large version
Small versions
Small versions
I S S U ES YOU NG
large version
ISSUE 250 / AUGUST 2018 / CELEBRATE GOOD TIMES, COME ON!
ISSUE 250 / AUGUST 2018 / £3
EDITOR’S LETTER
LEFT: Bristol Life x Aardman x Jody x Upfest. Yeah, we quite enjoyed typing that . . .
C
elebrating the city. That’s been our aim, ever since issue one, when we called ourselves Clifton Life and were first and foremost a property magazine. That was back in 2004. The city’s changed enormously since then, and so have we. But our aim remains the same. We’re more a lifestyle magazine, these days, but it’s still all about bigging up the best, celebrating the West. And the same holds true for Bristol. They call it ‘gentrification’ – the new wave of cafés and shops that have come to replace the oldschool variety. To some, it’s a dirty word, others see it as inevitable progress – but the rise of flat lattes and sourdough notwithstanding, Bristol’s essential nature has barely changed; it’s still as cheeky, innovative, creative and rule-breaking as ever. Best of all, Bristol, you’re never, ever boring. We never quite know what you’re going to do next. We’d just like to carry on reporting it all here in these pages for another few hundred issues, if that’s all right by you...
DERI ROBINS COVER Huge thanks to Trev Gilham for our cover design – and for all the hundreds of previous ones!
Follow us on Twitter @BristolLifeMag Instagram @BristolLifeMag
www.mediaclash.co.uk I BRISTOL LIFE I 3
Issue 250/August 2018
anniversary issue 8 250 Hands across the city 16 cover story About a magazine
arts & fests
20 WHAT’S ON Admittedly, a bit less than usual 24 art trail Who let the dawgs out this year? 27 summer of ’18 A pictorial souvenir of the July
heatwave and the summer’s best fests so far . . .
34 bristol heroes . . . while Colin Moody looks
ahead to the last big festival of the summer . . .
39 eyes on the skies . . . apropos, look up (and down)
at the stars of this year’s Bristol Balloon Fiesta
42 festival city Sometimes we wonder how we’d
manage without photographers called Colin
48 bristol music The book of the exhibition, and
some Tricky questions addressed
42
weddings
54 99 problems . . . but getting hitched ain’t one, thanks
to our all-embracing A-Z of sound advice
64
food & DRINK
60 RESTAURANT Positively Quay Street 63 cafÉ society Stan’s hanging with the corner boys
shopping
64 stall guys A market for every day of the week 70 shopkeepers’ choice Best in stock
health and beauty
73 locks away Solutions for summertime hair
a man’s world
75 seb barrett Baz quite properly addresses the
anniversary theme of this issue
77 kam kelly And so does Kam
sport
79 RUGBY A new signing for the Bears
Business
85 business insider That’s why we’re crazy for UWE
Property
96 the changing city A retrospective of the local
market, along with a pick of the current property pops
Regulars
12 brizzogram 80 snapped 106 bristol lives Brewsters are doing it for themselves Editor Deri Robins deri.robins@mediaclash.co.uk Senior Art Editor Andrew Richmond Graphic Design Megan Allison Cover Design Trevor Gilham Contributors Colin Moody, Seb Barrett, Will Carpenter Kam Kelly, Suzie Worthington Advertising manager Neil Snow neil.snow@mediaclash.co.uk Account manager James Morgan james.morgan@mediaclash.co.uk Account manager Jake Newland jake.newland@mediaclash.co.uk Production/Distribution Manager Sarah Kingston sarah.kingston@ mediaclash.co.uk Deputy production manager/production designer Kirstie Howe kirstie.howe@mediaclash.co.uk Chief Executive Jane Ingham jane.ingham@ mediaclash.co.uk Chief Executive Greg Ingham greg.ingham@mediaclash.co.uk Bristol Life MediaClash, Circus Mews House, Circus Mews, Bath BA1 2PW 01225 475800 www.mediaclash.co.uk @The MediaClash © All rights reserved. May not be reproduced without written permission of MediaClash. 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
www.mediaclash.co.uk I BRISTOL LIFE I 5
spotlight
Anniversary issue
Two hundred and fifty… That’s like, a quarter of a thousand issues! While putting them together, we’ve had the privilege of working with some of Bristol’s most creative people and businesses, from Oscar-winning animators to Michelin-starred chefs and some of the UK’s best theatre-makers. We told some of these friends in the city that we were celebrating 250 issues of Bristol Life, and here’s what they sent us . . .
clockwise from top:
Huge thanks to Bristol Old Vic, Steve Hayles and the Upfest crew, PR ninjas Plaster and team Wonderland!
8 I BRISTOL LIFE I www.mediaclash.co.uk
above:
Big love to Jody for spraying us this message right in the middle of Upfest! above right: Hi there Kam Kelly! right: Thanks for being such good sports, Dan Thomas and Mat Protheroe of Bristol Bears; below: But who’s manning the kitchen? Cheers Josh Eggleton and team Pony & Trap . . .
pure gold:
Amazing Morph x Jody x Bristol Life x Upfest is a collab we can definitely get behind. Huge thanks to Peter Lord for making us this li’l guy!
www.mediaclash.co.uk I BRISTOL LIFE I 9
PREMIUM, SLEEk, german engineered, luxury kitchens at competitive prices ● Premium, Sleek, German Engineered ● Luxury Kitchens at competitive prices ● All kitchens delivered pre-built ● Supply only or Fully installed ● Free Design and quotation service
BRISTOL
Slide and Hide Neff Single Oven just
£99
when purchasing a kitchen* *terms and conditions apply.
Quote “Bristol Life” to qualify
0117 213 0680 Manchester . York . Sutton Coldfield . Bristol . Farnborough . Brentwood . Aberdeen . Tunbridge Wells Beverley . Cardiff . Chichester . High Wycombe . Liverpool . London North . London West . Orpington
SPOTLIGHT THE USUAL SUSPECTS
High-fives to all these Bristol Instagrammers, from the photojournalists to the dawn raiders, rainbow chasers and puddlegram ninjas – your feeds brighten our day
@mrbenadams
@bristolpictures
@bristoljj
@carolyn.eaton
@chill1983
@moodycolin319
@eleanore_photography
@eliza_moreland
@emotionsinframephotography
@helenisbell
@inside.bristol
@porthjess 12 I BRISTOL LIFE I www.mediaclash.co.uk
@josh.perrett
@keirgravil
@kruggy01
@leila81
@matthewpriceartist
@matthewspearce
@neiljamesb
@paddyo.11
@perkspectivephotography
@piccypeds
@rachelwotton1
@richimal_bristol
@richmccluskey
@rogerturner6
@sambinding
@sjtanton
@timmah666 www.mediaclash.co.uk I BRISTOL LIFE I 13
1
26
30
The story of a city… …through 250 covers We’ve flicked through the back catalogue, and selected some of our favourite magazine covers from down the years – the covers that not just tell the story of this magazine (and its slightly confusing mid-stream name change), but of the ever-evolving city we call Bristol
T
his feature is dedicated to our long-suffering, super-talented cover designer Trevor Gilham, without whom none of these covers (apart from the first three, top of page) would have been possible…
Issues 1, 26 & 30 When we started out, we were first and foremost a property magazine – which gave us some nice-looking covers, but tested our coverline imaginations to the max – how many versions of ‘Georgian gem’ can you think of ? Oh, and we were called Clifton Life, back in the day.
79
Issue 79 A new design, a new lifestyle focus, and a couple of familiar faces on the back cover – but still with a house on the front. Issue 86 We moved away from having a house
on every cover, and focused more on lifestyle features, with big bold fonts and colourways that would have made an industrial business park look sexy, never mind Queen’s Road.
16 I BRISTOL LIFE I www.mediaclash.co.uk
top: Poldark’s George Warleggan loved the house featured on our first cover so much that he bought it as his ‘London’ base... right: It’s OK to have an all-time favourite ad, yes?
250 COVERS
132
Issue 90 We really were going through an 86
Eastern bloc stage, weren’t we? Still looks pretty fresh to us, though…
90
Issue 125 A milestone for the city as the new
M Shed reveals its cunning plan.
Issue 131 Hello ladies! Local hero Stephen Merchant returned to waggle his glasses up and down at us. Issue 132 Icon – now there’s a word that’s
often used with hilariously inappropriate abandon. Relevant here, though.
Issue 133 Here’s that nice Jamie Oliver,
bigging up our local food scene. We always liked him.
Issue 140 A new book on Bansky, and the
statue from his legendary takeover of Bristol Museum on the cover. It’s still there, btw.
Issue 145 Never mind throwback Thursday –
here’s a real blast from the past.
Issue 147 By 2012, most of Bristol had started 125
133
to twig that Gloucester Road and Stokes Croft were becoming rather exciting.
131
140
145
147 www.mediaclash.co.uk I BRISTOL LIFE I 17
250 COVERS Issue 155 We loved architect Mike Jenner’s
1959 drawing of how the city centre might have looked, in a parallel universe.
Issue 158 If you want really fascinating insights into a city, ask an architect. 155
Issue 160 Aww! The first Gromit trail! Best public art trail in the world, no argument. Issue 161 Here’s another fascinating ‘might have been’ which makes our Bridge look like something from Volantis* (for those with short memories, that’s a city in Game of Thrones). Issue 163 Just because Harbourside, and
158
160
163
165
171
172
because colourful houses.
Issue 165 Our interiors covers are among
our very favourites. Who doesn’t like to peep through the keyhole?
Issue 169 Possibly the first cover that had us
161
positively breathless with excitement, as street art hero Inkie agreed to première his new Ink Nouveau Liz on the front of our Christmas issue – with snowflakes added just for us.
Issue 171 A witty mash-up for our Slapstick
cover, that probably involved more peril for photographer Jon Craig, who had to hang off a rooftop to take the Queen’s Road shot, than it had for Harold Lloyd in the original take.
Issue 172 Common mistake: the sulky little
girl with a heart balloon on our Valentine’s issue isn’t a Banksy; it’s by JPS, whose work is more frequently found in his Weston-superMare ’hood.
169
Issue 175 Our 10th anniversary – and four beautiful covers created by local artist Emma Hopkins just for us. Here’s one of them. Issue 177 We could look at Fuller’s map of Bristol till the organically reared cows come home.
175
18 I BRISTOL LIFE I www.mediaclash.co.uk
177
187
188
Issue 187 Positively North Street – the ever-
improving BS3 area.
Issue 188 Happy 150th anniversary, Brunel’s bridge – though admittedly we ran this cover a few months after the event. Photo by Jon Craig.
190
194
195
Issue 190 Fog over Pero’s making an important point about climate change, as Bristol embraced its role as European Green Capital in 2015. Issue 194 Just a great shot of the Harbour to keep and treasure, by Alexander James. Issue 195 Handbags over the site of the Arena pale in comparison to the editor’s campaign to change the name of the magazine to Bristol Life. Finally it happened, and we put that flower of feminist fabulousness, actor Maisie Williams, on the front cover.
198
200
210
Issue 198 Bristol has talons: the covers created for us by Bristol street artists are probably our favourites. Here, representing the Croft, is Alex Lucas and her witty pic of the Bridge. Issue 200 Oh look, another celebratory issue
– and wasn’t it kind of developers Urban & Civic to put this huge poster up just in time for our 200th issue? By the way, the girl’s name was Bridget…
Issue 210 Another all-time favourite, as
Aardman celebrate 40 years in the plasticinebothering biz.
211
214
215
Issue 211 It’s our friends in the city that make this magazine what it is. This is the first, but not last, cover by Bristol’s premier photojournalist, Colin Moody, whose Heroes features now grace every issue. Issue 214 Favourite all-time cover? Oh, don’t make us choose – let’s just say that this total beauty by Gemma Compton is in our top three. Issue 215 Massive in the area. The boys were back for a storming (in both senses of the word) gig that launched the new Downs festival. The heavens opened, but somehow it just made it all seem even more epic. Issue 224 Technically, our third Inkie cover – his classic Ship Shape mural featured on the front of issue 187 – but the second bespoke one for Bristol Life. Issue 248 Gold! Always believe in your...
224
248
soul... just an incredible piece by Jody, which by the time this issue comes out should be adorning a wall in BS3 following his stint as Upfest festival artist.
www.mediaclash.co.uk I BRISTOL LIFE I 19
What’s on 3 August - 3 September
It's still mostly about the festivals. Brace yourself for the autumn arts season, coming to these pages very soon
Please don't mount the bull, it's art. European Interiors at Spike Island
exhibitions Until 8 August
Stokes Croft A portrait series by Jake Davis and Chris Taylor, who set out to capture the people and streets of the Croft using the grit of 35mm film and the starkness of black and white; hamiltonhouse.org
Until 11 August
MARLA ALLISON: PAINTER FROM THE DESERT Native American artist Marla draws on her Laguna Pueblo heritage, and influences such as Picasso; Rainmaker; rainmakerart.co.uk Diverse A return to the Guild Gallery with new work from the So What art
collective – a collaboration between former students of Bristol School of Art; bristolguildgallery.co.uk
Until 19 August
the heart of the matter New Centrespace exhibition that brings together art and medicine to reflect on the human heart; centrespacegallery.com
Until 9 September
andrew burns colwill The 'alpha and omega of street art' has put a new exhibition of surreal sketches together just for Bocabar (where it's on); bocabar.co.uk in relation The work of nine couples who made an indelible mark on British art; at RWA; rwa.org.uk
20 I BRISTOL LIFE I www.mediaclash.co.uk
togetherness Complementing In Relation, this exhibition explores different examples of collaborative creativity and examines how we negotiate and navigate being and working together; rwa.org.uk
Until 15 September
magnum swaps No, not an ice-lolly exchange, it's tastier than that: the collection of David Hurn at Martin Parr Foundation; martinparrfoundation.org
Until 23 September
bristol music Using stories contributed by people from all over the city to chronicle the history of music in Bristol. M Shed; bristolmuseums.org.uk
NINA BEIER: european interiors Danish artist Nina works with objects that carry particular social histories, from human hair wigs to mechanical rodeo bulls and cigars to luxury soap, uncovering multiple layers of meaning in her objects. ` At Spike Island; spikeisland.org.uk
Until 9 May 2019
fabric africa A snapshot of the diversity of modern and historic textiles from across the continent of Africa. Bristol Museum; bristolmuseums.org.uk
4-19 August
summer exhibition The Clifton Arts Club present their 109th exhibition of open submissions; cliftonartsclub.co.uk
what’s on Theatre & shows
festivals 3-5 August
Until 4 August
an officer and a gentleman New musical based on classic movie alert; as well as lifting you up where you belong, expect lots of other '80s-tastic tunes. Bristol Hippodrome; atgtickets.com
8-19 August
Shrek the musical The fairytale featuring the jolly green monster comes to The Hippodrome; atgtickets.com
skyline series The new series of outdoor concerts: continues with Bristol Ska and Mod Festival on 3 August, with The Jam + The Beat + The Selecter; James Arthur on 24 August; The Vamps on 26 August, and Texas + Imelda May on 31 August, all at St Philip’s Gate. More to come; www.skyline-series.com
Other
Until 24 August
5 August
john moreland The final act in the 2018 Rivertown line-up brings his swampy blues and raspy, Springsteen-inspired rock to St George's Bristol;tickets colstonhall.org
16 August
gabrielle The record-breaking singer's back with new album Under My Skin, and she's coming to Trinity; gabrielle.co.uk/tour
1 September
the downs festival It's become the biggest music event in the Bristol year, and this time it's headlined by Noel Gallagher, Paul Weller, Goldie + The Ensemble and Orbital; see feature next issue thedownsbristol.com
Comedy 24-25 August
Kevin bridges: brand new Scotland’s biggest comedy export brings his unambiguously named new show to Bristol Hippodrome; atgtickets.com
30-31 August
michael mcIntyre: work in progress The clue's in the title; smiley Michael's trying out new material to see if it makes us LOL. Bristol Hippodrome; atgtickets.com
redfest Vibrant community fest drawing artists and performers from across the local area and further afield; redfestbristol.co.uk bristol balloon fiesta The most beloved and Instagrammable of all the summer festivals celebrates its 40th anniversary. It's special shapes a-gogo, we hear; bristolballoonfiesta.co.uk
Until 9 September “I think the green circle's clearer...” Yes folks, even Gabrielle needs the occasional eye test left: Michael Marmite, sorry, McIntyre below: Noel never looked this jolly in the company of RKid – but will new brother-in-parka Paul join him on stage at The Downs?
4 August
9-12 August
Music above:
valley fest Farmer Luke Hasell invites you to get on his land, for the familyfriendly festival with the killer Chew views and fabulous food, where spice is more likely to refer to the harissa in your organic burgers; valleyfest.co.uk
delicious discounts Cabot Circus's annual festival of food brings delicious discounts to Bristol's foodies; find them on the app: cabotcircus.com/plus
Until 2 September
Gromit Unleashed 2 The painted pooch trail is back, and this year Gromit’s joined by owner Wallace and arch-nemesis Feathers McGraw; all profits to Grand Appeal, as ever; gromitunleashed.org.uk
Until 8 September
Blood, Booze and Buccaneers Show of Strength's new walking tour launches at Harbour Fest and then on selected dates until September; expect some startling revelations about Bristol's most famous pirate, Blackbeard; showofstrength.org.uk
5 & 12 August
bristol hoppers Fun-sounding walking tours exploring Bristol's craft beer scene, each with a different locality and theme; bristolhoppers.co.uk
16 August
garden tour and afternoon tea A terribly jolly British summer afternoon with tea on the lawn at Berwick Lodge, followed by a guided tour of the gardens; berwicklodge.co.uk
www.mediaclash.co.uk I BRISTOL LIFE I 21
ADVERTISING FEATURE
FAMILY DAYS OUT The best summer outings in the South West
BATH, BRISTOL & SURROUND HOLBURNE MUSEUM Great Pulteney St, Bath; www.holburne.org/events/colourscape Colourscape is a celebration for the senses, an amazing experience of colour, music and light for all ages. 25 interlinked coloured chambers form a labyrinth on the front lawn of the Museum. Put on a cape and immerse yourself in a new world made up of soft curved edges filled with intense colour, and discover performance spaces filled with music and dancing. Tickets ÂŁ5 available on the day. 11am to 4pm BISHOP'S PALACE Wells; www.bishopspalace.org.uk The Bishop's Palace & Gardens have been home to the Bishops of Bath and Wells for over 800 years and this stunning medieval palace is open for all to enjoy. We've got so much for families to do at The Bishop's Palace - whatever the weather, you can always have a great day out NATIONAL TRUST TYNTESFIELD Wraxall, Bristol; www.nationaltrust.org.uk/tyntesfield A Victorian gothic house nestled in the Somerset countryside with formal gardens, Kitchen Garden, woodland, parkland, family events and activities. AROUND AND ABOUT BATH Bath; www.aroundandaboutbath.com Immersive, intimate and cost-inclusive local tours for curious, discerning travellers who want to experience authentic England
WELLS CATHEDRAL Wells; www.wellscathedral.org.uk Perhaps the most beautiful of the great English cathedrals. Stand back to admire the stunning architecture, join in a service, go on a guided tour or attend a concert. All are very welcome REDPOINT BRISTOL Bristol; www.redpointbristol.co.uk Indoor climbing centre with walls for all levels, lessons, a bouldering zone, viewing area and cafe BRISTOL HIPPODROME St Augustine's Parade, Bristol; www. atgtickets.com/venues/bristol-hippodrome The Bristol Hippodrome is a theatre located in The Centre, Bristol, England, with seating on three levels giving a capacity of 1,951
CARDIFF TECHNIQUEST Stuart Street, Cardiff; www.techniquest.org Science Discovery Centre in Cardiff Bay with 120 hands-on interactive exhibits, a science theatre, planetarium, and a lab. CARDIFF CASTLE Castle St, Cardiff; www.cardiffcastle.com Cardiff Castle is a medieval castle and Victorian Gothic revival mansion located in the city centre of Cardiff, Wales. The original motte and bailey castle was built in the late 11th century by Norman invaders on top of a 3rd-century Roman fort.
EXETER / DEVON
WE THE CURIOUS Harbourside, Bristol; www.wethecurious.org We The Curious is a science centre and charity in Bristol, England. The aim of the centre is "to create a culture of curiosity"
PAIGNTON ZOO Paignton Devon; www.paigntonzoo.org.uk At Paignton Zoo you will find over 2,500 animals spread across 80 acres. The zoo is laid out so you can get up close to some of the animals across especially designed habitats.
TOBACCO FACTORY THEATRES Raleigh Road, Bristol; www.tobaccofactorytheatres.com Intimate space, housed in a mixeduse cultural building, known for Shakespeare and in-house theatre.
LIVING COASTS Torquay Harbourside, Devon; www.livingcoasts.org.uk All weather attraction costal zoo where you can mingle with playful penguins and get up close to Otters, Octopus seals and much more
WHITEHALL GARDEN CENTRE; FAIRY AND DINOSAUR LAND www.whitehallgardencentre.co.uk; Based at Lacock in Wiltshire Whitehall's Fairy and Dinosaur Land is open until Sunday 23rd September. ÂŁ3.99 per person.
HONITON AGRICULTURAL SHOW Honiton; www.honitonshow.co.uk An annual show which has grown to be one of the largest one day shows in Devon. A showcase for the best of local farming, produce, crafts and rural skills CASTLE DROGO Drewsteigton, Exeter; www.nationaltrust.org.uk A dramatic castle overlooking the Teign Gorge with project viewing tower and garden with miles of pathways in the woods and a Bunty House replica for children to play in
Exeter Quay
22 I BRISTOL LIFE I www.mediaclash.co.uk
KENTS CAVERN Torquay, Devon; www.kents-cavern.co.uk Explore Kents Cavern an all weather attraction with a cave system notable for its archaeological and geological feature. Go back in time and step into the stone Age, visit the summer evening ghost tour this summer.
ADVERTISING FEATURE
THE BEAR TRAIL Cullompton, Devon; www.thebeartrail.co.uk Muddy outdoor adventure trail assault course for all the family to enjoy making a great day out. DONKEY SANCTUARY Sidmouth; www.thedonkeysanctuary.org.uk The Donkey Sanctuary in Sidmouth, Devon is open 365 days a year. There are hundreds of donkeys waiting to meet you here so take a glimpse of what our little corner of Devon has to offer LUNDY ISLAND Bideford; www.lundyisland.co.uk Visit Lundy island for a day on MS Oldenburg Lundy¹s supply ship and discover a unique island environment RHS GARDEN ROSEMOOR Torrington; www.rhs.org.uk/ gardens/rosemoor Nestled in the Torridge Valley, Rosemoor is an enchanting place to visit in every season; cherry trees blossom in the spring, the iconic Hot Garden dazzles with vibrant colours in summer, while the woodlands blaze with autumn finery and the Winter Garden catches the eye later in the year BUCKFAST ABBEY Buckfast; www.buckfast.org.uk Nestled in the shadow of Dartmoor, in a beautiful wooded valley beside the river Dart, Buckfast Abbey offers visitors a tranquil refuge from the hectic pace of everyday life. The Abbey is a working monastery where a community of Benedictine monks live self-sufficiently, welcoming visitors from all around the world DARTMOUTH STEAM RAILWAY South Devon; www.dartmouthrailriver.co.uk Based on the glorious South Devon coastline in South West England, enjoy your days out in Devon on our steam trains, boat trips and paddle steamer - the only attraction in Devon that lets you enjoy the delights of Torquay, Paignton, Brixham, Dartmouth and the River Dart, Kingswear and Totnes on your day out! STUART LINE CRUISES Exmouth; www.stuartlinecruises.co.uk Boat trips sailing the coast around Exeter, Exmouth, Torquay and Sidmouth, we give hundreds of thousands of happy passengers the chance to see the Jurassic Coast World Heritage Site, cruise the beautiful River Exe or visit a picture-postcard South Devon town BODMIN AND WENFORD RAILWAY Cornwall; www.bodminrailway.co.uk Discover the excitement and nostalgia of steam travel with a journey back in time on the Bodmin & Wenford Railway,
Salisbury Cathedral
Cornwall's only full size railway still regularly operated by steam locomotives
museum that emcompasses three buildings that contain 750 years of history
MORETONHAMPSTED MOTOR MUSEUM Moretonhampstead Devon; www.moretonmotormuseum.co.uk A motor museum where you can see a fine collection of over 130 historic vehicles from pre-1920’s to the 1990’s. This collection is complemented by motoring artefacts, automobilia and a viewable restoration workshop
MONKEY WORLD Dorset; www.monkeyworld.org Enjoy a fun-filled, fascinating day out for all the family at Monkey World – Ape Rescue Centre in Wareham. The 65-acre park is home to the stars of TV’s ‘Monkey Life’ and ‘Monkey Business’, and provides sanctuary for rescued and endangered primates from around the world
SALISBURY & SURROUND THE WARDROBE MUSEUM (THE RIFLES BERKS & WILTS) Salisbury; www.thewardrobe.org.uk 1200 items from the Berks & Wilts regiment exhibited in a historical residence CROSS KEYS ARCADE Salisbury; www.crosskeysshopping.co.uk The only covered mall in Salisbury, often free face-painting and bank holiday events NEW FOREST CIDER Burley, New Forest; www.newforestcider.co.uk The home of Real Cider Pantry, shops and events END OF THE ROAD FESTIVAL Larmer Tree Gardens; www.endoftheroadfestival.com Outdoor music festival with camping, family friendly. 30 August to 2 September ARUNDELLS Salisbury; www.arundells.org Grade II listed house – once the home of Edward Heath, the former prime minister KING JOHNS HOUSE Romsey; www.kingjohnshouse.org.uk Located in one of Romsey's oldest thoroughfares, King John's House and Heritage Centre is an accredited
NEW FOREST LAVENDER FARM Landford, Salisbury; www.newforestlavender.com Nursery and tearooms SALISBURY ESCAPE ROOMS Salisbury; www.salisburyescape.com Called in to assist with specialist search teams, you and your team will need to find the evidence to make arrests. You have one hour! The only escape rooms created, built and run by UK detectives SALISBURY CATHEDRAL Salisbury; www.salisburycathedral.org.uk A living church and a place of prayer. It is also a centre of pilgrimage for hundreds of thousands of visitors every year, holding many events and exhibitions NEW FOREST WILDLIFE PARK Southampton; www.newforestwildlifepark.co.uk Falconry handling and training days home to over 50 species of birds of prey, including eagles, owls, hawks and falcons. We aim to make your day with us truly great STONEHENGE Amesbury, Salisbury; www.english-heritage.org.uk Stonehenge is a prehistoric monument in Wiltshire, consisting mainly of a ring of standing stones www.mediaclash.co.uk I BRISTOL LIFE I 23
Kerb appeal
What’s better than a city filled with Gromits? A trail of Gromits, Wallaces and Feathers McGraws, that’s what...
Gnome Sweet Gnome By Katie Wallis Sponsored by Natracare At College Green
Plooming Marvellous
By Amy Timms Sponsored by Bristol Post At Hartcliffe Community Farm
24 I BRISTOL LIFE I www.mediaclash.co.uk
Gromitronic
Gromits that can hover; Gromits with flashing eyes. Fluffy Gromits you can cuddle. Wallace as Aladdin Sane, lad. Feathers McGraw with moving cogs – oh, you’ve spoiled us with this year’s trail, Aardman and The Grand Appeal – all raising funds, as ever, for Bristol Children’s Hospital. “Gromit Unleashed 2 showcases everything that’s wonderful about this city,” says Gromit’s creator, Nick Park (shown left with Long John Wallace). “Its rich heritage in engineering and science, its creativity, its culture, and of course Bristol Children’s Hospital.” There are over 60 figures to spot; the Detect-O-Gromit app has a load of fun ways to find them and capture selfies. Here are 21 to get you started. www.grandappeal.org.uk
Made by Christine Braganze, Ella Allan and Octavia Clark – (very clever) University of Bristol engineering students Sponsored by University of Bristol At Bristol Museum and Art Gallery
In-cog-nito
Rocket Man
By Renishaw Sponsored by Renishaw At M Shed
Made by Amalgam Sponsored by Amalgam At The Mall, Cribbs Causeway
Space Oddi-tea
Gromit P Sullivan (Sulley)
By Carys Ink Sponsored by Wapping Wharf At Wapping Wharf
By Pixar Animation Studio Sponsored by LDC At the Gromit Unleashed shop, The Mall, Cribbs Causeway
A Grand Gromplication
By Elaine Carr Sponsored by CAMB Machine Knives International LTD Outside Bristol Children’s Hospital
Light as a Feather By Josh & Aimee Williams Sponsored by Osborne Clarke At Clifton Suspension Bridge
gromit trail
One in a Minion* By Illumination Sponsored by Bristol Marriott Hotel At Bristol Marriott Hotel
Long John Wallace
Gromjet
By Elaine Carr Sponsored by VWV At Cascade Steps
Made by Rolls-Royce Sponsored by Rolls Royce At Aerospace Bristol
Cracking Build Gromit
Prima Featherina
A Grand Tribute
Wallambard
The howl
Banana-arm-a
Feathertron 300 By JamFactory x Jimmy 2 Eggs Sponsored by Bristol Energy At Bristol Energy
* Our favourite pun in this year’s trail
By LEGO Sponsored by Cabot Circus At Cabot Circus
By Tim Miness Sponsored by Womble Bond Dickinson At ss Great Britain
By Ruth Broadway Sponsored by Bristol Marriott Hotel At Bristol Marriott Hotel
By Tim Sutcliffe Sponsored by Redrock Consulting Ltd At the RWA
By Nick Park Sponsored by We The Curious At Millenium Square
By Katie Wallis Sponsored by Jeremy Gumbley North Street
Stellar
By Laura Hallett Sponsored by CASS Art Park Street
The Wensleydale Kid By Paula Bowles Sponsored by Clifton Observatory At Clifton Observatory
www.mediaclash.co.uk I BRISTOL LIFE I 25
hot town summer in the city
It was the hottest July since, well, the last time it was this hot in July – and (most of) the city’s festival organisers could hardly believe their luck . . .
Photos page 27-30 by COLIN RAYNER Page 31 by NEIL JAMES BRAIN www.mediaclash.co.uk I BRISTOL LIFE I 27
St Pauls carnival
28 I BRISTOL LIFE I www.mediaclash.co.uk
summer festivals
bristol pride
www.mediaclash.co.uk I BRISTOL LIFE I 29
summer festivals
harbourfest
30 I BRISTOL LIFE I www.mediaclash.co.uk
summer festivals
upfest Cheba, collaborating with old pal Inkie (below)
The one and only Ink
#BeMoreLisa – by Nomad Clan Will you look at the state of Jody’s phone...
Yeah. It was a bit windy....
Jody’s golden apple
www.mediaclash.co.uk I BRISTOL LIFE I 31
In God we Trust
Satasn! Rock Elf In A Man Suit Productions present:
The Last Days of Judas Iscariot 11-13 Sep 2018 at The Redgrave Theatre Side splitting courtroom drama with a deep theological twist Buy tickets online 24/7: redgravetheatre.com | Box Office Tue-Fri 12:30-5:30pm: 0117 315 7800
1
BRISTOL HEROES
There’s just one mega-festival in the Bristol summer to go . . . Words and pictures by Colin Moody
photography
U
p, up, up and away go hundreds of balloons every year over the city. And when the Balloon Fiesta is on, its mass ascents fill up the sky, and the Instagram uploading servers get hot, hot hot. Over the years, I have covered the Fiesta from inside the media tent and the odd rising basket, but this year I wanted to look a little closer at one key component in the balloon saga. Cameron Balloons. To be specific, their operation of balloon manufacturing that has been going on in Bedminster in that beautiful red brick building for a very long time. I wanted to see the balloons being made. This month’s heroes are the people inside the building, making every possible shape of balloon you can imagine.
1
Nico is one of Cameron Balloons’s expert sewing machinists. She is Romanian, and when she told a Romanian crew at one of the launches that she had sewn their balloon it was emotional. That makes me smile.
2 2
Cameron Balloons’s 600 basket. Ready to fly, pilot plus 32 passengers. When I heard those numbers, I was looking out the window and a bus went by halfempty. Could it not be better and more fun to get about by hot air, I thought. Took me a while to walk round this basket. All made in good old Bristol town.
3
www.mediaclash.co.uk I BRISTOL LIFE I 35
4
3
A hot air balloon during its inspection process. This was taken during the heat wave, and the only time I felt cool in the whole tour was walking shoeless inside this amazing balloon. It fills the room. But then it would, wouldn’t it? Now, let’s go inside, shall we, and see what work needs to take place. Hero here? The building – it is big enough for all this large work.
4
Dan is a rigger. He is installing the hot-air balloon’s internal controls. He’s using that glinting pair of scissors to finish the job. Looking around, it’s awe-inspiring to think about all the work that has gone in to making this one balloon. Now... let’s go upstairs.
5
Janice is a skilled sewing machine manager at Cameron Balloons, here seen standing in the middle of one of the aerostats she is creating. Now, imagine many more sewing stations all around, and you get an idea of how big this operation is.
6
Kerry concentrates while she sews beautiful hot air balloons. By now I’ve been in the building for only an hour, and the colours are making me feel so good about my day. Seeing every single part of the balloon being put together in such a careful, personal way makes you feel proud that all this local work goes all over the world wherever balloons fly.
36 I BRISTOL LIFE I www.mediaclash.co.uk
5
photography 6
7
“What impressed me was how sure they all were that they were putting all the parts in the right place” 8
7
Paula is applying the aircraft’s registration. All of this is one hot air balloon. What impressed me was how sure they were that they were putting all the parts on the right place. Oh boy, hero 7 already? But I haven’t taken you to where they make the burners and all the other parts . . . I guess we will have to come have a look-see again next year. Because there is just one hero left, and I have that spot reserved . . .
8
Don Cameron – founder of Cameron Balloons and co-founder in 1978 of Bristol Balloon Fiesta with Bristol Junior Chamber of Commerce. Don has been designer of many special shapes and has been one of the instrumental engineers for many of Cameron Balloons’s world record-breaking projects. Take a look at just a small selection of the balloons they make there behind him. This is where it all starts. Follow Colin on Twitter @moodycolin Instagram @moodycolin319
www.mediaclash.co.uk I BRISTOL LIFE I 37
BALLOON fiesta
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
rise of inflation Bristol’s beloved Balloon Fiesta is celebrating its 40th birthday this year, and it’s going to be a massive nostalgiafest – along with the new balloons taking to the skies, some old favourites will be tethered and inflated at Ashton Court
T
o celebrate its big birthday, the Fiesta will be welcoming back some cherished special shape balloons from down the years. So we can expect to see newbies such as Simbaloo and Belvoir rustling their silks alongside some historic classics, that won’t be airborne but will be inflated at the arena. So this year, eyes on the skies won’t be enough – you’ll really need to get down to Ashton Court . . . 1. The Belvoir Teardrop It made its début at the Fiesta last year, when its teardrop shape and vibrant bright yellow colour made it an instant favourite. Arguments over the pronunciation of its name continue to rage; it’s actually pronounced ‘beaver’. 2. Paddy Power Pants What’s not to love about a giant pair of green paints flying above your head? Absolutely nothing, that’s what. 3. bertie bassett The only thing more exciting than seeing Bertie Bassett again for the first time in over 10 years is seeing TWO Bertie Bassetts! The lads
9
are too old to fly, but they will be inflated and tethered at the arena. 4. buster Buster looks pretty great during the day, but just wait until the sun sets – even the most standard balloon looks spectacular at the Night Glow, so imagine how this chap’s going to look. 5. owlbert Well, let’s give a big too-whit-too-whoo to Owlbert Eyenstein. Photo courtesy of Thomas Gleixner, Swiss Shapes. 6. The Birthday cake Making its spectacular début in Bristol for the big anniversary, this is one ride that’s going to be in massive demand. 7. michelin man Ask anyone to name a favourite special shape from bygone years, and we bet this bad boy makes the list. 8. the superbike The largest balloon you’ll see at the Fiesta (or anywhere else), Lindstrand’s Superbike débuted in 2010 and now returns to Bristol this year from the Netherlands.
10
9. simbaloo A relative newbie at the Bristol Balloon Fiesta, Simbaloo, aka The Longleat Lion, has become many people’s favourite shape. 10. Scottish Piper Standing at 165 ft tall, the Piper is a truly remarkable creation and will cut an extraordinary figure in the launch field. Forget about the train; this is the one and only Flying Scotsman. n The Bristol Balloon Fiesta runs 9-12 August at Ashton Court; www.bristolballoonfiesta.co.uk
www.mediaclash.co.uk I BRISTOL LIFE I 39
advertising feature
Your property letting, sorted... Could you enjoy more holidays thanks to Airsorted? Neil and Mehjabeen do…
T
here are a number of reasons why you might decide to short-let your property. Perhaps you work away during the week, you’re going on holiday or have decided to go travelling for a few months – using your home to generate extra income to fund your lifestyle when you are not there could be the dream solution. That is what Bristol based husband and wife, Neil and Mehjabeen discovered when they decided to let out their property using Airsorted earlier this year. Their busy and demanding careers mean that they both travel a lot with work – Mehjabeen is a CFO while Neil runs his own ad agency. “I might be away, she might be,” Neil explains, “we can both be abroad for one month but maybe not at the same time.” When asked why he decided to list his property on Airbnb, Neil explained, “We’re based in Clifton Wood, a lot of people visit this part of town – it’s near the bridge and near the city centre, so it’s a great location in Bristol. We
WHAT’S INCLUDED in Airsorted’s ‘hassle-free’ hosting service? • Listing creation – professional photography and search optimisation • Price optimisation – specialised technology and local knowledge help us set the perfect price • Professional cleaning – arrange professional cleaning paid for by your guests • Hotel quality linens – beds made to a hotel standard with towels and linen laundered offsite • Guest vetting – strict screening of guests using both online and offline verification checks • 24 hr check-in – peace of mind for your guests as they can check-in anytime • Account management – one point of contact for all your queries • Property maintenance – highly skilled professionals on call • Guest communications – prompt responses to your guests • Replenishment – monitoring and restocking of necessary items
40 I BRISTOL LIFE I www.mediaclash.co.uk
Neil and Mehjabeen
love the house but also go away quite a lot, so we realised there was a great opportunity to utilise our house for additional income. “While our daughter was away at university, we decided to put our property on Airbnb. The timing of it was perfect, and because Airsorted take care of it all for you, we could move forward with listing our property on Airbnb without worrying. We wouldn’t be on Airbnb without Airsorted.” Airsorted’s hassle-free service is designed to take all the stress out of hosting, from creating the listing to vetting guests, something Neil and Mehjabeen were able to find out first hand. “Our listing was live within a week, everything was really smooth. The big thing for us was getting it listed in the first place; a lot of the heavy lifting was done by Airsorted. The ease of not having to deal with anything when the guests are here, such as cleaning or providing bedding and linen – it’s a more reliable service than anything that we could provide, and gives us peace of mind. In fact, every time the property has been listed as available with Airsorted, we’ve had 100% occupancy. We’re now able to go away more because it covers our weekend trips away!” Working with Airsorted has also given Neil and Mehjabeen more freedom.
“It gives us the opportunity to take more breaks, and also contributes to the cost of the house. We recently were able to go to Milan because of it. My wife was there for work and so I listed the property and within 24 hours there were two requests to book. This meant we could travel together, knowing it was all covered.” n
If you are a Bristol based host already, or are new to home sharing and interested in hosting in Bristol, Airsorted would love to hear from you. Call 0117 325152 or visit the website at www.airsorted.co.uk/bristol
FESTIVAL CITY
As part of our celebratory issue, we invited COLIN RAYNER to trawl his photo archive and choose his favourites from festivals past and present
PRIDE PARADE 2018: The parade in 2018 was bigger than ever before. This is just a fraction, with it stretching back through the entire Broadmead shopping centre. Leading the parade were Mayor Marvin Rees, Lord Mayor Cleo Lake and Police and Crime Commissioner Sue Mountstevens
XX I BRISTOL LIFE I www.mediaclash.co.uk
FESTIVALS
Bristol Balloon Fiesta 2016: We’re all familiar with the sight of balloons drifting over the city, but not everyone gets the chance to see this view, as a multicoloured balloon is being inflated
Brisfest 2013: A big part of Bristol’s summer events involves music – and occasionally acrobatics . . .
Harbour Festival 2017: Although the Harbour Festival also now includes music, dance, food stalls, markets and circus performance, the spectacular fly-boarding still draws big crowds
www.mediaclash.co.uk I BRISTOL LIFE I 43
FESTIVALS
St Paul’s Carnival 2018: The Carnival is all about colour and fun. It was great to have it back after a four-year gap, in time to celebrate its 50th anniversary
Upfest 2016: One of the large pieces of artwork, by Cheo x Mr Men, covering one of the most coveted spots – the back wall of the Tobacco Factory 44 I BRISTOL LIFE I www.mediaclash.co.uk
FESTIVALS
Pride Parade 2017: My first visit to the Pride Parade was an uplifting experience and this is a moment of sheer joy with the little girl running underneath the Pride flag.
Harbour Festival 2017: In the pouring rain, with most people sheltering, the singer from RSVP Bhangra climbed down into the crowd to dance with the audience. Don’t stop taking photographs just because it’s raining!
Bristol Balloon Fiesta 2013: The Night Glow draws thousands of people, who wait many hours to see this dramatic sight accompanied by music
www.mediaclash.co.uk I BRISTOL LIFE I 45
Start Your Career in Clinical Hypnotherapy ● Practitioner Diploma in Hypnotherapy ● Stress Management Practitioner Course
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
Starting soon: Held at weekends in Birmingham, Bristol, Glasgow, Leeds, London
LCCH International Ltd www.lcchinternational.co.uk info@lcchinternational.co.uk | Tel: 020 3603 8535
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
Situated in the renowned Spike Island, we are the sister café to the much loved Folk House Café and offer a wonderful setting for everyone. 133 Cumberland Road Bristol BS1 6UX spikeislandcafe.co.uk 0117 954 4030
LOCAL, ORGANIC, SUSTAINABLE, ETHICAL, DELICIOUS. We also cater for evening events, wedding receptions, birthday parties, supper clubs. Call now for more information. 40a Park Street, Bristol, BS1 5JG folkhousecafe.co.uk 0117 908 5035
Sounds of the city
Are you even from Bristol if you don’t know the origins of trip-hop? A new book published to accompany M Shed’s Bristol Music exhibition offers everything you ever needed to know about the Bristol sound, and much more… By Deri Robins 48 I BRISTOL LIFE I www.mediaclash.co.uk
People call him Tricky for particular reason
bristol MUSIC
B
een to M Shed’s exhibition, Bristol Music, yet? Oh, you should, you know, even if you’re not a massive (hah) music fan – it’s a fascinating keyhole into the cultural history of the city. Our friends at Tangent Books have produced a companion volume inspired by the exhibition; below, author and long-time music critic Richard Jones tells us how it came about. “The book is in three parts – pictures from the exhibition, a timeline of Bristol music from 1955-2018 and profiles of the major acts and personalities over the Seven Decades Of Sound,” says Richard. “I’m pleased with it, partly because I’ve eventually found an outlet for loads of information and trivia about Bristol music I’ve been carrying round in my head for most of my adult life.” So how long have you been a Bristol gig-goer?
I started going to gigs at the Colston Hall and Hippodrome when I was about 13, in 1972. One of the first ones I went to was Roxy Music (with Eno). We paid 50p to sit in the ‘choirs’ behind the stage at the Colston Hall, almost within touching distance of the band. It’s still one of the best shows I’ve ever been to.
main pic: Tricky in 1989, by Beezer; this page top left: Wild Bunch in
1986, Tangent Books; top right: Alastair Shuttleworth/LIVE, May 2017 by Simon Holliday
A mate’s mum worked at John Lewis in Broadmead. They had a ticket outlet for the Colston Hall, but it wasn’t well publicised, so they often had tickets left over which we could get, so we went to loads of gigs. It was also possible to find other ways into the Colston Hall. A whole generation will be familiar with the route through the stage door of the Little Theatre which got you as far as the bar without being asked to show your nonexistent ticket. Once in the bar we just waited for the interval and joined the rush back into the hall, when nobody asked to see your ticket. Beth Gibbons once said that there was no such thing as the Bristol Sound. Have we exaggerated/simplified the sound, or is there a genuine and unique legacy that the city can lay claim to?
The artists really don’t like to be defined by terms such as the Bristol Sound or trip-hop, do they? But there undeniably is a particular kind of music that came out of Bristol in the late ’80s and early ’90s that is represented in the staggering originality of Massive Attack’s Blue Lines, Portishead’s début album and Tricky’s Maxinquaye. Of course, there were other sorts of music coming out of Bristol at the same time, from heavy metal to reggae. I don’t have a problem with using the shorthand terms Bristol Sound and trip-hop. In fact, I think trip-hop is an excellent term. You know exactly what it means. I wish I’d thought of it.
“Trip-hop needs a huge slice of bass and a dreamy melancholy air mixed with a gritty urban realism. It’s hip-hop on magic mushrooms and cider”
OK, so how would you sum up trip-hop?
Trip-hop must have a relationship to hip-hop, whether it’s rapping, scratching, the beat, or sampling. It must have one or more of these elements. It needs a huge slice of bass and a dreamy melancholy air mixed with a gritty urban realism. It’s hip-hop on magic mushrooms and cider. So why did this particular sound arise here? How did it all come about?
Here’s my take on it…in 1955, the first skiffle groups emerged, and like in other major UK cities, developed into rock’n’roll outfits. In Bristol there was already a strong folk and jazz tradition, plus ska from the relatively new arrivals from the Caribbean. Bristol bands did well, with several minor hits, but the Bristol superstar was pianist Russ Conway who sold 30 million records over his lifetime, had 20 consecutive chart hits between 1957 and 1962 including two number ones. Acker Bilk’s Stranger On The Shore was the biggest selling record of 1962, Roger Cook and Roger Greenaway from Fishponds recorded a cover version of Michelle by The Beatles, and reached number 11 under the name David and Jonathan; Fred Wedlock and Adge Cutler of The Wurzels enjoyed national success. And then Bristol music went underground. Bands from the city made virtually no impact on the national charts in the ’70s and ’80s. There were exceptions (Sara Dallin and Keren Woodward from Bananarama are from Bristol but were much more associated with Coventry and the rise of Two-Tone) and probably the only Bristol acts to appear on Top Of The Pops were Fred Wedlock and Pigbag, and they were mainly from Cheltenham and Birmingham. There was some excellent music coming out of the city, and Bristol musicians played in world-famous bands, but the city had no musical identity in terms of popular culture. If you accept that pop music and football are two of the leading forms of working-class
www.mediaclash.co.uk I BRISTOL LIFE I 49
B
ased in the Cotswolds, Brookman Greene has quickly established a reputation for producing high-end elegant events. We produce celebrations ranging from stunning weddings to private celebrations in your residence, on fields and lawns or in venues of your choice. We also offer a service where we can help style your venue, using our eclectic mix of prop hire, or we can provide a set up service, and management on the day. We focus on the timeless values of fairness, generosity and trust to ensure that you receive the best possible service, all delivered with the warmth, style and elegance that Brookman Greene is known for.
We care about each occasion as if it were our own Brookman Greene West Kington, Wiltshire SN14 7JJ +44 (0)1249 782906 | info@brookmangreene.co.uk www.brookmangreene.co.uk
bristol MUSIC Blue Lines album in April 1991. Without Blue Lines, there would probably not have been Portishead, Tricky, Roni Size and so on. Those artists might disagree, but the influence of that album on defining a certain type of music coming out of the city was enormous. Somehow Bristol got from the yokel image of Fred Wedlock to the urban cool of Massive Attack without the rest of the world noticing – and that’s in no way a criticism of Fred Wedlock, who was a champion of local music and a great community activist. Why has the city produced relatively few international music stars?
Enterprise sound system, St Pauls Carnival, 1985, by Beezer
expression, Bristol underperformed in both. Then punk happened, and then hip-hop made an impact on Bristol like no other UK city. In the ’80s, it was possible on successive weekends to go to Ashton Court Festival, St Paul’s Carnival, Glastonbury Festival and WOMAD, and maybe Stonehenge festival as well. Many travellers moved into the inner city, reggae and the Caribbean influence became stronger at venues such as Trinity, Dockland Settlement, the Bamboo Club and the Dug Out. Add to that the guitar bands (Seers, Claytown Troupe, Blue Aeroplanes, Flatmates, Brilliant Corners) and the heavy metal of
Onslaught or the psychobilly of Torment, plus rock’n’roll, folk, jazz etc, and there was a huge number of influences for young Bristol musicians, but most of it was ‘outsider’ music – punk, black music, jazz. Bristol danced to a different beat than the rest of the UK. Smith & Mighty and Massive Attack (exWild Bunch) were the at the forefront of the underground scene, and in 1989 Smith & Mighty produced a cover of the Rose Royce classic Wishing On A Star for a group of hip-hop kids from Knowle West and singer Lizz E. It reached number 10 in the charts in 1989. But nothing could prepare us for the groundbreaking quality of Massive Attack’s
“Somehow, Bristol got from the yokel image of Fred Wedlock to the urban cool of Massive Attack without the rest of the world noticing” Did you know…? In the 1960s, DJ Derek started his music career playing drums in the Burlington Berties Banjo Band. Chaos, out of Chaos UK, is related to Adge Cutler. Acker Bilk was the first British artist since Vera Lynn to reach Number One in America when Stranger On The Shore topped the charts in May 1962.
Fresh 4 were signed after leaving a few bars of a song on a record company answerphone. Wishing On A Star went on the peak at number 10 in the UK Singles Chart in 1989. Lee Sheriden won the Eurovision Song Contest in 1976 with Brotherhood Of Man; he was living in Ashley Down when the band won Eurovision with Save Your Kisses For Me.
A lot of it has something to do with Bristol being an affluent city where working-class culture (such as football and music) does not thrive. Historically there has been no management structure in the city; Bristol is close enough to London for the capital to dominate it and for Bristol musicians to leave the city; there has been zero support for developing music from Bristol City Council – look at the Arena mess if you want to understand Bristol City Council’s relationship with music. In fact, all the most interesting music to come out of the city is despite the council rather than because of it. And in many ways that’s a good thing, because a lot of the music is independent and radical. Which music venues have been most important in fostering Bristol music?
Well, they’ve all had their part to play from The Springer rock’n’roll pub on Newfoundland Road to the big clubs like Motion and Blue Mountain. But while compiling the book I was particularly struck by the role of three clubs: the Dug Out was a very important meeting place going back to the early ’60s jazz scene, the Granary on Welsh Back had a major role to play as did the Bamboo Club in St Paul’s. Where are the best places to hear Bristol music today?
The Fleece, Thekla, Louisiana, Thunderbolt, Gallimaufrey, Exchange, Trinity – the list goes on. The last gig I went to was a benefit for Keith Tippett at the Hen and Chicken in Southville in July. It was a brilliant event and it’s a really good venue – so there’s plenty going on outside the city centre. Bristol Music: Seven Decades Of Sound by Richard Jones, price £8.99 is available from www. tangentbooks.co.uk, M Shed, Foyles, Arnolfini Bookshop, Beast, Co-Lab and Bristol Tourist Information Centre. Bristol Music: Seven Decades of Sound is at M Shed until 30 September
www.mediaclash.co.uk I BRISTOL LIFE I 51
A BLOSSOMING ROMANCE Flourish in unique splendor, where sophistication romances relaxation to create the ultimate home from home for family and friends on your wedding day. Take comfort in our warm ambiance as we help you to begin your story here at Berwick Lodge. Call us now to start your story.
Berwick Lodge, Berwick Drive, Bristol BS10 7TD Tel: 0117 958 1590 www.berwicklodge.co.uk
99
problems ...but getting hitched ain’t one by Deri Robins
T
A is for... ambience If you decide, right from the start, on the ambience you want to achieve at your wedding, it makes choosing V for Venue so much easier. The good news is that the sky’s the limit (literally so, if you get married at M Shed, where you can hire one of the cranes to hoik you up to the top-floor events space). Choose the vibe that’s right for you and your guy/gal, from casual, boho and relaxed to super-stylish and urban, then choose a venue to match. That wasn’t hard, was it?
All you need for a wedding photo that will make other brides and grooms weep with envy are (a) a tennis court (b) two racquets (c) photographer Brad Wakefield and his drone
54 I BRISTOL LIFE I www.mediaclash.co.uk
© Br ad wakefield
hat’s right! When it comes to the bare, knot-tying essentials, getting married is a doddle. A total cinch. All you have to do is repeat your partner’s names, ideally in the right order*, say ‘I do’ and sign a register. However, if you’re reading this feature, the chances are that you’re planning to celebrate the ceremony with a bit of a do – and dos do need bit of thought and preparation. An entire alphabetful, in fact… (* You know, like Lady Di signally failed to do when marrying Charles Philip etc etc in 1981)
Weddings
B is for... budget Ignore those ‘average Brit spends £30k on a UK wedding’ stats. If you happen to be minted, and are hellbent on packing as much glamour and glitz as humanly possible into 24 hours, go full-on swank, by all means; but if you can only afford to splash a month’s salary, prioritise what you really want, and jettison the rest. We’re looking at you, wedding favours; no grown-up needs a goody bag. C is for... catering You’re from Bristol, yeah, so no surprise to hear from wedding planner Michele Jetzer that she’s seeing “food that is local and seasonal” along with “lots of family platter food, food trucks and biodynamic wines.” If you’re self-catering, and understandably lack enough crockery for 60+ guests, Enamelware Events hires out mugs, plates and serving platters – they’ll even collect them unwashed at the end of the day. Food vans and other ‘pop-up’-style street-food offerings are original and fun;
good options include pie and mash from Pieminister, pizza, or posh fish-and-chip vans. Ask guests to bring cakes, and you have a truly bespoke pudding with no cost to you. Finally, we couldn’t resist quoting this handy bit of advice, from Bryan Rafanelli in Vogue. “Donuts are not the new cupcakes. Avoid this trend unless your father owns a donut shop.” D is for drone No, not the father of the bride’s interminable speech; ’fraid there’s not much we can do about that. We’re talking those cool overhead shots we’re seeing from creative photographers such as Brad Wakefield, who’s a commercial drone pilot – you need to have a PfCO licence to do this kind of work, so check all the legals before booking. “Drone photography adds an unparalleled dimension, capturing truly spectacular aerial shots,” says Brad, “whether you’d like to remember the amazing location, the grandeur of your wedding venue or have a bird’s-eye view couple shot to rival all wedding shots.”
“Donuts are not the new cupcake. Avoid this trend, unless your father owns a donut shop”
E is for... entertainment Tired wedding singers cornily crooning covers have had their day, and you won’t struggle to find top-notch musicians in every genre; if it was our do, we’d hire Mr Wilson’s Second Liners – “New Orleans jazz meets 90’s club classics” – whom we saw at the launch party of Lost and Found. There are, of course, many other options, from casinos to karaoke, magicians, photobooths, silent discos, fairground rides and marryoke. Oh and if you thought the wedding scene in Love Actually was the most romantic thing you’ve ever seen in your life, Bravo Singing Waiters will recreate it, complete with gospel choir, or indeed spring any other kind of musical surprise on your partner/guests. F is for flowers Jordan Keogh of Jasper and Quinn finds that “more and more couples are wanting a natural, wild frame for their day. Living walls, suspended floral installations and growing meadow arrangements all literally bring a venue to life. ‘Graceful’, ‘unstructured’ and ‘whimsical’ are all words which keep appearing in enquiries – music to our ears! “We’re also finding that more and more brides want to ‘wear’ their flowers – crowns and wrist corsages leave your hands free for a glass of prosecco, and hugs...”
www.mediaclash.co.uk I BRISTOL LIFE I 55
Flicky of Dot and the Dandelion is seeing “a lot of pampas grass being used in wedding flowers; it adds a great texture. Gypsophila is having a bit of a comeback; however, this time, instead of being added here and there, brides are choosing to have just gypsophila in their arrangements. It creates great impact and is also a great flower if you’re on a budget.” G is for... gender stereotypes … as in, you really don’t need to follow them. Brides are no longer a chattel to be passed from father to husband; nobody actually needs to give you away, and if you do fancy being walked down the aisle by a parent, why leave out mum? At many Jewish weddings, both parents accompany their child to the altar. And why should the guys make all the speeches? Equal roles are a given at same-sex weddings; there’s no reason why heterosexual couples shouldn’t rewrite the rule book, too. H is for… hair Sam Bell of Hair at 58 has three fab looks to suggest. “The relaxed wedding bun, low-set in the nape of the neck; this is soft and effortless, yet intricate and detailed; a stylish modern take on the typical bridal up-do.” Chic ponytails, she says, are “either positioned at the crown with lustrous waves and fullness, or low-set at the nape for a more understated and stylish look.” Finally, there’s the new “part half-up-do, part side-sweep, with loose waves falling down the back; romantic and glamorous. Another style growing in popularity is the half up-do knot, kept neat for the glam look, or messy for a more boho look.” Don’t go drastically off-piste when it comes to your usual look, though. The reaction you want to see when your new spouse turns to greet you is one of adoring recognition, not baffled terror at the sight of an apparent stranger bearing down in full bridal regalia. I is for... invitations Send ’em out at least eight weeks in advance. That way, if anyone can’t attend, you can ask someone else without them ever realising they’ve been promoted from the subs bench. J is for jive . . . or indeed ceroc, or samba, or any other kind of dance music that floats your bridal boat – the options for the first dance are wide open. If you and your new spouse are hellbent on smooching to Take My Breath Away, far be it for us to dissuade you; on the other hand, if you and the girls have polished your Single Ladies routine to perfection in a hundred clubs, now is the ideal opportunity to unleash it on an appreciative public.
56 I BRISTOL LIFE I www.mediaclash.co.uk
Bristol, what a backdrop! Photo by Ruth Garner for a shoot organised by Laura from Bristol Bridal Boutique
weddings
“Some guests feel that being asked for cash smacks of being sold a ticket. ‘Do we need a festival stamp to get in?’ was one tart comment we’ve heard”
K is for... kids Planning some elegant, sophisticated do that’s not compatible with children? It’s A-OK to make it politely clear that kids aren’t included. That said, Michele Jetzer tells us that “kids do seem to be invited this year, with pop-up bell tents and nannies. Pitch up and Play are a great company doing this.” L is for... list As in wedding list, as in gifts. They make total sense; in all likelihood you’ve been sharing a home for a while anyway, and are absolutely fine for toasters. Some couples now even ask for cash; it’s become acceptable, though some guests feel it rather smacks of selling a ticket. “Do we need a festival stamp to get in?” was one tart comment we’ve overheard. Hidden Gallery have an elegant solution. “Couples can select a particular piece of art, and their friends and family contribute towards that; or guests simply contribute to a fund for a voucher to be spent in the gallery.” We’re seriously thinking of renewing our vows so that we can demand a Banksy. M is for... make up As with hair, as with hemlines, the less outré you go, the greater the likelihood that you won’t wince at your wedding photos in 30 years time. Soft and subtle is always pretty. If, despite a lifetime of practice, you’re still rubbish with a mascara wand, consider using a MUA; photographer Becky Male recommends Grace Kingsley (gracekingsley.co.uk). N is for... nails A word in your shellac-like ear. If you only have one semi-permanent nail polish in your life, this is the time for it. Your ring hand is going to be on show all day – and you may as well have the other hand done, too. . . Lavish Spa at the Marriott Hotel don’t just do nails, but offer full packages for the bridal party.
© Ruth Garner
O is for... outfit Even the most excitable bride will calm down a bit when her dress is hanging in the wardrobe. The concept of a white bridal dress is relatively new – until late Victorian times, brides just wore their best frock. These days, it tends to be the other way round, with many brides choosing a dress with the economic view of reusing it for future occasions. Upcycling is popular; some brides rework their mother’s, or even grandmother’s, dresses. The model in the photo on this page wears a preloved dress from Bristol Bridal Boutique, where you’ll find designer gowns for a fraction of their original cost. P is for… photography You can make your own bunting and bake your own cake, but however talented your best mate, however tasty his new Canon 5D Mark IV, photos should be entrusted to a pro. It’s easy to choose the right one these days;
all wedding photographers have websites with galleries of past work. Many will offer an engagement shoot, either as part of the package or as a separate job – it’s the ideal way for them to get to know you, and the photos may well feel more genuinely ‘you’ than the wedding shots; you can even bring the dog. Obviously, there is no finer backdrop for outdoor photos than Bristol. “The Clifton Suspension Bridge is an obvious classic but there are so many other amazing settings: Harbourside, Brandon Hill, Nelson Street with its graffiti, Stokes Croft, the list goes on…” says photographer Ruth Garner. Q is for... quiet time While you may take a full year planning your wedding, the actual day will flash past like the Millennium Falcon negotiating light speed. Try to grab 10 minutes with your spouse, away from the mêlée, to enjoy the moment. R is for... rings & jewellery “We believe that pearls and brides go together like strawberries and cream,” says Catherine Amesbury of Artemis. “Freshwater pearls are always very popular, combined with silver and crystal to give a little sparkle.” “Customers are currently very interested in angular and irregular cut diamonds in their rings,” says Ashleigh of Diana Porter. “We’ve seen a move away from soft round rose-cuts towards shapes such as shards, kites and marquises. Free-form cut diamonds in irregular geometric shapes are also popular and we stock one-of-a-kind stones that can be made into rings for contemporary look.” Proper lush. The only problem is, how do you settle on just one ring style? Bigamy? S is for... social media Some couples encourage candid snaps, and set up hashtags for the posting. Others dislike having hand-held devices waved in their face. Discover, and honour, their preferences. T is for... transport If you want a proper chauffeured job in a shiny Merc, driven by a true gentleman of the road, we’d personally recommend Tim at Certus, and Lewis at Sybaris. U is for... ushers The groom’s squad. A bunch of likely lads who can be counted on to (a) turn up (b) look smart and (b) be entrusted to seat everyone correctly at the ceremony. This duty completed, they’ll inevitably make a beeline for the free bar and try to get off with the bridesmaids. V is for... venues The Bristol area has every type of imaginable venue, from slick urban clubs to country house hotels – you can even get married on the stage of Bristol Old Vic, and (soon) hold the reception in the newly opulent Coopers Hall. Paintworks is also very on trend this year,
www.mediaclash.co.uk I BRISTOL LIFE I 57
Winner of the South West’s BEST CITY WEDDING VENUE at ‘The Wedding Industry Awards’ 2018
KINGS WESTON HOUSE
Grade 1 listed & designed by Sir John Vanbrugh, Blenheim palace’s little sister is full of charm & atmosphere. This private home on the outskirts of Bristol offers a very personal service and a warm welcome to you and your guests. Book a viewing now. welcome@kingswestonhouse.co.uk
www.kingswestonhouse.co.uk
Dot and the Dandelion create distinctive and elegant flowers.
Working with classic English blooms in innovative ways, Dot and the Dandelion produce unique designs for a wide range of occasions.
CONTACT DETAILS
TELEPHONE: 07479600977. EMAIL: FLICKY@DOTANDTHEDANDELION.COM
weddings
“Don’t be lulled into a false sense of security by this freak of a heatwave; if you want an outdoor wedding, you’ll really need a tent”
W is for... wedding fairs Need inspo and info? Wedding fairs pop up throughout the year – keep an eye on the websites of local hotels, such as Bristol Harbour and Clevedon Hall for up-andcoming events, and maybe pop along to the Love Actually fair at M Shed on 2 September.
Grab that mic, girrl, we want to hear your speech, too
© Albert Palmer
Who you gonna call? Florists
Catering
dotandthedandelion.com jasperandquinn.com
enamelwareevents.co.uk pieminister.co.uk
Venues
Cars
backwellhouse.co.uk berwicklodge.co.uk harbourhotels.co.uk clevedonhall.co.uk kingswestonhouse.co.uk leighcourt.co.uk paintworksevents.co.uk bristololdvic.org.uk bristolmuseums.org.uk/ m-shed spaceintense.co.uk bristolzoo.org.uk
chauffeurhireinbristol.co.uk sybarischauffeurs.com
beckymalephotography. com albertpalmerphotography. com
fashion, gifts & jewellery
brookmangreene.co.uk michelejetzerweddings. co.uk
bristolbridalboutique.co.uk myhiddenworld.co.uk artemisbristol.co.uk julieannepalmer.com dianaporter.co.uk
Photographers
Hair and beauty
ruthgarnerphotography. com bradwakefield.com
lavish-spa.co.uk hairat58.co.uk
planners
according to Michele Jetzer. “The industrial space is adorned with glamorous vintage sofas, chandeliers, mirror balls and lots of hanging foliage. I would say that the latter is the most unusual innovation I’ve seen this year; oh, and trees inside the venue!” That said, barn weddings are still strong, says Michele. “Wild flowers against stone walls, naked cakes and lots of brides choosing wedding dresses in pastel shades.” “We are seeing a rise in the two-day wedding,” adds Jo Maggs of Berwick Lodge. “Couples are loving the relaxed vibe of making Berwick feel like their own, starting pre-wedding celebrations the day before. This usually involves some sort of relaxed groupdining on the eve of the wedding; a barbecue in summer or casual brasserie-style eating – and hiring all the bedrooms for last-minute relaxation and pampering.” We could go on. Stately, Palladian Leigh Court (used as a location for Poldark) has a suspended double staircase in the Great Hall – perfect for making a sweeping entrance. Bristol Harbour Hotel & Spa has fused two grand former banks in Old City and fitted them out with beautiful interiors, from the intimate Vaults to the grand Sansovino Hall to the chic, opulent Gold Bar. Kings Weston House offers 18th-century elegance, yet retains the charm of a family home: “This year, we have had lots of couples marry outside in our Secret Garden, and lots of games have been played on the lawn,” they told us. “Couples have been enjoying less formal weddings, with barbecues, hay bales and festoon lighting strung from the house, and everything looking magical.”
X is for... exes Should you invite them? If you’re on good terms with them, and your partner is 100% down with it, then certainly, especially if you share children. But if you can’t be in a room with them for more than five minutes before it’s all kicking off, then best not, eh? Y is for... yurts and marquees Don’t be lulled into a false sense of security by 2018’s freak of a heatwave; if you want an outdoor wedding, you’ll really need a tent of some kind. Spaceintense are (literally!) pros in the field, their latest developments being a Big Top and a Victorian-style marquee. Z is for...zoo If you fancy adding lions, monkeys and scorpions to the guest list, and who doesn’t, why not get married at Bristol Zoo?
www.mediaclash.co.uk I BRISTOL LIFE I 59
Quay St Diner The good times still roll at this well-known Bristol spot – and just look what the new owners have done with the place, says Deri Robins
Q
uay St Diner. It’s a laidback, easy-likeSunday-morning kind of a name. It could easily be in Sydney, or California – indeed, the surfing posters covering one of the walls suggest that it might quite like to go to these places for its holidays. In other words, it’s precisely the sort of restaurant you’d expect from Jon Finch and Ben Merrington, who originally founded Grillstock, but have now left all that ‘meat, music and mayhem’ behind. Quay St Diner is their newest venture, and they’ve poured several years of crowd-pleasing catering experience into this very appealing new gaff. If you dine at Quay St, you should be prepared for a certain amount of mutual eyeballing. Ensconced in one of the comfy window banquettes, you’ll be constantly diverted by the passagiata outside, while the passers-by and cyclists are likely to gaze back in at you with an equally lively interest. There are two reasons for this. Firstly, as this is the former site of beloved community café and bike workshop Roll for the Soul, everyone’s curious to see what’s been done with the place. Secondly, directly above the entrance is an eye-catching piece of street art by TATS Cru, created during See No Evil at a time when the main place for street art was north of the river, not North Street.
60 I BRISTOL LIFE I www.mediaclash.co.uk
Despite the location, the surfy paraphernalia and the art, our first impression as we walked through the door was that we could easily have been in a suburban Andalucian joint. Maybe it was the Moorish tiling of the bar; perhaps it was the Mediterranean accent of the genial waiter, or the garlicky aroma emanating from the open kitchen. The lunch-through-to-evening menu has a strong (but not exclusively) Spanish influence, too, with padron peppers, garlic prawns etc among the small plates; there’s also a Tex Mex offering, with tacos and diner classics such as burgers and steak and chips. It’s an all-day affair, opening early doors for a greatsounding brunch that jumps from Stateside classics such as pancakes with maple syrup to Mexican huevos rancheros and good old British bacon and eggs. Your morning coffee’s bound to be top-notch, with Extract roasts brewed in their San Remo ‘Cafe Racer’ espresso machine –‘ handbuilt in Italy, and inspired by custom motorcycles’. The other piece of kit that Jon and Ben are very proud of is their custom-made Ox charcoal grill – clearly you can take the boys out of Grillstock but you can’t take Grillstock out of the boys. Veggies and vegans won’t struggle, with plant-based burgers to swop with the cow and chicken variety, among other good options. Tempted though we were by the mains, the mix and share options seemed a more fun way
restaurant
to put the kitchen through its paces, so we chose a taco and one of each of the small plates; before you rush to judge, this wasn’t as greedy as it sounds; there are just six on the menu. Drinks were brought promptly to the table. Aperol spritz – the cocktail of 2018 – was the special, but someone had to celebrate National Tequila Day, and I’d already spotted the strawberry margarita; this was mixed with fresh strawberry purée, strawberry liquor, and aplomb. The food was also delivered quickly, though it had clearly been freshly prepared from scratch. The tacos, two soft tortillas piled with tender shredded chicken, juicy pico de gallo and chipotle mayo, came with fiery little pots of salsa rojo and tomatillo salsa, to be added at our discretion. The padron peppers in their smoky rock salt transported us back to our favourite bar on the Cadiz caleta, while the jumbo king prawns with mojo de ajo and grilled lime – presumably, the dish responsible for that enticing garlic aroma – had us waxing nostalgic about a café in Marbella. Shelling prawns in hot oil can, admittedly, be a finger-burning faff, often with a very modest payoff, but, these plump, sweet, meaty beasts justified the effort. Exemplary, crunchy, oily bruschetta topped lavishly with more vibrant red pico de gallo made a great companion to two generous slabs of salty, succulent chargrilled bacon glazed with pineapple and Scotch bonnet salsa, while al-dente courgettes with salsa verde had none of the bitterness sometimes associated with this veg. The only slightly boring dish was a slightly forgettable bowl of chips, which seemed to have wandered over by mistake from the burger menu. We’d visited very soon after the soft opening, and a pudding menu wasn’t yet officially in place; despite this, when we begged for something sweet to end the meal, chef Joe somehow conjured up a wonderfully velvety panna cotta with a mango salsa. If Quay St Diner has a mission statement, we’re guessing it’s not a million miles away from Grillstock’s: good, simply presented food, good music, good times. Arguably there are sexier locations to be had in Bristol than Quay Street; but with some honourable exceptions, such as Cargo, in our recent experience the sexier the location, the lazier the kitchen. A laurel with a harbourside view is only too easy to rest on. If this review has not convinced you that Quay St is thoroughly worthy of your time and quids, please note that they’re offering 40% off food until the end of the month. Yes, they’re that confident that you’ll like it, and so are we. n
“If you dine here, be prepared for a certain amount of mutual eyeballing”
Dining details Quay St Diner, 2 Quay Street, BS1 2HF 0117 409 0434; www.quaystreetdiner. co.uk Opening hours 8am-11pm Mon-Sat, 9am-10pm Sunday Prices Tacos £6-6.50; mains £8-£19; small plates £2.50-£7 Kids They’ll love it Atmosphere Laidback with a great classic soul etc music track Service Friendly, informed and professional
www.mediaclash.co.uk I BRISTOL LIFE I 61
A truly magnificent wedding venue in the heart of Clifton Village, creating unique Wedding and Civil Partnership ceremonies in breath-taking surroundings. Complimentary Wedding Menu Tasting is offered to the Bride and Groom, courtesy of our Head Chef who provides an exquisite fine dining experience. The Clifton Club incorporates a comprehensively personalised Wedding Experience with a dedicated team to manage every detail. Our passion is making memories you will cherish forever.
Sam Gibson Wedding Photography
Bespoke Wedding Service Licensed to Host Wedding & Civil Partnership Ceremonies Luxurious Georgian Interiors Grand Dining Room With Adjoining Event Rooms Dedicated Wedding Team Ceremony Only Options Available For further information or for a copy of our Wedding Brochure, please get in touch. Tel: 0117 9745039 - Fax: 0117 9743910 Email: sarah.davidson@thecliftonclub.co.uk
www.thecliftonclub.co.uk
T @CliftonClub
thecliftonclub
f @theCliftonClub
The Clifton Club, 22 The Mall, Clifton, Bristol BS8 4DS
cafÉ society Stan Cullimore
Corner boys It’s not uncommon to form an attachment to a place – but in his dedication to this Cotham café, Stan’s positively crossed the Rubicon
A
h, summer. The happiest of seasons. Three short but sweet months of the year, those red-hot doggy days, when the tides change, the wheels turn and the sun shines fit to burst. As you may have noticed, this particular summer is proving to be one sweet ride, filled with endless hours of blazing sun and delicious warm evenings aplenty. Which is nice. And since this also happens to be the 250th edition of this
“The real draw of the place, the cherry on the slice, is that corner location”
magazine, I thought I should celebrate this double bubble occasion with the one thing in life that is constant and true. Always on hand to provide the lift you need. A good cup of coffee. Makes everything better. Every time. You can’t always rely on the weather but you can rely on your old friend caffeine. So, on a day when the sun was firing down like a blow torch getting ready to rip our heads off, Mrs Cullimore and I trudged down Whiteladies Road to Clifton Down shopping centre. Ignoring the seductive allure of those cafés on the main drag, we headed along Cotham Hill. Not stopping until we came to an open spot on the corner, filled with tables and customers and the heady sounds of happy people. Of course, I’m talking about Café Rubicon. This place has been a regular haunt of ours for years. Come rain or shine, it provides a comforting welcome. When the temperature is low, the interior beckons, but when the temperatures soar, there is no better hangout than sitting at one of their outside tables watching the world go by. In fact, when the sun is playing silly buggers, those outside tables are some of the best places to be. Warmed by rays of fire from the sky, yet also gently caressed by
cool winds, they are an oasis of hope when all around is too hot. So we sat down. We could have gone for calorieloaded cakes or savoury delights, for they excel at both. Sadly, we’re both trying to lose a bit of weight, so we made do with two cups of coffee and a grim determination to return for a brace of their excellent bacon butties when the diet is done and the cold days return. Truth is, the food and drink are good and worth the journey by themselves, but the real draw of the place, the cherry on the slice, is that corner location. Gives you a front row seat as the world walks by. Never gets old. Never gets boring. A little bit of everything passes by, if you just wait long enough. Life’s rich tapestry weaving its magic right there in front of your eyes, while you sip a tasty hot beverage. Doesn’t get much better than that. So, if you are fed up with the telly, bored with the radio and not much in the mood for a book, get yourself along pronto to this Cotham corner of curiosities. n
Former Housemartins guitarist Stan is now a journalist and travel writer www.stancullimore.com
www.mediaclash.co.uk I BRISTOL LIFE I 63
The stall guys
Did you know that there’s a food market in Bristol for every day of the week? We’ve been filling our ontrend straw panniers to the brim… Photos by Suzie Worthington
64 I BRISTOL LIFE I www.mediaclash.co.uk
MARKETS With stalls inside and out, St Nick’s has turned Old City into the market quarter of Bristol
S
um up Bristol in a few words. Oh go on, humour us. Independent? That’ll do for starters. Creative? Bang on. Seasonal and sustainable? Most def. Proud to be local? Etc. These qualities run through the city like words in a stick of rock, and nowhere are they more evident than at the regular street markets, where local traders, food and drink producers and craftspeople turn up to sell their wares, have a chat and generally add colour and interest to the city. So whether you fancy a hot, freshly-cooked wrap costing just a little bit more than a supermarket sarnie, like to stock your larder with produce straight from the farmer, or love the idea of buying crafts from the hands of the maker, get this little lot on your radar.
St Nicholas Market
Monday-Saturday, 9.30am-5pm; night markets with music on occasional Fridays The indoor market, based inside the old Exchange Hall, Glass Arcade and Covered Market, scarcely needs any introduction from us. You’ll already know that a vast hive of little indie shops and street food vendors can be found here; it’s worth the trip just for locals’ favourite takeaways Eatta Pitta and the gyozas at Eatchu. And don’t miss the occasional night markets on Glass Arcade, Corn Exchange and Corn Street, brought to us by Love Food Festival, when street food vendors, musicians, and performers take to the streets and bring the historic market to life, by night. Keep an eye on their website and social pages for dates. www.stnicholasmarketbristol.co.uk www.lovefoodfestival.com
“Independent, creative, seasonal and local – qualities that run through the city like words in a stick of rock ” www.mediaclash.co.uk I BRISTOL LIFE I 65
Orangery The
at Goldney Hall
The O ranger y a t G o ld n e y H a ll is a h id de n gem w i thi n Brist o l’ s f a mo u s C lif t o n V ill a g e a n d i s the p erf ect b a c kd ro p f o r a n y sp e c ia l occasi on, f ro m e le g a n t w e d d in g s t o s ty l i s h corp orate eve n t s it is su re t o w o w yo u r guests. S et a mo n g st b e a u t if u l w a lle d g a r de n s The O ranger y is a b rig h t a n d su n n y ro o m w i th d ramati c vie w s o ve r t h e o rn a me n ta l c a n a l , tower and gro u n d s.
Speak to a memb e r of the Conf e re nc e Off ic e t o a r r a n g e a s u i t a bl e t i m e t o h a v e a g u i d e d t o u r aroun d ou r beautif ul v e nue , b uild ings a nd gro u n ds . Email: con f erenc e - off ic e @b r is tol. a c . uk Tel: 0 1 1 7 4 8 4 0 0 0
MARKETS On selected days you’ll find this lot around St Nick’s, too:
The Nails Market
Corn Street and Wine Street Friday and Saturday, 9am-5pm A range of independent traders selling gifts, artwork, photography, handcrafted items and much more.
“Temple Quay has recently been named one of the top 10 food markets in Europe”
Bristol Vegan and Wellness Market
Corn Street Monday, 10am-5pm New! Vegan street food, wellness services and wellness products, and other items for your spiritual and physical wellbeing.
Street Food Market
Wine Street Tuesday and Friday, 11am-2.30pm Some of the best street food in the city, along with local produce.
Bristol Farmers’ Market
Corn Street and Wine Street Wednesday, 9.30am-2.30pm An opportunity to buy local produce directly from the producers.
Bristol Flea Market
Corn Street and Small Street Saturday, 10am-4.30pm Antiques, vintage, retro, plants and many unusual oddities; ideal if you’re into the taxidermy-and-mismatched-eclectic look. www.stnicholasmarketbristol.co.uk www.bristololdcity.co.uk
Temple Quay market
The Square, Temple Quay Thursday 12 midday-2pm Managed by CASUS Events and Bristol Eats, this is a foodies’ delight of a market with a fun, exciting vibe, that attracts a mixture of students, office workers, couples and families;
main pic: Whiteladies Road Market. inset, left to right: Corn Street, Temple Quay and Tobacco Factory markets
www.mediaclash.co.uk I BRISTOL LIFE I 67
MARKETS it also has a bunch of long benches and tables to enjoy your food during this crazy long hot summer. Regular stalls include Ah Ma’s Dumplings, Wild and Rustic, Jacob’s Finest Falafel, American Kitchen, Chef De Maison, Niangs Thai Snacks, as well as home- made cakes, artisan breads and handmade pies. Recently named as one of the top 10 food markets in Europe, no less. www.casus-events.co.uk/temple-quay.html www.bristoleats.co.uk
WHITELADIES ROAD MARKET
Every Saturday, 8.30am-2pm With stalls at the junction of Whiteladies Road and Apsley Road, this community favourite is one of the places to buy seasonal produce from local food and drink traders along with a wide range of cheeses, breads, flowers, cakes and sweets. The buzzing atmosphere spreads across both sides of the road, where you’ll often hear local musicians playing, too. www.sustainableredland.org.uk/market
TOBACCO FACTORY MARKET
Sundays 10am-2.30pm A fun and vibrant market with around 40 food-and-drink, craft and art stalls and a strong emphasis is on ethical and eco-friendly goods. It feels friendly and relaxed, with music playing and seating for eating and drinking. www.tobaccofactory.com/sunday-market
HARBOURSIDE MARKET
Saturday and Sunday 11am-4pm, Wednesday and Thursday from 12pm – 3pm Stretching all the way along the undercover walkway on the waterfront; there’s a strong non-foodie element to the weekend market, with vintage books, vinyl, crafts and awardwinning puppets, but you can also buy locally baked breads and cakes. Office slaves should put Street Food Wednesdays and Thursdays in their diaries, when a host of traders descend on Broad Quay at lunchtime, cooking up a global range
of flavours from Persian meat to handmade gyoza, Caribbean wraps and Canadian coffee, all set to the good vibes of resident Market DJ J Morrison www.theharboursidemarket.co.uk
FINZELS REACH
Old Temple Street Friday 12-2pm; occasional night markets 5pm-10pm Busy little lunchtime market, always buzzing, always enlivened by music. Given its location, in between two glass-fronted office buildings in Finzels Reach, this has become a favourite with Bristol’s white collar set, who now probably wonder how they ever managed without it. The food – handmade pies, curry, wood-fired pizza, brownies, falafel wraps and other dishes from across the world – smells amazing, and the queues at each stall suggest it tastes just as good. They hold occasional night feasts too – keep an eye on their Facebook page. www.facebook.com/FinzelsReachMarket
“Finzel’s Reach market has become a favourite with the white collar set, who probably wonder how on earth they managed without it ”
The suits’ delight: Finzel’s Reach Market: busy, buzzing and musical
www.mediaclash.co.uk I BRISTOL LIFE I 69
LSA VASE, £150 “I love all of the LSA glass we sell, but this vase is extra special,” says Sian Barker. “Individually shaped and decorated, this organic-shaped vase has a lustre finish, and is available in an earthy brown as well as the beautiful teal colour I have chosen here.” From Pod Company 24 The Mall, Clifton www.thepodcompany.co.uk
BILL SKINNER GOLD-PLATED BEE NECKLACE, £50 “This has become my favourite necklace this summer,” says Hemali Modha. “I love that the back of the necklace looks as good as the front – a real testament to the sculptural talents of the designer.” From Amulet Boutique 39A Cotham Hill www.amuletboutique.co.uk
STOCK RESPONSES For our anniversary issue, we invited some of our favourite indie shops to choose some of the items they’re loving from their current stock
TOWER OF POWER SCREEN PRINT BY ANNA MARROW, £175 “Not only is it a beautiful print, it’s great fun and makes me want to jump in the sea to escape this summer heat!” says Fiona Hamilton From www.somagallery.co.uk
A5 MARBLE NOTEBOOK, £18 “Emilio Braga notebooks have been made using traditional techniques for over 100 years,” says Rebecca Lee. “They’re wickedly retro yet make the perfect contemporary journal, with their cosmic cloud print cover, smooth ivory paper and hand-sponged edges.” From Papersmiths, 6A Boyce’s Avenue www.papersmiths.co.uk 70 I BRISTOL LIFE I www.mediaclash.co.uk
‘MATISSE’ BRASS EARRINGS, £30 “We love the fact that these earrings are made locally for us in BS3 by Lima Lima, and are totally unique,” says Anna Clements From Mon Pote 177 North Street www.monpote.co.uk
CORDUROY JACKET, £299; TROUSERS, £219; SHIRT, £199 I’m loving Baum & Pferdgarten’s strong reference to the ’80s, mixing both feminine and masculine shapes,” says Daniela Benson. “The frilled silk shirt in lilac, styled with soft corduroy trousers and jacket in a deep red creates a strong, playful and edgy look.” From Grace & Mabel 32 The Mall, Clifton www.graceandmabel.co.uk
BOARD SHORTS, £95 This very cool shop on Wapping Wharf is all about ethical goods; “These shorts are from a company called Riz Boardshorts, are made out of recycled plastic bottles and printed in the UK,” Sam Mabley tells us. From Brothers We Stand Cargo 2, Museum Street www.brotherswestand.com
ED’S CHOICE FAIRTRADE GOLD STUDS WITH ROSECUT DIAMONDS, £600 “The beauty of these unique stones lies in their individual colourings; as they catch different lights, the colours appear to dance between peach, pink and cognac,” says Ashleigh McPherson. From Diana Porter, 33 Park Street www.dianaporter.co.uk
BIRD DISHCLOTH, £3 “Brighten your kitchen with these cheerful machine-washable dishcloths,” says Leah Fletcher. “Once they’ve had their day, they biodegrade in your compost bin – Swedish style!” From Movement Boutique, 66 Alma Road www.movementboutique.co.uk
KRISTIAN VEDEL BIRDS, £39-£59 “Now a legend, BIRD is the essence of Danish design,” says Marie Harz. “Though simple in appearance, you can create endless expressions by merely tilting the heads in virtually any direction. Created as a family, BIRD can express happiness, sadness and curiosity, living alone or together, and can represent an entire generation. A truly timeless classic!” From Oskar Furniture, 47 Whiteladies Road; www.oskarfurniture.co.uk
www.mediaclash.co.uk I BRISTOL LIFE I 71
A team of talented hairdressers and barbers devoted to delivering an exceptional experience for you and your hair. We have created a salon for all, with a truly unique take on the hairdressing world.
We charge one price for all, just walk in or book your appointment online.
SHOTGUN We are a creative colour salon, using only the best in Davines & Arctic Fox. These vegan products mean strictly no testing on animals All our stylists have on-going training throughout the year to keep up with the latest trends.
0117 973 1130
What We provide top end colour and cuts in Bristol, using only the best products to make you feel fabulous! This is a city salon with a focus on fashion and creativity, and a handpicked team at the top of their game.
0117 930 0014
clockwise from left:
Hair at 58; Robert John; Shotgun Barbers
Locks away So, how’s your hair faring after the heatwave? Dry/limp enough for you? Fancy a new look? We collared three local hair experts and begged them for some much-needed advice Hair at 58
Sam Bell should know a bit about the current hair trends – not only does she run the awardwinning Hair at 58 on Cotham Hill but, this year, she’s styled models at New York, London and Paris Fashion Weeks. “I’m loving blunt, chunky, jaw-length bobs with a textured fringe at the moment,” she says. “Also the modern take on the mullets that we have just seen on the catwalk!” If you’re not quite prepared to rock that particular look, and merely want to combat the effects of hot weather, air con and chlorinated pools, Sam advises you make use of replenishing and restorative treatments and products, both pre- and post-holiday. “Make sure you keep your hair conditioned with a weekly hair mask, such as Aveda’s Damage-Remedy Intensive Reconstructing treatment,” she says. “Aveda have a great range specifically for summer. Use sun veil before heading out into the sun to protect your hair from UV rays.
This sprays onto damp hair, and works like a suncream. After sun exposure, treat and condition your hair with the after sun hair masque. “To keep curls locked in and defined, twist Aveda’s Be Curly lotion into separated sections of damp hair.” And summer is, of course, the optimum time to go lighter – by which we don’t mean dropping a few pounds… “With this glorious summer we’ve been having, we have seen a lot of clients moving back into brighter, highlighted looks, rather than the natural, more muted tones. We’re seeing a lot of creamy white blondes and cool icy tones. We like to use Aveda Blue malva shampoo and conditioner on these types of hair colour to keep it looking fresh.” www.hairat58.co.uk
health & Beauty
Robert John
Catherine Evans is a fan of New Schwarzkopf Boho Rebel dry shampoo – “Perfect for second and third day wearing. It gives you root lift with texture and with no residue anywhere! There are three individual colours available, dark brown, brunette and blonde to leave your hair refreshed for days after shampooing.” If you’re loving the pastel colouring look but don’t quite fancy going full-on mermaid green or mauve, “low-commitment toning shampoos are massive this summer,” says Catherine. “Add as much or as little as you like to create that perfect pastel, festival hair.” www.robertjohnhair.co.uk
Shotgun Barbers
Like Sam at Hair at 58, John McMahon loves a short, blunt bob! “Great for an easy to maintain summer look. And why not add a creative colour? We use @arcticfox shipped from America, with a massive range of vibrant colours to choose from. “Don’t try too hard to style your hair; the less forced the better it looks. Work with the texture of your hair not against it.” Finally, John recommends Davines OI oil for rehydrating dry hair. “Pair with OI shampoo and conditioner to restore it even more. Not only does it smell amazing, it’s vegan and cruelty free!” n www.shotgunbarbers.co.uk
“Sun veil sprays onto damp hair and works like suncream”
www.mediaclash.co.uk I BRISTOL LIFE I 73
ROBERT JOHN 4 Cabstand, Portishead Bristol, North Somerset BS20 7HW
ROBERT JOHN is Portishead’s and North Somerset’s leading hair and beauty salons. GET SOCIAL Find us on Facebook & Instagram W: www.robertjohnhair.co.uk
E: appointments@robertjohn.co.uk T: 01275 842177
hair
Beauty
men
• HAIR SALON •
• BEAUTY SALON •
• BARBERS •
Enjoy the Robert John salon experience. It is our dedication to style and first class hair expertise that keeps our customers coming back for more.
Our salon offers expert beauty `confidantes` who are all trained to give personal care and attention to meet your individual skin care needs.
A traditional barbering company for the modern day gent. We have proudly become one of Portishead’s best known and trustworthy barbers.
welcome to Robert john
As a 45 year old independent business, we are proud to be in the forefront of latest trends in hair & beauty. Our experienced team team of Hair Stylists and Therapists will ensure that you receive the best in hair care and beauty services using the most advanced products and techniques.
A MAN’S WORLD SEB BARRETT
Celebrate good times... ...come on! Issue 250, eh? That’s a lot of coffees consumed and deadlines delayed – mostly by Baz . . .
T
“Looking back can be more than mere nostalgia. It can inform a whole body of work for the future”
his is the second Bristol-based 250th anniversary I’ve experienced this year. The Sawdust and Sequins exhibition a couple of months ago at the RWA celebrated 250 years of the circus in Great Britain. You won’t be surprised to learn that Bristol once had six permanent circuses (circii?), and I like to think that festival feel is still very much alive in the city today – and certainly in Cribbs Causeway of a Saturday. If Circus250 was a thing, what do you think Cook250, held at the beginning of the month, was all about? The anniversary of Captain Cook’s first expedition to the South Seas, of course! Bristol Life is indeed in good company with that nice, round number. Anniversaries aren’t everybody’s cup of tea. I was reminded of this during an awkward conversation with a neatly-dressed stranger in Tesco a few years ago. A man in his early twenties approached me and enquired, in an American accent, about the New York Giants t-shirt I was wearing. If he was disappointed that I wasn’t a fellow Yank, he didn’t show it. It turned out that he was fresh from the Big Apple – more specifically, the World Headquarters of Jehovah’s Witnesses. And here I was with a trolley full of beer, ready for a night of partying. Let’s converse! Feeling the need to explain my boozy big shop, I blurted out: “It’s my friend’s birthday today… Do you guys, uh, celebrate birthdays?” “No, sir,” he responded, in the genuinely polite manner that only Americans seem to get away with. A conversational wormhole ensued, starting with the notion
that birthdays displease God. Lying about a birthday in order to justify buying copious amounts of alcohol would definitely displease the Big Man then, I thought, very much to myself. The encounter led me to do a bit of casual research on Jehovah’s Witnesses a day or so later, whereupon I discovered that this nice young man would, according to his religion, perceive me as ‘of Satan’s world’. He also couldn’t take yoga classes, ‘buy something at a church garage sale’, or ‘play competitive sports professionally’. The latter creed makes you wonder what Jehovah’s Witnesses Venus and Serena Williams have been doing all this time, then. Why do we commemorate milestones? Judith Rodin, the President of the Rockefeller Foundation, sought to answer that question in a Harvard Business Review opinion piece a few years ago. Not surprisingly, this was a corporate-focused piece, but it applies to just about everything landmark we celebrate in our lives. “Whether an organisation is celebrating its 100th anniversary or its 20th, it should throw a party and make it a good one.” (Don’t think Bristol Life would disagree with that one.) “But don’t just celebrate. Imbue your commemoration with the understanding that looking back can be more than mere nostalgia for the past. It can inform a whole body of work for the future.” If I manage to get this to the editor ahead of deadline, I’d just like to say that I’m excited to see what the next 250 issues of Bristol Life have in store for us… Follow Seb Barrett on Twitter @bazzbarrett
www.mediaclash.co.uk I BRISTOL LIFE I 75
a good face for radio kam kelly
Relationship goals Kam’s not currently in a relationship. Just so you know . . .
Here are just a few of my favourite responses. Dave: “Twelve years together, almost five years married and three kids later; still going strong. But as for advice, I can’t really give you any, as she says I never listen, but we make time for each other and enjoy life in our little bubble.”
H
ave a look at the first page of Bristol Life Magazine and you will see a note from the editor, alongside her apparently angelic photo. Don’t be taken in. She can be harsh when she wants to be. I politely asked what she would like me to ramble on about this month, and she just barked the word ‘ANNIVERSARIES!’ at me. “Yes ma’am” I said. I found it a little insensitive of her, as she knows perfectly well that I became single at the beginning of the year and therefore have no anniversary to celebrate
this coming November. Sad face emoji. So, not able to write anything personally anecdotal, I relied on my resourcefulness, creativity and imagination to come up with a relevant piece. That’s not strictly true. What I did rely on were the wonderful listeners of Sam FM. I put it out there on the show the other day: how many anniversaries have you celebrated with your partner? And what’s the secret of a successful relationship? Compelling radio, right? You’re probably falling over yourself to retune to Sam FM so you never have to miss anything as groundbreaking as that again.
“Make sure you’re happy in your ‘little bubble’, but make sure the bubble has at least two rooms”
I loved that message. It was only after I read it that I realised that a successful relationship is best described as ‘our bubble’. And if you’re happy within said bubble, then I think you’ve pretty much nailed this relationship thing.
Katherine: “Been with Eric for 29 years. Tolerance and compromise, and two words: “yes, dear.” OK. Look, Shakespeare probably didn’t have tolerance and compromise in mind when penning Romeo and Juliet, but if they had survived, and had stayed together, then 25 years in they both would have had to exercise a lot of both, especially at family gatherings.
Tina: “Frequent relations. Been with my partner for 10 years.” Well, has there ever been a better time for blush face emoji? Paul: “Never dwell on a row. Been with Michelle for five years.” I thought that was great advice. Though I’m not currently in a relationship (don’t know if I’ve mentioned that), I think in a row situation, I have to admit to being a ‘dweller’. It made me look at my relationship self, and that text made me realise that I am quite a sulker. Chris: “15 years with my partner Gemma. I think our secret is that she puts up with me, and I fancy the bones of her more today than when we first met.” Isn’t that lush? Not the “putting up with” bit, but the “fancying the bones of” bit.
Being able to talk and laugh together is so ridiculously important, but just as important is still getting butterflies and excessive heartbeats when you catch sight of your partner, no matter how long you’ve been together. I’ve only really witnessed that with my Uncle Jimmy and Aunty Helen. I see the way they look at each other after 40odd years of marriage and would love even half of what they’ve got.
Jackie The Postie: “Together for 25 years. Our secret is to spend as much time in separate rooms as possible so we can watch what we want.” So, to summarise then. Always fancy and tolerate your partner. Compromise, don’t dwell. Keep ‘relations’ regular, ideally frequent. And make sure your happy in your little bubble, but make sure the bubble in question has at least two rooms so when your favourite show comes on, your partner doesn’t have to tolerate it.
Kam Kelly’s breakfast show, every weekday from 6am, Sam FM Bristol, 106.5fm www.mediaclash.co.uk I BRISTOL LIFE I 77
PHOTO BY JMPUK
SPORT WILL CARPENTER
Back to the future There’s a new Bear on the block – but in many ways, for utility back Charles Piutau, it feels like coming home
I
t’s been a summer of new chapters and reacquaintances for Charles Piutau, as Bristol Bears’ illustrious new signing looks to hit the ground running. Now a married man after tying the knot with partner Lineti in June, the 26-year-old former All Black arrives in Bristol from Ulster ahead of the club’s return to the Gallagher Premiership, linking up with his brother, Siale, former teammate and close friend Steven Luatua, and his former head coach at the Blues, Pat Lam. “It’s been a really good summer for me,” said Charles.“The wedding was a big event and we were busy building up to it, but it was awesome to take it all in on the day, enjoy time with family and take that next step and phase in my life.
“Settling in here in Bristol, it’s a lot easier having familiar faces and relationships with guys you’ve been involved with before – and in my case, having my brother here with his family is amazing. There’s also Steve Luatua, who I know from the Blues, and then obviously Pat, so it’s definitely made the transition into the club a lot easier.” Ever the showman on and off the field, Charles and his wedding party treated wedding guests to a very different display of footwork than that shown on the field, as they performed a routine that made its way on to YouTube. “One of my brothers used to be in a dance crew, so at all of our family weddings we’ve had a dance routine. He came up with a routine and taught the bridesmaids and the
“Considering the numbers that turned up for Championship games, I can only imagine what it’ll be like in the Premiership”
groomsmen, so we got stuck in and gave it a crack.” Bristol Bears announced the signing of the blockbuster utility back, who won 16 caps for the All Blacks before joining Pro14 side Ulster – via a dazzling season at Wasps – as early as August 2017, with Lam securing the sought-after signature of a player whom he gave a Super Rugby début to in 2012. Committing his future so far in advance gave Piutau “peace of mind” to focus firmly on the job in hand at Ravenhill, where he made 44 appearances over two seasons. “I think once it was announced and the signing had happened, I could park it and focus on the job at hand. “I think it just gives you peace of mind and my focus was just on giving my all to Ulster and performing my best. Now the time has come, it’s nice to be here among the guys at Bristol, settling in and getting started.” As well as lining up beside older brother, Siale, Piutau is relishing a reunion with the man who plucked him from the sevens circuit as a fresh-faced 19-year-old in 2012. “Pat was the head coach at the time with the Blues and I had been playing sevens that season for New Zealand. My season was finishing so I was waiting around for the ITM Cup to get started, but, that year, the Blues had a lot of injuries and Pat gave me a call and an opportunity to play the last two games of the season.
“I played those two games and ended up getting a three-year contract for the Blues, so I feel very blessed and lucky to have had that opportunity. “Both of us have learned and grown on our different pathways since then and it’s definitely nice to be back in Pat’s coaching environment again and getting ready for the challenges ahead.” Piutau doesn’t have to look too far ahead for excitement, with Bristol Bears eyeing a derby-day Premiership season opener against Bath at Ashton Gate on 31 August. And as the new kid on the block, Piutau has been getting to grips with the intricacies of the West Country rivalry, with the help of his teammates. “It’s nice knowing who we are playing against, and when – it just adds to that focus in training. “I went to a couple of games last season and considering the numbers that turned up at Ashton Gate for Championship games, I can only imagine what it will be like in the Premiership, especially against Bath on the opening day of the season. “As someone just starting at the club, I’m learning about the derby and how much it means to everyone in Bristol. So, with the rivalry between the two cities, what a way to get started.” ■ Will Carpenter is the Bristol Bears club journalist; www.bristolbearsrugby.com
www.mediaclash.co.uk I BRISTOL LIFE I 79
SNAPPED AC ROSS BR IS TO L , O N E SH I N D I G AT A T I M E
Hannah Walkiewicz
Harriet Webb and Helen Naylor Louise Torm, Heidi Beier and Zoe Hewett
Alison Forshaw, Shannon Rodrigues, Jack Corfield, Jessica Hicks and Alice Wojcik Xxx Daniel Ajuwa and Dominic Letts
GORGE-US
We invited our friends and colleagues to join us for a summer reception at the summer’s most exciting new events space, Aquam Bibe at the Avon Gorge Hotel du Vin, located in the refurbished former Turkish baths area of the hotel. Thanks for coming, and to the hotel’s sales manager Louise Torm for being such a charming hostess! Photos by Tim Woolf; www.woolfandrogersphotography.com
Natasha Hayes and Natalie Crease Josephine Tasker and Anna Sivula
80 I BRISTOL LIFE I www.mediaclash.co.uk
Snappers delight: Jon Craig and Colin Moody
SOCIETY
Amanda Adams, Deri Robins and Caroline Harris
Matt Skinner, John Courtney, Kath Dawson and Oliver James
Shelley Presland and Kirstie Smith
Alison Weir, Rich Gundry and Karen Howell
Mike Dunkley, Rhiannon Southwell and Bradley Stoke mayor Ben Randles,
PAISLEY PARK
Third-time Grand Appeal trail sponsor, Dunkley’s Chartered Accountants, welcomed their Gromit sculpture Cupid with a wine and cheese evening. The paisley printed, Valentine-inspired Gromit, painted by Rhiannon Southwell, aka Blossom & Brush, is on display on Woodlands Lane in Bradley Stoke. Photos by Jon Craig; @JonCraig_Photos
Jo Hill, Sarah Fox Clinch and Kate Smith Maxine Moustrides, Katie Harvey, Kirsty Liley, Nicole Crompton, Laura Mundy and Alex McArthur
Xxx Watson, Fi Sen Paul and Mark Woodward
www.mediaclash.co.uk I BRISTOL LIFE I 81
advertising feature
Calling all landlords . . . Janine Harris of AMD Solicitors tells us about EPC changes and what landlords need to know...
A
n Energy Performance Certificate (EPC) which is valid for 10 years shows information about the energy efficiency of the property to which it relates and what you can do to improve it. EPCs are needed whenever an eligible property is constructed, sold, rented out or when certain improvements are installed.
Janine Harris
What is changing? From 1 April 2018, if you are a landlord and you are granting, renewing or extending a lease of a property, it must achieve a minimum energy rating of band ‘E’, this means properties with a rating of F or G are non-compliant. This rule applies to both domestic and non-domestic properties. The regulations will be phased in and will apply to continuing lettings from 1 April 2020 for domestic properties and 1 April 2023 for nondomestic properties. If the regulation applies, landlords will need to ensure that energy efficient improvements are made to the property which raises the EPC rating to a minimum of E. However, these prohibitions on letting ‘sub-standard’ properties (ie an EPC rating of F or G) are not absolute. What is the risk if landlords don’t comply? A landlord who does not comply with MEES rules may be liable to enforcement action. Financial penalties are based on rateable values and can be as much as £150,000 for long periods of breach. In addition to, or in substitution, landlords found to have been in breach will be named and shamed on a public register for up to 12 months or for such longer period as is considered appropriate.
“landlords found to be in breach will be named and shamed on a public register for up to 12 months or longer” 82 I BRISTOL LIFE I www.mediaclash.co.uk
Aside from the risk of a substantial fine and/or adverse publicity, a sub-standard EPC rating can have a number of negative effects, including: he property may not be marketable without • T improvement works to bring the efficiency rating at least to the minimum standard; • The valuation of properties may be affected if the marketability is diminished; and • The assessment of market rent at rent reviews may be affected and there may be implications at dilapidations assessments. What should I do next? Prudent landlords should be assessing their properties and preparing an action plan for managing risks to properties which are deemed sub-standard. n
Our experienced team of Bristol solicitors can help property owners with all aspects of selling, buying or letting commercial properties. To arrange an initial discussion, please contact Janine Harris, Head of the Commercial Property Department, on 0117 9733 989 or email janineharris@amdsolicitors.com. 100 Henleaze Road, Henleaze BS9 4JZ 15 The Mall, Clifton BS8 4DS 139 Whiteladies Road, Clifton BS8 2PL 2 Station Road, Shirehampton BS11 9TT
SOCIETY
Opera singers (l-r) Paul Badley, James Gower, Joanne Thomas and Naomi Harvey
NOTE PERFECT
Mr and Mrs Heal and Mr and Mrs Cussen
Hollis Morgan held a summer picnic opera at All Saints in Pembroke Road. We’re not talking am-dram here – no less than four member of the Welsh National Opera entertained the guests! Photos by Jon Craig; @JonCraig_Photos
Olly Hollis and Andrew Morgan
LAWYERS IN THE DOCK
Christopher Yates with guest
Metcalfes Solicitors celebrated a year of growth alongside clients and contacts from the business community at their recent summer party at Mud Dock. Glorious sunshine, delightful drinks and canapés and superb entertainment by local jazz band led by Jon Yates sealed the deal. Photos by Jon Craig @JonCraig_Photos
Paula Hill and Nikki Green Mel Base
Natasha Bliss
Tom Cox
www.mediaclash.co.uk I BRISTOL LIFE I 83
businessinsider B R IS T O L g e t s s e r i o u s
Quote of the issue
Designed by Austin-Smith:Lord, UWE’s new Digital Media Studios blends in with the natural surroundings of Ashton Court conservation area; below: Robotics man Silas Adekunle
“Put simply, we offer our clients a seamless approach to getting the job done” Who’s joining up the dots and winning awards in the process?
The Big Number
438,817
Bristol Office Agent’s Society announced a strong start to the year for Greater Bristol’s office markets, with take-up for the first six months totalling a healthy 438,817 sq ft; www.officeagentssociety.com
two for uwe You wait ages for a UWE Bristol story to come along, and then two land in your inbox at once First out of the traps comes the news that UWE Bristol’s Digital Media Studios has been named the best educational building in the West of England. The state-of-the-art facilities at Bower Ashton campus won the title at the LABC West of England Building Excellence Awards 2018, held on 13 July. The £9 million studios opened in September 2017, and house industry-standard production film making, animation and photography facilities for creative industries students. The building is open to all students based on city campus, UWE Bristol’s creative and cultural
industries campus made up of sites at Bower Ashton, Spike Island, Arnolfini and Watershed. The building now goes forward to the national grand finals to be held in London on 9 November. UWE Bristol news #2: the University has awarded the honorary degree of Doctor of Technology to Silas Adekunle in recognition of his contribution and commitment to student entrepreneurship and technology development. Silas is co-founder and CEO of Reach Robotics, the company creating the future of entertainment by fusing robotics, augmented reality
and video games. Under his guidance, Reach Robotics recently launched its inaugural product, competitive gaming platform MekaMon, with Apple in both the UK and USA markets. Silas started Reach Robotics during the third year of his undergraduate studies and left with firstclass honours from UWE in robotics technology. Oh and while we’re here, UWE has just been named by student accommodation provider Liberty Living as one of the top 10 hipster universities in the UK. Make of that as you will. www.uwe.ac.uk
mediaclash.co.uk 115
BUSINESS INSIDER
be used within a high-spec ultramodern house or a contemporary/ rustic home; it can fit all styles and suit all buildings.
ONE TO WATCH We put Chris Parry in the frame, and find out how he ended up carving a successful career in the glazing biz Chris Parr, the director of Bespoke Frameless Glass Ltd, began a career in frameless glazing aged just 15 when living in Australia. “I did that for around eight years,’ he says. “I then travelled, and did some short-term work in New Zealand and France, before moving to London to continue with the trade, before deciding to start up my own company in Bristol in 2012.” What’s your main role in the company? As its director, I am very involved. I always like to form good working relationships with every client we work with, from the initial enquiry to the final installation, making sure they are satisfied and happy throughout the whole process. I visit the site to meet the clients, measure, order and set up the final installations.
The company has a very niche remit – how did you come to specialise in this service? Frameless glazing has been around for quite a while, but it’s only over the past few years that it’s become a much more popular requirement. Not many companies can specialise in such a custom-made product and have the knowledge required for such an installation. The tolerance and precision of frameless glazing, along with the problem-solving and attention to detail, is what appealed to me, and I enjoy the satisfaction of seeing the finished product and having a happy customer. Why frameless glass? What are the advantages? Most customers want an unobstructed view of their surroundings, and to create a naturally lit environment, but the benefits don’t just stop there; it can
Tell us a bit about the products – can you give us an example of the range? We are the South West-approved installer for Q-Railing – their product range is the best quality currently on the European market. We install custom-made balustrades, shower enclosures, splashbacks, frameless glass doors and walk-on glass. The type of installations that we carry out are very bespoke to each customer, making it a very high end and luxury purchase, but the final look is totally worth it. What percentage of your clients are domestic, as opposed to commercial? I would say we work with 70% domestic and 30% commercial clients. We tend to work more with residential clients because we get more job satisfaction when we see how happy they are with the finished result; working with the client directly means we get a better understanding of their requirements. Tell us something about frameless glass that might surprise us? Once glass has been heat tempered it cannot be re-worked again, hence the requirement for such precise detailing.
How many people are employed in the company? We currently have four full-time staff members and some sub-contractors; however, we are hoping to expand the business and increase the workforce soon. What are your plans for growing the company over the next five years? We have a new website being built and some extra marketing literature coming out soon. We are also hoping to move to larger premises so we are able to accommodate the increased workload. Have there been any important changes or innovations in your industry over the past decade? Q-Railing have a dedicated department in research and development which helps us with new products, creating easier installation processes and new looks. Do you use social media, and if so, what platform do you find the most effective? Yes, we do use social media, we have Facebook, Instagram and Twitter accounts. I would say our Facebook account is the most effective for us as we can post photos and updates on current jobs, products and any offers, but customers can also post reviews which new potential customers can view and this helps build our reputation. www.bespokeframelessglass.com
MEDIACLASH.CO.UK 117
Bristol life awards 2018
Mobius Works – you know, the guys who built Cargo – won the New Business gong at this year’s Bristol Life Awards. MD Lee Bignell tells us it’s all about integration . . . NEW BUSINESS WINNER Sponsored by JUICE RECRUITMENT
and trades along the way. As our skills are in-house, problem solving and innovative practice are natural behaviours. Tell us about some jobs you’ve worked on, as an example
Himself a qualified electrician, Lee tells us that he founded Mobius because he wanted to improve the way that building projects are delivered. “As an integrated services firm, Mobius can offer a one-stop solution to getting a building or refit project done, using modern working practices, technology and communication method,“ he says. Do tell us a bit more about that integrated offering . . .
Our complete service covers every aspect of an electrical, mechanical or build project, from the initial design and planning phases right through to installation, build and ongoing maintenance. Put simply, we offer our clients a seamless approach to getting the job done. We’re less reliant on subcontractors than other firms, and our clients do not have to worry about managing multiple firms
We are proud to have worked on a whole host of diverse and interesting projects. These include transforming shipping containers into exciting restaurants and independent retail outlets at Cargo; delivering car-charging facilities to embrace advances in electric car technology; replacing commercial lighting with LED systems delivering carbon reduction and cost savings, and helping independents expand – we’ve created new restaurants for Woky Ko, Season & Taste, The Athenian and many others. What was your role on Cargo?
Mobius was appointed as lead contractor to design and install the mechanical, electrical and parts of the build elements of Cargo. It can be a challenge to create restaurants and retail outlets from empty shipping containers; it takes innovation, imagination and a bucketload of creativity to bring these containers to life. When was the company formed, and how many people does it
currently employ?
Mobius Works was formed in early spring 2017, and we have over 20 employees. We’re growing fast, and are still recruiting, so the number of employees is rising each month. What percentage of your clients are domestic as opposed to commercial?
We are very much both commercial and domestic, with commercial being the greater percentage at this point. This is an advantage, as the requirements and trends in commercial are transferring down to domestic sectors. What are the advantages of a national infrastructure?
Though our roots are in Bristol and the South West we have the infrastructure to provide a national service. Our team of skilled engineers respond quickly and effectively in any location within the UK. This allows us to offer a service to clients who themselves have a national infrastructure. What sets you apart from similar companies in Bristol?
Do you run an apprentice scheme?
We are passionate about nurturing new talent and providing opportunities for apprentices. I trained as an apprentice electrician myself ! One of our current apprentices, Matt Jones, was recognised as one of the top three apprentices in the UK in this year’s NICEIC and ELECSA Apprentice of the Year awards. We very much hope that he and others will choose to stay with us on completion of their apprenticeships. How do you market Mobius?
Most of our business comes via word of mouth. We are very proud to have a 100% client retention rate. We also advertise locally and have a very active social media following and a vibrant website. You worked with Dynamic Technologies recently. Are electric cars the future?
Undoubtedly. Electric cars are becoming increasing popular with private individuals and businesses alike. They offer reduced running costs and serve to reduce our carbon footprint.
What’s different is our culture. Performance is encouraged with a feeling of empowerment. Our teams have a real sense of purpose and pride in their work, translating to improved performance and workmanship. Differentiation lies also in the range of services we self-deliver. We’re less reliant on subcontractors. Since our skills are in-house, problem solving and innovative practice are natural behaviours. Projects complete on time and budget because they run more smoothly.
Where would you like to see the company in five years?
Why do you think you won the Bristol Life Award?
Head over to our website, take a look at some of our recent projects and find out what our clients have to say!
The judges commented “Big contracts, fast growth, great sales, already looking to relocate: these are smart, innovative operators.”
We have a very focused business growth plan. We’ll grow through retaining our existing clients and increasing the work we do there as well as attracting new clients; both commercial and residential. What’s more, we are currently looking to design an innovative new offering to the electric commercial vehicle market for the installation of electric charging points. Watch this space! Finally, why should we contact Mobius Works?
For more: www.mobiusworks.co.uk
www.mediaclash.co.uk I BRISTOL LIFE I 87
advertising feature
Mortgage and protection opportunities By Jack Harries of DIgby associates Ltd
I
t was announced earlier this month that the expected increase to interestrates would not materialise, with the Bank of England deciding that a rise would not be beneficial in our current economic climate. Does this mean that we will see an increase later in the year? Very possibly. Should you therefore be looking to maximise the opportunities that low rates can bring to your clients right now? Absolutely! A record amount of fixed-rate mortgages are maturing this year, with around £269bn worth of mortgages up for maturity – a 33% increase on 2017! We now therefore see a ‘perfect storm’ on the horizon meaning that many of your clients will be thinking about remortgaging at a time when rates are still relatively low. Also, it’s important to not forget that you could save your variable-rate clients’ money too by transferring them to a cheaper fixed-rate mortgage before the rate rises. If rates were to rise later in the year, and those clients hadn’t changed their mortgage product, they could instead be facing increased repayments. According to Nationwide, if rates rose by 0.25% this would mean that someone with a £200,000 variablerate mortgage would pay around £300 more than they are currently.
High quality advice At Digby Associates we recognised that as a firm, the highest value that we can offer clients is to work towards financial security by delivering co-ordinated wealth management. To that end, what goals do you have that will take planning, time, mnoney and ongoing co-ordination to achieve? As your partner in building wealth and security, we generally focus on ways that we can help you live the life that you want to. By engaging in the serivces of Digby Associates you assure yourself of regular financial reviews and valuations, along with access to new ideas brought to you by the team.
88 I BRISTOL LIFE I www.mediaclash.co.uk
Image caption 3mm inset from edge
Not only will acting now save your clients money, the conversation around protection could also prove far easier. With more money in the client’s bank account, you can delve deeper into the importance of being fully protected should the worst ever happen. Therefore, in a time of record mortgages maturing, and low interest rates – now is the time to discuss the opportunities out there for affected clients, demonstrating your expertise and your tremendous value. n
Digby Associates, Independent Financial Advisers 57 Queen Square, Bristol, BS1 4LF Tel: 0117 933 5544 Email: info@digby-associates.co.uk www.digby-associates.co.uk
4 Whiteladies Road Clifton, BS8 1PD Tel: 01179 292281
“A name you can trust for specialist legal services” • Accident Claims • Attorneyships & Court of Protection • Business Sales & Purchases • Commercial Property • Conveyancing • Debt Recovery
• Dispute Resolution • D ivorce, Family & Children • Employment Advice • Probate & Estate Services • W ills, Trusts & Tax Planning
Call free for a no obligation consultation
0800 097 8611 www.johnhodge.co.uk | email: mailbox@johnhodge.co.uk
BRISTOL | CLEVEDON | WEDMORE | WESTON-SUPER-MARE | YATTON
Ocean land & new homes Call: 0117 946 9838 Search: oceanhome.co.uk
% 80 ld So
Loft House - Bishopston
Loft House - Bishopston An exciting, landmark development of sixty 1, 2 & 3 bedroom apartments and 2 & 3 bedroom houses. Prices from £285,000 Located close to Gloucester Road’s independent shops, bars and restaurants, and also several ‘outstanding’ local schools. Selected homes will include period features, exposed brickwork, feature windows, and allocated parking. Help to Buy available. Get in touch to book your viewing of the show home
ld
So
Picture House Court, Bedminster
%
A community of 26 sustainable new apartments, duplexes and houses. Only 5 houses remain! Prices from £379,950
80
Picture House Court - Bedminster
Located close to North Street’s independent shops, bars and restaurants, only 2 of the 3 bedroom houses and 3 of the 4 bedroom houses with parking remain. The properties have high levels of thermal insulation, triple glazed windows, solar thermal panels and electric car charging points to most houses. Help to Buy available. Get in touch to reserve now!
p el H y ith Bu W to
Wilder House - BS2
Wilder House - BS2 A striking new conversion of 1 and 2 bedroom apartments in one of Bristol’s most popular central locations. Prices from £167,500 All 2 bedroom apartments (and selected one bedroom apartments) come with parking. Penthouses with private terraces. Excellent specification throughout. 7 minute walk to Cabot Circus shopping mall. Help to buy available on all units. Get in touch to book your viewing of the show home
advertising feature
Meet the architect
We hear from some of the professionals who are building and reshaping the modern city Nick Fairham
Dan Courtney
BDP architects 0117 929 9861; www.bdp.com What sets you apart from other companies? Recently listed at number two in the AJ100, a ranking of the largest architectural practices in the UK, BDP has a network of global offices allowing us to draw on the latest design-thinking and bring it to the South West and Wales through our now 70-strong Bristol studio. We’re not boxed in by a house style and have a collaborative approach with socially-progressive thinking. This year this resulted in us being placed third in the RIBA J ‘Besties’ with 145 awards. What projects are you working on at the moment? We have a diverse portfolio of projects in Bristol including Southmead Hospital and Redland Green School and have recently been appointed for the new Trinity Academy. We have exciting projects completing this year at Mulberry Park in Bath, Gloucester Bus Station and the new headquarters for Welsh Broadcaster S4C. Most rewarding thing about the role? Our design is focused on the needs of people and we are passionate about the social experience provided by the spaces we design. As well as winning top-quality awards, we continue to receive excellent feedback from the people who live and work in our buildings.
Purcell 01179 101060; www.purcelluk.com
Nick Fairham
Dan Courtney
John Everett
Nash Partnership 0117 332 7560; www.nashpartnership.com What sets you apart? We’re a creative team and we love what we do. For every project, we always look at the bigger picture in terms of how the project will positively affect the end user (people), the place plus the local community. Our blended skillset includes architecture, planning, heritage, regeneration, spatial economics masterplanning, urban design and housing, so we can bring a broad perspective to every project. Also, we’re engaging and energetic which is why we feel our clients enjoy working with us. What’s your proudest professional achievement? Gaining planning permission for the McArthurs Yard site adjacent to the ss Great Britain. Despite previous redevelopment attempts, the site has been derelict for over 20 years. By working closely with the developer (Guinness Partnership), the Council and the local community, a high-quality scheme has been achieved that meets the aspirations of all involved. How has your sector changed in recent years? In our sector, changes, whether political or commercial, happen constantly. So we always ensure we understand the latest thinking, trends and tecnologies and the challenges our clients face.
94 I BRISTOL LIFE I www.mediaclash.co.uk
What sets you apart from other companies? Purcell is a practice with a solid grounding in the conservation of ancient buildings. With 13 offices across the UK, as well as in Hong Kong and Australia, we are able to call on a huge range of expertise while still retaining a local service for our clients. Heritage consultancy is a key part of Purcell’s offering but the practice is also gaining a burgeoning reputation for delivering high-quality contemporary design in the sensitive context of historic fabric. In Bristol we have recently completed the transformation of some listed WWI aircraft hangars into an aviation heritage museum at Aerospace Bristol, a scheme which includes a new home for the last-ever Concorde to fly. What do you find most rewarding about your role? I particularly enjoy the process of interpreting a client’s requirements onto paper, then working through the design and delivering a unique building. The technical design is the stage when a building really takes shape and it is in the detailing an innovative use of materials which is where I believe an architect can really add value. Our work on the Clifton Suspension Bridge toll houses encapsulates this. The limited programme means that we investigated pre-fabricated elements and off-site construction to minimise road closures and disruption. The new toll houses will have a high quality finish to complement the Grade 1 listed bridge.
JENNY GOSS
O’LEARYGOSS ARCHITECTS 0117 989 2661; www.olearygoss.co.uk
John Everett
Jenny Goss
What sets you apart from other companies? Over the years O’LearyGoss Architects has developed a talent for re-using old redundant buildings and designing on awkward sites. For example, the ‘site’ for the new visitor’s centre on Clevedon Pier was a three-metre tarmac slope only five-and-a-half metres wide… we produced an award winning two storey ‘invisible’ building and a viewing deck. How has your industry changed in the last 10 years? One of the biggest changes is the use of 3D computeraided design (CAD). We now design everything in 3D, which helps us and our clients explore and visualise even more imaginative designs. If you could give one bit of advice what would it be? Any form of building work is complicated and expensive – no matter what you are doing seek professional advice, it will save you money and heartache in the long run. The fee for the right initial design concept is the most valuable investment you can make. What are the most rewarding aspects of your job? Seeing the realisation of our design, and our client’s delight with the final building.
PROPERTY
THE CHANGING CITY
RICHARD BROOKS of Savills Clifton looks at the way the property market has changed since Bristol Life launched in 2004
B
ristol has enjoyed extraordinary growth since the first issue of Bristol Life went to press in 2004, and is now a firm favourite for local, national and international buyers. Born and bred in Bristol, I am the third generation of my family to work in property, and have marketed homes here for more than 20 years. I wasn’t in the least surprised when The Sunday Times named Bristol as the ‘best place to live in the UK’ for the second time last year, but it’s easy to underestimate how far the city has come in a relatively short period. In 2004, the city was starting to gain a reputation, but it was early days. Take Clifton, for
example, the original focus of this magazine, then known as Clifton Life. Home to some of the city’s finest architecture, leafy surroundings and a burgeoning shopping and culinary culture, the suburb was increasing in popularity but was nothing then compared to the vibrant and sought-after destination it is today. We at Savills witnessed its reinvention first-hand, having moved into the area from our office in the city centre in 2004. We knew then that it was the place to showcase best-in-class property; soon, others in the property market followed, and Clifton Village became a hub for the local market. Over the last 14 years, Bristol has lived through seismic political,
“It’s easy to underestimate how far the city has come in a relatively short period” 96 I BRISTOL LIFE I www.mediaclash.co.uk
economic and social change, not least the global financial crisis and resulting recession followed by the wave of uncertainty prompted by Brexit. While the local market has felt the effects to some extent, the city has, on the whole, been protected against any significant impact and continued to flourish. Bristol’s impressive success on the national and international stage can be put down to a potent mix of branding and positive perception, alongside positive regeneration – such as that of the waterfront, which has been one of the city’s greatest achievements of recent years. Economically, Bristol’s productivity outstrips that of Birmingham, Manchester and Cambridge, and has been climbing relative to other UK cities since the early 2000s. And it is one of few cities in the South of England to retain over 25% of its graduates, in turn making it an attractive location for employers. Crucially, the city has retained its industrial heritage, such as
in aerospace, while attracting new businesses and fostering entrepreneurship. Last but not least, another string to Bristol’s bow is variety, which characterises Bristol’s property profile. Buyers can choose from classic or contemporary, period or new build, waterside or countryside – which means that buyers, whether local, national or international, are spoilt for choice. Looking ahead, there is a lot to be positive about. Our forecasts predict house price growth of 14.2% in the South West over the next five years, double that of the capital. And while the city is unlikely to see the extraordinary growth of recent years, Bristol’s cool, classy and supremely creative reputation will ensure it continues to thrive for many years to come. ■ For more: www.savills.co.uk
PROPERTY 1
2
3
4
5
6
best on the books
Flash forward to the current market: we invited six local agents and developers to put forward some fabulous proprties for sale apartments. The three-bedroom maisonette is spread over the top two floors in the distinctive curved building on Merchant’s Road. Tasty though the interiors are, the deal-clincher is likely to be the wide wraparound terraces and the panoramic views over the city. £POA www.knightfrank.com
1. brandon yard Developed by Acorn and marketed by Savills, this is the final piece in the Harbourside regeneration. The owners of this three-bedroom penthouse will wake up to views across the river to the ss Great Britain and Brandon Hill; these are also enjoyed from the beautiful terrace that spans the length of the apartment, which opens to both the master bedroom and the living room. The kitchen/dining area is cool, contemporary and airy – the perfect spot for entertaining – while the whole of the open-plan living space has vast floor-toceiling walls that frame the harbour and beyond. Guide price £825,000 www.acornpropertygroup.org
3. Cornwallis Crescent Property Concept are selling an unique three-bedroom garden apartment that spans the width of two Grade-II houses, with private vaults to the front and back. Period features abound, and there’s level access to the communal gardens. Guide price £750,000 www.propertyconcept.co.uk
2. The Penthouse, North Contemporis Marketed by Knight Frank is one of Clifton Village’s finest modern
4. ridgeway road On the books of Roderick Thomas, this spacious sixbedroomed house is set in parklike
gardens of over two acres; just ten minutes from Bristol, it’s the perfect home for those seeking a country retreat on the cusp of the city, with access onto Long Ashton Golf Course for dog walks. The current owner bought it 20 years ago, and it has not been on the open market for 50 years. Guide price £1.8m www.roderickthomas.co.uk 5. rudgeway A fabulous house that’s been cleverly designed to incorporate the best of family living. The 37’ family room and kitchen open via bi-folding doors to the private garden, where views stretch for miles towards Bath. There are no less than six double bedrooms and five bathrooms, along with a 26’ walk-in wardrobe in the master bedroom. OIEO £949,000 www.rupertoliver.co.uk
6. harptree court The current jewel in the Savills crown is, quite simply, one of the pre-eminent houses in the Bristol area. This Grade-II Georgian beauty serenely overlooks its own 51 acres of parkland and gardens towards the Chew Valley; like a house in a Mitford novel, the (nine) bedrooms have actual names, such as The Rust Room or The Yellow Room. It’s so big that there’s a games room and a billiards room. There’s even a luxury treehouse you could live in, which along with a separate cottage brings in a decent annual income. n Guide price £4.65m www.savills.com
www.mediaclash.co.uk I BRISTOL LIFE I 97
At your local Barchester care home
We offer a range of personalised care services that support independence and maintain individual interests. We pride ourselves on making everyone feel at home within comfortable surroundings, including our beautifully refurbished Bloomfield Care Centre, with a varied activities programme and freshly prepared home-cooked meals. At Barchester we understand that finding the right care home can be a daunting decision, that’s why our friendly team are on hand to offer advice and guidance at a time to suit you.
Join us for our Summer Open Days: Saturday 11th August • 12–4pm Whether you need urgent care or just some help and advice, our team are here when you need them. For more information please call or visit our website www.barchester.com
Beaufort Grange Bristol, BS16 1FT
Tel: 0117 3210 501
Bloomfield
Kingfisher Lodge
Tel: 01761 441 325
Tel: 01225 560 037
Bristol, BS39 7BD
Bristol, BS31 3BG
Nursing Care • Residential Care • Dementia Care • Respite Breaks
Specialists in Natural Stone Paving and More
We're on the hunt for bright sparks looking to forge careers in media sales. If you’re passionate about food and drink, and have love for our local independent businesses, then we may have the job for you. It’s all about working with clients to curate, pitch and deliver advertising campaigns across our pretty awesome food magazines and digital channels.
Flagstones, Cobbles, Copings and Setts
Sound like your cup of tea? Email your CV to Kyle.phillips@mediaclash.co.uk or give us a call on 01225 475800 for a chat.
Sandstone, Limestone, Granite Slate And Travertine ß Internal or External ß Civil or Domestic ß Free Local Delivery ß Open 6 Days a Week ß Helpful Advice ß Large Selection of Stock
Fancy working at Crumbs?
New seasons stock now available
Tel: 01275 333589 or 07872 665602 Or Email sales@mietystone.co.uk Website: www.mietystone.co.uk
Miety Stone Limited Hillmans Transport Depot, Chelwood Bridge, Chelwood, Bristol, BS39 4NJ
www.mediaclash.co.uk
SERVING THE FINEST AUTHENTIC INDIAN CUISINE IN BRISTOL, AVON CONTACT US TODAY TO BOOK A TABLE AND SAMPLE OUR UNFORGETTABLE INDIAN FOOD.
Something for everyone... By having such a varied and diverse menu, we make sure that every visitor to Urban Kohinoor finds a dish that they fall in love with. From a variety of traditional options to impressive specials, our food menu is filled with meals that offer a mixture of sensational tastes and flavours.
OPENING HOURS Monday Closed Tuesday - Sunday 5:30 PM - 10:45 PM www.urban-kohinoor.com
URBAN KOHINOOR 211 Whiteladies Road, Bristol, Avon, BS8 2XS Tel: 0117 973 1313 / 07576 804136 Email: info@urban-kohinoor.com
bristol LIVES
“I tasted ale for the first time when I was 10. I thought it was OK, but had nothing on Appletiser . . . ” hester boyce Watch out lads! Brewsters are doing it for themselves – including Hester from The Wild Beer Co Hester’s a rising star in the brewster (female brewer) world; she currently works for Wild Beer Co, having risen from production to becoming the brewery’s brand ambassador. Above, you can see her at the Pressure Drop women’s brew day, blowing rose petals – just one of the ingredients she added to her beer, along with rhubarb and hibiscus. You call yourself a beer nurse – what’s that when it’s at home?
I used to work in the cellar. As soon as a beer has been brewed and yeast added, it’s the role of the cellar person to ensure that fermentation is going smoothly. The first thing I did every morning was take the sugar content and temperature of each beer – I liken this to the actions of a nurse on the wards looking after their patients. Are brewsters on the rise, and have you encountered any sexism?
The number of women in our production team has doubled since I started here. There have been
times where I have felt I have not been taken as seriously as my male counterparts, but on the whole, my experience has been very positive – I find the industry to be reasonably open-minded. So, how did you come to be a brewer?
My last job was a tour guide at Bunnahabhain distillery in Islay. After 18 months of doing this, I was itching to get into production. I decided that I would learn how to ferment and brew to a very high standard before moving back into the spirits world. I have not yet made the move back, as I am enjoying my time making and talking about beer so much. . . When did you first taste beer – and did you like it?
I remember trying a light pale ale when I was around 10 and wanting to love it. I thought it was OK, but had nothing on Appletiser! What’s special about Wild Beer Co’s beer?
The barrel-aging and blending programme is a standout for me.
106 I BRISTOL LIFE I www.mediaclash.co.uk
We have a vast library of barrels (nearly 600) and five foudre (huge oak vats, often used for aging wine). We blend to create standout beers, which we are able to replicate if we want to do so. How’s the Bristol beer scene?
Among the breweries there is a real sense of community. I think it reflects the mentality of Bristol as a whole.
library and blending skills. The rest of the taps will be filled with new and exciting beers – various collaborations and some of our beers brewed for this summer. What’s the biggest misapprehension you come across regarding beer?
That it’s a man’s drink.
Have you been involved in any exciting collaborations?
Today I have cleaned the lines in our truck bar. I am now answering emails and arranging bar logistics for our Tales From The Wood Event next weekend, as well as working on a blending session and a cheese- and beer-pairing talk.
The women’s brew day in March, hosted by Pressure Drop in collaboration the We Are Beer. Not only were there lots of brewsters there, but also a handful of students from Herriot Watt, making it a great day for meeting the next wave of brewsters.
Any exciting new brews on the horizon?
Getting over-excited.
Describe a typical day
I’m pretty excited about Beyond Modus V, a permutation of our annual Beyond Modus, where some of the beers have been aged in ex-Laphroaig barrels, giving a peaty undertone. Can you tell us about some unusual brews?
‘Of The Sea’, inspired by lobster bisque and containing lobster, crabs, cockles, star anise, saffron, sea coriander and seaweed. An absolutely phenomenal brew, really well-balanced and very reminiscent of a lobster bisque. What will you be bringing to the Craft Beer Fest this year?
Our truck will be making its début outing in Bristol: 10-14 taps pouring some very exciting beers. Around half will be pouring barrel -aged beers, showcasing our barrel
Your most regrettable habit?
On a sunny evening, where will we find you drinking?
I’d drop in for one at The Avon Packet, then head down to check out King Street . . .
Before you go, kindly recommend a lovely beer and food pairing
Oooooh. The first and possibly most amazing pairing I ever made: sticky toffee pudding with Boon Mariage Parfait. The acidity of the beer completely wipes your palate, preparing it for yet another spoon of deliciously sweet and sticky pudding. It’s a very dangerous, moreish pairing. Bristol Craft Beer Festival runs 14-16 September on Harbourside www.bristolcraftbeerfestival.co.uk www.wildbeerco.com