Bristol Life - Issue 238

Food/Arts/Entertainment/Shopping/Property ISSUE 238 / DECEMBER 2017 / £3

A LOVE AFFAIR WITH THE CITY

ISSUE 238 / DECEMBER 2017 / PRESENTS AND CORRECT

EDITOR’S LETTER / ISSUE 238 / DECEMBER 2017

Bling it on

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BRISTMAS TIME We’re here to help you get the best out of ‘the city made for Christmas’

Bristmas is busting out all over.

The Millennium Square ice-rink was first off the post, followed by the Broadmead German Market; by the time this magazine comes out, all the main events will be in full swing. Indeed, fact fans may be interested to learn than there are 450 market stalls in all, from BS3 to St Nick’s, from Harbourside to Arnos Vale.

To help you with all your festive prep, in this issue you’ll find the second of our big indie Bristmas shopping guides, and a piece on some of the best local artisan brewers and distillers – all poised to fill up your drinks cabinet over the next few weeks. We also meet the fabulous Emma Rice, who’s directing Bristol Old Vic’s Bristmas big-hitter, The Little Matchgirl.

We do have one more Bristol Life to go before Christmas – look out for the 15 December issue, with our now-traditional collector’s cover by a top local street artist.

In the meantime, enjoy our preBristmas issue – if you fancy making a drinking game out of it, just down one shot every time you read the word ‘festive’ . . .

Deri Robins, editor Twitter @BristolLifeMag Instagram:@bristollifemag

REGULARS / ISSUE 238 / DECEMBER 2017

BRISTMAS

M EET T H E T EAM

18 Kam Kelly

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

It’s our favourite DJ’s festive playlist

Senior art editor Andrew Richmond Graphic design Megan Allison Cover design Trevor Gilham Contributors: Kam Kelly, Stan Cullimore, Josh Eggleton, Sophie Woolf

THE ARTS 21 Arts Intro Crowd pleaser on Christmas Steps

Advertising manager Lily Dalzell lily.dalzell@mediaclash.co.uk Account manager James Morgan james.morgan@mediaclash.co.uk Account manager Michael Stevens michael.stevens@mediaclash.co.uk Sales executive Jonathan Willis jonathan.willis@mediaclash.co.uk

22 What’s On Full on Bristmassy

30 Photography Isn’t it amazing what you can do with a camera phone?

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

38 Theatre Rice work: our favourite director’s helming the Bristol Old Vic festive big-hitter

42 The Verdict An intriguing trio of shows and talks – but did they deliver?

SHOPPING 45 Christmas gift guide A brantub of present ideas from local indies

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

38

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.

54 Window shopping

72 Bristol booze

DEPARTMENTS

...that said, you could probably do at least half your Bristmas shopping at Movement Boutique...

The artisan brewers and craft distillers – your Bristmas drinks cabinet wants them in it

7 Spotlight

FOOD

BUSINESS

57 Yes, chef!

83 Business Insider

Josh isn’t a huge fan of turkey . . .

News, views, awards and successes

58 Restaurant

Bristol named a UNESCO City of Film, and Bristol Old Vic unveils its Year of Change

9 Brizzogram Play misty for me

81 Snapped!

Yes, it’s another tapas bar. But there’s a twist . . .

PROPERT Y

106 Bristol Lives

100 Property Showcase

Local legend Jeff Knight

60 Food & Drink

They call it ‘the box-ticker’

The new pizza joint that sounds like a TV prison drama, Stan continues his quest for the perfect café, and other foodie news

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

On the cover Gins courtesy of 6 O’Clock (see page 72), pimped up for the party season by our cover designer

UNESCO STATUS

FILM CITY Bristol has been named a UNESCO City of Film, joining a network of creative cities working together towards cultural diversity and sustainable urban development.

And while the Bottle Yard tends to be the go-to these days for high-profile TV series such as Sherlock (above), as the Yard’s Fiona Francombe explains, “It’s important to note that the longevity of Bristol’s filming heritage is testament to its outstanding specialist workforce – the art directors, set builders, camera operators, visual effects and postproduction specialists etc, that help this sector stand out as an essential cornerstone in Bristol’s cultural and economic success.”

The bid for UNESCO status also included input from Watershed, Aardman Animations, BBC Bristol, Encounters Festival, Bristol Festivals and many more. It is a designation for the city and not a single-year award meaning that Bristol will be known as a city of film for many years to come.

For more: www.filmbristol.co.uk

THEATRE

CHANGE IS GONNA COME Bristol Old Vic is heading for a major Year of Change in 2018, with the opening of the new FOH and Studio completing the theatre’s multi-million pound redevelopment project (see CGI above).

However, as directors Emma Stenning and Tom Morris (battling it out in scarf wars, right) explained, there’s more to their Year of Change than mere bricks and mortar, however swanky and architectdesigned. It’s also the governing theme for next year’s programming, reflecting the political, social, economic and environmental changes in the world today.

Exploring some of these ideas will be a series of major productions, including a new translation of The Cherry Orchard and Sally Cookson’s adaptation of A Monster Calls; Tom will direct a stage version of Touching the Void. Tickets on sale, like, now.

For more: www.bristololdvic.org.uk

CLIFTON CERAMICS & FINE JEWELLERY Moorcroft - England’s unique heritage, aesthetically beautiful art pottery.

as Offer Christm e Fre silk ith shade w s! all lamp

Open Tuesday to Saturday | 58 The Mall, Clifton Village, BS84JG moorcroft@cliftonceramics.co.uk | 01173 730256 | www.cliftonceramics.co.uk

SPOTLIGHT

PLAY MISTY FOR ME Late October and November inspired some of the most beautiful, mysterious, ghostly images we’ve seen all year. Phwoarhh, Bristol . . .

@eleanore_photography

@sjtanton

@craigderrick40

@neiljamesb

@sjtanton

@carolyn.eaton

@perkspectivephotography

@nichthyosaur

@craigderrick40

@perkspectivephotography

@chill1983

@ssgreatbritain

@mrbenadams

@sjtanton

@bristoljj

@bencostiganphotography

www.mediaclash.co.uk I BRISTOL LIFE I 9

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CHRISTMAS

STEP into BRISTMAS

In goes our hand into that wool-white bell-tongued ball of holidays resting at the rim of the carol-singing sea*, and out come woolly mittens wrapped round steaming cups of cocoa, grottos, helicopter Santas, and artisan craftery like you wouldn’t believe * once again, grovelling apologies to Dylan Thomas

By DE R I ROBI NS

Many thanks to Annie Crossman for this fabulous pic: www. anniecrossmanphotography.com

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CHRISTMAS

A

certain level of smugness is permissable. After all, this is the only town in the UK whose citizens can wish each other a Very Merry Bristmas (at least, you could try doing this in, say, Cardiff or Swindon, but you might get funny looks).

So, having established that we already have a headstart in the festive stakes, how do we keep Bristmas in our hearts? We’re going to assume that if traditional church services are your thing, you already know what to expect, on what dates, and where.

So – let’s go Bristmas shopping. If you want to turn it into a drinking game, simply take one shot every time you read the word ‘festive’ . . .

CHRISTMAS MARKETS

Like Santa, they’re ubiquitous, but here are the main ones you need to know about BRISTOL’S CHRISTMAS MARKET When? Until 24 December Where? Broadmead Say what? The big chaletfest in the heart of Broadmead; over 40 little huts with gifts and

THIS IS THE ONLY TOWN IN THE UK WHOSE CITIZENS CAN WISH EACH OTHER A VERY MERRY BRISTMAS 14 I BRISTOL LIFE I www.mediaclash.co.uk

Glühwein, decorations, arts and crafts. New for this year, and upping the Germanic ante still further, is a Jägerbarn bar and beer garden.

Turn up in lederhosen. Actually, don’t. www.xmas-markets.com HARBOURSIDE CHRISTMAS MARKET When? Every weekend 25 Nov-24 Dec Where? Harbourside, innit.

Say what? It has the best location of all, with lights twinkling beguilingly on the water and the big wheel turning slowly overhead. A heady mix of street food, live music, the Maker’s Market and decorations, with plenty of watering holes to grab something hot and mulled. www.theharboursidemarket.co.uk

Many photographers have taken this shot, but Neil James Brain’s remains the best we’ve seen

CHRISTMAS

BRISTOL LOCAL CHRISTMAS When? 1-23 December Where? Broadmead Say what? More interesting than the main market on the same patch, featuring a bunch of indie traders. This year’s theme is ‘Made in Bristol’ – a celebration of the indie spirit of the city’s small businesses, artists and makers. www.bristollocalchristmasmarket.com.

ST NICK’S CHRISTMAS MARKET When? Until 24 December Where? Corn Street Say what? Over in Old City, the eclectic bunch of St Nick’s indies are busily pulling out all the stops to provide a festive atmosphere in the Indoor Market, selling gifts, fashion, accessories and world street food.

The Outdoor Market offers yet more artisan gifts, food and drink, while the International Street Food Market on Wine Street offers a panoply of well-established top quality street food vendors offering a festive alternative to turkey and sprouts every Tuesday and Friday, 5-22 December.

Finally, there’s the Bristol Farmers’ and Producers’ Market on Corn Street and Wine Street (every Wednesday, 6-20 December) with food from local producers to stock your seasonal larder. www.bristol.gov.uk

MADE IN BRISTOL ‘HOME’ When? Until 22 December (Wed-Sun, also Tuesdays during December) Where? The Architecture Centre Say what? Made in Bristol are coming HOME to the Architecture Centre with a new seasonal shop celebrating the places we live and the objects and art that make our homes unique.

Everything is designed and made in the UK, including a range of products exclusively produced by Made in Bristol, inspired by the city. Meet a maker, buy something beautiful, and directly support the local creative economy. www.architecturecentre.org.uk

HAPPY HANDMADE CHRISTMAS When? 25 November, 2, 9 & 16 December Where? Colston Hall Say what? The Made in Bristol Gift Fair brings together an huge collection of designers offering distinctive, locally-made gifts. www.colstonhall.org

THE BRISTOL ARTISAN When? 9-10 December Where? Royal West of England Academy Say what? 40 creatives assemble to sell the highest quality contemporary design in jewellery, ceramics, textiles, illustration, digital products, children’s products etc. www.eventbrite.co.uk

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CHRISTMAS

Wrap up early, bring the pug: it’s the Harbourside Christmas Market

YET MORE JINGLING

Look out for all the plays and concerts in this issue’s listings – and get this lot on your radar, too CHRISTMAS AT THE SPIEGELTENT When? 24 November-16 December Where? Waterfront Square Say what? Originally built in Belgium in the late 19th and early 20th centuries, Spiegeltents are exquisite travelling tents made of carved wood and stained-glass windows, with bevelled mirrors and draped ceilings. With its uniquely sexy, decadent ambience, it’s tailor-made for Christmas parties and balls, but it also hosts everything from a Woodland Grotto to gigs, theatre and food events. www.christmasspiegeltent.co.uk

MILLENNIUM SQUARE FESTIVE FAIR When? Until 16 January Where? Millennium Square Say what? The ice rink is already open; if you can’t stay upright to save your life, there are skate aids (penguins and bananas!) to hire. Also back for your festive delectation is the carousel, the Skyview Wheel and the Après-ski Bar, chalet stalls with hot food and drinks, and a Christmas tree. There will also be special ‘At The Movies’ screenings on Big Screen Bristol. www.wethecurious.org

MEANWHILE, OVER IN BS3 When? Until 25 December Where? Bedminster Say what? How long have you got? The return of Elfminster, the elf village; Musicians on the Run and Comedians on the Run; the East Street Christmas Fair on 25 November, with a giant outdoor Christmas Chalkwalk at St Catherine’s Way (families can draw large chalk murals to 16 I BRISTOL LIFE I www.mediaclash.co.uk

create festive greeting cards, and the three best designers win a street art workshop with SPZero7). North Street has Beaming Bedminster, a series of huge festive illuminations lighting up the windows of the traders, while on East Street bollards will be covered in Santa Socks. Oh, and the Winter Lantern Parade on 9 December. Well done BS3! www.bedminster.org.uk

WAPPING WHARF CHRISTMAS When? 2 December Where? Wapping Wharf, duh Say what? All those funky little indie businesses at Cargo 1 and 2 and Gaol Ferry Steps come together to create a day of festive food and fun from their shops, restaurants and cafés.

For the full range of events see the website, but expect lots of free treats and discounted goodies, from mandarin margaritas and chestnut tacos at Cantina, to a Christmas Bao at Woky Ko, a satsuma-peeling competition at Box-E, and a new pastrami and turkey Reuben at Pickled Brisket. You can even buy Somerset-grown Christmas trees at The Mighty Quinn. www.wappingwharf.co.uk/news

YET MORE MARKETS: FOLK HOUSE FESTIVE MARKET 2 DECEMBER Vintage, cosmetics, bric-a-brac, arts and crafts ROYAL YORK CHRISTMAS FAYRE 2 DECEMBER Carols, Father C. and 50 stalls with crafts and food CHRISTMAS MARKET ARNOS VALE, 3 DECEMBER Local suppliers for your Christmas basics, plus carol singers and a chance to visit Santa TOBACCO FACTORY CHRISTMAS MARKET, 4, 11, 18 DECEMBER A seasonal spin on BS3’s favourite Sunday market. Local suppliers to start off your Christmas shopping, plus carol singers and Santa ASHTON COURT MINI-MARKET 10 DECEMBER Finish your walk with a mosey around the seven stalls; carols and cake on tap.

CHRISTMAS

ALSO FOR YOUR FESTIVE DELECTATION… WINTER WONDERLAND – UNTIL 7 JANUARY You know the drill. Up at The Mall at Cribbs you’ll find the South West’s largest outdoor ice-rink, Santa’s Enchanted Ice Castle and a Christmas train ride inside The Mall. www.mallcribbs.com BRISTOL ZOO GARDENS – 2-23 DECEMBER You’re probably going to take the kids to the Zoo over the holidays anyway, so why not book your ticket for Santa’s Grotto between 2-23 December? As well as an audience with the big guy, ticket includes full entry to the Zoo, the animal lights display, the chance to take part in Christmas activities and post a letter to the North Pole (pre-bookable only). Oddly, the man in red is simultaneously to be found over at the Wild Place in a magical Christmas yurt. www.wildplace.org.uk; www.bristolzoo.org.uk HELICOPTER MUSEUM – 10 DECEMBER Santa is also arriving by helicopter in Westonsuper-Mare on 10 December; head to the Helicopter Museum, meet Santa in his heligrotto, try the flight simulator and visit an open cockpit. You can even book helicopter flights (‘for the kids’ sake’, obviously). www.helicoptermuseum.co.uk CHRISTMAS AT AVON VALLEY – 25 NOVEMBER-24 DECEMBER The 90-minute journey to the North Pole, glice Skating, Elves’ Parlour, real reindeer and the Polar Express miniature railway ride all sound great – but they had us at the ‘Animal Barn Nativity scene’. www.avonvalley.co.uk

THEY HAD US AT THE ‘ANIMAL BARN NATIVITY SCENE’

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CHRISTMAS

J

ohn Lewis Christmas adverts aside, let’s say what the season is really about. It’s about switching on the radio and getting that magical feeling when you hear Chrimbo classics, and sitting down in front of the telly to watch the same film you saw in the cinema, then on Sky, then you cancelled Sky and illegally streamed it. But there is something about that movie being on a channel you actually pay your licence fee for that makes it feel BRAND NEW! But more than ill-gotten movies, more than transparently appropriated Monsters Inc ripoff ads, Christmas is about the tunes.

Songs that have been recorded by those bright enough to go, “If I write a Christmas song and it is big enough, I will earn a fortune every year, just from performance/ airplay/writing rights”.

To those who had the foresight, intelligence and drive to actually do that, I want to praise you like I should.

PAUL MCCARTNEY Wonderful Christmastime – The opening bar kicks in and you knoooow you love it.

ELTON JOHN Step Into Christmas – One of those songs at the work party you may cringe at while loudly saying “Ah man, why don’t they drop some old-skool hip hop yeah?”, but your eyes can’t hide the fact that you know you want it.

NWA F*ck Tha Police – It’s not Christmassy, and you don’t like it, but let’s see how you get on at the Christmas party after begging for it, because you’re that cool.

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K A M K E L LY

PUMP UP THE VOLUME In his own unedited words (because, quite frankly, we can no longer fight against the Kamness), our favourite DJ reveals his festive playlist MARIAH CAREY All I Want For Christmas – Now then, Love Actually is one of my favourite films.

But Liam Neeson’s stepson – kid, ya never learned drums that quickly. And let’s say you did, why be party to ruining a classic?

Yeah, ya loved her, but true love speaks the truth. So you should have said “Whoa….! I will not be your little drummer boy if you’re gonna blaspheme, luv”.

BON JOVI Please Come Home For Christmas – JBJ does an amazing job with this song, but Charles Brown did the original back in 1960. You wanna throw a spanner in the works? Get the Brown one on. Everyone will know it, but they won’t know why.

QUEEN Thank God It’s Christmas – Nothing need be said. It’s just an incredible excuse to hear Freddie’s vocals.

WHAM Last Christmas – You wanna fight me on this? Well then I think you’ve missed the whole point of Christmas, ya douche.

It was Christmas Day, last year, that an incredible singer, songwriter, pioneer, ground breaker and all round wonderful human being left us.

Let me tell you a story. My dad was a photographer for CBS back in the day. For a photoshoot he took two lads called George and Andrew out to Corfu for two weeks.

Pics on the beach, by the pool, on the sand.

Upon arriving home, the photos were deemed useless, as the label wanted their boys to be more ‘bad’.

Bad Boys duly came out, but then they released Club Tropicana. CBS had to go back to my dad and offer him three times more than what they originally offered for these pics they originally turned down.

SHAKIN’ STEVENS Merry Christmas Everyone – When This Ole House came out in 1981, as a six-year-old kid, it changed my life. I found a god among men – well, among New Romantics.

And yeah, I should mention Fairytale Of New York (well, I just did) and so many other worthy Christmas classics. But between me, you and the monster under the John Lewis kid’s bed, these are my Christmas Classics, and now you know why.

Merry Christmas to you. And I wish you nothing but happiness, health and good fortune for 2018. Kammy x Kam Kelly’s breakfast show, every weekday from 6am, Sam FM Bristol, 106.5fm

Music/theatre/film/more

CROWD PLEASER Admittedly, it’s not a Christmas scene per se, but the wintry palette makes it a cinch for our December issue.

This large-scale crowd scene

by Bristol artist Elsa Rose Frere resembles a Where’s Wally for cultured grown-ups, featuring over 2000 people; it was, Elsa says, “inspired by busy urban communities, and how people interact in big crowds.”

Elsa’s holding a solo exhibition called ‘The Christmas Edition’ at Christmas Steps Gallery between 6-9 December, and as well as original framed paintings and prints, she’ll be selling some of the most charming and quirky Christmas cards we’ve seen this year; hipsters with baubles in their beards, and so on.

During her time at the Gallery, Elsa will also be working on one of her live large crowd scene paintings, capturing the atmosphere and people of the Christmas Steps. www.christmasstepsgallery.co.uk

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24 November – 24 December 2017

EXPECT THE WORDS ‘WINTER’, ‘MARKET’ AND ‘WONDERLAND’ TO FEATURE QUITE A LOT

Belle ringing out for Christmastime (Beauty & The Beast), gangster felines (Reservoir Cats) and a cast so hot they struggle to keep their hands off each other (Cabaret Paradiso)

Exhibitions UNTIL 3 DECEMBER

165 ANNUAL OPEN The RWA’s renowned annual exhibition; now, impressively, in its 165th year; rwa.org.uk

UNTIL 31 DECEMBER

MARTIN PARR’S BLACK COUNTRY STORIES The new Parr Foundation presents photos taken between 2010 and 2014 in the industrial West Midlands. Paintworks; martinparrfoundation.org

UNTIL 17 DECEMBER

KIM YONG-IK The first exhibition in the UK by the South Korean artist; Spike Island, spikeisland.org.uk UNTIL 24 DECEMBER

GRAYSON PERRY ‘The Most Popular Art Exhibition Ever!’ tackles how contemporary art can best address a diverse crosssection of society post-Brexit via pottery, tapestries, bikes, prints and shizzle; at Arnolfini; arnolfini.org.uk

UNTIL 31 AUGUST 2018

EMPIRE THROUGH THE LENS Bristol Archives’ collection of photos and films of life in the British Empire and Commonwealth, mostly taken 1880s-1960s. At Bristol Museum; bristolmuseums.org.uk

UNTIL 8 APRIL 2018

WILDLIFE PHOTOGRAPHER OF THE YEAR The renowned photography comp’s back, with 100 spectacular images. At MShed; bristolmuseums.org.uk

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8-9 DECEMBER

NORTH BRISTOL ART TRAIL Over 100 artists show original artwork in homes, studios and venues around St Andrews, Gloucester Road, Bishopston, Montpelier, Westbury Park, Redland and Henleaze. northbristolartists.org.uk

JAMAICA STREET ARTISTS JSA’s studios’ annual festive open doors days let you explore the building with mince pies and mulled wine in hand (try not to spill it on the artwork).

Meet around 40 artists, selling paintings, prints, gifts and cards; even screen-printed Jamaica Street Artists tote bags. jamaicastreetartists.co.uk

30 NOVEMBER-3 DECEMBER

13-17 DECEMBER

UNTIL 25 FEBRUARY

NATIVE COLOUR Group exhibition celebrating contemporary Native American artists who are all renowned as great colourists. Rainmaker; rainmakerart.co.uk

collection of art as well as highquality products from independent designers, including Red Bird Makes, Catherine Tough, Forbes & Lewis and Hannah Turner. theforgebristol.com

25-26 NOVEMBER

SMITHSON GALLERY Smithson’s pop-up gallery at The Forge will sell a comprehensive

EAMES POP-UP Eames Fine Art returns to Christmas Steps Gallery with

W H AT ’ S O N

ARTS

In case (huh) we don’t get any of the real stuff: Snowy City by Cath Read at the North Bristol Arts Trail, and an Arctic thief at Wildlife Photographer of the Year

paintings, original prints and sculptures; lots more at the gallery during Nov/Dec too, see website: galleryspaces.co.uk

Theatre & shows UNTIL 25 NOVEMBER

THE PROVOKED WIFE How very site-specific!

Vanbrugh’s rollicking Restoration comedy gets an immersive version at Kings Weston House – the great Baroque mansion that Vanbrugh himself designed. From steppingouttheatre.co.uk UNTIL 21 JANUARY

RESERVOIR CATS The Wardrobe’s annual alternative festive offering – this year, a mash-up of Tarantino and Lloyd Webber. thewardrobetheatre.com 28 NOVEMBER-2 DECEMBER

SLAVA’S SNOW SHOW Enter Slava’s snowy world in this joyous, packed event.

Last time it showed at the Hippodrome the audience had so much fun they practically had to be forced to leave; atgtickets.com

30 NOVEMBER-2 DECEMBER

CABARET PARADISO Talented, sexy and bizarre circus cabaret artistes present their underworld vision of Paradise. Heavenly aerialists!

Oral ping-pong juggling! A cast so hot they struggle to keep their hands off each other!

Circomedia; circomedia.com 30 NOVEMBER-14 JANUARY

BEAUTY AND THE BEAST Forget Emma and Dan; this retelling goes back to the French classic fairytale, in another class festive offering from Tobacco Factory Theatres. tobaccofactorytheatres.com

comedian Joe Pasquale sharing the bill with singer Marti Pellow and soap queen Hayley Tamaddon. We’re promised a ‘magical 3D sequence which will see audiences transported to Old Peking on a magical carpet ride adventure’; atgtickets.com 10 DECEMBER-14 JANUARY

THE UGLY DUCKLING The award-winning team behind Cinderella: A Fairytale brings its trademark magic and mastery to a wintry tale of family, feathers and fitting in. At the TFT; tobaccofactorytheatres.com.

12-14 DECEMBER

THE LITTLE MATCH GIRL (& OTHER HAPPIER TALES) Emma Rice brings her magical show to Bristol from a critically acclaimed run at The Globe.; see page 38. bristololdvic.org.uk

A CHRISTMAS CAROL Award-winning company Proteus stage Dickens’s festive tale of redemption, in a fast and funny, highly physical and contemporary adaptation – with puppets. At 1532; 1532bristol.co.uk

7-23 DECEMBER

12-30 DECEMBER

KRISTMAS WITH THE KRINGLES A festive night of improvised fun with games, sketches and songs from the team behind Closer Each Day: at The Wardrobe; thewardrobetheatre.com 9 DECEMBER-7 JANUARY

ALADDIN It’s panto at the Hippo, with

LIVING SPIT’S NATIVITY Gold, frankincense and myrrh; a donkey, a camel and a new born lamb... but enough about what Stu’s bought Howard for Christmas. Through songs, pitiful puppetry and Biblical befuddlement, Living Spit offer a cornucopia of comic Christmassyness, at The Theatre Shop, Clevedon,

part of TFT’s Beyond series; tobaccofactorytheatres.com 16-30 DECEMBER

THE SNOW BABY A magical children’s show of castles in the air, weathering the storm, and dreams coming true in the most unexpected ways. thewardrobetheatre.com 17 DECEMBER

PADDINGTON AND THE SNOWMAN A double-whammy of seasonal faves; storytelling by CBeebies’s Pui Fan Lee, the WNO and The Snowman movie combine in a magical musical family evening at Colston Hall; colstonhall.org

Music 24 NOVEMBER

GOLDIE In his first live UK headline tour, the hiphop and jungle legend teams up with the Heritage Orchestra to perform hits and new material at Colston Hall; colstonhall.org 25 NOVEMBER

VAN MORRISON He won’t chat. He probably won’t crack a smile. But it may be the best gig you see this month; colstonhall.org w

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W H AT ’ S O N

ARTS

The likeable stand-up regales us with anecdotes from his days as a teacher; at Colston Hall; colstonhall.org

Other UNTIL 22 DECEMBER

MADE IN BRISTOL: HOME The popular group of makers returns to the Architecture Centre with a new seasonal shop celebrating the places we live; architecturecentre.org.uk UNTIL 24 DECEMBER

BRISTOL’S CHRISTMAS MARKET Broadmead does its annual chalet-and-Glühwein thang; new for this year is a Jägerbarn bar and beer garden. It’s part of a chain, and last year’s wasn’t without its critics, but at least it has the moxy to run up until Christmas Eve, unlike a certain market in a neighbouring town which packs up on the 10th – practically midsummer, in our book. xmas-markets.com

Haters gonna hate; the rest will storm the Colston Hall box office for the live-music showing of Love Actually

BACK TO AFRICA A new generation of reggae artists explore the musicbased journey Back To Africa.

As reggae enjoys a fresh renaissance, the tour brings artists from Jamaica, UK and Hawaii for a night of positivity, love and good vibes at Thekla; alttickets.com

9-10 DECEMBER

JOOLS HOLLAND The indefatigable piano maestro and tastemaker returns to the Hall; guests include José Feliciano, Ruby Turner, Louise Marshall and Beth Rowley, along with the Rhythm & Blues Orchestra. colstonhall.org

DR HOOK Still headed up by original vocalist Dennis Locorriere; pop along to the Hippodrome, why don’t you, and find out whether Sylvia’s mother has relented yet. atgtickets.com 5 DECEMBER

ORCHESTRA OF THE AGE OF ENLIGHTENMENT The OAE show how Mozart was the ultimate musical genius — and the ultimate game player. stgeorgesbristol.co.uk 6 DECEMBER

THE PUPPINI SISTERS One of the Spiegeltent’s annual festive highlights; impeccably dressed in vintage, the girls will fill the tent with their close harmonies and festive songs. christmasspiegeltent.co.uk

20-21 DECEMBER

CHRISTMAS SPECTACULAR Orchestral and choral faves (and a chance to join in); stgeorgesbristol.co.uk

HANDEL’S MESSIAH A semi-staged performance from Bristol Ensemble and the Choir of Royal Holloway; at St George’s; stgeorgesbristol.co.uk 14 DECEMBER

THE DARKNESS Justin and the lads bring their relentless rifferama, haute couture, loud noises and bright things that flash on and off to Colston Hall; colstonhall.org 18 DECEMBER

THE OVERTONES The festive five piece belt out all the popular classics at Colston Hall; colstonhall.org 19 DECEMBER

THE BOOTLEG BEATLES Well shake it up baby now; the tribute band that’s been going far longer than the original, with the added bonus that all

ST NICK’S CHRISTMAS MARKET Over 60 independent retailers sell a mixture of unique gifts, original fashion, hand-crafted accessories and delicious food; bristol.gov.uk UNTIL 7 JANUARY

26 NOVEMBER 13 DECEMBER

26 NOVEMBER

four members are still alive. colstonhall.org

THE DIVINE COMEDY The Norn Irn chamber popsters headed by Neil Hannon return to the Hall; colstonhall.org

Comedy 24 NOVEMBER

STEPHEN K AMOS The comic maestro might not be able to provide bread to the hungry masses, but no one else is going to put on a better circus. At The Redgrave; redgravetheatre.com 27 NOVEMBER, 11 DECEMBER

CLOSER EACH DAY The world’s longest improvised soap opera rolls on; every other Monday at The Wardrobe; thewardrobetheatre.com 30 NOVEMBER-1 DECEMBER

GREG DAVIES: YOU MAGNIFICENT BEAST

WINTER WONDERLAND The South West’s largest outdoor ice rink, Santa’s Enchanted Ice Castle, a Christmas train ride inside The Mall and a selection of festive foodie treats. Oh, and shopping.

At Cribbs; mallcribbs.com WINTER WONDERLAND Christmas comes to Wookey Hole, with its Santa’s Grotto and over 20 festive attractions; wookey.co.uk 24 NOVEMBER-23 DECEMBER

CHRISTMAS AT THE SPIEGELENT One of our all-time favourite venues returns with its heady mix of gigs, events and completely over-the-top parties; christmasspiegeltent.co.uk 25 NOVEMBER-24 DECEMBER (WEEKENDS ONLY)

HARBOURSIDE CHRISTMAS w MARKET www.mediaclash.co.uk I BRISTOL LIFE I 25

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Divine chamber-pop at Colston Hall; Frankie’s Power of Love seems to have gone horribly wrong at The Theatre Shop in Clevedon

Street food, makers, music and mulled things, for five whole weekends; www. theharboursidemarket.co.uk

traders open their stalls in Broadmead for the festive period; bristollocalchristmas market.com

25 NOVEMBER-3 JANUARY

CHRISTMAS AT THE ARCADE As in St James’s, in Broadmead; lots of different events are planned. thearcadebristol.com

A VERY VICTORIAN CHRISTMAS It’s a case of Christmas Past at Tyntesfield, with the season’s best-loved traditions brought to life with an immersive Victorian experience. Bring the brougham round, Branson. www.nationaltrust.org.uk 25 NOV, 2, 9 & 16 DEC

HAPPY HANDMADE CHRISTMAS The Made in Bristol Gift Fair brings together a huge bunch of designer/makers – the perfect place to find distinctive and unusual hand-made gifts. At colstonhall.org 26 NOVEMBER-24 DECEMBER

SANTA SPECIALS Join the Avon Valley Railway this festive season for a ride on one of their steam-hauled trains and enjoy a special visit from Father Christmas. avonvalleyrailway.org 1-23 DECEMBER

BRISTOL LOCAL CHRISTMAS MARKET Some of the city’s best indie

2 DECEMBER

WAPPING WHARF CHRISTMAS All the fabby little indies down at Cargo and Gaol Ferry are putting on a party; see website (and page 61) for full details.

Best make a start on your satsuma-peeling skills right now. wappingwharf.co.uk FOLK HOUSE FESTIVE MARKET Vintage, cosmetics, bric-abrac, arts and crafts and The Folk House Café’s mince pies; bristolfolkhouse.co.uk ROYAL YORK CRESCENT CHRISTMAS FAYRE Carols, Father Christmas and 50 stalls selling crafts and food, 11am-3.30pm CHRISTMAS AT RED LODGE What was Christmas like 400 years ago? A bit like Wolf Hall, would be our guess. Experience

all the feels of an Elizabethan Christmas; there’s historic food and music, while Bristol Embroiderers’ Guild show you how to make a stitched decoration using beautiful material and accessories. bristolmuseums.org.uk LOVE ACTUALLY IN CONCERT Some loathe it; the rest genuinely don’t care what you think about Richard Curtis’ festive, star-studded schmalzfest; here accompanied by a live orchestra; colstonhall.org

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and raffles, food & drink; and shops and businesses will stay open late; glosrdcentral.co.uk 9 DECEMBER

A VICTORIAN CHRISTMAS A cosy and magical Christmas at Blaise Castle: traditional celebrations, boughs of evergreens from the Estate, carols, storytelling. bristolmuseums.org.uk CHRISTMAS BAROQUE BY CANDLELIGHT From London Concertante, at Bristol Cathedral; londonconcertante.com

3 DECEMBER

CHRISTMAS MARKET AT ARNOS VALE Local craft and produce suppliers, and Time and Tide Taletellers with their Fireside Tales: Stories of Fire and Ice, (which has nothing to do with Songs of Ice and Fire. Unlike George RR Martin’s opus, we confidently expect them to finish the story). At Arnos Vale; arnosvale.org.uk 7 DECEMBER

AFTER HOURS: FEAST Play with hundreds of hands-on exhibits at We the Curious; without the kids and with a drink in your hand.

This After Hours is all about ‘feasting’, so expect an evening of edible treats along with the Winter Stargazing Planetarium show – popcorn optional. wethecurious.org GLOUCESTER ROAD CENTRAL CHRISTMAS Choirs and live music, wreaths

10 DECEMBER

SANTAS ON THE RUN Thousands of Santas take to streets for this 2k festive fun run in aid of CHSW; from Lloyd’s at 1pm. Kids and pets welcome; Santa suits are very much de rigueur. chsw.org.uk.

16 DECEMBER

CHEESEFEST OD’d on the tinsel? Head to Cheesefest at Motion for some of the cheesiest cheeses in the world – melted raclette, gooey mozzarella sticks, halloumi fries, mac’n’cheese – it’s basically one big cheese spectacular. We know! Us too... cheesefestuk.com 17 DECEMBER

BRISTOL FILM FESTIVAL POP-UP CINEMA Step into a New Yorkthemed winter wonderland at Passenger Shed for a day of festive films of all kinds, for all ages; bristolfilmfestival.com

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STREET SMART Step away from the SLR: this year’s 24 Hours in Bristol competition showed just what can be achieved using just the camera on a mobile phone

THE IMAGE HAS REAL ENERGY – AND YET THE BLACK AND WHITE MAKES IT QUITE

MELANCHOLY FIRST PRIZE Playground by Sarah Diamond Vale Mayor Marv loved this shot, finding it “joyful and young; it shows Bristol as a home” 30 I BRISTOL LIFE I www.mediaclash.co.uk

second prize Py-Ray-Naut by Duncan Nagle M Shed’s Ray Brown takes a break from painting the fireboat

XXXXXXX XXXXX

STUART HAD INTENDED TO PHOTOGRAPH

CORMORANTS, BUT A PHOTOGENIC SEAGULL SWOOPED IN FOR A WINNING SELFIE INSTEAD

N

othing seems to rile professional photographers more than someone saying, “Oh, great pic – what camera do you use?” They’ll tell you that it’s a bit like complimenting a chef and then asking, “So, what make of oven do you have?”

Of course, they’re being a tad disingenuous. Those crystal-clear shots of a diving kingfisher against a background of perfectly creamy bokeh are only possible with an eye-wateringly expensive 600mm lens, and they know it.

But there’s still a huge amount that you can do with a phone – and that was precisely the challenge laid down to those competing in this year’s 24 Hours in Bristol competition, which took place between 12.00 Saturday 30 September and 12.00 Sunday 1 October. Not only was the technology more democratic this year, but it was cheaper to enter, at £5 per hourly slot.

One Smart Day attracted hundreds of entrants, who attended a prizegiving event at the Programme Gallery off Castle Park, where over 85 winning images were displayed alongside a giant 30m banner of all of this year’s entries.

First prize went to Sarah Diamond Vale for Playground (page 30) – the first choice of judge Mayor Marvin Rees, who said: “I chose this image 32 I BRISTOL LIFE I www.mediaclash.co.uk

because it’s joyful, it’s young. I think it captures Bristol as a home, while also showing the industrial side of the city with the railway tracks. It’s got real energy, and yet the black and white makes it quite melancholy”.

The second prize was won by Duncan Nagle for Py-Ray-Naut, a portrait of M Shed engineer Ray Brown taking a break from painting the historic fireboat Pyronaut during Maritime History weekend earlier this month.

Third prize went to Stuart Lees for his photo of a seagull at Harbourside. Stuart had intended to photograph cormorants, so hid his iPad in a box with a hole cut out, and set it to take pictures every 10 seconds. Although the cormorants decided to fish elsewhere that day, a photogenic seagull swooped in for a winning selfie instead.

The categories included Architecture, Recycle and Reuse, Working Bristol, My Neighbourhood, Creative Technology, Everything Property, Food and Drink, Panoramic, Landscape, Finzel’s Reach and Nature and Wildlife – if you want to see who won what, along with the winners and runners-up in each hourly category, head over to the website.

Wonder what they’ll think of next year.

For more: www.24hoursinbristol.co.uk

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THIRD PRIZE

(Above)

Turned Out Nice Again by Stuart Lees proves that the best shots can happen unexpectedly

Opposite page, clockwise from top: winner 9-10am, Enchanted Forest by Jarred Clapperton; Winner 10-11pm, Showing Your True Colours by Mark Perrett; Winner 9-10pm, Shadows In The Rain by Rosa Nunez

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NOT ONLY WAS THE TECHNOLOGY MORE DEMOCRATIC THIS YEAR, BUT IT WAS CHEAPER TO ENTER

From top: Bristol Food & Drink Winner Pitta Patter by Duncan Nagle; Winner 4-5 am, Cathedral Walk by Keith Rugman 34 I BRISTOL LIFE I www.mediaclash.co.uk

A RETIREMENT TO LOOK FORWARD TO

LAST REMAINING VACANCIES

across our five lovely houses in the Bristol area

Participate Enjoy Succeed

COACHING FOR ALL AGES AND STANDARDS - Tots & pre-school - Juniors from 4 - 18 years ranging from mini tennis to development and performance levels - Juniors Easter and Summer holiday camps - Adult coaching from beginners to individual level - Range of group and individual junior and adult coaching available - Contact the club for a timetable and more information on how to sign up for coaching courses *Terms and conditions apply

Redland Green Club, Redland Green, Bristol BS6 7HF 0117 9731139 | info@redlandgreen.co.uk www.redlandgreen.co.uk Previously known as Bristol Lawn Tennis and Squash Club

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

T PERFEC special e r fo e b events!

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

Reach the best in the west Affluent, active and influential and just a call away

Bristol Life team 01225 475800

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Strike a light; it’s Bristol Old Vic’s big festive show, directed by our favourite director Emma Rice. Happy Christmas everybody!

By DE R I ROBI NS

T

here’s rather more to Emma Rice’s CV than her years as joint artistic director of Kneehigh – not least her recent tenure at The Globe – but it’s for her former work that most Bristol audiences know and love her. Think of Emma, and you think the swooning romance and thrilling visual invention of Tristan & Yseult, The Red Shoes, Brief Encounter and The Bacchae (our favourite, not that you’re asking).

We always knew that an Emma production would make the perfect Christmas show, and this year Santa’s properly delivered, with The Little Matchgirl & Other Happier Tales. Not for the first time, and hopefully not the last, we chatted to Emma about her current and past work, and her Bristol life.

Emma, please remind us about your longstanding relationship with Bristol Old Vic, and share some standout memories My – I don’t think I even remember when my relationship with Bristol Old Vic first started; it’s been so long it feels part of my DNA. I remember Tristan & Yseult in a heatwave, when the poor actors had to wear kagools and balaclavas. They nearly expired with heat, and I told them that they were more important than the show, and should take them off. But they insisted on carrying on – their Love Spotters were more important to them than comfort.

The Wild Bride was a highlight at Bristol Old Vic – how beautifully that tree, created by the late Bill Mitchell, sat in the magical hold of the deep stage. And of course, most recently, The 38 I BRISTOL LIFE I www.mediaclash.co.uk

T H E AT R E

The Little Matchgirl; bring three hankies

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Flying Lovers of Vitebsk. What colour, what passion, what a combination of song, story and image we made, and how magnificently they all resonated with the theatre and all its history.

How did you first get involved with Kneehigh Theatre?

I joined Kneehigh in 1994 as a performer in Carmen Ravenheart. I fell in love with them instantly, and was deliciously lost. The wild beauty of Cornwall got under my skin, and the joyful mixture of music, celebration, story-telling and friendship changed my life forever.

How did you move from actor to director?

It happened over many years. I had been choreographing for some time, which was a great stepping-stone to directing, and as a devising actor I was used to having a strong creative input into the work. I used to take extra (and unrequested) rehearsals for shows that I was in – something that I wouldn’t let an actor of mine do now! Eventually, Bill Mitchell and Mike Shepherd, who were joint artistic directors of Kneehigh at the time, asked me if I would like to direct a show. Without their support, belief and perfectly timed shove, who knows what might, or more worryingly, might not have happened.

Kneehigh has given me everything; challenge, opportunity, joy, freedom and community. It remains a huge part of my life – you can take the girl out of Kneehigh, but you can’t take Kneehigh out of the girl.

KNEEHIGH’S JOYFUL MIXTURE OF MUSIC, CELEBRATION,

STORYTELLING AND FRIENDSHIP CHANGED MY LIFE FOREVER

Which of your Kneehigh productions were dearest to your heart, and why?

Don’t ask me to choose between my children!

I genuinely love them all. I suppose, if I had to choose, I feel even greater loyalty and connection to the shows that weren’t quite as successful as others. As the proud parent, I love the tricky ones even more passionately than the easy ones. So, safe in the knowledge that Tristan and Yseult, The Red Shoes and 946 are loved by many, I’m going to choose Don John and Steptoe as the shows I keep closest to my heart.

I think Don John was ahead of its time with its examination of sexually predatory behaviour and misogyny. Steptoe and Son painted a picture of family, poverty, loneliness and aging with a subtlety that I will be forever proud of.

Are you still involved with the company?

I am still very much involved. Mike and I speak most weeks, and I have so many friends in the company, I never feel far away. Flying Lovers of Vitebsk is returning next year, so there are plenty of opportunities to keep returning.

Why have you made your home in Bristol?

Work was drawing me more and more to London, but I was determined not to lose my connection to the South West. Bristol was a great midway point and is not only ideal for w getting to London and Cornwall, but also to www.mediaclash.co.uk I BRISTOL LIFE I 39

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the Midlands to see my family. It is a brilliantly vibrant city and I really feel that I have found my home.

BOV nearly always produces its Christmas shows but Matchgirl is a transfer – discuss!

The Little Match Girl will suit Bristol Old Vic perfectly. It blends the faded glamour of the Edwardian music hall with a contemporary urban world. It is political and powerful, but full to the brim of magic and wonder. I think the values are bang-on.

It’s ‘and other happier tales’ – so should we bring the Kleenex for the main story?

It is undoubtedly one of the saddest stories ever written. I find it particularly sad as this is still happening today; across the planet children are dying of cold, hunger, war and poverty and yet we still we manage to walk on by. It is a tough watch, and yes, I always cry, but it also gives me strength and determination to try and make a difference. We are challenged by this brutal story to make the world a better place.

Dry your eyes, mate: there are some happier tales, too!

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

THE SHOW WILL SUIT BRISTOL OLD VIC PERFECTLY. IT BLENDS THE FADED GLAMOUR OF THE EDWARDIAN

MUSIC

HALL WITH A CONTEMPORARY

URBAN

WORLD

What are the ‘other tales’?

You can expect to enjoy Thumbelina, The Emperor’s New Clothes and The Princess and the Pea as well. All my favourites, filled with fun and cheekiness to balance the sorrow of The Little Match Girl.

Sum up what we can expect from the show Faded beauty, sparkling wit, joyous music and quirky dance. Through the power of story, we will take you on a sensuous journey of childlike metaphor and very grown up meaning. Sounds good, eh? Well I might be biased, but it really is.

Finally Emma, are there any plans and dreams that you can share for 2018?

2018 marks the start of my new company, Wise Children. Next year we will make a show of the same title, adapted from Angela Carter’s seminal novel. We are busy plotting, planning and getting ready for our new adventure so keep an eye out for our website and blog .

The Little Matchgirl & Other Happier Tales runs 30 November-14 January at Bristol Old Vic www.bristololdvic.org.uk For news on Wise Children see www.wisechildren.co.uk

REVIEWS

The VERDICT Tub-thumping, drum-beating, and two old guys waiting on a friend THE TIN DRUM Bristol Old Vic, 7-18 November Kneehigh’s adaptation of Günter Grass’s The Tin Drum is a riot of a show. It’s an unrelenting audience-assault of mischievous invention, slapstick, dance and music – so much music; but unlike the unified scores of Stu Barker, which characterised so many classic Kneehigh productions, Charles Hazlewood (who also wrote the tunes for Kneehigh’s Dead Dog) serves up an enjoyably eclectic jumble, from rock to ska to Weill cabaret.

The problem is that it’s so damn busy being fun and anarchic that the plot gets a bit lost in translation. It’s practically an opera, so we need the lyrics to explain the tale, and these were frequently unclear; there were a lot of baffled faces at the Backstage Bar during the interval.

Grass’s novel may have been magicalrealist, but its warning of the rise of Nazism was precise. Kneehigh opts for an allegory; it’s set ‘once upon a war’. We get it, fascism is a never-absent threat – but since the extreme right characters sport red armbands and do a version of the Hitler salute, you wonder why they didn’t just stick with the programme.

Instead, we have the mysterious ‘The Order’; balcony doors are flung open sporadically, in a flurry of dry ice, to reveal its leader, a rockopera chick in a platinum Lady Gaga wig.

The drama is seen through the eyes of Oskar, who at the age of three hurls himself downstairs in protest at the world, trapping himself in a child’s body forever. Anyone who fancies staging a puppet-enhanced version of We Need to Talk about Kevin could do worse than leasing Kneehigh’s wooden boy; their Oskar is a sinister, unsettling little dude, with a hostile, implacable (obviously) face. It’s hard to care about this kid. His down-thestairs stunt seems less prompted by world politics than by a dislike of the neighbours.

When the puppet is swapped for a live actor and Oskar heads off to the sunset, we’ve stopped caring, if we ever did.

The cast are excellent and give their all;

but for us, it seemed to lack both heart and cohesion. We emerged feeling entertained, but not especially enlightened or engaged.

By Lisa Warren WAITING FOR GODOT Tobacco Factory Theatres 9 October-4 November Once seen as a subversion of mainstream drama, Godot is today a theatre standard – more often than not given a patina of cosy charm. Beckett, a chronicler of the futility of the human condition, would undoubtedly have enjoyed the irony.

Mark Rosenblatt’s production of the tragiccomedy follows the modern fashion with the emphasis on comedy rather than the desolate inertia of life. Colin Connor as a brash Estragon, David Fielder as an endearing Vladimir and John Stahl as a bombastic Pozzo, engage in slapstick humour with the ease of Vaudevillian performers.

Janet Bird’s set design does its best to anchor the production in Beckettesque bleakness: a makeshift building site with assorted industrial bric-a-brac is littered about a tight set.

The production is enjoyable, but it’s about comic performers at the top of their game rather than a lament for the hopelessness of it all. It’s a great night out, and as such, pretty much the opposite of what Beckett probably intended.

But it passed the time; which of course would have passed in any case.

By Mal Rogers

THE PROBLEM WAS THAT IT’S SO DAMN BUSY BEING FUN THAT THE PLOT GETS LOST IN TRANSLATION

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know – I’m not disrupting anything with that journalistic approach, am I? Well, no, but it does bring me to my first bugbear with TEDxBristol.

The theme was Dare To Disrupt and if I had a penny for each time I heard or read the words disrupt, disruptors, disruptive, disruption in those eight short hours, I’d be on a plane to Rio by now. It all started to feel a bit tired and ‘undisrupty’ quite quickly.

But that’s an aside to the many high points of Day 1, most notably these two.

Firstly, Mena Fomba’s talk entitled No You Cannot Touch My Hair, which focused on her campaign to combat the objectification, particularly, of black women. Mena longs for a time when black people can walk down a street without strangers trying to “grab a braid, experience touching a natural (afro) or tugging at a weave and uttering the words ‘can you feel this?’”. Funny, charming, fiercely clever and committed, Mena’s talk made us sit up, listen and then obsessively question our own past behaviours.

Second was Martyn ‘worth the ticket price on his own’ Ashton. His talk – Why You Don’t Need Legs To Ride A Bike – was the perfect mix of funny, warm, inspiring and unbe-flipping-lievable. Martyn was a world-champion mountain biker who was paralysed from the waist down in 2013 while performing a live show. His talk told how the accident gave him a determination to try new things, and challenge the perceived image and capabilities of a wheelchair user.

The programme was a mixed bag and I didn’t enjoy the hosts, the three hour-long breaks, and the fact they stretched the programme to two days unnecessarily. BUT – and this is a big but – Mena and Martyn’s talks were utterly unforgettable, the event was vibrant and packed me off with my thinking cap firmly in place, and there’s nowhere else to see a programme of speakers like this in the South West. Viva TEDx Bristol!

By Rachel Ifans

IT’S A GREAT NIGHT OUT, AND AS SUCH, PRETTY MUCH THE OPPOSITE OF WHAT BECKETT INTENDED

TEDX BRISTOL Colston Hall, 2-3 November It’s going to be one of those high-pointslow-points types of reviews, I’m afraid. I

REVIEWS

From top left: please don’t touch Mena’s hair; Beckettesque bleakness; and a lot of sound and fury signifying, well, something

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XMAS SHOPPING GUIDE

HELLO, GOOD BUY Bought all the stuff in last issue’s Christmas gift guide?

Excellent. Here’s some more

Gromit figurines, £35-£40 You didn’t think we’d have a Christmas gift guide without a festive Gromit, surely? If Raymond Briggs’ Snow Gromit doesn’t ring your bell (who are you, Scrooge?) there’s an equally festive Santa Paws and Jingles. All profits to the wonderful Grand Appeal, as ever From www.wallaceandgromitcharityshop.org.uk www.mediaclash.co.uk I BRISTOL LIFE I 45

Him: Harrison crew, £89 Her: Carlton jumper, £85 Yes, well may you grin from ear to ear, absurdly attractive couple; you’re dressed by our favourite Bristol heritage fashion label, Peregrine.

These woollies are as cosy as they’re stylish, too, being 100% merino wool From www.peregrineclothing.co.uk

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

XMAS SHOPPING GUIDE

Chain drop silver earrings, £90 Choose yellow or rose gold links; choose popularity on Christmas morning . . .

From www.lucylyon.co.uk

Harvey Chavez earrings, £199 Exquisite silver feather earrings made by a member of the Native American Kewa tribe. No guesses where they’re from, then...

From www.rainmakerart.co.uk

Andrew Millar, All I Saw Was Sky, £100 unframed; £150 framed Andrew Millar takes vintage Polaroids and manipulates the emulsion during the development process – the result?

Beautiful, dreamlike images From www.smithsongallery.co.uk

GoPro Hero6, £499.99 The most powerful GoPro camera ever – yes, even better than the one we persuaded you to buy last year. Best-ever image quality and next-level IS. Light, durable and waterproof, obviously From www.ellis-brigham.com

Kenneth Jay Lane chokers, £115 (top) and £280 Seriously, guys – you can’t go wrong with sparkle. And when Swarovski crystal sparkle is involved, you’re positively elected From www.harveynichols.com

Martin Parr: The Last Resort, £30 h/b Bristol’s photo-journalist extraordinaire has published 40 solo books, but he told us this one is his favourite. Find a copy at his Foundation at Paintworks From www.martinparrfoundation.org

Glass bauble, £30 Be honest: can you really claim to have a 100% Bristol Christmas tree if it doesn’t have at least one bauble from Bristol Blue Glass? Round baubles start at £17.50 From www.bristol-glass.co.uk

Dog decorations, £7.95 If you’re really feeling flush, these would make the ultimate gift tags. As long as the recipient loves dogs. If they don’t, do they really deserve presents?

From www.thepodcompany.co.uk

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XMAS SHOPPING GUIDE

Follow the Yellow Brick Road, limited screen print by Anna Marrow, £175 Bristol artist Anna likes to mix urban landscapes with nostalgic TV and movie images; to our eyes, this one says ‘Fred & Ginger and Get Carter mash-up’ From www.somagallery.co.uk

White gold and diamond Wylde Flower earrings, £2525 Been an angel all year? Nothing less will do than these extraordinary sparklers From www.nicholaswylde.com

Jody mini-print set, £40 Very much at the luxe end of street art, is Bristol’s Jody Thomas; this affordable set of 10 prints are hand-signed and come smartly boxed From www.jodyart.co.uk

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

Beardy coasters, £2.50 Surely the ultimate hipster stocking filler – see also the beardy eggcups, mugs and plates. If the craze finally abates, we guess you could, err, shave them From www.ustudio.design

Robyn Reindeer, £25 Deer Santa, slip one of these softies under the tree, ’mkay?

From www.thepodcompany.co.uk

John Derian paperweight, £65 Découpage of reproduced vintage prints set into handmade glass; lots of designs, but this one is pleasingly festive From www.mazeclothing.co.uk

PRSC Tony Benn mug, £12 “Hope is the fuel of progress and fear is the prison in which you put yourself” – as we say every Christmas morning From www.tangentbooks.co.uk

Frida Kahlo travel mug, £13.80 Oh, cheer up, Frida; this porcelain travel mug is double-walled, and will keep you as hot as July in downtown Coyoacán From www.the-pippa-and-ike-show.com

Ibride trays, £55-120 Heatproofed for the practical purpose of serving tea, but so eyecatching that you shouldn’t confine them to the kitchen.

Made in France, but positively dripping with English eccentric chic From www.grahamandgreen.co.uk

Goatman & Batham OPTOMETRISTS & CONTACT LENS PRACTITIONERS Providing eye care on the Clifton Triangle for over 80 years 77 Queens Road, Bristol, BS8 1QP | Tel: 0117 926 2380 | www.goatmanandbatham.com

XMAS SHOPPING GUIDE SAY IT WITH VOUCHERS STILL stuck? Boy you’re a tough crowd tonight. OK – how about a voucher?

MyBearHands tassel earrings, £28 Handmade by Bristol’s Sally Holyoak, with more than a hint of festival chic From Made in Bristol Gift Fair, Colston Hall (see feature page 13) www.mybearhands.co.uk

Bristol mugs, £12.50 Sion Hill, Harbourside, Clifton, The Croft – Alice Rolfe’s fabulous illustrations span the city, both on the tourist trail and off, through the medium of bone china From www.alicerolfeillustration.com

Baby love How about gifting a family photo? Kirsty specialises in newborns; prices start at £150 for a family portrait session From www.littlepicklesphotography.co.uk

The culture vulture For £500 they can become a patron of Bristol Museums, and be party to behindthe-scenes tours, private views, and much more, while contributing massively to the culture of the city From www.bristolmuseums.org.uk

aHead bluetooth headphones, £79 Pretty in pink (white, black, green, dusty blue or plum) these wireless headphones have Bluetooth and headset speaker function so you can even answer calls from your phone From www.oskarfurniture.co.uk

Inkie Shipshape print, £50 Ink’s just released his much-loved Upfest 2014 piece as an A3 print From www.inkie.bigcartel.com Talk to the animals Bristol Zoo offers a range of Animal Experiences, allowing you to get up close to red pandas, monkeys, meerkats and so forth; funds go towards the upkeep of the animals and supporting conservation From www.bristolzoo.org.uk

Christian Louboutin bag, £995 You’d better not pout, you’d better not cry if this is sold out – dress agency Village Green are all about very special one-offs – but hey, if it has gone there are plenty more treasures in store From www.villagegreenboutique.co.uk

Blue floral coffee cup, £25 Charmingly wonky (but then aren’t we all, first thing in the morning?) this little cup is guaranteed to get the day off to a brighter start. Inspired by antique crockery, with a modern twist From www.objetsdedesir.com

Social climber Climbing’s become a hugely popular sport; gift vouchers for Clip ’n’ Climb are sold at £15, £25, £50 and £100 From www. clipnclimb bristol.co.uk The ‘gift of time’ No, it’s not a sundial. Buy your loved ones some time out from outside stress – Loop Massage in Cargo2 offer treatments up to whatever value you choose From www.loopmassage.com www.mediaclash.co.uk I BRISTOL LIFE I 51

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

Open Mon-Sat, 10-6pm & Sun 10-4pm.

44a-46 Cotham Hill, Bristol, BS6 6LA. Visit us online www.soukous.co.uk

MOVEMENT BOUTIQUE Christmas gift inspiration bursts out of Marcelle Fletcher’s lovely Alma Road shop (and yes, you’re allowed to buy a few things for yourself, too)

By SOPH I E WOOL F Photo s by T I M WO OL F

T

he retentive reader will recall that we featured Movement Boutique as part of our Alma Quarter feature a few issues back.

It’s a gorgeous establishment, absolutely crammed full of treats, so it struck us as the perfect spot for our pre-Christmas shop focus.

When I stepped inside, the first thing I noticed was just how lovely it smelled. The aroma on the day I visited emanated from some Shui Me reed diffusers, the scent being ‘Warm Hug’ – very comforting on a blustery day.

The second impression was that I’d stumbled into a private personal shopping appointment; I found owner Marcelle Fletcher deep in conversation with two of her customers, handselecting items from the rails, and giving her honest and unbiased opinion.

Movement has come a long way since opening in March 2016. A few months prior to this, Marcelle made the bold decision to leave her job working in the public sector in North London, choosing instead to harness her passion for clothes and other beautiful things by setting up her own boutique. And it’s been non-stop since.

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

Less than five months after opening, The Times named Movement ‘Boutique of the week’.

“I try to stock things that are just a little bit different,” Marcelle explains, “I only buy a few of each style, so that we’re not all rocking around Bristol wearing the same thing. My customers really appreciate that; right from the word go, we’ve had a loyal customer base. Everyday, someone comments on what a lovely shop it is.”

What catches my eye initially, perhaps surprisingly, are neither the exuberant, flamboyant Jessica Russell washbags, nor the silver jewellery by April Doubleday, handmade from recycled silver – but a humble wooden olive fork from the Danish homeware brand Muubs, one of Movement’s best-selling brands.

Like many items in the boutique, each piece is handmade, ensuring every piece is truly original. Aside from cutlery they have a selection of terracotta serving bowls and dishes – simple, natural and ever so Scandi-chic.

Other items flying off the shelves are Rains, another Danish masterpiece in the form of waterproofs: fantastically sleek and stylish, these are light-years ahead in sophistication from your crumpled Pac-A-Mac.

I ONLY BUY A FEW OF EACH STYLE, SO THAT WE’RE NOT ALL

ROCKING AROUND BRISTOL WEARING THE SAME THING

SPECIAL SHOPS

SHOPPING

everything right) and a fascinating coffee-tablesized railway truck both come from Douglow’s.

This helps out both businesses, Marcelle tells me, as it advertises Douglow’s collection while providing a platform to display her own products; plus, if sold, Marcelle is able to keep some as commission.

It seems that nearly everything in the store has a story to tell, and often a philanthropic one at that. Take the cheerful Jollie’s socks – for each pair bought, another are donated to homeless charity Julian Trust, to give to those sleeping rough.

Soap Co’s dreamy products are made by the visually impaired and otherwise disadvantaged, whose profits go towards helping securing future employment for their workers.

“The challenge is keeping it interesting,” says Marcelle, who is always on the hunt for new things to stock, in order to make the offering fresh and exciting for her customers.

But many brands also contact Marcelle directly, and so a lot of the careful curation process involves sifting through hundreds of items until something catches her eye, leading to a highly eclectic collection.

Movement’s principles are simple, yet admirable: to support local businesses, to provide ethical and sustainable items, and to celebrate the authentic and original.

The artworks on the walls are by local artists, and even the furniture used to display pieces is sourced locally – from just a few doors down, in fact. A charming Dutch ottoman covered in thick fluffy scarves (Danish again – they seem to get

Marcelle admits that being tucked away off the main Whiteladies drag can cause some difficulties.

“Because we’re not on the main road, we don’t have that much footfall,” says Marcelle. But while this means that the boutique may miss out on casual window-shoppers, Movement has established a very tight-knit community within their customer base.

“We’re on a lovely parade, and we’ve become a destination for many shoppers. Because we’re off the beaten track, people aren’t going to just walk by, so people come here with a purpose. Either they’ve heard about us, or they’ve been here before.”

For any independent business to thrive there must be not merely passion, but also resourcefulness and an exceptional eye. What makes Movement so charming is that it not only has these things by the bucketful, but combined with Marcelle’s natural talent for bringing things together and making them beautiful, it makes for one very special shop.

Movement Boutique, 66 Alma Road, Bristol; 0117 373 7675; www.movementboutique.co.uk

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Christmas Party Menu available throughout November and December

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

FOOD

JOSH EGGLETON, Chef pat ron

FOWL PLAY In Josh’s festive world, turkeys can breathe a sigh of relief, but ducks, pigeons and oysters should look a bit worried . . .

C

hristmas is coming, and we’ve been hard at work at The Pony over the past couple of weeks, developing our seasonal menus. After the success of our festive tasting menu last year we’re bringing it back, and we’ve created an eightcourse selection of the best festive flavours and our own take on Christmas.

It’ll be a mix of traditional dishes and concepts, but with a few unexpected twists, because for me Christmas Day doesn’t have to be traditional. Last year the whole family went to the coast and had a seafood feast, which was really special. You don’t have to try this exactly, but there’s still plenty you can do at home to make this Christmas a memorable one.

Instead of having smoked salmon why not try oysters? Fal’s are native to the South West and are best fresh with just a squeeze of lemon. You can also poach them over a low heat in a warm butter sauce made with the oyster juice, and serve them in the shell. Pair these up with a nice crisp white wine or a Manzanilla sherry and you’ve got a standout Christmas canapé.

Our festive bird of choice at The Pony this year is duck; it’s got a great flavour that’s much better than turkey, and a good-sized roast duck will serve a group of six to 10.

If your group is smaller, you may want to invest in some quality local duck breasts, pan-fry them skin-side down; you can’t go wrong. Make sure you start them in a cold pan, as this will help render the fat down.

You can’t have Christmas Day without some great cured meats, and if you’re feeling

INSTEAD OF HAVING SMOKED SALMON WHY NOT TRY OYSTERS? adventurous you can make your own pigeon bresaola. A really good ham usually takes a couple of months to fully cure, but you can make bresaola in a few weeks. We’ve been doing this at The Pony for while now; it makes for a great snack and a delicious alternative to standard charcuterie.

For the brine, take 50g sea salt, 50g caster sugar, 5 sprigs of thyme, 2 bay leaves, 4 cloves, black peppercorns, one orange zest, one lemon zest, 250ml of red wine and about six juniper berries.

Bring the salt, sugar and red wine to the boil, then add the rest to infuse. Take two pigeon breasts and add them into the brine for five days. Then rinse, pat dry and freeze. Slice from frozen and you’ve got pigeon bresaola.

When it comes to afters, sea buckthorn is something I’ve been using quite a lot over the past few months in our desserts and pre-desserts; a sea buckthorn jelly is the perfect way to end a Christmas meal.

Be careful when removing the berries, as the plant has lots of thorns, and squeeze the juice directly into a container. The juice is quite tart, so will require sugar to level out. But making the jelly is easy. The amount of water needed depends on the amount of gelatine sheets you’re using, so check the manufacturer’s guidelines, then soak till soft.

Warm up a small amount of juice mix, ring out the soft gelatine then mix until dissolved. Pour into your mould, or individual moulds, and leave to set. The jelly is great served with crumble pieces, granola, fruit jams, nuts and other berries – and ice-cream, obviously.

For more, www.theponyandtrap.co.uk

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

R E S TA U R A N T

FOOD

Rosa’s Tapas “Another tapas bar?” we hear you all cry, spoiled Bristolians that you are. Yeah, but hang on – here’s one with an intriguing USP . . .

By DE R I ROBI NS

H

ard to remember now, but back in the bad old days, oh, five or so years ago, you’d be pushed to find a decent tapas restaurant in Bristol.

The way-ahead-of-its-time Olive Shed was really the only one worth the name.

Today, the problem is selecting a tapas joint from the huge choice on offer; we’re tipping into tapas saturation point. Which makes the opening of Rosa’s almost audacious; not only does it have the likes of Pata, Bravas, Bellita and Paco’s as its competition, not to mention Polpo just across the road, but it’s taken over big premises with a stellar history; it’s on the site of Barny Haughton’s legendary Rocinantes, later Quartier Vert; more recently, it’s been The Townhouse.

But the team behind it are far from being rookies. Rosa’s comes from the Zazu’s stable, and yes, it’s hard to keep up with these guys at the moment; they’re closing their eponymous restaurants one minute, opening a new gastropub the next. They have forensic knowledge of the local dining-out scene, and bags of experience. So there must be a good idea behind Rosa’s – yes?

Here it is: while most tapas bars concentrate on one kind of cuisine, mostly Spanish, Rosa’s has an ambitiously international remit. ‘World inspired food to share’ is the mantra, which sounds very Bristol, very now, very ‘91 Ways’.

The culinary journey takes us to China, Korea, Mexico, Italy and several other parts of far-flungery; you’ll also find traditional Spanish tapas dishes such as patatas bravas and salted anchovies. In fact, the menu was inspired by no less than El Bulli’s chef Ferran Adria, after a discussion with him about the growth in world tapas, and Adria’s vision for contemporary tapas bars.

It’s ambitious, but the kitchen’s in safe hands. Highly experienced head chef Tim Denny is co-owner of

WE’RE TIPPING INTO TAPAS SATURATION POINT, WHICH MAKES THE

OPENING OF ROSA’S ALMOST AUDACIOUS

Totterdown’s Historical Dining Rooms, so he knows a thing or two about themed restaurants.

We’re not sure how many of the diners in on the night we visited knew or cared about Tim’s CV, but the place was certainly buzzing and packed.

The décor’s sleek if unmemorable, the staff sweet and attentive. Tapas came out one by one, as tapas are wont to do, but with remarkably little gaps in between; in ten minutes our table was covered with flavours spanning several continents.

No passport being required, we got stuck in. A very generous pile of Korean fried chicken, glazed gaudy red in its gouchujang chilli sauce, was sweet, savoury and spicy in one hit. Over to Italy for a pillowy, creamy burrata, with a supremely refreshing mooli, mint and radish salad.

A steamed bao overflowing with a tangle of tender shredded oxtail, miso mayonnaise and crispy shallots was the equal of anything you’d get off a street market in Hong Kong, though the braised lamb in taco was on the chewy side. A naan-like spiced flatbread served with curried chickpeas and yoghurt was immediately hoovered up by Your Man, who always gets a bit misty-eyed for his misspent Brick Lane youth when he spots Indian veggie stuff on a menu.

We love patatas bravas equally in aioli or fiery bravas tomato sauce; Rosa’s serves theirs with both – ultracivilised, IMHO. The chunky potato wedges were done to a turn, being firm, slightly browned and plentiful; all in all, a tuberous triumph. A flame-grilled Galician squid with black pepper sauce was a delicate, tender little thing, with crisp noodles and a flurry of spring onions .

The pudding choice is limited. Churros, a born crowdpleaser, is always a temptation, but we opted for a lighter orange blossom crème caramel with quince membrillo, the latter surprisingly savoury rather than the teeth-jarringly sweet variety.

Rosa is a good choice for those evenings where you might want a convivial night’s dining but aren’t quite sure which corner of the globe your tastebuds fancy. Tim Denny is clearly not trying to reinvent the gastronomic wheel; instead, he’s offering cuisine that is well-prepared, with contemporary and ethnic touches in equal measure. Perfect when you don’t want to commit to a conventional dinner, but still fancy a treat.

DINING DETAILS 85 Whiteladies Rd, Bristol BS8 2NT: Tel: 0117 973 9302 Opening hours Monday-Saturday open noon-11pm; Sundays noon-5pm We visited Tuesday evening Prices Most tapas portions around £5-£7, although the whole Galician beef rib is £25; desserts £5.50-£6; also a set lunch menu £11.95 two courses, £13.50 three Drinks An adventurous list features a regularly-changing selection of Bristol-brewed beers, sherry, sparkling vintages ranging from Japanese sake to prosecco, and a creditable choice of Old and New World wines – with a large selection available by the glass Vegetarian choice choice of several dishes Service friendly Atmosphere remarkably lively for a cold November night

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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

Adrian Kirikmaa

TAKE FIVE

A

drian Kirikmaa is a guy with a finger in many pies. He’s won numerous foodie awards; he’s food development manager for St Monica Trust and is just about to launch The School of Food with Josh Eggleton, a cookery school run by local chefs with the aim of inspiring young people to choose a career in food while helping to fill the massive shortage in skilled chefs and FOH staff.

Actually, that’s just a tiny bit of the work Adrian does. But for this issue, we wanted to know about his involvement in the new Chocolate Quarter in Keynsham…

Adrian, what do you most love about the Bristol food scene?

There has been an explosion in the scene over the last 10 years, doubling the number of restaurants in the city. There’s such diversity in Bristol, with lots of different cultures influencing local food. I also love that all Bristol’s top chefs network regularly, combining their talents, and eating in each other’s restaurants.

How did you become involved in the Chocolate Quarter?

I’m the food development manager for St Monica Trust, and I’ve been working on 60 I BRISTOL LIFE I www.mediaclash.co.uk

Ben Sacree

It may sound like a gritty prison drama, but B Block is the latest foodie offering from the indefatigable ADRIAN KIRIKMAA

the Chocolate Quarter project for the last 18 months, developing two new dining experiences – B Block, and what will be Somer Dining.

We like the name B Block, though (OK, because) it sounds like a prison drama Ha ha, lots of people say that! It was a homage to the original building, which was called Block B. We wanted to create an industrial feel, with something that respected the original chocolate factory.

Who’s in charge of the kitchen?

The executive chef is Gareth Gartledge, a young, talented, homegrown chef who oversees the whole operation. The B Block pizza side of things is run by chef Ben Sacree, who previously worked at Flour and Ash.

different recipes for our pizzas to achieve perfection, while Gareth’s working on the menu for Somer Dining which will be based on British bistro style. We’ve also been working closely with Josh Eggleton, who’s consulting on the project.

What’s the style of the décor?

Industrial stripped-back style with reclaimed pine tables and chairs, and salvaged strip lights from local factories.

We’ve kept it very open-plan, so you can see the chefs at work and the pizza oven firing up.

What’s your favourite thing on the menu?

My current favourite pizza is the Iberico Chorizo with pickled jalapeños. I’m a big fan of chillis and chorizo.

What’s on the menu?

We offer breakfast, lunch and dinner.

You can choose from Mexican eggs or sourdough bacon sandwiches for breakfast, and toasted ciabattas and lovely homemade salads with flatbreads for lunch. In the afternoon we also offer top-quality coffee from Wogan’s and a selection of homemade cakes. And then there’s the pizza . . .

We’re not short of top pizza joints in Bristol – why we should pay you a visit in Keynsham?

Good question! Because we have a passion for great food and use the finest seasonal ingredients. We have worked really hard researching our recipes to achieve perfection, and above all they’re right tasty.

How did you put the menu together?

Ben has spent many months researching

For more www.b-blockpizza.co.uk

FOOD & DRINK

FOODIE FRIENDS?

TESTING, TESTING...

Christmas shopping? Foodie friends are SO easy to please...

Ivy Centenary Gin, £50 Have you SEEN how beautiful The Ivy looks at Christmas?

They’ve just released this handmade gin to celebrate their 100th birthday, using English ivy and other wild, herbal and aromatic botanicals; available as a limited edition gift box, £50 www.the-ivy.co.uk

12 chocolate robins, £7.50 On the 12th day of Christmas, give your true love these fat little caramel chocolate robins, who have clearly eaten ALL the mince pies...

Shop ’til you Farmdrop No, that’s not our kitchen; we wish. But that does look a bit like our recent Farmdrop delivery. We’ve mentioned these dudes before; they’re online ethical grocers who allow you to order fresh food straight from the local farmer; it’s as easy as Tesco Online but so much better for you, the environment and the indie producers.

We tried their ‘Farmdrop essentials bundle’ (£50.70; look out for the new-customer £20 off voucher) designed to offer a taste of what’s on offer. We loved being introduced to new produce such as Dorset Dairy’s answer to Greek yoghurt and pancetta from Somerset Charcuterie; you’ll also spot plenty of familiar names such as Reg the Veg and Blagdon’s, too. www.farmdrop.com

www.hotelchocolat.com

All of the meats

Pony & Trap mug, £9.50 We love this china mug from our favourite country pub restaurant; all animals pictured likely to be on the menu at some point, apart from Josh’s springer, Winslow www.theponyandtrap.co.uk

And we mean all – we were like kids in a sweetie shop when we rolled up at Meat Box in Cargo 2. We selected a chunky 1.35k leg of lamb, £26, and no exaggeration folks, it was the best we’ve ever roasted. As ethically sourced and traceable as it was tasty, as you’d expect from team Story Farm. www.meatboxbristol.co.uk

Chilli Alchemist apothecary bottle, £9.99 (or £4.50 small 5oz bottle) Fab-looking bottles; the sauces are made from very fresh ingredients with a range of heat levels

MORE TASTY BITES Pizzarova are celebrating their second birthday with a Bottomless Pizza and Prosecco Party on Thursday 7 December – it’s just £15, for as many pizza slices as you can eat, with limitless Prosecco until 11pm; you can then work it all off by throwing some tasty shapes on the dancefloor.

www.chillialchemist.co.uk

www.getawriggleon.com

Christmas claret, £59.94 Six bottles of dependable vintage claret, ideal for Christmas celebrations or as a gift, direct from the chateau in a smart wooden box www.dbmwines.co.uk

In the latest chapter of ‘When does Josh Eggleton ever sleep?’ comes news of The School For Food.

Together with Adrian Kirikmaa, Josh has joined forces with Weston College, St Katherine’s School and Ashton Gate Stadium to create the South West’s newest vocational programme for chefs, in order to address the dearth of great new talent in the hospitality industry. The School is open to young people looking for an entry point into the industry, as well as those already working within restaurants, hotels and food businesses; the course will be taught by chefs, offering apprenticeships with the best establishments in the South West, and offering visits to food producers, artisans and the opportunity to cook at high profile events and locations. www.school-of-food.co.uk

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

Reach the best in the west Affluent, active and influential and just a call away

Bristol Life team 01225 475800

Happy New Year from all the team at Wellbourne!

New Year’s Eve at Wellbourne

We’re now taking bookings for New Year’s Eve. For £55 per head, have a look at our exclusive 6.30pm sitting.

We’re now taking bookings for New Year’s Eve. For £75 per head, have a look at our exclusive 9pm sitting.

CHAMPAGNE & VOL AU VENTS

CHAMPAGNE & VOL AU VENTS

Grilled Jerusalem artichoke, black truffle & hazelnuts Steamed Scallop with Oscietra caviar & sea vegetables Roast venison saddle, smoked creamed potato, spinach stalks & pickled elderberries Soaked sponge, burnt orange & caramelised buttermilk Coffee and Chocolates

Grilled Jerusalem artichoke, black truffle & hazelnuts Langoustine, seaweed butter Mushroom broth & kinome Steamed Scallop with Oscietra caviar & sea vegetables Roast venison saddle, smoked creamed potato, spinach stalks & pickled elderberries Soaked sponge, burnt orange & caramelised buttermilk Chocolate fondant Coffee and Chocolates

To book please quote ‘Bristol Life’ Email : clifton@wellbourne.restaurant Phone : 0117 2390683 A full deposit will be taken on booking

a

@_Wellbourne

@wellbourne.restaurant

25 The Mall, Clifton, Bristol BS8 4JG

FOOD & DRINK

CAFÉ SOCIETY Sta n Cullimore

SOUCHONG, SO GOOD But what about the coffee, Stan?

H

ow would you like to try the best coffee in Bristol? Silly question, really. There’s only one answer. When we were in Clifton recently, and my son posed that very question, I demanded he take me to the relevant Shangri-la immediately.

We strolled down Boyce’s Avenue, past the deserted ‘Clifton Ice Rink,’ skipping a bevy of beautiful coffee shops, not stopping until we reached the posh stationery shop. Then we turned left onto King’s Road. At which point I

realised we weren’t going to one of the usual Clifton suspects; we were going off-piste.

When we stopped outside Twelve – located, uncontroversially enough, at number 12 King’s Road – my expectations were high. First impressions were good; the place has what’s known in the trade as kerb appeal. Walking through the door somehow feels like you’re walking into a friend’s front room; as it turned out, our son knew the young lady behind the counter, too, which was a bonus.

As they chatted, we checked out the menu.

It’s a breakfasts/bagels/sandwiches/cakes type

of gaff, and we were in the mood for savoury elevenses. My companions plumped for various breakfast bagels while I decided to put the kitchen to the test by going for a modern day classic. Seems like you’re never more than five metres from a smashed avocado these days. So I asked for one on toast, and got ready to be judgmental.

Which is when I realised how calm and peaceful I suddenly felt. Everyone seemed happy just to be there. Good vibes filled the air. Though, to be fair, that could have been the scent from the fresh flowers on every table; hard to tell.

The food arrived promptly and ticked every box perfectly. Of course, big question is, what about the coffee?

Sadly, I never found out. While chatting to the young lady behind the counter, Lapsang Souchong came up in conversation – the smoky tea which gets its distinctive taste from the pinewood fires used to dry it. Being a simple soul, the minute I knew it was available, I wanted some. So that’s what I had.

Which means I never did find out if they make the very best coffee in Bristol. Though I must admit, it was a damn fine pot of tea. Hit the spot. The avocado on toast with chilli and lime was topnotch too.

Looks like a bit more research might be needed.

Former Housemartins guitarist Stan is now a journalist and travel writer www.stancullimore.com

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KEG - CASK -CAN QUALITY, UNFINED & NATURALLY CONDITIONED TAP ROOM SHOP BREWERY TOURS EVENTS

01179 414 460 www.moorbeer.co.uk Days Rd, Bristol, BS2 0QS

a @drinkmoorbeer #drinkmoorbeer

Apothecary Edition bottles £9.99 each

Each sauce is designed for taste and built around the flavour notes of the chilli(s) used, using fresh ingredients and a range of heats levels from mild to very hot.

Each apothecary bottle is individually boxed and easy to wrap - the perfect gift for christmas!

For more information please visit www.chillialchemist.co.uk

A D V E R T I S I N G F E AT U R E WA P P I N G W H A R F

Seasons Greetings from Wapping Wharf

wappingwharf.co.uk

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WA P P I N G W H A R F A D V E R T I S I N G F E AT U R E

INDEPENDENT CRAFT BEER BOTTLE SHOP WITH SPECIALITY, QUALITY & AFFORDABILITY AT OUR CORE. CHRISTMAS BUNDLES NOW AVAILABLE.

Beer Necessities Unit 22, Cargo 2, Museum Street, Wapping Wharf BS1 6ZA Tel: 07709628208 a @TBNBristol

x @TBNBristol

The second of Shambarbers unique independent salons is nestled down @Cargo. Providing the finest salon services for him and her in a relaxed friendly space.

- WAPPING WHARF (0117) 933 0953

- 43 STOKES CROFT (0117) 942 2087

FOR MORE INFORMATION: WWW.SHAMBARBER.CO.UK

Silver amoebic brooch

by Ernest A. Blyth, for George Tarratt Ltd, Birmingham 1964.

MOKOKO COFFEE & BAKERY 2 Gaol Ferry Steps, Wapping Wharf, BS1 6WE Phone: 0117 929 0177

www.mokokocoffee.com

Monday to Friday, 7:30-5:30. Saturday 8-6:30. Sunday 9-6:30.

Scandinavian & British Design Led Vintage Jewellery, Silver and Metalware

07914 764 936 johnkelly1880@hotmail.com www.johnkelly1880.co.uk

A D V E R T I S I N G F E AT U R E WA P P I N G W H A R F

Try our Christmas flavours of gelato and peruse our fine selection of exquisite homemade and continental chocolates.

Find presents which you won't find in the stores.

anta Great Secret S gifts too!

Unit 7, Cargo 2, Museum St. Bristol BS1 6ZA Tel. 03309000339 | www.oliversicecream.co.uk

A D V E R T I S I N G F E AT U R E WA P P I N G W H A R F

“MOBIUS WORKS HAS AN EXPERIENCED AND TRUSTED TEAM… THEIR ATTENTION TO DETAIL AND PROFESSIONALISM HAS HELPED US DELIVER OUR CONCEPT TO ITS FULL POTENTIAL”

MOBIUS WORKS All integrated services firms are not the same...

M

obius is a leading integrated services company providing innovative solutions to the commercial, industrial and luxury residential sectors.

Our complete service covers every aspect of your electrical, mechanical or build project from the initial design and installation through to ongoing maintenance.

We believe that our dynamic culture sets us apart from the rest. Our experienced and skilled team takes a proactive approach to ensuring we achieve the highest possible standards in completing your project on time and to a pre-agreed budget, every time.

Based in Bristol, we are very proud to have been involved in the re-development of the new harbour side quarter at Wapping Wharf.

Based on land that was previously derelict, this development includes an eclectic mix of residential and commercial contemporary buildings together with the innovative development, Cargo – an area made entirely from converted shipping containers Umberslade needed to appoint a main contractor to design and install the mechanical and electrical elements of CARGO and Mobius were selected selected as the ideal partner for this project.

IN SHORT, MOBIUS: • Designed and installed the mechanical and electrical elements of the CARGO 1 and 2 developments.

• Insulated and ply-lined the shipping container retail units ready for tenant works.

• Acted as main contractor.

• Coordinated landlord and tenant works.

• Carried out bespoke fit-outs for various tenant retailers.

• Provides services for on-going maintenance of CARGO 1 and 2.

Mobius Works Ltd t: 0117 403 8560 w: mobiusworks.co.uk e: Hello@ mobiusworks.co.uk

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WA P P I N G W H A R F A D V E R T I S I N G F E AT U R E

WHAT’S on at the WHARF Our selection of some of the best places to visit on Wapping Wharf

BEER NECESSITIES Unit 22, Cargo 2, Wapping Wharf, Bristol BS1 6ZA We provide a careful balance of accessible favourites in the fridges and a whole wall of more rare, eclectic treats to take away. Growlers and a choice of beers on keg to fill them will also be part of our story.

We have a permanent Deya Brewing line to fill our reusable vessels as well as a rotating local pale ale line. Our Growlers are airtight, swing top glass bottles available in 1-litre or 2-litre sizes.

Bristol is an amazing city for craft beer so we can’t wait to work with the great breweries on our doorstep as well as those further afield. This Christmas we will be offering a limited number of beer advent calendars, beer gift boxes and a special selection of hard-to-come-by beers from Sweden, Belgium and America on our shelves.

BETTER FOOD 1-5 Gaol Ferry Steps, Wapping Wharf, Bristol BS1 6WE Better Food brings you a Christmas full of heart and soul, fun and excellent good taste. For 25 years we’ve championed the best local and organic food and drink. In fact, we’re your one-stop ethical shop, with a huge range to suit all lifestyles and dietary requirements. But we don’t stop there … we also bring you eco-

friendly gifts, health and bodycare ranges, alcohol and even Christmas trees. And if it’s a whipped creamtopped, richly-filled crumbly mince pie you’re after, we can do that, too.

JOHN KELLY Unit 4, Cargo 2, Wapping Wharf Bristol BS1 6ZA John Kelly 1880+ is the place to come for that special Christmas gift or standout party adornment.

Iconic and beautiful vintage jewellery by the very best Scandinavian and British designers, all as awe-inspiringly stylish today as the day they were made and first loved.

Not only is there a comprehensive selection of jewellery, there’s also an assortment of design-led silver objects and metalware. And if the choice is overwhelming, and you can’t decide which piece would make the ideal present, we also offer gift vouchers as the perfect solution.

MOKOKO COFFEE 2 Gaol Ferry Steps, Bristol BS1 6WE In the spring of 2016 we opened our third Mokoko in the fabulous area of Wapping Wharf in Bristol. This new shop is also home to our brand new open-plan bakery (with real sunlight flooding the kitchen, rather than fluorescent strip lighting), with customers who we could talk to, who

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

could in turn watch us chop, weigh, mix, knead and bake to their heart’s content.

Alongside the bakery we bring our passion for creating beautiful coffee catered to the customer. We quickly realised that there is no right or wrong, there are just preferences.

Some wish to embark on a spiritual coffee journey while others have the journey taken care of with their daily commute and simply want what they already know and love. If it ain¹t broke, don’t fix it!

OLIVER’S ICE CREAM Unit 7, Cargo 2, Wapping Wharf Bristol BS1 6ZA Oliver’s Ice Cream all started when we were sat round the dinner table one Sunday as a family.

We had recently returned from Germany, where we had visited a little ice-cream parlour in somebody’s back garden – the setting was not inviting, but the ice cream was fabulous! We started to excitedly discuss the possibility of opening a parlour here in the UK, making ice-cream which was just like – and even better – than what we had experienced in Germany.

Many years later, several visits to Italy, one false start, and days spent learning the art from seasoned Italian chefs, and making it until we were totally ‘ice-creamed out’, we decided the time had come . . . and Oliver’s

was born. We hope you will enjoy eating our ice-cream as much as we enjoy making it!

PORTSIDE GALLERY Cargo 2, Wapping Wharf Bristol BS1 6ZA We have a fantastic range of beautiful arts and crafts that will make the perfect gift; each one an unique original, from hand-crafted jewellery and ceramics to bright and colourful fused-glass pictures and paintings.

We cater for every budget, from a lovely little hand-painted robin to a stunning statement seascape.

Come and see for yourself; we¹d be delighted to welcome you to our gallery.

SHAMBARBER @Cargo, Wapping Wharf Bristol BS1 6ZA The second of Shambarber’s salons is now open at CARGO. It’s a compact version of the flagship Stokes Croft branch, which has been open since 2012, fitted out in Shambarber’s unique style. Shambarber@Cargo is a independent salon offering creative cutting, styling and colouring for men and women.

The Shambarber@Cargo team prides itself in creating a relaxed, friendly environment focused on delivering great hair and a fun experience.

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All I want for Bristmas is booOOze . . . which poses no problem whatsoever for Santa’s elves, because the Bristol craft drinks scene has never been more varied or exciting

Six o’clock strikes us as a little late in the day to get stuck in

CHRISTMAS SPIRIT

T

he Bristol drinks scene has come on in leaps and bounds since we launched this magazine in 2004 – the same year, as it happens, that Bristol Beer Factory was established, offering exciting new tweaks to classic brews.

Since then we’ve seen the emergence of many new craft beer labels, as well as craft cider and spirits. Drink fests abound – there’s Beer Week, Craft Beer Festival, a twice-yearly Cider Festival, gin, whiskey, rum and tequila fests, and don’t even get us started on all the cocktail events. Bristol likes to drink, and it likes to drink well; this is a progressive, locally conscious city, that expects its drinks producers to match up.

MOOR BEER

Based near the back of Temple Meads, Moor have been brewing for the past 10 years. They produce dozens of different beers every year, and package them in cask, keg and can; they have been recognised by CAMRA as the first producers of can-conditioned real ale.

“Our beers blend the flavour-forward approach of American beer with German natural brewing and British secondary fermentation,” says events manager Darran McLaughlin. “This creates beers that are exceptionally drinkable, natural, and flavourful. It also means they are unfined (no fish guts!) and therefore vegan-friendly.”

Where can we try your drinks?

We make all our beers onsite, as well as having a tap room where you can taste them fresh every day. We have 10 beers on tap and regularly have food pop-ups and brewery tours. Bars and outlets include the Barley Mow, Brewdog, the Hare on the Hill, Corks, The Lanes, Small Bar, Beer Necessities, The Tobacco Factory, Bottles and Books, the Bag of Nails and many more.

THE

BRISTOL BOOZE SCENE

IS FULL OF PASSIONATE,

CREATIVE

PEOPLE CONSTANTLY

FINDING NEW AND INNOVATIVE

WAYS OF GETTING PISSED

Tell us about a few unusual lines We brew some really interesting experimental beers that are fantastic with food, such as our smoked rye ale, Smokey Horyzon, and our mango tea pale ale, Do It Together.

What have you got in store for Christmas?

Old Freddy Walker is our universal go-to Christmas beer, as it tastes like liquid Christmas pudding. During the winter we bring back our porters: we have a version with port wine called Ported Amoor, and B-Moor, which is reminiscent of blueberry chocolate cheesecake. New for this year is Rey of Light, an IPA to commemorate the release of Star Wars Episode 8.

What’s your signature drink?

Our best selling beer is Nor’Hop, a golden ale that everyone tries to emulate. It is amazingly flavourful, refreshing and drinkable, with a hazy golden colour, aromas and flavours of citrus fruit, honey, and biscuity malt, featuring hops from America. So’Hop features hops from Australia with tropical fruit flavours, and Union’Hop showcases modern English hops we help develop.

How does Bristol compare to California, where Moor’s founder Justin Hawke grew up?

Bristol shares features with some of the great American beer cities like San Diego and San Francisco. It’s smaller and more laidback than London, it has a high concentration of craft breweries and pubs who all support each other; it also has a great food and coffee scene. People in Bristol are very open-minded, with sophisticated palates. Bristol is also close to lots of farmland, so people are more aware of provenance and freshness. w www.moorbeer.co.uk

Psychomp, qu’est-ce que c’est?

Don’t just stop at the classic G&T

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CHRISTMAS SPIRIT WIPER AND TRUE

We love both the taste and the branding of these St Werburgh’s-based brews; the names are simple enough (Wheat Beer, Table Beer, etc) but the golden labels are both beautiful and intriguing.

“We are alchemists and inquisitors, exploring ideas for new and enticing brews each and every day,” says commercial director Martin Saunders. “Water, malt, yeast and hops – simple ingredients that give us eternal possibilities. We explore, harness and celebrate them to try to create something extraordinary.”

Where can we drink your beer?

A good place to head to is King Street, where hopefully The Volley, Small Bar, King Street Brewhouse and Kings should be pouring our beer. On Gloucester Road, head for The Love Inn, Canteen, The Gallimaufry or The Hillgrove.

If you are in St Werburgh’s on a Saturday, come and visit our tap room at the brewery.

What are you having?

At a bar, look out for either Kaleidoscope Pale Ale or our Milk Shake Milk Stout – the latter has just won a five-star rating at the recent IWSC beer awards, something only 12 other breweries in the world achieved. At the brewery we have an exclusive India Pale Ale, Phantasmagoria which is served direct from the tank.

What’s in store for Christmas?

Plum Pudding Porter, an Orange & Cranberry Berliner Weisse and a Fig & Quince India Pale Ale.

IT’S THE

REASON I CALLED OUR BAR ‘BRISTOL SPIRIT’ – I ADMIRE

THE BUCCANEERING BRISTOLIAN

ATTITUDE HUGELY

Any fun events coming up?

We’ll be at The Volley on 7 December for our party; we’ll have 26 different beers on. www.wiperandtrue.com

LOST AND GROUNDED

When Aussie couple Alex Troncoso and Annie Clements moved to Bristol, the gift they brought us was their fine speciality lager and Belgianinspired ale.

“We wanted to establish a Bristol business that focused on great lager,” says Alex. “We’re fascinated by the precision of German brewing and the idiosyncratic nature of Belgian beers, and we chose the brewhouse of our dreams that could help us make these wonders of fermentation.”

Where can we sample your drinks?

The Green Man in Kingsdown, Strawberry Thief in Old City, Small Bar in King Street and Crofter’s Rights are all safe bets.

What are you having?

We set up Lost and Grounded with the aim of making the most perfect version of an unfiltered lager (‘kellerbier’) that we could. Our main beer is Keller Pils, an unfiltered Pilsner that is slightly hazy with a lemony-hoppy edge.

Where can we stock up for Christmas?

Corks, Beer Necessities in Wapping Wharf, Better Foods, Coffee+Beer on Cotham Hill, Avery’s. . .

How’s the craft beer scene in Bristol?

We have a diverse range of brewers making a full spectrum of beers. It’s crazy to see how much things have developed over the recent years across the UK, and we think Bristol brewers are right up there with the best of them. www.lostandgrounded.co.uk

BRISTOL CIDER SHOP

The UK’s Independent Cider Retailer of the Year 2015, Pete Snowman’s specialist cider and perry shop is Bristol’s go-to for the amber nectar.

They’re passionate about cider and only stock the proper full-juice stuff (basically, that’s artisan/ craft cider). Everything they sell is made within 50 miles of the shop by the best in the West.

Where can we try your drinks?

At our shop in Wapping Wharf. You’re welcome to pop in and try some cider any time and we hold Introduction to Cider tastings every Friday night.

What are you having?

Everything from traditional scrumpy to Champagne-style cider and Cider Brandy.

What have you got in store for Christmas?

Our new Cider Tasting Kits – now you can hold an expertly tutored cider tasting at home.

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What’s your signature drink?

Mulled cider made with proper farmhouse cider, a special blend of spices and a healthy dose of Somerset Cider Brandy.

That’s the spirit: with mini-bottles from £4.24, Sam Espensen’s gins and vodkas would look simply adorable in a Christmas stocking Below: Coffee or beer? Both, please

What’s the current Bristol booze scene like?

Amazing – it’s full of passionate, creative people that are constantly finding new and innovative ways of getting pissed. www.bristolcidershop.co.uk

COFFEE AND BEER

Dan Williams’s Cotham Hill shop stocks specialty coffee and craft beer from breweries close to Bristol and further afield in the UK. They also bottle different beers from their six taps and have an off-site licence.

What do you recommend we try?

Plum Pudding Porter from Wiper and True is a great winter beer from a fantastic local brewery; and anything from Verdant is worth checking out.

What have you got in store for Christmas?

We will be selling special gift boxes of beer, bespoke mixed cases and also have some pretty unique beers on the shelves for the beer-lovers.

What’s your signature drink?

I suppose it should be some sort of coffee beer; the Dark Alliance from Moor Beer with Clifton Coffee is a real winner.

Why do you combine coffee and beer?

I believe the UK has a truly outstanding coffee and beer scene at the moment. We are roasting and brewing some amazing products and we should be shouting from the rooftops about it.

I want us to be the shop that showcases this.

How do you select your coffee and beer?

I select my products from some of the best roasters and brewers in the UK –

a selection that attracts different customers. If I was stocking just for myself, I would only have big juicy IPAs and natural coffees. www.coffeeandbeer.co.uk

SIX O’CLOCK GIN

They may be best-known for those sexy blue bottles that you can never quite bring yourself to throw out, but it’s not all about the juniper at 6 O’clock: as well as four gins, they produce vermouths and fruit liqueurs, under the Bramley & Gage label. The guys love to welcome the public into their Thornbury distillery; novices can try the ‘gin experience’, while those who want to delve deeper can join a distillery tour.

Where can we buy your drinks?

You can pick up a bottle at Corks, Grape & Grind, Weber & Trings, The Better Food Co, as well as in many delis and food retailers.

What do you recommend we try?

The Brunel Edition! While we are incredibly proud of the success that our flagship 6 O’clock Gin has had, the Brunel is so exciting and perfect for Bristol – bold and adventurous, much like the man himself. It’s great for mixing in cocktails or for bringing out when you want to indulge in a warming, spicy and complex G&T. What have you got in store for Christmas?

We’ll be found popping up at various Christmas fairs throughout December. With so much going on in the city, we’re really excited about getting out and about and showing people our wonderful range of products.

How should we serve your gin?

Our 6 O’clock Gin is the perfect choice for a quality G&T. We recommend adding a piece of lemon peel, as those citrus oils really set off the coriander and juniper in the gin. The Damson Gin is great with ginger beer or, at this time of year, try adding a good splash to a pan of warm, mulled apple juice. The Sloe Gin is delicious served straight up – we always tuck into a bottle with a nice cheese board on Christmas Eve. The Brunel Edition is great in a G&T with a slice of orange, which compliments the cardamom perfectly, or mix it up into a cocktail; you can find lots of ideas and recipes on our website. www.6oclockgin.co.uk



www.mediaclash.co.uk I BRISTOL LIFE I 75

CHRISTMAS SPIRIT ESPENSEN SPIRIT

Sam Espensen began by experimenting at home with sloe gin and vodka. It quickly grew to the point where she had nearly 100 Kilner jars of spirits in the cupboard under her stairs, at which point she started to think about how she could turn her drink-making hobby into a serious business. In partnership with Phil Gillies, Sam now makes naturally infused gins, vodkas and whiskies up in St George, as well as running the Bristol Spirit bar and shop.

“Our current range has two gins and six vodkas, and includes Pump up the Jam, a pink gin made with English raspberries, and Ruby Cuby, a rhubarb and custard vodka made with British rhubarb and Madagascan vanilla,” Sam says, alluringly.

Where can we try your drinks?

You can buy them via our online shop, which includes a click and collect service from our bar in Redfield, Bristol Spirit – where you can also try them in a range of cocktails. Our stockists include Independent Spirit of Bath, The Bank, The Olive Shed, Pat’s News & Booze, The Swan at Tytherington and Blagdon Butchers.

What do you recommend we try?

Our limited edition True Romance. You don’t see many sloe vodkas – and this one is really good,

even if I say so myself. It tastes like sour cherries and blackcurrants, and if you’re looking for a winter warmer, this is the one.

MORE BEER, VICAR? No, we said more, not Moor, though either would work. For those keen to explore the UK’s First City of Beer (yes, that would be Bristol), Cogan & Mater have produced a bang-upto-date map of the best places to find craft brews in the city, along with details of 15 breweries and a future map of where all the tap houses will be. And it only costs two quid. www.booksaboutbeer.com/ products/bristol-craft-beer-map

Mr Snowman and his ciders – definitely not just for Christmas (though there’s no better time to mull, with a dash of brandy...)

What have you got in store for Christmas?

We’re selling gift sets of our festive boozy baubles in lovely gift boxes, which our bigger bottles look really great in, too. And if you’re looking for something a bit silly, we’ve got our Boozebuster Boxes – two 5cl bottles inside a VHS tape case – which have been flying out of the door as fast as I can make them.

Is the drinks scene in Bristol strong?

I’m not sure if the scene is stronger than it is in other UK cities, but Bristol as a whole is certainly seeing a big surge in drinks popularity. What I do think Bristol has more of is a great history of not being scared to do things differently, and a belief in helping each other out – competition is genuinely healthy here. It’s the reason I called our bar Bristol Spirit, as I admire the buccaneering Bristolian attitude hugely.

What other drinks do you sell at Bristol Spirit?

We have lots of local beer and cider including Arbor, Lost & Grounded, Moor, Severn Cider, Honey’s and Honey’s and Stowford Press. www.espensenspirit.com

www.mediaclash.co.uk I BRISTOL LIFE I 77

Adventures in party-going

Tom Morris

SNAPPED!

CLUB CLASS

AC ROS S B R IS TO L , O N E S H I N D I G AT A T I M E

Jane Vivian

Eamon McManus, Charlotte Sapak and Joe Sapak

Otium Partners, the financial and lifestyle management business formed by ex-private bankers Jeff Durant and Katie Moss, held their launch party at the Clifton Club attended by friends, contacts and clients.

Photos Tania Richards

Jane Gibbons

Rose Deans

Katie Moss

Jennifer Cooke, Mark Colfer and Simon Cooke

Ben Hiles, James Grindal, James Kilmartin, Ben Leah, Sam McShane

Eamon McManus and John Paddick

Jeff Durant, Paul Hull, Ben Hiles

www.mediaclash.co.uk I BRISTOL LIFE I 81

Shake-ups/launches/intel/promotions

B R IS TO L G E T S S ER I O US FILM AND TV

LOTTA BOTTLE An estimated 380 FTE jobs were created on-site at Bristol’s Bottle Yard Studios last year, underlining its importance as a key employment driver in the city’s film and TV production sector Located in Hengrove, the Bottle Yard – which as the name suggests, was formerly a winery and bottling plant – is now the largest dedicated studio facility in the South West, and has been attracting a regular supply of UK and overseas film and TV productions to the Bristol area since 2010.

The success of Bristol as a world leader in film production, culture and education was recognised earlier this month when it was named a UNESCO City of Film (page 7). Around 3700 people are employed by independent film and TV companies in the wider Bristol region, working in natural history, animation, post-production, corporate and facilities etc. £140.3 million was generated by this sector in 2016.

Here’s Mayor Marvin Rees: “A major part of our successful bid to become the UK’s second UNESCO City of Film was a demonstrable track record of creating employment and training opportunities in the film sector. These job-creation figures show the growth we’re experiencing in the industry, fuelled in

Demelza had the funny feeling that she wasn’t actually in Cornwall . . .

QUOTE OF THE ISSUE

“EVERYONE SHOULD LEAVE THE PARTY WITH A BALLOON” no small part by having a dedicated studio facility that draws production activity into the city.

“Despite the tough times we face, I remain committed to delivering essential services, while also continuing to invest in our aspirations for the city’s future. One way in which we aim to meet those aspirations is by supporting the creative sectors, and generating investment in the city, that in turn builds homes, creates jobs and helps lift communities from hardship.”

Recent productions made at The Bottle Yard Studios include The Crystal Maze, Poldark, Three Girls, The White Princess, Broadchurch, Sherlock, and Wolf Hall. www.thebottleyard.com

Who never likes an unhappy customer? See page 87

£140.3m THE BIG NUMBER

The amount generated by the local film and TV sector in the wider Bristol area last year For more, see main story

We are a family office business, working with clients and their advisors in the management of all of their financial and lifestyle affairs. www.otiumpartners.com | 0117 226 2101 | a Otium_Partners

BUSINESS INSIDER

THREE OF THE BEST

THE LEGALS HAVE LANDED

Our pick of the most exciting, intriguing or important local business stories right now

FLIGHT CONTROL

Flybe, Europe’s largest regional airline, has announced that after an exhaustive national search involving 24 agencies, McCann has been appointed as its new marketing agency.

The Bristol office will deliver the work, providing a more efficient integrated service offering for Flybe, with its initial scope of work to include advertising, media-buying and production.

“Flybe is the UK and Europe’s largest regional airline, and McCann Central is the UK’s largest regional agency, so we knew it was a great fit from the start,” said Andy Reid, MD at McCann Bristol.

“We’re incredibly proud to have been selected as the single agency to take Flybe to its next destination and beyond.

Being awarded the work is proof of a growing confidence that agencies outside of London have the creativity, skills and capacity to deliver integrated work of this scale to the highest standard.” www.mccannbristol.co.uk

Veale Wasbrough Vizards

Team AMD

Congratulations to Veale Wasbrough Vizards, the winner of the Bristol Law Firm of the Year 2017 (over 15 partners). The award recognises both excellence in the provision of legal services and continued investment to regional and national development.

“It is a great honour to receive the accolade of Bristol Law Society’s ‘Law Firm of the Year’, said managing partner Simon Heald.

“At the heart of our values is our clients being at the centre of the firm. I would like to thank all of our staff who live and breathe these values every day, as it is our people and our culture that set us apart. The fact that Danielle Woods and Ellen Marsh were also shortlisted for Support Team Member of the Year is testament to that.”

Meanwhile, at the same Bristol Law Society’s Annual Awards Dinner on 19 October, AMD Solicitors were named Law Firm of the Year 2017 (up to 15 partners) .

The independent judging panel presented the prestigious award to the firm that showed excellence in the provision of legal services, and that has seen significant development during the year.

In 2017 AMD also celebrated their 20th year as AMD Solicitors, and opened their fourth office on Whiteladies Road. A standout year for the team. www.amdsolicitors.com; www.vwv.co.uk

KEEP CALM AND MAKE MORE TEA Bristol-based Pukka Herbs has been acquired by Unilever. The pioneering brand has a turnover of over £30m, and has been delivering growth of around 30% per annum. It is growing rapidly across Europe and the US, and is the fastest growing organic tea company in the world, with a herbal, fruit and green tea market currently worth 1.6b euros. Trends suggest that it will become even more prominent globally in the future.

Pukka Herbs was founded in 2001 by Tim Westwell and Sebastian Pole (right), using 100% certified, organic and ethically sourced ingredients.

Pukka’s health and wellness philosophy centres around benefitting people, plants and planet – a

clear synergy with Unilever’s own sustainable living plan. www.pukkaherbs.com

BUSINESS INSIDER

CONNECTIVITY

MAKING CONNECTIONS

I

As MD of Triangle Networks, Paul Anslow leads the company’s strategy, discovering and implementing new technologies to help businesses of all sizes to grow and become more competitive in an ever-changing climate n layman’s terms, says Paul, “Triangle’s primary service is the delivery of ultrafast full-fibre connectivity; we add our own voiceover IP services into the mix. We also operate a development ‘lab’ that builds new and interesting apps, focused on making the most from internet and voice services.”

How many people does Triangle employ?

It currently employs 18, but with new ventures on the way, we’ll be looking to add to our current team.

We know you’ve joined forces with CityFibre – what does this mean for the company, and what is the joint aim?

CityFibre is a key part of Triangle Networks strategy. It’s not just a customer-supplier relationship in our eyes; we’re both working hard towards the same goal of providing world-class internet connectivity for Bristol and the rest of the UK. As part of this partnership, we’re able to provide transformational internet services to our customers that few other service providers can.

If we live, say, in a village 10 miles south of Bristol and are blighted by slow or irregular broadband, is there a solution?

There will be, thanks to government-led funding schemes, but this may take time. There are full-fibre networks popping up across the UK, including for example, a project in Somerset to rollout full-fibre to businesses and home users alike.

What other innovations or improvements can you offer?

In addition to our internet services, our IT providers can also provide our ‘voiceover IP’ telephony services, and a vast array of their own business solutions. Underlying everything though is having the ultrafast internet service. Without it, a business may struggle to get the most from their other IT investments.

WE JUST WANT TO SEE BRISTOL REALISE ITS TRUE POTENTIAL AS A LEADING DIGITAL CITY

How do you plan to run it out?

We work collaboratively with businesses and their chosen IT support providers (if they have one) to deliver the connectivity, as it allows our ‘partners’ to package the product as part of their own portfolio. Of course, some of the larger businesses will handle their own IT, so they will engage with us directly. The key message is that it’s available to all. We love to collaborate with everyone and just want to see Bristol realise its true potential as a leading digital city.

Is the service just for businesses, or home-owners too?

Our service is a business service, but there are options for home users coming – watch this space!

Does this replace, say, signing up with BT or TalkTalk?

Yes, there are a huge number of ISPs that businesses can choose from, most of whom have provided service through the likes of Openreach and Virgin. There has been a growth in the number of smaller networks providing low cost, ultrafast services to provide competition to the incumbents, CityFibre being a leader in this movement. Full-fibre will cost more than copper-based services in the short-term, but we rely more and more on internet and cannot afford to let connectivity be a restricting force on our businesses.

How do you market the company?

We talk to everyone! We find that events work well for us and our customers. For example, we run a small event once a month, creating a forum to help us meet businesses in an informal setting.

We gather you held an unusual Chamber of Commerce event . . .

My last event was a powerboat race featuring 20 Thundercat boats, racing between two of our local landmarks for two days.

Why is Bristol such a great place for a business like Triangle? What would make it even better?

Bristol is certainly a great place to be! It has a cool, collaborative culture that I think is fascinating and refreshing to visitors.

From a business sense, Bristol’s organisations seem to balance aspirational thinking with practical delivery, and creativity with professionalism, making it a great community to be a part of.

Are there any ambitious new plans for the company?

We certainly have some ambitious plans, including the expansion of CityFibre’s network into four more cities by next year, but of course our operation and spiritual centre will always be here.

Do you have a motto for success?

I do, I believe that businesses should work with customers not just for them. This collaborative approach can be seen in everything that we do and results in a real win-win. A good friend recently explained this with a phrase that has become my motto in life…

‘Everyone should leave the party with a balloon’. www.trianglenetworks.co.uk

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

SO WHAT’S THE ISSUE WITH THE GIG ECONOMY?

by Tony Forster Consultant at Metcalfes Solicitors

I

t sounds like it is a new concept of working - Gig workers do not work fixed shifts and, in theory , they can work as little or as often as they choose .They carry out tasks – ‘’gigs’’ . They work whenever they want , often from wherever they want . It is not new though - think ‘’freelancing’’ and you will not go too far wrong. It has just been brought up to date by the use of technology (in particular the use of the Internet; Apps and Smartphones). Some experts say almost 15% of the UK workforce are involved in the Gig Economy. The number of people in ‘jobs for life’ is decreasing and as the usage of this technology by businesses to determine their day to day workforce needs becomes the norm this figure will only increase .

The Gig Economy has flexibility as its core proposition. People can earn money without compromising or limiting their family life; social life or any other priority they may have .But this potentially ideal situation is now causing stress, confusion and disadvantage amongst some of those in the workplace.

There are concerns about how the Gig Economy is affecting certain aspects of employment law. Essentially at the root of it are two questions lawyers ( and many accountants ) have had to look at often when considering businesses - Who is employed and Who is self- employed ? The differences are stark. An employee is entitled to a full range of benefits and protections including the right to receive at least the National Minimum Wage; a right to pension provision

and an entitlement to paid holiday pay .In addition they can claim for unfair dismissal and redundancy where appropriate. If a person is self- employed they have few such benefits as an employee does.

Recently there has been publicity surrounding claims by drivers at Uber not to be classed as self – employed, which is the title Uber gave to their drivers. The drivers who brought the claim were successful and were granted entitlement to benefits such as National Minimum Wage and holiday pay (although Uber are, I believe, appealing against this success). Also Deliveroo found the need to change the contract documents they use with their riders. The concerns are growing and they are real. You must always take legal advice immediately any concern arises. Establishing the status of any particular working relationship in the Gig Economy is one where you should look at what actually happens in reality. Often titles and even documents used may be of little help. It is the practical position which is where you need to look .Someone is more than likely employed if they are under the control of some person or business. Thus a business which tells an individual not just what they should do but how they should do it ; when they do it and where they do it more than likely employ that person . Employment status is further strengthened if that person is not free to work for other organisations; has to accept the work given and has to use the tools and facilities of that business.

For a person to have a greater chance to be classed as self- employed they must be in a position where they have no obligation to accept work that is offered. Further that individual must have the ability to determine when and how they work. They do not have to work exclusively for one organisation.

They may be on a finite project with specific parameters – but it will be a project they have chosen to be part of.

In the light of the development of the Gig Economy and some of the concerns that are arising changes in the terms of engagement in many workforce situations will need to be made. Maybe the pointers given above will assist you in how you consider you particular circumstances, if relevant. However do always take proper legal advice at the earliest opportunity. Do feel free to contact Metcalfes. BL

Tony Forster, Metcalfes Consultant tforster@metcalfes.co.uk 0117 945 3040

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

Formerly The Lighting Warehouse

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

WHEN COMMERCIAL ASSETS MEET THE PERSONAL LIFE… “The majority of people don’t really plan well enough for the future,” said NICOLA WALKER, family law partner at IRWIN MITCHELL PRIVATE WEALTH. “We deal with financial situations where people haven’t really thought this will happen to them.”

B

usinesses can be put at risk by far more personal matters, which is why Nicola Walker urges business owners to plan carefully.

“Being in a firm like this where we have such a big and wide ranging business team, there is much more of a focus on acting for people with business interests,' she says.

“It is best to be involved right at the beginning of the story. You have to untangle so much, particularly if a couple are in business together or family assets are involved.

"For example, an up and coming entrepreneur who is doing really well and the business is flying – they don't necessarily think that in 15 years’ time they might be sitting down talking about whether their current partner will get a share of the business they have built.

"As business owners, having to extract that money means implications for the business.

How are they going to get it out of the business? Then it’s getting to the bottom of what the business is worth and other things which are massively disruptive.”

Nicola notes the high profile divorce of Asos founder Nick Robertson, forcing him to sell 1.3m shares through a placing with institutional investors last year to fund his £70m divorce settlement.

The judge was asked to decide how much Robertson’s ex-wife Janine should receive after they failed to come to an agreement on the division of shares and property owned by the entrepreneur, which took Asos from a £12m company when it floated on AIM in 2001, to a £3bn company today.

Stories like that of the former Asos chief executive are the stuff of nightmares for entrepreneurs and successful businesspeople alike, but it is not often that they think about the situation early enough to mitigate it.

“This is not going to happen to everyone,” said Walker, “but on a more moderate level that happens to a lot of people, preparation in any event is therefore key.

“We need to discuss how they want to structure the business; when setting up home with someone, having a cohabitation agreement; how to manage finances, to think about having the right shareholder agreements for instance. Much of what we do centres around providing a sense of stability and knowledge for clients going through that situation when the relationship does break down.

“In terms of planning, the main thing is getting people to think about prenuptial agreements. As advisors now we must be talking about at least the option of a prenup to all our clients but especially the entrepreneurial ones.

“People were sceptical about them in previous years, that they would even have an effect, but the law has moved on massively in the past five years.”

The case of German paper company heiress Katrin Radmacher in 2010 made that clear, after the UK Supreme Court ruled

“DIVORCE WILL REPRESENT A SIGNIFICANT CHANGE TO YOU AND YOUR FAMILY, ESPECIALLY IF THERE IS A BUSINESS INVOLVED” that the husband should be bound by his prenuptial agreement, giving very strong guidance on how prenups should be viewed.

“It gave people reassurance, and meant that we can be a bit more definite that they will benefit from having a prenup in place,” says Nicola.

Separation and divorce is going to represent a significant change to you and your family, especially if there is a business involved. Irwin Mitchell Private Wealth offer unrivalled guidance and methods to support you whatever the circumstance, help you plan appropriately and make the right decisions at the right time.

Contact Nicola on 0117 926 1584 Nicola.Walker@IrwinMitchell.com a @IMFamilyLaw www.irwinmitchell.com One Castlepark, Tower Hill, Bristol, BS2 0JA. For a full list of our offices visit our website. Irwin Mitchell LLP is authorised and regulated by the Solicitors Regulation Authority

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

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A C C O U N TA N C Y A D V E R T I S I N G F E AT U R E

TAXING DECISIONS Rachael Verinder of MILSTED LANGDON takes a look at the ever-increasing tax restrictions on property, and how this might impact on your investments

D

espite the current uncertain economic conditions, investing in commercial and residential property remains highly attractive in the South West, with no apparent cooling of the property market. With ever-increasing tax restrictions for residential property landlords and rising interest rates, the tax structuring of these investments remains as important as ever.

Over recent years we have seen the flat rate annual deduction of 10% for wear and tear of a furnished property abolished, with deductions only allowed for the replacement of furnishings of a similar standard.

We have also seen changes in the tax relief for interest paid. 20% of the interest paid is relieved, rather than the interest reducing profits and saving tax at potentially higher rates. These changes are being phased in over four years, but we are already in the first year of change. In 2017/18 75% of interest paid will be deducted

“INVESTORS NOW FACE AN ADDITIONAL 3% ON TOP OF EXISTING SDLT RATES IF THEY OWN TWO OR MORE PROPERTIES”

from profits under the old rules and 25% will be relieved under the new rules.

The hidden cost of this change is the way in which the relief is given, reducing the tax payable rather than the amount on which tax is calculated. As a result of this some investors may lose entitlement to child benefit, as well as having a higher tax liability, or face the loss of their tax free personal allowance if the change in method causes their income to exceed £100,000.

There are planning steps that can be taken to improve the position, for those affected by the new rules. These changes, combined with low rates of corporation tax, have led to an increase in the number of people owning property in companies. This can be a tax-efficient way of owning property, but does come with an increased administrative burden and some complexity.

The other big area of change is to stamp duty land tax (SDLT) rates for residential property investors. Investors now face an additional 3% on top of existing SDLT rates if they own two or more properties, unless they are replacing a residence. This additional rate is also applied if a trust or company purchases a property.

Given the above tax changes, it seems that commercial property investment may become more attractive. Commercial property is subject to lower rates of SDLT on acquisition and is not caught by the interest changes above.

Pensions remain a very tax-efficient way of owning commercial property, with the income and capital gains in a pension fund being free of tax. Under current pension rules the value of the fund is outside of the inheritance tax net too.

Business owners who buy their own premises can benefit from pension ownership. Both rent and pension contributions can be added to a pension and these should both qualify for corporation tax relief, leading to quick and taxfree growth in the fund.

Whether you are investing in 2 or more residential properties, it is wise to consider your tax position as this will impact the net returns you make.

If you would like further advice, please contact Rachael Verinder at Milsted Langdon, on 0117 945 2500 or rverinder@milsted-Langdon.co.uk. www.milsted-langdon.co.uk Freshford House, Redcliffe Way, Bristol, BS1 6NL. Tel: 0117 945 2500

www.mediaclash.co.uk I BRISTOL LIFE I 93

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PROPERTY

SHOWCASE

NASEBY HOUSE With its arches and balconies and pretty stone quoins, Naseby House makes a stellar first impression – and just wait until you step inside

By L I SA WA R R E N

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

SHOWCASE

W

e have no idea how this house got its name. Nailsea, we could understand; but after extensive research, ie a three-second Google, all we’ve learned is that Naseby is a village in Northamptonshire, famed for civil war handbags back in 1645.

It doesn’t matter. Spacious and elegant, with the cachet of a Clifton address but as close to the city centre as it is to the Village, and with a textbook-perfect balance of original charm with modern comfort, Naseby House is what’s known in the biz as ‘a box-ticker’.

Actually, ‘spacious’ doesn’t really convey how large this home really is. It’s so big that even after seven upperfloor rooms have been put to use as bedrooms, and four reception areas have been deemed living rooms, there are still loads more to be allocated to specialist tasks – there’s a gym, a dedicated plant room, and that’s even before you decide what to do with the rooms that once made a separate annexe. Lease them out again, perhaps. You’ll get good bang for your rental buck on Pembroke Road.

Once you’re on the right side of the gated drive, you’ll find yourself facing a positively baronial front door. Step inside to admire the Victorian tiled floor and elegant arch in the hallway; mosey into the ground-floor living rooms and take in the ornate ceiling and cornicing, the very tall, arched (yes, there are a lot of arches) Venetian windows, working shutters and period fireplaces, complemented by working woodburners.

Think the cosiness is confined to the living rooms?

Think again. There’s underfloor heating in all the bathrooms, shower rooms and the entire lower ground floor, which has been limestone-tiled by Mandarin Stone.

There are a pair of beautiful formal reception rooms with deep bays. The drawing room looks out across the walled back garden, and the dining room, currently used

We’d struggle to fault this spacious, beautiful home with its ideal balance of the old and the new, and an ever-popular Clifton location

HOUSE NUMBERS

7

bedrooms

4

reception rooms

1

gym

17FT kitchen

£2.95M guide price

0.32 acre garden

2008

last refurbishment

PROPERTY

as a snooker room (told you this house had everything) across the front. There’s a study, and a sitting area with a kitchen from the self-contained apartment.

A second staircase leads to the bedroom and shower room of the self-contained apartment, currently used as a gym. The lower-ground floor is mostly given over to a vast open-plan kitchen/family room, in which Italiandesigned units from FCI take centre stage.

There are integrated appliances a-go-go, including a five-burner induction hob, plumbed-in steam oven, electric oven, microwave, induction wok, dishwasher and extractor hood – basically, if you’re into your cooking, but not your washing-up, you’ll think you’ve arrived in heaven. It’s sleek, it’s gleaming, with a sea of Italian brown marble and granite; there is, of course, a separate utility room and cloakroom.

The top floors rejoice in a pleasing outlook over Clifton College Close, with a clear view of the chapel. The first floor includes a master bedroom suite with two dressing rooms and large en-suite bathroom; there are six further bedrooms and three more bath/shower rooms, two en-suite, with the potential to create a further one if four are, inexplicably, insufficient. Alternatively, you can go full-on SJP and keep it as a dressing room.

We can barely bring ourselves to tell you this (though the photo above will probably have given the game away), but Naseby also has a very good-sized garden for a town house, and one that’s beautifully landscaped. The Downs are, of course, a short walk away if more extensive romping and labrador-walking is required.

If we know you, you’re already working out where to put the Christmas tree.

For more; Knight Frank, Regent House, 27a Regent Street, Clifton 0117 317 1999; www.knightfrank.co.uk

www.mediaclash.co.uk I BRISTOL LIFE I 101

BRISTOL LIVES

Q&A

B

ristol’s not exactly short of larger-than-life characters, but Jeff Knight’s an actual, local legend, and a familiar sight in the Croft, where he sells The Big Issue outside Hamilton House.

Jeff fled violence in Jamaica 15 years ago, and ended up in Bristol, sleeping rough on the streets.

“There was too much brutality in Jamaica, too much madness,” he says. “My mother sent me away and told me to start again in England.

So that’s what I did. I’ve moved around a lot but when I came to Bristol, I liked it best. It’s a loving and caring kind of place. Now it’s home.”

Starting to sell The Big Issue transformed Jeff’s life.“I was living on the streets – begging, getting trouble from the police. I spent three years sleeping rough – three years in the wind and the rain and the snow in winter.

“I decided to sell the magazine, to sign up and work at it. It’s been good for me. It’s a way to get to know people; it gives you a bit of money and keeps you steady. I’ve learned not to think too far ahead or to plan too much. That’s when things can go wrong. So I just go with the flow and take each day as it comes. Life is precious, so enjoy it while you can.”

Where in Bristol do you sell The Big Issue?

I come to Hamilton House every day; I sell it right here. The Triangle was my first place, but I’m right here mostly now.

We know you’ve got a lot of friends in the area. Do you see the same people everyday?

Yeah, I know everybody. I see mostly the same people everyday. I see new people pass by and I try and get to know them, and say, “This is me, this is The Big Issue man. This is Jeff, and this is my life, this is my living.” Usually, everyone is great and lovely, you know? But you have good and bad people.

What is it that drives you to be so friendly to strangers?

When I talk to people, I talk to everybody. I try to keep everyone equal, keep everyone on one level. Don’t put anyone above anyone else. And that’s the thing in life that’s so precious.

And how do people respond, on the whole?

There’s a real community feel in Bristol. People want to get to know each other. In some cities, people don’t talk to each other on the streets so

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

JEFF KNIGHT He’s not just the most popular Big Issue seller in town; Jeff’s nothing less than a local legend

By SOPH I E WOOL F Photo a nd a r t by JOH N D’OH much, and I think that’s wrong. But I don’t think that will ever happen here, people will always pull together.

Why do you think it’s so different here?

I don’t know, but most people round here look out for each other.

What do you enjoy the most about selling The Big Issue?

I’m out here a lot. When I’m not on the street and not selling, I’m bored. I’ve got to keep coming out here, keep doing something. I sell seven days a week, and some people ask me when I sleep – but sleep is not my thing.

What part of the day do you prefer?

I love the early mornings, and seeing people just after they’re up. Some people wake up on the wrong side of the bed, and when they see me, they’re happy! And that’s what’s great about it.

I keep going. I’ll keep going until I drop.

There are a lot of characters here. There are good and bad characters – most people are

great and lovely, will do anything for you. And I’m always out here, to greet everybody with open arms, talk to people. You’ve got to socialise with people, and that’s what’s good about it.

We know that you’ve inspired some street art in Jamaica Street, which got covered up, and in North Street.

Yeah, and in Bedminster, and I’ve got one in a café up the road. I’ve got one with a picture and a story over there, and another down the other way. I tell my story, and I’m a Bristol icon!

Has being based outside Hamilton House made a difference to you?

They are like a family in there. I come here every morning and sometimes help out, set furniture out or help them out inside. They look after me, they’re good people, good inside. We’ll be devastated if this place goes. I’d miss all of them here.

Read Jeff’s full story at www.bigissue.com/our-vendors