The Bristol Magazine February 2016

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THE

Issue 140

I

FeBRuARY 2016

BRIST O L MAGAZINE

WWW.THEBRISTOLMAG.CO.UK

£3.95 where sold

LOVE STRUCK D OW N O N T H E FA R M

ROMANCE WITH THE CITY WHY WE ADORE OUR HOME TOWN

BBC 6 MUSIC FESTIVAL

WE CHAT TO HEADLINER AND LOCAL BOY RONI SIZE

BRISTOL AT WORK

HAVE YOUR CAKE AND EAT IT

TALES OF INTRIGUE

MEET PRIZE WINNING CRIME WRITER HELEN DUNMORE

T H E C I T Y ’ S F I N E S T M O N T H LY G U I D E T O L I F E A N D L I V I N G I N B R I S T O L

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THE | CONTENTS

FEBRUARY 2016

12 44

48 70

20 12 ZEITGEIST

38 A PERFECT MURDER

5 things to do this month in Bristol

14 THE CITYIST

Meet crime writer, Helen Dunmore

42 FOOD & DRINK NEWS

My Bristol, book review and the buzz

16 BARTLEBY

Top titbits from around town

44 WRITTEN IN THE STARS

Parking pandemonium

Are we alone in the solar system?

18 BRISTOL AT WORK Enjoy a slice at Anna Cake Couture

20 WE LOVE YOU BRISTOL Bristol people on their favourite city

26 FACE THE MUSIC We meet drum n’ bass legend, Roni Size

30 WHAT’S ON

46 BRISTOL UPDATES News and views from across the city

Get the lawn you’ve been dreaming of

74 TICKLED PINK Romantic interior ideas

76 THROUGH THE KEYHOLE Inside a gorgeous family home in Redland

79 CITY PROPERTIES The best Bristol homes to buy or rent

48 ANIMAL MAGIC Take a trip to Windmill Hill City Farm

ON THE COVER

52 FAMILY FUN Keep the kiddies occupied at half term

We’re not the only ones who love life in Bristol. Samantha Coleman meets the residents of Windmill Hill City Farm on p. 48

56 FREELANCE MUM

Diaries at the ready, it’s a busy February

34 ARTS & EXHIBITIONS Love is in the air at the city’s galleries

36 HYSTERICAL HISTORIES Amusing anecdotes from times past

Imaginative theatre with DragonBird

62 FIT & FAB Health and beauty news and tips

70 OUT AND ABOUT Chippenham’s Hidden Corners

Even more great content online: thebristolmag.co.uk 4 THE BRISTOL MAGAZINE

72 GARDENING

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FEBRUARY 2016

Follow us on Twitter @thebristolmag

Like us on Facebook.com/ TheBristolMagazine

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HELPING YOU MOVE IN 2016 If you are considering selling a property this year, now is the time to speak to an expert.

We pride ourselves on exceptional service and unrivalled market knowledge, with a global network of 417 offices across 58 countries that can showcase your property to the widest possible audience.

Call us today on +44 117 317 1999 to arrange your free market appraisal.

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

0117 295 0425 Guide price: ÂŁ675,000

Sneyd Park An impressive 4 bedroom (2,554 sq ft) upper maisonette with views across The Downs. 2 reception rooms, kitchen/breakfast room, 4 bedrooms (one ensuite), guest bathroom, large garage, communal garden.

EPC D.

KnightFrank KnightFrank.co.uk

nTheMarket.com

Guide price: ÂŁ1,750,000

Clifton Substantial house close to Clifton Village and Whiteladies Road (5,268 sq ft). 3/4 reception rooms, kitchen/breakfast room. 6/7 bedrooms, 3 bathrooms.

Separate 3 bedroom apartment, gardens, double garage, off street gated parking. EPC E (Flat EPC C).

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HELPING YOU MOVE IN 2016 If you are considering selling a property this year, now is the time to speak to an expert.

We pride ourselves on exceptional service and unrivalled market knowledge, with a global network of 417 offices across 58 countries that can showcase your property to the widest possible audience.

Call us today on +44 117 317 1999 to arrange your free market appraisal.

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

0117 295 0425 Guide price: £445,000

KnightFrank KnightFrank.co.uk

Clifton A superb and beautifully refurbished period apartment, arranged over two floors with its own private courtyard. Open plan contemporary kitchen/breakfast/sitting room, master suite, 2 guest bedrooms, contemporary bathroom, courtyard, communal gardens to front and rear. EPC Rating C.

COMING SOON

Computer generated image

Sneyd Park 4 semi-detached 5 bedroom townhouses, built to exacting standards, in the sought-after area of Sneyd Park.

Close to The Downs • 1 mile from Whiteladies Road • Close to excellent schools

nTheMarket.com

The Downs

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HELPING YOU MOVE IN 2016 If you are considering selling a property this year, now is the time to speak to an expert.

We pride ourselves on exceptional service and unrivalled market knowledge, with a global network of 417 offices across 58 countries that can showcase your property to the widest possible audience.

Call us today on +44 117 317 1999 to arrange your free market appraisal.

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

0117 295 0425 Guide price: ÂŁ1,100,000

Clevedon Spectacular family home with distant views (4,920 sq ft). 3/4 reception rooms, 6/7 bedrooms, 3 bathrooms, cellar. Double garage, parking, gardens, woodland. In all about 1.62 acres. EPC rating E.

KnightFrank KnightFrank.co.uk

nTheMarket.com

Guide price: ÂŁ1,225,000

Chew Valley Delightful Grade II Listed farmhouse close to the centre of the village (4,647 sq ft) with the ability to create ancillary accommodation. 5 reception rooms, 6 bedrooms, 4 bath/shower rooms. Level gardens, garaging. In all about 0.87 acres.

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THE | EDITOR

THE

BRISTOL MAGAZINE

Contact us:

Co-Editor Jenny Hayes Tel: 0117 974 2800 Email: jenny@thebristolmagazine.co.uk Co-Editor Sam Coleman Tel: 0117 974 2800 Email: sam@thebristolmagazine.co.uk Web Editor Demelza Durston Email: demelza@thebristolmagazine.co.uk Publisher Steve Miklos Email: steve@thebristolmagazine.co.uk Production Manager Jeff Osborne Email: production@thebristolmagazine.co.uk

from the

Advertising Sales Kathy Williams, Sue Parker, Louise Harrold, Liz Grey

EDITOR

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

“If you can’t handle me at my worst, you sure as hell don’t deserve me at my best.” – Marilyn Monroe

I

f you’re anything like me, you’ll be well over Valentine’s Day before it’s even begun. Now don’t get me wrong, I love the ol’ better half very much and I’ll be a little ticked off if I don’t at least get a card this year (let’s hope he’s reading this), but a whole month full of hearts and flowers is just too much. And so is a full issue.

‘Boo hiss!’ I hear the romantics among you cry. Well just simmer down, I haven’t forgotten you. If you really need a love injection, I suggest you indulge in a feast of good-feeling by turning to p. 20, where you’ll find some of our favourite people in the city telling us just why they adore Bristol.

Still craving something sweet? Then turn to p. 18 and meet the lovely Anna Tyler, of Anna Cake Couture. In her beautiful shop in Clifton, you’ll not only find munchable macarons and cute cupcakes galore, but if you’re going so far as to pop the question this month then she’s your go-to-girl for that extra special wedding cake.

For those of you who haven’t lost your mind on all that sugary stuff, there’s also plenty of spice in this issue to sink your teeth into. Where better to start than getting your wellies dirty at Windmill Hill City Farm? My intrepid co-editor, Samantha Coleman, gamely donned hers to head down and find out all about this fab community project on p. 48.

Contributor Marianne Swinkels also proved her mettle this month, delving deep into the mind of devilishly good, Bristol-based crime writer Helen Dunmore. So turn to p. 38 if you dare, and plunge into a world of Cold War suspicion, spine-tingling suspense, and terrifying tension.

And that’s not all you’ll find inside these pages. But, you know me, I like to leave you with a few surprises to look forward to... Happy reading!

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 Waitrose, John Lewis and Harvey Nichols as well as many stores and coffee shops, hotels and convenient pick-up points.

THE

BRISTOL MAGAZINE

Bristol and Exeter House, Lower Approach, Temple Meads, Bristol BS1 6QS Telephone: 0117 974 2800 www.thebristolmagazine.co.uk © MC Publishing Ltd 2016

JENNY HAYES EDITOR

@thebristolmag

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www.thebristolmag.co.uk

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 FEBRUARY

A GOTHIC FAIRYTALE

TO BE, OR NOT TO BE? This is the conundrum that poor Hamlet wrestled with in Shakespeare’s eponymous play, but there’s no question that you should pick up the phone and book your tickets to see it right now. Kicking off the Shakespeare at the Tobacco Factory season, performances of Shakespeare’s epic and timeless tragedy run from Thursday 11 February – Saturday 26 March. Like the title character himself, Hamlet has many faces, so whatever struggles are going on in the world or however we may feel in our own lives, his plight resonates with the audience. Politics, madness, sex, murder – these issues fuse to form the backbone of this masterpiece, and in the skillful hands of director Andrew Hilton and an extremely talented cast, it is set to be a highlight in the 2016 Bristol theatre calendar. Hamlet is followed by All’s Well That Ends Well, from Thursday 31 March – Saturday 23 April. Tickets: £19 – £24, call the box office on tel: 0117 902 0344, or visit: www.tobaccofactorytheatres.com

Prepare to be spellbound by Matthew Bourne’s Sleeping Beauty, which comes to Bristol Hippodrome from Tuesday 1 – Saturday 5 March.

As always, Bourne adds his own touch of magic to the tale, turning the traditional story upside-down to create a beautiful, supernatural love story that unfolds in a gothic world. Several characters not usually seen are introduced, including the sinister but charming son of Carabosse, and instead of falling for a prince, Aurora finds herself head-overheels for the royal gamekeeper. Expect sumptuous costumes, stunning sets and glorious music.

Tickets: £18.40 – £44.90. To book, call the box office on tel: 0844 871 3012 or visit: www.atgtickets.com

FASHION FORWARD The Hobbs fashion show makes a welcome return on Saturday 6 February at the Passenger Shed. Supported by TIGI, the event features Bristol’s freshest fashion talents, top boutiques, and some huge national brands. Music is at the core of the show this year, with performances from local jazz artist Kizzy Morrell, all girl rock group Flowerpot and five piece choir Rif Raf. It’s guaranteed to be a spectacular evening of fashion, performance and, of course, fabulous hair. Proceeds go to the Meningitis Research Foundation. Tickets, £40, to book tel: 0117 929 1635.

© John Seaman

ENJOY SOME SNOW The National Gardens Scheme is inviting members of the public to enjoy its first ever Snowdrop Festival in February 2016. More than 100 gardens will open across England and Wales throughout the month, giving visitors the opportunity to see carpets of beautiful snowdrops, and watch spring slowly unfurl from winter. Supported by Visit England, the Snowdrop Festival will kick-off Visit England’s Year of the English Garden 2016 campaign. To find out which gardens will be open near Bristol, or even those further afield, visit: www.ngs.org.uk

MONKEY AROUND AT BRISTOL MUSEUM If you thought the festive season was over, think again, because on Monday 8 February we welcome in the Chinese New Year. So head on down to celebrate at Bristol Museum, which is throwing its doors open on Saturday 6 and Sunday 8 February so you and your troop can get up to some serious monkey business. A whole host of activities will take place over the two days, including spectacular traditional and contemporary performances, stalls, workshops and activities for all the family. Try your hand at paper folding, watch martial arts demonstrations, learn about your zodiac sign, and partake of some tasty tea. Visit: www.bristolmuseums.org.uk

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ist

THE CITY THE BUZZ

My

BRISTOL We ask Louisa Pharoah, director of development at ss Great Britain Trust, what she’s doing this month...

What brought you to Bristol?

My husband was offered a job and we decided to move here from Windsor – without ever having been to Bristol before.

Bird’s eye view Bristol Cathedral and Avon Wildlife Trust are working together to create a haven for a pair of peregrine falcons who reside in the city centre. A new nesting box has been placed on the roof of Bristol Cathedral to offer the peregrines a safe and long term nesting site from which to raise their broods. While there is no guarantee the pair will use it, it is a more attractive spot for them so hopefully they will be happy to relocate.

If so, a webcam will be installed so we can learn more about our urban peregrines. For details, visit: www.avonwildlifetrust.org.uk

I Predict A Riot...

To get tickets to see the Kaiser Chiefs at Westonbirt Arboretum on Friday 17 June. The fab five are the latest band to announce that they’ll be playing as part of Forest Live, an annual event that brings top bands and performers to play in spectacular woodland settings across the country. Also playing at the Arboretum this summer will be Rudimental and Guy Garvey, as well as others yet to be announced – so keep your eye on the website.

Money raised by ticket sales is spent on protecting, improving and expanding England’s forests and increasing their value for people and wildlife. Tickets: £38.50 from the Forestry Commission box office on tel: 0300 068 0400 or visit: www.forestry.gov.uk/music

The Kaiser Chiefs © Danny North

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FEBRUARY 2016

What are you reading?

Bedsit Disco Queen by Tracey Thorn.

What’s on your MP3 player?

Lianne la Havas, John Grant and Benjamin Clementine.

Which café or restaurant takes your fancy?

We’re heading to Wahaca this weekend.

Evening in or evening out?

Evening in, in front of the fire with our new kittens.

Film or performance?

I still haven’t seen Carol – but really want to.

Which museum or gallery will you be visiting?

Grayson Perry’s The Vanity of Small Differences at the Victoria Art Gallery, Bath.

What hobbies or interests will you be pursuing?

I’m about to sign up for the Bristol 10k – so I’ll be donning my trainers any day now.

What local event will you be attending?

The BBC 6 Music Festival – I can’t wait.

Favourite local walk?

Around the Blaise Castle Estate.

Any projects/work in progress?

It is an exciting time for the ss Great Britain Trust team as we are pushing forward with ambitious plans for a new museum and visitor experience focused on the life, work and mind of Brunel. The generous support of local companies, trusts and individuals has been incredible and the project is now 96% funded.

With work due to start soon, we are looking forward to seeing these plans become a reality. www.ssgreatbritain.org

BOOK OF THE MONTH...

Stressed, Unstressed: Classic Poems to Ease the Mind (William Collins) Review by Foyles bookshop, Cabot Circus Are you feeling stressed? Is your phone always ringing, your inbox always overflowing? Do you long for peace and quiet in your hectic day-to-day? Stressed, Unstressed may provide the answer: a different kind of self-help book, this beautiful little volume of carefully selected poetry is designed to calm the mind and let you escape, in those moments when you need to stop and take a breath.

Containing such greats as Robert Frost, Laurie Lee, Clive James and Emily Bronte, this selection holds something for everyone. Poems are grouped by theme, allowing you to easily dip in and out of the book depending on your emotions. Working almost like a meditation routine, stopping simply to read a poem could give you a well deserved break, giving you a moment to reorganise your thoughts and calm your mind before taking on the day. Sometimes you may have difficulty finding the words to describe what you are feeling: seeing your experience mirrored back at you in a poem, can often inspire hope and consolation that you are not alone in your struggles. A poem can give you peace in a time of mayhem. It can give inspiration when hope is fading. This is an insightful, uplifting book that is well worth a read.

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Parking mad

O

nce, on a visit to San Francisco, I was sent off to pick up a takeaway.

I don’t remember what kind of food I was supposed to be collecting because, as it turned out, I never made it to the restaurant. I drove past it at least ten times but was unable to find a parking space. There was nowhere to park on that block, nor on the next one, nor on the one after that.

I must have driven a mile in every direction without seeing a single gap in the wall of cars lining each side of the street. After about an hour of this I gave up and went home, empty-handed.

Cut to 2016. It’s an ordinary Friday evening and I’ve been out to collect a child from somewhere or other. It’s almost the hour when stage coaches turn into pumpkins, but not quite. We drive up our street and of course there’s nowhere to park. I take the side street on the left, which is usually a good bet.

Chocka. The next on the right is so full someone has left their car sideways across the road. So we circle the streets, moving ever further from the front door, until we enter the uncertain realm near the railway, where broken glass on the pavement testifies to the fate of other vehicles…

It isn’t hard to see how this situation has arisen. A terraced house is about a car-and-a-half wide, and many of the houses in our neighbourhood are divided into flats. There may be three or four cars for one address, and if all the owners are at home at the same time you can see there’s going to be trouble. And unlike the good people of San Francisco, who have been coping with this problem so long they have become expert in the management of stationary vehicles, drivers around here have no idea how to park properly.

The worst offenders still seem to think it’s the 1950s and solemnly line their car up in front of their house, oblivious to the fact that they have left a maddening half-space behind and to the fore.

❝ THE NEXT ON THE RIGHT IS SO FULL SOMEONE HAS LEFT THEIR CAR SIDEWAYS ACROSS THE ROAD

❞

The only person who is always guaranteed a space is the wise owner of a Smart car, who can actually park end-on to the pavement.

Never fear, I hear you say. Help is on its way in the form of the Residents Parking Scheme currently being ‘rolled out’ across the city. Once we start paying for the privilege of leaving our vehicles by the side of the road there will be plenty of room for all – won’t there? Otherwise what could possibly be the point? Only the parking controls operate during the day, not at the witching hour. They’re a response to a particular problem experienced for many years by the Mayor, that of commuters parking for free in Southville then making their way into the centre of town. Our street, on the other hand, is virtually car-free during the day, but packed at night. All a parking scheme will do is give us something else to moan about.

Which leaves us with a conundrum. One of the joys of living in Bristol is that, outside rush hour, it’s easy to get around. Gorgeous countryside lies in every direction, from the Mendips to the mountains of Wales. Having a car makes it feel as though we have the best of both worlds, the urban and the rural, and this almost-countrified living is one of the things that makes Bristol so attractive to people marooned (say) in the suburban wastes of south London.

But we’re approaching crisis point. There will come a time when I’ll come home late to find not only that our street is full of cars, and the neighbouring roads, but also the uncertain realm near the railway. It isn’t hard to imagine driving on and on in the streetlit dark, in ever-widening circles, until dawn. n 16 THE BRISTOL MAGAZINE

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Looking to gain a few pounds this Spring?

Cartier Brooch

Rolex Ref: 8171

Cocktail Ring

Amber Necklaces

£4,150

£69,000

£3,550

£11,000

Clevedon Salerooms will be holding a FREE no-obligation Specialist Jewellery, Silver & Watch Valuation Day at the Salerooms on Tuesday 2nd February between 10am - 4pm. There is ample fee parking and no appointment is necessary. Clevedon’s Specialist Valuers will be providing verbal estimates with the 10th March Quarterly Specialist Sale in mind.

If you are looking for interesting items to furnish your home, including vintage, retro and antique furniture as well as collector’s items, works of art, silver & jewellery why not come for a day out at Clevedon Salerooms. You won’t go home disappointed and probably not empty-handed!

Interiors, Antiques, Collectables & Jewellery Auction Thurs 4th & Thurs 18th February at 10am On view day before, 10am – 7.30pm and sale day from 9am to start

--------------------------------------------------

FREE VALUATION DAYS at the Salerooms 8, 9, 10 February 9.30 – 1pm and 2pm – 5pm

WWW.THEBRISTOLMAG.CO.UK

Fine Art Auctioneers & Valuers The Auction Centre Kenn Road, Kenn Clevedon, BS21 6TT

Tel: 01934 830111 www.clevedon-salerooms.com

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BRISTOL AT WORK

rs he c u vo le fi t ailab G av

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

Beautiful confections, crafted by Anna Cake Couture

T

his Valentine’s day, ditch the bunch of flowers and take a detour round the chocolates, because nothing says I love you better than a drop-dead delicious slice of cake. Perhaps your beloved would prefer a melt-in-the-mouth macaron? Surely they can’t resist a tantalising cup cake topped with fancy frosting? Or maybe, just maybe, you’re looking to go the extra mile and tempt your sweetheart with a tasty treat you’ve created yourself? Well, good news. Because whether you’re looking to spoil your other half in a patisserie palace, or bake them a slice of heaven yourself, you’ll find everything you could possibly desire at Anna Cake Couture in Clifton Village.

The shop’s eponymous owner, Anna Tyler, has been crafting awardwinning wedding and occasion cakes for seven years, and recently took the plunge and opened her own beautiful café and shop last November.

“My cake making business started without me really knowing,” says Anna. “I made a few cakes for friends and family, and soon enough friends of friends were asking me too. Before I knew it, I was making cakes for people that I didn’t know. Then I found I was being asked for business cards and my website details, so I decided to establish Anna Tyler Cakes.

“I never went to university or any type of cake school, and actually struggled to find cake classes and courses that appealed to me as I was learning. Now I run my own classes, so I can teach people who are in the same position I was, and they can learn everything from fun cookie and cupcake decoration to expert piping.

“Whether it’s through teaching, chatting to customers in the shop, or working with individual clients, I love meeting new people. It really inspires me, and I find that new ideas flood in for each new client I work with. Then I love the precision of crafting flowers and piping, and bringing the designs to life.

“I also draw inspiration from everything around me, in everyday life. It could be an interesting wallpaper, patterned material, or just seeing how two colours work next to each other – if I see something I like, I start to think about how I can recreate it on one of my cakes.

My style is quite simple and pretty, and I’m also a traditionalist when it comes to flavours – I like to keep it simple, but execute it perfectly.

“I think that this is apparent when you come into the shop, as my identity is evident in every aspect. The first thing you see is my wedding cake designs, and then the open kitchen allows people to come and watch how I work when I make my cakes. Even the décor is very me – pale grey walls, whitewashed floorboards, exposed copper pipes, and lots of plants and greenery.

“Since we opened, Anna Cake Couture has been really busy and we’ve had such lovely, enthusiastic customers. Both myself and Felix – my partner in business and in life – have put a tremendous amount of time and work into getting to where we are now, and we’re really pleased to see it all paying off.” n Anna Cake Couture, 7a Boyce’s Avenue, Clifton BS8 4AA. Tel: 0117 329 5959 or visit: www.thisisanna.co.uk

The experts in gentlemen’s grooming services.

www.britishbarbercompany.co.uk 1 Wine Street, City Centre, Bristol BS1 2BB 17 The Mall, Clifton Village, Bristol, BS8 4DS 137 Whiteladies Road, Clifton, Bristol, BS8 2PL

www.charlottestonephoto.com

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BRILLIANT | BRISTOL

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BRILLIANT | BRISTOL

TO BRISTOL

WITH LOVE

This month, we thought we’d put a twist on the Valentine’s theme and ask some of our favourite Bristol residents about their relationship with our fair city

L

ove is in the air this month. Like it or loathe it, you are going to be bombarded with it. Or rather the one distinct symbol of love that, to all commercial powers that be, sums it up just perfectly – a bright, red, heart. Every year, without fail, it appears in every guise possible – teddy bears clutching hearts, chocolates stuffed in heart-shaped boxes, helium hearts, paper hearts, bath bomb hearts – this list is endless. Usually, it gives me a certain smug satisfaction to believe I’m above such tacky trinkets, but this year I’m rethinking things a little. You see, I’m actually in need of a new heart because, over the course of my year here at The Bristol Magazine, I’ve quite lost my own to the city.

I know why it’s happened – I’m a sucker for complicated characters.

I don’t like things to be straight-forward, give me topsy-turvy any day of the week. I like to scratch the surface and find there’s so much more beneath than first meets the eye. And for that reason Bristol, our beautiful city of dichotomies, is my perfect match.

With its tangle of roads and bike lanes, which traverse the tumbling inner city hills and lead out to the rolling countryside beyond, Bristol is a city that’s easy to get lost in. Especially if, like me, you’re too busy taking in the mish mash of architecture, listening to the buskers and trying to resist the tempting array of independent shops and foodie stalls to actually look where you’re going.

It isn’t just the physical landscape that’s challenging and unique. The people of Bristol are themselves interlaced within an intricate tapestry of cultures. This mix gave rise to the music and art that put the city on the modern map back in the 1980s, and remains the vital rhythm that keeps our cultural heart pumping out festivals and events that nowhere else in the UK would dare attempt to stage.

And, like any hero worth falling for, Bristol has a wild independence that sees it defy the odds again and again. As editor here at The Bristol Magazine, I’ve met people who’ve taken a subculture and transformed it into an artistic revolution, been to places reclaimed from the ruins of history and given life again, and marvelled at the way in which the city continues to flout convention and, in doing so, become one of the most desirable places to live in the UK. I mean, come on, who could resist such a rebel?

But I’ve had the luxury of banging on about how great Bristol is for 15 issues now, and I’m pretty sure you’re as tired of hearing my opinion as you will be of seeing those dreaded red hearts in the shops this month. So I’m going to pass you over to a few of the incredible people I’ve met over those months, and let them share with you their own reasons for falling in love with the city. JH

WWW.THEBRISTOLMAG.CO.UK

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BRILLIANT | BRISTOL

KATE BRINDLEY CEO, Arnolfini Bristol is a city with an independent spirit. It embraces diversity and is creative at its core. It’s a city of contrasts and contradictions and you feel you can always find surprises. I like the blend of historic and contemporary, traditional and radical.

One of my favourite places is the Ballast Seed Garden. It’s a secret garden that you can only reach by boat – which is such a Bristol thing. It was created by artist Maria Thereza Alves in 2012, working with the University of Bristol Botanic Garden (another favourite and rather secret place), Arnolfini and Bristol City Council. Constructed from a disused grain barge, the garden is populated with a colourful collection of non-native plants, creating a living history of the city’s trade and maritime past. It’s so beautiful on a sunny day and it changes with the seasons – keep an eye out for special public tours in the summer.

nature at very close hand, and not just any old nature but that of what is often quoted as the third most important botanical site in the country because of its rare endemic species.

MIG SHILLACE Co-owner, The Louisiana I love Bristol because it has a fantastic live music scene. It has lots of great venues – Thekla, The Fleece, The Louisiana, St George’s, Arnolfini, The Cube, among many others – which cater for all types of music and events throughout the year.

Bristol is also a hotbed for some fantastic bands and songwriters with diverse musical backgrounds such as Thought Forms, Oliver Wilde, Stevie Parker, Rhain, Fenne Lily, Idles, Spectres, The Naturals, Sienna Chorus, and SJ Esau. I think it’s a fitting tribute to Bristol that BBC Radio 6 Music have chosen the city to host its festival this year.

EMILY BULL Programme manager, The Station

VAROSHA LAMB Owner, Clifton Fine Art

I was brought up in the south west, in Somerset, and didn’t realise how much I loved this part of the country until I’d lived in Nottingham for four years and moved back. I naturally gravitated to Bristol, a city that held great memories for me.

Seven years on and I’m still here and still in love with the city I live and work in. It’s a big city with a local community feel. It’s vibrant, cultural and diverse but friendly and welcoming. I’m reminded of this every morning as I pass the suspension bridge and floating harbour on my way to work. Nothing beats it on a sunny morning when the tide is in.

I love Bristol because it has its own character and is so vibrant.

People here just get stuff done – if they want to do something they just make it happen. Bristol’s great for artists, and galleries, because there are so many of us here, the art is diverse but all that energy works – we all just feed off each other. There are also lots of opportunities for developing your work, collaborating and exhibiting.

It’s a total cliché but I love that bridge, I see it every day and it still makes me a little bit emotional. It’s beautiful, imposing and looks different every day depending on the light and the river. It also sums up that Bristol spirit – there’s an enormous great gorge, let’s just build an impossible bridge over it – so they did.

RAY BARNETT Head of collections, Bristol Museum I first became enamoured with Bristol as an undergraduate (as so many people do). Having decided at a young age that I wanted to work in the conservation movement I took a degree in zoology here. Bristol is a great city to live in as a student (even 30+ years ago) and I really loved the place for its lively atmosphere, beautiful surroundings and ease of reaching places such as the Somerset Levels and the Cotswolds.

Bristol Museum and Art Gallery holds the most amazing collections behind the scenes, as well as on show, and it was a privilege to be given responsibility for caring for them, using them and making them available to all. They act as a fantastic record of how wildlife has changed over the last 200 years and allow us to contribute to understanding things like the local impact of climate change on our environment. Because of that, a special place for me is the Avon Gorge, Downs and Leigh Woods, which provides city dwellers the opportunity to see

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BETH JONES Marketing manager, Clifton Observatory Bristol is brilliant – I haven’t found another UK city that’s as vibrant, eventful and diverse yet still cosy and with a sense of community. We have such great food, music and culture festivals, a fantastic range of independent businesses, and the kind of small-town vibe that means you can rarely take a trip into the centre without bumping into somebody you know.

Bristol is a really exciting place for us because the Observatory is such a unique venue. The Camera Obscura is one of only two open to the public in England, and the panoramic views from the viewing platform and the Giant’s Cave make it a fantastic place to watch the balloons go by. There’s a real sense of community among local associations in the tourism industry here who are all happy to work in collaboration to help make the city the best that it can be.

Main image, previous page: The beautiful Ballast Seed Garden, a joint initiative between Arnolfini and the University of Bristol Botanic Garden © Max McClure

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Opposite: Bristol is famous for Brunel’s glorious bridge and cycling © Destination Bristol; the International Balloon Fiesta; still walking the chains today © Clifton Suspension Bridge Trust This page: St George’s, one of the city’s many diverse music venues; a shot from graffiti and street art festival, Upfest © Paul Box

GEORGE FERGUSON Mayor of Bristol I first came to Bristol to study architecture at Bristol University in 1965. Being of no previous fixed abode (my dad was in the military) Bristol became my home – and I challenge anyone born here to have a greater passion for this city, its wonderful variety and its people. As an architect it offered such great possibilities of working in a complex historic city and I love Bristol’s independent and entrepreneurial spirit, to which I hope I have contributed.

Bristol has been such a great city to bring up a family, and I am driven by a desire to make it child friendly, in the belief that a city that is good for children is good for us all. We have so much potential to excel in so many fields and I know from travelling the world how Bristol is increasingly looked to as one of the world’s most ‘liveable’ cities – I believe it can, with its great open spaces, become one of the healthiest. It was never in my game plan to be elected mayor – but I grabbed the opportunity when it came because I know we have so much more potential than we sometimes realise – and I greatly enjoy working with others to create new initiatives and projects.

SUZANNE ROLT Chief executive, St George’s When I arrived in Bristol in the 1990s I knew next to nothing about it and assumed I’d stay for a few years and then move on.

Twenty years later I can’t imagine ever leaving and it feels like home. It’s gone from being a low key city to one that now virtually tops every UK chart for being the best place to live and enjoy a healthy, positive lifestyle. I love that, culturally, it’s more than a match for any other city and is buzzing with artists who enjoy nothing more than putting their heads together with others to share and create ever more stand out and daring projects.

When I’m not at concerts at St George’s, I’m trying to keep up with the constant flow of talks, plays and exhibitions everywhere else. And the festivals of course – it gets to the point where you’re scared to leave Bristol over a weekend because you risk missing a major food, arts or balloon festival!

CHLOÉ ELWOOD Executive producer, Bristol Old Vic I grew up in a Forces family so we moved around a lot, but my first memories are of our home in Stockwood. My mum’s family are Bristolians so the city has been a constant in my life – there’s now nowhere else I’d be so happy to bring my kids up.

I moved back in my early twenties and took on three jobs simultaneously: I worked in the office at Bristol Grammar School in the mornings, catalogued books at Beware of the Leopard in St Nick’s Market in the afternoons and spent my evenings working front of house at Bristol Old Vic. It was a mad and glorious time.

My grandmother’s family had a florist stall in St Nick’s, handed down through several generations, and when I worked there a handful of people still remembered Wring’s Flowers.

Now I pop up there for lunch and think of all the women in my family who have walked those stones before me.

I moved to London for work, but when the opportunity to return to Bristol Old Vic as executive producer came up, I didn’t sleep for a week – right now, this is the most exciting theatre in the world as we stand on the brink of our 250th anniversary.

LINA B. FRANK Director and producer, Ausform I love Bristol because of the inner confidence demonstrated by its inhabitants. I’m praying that with the knock-on effect of London gentrification this will not change too much.

People who live in Bristol have an idea, shoot for the stars and see where they land. They are active, generous and incredibly creative and realise their dreams whether it be building a giant whale or becoming a ‘smart-city’. Everything great was made with enthusiasm.

I work as a producer and cultural developer for contemporary circus, dance and theatre and this combination of generosity, pie in the sky thinking and DIY activeness is for me everything that I could want in order to make exciting things happen in our city.

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SUE DEAN Owner, Lime Tree Gallery I’ve always loved Bristol, since I first visited in the early 1980s, when my sister was a student here, and we went to the Dugout, the coolest club ever! We probably have the best site of any major English city, with the gorge, the hills and the harbour coming right into the centre. It is a big city, so there is plenty to do, but it retains its humanity.

Bristol has always had its own, very original, arts and music culture, and a rather laid-back feel. So when we decided we wanted to get back to city life, after a decade in the country, it was an obvious candidate. Happily, when we took a serious look at the art market, we realised that there was an opening for our style of painterly gallery.

MATTHEW WHITTLE Co-artistic director, The Wardrobe Theatre There are lots of reasons I love Bristol – its beautiful landscape and architecture, its passionate independent heartbeat, its sense of humour, but most of all I love the spirit of the people here and their insatiable desire to create, keep trying new things and their drive to keep put on amazing events just for the sheer fun of it.

STEVE HAYLES Founder, Upfest Two things have catalysed my love for Bristol since I arrived here 15 years ago, its culture and the family it’s given me. I landed in Bristol after city hopping around the UK when I left the Isle of Wight at 18. I was greeted by a city that had a perfect balance – a multicultural, vibrant, independent community surrounded by green spaces. What more does a city need to offer? The city's not only found me my personal family, it also gave me the opportunity to build an arts family through its passion for culture which pulsates across the city. I established Upfest in

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ok. I found the energy and the creativity I missed from London.

Bristol is in a state of perpetual cultural motion, always evolving and challenging my views. It’s such an inspiring place to work. Bristolians seem to have a genuine sense of civic pride and community engagement. I love Stokes Croft, and the artists around Jamaica Street and Hamilton House. The music scene is vibrant with brilliant venues of all sizes like The Fleece, St George’s and of course Colston Hall where I work.

2008, and little did I know at that stage what it would become and ultimately what it would give. I now work each year with over 300 passionate artists, 100 dedicated volunteers and a team that keeps me organised. I feel very lucky to think of these great people as part of my Bristol family. So folks, this is why ‘I love Bristol’ and it will always be home.

ANNA STARKEY Creative director, At-Bristol Science Centre I love Bristol because it is a bit like the sort of slightly bonkers and rather wonderful creation that I might design for fun on Sim City. Oh, I think I’ll just stick a 170-something year old steamship on the water here, next to a world leading animation studio and somewhere that sells nice bacon sarnies. Is that likely? Never mind, I want a contemporary art gallery on the waterside too – and then let’s put a big silver ball with a planetarium in it here, and a stupidly steep hill over there, and even steeper one here, and then let’s have as much graffiti as we can fit in this bit, coz it looks ace, and then I think I’m going to pop a nice park in here, and a gorge over there, with a cracking bridge…. and so on. All this makes for an incredibly exciting city to be working in, particularly for what I’m doing in AtBristol, which is trying to enable a new hyperconnected culture of people to be really curious about the world around them.

PHIL CASTANG Head of Bristol Plays Music, Colston Hall I grew up in Camden Town, London. There was always a buzz, a gig or something new and interesting going on. I moved to Bath in 2002 to raise my kids and found there was nothing really going on there – very little in terms of arts and culture.

The first time I visited Bristol I knew everything was going to be

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LOTTIE DONOVAN Head of development, Watershed I lived and worked abroad, travelled and explored in my late teens and twenties, and always loved meeting new people, learning new languages and engaging with different cultures. I landed here in 2008 and over time found that Bristol holds memories of all of those experiences for me – some hidden, and others open for all to see.

Bristol’s true beauty for me however, lies in the people living in, visiting and contributing to the city, and the freedom, trust and respect we lend each other, enabling us all to continue to explore… just a little bit closer to home.

Watershed epitomises this sense of community for me, with a space that moulds itself to the story being told, and a place that seems to hold something true for whoever chooses to engage.

In addition, the Pervasive Media Studio, here at Watershed, adds that element of surprise and wonder, through a whole world of extraordinary creativity waiting to be explored.

MANDY LEIVERS Biodiversity education officer, Avon Gorge and Downs Wildlife Project What’s not to love about Bristol? It’s such a green and vibrant city full of lovely people. There’s always so much going on with a plethora of events and festivals. Then of course we have a huge range of eateries (maybe not so good for my waistline but very yummy).

My favourite place has to be the Avon Gorge and Downs. I’m not just saying that because I work here but because, even after 14 years in the post, the gorgeous landscape and scenery still take my breath away. After a day of teaching school children about our resident peregrine falcons, or taking a group of adults on a tour to see our goat herd and the gorge’s rare plants, it feels like there is nowhere else on Earth I’d rather be. n

Above: A storm’s a brewing over Watershed, which showcases the best independent films, supports innovative media, and is home to a very fine café and bar © T Farrow; inset: one of the city’s resident peregrine falcons takes to the sky © Denise Stout

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0117 950 5090 WWW.THEBRISTOLMAG.CO.UK

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FACE | THE MUSIC

Roni Size Reprazent

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BASS-IC INSTINCT Bristol founded, Roni Size Reprazent defined the drum ‘n’ bass culture when they released their debut record in 1997.

This month, they return to their roots to perform live as part of the BBC 6 Music Festival.

Demelza Durston speaks to the man himself

A

believer in the value of family time, staycations and investing in youth projects, Roni Size may have found global success over the past two decades, yet it is the simple things in life which he values most. Grounded by the realities instilled in him as a young Ryan Williams growing up during the 70s and 80s in the St Andrews area of Bristol, he has created a successful career as a world renowned drum ‘n’ bass DJ. Roni Size Reprazent (Roni and his live drum ‘n’ bass group) would evolve from the sound system culture prevalent in St Pauls, Stapleton and Easton during the wave of immigration during the 1950s and 1960s from Jamaica and the Caribbean to Bristol.

Roni Size Reprazent released their debut record New Forms in 1997 – shifting the boundaries of what was possible within the live sphere. New Forms was a record which brought drum ‘n’ bass into the mainstream – with its fluid, elongated compositions such as the wildly successful Brown Paper Bag, carving out a niche for this previously underground genre. Essentially built on the key elements of the music genres that laid the foundations for drum ‘n’ bass – including reggae and rave – the sound included strong, syncopated rhythms and heavy basslines. Roni Size Reprazent found a way of presenting this material in a live capacity – using upright bass, drums, keys, and other electronic and acoustic instruments. This genre-defying album would pocket them the Mercury Music Prize that same year.

“The inspiration around New Forms was taken from playing as a DJ and being given the time to attract vocalists and musicians from in and around Bristol to get involved in the project. London record label Talkin’ Loud allowed me to experiment with the sound and because of the reputation it had, it pushed me towards a jazz sounding record with layers of jungle, hip hop and soul,” Roni explains.

Directly influenced by the sound system culture strongly evident in Bristol’s Jamaican communities – St Pauls in particular – Roni’s immersion in the scene, and his involvement in his local youth club’s Sefton Park Basement Project, would eventually bring him to the point of pursuing his own music production. Inspired by DJ Krust, and sound system collective The Wild Bunch, Roni Size emerged as an individual producer and DJ with a sound representative of a bricolage of influences.

A turning point for drum ‘n’ bass and its acceptance into the mainstream, was the decision for BBC Radio 1 to start a regular Friday night drum ‘n’ bass slot, which illuminated the genre. Roni played on a Radio 1 show presented by Mary Anne Hobbs early in his career, and just recently, at the announcement of the BBC 6 Music Festival live from Bristol’s Watershed, Roni and Mary Anne were reunited. Something that neither of them would have predicted: “Being reunited with Mary Anne Hobbs and Steve Lamacq is something I never thought would happen. About 15 years ago I did this programme with Mary Anne on Radio 1 – it was quite surreal. You never think you’ll have these situations again,” says Roni. “I think 6 Music wanted to come to Bristol for its festival in February because the vibe is one of the best in England.”

To live through an era of massive sonic and social change, as Roni did, sparked the catalyst that would ultimately create the sounds that would form his very DNA. The 1980s in Britain saw a nation divided, and music came to speak for certain political viewpoints. In Bristol, the Centre for Employment & Enterprise Development was established (now known as Ujima Radio), becoming symbolic as a part of the social fabric of the time. Bristol’s venues got behind much of the new music being created in the city, including Bamboo Club, Docklands Settlement, the Inkerman and The Trinity Centre.

The Trinity Centre, donated by Bristol Council to the African-Caribbean community, would be one of the first venues that Roni Size would play live in.

And although his life would evolve to realise a career spanning the globe, the outcome might not have been so positive, as Roni recalls: “St Pauls was like this stomping ground where you learned about a lot of the wrong roads you can go down in life. But at the same time, it had a great vibe and energy – I was lucky enough to not go down the wrong road and instead, focus on my music.”

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Roni Size Reprazent performing live

Becoming directly involved in the Sefton Park Basement Project gave Roni the focus to develop his music production talents as well as becoming invaluable as a mentor to younger people. This was the catalyst which inevitably steered him on to the path towards becoming a successful DJ, and he donated much of his Mercury Music Prize money towards the project.

“There was no college that could ever have taught me the job that I do today. I feel like I’ve educated myself over the past 20 years since I’ve been doing this. If I hadn’t have followed music, I suppose I wouldn’t have been able to inspire all the people who have looked up to me. I like to say, ‘you know what? This is possible,’” he says.

It is this mindset that has remained the backbone of his career – fuelling his decisions, keeping him striving, and maintaining independence of both thought and action. Roni has gone on to release three studio albums as part of Roni Size Reprazent, as well as founding his own record label, Full Cycle, in 1993. He has also directed documentaries dedicated to Bristol’s unique musical heritage and successfully toured the world (more than several times over).

Fans will be pleased to hear that this year Roni Size Reprazent will be releasing new material, For the Masses, due out this month, as well as relaunching the Full Cycle label to highlight how the drum ‘n’ bass sound has evolved since its original launch.

This excitement was also felt back in 2009, when Roni Size Reprazent merged their drum ‘n’ bass sound with the Bristol-based classical composer William Goodchild and the Emerald Ensemble for a concert that raised the roof of Colston Hall to mark the opening of its new foyer. You can now relive this experience thanks to the recent release of an album recorded live at the hall. It was this collaboration that would later form the foundation for Radio 1’s Ibiza at the Proms series.

Last September, Roni also returned to his roots to play from a giant mechanical spider for the Metamorphosis Arcadia spectacular in Queen Square. Talking of the experience, he said: “It was always going to be emotional because you’re playing in front of 12,000 people in your home crowd – my Mum came down, and my friends.

As a DJ it’s something which I’ve never, ever taken for granted, and when you have the opportunity to play to an audience who are going to stand there, dance, and listen to you, bust a move, it’s something I’d never have thought of as a career. You get certain moments which stand out for you and a lot of these moments come unexpectedly.”

It would be fair to wonder where someone with such an enviably full plate would find the time to keep on creating innovative new music, what with much of his waking life spent somewhere along the M4 between Bristol and FEBRUARY 2016

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FACE | THE MUSIC London. Despite his demeanour, which seems to rest somewhere between laid back, down to earth and humbling, he shows no signs of letting up: “There’ll be no talk of winding down!” he emphasises. “I’m still here, in a world which is full of extraordinary surprises. I’m still breathing, still got to pay my taxes, still got to put food on the table. I’d like to think that we’re at the beginning of a new era of music. I do believe that. We’ll bring something new to the table. What I’d also really like to do is start a Bristol film company to produce short films. That would be great.”

Clearly, Bristol is high on Roni’s list of priorities and though he has lived through some profound changes as far as the fabric of the music community within Bristol is concerned, he remains ever hopeful for what the future holds: “I used to document everything I’d ever done. Sometimes I look back, and I’ve got a familiar vision of what it used to be like. Those who have been around for a long time are still contributing today but there is a wave of vocalist and producer DJs all preparing to bust out this year. I predict that Bristol will soon have its first mainstream superstar. As for drum ‘n’ bass in general, I guess it’s now a tried and tested formula that somehow needs to reinvent itself.”

After a career solely built on tenacity, determination and talent that sets him apart, Roni Size Reprazent aren’t about to slink away into the shadows: “We’re still in the game, people still want to hear us. It keeps me really youthful.

Being a DJ is like having the fountain of youth, that’s the way I would describe it.”

This month sees Roni come full circle, as he is invited to play live for the BBC 6 Music Festival, which runs from 12 – 14 February. For full details of the festival visit: www.bbc.co.uk/6music

Roni’s top tracks to spin: ❶ Music Box by Roni Size and DJ Die This is the first release on Full Cycle and set the standard for the label. This record was played in all arenas by DJs such as Bryan G, JJ Frost, Trace and LTJ Bukem.

I would say this was one of Full Cycle’s true crossover tracks. ❷ Soul in Motion by DJ Krust This track is one of a kind. It’s almost like time stood still with this long player.

Breaking all the rules, this became a Full Cycle trademark sound. ❸ Clear Skies by DJ Die Full Cycle is known for its rollers and this track does exactly what it says on the tin.

Again this became a instant classic Full Cycle jam. ❹ 26 Bass by Roni Size Boom Pah Boom Pah. The heavy stomping breaks with bass that shakes your trousers. This track marked a new era in the Full Cycle world as it introduced the more heavier style of the label and attacked a whole new audience. ❺ Bounce the Bass by D Product and Surge The beauty of Full Cycle is the art of coming together and these two artists became good friends and made this bouncing style bass that to this day has no challengers and still drops every time I play it. ❻ Jungle Love by Flynn and Flora Still recovering from the hangover of the early rave parties, this track was an invitation into the roots of Bristol’s sound. Four to the floor with 808 bass and sweet strings… this brings back some memories. ❼ Coco by Clipz Full Cycle was all about bringing through young and hungry artists and with that comes a brand new sound. This is a very unique sounding record, they don’t make ‘em like this no more. ❽ High Hopes by MC Tali This party anthem closed the summer of 2009. This was one of those unexpected records which came at a time when Full Cycle was introducing a voice into the mix and Tali came with a one take wonder that still gives me goose bumps. ❾ Output by DJ Suv Simple drums and one note of bass that shook the concrete walls of the end night club. You had to literally hold on to your fillings with this one. I guess you had to be there... Shouts if you were. ❿ Pick Me Up by Agent Alvin This one slipped under the radar, and some of you Full Cyclists wouldn’t even know this. The production on this record is second to none and has that Full Cycle funk engraved into its heart. n

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BBC Radio 6 Music presenter, Mary Anne Hobbs © BBC

6 Music Festival: what’s on The exciting news that BBC 6 Music will be bringing their annual festival to Bristol this February 12 – 14 has got us wondering, what can we expect?

The fantastic live music line-up includes Underworld, Foals, Suede, Laura Marling, Roots Manuva, Savages, Roisin Murphy, Misty In Roots, John Grant, Ezra Furman, White Denim, Field Music, Kurt Vile, Julia Holter, Daughter, Buzzcocks, Everything Everything, Guy Garvey plus many more. These acts will join some of Bristol’s most loved, eponymous musical artists including Massive Attack, Tricky, Primal Scream, The Blue Aeroplanes, DJ Pinch and of course, the aforementioned Roni Size – master of drum ‘n’ bass.

The third year of the Festival will see over 50 acts across three days delivering live music, conversation, comedy and more taking place at venues across the city Motion, Colston Hall, O2 Academy Bristol and Basement 45, plus Festival by Day at Trinity.

BBC 6 Music will descend upon our city, searching out all that Bristol has to offer in a musical, creative and artistic sense – all of the things which make Bristol so unique. As part of this, there will also be fringe events including the following highlights: ● Women in Music: Inspire – music discussion to take place at St George’s. ● BBC Introducing in the West – touring workshops across Bristol’s schools. ● A creative, musically themed ‘Hackathon’ presented by UWE and The University of Bristol. ● St Nick’s Night Market and Love Food Festival present a showcase of some of Bristol’s musical and culinary talents. ● The Watershed will present live music, music documentaries and a New Musicians night, curated by BBC Introducing West. ● Aled Chiverin presents a series of local acts at The Thekla on 13 February. ● Documentaries on Bristol’s street art scene to feature Cheo and Loch Ness.

And while the events will be attended by thousands of people, those at home won’t miss out. BBC Radio 6 Music will be broadcasting from the festival across the weekend from Friday 12 February with the network’s presenters coming live from all the venues, day and night.

Ticket information and a full programme of events is available at: bbc.co.uk/6music

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CULTURE BOOK Everything you need to plan your diary for February

FROM FEBRUARY 01 THROUGHOUT FEBRUARY, 7PM & 8.15PM

Planetarium Nights, At-Bristol Science Centre Due to popular demand, At-Bristol is continuing its series of nighttime Planetarium shows. Journey to distant stars and fly through stunning nebulae from the comfort of your seat in the special extended shows, especially for adults. Then, grab a drink and explore the new Space Gallery afterwards. Age 16+. Tickets: £8 (£7 concs). For more information, tel: 0117 915 1000 or visit: www.atbristol.org.uk 6 FEBRUARY, 8PM

Katherine Ryan, Colston Hall After two sell-out shows in The Lantern for her last tour, comedian Katherine Ryan is back this year to perform in the main hall. The outspoken Canadian’s signature brand of gossip comedy will see her take aim at Taylor Swift, Bill Cosby, David Cameron and Mo Farah – among others... Tickets: £16.13 – £19.89 from the box office, tel: 0844 8870 1500 or visit: www.colstonhall.org 8 FEBRUARY, 6.30PM

Girls, Bristol Old Vic Basement Missing Pieces present a story that delves into the reality behind the news headlines surrounding the

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Kathering Ryan, Colston Hall

Counteracts, Bristol Old Vic

Planetarium Nights, At-Bristol

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infamous Boko Haram kidnappings. The tale is wrapped around the lives of three teenage abductees as they try to face up to overwhelming adversity through the friendship they'll need to hold onto in order to survive. Tickets: £6 from the box office on tel: 0117 987 7877 or visit: www.bristololdvic.org.uk

Edinburgh Comedy Awards in 2015 and had a sell-out four-week run in London’s West End last autumn. The Guardian also picked Lance as the best comedy show of 2015. Tickets: £10 (£8 concs), tel: 0117 907 4190 or visit: www.cubecinema.com

12 FEBRUARY, 7.30PM

13 FEBRUARY, 10.30AM

Counteracts, Bristol Old Vic

Organ Elevenses, Holy Trinity Church, WOT

Candoco Dance Company, the company of disabled and nondisabled dancers, brings together two extraordinary British artists for an evening of playful questions and captivating performance.

Performing on Bristol Old Vic's stage for the first time in its 25 year history, Candoco invites audiences to experience how various and unexpected dance can be. Tickets: £8 – £16 from the box office on tel: 0117 987 7877 or visit: www.bristololdvic.org.uk

Organist John Marsh gives this month's popular Organ Elevenses recital at Westbury-on-Trym Parish Church. Coffee and cakes will be served from 10.30am and the 40 minute recital gets under way at 11am with a large-screen projection of the organist.

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

12 FEBRUARY, 8PM

Bringing the best vintage traders together for a shopping extravaganza, Judy’s Vintage Fair returns to Bristol. Grab your bags for life, and get rummaging!

Tickets: £2 on the door. For more details, visit: www.paintworksevents.co.uk

Kieran Hodgson: Lance, Cube Cinema In 2003, Lance Armstrong won his fifth Tour de France title, and a young boy in West Yorkshire believed in him. Now a character comedian, this boy sets out on tour with a heartfelt and hilarious story of growing up, betrayal by professional athletes, and redemption. Lance was nominated for Best Show at the Foster’s

FEBRUARY 2016

FROM FEBRUARY 13

13 FEBRUARY, 11AM – 4PM

Judy’s Vintage Fair, The Paintworks

16 FEBRUARY, 2.30PM & 7.30PM

Pink Mist, Bristol Old Vic A groundbreaking, Bristol born

piece of theatre that is not to be missed, Pink Mist tells the story of three young Bristol men deployed to Afghanistan. Returning to the women in their lives who must now share the physical and psychological aftershocks of their service, Arthur, Hads and Taff find their journey home is their greatest battle. Tickets: £10 – £27.50 from the box office on tel: 0117 987 7877 or visit: www.bristololdvic.org.uk 17 FEBRUARY, 7.15PM

Richard Strauss: Wild Child to Dinosaur, Redmaids’ School Richard Strauss' early works caused shock among his conservative contemporaries but by the time of his death he seemed almost a relic of a bygone age.

Organist, composer and broadcaster David Bednall, takes a look at some of Strauss’ much loved operas, including Der Rosenkavalier, which will be performed by the Welsh National Opera in 2017. Tickets: £7 on the door.

17 FEBRUARY, 8PM

Ryley Walker, St George’s Bristol Singer-songwriter Ryley Walker plays guitar like Bert Jansch and sings like Tim Buckley. For this unmissable date, Walker is joined by the revered double-bassist Danny Thompson. Together, the duo will create music that suits the

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richly reflective reverb of St George’s to perfection. Tickets: £16 (£5 students) from the box office, tel: 0845 402 4001 or visit: www.stgeorgesbristol.co.uk

marks Curzon’s developing partnership with Bristol Silents.

For more details, tel: 01275 871 000 or visit: www.curzon.org.uk 26 FEBRUARY, 8PM

18 – 27 FEBRUARY, 7.30PM

The Tempest, Redgrave Theatre School Bristol Old Vic Theatre School present the stormy tale of Prospero, Duke of Milan who, usurped and exiled by his own brother, holds sway over an enchanted island, with only his daughter, spirit and slave for company. Here, he bides his time for revenge. Imbued with magic and the supernatural, this is a classic story of forgiveness, generosity and enlightenment.

Tickets: £15 (£10 concs). From the box office on tel: 0117 973 3955 or visit: www.oldvic.ac.uk

FROM FEBRUARY 20 20 FEBRUARY, 8PM

Khruangbin, The Lantern, Colston Hall Taking influence from 1960s Thai funk, this Texan trio is formed of Laura Lee on bass, Mark Speer on guitar, and Donald ‘DJ’ Johnson on drums. Their 2015 debut album ‘The Universe Smiles Upon You’ is steeped in the bass heavy, psychedelic sound of their inspiration, Tarantino soundtracks and surf-rock cool. Tickets: £10.75, from the box office on tel: 0844 887 1500 or visit: www.colstonhall.org 24 FEBRUARY, 8PM

Sounds of Silents, Curzon Cinema, Clevedon Head over to this historic cinema to watch Phantom of the Opera, accompanied live by Minema.

Perfectly suited to the crimson and gold auditorium, this classic 1925 thriller starring Lon Chaney as the disfigured Phantom provides Minema with a perfect platform for their spine tingling accompaniment. This season of films, with live accompaniment,

Half Man Half Biscuit, Bristol O2 Academy If Half Man Half Biscuit did not exist, it would be imperative to invent them. Since their formation nearly 30 years ago, they have been creating music that is witty and dry, sardonic yet never cynical, inspired by the observations and ramblings of front-man Nigel Blackwell. A genuine counterblast to the processes of modern life.

Tickets: £20 from the box office on tel: 0844 477 2000 or visit: www.academymusicgroup.com 27 FEBRUARY, 7.30PM

City of Bristol Choir, All Saint’s Church, Clifton The 100 singers of City of Bristol Choir perform a programme of French sacred music which includes Vierne’s mighty Messe Solonelle, Fauré’s exquisite anthem Cantique de Jean Racine and motets by Duruflé, Dupré, SaintSaëns and Villette. Organist Richard Johnson performs works

by Escaich, Widor and Vierne.

Tickets: £18 (£16 concs, £5 children) inc. wine and cheese. Tel: 01454 778 477 or visit: www.cityofbristolchoir.org.uk

FROM FEBRUARY 20

The Phantom of the Opera, Curzon Cinema

students and under 25s £5, tel: 0117 214 0721 or visit: www.bristolbach.org.uk

Khruangbin, The Lantern

12 MARCH, 7.30PM

Bristol Concert Orchestra, St George’s Bristol Rimsky-Korsakov’s sparkling Scheherazade headlines Bristol Concert Orchestra’s March concert, along with Debussy’s Prélude à l'Après-Midi d'un Faune, Rachmaninov’s Fourth Piano Concerto with soloist You-Chiung Lin and two short pieces by Shostakovich. Conductor Stefan Hofkes. There will be a retiring collection in aid of the British Red Cross. Tickets: £6 – £15, from the box office on tel: 0845 402 4001 or visit: www.bristolconcertorchestra.org.uk

HMHB © LT Photography

5 MARCH, 7.30PM

Bristol Bach Choir, Bristol Cathedral Liberty Brass Ensemble perform alongside Bristol Bach Choir in the magnificent surroundings of Bristol Cathedral. From the majestic pomp of Rutter’s exuberant Gloria to the intimacy of Poulenc’s sublime setting of the Mass, this is music that expresses the full range of human emotions.

Finally, Finzi’s Lo, the Full Final Sacrifice is among the finest 20th century sacred choral compositions. Tickets: £10 – £17,

16 APRIL, 7.30PM

Bristol Phoenix Choir, St George’s Bristol Bristol Phoenix Choir and Orchestra perform Mozart’s Requiem and CPE Bach’s Magnificat. Conducted by Paul Walton. Soloists: Elinor Cooper, soprano; Emily Topham, alto; Nils Greenhow, tenor; and Dan Robson, bass. Tickets: £10 – £15, under 16s free with an adult.

Available from the box office on tel: 0845 402 4001 or visit: www.bristolphoenixchoir.org.uk

EDITOR’S PICK...

21 FEBRUARY, 11AM – 4.30PM

The Chosen Wedding Fair, Paintworks Well, it is the month of love... and if someone popped the question on Valentine’s Day, or if you’re already a bride or groom looking for something unique for your big day, the Chosen Wedding Fair is the event for you. Chosen showcases new and emerging talent, so you can meet the local designers who offer personal, bespoke and original wedding ideas and services. Ranging from individual makers, to bespoke design houses, to one-off vintage finds, there’s so much inspiration to be found at Chosen. Tickets: £3 in advance/£4 on the door. For more details, or to book your tickets, visit: www.paintworksevents.co.uk

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CITY GALLERY Ladies’ Room, The Edwardian Cloakroom, 29 January – 3 February Ladies’ Room will see artists Catherine Anyango and Julie Hill exhibit works in materials such as ceramics, cosmetics and smoke and mirrors, using the context of the Edwardian Cloakroom as a setting to explore the feminine experience as independent, both spatially and intellectually. The exhibition will be accompanied by a linked performance, film screening and talk. The Edwardian Cloakroom, Park Row, Clifton. Open daily 12-6pm. For further information visit: www.cryingout.tumblr.com Pictured: Catherine Anyango, Silent Companion

Love Letters, Room 212, Throughout February Love Letters is an open invitation to Room 212 artists allowing space for individual interpretation. Included in the exhibition are pieces by Simon Mosse, with his usual tongue in cheek play on words, and Maita Robinson, who’s ‘faux mail and dubious documents’ are inspired by her love of aged, much used, and well-travelled ephemera which could tell a story if asked. Her work process involves using basic printing, rubber stamps, weathered envelopes, old bank notes, pieces of books, interesting postage stamps, drawing, plus other techniques to alter found materials to create a composition which tells a story. As usual, the windows at Room 212 will showcase a wonderful mix of work reflecting the theme, such as original work by printmaker Mary Collett, graphic designer The Knitted Pea, illustrator Hannah Bailey and Room 212 owner Sarah Thorp, plus many more Bristol artists. Room 212, Gloucester Road. www.room212.co.uk

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Love Letters by Simon Mosse

Clifton Quilters, Westbury Methodist Church Hall, Saturday 20 February, 10am – 4pm Clifton Quilters are celebrating their 21st anniversary with an exhibition of their work. See a splendid display of quilts made by members in the last few years. There will be a tombola, a sales table, and refreshments. Admission: £3.50. Westbury Methodist Church Hall, Westbury on Trym.

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Featuring artists including Augustus John, William Open, Philip Wilson Steer and Vanessa Bell, Inquisitive Eyes reveals for the first time the importance of Thomas Hardy’s Wessex landscape at a pivotal moment in British art. Roaming the rolling hills and dramatic ancient coastline of Wessex – described by Augustus John as ‘lovely beyond words’ – a group of early 20thcentury artists associated with the Slade School of Art and New English Art Club explored and expanded the boundaries of art. The work they produced offers a riveting new insight into a period in which Purbeck played host to an informal artists’ ‘colony’, evidently as significant as St. Ives or Newlyn, but hitherto unrecognised.

RWA, Queens Road. www.rwa.org.uk

▲

Inquisitive Eyes: Slade Painters in Edwardian Wessex, 1900-1914, RWA, 6 February – 12 June

The Blue Pool, Augustus John, 1911

Winter Light by Molly Garnier

Toby is Back: Stephen Hanson, Sky Blue Framing & Gallery, Throughout February

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Toby is never without his beloved red ball... until perhaps he loses it. Based on the real life Toby, Stephen Hanson has created these limited edition prints and welcomes us to the wonderful world of the scruffy dog we can’t help but love. Stephen has been an international animation artist and children’s book illustrator for over 30 years. His film and book credits include Aardman’s Pirates, Despicable Me, Arthur Christmas, Tim Burton’s Corpse Bride, The BFG, Danger Mouse and numerous commercials.

See his work at Sky Blue Framing & Gallery, 27 North View, Westbury Park, Bristol, BS6 7PT. Tel: 0117 9733995

Salvation: Saloomeh Asgary, Bristol Cathedral, 20 February – 30 March This month Bristol Cathedral will host an installation of poignant wooden sculptures connected with the theme of salvation, by Iranian artist Saloomeh Asgary. For further information visit: www.bristol-cathedral.co.uk | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||

Oliver Sidaway, Grant Bradley Gallery, 6 – 27 February A collection of recent paintings by Bristol artist Oliver Sidaway, depicting street scenes and cityscapes within the Easton and Redfield areas of Bristol. These include night and evening scenes using the atmospheric qualities of street and shop lights. Oliver’s style has been described as traditional with a modern twist, his paintings sharing a photographic quality combined with a generous use of paint.

First of the Year, Lime Tree Gallery, until 27 February An uplifting mixed exhibition including evocative Norfolk landscapes by Molly Garnier and Northumberland landscapes by Robert Newton. From Scotland there are bright, cheerful beach scenes by Rhonda Smith, subtle landscapes by Zanna Wilson and Adam Kennedy’s visually striking nautical paintings, inspired by the once illustrious ship building industry of his Glasgow home. Parastoo Ganjei provides powerful still life work, and the gallery introduces one of the UK’s leading young print artists, Helen Fay, who exhibits a terrific selection of very distinctive etchings of animals and birds. Lime Tree Gallery, 84 Hotwell Road. www.limetreegallery.com

The Lost Ball by Stephen Hanson

Mother Love, Ikuko Iwamoto and My Eyes, Sidcot Arts Centre, until 20 February

Oliver Sidaway

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Ikuko

Japanese-born, London-based Ikuko’s solo exhibition at Sidcot features her porcelain works that are quirky, exotic and very intricate. She finds her inspiration from many areas including prehistoric life forms, the sea, architecture and films. Two further exhibitions showing are: Mother Love by Jenni Dutton and Ingrid Hesling, and My Eyes by Colin Moody. Sidcot Arts Centre, Sidcot School, North Somerset. For further information visit: www.sidcot.org.uk/arts

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Hysterical

HISTORIES

The Unhappy Countess Historian Julian Lea-Jones shows us a lighter side of Bristol’s history

T

o the South of Bristol Bridge by Victoria Street can be seen the oddly named Counterslip. This is an evolved version of the original name, which conceals a medieval scandal.

Old maps show the Counterslip was located at the end of Hawkin’s Lane and historic accounts indicate this was where the Countess of Salop owned rights to a boat slipway and ferry landing place, thus explaining how over the years the name came to be abbreviated to the Countess’s Slip or Counterslip. But for the story behind the name read on...

In 1304 an impecunious knight, Geraldus Lunn-Ivery, sought the hand in marriage of a countess famed for her beauty and sweet disposition known to all as ‘The lovely Penelope of Bristol Castle’. However, because of the richness of her estate compared to her suitor’s lack of any estate, her guardian Black Rufus objected to their match. Rufus believed that Geraldus had an eye more on her riches than her beauty, and was probably relying on her riches himself to support the upkeep of the castle. So, because of his guardian’s vociferous objections, the couple planned to elude his clutches by eloping.

Their plan was that at dusk Geraldus would take a small boat from the landing stage by the Castle’s Watergate, and with muffled oars row along the moat under the shadow of the castle walls until he saw Penelope’s sign; her handkerchief at her chamber window and a rope for her to escape down. Unfortunately due to Geraldus’ loose tongue in a Temple Street hostelry, Penelope’s guardian learned of their plan and decided to foil it. At the critical moment, Penelope was lured away to another chamber while a serving wench, Sally, was instructed to put on one of Penelope’s wimples and hang a petticoat and rope from another window. The ruse was successful; Geraldus was misled. But Penelope returned to her own chamber just in time to see her lover climbing through the wrong window. Trying in vain to attract his attention, she leaned too far and fell to her death. In the middle of the confusion, the fickle knight decided that the maid Sally was an acceptable consolation prize and they made good their escape down a lane by the Templars’ Church, before heading to Bath where they married and settled down. As they had no money, Sally had the idea of opening a teashop, which became the famous Sally Lunn’s.

This account explains why the site of the tragic event at Bristol Castle became known as The Countess’ Slip. The place where the maid escaped from the castle is even today marked on the Castle Park signage as the Sally Port, and in nearby Temple Parish the lane down which they fled can still be seen and is marked Petticoat Lane. n Image courtesy of Dave Veale for Temple Local History Group

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SECRETS EXPOSED Marianne Swinkels meets a prize-winning Bristol author whose latest novel is a tale of forbidden love, betrayal and revelations, set in the backdrop of Cold War London where spy fever fills the air

Opposite, author Helen Dunmore © Caroline Forbes Inset, Helen Dunmore’s latest novel, Exposure

I

f I share a secret, can I trust you to keep it under wraps? It’s a question well worth asking because you’ll be among the very first to know what others, incredibly, do not. About a yet-to-be uncovered plot involving murder, death and mayhem now being planned here in Bristol.

As The Bristol Magazine went to print no-one else had a clue about this. Can you believe that? A media exclusive then?

Probably. An exposure of sorts? Most definitely, because believe you me, this shocking scenario comes directly from the instigator – a highly regarded woman who is a true mistress of her craft.

Perhaps the titles of her works over the last couple of decades best reveal her personal leaning: The Lie, Betrayal, The Siege, Talking To the Dead, Zennor in Darkness and it is known that her creative underbelly thrives on backdrops of war, conflict, intimidation and deception.

But though she succeeds in secrecy and undercover shenanigans on one level, some of you may well know her in person, have unwittingly seen her in the street, spied her in cafés, even attended her inspirational classes.

Heavens, our very schools once handed out her written tome involving war and siege to every 14 year-old pupil; multiple thousands of fans worldwide follow her every word and greatly admire her works which have been translated into 30 languages.

She also knows Bristol like the back of her hand, has lived in this neck of the woods for 40 years and might even reside in your neighbourhood. So who is this woman?

But first, let’s dispel any fears of undisclosed and sinister acts of violent crime or fanatical terrorist plots about to be committed in our fair city. (Even if the woman is on record as being fascinated by the Cold War era, Cuban Missile Crisis, life in post-war Soviet Russia et al).

Now that the scene is set, let’s cut to the chase. Allow me to introduce you, if you’re not already an admirer, to Helen Dunmore, acclaimed international novelist, virtuoso storyteller, prolific writer and loved author of children’s books, poetry and short stories. She is also winner of the inaugural Orange Prize and has been shortlisted for The Whitbread Prize among a clutch of other literary accolades. Her latest and eagerly awaited 14th novel, Exposure, written in her Bristol home, will have just hit the bookshelves as you read this.

Speaking to Helen, 63, before she engages in a busy schedule of post-launch interviews, signings and tours over the coming months, she will not be drawn on whether this is her best book, as some literary critics already claim. She is clear that each reader will form their own opinion as they respond to the twists and turns of the plot and her layered, flawed characters. Though the title of this new novel is suggestive of tabloid sensationalism, Exposure is a subtle and emotional story involving espionage, cover ups and double dealings.

Set in 1960s London when the Cold War was at its height, it’s a tale of forbidden love, intimate betrayal and the devastating

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power of subsequent exposure on people’s lives. Spy fever fills the newspapers, a family man accused when the political establishment discover a highly sensitive file goes missing, his wife put in danger as she fights to protect their children, not knowing that her husband had hidden vital truths about his past and may be found guilty of another crime that carries with it an even greater penalty.

Helen will though admit to a mix of excitement and trepidation as Exposure sees the light of day after working on it over the past four years. “I always have mixed feelings when a new novel comes out. It’s a sort of watershed when I leave the solitude and private world of writing and enter the moment of truth when, on publication, you wait for its reception from readers and reviewers.

It is an emotional as well as creative process and I find people’s different reactions incredible, moving and humbling as they form their own opinions.”

The second of four children, Yorkshire born Helen’s father was the eldest of 12 and, she says, as a mother herself, this extended family has had a strong influence on her life and writing. “In a large family you hear a great many stories. You also come to understand very early on that stories hold quite different meanings for different listeners and can be recast from many viewpoints.”

Writing has been important to Helen since her childhood in the 60s. Fascinated by the Cold War era even as a youngster, her later writing career drew inspiration as other threats, scandals and post World Wars landmark events unfolded onto the world arena – the collapse of the Berlin wall, the rise of CND, the Vietnam war and the Profumo affair political scandal included. This backdrop was to prove vital to her own world and it was the late 1980s, after success in penning poetry, short stories and teaching creative writing, that marked Helen’s breakthrough into fiction.

“Fiction allows us to know everyone’s secrets. Real life doesn’t do that,” says Helen. “The power of the past to imprint itself on the present and possess it has always intrigued me. As does people’s behaviour and how things can seem to be what they are not. I delve deep into my characters as they develop to explore their complexities and flawed realities and how we can gain enormous strength from adversity and trauma.”

Talking of strengths, her creativity is, she is keen to reveal, fed by two real pleasures: the urban sights, spaces and shifting skyscapes of her home city and a true passion for the varied beauty of our south west countryside.

And now for the ‘save the best till last’ bit. Back to that secret I said I’d share with you. Helen’s next murder and death novel which is already in the writing, will be set right here in our very own Bristol. And that, dear reader, is exclusively revealed only to us. You really can take her word for it. n Exposure. Published in hardback & e-book by Hutchinson. £16.99.

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The Diner’s Digest

SIX OF THE MOST ROMANTIC RESTAURANTS IN BRISTOL

❤

THE MINT ROOM

When it comes to eating out, Bristol is truly blessed... but finding that special restaurant for a first date, or even a full on proposal, is a personal challenge. Here’s a little list of the city’s firm faves that, we think, will always please the true romantic

MANNA 2B North View, Westbury Park, BS6 7QB Tel: 0117 970 6276 Online: mannabar.co.uk Manna is the younger sibling of Prego, just over the road on North View, and takes its influences from Spain, Italy and North Africa. The food is as beautiful as it is delicious. and this cosy, friendly restaurant is certainly a very romantic and special place. For Valentine’s Sunday they have produced a delightful menu with some real treats, such as roast hake with rich crab bisque, samphire and saffron poached vegetables.

But for everyday romantics, the Kitchen menu is always superb and never fails to please – we recommend the slow roast Nailsea lamb shoulder with aubergine inzimino, roast peppers and salsa verde. There is an ever evolving wine list from favourite wine producers, as well as a fabulous menu of modern and classic cocktails. In 2014, Manna followed in Prego’s footsteps by gaining entry into The Good Food Guide, a real achievement for chef/owners Olly Gallery and Julian Faiello.

Romantic Footnote: “When proposing to my wife, I did the ring bit, all good – people smiling around us and all that. When the bill came I reached for my wallet and realised I had left it at home! Pretty good skills” – Olly, owner

12 – 16 Clifton Road, BS8 1AF Tel: 0117 329 1300 Online: themintroom.co.uk Nestled on the corner of Clifton Road, Indian fine-dining restaurant The Mint Room opened its doors a year ago, bringing a new style and ambiance to Indian dining.

Owner Luthfur Rahman says: “We are looking to redefine Indian cuisine,” and they have certainly succeeded in this stylish, contemporary restaurant with its relaxed, intimate feel. Guests are welcomed at the bar on arrival and can enjoy aperitifs in the softly lit, romantic Champagne Jacquart lounge, where they can peruse the menu and enjoy one of the bespoke cocktails, or a glass of bubbly. The Mint Room prides itself on combining the very best of the traditional and regional, with a modern twist. The kitchen is run by Saravanan Nambirajan, chef from Michelin starred restaurant Tamarind, who focuses on producing refined, elegant dishes with eye-catching presentation.

Starters include an exquisite dish of plump, pan-fried Tawa scallops, dusted with subtle spices and served with a creamy kaffir lime and chilli sauce, accompanied by spiced cucumber. One of the chef’s signature main courses is Chettinad lamb rumps – juicy, meltingly tender pieces of lamb, marinaded in a southern Indian sauce of curry leaf, coconut and freshly crushed black peppercorns. The Mint Room will also be offering a Valentine’s Day menu, featuring a trio of starters, spiced lamb cutlets with a vegetable curry, black lentil dhal, and saffron rice, with raspberry mousse and a coconut and lime sorbet for dessert, priced at £28.

Any romantic proposals? “We’ve had lots of romantic moments at the Mint Room, with dozens of proposals over the last year. The Mint Room was even mentioned in the wedding speeches of one of our guests. We love to see these moments, they really touch everyone’s hearts. A few months ago, a gentleman, bringing his would-be fiancée out to dinner, slipped us the ring, and asked us to bring it to the table at a specific moment during the evening. It was a wonderful touch” – Luthfur, director

ADELINA YARD 3 Queens Quay, Welsh Back BS1 4SL. Tel: 0117 911 2112 Online: adelinayardrestaurant.com Recently opened Adelina Yard is situated just off Welsh Back. With its tranquil surroundings and romantic views across the floating harbour, this is a lovely restaurant and perfect if you are looking for relaxed surroundings with a warm and casual atmosphere. The interior design appears simple and uncluttered, but there is an impressive attention to detail. A team of chefs – permanently on display in the open-view kitchen – prepare delicious dishes served by gracious staff, who provide a truly hospitable service.

Beautifully paired ingredients with unusual flavour combinations include a generous range of fresh fish (currently serving pollock, monkfish, octopus and squid), the oft found on menus but rarely done so well as at Adelina Yard rib-eye steak, a rich flavoursome venison dish, and a rather tempting barbeque Goosnargh duck.

The dessert menu is very, very good and includes ironbark pumpkin tart with maple syrup ice-cream, and warm, tonka bean rice pudding with boozy prunes. What heart would not be melted? Adelina Yard is a great new addition to Bristol’s foodie scene and a lovely setting in which to enjoy an intimate and impressive meal.

Who would your dream dinner date be for a romantic supper? “I am pleased to say that after 30 happy years of marriage my dream date is still my wife” – Mark, director

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HOTEL DU VIN The Sugar House, Narrow Lewins Mead, BS1 2NU Tel: 0117 403 2979 Online: hotelduvin.com In the offices of The Bristol Magazine, we were wondering just how many proposals have taken place at the Hotel Du Vin? Heaven knows, as this is a deeply romantic place, and timeless classic on the Bristol scene – perfect for the most intimate dining occassion.

THE BOARDROOM 20 St Nicholas Street, BS1 1UB Tel: 0117 925 4617 Online: theboardroombristol.com Located on St Nicholas Street, in the heart of the Old City, the building that formerly housed The Elephant has now been given a new lease of life. The Boardroom, which opened in December, is a pub and dining room that offers its visitors a stylish yet intimate ambience, enhanced by the crackling of the log fire and the delightful flickering of fairy lights and candles. This less formal approach to dining is perfect for romantic dates and The Boardroom lets its clientele enjoy ‘the art of grazing’, with a simple but mouth-watering selection of charcuterie, fine cheeses and artisan breads, all artfully and generously presented on boards big enough to share. The emphasis is on using as much independently produced fare as possible, with many of the ingredients locally sourced, and this comes through in the quality of the offerings. To compliment the food are a large selection of wines, all available by the bottle or glass, beers from Wiper and True, local ciders and a pleasing array of whisky and other spirits. So snuggle down in front of that log fire, because an intimate evening doesn’t get much better than this.

Date night etiquette – who should pay for the meal, or should you split the bill? “When I ask someone out on a date I always pay. Unless it’s my wife who’s with me for dinner, in that case she pays!” – Alex, co-owner (and renowned joker)

Inspired by French home-style cooking with robust earthy dishes and slow-cooked foods, Bistro du Vin’s Gallic influenced menu has an undeniably British flavour. It’s about serving up dishes that rely heavily on fresh and seasonal produce, and enjoying moderately priced à la carte dining in a down-to-earth, warm and relaxing setting.

From seasonal, French inspired dishes including classic duck cassoulet, Gloucester Old Spot pork belly, and Lapin au Cidre braised rabbit in a rich cider sauce, to the glorious 28 day, dry aged, on the bone steaks and the popular Plats du Jour selection.

All these delectable dishes are served by attentive and exceptionally knowledgeable waiting staff, who are happy to explain the dishes, the ingredients, and how the talented chefs put them together. The sommelier is always on hand, ready to advise, guide, match or recommend the perfect wine.

As for the décor – think natural daylight, reclaimed dark-stained floorboards, restored fireplaces, antique framed pictures and paintings, soft lighting and comfortable chairs. This is bistro dining at its mouth-watering best.

Date night etiquette – who should pay for the meal, or should you split the bill? “I would pause with the bill in hand at the guest’s table and pass to whoever makes the first move” – Grant, general manager

AQUA Welsh Back, Harbourside, BS1 4RR. Tel: 0117 915 6060 153 Whiteladies Road, BS8 2RF. Tel: 0117 973 3314 Online: aqua-restaurant.com Since opening in 1998 Bristol’s Aqua restaurants have established themselves as firm favourites of the city’s lovers. As the home of great Italian cuisine, the two Bristol restaurants showcase a love of Italy – both its culture and superb food – and express it with the passion of a true romantic. The food is amazing too, and here at TBM we love the tasty veal Milanese, rabbit ragout, and succulent pork cheeks, and have found that the small plates are perfect for sharing. The à la carte menu is fulsome and offers a great variety of dishes, or if you’re on a tighter budget the smaller plates are ideal, giving you the choice of five dishes for £20. The lunch and early dinner menus feature two courses for £10.95 or three courses for £12.95, Monday to Saturday, and there are 2-4-1 Bellinis until 7pm every day. Aqua is also famous for its fabulous Sunday roasts (£11.95). Whether dining with your loved one or bringing your family for a quick delicious pizza, the staff at Aqua will make sure you are extremely well looked after.

Any romantic proposals? “The most memorable would be in our Whiteladies restaurant. The boyfriend was getting the ring couriered in but it hadn’t arrived and it was getting closer to the time of the booking. We had to chase up the courier, and fortunately it arrived just in time. Needless to say, when his girlfriend opened it she said ‘Yes!’” – Ben, operations director

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FOOD & Drink NEWS TO TICKLE YOUR TASTEBUDS THIS MONTH

GREEN CUISINE

New menu at Watershed

After six weeks of behind-the-scenes toil, Watershed’s kitchen refit is complete – hurray! To celebrate, its team of chefs have created brand new menus bursting with delicious new dishes. James Taylor, General Manager at Watershed, said: “Thanks to Arts Council England, we’ve been able to refit our kitchen and catering spaces with state of the art, efficient, low energy use equipment as part of our ongoing efforts to ensure we create a sustainable organisation. The new kitchen has allowed our chefs to create a wider range of tasty dishes, offering great value lunchtime and daytime meals.” From Welsh rarebit and shakshuka, to braised pig cheeks with basil polenta and mushroom ragu, to everyone’s favourite burger and chips, you’ll be spoilt for choice, so why not head down and treat yourself to something hearty to chase away these last weeks of winter? For full menus and more details, visit: watershed.co.uk

BRISTOL’S BEST NEW RESTAURANT

RIVER COTTAGE GOES GLUTEN FREE

LOVE FOOD? HEAD TO PAINTWORKS

CUCKOO OVER KOOKOOTOO

Pizza Workshop, an independently owned pizza restaurant in Southville, has been awarded Best New Restaurant of 2015 by Bristol Post. Working from a small but beautifully formed space in North Street, Pizza Workshop stays true to its ‘one thing, made well’ ethos, offering just eight classic sourdough pizzas and one or two specials. There is also a lunch time Bocca on offer, which is a hot sandwich made from their signature sourdough pizza base – go on, treat yourself. www.pizzaworkshop.co.uk

On Tuesday 16 February, River Cottage Canteen will be going Gluten Free. Head chef Charlie James will be cooking up a delicious gluten free three course set menu and the evening event will be hosted by the fabulous Naomi Devlin. She will be discussing flavour flours, sourdough bread, and how to make some simple gluten free swaps that everyone can enjoy.

The three course set menu will showcase seasonal and locally sourced gluten free delights that everyone will enjoy. www.rivercottage.net

Where you’ll find Love Food Festival’s delectable take on Valentine’s Day. It’s the perfect excuse to indulge in some decandent dishes and share them with the ones you love. So head over to Paintworks on Sunday 14 February to taste and buy an array of sensory foods, such as oysters, unctuous cheeses and artisan chocolates from the local food market, or gorge on a selection of hot and sumptuous street food. The festival runs from 10.30am – 4pm, and entrance is free. www.paintworksevents.co.uk

Persian restaurant Kookootoo was named Best Restaurant in the South West at the recent MTM Awards. It’s little wonder, as owner and chef, Moh Narimani, uses gorgeous ingredients such as saffron and rose petals in his dishes, as well as fresh, locally sourced ingredients to create the aromatic flavours of his home country right here in Bristol. Moh says: “This award is the best possible result of our work. It makes me very happy that people have welcomed our food in the city.” www.kookootoobristol.co.uk

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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.

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SCIENCE | ASTRONOMY

WRITTEN IN THE STARS Jenny Hayes visits At-Bristol Science Centre to ask, is there anybody out there?

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Main image: Europa, one of Jupiter’s four largest moons, distinctive for the vivid tiger stripes that scar its icy surface This page: An image of the Hubble Space Telescope, which captured images of suspected plumes of water vapour at Europa’s south pole

N

ow, readers, I know that we have travelled to Jupiter before in the course of this series – and even gone so far as to land on four of its moons – so you may well be wondering why we are once again returning to visit the gas giant. Well, it’s because last time I omitted some rather vital information. Now, let me explain. It wasn’t my intention to mislead you in the previous article, but rather not to alarm you. For, you see, it may very well be that we are not alone in the solar system.

Although Jupiter itself is unlikely to be able to support life, one of its satellites may well do. Europa, the fourth largest moon of Jupiter, was discovered by Galileo when he first trained his telescope on the planet back in 1609. What he saw shook the scientific community to its core. He observed Europa – alongside Jupiter’s other large moons Io, Ganymede and Callisto – orbiting the planet, just as our moon orbits us. From this, Galileo was able to prove the earth-shattering theory that we are not in fact the centre of the universe around which everything else revolves, but rather just one of many celestial bodies orbiting the sun. But that isn’t the end of Europa’s revelations…

In 1979, NASA’s Voyager 2 spacecraft gave us our first close encounter with the moon, capturing images of a strange, icy world whose surface is scarred by scores of burnt orange tiger stripes. And it is these vivid streaks that hold the clue to the possible existence of life on Europa, as scientists believe they are mineral deposits – darkened in colour as a result of the radiation emitted by Jupiter – which have bubbled up from an ocean beneath the icy shell of the moon.

Although Europa is about 485 million miles from the sun, with a temperature that peaks at a rather nippy -160˚C, the presence of liquid water is possible due to the energy created by tidal flexing as the moon orbits Jupiter and moves into the proximity of the other high mass moons. This energy generates heat at Europa’s core, which scientists believe breaks through into the ocean above via hydrothermal vents of geothermically heated, mineral rich water similar to those found here on Earth. If this is the case, then it is highly likely that, just as on our own planet, these vents are hotbeds of life that contain anything from microbial organisms to primitive fish.

Coupled with the possibility of hydrothermic activity, scientific evidence suggests that hydrogen peroxide is abundant across much of the surface of Europa’s moon. Because this decays into oxygen and water, some experts have suggested it could provide a further energy supply for simple life forms.

But it is any of this actually possible to prove? Well, if anyone can, then it’ll be those clever folks at NASA, and rest assured they are rising to the challenge. In June 2015, the space agency announced its plans to develop an unmanned, radiation-tolerant spacecraft that it will send up to Europa in the early 2020s.

Because the levels of radiation on Europa are of face (and metal) melting proportions, this probe will not orbit the moon itself, but instead take a long, looping orbit around Jupiter that will allow it to make 45 flybys of the moon.

The spacecraft will contain a wealth of specialist instruments designed to capture data for NASA back on Earth. Cameras and spectrometers will take detailed, high resolution images of Europa’s surface and examine its composition, while an ice penetrating radar will determine the thickness of its icy crust and if an ocean is indeed present beneath it. If one is found, the onboard magnetometer will be used to measure the strength and direction of the moon’s magnetic field so that the team at NASA HQ can determine both the depth and salinity of the body of water.

As the Hubble Space Telescope also observed what could be plumes of water vapour exploding from Europa’s south pole in 2012, there will be further instruments onboard the probe that are capable of analysing the composition of these droplets. If indeed they have spewed up from an underground ocean beneath the moon’s surface, this will allow scientists to assess the viability of life in the water below without having to drill through layers of ice. Not only does this minimise the risk of contaminating this pristine place, it is also great news – as we are no way near

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designing a machine with the capability to bore through the 15 miles of ice that encase the ocean beneath.

If evidence of life is found during this mission to Europa, the repercussions will be as sensational as those following Galileo’s discovery of the moon over 400 years ago. After all, if life originates elsewhere in our own solar system, then it must surely exist elsewhere throughout the galaxy and beyond.

Jupiter is well placed in the southern sky this month, and you’ll be able to discern the distinct bands on the planet and its four largest moons using either a telescope or a good pair of binoculars mounted on a tripod for stability. And, when you spot Europa, don’t forget to give a little wave – after all, it may be home to our first set of extra-terrestrial neighbours. n With thanks as always to Lee Pullen for sharing his time and knowledge. If you’ve been inspired to learn more about the stars this winter, then head down to the Planetarium to catch the excellent Winter Stargazing show in 3D – it’ll blow your mind.

For more details, tel: 0117 915 1000 or visit: www.at-bristol.org.uk

A brief history of aliens UFO sighting have been reported throughout recorded history. The first came from Roman historian Titus Livius who, back in 214 BCE, reported that an appearance of ships had shone forth from the sky in Rome. In 1561, the people of Nuremberg claimed to witness the sky filling with objects from which red, black, orange and blue globes emerged, and in 1803 fisherman in Japan told of an encounter with a strange vessel drifting on the water and the appearance a young woman with red and white hair who spoke to them in an unknown language.

But it wasn’t until after the Second World War that UFO spotting really gained momentum, and Kenneth Arnolds’ 1947 sighting in America is widely considered to be the start of the ‘modern UFO era’. To this day the alleged alien spacecraft crash at Roswell remains a source of widespread speculation, but if you are to take scientific consensus over conjecture, it appears our companions in the solar system are far more likely to be microbial organisms that ghostly little grey men.

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BRISTOL UPDATES UPDATES AND HIGHLIGHTS FROM ACROSS THE CITY

PLANS FOR A NEW THEATRE

Times are changing at TFT

Despite the recent closure of the Brewery Theatre, Tobacco Factory Theatres is announcing exciting new plans for its future. It aims to transform the area currently occupied by the existing dance studio into an 86-seat theatre, complete with dressing rooms and state of the art technical facilities.

Although still subject to funding, Tobacco Factory Theatres is hoping to remain a two venue theatre for the benefit of both audiences and the artistic community in Bristol. Ali Robertson, director of Tobacco Factory Theatres, said: “Having a second, smaller performance space is crucial to who we are, the work that we can do, and the impact we can have on both our artistic and public communities. It allows us to present outstanding young talent from emerging artists and companies, as well as cutting edge new writing, engaging family shows, and less performed work.” www.tobaccofactorytheatres.com

The Brewery Theatre has now closed

A MUSICAL APPOINTMENT

ARTS COUNCIL INVEST IN COLSTON HALL

BY GEORGE, WE’VE GOT IT!

The £45 million transformation of Bristol’s Colston Hall is a step closer after Arts Council England announced that £10 million is available for the project. The Thank You for the Music appeal was launched in September 2014. Since then, a third of the money has been raised following commitments from the Government (£5m) and Bristol City Council (£10m). The Arts Council England investment would bring the total committed up to £25 million. From 2019, the two existing concert halls will be revitalised and a third opened, providing inspiring facilities for the people of Bristol. www.colstonhall.org

Arts Council England are also supporting another musical development in the city, having pledged £1.76 million to St George’s Bristol to help make plans for its stunning extension a reality. The grant will go towards the £5.5 million Building a Sound Future project, which will give the venue new performance, education and gallery spaces, a café bar, restored gardens and improved disability access. St George’s, just off Park Street, now needs to raise at least £1 million before June 30 to draw down the grant. The venue stages classical, folk, jazz, Americana and world music, as well as spoken word events. www.stgeorgesbristol.co.uk

Bristol Choral Society has appoined Hilary Campbell as its new musical director. Having studied at York University, Trinity College and the Royal Academy of Music, and with a wealth of previous work experience, Hilary will be a great new addition to the choir and the music community of Bristol. www.hilarycampbell.com

Musical director Hilary Campbell

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Passing on the nest Is it a good idea to give your home to your children?

Shelley Faulkner, Solicitor with AMD Solicitors Solicitors in the AMD private client department are asked from time to time to advise on whether it is a good idea for parents of adult children to transfer their home to the names of their children. Many couples are concerned about losing their hard-earned savings in meeting the costs of their future care.

Others are worried about Inheritance Tax, particularly as inflating house prices push families towards or past the Inheritance Tax threshold.

Transferring your home to your children is a high-risk and potentially counter-productive move however. You need to be aware in particular that, as owners of the property, your children may have the right to occupy your home or even to sell it.

DIVORCE AND BANKRUPTCY While your children’s lives might currently seem to be balanced and stable, this might change in the future. Should your child become caught up in divorce proceedings, for example, their interest in the house could be brought into account in determining the financial settlement on the divorce. If a child became bankrupt, their interest in the house could be taken into account in establishing the assets available to meet the claims of the creditors. Having an interest in the property might affect their entitlement to means-tested benefits, should they ever need to claim these.

TAX REPERCUSSIONS Where a house is given away subject to the right of a parent to remain living in the property, this can create complex tax issues. If a parent continues to occupy the house, the value of the property will in some circumstances form part of their estate for Inheritance Tax purposes. (This is called a ‘gift with reservation of benefit’). In some situations a child may in addition become liable to capital gains tax on the increase in value of the property from the time of transfer to the time of a sale. Specialist advice tailored to your particular circumstances is essential.

As tax law changes over time the effect of a gift might in future be very different from that which was originally anticipated. Oh for a crystal ball!

COSTS OF CARE Should you at any point apply for local authority funding to meet the costs of your care in a care home, the local authority will assess the contribution you should make towards the fees. The local authority will, as part of the assessment, consider whether you have given away any assets with the aim of reducing the capital which is available to be used towards the fees. If you have given your home to your children it is likely that the value of the property will be added back in for the purposes of the calculation, so that your contribution to the fees will be assessed as if you had not given the property away.

Transferring your home to your children might seem to be a clever solution to a number of problems. However the implications are complex and taking expert advice on the many issues which can arise is essential.

AMD’S PRIVATE CLIENT TEAM AMD’s team of experienced private client solicitors and practitioners includes full members of the Society of Trust and Estate Practitioners, the leading professional body in this field. We offer a free initial consultation for new clients.

For advice on administration of estates, trusts, wills, powers of attorney and all private client issues, contact Shelley Faulkner and the other members of the team on 0117 9621205, email probate@amdsolicitors.com or call in at 15 The Mall Clifton, or 100 Henleaze Road Henleaze.

CHOOSING A BUSINESS STRUCTURE Mark Pooley of Chartered Accountants Hollingdale Pooley looks into the different structures that a business can trade through.

At the start of a new year, many people decide to take a change of direction and decide to start their own business. One of the first questions is: what structure should I choose to do business through?

There are three main types of business structure: Becoming a sole trader Working as a sole trader represents the most rudimentary form of doing business. There is minimal paperwork involved, organising tax affairs is simple (at least compared to limited companies) and there are few statutory obligations to meet.

Forming a limited company Incorporating your business is an entirely different process to setting up as a sole trader. The opportunities for tax planning are more comprehensive but administration can be complex and there are additional regulations to comply with.

A limited company is owned by its shareholders and run by its directors. Unlike sole traders, a limited company is legally separate from its owners. Directors therefore only take on limited liability, meaning that they are only liable for what they have invested in the business.

Entering a partnership Partnerships offer an alternative for those who want to go into business with other people, but don’t want to set up a limited company.

There are two main types of partnership: Business partnership Business partnerships are the simplest way for two or more people to go into business together. All partners in a business partnership are personally liable for losses incurred by the business.

Limited liability partnership Limited liability partnerships (LLP) function like a business partnership, but allow partners to assume limited liability on unpaid debts. There are therefore more regulations in place that need to be complied with.

If you are considering starting your own business, then please contact Mark Pooley at our office for a free initial consultation.

© AMD Solicitors

A local award winning law firm

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

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

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COMMUNITY | MATTERS

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MOO-VING FORWARD Samantha Coleman dons her wellies and gets close to nature at a city farm in Bedminster that’s celebrating its 40th birthday

Opposite, pictures of the farm, animals and produce grown in the community gardens Above, left to right: Tim the farm manager; bottoms up from the ducks; and a bouquet of farmgrown sweet peas

S

ince becoming a mum my experience of the city has changed somewhat. Gone are the days of shopping till I drop, viewing the latest art exhibitions, cappuccinos in rustic cafés, catching an art house film at the Watershed and cocktail o’clock at a speakeasy bar. Now it’s all about play cafés, mother and baby classes, swimming pools and kids attractions with good baby changing facilities (FYI, Bristol has got it covered). And I’m itching to tell you about the latest gem I’ve discovered that’s perfect for a family day out. Although you may have already heard of it, because it has been going for a whopping 40 years.

The place I’m referring to is Windmill Hill City Farm in Bedminster, just around the corner from East Street. I’m ashamed to say that in the ten years I’ve been in Bristol, I haven’t once stepped foot in it – until now. And having recently visited and seen how much there is to offer and the exciting things happening there, I feel I should shout about it to everyone else who has yet to visit. Apologies to those of you who already know it and continue to support it, because the most important thing about Windmill Hill City Farm is that it is a community farm for the people of the city, and it has managed to maintain this because of its supporters.

Windmill Hill City Farm is an independent, voluntary, community project, offering local people a wide range of social, environmental, educational, recreational and economic activities, with a footfall of over 130,000 people a year. It is governed by a voluntary Board of Trustees, a committee of local residents elected annually by farm members.

It all started in 1976 when local people came together to save a derelict piece of land in Bedminster from developers. The council had originally proposed to use this land for a high security lorry park, however this was met with widespread disapproval from the local people who wanted to see the space used for the benefit of the community.

After many battles, the early years of the farm were held together by a band of volunteers, who, without money but with lots of imagination, hard work, grit and determination, begged and borrowed to create the city farm. Simone Dougall, marketing manager at the farm says: “They wanted local children in particular to have the opportunity to see animals and a slice of the countryside on their doorstep. In the 70s people felt disconnected with nature so these insightful volunteers strove to educate people on where their food came from.”

It started off as a farm with just a few animals and a vegetable

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patch but over the years it has evolved into what it is today, standing as a constant community resource. One of the key aims of Windmill Hill City Farm was (and still is) to provide local people, particularly children and vulnerable adults, with access to nature in the heart of the city. It is now the oldest city farm outside London, boasting four and a half acres.

It is open seven days a week and the best thing of all is there’s no entry charge. There’s plenty to see and do here to keep all ages occupied, so it works out as a fun and enriching family visit without breaking the bank.

It’s hard to know where to start when you arrive, but if you have children with you, take a walk around the farmyard and paddocks to say hello to the cows, pigs, goats, sheep, ducks, geese and chickens, not forgetting the wildlife garden where you can lift twigs and rocks to discover all about the habitats in these dark, damp places. Kids will relish the opportunity to dig in the dirt and get messy. You can also pick up a free nature trail from the reception on your way in – there are four to choose from and each one provides a fun challenge and a great way to explore the farm from a different perspective every time you visit.

If your little ones need to burn some energy take them to the play area where there are all sorts of obstacles to challenge them, as well as a sand pit and outdoor toys and games. There’s oodles of green space to walk around too – everyone is welcome in the urban oasis of the community gardens. There are allotments, picnic areas, ponds, a greenhouse, flowers and a special children’s area to enjoy.

As a working farm you’ll find farmers and volunteers busy at their jobs on a daily basis. As well as feeding and caring for the animals all year round, see them sowing, hunting slugs and planting during the spring; in the summer find them watering, weeding and harvesting; in the autumn enjoying the fruits of their labour and in winter taking cuttings, planning, pruning and tidying.

Right next to the farm yard is a cosy, child-friendly café serving homemade food using farm produce wherever possible.

The menu aims to reflect the farm’s commitment to providing local, healthy and delicious food for the community, so you’ll see lots of families eating here. Not only will the children’s menu get little ones’ lips smacking and keep them full of beans, but there’s no pressure to keep your children quiet – enjoyment is encouraged – there’s even a toddler play area right outside.

From the café you can also buy fresh farm eggs, frozen meat, homemade preserves and home-grown farm produce (tip: take an

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empty egg box when you visit). It’s no wonder the café won the Bristol Good Food ‘Best Family Friendly’ award 2015.

Last but by no means least is the home-grown gift shop – an Aladdin’s cave of beautiful and interesting handmade products by local artists, designers and makers. From cards, clothing and jewellery to fine art, skincare products and baby and toddler goods, there’s something to suit all tastes and budgets.

It’s amazing just how much is happening on this site, and over the years thousands of people have benefitted from the services that the city farm offers, including: a 95-place daycare nursery; bike repair centre; indoor activity centre; all-weather sports pitch; volunteering opportunities for people with learning difficulties, mental health issues and in recovery; school visits; forest school sessions; conference facilities with in-house catering; art exhibitions; adult education classes and workshops (including willow weaving and yoga).

Despite being a bustling hub of community spirit for 40 years, the farm has certainly experienced some difficult times and has even had to endure the threat of closure on numerous occasions.

However, when current chief executive Steve Sayers took on the role five years ago, he really turned it around. Simone says: “Steve made some much-needed improvements and managed to transform the farm into a successful business while still retaining its ethos and rustic charm. The farm is well looked after and so are the staff. We are always bringing in young people, training them up and building their confidence – and the same goes for our volunteers too.”

“Leading the city farm is the best job I’ve ever had,” says Steve. “It’s a huge challenge, honour and responsibility to be in charge of something so loved and needed by local people. We have to keep moving forward and developing what’s here to keep the place fresh, busy and relevant for everyone. It’s fantastic to have people support us by coming to visit and taking part in farm life.” n

Get involved: The farm needs the continued support and involvement of the community in order to provide its services, grow and continue to move forward for the next 40 years, and there are lots of ways you can get involved and help… ● Have your say and influence decisions that affect local people by becoming a Farm Friend (£10 a year). Members can also enjoy a 10% discount in the café and on room hire. ● Become a volunteer. Whether you want to work with animals, gardens or activities for the community, volunteering is a great opportunity to get experience and help the farm to flourish and run smoothly. ● There are great conference facilities and rooms for hire. I love the idea of hiring the barn terrace which is a covered outdoor space with a pizza oven, seating and bar area too.

Regular activities for children: ● Farm adventurers: stay and play (for parents/carers and child under 5 years), Mondays 9.30am – 11.30am, £5 per family. Enjoy outdoor fun at the farm with your little one. There will be animal care, nature play, music and crafts. ● Farm adventurers (child only), Tuesday – Friday mornings, 9.15am – 12.15pm and Tuesday and Thursday afternoons, 1pm – 4pm, £16 per session. Drop your child off for a morning or afternoon of nature play, animal care, music and crafts with the farm adventurers team.

Other events include: ● Willow weaving workshop, Saturday 27 February, 10am – 5pm (£45).

Learn how to weave using willow and make a beautiful basket to take home. ● Animal husbandry, Saturday 6 February, 9am – 2pm (£35). Whether you are thinking of setting up a small holding, getting chickens for your garden or just fancy a day finding out how to care for farm animals, this workshop with the resident farmer will teach you all you need to know. ● Windmill Hill City Farm will be celebrating 40 years by joining in with lots of citywide events including Food Connections, Upfest, art trails and Big Green Week as well as a programme of events on site, including a farm-specific theatre project with Show of Strength. And you won’t want to miss the big birthday party on Saturday 11 June. Watch this space for more information…

For all the latest information and farm updates and news, follow Windmill Hill City Farm on Twitter: @windcityfarm or visit: www.windmillhillcityfarm.org.uk.

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FAMILY | WHAT’S ON

FAMILY TIME Keep all ages entertained this half term with the help of our guide to what’s on around the city for little ones and big ones alike

Top pick...

Wild Words: The Ugly Swanling, St George’s Bristol, Tuesday 9 February, 3.30pm Follow the adventures of a young swan when it loses its home in this performance with live swan-themed music by Tchaikovsky and Saint Saëns, performed by Ali Francis Black (Lochrian Ensemble and Vervain) on violin and Martin Solomon (Pindrop Band) on harp and accordion. The story is written and performed by Michael Loader. Children can also join in, act, dance and make a swan mask in the pre-show playshop to be performed in the show on stage. Suitable for ages 6+. Tickets: £6, family ticket also available. Book on tel: 0845 40 24 001 or visit: www.stgeorgesbristol.co.uk.

© Laura Tanner

DON’T MISS...

The Ruff Guide to Shakespeare, Redgrave Theatre, Saturday 6 February, 10.30am Specially created to mark the 400th anniversary of the Bard’s death, The Ruff Guide to Shakespeare is a glorious celebration of the work of the world’s greatest playwright presented by Bristol Old Vic Theatre School. Expect silly sketches, toe-tapping songs, dance routines and extracts from all the plays. The perfect introduction to Shakespeare through clear storytelling, live music and inventive staging.

Suitable for Year 2 and above. Tickets £8 from the box office on tel: 0117 973 3955 or visit: www.oldvic.ac.uk

Fab Feb Half-term Fun, Tyntesfield, Saturday 6 – Sunday 21 February, 10am – 4pm From mysterious trails and ‘50 things’ activities 52 THE BRISTOL MAGAZINE

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to welly wanging and exploring, there’s lots to keep all ages busy at Tyntesfield over half term.

Half term children’s activities at Windmill Hill City Farm

Half term at Bristol Zoo, 6 – 21 February

There’s lots of fun to be had here for ages 0-12 years, including crafts, cooking and outdoor fun. For further information tel: 0117 9633252 or visit: www.windmillhillcityfarm.org.uk

This February half term Bristol Zoo is getting ready for spring with a burst of petal power.

Children can enter the zoo for £5 with a full paying adult and join in the zoo’s giant flower collage and flower pot decorating. There will also be a petal power trail to find bugs hidden around the zoo, and tips on how to make your garden into a haven for wildlife and flowers.

Visit: www.bristolzoo.org.uk

Half term at Wild Place Project, 6 – 21 February Head to Wild Place Project during half term for lots of family fun and activities in the great outdoors. Book online and receive £5 child entry with a full paying adult. Visit: www.wildplace.org.uk

Chinese New Year activities, Bristol Museum & Art Gallery, 6 & 7 February Welcome in the Year of the Monkey and celebrate Chinese New Year with traditional and contemporary performances, stalls, workshops and activities for all the family. Try your hand at paper folding, watch martial arts demonstrations and dances, learn about your zodiac sign and more. Around the museum there will be rooms full of Chinese culture to explore including the museum’s Eastern Art collection.

The Star Seekers, The Wardrobe Theatre, 8 – 14 February, 11am & 2pm Inspired by the wonder of the universe, The

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FAMILY | WHAT’S ON Wardrobe Ensemble and The Wardrobe Theatre has created a unique theatrical experience for children aged 3 – 8 years. The Star Seekers is an interactive show that explores the limitless majesty of galaxies, the solar system, shooting stars and planets through songs, silliness and anti-gravity antics. Tickets £7 (under 2s free) from the Tobacco Factory Theatres box office on tel: 0117 902 0344 or visit: www.thewardrobetheatre.com

Natural play at Leigh Woods © National Trust

Tinkering Lounge, At-Bristol, 8 – 12 February Drop in and get involved with some fun activities during half term.

Make things wobble, shake and move – there’ll be lots to make and do. Visit: www.at-bristol.org.uk

An Elephant in the Garden, Bristol Old Vic Studio, 9 – 13 February, 3pm Adapted from Michael Morpurgo’s best-selling children’s novel, An Elephant in the Garden tells the story of Lizzie, her mother, and an elephant from the zoo as they flee the Allied firebombing in the endgame of the Second World War. The perfect half term treat for ages 9+. On 11 and 12 February from 10am – 3pm you can join in with free family friendly activities before or after your show. There will be arts and crafts in the restaurant or explore the soft-play installation on Coopers’ Gallery. To book tickets to the show, contact the box office on tel: 0117 987 7877 or visit: www.bristololdvic.org.uk

Bird Box Bonanza, Bristol Zoo and the Downs, Thursday 11 February A fun morning of games and activities for children aged 8 – 12 to discover more about birds and their nests. In the afternoon make a nest box to take home for your feathered friends. Drop off children at 10am and pick them up at 3.30pm. Cost: £15 per child. At Bristol Zoo Gardens and on the Downs. Book at Bristol Zoo, on tel: 0117 9030609 or e-mail mleivers@bristolzoo.org.uk

The Story Cellar, Bristol Old Vic, 11 February, 12.30pm & 1.30pm and 12 February, 12pm & 12.45pm Hidden in the Bristol Old Vic Basement is The Story Cellar – a magical vault that stores all spellbinding beginnings, middles and ends. Come and play using words, images, games, costume and puppets and help contribute to the collection of tall stories and fanciful tales. Cost: £4 per child, adults free. Book at: www.bristololdvic.org.uk

Toddler Takeover: Super Senses, At-Bristol, 26 February, 10am – 4pm A fun-packed day full of special activities just for the tiniest of explorers. Investigate a variety of touchy-feely textures in the texture garden and prick up your ears to some intriguing noises in the SoundLab. Plus, join Ursa and Leo for an interactive storytime, and venture to far away planets and stars in the Planetarium. For further information visit: www.at-bristol.org.uk

Winter Stargazing (2D or 3D), At-Bristol, until 6 March Experience space in awesome 3D for breath-taking 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

WE’RE GOING ON A WELLY WALK...

Here are our fave places to take the kids for a walk, where they can have fun splashing in puddles, getting stuck in the mud – and most importantly – burn lots of energy in the great outdoors ● Westonbirt Arboretum near Tetbury: This isn’t a free walk unfortunately, but it’s certainly worth the entrance cost just to see their little faces gazing up at the enormous trees and light up when they find the huge wooden sculpture of Julia Donaldson and Axel Scheffler’s muchloved Gruffalo character hidden among the trees. You can see this in the Old Arboretum where there are lots of routes to walk, taking in different varieties of tree. There’s usually a family trail you can follow which changes seasonally, and until the end of February you can join another of Julia Donaldson and Axel Scheffler’s characters, Stick Man, on his quest to the family tree as part of a special activity trail. On your way in, pick up an activity pack, (£3) containing rubbings sheets, crayons, pipe cleaners and games and puzzles. Dogs aren’t allowed in this area of the arboretum but you can take them into Silk Wood, where there’s plenty of space for pooches and children to run free reign. In this part of the arboretum you’ll find trees with hollows perfect for hiding in and a 2,000-year-old lime tree – a true marvel. ● Leigh Woods: This National-Trust owned patch of woodland next to the Clifton Suspension Bridge is always a go-to spot to allow kids to let off some steam close to home. It’s a great place for games of hide and seek and tag and as you follow the paths through the trees you’ll come across the natural play area where children can challenge themselves on balance beams, logs to climb over, tree stump stepping stones and swings. Let their imaginations go wild with den building or creating wild art and spark their curiosity with bird watching and bug hunting – it’s a wildlife haven.

There’s a family trail you can follow too (available to download at www.nationaltrust.org.uk) – let Franklin the Fox guide you through the woods and reveal stories about what you can see along the way. ● Oldbury Court Estate (also known as Vassalls Park): Here there are winding paths through woods, a muddy riverside walk and a children’s play area to keep your walk interesting and adventurous. You’ll also find a large open space that’s ideal for kicking a ball around and a café kiosk next to park for that well-deserved coffee. Don’t forget to find some twigs on your way around so you can play poohsticks on the bridge over the River Frome. ● Arnos Vale: Yes, it’s a cemetery – but it’s a beautiful one, and if you walk up and around through the trees at the back of the site, you’ll find some lovely open spaces to take a good gulp of fresh air. Arnos Vale has a varied and full events programme designed specifically for families and children to attend, including woodland wanders, outdoor play and craft activities.

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ADVERTISEMENT FEATURE

“Seven Slip Ups to avoid on Separation & Divorce”

By Richard Sharp, Sharp Family Law - Bristol and Bath Divorce Solicitors. Producing Resolution not Prolonging Conflict

1. Rushing ahead or lagging behind The message behind the Hare and Tortoise fable is that slow and steady wins the race. Whilst neither separation nor divorce is a race, running too fast into a divorce or burying one’s head against it, can exasperate the transition. Much more can be achieved by you working with than apart from your ex.

2. Being unprepared before the jump During this emotionally stressful time there will be a lot of paperwork and negotiations over them. Divorce is a business transaction, so treat it as such. Be prepared to discuss relevant facts about your financial situation before meeting with your solicitor. Make a detailed account of what you own and owe. Obtain the documentation on your income, expenses, credit card, mortgage, house and other investment information. Knowledge will empower you.

3. Taking legal advice from family and friends Well-meaning family and friends are emotional rocks to lean on during the rollercoaster of separation and divorce, but they are no substitute for legal advice from a specialist lawyer. Your situation is unique to you as will be the solutions to your issues. The family solicitor you retain knows you and your legal situation better than anyone. You will maximize your results if you listen to your solicitor’s advice.

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4. Resorting too soon to litigation Divorce is not a revenge story and court litigation is rarely a victory. The vast majority of couples can and do settle issues away from the divorce court. More often than not dispute resolution processes such as mediation or collaborative practice fit better the needs and objectives of a couple and can result in the “good divorce”. Do not miss the opportunity to pursue the process that is right for you.

5. Expecting too much or giving away too little

promises may not hold up in court. Divorce is no time for oral agreements. Talk to your solicitor about how best to make a settlement stick The specialist solicitors at Sharp Family Law are devoted to helping separating and divorcing couples to find creative solutions to their issues, which, with the help and support of the required professional at an affordable cost, are crafted by them - and not the divorce courts.

For more information on separation and divorce, contact Richard Sharp on 01225 448955 or email him at richard@sharpfamilylaw.com

The process will be more positive and cost effective and the legal result more satisfactory if throughout you work with your solicitor to identify and prioritise first, your genuine interests and needs, and secondly, your reasonable legal objectives. Make sure that your settlement aspirations are realistic.

❝

M

any separating and divorcing couples are decent, well-meaning and intelligent individuals making a challenging transition in their lives. It can be hard to manage emotions, co-parent the children involved and fairly address the financial realities. Consequently they are not always at their best. Rational thought and common sense are frequent casualties of the emotional rollercoaster that follows a separation or divorce. As a result, mistakes are made that later turn into regrets.

During my years of practice as a family and divorce solicitor in Bath, I have seen the following slip-ups that could have been avoided:

Much more can be achieved by you working with than apart from your ex

❝ Richard Sharp 6. Not actively participating in resolving the issues The only people who are going to be living with the results of your divorce are you and your family. Not your solicitor. Make sure it is you who makes the choices and decisions and that they work for you all.

7. Making agreements without written settlements The moon can be promised to you by your ex, but without clarification in legal papers, such

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: info@sharpfamilylaw.com m: 07798 606740 t: 01225 448955 website: www.sharpfamilylaw.com

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W

hen I was a new mum (all those moons ago!) and grappling my way round the ‘baby circuit’, I was at a loss some days for what to do. Not because there was a lack of activities in Bristol, but because I found myself overwhelmed with opportunities. The trouble was, Jemima wasn’t a fan of the car, or pushchairs – so wherever we arrived she was usually having a meltdown, and we were both hot, sweaty, and stressed.

Eventually, I decided it didn’t matter where we went. As we were going to arrive in a pickle anyway, we might as well make it something worth getting in a state over. I plumped for DragonBird Theatre Company, the first theatre I’d come across for babies, despite it being the other side of town for me.

I wasn’t let down. In true form, Jemima and I arrived in our usual rather stressed fashion, but it was worth the effort. I can still remember it now. The session began with the performers (and brains behind DragonBird Theatre) Lotte Norgaard and Tilly Langdon, walking aroung the space and greeting everyone with hand puppets called Dragon and Bird, while singing their signature ‘hello song’. You get used to ‘hello songs’ at groups – they’re usually nice enough, but sung with a slightly forced smile. This one was far more beautiful, almost folk like and soothing and, almost 3 years on, I can still hum the tune.

They then began a short performance of We’re Going on a Bear Hunt – everything larger than life and almost like a cartoon in front of your eyes.

The children were spellbound. Completely caught up in the moment. The performance itself was only around 15 minutes long, so no time for attention spans to wander, and then the audience was invited to join the adventure. The room was divided into different areas so the children could experience walking through the squelching mud or the swishy swashy grass, making the whole thing highly imaginative and interactive.

Although that was some time ago, the memory stays with me because DragonBird completely captivated all the children and gave them a first taste of theatre – showing them the power of make believe from the safety of their parents’ laps.

I’ve followed DragonBird Theatre ever since, and although I can’t make it on a regular basis, I still love what they do. Both Lotte and Tilly were drama teachers before they formed DragonBird Theatre, and both felt compelled to work with early years. They have a real love of what they do and radiate a real warmth. Their philosophy is to allow families time to enjoy playing together – to think about nothing else for those 45 minutes and just indulge in the experience.

The sessions are all carefully structured for short attention spans, and incorporate all the senses, so they’re engaging from the get-go. They’re aimed from birth to 5 years, and you can really see it working on every level. In fact, they don’t stop there – coming up they’re performing The Tempest as part of Shakespeare for babies at the egg, Bath. How’s that for ambitious?

DragonBird Theatre Company was a little chink of sanity and escapism in the midst of a very full on time for me. To watch little ones get caught up in the fun and spirit of adventure is a joy for any parent. It’s part of their childhood I want them never to grow out of. n DragonBird perform once a month at various venues across Bristol. For further details, visit: www.dragonbirdtheatre.co.uk www.freelancemum.co.uk

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

OFFERS ON THE TABLE I

t is impossible not to smile around our sixth formers at this pivotal moment in their lives.

As offers from top universities flood in and their future paths come into view, their anticipation is positively palpable.

This year is particularly exciting for HMSG, as we are celebrating a bumper amount of offers from Russell Group Universities.

More than 80% of the cohort currently have offers on the table from these world-class institutions, to study subjects as diverse as engineering, law, computer science and history of art.

At the time of this article going to press, 55% of our Year 13 were holding four or five offers from universities, with several still awaiting final decisions.

Oxford and Cambridge are beckoning four pupils, more than 5% of the year group – Ellena to read psychology and philosophy, Jodie to study theology, Jessica to read chemistry and Stephanie to take engineering. Meanwhile, our musician Jess has three offers from conservatoires.

With invaluable help from our dedicated staff, the girls have shown great focus and efficiency and researched their options widely and thoroughly.

Their reward has been an avalanche of favourable and competitive offers, with four hopeful medics also receiving invitations to interviews.

At HMSG, we pride ourselves on turning out spirited, happy and confident girls who are inspired to make their mark on the world stage.

This leads to our Old Girls becoming trailblazers in their fields all over the globe.

Our current Year 12s were recently inspired to consider studying in the States when former HMSG pupil, Helen Price – now in her second year at Yale University – dropped in to give them advice on applying to American colleges.

This impressive young woman has just sat on a panel on sexual violence alongside UN Secretary-General, Ban Ki Moon, during a key UN conference.

Helen had been invited to speak at the conference after organising a series of national talks to address sexual assault in universities.

It’s safe to say her incredible experience and passion had a great impact on our current pupils.

All that remains for our Year 13s to do at HMSG is make the grades at A level – good luck girls! *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. 58 THE BRISTOL MAGAZINE

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HEALTH | & BEAUTY

FIT & FAB

CHALLENGE FOR CHARITY

The latest health news and beauty product reviews

All right on the night...

Follow these steps to look and feel a million dollars on your special date this Valentine’s Day 1 ■ Jessie May, a local charity which cares for children with terminal illnesses, is urging supporters to sign up to charity challenges to help raise money for this important cause.

Charity challenges are a great way to get fit, stay motivated and help a worthwhile cause and the Kingswood-based charity has plenty in store for those who want to get involved.

The event calendar kicks off with the Bath Half Marathon on Sunday 13 March and follows with the Bristol 10k on Sunday 15 May, the Dragon Boat Race on Sunday 12 June, and the Bristol Half Marathon on Sunday 25 September. For the more adventurous types, there are opportunities to do a charity skydive, an abseil or even get involved in charity rugby match. For more information on fundraising for Jessie May visit: www.jessiemay.org.uk or tel: 0117 9582174.

4 2

5

FITNESS FOR LIFE ■ A new fun activity programme called Fitness4life is being launched this month in Bristol, aimed at getting school children involved in regular daily exercise by providing school staff with all the necessary tools they need to run and manage activities. Delivering 20 minutes of fun physical activity each day, Fitness4life consists of an online programme, which is set up with session plans and a package of daily activities that are easy to follow. The programme also enables teaching staff to record and monitor progress and improvement in fitness levels. Fitness4Life is the brainchild of personal trainer to celebrities, Matt Roberts, who has created and delivered programmes in the sports and fitness industry for over 20 years. It is being introduced into Bristol schools by two enterprising UWE Bristol management students Marcus Carter and Jack Halls together with Kirsty James, a qualified personal trainer and graduate in sports coaching. For further information visit: www.fitness4life.training.

3

1. Preparing for an evening of romance should always start with a long sensual bath, and what better product to pour in than Jo Malone’s Red Roses Bath Oil (£40 from Harvey Nichols). Not only will this indulgent oil help you to relax, it will leave your skin delicately scented with sweet roses.

2. Give yourself time to pamper your skin – something that we quite often don’t bother with. Just as you would massage body lotion into your skin after a bath to keep it hydrated, your face needs the same treatment too. Try using L’Occitane’s Comforting Face Oil (£29, from L’Occitane, Park Street) containing shea oil to leave skin feeling nourished, stronger and better protected from drying. The perfect prep to stay looking radiant all evening.

3. Inject a bit of playfulness into your look with the help of OPI’s new Hello Kitty nail polish collection. There are 12 colours to choose from – in different shades of pearl, pink and red, plus a glittery gloss – capturing the charm of Hello Kitty’s world perfectly. Choose one to suit your mood – cute and coy or bold and brave. Available in selected department stores and Regis hair salons.

4. If you want your date to gaze lovingly into your eyes, make them pop with the help of Bobbi Brown’s new Eye Opening Mascara (£23, from House of Fraser). Bobbi’s most dramatic formula yet, this rich black mascara is designed to magnify and volumise each lash from root to tip to leave you with long, thick, curled lashes for a beautiful, wide-eyed look of love.

5. Last but not least, spritz on a perfume that makes you feel fabulous and in the mood for love before you leave the house. We recommend Chloe’s Love Story Eau de Toilette – a fresh and floral fragrance that’s sensual and feminine to make you feel confident yet graceful as you head out on your special date. Available from John Lewis, £42 (30ml), from 3 February.

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CITY | BEAUTY

Beauty

NOTES TOM FORD LIMITED EDITION LASH TIPS MASCARA, PURE COBALT, £35 Designed to be used to colour the tips of your lashes with eyecatching shades, this decadent, long-wearing formula is ready to transform your look

SHU UEMURA VISION OF BEAUTY EYESHADOW PALETTE, £54 Inspired by the colourful and vibrant street art that embodies freedom of expression, Shu Uemura’s Vision of Beauty II Palette encourages women to awaken creativity in their daily makeup routines. The palette comes in two styles; cool and chic and warm and vibrant

NEW SEASON, FRESH START From Prada’s gold lips, to the bold coloured eye makeup seen on the catwalks of Jonathan Saunders, Marc Jacobs and Chanel, Spring/Summer 16 is set be a season of fun, experimentation and creativity.

Emma Hollingworth, Beauty Manager at Harvey Nichols Bristol introduces the beauty products that will nail this season’s trends.

LAURA MERCIER TIGHTLINE CAKE EYELINER, BLUE MARINE, £19.50

All products are available from Harvey Nichols Bristol or via Collect in Store from HarveyNichols.com

Laura Mercier's easy to use, Tightline Cake Eye Liner delivers long lasting colour payoff that doesn’t fade throughout the day for flawlessly defined eyes

NARS THE MULTIPLE, SOUTH BEACH, £30 NARS' multi-purpose stick for eyes, cheeks, lips and body will instantly illuminate your look.

It's unique lightweight, creamto-powder formula blends effortlessly to provide sheer allover colour, and a shimmering accent for all skin tones

TOM FORD LIPS & BOYS LIP COLOUR, GLACOMO, £27 Tom Ford’s decadent wardrobe of rich Lip Colour shades deliver maximum impact. Rare and exotic ingredients create an ultra creamy texture with an incredibly smooth application. Specially treated colour pigments are blended to deliver pure colour with just the right balance of luminosity

LAURA MERCIER CHEEK COLOUR QUAD, PINK ROSE, £29 Laura Mercier's Cheek Colour Quad is comprised of four different shades in one colour family that blend together perfectly onto the skin, adding illumination and radiance to any skin tone

BENEFIT HIGH BROW GLOW PENCIL, £16.50 Benefit's High Brow Glow Pencil in champagne pink instantly lifts and illuminates the eyes

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NARS EYE PENCIL, PARROT CAY, £16.50 NARS Eye Pencil defines the eye with rich, intense long-wearing pigment that leaves a velvety-smooth finish.

Ideal for precision definition and a lash thickening effect. The creamy texture is perfect for blending and smudging

SHU UEMURA LACQUE SUPREME LIP GLOSS, PINK, £20 Complete with a new and innovative formula, Shu Uemura’s Lacque Supreme Lipgloss creates a statement lip with high impact colour and exquisite shine

BUTTER LONDON NAIL LACQUER, AIRY FAIRY, £12 Butter LONDON’s Lolly Brights nail polish collection combines sheer, kaleidoscopic colour with innovative formulas. The Airy Fairy hue sees full coverage turquoise glitter in a pink base

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LOOK GREAT AND FEEL FABULOUS Doctor-led skin treatment clinic in Bristol • Removal of unwanted moles, cysts, skin tags, lipoma, warts, verruca and other troublesome blemishes • Latest techniques including cryotherapy, minor surgery • Pain-free treatment with minimal scarring methods • Same day treatments at our private clinic • Mr Daniel Thio and Dr Sarah Thio - highly qualified and experienced • Cosmetic and anti-ageing skin treatments also available • Advanced procedures including 8-point face lift

EXTENDED OPENING HOURS FOR 2016 Regular clinics Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays • Selected evening clinics until 8pm Cosmedics Skin Clinics offers the very best in aesthetic, surgery, dermatology and beauty treatments for men and women of all ages and skin types.

With over 10 years’ experience and a longstanding team of doctors and surgeons, you can rest assured your skin is in safe hands.

Cosmedics Skin Clinics, Litfield House Medical Centre, 1 Litfield Place, Clifton Down, Bristol, BS8 3LS Telephone: 020 7386 0464 • Email: info@cosmedics.co.uk • Website: www.cosmedics.co.uk

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Look good, feel great Cosmedics skin clinic in Clifton has announced that it will now offer extended opening hours. So we took the opportunity to discover more about the clinic’s treatments and procedures...

L

itfield House Medical Centre in Clifton is home to Cosmedics skin clinic and its new extended opening hours means more appointment availability and flexibility for skin treatments and procedures.

Patients can now choose from a range of weekend and evening appointments in addition to weekday and daytime clinics.

This announcement represents further expansion for the clinic, following last year’s appointment of Dr Sarah Thio, an additional doctor, who specialises in minor surgery procedures for removing moles, cysts, skin tags, warts and lipomas; joining Mr Dan Thio.

Cosmedics specialises in skin lesion removal treatments – minor skin procedures using cryotherapy (freezing) or surgical techniques. Their doctors and surgeons have been offering these treatments since the company began in 2003 and have removed thousands of unwanted skin lesions.

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As well as specialising in skin lesions, Cosmedics’ team also offer a series of popular cosmetic and anti-ageing skin treatments including anti-wrinkle injections, dermal filler and lip enhancement. These quick and easy regular treatments smooth out lines and wrinkles or subtly enhance facial features for a natural-looking improvement.

Cosmedics founder, medical director and aesthetic doctor, Dr Ross Perry MBBS, told The Bristol Magazine: “As a private company, it is very important to us to provide excellent service at our Bristol centre. We have expanded availability so that patients can be seen as soon as possible and at a time that suits them. Appointment times are generous, so that patients can fully discuss their condition with the doctor or surgeon and if both parties agree to a particular treatment, it can usually be carried out in the same appointment as part of our ‘see and treat’ policy, saving the need for a return visit.

“Our doctors and surgeons are trained in advanced pain-free techniques aimed to minimise the appearance of any mark once healing is complete.

“Having issues such as moles, cysts, skin tags or a stubborn wart is something that many patients put up with for years before seeking treatment; but when they have finally decided to take action, patients are keen to have the problem dealt with as quickly and effectively as possible.

Our service is specifically designed with this in mind.

“Many of our clients now have regular cosmetic treatments to improve their skin and maintain a more youthful and attractive appearance that they can feel confident about. At Cosmedics Skin Clinics, we believe that these treatments are medical in nature and so we only offer treatment with specially trained doctors and surgeons, so that patients know they are in safe hands. Our style is very much about achieving a natural looking result which is nonetheless effective and pleasing to the eye.”

The world of medical and aesthetic skin treatments might be considered a relatively new phenomenon, but Cosmedics Skin Clinics was established in 2003 and has grown thanks to its clients’ loyalty and recommendations. In the last 13 years, the company has helped thousands of patients to discover better-looking skin through their treatments and procedures. n For further information, visit: www.cosmedics.co.uk, email info@cosmedics.co.uk or tel: 0207 386 0464 to book an appointment.

A discussion and skin examination with an experienced doctor or surgeon costs £50, redeemable against any treatment undertaken on the day.

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Is going Paleo good for you?

Lots of people are ‘going Paleo’ – but is it just another fad diet? Atiya Khan, a Nutritional Therapist who graduated from CNM (College of Naturopathic Medicine), looks at whether it can be helpful for us.

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lso known as the ‘caveman diet’, the ‘Paleo diet’ refers to the diet during the Paleolithic Period, or Old Stone Age, starting around 3.4million years ago to around 10,000 years ago. Our ancestors were huntergatherers, eating natural foods that were available as plants, or animals which they had to catch. As such, the Paleo diet includes meat, poultry, fish, eggs, vegetables, fermented vegetables and fruits, traditional fats (eg coconut, avocado, olives and their oils), sea salt, spices, and limited amounts of fruit and nuts. It avoids dairy, grains, pulses, sweeteners, refined sugar, all processed or refined foods, seed or vegetable oils and fizzy drinks. It also promotes a healthy lifestyle of physical activity, time outside and social connections.

The Paleo diet has become more popular recently as people look for solutions to the recent rise in diabetes type 2, obesity and heart disease, which, according to the Paleo promoters, are due to the changes in farming when dairy, pulses and grains became part of the normal diet. Paleo supporters say that we are genetically designed to eat this way rather than the current style of eating, pointing to the observations of longer, healthier life-spans with fewer degenerative diseases seen in our ancestors.

Studies on the Paleo diet report lower blood pressure, some weight loss, and other improved risk markers for type 2

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diabetes and heart disease. The Paleo dieters in the studies consumed fewer calories in total perhaps because of the filling nature of the foods included, including high protein and hydrating fruits and vegetables, although less fibre was taken in overall. The Paleo diet was also lower in carbohydrates, glycaemic load (a measure of how carbohydrates can increase glucose in the blood), saturated fatty acids and calcium, but higher in unsaturated fatty acids, dietary cholesterol and some vitamins, compared with a typical diabetes lowering diet.

However, some say that the diet is potentially low in calcium and vitamin D, with the possibility of contamination from toxins in fish.

A diet high in meat is also high in the inflammatory fatty acid omega 6, which is linked to the degenerative diseases of modern life. In addition, some of the studies do not indicate the diets of people in the studies before they undertook the Paleo diet trial; it could be said that simply changing from a refined, processed diet to any diet which encourages a variety of natural, wholefoods including protein, and encouraging physical exercise would bring about these changes, as would being part of a study and being told what they could eat for a defined, short period. The studies do not always use useful comparative diets, and many of the health benefits conferred by the Paleo diet are conferred by the Vegan diet (ie without any animal produce).

So, where does this leave us? So far the studies indicate that the Paleo diet can help people at least in the short term with improving their health, although there are issues with a diet so high in meat – especially if care is not taken to get organic grass-fed meat, as most livestock now are fed on genetically modified feed – this

wasn’t around in Paleo times!

My approach as a CNM-trained Naturopathic Nutritional Therapist is to acknowledge that we are all unique; for optimal health, we need to ensure that our diet is tailor-made specifically to meet our individual needs. One man’s meat can be another’s poison! We can take the essence of the Paleo message, without following it to the letter and adjusting for our own personal needs: eat a variety of whole, natural foods, mainly organic; include regular protein from good quality sources; eat healthy fats; get exercise, and be happy! Atiya Khan

CNM is the UK’s leading training provider in a range of natural therapies.

Attend a FREE Open Evening to find out about part time training with CNM Bristol for a career in Geoff Don Naturopathic Nutrition or Naturopathic Acupuncture.

Thursday 18th February 7pm-9pm Please book on line for this event, at

www.naturopathy-uk.com 01342 410 505 FEBRUARY 2016

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THE BRISTOL MAGAZINE 67

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SKI-SAVVY TIPS FROM THE EXPERTS

With many Bristolians preparing to jet-off to the slopes of Italy, Austria and the USA, experts at Nuffield Health Bristol Hospital, The Chesterfield, are encouraging local people to think ski-savvy.

Dr Stuart Miller

rom sprains to breaks, injuries sustained while skiing and snowboarding can be extremely disruptive. Someone who understands this well is Dr Stuart Miller, one of Nuffield Health’s expert Sports Physicians.

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more likely to hurt their wrists or shoulders.

The pressure put on these muscles and joints while out on the slopes is quite distinct and not necessarily something your body is prepared for, even if you have a high general level of fitness.”

Based at The Chesterfield, Dr Miller not only cares for many of Bristol’s sports and exercise enthusiasts but he is also Chief Medical Officer to the British Paralympic Team and a sports physician within the English Institute of Sport.

Pre-ski It’s important that both professional and novice skiers take measures to reduce their risk of accident and injury, by preparing well before hitting the pistes.

Dr Miller said: “As far as high-octane sports go, skiing on the whole is relatively safe and serious injuries are not common. However, for those that are affected, it can be unpleasant and can spell the end of a much longed-for sporting holiday.

Dr Miller said: “Preparation is key when it comes to sporting holidays, especially skiing.

Ideally you should speak to your physiotherapist or gym trainer a few months before your holiday to set up an exercise regime that will improve your lower limb strength and flexibility, as well as your core stability. This will not only help to lower the risk of injury but will reduce fatigue too and make your holiday that bit more

“Knee ligaments are the most common site for injury amongst skiers, whereas snowboarders are

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enjoyable. At Nuffield Health we run Preventing Injury workshops for just this reason.

“Once you’re at the ski resort, you really need to make sure you’re using the correct equipment.

The introduction of Carver skis has dramatically reduced injury, particularly to knees. Learning how to take advantage of their unique ability to turn easily is extremely important and it’s worth getting a few lessons. It might surprise you to know that many significant knee injuries occur at slow speed, so beginners are particularly vulnerable.”

To help you keep safe and have fun on the slopes, Dr Miller has these tips: • Warm up – Go for a brisk walk and do some gentle stretches and joint movement exercises.

• Ski within your capabilities – Don’t be persuaded to try slopes and speeds you can’t cope with • Wear a helmet – Significant head injuries can occur in high speed collisions and when hitting icy slopes. It is a ‘no- brainer’!

• Wear snug ski boots – To help prevent ankle injuries, have your bindings professionally checked and adjusted, and ensure you have ski edges that are sharp enough to control the ski.

Don’t opt for cheap equipment, particularly at the end of the season where kit can become worn out.

• Get the right length skis – It might sound obvious but this will differ depending on your height, experience and how you ski.

• Use the correct DIN setting – This determines how easily your boots are released from your skis. Getting it wrong can cause serious injuries when you fall.

• Warm down – Make sure to do some stretches in the evening, so you’re fit and ready to start again in the morning.

Aprés-ski On average, only two per 1,000 skiing days and five per 1,000 snowboarding days will result in the need for medical attention. Even then, most injuries on a skiing holiday are sustained away from the slopes i.e. falling over in resort!

However, if injury does occur it is vital to seek professional advice as soon as possible and set up a training programme that will not only repair the damage but ensure a full recovery.

Dr Miller said: “Most skiing injuries affect the lower limbs, primarily the knee, as the skis strapped to the feet can cause abnormal twisting movements. Ligaments within the knee try to prevent excessive movement, which means they can often be the first to sustain damage. It is important to remember that just because a bone isn’t broken, doesn’t mean the injury isn’t serious.

“At Nuffield Health Bristol Hospital, The Chesterfield, we have a team of specialist consultants and physiotherapists dedicated to repairing joint and sports injuries. Our patients also benefit from our unique Recovery Plus

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programme which offers tailor-made support to help build joint movement, strength and control, not to mention overall wellbeing, following an operation. So if you’re injured while out on the slopes, it’s a good place to visit for a follow-up consultation once you’re home.”

For less serious injuries, Dr Miller suggests following the simple steps of ‘PRICE’: • Protect the injured joint / limb with a splint or brace • Rest to prevent further injury • Ice the injury regularly • Compress with a bandage, splint or tubigrip • Elevate the affected body part, ideally above heart level

Dr Stuart Miller – biography Dr Stuart Miller is a pioneer of Sports Medicine, specialising in a wide range of sports and musculoskeletal injuries in both recreational and elite athletes, as well as the less active population. His particular interests include running injuries, groin pain and injuries from raquet sports, rugby and football.

He is the Chief Medical Officer for the British Paralympic Association and lead doctor for the Paralymic team in Rio 2016 and the Beijing and Sochi Summer and Winter Paralympics.

In 2008 he was the Lead Sports Physician for the London Olympic and Paralympic Games, looking after the welfare of athletes from all over the world.

He is also a founding fellow of the Faculty of Sport and Exercise Medicine, and in 2008 became the first formally recognised specialist in Sport and Exercise medicine.

Outside of work, Dr Miller is a keen sportsman, having competed in swimming, athletics, rugby and football. He also enjoys tennis, badminton, long distance walking and cycling. Dr Miller took up Karate whilst looking after the national team and has participated in Judo.

Dr Miller holds clinics at Nuffield Health Bristol Hospital, The Chesterfield, every Thursday from 2pm-6pm.

Meet the Experts Nuffield Health Bristol Hospital, The Chesterfield, is hosting a free Sports & Exercise Medicine event on Thursday 3 March. Attendees will have the chance to meet Dr Stuart Miller, as well as Mr Jonathan Webb, specialist Orthopaedic Consultant, and Christine Hutchinson, Senior Sports Physiotherapist. The event runs from 6:30pm-8:30pm and includes light refreshments. To book your place, contact 0117 405 8978 or visit www.nuffieldhealth.com/hospitals/bristol.

Nuffield Health Bristol Hospital The Chesterfield, 3 Clifton Hill, Clifton, Bristol BS8 1BN Tel: 0117 405 8978 • www.nuffieldhealth.com/hospitals/bristol

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THE BRISTOL MAGAZINE 69

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OUT | AND ABOUT

HIDDEN CORNERS Andrew Swift hops on a train from Temple Meads to take a turn round historic Chippenham

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hen drawing up a list of historic towns suitable for leisurely exploration on a winter’s afternoon, Chippenham may not spring readily to mind. This is hardly surprising.

Although one of the most historic towns in Wiltshire, redevelopment has taken a bitter toll and first impressions are hardly encouraging. Away from the hurly-burly of the High Street, though, lie hidden corners the developers failed to get their hands on, and scores of old buildings, some dating from the middle ages, await discovery.

Chippenham is just 30 minutes by train from Temple Meads, and the station is an ideal place to begin an exploration of the town. The Bath stone building to the right of the station entrance was used by Brunel as a site office when building the line, which opened in 1841.

Heading away from the station, cross the zebra crossing and turn down Monkton Hill, where a couple of seventeenth-century cottages survive on the left. Turn right down St Mary’s Place, past a row of Bath stone cottages built soon after the railway opened. The Black Horse, at the bottom, dates from around the same time. ● Turn right, cross the bottom of Station Hill and carry on towards the viaduct designed by Brunel as a triumphal entry to the town. Just before it, cross the pelican crossing, carry on alongside the viaduct and turn left at the road. After 50 yards bear left along Foghamshire, an ancient lane where some eighteenth-century cottages survive. At the far end, the Temperance Hall – now an amusement arcade – looks across at the Constitutional Club. Both were built on the site of inns – the Apollo on the left and the Anchor on the right. ● As you turn right at the end, you will see a row of modern shops opposite. Before they were built, there was a balustrade here, and beyond it a large mill, dating back to Domesday. It was demolished in 1957.

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● The long, rubble-stone building you can see to the right at the mini-roundabout is the former Nestlé’s Milk Cannery, which incorporated an old cloth factory. ● Cross the pelican crossing and head over the bridge into the High Street. Distinguished chiefly by grandiose nineteenth and early twentieth century buildings, but containing much that is woefully uninspired, it is hard to believe that, a century ago, it was so architecturally striking that it was known as Little Bath. ● As you bear right at the top of the High Street, you will see ahead the Butter Cross, a covered area resting on six pillars in the middle of the Market Place. It dates from around 1570 and originally stood where Barclay’s Bank (a little further up on the left) now stands. When dismantled in 1889, it was sold for £6 and re-erected in a garden at Castle Combe. The Civic Society reclaimed and re-erected it here in 1996. ● The Market Place was once lined with inns, only a few of which remain. Beyond the seventeenth-century Angel, on the right, is the museum. Opposite is the Bear, rebuilt in Tudor style in the nineteenth century. ● As you turn left, you will see, to the left of St Andrew’s church, a row which once contained several more inns. The grandest of them, with two full-height bays, was the Bell, dating from the seventeenth century. Turn left again to see something even older – the fifteenth-century half-timbered Yelde Hall. Beyond it, now home to Iceland, is the former White Hart Inn, where Cromwell lodged in 1649. ● Cross the pelican crossing and turn right along St Mary Street, which John Betjeman considered one of the prettiest streets in England. The first part of it, once you are past the regrettable intrusion of the modern – and now decommissioned – post office, is a delight, but only serves as a prelude to what follows as you bear right at the end. Facing the church is the old vicarage. Next comes a house built in the

Main image: The sun is always shining in Chippenham’s beautiful Market Place

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OUT | AND ABOUT

This page: Look out for Monkton House, an impressive 18th century building that can be glimpsed during the course of the walk

early eighteenth-century for John Zealy, a surgeon, and still with his name above the door. Nestled against it is a half-timbered building dating from the fifteenth century. A little further on, in splendid isolation, is a house of around 1770 with canted bays on either side. ● At the end of St Mary Street, turn left to follow the Common Slip past old cottages down to where a muddy track leads to the river. Head back up the Common Slip and turn left along The Butts. After passing two rows of bollards, carry on past a road leading up to the right, but after a few metres turn right up a footpath with a sign for The Butts. This delightful backwater leads to an archway opening into the wide expanse in front of the Three Crowns, with a terrace of weavers’ cottages on the left. ● Head across to the Three Horseshoes and turn right along The Causeway, less picturesque than St Mary Street but – apart from the intrusion of car servicing and showroom facilities – no less fascinating. Its range of buildings from across the centuries includes No 37, on the corner of Ladd’s Lane, with a datestone of 1690. Further on, a half-timbered building looks across to a jettied building; both date from the sixteenth or seventeenth century. The Rose and Crown, set back at the end, is even older, with parts dating from the fourteenth century. Its cruck timber frame can be seen exposed in a rear gable. In the nineteenth century, when a wharf served by the Wilts & Berks Canal stood at the back, it was known as the Barge Inn. ● Turn right into the churchyard, head to the right of the church and down steps to St Mary Street. Turn right for a few metres before following a sign for River House down a footpath on the left. This leads to a footbridge over the Avon and a view of Monkton House, built in 1757 and now converted to flats.

Bear left along a tarmac path to follow the river and, after 500m, just past another footbridge, head up to a gate. A short walk up the lane to the left of the massive gateposts of Monkton House leads back to the station. n

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FURTHER INFORMATION...

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Distance: 2.5 miles

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Time: Two hours

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Level of challenge: Easy; pavements and metalled footpaths

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Transport: There is a half-hourly train service, Monday – Saturday, from Temple Meads to Chippenham

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GARDENING GARDENING

GRASS IS ALWAYS GREENER Our garden expert, Margaux Speirs, shares her secrets for achieving the perfect, emerald green lawn you’ve been dreaming of

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o you dream of having a lawn like an emerald green carpet? A beautiful lawn is a labour of love but there is much satisfaction in the effort: a lovely expanse of green to admire, lie on, walk barefoot on and smell when it’s freshly mown. Doesn’t just the thought of it make you long for summer?

There are two annual windows of opportunity to create a successful lawn and the spring window is on the horizon now.

Whether you intend to lay turf or sow seeds, the area must be well drained, level and cleared of weeds and the preparation needs to be done at least five weeks in advance to give the soil time to settle (longer if you are applying weed killer).

So what is the key to a successful lawn? Firstly, don’t try to grow grass in an unsuitable place – it just won’t thrive if the ground is too wet, too dry or in deep shade. Alongside a fence or building for example, or under dense tree canopy, it’s better to plant something else which is happy in dry shade. Secondly, you need to understand your soil conditions and if necessary take steps to ameliorate them. A good lawn needs 20cm to 30cm of well drained top soil. Sandy soil drains out water and nutrients quickly so lawns here will need more watering and feeding, but adding organic matter before planting will also help. Clay soil retains water and nutrients but may have difficulty draining or become easily compacted – adding coarse grit can improve this sort of soil. Chalky soil can be shallow – you may need to add more top soil; and peaty soil is low in nutrients, so fertilisers may need to be added. Most of these issues can be solved by careful preparation and maintenance but

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of course it’s better to sort them before you plant. If your garden is in an area of recent building works it may need particular attention as construction vehicles may have compacted the soil or the builders may just have laid a shallow layer of top soil before they finished and underneath there is a crust of compacted subsoil. (Tell-tale symptoms are puddles, moss or algae in the lawn or yellow stems on the grass. If spiking with a garden fork does not remedy these you may need to take up the new lawn, dig over it, add new top soil and replant.)

Thirdly, preparing the site before planting is imperative.

Assuming you are starting afresh rather than repairing a lawn, first clear or kill all weeds and old grass. If you choose to do this with a glyphosate weed killer such as Roundup or Tumbleweed you will need to wait six to eight weeks before sowing or laying a new lawn. (The environmentally friendly way to clear an old lawn is to cut and lift the turfs with a flat spade and stack them upside down in a shallow pile for a few months while they rot down to re-usable soil.) After clearing, dig the whole area to the depth of your spade, adding soil improvers as necessary then level the area with a garden rake, removing large stones and old roots as you rake it. You are aiming for a fine, crumbly surface area. It can be sloping but it shouldn’t be lumpy. Leave the dug and raked area for about five weeks so the soil settles then feed it with grass fertiliser. Just before planting, tread the whole area with the weight of your heels to get rid of any hidden bumps and craters. Don’t do this when the ground is very wet as you will compact it too much and it won’t hold air and water so well.

Main image: It takes work to achieve a lovely lawn, but it’s well worth it © Shutterstock

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GARDENING

Now you are ready for planting. The choice between seeding and buying turf is a combination of financial (seeding is much cheaper) and time (a new turf lawn can be walked on two to three weeks after laying whereas seed takes up to three weeks to germinate – depending on how cold it is – and a further six weeks until you can walk on it.) Another decision is how much care you are willing to lavish on your lawn. The rich, highly ornamental green carpet of our dreams is made of luxury grass seeds which need more frequent cutting and which do not stand up to heavy wear. Turf tends to be sold in just two varieties, luxury seed and utility grade, whereas a much wider variety of seed is available so if you need to grow a lawn to survive children’s playing, dry conditions or light shade a specially selected seed will probably do better. There is a fairly recent seed mix which includes micro clover and this is said to be drought tolerant and need less mowing.

Turf is sold per square metre in rolls measuring about 100cm x 30cm. Only buy from a reputable dealer as cheap turf may be full of weeds – if possible go and see it growing so you can check the quality before buying it. Take delivery just before you are ready to lay it and unroll it as soon as possible. Avoid laying it if the conditions are very dry, very wet or very cold.

Before planting, have a look at the RHS video Laying a Lawn from Seed or Turf. It describes the process of rolling (or treading) your new lawn – whether seeded or turfed. Although it feels counter intuitive to flatten the new shoots, don’t be tempted to miss this stage as it makes the young grass plants branch out at their bases making the lawn much stronger and thicker.

Looking after your new lawn is not complicated but you need to do the basics (mowing, scarifying, aerating and feeding) in due season. The RHS website includes useful guidance notes on what to do and when. 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 * TBM would like to apologise to Margaux, whose feature in the January issue fell foul of an overzealous spellcheck, resulting in errors in the Latin.

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PLANT OF THE MONTH: Iris reticulata is a tiny, winter-flowering iris, growing to no more than 15cm (6in) in height, and it’s such a surprise that its delicate flowers somehow push up through snow and ice, forming patches of vivid blue, yellow or purple. I especially like the bright purple ‘Pixie’ (pictured) but the pale blue and yellow ‘Katharine Hodgkin’ is also lovely. Ideally you would buy and plant them as bulbs in autumn, but you can also buy them in pots at this time of year when they are already in flower. Enjoy them inside for a while then plant them in the ground a few weeks after flowering has finished.

Outside they look best in clumps and at about £3 for 20 bulbs they are very affordable, even in large numbers. Choose a sunny well drained site and protect against slugs and snails.

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INTERIORS | INSPIRATION

Carrara corner sofa from Furniture Village, Cribbs Causeway Fuchsia crochet placemat, £6 from M&S at The Mall, Cribbs Causeway

Breville Pick & Mix Strawberry Cream toaster, £30 from Debenhams

Tickled PINK

Peacock Rug, £379, from Furniture Village, Cribbs Causeway

Lilac wood rose heart, £12 from Next

With Pantone announcing its colour of the year 2016 as Rose Quartz, we were inspired to bring a bit of love into the home with these interior accessories designed to make your room blush this Valentine’s day

Mary Berry pink double oven glove, £13.99 from Lakeland at The Mall, Cribbs Causeway

Hand towel in boho pink, £12.50, from M&S at The Mall, Cribbs Causeway Coco chair in Petal, £575, from Oliver Bonas, Cabot Circus Peony Pink Orchid in a square pot, £120 from John Lewis at The Mall, Cribbs Causeway

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All fired up Cosy up in front of a fire to stay warm this winter and use it as an excuse to add another design feature to your room

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here’s nothing quite like an open fireplace to bring warmth and a sense of cosiness into a room, regardless of whether you have a period home or modern dwelling. And Feature Fire based in Weston-Super-Mare can make this a reality in your home, right from the initial survey through to the design, make and installation.

Whatever your budget, Feature Fire can create a unique fireplace and fire solution for your home, whether it is simple and contemporary, minimalist in natural limestone or a fully carved piece in an indigenous English natural stone.

The choices of stone remain very traditional. We all know and love the warmth of oolitic limestone, of which much of the historic centre of Bath is built. It has a naturally warm hue derived from the permanent iron salts staining the material at the time of geological deposition. Formerly

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quarried, the main sources are now mined and this accounts for the relatively high cost of the stone. Once won from the ground, expertly worked and installed, Bath stone continues to improve its patina and appearance and can add a stylish, rich, generous and warm ambience to the interior as part of a carefully designed and co-ordinated scheme.

Other beautiful natural stones from the south west include Cotswold stone with its rich orange hue, and Ham stone, from Ham Hill in Somerset with its good-enough-to-eat texture. Feature Fire recommends that Ham stone is better suited to a more rustic property, such as the interior of a lodge or farmhouse.

Cost is always a consideration, but fireplaces score better than kitchens in terms of aesthetic benefit, enjoyment and added value. It’s not often your guests will gather around the kitchen sink swapping stories and gazing into the dishwater!

Naturally, carrying out building work in your living room could potentially be an alarming prospect. However, Feature Fire has been doing such work for 30 years, and therefore has established swift, clean and effective methods that leave the original fabric intact, control dust and address the complications surrounding new floors and existing carpets. The company employs its own fitters and installers and is fully insured for domestic and commercial contract risks.

Feature Fire welcomes an initial discussion with anyone interested in carrying out such a project, and after a showroom discussion will visit for a no-obligation survey, design and quotation service. Once the details are agreed, a date is arranged and the installation work is booked in. Waiting times are around three to six weeks. n For further information visit the show room at Ashton Yard, Winterstoke Road, Weston-Super-Mare BS24 9AA or go to: www.feature-fire.co.uk, tel: 01934 628142.

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THE BRISTOL MAGAZINE 75

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HOMES | ON SHOW

Through the KEYHOLE...

We take a peek behind the doors of a Victorian family home in Redland that offers contemporary living and period charm over three floors, with plenty of space for a guest suite, walk-in dressing room and cinema room too

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or a large family of not-so little children, it can be hard to find a house with enough space in which you can all live together in perfect harmony, but also with sociable areas where you can come together and share good times.

But this charming Victorian property in the heart of Redland seems to hit the nail on the head. It’s the sort of house where you can have kids charging around, yet there will still be a quiet and peaceful area you can escape to.

The first thing you’ll notice is the abundance of light flooding through bay windows into the bright and spacious rooms – of which there are many.

Set over three floors, this house offers a contemporary family living space finished to a very high standard with modern fittings, yet it still retains oodles of character and charm. The rooms boast wonderfully high ceilings and original period features including ornate cornicing and elegant ceiling roses – a simple reminder of the age and history of the building in a time of rapid modernisation.

On the ground floor you’ll find the hub of the house in the way of a smartly-finished kitchen with walnut units, granite worktops, breakfast bar and steps leading to the dining room – a perfect space for entertaining. Don’t be put off by the stone flooring, as the underfloor heating ensures cosy toes in the cold months. And in the summer, you can make use of the large doors which lead from the dining room out onto wooden decking, the ideal space for a spot of al-fresco wining and dining.

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hearth. A perfectly situated room for relaxing and contemplating the world go by outside the bay windows. This is just one of three reception rooms in the house; the other two are currently being used as a study and a cinema room, which is found on the lower ground floor. To get to this you can enter internally via the main entrance down a short staircase or externally, allowing independent access. Which is why you’ll also find a guest suite down here too, with a bedroom and shower room.

The other five bedrooms, as well as a family bathroom, are located on the first floor, one of which has an en-suite and another is ideal for use as a sumptuous walk-in dressing room á la Sex and The City’s Carrie Bradshaw.

Outside, there’s a spacious walled garden big enough to kick a football about, and a raised deck with handy storage underneath.

It appears that this house holds the recipe to keeping the whole family happy. I’m sure it won’t be around for long. n

Main image: The sitting room with a feature fireplace.

Opposite page, clockwise from top: the walled garden with a raised deck; the entrance hallway; a bedroom which is currently being used as a dressing room; a reception room currently being used as a cinema room; and the kitchen and dining room

PROPERTY PROFILE Where: Kenilworth Road, Redland What: Victorian semi-detached 5/6 bedroom house with walled rear garden Guide price: £975,000 Agent: Richard Harding, 124 Whiteladies Road Contact: T: 0117 946 6690

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HOMES | ON SHOW

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INTERIOR | DESIGNS PROMOTION

KITCHEN INSPIRATION From extra value kitchens to the high-end designer range and an exclusive collection by LInda Barker, Wren kitchens has the perfect fit for all budgets.

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s we look forward to spring, thoughts inevitably turn to exciting new projects and long-overdue home renovations. If you’re thinking of updating your kitchen this year, Wren Kitchens has everything you need to make your dream scheme a reality.

With 54 state-of-the-art showrooms across the country, Wren Kitchens prides itself on being the largest kitchen retailer in the UK. Each one of its units is made in Yorkshire, ensuring that quality design, sustainable manufacturing and British heritage are at the heart of its values.

Over three unique ranges, Wren Kitchens has designs to suit every budget. The Extra Value kitchens are perfect for first-time buyers and property developers, whilst the Designer range offers stunning kitchens for any home. If you’re searching for a bespoke-style kitchen without the matching price tag, look no further than the extensive Linda Barker collection. Keep to classic country with tongue-and-groove panelling and a neutral palette, or go for a modern update with glossy handleless units.

No matter what your home’s aesthetic, the range of styles and colours means there’s something for you.

By controlling the supply chain from manufacturing to delivery, Wren Kitchens provides a comprehensive service for great value. Thanks to extensive choice and careful craftsmanship, you can enjoy a stylish new kitchen that’s beautifully built and designed for you.

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As market leaders in high-quality British manufacturing, Wren also uphold a highlevel of environmental responsibility. In Wren’s Scunthorpe factory, specialist machinery works to cut and shape the worktops, producing a lot of surplus sawdust.

Giant suction pipes collect all of the spare cuttings, filling 1-2 trailers a week. Local farmers and landscapers then take advantage of this and reuse it on nearby rural projects.

To see the full collection, search wrenkitchens.com or visit your local showroom today, Bristol has two showrooms at Imperial Park, BS13 7TJ or Cribbs Causeway, BS34 5UD n Style and substance. Main image: Designer handleless cashmere gloss kitchen, a contemporary classic with its pure and simple clean lines and curves - all kitchen units shown for £1,572. Middle: The Linda Barker shaker kitchen in English honey and oak, striking sleek black worktops give a contemporary twist to the natural finish of the oak cabinets in this stylish design - all units for £4,525. Bottom: Linda Barker’s contour kitchen in autumn leaf and linen, a fit for any modern home. Available in 40 stunning colour choices, and a matt, gloss, or eggshell finish - all units shown for only £4,182.

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BRISTOL PROPERTY | IN FOCUS

E

aton Crescent sits conveniently equidistant from Clifton Village, Whiteladies Road and the Triangle and as such is within half a mile of every amenity. Number 1 is a substantial house which is registered under three titles; the main house, the garden apartment and the parking area. It has been extensively renovated and beautifully maintained making it a wonderful family home with the added benefit of a selfcontained flat which could either generate income or provide convenient accommodation for extended family. There are some lovely period features including ceiling coving, marble fireplaces and dado rails. Flooring fans will appreciate the limestone in the hallway and walnut boards in the three principal reception rooms. In brief the main accommodation provides: Entrance porch & staircase hall, drawing room, sitting room, family room/dining room with balcony & steps to garden, kitchen, breakfast room, boot room. Master bedroom with dressing room and en suite, five further bedrooms (one en suite), study/bedroom six, bathroom. The apartment has a sitting room, kitchen/dining area, three bedrooms and a shower room. There are gardens and the front and rear with a pretty balcony and terrace for dining. Eaton Crescent also has charming communal gardens and the front of the house. There is plenty of parking with a double garage and a gravelled parking area. This spacious and elegant family home is offered for sale by agents Knight Frank.

EATON HOUSE EATON CRESCENT CLIFTON

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

Overs over £1,750,000

WWW.THEBRISTOLMAG.CO.UK

• 5/6 bedrooms • Separate 3 bedroom apartment • Quiet yet convenient location • Family bathroom plus 2 en suites • Gardens to front and rear with ample parking

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CITY | BUSINESS

THE | COLUMNIST

THINKING PROPERTY ROBIN ENGLEY, ASSOCIATE AT KNIGHT FRANK ESTATE AGENTS BRISTOL

GOING THE EXTRA COUNTRY MILE As we continue through the early stages of 2016, we appear to continue where we left off in 2015. The shortage of quality stock and rising number of buyers has led to an aggressive market place, particularly within the city, but also we have also noticed an increase in the country stock going under offer. Within our Clifton office we are in a lucky position to be able to offer quality advice regarding sales within Bristol and its glorious countryside. Each patch that we cover offers something exciting and different from the Georgian facades of Clifton Village and all its shops and deli’s, to Redland’s Victorian tree lined avenues and Sneyd Park’s family homes. With the electrification of the rail line, Bristol’s floating harbour continues to gain interest from homeowners and investor alike.

For those buyers looking for something further out of ‘town’, Knight Frank offers a wealth of experience in catering for South Gloucestershire and North Somerset’s finest villages with sales of properties from £500,000.

Our country specialist Freddie Wright explains what these buyers are looking to achieve and where: “Whilst the Bristol market has been exceptionally strong in 2015 the country market surrounding Bristol has shown early signs of life with a number of deals being agreed at the latter end of last year. As expected there is an ever growing demand for country houses, small or large, throughout the desirable Chew Valley and Wrington Vale. There has also been a noticeable increase in demand for properties south of the Mendips and in the coastal towns of Clevedon and Portishead. The exceptional quality and choice of local schools throughout these areas has been highlighted as a key driver for the increase in the popularity of the areas.

Although there is a high demand for quintessential period properties throughout Somerset and Gloucestershire, the demand for modern country houses has increased as people become more conscious of environmental impacts and the increasing cost of living. What is clear is that people are more likely to compromise on period features in favour of the lower running costs.”

“Over the past few months there has not only been an increasing number of Bristol city buyers moving out to the countryside, but a significant increase in the number of buyers moving out of London. Like the movement out of Bristol, the movement out of London has been triggered by the increasing property prices and quality of life. It is due to this clear knock on effect that we at Knight Frank are taking full advantage of our network of offices throughout London.”

With the continued trend of the South East and London migrating to the South West for various reasons, Knight Frank’s South West offices head to London for the second successive year. In February your local office travels to the areas of London that matter the most relating to buyers relocating to Bristol and the surrounding areas. Representatives from Bristol, Bath, Cheltenham and Exeter along with others will attend the offices that we deal with the most often which will include areas such as Fulham, Clapham and Wandsworth where we can talk to your potential purchaser first hand discussing the properties that we have available, the positives of the area and what they can expect from the schools, shops and community. n If you wish to discuss this campaign with Robin or James, or any other questions ref to the marketing of your home please call on 01173171999 Robin Engley, Knight Frank, Regent House, 27a Regent Street, Clifton Bristol. BS8 4HR Tel: 0117 317 1999

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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 ST BARTHOLOMEWS – BS1

Only £160,000 to buy…

Rare chance to purchase your own offices in Bristol City Centre, close to Queen Square –

A selection of 3 ground floor open plan office units to rent – 500 sq ft to 1,000 sq ft –

1,005 sq ft open plan office unit!

New leases –

NORTH ROAD, BISHOPSTON

WHITELADIES ROAD CLIFTON

3, 875 Sq ft office building. Mainly open plan. To be refurbished –

1,000 SQ FT office suite over a single floor refurbished to a contemporary standard – 2 car spaces.

Rent only – £12.95 per sq ft

New flexible lease – low rent.

New Lease – Rent on application

CHURCH CRT, SOUNDWELL

CLIFTON OFFICE UNIT Superb high quality ground floor office unit –

Contemporary studio offices – Superb space for creative / design based occupiers –

700 sq ft – Flexible lease –

2,522 sq ft – New flexible lease – Rent O/A

Rent on application

CONTEMPORARY STUDIO OFFICE BUILDING

WATERFRONT CAFÉ Fully fitted café unit in prime Portishead Marina –

Convenient BS10 location –

Available to purchase as ‘virtual freehold’ –

1,232 sq ft – 5 car spaces–

OFFERS INVITED

New lease – Only £11.50 per sq ft SHOP / OFFICE TO LET WHITELADIES RD, CLIFTON

PRIME A3 / CAFÉ Busy city centre location – Fully fitted to a high standard to walk in and trade –

Very prominent showroom & potential A2 office from 750 to 2,500 sq ft –

Rent £15,000 pax

New flexible lease –

Premium offers invited!

Rent on application

Julian Cook FRICS

Jayne Rixon

Burston Cook February.indd 1

MRICS

Charlie Kershaw MRICS

Finola Ingham MRICS

Tom Coyte BA Hons

• • • • •

Sales / Lettings Acquisitions Valuations Landlord & tenant Auction Sales

• • • • •

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

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City Centre £389,950

Unity Street – Two bedroom maisonette

Clifton Office 0117 946 6007

Beautifully presented second floor maisonette with study/occasional and secure allocated underground parking, in a former Merchant Venturers’ College. Benefits lift access and a communal decked courtyard. This fantastic property is immediately convenient for the city centre, and Harbourside. EPC - D

Westbury-on-Trym £475,000

Westbury-on-Trym Office 0117 962 1973

Eastfield Road – Four bedroom house A beautifully appointed period family home which has been subject to extensive refurbishment over recent years whilst retaining much of its original period charm. Within the Westbury-on-Trym C of E Academy schools area of prime responsibility. A rear gate gives access to Waters Lane and the heart of Westbury-on-Trym village. EPC - TBC

oceanhome.co.uk

Ocean February.indd 1

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Redland £575,000

Dugar Walk – Four bedroom house Well presented mid terrace family house located in a desirable cul-de-sac within the Redland Green School catchment area.

Set over three floors, this fantastic property also offers off street parking for 3-4 vehicles and a level lawned rear garden with access via back lane. EPC - D

Blaise £275,000

Royal Close – Four bedroom house Perfect for growing families, and nestled next to open parkland with stunning views, this house has everything the modern family could desire. A garage and off street parking, Main focal points of the property are the living room which is dual aspect and measures in excess of 20 ft in length and the substantial kitchen dining room. EPC - TBC

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Cribbs Causeway

Westbury-on-Trym

Westbury-on-Trym

Rowbarton House is a substantial wellpresented detached family home which sits within a plot measuring approximately 49m x 44m. The property offers three receptions, a quality fitted kitchen/breakfast room, separate utility, study and cloakroom/WC. To the first floor there are four double bedrooms (two en-suite) and additional shower room. EPC E.

Positioned within a quiet road in Westburyon-Trym is this well cared for, 1930’s four bedroom semi-detached family home with living room, dining room with original style feature fireplace, separate kitchen and a 20m south westerly facing garden. Further benefits include off street parking and single garage. No onward chain. EPC E.

Positioned within Westbury-on-Trym village is this superbly presented Victorian end of terrace with two double bedrooms, spacious modern bathroom with four piece suite, two receptions; the rear full width of the property and front with bay and modern kitchen with solid wooden worktops. Further benefits include a south facing private garden and many original features. EPC D.

£695,000

Price Guide £575,000

£375,000

Westbury Park

Henleaze

Henleaze

A rare opportunity to purchase an end of terrace four bedroom Victorian family home.

The ground floor accommodation offers two receptions; front with bay and rear overlooking garden, kitchen/diner, utility and downstairs WC. The property benefits from sash windows, fireplaces and a delightful lawned garden with brick-built outbuildings.

EPC E.

A substantial 1930’s semi-detached family home with welcoming panelled hallway, two receptions; front with bay and rear with French doors to a private family garden and kitchen/breakfast room. There are three bedrooms and bathroom Filled with character with many original features, gas heating, garage and driveway.

EPC E.

A substantial three double bedroom semi detached bungalow with two receptions, kitchen, private 16m mature garden with garage and brick paved front path and drive. In close proximity to the Henleaze local shops and amenities, in a quiet road in central Henleaze with gas heating. In need of modernisation.

EPC F.

Price Guide £575,000

CJ Hole February.indd 1

£530,000

£475,000

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

www.cjhole.com It’s all hands on decks in the next couple of months as buyers and solicitors rush to complete purchases before April’s higher stamp duty rates are applied to properties bought for buy-to-let or second home purposes. April will also see higher-rate tax relief on Landlord’s mortgage interest payments disappear. It’s an uncertain time that will certainly need expert support.

And for people just looking to move? The coming months also look eventful with analysts suggesting a possible lift in house prices of between five and eight per cent. But it’s currently a slow and frustrating start. The stock of unsold properties is currently the lowest ever recorded. Is it the lack of new homes which is causing the log jam or is it that people have just stopped moving for the time being and are staying put?

There are currently many challenges in the property market. However we are used to handling challenges for our clients. Our advice, as always, is purchase carefully within your means – taking into account the Buy to Let changes and a potential interest rate rise.

This year will not be a perfect one for property speculation without the greatest prudence and care. Getting the right expertise will be key.

You can call the CJ Hole Clifton team for advice on all property matters on 0117 923 8238.

Howard Davis MD Clifton

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

REDLAND A unique opportunity has arisen to own a beautiful Grade II listed cottage in the heart of Redland with the convenience of local shops just a short walk away. The property dates back to the very early Georgian period and is believed to be circa 300 years old. The property consists of: sitting room, kitchen and bathroom downstairs, upstairs there are a double and a single bedroom. EPC D

£320,000

REDLAND A stunning top floor apartment located on one of Redlands most desirable roads. Chertsey Rd is just a short walk to Whiteladies Rd with a wealth of shops, cafes and restaurants. This lovely tree lined road also falls within the residents parking zone. The apartment occupies the entire second floor and has been sympathetically updated by the current owners and comprises; generous lounge/diner, kitchen/breakfast room, two double bedrooms and shower room. EPC E

Guide Price £330,000

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Beyond your expectations www.hamptons.co.uk

Sneyd Park

Long Ashton

OPEN HOUSE Saturday 16th Jan between 2 and 4pm by invitation only.

Nestled within the ever popular leafy suburb of Sneyd Park lies this exquisite and contemporary family home. EPC: E

Alderbrook is a 5/6 bedroom period home positioned in a discrete location in the heart of this much sought-after village. EPC: D

Cotham

Abbots Leigh, Bristol

An elegant and stylishly presented Victorian family home. Tucked away from view, this 5 bedroom family house has many period features. EPC: E

This spectacular detached former stable with statement feature turret has been sympathetically restored to provide a superb family home. EPC: C

Guide Price £1,200,000

Guide Price £825,000

Guide Price OIRO £749,500

Guide Price £799,995

Hamptons Bristol

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

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Flax Bourton | Bristol

Guide Price ÂŁ575,000

A family home towards the end of a no through road, with access to miles of open country - whilst under 6 miles from Clifton village. Internally the home provides a welcoming drawing room complete with a wood burning stove. Adjacent to this is the dining room, which leads into both the kitchen and conservatory. In addition there is a separate study and utility room. Upstairs provides four bedrooms, along with two separate family bathrooms. To the front of the property is a driveway and a single garage, whilst to the rear is a fully enclosed family garden. EPC Rating: E.

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Redland | Bristol

Guide Price ÂŁ920,000

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

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Richard Harding Chartered Surveyors • Estate Agents • Auctioneers • Valuers

A handsome, large Victorian period (circa 1870) semi-detached family house with south-west facing town garden, garage and off street parking. Generously proportioned (circa 4900 sq ft in total) and offering 7/8 bedrooms, 2 reception rooms plus an additional flexible lower ground floor suite of further rooms. This impressive home sits adjacent to the delightful Worcester Crescent communal gardens and has side views across The Close to Clifton College. EPC: E

CLIFTON guide £1,500,000

A classic large circa 3000 sq. ft. 6 bedroom, 3 reception Victorian period semi-detached family house in a prime location near Cotham Gardens Park & Colstons Primary School. Has period features & abundant character, an elevated position with views & an all-purpose ‘family flexible’ lower ground floor. Combines a lovely atmosphere & understated elegance with a welcoming homely feel. Full of light & space with a number of classic period features. EPC: E

COTHAM guide £1,050,000

Professional, Reliable, Successful

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

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Richard Harding Chartered Surveyors • Estate Agents • Auctioneers • Valuers

A very handsome and extremely well-presented 5/6 bedroom, 3/4 reception room Victorian period semi-detached family house with off street parking and a generous 46ft x 25ft walled rear garden in a highly favourable neighbourhood which offers close proximity to Whiteladies Road, Cotham Hill and Chandos Road. A fine and attractive period home with an abundance of space and character. EPC: E

REDLAND guide £975,000

An attractive & elegant 4 double bedroom, 3 reception room grade II listed (circa 1840) late Georgian style period town house situated in an elevated and popular location in Cotham, offering exciting scope for updating & personalising to suit individual requirements. Has a level 38ft south west facing garden & large car port with rear access. Flexible accommodation arranged over four floors. Tenanted until mid-May.

COTHAM guide £665,000

Professional, Reliable, Successful

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

Redland - £850,000

Clifton - £590,000

An impressive 6 bedroom, 3/4 reception, period family town house offering extensive and adaptable accommodation that could benefit from modernization, with private rear garden and parking space to the front. Enjoying a most convenient location close to the top of Whiteladies Road, Durdham Downs, Bristol University, the BRI and Redland Green School. EPC - E

A rather elegant example of a Victorian 3 bedroom period home - this unusual 3 storey semi detached house occupies a level and quiet position off Whiteladies Road. This lovely home is crammed full of character, with period details to include: original fireplaces, beautiful ceiling roses/cornices and incredibly high ceilings, even on the first floor. EPC - D

Royal Victoria Park - £350,000

Leighwoods - £289,995

This stylish 3 bedroom town house offers incredible space for families, with the accommodation being arranged over 3 levels and located on this popular development on the borders of Westbury on Trym and Brentry. The property is very well presented throughout and is flooded with plenty of natural light. EPC - C

Light, space and views - this superb 2 bedroom first floor flat has it all! - This lovely purpose built flat is located moments from the impressive Clifton Suspension Bridge and the hustle and bustle of Clifton Village. These popular apartments are always popular due to the great location, the good size rooms and also the fact that you get a garage with the flat too! EPC - D

Clifton - £215,000

Cliftonwood - Guide Price £190,000

A converted one bedroom top floor apartment situated in a converted period property in a popular Clifton road within a few minutes’ walk of Whiteladies Road, the BBC, BRI, Clifton Village and Bristol University.The accommodation comprises; living room, fully fitted open plan kitchen, shower room, bedroom with walk in wardrobe. No onward chain. EPC - E

Situated at the lower end of Cliftonwood, this is a purpose built one bedroom second floor flat with views towards Dundry and has convenient access to Bristol City Centre, Harbourside and Clifton with excellent road and public transport links. EPC - D

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Stoke Bishop - Guide Price £775,000 An extremely attractive 1930’s 5 bedroom detached family house situated within 540m of Elmlea infant school and well within the Bristol Free School catchment area. The house is attractively presented throughout and ideally suited to family occupation. EPC - D

Stoke Bishop - Guide Price £725,000 Classic style 1930’s 4 bedroom semi-detached house retaining much of its original charm affording a very comfortable and spacious home being ideally suited to families. Only a short walk to the vast expanse of Durdham Downs and close to the well reputed Elmlea Primary and Infants Schools. EPC - D

Westbury-on-Trym - Guide Price £625,000

Westbury-on-Trym - Guide Price £575,000

This is a great opportunity to acquire this detached 1970’s built house that is set in a lovely quiet cul-de-sac with 4 bedrooms, 2 receptions rooms, a lovely garden and a garage with ample parking. There is also the huge benefit of it being just along the road from the local shops in Stoke Lane and only a short walk to the highly reputed Elmlea School. EPC - D

An attractively presented 4 bedroom 1930’s semi-detached family home situated within the 2015 Elmlea school primary admissions area. The house has been sympathetically improved over the years and provides comfortable living space for growing families. EPC - D

Westbury-on-Trym - Guide Price £460,000 A delightful extended 4 bedroom semi-detached house with a good size rear garden (approx.70’) situated around the corner from Elmlea Schools. This Cornish style house is an incredible circa.

1500 sq. ft. including the integral garage and outbuildings. We highly recommend a viewing at the first opportunity. EPC - D

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Coombe Dingle - Guide Price £450,000 An individually designed 1960’s built 4 bedroom detached family house set in this highly sought after location with a sense of being halfway between city and country living. There is still plenty of scope for anyone to put their own stamp on it but equally would be very comfortable for anyone to move straight into it just as it is. EPC - D

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SALE - 25% OFF

Curtains and Blinds Sofas and Fabrics Bespoke Cabinet Furniture and Wardrobes

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