Bristol Life – Issue 307

BRISTOL LIFE

AWARDS 2021 ALL THE WINNERS! ALL THE

PHOTOS!

ISSUE 307 / AUTUMN 2021 / £3

SUNDAY, LOVELY SUNDAY

ROASTS WITH THE MOST AND OTHER DELIGHTS

CHRIS COX

ISSUE 307 / AUTUMN 2021 / WINNERS AND OUTLAWS

(HE’S A MIND-READER WHO CAN’T READ MINDS)

CASAMIA NEW CHEF. NEW VIBE. 25 COURSES…

JOHN NATION

THEY CALL HIM THE GRAF FATHER

THE OUTLAWS - THE INSIDE STORY

PHOTO BY TIM WOOLF

EDITOR’S LETTER

T

18

The Outlaws

Meet the Merchant adventurers.

(Yes, we’ve now bled that particular pun dry)

his job is 99% red-carpet premières, 25-course tasting menus and glittering awards ceremonies. Honestly, it’s literally all I do all day. This magazine wrote itself while I was lounging about in a spa. In other news, pigs have been spotted flying over Filton...

Keeping it real, it’s been an unusually glamorous month in the city. Most of the above did actually happen, though I was lying about the spa. On 16 September, we put on our sparkliest frocks and headed off to the Bristol Life Awards – the first time we’ve been able to hold the event live since 2019. That night was special; a fact that had absolutely nothing to do with the trays of shots that kept magically appearing on our table. OK, maybe it did. A bit. Carefully edited photos from page 97 onwards.

Another red carpet was rolled out a few weeks later, this time at Watershed, when Stephen Merchant and crew turned out to launch their new Bristol-based comedythriller series, The Outlaws. Turn to page 18 to discover what inspired the show, why Stephen chose to set it in Bristol, and how he lured Hollywood legend Christopher Walken to the city with the promise that it was exactly like San Francisco.

Oh, and that menu? It really was 25 courses. Turn to page 32 for a taster, and if you’re still hungry afterwards you can get stuck into our mega round-up of the best places for Sunday lunch. Once you read the words ‘huge chorizo Yorkshire puddings’ you won’t forget them in a hurry.

Back in three weeks, when like it or not, we’ll be breaking out the tinsel.

DERI ROBINS Follow us on Twitter @BristolLifeMag Instagram @BristolLifeMag

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

Issue 307 / Autumn 2021

© MAT T CROCKET T

COVER Stephen Merchant gets the red-carpet treatment for the première of his new comedy-thriller – get the intel on the The Outlaws on page 18

ARTS

31

11 ARTS INTRO Move away from the camera phone 12 WHAT’S ON Remember lockdown? Now see this 18 TV Our favourite homeboy is back on the box 24 BRISTOL HEROES Keeping the indie spirit of the

high street alive

32

29 BOOKS Found in translation 31 STAND-UP GUY Our new columnist, Mr Chris Cox

FOOD & DRINK

32 RESTAURANT The question we’ve been asked most

frequently this month: so what’s this ‘new’ Casmia actually like, then?

36 SUNDAY LUNCH It’s not just about the roasts...

46 FOOD & DRINK Tasty bites across the city 49 RECIPE Proper sausage meat remembered from childhood: Phil gets Proustian 53 CAFÉ SOCIETY Will Stan ever run out of new cafés to visit? Hasn’t happened yet

SHOPPING

56 EDITOR’S CHOICE Why not spend your hard-earned

dosh on original work by a local artist or maker?

59 WINDOW SHOPPING A very Bristol emporium

LIFESTYLE

60 GARDENING How Yeo Valley Organic went to

Chelsea and brought home a Gold

EDUCATION

63 TALKING HEADS Is it too late to build back better?

BUSINESS

65 PROFESSIONAL SERVICES Your utimate guide to

white-collar Bristol

97 BRISTOL LIFE AWARDS All the winners and all

the photos

113 BRISTOL PROPERTY AWARD Coming soon...

PROPERTY

36

125 PROPERTY NEWS Building Bristol 126 SHOWCASE Divine conversion of The Manor House

REGULARS

6 SPOTLIGHT Stuff we thought you’d find interesting 9 BRIZZOGRAM Golden season 138 BRISTOL LIVES John Nation

Editor Deri Robins deri.robins@mediaclash.co.uk Senior art editor Andrew Richmond Graphic design Megan Allison Cover design Trevor Gilham Contributors Colin Moody, Stan Cullimore, Milly Vaughan, Chris Cox, Phil Haughton, Storysmith Books Advertising manager Neil Snow neil.snow@mediaclash.co.uk New business manager Craig Wallberg craig.wallberg@mediaclash.co.uk Account manager Jake Horwood jake.horwood@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 West Country-based publisher, creative agency and event organiser Magazines Our portfolio of regional magazines celebrates the best of local living: Bath, Bristol, Cardiff and Exeter. 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 Festivals

NEW HORIZONS

Two shoutouts from festival land this week. First, Lost Horizon, created by Glastonbury’s Shangri-La team in St Jude’s last year as a pop-up ‘creative playground’, announced that the venue will become a year-round fixture, with a boundary-pushing programme of music, art and tech including a set by superstar DJ Fatboy Slim on 22 October.

For more: losthorizonlive.com Next, we heard that Love Saves The Day, Bristol’s beloved homegrown music and dance fest, will celebrate its 10th anniversary next year by moving the site to Ashton Court.

“It’s been phenomenal to see the growth of Love Saves over the last 10 years,” says festival founder Tom Paine.

“Starting out in the early days at Castle Park, then at Eastville and more recently on the Downs, it’s been quite a ride. Now it’s time for a new chapter, and Ashton Court is an incredibly exciting move. It’s going to allow us to really expand the event in so many ways; bigger and more spectacular stages, bigger capacities and the biggest lineups we’ve ever had.”

Get 2-3 June in the diary; it coincides with the long Queen’s Jubilee bank holiday weekend, so plenty of time to recover. It’s exactly what HRH would have wanted.

For more: lovesavestheday.org

TOP: Norman comes to Lost Horizon; while from 2022 Love will now Save The Day from Ashton Court

Photography

AMAZING SCENES

Wildlife

TALES FROM THE RIVERBANK

Beavers are back in the Bristol area. Three generations have been spotted together in a single location, meaning excellent news for the future of the species. The family with their three kits was spotted within the River Avon catchment area – it’s the first time in 400 years that these endangered creatures have been seen to establish themselves without human intervention.

The Avon Wildlife Trust says it’s delighted by the beavers’ voluntary return. The discovery follows a five-year scientific study by the Trust which shows that the presence of these animals has a wide range of positive effects on the environment. Known for their dam-making skills, creating natural flood defences, a healthy beaver population can play a big part in reducing the effects of flooding and improving biodiversity. Also, they’re dam cute.

For more: avonwildlifetrust.org.uk

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

The first edition of the Bristol Photo Festival has been immense – so much so that over 60 internationally renowned photographers have now donated work to help it to continue to a second edition.

The festival relies on funding from Arts Council England, venues, businesses and international partners and donors, making it possible to offer free entry to all exhibitions, undertake education and engagement work and to maintain its vision to be accessible for all.

Bidding is now open at the link below, and will close on 24 October at 10pm.

Bid at 32auctions.com/BPF2021 FROM TOP: A few of the photos up for grabs, by Karen Knorr, Ian Weldon and Jem Southam

SPOTLIGHT

STAY GOLD

Before all the leaves blow off the trees, and we yield gracefully to winter, can we just get a ‘wow!’ for the way Bristol does autumn? Some of these pics are new, some older, all golden...

@lewis_mhill

@p_frizz

@carolyn.eaton

@kruggy01

@marieljanina

@perkspectivephotography

@Iz.bristol

@thebristolnomad

@brisvadar

@kruggy01

@sambinding

@bogdan.mehedenuc85

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THE ARTS S N A P S H O T S O F B R I S T O L’ S C U LT U R A L L I F E

I

n a world of sophisticated smartphones, relentless social media and the widely-held belief that everyone is gagging to see what we’ve had for our tea, it’s a rare snack that goes unrecorded. But while some phone snaps are remarkably good – annoyingly so, for professionals with industry-level kit, a backbreaking bag of lenses and an MA in photography – useful perspective is at hand at the Pink Lady® Food Photographer of the Year exhibition at RPS next month. Every aspect of food, and its place in society, is documented by snappers so talented they will make you want to lick the pictures. They may also make you think twice about whether or not the world needs yet another indifferent pointand-click insta of a Buddha bowl, which surely has to be a good thing.

LET THEM EAT CAKE BY DANILLE ACKER

At Royal Photographic Society, 20 November12 December. Free entry; rps.org

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WHAT’S ON 22 October-22 November 2021

EXHIBITIONS Until 24 October

IN PROGRESS Solo shows by five of today’s most innovative photographers and photo-based artists. At RPS, rps.org

Until 27 October

THE RWA COLLECTION: OUR HERITAGE, OUR FUTURE The RWA gallery’s closed for refurb, but you can still see major works from their collection at Victoria Methodist Church next door, celebrating a wide diversity of styles, genres and media; rwa.org.uk

Until 28 October

ANDREW BURNS COLWILL Work by this visionary Bristol artist, famed for both his street art and canvases. The Galleries. keepartit.org

Until 29 October

BIRTHRIGHT Painter Jasmine Coe and textile artist Melinda Schwakhofer grew up culturally separated from their indigenous families; their work offers a vehicle for cultural exploration.

At Rainmaker; rainmakerart.co.uk

Until 30 October

HIGH VOLUME: BRISTOL SOUNDS Unmissable new exhibition

of Mark Simmons’ photos chronicling Bristol’s music scene since the 1980s. At Strange Brew, bristolphotofestival.org

Until 31 October

VANGUARD Last chance to catch this mega exhibition celebrating the role of Bristol’s creatives in the development of UK street art. At M Shed, bristolmuseums.org.uk ISLAND LIFE Fascinating photos by some of the greats, showing the UK at play, protest and leisure; at Bristol Museum. bristolmuseums.org.uk

Until 25 November

MICHAEL CLARKE: MELLOW Solo show of subtle, tonal paintings; at Lime Tree Gallery, limetreegallery.com.

Until 19 December

THILDE JENSEN: I AM NOT INVISIBLE The result of Thilde’s four-year project documenting the homeless community in America; at MPF martinparrfoundation.org

Until 16 January

STEPHEN GILL: COMING UP FOR AIR

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There’s cool jazz; and then there’s ‘playing instruments actually made from ice’ cool jazz – at St George’s

The impossible-to-pigeonhole Bristol photographer gets a major retrospective at Arnolfini, leading us from the flea markets and towpaths of Hackney Wick to his current home in the Swedish countryside. arnolfini.org.uk LUCY STEIN: WET ROOM Building on a lasting engagement with goddess culture, witchcraft and idea of the anima; there’s a new series of coffin-scale paintings, deities carved from soap, and (yes) a fully functioning, hand-painted wet room. Spike Island; spikeisland.org.uk PEGGY AHWESH: VISION MACHINES Single-channel films and video installations forged in the ruins of originality and authority, that probe the critical potential of play; Spike Island; spikeisland.org.uk

4-8 November

DECLINE OF THE EELS New work by Somerset-based artist Julia Manning, inspired by the decline of eels in our waterways. trymwoodstudios.co.uk

5-13 November

SUTAPA BISWAS The British-Indian artist’s work engages with questions of identity, race and gender in relation to time,

space and history; at Arnolfini. arnolfini.org.uk

16-21 November

BIG JEFF JOHN: WELCOME TO MY WORLD Over 30 paintings by Bristol’s dedicated gig-goer, celebrating his love of music and sparking conversations about mental health. At The Island, artspace.uk

20 Nov-12 Dec

PINK LADY® FOOD PHOTOGRAPHER OF THE YEAR Love food? Love photography?

Want to see the best food photography in the world?

Head to RPS, where the Pink Lady Awards celebrates its 10th anniversary. See p11; rps.org

SHOWS

Until 23 October

EVERYONE’S TALKING ABOUT JAMIE Find out why everyone’s not just talking about but loving Jamie, while getting yourself a slice of funny and the feelgood; Hippodrome; atgtickets.com

Until 6 November

WUTHERING HEIGHTS A new, epic take on Emily Brontë’s

WHAT’S ON passionate story of love, revenge, jealousy and rage, all wrapped up in director Emma Rice’s bold and brilliant style. bristololdvic.org.uk

male-dominated scientific world, 19th-century fossil-hunter Mary Anning threatens to disprove the very foundations she was raised on... Alma Tavern; tickettailor.com

22, 28 October

TIMELESS Martin has a problem: he can’t make new memories. Since he went to the dentist 13 years ago, every morning when he wakes up, it’s 2008... Alma Tavern; tickettailor.com

5-6 November

26-27 October

6 November

26-30 October

7 November

28-31 October

16-20 November

FOR QUEEN AND COUNTRY The remarkable true story of Major Denis Rake MC and the contribution of the LGBT+ community to the war effort; Alma Tavern; tickettailor.com

HARVEY GREENFIELD IS RUNNING LATE One-man comedic theatre with Paul Richards asks a simple question: is it possible to please everyone, all of the time? And at what cost to your family and health? Alma Tav; tickettailor.com

TOP: The eclectic world of Stephen Gill, Arnolfini MIDDLE: Voices heard, but ignored, at TFT BOTTOM: Bristol Sounds: Rob and Grant on the walls at Strange Brew

THE SHADE PULLERS & LASH STACKERS SOCIAL CLUB Paul and Roxytocin serve up a warm buffet of acts from drag to comedy, dance, cabaret and music, with a side helping of father-son drama; at Wardrobe, thewardrobetheatre.com

WELSH NATIONAL OPERA Red-letter days for opera buffs, as the Welsh wizards bring their latest take on Madam Butterfly, Puccini’s soaring tragedy of unrequited love (26-28 October), and Rossini’s witty Barber of Seville (29-30 October) to Bristol Hippodrome; atgtickets.com

DISPATCHES ON THE RED DRESS An intimate and adventurous exploration of memory, telling the true story of Rowan Rheingan’s German grandmother’s youth in 1940’s Germany. At Wardrobe; thewardrobetheatre.com

THIS ISLAND’S MINE A playful, daring exploration of the place we choose to call home, filled with magic, music and mayhem; TFT, tobaccofactorytheatres.com

PUMP GIRL Abbie Spallen’s turbocharged race through the diesel fumes and country music of the Armagh badlands, into the unspoken thoughts and darkest desires of three lives destined to collide; Alma Tavern; tickettailor.com

GREAT BRITISH MYSTERIES: LOCH MESS Olive Bacon and Dr Teddy Tyrell return to The Wardrobe in a terrible – sorry, terrifying –mockumentary adventure in the backwaters of Scotland. thewardrobetheatre.com

18 November-6 January

LITTLE WOMEN IN BLACK After a surprise close encounter, the March sisters swap their needlework for neuralyzers and take off on an intergalactic collision course with the worst scum in the universe. It’s the Wardrobe’s annual festive mash-up, of course; thewardrobetheatre.com

29-30 October

MEDIOCRE WHITE MALE A tragicomedy about ancient history, recent past and present lies; at Wardrobe, thewardrobetheatre.com

1-6 November

19-20 November

WHITE CHRISTMAS Make it a magical one, as Irving Berlin’s beloved old (roasted) chestnut comes to Hippodrome; atgtickets.com

2-13 November

FRANKENSTEIN: THE MUSICAL Move over Mel Brooks; Howard and Stu of Living Spit are here with their all-singing, all-dancing Creature. At TFT, tobaccofactorytheatres.com

3-4 November

LOST IN TIME By challenging the status quo in a

MY VOICE WAS HEARD BUT IT WAS IGNORED A gripping tussle for power and an urgent interrogation of racial identity, written by emerging playwright Nana Kofi Kufuor. At TFT, tobaccofactorytheatres.com

MUSIC 24 October

THE BOOTLEG BEATLES Can’t wait until Peter Jackson’s Get Back doccies screen in November?

Us neither! While you wait, get your Fab Four fix from the tribute band George Harrison once said knew the chords better than he did. To be www.mediaclash.co.uk I BRISTOL LIFE I 13

‘Mellow’, Solo exhibition by Michael G Clark PAI RSW October 16 - November 16 84 Hotwell Road, Bristol, BS8 4UB. Tel: 0117 929 2527.

www.limetreegallery.com

WHAT’S ON

clockwise: Suede, looking dapper at O2; Marvin, being all iconic at St G’s; Sam Kelly and chums, feeling folksy at Thekla

album, which spawned five Top 10 singles; a timely reminder of the band’s abundance of light and shade; O2; academymusicgroup.com

10 November

SAM KELLY & THE LOST BOYS One of the most exciting bands to enter the UK folk scene in the past 20 years; at Thekla, theklabristol.co.uk

13 November

fair, they’ve been playing together for considerably longer than the original band. O2; academymusicgroup.com

28 October

SUBMOTION ORCHESTRA The genre-defying Sub Orchestra have an unique sound: at once delicate and heavy, spacious and dense, highly atmospheric but firmly rooted. Catch them at Trinity. trinitybristol.org.uk

4 November

LAWSON Hey, you, handsome Brit pop-rocker crew! The boys come to Trinity as part of their first tour in six years; trinitybristol.org.uk

5, 12, 13 November

29 October-19 November

KEYBOARD FESTIVAL The return of St George’s ivorytickling fest, celebrating keyboard music of all genres; stgeorgesbristol.co.uk

REBEL MUSIC St George’s Rebel Music season looks at politics, protest and progress – including Nu Civilisation Orchestra’s What’s Going On, a celebration of the 50-year anniversary of Marvin Gaye’s seminal album; stgeorgesbristol.co.uk

30 October

6 November

MARTIN KEMP: BACK TO THE 80S SET Old blue eyes is back, this time on the decks, spinning a set of pure ’80s gold. Look us in the eye and tell us you’re not tempted. At O2; academymusicgroup.com

31 October

KASABIAN An intimate show from Leicester’s finest, promising all the classic tracks plus plenty of new stuff At O2; academymusicgroup.com

NUBYA GARCIA Jazz saxophonist Nubya also has a burgeoning rep as a DJ; catch her at Trinity; trinitybristol.org.uk HEAVEN 17 The synth post-punksters mark their 40th anniversary by performing their greatest hits at O2; academymusicgroup.com

7 November

SUEDE Playing their classic Coming Up

NEVILLE STAPLE The original Rude Boy and Specials frontman celebrates 40 years in the biz; at Thekla. theklabristol.co.uk

17 November

SEASICK STEVE The master of timeless, acoustic country blues comes to Hippodrome.

Just Steve, an old guitar, and you. atgtickets.com

18 November

GLASS ANIMALS The four-piece’s third record, Dreamland is a return to form: a pop record of rare scope, vision and emotional depth, we’re assured. O2; academymusicgroup.com NATURE RECONNECT Continuing an ongoing theme woven through the St George’s programme, Arctic Ice Music brings pioneering ice instruments, Scandinavia’s best jazz musicians, and Inuit, Sami and Siberian singers. St George’s Bristol,

COMEDY Ongoing

CLOSER EACH DAY The world’s longest improv comedy soap continues frothily at the Wardrobe; thewardrobetheatre.com

23 October

INSTANT WIT The evergreen improv guys bring their fast-thinking schtick to Alma Tavern; tickettailor.com

24 October

ROSS NOBLE: HUMOURNOID What happens when pure comedy takes human form? When a creature is created and bred to do stand up?

Nobody knows, because that isn’t a thing. What is a thing is Ross Noble doing a new show. Hippodrome. atgtickets.com JAYDE ADAMS: THE BALLAD OF KYLIE JENNER’S OLD FACE If pop stars, razors and even sausage rolls can attach themselves to important movements to sell themselves, why can’t Jayde? At Bristol Old Vic, bristololdvic.org.uk

25 October

MAE MARTIN: SAP Mae looks at the uphill battle of trying to do the right thing in a world that sometimes seems to have lost its moral compass. But it’s not all big questions – there’s also a lot about sloths, moose, hot dogs, love, and tree sap. We love them. St George’s; stgeorgesbristol.co.uk

26 October

ED BYRNE: IF I’M HONEST One of the finest observational comics on the scene takes a long, hard look at himself, and tries to decide if he has any traits at all that are worth passing on to his children. redgravetheatre.com

28 October

LUCY PORTER: BE PREPARED We love Lucy; apart from anything

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WHAT’S ON

above:

In praise of photojournalist Martha Cooper, Vanguard Film Fest; Moona Lisa frozen in mid-flash at Vanguard

else, she’s a loyal Slapstick Fest supporter. She’s at Hen and Chicken; henandchicken.com

Cilla, but with masks. At Bristol Old Vic, bristololdvic.org.uk

through a notepad. At Wardrobe; thewardrobetheatre.com

31 October

2-4 November

ED GAMBLE: WORK-IN-PROGRESS Ed’s working up a new show.

Expect a hour of sweaty horsing around, interspersed with desperately flicking

13 November

NINA CONTI: THE DATING SHOW The quick-thinking queen of ventriloquism brings you her pioneering new dating show. Think

DALISO CHAPONDA: APOCALYPSE NOT NOW 2020 didn’t go to plan for Daliso, but now he’s back out of the house and at the Wardrobe with a slick, sharp look at life. thewardrobetheatre.com

14 November

SCARY STUFF

Being scared witless isn’t everyone’s cup of tea, but then Halloween comes in many shades of terror . . .

For full-on screams, there’s Fear at Avon Valley, with its intense scare mazes and (shudder!) House of Clowns; weekends between now and 31 October, if you’re hard enough. fearscreampark.co.uk Bristol Film Festival has you covered at Arnos Grave Cemy, with the The Corpse Bride and Sleepy Hollow on 20 October, Beetlejuice, Edward Scissorhands and Sweeney Todd on the 21st, Coraline and Crimson Vale on 4 November, and The Devil’s Backbone and The Nightmare before Christmas on the 5th.

At the spookiest site of all of Bristol, Redcliffe Caves, you can see Midsommar on 29 October, and settle in for a proper fright night (actually, a full day) with A Nightmare on Elm Street, Frankenstein, The Babadook, The Lighthouse, What We Do in the Shadows and Suspira on the 30th. On All Hallows Eve, that’ll be the 31st, you can see Suspira and Dracula (the Bela Lugosi version, none of your Hammer Horror kitsch), The Descent, The Exorcist and The Thing. At Bristol Museum on the 28th, it’s the more family-friendly Hocus Pocus and the leave-the-kids-athome The Witch. bristolfilmfestival.com For thrills with beats, Propyard hosts Club Blanco Halloween: Welcome to The Factory on 30 October. Expect an all-day and late-night club event, with a twisted fairground meets wiggedout warehouse vibe, ft. respected DJs such as Joy Orbison and Evan Baggs. Eyes on @propyardbristol.

Or, if you’re a total wuss, maybe just come along to Skeloween and spot spooky skeletons at Bristol Zoo Gardens.

Yeah, think we’ll just do that. bristolzoo.org.uk

RHOD GILBERT: THE BOOK OF JOHN In a six-year hiatus from stand-up, a lot has happened to Rhod. Almost all of it s**t. The funniest stand-up in the known universe comes to Hippodrome; atgtickets.com JOHN SHUTTLEWORTH’S BACK! John returns to regale us with an evening of classic songs and back stories), pausing only to reapply the Deep Heat... BOV, bristololdvic.org.uk

19 November

HARRY HILL: FIGHT! Harry’s at Redgrave, talking about his new autobiography and sharing clips from his huge home movie collection; redgravetheatre.com

OTHER Ongoing

BRISTOL FILM FESTIVAL The occasionally-site-specific screenings continue right up to the end of the year, with everything from comedy (Bill & Ted) to horror (see panel), family movies (James & The Giant Peach) and cineaste classics (The Battleship Potemkin) bristolfilmfestival.com

During October

BLACK HISTORY MONTH A multitude of events to celebrate the culture, history and

achievements of Britain’s African and Caribbean communities.

Various venues; blackhistorymonth.org.uk

23-24 October

VANGUARD X VANS: ON THE SCREEN On 23 October, Shextreme Film Festival shines a light on the incredible women making waves in extreme sports; on the 24th, Vanguard Film Festival captures the global street art scene on film, from the Bronx to Bristol. arnolfini.org.uk

30 October

RAISE THE BAR Back at St. George’s with its biggest live event in two years, headlined by international poetry sensation Raymond Antrobus with music by Kerensa; stgeorgesbristol.co.uk

8-6 November

AFRIKA EYE The South West’s biggest festival of African cinema and culture returns, with new and classic films, Q&As, shorts by black Bristol filmmakers and an opening night party featuring Robert Plant, Justin Adams and Mohammed Errabbaa. afrikaeye.org.uk.

12 November

BRISTOL PROPERTY AWARDS Celebrate the dynamic Bristol property sector, from residential to commercial, from lettings to new builds, from civic buildings to bold re-imaginings. At Ashton Gate; see page 113. bristolpropertyawards.co.uk

17-19 November

FESTIVAL OF ECONOMICS Global economists and experts debate some of the key questions of our time; at We The Curious, bristolideas.co.uk n

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ARTS

MERCHANT

VENTURE Move over, Money Heist. Stand down, Squid Game. The only thing we’re interested in bingeing this month is Stephen Merchant’s new Bristol-based show, The Outlaws...

Words by Ursula Cole

W

e’ve all become a bit blasé when it comes to seeing Bristol on the box.

Over the past few years, national and international film crews have made a beeline for the city, attracted by its creativity and versatility.

In many cases, Bristol acts as a stand-in for other locations, pretending to be London, Dublin or Cornwall. Sometimes even Mars. The shows we love best though, unsurprisingly, are the ones which put the city at centre stage, allowing it to co-star as itself: Skins, Being Human, Kiri.

And now, coming to our TV screens this month, is homeboy Stephen Merchant’s new Bristol-based comedy-thriller series, The Outlaws, which received its red-carpet première at Watershed on 4 October.

“I really feel Bristol is another character in the show,” said Stephen.

“I really wanted to feature the city; my parents are here, and I grew up here. Bristol is so visual and distinctive, and has so much personality, but you rarely see it playing itself on screen. It’s nice to be able to claim the city as my own. I think it is visually very, very striking, and people can forget that.”

Speaking of his mum and dad, Stephen credits them with providing the original inspiration for The Outlaws, which follows the story of seven

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ARTS offenders from different walks of life who are thrown together while completing a community payback scheme.

“My mum and dad were involved in community service. They did a lot of bank jobs... no, actually they supervised offenders.

“There was one guy who used to steal cabbages from allotments, just to get the community service hours, because he didn’t have anyone else to hang out with. Another guy, who I went to school with, got caught stealing a TV. I won’t say his name, I’ll call him Dave. The person who caught him said, ‘Oi, Dave, what are you doing?’ He said ‘I’m not Dave,’ and the guy said ‘I know you’re Dave; you live next door.’ He was so lazy he was stealing from his own neighbours, and he would come through my mum’s house.

“I thought this could be an interesting backdrop for a show. You have these very unlikely groups of people coming together to do their punishment. We’ve taken a bunch of different characters, and thrown them together, and watched the sparks fly.”

Filming began during lockdown, during which there were sightings of cast member Christopher Walken strolling along Harbourside.

Hang on. Christopher actual Walken? Here in Bristol?

“Yeah, he’d always wanted to work with me… We wanted an older American actor, because we liked the idea of a character who feels as if they’re an alien in the city, like a man who fell to earth. A seemingly exotic, charismatic presence, who sort of lands in Bristol, but turns out just to be a small-time criminal.

“Christopher doesn’t have a mobile phone, or a computer or an iPad or anything, so he’s hard to communicate with. I’m not joking; we had to find a fax machine and fax him the script. He read it, and I flew to Connecticut to talk to him about it.

“He asked me what Bristol was like. Without any irony, I said, ‘It’s quite like San Francisco – the bridge, water, very hilly, it’s got beautiful weather, like California’. I think that sold it to him.

“So he came, and actually he did seem to like the city, but because we were shooting during Covid he couldn’t really enjoy it. Apparently he went for walks. A lot of protests were happening at the time, and so he was being woken up in the middle of the night by people jumping on

STEPHEN SAID...

It’s not the first time we’ve had the privilege of being in the tall guy’s company. Here are three gems we couldn’t resist including from a previous interview On Bristol humour “The person I always think of exemplifying Bristol humour is Banksy.

He has that dry, sarcastic wit that seems quite working class, but there’s a real smartness and bite to it. That’s the humour I remember growing up with my friends.”

On fame “It’s amazing how quickly you acclimatise. It’s like when we [Ricky Gervais and Stephen] first went to LA. We got picked up by a limo from the airport and were like ‘this is amazing’, and within three days we were like ‘this limo isn’t as big as the last one’...”

On being a ladies’ man…

“I’ve not left a string of broken hearts in Bristol. There’s not going to be that many people saying ‘that guy, I caught him with three other women’. If you could say that I’ve had a string of ex-lovers and left a couple of illegitimate children in Clifton, that would be great.”

top of cars outside his hotel room. But he seemed quite sanguine about it, and just went back to sleep.”

Christopher did, however, have the privilege of experiencing a 25-carat, batteries-included, cask-conditioned example of British jobsworthiness.

“We took him to Stonehenge. If you invite Christopher Walken to the West Country, you pop down the Henge, don’t you? He’s a very thoughtful man, and after walking round for an hour he said ‘Apparently the blue stones have healing properties’.”

He went to touch one, but was ticked off by a guide, “I was like, he’s 78 years old, he’s come all the way from America, but that’s the British way: ‘sorry, you’ve won an Oscar, but you can’t touch the stone’.

“Forget James Bond, here’s the red carpet event of the year. Première of my new show The Outlaws – proud to hold it in my hometown of Bristol” – @Stephen Merchant on Twitter

Stephen in conversation with Jayde Adams at Watershed LEFT, with cast members Charles Babalola, Rhianne Barreto, Eleanor Tomlinson, Darren Boyd, Jessica Gunning and Gamba Cole

www.mediaclash.co.uk I BRISTOL LIFE I 21

ARTS “I was obviously anxious, bringing him all this way. I was terrified he’d get Covid. On set you’d see someone with a sniffle, and you’d push them out the way, like saving the president from an assassin.”

Stephen co-created the show with another American, Elgin James, a genuine tough guy from Boston. “Elgin used to be in gangs, and did time in jail. He’s like this big guy with tattoos, quite intimidating; exactly the type of person I would have made judgements about while growing up. He was always a big reader, but he didn’t want the other gang members to know, so if they came round he would hide the books.

I think there’s something so sweet about the idea that he was reading Middlemarch, and a guy with a machete comes in, and he’s like yeah, just hanging out. No-one’s quite what they seem.”

The show was filmed during a unique time in Bristol’s history; a fact that’s reflected in the opening credits, which include a graffiti version of the toppling of the Colston statue.

“We had a scene, which we’d written earlier, in which the characters discuss the statue. When we got locked down it was toppled, so we had to rewrite the script to accommodate that. It’s ironic that things that were already in our heads when we were writing the script became even more relevant and prominent as the show was being made. We were trying to be specific to the city.”

The Outlaws is the latest success story in Bristol’s burgeoning film industry. Does Stephen feel this is an important asset for the city?

“Yes, it is important, and it needs to grow bigger. If you have a patch of land, and can build a studio, do it; it’s like a gold rush.

“We probably had 200 people on the show, including the cast. Not everyone can be local, so you have to bring people in, and they have to be accommodated and fed. It brings so much industry into the city. It’s a boom time to get involved in the business.” n The Outlaws comes to BBC One and iPlayer on 25 October

THE OUTLAWS

The six-part series follows seven strangers from different walks of life forced together to complete a community payback sentence in Bristol.

At first, they seem like archetypes we can easily pigeonhole, but gradually we see behind their façades, understand their hidden depths, and what made them the people they are today. We are reminded that no one is all good or all bad, and that everyone has a story.

As their unlikely new friendships intersect with their complicated private lives, The Outlaws must unite to protect one of their own from Bristol’s most dangerous criminal gang. The show is part-crime thriller, and part-character study, with plenty of humour and heart.

Series two is already filming in Bristol.

“I quite like the idea that it goes on forever, with different offenders in different cities,” says Stephen.

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this page: A very Bristol affair: the cast were dressed by local costume designer

Charlotte Mitchell, while Massive Attack’s Rob del Naja composed the music

STEPHEN MERCHANT

Born: Hanham, Bristol Age: 46; birthday 24 November, if you fancy sending a card Came to prominence: 2001; alongside Ricky Gervais, he was the co-writer and co-director of The Office.

Height: 6ft 7ins. He has pointed out that he has been most people’s height at one time or another. He reckons 6ft 4ins is the best.

Who would he prefer to play, Bond or Doctor Who?: Neither, although a Bond with a West Country accent does appeal to him. “The name’s Bond, James Bond; you alright me babber?”

But it’s the role of Q he really fancies.

Criminal record: “I’m quite straitlaced, I try to avoid crime. I’m 6ft 7, I think I’d stand out in a line-up. But I once got told off by police for climbing on the statue of Lady Godiva.”

On British TV: “I grew up obsessing over shows like Some Mothers Do ‘Ave ‘Em and Fawlty Towers. John Cleese was a big hero of mine because he was tall and from Weston-super-Mare”

“I’m quite strait-laced.

I try to avoid crime myself.

I’m 6ft 7, I think I’d stand out in a line up”

1

TAKING CARE OF BUSINESS

The indie offering on the high street is thriving – here are some of the people keeping it alive Words and pictures by Colin Moody

BRISTOL HEROES

C

ome with me now, on a mini-tour of some of those cherished local businesses that make life on the high street one of those sparking experiences that drives our joy. Because you don’t just pop out for a rug; there’s the banter, the carry-to-your-car service, and that stop-andchat moment. It’s all part of the experience; and why even in the times we live in, the high streets are growing.

We’re going face-to-face and door-to-door down some of the beloved streets, to see if we can feel that gert lush vibe that makes living here really living.

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Valentino’s Barbers on Two Mile Hill. Yep, he’s as cool as he looks. Billy here has been snipping away here for over 15 years. They get great reviews for their fades. I enjoyed the Italian classic stills from The Godfather and other movies on the walls. A place on the corner like this means you get to show off your cut even while you’re sitting there, in the trad vintage cutting chairs, before you strut.

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“Here in Bristol we’ve got this family vibe that keeps the dream alive” 3

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Accessed by ancient alleyway Leonard Lane, Centrespace is a thriving community of artists and craft pioneers, offering studio space, workshops events and gallery shows.

We are in the heart of the Old City here, and a highlight for me was meeting the keepers of the craft, the printers. Heidelberg heartbeats, huge machines centuries old that seem like something Geiger would have drawn if he only made machines. And from their black metal hearts come perfect prints. Lithography, grease and perfection, down an alley. What magic of the reprographic arts are known behind that tank top?

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Family business. It matters, right? Passing the mantle down the generations. Not something the head of one of those megacorporations thought would last, when I heard him talking on the radio in the ’90s about the inevitable end of the high street, as we all drove our cars to the one big box on the edge of town for everything. He gave the high street 10 years.

Wrong! Can’t say what it’s like countrywide, but here in Bristol we’ve got this family vibe that keeps the dream alive.

Doug Hilliard Sports is a family-run traditional sports shop trading since 1967.

That’s Doug in the photo. Rovers legend, who hung his boots up with over 300 appearances to his name. The shop relocated in 1978 to Fishponds Road, and you can still get your ball pumped up for a kickaround, as they grow the local football heroes of the future. In the back room they stitch all those local team emblems onto kit, and it’s just full up to the ceiling with local pride and perseverance.

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

BRISTOL HEROES

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It replaced Greggs in 2009, since when Bristanbul on the Gloucester Road has been my default for quick flatbread food on the go. Made in the shop right in front of you, it’s that kind of authentic experience that just shines. On Britain’s longest independent street, this place has thrived. These gözleme are where it’s at. Flatbreads with, may I recommend, spinach and feta.

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The Southmead Gracie Barra is an inclusive and fun jiu-jitsu place for kids and adults. World champion Professor Victor Estima passed on his knowhow, and I would guess manners, to head coach Luke here, front and centre. He is proud to be from Southmead, and sharing his passion with the youngsters under his wing – good news for the future of martial arts here. He has 10 years of teaching under that black belt. This photo was taken just before a dozen or so very young locals came in to step away from mum and dad and begin their sports journey. Impressive.

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Our high streets have tributaries. Little side roads that lead you to a magical mystery land. Well, they do on Mina Road. The Garden is a learning community for young people, where the kids themselves learn to make their own rules. Nurture and nature, by the sounds of it. When I was there, they were creating stories and rushing around with a sense of freedom and purpose that reminded me of growing up and making worlds in the scrubland behind my house. Like the mug says, we all need a bit more relentless optimism.

It’s quite something to think this treelined Tolkeinesque world they’ve made here is expanding minds just a single step away from Mina Road. Our high streets are, after all, a story we keep telling ourselves; every time we stop and chatter, and pass on knowledge of that place you just have to try, we are playing our part in laying trails for others to follow.

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1986. Merlin Carpets opens on Church Road.

In the ebb and flow of commerce, not all businesses survive the shakedowns of the financial world, but I guess people will always need carpet.

Merlin is one of the longest running businesses on this strip, and one of many featured in the council’s Where’s It To? campaign, designed to spotlight amazing local businesses such as these.

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I’ve never stayed anywhere for longer than a decade or so. Always shifting around the place. So when you see businesses that have been in their community for over 30 years, it’s quite something.

We are talking haberdashery here, folks.

Wendy here offers classes, so you can divulge the goss and chat as you knit together.

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

“Given the craft revival wave we are all surfing, there must be lots of woolly knitwear about to drop for the Christmas gift season this year”

They were at it when I walked in. Through encouraging the whole community to engage in crafts, they have created a hub. Given the sewing bee revolution and craft revival wave we are all surfing, there must be lots of woolly knitwear about to drop for the Christmas gift season this year.

Colin is available as a ‘mini-mobile PR/marketing/ social media unit’, to shoot striking street-style photographs at live events: parties, launches, promos and performances, for impactful immediate social media.

Fees start at £100 for a two-hour package. email: mrcolinmoody@gmail.com Twitter: @moodycolin; Instagram @moodycolin319

EMILY & DAN ROSS STORYSMITH BOOKS

Found in translation

W

e were lucky enough to escape the city for a few days in September with our dog and sixmonth-old baby in tow, ambitiously packing more than one book each to read. Perhaps unsurprisingly we didn’t get much reading time, what with the unexpectedly gorgeous weather and our proximity to beautiful Cornish beaches, but we were also struck by how gloriously foreign the whole experience felt.

For so long we’ve been confined to travelling abroad through books alone, and even though we didn’t technically leave the country (despite how long it took in the car), a glimpse of something sunny, something beyond the sea’s horizon, was tantalising. If nothing else, it’s an excuse to recommend our favourite recent novels in translation.

“Drily funny, it also features a description of getting the giggles which might actually give you the giggles”

Take a literary trip from Uruquay to Brazil, take in Japan and dip behind the Iron Curtain – no multilinguistic talent required The Luminous Novel

by Mario Levrero (translated by Annie McDermott) This 500+ page novel from Uruguay is like a glorious exercise in self-reference and selfindulgence. Our narrator, a procrastinating author, relentlessly avoids the pressure of a Guggenheim Fellowship and collects his experiences in this brilliantly written epic.

He’s sidetracked by obsessively customising his computer programs to better aid his writing (rather than actually writing), detailing his various ailments, and documenting the movements of the pigeons outside his window.

Drily funny and strangely compelling, it also features an incredible description of getting the giggles, which might actually give you the giggles, and is worth the price of admission on its own.

The Woman In The Purple Skirt

by Natsuko Imamura (translated by Lucy North) In this slim and intriguing Japanese translation, our narrator becomes obsessed with the titular woman in the purple skirt. And the more we learn about the woman in the purple skirt, the more we want to know about the narrator. This is a new favourite in the rapidly growing subgenre of working-class female narratives in Japanese literature; it gives you just the right amount of mystery, showing its complexities at a perfectly unsettling pace. Poised and unnerving, for fans of psychological thrillers with a twist.

Sevastopol

by Emilio Fraia (translated by Zoë Perry) To Brazil, for this weaving and multilayered

tale of three different tales (it makes more sense when you read it). These brief, beguiling stories take their inspiration from Tolstoy’s Sevastopol Sketches: smart and lyrical, these include one woman’s mountain climbing obsession, the horrors of a potentially-haunted abandoned inn, and the dreams of a young playwright. Not that prior knowledge of the source material is necessary, because Fraia renders his characters in a seamless, almost cinematic prose, taking us on a deep dive into their most candid moments of self-reflection.

The Union Of Synchronised Swimmers

by Cristina Sandu (translated by Cristina Sandu) Eminently inhalable at just over 100 pages, this addictive little curio is the story of a synchronised swimming troupe who have more than just their routine on their minds. Set in a momentous summer behind the Iron Curtain, an unlikely team of swimmers use their skills to make it to the Olympics with the dream of a possible escape from the unnamed Soviet state that holds them in place.

An inventive and proudly unusual slip of a novel; we were charmed by the premise and impressed by Finnish-Romanian author Sandu’s ingenuity. Also, top marks awarded to the author for translating her own book into English.

So there you have it: even if you didn’t manage to escape the city this summer, you can immerse yourself in the authenticity of translated fiction.

You might not be able to sup a cocktail in some shady piazza while you do it, but still, it’s transportive in its own way. And at least you won’t get any sand in the pages.

Storysmith, 49 North Street; storysmithbooks.com www.mediaclash.co.uk I BRISTOL LIFE I 29

STAND-UP GUY CHRIS COX

Lullaby of Bristol Fresh from Broadway – OK, admittedly not that fresh, but we’re impressed anyway – comes our new columnist: the mind-reader who can’t read minds, stand-up comedian, and Bristol homeboy, Mr Chris Cox . . .

I

n the before times, when someone coughing in public wasn’t greeted by a look of fear, I found myself backstage, on Broadway, bantering about Bristol.

Which fans of alliteration will really appreciate.

I was doing an interview to promote my starring role as the mind-reader in The Illusionists on Broadway (not Ealing). “Where are you from?” came the insightful and original question.

“London, but I grew up in Bristol.” I replied.

“No way! I know it well. But hang on, you don’t have an accent!”

“Ah well, I sort of do, it’s hiding

behind my actual voice, so if I just slip into it, my luvver, I can talk right Bristolian.” Said doing my best impression of Stephen Merchant /my Dad. Should point out, Stephen Merchant isn’t my Dad, they just sound alike.

Silence.

“You see, I grew up in Bristol, and went to university there, but quickly moved to London to work at BBC Radio 1. I originally got into magic in Bristol, and went on to do five shows at the Edinburgh Festival, before doing a BBC TV show, four West End runs, two US tours, Australian tours, Sydney Opera House and now Broadway.

“I mean, how amazing is that; I can’t believe it really. I remember

“What was stopping us moving back? Other than the tourists hanging out by the Banksys?”

being 10, and being on stage at the Bristol Hippodrome, I remember being 18, and doing a show at the Backwell Playhouse, I’ve gone from that to being here on Broadway. It’s nuts – or as they’d say back home, it’s gert lush!”

“I’ve never heard anyone say that,” came the confused response, “and I worked there for a few years.”

“Well, I’ve not lived there for 15 years or so. We keep thinking about moving back, my wife and I, with our tiny humans. My family are still there, so it’s free childcare.

I hear the food scene is incredible these days, the theatres are as wonderful as ever, there’s the open space, the people, the Balloon Fiesta. I don’t need to be in London every day, especially as I’m always on tour, so we could live anywhere, really.”

“Balloon Fiesta?”

“Don’t tell me they’ve stopped the balloon fiesta! Surely not? Wait a minute, you said you knew it well, Bristol, right? ” “Yes sir. Bristol, Connecticut.”

“Wrong Bristol… and I’m meant to be a mind-reader.”

That one interview sparked the flame. A week later, my wife, our then-two-year-old and our six-week-old joined me in New York, and we started to talk more and more about Bristol. What was stopping us moving back? Other than potential crippling stamp duty costs and tourists hanging out by the Banksys?

Having grown up here, and wanting to leave for London as soon as I could, it was strange to find myself longing to be back in Bristol. To pay 50p to go across

the Suspension Bridge, to take the tiny humans to Bristol Zoo, to see that big fountain at the Mall trying its very best to pretend to be the Bellagio in Las Vegas, although in reality it’s more like the Bellagi-No. The chats continued as the pandemic began. My US tour stopped, theatres closed, and finding ourselves isolated in more ways than one added more fuel to the ‘shall we move to Bristol?’ fire.

A chance discovery of a vacancy for my wife’s dream job was the thing that gave us enough fire to fill a balloon with hot air and sail over the Avon Gorge. Before we knew it, we were Bristol-bound.

So, in summer 2021, I found myself on stage at the Palace Theatre in the West End making the final arrangements for the move. The show closed on a Monday, I got back home on a Tuesday, the packers came on a Wednesday and on Thursday, alongside way too many vans full of stuff we really should’ve sorted out before getting it chucked into boxes, we travelled down to Bristol.

In our car, the memories of the past came alive; Bristol hadn’t changed. I got my 50p ready to cross the Suspension Bridge into our new lives. Turns out Bristol has changed, and it’s now a quid.

After the honking horns died down, as I desperately searched for a contactless card to pay, we trundled over the bridge, watching the sun set over Bristol, and after many years away, finally, we were home. Now just don’t tell me the Zoo might close. magiccox.com; facebook @ilovecox twitter @bigcox; insta @magiccox

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

PHOTO BY TOM ROBINS

CASAMIA Please take your seats.

The show is about to begin…

By Deri Robins

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RESTAURANT

ockdown, huh. What was it good for? Not hospitality, that’s for sure. Some places closed down altogether; others had to massively tweak their offering. A few set up shop in a tent, which we all enjoyed a lot.

Meanwhile, down on Lower Guinea Street, Casamia was quietly reinventing the wheel.

It was the second major ‘they did what?’ moment of 2020. Just as we were reeling from the news that the Pony & Trap was closing, voluntarily relinquishing its Michelin star, we heard that Casamia, that other beacon of Michelin excellence, was returning with a new décor, new menu, new style, new everything – and the changes were pretty radical.

We can’t really talk about Casamia without a brief nod to its long, two-generation history, from its beginnings as a Westbury-on-Trym trattoria founded by Paco Sanchez Iglesias, to the current, triumphant, award-laden restaurant overseen by his son Peter in Redcliffe. However, it will really just have to be a nod, because if we get started on the old Casamia there’ll be no room to talk about the new Casamia, and we have a lot to get through here. So, let’s press on; you can easily Google the backstory if you want to.

The reopening was remarkably low-key. There were no breathless press releases, no launches with solemn, phonesnapping influencers. Word just leaked out that with Pete Sanchez busy with his London-based restaurant Decimo, Zak Hitchman was now running the joint. Zak was formerly sous chef to the godlike Gareth Ward at Ynyshir, famed as much for its formality-puncturing, ‘fun-dine not fine-dine’ service as for its brilliant, jewel-like dishes.

The Ynyshir schtick has stuck. What Pete and Zack have cooked up here is not merely a new menu, running into 20-plus courses, but a new concept which Zak describes as a weird gig with food. And if that sounds like the mission statement of a young turk hellbent on proving that you can serve sublimely refined cuisine without a shred of pretension or stuffiness, you’d be thinking along the right lines.

Long-time customers will recall Casamia’s zen-like atmosphere of calm; the neutral colours of the dining room, the chefs in pristine whites moving softly about in a brightly lit kitchen like scientists in a lab. Well, that’s all gone, replaced by light-swallowing black walls, black leather and chrome seats. There’s graf on those walls now, in the form of cheeky, iconoclastic takes on classic pop art. Chefs wear

DMs. On one wall, a screen flickers with vintage cartoons; glancing up from our plates at once point, our eyes locked on the surprising sight of Betty Boop dancing in hell.

It feels disorientatingly like a nightclub, an impression enhanced by beats emanating from a serious sound system – but that’s OK, because there’s a guide to lead you through all the strangeness.

This is Casamia’s preternaturally charming manager Joe Gaines, the kind of maître d’ who has hospitality running through his veins.

The chefs double as wait staff, as well as handling the tech; sous chef Summer Starkey controls the lighting, while Zak operates a pace-setting playlist. You can suggest a song if you like; we were tempted to request something amusingly naff, but suspected Zak would have played it anyway, so the joke would have been on us. As it was, the music meandered enjoyably between various genres, from Kanye to Pete Rodriguez, Bob and Earl to Nick Cave, Arthur Brown to Jean Bikoko Aladin. Every restaurant guilty of playing carelessly selected musak, or worse, Jamie Cullum, should be forced at gunpoint to visit Casamia and take notes.

It’s far too lowlit to read a menu, but that’s not a problem because there isn’t one; at least, not until the end of the meal. Think of it as a Michelinstarred magical mystery tour; come with an open mind, and surrender to the adventure.

There’s a short overture before the service begins, during which Zak introduces the kitchen staff, meet-the-band style, and tells us what to expect: viz, dishes thumping with flavour, but each one kept light. Everything, including the puds, will be flashed over a woodfired oven to impart a smoky flavour.

There are around 25 courses. The entire sitting takes four hours, but the time flies by like a successful first date. Service is rapid, so there’s none of that hanging about you sometimes get with tasting menus, where each tiny bite is followed by a fifteen-minute longueur that makes you wish you’d just gone out for pizza.

Now, while the above is obviously a load of fun, it only gets you so far. Given that a meal here costs £180 a head, sans wine, sans service, no matter how novel the experience, no matter how excellent the staff, the cooking needs to be incredible.

Luckily, it is. First off, we slurped down a fragrant thimbleful of carrot dashi. Smoky, sweet, salty, rich and complex: a palpable,

PHOTO BY DOMINIK A SCHEIBINGER

“It’s too lowlit to read a menu, but that’s OK, because there isn’t one”

www.mediaclash.co.uk I BRISTOL LIFE I 33

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RESTAURANT to the fourth wall that conveniently saves us from associating the umami hit. And the flavour bombs just kept coming. Not a single dead animals on our dinner plate with frisky Aardman critters; but morsel we popped into our mouths was less than spectacular, and if at least in this case it was a cull yaw, an older sheep past breeding. that sounds like I have no critical faculty, then too bad, because I’m Knowing it had enjoyed a long and happy life made us feel a lot not about to invent non-existent problems just to sound discerning. better about devouring a robust yet delicate ramen-like dish of The carrot dashi was followed by… another carrot dashi, this time lamb with freshly-made ubon noodles. A ‘roast of the day’ delivered with milky, silky ricotta. The broth is made from trout bones, and a few more melting morsels in shiso gravy, while the final lamb dish a succulent sliver of the fish arrived as the next course, sushi-style, saw the kitchen moseying over to the Middle East for a knockout tucked up nice as ninepence in a little nori overcoat and topped kofta with baba ganoush and harissa. Pow. with caviar – a staggering sucker-punch Throughout the meal, the small bonfire of of savouriness.

DINING DETAILS Zak Hitchman’s oven burned merrily away, Chopsticks arrived on the table, all Halloween orange and chimney red. No Casamia, 8 The General, Lower Guinea Street; propped on the tentacles of little 0117 959 2884; casamiarestaurant.co.uk dish escaped its flames, but at no point did ceramic cephalods. “Oh look, little Opening hours Thursday-Saturday; 12.30-7.15 the smoky flavour become overwhelming – squid!” I gushed, enchanted. “I don’t not even in the desserts, which ranged from want to be *that* guy, but that’s an We visited Friday lunchtime blackberry pie to figs with goat’s curd and octopus,” said the second son. Never Prices £180 pp; recommended wine flight £120 granita, trailing clouds of liquid nitrogen. dine with a scientist. In fact, the Drinks Superbly curated wines, local beers and ciders This rule-breaking, two-fingers-up-tochopsticks were redundant, since this Atmosphere Relaxed, intimate, theatrical convention of a menu has Bristol running was a pick-up-and-pop-in-the-mouth Service Invested, friendly, deceptively laidback through it like a stick of rock, so it was entirely number; you’re warmly encouraged to appropriate that the final course took the use your fingers here.

Disabled access All one level form of custard tarts presented in a Wallace & In case we hadn’t got the AsianGromit tin. This was also the point when the inspired memo, this was underlined menu was presented, democratically signed by the whole team. We by a terrific dish of Lion’s Mane mushroom, glossily coated with can’t decide which side to frame, because there’s an ace cartoon of teriyaki sauce and stout from Left Handed Giant, topped with egg Casamia by Turbo Island on the back. yolk under a little sombrero of radish. It was Nobu-level delectable.

Several elements conspire to make this experience work so well.

“Rub your fingers in the sauce,” murmured chef/waitperson Chloe Firstly, there’s the intimate nature of the room. Each table has a seductively. We did. It had a burnt, treacly flavour, like a superior grandstand view of the open kitchen, which appears like a stage Bonfire Night toffee apple. in a darkened theatre, drawing you into the creative process. Then The next course was a chip. Yes, just the one. But it was a chip there’s the staff, who clearly want you to have fun; though deeply of dreams, the size and shape of a Jenga block, triple-cooked and into the food and cooking, they aren’t tediously po-faced about coated in black garlic; the kind of chip that spoils all other chips for you it. Finally, there’s Zak himself, ruling the kitchen with passion, for life. More than one might have been a carb overkill, but I’d have inventiveness and swagger, while somehow making it all look easy. been prepared to take the risk; I was thinking of replacing my existing And those 25 courses? Although we weren’t tempted to pop into wardrobe with kaftans anyway.

Squeezed on the way home, neither did we leave feeling stuffed to We ooohed over a buttery lobster claw in fermented chilli sauce, the gills. Instead, we emerged, blinking, into a sunny Harbourside, with prawn toast for the mopping, and ahhhed over a lobster tail thoroughly intrigued, and well-fed, and rakish with the knowledge finished over the fire, with pungent wasabi and sweet plums. We that we’d just spent four hours of company time on a meal we knew ommed over a fat Orkney scallop with shitake in rice wine, dusted we’d remember when others were long forgotten. with fried grated scallop, and nommed over a tender chicken thigh; It may have seemed a crazy act of bravado for Casamia to have poultry in motion, its tandoori glaze carrying a sweet, subtle kick. switched up its mojo to such an extent, especially at this wobbly time A rack of lamb accessorised by tiny Shaun the Sheep prompted a for hospitality; but fair play, they’ve totally pulled it off. n rash of paparazzi-style camera flashes. It also posed a slight threat

www.mediaclash.co.uk I BRISTOL LIFE I 35

SUNDAY BLOODY SUNDAY

SUNDAY LUNCH

O

Everyone loves a Sunday, right? And who doesn’t like lunch? But it’s when you put the two together that you get the magic …

Words by Deri Robins

bviously, it’s not just an autumn thing. You can have a perfectly pleasant Sunday lunch in July, taken al fresco, perhaps – fine if you like wasps, tables that are never quite as comfy as the ones indoors, and rapidly cooling food. But when the days grow shorter and chillier, the prospect of this meal takes on an almost mystical allure. Hearty food and rich wines, ideally consumed no further than five feet away from an open fire, a springer spaniel warming your feet. Bracing postprandial country walks optional.

As well as traditional roasts, we’ve found a wide-ranging selection of menus to make your Sunday taste great, from tapas to schnitzel, antipasti to bangers and mash. Get stuck in; Sundaying just became a verb.

THE BANK TAVERN

Regularly named as the best place for a roast in Bristol, with a waiting list as long as your arm, and a Staffie as a landlady Tempt us with the menu

Starters and desserts change every week, usually ft. beef, pork and a vegetable loafs, along with seasonal additions such as venison, pheasant or rabbit. All veg is fresh and seasonal. They’re big fans of golden beetroot; its sweet flavour, they say, is always a great conversation point with customers.

Are veggies well-served?

Yes, and the vegetable loaf is also suitable for vegans.

What’s the vibe and décor like?

Very snug one-room pub dating back to the 1800s. Recently redecorated with a fresh open feel, despite its small size.

Anything else?

It may be a small pub with a small team, but it’s one with a big heart that

prides itself on customer service and attention to detail, without taking itself too seriously.

Can we bring the dog?

The Bank loves dogs! There’s a big stash of dog bowls, and every mutt gets fed and plenty of attention. That’s not surprising, given that the landlady is a Irish Staffie named Charlie…

8 John Street, banktavern.com

BAR 44

The tapas y copas guys put a Spanish spin on proceedings without missing the classic Sunday lunch beats Tempt us with the menu

The Spanish sharing roasts are the big draw on a Sunday, the most popular being the salt-aged Picanha beef, medium-rare and sliced asado-style for sharing. There are huge chorizo Yorkshire puddings, roast potatoes cooked in acorn-fed Ibérico pork fat, cauliflower cheese with truffled manchego running through it, glazed roast heritage carrots, and hispi cabbage cooked in jamón butter.

Are veggies well-served?

There’s a veggie as well as a vegan roast; the current centrepiece is a whole marinated slow-roasted celeriac, sliced and finished on the plancha grill.

What’s the vibe and décor like?

Bar 44 is all about fun, but with top-quality food and drink. The long bar is the centrepiece, with striking Andi Rivas murals at the end of the room along with an unambiguous ‘Sherry is Sexy’ neon sign. Wood panelling mixes with Andalucian tiling, creating a sense of classic Spain with a contemporary edge. The Jamón Room overlooks Royal York Crescent, and houses not only their Ibérico hams, but paintings conveying their obsessive iberophilia through some cheeky angles.

Anything else?

There are private dining rooms in two old bank vaults downstairs, for up to 12 people; you can work with the team to create a bespoke menu.

Podemos traer al perro?

Dogs only permitted at the pavement tables.

18-20 Regent Street; bar44.co.uk

BIANCHIS

Unbeatable hospitality. An iconic Bristol venue. Sweet reggae on the sound system and crisp white linen on the tables. Italianinspired dishes, cooked with top produce from local suppliers Tempt us with the menu

Antipasti followed by veggie, fish and meat mains with loads of sides. The Popti & Beast porchetta, we’re informed, is out of this world.

Are veggies well-served?

All sides are veggie and gluten-free. Details vary based on seasonal produce; at the moment they’re serving garlic and oregano roast potatoes, braised greens, honey and mustard grilled carrots, cauliflower and parmesan purée and salsa verde.

What’s the vibe and décor like?

Traditional, classy, old-school trattoria. Fresh flowers, Dennis Brown radio playing in the background. Outstanding staff.

Anything else?

Dominic’s famous Naga Bloody Mary.

Can we bring the dog? left: Some folk do say, the best beef in town is served at Pasture

above: Bar 44: come for the iberophila, stay for the chorizo Yorkies

No. All this group’s restaurants are dog-free.

1-3 York Road; bianchisrestaurant.co.uk

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

SUNDAY LUNCH

So veggies are well-served, then...?

“They keep it chilled at The Canteen; grab a table, place your order, and get on with Sundaying the best way”

What’s the vibe and décor like?

Are veggies well-served?

CANTEEN

Canteen’s famous roasts are now 100% veggie/vegan Tempt us with the menu

The team’s favourite on the current menu is the roast Wellington: lots of veggies rolled in puff pastry and finished with a wild mushroom glaze.

Other temptations include a mature cheddar and leek crumble.

Well-served and served well. Veggies maketh the meal.

It’s The Canteen; they keep it super chilled here. Come on in, grab a table and place your order at the bar. The friendly team will look after you, letting you get on with Sundaying the best way.

Anything else?

Pair it all up with local beers, organic, biodynamic and natural wines or locally distilled spirits. Roasts are served until 6pm, when they bring you some of Bristol’s finest Sunday afternoon music.

Can we bring the dog?

“Yes of course,” they say. “Pooches make our hearts sing.”

Hamilton House, 80 Stokes Croft; canteenbristol.co.uk

THE CHRISTMAS STEPS

There’s no better time than autumn or winter to visit this cosy pub; add snow and you’re basically in a Victorian Christmas card Tempt us with the menu

Well-balanced between meat and poultry (beef strip loin, buttermilk chicken supreme) and veggie (Portobello mushroom and stilton Wellington, lentil vegan nut roast), washed down with their own beer, Crack Hops.

The vegan roast is one of the best in town.

What’s the vibe and décor like?

It’s one of Bristol’s oldest and most characterful pubs, brought right up to date. Menus use the best local suppliers to create dishes with passion based on the principles of seasonal local produce.

Anything else?

This historic pub has welcomed drinkers since the 17th century, and is one of Bristol’s heritage treasures. What they do have now, that they didn’t have in the 1600s, is the free jukebox and DJs on the decks at weekends.

Can we bring the dog?

Of course; they’ll love a seat by the fire 2 Christmas Steps; thechristmassteps.com

CLIFTON SAUSAGE

They don’t just do sausages here; they also serve a classic roast all day long, from 12-8pm Tempt us with the menu

Roast sirloin of beef, pork belly and roast turkey, with fish and vegetarian options alongside the handmade sausages. Owner Simon Quarrie’s favourite dish, we hear, is the slow-cooked belly pork with lots of crispy crackling.

Are veggies well-served?

A veggie/vegan roast is always available, such as squash filled with roast vegetables and goats cheese. There are also two types of homemade vegetarian and vegan sausages.

What’s the vibe and décor like?

Friendly and relaxed but with smart service.

Anything else?

“We must be doing something right,” says Simon. “We’ve been serving our Sunday lunches for nearly 20 years.”

Can we bring the dog?

Yes, in the bar area, where the food and service are the same as in the restaurant; let them know when booking.

7 Portland Street; cliftonsausage.co.uk

THE KENSINGTON ARMS

One of THE great gastropubs in the city. Run by chef Josh Eggleton with Guy Newell of Butcombe Brewery, the Kenny has long been a hot spot for South West foodies.

“We don’t claim to be anything flash and fancy, just a proper British local with amazing new-era food,” they say. We’re big fans; so, for that matter, is Grace Dent Tempt us with the menu

Rare 32-day dry-aged organic sirloin, saddleback pork belly, Chew Valley rump of lamb; mushroom, Westcombe cheddar and roasted walnut Wellington. It’s impossible to choose between them, so just make sure you come with pals who are prepared to share nicely.

Are veggies well-served?

It’s really important to the Kenny that their veggie dish is as much of a standout as the meat options; they always make a big batch of roasties cooked in rapeseed oil, too. left: Bar 44 making a bid for your foodie bucket list; opposite,

clockwise: Christmas Steps; Old Market Assembly; The Kenny

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

© TIM MARTIN

Sunday. Or maybe try the Käsekrainer – a German sausage filled with cheese, accompanied by truffle mash potatoes and sauerkraut.

Are veggies well-served?

Klosterhaus mainly focuses on meat dishes, but they do their best to accommodate all kinds of dietary requirements.

What’s the vibe and décor like?

Classical brasserie-style restaurant, inspired by the origins of the Grade-I building, originally an 18th-century Quakers’ meeting house; tying in subtle references to Bristol’s rich history while capturing the vibrant spirit of the European Mittel café scene.

Anything else?

It’s a bit like going on a European city break without leaving home.

There’s a selection of German wines and beers that you’ll struggle to find elsewhere, while cigar, whisky and cognac lovers are offered a great selection, with rare items such as Louis XIII and Yamazaki 18yo.

Can we bring the dog?

Only permitted on the terrace tables.

The Friary Building, Quakers Friars; klosterhaus.co.uk

OLD MARKET ASSEMBLY

The wood-burning stove and ample room makes this the ideal spot for Sunday lunch, with roasts served from midday to 5pm Tempt us with the menu

The flexitarian dishes change week to week as chefs work with the seasons and suppliers. Currently starring on the menu is ethically farmed 28-dayaged beef top rump from Hillcombe Farm, and fennel-salted pork belly from Hill Farm.

Are veggies well-served?

Plant-based options include nut or seitan roasts, with veggie choices such as goats’ cheese strudel. Alongside your veg, think crispy spuds and giant fluffy Yorkshire puddings with loads of lovely rich gravy to soak it all up in.

What’s the vibe and décor like?

Super-chilled, inclusive and laidback, Sundays here are all about indulgence. There’s plenty of room for families, friends and everyone else; there’s a pint-sized roast menu just for kids.

Anything else? above: Keeping it classic at The Ox; opposite: Do you have anything bigger, Pasture?

What’s the vibe and décor like?

Laidback, cosy, homely, smart and traditional pub vibes, with mismatched antique furniture, Victorian prints on the walls and views into the open kitchen. Imagine a pub in Kensington W8 crossed with a rural Cotswolds inn, rinsed of the sloaniness of the former and the stuffiness of the latter, located in a leafy corner of BS6.

Anything else?

Head chef Oscar spent years helming the kitchen at Yurt Lush, which won numerous awards for its Sunday lunch, so you’re in safe hands. The DNA of the roast comes from a 15-year tradition that Josh honed at The Pony & Trap. “Over the years it’s been developed, and we get closer and closer to perfection with the help of amazing suppliers and dedicated chefs pitching in and making it better as time goes by,” they say.

Can we bring the dog?

“YES, so long as we can cuddle it.”

35-37 Stanley Road; thekensingtonarms.co.uk

KLOSTERHAUS

Add a dash of luxe to your Sunday. Step from busy Cabot Circus into the glamorous room, allow yourself to be waited on by top notch staff, and you’ll feel you’ve time-travelled back to an earlier, more leisurely and genteel Mittel-European age; you expect an orchestra to strike up The Danube at any moment Tempt us with the menu

Apart from all the schnitzels and sausages, there’s the German Sunday roast, which we hear is gaining in popularity and selling out almost every

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

OMA is proud to be the highest rated members of the Sustainable Restaurant Association, highlighting its commitment to sustainable practices. They believe that the more locally and seasonally they can bring their food and booze, the fresher and tastier it is for you..

Can we bring the dog?

“YES!” (Note the italicised capital letters) 25 West Street; oldmarketassembly.co.uk

THE OX

With a reputation for some of the best meat in the city, The Ox serves up spectacular roasts every Sunday from its atmospheric, ruby-red basement restaurant in Old City Tempt us with the menu

Roast beef is the star here, but you can also get stuck into seasonal specials such as roast porchetta, veggie and vegan options and small plates including roast bone marrow on toast and juicy charcoal grilled Atlantic prawns. There’s a roast menu for kids, too.

Are veggies well-served?

As well as a butternut squash roast, veggies can enjoy all the best bits of the meal – perfect roasties, cauliflower cheese and fluffy Yorkshires.

What’s the vibe and décor like?

Cosy, warmly lit and atmospheric; come in from the cold and enjoy something comforting, ideally washed down with a large glass of red.

Anything else that makes you special?

As an alternative to Sunday roast, diners can also enjoy The Ox’s signature steaks alongside the classic roasts.

Can we bring the dog?

“Unfortunately not; all that meat proves just too tempting for them!”

43 Corn Street; theoxbristol.com

SUNDAY LUNCH PASTURE

Great quality ingredients from local producers, cooked and served by top-notch, knowledgeable staff in a room you’ll want to linger in Tempt us with the menu

Rump of beef smoked over wild cherry wood, local pork belly rolled in herbs with crispy crackling, and slow-cooked lamb shoulder with fresh mint sauce. Or choose a steak from the butcher’s block. Cooking on fire brings a beautiful smoky flavour to the meat, and creates a real sense of theatre in the restaurant as you see the chefs at working in the open kitchen.

Are veggies well-served?

A nut roast with roasted squash, chickpeas, herbs and quinoa can be tailored for vegans as well as vegetarians; there’s also a large selection of veggie dishes on the à-la-carte menu.

What’s the vibe and décor like?

Elegant, open-plan but cosy room with big windows overlooking St Mary’s Redcliffe. From the moment you walk through the door you are made to feel welcome, with every team member’s knowledge and personality shining through.

Anything else?

Quite a lot – including a big focus on sustainability.

Can we bring the dog?

Only guide dogs in the restaurant; allowed on the heated terrace.

2 Portwall Lane; pasturerestaurant.com

THE RED CHURCH

Cool new(ish) venue and eating and drinking joint serving the people of St George, Whitehall, Redfield and Easton Tempt us with the menu

A classic roast with an Italian twist, as head chef Gianpero Mugnano (ex-Pasta Loco) adds some of his heritage to the flavour.

Are veggies well-served?

Try the nut-less seeded shiitake and puy lentil loaf.

What’s the vibe and décor like?

Industrial vibes, with exposed brickwork, a metal mezzanine and simple wooden furniture, softened by rugs and trailing plants.

Anything else?

There’s a state-of-the-art sound system that came from Pinewood Studios, and a stack of vinyl; top DJs on the decks at weekends.

Can we bring the dog?

Yes, they’ll be made to feel very welcome.

190 Church Road; theredchurch.net

THE SPOTTED COW

Is there anything cosier on a chilly day than Sunday roast in a great 200-year-old gastropub?

Tempt us with the menu

Roast beef from Origin Butchers, washed down with a bottle of Gran Cerdo natural red wine from a great wine list.

Are veggies well-served?

The mushroom and blue cheese Wellington and the sweet potato, peanut and cashew nut roast may persuade us to swerve the meat and fish options altogether.

“Cooking on fire brings a beautiful smoky flavour to the meal, and creates a real sense of theatre as you see the chefs at work”

What’s the vibe and décor like?

A bit like a country pub in the heart of BS3. Relaxed, warm and with the perfect soundtrack.

Anything else?

A few years ago the Cow was named as one of the top 50 places for a roast in the UK. All produce is locally sourced from the best suppliers and cooked by a passionate kitchen team. There’s music

THE VINCENT KITCHEN

by Cleverchefs

SUNDAY LUNCH AT THE VINCENT KITCHEN

its all about the food...

Two Courses - £23.95 Three Courses - £28.95

ADDRESS THE VINCENT KITCHEN, QUEEN VICTORIA HOUSE, REDLAND HILL, REDLAND BRISTOL, BS6 6US

Lets Eat! VIEW OUR EXAMPLE SUNDAY LUNCH MENU ONLINE www.thevincentkitchen.com

CONTACT HELLO@THEVINCENTKITCHEN.COM TEL: 0117 2420965 HOURS WED - SAT. 10AM-10PM (Last bookings 8:00pm) SUNDAY. 10AM-6PM (Last bookings 4pm) MONDAY & TUESDAY CLOSED

Book your table today: www.thevincentkitchen.com

SUNDAY LUNCH

Totterdown’s finest, but oddly not on everyone’s radar: The Star and Dove

from resident DJ Tony Clarke, who at 84 is the oldest working DJ in the UK; his selection of jazz, blues and Americana is the perfect soundtrack to a lazy Sunday.

Anything else?

Of course; there’ll be dog chews waiting for them on the bar.

139 North Street; thespottedcowbristol.com

Dogs are more than welcome; prepare for staff to fawn over your furry friends. Victoria Park on the doorstep offers the ideal preprandial workout, so tire the little beast out before coming in to warm up.

75-78 St Luke’s Road; thestaranddove.com

Can we bring the dog?

THE STAR AND DOVE

We love this friendly, stylish Totterdown restaurant, which still seems to bit of a hidden gem. We’ve heard rave reports for head chef Newstead Sayer’s Sunday roasts...

Tempt us with the menu

Tasty, snappy starters such as Spanish-style octopus with olive and orange salpicon, citrus-cured monkfish and a crab muffin. Beef rib cooked to pink perfection, or a strip of meltingly soft rare-breed pork belly with crunchy salt-baked skin; parsnip purée, stuffing and a deep, rich gravy that ties everything together, and a Yorkie pudding that’ll be up there as the biggest you’ve seen.

Are veggies well-served?

There’s always a seasonal option; currently, salt-baked celeriac and a violet artichoke roast. These options can also be made vegan-friendly.

What’s the vibe and décor like?

Heritage building, with three open fireplaces, parquet flooring and artwork by local artists.

“At 84, Tony is the oldest working DJ in the UK; his jazz, blues and Americana is the perfect soundtrack to a lazy Sunday”

They only use seasonal produce, sourced from local suppliers, meaning the menu changes often. Oh yeah, and the spiced pickle Bloody Marys…

Can we bring the dog?

THE SWAN AT WEDMORE

A cosy village pub, with chef Sam Sperring-Trendl serving the very best Sunday lunch right through from midday to 9pm Tempt us with the menu

Dry-aged rump of beef, red wine gravy and horseradish sauce; free-range roast chicken breast with sage and apricot stuffing; local farmer Jim Baker’s slow-roasted Old Spot pork belly with fennel and sea salt crackling and apple sauce. All served with herby roast potatoes, Yorkshire pudding, root mash, roast parsnips and seasonal greens. Make room for the Old Church cherry and stem ginger financier, kirsch cherries, milk ice cream and orange liquorice.

Are veggies well-served?

With a small tasty tweak the vegetarian courgette, lentil and chickpea roast with miso gravy can be made vegan. There’s a lovely vegetarian dish of Westcombe ricotta, gnudi, broad bean pepperonata and crispy kale, grilled radicchio and romesco sauce.

What’s the vibe and décor like?

Stone-flagged floors, leather sofas, wood burners and a fabulous covered terrace. It’s welcoming and easy like Sunday morning; settle in for the day.

Anything else?

Autumnal walks on the Somerset Levels and murmurations on the Avalon Marshes are all on the doorstep.

Can we bring the dog?

You most certainly can; dogs, muddy boots and children are equally welcome. Dogs can join you in the bar, terrace and garden, where the full menu is served. n Cheddar Road, Wedmore; theswanwedmore.com

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

CELEBRATE YOUR CHRISTMAS AT KLOSTERHAUS Celebrate Christmas in style and let us do the hard work for you. Sit back, relax and enjoy our traditional Christmas Day menu.

Keep an eye out for more Christmassy dishes unveiled at the beginning of December!

We have three stunning private dining rooms which provide the ideal setting for your event.

THE FRIARY BUILDING, QUAKERS FRIARS, BROADMEAD, BRISTOL BS1 3DF 0117 452 3111 | INFO@KLOSTERHAUS.CO.UK

FOOD & DRINK S N A P S H O T S O F B R I S T O L’ S F O O D S C E N E

CAN I BRING THE HUMAN?

DIRTY NOODLES A few years ago, the Morgan siblings crossed the Severn to bring us Bar44.

Well, that went pretty well. Now get set to welcome another Welsh import, Cardiff pop-up Matsudai Ramen, which has teamed up with Bristol’s Tomo No Ramen to launch a pop-up at the former West Street Kitchen site.

Matsudai and Tomo No Ramen will serve up simmering bowls of noodles in a core menu initially built around Iekei-inspired (pronounced E-A-K) Yokohama-style Tonkotsu ramen, in a weekly changing menu of specials, sides and more. Tomo No Ramen will also be serving up their signature Tomo-ya Dirty Shoyu Ramen, a golden chicken bone soup, with signature Dirty Shoyu Tare, aromatic chicken oil and marinaded back fat, house Tokyo-style noodles,

smoked coppa chashu, diced shallots, ajitama, spinach, and nori.

The collaboration came about when Matsudai Ramen’s founder James Chant and Tomo No Ramen’s James Stuart bonded over a mutual love of proper ramen. Both have appeared as guests on the cult podcast Way of Ramen to talk about the growing scene here in the UK. “Bristol is a great city, but previous Matsudai pop-ups here have been far too short and sweet, so I’m really excited to be teaming up with Tomo No for a longer stint – especially as autumn is upon us, and ramen weather becomes the norm,” says James Chant.

We’re totally down with the notion of ramen becoming ‘the norm’…

Get yer ramen fix at 55 West Street, from 6 November. For more tomonoramen.co.uk

PHOTO BY JAMIE ALLEN

James Chant

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

Our big guide to the best places for Sunday lunch begins on page 36, and because we know many of you like to hang with your furry friends at weekends, we asked each venue if you could bring the dog.

Taking mutt-friendliness to the next level, though, is Flour House, a new café on Park Row which hosts regular doggie brunches.

The café, run by Charly Kennedy, describes itself as a ‘botanical-inspired café serving seasonal edibles, seasonal brunches, lunch and cakes’.

“We’re big fans of our four-legged friends, and love it when they come to visit us in the café, so we decided to put on a doggie brunch with puppuccinos, bacon mini-pancakes and breakfast biscuits. We enjoyed it so much we will be doing one every month.”

The next doggie brunch takes place on 31 October. You can buy some very cute canine costumes for Halloween; just saying… instagram @weareflourhouse We’d tag them with your pup pics, if we were you...

FOOD & DRINK

MORE TASTY BITES… BUILDING BETTER

An update from organic shop and café group, Better Food, which will open its fourth branch on Gloucester Road at the beginning of November.

The shop will stock some of the best organic, local and ethical brands available, as well as organic fruit and vegetables, a huge range of organic food refills, chilled foods, locally sourced meat, fresh bread, bodycare and household refills, gifts and more, including food for those with specific diets and allergies.

There will also be a café and food hall selling hot drinks, self-serve soups and porridge, freshly baked cakes and pastries, salads, juices and smoothies, cooked lunches and a wide range of deli specialities.

For more betterfood.co.uk Stolen Rose

THE WEIRD, THE WILD AND THE OTHERWORDLY

Empress Rising

IS IT, DOUGH? Dine-in and takeaway Pizza Bianchis has now opened on Queen’s Road, offering ‘pizza from Naples to new York’ along with shakes, gelato, antipasti and more.

Here’s @dominicborel1 on insta: “Already building up a loyal following at @pizzabianchi. Especially the hatch, the old slice‘n go. Just a couple of old dogs enjoying ‘a pizza love’... Pop in and say hello to the ‘isitdough’ gang...“ bianchisrestaurant.co.uk

It wouldn’t be A/W without a new cocktail menu from Hyde & Co, and this season they’ve gone all wicca on us, with the mystical-sounding Secrets at Nightfall – “inspired by nature, botany and alchemy”.

As well as a lot of atmospheric placing of glassware in leafy woodland settings, and a menu that looks, pleasingly, as if it’s been dreamt up by a coven, there‘s a big focus on making the drinks sustainable, drawing on discarded ingredients such as citrus fruits, which are often used only for garnishes, using them to create homemade ingredients used in the drinks.

Bar manager Eve recommends the Solstice Endless Waters, a martini-style drink flavoured with cucumber and green coffee and topped with champagne; for something shorter and stronger, try the Empress Rising, a twist on a Manhattan.

As we’re a sucker for a pretty drink, we’re ordering the Stolen Rose.

For more hydeand.co

PUT A RING ON IT

We’re quick to seize on any excuse to dub an area a ‘quarter’, so we’re excited to learn that Bristol now has a new, unofficial doughnut one down at Glass Wharf.

Small Goods (far left) is the latest opening from the Small Street Espresso/Little Vics guys, and favours a kind of Accidentally Wes Andersen pink-and-mint pastel palette.

The all-vegan, all-organic Future Doughnuts is designed to look like a cartoon, from the décor to the tableware to the doughnuts themselves. Fun! Unsurprisingly, they’re both wildly instagrammable; follow them at @smallgoodsbristol and @futuredoughnuts.

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

RECIPES PHIL HAUGHTON

Phil shares a childhood memory along with a nostalgic recipe for real, properly-made pork sausage meat

PORK SAUSAGE MEATBALLS On occasional Sundays when I was a child, the family would accompany our dad to the pub (aka ‘an outing with the kids’). Whoever was around would cram into the Mini Traveller and sit outside the Fairfax Arms, drinking coke and eating crisps. The entertainment was playing in the brook outside, catching sticklebacks or pretending we could tickle trout.

This pub had one very special offering not to be found in most pubs. Frank Amis, the landlord, must have kept the odd pig, because every so often Dad would come out of the pub with a big bag of pork sausage meat. Once home, this was usually frozen and then brought out and cooked for Sunday breakfasts as sausage balls. Much later in life, I set about learning how to make these using organic pork.

This is as close as I can get to Frank Amis’s famous sausage meat that I ate as a child. Try to get the very best organic, slow-grown pork. It freezes well for up to three months before it starts to lose its flavour.

Ingredients 1kg pork, coarsely minced 2 teaspoons salt ½ teaspoon white pepper 1 flat dessertspoon of dried mixed herbs (or you can use 2 tablespoons of finely chopped fresh thyme, rosemary and sage) ½ teaspoon cinnamon Pinch each of ground cloves and nutmeg Method 1. Mix all dry ingredients together well.

Sprinkle over the mince and mix well. Leave overnight in the fridge or, if you’re freezing the mixture, pack it tightly into a plastic bag (preferably an old one you have washed to reuse), squeezing out any air before freezing.

2. Shape the mixture into meatballs about the size of a hen’s egg, or roll into a sausage shape.

Fry in oil gently until nicely browned and any liquid runs clear.

3. They are simply delicious like this, or you can then add them to a seasonal tomato sauce as part of an Italian pasta dish.

Phil Haughton is the Founder of Better Food, a group of award-winning stores and cafés in Bristol that specialise in organic, local and ethical food and products. Better Food won Best UK Independent Retailer at the 2021 Soil Association BOOM awards. Phil is also a speaker on the subject of organic farming, and author of the book Food For Thought, from which this recipe is taken.

Food for Thought is Phil’s first book. Through a colourful mix of inspiring personal stories, tempting recipes, helpful tips and insightful contributions from 12 thought-leaders and change-makers, Phil shares his passion for organic farming and his mission to create a world where food, nature, business and community can all thrive together in harmony.

For more: betterfood.co.uk

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

BATH’S FIRST LUXURY SPARKLING WINE The first of its kind, let us introduce you to Minerva! Combining Wine with Art, what we call Vine-Art. Minerva is a celebration of three incredible women, trailblazers in their respective fields

Emma Rice

Victoria Topping

Emily Addicott-Sauvao

Emma has crafted the first Minerva vintage – she is arguably the best Sparkling Winemaker globally, winning the most prestigious international awards. She is a true pioneer and the most decorated English Sparkling Winemaker to break into the US market.

Bath and Bristol’s very own Victoria Topping, an internationally recognised Artist, has designed the very first exclusive Minerva vine-art wine label. Fusing digital and traditional techniques, she has brought part of Bath’s Roman history to life with her relevant and sublime artwork.

Emily is a fourth generation Bath Somerset Farmer and the first farmer to grow Quinoa in the west country. She grows the traditional Champagne variety grape vines Chardonnay, Pinot Meunier and Pinot Noir to create Minerva Sparkling wine.

riceywine

corston_fields_farm

victoriatoppingart The Romans produced wine from these very fields in Bath, at Minerva we’re bringing back to life what the Romans created in this terroir in the middle ages.

Imagine if you had the chance to own the very first Moët and Chandon or Dom Perignon vintage, and get to know the people that make them?

This is your chance to be part of something special, joining us right at the very start of a journey.

More to come in the November Edition of Bristol Life.

You now have a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to become a founding member of Minerva. The first founders will enjoy incredible benefits, centred on creating a community interested in the enjoyment of winemaking, food, art and the local countryside. This will include exclusive access to special events (we can’t wait to announce these!) plus discounts and priority on future products, vineyard experiences, tasting days and much more!

If you’d like the opportunity to be on the priority list to own the very first Minerva Vintage being released for pre-sales this November 2021, and be part of our new community sign up for our Newsletter at Minervawine.com

Corston Fields Farm, Bath, BA2 9EZ. Founder: Eddie Addicott-Sauvao @Minerva_wine | www.minervawine.com Email eddie@minervawine.com

SPONSORED CONTENT

HAVE A COSY CHRISTMAS

Lisa Kimpton, Marketing Manager, suggests you make up for lost time and go big this festive season at COSY CLUB

L

ast Christmas wasn’t quite what any of us had hoped for or expected. The good news is that the traditional lead-up of work parties, get-togethers with friends, and spontaneous nights of mulled wines and warming food are back!

We’re so thrilled to be sharing this special time of year with you again, and can’t wait to help make your Christmas extra-special this year.

You’ve probably heard of Cosy Club, and our famous cocktail selection, but possibly never had an opportunity to call in. The festive season is the ideal time to change all that!

You can find us on Corn Street, in a grand Grade-II neo-Palladian building with marble flooring, gorgeous stone work and an aweinspiring domed roof. At one time in its life the building was a church; it oozes character and splendour, making it the perfect setting for festive parties of all sizes. You can hire out the beautiful mezzanine space or the elegant Peacock Room for a special event, or simply book a table to enjoy our range of festive treats.

Our decadent Christmas menu is available every day from 24 November to 24 December.

Venture away from the classic turkey, and try our brie, beetroot and squash tart tatin, or pan-fried salmon fillet with creamy mash, buttered leeks and spinach, prosecco and lobster sauce.

Our starters are handpicked from our new small plates menu and include fried halloumi with spiced dates and chilli jam – and who could resist, at this time of the year, our pigs in blankets with mulled cider and mustard glaze?

Our desserts are as indulgent as ever, with chocolate and honeycomb cheesecake, a refreshing lemon posset or, as an alternative, a savoury cheese board. Prices for our Christmas menu start from £21.95 and it’s best to book online or give us a call to ensure your place.

If you’re booking a private room you can opt for our festive buffet and pre-order some tipples for the table. Want to play Santa? You could give out some tipple tokens to your group.

Whether you’re coming with work mates or organising a big private soirée, we can help you create the perfect celebration. We’ve been hosting parties for years, and there’s no job too big or small for us – we just love it! Just get in touch to discuss your requirements directly with our team.

For those partial to some bubbly with their breakfast, for the first time ever we are now offering a bottomless brunch – the ideal start to a Christmas shopping day. You can also pop in on Boxing Day, when we’ll be extending the offer up until 5pm, so you can keep the festivities flowing!

Join us at Cosy Club to celebrate in some truly stylish surroundings and let us make this Christmas much more special than the last. ■

Find out everything you need on our website, email bristolbookings@cosyclub. co.uk or call us on 0117 253 0997 cosyclub.co.uk/christmas www.mediaclash.co.uk I BRISTOL LIFE I 51

CAFÉ SOCIETY STAN CULLIMORE

A brioche with greatness Stan stumbles across a delightful sufficiency on Whiteladies Road

L

ife. Short, brutal, bitter.

Over before you know it. Bit like an espresso, really. Which is why I always take time for coffee and happiness.

Also why I tend to drink long black Americanos. Slowly.

Prolongs the pleasure. Extends the experience. Makes you feel immortal. Sort of.

Reason I mention all this, is the weather. That meteorological misery guts. The skeleton at the feast of seasons. The beast that makes life so hard at times in this

“Life. Short, brutal, bitter.

Over before you know it. Bit like an espresso, really. Which is why I always take time for coffee and happiness”

green and pleasant isle of ours.

As I type, the last week has been one of those dismally wet autumn affairs. The sort that makes you long for spring. The forecast promised rain every day, and boy, has the weather done it’s best to oblige. But even at soggy times like these, there are always magical moments. Hours, and sometimes, whole afternoons when the heavens arise, the sun shines and hope springs eternal.

It was during one of these fleeting moments that a friend and I wandered down the Whiteladies Road in search of caffeine satisfaction. Just before you get to the BBC, you come to Waylands Yard. A pleasantly inviting spot with proper coffee, great views of the world walking by, and a rather intriguing menu which features crumpets, pancakes, baps, onepan hash mixes and plenty of smashed avo. Mmm. There are probably cakes too, but I haven’t managed to get that far down the menu yet. Maybe next time.

On a previous visit, I’d gone for the spectacular cornflake-fried chicken crumpets, along with egg-dipped crumpets and chilli jam. They were so completely fab I was fully intending to have them all over again this time. Sadly, they were sold out when we arrived.

Luckily, however, there are so many tempting treats on offer, that without missing a beat, my

dining companion and I skipped straight onto the next interesting item we saw. The brunch bap.

A brioche type roll, beautifully stuffed with sage and fennel sausage patty, avo, swiss cheese and bacon. Completely delicious and completely irresistible.

Which is probably why I entirely forgot to take any pictures until after the empty plates had been cleared away. Sorry, dear reader. Bit of a faux pas there.

You’ll just have to take my word for it. They looked as good as they tasted, mind, and they tasted superb. Can’t think of a better recommendation. Food so good, you haven’t got time to take a snap before you wolf it down.

Would have liked to have kept on trawling the menu, searching out a suitably sweet snack to finish proceedings. But in truth, after a bap like that, I was done. Had enjoyed what my grandad used to call a delightful sufficiency. So we sipped our coffees in contented silence and contemplated an afternoon swim before the sun tiptoed off once more. Perfect.

If you are in search of something intriguing, interesting and really, really tasty, I can heartily recommend this spot. It’s got the lot. n Former Housemartins guitarist Stan is now a journalist and travel writer For more: stancullimore.com

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

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PLANNING A PARTY? GET A BARTENDER...

It’s been a long time coming, but Christmas party season is back. When your guests arrive, don’t get them a drink; let The Bartender do it for you. Lewis Spindlove, founder of THE BARTENDER HIRE CO gives us the lowdown…

I’ve never booked a bartender before; can you come to our home?

Yes, most of our parties take place in people’s homes and gardens. We can work with the space that you have, sometimes utilising a kitchen island or dining table as a bar, or we can bring in one of our stunning mobile bar units.

Tell me more about these mobile bars . . .

Our industry-leading Portabars all include ice chests, plenty of shelving, sinks and a range of different bar fronts, including colour-changing LED, mirror, leather chesterfield, and rustic wood. We can even brand the bar fronts with whatever you like.

Sounds impressive – who will be working the bar?

Our team of experienced cocktail bartenders are professionals, and truly love what they do.

We carry out regular training to keep them up to date with the new recipes and interesting ingredients that we are championing from around Bristol.

What about the drinks? Who brings them?

That’s entirely up to you. We can supply

premium spirits, ingredients and mixers for the cocktails, or we can provide you with a shopping list to order these yourselves. Most of the time we are asked to bring in the glassware and ice to save you the hassle – we also wash the glasses for you!

How many cocktail choices do you recommend for a small party?

Between three and four is the most successful.

Too many and your guests will panic and just choose something they recognise, leaving a large selection untouched. Also you will need to provide the bar with all the various spirits, liqueurs, purées, syrups and other mixers to accommodate all these drinks. Too few, and your guests may get bored.

I LOVE espresso martinis – can we have those?

You can choose any cocktails that you want! We have a suggested list of things that we like that you may not have heard of, but we’re pretty used to mixing classics throughout the year. mojitos, Collins and Cosmopolitans are just as popular now as they were 10 years ago.

Can I hire just a bartender and nothing else?

Yes of course, a bartender for the evening costs £200 + VAT. This covers your professional cocktail bartender, set-up and break-down, cocktail-making equipment, our assistance with helping you choose cocktails, writing up the shopping list, full insurance and a back-up bartender in case anything goes wrong with yours on the day.

Realistically, how much will it cost me to put on a cocktail party at home?

If we base the question on a four-hour service, for 40 people, with you providing your own drinks and bar, with us supplying a bartender, equipment, glassware and management, you’ll be looking to spend around £600 all in. ■

Unit 5 Easton Business Centre, Felix Road, Bristol, BS5 0HE. 01179 415 825 info@thebartender.co.uk thebartender.co.uk www.mediaclash.co.uk I BRISTOL LIFE I 55

REFLECTION BY JESS TOWNSEND, £140 Lovely, calming etching, in an edition of 30 From jesstownsend.co.uk CITY LIGHTS BY CATH READ, £55 Print from an original painting of this atmospheric night view over Bishopston From cathread.co.uk

TRAIL MIX

North Bristol Artists celebrates its 20th trail this November, with its trademark eclectic range of artists and makers. Here’s just a sample of what’s on offer; for more, head on over to northbristolartists.org.uk

JANE ORMES CERAMICS, FROM £75 TO £265 Very collectible handmade and decorated earthenware plates and bowls From linktr.ee/janeormes CAROLINE CASSWELL NECKLACE, £50 Statement piece in bold, bright blues; the beads are made from polymer clay From carolinecasswell.co.uk

EPIC SHORES BY HEMALI MODHA, £350 (FRAMED) Acrylic and mixed media. Hemali’s abstract landscapes are inspired by places visited, remembered and imagined From hemalimodha.co.uk

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

SARAH WOODROW HANDWOVEN WICKER BASKET, £95 Pretty roped weave bowl using willow chermesina, packing twine, brittany green, dicky meadows and noire de villaine Instagram @woodrowillow

ED’S CHOICE

BLACKBERRIES IN THE GORGE BY JENNY URQUHART, £545 Original acrylic painting by one of our favourite Bristol artists; prints available too, at £45 From jennyurquhart.co.uk

KATIE JOHNSTON NECKLACE, £30; EARRINGS, £25 Handmade enamel and silver jewellery; these pieces were inspired by the sea From katiejohnstonjewellery.co.uk

TAMSIN JOHN JUG, £75 Lovely, tactile stoneware mugs, jugs, dishes etc, to add beauty to the everyday From tamsinjohnpottery.com

WILD SWIMMING BY MAITA ROBINSON, £6-£30 Hugely popular, individually made quirky cards and framed pictures From maitarobinson.co.uk

BRISTOL ART CALENDAR, £12 Many North Bristol Artists contribute to this popular annual calendar, sold at Room 212 on Gloucester Road.

It always sells out fast, warns owner Sarah Thorp From Room212.co.uk

LINDA BROHAN GARDEN POT, £85 Linda’s hand built ceramics are influenced by an interest in African art and tribal masks Email lindajbrogan@googlemail.com

RED ROAD BY JANE BOOT, £80 Jane’s work ranges from watercolour to collage – and as here, acrylic From janeboot.com

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

WANTED We buy for cash

SCRAP GOLD & PLATINUM Simply bring your old jewellery to our showroom in Bristol or send it in to us by special delivery.

(Please give us a call for more details) On your behalf, we can also sell re-saleable, unwanted jewellery items in our windows on a sale or return basis.

Photo ID required in all circumstances.

KEMPS OF BROADMEAD 33 Union St, Broadmead, Bristol BS1 2DJ T: 0117 926 4888 | www.kempsltd.co.uk Email: kempsbroadmead@gmail.com

WINDOW SHOPPING MILLY VAUGHAN

East St Emporium Look what can happen when you combine a derelict corner site with a shopkeeper with vision, and a handful of indie Bristol traders . . .

A

new market has come to East Street.

But banish all images of Whitney Dean flogging shiny tat on Albert Square – the goods here are nothing like those sold at a certain fictional East End market.

The East St Emporium is the brainchild of creative director Lou Mackintosh, the owner of the beloved and preloved shop Mack Vintage, which made its name at the Tobacco Factory. Back in January, Lou had a vision of setting up a creative family of traders, all

operating out of a shared space within a new indoor market.

The space she had her eye on was a derelict corner site spanning over three floors. It was a daunting prospect; the space was little more than a building site, with no electricity, lighting, plumbing or flooring, and was home to a family of pigeons.

The venture benefited from a business improvement district grant provided by WECA, which made the whole build possible. The refurb was six months in the making, during which time Lou and her partner Dan beavered away long

“It’s a piece in the jigsaw of regenerating East Street which even the anti-gentrification brigade would struggle to quibble with”

Lou Mackintosh

into the night to make her vision materialise.

Co-director Sarah Hudd of Wysteria Workshop, and other members, hopped on board the Emporium wagon, and with many hands making light work transformed the former Blunts shoe store into a fabulous collection of independent shops.

Today, the combination of space, exposed brickwork and industrial metal hanging rails lends the Emporium a warehouse vibe that exudes Manhattan-cool. It’s home to eight independent shops, repping 30 creative makers, who collaborate on a unique shopping experience with sustainability at its core. Think of the convenience of a department store, with everything under one roof, but wholly indie in spirit, with bagfuls of originality, and you’re almost there.

The traders clearly have Mary Portas-level skills when it comes to styling a space to best show off its

wares; something that’s far harder than it looks. But it’s the products themselves that really make the Emporium sing, from jewellery to plants, vintage and ethical clothing, candles, upholstery, bespoke wooden furniture, weavings, terrariums, quirky lights, ceramics, batik, crystals, vegan skincare, macramé, books, crochet, artwork, children’s clothes and a lot more.

This new collective of independent business owners is an important piece in the jigsaw of regenerating East Street which even the anti-gentrification brigade would struggle to quibble with.

I’d rather go here than get some knock-off perfume down Walford any day of the week. ■ The East Street Emporium will trade Tuesday to Saturday, 9.30am - 5.30pm @eaststemporium @millyvaughan on instagram camillapettman@mac.com

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

NATURE FIRST

In September, Yeo Valley Organic Farm created its first garden at the RHS Chelsea Flower Show. It only went and won a Gold…

Y

ou’ll have heard of Yeo Valley, the family-run organic dairy farm just down the road in Blagdon. It’s famed for its superior yoghurts, and also for its gardens, which are open to the public. It also came to national attention ten years ago, when its witty rap TV ad became the number one download in the UK, securing ‘most-viewed’ statuse on Facebook and YouTube.

But we’re not here to talk about Yeo Valley’s yoghurt or its rapping farmers. We’re here to talk about the garden’s triumph at the RHS Chelsea Flower Show, which this year, for the first time in its 108-year history, was held in September.

The grounds were filled with late-summer blooms, the sun shone all week, there was a genuine sense of joy that the world’s greatest flower show was back, and one of the highlights was the Yeo Valley Organic Garden, which received the double honour of a Gold Medal from the RHS judges and the BBC/RHS People’s Choice Award.

The garden was created by awardwinning designer Tom Massey, with support from Yeo Valley’s Sarah Mead. As the first organic show garden approved by the Soil Association to appear at Chelsea, its principal aim was to highlight the importance of looking after nature.

Both Tom and Sarah are passionate about encouraging people to take an organic approach in their own gardens, and wanted to show that taking small steps to work with nature can make a positive impact on wildlife and plant biodiversity.

“The experience of being part of Chelsea surpassed anything I expected, and we were so pleased to share our little slice of Somerset with the world,” said Sarah.

“We know the huge benefits it has for the environment – and now it seems that the public interest in organic is growing. If our moment in the spotlight has helped to inspire people to think about choosing organic, then

that’s a huge win for nature, our soil and our environment.”

Yeo Valley Organic is Britain’s largest organic brand, with the 6.5 acre garden around the family farmhouse being one of the UK’s largest ornamental gardens with Soil Association certification.

Sarah has been quietly farming and growing organically for a quarter of a century now, seeing first-hand the benefits of this approach on wildlife and pollinators. It was key that this ethos was maintained in the show garden; no chemical fertilisers or pesticides were used on its plants, all grown in peat-free compost, within compostable pots.

At Chelsea, the show garden reflected the range of habitats and plants found at Yeo Valley HQ , including a perennial meadow brimming with flowers and a glade of silver birch. The planting was a skilled tapestry of late summer perennials such as rudbeckia, kniphofia and heleniums, and a gauzy haze of ornamental grasses.

Blackened, charred logs were an eye-catching feature, representing the importance of soil health and returning carbon to the earth. The focal point was a steam-bent wooden hide shaped like an egg, created by Cornish sculptor Tom Raffield. This now takes pride of place at Blagdon, while all of the plants, trees, hard landscaping and all elements of the garden have been transported back to Somerset to be incorporated back into the garden and farmland.

“What we achieved at Chelsea is testament to Yeo Valley’s commitment to sustainable farming and growing,” says Tom Massey.

“We were particularly delighted to receive the People’s Choice Award. I think that in recent times, when we’ve all been spending more time in our own gardens and appreciating the value of nature, our message really connected with everyone.”

“If our moment in the spotlight has inspired people to go organic, it’s a huge win for nature”

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

The garden is open to visitors from April until the end of October. For more: yeovalley.co.uk/chelsea

GARDENS

Sarah and Tom at Yeo Valley; INSET: the design for the show garden, including the egg-shaped hide (LEFT) – now installed in the gardens at Blagdon

EDUCATION

Curiosity Curiosity in all things helps to create lifelong learners who will adapt to rapid changes that we have come to expect.

For our school, it is about self-motivation to want to explore independently. Our integration of technology into learning is borne out directly from remote learning, reminding us that schools are not the gatekeepers of knowledge, and nor should they be.

THE VALUES OF EDUCATION

What happened to ‘build back better’, and is it too late to seize the moment and create positive change?

By Matthew Bennett, Head of School at Clifton High

T

here was a moment during the first lockdown when we all shared a collective excitement. We could hear the birds singing again, the roads were quiet and the air seemed cleaner. Working from home seemed easier than many people had first feared, and then the phrase ‘build back better’ fuelled our hopes even more: what could the world look like, when we all emerged from our forced isolation?

Sadly, our excitement for this brave new world waned, as one lockdown followed another. Enjoyment for all things online was replaced with a yearning for human contact, and BBC natural history documentaries were no match for getting out into the countryside.

As restrictions were lifted and many returned to work, the time needed to strategise to create a new normal seemed to vanish, and all too quickly we were right back where we started.

But is it too late to seize the moment and change things for the better?

There has been much talk about the impact the closure of schools has had on young people. Much of this impact is unseen; it is more than just lost learning, and while the government and schools plan to support

children in their efforts to ‘catch up’, I am left wondering if we have overlooked what has really been lost as a result of the pandemic.

From the outside, education seems focused on measurable outcomes which we use to judge schools. After all, learning is our core purpose, and examinations are a quantifiable measure of this learning. However, talk of ‘grade inflation’, and now the focus on how to make this year’s grades fairer and more comparable with years gone by, has meant that we have forgotten all those lofty ideals to change things.

Weren’t we going to build back better? Weren’t we going to have a new appreciation for being outdoors, for our relationships and for ourselves? Shouldn’t our schools reflect these ambitions?

One of the first tasks of any new Head in a school is to review the school’s values and, as a community at Clifton High School, we have chosen four that we feel are important for a post-pandemic world: curiosity, empathy, love, and direction.

Empathy and love The past two years have shown us all how much we rely on one another, and our values of empathy and love are grounded in that discovery. We all clapped the NHS for their work, shopped for our neighbours when they could not, and wore masks to protect others. Love for others means wanting what is good for them, celebrating their successes and supporting them when they fail. We must also love ourselves, and the last two years have exposed a need for better awareness of mental health.

Love also encompasses our renewed love of being outdoors, and a love for our environment ,and the need to protect it, continues to be a leading aim for Clifton High School, with a curriculum that includes adventurous activities each week for Infant and Junior children, as well as a broad offering of outdoor education for senior school pupils.

Direction This is about setting goals and having ambition, and most importantly, knowing how to achieve what we set our minds to. We are seeing professions changing before our eyes; the job market in the years ahead when our young people enter it will be unrecognisable to the one we see today, and so we have to concentrate more on the softer skills that will allow our children to adapt and flex with the changing needs of the world. Direction is all about knowing how to do that.

Each school builds its own values, and all are valid. At Clifton High School, the pandemic caused us to re-evaluate ours. We are determined to create young people who are ready for challenges yet to come, and our values: curiosity, empathy, love, and direction, will help us to achieve this. n

“What could the world look like, when we all emerged from our forced isolation?”

For more cliftonhigh.co.uk

www.mediaclash.co.uk I BRISTOL LIFE I 63

2021

PROSERVICES BUSINESS SERVICES / FINANCE / L AW / PROPERT Y

THE CITY

AT WORK

MEET THE PROFESSIONALS MAKING THE CITY BUZZ

EXCLUSIVE INSIGHTS INTO LOCAL BUSINESSES

HARBOUR FAMILY LAW

SPECIALIST FAMILY LAWYERS

Harbour Family Law is a niche family law practice that is committed to helping individuals achieve a dignified, respectful resolution to their separation, divorce or dissolution.

H “I could not fault the advice and support I received from Harbour Family Law. A difficult period of time in my life was definitely made easier for me. I would rate this company as nothing less than outstanding” For more testimonials visit us online: www.harbourfamilylaw.co.uk

We are specialist family solicitors based in Clifton in Bristol, Portishead and Clevedon and provide our clients with practical, timely and specialist legal advice, providing a supportive framework in which they can achieve an amicable, reasonable agreement which preserves relationships and protects any children of the family.

Please telephone us to discuss your situation or e-mail confidentially: mail@harbourfamilylaw.co.uk

31 Regent Street, HEAD OFFICE Clifton, Bristol, BS8 4HR Tel: +44 (0) 117 3751780

Kestrel Court,Harbour Road, Portishead, BS20 7AN Tel: +44(0) 1275 285414

45 Hill Road, Clevedon, BS21 7PD Tel: +44(0) 1275 741202

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M

WELCOME

eet the shining stars of Bristol’s professional services community, from creative directors to financial experts who help your wealth grow, and a myriad other professions in between.

Work hard, play hard, so the mantra goes.

But how do you make sure all your hard work pays off so you can buy the house of your dreams, send your children to the school of your choice and still enjoy the finer things in life?

Talk to an expert, of course, and here we have a cross section of the city’s professionals, who can help you reap the rewards of your labour.

O

EXPERT OPINION

n the back of the global pandemic, there is no doubt 2021 has created many challenges for employers and business owners, especially when it comes to your key asset, your employees. A motivated and engaged employee will help contribute to the success of a business and it is therefore essential you do everything possible to retain quality personnel.

Engagement is essential - making your employees feel valued and appreciated will help them feel empowered and encourage them to contribute to the success of the business.

Clearly, this has been difficult with many of us working fully or partially from home over the last 18 months, but with many now returning to offices, now is the time to ensure you are supporting your staff in another big adjustment into the ‘new norm’ of working life.

So, how do you recruit the best people and retain your employees? A pay increase is an obvious approach and clearly a favourable option with employees. However, as time passes the value becomes the new norm and such increases are often quickly forgotten.

Employees are showing increasingly more interest in their overall remuneration, including the value of additional employee benefits such employer pension contributions, share schemes, healthcare provision and protection in the event of death or ill health. Do you communicate to your employees the total value of their remuneration package? This is likely to be significantly more than their base salary and can help reinforce to employees the true value of the investment made by the business into them.

Rewarding loyalty can also help retain staff. This can be in the form of monetary or gift awards, or increased annual leave after set periods of service. Simple and effective options could include a day’s annual leave on the employee’s birthday, or increased employer pension contributions/ benefit provision linked to service.

Many business owners and HR professionals have already addressed the importance of the physical and mental wellbeing of employees, and the focus is now switching to financial wellbeing. Unsurprisingly post pandemic, financial wellbeing has become pivotal in helping address employee

wellbeing. This period of time has had a huge impact on the finances of the nation, and many of your employees will now require need help to manage their finances more effectively.

At company level, you can support your employee’s financial wellbeing by ensuring your workplace pension scheme (most likely your highest benefit spend) is best suited to the needs of the company and your employees.

If you have not already, you should look to maximise the tax-efficiency of salary exchange for your pension scheme, particularly ahead of the proposed National Insurance increases announced to help fund social care reforms.

In terms of direct support to employees, financial education group workshops and/or individual clinics can assist them in managing their finances more effectively and making their pay stretch a little further each month. You may also want to consider offering staff access to highquality independent advice on areas such as pension/longterm savings, retirement planning and the importance of investments. Depending on their individual circumstances, a workplace default fund may not always be the best investment for some of your employees.

So, how do you pull a retention and recruitment strategy together? The starting point is to ensure your employees understand and appreciate both the tangible and intangible benefits you currently offer. Over the years I have met many employees that are not aware of the benefits offered by their employer and, if this is the case, how can they possibly have any concept of their value?

Secondly, consider your budget and whether areas such as salary exchange can be adopted for your workplace pension scheme. This can create valuable employer National Insurance Contribution savings which can be used towards wider employee benefits.

Ultimately, providing additional support and benefits to your employees will undoubtedly help with staff retention and demonstrate to new candidates that you are a great employer to work for.

At Integrity365 we have a team of specialist corporate and independent financial advisers who can help you tailor a reward strategy to meet your requirements and budget. For more information, visit our website www.integrity365.co.uk or call 0117 450 1300.

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SPONSORED CONTENT BUSINESS SERVICES ADMIRE PR

Andrea Sexton, CEO and founder Tell us a little about your business...

members, which sometimes means time off. I see no problem in this, as time to yourself to heal is needed in difficult times. My staff always come back with a smile on their face and a restored sense of passion for PR.

Admire PR is a Public Relations Company based in Bristol and Gloucestershire. My team and What sets you apart from others in your sector?

I ensure that companies receive the attention they What sets Admire deserve through PR apart from reputation others in our DID YOU KNOW… management. sector is also the Did you know that reasoning behind before Covid-19 rattled businesses on to the the birth of the Work/life world of Zoom, we company. After balance – how were already there! do you get it many years of Wanting to have the right for you experience in PR best fit individuals and your staff?

I found myself for Admire PR, our frustrated at the Employees’ employees are spread lack of ethics in mental health across the country, and the public relation matters. It is contacted through sector. Since then crucial as the Zoom. This meant that when the pandemic I have always owner of a hit, we felt the world ensured Admire to company to caught up with us! be transparently ensure that my priced, proud to team is happy and set and achieve motivated to work ambitious objectives for all for the business. projects thrown our way; whether If it seems something might one off or long term campaign. be affecting an employee’s mental state, a private chat is For more: 07887 997922; always organised. I make sure to andrea@admire-pr.com; admire-pr.com discuss how I can help my team

DATASHARP INTEGRATED COMMUNICATIONS

• 96% of all support/service requests responded to in less than 15 minutes

Paul Oaten, marketing manager

What areas do you specialise in?

Tell us a little about your business...

Datasharp Integrated Communications delivers best-inclass Unified Communications & Collaboration solutions that help businesses increase efficiency, reduce costs and improve the bottom line.

How have the last 12 months been for you?

Throughout the last year we have focused on helping our customers keep communications flowing, providing the right solutions based on their business need.

Despite the challenges of working remotely, we quickly switched to video meetings as a means of communicating both internally and externally with customers and suppliers alike.

Thanks to the hard work and commitment of the team and the success of our remote working ‘experiment’, it’s been a very busy and productive year for us! We’re very proud that in 2020/21 we continued to achieve: • an incredibly low customer attrition rate of only 0.6% (the industry average is 4.5%)

We have a wealth of knowledge and expertise in Video, Voice, Data, Security and Mobile business solutions but what makes us unique is our ability to bring it all together to deliver real value for our customers.

We have strategic relationships with over 30 market-leading business communications vendors and more than 20 years of experience delivering solutions that meet and exceed our customers’ expectations.

With our team of in-house engineers and support professionals, we are perfectly positioned to deliver a comprehensive service and partner with our clients for the long term.

Did you know…

We actively support Bath-based charity Developing Health & Independence (DHI) and have raised over £15k for a new liver scanner – a vital piece of kit to be installed in the new St John’s drop-in centre, opening soon.

For more: 0800 032 8274; hello@datasharp-ic.co.uk; datasharp-ic.co.uk

www.mediaclash.co.uk I BRISTOL LIFE I 69

SPONSORED CONTENT KERR OFFICE GROUP Jonathan Kerr, managing director

Tell us a little about your business...

challenges of remote working, digital transformation and staff well-being amidst global economic turbulence all while the distinction between work and home life becomes increasingly unclear. We’re helping our clients to maximise the ROI of their workspace through inspiring designs to ensure their people are happy, healthy and productive.

We provide turnkey workplace interior solutions for businesses who care about improving the working lives of their teams and are looking to maximise the ROI of their work environment.

Tell us about We offer a fullyour community/ DID YOU KNOW… service approach, charity Kerr Office Group involvement… collaborating started life as an office with our clients As a B1G1 (Buy 1 supplies firm, set up by managing director to develop Give 1) Business Jonathan Kerr in 1986. their workplace For Good, we As our list of clients strategy before incorporate and their requirements our designers purpose and expanded, so too and experienced meaning to our did our services. project managers business through Celebrating 35 years in bring their future giving. We support business this year, we workplace to charitable causes are proud to say that life. We are now locally, nationally we still work with our very first customer! supporting many and internationally of our clients by donating a adopt a hybrid percentage of working approach using cutting our profit towards initiatives that edge furniture and AV solutions. align with our company values.

To date, we have contributed over 18,500 giving impacts which What challenges are your have supported a diverse range clients facing? of causes including food poverty, The way in which businesses animal welfare and ocean cleanoperate and utilise their ups. commercial assets has been catapulted 10 to 15 years into For more: 01793 611 900; the future. Organisations have enquiries@koguk.com; koguk.com been forced to grapple with the

PROCTOR + STEVENSON

Roger Proctor, chairman and founder Tell us a little about your business...

Proctor + Stevenson is a full-service marketing agency, specialising in creative, strategy and technology.

Tell us about your community/ charity involvement...

Moving to Easton 4 years ago, we’ve made great efforts to embrace our community, through sponsorship, pro-bono work, event spaces, talks and working with local enterprises. And through the South West Design + Digital Student Awards, portfolio reviews, interview preparation, mentorship, work experience and internships.

How we impact our local environment is vital too. We salvaged and recycled our building covering it in solar panels, exporting to the grid and charging our fleet of electric vehicles. Apart from increased building insulation and living walls, we have the only UK building coated in a ‘varnish’ that reduces atmospheric pollution.

And Proctorians volunteer, run, walk, cycle and support charities, raising significant amounts.

How has Covid-19 affected your business?

Team spirit has made us stronger; we have not simply just survived.

Continuous innovation created new opportunities and new clients, around the world. We found ‘game-changing’ ways to generate business for them.

We reassessed our finances, conserving cash. Whilst many cut back on business development and marketing, we invested more.

Looking after mental and physical well-being has been crucial, running mental health workshops, providing support, financial and legal advice, a 24-hour GP and increasing flexible hours. Organised ‘fun’ has also played its part in boosting morale. We have worked hard to innovate and support each other.

As a result, our creativity, work, relationships, well-being and future have actually improved as a result of COVID. We are closer as a team and not just surviving, but thriving.

Did you know...

Our office building is the only one in the UK coated in CristalACTiV – a coating which reduces atmospheric pollution in its surrounding area.

For more: 0117 923 2282; marketing@proctors.co.uk; proctors.co.uk

“TEAM SPIRIT HAS MADE US STRONGER; WE HAVE NOT SIMPLY JUST SURVIVED” 70 I BRISTOL LIFE I www.mediaclash.co.uk

SPONSORED CONTENT FINANCE ALBERT GOODMAN

Tell us about your community/ charity involvement…

Chris Walford, partner

Tell us a little about your business...

We’re an accountancy, tax, and financial planning firm with 300 employees based across the South-West. While we’ve been going for 150 years, we try to be really forward thinking with our approach both in terms of working with clients and looking after our employees.

Work/life balance – how do you get it right for you and your staff?

WESTON COLLEGE

Dr Paul Phillips CBE, principal and chief executive of Weston College Tell us a little about your business...

We support businesses across Bristol and the wider region, in a number of different ways, from apprenticeships to bespoke training. We have a very high success rate with our Professional Services Academy too, with new training and development opportunities becoming available regularly.

We are one of the largest education and skills providers in the region, supporting over 30,000 people annually. We What challenges offer a diverse are your clients DID YOU KNOW… Alfred Leete, designer facing? range of of the Lord Kitchener opportunities Skills is a hot topic, World War 1 poster, to our students, and with so much studied at Weston supporting uncertainty across College in 1899! people of all many sectors, ages who want organisations are to either enter worried about a new industry, or upskill in their how they will access their future current role. workforce. This is why we offer an We also work in partnership array of opportunities to engage with 2,500 businesses across the with us as a training provider – UK, to offer bespoke training in order to find a solution that solutions that meet their business meets each individual business’s needs. needs. We offer future employee talent pools as well, as we seek to provide the region with solutions What areas do you specialise in? to their challenges.

We specialise in creating brighter futures, whether that be for For more: 01934 411 411; learners, businesses, or the enquiries@weston.ac.uk; community, and this is something weston.ac.uk which we are very proud to do.

We’re offering our staff a split of being in the office and working from home and offer flexible hours so that people can take care of their commitments outside of work. For me I try to make time to take my dog for long walks or occasionally hit the golf course.

I think it’s so important to take time to re-charge your batteries if you want to deliver your best work in the long term.

Our CSR policy covers everything from sustainability to community work. We’ve ‘adopted’ streets that we keep clean and we use the United Nations 17 sustainable development goals as our framework for staying green.

Children’s Hospice South-West is our current firm charity of the year, and we recently took part in their 30th anniversary dinner at the Bristol Museum. Some of the team just completed the Westonsuper-Mare half marathon as part of the fund raising efforts, the section running on the beach was tough!

Did you know...

In 2016 we celebrated our 150th birthday and a team of intrepid cyclists completed a 150 mile journey between all of our offices to celebrate!

For more: 0117 962 3100; chris.walford@albertgoodman.co.uk; albertgoodman.co.uk

“IT’S IMPORTANT TO TAKE TIME TO RE-CHARGE YOUR BATTERIES IF YOU WANT TO DELIVER YOUR BEST WORK IN THE LONG TERM”

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SPONSORED CONTENT EVANS ENTWISTLE CHARTERED MANAGEMENT ACCOUNTANTS & TAX ADVISORS Damian Evans, partner

Tell us a little about your business...

our second transaction, taking over a reputable Newport practice. In just 8 years we have increased our turnover six fold, opened two additional offices and have created employment opportunities for a total of 14 staff…and we remain firmly focused on future growth – we hope that in demonstrating to clients how successfully we are able to grow our own organization gives every confidence that we will deliver the same sound advice for their business.

Evans Entwistle is a practice of CIMA Chartered Management Accountants & Tax Advisors delivering accounting, tax, payroll, corporate finance & business advisory services from three offices in Cardiff, Newport and Bristol.

Established in What challenges 2013, the team are your clients DID YOU KNOW… of 14 has broad facing?

My claim to fame is that I once represented experience Cashflow has been Wales in the 1990s – in across diverse a common topic of Subbuteo! industry sectors, conversation with including clients lately; when public, private cash is tight, your and not-for-profit/charitable customers may take longer to pay, organisations, and across all meaning that you take longer to business sizes, from FTSE pay your suppliers – a domino 100 companies to SMEs. The effect on the whole economy. practice partners offer decades of Added to that is the fact that hands-on experience in delivering many businesses took HMRC sound advice to enable clients to up on the opportunity to defer start, strengthen and grow their taxes such as VAT – but of course businesses. those dues are set to be repaid this year, despite the fact that we’re not quite out of the pandemic What achievement as a firm are woods yet. On that front, we’ve you most proud of? been negotiating Time To Pay I am particularly proud of how arrangements with HMRC to we have rapidly grown the ease clients’ immediate cashflow firm whilst still maintaining woes and helping SMEs to secure a sharp focus on delivering various forms finance to manage outstanding client service. In working capital 2018 we acquired our Bristol practice, a renowned firm on For more: 0117 924 7767; Gloucester Road which had lisa@evansentwistle.co.uk; been established over 30 years, evansentwistle.co.uk and this year, we completed

HARTSFIELD FINANCIAL SERVICES Joy Wisniewski, head of Hartsfield Planning

Tell us a little about your business...

Straight-talking and independent financial advice focused on your financial well-being and what matters most to you.

Work/life balance – how do you get it right for you and your staff?

We’re a small team with a family feel and our colleagues are incredibly important to us. We give our teams complete flexibility because we know they give their all for our clients. And we’re always learning. It’s one of the reasons we implemented a tool called Open Blend; to open up meaningful conversations about work-life balance.

We recognize that in our very social era, employees want (and deserve) more from their career.

Open Blend helps us create this quality of life that blends a purposeful role, a positive environment and lots of learning and opportunities.

What challenges are your clients facing?

One of the biggest changes we’ve seen this year is clients re-evaluating what’s important.

So the challenge is to help them live life to the full right now, but also to plan for a fulfilling future.

The good news is that it’s possible to do both. It’s one of the reasons that Lifestyle Planning is so important. This often-forgotten step is all about getting clear on your big goals and uncovering what really matters. Getting clear on your life goals provides the foundations for financial freedom. Afterall, if you don’t know where you’re going, how will you work out how to get there?

Did you know…

In 2020, Hartsfield MD Paul Verwoert set up the Sarah Jayne Charitable Trust in memory of his sister Sarah, to support underfunded charities in Bristol.

So far, the trust has raised over £20,000 for local charities!

For more: 01173 634700; bristol@hartsfield.co.uk; hartsfield.co.uk

“THE CHALLENGE IS TO HELP CLIENTS LIVE LIFE TO THE FULL RIGHT NOW, BUT ALSO TO PLAN FOR A FULFILLING FUTURE” 74 I BRISTOL LIFE I www.mediaclash.co.uk

SPONSORED CONTENT IDEAL MORTGAGE ADVISERS David Burdett

Tell us a little about your business...

We are six experienced mortgage & protection brokers based in sunny Bristol.

Our origin stories are varied; retail banks, estate agents and brokerages but came together at Which? Mortgage Advisers. We all shared a similar viewpoint - to give people the best impartial advice.

What challenges are your clients facing?

It is certainly a challenging time to secure a mortgage at the moment. Property prices have been steadily rising over several years and the market has remained strong even in these uncertain times. The pandemic has also brought about an unprecedented volume of criteria changes across the whole mortgage market in a very short time period. This has made selecting the correct lender and product even more complicated

and the use of a mortgage broker even more essential.

What achievement as a firm are you most proud of?

We have set up a thriving mortgage business and within a two year period not only managed to grow through a pandemic but also gone on to win Mortgage Adviser of the year at the Bristol Prestige Awards.

Did you know...

One of our advisors made headlines around the world this year. Rhys and his partner Rebecca welcomed to the world a very special pair of twins in 2020. These twins, Noah and Rosalie, are actually medical marvels. They were conceived 3 weeks apart, which is deemed impossible, but there has been a handful of cases where such twins exist. The phenomenon is called Superfetation, it’s well worth a Google search!

For more: 0117 4446753; info@imabristol.co.uk; imabristol.co.uk

“THE MARKET HAS REMAINED STRONG EVEN IN THESE UNCERTAIN TIMES”

INTEGRITY365

investments and lump sum decisions, through to retirement and later life planning, Integrity365 advise private clients throughout the key stages of their lives.

Tell us a little about your Financial planning for business... business is another key service I’m incredibly proud to be the of Intergity365, with expert Client Relationship Director corporate advisers specialising at Integrity365, a business that in shareholder and partnership shares my passion and drive for protection, key person cover, providing personal client service executive pensions and trusted and employee professional DID YOU KNOW… benefits. advice. The Those who receive advisers I impartial financial support, many What sets you advice have nearly of which are apart from others double the savings and Chartered, in your sector? investments compared to those who do not have a wealth Integrity365 take advice. (The Value of experience is a boutique of Advice Ireland 2013, in providing financial advisory PIBA/Standard Life) financial advice business. In an to private clients, industry where business owners the consolidator and key professionals. Located is increasingly prevalent, where on the picturesque Dyson Estate, people become numbers and the our South West office provides importance of client relationships an ideal base for our advisers to have diminished, Integrity365 provide face to face advice, either is turning the tide. In our in the office or at a location of our business, people, clients and our clients’ choice. professional relationships matter.

Chris Jelf, client relationship director

What areas do you specialise in?

From the early days of mortgages, tax planning, protection,

For more: 0117 450 1300; enquiries@integrity365.co.uk; integrity365.co.uk

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

SPONSORED CONTENT MILSTED LANGDON Guy Armitage-Norton, partner

Tell us a little about your business...

Milsted Langdon is an awardwinning firm of accountants and tax advisers with offices in Bath, Bristol, London, Taunton and Yeovil, with a vision to help our clients thrive.

Tell us about your community/ charity involvement…

The great thing about working in Bristol is the sense of community within it, and the desire for people to connect and help each other.

As a firm, CSR is a big part of our ethos – at both a corporate and individual level.

We encourage staff to take part in any charitable activities which they feel passionately about. In addition, several of our Partners act as trustees for various charities, as we feel it is important to give back.

What sets you apart from

others in your sector?

Our staff are key to our success and we place a high value on their well-being and career development.

We have found that by focusing on the needs of our staff, they come into work in a much more positive place, which ultimately reflects in the interactions they have with our clients. Staff enjoy their work, as they genuinely care about our clients and what matters to them.

Did you know...

Although we are predominantly a South West firm of Chartered Accountants, we belong to a global network through our membership with MGI Worldwide. This means we have access to almost 9000 professionals in over 250 locations worldwide, so that we can offer creative and pragmatic solutions in almost every jurisdiction.

MORTGAGE STYLE LTD

For more: 0117 945 2500; garmitage-norton@milstedlangdon. co.uk; milstedlangdon.co.uk

Tell us a little about your business...

“SEVERAL OF OUR PARTNERS ACT AS TRUSTEES FOR VARIOUS CHARITIES, AS WE FEEL IT IS IMPORTANT TO GIVE BACK”

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

Marcus Robinson, director

as the credit crunch hit fairly early on but Mortgage Style weathered the storm and is now thriving with offices near Portishead and 10 staff.

Mortgage Style are a truly independent mortgage brokerage What sets you apart from based in Bristol. We can help with others in your sector? all types of mortgages including In many ways we are quite first time buyers, remortgages similar, but we try to do and purchases but also specialise everything to our best ability with in more complicated scenarios the customer at the centre of all such as self-employed mortgages, decisions, however we also offer contractors, elderly, unusual advice in more specialist areas properties, than many of our buy to let, competitors where DID YOU KNOW… Ltd company they will refer the The average age of mortgages, business to a third Mortgage Style staff development party so we can is 38! and bridging keep everything finance, in-house, therefore commercial mortgages and saving our clients time and protection. money.

These more specialist areas include ‘hard to place’ cases When was your firm founded where even other brokers refer to and who by? us and also areas such as Limited Mortgage Style was founded company ‘buy to let’ lending in 2006 by Marcus Robinson. for landlords, bridging and Marcus had been working development finance, commercial in mortgages for 7 years and finance and much more. wanted to create a service for If you read our Google and people where they got the very Trust Pilot reviews, you’ll see that best advice but also a seamless our clients are extremely pleased and stressless journey from start with our service and we work very to finish. After winning several hard to accomplish this. awards in the industry Marcus gained the confidence to go For more: 01275 370360 / it alone. Marcus started the 0117 9070818; business in a spare bedroom and re-mortgaged his house to finance contact@mortgage-style.co.uk; mortgage-style.co.uk things, it wasn’t an easy few years

“

IF YOU WANT SIMPLE, SINCERE ANSWERS ABOUT OBTAINING A MORTGAGE, GET IN TOUCH WITH IDEAL MORTGAGE ADVISERS.

MORTGAGE ADVISERS OF THE YEAR Ideal Mortgage Advisers Founded by six partners with over 60 years of combined industry experience between them, Ideal Mortgage Advisers has been helping homebuyers find the right financial product since 2019. The combination of skills provided by their team of experts enables the business to offer whole of market advice, focusing on the best outcome for all their customers and taking the stress of out a demanding undertaking. Ideal Mortgage Advisers recognises that all cases are different and tailor all their advice and products individually, explaining the process in clear terms and guiding customers through to completion.

The advisory offers a wide range of mortgage options, from guiding first-time buyers with purchasing a home, to helping experienced landlord expand their portfolio. As well as being able to provide guidance and recommendations in relation to surveys and solicitors, Ideal Mortgage Advisers also extend their advice to in-depth protection discussions and recommendations. There is no cost for their advice, research or recommendations and customers are only charged a fee once their application is agreed and the mortgage offer is produced.

0118 444 6753 | info@imabristol.co.uk | www.imabristol.co.uk

“

SPONSORED CONTENT REDMAYNE BENTLEY LLP Denis Oppong, investment manager

Tell us a little about your business...

private clients, trusts and charities. We also work with executors (individuals and solicitors) on probate valuation services and sell shares for estates and beneficiaries.

Redmayne Bentley was What sets you apart from others in your sector? established in 1875, and today we are one of the UK’s largest In an industry where more online independent investment investment platforms are coming management onto the market, and Redmayne Bentley stockbroking provides a service DID YOU KNOW… The firm’s 145th firms. Clients based on longanniversary on 5th approach us term relationships, December 2020 fell on from a wide built on trust and International Volunteer variety of understanding. We Day which led to backgrounds provide a personal, the firm funding the and individual tailored and training and support of circumstances flexible approach to 145 Samaritans. and may be managing clients’ seeking specific investments, using expertise or an investment expertise across all asset classes to management service. The Exeter tailor the portfolio and service to office opened in 2003 and has each client. This culture is at the clients based throughout the centre of our stockbroking service South West and further afield. and suited to a range of investors seeking a high-quality service with a stockbroker. We deal in What areas do you specialise in?

UK and overseas stocks held in We provide bespoke investment certificated and electronic form. management, as well as stockbroking and tax-efficient For more: 01392 687230; solutions such as ISAs and SIPPs. Denis.Oppong@redmayne.co.uk; The firm has considerable redmayne.co.uk/Exeter experience of working with

RICHARDSON SWIFT

strengthened our relationships.

Rachael Rackham, head of accounts and business

What is your staffing model?

Tell us a little about your business...

Independent accountancy and tax advisory service specialising in owner managed businesses and individuals throughout the southwest.

How have the last 12 months been for you?

Hectic! Many of our clients are owner managed businesses who as a result of the health crisis had to overnight start getting to grips with a flood of new rules and directives. Supporting them was paramount.

Our whole focus became monitoring the rapidly changing situation and updating them daily on how their business and operations could be affected.

On top of that we had the well-being of our own staff to consider. As it turned out our clients really appreciated our hands on approach. We’ve had great feedback and it has only

Over the past year we have introduced a new forwardthinking staff structure, which is quite different to that of other firms. Each client is now assigned a fully qualified client adviser to oversee their needs, in addition to one of our specialist directors.

This means that clients’ cases are considered holistically, with advisers getting to know what their priorities and requirements are and so being able to plan ahead to achieve the best outcome and avoid pitfalls. This is important for both individuals and businesses. We see it as the future of accountancy.

Did you know…

Richardson Swift’s Bath office at Laura Place, is also the fictional home of Lady Dalrymple from Jane Austen’s last novel Persuasion.

For more: 01225 325580; rr@richardsonswift; richardsonswift.co.uk

“EACH CLIENT IS NOW ASSIGNED A FULLY QUALIFIED CLIENT ADVISER TO OVERSEE THEIR NEEDS” www.mediaclash.co.uk I BRISTOL LIFE I 81

SPONSORED CONTENT LAW AMD SOLICITORS Grant McCall, director

Tell us a little about your business...

We share the positives of a traditional high street practice with the innovation of a modern commercial law firm. This balance allows us to provide our full range of services across our 4 offices for a wide range of clients. A typical instruction could include meeting a client’s first need for a solicitor such as first house purchase right through to acting for the commercially sophisticated client looking to appoint a legal team to handle a corporate acquisition or property portfolio.

What areas do you specialise in?

WHITECHURCH FINANCIAL CONSULTANTS

AS A DIVISION OF WHITECHURCH SECURITIES LTD

Poppy Seager, director of marketing & corporate coordination Tell us a little about your business...

Whitechurch is a boutique wealth management firm in operation for 42 years encompassing managing investments, retirement planning, long term care planning, inheritance tax planning & mitigation, and protection assessment & implementation.

We work closely with the awardwinning Whitechurch Securities Ltd Investment team to create portfolios and specialise in Sustainable Investments.

What predictions do you have for the sector in 2021/22?

Whitechurch has been advising on and providing Sustainable Investments since 2016 & we predict an increased demand for these as we build back from the pandemic. A recent study found switching to a sustainable pension can be 21 times more effective at reducing your carbon footprint than stopping flying, becoming a vegetarian, and moving to a renewable energy provider combined. We very

much see Sustainable pensions and investments being the way forward as the world finds its way in this ‘new normal’.

Our core services are divided into 4 areas: private client (wills probate and trusts), family law, property law (residential and commercial) and company commercial law.

What sets you apart from others in your sector?

What achievement as a firm are you most proud?

We have an in-house Climate Change expert working on our Net Zero Plan and Carbon Footprint, Environmental Policy and Integration Committee to ensure that as a company we have a positive impact. Demonstrating our commitment to a fairer and more sustainable world, Whitechurch is a signatory of the Women in Finance Charter, UNPRI, Financial Vulnerability Taskforce Charter & UKSIF. Did you know...

We are a family run business that is not influenced by external shareholders or short-term profits. As ethical and sustainable decisions are at the heart of our operations, Whitechurch is hosting a webinar that anyone can register to join including a presentation and Q&A session to help understanding of climate change & investments hearing from the WSL Investment Director Amanda Tovey & Environmental Specialist Dr Say. For more: 0117 452 1208; poppy.seager@whitechurch.co.uk; whitechurch.co.uk

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

We are always proud of the level of positive feedback we receive from our clients, particularly over

the last 12 months when there have been so many logistical and personal difficulties. Judging from the volume of client reviews and thank you letters received from clients, we are pleased to see that we are big enough to provide a wide range of services to meet our clients’ needs but small enough to ensure that each instruction is highly valued.

Did you know...

We are one of the first firms of Bristol Solicitors operating outside of the City Centre. Our registered office on Henleaze Road has been a law firm serving the local community since 1953, making us the longest standing independent firm of solicitors in Henleaze. As we have grown to meet the needs of our clients, we now provide a full range of legal services to businesses and individuals in Bristol, London and nationwide from our offices in Henleaze, Clifton Village, Whiteladies Road and Shirehampton.

For more: 0117 973 3989; grantmccall@amdsolicitors.com; amdsolicitors.com

“WE ARE ONE OF THE FIRST FIRMS OF BRISTOL SOLICITORS OPERATING OUTSIDE OF THE CITY CENTRE”

Our Experience

EXPERT MORTGAGE AND INSURANCE SPECIALIST We search the whole of the market to find you the most suitable mortgage. You’re in safe hands with Advantage FS. Call us today for hassle free chat to see how we can help.

0117 442 0604 www.advantagefs.co.uk

SPONSORED CONTENT BARCAN+KIRBY LLP Bill Willcocks, managing partner

collaboratively with employees to agree a new hybrid way of working in future.

Tell us a little about your business...

Tell us about your community/ charity involvement…

We are a multi award-winning mid-sized law firm, offering legal services mainly to private clients but with a growing expertise in commercial advice to SMEs. Work/life balance – how do you get it right for you and your staff?

Even before Covid forced home working on us, we were well ahead of the curve regarding flexible working, with over 50% of our employees working parttime or flexibly. We have always prided ourselves on being an employer which allows people to work around their family commitments. There is definitely more to life than work! Covid showed us that we were able to do more at home than we might have thought possible before the pandemic. However, it also taught us the importance of a physical workplace and the interaction with other people which that brings. We are therefore working

In 2020 we launched the Barcan+Kirby community fund, where local organisations were invited to apply for project funding. Additionally, we continue to sponsor the BS3 garden awards, Upfest, Bedminster Lantern Parade and Thornbury RFC. Our charity of the year for 2020/21 has been 1625ip, a wonderful charity focussed on helping young people facing homelessness.

Did you know...

We are delighted that so many of our team have broken the glass ceiling: • 85% of employees are women • 50% of partners are women • 83% of the senior management team are women • 66% of the management board are women For more: 0117 325 2929; b.willcocks@barcankirby.co.uk; barcankirby.co.uk

“EVEN BEFORE COVID FORCED HOME WORKING ON US, WE WERE WELL AHEAD OF THE CURVE REGARDING FLEXIBLE WORKING”

GL LAW

Richard Hill, managing director Tell us a little about your business...

scorecard and earning results ‘rarely achieved’.

What sets you apart from others in your sector?

We pride ourselves on standing out from the crowd. Our GL Law is an independent law approach is friendly, human firm with lawyers based in Bristol and above all and London. effective. With a We are a group wide range of legal of specialist DID YOU KNOW… services available, advisors who We are proud to say that and the support help individuals GL Law is one of the oldest surviving legal of GL Business and businesses practices in England, Consultancy and navigate change, with roots dating GL Integrity limit risk and back to the 1690s. As Financial plan for the custodians of a legal Planning, we can future. tradition spanning provide clients over 325 years, we’re with a wraparound What dedicated to constantly service. Over the achievement as evolving our services to last 18 months we a firm are you better meet the needs of our clients. We don’t have perfected most proud of? just take care of the a premium In 2020 GL was legal side – we take care contactless service recognised by of you. which means the The Law Society same high level for “exceptionally of client care high levels delivered by phone, email, video of client care and practice call or in person. management”. During an assessment as part of the Lexcel For more: 0117 906 9400; quality mark scheme GL Law hello@gl.law; gl.law was commended for a perfect

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

SPONSORED CONTENT HARBOUR FAMILY LAW

Nicky Howarth, solicitor & director & Charlotte Prideaux, assistant solicitor Tell us a little about your business...

NH: We are a specialist family

renowned for providing an emotionally intelligent, clear approach to the delivery of family law advice.

What makes working in Bristol special?

CP: Bristol offers the perfect

mix of the buzz of city life as well as beautiful cultural spots to escape to. The location of our Clifton office means we are within walking distance of fantastic local coffee shops and restaurants, which are ideal spots for meeting contacts, as well as being easily accessible to our clients in and What areas do you specialise in? around Bristol.

CP: Our specialist Personally, I am family lawyers a foodie and advise clients on DID YOU KNOW… think the Bristol a broad range of The name Harbour Family Law bears its food scene is family law issues origins in us providing unbeatable. including divorce, a safe haven for our financial remedy clients to navigate proceedings, Did you know... through their situation. cohabitation CP: We have a Our offices in Clevedon, disputes, section on our Portishead and Bristol cohabitation website called “get are also located near agreements, started online”. the historic local prenuptial and This allows harbours. postnuptial prospective clients agreements, Trust to fill in detailed of Land Act claims, Schedule 1 information about their individual Children Act claims, injunctions circumstances. We can generate under the Family Law Act and specialist court documents from Children Act proceedings. it and understand the full range of issues the client needs advice on. This ensures that when we What sets you apart from meet a client for the first time at others in your sector? an initial consultation, valuable NH: We pride ourselves on a time is not lost on obtaining basic culture of support and well-being background information and we for staff and clients. Our offices can focus our time on tailoring our are designed to be uplifting advice to meet the client’s needs. workspaces and provide an excellent client experience. Our For more: 0117 375 1780; core values embrace modern, mail@harbourfamilylaw.co.uk innovative IT solutions for the harbourfamilylaw.co.uk benefit of clients, and we are law firm based in Bristol, Portishead and Clevedon. We were established in 2013 by our Founder and Director, Katy Zikking. I head up the Bristol office based in Clifton.

WARDS SOLICITORS Jenny Pierce, managing partner

Tell us a little about your business...

Wards is a friendly, forwardthinking law firm with 189 staff including 38 partners across 12 branches in Bristol and the South West. We are known for being professional and approachable, and for giving excellent client care - all our lawyers take pride in bringing the highest standards of expertise and commitment to their work.

More than 80% of our workforce is female and we have high levels of retention – people join us and stay.

What are your plans for 2022?

In June this year, I took over as the first female head of the firm in its 100 year history and it feels like an exciting new chapter for the business. Financially, we performed well during the pandemic and we are now investing in our IT systems and want to build on our flexible

working practices. We’re also continuing to recruit and grow as the firm goes from strength to strength.

What sets you apart from others in your sector?

We have one of the largest and most respected Wills, Probate and Mental Capacity teams in the South West. Four of our teams - Contentious Probate, Clinical Negligence and Personal Injury, plus Personal Tax, Wills and Probate, have just been recommended for their outstanding work in the 2022 Legal 500 Guide - a fantastic achievement.

Did you know…

Wards is one of the few firms regionally to have a specialist cohabitation solicitor, who advises on legal and property issues for those who are unmarried but living together.

For more: 0117 929 2811; emma.allen@wards.uk.com; wards.uk.com

“MORE THAN 80% OF OUR WORKFORCE IS FEMALE AND WE HAVE HIGH LEVELS OF RETENTION” 86 I BRISTOL LIFE I www.mediaclash.co.uk

Effective Promotion Transparent Pricing Measurable ROI

Get a new perspective on what PR can do for you by booking in a chat with Admire CEO Andrea,

email: office@admire-pr.com | online: www.admire-pr.com

WE DO FAR MORE THAN JUST FILE YOUR ACCOUNTS A PRACTICE OF CHARTERED MANAGEMENT ACCOUNTANTS TO HELP YOU TO MANAGE YOUR BUSINESS ALL YEAR ROUND… NOT JUST AT YEAR END

evansentwistle.co.uk 432 Gloucester Road, Bristol BS7 8TX t: 0117 924 7767 e: mail@evansentwistle.co.uk Accou nt a n cy | C o rp o ra t e F in a nc e | Tax ati o n | B usi n ess Ad vi so r y | Pr i vate Cl ie nts

SPONSORED CONTENT PROPERTY ETP

Edward Le Masurier, director Tell us a little about your business...

have recruited two new team members in the past six months to further strengthen our position in the market. We rebranded our business in 2020, and we consider that this has played a significant role in our continued success.

We are an multi-disciplinary, independent firm of Chartered Surveyors serving What sets you apart from others the southwest DID YOU KNOW… in your sector? and South Edward T Parker, Wales, with our We offer a who started our head office in comprehensive business in 1878, also Clifton. We work range of services founded what is now with lenders, under one Bristol Animal Rescue occupiers, roof, including Centre after finding a investors, valuation, building puppy shivering in a tenants, and consultancy, lease snowstorm in Bristol. other property advisory and professionals, agency. Very few advising on a range of propertyfirms in the region offer such related matters. services with the same depth of experience and the personal What achievement as a firm are touch. We are a progressive, dynamic and enthusiastic team you most proud of? and, being privately owned, we We are very proud of the take pride in the advice that we expansion that we have been provide. able to sustain over the past two years, despite a very For more: 0117 973 1474; challenging 18 months. We have ed@etpproperty.co.uk; added another business line in etpproperty.co.uk Building Consultancy, and we

HAMPTONS

Chris Firth, senior head of sales Tell us a little about your business...

At Hamptons we sell and let properties all over Bristol but mainly focus on flats and houses in Clifton as well as country houses in the surrounding villages.

What makes working in Bristol special?

Having grown up in Bristol, and worked in London, it was a real pleasure coming back home to Bristol to work for Hamptons. As well as the beautiful properties that I get to see every day, it is the friendliness of the people, combined with the laid back Bristolian way that makes working here so special.

Also, driving over the Clifton suspension bridge every day on my commute to the office never gets old.

What predictions do you have for the sector in 2021/22?

The property market shows no sign of slowing down, with demand continuing to outstrip supply of good quality properties.

Our predictions for the coming year are that stock levels will remain lower than usual and the demand from buyers looking to relocate either out of London to Bristol, or out of Bristol to the countryside will grow, as the home working trend continues.

Did you know…

Hamptons was originally founded in 1869, and we celebrated our 150th anniversary year in 2019, whilst at the same time we relocated our Bristol branch to the iconic Clifton Village. We now have 90 branches across the country and in 2020 we managed to re-brand all 90 branches, our boards, website and everything, all whilst dealing with the challenges of the Global Pandemic!

For more: 0117 901 5591; firthc@hamptons.co.uk; hamptons.co.uk

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What predictions do you have for the sector in 2021/22?

PAUL BASHAM ASSOCIATES

Rob Hardyman, associate transport planner Tell us a little about your business...

Paul Basham Associates is an independent, award-winning Transport Planning, Civil and Structural Engineering Consultancy with transport planners, engineers and technical specialists. We support a range of clients with progressing development proposals through the planning application process, to delivery and provision of aftercare services.

The company was founded in 2009 and we opened our Bristol office in 2018. Our longstanding connections to the city and the wider southwest region enables us to fully understand the challenges that are involved in progressing development proposals, but it also gives us an edge in identifying suitable solutions to overcome these issues.

Working to deliver sites in Bristol is extremely rewarding as this helps us to see the impact firsthand that our work has on the city and will be ever more important as the city seeks to achieve net zero by 2030.

As we emerge from the pandemic, it will be interesting to see what long term impact this has on the way we travel, for example hybrid working arrangements and more flexible hours, which could alter the usual peak commuting times.

Despite fewer people heading into the office on a daily basis, we are seeing traffic levels in some instances exceed pre-Covid conditions, which in part is due to a reluctance to use public transport.

As a result, I expect over the next year an even greater emphasis will be placed on improving sustainable travel for all. Walking and particularly cycling were extremely popular during the national lockdown and if we can capitalize on this through meaningful infrastructure improvements this will help to minimize the number of short journeys undertaken by car and help achieve net zero by 2030.

Name a rising star in your company...

We are pleased to have Alex Stephenson in our team in Bristol. Alex has been integral to the growth and development of the office and works closely with our clients assisting with their development proposals, whether that be providing initial due diligence advice or providing the work to support a planning application for a major development proposal.

Our organisation is built on relationships and Alex has an excellent manner with both client and staff alike. He is keen to share is technical knowledge on projects and ensure our staff are developed to the same high standards that he sets himself.

We are delighted to see the recognition of Alex’s contribution to our team through his nomination in the Rising Star category at this year’s Bristol Property Awards.

Did you know...

We have over 40 members of staff across our 4 offices.

For more: 07340 738240; r.hardyman@paulbashamassociates. com; paulbashamassociates.com

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

VICKERY HOLMAN

Robert Beale, director and head of general practise surveying Tell us a little about your business...

in Vickery Holman, a reflection on the commitment of the team to client service and growth. Our pass rate for graduates taking their APC remains at 100%, which is a terrific achievement and one we work hard at maintaining. Our graduates are the future and we invest in all our people to attract and retain the best talent.

Vickery Holman are property consultants specialising in commercial property in the South West. We work with investors, developers, lending What sets you DID YOU KNOW… panels, banks, apart from others We were one of the first in your sector? landowners, firms to be employeelandlords and The biggest owned in the property tenants on a differences are sector. full range of that we provide a property-related genuinely personal issues. We’ve been in business service to clients which means over 30 years and are the largest they know who is handling their multi-disciplinary property firm work and they aren’t reallocated in the South West. after instructions are confirmed.

We have specialist teams working together to support clients across What achievement as a firm the region which means that our are you most proud of? focus on local knowledge gets We’ve just celebrated 5 years in shared across the team.

Bristol and we’re very proud of the success we’ve achieved in the For more: 01174 286555; city. We now have 14 people in bristol@vickeryholman.com; the Bristol office and are already vickeryholman.com the second most profitable office

Offices in: Henleaze, Whiteladies Road Clifton Village, Shirehampton 0117 962 1205 www.amdsolicitors.com

PRIVATE CLIENT - FAMILY - PROPERTY - COMMERCIAL

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FINANCE

PROPERTY

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Albert Goodman; albertgoodman.co.uk Evans Entwistle; evansentwistle.co.uk Hartsfield Financial Services; hartsfield.co.uk Ideal Mortgage Advisers; imabristol.co.uk Integrity365; integrity365.co.uk Milsted Langdon; milstedlangdon.co.uk Mortgage Style Ltd; mortgage-style.co.uk Redmayne Bentley LLP; redmayne.co.uk/Exeter Richardson Swift; richardsonswift.co.uk Whitechurch Financial Consultants; whitechurch.co.uk

AMD Solicitors; amdsolicitors.com Barcan+Kirby LLP; barcankirby.co.uk GL Law; gl.law Harbour Family Law; harbourfamilylaw.co.uk VWV; vwv.co.uk Wards Solicitors LLP; wards.uk.com

ETP Property; etpproperty.co.uk Hamptons (Bristol); hamptons.co.uk Paul Basham Associates; paulbashamassociates.com Vickery Holman Bristol; vickeryholman.com

INDEPENDENT TRUSTED EXPERIENCED We have used ETP for SIPP / SASS valuations for years now - a great team with a lot of knowledge of the market and always easy to deal with.”

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VALUATION

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LEASE

DEVELOPMENT

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CONSULTANCY

ADVISORY

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Dilapidations

Rent Reviews

Development Appraisals

Matrimonial

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BRISTOL PROPERTY AWARDS

BRISTOL PROPERTY AWARDS - PROUD FINALISTS 2021 CONSULTANCY OF THE YEAR & COMMERCIAL AGENT OF THE YEAR

WE ARE ABLE TO ADVISE ON ALL COMMERCIAL PROPERTY ISSUES, PLEASE CONTACT US IF WE CAN HELP We are proud of our heritage, with over 140 years serving Bristol and the South West, and we have longstanding relationships throughout the region. ETP are proud members of the BPAA & RICS. VALUATION Ed Le Masurier

LEASE ADVISORY Alastair Kimpton

BUILDING CONSULTANCY Nick Williams

COMMERCIAL AGENCY Nathan Clark

Tel: 07800 635734 Ed@ETPproperty.co.uk

Tel: 07872 107689 Alastair@ETPproperty.co.uk

Tel: 07745 133524 Nick@ETPproperty.co.uk

Tel: 07983 460230 Nathan@ETPproperty.co.uk

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HAVE YOU SEEN…

OUT OF HAND isn’t your average print company; they have stormed into the local outdoor advertising market to create a meaningful, locally focused alternative…

B

ased in Bristol since its inception in the mid 1990s, the business is embedded in the arts, music and cultural industry. Aside from the design and print services that the company is well-known for, they have created a solution to help local businesses promote themselves respectfully on the streets of Bristol. Acting in response to the growing flyposting problem, and supporting the city council’s ongoing Bristol Clean Streets campaign, they have created an affordable outdoor poster scheme. Thus catering for the overwhelming demand from the arts, music, cultural and local business community for cost-effective and accessible outdoor space to advertise themselves to residents within the city.

SUPPORT LOCAL Large outdoor billboards are traditionally dominated by national brands. By offering over 100 locations in popular high-traffic areas and a wide range of poster sizes, from large 48 sheet billboards to smaller street-level formats, Out of Hand is purposefully working hard to make these spaces accessible and affordable for local businesses. Through a strong ‘support local’ mindset, they are proud to have partnered with numerous Bristol businesses across a wide range of sectors including sport, education, leisure, music, entertainment and retail.

amenity in the local community and helping reduce antisocial behaviour in the process. All paper advertising is printed on paper sourced from sustainable forests and recycled once the campaign is finished.

They are about to introduce electric cargo bikes to help with posting and maintaining the sites, one of the only businesses in the industry to do so – contributing to Bristol’s clean air initiative. “We are committed to reducing our carbon footprint wherever possible,” says commercial director, Nigel Muntz.

CHARITABLE The business actively support grassroots music promoters, community groups and charities with subsidised space on selected sites for smaller posters. Over the past year they have worked with fantastically good causes such as Bristol Food Union, Caring in Bristol, Fareshare SW and Age UK, among others. The ongoing work with Rising Arts Agency has also won industry awards for community social impact. n

OUR STORY: Originally starting out distributing flyers in the early hours to clubbers as they left the region’s clubs, the business quickly grew to a full-blown street lifestyle guide that firmly cemented itself in the hearts and minds of the region. The present chairman, Will Long, was one of the first employees to join up, packing the flyers and ensuring they all got to the correct clubs on time. The family-owned company now offers a wide range of services including a fast, cost-effective litho and digital print production, creative print and digital design, targeted leaflet and brochure distribution, and a fast-growing outdoor advertising network, focused on supporting local businesses. With the challenges of the past 18 months, the business helped countless charities, event spaces, venues and local businesses in Bristol with Covid-related print and general marketing/advertising support to raise awareness and support their marketing campaigns in a cost effective way.

SUSTAINABLE A unique aspect of the scheme is the adoption of known flyposting and graffiti areas. By cleaning them up and replacing them with wellpresented culture reference points, that people regularly check to see what is happening in the city, this contributes to improving the visual

To discuss your businesses marketing needs, contact the team on hello@outofhand.co.uk 0117 953 6363.

See our case studies at outofhand.co.uk Facebook/Twitter: @outofhandprint Instagram: @outofhandoutdoor www.mediaclash.co.uk I BRISTOL LIFE I 95

BRISTOL LIFE AWARDS

© @JONCR AIG_ PHOTOS

Xxxxxxxx

WINNER, WINNER...

Bristol’s finest assembled at Ashton Gate on 16 September for the Bristol Life Awards 2021. Over the following pages we take a look back at an extraordinary, memorable evening... www.mediaclash.co.uk I BRISTOL LIFE I 97

BRISTOL LIFE AWARDS

T

he party’s over. Hangovers have dispersed.

Winners have been rewarded, and glittering golden Awards have been placed on display for all to admire. It’s time to look back and celebrate a night to remember...

The Bristol Life Awards are never less than spectacular, but this one was always destined to be special. Most of us hadn’t been together, collectively, since our last Awards in 2019, and the joy and sense of camaraderie was so palpable you could almost touch it. The happiness of seeing everyone, and celebrating all that’s great about Bristol, elevated the evening beyond even our most ambitious expectations; this Bristol Life Awards wasn’t merely about rewarding success, it was about honouring resilience, determination, and our amazing community.

It was a night filled with pride for the city. We came to celebrate, and stayed to cheer. There was plenty of laughter, too, as our ebullient co-host Laura Lexx held the room in the face of the inevitable Bristol rowdiness.

Collecting the Platinum Award this year – the best-in-show,

if you like – were a pair of proper Bristol food heroes, Josh Eggleton and Dom Borel, whose Breaking Bread was justly recognised as an amazingly creative and original initiative, benefiting everyone in the community, from hospitality workers to food suppliers, while putting a massive smile on our funstarved faces. Somehow these guys managed to find time to do amazing work for charity, too, such as Caring in Bristol.

These Awards made us feel even better about working and living in Bristol – a city we’ve championed in Bristol Life for 17 years. On this evening of shimmering beauty, of whooping and surging emotion, of generous backslapping and coming together, ultimately there was one winner: Bristol itself.

We’ve devoted a whopping 12 pages to mark this extraordinary night. To all who entered, judged, sponsored, partnered,

entertained, filmed, aftershowed, hosted, fed and watered us all, thank you, too. These were the very best Awards yet.

And next year? It’s started already. Get involved.

With love, thanks and slightly self-conscious high-fives from

Deri, Steph, Jane, Greg, Neil, Jake, Craig and Kirstie

Big thanks to all our sponsors – we genuinely couldn’t have done it without you, and we’re delighted that so many leading companies chose to be part of this celebration

MAIN SPONSORS: Anderson Financial Management, Bristol Life magazine, British Corner Shop, Brunel Insurance Brokers, Burston Cook, Curo, Lexus Bristol, SLX, Spaces, Thatchers, Total Produce, VWV

HEADLINE SPONSOR:

Triangle Networks

Tim Woolf @timbopic Jon Craig @JonCraig_Photos Ben Robins @benrobins1, @futureproofcreative

FEATURE SPONSORS: Bristol Sport, SILVER SPONSORS: Acorn Property Group, Clarke Wilmott, Dovetail & Slate, Proctor & Stevenson, Yuup

© BEN ROBINS

Marsh Commercial

Photos by....

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CATEGORY WINNERS

ARTS

Sponsored by

WINNER:

TRINITY COMMUNITY ARTS

BUSINESS SERVICES

Sponsored by

WINNER:

CMC MARQUEES

PHOTOS BY @JONCRAIG_PHOTOS

BAR

CAFÉ

Sponsored by

WINNER:

THE COCONUT TREE

WINNER:

AHH TOOTS

CHARITY Sponsored by

JOINT WINNERS:

BRISTOL ROVERS COMMUNITY TRUST & CARING IN BRISTOL 100 I BRISTOL LIFE I www.mediaclash.co.uk

CIVIC

WINNER:

OUT OF HAND

BRISTOL LIFE AWARDS

CREATIVE Sponsored by

WINNER:

STUDIO GIGGLE

ENVIRONMENTAL

FINANCIAL

WINNER:

WINNER:

IGNITION DG

FOX DAVIDSON

EDUCATION

WINNER:

EVENT

WINNER:

Sponsored by

BOOMSATSUMA

BRISTOL PRIDE

FOOD/DRINK WINNER: GOOD CHEMISTRY PRODUCER Sponsored by

BREWING

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BRISTOL LIFE AWARDS

HEALTH & WELLBEING JOINT WINNERS:

HAIR & BEAUTY

HOMES & INTERIORS

WINNER:

BEAUTY OASIS SPA

WINNER:

KONK FURNITURE

GREAT WESTON RIDE & TALK CLUB

LEGAL

Sponsored by

WINNER:

BEVAN BRITTAN

Commercial Property Consultants

LEISURE & TOURISM

WINNER:

BREAKING BREAD

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

NEW BUSINESS Sponsored by

WINNER:

FEEL FIT

BRISTOL LIFE AWARDS

PEOPLE SERVICES

WINNER:

NATWEST ENTREPRENEUR ACCELERATOR

RESTAURANT Sponsored by

TECHNOLOGY & INNOVATION

WINNER:

PIZZAROVA

WINNER:

PROCTOR & STEVENSON

PROPERTY

WINNER:

Sponsored by

WAPPING WHARF PHASE 2, DELIVERED BY UMBERSLADE AND MUSE DEVELOPMENTS

RETAILER

WINNER:

BOXLOCAL

PLATINUM AWARD

WINNER:

BREAKING BREAD

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AWARDS 2021

Here’s how it all went down...

Eve Russell and Daryn Carter

Dylan Shelton, Alice Hier

Fiona Lester and Steve Eccles

Dom Borel Josh Eggleton

Lucy Eastment and Hannah Walkiewicz

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

Lisa Tucker, Melissa Toney, Rachel Cozens, Ellie Webb

Ben Curd, Tipu Miah, Levi Toth, Rashintha Rodrigo, Anna Garrod

PHOTOS BY TIM WOOLF

Talk Club

The MediaClash team, suited and booted: Greg, Craig, Pat, Dan, Neil, Jake, Emma, Kirstie, Harriette, Gemma, Deri

The typically restrained Coconut Tree crew

Christelle Pellecuer, Melissa Toney

Mia Collins, Matilda Harding, Orla Edwards

Martin Buckland and Richard Hill Rhiannon Jones and Stefan Boakye

PHOTOS BY TIM WOOLF

Our host, Laura Lexx

Tom McFadyen, Sophie Torry-Cook, Louise Baldus, Ellie Yates, Liam Dunlop

Sophie Jones and Corinna Ingram

Nick Bird, Ryan Ford, Sam Iles, Clare Lewis, Heather Church, Jon Bird, Alec Herrington Francesca Randese and Katie Cofferon

Clare Trigg and Sarah Smyth

Special guest Jen Reid Marcus Foster and Amanda Foster

www.mediaclash.co.uk I BRISTOL LIFE I 107

Amanda Adams and Deri Robins

Ian Smith, Angela Appiah Shippey, Tim Stringer

PHOTO BY TIM WOOLF

PHOTOS BY @ JONCRAIG_PHOTOS

Lucy Thompson, Josh Holgate, Chris Thorne, Kate Jones, Nick Cryer

Laura Lexx

Steph, Annie, Greg and Claudia 108 I BRISTOL LIFE I www.mediaclash.co.uk

PHOTOS BY @ JONCRAIG_PHOTOS

Danica Clements, Debbie Lee and Cassie Perkins Chris Standeven, Sarah Smyth, Glyn Blaize, Clare Trigg

Bob Irwin, Craig Pickering, Paul Anslow, Stuart Hogben, Jamie Butt

Owen Mason, Melanie Dolphin, Matthew Dixon, George Fleming, Jay Wisnewski, Michale Blair, Gareth Lewis

Lucy Grantham, Ollie Hall, Fiona Selwood-Miller, Amy Worsfold

Niki Facey, Grant McCall, Lorna Bolton

Andrew Meehill, Leah Meehill www.mediaclash.co.uk I BRISTOL LIFE I XX

PHOTOS BY BEN ROBINS

We spy the tattoed Lexus...

They call them The Eventos...

And the Platinum went to...

BRISTOL PROPERTY AWARDS

IF WE BUILD IT…

The Bristol Property Awards returns as a live event on 12 November at Ashton Gate Stadium. In this special preview, we explain why the Awards are so vitally important in the current climate...

SPONSORS & TICKETS Thank you to all our sponsors, including: Alide Hire Services (Winner of Winners), AWW, Bevan Brittan, Blaise Commercial Finance, Bristol Life, Clarkebond, Flagship Consulting, Halsall Construction, JAS Building Services, Marsh Commercial, MDA Consulting, Missiato Design & Build, Planning Portal, Redland Court reimagined by Juniper Homes, Shawbrook Bank, Spaces, Triangle Networks, Vickery Holman, Willmott Dixon and YTL Developments.

And to our partners: Oaknorth Bank, Paragon Bank, Paul Basham Associates and The Soapworks.

Tickets are now on sale. Please check the website or Bristol Property Awards social media channels for the very latest updates

P

roperty matters. And it matters more in Bristol than in most other places. It matters professionally in financial terms – how we live, how we work and experience Bristol daily, and how exactly we navigate the city from our base. It matters practically – where our companies are based, what retail and office space there is, how the city houses and encourages clever expanding enterprises.

And it matters aesthetically. We are all the beneficiaries of extraordinary creativity that has bequeathed a visual legacy that enriches all our lives, daily. This is a stunning, vibrant sector that impacts the whole community and deserves to have its monumental achievements recognised.

It is for all those reasons and more that the Bristol Property Awards are returning, after unprecedented enthusiasm last time round, to champion the best of property business and to highlight the centrality of property to us all.

Just think of the connectedness of the world of property: land-owners, planners, visionaries, entrepreneurs, deal-makers, architects, engineers, consultants, developers,

The Bristol Property Awards have been created, designed, promoted, sold and organised by MediaClash, the South West’s leading events company.

It also produces client events, from parties to launches, talks, receptions to conferences.

Please contact: harriette.dixon@mediaclash.co.uk

builders, suppliers, designers, lawyers, accountants, conveyancers, financiers, mortgagers, underwriters, marketers, all manner of specialists – and agents: for lettings, for resi, for commercial.

And then, once built, once transformed, once sold, it all starts over again… Consider this. The tectonic plates in Bristol are shifting.

They will transform huge swathes of our city right through the centre to the benefit of us all. Tectonic plates take time to shift. But shift they do. With all the clever companies, all the energy, all the opportunities, no wonder the Bristol Property Awards have always exceeded even our huge expectations.

For more: bristolpropertyawards.co.uk

www.mediaclash.co.uk I BRISTOL LIFE I 113

Our friendly, local team are ready to help with expert advice.

Call us today on: 01275 370360 or 0117 907 0818

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BRISTOL PROPERTY AWARDS PREVIEW

THE JUDGES WILL DECIDE… A panel of independent judges, drawn from all areas of the property sector, will decide the winners of the third prestigious Bristol Property Awards

NICK CRYER, FOUNDER, BERKELEY PLACE In 2009 Nick formed property and construction company Berkeley Place. He is a chartered engineer with over 30 years’ experience in property and construction and has led high profile construction projects in London.

EMMANUEL ESEZOBOR, SENIOR LECTURER IN REAL ESTATE AND PROPERTY MANAGEMENT, UNIVERSITY OF THE WEST OF ENGLAND Emmanuel has expertise in commercial real estate, valuation and sustainability. Before joining UWE in 2017, he worked as real estate lecturer at London South Bank University, and has over 20 years industry experience as estate manager.

ROBYN KNIBB, OWNER AND CREATIVE DIRECTOR, FAWN INTERIORS Robyn, a trained interior architect, is the founder and creative director of Fawn Interiors. Since 2015, Robyn has been focused on building a business that is respected for its detail-driven design aesthetic with an honest approach.

MARCELA POMPHREY, FOUNDER AND DIRECTOR, 299 LIGHTING Marcela came to the industry late after driving high-growth for a performance cycling brand. Since setting up 299 Lighting with her husband James, she has been leading the creative identity of the business.

SALMA MAQSOOD, PARTNER, BARCAN + KIRBY Salma is a Law Society social mobility ambassador and represents the Bristol Constituency as a council member of the Law Society Council for England and Wales.

She is passionate about equality, diversity and inclusion.

© ALICE MUTASA

ADAM DAVIES, CUSTOMER RELATIONSHIP MANAGER, HALSALL CONSTRUCTION Adam has 17 years’ experience in business development and client engagement within the construction industry. He has built up an extensive knowledge of the built environment in the South West of England and a large network of business relationships.

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THROWING IT BACK TO 2019...

... and the last time we held the Awards in real life James Sneath and Katy Katani

PHOTOS BY KINGBRIDGE PHOTOGRAPHIC

Jamie Gill and James Read

Peregrine Nicholls, Angie Nicholls, Amber Knapp-Wilson and Benedict Nicholls

Hayley Blacker

Luke Cleary

Mark Ogden, Sally Gilbert and Simon Crichton Fiona Wellstead, Anna Ball, Lindsay Brazington-Watts and Beryl Dzambo

Paul Jones, Leanne Lolley, Gemma Monday and Simon Fox Cassie Perkins, Danica Clements, Tobyn Tribbeck and Phoebe Potter

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INDEPENDENT TRUSTED EXPERIENCED

BRISTOL PROPERTY AWARDS - PROUD FINALISTS 2021

BRISTOL PROPERTY AWARDS

CONSULTANCY OF THE YEAR & COMMERCIAL AGENT OF THE YEAR

UNDER OFFER

ACQUIRED FOR CLIENTS

ST DAVIDS COURT, CLEVEDON

CLIFTON, BRISTOL

- MODERN OFFICES

- PRIME DEVELOPMENT SITE

- 1973 SQ FT

- PROJECT MANAGED

BY OUR BUILDING CONSULTANCY TEAM

- UNDER OFFER SIMILAR REQUIRED

TO LET

TO LET

28A BALDWIN STREET, BRISTOL CITY CENTRE

92C WHITELADIES ROAD, CLIFTON, BRISTOL - 818 SQ FT

- FLEXIBLE BUSINESS UNIT

- UNDERGOING REFURBISHMENT

- CITY CENTRE LOCATION

WE HAVE APPLICANTS SEARCHING FOR: - Retail Units in suburban parades (Bristol, Nailsea, Portishead, Clevedon) - Warehouses & Workshops, 1,500sq ft - 10,000sq ft (Bristol, Clevedon, M5 Corridor) - Offices, 1,500sq ft - 10,000sq ft (North Bristol, Clifton, City Centre) - Development Sites, 0.5 acres + (whole of South West & South Wales)

CONTACT US FOR A FREE, NO OBLIGATION MARKETING APPRAISAL VALUATION Ed Le Masurier

LEASE ADVISORY Alastair Kimpton

BUILDING CONSULTANCY Nick Williams

COMMERCIAL AGENCY Nathan Clark

Tel: 07800 635734 Ed@ETPproperty.co.uk

Tel: 07872 107689 Alastair@ETPproperty.co.uk

Tel: 07745 133524 Nick@ETPproperty.co.uk

Tel: 07983 460230 Nathan@ETPproperty.co.uk

PROPERTY BUILDING THE CIT Y

GROWING PAYNE’S

The proposed Western Harbour development is among the most controversial in the city, having both fans and detractors; but after four and a half years of negotiation between Crest Nicholson and the council, approval has now been given for four blocks of flats, between four and five storeys high, to be built on the old Payne’s shipyard on Coronation Road.

This, the first residential development within the Western Harbour area, would provide 154 one- and two-bedroom flats – a smaller scheme than the original proposal for 180 flats to be housed in three buildings up to nine storeys high.

Despite reservations over the proposals, ranging from the lack of any family-sized homes to parking issues, and the opinion of some residents that the blocks looked ‘monolithic’, Crest have stated that this is a sensitive, sustainable, forward-looking scheme for a contaminated industrial site, providing 20 per cent affordable housing, meeting with brownfield-first ideology and delivering policy-compliant renewable energy and significant biodiversity net gain.

For more: crestnicholson.com

Plans for the new tower

by AWW Architects

Crest Nicholson’s CGI impressions of the development

GOING UP?

While we’re at it, Bristol, how do you feel about a new 11-storey tower in the city centre, with a rooftop restaurant giving panoramic views over the harbour?

Proposals have been unveiled by land owners LLPI to tear down the 1970s building on Passage Street that currently houses Heart FM and the BIMM music college. The new futuristic, glassfronted tower would provide a mixed-use scheme, with offices for around 1000 workers and a ground-floor diner opening onto a terrace facing the floating harbour.

CGI designs have been created by Bristol firm AWW, who also worked on Finzels Reach, Castle Park View, the Assembly and Brandon Yard. The architects have planned the building with a series of different levels that step back from the floating

harbour, and the nearby Grade-II Cheese Lane Shot Tower, so it can still be seen in the area.

“AWW has sought to create a distinct and aspirational landmark building, with softening curved edges, each storey ‘twisting’ to create visual interest,” say the developers.

“The design has been chosen to complement and reflect the existing local character. The new building would have a glass-fronted, contemporary restaurant, with sliding doors opening onto an external dining area overlooking the Floating Harbour. A modern atrium space available for public hire is also proposed, which would lend itself to private and community events.

“The space has been designed to be flexible and could – for example – also be used in a theatre-style format for lectures.”

For more: aww-uk.com

MANOR FROM HEAVEN

In its long history, The Manor House has been an Elizabethan mansion, a country retreat for wealthy Georgians and the office of a famously progressive educator. Now, Juniper Homes’ restoration of this key building within the Redland Court development offers four very exclusive new apartments . . .

By Ursula Cole 126 I BRISTOL LIFE I www.mediaclash.co.uk

I

t’s not too much of a stretch to suggest that Redland Court has been one of the most significant property developments in Bristol over the past decade – and it all became possible when Redland High School, the oldest girls’ school in the country, conveniently moved out in 2017 to merge with Red Maids.

It was a golden opportunity for someone to develop the Grade-II* buildings into homes fit for contemporary purpose, and Juniper Homes was waiting in the wings to do precisely that.

The various apartments and houses have been restored, built and released in separate stages, beginning this spring with the new Town Houses, the transformed Hall and Library, and the Science Building. The second and latest release includes the Manor House, West Villa and Woodstock Lodge, with the East Range hitting the market in the third stage.

Here, we’re focusing on the Manor House. It comes with serious history that dates back to Elizabethan times, although the current main building was built in the early 1730s by John and Martha Cossins, when it was praised

PROPERTY

“Juniper’s challenge has been to honour the historic fabric of the building, while introducing the high living standards expected by modern buyers”

as ‘a fine example of the architecture of its time’. It spent most of its life as a country gentleman’s residence, later being acquired as a school for girls in 1884, its first headmistress rejoicing in the name of Elizabeth Cocks.

Juniper Homes’ big challenge has been to honour the historic fabric of the building, using many skilled and specialist craftspeople, while introducing all the high living standards modern buyers expect, from ultra-fast reliable fibre broadband to private outdoor terraces and allocated parking. In doing so they are, in effect, returning the house to its original purpose as a domestic residence, but now in the form of four prime two- to fourbedroom apartments.

Among the Manor House’s notable historic features are the original 18th-century cupolas that grace both the East and West Wings. Featuring a weathervane with a representation of Halley’s Comet, the cupolas were added in 1761 by Martha Cossins in memory of her husband. The East Wing cupola has been expertly recreated by Juniper Homes’ crafts team, since the original was removed in the late 1880s to make way for the headmistress’ flat.

It’s all very exclusive, with just four apartments having been created within the Manor House. The two-bedroom West Wing triplex apartment has the main accommodation at ground- and first-floor level, with a separate utility and storage room on the lower ground floor. This apartment has the privilege of featuring the only crescent staircase in the building, now beautifully restored, linking the ground and first floors.

The two-bedroom East Wing is a duplex apartment, with ground and first-floor accommodation. Both the West and East Wing offer private outdoor space.

Within the main house are two apartments: the three-bedroom ground-floor apartment, which (sorry folks!) is reserved, and the largest of all the apartments, a four-bedroom duplex occupying both the first and second

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PROPERTY

HOUSE NUMBERS Price 2-, 3- and 4-bed apartments in the Manor House from £1,000,000-£1.5m Private viewings of The Manor House are by appointment only. Please call Savills on 0117 910 0360 or Ocean on 0117 946 9838 For morejuniperhomes.co.uk

floors, with arguably the best views in the Manor House, looking out across the private park and right over the city.

Each apartment is unique, with its own individual historic features, from fireplaces, cornicing and windows to the square-shaped panelling preserved from the original Elizabethan house. Living spaces are designed with flair and imagination, while often-neglected storage areas have been woven into the fabric of the homes.

The kitchens are exceptional, both in design and quality, blending the grandeur of a bygone era with the practicality of top-of-the-range appliances, from handcrafted Shaker units to quartz work tops, Quooker Flex boiling taps, Siemens appliances, and, in the main house, Lacanche range ovens; separate utility rooms have units to match. Bathrooms offer spa-level luxury, with features such as large jet shower enclosures, handpainted boat baths and porcelain tiling.

Oak herringbone flooring runs throughout the living areas, with neutral carpets and walls painted in heritage shades adding luxury to all bedrooms.

This landmark building sits high on a hill overlooking sought-after Redland and the surrounding areas, set within a private residents’ park.

The restoration of the grounds has been equally meticulous. Reinstating the view from Lovers Walk up to the Manor House, the newly cleared land is in the process of becoming a residents’ private park, including a wild-flower meadow, rewilding of the boundaries and wildflower planting throughout.

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BRISTOL LIVES

and huge festivals like See No Evil and Upfest have put Bristol on the international map.

The past year has seen some amazing art created across the

city, both legally and illegally. If I had to choose one favourite, it would be Dream by Athens artist Insane 51, now on the wall of the Tobacco Factory. The image is in double 3D and features NYX, the Greek goddess of the night. Viewed through 3D glasses it definitely lives up to the artist’s name.

I have many pieces of art hung

on the walls of our home by Bristol artists such as Inkie, Jody, Cheo, Andy Council, Shade 1, Dibz, SP Zero and others. It’s trying to maintain a happy medium between family home and art gallery.

Banksy emerged as the world’s best known street artist due to belief, vision, balls

JOHN NATION

Around these parts, folks call him ‘the Graf Father’ …

J

ohn Nation. If you have any interest at all in the Bristol graf scene, you’ll know the name. Today, we’re mostly here to talk about his involvement in the new Vanguard book, spun off from the current exhibition at M Shed. But before we get stuck in, let’s track back to the time when John was a youth worker at Barton Hill, at the point when certain fledgling artists were first picking up a spray can.

In John’s own words, then...

Barton Hill Youth Centre was visionary, like an experimental

lab. It was a melting pot of ideas and visions, and a hive of creativity where young people could express themselves safely and legally. There was so much raw talent there, and it just needed nurturing. It was hugely important in that era of Bristol and UK graffiti culture, and a bright beacon of hope and positivity.

Banksy described it as being the most inspiring stretch of concrete in Bristol.

The Aerosol Project was

important because there was nothing else like it, not only in Bristol but in the UK. The atmosphere was always buzzing and the air reeled with that distinctive aerosol spray paint smell. I don’t think people outside the culture will truly understand just how big Barton Hill Youth Centre and my youth work back then was in the evolution of a global movement. It is probably the most written about and documented youth centre in Bristol.

I see graffiti as being a totally different beast from

contemporary street art. Bristol is still one of the most diverse and dynamic cities anywhere for graffiti culture and style. Its roots are still very much in its 1980s anarchist origins. Street art is a totally different proposition.

It’s more popular with the wider public, but will always divide public opinion. Bristol street art is widely recognised as a creative culture,

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

and so much more. Banksy had, and has, the total package. First the art, its social commentary,

and subjects of this subculture that I have been lucky enough to be a part of for over 35 years. It’s a privilege to showcase the vibrancy and contemporary creative culture of this city, not only to visitors but also locals including school groups. Hopefully we can inspire just one of those young people like I did way back in my days at Barton Hill Youth Centre.

I met with Vanguard project director Mary McCarthy when

she was planning the show, and I was asked if I would like to be involved in the curation of one of the rooms.

I became a creative consultant for the Origins room, which I’m hugely proud of. So much great archive, images and hidden treasures are on show in that first room.

I think the exhibition has done an amazing job of putting Bristol’s

contribution to street art into context.

Its history and legacy spans nearly 40 years, and trying to put that into this show wasn’t easy. There are a few people who feel some parts of the narrative are missing, but hey,

“Banksy described Barton Hill as the most inspiring stretch of concrete in Bristol” its relatable wit, satire, location, public engagement – and you can’t underestimate the impact of social media, which has made his art more accessible to a huge global audience.

Oh, and he knows how to play the media too. Without a shadow of doubt, he’s one of art history’s most influential artists. He will always have detractors, but that inevitably comes with fame and success. He has brought a huge focus to Bristol.

For the last nine years I have been a street-art tour guide

in the city. It’s one of the best tours of its kind anywhere, and has won many tourism awards. I speak with passion, history, knowledge and Bristolian pride on all issues

you aren’t going to please everyone, especially in this city.

The show is not a retrospective; it’s so much more than that. There is so much to see, read and absorb, with many standouts, but I do love the Moona Lisa figure by Nick Walker and the Filthy Luker inflatable installation of the spray can.

I contributed to the Vanguard book, sharing memories of my early

years growing up and working at Barton Hill Youth Centre and also providing photos and archive pieces.

It’s a great book!

The Vanguard book retails at £18 from vanguardstreetart.com. For John’s street-art tours, see wherethewall.com

t: 0117 279 0980 | m: 07956 846307 e: simon@bristolcityroofing.co.uk

www. bristolcityroofing.co.uk