The Bristol Magazine Sept 14

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EDUCATION SPECIAL: OUR ANNUAL GUIDE TO SCHOOLING

FASHION FOR THE FALL: TOP TRENDS FOR THE NEW SEASON

ALL ABOARD: A HISTORY OF PARTYING ON THE THELKA

THE

BBC BRISTOL: CELEBRATING 80 YEARS OF BROADCASTING ISSUE 123

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A LU X U RY W EE K EN D B R EA K FO R 2 IN CO R N WA LL SEPTEMBER 2014

BRISTO L THE MAGAZINE FOR THE CITY OF BRISTOL www.thebristolmagazine.co.uk

M A G A £3.00 Z Iwhere Nsold E

THE BEST LITTLE SHOPS of BRISTOL

2014

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

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CONTENTS SEPTEMBER.qxp_Layout 1 29/08/2014 16:23 Page 1

THE | CONTENTS

SEPTEMBER50 2014 73

22 12

42

ZEITGEIST

54

THE CITYIST

58

BARTLEBY

60

On the art of dressing up

18

PEOPLE & PARTIES

62

FACE THE MUSIC

64

22

FASHION FOR FALL

28

BEST LITTLE SHOPS A guide to Bristol’s independents

38

BRISTOL AT WORK Mullion Cove baker, Sophie Bowden

40

ON SCREEN The Encounters Short Film and Animation festival returns with an exciting line-up

42

Cromwell in Montpelier

73

Theatre, music, dance and more

50 ALL ABOARD A look back at the history of The Thekla

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SEPTEMBER 2014

Exploring North Somerset Butterfly House

114 GARDENING How to grow a fruit tree from a pot

118 HOMES ON SHOW A holiday-home inspired dwelling

121 PROPERTY The best homes in and around Bristol

WHAT’S IN A NAME BRISTOL SCHOOLING Our 21-page education special

94 FAMILY FUN Activities and events for all to enjoy

96 FREELANCE MUM

WHAT’S ON

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110 FLYING HIGH

CITY UPDATES News from the city’s businesses, people and communities

Top trends for the new season

Andrew Swift guides us into the heart of Gloucestershire on a country walk

BBC BRISTOL AT 80 Broadcasting House celebrates

66

108 OUT AND ABOUT

REVIEW Quaffing and scoffing at The Pig near Bath

BBC Points West presenter Imogen Sellers picks her top of the pops

The hardest working beauty products to restore and rejuvenate sun damaged skin

WINING AND DINING Foodie news and events

Snapshots from the city’s social scene

20

BRISTOL BIENNIAL An arts festival with a difference

My Bristol, the buzz & book of the month

16

102 POST SUMMER SKIN

On show in the city’s galleries

Five things to do this month

14

ART & EXHIBITIONS

110

THE

BRI ST OL twitter@thebristolmag

ON THE COVER The Best Little Shops of Bristol, designed by The Bristol Magazine

A clever route to reading

98 FIT AND FAB Health and beauty news

thebristolmagazine.co.uk

MAGAZINE

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EDITORS LETTER.qxp_Layout 1 29/08/2014 17:19 Page 1

W

elcome to this year’s September issue – the biggest that we have ever published.

With our annual guide to schools and education in and around Bristol, it’s usually a big issue, but this time it’s particularly bumper as we also bring you a round-up of the city’s best independent shops. Collectively they have been recognised as some of the best in the country, putting Bristol on the map as a destination for diverse, unique and quirky shopping. We’ve scoured every corner of the city and picked out some of the most popular shops, as well as some that you may not have come across before. Enjoy discovering what’s on offer right on your doorstep.

Talking of what Bristol has to offer, you’ll find a jam-packed events and family fun guide, as well as a look at the art exhibitions to be found in the city’s galleries this month. Don’t miss the return of the Affordable Art Fair on 19 – 21 September, where you can pick up an exciting addition for your home.

Seeing evidence of the beginnings of autumn around us, we also bring you a look at the top fashion trends that are hitting the high street – from embellished bags and scarlet hues to fluffy fabrics and retro dressing, we’ve got you covered for the new season.

There’s so much more in this issue too – see for yourself...

SAMANTHA COLEMAN EDITOR All paper used to make this magazine is taken from good sustainable sources and we encourage our suppliers to join an accredited green scheme. Magazines are now fully recyclable. By recycling magazines, you can help to reduce waste and contribute to the six million tonnes of paper already recycled by the UK paper industry each year. Please recycle this magazine, but if you are not able to participate in a recycling scheme, then why not pass your magazine on to a friend or colleague.

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

Editor Email:

Samantha Coleman sam@thebristolmagazine.co.uk

Deputy Editor Email:

Georgette McCready georgette@thebristolmagazine.co.uk

Production Manager Email:

Jeff Osborne production@thebristolmagazine.co.uk

Commercial Production Email:

Lorna Harrington lorna@thebristolmagazine.co.uk

Publisher Email:

Steve Miklos steve@thebristolmagazine.co.uk

Advertising Sales

Kathy Williams Sue Parker Liz Grey Tia Williams

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

Jane Miklos jane@thebristolmagazine.co.uk

The Bristol Magazine is published by © MC Publishing Ltd 2014.

An independent publisher.

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Clifton

An outstanding Grade II* listed Georgian home (6,718 sq ft) overlooking Christchurch Green. 3 reception rooms, kitchen.

5 bedrooms, 3 bathrooms. Self-contained 1 bed apartment, cellars, mews garage with studio above. Enclosed garden.

Guide price: £2,000,000

0117 3171999

Leigh Woods

A superb family home (3,046 sq ft) with private enclosed grounds.

3 reception rooms, kitchen/breakfast room. 5 bedrooms, family bathroom, 2 ensuite shower rooms. Detached games room, carport. Good size level gardens and terracing. Drive with ample parking. EPC rating E. Guide price: £1,425,000

0117 3171999

Sneyd Park

Impressive home with extensive gardens (2,905 sq ft). 3 reception rooms, generous kitchen/breakfast room, utility. 6 bedrooms, bathroom, 2 ensuite shower rooms. Tandem double garage, large gardens, ample off street parking. EPC rating C. Guide price: £1,275,000

0117 3171999

Sneyd Park

A beautiful detached home (4,018 sq ft) in a sought after road.

3 reception rooms, kitchen, breakfast room. 5 bedrooms, bathroom, 3 ensuites, dressing room to master. Double garage, cellar/stores.

Parking, enclosed gardens. EPC rating E. Guide price: £1,300,000

0117 3171999

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Claverham

Attractive Victorian former pump house (2,280 sq ft) in a rural setting.

3 reception rooms, conservatory, kitchen/dining room, utility.

3 bedrooms, ensuite bathroom, shower room. Double garage, parking, gardens. EPC rating C. Guide price: £640,000

0117 3171999

Claverham

A detached house (3,344 sq ft) in a peaceful setting with an enclosed level walled garden. In all about 2.72 acres. Drawing room, dining room, kitchen/breakfast room, 6 double bedrooms, ensuite bathroom, family bathroom. Large paddock with separate road access. EPC rating D. Guide price: £875,000

0117 3171999

Wedmore

A beautifully presented 6 bedroom house (3,354 sq ft) with galleried landing in the immediate centre of Wedmore, benefitting from a walled rear garden, double garage and parking. 3 reception rooms, 6 bedrooms, 3 bathrooms. EPC rating E. Guide price: £950,000

0117 3171999

Portishead

Situated in an elevated position on Nore Road, this detached 5 bedroom house (3,288 sq ft) takes full advantage of the beautiful views, with balcony, gardens and garaging. 3 Reception Rooms, 5 bedrooms, 3 Bathrooms, extensive parking, triple garaging. EPC rating E. Guide price: £770,000

0117 3171999

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sold

Buyer from BERKSHIRE

sold

Buyer from HONG KONG

sold

Buyer from LONDON

A SMALL SELECTION OF PROPERTIES SOLD BY KNIGHT FRANK IN 2014

sold

Buyer from BRISTOL

sold

Buyer from BRISTOL

sold

Buyer from SINGAPORE KnightFrank.co.uk/bristol bristol@knightfrank.com 0117 3171999

• Properties sold are up 74% • Buyers looking for a home are up 58% • Offers made and accepted on a property are up 48% With an increase in buyers and a reduction in available properties, now is the time to contact us for a free market appraisal of your home Bristol@knightfrank.com 0117 317 1999

www.knightfrank.co.uk

sold

Buyer from CHINA

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Buyer from BRISTOL

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Buyer from DORSET

sold

Buyer from LONDON

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ZEITGEIST

The top

5

things to do in SEPTEMBER St Paul's Church – Circomedia ©francesgard.com

Take a look

Watch Usually it costs a small fortune to enjoy an opera, but The Royal Opera House in London is offering the chance for Bristolians to enjoy a performance for free, right on our doorstep.

Bristol’s Big Screen in Millennium Square will be showing Verdi’s dark and atmospheric production of Rigoletto on Wednesday 17 September at 7pm, broadcast live from the iconic Covent Garden stage. Get family and friends together, share a picnic and enjoy world-class talent – a great opportunity to introduce yourself to opera if you have not experienced a performance before.

There will be some tables and seating provided or bring your own cushions and blankets. At-Bristol will be offering waitress service and selling a variety of refreshments from its café.

It’s that time of year again when you have permission to access all areas of the city that are usually hidden behind closed doors. Take the opportunity on Saturday 13 September to discover some of Bristol’s secrets and curious buildings as part of Doors Open Day, which allows you free entry into more than 60 landmarks and venues – from some of the oldest buildings to state of the art, eco-friendly designs.

Pick up a map to see all the places that are opening, or view online at: www.bristoldoorsopenday.org, and as you make your way around the trail, enjoy guided tours and a range of events and activities. Highlights include: the new Bristol Haematology and Oncology Centre; BBC Broadcasting House; contemporary art and design centre Spike Island; the tiny Edwardian Cloakroom off Park Row; the art deco Central Health Clinic in Tower Hill and Circomedia, the school for circus performers, where you’ll be able see acrobats perform.

Learn something new Vintage pastimes are seeing something of a revival and the lastest one to emerge in trendy circles is the art of taxidermy. It had its golden age during the Victorian era, when stuffed animals became a popular part of interior design and decor, and now this style is back in fashion once again, as seen in decorative antique shop, Dig Haushizzle in Colston Street, which is hosting a taxidermy demonstration on Saturday 13 September at 7pm. The evening will give advice on all aspects of taxidermy as well as a live demonstration on a magpie with experienced Swiss taxidermist Kim Zoe Wagner. Tickets are £25 including a drink on arrival. There will also be a more in depth course on Sunday 14 September that will teach all you need to know about the practice of preparing, stuffing and mounting the skins of animals. Tickets for this cost £185 and will also include free entry to the demonstration evening the night before. Book at: www.dig-haushizzle.co.uk or in store.

Discover Friday 26 September will see Bristol’s streets come to life as Bristol Bright Night sweeps through the city for the first time with a programme of free activities, giving you the chance to discover the wealth of scientific research taking place on your doorstep.

Interactive activities on the harbourside from 12pm – 12am will celebrate the city’s place as a home for cutting-edge research such as exploring bugs that glow in the dark; robots on the move; learning how to build a bridge, pop-up science theatre; and finding out about the effects of beer goggles. A collaboration between Bristol Natural History Consortium, University of Bristol and the University of the West of England, the event is part of the annual Europe-wide Researchers’ Night programme, which sees over 300 cities running events simultaneously across 24 countries. For further information and a programme of events, visit: www.bristolbrightnight.com

Bristol Robotics Laboratory

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Celebrate As Brunel’s Suspension Bridge celebrates its 150th birthday later this year, BID Clifton Village is inviting people to explore its birthplace in a new three day event, called Discover Clifton Village, from Friday 26 – Sunday 28 September. The village’s shops, restaurants and businesses will come together to showcase one of the city’s most beautiful suburbs with a weekend of music, street entertainment and events. You’ll be able to pick a new autumn/winter wardrobe with a personal shopper, watch live illustrative art, taste cheeses and wines and try your hand at pottery painting in the Mall Gardens. There’ll also be a pop-up driving range and lots of activities for children and families. A full programme of activities is available at: www.discoverclifton.co.uk when the new site goes live on 16 September. The 150th anniversary of Clifton Suspension Bridge falls on 8 December. To mark the event, BID Clifton Village will also be hosting a Victorian-themed Christmas market later in the year.

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THE CITY THE BUZZ

My BRISTOL We ask director of the Encounters Short Film & Animation Festival, Debbi Lander, what she’s doing this month...

Shaun in the city Following the success of last year’s Gromit Unleashed, a new public arts trail featuring giant sculptures of Gromit’s pal, Shaun the Sheep, will be hitting the streets of Bristol next summer, to raise money for sick children. Aardman Animations’ popular sheep will take centre-stage in the trail, called Shaun in the City, which will showcase 120 giant sheep sculptures decorated by celebrities and artists, herded on the streets of London and Bristol in a ‘trail of two cities’. Each city will feature its own flock of 60 giant sculptures, which will be displayed in Bristol during July and August. At the end of the Bristol trail, both flocks will go on display to the general public in Bristol, prior to a grand auction to raise money for sick children in hospitals across the UK, including Bristol Children’s Hospital.

For more information, including sponsorship opportunities, visit: www.shauninthecity.org.uk

Energy-saving homes on show Householders around the city will be opening their doors to the public over the weekend of 13-14 September for Bristol Green Doors 2014, showing how energy smart improvements can help make homes more comfortable, cheaper to run and better for the environment. Twenty homes and properties will be taking part, including family homes that have drastically reduced their energy bills by improving insulation, switching to energy-efficient appliances, and making use of some of the latest renewable energy technologies. There will also be houses fitted with the latest solar photovoltaic thermal panels, a refurbished student property, and a range of period properties – where homeowners will be showing how draughty old buildings can be made easier to heat. For further information visit: www.bristolgreendoors.org

© Sidz for Bristol Green Doors

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What brought you to Bristol?

Encounters Festival – I applied for the role of festival director and was delighted to be offered the opportunity to direct the UK’s leading short film and animation festival. A new city and a new challenge on the festival’s 20th anniversary year.

What are you reading?

Hyperion – a Hugo Award-winning 1989 science fiction novel by American writer Dan Simmons.

What’s on your MP3 player?

Oumou by Oumou Sangare.

Which café or restaurant takes your fancy?

The Bristolian in Montpelier – they do a great Sunday breakfast.

Favourite watering hole?

The Old Bookshop, North Street, Bedminster.

Evening in or evening out?

Both. With a good film.

Film or play? What will you be going to see?

Films of course! I will be watching over 200 of them in competition from filmmakers all over

the world at Encounters Festival.

Which museum or gallery will you be visiting?

Jeremy Deller – English Magic at Bristol Museum and Art Gallery.

What hobbies or interests will you be pursuing?

Film, media and art – and cycling – all good reasons to live in Bristol.

What local event will you be attending?

I wouldn’t miss Will Self’s Desert Island Discs at Encounters, looking at a number of his favourite films.

Favourite local walk?

Leigh Woods – it’s a wilderness, place of tranquillity and a great escape.

Any projects/work in progress?

I’m working on creating live cinema events in outdoor locations for next year’s festival to link up with Bristol being European Green Capital next year.

Encounters Short Film and Animation Festival runs from 16 – 21 September. For a full programme of events, visit: www.encounters-festival.org.uk

BOOK OF THE MONTH...

The Fair Fight by Anna Freeman, £12, hardback (Weidenfeld & Nicolson) From brothels to banquet rooms, The Fair Fight is a raucous and intoxicating tale of courage, revenge and female boxing from Bristol-based author Anna Freeman, who is a creative writing lecturer at Bath Spa University. The story begins in Bristol, 1799 in a brothel called The Convent. Ruth is wholly plain and fairly unremarkable and by no stretch suitable for the life of prostitution. However her fortune is decided when one day when Mr Dryer, local merchant and enthusiast of the boxing ring, plucks Ruth from the brothel and trains her as a female boxer – a pugilist – and she soon rules the blood-splattered sawdust in the infamous Hatchet Inn. With a cast of colourful characters The Fair Fight is a story which takes the reader straight to the sounds and smells of the Bristol streets. Tackling gender and society issues, as well as the rise of the bourgeoisie, this is historical fiction at its very best.

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The art of dressing-up

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his month we will be treated to the sight of 40 people, each dressed as their favourite artist, taking it in turns to abseil from a crane outside the Royal West of England Academy. RWA staff, academicians and supporters are doing this as a fundraising exercise – a stunt, as we might once have called it. Even George Ferguson is taking part, though whether he will descend dressed as Turner or Tracy Emin remains to be seen.

In an ideal world I’m sure the Mayor would love to turn up as Banksy, but in hoodie and jeans he might be mistaken for Inkie or Cheo, or some other talented but non-legendary Bristol street artist. It could all be a terrible PR disaster, so best stick with someone whose look is more instantly recognisably.

A platinum wig would give us Andy Warhol, while a voluminous floppy hat is probably enough to suggest Rembrandt.

The problem for the Mayorial PR department is that most people would struggle to recognise more than a handful of history’s great daubers and carvers. Mr Ferguson doesn’t want to find himself in the awkward fancydress-party predicament of having to explain his costume to one person after another. ‘John Constable – don’t you recognise the kerchief?’ Not good.

We’ve already mentioned Warhol and Emin, who together probably represent half of the world’s easily recognisable artists. Then there’s Frida Kahlo, whose face adorns a thousand shopping bags. With a hefty eyebrow pencil and a flower in his hair I’m sure the Mayor could be transformed into the magical Mexican artist, but I suspect that he’ll head chap-wards in his search for a suitable figure.

❝

Our new shop is now open 47 High Street BS1 2AZ (by St. Nicholas Market)

t: 01179 636 900 • www.bristolblueglass.com

GEORGE IS FOLLICALLY BLESSED WHILE PABLO WAS AS BALD AS AN EGG

❞

He could ask someone at the Bristol Old Vic for some authentic 19th century duds and turn up as Turner, although Britain’s most celebrated painter was notoriously grumpy – and a snuff addict to boot. However there is at least a solid Bristol connection given that the youthful Turner spent a summer painting in the Avon Gorge – I doubt Andy Warhol ever found his way down the M4 from London.

Aside from Banksy, the most famous native artist is undoubtedly Richard Long, a man of many extraordinary achievements but not one known for his eye-catching wardrobe. We must look further afield, therefore, perhaps to Le Continent, home of street markets, convivial living and well-thought-out public transport systems. Surely Le Grand Tradition of European painting will provide a suitable model.

How about Picasso? A stripy Breton shirt would get the Mayor in the right general area, but the hair could be a bit of a problem, since George is follically blessed while Pablo was as bald as an egg. Oh, but what about his fellow Spaniard, the flamboyant Salvador Dali? Now there was an artist with style!

Slick back the hair, add an outrageous waxed moustache and bingo! Of course we’d have to hope that local hacks stay away from the excellent art reference section at Bristol Central Library: we wouldn’t want them finding out too much – well, anything – about Dali’s strange personal life…

That is one problem with artists. You could abseil all day long dressed as Winston Churchill and – apart from complaints about the cigar sending the wrong message to the young – you’d be unlikely to get too much negative publicity. But artists are a different kettle of fish, especially the European ones with their absinthe and their models of dubious character. Actually Monet wasn’t too bad. He was quite happy growing his beard by the lily pond. In fact if anything he was probably a bit too dull for this assignment.

For this Mayorial art-based abseil we need someone special. Someone instantly recognisable and universally loved. Someone stylish, charismatic, forward-looking, dynamic… someone misunderstood by the world during his lifetime but widely admired since. The kind of artist, in short, who might appear as a character on Doctor Who. George, meet Vincent. n 16 THE BRISTOL MAGAZINE

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LIGHTING

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8 BATH STREET, FROME. TEL: 01 373473555 WWW.FIATLUX.CO.UK

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BRISTOL | SOCIETY

PEOPLE & PARTIES Snapshots from events, parties and launches in the city

Artist James Willmot

DJ Jon Footwork

Artist Paul Roberts

Art exhibition launch BoConcept, The Galleries A special art event called Home is where the Art Is was launched by BoConcept in the Galleries to promote both the profile of local Bristol artists and open up the shop’s doors to new and existing customers.

Ten artists and one local gallery were invited to exhibit their work, which is on sale with 10% going to the charity Barnardo’s. At the launch, each artist talked about their work and how Bristol inspires them and there was live music from local musicians Sennen Timcke & Jon Footwork.

Store owners Grant and Stella

Art installation launch The National Trust’s Tyntesfield estate

Clare Reddington from the Watershed, Anna Rutherford from In BetweenTime, and artist Luke Jerram

Tyntesfield’s latest exhibition of contemporary art, called PARADISE, wowed the lucky few who got to see it first at the launch. National and international contemporary artists have come together to create five installations in the grounds of the National Trust estate, taking visitors on an arts trail with a difference. It will be on display until 2 November.

Peter Bale, Maggie Robins and Keith Lane, Tyntesfield Volunteers

Fern Thomas and Owen Griffith, Tyntesfield Artists

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FACE | THE MUSIC

TOP OF THE POPS BBC Points West presenter Imogen Sellers talks to Jane Duffus about her musical guilty pleasures

B

orn and bred in Frome, TV presenter Imogen Sellers is every inch the local girl. Although she’s now a favourite face on BBC1’s Points West news bulletins, Imogen has worked her way up via local papers and local radio ensuring she’s truly learned all the tricks of the trade on the way.

“After going to university in Swansea, I freelanced for newspapers for a while in London,” explains Imogen, who then moved back to the south west where she took a job on the Bath Chronicle. “I worked there for four years, and because it was still a daily paper then it taught me everything very quickly.”

However, broadcasting beckoned and Imogen moved on to Bath FM before a stint at ITV West, and then joined BBC Bristol in 2001 as a broadcast journalist for Points West. “I learned the ropes from the bottom up, doing every shift going,” she says. “Then I got the chance to present and that’s what I’m still doing… and I love it!”

Another thing Imogen loves is music, and while she laughs at some of her top ten choices, we don’t think there’s anything wrong with an unashamed love for good old pop. Aged just 13, Imogen saw 1980s heartthrob Paul Young at the Bath and West Showground, and says she still loves him now: “I completely fell in love with him after that, it was just amazing. I really shouldn’t be telling you this, it’s not very cool!”

But what was cool was buying her husband, Martin, tickets to see his musical hero Elton John in Paris for “a significant birthday.” What was less cool was getting the dates wrong! Imogen explains: “Two days before we were due to go, I was just checking the flight and concert tickets and realised we were flying home the day of the concert. So we ended up giving our Elton John tickets to the receptionist in the hotel where we stayed. She was thrilled but my husband wasn’t! We did end up seeing Elton John in concert in Bristol a few years ago, though, when he played at Gloucestershire Cricket Club in 2008. He was brilliant.”

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Imogen’s top 10: ❶ Black Eyed Peas – I Gotta Feeling I had a big birthday party last year and this is always the song that gets everyone dancing. I love it because it makes me feel so happy. ❷ The Commodores – Easy I’ve always loved the Commodores’ version of this song. If I had to listen to only one song ever, it would be this. I can’t do without a bit of Lionel Richie!

One of my favourite ever gigs was seeing Lionel at Wembley with my husband. It was so lovely as it was the first night that we went out without the kids. It was perfect cheese. ❸ Rizzle Kicks – Mama Do The Hump This song reminds me of my children. My husband bought them the Rizzle Kicks album and when we went on holiday to Cornwall we listened to it all the way down there in the car. The kids know all the words and dance moves to it now. ❹ Queen – We Are The Champions This is another one that reminds me of my children. When my little boy left his infant school, the children put on an assembly for the parents and they performed this song. All the mums were blubbing. So I feel very emotional listening to this song. ❺ Billy Joel – Don’t Go Changing This Billy Joel song was our first dance at our wedding, which was in Freshford, Bath in 2003. Our friend John Baker is a musician and he sang this and played the piano for us, and it was just brill.

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FACE | THE MUSIC

Black Eyed Peas

❻ Claude Debussy – Clair de Lune I just think it’s the most magical piece of music ever. We had Claire de Lune playing in the church for our wedding, so it brings back very happy memories for me. It’s a fab piece of music. Everything stops when you hear it. ❼ Elton John – Something About The Way You Look Tonight This is my absolute favourite song of his. It’s not one of his biggest hits but I just love it. I’ve had lots of experiences with Elton over the past few years as you know, what with missing his Paris concert! But he played this in Bristol when we saw him in 2008 and it was magical. ❽ Uncle Kracker – Follow Me I heard this on the radio driving back from work one evening and I just had to look them up when I got home. Sometimes you hear a song by a band

WWW.THEBRISTOLMAGAZINE.CO.UK

Nina Simone

and you think you’re going to love them, but that ends up being the only song of theirs you like. But I love almost all of Uncle Kracker’s stuff. ❾ Adrian Hall and Heather Ripley – Truly Scrumptious Chitty Chitty Bang Bang is one of our favourite films as a family, and I used to sing the song Truly Scrumptious from it to my little boy to get him to sleep. We also used to play it loads on car journeys because the children absolutely love the film. I completely loved it, too, when I was growing up. ❿ Nina Simone – Feeling Good I went to the most amazing funeral, which sounds a really sombre and awful thing to say. But it was the funeral of a very close family member and they played this at the funeral and it was the most uplifting moment, so that song is always very special. I’ll always love this piece of music. n

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BRISTOL | FASHION

AUTUMN WINTER 14 Becky Miklos takes a look at five key new season trends

Surface Interest Ditch the jewellery and let your clothing do the legwork by adorning your outfit with embellished and embroidered pieces. Fairytale folk was big on the catwalk this season, as was head to toe sparkle.

Clockwise from far left: skirt from Max Mara at House of Fraser, £180; clutch bag from Monsoon, Cabot Circus, £45; blouse from Peter Pillotto at Harvey Nichols, £595; shoes from Sophia Webster at Harvey Nichols, £575

Outfit from Marks and Spencer

A Study in Scarlet This season’s catwalks displayed an abundance of colour but if there’s one hue that should be on everyone’s minds it’s our fiery favourite – red. Working an all over look is a simple way to look polished but ensure you mix up fabrics and tones to break up the outfit and highlight your best features.

Dress from Just Cavalli at Harvey Nichols, £1,485; leather skirt from Moschino at Harvey Nichols, £375; jumper by Vivienne Westwood at Garment Quarter, Cabot Circus, £210; boots from Next, £85

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SEPTEMBER 2014

Outfit from HOBBS

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BRISTOL | FASHION

Retro Now Sixties vibes have come swinging back onto the fashion spectrum.

Retro dressing is all about youth and having fun with your wardrobe, but fear not – the mini skirt isn’t the only way to achieve 60s cool. Make a nod to the era with a quirky collar or popping print.

Coat from Miss Selfridge at House of Fraser, £89; dress from RAOUL at Harvey Nichols, £400

Trousers, Alice Temperley at John Lewis at The Mall, Cribbs Causeway, £89; coat

by Jaeger, Cabot Circus, £299

The Soft Touch There’s no excuse to catch a chill in this season’s fluffy fabrics. Soft faux furs, brushed knitwear and looped yarns are the styles to look out for. A Shearling coat or lined parka is a classic purchase, alternatively, take inspiration from your childhood teddy bear and look to all over fur.

From left to right: Coat from Dom Goor at Harvey Nichols, £1,390; clutch bag from Dune, £65; tippet from Accesorize, £27; gilet from Next, £30

Drape and Swathe Fine fabrics, elegant drapery and artful layering are the tool kit for this look. The oversize theme returns almost every season due to its practicality and lux-appeal but this year, the emphasis is on topheavy silhouettes. Try a plush wool cape or scarf with tailored trousers and finish with a belt for definition.

CLOCKWISE FROM TOP LEFT: scarf by Betty Jackson Black at Debenhams, £16; cape from Marks and Spencer, £110; dress by Vivienne Westwood at Garment Quarter, £257; blouse from Amulet Boutique, £39.99

WWW.THEBRISTOLMAGAZINE.CO.UK

Outfit from Mango

SEPTEMBER 2014

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BRISTOL | FASHION

DATES for your fashion diary Bristol Cathedral

Tuesday 16 September

H

arvey Nichols will unveil the very latest designer must-haves at its new A/W 14 season fashion show on Tuesday 16 September in the atmospheric setting of Bristol Cathedral in College Green. The evening will begin with a Champagne reception at 7pm and the catwalk will start at 7.30pm, showcasing exclusive international and contemporary collections with key pieces from Erdem, Kenzo, Stella McCartney, Gucci, Mary Katrantzou, Christian Louboutin and Helmut Lang. Tickets cost £15, including the Champagne reception and show. The experience can be made even more special with one of two packages: a mini makeover, Champagne manicure by Nails Inc and entry to the show for £30; or a three-course meal in the Second Floor Restaurant and entry to the show for £35.

Booking is essential as places are strictly limited. Tickets are available in store or from tel: 0117 916 8876.

Out of town If you’re looking for some inspiration to start planning your autumn wardrobe, head to Bath on Thursday 18 September for a Dress to Impress evening from 5pm – 8pm in the Milsom Place area of the city, just off Milsom Street. Experts from each store will be on hand to advise and guide you through the latest autumn/winter 14 fashions, help you find key pieces to integrate into your existing wardrobe and take key elements from the season’s trends and make them work for you. Enjoy bubbly, styling, discounts and promotions at various shops including LK Bennett, Seven Boot Lane, Channii B, Phase Eight, Bibico, True Grace, Russell and Bromley, Hobbs, Comptoir des Cotonniers, Reiss and Duo. You can make an evening of it with dinner at one of the Milsom Place eateries, including Cote Brasserie who will be offering a complimentary Kir Royale with each main course, or head to The Porter on George Street where you can enjoy a free glass of fizz when dining at Clayton’s Kitchen and free entrance to the jazz night with 2 for 1 cocktails.

Thursday 18 September

Outfit from Phase Eight

Wednesday 24 – Sunday 28 September

B

ristol Fashion Week returns to The Mall at Cribbs Causeway from 24 – 28 September, bringing five days of catwalk shows, fashion, style and pampering to the south west. Included in your fashion show ticket are refreshments from the M&S mocktail bar, the chance to win a gift from John Lewis, a goodie bag and indulgent treatments at the BFW Pamper Zone.

Lust after the latest catwalk looks while TV stylist Mark Heyes and celebrity hairdresser Andrew Barton entertain with their valuable fashion knowledge and celebrity gossip. From berry tones and powdered pastels to faux furs and fairytales, this season’s BFW catwalk is bursting with trend stories to inspire your winter wardrobe. Tickets to Bristol Fashion Week are now on sale, available online at: www.mallcribbs.com or from The Mall’s information desk.

Catwalk looks at Bristol Fashion Week

WIN! The Bristol Magazine and The Mall at Cribbs Causeway have teamed up to offer five lucky readers the chance to win a pair of FROW (front row) tickets (worth £13.95 each) to Bristol Fashion Week.

To be in with a chance of winning, simply answer the following question: When is Bristol Fashion Week?

Send your answers, with ‘Bristol Fashion Week’ in the subject line, to: competitions@thebristolmagazine.co.uk by Friday 19 September. Don’t forget to include your name, address and telephone number. Entrants must be 18 years or over, and available to attend the 4.30pm fashion show on Saturday 27 September.

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FASHION FORWARD Looking for your dream job?

Try French fashion company Captain Tortue for size...

D

on’t we all dream of the perfect work/life balance; choosing when, where and for how long we work? Well this dream could become a reality with Captain Tortue.

Launched in the south of France 20 years ago, Captain Tortue designs and sells ladies and children’s clothes via a network of independent consultants.

The clothes are high quality, on trend and unique – think Jigsaw and Hobbsstyles for the ladies wear and Boden for the children’s by way of comparison, but prices are lower, as Captain Tortue does not have the overheads of high street retailers. The clothes can’t be bought online or in shops, only from consultants which make them highly desirable.

“Increasingly ladies are looking for an alternative to the stress of the high street for themselves and their children,” says local consultant Penny Gunter.

“We have fabulous collections for AW14, all the key trends and colours are there: oversized chunky knits, bold patterns, boho dressing with baroque, floral and animal prints, 90s revival slogan T-shirts, metallic grey and huggy bear fur.”

The Captain Tortue collections are designed for women who want clothes that work for all lifestyles. Creative director Lillian Jacquelinet believes clothes should be elegant, easy to wear and original in design.

Working with Captain Tortue is very straightforward; all you need is a few hours a week and three or four contacts to host a show to get you started.

There is full training and support for new and existing consultants and step by step incentives to help you build your client base.

“The beauty of this business is that you can tailor it to suit your needs and the time you want to put in,” says Penny.

“We have all sorts of ladies working with us as consultants. Alison Falconer is an air stewardess with British Airways who loves working with the collections when she is not flying. Gemma Hosking was an office manager before children, and didn’t want to go back to the crazy world of juggling family and work.”

Gemma says: “I started out wanting to earn a little pocket money just for me, now I have developed my business beyond my expectations and best of all it fits beautifully with my family commitments.”

Nurse Andrea Richardson enjoys the fun of style shows; meeting new people and helping them choose great outfits. “Working as a nurse can be very stressful, Captain Tortue is my antidote and it helps to pay for all the little extras for the family.” n

To find out more about this opportunity or to take a look at the new collection, contact Penny on tel: 07974 250098 / 01934 863833 or email pennygunter@hotmail.co.uk. For further information about the brand, visit: www.captaintortuegroup.com. Captain Tortue is a member of the UK Direct Selling Association (www.dsa.org.uk) 26 THE BRISTOL MAGAZINE

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Aspire

“Aspire to be unique , be unique with Aspire” Affordable unique contemporary Jewellery Ladies and Gents Jewellery Specialising in quality handmade pieces

Watch straps and batteries Stocking: Boccia, Fred Bennett and Full Spot

Aspire 42 The Mall | Clifton Village | Bristol | BS8 4JG 0117 923 7477

aspireclifton@gmail.com

| facebook.com/aspireclifton | twitter.com/aspireclifton

• ENGAGEMENT RINGS • WEDDING RINGS • WEDDING GIFTS VISIT OUR SPARKLING NEW ONLINE SHOP AT WWW.KEMPSJEWELLERS.COM Over 100 items available to buy online - quick & easy

STUNNING ENGAGEMENT RINGS • WEDDING BANDS • AND TAILORED-MADE RINGS Beautiful Gift Ideas for the bridesmaids, mother of the bride and for the groom A 10% discount on any pair of rings purchased & off any further gifts for your wedding when you mention The Bristol Magazine We also offer Bespoke Jewellery • Silver Jewellery • Watches • Registered Pawnbrokers • Jewellery & Watch Repairs • Gold purchased (old jewellery & coins)

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

WWW.THEBRISTOLMAGAZINE.CO.UK

www.kempsjewellers.com (online store) T:

0117 950 5090

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COVER FEATURE | BEST LITTLE SHOPS

THE BEST LITTLE SHOPS OF BRISTOL Bristol proudly hosts some of the best independent shops in the country. They bring interest, diversity, quirkiness and life to our retail scene. We love supporting them, and in doing so, the money stays local and supports the Bristol economy.

So The Bristol Magazine has been out and explored these shops in every corner of the city – picking out all the popular ones as well as some hidden gems that we think deserve some applause. Your tour starts here...

FANCY DRESS FANATICS An independent, family run fancy dress shop that’s fairly new to the Bristol scene, but already proving a huge hit. Opened in July 2013, by Fran Gore and Simon Minifie, with the help of Fran’s costumier grandmother, Fancy Dress Fanatics has a very young vibe.

The couple are in their early 30s, very knowledgeable about fancy dress, full of ideas and really helpful. The shop includes costumes for sale (over 600 varieties) and for hire (of which there are over 200 and growing) as well as hundreds of accessories, and is a lot bigger than it looks from the outside. Fran and Simon put a huge amount of effort into their window displays, with passers-by often stopping to take pictures. Even more effort goes in at Halloween, when they totally transform the shop – with full decoration, replacing almost all of their stock with Halloween items (although they’ll still happily dig out what they’ve put away), hand out sweets to customers and dress up themselves each day in Halloween week. Find Fancy Dress Fanatics at the top of Cheltenham Road, just by the Arches. Open Tuesday-Friday, 10am-6pm and on Saturday, 10am– 5pm. For more information, visit: www.fancydressfanatics.co.uk, tel: 0117 329 0093 or find the shop on Facebook and Twitter.

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BRISTOL BLUE GLASS Bristol Blue Glass (based in Bedminster), has been creating glass on the site of the Bedminster Glassworks, founded in 1716. After 300 years it has opened a shop on the High Street, just a few steps from St Nicholas Market, in the historic centre of Bristol. It has the widest range of contemporary and traditional designs, including tableware, stemware, vases, presentation pieces, jewellery and gifts, and wonderful examples of traditional Cranberry Glass, as well as other coloured glass. There are also items decorated with silver-leaf and hall-marked silver. All unique and made at the glassworks, these beautiful items are available from pocket-money prices to several hundred pounds for seriously collectable items.

47 High Street, Bristol. Tel: 0117 963 6900

GLADRAGS Gladrags has two shops in Clifton Village. Both can be likened to an Aladdin’s Cave as the choice and variety on display is incredible. In Gladrags 1 you can find a great selection of daywear, including various labels that excel in bodycon stretch and fit dresses. These fit where they touch – they do not cling, and neither do they crease. Great for weddings and special occasions, they enhance your shape and really add to one’s confidence. Gladrags stocks these labels exclusively and carries a vast range of jewellery, scarves, gloves and handbags to accessorise perfectly. It also offers a seamstress facility should the need arise. In its designer outlet shop it has a very large range of evening, prom, special occasion and mother of the bride outfits, plus all the matching hats, fascinators, jewellery and handbags to accentuate the perfect look. Gladrags clearly takes pride in attention to detail and the warm and friendly staff offer excellent customer service, as well as support and fashion advice. A great little shop... well, two great little shops that are well worth a visit.

15 Portland Street, Clifton Village, Bristol. Tel: 0117 973 4455

AMULET Amulet boutique is a one stop shopping destination for women who like beautiful things. The award winning independent stocks women’s clothing, jewellery, bags, shoes and lifestyle products. Each item has been handpicked by owner Hemali Modha and not only will you find lots of local British brands stocked here but a large proportion of the stock is fairly traded, ethically produced and sustainable. If you’re wanting to update your look, or fancy pampering yourself with some free personal styling, why not book in for a one-to-one personal shopping experience? This is a great place for women to rediscover themselves and their love for fashion and to find clothes to suit their shape, budget and needs. If you’re looking for clothes that are individual, wearable and affordable then you definitely want to pay Amulet a visit.

39A Cotham Hill, Bristol. Tel: 0117 239 9932

KEMPS JEWELLERS

RHUBARB Rhubarb has recently opened in Waterloo Street at the centre of Clifton Village. It offers fresh inspiration for the home, drawing on local talented craftsmen for handmade furniture, ceramics and soft furnishings. Rhubarb also prides itself in sourcing one-off vintage items, such as butchers blocks, larder cupboards, large mirrors and exquisite copper pans. Rhubarb offers a bespoke design and furniture making service, so if you can’t find it in the shop, it can be created for you. Anything from traditional dressers, dining tables, coffee tables and mirrors to wooden welly racks and chopping boards made in Rhubarb’s own workshop. Here you will find a truly reassuring return to the quality and personal service of yesteryear.

4a Waterloo Street, Clifton, Bristol. Tel: 0117 973 1062

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Kemps Jewellers is now in its 133rd year of trading, with Michael Kemp and his team offering a professional, friendly and approachable service to all their customers. Kemps holds a surprising amount of affordable treasures. There is a large core of secondhand and new jewellery that is that little bit different.

A modern beautiful range of silver jewellery has just been launched with the unusual feature of being Rhodium plated to give it a hard wearing quality but a different look. Kemps offers a wedding ring package where you can buy any two wedding rings and receive a 10% discount. A varied range of rings is always carried in stock with the added option of a bespoke service should you wish. Kemps also offers a complete jewellery repair service from a simple solder to a total remake of your favourite item of jewellery.

9 Carlton Court, Westbury on Trym, Bristol.

Tel: 0117 950 5050

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JOHN ANTHONY

Nicholas Wylde Award-winning goldsmith Nicholas Wylde has been designing original, high quality jewellery since the early 80s. A graduate of the prestigious School of Jewellery in Birmingham, he has established a superb reputation for designing outstanding pieces, from one-off commissions to larger corporate orders, all handmade and with great passion. For timeless designs, great service and a knowledgeable and helpful team, Nicholas Wylde’s Clifton showroom is a great destination for anyone looking for a special piece of jewellery.

6 The Mall, Clifton, Bristol.

Tel: 0117 974 3582

GET KNITTED Get Knitted started as the simple dream of owner, Sue Morgan. Several years later and it has become much more than a wool shop. The small but dedicated team love their craft, and have created a place not simply to buy yarn, but to share a passion, to get advice, be inspired and learn new skills. A place where crafters of all abilities meet regularly, knit, natter and enjoy. Get Knitted is soon to expand into a hub as it has plans for regular craft fairs, workshops for adults and children and social events such as the ever popular crafternoon tea.

John Anthony is a trusted independent retailer that has long been a hub for the fashion savvy gent in the Bristol area, offering a comprehensive range of designer clothing, footwear and accessories. Stocking the finest luxury labels in men’s fashion, you’ll find the British phenomenon that is Vivienne Westwood, the king of tailoring Paul Smith as well as a collective of global names like Armani Jeans, Dsquared, Y-3, Billionaire Boys Club and Stone Island. Embracing all styles from super sleek tailoring to urban street wear, it aims to provide for all tastes and personalities. The knowledgable staff are always welcoming and happy to advise you, and they aim to provide an enjoyable and relaxing shopping experience that won’t be forgotten. In a nutshell, John Anthony is all about the brands and living the lifestyle that goes with them.

3 Philadelphia Street, Quakers Friars, Bristol. Tel: 0117 922 0799

JULIE ANNE PALMER Julie Anne Palmer is an exquisite jeweller, goldsmith, designer and maker offering a unique service combining superb craftsmanship, creative design and empathy. Whether bespoke, re-modelling or repair, all work is undertaken by Julie alone and handmade on the premises. From the initial consultation to the finished article she creates a unique oneoff work of art. Ready to wear items are also available to purchase. Customers’ comments include: “Fantastic craftsmanship, you’ve fans not customers, the wedding ring of my dreams! Your thought and skill produced exactly what I had in mind, your ability to create such an intricate design is amazing.”

Open from 10am – 2pm, Tuesday to Saturday.

129 Stoke Lane, Westbury on Trym, Bristol.

Tel: 0117 962 1111. www.julieannepalmer.com

SOFA WORKSHOP

39 Brislington Hill, Bristol.

Tel: 0117 300 5211

Located in Clifton, just a stones throw from Clifton Village, Sofa Workshop on Whiteladies Road has to be the first port of call for anyone in search of a very comfortable sofa. All the sofas are handmade in Britain and are available in the greatest choice of fabrics on the high street, including all the best known design houses. Visitors can find a wide choice in the spacious showroom with sofa styles ranging from contemporary to traditional. The experienced team at Sofa Workshop are there to help customers through the process ensuring that they choose the sofa that’s right for them.

76-78 Whiteladies Road, Bristol. Tel: 0117 970 6171

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Shops at The Arcade...

RIOT GIFTS

THE DRAGONS GALLERY

Riot Gifts was established in October 2013 as a small independent boutique gift shop, where the atmosphere is warm and welcoming. It has one aim, to provide everyone with an irresistible range of beautiful, affordable home and gift-ware. You’ll find things at Riot Gifts that you never knew you needed – from hand crafted wooden and ceramic bowls, decorative pots, funky owl cushions, Sass & Belle skull money boxes and jewellery holders to retro themed mugs and hand crafted drawer knobs. It’s all here and it’s all competitively priced. It’s ideal for Christmas shopping. Find Riot Gifts in the convenient and newly revamped St James Arcade, Broadmead, or visit: www.riot-gifts.wix.com/riot-gifts 33 St. James Arcade, Bristol. Tel: 0772 559 5285

Bristol’s answer to Glastonbury... You no longer have to travel all the way to Glastonbury to get unique crystals and spiritual items. This is a small family run business which has some of the best prices around on crystals, fossils, tarot, art and new age gifts. The owners are doing what they love and try their best to make sure every customer leaves happy. The shop also has a private room where you can book a session with a tarot reader for £20. After many years of trading The Dragons Gallery now has so many crystals it cannot display them all, so if there’s an item you’re after, be sure to ask. Open daily Monday – Saturday, 9.30am – 5.30pm and Sunday, 11am – 4pm.

13 The Arcade, Broadmead, Bristol.

Tel: 0788 185 3290 www.thedragonsgallery.com

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FOSSILDROPS FossilDrops is a newly opened independent shop located in the historic St James Arcade.

Located in the heart of the shopping district, the wide range of items for sale are all designed, and made in store by Laura. Bestsellers include the luxurious handmade charm bracelets – one-off designs made of hand treated leathers, unusual gemstones, ceramics and fair-trade Karen Hill Tribe silver. A wide range of necklaces and earrings crafted from sterling silver, gold vermeil and unusual gemstones complete the collection of women’s jewellery. Men have their own range of leather bracelets too. Laura’s handmade cushions and bedspreads make beautiful gifts, as do the original art pieces that line the walls. The motto is simple here: high quality affordable gifts that you won’t see anywhere else.

27 St James Arcade, Bristol. Tel: 0797 772 3183 www.fossildrops.com

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LUNAR OPTICAL

WAY Lunar Optical is an opticians with a vision (pun intended).

Owners Pam Eastman and Jill Sunderland were friends for many years before deciding to become business partners and set up their own independent optical practice. They opened their doors in January 2013 to deep snow, but have since gone on from strength to strength. Their mission is to provide the very best in eye care, combined with excellent customer care, fabulous frames and great lenses. Pam and Jill take pride in sourcing beautiful, quality frames from independent suppliers such as Oko, Etnia, Dutz, Woow and many more. Using smaller independent suppliers ensures the best quality frames with individual style that you can’t find anywhere else. If you are looking for specs with a difference, comfy contact lenses, or hassle free varifocals; then look no further than Lunar Optical.

The lovely, friendly staff are always on hand to find the perfect frame for your face, and your pocket – and they even have homemade chocolate brownies. All this great service has not gone unrecognised; Lunar Optical has been shortlisted for a national award, Young Practice of the Year 2014, and we wish them the very best of luck – they really deserve to win.

Gloucester Road is known as the longest stretch of independent shops in the UK, one of which is unisex streetwear shop – WAY, which has been open since March 2013 and its originality is hard to miss. This trendy shop stocks bold prints that you won’t find on the high street. If you’re looking for something a bit different for festivals or just to look cool, WAY is the place to go. WAY stocks small and independent designers like Mr Gugu known for its funky prints, Bristol label Not Too Shabby and its own WAY label. Products include printed t-shirts, leggings, sweatshirts, snapback hats, jewellery and backpacks.

The shop is still improving and changing stock so it’s worthwhile to keep checking them out.

63A Gloucester Road, Bristol. Tel: 0117 935 1302

EUROPA BLINDS

291 Gloucester Road, Bristol.

Tel: 0117 942 0011

STRIPY DOG Stripy Dog is a family run pet boutique with a grooming studio that caters for both cat and dog owners. Its focus is always on customers’ individual needs for their pet, aiming to provide both products and services of the highest standard.

All the products in the shop have been specifically chosen for their innovative design, quality and ethical standards. Its selection of pet food exhibits some of the highest quality food available on the market, offering not only a high level of nutrition for your pet, but also saving you money in the long run. Being a small grooming shop, Stripy Dog can offer pet grooming services to suit your pets’ individual needs, whether it’s a full on doggy day spa package or a basic wash and dry for your smelly pooch. Whatever your needs, the friendly staff at Stripy Dog are always happy to help.

61 Westbury Hill, Westbury-on-Trym, Bristol. Tel: 0117 962 8989

First established in 1975, Europa Blinds is a family owned business and has been manufacturing, supplying and installing blinds, shutters and awnings for commercial, social and domestic customers for nearly 40 years. As well as serving clients all across Bristol, it is really popular with the local, surrounding community, and enjoys a fantastic reputation for great service. Gloucester Road is Europe’s longest road of small businesses, and the Europa showroom, situated at number 328 in Horfield has a brilliant display, offering a wide variety of blinds, shutters and awnings plus a superb range of samples and fabrics. It works with the biggest and best suppliers to offer a superior selection of the highest quality products, keeping right up to date with all the latest trends and innovations. Europa Blinds offers a free no obligation measure and quote service, and will visit customers’ homes and bring along samples for them to achieve the look they want and offer good advice for customers who are unsure of the best solution and need to explore all the options.

A visit to the showroom is a must, but its impressive website: www.europa-blinds.co.uk will help to introduce you and guide you through the full depth of Europa Blinds’ capabilities.

Europa Blinds. 328 Gloucester Road, Bristol. 0117 942 5270

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ROOM 212

ARTEMIS Artemis is a family-owned jewellery and gift shop run by mother and daughter team Catherine and Carrie. Best known as the home of Catherine Amesbury Contemporary Jewellery Design, Artemis is the perfect venue for her showroom and workshop where clients can come and purchase from the display or sit and take their time to either customise or commission bespoke pieces in a relaxed atmosphere. Artemis also stocks a unique range of gorgeous gifts all linked by their beautifully feminine nature which complement the jewellery perfectly. Described as an Aladdin’s cave of treasures, Artemis offers free gift wrapping and something special for every occasion.

214 Gloucester Road, Bristol.

Tel: 0117 924 1003

Room 212 on Gloucester Road is a treasure trove of art, craft, prints, cushions, jewellery, tableware, cards and more. The gallery showcases work by more than 100 Bristol artists (such as Jenny Urquhart, Huw Richards Evan, Hannah Broadway, Rosie Webb and Laura Robertson) – all unique, quirky or simply beautiful. Owner and artist Sarah Thorp opened the shop a year ago with the idea of creating a permanent version of the art trails which are so popular around Bristol. Initially she drew in fellow artists from the North and West Bristol art trails but now finds that artists come to her, and she tries to find space for everyone. Artists take it in turns to mind the shop and so Room 212 has become a social hub for creatives. The Tuesday morning knit club is extremely popular (as is the gorgeous wool on sale) and regularly changing window displays are an inspiration for both artists and customers. Themes have included the Birds and the Bees, Moulin Rouge, Celebration of Motherhood, Enchanted Forest, the Big Blue, (Re)Cycle and Indian Summer. The incredibly popular Day of the Dead theme is set for October and Sarah and her team are planning a sumptuous display for Christmas. The shop will also be a hub for the North Bristol Art Trail on 28 – 30 November.

Room 212 is part of the amazingly creative section of Gloucester Road known as Glos Rd Central. Sarah Thorp is instrumental in running events on the pavements and encourages fellow traders to put out planters – Room 212 has an enamel bath outside which has been overflowing with flowers and vegetables all summer. Room 212 has gained a reputation for inspiring, imaginative, everchanging art and gifts. For more information visit: www.room212.co.uk 212 Gloucester Road, Bristol. Tel: 0117 330 2789

FIG Fig is a truly original shop on Gloucester Road, set up in 2009 when six diverse and talented craftswomen came together to open a co-operative shop and workplace.

Since then the shop area has expanded and the workspace shrunk and eventually disappeared as it became obvious that more selling space was needed.

The mantra of the shop is simple: everything handmade. Everything sold in fig is designed and made by the six members of the co-op. Customers can find screenprints by Jane Ormes and Chitra Merchant, textiles by Kate Tarling and Sinead Finnegan, silver jewellery by Jemima Lumley and glassware by Robyn Coetzee. There’s also cards, hair accessories, brooches, tea-towels and so much more. Many pieces can be specially commissioned, personalised or made-to-order so that customers are often getting a beautiful and unique item, something they can’t get anywhere else. The fig co-op members run the shop themselves so on most days customers can pop in and meet one of the artists. Open six days a week, from 9.30am–5pm, fig is an artistic treasure trove recently mentioned by The Guardian in it’s Top 10 Independent Shops in Bristol.

MOODLES Moodles is an independent childrenswear and gift shop based on Gloucester Road. Moodles prides itself on stocking solely British-made products. Every item has been cherry-picked for its quality and design, with provenance of the utmost importance to Moodles owner, Sarah Ubhi. Moodles has worked hard to stock a range of timeless, well-made, quality clothing, which will last, be passed on to siblings and even kept as heirloom pieces. It is about preserving childhood, by providing age-appropriate childrenswear, and has been described as “traditional with a twist.” A visit to Moodles on is a must if you have babies or children to buy for, and if you can’t find what you want, then just ask and they will endeavour to source it for you.

208 Gloucester Road, Bristol. Tel: 0117 944 5333

206 Gloucester Road, Bristol. Tel: 0117 924 4898 www.figshop.co.uk

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OSKAR FURNITURE

RIGHT FOOT FIRST

Visit and discover the very best in classic and contemporary original Scandinavian and Italian design in furniture, lighting and home accessories.

Oskar Furniture is your route to the finest and most timeless products from leading and well-known brands such as Vitra, String, Swedese, Kartell, Foscarini, Artemide, Flos, Reisenthel and Ferm Living – just to mention a few. Whatever your scale, taste or constraints, you will find furniture, lighting and home accessories to meet your brief. Feel free to browse and get inspired in the spacious showroom on Whiteladies Road where friendly and knowledgeable advice is always at hand.

47 Whiteladies Road, Bristol.

Tel: 0117 973 4777

THREAD 58 Thread58 is passionate about textiles of all kinds.

Having studied textile design at Bath Spa University, textile designer/artist and owner, Bridget Edwards, decided to take the plunge and open a shop last December in West Street, St Philips which is becoming a mecca for interesting shops and cafés. Thread58 sells a wide range of textiles from vintage fabrics through to ethnic cloth from India and Guatemala; African wax prints; Japanese kimono silk and many others in between. Many of the textiles are available by the metre for dressmaking and soft furnishings or in smaller pieces for patchwork and craft projects. Vintage buttons are another passion and it stocks a wonderful selection from Victorian up to the 1970s. It also sells vintage lace, doilies and braid; some beautiful handmade gifts and good quality craft materials including 40% wool felt. It is constantly sourcing interesting textiles and bits and bobs to help customers with their creative projects.

Thread58 prides itself on providing good, friendly service and will always do its best to help you with advice on fabrics and design. Feel free to browse without any obligation.

58 West Street, Old Market, Bristol. Tel: 0117 955 2747, www.thread58.com

BRACEY INTERIORS If you’re looking for interiors – look no further than Bracey Interiors situated in Waterloo Street in the heart of Clifton Village. With over 30 years experience Bracey Interiors has gained an enviable reputation for having one of the best showrooms in the south west. Displaying products from over 50 design houses, you’ll find fabrics and wallpapers from Osborne & Little, Zoffany, Colefax and Fowler and Zimmer & Rohde to name just a few. It also stocks paints by Little Greene and Paint & Paper Library which are mixed to order in the showroom – just call beforehand and it will be ready for collection in just 10 minutes. Bracey Interiors offers a comprehensive interior design service so if you’re wanting a room or whole property re-designed and furnished, it can help you by preparing scale drawings, room layouts, specifications and budget costings – take a look at the website to see recent projects. Bracey Interiors has a skilled workforce who are able to take ideas and designs through to completion and it also has a team of talented curtain makers in Clifton who ensure all furnishings are made to exacting standards. Why not call in?

15 Waterloo Street Clifton Bristol.

Tel: 0117 973 4664 www.braceyinteriors.co.uk

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Right Foot First opened in March 2012 and was the vision of husband and wife, Barry and Kirsty Lane, alongside Barry’s parents Barry and Gail Holbrook. Right Foot First would become an extension of Holbrooks Dance Shoes and was a likely outcome as Barry Lane has worked in the famly business with Barry and Gail Holbrook for over 15 years. Right Foot First offers its customers a much more personal service than those of chains or larger stores. In the 18 months it has been open many customers have commented how relaxed children feel in the shop.

It also understands how important it is to cater for what the customer requires, which is why it has concentrated its business strategy on brands that the customer can trust – including Start-Rite and Hush Puppies for fitted school shoes and Skechers for sports alongside others. The team is also trained in shoe fitting, not just concentrating on fitting the length but the width as well; ensuring a well fitted foot. Right Foot First understands how challenging a shopping experince can be and that is why it can cater for a wide range of ages and can adapt to their needs.

33-35 Southmead Road, Bristol.

Tel: 0117 962 9746

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EBONY ROSE Ebony Rose Upholstery specialises in both modern and traditional upholstery techniques with the additional option of soft furnishings.

The company was established over a year ago by two Bristol based women with a vision of bridging the gap between the traditional upholstery market and modern design. Drawing on their creative backgrounds, the main focus of Ebony Rose is to help people expand their individual style by creating a centrepiece in their home.

Approaching all projects with care and diligence is an integral part of the work ethics practiced at Ebony Rose.

SUMPTOUS DESIGNERWEAR

14 West Street, Old Market, Bristol. Tel: 0117 329 2722 www.ebonyroseupholstery.co.uk

Presenting Clifton’s new dress agency, Sumptuous Designerwear, selling high end, high street and prestigious designer labels on behalf of clients from its gorgeous little boutique on Princess Victoria Street in the heart of Clifton Village. It has a great selection of new and preloved high quality ladies’ workwear, casual, and occasionwear with gowns being a particular speciality. It hires gowns out too, and works hard to keep prices affordable across all ranges, so that it can offer something for everyone. Labels include: Mulberry, D&G, Prada, Vivienne Westwood, Alexander McQueen and Mary Katrantzou – to name just a few.

37 Princess Victoria Street, Clifton, Bristol. Tel: 0117 329 2900

STONE AGE Stone Age owner, Jo O’Grady, a Clifton resident for 15 years, is even more passionate about stone now than when he started the business 25 years ago. The new showroom on Waterloo Street, next to Bracey’s Interiors, is a treasure trove of natural stone and displays lots of options for floors, walls and now kitchen worktops too. Its special offers change regularly, so you can find beautiful natural stone and porcelain at competitive prices.

Do call in and visit the team – Jo, Lottie, Gaynor & Meg. Stone Age Ltd, 14 Waterloo Street, Bristol BST 4BT, Tel: 0117 923 8180. www.stone-age.co.uk, www.cliftonstone.co.uk

THE CLIFTON FIREPLACE COMPANY The south west’s premier provider of bespoke fireplaces, flues and stoves covering Bristol and the surrounding areas, The Clifton Fireplace Company boasts an unrivalled selection of award-winning products crafted by the world’s leading designers. From elegant period pieces to cutting-edge, contemporary designs, The Clifton Fireplace Company is the destination of choice for every discerning homeowner. It stocks only the finest products available – from traditional marble and stone fireplaces, to state-of-the-art wall-mounted flueless fires and eco-friendly, energy-efficient stoves. Its experts offer the complete customer service, from help and no-obligation advice, to arranging stress-free installation by experienced, HETAS qualified installers. There’s a great selection of fireplaces and stoves on display in the showroom in Clifton, which are suitable for any home or budget. Confident that customers will be able to find the ideal fireplace or stove to suit their homes, the shop sells fireplaces of the highest of quality in a wide range of sizes and designs to suit all needs. The Clifton Fireplace Company enjoys unrivalled connections in the industry, and has been selected as the official stockist of Chesney’s Of London who supply the highest quality fireplaces and stoves available which are designed to incorporate the latest and best technologies for fuel efficiency. Visit the showroom and see for yourself and discuss options with the friendly and professional staff.

54 Princess Victoria Street, Clifton, Bristol. Tel: 0117 973 6474 www.cliftonfireplaces.co.uk

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CLIFTON CERAMICS AND JEWELLERS Famous for its eye-catching stock of Moorcroft pottery, lamps and limited edition pieces, all Moorcroft is of first quality, and comes from the famous factory in Stoke, which has been producing this unique and historic art pottery for over 100 years. Collectors of Moorcroft find the shop to be a treasure trove and those hard to find pieces can also be sourced if necessary. Apart from Moorcroft enamels the shop also has a large display of Elliot Hall enamels. Handpainted by famous artists these are pure works of art and will be the antiques of the future, as are the lustred gold painted vases by Dennis chinaworks.

Look no further for that special piece of diamond jewellery, as Clifton Fine Jewellery specialises in handmade new, second-hand and vintage pieces, including precious stone ruby, emerald, sapphire and tanzanite rings, engagement and dress rings, and diamond pendants and earrings.

58 The Mall, Clifton Village, Bristol. Tel: 0117 373 0256 www.cliftonceramics.co.uk

HOTWELLS PINE Hotwells Pine has been a familiar sight on Hotwell Road for nearly 30 years. It stocks a range of new and antique pine furniture; chests of drawers, wardrobes, TV units, bookcases, sideboards, kitchen tables, desks, chairs and much more. With its quirky and eccentric interior styling, there are six showrooms and a courtyard garden to explore.

All furniture is locally hand crafted in Somerset by highly experienced carpenters using only the finest quality Scandinavian Redwood Pine (FSC certified). With solid construction throughout, furniture is built to last and carpenters use traditional methods such as dove tail joints to ensure strength and durability. Any piece can be made-to-measure or styled to suit your requirements, please call in for a free quotation. In recent years, Hotwells Pine's showrooms have become even more colourful due to the introduction of its hand painted ranges of furniture. Farrow & Ball paints blend perfectly with the furniture to create a professional finish. With over 130 colours to choose from, you’re sure to find the perfect one. It offers free delivery in Bristol and can deliver at a time to suit to you.

253 Hotwell Road, Bristol. Tel: 0117 927 3700 www.hotwellspine.co.uk

HEALTH UNLIMITED

PAUL RICHARDS Paul Richards Menswear is an independent retailer specialising in one-to-one personal service, and also believes in going that extra mile to satisfy every customer’s individual requirements. If a customer requires something that little bit extra, be it fabric or style, Paul Richards will make every effort to satisfy them. Items stocked include shirts, waistcoats in a variety of suede and wool mixes, belts, socks and braces, plus so much more. **SPECIAL OFFER** Visit the shop during September for a 10% discount off any purchase to all readers of The Bristol Magazine

4 Greyhound Walk, The Galleries Shopping Mall, Broadmead, Bristol Tel: 0117 929 8749

Health Unlimited is at the heart of North Street, and is an essential shop for those who support using holistic homeopathic medicine at home. It stocks a wide variety of oils and herbal remedies for everything from headaches to stomach bugs, all at reasonable prices considering how labour intensive some of these oils are to make. In addition to this healthy bonanza, it also stocks little curios like lunar calendars, incense burners and wooden boxes as well as a great selection of cards for all occasions. If you’re looking for something specific and you can’t find it, speak to the staff, who are very friendly and happy to help. They can often help you find things in the busy little shop, or arrange to order something special that they don’t currently have in stock.

248 North Street, Bedminster, Bristol. Tel: 0117 902 0622

CJ Computing Situated on Westbury Hill, very conveniently opposite a large, free car park, CJ Computing has been serving Westbury on Trym and North Bristol as one of the city’s premier independent computer retailers and repair service centres for over 25 years. CJ Specialises in computers for the home and small businesses. The showroom is extensive and well stocked with all the latest hardware, but it can also make up specialised customised PCs, as well as super fast PCs especially for gamers. And it won’t just sell you a box – it makes sure your computer will be perfectly set up for you, with the latest software installed, updates, and anti-virus, and then it will test to make sure everything is working well. CJ can also offer practical advice on how to get the best from your computer and can even deliver and help with installations and networking. Great for spares or repairs: if you have a slow computer you would like to speed up, or your laptop or PC needs repairing; the CJ staff will provide exactly what you are looking for. The prices are excellent, and the service is better still.

CJ Computing (Systems) Ltd, 57 Westbury Hill, Westbury on Trym, Bristol Tel: 0117 962 4553

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ASPIRE Aspire to be unique, be unique with Aspire. These are the words that define Aspire jewellers. What sets it apart from other jewellers isn’t just its bend-overbackwards service, or friendly warm welcome, it’s the bespoke, individual and handmade pieces that you won’t find anywhere else. Its suppliers are expert in terms of design, skill and the highest quality – from a former blacksmith at Warwick Castle, who’s gone from making a hobby of crafting jewellery to making it his sole award winning profession; to handmade cognac, yellow and green baltic amber pieces that shine with unrivalled beauty. It also stocks the finest unusual and unique cultured Baroque pearls with unparalleled lustre. For the gents, there’s a huge Fred Bennett range comprising stainless steel leather bracelets, cufflinks, chains in sterling silver and much more. It’s fashionable, smart and easy to wear casually or for a night out. Aspire is proud to be the only stockist in Bristol. You’ll also find watch brands Boccia and Full Spot Watches – both are Italian and are only available in Aspire. It can also replace watch batteries and has a selection of fine watch straps on offer. It may be a little shop, but it certainly has a lot to offer.

Aspire, 42 The Mall, Clifton Village, Bristol. Tel: 0117 923 7477

7TH SEA 7th Sea is a handmade emporium, featuring the work of some of the best local artists. Founded by makers Emma, Phoebe and Linda, the shop, now in its third year, has blossomed into the go-to place for unique and beautiful artist created gifts. There’s an amazing diversity of lovely things. Phoebe makes her own range of women’s fashions, there are quirky t-shirts for men and a cute selection for young children. You’ll find a gorgeous display of jewellery including Emma’s print miniatures and Linda’s enamel and silver work, as well as ab impressive collection of art prints and original hand built ceramics. As you enter the shop you’ll be welcomed by the fragrance created by the organic skincare, scented candles and lavender bags. There’s something for everyone – from silk, wool and felt purses, limited edition lampshades and leather phone and tablet cases to note books and tote bags. There is also a fantastic selection of greetings cards and Bristol themed gifts including magnets, mugs, coasters and prints. 7th Sea, a shop bursting with beautiful things, is certainly worth a visit.

SWEET PEA

Nestled on the High Street in Westbury-on-Trym, Sweet Pea is a treasure trove of gorgeous clothing and accessories for ladies and children. With a large and varied collection, it provides a solution for even the most demanding fashionista. Bringing you the latest trends from Yumi, Uttam Boutique, Stella and Influence, it’s the perfect place to head whether you have a lavish night out ahead or simply need to update your wardrobe. Sweet Pea’s range of printed trousers and dresses from £22 and leggings from £8.50 are must-buy items, and as the prices are so reasonable you can have a lot of what you fancy without feeling guilty. Sweet Pea is a charming boutique and would not be out of place on the Kings Road in Chelsea. A warm welcome is guaranteed; both Emma and Gemma are passionate about fashion and keen to make your experience as pleasurable as possible. The contemporary décor allows the garments to be seen for what they really are – elegant and beautiful pieces at affordable prices.

14 High Street, Westbury-on-Trym, Bristol.

Tel: 0117 9502 757 www.sweetpeafashion.co.uk

198 Cheltenham Road, Bristol. Tel: 07733 323 739, www.7thsea.co.uk

LUKE Since its beginnings in the West Midlands in 2001 LUKE has developed into a leading contemporary menswear brand with a huge following.

Having grown with the support of key independent menswear boutiques the brand has evolved organically and in 2009, Robert Clarke opened the first franchise store, making LUKE Bristol the flagship store. LUKE is a practical interpretation on contemporary menswear and has all the components of the modern lad, a gentleman, a working class hero and a bit of a rogue. It is a fashion and accessories based clothes label offering collections created for every social need, whether at home, at a fancy restaurant, in the pub or at a swanky new nightclub – from jackets, knitwear, shirts and sweats to polos, t-shirts, footwear, watches, jeans and denim. So whether it’s a suit for a wedding or a polo for the weekend, LUKE’s got you covered.

94-96 The Horsefair, Broadmead, Bristol. Tel: 0117 930 0008

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BEAST Established in 1987, Beast stocks a quirky, cool and style focused range of clothes, accessories and unusual gifts for men and women – from beautiful scarves, funky socks and functional bags to fair trade knitwear, fluffy jumpers and gorgeous gifts. The popular Sativa bags are ethically sourced eco-hemp bags designed for urban living that are classic in design yet on-trend. For back to school style, the goat skin leather satchels are fairly made in India by family run businesses. They feature naturally tanned leather and are hardwearing and incredibly soft. Another popular item are the Braintree Super Socks for men and women. So, so soft and comfy, they come in vast range of colours and patterns.

Beast, Corn Street, St. Nicholas Market, Bristol.

Tel: 0117 927 9535

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

Sophie Bowden of Mullion Cove

I

was luckily enough to have been brought up in Cornwall and since leaving the county and living and working in London, I discovered that there was little representation of my favourite Cornish producers. So in 2009 I decided to move to Bristol to start a business that endorsed Cornish producers and food traditions. I started trading from a market stall selling all kinds of different Cornish products from sea salt to salami but it was my own version of a Cornish fairing biscuit that was to become the best seller.

I moved from London to Bristol to start the business and haven’t looked back since. I had visited Bristol a few times to see friends and was struck by how vibrant it was; buzzing with cultural activity and a very prominent foodie scene with markets bursting with local produce.

At first I started small by setting up a market stall at the local farmers markets and then travelled further afield doing events in Gloucestershire, Wales and Cornwall. It soon became apparent that my own handmade Cornish fairing biscuits were outselling everything else so I decided to concentrate on just this one product. Since then I have expanded the product range to include all butter shortbreads and as well as having limited edition shapes and flavour combinations. I’ve made biscuits for weddings and hotels and even created a bespoke biscuit for the Kenyan Olympic team. All my biscuits are made to order and hand baked individually at Bordeaux Quays’ cookery school on the harbourside.

As the biscuit business took off, I also decided to start some of my own events (this was something I had enjoyed in my roles in London) and founded the Ashton Court Producers Market and the seasonal markets at the SS Great Britain.

I couldn’t have been made more welcomed by the food industry here and locals have been very supportive of my fledgling business. Through my connections with Business Link, I was lucky enough to be awarded a fellowship from UWE which provided invaluable business guidance and support and from here I have grown the business under the guidance of my business mentors.

Now that the biscuits are selling well, I am concentrating more on the events side and am launching a new events company with David Pyne, another events organiser in the city. Together we have run Bristol’s BIG Market (as part of the Big Green Week), the markets at Temple Quay and recently ventured into creating events for private clients and are really looking forward to working on some very exciting projects together.

However, the biscuits are very close to my heart. They have such a great history and I never get bored of making them (or eating them!) that they will remain as a very important part of my business. n

Captain Tortue Designer French Ladies and Childrens Wear

Recruiting Sales Consultants Now for Autumn / Winter 2014

Change your lifestyle, start a career or enjoy a new hobby Contact us for more information www.captaintortuegroup.com info.uk@captaintortuegroup.com Tel: 01403 754040

www.charlottestonephoto.com

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POINT OF VIEW Encounters Short Film and Animation Festival returns to the city this month with a theme of looking back to look forward

M

arking 20 years as the UK’s leading short film and animation festival, Encounters will be returning to Bristol from 16 to 21 September with the theme of: 20/20 Looking Back to Look Forward. Bringing the city to the forefront of the international film circuit, the festival will play host to a total of 119 events throughout the six days with a programme of unmissable films, live performances, radical debates and forward thinking visions in sound and image – all taking place at the Watershed, Arnolfini and new venue Cube Microplex.

The festival will kick off with Desert Island Flicks with writer and critic Will Self on 16 September at the Arnolfini. Discussing a number of his favourite films, Will Self will delve deep into his archive and discuss why his chosen films warrant special attention. Other highlights include: • Cinema – Live! will take place at the Arnolfini from 17 – 19 September, livening up festival nights with three evenings of live audio visual performance.

• Encounters marks two decades of technological change with the UK premiere of the film version of Philip Jeck’s Vinyl Requiem. This short film was originally created in 1993 to mark the end of the vinyl era moving into digital and Jeck will play alongside a film of his original performance.

• Encounters 2014 and Arnolfini present a new commissioned 40 THE BRISTOL MAGAZINE

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performance by Benedict Drew, a British artist who works across video, sculpture, music and their associated technologies. A very hands-on piece.

• A series of events will explore the legacy of Scottish-born animator, Norman McLaren (1914–1987) through subsequent generations of filmmakers, audio-visual artists, and musicians exploring animated sound.

Five big screen electronic performances will blur the lines between sound and image, cinema and club in Cine-Seizure – an immersive audio visual night presenting Benjamin Damage (with Panther Panther!), COH & Frank, KonxOm-Pax, HOL and Thor Magnusson.

• This year’s festival debate centres around: What is radical now and what this means.

• More than 200 competition films will be shown at the Watershed from 17 – 21 September, presenting some of the best new short and animated films from the UK, Europe and around the world. This includes a new comedy strand, music videos and late lounge screenings (dedicated to gory and risque films).

• There will be a perpetual cinema showing the top 20 films that shook the world from the last two decades, free and on a loop for audiences to drop in any time. n To view the full programme and to book tickets, visit: www.encounters-festival.org.uk.

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CULTURE BOOK Our guide to this month’s top events in Bristol and beyond Barnum at the Bristol Hippodrome

James Rhodes at St George’s Bristol

Macbeth, Tobacco Factory Theatres, 3 – 20 September One of Britain’s best and boldest theatre companies, Filter return to Bristol with a playful, kaleidoscopic and radical version of Macbeth, co-produced

by Tobacco Factory Theatres. Filter fuses Shakespeare’s corrosive, psychological thriller about ambition, power, witchcraft and sanity with innovative sound and music to take you on a strange, funny and scintillating journey. Box office tel: 0117 902 0344 or visit: www.tobaccofactorytheatres.com.

Exultate Singers, St Mary Redcliffe Church, Friday 5 September, 7.30pm Exultate Singers are joined by German chamber choir, Camerata Vocale Hannover to give a joint concert to mark the 300th anniversary of the Hanoverian succession to the British throne. The programme includes music by Mendelssohn, Brahms, Handel, James MacMillan, Rheinberger, Purcell, Howells and Tavener. Entry to the concert is free and there will be a retiring collection. For further information visit: www.exultatesingers.org or email info@exultatesingers.org.

The Bristol Wool Fair, The Downs, 5 – 7 September This three-day celebration of wool and natural fibres will see marquees of independent traders offering equipment and materials for spinners, knitters, felt makers and crocheters. There will be handmade buttons, dyed yarns, kits and knits and lots to inspire. On top of that there will be food and drink, a bouncy castle, guided walks, sheep dog displays, acoustic music, a bar, exhibitions and demonstrations by local textile artists and taster sessions. Join the knitathon in the big tipi or help decorate Gertie the (willow) sheep with knitted or crocheted flowers, or for beginners, there will be free knitting and crochet tuition. The fair is supporting the Wallace and Gromit Appeal. Visit: www.bristolwoolfair.co.uk.

Juno and the Paycock, Bristol Old Vic, 5 – 27 September The world’s in the grip of change for Juno and her peacock of a husband – a daughter flirting with marriage and politics, a civil war outside the door, a son wounded and hiding from the conflict. Could the reading of a will bring stability and status to the Boyle household? Hilarity and tragedy rub shoulders in Sean O’Casey’s classic Irish drama set in Dublin 1922, featuring his trademark mix of comic double acts, political upheavals, domestic longings, and characters who are never far away from an opulent word or song. Box office tel: 0117 987 7877 or visit: www.bristololdvic.org.uk

James Rhodes (piano), St George’s Bristol, Friday 12 September, 8pm James Rhodes’ talent and intense passion for music makes an audience with him both invigorating and entertaining, as he brushes aside the traditional concept of the piano recital, preferring to communicate directly with his audience. Delivered in his unique trademark stand-up style, which sees him sharing composer anecdotes and personal experiences, James creates an immersive concert experience. Box office tel: 0845 40 24 001 or visit: www.stgeorgesbristol.co.uk.

The Small Is... Festival, St George’s Bristol, Saturday 13 & Sunday 14 September, 11am Based on Small is Beautiful, the seminal work by EF Schumacher, which champions small, appropriate technologies that are believed to empower people more, this interactive two-day festival brings together inspiring speakers, thought-provoking debate, hands-on workshops, and a full programme of world music and conscious visual art. Incorporating the Schumacher Lectures, and in partnership with Engineers Without Borders UK and Bristol University, this year’s theme, Ideas from 2 million villages, explores ideas and technology for sustainable living from around the world.

Box office tel: 0845 40 24 001 or visit: www.stgeorgesbristol.co.uk.

Kinshasa Symphony Orchestra, Colston Hall, Tuesday 16 September, 7.30pm The story of the Orchestra Symphonique Kimbanguiste and their choir from the Democratic Republic of Congo is miraculous and uplifting.

Against the odds, in a country known for its extreme poverty and violence, conductor Armand Diangienda has proved that music can provide hope and inspiration. Here they present a concert of orchestral and choral music in collaboration with musicians from London Southbank Centre’s resident and associate orchestras, and from Bristol, members of Bristol Choral Society. To book tickets visit: www.colstonhall.org or tel: 0844 887 1500.

Cameron Mackintosh Presents Barnum, Bristol Hippodrome, Tuesday 16 – Saturday 27 September This exhilarating musical follows the irrepressible imagination and dreams of Phineas T Barnum, an American showman. Follow the showman’s life as he lit up the world with colour, warmth and the excitement of his imagination and teamed up with JA Bailey to create Barnum and Bailey’s Circus – the Greatest Show on Earth. Tickets from the box office on tel: 0844 871 3012 or visit: www.atgtickets.com/bristol.

Joy of singing workshop, Tyntesfield, Saturday 6 September, 11am – 12.30pm

Elizabeth I: Virgin on the Ridiculous, Tobacco Factory Theatres, 16 September – 4 October

Discover the joy of group singing in the beautiful setting of the Orangery and the wider National Trust Tyntesfield estate. Cost: £10 per person.

Visit: www.nationaltrust.org.uk/tyntesfield.

After the sell-out hit The Six Wives of Henry VIII, Living Spit are back to attempt to tell the story of Elizabeth: The Virgin Queen. With live music, silly songs, smutty shenanigans, perfunctory props, and hysterically >>

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Bristol Bad Film Club

historical horseplay, this promises to be poorly researched lesson in Tudor history that you’ll never forget. Box office tel: 0117 902 0344 or visit: www.tobaccofactorytheatres.com.

Bristol Bad Film Club presents an 80s Action Double Bill: Deadly Prey & Hard Ticket To Hawaii, Redgrave Theatre, Friday 19 September, 7pm Prepare for gratuitous levels of violence and nudity as Bristol Bad Film Club shows two cult actions classics from 1987 – David A Prior’s Deadly Prey and Andy Sidaris’ Hard Ticket To Hawaii. Tickets: £7 in advance, £8 on the night. Visit: www.bristolbadfilmclub.co.uk.

Harvest Hoedown, Tyntesfield estate, Friday 19 September, 7pm – 11pm Get your welly wiggle on and head to Tyntesfield to celebrate the beginning of harvest with a good old ceilidh hoedown. There’ll be a toe-tapping band, traditional ceilidh dance caller, Somerset cider and a hearty barbecue. Wellies and your best checked shirt are essential! Cost: £10 per person (food not included). Visit: www.nationaltrust.org.uk/tyntesfield.

What The Frock! at The Lantern, Colston Hall, Friday 19 September, 8pm The return of the award-winning comedy night features Chicago’s Second City alumna Luisa Omielan, who sold out London’s Soho Theatre five times with her debut show, What Would Beyoncé Do? Joining her is the multi-talented Rachel Parris, a comedian, actress and musician. Hosting the evening is Bristol’s very own Jayde Adams. Tickets from: www.colstonhall.org/shows/frock-comedy.

Rachel Parris appearing at What the Frock

Michael Palin at Colston Hall, © John Swannell

Michael Palin, Colston Hall, Monday 22 September, 7.30pm A new two-part stage show from the Monty Python veteran and national treasure in which he looks back at 25 years of exploring the world and almost 50 years in show business. Coinciding with the publication of his third volume of diaries, Travelling To Work, the first half of the show focuses on the highs and lows of this adventures around the world. Later, Palin will discuss how his love of comedy took him from a schoolboy in Sheffield to a Python at the O2. To book visit: www.colstonhall.org or tel: 0844 887 1500.

Dylan Thomas: Return Journey, Tobacco Factory Theatres, 22 & 23 September, 8pm Following sell out seasons across the world, this final global tour is the last opportunity to see this portrayal of Dylan Thomas, born in Wales in 1914 and died in New York in 1953 at the age of 39.

Towards the end of his life he toured America performing his works before sell-out audiences across the country. Playing a man who wrestled with the conflict between creative talent and selfdestructive impulse, Bob Kingdom’s remarkable portrait of Dylan Thomas offers a chance to experience the presence of his last great lecture tour en-route to the White Horse Tavern. Blending the stories and poetry with incisive comments on the nature of performing, Dylan Thomas: Return Journey brings both performer and audience together in appreciation of the beauty, the humour, the passion and wit of the words of this writer.

Box office tel: 0117 902 0344 or visit: www.tobaccofactorytheatres.com. >>

EDITOR’S PICK...

Maison Paradiso presents Utopia, Arnolfini, Saturday 13 September, 8pm Following the success of Maison Paradiso at Kings Weston House, the team return to transform another unique space into an immersive dining experience. The location is the 5th floor of the Arnolfini where, for one night only they will create a utopian pop-up restaurant with panoramic views over the city. © Oxana Mazur This will be a unique dining event with a feast created by the renowned chefs at Kate’s Kitchen followed by a party featuring circus artists, performance and interactive attractions, as well as a late night disco from DJ Suisse Tony, cocktails and more. Revellers can either opt for tickets for the party alone, or book for the restaurant followed by the party. Dinner tickets cost £49 and include entry to the party, party tickets cost £18. For further information and to purchase tickets visit: www.maisonparadiso.com.

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Guest speaker Venetia Williams at Kings Weston House, Tuesday 23 September, 12pm

Bristol and West of England Friends present Rossini Day School, Redmaids’ School, 27 September, 10am – 4.30pm

Top racehorse trainer and Grand National winner, Venetia Williams will be speaking at this charity lunch in aid of the Avon Riding Centre, a Riding For the Disabled Centre of Excellence. Enjoy a two course meal with canapés and wine as you listen to conversations with Venetia Williams, followed by a grand raffle and charity auction. Tickets cost £45, available from the Avon Riding Centre on tel: 0117 959 0266.

Andrew Borkowski and David Speller explore Rossini with particular focus on Moses in Egypt and William Tell, both in the Welsh National Opera autumn repertoire. Cost: £25. Enquiries to borkmail@googlemail.com or tel: 01275 848526.

The Snow Child, Redgrave Theatre, Tuesday 23 – Saturday 27 September, 7.30pm

Talks and presentations on WW1 topics including the origins of the war, Bristol’s own regiment, Bristol prior to the war, prisoner of war camps and soldiers’ letters. There will be help and advice from family history societies, record offices and other local and national organisations. You can also purchase new and second-hand books, postcards, maps, family and local history CDs and more. Entry: £2 per person.

The premiere of a new opera, adapted from the 2013 debut novel by American writer Eowyn Ivey. The book was based on Snegurochka, an original Russian folk tale about a married couple who are unable to have children so they build a girl out of snow and she comes to life. The opera was written by the BBC South and West’s former senior music producer, Eric Wetherell. Now retired, Eric has composed, arranged and orchestrated music throughout his professional life. This is his second opera. The producer of The Snow Child is John Telfer who trained at the Bristol Old Vic Theatre School and has appeared in many plays with the Bristol Old Vic company. Box office tel: 0117 9651845 or email: boxoffice@thesnowchild.co.uk. For further information visit: www.thesnowchild.co.uk.

Author talk: Huw Lewis-Jones on The Crossing of Antarctica, Stanfords, Corn Street, Wednesday 24 September, 6.30pm Huw Lewis-Jones has collaborated with photographer, climber, explorer and mountaineer George Lowe, to bring together this highly engaging and visual account of the first crossing of Antarctica by the Commonwealth Trans-Atlantic Expedition, led by Vivian Fuchs. This book captures the awe-inspiring landscapes, intimate moments with the team and action shots of this journey. Tickets £3 (includes glass of wine) from the store on tel: 0117 929 9966 or email: Bristol@Stanfords.co.uk.

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Family History Open Day, UWE Conference Centre, Saturday 27 September, 10am – 4pm

Charity sale and family fun day, The Eastfield Inn, Henleaze, Saturday 27 September, 1.30pm – 4.30pm Stalls selling cakes, crafts, jewellery and cosmetics as well as a lucky dip and raffle. The Lord Mayor Alastair Watson will open the event and Anna from Disney’s Frozen is the special guest of honour. In aid of the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit at Southmead Hospital and The Stroke Association.

The Vintage Kilo Sale, Paintworks, Sunday 28 September, 11am – 4pm The UK’s largest vintage clothing wholesaler will be bringing five tonnes of vintage wear, including accessories and jewellery. Pick what you like, weight it and pay £15 per kilo.

Entry: £1. >>

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Antique and Vintage Fair, Ashton Court Mansion House, Long Ashton, Sunday 28 September, 10am – 4pm This beautiful mansion house will be full of 35 quality stalls selling antiques, collectables, vintage fashion, vintage/retro items, china, furniture and more. There will also be a café serving sandwiches, tea, coffee and homemade cakes. Afterwards take the opportunity to enjoy a walk in the acres of grounds. Entry: £2 (under 16s free). Access to mansion house car park via Kennel Lodge entrance on Portishead Rd (A369).

Ladysmith Black Mambazo in INALA, Colston Hall, Sunday 28 September, 7.30pm A Zulu Ballet with dancers from Royal Ballet and Rambert Dance Company. INALA is a unique artistic collaboration between choral legends Ladysmith Black Mambazo, multi-award-winning choreographer Mark Baldwin and world-class dancers from the Royal Ballet and Rambert Dance Company. Celebrating 20 years of democracy in South Africa, INALA embraces the country’s past, its present and hopes for the future, delivering an uplifting live storytelling experience through music, song and dance. To book tickets visit: www.colstonhall.org or tel: 0844 887 1500.

Claire Martin, The Lantern at Colston Hall, Monday 29 September, 8pm Drink in the mellow tone of the BBC Radio 3 presenter and seven-time British Jazz Award-winner. Claire has been performing for over 27 years, working with some of the world’s leading musicians and orchestras. To book tickets visit: www.colstonhall.org or tel: 0844 887 1500.

BOOK NOW FOR...

The 625 Company presents Look Out, The Alma Tavern Theatre, Wednesday 1 & Thursday 2 October, 8pm Look Out pays homage to the popular culture of yesteryear with an evening of comic sketches and songs celebrating the TV stars and pop music icons the group adored as children. Tickets £8 from: www.almataverntheatre.co.uk or tel: 0117 9735171.

Dracula, Bristol Old Vic, 1 – 4 October, 7.30pm Mark Bruce’s company of ten exceptional dancers bring Bram Stoker’s haunting, erotic tale to life in a heartwrenching and magical dance theatre production. With an eclectic mix of music from Bach and Mozart to Ligetti and Fred Frith, Bruce explores choreographic styles ranging from the subtlety of classical etiquette to visceral contemporary dance. Box office tel: 0117 987 7877 or visit: www.bristololdvic.org.uk.

City of Bristol Choir, St Alban’s Church, Westbury Park, Saturday 11 October, 7.30pm A performance of sparkling orchestral and choral music from the great composers of the Baroque era opens City of Bristol Choir’s concert season, featuring Handel’s virtuosic and exhilarating Dixit Dominus. Two works

by Vivaldi complete the programme – Beatus Vir, a setting of Psalm 111, and Autumn from The Four Seasons. Tickets £18 (concessions £16, under 18s and students £5) from Opus 13 on tel: 0117 923 0164 or visit: www.cityofbristolchoir.org.uk.

Charity Ball, Double Tree by Hilton, Cadbury House, Congresbury, Saturday 18 October, 7pm – late A ball in aid of Springboard which helps children under five with additional needs in North Somerset. Enjoy a welcome drink, three course dinner and entertainment. There will also be an auction and grand raffle.

Tickets: £35 from tel: 01275 341113 or visit: www.springboardweb.org.uk

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The award-winning play by Jim Cartwright about Thatcher's Britain.

Directed by Gemma Fairlie. Designed by Andrea Montag.

1987. An unpopular leader is re-elected, the country lives in fear of terrorist attacks and is still reeling from the effects of recession. But for the inhabitants of a Lancashire street, there's a party to go to...

THIS IS A PROMENADE PRODUCTION AND CONTAINS VERY STRONG LANGUAGE.

In this bold and confrontational promenade performance, the vagrant Scullery is your tour guide, introducing you to an array of characters all trying to find some kind of escape from their squalid existence.

Jim Cartwright's play is an arresting mix of humour and pathos, transporting the audience with energy, passion and poetry, leaving you uplifted and reminded of the extraordinary resilience of the human spirit.

Circomedia, Portland Square, Bristol BS2 8SJ Fri 7 – Sat 15 November Eves 7.30pm. Thu & Sat mats 2.30pm £15 full £10 concession Box Office: 0117 973 3955

www.oldvic.ac.uk

OUT AND ABOUT FOR CHARITY Above and Beyond, the charity that raises money for Bristol’s hospitals, is hosting a number of events to help raise awareness and vital funds to improve care of patients

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bove & Beyond is the charity for Bristol’s city centre hospitals, including the Bristol Royal Infirmary, Bristol Haematology & Oncology Centre, Bristol Heart Institute and Bristol Royal Hospital for Children. The charity’s Golden Gift Appeal is raising money to fund above and beyond what the NHS is able to provide to make a real difference to patients, their families and the staff that treat them, improving the hospital environment, funding ground breaking research, supporting the development and training of hospital staff and providing state-of-the-art equipment.

There are lots of ways you can support the appeal, including getting involved in one of the events the charity is hosting:

● If you’re looking for a challenge in 2015, you can register for the sponsored Bristol to Paris Cycle Challenge, which takes place on 1 – 5 May 2015. The group will set off from Bristol and spend two days cycling through countryside to Portsmouth. You will then set sail to France for two more action packed days where you will continue your adventure and experience the thrill of crossing the Seine to finish triumphant at the foot of the Eiffel Tower. The challenge is open to individuals and groups and registration closes on 19 September.

Registration is £99 and minimum sponsorship is £1,442. Sign up at: www.aboveandbeyond.org.uk. There will be lots of support available from the fundraising team on how to get the most out of your sponsorship, along with top tips on training and nutrition. You will also be invited to social events to meet other participants and hear motivational guest speakers and 48 THE BRISTOL MAGAZINE

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there will be full support en-route too. To find out more, you can join a launch event on 4 September at Burges Salmon. The event is free to attend but you need to secure your place by emailing: lorna.clarke@aboveandbeyond.org.uk. ● Want to see first-hand what the appeal has funded so far in Bristol’s hospitals? Well the Bristol Haematology and Oncology Centre and the new BRI ward will be open for Doors Open Day on Saturday 13 September, 10am – 2pm. Take a look behind the scenes of the cancer centre to celebrate the completion of its extension and refurbishment. See how the design supports care in the new teenage and young adult day unit; hear from a clinical nurse specialist about the work of the haematology day unit and take a tour of the new ward block currently under construction at Bristol Royal Infirmary. Booking required via: doorsopenday@uhbristol.nhs.uk. ● Brush off the cobwebs and get the whole family (including the dog) out for the sponsored Golden Leaf Walk on Sunday 5 October. The walk will follow the route of the Bristol and Bath railway path, starting at St Phillips, all the way to Bath – a total distance of 13.5 miles. But you don’t have to do the whole route, you can choose from four starting points with distances to suit all abilities. There will be shuttle buses to take you back to where you started and refreshment and toilet stops along the way. The route is suitable for wheelchairs, motorbility and pushchairs, so everyone can take part.

Register at: www.aboveandbeyond.org.uk and you’ll be sent a sponsorship pack and a map. n

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The Thekla, image by Jonathan Taphouse

Old profanity knows how to party One of Bristol’s most popular entertainment venues, the old cargo boat Thekla is currently being refurbished, which prompted Robin Whitlock to take a look at its very interesting history

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ristol is known for its proliferation of old boats moored here and there along the harbourside, and one of the most celebrated of them is the old cargo boat Thekla, usually moored at Mud Dock.

It is currently in dry dock to have its hull checked and maintained but will return to its usual spot at some point this month. It seemed to me to be a good opportunity to check out its interesting, if somewhat offbeat, history and so I approached Patrick Somers, Thekla’s promotions manager, to see if he could spin me a tale or two about the venue. I wasn’t disappointed, but the boat’s wild and wacky story goes far beyond Pat’s arrival in the summer 2006, as older Bristolians will remember.

Thekla was originally built in Germany in 1959 as a coaster and she spent much of her working life transporting timber between various ports located around the Baltic Sea. That life came to a sudden end when she ran aground off Gravesend in Kent and she spent the next seven years rusting away in Sunderland docks. Thekla’s hold was lined with red jarrah, an Australian hardwood which is actually one of the hardest woods in the world. The boat 50 THE BRISTOL MAGAZINE

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also has an old U-boat engine left over from the Second World War. The Thekla may very well have been scrapped had not Vivian and Ki Stanshall bought her in 1983. Pamela ‘Ki’ Longfellow was the wife of Vivian Stanshall, lead singer of the sixties Bonzo Dog Doo Dah Band. She bought Thekla following a dream she had of running a showboat. The Stanshalls had originally lived on a houseboat on the Thames with their two daughters, until that boat sank that is. Ki bought Thekla for £25,000 and then sailed it around the coast to Bristol without any registration, insurance or indeed any ballast either. Fortunately it arrived in the city without any mishap and she then had to persuade the city’s planning authorities to allow the Thekla to stay.

After a refurbishment, which took about half a day to complete, Thekla was launched in May 1984 as the Old Profanity. The late, great, BBC DJ John Peel once described Vivian as “the court jester of the underground rock scene in the 1960s” and with the composition of the musical Stinkfoot the Thekla became his “madcap adventure.” The production was subtitled An English Comic Opera; it had crackpot characters and was performed by The

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Crackpot Theatre Company, opening in December 1985. Over the next two years Thekla hosted over 240 productions and was also used as a jazz club, folk club and cabaret, but by 1986, the Old Profanity had run its course and the boat was sold.

It became an underground nightclub and musical venue hosting acts like Massive Attack, Portishead and Roni Size and, according to a friend of mine who worked the door as a bouncer in the 1990s, had a somewhat rowdy atmosphere.

Pat’s involvement with Thekla began in October 2006 after the venue had been bought by Daybrook House Promotions (DHP). Before opening, it had to endure another refurbishment, which led to another legendary tale known as the sinking scare.

“The boat started listing towards the quayside at the end of a club night,” Pat recalls. “We realised it was due to a hole on the hull which had been left uncovered after the maintenance and refurbishment of the summer. Needless to say it was fixed immediately, and we will be careful not to repeat that mistake on our return this time around!”

Thekla is often regarded as an indie venue, but that reputation is misplaced, Pat informs me.

“We get badged as an indie venue due to the fact that a lot of big acts associated with that genre have gone through Thekla on their way to the top and also the fact that we run Bristol’s biggest weekly indie club night, Pressure, on Thursday nights,” he says. “The live music programme is much broader though, encompassing everything from Americana and folk through to hard rock and metal to pop and electronic music.”

❝

The venue has hosted well-known names including Jessie J, James Blunt, Joss Stone, Crowded House and Franz Ferdinand. In 2007 Pete Doherty’s band of the moment, Babyshambles, played there. Pat was expecting the arrival of a drugged-out mess, but he says Pete was not only sober but also incredibly pleasant. He later gave a blinding performance to a sell-out crowd but it turned out that Pete had only just been released from rehab that day. Thekla may have witnessed the most coherent Pete Doherty performance in the artist’s short career.

The Banksy artwork is the subject of another favourite piece of Thekla folklore. Depicting the Grim Reaper in a row boat, it was apparently painted around 1999 to 2000 as a response to the Bristol Harbour Master painting over an earlier Banksy tag. After exposure to the elements and ongoing deterioration, the artwork has now been removed from the side of the ship and will be passed on to the M Shed museum where it will go on display to members of the public.

Thekla has to be checked over every eight to ten years, for insurance purposes and to maintain the safety of the venue. Its current sojourn in dry dock is the first time the boat has been checked since its purchase by DHP. “We’re just making sure the boat is ready for another eight years of events,” Pat explains. “We will also be refitting around two-thirds of the club and soundproofing the main venue space to appease our neighbours, as best we can at least. We just hope that we can maintain the Thekla’s position at the forefront of live music and club events in Bristol while staying true to the boat’s history and heritage. We don’t want to mess with a good thing too much. It is such an iconic venue!” n

THE LIVE MUSIC PROGRAMME ENCOMPASSES EVERYTHING FROM AMERICANA AND FOLK THROUGH TO HARD ROCK AND METAL TO POP AND ELECTRONIC MUSIC

❞

Banksy’s artwork on the side of the ship, image by Paul Townsend

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ON SHOW

The Promise, Arnolfini, installation view.

Photo: Stuart Whipps

Back from the Front: Art, Memory and the Aftermath of War, RWA A major programme of exhibitions at the RWA exploring the theme of conflict and memory in commemoration of the First World War centenary: • Shock and Awe: Contemporary Artists at War and Peace (until 17 September) An exhibition of work by contemporary artists recently exposed to the front-line of war in Iraq, Afghanistan and the Balkans. Creating a platform for artists who are fascinated by acts of remembrance, the show includes work from Tim Shaw RA, Xavier Pick, David Cotterell, Jill Gibbon, Mario Minichiello, Elizabeth Turrell RWA and Paul Gough RWA among others.

• Brothers in Art: John and Paul Nash (until 14 September) Brothers in Art reunites the work of John and Paul Nash; brothers, Official War Artists in both world wars and two of British art’s leading landscape painters. It features over 40 landscapes from public and private collections, providing a unique opportunity to view the two siblings’ work side-by-side, explored within the powerful context of conflict and memory.

• Re-membering (4 – 25 September) To coincide with the centenary of the start of the First World War, the RWA in partnership with the Bristol 2014 Project, has scheduled a series of thoughtprovoking and evocative exhibitions that demand the viewer’s attention and interaction, featuring responses from artists, writers, architects and composers to the themes of commemoration and memorialisation.

RWA, Queen’s Road, Clifton. Tel: 0117 973 5129, www.rwa.org.uk

Stephen Hurst, Trench Still Life 1990, bronze on slate base

The Promise: A dialogue between the city and its people, Arnolfini, until 9 November A new exhibition that explores the potential futures of cities and the role of architecture, design and the arts. The exhibition in Arnolfini’s gallery spaces is complemented by installations, performances, sculptures, walks and family events throughout Bristol, exploring the relationship between the city and its residents and inspiring visitors to view the city from new perspectives.

Artists Jeremiah Day, Assemble, Jennifer Kabat, Gabriel Lester, Lost Property, Kate Newby and Oscar Tuazon have all created artworks for significant locations across Bristol. As well as weekly gallery tours, there are special guided bus tours of the off-site projects. On The Downs, Oscar Tuazon has created a 20 foot-high sculpture entitled Live Steam Shift Whistle which has been created with the support of healthcare provider Simplyhealth and doubles as a working barbecue and large fire pit. In Leigh Woods, art and design collective Assemble have initiated an interactive project that explores the power of play. Other projects across the city include Jeremiah Day’s Awake and You’re in Motion (Response to Brief from Bristol Radical Historian) which is sited under the M32, presenting a series of lithographs pasted to the pillars that support the motorway. Inside the gallery spaces, works include a detailed, large-scale model of the city centre that was initially presented at the Industrial Museum, and a futuristic plan for a museum in Castle Park. These fascinating items will give an overview of the diverse ways in which Bristol has been imagined, but not necessarily always realised. Also in the gallery is an installation of wind harps by Dutch artist Gabriel Lester. Arnolfini, Narrow Quay. Tel: 0117 917 2300, www.arnolfini.org.uk

Summer Redcurrants, Lucy McKie ROI

▲ Depth of Colour: Invited Members of the Royal Institute of Oil Painters, Lime Tree Gallery, 4 September – 2 October Founded in 1882, The Royal Institute of Oil Painters (ROI) is dedicated to celebrating those who practice the art of oil painting.

Among the ROI’s elected membership are many of the best contemporary artists and here, paintings by an invited group of distinguished members will be exhibited for the first time. The exhibition includes a selection of landscape, still life and figurative paintings by: Malcolm Ashman, Susan Bower, Roy Freer, Lachlan Goudie, Philip James, Lucy McKie, Luis Morris, Peter Wileman and Graham Webber, all showcasing depth of colour and painterly skills. Lime Tree Gallery, 84 Hotwell Road, Bristol. Tel: 0117 929 2527, www.limetreegallery.com.

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Transient Bodies, View Art Gallery, 25 September – 16 November

Jane Ormes, Alone Again, Naturally...

Jane Ormes, Sky Blue Framing & Gallery, throughout September Jane’s work reflects a playful take on the world involving animals in absurd situations. Drawings, patterns and textures are all integral to her work.

Also on show are Jane Reeves’ glass wave paintings, Quentin Blake’s illustrations, Michael Ogden’s dog images, Bristol landscapes, JohnKnapp Fisher signed limited editions and a wide range of contemporary jewellery. Sky Blue Framing & Gallery, 27 North View, Westbury Park. Tel: 0117 9733995.

The Ken Stradling Collection presents: Scandinavian to Space Age – Design in the 1960s, The Design Study Centre, 13 September – 17 December An exhibition that explores key design trends of English Lumitron the lamp, dynamic 1966, by 1960s Robert through Welch objects as diverse as a table lamp and an orange squeezer. The Design Study Centre, 48 Park Row. Open Saturday 13 September, 11am – 2pm and then every Wednesday 10am – 4pm, or by appointment.

NEWS IN BRIEF

An exhibition of work where figures and faces are captured in a moment of time in a range of styles – from photorealism and abstract expressionism to portraits and faceless figures.

For this, the gallery welcomes back regular artists Damian Daly, Richard Twose and China Mike who have always impressed with their unique figurative work. New artists exhibiting include Dan Hilliar, Joshua Bowe and Matthew Small. Also at the gallery this month is the First Impressions 2014 student art exhibition from 4 – 21 September. Fifty pieces of art from the hundreds of submissions made this year have been selected to be displayed – including paintings, drawings, collages, photos, sculptures and video. View Gallery, 159-161 Hotwell Road. www.viewartgallery.co.uk Luke Smith, First Impressions

Not at Home badge c.1915, © Bristol Museums, Galleries & Archives

▲ COMING SOON...

Moved by Conflict: Bristol and the First World War – lives changed forever, M Shed, 11 October – 1 March 2015 In association with Bristol Old Vic, this moving and informative exhibition will take you from Bristol in the early 1900s and its position in the British Empire, through 1914-1918, to people in the city today affected by current global conflicts.

• After over five years of programming, WORKS|PROJECTS has vacated its space in Sydney Row to concentrate on a new, expanded programme from the end of 2014.

WORKS|PROJECTS has developed a reputation as one of the leading commercial galleries outside of London and will continue to work with some of the UK’s leading artists and emerging talent in the south west through a

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Damian Daly, Transient Bodies

OUT OF TOWN...

Modern Artists in Print: Matisse, Picasso, Dali and Warhol, Victoria Art Gallery, Bath, 6 September - 23 November Drawn from the Victoria & Albert Museum’s renowned print collection, this show explores the work of four great 20th-century artists: Henri Matisse, Pablo Picasso, Salvador Dali and Andy Warhol. Together these artists spanned 75 years that saw the birth of the modern age. Their work represents one of the most creative and diverse periods of printmaking. A feast for the eyes, this exhibition is organised by the V&A. Entry: £3.50. Victoria Art Gallery, Bridge Street, Bath. www.victoriagal.org.uk Below: Andy Warhol, Untitled from Marilyn Monroe (Marilyn), 1967. © The Andy Warhol Foundation for the Visual Arts / Artists Rights Society (ARS), New York / Victoria and Albert Museum, London and DACS, 2014

more dynamic model than its past gallery-based programme.

• The RE Bucheli Fine Art Gallery is calling for artists to submit work for its Open Exhibition which runs from 16 October – 10 December.

From paintings and prints to drawings and 3D work, artists can submit their work online at www.rebucheli.co.uk until 30 September. For further information contact the gallery on tel: 0117 929 7747.

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ART FOR ALL

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he Affordable Art Fair returns to Bristol this month, offering everyone the chance to own a piece of original art. Open from Friday 19 – Sunday 21 September in Brunel’s Old Station at Temple Meads, the fair provides a relaxed and welcoming atmosphere to browse, buy and enjoy contemporary art.

There will be 55 galleries from both the local area and nationwide showcasing a range of paintings, original artist-made prints, sculpture and photography – from graphic screenprints and Cornish seascapes to urban spraypaint and bronze sculpture.

All pieces are priced between £40 and £4,000, so there is something for all budgets, and the chance to unearth some unique gems. The Own Art scheme is used by many of the exhibiting galleries which allows buyers to arrange payments that work for them, in manageable installments.

Over the weekend, visitors can also take part in drop-in workshops or join regular walking tours around the fair with friendly art experts who will talk through the huge assortment of works.

Bristol fair director, Luci Noel, offers her thoughts on choosing and hanging art: “Buying original art is fantastic – you’re purchasing something you love and will enjoy looking at for years to come, as well as investing in and supporting an artist’s career. There are so many exciting ways you can hang art depending on what kind of space you have and what suits your personality. My own taste is quite minimal, so to juxtapose the work I like hanging oversized work in small spaces or playing with traditional salon hangs on large expanses of white wall – with many sizes, shapes, colours and media, a new narrative for the work is created that becomes personal to you and your space.”

Opening hours: Friday, 11am – 8pm; Saturday, 11am – 6pm; Sunday, 11am – 5pm.

Tickets: £4 – £10 (concessions £3/£4), available from: www.affordableartfair.co.uk

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Left, Jealous, Tinsel Edwards, Loves Revolution Pink Below: Fourwalls, Becky Blair, Beach Bathers

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“China Diner” by Susan Bower RBA ROI

“White Tulips and Soda Glass” by Lucy McKie ROI

“Sunset over the River Fal” by Peter Wileman PPROI RSMA EAGMA FRSA

Depth of Colour Sept 4 - Oct 2 Invited Members of the Royal Institute of Oil Painters Malcolm Ashman, Susan Bower, Roy Freer, Lachlan Goudie, Philip James, Lucy McKie, Luis Morris, Graham Webber, Peter Wileman.

84 Hotwell Road, Bristol BS8 4UB tel 0117 929 2527

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www.limetreegallery.com

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Grass Men by Ashley Peevor

OUT OF THE ORDINARY Prepare to be amazed and surprised when the Bristol Biennial 2014: Crossing the Line festival of art comes to spaces around the city from 12-21 September

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his month, over 40 artists will take over Bristol, interrupting ordinary spaces and sparking conversations that cross the city – all for Bristol Biennial 2014 – an artist-led festival that celebrates exciting and engaging projects by talented emerging artists. Artworks will pop up where you least expect them: churches, shopping malls, community centres, terraced houses, high streets and more.

From interactive exhibitions and moving sculptures to a secret music gig and unusual guided tours, Bristol Biennial will not fail to surprise.

This year the festival, which is supported by Arts Council England, takes Crossing the Line as its theme, exploring artistic boundaries and encouraging collaboration across the city.

If you’re a fan of Bristol’s green spaces, watch out! St Andrew’s Park and the Northern Slopes will play host to an ancient uprising of Grass Men – witness a performative and sculptural intervention by artist Ashley Peevor.

Meanwhile, fountains in the city centre will be transformed into a temporary cranberry farm. Artists Hanna and Julia Rohn will make a colourful intervention in Bristol’s harbourside, highlighting both the aesthetics and politics of mass food production.

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TOP PICK: Holly Corfield Carr presets MINE at Goldney Grotto, 16-18 September, 5pm, 6pm, 7pm & 8pm. MINE journeys into the extraordinary underworld of an 18th-century grotto, a cave blistered with crystals and coral collected from slavers’ ports, to tell a story of dolour and dolerite among the city’s dealt dirt. An audience of six descend with writer Holly Corfield Carr to play cards, trade voices and dig up a murder mystery, a disastrous meeting, a comedy, a spiralling inferno.

SEPTEMBER 2014

Fancy a trip to the unknown? Artist TingTong Chang invites you to board a bus in central Bristol, be dropped off at a mystery location and find your way home from the outskirts of the city.

Take a different kind of journey with eclectic artist collective, Sondryfolk. There will be food, there will be drink, there will be music. The rest is top secret. Join Allez Allez Plonge – an offbeat adventure with a motley crew, to reclaim overlooked parts of the city.

And neon artwork I’M STAYING by Shaun C Badham is on the move. Over 800 members of the public have chosen the next location of the work and Bristol’s muchloved Folk House is the winner. Celebrate the move with a free party at Folk House on Friday 12 September at 7pm, to launch the Biennial and switch on the lights.

There will also be talks, workshops, exhibitions, participatory artworks and performances. Hannah Clark, the festival’s artistic director, says: “Bristol is known for breaking the rules when it comes to art: it can be an exciting venture into the unknown, a chance to build a new community, make someone’s day or get them thinking about a different line, an alternative idea.”

For the full Bristol Biennial 2014 programme, information about ticketed events, and to make a booking, visit: www.bristolbiennial.co.uk n

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FOOD | AND DRINK

WINING & DINING news and reviews Thinking big

Foodie events ■ The Weston Super Food Festival returns to the Winter Gardens and Town Square in Weston Super Mare on 27 & 28 September for a two day festival celebrating food from local west country producers and artisan products from around the UK. There will be hands-on activities, tasting sessions, demonstrations from professional chefs, live entertainment and over 100 stalls in the bustling indoor and outdoor markets. Gourmet street food stalls will be offering food on the go in the covered outdoor eating area and the live music marquee. Real Ale and cider bars offer the perfect opportunity to enjoy a locally brewed pint and there’s the opportunity to enjoy wine tasting too. Families will be kept busy and entertained with cookery workshops, tastings, art activities, Lego workshops and face painting.

Gardening and growing is also highlighted by specialist seed merchants, a herb nursery and an on-site edible garden to inspire visitors to grow your own. Free entry. Visit: www.westonsuperfoodfestival.co.uk for further information.

Mike Smylie’s smoked kippers at the Weston Super Food Festival

■ As the summer nights start to draw in, River Cottage Canteen Bristol will serve up an autumnal mix of new seasonal cookery demos including how to make focaccia bread, scones and Christmas cake preparation, along with its regular monthly events, all topped off with a special Veg and Hedge evening on Tuesday 30 September. Veg and Hedge (tickets £28) is a new dining event for the Bristol canteen and will be hosted by charismatic forager John Wright, famed for his regular appearances on the River Cottage TV series. Guests will enjoy a three course set menu based around locally sourced, seasonal veg and hedgerow produce, while John leads a talk and demo on how to best forage the English hedgerow. For more information on the busy events calendar visit: rivercottage.net/Bristol. To book an event, tel: 0117 9732458.

■ Factoberfest beer festival returns to the Tobacco Factory Café/Bar this month from 12 – 14 September, showcasing Bristol Beer Factory beers and others from around the UK and across the world. There will also be live music, food and children's entertainment.

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Claire Warren and Madeleine Joanes

ood-mad double-act Claire Warren and Madeleine Joanes are looking to breed Bristol’s very own Jamie or Nigella after launching their start-up business – the Little Kitchen Cookery School.

Leading the way for young entrepreneurs in the region, Little Kitchen Cookery School is based in Brislington, and has been set up with the aim of getting people of all ages cooking nutritious food from scratch.

The daring duo kicked off their exciting project with an open day where they showcased their range of cookery courses, which includes DIY Dining, Breakfast Club and After School Club.

The Little Kitchen girls are also available to hire for team building activities, community groups, social clubs and private parties.

Speaking about the project and aims for the future, Claire Warren said: “Madeleine and I both share a huge passion for food and cooking and wanted to run a business that could help us share that passion. While our courses cater for all ages, we have some fantastic courses especially for children which are a brilliant way of getting kids eating healthier and enjoying meal times. The response from locals has been incredible.”

To help with the launch, Little Kitchen Cookery School received a grant from the Jazz Apple Foundation, which was recently set up to offer support to individuals, groups or charitable endeavours. The link will see Little Kitchen work as Jazz Apple ambassadors for the apple variety as they both look to promote healthy eating.

For more information on Little Kitchen Cookery School visit: www.little-kitchen.co.uk or follow them on twitter @UKLittleKitchen.

Zerodegrees turns up the heat

Bristol craft brewing institution Zerodegrees has undergone a major refurbishment to its building in tandem with a new and improved menu offer after a successful decade at the landmark Colston Street site.

Reopening on 11 September, the £350k refurbishment sees the dining room moved to the top floor and an expansive, flexible drinking and dining space created downstairs. The new Zerodegrees will seat 230 people; with expanded seasonal seating in a walled garden, transformed from the historic tram ramp, and the roof terrace with new awning and sliding glass doors.

Ten years ago, Zerodegrees pioneered a revolutionary concept of brewing and dining.

Shiny steel vats and futuristic long bars showcased the craft of brewing – with pizzas, pasta, salad and indulgent desserts perfectly complementing the speciality beers.

Today, responding to zeitgeist tastes and customers’ feedback, the industrial, masculine feel is being softened and made more welcoming. Look up to a forest of globes and enjoy a more comfortably furnished drinking and dining environment throughout.

The stage is still set with brewing at the heart of the operation, but food is more in the spotlight with modern European dining, cocktails, tapas and shared plates.

Brewmaster Simon Gueneau will be producing an extended special beer choice, to satisfy Bristol’s sophisticated taste for craft beers.

Owner Dipam Patel says: “At our heart we are still a craft brewery, and we are unique in being able to offer the sight, smell and sounds of a working brewery dedicated to producing great beers – a real theatre of brewing – but we are widening our appeal.”

Visit: www.zerodegrees.co.uk/bristol or follow on Twitter: @ZerodegreesBar

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SEPTEMBER 2014

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THE BRISTOL MAGAZINE 61

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COUNTRY | GETAWAY

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COUNTRY | GETAWAY

REVIEW

QUAFFING & SCOFFING Sarah Merson reviews the The Pig near Bath – the former Hunstrete House Hotel

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e arrived at The Pig, near Bath as diners were finishing off Sunday lunch; both the Victorian greenhouse restaurant and the terrace were hubbub with families, old and young, while others relaxed over coffee in one of the super-comfy lounges with plush furnishings, ornate mirrors and quirky artwork. The vibe was casual and welcoming. We felt at home instantly.

A charming Georgian house (formally the Hunstrete House Hotel), The Pig, near Bath is surrounded by the rolling hills of the Mendips, and just like the rest of the litter – The Pig in the Forest, The Pig in the Wall and the very latest of them all, The Pig on the Beach – is fundamentally a restaurant with rooms. It doesn’t take long though to realise it’s a whole lot more than that.

Strolling down the garden path, you come to the impressive walled kitchen garden with neatly laid rows of abundant veg and herbs of every kind peppered with edible flowers such as marigolds, and then there are the greenhouses brimming with strawberries and a huge variety of chillies. The fruit cages meanwhile house a glut of raspberries, blackcurrants and gooseberries. Beyond the bounty of the English country garden are further surprises; a smoke house, wild flower meadow, orchard, chickens, and of course the resident pigs, complete with piglets. Guests are free to wander around as they please and there are several informal seating areas in the grounds where you can kick back, have a cup of coffee and read the papers.

And just on the other side of the garden was our room, a fabulous two-storey hideaway, aptly named The Hide (more on that later) complete with oh-so-comfy bed, wood-burning stove, and larder containing a range of locally sourced, artisan snacks and drinks as well as a Nespresso machine. Up the oak staircase was the chic bathroom with an elegant freestanding tub and huge monsoon shower.

Combined with a homely charm, The Hide felt luxurious and altogether indulgent.

Without much time to sit back and enjoy the mellow sounds of Classic FM playing on the Roberts radio, I was off to The Potting Shed for my pre-booked full body massage. In one of two of the purpose built rustic huts, my therapist delivered just the deep tissue pummelling I was after. Using geranium massage oil from the Bamford product range, the unwinding effect went so far as sending me into that REM-like sleep state, a blissed out place I haven’t been to in the middle of the day for a very long time.

Perhaps the most memorable treat came a bit later though; when sinking into a deep-filled bubble bath, I glanced out of the window to see a herd of about 80-strong deer just feet away from me. Suddenly, the naming of The Hide became clear and I lay soaking and gazing at the beautiful, somewhat enigmatic creatures (a unique sight by any hotel standards) as they munched their way through the grasses, all the while presumably unaware of me in the tub.

That evening at dinner, the small home-grown wonders didn’t cease.

Starting with the renowned Piggy Bits, we tucked into hock eggs, melba toast

with bacon jam and garden radishes with mint creme fraiche. The hock eggs especially were altogether divine. Next we took our pick from the mouthwatering array of starters and small plates, among which we opted for home-smoked salmon with garden fennel and Somerset cider dressing, followed by a choice from the Literally Picked This Morning section; grilled courgettes with English feta salad both of which were utterly fresh and clean, and delicious. Our main courses of sirloin of beef and chicken breast were both sourced from the Mendips and the chicken came with romanesco cauliflower, fennel puree and a nasturtium dressing. After a brief pause, my husband’s sweet tooth was swooning over a very large portion of caramelised rice pudding with blackcurrant jam from Heavenly Hedgerows while I savoured the refreshing taste of the garden mint mouse, albeit with chocolate ice cream.

So fresh are the ingredients that we even spotted head chef, Kamil Oseka’s version of a sous chef, otherwise known by The Pig standards as the chief kitchen gardener, Ollie, picking and hand-delivering to the kitchen garden table – a chef’s room with a working table right by the garden door. Unsurprisingly, what’s on the menu changes, according to what he unearths, not so much daily as hourly.

Of course they make it all seem like the perfect, effortless good life but the team behind The Pig clearly go to great lengths to keep on top of what’s planted, tended, picked (only when it’s at it’s very best) and crafted into a delicious plate. Not only this but everything on the menu comes from within 25-miles which means you know you’re always eating local.

And, it’s not only the food that’s handpicked but reputedly the staff are as well. They did all seem naturally personable, professional yet relaxed, and well… nice. We were served dinner by Caitlin who seemed to have impeccable timing and just the right amount of friendly banter. She later told us, that fresh from a hospitality course, this was her first job.

I’ve no doubt that The Pig will like her just as much as she seemed to like working for them.

And, when we got home, we were asked by my parents (the babysitters) what The Pig was like, and by the children, why exactly it was called The Pig? Both valid questions, I’d say. In reply we explained how perfectly relaxing it was, quintessentially English yet super-chic in style with ultra-fresh, clean although imaginative food from that wonderful kitchen garden. A real getaway, we both agreed. It’s called The Pig, of course, because of the round snouted animals that were inherited with the New Forest property that was to become the first restaurant with rooms in the litter. “It’s one of those names that just stuck,” Caitlin had explained to us. And, every bit typical of the beast, it’s namesake in the hospitality sector is certainly a great place to quaff and scoff before passing out into a deep, restorative sleep. n

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...THE TEAM BEHIND THE PIG CLEARLY GO TO GREAT LENGTHS TO KEEP ON TOP OF WHAT’S PLANTED, TENDED, PICKED AND CRAFTED

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WWW.THEBRISTOLMAGAZINE.CO.UK

The Pig near Bath, Hunstrete House, Pensford, BS39 4NS. For further information and prices, visit: www.thepighotel.co.uk or to make a booking tel: 0845 077 9494 SEPTEMBER 2014

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THE BRISTOL MAGAZINE 63

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IN THE | SPOTLIGHT

BBC Bristol’s Broadcasting House on Whiteladies Road

NATIONAL TREASURES

BBC Bristol celebrates 80 years at Whiteladies Road this month. Jane Duffus goes backstage at the broadcasting behemoth to discover there is a treasure trove of talent up at Broadcasting House. Images © BBC Pictures

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his is such a vast place but it’s hidden away,” says BBC TV’s head of production Ollie Thompson about the maze-like home of BBC Bristol. So if you think that the doors of Broadcasting House on Whiteladies Road are nothing more than a corporate façade, you’re missing a trick. Because behind that grand entrance lies a rabbit warren that sprawls up Whiteladies Road and extends way back behind Upper Belgrave Road.

“There are very few things that you can say the UK are the world leaders in,” says Ollie about the UK television industry in general. “But the best natural history programmes on the planet have been made in Bristol for the past 50 years. So as a result of these programmes coming out of Bristol, the BBC puts a lot back into the UK economy.”

With his role in the television department, Ollie is best placed to know how influential Bristol-led BBC shows truly are on the global scale. Take Antiques Roadshow. First broadcast in 1979, the beloved social history show has always been produced in Bristol and currently enjoys a primetime BBC1 slot on Sunday evenings where it pulls in audiences of 6-8 million (for comparison, that’s similar to the audiences EastEnders attracts). The format is so popular that it has been exported all around the world. “Antiques Roadshow is one of the biggest global formats in the same way that something like Strictly Come Dancing is,” explains Ollie.

Alongside Antiques Roadshow, curio programmes like Flog It! and Bargain Hunt were also developed at BBC Bristol, as well as a wealth 64 THE BRISTOL MAGAZINE

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of food shows – Nigella Lawson, Nigel Slater and James Martin are just three of the chefs to have recently made programmes with BBC Bristol.

Earlier this summer, Bristol hosted the first Food Connections event – a fortnight-long celebration of all things edible, on the Harbourside. While not organised by the BBC, Food Connections partnered closely with the corporation and a staggering amount of television and radio output was generated at the event for both the national and local airwaves.

Clare McGinn is head of radio and music production at BBC Bristol. She came up with the idea of Food Connections: a partnership she is looking forward to reviving for 2015. As she explains: “We make The Food Programme for Radio 4 which has over a million listeners every week, and the Food and Farming Awards have grown out of that.”

These annual awards are dubbed the Oscars of the food world and were launched in 2000

by HRH The Prince of Wales. In 2014, the judges went through more than 6,000 nominations from all around the UK for listeners’ favourite food producers and eateries, and the awards night was held at St George’s Bristol on Park Street – where culinary stalwarts such as Jamie Oliver, Mary Berry and Raymond Blanc came to our city to pay their respects to the nation’s finest foodies.

But where does the link between food and radio come in? “Food can be a filter for Fiona Bruce, everything,” says Clare. “Through the awards presenter of we focus on the finalists, and the awards Antiques ceremony acts as a conduit for us to get at their Roadshow inspirational stories. You get to meet people

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IN THE | SPOTLIGHT

Michael Buerk

John Craven

D ID Y O U K N O W ?

n BBC Radi o Bristol makes 350 hours of output a year fro m Bristol. Outsid e of London, Bristol is the biggest supplie r of Radio 4 content.

Kate Adie

n Poetry Plea se is the longes t running poetry programme in th produced in Brist e world, and has been ol for Radio 4 fo r 35 years. n The BBC An chor Partnership was set up in Bristol in 2009 . It was the first official partnership be twee showing the co n a city and the BBC, rp working within re oration’s commitment to gional cities.

Laura Rawlings and Steve Le Fevre

n Via the pion eerin Bristol singer-son g BBC Introducing strand, gwriter Daisy Ch apman was commissioned by the BBC to write the song Last December, which is being us the entire World War One At Hom ed across e campaign.

Tim Wonnacott, presenter of Bargain Hunt

who have defied adversity to set up the most unusual businesses. All radio is about good storytelling, and we’re really lucky that whether it’s food, farming, literature or documentaries, in Bristol we can do it all.”

But it’s not just food programmes being produced in Bristol for Radio 4 – everything from Farming Today to Any Questions and A Good Read comes from our city, and a whole lot more.

“Bristol is the home of poetry in the BBC,” says Clare proudly. “BBC director general Tony Hall has a deep interest in the arts and we are seen as the experts for anything to do with poetry. This year we won a Radio Academy Gold Award for our poetry documentary Mighty Beast with poet Sean Borodale.”

Sean’s documentary was certainly innovative... and deeply rooted in the south west. “Sean went to cattle markets all around Somerset and eavesdropped,” explains Clare of the award-winning Radio 3 programme. “Producer Sara Davies took current affairs themes, put them together with Sean’s poetry and then commissioned composer Elizabeth Purnell to create a soundscape. It took listeners by surprise! It’s a good example of where we try and push the boundaries with poetry.”

In addition to creating a legacy of national radio from Bristol, there is of course also the commitment to local broadcasting. One big news story emanating from Whiteladies Road this month is presenter Laura Rawlings’ move from her daytime afternoon show to co-hosting The Breakfast Show with Steve Le Fevre. “Laura has been doing fantastically, with a rapid rise

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from when she started here on the Early Show to getting success on the afternoons,” says Tim Pemberton, editor of BBC Radio Bristol. “She and her producer Martin Evans have done fantastically on The Afternoon Show, winning a Gillard Award and doing such exciting things with the show. So we think she’s going to bring a lot of excitement to The Breakfast Show.”

A whole pantheon of great presenting names have passed through BBC Bristol early in their careers – Michael Buerk, Kate Adie, John Craven and Jenni Murray to name just a handful, and it’s hoped that Laura and Steve are set to follow in those illustrious footsteps.

Sir David Attenborough Tim Pemberton (who himself started at the BBC in Natural World on a traineeship) is keen to stress how committed BBC Bristol is to nurturing new talent from the south west via its apprenticeships – which has just seen the first new apprentice announced this month.

“This apprentice is another person taking her first steps at BBC Bristol,” says Tim. “She’ll act as a broadcast assistant, so she’ll be researching, being a technical operator, producing and presenting. It could be her first steps to a new lifelong career at BBC Radio Bristol.”

And as part of its commitment to the city, BBC Bristol is taking part in the city’s Open Doors Day on 13 September, when you can go behind the scenes at Broadcasting House for yourself and uncover many more of the secrets hidden away in the past 80 years of Bristolian broadcasting history. n

THE BEST NATURAL HISTORY PROGRAMMES ON THE PLANET HAVE BEEN MADE IN BRISTOL FOR THE PAST 50 YEARS

WWW.THEBRISTOLMAGAZINE.CO.UK

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THE BRISTOL MAGAZINE 65

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WHAT’S | NEW

Success for Bristol skipper

B

ristol skipper, Vicky Ellis, has successfully completed the Clipper Round the World Yacht Race, leading a team of amateur sailors round the globe in the world’s longest ocean race.

The race’s sole female skipper and her international team finished in fifth place after completing the 40,000 mile circumnavigation. Vicky’s team achieved three podiums – Race 6 – Hobart to Brisbane, Australia; Race 12 – Panama to Jamaica; and Race 15 – Derry Londonderry, Northern Ireland to Den Helder, the Netherlands.

Vicky, the third female skipper in the 18-year history of the Clipper Race, said getting the whole crew around the world and back to London in one piece is one of her greatest achievements, but it had been her biggest pleasure too. During their circumnavigation, the team raised money and awareness for Mercy Ships, a hospital ship charity. Vicky said: “I’m so, so pleased and proud of the team, this is an ambition of mine finally realised.”

Recruiting top talent

News in Brief ■ Alzheimer’s Society is calling on Bristolians to sign up for its Memory Walk, the charity’s biggest annual fundraising event, on Saturday 11 October at the Blaise Castle Estate.

Participants can chose between a 2km or 10km walk and money raised will help support people living with dementia and their carers and fund research to find a cure. There will be a memory tree at the event which will give the walkers the opportunity to write down their personal memories and the reasons why they are walking or who they are walking for.

Sign up at: memorywalk.org.uk/bristol ■ With thousands of patients receiving blood transfusions every year, NHS Blood and Transplant is challenging the people of Bristol to make a date to donate and sign up to save lives at Bristol Donor Centre in Southmead. As long as you are fit and healthy, weigh over 7 stone 12 lbs (50kg) and are aged between 17 and 66 (up to 70 if you have given blood before) you should be able to give blood. To find out more or to book an appointment, visit: www.blood.co.uk ■ If the city needed further evidence of its rising cycling status then it’s the arrival of a Cyclelife store at the start of the Bristol-Bath Cycle Path. The new Cyclelife store has been tastefully refurbished from the former Carpetright store in one of the former Victorian soap factories on Straight Street, Broadplains and sits within Gardiner Haskins department store. As well as stocking a full range of cycling products and bikes, Cyclelife also offers services including try before you buy, courtesy bikes while your bike is booked in for service, a recycle scheme, interest free credit, and coffee area.

■ The NSPCC is calling on people in Bristol to get together to create a fabulous lunch on Wednesday 17 September as part of its UK-wide Big Packed Lunch campaign, and to donate money to help fund its ChildLine Schools Service. Visit: www.nspcc.org.uk/lunch

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Owen O’Neill, MD of Ashton Consulting (UK) Ltd, says: “With the economy now showing clear evidence of approaching pre recession levels, recruitment in the Bristol market has been getting busier and busier, with many clients finding it difficult to attract top candidates.

Many of the problems we face currently stem from a few employers continuing to adapt a ‘they will wait if they want to work for us’ mentality when it comes to candidates. As much as that may have been true in a period where jobs were scarce and skilled candidates were in abundance, the situation has now been flipped on its head.

This has a negative impact on the candidates’ perception of a business when they end up taking a long time with CV feedback or indeed feedback after interviews, which is not what candidates

BRISTOL UPDATES Can you design the new arena?

The Royal Institute of British Architects (RIBA) and Bristol City Council have launched an international competition to design the new arena for Bristol. The Bristol Arena project is a large indoor multipurpose 12,000 capacity arena, to be located on the former diesel depot site close to Temple Meads railway station and is anticipated to open in the summer of 2017.

The successful design team will have architectural, structural and building engineering capabilities as well as experience within the performance venue field and significant knowledge of the creation and development of urban spaces. A shortlist of five teams will be selected to participate in the design phase of the competition. The arena project budget is approximately £90 million.

For further details and to enter, visit www.architecture.com/competitions. The closing date for receiving completed applications is Thursday 18 September.

need when they have invested their own time and money to attend.”

Ashton Consulting (UK) Ltd is an independent recruitment specialist across the full spectrum, including IT, Engineering, GEO and law worldwide. It provides both contract and permanent solutions, through its team of experienced consultants.

Owen says: “Clients who are serious about attracting top talent are currently prioritising the recruitment process, and with our help will actively position themselves to be an attractive proposition for those people they wish to bring on board over their competitors.”

For further information about how Ashton Consulting can help you, contact: info@ashtonconsulting.co.uk or tel: 0117 302 7500.

■ It’s 30 years since Ocean started selling homes in Bristol, from a small office in Gloucester Road. And the company, which has grown to be the city’s biggest-selling independent estate agent, has continued its summer with a charity run/relay in aid of the Julian Trust. The route took in all of the firm’s eight offices around Bristol, which was exactly 30 miles long. Members of the Ocean group all got together and did it as a relay, with teams starting from the Bishopston office and others taking over along the way, including walkers and a cycling group, who started from the Shirehampton office. Hats off to Tom Weaver, assistant manager in Knowle – pictured below, crouched down at the front – he ran the entire 30 miles.

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WHAT’S | NEW

Creative minds think alike

Picture gets brighter for independent cinema The Cube Cinema, Bristol’s independent microplex in Stokes Croft, has raised the funds needed to buy the freehold of the building that houses it – enabling it to make improvements and determine its own future. The building has a fascinating history; over the years, it has served as an am-dram theatre, an avant-garde 70s art centre, a home for the Chinese Overseas Association, a girls school and a deaf and dumb institute, while the basement next door is rumoured to have housed a secret gig venue and an illegal gambling den. The workshop at the end of the garden of the main arts centre in Kings Square – now part of the Cube auditorium – was originally built in the late 19th century as a glass recycling factory. Now, as well as hosting the 108-seat wooden theatre/cinema, the building also serves as an arts venue, creche and progressive social wellbeing enterprise, complete with a bar serving local and ethical products. The purchase was made possible with the help of a £90,000 contribution from The Arts Council England, the rest coming from smaller donations from supporters and fund raising events. The fundraising continues; and The Cube has plans to create better access for those with restricted mobility, a larger bar/lounge area, improved toilets, restored cinema seats and residency space for visiting artists.

WWW.THEBRISTOLMAGAZINE.CO.UK

Learning disabled artists from across the south west will take centre stage at a national conference designed to challenge perceptions of their work, taking place at AtBristol on 14 October. Organised by a committee of learning disabled artists from Bristol and Somerset, the Creative Minds conference is the first of its kind and forms part of a national movement that seeks to bring an end to the labelling of art created by learning disabled people as good therapy and begin a discussion about how its quality can be defined instead. Ten different arts organisations will be performing and exhibiting their work at the conference alongside individual artists, encouraging debate from critics, programmers, venues, and funders. Tickets to the Creative Minds West Conference are on sale now and anyone can take part in the Creative Minds debate. Visit: www.creativemindsproject.org.uk

GDance

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THE BRISTOL MAGAZINE 67

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REDUCE YOUR COMPANY TAX LIABILITY Mark Pooley of Chartered Accountants Hollingdale Pooley highlights legitimate ways to reduce your company’s tax liabilities.

Pension contributions Pension contributions offer tax savings, including reducing national insurance contributions (NICs) for both the employee and the employer. Some employees and employers agree to a “salary sacrifice” whereby a portion of salary is exchanged for a pension contribution by the employer. However, where the employer and employee’s annual contributions exceed £40,000, the employee may be subject to an annual allowance tax charge. An individual may carry forward any of the annual allowance that they have not used in the previous 3 years.

Research and development The research and development (R&D) rules offer tax opportunities for small and medium sized companies (SMEs). R&D expenditure carries a substantial 225% deduction against profits for SMEs. An additional tax credit system allows non-profit making companies to relieve R&D expenditure or the trading loss – whichever is the lower – in exchange for a cash sum. There is a great deal of flexibility regarding what can be claimed for. Ask for our advice if you are incurring R&D costs.

Capital allowances Getting the maximum in capital allowances for your business is an important part of minimising the net cost of investment. The Annual Investment Allowance is 100% for the first £500,000 of expenditure on most types of plant and machinery from 1 April 2014 to 31 December 2015 – up from £250,000 between 1 January 2013 and 31 March 2014.

We can help you in business and tax planning in the following areas: • Improve profitability.

• Minimise tax costs of your company and develop a plan for tax-efficient profit extraction.

• Minimise employer and employee NIC costs.

• Prepare yourself and your business for your exit, succession, or retirement.

• Plan your business start-up.

• Find finance options.

• Time capital and revenue expenditure to maximise the tax advantage.

If you would like to discuss how we could help you and your company, please contact Mark Pooley at our office. enquiries@hollingdalepooley.co.uk or call 0117 973 3377

Hollingdale Pooley Bramford House, 23 Westfield Park, Clifton, Bristol BS6 6LT

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BRISTOL | HISTORY

WHAT’S IN A NAME? As part of a series of features looking at the significance and origins of place names in Bristol, Becky Elliot looks at the history of Montpelier

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estled within Bristol’s characteristically hilly landscape the vibrant pocket of Montpelier features winding streets that give way to spectacular views over the city, if you stop and peep through the rows of colourful terraces. Ever since local entrepreneur Thomas Rennison opened his Grand Pleasure Baths on the road still known as Bath Buildings in 1747, the area has enjoyed a reputation for offering a refreshing retreat for city dwellers weary of the humdrum of everyday life. It was these luxurious leisure facilities, coupled with the scenic surroundings and abundance of fresh air offered by its elevated location, that drew comparisons to the famous French spa resort of Montpellier and gave the neighbourhood its name.

But it was events almost exactly a century prior to Rennison’s diverting endeavours that first put the area on the national history map, as it played a pivotal role in the defeat of the Royalist army during the English Civil War (1642–1646). Throughout the 17th century Bristol was second only to London in wealth, and this prosperity, alongside its importance as a major port and strategic position as the gateway to Wales, made it a vital stronghold for each side to commandeer. The Parliamentarians had taken the city at the outset of the war, but were soon defeated by an army led by Charles I’s cousin, Prince Rupert of the Rhine. Tied by blood and consumed with passion for the cause, Rupert regained Bristol in 1643 and held it until the summer

of 1645, when the New Model Army rode into town.

Well paid and highly trained, these professional soldiers’ military prowess was fuelled by their burning religious zeal, creating a potent and much feared Parliamentarian force. They were led by the charismatic General Fairfax, renowned for both his dashing good looks and the ghostly white horse he rode into battle, the sight of which would send shivers down his enemies’ spines. He was accompanied by Oliver Cromwell, then only second in command but already nicknamed ‘Old Ironsides’ for his steely countenance and gritty resolve.

These two leaders entered Bristol with a plan. The old city was well protected by high medieval walls that were in turn fortified by imposing ramparts lined with bastioned forts.

These ran from Water Fort (at the junction of Hotwell Road and Jacobs Wells Road), up to Brandon’s Hill Fort, over St Michael’s Hill to Colston Fort (in Kingsdown), then on to Prior’s Hill Fort (now Fremantle Square), before stretching down to cross Stokes Croft and meet the natural barricade of the River Avon. Forbidding though these defences were, nothing would keep Fairfax and Cromwell out. They identified Prior’s Hill Fort as the strongest and saw its capture as key to taking control of the city, so they took up residence in an old farmhouse at the top of Ashley Hill (now Cromwell Road) in Montpelier, which offered direct views over to the fort and a perfect vantage point from which to conduct their campaign.

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THEY IDENTIFIED PRIOR’S HILL FORT AS THE STRONGEST AND SAW ITS CAPTURE AS KEY TO TAKING CONTROL OF THE CITY

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BATTLE FOR BRISTOL: main image, the view from the farmhouse in which Fairfax and Cromwell took residence Above, from left to right: Fremantle Square, formerly the site of Prior’s Hill Fort; Fairfax’s Quarters Montpelier Farm, at the Siege of Bristol by Thomas Leeson Rowbotham, 1828 (image courtesy of Bristol City Museum and Gallery); Oliver Cromwell

After a month of meticulous planning Fairfax readied his troops for attack, deploying five regiments under the brave Colonel Rainsborough in and around Montpelier, where they were poised to storm Prior’s Hill Fort. At 1am on the morning of 10 September 1645, a bonfire was lit next to the farmhouse and four cannon fired into the dead of night to signal the start of this epic struggle.

An eyewitness described how the moment the first shot rent the air: ‘the storm began around the city, and it was terrible to behold.’

It took the Parliamentarians four long hours to take Prior’s Hill Fort. In the pitch black they pressed doggedly up the hill under the steady hail of bullets, and when they reached the fort it was only to find it impregnable. Yet they battled on until exhaustion took hold and defeat seemed inevitable, and they could only have been minutes away from failure when reinforcements arrived.

Having broken down Bristol’s defences at St James Barton and Kingsdown, these troops had access to the fort’s weaker side from which they swarmed the garrison and overthrew it. Outnumbered

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the Royalists surrendered, hoping to supplicate their victors and be spared. But the New Model Army, trained to kill and baying for blood after a long and savage fight, were in no mood to oblige.

They slaughtered each and every one of their enemies.

With victory confirmed Fairfax and Cromwell emerged from the Montpelier farmhouse and rode down to inspect the fort. It is said that while they were on the parapet a stray bullet ricocheted in from fighting elsewhere to graze the wall beside Cromwell, and we can only imagine the different path British history would have taken if it had hit home.

As it was, in subsequent years the ambitious Cromwell rose above the less radical Fairfax, going on to sign the death warrant of Charles I and eventually rule as Lord Protector of England, Wales, Scotland and Ireland. His legacy divides opinion as much as his actions did during his life, with some celebrating him as a hero of liberty and others a murderous maniac. Either way the presence of this important historical figure in Montpelier lives on in his eponymous Cromwell Road. n

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EDUCATING BRISTOL Our comprehensive guide to schools in and around Bristol

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hoosing a new school for your child is no mean feat, whether they’re about to start primary school for the first time or make the jump up to secondary education. As a parent the best way to ensure you find the right school for your child is to do a bit of your own homework. If you’re considering independent schooling now is the time to start looking ahead to next autumn and researching the options available in the Bristol area.

Schools are becoming increasingly aware of the need to offer an all-round education and a broad range of extra-curricular activities to engage pupils outside the classroom. Most parents will be looking for a school that balances a strong academic reputation with this extracurricular provision and the result is schools with an ever-growing list of clubs and activities to offer. If your child isn’t particularly academically minded a school strong in the extra-curricular department can provide the perfect opportunity for your child to really engage at school and become part of the community.

While some schools may be highly selective there are plenty that cater for a more average ability, or even specialise in helping children in need of individual attention. Other considerations should include the size of a school – while some children may thrive in a more competitive environment, others will benefit from being able to progress at their own pace without pressure from peers.

Pastoral care is an important factor, especially if you are looking at full-time or part-time boarding. Will the school nurture and emotionally support your child, while also teaching them the skills to become a confident, independent individual?

Equally as important is the social aspect. Children will be hoping for a school where they can make plenty of friends and develop a wide and welcoming social circle.

Open days provide the best opportunity to really get a feel for a school – the staff, facilities, current pupils and the general atmosphere. These visits will enable you to see which school is the best fit for your child’s skills, personality and educational needs.

Bristol is home to a number of schools which offer a unique combination of facilities and opportunities. In our education guide you can discover a little more about what each school offers and find out what they think makes them stand out above the rest...

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EDUCATION | NEWS

Record results all round

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ueen Elizabeth’s Hospital (QEH) boys have achieved 100 per cent pass rate at A-level for nine years running, with 94 per cent of grades at A* to C and 80 per cent at A* to B this year. One-third of individuals taking the examinations at the school achieved straight A* or A grades in their A-level subjects.

The school also achieved record GCSE results this year with 90 per cent of all GCSE grades at A*to B, 72 per cent at A* or A and 45 per cent of grades gained at A*.

QEH headmaster, Stephen Holliday, said: “Added to record GCSEs, our exceptional A-level and AS-level results mean that about 10 per cent of boys from the year group have been offered places at Oxford and Cambridge, in addition to many others who will be off to medical, veterinary and dentistry schools as well as other top universities. Our consistently strong record for top results is part of the much greater package that we offer to boys in preparing them for higher education and successful future careers. Boys leave QEH with not only the qualifications but the confidence to meet the challenges of the world ahead.”

Succeeding in the world of science Sixth form students at the Red Maids’ School are flying the flag for girls wanting to pursue careers in science, technology, engineering and maths – together known as STEM. This year they have won places to study a range of subjects still often considered to be male-dominated including physics, mathematics, chemistry, biochemistry, engineering, medicine and veterinary medicine. Isabel Tobias, headmistress of the senior school, said: “It’s been another very successful year where the majority of our students have secured places at their first choice university. A significant proportion of our students will be moving on to study STEM subjects and this should make Red Maids’ stand out as a school that can help girls succeed in the widest possible range of subjects.” The summer started well for Red Maids’ International Baccalaureate (IB) Diploma students who secured a 100% pass rate for the school for the fourth year in a row, and eighth place nationally in The Times IB league tables. The release of Red Maids’ A-Level results for 2014 produced the 10th year in a row of a 100% overall pass rate.

High achievers Redland High School has once again achieved another excellent set of A-Level and GCSE results, with a 100% pass rate in all subjects at A-Level and outstanding success in the sciences. All girls hoping to study medicine at university have achieved the required grades to take up their place, and at GCSE level over 80% of all pupils studying sciences achieved A* and A grades. Top results were also seen in modern languages, art and design and English literature. While many schools nationally have seen a drop in grades in English GCSE, this was not the case at Redland High where three quarters of students studying English literature and language were awarded an A* / A grade. Redland High School enters pupils for the International GCSE (IGCSE) in English as it rigorously prepares students for study at A-Level. Redland High School also offers the Extended Project Qualification (EPQ), a skillsbased qualification that develops the independent research skills of students.

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SCHOOL UPDATES Strong results at Bristol’s oldest school More than nine out of every ten pupils at Bristol Cathedral Choir School gained five or more A*– C passes in their GCSEs and for the third consecutive year, over a third of examinations taken at the academy received A* or A grades. Principal Neil Blundell said: “This has been another very strong performance by our students and the overall figures included some highly impressive individual achievements. What is particularly pleasing is that we have had consistent performance across the board in all subjects at our school at a time of great change nationally in public examinations.”

The former independent school became an academy specialising in music and mathematics in 2008. It has since been consistently the most over-subscribed senior school in Bristol.

■ This Mr Andrew Wood September Clifton High School welcomes new deputy head, Mr Andrew Wood. An experienced deputy head with a keen focus on academic excellence and life-long learning, Mr Wood will be an invaluable member of the school team. Having spent the last few years teaching in Sydney, Australia, Mr Wood says: “I was attracted to Clifton High as it is a real success story. It has transformed itself into an academically strong co-educational school which has a real focus on academic excellence balanced with outstanding pastoral care. As an organisation it has been bold in its approach and is not afraid to try new things.”

Dr Alison Neill, head of school says: “We are fortunate to have such an innovative, freshthinking professional join our team. He has had incredible success in his previous posts and we welcome him to the Clifton High family.”

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Badminton School

Address: Westbury-on-Trym, Bristol, BS9 3BA Tel: 0117 905 5271 Website : www.badmintonschool.co.uk Email: admissions@badmintonschool.co.uk Autumn term: 3 September - 11 December 14 Spring term: 6 January – 26 March 15 Summer term: 22 April – 1 July 15 Age of pupils: 3 - 18 years Number of pupils: 450 Day fees: £2,760 - £5,810 per term Religious denomination: Non-denominational The curriculum: Badminton consistently achieves impressive academic results which enables the girls to access a wealth of world class universities, music conservatoires and art colleges; but it’s our passion for a holistic approach to learning that makes us really stand out from the crowd. The curriculum and timetable are constructed to achieve a balance between academic achievement, personal development, life skills and other enterprising activity. Our broad curriculum provides a rich and varied experience for the girls and the small classes ensure that all the girls receive individual help and attention from their teachers.

Extra curricular activities: Our enrichment programme is extremely important in the overall development of the girls in our care, as it provides opportunities to pursue wider interests and to contribute to the community. There are many activities on offer and they range from clubs with an academic bias such as Greek and science research to those that allow the girls to pursue creative interests, such as art, drama and cooking. Music is also an important part of school life, with nearly 80% of girls learning an instrument during their time at Badminton.

Pastoral care: The Badminton community gives girls a chance to develop an understanding of the viewpoints of others and to think about contributing to the world around them. Girls leave Badminton ready to face the changing and challenging wider world and, when they do, they take with them a strong network of lifelong friends developed through a wealth of shared experiences.

Name of principal: Mrs Rebecca Tear Outstanding characteristics: Girls at Badminton truly enjoy their education and often excel beyond their natural ability. The individual attention they receive means that they gain in self-confidence, preparing them for life beyond school.

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Sidcot

Colston’s Girls’ School

Oakridge Lane, Winscombe, North Somerset BS25 1PD Website: www.sidcot.org.uk Email: admissions@sidcot.org.uk

Cheltenham Road, Bristol, BS6 5RD. Tel: 0117 942 4328 www.colstonsgirls.bristol.sch.uk Email:admin@colstonsgirls.bristol.sch.uk

Autumn term: 3 September -12 December 14 Spring term: 6 January - 27 March 15 Summer term: 13 April - 3 July 15

Autumn term: 3 September - 17 December 14 Spring term: 5 January - 27 March 15 Summer term : 15 April - 7 July 15

Age of pupils: 3 - 18 years Number of pupils: 560 Day fees: from £2,320 (Reception) to £5,200 (Year 13) per term. Nursery £19.50 per session

Age of pupils: 11 - 18 years Number of pupils: 800 Day fees: The school is a non-fee paying all girls’ academy.

Religious denomination: Non-denominational

The curriculum: The curriculum and teaching methods are designed to foster students’ natural intellectual curiosity and creativity. Educating the students, rather than simply training them to pass tests. It’s no surprise that these personal qualities go together with academic excellence.

In 2013 Sidcot School students and teachers celebrated 100% pass rate at A Level with 96% of students achieving a grade A-C and nearly 47% gaining an A* (star) or A grade. 25% of students achieved three or more A Levels at these higher grades. For the IB diploma, Sidcot was in the top 20 schools of similar size cohorts in the UK in 2013.

Extra curricular activities: Activities run at lunchtime, after school, after tea and into the evening, as well as at weekends. With over 100 extra-curricular activities ranging from archery to trampolining, maths club to hill walking the school ensures that students have plenty of opportunities to try new things as well as developing existing interests.

Pastoral Care: Quakers place a high value on equality - at Sidcot this is evident in the open and friendly relationships between staff and students, and between students of all ages. It’s often remarked that students are extremely supportive of each other, making newcomers - students, teachers and visitors - quickly feel at home.

Name of headmaster: Iain Kilpatrick Outstanding characteristics: Unusually for a school of Sidcot’s size, both the IB and A Levels are on offer. The ethos of the International Baccalaureate, with its broad curriculum and emphasis on study skills, community service and internationalism fits well with our Quaker values.

The BHS approved Equestrian Centre at Sidcot School is well known in the area. Students of all ages can learn to ride and tuition in dressage, cross-country and jumping is available. Boarding students are very welcome to bring their horses to Sidcot and a full livery service is available.

The curriculum: The school offers a broad and balanced curriculum through to A-Level. As an academy with a language specialism Colston’s Girls’ School is able to select ten per cent of its pupils on the basis of their aptitude for languages on admission. Eight languages are available: Mandarin, Russian, Spanish, German, French, Latin, Italian and Japanese. The school has a very strong academic record.

Extra curricular activities: An extensive range of extra-curricular activities takes place inside and outside the school, including music, sport, art and drama. Public speaking and charitable activities are encouraged along with annual PGL activity weeks. A specific enrichment programme has been designed for the school’s sixth formers, many of whom go on to attend one of the coveted Russell Group universities.

Pastoral care: The school’s excellent academic record is supported by outstanding pastoral care within a supportive, happy environment that encourages each member of the school to fulfil her true potential.

Head of school: Mr Alistair Perry Outstanding characteristics: Over recent years the school has been transformed by a buildings and refurbishment plan that encompassed the whole school. Outstanding new facilities in art, drama and music have been matched by the refurbishment and reorganisation of the remainder of the school, based around a strategic reorganisation of teaching and learning areas.

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Colston’s School

QEH Queen Elizabeth’s Hospital (QEH), Berkeley Place, Clifton, Bristol, BS8 1JX Tel: 0117 930 3040. www.qehbristol.co.uk Autumn term: 2 September - 12 December 14 Spring term: 6 January - 27 March 15 Summer term: 21 April - 3 July 15

Bell Hill, Stapleton, Bristol BS16 1BJ Tel: 0117 965 5207 Email: denisesollis@colstons.bristol.sch.uk Autumn term: 1 September - 12 December 14 Spring term: 5 January - 27 March 15 Summer term: 20 April - 2 July 15 Age of pupils: 3 - 18 years Number of pupils: 754 Day fees: Upper School £3,890 Lower School £2,165-£3030 Religious denomination: Church of England The curriculum: Lower School pupils enjoy the full range of academic subjects including languages, design technology, ICT, art and music. From the ages of 11 to 16 all pupils follow a broad and balanced curriculum in keeping with national policy. Key Stage 4 (years 10-11): Most pupils take 10 GCSE subjects.

There is a compulsory core of English, English literature, mathematics, science (all three), a modern foreign language (French, Spanish or German) and religious studies (GCSE short course). In addition pupils select three GCSE options and continue to follow a non-examined programme of physical education and personal, social and health education (including careers education). Key Stage 5 (Sixth Form): Most students follow four AS subjects in the Lower Sixth, followed by three full A-Level subjects in the Upper Sixth.

Extra curricular activities: More than 50 clubs and activities are offered each term as well as the Combined Cadet Force, Duke of Edinburgh Award Scheme, ski trips, international sports tours, and cultural and language trips to various European countries.

Pastoral care: Heads of house oversee teams of house tutors who are responsible for caring for pupils in tutorial groups. Tutors act as the point of contact for parents, and the pastoral structures are a notable strength of Colston’s.

Name of principal: Mr Jeremy McCullough (Headmaster) Outstanding characteristics: Personal development is central to the Colston’s experience, and is secured through a wide range of activities and opportunities. Pupils are taught to display initiative and independence. The school encourages pupils to strive to be the best they can be. Colston’s is regarded as an extension to the family.

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Age of pupils: 7 - 18 years Number of pupils: 670 Day fees: Juniors: £2,765 per term (£8,295 per annum) including pre and after school supervision until 5pm. Seniors: £4,231 per term (£12,693 per annum). Fees include text and exercise books, and essential education trips but do not include public examination fees or lunches.

Religious denomination: Church of England, embracing all faiths The curriculum: The curriculum is broad but also offers the chance to study subjects in depth.

The school expects pupils to work hard, believing a good education is a voyage of discovery to be enjoyed. The boys are stretched but not stressed.

Extra curricular activities: QEH prides itself on the range of activities it provides, reflecting the wide interests of the boys and the commitment of the staff. Variety is key and all boys should find activities that interest them. From walking to Warhammer (a club run by the boys), Young Enterprise to life drawing. QEH is committed to outdoor pursuits, with around 150 boys taking part in Duke of Edinburgh awards scheme, many attaining Gold Award.

Pastoral care: Each boy has a personal tutor and a head of year and the school works hard to solve problems effectively and sensitively. The school believes that boys need to feel happy and safe and if they do, they are free to enjoy their learning and can explore new opportunities with confidence. People often comment on how self-assured and well mannered the pupils are.

The boys’ friendly spirit and good behaviour are partly the result of unobtrusive but strong pastoral care.

Name of principal: Mr Stephen Holliday MA (Cantab) Outstanding characteristics: In the top ten in the country for value-added performance: QEH’s ethos is reflected in the attitudes of pupils and staff. Academic standards and the personal development of pupils are high. Achievements in the classroom and in games and extracurricular activities are outstanding.

The Dolphin School 174 Cheltenham Road, Bristol, BS6 5RE Phone : 01179 108 429 Term times: 1 September -24 October 14 3 November - 19 December 14 5 January - 13 February 15 23 February - 27 March 15 13 April - 22 May 15 1 June - 20 July 15 Age of Pupils: Reception to Year 2 Number of pupils:150 Day Fees: none Religious denomination:All The curriculum: The school provides a rich and engaging diverse curriculum and sees the Early Years Foundation Stage as crucial to the pupils’ development.

Early assessment and individual learning plans underpin the varied curriculum offered at the Dolphin School. English, maths, French, a Forest School and learning through play are key elements together with an emphasis on learning outside the classroom using the city of Bristol as a resource.

The school is offering high quality Early Years and Primary education for boys and girls, including: a strong emphasis on learning to read well at a young age, a focus on producing socially confident, articulate children, specialist teaching in PE, maths, music and science.

Extra curricular activities: There are a number of extra curricular activities including arts and crafts and sporting activities.

Language lessons after school including French and Latin.

Also a gardening club, a choir, dance and drama.

Pastoral care: The school provides a caring and supportive environment in which each child will be able to flourish.

The staff/pupil ratio will be 1: 15.

Name of lead teacher: Mrs Naomi Triggol Outstanding characteristics: As part of the CGS Trust the school shares the same high standards of education of Colston’s Girls’ School. The students are able to use some of the specialist facilities at CGS, such as the Home Economics suite, gym, drama studio and science laboratories.

The school develops strong relationships with parents and supports their children’s learning, enabling them to thrive. The school prides itself on fostering parental and wider community engagement.

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Red Maids’ School Westbury Road, Westbury-on-Trym, Bristol, BS9 3AW Tel: Junior School 0117 962 9451 Senior School 0117 962 2641 juniors@redmaids.bristol.sch.uk, schoolsecretary@redmaids.bristol.sch.uk Autumn term: 3 September - 12 December 14 Spring term: 6 January - 20 March 15 Summer term: 16 April - 3 July 15 Age of pupils: 7 - 11 and 11 - 18 years Number of pupils: 120 Junior School; 500 Senior School Day fees: Juniors - £2,780 per term; Seniors and Sixth Form £4,090 per term Religious denomination: Non-denomination The curriculum: The Junior School’s approach is to make learning fun, active and interactive. The teachers provide a rich and varied study programme including practical, individual and group work and make use of the latest technology to enhance the girls’ learning.

The Senior School offers a broad curriculum with setting in some subjects beginning in Year 7.

Its aim is simply to provide an excellent education for girls of academic ability. The choice of courses, selection of teachers and monitoring processes are all designed to achieve this goal.

Redland High School Redland Court, Bristol, BS6 7EF Tel: 0117 924 5796 Email:admissions@redlandhigh.com www.redlandhigh.com

Redland Hill, Redland, Bristol Avon, BS6 6UX Tel: 0117 933 9990 info@bristolsteinerschool.org

Autumn term: 2 September - 12 December 14 Spring term: 6 January - 27 March 15 Summer term: 21 April - 3 July 15 Age of pupils: 3 - 18 years Number of pupils: 500 Day fees: £2,400 - £3,880 depending on year group Religious denomination: Non-denominational

Autumn term: 3 September - 17 December 14 Spring term: 7 January - 27 March 15 Summer term: 14 April - 15 July 15 Age of pupils: 6 - 16 years Number of pupils: 210 Day fees: £6,600 per annum Religious denomination: Non-denominational

The curriculum: A stimulating curriculum is in place throughout the age range, culminating in a wide range of A Level subjects. Junior School pupils benefit from specialist teaching in many subjects at an early age.

Extra curricular activities: The extra-curricular provision at Redland High School is wide, varied and very much part of what makes the school buzz. The school encourages every girl to take part, to try something new, and discover where her strengths lie so that she can build confidence and self-esteem.

Heads of school: Mrs Gillian Rowcliffe, Head Teacher Junior School, BEd Hons, Bristol University; Mrs Isabel Tobias, Headmistress Senior School, BA Hons English, New Hall, Cambridge Outstanding characteristics: Red Maids’ sits within acres of green and open space in the heart of a thriving residential neighbourhood.

Many items, including examination fees and the cost of day and residential curricular trips are included in the termly tuition fees.

Red Maids’ is the only independent school in Bristol offering the choice of A Level or the International Baccalaureate Diploma in the Sixth Form.

The school has a wellestablished endowment fund which supports the awarding of a generous amount of bursaries and scholarships each year.

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The curriculum: The Bristol Steiner School offers a truly child-centred form of education which is as much to do with actively engaging with children's willing and feeling, as much as with their thinking. Steiner schools use a curriculum which is structured to respond to the developmental needs of the children, and pupils are provided with the skills they need to become balanced, well-rounded individuals. As well as academic skills, including five core GCSEs in English, science, maths, art and French, pupils acquire a sensitive and caring interest in the cultural and natural worlds, identifying with fundamental issues of contemporary life.

Co-curricular activities: In addition to developing a child's academic skills, Steiner education also stimulates creativity, social skills and free thinking. The curriculum is based on the principle of educating the whole child "head, heart and hands" and is therefore rich and varied, balancing academic subjects with artistic and practical activities — and cultivating a genuine desire to learn without the need for external motivators such as exams or competitive activities.

Extra curricular activities: At Red Maids’, curiosity and endeavour are valued highly – everyone joins in and has a go. A wide variety of lunchtime and afterschool clubs are provided to help inspire and motivate the girls to try new things and broaden their interests.

Pastoral care: Pastoral care in both schools is regarded with the highest importance. Each girl is treated as an individual and there is a network of people including teachers, a school nurse and specialist counsellor alongside to support students and help them as they grow.

Bristol Steiner School

Pastoral care: There is a focus on the social wellbeing of classes. When children look forward to going to school, have a love of learning and enjoy a social life, discipline problems tend to be less frequent and less serious.

Pastoral care: Redland High is an optimum size which means the School can know each individual child well and still offer a very wide range of subjects and extra-curricular activities.

As every parent knows, there is nothing more important than the happiness of their child.

Pastoral care at Redland High School is excellent, enabling each girl to develop to her full potential.

Name of principal: Mrs Caroline Bateson BA MA Outstanding characteristics: Redland High is a friendly and caring community where each girl is valued as an individual. Tradition combines happily with modern facilities and expertise in the education of girls. There is evidence of achievement in every classroom and an air of purpose. Examination results are excellent and achievements in music, drama, art and sport are first class.

Education co-ordinator: Mrs Janet Parsons Outstanding characteristics: Steiner schools form the largest group of independent, nondenominational and co-educational private schools in the world. Our pupils leave the school as well-rounded, confident individuals who are academically advantaged with respect to their state or public school counterparts. Alumni consistently gain admission to top universities including Oxford and Cambridge with both Oxbridge and the Department of Education praising a Steiner education for producing freethinking, intellectually curious students with exemplary social and communication skills.

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Taunton School

Clifton High School

Bristol Grammar School

College Road, Clifton, Bristol, BS8 3JD. Tel: 0117 973 0201 www.cliftonhigh.bristol.sch.uk admissions@cliftonhigh.bristol.sch.uk Autumn term: 4 September - 16 December 14 Spring term: 7 January - 24 March 15 Summer term: 15 April - 7 July 15 Age of pupils: 3 - 18 years Number of pupils: 500 Day fees: £1,750 - £4,270 Religious denomination: Non-denominational Staplegrove Road, Taunton, Somerset, TA2 6AD. Tel: 01823 703 703 www.tauntonschool.co.uk Autumn term: 4 September - 12 December 14 Spring term: 8 January - 20 March 15 Summer term: 16 April - 3 July 15 Age of pupils: 0 - 18 years Number of pupils: 1,010 Fees: Boarding prep: £4,150 – £7,520; senior: £9,600 – £10,600; day prep: £2,450 – £4,610; senior: £5,675 Religious denomination: Nondenominational, Christian ethos The curriculum: The school has consistently achieved excellent GCSE results and some of the most exceptional A Level results in south west England. Approximately 96 per cent of all sixth form leavers take up university or college places. The International Baccalaureate qualification complements the A and AS Level programme, offering another effective pathway to university and the world beyond.

Extra curricular activities: There are opportunities for pupils of all ages to seize the chances which the comprehensive programme of co-curricular activities has to offer – an important part of life at Taunton School.

Pastoral care: Pastoral care is central to the school’s provision for pupils’ welfare and was seen as a distinctive feature of the school by the last School Inspection Team (ISI Report 2012).

The school offers a supportive boarding environment for children from age seven to 18.

At the preparatory school level, boarding life is very much an extension of family life and focus is on support for the children to learn to do things for themselves and become more confident. The young adults at the school have access to many activities and have the opportunity to develop life skills within a relaxed but well-controlled atmosphere. In the sixth form, each pupil is encouraged to make the most of the opportunities available to allow them to move smoothly towards higher education and the world of work.

The curriculum: Clifton High is the only fully co-educational school in Bristol to follow the Diamond Edge Model for years 7-9. Research has shown that boys and girls benefit from being taught separately during their formative years as they learn differently and value having their own space. Pupils at Key Stage 3 learn separately in the core subjects of English, mathematics, biology, chemistry, physics. ICT, and modern foreign languages and in mixed gender groups for all other subjects. Young people thrive and achieve their full potential socially and academically. CHS has a flourishing nursery school, so children can join from the age of three, and an outstanding sixth form where over 70% of students are awarded places at Oxbridge or Russell Group Universities.

Extra curricular activities: CHS is outstanding in its provision of clubs and activities. Clubs range from astronomy and trampolining to robotics and the environment. A Duke of Edinburgh awards scheme and expeditions with the World Challenge complement the range of visits at home and abroad. In addition CHS is taking a cricket and netball tour to Barbados in spring 2015.

Pastoral care: Class sizes at CHS are small.

There is a thriving peer support system and parents comment on the excellent relationships between staff and pupils – relaxed but always respectful. The rapport, encouragement and support creates an atmosphere where everyone can develop happily and successfully Name of Principal: Dr Alison M Neill, Head of School. Mr Andrew Wood, Deputy Head of School and Head of Nursery to Junior Schools Outstanding characteristics: All young people are encouraged to believe in themselves and to face challenges with confidence, determination and a sense of excitement. Children learn to think for themselves, to do their best and to care for others in school and in the wider world.

They discover and embrace their own talents and interests and develop the skills and qualities they need.

University Road, Bristol, BS8 1SR Tel: 0117 973 6006 www.bristolgrammarschool.co.uk Autumn term: 3 September - 12 December 14 Spring term: 6 January - 27 March 15 Summer term: 16 April - 2 July 15 Age of pupils: 4 - 18 years Number of pupils: 328 Infants and Juniors, 640 Seniors, 300 Sixth Form Fees: £2,325–£4,365 per term Religious denomination: Non-denominational The curriculum: The Infant curriculum covers all the requirements of the National Curriculum.

Lessons are linked in to a topic based curriculum, which allows the children to explore a particular area while linking the subjects in to the topic. In the Junior School children enjoy a breadth of education that stretches far beyond the national curriculum. In the Senior and Sixth Form students enjoy choice and opportunity.

They can discover their strengths through a wide range of optional subjects, within a curriculum that encourages them to realise potential, explore their ideas and take their learning as far as they can go. In the Sixth Form students have the opportunity to take the Extended Project Qualification alongside ‘A’ levels.

Co-curricular activities: The co-curricular provision at BGS is extensive in variety.

Activities and clubs can include anything from Mandarin to car maintenance or cookery, allowing each individual to discover a new interest, to gain a new skill or develop an old one.

Pastoral care: Feeling supported, being part of a family in a positive learning community brings out the very best in girls and boys at BGS. Part of that support comes from relationships formed with heads of house, heads of year, form tutors and academic staff, ensuring we maintain our outstanding quality of pastoral care. The house system provides continuity of pastoral care throughout the School.

Name of principal: Dr John H Newton

Name of principal: Mr R I MacKinnon

Outstanding characteristics: Dr John Newton says: “As a headmaster, I believe that a school education should be life changing, I believe we should be preparing the young for the next 50 years of their lives, not just the next five. My job is to equip pupils with the values and experiences for a future anywhere in the world.”

Outstanding characteristics: Bristol Grammar School has excellent examination results and offers a huge range of options, both academic and co-curricular, to enable every child to reach their potential and to develop a love learning alongside a sense of responsibility for themselves and others.

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St Brendan’s St Brendan’s Sixth Form College, Broomhill Road, Brislington, Bristol, BS4 5RQ. Tel: 0117 977 7766 info@stbrn.ac.uk www.stbrn.ac.uk Autumn term: 1 Sept - 18 December 14 Spring term: 5 Jan - 27 March 15 Summer Term: 13 April - 3 July 15 Age of pupils: 16- 18 years Number of pupils: 1,750 Day fees: No fees for those aged 16 – 18 and resident in the UK. Religious denomination: St Brendan’s is a Catholic college which welcomes students from any religious or non-religious background. It is a diverse community with staff and students from a wide variety of backgrounds and traditions.

The curriculum: St Brendan’s offers over 70 different courses at Level 2 (BTEC) and Level 3 (A-level and BTEC) plus GCSEs. Its courses can be taken in virtually any combination and are all taught on one site.

Extra curricular activities: There is a huge enrichment programme available to students ranging from activities to enhance the courses you take (College drama production, Cine-Club, etc.); or ones that you feel passionately about (Fair Trade,CAFOD, etc.); or that offer a challenge or chance to keep fit (Duke of Edinburgh, gym, rugby, etc.).

Pastoral care: St Brendan’s has always been highly praised for the pastoral care that it provides for all of its students – everyone has a Pastoral Support Tutor who is responsible for monitoring and supporting their academic progress and personal welfare. In addition the college has a dedicated team who provide additional learning support which is tailored to individual needs. All of this combined with the college's distinctive catholic ethos, where every individual is regarded as a unique creation of God, in an environment of respect, care and tolerance of each other, means that all of the ingredients are here for students to fulfill their potential and realise their aspirations. If students are ambitious to achieve highly in a more adult atmosphere, we would be delighted to welcome them and guide them to success.

Name of principal: Michael Jaffrain Outstanding characteristics: St Brendan’s Sixth Form College is the only dedicated sixth form provider in the area and our self- contained campus and state-of-the-art buildings provide a unique community feel.

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Clifton College

The Downs School

32 College Road, Clifton, Bristol, BS8 3JH Tel: 0117 315 7000 Web: www.cliftoncollege.com Email: info@cliftoncollege.com Autumn term: 2 September - 9 December 14 Spring term: 6 January - 26 March 15 Summer term: 21 April - 3 July 15 Age of pupils: 3–18 years Number of pupils: 1,208 (Preparatory School, ages 3–13, 499; Upper School, ages 13–18, 709) Day fees: Nursery and Pre-Preparatory pupils from £1,900 Preparatory School day pupils from £4,975 Upper School day pupils from £7,450 Religious denomination: Church of England, embracing all faiths. Clifton also has its own Synagogue.

The curriculum: At Clifton, our teachers and coaches are highly qualified and experts in their field. Our teachers inspire, encourage and prepare their pupils to follow and fulfil their dreams. Academic standards are high and the school is equally strong in literature, languages and the arts.

Clifton has always inspired its pupils to become the best possible versions of themselves. Pupils are instilled with a desire to succeed in academic, co-curricular or community based activities. Through this, pupils develop selfconfidence, without arrogance, to tackle any challenge they may face.

Leavers progress to the UK’s elite universities; on average Clifton assists 11 pupils per year in achieving an Oxbridge place.

Extra curricular activities: Clifton offers a fulfilling lifestyle to children of all ages. The extensive offering of games, activities and events that take place outside of the classroom are more than just add-on ‘extras’, they form part of the well-rounded education that is the Clifton lifestyle.

Whether it is trekking through Borneo or rock climbing in the Avon Gorge, horizons are widened. Unforgettable experiences and inspirational challenges help our pupils to develop into confident, decent, hardworking adults.

Wraxall Bristol BS48 1PF Tel: 01275 852008 office@thedownsschool.co.uk Autumn term: 3 September - 12 December 14 Spring term: 7 January - 27 March 15 Summer term: 21 April - 3 July 15 Age of pupils: 4 - 13 years Number of pupils: 280 Day fees: reception/year 1 - £3225 per term year 2 - £3625 per term year 3 - £3965 per term years 4 - 8 - £4,895 per term Religious denomination: C of E The curriculum: The Downs is one of the few truly independent 13+ prep schools in the south west. 13+ Common Entrance and Scholarship exams are central to the academic curriculum which includes traditional subjects, two modern languages, theory of music and a programme in etiquette, woodwork and chess. The school also hosts an excellent Forest School.

Extra curricular activities: The school achieves outstanding standards in sport but is genuinely inclusive. There is exceptional achievement in creative arts, 6 choirs, 85% of children play a musical instrument, 60% attend speech and drama lessons. There are numerous clubs including formula 24 greenpower racing, fishing and den making as well as exciting annual prep school camps and reciprocal trips to France, Spain and Holland.

Pastoral care: The essence of the school is to know and understand each of the children - and their families. The school is much in demand but there is no ambition to increase in size as this would prove detrimental to this core value.

Matrons, tutors, form teachers and pupils themselves play an integral role in the process of providing outstanding, considered pastoral care.

Name of principal: M A Gunn M.A.(Ed), P.G.C.E., B.A., I.A.P.S. Outstanding characteristics: Our children are outstanding; they are highly motivated and experience considerable all round success.

They nevertheless demonstrate humility and unaffected good manners; confidence in contrast to arrogance is applauded at The Downs.

The stunning rural estate is unique in the area and essentially used to best effect. The entire community that is The Downs School is particularly close and happy in support of one another. Over the last ten years on average 50% of the Year 8 Leavers have won scholarships

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You are warmly invited to attend our Open Evening for Year 6 students looking to join this vibrant and dynamic school from 6pm on Thursday 2nd October 2015. During the evening there will be tours of the school, a presentation given by the Headteacher, Andrea Arlidge, and the opportunity to talk with teachers.

For parents/carers who are unable to attend our Open Evening, there will be Open Day tours, by appointment, during weeks commencing 6th and 13th October.

Please contact us to arrange your visit.

Wellsway School | Chandag Road | Keynsham Bristol | BS31 1PH E-mail: enquiries@wellswayschool.com | Tel: 0117 9864751

www.wellswayschool.com

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e are dedicated to supporting and encouraging our students, and giving them the tools to explore what life and the world have to offer. The five years-plus that our students spend with us will be the foundation on which they build their futures and we strive to deliver an education that is world class in every respect. Our exam results put us amongst the topperforming schools in the region, however, we remain ambitious. We intend to build on our achievements. We want to raise our standards still higher; to integrate new technologies into our everyday activities, to innovate in our teaching and to improve the experience for our students wherever we can.

As well as having high expectations of our staff and students, we also look for commitment from parents, families and carers. We hope that you will support our values and the school’s pursuit of excellence. We want you to join us in a dynamic partnership that puts young people and their success at the centre of everything we do.

But, as well as being rigorous and demanding, inspiring and challenging, I firmly believe that school should also be fun – a place where the activities, teaching and facilities foster enthusiasm, enjoyment and strong relationships. Happiness and success at school are closely related and our results are evidence of a culture that is strong on challenge but also strong on support.

I’m very proud of Wellsway. I know our staff and students share that pride and I’m sure, when you come to visit us, you’ll be able to see why. I look forward to meeting you.

Andrea Arlidge, Headteacher

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EDUCATION | PROFILE

FIGHTING TO CLOSE THE GAP Charlotte Obolensky, a reviewer of schools for the Good Schools Guide, talks to Bristol ex-head teacher Marius Frank.

The zealous campaigner and Bath resident works tirelessly to promote the educational interests of the least fortunate children and has set up a consultancy SCiP5 to do just that. This interview will also appear in the Good Schools Guide newsletter

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he Good Schools Guide reckon we are pretty adept at defining curriculum development organisation and awarding body, offering what makes a good school – which goes so much further than programmes and qualifications that explicitly grow skills for learning, skills the confines of league tables – but it would be fair to say that all for employment and skills for life’ – or, more succinctly, concentrates on the schools we include in the guide would be top of somebody’s celebrating achievement in its widest sense, particularly where poverty is a charts. But what about the schools at the bottom of the pile, the barrier to opportunity. Sadly, with the arrival of Michael Gove and his ones that children have to attend, come what may? overweening belief in academic rigour as being the only game in town, the Educational reformer and self-confessed political irritant Marius Frank’s likes of ASDAN suffered significantly. work for the last 25 years has been to Marius has since set up his own address the children in those schools. educational consultancy, SCiP5, He has been taking issue with some of which is committed to ‘closing the our most dearly held truths in gap between the classroom and the education since he completed, but did workplace and that due to social and not collect, his PhD in 1982. economic deprivation’.

Having excelled as a neuroscientist More immediately, he is much and in danger of becoming an involved with Achievement for All acknowledged expert on deaf mice, he 3As, a not-for-profit organisation was sufficiently dismayed by the selfwhich aims to redress the imbalance serving, self-congratulatory nature of of educational advantage that special medical research at the time, as he educational needs, socially deprived perceived it, that he left without and vulnerable children are prey to submitting his PhD thesis. by accelerating progress in their But neuroscience’s loss was literacy, numeracy, self-esteem, teaching’s gain, and a ten week emotional resilience, wellbeing and training placement at one of readiness to learn.

Nottingham’s roughest Marius makes it his business to comprehensives determined his career. flag up the passion, zeal and Memorably, a lippy GCSE student, excellence in the classroom of school when he asked her why she messed leaders and teachers who have spent about in biology, shot back with: their whole careers closing the gap, “How is knowing what the inside of not because it is a government or a plant looks like going to get me an social priority, but because it was the effing job? He is still pondering that reason they went into teaching in the one. first place, so often unnoticed if the He says: “It’s the weakest and most school’s headline performance figures deprived learners in the system that just happen to be the wrong side of a need the best,” and 11 years as head norm-weighted continuum. of a challenging comprehensive in a “It should be a societal aim that socially deprived area of south Bristol every school is good. But how can saw him do exactly that. Despite this possibly be if the statistical tools seven Ofsted/HMI inspections in 11 – a normal distribution curve - to years, in a turbulent and hard-pressed rank schools are flawed in the first local authority that saw school after place?

A politician famously once CAMPAIGNER: Marius Frank was headteacher at Bedminster Down in school put into special measures and said that he wanted all schools to be Bristol for ten years before leaving teaching to work on education reform forced into Academy status, above average. I rest my case!”

Bedminster Down (powered onwards While acknowledging that the by a staff that Marius described as government is beginning to get it something really special) just kept right with pupil premium funding, improving. targeted at ‘closing the gap’, he By the time he left Bedminster remains adamantly opposed to Down School in 2011, GCSE pass measures like EBacc which have rates including maths and English had stripped schools of qualifications that trebled. More importantly, Marius aren’t necessarily “purely academic”, had begun to realise the significant but serve certain young people and disastrous gap between education extraordinarily well. and employment – disastrous for So, what of redefining good? What students and indeed for employers: about schools which knock down many school leavers did not have the barriers to learning for all who face skills, aptitudes or attitudes to make a them, through an unlucky start in life successful transition to work. or some educational disadvantage, The overwhelmingly academic that take the fight to hard-pressed curriculum was a source of discouragement and disengagement for many, and overwhelmed communities on a day by day, year by year basis? Whose and little, if any, recognition was given to the wider skills and competencies students emerge, as a minimum, functionally literate and numerate, tolerant critical to drive forward Great Britain plc, from shop floor to boardroom. and compassionate? Where all kinds of talents, skills and achievements are “So I joined ASDAN Education as chief executive to see if I could make a recognised? Where everyone is helped to find an achievable aspiration? difference that way,” he says. ASDAN, in its own words, is ‘a pioneering Suggestions on a back of a postcard addressed to Ofsted, please. n

❝

MARIUS HAD BEGUN TO REALISE THE SIGNIFICANT AND DISASTROUS GAP BETWEEN EDUCATION AND EMPLOYMENT – DISASTROUS FOR STUDENTS AND INDEED FOR EMPLOYERS

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FAMILY | WHAT’S ON

FUN FOR ALL

Use our guide to plan quality time with your little ones. From family friendly theatre and creative activities to music-making and a fun day, there’s something for all ages to enjoy Shrek at the Bristol Hippodrome

Food exhibiiton at At-Bristol

Go Aloft, SS Great Britain, daily Step into the shoes of a Victorian sailor and climb the rigging of the SS Great Britain for an exhilarating view of Bristol, 27 metres above the ground. Cost: £10 in addition to entry fee.

Leap of Faith at Wild Place Project The Wild Place Project’s new adventure course, stands 12 metres tall and is a test of nerves for all the family, with seven different challenges to take on. On the 3G Power Swing participants are hauled into the air while strapped to a giant swing via a harness before the release pin is pulled, plunging the swing through the air at high speed. There are also climbing walls, a leap of faith, a crate stack challenge, a climbing pole and giant ladder. For more information visit: www.wildplace.org.uk

I am Making Art, Spike Island, Saturday 6 September, 12pm – 4pm Explore an assortment of hands-on methods like stamping, printing, cutting and pasting with artist Éilis Kirby. Free, no booking needed. Visit: www.spikeisland.org.uk for further information.

Holly Hedge Fun Day & Fun Dog Show, Ashton Court Estate, Sunday 7 September, 11am – 4pm A fun packed day out for the whole family, where you can meet some of Holly Hedge Animal Sanctuary’s canine friends, browse the stalls, take part in a fun dog show, enter the cat photo competition, watch professional agility demonstrations and then have a go yourself.

There will also be a bouncy castle, games and face-painting as well as refreshments – all helping to raise funds for the animals in Holly Hedge’s care. Tickets: £1 adults, 50p for children and senior citizens.

Shrek the Musical, Bristol Hippodrome, Until 7 September Direct from the West End, Shrek the Musical is a show for all the family, based on the awardwinning DreamWorks animation film. Join the unlikely hero and his loyal steed Donkey as they embark on a quest to rescue Princess Fiona from a fire breathing, love-sick dragon. Add the diminutive Lord Farquaad, a gang of fairytale 94 THE BRISTOL MAGAZINE

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Peppa Pig at the Bristol Hippodrome

misfits, and a biscuit with attitude, and you’ve got a big, bright musical comedy featuring all new songs as well as Shrek anthem I’m a Believer. Recommended for ages 5+. Box office tel: 0844 871 3012 or visit: www.atgtickets.com

Wallace & Gromit From the Drawing Board, M Shed, until 7 September Immerse yourself in the story-making process of Aardman’s award-winning Wallace & Gromit films. Wander through a home developed by Aardman, especially for M Shed, and experience the quirky and the unexpected. Find out how the funny storylines are created, what inspires their Bristol based makers and see how the much loved characters have developed over time. You’ll be able to see recognisable film sets, Nick Park’s notebook and see the rocket from A Grand Day Out. Tickets: adult £5.95, child £3.95, concessions £4.95, family tickets £14.95.

Bristol Ensemble presents: Carnival of the Animals Meets a Modern Menagerie, St George’s Bristol, Sunday 7 September, 6.30pm This family friendly performance features a contemporary response to each one of SaintSaëns’ 14 animal depictions, collectively known as A Modern Menagerie, and performed alongside each of the Carnival movements.

Commissioned by New Music in the South West, the 14 composers of the new movements are an exciting mix of competition-winning composition students and some of the most established composers working in the UK today.

Tickets from the box office on tel: 0845 40 24 001 or visit: www.stgeorgesbristol.co.uk.

Sue Ryder Dragon Boat Festival, Baltic Wharf, Sunday 14 September The Sue Ryder Dragon Boat Festival is a fun family event that features different teams racing Chinese-style dragon boats over a course of 250m, raising money for charity. Cheer along the racers while enjoying entertainment, a kids area and food stalls all along the dockside.

The Little Table of Delights, Bristol Old Vic Studio, 24 September – 4 October After tickling the taste-buds and igniting the

imaginations of audiences last year, The Table of Delights is back – this time laden with a picnic created especially for children. Around the table, centre stage, children will taste, listen and learn about the provenance of food through spectacle, stories and original music as award-winning chefs transform raw ingredients in the spotlight.

Box Office tel: 0117 987 7877 or visit: www.bristololdvic.org.uk

Toddler Takeover: Fantastic Feast, AtBristol, Friday 26 September, 10am – 4pm Bring your little ones for a fun-packed day of foodie activities, just for under fives. Cook up some cuisine in the pop-up restaurant, go shopping in the toddler supermarket, join in with a special storytime, and get mucky in the greenhouse as you plant your own seeds to take home and grow. Reduced entry prices apply. For further information and ticket prices, visit: www.at-bristol.org.uk.

Shlomo’s Beatbox Adventure For Kids, Tobacco Factory Theatre, Sunday 28 September, 11am & 2pm Shlomo is a world record-breaking beatboxer who makes all kinds of music using just his mouth and a mic. Join this sonic superhero and become one of his sidekicks in a world of funny sounds, brilliant noises and cool music, whether you’re aged 1 or 101. Tickets: £7 from the box office on tel: 0117 902 0344 or visit: www.tobaccofactorytheatres.com

Peppa Pig’s Big Splash, Bristol Hippodrome, 7 & 8 October Join Peppa and her friends live on stage for another all-singing, all-dancing adventure full of songs, games and muddy puddles.The nursery roof is leaking and Peppa and her friends need to fix it quick. As they set up a fete to raise the money for the repairs, they’ll need your help to make sure everything goes smoothly. Join Peppa, George, Mummy and Daddy Pig, as well as Danny Dog, Pedro Pony and Suzy Sheep as they have fun putting up bunting, running stalls and organising a great day out. Tickets from the box office on tel: 0844 871 3012 or visit: www.atgtickets.com/bristol

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

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o me, one of the best parts of being a mum is the bedtime routine.

Tucking your little one in at night, reading them a story and letting them get caught up in their imagination. I still have memories of my parents reading to me and now I love passing the story telling tradition on.

Looking back, it was obvious I was going to do something that involved performing, as I was always the first child to put their hand up in the class and read out loud. I loved getting lost in a book, from Enid Blyton to Nancy Drew.

The library book van was always a highlight when it parked up on our street.

Reading is one of those simple pleasures which I still love to enjoy. These days it’s usually a Mr Tumble book on repeat to Jemima, rather than my own book of choice, but it’s still a joy. Even little Suki, at four months, has her own bedtime story. Though she’s not quite so particular when it comes to choice of books.

Which is why when I heard about Routes to Reading, it immediately got my attention. It’s the brainchild of Ruth Wadsworth and like so many good ideas, was born when she had her son Luke. She and her NCT group were wondering when was it that you’re supposed to start reading to your child? And if so – what? And even – how? Let’s face it, reading out loud isn’t something most people do every day and babies aren’t always the most attentive audience. You can feel a bit silly when they aren’t really listening.

Though as Ruth pointed out, when they are engaged, it can be a moment of calm. Children love nothing more than the closeness of reading together and listening to the sound of your voice. But it’s not always easy to know how to create that moment of stillness.

Which is where Routes to Reading comes in. Inspired by chatting to her NCT friends, Ruth was struck with an idea and fortuitously had a network in place to support it.

Her dad was already behind Education Umbrella – a family run business which takes books into schools. Yet it didn’t cater for pre-school years – Ruth’s immediate need. With the first grandchild in the family and a love of reading, it made perfect sense to put their heads together and come up with Routes to Reading.

The concept is simple – you sign up and receive two books a month for your child’s age. Here’s the neat bit, you also receive emails supporting your reading journey, helping you to progress along the way. On the note of progression, does it matter if you’re stuck on the same Mr Tumble book every night? Ruth tells me it doesn’t – children love repetition, though as a parent you might need some help pointing out new things to look at.

The scheme was trialled with Ruth’s NCT group, who all agreed to film themselves reading to their little ones. It’s all uploaded onto the website and is helpful viewing to parents, to see how childrens’ attention develops.

Interestingly, it’s not all about listening, but manual dexterity as children develop hand-eye coordination and turn pages, or lift the flaps of a book.

The scheme was launched at At-Bristol in July and saw 500 people through the door, with an equally impressive take up. There’s the Little Ones Library and The Baby Book club to help get you started.

In a digital age, where we all glance down at our smart phones or tablets, there is something about turning the pages of a book which is irreplaceable.

Routes to Reading helps make it all an adventure – here’s to fairytale endings.n Visit: www.freelancemum.co.uk WWW.THEBRISTOLMAGAZINE.CO.UK

A Step in the Right Direction childrens shoe shop!

Right Foot First are pleased to announce we are ready, set, GO for back to school! with new styles and brands now available, why not take the stress out of shopping and pop in, where we will make your experience an enjoyable one with our friendly team.

So why delay, save the day and give us a call to book an appointment or pop in where we look forward to seeing you.

Opening Times: Monday - Saturday 9am - 5pm (closing at 5:30pm during school holiday!)

33-35 Southmead Road Henleaze, Bristol, BS10 5W Tel: 0117 962 9746 www.rightfootfirst.co.uk

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A Step in the Right Direction childrens shoe shop!

Right Foot First are pleased to announce we are ready, set, GO for back to school! with new styles and brands now available, why not take the stress out of shopping and pop in, where we will make your experience an enjoyable one with our friendly team.

So why delay, save the day and give us a call to book an appointment or pop in where we look forward to seeing you.

Opening Times: Monday - Saturday 9am - 5pm (closing at 5:30pm during school holiday!)

33-35 Southmead Road Henleaze, Bristol, BS10 5W Tel: 0117 962 9746 www.rightfootfirst.co.uk

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o me, one of the best parts of being a mum is the bedtime routine.

Tucking your little one in at night, reading them a story and letting them get caught up in their imagination. I still have memories of my parents reading to me and now I love passing the story telling tradition on.

Looking back, it was obvious I was going to do something that involved performing, as I was always the first child to put their hand up in the class and read out loud. I loved getting lost in a book, from Enid Blyton to Nancy Drew.

The library book van was always a highlight when it parked up on our street.

Reading is one of those simple pleasures which I still love to enjoy. These days it’s usually a Mr Tumble book on repeat to Jemima, rather than my own book of choice, but it’s still a joy. Even little Suki, at four months, has her own bedtime story. Though she’s not quite so particular when it comes to choice of books.

Which is why when I heard about Routes to Reading, it immediately got my attention. It’s the brainchild of Ruth Wadsworth and like so many good ideas, was born when she had her son Luke. She and her NCT group were wondering when was it that you’re supposed to start reading to your child? And if so – what? And even – how? Let’s face it, reading out loud isn’t something most people do every day and babies aren’t always the most attentive audience. You can feel a bit silly when they aren’t really listening.

Though as Ruth pointed out, when they are engaged, it can be a moment of calm. Children love nothing more than the closeness of reading together and listening to the sound of your voice. But it’s not always easy to know how to create that moment of stillness.

Which is where Routes to Reading comes in. Inspired by chatting to her NCT friends, Ruth was struck with an idea and fortuitously had a network in place to support it. Her dad was already behind Education Umbrella – a family run business which takes books into schools. Yet it didn’t cater for pre-school years – Ruth’s immediate need. With the first grandchild in the family and a love of reading, it made perfect sense to put their heads together and come up with Routes to Reading.

The concept is simple – you sign up and receive two books a month for your child’s age. Here’s the neat bit, you also receive emails supporting your reading journey, helping you to progress along the way. On the note of progression, does it matter if you’re stuck on the same Mr Tumble book every night? Ruth tells me it doesn’t – children love repetition, though as a parent you might need some help pointing out new things to look at.

The scheme was trialled with Ruth’s NCT group, who all agreed to film themselves reading to their little ones. It’s all uploaded onto the website and is helpful viewing to parents, to see how childrens’ attention develops.

Interestingly, it’s not all about listening, but manual dexterity as children develop hand-eye coordination and turn pages, or lift the flaps of a book.

The scheme was launched at At-Bristol in July and saw 500 people through the door, with an equally impressive take up. There’s the Little Ones Library and The Baby Book club to help get you started.

In a digital age, where we all glance down at our smart phones or tablets, there is something about turning the pages of a book which is irreplaceable.

Routes to Reading helps make it all an adventure – here’s to fairytale endings.n Visit: www.freelancemum.co.uk

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HEALTH | & BEAUTY

FIT & FAB

WHAT’S ON...

■ Caroline Simpson, a Bristol yoga teacher, is launching a traditional Ashtanga programme on 1 September, with Monday to Friday morning Mysore classes. With two early morning classes on Gloucester Road and three mid-morning classes in Bishopston, the schedule suits those who want to practice before work and the post-school run. Caroline says: “Mysore-style practice means you go through the same sequence of poses each day, following the rate and pace of your breath. When you are ready for the next posture the teacher is there to help you learn it.” Practitioners report improved concentration, improved cardiovascular function, better joint mobility and increased flexibility. For further information email: carolinelucysimpson@gmail.com

The latest health and beauty news in the city

Wake up to September After a lazy summer, get back into your routine with the help of these pick-me-up products, to make you look and feel refreshed and ready to go...

■ A new candlelit yoga class is starting on Thursday 18 September, 7-8pm, at Arnos Vale.

Relax at the end of a busy week with gentle restorative yoga postures and guided meditation by candlelight in the atmospheric Anglican Chapel. Whether you’re looking for a space for quiet inner reflection or simply a good night’s sleep, this peaceful practice offers a wonderful way to unwind and is suitable for all levels. Classes are £8/£7 drop in or £48 for a block of seven. Contact Hannah on tel: 0780 884 1313 or email at candlelityoga@gmail.com.

Arnos Vale

■ Join in the Bristol Yoga Trail on Saturday 13 September where you can sample different yoga styles in eight locations in Bristol for free – a great opportunity to try out different yoga styles and meet the wider yoga community in Bristol. The timetable will be available at: http://bristolyogatrail.wordpress.com/ ■ Keep that holiday feeling afloat, with All Aboard! Bristol’s watersports taster sessions throughout September. From canoeing and rowing to sailing and kayaking, there’s something for the whole family to try, and a team of trained instructors will be on hand throughout the day to show you the ropes.

Taster sessions will run until Saturday 27 September. For more information visit: http://allaboardwatersports.co.uk

All Aboard! Bristol

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Left to right: Champneys Energising Lime Bath & Shower Oil (£8, Boots) – turns from an oil to a creamy foam packed with uplifting citrus extracts to wake you up and leave you ready to face the day ahead; Orla Kiely bergamot collection (available from John Lewis) featuring a hand wash, hand lotion, shower gel, body lotion and hand cream, with scents of bergamot, grapefruit, neroli, coriander and peppermint in an eye-popping print that will make a statement in any bathroom; Ted Baker Mia Purse Spray (£15 from Ted Baker and Boots) – a fresh, soft, feminine scent to pop in your handbag for on the go top-ups; Clinique Chubby Stick Baby Tint Moisturizing Lip Colour Balm in Poppin’ Poppy (£17 from House of Fraser) – a fun and playful moisturising balm that brings out your natural lip tone

Lowering the cost of private medical insurance

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here are few things in life more important than our health, so naturally we all want the best Isaac Lam, April UK, and when it comes to Carol Brown, Spire Bristol choosing our treatment. Whether you need a minor procedure or major complex surgery – you will want to be treated by healthcare experts, in a safe and clean environment.

This is where private hospitals such as Spire Hospital Bristol, which has recently opened a new specialist radiotherapy centre in Aztec West, come into their own. They bring together the very best facilities and expertise that modern medicine can offer – from world class consultants, highly experienced nursing staff, to skilled on-site chefs.

Until now if you wanted to use a private hospital, you finance your treatment on a payas-you-go basis, which can work out expensive if you require multiple procedures.

Alternatively, you could go down the private medical insurance route, so that your

bills will be covered by an insurance plan.

However in recent years, the cost of private medical insurance has soared, making it less attractive and affordable for many people.

As a solution to this, Spire Healthcare and April UK (protection and health insurance specialists) have launched a new private medical insurance plan called InSpire, which gives policyholders access to 38 Spire hospitals throughout the UK, including Spire Hospital Bristol, with a fully comprehensive plan that doesn’t break the bank.

Following a GP referral, InSpire policyholders will be able to go to their local Spire Hospital with the peace of mind that all eligible consultations, surgical procedures, diagnostic tests and scans will be covered by their plan.

Carol Brown, business development manager at Spire Bristol says: “Since 2010 Spire Bristol has invested £30 million in developing its facilities and ensuring patients have access to complex technology and quality care. So we are delighted to work with April UK on its private medical insurance plan so that more patients can benefit from the services we offer.”

Since the launch, the InSpire plan has proven to be a commercial success and has been nominated as Product of the Year at the Health Insurance Awards 2014. For further information, contact April UK on tel: 0800 028 0849 or visit: www.april-uk.com n

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THE

BRISTOL ARTHRITIS CHAMPIONS

Do you have arthritis?…

“Come and have a chat”

Chat to our trained local Arthritis Champion volunteers from September to December 2014 Get information about arthritis, coping day to day and support Greenway Community Mondays 1.30–4.30 pm 13 Oct, 10 Nov, 8 Dec Practice Central Library Fridays 10am–12.30pm 17 Oct, 14 Nov, 5 Dec Henbury Library Tuesdays 2pm–4.30pm 14 Oct, 11 Nov, 9 Dec For more information or to book an appointment contact Greg Whale 01934 316346 • GregW@arthritiscare.org.uk www.arthritiscare.org.uk Arthritis Care Floor 4, Linen Court, 10 East Road, London N1 6AD Charity Nos: 206563 and SC038693

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MAGAZINE

Launch & develop your business with us!

The Bristol Magazine has all the wonderful ideas to help your business develop!

Advertise in Bristol’s brightest & most widely delivered magazine really works.

Telephone 0117 974 2800

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SEPTEMBER 2014

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HEALTH | & BEAUTY

Post-summer rescue Once the tan fades, it’s time to call in the hardest working beauty products to restore, refresh and rejuvenate, says Rachelle Howells, Beyond Beauty manager at Harvey Nichols Bristol

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hat post-holiday glow may have you feeling relaxed and rejuvenated, but you can guarantee it hides a multitude of sins. Too much sun, sea and sangria can have quite a drying effect on our skin and hair. Once the colour starts to fade, it’s time to pull out beauty’s big guns to tackle those post-holiday issues from top to toe...

1: Elemis Soothing Eye Rescue, £15 2: REN Resurfacing AHA Concentrate, £30 3: Crème de la Mer The Hydrating Facial, £195 4: REN Vita Mineral Rescue Cream, £19 5: Eve Lom Rescue Mask, £55 6: Ole Henriksen Power Peel, £30 7: Shu Uemura Classic Renovation Balancing Cleansing Oil, £30 8: O'Right Green Tea Shampoo, £16 9: Electric Hairdressing Intensive Rescue Kit, £60

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All products are available in the beauty hall at Harvey Nichols Bristol

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ADVERTISEMENT FEATURE

AFTERCARE NOT AFTERTHOUGHT Choosing the best surgeon and recovery care for you

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ver 150,000 hip and knee replacement procedures are carried out in England and Wales every year, with osteoarthritis the most common reason why people need them.

Joint replacement is a major operation and it is vital that care and rehabilitation is tailored to each individual patient to ensure a successful outcome. At Nuffield Health Bristol Hospital – The Chesterfield, an expert team of consultants, physiotherapists and fitness specialists is working together to give patients access to Christine Hutchinson a unique service which not only provides the best medical treatment for hip and knee pain but offers a completely bespoke and holistic approach to aftercare.

• Treating the patient, not just the pain Nuffield Health Senior Physiotherapist, Christine Hutchinson, said: “Osteoarthritis can be a debilitating condition which can affect loadbearing joints and cause the bones to start rubbing together, stopping them from moving freely. It can be incredibly painful and have a big impact on people’s lives.

“At Nuffield Health, we don’t just believe in treating the symptoms but are dedicated to knowing and understanding our patients so that we can create tailor-made treatment plans and goals. This gives the patient a far better understanding of the role they play in rehabilitation and enables us to work towards their personal targets.”

While there are a range of treatments available to people with osteoarthritis and other causes of severe joint pain – including pain management, exercise, weight loss and lifestyle changes – ultimately joint replacement may be necessary. Hip and knee replacement surgery can offer a great source of relief and help give patients back the quality of life and independence they’ve been missing.

first six weeks of post-operative recovery. This includes exercises to improve movement at the joint, strength and control of the joint, and optimising functional tasks such as walking and stairs. Regular advice and education is also provided, ensuring that patients understand the process.

Once this stage is completed, patients then meet with a specially trained Wellbeing Advisor who carries out a Health MOT to look at health markers such as blood pressure, cholesterol levels and blood sugar counts.

They also receive three months free gym membership at this point and work with their Wellbeing Advisor to develop a personalised recovery, diet and exercise plan to help fulfill their confidence and goals. At the end of the three months patients get a follow up health check.

“It’s important to remember that you can choose where you receive treatment and take back control over your health,” continued Christine.

“If you’ve been referred for a hip or knee replacement and you’ve got health insurance or are self-funding, then our excellent facilities and wealth of resources are available to you. No one else in Bristol can offer the comprehensive, consultant-led Recovery Plus programme that we do. We provide added value that will not only see our patients potentially recover from their operation faster, but also give them the means for a healthy lifestyle in the future. Our aim isn’t simply to get our patients back on their feet, it’s to help them achieve their personal health and wellbeing goals; whether that’s to walk to the shops or drive comfortably again, or to climb mountains.”

Nuffield Health Bristol Hospital To find out more about total hip and knee replacements at Nuffield Health Bristol Hospital - The Chesterfield and its Recovery Plus programme contact www.nuffieldhealth.com/hospitals/bristol or call 0117 405 8250.

• Recovery Plus At Nuffield Health Bristol Hospital, patients are cared for by world class surgeons and expert physiotherapists. The Chesterfield, along with its Fitness & Wellbeing Centre, is also in an exclusive position to offer its patients undergoing joint replacement surgery an enhanced recovery programme like no one else.

A physiotherapist starts off the process, guiding the patient through the WWW.THEBRISTOLMAGAZINE.CO.UK

Nuffield Health Bristol Hospital The Chesterfield, 3 Clifton Hill, Clifton, Bristol BS8 1BN Tel: 0117 405 8250 • www.nuffieldhealth.com/hospitals/bristol SEPTEMBER 2014

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Kelly French Professional

Foot Care

Treatment in the comfort of your own home For the professional treatment of: • Corns

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ADVERTISEMENT FEATURE

Why Organic Matters

By Naturopath Hermann Keppler, Principal of CNM (College of Naturopathic Medicine).

D

uring ‘Organic September’ it’s worth remembering that once upon a time, all food was organic.

It was only during the 20th century that chemical pesticides, herbicides, hormones, antibiotics, irradiation and other ‘novel’ food processing techniques, and genetically modified organisms were introduced into our food supply.

During that time, by co-incidence or not, the number of people experiencing allergies, and conditions such as asthma, eczema, digestive disorders, migraines, fatigue, cardiovascular Hermann Keppler disease, obesity, diabetes, depression, behavioural disorders, dementia and cancer has increased.

Many of the chemicals and technologies that go into our food, and our personal care products (which are rapidly absorbed through the skin), are recognized individually as being toxic.

Manufacturers argue that these ingredients are used in such small quantities that they pose no risk to our health. But what are the long term consequences of exposure to these toxins from multiple sources every day, starting in the womb? There are few truly independent studies. Giant multinational food and biotech companies can be keen to keep consumers in the dark. In America, authorities can be sued for daring to label genetically modified ingredients, for example. Cashing in on concerns about health, ‘low fat’ and ‘low sugar’ options are the latest food ‘products’ to be offered.

These often include a range of artificial ingredients, such as aspartame, which has been reported to induce minor to serious side-effects, from headaches to seizures. Clearly, the connection between what we consume and our health, is ignored at our peril.

Food gives us life, energy, and immunity. Our immunity governs our susceptibility to illness or infection, and the speed and extent of our recovery.

Our bodies evolved to use natural foods to sustain and nourish us, and natural foods can be used as medicine. With unnatural foods, our bodies can be stressed by our toxic burden, and use up vital nutrients trying to deal with them. The NHS is now buckling under the weight of sickness, allergies, chronic ill health and disease. For as long as allopathic medicine continues to focus on the symptoms rather than the causes of illness, and to overlook the effectiveness of natural therapies, such as Nutrition, the only beneficiary will be the multi-billiondollar pharmaceutical industry.

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At CNM our Nutrition courses teach students to use whole and organic foods as medicine. It is a concept that was known to many indigenous societies, but which in the rush to industrialize our food supply, has been largely disregarded in the west. In their clinical practice on the course, CNM Nutrition students can quickly see for themselves how eating unadulterated food is a fundamental step on the path to increasing wellness and vitality. As advanced students under professional supervision, and when they graduate as Nutritional Therapists, they are able to support many clients’ return to health through specific dietary changes.

Put simply, the naturopathic approach which we teach at CNM is based on providing the body with all the conditions it needs to help itself heal, naturally. Since Nutrition is the cornerstone of health, students on CNM’s non-Nutrition Diploma Courses, such as Acupuncture, Herbal Medicine and Homeopathy, also learn about Nutrition and other natural therapies, alongside their own specialism. Their multiple skills and holistic approach make them highly effective natural health practitioners.

It’s true that good Nutrition has side-effects, too; these can include increased energy, achievement of a healthy weight, and enhanced vitality!

Attend a CNM event in Bristol FREE CNM Open Evening: Thursday 11th September 6.30pm-8.30pm Find out about training with CNM Bristol for a career in Naturopathic Nutrition or Naturopathic Acupuncture. The evening will also feature an Acupuncture demonstration by Neil Kingham. Free Entry, but please reserve your place.

Vaccination - The Question: Thursday 30th October 6.30pm-8.30pm A seminar by Dr Jayne Donegan, looking at the safety risks versus the benefits of modern vaccinations, and how to protect children’s health. £15 entry.

Please book on-line to reserve your place at either event, or contact us for information on courses:

www.naturopathy-uk.com 01342 410 505 SEPTEMBER 2014

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OUT | AND ABOUT

HAUNTS OF ANCIENT PEACE Andrew Swift guides us into the heart of Gloucestershire, on a walk that takes in a church with gargoyles and an impressive 14th century stained glass window

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his month we head to deepest Gloucestershire, a country of dry stone walls, ancient manor houses, steep wooded valleys, green lanes and holloways. It also has a surprising link with Bristol, for the Miserden Estate, through which much of it lies, was acquired by Frederick Noel Hamilton Wills, scion of the tobacco dynasty, in 1913. The Wills family still live at Misarden Park (the discrepancy in spelling apparently dates back centuries), whose gardens, partly designed

by Edwin Lutyens, are open to the public. Outside its gates stands the village of Miserden, picturesque but little-visited, with the Carpenters Arms at its heart (SO936088). It looks out upon a tree encircled by a covered bench and the old school, now Studio 4. ● Take a footpath to the left of the old school and head straight on along a narrow path between walls, crossing a step stile and carrying on until you come to a lane. Cross it and carry on alongside a wall, going through a gate and continuing until you meet a green lane, along which you turn left (SO940081). ● After 300m, the green lane forks. Bear right to follow it along the edge of a field, with a barbed wire fence on the left. Go through a gateway and carry straight on, crossing a stile beside a gate. Carry on down the field, with the hedge on your right. After crossing a stile, continue downhill and cross another stile, hidden by trees, a few metres further on. Carry on steeply downhill beside a barbed wire fence and at the bottom turn left along Ashcombe Bottom.

● After 200m, cross a stile in the fence on your right (SO948077) and bear left to follow a faint track. Go through a gate and bear right following a bridleway sign through a meadow. At the end, go through a gate and carry on along the valley of the River Frome, with Valley Farm on your right.

Carry on through a gate and after 400m you will see another gate up to the right (SO951069). Go through it and bear left along a drive. Go through gates at the end and turn left down a lane. Follow the lane as it curves right at the bottom, carry on past the first footpath sign on the right, but turn right through a gate at the second (SO951064). A path through the meadow takes you across a bridge before climbing past waymarks into a copse. ● Carry on uphill, and, after crossing a stile and walking up between fences, go through a lychgate into Edgeworth churchyard. The church has some suitably grotesque gargoyles and a 14th century stained-glass window, while the village of Edgeworth is sometimes referred to as the remotest village in the Cotswolds. ● Go through a gate on the far side of the churchyard, bear left and, just 108 THE BRISTOL MAGAZINE

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before the gates to Edgeworth Manor, turn right along a bridleway which curves left through the manor gardens. Carry on, following bridleway signs downhill. At the bottom, bear left across a high-walled footbridge (SO952058) and go through a gate to follow a path uphill through woods. When you come to a lane, turn left downhill. ● At the bottom, after passing the gate into the meadow you went through earlier, carry straight on. When the lane curves left, carry straight on through a gate, following a bridleway sign along a drive.

After the drive curves right past a lily pond, just before the yard of Edgeworth Mill Farm follow a bridleway sign to the right. ● After crossing a footbridge, carry on uphill for 50m alongside a fence on the left. When the fence bears left (SO952067), bear left alongside it and follow the bridleway as it leads into woods. ● After 100m, when a footpath forks left, carry straight on along the bridleway, heading up through a meadow before following a steep holloway uphill through woods. Follow the bridleway as it swings right (SO952071), ignoring paths branching left and right. After passing an old quarry on the left, go through a gate and carry on along a track. Just before another gate, with a cottage beyond it, bear left alongside a fence and go through a gate leading into a conifer plantation.

Carry on, ignoring a path branching off left downhill. After a while the bridleway curves left and starts heading downhill. When it forks, bear right (SO952080), and when it forks again, a little further on, bear left. When you come to a lane, cross, go through a gate and head up a field. As the fences close in on either side, cross a stile up to the left and carry on uphill. After climbing steps, go through a gap in a wall and turn left along the edge of a field. At the end,

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OUT | AND ABOUT

FURTHER INFORMATION...

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SITE SEEING: left, Edgeworth Church and its 14th century stained glass window (inset) Above, a lake on the Miserden Estate Right, a green lane near Miserden

Distance: 8 miles

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Time: 4 hours

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Level of challenge: Steep slopes, stiles and muddy stretches, but no real problems for well-equipped walkers

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Map: OS Explorer 179

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Nearby: Carpenters Arms, Miserden, GL6 7JA. Open all day from 11.30 (12 on Sunday). Children and dogs welcome (www.thecarps-miserden.co.uk; 01285 821283). Misardan Park Gardens are open on Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays from 10am to 4.30 until the end of September (www.misardenpark.co.uk)

follow the path into woods and bear right. After 300m, when you come to a T-junction, bear left and follow the path as it curves right to carry on in the same direction. ● When you come to a crosspath (SO947090), with a high fence ahead, turn left down a green lane, which rapidly degenerates into a steep and stony woodland track. After passing a lake at the bottom, bear right to follow a permissive path along a drive (SO943088). After 350m, a right turn at a T-junction takes you past the tump of a Norman castle. At the next T-junction, turn left, and, after crossing a cattle grid (SO940092), bear left past a 300-yearold beech blown down in a February gale. Go through a gate and follow a track as it curves uphill. After going through a gate at the top, head back into Miserden. n

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OUT | AND ABOUT

FURTHER INFORMATION...

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SITE SEEING: left, Edgeworth Church and its 14th century stained glass window (inset) Above, a lake on the Miserden Estate Right, a green lane near Miserden

Distance: 8 miles

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Time: 4 hours

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Level of challenge: Steep slopes, stiles and muddy stretches, but no real problems for well-equipped walkers

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Map: OS Explorer 179

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Nearby: Carpenters Arms, Miserden, GL6 7JA. Open all day from 11.30 (12 on Sunday). Children and dogs welcome (www.thecarps-miserden.co.uk; 01285 821283). Misardan Park Gardens are open on Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays from 10am to 4.30 until the end of September (www.misardenpark.co.uk)

follow the path into woods and bear right. After 300m, when you come to a T-junction, bear left and follow the path as it curves right to carry on in the same direction. ● When you come to a crosspath (SO947090), with a high fence ahead, turn left down a green lane, which rapidly degenerates into a steep and stony woodland track. After passing a lake at the bottom, bear right to follow a permissive path along a drive (SO943088). After 350m, a right turn at a T-junction takes you past the tump of a Norman castle. At the next T-junction, turn left, and, after crossing a cattle grid (SO940092), bear left past a 300-yearold beech blown down in a February gale. Go through a gate and follow a track as it curves uphill. After going through a gate at the top, head back into Miserden. n

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WILDLIFE | DISCOVERY

THE BUG MAN’S BUTTERFLIES Hannah Stuart-Leach explores North Somerset Butterfly House with avid naturalist and owner Pete Dawson

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rom a child’s height, this tropical Butterfly House must seem like make-believe. Exotic plants tower overhead, from the drooping plum-coloured blooms of the Dutchman’s Pipe, to long lime-hued banana leaves and exotic hibiscus flowers normally at home in Asia. Emerald Green Swallowtail and Scarlet Peacock butterflies dance with pollen-dusted legs on yellow stamens, revelling in the warm and humid atmosphere. Ahead, a terrapin from the pond makes its way leisurely over the footbridge.

The magic of this hidden gem, in Congresbury near Cadbury Garden Centre, is what Bristol-based owner Pete Dawson hopes to nurture: “It takes you back to your childhood, where the world was just full of wildlife and you wanted to know what was under every leaf.”

He happily remembers his first experience with butterflies and caterpillars, poking around at the bottom of the family garden when he was four years old.

Back then, he says, he didn’t understand the two creatures were linked.

But it sparked an interest and he became fascinated with them and all other creepy crawlies. Growing up in the countryside meant he was able to explore and learn more: “When you’re a child you notice things, and you might not even realise or remember them but it all stays there for the rest of your life.”

Now a father himself, Pete understands how to capture the imagination of little ones, and runs various kids parties and school trips at the Butterfly House. All events begin with a special tour where he illuminates the butterfly life cycle by pointing out lots of bright fluffy caterpillars and curious looking chrysalises disguised under leaves.

It’s no doubt a great place for children to let loose, but it’s also a peaceful environment for adults, and many also enjoy coming to learn about what’s going on in their garden and which plants are most attractive to different species. “That’s the wonderful thing about it,” beams Pete, “I love the fact these sort of opposite attractions work very nicely together here.”

As well as being a qualified ecologist, conservationist and play worker, Pete ‘The Bug Man’ Dawson is also recognised for his Big Bug Bag which he toured around the country with the BBC’s Deadly Days Out. The hit road shows introduced crowds of wide-eyed onlookers to the creepy cast in his bug bag, including a giant cockroach called Arthur the Madagascan, a Malaysian Dead Leaf 110 THE BRISTOL MAGAZINE

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❝ IT TAKES YOU BACK TO YOUR CHILDHOOD, WHERE THE WORLD WAS JUST FULL OF WILDLIFE AND YOU WANTED TO KNOW WHAT WAS UNDER EVERY LEAF

❞ Mantis and Reduviidae, the insect otherwise known as the ‘assassin’. He now puts on the show for kids’ events at the Butterfly House.

It was while working with the BBC’s Natural History Unit, on programmes such as Springwatch and The Nature of Britain, that he discovered the Butterfly House. “I came to visit all the time because I liked the place so much.

And then when the owner decided to move on, he asked if I’d like to take over.”

Since snapping it up in March last year, Pete and his team of volunteers have been tweaking the layout of the house to make it more interesting for visitors.

“The main thing really is we’ve changed the layout of the paths. It used to be one long winding path, but by moving flowerbeds we’ve made it into a network so people can explore.”

He’s also added benches so people can relax and admire the soothing natural scene comfortably, with plants right next to them so the butterflies come up close.

It hasn’t been easy taking on the project though, and Pete says given its location – behind a conservatory sales plot – the biggest problem has been publicity. “We’re set far back from the road, and have not been able to spend lots on marketing,” he explains, “so letting people know we are here has been the main challenge.

“But I think we’ve done pretty well really. A lot of people are finding us for themselves now.” The many positive reviews on Trip Advisor and Facebook certainly seem to confirm this.

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WILDLIFE | DISCOVERY

Pete has many plans for the Pete Dawson Butterfly House in the coming years. Next year, finances permitting, he hopes to build a native butterfly garden outside, so visitors can learn more about some of the less common species.

In the longer term, he also hopes to build a new shop and education area at the front, so the present one can be turned into a winter butterfly house. “I’d like to build another part, too, where we can house other creepy crawlies,” says Pete. “Some that you can walk in with and be around and others that stay in cages.”

Incorporating space for his beloved bugs isn’t the only big dream however; he’d also be thrilled to see North Somerset become a popular destination for tourism, so money can be channelled into the local economy and its conservation projects.

“I’d like to put North Somerset on the map. I think it is such a beautiful place, with so much to offer within such a small area. I’d love for it to be a destination for people who want to come and enjoy the natural world but don’t want to traipse all the way to the top of Exmoor to do so. North Somerset has got everything – all we need to do is sort out the parking!”

North Somerset Butterfly House is open Tuesday to Sunday, 10.30am – 4.30pm during term time, and also on Mondays during school holidays and bank holidays. For more information and entry fees, visit: www.nsbutterflyhouse.com. n

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CREATING A BUZZ IN BRISTOL Bristol’s Bee and Pollination Festival at the University of Bristol Botanic Garden this month aims to show the importance of pollination with floral displays, cider tasting, bee keeping tips, demonstrations, artwork and more

I

magine a world without cappuccinos, chocolate, apples, strawberries or even Somerset cider... These are all dependent on insect pollination. While there has been a dramatic decline in bee and pollinator populations, the University of Bristol Botanic Garden’s festival (6 and 7 September, 10am-5pm) aims to show how you can make a difference – even if you only have a single window box.

This year’s festival theme focuses on the importance of pollination for growing fruit and vegetables, so a potted fruit orchard is being set up with experts to show fruit growing techniques. The University’s School of Biological Sciences will showcase its award-winning Urban Pollinators Project, including the creation of urban flower meadows in Bristol.

The Bristol Branch of the Avon Beekeepers Association will stage its annual Bristol Honey Festival, with displays of honey and bee products. A live hive will give visitors an insight into the workings of the honey bee along with talks and displays on the importance and pleasure of keeping bees.

Bristol is becoming a major centre for community urban projects and the festival offers plenty of encouragement from a variety of exhibitors including Bristol City Council allotments team and Avon Organic Group. A variety of nurseries will also be selling insect-friendly plants for all types of gardens.

The RSPB will be highlighting the successful Dungeness project which involved reintroducing a bee declared extinct in the UK in 2000. The shorthaired bumblebee, brought over from Sweden, has now nested and produced its first offspring.

The Bees for Development Trust will demonstrate how it undertakes practical projects overseas to develop people’s knowledge of how to create reliable income from bees and beekeeping.

Butcombe Brewery and Mad Apple Cider will be providing tastings and Riverford Organic Farms is also returning this year. Writhlington School Orchid Project and Kelvin Bush Orchids will show the relationship between pollinators and flowers in a display of orchids. Other exhibitors include Bristol Naturalists; Friends of the Downs and Avon Gorge; The Bumblebee Conservation Trust; Willa Ashworth, metal work sculptor; artists Jenny Brooks and Cath Hodsman and Forever Knowledge bee products.

Sunday visitors are requested to bring apples to make their own juice with Mike Feingold, of Royate Hill Community Orchard and Bristol Permaculture Group.

Nick Wray, Botanic Garden Curator, said: “This event will highlight the important role that bees have in pollinating plants and the numerous ways in which we can help them to carry out this vital role.”

Over the weekend there will be free demonstrations, talks and garden tours. Light refreshments will also be available. n

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GARDENING GARDENING

Season of mellow fruitfulness Our Bristol garden design writer, Margaux Speirs explains how to grow a fruit tree from a pot in your garden

T

he English romantic poet John Keats described autumn as: Season of mists and mellow fruitfulness; Close bosom-friend of the maturing sun; Conspiring with him how to load and bless; With fruit the vines that round the thatch-eaves run; To bend with apples the moss’d cottage-trees, And fill all fruit with ripeness to the core.

If you already have a fruit tree in your garden I hope its boughs are now bending with a beautiful ripening fruit crop. If you don’t have one, this is a perfect time to buy and plant a pot-grown fruit tree. It is a lovely thing to own (and it makes a great long term gift to buy for someone else.)

Not only is it fruitful in autumn but very pretty in its spring blossom. Our climate is particularly suited to growing apple and pear trees. They reach their full size at eight to ten years and then for the next 60 years or so will produce a great crop. For example a pear tree 6-8 feet tall will be producing an annual 30kg of fruit after six or seven years. Even a bush apple tree 5 or 6 feet tall can have a crop of 7kg after five years.

Apple and pear trees prefer sun but will cope with partial shade – just bearing less fruit.

Smaller varieties need good, deep, fertile soil but larger growing ones will tolerate heavy, clay soil. If you don’t have much space a good place to grow a fruit tree is to train it along a south facing wall.

You can either buy a young tree (a maiden tree which has been grafted on only the previous season) and train it yourself or buy one which has already been grown into a fan, cordon or espalier. There are several good websites on how

to train fruit trees. It is not difficult but you do need to know when and how to prune.

Bare-root trees are usually cheaper than pot grown trees but can only be planted when they are dormant: this usually means from November to the end of February. Do not try to plant bare-root trees once the new season’s leaf buds have started to emerge.

When choosing a tree it is wise to seek expert advice. Most fruit trees are grafted i.e. the root of the plant and the part above the graft are two different varieties of tree. So for example by choosing certain sorts of dwarf root stock the size of the ultimate tree can be limited. Decide what ultimate size you are seeking before you go shopping. You also need to know whether a particular tree is self-fertile so that it will produce fruit without the need for another tree to pollinate it. If your tree is not self-fertile it will need to be paired with a mate. Chew Valley Trees in Chew Magna offers helpful advice and have a selection of container grown and bare root trees but they only grow on a root stock which produces large trees.

Blackmoor Nurseries in Hampshire has a huge selection and if you are able to collect your tree they offer very good value, but delivery – especially for pot grown trees – adds quite a lot to the price.

You might also consider buying a heritage tree. Because we are importing so much fruit the number and variety of native orchard species is falling, unless we act soon the range of fruit flavours experienced by our forebears will simply not be available to us. There are a number of fruit tree growers

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OUR CLIMATE IS PARTICULARLY SUITED TO GROWING APPLE AND PEAR TREES. THEY REACH THEIR FULL SIZE AT 8-10 YEARS

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GARDENING

trying to protect this orchard heritage and some will be exhibiting and selling at the RHS Malvern Autumn Show at the Three Counties Showground on 27 and 28 September.

When you have bought your tree it is a good idea to have a look at an online teaching video before planting it. The Kent fruit growers, Brogdale, have a short, simple one. It will tell you how deep to plant and what shape of hole, what nutrients to put in at the point of planting and what watering regime to follow to give your tree as good a chance as possible to grow up strong and fruitful. As for any tree, you will need to keep it well watered in the spring and summer following planting. You should stake the tree and keep other plants, including grass, away from it for the first couple of years so it is not competing for water and nutrients. Mulch of bark chippings or a purpose made mulch mat will help with this. Once it is well established a lawn specimen looks lovely centred in a small square bed of cat mint or sage – something that doesn’t need much water but whose grey/blue flowers sets off the grey bark of the tree.

Alternatively, you could plant native wild flowers around its feet: the idea is to have flowers to attract pollinators at the same time your tree is in blossom so as to maximise its crop.

Although apples are the most common fruit trees to grow, pear, plum and medlar all produce beautiful blossom and good crops in the right location. The fruit of late ripening apple trees tend to be better suited to storing so they can be enjoyed over the winter.

If you live near Horfield there is a community orchard there where for the price of an annual membership (£25 to £30) you can learn how to look after fruit trees, share the harvest and also enjoy the occasional party in the orchard. In return you agree to help in the orchard for at least 12 hours in a year. Have a look at their website for details or go along to the next public open event from 2pm to 4pm on Sunday 19 October. To find out more visit: www.communityorchard.org.uk. n Margaux Speirs, a pre-registered member of the Society of Garden Designers, runs her business, Margaux Speirs Garden Design from her home in Bristol. Visit: www.margauxspeirsgardendesign.co.uk

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PLANT OF THE MONTH: Most plants will have finished flowering by September but if you grow asters you can be sure of some late summer colour. These are better known in the UK as Michaelmas Daisies because the peak season of flowering is September and October, with Michaelmas Day falling on 29 September. There are so many to choose from – different colours, heights and suited to different growing conditions – but I would suggest having a cluster of two or three different shades so buy at least three plants in each colour. After a couple of years they will have spread to form a nice bushy clump. Aster amellus King George – pictured above – has violet blue flowers with yellow centres and looks great partnered with the deeper aster amellus Veilchenkonigin. These like full sun but for a shadier spot try aster lateriflorus var. horizontalis which is pink and white partnered with white aster divaricatus.

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HOMES | ON SHOW

ROCK ON You’ll get the feeling that you’re on holiday in this four-bedroomed character house built of stone from the disused Blackrock Quarry, with its alfresco dining area, outdoor pool, summerhouse and light, airy rooms with views, writes Marianne Swinkels

M

otivated by a curious name and armed with a grubby map, (having ditched the darn sat nav after a year of clipped, bossy voices ordering me about on my many impulsive offroute travels) I was ready for anything. A stranger to these parts, this particular journey was to Blackrock Barn, by Weston Big Wood; a location which sounded simultaneously dramatic and offbeat. These were names which somehow conjured up a setting for a Spaghetti Western movie. Or offered something Tolkeinesque, evoking epic Lord of the Rings-style scenes where some dark and derring-do hobbit action takes place in a mythical landscape.

And heck, did I not see what looked like Golam in a neighbouring field?

Rest assured – it was only someone’s pet rhea, a living, flightless ostrich-related bird native to South American, standing gawping in a field of sheep. Honestly! Given its close proximity to Portishead, that’s a long way from home.

But I digress….Which is pretty much what happened en route when, in my quest to find the very last house in Weston-in-Gordano village, I wandered off the beaten track and up a private and very verdant lane. I had reached my destination intact.

Any anticipation of viewing a sombre property hewn out of rock noir or a standard barn conversion hiding in the middle of overgrown trees disappeared on sight. And along with it, any fanciful imaginings – though I stick with the sighting of that really real rhea.

Wisteria, passion flowers, magnolia and lavender competing in the glorious

front-of-house borders gave an altogether Mediterranean feel and hinted at the large landscaped grounds to come. What a spot! With Weston Big Wood as a backdrop, the ample acres of this designated nature reserve and biological site of Special Scientific Interest, coupled with the surrounding formal and wild gardens on all sides of the barn, add up to one great big private plot in a slice of paradise. Vines, vegetables, fruit cages, greenhouse, gazebo, outdoor dining under a ring of silver birches, gravelled pathways and lawns… should I go on?

And the whole gorgeous ‘I’m-so-onholiday’ feel of this place is topped by an eight metre- long outdoor swimming pool, patio and summerhouse.

Yes it is built of the stone from nearby long disused Blackrock Quarry, the iron ore content turning it a dark colour, but the whole tone of this largely white painted four bedroom, four reception family house is light, airy and open. Beautifully arranged to take advantage of its rural location, it’s a superbly planned residence designed to make the most of its fine position and views.

Which is exactly what the vendors had in mind when they first eyed this property, literally from across the Gordano valley where they once used to live.

That was 26 years ago and much has changed since then. This one-time Victorian quarry workshop in a stark and treeless setting, later turned into a large potting shed cum barn for a flourishing market garden and will have many tales to tell of its century long past. Not least the sympathetic transformation over the last couple of decades by the current owners who

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LIKE THE LOCATION ITSELF, YOU’LL HAVE TO SEEK OUT ITS SECRETS. THERE IS YET MORE SCOPE TO EXTEND AND EXPLORE

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HOMES | ON SHOW

PROPERTY PROFILE Where: Blackrock Barn, Clevedon Road, nr Portishead What: An individual family house in an exceptional position on the Weston-inGordano/Portishead border adjacent to Weston Big Wood nature reserve. Spacious 4 bed, 4/5 receptions in 2/3 acre landscaped gardens with swimming pool. Superb open plan kitchen/dining/garden room. Wealth of character blending original features with contemporary additions

Guide price: £800,000 Agent: Goodman & Lilley, Portishead office, www.goodmanlilley.co.uk Contact: email sales@goodmanlilley.co.uk or tel: 01275 430440

were determined to make their mark on this one-off property.

It is the large and combined space of the kitchen/dining and garden room which makes a true impact in this highly individual home. From the swathe of glass overlooking the pool, gardens and woods beyond you’d be more than content to base yourself here: dine under the beamed, vaulted ceiling, pad about on the terracotta style floor tiles, rustle up something on the Aga, or wander through the French patio doors to the pool beyond. Why venture further?

This highly individual home, adorned with the bronzes and works of its sculptress owner and filled with ceramics, paintings and eclectic collectables, offers many unexpected delights. Things are somehow not where you expect them to be in the long stretched out flow of the ground floor rooms with their beams and timbers and the series of sloped and timbered ceiling eaves of the

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bedrooms and bathrooms above. There’s another oak floored dining room to enjoy and a beamed reception/drawing room with an inglenook fireplace. And the huge master bedroom with its four poster bed, grants access to a Juliet balcony with garden views.

Like the location itself, you’ll have to seek out its secrets. There is yet more scope to extend and explore the potential of this immaculate home. The fourth bedroom, currently used as a studio space in a separate part of the house with a large double garage beneath, is ripe for conversion to a self-contained annexe.

And there’s the large wild garden to the front of the house which offers more tantalising options. Or you could simply enjoy every inch of this spacious 3,000 square feet property without doing a thing – and go walking in those big woods. And even take a stroll to glimpse that ostrich. n

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BRISTOL PROPERTY | IN FOCUS

S

ituated approximately 8 miles from Wells, Wedmore is a fashionable village with an active community including the well-regarded Wedmore Opera. The village is well served by several interesting shops including boutiques, post office, butchers, fishmonger, deli and three pubs. In addition there are dental and medical practices and excellent schools nearby. Tonkin House was built around 1830 by John Tonkin a prosperous Methodist businessman from St Ives, who started the brickworks in Wedmore. Having built a large emporium he then constructed his house using ‘Tonkin bricks and ‘fish-tail’ tiles specially designed and made in his brickworks. Today the accommodation is arranged over three floors with an impressive first floor gallery landing with an ornate 19th century balustrade. On the ground floor there is a drawing room, sitting room, dining room, kitchen/breakfast room, utility room and cloakroom. Upstairs the master bedroom has an en suite bathroom and there are five further bedrooms (one with en suite shower room) and a family bathroom. Outside, the front of the property is bounded by a low stone wall with railings. The mainly walled rear garden is a delight with a level lawn, ornamental pond, trees and deep borders. There is a lovely backdrop view of hills. There is a shared rear drive and a double garage with adjoining store and gravel parking area.

TONKIN HOUSE, WEDMORE, • Enviable village location • Historic family home • 6 bedrooms • Charming period features • Light and airy interior

Guide price £950,000 Knight Frank, Regent House, 27A Regent Street, Clifton, Bristol. Tel: 0117 317 1999

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

(0117) 934 9977

FOR SALE 2 QUEEN STREET, BS1

BERKELEY CRESCENT BS8 - FOR SALE

Contemporary office suite on Ferryman’s Quay –

Investement/development opportunity in prime Clifton location –

C 500 sq ft over 1st Floor + 1 secure car space –

Providing a mix of residential and commercial accommodation –

Only £125,000

Requiring refurbishment

HIGH YIELDING INVESTMENT

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Fully let warehouse investment –

Large retail shop + 4 newly converted residential flats –

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Flats fully let at £36,000 pax –

Net rent £38,500 pax –

Vacant shop potential £14,000 pax

Price £395,000

Potential income c £50,000 pax –

Excellent investment opportunity

Freehold £500,000

17 PORTLAND SQUARE FOR SALE

ROYAL COLONNADE FOR SALE

Spectacular period office + large rear studio hall totalling c 6,241 sq ft (Net)

Rare opportunity to purchase one of Bristol’s finest Georgian properties with parking & walled garden –

*VIEWING ESSENTIAL*

Currently offices

Freehold

£695,000

BEDMINSTER BRISTOL

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0.08 acres cleared site –

1,000 sq ft modern office unit with 1 car space close to Queen Square –

Formerly scout hall – All enquiries

Open plan contemporary space.

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Good size prime Clifton Village shop in busy shopping pitch –

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473 sq ft –

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Julian Cook FRICS

Jayne Rixon MRICS

Charlie Kershaw MRICS

Finola Ingham MRICS

• • • • •

Sales / Lettings Acquisitions Valuations Landlord & tenant Auction Sales

• • • • •

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

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Advertorial Feature

A great asset to our expanding team of professionals...

O

cean Property Lawyers are delighted to welcome solicitor Mary McCartney to their growing legal team from 1st May. Mary has over 30 years’ experience of practising in Bristol at the highest level. Her expertise in Wills, Probate, Tax and Trust law will strengthen Ocean’s existing capability to deliver a comprehensive, first class personalised service to their clients.

Mary is a member of the Society of Trust and Estate Practitioners (STEP), the worldwide professional association for practitioners dealing with family inheritance and succession planning and Solicitors for the Elderly (SFE), an independent national organisation of lawyers, providing specialist legal advice for older people, their carers and families. In addition to the above, Mary is also a member of the Law Society’s Private Client Section, an association that provides best practice information to those working in the field of wills, financial planning, trusts, tax planning, Court of Protection, care planning and estate administration.

Mary is a great asset to our expanding team of professionals and we look forward to developing the Wills & Probate service we offer.

Mary has the following advice to give on making a Will, which is probably one of the most important documents you will ever sign. It is estimated that only one in three adults in this country have made a Will.

A properly drafted Will allows you to leave what you own to those you want to benefit, instead of leaving it to the law to make that decision for you.

The Intestacy Rules, for example, make no provision for those living with a partner outside marriage or a civil partnership. Even spouses and civil partners receive only the first £250,000 of the estate of someone dying without a Will, if there are children involved. Anything over this figure will

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have to go into a Trust for the survivor and children, which can lead to unnecessary expense and delays. Even if there are no children, the survivor will still not receive the whole of the estate if you die leaving parents or brothers and sisters, and an estate of over £450,000.

No one wants to leave unintended gifts to either the Crown or to distant family members and dying without a Will means that the estate is often more expensive and slower to deal with. It also means that you cannot leave gifts to charities or friends or make more sophisticated provision for family members who need their inheritance to be held in Trust for whatever reason. Wills are also an important part of financial planning and can minimise inheritance tax in certain situations.

Even if you have a Will, it is important to review it as your circumstances change. There are a number of life events which you should take into consideration when reviewing your Will. Buying your first home, for example, is a good time to consider making or reviewing your Will, particularly if you are buying with someone who is not your spouse or partner. If you marry or enter a civil partnership, this revokes any previous Will you may have made, unless a new one is drawn up in contemplation of that event. Likewise, when you have children, if nothing else, you will need to make provision for the appointment of a Guardian in the event of your premature death.

The message is – do not leave matters to chance. Making a Will can sometimes be a rather daunting prospect but Mary can make everything as straightforward and efficient for you as possible.

If you have any questions about making or reviewing your Will please feel free to contact Mary direct on 0117 9629076 or email her at m.mccartney@oceanhome.co.uk.

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

www.cjhole.com The residential sales market has seen a buoyant year.

This part of Bristol experienced rising prices and a return to some of frenzy of 2007. I personally don’t think that will be the shape of this second half of the year. The market remains strong, and those beautiful properties I mentioned will almost certainly hold their values (if not water) but I think the time for ‘the London boom’ influence is over. With regard Lettings? Well the

18,000 Bristol University students return shortly and our vibrant and busy rental market just continues to grow for students and professionals alike. Values should hold firm and if the demand in the so called ‘quieter’ summer months is anything to go by (it’s been very busy) we are going to need even more property to satisfy prospective tenants than ever.

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

Hotwells

Clifton

Clifton

Located close to Bristol’s Harbourside, Portway and Hotwells Road, we are delighted to market this mid terraced Victorian House. The property consists of lounge with bay window, dining room, kitchen, ground floor bathroom, rear garden and three bedrooms. Set in the residents parking area and is offered with no onward chain.

EPC E.

A delightful Victorian mid-terraced house arranged over 3 storeys and comprising; sitting room, spacious kitchen/dining room, four bedrooms, master with en-suite facilities, family bathroom, external utility room and lots of storage space. There’s a lovely enclosed private town garden and outstanding views over south Bristol towards the Dundry hills.

EPC E.

Occupying the ground floor of this lovely Grade II listed Victorian building, we are delighted to market this spacious apartment.

Offering a private entrance, spacious hall, lounge/diner with bay window, kitchen/ breakfast room, master bedroom with shower cubicle, second double bedroom, internal guest bedroom/study, bathroom. No onward chain.

EPC D.

Offers in excess of

£330,000

£570,000

£395,000

Redland

Clifton

City Centre

Buy to let opportunity. A deceptively spacious detached property offering flexible accommodation. Property comprises: sitting room, dining room /bedroom 4, master bedroom, utility room plus a kitchen/breakfast room with patio door leading to the tiered rear garden. Spiral staircase leads to two further double bedrooms on the first floor.

Offered with no onward chain.

EPC E.

An impressive ground floor flat with an extensive south facing private garden and a generous, well presented interior to include; hallway with double doors opening into the generous living room and dining area, three bedrooms, master with en suite shower room, a fully fitted kitchen and family bathroom.

Rarely do such properties enter the market.

EPC D.

A contemporary apartment in a modern development close to Bristol’s floating harbour.

The property consists: hall, open plan kitchen/ lounge area with space for a dining table, master bedroom with en suite shower room, second double bedroom, bathroom, utility cupboard, communal bike storage. Offered for sale with no onward chain.

EPC C.

£395,000

£560,000

£220,000

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Stoke Bishop

Redland

Henleaze

Significantly extended three storey family home with five bedrooms, three bathrooms (two en-suites), separate living room and open plan kitchen/lounge/dining area to rear with bi-fold and patio doors leading to a 70ft south westerly facing family garden. Further benefits include integral garage and parking and many quality features. EPC D.

A substantial Victorian semi-detached family home with two receptions; front with bay and rear with wood burner overlooking garden, private garden measuring approximately 14m and four double bedrooms; master with en-suite and dressing room. Further benefits include driveway, garage and cellar. Within close proximity to Redland Green Secondary School. EPC E.

Superbly presented four bedroom family home positioned within the popular West Broadway.

The accommodation offers welcoming hallway, two individual receptions, rear with double glazed French style doors providing access to garden, quality fitted kitchen/breakfast room and a delightful landscaped garden measuring approximately 23m (75’) in length. EPC E.

£750,000

£619,950

£450,000

Horfield

St. Andrews

Horfield

Located within this substantial corner plot enjoying an envious position overlooking Horfield common is this natural four bedroom semi-detached property. Externally the property provides a block paved driveway providing off street parking for up to four vehicles to the front aspect and generous gardens to the side and rear aspect. EPC TBA.

Briefly comprising an entrance vestibule, hallway with staircase leading to the first floor, three separate reception rooms and a kitchen. To the first floor can be found four bedrooms and a bathroom. With scope to extend this substantial home further, this already spacious property will prove a superb purchase for the family buyer. EPC D.

Beautifully presented bay fronted Victorian family home boasting an array of original features and a southerly rear garden. Briefly comprising three separate receptions rooms, modern fitted kitchen and shower room to the ground floor; with three bedrooms and contemporary bathroom suite to the first floor. EPC TBA.

£455,000

Guide £435,000

Guide £355,000

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Old Market

£129,950 City Centre

£174,950 Cotham

£179,950

A modern one double bedroom apartment built by Linden Homes in 2007 situated between Cabot Circus and Temple Quay.

Comprises an open plan living room/kitchen, double bedroom, bathroom with a white suite and handy storage cupboard. The property is double glazed, has gas central heating and is offered with no onward chain.

Two double bedroom top floor flat set in a quiet location with the Kingsdown residents parking scheme. Benefits from three period fireplaces and sash windows throughout bringing in plenty of light. Arranged over two levels and comprises a generous 17’ x 13’ living room, separate kitchen and a bathroom with a white suite on the half landing.

A spacious one double bedroom first floor flat with the benefit of off-street parking to the rear and communal garden. 17’5’ x 14’9 open plan living room/kitchen, double bedroom with three sash windows to the front and a bathroom with white suite. This property is offered with no onward chain.

Energy rating - E

Energy rating - D

Energy rating - D

Sneyd Park

t. 0117 946 6007

£225,000 Clifton

t. 0117 946 6007

£290,000 Redland

t. 0117 946 6007

£299,950

A first floor three bedroom apartment finished in a contemporary style within this purpose built block. Comprises a 17’ living room with a door onto the walk out balcony with far reaching views.

Separate kitchen, three bedrooms and a well finished 13’ shower room. The property benefits a single garage, the use of the communal gardens and no onward chain.

Two double bedroom top floor apartment that benefits from a communal roof terrace measuring approx 22ft square and allocated underground parking. Positioned very conveniently between Whiteladies Road, Pembroke Road and Durdham.

Comprises a generous living room with bay window, separate kitchen diner, modern bathroom and a storage/utility room.

Two double bedroom, two bathroom, garden flat with level access and allocated underground parking. Comprises master bedroom with built in wardrobe and modern en suite shower room. Second double bedroom, modern bathroom, open plan living area with attractive kitchen area and floor to ceiling windows and glass door leading to private sun terrace.

Offered to the market with no onward chain.

Energy rating - D

Energy rating - E

Energy rating - D

Cotham

t. 0117 946 6007

£310,000 Westbury Park

t. 0117 946 6007

£329,950 Hotwells

t. 0117 946 6007

£550,000

Garden flat comprising two bedrooms, a light living room with large bay and wood burner, separate kitchen, spacious entrance hallway and a spacious modern bathroom. Includes the benefit of private rear and front gardens, its own private entrance and gas central heating. Ideally located within walking distance of Whiteladies Road, the City Centre and Gloucester Road.

Garden maisonette located within close proximity to Henleaze Road. Sizable lounge with bay window and fireplace, kitchen/ diner with French doors to the steps down to the garden, three double bedrooms and a modern bathroom. There is also a useful storage loft. The property is in need of some minor decorating but overall is a fantastic opportunity for buyers to grow into an attractive property in a great location.

Formerly used as a public house with rooms and accommodation above.

Offered with planning permission for proposed sub-division and minor alterations and extension to provide two ground floor retail units (Class A1) with shared residential accommodation above (Use Class C4 (HMO)).

Residential accommodation to include: 1 x 3 bed apartment with terrace, 3 x 2 bed apartments (one with terrace) and 2 x 1 bed apartments. Notice of decision granted 11/04/14, application number 13/02090/F.

Energy rating - TBC

Energy rating - TBC

Energy rating - TBC

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t. 0117 946 6007

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£650,000

Entering the gated drive way a superb example of Art Deco styling and design greets you. There are six bedrooms in total, the larger of which measures almost 16 ft, with two bathrooms and two further W/C’s.

Three spacious reception rooms on the ground floor and a Kitchen breakfast room surround a substantial hallway. The main living room measures close to 22 ft. The property has ample parking and a garage.

Nestled in substantial grounds, the property overlooks the Grade II listed parkland of Blaise Castle Estate. Internally this family home offers five bedrooms and exceptional square footage. Access to the property is through electrically operated gates with a security camera and full security system. A grand central hallway provides access to all receptions, with the main reception room measuring almost 21 ft wide.

Directly backing on to the magnificent 650 acre Blaise Castle Estate and woodland, this stunning five bedroom family home is nestled in its own impressive grounds with a rear garden measuring over 200 ft in length. The garden, divided into manageable sections includes a lawned area, pool area, an area previously used as an allotment and a raised patio providing splendid views towards the Durdham Downs.

Energy rating - D

Energy rating - D

Energy rating - D

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Stoke Bishop

t. 0117 962 1973

£500,000 Stoke Bishop

£425,000 Hallen

£375,000

Located in a prime Stoke bishop cul-de-sac this four bedroom detached property offers exceptional square footage. In need of renovation this family home is priced to reflect the work needed and is marketed with no onward chain. Situated in the far end of the cul-de-sac with the ‘Old Sneed Nature Reserve’ directly behind. To provide an idea of the scale of the property the Living room measure in excess of 21 ft wide.

This detached Art Deco style family home has under gone substantial and significant refurbishment in recent years. Cleverly using many original features and contrasting them with contemporary design features this property takes full advantage of its sunny aspect. The property offers three bedrooms and ample living space internally, as well as a fully insulated converted garage that would make an ideal study.

Brimming with character this spacious three bedroom family home benefits from an elevated position. On the ground floor there is an open staircase to the first floor level from the sitting room, which in turn has many striking features including an inglenook fireplace. There is also a sizable open plan kitchen dining room. There is parking and a garage to the rear of the property.

Energy rating - D

Energy rating - F

Energy rating - F

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Westbury on Trym

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£360,000 Blaise

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£285,000 Westbury-on-Trym

£162,000

Located approximately 300 metres from Westbury on Trym C of E Primary School, this beautiful family home offers three bedrooms, all with fitted wardrobes. The main focal point of the house is the kitchen dining room, which measures approximately 19 ft wide. Double doors lead to the garden, adding to the sense of light and space that is abundant throughout. A substantial breakfast bar separates the kitchen and dining room spaces, which have high gloss finish tiles and oak flooring.

A four storey townhouse with accommodation comprising to the first floor; lounge with Juliette balcony, kitchen/dining room with integrated appliances and cloakroom. To the second floor are three bedrooms and a bathroom. To the third floor is the master bedroom which has an en-suite shower room. There is an integral garage/utility and under-deck storage. Gas central heating, UPVC double glazing, off street parking.

Conveniently located near The Downs, Henleaze High Street and Westbury on Trym village, this light and spacious apartment is ideal for young professionals and buy to let investors alike. Originally a grand period house that has since been converted into apartments, this flat occupies the top floor allowing enviable views from the living room.

Cleverly located sky lights add to the sense of light and space that is abundant throughout the reception, kitchen and landing area.

Energy rating - D

Energy rating - C

Energy rating -C

t. 0117 962 1973

t. 0117 962 1973

t. 0117 962 1973

Beyond your expectations www.hamptons.co.uk

NEW INSTRUCTION

Capricorn Place, Harbourside

Price £500,000

A wonderfully bright and spacious 2 bedroom luxury apartment in a landmark development on Bristol’s historic Harbourside.

• Large reception/dining room • Kitchen/Breakfast room • Master Suite • Further double bedroom with en-suite bathroom • WC • Secure underground parking • Terrace with views across the water to Brunel’s SS Great Britain. EPC Rating: C

NEW INSTRUCTION

Fewster’s Farm, Nr. Thornbury

Guide Price £1,100,000

A beautifully presented and thoroughly charming 5 bedroom farmhouse with an extensive equestrian setup perfectly situated in a peaceful location.

• Main entrance hall • Secondary entrance hall • Drawing room • Sitting room • Snug • Kitchen/dining room • Boot room/utility room • TV room • Study • 5 Bedrooms • 4 Bathrooms • 8 Stables • Various outbuildings • Tennis court • Manege • 9 acres. EPC Rating: E

Hamptons Bristol

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

NEW INSTRUCTION

Siston Court, Siston, Bristol Offers in excess of £725,000

A charming Grade II Listed home nestled within the Tudor Manor of Siston Court.

• 4 Double Bedrooms • Beautiful Grade II Listed Gothic Home • Large Kitchen/Diner • 3 Reception Rooms • Conservatory • Barn (with potential for development – subject to planning). EPC Rating: TBC

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Steppings, Ladye Bay, Clevedon

Price £1,200,000

NEW INSTRUCTION

With one of Somerset finest views over the Bristol Channel towards the Welsh hills, this is a substantially extended 1940’s bungalow with huge scope.

• Entrance hall • Sitting room • Study • Garden room • Kitchen/breakfast room • Dining area • Utility • 3 Downstairs bedrooms • 2 Bathrooms • First floor self contained 1 bedroom apartment or further bedrooms • Extensive ground of about 1 acre • Generous parking. EPC Rating: D

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UPTON CHEYNEY | BRISTOL

GUIDE PRICE ÂŁ1,350,000

A stunning Grade II Listed farmhouse in superb gardens and grounds of circa 1.5 acres; perfect for families of all ages, nestled on the edge of a popular village between Bristol and Bath. Drawing room, dining room, family kitchen. Sun room. Study / bedroom five. Four double bedrooms. Four bath / shower rooms (2 en-suite). Double garage. Greenhouse, stable & log store. Gardens, grounds & all-weather tennis court.

Fine & Country Bristol 147 Whiteladies Road, Clifton, Bristol BS8 2QT Tel: 0117 946 1946 Email: bristol@fineandcountry.com bristol.fineandcountry.co.uk

Fine & Country Sept.qxp_Layout 1 25/08/2014 09:29 Page 2

HARBOURSIDE | BRISTOL

GUIDE PRICE ÂŁ450,000

A stunning modern apartment with circa 1000 sq. ft of private terrace, panoramic harbour views and an allocated underground parking space.

Contemporary open plan reception room and modern fitted kitchen. Study. Master bedroom with en-suite shower room. Second double bedroom.

Separate bathroom. Excellent storage. Circa 1000 sq. ft of terrace with harbour views. Allocated underground parking. EPC Rating: C

fineandcountry.com

Redland - Guide Price £935,000

An elegant period semi-detached 4/5 bed family home with landscaped garden, parking for 3 cars and delightful south westerly facing rear garden. EPC rating E. SOLD IN FIRST WEEK, OFFERS WAY IN EXCESS OF GUIDE PRICE. SIMILAR REQUIRED.

Nailsea - £495,000

A wonderful and quite rare opportunity to purchase this charming farmhouse located in the popular North Somerset town of Nailsea. Cannington Farmhouse occupies a level and convenient position on this no through road. EPC rating E.

Clifton - £315,000

This charming 2 double bedroom flat with private rear garden. Located in this highly sought after road within a Victorian stone terrace building. EPC rating C.

Redland - £600,000

A substantial 5 bedroom Victorian mid terrace family home in central Redland offering enormous flexibility of use and potential to the incoming buyer. EPC rating D. SOLD, Subject to contract. SIMILAR REQUIRED.

Clifton - £450,000

An unusually spacious period garden apartment arranged on the lower ground floor of an attractive Grade II Listed building in the heart of Clifton. EPC rating E. SOLD ON FIRST DAY OF VIEWINGS. SIMILAR REQUIRED.

Clifton - £325,000

Situated in an imposing period building this impressive 2 bedroom, private rear garden flat with parking is a hidden gem in the heart of Clifton. EPC rating C.

Westbury-on-Trym - £439,500

A 1930’s 3 bedroom chalet style detached house, originally a single storey dwelling that has been extended over the years to provide good family accommodation in a quiet setting. Of particular importance is its proximity to Westbury on Trym Academy.Viewing recommended EPC rating E.

Stoke Bishop – Guide Price £420,000 A well-presented, light and airy 3 bedroom semi-detached family home in a good position, within walking distance of the local shops on Shirehampton Road & Stoke Bishop Primary School. Updated over the last couple of years in a clean, crisp style. EPC rating D.

Westbury-on-Trym Guide Price – £475,000 An absolutely gorgeous 3 bedroom 1930’s semi-detached family home, situated in a quiet side road. The house has been beautifully presented by its current owners. SOLD ON LAUNCH WEEKEND, SEVERAL OFFERS WAY OVER GUIDE PRICE – SIMILAR REQUIRED.

Stoke Bishop - £175,000

A spacious well-presented 3 double bedroom flat located on the 5th floor overlooking the gardens and woodland, in this attractive development. Offering many exclusive leisure facilities for residents, including indoor heated swimming pool & squash court. EPC rating C.

Stoke Bishop - Guide Price £640,000 A beautifully appointed classic 1930’s four bedroom semi-detached house that has been updated whilst retaining much of its original charm. Situated in a very convenient part of Stoke Bishop, a short walk to Durdham Downs & close to Elmlea Schools. EPC rating E.

Stoke Bishop - Guide Price - £535,000

A spacious natural 1930’s 4 bedroom family semi-detached house with circa 90ft rear garden.

The house would benefit from some updating & is situated in a desirable side road. SOLD IN FIRST WEEK, MANY OFFERS WAY IN EXCESS OF GUIDE PRICE. SIMILAR REQUIRED.

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