Bristol Life - Issue 233

Food/Arts/Entertainment/Shopping/Property ISSUE 233 / SUMMER IN THE CITY / £3

A LOVE AFFAIR WITH THE CITY

ISSUE 233 / SUMMER IN THE CIT Y / I DO: I DO, I DO, I DO, I DO I DO

UPFEST AND AT ’EM

THE BEST ’GRAMS FROM THE FEST

WEDDING DAZE MODERN MODES AND MANNERS

HIGHER PERCHES HOW TO BUY ART (WHATEVER THE BUDGET)

STRING FELLOWS

THE BRISTOL PUPPET FEST’S BACK

24

THINGS YOU PROBABLY DIDN’T KNOW ABOUT AT-BRISTOL

EDITOR’S LETTER / ISSUE 233 / SUMMER IN THE CITY 2017

28

WASS UP?

Bet artist Rob Wass has never heard that one before. Find out why Upfest’s Steve Hayles thinks that Rob’s work is eminently collectible, along with more words of wisdom from other top Bristol galleries, in our How to Buy Art feature

Art and science It’s wall-to-wall art in this issue, which we reckon is OK, because really, does anyone ‘not like art?’

Sure, you may dislike certain sorts of art; you may reckon that your three-year-old could do better than the last thing you saw at the Saatchi, but there have to be some artists and styles that you love. Turn to page 28 and find out what Bristol’s top gallery owners would put in their own homes.

Not for you? OK, skip it. We also have puppets. We have a feature on wedding guest behaviour (it turns out that Hugh Grant wasn’t remotely cute in Four Weddings, lateness is just rude). And we have science – if you already thought that At-Bristol was cool, just wait until you read our 24 fascinating facts on page 43; if this doesn’t make you want to get your science on then – well, there’s always the art. And puppets.

Back in three weeks with the September issue. Wait, the summer’s over . . .?

Deri Robins, editor Twitter @BristolLifeMag Instagram:@bristollifemag

REGULARS / ISSUE 233 / SUMMER IN THE CITY 2017 M EET T H E T EAM

MAIN FEATURE

Editor Deri Robins deri.robins@mediaclash.co.uk

14 Weddings Don’t be that guest that everybody hates

Senior art editor Andrew Richmond Graphic design Megan Allison Cover design Trevor Gilham Contributors: Rachel Ifans, Ollie Robinson

THE ARTS

Advertising manager and commercial director Steve Hawkins steve.hawkins@mediaclash.co.uk Account manager Emma Stroud emma.stroud@mediaclash.co.uk Account manager James Morgan james.morgan@mediaclash.co.uk Production and distribution manager

23 Arts Intro Jean genie: why we’re a bit in love with the work of Maria Rivans

24 What’s On Loads, if you have a young family

28 How to Buy Art

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

14

36 Festivals What can a puppet do that a human performer can’t?

How long have you got?

SCIENCE 23 At-Bristol 24 reasons to be incredibly proud of, and incredibly grateful for, Bristol’s extraordinary science centre

SPORT

PROPERT Y

61 Ollie Robinson

78 Real homes Work in progress on Pembroke Road

Oh look, more art

We’re looking forward to locker room revelations and pitch insights from our new Bristol Life rugby columnist

FOOD

BUSINESS

54 Restaurants

67 Business Insider

90 Property Showcase

In which we fail to find a single dish we do not love at Bellita

Record-breaking crowd-funding, the royal seal of approval, and the Easton boxing charity that won the hearts of the Bristol Life Awards judges

A 1970s home that thinks it’s a new-build

SHOPPING 46 Editor’s Choice

56 Food & drink news The real Greek deal comes to Cargo, and introducing our new wine columnist

86 Focus on design The Boys who Sew: waging a war against ‘the grey train’

PHOTO BY SAM GIBSON

In which we mentally blow our non-existent budget across the city’s top galleries. Our imaginary walls are looking GREAT . . .

Chief executive Jane Ingham jane.ingham@mediaclash.co.uk Chief executive Greg Ingham greg.ingham@mediaclash.co.uk Bristol Life, MediaClash, Circus Mews House, Circus Mews, Bath BA1 2PW 01225 475800 www.mediaclash.co.uk @The MediaClash © All rights reserved. May not be reproduced without written permission of MediaClash.

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 7 65 98

Spotlight Snapped!

Bristol Lives

On the cover Beautiful artwork by Xenz, part of a limited set of prints sold by Upfest for £350.

More on page 28

LE SA !

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Clifton Down Shopping Centre, Whiteladies Road, Clifton BS8 2NN

. Manchester . York . Sutton Coldfield . Bristol . Farnborough . Brentwood . Aberdeen . Tunbridge Wells . Beverley . Exeter . London - West End . London - North

Colston Hall (and @Porthjess) by Colin Moody

OPEN SESAME

KEY LOCATIONS

VENUES

THANKS FOR THE MEMORIES Whether you’ve lived in Bristol for 40 years, or you’re a recent evacuee from the Smoke (if so, welcome! But please stop calling us ‘Brondon’), we bet you’ve had at least one amazing night at the Colston Hall. The venue’s celebrating its 150th birthday this year, and it wants to hear your best memories – chief bragging rights obviously go to those who saw Bowie or The Beatles, but frankly anything that was meaningful to you is gold to them. Hashtag them on Twitter at #hallofmemories or email hallofmemories@marketing.colstonhall. org. More-much-more on the Hall in our next issue.

For more: www.colstonhall.org

‘Bristol’s Biggest, Boldest free festival’ – wow, quite a claim, when you think of it, Bristol Doors Open Day! The festival returns this September, unlocking the doors of the city’s best-kept secrets; a citywide celebration of Bristol’s architecture, history and culture, and it’s all entirely free, with four days to explore fascinating buildings, join guided tours, listen to inspiring talks and enjoy a range of creative events.

This year is a biggie in the festival’s 20+ year history, with a total of 108 venues opening across the city; not only has the programme almost expanded by half, but this year promises a sensory overload, inviting festival goers to touch, taste, smell and listen as well as look afresh at the many venues opening between 7-10 September.

To be lavishly covered in the next issue; see the website for more details.

For more: www.bristoldoorsopenday.org.uk

SPORTY

B IS FOR RUNNING OK, it’s not, but it’s definitely for Balloons, the Bridge and the Bearpit Bear in Alex Lucas’ typically ebullient T-shirt design for the Simplyhealth Great Bristol Half Marathon. Over 10,000 runners will don the shirts for the race on 17 September; it’s the first time an artist has been asked to design a shirt for the Bristol event. You can also get personalised limited-edition prints of Alex’s artwork at the Affordable Art Fair, at 8-10 September at Brunel’s Old Station, Temple Meads. More on page 23.

For more: www.affordableartfair.com/fairs/bristol www.greatrun.org/Bristol

SPOTLIGHT

UPFEST ANFD AT ‘EM Once again, we were blown away – not just by the weather, not just by the street art, but also by the terrific photos that bloomed over instagram this year

@charlottegay92 “If it doesn’t move, Nigel, spray it . . .”

@jody_artist Bristol Life favourite Jody, creating his latest ‘Cassie’

@richimal_bristol The unmistakeable handiwork of Buff Monster

@thehistoryb0yphotography Positively East Street

@gemmacompton Gemma in collab with husband Copyright

@thehistoryb0yphotography Because everyone needs an owl selfie

@gertie.photography “You hold the spraycan like this . . .” #futurebanksy

@upfest Cheba’s Nebula Funk sprinkled magic over Coronation Road

@philthblake Philth gets the senior seal of approval

@omegaamiga One for those who claim that street art isn’t beautiful

@bristollifemag Quick, to the RVmobile . .

@leilaa81 Trust Leila to have EXACTLY the right props for Dr Love

@cheba captures Insane51 and Fanakapan on West Street

@moodycolin319 Something in your eye, John? It’s only Kobra...

@sirchristoffofswashington Reach for @d7606 Voyder and 3dom22 (and a the sky: Rocket at Mark’s Bread coordinating brolly) 10 I BRISTOL LIFE I www.mediaclash.co.uk

SPOTLIGHT

@carolyn.eaton Pakone – now part of South Street Park furniture

@upfest Stencilmaester Pogo’s work in progress

@d7606 Instagramming Kobra, or texting her mum? We’ll never know...

@rogerturner6 Always pack a witch’s ball in your camera kit

@spraybristol Arctic Scream by the mighty Andrew Burns Colwill

@carolyneaton We love that Rocket dressed to match his street art

@thehistoryb0yphotography Will Barras and Xenz go epic at Masonic

@Upfest The Old Bookshop always bags a stunner – this year, Nomad Clan

@petelordaardman Morph came to keep an eye on Cheo at Brewery

@d7606 Many people’s favourite piece this year, by My Dog Sighs

@rogerturner6 Filthy Luker made us reconsider that fourth pint of cider

@omegaamiga wins our ‘best view from a cherrypicker’ shot

@upfest Guy Denning’s fab collab with Yakita Fields at Tap & Barrel

@neiljamesb The eyes of the Kobra

@colinraynerphotography finds Mon Devane at work at Ashton Gate

@upfest Korporate enjoys a wellearned light beverage

www.mediaclash.co.uk I BRISTOL LIFE I 11

UPFEST

DEARLY BELOVED . . . We are gathered here together to learn how to be the perfect wedding guest.

Careful: it’s a minefield out there . . .

By DE R I ROBI NS

WHO AMONG US CAN HOLD UP THEIR HEAD AND SAY THEY’VE NEVER MADE A GAFF AT A

WEDDING?

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

WEDDINGS

RINGS AND THINGS Ashleigh McPherson of Diana Porter talks current trends in wedding bands There’s been a real revival of the halo ring this year. This classic style first became popular in the 1920s and is characterised by several smaller stones set around a large central one, with an Art Deco feel. This season we have given this style a contemporary twist by incorporating rose-cut diamonds in unusual colours.

Cheeky shot by photographer Albert Palmer, taken on the roof of Brooks Guesthouse

Top tips for choosing rings?

Try lots of styles on first. It’s surprising how often people fall in love with a completely different style once they see it on their hands. Also, try on the different metal colours to see which one complements your skin tone best.

Jeweller Lucy Lyon has seen… … a rise in demand for Fairtrade gold, ethically mined gemstones and couples looking to use family gold handed down to them for their wedding bands. Enquiries for our ‘Make your own Wedding Rings’ workshops have also increased significantly; couples making wedding bands for each other gives a whole new level of meaning to these symbols of love.

Top tips for choosing wedding rings?

When in doubt, keep it simple. Particularly with wedding bands, heed the old adage ‘less is more’ – simple, classic styles don’t go out of fashion, and will complement rather than compete with your engagement ring.

W

ho among us can hold up their head and say that they’ve never made a gaff at a wedding?

Worn white? Aargh, well, yes – but we were only 21, and our only halfway decent outfit was that frilled New Romantic all-in-one thingy. Run into the church after the bride had headed up the aisle? Blame Four Weddings and Hugh Grant; damn, damn, damnity damn, or whatever it was that he said. Surreptitiously slid our gift of six very small china egg cups near the back of the table of presents, knowing that its value was considerably lower than the cost of our canapés? Briefly considered swapping our gift tag with the one attached to the huge box at the back? Wiped away tears of mirth rather than emotion during the vows? For sure – actually, that was our own wedding.

Luckily, the next time you attend someone’s nuptials you’re going to be a dream guest, thanks to local wedding experts, Kirsten Butler, Lauren Harrington and Kristy O’Connor.

SHOULD I RSVP BY LETTER OR EMAIL? Kirsten: Many couples are now setting up their own wedding websites, which have all the details, directions, gift list etc on it.

The couple may request that their guests reply by email as it is effective and quicker. However, I still love handwritten personal

notes, and these are often kept as a momento of the wedding.

Lauren: Although weddings are becoming less formal, if the couple have gone to the trouble of sending an RVSP then it’s nice to make the effort and respond by post. However, it is very popular for couples to create websites, and guests can respond online.

IS IT MANDATORY FOR ME TO DEVOTE HUNDREDS OF POUNDS AND TWO DAYS OF ANNUAL LEAVE TO GO ON A HEN/STAG IN PUERTO BANUS OR DUBLIN? Kirsten: I would like to think that nothing is mandatory, and that whoever is organising it takes into account the flexibility and ability of everyone to be there. A hen weekend is about the bride celebrating her upcoming wedding, acknowledging and celebrating friendships, rather than leaving everyone in debt. If the bride really has her heart set on an exotic destination then maybe another celebration at home could also be organised.

Lauren: No! Hen and stag dos are becoming crazy. I had a groom that went to Vegas! But if you are close to the person, and you know they’d go to yours, then go for it, if it’s affordable.

Kristy: It is entirely up to you. If you have the money, treat it like a holiday and make the most of the opportunity to explore the place, and get to know the special people in your friend’s life – it’s lovely on the wedding day to have a ready made ‘gang’. If money is a bit tight, think about doing something less expensive with your friend, to show them how excited you are for them. www.mediaclash.co.uk I BRISTOL LIFE I 15

THEY’VE ASKED FOR MONEY INSTEAD OF PRESENTS. ISN’T THAT A BIT, ERR, UNCOUTH? Kirsten: This is a tricky one, as tradition used to dictate that guests helped to purchase items for the newlyweds’ first home, so a toaster and new kitchen utensils were actually really useful.

Times have changed, and with many couples already living together there is no longer the need for traditional gift lists. Most guests will want to give a present that is useful and meaningful, though, so contributing towards a honeymoon fund via a travel agent is a great idea, rather than popping a tenner in an envelope.

Lauren: This is a tough one. Most of my brides do have post boxes for envelopes. I also had this predicament at my wedding; like most couples, we had been living together for several years, and already had a toaster and full saucepan set. We sent a little poem letting guests know we would be grateful if they wanted to contribute to our honeymoon, but that all we really wanted was everyone to be together.

THEY HAVE A GIFT LIST – DO I NEED TO STICK TO IT? Kristy: This really depends on what they’ve requested.

Remember that this is what the couple have asked for so it is something they have put thought into and would be really happy to receive. I think a perfect compromise is to buy something from the list and then also a little something personal from you.

Lauren: Don’t waste your money on something that someone might not like. Stick to the list!

SO I CAN’T WEAR WHITE – BUT CAN I GET AWAY WITH CREAM? Kirsten: You may get mistaken for a bridesmaid, depending on the style you are going to wear – but if you add a splash of colour with some accessories, then why not?

Lauren: A full-length cream dress with a train and veil is not the best idea, but if it has another colour or a pattern, I don’t see the harm. Everyone will be looking at the bride, anyway.

THE ROMANTIC RETREAT Berwick Lodge is a secluded country house hotel just a few miles from central Bristol

Aww, we love the pics of Polly and Tom at The Lido, and wish we had more space to show you more of them (next time!)

Shot by Sam Gibson

Emilie Castellano tells us that “In 2016 the two-day wedding made an appearance, and is continuing into 2017/2018. Couples share their special day with family and friends, usually in a more traditional way with a ceremony, wedding breakfast, speeches and an evening party followed by a second, more informal celebration the next day, like a barbecue or an afternoon tea. It’s a great way to relive the day while everyone is still buzzing with excitement.”

WEDDINGS

THE FESTIVAL VENUE Bristol’s only licensed woodland venue specialises in informal, low key, festival-feel weddings “We continue to see the rustic/ vintage mix here at Arnos Vale,” says Kat McConnell. “Lots of DIY brides and grooms making all of their decorations from scratch. Big sharing platters on the tables or really informal festival style BBQs in our woodland venue – who doesn’t love a BBQ?!”

MANY GUESTS NOW WANT AN

UNPLUGGED WEDDING, WITH NO PHONE PHOTOS OR SOCIAL MEDIA

CAN I TAKE THE KIDS? THEY’RE NOT NAMED ON THE INVITATION, BUT… Kirsten: No. This is a dilemma I have seen for many couples who have had to think of a polite but firm way of saying ‘no children’ unless they’re immediate family. It is often down to the financial implications, but also space at a venue. The important thing is to make it clear from the start, with exceptions possibly for newborns.

For many guests, a night away from the kids can be a cause of celebration in itself.

Lauren: Never assume. Best to double-check, as many weddings now are adults-only. Or just find a babysitter, and have a welldeserved night off.

Who doesn’t love a cute kid at a wedding? Well, quite a few couples, actually; if yours aren’t specifically invited, ask before bringing them (or just don’t) Photo by Brad Wakefield

ARE THERE RULES ABOUT SOCIAL MEDIA? Kirsten: Over the past two years, I have seen a real change from banning social media leaks of the wedding to actively encouraging guests to share with a personal hashtag. However, many couples are saying they want an unplugged wedding with no phone photos or social media, as they want their guests to be fully present in their celebrations. If in doubt, check with the couple themselves.

Lauren: Yes. The registrar will announce before the ceremony whether or not the bride and groom are happy to have photos put www.mediaclash.co.uk I BRISTOL LIFE I 17

SERVING LUNCH, AFTERNOON TEA AND DINNER, 7 DAYS OF THE WEEK Backwell House, Farleigh Road, Backwell BS48 3QA 0117 325 1110 enquiries@backwellhouse.co.uk  www.backwellhouse.co.uk

WEDDINGS

on social media. People have posted photos of the bride before she reached the end of the aisle! On the other hand, a lot of couples now have their own hashtag for guests to post all day long.

BRING YOUR DANCING SHOES, AND TRY NOT TO STAND ON THE BRIDE’S DRESS

WOO, IT’S AN OPEN BAR! IS THERE SOME UNSPOKEN AGREEMENT I SHOULD KNOW ABOUT, SUCH AS THE MAXIMUM NUMBER OF DRINKS? Kirsten: I always think that it is very generous of a couple to provide an open bar, so it is common courtesy to not take advantage of this. For some couples, setting a time limit on the open bar is a good idea, otherwise it could all get a little messy by the first dance.

Don’t be that guest who gets so drunk that you end up in bed before the cake is cut.

Lauren: I learnt the hard way, and was greeted with a bill for double shots the day after my wedding. Be fair. Don’t order what you wouldn’t be willing to pay for yourself. If the couple have been generous enough to pay for a few drinks, don’t take the mick.

CAN I LEAVE BEFORE THE BRIDE AND GROOM? Kirsten: I think this is fine, especially if you have to get back for babysitters or travel a fair distance. I would let the couple know beforehand, but it’s good manners to say thank-you and goodbye.

Lauren: Of course! Nowadays the bride and groom do not ride off into the sunset, and are normally the last to leave. Just make sure you find them and say goodbye.

THE DEDICATED WEDDING VENUE Clevedon Hall may look like a stately-home hotel, but in fact it’s dedicated to events – especially weddings.

• Winter weddings or weddings out of season are

becoming increasingly popular, as you can deliver incredible value. Winter weddings are really beautiful and are in some ways more memorable, because they are that bit more unusual.

•There is an ongoing move towards more individual weddings. Brides and grooms no longer feel such pressure to adhere to tradition and are more likely to arrange things as they want – from the bride’s dress, which may come in a range of colours and styles, to the wedding cake, which may be anything from chocolate to Victoria sponge.

•In terms of wedding styles, the last couple of years have seen a trend towards more natural looks, from the flowers through to the bride’s hair and make-up.

The very structured ornate sphere of roses has been ditched in favour of a looser bouquet made up of freshly picked seasonal flowers, herbs and greenery, while hair styles are less rigid and more flowing.

Who needs the Maldives when you have Weston? We love this blustery Uphill Beach shot from Lauren and James’s wedding; photo by Jo Hansford

www.mediaclash.co.uk I BRISTOL LIFE I 19

A truly unique wedding venue in the heart of Clifton Village, licensed to carry out weddings and civil partnerships in the most breathtaking surroundings.

Fine dining prepared in house for you by our Resident Chef, with free Wedding Menu Tasting for the Bride and Groom.

Wedding parties of between 20 and 100 guests can be arranged in our exquisite rooms.

Bespoke Wedding Service Luxurious Heritage Interiors Dedicated Events Team Exceptional Service Guaranteed Exclusively Yours Ceremony Only Options Available For further information or for a copy of our Wedding Brochure, please get in touch.

Telephone: 0117 9745039 Email: sarah.davidson@thecliftonclub.co.uk

www.cliftonweddings.co.uk

T thecliftonclub T @CliftonClub The Clifton Club, 22 The Mall, Clifton, Bristol BS8 4DS

WEDDINGS

The bride may be up for partying until dawn, but it’s OK to leave earlier if you’re not quite that hardcore; photo

by Ruth Garner Photography

DO I HAVE TO SEND A ‘THANK YOU’ NOTE, OR IS AN EMAIL OK? Kirsten: I’m a huge fan of the written word; a beautifully written thank-you note is always appreciated and treasured.

The most important thing is to say thank-you, however you normally would.

Lauren: Surprisingly, it’s unusual for the guests to send thank-yous after the wedding, but it’s a lovely thought. I think the bride and groom would be very happy with either email or a thank-you note.

ANY OTHER DOS AND DON’TS WHEN IT COMES TO BEING THE PERFECT WEDDING GUEST? Lauren: • Do not wait until the RSVP deadline to reply – the bride is too excited to wait • If you cannot attend, still let the bride and groom know • Don’t be late!

• Leave a few rows at the front of the ceremony for close family • Even if you are not going to bring a present, bring a card • Do try and be in the right place at the right time (for photos, etc) • Try not to stand on the bride’s dress • Bring your dancing shoes.

YOU HAVE BEEN READING: (BRILLIANT) PHOTOGRAPHERS

( AC E) W EDDI NG P LANNERS

Ruth Garner www.ruthgarner photography.com Albert Palmer www.albertpalmer photography.com Brad Wakefield www.bradwakefield.com Jo Hansford www.johansford photography.com Sam Gibson www.samgibson weddings.co.uk

Lauren Harrington www.leighcourt.co.uk Kristy O’Connor www.aunties vintagechina.co.uk ( DAZ Z L I NG ) J EW EL L ERY

Diana Porter www.dianaporter.co.uk Lucy Lyon www.lucylyon.co.uk ( ROMANTI C ) V ENU ES

Clevedon Hall www.clevedonhall.co.uk ( T O P ) W E D D I N G S T Y L I S T Berwick Lodge www.berwicklodge.co.uk Kirsten Butler Arnos Vale www.littlewedding www.arnosvale.org.uk helper.co.uk www.mediaclash.co.uk I BRISTOL LIFE I 21

Music/theatre/film/more

A LITTLE BIRDHOUSE IN YOUR SOUL One of the things we love about Maria Rivans’ surreal portrait-collages is that she doesn’t just go for overly obvious icons – so while you can have a Hepburn or a Garbo, you can also choose less familiar bygone beauties such as Madeleine Carroll, Elissa Landi and Arleen Whelan. And look, here’s gorgeous Jean Simmons – in the limited-edition giclée and screenprint Miss Cordelia (£390).

Maria is just one of the many artists that you’ll find at the Affordable Art Fair at Temple Meads this month.

Obviously, ‘affordable’ is in the eye of the beholder, but hey, that’s OK, because prints start from under £100, rising to original pieces for several thousand.

Expect to see plenty of Bristol favourites at the Fair, including Alex Lucas, Harry Bunce, Rowdy and Tom White. With more artists under one roof than any other art fair in the South West, you’re pretty much guaranteed to find something that you’ll (a) love forever and (b) be able to afford. Your walls will thank you.

The Affordable Art Fair is at Brunel’s Old Station at Temple Meads; 8-10 September For more www.affordableartfair.com

www.mediaclash.co.uk I BRISTOL LIFE I 23

11 August – 11 September

J U ST A F EW S U GGES TI ON S FOR YOU R MON TH

The singing Chagalls are back at BOV: Shhh . . . the lion sleeps tonight – Friday Twilights at the Zoo; Davies is still waiting for the weather to break: The Caretaker at BOV

Art U N TI L 1 0 S E P T E M BE R

ALTERNATIVE VISIONS Bristol Museum’s new exhibition champions the undiscovered art of the South West; bristolmuseums.org.uk U N TI L 1 7 S E P T E M BE R

L-SHAPED ROOM Sculptor Tessa Lynch works from the observation of her immediate surroundings and from her quest for the existence of a female flâneur; At Spike Island, spikeisland.org.uk THE DRIFT Combining documentary footage with staged scenes, filmmaker Maeve Brennan depicts histories and communities in modern Lebanon; spikeisland.org.uk

1 8 - 2 8 AU GU ST

Burke, she of X Factor fame, at the Hippodrome; atgtickets.

1 - 3 SE PTE MBER

FLYING LOVERS OF VITEBSK Kneehigh’s sweet two-hander of a romance charting the life of Marc Chagall and his wife Bella returns to BOV; bristololdvic.org.uk

PLAYBACK 145 bold and creative short films made by young artist filmmakers, at Arnolfini; arnolfini.org.uk THE OTHER ART FAIR The ideal way to meet the best emerging and undiscovered artists in the UK, and buy directly from them if their work takes your fancy. At Arnolfini; bristol. theotherartfair.com. See p28

Theatre U N TI L 1 2 AU GUST

SISTER ACT Singing nuns. No, the other sort, the funny ones. Choreographed and directed by Craig Revel Horwood and starring Alexandra

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

9-30 SEP TEMBER

THE CARETAKER Pinter staged the world première of his first play The Room at Bristol Uni in 1957; now Chris Haydon directs his later masterpiece in a bold new production. Expect paranoia, alienation and pregnant silences. bristololdvic.org.uk

curates free daytime live music on the riverside with local street food offerings outside Arnolfini; arnolfini.org.uk 13 AUG U S T

THE FLAMING LIPS Wayne Coyne and his band bring their multi-layered psychedelic sounds and fantastical and philosophical lyrical themes to Bristol; colstonhall.org 1 SEP TE M B ER

Music

RALPH MCTELL From busking in Cornwall to The Streets of London and beyond; the folk singer whose name is known to even those who don’t much like folk comes to The Redgrave; redgravetheatre.com

12 AUG UST

2 SEP TE M B ER

SUMMER CUTS: BIG JEFF The city’s foremost music fan

THE DOWNS FESTIVAL Can Elbow top last year’s Massive

W H AT ’ S O N

Attack gig? They’ll give it a try, along with Mike Skinner, Seasick Steve, De La Soul, Groove Armada and Ronni Size. The Briz gig of the year, for just 46 of your Earth pounds; thedownsbristol.com

fiercest of all was the pliosaur – the ultimate predator, who would have swam over this city, perhaps where you’re reading this now . . . at Bristol Museum; www.bristolmuseums.org.uk

Comedy

1 5 AU GU ST

2 5 -2 6 AUG US T

MICHAEL MCINTRYRE If you like your comedy patter slick and rehearsed rather than crazy and anarchic, Michael’s the man for you. colstonhall.org 1 0 S E PTE M B E R

SUSAN CALMAN Susan’s celebrating 10 years in the comedy biz, and she’s extending her current Calman Before the Storm tour to fit in a gig at The Redgrave; redgravetheatre.com

ARTS

DICK AND DOM LIVE! The patron saints of parents who like a Saturday morning lie-in come to the Hall as part of the Hoo Ha! Festival; colstonhall.org 1 7 AU GU ST

COLSTON HALL’S NIFTY 150 BIRTHDAY BASH Andy Day from CBeebies will be there, as will DJ Cheeba to celebrate 150 years of the Colston Hall; specially for kids, with disco, party games and fun. Midday kick-off. colstonhall.org 2 3 - 2 5 AU GU S T

1 1 S E PTE M B E R

JOHN BISHOP Did you know that John’s stand-up DVD was the fastest selling in UK history? Come and see his Winging It tour to see what the fuss is about; at the Hippodrome; www.atgtickets.

Family F RI DAY S UNTI L 1 SE PT

FRIDAY TWILIGHTS Ever wanted to hear the howl of gibbons or the roar of lions as the sun sets? You can! On Fridays during the holidays, the Zoo has its doors open 6.30-10pm; bristolzoo.org.uk UNTI L 3 S E PT

DINOMANIA Eleven life-size animatronic dinosaurs have come to Briz from Texas to entertain y’all. www.dinomania.org.uk FESTIVAL OF WHAT IF? At-Bristol’s new exhibition is designed to get kids thinking beyond the obvious, from ‘What if I had to live on another planet?’ to ‘What if nature took over?’.

Coming soon: ‘What if there was no wifi?’ and ‘Do I have to eat that?’ (Those last two may not be true). at-bristol.org.uk . See p40.

UNTI L 7 J ANUARY

PLIOSAURUS! 150 million years ago, Bristol was a Jurassic ocean teeming with extraordinary creatures. The

BEETHOVEN’S 4 SEASONS Wild Words take on the life of Ludwig in their trademark inventive style; at Wardrobe; thewardrobetheatre.com 2 9 AU GU ST- 3 SEP TEMBER

KID CARPET & THE NOISY ANIMALS A new adventure for 3-8s from the Kid, with music, mischief and silliness; at The Wardrobe; thewardrobetheatre.com

Other

The ever-so-slightly weird world of Flaming Lips; we hope that custard pie’s vegan and organic, Dick and Dom – you’re in Bristol now

SE L E CTE D DATES (SEE WE BSI TE )

WHERE THE WALL Done Upfest? Craving yet more street art? This renowned twohour tour takes in over 30 years of street art and graffiti history; you’ll definitely know your Cheo from your Cheba by the time you’ve finished. www.wherethewall.com U N TI L 7 SE PT

PLAY ME, I’M YOURS Luke Jerram’s brainchild of a trail of 18 decorated pianos, installed in public spaces across Bristol for everyone to have a tinkle on.

Former trails have led to at least two marriage proposals that we know of; bristolstreetpianos.co.uk

1-10 SEP TEMBER

FESTIVAL OF PUPPETRY The biennial celebration of all things animated on stage and screen; see page36).

7-10 SEP TEMBER

DOORS OPEN DAY The annual chance to see inside private places or take behind-thescenes tours of familiar ones; a celebration of Bristol’s history, architecture and culture, and all free. bristoldoorsopenday.org.uk 7-12 SEP TEMBER

DINNER IN THE SKY . . . and indeed, breakfast, afternoon tea and night cocktails; see page 57. eventsinthesky.co.uk

1 0 - 1 3 AU GU S T

BRISTOL BALLOON FIESTA When the wind plays ball, it’s the quintessential Bristol sight. www.bristolballoonfiesta.co.uk

8 SEP TEMBER

DAVID SEDARIS Come and hear the sardonic New Yorker slice through cultural

euphemisms and political correctness; colstonhall.org 8-10 SE P T EM B ER

FACTOBERFEST Bristol Beer Factory and Tobacco Factory’s annual beer festival – a whole weekend celebrating the very best of independent beer and cider; tobaccofactory.com 9 SEP T EM B ER

BRISTOL WHISKY UNDERGROUND Yet another new drinkfest; this time it’s all about whisky, and it’s held at the Loco Club; whiskybristol.co.uk BRISTOL RUM FESTIVAL Oh look, another one. A celebration of all things rum, rhum and ron, and no, we hadn’t heard of the last two either.

At Paintworks; find them on Facebook.

www.mediaclash.co.uk I BRISTOL LIFE I 25

You really won’t struggle to find Bristol cityscapes, such as No-one is Illegal by Tom White; find Tom’s work at Clifton Fine Art and The Other Art Fair

Wall to Wall Bristol always goes bonkers for art in the summer, with some fair or other every weekend from late July to September. But art is a year-round investment – maybe even a lifetime one – so how do you choose what’s right for your walls?

By de r i robi ns

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

HOW TO BUY ART subtle earthy palette and the influence of such postwar greats as William Scott and Peter Lanyon.

What’s the most incredible piece you’ve sold over the last year or so?

Raphael Trio by Carl Melegari – an epic oil piece that Carl himself found hard to part with!

CENTRESPACE

Ruth Piper describes the atmosphere of this large, lofty semi-industrial gallery as ‘very calm and quiet’. Exhibitions change frequently, and include painting, print, sculpture, photography and film.

What do you look for in an artist?

We like to see contemporary high-quality work; this year, for example, we have shown sculptor, Marta Feglerska and painter Mary RobertsHolmes, who won our prize open exhibition in February. Up and coming shows feature sculptors Jason Brown and Bernard Fairhurst and a solo show of paintings by Jonathon Campbell Mills.

Hidden Gallery’s secret weapon: artist Huw Richards Evans

PERHAPS THE MOST EXCITING WORK CAN BE SEEN ON THE STREETS, BY

ARTISTS WHO USE THE CITY AS A CANVAS

S

o, you want to be an art collector.

You’ve been to Upfest. You’ve mooched round The Other Art Fair, and mentally bought up half the stock of the Affordable Art Fair. You feel that your walls are lacking a certain je ne sais quoi, but aren’t sure where to start. We chatted with some friendly local gallery owners, and asked them what was currently floating their boats . . .

CLIFTON CONTEMPORARY ART

Mostly representing contemporary West Country artists, CCA prides itself on its relaxed, non-salesy atmosphere. Here’s Sarah Brown: Tell us about some of your newest artists Sally Stafford has joined us recently and we’re showing a collection of her glowing, immersive meadow paintings. Stephanie Cunningham’s enigmatic animal sculptures have just arrived, and we’ll be exhibiting Lynne Cartlidge’s beautiful still-life paintings bathed in natural light.

Who are the most exciting artists in Bristol?

Daphne Wright, who had a show at the Arnolfini at the end of last year. Painter Mary RobertsHolmes is my one to watch.

Choose just one picture to take home . . .

A wall piece by Bristol-based sculptor Harriet Aston, who works with paper and coloured dyes.

Her latest works have an Aboriginal flavour and are very exciting to look at.

ANTLERS

While Antlers don’t have a permanent gallery, as Jack Gibbon explains, if you see something on the website that you like, they’ll arrange for you to see it in real life.

What do you look for in your artists?

This normally comes down to: (a) Are they making engaging, thought provoking artworks? (b) Are they well made, with an eye for detail? (c) Is the artist committed to their practice and taking an active role in advancing their work? (d) Gut instinct. Sometimes you just know.

Choose just one picture to take home . . .

Avalon by Max Naylor; the colours and atmosphere are awesome, you can get lost in it.

Which artists do your Bristol customers seem to love most?

Cornish artists such as Maggie Matthews and Hannah Woodman, and Bristol artists such as Tom Hughes and Lisa Takahashi. We’ve also sold plenty by another Bristol artist, Carl Melegari – one customer has become an avid collector.

CLIFTON FINE ART

Who are the most exciting artists in Bristol?

Perhaps the most exciting work can be seen on the streets, by artists who use the city as a canvas.

What do you look for in your artists?

Tom: It’s quite simple: “Do I like this work enough to buy it and put it on the wall at home?”

If the answer is yes, and the work complements what we already show in the gallery, then I would happily represent them. Recent additions w

Choose just one picture to take home . . .

Cornish Harbour by Tony Scrivener. I love his

Catering for everyone from the most experienced collector to the first-time buyer, CFA has a wide range of contemporary and Modern British work.

As Tom White and Jessie Borlase tells us, prices for original work start at around £100, making it an ideal starting place for new collectors.

www.mediaclash.co.uk I BRISTOL LIFE I 29

HOW TO BUY ART include the sublime work of Peter Davis, both beautiful and affordable; in the field of abstract photography, I’d highly recommend Mark Welland’s beguiling images of trees.

Which of your artists have proved to be the most popular with Bristol customers?

Jess: The Cornish painters – John Piper, Michael Praed and Steve Slimm – and the edgy Bristol cityscapes of Tom White. Angela Melkis has been one of our most popular artists of late, her glowing tree paintings often selling the same day she delivers them to the gallery.

Who are the most exciting artists living and working in Bristol right now?

Jess: Rowdy and Alex Lucas. Their murals have decorated outdoor walls for years, but their smaller scale work is equally inspiring.

Choose just one picture to take home . . .

Tom: I just visited John Piper’s studio in Cornwall to collect new work and his painting Penwith Blue may not make it on to the gallery wall . . .

What is the most incredible piece you’ve sold over the last year or so?

Tom: Thoughts of You by Charlie O’Sullivan. It’s hard to describe Charlie’s work; a visit to our website to see it is worth a thousand words.

COLDHARBOUR GALLERY

Hazel Burville’s Westbury Park gallery sells affordable art and crafts, mostly by artists from Bristol and the South West.

What do you look for in your artists?

Someone with a distinct style of their own, who can add something different to the mix, and whose work is accessible and affordable.

Sculptor Christine Baxter fits the bill perfectly.

Which of your artists have proved to be the most popular with Bristol customers?

Abigail McDougall – Bristolians can’t seem to get enough of her cityscapes with their vibrant watercolours and fluid style. Bristol prints by Cath Read and Jenny Urquhart are also popular.

Choose just one picture to take home . . .

Merlyn Chesterman’s Turning Tide, a woodblock print of the Atlantic off north Devon.

We asked our gallery owners what they’d buy this week if we gave them £500 (Also, some handy URLs...)

A pair of stoneware rooks by Stephanie Cunningham that have actually just flown the gallery!

Sarah Brown, Clifton Contemporary www.cliftoncontemporaryart.co.uk

What’s the most incredible piece you’ve sold over the last year or so?

One of John Stroomer’s pots – he’s an absolute master at crystalline glazes, and there is a definite Asian influence in the forms he uses.

A watercolour by Bristol Artist Lucy Austin RWA from her ‘Duologues’ series.

HIDDEN GALLERY

Delta by Kate Wickham. This work has a map-like quality to it, almost as if it’s been painted from the air

Tucked away in Clifton Arcade, this small gallery packs in an astonishing range of treasures. It’s run by Susie Michelson; partner Chris runs Hidden Rare, right next door Tell us about some exciting new artists We are now showing some beautifully elaborate botanical, animal and cartographic limited editions by Kristjana Williams. She has had work on display in the V&A, and was commissioned to do a series of work at the Rio Olympics.

Which artists are most popular with your Bristol customers?

Huw Richards Evans; he paints the most wonderfully atmospheric Bristol scenes and seascapes set beneath dramatic skies. Customers find it easy to relate to his work; over the past 18 months we have sold more than 130 pieces.

Choose just one picture to take home . . .

Head in the Clouds by Cornwall’s Siobhan Purdy, It’s a narrative piece with a childlike quality but also has real depth. I just can’t stop looking at it.

Ruth Piper, Centrespace www.centrespacegallery.com

Tom White, Clifton Fine Art

Lilia Umaña-Clarke’s Small Seated Hare. It is small, graceful and has a wistful quality, as her sculpture always does Jessie Borlase, Clifton Fine Art wwwcliftonfineart.com

Christine Baxter’s iron resin March Hare.

Hazel Burville, Coldharbour wwwcoldharbourgallery.co.uk

A hand-gilded limited-edition print Matters of the Heart by Gemma Compton – Susie Michelson, Hidden

I’d probably put the money towards a sculpture by Bristol artist Lucianne Lassalle Chris Kendall, Hidden www.myhiddenworld.co.uk

A Wave and Moon bowl by Helen Evans Sarah Thorp, Room212 www.room212.co.uk

A small painting by Marla Allison from our last exhibition that I have had my eye on.

Joanne Prince, Rainmaker www.rainmakerart.co.uk

Eelus’ latest print Queen of the Castle – the perfect example of urban art and technically a challenging print to produce Steve Hayles, Upfest www.upfest.co.uk

Left: My Dog Sighs is one of many Bristol street artists whose work is available at Upfest 30 I BRISTOL LIFE I www.mediaclash.co.uk

HOW TO BUY ART If You Go Down To The Woods Today by Adrian Higgins; if you go down to the Other Art Fair at Arnolfini next month, Adrian will be there to meet you

What’s the most incredible piece you’ve sold over the last year or so?

A large painting by Huw Richards Evans of the Avon Gorge – it had the most dramatic sky with the city magically lit in the distance.

HIDDEN RARE

Chris Kendall deals in graphic art by some of the greatest artists of the 20th and 21st centuries; Picassos sit side by side with rare work by Banksy, Hockney and Matisse.

What’s new in the gallery?

This week we’ve added hand-signed etchings

by Salvador Dali and Antony Gormley as well as work by Henry Moore and Richard Long.

Which artists have proved to be the most popular with Bristol customers?

Signed work by Picasso and Matisse are always in demand, and there is currently a lot of interest in David Hockney; that said people are always delighted to see any Banksy work.

Choose just one picture to take home . . .

We’ve a large and striking Francis Bacon in the gallery at the moment that stops people in their tracks. It feels very real and emotionally charged and I never tire of looking at it.

What’s the most incredible piece you’ve sold over the last year or so?

A Henry Moore bronze; and a Dismaland Smiley Riot Shield that was really cool.

JAMAICA STREET ARTISTS

JSA only opens once a year, but you can arrange to visit by appointment. Check out the diverse and eclectic artists on the website; among them is our expert, Andrew Hood

THE

AFFORDABLE ART FAIR OFFERS A CHANCE TO BUY DIRECT FROM THE NEXT SUPERSTAR ARTIST

Tell us about a JSA artist whose especially popular The ethereal landscapes of Elaine Jones seem to strike a chord with many people; she’s just produced a body of work of Devon and Cornwall.

www.mediaclash.co.uk I BRISTOL LIFE I 31

Come & visit us at the Affordable Art Fair, Brunel’s Old Station, Bristol BS1 6QH 8-10 September Stand A8 We have a limited number of free tickets available - reserve yours now 0117 2796402 Units 8, 10 & 11 The Clifton Arcade, Boyce’s Avenue, Bristol BS8 4AA www.myhiddenworld.co.uk | hello@myhiddenworld.co.uk | Telephone: 0117 279 6402

HOW TO BUY ART Fish out of Water

by Andrew Burns Colwill: full of “hidden insights, environmental, political and social commentary and humour” – at Room212

Choose just one picture to take home . . .

A salt-dough sculpture by Dorcas Casey – a wonderful depiction of a cow which shows the animal in a most unusual way. The texture of the material gives it a haunting atmosphere.

What’s the most incredible piece you’ve sold over the last year or so?

Every year we hold a fundraising auction for the Studios. This year we had several great pieces, including a beautiful and textural mountainscape

by Serena Curmi that had some ferocious bidding.

RAINMAKER

Rainmaker specialises in contemporary Native American art, from oils to acrylics, fine art photography, carvings and jewellery. Joanne Prince tells us more: Tell us about any exciting new artists whose work you’re showing We have introduced several new artists this year including painter and muralist Yatika Starr Fields, whose exhibition runs until the end of September, and Tony Tiger; both are incredible colourists.

Choose just one picture to take home . . .

Tall Grass Prairie by Yatika Fields – this apparently abstract painting captures the feeling of a bright summer’s day at the Osage Indian reservation in Oklahoma. The palette is strong and perfectly balanced; I love everything about this painting.

What’s the most incredible piece you’ve sold over the last year or so?

Recently we have sold to museums and national collections, raising the profile of contemporary Native art internationally. Last year the Bristol Museum acquired a breathtaking photographic triptych titled Water Memories by Cara Romero.

UPFEST

ANDREW BURNS COLWILL IS NOW DESCRIBED AS ‘THE NEXT WAVE IN STREET ART’

“We always say that street art has become a place and not a genre – which means our gallery has become an eclectic mix of colourful and thoughtprovoking art,” says Steve Hayles. “Generally the artwork is extremely affordable and focuses on emerging artists from all genres from illustration to fine art. Just like the streets of Bedminster, our goal is for a relaxed atmosphere that anyone will feel comfortable coming into.”

How do you decide which artists to represent?

Due to the nature of street art we don’t specifically represent any one artist, however all artists who’ve painted at any of our festivals over the past nine years can submit artwork to us. From this roster of over 1000 we identify emerging artists to participate in group and solo exhibitions throughout the year, this means you never quite know what to expect when you come through our doors. www.mediaclash.co.uk I BRISTOL LIFE I 33

HOW TO BUY ART

THE OTHER ART FAIR Returning to Arnolfini 1-3 September, this popular fair specifically aims to help newbie buyers start their first art collection. The fair showcases 130 of the best emerging artistic talent in the UK, providing you with the opportunity to discover and buy work directly from the next superstar artist.

Here are some top tips from Jessica Chow, the UK Fair Manager on how to buy your first piece of art.

Buy what you like We know it’s a cliché but buy art that you like and enjoy. If your chosen piece increases in value then it’s a bonus but if it doesn’t, then at least you have invested in something that enhances your environment.

Get talking Having a conversation with the artist gives you an insight into their work; how it was made; how long they’ve been working on it and what they are planning on doing next.

Do your research Before visiting, look up the artists that catch your eye; read about them, their style and get a feel for their work.

Take a risk At the fair we exhibit emerging and undiscovered artists so embrace that spirit and take a risk on someone new – you never know what the future will hold!

For more: www.bristol.theotherartfair.com

Which of your artists have proved to be the most popular with Bristol customers?

Cheo due to his artwork involving Morph; Pahnl, this year’s festival artist; Buff Monster who attracts collectors of all ages; Nomad Clan are tipped for big things over the next 12 months, and Rob Wass who’s nature-inspired artwork can be seen in customers’ homes across Bristol.

Choose just one picture to take home . . .

We currently have Wizard Nebula by Cheba on display at the gallery, although I don’t think it will be around for long, it’s a stunning galaxy scene painted and layered in resin, the artwork just draws you in and if I had any space left it would be on my walls at home.

What’s the most incredible piece you’ve sold over the last year or so?

A print edition by Xenz, who collaborated on The Masonic wall this year with Will Barras, the edition sold out within a day, which wasn’t surprising as they were incredible.

ROOM 212 THORP, ROOM212

This stalwart on the Glo Road is an eclectic mix of styles from illustrations and watercolours to street art, mosaic and ceramics. “The most popular themes are Bristol and nature, says Sarah Thorp.

“We live in such an exciting city that most people like to have a little snippet of Bristol in their homes, while including a bit of wildlife, too.”

Above: Family Portrait by Hisham Echafaki, at The Other Art Fair Top right: Sicilian Rooftops by Andrew Hood at JSA

What do you look for in your artists?

I like to take on artwork that is affordable and artists who aren’t represented anywhere else in Bristol. I’ve just launched an online shop to

represent even more artists beyond our physical gallery; a great way to work out if the art would work in your home.

Which of your artists have proved to be the most popular with Bristol customers?

Jenny Urquhart’s images of Bristol are so bright and versatile; every time one of Jenny’s originals goes in the window it is instantly snapped up as she reflects the vibrancy of our city Who are the most exciting artists living and working in Bristol right now?

Andrew Burns Colwill. He was one of the original Bristol street artists from the ’80s, and he is now described as ‘the next wave in street art’.

His paintings are subtle, reflective, not obvious – a viewer has to work at his painting and is rewarded with hidden insights, environmental, political and social commentary and humour.

Rosie Mclay is an exciting young printmaker on her way to the top.

Choose just one piece to take home . . .

Toni Burrow’s Arches Fox; her mosaics are made with recycled tiles and takes months to create.

Her work is literally priceless as she never sells the originals but her prints do really well.

What’s the most incredible piece you’ve sold over the last year or so?

An amazingly beautiful giant spider creature by Curious Boudoir Dolls. Room 212 always has a display in October when we focus on both the macabre of Halloween and the celebration of Day of the Dead. Laura Robertson always creates a new painting of Frida Kahlo for the exhibition. www.mediaclash.co.uk I BRISTOL LIFE I 35

The tale of an orphan who goes to live in a group foster home, the Oscar-nominated My Life as a Courgette has themes of sex, abuse, violence, suicide and deportation – Annie it’s not. Imagine if Aardman stop-framed Tracey Beaker with a script by the Skins team, and you’d be closer

String fellows Think of a puppet. Now forget everything you thought you knew about puppets. The Bristol Festival of Puppetry is back this year, and the breadth and range of the programme may surprise you

By DE R I ROBI NS

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

PUPPETS

ARTS

T

he Bristol Festival of Puppetry runs for ten days; that’s a lot of puppetry, in anyone’s book. But there’s more to the festival than just the live shows, as organiser Chris Pirie tells us: there are “films, Q&As, workshops, masterclasses, debates, arguments, dissections, an almighty parade, a scratch night, a cabaret night, a pop-up cinema and tours of Puppet Place’s secret fabrication studio . . .”

Suddenly, ten days doesn’t sound nearly long enough.

Chris runs the festival with Rachel McNally; both Chris and Rachel are also involved in Puppet Place. So what led to a life with puppets?

“We are less drawn to puppets, more to puppetry; an ancient and universal activity that is probably as old as storytelling,” says Chris.

“It offers storytellers and performers unique gifts, allowing them to transcend natural laws of gravity, time and space in ways that an actor, firmly rooted to the stage, cannot.”

OK, we get it; puppets can fly, and puppets can time-travel. What else makes them special? www.mediaclash.co.uk I BRISTOL LIFE I 37

Coldharbour Gallery 111 Coldharbour Road Westbury Park Bristol

affordable local art & crafts

www.coldharbourgallery.co.uk

PUPPETS

BFoP17 mascots Hichi and Java were created by Chilean artist Vivi Cuevas; told you it was international

“A puppet only has a life and a personality when it is animated; that can only happen when it is in the hands of a puppeteer, and in front of an audience, whether that’s on stage or the street or screen. We all have to suspend our disbelief together! I think it’s this sense of equal partnership between performer, puppet and puppeteer which makes puppetry such a magical experience,” says Rachel.

“Puppetry is also particularly good at telling stories of otherness, of difference and diversity; attributes that we are giving some focus to in this year’s festival,” adds Chris.

Like all self-respecting fests, the BFoP claims to cater for everyone; we particularly like the fact that firsttimers can sample free events before committing to buying tickets for the main shows.

As for the converted, “Our regulars will be delighted that we are welcoming back firm favourites, such as the Creatures of Bristol Carnival, a riot of noise and colour that parades through the streets of Bedminster; the ever-popular Smoking Puppet Cabaret, and master puppeteer Stephen Mottram’s new show; he is one of the UK’s best manipulators of string marionettes, and his work is beguiling, poetic and technically stunning.”

As well as their superhuman powers, puppets are untrammelled by linguistic barriers. The festival has a strong international programme, with a quirky Dutch show for toddlers featuring iPads for puppets, and two

ARTS

Quebecois companies bringing dark and non-text performances to Bristol.

At Watershed, there are full-length feature films, shorts by women filmmakers and Eastern European animators. There’s a celebration of the legendary Bristol TV animator Terry Brain, and (exciting!) a screening of Yamasong: March of The Hollows – the first feature length puppetry film since 2004 . . . “If there is still someone who feels neglected by that lot, there’s probably not much we could do for them,” says Chris. “But we always welcome feedback and if there is something different people would like to see at future festivals – do tell us,”’ says Rachel.

So, OK, it’s not exactly Sooty waving a wand.

But there’s still stuff for the young ’uns, yes?

“In terms of overall participation, including the Carnival, it is probably an even split between events for children and adults. But our live programming has always had a tilt towards older audiences; puppetry is still some way from losing the association with poor quality children’s fare,” says Chris. [That’s you told, Sooty my son.]

PUPPETRY IS GOOD AT TELLING STORIES OF OTHERNESS, OF DIVERSITY We couldn’t twist Chris’s arm to single out a favourite, but he admits he’s pretty excited by the gala performance by local YouTube sensation Barnaby Dixon and his extraordinary MicroPuppetry. “There really isn’t anyone else doing what he does; an awesome collision of micro-engineering, acrobatic finger dexterity and a keen sense of comic timing.”

“It’s hard to have favourites, because we cram all our favourites into these 10 days,” says Rachel.

Wrap-up question time: if we only made it to one event this year, Chris, what would it be?

“For families, we heartily recommend that you dress for mess in our Carnival workshops, create your own fantastic beastie and then join in our colourful Creatures of Bristol Carnival parade.

“For adults, may we entice you with one of our two Canadian offerings? Either the darkly comic but sultry solo performance of La Causeuse (The Loveseat) by Equivoc, or the UK première of Tricyckle by Les Sages Fous, a performance that is grotesque, poetic and wild.

“For teenagers,The Broke ‘N’ Beat Collective by Theatre Rites/20 Stories High; a unique mash-up of hip-hop and theatre featuring a beatboxer, a b-boy, a singer-poet and a puppeteer. Raw, gritty, funny and moving.”

Better book now, then. The little yellow dude with the big red ears to the left of this column knows where you live.

The Bristol Festival of Puppetry runs 1-10 September at Tobacco Factory Theatres, Watershed and Puppet Place.

For more www.bristolfestivalofpuppetry.org

www.mediaclash.co.uk I BRISTOL LIFE I 39

SCIENCE

CURIOSER AND

CURIOSER You can always trust At-Bristol to pull something out of the bag for the holidays. This summer, they’re launching their first Festival of What If? – a six-week celebration of what it means to be curious

By L I SA WA R R E N

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

since opening, at-bristol has had more than 5 million guests – the equivalent of every sincle bristolian visiting 11-and-a-bit times

E

ach fortnight between now and 3 September, At-Bristol’s What If? festival focuses on a different question about life, the Universe and everything.

What if we had to live on a different planet?, What if nature took over? What if I could see inside myself?

Inspired by questions from visitors, the science centre attempts to offer answers via activities and exhibitions in its trademark lively way; there are nature time lapses, a fiesta with live music, a silent jungle disco – you can even make an edible face mask And while we’re in full-on ‘did you know?’ mode, here are 24 facts about At-Bristol itself; we think you’ll agree that some of them are a bit jaw-dropping.

1

At Bristol is a millennium baby – one of thirteen science centres across the UK to have opened in 2000.

2

The At-Bristol building started life as a railway goods shed, built in 1903 as part of Brunel’s Great Western Railway. The Grade-II building is one of the first examples of steel reinforced concrete in the world, and is now one of the most cutting-edge buildings in Bristol.

3

At-Bristol is more than just a fun place to get your science on; it’s an educational charity, with the mission of making science accessible to, and sparking curiosity in, everyone.

4

Since opening, At-Bristol has had more than five MILLION guests walk through its doors.

That’s the equivalent to every single person in Bristol visiting 11-and-a-bit times.

5

At-Bristol is home to the British Paraorchestra – the world’s first professional ensemble for disabled musicians.

6

It supports more than 60,000 school children, teachers and home-educators and their families to visit each year.

7

As part of their community engagement programme, At-Bristol offers free entry to people living in the most deprived communities of the city through its bi-monthly ‘Hello!’ open weekends. Since its launch, more than 8,000 people from these areas have visited.

8

Refugee and asylum seekers can also visit At-Bristol for free, as part of Bristol’s commitment as a City of Sanctuary.

Meet Brian. Brian’s a robo falcon; his job is to keep the gulls off At-Bristol’s rooftop solar panels by screeching, flapping and kick-boxing. Brian’s bad-ass

9

Since 2011, At-Bristol’s Education team have also worked alongside Bristol Royal Hospital for Children, helping more than 700 children and their families to take part in fun, interactive science activities.  www.mediaclash.co.uk I BRISTOL LIFE I 41

SCIENCE

10

At-Bristol is home to the most advanced Planetarium system in the UK with 3D, 4K resolution (UHD Ultra High Defi nition) projectors and full surround sound.

AT-BRISTOL IS HOME TO THE MOST ADVANCED

PLANETARIUM SYSTEM IN THE UK

11

When not running presenter-led astronomy shows, the Planetarium also acts as the Data Dome, an innovative space for experimental data visualisation, as part of the Bristol is Open project.

12

At-Bristol’s volunteers have so far donated a whopping total of 38,000 hours to the organisation.

13

85% of Educational volunteers at At-Bristol have a postgrad degree in a science, technology, engineering or mathsrelated subject.

14 15

One of At-Bristol’s Live Science Team has a comet named after them.

And a member of the Education team went on the same space training programme as Tim Peake.

16

At-Bristol has a working greenhouse and kitchen in the FOOD! exhibition, and works closely with Incredible Edible on the community planters out on Millennium Square.

These ‘pick your own’ gardens form part of Incredible Edible’s Urban Food Trail. w

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

SCIENCE

17

22

At-Bristol’s YouTube channel is the most watched science centre channel in the world with over two million total views to date, and used by teachers and educators globally.

18

On the At-Bristol roof, you’ll fi nd enough solar panels to power 13 households. It’s the only science centre in England to hold a Gold Green Tourism Award.

19

You’ll also fi nd a beehive on the roof, which is looked after by two resident beekeepers, who are also part of At-Bristol’s Venue Hire team. They were trained by Bee Bristol.

20

There’s a huge warehouse in Bristol fi lled to the brim with old At-Bristol interactive exhibits, props and paraphernalia.

21

At-Bristol also owns Millennium Square, Anchor Square and Big Screen Bristol – which regularly hosts free fi lm screenings, community and sporting events.

At-Bristol has won 40 awards in the last five years for a range of areas including visitor experience, sustainability and educational impact.

AT-BRISTOL’S

23

All of the exhibits in At-Bristol are designed and made by the in-house exhibitions team – each exhibit is prototyped and tested on visitors, before the fi nal version makes it to the main venue floor. There are over 250 exhibits currently, with more in production.

YOUTUBE CHANNEL IS THE MOST WATCHED 24 SCIENCE CENTRE CHANNEL IN THE WORLD

At-Bristol holds the Guinness World Record for the world’s longest string of popcorn, at 320m long. The 24-hour world record was created to celebrate the opening of the FOOD! exhibition in 2014.

For more www.at-bristol.org.uk

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

1 2

HANG-UPS FROM PLEIN-AIR TO PRICELESS PICASSOS, BRISTOL’S GALLERIES AND ARTISTS HAVE YOUR WALLS COVERED 3

4

1. DAN PARRY-JONES

2. JODY THOMAS

3. INKIE

4. TOM HUGHES

5. PICASSO

Beauty from Ashes, giclée print, £150 Fine-artist Dan works at Jamaica Street Studios, combining screenprinting with collage, often depicting Bristol scenes.

We’re huge fans From danpj.co.uk or jamaicastreetartists.co.uk

Evenfall, hand-signed giclée print, £95 We’re out and proud with our love for this Bristol aerosol artist, who brings so much glamour to the streets of BS3 and to our walls; prints start at £75 From jodyart.co.uk

Love is the Message, high-def print, £40 (excerpt shown) Inkie’s unmistakeable Ink Nouveau style is a modern classic; keep an eye on his website for sales and great deals From inkie.bigcartel.com

Avon Gorge, Twilight, October, original oil, POA Plein-air artist Tom can be seen out and about in all weathers, which is why his oils are so fabulously imbued with atmosphere From Clifton Contemporary Art 25 Portland Street cliftoncontemporaryart.co.uk

Head of a Faun; handsigned litho, £6750

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

Signed Picasso poster – ’nuff said. This little gallery in Clifton continues to take our breath away with its modern masters offering From Hidden Rare Clifton Arcade myhiddenworld.co.uk

6

ED’S CHOICE

SHOPPING

5

7

9

8 10

6. CHARLES EMERSON

7. ANNA MARROW

8.GEMMA COMPTON

9. TOM FROST

10. TOM WHITE

Mt. Fuji. North East South West, limited edition £1100

Beautiful Bristol Pink, limited edition hand pulled screen print, £125 Featuring Colston Tower, the Harbourside cranes, a Totterdown house and North Street shops – and glitter detail!

From Soma Gallery somagallery.co.uk

Mother Earth, limited edition screenprint, £80 Gemma’s another huge favourite of ours; if you like her style, check out her husband Copyright’s work, too From Gemma Compton gemma compton.co.uk

3D Perfect Match, handmade screen print, £765 If you like your art with a strong graphic flavour, Tom’s the one for you; Soma stock his prints extensively From Soma Gallery somagallery.co.uk

Blue Sky; original painting £1250, print £125 The incredibly prolific Tom captures the Bristol cityscape like no other, and sells both originals and prints From Clifton Fine Art 12 Perry Road cliftonfineart.com

Fine-art photographer Charles uses multiple exposures to build his epic scenes; the effect is ethereal and Impressionistic From Antlers Gallery antlersgallery.com

www.mediaclash.co.uk II CLIFTON BRISTOL LIFE LIFE II 47 www.mediaclash.co.uk 69

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Bristol Life team 01225 475800

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

R E S TA U R A N T

FOOD

Bellita If the Bristol dining-out bubble is on the brink of bursting, the restaurants of Cotham Hill don’t seem to have got the memo; least of all Bellita

By DE R I ROBI NS

L

ast month, there was a short-lived flurry of a backlash against the local dining-out scene. “Is the Bristol restaurant bubble about to burst?” it asked, quoting a few closures across the city. Well, no, said almost everybody else – and if Cotham Hill on a wild and windy Tuesday night in July was anything to go by, the glass half-fullers carry the day. We made a specific point of peering into the windows: Bravas was buzzing, Pasta Loco was packed, Muino was mollocking, while Bellita – our destination – didn’t have a spare table left by 7.30.

As it happens, one of the bubble-bursting predictors was Bellita’s co-owner Sam Sohn-Rethel, who presumably wasn’t referring to his own lively Cotham patch. Bellita bills itself as the ‘boisterous little sister’ of Bell’s Diner, since the same team – Sam, Connie Coombes and Kate Hawkins – evolved from the latter restaurant, where Sam is head chef. Sam also cheffed at Flinty Red, which is where Bellita now stands. Small world, the Bristol restaurant scene, no?

Kate – whom Liam Steevenson calls a ‘genius’ (page 59) – is the wine director. She’s devised, or to use more modern parlance, curated, a very focused list that specialises in well-priced gems and discoveries. All are by women winemakers; many are exclusive to Bellita. “We think all our wines have a certain feminine finesse and lightness of touch which sit well with our personality and with our food,” she says.

Bottle of the Week during our visit was The Bruce, a cabernet made by a 20-something ballet dancer, and named after The Boss. We opted for the Chateau Combel La Serre Malbec; the aroma reached us before the glass hit the table, like the wafty lines in the Bisto advert. Mmm, Malbec . . .

Friendly, buzzy and informal, Bellita is stripped down for action with wooden floors, unfussy tables and seating, and a

THE AROMA REACHED US BEFORE THE GLASS HIT THE TABLE, LIKE THE WAFTY LINES IN THE

BISTO ADVERT – MMM, MALBEC . . .

friendly FOH in Megan. Newish chef Danny Garland takes his culinary influences from Moorish as well as Spanish kitchens, and a starter of charcoal-grilled peas were coated with tangy sumac.

There’s bound to be at least one thing on the menu that you haven’t tried before – the panisse, perhaps, a fried chickpea flour cake in a thin batter from the south of France, here in a poky anchovy, thyme and moscatel vinegar sauce. Danny likes punchy flavours.

The patatas bravas were pure Andalucía; crispy and fluffy in all the right places, with a voluptuous blob of paprikaspeckled aioli. We were back in Ottolenghi country for the heritage carrots and beets with pomegranate, dukkah and tarator – not dissimilar to hummus, made from ground walnuts, garlic, tahini, cucumber and lemon juice.

Imam biyaldi translates as ‘the Imam fainted’ — the story goes that the Holy Man passed out with pleasure when served with this stuffed aubergine dish.

Other versions have the Imam fainting at the bill. Here in Bellita it would definitely be down to the pleasure factor; the silky pepper-stuffed aub was laced with milky labneh, pine nuts were added for texture, and it took second place only to our dish of the night, a pan-fried hake and cannelloni in n’duja (rhymes with hallelujah). Forget all that ‘the sauce was subtle enough not to overwhelm the delicate flavour of the fish’ wisdom – this robust red-knockout of a peppery spreadable salami proved that hake can take whatever you throw at it.

Iberico pork ‘secreto’ is so called because it’s a juicily secret cut, though clearly it’s not that secret any more, because we spotted it on the menu of The Lido last month.

Like Freddy Bird, Danny serves it up in a romanesco sauce; if you had to sum it up you’d call it rustic fare in a refined form. If you had to sum up further, you’d go, crazy delicious.

If we haven’t already made it crystal clear, everything we ordered (and we ordered practically everything) was lovely.

Bellita is a place you can pop into for a couple of tapas at the bar on your way home, or come with a bunch of friends to make merry. It’s warm. It’s cosy. It’s relaxed.They have cute little paprika tins on the table for the cutlery. And the food will have you surreptitiously wiping the plates clean with your fingers. We’re almost sure that nobody will look on askance.

DINING DETAILS Bellita, 34 Cotham Hill, BS6 6LA; 0117 923 8755; bellita.co.uk Opening hours Monday to Wednesday 6-11pm, Thursday to Saturday: noon-11pm We visited Tuesday evening Prices £3-£9 (three dishes from the menu for a tenner at selected times) Vegetarian choice a few dishes on a fairly short menu Wine The wine list starts at £20 (carafes from £14, by the galss from £3.75) There’s also a full list of cocktails, spirits and beers Disabled access full accessible Atmosphere buzzy, continental (if you’re a Brexiteer, then buzzy, not that continental) Service friendly, can-do Disabled access fully accessible

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

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 Efthymios (Tim)

Neofytos (Neo)

L

eading the Athenian team are Efthymios (Tim) and Neofytos, a pair of Londoners born and raised in Athens and Cyprus.

They launched The Athenian at the end of 2014, as a small street-food venture offering freshly made souvlaki prepared in the healthiest, most authentic way possible; now they have a permanent spot in Cargo 2.

Why have you opened in Bristol?

Bristol is a very foodie-friendly place that can appreciate good food. Cargo in Wapping Wharf houses really good restaurants, such as Woky Ko, run by Masterchef finalist Larkin Cen, and Chicken Shed [now Root], founded by Josh Eggleton. We were really excited and honoured to hear that we would share the same roof as these restaurants.

So what’s on the menu?

We specialise in authentic Athenian souvlaki, a fluffy, handmade, round pita bread filled with meat, fries, dips and salad. Our fillings include chicken, pork, lamb and beef, halloumi and mushrooms.

We also sell Greek salads and traditional 56 I BRISTOL LIFE I www.mediaclash.co.uk

Yes, we know, we know – with so many openings at Wapping Wharf, it’s hard to keep up. Allow us to make it a bit easier, by introducing you to one of the latest players at Cargo 2. Ladies and gentleman, The Athenian…

Cretan dakos (barley rusk with olive oil, feta cheese, tomato, onions and oregano), Ion chocolates and imported Greek beers.

What’s the speciality of the house?

We recommend the super chicken souvlaki with our tyrokafteri dip (feta spread with red pepper and paprika), fries, tomato and onions. Can’t beat it!

What makes the Athenian’s food offering so different from the traditional UK kebab shop offering?

That’s a great question! [You’re welcome] One of the things we noticed from many years living in the UK is that Greek cuisine is greatly misinterpreted. Most restaurants here that claim to serve Greek food are either Turkish, Mediterranean, Cypriot or even Middle Eastern, which stray away from traditional Greek cuisine. And the existing ones are, overall, outdated, tasteless and disappointing. We wanted to change that, and bring to the UK the food that we like to eat in Greece, directly from Greek suppliers.

You serve a very superior halloumi – where is this made or sourced?

Our halloumi is technically a type of cheese

called talagani, very similar to halloumi in texture and flavour. Our talagani is handmade in small batches in Central Greece, ensuring high quality and great flavour. The only reason we sell it as halloumi is that the name halloumi is more recognisable in the UK. What’s the nicest comment you’ve had so far about The Athenian?

One of our favourite comments was one we received on Instagram, calling our Souvlaki Sauce ‘magic sauce’ and added #InHeaven underneath.

Can you recommend a Greek wine?

Another great question! [We try] We have recently introduced Greek wine exclusively in our restaurant in Bristol. The grapes used for the wine are cultivated in the vineyards of Nemea, in the Peloponnese. So *our* wine will be our first choice!

For more www.theathenian.co.uk/bristol-location

DID YOU KNOW? The name souvlaki comes from a medieval word, meaning ‘little skewer’. Oh, you knew. As you were, then.

Hoppy talkin’, talkin’, hoppy talk . . .

TASTY BITES Mmmm . . . beer . . .

Bristol can sup on a new craft beer this summer, as brewing starts on a specialedition collaboration brew for the Bristol Craft Beer Festival. Wiper & True and Left Handed Giant will collaborate with Deya and Verdant to create the new brew to launch at the Festival on 15-17 September at Motion. The Bristol Craft Beer Festival IPA will, we’re promised, be a ‘super juicy, fruity IPA, with fresh harvest hops – perfect for summer drinking’.

A bit lke this!

But in Briz!

More info on the Bristol Craft Beer Fest in our next issue, and at www.bristolcraftbeerfestival.co.uk

Ox & Co

Hyde & Co, have you gone stark staring mad? The team are offering an unmissable deal at The Ox Clifton this August, with 40% off the bill during lunchtime and early evening service between Monday – Friday (book ahead). If eating a bit earlier is more your thing, you can now upgrade brunch to a whole new level by adding Bottomless Bloody Marys for an extra £10 between 12-2pm. Oh, the decadence.

Meanwhile, sister restaurant Bambalan is holding a Bottomless Bank Holiday BBQ on Sunday 27 August between 1-6pm, to celebrate the last bank holiday of the summer, with DJs, music and entertainment along with BBQ food and a Bambalan buffet.

All for £20; kids under 12 eat for free. www.hydeand.co

Liquid brunch, everyone?

Don’t look down

. . . actually do, and instagram the hell out of it. Seven-day pop-up Bristol in the Sky IS ON, with a launch date of 7 September. Following previous Events in the Sky in four other UK cities (what took you, guys?) the event will see a table seating 22 guests hoisted up 100ft over Harbouside, with a guest chef, sommelier and waiting team. There’ll be some seriously distinguished cooking occurring in the the pop-up kitchen in the centre of the table, with the likes of Rosemarino, Harvey Nichols Second Floor Restaurant and Romy’s Kitchen serving dinner; you can also enjoy breakfast, afternoon sittings (Pie in the Sky with Lovetts, anyone?), Gelato in the Sky, or a night ‘flight’ with cocktails served by HMSS. It’s definitely cool, but is it scary? Ask us after the press launch on 6 September. www.eventsinthesky.co.uk/events/bristol-in-the-sky-2017

Kam’s top three SAM FM DJ Kam Kelly reveals his three top Bristol food and drink haunts in his own inimitable fashion • Ok, so let’s break it down! If you haven’t had a mocha frappé from The Tin Cup on North Street then you simply gotta look in the mirror and ask yourself what you are doing with your life and how come you got this far.

• By the same token, if you’re north of the services at the beginning (or end depending which end you start on) of the M32 and you

haven’t sampled a Madras in The Tamarind in Downend then you need to email your parents and agree with them that you “Never reached your potential and are capable of so much more, if you just applied yourself.”

• Should you head up Gloucester Road, you gotta try Meat Liquor! Mate, the food is incredible (enhanced by Bristol’s own Chilli Alchemist’s unique sauce) and the beer is cold....

AND you can write what the **** you want on the walls!

Listen to Kam at Sam: www.samfm.co.uk

More titbits…

Sardinian-born chef Marco Pilloni has previously cooked for the Queen; now he’s baking for Portishead at his new gaff at Patiserrie Venga . . . www.vengauk.co.uk New restaurant Puro has joined the Clevedon dining scene, offering fine dining with a Modern British flavour. “Puro’s all about great service and locally sourced ingredients,’ promises young chef Alex Crawley . . . www.purorestaurant.co.uk STOP PRESS..... we clawed (yes, CLAWED) this page back from the printer to bring you news that the Eat Drink Bristol Fashion team has turned Chicken Shed in Cargo into Root, a restaurant dedicated to serving more veg and better meat, in line with the ethos from the SRA. More in the next issue!

www.mediaclash.co.uk I BRISTOL LIFE I 57

CLIFTON PANTRY IN THE HEART OF CLIFTON VILLAGE. Refurbished and under new ownership.

Open 7 days, breakfast, lunch and evening meals. Quality menu, Gourmet Burgers a speciality, all produce from local suppliers.

Bookable for private events.

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Tamil Nadu tasting menu available throughout August

10 The Mall | Clifton | BS8 4DR | 0117 360 0288 | info@nutmegbristol.com | www.nutmegbristol.com

FOOD & DRINK

WINE O’CLOCK That’s pretty much any o’clock in the world of LIAM STEEVENSON: Liam sells wine, he teaches wine, he consults on wine-buying, he makes wine, he probably dreams about the stuff. In our next issue, Liam begins a regular wine column; it seemed only polite to introduce him properly

L

iam describes himself as “an adventurous person, who has always loved people, places and challenges,” which makes him pretty much a cinch for a life in the wine trade.

“Wine may seem an obvious career choice, as my father is a wine merchant too,” he says, “but I am not sure it was the product so much that excited me, than the ability to work in a way that would allow me to travel the world, meet extraordinary people and in some way help them tell their story.”

Over the course of his career, Liam has set up a wholesale wine business, run a wine school, become the youngest of only 267 Masters of Wine in the world, been a senior wine buyer for Waitrose, consulted for wineries all over the world, made wine in France, Spain and New Zealand, set up an internationally-recognised event company and last year was voted one of the top four highest achievers in the wine industry globally by the International Wine & Spirit Competition.

Oh, yeah, and he challenged himself to “a little row across the Atlantic, where we broke the world record . . . so I guess in short I would describe myself as a busy person.”

How he plans to fit in a regular wine column for us is anyone’s guess.

What does running a ‘global wine consultancy’ consist of?

We do everything from managing wineries exports into the global market to advising wineries on quality and style to creating wine selections for everyone from merchants

through to restaurants, super-yachts and even airlines.

We read that you’re also a ‘wine creation agency’ – tell us about that . . .

I have always wanted to make wine, but never had the money to buy a vineyard, or the time to really invest into it. Three years ago I went to the Roussillon, one of the most beautiful vineyard areas in France, right down next to the Spanish border, with some fantastic old vines in the ground. I persuaded a winery to let me make two barrels in their cellar; if it sold, I would be back the year after to make four, and so on, until we got to 24 barrels, at which point I would have enough demand to go to the bank and buy the vineyard. We made 12 barrels last year; next year we get to 24. Inspired by this project, I have replicated it in Spain and New Zealand, and next year we start one in Hungary.

We know you’re quite the globe-trotter – so which countries have you visited so far this year?

I’ve taken 43 flights so far in 2017. It’s not as much fun as it sounds, but I keep agreeing to go, so it would be wrong to complain. India, California and Antigua come up next, all equally fascinating.

What would your desert island bottle be?

Would it be awful to say Champagne?! If I could afford it I would drink it every day, but on a sunny desert island I think an ice bucket and some really good Blanc de Blancs Champagne would be perfect – perhaps with a mermaid as company.

What wine can’t you get enough of this summer?

When the sun comes out I do work mainly in the white and rosé categories, although Grenachebased wines from the Rhone or Spain frequent my BBQs. I still think New Zealand Sauvignon quenches thirst as well as any, although my palate is slowly getting drier, and Albarino from Galicia, Picpoul de Pinet from Southern France and really good Vinho Verde all please me. Big bottles of Provence rosé are hard to not enjoy, too.

What Bristol restaurants have really impressive cellars?

In Bristol, Riverstation has always been a favourite of mine, their wine selection is very well-thought-out. Kate at Bell’s Diner is a genius, of course; her wine list may look complicated but is simple in its brilliance. The Lido’s food and wine selection always excites me. I ate last week at Wilsons Restaurant on Chandos Road which was pretty perfect – well, actually it was perfect.

I recommend all of the above.

What’s the best thing about being in the wine biz?

The people. It’s jam-packed with individuals that you want to spend time with. Wine-producers are an intriguing blend of farmers, chemists, marketeers and entrepreneurs, and on the whole they never wear ties – I like that! The trade itself, of course, is full of people who enjoy product, place and people. It is a very happy word to inhabit.

For more: www.globalwinesolutions.com

www.mediaclash.co.uk I BRISTOL LIFE I 59

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SPORT

OLLY ROBINSON Back Row

QUALITY TIME Behold our new Bristol Rugby columnist, Olly Robinson!

Every month, Olly will lay bare the inner workings of the mind of a professional rugby player – starting with ‘the off-season’

T

he off-season – the summer break between matches kicking off again – is an important time for any player.

Don’t get me wrong, to be able to play sport for a living is an absolute privilege and, for most parts, a pleasure, but the strain of being involved in a sport as high-pressured and physically uncompromising as rugby nearly every day for 40 weeks can begin to take its toll.

Throw in the testing mental nature of professional sport, as well as the rollercoaster ride of a season that Bristol Rugby experienced and you have 50 players ready for some quality time away from the rugby field!

PHOTO BY JMPUK

Bristol Rugby v Harlequins

Every player will have different priorities during the off-season; some intrepid travellers head to far corners of the globe to broaden their intellectual horizons and take in the unique scenery.

Others (ahem) – and I won’t name names – prefer cultural capitals such as Zante and Magaluf in search of love. For some, just being at home, away from the day to day intensity of a rugby club is enough.

My girlfriend and I were fortunate enough to travel to Cape Town, a place of astounding natural beauty, to celebrate the marriage of fellow Bristol back rower Nick Fenton-Wells and his wife, Skye.

Of course, the prospect of a gruelling new pre-season is always looming over our heads.

DURING THE LAST WEEK OF MAY, BRISTOL’S

CAFÉS EXPERIENCED AN INEXPLICABLE OF KALE AND WHEATGRASS SMOOTHIES . . .

SALE SALADS

The stark realisation hits that one too many beers or all-inclusive buffets have been enjoyed.

During that last week of May – the final few days before we return to training camp – the many cafés of Whiteladies Road and Clifton Village experience an inexplicable surge in the sale of kale salads and wheatgrass smoothies. Can’t think why . . .

In the modern era, fitness and physique are just as important as technical ability and tactical prowess, so the majority of players will continue to train throughout the break.

For us at Bristol Rugby, there was an added incentive to return to the club fit and firing this summer; impressing Pat Lam and the new management team. It’s often said that it is difficult to train your way into the team during the start of pre-season, but very easy to train your way out of it!

Now that we’re back in the thick of preparations for the campaign ahead, it’s clear the guys are enjoying the day-to-day progress and putting in the hard yards that we hope will pay dividend later in the year.

It’s been fantastic to see so many of the young Academy players stepping up and showing great promise during the sessions.

There’s an excitement building for what is to come and – as a squad – we’re relishing the challenge ahead.

The crucial thing to remember – especially in the heat of the battle - is to find the time to get away from rugby and spend quality time with the families and loved ones who give up so much for us, put up with us when the bounce of the ball goes the wrong way and whose invaluable support allows us to follow our dreams.

Follow Olly on twitter at @ollyrobbo

www.mediaclash.co.uk I BRISTOL LIFE I 61

BRISTOL COLLEGE of MASSAGE and BODYWORK

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

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We pride ourselves in placing patients before profit to enable affordable, cost effective treatment options while maintaining the best pregnancy rates.

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OPEN EVENINGS Open evenings Join us at our free monthly open evenings in Bristol or Cardiff for a tour and presentations from fertility experts. We offer open evening’s specific for same sex couples and single women also. Ask questions on a one-to-one basis.

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FREE SPERM TESTING CRGW offers free sperm testing days in Bristol and Cardiff. Visit the web site to find the next available date and book yourself in.

Bristol: 01174 409999 | Cardiff: 01443 443999 | www.crgw.co.uk | info@crgw.co.uk

l o t S i r B t r a T s e M o h A Be ! r E e t n U l o V Start Bristol, you’ll be a When you volunteer for Home m get back on their feet lifeline for a family: helping the d to cope in the future. and develop the skills they nee ndent registered charity Home Start Bristol is an indepe h at least one child under supporting struggling families wit s and carefully match five. We recruit and train volunteer them with local families.

nexT voLuntEer CourSe sTartS TueSday 19th septEmbeR Our popular, accredited Volunteer Preparation courses are held 3 times a year, with each course running for 36 hours over 9 weeks. Course times are designed to tie in with the school day and volunteers are asked to attend just once a week. At the end of the last course, 100% of volunteers said they would recommend it to a friend, and what’s more, it carries a Level 2 Accreditation. This qualification, combined with the experience gained working with us, can act as a wonderful stepping stone into future careers.

PARENTS AND GRANDPARENTS HAVE THE EXPERIENCE TO MAKE GREAT VOLUNTEERS By encouraging and involving parents in their own support planning, we see parents and families grow in confidence.

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YOU REALLY WILL BE CHANGING LIVES.

September Course Venue: Phoenix Social Enterprise, 5 Russell Town Avenue, Redfield BS5 9LT. Call 0117 950 1170 | www.homestartbristol.org.uk | Find Us On Facebook

THE SUPPORT IS FANTASTIC “After seeing a close friend go through post-natal depression I felt I wanted to help other mums. The course exceeded my expectations.

It wasn’t always easy but the support was, and still is, fantastic”.

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Adventures in party-going

SNAPPED! O N E S H I N D I G AT A T I M E

LIGHT YEARS Bristol publisher, eco-warrier and all-round nice guy Alastair Sawday attended a launch party at Bath’s Topping & Co for his first book of memoirs, Travelling Light – a tribute to the joys of stepping off the well-trodden path and living life to the full. Lots more about him on Page 98 Photos by Tim Woolf www.woolfandrogersphotography.com

Kate Hordern and Richard Beswick, Alastair’s agent and publisher

Cornelia Topping

Alastair, with one he wrote earlier

Sandy Schofield and Jenny McKinley

TRUST EXERCISE Milestones Trust’s Expressions Carnival launch event at Paintworks featured workshops and music performances along with an exhibition of the creative talents of the people who work with the Trust – a Bristol charity supporting people with learning disabilities, mental health needs and dementia in Bristol.

Paula Tovey, Natasheya Tbealeh, Winn Evans, David Barns, Annie Price, Caroline Gibbons and Jacqui Harrison

John Hoskinson, Tina Brown, Emma Rygol, Louise Copping and Jacqui Sullivan

Caroline Flynn, Jeff Parry, Victoria Carvey, Naina Mandleker, Jane Kilpatrick

Rehana Jaffer, Anna Harris, Laila Yahaya and Fern Busuttil

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Shake-ups/launches/intel/promotions

B R IS TO L G E T S S ER I O US FOOD AND DRINK

THEY’RE FRESH...

EXCITING...

Crowd-funded just one day after opening the platform? That’s a bona fide Bristol success story for you Bristol-based fresh-range.com provides a local, sustainable and ethical alternative to the mass supermarkets. The company is redefining how food is supplied, by sourcing from local farmers, fishermen, makers and bakers directly, and delivering into both homes and professional kitchens in Bristol and Bath, including primary schools across Bath & North East Somerset.

This summer, fresh-range, for the first time, gave their customers and producers the opportunity to own part of the company through the Seedrs crowdfunding platform (www.seedrs.com/fresh-range). The funds raised will be used to increase customer convenience to truly rival mass national retailers.

“We opened it this morning to the public and we are already at 87% of the way to the £300k target,” director Rich Osborn told us on 24 July. “I would be surprised if we didn’t hit it by the end of the week . . .”

Rich duly got back to us the next day.

“We’ve hit target! Just 24 hours after opening to the public we’ve exceeded our minimum target with investment coming in from locals, nationals and internationals. Fantastic news for us as a company, for local producers and for the city of Bristol.”

Nice one, Rich and fresh-range.

QUOTE OF THE ISSUE

“WE PUT EACH AND EVERY YOUNG PERSON AT THE HEART OF WHAT WE DO, AND WE NEVER GIVE UP ON THEM” Who’s giving Bristol’s most in-need kids a fighting chance? See page 71

Photo Mona Jones

www.fresh-range.com

TRUE BLUE Bristol Blue Glass are rightly delighted to announce that the Royal Collection Trust has commissioned a sapphire water jug and glass set from them to complement their Royal Birdsong chinaware range.

On 21 July, the team had the chance to visit the Buckingham Palace Garden Shop to admire the jug in situ.“Everyone has worked so hard, and it’s been such a joy seeing this commission grow,” said marketing manager Sharon Crapanzano. “Not only is it an honour to be producing glass for the Royal Collection Trust, but this coincides beautifully with us celebrating our own 30th year in business next year.” We’re fairly sure we’ll be hearing a lot more about that anniversary in 2018 . . . www.bristol-glass.co.uk

£18.3m THE BIG NUMBER

The inward investment generated by Bristol Film Office 2016-17, as the city’s film and TV production figures continue to rise For more: www.filmbristol.co.uk

www.mediaclash.co.uk I BRISTOL LIFE I 67

BUSINESS INSIDER

HOSPITALITY

HALL OF FAME Weddings are by no means the only events held at historic Clevedon Hall, but they’re the heart and soul of the business; let MD James Matthews explain

L

ike so many successful business people, James began at the bottom of the ladder. “I started out as a house porter at the Marriott Royal Hotel in Bristol aged 16,” he says. “I’ve always loved the customer service element of hospitality, creating truly unique, memorable and special experiences for people. I also love the teamwork, as everyone needs to work together and support each other for the business to run smoothly.”

What events does Clevedon Hall host?

While weddings are our primary business, we host a whole range of events, both large and small, from highlevel board meetings to large, lavish Christmas parties and international company away-days. We also host a series of our own ticketed events throughout the year under our ‘Harold’s Club’ brand, such as our New Year’s Eve ball.

What makes Clevedon Hall special?

A winning combination of history, opulent interiors and beautiful grounds with delicious food and highly trained staff. But what really sets it apart is that it doesn’t function as a hotel, instead dedicating itself to events, which means we can be entirely flexible when organising events and can tailor every detail to individual clients’ wishes.

What are your busiest months of the year?

For weddings, the busiest months run from May through to September, but the ‘wedding season’ is almost a thing of the past, with couples eager to explore dates all year round. People get better deals when booking out of season and by hosting your wedding at a luxury indoor venue like

James Matthews in front of Clevedon Hall; the Downton Abbey of the wedding scene

Clevedon Hall means you are less weather-dependent.

And winter weddings are often really beautiful!

Can you give us a ballpark idea of cost?

An intimate wedding in one of our smaller event spaces, such as the beautiful Dame Rosa Burden room, would likely cost less than £10,000. Other people take the Hall for a whole weekend, with 200 or so guests; such lavish weekend weddings in peak season can cost around £45,000. We cater for a variety of budgets, and always ensure a magical day beyond our guests’ expectations.

How many people does the Hall employ?

There are 50 team members at Clevedon Hall. We invest in our team, train all our staff really well, create exciting opportunities and always reward hard work. We host free events for staff and their families throughout the year, served by me and other leaders within the business.

Working in hospitality can be tough, we’re honest about that, but we have created a culture which engages our team, amplifies their enthusiasm and makes it fun.

We hear you’ve made lots of recent changes . . .

Yes, we’ve had a new outdoor wedding space created with a gazebo, where couples can tie the knot overlooking the lake; a self-contained cottage in the Hall’s old stables, where brides and bridesmaids can stay the night before the wedding, and a bridge to one of the islands in the lake.

We’re also in the process of building a woodland walk, which will wind around the grounds through the trees.

For more www.clevedonhall.co.uk

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BUSINESS INSIDER

BRISTOL LIFE AWARDS 2017

CHARITY WINNER Sponsored by

BOXING CLEVER L-r Jamie and Martin lift the golden arch at the Bristol Life Awards

THE %s: • 60% male and 40% female attendees • 89% of young people at risk of exclusion who take part in our programme remain in education after our intervention.

• 92% are no longer committing criminal activity • 96% were more confident • 90% made new friends • 98% felt fitter and better about themselves

NOBODY MINDS SAYING THEY ARE ‘GOING TO THE EMPIRE’ – THEY MAY JUST NOT MENTION IT IS FOR NUMERACY AND LITERACY LESSONS!

A

Empire Fighting Chance CE Martin Bisp tells us a bit more about the charity that won over our judges at the first Bristol Life Awards

t the Bristol Life Awards in April, Empire Fighting Chance was up against some well-loved Bristol charities – The Grand Appeal, Penny Brohn, Above and Beyond – and yet it was this Easton-based boxing community centre that caught our judges’ imagination.

Martin, why do you think the judges chose you?

Honestly we don’t know! We think that it was partly the independent Bristol spirit and partly because we created something driven by need and our desire to make an impact. We are also fairly unusual in what we do, and the fact that we have grown so quickly with excellent results.

What did winning the Award mean to you all?

Staff and supporters were genuinely excited and pleased.

I was honoured that Jamie Sanigar and I could create something that was externally recognised in this way.

Who founded the club, and what were its aims?

EFC was born from the original Empire Amateur Boxing Club, which I have run for 15 years. One Friday evening Jamie and I saw two young men dealing drugs and went over to tackle them, eventually inviting them back to the gym. On the Monday they came back with two more friends . . . soon we had 50 young people coming five days a week and the charity really started from here.

Why is it so valuable as a community resource?

Being a community resource means, first and foremost, that we are trusted. From here we are able to engage young people at the street level. Our programmes concentrate on helping young people to engage better at school or gain employment. No-one is embarrassed to say they are going to the Empire – they may just not mention it is for numeracy and literacy lessons!

You teach ‘non-contact’ boxing – explain?

As a charity our aim is to help young people flourish, not to produce boxing champions. We use boxing training underpinned by personal development, mentoring, education, employability and psychotherapy . The training will consist of things like skipping, shadow boxing and hitting the heavy bag.

What’s the youngest age that kids can come along? How many are girls?

The charity works with young people from eight; females are approximately 40% of attendees.

What does EFC teach young people that no other sport or activity can? What makes you special?

• We have world-class athletes in the gym such as Lee Haskins and Lee Selby • Boxing’s street credibility • The intensity and comprehensive personal development programmes • You are competing against yourself. If you skip more in week two than week one then this is something you have achieved How would you sum up the club’s core values?

To create champions in life. We always put each and every young person at the heart of what we do, value their input and also never give up on them. Resilience brings success.

What has it meant to the Bristol boxing scene?

Charity alongside the professional side has given it a national platform - for example we regularly speak in Parliament and have won prestigious national awards.

Can you give us an example of success stories and how you give kids a ‘fighting chance’?

We have taken young people who are homeless and unemployed and got them jobs and housing; we have kept young people in school and in some cases prevented young people entering the mental health service or even attempting suicide.

As well as being a community club you’ve actually produced some pretty impressive champions . . .

We are probably Bristol’s most successful sport. The champions lend the charity credibility – how often would a young person have access to a world-class athlete like Lee Haskins or Lee Selby?

How are you funded?

Mixture. Grants, earned income (rent and school charges) and corporate donations. It is always the most stressful part of running a charity.

How can corporate funding benefit a company?

Corporate funding is a great way of being able to help fund a charity. At EFC however we want corporates to be involved beyond a cash donation. Having companies offer work experience or employment, mentoring or simply giving talks to young people can be life-changing.

For more: www.empirefightingchance.org

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BRISTOL’S MOST AFFLUENT AND INFLUENTIAL AUDIENCE FOR OVER 13 YEARS To discuss how we can help you promote your business call 01225 475842 or email steve.hawkins@mediaclash.co.uk

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SHarp v sharp – The final verdict!

Jo Morris, a family solicitor at AMD Solicitors reviews the case of Sharp v Sharp.

S

ince the landmark case of White v White in 2001, the concept of fairness in matrimonial financial settlements has almost been synonymous with equality. That case made it very clear that there is to be no bias against the homemaker, and the contributions that have been made by the spouse who takes a more traditional role in caring for the children and the home are given equal weight to the spouse who has gone out to work.

White gives us a general guide of the yardstick of equality, that is to say that equality should only be departed from where there are good reasons for doing so.

This begs the question; what are good reasons for doing so? In many cases this will hinge on the couple’s respective needs.

Often when a marriage breaks down and the finances have to be untangled there is simply not enough to go round. In such cases the person who is continuing to provide a home for the children may need to receive a greater percentage of the overall assets in order to do so. The Court will give first consideration to any child of the family under the age of 18.

In a small number of cases, one of the parties will claim that they have made a contribution so special, otherwise known as a stellar contribution, that it should increase

their share of the assets.

Earlier this year footballer Ryan Giggs indicated that he would be running this argument when the High Court hears his case in the near future. These types of cases will turn on their own facts and expert legal advice is essential.

The recent case of Sharp v Sharp [2017] EWCA Civ 408 in the Court of Appeal considered equality with reference to short marriages. Mr and Mrs Sharp began living together in 2007, married in June 2009 and divorce proceedings were commenced in December 2013. During the relationship Mrs Sharp received bonuses from her employment of £10.5 million, an income totally unmatched

by Mr Sharp.

They had no children together and both were continuously employed until Mr Sharp took voluntary redundancy in 2012. Initially Mr Sharp was awarded 50% of the available assets, £2.725 million, after a deduction for pre-marital assets and other agreed assets.

On appeal, it was noted that it is possible to build up property during the marriage to which one spouse is solely entitled and the overall award to the husband was reduced to £2 million.

It is clear that the length of the marriage may, in certain circumstances, justify a departure from equality to achieve fairness overall. BL

For advice on divorce and other family issues Jo can be contacted by email at jomorris@amdsolicitors.com or by calling 0117 9621205 to speak to Jo or one of AMD’s team of specialist family solicitors based at our office at 100 Henleaze Road, Henleaze, Bristol BS9 4JZ. For more information please pop into one of our offices in Clifton, Henleaze, Shirehampton or Whiteladies Road, or visit our website www.amdsolicitors.com

www.mediaclash.co.uk I BRISTOL LIFE I 73

A RETIREMENT TO LOOK FORWARD TO

LAST REMAINING VACANCIES

at our lovely houses in Redland and Henleaze

Advert Designer & Production Coordinator MediaClash are currently looking for an advert designer and production coordinator, who will be responsible for the advert design and production on a number of our city-based magazines. The role will involve advert setting, proofing, page layout, liaising with advertisers and working closely with our sales teams. You will be highly organised and able to work to multiple deadlines in an efficient manner.

Other duties will include checking the flatplans and liaising with the printers on a daily basis. Along with being creative and having a keen eye for detail you will be vigilant at keeping an organised database. You will be used to dealing with high volumes of work and capable of working to deadlines in a fast-paced environment.

You will have worked in a similar role and must be trained in InDesign and Photoshop.

If you think you have the qualities and experience for this role, please send your CV to: sarah.kingston@mediaclash.co.uk

Now available to order, from Freemans Television Choice of 55� and 65� screens. Free 5 year warranty included.

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Building/renovating/investing/decorating

HOMES P R O P E R T Y I N S P I R AT I O N

Renovations

Caroline Bonwitt began with the bathrooms – turn to page 78 to read about her grand designs

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A WORK in PROGRESS Sometimes it’s as much about the journey as the destination – that is certainly the case with this issue’s real home. As we catch up with Caroline Bonwitt, she’s part way through her grand design on Pembroke Road and loving every minute of it

By R AC H E L I FA NS Photo s by JON C R A IG

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

C

aroline Bonwitt has a big job on her hands. A big, but wonderful, job. Having bought what some might refer to as a Victorian pile, she is calmly working through a multiple-phase renovation, having just completed phase one. “We bought the house from a lady who had lived here for 35 years, and although it is completely habitable as it is, the bathrooms in particular were starting to crumble, so that’s where I have focused my initial efforts. The next phase, which is about to go into planning, will involve a total relocation of the basement kitchen to the ground floor and a redesign of the main family living space too.”

FIRST PAST THE POST

With four bathrooms done (yes, four!) and one more in progress as we go to press, Caroline has only had time to renovate one bedroom; and that is the master suite.

As soon as you enter the room, Caroline’s style immediately leaps right out at you. I had thought the house’s existing decoration was merely a little dated but now, contrasting it to this completed room, it’s a world away. The wardrobes and deep chest of drawers have been created from scratch by local joiner Philip Heaton for Caroline and her

REAL HOME

PROPERTY

from replacing the fireplace to ripping out the panelling, shower and bath. We’ve also changed the shape of the room by building a family utility room in one corner that is accessed from the landing.”

The bathroom has a sleek feel, like a posh hotel, but it also makes the most of its period features, too. Caroline is rightly delighted with it.

The last touches were LED lights set behind the hero mirror, which cast out lights with a magical sun-ray effect.

“James just gets me so much. He made me cry, actually. He said he could tell I wasn’t in love with this house. He promised to make it the sanctuary that I need it to be and he has done that with my bedroom and bathroom. Where he’s good is knowing how to put things together that work together, and how not to be too try-hard.”

The utility room is a clever piece of design, navigating listed planning restraints by having a lower ceiling to avoid coving. “It feels like a feature of the bathroom rather than feeling like someone’s nicked a corner of the bathroom.”

DOUBLE BUBBLE

husband, and are finished to the boutique-hotel standard that she specified in the brief. Caroline comes from a marketing background, her husband from finance, and although she seems so at home (excuse the pun) as hands-on project manager, she isn’t afraid to tell me about lessons learned.

“Firstly I had this wallpaper put on three walls, and then a feature wall – a brown, glittery wallpaper – on the wall behind the bed. I never liked it, but I let myself get talked into it by an interior designer I was using, even though I knew very well that I didn’t even like brown! It taught me how important it is to have a connection with your interiors guys – otherwise you’ll end up making costly mistakes, like I did.”

Caroline is delighted with the bedroom now.

The popping purple velvet bedboard replaces the long-gone brown wall covering and the shotthrough curtains chime well, thanks to James Curtis from Upstairs Downstairs in Cheltenham.

The adjoining bathroom is stunning and complements design touches in the bedroom.

The walls are painted in Thames Mud colour, the wallpaper on the chimney breast chimes well, and the wonderful chandelier is identical to the bedroom light. It’s a huge room. “We have completely gutted and changed this room,

Caroline focused her initial efforts on the bathrooms – all four of them (one still to go!)

Having seen the master bedroom and en-suite, the study and the media room as part of phase one, we now take a look at the other bathrooms in the house. How Caroline is not dreaming of showerheads and sinks I’ll never know.

And I also marvel at how she has fitted such a big shower and bath into such a galley of a bathroom in the guest room. “I knew I’d need a dramatic tile design to draw the eye through the room and bring it together, as it’s such an unusual shape. The paint and blind are both dark, which was a brave decision in a small room, but it really works.” We make our way to the top floor where work on another two bathrooms is complete and the third (and final) one is currently being

I LET MYSELF GET TALKED INTO THE BROWN WALLPAPER BY AN INTERIOR DESIGNER, EVEN THOUGH I KNEW VERY WELL THAT I DIDN’T EVEN LIKE BROWN! www.mediaclash.co.uk I BRISTOL LIFE I 79

PROPERTY

REAL HOME

done. Caroline is her usual calm self, but even she would admit she’s keen to move on from bathrooms now.

TALKING ARCHITECTS

As we go back down to the ground floor to look over Caroline’s plans for phase 2, we talk architects. She loves the choices she has made with local guy Adrian Jones. He warned her he was old-school when they first met, but she loves his attention to detail, and his freehand drawings are a work of art.

We go through her plans for the main living area, which involve knocking through the kitchen into the lounge/diner and installing floor-toceiling fold-back doors. Plans for these rooms will be submitted in August and Caroline is hoping the three main rooms in phase two will be complete

by Christmas (we’ve an invite to return once the Christmas tree is up – there’s a deadline for you!).

“I do enjoy the project management,” says Caroline, “but I’m quite careful on budget. We are not a family for whom money is no object. I think there are some places, probably in Abbots Leigh or Leigh Woods, where there is no budget, but I have to pick and choose the spend here. I save by overpainting guest rooms and finding lighting that is reasonable, but then when I need to spend money – on carpentry, for example – I do. It’s all about where you place the budget.”

She tells me how big 1840s houses like this just gobble up money. The cornicing, for example, in just one room, would cost a jaw-dropping £35,000 to strip and reveal its original beauty after centuries of overpainting. Parquet flooring on the ground floor is also something that Caroline would love to include in her design plans, were it not so expensive. The sweeping stone staircase has had a carpet unceremoniously glued to it for decades, which means that stripping it back would be hugely costly.

As we look at plans and designs, Caroline’s excitement about the next phase is evident. A previous owner of a cookery school, she is a keen cook and cannot wait to get her new kitchen in place. She does her research on the internet, saving images into Pinterest and then sending them off to the designer, who comes back with detail mood boards. Her vision for the kitchen/ diner is the style of a Parisian apartment – clean lines and modernity fused with the period features the place boasts. I can’t wait to go back in six months and see where she’s got to. Au revoir for now.

CONTACTS Interior design Upstairs Downstairs, Cheltenham 01242 514023 Bathroom furniture and tiles Junction 2 Interior 0121 543 4472 Bathroom installation Clifton & Chelsea 07983 465114 Bespoke furniture Philip Heaton 07973 697018 Decoration Pure Decor 07773 034775 Architect (phase 2) Adrian Jones 0117 973 4371 80 I BRISTOL LIFE I www.mediaclash.co.uk

No more brown in the bedroom!

Above: Caroline with Rachel, clearly thinking pink

It’s still very much ‘work in progress’

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PROPERTY

EXPERT ADVICE

FOCUS ON DESIGN

COLOURS OF BRISTOL Whittaker Wells is a splash of colour on a rainy Wednesday.

We had a riot when we went for a tour with The Boys Who Sew

W

e are here today to wow you with the wonders of Whittaker Wells on Whiteladies Road.

Apart from the dangers of overalliteration, I think this is going to be easy labour. You only have to meet Ryan for a short while to be utterly bowled over by his infectious enthusiasm, his joyful passion, his eye for style, his love for Bristol and his downright loveliness.

To firstly give you a bit of context, I had gone to see Ryan fresh from my visit to Caroline Bonwitt’s home on Pembroke Road (see Real Home, p78). Having seen her demonstrate her remote-controlled blind in her master bathroom in Pembroke Road (and no, it was nothing like Nadine Hurley in Twin Peaks, honest) I was curious about the emerging technologies around home furnishings when I arrived at the shop and it became something of an ice-breaker.

Blinds, it seems, are music to Ryan’s ears and he went ‘off on one’ (as the young people say) about Luxaflex, a fantastic range of high-tech German blinds they stock in store. I’ll pass on the knowledge later but that’s how I got to discover

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

the wonder of the Boys Who Sew, the Paint Room, Ryan and Pete themselves and all the rest that makes up Whittaker Wells.

Before taking over this gem of a shop in Clifton, Pete and Ryan had been running their business from a small showroom in St Werburghs, behind Ikea, which focused on high-end curtain making.

“We had been looking for a bigger building for a proper showroom, as we felt there was a huge gap in Bristol for cutting-edge interiors. The shop had all the features that would make our interiors look fantastic, like the stained-glass windows, and even an old ballroom on the back. When we walked in, our creative brains were going wild.

“We wanted to have brands and design products that you wouldn’t see anywhere else in the city, and within quite a large radius of Bristol. We opened up with brands like Timorous Beasties, House of Hackney, Armani and Christian Lacroix.

We stock Byron and Byron curtain poles, which are bright colours like neon pink and green, and we do paints and floorings too.”

As Ryan says, it’s an explosion of colour in the shop. They avoid what he calls the ‘grey train’ with a passion.

“The Paint Room is the most bonkers room in the building. As soon as we shut the door on our decorators, we went wild. They had just painted

Whittaker Wells – avoiding the ‘grey train’ with a passion

EXPERT

70 IS THE

NEW

MIDDLE-AGE, AND OUR

OLDER CLIENTS ARE PROVING TO BE THE MOST DARING OF ALL

the walls in eco-friendly Earthborn clay paint – which we sell a lot of, as Bristolians are very conscious of their eco footprint – and we got tins of paint and splattered the hell out of the walls.

We then made a chandelier out of paint tins: paint rags dipped in Plaster of Paris were hung out of the tins so it looks like the tins have paint rags spilling out of them.” Are you keeping up? I told you his enthusiasm was infectious . . .

The Boys Who Sew still do a lot of high-end curtain making, but plan to extend the brand to tailored interior homeware, including cushions, armchairs and lamps. They offer interior styling for customers, with services ranging from colour consultancy – advising on paints and wallcoverings like bamboo, silk and leather etc – to a full service including lighting, flooring and furniture advice. “Our upholstery is done by the Bristol Upholstery Collective,” says Ryan.

“The business world in Bristol is super-friendly and collaborative and we are so lucky to know some very talented people. We do a lot with Moon on final styling and we have a bunch of incredible builders, decorators, and carpenters we collaborate with.”

So, back to the much-fabled Luxaflex. It’s a German firm which makes the highest-end blinds, shutters and awnings. They are simple looking, but this belies the technology behind them, which enables battery-powered remote automation and speech-activation in a clean, Euro feel. The awnings are also proving popular in the town house gardens of Bristol – providing a chic and usable outdoor space for entertaining.

When I ask who the typical Whittaker Wells client is, there’s no one simple answer,. Some are creative types moving to Bristol from London,

INTERIOR DESIGN

in the classic 30-55 age group, but the older age group are the ones surprising the guys with their joie de vivre and bold design choices.

“We are finding that retirement living is a big fashion thing. They say 70 is the new middle age and our older clients are proving to be the most daring of all! They love colour and pattern and they come asking for modern and excitement. A recent client has just chosen the most incredible fabrics, including a graffiti one from Timorous Beasties, and some fab colourful geometric wallcoverings.”

COLOURS OF BRISTOL

Whittaker Wells is also working on one of those ideas that are so cool you just wish you had come up with yourself.

Back to Ryan to explain: “Mylands is one of the oldest paint manufacturers in the country, used in Buckingham Palace and high-end postcodes in London. A couple of years ago it joined Little Green and Farrow and Ball as high-end high-street paint retailers, and the colours are incredible.

“They have a range called Colours of London, and we’re so excited to be working with them now to develop a special range of Bristol paints.

Colours of Bristol takes its inspiration from the city’s iconic sights, from the painted houses of Totterdown to the museums, College Green and Bristol Blue, and we’re currently in the research stage to find out more about what people think about when they think of Bristol. The paints will be exclusive to Whittaker Wells so keep your eyes peeled! Check our Instagram page too @whittakerwells for updates and images.”

Find Whittaker Wells at 157 Whiteladies Road, Bristol For more www.whittakerwells.com

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DESIGN & BUILD

info@ashforddesignandbuild.co.uk

www.ashforddesignandbuild.co.uk

PROPERTY

SHOWCASE

THE WHITE HOUSE

It may not have the classical references in its architecture that the Pres’s des-res in Washington does, but this 1970s split-level home is well appointed, well located and pretty well perfect

By BI BA F RY 90 112I I BRISTOL CLIFTONLIFE LIFEI Iwww.mediaclash.co.uk www.mediaclash.co.uk

I

f Bristol had something as clichéd as a Millionaire’s Playground, Sneyd Park would possibly wear the crown. An area of the city which has an interesting history as a 13th-century enclosed deer park, the venison from which was supplied to the bishops of Worcester who had been given the land by William I, Sneyd Park is extremely well located. It sits just a couple of miles from both Clifton Village and the centre of Bristol, but has more greenery and leafiness than seems entirely fair; notably, of course, the multiple acreage of Durdham Downs and Avon Gorge.

But Bristol does not have anything as naff as a Millionaire’s Row, nor does it have anything as crass as a Golden Mile or an Alpha Street. Sneyd Park may be dotted with gated and landscaped properties, but the feel is of stealth-wealth, not showiness; tranquillity, not flash.

Situated on Church Road within this favoured enclave sits a contemporary split-level, six-bedroomed home – built in 1972, but considerably updated since.

It’s a detached dwelling, approached via a driveway that’s big enough to accommodate any few extra vehicles that don’t fit into the integrated garage.

The 2014 renovation was pretty extensive, and the resulting abundance of glass and the open-plan layout could easily lull you into thinking that it’s a new-build.

The benefit of its maturity, however, becomes clear when you head out into the generous plot and take in the well-established hedgerows, trees and borders in the west-facing garden. While the place is blessed with views from both inside the house and outside on the deck, these

HOUSE NUMBERS

6

bedrooms

4

ensuite bathrooms

3

floors

3248 sq ft total

£1.395M price

1972

original build date

mature trees provide the kind of privacy and sense of permanency that any new-build will require to take a long while to achieve.

It’s both an ideal family home and the perfect base for entertaining. The house envelops a central atrium which fuses materials such as glass, steel and wood to great effect, bursting with light and freshness, and on the first mezzanine sits a large lounge room, which has sliding doors opening on to a Juliet balcony.

This room was one of the highlights for us: the feeling of light and clarity inside is matched by the wonderful views from the balcony. On a lower mezzanine, the kitchen diner opens on to the sun terrace – perfectly harnessing the inside/outside lifestyle we all crave.

The six bedrooms are accompanied in many instances by en-suite bathrooms and those that are not are served by the ample family bathroom.

As far as décor goes it’s either a blank canvas on which someone can stamp their style or it really is the perfect White House. Walls are white, glass is everywhere, kitchen units are shiny, carpets are light and wooden floors are pleasingly clean.

This house is a lot older than it looks but it’s not mutton dressed as lamb. It’s a highly successful renovation that has brought the house into line with today’s new builds, while maintaining its integrity and its mature plot.

Savills, 20 The Mall, Clifton, Bristol BS8 4DR 0117 933 5800; www.savills.co.uk

www.mediaclash.co.uk I BRISTOL LIFE I 91

P R O P E R T Y a d v ertisi n g fe at u re

Home in bRISTOL Bristol Life’s selection of property experts in Bristol and the surrounding area

Architects

Barton Willmore 0117 929 9677 www.bartonwillmore.co.uk Graham Rivers 0117 942 8373 www.riversarchitect.co.uk Jonathon Lees 0117 379 0079 www.jonathanleesarchitects.co.uk Nash Partnership 01225 442424 www.nashpartnership.com Quentin Alder 0117 968 3111 www.quentinalder.co.uk Stride Treglowan 0117 974 3271 www.stridetreglown.com Winsor Leaman 0117 923 8617 www.winsorleaman.com

Bathrooms

Ripples Bathrooms 0117 973 1144 www.ripplesbathrooms.com

Conveyancing & Lawyers AMD 0117 962 1205 www.amdsolicitors.com Barcan + Kirby 0117 325 2929 www.barcankirby.co.uk Burroughs Day 0117 929 0333 www.burroughsday.com Metcalfes 0117 929 0451 www.metcalfes.co.uk VWV 0117 314 5261 www.vwv.co.uk

Decorators

The White House

Berkeley Place 07770 942190 www.berkeleyplace.co.uk Build Bristol 07545 339908 / 0117 909 1969 www.buildbristol.com

Clifton Bristol Decorators 0117 244 0093 www.cliftonbristoldecorators.co.uk

Jon Pritchard 0117 982 6596 www.jonpritchard.co.uk

Developers/ Builders

Moon Design & Build 0117 973 3284 www.moonarchitectandbuilder.co.uk

Ashford Design And Build 07967 967625 www.ashforddesignandbuild.co.uk

Nest Design and Build 01275 832528 www.createyournest.co.uk

Estate Agents

Whittaker Wells

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

Fireplaces

Clifton Fireplaces 0117 973 6474 www.cliftonfireplaces.co.uk Kindle Stoves 0117 924 3898 www.kindlestoves.co.uk

Furniture, interiors and homeware shops Clarks Village 01458 840 064 www.clarksvillage.co.uk

Gardiner Haskins 0117 929 2288 www.gardinerhaskins.co.uk Greenfinch 01934 830029 www.greenfinchkandi.co.uk

Alexander May 0117 974 4766 www.alexandermay.co.uk

Oskar Furniture 0117 973 4777 www.oskarfurniture.co.uk

Fine and Country 0117 973 3081 www.fineandcountry.com/uk/bristol

Park Furnishers 0117 966 9253 www.parkfurnishers.co.uk

Mayfair Town and Country 0117 906 4050 www.mayfairproperties.net

Raft Furniture 0117 992 7800 www.raftfurniture.co.uk

Roderick Thomas 0117 973 4464 www.roderickthomas.co.uk

The Pod Company 0117 973 9040 www.thepodcompany.co.uk

Savills 0117 933 5803 www.savills.co.uk

The Sofa Library 0117 329 2746 www.thesofalibrary.co.uk

Gardens

Artisan Garden Design 07752 998962 www.artisan-gardens.co.uk Greener Designs 07909 988399 www.greenerdesigns.co.uk

Interior Design Arlberry Bespoke 0117 205 0600 www.arlberry.com

Bracey Interiors 0117 973 4664 www.braceyinteriors.co.uk

Ashford Design and Build

Designs for Living 07989 854295 www.clairebeckhaus.com

Design Flooring 0117 973 2266 www.designflooringltd.co.uk

Fawn Interiors 0117 205 0203 www.fawninteriors.com

Marble Supreme 0117 956 3030 www.marblesupreme.com

SJP Interior Design 0117 973 0880 www.sjpinteriordesign.co.uk

Miety Stone 01275 333589 www.mietystone.co.uk

Whittaker Wells 0117 983 8485 www.whittakerwells.com

Oriental Rugs Bath 01761 451764 www.orientalrugsofbath.com

Kitchens

Simply Carpets 0117 986 4650 www.simplycarpets.co.uk

Alno 0117 941 4179 www.alnokitchens.co.uk Ben Argent Design www.benargentdesign.com KutchenHaus 0117 213 0680 www.kutchenhaus.co.uk Neptune 0117 246 4200 www.neptune.com Stephen Graver 01380 871746 www.stephengraver.com The Kitchen Man 0117 973 1062 www.thekitchenman.co.uk Wren Kitchens 0117 244 3168 www.wrenkitchens.com

Tailored Flooring 0117 973 3393 www.tailoredflooring.co.uk

Tailored Flooring

Lighting

Ablectrics 0117 942 5355 www.electricsandlighting.co.uk Parkway Lighting 0117 965 7991 www.lightingwarehouse-bristol.co.uk

Handelsbanken 0117 973 0026 www.handelsbanken.co.uk

Upholstery

Steve Mears Mortgage Services 0117 973 4300 www.stevemears.com

Tiles and Flooring Mortgage Brokers & IFAs

Avondale Tiles 0117 967 4673 www.avondaletiles.co.uk

Anderson Financial 0117 900 1639 www.andersonfinancial.co.uk

Ceramic Tiles 0117 966 5801 www.ctdtiles.co.uk

Clifton Private Finance 0117 403 4144 www.cliftonpf.co.uk

Core and Ore 0117 904 2408 www.coreandore.co.uk

Bristol Upholstery Collective 07769 355535 www.bristolupholsterycollective.com Southwest Upholstery 0117 370 2745 www.swupholstery.co.uk

Windows, blinds and shutters Shutter Craft Bristol 0117 322 4900 www.shuttercraft-bristol.co.uk

Timber Windows of Clifton 0845 652 7300 www.timberwindowsclifton.com www.mediaclash.co.uk I BRISTOL LIFE I 97

BRISTOL LIVES

Q&A

A

lastair began his life in travel while still in university, acting as a tour manager for large parties of Americans. It wasn’t exactly a case of the blind leading the blind, but he admits “I was new to many of the countries I took them to, so had to learn quickly and generate enthusiasm and interest from scratch.” These days, he says, he travels far less frequently – “France, Italy and Spain are the countries I go to most often – perhaps on about four trips a year.” But it was once a very different story . . .

So Alastair, why have you travelled so much?

My love for ‘place’, for languages, and for encounters with interesting people. In my dreams I would wander Europe staying in our Special Places.

How are your skills as a linguist?

I am almost fluent in French, pretty good at Spanish and fast-but-faltering in Italian.

Could you tell us your single worst and best experience while travelling?

Seeing Civita de Bagnoregio for the first time, the mist filling the valley beneath it. It’s a hamlet near Orvieto, a hand-carved extension of the rocky outcrop it occupies, ineffably beautiful. The worst experience was perhaps being told, in Leh, capital of Ladakh, that all flights in and out were cancelled. I was responsible for 16 people and some of them had altitude sickness and were desperate to leave. We got out by taxi – a threeday journey.

What’s your hands-down favourite place that you’ve ever visited ?

Venice – one of the finest manifestations of the best of Europe’s civilised past. In the UK, I’d pick one of the many ruined monasteries and abbeys, such as LLantony, or Castle Acre.

Are there any areas in Europe that still feel untouched by mass tourism, and any spots you can recommend?

Europe is awash with beautiful untouched places, for the very reason that tourists travel en masse to the places they are told to go to. The Western Isles of Scotland, Poland’s forests, Cracow, Romania’s painted monasteries, the west coast of Ireland – these are among thousands of places worth exploring, but not en masse.

After a long working life in publishing, why did you decide to write your memoirs? Have you always kept diaries?

I was asked to! No diaries, no notes, few letters and a weak memory were my armoury. But as the writing developed so did the memory, and I was helped by friends and Sawday owners to remember.

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

ALASTAIR SAWDAY The founder of publishing house Sawday’s Travel may have handed over the day-to-day company reins to his son Toby in 2010, but predictably he’s been far from idle; in fact, he’s just brought out a book of travel memoirs How long have you lived in Bristol, and why have you stayed?

For 41 years, and we have stayed because we love our house, our street and communal garden. I have found it a stimulating city to work in and around, and have become involved in its dynamics and successes.

What are your favourite places to eat out?

I think that Bristol’s food is overrated; there are few genuinely great places to eat – but plenty of funky and unusual places. I most enjoy Riverstation for the staff, food, and views, and Bordeaux Quay for nostalgic reasons. It was once entirely organic and became a sort of green meeting place. It still feels like an affable and welcoming green club.

Bristol prides itself on its green credentials – how eco-minded is the city?

It showed signs of finally acknowledging its own green ambitions when we were Green Capital City, but we threw away the opportunities and now depend again on the initiative of the citizens.

What we need is visionary and powerfully committed leadership with the guts to go out on a limb, and the charisma to take Bristolian institutions along with it.

Where are your favourite spots in the city?

The spot at the western end of Royal York Crescent from which you can admire at least five streets, including the Paragon and York Gardens.

Worm Lane, as it is called by locals, above the Hope Centre in Hotwells, runs between three huge communal gardens. And I have grown to feel almost European as I loiter outside Reg the Veg in

Clifton, especially when Sylvie the Marseillaise veg seller embraces me with a loud ‘bonjour’.

What are your main luxuries?

Organic food: smoked salmon, a bottle of Fiano white wine from southern Italy, our house. I recently splashed out on an Indian-style tweedlike jacket made from yak wool, because it was made by well-paid Nepali weavers, and sold by an ethically driven, and delightful, woman.

Do you have any hidden skills?

I greatly enjoy supporting young people who are trying to change the world. I am a social entrepreneur. I love starting things up and watching them run – and even fail. Most of my early skills, like playing the guitar and piano, have faded – though I have a penchant for putting on musical events just for the fun of it.

What is your most regrettable habit?

Being over-familiar with people I hardly know.

How would your nearest and dearest describe you?

Irredeemably optimistic and enthusiastic, as well as an unpredictable mixture of authoritarian and libertarian..

Finally, tell us something surprising!

I was a cadet in the US navy – on a squarerigger.

Travelling Light – Journeys Among Special People and Places by Alastair Sawday is published by Little, Brown at £20 hardback

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