Bristol Life - Issue 247

Food/Arts/Entertainment/Shopping/Property Issue 247/ June 2018/£3

A LOVE AFFAIR WITH THE CITY

A BIGGER SPLASH

ISSUE 247/JUNE 2018/TOP OF THE POPS

COOL KITCHENS AND BLISS-OUT BATHROOMS

HOW GREEN IS YOUR

WEIRD BRISTOL

THE BOLD, THE BIZARRE AND THE DOWNRIGHT BONKERS

A MONSTER PAYS A CALL

AT BRISTOL OLD VIC

PLANT A SHRUB, SAVE THE PLANET

IN THE NAME OF THE FATHER TOP GIFT IDEAS FOR YOUR OLD MAN

large version

EDITOR’S LETTER / ISSUE 247 / JUNE 2018

14

GROW, NOW

Top local gardeners Will and Jamie couldn’t believe how good the Bristol Life app was . . .

Hot diggerty You’re right; we rarely lead with a garden feature in Bristol Life.

Our bad. And it seems that we’re not the only ones failing to attend to our little patch of Eden, actively harming the environment through our neglect; after hearing words of wisdom from the likes of our cover stars, Will Cooke and Jamie Innes of Artisan Landscapes, we’ve been inspired to get down and dirty in the garden this summer – find our more on page 14.

The silly season in journalism is traditionally high summer, but we like to be ahead of the pack, so we’ve started early with a fun look at the bold, bizarre and downright bonkers side of Bristol’s history.

We’ve also found out what to expect from Sally Cookson’s latest production for Bristol Old Vic, A Monster Calls; met three of the chefs at this year’s Bristol Food Connections; got our science on at We The Curious; shopped for Father’s Day, and explored the opportunities for independent working at Bristol’s co-working hubs – and after all that, felt quite entitled to treat ourselves to dinner at The Arts Café, which impressed us no end – read our review on page 46.

We hope you enjoy our early June issue – there’s another one coming your way at the end of the month. Hopefully by then we’ll all be in full-on summer finery *glares balefully at rain battering window outside*.

See ya,

Deri Robins, editor Twitter @BristolLifeMag Instagram:@bristollifemag

BRISTOL

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Manchester . York . Sutton Coldfield . Bristol . Farnborough . Brentwood . Aberdeen . Tunbridge Wells Beverley . Chichester . High Wycombe . Liverpool . London North . London West . Orpington

REGULARS / ISSUE 247 / JUNE 2018

36

THE ARTS 22 What’s on Something for everyone, as we often say in the trade

28 Theatre A monster’s paying a call at Bristol Old Vic, in a new produced by lauded Sally Cookson

30 Bristol heroes Only in Bristol . . .

36 Weird Bristol

M EET T H E T EAM Editor Deri Robins deri.robins@mediaclash.co.uk Senior art editor Andrew Richmond Graphic design Megan Allison Cover design Trevor Gilham Contributors: Colin Moody, Stan Cullimore, Seb Barrett, Kam Kelly, Lauren Ellis, Jessica Cook, Rachel Ifans Advertising manager Lily Dalzell lily.dalzell@mediaclash.co.uk Account manager James Morgan james.morgan@mediaclash.co.uk Account manager Jake Newland jake.newland@mediaclash.co.uk Production and distribution manager Sarah Kingston sarah.kingston@mediaclash.co.uk Deputy production manager and production designer Kirstie Howe kirstie.howe@mediaclash.co.uk

The bold, the bizarre, and the downright bonkers

SHOPPING

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

42 Editor’s choice In the name of the father

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

FOOD 46 Restaurant Is this the best-value restaurant in Bristol?

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

50 Festivals Food Connections returns with citywide force

BUSINESS

55 Café society

The curious Anna Starkey and Donna Speed, and our handy guide to the best co-working hubs in the city

This one’s from the Harts

A MAN’S WORLD 57 Seb Barrett Baz is laying a blanket on the ground. Albeit reluctantly

59 Kam Kelly

75 Business insider

PROPERT Y 93 Property intro An interior designer’s Cotham home

94 Interiors A bigger splash

102 Real homes That rather lovely home we promised you on page 93

DEPARTMENTS 9 Spotlight 11 Instas 106 Lives

On the cover Will Cooke and Jamie Innes of Artisan Landscapes, photo by Tom Woolf.

More of the green stuff on page 14

Our favourite DJ tells us how he became radio active

76

50

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

28

Do the Bartman

Top to bottom: Soker, Bao and Nomad Clan

ART/FESTIVALS

BRISTOL, TWINNED WITH SPRINGFIELD Big news from Bemmie, by way of LA. The Simpsons are officially coming to Upfest, as part of the festival’s 10th birthday event, when a trio of internationally revered street artists create their own interpretation of the canarycoloured fam between 28-30 July.

The first artist – and all three have been personally selected by Simpsons creator Matt Groening (we know, right!) – is Bao, born and based in Hong Kong, and known for her freestyle work with vibrant murals and illustrations.

She’s joined by Soker, Bristol’s own super-talented wildstyle

writer, and the legendary Nomad Clan, the collective of Cbloxx and AYLO – one of the most sought-after duos in the international global street art scene.

To keep up to date with Upfest, crafted with Posca, sign up to the e-newsletter via the website below.

For more: www.upfest.co.uk

PUBLIC ART

WHO LET THE DOGS OUT?

Feathers McGraw, may we say that you’re looking particularly fabulous today?

The Grand Appeal’s 2018 trail may be named Gromit Unleased 2, but it’s not all about the dog with the world’s most expressive eyebrows. This year, Gromit will be joined by his pet, Wallace, as well his archnemesis, the dastardly penguin criminal mastermind Feathers McGraw.

The 60 sculptures will, as ever, be decorated by high-profile artists and designers; they’ll be placed around the city between 2 July-2 September, before being auctioned off to raise funds for Bristol Children’s Hospital. Details of the trail’s locations have now been released, along with a sneak peek at five of the designs – including an ever-so-slightly spooky-looking Wallace in IKB mode.

For more: www.gromitunleashed.org.uk

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

SPOTLIGHT

COAST DEF Isn’t there something about sunnier days that makes you want to head for the seaside towns near Bristol?

Especially when the photo opps are so exciting?

@jaynebradshaw1

@fromseedstogiants

@dylanchannon

@zcuk

@richmccluskey

@keirgravil

@moodycolin319

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@daviiies

@thesefourwallsblog

@benm.photo

@andrewmaybury

@dylanchannon

@_richardford_

@rogerturner6

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

Our cover stars Will Cooke (also opposite page) and Jamie Innes of Artisan Landscapes

How green is your garden?

Photo by tim woolf

Boost health and wellbeing in your home by planting wisely and designing well. We talk to Bristol’s most green-fingered, to find out how to you can affect the quality of the air around you By r ac h e l i fa ns

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

PHOTO BY TIM WOOLF

GARDENS

WE’RE NOT PUTTING ENOUGH PLANTS IN OUR GARDENS THESE DAYS TO OFFSET THE POLLUTION WE’RE CREATING

O

verall, the UK’s air pollution is improving, but this is not the case when you look at our cities.

Bristol was awarded Europe Green Capital in 2015, and the city makes a big effort towards environmental sustainability, but despite this it has recently been named and shamed in a list of towns found to have unacceptable levels of air pollution.

Large-scale efforts to control and lessen urban pollution have to take place at a higher level, with government and local councils taking decisions that will have a positive impact. However, you can make changes in your homes and gardens that will directly impact the quality of the air in your space.

Let’s start at the top. Why plant a garden in the first place? If you’re on the brink of digging up your patchy turf and hiring a cement mixer, Sheldon Wressell at Eden Garden Design is keen to stop you in your tracks.

“Lots of people make green decisions every day, like purchasing energy-efficient vehicles and appliances, turning off lights when not in use and buying renewable energy, drying clothes on the washing line, using recycled and recyclable products and avoiding plastic bags, but many don’t consider the benefits of simply planting up a garden. Many of us feel overwhelmed or clueless when it comes to garden design or planting schemes, and end up failing to make the most of our outdoor spaces.”

And local gardener Ben Pope feels despondent about the current trend for maintenance-free gardens. “We’re not putting enough plants in our gardens these days to offset the pollution we’re creating, and I barely see any containers hanging off balconies, either. People always say they love the smell of fresh-cut grass and yet I see more and more people getting rid of lawns and replacing with artificial grass. Every time we remove plants we’re taking down the homes of insects and birds – we’re ultimately taking away the things that allow us to breathe.” w

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GARDENS

TREES FOR LIFE

Our first tips for gardeners come in the form of trees. Planting certain types in your front garden can substantially cut air pollution in your home.

Brett Hardy, a gardener working on projects in both Bristol and Bath, explains: “Silver birch is a good tree for reducing pollution, but bear in mind that it produces a lot of pollen, which can pose problems for hayfever sufferers. For large pollution-busting street trees I’d recommend Tilia cordata (lime) and London plane, and for small gardens use crab apple, ornamental cherry and mountain ash.”

Great advice but it’s not as easy as whacking in a few saplings and taking a deep breath. Air flow is also important to consider. Trees can make pollution worse in narrow streets, or where the canopies grow over and cover a road, as these can trap harmful particles. Brett says, “I’ve read that in narrow streets with tall buildings, hedges and shrubs are much better at reducing pollution, particularly conifers. Dense hedges beside roads also help reduce noise levels.”

Will Cooke of Artisan Landscapes adds, “I like birch because it is a very open tree. The leaves are not too dense, so air and wind can disparate pollution while the leaves do a great job at carbon, benzene and nitrogen oxide sequestration. You need a balance of good air flow and leaf mass.”

Don’t be put off larger trees, says Will, but do seek advice. “If possible, get a garden designer and/or landscaper into position and recommend trees for planting. A poorly placed tree can be a monumental problem 20 or 30 years down the line. A good gardener will provide you with tree maintenance plans, too.”

Trees are not the only option for a bit of living screening. Companies like Nemec make incredibly cool urban screens with integral benches to bring greenery to city streets, and make living art installations and cascade gardens, too.

And Ben Pope has a top tip for the bin storage units we all need out front nowadays: “I put low-level, ground-cover shrubs on the sloping lids that are usually felted, and they become green roofs. You can do the same with the bike stores that there’s a trend for at the moment, too. The soil and mulch will hold a lot of moisture, but water will always find the lowest point; if you put a bucket below the sloping roof, you can recycle the rainwater rather than letting it flow away.”

OUT BACK

Trees aren’t just great as shields at the front of your house. They can of course be used at the back – a well-placed tree can provide shelter from the sun when it’s leafy in the summer, and provide solar gains and vital warmth in winter.

Keeping houses at as constant a temperature as possible reduces our dependence on energy supplies, and greenery helps to reduce temperatures in the summer by increasing humidity and providing shade.

Brett says: “In cities and built-up areas there 16 I BRISTOL LIFE I www.mediaclash.co.uk

GREEN ROOFS ARE IDEAL FOR REDUCING POLLUTION AND INCREASING BIODIVERSITY, AND THEY LOOK SO MUCH BETTER THAN A TILED OR FLAT ROOF

INSIDE OUT All our gardening experts wanted to share tips on indoor planting, too Will’s advice is to splash out: “The more the merrier is my thing. Just having houseplants is extremely important, as houses are often poorly oxygenated – and there are so many to choose from. Old Market Plants and The Mighty Quinns Flower Emporium can give you expert advice on which plant to put where.”

Brett backs this up: “Houseplants are a great way of removing toxins and pollutants from the air. Some of the best

Wildflower Turf (www.wildflowerturf.co.uk)

ones are the peace lily, indoor fig, Swiss cheese plant, Boston fern, and the one I use in my home office, mother-in-law’s tongue, is virtually indestructible!”

Meanwhile, Pinkmans Bakery is rocking an indoor garden café. Trailing ivy falls invitingly from baskets, large specimen plants create focal points, Voltasol wobble pots add a bit of fun as table decorations and trough planting offers scented inspiration for chefs.

are a lot of hard surfaces which absorb heat during the day and raise temperatures. This is called the heat island effect, and it can be reduced by fascard planting using deciduous climbers or trees on south-facing walls. Another way is to grow deciduous climbers over a pergola, which provides shading in the summer but lets more light in during the winter.”

He continues: “Back or front, any greenery is going to be of benefit. Front gardens are increasingly being turned over to parking spaces as street parking becomes more scarce, and new-builds are often bad at incorporating greenery. This trend is causing more flooding, due to rapid water run-off, more pollution, more hard surfaces that absorb heat. We have been encouraging our customers for years to come around to the idea of using more planting for front gardens, even where parking is required.

“There are lots of clever ways of doing this, such as having strips of paving to drive over with planting between, gratings to drive over with planting below, and much more.”

Small oasis

The majority of urban gardens are on the small side and although we’ve all marvelled at imaginative mini-garden designs shown at the Chelsea Flower Show each year, that conceive bonkers and brilliant ways to squeeze every bit of space out of a teeny plot, the temptation is always there to simply bung in a few pots, and a chi-chi deckchair and pat yourself on the back while pouring a gin and tonic.

Bristol-based gardener Nicola Greaves has some good tips for cleansing your air (and your conscience).

“I advise fewer large plants, as they will offer more benefit than many small ones. The larger the leaves the better, as they absorb more CO2 from the air. Add a few big, bold, dramatic foliage plants in large pots, containers or raised beds. Tree ferns such as Dicksonia Antarctica create a wonderful green canopy and, suited to cooler, shady spots; they can transform a small urban backyard into an exotic green oasis,” she says.

Will adds: “If you live in a busy and polluted area then I would suggest planting thick evergreen hedging around the garden. This will trap and prevent harmful chemicals wafting into the garden and it will also block out some noise.

Position ornamental planters and raised beds to further shelter from pollution – in fact, the more 

www.mediaclash.co.uk I BRISTOL LIFE I 17

Landscape Design & Build for Bristol and The South West

www.artisanbristol.com

Creating the garden for the

life that you want To book your consultation, please contact us on Tel: 01454 412117 - 07850 655913 Email: enquiries@edengardendesignbristol.co.uk

GARDENS

favourites, the sweetly scented trachelospermum jasminoides (confederate jasmine or star jasmine).”

Don’t forget about cool living green walls.

You can buy modules with self-watering tanks from companies like Woolly Pocket, Verti-plant pockets from Burgon and Ball and vertical allotments from Treebox.

Balconies can be little pockets of perfection too, says Will. “Go vertical, get a shelving system and plenty of pots. You’ll have to do a lot more watering because everything is in pots and exposed more to the wind, but trailing plants and climbers can be really useful to maximise surface coverage of plants. My friend created his own little garden on his balcony which he named Balconia. He loves growing veg and spending time in the Kingdom of Balconia!”

ON TOP OF THE WORLD

Big leaves give structure to urban spaces and are better pollution busters, advises Nicola Greaves

greenery and life you can cram into your garden, the better the air quality will be. Even with a small plot you can have a lot of fun creating your own little microcosm.”

Brett’s tip on cramming the small garden with plants? “Trellis fencing and walls are a great way of maximising the use of plants without taking up much floor space. There are some terrific wall shrubs and climbing plants that give you great flowers, as well as valuable foliage such as ceonothus, akebia quinata, clematis, honeysuckle and wisteria.”

Nicola agrees, and has some compelling facts on pollution-reduction through simple gardening goodness.

“The judicious placement of trees and other green plants in urban areas can reduce concentrations of nitrogen dioxide by as much as 40%, and microscopic particulate matter (PM) by 60%. So go ahead, cover trellis panels with evergreen foliage climbers. Available in a variety of styles and sizes, and simple to erect, they offer a simple, cost effective-way to help trap PM and clean the air. Hedera hibernica (Atlantic ivy or Irish ivy) makes a good evergreen screen, as does one of my

BALCONIES CAN BE LITTLE POCKETS

OF PERFECTION, TOO; GO VERTICAL, AND GET PLENTY OF POTS

In some countries, like Canada, Sweden, Germany and Denmark, green roofs and roof gardens have become very normal and are sometimes considered an essential and necessary part of new-builds.

Brett has a bit of an insight as his company is about to embark on a large roof garden project in Bristol which is using sedum roofing. “Although this is a big job, we are increasingly using sedum on smaller projects too, such as garages and sheds.

Green roofs are fantastic at reducing flooding, adding insulation, reducing pollution, increasing biodiversity, and they look so much better than a tiled or flat roof!”

WHO YOU GONNA CALL? EXPERT GARDENERS & DESIGNERS Artisan Landscapes www.artisanbristol.com Brett Hardy Landscaping www.bretthardylandscapes.co.uk Eden Garden Design www.edengardendesignbristol.co.uk BRP Garden Services www.brpgardenservices.co.uk Greener Designs www.greenerdesigns.co.uk Nicola Greaves www.nicolagreaves.co.uk Pinkmans Bakery www.pinkmans.co.uk PRODUCTS Nemec nemec.co.uk/urban-screens Woolly Pocket www.woollypocket.co.uk Burgon and Ball www.burgonandball.com Treebox www.treebox.co.uk Old Market Plants www.oldmarketplants.co.uk The Mighty Quinns Flower Emporium www.themightyquinnsfloweremporium.co.uk www.mediaclash.co.uk I BRISTOL LIFE I 19

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1 June – 1 July 2018

JUST A FEW SUGGESTIONS FOR YOUR JUNE

Let’s hope Noel needs the shades for The Downs this year; Vanessa Bell by Duncan Grant, at RWA; an alert-looking Alan Davies at Comedy Garden

Exhibitions UNTIL 3 JUNE

SAWDUST AND SEQUINS: THE ART OF THE CIRCUS Major, spangletastic new exhibition of art that celebrates circus, at RWA; rwa.org.uk JAMAICA STREET ARTISTS Doors swing open again to celebrate over 20 years of artistry at this fab collective; jamaicastreetartists.co.uk UNTIL 24 JUNE

GRAYSON PERRY Our favourite Turner Prizewinning tapestry-botherer brings his Vanity of Small Differences exhibition to Bristol. bristolmuseums.org.uk UNTIL 1 JULY

NO MAN’S LAND An exhibition focusing on the female perspectives on World War I; at Bristol Cathedral; bristol-cathedral.co.uk

UNTIL 8 JULY

ALEX CECCHETTI The artist has developed a unique practice which he characterises as the art of avoidance; for more clarification, go along to see his work at Spike Island; spikeisland.org.uk ANDREW MANIA: SNAPSHOT OF A COLLECTION Andrew presents a dialogue between collected 1930-40s photos, selected for their aesthetic or mystery. At Spike Island; spikeisland.org.uk UNTIL 23 SEP

BRISTOL MUSIC Using stories contributed by people from all over the city, this exhibition takes your memories of the history of music in Bristol; bristolmuseums.org.uk 6 JUNE-11 AUGUST

MARLA ALLISON: PAINTER FROM THE DESERT Solo exhibition by Native

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

American artist Marla, who draws both on her Laguna Pueblo heritage and influences such as Picasso and Klee to create her strong acrylics; Rainmaker, rainmakerart.co.uk

Audrey II blooms again at The Redgrave, redgravetheatre.com UNTIL 16 JUNE

A MONSTER CALLS BOV’s spring biggie (see page 28); bristololdvic.org.uk

16 JUNE-9 SEPTEMBER

IN RELATION What happens when art and love collide? RWA’s new exhibition brings together the work of nine artist couples who made an indelible mark on British art; rwa.org.uk

UNTIL 23 JUNE

TOGETHERNESS In parallell with In Relation, an exhibition presenting different examples of collaborative creativity, and how we navigate being and working together; rwa.org.uk

2 JUNE

Theatre & shows UNTIL 2 JUNE

LITTLE SHOP OF HORRORS Man-eating Venus fly trap

MISS SAIGON It’s basically Madam Butterfly set in ’Nam, in Sir Cam’s new production with music by Claude-Michel Schönberg; Hippodrome; atgtickets.com FASLANE With her family having worked at the home of Trident all her life and with friends protesting at the gates, Fringe Firstwinner Jenna Watt explores what happens when the personal and political collide; thewardrobetheatre.com 5-6 JUNE

THE DAMNED UNITED It’s 1974. Brian Clough, the enfant terrible of British

football, tries to redeem his career by winning the European Cup with his new team, Leeds United. The team he has openly despised for years, the team he hates and which hates him: Don Revie’s Leeds. At TFT; tobaccofactorytheatres.com 8-9 JUNE

ENGINE BREAK The English and Indian skeleton crew of a crumbling advertising agency prepare their final pitch: for a global car campaign to end all car campaigns. Belt up for a pedal-to-the-metal road trip navigating questions of growth and progress, and the dreams that connect us. At Wardrobe; thewardrobetheatre.com KATE O’DONNELL: YOU’VE CHANGED It’s 14 years since Kate transitioned, and a lot has changed. However, where gender is concerned, are we still stuck in the dark ages? When there’s no rule book, you just have to write your own; Trinity Centre, www.3ca.org.uk THE NATURE OF FORGETTING A powerful, explosive and joyous piece about what is left when memory is gone, from mime and theatre-spanning company Theatre R; At TFT; tobaccofactorytheatres.com 8-23 JUNE

THE LADYBOYS OF BANGKOK Celebrating 20 diamantéd years, TLBOB’s Wonder Women tour heads to the Downs.

“Nobody leaves without a smile on their face,” they say. ladyboysofbangkok.co.uk 10-11 JUNE

HOUSE OF LUST Burlesque cabaret from Bristol’s acclaimed Lavrak Circus, at Crofter’s Rights; lavrak.org 12-16 JUNE

THREE SISTERS Once again, Chekhov lends himself to a very contemporary reimagining, this time in the hands of RashDash; at TFT; tobaccofactorytheatres.com 13 JUNE

THE LOVE OF STATIONERY Norwegian comedian Lisa

Maria Berg plays Woman – committed to orderly stationery displays and collecting irregular verbs – until a man turns her world upside down, Wardrobe; thewardrobetheatre.com 20-23 JUNE

DOPPELDÄNGER Experimental live music and Baroque-pop mash-ups; gender-twisting visuals and Gothic storytelling, by She Goat; thewardrobetheatre.com 25-30 JUNE

FLASHDANCE The ’80stastic musical about holding onto your dreams, love and legwarmers against all the odds; Bristol Hippodrome; atgtickets.com 25 JUNE -7 JULY

NACHOS A rough-round-the-edges yet diligent DEA agent is given the assignment of a lifetime: stop the flow of illegal tasty nachos flooding Stateside, end the murderous crisp war once for all, and take down the Kingpin permanently. It can only be the Wardrobe’s summer pastiche... thewardrobetheatre.com

Music 1 JUNE

SOUL II SOUL The legendary R&B pioneers are celebrating 30 years in the biz; now they’re back to life, back to the present day with a night of shimmering pop; colstonhall.org 7 JUNE

HEROES AND MONSTERS The full power of Bournemouth Symphony Orchestra is unleashed in a concert packed

Going underground with Chekhov, and a toughie for Cloughie in Leeds; both at TFT

with stirring, epic soundtracks from the silver screen; Colston Hall, colstonhall.org

Comedy 3 JUNE

14-17 JUNE

FOREST LIVE It’s Westonbirt’s annual four-day music bonanza, with headliners The Script (14 June); Paul Heaton & Jacqui Abbott (15 June); Paloma Faith (16 June) and George Ezra (17 June). www.forestry.gov.uk 23-30 JUNE

CLIFTON INTERNATIONAL FESTIVAL OF MUSIC 2018 Bristol’s most exciting annual summer classical music event brings together world-class artists and gifted home-grown talent; tickets, colstonhall.org 23 JUNE-SEPTEMBER

SKYLINE SERIES A new series of outdoor concerts, now at Harbourside.

First up is Echo & The Bunnymen on 22 June, and UB40 on 23 June, www.skylineseries.com

LARRY DEAN: FANDAN Larry’s sold-out Edinburgh show comes to Wardrobe; thewardrobetheatre.com 4, 18 JUNE

CLOSER EACH DAY The ongoing improv comedy soap bubble continues to froth at The Wardrobe; thewardrobetheatre.com 6-10 JUNE

BRISTOL COMEDY GARDEN The comedy week returns to Queen Square with the usual top crop of stand-ups; see Shappi, page 106; bristolcomedygarden.co.uk 8 JUNE

ANDY HAMILTON Flustered because of flux?

Let Andy teach you how to cope with the changes you’ve seen and those yet to

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W H AT ’ S O N

30 JUNE-1 JULY

GRILLSTOCK The UK’s biggest BBQ and music festival is back at Harbourside with all the meats, the music and the mayhem; this year’s headliners are Black Grape and Fun Lovin’ Criminals. grillstock.co.uk

Other Those fun-lovin’ crims are at Grillstock; the shiny cars are at the Bath & West

come. Contains mild peril. At Redgrave; redgravetheatre.com

food, and with luxury tents for hire; southwest7s.co.uk

9 JUNE

1-24 JUNE

PETE K MALLY: LIVE N LOUD From seeing Metallica for the first time to using Bon Jovi lyrics as a roadmap to life, Pete shares his love of music and how it has shaped him as a comedian. At Redgrave; redgravetheatre.com 19 JUNE

TIM KEY: MEGADATE Tim blends poeticals, talking, standing, spotlights, cables, Kronenburg, foot-stamping and old-school wistfulness; at TFT, tobaccofactorytheatres.com

Festivals 1-3 JUNE

SOUTH WEST 7S Celebrating the finest sport and music from across the UK, SW7s has quickly become one of the biggest multi-sports festivals across the South West. Music,

BLOOD & BUTCHERY IN BEDMINSTER Enjoyably gruesome pub walk from the renowned Show of Strength. stagestubs.com 2 JUNE

9-10 JUNE

6 JUNE

The show returns to the Royal Bath & West; and if Pops is more into trains than cars, there’s a miniature railway, too. bristolclassiccarshows.com 23-25 JUNE

DOGFEST Hosted by supervet Noel Fitzpatrick, at Ashton Court; dog-fest.co.uk 24 JUNE

UNTIL 12 JUNE, ON TUESDAYS

BRISTOL REFUGEE FESTIVAL A month-long celebration of the way refugees have contributed to life in the city; bristolrefugeefestival.org

ARTS

GLOUCESTER ROAD PARTY The annual summer shindig, organised by Nailsea Electrical; find ’em on Facebook

BRISTOL GAMING MARKET The first gaming market to come to the South West! Head to the Passenger Shed for hundreds of tables of video games, tabletop games and stuff for sale; bristolgamingmarket.com

Booking now 11 SEPTEMBER

FESTIVAL OF NATURE It’s the 15th birthday celebrations for the UK’s largest celebration of the natural world; bnhc.org.uk 11-17 JUNE

BRISTOL FOOD CONNECTIONS See feature page 50; bristolfoodconnections.com 22-23 JUNE

CIDER SALON A weekend of tastings, talks and dinners across selected independent venues in the West Country’s capital of cider. cidersalon.co.uk

SUMMER FASHION SHOW . . . Alma Quarter style, as Movement Boutique and Bonomini team up to bring you the best summer styles, at Alma Tavern; movementboutique.co.uk 15-17 JUNE

VOLKFEST The grass-roots Volkswagen show and camping weekend at Long Ashton; music from the calibre of Norman Jay, no less; bristolvolksfest.co.uk 16-17 JUNE

BRISTOL CLASSIC CAR SHOW Father’s Day treat klaxon!

THE DOWNS Headlined this year by Noel Gallagher’s High Flying Birds, Paul Weller and Goldie; thedownsbristol.com 18 OCTOBER

JOANNA LUMLEY The fabulousity that is Joanna brings her live tour, It’s All About Me, to Bristol Hippodrome; atgtickets.com 7 MAY-8 JUNE 2019

MATILDA THE MUSICAL The RSC’s runaway hit, based on the Roald Dahl classic and with toons from Tim Michin, comes to Bristol Hippodrome; atgtickets.com

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

F E AT U R E

INTERIORS SPECIAL

WHAT’S THAT COMING OVER THE HILL? …is it a Monster? It sure is – and it’s paying a call at Bristol Old Vic this month, in one of the standout shows of the season

By DE R I ROBI NS Photo s by M A N U E L H A R L A N

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

T H E AT R E

THE MOST SURPRISING DISCOVERY IS THAT THE

STORY DOESN’T NEED LOADS OF COMPLEX DESIGN

AND PROPS TO BRING IT TO

LIFE

How to make a monster hit: rehearsals in progress Right: Sally Cookson

D

irector Sally Cookson is just about to open her new show for Bristol Old Vic. Now there’s a sentence guaranteed to gladden the heart of any seasoned theatregoer. Sally’s given us so many stellar adaptations of classic tales that we’ve almost lost count – there was Peter Pan (so good that the National Theatre used it as their Christmas show), Treasure Island, Sleeping Beauty, Swallows and Amazons . . .

Sally doesn’t exclusively adapt children’s books – her two-part Jane Eyre, for example, was another knockout that transferred to the National – but she always looks for a story with emotion at its heart. As a result, her shows tend to make fully grown adults well up, while thrilling the kids.

Formerly a director for Bristol’s Travelling Light, Sally knows better than anyone that to keep young viewers glued to the stage, there better not be a dull moment; and if the kids are entranced, you can bet that the parents are, too.

It’s not hard to see why Patrick Ness’s multiaward-winning children’s book A Monster Calls, the story of Conor, a boy coming to terms with his mother’s terminal illness, should have appealed to Sally, but let’s ask her anyway.

“I’m always looking for the heart of a story,” she says. “Just after the novel was published, a friend of mine recommended it to me, saying that she thought it would be the sort of thing I’d like to adapt. I bought a copy and read it in one intense sitting, and knew immediately that I wanted to adapt it for the stage.

‘I carried it around in my bag for a couple of years while making other projects, until a serendipitous meeting with Matthew Warchus resulted in him asking whether I’d heard of a book called A Monster Calls. Would I be interested in directing a devised production? I produced the book from my bag and said, ‘When can I start?’

What was the biggest challenge in adapting the novel for the stage?

“HOW DO YOU MAKE A TREE MONSTER ON STAGE???????????

“It didn’t feel right to rely solely on a massive tree puppet to portray the monster. I’d been struck by something Patrick Ness had said to me in an early conversation – that the Tree represents in many ways a father figure who is estranged from Conor in his actual life.

“It made me want to cast an actor who could provide a paternal quality as well as a monstrous one. Stu Goodwin – an actor I’d worked with several times – felt like a perfect fit; he has a physical power and wildness, combined with a deep sensitivity and wisdom.”

ARTS

We know there’s been a recent film version, too – was that a help, or a hindrance?

“The film didn’t come out until our first workshop was complete, and design and structure ideas were already in place. I enjoyed the film enormously, and thought it captured the heart of the book beautifully, but our version couldn’t be more different. In film, you can use CGI to great effect, but in theatre you have to find theatrical ways of solving some of the big challenges.”

We know you favour a collaborative style of direction – what has come out of the rehearsal process?

“I’m lucky enough to be working with a very talented company, who’ve all offered up plenty of ideas. I suppose the most surprising discovery is that the story doesn’t need loads of complex design and props to bring it to life – I’m enjoying testing the theory that ‘less is more’.”

Break it down for us: what makes this story so special?

“Well, it’s beautifully written, for a start. But it’s the combination of magic realism and the experience of being a teenager struggling to come to terms with grief and loneliness that provide the winning ingredients.

“Siobhan Dowde’s original idea for the story was inherited by Patrick Ness after she died of breast cancer. He was initially wary of taking on another author’s idea, but quickly realised the story Siobhan had started was a trigger to more ideas – he describes the experience as being passed a baton and running with it. The force of that connection between two writers is a big part of the book’s success. Patrick addresses themes of truth, love, grief and how we deal with being mortal in a unique and starkly arresting way.”

Has the fact that it’s a co-production between Bristol Old Vic and London’s Old Vic had any bearing on the process?

“The co-production has been a very rewarding collaboration between two cultural powerhouses.

Not since 1946, when the Old Vic in London set up a sibling company in Bristol, has there been such a co-production. Being able to open the show in Bristol before the London audiences see it feels very special for me, and because two organisations are involved I’ve been able to ensure a wider public get to see it.”

A Monster Calls plays Bristol Old Vic until 16 June Suitable for ages 10+ Tickets £39–£7.50 www.bristololdvic.org.uk

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

BRISTOL HEROES Because it could only happen here, right in this city . . .

By C OL I N MOODY

Y

ou know those things that happen that make you say to yourself, ‘Yeah; that’s Bristol’?

Things that would never happen in London. OK, put it like this: Chelsea could rock up tomorrow with a big wad of cash, and try and take over the really cool parts of town – but Bristol would rock up to it, take its hand and lead it into experiences that it won’t find anywhere else in the world. In this issue, I wanted to share eight moments of sheer Bristol magic . . .

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PHOTOGRAPHY

FIESTA – 1BALLOON TAKING IT EASY

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I know. Balloons, right. They all say, you have to check out the balloons. But look again. One bloke, taking it easy, is not bothering to look at them; he’s on his phone. He’s on social media. But here is the point. Where else can you get festivals where the full kit-and-rug, “don’t forget the paper cups, darling’ brigade share the field with the bloke on the mountain bike who just pedalled over to look at the sky.

Come to Bristol. Check your emails. Have a chat with other lads in 1980s running shorts. Or take it easy. That’s the first big lesson I learned here. The world’s best balloon fiesta, and you can just flop out and chill. Doesn’t have to become an insta moment, every second of every day.

TAKING YOURSELF 2NOT TOO SERIOUSLY

The man who came up to the Downs festival, made it all the way onto the stage and then stripped. I was in the press pit at the time; obviously the security moved in to take him away, but Elbow frontman Guy Garvey clearly picked up on the Bristol moment and came over and had a little dance with him. I’ve heard Guy is swapping the mic for the lectern soon to teach at Manchester Metropolitan University as a visiting professor of songwriting. It’s all about nurturing, for him. Here he is getting the crowd to pay respect to the man of the moment. He fitted right in that night. This is so Bristol, by way of Lancashire.

3PARTICIPATE. WATERFIGHT

This was the moment I stopped trying to capture the perfect shot of a waterfight, and let this bloke with one fully loaded water pistol unleash his whole water clip onto my lens. At first I was thinking, this shot won’t work, but then as the seconds rolled on and his jet of water continued we just smiled at each other. Then I realised, you don’t come to Bristol and observe. You participate. And this Francis Baconesque washy photo will always be one of my favourites. He then proceeded to remove a large number of filled water bombs from that Bag for Life of his and my baptism was complete. Don’t watch from the sidelines. w www.mediaclash.co.uk I BRISTOL LIFE I 31

PHOTOGRAPHY

4SOUTHMEAD. APPRECIATION These gentlemen have lived in Southmead for anywhere between 15 years and forever. They were all sat on a wall. Like they were waiting for something. And then at the strike of the hour the landlady of the pub on the corner flung open the double doors and several of them gave a round of applause. No response from the landlady, Wendy Buck. I assume it’s her. Her name’s above the door.

She is certainly appreciated in her time. Apparently, you can set your watch by this door.

5TAKE A LOOK AROUND YOU

Traffic is pretty shocking at rush hour. So most of this crew just took a few moments out between van washes to have a look about. They say this city is one of the best places to walk a dog. Own a coloured house. Eat a pizza. Go for a run. Be an independent business. Get superfast broadband. Or just sit in a van and have a Bristol moment on the Hotwells road.

6OVERLAPPING

.

For some of us, having a pint at The Cottage on a sunny day is enough. For others, a good long paddleboard session that involves passing by said pub is what floats their . . . board. As long as these two spaces overlap, all is well. The big G word has been bandied around a lot recently (gentrification).

But as long as a bloke with a pint can be openly disappointed to see another shoal of boarders taking to the water, all will be fine. And he’s never gonna call it Western Harbour. That’s for sure. Just don’t scare him off with flat-white prices.

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LOVE ECLIPSES HATE. LOVE. FIND IT HERE IN BRISTOL

These two came together during that eclipse of the sun we nearly had. I think it was a good 80% or so of the sun that got covered, and if you look at the sunbeam bottom left you can see how the woolly hat creates a sun/moon beam of the ‘nearly’ eclipse. I almost missed the shot because one bloke was trying to watch it without eye protection, claiming cider would protect him. This is so Bristol, because we only need 80% of a celestial event to fall in love – with the city and each other. I would move heaven and earth to stay here .

PLAYER 2 UP. 8TRIPTYCH. LET’S PLAY

Ride your bike on the back wheel down the harbour wall (got that shot somewhere). Skateboard down City Road. Eat under a willow tree in Easton Park, listening to reggae. Wire in that jet engine coolant system in Filton. It’s all happening in this town. And what’s So Bristol is we leave space for you to join in.

Take this triptych of action at the gallery space at Hamilton House. I’m hoping this area can remain full of artists, creative anarchy and much more.

But what’s needed is you. Are you player 2?

If so, come on. Player 2 Up. Let’s play.

Follow Colin on Twitter @moodycolin Instagram @moodycolin319 32 I BRISTOL LIFE I www.mediaclash.co.uk

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Thomas Farr, the owner of BlaisE CASTLE, hired someone to continually burn damp leaves so that his folly was shrouded in perpetual mist

Weird Bristol Summer’s traditionally the silly season in journalism.

We decided to go one better. We’ve gone weird . . .

By l au r e n e l l i s 36 I BRISTOL LIFE I www.mediaclash.co.uk

BRIZZLENESS

The South West is chock-full of strange traditions (cheese rolling, anyone?) and surreal stories, but we needn’t leave the city’s borders to get a taste of the weird and wonderful: Bristol’s history is brimming with the bold, the bizarre and the downright bonkers

O

ne man responsible for curating the city’s eclectic collection of cultural oddities is Charlie Revelle-Smith, a local writer known by his Twitter handle, @WeirdBristol. We contacted Charlie to find out what led him down this particular rabbit hole.

“It was a complete whim,’ he admits. “I’d been writing a series of novels called The Bristol Murders, which are set in modern times, but books two and three were heavily inspired by the history of the city. While researching them, I accumulated this vast library of trivia in my head that I was certain couldn’t possibly be of interest only to me.”

From here, Weird Bristol was born, and it has been amusing and bemusing readers ever since. Here at Bristol Life HQ, we were inspired to do our own bit of research. Admittedly, we may never unmask the grammar vigilante, or figure out who was the very first person to think of slipping down the Clifton slide, but what we can confirm is that Bristol’s history is often far stranger than fiction. But what else can you expect from a pirate city like ours?

PHOTO BY CHRIS HILL

THE BOLD

Bristol’s seafaring past is full of tall ships and tall tales. Harbour capture by excellent local photographer Chris Hill, on instagram @chill1983

You’ve only got to walk down Gloucester Road on a Saturday morning to know that Bristol has always been a tad unconventional.

But extravagant displays are nothing new in this offbeat city.

Just take Thomas Farr, the romantic, eccentric former owner of Blaise Castle, who squandered away his savings and once hired someone to continually burn damp leaves so that his folly castle was shrouded in perpetual mist.

In similarly lavish style comes Princess Caraboo, Bristol’s most famous imposter. Conmen were as common as muck in the days before we had Google and social media accounts to stalk, so when a peculiar but seemingly important woman arrived in the city dressed in exotic clothing, speaking in an unknown tongue and pleading for protection from unnamed enemies, locals drank the Kool Aid. Intrigued by her sword-fighting demonstrations and tantalising tales of Javanu’s traditions and history, Bristol welcomed the princess. The Town Clerk even offered her a place to stay while she recovered from her alleged kidnapping. But the fun wasn’t to last too long; two months into her citywide duping, she was exposed as Mary Baker, the daughter of a humble cobbler from somewhere in Devon.

The city was mortified. In a bid to banish the whole sorry episode to the forgotten confines of history, the newly unmasked Mary was shipped away to America. She eventually returned, and now lies buried in Bedminster; you can still see her portrait hanging in Bristol’s Museum and Art Gallery.

In this centennial year we’d be remiss to not mention any of the city’s trailblazing suffragettes. As Bristol’s branch was the biggest outside of London, there’s a whole host of formidable ladies we could choose from. For instance, Vera Holme and Elsie Howey, who on 1 May 1909 hid themselves in the body of an organ in w www.mediaclash.co.uk I BRISTOL LIFE I 37

BRIZZLENESS

THE BIZARRE

Pembroke Road, once known by the charming name of Gallows’ Acre Lane, is supposedly haunted by the ghost of the hanged highwayman and Weird Bristol favourite, Jenkins Protheroe.

Standing at little more than four feet tall, Jenkins would pretend to be an injured child in the road to lure wealthy travellers out of the safety of their carriages.

Multiple murders later, Jenkins was caught and hung in 1873.

But Jenkins did not rest; his body was chained up in a gibbet, coated in tar and left to decompose. According to Charlie, the legend goes that, “His body would climb down at night and dance in the street, so it was later buried in an unmarked grave outside the city. His ghost is said to still be visible on moonlit nights where the gibbet once stood.”

While we’re on the topic of nefarious villains, Blackbeard is one of the world’s most renowned pirates, but did you know that he was born in Redcliffe? Formerly known as Edward Teach, he was a devilish figure even by piratical standards, and an early pioneer of special effects. Well, that’s a push, but he did employ tactics that would put most film directors to shame. He was the godfather of the dramatic entrance; he would board doomed ships to the sounds of cannon fire, with his thick, matted beard emblazoned 38 I BRISTOL LIFE I www.mediaclash.co.uk

with burning slow matches, so that his face would appear through a haze of smoke.

Meanwhile, pretty much every pub this side of the docks claims to have been the backdrop for the famous, fictional meeting of Long John Silver and Jim Hawkins in Treasure Island. Known only as The Spyglass, there are a number of contenders that could qualify but it’s most likely that it’s the Hole in the Wall, since it’s the only one with a spyglass window overlooking the quayside.

Treasure Island is far from being the only literary tale to be inspired by the city’s seafaring past. At the turn of the 18th century, Bristolian sea captain Woodes Rogers and his crew took shelter from a tropical storm in the bay of an island in the South Sea. It was here that a dishevelled, distraught and very sunburnt man appeared on the beach.

The marooned mystery man, Alexander Selkirk, spoke of how he had been abandoned on the island after a dispute aboard his vessel four years prior; fortunately for Alexander, the island was abundant with food and shelter. The castaway lived out the rest of his days in Bristol, where he enjoyed nationwide fame and very probably served as the inspiration for Daniel Defoe’s classic novel Robinson Crusoe.

THE BONKERS

We’re not sure whether daredevilry is innate to Bristolian DNA, but adrenaline-fuelled exploits have a long history in the city. Take, for example, the 17-year-old Albert Gourd, who in 1938 jumped out of a plane over Bristol for kicks, and parachuted down, eventually landing on a rooftop in Clifton. The spectacle gathered a rather large crowd, and according to reports, he climbed off the roof, lit a

PHOTO BY CHRIS HILL

Colston Hall overnight. The next day, when anti-suffrage activist MP Augustine Birrell took to the stage to make his speech, the women burst from the instrument triumphantly chanting “Votes for women!” Others included Bristol-born Theresa Garnett, who took the law into their own hands when she attacked Churchill with a horsewhip.

cigarette and wandered off into the night. Teenagers, huh.

Gourd was far from Bristol’s first or only stuntman. While the men of Vanuatu have been bungee-jumping as a rite of passage for more than 1500 years, the first western attempt came from a trio of Bristolian thrill-seekers calling themselves The Dangerous Sports Club. Inspired by the vine-based ancient ritual, the DSC chose the Suspension Bridge as their leaping-off point (nul points for originality). Dressed in tuxedos and top hats, their jump was a success, although they were arrested as soon as they stopped swinging.

The Bridge itself is a bit of a lodestone for daredevils. Up until the 1930s, when faster engines rendered the activity too dangerous, pilots had a penchant for flying under the bridge.

One of the more famous attempts came from Duty Pilot

FG Wayman in 1927, who in return for five shillings flew his Bristol Fighter biplane below the bridge. How did he spend his winnings, you ask? On beer, of course.

Charlie hopes that through his Weird Bristol exploits, he can “Give people an insight into the past in a way that’s very accessible. You might have walked past a statue or a building, even a bit of pavement every day on your way to work, and never knew that there was an interesting story behind it.

Hopefully, once you’ve heard its story you’ll never look at it in the same way again.”

Charlie’s fourth and final instalment of the Bristol Murders series, The City at Night, was published in April

ADRENALINEFUELLED EXPLOITS HAVE A LONG HISTORY IN PHOTO BY BEN ADAMS

THIS CITY

Fortunately, the Bridge tends to attract more photographers than daredevils these days – this fine example is by @igersbristol moderator @mrbenadams

Reach the best in the west Auent, active and inuential and just a call away

Bristol Life team 01225 475800

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In the NAME of the FATHER WHETHER YOUR DAD’S A COOK, AN EXPLORER, A HIPSTER, FITNESS FREAK, OENOPHILE OR JUST A GUY WITH AN EYE FOR A KICKASS BLONDE, WE HAVE A FATHER’S DAY GIFT JUST FOR HIM

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1. RED HOT CHILLI PAPAS

2. AVIATION, IN THE EVENING

3. THE WRITE STUFF

4. FACE OFF

5. SAPPHIRE AND STEEL

Chilli sauce, £9.99

Ray-Ban aviators, £163

Hey, it’s barbie season, and burgers need a splash of chilli, amiright? The Chilli Alchemist sells a wide range, in beautiful, handwaxed apothecary bottles From The Chilli Alchemist Station Road Workshops www.chillialchemist.co.uk

Is there a guy out there who hasn’t, even briefly, fancied being Tom Cruise in Top Gun? These aviators from the ever-cool Ray-Ban will take his breath away From Harvey Nichols

Lamy rollerball pen, £20 As the stylish dad will tell you, Lamy was founded in 1930 in Heidelberg, and their products embody the Bauhaus principles of functional design, etc etc From Papersmiths 6A Boyce’s Avenue www.papersmiths.co.uk

The Marvellous Beard Box, £70 Moisturisers, waxes, tools and a guide to cultivating face fur. And if the dad tires of the hipster look, that box is still a keeper From Peregrine Clothing Montpelier Central Trading Estate; www. peregrineclothing.co.uk

Garmin Fenix Sapphire watch, £589.99 This does-it-all athlete’s watch isn’t a budget buy – but remember that time when you were 16 and he bust you out of jail at 3am?

It’s payback time From Ellis Brigham 160 Whiteladies Road www.ellis-brigham.com

27 Philadelphia Street www.harveynichols.com

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

ED’S CHOICE

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SHOPPING

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6. PLATE EXPECTATIONS

7. BACKPACK TO THE FUTURE

8. THE TURN OF THE SCREW

9. MR POINTY

10. TRAVELLING LIGHT

Beardy plates, pair £12 It’s the only kind of crockery that the Bristol dad should be using for his sourdough roll, lavishly spread with artisan jam made from foraged hedgerow berries From U Studio 9 Hill Street www.ustudio.design

Ally Capellino Haye rucksack, £175 The perfect blend of fashion and function; the casual drawstring style is elevated by clean metalwork and contrasting coated canvas From Maze 26 The Mall, Clifton www.mazeclothing.co.uk

Alessandro M. Corkscrew, £29 This chap is such an icon that he needs no further introduction from us. How about packaging him with a tasty bottle from Avery’s?

From Bristol Guild 68-70 Park Street www.bristolguildgallery. co.uk

Slayer Stats, £10.99 ‘The Complete Infographic Guide to All Things Buffy’.

If the dad loved the show, he’ll adore this extensively researched, witty and insightful, tome Five-by-five, B. From Waterstones 11A Union Galleries www.waterstones.com

Wildwood Orange globe light, £89 Having kids forced the dad to rein in his wanderlust for several years. This may help to redress the balance From The Pod Company 24 The Mall, Clifton www.thepodcompany.co.uk

www.mediaclash.co.uk II CLIFTON BRISTOL LIFE LIFE II 43 www.mediaclash.co.uk 69

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

R E S TA U R A N T

FOOD

The Arts House Café We’d expected a laidback, Stokes Croft vibe. We’d predicted an entertainingly eclectic clientèle. We hadn’t counted on being blown-away by the assured and contemporary food, or prices that appeared to have come from a menu from the 1980s . . .

By DE R I ROBI NS

W

e try to avoid solipsism in these reviews; but that’s probably just us. Boom, etc.

I know you don’t want to hear where I’ve been on my holidays; but it’s relevant in this case, so bear with me.

This time last week, Your Man and I could be found cruising Ibiza in a Mini Cabriolet, hurtling from restaurant to restaurant, roof down, Balearic beats blasting out at an antisocial volume.

Just like Rob and Steve in The Trip to Italy, in fact, but without Alanis Morisette, or her unironic irony.

Imagine our delight, then, when a few nights after returning from sunny Spain we found ourselves dashing from car to dining destination through pelting Stokes Croft rain. Brizzle drizzle spattering off the pavements, commuters splashing home through the gloom, street lights reflected in giant puddles – Bristol clearly hadn’t received the ‘it’s May, dude’ memo.

With tans and holiday humour rapidly fading, Your Man and I grumpily pushed open the door to the Arts House Café, unpeeled the dreched coats from our backs, and shook out the brolly.

But what’s this? In crossing Stokes Croft, have we somehow navigated some kid of time and space warp?

Suddenly, we’re back in holiday mode – and it’s all down to the Arts House vibe.

In cheerful defiance of the relentless deluge battering the windows, the music offered an over-easy mix of reggae and Afro-mariachi. Our smiling waiter, Tia, a self-proclaimed hippy child, bounced over to our table; she’d have fitted in a treat at a beach chiringuita in Benirrás. There’s local art on the wall – well, there’d have to be, really; they also hold open-mic nights, gigs and underground comedy. A poster advertises a regularly screened film in aid of TEMWA. And the clientèle – well, you’re in the Croft. The word is eclectic.

There’s a couple playing chess. A Spanish girl Skyping

A PEANUT

BUTTER PANNA COTTA HAD SUPERLATIVE CARRY-ON WOBBLE

on a laptop at a table for four over a coffee pot for one.

Two jazz musos, discussing the likely efficacy of their latest Facebook post vis-à-vis the night’s turnout. A bunch of students, discussing the menu instead of sitting at home studying. And a man who appears to be writing a letter (for younger readers, this was a thing before WhatsApp . . . oh, never mind).

The atmosphere alone would have recalibrated our mood; to be honest, we’d have been happily palmed off with a plate of good sourdough and a crisp rosé. Which we got – but what followed after that was a huge and pleasant revelation.

Because before Giles Coram and Craig Somers took over The Arts House Café last year, it really wasn’t what you’d call a dining destination. But Craig has cheffed at Wallfish and Harvey Nicks, and he’s brought his ample skills and experience to the kitchen; Giles, who’s also an actor, makes an unsurprisingly charming FOH. Although the atmosphere is laidback-café style – nobody was huffing over the coffee-drinking lady commandeering such a large table, for example – the food is extraordinarily good, and sold at amazingly low, howdo-they-do-it? prices.

A borlotti and blue cheese hummus set the bar high, being subtle and mellow, and not remotely overpowered by the sharpness of the cheese, while a pretty pea and coconut soup swirled with good oil and flecked with chill was as fresh as a spring meadow.

The mains were even better. The pork belly offered up meltingly tender flesh with succulent fat, with a puffed-up, bouffant kind of pork scratching thing on top; not content to stop there, Craig teamed it with sweet rhubarb and rainbow chard, which worked a treat – and somehow managed to offer it at a price point of £6. You heard us.

In Ibiza (sorry!) cevice is ubiquitous; it makes us wonder why we ever bother cooking fish at all. Craig’s cured hake was supremely refreshing, made all the more so by mint, pod-fresh peas and yoghurt; we followed up with a shared peanut butter panna cotta, with superlative Carry-On wobble.

Go in the daytime for superior café fare and the Clifton Coffee brew du jour; go for the brunch (hangar steak with eggs and chorizo, p’raps?); sample the small but lovely drinks list, ideally in the front window seats for maximum Croft people-watching opportunities. We’re pretty sure you’ll be as impressed as we were; which is saying a lot.

DINING DETAILS The Arts House Café,108A Stokes Croft, Bristol BS1 3RU; 0117 923 2858 Opening hours Tuesday-Saturday 9am-11pm, Sunday 10am-5pm We visited Thursday evening Prices Brunch (the likes of huevos rancheros or eggs Benedict with jamon serrano from £5); dinner three-courses for £12, with a glass of wine £14 Drinks wines from £14 (glass from £3.90), beer from £3.60 Vegetarian choice wide range Service welcoming, friendly, bouncy Atmosphere laidback, cosmopolitan . . . listen, you just need to go

www.mediaclash.co.uk I BRISTOL LIFE I 47

Take three After a year’s sabbatical, Bristol Food Connections is well and truly back for 2018. We spoke to three local foodie heroes to learn what’s cookin’ By l i sa wa r r e n

T

he Glastonbury-style fallow year clearly did Food Connections a world of good, as it’s come back with a fresh new vision, mission and direction.

In a bid to reach more communities, the fest has gone city-wide, rather than offering ‘a village of white tents on College Green’. A great excuse to eat our way around the city, no?

Below, we chat to just three of the hundreds of Bristolians who are part of the events, to find out what we can expect from their own gig and what else they’re looking forward to.

Barny Haughton

Founding director and lead teacher at Square Food Foundation, a community cookery school What will you be doing at Bristol Food Connections?

Square Food Foundation is hosting A Summer’s Feast (15 and 16 June), where our band of young chefs will once again be serving some uniquely inspiring food which they have helped plan and 50 I BRISTOL LIFE I www.mediaclash.co.uk

The legendary Barny prepares a seasonal Summer’s Feast

the

festival is a pioneering model for how a city can connect with its food culture and heritage

develop from the very beginning. It’s going to be a truly seasonal feast; every dish on the menu will say something about the month of June and about where each ingredient comes from.

Why do you think Bristol Food Connections is so important to this city?

Bristol Food Connections is now by far the most important food event on the Bristol calendar and it has itself become a pioneering model for how a city can truly connect with its food culture, food communities and food heritage.

What other events will you be attending?

I’ll definitely be attending The 7.04 to Severn Beach: A Free, Healthy Breakfast, where the Severnside team will be making their way through the train, dishing out a healthy and delicious meal to hungry commuters; Elizabeth David: A Celebration; Cider and Cheese Tasting, and an Indian Brunch at Hart’s Bakery.

2018’s Bristol Food Connections looks like it’s going to be inspiring, thought-provoking and diverse – what any good food festival would want to be. One of the missions of Bristol Food Connections is to make events like these happen all the year round – I really hope this happens.

FOOD CONNECTIONS GRACE EKALL

Grace is both a fashion designer and owner of a chilli sauce business, which she launched while going through chemotherapy for breast cancer What will you be doing at Bristol Food Connections this year?

I will be hosting Wellness Daily Routine Workshop, where I’ll be talking about the importance of sticking to a rigorous daily routine with self-care as the focus. I will also be hosting a free Eat Well For Better Health cooking demonstration, where I’ll be talking about how you can use certain foods to help fight inflammation in the body.

Why do you think Bristol Food Connections is so important to this city?

Bristol Food Connections is great because it connects different communities and promotes a feel-good atmosphere.

Bristol is a beautiful city; it offers a platform for creativity and artistic expression. And cooking is an art form in which artists share their work with an audience who can not only enjoy the taste but can also learn about the culture and emotions behind that dish. And that’s what Bristol Food Connections is all about.

What other events will you be attending?

I can’t wait for A Feast From The Holistic Future: A Four Course Summer Supper Club. I love foraging so I’m also really excited about the Medicinal Herb Walk through Castle Park. I love wine (who doesn’t?), so I’m very much looking forward to the Avery Summer Wine Event. w

Amazing Grace; be inspired by her wellness mission

www.mediaclash.co.uk I BRISTOL LIFE I 51

Breakfast, lunch and supper

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FOOD CONNECTIONS JO INGLEBY

Winner of the BBC Cook of the Year 2015 at the Food and Farming Awards, chef Jo has a passion for creative cookery with vegetables, herbs and spices. She works in Bristol for Redcliffe Children’s Centre where she cooks lunch for over 60 children every day, all aged between two and four What will you be doing at Bristol Food Connections this year?

At Redcliffe Children’s Centre we are holding two events; an Experimental Cookery Workshop for children under five, and Cooking With Local, Seasonal Produce for adults. I’m also working with Windmill Hill City Farm as part of the Farm Flavours Project to help people cook healthy, affordable and seasonal meals at home, and I’ll be at The Community Farm with Earthwise leading a Family Pick, Cook and Eat day where people can get into the fields, pick fresh produce and then cook it in the yurt and cob oven.

Why do you think Bristol Food Connections is so important to the city?

Bristol has a great reputation for being a ‘foodie’ city, with so many brilliant restaurants and a vibrant food scene. However, there is so much more to the city than eating out, and many people can’t afford to do this on a regular basis. Food Connections showcases the many really important projects and activities that go on all year round, which support people from diverse backgrounds to cook, eat well and grow food. It gives people a voice to shout about what they are doing, and gives the public a chance to sample the food that is being shared around the city, not just in the centre.

What other events will you be attending?

Well, it is going to be a very busy week for me but I will definitely be going to the St Nick’s Night Market for some live music and great street food.

I will try to pop in on as many of the other events as I can when I am not leading one myself.

Bristol Food Connections runs 11-17 June.

For all the dates and all the events and all the locations, see the full programme: www.bristolfoodconnections.com

Look out for Jo’s fieldto-yurt event

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FOOD & DRINK

CAFÉ SOCIETY Sta n Cullimore

ONE* FROM THE HART

AN ICON, UNIQUE,

DESERVING A PLACE IN THE VALHALLA OF YEAST

* Actually, make that two: in a railway arch confessional, Stan discovers that one taste of heaven is never enough

H

ipster cafes have the Marmite touch; some people are allergic to them, others can’t get enough of that artisanal guff.

Some of my friends are in the allergic camp. In their eyes, the term, ‘hipster’ is right up there with ‘Simon Cowell’ in the lexicon of poor taste. For myself, I believe the world is a richer place for flat whites, beards and sourdough. Better than any overpriced, unloved product a coffee chain can throw at you, anyway.

“Quick. Bring emergency croissants”

Thing is, on paper, Hart’s Bakery is a walking, talking collection of hipster clichés.

It should have Marmite written all over it. But it doesn’t. Even though it’s in a railway arch, in a slightly unlovely part of town, and you share benches with complete strangers, I still can’t imagine anyone in their right minds disliking the place. It’s too perfect.

Thing is though, I may be biased. I’m old enough to remember when Hart’s Bakery first appeared. It was a pop-up bakery, before the term ‘pop-up’ was even a thing. They baked their bread out of a backroom kitchen on the Whiteladies Road. Seem to recall it was above a restaurant and the times and dates of baking

appeared to be completely random.

I can still remember the thrill whenever their handmade sign appeared, to announce that bread was available. A devoted bunch of dough boys’n’girls, including me, would race upstairs to buy whatever the baker had decided to bake that day. It was heaven with a crust on.

I suspect that the very first time I tasted proper 21st-century sourdough, it was Hart’s.

Though that could be wishful thinking. Of course, that was long ago and far away. They went in search of bigger premises and found themselves a railway arch near Temple Meads.

I made the trip a couple of times when they first opened down there, but then found closer, more convenient suppliers of coffee and crusty goods. So I moved on, prepared to leave that particular bakery behind.

Then, last week, while cycling past Temple Meads, I decided to pop in and pick up a loaf.

Of course, one taste of heaven is never enough.

So I picked up a coffee and a cinnamon bun to go with it, then sat myself down at a bench with some other customers and tucked in.

At which point, scales fell from my eyes. For all its Earth-child looks, this place isn’t hipster, at all. The term implies a follower of fashion.

The sort of cafe that will shave off its beard the minute it becomes trendy to be smooth-faced again.

Hart’s isn’t like that. It’s more leader of the pack. If other cafés out there are Cowells, Hart’s Bakery is Bowie. An icon, unique, deserving a place in the Valhalla of yeast.

Of course, the world CAN survive without Hart’s Bakery, or Marmite. Question is, would you want it to?

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

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A MAN’S WORLD

SEB BARRETT

THE

TAKE IT OUTSIDE Baz is laying a blanket on the ground – for picnic purposes, obviously. What did you think we meant?

W

hen your partner suggests you go for a picnic in the park, it can take a few seconds to come up with an adequate response. The correct one is “Great idea!” not “If you want to,” although I reflexively chose the latter, fool that I am.

Since the French decided to ‘pique-nique’ a few centuries ago, we’ve been dining al fresco at the first glimpse of our man Helios in the sky, often to an irrational degree.

“The weather app says the sun will peek through the clouds for approximately seven minutes at 13:35. Grab the blanket and cool box NOW!” One of my gripes about picnicking is the wildlife it attracts. We’re never more than six feet away from a rat, they say, and we’re most certainly even closer to a colony of creepy crawlies. It isn’t until a crumb of your food touches the grass that you realise we’re basically walking on ground comprised of gluttonous bugs. And if it’s not a subterranean danger then it’s an airborne one, as booze-loving wasps come a-buzzing.

Unless you plan your picnic with military

HODGEPODGE ASSORTMENT OF GRUB LOOKS LIKE THE CONTENTS OF A FOODBANK TROLLEY precision, it won’t be the suave affair you envisioned either.

“Everybody just bring a little something each,” we’ll tell our friends, the warm weather imbuing us with a blitheness that would be wholly unacceptable for indoor eating.

Only when you all sit down on your blankets, still flecked with dry grass from last year’s outing, and start producing your food offerings, do you realise that someone should have been made Head of Picnic Logistics (a Picnistics Officer, if you will).

The hodgepodge assortment of grub looks like the contents of a foodbank trolley. Nobody’s bringing their expensive prosciutto or the good halloumi, naturally, so what you’re left with are 200 Scotch eggs, crumbling Twiglets and a lifeless tub of leftover guacamole from last week’s tortilla night. You can at least look forward to a nice bottle of beer, until you realise you’ve forgotten the bottle opener.

For me, with my Scandinavian complexion, picnics present another problem. I tan as well as Donald Trump does statesmanship, and that coupled with my partner’s sun-worshipping ways means we need to have one half of the blanket in the sun and the other in the shade. Do I know how to rock and roll, or what?

And then you have the dogs. Until you have a baby, dogs coming up to sniff you and your perishables are just a minor inconvenience/delightful distraction [delete where applicable]. Now, with our little one sat in the shade with his dad, a Bichon Frise at 50m poses the same threat as a bull at 5m.

In spite of these challenges, I’ll do it all again next year. Call it grit, call it determination, just don’t call me a hero.

Seb Barrett works in sports communications.

Follow him on Twitter @bazzbarrett

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

OPINION

K A M K E L LY

RADIO ACTIVE Our bright good morning boy may keep anti-social hours, with his SAM FM breakfast show beginning at 6am every day, but he wouldn’t have it any other way – or live anywhere other than Bristol

I

TONY DRIVES ME TO DRINK.

SOMETIMES LITERALLY. HE WILL DROP ME AT A PUB ON HIS WAY HOME

have been told, in no uncertain terms, not to write about inappropriate crushes on Bristol Life staff, my take on the Moon landing, or my theories on mushrooms and coriander, and why they (individually and collectively) serve only to wipe us out.

So the brief was (and I get the sense that my editor’s desperately trying to keep me in check): write about the day job.

My first draft started like so: “The life of a male model/stripper/ gigolo is tricky at best, but if you can learn to make the definition between those who want to observe and those who want to partake, the life becomes ever so slightly easier. . .”

Second draft: “I never dreamed I’d marry into royalty. I keep my official engagements very low-key, if for no other reason than the amount of interest I get from (mainly) female members of the TV show Suits . . .”

Both of these drafts were summarily dismissed. So here we go again. Third time lucky, right?

So (asks editor) how did I end up becoming a DJ? Like every 12-year-old boy, I would lock myself in my bedroom (making radio shows for myself, OK?).

Unlike most boys locked in their bedrooms at that age, I would be in there for hours. My parents knew what I was doing in there, and they never discouraged me. I would come in to the kitchen crowing about how happy I was with the 12-inch I’d just been messing around with. My parents rose above any innuendo. Neither are English, so maybe they’re immune to the seaside-postcard side of Britain’s heritage.

I decided that radio was the be-all and end-all. I wasn’t allowed to do a solo show on hospital radio before the age of 16, but they gave me one anyway. Having listened back to some of them recently, they really should have stuck to the age rule.

Hospital radio was not only a brilliant way of getting experience, but as a 15-yearold at school and being ‘on the radio’, I managed to impress Byron. Byron was a mate, and he couldn’t believe that, in whatever capacity, I was a DJ. As for the girls – well they genuinely couldn’t have given less of a s*** (not allowed to say that on the radio).

I am happy to turn this into a serialised biography, but I think both myself and Deri know that no one’s gonna go, “Ooh, I have to read the next instalment”. So, as you’re probably waiting for a meal or a haircut, and there is nothing else to read, I shall continue.

My career has afforded me more than I could possibly imagine. Most importantly, I have met some of my closest friends, many of who I consider to be family. (I only like the good ones. The self-obsessed local radio people who consider themselves even slightly famous can frankly jump off whatever is the highest and closest drop).

I was, and to a certain extent still am, part of Kam & Sally. We worked on Galaxy 101 together (moment of silence please . . .).

The proudest part of my life and career.

I have two younger sisters; when I met Sally Bailey, I gained an older one. Both my sisters regard Sally as their older sibling too; Mum considers her to be the third daughter she never had, while my dad – well, my dad just fancies her.

I have known Alice Crocker, my current on-air partner, since I was at GWR. Alice has just had a beautiful little baby girl.

Then there’s Tony Wright, who now does The Breakfast Show on The Breeze. We have a love/hate relationship, because we see too much of each other. He drives me to drink.

Sometimes literally. He will drop me at a pub on his way home.

Cormac MacMahon was the news reader for Kam & Sally on Galaxy 101. He is now in charge of news in this region for one of our competitors. To this day, I can call him up and nothing is too much of a problem. He remains Irish, a top boy, and kinda ageless.

I think the point I’m trying to make is that some of the biggest relationships I have made outside of my family were, and still are, here. ‘Here’ being the city that I fell in love with when I first saw/smelt/ heard it in 1996. ‘Here’ being the city that my mum saw me in for the first time and said ‘You’re home’. ‘Here’ is the place that has made me and broken me, but I can’t stop coming back for more.

‘Here’ is home. ‘Home’ is Bristol. . .

Kam Kelly’s breakfast show, every weekday from 6am, Sam FM Bristol, 106.5fm

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A D V E R T I S I N G F E AT U R E H E A LT H A N D B E A U T Y

FAIR THEE WELL Think it's about time you started living better?

Bristol's newest fair is here to point you in the right direction

T

he Bristol Health & Wellbeing Fair is coming to the city in a bid to encourage living well at all stages of life.

The Health & Wellbeing Fair will be taking place on Saturday 9 June, between 10am -4pm at Double Tree Hilton, Redcliffe in Bristol. This event will be highlighting a number of initiatives that will encourage health, wellness, fitness and overall wellbeing to the people of Bristol.

Spire Bristol Hospital and St Peter’s Hospice are proud to be working together to bring this event to Bristol. There will be a number of talks throughout the day on a variety of health topics. These sessions will be hosted by consultant specialists from Spire Bristol Hospital and will cover a variety of health topics that may be of interest to you.

These leading Bristol-based consultants, many who work with the NHS, are inviting you to listen to their advice and welcome you with the opportunity to ask questions surrounding your health. Designated talks will include the following topics: • Women’s health • Men’s Health • Irritable Bowl Syndrome (IBS) • Knee pain • Back pain • Hip pain • Heart problems • Breast cancer • Hernia concerns • Skin – moles, benign skin lesions, cancer The day will highlight some of what Bristol has to offer in the realm of Health & Wellbeing services, initiatives or products that will encourage health, wellness, fitness and overall wellbeing for all. A variety of exhibitors' stalls and workshops will be available to explore, all to encourage living well at all stages of life.

It's a free event for anyone interested in

“THE DAY WILL HIGHLIGHT SOME OF WHAT BRISTOL HAS TO OFFER IN THE REALM OF HEALTH & WELLBEING”

improving their physical and mental wellbeing.

From cardio health to taboo topics for men, what to look out for on your skin, to anxietybusting workshops using the Zentangle Method and learning about relevant local services that are available for adults of all ages, this event is an interesting and fun day out for anyone interested in living well.

There is a full schedule of speakers, providing short information talks that can be prebooked (limited availability, so don't miss out!). The talks are all free, but we do ask you to consider making a donation at checkout to benefit the St Peter's Hospice Room to Care Appeal. For more information on the appeal please visit www.roomtocare.co.uk.

Due to limited space in each talk, the organisers are asking attendees to book places onto each talk prior to the fair.

Although everyone is welcome to explore the exhibitor stalls at any point the talks will be capped.

To book your place or for a full schedule of talks, please visit www.

SpireBristolHospital.eventbrite.com

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

Why choose CoolSculpting at Simon Lee’s Aesthetic Medical Clinic?

- Medically led - owned by Mr Simon Lee Consultant Plastic Surgeon - Coolsculpting is a completely non-invasive fat reduction treatmentno down time, no needles or general anesthesia - FDA cleared treatment both safety and efficacy has been proven

Before

16 Weeks after Second CoolSculpting Session

*Photos courtesy of Brian Biesman, MD

www.simonleeclinic.co.uk Simon Lee, Aesthetic Medical Clinic 3 Whiteladies Gate, Clifton, Bristol BS8 2PH Telephone 01173 292027

is now available to download. www.mediaclash.co.uk

H E A LT H a d v e r t i s i n g f e at u r e

IMPROVE YOUR HEALTH Nuffield Health Bristol Hospital, The Chesterfield, is offering you the opportunity to visit them and find out more about some of the services they offer to help you improve your health and wellbeing.

A

re you experiencing hip pain, and thinking you may need surgery? Are varicose veins stopping you from fully enjoying the summer weather? Or are you considering cosmetic surgery, and would simply like to find out more about what’s available? Over the coming weeks, Nuffield Health Bristol Hospital in Clifton will be hosting a series of free public open events on a variety of surgical topics. Each of the events will include a presentation by one of the hospital’s consultant surgeons, with time given for you to ask any questions you might have.

On 12 June, the first of these events will focus on cataracts. Consultant ophthalmic surgeon Mr Rafik Girgis will be speaking about the condition, which can be corrected with a simple outpatient procedure. So if you or someone you know is experiencing problems with vision, this event may provide all the answers you need.

For anybody suffering from arthritis in their hips, the prospect of joint replacement surgery

can be daunting, not least because of the waiting times that can sometimes accompany NHS referrals. On 21 June, consultant orthopaedic surgeon Mr Stephen Eastaugh-Waring will offer advice to anybody who thinks they may need a hip replacement, while a member of Nuffield Health’s physiotherapy team will also be available to tell you about the aftercare services which are available to all of their private joint replacement patients.

If you’ve been considering a new look in 2018, the event about cosmetic surgery on 25 June could be just for you. Consultant plastic and reconstructive surgeon Ms Lisa Sacks, whose areas of expertise include breast augmentation, tummy tuck and liposuction, will be available to answer your questions.

On 4 July, the topic will be general surgery, with consultant general surgeon Mr Reyad Abbadi, who will be able to tell you about hernias, gallstones, and issues which can affect the pancreas and liver.

The final event, on 5 July, concerns varicose veins. For many people who suffer with varicose veins, baring their legs in the sun isn’t something they feel comfortable doing. Consultant vascular surgeon Mr William Neary will talk about the options for varicose vein removal, which unfortunately are no longer readily available on the NHS.

Places at these events are limited, so if you are interested in attending any of them or would like more information, please call 0117 906 4870 to book your place, or visit: nuffieldhealth.com/ hospitals/bristol/events

Adventures in party-going

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

TAKE THREE GIRLS The Style in the City stylist supergroup – Lucy Eastment (Styled by Lucy) Christina Ellis (Chrissy Styles Me) and Anna Jackson (Always a Fashion Parade) held a fashion show at Harbour Hotel in aid of St Peter’s Hospice, with all oufits from the charity shop. We always said St Peter’s received the best donations!

Ph o t o s b y C AT H E R I N E E A S T Lukas Szejka (Bristol Style Collective) with Lucy, Chrissy and Anna

Model Ellis Spicer, with MUA Justyna Czekala and hair stylist Clair Swinscoe, both of Bristol Style Collective

instagram @styleinthecitybristol

Jill Gough and Sally Taylor, with Anna

Frowing . . .

Emma Stirk Ph o t o s b y D O M E N I K A S C H E I BI N G E R

Models Julia Dudziak and Kate Greenwood

Bristol’s stylist supergroup!

www.mediaclash.co.uk I BRISTOL LIFE I 65

SOCIETY

JUST ANOTHER MANIC MONDAY . . .

Jerome Lartaud, Claire Russel, Charlie Gauntlett and Katy Kernahan

. . . but the guests of the latest Bristol Life business club took time out to lunch with like-minded business folk, enjoy a two-course lunch at Bristol Harbour Hotel and listen to the words and wisdom of our latest speaker – the regional boss of JLL, Simon Peacock (feature next issue) www.bristollifebusinessclub.com Photos by Paul Tschornow www.photoheads.co.uk Holly Bolton and Daisy Nelson

Stephen Pile, Emma Allen, Charlotte Cooper, Lisa Howells and Keith Annis

Leanne Lolley and Matt Bielby

Stuart Gaiger and Trevor Bamford

Jenny Gee and Sam Woollcott

John Courtney, Paul Anslow, Danielle Whedon and Bob Irwin

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

SOCIETY

A ROYAL AFFAIR No, not that one; before Harry and Meghan tied the knot, his aunty Anne, the Princess Royal, attended the Grand Opening of The Chocolate Quarter in Keynsham. A huge sun installation has been built in the Quarter – it’s seven metres high, six metres wide, and radiates heat and light and sound.

That sun installation

The Princess toured the quarter, meeting a wide range of residents and their families

www.thechocolatequarter.org.uk

PUKK A UP In fact, it’s all going down in Keynsham; Pukka Herbs moved into Herb House in the Chocolate Quarter, with an opening party attended by special guest Hugh FearnleyWhittingstall. www.pukkaherbs.com

Same guys, slightly different order...

New CEO Karel Vandamme,Tim Westwell, Hugh Fearnley-Whittingstall and Sebastian Pole

l e g a l a d v e r t i s i n g f e at u r e

Pitfalls of Probate In the first of a series of articles, AMD SOLICITORS discuss the pitfalls of DIY probate.

Here, Sarah Burgess, a solicitor dealing with contentious and non-contentious probate, highlights some of the issues she has come across.

T

here have been many occasions when an executor of a will has come to our firm for advice after beginning to administer an estate but things haven’t gone according to plan. Our job is to help the executors progress the estate efficiently, while keeping the beneficiaries well-informed, so that the executors themselves do not become personally liable for causing loss to the estate.

The legal costs involved in resolving a dispute or rectifying any errors will often far outweigh the initial costs of seeking professional legal advice regarding the estate administration.

If you find yourself named as an executor in a will, you should be aware of the most common pitfalls to avoid:

1/ Incorrectly interpreting the Will.

The laws regarding interpreting wills are hundreds of years old, and don’t always follow a common-sense approach.

For example, if the deceased made a homemade will which was signed and witnessed correctly, then a couple of years later decided to change his beneficiaries and amended the will by hand (but without getting the changes witnessed), the subsequent amendments will fail.

An executor cannot say “Well, the new beneficiaries were clearly who the deceased intended to benefit and so that is who I will pay,” without breaching his duties as executor and becoming personally liable to the original beneficiaries.

2/ Failing to conduct a thorough search for assets and liabilities.

When you are an executor you have a duty to carry out thorough searches of the deceased’s property and paperwork to establish what the assets of the estate are, and to obtain probate valuations for all of the assets and liabilities. You should always try to obtain professional valuations of

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

property and shares. When you submit the inheritance tax forms to HM Revenue and Customs you will be signing a statement of truth to confirm that the information is correct.

It is not uncommon for lay executors to miss assets completely, and recently I had to try to recover an asset which should have been administered 40 years ago!

As time passes it can become more difficult (and therefore more expensive) to collect in assets, for example, if the original executor has since died. If an asset has decreased in value (eg shares), then an executor can become personally liable for the reduction in its value. BL

For advice on wills, inheritance tax, lasting powers of attorney, administration of estates and all other private client issues, please contact Sarah Burgess or another member of our team on 0117 962 1205, email probate@amdsolicitors.com or call into one of our four Bristol offices.

100 Henleaze Road, Henleaze BS9 4JZ 15 The Mall, Clifton BS8 4DS 139 Whiteladies Road, Clifton BS8 2PL 2 Station Road, Shirehampton BS11 9TT

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

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

• Dispute Resolution • Divorce, Family & Children • Employment Advice • Probate & Estate Services • Wills, Trusts & Tax Planning

Call free for a no obligation consultation

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

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DIVORCE AND FAMILY LAW SPECIALISTS R E L AT I O N S H I P B R E A K D O W N ?

Our team of legal experts will assist you in achieving the best resolution for you and your family in the most cost- ef fective way.

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

FINANCE

Nathan Morgan

SHAW THING

“WE’RE A SUPPORTIVE NETWORK OF VENUES. WE ENCOURAGE EACH OTHER AND SHARE IDEAS”

Another big deal from the local finance experts

I

t was only a few months ago that we were congratulating local corporate finance team Shaw & Co for brokering the acquisition of Pukka Herbs by Unilever; now, we hear, the Queen Charlotte Street firm has clinched another major deal.

The management team of Baltimore Consulting Limited has successfully completed a management buyout of its specialist recruitment business from Opus Talent Solutions.

Baltimore Consulting was founded in 2013 as a standalone business within Opus, in order to provide senior and specialist candidates to local government, NHS and third sector clients. Led by MD Charmaine Kenny since its inception, Baltimore Consulting has delivered rapid growth and developed a strong

QUOTE OF THE ISSUE

It’s the Bristol way – but who’s currently reaping the benefits? Turn to page 84

market presence. During this time Opus has been accelerating into the technology sector and is seeking to further focus in this area, providing an opportunity for Baltimore Consulting to continue to grow independently and establish itself as a market leader in its field.

The deal put together by Shaw & Co comprised an unsecured term loan from Caple and BNP Paribas Asset Management’s SME Advanced Solutions team, alongside an invoice finance facility from HSBC, and secured 100% of the business for management.

The deal was led by Nathan Morgan of Shaw & Co, looking unusprisingly happy in the photo above.

For more www.shawllp.co.uk

2010 THE BIG NUMBER

The year that Bearpit Bristol CIC was formed, with the aim of making this unique but troubled trading environment a safer place. How are they doing, today in 2018? See website below www.bearpitbristol.co.uk

CO-WORKING HUBS

SPACE TO GROW Creative, versatile, adaptable and independent – is it any wonder that co-working hubs are such a growing trend in Bristol?

By J E SSIC A C OOK

B

ristol and Bath are swiftly becoming a tech epicentre.

According to Tech Nation, the two cities host 35,924 digital jobs, and have a digital gross value added (GVA) of £1.7 billion combined. From aerospace to microchip design, the SW tech cluster is ever-expanding and the need for flexible, on-demand office space is growing with it.

Hailed as the future of office working, co-working is a more adaptable way of approaching an office space. Small businesses, start-ups and self-employed workers are flocking to these office spaces in droves – and it’s easy to see why.

Known for nurturing an ‘anything is possible’ mindset, and offering a space for influential networking on your lunch break, co-working hubs and flexible office spaces can help make you better connected while you build your business.

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Typically more popular with the tech and creative sectors, the likely suspects when it comes to making the most of hubs and collaborative workspaces are tech start-ups, developers, designers, writers, digital specialists, creatives and illustrators.

From low-cost office space to keeping the isolation of working from home at bay, co-working hubs offer an affordable alternative to the traditional office.

The buzzword is flexibility and many hubs offer pay-as-you-go options as well as different packages for different hours, meaning that you can find a price point and usage style that suit your needs. Hubs often boast a fun creative vibe and sense of community as an added bonus.

With technology changing how we work dayto-day, it’s likely that co-working is here to stay.

Mike Zeidler, group guardian at the Funky Spaces network of ethical workspaces, thinks co-working is setting a new precedent for the way businesses use and lease office space. w

CO-WORKING HUBS

PEOPLE CHOOSE

BRISTOL KNOWING IT OFFERS A QUALITY OF LIFE WITH CREATIVE STRENGTHS AND A VIBRANT ECONOMY

Tech-savvy Bristolians rev up in Engine Shed

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CO-WORKING HUBS “I think co-working has become popular because there are fewer jobs for life around.

Work is far less stable. More and more people are making their way independently as web facilities and technology have made working for yourself far easier.”

The creative mindset of these hubs make them right at home in Bristol, as Mike comments: “Bristol is a lifestyle choice that draws a steady stream of people from London and elsewhere.

They choose Bristol knowing it offers a quality of life with creative strengths and a vibrant economy. With so many entrepreneurial people around, there’s a lot of formal and informal support for setting up and doing your own thing.

“As more people are looking for flexible space, the market is shifting to accommodate co-working as a more common practice. The costs of maintaining buildings is a constant pressure, and I think landlords are also becoming more flexible in their attitudes about how to make best use of their spaces.”

And it’s a trend which looks sure to continue over the next decade; “More people are going to set up and run their own businesses in the next few years, meaning co-working will likely significantly expand and grow. The old model is changing.”

For more: www.workplace.social www.technation.techcityuk.com www.techspark.co www.techspark.co

THE MARKET IS SHIFTING TO

ACCOMMODATE CO-WORKING AS A MORE COMMON PRACTICE

Be inspired and let your mind be cleared within the cool airy space of Pollen Place 78 I BRISTOL LIFE I www.mediaclash.co.uk

Lego pillars and colourful, bucolic little alcoves at playful, creative Desk Lodge

From meeting rooms made from Lego to swings in waiting rooms, we take a look at the best of Bristol co-working spaces.

DESK LODGE 1 Temple Way; www.desklodge.com This fun and quirky space will bring out your inner child. From a TARDIS doorway (yep, it’s bigger than it looks) to a Lego meeting space and a picnic-style breakout area, this fun, themed office is perfect for creatives and techies. Offering hot-desking, fixed desks, meeting rooms and private offices too, this is a relaxed but creative office with a sense of community. An easy walk from the station makes it perfect for everything from impromptu meetings to a space to get your head down and work like nobody’s watching.

ENGINE SHED Station Approach www.engine-shed.co.uk You can’t get much closer to Temple Meads than the Engine Shed. This business lounge is a practical space with super-fast Wi-Fi, made up of a community of tech-savvy businesses, with train carriage-style innovation pods to help you discuss your next breakthrough idea. Both yearly and pay-as-you-go membership is available, so whether you’re a startup looking for a permanent space or a freelancer hoping to come and go as you please, this could be your stop.

HAMILTON HOUSE 80 Stokes Croft, www.hamiltonhouse.org More than just a co-working space, Hamilton House prides itself on

nurturing an environment to live, work and play. Whether you want to hire a artist’s studio space, hotdesk, book a meeting room or even sign up for a yoga class, this hub offers everything you might want all under one roof.

POLLEN PLACE 5-17 Backfields Lane www.pollenplace.com A workspace with 50 desks across four studios along a cobbled lane in Stokes Croft. They have an event space where they host meet ups and networking nights for start-ups, entrepreneurs and generally anyone working in the tech and creative industries.

REDBRICK HOUSE York Court, Wilder Street www.redbrickhouse.org.uk This hub is a little further outside Bristol

city centre, but it’s worth the walk. A mix of creatives and entrepreneurs, this is an über-trendy place to work boasting flexible rates and a great environment. Collaboration-focused, this space is the perfect vibrant office if you’re looking to network on your coffee break and meet likeminded professionals.

WE ALSO LIKE THE LOOK OF: Studio31, Spike Island, Work Different, Mild Bunch and 77 Stokes Croft Want to give it a go without committing? Many offer a free day pass so you can try before you buy.

Whether you’re a freelancer who’s tired of hogging the plug sockets at your local café, or a small biz on the up, co-working could help you take the next step up the corporate ladder.

Go forth and find your office clan.

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THEY, THE CURIOUS

Last year, Bristol’s premier science centre At-Bristol became the revamped We The Curious. Since then, two new strategic leadership positions have been created, and two familiar faces have stepped into the roles. We went along to say hi to Anna Starkey, chief creative officer, and chief operating officer Donna Speed

Children are our future; the next generation of scientists get inspired

BUSINESS INSIDER

W

e’re the new co-pilots for We The Curious,” is how Donna describes the pair’s complementary duties.

“Anna brings amazing creativity to her role as chief curiosity/creative officer, whereas I have operational and business experience. It’s a similar model to that used by many theatres – having one person with a focus on the creative vision, and the other who has the business vision – but maybe this is the first time it’s been used in a science centre. We’re also great friends, which helps.”

What has the Inspiring Science fund meant for WTC? Anna: Landing the Inspiring Science funding is a fantastic opportunity for us to transform our ground-floor exhibition experience over the next few years, and really take flight with our new vision to ‘create a culture of curiosity’ – it could not have come at a better time. It’s also about changing the way we work; the whole new experience design starts not with science centre staff, but from the questions of the people of Bristol. We’ve already gathered thousands of curious questions, and working alongside many more partners and collaborators to help shape our new exhibition experience, opening in 2020.

You changed your name from At-Bristol to We The Curious – why did you do that, and who chose the new name?

Donna: The people of Bristol! A few years ago Anna was really inspired by an exhibit called News and Views, where there was neither News nor Views but where people shared their questions, from the personal to the funny, surprising and existential. And, we realised, we weren’t really celebrating and exploring these types of questions here. Yet this is what we should be all about – with people’s curiosity as our engine. Long story short, it led to us asking ourselves some big questions: Are we doing the best we can for this city? What do people want from us? What are we for?

This was the starting point for a citywide investigation. We wanted to take our time, and get opinions and ideas from visitors, staff and as many people as we could in Bristol. The four excitingly loud messages we heard from that were that people wanted At-Bristol to be for everyone (not just kids), to be more challenging, more collaborative and they wanted us to change our name. We had a list of over 400 names, and We The Curious best represented our intention to place people and their curiosity at the heart of everything we do.

. . . and Anna

Donna...

Tell us a bit about the Hello Weekends Donna: These are a series of free weekends that give families and community groups, who may not visit otherwise, a chance to explore We The Curious. We’re right in the centre of Bristol, and that can cause issues around cost and access. We’re an educational charity, and we want to be relevant for the city, so it’s incredibly important to be a space where as many curious voices as possible can be heard, and where everyone can participate in conversations and shape our collective futures.

WE ARE ONE PART OF AN AMAZING INNOVATIVE ECOSYSTEM HERE, THAT IS A CONTINUAL INSPIRATION

What have been the most popular exhibitions and events?

Donna: The launch of the 3D Planetarium in 2015 was really special, and the opening of The Tinkering Space in 2016 was great too – the space continues to come alive with the experimental mindset of our visitors every day.

Anna: There’s been a great energy around our new temporary exhibition space, The Box, where we present experiences that emerge from the intersection of art and science. We’ve had big kinetic light sculptures, interactive dancing molecular fields, glass microbiology . . . It’s been great to present work from brilliant Bristol based artists; Luke Jerram and Kathy Hinde, among others.

How many visitors did you have last year, and how does that compare with (eg) five or 10 years ago?

Donna: We have experienced 35% growth in the last six years. I think this is testament to the team; we always get great feedback about the visitor-facing teams, and how they make the experience so valuable.

How does the centre play a part in Bristol’s commitment to be a City of Sanctuary?

Donna: We’re really proud to support Bristol as a City of Sanctuary, and happy to be able to offer free entry to refugees and asylum-seekers.

Can you tell us about any exciting up-andcoming exhibitions?

Anna: The biggest new exhibition is our ground-floor space that we’re reimagining, based on the questions of Bristol. It’s a totally new way of coming up with ideas for us, starting with our audiences’ curiosity and going from there. We’re in a rapid idea-generation phase at the moment, prototyping and working with exhibition architects, university researchers and also artists and community groups from Bristol will be co-creating exhibits. All this takes a little while – keep an eye out in 2020 . . .

Do you get inspiration from other visitor centres in the UK and beyond? Which have most impressed you?

Donna: Definitely! We’re really lucky to work in a city that has a host of wonderful venues, from the Zoo to Bristol Museums, the Watershed and St George’s, to name but a few. We’re a supportive network, we encourage each other and share ideas.

Anna: The generosity and creative energy of other organisations and people in Bristol just blows my mind. We are one part of an amazing innovative ecosystem here that is a continual inspiration.

Further afield, the Exploratorium in San Francisco is a constant thread of influence; We The Curious has evolved from The Exploratory, set up by Professor Richard Gregory who was in turn inspired by Frank Oppenheimer opening the Exploratorium back in 1969, which to this day combines science and art and explores how we perceive the world through beautifully simple phenomena and creative tinkering projects.

For more: www.wethecurious.org

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Meet the PROPERTY EXPERTS Moving home? Selling, buying or investing?

Looking for commercial premises to rent out?

Need a legal eagle or a great builder?

Who you gonna call . . .?

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James Petherick

Vicky Dudbridge

How do you envisage the skyline of Bristol changing over the next five years?

Things are certainly looking up. Planning permission has been granted for two new apartment blocks of more than 20 storeys; the former ambulance station site with 26 floors and Redcliffe Quarter at 22 floors. So along with the hugely exciting new university development next to Temple Meads, we’re about to see significant change. And that investment is already rippling out eastward…who would have though even two years ago that areas of St Phillips would be hotly contested by developers looking for the next major regeneration area?

What misconceptions do people have about buying a new-build property…?

The most common misconception about newbuild properties is that they are no more than characterless boxes, with no ambience or atmosphere. The reality is very much the opposite.

Contemporary developments are designed by qualified interior designers, who create spaces that can be both contemporary and sleek, boasting modern amenities without compromising on character and charm, especially if within a converted historical building.

JLL; 0117 927 6691 www.jll.co.uk

What part of the work do you particularly enjoy?

Bristol’s property industry is a great bunch of people with a strong sense of camaraderie.

What’s exciting is the notion that together we are making change happen. Take Brandon Yard, on the Harbourside; I sold that building for the Soil Association, releasing much needed funds for their fantastic work, and just a few years later the Grade-II building is being transformed into desirable new apartments which retain that sense of heritage.

What common pitfalls do people make when buying or selling a house/ commercial property?

Whether it’s residential or commercial property – preparation is crucial.

Director, Savills 01179 100 360; www.savills.co.uk

What part of the work do you particularly enjoy?

My role allows me to play a hand in the regeneration of our towns and cities, helping to breathe new life and activity into areas that had become unpopular or unused. With a resurgence in city living underway, now is an exciting time to work in new development.

What advice would you give someone looking to buy off-plan?

If you are thinking of buying offplan, start by deciding how you want to live. For example, are you looking for modern, openplan living spaces, or something more traditional? Establishing a clear idea of how you are likely to use the space will really help you to narrow your options down, saving you a great deal of time in the long run.

Rob Kinsman

Christie & Co; 01179 468 500 www.christie.com What part of the work do you particularly enjoy?

Our specialist sectors are dynamic and ever-changing, and we immerse ourselves in these markets so that we can provide the best advice to our clients. This allows us to be the trusted advisor and partner with operators over the long-term, and this is very rewarding.

What advice would you give someone searching for a new business?

Surround yourself and invest in the best possible team of advisors. This includes an agent who understands the dynamics of the market you’re looking to invest in, together with the right solicitor, accountant and broker.

Getting the best possible team of advisors on-side has never been so important.

Tell us something about your company, and why people should contact you Christie & Co are the leading advisors in the leisure, healthcare, medical and retail sectors. If you’re looking to invest in these sectors then our experienced and passionate teams will make it happen.

What common pitfalls do people make when buying or selling a business?

A common pitfall is not preparing a business for sale, which can have an adverse effect on value. We like to work with our clients over time to provide the best possible advice and ensure they maximise the value of the business that they worked so hard to build.

gabrielle artess

Barcan+Kirby 0117 325 2929 www.barcankirby.co.uk Everyone has an opinion on property. What misconceptions do people have about conveyancing?

Some view conveyancing as a tick-box exercise but there is much more to it.

Our job is to make sure the process goes as smoothly as possible and to ensure that there are no issues with the legal documentation.

What part of the work do you particularly enjoy?

I love how fast-paced conveyancing is. Things rarely drag on, as people are always keen to get moving!

What advice would you give someone searching for a conveyancer lawyer?

Ask friends and family about their experiences. When obtaining quotes, beware of hidden charges. Some firms charge add-ons for acting for your lender or preparing a Stamp Duty return. We keep things simple and include all that in our base fee.

Best bit of your job?

Exchanging contracts is brilliant. A culmination of all the hard work and nail-biting!

Tell us something about yourselves and why people should contact you?

I’m a great communicator.

Moving house can be stressful, but keeping everyone informed and updated makes the process go smoothly.

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

Hannah Pollard

Redrow South West 01454 625000 www.redrow.co.uk Everyone has an opinion on property. What misconceptions do people have about it?

People don’t realise how much developers contribute towards the local areas and communities in which we build houses. In the past year Redrow Homes has bestowed £163 million towards community infrastructure as part of our planning obligations nationwide, which includes sport and leisure facilities as well contributions to local schools and roads.

People also seem to think that we build on open green land, which isn’t true.

What part of the work do you particularly enjoy?

We have an excellent team in place at Redrow South West who do a fantastic job – and there is nothing better than knowing that we have satisfied customers.

What common pitfalls do people make when buying or selling a house/property ?

Those buying or selling a property want the process to take as little time as possible – which I understand – however I often see people with very unrealistic views on timescale. Cutting corners can mean seeking to use the cheapest solicitor or broker rather than one that comes recommended and with more experience, which can result in mistakes and ultimately the whole procedure taking longer.

Stephen Martin

Bishop Fleming 0117 9100250 SMartin@bishopfleming.co.uk www.bishopfleming.co.uk What common pitfalls do people make when buying property as an investment and how is it best to protect your investment?

It is important to get the investment structure right.

You need to determine whether it’s better to own the property personally, or through a company or other investment vehicle. This can save a lot of money later on.

Is now the time to buy?

The timing must take account of commercial and tax issues, as well as family and emotional factors. Taking the appropriate professional advice before committing to a purchase is imperative.

Is there anything you would urge people to look out for?

ATED is a relatively new but overlooked tax. It is an annual charge primarily on companies that own UK residential properties worth more than £500,000. It used to only apply to properties worth more than £2million, but now the tax catches properties worth over £500,000 at 1 April 2017, or the date of purchase (if later), so covers a number of properties in Bristol and Bath.

Many people don’t realise that they need to file an ATED return to avoid penalties and to claim any exemptions.

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Yasmin Uddin

TLT; 0333 006 1621 Yasmin.Uddin@tltsolicitors.com www.TLTsolicitors.com Everyone has an opinion on property; what misconceptions do people have about conveyancing?

It is really a matter of expectations. People often think the conveyancing process is unnecessarily long when in fact the process itself can be very swift. It is often the related non-legal matters which slow things down, such as obtaining the finance for the transaction, the survey and the practical issues of a chain.

What common pitfalls do people make when buying or selling a house ?

On a practical front, being organised is important and setting realistic goals. Have you made your mortgage application and booked in your survey? A common legal pitfall is assuming planning permission and/or building regulations consent for proposed alterations to a property is all that is required, when in fact there can be restrictive covenants in a lease which also require the freeholder or landlord’s consent.

Tell us something about yourselves and why people should contact you?

I like to think I am very approachable. I like to ensure I explain legal matters in a straight forward and clear manner. I have many years’ experience and I still have a passion for providing a thorough and high standard of service.

Dan Smith

South West Business Finance 01225 800849; www.swbf.co.uk What part of the work do you particularly enjoy?

The collaboration with the business and their professional team to find the perfect solution. Most days we get a different challenge and the ability to educate businesses and property professionals on what facilities are available to them is a real joy.

Everyone has an opinion on property; what misconceptions do people have about it?

We handle a large number of property development applications. What’s interesting is that when you are first introduced, the client feels that the likelihood is that the bank will say ‘no’.

Although this is not too far from the truth for high street banks there are a number of specialist lenders in this market who are willing to help, and are probably better at it.

What services do you clients currently require?

The funding solutions for our clients range from small asset requirements and cashflow difficulties to large property transactions including development and large investment projects.

What advice would you give someone searching for a finance broker?

Having access to over 300 lenders surely gives you a much more informed choice and therefore a better chance of getting what you wish for.

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Julian Cook Burston Cook 0117 934 9977 www.burstoncook.co.uk

What misconceptions do people have about what you do?

We are not an ‘estate agent.’

We don’t sell/rent houses.

We are Chartered Surveyors specialising in providing professional commercial property advice to business people in buying/renting/ selling shops, offices, industrial and other commercial property and including detailed and often complicated lease, advice, valuations and general advice. If you own or rent business property, at some point you will need our help.

What’s the best bit of your job?

We help businesses through good and bad times, from start-ups and small local businesses to major occupiers. We often work with them as trusted advisors through many years and develop lasting business relationships/ friendships. We love to see the value we add and the influence we have in shaping Bristol’s diverse business community.

Tell us a bit about yourselves and why people should use you All our agents hold propertyrelated degrees and can offer expert advice. We are the leading and most active niche practice in Bristol and know and love this great city. We are approachable and human.

We prefer Friday afternoons to Monday mornings, but we are always here to help!

DOM Walkiewicz Build Bristol 01179 091969 www.buildbristol.com

How did you get into the construction industry?

I moved to London from Poland in 2001 and started working as a labourer for a large property developer. I moved to Bristol in 2005 to work for a building company. I went on to become a project manager for a large West Country-based renovation company as well as renovating some of my own properties in Bristol. In 2014, after renovating for friends and family, we launched Build Bristol growing from just me to a team of 25.

How would you best define your building style?

A lot of the projects Build Bristol undertake are family homes, where it’s all about creating space. Living in a city, you need to squeeze every centimetre out of a house! In Bristol clients still love Victorian houses from the outside with a very modern interior. I wouldn’t say the way we build has drastically changed over the 17 years I’ve been building.

What are people’s biggest worries about using you?

The builds costs will spiral out of control... Build Bristol have an in-house quantity surveyor and we meet with our clients on a weekly basis to keep them in the loop on the build costs. By using a QS it ensures the costs are as accurate as possible, offering reassurance to our clients.

David Walton

Mark Warren

Tell us something about yourselves and why people should contact you Home Turf Lettings (HTL) is a social letting agency; we offer a guaranteed rent and full property management service for 5 years. Our tenants are people who struggle to get together rent in advance or a deposit, and are therefore at risk of homelessness or highly insecure housing if it were not for Home Turf Lettings.

People should contact us if they want to lease a property to ensure a secure long term income, but have a social conscience and want to make a real difference and give something back to those who are not so fortunate.

What misconceptions do people have about investing in property?

That it’s easy! Too many of the property schools and the land banking ventures made out that property investment is a surefire way to make money. It is actually hard work and needs planning but the more we do it the better our knowledge bank and the easier the solutions to a problem.

Hometurf Lettings; 01225 478 730 www.hometurflettings.co.uk

Best bit of your job?

HTL is a practical response to the housing crisis in the South West, ensuring homes for those on a low or no wage, thus creating opportunities for all. Every new tenancy is exciting, as we are making a genuine difference and helping turn people’s lives around.

What misconceptions do people have about what you do As a social letting agency affiliated to a local charity, sometimes people don’t initially appreciate the quality of our property management service.

Our recent landlord’s survey indicated that 100% of our landlords would recommend HTL to another landlord.

Jenner Property Services 01278 761 964 www.jennerpropertyservices.co.uk

What advice would you give someone looking to invest in property in the South West?

The South West offers HUGE potential. It is a great place to live and work and there is strong demand for properties in both the sales and rental sector. But you need to do your research and make sure it is your head making the decision not your heart Best bit of your job?

The huge number of people I have got to know and many have become friends. Its great to see skilled trades converting a wreck into something special and then seeing how delighted the end users are.

Tell us something about yourselves and why people should contact you We are happy to share our experiences and guide investors along the way.

Some of our early clients are now developing in their own right, and that is very satisfying to see.

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Stuart Gaiger

The PG Group Ltd 01179 555537 www.thepggroup.co.uk

What misconceptions do people have about property?

People tend to think property development is an easy way to make money; you can see why when you watch some of the property TV programmes, but in what isnt always obvious is the significant upfront investment required way before you see any return, so you have to do your homework and keep a close watch as developments progress. We’ve completed a number of schemes since we started in 2002 and learned a lot; sometimes the hard way. The PG Group isn’t a ‘one size fits all’ developer,so each scheme is evaluated on its wider merits which is why we take on sites that other developers shy away from, like the Carriageworks on Stokes Croft – we like a challenge!

What makes the PG Group different?

Our very real commitment to Bristol. We don’t have a London board looking over our shoulder, the entire board of PG lives and works in this wonderful city, and we are deeply committed to doing the best we can for the communities we work in. We are also unusual in that we give a large proportion of our profits to the Grant Bradley Charitable Trust. Providing housing for the elderly and the homeless are two of the charities the Trust supports and that means a lot to the entire team. Of course we need to be profitable to grow our business, but our values and vision are way beyond just making money for the company.

Peter Musgrove

Lambert Smith Hampton 0117 914 2013; www.lsh.co.uk What advice would you give a business searching for an office space?

Firstly, use a surveyor. If you’re making a big property decision, you should always take professional advice. A surveyor will save you time and money and can help with legal issues, flexibility and capping future costs. Secondly, don’t leave it too late - the process to acquire space can be much slower than people think.

How has Bristol’s commercial property market changed?

Bristol as a commercial centre has grown up over the past few years. It’s a fantastic city with many opportunities for commercial occupiers (if we attract them, investment and development will follow), and we’re now competing on a national and even international scale, with schemes like Finzels Reach, Paintworks and One Cathedral Square offering best in class options for businesses.

How do you see Bristol developing in the future?

Bristol’s new Temple Quarter, including the university’s new business school, will give Bristol a much needed welcoming entrance at Temple Meads.

But we still have a way to go.

Developers need to move sites forward, and we need a coordinated plan for Bristol’s local industrial market which is important for the city’s growth.

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LISA HOWELLS

Robin Squire

Sales and Marketing Director Curo; 01225 366000 www.curo-sales.co.uk.

Acorn Property Group 0117 244 0400 www.acornpropertygroup.org

Everyone has an opinion on property, what misconceptions do people have about Help to Buy? The government-backed Help to Buy Scheme is not just available for first time buyers, it’s for anyone who’s planning to buy a newly built home up to £600,000. The property you’re purchasing must be your only residence, but it’s a great help to move up from a twobedroom property to a threebedroom or even a four-bed family home. So for expanding families it’s a great help!

What misconceptions do people have about buying a new-build property?

I think the biggest misconception is that newbuild properties are often of a lesser quality and soulless boxes; in reality, on the whole, new-build properties are of a very good quality.

I’ll admit that to find genuine design quality you need to look a little harder, but there are some fantastic schemes on offer in and around Bristol at both ends of the market.

What advice would you give someone searching for a new home?

Research the area thoroughly - check out local amenities, transport links and schools.

I would also recommend speaking to your future neighbours to find out exactly what it’s like to be part of your chosen community and the residential development you’re considering. It’s important to find a solicitor that speaks your language and is easy to reach on the phone or email.

When you choose your home, look for a property that you are able to grow into and imagine how you would live there in five years’ time.

Tell us something about yourselves and why people should contact you?

We’re all about creating thriving, sustainable communities and not just building homes. We’re also a ‘profit for purpose’ organisation.

What part of the work do you particularly enjoy?

The creative part, working with the design team on floorplans and elevations which relate to the specifics of the site – whether that¹s large windows to maximise the views, south-facing terraces or split-level units which work with the topography of a site. At Acorn we have no standard houses, so we can design everything to suit its location.

What advice would you give someone looking to buy off-plan?

Get as much information as possible and never assume anything, really understand the location for yourself, and before you commit be clear what¹s important to you and what you are willing to compromise on. It’s easy to be seduced by a show home, and you can forget what’s important to you.

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Jack Harries

Digby Associates; 0117 933 5544 www.digby-associates.co.uk What misconceptions do people have about mortgage brokers?

That using a mortgage broker is expensive. The amount of time saved when using a mortgage adviser is significant, in researching the market for the best deal, time saved by not blindly feeling your way through the process but instead following a well-trodden and well-lit path, and in having experienced help on hand throughout the process to support Clients and fix any potential problems along the way. It can be expensive not to use a mortgage broker!

What advice would you give someone looking for a mortgage at the moment?

Seek professional advise from an independent mortgage adviser.

When speaking with lenders directly, they will never tell clients about the deals offered by their competitors, so that ultimately could be an expensive mistake.

Best bit of your job?

Making the telephone call telling someone that they have completed!

Tell us something about yourselves and why people should contact you?

The advisers here at Digby Associates have been placing and processing mortgages for over 25 years, and that experience can prove invaluable, especially in today’s complicated mortgage landscape. We also like to send Clients a bouquet of flowers when they move in.

It’s a nice touch and sets our company apart from others!

Stephen Pile Future Land 07787 515899 www.futureland.co.uk

What changes have you seen in land buying in recent years?

There has been a distinct shift in the sites that house builders look to acquire.

Most Plc companies now only consider sites of at least 80 units, which typically include a 25% + affordable housing contribution, private companies are now taking up the balance of smaller sites.

What trends do you predict for 2019?

An increase in the number of SME house builders (small to medium enterprises) buying land and making a contribution to the number of homes delivered.

What advice do you have for someone looking to sell their land?

Seek professional/ experienced advice on how the land acquisition process works and identify house builders that will be suited to the specific land/site that could be on offer.

What areas are of interest to developers and home builders?

In Bristol, Bath, surrounding towns and villages, developers continue to actively seek potential development land due to the demographics, infrastructure and centres of employment.

Laura wilkinson

TOM PARKER Carter Jonas 01225 747275 www.carterjonas.co.uk

AMD Solicitors; 0117 9735647 www.amdsolicitors.com

With the rise of home working, what’s the future for offices?

Offices are actually back at the forefront of business thinking. Younger employees often eschew home working in favour of a vibrant flexible office environment and going forward I expect more businesses to invest in their offices as a tool to attract new staff and retain existing staff.

What advice would you give someone searching for office space?

Speak to a property professional first. Landlords tend to be advised, but lots of tenants don’t, and end up taking premises which really aren’t suitable. Good professional advice can save you a lot of time and money and ensure that you find the right property.

Why should people contact Carter Jonas?

Carter Jonas are one of the fastest growing property companies in the UK and our success has been built on investing the time with our clients and providing them with the best possible advice.

We have the capability to deliver the full spectrum of property services across commercial, residential, architecture and planning which is fairly unique to us in the market.

Everyone has an opinion on property; what misconceptions do people have about conveyancing?

Many people do not realise that conveyancing is a complex process requiring a high level of expertise and knowledge of the stringent regulations in place to protect clients and their mortgage lenders from fraud.

What part of the work do you particularly enjoy?

I really enjoy working closely with clients, guiding them through the moving process to a satisfactory conclusion.

What advice would you give someone searching for a conveyancer lawyer?

Seek recommendations from friends and family who have recently moved and call the conveyancer to speak to them in person. Moving house can be a stressful time and it is important to feel comfortable and confident with your lawyer.

What common pitfalls do people make when buying or selling a house?

When buying – have your own survey done and do not simply rely on the lender’s Mortgage Valuation Report.

Do not risk finding problems with the property when it is too late, after you have bought it!

When selling – complete the Seller’s Information Forms with care as your answers can be legally binding.

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Building/renovating/investing/decorating

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

Photo by Will Horner

PROPERTY

Turn to page 102 to see more of this stylish house in Cotham – the current home of interior designer Emily Rickard

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

INTERIORS

HEY BIG SPENDER If you’re going to splash out on certain parts of your house (pun intended), kitchens and bathrooms are high-cost rooms that are worth the expenditure. With virtual wallets a-bulging, we asked Bristol’s experts for their pro tips, and round up the best right here

By R AC H E L I FA NS

B

efore we get down to it with advice from those in the know, let’s get the basics out of the way. It seems to me a good rule of thumb that, when designing a new kitchen or bathroom, more than any other room in the house, getting an expert in is a good idea. Chat through with them what you actually do in your kitchen and bathroom (over and above the obvious, that is) so that you can really get the best out of unit placement, storage, material choices, technology and more.

Lots of people hanker after open-plan living where kitchens flow into dining or lounging spaces. If this is your lucky situation, you need to consider how to seamlessly transition between the two. There are tactics like using wall panelling, open shelving and free-standing furniture that help blur the lines between functional cooking and relaxed seating, for instance, and you may want to consider decoration in a different way.

Once you’ve considered the basics… you can start thinking about the rest. Oh and before we get carried away, set your budget from the start.

For this feature we’ve set the dial to BIG BUCKS. w 94 I BRISTOL LIFE I www.mediaclash.co.uk

a good compromise is a classic and timeless kitchen design which you can then

accessorise with ‘du jour’ elements

Gardiner Haskins’ Bellata kitchen exudes urban luxury, with more than a hint of the enduringly popular industrial look

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

INTERIORS

Backlit marble introduces boutique hotel luxury to this immensely sleek kitchen (Arlberry)

KITCHENS

Consider tactile materials Ben Argent: “It’s not just the look, but also the feel of a material that is really important to how you experience your environment. When choosing a bespoke kitchen, we place real emphasis on selecting the finest materials that are both durable and beautiful. Neolith sintered stone worktops, real wood veneers and textured laminates are some of products we love using, the texture of which give added interest to the kitchen design. Using an interesting and bespoke palette of materials will set your kitchen apart from the rest.”

Aim high Arlberry: “Make the most of high ceilings by installing extra tall cabinets with top boxes.

Companies like The Library Ladder Company offer great rolling ladders to reach all that extra storage space and add a design difference too.”

Know the lifespan Hobsons Choice: “Before you go for the latest on-trend colours or materials, ask yourself how long you wish to live in this kitchen. Sometimes we advise clients that a good compromise is a classic and timeless kitchen design which they then accessorise with ‘du jour’ elements. We design to last for over 20 years, so the materials and colours our clients select are often neutral.

We like pairing soft whites and warm grey base units with contrasting tall units in more textured materials or stronger tones.”

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

PEOPLE WHO RELISH CHANGING THEIR INTERIORS EVERY NOW AND AGAIN SHOULD GO

WITH ON-TREND STYLES FOR SPLASHBACKS AND BAR STOOLS RATHER THAN

CABINETRY

Colour me happy Wren: “If monotone just isn’t your style, explore a two- or even three-tone colour scheme for your kitchen units.

“Combining this season’s perfect pastels could mean you have a kitchen which reflects your taste just as much as your bedroom or lounge. We recommend Rose and Jellybean from our new Macaroon Collection.

“If bolder contrasts are more you, try our Bumblebee yellow and Baltic blue. Or contrast Aubergine plum and Cathedral grey with the dramatic textured effect of Ocean cypress. We love recommending splashes of colour: choose a neutral palette for your longest run of units, and introduce a coloured island, bank of floor-to-ceiling tower units or midway shelves as a focal point.”

Make a splash Kitchen Partners: “We advise going bold with the splashback, because it’s one of the few visual design features in a kitchen that can be changed in a few years without too much trouble, particularly if you go for glass. We advise that people with a flair for design, or those who relish changing their interiors every now and again, should go with on-trend styles for splashbacks and bar stools rather than their cabinetry. Splashbacks come in many styles from antiqued mirror to bold coloured glass, but be aware that tiled ones are much more time-consuming to replace.”

Go as high tech as you can Gardiner Haskins: “Innovations in kitchen technology enable us to work more efficiently these days. Kitchen islands that make the most of tech are very popular: smart induction hobs or sink countertops with extra cupboard and drawer space built in for easy access to gadgets tucked away. You can get boiling filtration taps with instant hot water, and smart built-in ovens with touch screens and interior cameras that enable you to view your cooking and even watch tutorials and find recipe ideas!

Argent: “Incorporating carefully considered lighting is crucial to creating ambience. It’s easy to overdo it, so the key is to keep it subtle. Recessed LED strip lights below shelves create a warm wash of light – preferably dimmable to give you control. Concealed lighting within drawers, which is activated when opened, is a luxury touch that works beautifully.”

Arlberry: “Backlit marble is a real showstopper and exudes sophistication. It can be used to create islands, splashbacks or wall panels.

This Infinity kitchen by Wren teams aubergine and grey tones to enviably stylish effect

Hobsons Choice: “Innovations in kitchen extraction technology have created new possibilities for designers.

Quiet and efficient downdraft systems with integrated filters allow hobs to be positioned on islands or in front of windows without the need for floor alterations.” 

INTERIORS

BATHROOMS

Go big on basins Ripples: “Statement styles are big news for basins right now – try a freestanding design with a bold pattern print and on-trend monochrome colour blocking. Or what about a concrete basin – recent trends include coloured concrete and you can even go crazy with colours like peach or blue which, when teamed with gold brassware, really make the basin stand out.”

Night on the tiles Ripples: “There are so many amazing tiles around right now – here are a few of our faves. Hexagon tiles give a twist to the classic square. They work well in mosaic form or as an encaustic tile, and they really stand out against the everyday shapes in a bathroom. Or how about going for a bit of grout creativity by contrasting a simple white tile with a nice dark grey grout? Patterns are big right now, homeowners choosing bold designs that you’ll recognise from boutique hotel designs.

Possibly our favourite on-trend tile pattern, though, is the herringbone, particularly in marble.

It looks amazing when teamed with wood.”

DIRECTORY

Ben Argent Kitchens www.benargentkitchens. co.uk Arlberry www.arlberry.com Gardiner Haskins www.gardinerhaskins.co.uk Hobsons Choice www.hobsonschoice.uk.com

Kitchen Partners www.thekitchenpartners. co.uk Parlour Farm parlour farm Ripples www.ripplesbathrooms.com Wren www.wrenkitchens.com

Small is beautiful Arlberry: “Maximise the sense of space within a compact bathroom by installing a bath with feet.

Elevating the bath will create the illusion of more floor space and make a small bathroom feel larger.”

Forecast: expect showers Ripples: “We love integrated shower seats.

Topped with a piece of natural stone, they add practicality (think leg-shaving) and luxury too.

We’ve recommended under-floor and wall heating in showers to many customers recently. Both will dry up moisture, give off a low level heat and heat your tiles. We also get excited about shower lighting and recent tech innovations that can be customised to your needs: maybe you want lighting that changes at the click of a button, lighting which is placed on a timer or on a PIR sensor (so that when someone steps in the shower, it automatically comes on)? The choice is yours!”

Blush concrete! Oh yes please. Once again, Ripples, you’ve made us want to rush straight home and rip out our boring white bathroom sink . . .

RECENT TRENDS INCLUDE COLOURED CONCRETE, AND YOU CAN GO CRAZY WITH COLOURS LIKE PEACH OR BLUE www.mediaclash.co.uk I BRISTOL LIFE I 99

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A little touch of pink among the neutrals...

HOME FRONT Interior stylist Emily Rickard’s career has taken her to many different corners of the globe, but after 17 years living and working in Sydney and then New York, she’s come home again – back to Bristol

By L I SA WA R R E N Photo s W I L L HOR N E R 102 I BRISTOL LIFE I www.mediaclash.co.uk

W

ith so many beautiful Bristol postcodes to choose from, which would get your vote if you were an interior designer returning home after 17 years? For Emily Rickard, it turned out to be Cotham.

“I like the diversity it has to offer,” she says.

“If you turn right out of our door, you’re in the tree-lined streets and quiet parks of Cotham and Redland, and if you turn left, you can enjoy the buzz of the city – which for us, is vital, after seven years of New York living.

“We live in a Bath-stone Georgian property. It was in dire need of a lick of paint and some TLC when we moved in. The garden has also had no love at all. We plan to take our time doing bits and pieces over the coming months. This is my design ethic, taking time with decisions.

“I became an interior stylist while working in Sydney, shooting commercials and running my own small production business. I worked with European furniture importers, homes and interiors magazines, and began assisting an interior designer who had many years of experience. She had a tiny shop in Bondi Beach, so I learnt about making things look very beautiful in a very small space.

“Sydney can be very beach-inspired, while the US has a heavy mid-century and industrial trend that has been going on for years. America is a

REAL HOMES

Emily’s prized armoire, which she bought at a stoop sale in Brooklyn (as you do)

The sofa’s from IKEA, so it’s not mission-critical if the family dog crawls up for a sneaky nap . . .

PROPERTY

vast country, so I can’t speak for all of it, but in my own experience there’s always a thread of the mid-century peeking in somewhere. You see it both in people’s homes and retail spaces. In NYC the wider idea of a perfect home can feel a little selectively curated, but from what I see in Bristol, the more character there is in a home, the more layers of life that are there, the more appealing and charming it can actually be.

“In my own home, I am an avid supporter of the smaller design companies. I like to source lighting, wallpapers etc from the lesser known producers.

“Having lived in three different continents, I don’t see how my style can be anything but eclectic. Each room has its own feel; our master bedroom has a distinctive French vibe, the living room is more Scandinavian, and our dining room is an ever-evolving style of my own.

“My style has definitely changed over the years.

I try not to follow trends too closely; I just go with what I love, and as I get older and wiser, I hone my tastes. There are certain items and looks that I will always love, though, such as a little pop of pink, especially in an otherwise muted room.

“I love anything Danish. Smooth lines, simple yet elegant styles. I love Gubi and Studio Arhoj.

I am also massively impressed with the range that comes from Hay. “I love our kitchen/dining room. It’s very important to me to have a big, long dining table.

I love to entertain, and we constantly have a full house; it’s more like a hotel most of the time. Our dining table is from ABC Home in New York.

“Three pieces of furniture I could never live without? One, my big black armoire. I bought it from a stoop sale in Brooklyn and painted it.

My flowery upholstered wingback chair that is currently in the girls’ room, that I picked up in a big antiques barn in upstate New York.

“And my customised IKEA Soderhamn Sofa.

Having a sofa that I’m not panicking about is a saving grace. I don’t really care who jumps on it or wipes greasy mitts on it, and that’s a huge weight off my shoulders. We keep the French linen one tucked away downstairs! I lust after a Softline swivel chair in pink. One day . . .

“Top current trends I’m seeing? Fringe is in. As is blush. For the whole year ahead I’d say more pops of colour, and a large use of foliage.

“The one thing anyone can do to start a little mindful home improvement is to remove one thing. If you have a piece you have been meaning to update or restyle, or you have an interim piece, remove it. Leave yourself with a little empty corner, and the space to be inspired.”

Emily offers a full interior design service. “I’ve worked on many homes and restaurants over the years, and can work with families through the sometimes difficult task of gut renovations. I can work on a whole home or a one- or two-room project. I also offer styling services, if a room or a home is just in need of some fresh colours, fresh eyes, fresh ideas.”

For more www.twelvemonthsahome.com

www.mediaclash.co.uk I BRISTOL LIFE I 103

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Q&A

A

s one of our most indemand comedians, Shappi’s probably visited ever town worth visiting in the UK. But guess which town would she happily consider living in, if she ever left London?

No, go on, guess. Clue: it’s ‘cool, arty and ever so slightly piratey’.

Is she just flattering us? Nah – Shappi strikes us as the type of gal who shoots from the hip . . .

Hi Shappi! So, obvious first question – what got you into comedy? Did friends always say, hey Shappi, you’re so funny, you should be on the stage…?

No! I was shy. I was only myself at home, really, and yes, my parents thought I was funny, though my mum also thought I’d make a great scientist because I drew very neat Bunsen burners.

At what point in your stand-up career did you think, yeah, actually, I can make a living out of this?

Oh, from the start. You have to think that, otherwise you’d get a proper job and get used to being able to eat food whenever you like. Kills ambition, that.

What single thing do you think you have taken from your family’s experience of fleeing Iran?

As long as you’re with people who love you, and can meet people you connect with, you’re home Please share a standout childhood memory from Iran A man selling suits door-to-door.

We know that your new show Mistress and Misfit is based on your fascination with Emma Hamilton, the mistress of Lord Horatio Nelson. What was it about Emma that resonated with you?

She was up against some serious cultural prejudice, but she battled and reinvented herself endlessly to avoid destitution, and have a bigger slice of the world.

Tell us something fascinating you discovered while researching Emma’s life Horatio Nelson changed his will hours before the Battle of Trafalgar to include Emma. It was ignored, and they let her perish.

SHAPPI KHORSANDI

“I’m a female Iranian stand-up. They call me the box-ticker,” Shappi once said. For equally piquant LOLs, and to discover what’s with the big hat, book to see her Mistress and Misfit gig when it comes to Comedy Garden this month Is every show a thrill, or do you still get nervous, or a bit of both?

Always a thrill. I never get nervous. After 20 years I’m so glad all this still feels exciting and new.

Want and accept for yourself only what you’d want and accept for your own child (I’m hoping she can use her imagination on this and not rush out and get pregnant at 16).

You’ve played Bristol quite a bit. So what do you think of the place?

It’s one of the few places outside of London I would consider living in. It’s cool, arty and ever so slightly piratey. What’s not to love about the West Country?

How do you deal with mindless racism and far-right politics on Twitter?

I don’t get much hate. You can’t worry about what strangers think about you. I’d be upset if my mum sent me hate on Twitter, but some numpty with Satan as his avatar? Nah.

Why did you take part in I’m a Celebrity?

I’ll be honest here, my rabbits needed a new hutch and so I did it for the dough. I was in and out like Pac-Man. Proud, too, that I was released early for good behaviour.

What’s your most regrettable habit?

I blink too much.

How do you balance being on the road with being a mum?

It’s hard. I miss them, and sometimes feel I’m not doing either job well. I have a lovely army of family and friends to look after them, but they are not Mummy, and my kids and I spend a lot of time missing each other.

When and where are you most happy?

I’m the happiest when I’m sitting in a hot, parked car answering a questionnaire. Hope you’ve enjoyed this as much as me; see you in Bristol!

What is the most valuable piece of advice you’d pass on to your daughter?

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

Do you have any secret skills?

I am very good at ping-pong.

Shappi appears at Comedy Garden on 9 June; the festival runs 6-10 June www.bristolcomedygarden.co.uk