Bristol Life - Issue 221

Food/Arts/Entertainment/Shopping/Property

A LOVE AFFAIR WITH THE CITY

ISSUE 221 / CHRISTMAS 2016 / £3

ISSUE 221 / CHRISTMAS 2016 / ROCKIN’ AROUND THE BRISTMAS TREE

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MERRY BRISTMAS!

EDITOR’S LETTER / ISSUE 221 / CHRISTMAS 2016

LAST BRISTMAS We gave you our heart (always!), – along with a special cover created

by Alex Lucas. In previous years, we’ve premièred new work by Inkie and Acerone at Christmas; this year, it’s a real beauty by Gemma Compton, Upfest 2016’s featured artist.

See more of Gemma’s work at: www.gemmacompton.co.uk www.upfest.co.uk

Merry Bristmas, baby There’s only one town in the UK whose residents can wish each other a very merry Bristmas.

At least, you could do this in Coventry, or Swindon, or in Inverness, but it wouldn’t make a whole lot of sense.

Just add it to the growing list of things that make Bristol so special; in our new year issue we’ll be reminding you of all the accolades the city has received over the last few months, but in the meantime there’s a certain festival to get through, and this issue is here to help you celebrate.

Among the delights in store is the second part of our gift guide (you’ve bought all the things in the first part, right?), a trio of recipes from Josh Eggleton and a very special Bristmas lives: Miltos Yerolemou, currently appearing in The Snow Queen – you may know him better as Braavosi swordsman Syrio Forel in Game of Thrones.

Now we will begin the festive dance; Merry Bristmas, Brizz. X

Deri Robins, editor Twitter @BristolLifeMag Instagram:@bristollifemag

REGULARS / ISSUE 221 / CHRISTMAS 2016

M EET T H E T EAM Editor Deri Robins deri.robins@mediaclash.co.uk

THE ARTS 18 Photography

Senior art editor Andrew Richmond Graphic design Megan Allison Cover design Trevor Gilham Contributors: Mal Rogers, Seb Barrett, Advertising manager Steve Grigg steve.grigg@mediaclash.co.uk Account manager Emma Stroud emma.stroud@mediaclash.co.uk Account manager James Morgan james.morgan@mediaclash.co.uk Commercial director Steve Hawkins steve.hawkins@mediaclash.co.uk

Wild things: we think we love you

27 Arts intro In the predictable absence of any actual snow, Neil James Brain’s fabulous capture of the big wheel at the ice-rink was the most festive Bristol thing we could find

30 What’s on Plays, shows, concerts and a special round-up of the Christmas markets

Production and distribution manager Sarah Kingston sarah.kingston@mediaclash.co.uk Deputy production manager Christina West christina.west@mediaclash.co.uk Production designer Kirstie Howe kirstie.howe@mediaclash.co.uk

38 Art As an antidote to the seasonal schmaltz, here’s an enticing new exhibition inspired by the work of Angela Carter

Chief executive Jane Ingham jane.ingham@mediaclash.co.uk Chief executive Greg Ingham greg.ingham@mediaclash.co.uk

SHOPPING 49 Christmas shopping Seven full pages of gift ideas, from Upfest prints to down-time delights

FOOD 60 Restaurants Why you really need to book at Nutmeg

63 Recipes Three of the best from Bristol’s celebrity chef

72 Food and drink What’s making the foodie (and drinkie) news in Bristol?

A MAN’S WORLD 81 Seb Barrett Baz (and Flats) dine high on the hog

Bristol Life, MediaClash, Circus Mews House, Circus Mews, Bath BA1 2PW 01225 475800 www.mediaclash.co.uk @The MediaClash

49

© All rights reserved. May not be reproduced without written permission of MediaClash.

BUSINESS

PROPERT Y

83 Women in business

102 Property Showcase

Here come the girls

A river runs past it

90 Business club What happens on tor, stays on tor

93 Business Insider News from white-collar Bristol

About MediaClash We’re a Bath-based publisher, creative agency and event organiser Magazines Our portfolio of regional magazines celebrates the best of local living: Bath, Bristol, Cardiff, Exeter and Salisbury. We also publish foodie mag Crumbs. (www.crumbsmag.com, @CrumbsMag) and wedding title Vow (@VowMag).

Agency From the design and build of websites to digital marketing and creating company magazines, we can help.

Events We create, market, promote and operate a wide variety of events both for MediaClash and our clients Contact: info@mediaclash.co.uk

DEPARTMENTS 11 Spotlight 12 Bristmas quiz 114 Bristol Lives

Cover art by Gemma Compton

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Barry’s photos juxtapose shots from Dismaland with everyday life in Weston-super-Mare. As you look through the book, the line between art and life slowly disappears

BOOKS

ARE WE THERE YET? Barry Cawston’s new book is so much more than a pictorial souvenir of Dismaland; it’s a brilliant piece of photo journalism that captures a unique time in British history

W

hen Banksy’s Dismaland landed on photographer Barry Cawston’s doorstep last year, he was utterly transfixed.

On the opening night he began to document the spectacle, the art, and people’s reactions to it.

“I photographed Dismaland 15 times,” says Barry. “On each occasion, I wandered Weston’s back streets, seeking out images that would play off the art in Banksy’s rundown Bemusement Park – and I knew when these images were shown together, the lines between art and reality would blur.”

Barry began to pair up his pictures from the two locations in a fictitious day-to-night sequence, and a new photographic story emerged, detailing the many social concerns which were central to Dismaland. The collection is now available as a book, and the photos are currently on display at The Pithay.

“The hype around Dismaland was unprecedented,” says Barry. “I loved the fact that people inter-railing round Europe were debating whether to try and get there or not because some thought it was an elaborate hoax.

“I loved everything about it from beginning to end and, from what I saw, even people who

experienced the longest queues still thought it was dismally brilliant.”

One highlight was the boating lake, where visitors could steer remote-controlled police boats or boats full of refugees.

“There were figures floating in the water, and the boats were difficult to control, so they often rammed each other. This piece became all the more prescient with the continual publication of heart-wrenching images in the newspapers at the time.

“I think Banksy wanted to challenge the traditional notion in people’s heads that art was somehow detached from reality, and something that only belongs in a white-walled gallery. The work he selected and curated in Dismaland was essentially a warning to all of us to wake up.

“And how right he was. Dismaland posited the idea of a horror show, a parallel universe which now in 2016 seems all too real. However dark Dismaland was, though, people were still able to visit it in 2015 with their own sense of community and social cohesion largely intact.

I think there are now some big cracks in the ether – all meaning is in flux. Banksy was so on the money.”

But the book’s not all about Dismaland, is it?

“No. It’s an art project inspired by Dismaland, but that’s not my entire focus.

Around half the photographs in the book are scenes of everyday life in Weston-super-Mare, which I captured each time I visited Dismaland.

I have a fascination for Victorian seaside towns, with their complex mix of faded grandeur, urban regeneration, tourism and archetypal Britishness. When seen alongside each other, the images highlight some of the issues raised

by Dismaland, showing them in the real world, blurring the line between art and reality.

“The title of the book and accompanying exhibition is a nod to the classic phrase from family holidays, but it also refers to when, and if, as a society, we finally get the much-needed time to catch our breath after the crazy journey that the UK, and indeed the entire world, has been on for the last few years”.

Are We There Yet costs £35 (hardcover) and £25 (soft) from Hopper Books. It’s a beautiful and completely fascinating piece of photo journalism, and wonderfully produced; if we hadn’t already got our grubby little journalist mitts on a preview copy, it would be right at the top of our Christmas list.

For more: www.hopperprojects.com www.barrycawston.com

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SPOTLIGHT

QUIZ

THE BRISTMAS FESTIVE 20!

We proudly bring you the traditional Bristmas Life Quiz, kindly compiled by our friends at Tangent Books. Need even more more Brizzleness in your life?

The books below make perfect stocking fillers

1

What is the Bristol Hum? a) An unpleasant smell from the Avon mud at low tide b)The collective sound of people meditating in Redland c) A mystery low-frequency noise occasionally heard across the city

2 3

In which area of Bristol did Louise Brown’s parents live?

Which Bristol musician is the biggest selling pianist in British pop history after Elton John?

11

12 13

Who is Adrian Nicholas Matthews Thaws better known as?

Which 19th-century Bristol woman ‘invented’ the Suspension Bridge and allowed Brunel to use her original plans for a bridge over the Avon?

14

6

15 16

Which of the following was a Bristol punk band? a) The Cortinas b)The Zephyrs c) The Dolomites Guy Bailey and Roy Hackett were two of the leaders of the Bristol Bus Boycott in 1963. Where in Bristol is the plaque commemorating that campaign?

7

Who is Pero’s Bridge named after?

Deduct a point if you answer ‘Pero’.

8

Which politician was hit by a tomato during a demonstration against the Iraq war at City of Bristol College in 2001?

9

Which footballer is commemorated by a statue that was unveiled at Ashton Gate in October 2016?

10

What is the name of the bear statue in The Bearpit?

At which Bristol School did Banksy paint this image (right) in 2016?

Which bridge celebrated its 50th birthday in 2016?

2016 was the 800th anniversary of Bristol’s first mayor. What was his name?

17

In Bristolian dialect, what is a ‘strapper’? a) A well-built young man or woman b)A stranger c) A belt maker

19

18 19 20

What does the Bristol acronym PRSC stand for?

Where in Bristol is this statue of Nipper the HMV dog?

More than 100,000 people lined the River Avon to watch the SS Great Britain being towed back to her home port of Bristol after being abandoned in the Falkland Islands.

Name the year she returned.

Answers 1 A mystery low-frequency noise occasionally heard across the city 2 Easton 3 Russ Conway 4 Alan; The Wurzels 5 Cortinas 6 Bus Station 7 Pero was a black slave brought back to Bristol by John Pinney 8 Tony Blair 9 John Atyeo 10 Ursa 11 1991 12 Tricky 13 Sarah Guppy 14 Bridge Farm Primary School, Whitchurch 15 First Severn Crossing 16 Roger Cordewaner 17 Stranger 18 People’s Republic of Stokes Croft 19 Junction of Woodland Way and Park Row 20 1970

12 I BRISTOL LIFE I www.mediaclash.co.uk

14

Massive Attack’s Blue Lines album was released and The Galleries in Broadmead opened in the same year. Name that year. a) 1995 b) 1991 d)1999

4 5

What was Adge Cutler’s real first name, and what was his band?

6

Questions from Tangent Books and Bristol Books CIC loosely based on The Naked Guide to Bristol, A Dictionary of Bristle, Banksy’s Bristol, Punks, Adge King of the Wurzels, Louise Brown, My Life as the World’s First Test-Tube Baby and other titles all of which are available at www.tangentbooks.co.uk.

Bristol Life readers get 20% off all orders if they use the code ‘supporter’.

SPOTLIGHT

e’s shot of @riverslad is a classic

the M Shed

cranes

Bright lights, biggish city; @benadams.p hotography this Over to @amazingmorph for .. month’s weather forecast .

ments and Shiny pave in s te et silhou priceartist’s @matthew uare Anchor Sq

@josh.perrett’ s excited for Christmas; lo ving that Artful Do dger heel-kick . . .

Let it rain, let it rain, let it rain Huh. We’d hoped this page would be brimful of frosty scenes and festive cheer. And what did we get? Rain. But rain means puddles, and puddles mean reflections, so it’s all good. (That said, if it snows the day after this magazine goes to press we’ll sulk between now and Christmas.) @BristolLifeMag

@sichan.he calls this ‘Dawn’ – that early start was worth the effort, Jessie!

Rain or no rain, @neiljamesb delivers ‘festive ’; no problem

’t get erslade didn Hope @riv is rainy th r te af s wet knee capture Corn Street

ARTS

PHOTOGRAPHY

ALL ANIMAL LIFE IS HERE – EXCEPT FOR A LOL CAT IN A SANTA HAT

FANTASTIC * MR FOX *AND

OTHER ANIMALS

The annual Wildlife Photographer of the Year is back at M Shed – and we’re all quietly taking down our amusing instagrams of the dog in a Santa coat

By DE R I ROBI NS

18 I BRISTOL LIFE I www.mediaclash.co.uk

PHOTOGRAPHY

ARTS

Y

ou’re stumbling home in a gently fuzzy state, after a pleasant evening at the pub.

Ahead of you, a large cat stalks across the road; but hey! That’s no cat, it’s a fox! You fumble for your phone and snap hopefully away, but inevitably the result is an blur of orange fur with headlights for eyes. For fox sake! It’s hardly Planet Earth II. It earns you a meagre two ‘likes’ on instagram, and they’re from your girlfriend and your mum.

At the opposite end of the photography spectrum is Bristol’s Sam Hobson, a finalist in this year’s Wildlife Photographer of the Year competition. To get the kind of shot shown on this page, you don’t just need a fancy Nikon D800 (though it helps); you also need vast experience and skill, plenty of warm outwerwear, and preternatural patience.

For Nosy Neighbour, Sam spent weeks scouting the ideal location before gaining the trust of a family of urban foxes. Eventually he was rewarded by the sight of this cub peeking over a wall – its weeping left eye the result of getting too close to a neighbourhood cat. w

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ARTS

PHOTOGRAPHY

AUDUN NEEDED TO GET CLOSE – THOUGH NOT CLOSE ENOUGH TO BE DRAGGED UNDER THE

PROPELLER

For his Grand Title winning Entwined Lives (above), Tim Laman took the whole lying-in-wait thing to a new level – literally.

Tim’s astonishing capture was taken from high up in the canopy, using not just one but several GoPro HERO4s, which he triggered remotely from the forest floor when he saw the orangutan climbing up for his prize bunch of figs.

In one remarkable frame, Tim captures a vital story about an endangered animal in an everdwindling habitat; the message is familiar, but outstanding photography like this brings it across afresh, touching hearts and minds – and hopefully prompting us to support actions to stop the destruction.

20 I BRISTOL LIFE I www.mediaclash.co.uk

South African field guide Lance van de Vyver had been tracking a pride of lions for several hours when they happened across a pangolin and started to ‘roll it around like a soccer ball’. For Playing Pangolin, Lance focused in on this young lion’s claws and the pangolin’s scratched scales, the black-and-white simplifying the composition. Curling into a ball, the pangolin’s armour plating created an impregnable barrier. It would be 14 hours until the lions finally lost interest and gave up the battle.

Having grown up in a small coastal fishing community in northern Norway, Audun Rikardsen had always been fascinated by the relationship between humans and wildlife. For several years, he’s tried to document the interactions between

Clockwise from top: Entwined Lives by Tim Laman; Splitting the Catch by Audun Rikardsen; Playing Pangolin

by Lance van de Vyver

whales and fishermen, with a specially designed, homemade underwater camera that allows him take split-level pictures in low light.

But Audun needed to get close to a whale, though not close enough to disturb it or be dragged under a boat’s side propeller. Gaining the fishermen’s permission to snorkel by their boats was as important to his photo Splitting the Catch as being tolerated by the whales.

Sometimes it’s the fishing boats that look for the whales, hoping to locate the shoals of herring that migrate to these waters. But in recent winters, the whales have also started to follow the boats.

The relationship would seem to be a win-win one – but whales sometimes try to steal the fish, causing

damage to the gear, and they can also become entangled in the nets. The search for solutions is underway, including better systems for releasing any whales that get trapped.

Every picture in this exhibition tells a story.

All animal life is here; cute and friendly animals, animals red in tooth and claw, furry, flying and swimming animals; every kind of animal, in fact, except a lol cat in a Santa hat.

The Wildlife Photographer of The Year, produced by the Natural History Museum, London is at M Shed 12 November 2016 – 5 March 2017 www.www.bristolmuseums.org.uk; www.nhm.ac.uk

www.mediaclash.co.uk I BRISTOL LIFE I 21

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Music/theatre/film/more

BIG WHEEL KEEPS ON TURNING

The SkyView wheel in Millennium Square this year seems to have inspired all Bristol’s photographers; in the absence of a convenient snowfall, we couldn’t have found anything more festive for our Christmas art page than this shot by Neil James Brain. Neil captures the city with a unique clarity, and – somehow, how? – makes it look even more beautiful than it does already. Follow Neil on instagram for a daily dose of Bristol wonderlandment.

Follow Neil on instagram @neiljamesb

www.mediaclash.co.uk I BRISTOL LIFE I 27

Open Tues - Sat 10am - 6pm and Sunday 11am - 4pm

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

From Prada, Gucci and Joseph to Reiss, Hobbs and LK Bennett.

5 The Mall, Clifton, Bristol BS8 4DP Tel:0117 970 6776

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The new Harold’s Club will be hosting a series of events open to the public throughout the year. Giving you the rare opportunity to try out the fabulous facilities at Clevedon Hall.

Special Events New Years Eve 31st December Roaring 1920s Theme.

Dazzling 5 Course Taster Menu.

Amazing Live Band.

Surprise Entertainment.

Evening Snack (if you can squeeze it in!)

Fireworks at Midnight.

Tickets £105.

Bedrooms Available.

Valentines Day 14th February 2017

Mothers Day 26th March 2017

An Event for Couples.

Arrival Drink.

Fabulous 4 Course Meal Live Entertainment.

An Event for The Whole Family.

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2-24 December 2016

O U R T O P S U GGES TI ON S FOR CHR I S TMA S

Getting the Easton look? Badly Kept Lawn,Gallery 22; Kate Rusby wishes they’d turn the heating up at Colston Hall; Gort lush (that’s a film joke, Google it) at Planetarium

Exhibitions UNTIL 3 DECEMBER

THREE EXHIBITIONS Sara Easby’s paintings and drawings respond to the moods and elements of Iceland; Luiza Varovic works in various mediums, and Oliver Sidaway brings a distinctive take on the Bristol cityscape. grantbradleygallery.co.uk UNTIL 8 DECEMBER

MEANDER Recent painting and prints by artists Ben Risk and Eva Ullrich.

The process of painting can sometimes move aimlessly, without fixed direction; an exploration of colour, thought, and material; hence ‘meander’.

At Gallery Twenty Two; www. gallerytwentytwo.co.uk

INSTRUCTIONS FOR USE OF JIRÍ KOLA Czech artists Stetina and Burianek present a new film about the recording of poems by Kol; spikeisland.org.uk UNTIL 29 DECEMBER

FEATHERS AND FUR Bristol writer Emily Koch has matched ten of her haikus with work by local illustrators to capture the lives of the city’s living creatures; at the Tobacco Factory; emilykoch.co.uk UNTIL 31 DECEMBER

DAPHNE WRIGHT: EMOTIONAL ARCHAEOLOGY Major new Arnolfini exhibition, lavishly covered in our last issue; arnolfini.org.uk UNTIL 5 MARCH

UNTIL 11 DECEMBER

HEDWIG HOUBEN The Dutch artist shows her sculptural works; spikeisland.org.uk

WILDLIFE PHOTOGRAPHER OF THE YEAR The annual nature photography treat returns to M Shed; feature

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page 18. bristolmuseums.org.uk

her death; feature page 38. At RWA; rwa.org.uk

UNTIL 23 APRIL

WARRIOR TREASURES Dazzling collection of gold, silver and semi-precious gems – part of the Staffordshire Hoard. At Bristol Museum & Art Gallery; bristolmuseums.org.uk 9 DECEMBER-7 JANUARY

DECEMBER EXHIBITION Victoria Laird has a thing for skulls and fairy lights; Bill Moore is inspired by humanity, the commonplace and everyday life; John Garland paints expressionist landscapes. All at Grant Bradley; grantbradleygallery.co.uk 10 DECEMBER-19 MARCH

STRANGE WORLDS: THE VISION OF ANGELA CARTER Chagall, Rego and Pacheco evoke the haunting magic of Angela Carter in an explosive new exhibition, 25 years after

Plays/Shows UNTIL 31 DECEMBER

CHRISTMAS AT THE SPIEGELTENT Music, cabaret, comedy, Christmas parties, markets and more, in the charismatic christmasspiegeltent.co.uk UNTIL 3 DECEMBER

MILLION DOLLAR QUARTET Jason Donovan plays the legendary Sam Phillips, ‘the father of rock’n’roll’. At The Hippodrome; atgtickets.com 1 DECEMBER - 21 JANUARY

ROCKY; A HORROR SHOW The Wardrobe’s alternative, unmissable festive offering; let’s do the time-warp back to 1976 – a world when women were men, men were women and the mean streets of Philadelphia

W H AT ’ S O N

were filled with campy song; thewardrobetheatre.com

Music

2 DECEMBER - 8 JANUARY

2 DECEMBER

LITTLE TIM AND THE BRAVE SEA CAPTAIN As The Studio’s currently under a pile of scaffolding, this year’s BOV show for little ones will be held at The Lantern; bristololdvic.org.uk

ARTS

THE BEAT The ska popsters bring their distinctive sound to The Fleece; supported by the RPMs; thefleece.co.uk 3 DECEMBER

2 DECEMBER - 15 JANUARY

CINDERELLA: A FAIRYTALE As opposed to the real-life version, presumably. It’s going to be great, because it’s Travelling Light; at the TFT. tobaccofactorytheatres.com THE SNOW QUEEN Lee Lyford directs the Bristol Old Vic’s festive offering, billed as ‘The Hunger Games meets Hans Christian Andersen’; bristololdvic.org.uk 2-18 DECEMBER

TREASURE ISLAND Catch the Olivier Awardwinning stars of the future at Bristol Old Vic Theatre’s Schools’s festive offering; at The Redgrave; oldvic.ac.uk 8-23 DECEMBER (SELECTED NIGHTS)

KRISTMAS WITH THE KRINGLES An entirely improvised Christmas show from your favourite Closer Each Day crew; thewardrobetheatre.com

THE FRATELLIS The boys play their 10-year-old début album, Costello Music, in its entirety for the first time on a new tour; at the O2, academymusicgroup.com 9 DECEMBER

SETH LAKEMAN The handsomest fiddler on the folk circuit shares his favourite songs; colstonhall.org 10 DECEMBER

A CELEBRATION OF DAVID BOWIE Charles Hazlewood’s mesmerising concert made up of Philip Glass’ Heroes Symphony and Low Symphony, with a 42-strong orchestra; At Colston Hall; colstonhall.org 11 DECEMBER

KATE RUSBY AT CHRISTMAS Kate shares a South Yorkshire tradition of singing carols that she says “were kicked out of churches during the Victorian era for being too happy”. At Colston Hall; colstonhall.org

10 DECEMBER - 8 JANUARY

MISTLETOES & WHINEY COUNTDOWN TO CHRISTMAS The Wardrobe’s festive show for 3-8s and their families. Mistletoes loves Christmas, Whiney less so; can Mistles save the day?

We’re going to hazard a ‘yes’. thewardrobetheatre.com 10 DECEMBER -13 JANUARY

CINDERELLA It’s the festive biggie for The Hippodrome; this year with inline skating from Torvill & Dean. atgtickets.com 19 DECEMBER

BLAHBLAHBLAH Bristol Old Vic’s antidote to Christmas: a new interactive spoken-word show from internationally acclaimed poet Francesca Beard. At The Wardrobe; bristololdvic.org.uk

13 DECEMBER

ROY AYRES The ‘Godfather of Neo Soul’; and pioneering figure in the jazz. funk and acid jazz movements; at Colston Hall; colstonhall.org DAME MITSUKO UCHIDA A sublime programme of Mozart and Schumann; at St George’s; stgeorgesbristol.com 15 DECEMBER

MOLOTOV JUKEBOX The gypsy step go-getters fronted by Natalia Tena (you know, Osha off of Game of Thrones); sizzling tunes, carnival vibes and plenty of fruit at The Fleece, thefleece.co.uk MADDY PRIOR & THE CARNIVAL BAND Maddy and the band put their inimitable stamp on familiar

Nothing like a panto dame: Rocky in drag at The Wardrobe; Charlie H conducts Phil G’s tribute to Dave B; is Vic aging a bit better than Bob, or is it us?

and not-so-familiar fare at St George’s; stgeorgesbristol.com 17 DECEMBER

BRISTOL BACH CHOIR St. George’s overflows with the spirit of Christmas in this heart-warming concert: stgeorgesbristol.com

18 DECEMBER

DAVID GRAY For the first time in 20 years, David will play an intimate show, exclusively solo and wholly acoustic; colstonhall.org 19 DECEMBER

AN EVENING WITH...

Songs from musical theatre at Clifton College; eventbrite.co.uk MESSIAH Bristol Choral Society and the Corelli Orchestra perform the ultimate Christmas concert; at Colston Hall; colstonhall.org

THE BOOTLEG BEATLES Well, shake it up baby now; the tribute band that sounds almost more like the Fab Four than originals did; colstonhall.org 20 DECEMBER

DAKHLA BRASS An intimate, sit-down gig from Bristol’s brilliant five-piece; thewardrobetheatre.com w

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|”Hoist the mainsail and prepare to sit on the edge of your seat for a swashbuckling adventure this christmas”

Treasure island

By Robert Louis Stevenson | Adapted from the novel by Philip Monks | Directed by Jenny Stephens

The Redgrave Theatre, 2 – 18 December. Suitable for 5yrs+.

Tickets: £17 full/ £12 concession/ £8 school groups | Box Office: 0117 973 3955 | www.oldvic.ac.uk

W H AT ’ S O N

Christmas UNTIL 23 DECEMBER

BRISTOL LOCALS’ MARKET 20 traditional chalets offer a pop-up of local makers and food producers selling their wares; outside M&S in Broadmead; facebook.com/ BristolLocalChristmasMarket UNTIL 24 DECEMBER

Clockwise from top: Molotov Jukebox at The Fleece; Cinderella at TFT, and The Snow Queen at BOV 20, 21 & 22 DECEMBER

BRISTOL ENSEMBLE A feelgood festive evening of carols and Christmas music; bring the family for a singalong; stgeorgesbristol.com 21 DECEMBER

TONY HADLEY Spandau’s distinctive vocalist brings a very festive collection of songs to the Spiegeltent. colstonhall.org

Comedy SUNDAYS, ONGOING

NINCOMPOOP Some of the best new ideas in comedy, slapstick and audience participation (if you’re brave enough); thewardrobe.com 3-4 DECEMBER

THE CATHERINE TATE SHOW Nan! Sam! LAUREN! We’re most definitely bothered; at Colston Hall; colstonhall.org

top the bill of this fundraiser for local charities; colstonhall.org 14 DECEMBER

REEVES & MORTIMER: THE POIGNANT MOMENTS Vic and Bob; you either obsessively worship them or don’t get them at all. If you’re in the former camp you probably have your tickets already; colstonhall.org

STAND UP: MAKE SOME NOISE Russell Howard and Sara Pascoe

ST NICK’S ENCHANTED WINTER MARKET Wonderful illuminated willow animal sculptures, live music, children’s wishing tree and a huge variety of artisan Christmas gifts with festive food and drink at St Nick’s; www.bristol.gov.uk UNTIL 3 JANUARY

Film 13 DECEMBER

THE DAY THE EARTH STOOD STILL A warning about mankind’s self-destructive nature? A Christ metaphor? Or just a sci-fi classic? Oh we dunno, we’re not Mark Kermode.

Special HD presentation at the Planetarium, with Cosmic Shed podcast and after-show discussion; www.facebook. com/BristolSunsetCinema UNTIL 31 DECEMBER

5 DECEMBER

BRISTOL BAZAAR 42 Bristol artists, designers and makers sell everything from art, ceramics, soaps and jumpers to ukuleles, wallets and homewares.

At The Island; bristolbazaar.com

BLACK STAR The BFI’s season dedicated to black actors; at Colston/ Watershed. bfi.org.uk/black-star

ICE RINK/FESTIVE FAIR The At Bristol ice-rink has returned in style, with a new apres-ski bar and a big SkyView wheel; at-bristol.org.uk

ARTS

HARBOURSIDE MARKET On its plum, in-the-thick-of-it spot; food, makers, festive fare, you know the drill. theharboursidemarket.co.uk 3, 10 & 11 DECEMBER

MADE IN BRISTOL GIFT FAIR Bristol’s biggest designermaker fair returns for its seasonal showcase of the best of the region’s artists and artisans. colstonhall.org 4 DECEMBER

CHRISTMAS FAYRE Royal York Gardens; this year with dog show! e: ryc gardencommittee@yahoo.co.uk ARNOS VALE CHRISTMAS MARKET Local art, crafts, gifts and good food; arnosvale.org.uk 10 DECEMBER

WINTER LANTERN PARADE Back for the sixth year, lighting up the streets of Bedminster with a record number of lanterns; www.facebook.com/ bedminsterbristol.bs3

10 DECEMBER 3 DECEMBER

FESTIVE MARKET At Bristol Folk House; bristolfolkhouse.co.uk

INDIES AT THE STATION Discover new and exciting indie traders through a citywide trail that will lead you from bookshops to bakers, records to roses and chocolates to cheese; konichiwa-pr.co.uk

16 DECEMBER

3-4, 10-11, 17-18 DECEMBER

19-23 DECEMBER

GLOUCESTER ROAD EXTRAVAGANZA . . . and grotto, live music, street entertainers, Christmas stalls and a range of festive food and drink. glosrdcentral.co.uk

CAROLS BY CANDLELIGHT At Bristol Cathedral; bristol-cathedral.co.uk FESTIVE POP-UP FAIR An eclectic range of locally made and innovatively designed products; at The Architecture Centre; architecturecentre. co.uk

www.mediaclash.co.uk I BRISTOL LIFE I 33

ARTS

EXHIBITION

STRANGE

WORLDS A collection of art inspired by the writing of Angela Carter turns out to be as dark, deviant and magical as fans of the author could hope

By F IONA ROBI NSON

38 I BRISTOL LIFE I www.mediaclash.co.uk

Angela Carter’s recurrent subjects of gender, sexuality, magical realism and gothic fairytale are reflected in the art on show: surely Maxime by Wendy Elia (left) and Ana Maria Pacheco’s Hades II are crying out to be made into book covers

Readers

are entranced by her fearlessness in tackling

subjects which were taboo

for other writers

T

he reviews of Edmund Gordon’s just-published biography of author Angela Carter are as varied in their opinions as she was about herself.

The Spectator thinks that the book should be required reading. The Guardian suggests that ‘it is not true to the spirit of its iconoclastic subject.’ The title of Gordon’s biography, The Invention of Angela Carter, is marvell ously apposite; Carter’s inventiveness was applied both to the fiction she wrote, and to the fictions she often created about her own life.

Angela Carter died in January 1992 at the age of 51, so we are on the cusp of her 25th anniversary. In the ’70s and ’80s, even if you hadn’t read her books, you’d have heard about her.

She transcended genres. Ask the average college student today, one who isn’t studying English Literature, if they have heard of Angela Carter and the likeliest answer would be no; but this is about to change, as she becomes a huge new discovery for this generation.

As part of the Carter anniversary, the RWA is staging Strange Worlds: The Vision of Angela Carter, an exhibition which celebrates both her extraordinary visual imagination and reassesses

her influence. Invited to curate the contemporary section of this show I started by immersing myself in Carter’s work while my co-curator Marie Mulvay-Roberts set about gathering together historical works that inspired Carter.

For nearly two years, on every journey I took, Angela Carter’s fiction was my constant companion. I felt as trapped by her prose as the caged birds in her short story The Erl King.

Her language is heady and dense, impossible to skim-read. It is full of strangeness and nastiness, inventive, eclectic and funny. Her narratives still have the power to shock. As I immersed myself in her extraordinarily original storytelling, images of work I had seen in the past started to flow into my mind.

In the autumn of 2012 I had found myself in Dublin. Alice Maher’s retrospective exhibition Becoming had just opened at the Irish Museum of Modern Art. On two huge screens in IMMA’s temporary exhibition space, Maher’s brilliant and inventive films of her drawings were being shown.

It was a fully immersive experience standing in the middle of the dank decommissioned room turning from one screen to another, watching the disintegration and metamorphosis of figures, swa pping gender, lopping off limbs, changing from animal to human and back again. One of  www.mediaclash.co.uk I BRISTOL LIFE I 39

ARTS

EXHIBITION

Right, Eileen Cooper’s Tail of the Tiger recalls Angela Carter’s Nights at the Circus; below, in the company of wolves: Red Riding Hood 2 by Marcell Hanselaar

the first pieces that I secured for the show was Maher’s film Sleep. In subsequent conversations it transpired that Maher, a feminist and enormously inventive artist, had been deeply affected by reading Carter as a student.

This was a pattern that emerged repeatedly.

Many artists, from whom I sourced work, had read Carter in their student days. Others reading it for the first time, were similarly entranced by her powers of description, her idiosyncratic use of language and her fearlessness in tackling subjects which were taboo for other writers.

Wendy Mayer, whose startling sculpture Not Waving but Drowning, a life-size baby dressed in rags, trapped in a box, commented that although she was not conscious of the influence of Carter on her work, in retrospect she could see the parallels. In this Mayer completely echoed my approach to this project. What I wanted to find was work that paralleled Carter’s ideas.

In Oxford, in 1991, I had seen Ana Maria Pacheco’s powerful exhibition at the Museum of Modern Art, as it was then known. The huge scale, the sinister oversized heads with human teeth had a profound effect on me. The Banquet, from her three-part sculptural installation Some Exercise of Power will be part of Strange Worlds, and will be shown alone in a darkened, dedicated gallery space exploiting its suggestions of cannibalism, violence and political uncertainty.

Pacheco’s work was an obvious choice, although as with other artists in this exhibition, Carter had never been an influence.

What began to emerge was the inadvertent influence that Carter had exerted on the generation of artists who had come to prominence in the 25 years since her death.

Visiting Eileen Cooper’s solo show at the Royal Academy of Arts in London in the summer of 2015, it was clear that the bold colour and uncompromising line were in tune with Carter’s strong imagery. Cooper’s Tail of the Tiger, a naked girl balancing precariously on the back of a dancing tiger, was a perfect match for Nights at the Circus.

Carter can be very funny. Her black humour works with the darkness of her stories. She also challenges the stereotyping of women into domestic roles, explores gender, deviant sexuality and incest. The predominant focus of this exhibition is the darkness of Carter’s narratives and the visceral quality of her writing, although it also taps into the themes of fairy tale, the gothic and magic realism. Images of works from Strange Worlds, like those from Carter’s intensely visual writing, will seep into the consciousness of viewers, lurking malevolently, refusing to go away.

And once there, they will stay there forever.

Strange Worlds: the Vision of Angela Carter runs 10 December-19 March at the Royal West of England Academy. For more www.rwa.or g.uk 40 I BRISTOL LIFE I www.mediaclash.co.uk

FILM

ARTS

Gance would be a fine thing this Christmas

This year, another from the Star Wars orbit arrives in the shape of Rogue One, which opens on 15 December. These have become the film events of the festive season, battling it out against other seasonal distractions for our festive attention.

However, there is another ‘event’ cinema coming into town – and to Watershed – this Christmas, which will match both the epic struggle and emotional rollercoaster of Star Wars. This is the five-and-half-hour – yes, that is 330 minutes – Napoleon.

READY AND ABEL We asked MARK COSGROVE of Watershed to recommend a festive filmic favourite. Well, we didn’t expect It’s a Wonderful Life . . .

I

n the latter half of the last century, a new Christmas tradition evolved, and became as much a staple of the festive season as robins, Dickens, sweet sherry and novelty jumpers. This was the ‘Christmas movie’.

When I was a youngster, and Christmas still had a magical sparkle, one of our favourite festive family treats was to watch the big movie that was premièring on the telly. You have to remember that this was pre-digital: I know it’s hard to believe, kids, but there was no Sky, Netflix, blu ray or DVD – no video even! – there were only three TV channels. and you usually had to jiggle the aerial on the telly about a bit if you wanted to get BBC2.

Films always played first in the cinemas, and it could take two to three years before they were shown on one of the three TV channels. This, then, became a significant event – especially if it was a James Bond movie. In my case I remember the thrill of Ice Station Zebra (1968) finally appearing on television (circa 1971) and sitting enthralled as Rock Hudson and his

submarine crew worked their way under the polar ice cap to rescue a satellite before the Russians. This was an epic action movie beamed (okay, transmitted) into my living room and it added to the specialness of Christmas Day. Now, however, these films are available all year round – in fact, Ice Station Zebra is just a click away on YouTube. Yes we still get the big films on TV at this time of year – but weren’t they on in the cinemas just a couple of months ago? And anyway, there’s so much choice around these days that it doesn’t feel special anymore.

There will be hundreds of films on TV and online this Christmas – it’s a safe bet that perennial classics such as It’s A Wonderful Life, Miracle on 34th Street, The Muppets Christmas Carol and several versions of A Christmas Carol will be littering the schedules; there’s a lot of time for all those channels to fill.

It’s the cinemas, though, that now seem to be the place where Christmas moviewatching as an event is taking place. Last year saw the revival of the Star Wars franchise with The Force Awakens opening mid-December and becoming the must-see film of the festive season.

NAPOLEON IS PURE CINEMA, AND CINEMA WAS DESIGNED FOR SHARING Made in 1927 by French director Abel Gance, Napoleon was intended as the first in a multipart portrait of the French general. Gance evolved a sophisticated and innovative camera technique to chart Napoleon’s rise, culminating in a truly astonishing three-screen finale where the single square image of the silent era opens up in effect to an early form of cinemascope.

This silent film has been painstakingly and lovingly restored over the past 50 years by film historian Kevin Brownlow with a triumphant score by composer Carl Davis.

Screenings have been rare, and accompanied live by Davis’ full orchestral score.

Now, thanks to digital, the film has been made available through the British Film Institute complete with Davis’ monumental score presented in surround-sound.

“Napoleon is pure cinema, and cinema was designed for sharing,” says Kevin. “There’s something about the way it was shot that makes it like no other. I can’t tell you how many people, having seen our restoration, have said: “That was the greatest experience I have ever had in a motion picture theatre”.

Even today, nearly 90 years after it was first screened, Napoleon redefines both epic and event cinema and this year it will be a very special and unique Christmas treat.

Napoleon screens at Watershed 27-30 December.

The film will be shown in four parts, allowing time for two intervals and a longer lunchbreak www.watershed.co.uk

www.mediaclash.co.uk I BRISTOL LIFE I 43

REVIEWS

The VERDICT

Clockwise from top: Billy Elliot; Odyssey; Purple Rain; 946: The Amazing Story of Adolphus Tips

Feel silly that you missed Billy? Wish you’d been tipped off about Adolphus?

Wish you hadn’t given Prince a Purple Raincheck? Always check our What’s On pages so you don’t miss out in future 946: THE AMAZING STORY OF ADOLPHUS TIPS Bristol Old Vic, 16-20 November After passionate Tristan, political Dead Dog and romantic Flying Lovers, 946 sees Kneehigh Theatre back in family-friendly territory. Here, then, is Mike Shepherd in drag, puppets, and physical pratfalls; it’s the kind of all-singing, alldancing comedy-drama that all kids should be taken to as soon as they can sit still for two hours.

946 (the number of servicemen killed in a botched practice for the D-Day landings) was adapted from a book by Michael Morpurgo.

Skipping (literally; there’s buckets of skipping) from the present back to 1946, most of the drama revolves around 12-year-old farmer’s daughter Lily; just as in Dennis Potter’s Blue Remembered Hills, and countless plays since, she and her schoolmates are played by adult actors (which makes the rather nonplussing full-on French kiss OK. Sort of). Katy Owen is a buzzball of energy as Lily – she could have sprung from the pages of The Dandy, and with her little deadpan face, she’s compulsive to watch.

Lighting up every scene they’re in are Ncuti Gatwaand and Nandi Bhebhe as GIs Adolphus and Harry; exuberantly lindy-hopping their way through the story, they’re irresistible.

With its clear moral about tolerance and acceptance, this wartime story about strangers in a strange land feels astonishingly relevant today; 2016 may be going to hell in a proverbial, but you leave the theatre with a renewed optimism that human decency will, in fact, prevail.

By Deri Robins BILLY ELLIOT: THE MUSICAL Bristol Hippodrome, 25 Oct-26 November You know the story. Billy Elliot is a working-class Geordie lad who develops an unexpected gift for ballet; the only member of his family who appears to understand him is his dead mother.

God, it could have been awful. But the thing about Stephen Daldry’s Billy Elliot: The Musical, like the movie before it, is that it’s packed with more grit than with granulated sugar. The time and setting is key. In Thatcherite 1980s Durham, Billy’s miner dad and brother are on strike, and the community is dying on its feet; a context that keeps Billy’s struggle in perspective, while making rough, sweary dialogue not only forgiveable but mandatory (parents should leave all pre-Watershed expectations at the door).

44 I BRISTOL LIFE I www.mediaclash.co.uk

And while there are moments that verge on the mawkish – a dead mother wanders on and off, Billy’s final leave-taking is a bit drawn out – it’s a huge, emotional, important tale, not just about the rights of individuals to follow their dreams, but about a changing country and shifting ideas about masculinity.

Of course, none of this would matter a jot if it wasn’t backed by a decent score (by Sir Elton), brilliant choreography, staging and cast; all the adult leads are strong, but obviously it’s Billy who counts most, and Lewis Smallman – one of the four Billys rotated during the tour – is downright, gobsmackingly stellar; when he’s on stage, which he is pretty much full time, you don’t have eyes for anyone else.

Billy Elliot is a show of huge compassion; you leave the theatre filled with hope for your pintsized hero’s future, but with a sadness for a doomed community. It offers laughter, tears and a giant-sized puppet of Maggie Thatcher; what more can you ask from a night at the theatre?

By Deri Robins ODYSSEY The Wardrobe Theatre, 22-26 November Theatre Ad Infinitum’s take on Homer’s epic story of homecoming Greek warrior Odysseus is performed on a bare stage, where performer George Mann vividly creates a host of characters, transporting the audience to a world where Gods and monsters control the fates of men. Using precise physicality, strong mime and excellent voice work, the piece hurtles through 20 years worth of story in 60 minutes.

Mann, like the Genie in Disney’s Aladdin, zips between characters and locations, conjuring up lusty nymphs and sneering suitors in a stylised instant. Despite this being a tale of hardship and loss, it was full of humour, as Mann uses his superb physical and vocal skills to create clever comedic moments.

The breakneck pace doesn’t let you linger over the more brutal moments or allow for any deeper insight into the characters; this is a gleeful, bold yomp through the story, painted in primary colours with strong, simple lighting.

Mann (who co-created the piece with Theatre Ad Infinitum’s Nir Paldi) delivers a powerful, precise performance, using every cadence and gesture to take the audience on Odysseus’s journey. It’s accessible storytelling, impeccably performed.

By Morgan Matthews

LAUGHTER, TEARS AND A LIFE-SIZED

PUPPET

OF MAGGIE THATCHER; WHAT MORE CAN YOU ASK FROM A NIGHT AT THE THEATRE?

PURPLE RAIN

Colston Hall, 13 November It’s not very often that a film screening provokes a reaction like Purple Rain at Colston Hall. Part of the BFI Black Star season, the 1984 film starring the late rockstar Prince as a singer wrestling with his personal and professional demons was shown in front of a sold-out main hall on 13 November.

It was an extraordinary experience.

From the first moment the singer appeared on the screen on his customised motorbike, the audience cheered as loudly as if the man himself had walked out on stage. As the audience sang along to the familiar songs, when signature tune Purple Rain began, the reaction was closer to one at a live concert with an emotional reaction that had to be seen to be believed. As I Would Die For You followed Purple Rain, the audience invaded the stage for an impromptu, celebratory dance. It was a fitting way to end a wild, but wonderful, evening.

By Stella Darcy

www.mediaclash.co.uk I BRISTOL LIFE I 45

CACI facials available now at Simon Lee’s Aesthetic Medical Clinic.

Euot E R q

Fy and e

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io at

rv

su

T PERFEC special e r fo e b events!

Enjoy our Hydratone Facial for £20 per session Simon Lee, Aesthetic Medical Clinic 3 Whiteladies Gate, Clifton, Bristol BS8 2PH Telephone 01173 292027

Abbeyfield Bristol & Keynsham Society Retirement living for those wanting independence with extra peace of mind

“Dad was living on his own and we’d started to worry. Now he has a better social life than us!”

APARTMENTS AVAILABLE

It’s true. Renting an apartment in one of our lovely Abbeyfield houses gives you the perfect blend of independence, support, privacy and companionship. It’s a wonderful alternative when you want to move nearer your family, or are just struggling to cope on your own, but don’t want a ‘care home’ or ‘residential care’.

Couples Welcome. Bursaries Available.

For more information, call us on: 0117 973 6997

Our all-inclusive fees cover delicious home-cooked meals, utility bills, Council Tax and TV licence, leaving you free to enjoy the community inside, and out.

One bedroom and studio

to rent in Bristol & Keynsham

Every pets’ favourite shop!

5 Worrall Road, Clifton BS8 2UF 0117 973 8617 | www.alfieandbella.co.uk Open: Monday to Saturday

XMAS SHOPPING GUIDE

BUY, BUY BABY . . . baby, good buys . . .

You know us! We’re not into any of that genderstereotyping ‘gifts for her, gifts for him’ malarkey, so here’s a proper mixed-up bran-tub of Christmas gift ideas; we’ll leave you to judge who deserves what.

Oh, and you know the cardinal rule of Christmas shopping, right? ‘One for them, two for you...’ w

Let it snow, let it snow Electronic toys get flashier and bleepier every year, which makes the sweet simplicity of this ‘Lapin and Me’ snow globe (£11.95) all the more appealing.

Adorable babe not included From www.monpote.co.uk www.mediaclash.co.uk I BRISTOL LIFE I 49

XMAS SHOPPING GUIDE

Anouk of the North Four china mugs with charming mono forest friends, in a black gift box, £36; you can get matching plates too, if you’re feeling lavish From www.graceandmabel.co.uk

Les Cactus If this He Planter (£29.95) looks a bit lonely, you always can buy him a She Planter mate. Unless he’s destined for a man cave, obviously From www.howkapow.com

Lady in red No girl actually needs a red handbag, but every girl wants one; Gianoi’s ‘Nadia’ small cross-body bag would make an under-the-tree stunner, £750 From www.harveynichols.com 50 I BRISTOL LIFE I www.mediaclash.co.uk

Not just for Christmas Nothing says Scandi-chic like a tall white oak candlestick – perfect for Christmas, and every other time of year. Designed by Maria Lovisa Dahlberg; from £46 From www.swedishhouseathome.com

Been an awful good girl This Paraiba tourmaline and diamond ring in 18ct white gold costs £10,260, – so she may have to agree to marry you afterwards From www.mallory-jewellers.com

Nice age Even real-life woolly mammoths were pretty cute, and these knitted versions are totally off the scale; rattle £9.95, toy £13.75 From www.thepodcompany.co.uk

On message After 25 December you can spell out whatever message you like – there are loads of letters. Try to keep it clean. £24.99 large, £19.99 small From www.iotabristol.com

Great balls of chocolate Zara Narracott is probably Bristol’s best chocolatier – just look at the detail and care that goes into these hand-made, hand-decorated wonders. The chocolate baubles are £6; three ‘hidden snowmen’ cost £10 From www.zaraschocolates.co.uk

XMAS SHOPPING GUIDE

Special case Make-up bag? Jewellery pouch? Pencil case?

The unisex design makes this recycled-leather bag supremely versatile – and we love the Bloomsburyesque Deco design; £28 From www.maybemabel.com

Go West (or East, South or North) A range of really cute, quirky and useful maps to some of the world’s coolest cities, from £4; you don’t have to tuck in a pair of air tickets, but . . .

From www.papersmiths.co.uk

Mug shot Now, what on earth could this be used for?

Made by Clifton’s Village Pottery for Bristol Cider Shop, it’s ideal packaged up with a selection of local brews. £22 From www.bristolcidershop.co.uk

Monkey say Monkey stands, sits, dangles or leaps, depending on your preference – or go totally ape and have all four darting about your living room (£170-£240) From www.grahamandgreen.co.uk

Good mixer Very few bits of kitchen kit can be dubbed ‘classic’, but the KitchenAid Artisan can.

Kitchens Cookshop are currently selling many of theirs for £399 – cheaper than John Lewis!

From www.kitchenscookshop.co.uk

Sheep-shape and Bristol fashion Well hello, little Shaun! Here’s Fleece Navidad, and he wants to be your Christmas favourite; all profits, of course, to Bristol’s Grand Appeal. £35 From www.grandappeal.org.uk

Hi ho silver Also available in 9ct and 18ct gold, these contemporary 15mm etched ’links guarantee instant cuff appeal; the silver ones cost £123 From www.dianaporter.co.uk

Under the volcano Clifton’s chic, exclusive new specialist perfumery Shy Mimosa has brands to match; Mendittorosa’s Odori d’Anima is inspired by the volcanic spirit of Stromboli (£135) From www.shymimosa.co.uk www.mediaclash.co.uk I BRISTOL LIFE I 51

Fantastic Mr Fox Each of Emily Koch’s haikus has been illustrated by a different Bristol artist, such as this one by Lindsay McDonagh; each poem is about an animal you’d find in Bristol. Pop into the Tobacco Factory to see the current exhibition; you can buy the unframed prints there, or from Emily online; £35- £80 From www.emilykoch.co.uk

XMAS SHOPPING GUIDE

Shade lady You’ve probably seen Lisa Malyon’s fabulous Bristol prints – typically in line, with colour blocking. Her lampshades give off a warm, magical glow, and would make the perfect present for a proud Bristolian; prices start at £80 From www.lisamalyondraws.co.uk

Hot head The return of the bobble hat is complete; every head should have one. This highgauge-knit and micro-fleece-lined one is among the best; £15 From www.poisonoak.co.uk

Are friends electric?

For his new electric kettle, Michael Graves has riffed on the Alessi classic by adding a tiny whistling dinosaur – it’s a Tea Rex, get it? £159.95 From www.bristolguildgallery.co.uk

Swim with the fishes Corrine Evans uses traditional methods to create unique, delicate, contemporary jewellery; this distinctive siver and copper fish necklace is £50 From www.cejewellery.co.uk

Antlers aweigh Look, it’s Christmas, OK? This dog jumper will keep canines 8”-26” cosy, as well as guaranteeing instagram immortality; £11 From www.alfieandbella.co.uk

Concrete and cake This Jack Bailey cake stand combines ash and concrete; have a look at the website to discover what makes it deserve £110 of your hard-earned cash From www.midgleygreen.com

China right Each of Virginia Graham’s mugs (£35) is hand-made using slipcasting, and decorated with vintage floral patterns, graphic spots and stripes – every one is completely individual From Made in Bristol gift fairs; see www.colstonhall.org

Octopussy You’ve eaten in the restaurant (or at least, you’ve read our review); now cook like a chef in a Venetial bacaro, the Russell Norman way; £25 From most local bookshops or www.bloomsbury.com/uk www.mediaclash.co.uk I BRISTOL LIFE I 53

XMAS SHOPPING GUIDE

Bird on a wire Bill Skinner needs no introduction, and his enamelled Woodland Bird earrrings with their Swarovski crystals are among his prettiest designs (£75) From www.amuletboutique.co.uk

Merry hipstermas The faux-lumberjack beardy trend among Bristol males shows no sign of letting up; here’s the perfect stocking filler for the man who takes it all very, very seriously (£25) From www.movementboutique.co.uk

Prints charming If you’re a Bristolian, street art will be in your blood, and probably on at least one of your walls. How about adding this LTD Bad Apple print by Goin (£100) to the collection?

From www.upfest.co.uk

Lightosaurus Apparently these fabulous dino lights are designed for kids’ bedrooms, but we can see them never making it further than the living room; £35 From www.monpote.co.uk

Skin deep This Face Rejuvenating Kit (£28.50) from Amphora Aromatics contains the loveliest skin products we’ve trialled this year; we’re hooked From www.amphora-retail.com

Mackerel the knife Who doesn’t love a gadget? Especially when it’s shaped like a golden fish? Not just for gentlemen, we’d argue; £14.95 From www.thepodcompany.co.uk

54 I BRISTOL LIFE I www.mediaclash.co.uk

Nice wheels TopSteer Challenge raises money for charity; part of their fundraising drive is the sale of brilliant little sit-in electric kids’ cars such as this mini-Ferrari; see website for more designs (£290) From www.topsteerchallenge.com

Brew love These Stelton tea and coffee thermo jugs are the most stylish we’ve ever seen; ideal for anyone who spends a lot of time out of doors; £79.95 From www.oskarfurniture.co.uk

Christmas Snow Look, we couldn’t have a Christmas gift guide without at least one cuddly unicorn.

Jellycat’s Snowy is a big 67cm, and is so very soft and sparkly; £75 From www.soukous.co.uk

Prey for snow Lovers of heritage fashion might argue that we’ve left the best until last – Peregrine’s classic style and high quality fabrics all add up to investment clothing that will see you through winter, year after year. We love the distinctive designs and the competitive prices, too.

She wears: Ring Cable Aran Vest, £59 He wears: Aran Knott Jumper, £89 From www.peregrineclothing.co.uk

www.mediaclash.co.uk I BRISTOL LIFE I 55

Beautiful Gifts, Jewellery, Candles, Scarves, Home Accessories, Hand Finished Cards & Baby Clothes

42B The Mall, Clifton, Bristol BS8 4JG | 0117 329 2424 info@ShyMimosa.co.uk | www.ShyMimosa.co.uk

Tel: 07854239926 info@cliftonwineschool.com

A very warm welcome to Clifton Wine School!

We are a local wine school hosting events in Bristol, Bath and Cardiff. Choose from our Cheese and Wine Matching night, a Fine Wine tasting, Wines of the World evening courses, Gin tasting, and so much more.

We don’t sell wine, we sell confidence in wine knowledge from a DipWSET qualified teacher.

You can purchase any course or tasting as a Wine School Gift Voucher starting from ÂŁ22.50 the perfect present for any wine lovers!

We also do hen parties, corporate events and professional qualifications in wines and spirits.

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Meticulously researched and generously fragranced reed diffusers of the highest quality.

Designed, fragranced and hand-blended in Great Britain for a truly authentic scent of place Lasts up to 10 weeks

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60 I BRISTOL LIFE I www.mediaclash.co.uk

Nutmeg

R E S TA U R A N T

FOOD

Take the top photo, not the bottom one as an accurate guide; if you want to be sure of a table at Bristol’s newest Indian restaurant, we strongly recommend you book ahead. Here’s for why

By DE R I ROBI NS Photo s by w w w.j onc ra ig photo s.com

A

new Indian restaurant may not seem the obvious choice for a yuletide review, but on a bitterchill winter’s night, with The Ivy opposite smothered in merry festive swaggery and the twinkling lights of Clifton’s vast tree, Nutmeg on The Mall felt positively Christmassy.

Most of the restaurants were doing a fairly modest trade; Wednesday evenings in November aren’t the liveliest in the catering trade. Nutmeg, however, was as crowded as the Chandni Chowk market in Old Delhi. The restaurant was rammed upstairs and down; we even saw some unlucky would-be Nutmeggers turned away, back out into the cold late-November night.

It didn’t take us long to work out why business was so brisk; a mouthful of the first course spoke volumes. Because Nutmeg isn’t your corner takeaway, in which cooked meats are basically plonked into various differently flavoured gravies. But it’s not the Mint Room, either, and it’s not the Thali Café; it’s carving a niche of its own, with Raja Munuswamy and Charlotte Brown embracing an innovative concept.

Let Raja explain. “India has 29 different states. And each one has its own cuisine. There is so much variety, and nobody has really explored it fully. Ninety per cent of ‘Indian’ restaurants in Britain are Bangladeshi, and to be honest, they’re mass-market stuff. With Nutmeg, we want to explore the rich culinary traditions of India – but we’re not looking for a Michelin star. We just want to be a simple, humble restaurant serving authentic Indian food.”

Raja’s from Tamil Nadu, where the food is light and bright and specialises in intense flavours. Chef Arvind Pawar is from Delhi, and between them they cast a wide geographical culinary net.

A close attention to detail announces itself with the nibbles. No plate-size poppadoms here, but a basket of tiny bite-sized ones, with an improbably wonderful trio of chutney: mint-based, onion-and-mango, and apple.

THE MEAT TOOK ONE

ALARMED LOOK AT THE FORK AND FELL ALMOST PROMISCUOUSLY OFF THE BONE

The starters were astonishingly good. A paneer khass tikka, from Lucknow in Uttar Pradesh, tasted positively Christmassy, as the cheese had been stuffed with spiced dry fruits and seeds before being tandoor-roasted.

We’d shared this one while trying to keep our hands off the tandoori lamb chops, also from Uttar Pradesh, which we could see at a glance were going to be great. The chops were prepared with turmeric, ground herb marinade, clove and nutmeg, and had retained a good layer of this coating during cooking; the tender meat beneath gave up the fight at the first alarmed sight of the fork and fell almost promiscuously off the bone.

Brought up in the Hindu tradition, Raja was schooled in cooking from an early age. “Traditionally, the youngest member of the house had to earn his keep. My job was doing the cooking, so I was into food from early on.” (Am I the only parent feeling a bit hard-done by here?) Tamil Nadu is particularly noted for its society’s deep-rooted belief that serving food to others is more or less a spiritual honour, something that enhances humanity. So, not exactly Fredo’s Pizza Delivery Service, then. It’s a philosophy that Raja still adheres to.

For our mains we chose one dish from the chef’s specials, one from a more familiar list – a mirchi masala chicken, made to a traditional recipe from Mumbai – chicken, herbs, spices, ginger, garlic an d fresh coriander.

The Nutmeg philosophy was fully deployed: flavour and subtlety, moderate heat, tender meat.

A sharabi jhinga from Odisha – king prawns marinated in fresh mango, Kashmiri chilli, ginger, garlic and fresh coriander – followed the same strategy. You could practically taste each individual ingredient.

Raja explained that no artificial food colourings are used in the cooking, and indeed neither is sugar – your average British curry house uses industrial quantities of both these and chilli. The dishes at Nutmeg are the obverse; chilli is employed, certainly, but always with complementary flavours to balance matters up.

Next year Nutmeg will adopt a different paradigm for its menu. Raja and Arvind will concentrate on twelve of India’s states, one for each month, choosing the 12 out of the 29 which they adjudge to have the most interesting gastronomy. If they ever need a second opinion, we’d be more than willing to be co-opted as guinea pigs.

DINING DETAILS Nutmeg, 10 The Mall, BS8 4DR; 0117 360 0288 Opening hours Monday-Thursday 5.30-11pm; Friday 12noon-2.30pm, 5.30-11pm; Saturday 12noon11pm; Sunday 12noon-9pm We visited Wednesday evening Prices Starters £2.99-£7; main courses £13.95-£17.50; side dishes £2.50-£3.50 Vegetarian choice Excellent range Drinks Wide range of beers, ciders, wines and a smart selection of cocktails (try the saffron G&T) Atmosphere Buzzy Service Knowledgeable, efficient, minimal hovering Disabled access Fully accessible

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67 Barista Barber is one door, two bars... the services of a Barista and Barber under one roof!

67 Hill Road, Clevedon BS21 7PD

Opening Hours: 08:00 - 17:00

01275 217740

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NOW OPEN 10 The Mall | Clifton | BS8 4DR

info@nutmegbristol.com 0117 360 0288

Free WiďŹ

RECIPES

FOOD

YES, chef!

Wish you had JOSH EGGLETON in your kitchen this Christmas? Us too! As the next best thing, Josh has shared three festive recipes from his restaurants The Pony & Trap, Chicken Shed and Salt & Malt. Make sure you get hold of the next issue for two more courses from Yurt Lush and The Kenny! w

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FOOD

RECIPE

THE PONY & TRAP

Cheese & onion risotto (Serves 3)

L

ike any risotto, this requires time, constant attention and a good heavy saucepan. This recipe calls for plenty of butter and cheese and a little bit of time to get your onions properly cooked down, before making them into a purée.

Ingredients 300g risotto rice 300ml white wine 1.5 litres vegetable stock 4 large onions 4 shallots 2 bulbs of roasted garlic 1/2 bunch of chives

64 I BRISTOL LIFE I www.mediaclash.co.uk

200g aged Comte cheese 125g butter 100g Parmesan Method: 1. Make the white onion purée first.

Melt butter in a heavy-based saucepan, finely slice onions, and cook in the butter until soft, adding salt to taste to help the onions break down. After cooking for about 25 minutes, blend the onions in a food processor, adding a small amount of vegetable stock if needed to make a nice, smooth purée.

2. To make the risotto base, dice the three shallots finely and squeeze the roasted

garlic out of the bulbs. Heat a splash of rapeseed oil in a heavy-based pan, and cook shallots and garlic for a couple of minutes. Add risotto rice and cook until it starts to crack, stirring constantly. Add the white wine and cook until this has mostly evaporated. Slowly add most of the vegetable stock and continue to cook. You will see the rice start to swell after about 15 minutes. Keep adding more vegetable stock until the rice is al dente. When it has reached this point, stir in the white onion purée, Comté cheese and Parmesan.

3. We garnish our risotto with extra butter, dehydrated shallots, burnt onion powder, parmesan crisps and loads of chives.

RECIPE

FOOD

CHICKEN SHED

Southern-fried turkey in a bap (Serves 4)

T

his recipe gives everyone’s favourite fried treat a festive twist. Turkey curry and sandwiches are a bit of a staple of Boxing Day lunch, but here’s a way to turn all the leftover meat into something different. Lather it up with cranberry and a bit of bread sauce and you’ve got a cracking Boxing Day lunch.

Ingredients: Cooked turkey meat (leftovers ideal and deboned thigh preferable) Flour mix: 200g plain flour 5g baking powder 5g ground coriander 5g smoked paprika 5g cayenne pepper 5g nutmeg 5g ground cloves 5g cinnamon 10g celery salt 10g onion powder

10g garlic powder Egg and milk mix: 100g whisked egg 100g milk 4 burger baps (preferably brioche style and toasted) Burger salad: 1/4 iceberg lettuce (Shredded) 1/4 green pepper (deseeded fine dice) 1 spring onion (fine slice) 1/4 cucumber (deseeded fine dice) Burger mayo: 100g mayonnaise 2 tbsp tomato ketchup 2 tbsp dill (chopped) 1 tsp Lea and Perrins 1/2 tsp English mustard 1- 2 banana shallots (fine dice) Salt, pepper and lemon juice to season.

Extra burger toppings (leftovers): Bread sauce Pigs in blankets Cranberry sauce

Braised cabbage Gravy Method: 1. Cut turkey meat into 4 burger sized portions.

2. Whisk eggs into milk and place turkey burgers into the mix and set aside.

3. In a mixing bowl combine flour with baking powder and all spices.

4. Take turkey burgers out of the milk and put into flour mix, then back into the milk mix and back into the flour mix.

Heat about 10mm of oil in a large heavybased pan over a medium-high heat.

5. Take the burgers out of the mix and gently shake off any excess flour. Place each burger in the pan and cook until golden brown on each side and dry on some kitchen paper.

6. Meanwhile make the mayo by combining all the ingredients consistently. Toast the baps, add the mayo to top and bottom, then the burger salad and finally the burger. If you have any leftovers, add them too. w

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AWA R D S 2 0 1 6

AWA R D S 2 0 1 4

SPECIALIST ITALIAN DELICATESSEN & COFFEE BAR

T 0117 946 6401 www.divinodeli.co.uk

CHRISTMAS 2016 AT DYNASTY Choose from our Christmas menus or let us take out all the fuss and choose our festive Wine and Dine Package from only £36.00 all in, which includes a welcome drink and half a bottle of house wine per person and entertainment! Suitable for all large parties of 20 or more.

RECIPE

FOOD

SALT & MALT

Treacle torte with Christmas pudding ice-cream (Serves 16)

T

his sweet and sticky treacle torte is a great way to end the meal, and the ice cream is packed with all the flavours you associate with festive desserts. Use your favourite home-made ice-cream recipe or just use good-quality shop-bought vanilla.

Ingredients for Christmas ice-cream: Good-quality vanilla ice-cream Leftover Christmas pudding Method: 1. Soften some quality purchased icecream by leaving it out for a few minutes and simply crumble and fold in some leftover Christmas pudding.

Treacle Torte Ingredients for sweet pastry: 90g unsalted butter (softened) 60g caster sugar 3 egg yolk 200g plain flour Butter and plain flour to grease flan ring and tray.

Dried beans or chickpeas or rice (to hold down pastry in first baking stage) Baking paper

For treacle filling: 400g golden syrup 100g dark treacle 100g ground almonds 100g cornflakes 190ml double cream 2 eggs Zest of 1 lemon Juice of 1/2 lemon 1 Granny Smith apple (peeled and grated) Method for sweet pastry: 1. Cream the butter and sugar together, then add egg yolks and finally, slowly add the plain flour.

2. Do not over mix, handle lightly and wrap in clingfilm. Allow it to rest in the fridge for 30 minutes.

3. Meanwhile, preheat the oven to 180ºC. Grease the inside of a 30cm flan ring with butter and spri nkle with flour.

Then grease and flour the flat baking tray and sit it in the flan ring.

4. Roll the pastry out on a floured work surface to about 3mm thick, carefully drape over the flan ring and push the pastry into the edges for a neat finish.

5. Allow some pastry to overhang the edge of the ring. Put the tart case in the freezer for 10 minutes if you can.

6. Line the case with baking paper and beans or dried chickpeas or rice and bake for 15 minutes.

7. Remove the case from the oven, carefully remove the paper containing the beans – they will be very hot.

8. Use a fork to prick small holes all over the base of the pastry case. Return to the oven and bake until cooked through and golden brown (5-10 minutes). Remove from the oven, and set aside. Turn the oven down to 150ºC. Method for treacle filling: 1. Mix all ingredients well in a mixing bowl and pour into the cooked pastry case.

2. Cook at 150ºC for about 30 - 40 mins.

Check the tart after 30 minutes. When it is just set, remove from the oven and allow cooling to room temperature.

Ingredients for sesame tuiles: 25g golden syrup 75g Demerara sugar 25ml milk 75g unsalted butter 25g ground almonds 30g sesame seeds Method for sesame tuiles: Gently heat the golden syrup and demerara sugar. Add the milk and cool. Mix in the butter, almonds and sesame seeds. Cool.

Serving: Warm the torte in the oven, at 180ºC, for about 5 mins and serve with the ice-cream. www.theponyandtrap.co.uk www.wappingwharf.co.uk/chicken-shed www.eatdrinkbristolfashion.co.uk www.saltmalt.com

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HIGH QUALITY FRUIT & VEGETABLES

Opening times

Monday - Friday 9.00am - 6.00pm Saturday - 9.00am - 4.00pm Sunday - Closed

where we are

17 Chandos Road, Bristol, BS6 6PG

GET IN TOUCH

0117 336 0046 | info@mabelsgreengrocer.co.uk x a @MabelsGreens

New Christmas Menu for 2016 2 courses £30, 3 courses £35.

Welcome glass of mulled wine on arrival To Begin - A Medley of…

Grilled Courgette, Aubergine and button mushroom salad with grapefruit and cumin dressing

Deep Fried Soft Shell Crab with red pepper sauce

Spiced Fishcakeof monkfish, potato and spring onion, drizzled with tomato and sweetcorn chutney

To Follow - A sumptuous feast of...

Roast free range Somerset turkey served with a Chettinad sauce

and Wiltshire Lamb Cutlets simmered in a spiced spinach puree Served with: Traditonal chickpea masala infused with assam tea leaves, Peas Pilau, Garlic Naan

Desserts Mango rice pudding

or Honey & saffron ice-cream

All produce, meat and fish are sourced from local producers and suppliers Vegan and vegetarian options also available.

Book early to avoid disappointment.

12-16 Clifton Road, Clifton, Bristol BS8 1AF Tel: 01173 291300 Longmead Gospel Hall, Lower Bristol Road, Bath BA2 3EB Tel: 01225 446656 Email: info@themintroom.co.uk www.themintroom.co.uk

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F O O D & D R I N K A D V E R T I S I N G F E AT U R E

DINING in BRISTOL A selection of the best places to eat out in Bristol and the surrounding area JAPANESE BENTO BOSS Unit 6, Clifton Down Station, Whiteladies Rd, Bristol; 0117 973 6132; www.bentoboss.co.uk Pan Asian freshly made sushi in the heart of Whiteladies Road.

TAPAS BRACE & BROWNS 43 Whiteladies Rd, Bristol; 0117 973 7800; www.braceandbrowns.co.uk Creative Tapas Dishes, fabulous brunch and the BEST roast in Bristol!

KOH THAI TAPAS 7-9 Triangle South, Bristol; 0117 922 6699; www.koh-thai.co.uk Award-winning Thai tapas, small plates and cocktails.

NEW MOON CAFÉ 9 The Mall, Clifton BS8 4DP; 0117 239 3858; www.newmooncafe.co.uk Quality drinks, soulful food and regular live music evenings in the heart of Clifton.

WALTERS’S ON THE SQUARE Bristol Marriot Royal Hotel; College Green; 01179 255 100; www.waltersbristolroyal.co.uk The perfect rendezvous spot to enjoy tasty West Country tapas, refreshing handcrafted summer cocktails and local flavoured craft beers.

BURGERS MEAT LIQUOR Stokes Croft, Bristol; 0117 402 0000; www.meatliqour.com Burgers and beer; fried chicken and cocktails. Enough said!

INDIAN MINT ROOM DINING 12-16 Clifton Rd, Bristol; 0117 329 1300; www.themintroom.co.uk Creative and classic Indian cuisine in a contemporary setting.

NUTMEG 10 The Mall, Bristol; 0117 360 0288; Inspired by their travels across India, learning about each region's culinary history, with influences including the Mughals, Persians, Portuguese and British, Nutmeg brings you the 29 states of India in one menu.

THALI CAFÉ 1 Regent Street, Bristol; 0117 974 3793; www.thethalicafe.co.uk Award winning Indian restaurants and eco tiffin take-away food, check out their other Bristol venues on their website!

STEAK THE OX 43 Corn Street, Bristol; 0117 922 1001; www.theoxbristol.com Stylish steak restaurant and cocktail bar in a basement bank vault, with a cool, speakeasy vibe.

ROTISSERIE STEAM BRISTOL Whiteladies Gate Clifton Down Station; 07805 360592; www.steambristol.co.uk Brand new opening! Beer Hall & Rotisserie – what’s not to love?

ITALIAN

MIDDLE EASTERN

PASTA LOCO 37A Cotham Hill, Bristol; 0117 973 3000; www.pastaloco.co.uk Opened by cousins Ben and Dominic; freshly made pastas, a range of antipasti and daily specials.

BIBLOS ON THE HILL 225 Gloucester Road, Bristol; 0117 942 5671; www.biblos.co.uk Delicious fast-food fusion of Middle Eastern and Caribbean cuisine.

PIZZAROVA 289 Gloucester Rd, Bristol; 0117 942 7770; www.pizzarova.com Handmade sourdough and glutenfree sourdough pizzas from our Gloucester Road, Bristol shop.

POLPO 50 Whiteladies Road, Bristol; 0117 973 3100; www.polpo.co.uk POLPO is a 'bàcaro' – the Venetian word that describes a humble restaurant serving simple food and good, young Italian wines.

ROSEMARINO 1 York Place, Clifton, Bristol; 0117 973 6677; www.rosemarino.co.uk Rosemarino is a little gem to enjoy anytime, whether it be the full Italian feast or simply for a coffee while reading the papers.

VEENO CO. 1 Glass Wharf, Temple Way, Bristol; 0117 941 4181; www.theveenocompany.com Italian wine café in the UK serving family-produced Sicilian wines and authentic Italian spuntini.

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FINE DINING CASAMIA The General, Guinea St, Bristol; 0117 959 2884; www.casamiarestaurant.co.uk Michelin-starred restaurant with a menu that changes with the seasons whilst focusing on using the very best British produce available.

CHINESE ZEN HARBOURSIDE 4B, Harbourside, Explore Ln; 0117 920 9370; www.zenharbourside.co.uk Contemporary and classical Chinese cooking in a sleek dining room with floor-to-ceiling windows.

COFFEE SHOP BAKESMITHS 65 Whiteladies Rd; 07535 607061; www.bakesmiths.co.uk A bakery/cakery, coffee roaster, coffee shop.

BREW COFFEE CO. 45 Whiteladies Rd; 0117 973 2842; www.brewcoffeecompany.co.uk Brew Coffee company is a local

Bristol hangout for brunch, lunch, cake or just a damn fine Brew.

GASTRO PUB ALMA TAVERN 18-20 Alma Vale Rd, Avon, Bristol; 0117 973 5171; www.almatavernandtheatre.co.uk New chef Alert! Massive pub with regular jazz pianists, an intimate theatre upstairs and an art space downstairs.

RACKS BAR & KITCHEN St Paul's Rd, Bristol; 0117 974 1626; www.racks-bristol.co.uk A fantastic party venue, home to the famous Racks Burger and a great space for Private Parties.

THE GLOUCESTER OLD SPOT 138 Kellaway Ave, Bristol; 0117 924 7693; www.theoldspotbristol.co.uk Light-filled gastropub with covered terrace and garden, menu made from locally sourced produce.

BETTER FOOD 94 Whiteladies Rd; 0117 946 6957; www.betterfood.co.uk Better Food believe in good honest products, which is why they strive to make local, organic, ethical and fair trade goods more available to all.

MABEL’S GREEN GROCER 17 Chandos Rd; 0117 336 0046; www.mabelsgreengrocer.co.uk Good, old-fashioned service and fresh, high quality fruit & veg, served with a smile.

MOLESWORTHS OF HENLEAZE 101 Henleaze Rd; 0117 962 1095; www.henleazebutchers.co.uk A wide range of great tasting meat and poultry, produced to the highest standards of animal welfare, sourced as locally as possible and prepared by master butchers to your requirements.

FOOD & DRINK W H AT ’ S M A K I N G T H E G O U R M E T N E W S I N B R I S T O L

TAKE FIVE Our regular five-minute interview with the people making foodie news in the city right now

B

akesmiths is a new – well, fairly new – indie artisan baker, coffee shop and wine bar on Whiteladies Road; it’s also a shop and a wine bar that hosts live music and pop-up events, parties and a baking school. We’re amazed that coowner Alex Williams (shown above with baker Marianne) found time to answer our questions.

What’s your role is in the company?

I own and run Bakesmiths along with my two business partners, Tom Batlle and Mike Thorne, who wanted to create a venue showcasing their cake brand Cakesmiths – a local business supplying wholesale cakes to coffee shops and businesses nationwide on a next-day delivery basis.

Why did Tom and Mike choose this site on Whiteladies Road?

They felt it was the perfect venue to invite current and prospective customers to view and sample their cakes in a real-world setting.

How and when did you come on board?

I joined Bakesmiths after 10 years in transport, with aspirations of working in coffee. I was counting footfall up and down the road, when I stopped in for a coffee, and happened to ask Tom whether he would be up for giving me some work experience. I was soon introduced to Mike and within a couple of weeks became their business partner with the mandate of running the business as my own, allowing 72 I BRISTOL LIFE I www.mediaclash.co.uk

them to focus their time on the Cakesmiths brand. So far it’s been a steep learning curve, but fantastic fun.

What does Bakesmiths offer, and what makes it stand out from the crowd?

Great customer service is the priority.

We want everyone to feel welcome and feel like a local; something I believe we are achieving. We also have the USP of baking and roasting in the line of sight of our customers – everything is cooked from scratch each day onsite, which sets us apart from others in the industry.

As well as breads and pastries, what else is on the menu?

Fabulous food for everyone from the vegan to the committed carnivore. Our smashed avocado with dukkah is inevitably a big hit but our ‘Dirty Beans’ have begun to build up a cult following – who wouldn’t fall in love with our homemade beans filled with smoked bacon, pulled ham and spicy chorizo served with limitless sourdough bread baked fresh that day? The tip is to ask for it ‘extra dirty’ for added heat . . .

You’re not just a coffee shop and brunch venue, though?

You’re right, we also have a space upstairs which we utilise as a meeting venue for hire and a baking school. The room is a light and airy space which has proved a real hit with local businesses, and the fledgling baking school is gathering momentum, with some great Christmas classes coming up over the next month.

What’s your favourite temptation on the menu?

Our ‘eggs in purgatory’ are pretty special; lots of brunch venues are doing their own version of baked eggs but ours come with a fresh pitta baked that morning and a mint raita to take the edge off the spice, served either vegetarian or packed with meat. The feedback has been brilliant. I also have to mention our sausage rolls though, whether you choose our meaty or veggie version, it doesn’t matter – you’ll be eating the best in Bristol!

For more Bakesmiths, 65 Whiteladies Road, Bristol; 07535 607061; www.bakesmiths.co.uk

Go on. You k now you want to

FOOD AND DRINK Paco seems pretty pleased with his new venture

TASTY BITES. . .

Paco’s Tapas está abierto! The third offering from Bristol’s muchloved Sanchez-Iglesias family has opened in time for Christmas, joining fine-diner Casamia (currently on track to receive its second Michelin star) and pizza parlour Pi Shop, on the ground floor of The General on Guinea Lane.

The tapas restaurant – a long-held ambition for Spanish-born patriarch Paco – was originally scheduled for a summer opening, but for these guys the priority was always going to be getting everything absolutely right. The verdict? All the warmth, buzz and over-easy charm of a traditional tapas bar, but with considerably more sophisticated cooking than the norm. www.sanchez-brothers.co.uk

Steam-Bristol (at the old Roo Bar, next to Clifton Down Station) is launching its new venue with a festive street food night market on Friday 9 December between 5-10pm. You’ll be able to eat some of the best street food Bristol has to offer in a covered and lit outside seating area and steam punk inspired interior; there’s even a wishing Christmas tree and a mulled cider bar, while DJ Private Britton from Dirty Casino will be spinning vinyl on the decks

No, not Polpo – Paco’s

Dine with the 100ft high club

www.steambristol.co.uk

Bristol Cider Shop is holding Cargo-themed Christmas parties every Saturday until 22 December

at its new Wapping Wharf shop.

The events are being held in collaboration with neighbouring restaurants and feature food from a choice of Cargo eateries.

The parties are based on the shop’s popular cider tastings, adapted for Christmas parties with the emphasis on fun and games.

Groups will be able to choose which restaurant they would like to provide the food when they book, and meals will be delivered during the tasting. Food choices include Christmas pies from Lovett Pies, pig boards from Pigsty, chicken and chips from Chicken Shed or Asian street f ood from Woky Ko. Cider tasting parties cost £30 per person and include mulled cider and mince pies on arrival, followed by a fully-tutored cider tasting with 10 award-winning ciders, and food from the chosen restaurant. www.bristolcidershop.co.uk

There’s fine dining and then there’s high dining: following its success in London, Events in the Sky is coming to Bristol next year, offering the public the opportunity to dine suspended 100 feet in the air at Lloyd’s Amphitheatre. Bristol restaurants will transfer their dining experiences to the unique sky table, suspended 100 feet in the air by a mobile crane. Guests are securely fastened in before the table is raised and sways, presumably, excitingly in the breeze. www.eventsinthesky.co.uk

The nightmarket before Christmas

Lose the HoP and the Eye, add Lloyd’s Amphitheatre, you got it ...

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Lunar optical is a leading independent optical practice on Gloucester Road

MERRY CHRISTMAS FROM LUNAR OPTICAL!

Looking for a great gift idea this Christmas? Lunar optical Gift vouchers Available!

Your eyes are for looking at beautiful things....

291 Gloucester Road, Bishopston, Bristol BS7 8NY.

Tel: 0117 942 0011 Email: info@lunaroptical.com Open: Monday, Friday, Saturday - 9.30am to 5.30pm Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday - 9.30am to 6.00pm

www.lunaroptical.com

Host Families Needed Hosting international students in your home is a very rewarding experience and provides a valuable extra source of income. The high standards we require are rewarded with good rates of pay, usually ÂŁ40 per night, per student.

The students we represent (typically 13-18 y/o) require good quality, caring, welcoming, full board, host family accommodation for short periods (from 2 to 21 nights).

We put a lot of time and effort into matching the right students with the right host families and we provide excellent communications and 24/7 support.

If you would like to find out more about hosting students please contact us for further information.

Tel: 01225 423327 Email: mail@crownguardians.co.uk www.crownguardians.co.uk 12a Crescent Lane, Bath, BA1 2PU

a d v ertisi n g fe at u re H E A LT H

Meet the DENTIST Bristol has many dentists, so how do you choose the right one for your family?

Let this friendly smiling lot tell you about their practices . . .

Dr Thomas Friend BDS

Associate Dentist; High Street Dental Group; Tel 0117 9260265 www.highstreetdental.co.uk What misconceptions do people have about seeing a dentist?

People are often apprehensive about seeing a dentist. At High Street Dental Clinic we pride ourselves in putting patient care as our number one priority and our friendly, calming environment will put all patients at ease. I will always spend the time needed to overcome any anxieties or worries.

What changes have you seen in dentistry?

Over the last decade there has been a big shift towards ‘preventative dentistry’. The aim of our dentistry is to educate patients in the best ‘at-home’ hygiene regimen to maintain healthy teeth and gums and encourage regular check-ups to avoid any problems from arising.

What part of the work do you particularly enjoy?

I get real satisfaction from seeing the ‘boost’ in self-confidence a patient gets after completing an important piece of work, whether it be fixing a broken tooth or crown or changing the aesthetics of someone’s smile.

Good quality dentistry can really make a difference.

Tell us something about yourself I have a range of experience in different areas of dentistry, including general practice, oral and maxillofacial surgery and restorative dentistry.

Dr Alfonso Rao BDS

Clinical Director; Queen Square Dental Group; Tel 0117 927 2797 www.queensquareclinic.com What is special about your practice?

Queen Square Dental Clinic was established in 2006, with the philosophy to create a centre for excellence, where only the very highest standards in modern dentistry are provided for our patients, also to provide the most advanced treatments, the most beautiful and natural smiles and to have the most highly trained and caring team of people.

Why come to you?

We understand that for most of us going to the dentist is a daunting prospect. At Queen Square Dental Clinic from the moment you walk into the reception area the welcoming staff guide you to the plush sofas, making it easy to forget you are about to visit the dentist.

Client service and satisfaction are our priority.

What part of the work do you particularly enjoy?

Our clinic has a particular focus on dental implants and cosmetic dentistry. The advanced training I have undertaken has given me a wealth of knowledge and the confidence to successfully carry out a wide range of treatments, from the placement of a single implant in the aesthetic zone to a full mouth rehabilitation.

Dr Jonathan Sproson BDS

General & Cosmetic Dentist and Qualified Practice Assessor; Evolve Dentistry; Tel 01275 842550; www.evolve-dentistry.co.uk Why are you a dentist?

I am a very practical person and enjoy working with my hands. I am very comfortable rebuilding and enhancing patients’ smiles. I love meeting different people and being of a caring, nonjudgmental nature as well as a problem solver, dentistry is definitely the perfect job for me.

What is special about Evolve Dentistry?

Our beautiful environment and customer care standards reflect the quality of the care and treatment delivered by our clinical team. We allocate the proper time patients need for us to listen to their concerns and aspirations.

Patient dignity, comfort, privacy and safety are key.

Best parts of your job?

Offering hypno-relaxation means patients who otherwise were too frightened to undergo necessary treatment, can now enjoy the confidence that comes with a healthy, beautiful smile.

Why come to Evolve Dentistry?

We want to do the best by our patients. I demonstrate this in my membership of British Academy of Cosmetic Dentistry and British Society of Occlusal Studies. These enable me to offer the best and latest techniques and I can treat TMJ disease – often patients will be relieved of neck, shoulder and facial pain that has not been previously diagnosed correctly.

We make visits convenient for our busy patients.

Evolve is only 15 minutes from Clifton but, without the parking nightmare – we have free parking adjacent to us.

Bristol Life Reader Offer – Like us on Facebook and enjoy 50% off a New Patient Consultation in December* call Julie, our Treatment Coordinator on 01275 842550 or email enquries@evolve-dentistry.co.uk *Full terms apply

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H E A LT H a d v ertisi n g fe at u re

DR Ceri OwenRoberts BDS

Bris DipRestDent; Elgin Park Dental Practice; Tel 0117 9735677; www.elginpark.co.uk

Tell us a bit about yourself After graduating from Bristol, I have now settled in my adopted city. Outside of work I’m kept busy with my 18-month-old twin girls, Orla and Ruby.

What is special about your practice?

We are an independently owned family practice offering a range of treatments from routine dentistry to cosmetic work and dental implants.

What is the best bit about your job?

I enjoy building good relationships with patients, and involving the practice in the local community. We recently offered a programme of free treatment for Syrian refugees moving into Bristol, which was a very positive experience.

Why come to you?

We are a friendly team, and have a wealth of expertise between us. We use a CEREC machine which allows us to make single visit computer designed crowns, in as little as 7 minutes, without the need for traditional impressions!

What’s your special interest?

I take great pride in placing dental implants in simple and complex cases. As well as giving lectures nationally, I organise local talks from some of the worlds experts in Implant dentistry. As a mentor, I teach others how to place dental implants, helping new dentists learn this life changing technique.

DR Sarah Buckley BDS MJDF RCSEng; Elgin Park Dental Practice; Tel 0117 9735677; www.elginpark.co.uk

Tell us about where you work We’re housed in a stunning Victorian building in Redland.

Our surgeries, waiting room and reception area have all been refurbished, so our patients can enjoy their visit in a relaxing environment.

Why come to you?

My priority is patient care; I take time to understand an individual’s needs to provide education and options allowing them to make their own choices.

How do you help nervous patients?

We know people get nervous visiting the dentist so we try to employ pain-free techniques. Where people’s fear means they can’t tolerate standard treatment, I can offer conscious sedation.

Why do you offer facial aesthetics?

I believe that patients should only receive anti-wrinkle injectables and dermal fillers from professionals who have extensive training and an expert understanding of facial anatomy. Knowledge of symmetry and aesthetic proportions enables me to enhance natural beauty through subtle, confidence boosting changes. This training also enables me to manage complications and revise any unsatisfactory work completed elsewhere.

78 I BRISTOL LIFE I www.mediaclash.co.uk

DR Phillip Chan BDS

Principal Dentist; Horfield Dental Care; Tel 0117 9513026; www.horfielddentalcare.co.uk What is special about your practice?

The practice has recently undergone extensive renovations to modernise and improve the facilities for the comfort of our patients. We have a truly dedicated team who are friendly and accommodating, enabling us to deliver a consistently exceptional service.

Why come to you?

We pride ourselves on providing an excellent standard of general dentistry for both children and adults. We also offer a range of advanced treatments including dental implants, cosmetic braces and sedation for anxious patients.

What part of work do you particularly enjoy?

I enjoy meeting new people and getting to know my patients.

People are often nervous when visiting the dentist, this is why I always spend time listening to their concerns and alleviating their fears. It is a huge privilege for someone to entrust me with their smile!

What advice would you give to someone seeking a family dentist?

I would suggest speaking to friends and family for their personal recommendations and to research online reviews.

Most of our new patients are recommended to our practice by word of mouth. Registration with us is simple, there’s no need to transfer your dental records - just call us or book online.

Dr Brad Hall BDS DPDS MSc (Dental Implantology)

Dentist/Partner; Passage House Dental Care; Tel 0117 950 3141; www.passagehousedental.co.uk What is special about your practice?

Passage House Dental Care is a welcoming, modern NHS and private dental practice. We are proud to see whole families from the great-grandparents, aunties, dads, mums, teenagers to the youngest member of the family as they start to get their wonderful new teeth.

We offer modern dentistry for all the family including: orthodontics for adults and children / dental implants / conscious sedation for anxious patients.

Why come to you?

Our patients speak for us.

We always have fantastic comments each month in our patient questionnaire.

What advice would you give someone coming to see a family dentist?

Work as a team with your dentist. Listen to their advice and follow it every day. Take very young children to the dentist with you so they can experience visits.

What misconceptions do people have about dentists?

People think the dentist is scary! We’re not. We have an amazing dental team, who will listen to your needs and help you and your family maintain or work towards good oral health.

0117 911 0556

Winter offer:

A MAN’S WORLD

‘BRISTOL’S FIRST-EVER RETAIL YARD MADE OF CONVERTED SHIPPING CONTAINERS’ MUST BE UP THERE WITH THE BEST IN TERMS OF OBSCURE ASPIRATIONS

SEB BARRETT

HIGH ON THE HOG In which Baz takes Flats down Wapping way, for a bit of piggy tucker

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our new favourite British food restaurant has landed in Bristol, and its name is Pigsty.

Pigsty is situated in the new Cargo development on Wapping Wharf – a delightfully Dahlian bit of alliteration – which the developers proudly proclaim this area to be “Bristol’s first-ever retail yard made of converted shipping containers,” which must be up there with the best in terms of obscure aspirations.

This sort of quirky environment adds to the ‘peak Bristol’ feel of the area, and explains why it’s the perfect site for Pigsty.

This is the flagship restaurant of The Jolly Hog, which was founded by three Bristolian brothers. If you’re not familiar with the business of the Hogateers, you probably haven’t been to any major sporting or festive events of late. The Hogfathers have been sating appetites from Twickenham to Glastonbury for a good few years now.

Once the cornerstone of Harlequins’ pack in the English Premiership, when Olly Kohn retired from the game due to injury in 2013, the rugby world’s loss was the food scene’s gain. The sausage maker bought for him by his wife during one injury spell takes pride of place on the wall in Pigsty; just one part of a very cool interior design. While it is evident that the Quins’ pack still misses him, Olly has found another full-time team to usher him into his post-rugby career: brothers Josh and Max, with whom he has helped build Jolly Hog into the brand it is today.

Having enjoyed my fair share of Jolly Hog offerings on various match days, I wasn’t lacking in adolescent excitement when the offer came to join Bath Life’s David Flatman in taking an early run at Pigsty. We were fortunate enough on this occasion to be hosted by two thirds of the Kohn brothers themselves, Max and Olly – not to mention the Kohns’ patriarch, Simon – which

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PROFESSIONAL SPORT AND FITNESS, 1&2 Gordon Road, Whitehall, Bristol BS5 7DL. Tel 01179 619999. www.psfshop.com Cricket specialists and stockist of:

illustrated just how much of a family affair this mealtime movement really is.

There was initial alarm as a sharing board was placed in front of Flats and me. After all, here I was sitting opposite a man famed across the south-west for his voracious appetite. It is testament to how wholesomely filling and delicious the food is here that not only did we more than enjoy our fill, but the only reason we kept eating was purely because Olly would plonk what guests on the other end of the table couldn’t eat onto our platter. I suspect he had a pitying look on his face as he did so, but we were too face-deep in sundry pork dishes to notice.

The platter was a panoply of porky delights, with sausage rolls, pork shoulder croquettes (Hoguettes, natch) and scotch eggs, complemented by sweet potato fries and, in my case, washed down with a Hunt’s Cider. This is the life. The Pigsty approach to coffee is refreshing: a stripped-back menu which, when you have good beans and a great machine, is how it should be.

I like the fact that Bristol is home to some of the best restaurants that celebrate British food – Clifton Sausage springs to mind – and Pigsty is British food in excelsis.

We should celebrate this fact. Preferably by going the whole Hog. Seb Barrett works in sports communications.

Follow him on Twitter @bazzbarrett

Visit our Massive Professional Sport & Fitness Superstore -

open 6 days a week!

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WOMEN IN BUSINESS

WOMEN’S HOUR What’s it like being a business woman in Bristol at the end of 2016?

We asked six of the best to find out

By DE R I ROBI NS Photo s Wer on i k a K a r c z ew sk a

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hat a difference a year makes. First the referendum, then the US election – we almost had a woman in the ultimate seat of power across the Pond as well as in the UK and Scotland. Bristol has its fair share of female powerhouses, from gallery owners to music trust CEs – we thought it was time to get the woman’s perspective on life, the universe and everything.

ALISON BRACEY

PHOTO BY JON CRAIG

Alison is the director of Bracey Interiors in Clifton Village

has been some from our suppliers, and prices will definitely be going up in January. This will obviously have a knock-on effect with our customers.

Please big up some other Clifton indies Belle du Jour for their flowers – always creative and individual.

Rhubarb for their wonderful jumpers – always welcome on cold winter days. Sky for the most amazing range of cards.

LIFE WOULDN’T BE FUN WITHOUT DREAMS AND CHALLENGES

How do you get away from it all?

Simple – I just don’t look at my emails. I’m very good at being able to switch off – our line of work is very demanding, and it’s important to have your own personal space and time to relax and recharge.

2016, then – discuss!

ALISON BRACEY We really can’t complain. It’s been a great year for Bracey Interiors – we celebrated 50 years in interior design, and we’ve had lots of exciting projects to work on.

Any plans, hopes and dreams for the new year?

Plenty! Life wouldn’t be fun without dreams, challenges, etc – ask What repercussions have you seen since the referendum? me at the end of the year whether it’s all worked out . . . www.braceyinteriors.co.uk w While we haven’t seen nervousness or concerns from clients, there

www.mediaclash.co.uk I BRISTOL LIFE I 83

WOMEN IN BUSINESS SUSIE MICHELSON

Susie is the founder of Hidden, a friendly, eclectic art gallery located in The Clifton Arcade

HIDDEN SPREADS HAPPINESS – THAT’S WHAT MAKES IT FEEL SPECIAL

How’s business been this year?

SUSIE MICHELSON Hidden has had a whirlwind of a first year.

After four months of opening, we acquired the shop next door to sell a bigger range and include work from our personal collection of artists such as Banksy, Hockney, Picasso, Warhol and Miro. It quickly became apparent that there is an appetite for some of the big names in Bristol.

What would have made it even better?

More government incentives and business rate reductions for expanding small businesses would have helped us maintain our margins, instead of disproportionately increasing our costs.

What makes the area you work in special?

It is a privilege to show such an inspirational and eclectic range of art, from rare lithographs to limited-edition prints and original work.

I love being surrounded by art, and working with wonderful artists from Bristol. Combining local art with rare pieces is pretty unusual; I am so fortunate to be able to pass on this passion to our customers.

It’s wonderful to be able to bring a smile and excitement to people by introducing them to beautiful art whatever the price. I think Hidden spreads happiness – that certainly makes it special.

What repercussions have you seen from the referendum?

There are financial implications for us and every other business. It is quite a challenge now to buy any rare art from outside of the UK, and some of our artists are finding material and printing costs are increasing dramatically. Whatever happens, as a business owner, you learn to survive by adapting and having flexibility.

What are the biggest obstacles you face as a woman in business?

I certainly don’t find it a problem. As a woman who started her career in the oil industry in the 1980s, I learnt how to be strong and to overcome obstacles through determination, independence, resilience and hard work. But it is much easier when you are doing something you love.

Please big up some of your favourite indie neighbours The Clifton Arcade is such a special place – not only is it beautiful, it has some wonderful small businesses. The Clifton Arcade has a great collection of independent traders and a real community feel.

Here are just a few that make a difference to my day: for breakfast, Primrose Café or Twelve. For lunch, Arch House Deli’s sandwiches or Chandos Deli’s samosas. For groceries, definitely Reg the Veg. If I want to treat my wardrobe I pop into Grace & Mabel or Maze, and for my wine rack it is DBM wines just alongside the Arcade. After work, I’d enjoy a drink at Nettle & Rye and supper at the Wallfish Bistro or The Clifton Sausage.

I LIKE EARLY MORNINGS – MAYBE I’M IN THE WRONG BUSINESS . . .

Where do you go to get away from it all?

The gallery is open seven days a week, so there is very little time to get away from it all, but I enjoy walking my miniature Schnauzer puppy, Mabel. Our favourite LOUISE MITCHELL spots are overlooking the Suspension Bridge or mooching through Leigh Woods.

Then there is always the Lido, the Everyman Cinema and Sunday lunch at The Canteen for real downtime.

And plans, hopes and dreams for the new year?

I hope to really hone the image of the gallery, source even more amazing art for our customers, expand our customer base and be ‘the’ place in Bristol for great art. www.myhiddenworld.co.uk

84 I BRISTOL LIFE I www.mediaclash.co.uk

WOMEN IN BUSINESS LOUISE MITCHELL

Louise is the chief executive of Bristol Music Trust, responsible for entertaining the whole of Bristol at Colston Hall and ensuring all Bristol children have access to music education.

How’s business been this year?

We’ve been independent for five years now, and each year has been better than the last as we strengthen artistic partnerships and grow audiences.

What makes arts in Bristol special?

The arts in Bristol are always innovative and surprising. We all try to work collaboratively as local arts organisations big and small to make the best use of our collective resources.

that I didn’t have time to look at the day before. I like the early mornings, I do my best thinking then – maybe I’m in the wrong business . . .

Please big up some of your favourite cultural hubs Tobacco Factory Theatres – I always feels so relaxed there, it’s a real treat. The intimate setting always produces a really special experience. I keep an eye on the big London venues such as the Royal Opera House – particularly what they do for fundraising. You might have noticed we’re doing the same here for Bristol’s biggest music venue.

THE SOONER WE HAVE A CLEARER POST-BREXIT STRATEGY, THE BETTER

What’s the best Christmas present anyone could give you?

The final £10 million to complete the transformation of Colston Hall. We have so far raised over £30 million towards the target and will be launching a public appeal in 2017.

MELANIE HILL What, if any, repercussions have you seen since the referendum? www.colstonhall.org/about-us/bristol-music-trust Not very much yet but we are nervous about future freedom of movement. We need to be able to present the best and most interesting artists irrespective of what passport people hold. We’ve MELANIE HILL already had instances of concerts being cancelled because the Melanie is the owner of Mabel’s, a traditional performers could not get a visa. Brexit is unlikely to make this better.

What are the biggest obstacles you face as a woman in business?

I’ve always chosen not to see any obstacles but then again this may mean that I’ve not cashed in on any advantages. The important thing is to do the best you can, and remember why you’re doing it.

What time do you start work in the morning,?

I tend to start from home quite early, checking on the show reports and box office figures from the previous day and reading messages

greengrocer on Chandos Road

How’s business been this year?

This has been our first year of trading – we have been delighted at the response of the locals and are proud to have built up a loyal customer base – some of our customers visit us every day. It’s been great to welcome our student community – with our 20% student discount, our fresh juices and home-made soups are proving popular.

It’s great to pick up a glass of freshly juiced goodness on your way to work or a lecture.

What would have made it better?

Getting our Santos Juicer sooner – it’s a beauty.

What makes the area you work in special?

It’s a diverse, friendly community with a good mix of born-and-bred locals, families and students. I also live in the area and we have a great neighbourhood association putting on events throughout the year, including Window Wanderland, Chandos Presents street party, and our up-and-coming Chandos Traders Christmas event on 11 December. There’ll be carol-singing, mulled wine, mince pies and roasting chestnuts. We have a great mix of independent shops, restaurants and cafés where you’ll always bump into someone you know, and I think that adds to our sense of community.

What repercussions have you seen since the referendum?

In the lead-up to the referendum the shop was festooned with the flags of the member EU nations. Even though UEFA was on at the time, I think our position was clear . . . I am relieved to say that there have been no immediate repercussions. However, I do think that uncertainty has a negative effect on business generally, and the sooner we have a clearer strategy, the better.

Melanie Hill

If you could have five minutes with any woman politician, who would it be, and what would you ask them?

It would have to be Michelle Obama. A great role model for women – inspirational. I’d have to ask her how she retained such dignity during the presidential election campaign. But what about Malania – our new First Lady? I think I’d need to ask her a very simple question (in the words of the brilliant Caroline Aherne): what first attracted you to the billionaire Donald Trump? w www.mediaclash.co.uk I BRISTOL LIFE I 85

WOMEN IN BUSINESS What are the biggest obstacles for a woman in business?

Thankfully, I haven’t faced any obstacles that I can attribute to be being female. I do, however, find it quite difficult to lift a 25kg sack of Maris Pipers single-handedly; if I was a bloke, that would arguably be easier.

What time do you start work in the morning?

On market days my alarm goes at 5.30am – even then, the market has been actively trading for a few hours. It’s a very nocturnal existence for the wholesalers and they are usually having their bacon sarnie ‘supper’ by the time I arrive.

What’s the best Christmas present anyone could give you?

A lie-in two days in a row (I don’t want to sound greedy). A Polar Deck display fridge? A thief-proof doormat? A Citroen HY van?

When’s your busiest time of year?

The lead up to Christmas, when we work through to the early hours putting together Christmas orders and hampers to make sure everyone has all that they need for that special feast.

NOW, MORE THAN EVER, WE SHOULD BE CHAMPIONING LOCAL AND ETHICAL FOOD

Any plans for 2017?

Our new year plans involve one of our suppliers where we are looking at a collaboration which will showcase their unusual produce and introduce more delistyle lines. Watch this space!

Please big up some of your favourite indie neighbours www.mabelsgreengrocer.co.uk We have some of Bristol’s best restaurants – newcomers Wilsons, Bib Gourmand, No Man’s REBECCA CRANSTON Grace, and Michelin-starred Wilkes. We love REBECCA CRANSTON Becca is the store manager at Better our symbiotic relationship – Jan of Wilsons Food on Whiteladies Road, brings us the odd shoulder of venison in return a wholefoods shop, deli and café focusing on organic, for emergency ingredients, and our son has helped out with the local, and ethical produce kitchen portering. Our blackboard paint and hardware supplies come from the fabulous Cotham Hardware. We hold our traders What’s the latest news at Better Food? association meetings at Chums micro-pub, where Mark stocks a We’ve recently opened a new shop at Wapping Wharf, which has got great selection of craft beers and ciders. John and his team at No off to a great start.

Man’s Grace keeps us awake with great coffee, and we enjoy top tips from the chefs as they pop in for supplies.

What repercussions have you seen since the referendum?

It’s too early to say what the long-term implications will be, but now more than ever we should be championing local and ethical food and Rebecca Cranston produce. Spending our cash supporting small producers, those who may well be the hardest hit, and those who genuinely care about improving their local area.

If you could have five minutes with any woman politician, who would it be, and what would you ask them?

I would ask Theresa May why the Tories are so intent on destroying the NHS and devaluing the fantastic work its employees do. We’re so privileged to have such an incredible healthcare system and it’s terrible to think it’s being taken away bit by bit. At Better Food we are currently offering a 5% discount to all NHS employees with a valid NHS card.

What are the biggest obstacles you face as a woman in business?

I think the sector I work in accepts females as the norm, which definitely helps. I first became a retail manager in my early twenties while working in the wine trade, which was historically a maledominated trade. A common frustration was customers assuming my knowledge wouldn’t be as good as my male colleagues, and commenting “haven’t you done well?”. I think I changed a few people’s gender-role perceptions, though, and ultimately the experience has made me a stronger individual.

Please big up some of your favourite indie neighbours I’m a really big fan of The TownHouse and their fantastic lunch deal.

Less locally, I also can’t get enough of the Bristol craft beer scene, with Crane and Arbor being particular favourites of mine.

And plans, hopes and dreams for the new year?

I think everyone would agree that 2016 has been quite turbulent – it would be lovely to see things a bit more settled and to hear more positive news for 2017. www.betterfood.co.uk

86 I BRISTOL LIFE I www.mediaclash.co.uk

Gemma Gallagher and Emma Bourne

GEMMA GALLAGHER AND EMMA BOURNE Emma and Gemma are co-owners of Sweet Pea, an independent boutique in Westbury-on-Trym

How’s business been this year?

Gemma: Footfall has noticeably increased this year and sales figures have reflected that. We have relaunched our website and focused on our social media presence; both having a great impact on sales.

Emma: Weather plays a key factor in our business; it’s very hard to sell seasonal fashion when British weather can be up against us. Heavy rainfall in the summer and warm winters can make it challenging to sell highseason stock.

What are the biggest obstacles you face as a woman in business, or do you find it an advantage?

Gemma: In our line of business, being a woman is a strength; we know our product, understand our customer base and when dealing with men in the industry we always have the upper hand regarding fit and suitability.

What time do you start work in the morning,?

Gemma: As soon as I wake up I check my emails and prioritise for the day ahead; make sure marketing campaigns have been sent and prep our social media posts for the day.

Emma: Visual merchandising and stock deliveries are my priority first thing; planning what I’m going to put in the window, shop floor moves depending on current promotions and what deliveries are scheduled to arrive that day.

I FEEL VERY LUCKY TO HAVE SUCH A GREAT WORK/LIFE BALANCE

What makes the area you work in special?

Gemma: We are lucky to have a fabulous Please big up some of your favourite client base who regularly shop with us. Over indie neighbours the years we have helped a lot of women in Gemma: Westbury-on-Trym has flourished in EMMA BOURNE Bristol feel more confident in themselves; to the last three years. It’s become a little haven of step out of their comfort zone and rediscover independents. Made in Bristol is gorgeous; they their style, particularly after having children, or hitting certain sell a range of items all made locally. milestones when they’re unsure of what they should or shouldn’t be Emma: My personal favourite is Vanilla Gifts just off the High wearing.

Street; I can always guarantee to find a lovely gift in there.

Emma: I love fashion, I love visual merchandising, I love retail, and being able to combine that by working for yourself and your best Where do you go to get away from it all? friend is fantastic. I feel very lucky to have such a great work/life Gemma: I enjoy walking my cockapoo Ozzy through Blaise Woods; balance. there’s nothing like a bit of fresh air, and especially at this time of year it’s beautiful. Poor mobile reception there also helps to stop me What if any repercussions have you seen since the checking my phone . . . referendum?

Emma: My ‘me time’ is at the gym; I love participating in the Gemma: The community in Westbury-on-Trym on the whole was classes to clear my mind and recharge. quite shocked with the result, and footfall noticeably decreased. It definitely affected sales for a couple of weeks, and was all anybody Plans, hopes and dreams for 2016? wanted to talk about when they came in store.

Gemma: We have exciting plans in place for next year to continue Emma: Our supply chain hasn’t as yet been affected. We currently to increase our online and social media presence. trade significantly with Europe, in particular Italy, but we will have Emma: We have some fab new lines coming next year: shoes, to see what happens. swimwear . . . watch this space . . . www.sweetpeafashion.co.uk

www.mediaclash.co.uk I BRISTOL LIFE I 87

Formerly The Lighting Warehouse

Lighting the way it should be...

New Silk Shade Colours available Visit us in store at: Unit 2, Bedminster Retail Park, Sheene Way, Bedminster, Bristol BS3 4TA Tel: 0117 963 5943 Email: info@thelightingstudiobristol.co.uk

www.thelightingstudiobristol.co.uk

4 Whiteladies Road Clifton, BS8 1PD Tel: 01179 292281

“A name you can trust for specialist legal services” • Accident Claims • Attorneyships & Court of Protection • B usiness Sales & Purchases • Commercial Property • Conveyancing • Debt Recovery

• Dispute Resolution • Divorce, Family & Children • E mployment Advice • P robate & Estate Services • W ills, Trusts & Tax Planning

Call free for a no obligation consultation

0800 097 8611 www.johnhodge.co.uk | email: mailbox@johnhodge.co.uk

BRISTOL | CLEVEDON | WEDMORE | WESTON-SUPER-MARE | YATTON

A D V E R T I S I N G F E AT U R E L E G A L

TRUSTS TO AVOID PAYING CARE HOME FEES

By Helen Calcutt at Metcalfes Solicitors

W

ith the increasing cost of elderly care, many people are looking at ways to reduce the value of their estate, which has the knock-on effect of reducing how much the local authority can demand an individual contributes towards their care costs.

At present, if you are financially assessed and have assets (which includes money in the bank and your property) above £23,250 you will be expected to pay all of your care fees privately.

The concept behind the trust is to reduce how much of your estate is taken into consideration when you are assessed for contributing towards your care fees.

Often a person’s largest asset is their house. As such, these trusts frequently are used to place the value of the property (or half the value if you are a joint owner) into a trust so that it is then disregarded by the local authority assessors.

Sounds good, what’s the catch?

Unfortunately, these trusts have a number of downfalls:

TAX

The two most common forms of trust are life interest trusts and discretionary trusts. If either of these trusts is created during your lifetime, you may need to pay a tax charge for placing the property into the trust, which can be very high depending on the property value. This is revalued every 10 years and further taxation might occur, as well as when property is taken out of the trust (known as an exit charge). Additionally, you may lose out on other tax benefits, such as Principle Private Residence Relief

and end up paying Capital Gains Tax unnecessarily.

SET UP COSTS

Often the fees charged by those advising on the trusts are very high and are not by qualified lawyers, so if anything goes wrong, you may not get any recourse.

DELIBERATE DEPRIVATION

If you set up the trust with the sole purpose of avoiding paying some or all of your care home fees, the local authority may claim that this amounts to ‘deliberate deprivation’ and will assess you as if the trust had not been set up. As such, you may end up paying a lot of money for the trust when you obtain no benefit from it.

RESIDENCE NIL RATE BAND

From April 2017, there will be an additional tax free allowance (starting at £100,000) for inheritance tax called the ‘residence nil rate band’ (RNRB). This will not be available for everyone, but for many it will bring extra welcome relief against the tax man.

However, the application of this additional allowance is not straightforward and trusts set up to avoid care fees could actually prevent the new RNRB from being available to an estate, which could prove costly.

What should I do?

Care home fees are an unfortunate part of many people’s lives, but there are legitimate ways you can plan for them.

Contact Metcalfes experienced solicitors in order to get a proper picture of all the options available to you and protect yourself or a loved one from making an expensive mistake. BL

For more information or advice, please contact Helen Calcutt on 0117 929 0451, or visit www.metcalfes.co.uk

www.mediaclash.co.uk I BRISTOL LIFE I 89

BUSINESS INSIDER

BRISTOL LIFE BUSINESS CLUB

WHAT GOES ON TOR, STAYS ON TOR Glastonbury founder Michael Eavis – a success in his chosen field, as it were – was guest speaker at our first Bristol Life business club at Hotel du Vin

By M A L ROGE R S Photo s w w w.j onc ra ig photo s.com

T

here are, according to popular wisdom, three ways to lose all your money. The pleasantest is to sink it all into lavish romances. The quickest is to lose it at gambling. But the surest is to venture into the world of rock promotion.

Fortunes have been lost by the vast majority of entrepreneurs straying into this alluring, yet volatile business sector.

Athelstan Michael Eavis, a West Country farmer, has succeeded where others have failed. Over the course of 46 years he has built Glastonbury into the world’s largest music festival. From the outset it has been an eclectic gathering — everything from political argument to lectures on karma realignment feature on the green, and sometimes muddy, pasturelands of Worthy Farm. “New ideas,” says Michael, “they crop up all the time. And that’s what you need. New ideas; a fresh look at things.”

But ‘world’s most successful impresario’ is not Michael’s job description of himself. “I’m a farmer with a field,” he says, a bit disingenuously; in fact, he’s had experience of the wider world outside Somerset.

He’s been at sea, had a spell down a coal mine, and served as a judge (at the cheese section at the Bath and West Show). Nothing in his experience pointed at a career that’s lead to him booking the likes of The Who, the Rolling Stones, Coldplay — and not forgetting the Lewisham and Greenwich NHS Choir who played there this year.

For such an international calendar marker, the origins of Glastonbury are simple enough. Eavis went to the Bath Festival of Blues and Progressive Music in 1970, liked it, and very soon The Pilton Pop Festival was formed, with T Rex headlining. “I had 1,500 people paying a quid to get in. I was on my way.”

Pilton eventually moved to his own fields in Glastonbury, and despite featuring almost every rock legend that has ever strutted the stage, Michael says, “I never had any over-arching business strategy.”

The festival steadily grew — although not without the occasional problem — mud, rock star egos, and the odd New Age traveller who refused to take a bath.

“But actually, I enjoy a setback,” he says. “You need to struggle if you want to succeed. You need to be able to turn a disaster into a success. I’m crisis-driven; I think that’s why I’ve lasted so long. When things don’t go to plan, that’s when I’m in my element.”

Michael also explained one of his tactics. “Always 90 I BRISTOL LIFE I www.mediaclash.co.uk

answer the phone. No voice mail, just deal with it.” A recipe for chaos you might think. But Michael Eavis doesn’t have a mobile — presumably the solitary businessman in the South West without one (and probably the only one, no matter what the weather, who wears shorts.) But then Michael has never been an orthodox businessman. He believes in the extraordinary fiscal strategy of giving skiploads of his money away. “We donate about £2 million to charity every year. Greenpeace, Oxfam and so on. And we do a lot of local stuff for schools and housing. I get a real kick out of building homes for people.”

The festival also contributes hugely to the local economy, which is why suggestions that Glastonbury might move — due to outgrowing its present location — has caused ripples of concern everywhere from West Country milking parlours to rock agencies in New York. “I think I do have the courage to change things if necessary,” Michael says. Flitting to a nearby safari park seemed feasible, but that now appears to be a non-starter. “Longleat fell through — the old man was very keen, the son not so.” Michael adds, “I used to play chess with the Longleat chap,” which somehow doesn’t seem surprising.

That chess brain is still at work, as fresh as ever.

“Even though I’m 81 I still enjoy the challenge. I enjoy what I do. I love the festival. I think I must have the best job in the world.”

But on further plans for Glasto all he could say was: “I don’t know what the future is.” And as regards the reasons for the festival’s success, he is equally unclear.

“I honestly don’t know. I often wonder about it. Is it the farm? Is it the cows? I just don’t know.”

Don’t miss out on the next Bristol Life Business Club www.bristollifebusinessclub.com

Network and dine at Hotel du Vin. It even rhymes if you pronounce Vin wrongly

THE EAVIS BUSINESS MODEL • Always have a new idea up your sleeve • If problems come, break them down to constituent parts • Give plenty of money away • Always answer the phone • Er, that’s about it

EAT, THINK, BRISTOL FASHION

Sponsored by Chartered Accountants Milsted Langdon The Bristol Life Business Club is a select group of senior business people. It features a leading speaker – for example, Glastonbury Festival founder Michael Eavis – and a damn fine lunch.

If you’d like to join, please contact Stephanie Dodd (Stephanie.Dodd@ mediaclash.co.uk).

These events sell out quickly, so look out for the emails...

i’m crisis-driven; i think that’s why i’ve lasted so

long

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BUSINESS INSIDER

BUSINESS ADVICE

MAKING SPARKS What’s a ‘people accelerator’ when it’s at home?

What goes down in the rather sci-fi-sounding The Hatchery? What’s a GoDo attitude? Matt West of The Entrepreneurial Spark cuts through the jargon

Does it cost anything, and if not, what’s in it for NatWest?

No, everything we provide is free to the entrepreneur: broadband, desks, phones, phone lines, meeting rooms, board rooms, mentors, parking (where applicable). This is about supporting the UK’s economic recovery and we believe that small businesses and entrepreneurs are the lifeblood of that economy. There is no catch for businesses. This is purely a scheme to help entrepreneurs run better businesses.

M

eet Matt West of NatWest – yes, really. Matt’s the Entrepreneur Development Manager for the bank, managing its relationship with Entrepreneurial Spark in Bristol. “My role comprises three key areas,” says Matt; “Creating opportunities for our ‘Chiclets’ (businesses on the Entrepreneurial Spark programme) to succeed, linking in with the wider business ecosystem to support entrepreneurship, and improving staff’s entrepreneurial thinking.”

What were you doing before you took on this role?

Prior to this I was on the RBS Commercial Graduate scheme, but have spent the last year working as part of the bank’s entrepreneurship team. During my time at university, I managed and ran the family coffee house so I have nothing but admiration and respect for the businesses we support on a day-to-day basis.

Can you sum up what constitutes a #GoDo attitude?

In my eyes having a #GoDo attitude is all about continuously pushing yourself outside of your comfort zone, testing your own personal boundaries. It is about focusing on a goal and striving to achieve it, regardless of the hurdles put in your way, and it is about taking every opportunity as a chance to learn and develop – a successful mindset.

What’s the best part of the job?

I define my role as an opportunity creator for opportunity-hungry people, and I love helping people succeed. Whenever I can add value to someone, I gain great pleasure from doing this.

THERE ARE A LOT OF SIMILARITIES BETWEEN BEING A SUCCESSFUL FOOTBALL MANAGER AND A SUCCESSFUL ENTREPRENEUR

What does the Entrepreneurial Spark set out to do?

We are a people accelerator. We offer a sixmonth programme for entrepreneurs looking to either start a business or expand their existing one, all absolutely free of charge. Working in conjunction with KPMG, Dell EMC and Pinsent Masons we offer a specialist enablement programme for all successful applicants which includes mentoring, internal and external events, investment opportunities, pitching to make you and your business ‘backable, investable and credible’.

How can people apply for the service?

Anyone can apply. The key is that you demonstrate a real passion for your business. If accepted, you and your team – if applicable – will move into the Entrepreneurial Spark Hatchery. Here you will be supported and challenged daily by your ‘enabler’ to help you grow your business.

You can stay within Entrepreneurial Spark for up to six months. If suitable and still capable of accelerating, there is the opportunity for you and your team to gain further support for an additional 12 months so high-impact start-ups stay with us for up to 18 months.

Is there someone in business that you admire and try to learn from?

I am a big sports fan, and think that there are a lot of similarities between being a successful football manager and a successful entrepreneur. Sir Alex Ferguson provides a great bridge between these two fields, and can teach people how to build a culture and get everyone performing at their best for you.

Top three general tips for entrepreneurs starting out?

1. Get out and speak to your target customers – don’t make assumptions about your audience.

2. Don’t be afraid to change – your initial product/service offering will not be live even six months down the line, constantly change what you do and how you do it in order to perfect it.

3. Form a panel of trusted advisors – being an entrepreneur can be a lonely job. Make sure that you surround yourself with people who you trust to give you honest feedback and support you on your journey.

What have you found to be the best tools for growth?

I know many of our businesses use Trello to keep on track of team projects. The Business Model Canvas is also a great tool to define your business in one simple page using nine categories.

For more www.entrepreneurial-spark.com

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BUSINESS INSIDER

RETIREMENT LIVING

HOME FROM HOME Many older people dislike the idea of a care home – and the fees can be prohibitive. But there’s a really viable alternative, as Frances Stretton, chief executive of Abbeyfield Bristol & Keynsham Society, explains

F

rances is in charge of the day-to-day running of Abbeyfield’s assisted living homes in Bristol, overseeing the operational and financial side of the business – but she also spends plenty of hands-on time with the residents and their families.

“Needless to say, there’s never a dull moment, and it’s hugely rewarding to know we’re providing something really special for people in their later years,” says Frances. “Many people want to stay in their own homes as they get older, but sometimes it just becomes too stressful: not just sorting the admin, insurance and bills, but also the physical side – struggling to maintain a property or to keep the garden under control. We really see residents start to enjoy life again when they come to us.”

What kind of costs are involved?

Rents start at around £330 per week – we aim to be affordable to everyone. Fees vary from house to house and also depend on whether residents choose a studio or one-bedroom apartment. The great thing is that our fees are fully inclusive of council tax, all utility bills and meals, making life pretty stress-free.

How is Abbeyfield financed, and when was it founded?

Abbeyfield was founded in 1956 by Richard Carr-Gomm, who recognised that many retired and older people were living alone and feeling isolated. His vision was to build friendly and supportive communities of people who want to live together in their later years.

In Bristol, we’ve been providing self-contained apartments to the over-65s at our properties since 1966. We generate income from this, but we are a not-for-profit organisation, so any surplus we make goes back into improving what we offer.

What do your residents say about Abbeyfield?

Some snippets from recent questionnaires I especially loved were “It’s a home, not a hotel”; “Cheerful, friendly, caring staff; lovely surroundings; great food”; and, this one sums us up, I think: “Independence, friendship, reassurance”.

What’s the secret of a happy community?

Companionship with like-minded people is probably a big part of it.

It’s well-documented these days that nobody thrives when they are isolated, whatever their age. Being connected with others on a regular basis helps us feel we belong, and the impact on our happiness and well-being is huge.

RESIDENTS REALLY BEGIN TO ENJOY LIFE AGAIN WHEN THEY COME TO US

What were you doing before you joined Abbeyfield?

My background is in arts, theatre and media and I’ve generally been in management and business development roles. Before this, I worked at Clifton College.

What makes Abbeyfield stand out from the crowd?

Loneliness for older people is a big issue. It’s also tough when you realise you’re not coping well on your own. I think the options are confusing and many people think a ‘care home’ is their only choice.

We offer a wonderful alternative without a commitment to buying.

Residents can rent a lovely en-suite apartment, make it their own, and generally live their lives as they did before, but with less stress and more enjoyment. We cook their meals, pay the bills; there’s often entertainment in the houses, too, and trips away. There’s always someone to have a chat to and, most importantly, there’s a team member around 24 hours a day, seven days a week, which both residents and their families find very reassuring.

How many residents do you have, and how many staff?

We have 89 residents, and just over 50 members of staff.

Where are the houses?

Henleaze, Redland, Easter Compton and Hanham, and we have just opened our fifth house in Keynsham. It’s gorgeous.

What common misconceptions do you come across about what you do?

We are part of the Abbeyfield group and, on a nationwide level, the Society provides all types of options including dementia care, and various care packages. However, this isn’t what we do here in Bristol. We don’t provide residential ‘care’ and we aren’t a nursing home. We appeal to people of retirement age looking to downsize and simplify their life, so they can start to enjoy it more fully again. I’m just trying to get the word out there and let people know that we are a very real option.

What are Abbeyfield’s plans for the future?

We’ve just been through a sustained period of change and consolidation. But that doesn’t stop us keeping an eye out for new projects, development possibilities and collaborations.

What advice would you give to other similar businesses who want to reach the same level of success?

It goes without saying whatever your business or sector, you need to put yourself in the shoes of your customer and start from there. When it comes to the retirement sector, we have to move with the times.

The baby-boomer generation aren’t the old-fashioned, traditionalists their parents were. Many are in good health and looking forward to years of independence ahead. Abbeyfield is the perfect place for them.

For more www.abbeyfield.com

www.mediaclash.co.uk I BRISTOL LIFE I 95

BUSINESS INSIDER

AVIATION

FLIGHT LINES We’re delighted to have Bristol Airport as headline sponsors for the Bristol Life awards next year, so it seemed the perfect time to say ‘Howdy, partner!’ to Pete Downes, Head of Aviation Airport

P

ete Downes has a pretty clear mission.

“Our aim is to be the airport of choice, not just within Bristol and Bath, but for 10 million people right across the South West and Wales,” he says. “People living as far away as Cornwall or West Wales often count us as their local airport, as the wider range of destinations we serve means we’re very often their most convenient travel option. And, while Bristol is the largest generator of passenger volumes, this only accounts for about a third of the airport’s traffic.”

One of your objectives is to increase business traffic. Can you give us an idea of the range of businesses you’ve managed to attract already?

We have good relationships with many of the biggest companies in the region, but for us, attracting business passengers is a two-pronged approach: understanding the travel needs of businesses at a corporate level in terms of where their existing global ties are and the new markets they want to develop, but also delivering a service at the airport that is catered towards the business passenger as an individual. Improving business parking, reducing security and immigration queues, and creating dedicated areas suited to business travellers, such as we’ve done with our bmi regional boarding gate lounge, all make a difference to time-pressured frequent fliers, some of whom use the airport every week.

Is it difficult to balance the needs of the business community with the travelling public?

There are some differences between the two groups in terms of the ideal customer proposition – business travellers will often be looking for high-frequency flights to centrally-located hubs, whereas leisure customers will often prioritise cheaper fares and a greater choice of destinations to explore – so we have to strike a balance in terms of the airlines we work with and the routes they serve. But many of the fundamentals of providing

good customer service are important to both groups, so focusing on the core elements, such as friendly staff, efficient airport processes and a clean, modern terminal are vital in meeting the needs of every customer.

How much of the traffic is business, and how much is holiday-making?

Around 16% is business-related, but that proportion is increasing every year. Weekday frequency and yearround services are key for business passengers, and next year, 29 of our routes will fly every day of the week, with many of those flying three times daily or more, offering the flexibility we know business travellers need.

OUR AIRPORT HAS THE CAPACITY TO GROW WITHOUT WAITING FOR AN INFRASTRUCTURE OVER A DECADE AWAY

What do you think Bristol can offer over alternative airports?

Our airport has the capacity to grow immediately, rather than waiting for infrastructure that is over a decade away. We’ve already invested £150m on developments in recent years, all of which has been focused on improving the passenger experience. As the roads and railway to London get busier, and our flights to major European hubs get more frequent, it’s become much quicker and easier to take a connecting flight from Bristol than it is to travel to London to fly direct.

Which are your busiest routes?

Our top two busiest routes are Amsterdam and Dublin, reflecting the demand from both business and leisure passengers, as well as those connecting with onward flights to the USA and Far East.

Have you seen many changes in the time you’ve been at Bristol Airport?

Even in the six years I’ve been here, the pace of development has been extraordinary. By 2017, passenger numbers will be 40% higher than when I started and we will have delivered numerous major developments including an on-site hotel and several extensions to the terminal, car parks and public transport network.

What is the most rewarding aspect of your job?

Seeing the development of a new route come to fruition – going through the process from listening to feedback from customers, studying the market potential and forecasting demand, through to negotiating with potential airlines to launch a new service. The total time from start to finish can often be years in the planning, so when it comes together and we see the effect it can have on opening up new markets for businesses or increasing inbound tourism, it’s a great feeling.

For more www.bristolairport.co.uk

96 I BRISTOL LIFE I www.mediaclash.co.uk

BUSINESS INSIDER

BRISTOL LIFE AWARDS

WE HAVE LIFT OFF Want to look this hot for Christmas?

Head to 67 Barista Barber

SHORT CUTS… • They had us at ‘photo of the young Daniel Craig’.

Opening just in time to get you groomed for the holiday party season, 67 Barista Barber is a cool little outfit that has just opened in Clevedon’s Hill Road. It’s a ‘one door, two bars’ affair, offering the services of a barista and a barber under one roof.

Find them on Facebook at 67baristabarber

• On 19 November, the South West Ball at the Great Hall of Bristol Grammar School raised £40,000 for Sparks, a charity which supports pioneering children’s medical research, and Action for A-T, supporting medical research into Ataxia Telangiectasia.

The Ball, now in its third year, showcased live entertainment from award-winning ABBA tribute band Revival, and smashed its previous fundraising totals. The fund-raising activities of the South West Committee have now reached over £120,000 for the two charities in the last three years. www.bristolgrammarschool.co.uk

• Another week, another glamorous car launch – this time it was the new Porsche Panamera. Both the turbo and 4s diesel models had petrol-head guests lovingly stroking the curves, but for Bristol Life sales manager Steve Grigg it was the fully electric Panemera E-Hybrid that had him buying an extra lottery ticket – “a family Porsche, with the performance of a 911 but with familyride perfection,” he drooled. www.dicklovett.co.uk

The Bristol Life Awards is fully, properly open for business, with big news about a prestigious headline sponsor and a unique new venue.

Bristol Airport explained why it’s agreed to a longterm arrangement as headline sponsor of the Awards. “The Bristol Life Awards will be highly prestigious, and we are delighted to be the headline sponsors,” said chief executive Robert Sinclair. “We’re proud to serve the business community in Bristol every day, so helping to celebrate excellence at this event will be particularly special for us. We look forward to hearing about business success stories in Bristol and meeting the inspirational people behind them.”

And the feeling appears to be mutual: “We are delighted to have had the endorsement of Bristol Airport, with its strong profile, ambitious growth plans and strategic importance regionally,” said MediaClash’s chief executive, Greg Ingham.

The much-anticipated venue for the Bristol Life Awards on 27 April is a vast, stylish, purpose-built marquee in Lloyds Amphitheatre – the largest new venue in Bristol, for one night only. As part of this, Clifton Marquee is the latest sponsor to join the growing roster.

“Coupled with Glastonbury legend Michael Eavis speaking at our inaugural Business Club and Awards launch event

(page 90), this wonderful venue reflects the ambition we have to create a highly distinctive celebration of Bristol,” said Greg.

Full details are on the website (www.bristollifeawards.co.uk) with frequent updates on Twitter @BristolLifeAwd. As well as headline sponsor Bristol Airport, current sponsors are Burston Cook, SAM FM, The Alternative Board, Enlightened Lighting and Clifton Marquee Company, with several others now in advanced discussions. Associates include RBS and Quarter.

For sponsorship enquiries, please contact steve. grigg@mediaclash.co.uk . To be involved on the night, it’s stephanie.dodd@mediaclash.co.uk

AMD are an award winning firm Visit our website for details at www.amdsolicitors.com

L E G A L E A G L E S A D V E R T I S I N G F E AT U R E

SUPPORTING OUR LOCAL CHARITY TRUSTEES Tim Rutherford of Bath law firm STONE KING outlines the support available to help charity trustees become effective leaders.

B

ecoming a trustee of a local charity and helping your community can be immensely rewarding.

It’s also a demanding role which involves giving up your time and making important decisions about how a charity is run.

If you are a charity trustee, or are thinking of becoming one, it’s important that you understand what the job entails and what skills you will need.

But accessing affordable professional advice can be difficult, especially for local community groups. That’s where Stone King can help.

98 I BRISTOL LIFE I www.mediaclash.co.uk

Our team of specialist lawyers have earned a national reputation for advising charities, and we’re involved in a number of local initiatives to help support trustees.

To mark Local Charities Day on 16 December, we are holding a free drop-in surgery at our offices in Bath. This will give charities the chance to discuss their problems with our market leading charity lawyers.

The aim of Local Charities Day is to celebrate community causes which are the bedrock of the charitable sector. The intention is to shine a spotlight on these groups and demonstrate the great work that they do.

We have also helped the Bath Volunteer Centre establish a trustee network forum for the local area. The forum provides a mixture of training, networking and collaborative workshops to help charity trustees share good practice and advice.

Events take place regularly throughout the year and you can find out more by emailing david.faulkner.vc@gmail.com And we’ve put together a special training programme for 2017 to equip existing and future

trustees with the vital skills and knowledge they need. Details can be found on our website www.stoneking.co.uk or you can email events@ stoneking.co.uk for more information.

Stone King believe that supporting local trustees to become more effective leaders will help to relieve some of the pressures they face. It also enables local charities to continue to build upon the valuable work they do to help others. BL

Tim Rutherford is Head of Charity and Social Enterprise at the law firm Stone King which has a national reputation for advising charities.

Tim can be contacted on 01225 326776 or by email at TimRutherford@stoneking.co.uk

PROPERTY

SHOWCASE

SIMPLY REDCLIFFE 102 112 II BRISTOL CLIFTON LIFE LIFE II www.mediaclash.co.uk www.mediaclash.co.uk

SHOWCASE

PROPERTY

Though perhaps bestknown these days for its upmarket new developments, Redcliffe has plenty of historic gems, too – if you know where to look

By L I SA WA R R E N

www.mediaclash.co.uk II CLIFTON BRISTOL LIFE LIFE II 103 www.mediaclash.co.uk 113

PROPERTY

SHOWCASE

R

edcliffe’s up-and-comingness is no longer a carefully-guarded secret.

The refurbishment of The General on Guinea Lane has been one of the upmarket developments that have put the area firmly on the property map; having Michelin-starred Casamia, superior pizza parlour Pi Shop and new tapas bar Paco’s all moving into the ground floor hasn’t done any harm to the air of gentrification. Who wouldn’t want the SanchezIglesias family cooking the dinner?

But it’s not all about new developments; in the heart of the area you’ll find Redcliffe Parade East, a handsome Grade-II red-brick Georgian row overlooking Bristol’s Floating Harbour. History runs as deep as the river within this docklands area, and despite the considerable local redevelopment, the street has remained true to the era in which it was built, with its cobbled streets and air of genteel elegance.

Number 5 is currently on the market, and typifies the spacious, well-proportioned family homes of the street “We were hunting for a larger family home, and knowing the area well, our search covered a wide area,” say the current owners.

“It came to a choice between whether we moved to a more rural area, or one more central, which would enable us to take advantage of all Bristol’s amenities. Discovering this fabulous house more than ticked all our boxes, and it has been our much-treasured family home for the past ten years.

“The previous owner had refurbished the property; we added our own touches, respecting the tradition and style of the unique Georgian design of the house, all of which meld beautifully with contemporary additions.”

The main reception room is on the first floor, with floor-to-ceiling windows looking over the harbourside.

“You can see all the way down the river to Bristol Bridge; 104 I BRISTOL LIFE I www.mediaclash.co.uk

A river runs past it; you can’t beat Redcliffe for historic harbourside views

HOUSE NUMBERS

No. 5

Redcliffe Parade East

5

bedrooms

OIEO £820K price

3

receptions

6

bathrooms

it’s a continual visual delight. The river provides so much interest from festivals, concerts and exhibitions.”

And while the house is just a few minutes from both the city centre and Temple Meads, when you’re sitting out in the tranquil, secluded garden you would never know you were in the city centre.

On the ground floor at the front of the house, another reception room has those same views our across the river; it’s currently a study, but could just as easily make a family room or a formal dining room. That said, a central room already achieves the latter purpose exceedingly well, and has been opened up to the kitchen as a contemporary entertaining space. At the other end of the kitchen, a door leads out onto a south-facing back garden with decking and patio, where a tall back wall ensures plenty of privacy.

The bedrooms are spread across the first, second and lower ground floor; unusually – and ideal for those whose main aim in life is to replicate the luxury of a boutique hotel in their own homes – all have en -suites. No contest over which the master bedroom will be, though; the firstfloor double bedroom has been extended to open into a dressing room and en-suite bathroom, with a separate shower cubicle beyond. There’s a family bathroom on this floor, too, in case five is not enough.

On the lower ground floor, the bedroom at the front has direct access up to the street, opening up all sorts of possibilities for a self-contained apartment.

Final words go to the current owners: “We will be very sad to say farewell to what has been an outstanding family home in an incredible location. We shall miss our friendly, caring, local community very much, and know that whoever comes to live here will enjoy a quality of life which is often quite hard to attain.”

Fine & Country, 147 Whiteladies Road, Bristol BS8 2QT 0117 973 3081; www.fineandcountry.com/uk/bristol

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

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BEST WISHES for 2017 from our team at

BURSTON COOK

We look forward to helping you in the New Year!

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BRISTOL LIVES

Q&A

MILTOS YEROLEMOU Look who we have for our Christmas Bristol Lives! It’s only Syrio Forel off of Game of Thrones! Always remember kids; fear cuts deeper than a sword . . .

T

he master sword-fighter from Braavos was a huge fan favourite from the first season of Game of Thrones; since then, Milton has appeared in The Force Awakens and The Danish Girl, as well as a number of productions for the RSC. On Twitter he describes himself as “Greek, creative, lover of the sea, risktaker, curly-haired mischief-maker; oh, and pretty tasty with a sword, too.” Sounds just the chap for a Bristol Old Vic Christmas show.

Miltos, can you tell us a bit about your character in The Snow Queen?

As there are only six people in the cast we all play many, many characters! But one of the main characters is the Flower Witch – a grotesquely beautiful, lonely human being who will be a completely unexpected and surprising moment in the play..

Describe this production in five words Original, breathtaking, surprising, ridiculous, thought-provoking.

We hear you don’t normally like to work at Christmas – who or what talked you into it?

Bristol Old Vic! I love working here, and I love working with Tom Morris, and I really wanted to work with Lee Lyford, who is directing.

114 I BRISTOL LIFE I www.mediaclash.co.uk

We hear you moved to Bristol after being in A Midsummer Night’s Dream I used to live in Brighton, but after spending so much time here while working on the Dream I fell in love with the place. I love its independence and its vitality and its idiosyncrasy.

What do you most like about the city?

It’s young, it’s modern, it’s hippy; I love its individuality, and the vibe here suits me more than any other city in the UK. Favourite place for a meal with friends?

Anywhere on Whiteladies Road, particularly Bosco.

Favourite bar, and what are you having?

The Milk Thistle, drinking a very salty margarita or anything with bourbon.

What’s the best thing you’ve seen in a Bristol theatre since you moved here?

Scratch nights at the Tobacco Factory.

We know you’ve worked a lot with the RSC – what’s your favourite Shakespeare role?

The one I have yet to play – Iago in Othello.

dead’. How about Syrio Forel? What do you say to the God of Death?

Did you see him die? Yes – I thought not . . .

What’s your best memory from your time on Game of Thrones?

I loved the read-through for the first three episodes of the first season, and seeing so many great actors in one room together.

Apart from sword-fighting, do you have any other hidden skills?

I am an experienced and qualified advanced cave diver/scuba diver.

What do you regard as your career highlight so far?

Playing Puck in Robert Carsen’s opera production of A Midsummer Night’s Dream all over the world.

What’s your most regrettable habit?

I’m very stubborn and I have terrible OCD. If forced at gunpoint to sing karaoke, what song would you choose?

Love Lift Us Up Where We Belong by Joe Cocker (I actually did sing this).

Surprise us…

I have become a crazy dog person – I own an 18-month-old sausage dog called Louis.

What’s at the top of your Christmas list?

Nike hi-tops (It’s my only extravagance, I promise).

Is there any other role you’d love to play?

I have an ambition to play every fool/clown in Shakespeare’s canon.

What are you doing after answering these pesky questions?

Back to rehearsing The Snow Queen – we open on the 2 December.

The unofficial Game of Thrones law appears to be ‘if you don’t actually see them die on-screen then they’re not necessarily

The Snow Queen runs 2 December – 15 January at Bristol Old Vic www.bristololdvic.org.uk

NEW SHOWROOM

Our new dedicated wardrobe and carpet showroom is now open in the old Maskreys building next door to our existing store at 56-64 Whiteladies Road.

We are also showing new sofa styles and an increased range of painted and solid oak cabinet furniture Promotional offers are available and remaining Clearance ex-display pieces are 50-75% off!

Curtains and Blinds
 Sofas and Fabrics
 Bespoke Cabinet Furniture and Wardrobes

FABRICS Terms and conditions apply

We are just past Clifton Down Shopping Centre 56/60, Whiteladies Rd, BS8 2PY Mon-Sat 9.30 - 5.30/Sun 12 - 5

TEL: 01173 292746

All types of reupholstery Traditional to contemporary styles Antique and Vintage pieces