The Bristol Magazine March 2021

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Issue 196

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MARCH 2021

MAGAZINE KNOWING SHADE How useful are colour forecasts in interiors?

SONG FOR BRISTOL Citizens help pen positive city ditty

TRAILBLAZING SUSTAINABILITY

Bristol Gulls on their Atlantic eco-boat triumph

FABULOUS BAKER BOY

Local Junior Bake Off star Robbie

ACTION STATION

KEEP ON ROLLING With prestigious productions, starring the likes of Lily James, in hot pursuit, Bristol’s film and TV industries are tackling 2021 head on

Channel 4’s first year at Finzels Reach

THE VELVET MAFIA The gay men behind the ’60s pop boom

DIAMOND IN THE ARTS BOV Theatre School is 75

PRIDE OF THE CITY One professor’s groundbreaking discovery

AND SO MUCH MORE IN THE CITY’S BIGGEST GUIDE TO LIVING IN BRISTOL

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38 Contents March 2021 REGULARS ZEITGEIST

HEALTH

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Top activities for the month to come

CITYIST

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PRIDE OF BRISTOL . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 40 Professor Christaine Berger-Schaffitzel shares the science behind her groundbreaking Covid-19 discovery

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Catch up on local news and meet LaToyah McAllister-Jones

STRAND AND DELIVER

BARTLEBY . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14

Hair condition is a barometer of general health, say Noel Halligan and Corey Taylor at NOCO Hair

Looking forward to live musical performances

GARDENING . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 30

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BOOKS

Focal points on designing a garden

FIERCE CREATURES

BRISTOL UPDATES . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 44

Gabrielle Kuzak creates a book on celebrating motherhood

Business and community news

MUSIC

EDUCATION NEWS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 46 The latest from the city’s schools and colleges

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NOT YOUR MUSE . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 30 Celeste is having a good year – doing things her way

CULTURE KEEP ON ROLLING

FOOD & DRINK ........................................................

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With presigious productions, starring the likes of Lily James, in hot pursuit, Bristol’s film and TV industries are tackling 2021 head on

FABULOUS BAKER BOY

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Local Junior Bake Off star Robbie tells us about his experience

Channel 4’s first year at Finzels Reach

HABITAT

DESIGN FOR LIFE . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 31

KNOWING SHADE . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 67

Expert Curator Chris Yeo tells us about himself

How useful are colour forecasts in interiors?

ACTION STATION . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 24

SONG FOR BRISTOL

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A project aiming to bring the city together

Elly West explains why focal points are vital when designing a garden

DIAMOND IN THE ARTS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 34 BOV Theatre School is 75

THE VELVET MAFIA

GARDENING . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 72

PROPERTY

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News from local estate agents and developers ......................................................

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The gay men behind the ‘60s pop boom

ON THE COVER

TRAILBLAZING SUSTAINABILITY . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 38

The glamorous Lily James as Linda Radlett in the BBC adaptation of The Pursuit of Love. Find out how Bristol’s film and TV arena is roaring back into action on p.20. (Image: BBC Studios/Steve Schofield

Bristol Gulls on their Atlantic eco-boat triumph

THEBRISTOLMAG.CO.UK

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THE BRISTOL MAGAZINE 3

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Behind the scenes of Pickney with Blak Wave Productions – one Bristol company benefitting from Channel 4’s fund for emerging indies

THIS MONTH WE’RE...

Admiring...

If you have been following us on Twitter or Instagram, or have signed up to receive our weekly newsletters, then you’ll know we recently ran a competition to win a smart water bottle that uses clever UV light technology not only to purify the water but to clean the bottle too. It’s by a company called Grey Ark Tech and will help us cut down on plastic bottle waste.

from the

EDITOR

AMANDA NICHOLLS EDITOR

@thebristolmag

6 THE BRISTOL MAGAZINE

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No 196

@thebristolmag

Reading...

How can we thrive, working alone? What do we gain and miss, shifting from office to home studio? Stay productive using psychology, economics, social science and guided self-examination. £14.99, available from Max Minerva’s

Playing...

• Warped guitar-pop album Call Your Mum

by Bristol’s Goan Dogs • Boca 45 soul/breakbeat/hip-hop featuring Alison Garner (The Fauns) and Hannah Williams (of The Affirmations) • John E Vistic single Heart In Danger • Beyond Rivers’ debut EP Beyond Rivers: Pt. 1

Excited...

BBC Studios/Steve Schofield

H

ow can a year go by in the blink of an eye yet also seem to have spanned all of eternity? We’re still trying to work it out. But here we are, looking towards the rebuild, a year to the month after the world shut down, with hopes high thanks to the hard work of our scientists – including the Bristol professor instrumental in discovering coronavirus’s druggable pocket. Professor Christiane Berger-Schaffitzel recalls her surreal lab commute through the deserted city during the first wave, and more, on p40.

Bristol’s film and TV industries have been tackling 2021 head on, welcoming more prestigious productions (keep an eye out for cover star Lily James in locally made BBC mini-series The Pursuit of Love with Andrew Scott and Dominic West). After a pandemic-induced pause, the sector gingerly got itself back in gear, announcing exciting developments such as Christopher Walken being cast in Stephen Merchant’s The Offenders and Paapa Essiedu in Extinction (p20) – both Bristol-filmed.

Channel 4, who got more change than they bargained for when they moved into Finzels Reach just before the outbreak, have found their first year in Bristol has brought out the best in the city despite the challenges – see p24 for our chat with head of the hub Sacha Mirzoeff, the channel’s factual commissioner.

Elsewhere but sticking with the arts, we’re celebrating 75 years of Bristol Old Vic Theatre School, known for producing leading lights such as Olivia Colman and Sir Daniel Day-Lewis, and asking what the diamond anniversary holds for their alma mater (p34). We’re also very excited to hear the fruits of Bristol Beacon’s Song for Bristol community togetherness project – a piece by local acts This Is The Kit and Bucky, composed with the help of city residents, is to be released on the 23rd of this month, the anniversary of the first lockdown. Turn to p32 for the full story. In music we also have Darryl W. Bullock sharing stories from his latest book on the gay men who ran the Sixties’ pop scene (p36), plus a chat with poppin’ chart star Celeste (p30).

As International Women’s Day and Mother’s Day approach, two Bristol creatives celebrate amazing mums via a colourful new kids’ book (p16), while we ponder what to post to the mums we’ve been unable to hug (p17) and big up Bristol’s all-female fourboat, the Bristol Gulls. They made it into the history books recently after rowing 3,000 miles across the Atlantic Ocean in a boat made of 10,000 recycled plastic bottles (p38), and took a major step towards revolutionising the marine industry.

In among all of this, our local interiors experts have their say on the designated colours of the year and how useful they are on p66. Brighter days are ahead...

Check out Goan Dogs’ debut

...To see Andrew Scott soon, along with Dominic West, Assaad Bouab and the rest of the fabulous cast, in The Pursuit of Love – which, like many other prestigious productions recently – chose Bristol as its base.

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ZEITGEIST

top things to do in March

Learn

Ola Labib

Donate This month, Changes Bristol has teamed up with UTC Artist Management to deliver an evening of live online stand-up comedy for their Stand Up! For Mental Health event.

On 24 March, the likes of Russell Hicks, Kate Lucas, Toussaint Douglass and Ola Labib will take to the stage. Tune in virtually, donate to Changes Bristol’s justgiving page and enjoy an evening of laughter.

• changesbristol.org.uk

Lola Swift

This month, SUP Bristol is hosting a series of conversations with inspiring individuals, each involved in cleaning up and protecting our local river.

Each week SUP Bristol will chat with knowledgeable voices from around the Avon, from activists to business owners, community groups to charities. Every episode of the ‘Our River’ series will aim to offer real, useful advice on what we can do to best protect our river. Register online and tune into engaging coversations throughout March.

• supbristol.com

Abbey House Gardens

Natalie Fee , founder of City to Sea

Admire

From 21 March to 31 May, the Cotswold Sculptors Association will be running their annual Creating Spaces Exhibition in the gardens of Malmesbury Abbey House. Work includes figurative and abstract sculpture in wood, ceramic, glass, stone and bronze, all complementing the beautiful garden with its long vistas, intimate corners, and the riverside walk. In addition, the Belvedere – a wood and glass space looking out on to the valley below – will display wall pieces, hanging sculptures and wood carvings. For opening times see the website.

• cotswoldsculptorsassociation.com; abbeyhousegardens.co.uk

Celebrate Design This month, look out for Lola Swift’s Love Living Colourfully online course. Often when starting an interior project, we get overwhelmed by the possibilities. This course offers up simple processes to help you define your style; the tools to start your project with confidence and clarity, and to create a home with personality that brings together colour, pattern and texture. Launching on 16 March. Learn how to design your home with inspiration, colour and creativity. Course costs £125.

• lolaswift.co.uk

8 THE BRISTOL MAGAZINE

To celebrate International Women’s Day on 8 March, the Bristol Improv Theatre is offering a variety of events inspired by the theme of ‘Being a Difficult Woman’, in collaboration with artists from Kiota, Breathing Fire and Bristol Story Slam, with support from Bristol Women’s Voice. Bristol Improv Theatre believes the word ‘difficult’ is used for women who challenge expectations by speaking up against oppression and inspiring positive change. The events are free but the theatre invites audience members to donate to the crowdfunder for Houria, a project which aims to end modern slavery and offers training, safe employment and a sense of belonging to migrant women in a Bristol-based, PanAfrican catering company. ■ • improvtheatre.co.uk

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THE CITY

My

BRISTOL Meet LaToyah McAllister-Jones, St Pauls Carnival executive director

Luke Jerram with his glass sculpture of the vaccine

Raise a glass To mark the ten millionth vaccination in the UK, Bristol artist Luke Jerram made and released a sculpture of the OxfordAstraZeneca vaccine in glass, with sale profits directed to global charity Médecins Sans Frontières to help communities heavily impacted by the pandemic.

The artwork, 34cm across, is one million times larger than the actual nanoparticle. Created from borosilicate glass, it is made from the same materials and techniques used in medical scientific glassware for test tubes and distilleries.

Having tested positive for Covid-19 in November, the artist continued feeling the effects of the virus for some time.

“During my recovery, it became clear to me that my next artwork should focus on the vaccine, our way out of this global crisis, as a tribute to the scientists and medical teams who have been working collaboratively across the world to fight the virus,” he said.

“It’s brilliant that such effective vaccines have been created in such a short space of time and that here in the UK we’ve been able to roll them out so quickly. However, the fight against the disease is a global one, which is why I wanted to support Médecins Sans Frontières.”

Back in March 2020, the artist made a sculpture of Covid-19, in tribute to the huge global scientific and medical effort to combat the pandemic. From the sale of these sculptures to private collectors, including a global rock superstar, and museums around the world over, £17,500 was raised for Médecins Sans Frontières who have been assisting developing countries deal with the fallout of the coronavirus.

• lukejerram.com

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I live in St Werburghs, on the border of St Pauls.

It’s a great location; there’s nothing quite like having Carnival on your doorstep! I’m a Londoner and arrived in Bristol five years ago because we knew it; we had friends living in St Werburghs and liked the vibe of the city. It had a significant African Caribbean community and a carnival! I can’t imagine living anywhere else; Bristol has been good to us. Our eldest son was six when we came and he’s now lived here longer than anywhere else. It’s a city with great emphasis on community and social connections, and very much home.

The environment I work in is quite unusual; in the run up to Carnival, it feels like an event organisation; everything focused on logistics.

After the ‘wash-up’, it is an arts organisation more focused on delivering inspirational programmes like BHM offering Ketch A Fyah. A typical day for me is about connecting with partner orgs, looking for fundraising opportunities, checking in with staff and the programmes they’re leading on and preparing the ground for the next event…

Despite having to cancel the live 2020 event, we did manage to deliver our first digital carnival, Spirit Up! United at Home. It was a great experience working on that; it’s given us a foundation for more digital events. We’re paying close attention to the Covid-19 situation and will soon need to make some firm decisions on what the 2021 event will look like. It’s difficult to imagine 100,000 people on the streets of St Pauls in July. We’re looking carefully at what the alternatives are. We’re also creating income generation streams for the organisation – an important part of the coming year’s business development strategy. We opened our first online shop for the festive season which was exciting.

You can show support for Carnival by heading over to our Etsy store and buying our tees, prints and tea towels. You can donate to our crowdfunder at stpaulscarnival.net or get in contact via fundraising@stpaulscarnival.org.uk if you’re interested in supporting the 2021 event.

A special shout-out to Guy and Rachel from St Pauls Adventure Playground: they had a terrible fire during the first lockdown which destroyed so much of the playground. Thankfully, no one was hurt. They had a really extensive job repairing the damage and getting ready to welcome families back. They’ve done amazingly with fundraising. It’s such an important space; the dedication is inspirational.

No 196

LaToyah has been finding new ways to reach out to the community

I’ve been listening to a lot of soca, and Steve Reich for relaxation. I really love Da Fuchaman, who opened our digital carnival – conscious reggae with messages of positivity and unity.

My family loves Caribbean Croft in Stokes Croft and Glen’s Kitchen in St Pauls. When I want a real treat, I love The Ivy and also Brace and Browns. The Farm does a great Sunday roast and has a fab beer garden for the kids to run around in. Napolita is a real favourite; right in the heart of the community, it’s a great place for breakfast and lunchtime catch ups.

I’m also a qualified yoga teacher and spent time living on retreat in Nicaragua teaching yoga.

Good times!

Life became small during lockdown; we took pleasure from simple, everyday things that had been taken for granted. Going for a walk, having a barbecue with family, a long bike ride; these are favourite memories. Last year was a real lesson in being creative; realising that we will find ways to be together. For St Pauls Carnival, it meant finding new ways to reach out to the community.

If I was mayor I would first address Bristol’s homelessness issue. It’s close to my heart as I worked with street homeless people for 20-odd years. The lockdown intervention showed what can be achieved when the will is there. No one should live on the streets in the sixth richest country in the world. It’s unacceptable. How we treat the most vulnerable is a reflection of who we are as a society. n • stpaulscarnival.net

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New releases from the newly released Bristol charity Changing Tunes is setting up a record label specifically for ex-prisoners, encouraging them to break free from the stigma of their past and use music to help them lead meaningful, crime-free lives and establish themselves in the music industry.

With his passion for music, experience of being in the prison system and a £55,000 grant from The National Lottery Community Fund, Cameron Harper of Red Tangent Records will produce and promote material created by musicians who’ve been through the criminal justice system.

It was during his time at a Bristol prison that Cam first came to know of Changing Tunes and the profound impact music can have in transforming lives. “I’ve been a musician for over 20 years; music has always been a part of my life and has really helped me through some difficult times,” he says. “It was a new experience for me to see music being used in prisons; it was eye-opening the way the Changing Tunes musicians interacted with prisoners in such a positive way within that environment. I want to continue this great work and help those coming out of prison use music positively.”

Red Tangent Records will provide a support network and resource to address the challenges people face after coming out of prison, especially given the added impact of Covid-19, and a professional developmental pathway for those with the commitment and talent who may otherwise feel lost in such a challenging context.

The label plans to support five UK artists/bands each year. “I hope it will change people’s perspective of what it means to be an ex-prisoner,” says Cam. “People find themselves in difficult situations and have to make difficult choices – but everyone still deserves a positive future. I think that’s the most powerful message of this label.”

• changingtunes.org.uk

Image: Chris Wilkins Photography

Centre stage in the city once more The Architecture Centre, English Heritage and Bristol City Council have revealed plans to imagine a new future for Temple Church and Gardens as a thriving community space.

A world-class design team has joined the visioning process, including award-winning architect Steve Tompkins of Haworth Tompkins, whose work includes the radical Royal Fort Gardens reinvention of the Bristol Old Vic. “It has the chance to be an exemplar of regenerative (image: Evripidou) design inBarbara the widest sense,” he says, “minimising precious resources while contributing to a thriving neighbourhood.”

Pioneering landscape architects Grant Associates are looking at the gardens, with the aim of creating inspirational green spaces that promote wellbeing. The practice designed Gardens by the Bay in Singapore, featured in the BBC’s Seven Worlds, One Planet.

Temple Church has played a significant role in the story of the city, its fortunes waxing and waning. Originally it was the site of a 12th-century circular temple built by the legendary Knights Templar. Currently closed to the public, it is in the top 20 worstcondition buildings belonging to English Heritage. Young voices have been heard through The Architecture Centre’s Shape My City programme, where 15 to 18-year-olds learned about the site and shared their designs.

The church, visible today with its distinctive leaning tower, was built in the 15th century and was bombed during the Bristol Blitz of 1940. Although closed, the site came alive briefly for Sanctum with artist Theaster Gates for Bristol Green Capital in 2015, offering a glimmer of possibility for the future. “As the next generation of designers and citizens, young people from our Shape My City programme had some great ideas for Temple Church and Gardens,” says Shankari Raj, head of education at The Architecture Centre. “They wanted to see a vibrant, active space with a strong focus on nature, the environment and pop-up events. They cared about community involvement in the future of this heritage site to really bring it to life and make it relevant in the next chapter of Bristol.”

• architecturecentre.org.uk 12 THE BRISTOL MAGAZINE

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WELL VERSED A Bristol writer is this month releasing a collection of poetry about his experience of homelessness in the South West.

Sorrow, Tears and Blood, published

by Arkbound and written by David Onamade – who is homeless near Bristol to be close to his two children – is a book of despair and hope; painting a picture of society that is at once dark and broken up by fleeting rays of light.

With a BA in English literature and an MA in creative writing, David has worked in racial equality all his life and has been writing since 1991. His first fantasy novel The Plight of the Unborn is in production and due out soon.

Drawing on David’s plight on the streets in one of England’s richest regions, the interactions of people he observes and encounters every day, the impacts of Covid-19 and the changing seasons, the powerful new poetry and prose aims to reveal “the double-talk of homeless service provision – a society that consigns people as worthless without knowing their backgrounds; which assumes that homelessness is a choice rather than a predicament”.

From Henrietta Park Then the eight old trees that stand stoic like pathways to the spirit world.

If there is sadness here, it is banished by my hygge verdure; the dull echo of voices from afar, voices the wind carries on its wings like soothe; the shrill voices of children at play.

Trees that murmur in a sing-along with the birds - hearty, fervent; and the antics of dogs that refuse to answer to their human names.

Kindness Your kindness Is the heart That sings an orphaned child To sleep, With a sweet lullaby.

It makes finding my feet, Even if Tentative Like baby steps, Bearable.

• Sorrow, Tears and Blood is out on 12 March, £5.99; arkbound.com

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B R I S TO L MAGAZINE

Contact us:

Save our songwriters!

A

couple of months ago I dug out the old record player.

Sorry, I’m making it sound like a gramophone complete with horn and attentive dog, but actually this particular machine was state of the art as recently as… well it must have been about 1990. At the time I thought it a shocking injustice that my grandparents had bought themselves a music centre complete with double tape deck and – gasp – CD player, just so they could hear The Archers more clearly. Now I’m happy that they bought something good.

The recent history of this analogue relic mirrors that of musiclistening in the wider world. We listened to records, then CDs. When streaming came along I stuck the old stereo in the basement, because who needs to fiffle about with vinyl when you can enjoy Bach or Beyonce at the click of a mouse? A shelf of records remained to remind us of those long-ago days when listening to music involved standing up every twenty minutes. I suppose we might have sold them if they’d been worth anything, but they aren’t, so we didn’t.

And now, like lots of people everywhere, we’ve plugged the record player back in, fitted a new needle and are happily rediscovering forgotten treasures, some of them genuine antiques.

We went to a library sale years ago, equipped with a borrowed supermarket trolley, and today our collection of Cold War-era classical records must be one of the biggest in BS3. Each one is a thing of beauty. The vinyl disc itself you could repurpose as a table top, while the cardboard sleeve is richly decorated with photos and erudite musings on composer and performers.

In the 1950s these records were expensive luxuries, but if you couldn’t afford them you could listen to the radio or join a music library – the equivalent, I suppose, of signing up to a streaming service today. Except that now you can listen to pretty much anything you want, all day long, for – what – 10 or 15 pounds a month? Which, like so much in our digitised world, is great for the people who run the streaming service and great for the listener. But not so great for the people who write and perform the music.

More than ever, musicians rely for their bread and butter on live performances and sales of their own merchandise. Whether you’re in a thrash metal band or a string quartet you need people to come and see you strut your stuff, which as we all know has been impossible for a year now. And as the future brightens ahead for the rest of us, musicians now face new difficulties created by our departure from the EU. Up-and-coming bands hoping to tour a new album, bassoonists looking to freelance with an orchestra in Berlin, rappers, performance poets, opera singers… all now have to negotiate an expensive tangle of bureaucracy.

In the long term we will see concert halls and pub venues filled with people again, and deals will be done to help musicians rove the continent, but what about in the short term? Bristol is full of people desperate to hear live music, but how can performances be managed safely? Would it be okay, for instance, for a busker to play if there was enough space between them and the audience? Suppose you had a big circle painted on the pavement in the Centre and a trio of musicians stood in the middle of it and played. Would that work, Covid-wise? And if so, could the council take charge, licensing-wise?

Of course the musicians couldn’t pass round a hat because a) it would be too germy and b) nobody has change anymore, but we could easily pay by phone. Who knows, perhaps this summer will bring a citywide festival, giving us a chance to support musicians – and musicians a chance to support us. Heaven knows we need them! ■

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Publisher Email:

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LOCAL | EVENTS

WHAT’S ON IN MARCH Bristol Old Vic Young Company

Let’s Make Art: Word Art Throughout March, Arnolfini, online Let’s Make Art is treating us to another fun activity for all the family. Inspired by the works in ‘A Picture of Health’ and Jo Spence’s ‘From Fairy Tales to Phototherapy’, Let’s Make Art invites us to explore the world of word art, where artworks can be created by using letters and words to create interesting shapes, patterns and more. arnolfini.org.uk Scribble and Sketch Online Throughout March, RWA, online Explore the drawing material of charcoal by making doodles with your fingertips.

You will need paper, charcoal, chalk, erasers (big and small) and a rag. Aimed at kids of 48 years but anyone can join in. Get messy and have fun. rwa.org.uk Celebrate Phenomenal Woman 5 and 24 March, various times, online Design your very own card (physical or digital) to send to a phenomenal woman you know. This could be for your mum, sister, gran, colleague, friend or postwoman! Say thank you, send some love or just tell them how phenomenal they are. All you need is a piece of paper and pen or access to the internet. info.uwe.ac.uk

Professor Lyndsay Duthie

Dressing Up and Creating Characters 6 March, 3.30pm, Bristol Old Vic, online Be inspired by the everyday objects and garments around your home and learn how to create characters fit for the stage, in this exciting Young Company Taster session led

by Maisie Newman and Emma Hughes. Join the Bristol Old Vic online to dress up, play games and discover the wild and wonderful characters that you can create. Ideal for ages 8-10. bristololdvic.org.uk What’s Next For Film and Television?

10 March, 6.30pm, UWE Bristol, online Professor Lyndsay Duthie, who is CEO of The Production Guild of Great Britain at Warner Bros Studios Leavesden UK, will give a talk entitled ‘Pushing Past the Pandemic, What’s Next for Film and Television?’

Lyndsay’s lecture will look at how the pandemic paved the way for new production techniques and opened up new methods of working safely. uwe.ac.uk Bristol Libraries: Power, Protest & Poetry 11 and 25 March, various times, online Bristol Libraries is partnering with creative development agency Words of Colour and commissioned artist Muneera Pilgrim to deliver a series of online literary events on the

Muneera Pilgrim

theme of politics, power and protest as part of the Novels That Shaped Our World Festival. Join two workshops with Bristolborn poet Muneera Pilgrim and delve deep into poems that deal with ideas around power and protest. wordsofcolour.co.uk Bristol Run Series: 5k Challenge 20 – 21 March, University of Bristol Medals are up for grabs as the University of Bristol launches virtual running challenges.

The events are free and will see runners logging their attempts on apps before sending in their results to the organisers. Runners can access free training programmes curated by the university’s professional coaches. bristol.ac.uk Window Wanderland St Pauls 26 – 27 March, around St Pauls area To light up our evenings, the community interest company, Imayla, along with Bristol Refugee Festival, Full Circle and St Pauls Adventure Playground, have come together to launch Window Wanderland. Residents, retailers and organisations can decorate their windows for all to admire, creating a beautiful art trail. Decorated windows can be marked on an interactive map to follow. windowwanderland.com n

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BOOKS

Fierce creatures

Two Bristol creatives have collaborated to celebrate motherhood – the strength and courage as well as the cuddly softness – with a colourful new book exploring the extraordinary lengths mothers go to to protect their young Bristol author Gabrielle

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hen a bear appeared, growling, outside her family’s tent while they were camping in Yosemite, California, Bristol author Gabrielle Kuzak grabbed her penknife – she was ready to fight. “In that moment, I knew I would do anything to protect my children, which was good because they were all asleep!” she remembers. “It got me thinking about amazing mums protecting their young in the wild. Who are they? What do they do?”

The hair-raising happening got Gabrielle thinking about the incredible stories of motherhood that must exist in the animal kingdom and how great it would be to tell these tales in a book for kids. It wasn’t until a few years later, though, that she had time to make something of the idea.

Returning to Bristol, the family spent most weekends hiking, working towards a goal of walking the entire 630-mile length of the South West Coast Path.

During this time Gabrielle got bitten by a tick in Exmoor and contracted Lyme disease, spending 18 months battling debilitating symptoms and other infections triggered by the disease. Slowly she made a recovery, embarking on the book during lockdown – one really positive thing to

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come out of a difficult time – and herself demonstrating the book’s message: maternal strength is a marvel.

“Mothers are often portrayed as soft and cuddly which is partly true but the little-known stories in my book show that they are also strong and brave,” says Gabrielle, who enlisted illustrator and mum-of-one Hannah Broadway – creator of the 75-metre mural along Bristol harbourside – to bring the book joyfully to life.

“Mums, across the planet, go to great lengths instinctively to protect, care for and bring up their young.”

Did you know, for instance, that an orangutan mother can make up to 15,000 nests in her lifetime without putting her baby down once? Or that a dolphin mother doesn’t sleep at all for the first month of her baby’s life to keep it safe?

Are you aware of which mother cares for its baby longer than any other mum in the world?

With both International Women’s Day and Mother’s Day this month, it’s a very good time to find out, and to celebrate and appreciate mums of every kind. ■

• Amazing Mums (suitable for children aged 4–8 years) is out now; amazing-mums.com

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MOTHER’S DAY | 2021

Send Mum some love While some restrictions are starting to lift, this year’s Mother’s Day (on March 14th) will mostly be celebrated remotely. Dispatch some joy to help make her day.

ANNA CAKE COUTURE THE GIFT OF CAKE Exquisitely decorated cakes and colourful boxes of macarons from the gorgeous Clifton shop and café are available to order for delivery in advance or to collect from the shop on the day.

The 24 macaron box is £42.95 plus £6.50 for delivery nationwide. Last order date for Mother’s day delivery is Tues 9th March (for delivery on Thurs 11th). Last order date for collection on Sunday is Thurs 11th. Plenty of delicious goodies will be available on the day without having to pre-order. How on earth will you decide? Visit: thisisanna.co.uk

FRAMED PRINTS BY ROOM 212 DO YOU LOVE YOUR MUM TO THE MOON AND BACK? Room 212 is a shop and gallery and part of the wonderfully vibrant independent shop scene on Gloucester Road. On display, and featured on its excellent online shop, are many unique creations by local artists. We love this framed Super Moon by Emma Catherine. Priced at £65, or buy just the 32cm print for £35.

Othe sizes are available too. Order online. Framed pictures can be collected from Room 212 on Fridays & Saturdays. Prints can be sent by 1st class mail. See the full gallery and some lovely gift card designs at the gallery’s website: room212.co.uk

AFTERNOON TREATS FROM HEARTFELT VINTAGE HAVE SOMETHING LOVELY DELIVERED While the popular - Heartfelt Vintage tearoom in Clifton is currently closed, the team are operating a unique afternoon tea delivery and collection service on Fridays to Sundays. Baking delicious treats from scratch and packaging it beautifully to make the perfect Mother's Day gift or stay at home treat. Throughout March they are celebrating the arrival of Spring with their Spring Menu. To make the deliveries extra special Heartfelt Vintage is also collaborating with Snowdrops Studio to offer beautiful bouquets and there’s an added option to upgrade your delivery order to include a whole cake decorated with fresh flowers which is perfect for those celebration moments.

Prices for afternoon tea start at £17.50 pp with gluten free, vegan and child options available. Deliveries can made up to 15 miles from Clifton.

Deliveries up to 5 miles are free. Visit: heartfeltvintage.co.uk

THE FRUIT BOX COMPANY MOTHER’S DAY SPECIALS.

THE MARA COFFEE GIFT BOX A PERKY PICK-UP

EMILY DENNYS CERAMICS Handmade in her home studio in Nightingale Valley Bristol, Emily Dennys makes beautiful porcelain lamps, vases and wall panels, and more. Her designs feature relief work of flowers, grasses, buds, berries and thistles. To Celebrate the wonderful women in our lives, Emily is offering free UK delivery for International Womens’ day and Mother’s Day purchases, just use the discount code: WONDERFULWOMEN when ordering.Prices from £12-£250. Offer runs 8th March-14th March.

Visit: emilydennysceramics.com and follow her story on Instagram.com/emilydennysceramics

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Mara Coffee is a new Bristol based coffee company, specialising in single origin coffee from Africa, founded by two travel enthusiasts with a love for great coffee. Their goal is to take you on a coffee discovery introducing you to new and incredible varieties from the home of coffee. Take time to explore!

The Gift Box has been curated for the coffee lover in your life. It has a little bit of everything allowing them to sit back, relax and enjoy some incredible coffee. This premium coffee gift box includes: 2 x 250grams of premium African speciality coffee from 2 different regions, awardwinning vegan African chocolate, coffee scoop with clip, official Huskee cup (8oz), postcards for each coffee region, personal message on your behalf to the recipient and it’s gift wrapped and presented in a Mara Coffee box. Priced at £41.

Order online at: Maracoffee.com

THE MOTHER’S DAY BASKET: Choose seven jars from a great selection of the delicious Mrs Darlingtons range of jams, pickles, chutneys etc., or add a jar of South Gloucestershire Honey. £24.99.

The Fruit Box Company also have a special ‘Mother’s Day Fruit Basket’ which is packed with a selection of the freshest fruit for just £32.99.

And... for even more gift ideas and specially customised produce boxes, visit the website and place your order. Visit: thefruitboxcompany.com

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ARTISAN HOMEWARE BEAUTIFULLY CRAFTED CERAMICS Artisan Homeware’s new ceramics collection features intricate patterns and elegant forms inspired by the Arts and Crafts movement of the 19th Century. The Garden Room collection of Bowls, Bakeware, Teaware and Kitchen Accessories is made from premium stoneware handdecorated in deep blues, cobalt, turquoise and aqua, soft greys and leafy greens.

Artisan Homeware is an independent Bristol-based online homewares store sourcing beautiful, high quality artisan-made homewares from around the world.

The Ceramika Artystyczna ceramic co-operative in which the Garden Room collection is produced is based in Boleslawiec, Poland. It has a rich 126 year history of innovation and creativity and an enduring commitment to maintaining the highest levels of quality in artisan handiwork. Prices from £5.95 to £71.50. Order online at: artisanhomeware.co.uk/garden-room

Our shelves are half empty

MADE IN ENGLAND BLANKETS COSY AND SOFT Based in Bath and inspired by the West Country, The Natural Blanket Company’s blankets are impeccably stylish, luxurious and made from 100% natural Merino and pure wool. The company believes in the environmental sustainability of their products, longevity and preserving the heritage and tradition. The Natural Blanket Company’s products are sourced and woven in the British Isles with a strong belief in supporting British manufacturers and artisan producers and with a commitment to quality and value. Prices from £40.00; See the full range at: thenaturalblanket.co.uk Instagram: # the_natural_blanket

HARVEY NICHOLS HAMPER - IT’S ALL ABOUT HER Celebrate the most important woman in your life with the All About Her Hamper available to order from Harvey Nichols. The ultimate treat for Mother’s Day, this extra special selection features luxurious handchosen beauty heroes alongside Whispering Angel rosé and milk chocolates truffles that will really make mum’s day. Set contains: Estee Lauder advanced night repair 30ml, La Mer The Tonic 100ml, 111 Skin rose gold sheet mask, Charlotte Tilbury matte revolution in Pillow Talk, Whispering Angel rosé, Harvey Nichols milk chocolate truffles. £210.

Shop this and many more gift ideas at: harveynichols.com

We need silver can you help?

Please contact us on 07775686894 or email: info@beaunashbath.com

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TV & FILM

Keep on rolling

Assaad Bouab and Lily James in The Pursuit of Love

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Image: Theodora Films Limited & Moonage Pictures Limited/Robert Viglasky/BBC

After hitting pause, Bristol’s film and TV arena roared back into action and has managed a pretty positive first quarter on the back of some prestigious developments

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(Image Wikicommons via Pierre Vogel)

B Christopher Walken is to star in Stephen Merchant’s new show

Christopher Walken becomes an offender undertaking community service in his first lead British television role

ristol’s film and TV sector had rather an exciting start to 2021, what with the likes of Hollywood legend Christopher Walken being cast in Stephen Merchant’s new locally filmed series The Offenders. We very much enjoyed imagining him doing the Weapon of Choice dance around The Galleries – just one of the locations where the show has been shooting in recent months.

A six-part BBC/Amazon series, from multi-award-winning writer and director Merchant, it follows seven strangers from different walks of life forced together to complete a community payback sentence in Bristol. As they become involved in each other's lives, they also become involved with a dangerous criminal gang.

We’ll see Academy Award-winner Walken in his first lead British television role, as an offender undertaking community service, alongside Rhianne Barreto who plays gifted but rebellious maths student Rani, hot-housed from a young age by her loving but controlling parents; Gamba Cole as young man Christian, struggling to raise his kid sister while staying one step ahead of notorious Bristol crime gang the Brook Hill Crew; and Merchant as lonely lawyer Greg, coping with divorce, workplace bullying and scary men with knives.

Walken’s character Frank is an inveterate scoundrel trying to reconnect with his family, while Killing Eve’s Darren Boyd, EastEnders’ Clare Perkins and Poldark’s Eleanor Tomlinson join the crew as furious businessman, ageing activist and troubled aristocratic celebutante, respectively. At first, the offenders seem like archetypes easy to pigeonhole, but gradually façades are shed to reveal hidden depths and what made them the people they are – reminding us that no one is all good or all bad and everyone has a story.

“Like so many other productions, we’d just begun filming when Covid-19 struck and we had to shut down,” said Merchant. “I’m delighted we’re now finally able to resume filming with this incredible cast and finish this long-standing passion project. This is the first series I’ve made in my hometown of Bristol and I’m so excited to showcase the city and utilise the amazing local talent.”

Despite the setbacks of the pandemic, Bristol’s TV bods steamed ahead as soon as they were able, continuing to carve out the city’s ➲

The Pursuit of Love has been filming in Bristol and airs this year

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Award-winning director Bruce Goodison of Bristol’s Indefinite Films

Emily Mortimer directs the adaptation of the Nancy Mitford novel

reputation as an irresistible production base for those looking to move away from the country’s crowded capital. “We’ve started the year on a very strong footing for production in Bristol with robust Covid-19 safety protocols in place for productions to follow while filming on the street,” says Laura Aviles, the Council’s senior film manager.

“With the worldwide appetite for screen content stronger than ever, this fast-growing sector is going to be a crucial part of national and regional economic recovery and as a location, Bristol’s film-friendly infrastructure is well-placed to cater for that demand.”

Bristol’s Drummer TV is making a pilot for the world’s first quiz show in British Sign Language

Coinciding with Channel 4’s first anniversary in the city, four independent Bristol production companies are now receiving help via a new ‘emerging indie fund’, intended to ensure companies outside of London can grow by providing financial assistance for slate development underpinned by commissioner commitment.

Among those picked as beneficiaries is Indefinite Films which focuses on thought-provoking, extraordinary stories from the real world. Headed up by award-winning director-producer team Bruce Goodison and Kate Cook, the outfit is also receiving mentoring from C4’s commercial affairs, programming and legal teams.

Their first title in 2014 was provocative coming-of-age feature Leave to Remain, about refugee teenagers seeking asylum in the UK. Bagging seven international awards, the debut was acclaimed; Bruce compared to Shane Meadows by the Guardian and praised for his “lively unknown leads” including a young John Boyega in 2012’s My Murder, about a London teenager striving to turn his life around.

Bruce’s career has seen him deliver a host of award-winning titles and recently he directed Anne, ITV’s Hillsborough drama starring Maxine Peake. His BBC One drama Murdered By My Father saw Adeel Aktar receive the first ever BAFTA for Best Leading Male awarded to a non-white actor, and he also directed the first season of Doctor Foster – including that dinner party scene – plus Emmynominated film Flight 93: The Flight That Fought Back.

Bristol-based producer Kate – cofounder of Bristol Screen Producers, an alliance that seeks out new and emerging talent – has delivered documentaries and feature length dramas for television. Her credits include The Interrogation Of Tony Martin and Channel 4 thriller The Watchman starring Stephen Graham plus BBC Three musical drama Glasgow Girls. “Bruce and I have worked together for 20 years and share an ambition to uncover unique stories that have a 22 THE BRISTOL MAGAZINE

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cultural and social significance,” she explains. “Having shot our last two projects in Bristol together, Channel 4’s The Cure and Murder In The Car Park, we’re excited to have their backing to take Indefinite Films to the next level with a view to producing more narrative content out of Bristol. There is a strong creative talent pool in the city that is growing all the time, so we’ll be looking to collaborate with that regional talent, as well as looking further afield and overseas.”

Channel 4’s head of drama Caroline Hollick was impressed by Indefinite’s bold approach to finding ambitious ideas. “This feels like a good time to support the company as they focus on developing some really original ideas that have heaps of potential,” she said. “They’ve also been very proactive in creating a network for talent in the South West, something that is in line with Channel 4’s ambition to see more from the nations and regions in our content.”

“It’s a real boost,” says Bruce. “Kate and I are naturally drawn to tackling challenging subject matter where our central characters face choices that are authentic, but handled in a way that’s really eyecatching and different. We won’t shy away from morally challenging stories from diverse communities. We want to take creative risks with new voices to find the most engaging way to tell true stories. So what a treat to work with some of the brightest heads in TV at Channel 4 who are renowned for championing unheard voices and taking risks.”

What’s on development slate so far? Based on the PC Donal Lynch fiction series by James Nally, there’s Sleepless – about a former Fleet Street agency reporter specialising in crime – and Appy Days, a

One to watch: Drummer TV Joint MDs Rachel Drummond-Hay and Tamsin Summers set up double BAFTA and multi award-winning company Drummer TV nine years ago in Bristol, specialising in factual programming. Work ranges from returning series for CBBC and documentaries for BBC One, BBC Three, Channel 5 and Channel 4. Recent credits include a short drama: My Best Friend Married A Warrior for BBC iPlayer, presenter-led interview series Getting Personal for BSLBT and series three of Gym Stars for CBBC. They are in development with Channel 4 for a factual series, making an exciting new gardening series and a TX pilot for the world’s first quiz show in British Sign Language. “We are thrilled to have been chosen as one of the Channel 4 emerging indies,” say Rachel and Tamsin, “especially as we were told that our company ethos and long-term commitment to diversity were key parts of the decision, as well as our slate of programme ideas. We also recently won the Bristol Diversity Award for Diverse Production Company so it was a great end to a tricky year. We hope working closely with the factual team at Channel 4 will enable us to take Drummer to the next level.”

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Lily James as Linda in The Pursuit of Love

One to watch: Blak Wave Productions

Image: BBC Studios/Steve Schofield

When two oceans meet, a Blak Wave is formed, say Michael Jenkins and Somina 'Mena' Fombo, creators of Bristol independent production company Blak Wave – another outfit chosen as one of the Channel 4 emerging indies. The pair are committed to producing film and TV that better reflects our society, giving a voice to the unheard and telling untold stories; motivated to create character-driven content that is fresh, imaginative and representative. Passionate about literally changing the face of TV and film, Blak Wave focuses on creating entertaining, emotional and compelling stories across documentary, factual and drama, with credits including Shadow Of Slavery (Channel 4), We Are Not The Virus and Home Carnival Queen (BBC Arts). "We’re working on a short series with BBC, and Pickney, our first drama with the BFI, will be released in 2021,” says Michael. “Being selected for the discretionary award from Channel 4 is really exciting and will hopefully see more of our ideas come to fruition!” writing team. Explores the early life of an orphaned teenager, and queen, Elizabeth Tudor. German actress Alicia Von Rittberg stars.

War of the Worlds: Season two coming to Fox TV in spring 2021.

Based on the sci-fi tale by H.G. Wells, the eight-part series produced

by Urban Myth Productions restarted filming in July in South Wales and Bristol. Stars Gabriel Byrne (Hereditary), Elizabeth McGovern (Downton Abbey) and Daisy Edgar Jones (Normal People). comedy series about millennial female friendship; The Fledgling, centred on the conflicted experience of becoming a father, heightened by undiagnosed Asperger’s; and Turning, a thriller that imagines a London with a Black mayor with a complex past. Keep an ear to the ground for emerging writer Jeremiah Quinn’s Blind Fate too, about the untold history of German official Adolf Eichmann – found in Argentina by a blind man and his daughter.

With Vinay Patel, Bruce has also written BFI-backed film-indevelopment Girl Next Door about the imagined life and times of British woman Samantha Lewthwaite – 7/7 London terrorist bomber Germaine Lindsay’s widow, who tabloids named ‘The White Widow’.

More new Bristol-made TV to look out for

A Discovery of Witches: Season two of the fantasy serial, based on the All Souls trilogy by Deborah Harkness has just aired, featuring interiors shot in Berkeley Square. Catch up on Sky One. The One: Ten-episode sci-fi series based on the novel by John Marr.

Set five minutes in the future, it follows events a decade after a scientific breakthrough has allowed people to use DNA testing to find their ideal partner. But even in perfectly matched couples, partners have secrets, and shocking consequences ensue, as well as wider explosive implications of DNA-based pairings. Bristol Film Office supported filming in locations across Bristol last year. Spring 2021 courtesy of Netflix/Urban Myth.

The Last Bus: Ten-part live-action children’s series. A sci-fi road trip adventure that tells the story of a group of mismatched school kids who band together to face a fearsome new machine intelligence.

Netflix sci-fi series produced by Wildseed Studios, expected this year – the crew were recently spotted filming on the Downs.

Manhunt: Season two of the ITV detective drama, featuring Martin Clunes and focusing on the murder of French student Amélie Delagrange in London in 2004, is now shooting in the city.

Extinction: This eight-part Sky Original action thriller starring major breakthrough talent Paapa Essiedu (I May Destroy You) is now filming in Bristol – described as a “gripping exploration of memory, fate, and the limits of love”. When Paapa’s character George begins to re-live time after witnessing the world end, and is recruited into an organisation of people who share his ability and harness it to stop global catastrophes, he goes rogue in a bid to save the woman he loves. Made by Urban Myth Productions. ■

Paapa Essiedu stars in Extinction, currently filming in Bristol

The Pursuit of Love: BBC has bagged this one and we’re keeping our peepers peeled for a transmission date. Adapted by Emily Mortimer from Nancy Mitford’s 1945 novel, the three-part romantic comedydrama is set in Europe between the two world wars, following the adventures of the fearless Linda Radlett (Lily James) and her cousin Fanny Logan (Emily Beecham). Cast includes Andrew Scott as Lord Merlin, the Radletts’ eccentric neighbour. Produced by Open Book and Moonage Pictures for BBC One and Amazon Studios. Filming restarted in July assisted by Bristol and Bath Film Offices, with The Bottle Yard Studios housing the opulent sets of Merlinford.

Becoming Elizabeth: Starz’ new historical drama – using The Bottle Yard Studios as its base – created by Anya Reiss with an all-female

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4 all of Bristol

Channel 4 got more change than they bargained for when they moved to Bristol in the year a pandemic struck.

Nevertheless it’s brought out the best in the city, says the channel’s factual commissioner and head of the Bristol hub

Filming for Blak Wave’s Pickney underway in Bristol

A

round a year ago, Channel 4 had just moved a huge swathe of its output – specialist factual, factual entertainment, features and formats, documentary, drama and daytime – to Bristol to help ensure a less London-centric future of tellymaking and build on this city’s thriving TV production sector.

The year of the pivot for many people, 2020 was no different for the broadcaster, which faced a difficult financial period due to the pandemic but managed to end on a high with a healthy financial surplus. The pathway to its digital future, recently set out via a new five-year strategy, includes new targets to double viewing on digital platform All4 by 2025, and a global format fund to invest in UKproduced formats with worldwide potential. Future4 aims to increase content streaming with new revenues underpinning its reach and selfsufficiency. The idea is to ensure C4 can continue delivering distinctive content at scale, meet its public service remit in a more competitive digital viewing environment and create change through entertainment that challenges, and represents unheard voices. Founder of Marble Films, and now head of Bristol’s C4 hub, Sacha Mirzoeff told us more.

TBM: How’s the first year been? How did the pandemic reshape it?

Sacha: I was working as head of an independent TV company before this year, having lived in Bristol for over 20 years, then Channel 4 came to Bristol and got in contact. I thought them being here was such an exciting proposition – I’ve always believed in what they do and stand for, the way they take risks as a channel and give a voice to underrepresented people. I thought I should give it a go, and spent so long thinking through every eventuality about what the year might bring… Life is full of surprises and it’s been some year – I’ve spent three quarters of it in my own house! But it’s been brilliant; we’ve been able to continue with production in the vast majority of cases and had some outstanding films go out. It’s somehow brought out the best of British and the best of Bristol.

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What’s coming up?

The Doghouse is a lovely, warm series made in Bristol by Five Mile Films about rehoming stray dogs but it’s really about the people who come and collect those dogs and what’s going on for them. We do feel people need the equivalent of a hot chocolate to take them away from the misery of the world at the moment. We have First Dates now being made out of Bristol – Twenty Twenty, the company that makes it, has moved fully down here, training up a load of editors to work on the show. That’s as important to us as the actual programmes, that we’re changing workforce on the ground here, and who’s working in the TV industry; bringing a wider range of voices from different communities.

Have there been any pandemic positives?

With Zoom, you can be a company in North Wales and have exactly the same kind of access to Channel 4 as a company in Soho; there’s a uniformity of access. The idea of the hubs was to cut down on all the travelling to London that independents were doing; for what was often a half-hour meeting with a pressurised commissioner. But our workforce is made up of freelancers – the creative blood of this industry, the people who make productions sing – and the past year has been extraordinarily challenging for them.

What’s been your most fulfilling or feel-good factual commission?

The Year That Changed Love made by Bristol company Keo West.

Positive, uplifting stories about love in lockdown; so sweet. Coming up in spring we’ve got a new craft show called Good With Wood made from Bristol by Plimsoll Productions. It’s really fun – the contributors produce extraordinary bits of work in a matter of days.

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How’ve you integrated into the city? Has it been a warm reception?

What will the new digital-first strategy mean for the viewer?

Extraordinarily! We’ve been welcomed with open arms on every level; local government, community, individuals. People have been patient with us as well, it’s been hard to engage locally this year. We’re keen to find big, universal stories that still have a very local setting. Derry Girls is a good example; it works across the world but is so clearly set in one place. Part of the Bristol hub is about finding those voices; stories that are supremely local. I love working in communities that probably don’t get enough representation but have brilliant characters and brilliant stories to be told. Bristol has been traditionally known for a small number of areas in the centre and I’m equally interested in hearing about areas that don’t get the headlines. This has been a tumultuous time for the city, especially with the statue coming down; and I feel like we’re culturally leading the world in some respects at the moment which is very exciting.

It’s an important change of strategy that has the viewer in mind. You should be able to binge more on boxsets, find what you like a lot easier; our digital platform All4 is going to have greater importance for us and should become more user-friendly. Figures there are booming but we want to future-proof ourselves. Our digital arm, now up and running, will be doing original content this year which is another different revenue stream for us.

The Doghouse is a lovely, warm series about rehoming stray dogs but it’s really about the people who come and collect those dogs

Are you able to take more risks when commissioning for digital?

I think we should take risks across the platform and don’t think we’ve stopped taking risks on the main channel despite it being a challenging time, but yes. We’re working with a new talent in documentary terms, Yinka Bokinni – who did a brilliant film about Damilola Taylor and her reflection on that as a young child. She’d done a podcast, worked in music and radio then found TV and that development of talent through digital is really important for us. Often it’s hard to break talent straight away to our 9pm prime slot; digital allows us to engage with people closely in a meaningful way before they’re exposed heavily in the main schedule.

Tell us about the Bristol recipients of the emerging indie fund

How was it to be a TV maker in the thick of a global news moment?

It was a massive advantage. It was like it was meant to be; we were so aligned with what’s happened in so many ways. We were able to react very quickly so within a week of the statue coming down we were commissioning programmes, but we wanted a filmmaker with a real insight into the issue. We were fortunate to work with Michael Jenkins (Blak Wave Productions), who had been in the process of making a film about Colston for many years already. From within the community here, he knew the subject matter really well. Him doing that story gave it a different level of authenticity. He was out on the day filming anyway and we were able to tell his story, and the city’s story in a sense, with a series called Take Your Knee Off My Neck.

What actually happens in the new Finzels Reach hub?

No filming takes place in the Fermentation Buildings; we commission local independent companies to do that. It’s where commissioners and office staff work from. All being well, we’re due to open again early this year. It’s central and easily accessible and part of its purpose was to have a semi-open house. We wanted to hold events and have people in, engage with community and be more public about being here. We offer support and training for people coming into the industry through our new arm 4Skills. Although Bristol is a world-leader in film and TV, it’s a narrow section of society that’s traditionally worked in it and we’d love to facilitate different kinds of people coming in. There’s lots of brilliant work going on in that way already and we’re not looking to reinvent that or take over, but to work alongside it.

They’re four companies representing the breadth of talent in Bristol – drama company Indefinite Films; documentary companies Drummer TV (with a brilliant record of developing skills and nurturing talent) and Blak Wave (new, exciting and one year old, now, like us); history experts Proper Job, recently set up and run by long-standing Bristol producer-director Harvey Lilley and journalist Patrick Bishop. They’re happy not to be jumping on £100 trains to London anymore! Secret History is going through a big relaunch this year. It’s all about fresh journalist revelations on historical events that make us see them in a new light; see what we’ve learnt, haven’t learnt and can do better.

Our workforce is made up of freelancers – the creative blood of this industry, the people who make productions sing

What impact has C4 Bristol had so far? What’s planned for its future?

I think we’ve landed really successfully given the extraordinary circumstances. Our team is strong, there’s a brilliant raft of films coming out of Bristol, some with first-time directors; a huge range of work. This year we hope to be far more engaged across the city and surrounding areas in terms of how we push out into the communities more, with a new workforce on top-level productions. ■

The Fermentation Buildings house commissioners and office staff

Head of the Bristol hub, Sacha Mirzoeff

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Chris Yeo Antiques.qxp_Layout 7 23/02/2021 15:27 Page 1

ANTIQUES

At a roadshow at Salisbury Cathedral in 2019

Design for life

Ahead of a new monthly column for The Bristol Magazine, we get to know expert curator Chris Yeo – specialist in 20th-century design and craft – a little better

C

hris Yeo has just joined the team at one of the longest established fine art auction houses in the South West, cataloguing Clevedon Salerooms’ antique, interiors, collectables and jewellery auctions and quarterly specialists sales, and dealing with valuation enquiries.

Known to many from his appearances on BBC’s Antiques Roadshow, Chris also works as curator of Bristol’s Ken Stradling Collection.

TBM: You’re wearing at least three hats now – how will you divide your time between the Salerooms, Roadshow and Ken Stradling?

Chris: Antiques Roadshow usually takes up only a few days of the year; for that reason all the specialists on the programme have ‘day jobs’, working with art and antiques. I’ve handed over a lot of my day-to-day work as curator at the Ken Stradling Collection and have instead been concentrating on helping develop a programme of online talks and other activities to enable us to carry on during lockdown and beyond. I’ll also be curating exhibitions in our new window gallery, which people can view from the street outside. It’s a manageable load which I’ll be able to fit in alongside my work at Clevedon but I don’t envisage much ‘down time’. It’s a good job I enjoy being busy!

What have been your most storied items in recent times?

There have been so many highlights on Antiques Roadshow but I think the most memorable item was the script for the first ever episode of Dr Who which I valued. The owner had been given it by his grandfather and although he knew it had some value, he had no 26 THE BRISTOL MAGAZINE

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idea exactly how valuable. He almost fainted when I told him it would likely sell for between £5,000 and £7,000. He did go on to sell it – for £7,500 – and the story made the national news.

For those who aren’t familiar, what is the Ken Stradling Collection?

It’s a remarkable collection – approximately 2000 items – of 20th and 21st-century decorative art which has been put together over the last 70 years. Ken Stradling, my boss, was for many years the managing director of the Bristol Guild of Applied Art – which he joined in 1948 – and was one of the first people to popularise modern design in Britain. We’re different from other museums, in fact we don’t even call ourselves a museum. We encourage people to look at and handle things, pick up a vase or even sit on a chair, so there are no ropes and no ‘please do not touch’ signs. We’re keen that learning to look at something, to appreciate an object, is as important as making that object. The collection is based in a four-storey building in central Bristol which is open to the public by appointment.

Tell us about about some of the pieces in the collection The jewel in our crown is a unique group of furniture designed in 1935 by Marcel Breuer for the Bristol home of furniture manufacturer Crofton Gane. Gane played a pivotal role in introducing the Modern Movement to 1930s Britain. He and Crofton became friends shortly before Breuer arrived in England after the closure of the Bauhaus. The 10 pieces of furniture we have are pivotal in the development of Marcel Breuer’s style and, for that reason, are of international significance. Ken was also one of the first people to sell Scandinavian

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ANTIQUES design in the UK and the collection has some fantastic mid-century pieces from Denmark, Sweden and Finland.

How did you get the job?

Before I joined the Collection I’d worked for an auctioneers, which is where I got to know Ken as he was one of our regular buyers. Even then people knew about Ken’s collection but, as it wasn’t then open to the public, very few people had actually seen it and it had acquired an almost mythical status. Then, a few years ago, Ken started to open the collection to the public and I was one of the first visitors. On my first visit, I asked if the collection had been catalogued and when I found out it hadn’t I offered my services – sometimes it helps to be a bit cheeky. That eventually led to me being offered the job as curator.

What got you interested in antiques?

I’ve always been fascinated by the objects around me. Even before I could speak I remember being spellbound by furniture and household bits and pieces. My grandparents would take me to antiques fairs and, unlike most small children, I loved it. That led to a fascination with country houses and I would always be badgering my poor parents to take me to the nearest National Trust house. At 10 I started writing to the curator of Longleat House, who was very helpful and really supported my interest. Aged 14, I started buying and selling antiques from a weekend market stall in the local village hall. I studied history at university and then, in my 20s, had a spell working outside the field, but the lure of antiques kept calling, so I went back to university and did a master’s degree in fine art valuation after which I worked in an auction house, which led to the Ken Stradling Collection and Lorfords Antiques in Tetbury.

Do you have a favourite local spot?

I grew up in Somerset and have lived in Bristol for 20 years, so that’s a tough question. For Bristol, it would be Somerset Street in Kingsdown – an incredibly atmospheric street of Georgian houses with spectacular views over the city centre. In Somerset it would have to be the lighthouse on the beach at Burnham-on-Sea, where I lived as a child. If ever I need space to think something out, I always head there knowing that my mountains will shrink to molehills the moment I arrive.



What else have you been up to in 2021 so far?

Reading! I’ve collected books all my life and own hundreds but, being very easily distracted, I rarely got round to reading them properly. So I decided to use lockdown as an opportunity to give my books some attention and improve my concentration skills at the same time. ■ • clevedon-salerooms.com; @chrisyeo_antiques (Instagram) The Watersmeet Hotel in Woolacombe is a four star hotel on the waters edge with an indoor and outdoor pool & spa.

Private steps lead directly to the beach.

Dramatic views to the sea from our two restaurants which include a bistro and a fine dining à la carte restaurant.

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To include breakfast, staying in a deluxe sea view room. £585 Our luxury Suites and Balcony rooms start from £260 per night.

Deluxe and Classic rooms from £210 all with sea views.

See our website for other special offers

Antiques Roadshow, Compton Verney, 2019

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TELEVISION

Baker boy Robbie had a blast on the show

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TELEVISION

King of the kitchen

We caught up with the budding young Bristol baker who won hearts while showcasing his talents in the Bake Off tent

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elly delights have undeniably helped haul many of us through the winter, and one of the most joyful of late was Junior Bake Off – following the format of the adult version of The Great British Bake Off but with the added charm of messier work benches, grubbier aprons and multiple shots of contestants nibbling bits of chocolate or cake decorations while trying to stay on task. Judges Liam Charles and Ravneet Gill made no concessions to the contestants’ ages and host Harry Hill kept the kind of order provided by your funny uncle at a birthday party.

The participants also impressed in the gracious, if sometimes tearful way they coped with going out of the competition. At 15, beaming Bristol contestant Robbie – also a maker of short films and the youngest person on the committee for his local fete where he helps organise the annual raffle – was the oldest contender. His baking was consistent throughout and he won hearts with his team spirit (apparently learned on the cricket field) in helping the younger contestants, as well as his twinkly rapport with presenter Harry.

Having won ‘star baker’ with his tropically inspired fault-line cake, happy-go-lucky Robbie made it all the way to the final – willing him on, an army spearheaded by Bristol’s mums and grandmas.

This year’s JBO cohort and below; having a laugh with Harry

Why did you want to get into this series, and who helped you apply?

Robbie: Baking has always been a hobby of mine as I love to try new recipes, see if people enjoy my bakes and get their comments on them.

I loved watching Junior Bake Off last year so when I saw the advertising post about applying on Bake Off’s Instagram page, I thought; why not give it a go? There’s nothing to lose. Never in my wildest dreams did I think I would get on the show and it honestly has been one of the best things I have ever been a part of.

Was it really good fun to get to the location and meet everyone?

It was so great to meet everyone on the first day; I was quite nervous when driving up into Cobham Hall but once I saw the JBO letters in the distance I was very excited! It was great to get to know everyone and hear about their baking adventures as we all come from different parts of the country. It was great to meet an amazing bunch of people who all share a passion for baking.

How long have you been baking and what is your speciality bake?

Since I was young, baking brownies and cookies with my mum and dad and learning tips from my grandma – she has been making my family’s birthday cakes each year, without fail, all my life. I was always giving my bakes to my nan, grampie, grandpa and brother to enjoy. I think my speciality bake has to be salted caramel and chocolate cake – these are my two ultimate favourite flavours and I absolutely love them paired together. I also love baking cinnamon rolls as they are really delicious especially when covered in icing.

Aside from baking, what is your next best hob?

I love drama and musical theatre which I have been doing at my local drama group for the last few years. We perform shows about twice a year; most recently I played Wishee Washee in our pantomime of Aladdin. I also love playing football and cricket.

If you were a cake at a children’s party what would you be?

I would love to a be a rainbow confetti cake as it’s so colourful and great fun when you cut into it and there is the surprise of sweets or chocolate that pour out from the middle!

Who is your favourite Bake Off celebrity?

Did you love meeting Harry and was he funny? Out of the judges, Rav and Liam, who did you want to impress the most and why?

It was absolutely amazing meeting Harry Hill and it still feels very surreal that it all happened – he was very funny and we had some hilarious jokes. The judges always gave positives and negatives in their feedback that you could take into your next bake and I learnt amazing techniques and tips from them on the show. Rav and Liam were such nice people and it was a privilege to meet all of them.

I love watching all the Bake Off formats throughout the year, as I have been writing this I am reading all the updates about The Great British Bake Off which is airing very soon and I cannot wait! I watch every episode without fail and it has to be one of my favourite shows on TV. I love watching Matt Lucas presenting with Noel as he’s one of my favourite presenters and to see Paul and Prue judging like usual. ■ • Follow Robbie on Instagram: @bakesbyrobbie THEBRISTOLMAG.CO.UK

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MUSIC Celeste.qxp_Layout 7 01/03/2021 09:23 Page 1

MUSIC

Not your muse

Images: Alessandro Raimondo

Having notched up nods from the music and movie gods and had her debut record shoot to the top of the UK album charts, Celeste is having quite a good year – doing things her way. Words by Jules Boyle

Celeste recently become the first British female artist to top the charts with their debut album in more than five years – the last being Jess Glynne with I Cry When I Laugh

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MUSIC

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eleste is one of those musicians who come along once in a decade at best, one who seems to have arrived fully formed as a singer and a performer, but still retains that freshness and endless potential of a young artist. It was no real surprise to anyone who had come across the British-Jamaican soul singer’s prodigious talents previously when she won both BBC Sound of 2020 and the BRITS Rising Star award early in 2020, and her trajectory since then has been no less stellar.

After working with Golden Globe-nominated composer Daniel Pemberton on Hear My Voice, the focus track for Aaron Sorkin’s film The Trial of The Chicago 7, Celeste also became the first artist to write and record an original song, A Little Love for John Lewis’ Christmas advert campaign, while Pixar Studios called her in to lend her vocals to the final track on their latest hit film Soul. Now, she has finally released her hugely anticipated debut album, Not Your Muse.

Over its 12 tracks, we see an artist come of age and not only live up to all the expectation that has been thrust upon them but exceed far beyond what anyone could have anticipated.

For Celeste, it’s been a very organic process, but one with a very clear end goal too.

“I knew from the beginning to follow my instincts to try and have a sound that I felt an affinity with, which comes from a jazz and soul world. I didn’t want it to sound too poppy, or similar to whatever the popular sound was at the moment, as that always changes.

“It was only in the last year and a half or so that I’ve been really focusing on music with an idea that it was going to be on a debut album, though. As it went on, the intention became much clearer, as I had songs that I knew I wanted to be in there, I knew what they said and the picture they began to paint. That let me work out how to fill the spaces that they had left and move it all in the direction that I had intended to, which was to be true to a sound I liked myself and not feel I had to conform to anything else.”

The album might only have been the work of the last couple of years, but Celeste has drawn on aspects and experiences of her whole life so far to bring it to life. “Some of the songs I’m writing from the perspective of how I felt as a teenager, but through the lens of who I am now all these years later, in that I have been able to process it all.

“It’s definitely all-encompassing of all those different feelings that I have had over the years but reflecting on them at an older age. I’ve pinpointed certain things from my childhood and teenage years, which has been a really interesting experience.

“You’re learning more about yourself as you are learning to get those ideas out in a song, too.”

Last year was difficult for everyone, Celeste included, but while her first concern is for people’s health and wellbeing, she did her best to make the most of the enforced free time she had during lockdown to both recharge her batteries and make the best album she could.

“It was such an up and down year, where even among all that was going on, I had some of the happiest and most spontaneous times I have had in a long time. Even though we had all these new rules and constraints, I found the fact I didn’t have a diary that was set out for the rest of the year and beyond quite liberating. Just simple things like riding my bike around or listening to music felt freeing in a way they wouldn’t have otherwise.

“I was supposed to finish the album in March 2020, but everything shut down. I had written most of it, so all I needed to do was go in with my producer and band to go over the last few bits, meaning there wasn’t much I could do by myself but wait. What happened, though, is I started looking at ideas I hadn’t finished from before starting work on the album and it became apparent they were the missing ingredients that I needed for the album to feel right. I put a lot of work in to get them ready and wrote lots of lyrics during that period when we couldn’t get into the studio, so in that respect I tried to make the most of the situation.”

Those BRIT and BBC accolades have undoubtedly been a huge boost to the young singer’s career and confidence alike, but she’s careful not to get too carried away, either by the praise or the pressure that these things can bring.

“I’m still figuring out what effect those things have had on me, to be honest. Obviously, you are happy and proud to have received them, but in the first few weeks I didn’t really let it phase me. People keep

telling you that you are destined for great things, but that’s not something I’ve ever focused on or even thought about, really. It seeps in though and I’ve definitely put that pressure on myself a little bit. I’m never going to think I’m the best thing ever or anything like that and I’m still going to put as much effort into what I do, but I became very aware of that expectation that I had to live up to.”

After The Trial of The Chicago 7 became such a huge worldwide hit, talk turned to the very real possibility that Celeste’s track could be in line for a Best Original Song nomination at the Academy Awards.

“To me, it’s really surreal that people are even speculating that it’s a possibility. It just came about during lockdown, when Daniel Pemberton asked me if I wanted to pull something together with him for the soundtrack that he was working on. A lot of it was me writing lyrics or recording stuff in my bedroom and sending them to him over the period of a few months, so none of it felt that real. Also, at the time, I didn’t really know what it was specifically for. Apparently, Aaron Sorkin wanted to use a Beatles song over the end credits but Daniel, while working on the rest of the score, secretly started working on an original song for it.

“Eventually, the director got to the final edit and realised Here Comes The Sun didn’t work and he didn’t know what to do, which is when Daniel revealed what we had been working on. Up until then it had been a secret plan, so that all just adds to the weirdness and disjointedness of it. It’s interesting for people to speculate on, but making music for film is definitely something I want to do more of, so if I don’t get the nod this time, hopefully there’ll be opportunities in the future where it might happen.”

As for the future, as bright as it clearly is for Celeste, she’s firmly grounded by simpler goals, where she can just be allowed to keep doing what she loves and take it to more people. “It’s hard to see what the future will look like but I do know that I am excited to just keep on making music and for the right reasons. I really want to play shows. That’s something I’ve really missed, so hopefully people around the world will take to this album and eventually, when everything opens up again, I can go to those places and see their faces. Even if it’s just shows in small pockets around the world, that would be more than enough for me. That’s what I’m craving more than anything else.” ■ • Celeste’s debut album is out now on Polydor Records. She plans to play Bristol’s O2 Academy on 3 April 2022; Twitter: @celeste

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Song for Bristol.qxp_Layout 7 01/03/2021 09:24 Page 1

City spring-song: the window for public submissions is now closed, with compositions soon to be finalised

A song for the whole city

The seismic events of the past year have sparked creativity across the country. Bristol Beacon is working on a project promoting togetherness while we’re apart, calling on citizens to channel their feelings into words and music

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nspired by the mass singing events held at Bristol Beacon – then, of course, known as Colston Hall – during the Second World War, ‘A New Song For Bristol’ is a project aiming to bring the city together (figuratively rather than physically) through music and the public’s creative responses to this historic past year.

The pieces submitted have been collected into a living archive, as part of Bristol Beacon’s heritage exhibitions for the venue’s reopening.

Some have also been hand-picked as the inspiration for new pieces of music by Bristol-based artists including This Is The Kit, Bucky, Lady Nade, Kayla Painter, Javeon, Solomon O.B and composer, musician and associate director of Paraorchestra, Lloyd Coleman. With the window for submissions now closed, the artist collective’s compositions are due to be finalised by early spring.

“A New Song For Bristol is inspired by Bristol Beacon’s long history of being a place for local communities to voice their views of the world and make music together,” said Cathy Mager, creative producer of Bristol Beacon’s Lantern Project, of the desire to ignite the fire of creativity, find ways to feel connected, draw on the extraordinary power of music and bring the city closer. “When you read about how the city was locked down at the outbreak of World War II and the entertainment ban, the parallels are striking between then and now. It was heartening to learn about how the venue and its team played such an important role in raising morale.”

The team wanted to encourage Bristolians to express themselves through words, music or song, share their experiences, and keep “that Bristol spirit” alive. The project is the first major artistic expression of the ‘transformation promise’ which pledges the ways in which Bristol Beacon strives to be a symbol of hope and community for everyone.

Creative workshops were held online by the artist collective, who collaborated with community groups across the city to help create submissions. These include In My Dreams, a song by surgeon Rebecca Little who suffered with PTSD during lockdown and found composing songs helped her recover; a poem by Kelly Smith who 32 THE BRISTOL MAGAZINE

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cleans at St Peter’s Hospice in Bristol, written as some light-hearted humour to lift the spirits of her team; and Reece Pennington-Field’s poem about his lockdown experience while living with foster parents Mark and George.

Singer-songwriter Hannah Wood felt inspired by Bristol’s vibrant music and art scene. “Before the pandemic, you could walk into any little venue and have an amazing time listening to people’s music and stories,” she says. “Even though we can’t do that now, I’m struck by all the positivity that I see around on a daily basis; the encouraging messages people leave in their windows and warm smiles shared by strangers on socially distanced walks. It’s nice to see that Bristol is still Bristol despite the difficulties that this year has brought with it.”

It’s a nice time capsule project; all of these stories and poems and songs fossilised in one joint song that serves as a kind of bug in the amber of this year’s specific tree sap

Kate Stables of alt-rock/folk rock band This Is The Kit had the honour of reviewing the creative offerings for her composition. “The submissions that we’ve been going through and reading and listening to have all been incredible,” she says.

“It’s been very moving to see the generosity and honesty of the people who have participated; putting so much time and energy and love into what they submitted. For me this song is about celebrating the people of Bristol and their stories and lives. It’s been a weirdo tough year and, in a way, the last thing anyone wants is a song about

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MUSIC

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how horrible and hard it’s been, so I see it as a celebration of these excellent people and the fact everyone is doing a great job at keeping on keeping on and looking after each other.”

While Kate now lives in France, she has a strong connection to Bristol; it’s where half of her band live as well Kate Stables of This Is The Kit as friends and family.

“It’s basically my UK base when I come back for rehearsing and touring,” she says. “It’s been over a year since I was in Bristol – the longest stretch I’ve ever done without coming back – and it feels a bit weird. I miss it a lot. Bristol was where I did a lot of growing up, personally and musically. It was the first place I moved to when I left home and it’s where I started meeting other musicians and being brave enough to play music with people and do gigs.”

She’s written the song for local choirs, and is teaming up with Bristol Fantasy Orchestra which has a choir section. “I was really into the idea of writing a song with a mixture of people’s voices in mind. As the submissions are people’s own stories and viewpoints, it feels right that the song should be sung and played by many different voices. And I really think community music groups and choirs are so important to the ecosystem of any city and the wellbeing of its communities. Singing and playing music with people is good for you, and learning new things is good for you.

It’s a total mental and physical and community health winner.”

For Kate, that’s the most beautiful part. “It’s brought to the people of Bristol an opportunity to contribute to a group community project; a creative outlet and a reason to share writing or thoughts or music. On a personal level, getting to use everyone’s contributions to write a song and be working on it with Bristol musical heroes Bucky is a total privilege. Hopefully we will do all the contributors justice! It’s nice to have one song that was basically written by everyone but trimmed into a shape

by Joff and Simon and me. It’s a really nice kind of time capsule project; all of these stories and poems and songs fossilised in one joint song and shared performance that serves as a kind of bug in the amber of this year’s specific tree sap.” ■ • bristolbeacon.org/news • asongforus.org The song by This Is The Kit and Bucky will be released on 23 March on the Sound UK website

What A Year! Poem by Kelly Smith We have laughed, we have cried but we have all survived; produced some amazing work that deserves a high five. Infection deep-cleans in full PPE, wearing a mask and you struggle to see, you keep on going, even though you are hot, as you do it for the patients and you all care a lot.

We Actichlor the walls, we Actichlor the floor, even Frank the CEO had a go and – do you know what? – he wasn’t slow; with two domestics it was quite the show.

Over 13,000 views he had, did you know?! Things are different and all very strange; in the future all this will change. We will have our team back together again, missing those who are home gardening, cleaning and baking to stay sane.

If we can deal with Covid-19 without breaking at the seams we can look back together and remember what a year it’s been, and look at our unit; it’s spotlessly clean, no dirt or dust to be seen.

What I am trying to say is thank you for a wonderful year; I think I could say it’s been the highlight of my career. Throw any job at the domestic team and we will pull together like a dream.

This time next year we will no longer fear, it will all come to an end and we can cheer. An amazing team back together again, learning about infection control from Helen and Jane. Putting out the clinical waste in the pouring rain, remembering you forgot the key and have to repeat it again.

In the team we have Aga, Ann, Billie, Chris, Carol and Georgia, not forgetting Leanne, Leah and Lorna. And next up we have Mandy, Sandra and Suzy too; we have myself, Lin, and Tina, all of which are amazing cleaners; Ralph and Steve to complete the team, together keeping St Peter’s clean.

Living Through Lockdown: What Coronavirus Means To Me Song by Reece Pennington-Field All of a sudden I had stop going to school and I missed my friends and teachers; all of a sudden the news was talking about a deadly virus; all of a sudden I felt anxious about my Dads dying of the virus. I didn’t want people to die; I didn’t want my Dads to get poorly.

All of a sudden I had to do lots of school work at home; all of a sudden I couldn’t go out on my bike or walk to the shops; all of a sudden I had to speak to my social worker through Zoom.

And then, all of sudden, I realised things had changed for me and tried to look at the good things that this terrible virus made possible for me…

Routine has been important to me; I even know the exact time of tea. Spending more time with my family has meant the world; I’ve even helped my sisters hair get curled. I look forward to my Zoom school on most days; learning new things in a comfortable way. Becki, Laura and Chelsea have helped me grow; I’ll remember that forever, I hope you know. I’ve learnt to talk and open up; there are always times people cannot shut me up.

I have baked cakes, cooked meals, burnt fires and done puzzles; I’ve learnt to care for the dogs, give them treats and put on muzzles. I’ve stayed up late and watched lots of movies; I’ve chopped wood and crafted bird boxes. I’ve learnt about the war and celebrated VE Day; I even got dressed up and listened to war stories from Mavis, our elderly neighbour, the first week in May. I’ve realised that I manage family time better on Zoom than in person; and this has stopped my anxiety worsen.

But most of all the memories that I will always carry with me when I am older; that it’s thanks to the NHS and our heroes that the weight is off our shoulder. I’ve learnt to love my Dads even more and enjoyed the precious time we have spent together in lockdown; I’ve appreciated them more and realised that this is my forever home. I tell them every day that I love them and they put their arms around me, making me safe; that reassures me every minute they love me too.

And one day in the not-too-distant future that Corona will come to an end; I can only wish I haven’t driven Mark and George round the bend. Me and my forever family will look back on these memories and value our thoughts; on the memories of lockdown, the lessons we have all learnt and many things we have been taught.

This Is The Kit worked on the song with Bristol band Bucky THEBRISTOLMAG.CO.UK

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Image: Craig Fuller

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A diamond in the arts

Bristol Old Vic Theatre School has clocked up 75 years producing the leading lights of the arts and entertainment industry. What does its diamond anniversary, and the post-Covid world, hold for the alma mater of Olivia Colman, Sir Daniel Day-Lewis and Sir Patrick Stewart?

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omparatively few Bristolians – adopted, or born-andbred – realise the sheer number of stage and screen luminaries who have also called the city home while receiving world-class training. It’s often described as one of the city’s best-kept secrets.

Nestling on the edge of the Clifton Downs, and set back from the main road, stands a series of unassuming, late Victorian villas. Step a little closer and you may hear some melodic singing practice, or, in the summer months, glimpse sword fighting in the car park; venture closer still and you may just bump into a future household name.

For Downside Road is the home of Bristol Old Vic Theatre School, a vocational training centre offering degree programmes in all things theatre, film and television.

Image: Dan Rowley

Ready for combat: students rehearse stage skills on the Downs

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The school’s alumni are in a league of their own: look beyond Queen Olivia Colman at the credits of Netflix’s The Crown and you’ll see that the up-and-coming generation of Josh O’Connor (Prince Charles), Erin Doherty (Princess Anne) and Tom Byrne (Prince Andrew) are all Bristol trained.

Step a little closer and you may hear some melodic singing practice, or, in summer, glimpse sword fighting in the car park

Drama school isn’t just for those hoping to be the next leading man or lady. Also squeezing in at the Clifton site, you’ll find those training to be future stage managers, set designers, directors, production electricians, prop-makers, costume makers, lighting designers… and the list of disciplines is ever growing with new courses in voice studies and playwriting launching last year. Those specialising in film production and radio drama can be found at the school’s Christchurch Studios in Clifton Village – the former flagship BBC Radio drama facility – while those carving out a career (sometimes quite literally) in scenic construction and scenic art are based at the school’s workshops in Bedminster. Numbers are deliberately small to ensure students have the individual attention required to flourish; just 180 students are on the Theatre School’s roll at any one time.

Together, staff and students function as a producing theatre company, taking shows across the city and the wider region, and inviting practising industry professionals in to support the realisation of these productions. Some 200 performances are

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presented to the public annually including at Bristol Old Vic (from whom the school became independent in the 1980s), Tobacco Factory Theatres, the Wardrobe Theatre in Old Market, The Redgrave in Clifton and Circomedia in St Paul’s.

The versatility of the school’s artistic programme is something to behold, with main-house productions, touring shows, and children’s theatre all in the mix. This spring’s offering includes a devised retelling of The Pied Piper Of Hamelin (ACTA Centre, Bedminster), John Osborne’s disillusioned classic Look Back In Anger, through to Charlene James’s 2016 Cuttin’ It, exploring issues of cultural identity and female genital mutilation (both at Bristol Old Vic’s Weston Studio).

Those providing the magic off-stage or behind the camera are often the lifeblood of the arts industry. Look through the end credits of those shows that have provided much-needed escapism during lockdown and you’ll see BOVTS-trained creatives throughout: Dan Winch, executive producer for ITV’s millionaire-heist drama Quiz; Ita O’Brien the pioneering intimacy coordinator on BBC’s Normal People; and Erlend Webb, the head rigger in charge of the flying scenery on each Saturday outing of Strictly Come Dancing, to name but a few. In the 21st century the school’s name has become something of a misnomer, with graduates equally likely to be employed in the film and television industries as they are in theatre – welcome news for those looking for opportunities to be part of the creative economy.

Image: Craig Fuller

The Crown’s Josh O’Connor (Prince Charles), Erin Doherty (Princess Anne) and Tom Byrne (Prince Andrew) are all Bristol trained

This image, and main image: Hedda at Bristol Old Vic in 2020

The Clifton site produces future stage managers, set designers, propmakers, costume makers but the school’s name has become a misnomer, with graduates as likely to be employed in film and TV as theatre

Look through the credits of shows that provided lockdown escapism and see BOVTS creatives: the executive producer for millionaire-heist Quiz; the pioneering intimacy coordinator on Normal People

BOVTS’ Downside Road premises lit up in red to support the struggling arts sector last year

Image: Craig Fuller

Despite the live events industry being upended in the past months, 2020 proved to be an exciting year for the school. The summer saw the arrival of Fiona Francombe, the school’s first female principal and the founding director of Bristol’s Bottle Yard Studios; in autumn it unveiled plans for a new master’s programme in screen acting, the launch of which coincides with the school’s anniversary in October.

Covid has done little to dampen its spirit, prompting an evolution of sorts in artistic practice. Starting with rehearsed readings over online platforms in the spring, progressing to pre-recorded streamed productions in the summer, autumn finally saw students treading the boards again for fully staged livestream productions which played to several thousand members of the public. Students confidently captured the magic of live performance for those watching from the safety and comfort of their own homes and look forward to inperson audiences again this year.

With this school an integral part of the creative fabric of Bristol, the future of the arts industry is in some very safe hands. ■ • oldvic.ac.uk THEBRISTOLMAG.CO.UK

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The Velvet Mafia

Local author Darryl W. Bullock’s latest book celebrates the huge cultural contributions made by the gay men of the music industry during the Sixties pop boom

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ristol-based author Darryl W. Bullock has come a long way since penning his first piece for the Bath Chronicle more than 25 years ago. After a decade editing the LGBT section of much-missed local listings magazine Venue, followed by several years helming the West’s alternative lifestyles magazine the Spark, in 2015 he embarked on a career as an author.

Since then he has written several internationally acclaimed books, including David Bowie Made Me Gay, a century-long look at LGBT recording artists. His latest, The Velvet Mafia, follows the stories of the gay men who ran the recording industry in Britain in the 1950s and 1960s. Here he shares a little of the story.

Larry Parnes with Billy Fury

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Images, this page: Mirrorpix, used by permission

The search outside the capital for a new sound

The British pop music industry really began in 1956, and was very much centred on London. From the very beginning, the industry was run by gay men: many of the managers, booking agents, record company heads, producers and songwriters who directed the careers of such icons as Cliff Richard, Shirley Bassey, Bristol’s own Russ Conway and Pensford-born jazz star Acker Bilk were homosexual. They had to be careful, because prior to 1967 it was illegal for homosexual men to have sex or even to chat up or dance with other men, but without the knowledge of the rest of the country the biggest names behind the scenes were working together, supporting each other and, in some cases, having affairs with other high-profile industry professionals.

London may have been the centre of the industry, but some people – including artist manager Larry Parnes and Gloucestershire-born producer Joe Meek – were looking outside of the capital for the next big thing. As the ’50s became the ’60s, the passion for American rock ’n’ roll was being replaced by a need for a homegrown sound: talent scouts were in and out of Bristol looking for bands, and although Bristol might not be the first place that people think about when looking at how rock and pop music has developed in the UK, it has played a significant role.

We all know about the city’s musical heyday in the late ’80s and mid-1990s, with Smith and Mighty, Tricky, Massive Attack, Roni Size and Portishead, but you can trace the lineage right back to the birth of rock ’n’ roll, if not before. Acts like Knowle’s the Eagles and the Kestrels were really busy during the first half of the 1960s, with international tours, recording sessions and film and TV work. Since then, Bristol and the surrounding towns and cities have given us everyone from Adge Cutler and prog rock pioneers Stackridge, to The Pop Group, The Korgis, Tears for Fears, Bananarama, the Blue Aeroplanes, the Vice Squad, Robert Wyatt, hit songwriters Cook and Greenaway and so many more.

In a hurry to get to London, Cochran and Vincent rented a taxi, driven by George Martin from Hartcliffe, to take them

A turning point in pop history By macabre coincidence an event that took place around Bristol marks a major turning point in the story of pop music. Eddie Cochran died hours after appearing at the Bristol Hippodrome in 1960, as part of the Larry Parnes-produced Anglo-American rock ’n’ roll package tour.

Two of the people who shared a stage with Cochran that night were Tony Sheridan and a Liverpudlian singer called Johnny Gentle. Both were under contract to Parnes and both would play a significant role in the history of the most influential British act of all time, the Beatles.

Sheridan, the first British rock ’n’ roller to sing and play his own guitar live on British TV, would become best known for the recordings he made in Hamburg with the Beatles shortly before they found fame.

Parnes was the first manager in Britain to become as famous as his artists – the Simon Cowell of his day – with a stable of singers including Tommy Steele, Britain’s first real rock ’n’ roll star, Marty Wilde, Billy Fury, Vince Eager and others. He was also homosexual, a dangerous thing to be at a time when gay men were routinely arrested, fined or even imprisoned.

Their tour was due to take a break after a week of shows in Bristol, and Cochran and co-headliner Gene Vincent wanted to get home to America. Cochran was in a hurry to get to London, where he was going to meet up with Vince Eager before the pair flew to the States together, and Cochran and Vincent rented a private hire taxi, driven by

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Bristol’s importance to LGBT politics

I’m now working on my next book, which takes a look at how Britain’s LGBT community has developed over the last half century, and Bristol plays a far bigger role in that story. There were very few LGBT venues in Bristol in the ’50s and ’60s; the best known would have been the Radnor Hotel on St Nicholas Street and Ship Inn on Redcliffe Hill, demolished in 1967, but by the early 1970s there were

clubs including the Moulin Rouge in Clifton, King’s Club on Prince Street and the Oasis on Park Row. Freddie Mercury took the members of Queen to the Oasis after the band played Bristol Hippodrome in 1977, and the late Dave Prowse was once a bouncer at the Moulie.

Bristol’s importance to LGBT politics began in the early 1970s, with the establishment of a local chapter of the Campaign for Homosexual Equality, and very active gay students’ groups. In 1973 the National Union of Students held their first gay rights conference in the city, years before the Labour party fully committed itself to the advancement of LGBT rights. Bristol had its first gay festival in 1977 – a forerunner to the annual Bristol Pride – and this was held as a fundraiser for LGBT newspaper Gay News which was being taken to court for blasphemy.

Freddie Mercury took the members of Queen to the Oasis after the band played Bristol Hippodrome in 1977

The Moulin Rouge hit national notoriety in February 1976 when around 500 women convened in Bristol for the third annual National Lesbian Conference. The club had been hired out by conference organisers for their exclusive use, however the management of the venue neglected to tell their regular clientele. Conference attendees were enjoying an evening of entertainment, including live music from Bristol musicians, when a scuffle broke out between some of the women and several men who were told – in no uncertain terms – that their presence was unwanted. At least four women were injured, including one who had her jaw broken and another who was knocked unconscious. The altercation gave the police – who had raided the Moulie on several occasions – more ammunition in their fight to have the place closed down permanently.

In the mid-1970s, after Dale Wakefield set up the city’s Lesbian and Gay Switchboard, more pubs and clubs began to pop up, and in 1978 the Bristol Gay Centre opened in the now-demolished McArthur’s Warehouse, on Gas Ferry Road, although not everyone was happy about that. The vicar of a local church objected to a fundraising concert the Gay Centre wanted to hold at the Corn Exchange – which in those days hosted live concerts, boxing matches and all sorts – and the council revoked the license, but things were improving for the local LGBT community. By that time, of course, we had a whole new wave of LGBT pop stars: Elton John, Marc Bolan and David Bowie had all come out as bisexual, paving the way for the big LGBT stars to come, and by the mid-1980s music fans were becoming accustomed to seeing out-gay acts in the charts and on stage. ■ • The Velvet Mafia: The Gay Men Who Ran The Swinging Sixties is out now, published by Omnibus Press Harrison begged Gentle to give him the shirt Cochran had worn on stage in Bristol

The Beatles in 1963, drinking beer out of teacups (image: Norman Scott)

George Martin from Hartcliffe, to take them.

Shortly after 11pm on 16 April 1960, their car set off from Bristol’s Royal Hotel (now the Bristol Marriott Royal, on College Green) for London Airport.

Sadly, none of the passengers would make their flight. Less than an hour out of Bristol, Martin realised he had taken a wrong turn. On Rowden Hill, a notorious accident black spot near Chippenham, he lost control and the car spun backwards, hitting a lamppost. The impact of the crash sent Cochran up into the roof of the car and forced the rear passenger side door open, throwing him onto the road. Martin and tour manager Patrick Thompkins, who were in the front of the vehicle, were able to walk away uninjured. The three passengers who had occupied the back seat – Eddie, Gene and Eddie’s girlfriend Sharon Sheeley – were lying on the grass verge. All three were rushed to Chippenham Cottage Hospital, before being transferred to St Martin’s Hospital, just outside Bath.

Vincent had broken his collarbone, Sheeley was badly bruised and concussed, but Cochran was seriously injured and would not regain consciousness: he died in hospital in Bath the following day. A young police cadet, David Harman, was among those called to help clear the scene after the crash. Harman would later find fame as Dave Dee, front man of the hit group Dave Dee, Dozy, Beaky, Mick and Tich.

Three weeks after Cochran’s death, Larry Parnes auditioned the Beatles to act as the backing group to his big signing, Billy Fury. They did not win that booking, but he hired them to play with Johnny Gentle on a short tour of Scotland. All of the Beatles were fans of Cochran and Vincent, and lapped up Gentle’s tales of life on the road with the two big American stars. When the 17-year-old George Harrison discovered that Gentle owned the shirt that Cochran had worn on stage in Bristol for that last show he begged the singer to give it to him. The Beatles would later play Bristol several times: in November 1963, when they played at the former Colston Hall for the second time, Bristol vocal quartet the Kestrels were also on the bill.

When they returned the following year their performance was flourbombed by four Bristol students.

Parnes had already made the acquaintance of a Liverpudlian furniture store manager, Brian Epstein, and a year later Epstein would become the Beatles’ manager. Parnes became something of a mentor to Epstein, who was also gay, although the younger man’s achievements soon surpassed Parnes’ own successes, and the two men would stay friends until Epstein’s untimely death in 1967.

Several years later Robert Stigwood, manager of Cream and the Bee Gees, would make a play to take over Epstein’s empire. Although the Australian emigree is probably best known as the multi-millionaire producer of such huge ’70s hits as Saturday Night Fever and Grease, he began his management career in Britain with Bristol dance troupe the Western Theatre Ballet Company, organising a tour of European and eastern Bloc countries. In 1958 the company became the first ever to have a performance filmed in Bristol broadcast by the BBC.

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“We really hope that in following years, other rowing teams will see that it’s not that hard to be sustainable on the boat.”

A moment in history

More people have been to space than rowed an ocean so when the Bristol Gulls became the first ever crew to row across the Atlantic in an eco-boat, history was made. Millie Bruce-Watt caught up with the trailblazers...

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ristol’s very own all-female four-boat, the Bristol Gulls, have made it into the history books after rowing 3,000 miles across the Atlantic Ocean – in a boat made of 10,000 recycled plastic bottles. For what has become known as the world’s toughest row, 20 boats took part in this year’s Talisker Whisky Atlantic Challenge, which saw Sofia Deambrosi, Lorna Carter, Phoebe Wright and Sarah Hunt spend nearly 47 days at sea.

The crews, which comprised of solo rowers, pairs, trios and fours, set off from La Gomera in the Canary Islands on 12 December, with the first boat arriving in Antigua just four and a half weeks later.

Along with the Gulls’ eco-boat, this year’s race saw a number of world firsts. The crew named Row4Cancer became the fastest pair to row the Atlantic in just 32 days; Jasmine Harrison became the youngest woman to row solo across any ocean at just 21; Frank Rothwell, 70, became the oldest person to row the Atlantic solo; and the Gulls’ skipper, Sofia, is now the first Uruguayan to ever row an ocean.

Together, the Gulls survived seasickness; battled scorching temperatures; endured relentless 30-foot waves; and overcame capsizing to raise awareness and money for the RNLI in Portishead and Clean Up Bristol Harbour. Just a few days after the Gulls stepped back on land, we caught up via Zoom with Sofia, Phoebe and Lorna, who were at the harbour, enjoying the Caribbean’s sun-warmed waters.

“We all feel a massive sense of pride in ourselves,” says Phoebe; “it’s such a team effort. You’re totally alone out there so it was a massive achievement that we got through it, with amazing memories and still amazing friends.”

On becoming the first Uruguayan to ever row an ocean, Sofia beamed. “I’m just super proud. It’s awesome to be representing the country. We’re representing so many things; Bristol, Uruguay, England, Scotland for Sara but also we’re the first eco-boat to ever take part in the race – and hopefully the first of many.”

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The Gulls’ eco-boat sits at the very heart of this adventure.

Appropriately named Vaquita after a critically endangered porpoise found off the coast of California, the Gulls’ achievement proved that a boat made of sustainable materials could house and propel four people across the world’s second largest ocean – all while battling the unforgiving elements. The boat, built by Rannoch Adventure, was constructed using renewable energy. It had no engine; the crew used a solar-powered desalination unit to convert seawater into freshwater, and its foam core was made up of recycled plastic bottles. Their motto, painted down one side, read “trailblazing sustainability”.

“What that meant is that we’re willing to put ourselves in a more vulnerable position to try it out,” explains Phoebe. “We really hope that in following years, other rowing teams will see that it’s not that hard to be sustainable on the boat.”

“Rannoch Adventure basically took their standard model and just modified the materials and manufacturing processes to be more sustainable and have less impact on the environment,” adds Lorna.

“Then they looked at their supply chain and spoke to more eco suppliers and introduced some plant-based resins – it’s really cool what they’re doing and it’s been really fun for us to put it to the test on the ocean. We really hope that the processes can be made more standard.”

Although the Gulls admit that not everything they used on the boat stood the test of time on the ocean, with some sustainable food bags failing to withstand the occasional leak on board, the team are proud to have taken the first step in pushing the marine industry into a more sustainable place. “There is a reason why the marine industry is a little bit lagging in terms of sustainability and we experienced it first-hand – some stuff got wet, some food got spoiled, and if it had been in more durable plastic packaging it would have survived. For us, it is awesome to have all these lessons learned and share the things that did work with other teams. And the things that didn’t work, we can go back and look at how they can be improved.

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On their quest to revolutionise the industry, the Gulls also ensured they lived as sustainably as possible while on board. They went to local retailers to ensure that their clothing was sustainably made or secondhand and their food packaging was recyclable. They ditched single-use plastics and used sun cream that was ocean-friendly.

“We wanted to prove that if you go to the effort of choosing things that are from a better place it’s not that hard to make a difference,” says Phoebe. “If everyone were to swim with sun cream that doesn’t harm reefs and didn’t buy new clothes for every single sporting event, we’d make a big difference.”

It was an unusual festive period on Vaquita – and although they spent Christmas Day battling strong winds, the crew managed to celebrate with a few traditional home comforts. “We did secret Santa and had Christmas cake and one half of a soggy mince pie, which was incredible! On New Years’ we learned Auld Lang Syne properly and we sang it, a lot. Every day was kind of the same, you only see a few new things so on New Years’ day we stopped and gave each other a hug.”

At one point, we were surrounded by orcas and had whales swimming under us. You just realise how human beings are so powerless in nature

Rowing under the stars; learning to live in the small confines of the boat; feeling vulnerable to the sheer size and power of the ocean and the beings that live within it were all factors that needed to be overcome or experiences that made the adventure ever more unique. The team speak so vividly about the night sky, in particular, it’s clear that it was a truly enchanting sight to see.

“Some nights the moon was so bright it was like dusk the whole evening – it was perfect brightness on deck – the night sky was one of the most incredible things. At the very beginning, there were quite a lot of meteor showers so seeing stars coming through the atmosphere was really incredible,” they explain.

“You do feel very vulnerable,” says Sofia. “You’d have these 20-30 foot waves rising up behind you and then crashing over you. It made us realise that we are so tiny and insignificant. The ocean has complete control over you. It’s very humbling. At one point, we were surrounded by orcas and had whales swimming under us. You just realise how human beings are so powerless in nature.”

One night, the Gulls did experience just how powerful nature can be.

While Sofia was alone on deck, rowing through the night, Vaquita was destabilised by relentless rolling waves, forcing the boat to capsize.

“It was really rough sea so we couldn’t row two people up,” Sofia explains. “We had a bunch of waves that came together. The first one

was really big and destabilised us and the second one just went over the stern completely. We were vertical and water just flooded the deck. The boat couldn’t handle it and it spun but by the time I realised what was happening, I was under the boat and then by the time I blinked the boat was turning again.”

In the retelling of the events, the team’s resilient mind-set and positive attitude shines through. Although they broke an oar and lost some essential items including food, gel seat pads and equipment to the Atlantic Ocean that night, their spirit never faltered.

It is no secret that the Talisker Whisky Challenge requires not only a high-level of physical strength but also unwavering mental durability.

The Gulls rowed in two-hour shifts for the majority of the race and recruited Michelle Obama, Stephen Fry and Steve Backshall to keep morale high. “We listened to loads of audiobooks about adventurers.

We tend to like books about inspiring people who have done cool things so there was a theme of that. We also listened to Mythos by Stephen Fry and we were looking at the sky while he was talking about the planets and the stars and I guess we felt really connected with it,” says Sofia.

Intense is how the Gulls describe the moment they saw Antigua on the horizon, after nearly seven weeks on board. “I got this weird flashback of two and half years of preparation and training,” says Sofia.

“It all boils down to that second when you cross the finish line and you think, ‘I’m done’.”

“It was an amazing experience and the welcome was brilliant,” adds Phoebe. “The boats that were moored in the harbour were all beeping and cheering, the organisers did an amazing job with the welcome and with the flares.”

The race was unequivocally a life-changing adventure for every rower that took part, one that will never be forgotten. Each saw some of the most extraordinary sights that nature has to offer; they witnessed its power; felt its cruel sting; were humbled by its sheer size; and embraced its serenity and grace. As a pandemic continues to shake our world, the opportunity to connect with nature was undoubtedly a welcome tonic.

For the Gulls, some well-deserved R&R is on the cards. Vaquita? She is set to compete again next year, having been sold to a team championing sustainability in the marine industry and beyond. The money made from the sale will go towards the Gulls’ two charities, both of which are working tirelessly to raise awareness of plastic pollution and drowning prevention.

Over the years, the Talisker Whisky Atlantic challenge has seen exmilitary personnel, athletes and sportspeople take on the task of a lifetime. The Gulls making their way to Antigua was an inspiration to all who watched. “For us, the point was that anyone can do it. We didn’t just think overnight we’re going to go and cross an ocean – it was a lot of hard work – but it doesn’t matter where you start, you can always get there.” n • You can still donate to the Bristol Gulls’ two charities – Clean Up Bristol Harbour and the RNLI Portishead – at thebristolgulls.com

“You’re totally alone out there so it was a massive achievement that we got through it, with amazing memories and still amazing friends.”

All images credited to Atlantic Campaigns/Penny Bird

“You’d have these 20-30 foot waves rising up behind you and then crashing over you. The ocean has complete control over you. It’s very humbling.”

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Pride of Bristol

Professor Christiane Berger-Schaffitzel, biochemistry bod at the University of Bristol, shares the science behind her groundbreaking Covid-19 discovery, and recalls her surreal lab commute through the deserted city during the peak of the first wave

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n autumn 2020, a ‘druggable pocket’ in the SARS-CoV-2 spike protein, which could be used to stop the virus from infecting human cells, was discovered by an international team of scientists led by the University of Bristol. Their findings were deemed potentially game-changing in defeating the pandemic, as it was believed that small molecule anti-viral drugs could be developed to target the pocket they discovered, and eliminate Covid-19. The Berger-Schaffitzel lab’s Professor Christiane tells us what it was like.

TBM: How has it been to work in this field on something so very urgent at a time that will go down in history?

Professor Christiane Berger-Schaffitzel: The lockdown in March lead us to pivot our activities to Covid-19 research. We assembled a team of very experienced postgraduates who volunteered to use our tools to dissect the SARS-CoV-2 virus. All of us were key workers and part of UNCOVER, University of Bristol’s Covid-19 emergency research group led by Adam Finn from Bristol Medical School. My husband’s team initially produced spike protein for vaccine development and to establish serology testing. Spike is the protein on the surface of the SARSCoV-2 virus that mediates human cell infection. My team used cryo-electron microscopy to quality control the sample they produced, by determining its 3D structure. It was a unique experience. It felt surreal to walk to work through a deserted Clifton, meet the same few people in otherwise empty laboratories and return again at night through a ghost town. The work was extremely focused and intense. Some team members even spent the night in the laboratory occasionally.

How did the breakthrough come to pass?

When we analysed the atomic structure of the SARS-CoV-2 spike glycoprotein, we discovered a previously unknown pocket – a sort of molecular cave – within in the protein. To our surprise, inside of the pocket, we found a small molecule. It turned out that this small molecule was linoleic acid. With the help of Andrew Davidson, a renowned Bristol coronavirus expert, and his team, we could show that binding of linoleic acid to the spike protein blocks virus replication. Thus, unexpectedly, we discovered not only a druggable pocket in the SARS-CoV-2 spike protein, but also a potential drug, linoleic acid, in the pocket, which could be used as antiviral to protect us for infection by the virus.

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Tell us more about druggable pockets...

Similar pockets are found frequently in other proteins which are implicated in diseases. Blocking such a pocket with a drug, typically a small molecule, can inhibit the function of such proteins and provide a cure. In our study, the small molecule is linoleic acid – it binds to the pocket and distorts the spike protein, dialling down the infectivity of the virus. Our data suggests that linoleic acid could be already a drug that could be used as a potent antiviral to protect us from infection. In the future, based on our discovery, new drugs could be developed that bind even better to the pocket to suppress viral infectivity entirely and eliminate Covid-19.

The editor of Science asked us upon submission to also alert the World Health Organisation and immediately make our discovery publicly available What happens when a team discovers something valuable?

Covid-19 has revolutionised how we publish research findings.

We submitted our manuscript describing this work to Science, one of the leading and most respected journals for cutting-edge research. Usually, it takes several months until a manuscript is evaluated and, if deemed important enough, published and thus made available to the public. Now, in contrast, the editor of Science asked us upon submission to also alert the World Health Organisation and immediately make our discovery publicly available by uploading on a preprint server, accessible by everybody prior to peer-review. Today’s speed of research and information sharing is unprecedented.

What is special about linoleic acid?

Linoleic acid is a very special molecule. It is a fatty acid and part of vitamin F. Our body cannot synthesise linoleic acid, we need to take it up with our diet. Under normal circumstances we have enough of it in our bodies, but it was shown that patients who

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Following the scientists: the discovery by Professor Christiane Berger-Schaffitzel and her Bristol team helped researchers around the world

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Image: University of Bristol

It felt surreal to walk to work through a deserted Clifton, meet the same few people in otherwise empty laboratories and return again at night through a ghost town

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become sick with Covid-19 do not have enough linoleic acid left. Our body requires linoleic acid to protect us against inflammation and to regulate our immune reactions. It is also essential to keep the cell membranes in our lungs soft to allow oxygen to pass through efficiently. When linoleic acid is lacking, all these functions are failing, and this is exactly what we see in severe Covid-19 patients. Providing linoleic acid could therefore serve two vital purposes – suppressing viral infectivity, and, in the unlucky case that we do become sick, helping fight the disease by restoring key body functions.

The work was extremely focused and intense.

Some team members even spent the night in the laboratory occasionally

Have you got further since, in terms of turning your new knowledge against the virus?

The response to our discovery has been overwhelming. I never experienced something like this before. We are still dealing with requests for interviews and writing features or reviews and answering many emails we receive from citizens from all walks of life who encourage us and wish to know more. Importantly, we have been contacted by leading experts from academia and pharma with concrete suggestions how to translate our finding into a treatment against Covid-19. With these experts we have now put together a realistic and fully costed clinical trial plan to translate our discovery to the bedside as soon as possible. Right at this moment, we are working very hard to secure the funding required to realise our vision.

What impact have the vaccines had on what you’re doing?

We all have great hopes that vaccines can help to overcome the pandemic. The current first-generation vaccines are reported to be 9094% efficient. Many people can or will not take the jabs, and they may not be equally efficient in those who do. In addition to vaccines, we therefore need urgently antiviral drugs for treating Covid-19, and linoleic acid – which is affordable and immediately available – could be a particularly potent one.

With leading experts from academia and pharma experts we have put together a clinical trial plan to translate our discovery to the bedside as soon as possible

virus spreads and how our bodies react. And there are many more women in Bristol and elsewhere who deserve so much credit for their hard work and exciting discoveries.

Is the department working on ways of improving diversity?

We are very international and diverse: members of our laboratory come from the United States, India, Iran, China, South Africa, Germany, France, Italy, Spain, Hungary, Greece, Wales and England.

We very much enjoy this cultural diversity. It’s particularly nice when people bring traditional food to share with the team. Half of our team is female. We lack Black minority team members. The University of Bristol has recently announced a scholarship programme scheme to support the study of Black heritage students which hopefully helps drive a cultural change.

How did you get into your line of work, and why Bristol?

I started my scientific career in Zürich, Switzerland; there I met my husband who is also a scientist. We both moved as group leaders to the European Molecular Biology Laboratory in Grenoble, France.

When we started planning our next joint career move, we received an offer in the UK and contacted our long-time collaborator and friend – a professor at University of Bristol – seeking advice about the ins and outs of job negotiations at UK universities. He made us aware of two open professorship positions in Bristol and encouraged us to apply, and here we are. It turned out to be a fantastic opportunity for us; we work closely together and share all resources.

Research is what I always wanted to do – the intellectual freedom, curiosity and excitement that comes with it is just so attractive

What do you think you would have gone into if not this?

Research is what I always wanted to do – the intellectual freedom, curiosity and excitement that comes with it is just so attractive. At the same time, I was aware that academic research is a crowded field, and while in Switzerland, I briefly considered teaching chemistry in secondary school. I attended courses in didactics and pedagogics and started giving chemistry lessons to pupils but I realised that I would miss life in the laboratory too much.

How do you like to relax?

I read a wide variety of books, mostly Ian Rankin thrillers and Jeffrey Archer. I recently enjoyed Michael Sandel The Tyranny of Merit: What’s Become of the Common Good? and I plan to read Elena Ferrante’s Neapolitan novels.

Which women in STEM are doing exceptional things at the moment?

What do you love most about the part of the city?

There are many women in Bristol who excel in different capacities, take on professional responsibilities and at the same time constantly strive to reconcile the expectations that they and others place in them.

In the context of STEM and Covid-19, I would like to mention my colleagues Prof Caroline Relton, Prof Lucy Yardley, Dr Ellen Brooks Pollock, Dr Lucy Selman, Dr Laura Rivino, Prof Linda Wooldridge and their teams who are all making incredibly important contributions to our understanding of the pandemic, what risks factors are, how the

I love that living in Bristol offers all upsides and commodities of a ‘big city’ without really feeling like one. We live in Clifton and I can conveniently walk to the university, to the city centre or to the harbour. I love all the nature and green areas in Bristol. We have foxes in our neighbourhood, and some time ago I even saw a badger racing over the Downs. ■

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• bristol.ac.uk; Twitter: @berger_labs

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BRISTOL UPDATES NEWS FROM LOCAL BUSINESSES AND COMMUNITY ORGANISATIONS

GOING THE EXTRA MILE

MW Funeral Directors’ Ella Abbott

BLOW AWAY THE COBWEBS With the lifting of restrictions on self-catering UK holidays looking likely from mid-April, many providers are gearing up for a busy season for staycations in holiday destinations around the country. The chance to blow away the cobwebs and kick back in a cosy seaside hideaway is looking more achievable. Family-owned holiday lettings provider Cornish Horizons, part of the Original Cottages family – which has some of the most desirable holiday homes in many of Cornwall’s best coastal and countryside locations – is offering to satisfy that demand and at the same time give back to the local Smiles for Miles Adaptive communities in which they operate.

Surfing Wave Project With every booking made before the end of March, the company will donate to UK Community Foundations, a national network of local foundations bringing together people and organisations that want to improve their communities.

• cornishhorizons.co.uk

SHOWCASE YOUR TALENT A new way for local film and TV crew to showcase their talents has launched to help them find job opportunities in and around Bristol.

Comprehensive new service Bristol Crew, designed to bolster the existing talent within the Bristol area, functions around the premise that film and TV productions happening in Bristol should be supported by local talent. Bristol Crew makes it easy for production companies looking to film in the area to access the amazing local talent available to them.

Membership is now open and those interested can either setup a free listing or upgrade for a reduced annual fee.

A Bristol funeral directors has introduced a flexible way of working to help support families during the coronavirus pandemic.

MW Funeral Directors in Westbury-on-Trym know that planning a funeral for a loved one is an incredibly personal experience and every family wants to do it differently, particularly under the current circumstances.

With lockdown measures still in place, the independent business has developed a fully remote way of planning a funeral so that people can liaise with the team, choose bespoke packages and complete all paperwork from the comfort and safety of their own homes.

“We use video conferencing and other tools to ensure that families get the personalised, empathetic care we are known for, no matter how they communicate with us,” said funeral director Ella Abbott. “While it would be easy to assume that planning a funeral would have to be done in-person, our remote working procedures have been really popular with families who want to stay as safe as possible but who also want the personal touch of speaking directly to a funeral director.

“Having said that, many families understandably want to meet face-to-face with the people organising such an incredibly meaningful event so, of course, our office remains open and we are more than happy to accommodate people on an appointment-only basis.

“We have invested in making sure our offices are Covid-19 safe in order to protect our customers and staff as much as possible so if they do want to visit, the door is always open.

“This flexible approach allows families to relax and do what feels most comfortable for them during an incredibly intense and stressful time.”

MW Funeral Directors provide funeral directing services to families in South Gloucestershire, Bristol and further afield. As signatories of the ‘Fair Funerals Pledge’ they are committed to providing outstanding funeral care that is accessible to all.

Ella continued: “We have over 25 years in the funeral industry so we deeply understand the stresses involved when preparing for a funeral. As a small independent we are able to spend as much time with families as they need and really provide a bespoke service – our coronavirus response is just an extension of that.”

MW Funeral Directors’ competitive prices start from £1,995 for a complete service including cremation costs. For more information about MW Funeral Directors, telephone Ella on 0117 950 4100 or visit the website below.

• mwfuneraldirectors.com

Membership for Bristol Crew is now open

• bristolcrew.co.uk

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EDUCATION NEWS UPDATES FROM THE CITY’S SCHOOLS AND COLLEGES

INVESTING IN THE ARTS IN 2021 As they put 2020 behind them and look to the future, Redmaids’ High Junior School is placing a renewed emphasis on the arts – an area that has been a true casualty of the pandemic. “Careers in the arts are essential to our country's economy, not to mention our collective wellbeing, sense of community and general enjoyment of life,” said headteacher Lisa Brown. “We feel passionately that the future of music and theatre needs to be preserved and invested in, rather than side-lined and ignored. Our feeling is so strong that we are making a significant financial investment. Any Year 3 pupil joining the school from September 2021 will have one-to-one music or drama lessons with a specialist teacher, completely free of charge for a year.”

Girls will be able to choose between singing lessons or an instrument of their choice.

Alternatively, they can opt for weekly speech and drama lessons, building confidence and vocabulary, that could lead to them take London Academy of Music and Dramatic Art qualifications. The investment amounts to approximately £600 per pupil and is in addition to the timetabled music and drama lessons for the whole class. Studies have found that music students often outperform their peers in English, maths and science, and engagement with theatre can boost academic performance, social bonding, emotional and cognitive skills.

“Our aim is to inspire a generation of children who have a discerning appreciation of music and performance, as well as enhancing their general development,” says Lisa Brown.

• redmaidshigh.co.uk

WELCOME TO BRISTOL! Bristol Steiner School welcomes Nicola Forder to her post as Head Teacher of the Redlandbased school. The independent day school has a rich history dating back to 1973 and welcomes children from the age of 3 to 11 years. Nicola joins the school following the departure of previous Head Teacher Ruth Glover as she embarks on a new challenge in the charity sector.

As a child-centred school, pupils benefit from a vibrant, uplifting, Waldorf education that integrates the virtues of academic achievement, emotional intelligence and individuality to benefit the whole-child. Small class sizes promote the wellbeing and self-belief of each child.

Nicola was the Head of Teaching and Learning at the Exmoor Federation of small primary schools, where she was also seconded for a time as an Acting Head Teacher for a school within the Federation. She is currently completing a Master’s Degree in Leadership and Management in Education and is a trained practitioner in ‘Attachment Aware’ approaches that inform children’s development.

Following her appointment, Nicola stated, “This is a thrilling new venture for me, having gained most of my experience working extensively in small school settings. This is where I feel most at home and I enjoy the close partnerships with children, families and the wider community.”

New applications are accepted throughout the academic year. To book a personalised, virtual meeting please contact Admissions and Business Development Manager Vishwa Wijedasa on 0117 933 9990/vishwawijedasa@bristolsteinerschool.org.

• bristolsteinerschool.org

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New headteacher Nicola Forder

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Ou wil r Op l b en eh M eld orn vir ings tua lly

Whole School Open Morning: Monday 3rd May (for ages 3 – 18)

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Conditioning your hair should start inside the body – after all, you are what you eat

By the time we hit 25 we’ve lost over 50% of our original hair follicles, and stress has been identified as one of the major causes

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HEALTH & NUTRITION

Strand and deliver

Hair condition is a barometer of general health, say Noel Halligan and Corey Taylor at NOCO Hair. Totally up on their trichology, here they kindly offer nutritional tips for any pandemic-induced hair havoc

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richology and nutritional advice have become the norm in many hairdressing salons, where hair loss – both temporary and permanent – is no longer a taboo subject.

Being up close and personal with a plethora of clients’ hair issues is all in a day’s work, and post-partum shedding, alopecia areata, scaly scalps, dandruff and thinning leave us completely unfazed but keen to help.

The pandemic has increased anxiety and stress levels – emotions that can cause hairstyling havoc. What’s more, hair loss is also now being flagged up as an unwelcome side effect for those recovering from the virus.

Hair condition is a barometer of general health. Just as the body needs to be well hydrated, healthy hair requires moisture. It also needs to be protected against harsh conditions and rough handling. Daily abuses such as blasting away with the blow-dryer, straightening and curling at scorching temperatures, brushing hair when it’s wet, and traction from ponytails too tightly secured all contribute to ongoing problems.

Thinning hair and hair loss used to be associated almost exclusively with men – with older women and new mums the exceptions.

However, incredibly, by the time we humans hit 25 we’ve already lost over 50% of our original hair follicles. Stress has been identified as one of the major causes of hair loss, along with genetics, hormonal imbalance, poor diet, long-term illness and medication side effects.

It’s not crystal clear what causes alopecia areata, believed to affect one in 100 people in the UK, but extreme stress and trauma are thought to contribute to the over-stimulation of the auto-immune system which encourages the cells controlling hair growth in the follicles to shut down. Hair will usually grow back given time, but it’s not always so in extreme cases because of the complex emotional and physical nature of the problem.

skipping meals can trigger numerous problems such as thinning, weakness and fragility, and a general decline in hair health. Taking two of my trichology tablets daily can condition your hair from inside the body, giving stressed strands the help they need, and giving you the hair you deserve.”

Mark, who has shared quality time with a quarter of a million heads of hair, has poured 40 years’ experience into every gluten-free tablet.

The food supplements are also suitable for vegetarians, manufactured in the UK and not tested on animals.

We know Mark professionally, having referred several clients to him and they always return to our salon with great feedback. It’s special knowing the man behind the brand. He’s always there for us and our guests with expert advice and effective solutions to stubborn and persistent problems. We believe implicitly in his ability and inspirational approach – and the proven track record helps. The fact that Covid-19 and pandemic anxiety can have detrimental effects on hair health, in the form of reversible hair loss, makes them even more of a must-buy for us at the moment.

Seal of approval

Another professional NOCO turns to for nutritional tips is Rebecca Seal – author of eight cookbooks published worldwide, and self-help book Solo: How to Work Alone (And Not Lose Your Mind). She’s a regular guest expert on Channel 4’s Sunday Brunch, and she’s also Noel’s sister-in-law’s sister-in-law!

“Red meat from grass-fed good pastured cattle is a sustainable thing to eat,” advises Rebecca. “Red meat is demonised unnecessarily in my opinion – intensively reared, corn-fed red meat is a villain, but cutting red meat out completely isn’t helpful, especially if you’re missing vital nutrients in your diet already.”

Rebecca’s recipe for a scrumptious steak burrito, extracted below

➲

Hair loss is also now being flagged up as an unwelcome side effect for those recovering from the virus

Head start A healthy body fuels healthy hair growth but hectic modern lifestyles often undermine healthy eating habits. This motivated Mark Blake, NOCO’s internationally recognised go-to trichologist, to create a nutraceutical tablet to support and maintain hair health. These contain key nutrients to condition your crowning glory from the inside out.

Each packet of 60 chewable raspberry flavoured supplements combats hair issues such as thinning, restrictive growth, and poor condition; all of which can be traced to a lack of dietary protein and key nutrients.

“Conditioning your hair should start inside the body – after all, you are what you eat,” says Mark. “Changes in nutritional habits, such as cutting down on dairy and meat intake, juicing, yo-yo dieting and

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HEALTH & NUTRITION

from her book LEON Happy Fast Food, is packed with protein to supercharge problem strands...

Steak burrito (NF SF, serves 2) Many burritos are made with wonderfully tasty slow-cooked meats, which goes against this book’s speedy ethos. So we invented a reverseengineered way to max out flavour, by flash-cooking skirt steak – an especially tasty cut – until rare and tender, then dressing it with lime and garlic as it rests. (You could treat cooked chicken or fish the same way, or swap the steak for fried chorizo, or alternatively make this vegetarian by using black beans.)

40g uncooked rice Quarter tsp ground cumin Quarter tsp dried oregano 1/8 tsp cayenne pepper Half clove garlic, crushed Juice of half a lime Salt and freshly ground black pepper 200g skirt steak, fat trimmed away Oil for cooking

Roasty toasty nuts (VE V GF DF WF, serves 4 as a topping) • These add flavour, texture and goodness to even the simplest soup. You can roast nuts in the oven or on the stovetop – Rebecca prefers the stovetop as she can keep a close eye on whether they are burning or not. You’ll need 100g mixed unroasted, unsalted nuts, chopped into pieces if necessary.

• If using the oven, preheat it to 180ºC and cook for 5-7 minutes, depending on the size of the nut, until golden. On the stovetop, set a dry pan over a low heat and, when hot, add the nuts, and cook, tossing frequently, for 2-4 minutes, until brown and toasted.

• If you want to coat the nuts with spices you can use either water, water and beaten egg white, or water and melted butter – just mix a couple of tablespoons of each together with your spices (paprika, sugar, salt, cumin, za’atar, chilli etc) and then toss the nuts thoroughly before roasting in the oven.

For the burritos: 2 large wraps/flatbreads (can be WF GF) 100g cooked black beans 30g feta cheese (ideally a mild one) 3 tbsp guacamole, or 1 avocado, mashed (optional) Half spring onion, sliced or 1 tbsp pink pickled onions (or both) Sliced or chopped pickled jalapeños 2 cherry tomatoes, finely chopped Handful of coriander leaves Hot sauce – Measure the rice in a mug, then work out what twice its volume of water would be (that is, 1 mug of rice needs 2 mugs of water). Cook it for about 12 minutes, then set aside while you prepare the rest of the fillings.

– Mix together the cumin, oregano, cayenne, garlic, lime juice and some salt and pepper. Set aside.

– Season the steak all over. Pour a little oil into a frying pan set over a high heat. Once really hot, quickly cook the steak until deep brown on both sides, 2 or 3 minutes a side, but still fairly rare. Remove from the pan and place in a bowl to rest; pour over the lime juice mixture.

– When ready to assemble, slice the steak into 1.5 thick strips. Warm the breads and place each on a plate. Arrange half the rice in a line on each one, leaving space at the bottom of the bread, to fold up and enclose the fillings later. Place half the beans and half the feta on top of the rice. Arrange half the steak in a line next to the rice.

– Spread the guacamole or avocado, if using, in a line on the other side of the steak and then arrange all the remaining vegetables and herbs on top. Douse everything generously with hot sauce, then tightly wrap up the burrito, tucking in the spare bread at the bottom before rolling, so that everything doesn’t fall out, or drip.

– Eat straightaway. If you have time, and your burrito is really tightly wrapped, pan-fry the whole thing until light gold all over, in a clean, hot, dry pan.

West African-style peanut curry (V Ve DF WF GF SoF, serves 4) There are so many of our favourite LEON ingredients in this – kale, sweet potato, chickpeas, chillies and earthy, warming spices – that it makes us hum tunes from The Sound of Music.

1 tbsp neutral oil for cooking 2 onions, finely diced 2cm thumb ginger, peeled and finely grated 2 cloves garlic, crushed Half a red pepper, seeded and finely diced 2 tsp tomato puree Half tsp ground coriander Half tsp ground cumin

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Half tsp ground turmeric Between half and whole tsp ground cayenne pepper 400g tin of chopped tomatoes 400ml hot water 50g smooth peanut butter (unsweetened) 600g / 2 medium-sized sweet potatoes, peeled and diced 400g tin of cooked chickpeas, drained 150g kale, or any sweet, soft-leaved green cabbage, ribs removed, finely shredded 50g okra, trimmed and cut into 1cm rounds 1 red chilli, finely sliced, to serve (optional)

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HEALTH & NUTRITION

Handful of unsalted, toasted peanuts, chopped to serve – Set a large heavy-based pan over a medium heat. Add the oil and then the onion and saute gently until soft, about 8 minutes. Add the garlic, ginger and red pepper and cook for 3-4 minutes, until the ginger is no longer pungent. Add the tomato puree and all the ground spices (use only half teaspoon cayenne to start with) and cook for 2 minutes, stirring all the time, until the spices are fragrant and the tomato puree doesn’t smell raw.

– Next add the tomatoes and their juice, the water (just fill the tomato tin), peanut butter and sweet potatoes. Stir well, then bring up to a simmer. Partly cover with a lid, turn down the heat and leave to bubble until the sweet potato is tender, about 20-25 minutes.

– Add the drained chickpeas to the pan and simmer for another 5-10 minutes, then add the kale and okra, if using. Stir well, then simmer for 5 more minutes, just until the kale is done. Remove from the heat.

Taste for salt and pepper, and add a pinch more cayenne, if you like.

– Serve with the fresh red chilli slices and chopped peanuts, sprinkled on top. Tip: if you only have crunchy peanut butter, no worries, you will just end up with a nuttier texture.

Find your follicles

It’s not just quality meat that gives your hair vital nutritional support.

Consuming adequate levels of protein, vitamins, fats, carbohydrates and zinc is essential so consider adding these to your shopping list…

Eggs: an excellent source of protein and biotin.

Sweet potatoes: rich in iron, copper, potassium, magnesium and betacarotene.

Spinach and other leafy greens: great sources of iron, and an iron deficiency can lead to hair loss.

Oily fish or fish oil supplements: omega-3 provides essential proteins and nutrients.

Berries: bursting with beneficial compounds and vitamins.

Avocados: brimming with biotin, a B-complex vitamin.

Figs: contain magnesium and Vitamins C and E. Walnuts and almonds: loaded with nutrients, particularly biotin, Bvitamins, omega 3 and 6 fatty acids, plus plenty of protein and magnesium.

Sesame, sunflower, pumpkin and flax seeds: the most talked about seeds in terms of hair growth. They taste good too!

Hair loss control checklist • Always have the confidence to talk through your hair concerns with us. At NOCO we know what we’re doing and we want to help. We can suggest the best sort of styles to disguise the problem using our bespoke ‘Beautiful You, consultation’ to find your perfect balance between style and tone. Once we know your concerns, we can monitor the rate and pattern of your hair growth.

Experts agree that a balanced scalp is a beautiful thing. It is, after all, the environment from which hair grows. Integrating scalp care into a daily routine will provide the best foundation for healthy growth.

• Avoid traction hair loss through tight ponytails and plaits. Never go to bed with hair still tied back • Use only soft bristle hairbrushes that are gentle on the scalp and eradicate tugging. We stock a wonderful brush called Manta. The patented FLEXGUARD technology allows each bristle complete 360 º motion to gently free knots. This means hair never reaches the stress point where it breaks.

• Avoid an over-dependence on heated hair appliances. If your heated styler has a variable temperature, stick to 185º or below or you’ll risk serious damage. We always use and recommend GHD stylers, which are perfectly set at 185º for this very reason.

• Avoid, or at least limit, trigger foods such as dairy, spicy foods, sugary snacks, and, wait for it, wine!

NOCO co-founders Corey and Noel

Shout-out to all the new mums Coping with hair loss is the last thing a new mum needs, with everything baby-orientated that’s going on, and yet it’s a common problem affecting up to 50% of them. Approximately three months after delivery, or after a cessation in breastfeeding, hair that wasn’t shed during pregnancy can begin to fall. This is because the levels of oestrogen, the hormone maintaining the growing phase, drops and returns to normal.

Although alarming, it’s a normal and natural process that should stop within 10-12 weeks. If hair loss persists, there may be an underlying cause, such as diet, stress or hormonal imbalances, and it may require the attention and expertise of a trichologist. It should also be noted that some new mums are so focused on shedding the pregnancy pounds that they’re not getting the nutrition they need and this will be reflected in their hair condition.

Having beautiful, thick hair can be a big part of feeling confident post-baby, but this can be the time that hair begins to thin and panic sets in. A way to hide thinning hair is with a side parting – wearing it on the opposite side every day. The change in direction helps make the root of the hair stand up taller, making it look fuller and have more bounce. It’s also a good to try a new hair care regime to boost scalp health.

Mature hair manifesto

We always emphasise at the consultation stage that our clients don’t have to a) be stuck in a rut, or b) have basic hairstyles. Bold choices are just as likely to appeal to this demographic as they are to our younger clients. The same principles apply; it’s all about the individual, their personal style and lifestyle. It’s not just strength and shine that are fundamental to a youthful ’do. Shape and shade are both of paramount importance. Getting either or both wrong can pile on the years.

Strong beginnings

Scalp hygiene and health are fundamental to happy hair. Cleaning the scalp properly to reduce itching, flaking and tightness is crucial and yet it’s something clients can be careless about unless they’re experiencing serious problems with hair loss. Respect rather than rush the shampooing process – your hair deserves delicate handling – and always rinse thoroughly. We’d recommend the appropriate prescriptive haircare range from Kérastase whether it’s scalp care, anti-dandruff or densifying, to cosset, correct and protect the scalp and hair fibre. ■ • nocohair.com; markblake.co.uk; rebeccaseal.co.uk; images taken with permission from LEON Happy Fast Food (by Rebecca Seal, Jack Burke and John Vincent), LEON Happy Curries and LEON Happy Soups (by Rebecca Seal and John Vincent), all published by Octopus THEBRISTOLMAG.CO.UK

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PROMOTED CONTENT

Osteopath Lucy Smith at her practice in Westbury-on-Trym

Introducing Lucy Smith Osteopathy Fed up with ongoing discomfort or pain? At Lucy Smith Osteopathy we provide a safe, effective hands-on approach to musculoskeletal pain

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ucy Smith qualified in 2006 with a bachelor’s degree in osteopathy and has a broad knowledge base having treating a variety of people. After graduating she worked at the Royal Ballet School in Covent Garden diagnosing and treating musculoskeletal injuries in young student dancers. This started Lucy’s interest in sports rehabilitation and injury prevention.

What conditions do osteopaths treat?

Adapting during a pandemic

Below are some of the common joint and muscle conditions that osteopaths treat. Many people are experiencing an increase in aches and pains from the adjustment to working from home. Lucy can advise on the best desk setup, ergonomic equipment and stretching exercises to improve posture.

As primary healthcare practitioners, osteopaths have been open and working throughout COVID-19 under the strictest hygiene standards.

Following many years working as an associate in busy multi-disciplinary practices, she founded Lucy Smith Osteopathy at The Practice Rooms in Westbury-on-Trym, with a vision to provide expert osteopathic care in Bristol suitable for the entire family.

What is osteopathy?

Osteopaths use a combination of targeted deep tissue massage, joint articulation and spinal manipulation to relieve pain and improve joint range of movement. Osteopaths have a thorough understanding of how the human body works and focus on treating the cause of the injury rather than just the symptoms.

Osteopathy is a regulated health profession and in 2017 osteopaths were awarded Allied Health Profession (AHP) status by NHS England.

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Lucy has received excellent feedback from existing patients and is proud to continue providing care to those in the local community during this challenging and difficult time.

• Back pain • Nerve compression or sciatica • “Slipped” or herniated discs • Osteoarthritic (degenerative) joint conditions • Neck pain and cervicogenic headaches • Sports injuries • Repetitive strain injuries • Shoulder rotator cuff injuries and frozen shoulder

To make an appointment contact: 0782 115 7920 or email: info@lucysmithosteopathy.co.uk www.lucysmithosteopathy.co.uk

The Practice Rooms 57-59 High Street, Westbury-on-Trym, Bristol BS9 3ED

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The New Me!

With high cholesterol and a risk of developing Type 2 diabetes, Mo decided it was time for a change.

“I’ve experienced an overwhelming shift in both body and mind” There are many benefits I’ve felt on my WW journey so far. I was unaware of these benefits when I first embarked on this wonderful and transforming endeavour of self-discovery and fulfilment.

My WW journey started in September 2018. At the time, I had no idea of the profound impact it would have on me, particularly the mental and physical transformation I would go through. It’s definitely changed my life for the better.

Prior to joining the programme I thought life was great: I had the best family & friends, a supportive partner and a great job, so what was I missing?! I didn’t actually realise I was missing anything until joining the WW programme. Since losing weight and living a healthier lifestyle, I’ve experienced this overwhelmingly positive shift in both body and mind.

My confidence has soared and I believe in myself much more than I did.

“Before joining WW, I was at risk of developing Type 2 diabetes” Before I found WW, I had high blood pressure, high cholesterol, an alarming BMI reading and was at risk of developing Type 2 diabetes due to my weight and lifestyle. These readings at a medical appointment shocked me. At the risk of sounding like a cliché, if I knew then what I know now, I would’ve been motivated to make changes sooner. I put myself at greater risk by overlooking so much when it came to my overall wellbeing.

I conformed to age-old cultural male attitudes and stereotypes. I grew up believing that men must not talk openly about deep-rooted issues such as weight and body image. Luckily, I’m part of a generation that is now challenging this archaic notion as we make conscious positive strides to improve ourselves both as individuals and in society. The health implications that arise from being overweight are equally harmful to men and women, but for some reason they have been treated or thought of differently in the past.

Men are not often associated with programmes such as WW, but there are lots of us who have found success on the programme. What I’ve found in the WW community is that we all go through things, and we can support each other through the good and the bad.

Find out if you're at risk for Type 2 diabetes here: http://www.ww.com/uk/diabetes-risk-assessment Before starting my journey, I weighed nearly 18st, but was always a very 56 THE BRISTOL MAGAZINE

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active person and felt there were no issues with my weight. I was happy in myself, confident, and pretty content with the way things were.

However looking back now, I know deep down I struggled with my addiction to junk food and portion control. I also did not address the deep discomfort I had with my clothes size. I often avoided shopping for new things because the things I liked did not come in my size in some of my favourite shops.

“WW gives you the tools and knowledge to commit” The WW programme offers you so much, and it's so flexible that it can be tailored to fit anyone's lifestyle. And I mean literally anyone! I've learnt a lot about myself along the way, and the priceless knowledge I have obtained about the effects food nutrition has on me both physically and mentally is powerful beyond measure. At the heart of any success is commitment, and you have to be committed to building the best version of yourself using the tools and knowledge that WW gives you.

Exercise and moving more is very much a part of the WW programme, in addition to the food and nutrition element. There’s so much knowledge and support on offer, it would be extremely hard not to find something that works for you. The programme is simple to follow and has an easy-to-use app, which is great, not to mention the amazing Coaches who make you feel special. You learn to do things your way and at your own pace whether it be yoga, running, walking or meditation for your mental wellbeing. You can absolutely find what you’re looking for on the WW app.

Follow Mo and his partner Andri's journey here! https://www.instagram.com/ww_losinglbs_together/

“I will continue to strive for more than just weight loss” I’ve lost more than 5st since the start of my WW journey, have been maintaining now for the last six months, and have completely transformed my body and my mindset. I feel great! As well as significantly reducing my exposure to weight-related health risks, I’ve also learnt some lifelong lessons and have experienced an overwhelmingly positive health shift in my body, mind and soul. But my journey doesn’t end here. I will continue to strive for more than just weight loss.

Believe me when I say your journey starts here with WW. What are you waiting for?

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KEEPING OUR HOSPITAL SAFE FOR YOU At Nuffield Health Bristol Hospital, we undestand that in the current climate our patients may be worried about visiting us.

Therefore, we want to reassure you that your safety is our number one priority, and we have safety measures in place to make our hospital COVID-19 secure. Here are some of the ways we are keeping our hospital safe for you.

We’re ready to support you Since the first lockdown began in March last year, Nuffield Health Bristol Hospital has been supporting the NHS in the fight against the COVID-19 pandemic. Although we began admitting patients in Autumn who are paying for themselves and those with private medical insurance, the agreement with Bristol’s NHS Trusts continues.

To make sure we keep everyone safe in our hospitals, we’ve made a few changes to how we do things, and we’re asking you to follow a few rules too. These changes were guided by the UK government, Public Health England (PHE), and Nuffield Health’s infection prevention team.

There’s no need to wait any longer – we’re here to help you whenever you’re ready.

How we’ve made our hospitals COVID-19 secure So that we can continue to deliver exceptional care in the safest environment possible, we have put extra measures in place. Our housekeeping team are regularly cleaning and disinfecting, and sanitising high-touch surfaces such as door handles and light switches. We have also added extra hand sanitising stations and we’re asking everyone to follow our social distancing policy, standing or sitting a minimum of 2 metres from each other.

We’re staggering appointment times to avoid patients arriving at the reception desk at the same time. We’ve installed plastic shields at our receptions, and all staff will be wearing Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) appropriate to their role and the situation, as per PHE guidance. If you’re attending as an in-patient, you will need to have a COVID-19 swab test, which we will carry out three days before your procedure. This must come back negative before you can be admitted to the hospital.

Protecting you and our staff. How you can keep yourself and others safe While we’re doing everything we can to make our hospitals safe for you, to make this work we need to work together. We ask that you follow these simple rules when you visit the hospital.

Please read the information we send you before your appointment, so you know exactly what you need to do. Do ask us any questions you may have about your visit if you’re unsure, and let us know if you are shielding for any reason.

To reduce the risk of COVID-19, we’re only allowing you to bring visitors into the hospital in exceptional circumstances, for example if you need to be accompanied by a carer, so please discuss this with us when you book.

We’re sorry for any inconvenience this may cause.

If you feel unwell or have COVID-19 symptoms on the day of your appointment, please don't attend. Instead, call the hospital and we will support you with rebooking when you’re feeling better.

If you drive to the hospital and arrive early, please wait in your car until your appointment time, and sanitise or wash your hands

regularly. It’s much more effective to maintain your hand hygiene than to wear gloves that could have been contaminated outside of the hospital. Anybody entering the hospital must wear a face covering for the duration of their visit. If you don’t have your own we can provide you with a single-use mask, which you should discard on your way out.

Bristol Hospital Matron, Nora Clarke, says: “Our priority has always been the safety and wellbeing of our patients, and the COVID-19 pandemic has brought unprecedented new challenges we must all overcome to achieve this. I am immensely proud of our whole team in Bristol who are working harder than ever to ensure our patients’ safety, without compromising the standard of care they expect from Nuffield Health.”

For more information about the full range of treatments and services offered by Nuffield Health Bristol Hospital, visit our website: www.nuffieldhealth.com/hospitals/bristol.

If you would like to book an appointment, call our Enquiries team on 0117 911 5339.

Nuffield Health Bristol Hospital 3 Clifton Hill, Bristol BS8 1BN nuffieldhealth.com/hospitals/bristol

Nuffield Health Bristol Hospital Matron, Nora Clarke.

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‘I loved the excitement of learning something that could not just change my life but that of others’ Annie Breen, CNM Nutritional Therapy Graduate

I

wanted to find more purpose in my life and embark on a career that got me excited! I was attracted to the depth and detail that the CNM course went into and the fact I could fit it around my full-time job.

For 10 years prior to embarking on my Nutritional Therapy journey, I worked as a Support Worker in many different remits, roles and locations throughout the UK including family support, domestic abuse, complex needs, substance misuse, mental health, homelessness and anti-social behaviour. Helping people in some incredibly challenging situations took me to a point where I wanted to know more. I’d played a role in and witnessed people change their external environment – housing, relationships and jobs, but this only got them so far. How could I help break the cycle of suffering and support them to take back agency of themselves, their health and their life? This is what led me towards Nutritional Therapy: I wanted to help people change from inside out

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so that they could feel empowered and thrive, not merely survive. I’m also someone who teaches what I most need to learn, so this was very much a personal adventure. I wanted to understand how I could improve my own health and that of my family.

I found the CNM course to be thorough, scientific and empowering. I loved the course content – how cutting edge it is in terms of research as well as being rooted in ancient wisdom; the lecturers; the group and my fellow classmates; the excitement of learning something that could not just change my life but that of others; embarking on a new career.

I don’t really describe what I do as a career, it is part of my identity. Our health is our wealth and having this invaluable insight has changed my life in every way. Nutritional therapy IS now my life, in so many ways. It has enabled me to get clear on my values and what’s important. It has allowed me to meet some truly awesome people in an everevolving network. It has equipped me with some of the most up-to-date, cutting-edge science and enabled me to not just help myself, but my loved ones. My daughter already has a pretty good understanding about the microbiome. And now and again I catch my husband parroting nutrition advice.

I think the big one for me is how it’s played a huge role in me becoming the person and mum I am today. I feel happy, healthy and empowered and that’s a beautiful thing to be able to model to my daughter.

Since graduating I practise as a full-time Nutritional Therapist, I’m Edinburgh-based but work online. My direction became really clear after I had my little girl in 2016.

Motherhood led me on a whole new personal and professional growth adventure. I now help exhausted, depleted mums reclaim their

energy so they can feel healthy and whole and step into their power.

The combination of my coaching experience, my CNM Nutritional Therapy qualification and my motherhood journey to date has really enabled me to walk in the shoes of mothers and help them get to the root cause of their symptoms (exhaustion, anxiety, overwhelm, brain fog, digestive issues).

My ‘Healthy Tum, Happy Mum’ programme is focused on helping mums rebalance and transform from inside out.

I like to describe it as science v. magic. I’m a huge fan of functional testing which was something I had the privilege to learn under the experienced eye of the CNM lecturers.

What I love about practising is the connection with my clients, the excitement of sharing this life-changing information, being part of their journey, the coaching element and witnessing the lasting transformation.

CNM Online Open Events Discover how natural therapies promote true health and vitality. Our events are packed with inspiring tips on how to nurture yourself in natural, sustainable ways.

And if you are thinking of turning your passion into a career, an Online Open Event will also Geoff Don cover what you need to know about studying at CNM.

Visit cnmcourses.com

or call 01342

777 747 to find out more

CNM has an exceptional 22-year track record training successful natural health practitioners online and in class.

Over 80% of graduates are practising.

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HOMES & INTERIORS | BRISTOL GUIDE 2021

Embracing the season Many of us have spent the last 12 months at home, dreaming up ways to add more colour, comfort or character to our interior.

Our S/S 21 guide offers a great range of expert services to make all those home and garden ambitions become reality

MANDARIN STONE

BONITI Dunsdon Barn, West Littleton, Wiltshire SN14 8JA; 01225 892200; boniti.com

15 Regent Street, Clifton, Bristol BS8 4HW 0117 9731552; mandarinstone.com Renowned for its comprehensive natural stone collection, Mandarin Stone has gained quite a reputation for its on-trend and beautifully designed porcelain. Ranging from tiles that cleverly mimic materials such as wood, concrete and marble to striking glazed and patterned tiles, the collection has endless surface design possibilities. Established for over 25 years and with 10 inspirational UK showrooms, it offers dependable specialist knowledge as well as technical expertise. Almost the entire natural stone and porcelain collection is held in stock in the UK, so lead times are short.

Run by Giles and Simon Lunt, Boniti is a high-quality interiors (and exteriors) business, whose showroom is a destination for all types of natural stone, porcelain and timber flooring, as well as decorative tiles, stoneware, Kadai firebowls, garden furniture, homeware accessories and the very desirable Everhot range cookers. Boniti has an impressive client list of property developers and a specialist bespoke service that can supply and fit worldwide.

When it comes to any project – both large and small – the Boniti team are masters of their profession and it shows in every detail. You can reach the showroom easily from Junction 18 of the M4.

BRACEY INTERIORS 15 Waterloo Street, Clifton, Bristol BS8 4BT; 0117 9734664; braceyinteriors.co.uk

URSELL POOLS & WELLNESS 476 Bath Road, Saltford BS31 3DJ 01225 874874; ursell.com Originally founded in 1988, Ursell Pools & Wellness has established itself at the forefront of the UK pool and wellness industry. With over 30 years of experience delivering pool and wellness solutions, Ursell have the unique ability to manage your project in-house from design and planning right through to completion, ensuring unrivalled consistency and quality. The company works on a wide range of projects from domestic, DIY-style pool builds to delivering luxury high-end commercial facilities. If you’re looking to install a pool or spa in your garden, hotel, school or health club, the expert team has all the skills, tools and expertise you need.

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With over 50 years’ experience, Bracey Interiors has earned an enviable reputation for its design services. Working throughout the UK and abroad, the team creates unique and bespoke interiors for clients. Within the showroom in the heart of Clifton Village, Bracey showcases fabrics and wallpapers from all the major suppliers as well as a unique and eclectic mix of home accessories.

Paints by Little Greene and Paint & Paper Library are also mixed to order in a matter of minutes. No matter how big or small your requirements are, Bracey Interiors has friendly staff ready to help.

With their own workrooms they ensure all soft furnishings are made to their exacting standards, and offer an installation service.

2017 saw their Silver House project win three awards in the RSAW Welsh Architecture Awards.

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HOMES & INTERIORS | BRISTOL GUIDE 2021

PAUL WHITTAKER BATHROOMS AND WETROOMS

0117 2230086 / 07879 666221; paulwhittakerbathrooms.co.uk Showroom by appointment at Bathroom Solutions, 54 Redcliff Street, Bristol BS1 6LS Paul Whittaker Bathrooms and Wetrooms is a design, supply and installation bathroom company with a huge reputation in the Bristol area. Working closely with his clients, Paul is able to deliver cleverly designed bathrooms and wetrooms, expertly installed by his experienced team of fitters. With 3D design layouts to help with decision-making and project management through the course of the works, Paul Whittaker makes bathroom renovations easy and stress-free.

THE FINE ARTIST SHOP 89 Old Park Road, Clevedon BS21 7HT 07446 919331; thefineartistshop.com When you have spent time carefully choosing and creating an interior environment which you identify with, it is important that your artworks connect with it. This can be achieved through colour, texture, size or theme. Tracey Bowes from The Fine Artist Shop recognises how difficult it can be to find the perfect artwork to suit your chosen interior. So she is there to help. Tracey believes in using traditional and professional painting techniques to create contemporary paintings for your home. Her archival giclée prints can be adapted to colour match your current aesthetic or size requirements. Tracey also provides a commission service to help you decide upon a theme or a technique for your feature pieces. She will then create bespoke artwork that complements your style and communicates to your personal audience.

JOHN BOYCE PLASTERWORK Unit 5, Channel View Farm, Clevedon, Bristol BS21 6US 07970 278028; john-boyce.co.uk

WREN KITCHENS

John Boyce Plasterwork Ltd is a locally based company with over 30 years’ experience in the plastering trade, tackling any size of job from a simple repair to a complete restoration project. The team has a large range of moulds built up over the last three decades and is capable of matching and reproducing any type of plasterwork.

The company also has a large range of stock cornices and ceiling roses to pick from, with something to suit most tastes and budgets.

They carry out ceiling surveys and repairs, lime plastering and rendering and bespoke one-off pieces; offering free, no-obligation quotes and advice. Visit the website for a taste of what John Boyce Plasterwork can offer.

Cribbs Causeway Retail Park, Lysander Road, Bristol BS34 5TX 0117 2443168; wrenkitchens.com A visit to the Wren Kitchens website reveals an exceptional choice of over 60 kitchens in three ranges to suit all tastes and pockets. The Vogue, Infinity and Infinity Plus collections are further divided into modern, Shaker and traditional styles, allowing you to create your own perfect kitchen. Add to this your choice of handles and thousands of unit sizes and you’re well on your way to creating a truly unique room which will be the heart of your home for many years to come.

Book a showroom appointment for a free consultation with one of Wren’s expert kitchen designers; chat about layout and design requirements; see a personalised 3D design and get a quick price estimate, with no obligation to buy. Whether you’re looking to follow the latest colour trends or choose something timeless and classic, Wren will have the kitchen for you.

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GARDINER HASKINS Brunel Rooms, 1 Straight Street, Bristol BS2 0FQ 0117 9292288; gardinerhaskins.co.uk

ARCHITECT YOUR HOME

Gardiner Haskins Interiors has luxury interior showrooms that allow you to create your dream home. With help from a knowledgeable and skilled team of design experts, you can design your very own bespoke kitchen or bathroom. Create your own curtains and blinds in the made-to-measure department. Complete your home with finishing touches in our bed showrooms, with over 40 beds on display from brands such as Harrison, Sleepeeze, Millbrook and Dormeo and more. With an experienced bed team of over 40 years, you can guarantee exceptional customer service.

Open six days a week with a free customer car park.

0800 0515304; architect-yourhome.com Architect Your Home’s service kicks off with an initial design consultation in your home – think of this as the real starting point of your project.

It will provide you with sketch drawings of a properly considered and collaborative design proposal, help you develop a clear understanding of the practical implications of your design and equip you with the necessary tools so that you can move your project forward confidently to the next stage. During the consultation there will be an in-depth discussion to fully establish requirements and aspirations, a set of sketch design drawings showing the proposals, advice on planning permission/listed building consents/structure etc, an agreed proposal by the end of the session, and recommendations on the next steps and how to move the project forward.

LOAF Unit 1D, Centaurus Road, Cribbs Causeway, Bristol BS34 5TS 020 3141 8300; loaf.com Brit-brand Loaf makes laid-back furniture for people to kick-off their shoes beside and lead happier, more relaxed lives among. Launched in 2008, the homeware brand has made it their mission to encourage people to enjoy their homes more. The comfy sofas and upholstered beds are hand-produced in Long Eaton, Derbyshire – the heart of British upholstery making – while the mattresses are handmade in Wiltshire. The brand opened its eighth Shack in Bristol in August 2019 in Cribbs Causeway, the West of England’s biggest shopping destination. The 5,000 sq ft Loaf Shack includes a mattress testing station, oodles of squidgy sofas and arcade games for little (and not-so-little) Loafers to enjoy, making it a haven for kicking back and relaxing. There’s even an old-school ice cream parlour where visitors can lap up their favourite scoop.

GARDEN AFFAIRS Trowbridge Garden Centre, 288 Frome Road, Trowbridge BA14 ODT 01225 774566; gardenaffairs.co.uk Garden Affairs specialises in made-to-measure, high-quality garden buildings. The extensive display of top-notch garden offices, posh sheds, summerhouses and gazebos can all be made to the size and style you require – flexibility is what they’re all about here. Take a look at the range of garden rooms – with contemporary concepts that solve the problem of space constraints, especially in city gardens. The Linea range of modern, Scandi-style cabins are perfect for all uses, comply with most planning guidelines and look great too. Garden Affairs offers a fixed-price installation service throughout the UK, or you can choose for a DIY kit to be delivered to your door.

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HOMES & INTERIORS | BRISTOL GUIDE 2021

THE KITCHEN PARTNERS The Kitchen Partners Design Studio, 102 Whiteladies Road, Bristol BS8 2QY 0117 9466433; thekitchenpartners.co.uk When you work with The Kitchen Partners on Whiteladies Road you work directly with Fiona and Clinton Patey, from the initial enquiry, throughout the design process, to the final completion. They will ensure the journey always begins with you.

It’s your kitchen and your home and you will be a fundamental part of the process, with access to all trades involved. The Kitchen Partners are design, planning and installation professionals dedicated to giving each client their dream kitchen. As a fully independent retailer they are able to offer clients not only a greater variety of choice, but the best quality prices and lead times when considering a kitchen restoration. They have a keen eye for up-to-the-minute kitchen design and extensive product knowledge, based on many years working in the kitchen and interior design sectors. With innovative spatial awareness and flair for interior design, they will make your visit to their kitchen design studio a worthwhile and rewarding experience.

HONEYCOMB INTERIORS Unit B5, BV Studio’s, 37 Philip Street, Bristol BS3 4EA 07793452422; honeycombinteriors.co.uk Honeycomb is Beth Chippindall, an accomplished interior designer with more than 10 years’ industry experience in a variety of environments, including multi-discipline architecture firms and top 100 interior design practices. She created Honeycomb to provide clients with a dedicated and personalised service, becoming a trusted creative partner to everyone she works with.

Our homes truly are our private havens, and the one space where we can let our own personal style run free. Artwork, wall colour, furniture, and those small finishing touches are what makes a house feel like a home. Honeycomb’s aim is to create beautiful spaces in which people love to spend time.

Whatever the scale of your ambition, they work on projects of any size, from the overhaul of a family room through to a full house refurbishment.

KINDLE STOVES Glenavon Farm, 331 Bath Road, Saltford BS31 3TJ 01179 243898; kindlestoves.co.uk At the heart of your home should be the perfect stove. Kindle Stoves is a local specialist in clean-burning, eco-design ready stoves approved for burning wood in Bristol, with a wood-burner to suit every home and every style. The team stock the super-efficient Woodwarm, Contura and Rais models as well as many more, offering a full installation service – from fireplace alterations, to slate hearths and stone fireplaces. Their lovely showroom, situated just outside Keynsham, has one of the largest displays of wood-burners in the South West and is open seven days a week. Pop in for advice and brochures or to book a home survey. They also sell seasoned logs, gas fires, and the Big Green Egg outdoor cooker.

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HOMES & INTERIORS | BRISTOL GUIDE 2021

TABITHA TARLING GARDEN DESIGN 34 Fairfield Road, Bristol, BS6 5JP 07811 169636; tabithatarling.co.uk Tabitha is a highly experienced landscape designer with 15 years of designing and installing projects of all sizes, both in the UK and abroad. She offers a full garden design service, including design concept, construction management, planting and styling. She can also provide consultations, garden coaching and advice.

Tabitha works collaboratively with clients, carefully listening to their needs, to ensure the end results are elegant as well as functional. She is keen to ensure her design solutions sit well within their surroundings, with beautiful, thoughtful planting schemes, and a sympathetic use of materials, whether it be it a tiny court-yard, a roof terrace or a large family garden.

She works with a select group of landscape contractors and specialists so that the design process, from concept to completion, is smooth and seamless.

ORIENTAL RUGS OF BATH Bookbarn International, Hallatrow Business Park, Bristol BS39 6EX 01761 451764; orientalrugsofbath.com Oriental Rugs of Bath is home to an eclectic collection of authentically handcrafted rugs, kilims and furnishings from the Middle and Far East. Personalised on approval services are offered as standard and all stock is available to order easily online (with free nationwide delivery). Expert advice is readily available for all rugrelated enquiries and bespoke orders can be successfully organised.

The specialist cleaning and repair service provided is renowned, restoring the most valuable of antique and modern oriental rugs.

CLOUD NINE CREATE cloudninecreate.co.uk; 01985 844601; info@cloudninecreate.co.uk One of the most rewarding activities we engage in is the creation of our space. The objects we choose reflect who we are. Creating our space can be a demanding process. It requires us to find our way to objects and interiors that can convey our identities. And the small things matter. The experience and imagination of the team at Cloud Nine Create can help bring your vision to life. The elements of interior design including decoration, furniture selection and placement, lighting, fabrics and textiles, artwork curation and accessories. Practical advice on bathroom and kitchen designs. They can also help with your outdoor space too.

Even just a few hours can make a big difference to the direction your project takes, as well as the outcome.

JUST SHUTTERS 0117 3701594; justshutters.co.uk/bristol Whatever your style – contemporary, modern, cosy or traditional – Just Shutters have the perfect fit for you. The shutters do not fade, warp or age and come with a lifetime guarantee. Rob and Linda Reeves are experts in the field, trained to the market-leading Just Shutters standard. They are passionate about shutters and transforming the homes of local people, with an understanding of outstanding quality, great value, and professional customer service.

Work closely with Rob and Linda as they tailor Just Shutters to your tastes, giving you honest and impartial advice. The company has the largest range of material and finishes in the UK, granting you choice and options in terms of shutter style.

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• Plain and Ornamental plastering • • Wide selection of new cornices, ceiling roses etc • • Cornice made to match existing and repair work • • Lime plastering and rendering • • 29 years experience •

Tel: 07970 278028 Email: info@john-boyce.co.uk www.john-boyce.co.uk

THE

KI TC HEN PAR TNER S DESIGN STUDIO

Remote Kitchen Design Service Available Call or email for further details 01179 466433 • studio@thekitchenpartmers.co.uk

Founders and Lead Designers - Fiona & Clinton

www.thekitchenpartners.co.uk 102 Whiteladies Road, Clifton, Bristol BS8 2QY | 01179 466433

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INTERIORS

Knowing shade

Pantone’s colourful conversation point for 2021 is a divisive duo promoting solar shades and soft, muted grey, designed to sum up the mood of the time: positivity supported by fortitude. The most influential in colour forecasting, Pantone tend to lead the way, but they are not the only ones aiming to capture the zeitgeist. Here we introduce a selection of the colours that have been nominated this year and ask local interiors experts for their say on how useful these forecasts are

THIS PAGE: Book Room Green 322 and Sage Green 80, from Little Greene’s Stone palette of 36 natural colours OPPOSITE, from top: Little Greene (Stock 37. Travertine 319) paint from the Stone Collection; Loaf’s Cookie bed, from £945; lIlusion 4 fabric by Casamance, from Woodhouse and Law, which captures Pantone’s vision of grey and yellow

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W

e always anticipate with interest the announcement by Pantone of their shade of the year – it provokes some animated, often divided, conversation. This year, it was a double whammy, which garnered some controversy, with the bright and hopeful ‘Illuminating’ (yellow) paired with ‘Ultimate Grey’. Leatrice Eiseman, executive director of the Pantone Color Institute, said, “The union of an enduring ‘Ultimate Grey’ with the vibrant yellow ‘Illuminating’ expresses a message of positivity supported by fortitude. Practical and rock solid but warming and optimistic, this colour combination gives us resilience and hope. We need to feel encouraged and uplifted; it is essential to the human spirit.”

While their colour choice has the most weight, Pantone don’t have the monopoly on forecasting colours. The Dulux colour of the year 2021 is ‘Brave Ground’ (soft brown), which is described as bringing a bolstering, balancing feel to any room, a versatile shade that lets other colours shine. Graham & Brown have chosen ‘Epoch’ (plum purple), describing it as “proud, regal and luxuriously bold”.

Then there is Little Greene’s recent launch of their ‘Stone’ palette, a co-ordinated collection of 36 natural colours. Eleven of the new colours included in the collection have originated from Little Greene’s ongoing colour research across the portfolio of properties in the National Trust’s care, continuing the cataloguing of original colours from key periods of interior design. Readings were taken from paint colours, architectural elements, tapestries and, indeed, stone itself.

In America, Sherwin Williams have opted for ‘Urbane Bronze’, a rich golden brown shade with grey undertones, designed to bring a sense of comfort to the home. The neutral colour is part of the ‘Sanctuary’ palette in the company’s Colormix Forecast, a report that predicts a need for balance in design for the upcoming year.

Benjamin Moore, on the other hand, have put their money on the intriguing, balanced, and deeply soothing ‘Aegean Teal’.

Is this a masterful way of capturing the mood of the moment, or just a convenient marketing opportunity? Does having a nominated fashionable colour to represent a year work? How much does it lead the way and does it really make a difference? Our local interiors experts share their tips and insights.

Alison Bracey, Bracey Interiors

Colour of the year – I guess it does help to give manufacturers and customers a reference point but I would suggest it’s purely that and is for guidance only. Ultimately, as the consumer, you have to work with colours that you inherently like and make you feel good – colour is a very personal thing and everyone sees it differently. It’s interesting that both the Pantone colours of the year and the Dulux colour of the year – “a warm, earthy tone creating stability, growth and potential; provides firm foundation...” – forecast a neutral base tone and then allow people to be creative with a pop of colour (in the case of Pantone, ‘Illuminating’, but with ‘Brave Ground’ you could introduce cobalt blue, sorbet pinks or coral shades).

‘Ultimate Grey’ and ‘Illuminating’ are two completely different colours but ones that combine perfectly. In these difficult times it’s probably not surprising that we’re seeing such a vibrant and attention-getting colour as ‘Illuminating’. Yellow is associated with warmth and positivity and, used as an accent colour in a room, it will help to create energy, character and interest. Ultimate grey is the perfect foil for such a dramatic colour.

All the interiors manufacturers are using the same reference points so when the new collections are launched there is a similarity in terms of colours or design trends and this, in part, influences our choices. It’s interesting to note that Little Greene Paint Company have just launched their Stone Collection, featuring a co-ordinated collection of 36 natural colours. Do they ever get a colour wrong? I think that would be hard to comment on. We all have our own colour preferences that we are automatically attracted to but it’s amazing that if you see a ‘disliked’ colour often enough you begin to form an attachment to it. I think that with all the uncertainty that

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INTERIORS

THIS PAGE: Clockwise from top left: Chocolate Colour 124 from Little Greene’s Stone palette; Dulux’s colour of the year, ‘Brave Ground’; Graham and Brown’s ‘Epoch’; and Benjamin Moore’s ‘Aegean Teal’

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OPPOSITE: Loaf’s Squishmeister sofa colour scheme fits well with the colour vibes surrounding it; and Groove Terracotta porcelain tiles from Mandarin Stone, £94.79 per m2 introduces a refreshing warm colour to the mix

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INTERIORS

surrounds us, their choice of neutral, stable colours is perfect but I do agree we all need some bright sparks so a pinch of fun, illuminating colours in small doses is a very welcome addition and something we should all adopt and celebrate. After all, who wants to be referred to as ‘neutral’?

• braceyinteriors.co.uk

Beth Chippindall, Honeycomb Interiors Interiors is very like fashion – it has trends.

These can be fun but are, more often than not, fleeting. Each season is given a set of colours which the powers that be have selected as current/new/fashionable. I always think about Meryl Streep in The Devil Wears Prada, telling Anna Hathaway about how turquoise came to filter into mainstream fashion. Yes, there are years that I think the colours are not useable or easy to integrate like this year’s yellow... Are they wrong? No. Interiors is personal.

We, as designers, see these colours filter into the latest fabric and paint collections. As noted, Dulux and Pantone now nominate a ‘colour of the year’. Both of these elements are a great way to bring a space into the here and now, but I am always mindful that trends pass and that the more brazen will date an interior very swiftly. Again, like fashion, not every person or interior wants to be trend led; timeless elegance is never a bad thing, especially in property. As a company we tend to use trends more for spaces like showhouse designs as they need to be current, and their lifespan is for weeks or months. I think that people should live in spaces they love – if they love blue and its not ‘in trend’ use it anyway...

Be you!

• honeycombinteriors.co.uk

Cloud Nine Create

The fast-paced world of social media and digital comms offers an array of inspiration to keep you en pointe when it comes to the hottest colour palette and where to apply it,

but the balance has shifted from prediction to dictation as the consumer becomes more influential in what is ‘trending’, and what ‘feels’ right, right now.

The steadfast rules still apply, for example, from what direction is light entering the space? The obvious change, though, is that now, perhaps more than ever, we require our space to do so much more; our homes need to be a haven, our entertainment space, educational and working zone. Coupled with that, there is more of a biophilic sensitivity of bringing the outside in, as we connect more with nature, in the absence of other distractions and in pursuit of life’s simple pleasures and comforts. And the natural world offers the most inspiring colour palette and combinations. The fun part is translating this into your space! Keeping an eye on what is trending in the hospitality sector is also a fantastic way of staying ahead of the curve.

Some of our best known and most loved paint brands bring out their coveted key colours for the year ahead, with an array of suggestions for their application to our walls, skirting boards, doors, architraves, downpipes, ceilings. Their offerings are insightful as they are largely determined by social media artificial intelligence technology, so it’s what’s currently trending among us – the consumer. It’s what we are ‘liking’ and drawn to right now. This may be to do with what is happening in our world, or the world at large. It is said that we are attracted to certain colours because they evoke a feeling or sensation that we require more of in our lives. However, no two homes and no two consumers are the same so while it’s great to check in with what’s current, it’s important to consider your new colour preference in terms of your overall design scheme.

The fact we are demanding more from our space and requiring it to play several roles is reflected well in the 2021 colour ‘predictions’ because we have a mix of earthy browns and stone, along with Aegean seas and midday sun-lit blue skies, evoking the natural world

and our resurgent connection with it. Bold colours are richly pigmented and don’t feel artificial, reminding us of the bustling cityscapes we long for to excite us once again.

That sense of bringing the outdoors into our space lends itself to a natural world palette. Whether you take a cue from coastal blues, cloud whites, stoney browns and greys and accents of yellow and orange lichen, or draw inspiration from rolling fields and evergreen forests in tonal greens, mosses and browns, with accents of self-caring pinks... if it feels like it’s what you need then it probably is. Don’t be afraid to use bold colours, it’s often better to go all in than make a half committed attempt, as this will show. The insights and offerings from the colour modellers are great for giving you that confidence. If you’re feeling cautious, start by painting a large item like a chest of drawers, units in a kitchen or a bedroom door; you’ll be surprised what a difference it can make and may even start a trend for 2022!

• cloudninecreate.co.uk

Charlie Marshall, Loaf A few years ago, it was all about neutrals, but I think, now, with sites like Pinterest and Instagram, and plenty of good inspiration out there, it’s easier to get bolder colours right.

Pantone’s ‘Illuminating’ and ‘Ultimate Grey’ cater for many tastes with the combo working well for many schemes. Our yellow fabrics are already proving a hit and the number of customers choosing them is up by 53%. Yellow shades look especially great with greys in a grown-up scheme, so if you have existing grey pieces, or perhaps grey walls, then why not give your room an update with pops of yellow?

To stand the test of time it doesn’t need to be trendy, but it should be stylish. Using statement colours is a great way to give a fresh take to a classic design but choose what you love; something that’s well made that will still look great in five years’ time.

• loaf.com

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Louisa Morgan, Mandarin Stone I’m a huge fan of Pantone’s colour choices for 2021. ‘Illuminating’ and ‘Ultimate Grey’ work equally in contrast and harmony when placed side by side. I see the grey as neutral solidarity and the yellow as uplifting and hopeful. The grey offers a neutral, calming base in interiors and allows stronger shades to really stand out. A single colour alone was never going to really give the true reflection of our current times.

We’ve seen a real desire for stronger, more positive colours in interiors this year and that includes yellow. It really is the most happy shade and people need that right now. While we have seen warmer tile shades becoming more popular, grey wall and floor tiles still outsell all other shades. The bathroom is a place to really experiment with colour and we love our stand-out ‘Paintbox Canary’ bathroom where yellow is used successfully over a larger area.

We like to include tile colours that are more trend led and these are great for marketing and strong imagery. However not all the more ‘trend led’ colours result in good sales – the more neutral, timeless white and grey tile ranges are the most in demand.

Graham and Brown’s ‘Epoch’ and Benjamin Moore’s ‘Aegean Teal’ both resonate as colour choices, both shades I’m seeing coming through in interiors. Green has been popular in the last year or so and it offers so many shades, from deep forest tones, to fresh mints. Pink has also been popular and warmer tones such as peach, orange and burgundy are gradually being used more.

• mandarinstone.com

John Law, Woodhouse & Law It seems fitting that Pantone have broken with tradition, in what has been a far from conventional year, to introduce not one, but two new Pantone colours. While to some extent they fly in the face of current interior trends, the sentiment behind the choice is apt. The vibrant almost canary yellow symbolises hope and positivity, while the contrasting, cooler ‘ultimate grey’ is meant to embody feelings of “composure, steadiness and resilience”; qualities I think we will all need over the next 12 months.

Soft grey tones have been the order of the day for some time but there’s been a real shift over the last year towards much warmer neutrals. It’s a trend embodied in the use of pampas and grasses as accessories, as well as artisanal ceramics in earthy pigments. So in the context of interiors at least, the new shades feel a little disruptive.

Maybe that’s the intention. After all, there’s always space within a scheme for a zing of colour and this shade definitely won’t disappoint.

While such a vibrant shade of yellow can be difficult to incorporate, used carefully, a small amount provides a playful twist. ‘Illuminating’ feels reminiscent of the canary yellows seen in 1950s Formica dining Squishmeister Loveseat Chaise by Loaf, £1195 in a classic mustard and white combo

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chairs. Introducing retro pieces to an interior scheme could offer a way to use the shade in an interesting way, by, say, combining dining chairs in a vibrant yellow around an old farmhouse table.

‘Ultimate Grey’ is a strong but cool shade. While we wouldn’t advocate using this cooler shade in a colder, north-facing room, it does provide a great, contrasting canvas to set off the intensity of brighter shades. The French fabric houses such as Casamance have used this palette successfully in the past, perhaps because it is better suited to the light in those warmer climes.

• woodhouseandlaw.co.uk

Vicky Elmore, The Kitchen Partners

For a long time, shades of grey has been a popular choice when it comes to the kitchen and grey is ideal for both modern and traditional designs. However, some shades of grey can appear cold compared to other colours and in a room such as the kitchen, which is supposed to be warm and inviting, using this colour can be tricky. Pairing grey with an accent colour such as yellow will definitely add some cheer!

• thekitchenpartners.co.uk ■

Norse Subway Terra Gloss Ceramic, from Mandarin Stone, £46.40 per m2

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Your Space. Redesigned.

We dream in in colour... and black and white.

www.cloudninecreate.co.uk

Elly’s Wellies

Garden Designs

Turning your ideas into beautiful spaces Elly’s Wellies Garden Designs will help you maximise the potential of your outdoor space and tailor it to your individual needs. Whether you are looking for a complete garden redesign, or just need advice on what to plant in a border, Elly’s Wellies will be happy to help.

For a free initial consultation, contact Elly West

www.ellyswellies.co.uk ellyswellies@gmail.com 07788 640934 THEBRISTOLMAG.CO.UK

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The mirror maze at Royal Fort Gardens. Sculpture is a great way to add your own personality to the garden, whether it’s a stone figurine or something upcycled and rustic

A room with a view

Focal points are vital when designing a garden, providing resting points for our gaze and giving a sense of purpose, says Elly West

T

he bones of the garden are laid bare at this time of year, revealing new vistas that may have been concealed during the full-grown exuberance of last year. Now is the perfect time to assess your garden’s structure and consider introducing new focal points to add extra interest. Right now our gardens are primarily enjoyed from indoors so consider the view from the main windows that overlook the space. Is there something of interest to look at? And what about when you step outside or look back towards the house from the far end, or from the main seating areas? Think about what there is to see, and where your focus is taken, enticing the feet to follow and making you want to explore.

Focal points are vital when designing a garden. They lead the eye and provide resting points for our gaze, giving a sense of purpose and design.

A garden full of plants holds its own charm, but can feel disorganised and busy, with nowhere for the eye to stop and rest. However, a carefully positioned ornament or garden sculpture can provide just as much pleasure as a favourite plant and is a constant all year round, particularly important while many of the plants lie leafless and dormant.

Sculpture is a great way to add your own personality to the garden, whether it’s a traditional stone figurine, a piece of modern art or something upcycled and rustic, such as an interesting piece of driftwood or metalwork. Look around reclamation yards for interesting old pieces of furniture or statuary that can be repurposed in the garden. If you see something you love, then go for it. It’s a great way to have some fun and make your garden distinctively yours. And if you’re that way inclined, 72 THE BRISTOL MAGAZINE

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it’s also an opportunity to get creative in the garden, perhaps with something home-made such as a mosaic table or bird bath, or some woven willow.

Consider the position of your piece within the garden. Will it be seen all year round, or hidden among the plants and only revealed in winter?

What other distractions are there nearby? How will the sunlight catch it at different times of day or year? If you’ve invested in something you really love, you may even want to uplight it artificially to add night-time drama.

Plants also make good focal points, particularly if they are given added prominence in a large container, or a group of containers. Using similar pots around the garden creates harmony and a sense of journey, tying different parts of the garden together, particularly if placed at intervals along a route. Topiary is a good choice for a specimen feature plant, whether it be a simple spiral or cone created from box or yew, or something more elaborate, such as a beautiful cloud-pruned evergreen.

Japanese maples also make good specimen trees, although they drop their leaves in winter so pot-grown plants could be moved somewhere less prominent until the spring.

I’m a big fan of crown-lifting ‘blobby’ shrubs that have outgrown their space and aren’t adding much in terms of beauty to a garden. Take out all the lower branches and leaves, and you may reveal a network of interesting stems leading to a higher spreading canopy, or lollipop if you prefer, creating new space for planting low-growing perennials and bulbs beneath, and turning it into a feature.

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A well-placed plant, piece of furniture or ornament can also help to detract from less desirable elements outside of the garden such as overlooking buildings. When a garden has no focal points, the gaze drifts outwards, beyond the boundaries, perhaps to neighbouring houses. A garden with points of discovery keeps the focus inwards.

If your garden is small, then just one focal point may be appropriate.

Resist the temptation to place it in the middle, unless you want a very formal look, and instead think about the rule of thirds and choose a spot off-centre. Smaller sculptures nestled within a border can create surprise and a sense of discovery, or draw the eye if placed within a wall nook or archway. Larger gardens may benefit from several focal points, one leading to the next, so that you don't take in the whole garden at once.

If you’ve invested in something you really love, you may even want to uplight it artificially to add night-time drama

Decorating your garden with sculpture, furniture, ornaments and specimen plants is an instant way to give it a boost at this cold and unenticing time of year. And if you want to get out and about and see some sculpture, albeit on a larger scale than most of us would have at home, then visit the Royal Fort Gardens in Clifton for installations including the mirror maze, designed by Jeppe Hein, and Kate Paterson’s wooden structure, Hollow.

• ellyswellies.co.uk; Instagram: @ellyswellies1

Plant of the month: Box Box, or Buxus sempervirens, remains my all-time favourite for topiary and low hedging, as it’s tough, can cope with sun or shade, and can be clipped into all kinds of shapes and sizes. With its tightly packed evergreen leaves, it’s still the classic go-to for balls, spirals, cones and even animals and objects, and as such makes a great feature plant that suits formal and cottage gardens alike. It’s also very long-lived – my parents’ current garden has huge box ‘balls’ probably three or four metres or so in diameter, which have been there since my childhood 40-plus years ago – and they were equally enormous back then. However, if you're thinking of planting box in your garden, take a look around your neighbourhood to see if other gardens have healthy specimens, as box has had a lot of bad press in recent years because of some problems associated with it, especially in London and the South East where many garden designers have stopped using it completely. Box blight is the most common disease – a fungus that turns the leaves brown and causes bare patches. More worrying, perhaps, is the box tree caterpillar, first spotted in gardens in 2011, which can completely defoliate a plant. Fortunately it doesn’t seem to be a problem in the South West as of yet, but if you’re worried then good alternatives include Ilex crenata and Euonymus japonicus.

Create space with a garden room GARDEN OFFICES • LOG CABINS • STUDIOS • SUMMERHOUSES POSH SHEDS • TIMBER GARAGES • OUTDOOR LIVING SPACES

01225 774566 • www.gardenaffairs.co.uk Visit our Display Centre at Trowbridge Garden Centre 288 Frome Road, BA14 0DT THEBRISTOLMAG.CO.UK

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THE BRISTOL MAGAZINE 73

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

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WHITELADIES ROAD CLIFTON

4 QUEEN SQUARE, BS1 • 1,805 sq ft + 1 car

• Large retail unit

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278 GLOUCESTER ROAD BISHOPSTON

COMMERCIAL PREMISES + 3 BED FLAT BLAGDON, NORTH SOMERSET

• Corner retail unit + rear interlinking warehouse • Shop 894 sq ft leading to warehouse 2,028 sq ft • New lease – only £23,500 pax

Comprising former coach depot, garage, office, storage + yard, in all c 11,455 sq ft. Suit other commercial uses – to let (might sell).

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CLIFTON BS8

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£1,500,000

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An elegant Victorian gable fronted family home. Boasting a great deal of original features throughout. Versatile and well-presented interior set over four floors. Six bedrooms, four bathrooms, kitchen/breakfast room, three reception rooms and enclosed rear garden. Similar properties required.

203 Whiteladies Road, Clifton, Bristol BS8 2XT

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Clifton, Bristol | Guide Price £1,395,000 An outstanding three-bedroom duplex apartment in the heart of Clifton village with a private rear garden, further use of superb communal gardens, a private paved terrace and allocated off-street parking.

An outstanding period duplex apartment of circa 2700 sq. ft | Situated in a landmark Grade II Listed building | Allocated off-street parking Private rear garden, further communal garden and private front terrace. | Beautiful 23' sitting room and open plan kitchen / breakfast room | Three exquisite bedroom suites each with fitted storage and an en-suite bath / shower room | Extensive bespoke storage inside and out | Sought-after central Clifton location

In all circa 2760 sq. ft (257 sq. m).

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Clifton, Bristol | Guide Price £1,250,000 A fabulous detached modern townhouse in the centre of Clifton, with gated off-street parking and a fully enclosed garden.

Rare opportunity to acquire a detached modern townhouse | Central Clifton location | Gated off-street parking for several cars | Large open plan family kitchen and dining room | First floor full-depth sitting room | Four double bedrooms and two bath / shower rooms | Separate utility room | Fully enclosed level garden | No onward chain | EPC : E

In all circa 1900 sq. ft (176 sq. m).

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