bespoke service and purchases unwanted gold, silver and platinum that you can convert into a new purchase.

“The reason why we’ve been able to keep the business going for so many years is that we always listen to our customers and give them what they want,” says Mike.

“We are still a classic family jewellers expanding in a modern era and our core value of offering an on-hand personal service has not changed.”

For further information visit: www.kempsjewellers.com or visit the shop in 9 Carlton Court, Westbury-on-Trym.

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Clockwise from bottom left: Nicholas Wylde, Catherine Amesbury, Michael Kemp, Julie Anne Palmer, Diana Porter and her technical director Katie Chapman

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BRISTOL | ROCKS

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NICHOLAS WYLDE, GOLDSMITH AND JEWELLER Clifton A successful man with a number of awards under his belt, Nicholas Wylde credits his achievements to always looking forward and setting his sights high. “I firmly believe that if you have a goal for something you can find a way to get it,” he says.

Nicholas left school at 16 and worked with his father who owned a stationary shop in Birmingham.

“There I learnt all about the service industry, how to talk to people and respect customers. But I’ve always been very creative from an early age and had big aspirations.”

Being in the jewellery quarter Nicholas got to meet a lot of jewellers who inspired him to get into the industry and train as a jewellery designer and goldsmith at the prestigious Birmingham School of Jewellery. From here he then went on to land a job with a jewellers in Bath where he perfected his craft before realising his ultimate dream, at the age of 24 in 1987, of opening his own shop and workshop in Bath.

Nicholas infused all his passion and skill into designing and creating original jewellery while his sister Corrinda managed the store. It was so successful that he quickly found he needed to expand and move to bigger premises, where he has stayed ever since and enjoyed good fortune and an unbeatable reputation for beautiful, fine jewellery.

In 2010, Nicholas opened a second shop in Clifton with a workshop on the premises, selling exclusive pieces. Nicholas prides himself on having battled through four recessions and is still going strong today. He has taken

a slight step back from the making side of things however, and is now running the business, designing collections and seeing clients.

“It’s a fabulous industry to be in – it’s a romantic industry,” he says. “We’re here to make an occasion special and beautiful and be part of the story so that it’s an unforgettable experience.”

Nicholas describes his business as a traditional family jewellers with a modern twist and new designs. His aim has always been to design and make jewellery which is not easily available on the market and his special collections reflect the abundance of ideas and influences he has. His creative talent and customer care have ensured the Wylde brand has blossomed over more than 25 years to become an internationally recognised and respected name in bespoke jewellery.

To mark his 25th anniversary in 2012 Nicholas launched his uniquely designed Wylde Flower Diamond, placing him among the top diamond designers in the world. “I always wanted my own diamond and now I have it – and I’m very proud of that.”

Nicholas’ most recently launched collection is called Dazzle. Just in time for Christmas, it brings together a group of festive-themed designs made in 18ct white gold and encrusted with diamonds.

To view the collections, visit: www.nicholaswylde.com or visit the shop at: No 6 The Mall, Clifton.

CATHERINE AMESBURY, CONTEMPORARY JEWELLERY DESIGNER AT ARTEMIS Gloucester Road Among the collection of independent businesses that line the Gloucester Road sits Artemis, a beautiful little gift shop where jewellery designer Catherine Amesbury and her daughter Carrie Grandison create and sell their own unique range of contemporary jewellery.

“I’ve always had a passion for art and being creative from a very young age, but my jewellery career really began when Carrie was 10 years old,” says Catherine. “She did a silversmithing course and came home with a beautiful flower pendant that she’d made, which inspired me to go on the course myself.”

Designing and making jewellery became something that the two enjoyed doing together, just sitting at the kitchen table. They then began selling it at school fairs and took on a few commissions. It was when Carrie finished college that she suggested going into business together.

“It was a dream come true for me,” says Catherine. “We took a stall at the indoor market that replaced Woolworths on Black Boy Hill, but although we were successful there, the market wasn’t, so when it closed after only 15 months we had to look for new premises – hence the birth of Artemis.”

As well as purchasing jewellery on show, customers can work with Catherine and Carrie to design a piece of jewellery to be made for them, or an existing design can be altered to give it a personal touch.

Catherine and Carrie’s jewellery workshop is at the heart of Artemis, situated in the middle of the shop floor so that they can work directly with customers who are guided through the creative process in a relaxed atmosphere. Each piece that they create is made from materials that the pair have personally sourced from around the world – mainly silver, semi-precious stones and freshwater pearls. They also use gold and platinum for one-off pieces like engagement and wedding rings.

“One of the things we are most passionate about is recycling and re-fashioning old pieces – like brooches and engagement rings – so that they can be worn and loved again,” says Catherine.

Catherine’s jewellery assistant, Chloe, is also a very important part of the team at Artemis. She started at Artemis as an apprentice when she was just 13, and became full time when she finished school at 18. She now makes most of the jewellery and is starting to design with Catherine and Carrie too.

For further information visit: www.catherineamesbury.co.uk or www.artemisbristol.co.uk. You can find Artemis on 214 Gloucester Road.

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DIANA PORTER CONTEMPORARY JEWELLERY

JULIE ANNE PALMER, BESPOKE JEWELLER

Park Street

Westbury-on-Trym

A new direction in life and an inspiring jewellery and silversmithing course in Birmingham led to the beginnings of Diana Porter’s journey into the jewellery industry.

“I loved the way that working with metal centred and concentrated my mind; I learnt about design and form and my teachers pushed me to develop my design ideas which I now thank them for.

I loved the history of art part of the course and became passionate about investigating the history of the involvement by women in the arts and crafts. This was three years to take stock and to create – it was a gift and the jewellery is an outcome of that.”

For more than 20 years Diana has produced innovative, thought provoking designs, which stand out as miniature works of art. Diana has always remained true to her original method of hand etching designs and words into the jewellery, developing this skill to create textures on her latest collections. Not only are Diana’s silver collections still as popular as ever, but she is also renowned for producing beautiful, unique engagement and wedding rings.

After designing and making jewellery in her front room, Diana opened her first shop in Bristol – on Park Street – in 2002, which not only houses Diana’s full collections but an eclectic mix of work by more than 80 other designers from the UK, Europe and beyond. “I was determined to give other designers a platform to showcase their collections and bring contemporary jewellery to the masses,” says Diana. Each year she visits trade shows to find new designers and offers them exhibition space in the shop alongside publicity for the events. Many of today’s established contemporary designers have had their work in the shop over the years.

Diana has continued to expand her collection and gain in popularity while keeping her company ideology the same. There’s always a relaxed and friendly atmosphere, and customers are welcome to browse the collections or pop in to see one of the four exhibitions Diana hold’s every year.

Since starting out, Diana has employed over 20 jewellers in her workshop at the back of the shop, whose skills she has helped develop and grow; many of who have since gone on to have successful careers of their own within the industry.

Now aged 73, Diana still comes into the workshop and shop every day, and enjoys seeing customers to talk about bespoke orders and designing new collections.

For further information visit: www.dianaporter.co.uk or pop into the shop on 33 Park Street.

Julie Anne Palmer has been making jewellery for over 30 years, after leaving college with a degree in jewellery and silversmithing. It was while she was doing a foundation course at college that she discovered her love for jewellery design and making: “On my course I did a lot of 3D design and always used to make little sculptures. One day I stumbled upon the jewellery department and found that it suited me and my work beautifully,” says Julie.

Since then she has worked in many different areas of jewellery including repairing antiques and restoring fine jewels, which she says was an invaluable experience: “I got to know all about Art Deco rings and precious stones as well as different styles of jewellery through the ages and how each piece was constructed. It gave me the extensive knowledge that I use in my creations today.”

Norfolk-born Julie went to live in London for three years after college but when living became too expensive, she moved to Bath to work as a jewellery designer in a workshop shared with potters.

When the workshop unfortunately closed, Julie up-rooted herself to Bristol, and has stayed here ever since, where she now creates jewellery from her workshop in Westbury-onTrym – specialising mainly in rings.

Julie’s pieces are all exquisitely made and unique. From wave rings featuring sapphires and diamonds and Art Deco style rings with square diamonds and clean lines, to rings with unusual edges and stone settings and rings with clusters of jewels; you can see that a lot of hard work and dedication has gone into the design and construction of each individual piece. “I offer bespoke jewellery designed from your thoughts,” says Julie.

“It’s a very personal process and the customer has complete input in the design.”

Specialising in platinum and palladium, she also works in 18ct gold and can make jewellery in all colours of gold including white, red, rose and yellow.

On top of bespoke designs, Julie also offers a remodelling service: a great way to give a special piece of jewellery a new lease of life that can be loved once again.

“I love remodelling jewellery; I hear so many moving stories from people,” she says. “One customer came to me with a bowl full of gold dust panned by their grandfather who was an engineer with the survey unit of the army in 1952 at Squaw Creek in British Columbia. It had been left as gold dust ever since, so the customer asked me to remodel it into a solid gold ring. Another customer came to me with some gold rings that she never wore and asked me to turn them into identical pendants for her and her two daughters. Every story is different; it makes for a really interesting and exciting job.”

Julie also has a selection of ready-to-wear jewellery for sale that she has designed and made herself. Stop by her studio in Stoke Lane during opening hours to take a look, or visit: www.julieannepalmer.com for more information. ■

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Katie Chapman, technical director of Diana Porter Working closely with Diana, Katie creates bespoke pieces for customers as well as reworking customer’s heirlooms into contemporary designs. As head of the workshop situated behind the shop, Katie manages a small team of jewellers who make Diana’s designs for the shop and other stockists.

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With thanks to St Vincent’s Bar & Grill, 50 The Mall, Clifton, for allowing us to use its upstairs cocktail bar for the photo shoot. For further information visit: www.stvincentsrestaurant.com

DECEMBER 2015

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Harbourside Christmas Market ©Joe Meredith

FEELING | FESTIVE

MARKET DAZE There are a lot of festive goings-on in Bristol right now, so we’ve made it easier for you to do your Christmas shopping by finding all the best pop-up markets to head to this month. Whether it’s unique and hand-crafted gifts that you’re after or artisan foodie treats, it won’t be hard to find a special gift for your loved ones – and perhaps a few treats for yourself too

The Harbourside Christmas Market, weekends until 20 December

Brunel Square Christmas Food and Craft Market, Saturday 5 December, 10am – 3pm

This is THE place to head if you’re looking for Christmas gifts that are artisan, handmade, slightly quirky or surprising. And you can actually enjoy shopping for them too – no stuffy, busy shops playing cheesy Christmas music here – wander at your leisure with a mulled wine in hand and soak up the friendly atmosphere. All around the harbourside, from the cascade steps to Millennium Square, will be stalls selling food, gifts, crafts and all manner of lovely things.

This popular seasonal market returns to its lovely harbourside setting of Brunel Square next to the ss Great Britain with over 30 local food, drink and craft stalls. The cobble-stoned square will be full of festive cheer, carols and music as you peruse handmade and vintage items, seasonal food and drink, a variety of arts and crafts and beautiful decorations for your home. It’s free entry to the market, and easy to get to, being on a ferry stop. For further information visit: www.ssgreatbritain.org.

Bristol German Christmas Market, Broadmead, until 22 December Around Broadmead there will be traditional chalets decorated with festive greenery and colourful lights, as well as the Christmas nativity pyramid and giant advent calendar. On sale will be German Christmas decorations and gifts, and festive food and drink including bratwurst, waffles and stollen cake. And we guarantee you’ll have a smile on your face (and rosy cheeks) after a few glasses of gluhwein in the pop-up beer garden while listening to the Bavarian sounds of Der Alpen Klaus.

Local Christmas Market, Broadmead, 4 – 23 December Joining the German themed market is this local produce and craft market featuring gifts that are Fairtrade and with a Bristol twist.

You’ll find the stalls located in Broadmead West, outside M&S. 34 THE BRISTOL MAGAZINE

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DECEMBER 2015

Made in Bristol Gift Fair, Colston Hall, 5, 12 & 13 December, 10am – 4pm The Made in Bristol Gift Fair returns to Colston Hall promising to be bigger and better than ever before. It will bring together the region’s finest designer-makers to offer a one-stopshop for those looking for unique and handmade gifts. Located over the four floors of Colston Hall and featuring more than 100 designers, this festive shopping extravaganza offers jewellery, toys, ceramics, clothes and home accessories from some of the most skilled and creative craftspeople in the area. The fair features a hand picked collection of designers selected by local entrepreneur and founder of Made in Bristol, Bryony Morgan, who started the fair seven years ago. Bryony is committed to supporting local talent having previously run the Made in Bristol pop-up shops in Cabot Circus which not only sold local products but also helped designers to develop their businesses. For further information visit: www.handmadeinbristol.co.uk

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FEELING | FESTIVE

Harbourside Christmas Market ©Joe Meredith

Brunel Square

Christmas at the Orangery

Bristol Museum & Art Gallery Christmas Fair, 6 December, 11am – 4.30pm

St Nick’s Night Market

Browse stalls selling jewellery, textiles, glass gifts, preserves and homemade cakes while children can have a go at mosaic-making. The Bristol University Madrigal Ensemble will sing carols between 11.30am – 12.15pm and 12.45pm – 1.30pm.

Tobacco Factory Christmas Markets, 6, 13 & 20 December, 10am – 2.30pm The weekly Sunday market at the Tobacco Factory turns festive for three weekends in December. As well as the usual food and craft stalls featuring products made in the local area, with a strong emphasis on ethical, ecofriendly, fair trade and organic, you’ll find a Christmassy atmosphere with stalls selling boozy hot drinks, decorations, cards, cakes and kids crafts.

Christmas at the Orangery, Bradbury Hall, Henleaze, Saturday 12 December, 10am – 5pm Firmly established on Bristol’s Chrismas market calender as one of the best places to pick up a handmade and unique gift, Christmas at the Orangery is celebrating 15 years of bringing together local designers and makers. Returning to Bradbury Hall, there will be lots of stalls from local companies selling everything from the weird to the wonderful, but all rather beautiful, including: baking accessories, jewellery, paintings, sculpture and decorations. You’ll also find delicious cakes and lunches in the festive cafe run by local chocolatier, Chocolate Delores, as well as a raffle in aid of St Peter’s Hospice. Entrance fee: £1, under 16s free. For further information visit: www.christmasattheorangery.com >>

EDITOR’S PICK St Nick’s Night Market, Friday 11 December, 6pm – 9.30pm Christmas is in the air at St Nick’s, so come and join the festive edition of the night market where you’ll find the toast of Bristol’s food and drink scene, plus arts and craft stalls, live music, circus and performers across the glass arcade, Exchange Hall and covered market. The St Nick’s Night Market is a collaboration between Bristol City Council, Love Food Festival and Bristol Food Connections and for this special Christmas evening the market will be opened up onto St Nicholas street, which means even more room for stalls and performances, more seating and the chance to check out some of the businesses in the Old City too. There’ll be a line up of global street food stalls, with plenty of vegan and vegetarian options, and you can look forward to festive specials and warming hot chocolates on top of their usual menus. If you need to ward off the chill you’ll find mulled cider and wine, plus a wide selection of locally brewed and sourced drinks. What better way is there to start a night out in Bristol?

Christmas at the Orangery

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DECEMBER 2015

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FEELING | FESTIVE

Bath Christmas Market

Bedminster East Street Christmas Fair, Saturday 12 December, 10am – 4pm Back for another festive season, this year’s Bedminster East Christmas fair will be bigger than ever before, with a host of interactive games, dance performances, carols, mulled wine and a visit from Rudolph the reindeer. There will also be a lantern parade from 4pm-7pm where you’ll see huge paper lanterns, musical performances, the Bristol Samba Band and glowing hula hoopers, all ending with a firework finale.

Bristol Folk House Festive Flea Market, Saturday 12 December, 11am – 5pm It’s free entry to the Folk House Hall for this market where you’ll find local handmade gifts, vintage clothing and accessories, records, bric-a-brac and much more. For further information visit: www.bristolfolkhouse.co.uk

OTHER FESTIVE FAVOURITES...

Bath Christmas Market, Abbey Church Yard, Bath until 13 December The magic of Christmas comes alive at the Bath Christmas Market, where there are over 170 wooden chalets lining the streets around Bath Abbey and the Roman Baths, at the heart of the World Heritage City. Now in its 15th year, stallholders from across the region will showcase their beautiful products, with everything from handmade jewellery, colourful ceramics and clothing to accessories, Christmas decorations and foodie treats. More than 75 per cent of traders make and produce their own products so chances are, you’ll come away with a truly unique gift. Enjoy strolling around the stalls with a mulled wine in hand soaking up the festive atmosphere and smells, as you listen to carols from local choirs.

New for this year is The Lodge, an indoor venue at the heart of the event decked out to create a cosy and welcoming alpine atmosphere. Here you’ll find wholesome, hearty English food and local tipples on offer from Bath Ales.

Opening times for the Bath Christmas Market are: Monday to Wednesday: 10am – 7pm; Thursday, Friday, Saturday: 10am – 8.30pm; Sunday: 10am – 6pm.

For further information on the market and the additional Park & Ride services that will be running, visit: www.bathchristmasmarket.co.uk.

Hatherell’s Yard Christmas Market, Chipping Sodbury, until 13 December This is the first Christmas market in the pretty little Hatherell’s Yard in Chipping Sodbury. There will be a fabulous selection of market traders selling a range of gifts, food and drinks, as well as a Santa’s winter wonderland grotto.

The Frome Independent Christmas Market, Sunday 6 December The monthly Frome Independent takes over the pretty Somerset market town on the first Sunday of every month with stalls selling products from the region’s best craftspeople, designers and makers. You’ll find artisan food and drink; retro and vintage fashion, furniture, collectibles, books, vinyl, toys, fabrics and curiosities.

For this special Christmas market in December, there will be festive food and drink on offer, as well as music, carols and children’s activities. For further information visit: www.thefromeindependent.org.uk Bristol Folk House Festive Flea Market

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WIN Perfect prints The Bristol Shop are offering two lucky readers the chance to win prints by top local artists

B

ristol’s artists capture the beauty and quirkiness of the city and its landscapes across many different media. The photography, collage, painting, print making of Bristol artists found at online store thebristolshop.co.uk represents a great cross section of the best and most affordable art and design Bristol has to offer. Many local artists choose to reproduce their original work using a process called Giclée printing. What does it involve? And why to do so many Bristol artists use it?

Bristol Belle by Jenny Urquhart

Jenny Urquhart – the beating heart of Bristol Jenny’s work, for she uses mostly acrylic paint but also sometimes collage, bursts with colour and distills the energy and essence of our thriving city.

Indeed, Jenny’s prints of balloons over Bristol have been previously featured in the The Bristol Magazine.

“I need reproductions of my work to be as close to the original as possible. The Giclée technique produces a near-perfect, fade-resistant duplicate. It means that people buying my prints can be confident they’re investing in art that will last the test of time.

“I usually have a professional photographer produce a digital image of the work; then this high resolution file is sent to the fine art printer here in Bristol. I’ve never been disappointed by Giclée prints.”

Rosie Webb – one of the UK’s favourite illustrators Rosie’s loose and expressive watercolour illustrations are beautiful and often very funny. No surprise then that have been featured in publications such as the Guardian, Time Out and Esquire. The work is alive with wit and colour, characteristics that must not be lost through reproduction.

Hedgehog in Clogs by Rosie Webb “I print onto textured paper, similar to watercolour paper, and the Giclée ink is absorbed into the paper in the same way watercolour paint is absorbed. It’s the only reproduction process where the ink behaves in the same way as the paint, and for me it seem very true to the original. Museums choose Giclée to archive masterpieces.

If it’s good enough for them, it’s good enough for me!

“Despite Giclée being a very high quality fine art print technique, it is still affordable. I only do 100 prints from each of my paintings, so while they have a rarity value, using Giclée means that more people have access to the work at a fair price.”

To be in with a chance of winning a print by either Jenny or Rosie, all you need to do is name two of the famous Bristol landmarks that can be seen in the featured work by Jenny Urquhart. Please email your answer, name, address and telephone number to competitions@thebristolmagazine.co.uk, stipulating which print you’re hoping to win.

Artwork by Jenny Urquhart and Rosie Webb can be found at The Bristol Shop, the home of Bristol design, visit: www.thebristolshop.co.uk 38 THE BRISTOL MAGAZINE

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CULTURE BOOK Get in the Christmas spirit with this month’s events and entertainment

FROM DECEMBER 01

2 DECEMBER, 7.30PM

UNTIL 10 JANUARY, VARIOUS TIMES

The Light Princess, Tobacco Factory Theatres In a kingdom far away, lives an extraordinary princess; a princess strikingly different to any you’ll have ever heard of. Because, you see, she has no gravity. Isn’t it fun to fly and float and bound around weightless in the air? Well, it’s not as simple as that. Her windows are forever closed, she can’t run free and forever light-hearted; she can never take anything or anyone seriously. Especially not the prince who falls in love with her...

Tickets: £11–£19, from the box office on tel: 0117 902 0344 or visit: tobaccofactorytheatres.com UNTIL 27 JANUARY, VARIOUS TIMES

Sleeping Beauty, Bristol Old Vic Once upon a time there was a boy, a Prince loved by his kingdom but cursed to prick his finger and sleep for 100 years. Once upon another time there was a girl, loved by her mother who sets off into the forest on a quest to save everything she holds dear. Worlds collide when the girl happens upon the sleeping Prince and accidentally wakes him.

Not exactly true love’s first kiss, but the pair are thrown together on a hilarious adventure of magic and mayhem. Tickets: £7.50–£34, from the box office on tel: 0117 987 7877 or visit: bristololdvic.org.uk

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Ronnie Spector, Colston Hall

Glos Rd Central Christmas Party

Sleeping Beauty, Bristol Old Vic

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Brodsky Quartet & Sir Willard White, St George’s Bristol A match made in musical heaven, the concert sets Willard White’s bottomless voice alongside the Brodsky Quartet’s trademark charisma and flair. Expect a selection of songs closely associated with all the artists involved, including pieces from the Brodsky Quartet’s albums, and some show stopping excursions into Gershwin and Frank Sinatra.

Tickets: £22–£32 from the box office on tel: 0845 402 4001 or visit: www.stgeorgesbristol.co.uk 3 DECEMBER, 5.30 – 8PM

Christmas Street Party, Glos Rd Central The glorious shops on this vibrant part of Gloucester Road will be hosting a free community event to launch Thursday late openings during December. There will be music from Bishop Road Community Choir, free art activities, fair trade stalls, bike powered Christmas tree lights, wreaths from Golden Hill Allotments, and lots of lovely food and drink from Joes Bakery & Cake. For more details, visit: www.glosrdcentral.co.uk 3 DECEMBER, 7.30PM

Mrs Gerrish’s Grotto, TheatreShop Clevedon Mrs Gerrish is a waspish 50s

DECEMBER 2015

seaside landlady, who jumps on the fashionable bandwagon of ‘the package holiday’ and optimistically opens her guesthouse doors for an actionpacked Christmas season with the Weston-Super-Mare illuminations as the star attraction. At 4pm on Christmas Eve, the Lord Mayor will be switching on the illuminations, setting off the season of goodwill with a bang.

What could possibly go wrong?

Recommended age 16+. Tickets: £10, available from the box office on tel: 01275 400 225 or visit: www.theatreshop.org

FROM DECEMBER 04 4 DECEMBER, 6 – 8.30PM

Xmas Open Evening, Coldharbour Road Head to this thriving independent high street in Westbury Park to meet the owners, artists and makers who are opening their doors to welcome you to join the annual festivities at the start of the Christmas season. It’s also a great opportunity to stock up on some unique pressies. For more information, visit: www.coldharbourroadbs6.co.uk 4 DECEMBER, 8PM

Matt Lucas’ Banana Skin, St George’s Bristol Join Matt Lucas for the prefestival launch of Bristol’s iconic Slapstick Festival. Matt is one of

the UK’s best loved comic actors, so book your ticket and join him for this evening of rare insight into his work as he discusses his career onstage with a special guest host.

Illustrated with extracts including a look at his recent homage to silent and visual comedy Pompidou. Followed by a Q&A session with the audience. Tickets: £7–£19.50 from the box office on tel: 0845 402 4001 or visit: www.stgeorgesbristol.co.uk 4 DECEMBER, 7.30PM

Ronnie Spector, Colston Hall Ronnie Spector, the sixties girl group icon, returns to the UK to pay tribute to the girl group she co-founded, The Ronettes. Ronnie and her band will perform all the Ronettes hits, including Be My Baby, Baby I Love You and Walking in the Rain. Tickets: £29.50 – £35 from the box office on tel: 0844 887 1500 or visit: www.colstonhall.org 5 DECEMBER, 8PM

Christmas Concert, The Elmgrove Centre The first of three festive shows from Out There Music. The North Bristol Community Choir will be performing festive numbers for everyone to enjoy – including David Bowie, Marvin Gaye, Mumford and Sons, music from Frozen and other classic Christmas crackers. All proceeds go to local charity Changing Tunes. Tickets:

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£10 (£6 for under 18s), tel: 07866 587 424 or email: admin@outtheremusicbristol.co.uk.

For details of other performances, visit: www.outtheremusicbristol.co.uk 5 DECEMBER, 8PM

Instant Wit, Alma Tavern Theatre Fresh and inventive, each improv show throws up new nuggets of hilarity crafted by a company of the highest calibre. It’s a pick-meup tonic with unexpected twists, and a dash of sauce. Tickets: £10, tel: 0117 973 5171 or visit: www.almataverntheatre.co.uk 5 DECEMBER, 7.30PM

Bristol Concert Orchestra, St George’s Bristol Two masterworks by Sibelius – the Karelia Suite and Fifth Symphony – bookend this concert celebrating composers born in 1865. Also on the Bristol Concert Orchestra’s programme is Nielsen’s Helios Overture, Glazunov’s Violin Concerto with Eloisa-Fleur Thom, and Duka’s Sorcerer’s Apprentice. Conducted by Stefan Hofkes. For details or to book tickets, call St George’s on tel: 0845 402 4001 or visit: www.bristolconcertorchestra.org.uk 5 DECEMBER, 2.30PM

Wreath Workshop, Bristol Botanic Garden Sue Amesbury of Greengarland demonstrates and then assists you in making a welcoming and stylish Christmas wreath for your front door. All materials are provided and trimmed to size, including holly, pine, juniper and ivy, as well as embellishments such as fragrant cinnamon sticks and dried orange slices – or bring your own. Tickets: £40, tel: 0117 331 4906 or visit: www.bristol.ac.uk/botanic-garden

glory, the Spiegeltent brings two days of excellent beers, brilliant DJs, talks and demos, tasty streetfood, roast dinners, ping pong and other fun stuff, all in the beautiful festive Spiegeltent.

Tickets: £8–£17.50, available from Colston Hall box office on tel: 0844 887 1500 or visit: www.colstonhall.org

FROM DECEMBER 06 6 DECEMBER, 7.30PM

Miriam Margolyes OBE, Trinity Community Arts This is a unique chance to see one of the UK's most prolific performers in the beautiful and intimate setting of the Trinity Centre's newly renovated Fyfe Hall. This impressively versatile performer, known for her roles in the Harry Potter films, Blackadder and Miss Fisher’s Murder Mysteries, will be performing a rich medley of stories, poems, Dickens, comedy and songs.

Tickets: £18 (£16 concs) from Bristol Ticket Shop, tel: 0117 929 9008 or visit: www.bristolticketshop.co.uk

Craft Beer Festival, Christmas Spiegeltent Celebrating craft beer in all its

Scrooge of all time? Albert Finney?

Alistair Sim? Patrick Stewart?

Well, hold your horses, because you’ve yet to witness Howard Coggins’s unique take on the eponymous anti-hero of Dickens’ festive masterpiece. With silly songs, pitiful puppetry plenty of Dickensian daftness, Living Spit’s Christmas Carol is a feast of festive foolery. Tickets: £13 (£9 concs), from the box office on tel: 0117 902 0344 or visit: tobaccofactorytheatres.com

6 DECEMBER, 7.30PM

8 – 12 DECEMBER, 7.30PM

Vocal Works Gospel Choir, St George’s Bristol

Abigail’s Party, Kelvin Players Theatre

One of the UK’s leading gospel and rock choirs, Vocal Works, give Handel’s Christmas classic a soulful and exciting interpretation.

As well as including classic Messiah favourites such the Hallelujah Chorus, And He Shall Purify and For Unto Us, the concert also features other uplifting and soulful classics. With musical director Tim King and the VWGC band. Tickets: £14, £10 concs from the box office on tel: 0845 402 4001 or visit: www.stgeorgesbristol.co.uk

Beverly and her husband Laurence host a drinks party for new neighbours, but flowing drinks and Beverly’s desire to be an exemplary hostess allow tensions to surface – with devastating consequences. In the Kelvin Players’ hands, Mike Leigh’s 70s cult classic is sure to be a hit this Christmas. Tickets: £8–£10, tel: 0117 959 3636 or visit: www.kelvinplayers.co.uk

8 DECEMBER – 3 JANUARY, 7.45PM 5 & 6 DECEMBER, WEEKEND EVENT

Wreath Making, Bristol Botanic Garden

A Christmas Carol, Tobacco Factory Theatres We all know the story. We’ve all seen the film(s). But who’s the best

Vocal Works, St George’s

Miriam Margolyes, Trinity AAS

8 – 12 DECEMBER, 8PM

Neither Here Nor Here, TheatreShop Clevedon Three travellers arrive, looking for a place to stay. As they settle by the fire, they tell the tale of their journey so far. We follow the unlikely trio across violent seas

EDITOR’S PICK...

THROUGHOUT DECEMBER

Advent and Christmas at Bristol Cathedral

Christmas at the Cathedral

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Whether you are religious or not, there is something rather magical about attending a service in the magnificent setting of Bristol Cathedral in the run up to Christmas. It may be dark and chilly outside, but inside there is a warm glow from the candles and the chance to lift your spirits with a rousing rendition of your favourite carols. You can choose between Carols by Candlelight on Friday 18 December, the Family Carol Service on Sunday 21 December, or the ever popular Nine Lessons and Carols on both Wednesday 23 December and Christmas Eve. For details of these and other up-coming events at Bristol Cathedral throughout the month, tel: 0117 926 4879 or visit: www.bristol-cathedral.co.uk

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Alec Guinness, Rod Steiger and Geraldine Chapman. Tickets: £5, tel: 01275 871 000 or visit: www.curzon.org.uk

Schwander on organ. For more information, visit: www.bristolcabotchoir.org 17 DECEMBER, 7.30PM

14 DECEMBER, 8PM

Blah Humbug, Bristol Old Vic Studio With Christmas music jangling endlessly in all the shops and your head still aching from the office Christmas party, head to the Studio for an evening of pure cynicism and grumpiness. Some of the best poets from across the UK will compete to see who can have the least Christmas spirit. Tickets: £7, from the box office on tel: 0117 987 7877 or visit: bristololdvic.org.uk Bootleg Beatles, Colston Hall

Wiltshire Music Centre

and frosty moors, through ancient forests and giant gorges, as they bring their adventure to life in front of us. Out of their rucksacks come an array of instruments, and the travellers’ story erupts into song. From award-winning theatre company and band Fine Chisel.

Ticket prices vary. For further enquiries or to book, tel: 01275 400 225 or visit: www.theatreshop.org

One of folk's great odd couples, Paul Sartin (Bellowhead, Faustus) and Paul Hutchinson (Hoover the Dog, Karen Tweed) showcase their superlative musicianship and wickedly inventive banter with this intimate and entertaining set of typically eclectic festive fare.

Tickets: £14, £7 under 18s. Tel: 01225 860 100 or visit: wiltshiremusic.org.uk

9 DECEMBER, 8PM

12 DECEMBER, 8PM

How to Reappear, Alma Tavern Theatre

Bristol Art for Nepal, The Arts House

You used to be someone with a clear sense of direction, didn’t you? But somewhere along the way the fog descended. So why not join Bristol-born and flights-offancy-the world-over theatre maker Gemma Bolwell as she tries to find her way back to the person she was – carrying a lot of baggage with her. Come with pockets.

Suitcases will be provided. Tickets: £10, tel: 0117 973 5171 or visit: www.almataverntheatre.co.uk

Local charity Bristol Art for Nepal is holding a charity fundraising art auction in aid of First Chance Nepal. Come along to buy work from some of Bristol’s finest artists, support a great cause, and enjoy delicious food and drinks from one of Stokes Croft’s finest independent cafés.

FROM DECEMBER 11 11 DECEMBER, 8PM

An Evening with Noel Fielding, Colston Hall The writer and star of The Mighty Boosh and Luxury Comedy serves up a magical mix of stand-up, live animation and music. Some of Fielding’s most-loved Boosh characters will also be putting in an appearance. Joining him on the night will be Miles Fielding (Naboo) and Tom Meeton (Lance Dior). Tickets: £26.88 from the box office on tel: 0844 887 1500 or visit: www.colstonhall.org 11 DECEMBER, 7.30PM

Belshazzar’s Feast,

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FROM DECEMBER 16

The Bootleg Beatles, Colston Hall Formed from the original cast of London’s West End hit show Beatlemania, The Bootleg Beatles have become an institution in their own right thanks to their noteperfect recreation of hits from every era of the world’s most famous songbook. Since their inception in 1980, the band have performed hundreds of gigs across the globe, earning themselves an excellent reputation along the way.

Tickets: £28.50 from the box office on tel: 0844 887 1500 or visit: www.colstonhall.org

16 DECEMBER, 7.45PM

17 DECEMBER, 7PM

Handel’s Messiah, St George’s Bristol

The Soldiers’ Charity, Clifton College Chapel

Bristol Cabot Choir presents the Gloria from Bach’s B Minor Mass, Haydn’s Te Deum, Morten Lauridsen’s O Magnum Mysterium, and Christmas music for choir, brass and audience.

Conducted by Rebecca Holdeman, with the wonderful Bristol Brass Band Consort and Joachim

Tickets are now on sale for the annual Christmas Carol Service and Curry Supper organised by ABF The Soldiers’ Charity. Lesson readers include Her Majesty’s Lord-Lieutenant of Bristol, Mrs Mary Prior and Bristol’s Lord Mayor. Music is led by Bristol Cathedral Choir, conducted by

12 & 15 DECEMBER, 7.30PM

Carols by Candlelight, St James Priory Exultate Singers’ annual concert 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: £18 (£13 concs), £5 for students, £2 under 18s. Available from Opus 13, tel: 0117 923 0164 or online, visit: www.exultatesingers.org 13 DECEMBER, 2PM

Dr Zhivago, Curzon Cinema Snuggle down in the beautiful Curzon to enjoy one of cinema’s greatest love stories. Starring Julie Christie and Omar Sharif, with supporting performances from

| DECEMBER 2015

Bedminster Lantern Parade

Bedminster Lantern Parade, Saturday 12 December, 4pm Bedminster’s iconic lantern parade is back for its fifth year – hurray! This year, the parade will light up the streets with hundreds of paper lanterns, and will be accompanied by musical performances, dance troupes and glowing hula hoopers.

Organisers anticipate the biggest and most colourful lantern Pprade yet, and have planned a traffic free route along North Street, Cannon Street and British Road, expected to attract thousands of spectators.

Musical performances along the parade route will start at 4pm. The parade itself will leave from St. Francis Road at 4.30 pm before moving along North Street and Cannon Street, touching East Street and British Road before ending at South Street Park for a firework grand finale. If you’d like to get involved, email: info@bwlp.org

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Mark Lee. Admission to the carol service is free, tickets to the curry supper afterwards: £25. For more information, call Lieutenant Colonel Christopher Eskell on tel: 0117 968 3998 or email: candreskell@btinternet.com 18 & 19 DECEMBER, 7.30PM

Spirit of Christmas, St George’s Bristol Join the Bristol Bach Choir and Liberty Brass Ensemble for a fabulous evening of gorgeous choral Christmas music, humorous and thoughtful readings, stirring audience carols and lots of brilliant brass. Tickets: £9–£20 (£5 for under 25s), tel: 0117 214 0721 or visit: www.bristolbach.org.uk

19 – 22 DECEMBER, VARIOUS TIMES

Circus Geeks Do Xmas, The Lansdown Trio of jugglers – Arron Sparks, Jon Udry and Matt Pang – are all well established international circus artists, so it’s a treat to be able to see them perform together in the cosy setting of The Lansdown Pub in Clifton Village.

You can expect a warm welcome, jaw dropping circus skills, and a healthy dose of festive cheer.

Tickets: £12 (£10 concs), visit: www.circusgeeks.co.uk/christmas

FROM DECEMBER 20 Circus Geeks, The Lansdown Pub 20 DECEMBER, 6PM

WNO Orchestra, Colston Hall

19 DECEMBER, 10.30AM

Organ Elevenses, Holy Trinity Church Organist Richard Johnson gives this month's popular Organ Elevenses recital at Westbury-onTrym Parish Church. Coffee and cakes will be served from 10.30am and the 40 minute recital gets under way at 11am with a largescreen projection of the organist. A lovely morning event in one of north Bristol’s prettiest churches.

Suggested donation £5 on the door in aid of the Organ Fund, registered charity 1128488 19 DECEMBER, 7.30PM

Handel’s Messiah, Colston Hall

Christmas Spectaculars, St George’s Bristol Two brilliantly entertaining evenings of Christmas music led by David Ogden and Bristol Ensemble with City of Bristol Choir (Monday) and Exultate Singers (Tuesday), including festive orchestral pieces, beautiful choral Christmas carols and the opportunity for audience members to join in with the singing too.

Tickets: £12–£26; students in full time education £6, under 18s £4.

Tel: 0845 402 4001 or visit: www.stgeorgesbristol.co.uk

19 DECEMBER, 7.30PM

Xmas with the Phoenix, Tyndale Baptist Church Bristol Phoenix Choir, with conductor Paul Walton and organ accompanist Matt Davies, celebrate Christmas with festive music and readings. There’s also punch and mince pies in the interval, for a tasty seasonal treat.

Tickets: £10 (free for 16 and under), from Opus 13, tel: 0117 923 0164 or direct from the choir, tel: 07775 915 155 or email: tickets@bristolphoenixchoir.org.uk

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Bristol Bach Choir, St George’s

The orchestra of the Welsh National Opera treat families this Christmas with this performance of music from festive favourites The Snowman and The Nutcracker. Classic FM’s Tim Lihoreau and conductor Neil Thomson will present a suite of music from Tchaikovsky’s muchloved ballet. After the interval, the soundtrack to The Snowman is brought magically to life alongside a screening of the film, including the classic Walking in the Air. Tickets: £26.50 from the box office on tel: 0844 887 1500 or visit: www.colstonhall.org 21 & 22 DECEMBER, 7.45PM

Christmas is coming and it’s time to jettison the scores as Bristol Choral Society once more performs Handel’s most cherished oratorio from memory. Bristol Choral Society is joined by the Bristol Ensemble and soloists Llio Evans (soprano), Sebastian Field (alto), Mark Padmore (tenor, and choral society president) and Brian McAlea (bass) to perform this Handel masterpiece. Tickets: £10–£25 (£5 for under 25s), tel: 0845 652 1823 or visit: www.bristolchoral.co.uk

Andy Sheppard, Alma Tavern

23 DECEMBER, 7.45PM

Festive Fiesta, St George’s Bristol A new addition to the calendar this year: a feel-good family festive evening of carols and Christmas music – come and sing all your festive favourites with members of City of Bristol Choir, accompanied by professional orchestra The Bristol Ensemble and led in entertaining style by the brilliant David Ogden. Bring the family for a wonderful evening of singing.

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Tickets: £12–£26; students in full time education £6, under 18s £4.

Tel: 0845 402 4001 or visit: www.stgeorgesbristol.co.uk 30 DECEMBER, 8PM

Andy Sheppard, Alma Tavern Theatre Andy Sheppard has developed an inventive new solo set which features his own compositions, onthe-fly improvisations and classic jazz standards. Andy’s contemporary sax mix of Latin grooves, free jazz, and slow-burn improv gives him one of the most recognisable styles on the European circuit. Tickets: £10/£12 on the door, tel: 0117 973 5171 or visit: www.almataverntheatre.co.uk

NEW YEARS EVE...

31 DECEMBER, 7.30PM

Steampunk Circus Ball, Tobacco Factory The Tobacco Factory New Year’s Eve party goes Steampunk. The many spaces inside will be teaming with performance – with quirky circus and fire performers, contortionists and burlesque, live bands and DJs. There’ll be a Some

Like It Hot inspired Speakeasy in the Factory Theatre Bar, and outside the mini Big Top will be home to DJs and circus acts, plus there will be a hot food court where ticket holders can use their food voucher, included with the ticket price. Tickets: £35, from the box office on tel: 0117 902 0344 or visit: www.tobaccofactorytheatres.com 31 DECEMBER, 7.30PM

Global Beat NYE Party, Colston Hall Prepare yourself for a riot of sound and colour as Colston Hall goes global to take revellers into 2016. Enter the new year to the sounds of Ibibo Sound Machine, who’ve been lighting up the festival ciruit throughout 2015 with their mash-up of party music.

Then Gilles Peterson’s favourite – Submotion Orchestra – headline the evening’s festivities with their mesmeric and hypnotic sub-driven sound, which will send the Colston Hall throbbing into the early hours of the New Year. Tickets: £25. For more information or to book your tickets, call the box office on tel: 0844 887 1500 or visit: www.colstonhall.org

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Hand embroidery classes from beginners to advanced Join us for exciting day classes where all levels are welcome Learn from expert practitioners Learn traditional hand embroidery techniques on our flexible Certificate and Diploma courses Offer RSN Vouchers to a stitch enthusiast this Christmas!

Venue: 38 Old School House, Kingswood Estate, Britannia Road, Kingswood, Bristol, BS15 8DB www.royal-needlework.org.uk T: 020 3166 6937 RCN 312774

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NIGHT | LIFE

❝ AS NIGHT FALLS, BRISTOL COMES ALIVE… THE STREETS BECOME A STAGE, AS INVISIBLE LIVES REVEAL THEMSELVES

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photographic competition inviting Bristol’s amateur and professional photographers – as well as residents and workers – to document the realities of their lives within the city walls, took place as the clocks went back in the early hours of 25 October, when we were transported from British Summer Time into GMT, supposedly gaining an extra hour.

This photo-documentary asks: Just what happened during that lost hour?

While most of us were tucked up in bed, the small army of Bristol’s night workers shared their experiences and this is now part of an incredible exhibition not only showcasing the best of the photography, but also a magical documentation of nocturnal society.

The exhibition will be held at the Harbourside Arts Centre, from Wednesday 2 December until 11 December. Shown here are some of the images taken during the hour that started at 1am... and finished at 1am.

Harbourside Arts Centre, Millennium Promenade, Harbourside, Bristol BS1 5TY. For further details, tel: 0117 9304515 or visit: www.24hoursinbristol.co.uk

Opposite page: Thekla Security Guard by Sarah Khoury Christmas Lights by Helen Sheppard This page: Top left: Ambulance on Standby by Phil Watson The Bus Driver by Alan Russell Street Cleaner by Martin Walker Street Catering by Helen Sheppard Below: The Grand Circle at Bristol Hippodrome by Elaine Carr All images © 24 Hours in Our City Ltd

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NOVEMBER2015 2015 || THE THEBRISTOL BRISTOLMAGAZINE MAGAZINE 47 31 DECEMBER

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ARTS | & EXHIBITIONS

CITY GALLERY

Wildlife Photographer of the Year 2015, M Shed Until 10 April The world-renowned exhibition from the Natural History Museum returns to the M Shed with 100 breath-taking images that showcase the natural world’s most astonishing and challenging sights; from fascinating animal behaviour and wild landscapes, to relationships between humans and the natural world. Open 10am – 5pm. Tickets: adult £5, concession £4, under 16s free. Free day: Wednesday 9 December.

Visit: bristolmuseums.org.uk

Carlos Perez Naval, To Drink or Not Wildlife Photographer of the Year 2015

Centre Stage takes visitors on a magical journey to explore the story of theatre in Bristol, turning the spotlight on those working within the wings and behind the scenes as well as the famous names on stage. The exhibition includes life-size sets and props from the Disney and Cameron Mackintosh production of Mary Poppins (designed by ex-Bristol Old Vic Theatre School student Bob Crowley), which had its world premiere in Bristol in 2004.

Alongside these magical treats will sit costumes and designs by Maria Bjornson and the gothic candelabra from Andrew Lloyd Webber’s The Phantom of the Opera produced by Cameron Mackintosh and the Really Useful Theatre Company. Taking a walk down memory lane, the exhibition also includes a large selection of intimate production photographs taken by Derek Balmer and Desmond Tripp, chronicling many of the famous faces that have trodden the boards at Bristol Old Vic over a 40 year period, including Pete Postlethwaite, Peter O’Toole, Jane Asher, Annette Crosbie, Christopher Harris and Daniel Day-Lewis. And don’t miss the immersive theatre within a theatre: providing visitors with a glimpse into the captivating relationship between audience and performer.

Admission is free. Royal West of England Academy, Queens Road, BS8 1PX. www.rwa.org.uk

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Centre Stage: Celebrating Theatre in Bristol, RWA, 11 December – 24 January

Right: Mr T P Cooke as Captain Aubri in The Dog of Montargis, or The Forest of Bondy. Tinsel print, undated. Copyright: University of Bristol Theatre Collection

Left: Daniel Day-Lewis as Faz in Old King Cole, Bristol Old Vic Company at the New Vic, Bristol, 1979. Photographer: Derek Balmer. Copyright: University of Bristol Theatre Collection

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ARTS | & EXHIBITIONS

Christmas Open Evening, Coldharbour Framing & Gallery, Friday 4 December, 6pm – 8.30pm For this special open evening the gallery will be packed with affordable local art and crafts. Many of the painters, potters and printmakers will be there to show their work, among them gallery regulars Jenny Urquhart and Abigail McDougall, with new pieces created especially for the show.

Enjoy the chance to chat to the artists over a glass of mulled wine.

Coldharbour Framery & Gallery, 111 Coldharbour Rd, BS6 7SD. www.coldharbourgallery.co.uk

Paul Needles: Places I Remember, Bristol Guild Gallery, until 24 December Two years since his last highly successful Guild Gallery show, Bristol-based artist Paul Needles is back with a selection of new paintings and drawings. Places I Remember includes scenes of Bristol, the west country and Spain, which all continue to supply a rich source of inspiration. In many of the work roads, railings, tracks, paths and rivers lead to distant horizons. As well as large paintings there will be a selection of smaller studies, many created in situ. Bristol Guild Gallery, 68 Park Street BS1 5JY www.bristolguildgallery.co.uk

Bristol Green Capital in the Frame, Grant Bradley Gallery, 5 December – 2 January An exhibition featuring 12 artists celebrating and reflecting on the year that Bristol was voted European Green Capital.

Ideas encompassing recycling, upcycling and energy efficiency will be on display, as well as works that highlight the importance of protecting green spaces and local wildlife. Expect animals made from upcycled scrap metal, scenes of Bristol’s allotments and abstract prints of microscopic images of leaves and flowers.

Grant Bradley Gallery, 1 St Peters Court, Bedminster. grantbradleygallery.co.uk

Fire and Ice: copper-fumed pot by Pat Armstrong

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Christmas at Clifton Fine Art, throughout December For Christmas Clifton Fine Art has aero-organic sculptures by Adam Warwick Hall, delicate jewellery cast from natural forms by Bethany Robinson, new work by Harry Bunce and a series of smaller works By Harriet Whyatt. Clifton Fine Art will be open late on Thursdays until Christmas. Visit: cliftonfineart.com Love is in the Air London

by Harry Bunce

Orchid and Pear by Alison McWhirter

Lime Tree Gallery Christmas Exhibition, 2 December – 13 January A wide-ranging and vibrant exhibition for the Christmas season, with paintings by notable artists, including Judith Bridgland, Sarah Carrington, Michael Clark PAI RSW, and Euan McGregor. The exhibition also includes a beautiful collection of glass and fine jewellery. Lime Tree Gallery, 84 Hotwell Road. limetreegallery.com

Contemporary Printmaking – Print & Process, Sidcot Arts Centre, until 12 December

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Jamaica Street Artists Christmas Party, 3 December, 5-9pm; 6 December, 1 – 5pm Head to Jamaica Street Artists for a Christmas party in the artists’ studios.

Enjoy mince pies, mulled wine, carols and art all under one roof. Visit: www.jamaicastreetartists.co.uk

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Oliver Sidaway

| DECEMBER 2015

Love is in the Air London

by Harry Bunce

Five printmakers all based in the Bristol and Somerset area are brought together for this exhibition that showcases some of the most innovative artworks from their respective portfolios. Featuring Liz Bird and Gail Mason – members of Spike Print Studio – and Bronwen Bradshaw, Pennie Elfick and Tony Martin – members of Somerset Printmakers and Fingerprint – the show will demonstrate original printmaking’s ability to convey the emotional and the conceptual and the figurative and the abstract all via a multiplicity of traditional and contemporary methodologies. Sidcot Arts Centre, Sidcot School, North Somerset. For further information visit: www.sidcot.org.uk/arts

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“Portishead Lido” by Euan McGregor PAI.

Christmas Exhibition: Dec 3 - Jan 12 Lime Tree Gallery, 84 Hotwell Road, Bristol BS8 4UB

Tel 0117 929 2527 WWW.THEBRISTOLMAG.CO.UK

www.limetreegallery.com

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CELEBRATION | FOOD

FOOD for Thought

Jenny Hayes finds 91 Ways to bring the people of Bristol together through a shared love of food

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CELEBRATION | FOOD

E

ach morning on my way to work, I’m lucky enough to walk through an array of residential and commercial pockets of the city. Although I’ve been taking the same route for over a year, I never tire of feeling Bristol come to life around me as it prepares for the day ahead. I share the pavement with suited and booted business professionals, mums and dads herding children on scooters to school, students traipsing off to early lectures, and the occasional cheeky cyclist weaving round congestion on the road. The backdrop to my walk is equally varied, encompassing everything from the pubs of Gloucester Road, to the glossy shops of Cabot Circus, to the imposing buildings of the Temple Meads Enterprise Zone.

Because I’m a glutton for a good bit of grub, my favourite stretch is the one that gets my stomach rumbling. It begins at the hotch-potch of restaurants and takeaways that huddle beneath the arches on Cheltenham Road, finally asleep after a long night serving Bristolians any cuisine they may fancy – from Italian or Greek, to Chinese, Thai, Lebanese, Caribbean and Indian. Then it’s on to a spot of open air art appreciation as I head through Stokes Croft and St Pauls, where I also have to resist the temptation of a brownie or slice of cake from one of the many eclectic little cafés I pass. And the sight of the barbecue smoking outside Rice & Things gets me thinking about dinner even before I’ve digested my breakfast...

This strip of foodie heaven is just one of many within Bristol that have together earned us a rather prominent position on the UK culinary map. We have everything from Michelin star restaurants to award-winning street food shacks, who between them offer us the chance to try the best dishes from across the world on any budget. But none of this would exist if it weren’t for the fact that Bristol is a multicultural melting pot. Did you know that there are 50 different countries represented in our neighbourhoods, and 91 languages spoken across the city? The voices and perspectives that come together within this mix give rise to the bubbles of creative genius we see all around us – in business and artistic endeavours across the city and, of course, in our thriving gastronomic scene.

Like art and music, food is a universal language that everyone can share and appreciate. We all love to taste another culture, be it through eating out or trying new dishes at home, but wouldn’t it be great to be able to put away the recipe book and actually learn first hand how to make our favourite meals, and at the same time find out a bit about the history that makes them so special? Well, that’s exactly what local charity 91 Ways is helping us do, by hosting regular events at which the 91 language communities of Bristol can come together to sample dishes, swap recipes and share stories. Not only can you enjoy fantastic food, you’ll also get to know your neighbours and make some great new friends in the process.

It’s an idea that’s particularly relevant as we approach Christmas, a festival that reminds us how memories are made and moments remembered over the food we share each year.

So what better time to look beyond the tinsel and fairy lights of the festive season and find out about some of the other celebrations that happen in communities across Bristol throughout the year? Five women involved in the 91 Ways initiative were kind enough to speak to me about the role of food in their cultural and religious celebrations, their experience of connecting with others over food, and a personal recipe and the special memories it evokes.

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CELEBRATION | FOOD

Kalpna Woolf, founder and director of 91 Ways, grew up in Middlesex but has lived in Bristol since her work with the BBC brought her here 22 years ago. “I was born in India and came to this country when I was six years old,” she says. “My father fought for the British army on the Burma front during WWII and was given a British passport for his service. He had five children, and wanted to give us all a good education, so he decided to come to England.

“My family are traditional Hindus, and my father worked for years to raise money to establish the first Hindu temple in London. He was an active member of the community, helping people get jobs and homes when they arrived, and his mantra was that if someone comes to your door and is hungry, you must give them your last piece of bread. Hospitality, kindness and care for others are central to our culture, and because of my family background I knew that when you share food with people, you learn more about their heritage and themselves – their values, their cares, their identity, and their story.

“My mother worked for British Airways, cooking international food for the airline, and she also cooked traditional Indian dishes at home using spices and fresh ingredients. So cooking and eating foods from around the world is in my DNA. It’s what inspired me to set up 91 Ways here in Bristol. Ninety-one language communities equal a myriad of wonderful food from around the world, and it’s been amazing to bring together so many cultures – eating foods together, learning each other’s stories, making new friends, and broadening our understanding of one another.”

This sentiment is something that each of the women I spoke to share. “I’ve loved being involved with 91 Ways,” says Russian born Olesia Bogdanova. “While writing some of my recipes for the project, I found myself reading up about the history of the dishes and their evolution. Through this research, I’ve discovered close links to the historical development of Russia, and I’m hoping to find out more about other cultures and their food evolution through this great initiative.”

Like Kalpna, Olesia has also lived in England since she was a child. “When I was 11 my parents sent me to school here, so even though I miss my family and home country the UK has become equally important and influential on my growing up.

“I live with my husband and daughter in St Pauls, an area I love. Just walking through our flats you can smell so many different cuisines – sometimes it’s tempting to just knock on a 54 THE BRISTOL MAGAZINE

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neighbour’s door and invite yourself in for dinner. Both my mother and grandmother were trained chefs, but I feel I’ve learned more about food here in Bristol. Although that might be because extracting a recipe from my grandmother was so tricky.

She was such an intuitive cook; all she’d say was ‘add a bit of this, a pinch of that, and just wait until it’s cooked’. Speaking to other cooks at 91 Ways reminded me of her, because many would struggle to write down a recipe because they just knew how to do it intuitively. That shows a true knowledge and understanding of food.”

Claire, from Belize, has also found that being involved with 91 Ways reminds her of home. “It’s been really interesting and enlightening to hear about all the other different cultures and foods in Bristol,” she says. “It’s such a beautifully diverse city, and I like that it celebrates other cultures, just like we do back home.

“My mother and her family are Belizean and my father was British, but he was born and raised in Mauritius. My parents met when they both attended university in London in the mid 70s, before returning to Belize where they married and settled. So I have dual nationality. I grew up in Belize and came to the UK and to Bristol when I was 19 to study at university. That was back in 2001 and I’ve subsequently stayed because I really like it here.

“There are many different cultures in Belize. It’s a strongly Roman Catholic country for the most part, so Christian holidays such as Christmas and Easter are big occasions. We celebrate St George’s Caye Day – which is the day the British fought off the Spanish in Belize, back in 1798 – and our Independence Day. Garifuna Day – which marks the arrival of the Garifuna people in Belize after leaving St Vincent and the Grenadines because of British occupation – is a national holiday. There is also the Costa Maya celebration of Mayan culture, which lasts a full week and is in aid of the original indigenous people of Belize.

“Food is always central to the festivities. Over Christmas and Easter the meals are very similar to ones people tend to have here, though the Christmas cake is more likely to be soaked in rum than brandy! For days like Independence Day the fare is more Caribbean – rice n’ beans and lots of barbecue. On Garifuna Day the popular cuisine tends to be the dishes they brought over to Belize with them, such as dukunu, cassava bread and serre. The main staple of Mayan food is corn. Fresh corn tortillas are widely consumed in Belize and the rest of Central America.”

This page, clockwise from top left: People enjoying a recent 91 Ways event at The Station; Jewish sufganiyot doughnuts; the colourful Hindu festival of Holi; corn tacos are eaten all over Central America; Rabbi Monique Mayer, one of our interviewees

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CELEBRATION | FOOD

This page: People getting to know one another over shared interests and a love of food at a 91 Ways event © Rob Wicks

For Monique Mayer, a Californian who arrived in Bristol only three months ago to take up the position as Rabbi of the Bristol and West Progressive Jewish Congregation, the food eaten around Jewish festivals carries more specific meanings.

“On Rosh Hashanah, the Jewish New Year, it is traditional to have foods representative of a fresh start and new beginnings,” she explains. “On Chanukkah we eat special sufganiyot, which are special doughnuts fried in oil, which reminds us of the miracle of the oil lasting eight days in the Temple. The celebration of Pesach brings the eating of unleavened bread called matzah, as well as a number of other specific foods that are consumed during a special meal service called a seder. Each is representative of something in the Passover story.”

Another relatively new arrival in the city is Olesea Ciumac, who moved to Bristol with her husband and young son a year and a half ago with work. Although she grew up in predominantly Christian Orthodox Moldova, like many of us Olesea continues to celebrate many of the traditional festivals without being particularly religious herself.

“We’ve never been a particularly religious family,” she says, “but I do observe the big occasions like Easter and Christmas, which Moldovans celebrate on the 6 and 7 January. I also enjoy some of our smaller festivals, like City Day, Independence Day and Romanian Language Day, when the main roads are closed and the streets lined with traditional markets.

“Our biggest time for festivities is New Year’s Eve, and that’s when we prepare a huge table of food to share with friends and family. It’s usually not very healthy food – the salads that we have for our first course contain lots of mayonnaise, the hot main is usually some kind of meat or fish and potatoes, followed by cake for dessert. We end up eating the leftovers for a couple of days afterwards. But we’d always rather over-cater, because in Moldova it is believed that you live the next year as you meet it.”

The same sentiment holds true in Russia. “New Year’s Eve has always been the most dominant celebration in my life,” echoes Olesia. “It seems to be the celebration of hope and new beginnings, and superstitious sayings like ‘you will spend your year the way you enter it’ abound. Due to this, people will try to spend it with their loved ones, in an immaculate house with a rich table full of good food. From the 1 to the 10 January Russia is on holiday, celebrating the start of the year.

“I remember that I used to love it when my parents had these gatherings. The days of preparation created such suspense and

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excitement for me as a chid. And when the guests arrived none of them came empty handed, so the already full table soon held a dazzling array of dishes. People would eat, drink, sing, and eventually dance. And for the next few days the delicious leftovers would remind you of all the fun.”

Sounds just like Christmas at my house, and I can almost feel my waistband tightening as I think ahead to the delicious glut of chocolates, cake, wine and other rich trimmings to come over the next few weeks. But this year I may well pause before I indulge, and reflect on Kalpna’s words about the role of food in Hindu celebrations.

“We have many festivals with rituals and fun that bring together family and friends,” she says, “and always, food is an important part of these. At Holi, which signifies the coming of spring, we eat delicious pastries filled with nuts and sweet spices as a celebration of happiness and we throw vibrant coloured powder at each other to signal the beautiful colours that the season brings.

“But food is about sustenance in our culture – there are a lot of religious writings about what is good to eat and when to eat it. I have learned a lot about healthy food from my culture and traditions. In the lead up to some festivals, we fast or only eat certain foods. This is for religious reasons, and also for health – nowadays we are hearing about how fasting is good for the body, and Hindus have been doing it for centuries. The value of food is held high – we learn to respect it, and not to waste it.”

As many of us prepare to overload our trolleys at the supermarket this month, this final statement certainly provides food for thought. It reminds us that the importance of food in any celebration lies not in its quantity, but in its power to unite us with friends, family, and our community. And, if you turn the page, you’ll not only find five recipes that are guaranteed to tickle your tastebuds, but also stories behind them that will warm your heart. n 91 Ways works at a local level, bringing cultures and generations together through a shared love of food, and in doing so create a truly connected city. By collecting and sharing the knowledge related by the people of Bristol, the charity aims to create a modern social history of food in the city, and also use the experiences related to identify food challenges faced by certain communities. The next event is Tuesday 15 December, 12pm. For more information or to get involved, visit: 91ways.org

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CELEBRATION | FOOD

Olesea’s Moldovan pasca METHOD

“My mother and I would make these pies together on Maundy Thursday, then take them with us to the cemetery on the national holiday of Pastele Blajinilor. We’d take a box for each relative we were visiting, which contained a pasca, a candle and a box of matches. When we got to each grave, we’d insert the candle into the bread, light it, and stay for a couple of minutes to remember our loved one. We’d visit the grave of my father, who passed away when I was very young; my sister, who died when she was just 18 days old; and my grandparents. I loved taking pasca to the cemetery with my mother. It’s a happy time, and when I think back I miss it. It was a very important part of my childhood.”

INGREDIENTS • 1.4 kg plain flour • 10g dry yeast • 500ml milk, plus 1/3 cup • 200g butter • 350g sugar • 5 egg yolks (set aside the whites) • 1 tsp salt • zest of 1 orange • 1 tsp vanilla extract • 1 tsp nutmeg • Muffin tray • Sprinkles

1. Heat 1/3 cup of milk until it’s warm. Add 1 tbsp sugar and 10g yeast and leave it to grow for 20–30 minutes. Sift the flour while you wait.

2. Divide the egg yolks and beat with an electric beater. Add the 500ml milk and beat. Add sugar, orange zest, vanilla and nutmeg, and beat again.

3. Add the yeast mix and start adding the flour – use your mixer until it gets too thick. Keep adding the flour until there’s only 2/3 cup left and then set aside.

4. Melt the butter. Allow to cool slightly then grease your hands and begin to knead parts of the butter into the dough, alternating with the flour until you’ve incorporated all the butter. You may not need all of the flour, as you don’t want the dough to be too dry.

Then leave in a warm place to rise for 4 hours.

5. Form into palm-sized balls and place into each section of a well-greased muffin tray.

Leave to rise for another 30 mins, then brush with egg white and place in an oven at 170°C for 20–30 minutes, covering with foil for the last 15 minutes.

6. Brush the pascas with the remaining egg white as soon as you take them out of the oven, and top with sprinkles.

Monique’s challah bread INGREDIENTS • 4½ tsp powdered yeast • 2 cups warm water • 2–3 cups sugar • 7½ cups unbleached flour • 4 eggs • 1 tbsp salt • ½ cup rapeseed oil

METHOD

“I taught myself to make challah many years ago. It originates from the shewbread in the Temple, so connects us with our religious and cultural history. It brings together many important elements of Judaism – family, community, history, food, and celebrating the Sabbath.

Challah is traditionally baked every week before the Sabbath, and it is also enjoyed at some other festivals. The aroma of it baking is wonderful, and its consumption with the meal is a warm, positive experience, usually shared within a family or group of people.”

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1. Dissolve the yeast into the warm water, then add the sugar and 1 1/2 cups of unbleached flour and mix until you see bubbles form.

2. Then add the eggs, salt and oil and mix well.

3. Now this is the tricky part. You will need to add between 5–6 1/2 additional cups of unbleached flour – the reason for this difference is due to atmospheric conditions.

So add 4 1/2 cups first then turn the dough out onto the counter and start kneading. Add more flour as necessary. You want the dough to be slightly sticky as you knead. If the dough becomes gooey, add more flour.

4. Let the dough rest for 1 hour, then braid it and rest it for another 30 minutes. Brush with a beaten egg and bake at 180°C (160°C fan assisted) for 35 minutes.

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CELEBRATION | FOOD

Kalpna’s saffron rice

Olesia’s mimosa salad Claire’s Belizean rice n’ beans

“I thought I’d share this festive dish that we have at religious festivals and weddings. It’s served as large, steaming bowls of sweetness topped with plump raisins and nuts. I also like to have it on wintry evenings when I want something warming and comforting to eat. It’s packed with healthy ingredients too – nuts, saffron, cloves, cardamom and cinnamon.

As a child, I used to watch my mum and aunts make this dish, and as I got older I was allowed to make it under their watchful eyes.

Whenever I make it now, I remember the sound of a house filled with family laughter, and a table topped with delicious dishes and a centrepiece of sweet saffron rice. I like to keep that memory alive by making it occasionally and sharing it with my son.”

INGREDIENTS • 55g butter • 115g basmati rice • 85g granulated sugar • 350ml warm water • 1 cinnamon stick • 4 cloves • 6 cardamom pods • 2 tbsp milk • ¼ tsp saffron threads, soaked in 1 tbsp water • 55g almonds, shelled and chopped • 55g unsalted cashews, chopped • 115g raisins, soaked in water

“Rice n’ beans is a staple part of the Belizean diet and probably the most commonly eaten food. Normally it is accompanied by potato salad, plantain and stewed chicken, pork or fish, but since going vegan I tend to eat it with curried chickpeas instead of the meat.

As well as being an everyday food, it is also a standard part of most of our celebrations, which is probably why I feel I was born knowing how to make it! Whenever I prepare it, it evokes memories of home – feeling the sea breeze on my face and listening to the wind rustling in the coconut trees.”

INGREDIENTS • 1 cup kidney beans (pre-soak if using dried) • 2 cups plain white rice • 1 small onion, finely diced • 1 clove garlic, finely diced • ½ green bell pepper, finely diced • 1 can coconut milk • 1 tsp thyme • 2½ cups of water • salt and pepper

METHOD 1. Fry the onion, garlic and bell pepper in oil for a few minutes in a large pot. Add the rest of the ingredients, including the dry rice and water, and stir well to combine.

2. Cover pot and place on a low heat until the water has evapourated (this usually takes 15– 20 minutes, but it’s best to keep checking on it).

3. Serve hot with whatever accompaniment you desire. It’s great with a generous lashing of hot sauce.

“To me, this dish represents everything about a true ‘Russian spread’. It’s rich, tasty, beautiful, and takes time and effort to prepare. It’s not linked to any specific celebration, but is one of those evolutionary salads that have changed over time with the introduction of new ingredients to our diet. It has all the core ingredients of a lot of the salads that would be present on a festive table in Russia, with the addition of salmon and caviar that are now present at every celebration. Every time I make it I’m reminded of precious times with my friends and family.”

INGREDIENTS • 3–4 new potatoes • ½ banana shallot • 3 pickled gherkins (or cucumber) • 1 carrot • 2 eggs • 100g cold smoked salmon • 100g red caviar • Mayonnaise

METHOD

METHOD

1. Melt the butter in a pan. Add the rice and stir to coat it in the butter. Sauté for 1–2 minutes.

2. In a separate pan, dissolve the sugar in the warm water to make a syrup. When the sugar has completely dissolved add it to the rice.

3. Infuse the rice by adding the cinnamon stick, cloves, cardamom pods, milk and saffron in its water. Bring the ingredients to the boil.

4. Once the water is boiling, add the drained raisins, almonds and cashew nuts.

5. Allow the rice to simmer for about 10 minutes, or until it is cooked.

6. Drain the rice, pick out the cinnamon sticks, cloves and cardamom pods, and garnish with a few nuts.

1. Boil the potatoes and carrots without peeling until fully cooked. Drain and leave uncovered to cool, then peel off the skin with a knife.

2. Hard boil the eggs, allow to cool, then peel.

3. Keeping all the ingredients separate, dice the potatoes, carrot and gherkins. Finely chop the shallot, and then roughly chop the egg and salmon into small pieces.

4. The chopped ingredients need to be layered in a bowl. In between every 2 layers, spread a thin layer of mayonnaise. From the bottom of the bowl, layer potato, shallot, gherkin, carrot, egg, salmon, potato, shallot, gherkin, carrot, salmon, egg and mayonnaise, then top with caviar.

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Men's Gifts Dec 2015 Bristol .qxp_Layout 1 27/11/2015 17:45 Page 1

FOR THE

MAN

Gifted

ROLEX SUBMARINER Since GoldenEye in 1995 the Omega Seamaster has been James Bond's watch of choice. However 007 traditionalists will have noted that the first watch featured in Dr No in 1962 was the Rolex Submariner in stainless steel. For a sporty diving look, Sean Connery had changed the strap to a classy grey and black Nato one. Omega have used something very similar for their limited edition Seamaster 300 as seen in Spectre - if you didn’t manage to acquire one of the 007 specially made Seamaster’s, then what better than to recreate the original look with the Rolex, £5000

IDEAS

Inspired by the most recent 007 film Spectre, here’s some gifts for the perfect gent...

...We’ve been inspecting them, Mr Bond.

A SCENT FOR A GENT Floris No. 89 fragrance was a personal favourite of Ian Fleming and featured in many of the early Bond movies. No. 89 takes its name from the number of the Floris shop on Jermyn Street. With orange and bergamot blended with lavender and neroli and undertones of vetiver this is the quintessential English gentleman's fragrance. Comes in two sizes, 100ml (£75) and, if you are a secret agent, then a handy travel size is perfect for those missions abroad. 50ml (£55). Available online at florislondon.com

Goldsmiths, The Mall at Cribbs Causeway, Bristol BS34 5UP. Tel: 0117 959 2464

FOR YOUR EYES ONLY If you are planning on enjoying a white Christmas and taking to the mountains for a snow break, then these Tom Ford Henry Vintage Wayfarer sunglasses are as cool on the powder as they are hot in the sun. The round-frame style is truly classic and Daniel Craig wears a pair in Spectre and in the music video for Sam Smith's theme tune Writing's On The Wall, £235. Available from Harvey Nichols, 27 Philadelphia Street, Quakers Friars, Bristol BS1 3BZ. www.harveynichols.com

FROM DENTS WITH GLOVE Made by Dents in England, a pair of Fleming unlined hairsheep leather driving gloves are as worn by Daniel Craig in Spectre.

They make the perfect winter accessory... No more coldfingers... (apologies), £99. Available from www.dents.co.uk or find them at House of Fraser, Cabot Circus, Bristol BS1 3BD

HE’S ONLY LIVED TWICE After surviving a traumatic explosion in his cameo role in Skyfall, and now sporting a few cracks to his face and some charring to the union flag draped over his back. Royal Doulton’s Jack the Bulldog has given up the desk job. Bequeathed to 007 by ‘M’, he makes a welcome return in Spectre, where he has taken early retirement on Bond’s coffee table. Good to see you back Jack.

Available from www.royaldoulton.co.uk or at House of Fraser, Cabot Circus, Bristol BS1 3BD

LICENSED TO CHILL Macallan was one of the first of Scotland’s distilleries to be issued a legal licence. Connoissuers believe it to produce one of the best single malts too.

In Skyfall, the villian Silva (played by Javier Bardem) claims to know Bond’s favourite whisky, and the Macallan1962 was served regularly... there was also a little spillage by Severine (Bérénice Marlohe). Chill out like 007, and enjoy a christmas tipple.

Macallan Single Malt Whisky, from £59.

Harvey Nichols, 27 Philadelphia Street, Quakers Friars, Bristol BS1 3BZ. Or find out more at: www.themacallan.com

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LIVE & LET TIE When Suzie Kidd sat at her sewing machine one sunny day in January 2015 to make an 18th birthday gift for her son, she had no idea that she was about to create her own bow tie business and a few months later would be in conversation with leading national retailers...

Based in Bristol, Suzie makes lovely bow ties, from the most beautiful silks, and personalises them to make a long lasting and special gift for the perfect debonaire gent. £60 per bow tie (including VAT, postage & personalised monogram) Available direct from: www.bowtiesetc.uk

PAY ATTENTION 007 In SkyFall, ‘Q’ (Ben Whishaw) uses a Wild & Wolf ‘Q’ mug. The mug refers to the board-game Scrabble. Other letters, like ‘M ‘and ‘C’ for that matter, are also available, £9.95. Foyles Quakers Friars, Cabot Circus, Bristol BS1 3BU. Tel: 0117 376 397, www.foyles.co.uk

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FOOD & Drink

TITBITS TO TICKLE YOUR TASTEBUDS THIS MONTH

JUST OPENED

Magical mixology at Aluna

The much awaited Aluna cocktail bar and restaurant has opened its doors at 4 Broad Quay, bringing molecular mixology, science, theatre, art and showmanship all under one roof. The bar and restaurant boasts a comfortable interior with exciting cocktails and a modern global menu that is influenced by executive chef Ray Arpon’s 26 years’ experience in the industry. For further information visit: www.aluna.uk.com

DAILY BREAD

GAME’S UP

DRINK UP THY ZIDER

Book tickets now for the 13th Feast With a Chef event, which is taking place on 30 January at 6.15pm in Long Ashton village hall. The feast for 100 people celebrates the final weekend of the game season and will be cooked by Bristol born and bred Will Holland, head chef at Coast Saundersfoot in Pembrokeshire, recently named Restaurant of the Year Wales by the AA. Previously Will headed the team at La Becasse in Ludlow, where he won a Michelin star at the age of 29, prompting The Good Food Guide to include him on their list of ten most influential chefs of the next decade. Tickets for the event cost £45 for four courses, including game from Exmoor, plus coffee/tea and homemade sweets. To book visit: www.feastwithachef.co.uk

Fed up of mulled wine and festive tipples?

Join Bristol Cider Shop for a festive cider tasting instead – an alternative Christmas drink to embrace this season. The tastings are always relaxed and last about an hour and a half, including 10 award-winning ciders plus bread and cheese. Learn all about how cider is made and try some of the favourite ciders and perries from the shop’s shelves. Start with a welcome drink and an introduction to cider, and then go on to taste everything from traditional scrumpy to Champagne-style cider and cider brandy.

This month, events are held on 4 and 11 December, and cost £20 per person. For further information, or to book a place, visit: www.bristolcidershop.co.uk

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A new bakery is set to open at 85 Park Street on Friday 4 December, offering dishes and drinks that you wouldn’t find in traditional bakeries, although at the heart of Pinkmans are the bakers and the bakers ovens. Everything it serves will be made fresh on the premises, and baked throughout the day in open view.

Open all day from breakfast at 7am through to the evening at 11pm, Pinkmans has a brunch menu from opening to 3pm, bakes slow fermentation breads, and will serve sourdough pizza from the wood oven.

On the counter you will find a seasonal range of cakes and tarts, sourdoughnuts, sandwiches, salads and slow roast meats.

And the best bit – Pinkmans is fully licensed and alongside coffee, teas and freshly squeezed juices, will serve cocktails, wine and beers. Service is cafeteria style from the bakery counter, and there will be plenty of seating for eating in too. You can keep up to date with the latest news on Twitter by following: @pinkmansbakery or visit: www.pinkmans.co.uk for further information.

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JAPANESE RESTAURANT

SUSHI • GRILL • TEPPANYAKI

We bring you authentic Japanese cuisine prepared by our highly trained chefs

•

Mini Rolls • Uramaki Rolls • Temaki - Hand Rolls • • Nigiri • Gunkan • Sashimi • Teppanyaki • Side Dishes • Donburi - Rice Dishes • • Sushi - Set Meals (18 - 63 pieces) •

Student private booking for restaurant downstairs with karaoke • Take away and delivery for BS8, BS6, BS2 & BS1 available

21 REGENT STREET, CLIFTON, BRISTOL, UNITED KINGDOM

• T: 0117 907 7840

OPEN 12:00PM - 10:30PM (CLOSED TUESDAY)

NOW TAKING BOOKINGS FOR CHRISTMAS

WWW.THEBRISTOLMAG.CO.UK

DECEMBER 2015

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CELEBRATION | COCKTAILS

THE BEST OF BRISTOL IT’S COCKTAIL HOUR ‘Tis the season for after work drinkies and Christmas knees-ups, so we feel it is our duty to bring you fine people of Bristol the best of our city’s cocktail bars. From cosy and intimate to all-out glitz and glamour, we’re sure you’ll find just the place to sip on a Mojito or perhaps something warm and spicy this winter...

HER MAJESTY’S SECRET SERVICE

GOLDBRICK HOUSE A sophisticated choice when it comes to cocktail bars, Goldbrick House is set in a converted Georgian Town House and Victorian Bakery – quirky, luxurious and offering an eclectic range of cocktails. Expect to see a whole host of winter warmers and hot toddies appear on Goldbrick’s cocktail menu, with every variety of mulled drink you can imagine.

You’ll love Goldbrick House, if you like: Georgian chic with a touch of decadence.

Menu favourite: Flower Power Taste: A classic gin martini.

INGREDIENTS • 60ml Number 3 Gin by Berry Brothers and Rudd • dash of Cocchi Americano • lemon zest • ice

METHOD: Put a handful of ice cubes in a chilled cocktail shaker. Add the gin and Cocchi Americano. Stir the ingredients with a bar spoon, slowly until thoroughly chilled. Serve straight up in a martini glass with a twist of lemon zest.

Get your passport and chase that paradise dream, with a specially chosen cocktail from Clifton’s newest cocktail bar and lounge.

Offering their own unique take on some of the classic cocktails, as well as an enviable selection of ‘faux-tails’, this is one cocktail bar where you can expect the highest standards while absorbing the sophisticated surroundings.With a passport style menu and a design influenced by industrial, gin palace and espionage — it’s a place where Bond would hide from his associates.

You’ll love Her Majesty’s Secret Service, if you like: Classic cocktails with a quirky twist.

Menu favourite: The South Side Taste: Fresh, zippy, gorgeously simple.

• 30ml Beefeater gin • 15ml Grand Marnier • 20ml fresh lemon juice • 15ml gomme syrup • 100ml orange juice • 1 teaspoon Grenadine caviar (to garnish)

METHOD: Pre-fill the sling glass with three pellets of dry ice at the bottom and fill the glass with cubed ice. Shake all ingredients together and strain into a sling glass. Top with spoon of Grenadine caviar.

THE SECOND FLOOR BAR AT HARVEY NICHOLS

METHOD: Add all ingredients except the Prosecco to a shaker tin. Shake and fine strain over a cube of ice. Add a final splash of bubbles to finish.

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If you haven’t yet heard of molecular mixology, you will have by the time you take your first sip of one of Aluna’s cocktails. With a flagship bar in Birmingham, Aluna has only recently opened on Bristol’s Broad Quay. For those who have experienced molecular mixology, you’ll know that there is a huge amount of alchemy, chemistry, theatre, art and showmanship involved. Aluna Cocktail Bar and Restaurant is designed to make you want to be part of the show, with staff who really know their stuff: think mixologist-meetssocial-scientist, and you get the idea. Blending subtle flavours from all corners of the globe, it succeeds in creating enticing and vibrant cocktails.

To accompany your cocktail, choose from the vast food menu. We like the seafood linguine and the butter prawns.

You’ll love Aluna Cocktail Bar & Restaurant, if you like: Experiencing the unexpected in flavour combos.

Menu favourite: The Lava Lamp Taste: A sweet and fruity cocktail that packs a punch.

INGREDIENTS

INGREDIENTS: • 20ml gin • 20ml fresh lemon juice • 15ml sugar • 10ml Manzanilla sherry • 1 dash orange bitters • 1 dash of Prosecco • 2 dash absinthe • 1 pinch fresh mint leaves

THE ALUNA COCKTAIL BAR & RESTAURANT

You will love this easy recipe from the glorious Second Floor Bar at Harvey Nics.

Menu favourite: Cointreau, Pear and Cinnamon Fizz Taste: Deep, bitter-sweet pear with fizz and winter spice.

INGREDIENTS • 40ml Cointreau • 10ml fresh lime juice • 50ml pear juice • 40ml sparkling water

METHOD: Fill a glass with ice, add the Cointreau, fresh lime juice and pear juice.

Top off with sparkling water and stir briefly.

Garnish with a cinnamon stick or two.

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A quality local independent Italian that's family run and well established.

WWW.PIAZZADIROMA.CO.UK 178 WHITELADIES ROAD, CLIFTON, BRISTOL, BS8 2XU OPEN 6PM TO 11PM TUESDAY TO SUNDAY (AND BANK HOLIDAY MONDAYS)

T: 0117 973 4183

FROM A ROMANTIC MEAL TO A PARTY BOOKING, YOU WILL BE WELL LOOKED AFTER

THE MENU

SPECIAL OFFERS PICTURES & REVIEWS

ON OUR FACEBOOK &WEBSITE

15% off your food bill (eat in or takeaway) You must have the voucher with you, voucher cannot be used in conjunction with any other offer, voucher must be presented before ordering drinks or food, only one voucher per group or table, management reserves the right to modify or cancel this offer at any time, applies to main menu only not specials board, please let us know that you are using the voucher at the time of booking to avoid disappointment.

Christmas at The Bristol Ram Celebrate Christmas at The Ram, with delicious Christmas dinner classics and creative seasonal dishes available throughout December. Come and enjoy our cosy log fire, friendly atmosphere and warm welcome.

• Available for exclusive hire for up to 150 guests Mon - Thurs • • Private hire of basement bar available for up to 50 guests 7 days a week • • Buffet menu from £10 per person • • Sit down Christmas party menu, for tables of up to 30- £15.95 for 2 courses, 3 courses for £19.95 • Contact us to book now!

The Bristol Ram Pub, 32 Park Street, Bristol, BS1 5JA, 0117 925 1975,

info@thebristolram.co.uk, www.thebristolram.co.uk Twitter: @therambristol Instagram: therambristol Facebook: The BristolRam

THEBRISTOLMAGAZINE THEBESTOFBRISTOL PERFECTLYCOVERED BRISTOLSBIGGESTMAGAZINE PERFECTLYDELIVERED TOADVERTISETEL: 0117 9742800 WWW.THEBRISTOLMAG.CO.UK

DECEMBER 2015

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GET | INVOLVED

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GET | INVOLVED

‘TIS THE

SEASON As the presents begin to mount under the tree, Hannah Stuart-Leach looks at some alternative ways of giving this Christmas

T

here’s nothing like giving a perfectly chosen gift to a loved one at Christmas. The joy on their face as they unwrap its shiny festive paper; the simple satisfaction of giving. But the Christmas spirit doesn’t have to end there. If you’re looking for ways to help out in your community and beyond this year, consider some of these heart-warming opportunities. From donating tea bags to volunteering at a homeless shelter, there’s something all of us can to do to help everyone have a happy Christmas.

SORT FOOD AT FARESHARE faresharesouthwest.org.uk Thousands of tonnes of perfectly good, in-date food are wasted in the south west each year due to packaging errors, out of date promotions, discontinued lines, veg not up to specification and so on. Yet at the same time, there are over 4 million people in the UK who cannot afford a healthy diet, among them homeless and elderly people, children, refugees and people suffering mental and physical health problems. FareShare South West aims to address this imbalance by redistributing quality surplus food to groups working with vulnerable individuals in and around Bristol. It works directly with the food industry to minimise fit-for-purpose fresh and long-life food from going to waste, and send this food into organisations working with the most vulnerable people in the community.

Pivotal to its operation is the support of many fantastic volunteers. As demand is particularly high over the festive season, the charity is currently looking for volunteers who can help with the sorting, picking and delivery of surplus food during the run up to Christmas in its warehouse in central Bristol. Or, if you’re more of a people-person, FareShare is also looking for volunteers for its catering arm, The Surplus Supper Club, to help out in its new café in St Paul’s. There’ll be the chance to get involved with food preparation for Christmas parties, as well as assisting with the daily running of the café. All proceeds from The Surplus Supper Club go to FareShare South West, so it’s a very worthy cause to get involved with.

Think you can help? Email: volunteer@faresharesouthwest.org.uk to let FareShare know how you’d like to get involved.

WWW.THEBRISTOLMAG.CO.UK

DECEMBER 2015

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GET | INVOLVED

SELL CHRISTMAS TREES AT ARNOS VALE arnosvale.org.uk Festive opportunities at this Arcadian sanctuary, just off Bath Road, include volunteering to be Santa for Christmas events and helping to sell Christmas trees in the run-up to the big holiday. There may be other positions too, such as helping on the bar or with parking at events during the period.

If you’d like to lend a hand at the much-loved Victorian cemetery longer term, Arnos Vale is also looking for greenfingered types to help with landscaping the 45-acre grounds (training provided), as well as people to man the gift shop and run their extremely popular walking tours.

“This is one area we’re particularly short on at the moment,” says development manager Kate Parsons. “It’s a great opportunity for anyone who’s interested in history to learn a bit and pass that on to others. We have tours on various themes – people involved in medicine, great women and the Makers of Bristol.” If you’re interested, please send an email detailing your enquiry to: volunteer@arnosvale.org.uk.

You can find more information at: arnosvale.org.uk/volunteer.

Or, if you’d like to make a donation, until June 2016 the Heritage Lottery Fund pledges to match all donations Arnos Vale Cemetery Trust receives into its For a Lifetime fund. It’s a great opportunity to raise the amount that will ensure Arnos Vale remains open to our community for life. You can donate by texting JUNE16 £5 or JUNE16 £10 to 70070, or by searching for Arnos Vale on: www.virginmoneygiving.com

DONATE TEA & COFFEE FOR REFUGEES www.refugee-action.org.uk Bristol artist Elaine Jones is appealing for tea and coffee donations to ship to a Rhodes refugee camp. She was moved to take action after an urgent plea from a volunteer she located through the charity Refugee Action, calling for the following supplies: tea bags, instant coffee, sugar and plastic cups.

The tea and coffee is needed to give to the hundreds of people arriving at the camp each day from Syria and elsewhere, who are exhausted and parched after long, treacherous journeys. Often the only comfort volunteers on the ground can offer is a kind word and a warm drink, but with supplies low and more people arriving they are finding themselves increasingly stretched.

Like many people in the city, Elaine – a mother of two – has been appalled by the desperate plight of those in the camps, too many of them vulnerable women and children who have lost everything and have no one to turn to. Naturally, she wants to help in any way possible.

“Living here in the UK I feel very privileged and relatively safe.

Recently I have felt an increasing urge to help people that have become displaced and found themselves in desperate situations. It seems like quite a small thing to do, to supply a hot drink, but I hope that if more people do a small thing it will make some difference.”

Elaine hopes that as a community, with the generous help of local supermarkets as well as the compassionate people of Bristol, we can provide Rhodes with the emergency supply of hot drinks they need, and also continue to make an ongoing contribution.

If you’d like to help, you can contact Elaine on: elainejonesartist@yahoo.co.uk

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HELP THE HOMELESS www.caringatchristmas.org.uk The Caring at Christmas shelter in St Paul’s – which for the rest of the year is known as the Julian Trust Shelter, juliantrust.org.uk – relies heavily on volunteers, especially between Boxing Day and the new year. Whatever you can manage, from a single four-hour shift to several, is hugely appreciated. Ed Reed from Caring in Bristol, says: “If you volunteer, you will have a fun and rewarding shift either helping out in the kitchen or in the dayroom and dormitory with our guests.”

Caring at Christmas is a vital service in Bristol and the South West, he explains: “We fill many roles in the community. We are a shelter, with warm, safe beds for the homeless; a restaurant serving three hot meals a day, plus sandwiches and packed lunches; a community centre where people can relax, chat and play games and a helping hub providing clothes, sleeping bags, bags and anything we can think of to help the homeless.”

You can also donate nice things to serve from the drinks hatch, and miniature toiletries are also always appreciated – so if you have any shampoo or shower gel you’ve pilfered from a hotel, you know where to take it. n

Main image, previous page: Preparing delicious meals in the FareShare café kitchen This page, top left: Volunteering at Arnos Vale Cemetery; above: Providing refuge for the homeless this Christmas

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Should you submit a self-assessment tax return before 31 January?

Philosophy for living

Free 4 week course starts January 2016

Contact HOLLINGDALE POOLEY for advice Individuals with straightforward tax affairs, where their income is subject to tax through payroll, often won’t need to complete a self-assessment tax return. However, for individuals with more complicated tax affairs you may need to complete a tax return by 31 January 2016.

The most common reasons for completing a tax return include:

The aim of philosophy is to set people free; free from pressure and free from worry; free to grow, free to be themselves. So it seems fitting that a philosophy course should be free. This four session mini-course, called Philosophy for Living , looks at life and its meaning, the world and its causes and applying mindfulness to every moment. Based on the classic philosophies of East and West, it invites us to see life as a place to test the words of the wise. Feel free to join us.

For those who wish to extend this introduction, a further 6 week course follows on immediately, cost £36 (concessions available).

BATH When? Tuesdays at 7.15pm starting 12th Jan 2016

BRISTOL When? Thursdays at 7.15pm starting 14th Jan 2016 If you would like to know more or to register please contact:

• If you are self-employed, including a partner in a partnership; • if you are a company director; • if you have income from a buy-to-let property, including a holiday let; • if your annual total income exceeds £100,000; • if you have made chargeable disposals, such as a sale of second home, shareholdings and antiques; • if you are a trustee or personal representative of a deceased estate; • if you are over 65 or over and receive a reduced age allowance; • if your annual total income exceeds £50,000 and you are in receipt of child benefit.

What can we do for you?

At Hollingdale Pooley, we offer a comprehensive tax return preparation service.

We will discuss your tax affairs with you, either in person or by telephone/email, and following this initial consultation we will provide you with details of the information we require from you to prepare your return.

We will then prepare your tax return and send it to you for your approval, with an explanation of your tax liability in plain English.

Once you approve your return, we will ensure it is submitted to HM Revenue & Customs on your behalf.

In addition, we will become your authorised tax agents with HM Revenue & Customs, allowing us to deal directly with them should there be any queries and so removing the burden from you.

Our tax team Alongside the wealth of knowledge and experience our partners bring to our firm, we have a dedicated tax department supervised by our tax manager, Tom Ogden, a Chartered Tax Advisor, that provides a range of compliance and advisory services to personal and business clients.

Please contact Tom or one of our partners for a free initial consultation, or email enquiries@hollingdalepooley.co.uk

Email: bathandbristolphilosophy@gmail.com Or call: 07873 230651 Bath and Bristol School of Philosophy: branch of The Fellowship of the School of Economic Science.

Registered Educational Charity 313115

www.bathandbristolphilosophy.org WWW.THEBRISTOLMAG.CO.UK

Hollingdale Pooley Bramford House, 23 Westfield Park, Clifton, Bristol BS6 6LT Tel: 0117 973 3377 www.hollingdalepooley.co.uk

DECEMBER 2015

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GIFT | IDEAS BRISTOL | EXPLORERS

PAGES OF LOVE Give the gift of a good book this Christmas. Here’s a selection of the latest reads, reviewed by Charlotte Pope of Foyles, Bristol Simply Nigella by Nigella Lawson It’s been two long years, but our beloved Nigella is back and doing what she does best. Her latest cookbook, Simply Nigella, is a real treat to behold. Nigella believes that whether preparing food or eating it, the process should be a pleasurable experience. The recipes here are designed to be simple to prepare, giving you plenty of breathing room to relax and enjoy the act of cooking itself. From a quick and easy cauliflower and cashew nut curry, to a sumptuous lemon pavlova, to a moreish sweet potato macaroni cheese, there is a recipe here for everyone. A must-have for food lovers this Christmas.

The Brain: The Story of You by David Eagleman An adult human brain weighs only three pounds, yet the potential it contains is astonishing. Why is it that some baby animals are able to walk minutes after birth, while human infants are born helpless? What exactly is a neuron? Why is it that injuring most parts of the body is relatively easy to recover from, whereas a brain injury can change a person irreversibly? In this momentous book, David Eagleman has taken on the task of revealing to the layman what it is about the brain that makes you who you are. This is a fascinating book that will get you thinking about the amazing object you have between your ears.

Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone (illustrated edition) Written by JK Rowling, illustrated by Jim Kay Fully illustrated for the first time, JK Rowling’s epic story of the world’s most famous boy wizard is once again hitting the headlines. Jim Kay’s stunning illustrations bring Harry’s world to life in beautifully vivid colours and painstaking detail. The artwork really speaks for itself and is simply astounding. See the Hogwarts Express in its shining glory, discover your favourite characters anew as they are reimagined in inks and paints. A smart hardback, this will look impressive on any bookshelf. This is surely an essential gift for any Potter fan this Christmas.

Grandpa’s Great Escape by David Walliams 12-year-old Jack loves nothing more than listening to his beloved Grandpa’s war stories. A former RAF pilot, Grandpa flew a Spitfire during the Battle of Britain. But Grandpa keeps acting strangely, and getting confused: there are days when he thinks the war is still on, and that he never stopped being a pilot at all. After one-too-many domestic near-disasters, Grandpa is moved to a care home. Determined to rescue him, Jack makes a plan to help Grandpa escape – meanwhile Grandpa is convinced he’s breaking out of Colditz POW camp... A funny, heartwarming tale. The top read for nine to 12-year-olds this Christmas.

Little Black Classics Boxset by Various The Little Black Classics were created to celebrate the 80th birthday of Penguin books. Back in 1935, Sir Allan Lane decided that good quality paperback fiction should be available to the masses at an affordable price, and one of the most recognisable brands in the world was born.

Eighty years later, Penguin is still a familiar guest on many a bookshelf.

The Little Black Classics offers 80 slim paperback volumes, containing essays, poetry and short stories from such greats as Edgar Allan Poe, HG Wells, Charles Darwin and Wilfred Owen. Collected together for the first time, this would be a perfect gift for a true bookworm. n After five years in Quakers Friars, Foyles is relocating to a new space in Cabot Circus and on Saturday 12 December it will be celebrating the official opening with a Star Wars themed party. Pop in any time between 11am and 4pm and join in the intergalactic festivities where there will be appearances from the Storm Troopers, edible goodies and face painting to transform you into your favourite characters. You’ll find the new shop on Brigstowe Street, Cabot Circus. For further information visit: www.foyles.co.uk/bookstore-bristol 68 THE BRISTOL MAGAZINE

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DECEMBER 2015

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ADVERTISEMENT FEATURE

Making great things possible in Bristol Having a dedicated contact at the bank who’s taking care of things for you can help make life easier. Our private banking service is free, and your private banking manager will fit around you and your needs.

Whether that means meeting you at a café nearby to discuss your plans, or helping you find a mortgage deal that’s just right for you. It's all about helping to give you time back.

Here’s how our private banking managers have helped two Bristolians this year.

The best thing about relocating to Bristol? Finding Shelley, my Private Banking Manager.

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uccessful entrepreneur Nicola had moved to Bristol and found and bought the ideal family home. But with crumbling walls, it needed extensive renovation work. “My days were filled with client appointments and I couldn’t see where I was going to find time to sort out a home improvement loan.”

As a first step, she approached her local NatWest branch and was introduced to Shelley Roach, Private Banking Manager.

Nicola had never tried private banking before and was impressed when Shelley visited her at home after working hours, listened to what she needed, and talked through some options.

Following the visit, Shelley quickly arranged a home improvement loan, followed by a second loan to complete the work on the house. “It’s made a big difference,” says Nicola. “Shelley really took the stress out of moving to a new area, and with her help I now have a beautiful family home.”

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arry brought his daughter into the Queens Road NatWest branch to open a student account and was so impressed by the service he ended up talking to Customer Adviser, Nigel Maggs.

“He asked if I’d considered private banking, as I met the criteria. I hadn’t, but when I heard more, I thought it could really suit me and my family, especially now my daughter’s starting university.”

Within 24 hours, Barry had been introduced to Private Banking Manager, Mike Radnedge, who switched Barry over from his previous bank quickly and effortlessly. “I’m delighted how much time it’s saved and grateful for the extra support to help my daughter reach her aspirations.

Now Mike’s helping me sort my mortgage out.”

How can NatWest Private help you?

You can call me on 0788 762 7230 to see how Shelley, Mike or another one of our Private Banking Managers could help you.

Penny Mayhew Area Manager, NatWest Private

NatWest Private is an exclusive banking service You could join us if you have any one of the following: • a sole income of at least £100,000 paid into your NatWest account • outstanding mortgage borrowings of at least £300,000 with us • at least £100,000 in savings and/or investments with us

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ADVERTISEMENT FEATURE

NONE OF YOUR BUSINESS!

By Sharon Giles, Sharp Family Law - Bristol and Bath Family and Divorce Solicitors.

Producing Resolution not Prolonging Conflict

Often a business is seen as the proprietor’s baby and certainly not something to be shared out upon divorce! In situations where the business produces little other than an income stream the protestor may be right and often the sensible solution is to leave the business in tact and share out the income instead... why shoot the goose that lays the golden eggs?

In other situations there may well be an obvious business interest to address, for instance, where couples operate in business together in a Partnership, or as Directors or Officers of a Limited Company. In such cases one party may have the option of buying the other out, or it may be possible to break up the business into independent units with each party taking their part forward. In some cases the couple may even decide to continue working together post breakdown of their personal relationship.

Matters become complex where other business colleagues are involved and, more so, where there is acrimony between the divorcing couple…

Whilst it is rarely appropriate, or even possible, for a business interest to be simply cashed in, a value needs to be attributed so that options for overall settlement of the family assets, (property, savings, investments and pensions etc) can be properly explored.

Where it is agreed that a business valuation is needed the company’s own accountant should be the first port of call. It is also always worth checking the provisions of any Nuptial, Partnership or Shareholders Agreement in case provision has already been made for the method of valuation and even settlement arrangements in the event of a divorce. In the absence of prior written agreement, and continued dispute over valuation, the joint instruction at joint cost of an independent, forensic accountant may be necessary.

At Sharp Family Law we are committed to bringing value to our clients in all we do by providing a customised solution for each client and their family’s unique situation. We look to address all aspects of a client’s life, including their business interests, and focus upon the long term perspective so they can move forward successfully after their divorce.

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ivorcing couples frequently come to blows over the settlement of any business interests.

Often a business is seen as the proprietor’s baby and certainly not something to be shared out upon divorce?

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Any valuation will be subject to tax considerations and expert advice in this area can lead to huge savings, particularly where parties are eligible for entrepreneurs relief or where a company is in a position to buy back its own shares.

Business interests come in all sorts of shapes, forms and sizes and the very nature of the interest should determine the time and money spent in establishing its relevance. For instance, a 51% shareholding in the family business will bear much more relevance than a 2% shareholding, though of course it depends what the family business is!

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DECEMBER 2015

Sharon Giles

sharp F A M I LY L A W Sharp Family Law: Helping clients to reach solutions Broad Quay House, Prince St, Bristol, BS1 4DJ email: sharon@sharpfamilylaw.com m: 07950 173992 t: 01225 448955 website: www.sharpfamilylaw.com

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BRISTOLUPDATES NEWS AND HIGHLIGHTS FROM ACROSS THE CITY

STARS ALIGN FOR CANCER UK

Helping to fight children’s cancer

Emeli Sandé is just one of the famous faces supporting Cancer UK Kids & Teens

As recently released figures offer increased hope for the survival rate of children with cancer, stars from across the UK have come out in force to show their support for south west children with the disease. The news comes as Cancer Research UK Kids & Teens launches its annual Star Awards, which urges relatives and friends of young cancer patients or survivors who deserve special recognition to nominate them for an award.

But although these latest figures show that progress is being made in the fight against children’s cancers, a lot more still needs to be done. That’s why Cancer Research UK Kids & Teens is raising funds to accelerate research into kinder treatments and cures. The Royal Hospital for Sick Children in Bristol is one of 21 centres across the UK taking part in this groundbreaking research. To nominate a child or make a donation, visit: www.cancerresearchuk.org

NEW LIFE FOR AN OLD BUILDING

SHAUN THE SHEEP GETS FESTIVE

SANTAS ON THE RUN FOR CHARITY

A GREAT REASON TO EAT CAKE

The historic Bristol Guildhall will be transformed into Bristol’s first five star hotel. Planning permission and listed building consent have been received from Bristol City Council to transform the Grade II* listed Guildhall and Assizes Courts in the city centre into a luxury 91-bedroom spa hotel with rooftop swimming pool. The development will be managed by The Trevor Osborne Property Group, and chairman Trevor Osborne said: “We are very excited to be bringing life to these important buildings. It represents a change in the fortunes of Broad Street. www.topgroup.co.uk

The Grand Appeal has welcomed a very special visitor to its shop at The Mall Cribbs Causeway – just in time for Christmas. This never before seen Shaun sculpture is called Fleece Navidad, designed by Bristol artist Vivi Cuevas. Even better, one lucky person will be in with the chance of taking him home for Christmas. All you need to do is buy a raffle ticket, priced £3, and then the winner will be announced in store on 23 December. All funds raised go to Bristol Children’s Hospital.

Tickets can be bought in store or online. www.grandappeal.org.uk

Join hundreds of Santas on Sunday 13 December at the Harbourside for a fun 2k dash around the city to help raise money for local charity, Children’s Hospice South West (CHSW), which has a hospice just outside Bristol. Registration is now open for the Santas on the Run event and entry costs £12 per adult, £6 for under 16s and under 3s go free. Family and team tickets are also available.

Entry includes your Santa suit, medal and festive treats. For more information or to sign up online visit: www.chsw.org.uk/santas

Staff at Bristol based financial services company Hargreaves Lansdown have raised £1,835 for St Peter’s Hospice after a Wear Something Blue day and the Great Hargreaves Lansdown Bake Off. Each year HL employees nominate their charity of the year, to focus their fund raising and support for one good cause. It has run the employee nominated charity of the year scheme for over five years now with charities such as Penny Brohn Cancer Care and the Southmead Hospital Charity being two of the beneficiaries. www.hl.co.uk

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BUYING A BUSINESS? SOME PRACTICAL GUIDANCE ON WHAT TO CONSIDER FROM THE OUTSET

By Grant McCall, Director and Company Commercial Solicitor at AMD Solicitors

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uying a business takes time. This can be frustrating when you are keen to embark on a new venture as soon as possible. With a view to minimising unnecessary delays and to aid a smooth purchase, the following tips may help you in the early stages of negotiation with your sellers and preparing for your purchase.

Consider the timescales. Agree a realistic timetable with your sellers having first taken advice from your solicitor and accountant as to how long the purchase will take. Whilst you will be keen to get going as soon as possible, there are likely to be some technical issues to resolve before the sale can proceed. A realistic completion date with phased target deadlines also allows you to plan for your business more effectively.

Meet the sellers and agree a written list of assets i.e. what is and is not included in the sale.

Ask the sellers if they own all the equipment themselves or whether any items are leased or hired from a third party. If assets are subject to third party rights, you will need details of these items as soon as possible.

Grant McCall

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Do you want to buy any stock at completion?

Discuss with your sellers what they envisage will be left to transfer at completion and whether a stock valuation post completion will be required.

Property issues need to be clearly understood at the outset. Ask the sellers if they will be selling the freehold of any premises or if not, obtain details of the lease, even a copy if you can. The property element of a purchase (if there is one), will form a large part of the paperwork your solicitor will need to deal with.

The earlier full information is obtained the better.

Goodwill and Intellectual Property Rights may form a big reason for the purchase. If you require exclusive rights to take over the business name or branding rights you may also want to restrict the sellers from competing locally in the same line of business.

Ask the sellers about the contracts and suppliers they have in relation to the business and request details as early on as possible.

Clarify the liabilities and the benefits of these and decide whether you would like to, or indeed are able to, take these over.

If you are taking over a business with employees find out as much detail about employees of the business as you can. There are some very strict rules about the transfer of employees so it is important that the parties’ intentions are clear about their transfer at the outset.

How will you fund the purchase? If it is from a bank, let your solicitor have details as soon as possible so that they can liaise with the bank to satisfy their requirements. Ensuring a swift drawdown of funds may prove vital in pushing the deal through.

Lastly, as the buyer you will need to consider how to structure your purchase. You may want to seek an ‘asset purchase’ so that you can cherry pick the assets included in the purchase and exclude the assets or liabilities you do not wish to acquire. For some businesses, for

example those in which certain licences are held in the name of a company, it may prove best to opt for a ‘share purchase’ but with a share purchase there is heightened risk as you acquire the company’s entire history, lock stock and barrel. For either option, tax advice will be an influence in your decision so a tax input from an accountant will also be needed as soon as headline terms have been agreed.

There are other issues to consider but on the basis time is one of the main reason deals fall through, it is best practice to make a head start on your purchase where possible to do so.

Grant and the other members of the Commercial Team at AMD Solicitors offer further advice and information upon buying or selling your business (including a free first half hour consultation). Email grantmccall@amdsolicitors.com or telephone 0117 9733989. AMD have offices in Clifton Village, Whiteladies Road, Henleaze and Shirehampton. © AMD Solicitors

A local award winning law firm

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

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SCIENCE | ASTRONOMY

WRITTEN IN THE

STARS Jenny Hayes visits At-Bristol Science Centre to find out more about international space exploration

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Main image: Spacewalk from the ISS © NASA This page, above: Astronaut Robert Thirk working in the minus 80 degree laboratory onboard the ISS; right: Soyuz spacecraft departing the ISS © NASA

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his month, something truly monumental is happening in the history of space expeditions. On Tuesday 15 December, at 11:03am GMT, Tim Peake will become the first British astronaut to visit the International Space Station (ISS) under the banner of the European Space Agency (ESA). Those who have gone before him have either had private funding – such as Helen Sharman, who became the first Briton in space in 1991 – or taken dual US citizenship and flown up with NASA. Former British Army Air Corps officer, Tim, was selected from over 8000 applicants to complete the Principia mission back in 2009. Since then, he’s been through a gruelling training schedule to ensure he is in tip top mental and physical health for his expedition to the ISS, including living in an underground cave, spending 12 days on the bottom of the sea, undertaking additional science studies, and learning Russian.

The latter will certainly come in handy for he’ll be travelling up to the ISS with Russian cosmonaut Yuri Malenchenko, as well as NASA astronaut Tim Kopra, in the Russian built Soyuz spacecraft. First designed for the Soviet space programme back in the 1960s, the Soyuz is widely considered the world’s safest spacecraft and, since the US Space Shuttle program ended in 2011, Soyuz rockets have been the only provider of transport for astronauts to and from the ISS. In addition, at least one is docked to the ISS at all times for use as an escape craft in the event of an emergency.

The ISS itself is a research laboratory in outer space, in which astronauts and cosmonauts conduct experiments in human biology, physics, astronomy, meteorology, and numerous other fields. The unique environment on board – which includes apparent weightlessness, access to extreme radiation, and vacuum – allows the crew on board to study factors that can be used to create new technologies and materials, as well as the effects of space travel on the human body. This work can both improve life on Earth, through the development of new medical techniques and strong, lightweight materials, and also help to plan and prepare for future space missions to the Moon and Mars. Tim will be there for 6 months, during which time he’ll conduct more that 30 experiments for ESA, and be involved in many others.

As a joint programme among five space agencies from around the world – NASA (US), Roscosmos (Russia), JAXA (Japan), CSA (Canada) and ESA (Europe) – the ISS is a shining example of international co-operation. Sixty-eight nations have used the Station since it became operational in 2000, and for 15 years these crews have been living, learning and working together to improve our knowledge of the universe and our lives back on Earth. So it’s no wonder that there is now an initiative in place supporting the nomination of the ISS for the Nobel Peace Prize, whole-heartedly endorsed by Tim Peake himself.

“I was delighted to read about discussions about the ISS being nominated for the Nobel Peace Prize because it has been one of the most incredible international partnerships”, he said. “It has brought many nations together through difficult times, and

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continues to do so. “ He went on to add that this collaborative ethos was pivotal to the future of space exploration: “I think the ISS really has to be the model going forward, because with budgets becoming more and more constrained, one nation is not going to have the capability to expand exploration out into the solar system. We are going to have to work together.”

Whether or not this dream comes to fruition, as we enter the season of peace and goodwill to all men it seems very fitting to look out for the ISS at night, and as it passes reflect that you are seeing a long-standing symbol of the possibilities of peaceful international co-operation. n With thanks as always to Lee Pullen for sharing his time and expertise. You can watch Tim’s lift-off live on the big screen outside At-Bristol on Tuesday 15 December. Then head inside and catch a fab 3D Planetarium show! For more details, tel: 0117 915 1000 or visit: www.at-bristol.org.uk

Spot the ISS As the largest artificial body in the Earth’s orbit, and third brightest object in the sky, the ISS is easy to spot with the naked eye as it passes overhead – if you know when to look. It orbits Earth once every 92 minutes, looks like a fast airplane, and is best visible just after sunset when the sky is dark but the Sun is still close enough for the ISS to reflect its light. Bearing this in mind, we’ve compiled a table of the top five sighting opportunities for you in December: Date 10 Dec 11 Dec 12 Dec 17 Dec 18 Dec

Start 17:56, WSW 17:02, SW 17:44, WSW 18:02, W 17:08, W

Highest point 17:59, SSE 17:05, SSE 17:47, SSE 18:05, SSW 17:11, S

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End 18:00, ESE 17:08, E 17:48. E 18:06, SE 17:14, E

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JENNY | DARES

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HERE, KITTY KITTY In a one-off Christmas special, Jenny Hayes meets the king of beasts... and feeds him his supper

Main image: The watchful beauty of Bristol Zoo’s Asiatic lions © Bob Pitchford This page, from left: Dinner time – meat for the lions; feeding Kamran – those tweezers felt a lot shorter than they look, both © Will Dodd; Kamran and Ketan relax in the winter sunshine © Bob Pitchford

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hose of you who read my summer Jenny Dares articles will know that I’m not one to shy away from a challenge. So it’ll come as no surprise to hear that when Bristol Zoo asked if I’d like to come along for a close encounter with a pair of 200kg Asiatic lions, I almost bit their hand off to say yes. Little did I realise at the time, it was actually me who could be in danger of losing a limb. You see, readers, I’d just signed up to step behind the barriers and feed the mighty beasts myself.

As the day approached, my apprehension mounted. Wild thoughts kept popping into my head, and more than once I questioned my own sanity – had I really just thrown myself to the lions?! Well no, of course not. There’s no way Bristol Zoo, which places both animal welfare and visitor safety at the top of its list of priorities, would let an amateur like me traipse up to a fully grown lion and offer it a steak. As soon as I arrived for my Lion Feeding Experience, I was placed in the highly trained and very capable hands of head keeper, Alan.

Our first stop was to visit the lions themselves – three year old brothers named Kamran and Ketan. These boisterous boys have full run of a large enclosure containing all the oversized toys and scratching posts two giant puddy-tats could need. Despite these reassuring accoutrements, however, there was no getting away from the fact that these guys were seriously huge. And when Ketan let out a lazy yawn of disinterest as he spotted me peering apprehensively through the bars at him, I caught sight of a pair of canines so large my knees went a little wobbly.

This did prompt me to ponder exactly what implements I’d be using for the feeding process. The description says ‘hand feed’, but surely I won’t really be poking the meat through with my fingers?

Alan chuckled heartily at the very idea, but I wasn’t laughing when he produced a pair of tweezers barely larger than those I keep in my bathroom cabinet at home and informed me they’d do the job.

My turn to laugh, but he wasn’t joking. This experience really was going to be up close and personal.

Before I could linger over the idea much longer, we walked away from the enclosure and over to the vet block to prepare the lions’ food. I was fully aware that it was a rare privilege to be able to step behind the scenes at Bristol Zoo like this, so even when Alan disappeared into a refrigerated room ominously labelled ‘meat’ and reappeared a minute later clutching a raw horse’s heart, my excitement wasn’t dampened. As we cut the heart into chunks to feed to Kamran and Ketan, Alan told me a little more about the plight of Asiatic lions in the wild, and the particular importance of these brothers to the future survival of the species.

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Only about 350 Asiatic lions now exist in the wild, and all are concentrated in a tiny 500 square mile area of the Gir Forest in India. Because of their endangered status, the breeding programme in which Bristol Zoo participates is vital to ensuring these incredible animals aren’t eradicated from the face of the Earth.

Kamran and Ketan, in particular, are hugely important to this programme because of the diversity they will bring to the increasingly limited gene pool. Their father, an impressive male named Kamal, has no other offspring, so it was nothing short of a miracle when he successfully sired these two brothers. But tragically, just 12 days after they were born, Kamal had to be put to sleep due to severely deteriorating health. Traumatised at losing her partner, their mother Shiva began to exhibit strange behaviour around her cubs, which forced staff at Bristol Zoo to make the rare decision to intervene, remove the young brothers and rear them by hand.

The team have certainly done a good job. Not only are Kamran and Ketan magnificent looking animals, they also have impeccable table manners. I need not have concerned myself with the length of the feeding equipment because the lions were surprisingly gentle when taking the proffered food. In all honesty, I’d have been quite happy to feed them with my fingers, so gently did their tongues lap at the fencing to catch hold of the chunks of meat.

I’d imagined being in such close proximity to two such ferocious predators would be terrifying, but in reality it was nothing short of beautiful. I could feel the warm whisper of their breath on my face as I fed them – and, before you ask, their dental hygiene was remarkably good. To tell the truth, it was all quite emotional and, although Alan was standing beside me the whole way lest I somehow stick my tweezers up a lion’s nose, it felt like a deeply personal experience between me and these big cats. And really, it was. After all, there aren’t many people on the planet who’ve looked these guys in the eye as they’ve handed them their dinner.

So whether you’ve got a penchant for big cats, or know someone with a wild side who deserves a treat, I can’t recommend this experience highly enough. So much so, I’m incredibly tempted to embrace a cliché and call this a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity.

But I’d be lying – because there’s no way I’ll be able to resist booking in and doing it all again. n The lion feeding experience at Bristol Zoo costs £140, including entrance to the Zoo for yourself and a friend, and a souvenir Tshirt to remember your wild experience. It takes place on Tuesdays and Fridays, 11:45am – 12:30pm. For more information or to book, tel: 0117 974 7328 or visit: www.bristolzoo.org.uk DECEMBER 2015

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FAMILY | WHAT’S ON

FAMILY TIME All you need to plan fun festive days out for little ones and big ones alike

Don’t miss...

Kids Masquerade Ball, Christmas at the Spiegeltent, Saturday 19 December Show 2-4pm (doors 1.30pm) The organisers of Christmas at the Spiegeltent on the harbourside thought it was only fair to throw one of their masquerade balls for all the mini spiegelers out there that want to party with all their mates at Christmas, just like adults do! So, children aged five and over, and their grown-ups, are invited to get dressed up and dance to funky disco, kids favourites and silly songs. There will also be live cabaret and circus performance, face painting, bubbles, and an arts and crafts area where you can make your own mask. Tickets £8 for adults and over 1s, under 1s are free.

Tickets available from Colston Hall box office on tel: 0844 887 1500 or visit: www.colstonhall.org/spiegeltent

selection of traditional and modern festive favourites. Tickets £8 for adults, £3 for under 18s from St George’s box office on tel: 0845 40 24 001.

THEATRE The Night That Autumn Turned to Winter, Bristol Old Vic Studio, Until 10 January The studio is once again transformed into a wintry wonderland for younger audiences to enjoy, as the brilliant Little Bulb Theatre takes you on an adventure armed with songs, instruments, puppets and plenty of surprises.

Winter is on its way, and deep within the wild wood animals of all shapes and sizes are busy getting ready for the cold season ahead, a magical snow shimmering wilderness. Suitable for ages 0–7. Under 2’s go free. Tickets: £13 from the box office on tel: 0117 987 7877 or visit: bristololdvic.org.uk

The Light Princess at Tobacco Factory Theatres, Until 10 January In a kingdom far away, lives an extraordinary princess – a princess with no gravity. Her windows are forever closed, she can’t run free and light-hearted, and she can never take anything or anyone seriously. Especially not the prince who falls in love with her... The theatre space will be transformed into an immersive, intricate traditional fairytale world with castle turrets, green grass and fluffy clouds. Alongside the impressive visuals will be a beautiful a cappella soundscape for the show too. Suitable for ages 6+. Box office tel: 0117 902 0344 or visit: tobaccofactorytheatres.com

Mini Messiah, Colston Hall, Saturday 19 December, 4.30pm

big beat songs, wonky carols, live special effects, puppetry and animation. Suitable for ages three and up. Box office tel: 0117 902 0344 or visit: tobaccofactorytheatres.com

Nutshell Nutcracker, Theatre Shop, Clevedon, 19 December – 2 January, 7.30pm; matinees: 2.30pm This is a magical and darkly enchanting retelling of the ultimate Yuletide tale – toys that come to life, heroic battles with evil mice and a sleigh ride to the land of sweets. Storytelling, dance and music are woven together to cast a festive spell in the intimate surroundings of the Theatre Shop. Suitable for ages four and up. The Theatre Shop, Clevedon. Tickets from the box office on tel: 01275 400225 or visit: www.theatreshop.org.uk

MUSIC

Kid Carpet’s Noisy Nativity, Brewery Theatre, 2 December – 3 January

Bristol Youth Choir Christmas Concert, St George’s Bristol, Tuesday 8 December, 7pm

Bristol’s much-loved Kid Carpet gives the traditional Christmas story a radical remix with

The talented singers of Bristol Youth Choir perform a musical treat for all the family, with a

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Bristol Choral Society offers an hour of highlights from Handel’s Messiah, presented in an informal concert aimed at young audiences.

Bristol Choral Society is joined by the Bristol Ensemble and soloists Llio Evans (soprano), Sebastian Field (alto), Mark Padmore (tenor – our society president) and Brian McAlea (bass).

Tickets: adults £7, under 18 free. Book on tel: 0845 6521823 or visit: www.bristolchoral.co.uk

Orchestra of the Welsh National Opera presents: The Nutcracker & The Snowman, Colston Hall, Sunday 20 December, 6pm Classic FM’s Tim Lihoreau and conductor Neil Thomson will present a suite of music from Tchaikovsky’s much-loved ballet. After the interval, the soundtrack to The Snowman is

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FAMILY | WHAT’S ON

brought magically to life alongside a screening of the film. Tickets from the box office on tel: 0844 887 1500 or visit: www.colstonhall.org.

Visit Father Christmas at Bristol Zoo

Bristol Ensemble Children's Christmas Carnivals, St George's Bristol, Sunday 20 December at 2pm and 4.30pm Bristol Ensemble will be performing music from The Snowman, and celebrating 50 years since The Sound of Music was released with a singalong of some of its best-loved songs. Tickets £15 for adults including one free child’s ticket – additional children’s tickets £5 each, from St George's box office on tel: 0845 40 24 001 or visit:www.stgeorgesbristol.co.uk

ACTIVITIES

Places to visit Father Christmas Christmas at Wild Place Project, until 23 December Climb aboard the Christmas Express, meet the new resident reindeers, visit Father Christmas, tuck into a tasty winter treat and see the attraction’s exotic animals this festive season. Enjoy half price entry tickets throughout December too. For further information visit: www.wildplace.org.uk.

Winter Stargazing (2D or 3D), At-Bristol, 1 December – 6 March Experience space in awesome 3D for breathtaking views in the UK’s first digital 3D Planetarium. Discover the amazing astronomy we can see from our back gardens this winter and hear the story of mighty hunter Orion, and the noble bull Taurus. Regular daily shows, 2D: £2 or 3D: £3, in addition to standard admission.

3D only available for ages 6+ due to health restrictions. For further information and to book, visit: www.at-bristol.org.uk

Enchanted Christmas, Bristol Zoo, 18, 19 & 20 December Head to the zoo on one of these three evenings to see a beautiful light show on the herbaceous border, set to uplifting music. Santa will be live on stage and will be joined by the zoo’s resident compere to play fun festive games. You can also meet reindeer, sing along with a choir and listen to a Christmas tale. Tickets for Enchanted Christmas are £8 for adults and £5 for children, available at: www.bristolzoo.org.uk or tel: 0117 974 7300.

Christmas season at the zoo, 5 – 23 December Head to the zoo in December to meet Santa in his grotto, open at weekends and during school holidays from 11am – 3pm. Pre-bookable slots are also available to meet Santa from 5–17 December between 4pm – 5.30pm to avoid the queues. Grotto entry prices are £5 for day guests and includes a gift from Santa. Visitors can also meet Santa’s reindeer and enjoy the zoo’s magical animal-shaped Christmas lights as the sun goes down.

Winter Wonderland at The Mall, Cribbs Causeway As well as a huge outdoor ice rink and a selection of festive foodie treats to enjoy, outside The Mall you’ll find Santa’s enchanted ice castle, open every day until Christmas Eve, where you can meet the main man himself. Tickets are £5 and include a gift. Santa can see a maximum of four children at any one time with two accompanying adults. Tickets can be pre-booked online or purchased on the day from the Winter Wonderland ticket office. Visit: www.mallcribbs.com.

Santa’s Woodland Grotto at Arnos Vale Children can enjoy a magical visit to Santa in his special woodland grotto at Arnos Vale this month. Enter through the festive walkway accompanied by one of Santa’s helpers, then Santa will meet with you, read a fun story and might even ask you if you’ve been good this year!

And if you have, you’ll receive a special present. For ticket information visit: www.arnosvale.org.uk Santa’s Grotto at The Galleries Santa has once again taken up residence in his grotto on the ground floor of The Galleries shopping centre for the festive season and he is looking forward to meeting lots of children.

Visits cost £4.50 per child and include a present. To pre-book visit: www.galleriesbristol.co.uk

Editor’s top kids gift pick...

Teach children the true meaning of Christmas with this lovely finger puppet nativity set, which comes packaged in a lovely presentation box. £39.99, from Pickles & Poppets, Clifton Village, BS8 4DS and Westbury on Trym, BS9 3DB.

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JUNIOR

CHOICE

Gifted

IDEAS

Looking for some inspiration on how to fill the gaps under the tree? Here’s some gift ideas for the little ones

WALKIES IN THE AIR! Let The Snow Gromit take you on a moonlit flight over snowy fields and sleeping villages, across star-spangled oceans and through the aurora... all the way to a magical party, where you are the special guest! (Just don’t forget to wrap up warm!)

Inspired by his beloved children’s book The Snowman, which was made into an animated film in 1982 and has been televised every Christmas since, Raymond Briggs dressed Gromit in The Snowman’s familiar green hat and scarf, coal buttons, and tangerine nose, £40. www.wallaceandgromitcharityshop.org.uk

WARM HEADS & HANDS Kids animal hats and mittens from Pachamama. Pachamama are committed to fair trade and a percentage of all sales go to helping the WWF, protecting endangered wildlife and the environment. The cute and brilliant hats (£14.99) and mittens (£15.99) are available in Piggies (shown) but also foxes, tigers and bunny rabbits. Made in Nepal, sold in Bristol at Amulet Boutique, 39a Cotham Hill, Bristol BS6 6JY. Tel: 0117 239 9932

PIRATES AHOY Sail into the new year with this beautiful wooden pirate ship and a full crew of naughty pirates all ready to wreak havoc on the seven seas. It’s also on wheels so will glide nicely along the hallway carpet. It's the perfect Christmas gift, £56.99.

Pickles and Poppets, 34 The Mall, Clifton Village, Bristol, BS8 4DS. Tel: 0117 973 3788 or 9 Canford Lane, Westbury on Trym, Bristol, BS9 3DB. Tel: 0117 950 5953

CHRISTMAS KIDS’ BOOKS AT WATERSTONES Waterstones have a brilliant selection of great christmas reading for the kids. Parents will love them too. 2015 highlights include: Horrid Henry's Cracking Christmas Be prepared for a truly horrid Christmas with this brand new book.

And; Christmas with the Savages (Puffin) by Mary Clive Based on real events and people, this is a story of a small girl's Christmas holiday in a large Edwardian country house. It’s very, very funny, £5.99. And; Something for the creatives... the Christmas Magic Painting Book, £5.99. Remember these?

Just brush over water and the stylish black and white illustrations come to life before your eyes as a rainbow of colours are magically revealed. Waterstones, The Mall at Cribbs Causeway, Bristol BS34 5QU. Or order online at www.waterstones.com

LEGO CREATOR VW CAMPER VAN The campervan is a joy for young and old, conjuring up happy thoughts of fun times or great holidays. LEGO have created an authentic camper van which is a replica of the classic Volkswagen T1 Camper Van from 1962. Inside and out it’s perfectly detailed, £79.99. It’s an advanced construction set (aged 16+), but a full age range of Lego products are available from John Lewis, The Mall at Cribbs Causeway, Bristol BS34 5QU. Or shop online at www.johnlewis.com

SUPERGA FOR EVERY STEP Made just like the classic adult Superga’s with extra strong, fully breathable cotton uppers and the vulcanised gum soles. Kids can start wearing Superga shoes from baby size 2.

Available in single velcro strap and 3 hole laced for baby sizes (sizes 2-5), double velcro strap and 3 hole laced for infants (sizes 5.5-9.5) and double velcro strap and 4 hole laced for juniors (sizes 10-1.5).

Available in so many colours too - a great gift for cool and very stylish kids. from £25-£30. Superga, 11 New Bond Street, Bath, BA1 1BE. Tel 01225 421275. www.superga.co.uk

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EDUCATIONNEWS UPDATES AND HIGHLIGHTS FROM THE CITY’S SCHOOLS

A good report for BGS

TOP MARKS Bristol Grammar School is celebrating after being declared Excellent across all eight categories in its recent Independent Schools Inspectorate (ISI) inspection. A team of thirteen ISI inspectors visited the School over four days, considering categories including the level of pupil achievement, the quality of personal development, the pastoral care provided, the quality of governance and the quality of links with parents. Across the whole of Bristol Grammar School’s provision, from Reception to Sixth Form, each category was found to be excellent by the ISI, equivalent to OFSTED’s Outstanding.

Inspectors stated that BGS ‘fulfils its aim to achieve excellence in all it does within or beyond the classroom for its pupils, from EYFS to the sixth form’. This was the first inspection for BGS Infants, which opened in 2010, and the School is particularly delighted with the praise it received from inspectors. www.bristolgrammarschool.co.uk

NO NEED TO BE NERVOUS

SHE SHOOTS...

SHE SCORES

ROCKET SEEDS AT REDLAND HIGH

PACKING A POLITICAL PUNCH

As we all know, January arrives all too soon after Christmas, and with it school entrance exams.

Those for entry into Colston’s upper school take place on Saturday 9 January, and consist of tests in English, maths, and verbal reasoning. For entry into Year 3, children spend time familiarising themselves with the school and take a numeracy paper as well as writing a story.

In Years 4–6, they will take papers in English and maths, and also read to a member of staff.

The format is informal to reduce nerves. www.colstons.org

The Red Maids’ School U11A team will represent Bristol and Avon at the IAPS National Hockey Finals in the new year.

They competed against 16 other schools, showing great stamina and determination to beat a number of other excellent teams.

They will next compete at Millfield School in April 2016.

Mrs Joslin, Head of PE at the junior school, said: "Sport is a major feature of life in the junior school, and it is wonderful to see a group of such committed, talented players enjoy so much success." www.redmaids.co.uk

In September, 2kg of rocket seeds were flown to the International Space Station (ISS) on Soyuz 44S where they will spend several months in microgravity before returning to Earth in March 2016. Redland High School will be one of up to 10,000 schools to receive a packet of 100 seeds from space, which they will grow alongside seeds that haven’t been to space and measure the differences over seven weeks. It’s an out-of-this-world science experiment to see if we could sustain human life on another planet. www.redlandhigh.com

QEH boys welcomed former pupil and political heavyweight journalist Martin Bright back to the school to present prizes at the school’s annual Prize Giving ceremony, held at Bristol University. Among the boys receiving prizes was Andreas Richardson, Year 12, who received The Professor Tyndall Memorial Prize for Physics, and Laurence Yip who was awarded the Year 7 prize, just a week after receiving a Special Award for Music by the Guild of Guardians and Bristol Plays Music. www.qehbristol.co.uk

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Mum, voiceover artist and BBC Radio Bristol presenter, Faye Dicker, meets the Bristol businesses that make family life easier...

Y

ou could say it was Victoria Jackson’s grandfather who influenced her business. When it came to keeping her and her brother entertained on long car journeys he was a whizz at devising fun entertainment packs.

At the beginning of every journey, he’d give them a pack with things to look out for – things that were happening on the route. The first one was always the Unigate dairy that was on the flyover on the way out of London – so the first thing they had to spot were the Unigate concrete cows. Once they’d spotted those, he’d get them to open the next clue and send them on a new spotting mission. It was a welcome bit of entertainment, which got them through the journeys and kept them happy along the way.

In many ways, it’s the same ethos and approach that Victoria has adopted when it comes to her business, SeeingSticks, which takes children on an art adventure. SeeingSticks provides art and craft packs with a difference, for 4 – 11 year olds. It’s all about engaging with children and getting them to look at the world around them.

SeeingSticks is so named as ‘seeing sticks’ are all the implements that allow children to draw what they see – chalks, pastels, paint brushes, crayons. I once had a friend whose dad called a pencil his ‘thinking stick’, and it’s exactly the same principle that I love for children – we see, we draw, we think, we engage.

As a mum of two young children, Victoria found art packs were more a case of following instructions and staying in the lines rather than looking out of the window, which is a huge part of creativity. Although there are huge amounts of arts and craft packs on the market for children, none seemed to offer an interactive element, and so SeeingSticks was born.

My partner and I recently got married, and as we’re at a point in our life where every one (including ourselves) had children, we decided to invite children as well. Which is no mean feat when there are 40 children at a wedding! It was important that there was something to keep the children entertained and make them feel part of the day, rather than silenced in the corner with a pack of pencils. SeeingSticks provided a crafty helping hand. Every child was given an official wedding explorer pack, with fab questions like ‘what traditions did you like?’ and ‘what did you wear?’, and included activities like ‘when you hear music, dance a pencil over this space, make it move to the music’.

Not only that, it was in keeping with the day for the adults to get involved in the art adventure too – so SeeingSticks provided postcards for both grown ups and children to draw or write down their favourite memory and pop it in a jam jar at the end of the day. As both a mum and the bride, it was a real joy to see so many people interacting and jotting down memories as a fun keepsake. By far, my favourite jam jar memory was the tale of a little boy who listened carefully to his dad as he explained it was the part in the service when they would pray, and that prayer is a time to wish for nice things for your family… so he dutifully held out his hands and wished for more biscuits.

It’s moments like this that SeeingSticks allows you to capture and hold on to, so you can see the world in the fun and different way children do. You can’t but help think Victoria’s grandad would be rather proud, if he could see the SeeingSticks world that he’s helped to create today. n For more information, visit: www.facebook.com/seeingsticks www.freelancemum.co.uk 88 THE BRISTOL MAGAZINE

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BUY A HAT OR SCARF TO HELP THE HOMELESS Top London designers Masato have launched a national campaign to raise awareness of homelessness.

As part of the Masato Homeless Beanie and Scarf Campaign, various charities and projects around the UK will benefit every time someone purchases a specially designed beanie from the Masato Homeless Collection. The campaign will run through till 31st January 2016.

To raise awareness in the issues associated with homelessness, bespoke design house; Masato London will donate either a beanie or scarf to the campaign, or ÂŁ5 (the net profit on the sale) whenever someone buys one of the specially created beanies, bobble hats or scarves.

HELP KEEP SOMEONE WARM THIS CHRISTMAS visit:

www.masatolondon.mysupadupa.com

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

FORCE FOR GOOD Haberdashers’ Monmouth School for Girls has always been proud of its strong links with forces families.

The build-up to this year’s Armistice Day was made particularly special when HMSG welcomed an inspirational team of wounded war veterans to the School.

Taking a well-earned break from their ambitious 1,000 mile charity walk across the UK, six veterans gave a humbling presentation following musical performances from the pupils.

The Walk of Britain 2015 team were representing national organisation Walking with the Wounded, which fundraises for the re-education and training of injured servicemen and women.

Each veteran talked to girls and guests about how they had been injured in the line of duty, and how the charity has helped them to transform their lives.

Our CCF, which is coordinated with sixth formers at our sibling, Monmouth School, took great pride in hosting the event.

Knowing that charities like Walking with the Wounded are looking after the people who lay their lives on the line for us every day means so much to our pupils, especially with many of our boarders belonging to forces families.

We are proud to guarantee that service families pay only 10% of the boarding fees if they are eligible for the Continuity of Education Allowance.

One of the concerns forces families have, is that they don’t want their children to feel unsure of where they belong.

But thanks to our committed boarding staff creating a strong family atmosphere and always organising plenty of joint weekend activities with Monmouth School, our pupils confidently refer to Monmouth as home.

At HMSG, we are dedicated to achieving the best possible exam results and helping girls to win places at their first choice universities. But we are also lucky enough to have state of the art facilities geared towards helping pupils nurture their individual talents.

Whether they love music, art, drama, sport or hope to join the CCF, the possibilities are endless, and we look forward to offering these opportunities to forces families for generations to come.. *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. WWW.THEBRISTOLMAG.CO.UK

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THE BRISTOL MAGAZINE 89

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HEALTH | & BEAUTY

FIT & FAB

BEAUTY NEWS

Beauty tips and indulgent treats to see you through the party season

All about eyes...

Four simple steps to show-stopping party peepers

■ With Christmas just around the corner, it’s important to remember to treat yourself to a little indulgence. From 7 December, Harvey Nichols will be gifting you with the ultimate winter beauty survival kit, worth £267, when you spend £150 across fragrance, skincare or cosmetics within Beyond Beauty in the Bristol store. These goodies have been selected by Harvey Nichols’ own beauty buyer, and come with a gorgeous burgundy make-up bag to keep them all in. Everything you need this party season is included, from make up essentials to post-celebration skin care. So get shopping! www.harveynichols.com ■ Did you know that the average man will spend 6 months of his life shaving? That’s a lot of time you could be putting towards doing something else productive– such as not shaving for a month and raising money for charity. Since 2011, Beating Bowel Cancer has been encouraging men to grow a beard throughout the month of December and to raise money to support those diagnosed with bowel cancer and their families. In 2014 over 3000 men ditched their morning shave and got involved with the campaign, but this year the charity says they want to be bigger and better. Beating Bowel Cancer are looking to hit the half a million pound mark, and they ask that each participant raises a minimum of £100. The money raised will help them fund a range of vital services that give people with bowel cancer help, hope and reassurance.

And when people ask you why you’re growing your beard, it’s a great opportunity to raise awareness about the disease, which is the UK’s second biggest cancer killer. To get involved, or for more information, visit: www.decembeard.org

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• Nothing grabs the attention like a slick of shiny metallic shadow across your lids. These gorgeous gold eye shadows, £31 by Sisley, will go with any outfit. Available from Harvey Nichols • Emphasise the shape of your eyes with a quality liner. BADgal, £15.50 by Benefit, delivers a dense, bold black that won’t smudge or budge all evening long. Available from Boots, House of Fraser and John Lewis • Sweeping lashes are a must for full-on evening glamour, and to achieve them look no further than the brilliant smokey eye mascara, £23 by Bobbi Brown. Available from Debenhams and House of Fraser • If you really want to up the anti, finish with a flourish using a pair of beautiful, high quality eyelashes like this Farfallina pair, £23.50 by Shu Uemura. Available from Harvey Nichols

Treat yourself at The Retreat A year ago this autumn, The Retreat at Atelier opened its doors. Nestled beneath the creative hub of Atelier hair salon, and offering a range of holistic and beauty therapies, it has sought to provide clients with the opportunity to experience a one stop shop for luxurious but affordable beauty and relaxation appointments alongside award winning hair care. Treatments on offer include luxurious Ayurvedic massages, indulgent REN facials, and the new Moroccan Rose Ritual that provides a 2.5 hour long journey of pure relaxation. To celebrate the first birthday of The Retreat, Atelier is currently offering a 25% discount on their 60 minute Signature Body Massage, along with 20% off cut and blowdrys to all new clients that book in with their new top stylist. Quote The Bristol Magazine when booking. Atelier Clifton, 14 Regent Street, BS8 4HG. Tel: 0117 973 4142 or visit: www.atelierclifton.co.uk

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CITY | BEAUTY

Beauty

LA PRAIRIE SKIN CAVIAR CRYSTALLINE CONCENTRATE 30ML, £292

NOTES

Treat your skin to the quintessential luxury of diamonds and caviar, which come together in La Prairie's extraordinarily regenerating, nutrient-rich serum that helps restore that firm, luminous, youthful complexion you thought was gone forever. Its amazingly restorative formula, containing powerful caviar extract, rebuilds, replumps, and refirms your skin

SISLEY SELF TANNING HYDRATING BODY CARE 150ML, £74.50

BABY IT’S COLD OUTSIDE

Sisley's Self Tanning Hydrating Body Care offers visible results from the first application. You can expect a naturallooking tanning with lasting

By Louise Masson, General Manager, moisturising action visible just two Harvey Nichols Bristol hours after application. A rich and melting enhancing body care, it leaves The Christmas Party Season is at its peak, but if it’s the skin feeling soft, silky and velvety, leaving your skin feeling dull and tired it’s time to take without streaking a post-party break and explore the beauty saviours that will keep you glowing on the dance floor All products are available from Harvey Nichols Bristol or via Collect in Store from HarveyNichols.com

ELEMIS PROCOLLAGEN HYDRA-GEL EYE MASKS, £46 Elemis' clinically proven hydra-gel eye masks are formulated to instantly reduce the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles. Potent plankton extract, combined with the power of padina pavonica and chlorella, provides an instant skin-tightening effect, whilst hyaluronic acid hydrates the fragile eye area

Yogandha’s Detox Body Oil, created with refreshing lemongrass and cleansing juniper berry, will purify and detox the body, and boost lymphatic drainage. Featuring restorative qualities, invaluable after any form of excess, apply Detox Body Oil liberally to detoxify and cleanse your body

Awaken the senses and energise your mind with Dr Hauschka’s Lemon Lemongrass Vitalising Bath Essence. The bright scent of sun-ripened lemons harmonises with fresh lemongrass to uplift your mood, while lemon peel and lemon essential oil work to tone the skin and reduce the appearance of cellulite

NAILBERRY SHINE & BREATHE, £14.50

Crème de la Mer's Intensive Revitalizing Mask is a refreshing cream mask that energises, plumps and protects, instantly infusing skin with youth.

Potent, cell-renewing Miracle Broth™ immerses skin in the energies of the sea, helping promote its natural renewal process

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Pressed from the fruit of the Moroccan argan tree, argan oil is a fabled wonder which has been used in beauty preparations for centuries.

Beever’s Argan Recovery Oil features a special blend of oil to help repair and strengthen weak hair, preventing split ends

YOGANDHA DETOX BODY OIL 125ML, £25

DR. HAUSCHKA LEMON LEMONGRASS VITALISING BATH ESSENCE 100ML, £16.50

CRÈME DE LA MER INTENSIVE REVITALIZING MASK 75ML, £110

BEEVER HAIRCARE ARGAN RECOVERY OIL 50ML, £16

A powerful oxygenated hardening base coat, Nailberry’s Shine & Breathe leaves your nails cleaner, stronger, thicker and smoother, ready for your pick of Nailberry oxygenated polish to be applied

THIS WORKS WITH SLEEP COMES BEAUTY SET, £45 A good night's sleep is the foundation of any beauty routine and thanks to This Works and its With Sleep Comes Beauty Set, you’ve got the perfect beautyinducing duo

EVE LOM CUTICLE CREAM 7ML, £16 Eve Lom's skin softening cuticle cream seals in moisture and soothes the cuticles to leave them perfectly supple and conditioned. This non-greasy formula encourages nails to grow healthy and strong, and gives on-going protection against dryness and damage

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HAPPY WAYS HAPPY DAYS

New Year, New Approach?

Try Solution Focused Hypnotherapy for help with: Anxiety & stress • Weight control • Addictions • Phobias Confidence & self esteem • Pain management • Depression Sleep • Motivation and many more...

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www.halcyon-hypnotherapy.co.uk

Baltic Wharf & Redland, Bristol

Very Best Wishes for the Festive Season from all the team at T H E

B R I S T O L CARLO hair&beauty M MAGAZINE

Advertisers Please Note:

The Deadline for Receiving Copy for the January 2016 Issue is Wednesday December 9th Telephone 0117 974 2800

WWW.THEBRISTOLMAG.CO.UK

MOROCCANOIL ®

Stockists

Main stockists of REDKEN

Tel: 0117 968 2663 • www.carlohairandbeauty.co.uk 6 Rockleaze Rd, Sneyd Park, Bristol BS9 1NF

DECEMBER 2015

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THE BRISTOL MAGAZINE 93

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ADVERTISEMENT FEATURE

YOUR CARE IN OUR HANDS The five-star patient journey

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oing to hospital can be a worrying and stressful time for anyone. Not knowing what to expect and what your treatment will involve, as well as how fast you will recover, are very common concerns many patients have.

A team of around 50 members of staff at Nuffield Health Bristol Hospital, The Chesterfield, are experts in ensuring that from the moment a patient checks-in to when they leave, they feel supported, fully-informed and confident their every need will be met with the highest standards of care.

The patient journey at the hospital is akin to a five-star experience, with private rooms and clinical staff available around-the-clock. All 30 rooms include en-suite facilities, direct nurse-call

systems, free Wi-Fi, direct dial telephones as well as a TV and radio. Parking is also free for hospital patients.

Sheryl Krause, Hospital Director, explained: “Health and wellbeing is at the centre of everything we do. At our hospital, patients will find welcoming and comfortable facilities, spotlessly clean rooms and a team of experienced and friendly nurses, delivering clinical care in state-of-the-art facilities. We also have the best medical technology and are constantly investing to ensure we offer the latest procedures.”

The Chesterfield offers a broad range of medical services from general surgery, orthopaedics, endoscopy, urology and ENT to pain management, physiotherapy, dentistry, weight loss, cosmetic surgery and more.

There are 11 consulting rooms, a three-bed intensive treatment unit, a six-bed recovery unit and a day care unit, with seven small private rooms.

We spoke to five members of staff at The Chesterfield, who each play a key role in ensuring that the patient journey is tailored to the needs of the individual with a unique approach to health and wellbeing.

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FAYE JENKINS Customer Services Team Leader

Faye manages a team of 15 who all assist with welcoming and checking-in patients at The Chesterfield. She also works in outpatients, greeting patients who come back to the hospital for check-ups.

Faye said: “I really enjoy meeting people and getting to know their likes and dislikes, and helping to answer any questions they have - even down to finding out about what sandwiches they’d like to have while they’re here! It’s all about getting to know someone as a person, rather than just a patient. In the short 5-10 minutes that I have with a patient, it’s amazing

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how well you can get to know them and help them to relax.”

When a patient arrives at the hospital, they register at reception and are then escorted to the lift and sent to the first floor where they are met by a Ward Clerk.

KARL WATSON Ward Clerk

Karl is a Ward Clerk at the hospital and is responsible for making sure a patient’s room is ready for their arrival, including ensuring their medical documents and files are all in one place for their consultant. He greets patients on the first floor and takes them to their room, where he provides a briefing on where they can find everything in their room and how to use all the equipment. Karl also talks patients through the plans and timings for their surgery, as well as how they can order meals and share this time eating with a relative or friend.

Karl said: “It’s extremely important that we remember each patient by their name and make them feel relaxed. There is always someone available to help and talk to them, should they need it.

“Most patients I see are either nervous or worried about the treatment/procedure they are about to undergo. What I find really special is the fact that each patient is beginning a new step in their life, being treated for something that is either affecting them physically or emotionally, and it is this step that you see them getting very excited about.”

SUE MOORE AND THERESE CONFAIT

Sue and Therese treat patients after they have undergone a surgical procedure. Their job involves a range of responsibilities including chaperoning a patient to see their consultant, dressing wounds, suture removal, preassessments and fitting 24-hour ECG recorders.

Sue said: “The best part of my job is seeing a patient pain free and happy with the care they have received - I meet so many lovely people from all walks of life. It’s so important that the patient feels they can speak to us at any time when they have concerns.”

Therese added: “It is very rewarding to see the patient make a full recovery. I keep every one of my thank you cards – I now have quite a collection!

“I feel really lucky to work with such a wonderful team here, everyone from the nursing staff through to the consultants have a great relationship and we all work well together.”

EMMA GERRARD Staff Nurse Emma treats patients on admission and postoperation. A follow-up call after someone has left the hospital is always conducted to make sure that people are recovering well.

Her role involves assessing patients and preparing them for surgery while observing them throughout their stay. She also administers pain relief, records a patient’s progress and provides reassurance and support to give them the confidence they need for their recovery.

Emma explained: “I love the patient and nurse interaction, especially making patients smile before and after surgery. On average, I will typically see around 5-6 patients personally during an eight-hour shift.

“It’s essential that patients feel they have received the best possible care and we do this by treating them how we would hope to be treated ourselves, just like they are our own family.”

Nuffield Health is the UK’s largest not-for-profit healthcare organisation and its core aim is to make the nation healthier. Through its hospital and the Fitness & Wellbeing Centre at Clifton Pavilion, Nuffield Health has been using its expertise to help people in Bristol be as healthy as they can for over 50 years.

Senior Healthcare Assistants

Contact Nuffield Health Bristol Hospital, The Chesterfield at www.nuffieldhealth.com/hospitals/bristol or call 0117 911 0556.

Nuffield Health Bristol Hospital The Chesterfield, 3 Clifton Hill, Clifton, Bristol BS8 1BN Tel: 0117 911 0556 • www.nuffieldhealth.com/hospitals/bristol

WWW.THEBRISTOLMAG.CO.UK

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STAR SAVED Gavin Henson visits Spire Bristol Hospital to thank the surgeon who saved his career

B

ristol Rugby player Gavin Henson last week returned to the hospital he credits with saving his career. The former British Lion was treated at the city’s Spire Bristol Hospital in May this year, following a devastating injury during his team’s championship play-off final against Worcester Warriors.

Gavin, 33, sustained a fracture dislocation to his left ankle including severe ligament damage, which threatened to destroy his 15-year career. The star had previously suffered a serious injury to the same leg during the Ospreys Heineken Cup defeat to Saracens in April 2008.

Orthopaedic surgeon Mr Stephen Hepple, the consultant who treated Gavin at the south west’s largest private hospital, explains: “Following the injury in 2008, Gavin underwent treatment with tightropes, which are very strong internal sutures which are used to stabilise the ankle. In addition to the fracture these sutures snapped during this latest accident and put a very real question mark over his future career.” The father of two’s leg was placed in plaster of Paris for two weeks and he wore an ankle boot for a month, before beginning intensive rehabilitation.

“Gavin’s rate of recovery was quite extraordinary,” continues Mr Hepple. “He was playing again competitively in a little over three months – an exceptionally fast recovery in comparison with the general population.”

“I was devastated when I was injured again and really thought it was game over for my rugby career,” says Gavin. “The team at Spire literally saved my career and I really wanted to come back to thank everyone personally for getting me back on my feet.

“Without the incredible care I received here, I don’t think I’d be back on the pitch. I’m so grateful that I’m able to continue doing what I love and I hope that I can carry on representing Bristol Rugby for years to come.”

Spire Bristol Hospital sponsors Gloucestershire Cricket and Bristol Rugby, and as such is accustomed to treating the sports injuries of professionals as well as amateur enthusiasts. The hospital boasts over 200 world class consultants with a team of more than 30 orthopaedic consultants covering all areas of sub-speciality within orthopaedics.

Over 2,500 orthopaedic procedures are carried out every year, each utilising the state of the art facilities at the hospital, including a £1.2 million MRI scanner and four operating theatres with laminar flow to help minimise the risk of infection.

It is well known that the hospital, which is situated in the Redland area, offers a variety of orthopaedic and cosmetic treatments to self-paying and insured patients. However it was not long ago that Spire Bristol Hospital developed its facilities that saw the introduction of the new cardiac catheter lab in October 2012. Recognised now as a centre for cardiac excellence, the hospital offers a full range of complex heart services and check-ups ranging from MRI scanning and diagnostics to heart rhythm correction, pacemaker implantation, cardioversion and EECP therapy. Partnered with a wellequipped intensive therapy unit (ITU) and high dependency unit (HDU), Spire Bristol Hospital now provides a range of complex treatments to suit a number of patients and ensures the best quality post op care.

For more information on the treatments and services that may benefit you, tel: 0117 980 4080 or visit: www.spirebristol.com

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Sniffles be gone

Banish that cold, beat the bloats, and find a natural way to wellness at the College of Naturopathic Medicine

I

t’s getting to that time of year when we are all full of sniffles and generally feeling a bit under the weather. Perhaps at this point you’d usually reach for a hot drink, a couple of ibuprofen or even a nip of brandy? Well hold on just a second… because there’s a more holistic way to achieve wellness.

On Saturday 23 January, the College of Naturopathic Medicine in Almondsbury, near Bristol, is welcoming people to its Winter Wellness Open Day. From 10am to 6pm, you’ll be able to hear a variety of experts’ advice on topics ranging from natural ways to boost your immune system, to achieving radiant winter skin, to finding out about the best food to eat for optimum nourishment at this time of year.

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Not only is this day the perfect opportunity to explore a gentler way to wellness, it also gives those who are curious to learn more about alternative therapies the chance to meet course tutors and see if studying at CNM may be for them.

The College is the UK’s leading training provider of a range of natural therapies, and offers both full-time and part-time courses so you can fit your studies around your life. The fact that 80% of graduates go on to become practitioners speaks volumes about the quality of the teaching at CNM, and also society’s increasing interest in embracing natural remedies to combat the stresses of day-to-day life.

The naturopathic approach to wellness considers the whole person, and not just a symptom. Practitioners spend time with each client in order to understand all they can about their mind, body and emotions. They look to address all these factors when helping clients, to restore their balance and work toward achieving optimum health.

Founder and principal of the College, Hermann Keppler, has more than 30 years’ experience as a practicing naturopath. He has studied in Germany, Switzerland, Israel, Denmark and the USA, gaining specialist skills in homeopathy, nutrition, herbal medicine, acupuncture and clinic management, which are passed on in CNM’s curriculum. The lecturers at CNM are also successful and highly experienced practitioners, and all courses focus on clinical application and practice to ensure students are equipped with all the skills and knowledge they will need to run their own practice.

Courses range from three to five years in length, depending on whether you opt to study full or part-time. Subjects include nutrition and acupunture (both available at CNM Bristol), and herbal medicine, naturopathy and homeopathy at other locations. Students graduate with a diploma in their chosen subject, and this qualification is widely recognised and respected in the UK and internationally. n The CNM (College of Naturopathic Medicine) is located at 1B Woodlands Court, Ash Ridge Road, Almondsbury, Bristol BS32 4LB. Entrance to the Winter Wellness Open Day on Saturday 23 January is £10. To book, or for more information, visit: www.naturopathy-uk.com

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ADVERTISEMENT FEATURE

HERBAL HELP THIS FESTIVE SEASON

By Maya Daghighi, for CNM (College of Naturopathic Medicine)

I

t’s that time of year again when we are all trying to escape irritating sniffles, colds and flu. Luckily, as every naturopathic practitioner knows, there is an abundance of wonderful herbs and spices you can use to boost your immunity and stay healthy throughout the festive season, and beyond.

Did you know that many of the every day herbs that you have in your kitchen cupboard have anti-viral properties? They can be highly effective against a number of influenza strains and respiratory viruses, and should be on the top of your shopping list.

Ginger root is a powerful antiviral and antibacterial herb that can help reduce fevers and relieve colds and inflammation. It’s best used freshly chopped with your hot food or in smoothies, or have it as a tea with half a lemon, and sweetened with a little Manuka honey or a pinch of cinnamon.

Another herb that’s good to have in your kitchen all year round, is garlic. Always use it freshly chopped to boost your immunity and so help to avoid common colds taking hold.

Liquorice root, which can easily be bought from a herbalist as sticks, teas or as a powder, is a broad-spectrum anti-viral herb. It is thought to work through multiple mechanisms that prevent viral replication and growth, and that activate your immune cells. But take care: there is no need to take high dosages and don’t use it at all for anyone who has high blood pressure. Liquorice also enhances the immuneboosting ability of other herbs, such as echinacea.

The echinacea herb potently enhances your immune system’s first line of defence. Your herbalist can combine it with Siberian Ginseng to build up your strength to fight

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through immune challenges. Echinacea can also be very useful for deep-seated infections, so should be part of your herbal first aid kit.

Once temperatures drop, spice up your teas and foods with cinnamon, ginger, cardamom, cumin, nutmeg, black pepper and cayenne.

These spices will heat your body from the core, and support circulation and digestion. They also help to improve absorption of nutrients at stressful times when your body is in need of a more dense nutrient supply.

But don’t neglect the Mediterranean spices such as thyme, white sage, rosemary, basil and oregano! They have long been known for their antimicrobial properties and show a specific affinity to the lung tissues. Add garlic and rosemary to your apple cider vinegar, use it on your salad together with tahini and pumpkin seed oil, both of which are high in zinc, another nutrient needed for good immune function. A ‘decoction’ made from thyme, sage and marshmallow root can be soothing to inflamed throats and its aromatic oils help to loosen congestion and aid better breathing.

When preparing your daily meals try to include seasonal foods as they carry specific phytonutrients depending on the time of the year. It’s now a good time to increase your intake of autumn coloured berries and vegetables. The purple, blue, yellow and reds contain anthocyanins and flavonoids which are important health-promoting antioxidants. As a tip, stew organic Bramley apples and add some mixed berries, cloves, (another powerful antimicrobial spice), some almonds for protein and cinnamon quills to sweeten it all up!

Finally, and to prevent the spread of infections throughout your family home, safely burn some essential oils such as lavender, sage and frankincense. Add some orange blossom or cinnamon oil to make it even more effective, and it will surely add to the festive atmosphere of your home.

Maya is a Naturopathic Herbalist who trained with CNM.

Maya Daghighi

Attend a FREE CNM Open Evening to find out about part time training with CNM Bristol for a career in

Naturopathic Nutrition or Naturopathic Acupuncture.

Thursday 10th December 7pm-9pm Geoff Don

And book now for CNM’s Winter Wellness Open Day on 23rd January!

Please book on line for either event, at

www.naturopathy-uk.com 01342 410 505

DECEMBER 2015

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GARDENING OUT | AND ABOUT

A GLIMPSE OF HISTORY Andrew Swift discovers the forgotten ruins of our industrial past in the Forest of Dean

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s you’ll know if you’ve followed my walks in The Bristol Magazine, I’m always fond of a good ruin, so, when Dave Hamilton turned up in town to talk about his new guidebook, Wild Ruins, I made sure to buy a ticket.

The talk – like the book – covered the whole of Britain, but I was especially keen to find out about ruins close to home.

Although I was familiar with some of those he mentioned, there were several which I made a mental note to check out sometime.

It was when Dave got onto his top ten favourite ruins, however, that I really sat up. Not only was his number one ruin within an hour’s drive of Bristol; I’d never so much as heard of it, despite having walked near it on several occasions.

As photographs of it flashed up on the screen, and he recounted in loving detail its similarities to Mayan temples he’d visited a couple of years earlier, I resolved, as soon as possible, to go and see it for myself.

This month’s walk is the result, and, although only about a mile and half long, a visit to the site of Dark Hill Ironworks in the Forest of Dean is one likely to linger in the memory when more strenuous excursions are long forgotten. It is not just the scale and layout of the ruins that is so compelling; it is also the feeling that a hostile wildwood was cleared to build them, and, now that they have fallen silent, is encroaching once again, its sinister tendrils slowly engulfing the stonework. One indicator of how untamed the encircling forest really is can be found in the tracks of wild boar you will almost certainly come across as you wander the site. You almost have the sense that you stray into the trackless scrub around the site at your peril.

Spectacle and sublimity aside, the Dark Hill Ironworks is an internationally important industrial site. In 1818 a Scotsman 100 THE BRISTOL MAGAZINE

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called David Mushet established an experimental furnace here, and gradually the ironworks grew up around it. He retired in 1845, leaving them in the hands of three sons, who soon fell out, and the business was eventually sold. His eldest son, Robert, however, set up an experimental steelworks nearby, and, having discovered a method of mass-producing steel not beset by previous quality issues, opened the much larger Titanic Steelworks to the west of the old ironworks. Although he took out 54 patents on his work, he allowed the all-important patent for steel production to lapse. At which point one of his rivals, Henry Bessemer, stepped in, not only producing steel using Mushet’s process, but calling it the Bessemer Process, the name by which it is still known today. So, while Bessemer’s name lives on through association with one of the most significant breakthroughs of the industrial age, Mushet’s is virtually forgotten. ● To get to Dark Hill, head west along the M48, over the Severn Bridge, and turn right along the A48. After passing through Chepstow, turn left along the B4228. Carry on along this road, and, three miles after St Briavels, when you come to Sling, bear right (following a sign for Sling, Ellwood and Parkend). After two-thirds of a mile, just past a crossroads, turn left into Dark Hill car park (SO588086). ● Having parked the car, walk away from the road and turn right along a gravel track. Once the Severn & Wye Railway line from Parkend to Coleford, this is now a popular cycle track. It leads past a monument in the form of railway lines pointing heavenward, recalling the production of the first steel railway lines here in 1857. The ruins of the ironworks can be seen in the background. Carry on and, as the track starts to climb, gravel gives way to tarmac. Just before the

Main image: The atmospheric ruins of Dark Hill Ironworks, reminiscent of Mayan temples in the forest

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OUT | AND ABOUT

This page: Overgrown and forgotten, nature reclaims the Dark Hill Ironworks

path meets the road, turn sharp left up a rough path past a large rock. ● This path follows the course of a dramway – a narrow-gauge railway on which horses hauled trucks filled with coal and iron ore. Some of the stone sleepers which carried the rails can still be seen. After passing the back of the ironworks, the path passes between boulders intended to impede vehicles. Just past them, bear left when the path forks, follow it downhill to an open space – cleared to improve the habitat for butterflies – and, as you bear left to follow another path downhill, look to your left to see the sealed-off entrance to a drift mine, one of many such mines still to be found in the Forest of Dean. ● Carry on downhill, bearing right when the path forks and you will see a large pond below you on the right. After passing the fenced-off ruins of the ironworks on your left, bear left alongside the fence and follow an overgrown path for a closer look at the ruins. Bear left uphill at the end, and left at the top to rejoin the path behind the ironworks you walked along earlier. After passing the boulders, bear right when the path forks. ● This leads to a house called Marefold, built in 1780. Carry on along a lane for 80m before turning left towards a white building.

If you look over to your left as you walk towards it you will see all that remains of the steelworks. They closed in 1874, but the buildings remained largely intact, albeit roofless, until the 1960s, when many were apparently bulldozed to provide hardcore for the Severn Bridge. Carry on past the white building – now Steel Works Cottage but once the office for the steelworks – and after negotiating a narrow path, turn left along the old railway line to return to the car park.

For a longer day out, a visit to Dark Hill Ironworks could be combined with a walk round the Forest of Dean Sculpture Trail (sadly no longer with the giant’s chair), three miles north east at Speech House Road (www.forestofdean-sculpture.org.uk). n

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FURTHER INFORMATION...

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Distance: 1.5 miles

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Time: As long as it takes to soak in the sights

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Level of challenge: Straightforward although some minor paths may be overgrown

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Map: OS Explorer OL 14

DECEMBER 2015

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THE BRISTOL MAGAZINE 101

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INTERIOR | DESIGNS

WILD NIGHTS Earlier this year, local design company Bracey Interiors was tasked with a unique challenge – the opportunity to create a luxury safari style lodge in the heart of Bristol Zoo Gardens. Samantha Coleman takes a look around the new accommodation with interior designer Ben Bracey as her guide…

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hen local interior designer Ben Bracey – one half of Clifton’s Bracey Interiors (the other half is his wife Alison) – was asked to renovate an old keeper’s lodge at Bristol Zoo and turn it into luxury accommodation with a safari theme, he jumped at the chance. “It was an opportunity to let myself go a bit wild, have some fun and do things that I can’t usually get away with,” he says. And by this he’s referring to the bold jungle print wallpaper, striking green walls and brightly coloured floral print sofa.

The Lodge, as it is now called, is a secluded two bedroom apartment in the heart of the gardens, and the idea behind it is that it allows visitors to experience a behind-the-scenes stay at the zoo. So as part of the package you’ll take a twilight tour of the zoo when everyone else has gone home, eat breakfast with the gorillas and get a chance to feed the animals too. On top of this you’ll also be cooked for by a private chef, who will prepare and serve a four-course meal, so you can dine in style in the cosy dining room – or on a balmy summer evening, you can sit outside on your private balcony and watch the sun set over the zoo.

It’s this idea of a luxury experience of the zoo that Ben and his wife Alison had to bear in mind when they came to thinking about design inspiration.

“We wanted to create a tranquil haven where you can relax in luxury while being at one with nature,” says Ben. “In each room you’ll find zoo and safari themes, created through natural materials and textures instead of naff leopard print throws. We wanted to make the lodge as earthy as we could, so we’ve used a lot of wood and stone and neutral tones throughout, mixed 102 THE BRISTOL MAGAZINE

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with very loud prints and bright sparks of colour to give it an injection of warmth and a bit of an edge.”

As soon as you enter the apartment, you’re greeted with a beautiful wood effect floor, an abundance of light flooding through the half-glazed doors to the lounge area and curved green walls in the hallway, which took a lot of restructuring and re-building to achieve. “They had to be curved,” says Ben. “I like curves. I like softened edges. I can’t stand hard edges all the time. Curves add space.”

After he said this I spotted curves everywhere – subtle, but everywhere: the smooth burnt orange marble table in the dining area, the lampshades, chairs, the shower cubicle, and even the stone basins in the bathroom and washroom. And in a relatively small lodge like this, it’s amazing how much space they seemingly do create. You could easily have a family staying here and not be in each other’s way.

Despite working to a tight budget and a six week time schedule, Ben and Alison have managed to create an apartment that reflects the zoo, its animals and environment perfectly.

The main living/dining area is inspired by plantation lodges with textures being the dominant feature. Tactile wood furniture gives a natural, rustic feel while the sofa has been covered in a beautiful Harlequin fabric of brightly coloured tropical flowers and vegetation. The back wall is covered by a wallpaper that hints at Colonial style shutters – a nice backdrop to the marble table and enormous indoor plant in the corner of the room. “I think it’s a really nice feature for this wall,” says Ben, “it’s as if you can open the

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INTERIOR | DESIGNS

Main image: the second living room, which leads to a terrace area overlooking the zoo gardens This page, clockwise from left: the living/dining area features a marble dining table and a sofa covered in Harlequin floral print fabric; the striking jungle scene wallpaper in the second bedroom; the main bedroom has a serene feel with elephant motifs and grey tones Inset: stone basins in the bathroom and washroom create an earthy and natural look

shutters and walk out on to a terrace, creating the sense that nature is all around.”

Which it is, and can be appreciated in all its glory from the other living room further down the hallway. The first thing you notice is the bold leaf wallpaper and pea green sofa, but if you turn your gaze beyond the patio doors you’ll see views over the zoo gardens from a large outside seating area. And cleverly, Ben has managed to capture this serenity of nature in the main bedroom. A quieter, more reflective space, it features elephant motifs, grey tones and simple furniture, with shocks of orange and red in the soft furnishings to give it a warm and cosy ambience. The second bedroom has a very different feel having been designed around an amazing bright and bold jungle scene wallpaper which takes over a whole wall. “This is the perfect space for such striking wallpaper,” says Ben. “That was our starting point in the room and then we decided to bring the colours out in the blinds, cushions and accessories.”

In every room there’s a statement feature that really cements the lodge’s place in the heart of the zoo and each room, while flowing seamlessly to the next, has a different feel to it – just like the different zones in the zoo. “We wanted to make it a zoo experience internally as well,” says Ben. It is obvious that there has been a great amount of attention to detail in the design of the lodge – from the soft carpets, animal artwork on the walls and mood lighting, to the luxurious furnishings and ornate mirrors. “A lot of pieces were made in the workshop at the back of our shop, such as the upholstered stools,” says Ben. “And I’ve been lucky enough to use local

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suppliers for everything else. The stone basins were donated by Mandarin Stone in Clifton Village, tiles are from The Tile Barn in Backwell and the marble for the dining table was donated by Avon Marble, to name just a few.

When other businesses heard about what we were doing here, they were thrilled to help and be part of it. It was great to work on a project that is so close to the hearts of the local community. It’s been good fun.”

For more information on The Lodge visit: www.bristolzoo.org.uk/explore-the-zoo/the-lodge and for more information about Bracey Interiors, who celebrate their 50th anniversary next year, visit: www.braceyinteriors.co.uk n DECEMBER 2015

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LIMITED OFFER ORDER ANY SIX CHAIRS AND ONLY PAY FOR FIVE

CHOOSE YOUR FAVOURITE WEGNER CHAIR Carl Hansen & Son presents a unique and special promotion.

Offer applies to any chairs or stools designed by Hans J Wegner and you can mix and match. 6 for 5 Offer runs until 10th December.

S annon F U R N I T U R E LT D

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Contemporary interior furniture and lighting from Carl Hansen and Son, Fritz Hansen and Swedese. Homewares from Marimekko, Iittala and Arabia with fabrics, and throws from Finland and Sweden.

68 Walcot Street Bath BA1 5BD 01225 424222 www.shannon-uk.com

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THE BRISTOL MAGAZINE 105

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GARDENING GARDENING

SPRUCE THINGS UP Our garden expert Margaux Speirs explains that a conifer is not just for Christmas

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t goes against the gardener in me to bring a tree into the house for a few weeks then throw it away in January, so I was looking into the reasons we do it. Apparently the Romans started it, decorating their houses with evergreen branches during the new year as a symbol of life in the midst of winter. They also gave each other gifts during the winter solstice. Christmas gift giving was not a Christian tradition all through the dark and middle ages although some central European countries continued to decorate their homes with evergreens. The English custom of gifts and trees at Christmas started with Prince Albert, who brought the tradition from his native Saxony. There the practice had developed over the preceding couple of centuries, at least among some of the wealthier citizens, of bringing evergreen trees inside and decorating them with candles, symbolising stars and sweets and nuts as gifts for the children. Prince Albert and Queen Victoria set up and decorated an elaborate tree for their children at Windsor in Christmas 1841, and a romanticised picture of the family standing around this caused the practice quickly to catch on here.

Our traditional Christmas tree is the Norway spruce, but as this tends to drop its needles it is being overtaken in popularity by non-drop varieties. The bestselling non-drop conifer is the Nordmann fir; its lush, glossy, rich green needles are soft and 106 THE BRISTOL MAGAZINE

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dense making it easy to decorate. But if you can find them I think either the Noble fir or the Fraser fir are even better. The former having dense foliage of beautiful soft blue-green needles, neat compact branches and a lovely fragrance, and the latter with dark green branches, quite often sold with the fir cones still attached and a clean lemon scent. Spruces tend to be cheaper than fir trees and Blue spruce is finding increasing popularity as a Christmas tree as a result of its natural conical shape and attractive blue foliage, which looks especially lovely with silver baubles. Also, its needle retention is among the best for the spruces. Less common as a Christmas tree but still a good choice is the Scots pine which has strong branches with twisted green/blue needles, good needle retention and a nice perfume.

As it is quite expensive to buy a real tree every year it makes sense if you have a suitable space in the garden to buy one to keep for several years. It you intend to do this then get one which has been pot grown or container grown i.e. not just dug up and put in the container just before being sold. Limit its stay inside to two weeks and keep it away from radiators and real fires. Make sure it doesn’t dry out. When the season is over move it outside to a sheltered position first so it gets acclimatized to the cold, then repot it in the spring with ericaceous compost and slow release fertilizer. Frenchay Christmas Tree Farm has four or five varieties of pot grown

Main image: Day time at a Christmas tree garden Š Checubus

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GARDENING

trees for sale (3 or 4ft tall) and Cleeve Nursey near Backwell also has a good selection if you shop early in December.

There are 600 species of conifer and they grow naturally in different conditions, so ask when you buy yours whether it likes sun or shade, moist or dry conditions, and treat it accordingly.

Some conifers grow really quickly, putting on 1m or more in height each year, and these obviously don’t make the best choices for bringing in and out in a pot each year (although you could do that for two or three years then cut it and down for its final indoor year). However, there are many suitable dwarf and miniature specimens which grow much slower. Again check with the nursery when you purchase your conifer what its growing habit is. If you buy a slow growing conifer you can put it in the ground rather than keeping it in a pot in between its Christmas outings (innings?) as its root ball won’t be growing very fast either. There is a useful online resource to help you with choosing the right conifer and finding out where to buy it – the HTA British Conifer Group: www.conifers.org.uk and the Ashwood Nurseries’ website has several pages of photos of miniature conifers to help you choose foliage colour and habit.

If you are thinking of buying an artificial Christmas tree you need to bear in mind that, according to The Carbon Trust, they have a carbon footprint at least ten times larger than a real tree.

It states: “Buying a 6 foot fake tree, made from plastic, is as damaging to the environment as toasting 5,222 slices of bread or driving 120 miles in an average-sized car. A real tree of the same size creates carbon emissions the equivalent of toasting 418 pieces of bread and driving less than 10 miles.” To keep your footprint small, buy a locally grown tree and if you are not planting it out for next year then make sure it is recycled rather than burned – Bristol City Council’s kerb-side collection service uses the chippings to make mulch for city parks. n Margaux Speirs is a pre-registered member of the Society of Garden Designers and runs her business, Margaux Speirs Garden Design, from her home in Bristol. For further information, tel: 07903 779910 visit: www.margauxspeirsgardendesign.co.uk

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PLANT OF THE MONTH: Coronilla valentina subsp. glauca ‘Citrina’ is a remarkable shrub that flowers virtually non-stop throughout winter into early spring. It is easy to grow if you put it in well drained fertile soil in full sun, with some shelter from cold winds. It suits a warm wall. The reason for choosing it for December is that not only is it in flower when little else is but the blooms carry a strong, sweet fragrance which comes as such a surprise in winter. It grows to about 1.5m by 1.5m and has semi evergreen, slightly blue-tinged foliage. Choose the ‘Citrina’ colour which is pale lemon yellow rather than its more brassy orange yellow cousin.

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HOMES | ON SHOW

DOUBLE TAKE Marianne Swinkels is swept away by the splendour of a historic property in Leigh Woods

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ake my word for it – first impressions don’t always count. So don’t then be fooled by the deceptively ordinary entrance door that offers access to a oneoff abode. Although, given its gloriously posh postcode, you may well forgive yourself for briefly wondering why on earth you’re loitering outside what is, on the face of it, a white painted garage. Albeit in a heavenly located and leafy street t’other side of Clifton.

But heck, as anyone with sensibility knows, it’s what’s inside that counts. Amen and hallelujah to that I say. Especially as you’re in aptly named Church Road.

Which leaves me somewhat stumped. Because I’ve viewed beyond those very doors, yet editorial etiquette is such that over-the-top and over-used lingo is virtually forbidden. ‘Unique’ and ‘iconic’ are right up there on the ‘watch-out-for’ list as too readily cited: over-used descriptions which in their very attempt to label something as exceptionally special, can somehow fall flat and fail to make real impact.

And let’s face it, there’s enough glib slang out there to give the editor of any upmarket mag the jitters. ‘Stunning’ is a dead cert no-no,’Wow’ would seriously underwhelm, ‘awesome’ provoke 108 THE BRISTOL MAGAZINE

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angst. ‘Drop dead gorgeous’ might even be taken as a personal and murderous threat.

So what’s to be done when a property like The Coach House comes brand new to market? For this quirky gem is truly in a league of its own. So much so, I’ll cut straight to the chase and declare that I’d love to be saddled with this special place. And yes this detached former stable, just a horseshoe’s throw away from Brunel’s iconic bridge, is indeed stunning. In fact it is fab, cool and drop dead gorgeously awesome too. So there you have it. Now I ask for forgiveness. And if you get to view, you surely will.

Step through those doors, directly into the impressive Victorian tiled orangery with its mature grapevine and it will all become clear as you catch your first glimpse of the stylish home that lies beyond. For this is no standard conversion and no ordinary stable. Built some two years after the Suspension Bridge was completed, The Coach House originally formed part of the Gables Estate, a very grand residence in a prestigious and neighbouring Leigh Woods plot. With its statement redbrick and terracotta tiled turret, topped by a landmark mare and foal weather vane, this was a showy horse heaven cum folly affair.

Main image: The striking Georgian facade complete with panelled sash windows

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HOMES | ON SHOW

PROPERTY PROFILE Where: The Coach House, Church Road, Leigh Woods, BS8 3PG What: Stylish and sustainably restored former stables building, once in grounds of The Gables Estate near Clifton Suspension Bridge.

Orangery, feature turret with spiral staircase accessing three bedrooms; sitting room, open plan kitchen/dining/breakfast room.

Contemporary home with design emphasis on recycled features, fittings and materials.

Guide price: £850,000 Agent: Hamptons International, Clifton Office www.hamptons.co.uk Contact: T: 0117 901 5591 or e: bristol@hamptons-int.com

This page, clockwise from top: one of three spacious reception rooms; a view of the pretty garden; another spacious reception room; the wellappointed kitchen

And it was the challenge of transforming this unique (oh yes!) one time working stable, tack room and hay loft into a domestic space that appealed to the current creative owner. Backed by a team of craftsmen, her ambitious vision was to sympathetically embark on a total restoration project, maintaining the fabric and heritage of the building to re-design a contemporary and sustainable home. The project, achieved by melding traditional methods and skills with right-on-trend eco credentials and materials, was to take a year, often working round-the-clockhours.

Up-cycling and recycling played a dominant role in the meticulous and organic design work ensuring that all original features and materials were re-used, right down to every piece of stabling wood, gutters, nuts, bolts and ironwork.

The result is striking – a true celebration of practical functionality meeting creative flair: dismantled horse stalls reconfigured as steel staircase railings; every scrap of pitch pine wood used to part clad walls and build the main stairs, beams are exposed, the copper pipes used as decorative wall trim, taps and self-designed gallery style lighting. Old guttering enhances kitchen shelving, a floor to ceiling tack cupboard plays host to

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trinkets and treasures; the individually designed industrial style kitchen boasts bespoke units topped with concrete and shingle worktops; the fabulously restored spiral staircase which sweeps around the turret accessing the three character bedrooms above.

This is one seriously funky mix.

And one that does more than artsy justice to its horsey origins.

Because there has been unwavering focus on creating flow of space, light and bang up to date comfort: under floor heating, insulation by the latest in recycled glass material under travertine and slate flooring; generous wet room, trendy Dutch gas fire, sun pipes, and LED lighting throughout.

The devotion to The Coach House has not stopped with the inside; outside in the south west facing garden a paved terrace has been created using reclaimed tiles from the stables and a resurrected ornate wrought iron arbour adds history and a touch of grandeur to the whole.

As you exit through that magnificent glazed orangery again, there’s one other thing to add as you close those garage style doors: if you’d bridle at missing this particular coach you’d better get the bit between your teeth pronto. Or I’ll race you to it! n DECEMBER 2015 | THE BRISTOL MAGAZINE 109

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BRISTOL PROPERTY | IN FOCUS

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his lovely detached Victorian family house is located on what is considered to be one of the most prestigious roads in Clevedon and is within walking distance of the shops and restaurants in the Hill Road area. The house has all the advantages of homes of the period in terms of large, well proportioned rooms designed for family life and there are some lovely period features including ornate ceiling cornices and roses, sash windows and fireplaces. The marble fireplaces in the sitting room and drawing room both have log burners. The main accommodation is spread over three floors (as well as having a usable cellar) and comprises: Entrance hall with cloakroom, sitting room with doors to terrace and garden, drawing room and dining room overlooking garden, kitchen/breakfast room with French doors to a charming covered veranda. Three first floor double bedrooms, two large family bathrooms and a separate W.C. Two second floor double bedrooms with separate shower room and two room-sized storage/attic. The cellar houses various spacious storerooms and a utility room. The mature gardens have two entrances, one for pedestrians and a pair of timber gates for vehicle access. As with the house, there is plenty of space for the family to spread out and the covered veranda provides a delightful outdoor entertaining/dining area. Contact Knight Frank for details Knight Frank, Regent House, 27A Regent Street, Clifton, Bristol. Tel: 0117 317 1999

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THE AVENUE CLEVEDON, NR BRISTOL • 3 Floors of exceptionally spacious accommodation • Usable cellar • Victorian period features • Charming covered veranda • Very prestigious location

Guide Price £950,000

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BURSTON COOK - ACTIVE IN 2015...

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WE LOOK FORWARD TO HELPING YOU IN 2016

www.burstoncook.co.uk

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

(0117) 934 9977

CONTEMPORARY STUDIO OFFICE BUILDING

BEDMINSTER – TO LET

Convinient BS10 location –

C 3,500 sq ft + stores of c 3,500 sq ft –

1,232 sq ft – 5 car spaces–

New lease –

New lease – Only £11.50 per sq ft

Rent on application

INVESTMENT – BRISTOL LET TO CO-OP

12D & 12E COTHAM ROAD, BRISTOL, BS6

Rent £38,000 PAX

FREEHOLD FOR SALE – DAY NURSERY

* High Street Location

Substantial property totaling a gross internal area of c 4,000 sq ft with existing Day Nursery use –

Good quality offices –

* £465,000

Freehold guide - £975,000 PRINCESS VICTORIA STREET – CLIFTON

MARINER HOUSE, PRINCE STREET, BRISTOL CITY CENTRE

New ground floor lock up A2 office unit –

Refurbished loft style offices – Open plan – c 1,200 sq ft – Close to Queen Square and The Waterfront –

Single room of 131 sq ft – New flexible letting terms

New lease – Only £14.50 per sq ft

FOR SALE

WHITELADIES OFFICES

WEST HILL, PORTISHEAD

Office suite with on site parking – c. 750 sq ft of good modern airy space.

Offices 1,750sq ft + 1 bed flat + car park with potential for development –

New lease - £13.50 per sq ft

£395,000

OFFICES TO LET – CLIFTON

CHURCH CRT, SOUNDWELL Contemporary studio offices – Superb space for creative / design based occupiers – 2,522 sq ft –

Attractive light and airy period offices at 14 Frederick Place, close to Queens Road – Sizes from 1,920 sq ft to 3,183 sq ft –

New flexible lease – Rent O/A

Julian Cook FRICS

Jayne Rixon

Burston Cook December.indd 8

MRICS

Charlie Kershaw MRICS

Finola Ingham MRICS

Tom Coyte BA Hons

NEW FLEXIBLE LEASE

• • • • •

Sales / Lettings Acquisitions Valuations Landlord & tenant Auction Sales

• • • • •

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

24/11/2015 11:52

SALE AGREED

Cotham

SALE AGREED

Clifton, Bristol

Guide Price £240,000

Guide Price £850,000

SOLD IN 2015

Clifton, Bristol

SALE AGREED

Sneyd Park, Bristol

Guide Price £345,000

SOLD IN 2015

Guide Price £485,000

Failand, BS8

SOLD IN 2015

Guide Price £735,000

SOLD IN 2015

SE Y Aust

Guide Price £490,000

SOLD

Lower Failand, BS8

SALE AGREED

Clifton Wood, Bristol GuidePrice £895,000

Redland, Bristol

Guide Price £935,000

Guide Price £535,000

SOLD

Leigh Woods, Bristol

Guide Price £1,250,000

Hamptons Bristol

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

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Redland £510,000

Harcourt Hill – Three bedroom house

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Clifton Office 0117 946 6007

Beautifully presented mid terrace family house situated on the Redland and Westbury Park borders, and set within the Redland Green School and Westbury Park School catchment areas. Private front and rear gardens, single garage accessible via a back lane with ample space to park a car in front of. A spacious and light property home. EPC - F

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Westbury-on-Trym £625,000

Westbury-on-Trym Office 0117 962 1973

Cote Park – Four bedroom house Nestled in a charming and quiet back water of Westbury-onTrym village and the borders of Stoke Bishop this spacious family home is offered to the market for the first time in 16 years. A recent extension into the roof has added a vast master bedroom measuring in excess of 17 feet. EPC - TBC.

oceanhome.co.uk

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Redland £765,000

Cranbrook Road – Five bedroom house Located in the highly sought after catchment of Redland Green School is this deceptively spacious family home providing over 1800sqft of accommodation. Three reception areas, fitted kitchen, large utility room, large garden and ample off street parking.

EPC - E

Westbury-on-Trym £210,000

The Dial House – Two bedroom house The Dial House’ is one of the oldest and recognisable cottages in Westbury-on-Trym village. Nestled at the bottom of Chock Lane, which carves along a stone walled raised path and ending at ‘Trym Road’ with the River Trym running alongside it. One of the earliest uses for the cottage was as a toll house. EPC - G.

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CITY | BUSINESS

THE | COLUMNIST

THINKING PROPERTY ROBIN ENGLEY, ASSOCIATE AT KNIGHT FRANK ESTATE AGENTS BRISTOL

The Bristol office of Knight Frank can be found on Regent Street at the heart of Clifton Village. Although it has a town location, the office has a proven track record of selling Bristol’s finest homes both in town and in the country from an office that opened 15 years ago. Recent sales highlight the diverse approach they take by selling one bedroom apartments at £250,000 and detached Georgian family homes towards £3,000,000. The Bristol Magazine asks Robin Engley to comment on the year that has been, recent market trends and what can be expected as Bristol approaches the end of another bouyant year in for its property market.

Despite approaching late November with the dark evenings drawing in, the property market in and around Bristol remains busy, and there are ample confident buyers searching for good quality stock. At Knight Frank we have seen the number of buyers registering their search criteria continuing to grow. Bristol features so heavily in many of the Sunday broadsheets and lifestyle magazines as a city that offers so much diversity, culture and employment opportunities. With interest rates remaining at a historic low, the spending power of across the board remains strong with many of our buyers not needing to sell a property. It must be noted that Bristol has continued to struggle with a real shortage of good quality apartments and family homes. This shortage has created quite a frenzy amongst buyers with our most recent new instructions achieving competitive bids and being agreed above the asking price.

Throughout 2015 Knight Frank Bristol has experienced an increasing level of buyers coming from outside of the area, most notable from the south east but also internationally. Bristol and particularly Clifton still appears good value for families leaving the popular areas of London where outside space and parking have always been on the wish list. With the draw of some the South West’s finest schools, international buyers have secured some of our most exclusive properties which are close to Clifton and Sneyd Park as well as being close to the various schools. It must also be noted that there are numerous sales across the price spectrum which have not sold on the open market. We believe this shows the importance of registering with the agent that specialise in the type of property that you are looking for. In a market where stock is so scarce, don’t leave your search simply down to the portal sites on the internet. A serious purchaser should be proactive, get registered, and will always recieve an early headsup.

Even with the Christmas period looming there still remains time within this active market to sell your home as the number of buyers far outweighs the level of stock available. We certainly expect this trend to continue into 2016 however the New Year will undoubtedly bring more exciting new stock to the market. The city townhouse and apartment market has become increasingly consistent throughout the calendar year with seasonal peaks of Spring and September having less effect, therefore whenever you are thinking of selling, a quick reaction when hitting the open market is becoming increasingly common.

Should you be considering a sale in 2016 it is advisable to have those conversations reference to a market appraisal now where we can advise you on the best possible time and campaign to create the maximum interest with the goal of achieving the best possible price.

For a market appraisal feel free to call us on 0117 317 1999 or drop in and see us at our Regent Street address. n Robin Engley, Knight Frank, Regent House, 27a Regent Street, Clifton Bristol. BS8 4HR Tel: 0117 3171999

122 THE BRISTOL MAGAZINE

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DECEMBER 2015

UNVEILING A DECO DELIGHT November saw the unveiling of the magnificent Atrium at Electricity House, a city centre landmark building which has been converted into a mix of 85 Citypad, one and two bed, and duplex three bed apartments by Crest Nicholson.

At the heart of the building, this open space allows light to flood in and provides a central communal area for residents. What’s more, two show apartments have been launched to give buyers a taste of life in this Art Deco gem.

There has been great appetite for the development from buyers. Since its launch in June 2015 sales have been agreed on 38 properties – 45 per cent of the scheme. And all of these sales were achieved off plan.

Nowhere else in the city can buyers secure such high specification living space with undercroft parking and concierge service.

As a building and landmark, Electricity House has its place in Bristol’s history. Its designer, Sir Giles Gilbert Scott, who is perhaps better known for the original red phone box or Battersea Power station, was commissioned in 1935 at the height of the Art Deco movement by the Corporation of Bristol Electricity Department.

After being requisitioned during the war as an aircraft engine factory, the building was not completed until the late 1940s when it became the home of the South Western Electricity Board (SWEB) and in more recent years was used by Royal and Sun Alliance until 2009.

After years of planning and several months of redevelopment, Electricity House is being reborn. Located at the heart of a district of town being brought to life with a vibrant mix of bars, hotels, shops and restaurants, Electricity House offers city centre living at its best.

Prices at Electricity House start from £230,000. For further information, contact Savills in Bristol on 0117 910 0314 n

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

www.cjhole.com It has been a great year here in Bristol. The city becomes more and more exciting every year that passes. We appear to have more development, more shops, more student life and more energy than ever before. In my opinion a mayoral election next year just highlights yet again that we are a city always looking to debate the issues, change and move forward. Perhaps I am biased, I have lived and worked here almost all my adult life. Yet as I daily meet families and professionals relocating here, I see the same excitement and enthusiasm for this city that I feel deep in

my bones. Yes property can be expensive, and ever more so driven by the London market, but we do have high employment, good schools, fantastic hospitals and thriving Universities. This time of year is traditionally one for counting blessings and extending good cheer to others. Living in Bristol makes both of those easier to do.

Howard Davis MD Clifton

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

NEW DEVELOPMENT This stylish new city development sits in an elevated position overlooking Castle Park and a few minutes’ walk from Harvey Nichols, Cabot Circus and St Nicholas’ market. It is just a mile from Bristol Temple Meads station and minutes by car from the major commuter routes via the M32, M4 and M5. On offer are Studios, 1, 2 & 3 bedrooms apartments. Viewing is highly recommended. EPCs Various.

Prices £190,000 - £450,000

CENTRAL BRISTOL These chic apartments have been thoughtfully and carefully designed with full attention to detail. The overall impression is light and contemporary with beautifully designed open plan living/kitchen/dining areas. Bathrooms are chic and luxurious with all the detail you would expect like underfloor heating and powerful showers. Some apartments have private balconies and apartments with 2 or more bedrooms have the opportunity for parking by separate negotiation. EPCs Various.

Prices from £190,000

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Royal Victoria Park

Westbury-on-Trym

Westbury-on-Trym

Detached four bedroom family home with reception/study, kitchen/breakfast room measuring approximately 9.9m in width, south facing family garden, ‘L’ shaped reception room/study with access to balcony.

No onward chain.

EPC C.

A delightful Victorian house with three double bedrooms, open plan living area and ‘L’ shaped modern kitchen/diner with bi-folding doors onto a level family garden.

The property offers many original features.

EPC D.

A delightful period cottage offering two double bedrooms, spacious lounge, fully equipped kitchen, contemporary shower room and a delightful courtyard garden with stone outbuilding to rear. No onward chain.

EPC D.

Guide £505,000

Guide £425,000

£310,000

Henleaze

Henleaze

Westbury Park

A substantial semi-detached period home with seven bedrooms, three individual receptions, kitchen providing access to 28m family garden, private driveway and integral garage. In need of modification throughout.

EPC F.

A substantial three storey, five bedroom 1930’s family home benefitting from an extensive rear garden, two receptions and modern kitchen/breakfast room with granite worktops. Superbly presented throughout.

EPC E.

1920s style semi-detached family home offers three individual reception rooms, kitchen, breakfast/utility room, 85ft South Westerly facing garden with twin verandas, patio and greenhouse, four bedrooms, private driveway and garage.

EPC E.

Guide £825,000

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Guide £685,000

Guide £650,000

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Richard Harding December.qxp_Layout 6 20/11/2015 12:44 Page 1

Richard Harding Chartered Surveyors • Estate Agents • Auctioneers • Valuers

SOLD STC

SOLD STC

MANILLA ROAD, CLIFTON Guide Price: £1,095,000

SOLD STC

CAVENDISH ROAD, HENLEAZE Guide Price: £760,000

SOLD STC

SOLD STC

ELGIN PARK, REDLAND

HENBURY ROAD, WESTBURY-ON-TRYM

GROVE ROAD, COOMBE DINGLE

Guide Price: £795,000

Guide Price Range: £1,075,000 - £1,150,000

Guide Price: £725,000

SOLD STC

SOLD STC

SOLD STC

ST EDWARDS ROAD, CLIFTONWOOD

VICTORIA SQUARE, CLIFTON

MORLEY SQUARE, BISHOPSTON

Guide Price Range: £595,000 - £630,000

Guide Price: £390,000

Guide Price: £575,000

Professional, Reliable, Successful

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

Richard Harding December.qxp_Layout 6 20/11/2015 12:44 Page 2

Richard Harding Chartered Surveyors • Estate Agents • Auctioneers • Valuers

SOLD STC

SOLD STC

FERNBANK ROAD, REDLAND Guide Price: £1,375,000

STOKE PARK ROAD, STOKE BISHOP Guide Price: £1,395,000

Selling now or waiting until New Year ?

SOLD STC

SOLD STC

We have agreed 46 new sales for our vendor clients, within October and the first 2 weeks of November (following on from 37 more sales in September).

We expect to take on and sell new properties right through the Christmas period.

If it suits you to sell now, then take advantage of the buoyant market, where there are many serious buyers and very few properties available.

GREAT BROCKERIDGE, W-O-T Guide Price: £795,000

SOLD STC

Please call one of the Partners on 0117 946 6690 and we would be pleased to talk further about your options.

(Please note that the prices quoted in the surrounding photographs, are the advertised guide prices at the time of sale – this is just a selection of the property sales we have agreed within the time period stated)

SOLD STC

BEGGAR BUSH LANE, FAILAND Guide Price: £750,000

SOLD STC

STOKE LANE, WESTBURY-ON-TRYM

HAZELWOOD ROAD, SNEYD PARK

SOMMERVILLE ROAD, ST ANDREWS

Guide Price: £745,000

Guide Price Range: £850,000 - £925,000

Guide Price: £589,950

Professional, Reliable, Successful

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

Fine & Country December.qxp_Layout 1 20/11/2015 12:50 Page 1

BITTON | BRISTOL

GUIDE PRICE ÂŁ1,750,000

A fabulous period farmhouse presenting an exceptional lifestyle opportunity, equidistant between Bristol and Bath. This superb property is located along a private no-through lane and bordered by its own circa 10 acre paddock, incorporating a small copse. In addition, the house has an outstanding fully converted party barn, attached indoor swimming pool and a range of useful outbuildings including garaging, workshops and store rooms. EPC: G.

fineandcountry.com

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REDLAND | BRISTOL

GUIDE PRICE ÂŁ950,000

A beautifully proportioned family house (circa 3500 sq. ft), with off-street parking for several vehicles and a pretty enclosed rear garden. Drawing room, dining room, study / play room. 30' family kitchen with AGA & dining room. Cloakroom and separate coat cupboard. Master bedroom with en-suite shower room.

Five further double bedrooms. Two family bathrooms. Loft storage. Useful cellar. Off-street parking and a delightful family garden to the rear. EPC Rating: F

Fine & Country Bristol 147 Whiteladies Road, Clifton, Bristol BS8 2QT Tel: 0117 973 3081 Email: bristol@fineandcountry.com bristol.fineandcountry.co.uk

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SUCCESSFULLY SELLING PROPERTY THROUGHOUT 2015 Happy Christmas from all at Leese & Nagle.

ABBOTS LEIGH

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We are an Independent Estate Agency Successfully Selling Our Clients Property Throughout North West Bristol.

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REDLAND

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Westbury-on-Trym - Guide Price £725,000

Stoke Bishop - Guide Price £825,000

A classic style 1930’s detached 4 double bedroom family home with delightful established tiered rear garden.There is a fabulous entrance hallway and generally boasts some lovely period features.

It has huge extension potential subject to consents. EPC - E

A detached 1930’s family home positioned in a lovely quiet cul-de-sac. It has been extended in recent years offering 2 reception rooms, large kitchen/breakfast room & 4 large bedrooms.

There are lovely maintained gardens, parking and integral garage. EPC - E

Westbury-on-Trym - Guide Price £575,000

Stoke Bishop - Guide Price £225,000

Attractive 1930’s 3 bedroom semi-detached family orientated house with huge extension potential, subjects to consents. Circa. 70ft level rear garden, driveway & garage. In the 2015 catchment for Elmlea Infants and Primary Schools and The Free School. EPC - E

A spacious 2 double bedroom purpose built ground floor flat in good condition, within walking distance of local amenities in Stoke Lane and conveniently positioned by a bus stop ideal for getting to the City Centre or Cribbs Causeway. EPC - F

Properties urgently required in Stoke Bishop, Westbury-on-Trym, Sneyd Park and Coombe Dingle.

Large number of disappointed proceedable buyers waiting for suitable properties.

Stoke Bishop - Guide Price £385,000 We are delighted to offer this 1950’s built 3 bedroom semi-detached family home enjoying the benefit of a lovely large rear garden. It is in good condition throughout providing excellent family accommodation. EPC - D

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Sofa Library fp December.qxp_Layout 1 23/11/2015 15:42 Page 1

SOFAS IN 2/3 WEEKS

Curtains and Blinds Sofas and Fabrics Bespoke Cabinet Furniture and Wardrobes

De li be very fo re still p Ch os rist sib ma le s

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

Sofa and curtain delivery time 2/3 weeks Bespoke Cabinet Furniture 3/5 weeks We have the largest selection of fabrics in Bristol and any sofa can be made in any fabric

FABRICS

terms and conditions apply

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

TEL: 01173 292746