Bristol Life - Issue 252

Food/Arts/Entertainment/Shopping/Property ISSUE 252 / AUTUMN 2018 / £3

A LOVE AFFAIR WITH THE CITY

ISSUE 252 / AUTUMN 2018 / CLOSE ENCOUNTERS OF THE BRISTOL KIND

HUMAN

GEOLOGY LIFE ON THE STREETS large version

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EDITOR’S LETTER

ABOVE: Nighthawks eat

at Oowee

BELOW: I matter

A

nyone looking to disprove the theory of nominative determinism should meet Colin Moody. True, his photos may be ‘moody’, in the literal sense that they capture a mood, a place, an emotion. But a more positive and optimistic Bristolian would be hard to find; Colin knows and loves this city and its people better than anyone, and we’re proud to be able to publish an exclusive excerpt from his first book, a photojournalist essay on Stokes Croft and Montpelier. Find out what makes this area so special to him on page 44.

Otherwise (and yes, there’s a lot of otherwise in this issue, it’s the biggest one we’ve ever produced) we offer some house hacks for autumn, have a brief encounter at Bristol’s lauded short film and animation festival and feel the collars (white) of the city’s pro-service crew.

We’ve been shopping at the Wharf, dining at the Gorge, and – wait for it – trying to decide where to hold our Christmas party this year. Better jump to it, people; it may only be September, but if you don’t book something soon it’ll be kebab takeaways all round, and some very hard looks from the team.

DERI ROBINS COVER AND THIS PAGE: Excerpts from Stokes Croft & Montpelier by Colin Moody

Follow us on Twitter @BristolLifeMag Instagram @BristolLifeMag

www.mediaclash.co.uk I BRISTOL LIFE I 3

Issue 252/Autumn 2018

interiors

16 house hacks Not quite ready to rip it up and start

again? These ideas should tide you over until spring

the arts

37 art page Rice, Rice baby 38 WHAT’S ON The usual impressive plethora 44 books Homage to the Croft 52 film Close encounters of the Bristol kind

food & DRINK

60 RESTAURANT Putting the gorge in the Avon Gorge 64 Food and drink news A three-page special

(there’s just so much going on)

70 christmas parties It’s not looking remotely like

Christmas, but do you think that’s going to stop us?

79 café society Coffee and cycling; only in Bristol

16

shopping

81 intro There’s more than one way to light up 82 editor’s choice Thought it was just places to eat

and drink down at the Wharf ? Think again

A man’s world

85 seb barrett Pranks for the memories 87 kam kelly Living the dream

sport

89 RUGBY A memorable night at Ashton Court

lifestyle

90 travel A little slice of Devon

Business

93 business insider The usual news and views,

including a shop with an unusual USP 101 professional services Our mega autumn guide to white-collar Bristol

Property

155 showcase Got £3m burning a hole in your pocket?

7

Here’s how to spend it

Regulars

7 spotlight 11 instas 162 bristol lives A brief encounter with Rich Warren

Editor Deri Robins deri.robins@mediaclash.co.uk Senior Art Editor Andrew Richmond Graphic Design Megan Allison Cover Design Trevor Gilham Contributors Seb Barrett, Will Carpenter, Kam Kelly, Mal Rogers, Lauren Ellis, 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 Theatre

Doors open day If we’re almost too excited to sleep, how must the staff of Bristol Old Vic be feeling? Are Tom Morris and Emma Stenning having to drink gallons of camomile tea just to stay calm? Or maybe something a bit stronger from the Backstage Bar? Because, finally, the King Street hoardings are coming down, and

from 24 September we’ll be able to walk straight into the lofty new reception space. BOV wants Bristol to use the theatre as a multipurpose space – there’s an all-day bar and kitchen – while learning about the heritage of this absolutely world-class, bona-fide Bristol gem.

For more: bristololdvic.org.uk

Wildlife

Bear with us ...at least, that’s the general plan for Bear Wood, a new £5m project for Wild Place. The big idea is to return bears to ancient woods on the outskirts of Bristol (within enclosures, we hasten to add; we don’t want any unfortunate Jurassic Park incidents).

Plans have been approved, work is due to start shortly, and by next summer European brown bears, lynx, wolves and wolverine should be back in the woodlands as they were in times gone by.

Bristol Zoological Society has already received many donations, including those from many celebrity supporters. However, they still need £2 million to make this happen; find out about the appeal at www.wildplace.org.uk/bearwood

Smile! Lola, Matthew and Winnie would love to join your family . . .

Animal rescue

staff recruitment

Few dog breeds are as loving, playful and loyal as Staffordshire Bull Terriers, but at many rescue centres these friendly dogs are often dismissed. To combat misapprehensions about the breed, Bristol Animal Rescue Centre is celebrating Staffie Awareness Week between 16-23 September, with five of the resident dogs being photographed by Luke Salter at famous locations.

“We hope that these photos will catch the eye of a potential new adopter,” says Marcella Pinto, the charity’s communication officer. “We would urge anybody looking for a dog to consider adopting a Staffie, if the individual dog is right for their home and family situation. They really do make the most amazing pets.”

For more: www.bristolarc.org.uk

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spotlight Was that epic enough for you, Bristol?

Noel, Paul, Orbital and Goldie set the bar crazy high for the next Downs fest

Festivals

The Downs Bristol Already kicking yourself for missing this year’s The Downs? You’re going to need an industrialsized tube of Arnicare after reading this…

Photos by Chris Cooper; www.shotaway.com The first Saturday of September has now become the regular slot for Bristol’s largest one-day festival, and over the last three years has seen the likes of Massive Attack, Skepta, Elbow, Seasick Steve, De La Soul etc grace its line-up.

This year’s festival was no less special, with Noel Gallagher’s High Flying Birds, Paul Weller, Goldie, Orbital, The Heavy, Channel One Soundsystem and Basement Jaxx to name but a few.

Strolling around the festival site, it was immediately obvious that a few things had changed; stages had been shifted around, there were more food traders and the whole thing just felt a little bit bigger than in previous years – which really gives the impression that this festival has some serious legs in it.

And the performances this year were nothing short of stellar.

British trio Dreamwife subverted gender roles in a powerful 45-minute set – imagine if the Spice Girls had guitars, overdrive pedals and really didn’t give a shit about what you thought about them: that’s Dreamwife.

Having heard great things about Houston-based outfit Khruangbin, but having never seen them live, expectation was high, but this trio didn’t disappoint. Their smooth Stateside instrumental rock washed over the crowd, and for a brief moment in time we could have been at Woodstock.

Then came The Heavy, and it was a long-overdue homecoming for these Somerset boys. The band tore through an enticing set of their greatest works, with frontman Kelvin Swaby patrolling the stage with the swagger and flexibility of Mick Jagger and the raspy vocals of James Brown.

As the light began to fade, it was time for the (first) great man himself. Paul Weller marched onto the stage with a crowd-wooing

8 I Bristol LIFE I www.mediaclash.co.uk

“Alrite, me babbers?” and wasted no time in powering through an hour-long, filler-free set spanning The Jam, Style Council and solo material.

With that the stage was set for Noel Gallagher’s High Flying Birds and on the elder Gallagher strutted, going straight into material from his latest album Who Built The Moon? as Fort Knox, Holy Mountain and Keep on Reaching rang out to the thousands of baying fans.

It wasn’t long until old-school Oasis came out, and a rousing rendition of Little By Little followed

by Whatever gave the crowd its first sniff of nostalgia. If Love is the Law and She Taught Me to Fly soon followed, but what happened next was one of those perfect moments in gig-going history.

A spectacular rendition of Half The World Away turned into the biggest singalong The Downs has ever seen, only to be beaten moments later when Noel struck the first few bars of Wonderwall... a moment that simply has to be one of the greatest in the history of the festival.

To top it all off, Gallagher then reintroduced Weller for his final three songs. The duo teased the crowd with some instrumental dalliance before going into Don’t Look Back in Anger – another spectacular moment. Then on marched the brass section to the instantly recognisable bass line for Town Called Malice, sending the crowd into overdrive.

Noel gave the crowd a salute as the introduction to The Beatles All You Need is Love rings out. Two of the greatest British songwriters of all time paying homage to the greatest songwriting duo of all time in this bright and brassy cover, and four minutes later it was all over – and The Downs Bristol was done for another year.

For more: www.thedownsbristol.com

SPOTLIGHT BACK ON THE LEASH

There’s only one thing we enjoyed more than the Gromit Unleashed 2 trail this summer, and that was admiring all your creative captures. Don’t forget, folks – you can still see all 67 sculptures at the The Greatest Dog Show on Earth® 2 showcase, at Cribbs Causeway between 15-30 September

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

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House hacks

It’s autumn! (You don’t get much past us).

Time to pack away the sun loungers, and reacquaint yourself with the interior of your home

Words by Deri Robins

Fancy a bit of Timorous Beasties in your life, but too chicken to cover a whole wall? Upholstery fabric’s the obvious way to go; at Whittaker Wells

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

AUTUMN INTERIORS

F

ancy giving your home a bit of a facelift, but not quite ready to call in the builders? We hear you! We asked a bunch of Bristol interiors experts for some ideas to tide us over until next spring – it’s all about letting your personality shine through, they say…

MAKE A ENTRANCE

“Seize your chance to make a big impression!” say Ryan and Pete – ‘the boys who sew’ – of Whittaker Wells. “The WC has been the go-to place to make a splash(!) in recent times, but since the start of 2018 we’ve seen our more adventurous clients come out of the water closet and create a bit of drama in the entrance hall.

“Where do you begin to decorate your home? How do you make a big change? Start at the front door. A fab colour that says something about you or your family. And it doesn’t need to stay that colour for a generation; it’s not hard to repaint a door. It’s like putting on a new top, or a visit to the hairdressers.

“But don’t think of it in isolation. The door is the opening to your home; it reveals that important, often small, space that welcomes people in. Design the door and entrance hall as a combined space, and let it say a bit about you. With interiors becoming so much more personal you don’t have to be fearful of the impact you will have. People love individuality and expression, so express yourself.

“Interior design is about creating a feeling in which to exist, so think about how you want your guests to feel as they visit you. It could be loud, energetic and brash. You could soothe their souls and tell them about the harmony you look for in life. Perhaps some irony and playfulness says more about you. Right now it’s easy to play, with so many designers offering inventive and surprising looks.

“Think Kit Miles, Matthew Williamson and the ever-fanciful Cole & Son wallpapers… we even have a new collection from the home of rock guitarist Lenny Kravitz. You’d be surprised how popular a wall of bananas seems to be . . .

“Most importantly, of course, you need to welcome yourself home.

Make it a special welcome.”

“Interior design is about creating a feeling in which to exist” A bold paint such as Little Greene’s Mid Azure Green with a richly coloured velvet chair creates a moody yet restful living environment, says Finola Kelly of Nola Interiors

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architects autumn interiors Colour therapy

One of the biggest changes you can make is a new colour scheme – and it need cost no more than a few pots of paint. Hey, if you hate it, you can always change it back again.

Farrow and Ball are seeing a real shift towards bold colours.“Painting a formerly neutral living room in a bright colour is a daring yet excellent way to instantly boost the feel of a room,” says Charlotte Cosby. “Our exciting pink, Nancy’s Blushes, feels right at home in both traditional and contemporary homes. And using deep, rich tones on the walls is a great way to completely reinvent a room. Stiffkey Blue creates a dramatic and enveloping space – perfect for autumn.”

“Painting a new colour and getting it right in your home is the most instant of quick fixes, but remember that achieving a high-level finish is key to painting, so do prepare walls well – it’s crucial,” advises Gill Richardson of Goodchild Interiors. “There are some great colours out there. I love Edward Bulmer’s eco traditional paints in period rooms – Flax for hallways and Sky Blue or Vert de Mer for sitting rooms.”

“With the colder months approaching, it’s comforting to be surrounded by rich, autumnal colours,” agrees Alison of Bracey Interiors. “Little Greene Paint Company, in association with the National Trust, is launching a new Green Shade card this month which will showcase 31 beautiful shades of green [one shown on page 21].

Whittaker Wells embrace their inner rockstar with Flavor Paper’s pop art banana print. Lenny Kravitz designs wallpaper – who knew?

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

Fly like paper

For designer David Hutton, new wallpaper is the obvious hack.

“It does so many things. I don’t mean large, patterned, in-your-face prints, but the more sophisticated classy ones. I always go for a textured wallpaper, and often opt for the more expensive brands as if you get the selection and quality correct it will last a lot longer; it’s also a very practical solution, as the more expensive ones are often made of a vinyl or polyester material which is much more hard-wearing. ‘”Add a texture to the walls in a slightly darker colour than you’re normally comfortable with – this will be the game-changer that will add instant interest and warmth to a room – and one that gives furniture and art a better chance of standing out or blending in.”

“Small spaces in the home are a great way to experiment with flamboyant wallpaper patterns,” says Charlotte of Farrow and Ball.

“Papering the inside of a cupboard creates a wonderful surprise within.

It’s a great way to add unique flair to a room if you’re nervous about papering the walls.”

“You’d be surprised how popular a wall of bananas seems to be . . .”

autumn interiors Bare accessories

From a full-on new sofa to a fresh bunch of flowers, furniture and accessories can make or break a room.

“Adding some quality pieces and vintage or antiques will introduce character,” says Gill of Goodchild Interiors. “Something that has stood the test of time brings perspective to a room, and adds that personal, quirky touch that makes a room less ordinary.”

“As fabric and colour choices have become bolder, you can transform a neutral scheme with an injection of colour,” says Finola of Nola Interiors. “Update your living room with a statement armchair or sofa in a rich, luxurious velvet in a bold colour such as turquoise, navy or azure green. Try a bold paint colour.” Like Alison Bracey, Finola’s rather excited about Little Greene’s new ‘Green’ palette.

“The theme on florals, patterns and colour continues in fabrics, with rich vibrant purples, greens, rusts and ochre tones,” adds Alison.

Interior designer Zoe Hewett has the quickest and most inexpensive accessory suggestion of all.“For an instant improvement you can’t beat a bunch of flowers or foliage. The power of plants to immediately uplift the atmosphere in a room is amazing.”

Farrow and Ball’s Nancy’s Blushes pink paint meets Goodchild’s suggestion for statement vintage – there are quite a few other trends ticked in this pic as well . . .

Declutter

Gill of Goodchild is in a Marie Kondo frame of mind when it comes to an instant and no-budget transformation – and also as a starting point for any new scheme.

“Clear out, pare down, clean and tidy – what a difference this can make to your perception of space,” she says. “Taking things out of a space can make it feel much less cluttered, and cleaning up both visual mess and any wear-and-tear marks, such as mouldy tile grout, uneven surface lines and dust and grease in kitchens is nothing but cathartic.

“I’m often asked by clients to restyle a room, and we always start with an inventory on what can be removed. Adding little changes, such as quality door handles, cabinet knobs and better light switches, can also profoundly affect how you see and feel about the environment.

These little details can be easily overlooked and forgotten, but they are unbelievably important to the final design.”

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autumn interiors Max the space

On a not entirely unrelated subject. Andrew Sperring of JAS Building suggests you make the best use of your space and bring in the light.

“You don’t always need to build an extension to create more space. Most of our projects are renovations in which we can change the way your home feels and flows – altering your space and actually changing the layout of your home.

“By removing a wall you can unleash so much potential you couldn’t see before – for example, making use of a wasted hallway by removing the dividing walls. Simply adding some light makes a real difference too, such as gorgeous glazed French doors and Velux roof lights.”

Kitchen confidential

Admittedly, when it comes to kitchens, there’s only so far that plonking a gleaming new pillarbox-red Gaggia on the worktop can get you – but small changes can still make a difference.

“Swap out tired handles to give your kitchen a fresh new look,” says Sophie of John Lewis. “Aged brass is really popular at the moment, especially with a living finish where the colour will evolve over time. Gold accents are on the increase on both traditional and modern cabinetry, following through to tap finishes.

“And if your kitchen cabinets still look a bit dated, give your doors and drawers a new lease of life with a touch of paint.”

“When it comes to kitchens, there’s only so far that plonking a gleaming new Gaggia on the worktop will get you”

Everyone seems terribly excited by Little Greene’s spanking new Green palette

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AUTUMN INTERIORS

“If you thought brassware was boring, think again” Ah yes – we’re back on the topic of colour….

“Colour is a really effective way to transform your kitchen,” says Sophie. “Deep blues are really strong at the moment, particularly with brass accents and marble worktops, but we are also seeing a move towards soft pastels, blush pink, lavender and pale blues and greens, for example, which add a softness to the darker colour schemes that have become popular.

“Feature walls are also popular, and we have seen a rise in fully tiled walls, the use of wallpaper and striking murals. Adding these elements to even the most pared-back kitchen design really allows homeowners to let their personality shine through.”

And Wren are also spinning the colour wheel to the more vibrant hues of the spectrum: “Give your kitchen a new look with an injection of sophisticated colour,” suggests Fiona Kyle. “Use a dramatic shade for a run of units, or choose a neutral colour and create a feature with a bold island. Try combining a run of Super White units with an island in Lemon Curd; alternatively, a contrast of units in crisp Winter White with an island in Midnight will give your kitchen a luxury feel.”

If you’re looking to make a bigger change, but are not quite ready for a whole new kitchen, adding a beautiful island or worktable will instantly transform the look and feel of your room, says Sophie.

“Kitchen islands are an ideal way of creating more worktop space and increasing storage. They are also perfect for adding a splash of colour, creating a fabulous focal point. Islands can make a great room

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

Whether it’s the softest shade of baby pink or a bold midnight blue, colour has inveigled its way back into the bathroom . . .

divider too, if you have a large open plan kitchen/living/dining area, without making the kitchen seem isolated.”

MAKING WAVES

Even if you live in a madhouse of kids, dogs, cats and clutter, the bathroom should be a sanctuary in which you can spend a bit of blissful time out, so it pays to give this room a bit of attention.

Michel Marcer of Ripples Bristol suggests we all go “totally rad – whether it’s classic chrome, a beautiful pastel or anthracite, a new radiator in your bathroom (or anywhere else for that matter), will really lift the space. New this year, the rose copper finish has been a big hit for us.“Taps are also having a huge influence in bathroom design, with so many gorgeous finishes to choose from. If you thought brassware was boring, think again – we have everything from rose gold to matt black and elegant spouts along with a selection of heights.”

Finally, who knew that concrete (we’re especially loving it in Ripples’ pastel pink and midnight blue) could be so beautiful? “Concrete basins are the unexpected star of the bathroom, and will add an instant update to this area of the house.”

And if you do get to the ‘rip it up and start again’ point?

“Pulling out your current cloakroom floor and updating it with patterned tiles is very on-trend. Hexagons, herringbone and pleasing patterns are big news in tiles. Consider tiling your hallway and cloakroom in the same tile, to ensure that what can typically feel like a small space seems as spacious as possible.” ■

JAS Building Services

Quality First

Residential & Commercial

Extensions – Renovations – Refurbishments Call us today on: 01454 532092

www.jasbuildingservices.co.uk

DIRECTORY

INTERIORS DIRECTORY

Inspired to make a change?

Here’s your little black book of top local experts and suppliers

Park Furnishers

FURNITURE Arlo & Jacob

94C Whiteladies Road www.arloandjacob.com BoConcept

51-53 Merchant Street www.boconcept.com Park Furnishers

Willway Street, Bristol www.parkfurnishers.co.uk The Sofa Library

56-60 Whiteladies Road, Bristol, www.thesofalibrary.co.uk

KITCHENS

John Lewis of Hungerford

14 Princess Victoria Street www.john-lewis.co.uk Kutchenhaus

11, Whiteladies Road www.kutchenhaus.co.uk Tom Howley

90 Whiteladies Road www.tomhowley.co.uk Wren Kitchens

Cribbs Causeway Retail Park, Patchway www.wrenkitchens.com

BATHROOMS Bathroom Village

4, South Bristol Trade Park, Winterstoke Road www.bathroomvillage.com Kellaway Bathrooms

172-174 Kellaway Avenue www.kellawaybathrooms.co.uk

Ripples

88 Whiteladies Road www.ripplesbathrooms.com

DESIGN, FABRIC, PAINT & WALLPAPER Bracey Interiors

Waterloo Street www.braceyinteriors.co.uk

LIGHTING Ablectrics

131 Gloucester Road www.electricsandlighting.co.uk The Lighting Studio

Sheene Way, Unit 2 www.thelightingstudiobristol.co.uk Parkway Lighting

David Hutton Interiors

343-347 Fishponds Road www.parkway-lighting.co.uk

Farrow and Ball

BUILDING AND FITTINGS

17 Druid Hill www.davidhuttoninteriors.co.uk 16 Princess Victoria Street www.farrow-ball.com Fawn Interiors

Unit 4.6, Paintworks www.fawninteriors.co

Embers

117-119 St George’s Road www.embersbristol.com Build Bristol

www.buildbristol.com enquiries@buildbristol.com Jas Building

www.jasbuildingservices.co.uk Miety Stone

Hillmans Transport Depot Chelwood www.mietystone.co.uk

Artistic Plastercraft

4 Lyndhurst Mews (Bath) www.artisticplastercraft.co.uk David Hutton

Goodchild Interiors

34 Berkeley House, Charlotte Street www.goodchildinteriors.net Nola Interiors

168 Gloucester Road www.nolainteriors-bristol.co.uk Bush Design

www.bushdesignbristol.com Park Interiors

The Design Studio, 8 Rokeby Avenue www.parkinteriorsdesign.co.uk Whittaker Wells

157 Whiteladies Road www.www.whittakerwells.com Zoe Hewett

www.zoehewettinteriors.co.uk

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

• Enriched Cornices • Cornice Cleaning • Corbels • Enriched Friezes • Plaques • Plain Cornices • Center Pieces • Panelling & Dado • Niches • Arches

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ADVERTISING FEATURE

Garden Design & Build Thinking about renovating your garden? Here’s why a garden design is so important. By Will Cooke, director of ARTISAN LANDSCAPES

A

s the long hot summer draws to an end and fades into autumn, now is the time to start thinking about redesigning your garden.

When enlisting the professional services of a garden designer, it’s important to consider the length of the process in terms of your expectations.

The design process can take anywhere between four weeks and four months (excluding build time and plant establishment), so if you’re hoping to have your garden summer-ready, autumn is the perfect time to start the ball rolling!

Contrary to popular belief, garden designs are not just for the Chelsea Flower Show and extravagant budgets. They provide a process that will ensure you get the most out of your outdoor space, whether you have a country estate or small urban courtyard. It is a holistic process that considers all aspects of your garden, from how it’s used to the selection and placement of materials and plants.

Our in-house designer, Jamie Innes, uses his experience and extensive knowledge to guide

our clients into creating their perfect garden.

“Establishing plants is an essential part of any garden build, and is best to do in either autumn or spring,” says Jamie.

“The seasonally damp weather during these periods means that your plants will need less watering. If you were to plant during the summer months, constant watering would be required for your plants to establish and stay alive.”

So, when making important decisions regarding planting arrangements and specific materials, having expert advice will ensure a considered and successful project. ■

Artisan Landscapes, 69 Princess Victoria Street, Clifton, Bristol, BS8 4DD; 0117 973 8307 hello@artisanbristol.com; www.artisanbristol.com

JAMIE INNES Jamie is Artisan’s in-house designer and horticulturist and has been working in the industry for 12 years. During his professional career, Jamie has gained invaluable experience working for prestigious gardens including the Royal Botanic Gardens Edinburgh, Cambridge and Kew. This has provided Jamie with a comprehensive knowledge of planting and horticulture while enabling him to develop his design skills.

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

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Eco friendly, clay and water based paint, free from acrylics, oil and vinyl in 72 beautiful colours. Breathable paint, perfect for the home and the environment. Certified safe for use on children’s furniture and toys.

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the arts s n a p s h o t s o f B R I STO L’ S c u lt u r a l li f e

Wise Children – “A big, bawdy tangle of theatrical joy and heartbreak, with show girls and Shakespeare, sex and scandal” – comes to Bristol Old Vic 24 January-16 February 2019

rice work We’ve long been out of the closet with our love for Emma Rice. She’s the former AD of Kneehigh Theatre (and more recently of The Globe), and the best of her productions are the nearest thing to magic you’ll ever see on a stage.

Emma’s now formed her own company, Wise Children, and launching it with a play of the same name, based on the Angela Carter book – so what’s that all about, then?

“Angela Carter’s Wise Children is a love letter to theatre and a celebration of women, show business and unexpected romance,” Emma told us. “I’ve been itching to put it on the

stage for a long time, but I’m so pleased I waited until now.

This is a story steeped in history and layers of friendship; it celebrates family of choice, theatre, dance and music, and values experience and innocence in equal measure – as do I. “Naming the company Wise Children seemed only fitting, and I knew this had to be our first show. We can’t wait to share our work in our home town, Bristol.”

If you think we’re not going to go BIG with this later in the year, do you even know us? www.wisechildren.co.uk

www.mediaclash.co.uk I BRISTOL LIFE I 37

What’s on 14 September - 14 October The play’s the thing . . .

You can’t keep a good wildling down; Nat Tena bounces back for the latest Molotov Jukebox tour

exhibitions Until 23 September

bristol music Last chance to catch the excellent Bristol music history exhibition at M Shed; bristolmuseums.org.uk

Until 29 September

NINA BEIER: european interiors Nina works with objects that carry particular social histories, from human hair wigs to mechanical rodeo bulls, uncovering multiple layers of meaning in her objects.

At Spike Island; spikeisland.org.uk

corinna spencer: lovely creatures Corinna’s work is influenced by the representation of women in historical settings, remembered and long forgotten, real and imaginary; her first solo show in Bristol is at That Art Gallery; thatartgallery.com

Until 4 November

harriet bowman: All Round-er (sad sale) Harriet presents a series of new works based on a narrative about a fictional character (Fled), who explores her own curiosity for cars, horsepower and equestrian advertising. Spike Island; spikeisland.org.uk

texture Three contrasting artists, and the way they use texture as part of the creative process, show at Lime Tree; limetreegallery.com

FAB 4 Bristol artists Andrew Burns Colwill, Julian Quaye, Thomas Dowdeswell and Jimmer Willmott offer a surreal mix of allegorical and metaphorical delights at Bocabar; bocabar.co.uk

15 September

15-16 September EXPRESSIONS: OPENING MINDS

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

Social charity Milestones Trust hosts an arts festival inspired by nature and the environment; at Paintworks.

See their Facebook page for details.

exhibition at Spike Island, a recurring theme is the origin of humankind and the objects we produce. spikeisland.org.uk

22 September-6 January

7 October-25 December

Masters of Japanese Prints Original woodblock prints by Hokusai and Hiroshige landscapes – yes, including *that* Great Wave off Kanagawa one – at Bristol Museum. bristolmuseums.org.uk

29 September-6 January

Clowns: The eggs-hibition A surreal and interactive realm of light, colour, mirrors and clown cars, and the most amazing painted eggs – Bristol Museum’s contribution to Circus 250; bristolmuseums.org.uk

6 October-9 December

Benoît Maire: Thebes Benoit’s a visual philosopher who takes inspiration from a range of disciplines; for his major solo

166 Annual Open Exhibition It’s the annual autumn biggie for RWA, with the usual knockout variety of work from emerging and established artists; more in our next issue. rwa.org.uk

Theatre & shows Until 15 September

prom kween Or, how one boy made her-story: the true story of Matthew, the first boy to become Prom Queen. Think Grease meets Drag Race meets a Trump rally, with sequins. Buckets of sequins . . . thewardrobetheatre.com

what’s on above

The only musical ever to be adapted

by Roald Dahl from a novel by Ian Fleming; the most expensive stage prop ever built; a singalong score, and a scary child-stealing villain – this surely has to be worth a few hours of your life. Bristol Hippodrome; atgtickets.com

quite happy with the original score, frankly); Bristol Hippodrome; atgtickets.com

5-6 October

The Enormous Room Stopgap Dance’s latest epic follows the story of a bereaved father and daughter learning about saying goodbye and moving on. At Circomedia; circomedia.com

19-22 September

“In broken English; wilt thou have me?”

Anglo-French relations in Henry V

D!CK; The Rise and Fall of Dick Turpin Inspired by New Romantic pop culture, this cheerfully inaccurate retelling brushes aside the typical 18th-century aesthetic to challenge the perceived wisdom. From Fandango Theatre at Alma Tavern Theatre; almatavernandtheatre.co.uk

sexy Bristol’s writer, performer, burlesque artist and general empress of blag, Vanessa Kisuule, explores our obsession with what’s deemed sexy through comedy, spoken word, dance and various states of undress.

At Wardrobe; thewardrobetheatre.com

20-21 September “Grease meets Drag Race meets a Trump rally, with sequins” – your standard night at Wardrobe, then

She Who Dares – A Fierce Circus Cabaret Bristol’s female-led alternative circus company Lavrak rocks the boat of expectations and breaks the rules of the ‘good girl’ guide book; at PRSC, find them on Facebook.

the trench Olivier Award-nominated Les Enfants Terribles bring their World War I epic to Redgrave, blending live music, puppetry and physical performance;

25-29 September

9-13 October

redgravetheatre.com

sleeping trees: world tour What starts as an innocent journey of discovery soon leads to an intricate series of events. A story of love, revenge and friendship, and by friendship, we mean revenge; from the hilarious multi-roling, genre-splicing, physical comedy trio Sleeping Trees. At Wardrobe; thewardrobetheatre.com

Coulrophobia Two clowns trapped in a cardboard world; a hysterical comedy from Pickled Image, at Wardrobe thewardrobetheatre.com

9-13 October

Madagascar – A Musical Adventure The latest hit movie to get the musical treatment comes to Bristol Hippodrome; atgtickets.com

26-27 September

fastlove The world’s favourite George Michael tribute show comes to Bristol Hippodrome; atgtickets.com

Until 29 September

touching the void The autumn season slides into serious heft mode with BOV’s next big hitter: Tom Morris’s take on the story of two mountaineers staring death in the face in the Peruvian Andes. One for the ‘must see’ list; bristololdvic.org.uk

Until 6 October

henry V Shakespeare at the Tobacco Theatre has a new autumn schedule, and this

first outing has already been tried out in the provinces (Bath). With themes of patriotism and the moral responsibility of leadership, the new take is bound to be stuffed with contemporary resonance, just as it was in Olivier’s film version during World War II. tobaccofactorytheatres.com

18-19 September

skin a cat A no-holds-barred take on a teenage girl’s coming of age by Isley Lynn.

We’re delighted to say that the protagonist is not called Cat. Her name’s Alana. thewardrobetheatre.com

18-22 September

chitty chitty bang bang

11-27 OCTOBER

parlour games A right royal romp through British history, exploring politics, passion and parlour games; a cross-dressing comedy for all those with a taste for Victoria sponge, and who enjoy playing with their Prince Albert.

At Wardrobe thewardrobetheatre.com

30 September

beautiful thing A 25th-anniversary revival for the cult urban fairytale about life and love on a post-war council estate; there’s live pop from Get Singing Community Choir, too; tobaccofactorytheatres.com

onE-man stranger tHings Time-poor? Drowning in unwatched box-sets? We hear you! Let Canadian actor Charles Ross single-handedly recreate season one of the Netflix sensation Stranger Things for you, with all the characters, dialogue, special effects and music in one upside-down show, at Redgrave; redgravetheatre.com

Music

2-6 October

23 September

saturday night fever While paying due homage to the 1977 movie, this all-new stage version promises more drama, and more music (though we’d be

20-21 September

Twinkle Brothers and Jah Shaka Twinkle Brothers perform live on stage with the Mighty Jah Shaka sound system in session until dawn, at Trinity; 3ca.org.uk the illegal eagles The world’s official number one Eagles tribute act spread their wings again. Bristol Hippodrome; atgtickets.com

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

what’s on 30 September

Gatsby (not dead after all!) is holding one of his wild parties. The Peaky f*cking Blinders are running the prohibition bar... at Passenger Shed; avantmoon.com

funny bones: Russell Howard & Guests The Bristol funnyman heads a stellar line-up of comedians for a charity gig in aid of Above & Beyond. at Bristol Hippodrome; atgtickets.com

15-30 September

jeremy hardy To quote The Guardian: “In an ideal world, Jeremy Hardy would be extremely famous, but an ideal world would leave him without most of his best material.” See him at Bristol Old Vic; bristololdvic.org.uk

7 October-4 November

marcus brigstocke: devil may care The Devil (that’ll be Marcus) is retired now, but is still on the board of The Underworld and attends a bi-annual meeting to advise on how to make eternal damnation sustainably hot, how to keep a thousand minions on a zero hours contract, and what to do about Jacob Rees Mogg. At Bristol Old Vic, bristololdvic.org.uk

festivals 14-16 September

molotov jukebox The explosive, eclectic party purveyors of contemporary world music featuring Natalie Tena (you know, Osha in Game of Thrones) come to The Fleece as part of their 10th anniversary tour. thefleece.co.uk

2 October

sons of pitches: 100 number one hits The Naked Choir contest-winning vocal group bring their solos, impeccable harmonies and beatboxing in an ambitious new show to St George’s; stgeorgesbristol.co.uk

Comedy

17 September, 1 October

closer each day The world’s longest-running improvised soap continues to bubble away amusingly at The Wardrobe, every other Monday; thewardrobetheatre.com

18-20 September

rich hall’s hoedown

16, 23 September, 7, 14 October

working class sunday brunches Who doesn’t love a nice bit of ’60s kitchen sink on a Sunday, especially if someone (Carol White, for example) is doing the washing up?

Watershed; watershed.co.uk bristol hoppers Walking tours exploring Bristol’s craft beer scene, each with a different locality and angle; bristolhoppers.co.uk

bristol craft beer festival This year, the buzzing beerfest’s relocating to Harbourside, for three days of food, live music, and, oh yeah, beer – over 250 different taste sensations from 35 breweries; bristolcraftbeerfestival.co.uk

23 September

sean walsh The dishevelled, fiery, animated, idle millennial man-child comes to Redgrave; redgravetheatre.com

doors open days It used to be one day, but it’s grown to a proper little three-day event, as a wide range of buildings offers a chance to look behind closed doors; bristolopendoors.org.uk

jurassic park in concert Watch Dickie Attenborough make his fatal mistake again, in HD, with a live symphony orchestra performing John Williams’ score. At Bristol Hippodrome; atgtickets.com

24 September

22-23 September

1 October

Terry and Carol in Poor Cow; all hail the ale at the Craft Beer fest

29 September

The Greatest Dog Show on Earth® 2 Missing the Gromit Unleashed 2 trail? Come and see your fave Gromits, Feathers and Wallaces again at this showcase at The Mall at Cribbs Causeway, before they all go under the hammer to raise muchneeded funds for Bristol Children’s Hospital. Ticketed event; grandappeal.org.uk

A withering dissection of Trump’s America ends up with a celebration of Americana, stand-up, improvised ballads and cracking musicianship.

At Redgrave; redgravetheatre.com

21-22 September

dave gorman: With Great PowerPoint Comes Great ResponsibilityPoint Dave’s bringing his laptop and projector screen to Bristol Hippodrome, to illustrate parts of life you’ve probably never stopped to think about before. Because not all heroes wear capes. atgtickets.com

28-29 September

Dara O Briain – Voice of Reason A chance to see one of the most charismatic, intelligent, fast-talking and funny live performers back in his stand-up comfort zone. Bristol Hippodrome; atgtickets.com

Tokyo world Five fields of music. Over 100+ artists. One weekend at Eastville Park; tokyoworld.org

25-30 September

Encounters Short Film and Animation Festival The 23rd Encounters Short Film and Animation Festival ; see feature page 52. encounters-festival.org.uk

Other

15-16 September

peak and blind mad mansion party

bristol half Or the 2018 Simplyhealth Great Bristol Half Marathon, as it likes to be called on formal occasions; back for its third year as part of the Great Run Series, with over 10,000 runners. great-bristol-half-marathon.co.uk

Mark Kermode: How Does It Feel? A Life of Musical Misadventures 2 Film critic Mark brings his selfdeprecating, blissfully nostalgic memoirs of his teenage attempts to become a popstar to St George’s; stgeorgesbristol.co.uk

11 October

george monbiot Journalist, protester and changemaker George hosts an evening of talks, group breakouts and discussions on how we can all create positive action in the world around us; at Anson Rooms, bristolsu.org.uk

www.mediaclash.co.uk I BRISTOL LIFE I 41

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

the big interview

There’s no point looking for an instalment of Colin Moody’s Bristol Heroes feature in this issue. You won’t find it.

But hey, don’t panic; it’ll be back next month. In the meantime, Colin’s just brought out his first book – a total belter of a photo-journalist essay on Stokes Croft and Montpelier – and we’re using his regular slot to bring you just some of its highlights Words by Deri Robins Photos by Colin Moody www.mediaclash.co.uk I BRISTOL LIFE I 45

N

obody-but-nobody knows Bristol better than Colin Moody. If he’s not covering a small local event or large festival for Bristol Community FM, Ujima radio or other local media, he’s invariably out and about with his camera, capturing everyday Bristol life in all its myriad glory.

“From this,” says Colin, “I have come to know a lot more about the city, its people and its diverse communities. Street photography or, more specifically for me, social documentary photography, seems to be the ideal way to represent, to comment, and at times draw attention to things that otherwise might go unnoticed.

And once I started noticing, I just kept at it.”

Generally armed with nothing fancier than a GoPro, Colin’s images are among the most recognisable on Instagram – follow him at @moodycolin319, and you’ll see what we mean.

When did you settle on your current style of street photography?

As a kid I pawed over my dad’s TIME Magazine book.

Beaches being stormed, celebrities in candid moments – it was my favourite book. Everything seemed just so boring in media photography, but these images were chaotic, energetic, fizzing. Made you feel involved.

In addition to that, the work of Henri Cartier-Bresson, Bruce Davidson, Martin Parr, Jane Bown and others has always been an inspiration. These photographers seemed not only to record what they were seeing, they were looking closer. At who we were. Who we could be. Or took a sideways glance at it all in a witty way. It freed up the image; the story flowed. And I loved their determination. page 44-45: Bomber Jacket; above: Side-street cycle bottleneck;

left: The dogs of Picton Street; right: ‘Ladies, we are not in Clifton anymore’

For your first book, you’ve focused on Stokes Croft and Montpelier. What makes these areas so compelling to you?

As a street photographer, these areas are very real, raw and rich in layers. It’s an area that challenges ideas of what a society can be. And it shows on the surface and deeper down. Taking photos of people in flux, lives weaving around each other, gives you layers to work from as a photographer. New arrivals, not engaging or engaging. It gives you options; and that’s a buzz. Chaos, some call it. One person’s eyesore is someone else’s village green. And Jeff, who sells the Big Issue here, has a fistbump and a smile to pick you up if you need it.

The people who live here are a famously singular, mutinous lot – why is this, do you think?

Being just outside the ‘city walls’, as they once were, this place has been a bolthole for the less established elements of society for centuries. One early report from the 1820s describes local residents as ‘a surprisingly diverse range of tenants’.

And that energy, that fusion of different ideas, is happening right now. When you find out about the past here, mix it with the present, and add a pinch of mutinous ambition for a better future.

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

the big interview

“Taking photos of people in flux, lives weaving around each other, gives you layers to work from as a photographer.

It gives you options”

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

left: Coming Home, Picton Street; below: The Thinker

trendy spots were empty abandoned office blocks and their layer. Layers. Time-team photojournalism. Human geology. And you can dip in if you flick through the pages in my book.

What do you look for in a photo?

Something tender, poignant, real. Fleeting or permanent.

Witty, funny or sad. After digging into stories here – which I do, as a journalist for local community radio – that trains a muscle to notice the powerful in the everyday. Sometimes, something incredible may appear, just for a micro-second. My phone is always in my hand to grab those shots. You have to keep looking, all the time.

I love this city and its people, and if I get a good shot it kind of place-makes the scene. It is not a separate object; the photo is part of the place it represents.

Do you generally take candid snaps of unaware subjects, or prefer to engage them in conversation?

Both. Taking shots of people walking past a wall will not sustain you in a career. It is not enough; but it’s how many street photographers start. I have fun with that, too.

However, I knew early on it was right to step in or step back. So I explore that by engaging with people. Get the Memories of riots exist alongside beautiful art speckled with tagging, alongside people trying to forge something new or just survive. It’s not grey. It’s never beige. And I can’t see it stopping. Psychogeographic forces are strong here, and it reminds me of that TIME book I mentioned, one with all life in it. Couldn’t put that book down as a kid, and can’t stop coming here as an adult.

Tell us about the ‘human geology’ phrase you coined in the introduction . . .

Between Primark and the dragon, between the estates and the seven saints of St Pauls, there exists past, present and a hoped-for future writ large in the way people flow past each other.

Here’s an example. As a street photographer making this book, I approached a street art crew who were working together to spray a new huge mural reading ‘Stokes Croft’ on City Road.

While they were doing that, Barrington from the Bristol Reggae Orchestra came by, and also got involved, and told me that there needs to be a large Bob Marley up somewhere. He was worried that reggae is dying out as live music in the area.

A few days later I had been hanging out with the orchestra rehearsing, and ended up singing improvised reggae in Barrington’s kitchen, where they had the best reggae band set up I’ve ever seen. Live music, sat on the kitchen sideboard.

Now link that directly to one afternoon that I thought was about street art. Now I have it in my head that graffiti is like music; it ebbs and flows. Maybe tagging is the notes, murals a Bach variation. Scratch away at art and it leads to music. Scratch that, and you may end up in a church hearing a choir sing, or community group meeting to save the Bearpit. Layers. All guided by human contact.

Strata seams running through the whole lot are the histories people tell you. You can then build a planned approach to how to document this. Then I think about the homeless communities that were here when all these

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

the big interview

“I prefer to be guided by the street, otherwise I am letting my own ego and personal choices get in the way” 10

It must have been hard picking just one image for the cover. Tell us about Bomber Jacket…

9 3

7

camera noticed, and add that to see what comes.

Then keep moving. Maybe in close, if that’s what’s needed. Or a step to the side. Or tag along, thinking of angles that tell a good story. That can bring up new opportunities, and people are often willing to share a moment with you. If you get really into it then you can start to be part of that scene, and the shots seem more meaningful. A series of work then comes. And I prefer to be guided by the street for that, otherwise I am letting my own ego and personal choices get in the way.

8

6

5 4

1

I was in the car, it was raining too hard to get out, but suddenly this homeless guy comes marching down the road in white speckled trousers with the most determination I’ve ever seen, like a soldier, jacket over his head, and he strides past this bomb art piece.

The raindrops mixed with and distorted the art work, distorted the figure, almost erasing him. So much of life here is in flux; more for some than others. It speaks of spirit and impermanence. So putting that on the cover works. Besides, it also is a metaphor I would say for my approach, to boldly step in to the scene.

We’d like to see these photos in an exhibition . . .

Turning it into a gallery show would be a good next step, and anyone who wants this work shown in Stokes Croft or Montpelier should get in touch (@MoodyColin on Twitter).

2

Stokes Croft & Montpelier by Colin Moody is published by The History Press at £18.

Colin will be signing copies at Waterstones Clifton on 6 October from 7pm

crofters, right?

There’s a superb collage right at the end of Colin’s book; we used an excerpt on our cover. Try to spot...

1 Ajax, who said “You could offer me a flat in Buckingham Palace, but I will always stay here.”

ex-Soviet leader Leonid Brezhnev and East Germany’s Eric Honecker.

2. Phoebe, who lives in a high flat, and who takes photographs of the birds on TV aerials and rooftops before turning them into art.

7. The dinosaur that was used by anti-fracking protestors to raise awareness of the dangers of this process. So many environmental groups are set up in this area.

3. Wildlife? We got wildlife. Like the full-sized zebra that comes out and grazes every day outside the market opposite Niche Prints.

8. The hard-working Plaster PR team on their phones, sending emails and social out with the Other Art Fair team.

4. The van completely painted by street artist My Dog Sighs, driven by a geologist from Bedminster.

9. Nina at the Albany Centre – a converted church now used as a dance and performance space.

5. Small acts of kindness and contact. The woman on her way home from work offering a light to the man wrapped in a blanket.

10. “Without the soul for getting down...” The Avant Garde Dance masterclass team jumping on the roof in unison, like that crew from the Thriller video; this was taken in the space in Hamilton House used for dance, yoga, performance and so much more.

6. The artwork of Donald and Boris kissing, that was a reworking of an artwork of a kiss between

High-rise fashion

www.mediaclash.co.uk I BRISTOL LIFE I 49

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Lithographs, prints and original work by some of the greatest artists of the 20th & 21st centuries alongside stunning contemporary work from Bristol and beyond.

Banksy. Picasso, Matisse. Hockney. Grayson Perry.

Stik. Francis Bacon. Henry Moore. Chagall.

Huw Richards Evans. Lauren Baker. Tracey Emin.

Salvador Dali. Damien Hirst and so many more.

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festival

Spawned in cinema’s centennial year of 1995, what began as a celebration of short film has now morphed into a worldfamous, week-long festival.

This year’s Encounters promises to be the weirdest and most wonderful yet, so read on – these cinematic delights are coming soon to a screen near you Words by Lauren Ellis 52 I BRISTOL LIFE I www.mediaclash.co.uk

© jon cr aig

close Encounters of the bristol kind

film festival

Compass presents Arcadia at Boiling Wells; Brexicuted – why is it even happening?; Wonder what the marrow smells like? – The Curse of the Were-Rabbit Scratch ’n’ Sniff

B “Versatility and variety is the spice of Encounters”

ristol buzzes with creativity; inventiveness is imprinted in the city’s DNA – so perhaps it’s no surprise that 24 years ago it came up with the idea of Encounters. The festival of short film and animation used to be called Brief Encounters; but when you look at how it’s grown, into its current long and ambitious programme, it’s not hard to see why they quietly dropped the ‘brief ’ bit.

Versatility and variety is the spice of Encounters.

From established masters to lesser known and emerging talent, Encounters showcases the artistry of filmmakers both famed and obscure. On the roster you’ll find work that blends animation and bends realities; quirky comedies, and peer-through-your-fingers horror.

You’ll dive into the deepest, darkest corners of humanity one moment, and be falling off your cinema seat in laughter the next – sometimes in the same series of shorts.

While the festival mostly takes place in Watershed and Arnolfini, it also trails out into more unexpected performance spaces – look out for the BFI’s newly released folk-horror feature Arcadia , an experimental, visceral archive experience scored by Adrian Utley and Will Gregory, at the Boiling Wells Amphitheatre in St Werburghs.

Alongside the screenings are an impressive roster of special events, Q&As, immersive masterclasses and workshops. Those who enjoyed Laura Kriefman’s Crane Dance back in 2015, in which three illuminated M-Shed cranes did a little boogie to the tunes of RSVP Bhangra, may enjoy a visual and music event presented by Punjabtronix; DJ Swami will mix his electro sound with Punjabi folk melodies and John Minton’s original animations.

www.mediaclash.co.uk I BRISTOL LIFE I 53

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film festival so what’s on the bill?

So many eclectic treats, you wouldn’t believe, ranging from shorts of just a few minutes long to full-on feature films. Head over to the website for the full programme; here’s just a taster.

Lovers of the dark side need to book for Late Lounge’s Fright Night, featuring 14 terrifying tales from across the world. House Guests is a twist on the traditional trope of a romantic staycation gone horribly, horribly wrong; in Two Puddles, we witness family tensions surface in a haunting woodland (where else?) setting. When two women are flashed during a walk, Kate Dolan’s vindicating Catcalls sees the hunted become the hunters in this thrilling and subversive short. Then we have the foreboding Deliria from Swedish director Tomas Stark, the mysterious Kobbwebjar from the UK’s own Nick Jordan and for lovers of Spanish horror (niche, but we know you’re out there), there’s the animated and unsettling La Noria.

Another collection of shorts features Happy Sad; a surreal exploration of humanity’s innate contradictions, and the balance we must all strike in that sweet spot between sorrow and joy.

In Wei Keong Tan’s Between Us Two, a gay son talks to his dead mother. Perinatal Positivity centres on mental health in budding families, particularly mental wellness in pregnancy and early parenthood.

Other highlights include Oscar Barany’s zany Thirsty, in which the debauched protagonist pursues a strange creature across an equally strange land. In Adam, an artist and a neuroscientist pick apart neurological processes and the emotions associated with depression.

And in Sunniva Fluge Hole’s Liv, we witness the tale of a woman who, tired of waiting for death, ventures out into the wilderness.

Do the Right Thing offers six films guaranteed to polish your moral compass and question your better judgement, while Don’t Talk to Strangers examines chance encounters and what happens when humans collide. Buckle up for Other Worlds, and be transported across galaxies; explore parallel dimensions in Below, muse on the passage of time in Late Afternoon, and ask just what – or who? – is actually out there in Stellar.

Bristol is famed worldwide for its bounty of real-life nature documentaries, and the critter-tastic Animal Magic is sure to be another crowd-pleaser as our inner child is treated to a pack of animated tales about wildlife and the environment.

Be prepared to emerge extraprotective of our beautiful blue planet, and as freshly resolved to recycle everything in sight as you were after that time you watched An Inconvenient Truth.

And as you really can’t have an Encounters without Aardman, there’s a suitably daft Scratch ’n’ Sniff Cinema outing for Wallace and Gromit: The Curse of the Were-Rabbit at which you’ll be given an odour-inspired card featuring smells linked to moments in the film. Let’s hope they remember the Wensleydale, lad . . . n

“Be prepared to emerge freshly determined to recycle everything in sight after watching Animal Magic”

Encounters runs 25-30 September; book tickets now, and stock up on the popcorn www.encounters-festival.org.uk

How does this double-bore rifle work again? Oops...!

It’s the Helsinki Mansplaining Massacre

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

A RETIREMENT TO LOOK FORWARD TO

LAST REMAINING VACANCIES

across our five lovely houses in the Bristol area

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jewellery, silver, fine art and period furnishings

the unusual and unbelievable.

Extraordinary furnishings and beautiful objects for the discerning

gold, silver, jewellery, fine art and period pieces at highly competitive rates

Now taking enquiries: 01225 430170 info@altitudeandattitude.co.uk www.altitudeandattitude.co.uk Come and see us: 2 Nelson Place East , Bath, BA1 5DA Friday and Saturday 10am – 5pm or by appointment

Goram & Vincent

. . . or the Goram & Vincent Smokehouse at Avon Gorge by Hotel du Vin, as it likes to be called on formal occasions. So much for the snappy name; but is it any good? Words by Deri Robins

I

t’s like a violin,” said Your Man. “What’s that?” I said, absently, being engrossed in the menu.

“The Clifton Suspension Bridge.”

“Uh-huh,” I said.

We were seated at a prime window seat in the Goram & Vincent restaurant – one of the jewels in the snazzily refurbished Avon Gorge Hotel’s crown.

It’s now part of the Fraser group, who own the Hotel du Vins and Malmaisons; they’ve just splashed £16 mill on the refurbishment, from the many, many bars to the sleek bedrooms to the rather amazing events space in what used to be the old Turkish baths. It all looks an absolute treat. Even the loos are Instagrammable.

Oh, and the name? In folklore, Goram and Vincent were the giants who created the Avon Gorge. Good job this was in ye olden days. If they’d had to submit plans today, the Gorge would have ended up in Filton.

I’d reached the dessert section of the menu, and my gaze had alighted on the Charlotte Royale. Homemade jam Swiss roll, raspberry liquor, raspberry and strawberry bavarois.

“It’s a beautiful structure, but there are no fripperies.

It’s not jack-the-lad architecture,” said Your Man. “And how’s that the same as a violin?” I said, reluctantly engaging. My eyes had now flicked down to

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

the 18-layer Black Forest gateau. Eighteen! Wow . . .

“The violin is a beautiful-looking thing, sure. But that’s mere coincidence. It’s exactly the shape it is because of acoustic and physical thingies. But it’s functional.”

“Oh, I get it.” I said, and I did. What I didn’t quite get was the Goram & Vincent menu. It calls itself ‘a smokehouse complete with an open kitchen using coalfired grills, a smoker and bespoke clay ovens’ – so far, so very 21st C – but the dishes on the menu seemed archly retro. Prawn cocktails lurking among the starters. A huge steak offering dominating the mains. Knickerbocker glories, cherry pies, and the aforementioned BFG – served from a dessert trolley, of all things.

“It’s exactly the way it is, or it wouldn’t stand up,” Your Man continued, doggedly. “Would have fallen down years ago.”

“What, the dessert trolley?”

“No. The Clifton Suspension Bridge.”

We stared in appreciative silence across the terrace to the Bridge. That view never gets old, does it? Is there a better sight anywhere in this sceptred isle?

But we weren’t in to review the Bridge, or even to quibble over whose idea it was – Brunel’s or Mrs Sarah Guppy’s? – but to see if the food was any good.

Playing along with the old-school fun, I ordered the prawn cocktail. The prawns were beasts – proper

restaurant

jumbos – but just five for £14.50 seemed a tad steep. The iceberg, avocado and grapefruit salad beneath was fresh and enjoyable, though I’d have welcomed a bigger dollop of the Marie Rose sauce, particularly as the prawns really didn’t taste of very much.

As someone who travels with a pot of salt in his pocket for those occasions when there’s no cruet on the table, and you feel an ignorant plonker asking for one (we once had a huge tub of Saxa slammed pointedly down in front of us), the saltiness of the salt-baked beets had a thumbs-up from Your Man, who conceded that this was a well-balanced dish, with crunchy hazelnuts and creamy whipped goat’s cheese to complement the juicy beets.

The meal game swung up to a whole new level with the mains. Given the strong and varied steak offering, and clued-up staff poised to advise on the cuts, this had been my first choice until I spied the lobster.

Is there anything in this world more delicious than a well-prepared lobster? If I had to describe Goram & Vincent’s one in emoticons, it would be a row of feverishly clapping hands. As meaty as the prawns, but much more flavoursome, grilled to a turn, drenched in garlic butter and loosened from its shell – no need to crack claws or tease out mimsy scraps of flesh with dental implements.

Though not a veggie, Your Man frequently defaults to the plant-based option. He seemed happy with his falafel and chickpea salad, though the bit I stole seemed a little dry, and in need of more of its tahini sauce.

We waved away the pudding trolley and watched the lights (3072 bulbs, fact-fans) come on the Suspension Bridge as we sipped our very good coffee. Has Clifton finally come up with a restaurant that does justice to its killer view? It’s most definitely getting there. n

“If I had to describe the lobster in emoticons, it would be a row of feverishly clapping hands” Dining details Hotel du Vin, Goram & Vincent, Sion Hill, Clifton BS8 4LD; Tel: 0117 403 0210 Opening hours “From early until late” it says on the website, or more prosaically, 5.30pm till 10.30pm We visited Wednesday evening Prices Starters £7.50 to £14.50; mains £12.50 to £57; desserts £6.50 Drinks As befits a place calling itself a Hotel of Wine, the choice is wide, sophisticated and reasonably priced Vegetarian choice Limited, but based on Your Man’s experience, pretty good Service Friendly, informed, efficient Atmosphere Tranquil. View exceptional, one of the best in the UK, but you knew that Disabled access Fully accessible

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

Riverstation sits majestically on the harbourside as it has done for the last 20 years. Our iconic building boasts one of the best sunshine locations in Bristol and offers al fresco dining in abundance.

You can dock on the pontoon from the ferry and enjoy the whole day in this wonderful setting.

The newly refitted restaurant offers fantastic views across the water and delivers monthly rotating seasonal menus. Balcony seating also allows you to leisurely watch life go by.

The up-beat ground floor hosts a large sunshine terrace so you can while away a night with cocktails, or enjoy a bottle from our extensive wine selection.

We proudly support local Bristol breweries, as well as offering our flagship Young’s ales on tap.

Be sure not to miss out on our great events hosted in proper Bristol fashion. Follow our social networks for updates.

We are now taking bookings for Christmas, please head over to www.riverstation.co.uk for further information or contact us at riverstation@youngs.co.uk

The Grove, Bristol BS1 4RB; 0117 914 4434 riverstation@youngs.co.uk www.riverstation.co.uk

f riverstation.bs1 a riverstation_ x riverstation.bristol

food & drink

Coco Barone

Meet the head chef of the city’s newest all-day diner – the 1766 Bar & Kitchen, housed within the soon-tobe-reopened Bristol Old Vic

Coco Barone grew up in Matino, a small country town in the south of Italy. “Imagine the boot of Italy,” she says. “I come from the tip of the high heel.” And really, reading her first answer, below – could she be any more Italian?

What food did you love as a child?

All mealtimes in Italy are pretty serious affairs, but I always really looked forward to Sundays, when we had a pot of Mama’s tomato sauce simmering away all morning on the stove; I can still remember that beautiful smell drifting through the house. Then the whole family would come together and make a fresh pasta called ‘sagne’ which is specific to that region of Italy. It’s like a curved tagliatelle which cradles the fresh tomato sauce like a little baby; we then finished it with basil and parmesan. So simple but nothing reminds me more of home.

Who first taught you to cook?

I grew up spending a lot of time with my grandparents on their farm and vineyard. My grandmother was always cooking, whether for dinner or preserving the amazing produce they grew for the colder, leaner winter months.

Do you have a signature dish?

I don’t have a signature dish as such, but a typical dish at casa Coco would be seafood risotto, courgette, fennel and lemon.

Why did you choose cooking as a career?

I started cooking in local restaurants while completing my five-year culinary school diploma. I then moved to North Italy, and when I was 20, had the opportunity to move to the top Italian restaurant in Zurich, and I relished the chance. This was my first position as a chef de partie, and it taught me so much; my head chef Stefano inspired me every day to be the best I could, controlled and consistent in everything I did both in the kitchen and in life.

right: Coco’s winter venison dish.

Let’s hope Bambi’s not this year’s Christmas show

What brought you to Bristol?

While in Zurich, my father encouraged me go to England so that I could learn the language and grow my skills as a chef in different cuisines. I had heard from a few friends about Bristol, so thought I would give it a go. Five years later I’m still here, with no plans to leave; I love the city, its food scene, its constantly evolving, creative soul and the friendly people.

Tell us a bit about the new 1766 Bar & Kitchen Very few people get the opportunity to be part of such a greatly anticipated opening of such an iconic venue; to be part of a team of so many passionate, skilled people just makes the whole experience even more exciting. The concept of 1766 is simply to use great ingredients and cook them well, with the occasional playful twist. I have been busy in the kitchen perfecting recipes, and can’t wait until we can get onsite in the next few days, when we can christen our new stoves and kit.

Has working within such a historic structure influenced the style of the restaurant?

The theatre dates back to 1766, and its beauty and history really speaks for itself. The food, however, is much more about current trends and what the Bristol public both want to eat

“I don’t think there were that many vegans and gluten-frees back in 1766 . . .”

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and expect to see on menus in the city. I don’t think there were many vegans and gluten-frees back in 1766; we, however, will be catering to all the demographics of people who want to visit the theatre and 1766 Bar & Kitchen.

Tell us about a few of your favourite local producers Here are just a handful: Nigel from Buxton Butchers will be supplying our meat; Hobbs House our bread; A. David for fruit and veg; Trealy Farm for charcuterie, and Clifton Coffee for our caffeine fix.

Follow the story on Instagram @1766barkitchen www.bristololdvic.org.uk

clockwise: Iftar at Barton Hill; Elders Forum, Experimenting with Cooking; VIP Summer Feast

The year of coming together In June, Bristol Food Connections returned with a new mission – to go citywide, and shine a spotlight on Bristol’s diverse food culture and communities A community Iftar feast at Barton Hill; bootcamps for Bristol’s indie businesses; a pop-up Indian brunch at Harts Bakery; free breakfast on the train from Temple Meads to the Severn Beach, and a World Food Passport, giving people the chance to head off on a global food journey around Bristol, picking up a different sample to taste wherever they went – just a few of the inspiring events at this year’s Bristol Food Connections.

Over 130 took place, from workshops and demonstrations to talks and celebrations, hosted by and for the people of Bristol.

“What a week!” said festival CE Claire Peeters. “Food Connections was back with a bang, and it was great to see every corner of Bristol coming together through the power of good food.

“We hope the festival has given residents and visitors the chance to find out more about all the brilliant people and food and drink organisations in Bristol, and discover the

richness of our cultures and communities that we have across the city.”

Very instrumental in the festival was Kalpna Woolf, founder of social enterprise 91 Ways (named after the 91 languages spoken in Bristol) – which, like Bristol Food Connections, aims to bridge the gap between the city’s communities through food.

“Since the first 91 Ways event in 2015, we’ve had over 100 events take place, with our 106th part of this year’s Food Connections festival,” said Kalpna. “91 Ways and Food Connections have a very close affinity, and it’s great to see the festival continue to evolve and grow every year, with more and more events taking place outside the city centre. Food festivals have to have a purpose and meaning, and that’s what Food Connections does so well.

“We launched 91 Ways because I wanted to reach out to our diverse communities and find an opportunity for people to meet, and through this, build a more united city.

“Bristol and food go hand-in-hand – it’s a city which loves and is proud of its food, so celebrating our communities by sharing food from our 91 cultures makes perfect sense.”

During the event, the team gathered feedback on the way that the festival helps people to experience different cultures and communities and explore areas they’d never been to before – which is exactly what the festival was all about.

• Over 20,000 people took part in the festival.

• 89% of attendees felt that Food Connections had improved Bristol’s reputation as a food destination.

• Almost two thirds of festival goers experienced or learned about new food cultures and communities in the city, with four in five visiting new places within the city that they had never been to before. www.bristolfoodconnections.com

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

food & drink

More tasty bites...

All hail the ale! The Bristol Craft Beer

Festival returns 14-16 September; this time it’s at Harbourside, so don’t head to Temple Meads unless you actually need to catch a train. There are around 250 different beers to sample (maybe don’t try them all), matched by the usual great food and music line-up www.bristolcraftbeerfestival.co.uk

Zara’s Chocolates has opened in new,

bigger premises at 200 North Street – along with Zara’s trademark choccies, there’s an exciting new hot chocolate bar. What a way to start a crisp autumn/winter morning . . . www.zaraschocolates.com

Look out for new Polish restaurant

Gosha’s House on King Street; the menu temptations include pierogi and zapiekanka, and if that means absolutely nothing to you then we suggest you just get along and get stuck in. More details on their Facebook page.

Cargo looks set to become even bigger, with plans for new large units with expansive terraces having been submitted to Bristol Council. Interested businesses should get in touch with Umberslade by emailing enquiries@umberslade.co.uk

clockwise: Bad news for the terminally indecisive diner, as Cargo plans to build yet more units; two beers down, just 248 to go; spiced orange or gingerbread hot choccie, anyone? Thought so...; this is either pierogi or zapiekanka. Probably.

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

CHRISTMAS PARTIES

bring us the figgy pudding Admittedly, it’s not remotely beginning to look like Christmas – but if you book your festive party now, you’ll be really glad you did when December rolls around. Don’t make us say we told you so . . .

N

ormally by this time in September, we’d be wrapped up warm in our woolly coats and mufflers, checking the winter fuel situation and wondering if it was too early to mull something alcoholic.

This being the case, running a feature on Christmas parties never feels especially daft.

But since whichever joker is in charge of the Bristol weather this year appears to think it’s a bit of a lark to follow the midsummer heatwave with an Indian summer, we do feel a tiny bit sheepish showing you pictures of snow, twinkly fairy lights and candles draped with ivy – but what can we tell you? The more organised folk of this city are booking their office dos and big family parties now, so you really need to jump on it. Just stick some Nat King Cole on the iThingy, pour yourself a large sherry, and let’s talk turkey. You may jeer now, but you’ll thank us in the long run.

Avon Gorge Hotel

by Hotel du Vin This beautifully restored hotel with the best view in the city makes the perfect spot for the festive season; the fabulous refurbished events space can cater for between 40 and 250 people, or book to dine in the Goram & Vincent restaurant with its floor-to-ceiling

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

windows overlooking the Avon Gorge. www.hotelduvin.com/locations/bristol-avon-gorge Bambalan Bambalan always offers a fun alternative to the trad Christmas feast, with Middle Eastern (appropriate, when you think of it) sharing menus; there’s space for up to 250, making it ideal for exclusive large parties and big team lunches, dinners and drinks. www.bambalan.co.uk Bar44 Another perfect alternative to the traditional turkey dinner, served in a relaxed and sociable atmosphere. The San Lucar Christmas offerings is tapas-based, the Jerez one is a four-course feast, and if ever there was a time and a place to discover why sherry really is sexy, this is it. “It’s so versatile and goes brilliantly with food, from crisp finos served with the mullet and aioli, through to a sweet Pedro Ximinez with sea-salted chocolate truffles,” enthuses selfstyled ‘sherry monster’ and co-owner Owen Morgan. www.bar44.co.uk Bocabar The Christmas menu will be served in a festive fairylit back dining room, while those who see absolutely no reason why the saviour’s birth means an absence of pizza should note that there are festive specials

with cocktails and gintails at the main bar, with the added fun of DJs on Fridays and Saturdays for after-dinner mingling and dancing. Bocabar prides itself on being a buzzy, social-mingling, good-time hub, so it’s the perfect opportunity to dress up sparkly and boogie on down (with lots of sofas and space for breakout time). A Christmas buffet menu is also available for party bookings. www.bristol.bocabar.co.uk Bristol Harbour Hotel Celebrate Christmas in opulent style in the heart of Old City; there are several event spaces for private hire, seating up to 300, including the grand Sansovino Ballroom with a DJ, food from the Jetty Restaurant and cocktails in the luxurious Gold Bar. www.harbourhotels.co.uk/christmas Christmas Festiv-al, Colston Hall On 14 December, two major Bristol brands combine to create a festive shindig like none other. Eat, drink and be as merry as Father Christmas at Bristol’s biggest music venue, while Pieminister bring all the pies.

Together, it’s the best elements (and none of the naff ones) of a proper party; the Hall have raided their playlist and contacts book to put together a line-up of great DJs and performers, including DJ Cheeba and The Cuban Brothers. www.colstonhall.org

CHRISTMAS PARTIES

“Not feeling festive? Stick some Nat King Cole on your iThingy, pour a large sherry and let’s talk turkey”

Hyde & Co Bristol’s original speakeasy is the perfect place to escape the tawdriest excesses of festive tinsel and enjoy the season in style, with award-winning cocktails and exceptional service in an atmosphere reminiscent of 1920s New York. Ideal for smaller groups or private parties of up to 60 people. www.hydeand.co leigh court Choose from a magnificent suite of 19thcentury rooms, or hire the whole ground floor: welcome your guests in the Great Hall beneath the grand suspended staircase before sitting down to a banquet in the Library or Tapestry Room, each a gorgeous backdrop for your festivities. Turn Leigh Court into your very own winter wonderland by projecting your branding onto the front of the building, filling the rooms with Christmas trees, or hosting a funfair on the lawns – exclusive use means the choice is yours. www.leighcourt.co.uk the Lido Fabulous food in a super-stylish setting in which you can watch swimmers burn off the calories for you (that’s how it works, yeah?) in the pool, while you tuck into dishes that are Moorish and Mediterranean in style. As well as the main restaurant on the restored Victorian viewing gallery, the Terrace Room seats up to 36 and the Tea Room up to 18, for an unforgettable feast with a luxurious yet relaxed vibe. www.lidobristol.com The Milk Thistle Spread across four floors in one of Bristol’s most spectacular buildings, The Milk Thistle is one of the city’s best-loved, not-so-secret secrets. Whether you’re after festive drinks for small parties, private dining for up to 20 or a full venue takeover for up to 120, the Milkie can cater for parties of all tastes and sizes – and is guaranteed to impress your guests. www.milkthistlebristol.com

left to right: Leigh Court, Noche Privada at Pata Negra, The Milk Thistle

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CHRISTMAS PARTIES left: The crazy multicoloured fantasy of Wonkyland below: Decadent in all the right ways – wintry scenes at The Ox

The Ox restaurants Great food brings us all together at Christmas, and Bristol’s most famous steak restaurant, The Ox, does that to a tee (or indeed, a T-bone). Whether you’re looking for private dining for up to 30 people, the perfect spot for a team Christmas lunch or exclusive hire for up to 80, The Ox Bristol and The Ox Clifton are poised to serve up a festive menu filled with their signature steak, cocktails and some classic Christmas favourites. www.theoxbristol.com Pata Negra A bustling tapas bar in the heart of Old City, Pata Negra is another brilliant destination for anyone wishing to get away from the traditional turkey fare. The beautiful groundfloor restaurant and two private cocktail bars are perfect for parties of up to 120 people, who’ll be served a Spanish-inspired tapas feast – perfect for sharing. www.patanegrabristol.com Spiegeltent Wish you could travel back in time to a 1930s cabaret? The Spiegeltent offers the next best thing – it’s open throughout December, offering parties, gigs and a whole lot more.

Magnificent, memorable and unique. www.christmasspiegeltent.co.uk Spike Island Café A modern and flexible venue with a great bar and hearty, soul-warming food. “We can host up to 60 for a seated dinner or 80 for a buffet or canapé party, using only the best organic and local ingredients. Bring a band or a disco, decorate the tables as you like – it’s your party!

Our three-course Christmas menu includes a glass of bubbly, or choose from any of our seasonal catering menus.” www.spikeisland.org.uk/spike-cafe Westonbirt House The magnificent Westonbirt House near Tetbury in the heart of the Cotswolds is a Victorian mansion with acres of beautiful

grounds. Christmas parties are hosted here annually, with top-quality menus served in grand Grade-I rooms. www.westonbirt.org Winter Wonkyland Make your way to the gates , present your golden ticket and explore a strange and wonderful setting full of surprises and edible treats. From the top of the helter skelter, see how the Passenger Shed at Brunel’s Old Station is magically transformed into the ultimate land of make-believe. NB lots of dates have already sold out, as Hype’s dos are huge annual faves with big parties. www.hypeagency.co.uk www.mediaclash.co.uk I BRISTOL LIFE I 73

Celebrate Christmas in style at Bristol Marriott Hotels

The Malago CHRISTMAS MENU 2 COURSES £18 | 3 COURSES £22

(MONDAY TO WEDNESDAY 3 COURSES £19.95) STARTERS Ham Hock Terrine, Mustard Aioli, Sweet Pickled Vegetables Crayfish & Lime Cocktail, Sourdough Toast Winter Vegetable Soup, Rosemary & Garlic Croutons MAINS Roast Turkey, Stuffing, Roast Potatoes, Brussel Sprouts sauteed with Chestnuts & Pancetta, Parsnips & lashings of Gravy Pork Belly, Dijon Mashed Potatoes, Celeriac Puree, Kale Hake Fillet, Tomato, Chorizo & Potato Broth Root Vegetable & Cheddar Gratian, Mixed Salad DESSERTS Chocolate & Orange Cheesecake, Creme Fraiche Christmas Pudding, Brandy Butter Selection of Cheeses, Oat Crackers

Celebrate the festive season with us!

Prepare for an enchanting evening of delicious food, fantastic DJ music to get you on the dance floor and a fun party atmosphere, great for celebrating with friends or colleagues.

www.themalago.club • christmas.themalago@gmail.com 220 North Street, Southville, BS3 1JD • 0117 963 9044

Party Nights at Bristol Marriott City Centre Festive Party Nights - From £24.95 per person Every Sunday - Thursday from 26th November 2018 Deluxe Party Nights - From £43.95 per person Every Friday & Saturday from 23rd November 2018 Chocolate Factory Themed Parties at Bristol Marriott Royal Get your entry to the Golden Gate for our wonka Chocolate Factory themed party and enjoy a festive three course dinner.

EARLYBIRD OFFER 3/5 SMALL PLATES FOR £16/£25* EVERY NIGHT UNTIL 7PM

Private Lunches from £25 per person.

Sunday to Wednesdays from £39.00 per person Thursdays from £42.00 per person Fridays from £53.00 per person Saturdays from £49.00 per person

BRUNCH SERVED SAT & SUN 10 - 1 BOTTOMLESS BRUNCH AVAILABLE (BOOZY AND BOOZE FREE)

Call us now on 0117 929 4281 for availability.

Email us on mhrs.bristol.events@marriotthotels.com

Disclaimers: (V) - Suitable for vegetarians.

If you have any dietary requirements or are concerned about food allergies, e.g. nuts, you are invited to ask one of our team members for assistance when selecting menu items. All prices include VAT at the current rate. Gratuities are discretionary.

*Some supplements apply

0117 9077112 32 COTHAM HILL, BS6 6LA WWW.MUINOBRISTOL.COM @MUINOBRISTOL

Welcome to The Arts House Cafe, a versatile space serving contemporary food and drink menus in the heart of the bustling Stokes Croft.

We take pride in our carefully crafted, locally sourced menu as well as provide an extensive range of teas, single source coffees, cakes and alcohol.

We support local artists, offering a platform for them to showcase their work, and our event space hosts a weekly cinema club, open mic night and underground comedy every fortnight.

NOW BOOKING FOR CHRISTMAS PARTIES 108 Stokes Croft, Bristol, BS1 3RU 0117 923 2858 | info@theartshousecafe.co.uk theartshousecafe.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

cafÉ society Stan Cullimore

Path of glory If only there was a charming pitstop along the Bristol to Bath cycle path.

Oh, hang on . . .

T

oday’s coffee stop is not, technically, in Bristol. It’s in Warmley, somewhere between Bristol and Bath.

Couldn’t find it on a map to save my life. But, I put it to you, esteemed members of the Café Society Club, that this house of refreshment is as much a part of Bristol life as Wallace and Gromit, the Suspension Bridge and heartstoppingly unaffordable house prices. Let me explain.

Anyone who has ever joined

“Not content with being utterly cute and delightful, it also has a full-sized TARDIS which has been turned into a washroom”

in with the freewheeling, bicycle culture of this city will be familiar with the Bristol to Bath cycle path.

It is a fine institute, an escape route to happiness that has been with us for, ooh, ages.

When my kids were little, it was a rite of passage, when they reached a certain age, to pack a picnic and cycle down from our house in the suburbs to the heart of Old Market. There, we could turn a corner, skip onto the cycle path and make our leg-pumping way along the 16 mile track to Bath. Once we had found the familiar friendly square we always visited, we would munch our lunch, have a breather and then make the return trip. Sheer bliss.

My one complaint, when we used to cycle this path all those years ago, was that I could never find anywhere that was prepared to sell me a cup of tea and a slice of cake to keep me going. There was a station platform halfway between Bristol and Bath, with a few cutout steel statues on it, along with a tiny waiting room. There was supposed to be a café nearby.

Trouble is, it never seemed to be open when I was cycling past.

Most irksome.

Fast-forward a few years, however, and my older grandkids are at that certain age. They now find themselves the proud owners of strong legs, strong lungs

and bikes with many gears. So recently, I gathered together a willing band of family members and we set off in search of cycling adventures. And as we got close to the halfway point of the trip, I discovered that this tiny waiting room of old has morphed into a modern day wonder.

Nowadays, the Warmley Waiting Room café is a tiny slice of snack perfection. You go inside the waiting room to order from their selection of filling cakes, snacks and whatnots, then step outside, to a back garden filled with cosy corners, sunny spots and a selection of picturepostcard potting sheds. It’s most marvellous.

Not content with being utterly cute and delightful, it also has a full-sized TARDIS which has been turned into a washroom.

Naturally, it is a lot bigger on the inside than you would ever imagine possible.

So, if ever you find yourselves on the Bristol to Bath cycle path, and I sincerely hope you do, and are in serious need of sustenance, help is at hand. Just follow your wheels to the welcoming world of Warmley. n Former Housemartins guitarist Stan is now a journalist and travel writer www.stancullimore.com

www.mediaclash.co.uk I BRISTOL LIFE I 79

Let Simply Stairlifts create your home for life • Independent family run business with family values • New, reconditioned & removals • Warranty contracts • Straight & curved available • Service & repairs

It’s all part of the service with Simply Stairlifts.

Visit simplystairlifts.co.uk. Call us on 01666 822060 Email us at info@simplystairlifts.co.uk

shopping live well, buy better

lightbulb moments As often happens, when we run our regular interiors features, we’ve been sent a bunch of pictures that got us thinking, oh, that’s cool; but there was no space to include them in the main feature.

For example, these rather lovely kitchen lights (left) in a room created by Build Bristol.

“The trend for the industrial look is still huge,” says Hannah Walkiewicz. “Lighting can make a space look cosy, but also open up areas too, and highlight high ceilings. It can also be very reasonable in terms of cost to install some pendant lights, and to update them from time to time if you’re looking to make some small changes to your home.”

Meanwhile, Alison Bracey feels that every home should have a book light.

“When it’s closed, it just looks like a book with a wooden cover, and then you open it and the light comes on,” she says. “It’s totally portable, and will last three to four hours before charging with a USB – it’s amazing. We’ve got them displayed in our window; they are a serious talking point, and people love them.

It’s such a genius but simple idea, and really practical.”

The book looks lovely when half-opened, as shown below – but even more excitingly, you can open it fully to form a sphere – which we think looks exactly like a beautiful Art Deco light.

Contact Build Bristol for both domestic and commercial builds www.buildbristol.com Call into Bracey Interiors on Waterloo Street, Clifton if you’d like to buy a book light; small ones cost £29.50, larger ones are £65 www.braceyinteriors.co.uk

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

LEATHER WINE BOTTLE HOLDER, £46 “If you like wine and you like biking, you’re going to love this handmade leather bicycle wine rack.

It easily attaches to most bike frames with antique brass fasteners, while the hidden clamps hold the bottle securely.”

From Temple Cycles, Cargo 2, Wapping Wharf; www.templecycles.co.uk

RAIN JACKET, £85 “The rain jacket is made out of recycled plastic bottles by innovative Danish brand KnowledgeCotton Apparel. It is waterproof and breathable, so ready for whatever the weather will throw at us this autumn.”

From Brothers We Stand, Unit 20, Cargo 2, Wapping Wharf www.brotherswestand.com

RETAIL from the * RIVER BANK Wapping Wharf – it’s just cool flats, cafés and restaurants, right? Wrong!

Just look at the great things you can buy here, too! Let the shopkeepers tell you a bit more CANDIANI DENIM ORIGINAL APRON, £125 “Designed and made in the UK, this apron is stylish and practical and uses the most sustainable denim available.”

From The Mighty Quinns Flower Emporium, Unit 8, Cargo 1 Wapping Wharf; www. themightyquinnsfloweremporium.co.uk

LYLA RASPBERRY CLUTCH, £40 “Beautifully designed by colourful Danish design team Beck Sondergaard, these soft leather clutch bags are perfect to treat yourself or add to your Christmas wish list.”

From Fig 1, Wapping Wharf; www.fig1.co.uk

REY URBAN SILVER BANGLE, 1966, £495 “I love the simple lines and inventiveness of Scandinaviandesigned vintage jewellery. This Swedish silver Rey Urban bangle encapsulates ‘less is more’.”

From John Kelly 1880+, Unit 4, Cargo 2, Wapping Wharf; www.johnkelly1880.co.uk

OK, ‘river’ may be pushing it. But ‘retail from the harbour side’ sounds even less LOLworthy... *

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

ED’S CHOICE CASA MARIOL VERMUT BLANCO, £18.99 “A pioneering house founded in 1945 outside Catalonia in North East Spain, Casa Mariol’s vermouth is made from a base wine of 100% Macabeo grapes sourced from vineyards in the Terra Alta. It is flavoured with 150 botanicals including green walnuts, thyme, orange peel, wormwood and cardamom.”

From Corks at Cargo, Unit Six, Cargo, Wapping Wharf; www.corksofbristol.com

MOUNTAIN ARTWORK, £475 “Unique and original! Be inspired

by Jane Reeves’ amazing fused glass paintings, influenced by many years of visiting Cornwall and watching waves along the rugged North Coast. The painting shown measures 42 x 31 cm.”

From Portside Gallery, Cargo 2, Wapping Wharf www.portsidegallery.co.uk

CORNISH MATURE GOUDA, £2.60 PER 100G “This is a delicious Gouda made in Cornwall. Aged for 12 months, this cheese is made by the dairy owner, using the milk from the farm.

Comparable to a Compte with its smooth texture, subtle crunch and tangy delicate sweetness.”

From The Bristol Cheesemonger, Unit 8, Cargo 2, Wapping Wharf; www.bristol-cheese.co.uk

ICE CIDER BY BURROW HILL, 50CL BOTTLE, £14.95 “This has been a big hit for our cider tastings this year. Ice cider is made by freezing cider apples, which concentrates the rich flavours of the fruit and the resulting juice is fermented to create a sweet, unctuous, dessert cider.

Delicious served over ice with a warm tarte tatin . . .”

From Bristol Cider Shop, Unit 4, Cargo 1, Wapping Wharf www.bristolcidershop.co.uk

LADIES LIGHTWEIGHT BIKE, £750 “We designed this classic ladies’ bike to be as simple, easy to ride and lightweight as possible.

The Ladies Lightweight is a staple in our collection of bikes and it can easily cope with long day rides, light touring or just cruising around town.”

From Temple Cycles, Cargo 2, Wapping Wharf www.templecycles.co.uk

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

A MAN’S WORLD SEB BARRETT

Pranks for the memories It’s important to commit to the cause, says Baz – even if the cause involves frightening a new girlfriend witless, or the identity theft of a genial host . . .

A

t what point does a person become too old to perform pranks?

Those on the receiving end of mine would say I should have quit 15 years ago, but of course they would say that.

I’m lucky to still be with my partner after the one I pulled when we first started going out. It was late at night, so the perfect time for me to perform a disappearing act. Instead of the straightforward ‘jump-and-scare’ – I was looking to impress her,

after all – I stealthily moved from room to room while she searched high and low, calling my name in ever more concerned tones.

About 45 minutes later, her nerves sufficiently frayed, she called off the search and went up to her room... which was when I leapt up from the side of the bed with a guttural roar. Dinner was one me for the next month or so, but it was worth it.

A good prank involves a high-risk/high-reward strategy, and (as above) commitment. I

“A good prank involves a highrisk / high-reward strategy, and commitment”

once waited half an hour under a bed in a cockroach-infested room in Australia to jump out on my friend, who was evidently enjoying the longest shower of his life. When he finally entered the room and was within reach, I grabbed his leg, causing him to squeal and drop his towel. I’m not sure who was more terrified.

Take, as another personal example, the time I went on a preseason rugby tour to the Scottish Borders. The father of one of the players had generously allowed us to stay in his sumptuous country pile that overlooked the Firth of Forth, while we competed in a couple of tournaments.

In a pique of boredom between long training sessions, I thought it would be a good idea to leave love notes under some of the players’ pillows, purporting to be Frank, the owner of the house. (Don’t ask why: not even I know how my mind works.) So ensued three days of Cluedo-like mystery, as people tried to work out who was writing the notes (having thankfully deduced that it wasn’t Frank).

One morning was spent doing fitness tests, which primarily involved a timed race up the North Berwick Law – a gruelling hill run for even the most athletic of souls. We returned to the base of the hill absolutely spent, some with vomit stains down their fronts, such was our collective exertion.

“Guys, I need to speak to you all,” said our coach sternly. The atmosphere was tense as we gathered round, still regaining our breath.

“Frank has found a bunch of letters written by somebody pretending to be him,” our coach explained. “He’s very pissed off.

He’s letting us stay in the house free of charge, and this is how we show our thanks to him.

Whoever’s behind this needs to own up now or we’re going to keep running up that hill until someone confesses.”

I took a sneaky side glance at my fellow players, each one staring intently at the ground.

It felt like being back at school again, but instead of the threat of detention (which was bearable, if you even bothered turning up for it), this was far worse. How are you going to get yourself out of this mess, Barrett?

Being a team player, I couldn’t put the boys (okay, myself) through that run again. I stepped forward, admitting my role in the charade.

“Come on, let’s go and apologise to Frank,” said the coach, leading me away. This is unbearable, I was thinking, dreading the prospect of having to say sorry to a man whose name I had signed on homoerotic love letters.

That was when the team burst out laughing. They had already rumbled my letter-writing antics before the meeting and put the old switcheroo on the situation. I laughed along, if only to ward off the tears.

May that be a lesson to all would-be pranksters: be prepared for it to backfire.

Follow Seb Barett on Twitter @bazzbarrett

www.mediaclash.co.uk I BRISTOL LIFE I 85

A GOOD FACE FOR RADIO KAM KELLY

“Radio has changed.

Of course it has.

Everything has”

Radio, someone still loves you Has Kam yet to have his finest hour? He’s pretty happy with the way thing are, tbh...

Q

uestion: do you enjoy your job?

Answer: Yeah.

I actually love it.

You know when you have some ‘pre-going out’ drinks, you grab a curling iron, bottle or pen as a mic and mime along to a song you love?

Well, I get to do that every morning for four hours – but into an actual microphone. Oh, you wanna see me! If Smash Hits was still around, I would so be reading it between pretending to be every cool artist I’ve ever played.

Radio has changed so much.

It’s changed ridiculously. And that’s just since I’ve been doing it professionally.

Back in the day, Buggles suggested that video had killed radio; or at least, the stars that graced it. Even Freddie (in Radio Ga Ga) sang, “You had your time, you had your hour”. But at least Queen recognised that we’re yet to have our finest hour.

When I was 12, I decided that radio was everything. I fell in love with it. Someone’s out there, talking to me, while also playing my favourite songs and jingles.

I grew up in a housing association flat in London (cue violins). My mum still lives in that same flat to this day. When I was a kid, it wasn’t considered a nice area. It is now, though – I mean, that hovel (at last valuation) was worth about £1.7m. I don’t see

mum requesting a move anytime soon.

Anyway. While growing up (in the slums), I used to see what people had thrown out. And through their discarded stuff I secured myself an old record player, a plastic swivel chair and a fishing rod.

So the record player was my music, the swivel chair my studio seat, and the fishing rod (well, half of it) my microphone. I did a ‘show’ every Friday evening from 6pm. I would get home from school, sort though my mum’s vinyl and put together a playlist.

When I was a teenager, nobody ever came into my bedroom so nobody heard any of those shows, or indeed the mid- morning shows I used to do every weekday morning from 9am until midday during every school holiday.

Then I got to do the real thing, or sort of, at hospital radio, which was my equivalent of work experience.

I was lucky in so many ways. I literally failed everything at GCSE, but was chosen to go to a radio academy seminar/ festival in Birmingham as a presenter for the Festival Station.

I got to meet loads of people from the industry, went on a station tour and met the marketing lady, which led to promo work, which led to the messenger’s job, which led to being the Radio 1 Voice for the Summer of 95 . . . which led

to some pretty awesome demo material. . . which led to my first professional presenter gig.

Bet you wish you’d never asked now. Oh, you didn’t.

So, remember back in 1997 when you started reading this piece? Well, back then, I said radio has changed. Of course it has. Everything has.

There are so many examples I could give you, from presentation styles to what you can and can’t say, to the use of social media within the industry and how it’s beneficial when brand-specific.

Oh, I have been given warning after warning. I’ve had bosses actually hold me against a wall while spitting bile in my face midrant, and have been fired a couple of times. Once for using the word ‘loving’ on the air. True story.

I’m ‘home’ now, at SAM FM, and in this everchanging world of radio I will just do what I’m told.

Because there is nowhere else I want to be.

I left Bristol (through radio) and spent over 10 years trying to come back.

I’m here. And I will continue to wake up every day and genuinely look forward to going into a place where there’s an actual microphone into which I can pretend to be a rock star.

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

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

PHOTO BY JMPUK

SPORT WILL CARPENTER

Derby day The Bears only went and did it – beat historic rival Bath, that is – and they reckon it’s all down to you, Bristol . . .

T

here are wins, and then there are wins.

It was 9.42pm on Friday night when Jack Lam turned and hoisted the ball into the depths of the Atyeo Stand to spark pandemonium at Ashton Gate, on an occasion Bristol Bears’ supporter had been waiting for far longer than the Gallagher Premiership fixture launch on 6 July .

This one felt different – the build-up, the anticipation, the optimism, the atmosphere. The result was a significant one, a performance of resilience, bravery and when it mattered, high quality. But this was about far

more than the outcome. Bristol have beaten Bath before, they did so at Ashton Gate during their last top-flight stint, in front of a smidgen over 16,000 supporters, but as an event, as an occasion, it didn’t come close.

This time around, in front of a club record – and, very nearly, a stadium record – crowd, Pat Lam’s Bears struck a chord, harnessing the passion of a rugbyenthused city and turning it into the most memorable of victories.

“I said to the boys, ‘Invest in the community and they will invest in you’,” said a jubilant Lam shortly after the final whistle.

“To have the crowd we did tonight and for them to get behind

“This game felt different – the build-up, the optimism, the atmosphere”

us the way they did, it was a fantastic night.”

The roar at the final whistle was surpassed only by the eruption seven minutes earlier, as Alapati Leiua juggled and then gathered Luke Morahan’s offload, at the second time of asking, to give the hosts a seven-point lead heading into the closing stages of this pulsating West Country derby.

“It was great to play in front of a packed-out stadium,” added Steven Luatua, the Bristol captain.

“The Bristolians definitely gave us an arm and a leg when times were tough, and we thank them for that. We wouldn’t have got through today without their support.”

This was the most momentous of wins on and off the field for the Bristol Bears, at the beginning of a bold new era for the club. After the zest and hype leading into it, this was a day in the sun rather than a damp squib. A crowd of 26,079 packed the rafters, off the back of record season card sales and nearly 1,000 shirts sold in the Ashton Gate Store on the first day of sales – and they didn’t leave disappointed.

“To achieve a club record crowd of over 26,000 supporters – a Premiership record for Friday night rugby – was magnificent, and the game lived up to the occasion,” said chief operating

officer Mark Tainton.

“The Bears have arrived in style and now it’s vital for us to capitalise on the feelgood factor around the club and carry that momentum into the rest of the Gallagher Premiership season.

We want Ashton Gate to be a fortress, and we’ll be working tirelessly to create that same noise and buzz around every matchday.

“Finally, to our valued supporters, thank you for embracing the Bristol Bears and showing such vociferous support for the team.

“The past six months have seen a significant amount of change around the club – on and off the field – and it means so much that our loyal backing remains as passionate and proud as ever.”

With the new Gallagher Premiership season now comfortably into its stride, the ambition at both Bristol Bears and Ashton Gate is vast.

On the field, Pat Lam has stated ambitions for Champions Cup qualification, while off of it, the long-term vision is to routinely fill the outstanding stadium.

What Friday 31 August 2018 proved was that, in Bristol, there is an undeniable appetite for both. ■

Will Carpenter is the Bristol Bears club journalist; www.bristolbearsrugby.com

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

A beach retreat

Dreaming of escaping the city and investing in a coastal bolthole? Melissa Stewart finds out how you can own your own little piece of Devon...

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

great escapes

W

hen many of us think of Devon, we conjure up the wilds of Dartmoor, the city buzz of Exeter or the yachting glamour of the South Hams.

The rugged North Devon coastline rarely gets a look-in, unless you’re a surfer, in which case you’ll have been raving for years about the fabulous swell and first-class beaches.

True, North Devon may not be as sophisticated as its southern sister but it’s chilled, friendly and full of charm. Nowhere more, perhaps, than the coastal village of Woolacombe. With a population of just 1,000 in the winter, it rockets in the summertime as families flock to the “best beach in the world”

finest local produce.

And it’s not just tourists who are being drawn to Woolacombe Bay; it’s currently undergoing something of a property renaissance too, as developers move in and bring it slap-bang into the 21st century.

The crumbling Victorian hotels and villas are gradually being replaced with slick and contemporary properties more befitting of today’s modern lifestyles.

One such development is Byron; 57 luxury apartments in the heart of Woolacombe.

Many of the beachside apartments offer sparkling sea views, which you can enjoy – G&T in hand – from your own Juliet balcony.

Byron is divided into five premium buildings, each named after a different North Devon beach, and offers residents secure on-site parking and a 24-hour concièrge service. Facilities include a residents-only leisure suite with a private swimming pool, a fully equipped gym and a sauna.

“Whether you’re looking for a family holiday home or a furnished holiday let investment, Byron offers luxury at its best with its wonderfully high-spec apartments, panoramic views and in-house facilities,” says Sheila Sawyer, co-director of Blast Properties The apartments come in a range of sizes and prices, depending on the specification.

Prices range from £385,000 for a two-bed

“This isn’t another tacky seaside resort full of amusement arcades” – a title bestowed by TripAdvisor users in 2016 – and soak up its cool seaside vibe.

Rest assured, however, this isn’t another tacky seaside resort full of kiss-me-quick hats and amusement arcades. Hipster adrenalin junkies head here to surf, paddleboard, horseride and hike the South West Coast Path, while the less adventurous can enjoy sunset strolls on the beach, day trips to nearby Lundy Island or a visit to Restaurant Noel Corston – a tucked-away gem offering some of Devon’s

Did you know...

If you buy a furnished holiday let, rather than a buy-to-let property, you can claim capital allowances on all the furnishings and fittings? In fact, the average capital allowance fixture claim on a furnished holiday let means your rental profits could be tax-free for up to the first five years.

Property tax specialists Stanley Tax Associates carried out a recent review of the Byron development at Woolacombe Bay and estimate that owners could claim as much as 27 per cent of the buying price in capital allowances. For example, if you bought a three-bed apartment for £558,500, you could claim £149,678 (on a projected capital allowance of 26.8 per cent), giving you a cash saving of £67,355.

apartment without a sea view, to £879,000 for a three-bed penthouse with a sea view and outdoor living space. All are available fully furnished and equipped to the buyer’s bespoke requirements, so that they can simply pick up the keys and move in, or start letting, straightaway.

“We’ve been working with the best local interior designers to create sleek, spacious, state-of-the-art living spaces, which capitalise on the abundant natural light and seaside setting,” says Sheila. “Owners can, of course, employ their own interior designers, but our services are available if they want the ease of a ready-to-move-into apartment and a stress-free experience.”

The Byron complex will also incorporate a new restaurant headed up by Devon-born chef Graham Brundle. Graham comes with pedigree, having trained at The Ritz before going on to work for Richard Branson on Necker Island and as head chef for the King of Jordan. Now he’s coming home to Woolacombe with Brundle’s Bar and Restaurant, due to open this autumn. He says, “There will be a very affluent clientèle here – you only have to look at properties in the area to see that. Byron is in a great location and will offer something really new and exciting.”

The second phase of the development is now complete, with 14 luxury apartments now available to buy.

To find out more go to www.byronwoolacombe.co.uk or to arrange a viewing call Webbers on 01271 863 091, or Knight Frank on 01392 423 111

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

businessinsider B R IS T O L g e t s s e r i o u s

Quote of the issue

We had such fun last year that we thought we’d do it all over again next year

“we once sent a delivery of mussels to the south of france”

jelfhelp The Bristol Life Awards are back next April – and we have the perfect platinum sponsor on board

t

he Bristol Life Awards 2019 is already revving its engines following the massive success of this year’s celebrations, with the organisers planning an even stronger event for 2019.

Excitingly, Jelf is the new platinum sponsor in a unique quadruple city deal which involves sponsorship in Bristol Life Awards’ sister events in Bath, Cardiff and Exeter.

Jelf ’s insurance, risk management and employee benefit business connects with thousands of companies in the south west area.

“As an award-winning business ourselves, we appreciate the value of an awards ceremony in growing a business,”said Nichola Thomson, Jelf ’s managing director for the South West and Midlands.

“Our entrepreneurial and

Who’s been sending coals to Newcastle, as it were?

More on page 98.

© leon day

Apropos...

community spirit means that we truly understand the challenges and opportunities that SME and midsized businesses in the region face” she says. “Our purpose is simple: helping businesses and individuals thrive in the often complex environments that they operate in. We are proud to support these awards, which actively champion and celebrate business success.”

“We are thrilled to have the backing of Jelf,” said MediaClash’s event director Steph Dodd. “Jelf is an incredible regional-then-national success story, and they’re a perfect partner for our awards.

“And as an award-winning company itself, Jelf knows how powerful awards can be as a business driver.”

The Bristol Life Awards will be held on 11 April 2019 in a vast

custom-built marquee within Lloyds Amphitheatre, with the all-important nominations opening in December.

In 2018, the event sold out, at over 650 attendees.

The 2019 Awards are set to be the most highly supported yet, thanks to headline sponsors Bristol Airport, platinum sponsors Jelf, and an impressive list of category sponsors which includes CityFibre, Sam FM, The Alternative Board, Curo, Burston Cook, Nicholas Wylde, Anderson Financial Management, Acorn, Cabot Circus, Lexus Bristol, Clear River, Triangle Networks, Dribuild, Clifton College, VWV, Amarelle, British Corner Shop, Brunel Insurance and Regus.

The awards are backed by an eight-month marketing campaign, peaking in April. In 2018, the event was trending on Twitter, such was the

The Big Number

48k

The number of crumpets exported this year so far by one Bristol business – turn to page 98

huge interest in them.

Information for businesses on How to Win a Bristol Life Award will be available via the website.

“We’re keen for all companies to put the best possible case forward for a Bristol Life Award. Our comprehensive online guide will walk businesses through what the judges are looking for and explaining how the process works,” said Steph.

For sponsorship enquiries, please contact Neil Snow: neil.snow@mediaclash.co.uk www.bristollifeawards.co.uk @BristolLifeAwds

mediaclash.co.uk 115

BUSINESS INSIDER

GOLDING GIRL At 31, she became the youngest UK-appointed female CEO of a $100 million company. She changed the direction of Opus Talent Solutions.

She was the personal business advisor to a dragon. And yet Amy Golding initially planned to be a journalist . . .

By Mal Rogers

T

he obvious first task in any interview is to tease out from your subject, particularly one as successful as Amy Golding, the exact secret of their success is.

Amy is happy to offer a ready answer, at least on behalf of Opus Talent Solutions: “We’re always open to new opportunities. Basically, we’ve built our success on brilliant people.”

It may sound a simple enough strategy, but it’s one that has turned Opus – a company that specialises in consultancy and recruitment,

particularly in niche innovative technological sectors – into a bone fide global player.

Opus may be providing Amy’s career path now, but from our Business Club lunch talk you get the distinct feeling that she would have been successful no matter which field she’d focused on.

After school, she read English at Cambridge. “My dad was a journalist, and I really wanted to follow in his footsteps,” she said. “After I graduated I headed for China for six months.

That was a fascinating time, back in 2008. It was the height of the financial crisis, and my friends back home were

Amy chats to guests at our last Business Club; book for the next event on 16 October

struggling to find a job. But things were flourishing in China.”

In packing her bags and heading for the other side of the world, Amy showed a pioneering spirit that has stood her in good stead throughout her career.

“I decided I wanted a bit of an adventure before I settled down. I had no connections in China, no contacts. I guess I was always just very curious by nature and that’s one of the things that’s carried me on, been my stimulus. What’s going on in the world, and wanting to be a part of that – that’s important to me. You know looking at trends and spotting what is and isn’t working.”

Amy worked as a journalist in China, writing for the magazine Shanghai Talk. “I wrote about a range of things; you name it, I reported on it. But gradually I got into business more and more, and realised that was what interested me.”

After leaving the Far East, Amy headed home, and with her interest in business piqued, she enrolled in a graduate scheme at Deloitte, the accounting and financial giant. Amy worked in the strategy department, where she stayed for four years.

Caan. “I eventually became his personal business adviser, shadowing him. We eventually set up Recruitment Entrepreneur. I grew it from being just me to 130 staff and a £17 million turnover in three years.”

Amy Golding joined Opus Talent Solutions in 2017, becoming CEO in December of that year. The move made her, at the age of 31, the youngest UK appointed female CEO of a $100 million company.

“It felt right to move on, take a new challenge,” she explains. “I’ve always gone with my gut which has sometimes gone well and sometimes got me in to trouble. But Opus seemed

“GETTING PEOPLE INVOLVED IN EVERY ASPECT OF THE BUSINESS IS KEY”

OPUS MAGNUM One big break was being headhunted by former Dragons’ Den star James

right. The company started life as a tech recruitment company and has evolved from there.”

Amy brought the skills that she’d picked up in China and at Deloitte to the new company. One vital lesson was getting people more involved in every aspect of the business. “This is key,” she says. “I’ve run training schemes for everyone and anyone; I’ve organised breakfast meetings that are open to everyone. That gives everybody the chance to sit down together and discuss whatever comes up.”

All that has helped to drive the business forward. In her first year, she has changed the Opus business strategy, concentrating on technology and innovation. Accordingly, net profits grew by 50 per cent.

Opus today has offices throughout the world, but the HQ remains in Bristol.

“We’re happy being based in Bristol. I’m not sure we’ll always be in the city, though there are no plans to move and we’ve just moved in to our new HQ offices in Portwall Place. But no matter where we are our business ethos will remain the same: we want people that are proud of working in the company. And as for the business, we’ll keep our priorities in terms of running a business: vision first, then strategy, culture and execution.”

www.opusrecruitmentsolutions.com

Our next Business Club, with Bristol Energy MD Peter Haigh, takes place at Avon Gorge by Hotel du Vin on 16 October; www.bristollifebusinessclub.com

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

Amy’s business philosophy Amy is thoughtful about the driving forces in business, particularly the tech sector. “It’s funny, because I always used to think that to be an entrepreneur, you’d have to invent something new.

But actually I think it is very much about being able to see what’s going on and having a different perspective on things.

Doing things at the right time or doing them better than other people… it doesn’t have to be all new.”

You really don’t have to reinvent the wheel is her message. Just make rounder ones. Or better ones.

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

business insider

one to watch Meet Lucy Cooper, whose beeswax wrap business offers the perfect example of the way that a kitchen industry can grow from a personal passion and philosophy

Words and photos by Suzie Worthington

W

alking into Lucy Cooper’s Bristol home, I am met with the most delicious smell of honey wafting from the kitchen.

Lucy is currently juggling nineyear-old twins on half-term and melting a batch of wax to meet the increasing demand for her Beeswax Food Wraps.

Out in the garden, you can see the cotton squares hanging on the washing line in the sun to dry – they look like festive bunting, so gorgeously cheerful are the patterns.

Lucy’s food wraps are the environmentally friendly alternative to clingfilm and foil. Just a few months ago, Lucy noticed her local wholefood shop was selling beeswax food wraps; always looking for a way to cut down on her usage of plastic, she bought some.

She noticed that they were made in America, and thought “I can make these.” She researched recipes, techniques and processes and has refined and created her

own unique blend of wax, that then gets painted onto the back of the cheerful cotton material.

With clever hands and an eye for detail, Lucy loves simple and organic processes. The beeswax wraps were never, originally, intended to grow into a business; they were born out of Lucy’s thirst for creativity and an energetic can-do attitude.

Starting with some beautiful fabrics and sourcing some local beeswax, she made some for her children’s school fair, which led to the light-bulb-moment when she realised how popular and necessary the product is.

She admits it’s labour intensive.

You start with raw beeswax (this is what’s bubbling away in the kitchen as we speak) and add some water.

You need to boil it to separate the gunk out, and then filter it, to get rid of any petals or stamens from flowers, for example, that could have been stuck to the bees.

The wax itself is antibacterial; the more it’s filtered, the lighter

Working from home means you get to choose your coworkers . . .

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the colour, although the lighter the colour means it will have less antibacterial property to it.

The wax is then applied to the material (Lucy uses 100% cotton), which is hand-cut and handtrimmed. The first coat of wax is then put in the oven to melt before a second coat is applied.

The result is a product that means cutting down on plastic usage, meaning that no plastic chemicals can leach into your food, with the bonus that these vibrant, exciting patterns introduce a cheerful burst of colour to any fridge or packed lunch.

With demand on the increase, Lucy is developing her own tool to help speed up application – with an engineer for a father, the design is already underway.

The lifespan of a beeswax food wrap is about a year. Lucy likens it to a pair of socks – if you use the same pair of socks every day they are going to wear out quickly, so have a few pairs, rotate the socks, and they last longer.

The trick is to keep them clean – don’t immerse them in food. If you’ve used the wraps to wrap up dried food, you just need to rinse the wrap under cold water and let it dry, because nothing from the food has been absorbed into the bees wax wrap. If some mayonnaise goes onto the wrap, for example, then with warm water and a touch of soap you can use your fingers to rub the wrap to clean it. They can go in the freezer, too.

After you’ve used the wraps a lot – they become lined and creased – you can put them in the

oven for a couple of minutes at 100 degrees to melt the wax and smooth out the lines and refresh your beeswax wrap. Nothing is wasted – as beeswax is flammable, the trimmings from the edges of the wraps are rolled into cheerful balls and can be used as eco-friendly BBQ lighters or fire lighters.

Initially selling a few packs a week through her Instagram account, Lucy sent a pack of her wraps to a blogger to see if she could get the product reviewed. The blogger loved the environmentally conscious product and shared it with her followers. This led to a flurry of orders for Lucy, and now the product is really taking off.

Lucy’s creative inspiration is now a thriving target-driven business which helps cut down on the daily use of plastic in the home. She does admit to sometimes falling in love with a pattern combination so much that she doesn’t want to send it out to a customer.

Lucy sells through Etsy, locally to Rhubarb in Clifton Village, Wild Oats in Redland and various delicatessens in St Mawes. This week’s work is to send out orders and get stock together for up and coming fairs.

Lucy is vibrant and engaging, and her product reflects this. The real feelgood buzz, she says, is knowing that every time someone buys her wraps there is less plastic being used.

‘Lucy Cooper Loves’ is her brand and we will just have to wait and see what she loves next – watch this space.

Follow her @LucyCooperLoves

“The real feelgood buzz for Lucy is knowing that every time someone buys her wraps,less plastic is being used”

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BUSINESS INSIDER

Mark’s on the right, with technical director Peter Howarth

STOCK RESPONSE They say all you need is one great idea to succeed in business – and as Mark Callaghan, MD of British Corner Shop reveals, exporting hard-tofind groceries was a very good idea indeed…

Mark heads up a retail business with a unique USP – it ships beloved groceries (and more) to countries where they are not available. Having significantly grown the company, Mark tells us that he is “now in the fortunate position to be the ideas man with a great senior team and team around me to implement those ideas.”

Wonder if the demand for crumpets spikes with every new series of Bake Off...?

How and when did it all begin?

The business was started in 1999 by a couple who were running it from their kitchen; at the time, they were seeing an annual revenue of approximately £3000. In 2004, they decided to sell the business, which is when I took a leap of faith and grasped the opportunity. Along with my team, we developed it into the five successful channels it now trades through – retail, wholesale, exclusive brands, market places and bulk trading.

How has the company grown?

In 2004, a friend and I were working

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away in a garage-sized unit – performing all tasks in the business.

We answered the phone to customers, picked and packed boxes, as well as buying the stock from Tesco on my way home from my nine-tofive job. Over the years, we’ve seen the business grow and grow – now employing over 60 members of staff and revenue on target for £16 million this year.

How many countries do you deliver to?

We have always delivered to all countries, but as the business has grown and our brand has become more recognised, there isn’t a country that we haven’t delivered to – literally.

Overall, we now deliver to 196 countries internationally.

I used to live in the USA, so I got a pretty good understanding of what products were missed. We started by selecting the most popular British products found in supermarkets and went from there – think Warburtons crumpets, Heinz baked beans, Fray Bentos pies, etc. As the years have gone on and the business has grown, we’ve now diversified our range to include books, supplements, beauty and cosmetics.

We’re also working on building relationships with regional artisanal British brands, giving them a platform to sell their products internationally through us. This is a rewarding part of what we do and are looking forward to developing this part of the business further.

How many items do you currently have in store?

We have approximately 13,000 products on the retail website, with our target being to hit 20,000 next year – the same number of items we hold on our wholesale channel.

Have you had any odd or unusual requests?

We have sent 20 pallets of breadcrumbs to the Middle East before and, funnily enough, Waitrose mussels to the South of France.

How do you manage to deliver a fast and competitively priced delivery service?

Technology and innovation got us to where we are today. We view ourselves as a tech-led company and invest heavily in this area. Last year we invested in our warehouse management system, allowing for quicker pick and dispatch capabilities.

We are also constantly maintaining our relationships with major couriers to ensure efficient delivery times.

Are you busier at some times of the year than others?

Christmas is by far our busiest time of the year, resulting in four times the number of orders being processed compared to August.

How do you market the business?

We market ourselves very successfully through the main marketing channels; PPC, email, social media, content/SEO and affiliate networks.

We also get lots of customers come to us through recommendations.

Where do you see the business in five years’ time?

Our 10-year goal (set in 2016) is to become £100 million multichannel ecommerce company with a diverse group of businesses.

We want to continually identify new opportunities, as it’s this entrepreneurial spirit that’s got us to where we are today – but we’ll always keep the customers we serve at the heart of what we do.

Though our five export channels, we are moving to becoming The British Brand Export Company – using our platforms to help SMEs and larger companies to successfully export. Our partnership with DIT and Waitrose are just a couple of examples of how we will make this happen – lots of things happening behind the scenes.

One piece of advice you’d pass on to anyone starting up an online retail business?

Innovate – continually improve what you are doing and look for the opportunities. We lead our field and other companies follow.

Finally, tell us something surprising . . .

This year so far, we’ve shipped over 48,000 crumpets internationally – now that’s British happiness. www.britishcornershop.co.uk

Approximately how many orders do you handle pa?

We ship hundreds of thousands of orders per year, with our largest markets being the USA and close European countries.

We’re fascinated to know how you choose your stock…

Exporting British happiness, one box at a time . . .

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ARCHITECTS

PROFESSIONAL SERVICES SPECIAL

BRISTOL AT WORK WE MEET THE PROFESSIONALS MAKING THE CITY BUZZ

F I N A N C E / R E C R U I T M E N T / P R O P E R T Y/ L A W / B U S I N E S S S E R V I C E S MEDIACLASH.CO.UK 1

BUSINESS SPECIAL

B

ristol’s an increasingly important player on the national business playing field. It’s a centre of innovation, acumen and excellence, and it seems as if every time we wander around Temple Quarter there’s a shiny new name logo over a shiny new doorway; meanwhile, the city’s most established, historic practices seem to go from strength to strength, from Queen Square to Clifton and beyond. Just to get a sample of this professional offering – from the legal eagles to the financial wizards, the property experts to the essential business service guys – we spoke to a wide cross-section of experts and asked: So, how’s business?

THE LAWYERS Barcan+Kirby

Lucy Harttrup, marketing manager Tell us a bit about your business

We are a mid-sized full service law firm with six offices across Bristol and South Gloucestershire.

Tell us a business fact of which you’re particularly proud

We have a very high number of female employees; at last count we were around 80% female. Even in the partnership there is nearly 60% women (the industry norm is below 24%). We offer flexible working opportunities for all staff, male or female, and the firm is dedicated to ensuring that employees can have a good work/life balance.

Irwin Mitchell

Work/life balance – what’s the secret?

Tell us about your community/charity involvement

I have two children aged three and five, so it’s very important to me to get the work/life balance right. I work flexibly, as does my husband, so we share childcare responsibilities. I live a 10-minute walk from the office so I don’t have to worry about a lengthy commute, I have a great team and my boss is fantastic. I have lots of time to spend with both of my children, and at the same time I am finding my career to be both challenging and rewarding. Who says you can’t have it all? www.barcankirby.co.uk

Lucy Harttrup

Lilly Drakoulakou, business development executive We are privileged to have the responsibility of representing clients through some of the most challenging times of their lives. From having suffered injury due to medical negligence in the maternity suite, to having been the victim of a life-changing road traffic accident or being diagnosed with mesothelioma due to being exposed to asbestos during one’s employment history, most of our clients share one thing in common and that is that they need more than just legal help to kick start their journey to recovery and plan ahead for their loved ones.

This is the reason why, as a firm, and even more as an office, we have developed really strong ties in the community with a number of different local charities and support groups who we support, and get advice from, to empower our clients through difficult times.

By getting to know these charities, all our legal members of staff have come to grow really fond of their causes, and the important role they Lucy Harttrup have to play in our local community, and as a result we regularly volunteer at their events, sponsor their activities and take an active role towards helping them fulfil their roles.

Some of the charities we support locally are Flamingo Chicks, Headway Bristol, BBAFS and Cerebral Palsy Plus amongst many others. Colleagues from our office are also responsible for the running of the Henbury Boccia Group as well as chairing the Children with Additional Needs Network.

Apart from the charities and support groups we signpost to and support, every year we choose an office charity we fundraise and volunteer with which for this year is Off the Record. In 2017 our office raised £10,000 for The Anchor Society. The funds are being specifically ringfenced to help support and develop the walking sports initiatives for older people across Bristol – helping them to keep active and remain sociable. www.irwinmitchell.com

“Even among the partners, 60% are women . . .”

Team Irwin Mitchell

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BUSINESS SPECIAL VWV

Margrielle Blake, conveyancing associate What challenges are your clients facing?

The conveyancing landscape is changing and sellers and buyers have many obstacles to overcome when moving, and understanding the process of conveyancing can often be frustrating. In order to help my clients overcome the challenges, I provide a no nonsense approach, keeping the lines of communication open and explaining each step so my clients are fully informed.

What is it like to operate in Bristol?

“Competing for and keeping talent is a battle for many businesses, particularly in the engineering, tech and professional services”

Working for VWV gives me the opportunity to work in Henleaze and the city centre, as we have offices in both locations. Particularly at Henleaze, I have access to local knowledge about the wonderful properties in the surrounding KERRIE HUNT areas. In the wider area, Bristol and the property market continues to grow and I believe it has a lot to offer for a wide range of individuals. There is something to suit everyone and their budget.

What areas do you specialise in?

Kerrie Hunt

THRINGS

Kerrie Hunt, partner, corporate & commercial Tell us a bit about your business

National law firm Thrings has been at the heart of the South West business community, in various incarnations, for more than 300 years. Lawyers in our Paragon offices in Bristol have a well-deserved reputation for providing exceptional legal advice to individuals, entrepreneurs, large corporates and multinationals on a range of commercial, property and personal matters, working alongside them to help them succeed and grow.

What is it like to operate in Bristol?

Bristol is an exciting, vibrant and prosperous city which continues to attract and retain some fantastically talented people. We have two excellent universities and a world-class creative and tech sector that, together with the city’s green and smart city credentials, ensures that Bristol remains a great place to do business. For us, this means we get to work with some really innovative businesses and individuals.

What challenges are your clients facing?

While uncertainty around Brexit continues to make strategic planning a challenge for some clients, other day-to-day hurdles lie elsewhere.

Competing for and keeping talent is a battle for many businesses, particularly in the engineering, tech and professional services.

Another area to watch is artificial intelligence – or AI, the potential of which was debated by 200 leading business professionals at Thrings’ early-morning breakfast event at the recent Bristol International Balloon Fiesta. www.thrings.com

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I specialise in residential property work/conveyancing and have acquired an extensive breadth of knowledge in my 15 years of experience, spanning a wide range of property transactions from individual home owners to large developments. Having my length of service combined with the breadth of transactions I have managed, means I am well placed to ensure the buying or selling of a property(ies) is as smooth as possible. www.vwv.co.uk Margrielle Blake

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BUSINESS SPECIAL

Change for a Quarter: the 21st-century hub of new Bristol businesses

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BUSINESS SPECIAL THE FINANCE EXPERTS

Tony Anderson

Anderson Financial Management Tony Anderson, managing director Tell us a bit about your business

Anderson Financial Management is a chartered financial planning firm based in Clifton, providing bespoke financial planning and wealth-management services to individuals, businesses, families, trusts and charities all over the UK. We focus on working closely with our clients and building long-term relationships, rather than being merely transactional.

The cornerstone of our approach is consistent, transparent and thorough advice delivered through regular face-to-face meetings. In short, our job is to make complex financial planning decisions easy for our clients.

What areas do you specialise in?

“The cornerstone of our approach is consistent, transparent and thorough advice delivered through regular face-to-face meeting”

We offer two distinct wealth management services. A personal service, focusing on Tony Anderson areas such as pre/ post-retirement, investment and intergenerational financial planning, preserving wealth for our clients and future generations. A business owner service, tailored to entrepreneurs, directors and partners in LLPs, which focuses on the unique challenges they have in structuring their financial planning, both for themselves and their businesses. Bristol is alive with entrepreneurial spirit and we are thrilled to be sponsoring the ‘New Business’ category at the Bristol Life Awards!

invaluable support to those living with cancer and we couldn’t be more proud to be able to support them in their fantastic work. We are also a keen sponsor of Old Bristolians RFC at both junior and senior levels. www.andersonfinancial.co.uk

Tell us about your community/charity involvement…

Bishop Fleming

Community engagement is very important to us. Our charity partner is the amazing Bristol-based Penny Brohn UK. Penny Brohn UK offers Roger Pimblett

Roger Pimblett, partner – corporate and business services What areas do you specialise in?

I work with a broad range of entrepreneurial businesses. Each has unique needs, from accounting support and budgeting, to more complex strategic matters such as ownership structure and exit planning. Tax is an important element of our work, ensuring clients comply with the law and take advantage of planning opportunities. As a growing business ourselves, we understand the challenges facing our clients and we work with them to overcome them.

What challenges are your clients facing?

While many clients have bounced back from quieter times, others continue to struggle. Ensuring they all have access to accurate, relevant and timely financial information and advice equips them to make informed decisions to respond quickly to opportunities that arise.

Economics aside, we have dedicated specialist teams helping our clients cope with a seemingly ever-increasing legislative burden.

Tell us about your community/charity involvement…

We are passionate about supporting the communities in which we work and live. We run an annual work experience programme for students to gain an insight into the world of accounting and the opportunities that exist. We also regularly sponsor the Bristol Rugby Community Foundation’s ‘Break The Cycle’ campaign. In July of this year 14 of our people collectively rode 945 miles! We are currently planning community events to celebrate our centenary in 2019. www.bishopfleming.co.uk

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BUSINESS SPECIAL

A thoughtful moment at Bristol Private Equity Club

Bristol Private Equity Club Jerry Barnes, founding director

Tell us a bit about your business

Bristol Private Equity Club (BPEC) enables those who have been successful in business to pass on their expertise and vital funds to businesses with a bright future.

In return for investing in a business we take a significant minority equity stake and have the right to attend board meetings. We nominate a member to help with the investment process and potentially act as a mentor thereafter.

The club was founded in May 2016 and has grown from six to 70 members, primarily supporting Jerry Barnes projects requiring between £100,000 and £500,000 of equity funding. Some £3.6 million has been invested so far, in a wide range of businesses.”

“As our portfolio grows, so does the benefit for Bristol”

Tell us a business fact that you’re particularly proud of

I am proud of the fact that we are putting something back into the local economy. Far from being just a group of successful people looking for a hot investment opportunity to increase our own wealth, we only look for investments with a strong connection to Bristol. As our portfolio grows, so does the benefit for Bristol. www.bristolprivateequityclub.com

Ernst & Young

Andrew Perkins, managing partner, Bristol; Andy Blackmore, head of financial services, South West and Wales.

Tell us a bit about your business

EY is a global leader in assurance, tax, transaction and advisory services. In the South West and Wales, we serve a wide range of clients from fast-growing entrepreneurial start-ups through to large privatelyowned, FTSE 350 companies and some of the world’s leading multinational companies. We employ nearly 400 people in the region, with plans to grow to over 500 people in the next two years, and our teams have particular strengths in aerospace and defence, power and utilities and financial services.

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Andrew Perkins

Andy Blackmore

What is it like to operate in Bristol?

Bristol and the wider South West & Wales region continues to be a thriving and economically prosperous region, as well as an important market for EY, which is reflected by the firm’s continued investment.

The region continues to be one of the top financial services centres outside of London, employing tens of thousands of people and contributing billions to the local economy.

EY has invested with the opening of a dedicated regional financial services practice in Bristol, which has seen extensive growth over the past four years. EY has also invested across the other sectors as it sees the South West as an important region. The region has great companies, from new, fast-growth entrepreneurial organisations to well-established companies – many of which need a financial advisor to sit alongside them and help them grow.

What challenges are your clients facing?

The digital economy is fast-moving and the future is largely unknown.

But what we do know is that the digital revolution is disrupting every industry, and no-one will be immune to the changes all businesses need to prepare for.

EY recently teamed up with Business West to deliver Innovation South West, a digital conference where we invited South West businesses to explore practical ways that digital and technological advancements can be utilised to gain competitive advantage and avoid risk. At EY, we are always looking to help our clients find new ways of thinking and acting as our world continues to be disrupted by technology and innovation. www.ey.com

BUSINESS SPECIAL HANDELSBANKEN

Jo Norton, Bristol office branch manager Tell us a bit about your business

Handelsbanken is a local relationship bank that has a different perspective from many other banks. We are driven only by our customers, designing tailored solutions to suit their demands. Because we are not target-driven, we can take a long-term view, investing time to get to know our customers, their needs and ambitions. Our customers benefit from only dealing with people they know – experienced bankers who understand the local market – and the majority of all lending decisions are made within the branch.

Tell us a business fact you are particularly proud of

“Because we are not target-driven, we can take a longterm view, investing time to get to know our customers”

For nine years running, Handelsbanken has come top in an independent satisfaction survey of UK personal and business banking customers (EPSI Rating, 2009-2017), and most recently ranked top in four of the five categories identified by the Competition and Markets Authority’s (CMA) JO NORTON independent service quality survey for business banking. We believe this shows just how much our customers value our long-term relationship banking, of which we are very proud.

What challenges are your clients facing?

Brexit is continuing to cause uncertainty for many of our customers, but one thing they can be sure of is Handelsbanken’s commitment to the UK market for the long term. While there may be changes to the

Jo Norton

way we are structured in order to meet UK regulatory requirements, it is simply ‘business as usual’ for our customers with all of our branches continuing to provide local, personal and digital banking to individuals and businesses in communities across the UK. www.handelsbanken.co.uk

Jeff Durant and director Katie Moss

OTIUM

Jeff Durant, managing director

Tell us a bit about your business

Otium Partners is a family office specialising in managing the financial affairs and lifestyle needs of busy people. We focus on giving people back time – the one thing we cannot create more of. We use our expertise to manage and co-ordinate a range of financial needs from tax and legal to investments and banking. Our specialised debt advisory service helps individuals and businesses raise finance for all types of property and business needs. Our lifestyle concierge service manages not only the complex issues our clients face but also the practical day-to-day tasks that take up time.

What challenges are your clients facing?

Everyone has a busy life; at work and at home and sometimes juggling priorities can be a real challenge.

With so much to do and get organised, often the “less interesting”, yet still important, tasks just don’t get done. Our role is to quite simply get things done for our clients, from the complex to the more mundane.

Tell us a business fact you’re proud of

We have come through our first year with a great reputation and strong brand recognition and are building the business to the next level. www.otiumpartners.com

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THE RECRUITMENT FIRMS Element Recruitment Dan Morris, regional director

Tell us a bit about your business

Element Recruitment was founded in January 2016 by tenured recruiters Steve Colegate and Steph Jenkins; I joined them a couple of months later. From our city-centre location, we specialise in accountancy, business support, administration, HR and architecture recruitment in Bristol and across the wider South West. We’ve grown rapidly to a team of 18 specialist, experienced recruiters. Since opening we’ve helped 656 people find new career opportunities.

What’s the secret of your success?

Our rapid growth is due to every individual in the market who’s trusted us with their careers and company vacancies. We deliver a personal, ethical and successful service, benefitting from repeat business and being referred to new individuals along the way.

Tell us about your community/charity involvement…

Mike Livings

Jelf

Mike Livings, branch director

Tell us a business fact that you’re particularly proud of

I passed my professional insurance examinations and the Institute of Leadership and Management examinations in the same year!

Preparing for these while maintaining a day job was challenging but I’m acutely aware, as I was back then, of the importance of professional qualifications in providing quality advice and guidance to my clients. In today’s business environment, clients need to feel confident in the level of investment in the people they entrust to deliver value to their organisation.

As a Bristol based start-up, we know the importance of being part of a community and value those relationships. So, we joined Badminton School’s sixth form for their careers week, running presentations on CV-writing, job-seeking and graduate applications. We attended the North Somerset Careers Convention, writing several prescriptive, career advice blogs on topics relevant to their experience, and took part in mock interviews at Priory and Worle Schools.

As Bristol City FC supporters, we couldn’t pass up the opportunity to sponsor local football teams: Mendip Broadwalk FC U12’s team and Long Ashton Juniors FC U7s. We’ve given our time free of charge to give talks as part of outplacement services, for companies going through large-scale redundancy programs. www.element-recruitment.co.uk

Tell us about your community/charity involvement…

I devote a lot of time and effort to organisations focused on the environment. An example is Bristol Zoo, an award-winning conservation and education charity.

I encourage contacts and clients to engage in conservation activities through their own networking and employee engagement with the end result being a rewarding experience for everyone involved.

Mike Livings

“I encourage contacts and clients to engage in conservation activities through their own networking and employee engagement” most proud of in your business career?

What are you

My appointment as managing director at a previous firm. The rewards and challenges that came with the position enabled me to grow and progress to the point where I am today. One of the most important lessons I learned is that clients that share the company’s values will stay with you. It is a lesson I have carried with me and one that continues to serve our business well. www.jelf.com

Dan Morris xxxxxxx

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BUSINESS SPECIAL

“Local commercial clients are keen to embrace technological advances and modern working practices” Lee Bignall of Mobius, who built Cargo at Wapping Wharf for Umberslade

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ADVERTISING FEATURE

Proper job Looking for a maintenance contractor you can trust? Call Mobius Works . . .

L

ounges was founded in 2002 by a trio of long standing friends.

Starting with their first restaurant, The Lounge, on North Street, Bedminster the chain now comprises of more than 120 restaurants throughout England and Wales. The restaurants are well known for their quirky yet very comfortable interior designs.

In 2017, Mobius Works was appointed as one of the group’s maintenance contractors for restaurants located throughout the South West and the Midlands.

Throughout the region, Mobius’ dedicated team is on hand seven days a week to respond to any emergency maintenance requirements and repairs. These have included leaking roofs and damage to property doors, windows and

interiors and ensure the restaurants are safe and able to trade as normal with minimal disruption to business.

When asked his reason for selecting Mobius, Sam White, head of maintenance at Lounges said: “I was very impressed with Mobius’ approach from the start, and it was clear they had a very good understanding of our requirements.

“It is a pleasure to work with the whole Mobius team. They always do what they say they will do, we are kept up-to-date with clear information, and the job is always completed in a timely manner and at a fair price.”

Mobius is a leading integrated services company offering electrical, mechanical and build services for commercial, industrial and luxury residential projects.

If you have an upcoming project, we’d love to hear from you. Get in touch today for a noobligation consultation. ■

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BUSINESS SPECIAL

Team Heat Recruitment (with some Bears, sporting shirts sponsored by the company)

Heat Recruitment

BUSINESS SERVICE

Tell us a business fact that you’re particularly proud of

Mel Beeby Clarke, director

Chris Birtle, learning & development director

We are the first recruitment company in Bristol to be awarded with the Workplace Wellbeing Charter by Public Health England. It goes against the grain to how recruitment companies have traditionally been perceived and it’s something we are extremely proud to have been accredited for. Wellbeing is inextricably linked to staff engagement, motivation and retention, which are all pivotal to us succeeding in such a competitive market.

What challenges are your clients facing?

Recruiting highly skilled candidates within our markets (engineering, insurance, FS, legal and IT) remains a difficult task for the vast majority.

While many businesses have a direct hiring model to complement an external recruitment strategy, most clients recognise that the skill in recruitment isn’t just finding a CV online. Where a good recruiter can really add value is in helping to target more ‘passive’ candidates, and crucially, managing and influencing the process for clients and candidates. It’s here where we can really help our clients attract the top talent in the market.

Tell us about your community/charity involvement…

“Most clients recognise that the skill in recruitment isn’t just finding a CV online”

So we had 21 of our Chris BirTLe employee’s recently take part in Tough Mudder at Badminton to raise money for Changes Bristol, a fantastic charity to that runs mental health support groups in Bristol. We also host an annual charity golf day which this year is set to be our biggest yet, with approximately 72 players expected for the day to help raise money for Fairshare, another Bristol based charity. As a Bristol-based company we feel it’s important to support local charities.

We also took a big leap this year to become an official shirt sponsor to Bristol Bears, so hoping for a successful season! www.heatrecruitment.co.uk

Ambitious PR

Tell us a bit about your business

We’re a Bristol-based independent PR agency with a team of experienced public relations, digital and marketing professionals. We’re also the team responsible for bringing the successful Social Media Week to the city – curating an event that attracts over 2,500 delegates across 30 plus events around Bristol.

Share a business fact of which you’re particularly proud

Earlier this year we were named Best Public Relations Agency in the UK with under 40 staff at the national RAR Drum magazine awards.

We were really excited to win this award, as we were competing with the cream of the industry nationally, and the award was based purely on client feedback.

What areas do you specialise in?

Our core area of expertise is in corporate and business-to-business communications founded in media relations and digital PR expertise.

We work across a number of sectors including legal, financial, commercial property, Mel Beeby education, healthcare Clarke and pharmaceutical, which gives us a good overview of the business landscape and the trends shaping the South West and beyond.

We’re experienced in media, influencer and blogger relations, digital PR, content marketing, copywriting, stakeholder mapping and engagement, social media management and crisis and issues management. www.ambitiouspr.co.uk

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BUSINESS SPECIAL Business West

Tara Gillam, head of enterprise

Tell us a bit about your business:

Business West is a not-for-profit company whose purpose is to remove barriers to business growth to make this area the best place to live, learn and work. We achieve this by helping businesses to start, grow, innovate and export, as well as lobbying government on their behalf to tackle key challenges.

What areas do you specialise in?

I manage the Enterprise Services team which covers all our projects and services which help businesses to start, grow and scale-up.

Our team support businesses across the whole of the South West, we provide business advice, help accessing funding, and also specific support in areas such as marketing and business planning. We also have Tara Gillam marketing workshops and business planning workshops running monthly in Bristol for new entrepreneurs – you can book these on the Business West website.

“Over the past five years the Enterprise team have helped over 750 businesses to start trading”

Tell us a business fact that you’re particularly proud of?

20,000 businesses have connected with Business West since our launch, and over the past five years the enterprise team have helped over 750 businesses to start trading and created an additional 600 jobs in these businesses. Alongside this we have supported 522 businesses to access over £4.5M in Start-up Loans. www.businesswest.co.uk

Tara Gillam

Latchams Direct

Amanda Woollaston, head of marketing Tell us a bit about your business

Amanda Woollaston

Latcham Direct is a market-leading provider of data, digital print, digital marketing and fulfilment services. We work with customers throughout the UK, enabling them to increase customer engagement through multi-channel personalised communications. We have a secure production site in Hengrove, Bristol and employ over 100 people.

What is it like to operate in Bristol?

Latcham Direct has its roots firmly in South Bristol, and a great many of our staff are local people. The city is continually growing and changing, attracting large blue-chip, media and other businesses, which is great; however, there are a few fundamental issues that need to be resolved, particularly within South Bristol to attract inward investment and for more businesses to settle here. Transport, infrastructure and available sites for business development is lacking. This needs to be addressed so that local people can take advantage of local jobs.

What areas do you specialise in?

I head up the marketing function for Latcham Direct and since joining the business in April 2017, I have restructured the marketing effort, working closely with our MD Mike Hughes to make the most of our brand, target core sectors and raise the profile of the business as a UK provider of specialist services. So, no two days are the same. My role which is supported by our marketing assistant, encompasses digital and social media, brand development, events, PR, campaign management, strategy and CRM management. I also support the wider sales function with appointment setting/lead generation and I am continuing to manage a major initiative that looks at the way in which we evaluate and manage bid opportunities. www.latchamdirect.co.uk

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BUSINESS SPECIAL Mobius

Lee Bignall, managing director

Lee Bignall

Tell us a bit about your business

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

What areas do you specialise in?

Our services cover every aspect of electrical, mechanical or build projects from the initial design and installation right through to ongoing maintenance: Electrical – As a leading team of expert electrical contractors, we’re proficient in the design and installation of all types of commercial, industrial and residential electrical applications.

Mechanical – From concept to completion we project manage the design and installation of all the services every building needs to make it function in the Lee Bignall optimum way.

Build – We excel in the delivery of firstrate building services including refits and refurbishment projects for business and high-end residential clients.

Maintenance and compliance – For many businesses ensuring compliance in the face of increasingly complex regulation can be something of a challenge. Our reactive and planned maintenance and compliance services give clients peace of mind and the freedom to focus on running their business.

“Despite the industry being perceived as being stuck in its ways, we find the Bristol market very innovative and dynamic” What is it like to operate in Bristol?

Despite the industry being perceived as being stuck in its ways, we find the Bristol market very innovative and dynamic. Local commercial clients are keen to embrace technological advances and modern working practices, and we find residential clients to be discerning, busy professionals, with a taste for quality, technology and no appetite for hassle or managing multiple trades to get the job done successfully. www.mobiusworks.co.uk

Westcom SW

Andrew West, sales director

Tell us a bit about your business?

Westcom (SW) Ltd is an approved partner of both EE and BT business products and services. With a trading history of more than 25 years, Westcom has seen a great deal of changes to the telecommunications industry.

What areas do you specialise in?

As an EE business-approved partner, Westcom prides itself in offering a personal and tailored service to local business. We offer an accountmanagement service for all our business customers, endeavouring to build strong relationships with an understanding of the customer’s ongoing needs. It’s the rapport and understanding that our account managers develop with the customer, that creates lasting business relationships. This service is at the core of Westcom’s approach to business. Putting our customers first and providing unbiased, honest advice and solutions.

Tell us a business fact that you’re particularly proud of

Andrew West

I am particularly proud to say that I have developed a business that has grown to be sustainable and durable, even throughout times of economic difficulty. I have dedicated more than 25 years of my life to developing Westcom, and I am equally proud of the dedication and hard work of my staff over the years. I hope to see Westcom remain as strong as it is now, for another 25 years. www.westcomltd.co.uk

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BUSINESS SPECIAL

Domus Holmes

Jerome Lartaud, director

Tell us a bit about your business

Domus Holmes Property Finder provides an independent property finding service. We find properties, negotiate the purchase price and manage the conveyancing exclusively for buyers. We have over 20 combined years in property, through law, investment and development, that have given us an extensive network of contacts which we use to find properties. Because we tailor our service to suit our clients, their requirements and their budget, we have acted for buyers from all walks of life, with infinite reasons for purchasing property. And the properties we have been asked to search for have been equally as varied – from a garage to a large industrial space.

What challenges are your clients facing?

Julian Cook

THE PROPERTY SPECIALISTS Burston Cook Julian Cook, director

What are you most proud of in your business career?

Starting from scratch at the age of 27, I sent a photograph of my first ‘To Let’ signboard to my late father who supported me by guaranteeing my business loan. Four years later, I sent him a copy of my loan account statement showing it had been fully paid off. 25 years on, Burston Cook has this year won the EGi Award as the Most Active Commercial Property Agent in Bristol, based on transactions secured – I wish I could raise a glass with him now, and I am sure he would be proud.

Many buyers believe that registering with their local estate agents means that estate agents are looking out for their interests. What they don’t realise is that estate agents are retained by the seller, and they are legally obliged to act in the best interest of the seller.

So it’s quite remarkable that buyers gamble such large sums of money without any professional help of their own. That’s where buying agents come in: we level the playing field by representing the buyer and dealing directly with the seller’s representative, the estate agent.

Tell us something about you that people would feel surprising?

Our cat, Lea, is our HR manager! Also, as a property lawyer, Claire Russell has acted for a number of extremely famous people…who, of course, must remain nameless. www.domusholmes.co.uk

Jerome Lartaud and Claire Russell

Tell us a bit about your business

As the most active commercial property agent in Bristol (EGI Awards 2018), we aim to keep ahead of the market and to maintain our position as Bristol’s leading commercial property advisors.

We are a wholly independent local practice based only in Bristol, and specialising only in Bristol and the surrounding areas. We Julian Cook act for many major national clients and handle some of the largest office transactions in Bristol, however, we also recognise the need to serve the smaller local business-occupiers in Bristol, and all client work is treated with the same level of enthusiasm and professionalism.

We are a wholly independent local practice based only in Bristol and specialising only in Bristol”

Tell us something about you people might find surprising

I failed my first year at university! www.burstoncook.co.uk

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BUSINESS SPECIAL Savills bristol

Vicky Dudbridge, director Tell us a bit about your business…

Francine Watson

Knight Frank

Francine Watson, associate

What areas do you specialise in?

I work within the residential department at Knight Frank LLP, heading up our new homes team in the South West region. Our dedicated new homes teams are based in the residential sales offices of Bristol and Bath, along with our site sales team in Exeter.

We specialise in a variety of areas, including consultancy work during the development stages of a scheme, sales and marketing advice and property sales.

Savills Bristol is part of a global real estate business.

Founded in the UK in 1855, we operate across the property spectrum, offering a comprehensive range of specialist advisory, management and transactional services.

Our clients benefit from the friendliness and perspective of a local agency, along with the scope and best-in-class expertise of a leading international business.

What areas do you specialise in?

Vicky Dudbridge

“Despite stamp duty changes and Brexit uncertainty, the need for homes in Bristol has kept transactions ticking over”

I think we would all agree that Bristol is a truly fabulous city, which has really blossomed into the place we know and love today. It is a welcoming city for all ages and interests, with an eclectic mix of people at its heart. Over the years, we have seen the city’s brownfield sites transformed into thriving places to live, work and play. What is exciting is this has created a ripple effect on other areas close to the centre and Temple Meads such as Bedminster and Southville.

With two offices in Bristol, we are the South West’s largest property agency team, covering all aspects of commercial, residential and Francine Watson development markets.

I am a director in our residential development sales team, and look after the sale and marketing of new-build developments in the Bristol area. I help clients to build the right scheme in the right place and support buyers in finding the property that is right for them.

Can you sum up the state of the Bristol property market in 2018?

What predictions do you have for the Bristol property scene in 2019?

What is it like to operate in Bristol?

Bristol has a very good local economy so the property market has held strong. While other property markets may have suffered at the hands of stamp duty changes or the uncertainty of the Brexit negotiations, the need for homes in and around Bristol has kept transactions ticking over.

Career opportunities for graduates and professionals; the availability of help-to-buy schemes; excellent schools for families and luxurious properties for people looking to downsize have kept the market resilient. www.knightfrank.co.uk

2019 is shaping up to be an exciting time in the new-build sector in Bristol, with the launch of several significant schemes, which together will support the continued success of the city as a vibrant and soughtafter place to live. Wapping Wharf on Bristol’s thriving harbourside, Factory Number One in buzzing Bedminster and the Chocolate Factory in Greenbank are just a few developments that we will be bringing to market next year, offering more choice than ever before. n www.savills.co.uk

advertising feature

Explore Cardiff The city’s seven unique Victorian and Edwardian Arcades have been attracting shoppers for over a century.

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isiting Cardiff’s arcades couldn’t be easier, just an hour from Bath or 50 minutes from Bristol by train. Set in the heart of the city and a short walk from the railway station, the arcades contain over 100 independent stores, eateries and bars making it easy to see why Cardiff is known as the City of Arcades.

Built between 1858 and 1921, the arcades were originally home to Cardiff’s fortune tellers and apothecaries before becoming the bright and airy shopping malls of the Victorian and Edwardian era. As you walk through the different arcades, you’ll notice the varying architectural styles; from the stunning hand-painted gothic style floors of Duke Street arcade, which links Cardiff Castle to the High Street; to the balconies and arches of Castle Arcade.

Escape the crowds, and remember how great shopping can be as you wander through each arcade.

Start the day with breakfast at one of the many independent cafés, such as Waterloo Tea, recently voted the Cardiffian’s favourite arcadebased business, in Wyndham Arcade. Alongside a breakfast menu including smashed avocado and Turkish eggs, they also serve a range of over 60 teas sourced from India, China, Sri Lanka, Taiwan and Japan.

Housing some of Cardiff’s unique clothing stores, fashion lovers will find everything from the vintage styles of Princes and Paupers and Sobeys Vintage, through to more contemporary

designs at boutique designer store Dot Clothing, alongside big names like Pretty Green and Fred Perry.

Brides-to-be are well catered for, with several bridal stores and jewellers including Perfection Bridal and contemporary jewellers Brooklinde Designer Goldsmiths. Grooms-to-be should head to Hawkes Essentials to find their perfect suit, with The Brogue Trader providing the dancing shoes, whilst the mother-of-the-bride and bridesmaids can enjoy a glass of prosecco at Nine Yards.

Lunch is an international affair, with Americanstyle subs and hoagies at New York Deli, Italian pasta and pizza at Café Minuet or Viennese pastries and open sandwiches at Wally’s Delicatessen and Kaffeehaus. Vegans will love plant-based Ruin Café serving up everything from brunch through to cocktails.

Stroll through the many specialist shops, stocking everything from art supplies at The Pen and Paper and board games at Rules of Play through to music store PMT and Cuban cigar shop Havana House. Take in a piece of Cardiff’s history with a visit to Spillers Records, the oldest record store in the world.

You can easily make a weekend of it by

staying at Hotel Indigo, which is situated in Dominions Arcade. It combines traditional and contemporary Welsh aesthetics to create the perfect place to stay. Dine at the Marco Pierre White Steakhouse Bar & Grill, located on the hotel’s top floor, before finishing off the evening with a bespoke cocktail at Gin & Juice in Castle Arcade.

Still need help planning your visit? Go to www. thecityofarcades.com to explore the full list of businesses and hear from some of the owners themselves. n

Share your stories, photos and memories with FOR Cardiff by using #cityofarcades and see Cardiff from a new angle. www.mediaclash.co.uk I BRISTOL LIFE I 131

ADVERTISING FEATURE

Pitfalls of probate In the second of a series of articles AMD SOLICITORS discuss the pitfalls of DIY probate.

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

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

that the executors themselves do not become personally liable for causing loss to the estate.

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

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

1. NOT PLACING TRUSTEE NOTICES It is a good idea to place Trustee Act notices in the newspaper because these advertise for any creditors to come forward within two months of the notices being placed and protect executors from becoming personally liable to creditors who come forward after the estate has been distributed.

2. DISTRIBUTING THE ESTATE TOO SOON AND OVER-DISTRIBUTING TO BENEFICIARIES This mistake is quite common, especially as beneficiaries often put pressure on executors to finalise estates quickly. However, there is a legal process that needs to be followed which takes time.

You do not want to be in the very awkward position of having to try and claim money back from a beneficiary who may have already spent it!

A recent and catastrophic example of an executor distributing the estate too soon can be seen in Harris as PR of Helena Norma McDonald v HMRC where the executor submitted an inheritance tax account to HMRC but before receiving tax clearance from them, he distributed the estate to the beneficiary because the beneficiary had agreed to pay any tax due.

“YOU DO NOT WANT TO BE IN THE VERY AWKWARD POSITION OF HAVING TO TRY AND CLAIM MONEY BACK FROM A BENEFICIARY WHO MAY HAVE ALREADY SPENT IT” However, the beneficiary has since absconded to Barbados, and because the law says that it is the personal representatives who are liable for any inheritance tax due on a deceased person’s estate, the court has ruled that Mr Harris now has to make the payment of £341,278 to HMRC. Executors could also face fines and penalties from HMRC if they do not pay the inheritance tax due for an estate on time or are found to have submitted an inaccurate account through negligence. ■

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

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

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

WE HAVE THE EXPERTISE AND THE MONEY IF YOU HAVE THE BUSINESS Bristol Private Equity Club is seeking investment proposals from businesses in the Bristol area looking for between ÂŁ150,000 to ÂŁ500,000 of growth capital.

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PROPERTY BUYERS! WHO IS ON YOUR SIDE? Most property buyers believe estate agents will act in their interests. WRONG. Most property buyers believe estate agents will negotiate on their behalf. WRONG. Most property buyers believe estate agents will contact only them about suitable properties. WRONG. Most property buyers believe estate agents are BUYING AGENTS. WRONG.

USE A BUYING AGENT – WE’RE ON YOUR SIDE. Domus Holmes Property Finder is an independent buying agent acting ONLY FOR BUYERS. Contact us for an obligation free chat about your property search: E: info@domusholmes.co.uk | T: 0117 973 3683

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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

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

(0117) 934 9977

6 MARSH STREET

CLIFTON VILLAGE

• Excellent A3 restaurant opportunity

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COLLEGE GREEN AREA – BS1

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SOUTH PARADE MANSIONS, OAKFIELD ROAD, CLIFTON

HARVEYS CELLARS DENMARK STREET, BS1

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BS1 OFFICES

NEW STUDIO OFFICES

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BRADBROOK HOUSE ALMONDSBURY

HIGH STREET – WESTBURY ON TRYM

• Open plan office suite

• L arge retail unit (formerly McColls)

• C. 2,020 sq ft

• C 1,830 sq ft

• Easy access to M4/M5

• Popular retail area

• New flexi lease

Julian Cook FRICS

Jayne Rixon MRICS

Charlie Kershaw MRICS

Finola Ingham MRICS

lease – Rent on • New application

Tom Coyte MRICS

Holly Boulton BSc(Hons)

• Sales/Lettings

• Development advice

• Acquisitions advice

• Investment

• Valuations

• Dilapidations

• Landlord & tenant

• Property Marketing

• Rent reviews

• Auction Services

BURSTON COOK www.burstoncook.co.uk

(0117) 934 9977

IF YOU OWN OR RENT A COMMERICAL PROPERTY WE CAN HELP YOU! Burston Cook are the most active commercial property consultants in Bristol (EGI Awards 2017 & 2018). As Chartered Surveyors, Valuers and Commercial Property Agents, our services include:

- SALES AND LETTINGS - VALUATIONS - LAND AND DEVELOPMENT - PROBATE ADVICE - RENT REVIEWS AND LEASE RENEWALS - LANDLORD AND TENANT ADVICE

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KEEP THIS PAGE FOR WHEN YOU NEED US!

Julian Cook FRICS

Jayne Rixon MRICS

Charlie Kershaw MRICS

Finola Ingham MRICS

Tom Coyte MRICS

www.burstoncook.co.uk

Holly Boulton BSc(Hons)

DIGBY ASSOCIATES Experts in financial advice

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At Digby Associates we offer advice on all areas of your financial life. Our pensions advisers can help you with all aspects of pension planning; from setting up a pension, to advising on existing pension savings, to taking your pension benefits in the most appropriate way. We specialise in final salary pensions and have the qualifications required to help you understand what you have and what options are available to you. We believe this is a partnership and will continue to offer regular reviews and updates on your position to help keep you on track for the retirement you desire.

Savings & INVESTMENTS What goals do you have that will take planning, time, money and ongoing co-ordination to achieve?

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property a pl ace to c all home

rooms with a view If you had £3 million to spend on a house, wouldn’t it be here, on Sion Hill?

By Lisa Warren www.mediaclash.co.uk I BRISTOL LIFE I 155

A property place to call home

I

f you had £3 million to spend on a house, you could take your pick of the properties on the market. You’d quite reasonably expect that home to tick a lot of boxes. And right at the top of your list, if you have any house-hunting savvy at all, in very large letters, would be written the world ‘location’.

So, how does 8 Sion Hill sound? As anyone who knows their Clifton geography can tell you, this short and select row guarantees a coveted view of the Suspension Bridge and the Avon Gorge beyond. And at Number 8, to drink it all in, there’s one of those lovely little wrought-iron covered balconies that always make us think of elegant Georgian seaside towns such as Brighton.

Having grabbed your attention, may we now tear your eyes away from the view, and whet your appetite further, by letting you know that Number 8 Sion Hill is coming to the market for only the second time in 64 years? It’s been owned by the Speirs family for the past 20; Margaret tells us they are only leaving because their four children have grown up, and the house is “too big now the chicks have flown the nest”.

It’s time for another family to enjoy this ultimate Clifton home, she says, giving us quite a few more reasons why the house should be at the top of your shopping list.

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

To begin with, as you can tell from the photos, the house is huge and gracious, with light pouring in through large windows into the many, many rooms – that’ll be seven bedrooms and four receptions, just to cover the most important ones.

Linking the main floors is what Margaret justly calls a “wondrous staircase”; there are also polished mahogany doors, fine coving, fireplaces, arches and curved walls galore, on a scale and with the taste of the finest Georgian architects.

You’re going to really love the dining room. The Bridge, as you know, is lit up at night, and the dining room has full-height double windows onto this fairytale view; there’s ample room for a table comfortably seating 14, and Margaret relishes memories of family Christmases with log fires and candlelit dinner parties enjoying that lovely backdrop.

In the summer, the family’s favourite dining space is the garden, designed and planted by previous owner Hiatt Baker, who founded the Bristol Botanical Garden.

“His legacy is some really interesting specimen plants, including a pomegranate tree, and clever positioning of planting, making the garden feel secluded and larger than it is,” says Margaret. The garden is also big enough for a trampoline and climbing frame; if it rains there’s always the playroom/cinema room in the cellar.

property

Obviously, layers of history come as standard. A few years ago the family peeled back a layer of plaster to discover an arched, stained-glass window within the wall, which originally gave a view south towards Dundry Hill – a testimony to the fact the house did not have an adjoining house when it was first built.

The Speirs family have also installed solar panels on the roof, which not only provide free electricity while the sun shines but also a small income by feeding electricity into the national grid.

Hoarders and collectors will rejoice at the news that the house has a vast cellar floor housing a “man cave full of Simon’s woodworking tools, and several walk-in cupboards for toys, camping and sailing equipment.

Some of the houses on the street have converted their basements into self-contained flats, and this would certainly be a possibility, too.”

Intrigued? Got the readies? Better move fast; this fabulous home has only just come on the market, and is highly unlikely to stick around for long. n House numbers Reception rooms 4 Bedrooms

7

Guide price

£3 m

Agent: Property Concept 21 Princess Victoria Sreet, Clifton, BS8 4BX 0117 970 6119 www.propertyconcept.co.uk

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

(0117) 934 9977

11 BERKELEY SQUARE, BS8

FREEHOLD INVESTMENT FOR SALE

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CLIFTON DOWN STATION – WHITELADIES ROAD BS8

UNIT 4 BROOK OFFICE PARK, EMERSONS GREEN BS16

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FOR SALE ARMSTRONG COURT, YATE

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Eden Office Park.

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LINK HOUSE, BS15 INVESTMENTS FOR SALE

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• Sales/Lettings

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• Auction Services

bristol LIVES

“Short film is where all innovation in moving image begins”

Rich Warren As Bristol’s short film and animation festival Encounters returns to the city, we enjoy a brief encounter with festival director Rich Warren. See what we did there?

Prior to taking the reins at Encounters, Rich tried his hand at being a film maker – “although not a very good one,” he says, modestly.

“Before that, I had a very short career in retail management, which drove me to insanity.”

OK then, we won’t ask him to flog us any Encounters merchandise – but we will ask him a bit about his Bristol life…

So Rich, how long have you been with Encounters?

I’ve been with the festival since 2008, so this is my 10th anniversary. I started as an intern, looking after ticket sales.

Have things changed a bit since you started?

The biggest change has been the digital revolution. We’ve gone from receiving about 1000 submissions on DVD to 3.5k links to YouTube or Vimeo. That has helped the

festival grow its international profile – digital has made the world smaller and helped us become a major player on the international short-film circuit.

For those who’ve just arrived in Bristol from, say, outer Mongolia or Swindon – what is Encounters, exactly?

I would say just dive in! The programmes are diverse and the beauty of showing short films is that if you’re not enjoying one, it’ll be over soon and there will be another one on its way. You can check out things that match your own tastes – if you like comedy there’s a whole section devoted to that, or if you like horror that’s a good place to start. Go in with an open mind, and you’re guaranteed to have a good time.

What was the first film you ever remember seeing?

The first one I saw in the cinema was Masters of the Universe with Dolph Lundgren. I remember it was part of a birthday party when I was very young and I didn’t last more than a few minutes because I couldn’t handle the tension.

Let’s imagine you’re marooned on an island with a solarpowered DVD player. What six movies are you taking?

You could pretty much give me any six DVDs and I’ll find something to enjoy. That said, give me a bunch of films by Finnish director Aki Kaurismaki or something

by Jim Jarmusch and I’ll be quite happy.

the mascot from the 1986 World Cup in Mexico. It’s got a lot of happy childhood memories associated with it.

Any secret skills?

I’m fluent in sign language, thanks to growing up in a deaf community.

Guiltiest pleasure?

Rubbish cinema. When you’re the head of a cultural film festival people expect you only watch highbrow Swedish dramas, but I like nothing more than sitting back and watching some trashy TV or going to the multiplex to watch some ridiculous blockbuster.

Dream dinner party for six people from the movie world?

Stanley Kubrick would have to be there, and Jim Jarmusch and Aki Kaurismaki. Kelly Reichardt would also get an invite. Cheesy as it sounds, I’d bring my wife Liz along as well. She’s a former director of Encounters – that’s where we met – and she’s also the programmer of the Lucarno Film Festival in Switzerland. The last spot would go to a Swedish director called Isabella Eklof; I’m watching a lot of her work at the moment.

It’s where the story of film begins. It’s a new and emerging talent festival, and we take the opinion that short film is where all innovation in moving image begins. You can take that all the way back to the Lumière brothers, when they invented cinema back in the 1890s, all the way up to the present day, and all that’s happening with VR – it all starts with people making short films and trying out new things.

Where do you live, and why do you love it?

Share a favourite Bristol spot

I’m off to have a Skype call with someone in New York regarding a summit that we’re hosting at the festival regarding creating emotion in gaming and VR.

Care to give us some pointers for getting the best out of the festival?

What’s your most treasured possession?

Encounters runs 25-30 September, mostly at Watershed and Arnolfini See feature page 52 www.encounters-festival.org.uk

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

We moved to Bower Ashton a couple of years ago and I love the fact that I feel like I’m living in the countryside but you’re still only a short walk from the city centre. It’s the perfect place to raise a family.

I like nothing more than taking a walk up North Street and going into places like Rhubarb Jumble.

I have a Kinder Egg toy of Pique,

Tell us something surprising

I was recently informed that an individual Skittle is called a lentil.

We’d better let you get on.

What are you doing right after answering these questions?