ISSUE 321 / LATE SUMMER / £3 STRANGERTHINGSWAKETHETIGER:WE’REGOINGIN… PALLADIAN GLORY: WHAT’S THE STORY? A SPECTACULAR HOME STEEPED INTHEHISTORYWILDBRUNCH EASY LIKE SUNDAY* MORNING (* NOT TO MENTION SATURDAY, MONDAY, TUESDAY….) DREAM HOMES THE BEST PROPERTIES FOR SALE RIGHT NOW PEOPLE IN GLASS HOUSES THE ETHICUREAN EXPERIENCE HOT PLATES THE LATEST FOODIE OPENINGS
1lv ROLEX THE DAY-DATE Introduced in 1956, and chosen by visionaries and world leaders, the Day-Date, with its iconic day display, continues to be the symbol of prestige and achievement. #Perpetual
Be amazed . . . Wake the Tiger has opened, and it’s even more exciting and intriguing than we thought it was going to be. How often can you say that?
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Yes, we know, we know; we’ve been banging on about Wake the Tiger for months; but to be honest we didn’t really know what we were talking about. We weren’t even sure we’d like it. We puzzled over the press release, and obediently regurgitated its key phrases, but were frankly none the wiser. What or who were the Meridians, and what did they want? Were we talking about some kind of immersive art gallery here, or a theme park, or a film set? What was with the giant trippy-looking mushrooms? Why did the ice caves sing? So many questions; but obviously the most burning one was this: would it be worth a visit? We were so nerdily keen to find out that we practically stormed the doors on preview day. We found ourselves blown away. So much creativity, invention and talent has been poured into this new attraction; we spent two hours moseying about its many rooms and passageways, and still feel we only scratched the surface. On page 20 we try to break it all down for you, without giving too much away. In this sunnyside up August issue, you’ll also find a big guide to the ultimate Bristol brunch, a look at how leading local chefs are reinventing the hospitality wheel, and a six-page showcase of one of the most historically fascinating homes we’ve ever featured. Yes, your Harbourside new-build is very snazzy and all, and super-handy for Cargo, but admit it; it’s a little short on anecdotal richness. Instead of “Yeah, it used to be a car park,” imagine saying,“It’s thought the house was gifted to the Seymour family by Henry, following the death of Jane in 1537...” ‘Just imagine’ – that could be the theme of this issue. In fact, it’s not a terrible mantra for a Bristol life...
DERI ROBINS Bristol Life editor Follow us on @BristolLifeMag;
EDITOR’S@BristolLifeMagLETTERwww.mediaclash.co.uk I BRISTOL LIFE I 3
Production/distribution manager Sarah Kingston sarah.kingston@mediaclash.co.uk
Issue 321 / Late Summer 2022 COVER A historic, spectacular home in Bitton; join us on a six-page tour on page 75 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, Storysmith Books Commercial manager Neil Snow neil.snow@mediaclash.co.uk Business development manager Craig Wallberg craig.wallberg@mediaclash. co.uk
Business development manager Jake Horwood jake.horwood@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, Carriage Court, 22 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 ARTS 11 ARTS INTRO Forwards-thinking: how Team Love are redefining the ur an esti al 12 WHAT’S ON It’s a sleepyish month in the arts (though there’s plenty o a tual, you know, art 20 WAKE THE TIGER It’s uni ue, it’s in redi le, it’s as inating, and it’s ery, ery ristol 28 BRISTOL HEROES ar our est more than ust oats 32 BOOKS In praise o the orgotten gem FOOD & DRINK 34 RESTAURANT The one with the walled garden 36 HOT PLATES How Bristol is reinventing the hospitality wheel, new openings, and dining in the Upside Down 43 CAFÉ SOCIETY aguettes? tan’s had a ew 45 BRUNCH Easy like Sunday morning. Or Saturday. Or hey, e en onday to riday In the a ternoon, e en 57 RECIPE ean mean orlotti SHOPPING 58 EDITOR’S CHOICE We’re easily Med BUSINESS 63 BRISTOLWORKS ews, iews and a as inating insight into the new Soapworks development, courtesy o the Bristol Life usiness lu PROPERTY 67 TOP OF THE PROPS ream uys 75 SHOWCASE though none o them dreamier than this one REGULARS 6 SPOTLIGHT 9 BRIZZOGRAM 90 BRISTOL LIVES Hannah Broadway 11 38 4 I BRISTOL LIFE I www.mediaclash.co.uk 39 BROWN,HAMISHPHOTOGRAPHER© RUFFMERCYILLUSTRATIONADDITIONAL
The unsettlingmost small child we’ve seen since The Midwich Cuckoos
6 I BRISTOL LIFE I www.mediaclash.co.uk
We guessed Bristol Zoo would have a few treats lined up for its Big Summer end , ut no ody e pe ted a giant wooden intera ti e gorilla And yet, here she is Wilder, who’s urrently delighting isitors y eating lettu e, spraying them with water, and showing o her a y, onty Alan – named for the national park in Equatorial Guinea where the Zoo works to prote t western lowland gorillas in the wild here’s also the new intera ti e theatri al e perien e Into The Wild part silent dis o, part storytelling ad enture, inspired y the ne t hapter o the onser ation harity’s history and the Past, Present, Future e hi ition, eaturing a history o the oo made y its isitors he ig ummer end runs until the oo’s last day o opening on eptem er bristolzoo.org.uk Festival A BIGGER SPLASH
SPOTLIGHT
Bristol Zoo THINGWILDER
It’s not easy to e plain aul Wright’s surreal do umentary Arcadia, although olk horror airytale a out the ritish people’s relationship to the land’ is as neat a des ription as any rawing on rare and unseen ootage rom a hundred years o film making, Wright’s ollation o e entri lips and images aptures the magi and madness, the eauty and the rutality o rural ritain, rom lo al esti als to agri ultural pra ti es, rom e eryday illage li e and lost ra ts to olk arni als, masked parades and long orgotten mythology, all set to a grand, e pressi e s ore rom ortishead’s Adrian tley and old rapp’s Will regory Why ring this up this now? e ause on o em er, ristol ea on is holding an immersi e s reening o the film at t eorge’s ristol, with li e musi rom a nine pie e and led y Adrian, Will and olk singer arry Waterson ome along and su um to a uni ue, and e er so slightly weird, e perien e whi h will take you to the ery heart o the ritish ountryside ou’ll ne er look at hew agna in the same way again Tickets on sale now; bristolbeacon.org
BOXPAULBYPHOTOS
ristol ar our est ele rated its th anni ersary last month, with around , people turning up to admire the nauti al a tion the water, nine e le ti per orman e areas were spread a ross one and a hal miles o the ity, eaturing musi , ir us and dan e, along with ood and drink stalls ld s hool a ourites su h as firefighting ship Pyronaut sailed the har our, the water ristled with the masts o tall ships, the new in lusi e low programme show ased ommunity olla orations and reati e oi es, while ultimate ristol party and oreen oreen wowed a strong rowd at the Amphitheatre to lose o the esti al Although it’s in idious to pi k out one standout star rom the weekend, we’re going to do it anyway our ote goes to water et propelled, don’t try this at home kids y oarder ames restwood he in reased oot all in the ity entre was massi ely enefi ial to independent restaurants, a s and shops, many o whom still struggle post lo kdown owe er, there ould e hanges a oot a new report to the oun il has re ommended the esti al e reimagined’ in uture, with ewer stages, an e en more di erse programme, greater ommunity engagement and ross ity olla oration, as well as eing greener, while still remaining ree o harge For more bristolharbourfestival.co.uk
Film & music WRIGHT ON THE NIGHT
Wilder. She’s the one not wearing a high-vis jacket
James Prestwood and Pyronaut in the same photo; you are so welcome; BOTTOMPIc: It’s not just about watersportsthe
www.mediaclash.co.uk I BRISTOL LIFE I 9 SPOTLIGHT ROCK AROUND THE DOCK The 50th Bristol Harbourfest was a spectacular affair both on and off the water; here’s how it went down. Eager for more ? Turn to page 28. @eclcphotography@visitbristol@richimal_roams @matthewpriceartist@timmah666@visitbristol @thiscitymum@walkinbristol@craigderrick40 @porthjess@matthewpriceartist@dylcain94
Forwards Festival takes place on Clifton Downs 3 & 4
SNAPSHOTS OF BRISTOL’S CULTURAL LIFE THE ARTS www.mediaclash.co.uk I BRISTOL LIFE I 11
At The Information hub, you’ll find cutting-edge creatives, campaigners and music industry names holding conversations on deep-rooted local topics, such as making Bristol a sex-positive city, tackling the housing crisis and breaking the class ceiling in the creative industries. There’s way too much to cover here, so head to the website for the full lowdown.
Forwards will bring some of the biggest names in music to the Downs, but along with offering us the chance to hear a line-up headlined by The Chemical Brothers, Jamie xx, Little Simz, Róisín Murphy, Self Esteem and many more, Team Love want to challenge what metropolitan festivals can be, and how they can be a force for good.
They’re the creators of Love Saves the Day and The Downs Bristol – and next month, urban festival ninjas Team Love will be bringing us Forwards, a brand new two-day event not merely designed to entertain, but to get us thinking.
September forwardsbristol.co.uk FORWARDS THINKING The Chemical Brothers NIGHTINGALEALEXBYPHOTO
AMITAI ROMM he first solo e hi ition y Amitai e plores how s ientifi modelling relates to more open ended orms o world making at Spike Island, spikeisland.org.uk
Until 21 August INTERNATIONAL PHOTOGRAPHY EXHIBITION 163 The world’s oldest photography exhibition;105 works by 60 snappers, at RPS; rps.org
Until 11 September EARTH: DIGGING DEEP IN BRITISH ART, 1781-2022 A look at how attitudes towards the landscape have evolved over the centuries, and how artists’ approaches have changed too; RWA, rwa.org.uk
Made from the remnants of a refugee boat, the cross carries messages about kindness, ommunity and the indi eren e faced by many refugees. Alongside the cross will be a display of12 tiny oats y yrian orn artist Issam our a and a series o audio interviews from refugees and migrants in Bristol today. At M Shed; bristolmuseums.org.uk Until 25 September TESSA BUNNEY: MADE OUT OF ORCHARDS A new body of photography exploring the cider industry today; at Martin Parr Foundation, martinparrfoundation.org Until 2 October FOREST: WAKE THIS GROUND ou wait years or an earth themed exhibition (cf also RWA), then two come along at once. Explore the interconnected layers a o e and elow the orest oor in an immersive exhibition of sensory delights from a group of international and intergenerational artists, writers, filmmakers et at Arnolfini arnolfini.org.uk Until 30 October THINK GLOBAL: ACT BRISTOL Bristol has declared climate and ecological emergencies. How did we get here? What’s our city’s role in it, www.mediaclash.co.uk and how can we help get out of it? What does a ust, green uture look like? Big environmental questions are ta kled at hed, a e ting people here and worldwide, with perspectives from a wide range of local voices. bristolmuseums.org.uk Until 31 December LEBOHANG KGANYE: LEAVE THE LIGHT WHEN YOU LEAVE FOR GOOD The Georgian House was once home to a sugar trader and his ensla ed sta now, at the ery same site, e ohang re e ts on the legacy of colonialism as a shared history; bristolmuseums.org.uk
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19-30 August
WHAT’ ONS12 August2 September
LOAN COMMUNITYCROSSINGS:ANDREFUGE
SHOWS Until 20 August A NIGHT’SMIDSUMMERDREAM Mad, bad lovers, warring fairies, rude mechanicals and the most famous donkey in theatre: Insane Root brings Athens to (a dry) Eastville Park Swimming Pool in the most immersive way; insaneroot.org.uk
Until 4 September GRAYSON’S ART CLUB Artwork by Grayson and Philippa Perry, and guest celebs and artists, featured in the TV series of the same name; at Bristol Museum, bristolmuseums.org.uk
EXHIBITIONS
Until 18 September ERIC BAUDELAIRE & ALVIN CURRAN Documentary installation exploring Curran’s life and work against a backdrop of radical political movements during the 1970s; Spike Island, spikeisland.org.uk
13 August-30 October THE WORLD REIMAGINED round reaking national art edu ation pro e t aimed at transforming how we understand the Transatlantic trade in enslaved Africans and its impact on all of us. The Bristol trail consists of 10 globe sculptures: one for each of the nine themes of the Journey of Discovery and one created in collaboration between artist Michele Curtis and local people and communities of Bristol. theworldreimagined.org
VAN GOGH EXPERIENCEIMMERSIVE Step into over 300 of Vincent’s drawings, and paintings, ia oor to eiling digital pro e tions, headsets, roomsets and more; at Propyard, vangoghexpo.com
BAT OUT OF HELL Absolutely no prizes for guessing which band’s rock anthems inspired this particular musical. “The best night out with your clothes on!” says the blurb. Actually, these days we tend to find that those are the best kind anyway. At Bristol Hippodrome, atgtickets.com 2022
OVERSTORY A ree, tree inspired immersi e art installation by leading contemporary artists Ivan Morison and Heather Peak. Taking root in Bristol’s Broadmead West, it’s the first headline ultural pro e t or 2022/23 from Bristol’s City Centre and High Streets Recovery and Renewal programme. On social at @festofnature and #Overstory
3 September THE NIGHT SHOW Astronomer Adrian West, aka VirtualAstro, presents a gloriously visual and upexperiencethought-provokingforeveryonewholooksandwonders,toRedgrave, redgravetheatre.com
WHAT’S
Husband-and-wife duo Brett and Rennie Sparks have written some of the most haunting songs in American music, transforming the mundane landscape of modern life into a place of mysterious portent. Need an example? They wrote and performed Far from any Road for True Detective, unarguably the best tune ever to roll over TV credits. At Redgrave, redgravetheatre.com
3 September SOCCER MOMMY aka Sophie Allison, whose alternative/indie music is packed with le er nods to synth filled su genres such as new wave and goth. At Trinity, trinitybristol.org.uk
www.mediaclash.co.uk I BRISTOL LIFE I 13
ON
3-4 September FORWARDS The new two-day music festival on the Downs, with discussion and debate at the Information hub; the heady line-up includes The Chemical Brothers, Jamie xx, Little Simz, Caribou, Sleaford Mods, Róisín Murphy, Self Esteem and loads more. See also page 11; forwardsbristol.co.uk
MUSIC 12 August LICK Only girls allowed, as this Londonbased female/nb DJ night of multigenre music makes its way onto the Bristol scene. This club night is for women, by women; sorry lads, you’ll just have to stay home and... imagine it all... At Trinity, trinitybristol.org.uk
23 August DRAKE WHITE Listed, among other things in Rolling Stone’s 10 Country Artists you Need to Know; now the Al’bama boy comes to Trinity; trinitybristol.org.uk
JOSEPH AND THE AMAZING TECHNICOLOR DREAMCOAT Jason Donovan remains the most famous of all the Josephs, but now he’s getting on a bit he’s playing Pharaoh. Hopefully he’ll manage to fit in a ke a or two while he’s in town, know what we’re saying? At Hippodrome; atgtickets.com 2-7 September KIRK V MING The return of Bad Vs Evil’s e iting, su ersi e, s i fi drag omedy, with laser eams, ill fitting ostumes and uttering alse eyelashes; At The Wardrobe; thewardrobetheatre.com
OPPOSITEPAGE: Little Simz channels her inner Grace Jones at Forwards Fest ABOVE: Yinka Shonibare’s Earth Kid purposefullyheadingtoRWA TOPRIGHT: Handsome is as Handsome does, at Trinity LEFT: Looks like a Drake, sounds like a Drake; the country boy comes to Trinity BELOW: No problem at all keeping the doctor away; Made out of Orchards at Martin Parr Until 21 August SHAKESPEAREBRISTOL FESTIVAL Back with its usual tasty blend of indoor and outdoor performances, workshops and quirky takes on favourite plays by the bard; bristolshakespearefestival.org.uk 30 August-10 September
COMEDY Ongoing CLOSER EACH DAY The world’s longest improv comedy soap has recently performed its 200th episode, and continues to bubble away twice a month at Wardrobe; thewardrobetheatre.com
2 September THE HANDSOME FAMILY
A major new attraction for the city; all the deets on p 20; wakethetiger.com
PARKER’S ADVENTURE To celebrate 135 years of helping, the city’s vulnerable animals, Bristol Animal Rescue Centre has created an interactive adventure trail. Parker is, of course, a dawg; parkersadventure.org Until 3 September THE BIG SUMMER SEND-OFF AT BRISTOL ZOO GARDENS It’s the last few months for the Zoo at its Clifton site, and they’re pulling out all the stops. See page 6; bristolzoo.org.uk gender expression – or if you have the, err, balls,, you can participate or ‘walk’ the Ball. At Trinity; trinitybristol.org.uk 16 August RAISE THE BAR
Library, a virtual story portal takes you on a trail via augmented reality experiences that remix the BFI and BBC archive; inside the library you an y through a irtual map o Bristol made up of 3D models and audio stories captured on location. From Unboxed, who also bring you See Monster. unboxed2022.uk 24 August STORYJEWELLERY-MAKINGTRAILS Create your own solid silver signet ring with jewellers India and Lara, masters in creating sentimental everyday pieces you’ll feel naked without. yuup.co n Until 4 September BON VOYAGE! AT BRISTOL AQUARIUM ... meanwhile, the Aquarium’s summer plans are to transform the foyer into a port terminal hub and provide an immersive experience for its guests to explore the world’s oceans... bristolaquarium.co.uk
The highly infotaining theatre walks; choose from Blood & Butchery in Bedminster, Blood, Blackbeard and Buccaneers, Crime & Crinolines in li on ain inn r in org and more; o o r ng .org.uk 13 August THE BRISTOL BALL PART 1 The category is... the vibrant and multi-faceted culture of the streets of Bristol, in all their quirks and history. Bristol Ballroom Community invites you to bear witness to a spectacular fusion of dance, fashion, performance, and
BRISTOL BALLOON FIESTA Back at full throttle, with the familiar four-day event at Ashton Court; eyes on the skies; ri ol alloonfi a. o.uk
Until 31 August
The app guides you through an immersive tour of Bristol through time and space. Outside Bristol
The almost-year-round fest with the something-for-everyone remit. Screenings at various Bristol locations; ri olfil i al. o WAKE THE TIGER
Critically acclaimed, painfully funny, all-star improvised medical drama brought to you by The Free Association shows at Bristol Improv Theatre; improvtheatre.co.uk
For the brave frontline heroes at St Doctor’s Hospital, no procedure is too convoluted, no disease too improbable, and no relationship saga too inappropriate...
ST. DOCTOR’S HOSPITAL
Until 14 August
WHAT’S ON
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12 August
From late August SEE MONSTER Part of Unboxed, the UK-wide celebration of creativity, This incredible-looking oil rig-turned-artinstallation has a serious purpose; it wants to talk to us about the weather, and what we can do with structures we inherit. At Weston-super-Mare’s Tropicana seemonster.co.uk
OTHER Ongoing BRISTOL FILM FESTIVAL
LUMINARIUM In ata le light filled domes and tunnels, free to amble through on College Green, courtesy of Bristol Light Festival; ri ollig i al.org
The launch of poetry collections from two Bristol poets: newly crowned city poet Kat Lyons, and ‘magician of deadpan’ Tom Sastry. Trinity, trinitybristol.org.uk 20-21 August STORY TRAILS
ABOVE: Chill out in the Luminarium RIGHT: “We used to live among trees, and now they live around us” –Overstory comes to Broadmead
DISHES OF DISCOVERY The ss Great Britain invites you on board to take your tastebuds back in time. Imagine what it was like to be a Victorian traveller trying e oti and e iting a ours or the first time as you sample histori recipes from Mumbai, Cape Town and the Crimea... ssgreatbritain.org Until 29 September SHOW OF STRENGTH
RICS Certified Valuations of art, antiques, jewellery and personal property for: Probate | Insurance | Auction Family & Matrimonial | CGT | General Inventory tobypinn.co.uktel:01172517251 Toby Pinn Ltd REG No: 13117748 VAT No. 368362861
THINGSSTRANGER PATTENDENANDREBYPHOTOS
Twelve meridian lines run through our Accordinguniverse.to legend, whenever two of these lines cross, a portal between two parallel worlds open. Both worlds are at a crossroads; one route leads to destruction, the other to Tiger,ThisHawkins,Butspeciesworld’sonEverythingrebirth.dependswhateachdominantdonext.thisisn’tIndiana.isWaketheBristol… Words by Deri Robins www.mediaclash.co.uk I BRISTOL LIFE I 21 ARTS “The universe is under no obligation to make any sense to you” –Neil Degrasse Tyson
layered maze of immersive environments, secret passageways, hidden forests, temples, ice caves and mesmerising wonders. We knew we absolutely wanted to go, but we didn’t quite get what it was all about… Fast-forward to 10am on preview day, one second after doors opening, and the Bristol Life keeners head inside like a rat up a drain.
It’s a witty introduction, with shades of Dismaland. We beetle off in the direction of the development, but learn from handyman Colin that there’s a problem. The roots of a gurt big tree have wound its way through the old factory, halting building work. Weird coloured lights emanate from its trunk. Colin doesn’t like the look of them one bit. Daringly, we press on, and find ourselves in the main street of the Dream Factory, a realm where the Lost Meridians gathered for a while, retreating from the Great Storm that destroyed their world. Now they have left, and hidden in the shadows and secret recesses of this once bustling industrial complex are the remains of their wild experiments and baffling collections. We’re not going to spoil the rest for you. As the project’s creative director, Lak Mitchell, says, “Wake The Tiger is an abandoned time capsule waiting to be discovered,” and the fun is in exploring it all by yourself. There are ice caves, elder forests and a galaxy room; some have a steampunk aesthetic, with levers that open hidden doors or buttons that set off animatronic effects. It’s part-art gallery, part-theme park, part-film set; it’s a little like stepping through The Looking Glass via Brazil, Waterworld and Stranger Things, yet it’s none of those things; it’s a completely unique creation, dreamed up and constructed by hundreds of Bristol creatives. While the eco-message is dense and omnipresent, it’s not rammed down your throat. There’s much to ponder, and much wisdom to take on board: “The lesson is in the unlearning, not the learning,” intones a disembodied BBC Home Service voice in one of the rooms. Wake the Tiger wants you to explore your connections with the environment as well as challenge you to transform the world you live in. But hey, if you want to just wander around the joint, and marvel at all the incredible visual and aural creativity, that’s fine too. We suggest you do a bit of both...
MAINPIC: Can you find the door that opens to the secret library? INSET: The elder forest; PREVIOUSPAGE: The singing ice caves
At reception, smooth-talking estate agent Meredith Dean delivers a pitch for Meridia Luxury Homes, and shows us around the capsule apartment. We are particularly taken with the bathroom, where a toilet seat doubles as a food prep area (“there are more germs on a toilet seat than on a chopping board, so why not combine the two?”).
22 I BRISTOL LIFE I www.mediaclash.co.uk ARTS
t the beginning of the year, news dropped that the organisers of Boomtown Meridia,premise:andextraordinary,TheinnewopenwereplanningFairtoapermanentattractionStPhilip’s.imagesweresowasthevisitorswouldstepthroughasecretportalintotheparallelworldofamulti-
A
www.mediaclash.co.uk I BRISTOL LIFE I 23 “The only thing youabsolutely need to know isthe location of the library” –Albert Einstein
“We don’t inherit the Earth from our ancestors; weborrow it from our children”
24 I BRISTOL LIFE I www.mediaclash.co.uk ARTS
Boomtown Fair’s MD Graham MacVoy explained to us why they wanted to create a permanent attraction, with a similar aim and vibe to the festival – and why they’ve done it right here in Bristol. “As a company, we create raw, unbounded experiences that challenge and inspire us to transform the world we live in – and Bristol is the perfect place to do just this,” says Graham. “Wake The Tiger has developed from everything we have learnt over our careers, from how we run businesses to our creative journey. Being able to bring creative storytelling, the essence of Boomtown, to a wider audience all year round was the goal.”
– Native American proverb
HOW IT ALL BEGAN . . .
The main street is the central hub and transit depot for all guilds travelling by air, sea and land to study and salvage the distant outerlands of Meridia . . .
Why was Bristol the obvious home for Wake the Tiger? “Bristol has been home to the Boomtown HQ since its inception, and the creative soul of the city aligns with just about everything we do. As a city, it embraces diversity and nurtures talent, and Bristol itself has been fundamental in creating Wake The Tiger, with almost all our creative team being based here.” Why the name? “Coming up with the name took us ages. Finally, Lak’s wife suggested Wake The Tiger, inspired by a book about trauma of the same name. Its message is to look inside yourself and be the best you can be.”
Got it. Now talk us through the concept... “It’s an immersive art experience consisting of 27 different environments, including artworks, installations, narrative, soundscape, secret passageways and much more. Visitors will receive a ticket to Meridia Luxury Homes; a new development of luxury apartments which promotes ‘thinking inside the box’. On arrival, visitors will discover that workers have come across an ancient tree inside the factory, and they’re struggling to remove it, so construction
Throughout the experience there are messages woven into the narrative, along with interactive touch points, all of which lead us up to the elemental room. In this space, visitors will answer a series of questions to align themselves with their guild, and be given a guild card, which they can then register with us and access the digital space for their guild.”
Tell us more about the interactive element “Wake The Tiger is an immersive experience, with a combination of amazing sets, art installations and interactive touch points. Without giving too much away, there is a journey visitors go on that aims to help them understand more about the guilds of Meridia. Touch points include phones you can pick up and listen to, telescopes to look through, buttons to press leading to doors that could take you anywhere. One of our favourites is the secret door to the library – if you can find it – which takes you into a truly magical room.”
TOP: The mycelium room explores the interconnectedness of all things; BELOW: The galaxy room, ‘vast and unending, with a distinct method to its madness’; INSET: The submarine room, clogged with salvaged junk from the oceans (photo @whosthatjack)
Is the attraction permanent? “Yes; and the world of Meridia will continue to evolve. We have some plans in the works for the future that we can’t talk about yet! Watch this space…” n Wake the Tiger is now open at 127 Albert Road; tickets £18.50, £12.50 for ki un r fi an ar r go r . r a a r ing lo al ro u a bar, and, coming later in the autumn, a gallery space and curiosity shop Book at wakethetiger.com
We saw Dickensian streets, steampunk machinery, trippy giant mushrooms, a room that looks like Dumbledore’s study after an earthquake . . . “Trippy giant mushrooms is pretty bang-on! That’s the mycelium room, a space which highlights how everything is interconnected. Mycelium are tiny ‘threads’ of the greater fungal organism, that wrap around or bore into tree roots. Taken together, mycelium composes what’s called a mycorrhizal network, which connects individual plants together to transfer water, nitrogen, carbon and other minerals. There’s an epic soundscape, and roots surrounding the ceiling, all of which light up, along with some animations by artists embedded in the mossy walls. “Another firm favourite of the team is the street – the grand space you enter once you step through the portal. In this space, visitors are welcomed into the world of Meridia and learn about the four great guilds. Look out for the repurposed fire truck, with hidden corners to explore.”
ARTS
for now, has halted. Rumours are that celestial energy flows across the universe using the network of meridian lines, and this ancient tree, located exactly at the point where the lines cross, becomes a portal between parallel worlds.” This parallel world is Meridia. “The world of Meridia is one not so different from our own. Facing similar challenges of environmental collapse and societal breakdown, the only difference is that the Meridians are looking back to this time of great changes, whereas we on Earth are looking forwards. “Visitors enter a recently deserted factory on the eastern frontier of this world; its inhabitants have recently departed to go out into the surrounding land and confront these challenges. The Meridians have left behind a time capsule for people to study, so that they may join them on their quest and gain insight and guidance from their studies.”
As well as being visually fascinating, we know there’s a serious purpose… “Absolutely. The key message is reconnection to self, and through the process of becoming guild-aligned, its reconnection back to the elements of earth, fire, water and air.
ANDLANDSEA What makes Harbourfest the ultimate Bristol festival? Let’s take a look . . . Words and pictures by Colin Moody 1
H eroes the whole band, bringing Harbour festival back for its 50th year. The whole thing has transmogrified o er the years his year it had a good family vibe. Yeah, I know the idiots were there as well, being… idiots, but it’s like the whole place goes all super-fun continental and down-to-earth.
2Lead from the 45s on stage catches the whole amphitheatre audience in his sunnies. Heavy bassy Tarantino-esque set later, and that’s the audience hyped up nicely.
Now let’s go see what’s out there on the water’s edge this year.
It’s fully urban, but outdoorsy too. Land and sea in symmetry. With otillas o pri ate essels and i kle oats, usually one guy on the out oard motor at the a k, the other shirt o , sporting a warm can of Stella, looking vaguely ahead. This is a festival that’s not trying to be ooh-la-la, it’s just having a bloody good few days out, and if there is a massive teddy bear panda from the stalls next to the ghost train to take home and remember the day by, it’s all to the good.
“It’s fully urban, but outdoorsy too.and sea in symmetry”
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It’s felt by some, and I include myself in this, that this is the number one festival of festivals. It’s for everyone, it’s free, there are more stages playing music, theatre, dance and performance of all kinds than most field esti als, ut this one is ity entre around the harbour, so it’s got a constant changing scene as everything that can oat is attempting to ruise around or take oarders
1Jet. ThereJet.Woo-ooo-oo-oooooo-o-owasoneguyforsurewho found a way to cope with the heat. Now, I can get home to Hotwells on one of those electric scooters of bikes for a couple of quid, but if I could squirt my way up round to the Pump House and plop like an aquatic Bond with perfect timing onto the do k, kill the ets, i k a k my hair and rea h out for a cold one, that would be a better way to get home. This bloke. Absolute legend. An aquatic metaphor as he soars higher than the cranes around him for our harbour hopes and dreams for the future.
3 arol rom oreen oreen he headliners on the final day eatwa e already in ull e e t I had to pour three ups o water on my head to stay cool enough shooting their set from the pit and stage.
6A captainWithahook.
hier, meine freunde, was habe ich da von einen Fass Gin gehört? Colin Moody; content creation, online images Twitter colinmoodyphotography.wordpress.comInstagram@moodycolin@colinmoodyphotography
8Oh, here comes a rowing boat all the way from Hanover in Germany, with a barrel of gin as a welcome gift, and that’s a tree to be planted locally. Yeah, I know the tide of politics recently has been one of separation, division and loss, but here is a welcome sight. Hands of friendship from the shore just about to reach out to the sore hands of the German guests to the city who have rowed for weeks to be here on time for the start of the festival. WillkommenYeah!
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I will just leave this here.
5The Matthew headed west and moored up at the Underfall Yard this Theatreyear.and more, all at the business-end of the harbour, where they still make boats and the bits and bobs you need to sail them with. If it’s all getting too much at the centre this is a great way to undo stress while simultaneously finding out how all the gu ings o the sluices and power to the harbour worked, then and now.
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7Spoke to captains of ships at the harbour over the years. Several of them say they get quite emotional pulling to port here. Round past Pill they see the Gorge rise up to meet them like something from an epic with Heston or Douglas in. They meander under the bridge, its shadow passing over them marks the arrival, and there the huge dock awaits, the doors swing wide like open arms to greet them. So it’s nice, as those vessels we enjoyed rolled in one by one, that some folk took the time to go see them in. he tides e and ow, so do we it’s when the whole lot gets into sync at the festival that it all comes together.
4Quite a lot of tall ships come in for Harbourfest; I’m quite a fan of the Miami Vice-style speed boats, too. They all line up, supercharge the bunting and get out the barbie. And with global warming, all that white plastic does help to bounce some heat back away into space, right? ad a wander down their pri ate oating ul de sa s, and the banter was high, good vibes, their beer fridges were well stocked and they seemed a pretty chilled lot. I guess these are the glampers of the harbour festival. It’s so good to see all the harbour full, like it always used to be. Back in the day you could walk from one side to the other, jumping from deck to deck, when we ruled the waves, so I like seeing it o er owing with li e a ross the waters again ould we ha e little ship neighbourhoods more often? And when the sun sets, chug-chug the ship round for a mini-cruise. It seems a right laugh. My uncle had a boat once. Said it was like standing in a shower throwing tenners down the drain. Not cheap, but is there a better place to chill with a beer or Prosecco, watching Love Island in the shadow o the Arnolfini?
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modern audiences, even if the authors have long since passed. It’s something we like to get behind as it also gives us a little break from all that slavish dedication, and if it’s only just been republished it’s basically new anyway, isn’t it? Anyway; here are four variously stunning books from recent and distant history, newly reissued in all their glory. Maud Martha –Gwendolyn Brooks We weren’t hugely familiar with Gwendolyn Brooks’ poetry on reading this slim and powerful volume (her only novel, originally published to muted fanfare in 1953), but we were so intrigued by the life of Maud Martha, rendered in tight but poetic vignettes through her earliest memories, first lo es, first losses, oming o age and attempts to eke out a slice o that mid entury Ameri an promise: house, husband, kids, abundance. These are snapshots into a mostly ordinary life, but they come together to form something greater than the sum of its parts. Maud Martha is simply lovely: a miniature masterpiece. Nevada – Imogen Binnie What a thrill it is to read something that’s not just relatable and profound, but also just fun! This is something of a Great American Novel. Originally published in the US in 2013 and only just out in the UK this year, Nevada is a mid li e oming o age story following a trans woman alled aria a ad ass punk bookseller (can you see why we like it?!) who through a series of mishaps in her personal li e ends up stealing her e girl riend’s ar and em arking on an open ended road trip in search of… well what does anyone drive across America in search of…? Whatever it is, Nevada feels like a literary and cultural touchstone and a novel of tremendous importance. All Our Yesterdays –Natalia Ginzburg (translated by Angus Davidson) Goodness knows what the weather will be doing by the time you read Sure, the new releases are exciting and all that – but sometimes it’s good to look back as well as forwards . . .
these words, but rest assured that as we write them the temperature is close to Naturallyunbearable.ourthoughts turn to books that would suitably accompany an Italian holiday, and ortunately this newly reissued gem from 1952 came along at just the right time In a heart wren hing story that runs in parallel to the encroaching fascist regime, a year old girl alls pregnant in her small town in Northern Italy and marries a much older friend of the family to save her reputation. The writing is delectable and sharp, the story perfectly poised, the setting exquisitely hewn. Lolly Willowes –Sylvia Townsend Warner
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B ooksellers are duty ound to keep feeding the publishing machine, displaying a slavish dedication to the new at all times. Ideally we should e speed reading books that aren’t even out yet, so that we can more accurately and enthusiastically push the est stu on our customers. But where does that leave the old books, the ones history tells us we really should e reading i we ould only find theOnetime?of the more pleasing developments in recent years for the publishing world is a growing fascination with the concept of the ‘lost gem’, the curios missed on their original release, now beautifully republished for “One of of the pleasing fascinationdevelopmentsrecentisagrowingforthe‘lostgem’”
EMILY & DAN BOOKSSTORYSMITHROSS
We were very excited to discover that a new clothbound edition of Sylvia Townsend Warner’s daring novelette is to be released this summer. It’s a relatively new favourite of ours, and we’re not ashamed to admit we weren’t hip to its harms despite it eing first published in 1926. With a prescience that feels somewhat unearthly, Warner uses her title character to undermine and comment upon the patriarchal stru tures o etween war ritain by having unmarried Lolly abandon her comfortable life for a life of solitary witchcraft in the countryside. Transgressive and hugely entertaining. So next time you’re wondering what literary genre twisters are currently getting the book world into a spin, it might be just as worthwhile to look backwards while you’re looking orwards who knows what gems you might uncover? Storysmith, 236 North Street storysmithbooks.com
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ETHICUREANTHE It's not just a tasting menu. It's an experience... Words by Deri Robins
RESTAURANT
Next, we move into the dining room, housed within the kind of former Victorian glasshouse fawned over by Pinterest. Rustic-industrial furniture is softened by sheepskins, fairy lights and artless bunches of lavender; large windows gaze across the garden and over to the Mendip hills. As the evening sets in, we watch the mist pool romantically in the valley. The next three courses are still fully rooted, pun intended, in fresh veggie produce from the walled garden. No less carefully considered, and probably deserving of its own review, is the a ompanying wine ight, the pride and joy of excellent GM Emily. My designated driver stares wistfully at my Puglian moscatello selvatico, but he’s not too shortchanged; a lot of care has gone into the non-alcoholic spritzes and gimlets, which are playfully assembled to resemble cocktails. Next up, creamy ricotta with a fragrant smoky hit of burned bayleaf comes with a radish, the size and juiciness of which would make Peter Rabbit’s eyes pop out. A kind o kohl ra i ra ioli is filled with apple and shallot relish, while a whole Florence onion is grilled in its skin, with the sweet-sharpness of plum and boskiness of fermented mushroom powder – as complex yet subtle as that sounds. Woolley Park duck comes roasted on the crown, blushing and tender beneath its glaze of parsnip and apple. Pickled magnolia, a preserve which seems to be having a bit of a moment, teams with sweet beets, salty blackcurrant paste and vinegary chard, while savoury little towers o o al sausage are sharply o set y sour a age Of the puds, our favourite is a light, subtly smoked buttermilk parfait with deli ate sheets o fig meringue, though the yoghurt and honey sponge buried in a Barbie-pink beetroot mousse is a total showstopper. Through a skill verging on alchemy, the homeliest of ingredients are transformed by the kitchen into astonishingly inventive and assured dishes that brim with nourishment. The Ethicurean is a good deed in a naughty world, but eating ethically has rarely felt so enjoyable. n
The Ethicurean, Barley Wood Walled Garden, Wrington, theethicurean.com Hours
The Ethicurean Experience tasting menus run Wed-Saturday; Saturday and Sunday lunch Prices Tasting menu £150 pp; wine flight £65. Lunch £75 Drinks Natural and biodynamic wines, cocktails and imaginative 'no & low' drinks
Atmosphere Chilled and friendly Service Knowledgeable, but not remotely preachy
Y ou can’t just be a restaurant these days,” says The Ethicurean’s co-owner and founder Matthew Pennington. “There has to be a bigger purpose.”We’rehearing this kind of thing a lot. It’s not just about restaurants having to become more agile in their o ering, although it’s true that they need to do that too, in order to survive. It’s about taking responsibility: for local producers, or sta , or lo al harities, or the planet The Ethicurean has been leading the sustainable pack for a decade, earning a Michelin green star for its thoughtful practices. Long before any limate emergen y was de lared, field to ork was key to its ethos Now it’s upped its game still further; but if you assume this means you’ll be in for an intolerably self-righteous dining experience, think again. ou won’t find more in ested sta anywhere, ut they wear their knowledge lightly; nobody pins you with glittery-eyed fervour as you sit, knife poised in mid-air over your rapidly ooling ood while they reel o the li e y le of your duck, or explain how chef foraged the hedgerows at dawn or the elder ower in your spritz. Sure, if you have any questions – and The Ethicurean tends to attract guests who are interested in such things – they’ll be thrilled to answer them, but if all you want is to get stuck into that duck before it starts quacking in indignation, they’ll leave you to it. Since the lockdowns, there’s been an even bigger emphasis on using ingredients straight from the garden, while the dining has somehow e ome e en finer It was never exactly rustic, but the delicacy and presentation of the dishes seems to have been honed still further. The pace of service has also become more relaxed; you’re actively encouraged to stroll among the herbs and brassicas before dinner, drink in hand, to take in the view and chat to the gardeners. Arriving on a balmy July evening for the full tasting menu, which runs every day between Wednesday and Saturday, we’re met halfway up the kitchen garden by head chef Mark McCabe. Over the world’s tiniest barbecue, Mark is cooking fresh lovage tacos for each guest, topping them with leaves, herbs and petals and sauces before ceremoniously rolling them up. They taste like a little slice of Eden, and make us reconsider a life choice that does not feature an allotment. Further snacks are served over cocktails in the lounge, in full view of the open kitchen, where the chefs genuinely look as if they’re having fun. A caring, supportive culture is inculated here, with a fair wage, decent DINING DETAILS
www.mediaclash.co.uk I BRISTOL LIFE I 35 work-life balance and inspirational training. Service charge is included in the cost; any additional tips go to local charities. A chilled cucumber consommé infused with lemon-drop chilli is a little sharp and a idi more indulgent are a pair o eleria tarts filled with coriander sour cream, cured trout and tomato concentrate, which dissol e on the tongue in an e iting party o a ours and te tures There’s a further melting mouthful, this time in the form of new potatoes layered with celtuce – this, we learn, is a kind of nutty-tasting lettu e I find mysel nodding knowingly at des riptions o the dishes, before surreptitiously Googling under the table.
FOOD & DRINK
Let’s ki k o with news rom two lo al legends he ony, run y si lings osh and olly ggleton, and their rothers y another mother, the ian his We’re hearing a similar story rom oth these amilies, and many other restaurant owners in the ity, too profit margins are tight, osts are sky high, ottom lines are diminishing, so to stay in profit, to keep on keeping on, to support their sta and lo al produ ers and still ontinue with their ongoing mission to help the ulnera le people in the ity, they’re ha ing to e ome e er more agile and in enti e irst, The Pony In spring , the ggletons opened their well regarded ony orth treet in edminster, while ontinuing to run two ran hes o alt alt, along with o owned oot and he ensington Arms owe er, during the lo kdowns they made the surprising announ ement that they’d e losing the amily’s original gastropu , he ony rap and i that meant relin uishing its shiny i helin star, then so e it they weren’t othered We knew they had ig plans or the site, and with uilding work now well underway at hew agna they’ e gone pu li with the details he new on ept or the site will ha e the garden at its heart, says osh We always made the most o what we grew at he ony rap, ut this will e ne t le el A ter losing the ony during o id, we wanted to do something really radi al with the site We’ll e opening a produ e led restaurant, e ent enue, ookery s hool and kit hen garden, with a mi ro arm with all the produ e grown on site used in the restaurant and ookery s hool
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Big news from two hospitality powerhouses, new openings and other tasty bites
BRYANTIAN©
SNAPSHOTS OF BRISTOL’S FOOD SCENE
what ABOVE: Team Pony, with Holly and Josh second and third from left Dom Borel and Ben Harvey of Bianchis
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However, long-term fans needn’t panic; there’s no danger of throwing the baby out with the bathwater, because the new ony Chew Valley will feature “nights and lunches that are representative of everything we’ve learned over the past 16 years”.
“Guests will be invited to walk through our new gardens and orchard before or after dining. The site will also be the HQ for our new food CIC, which is focused on doing our bit to eradicate food poverty in the South West.” The back of the building is being transformed into a garden dining room with large windows overlooking the gardens and the hew alley, and a entral dining ta le filled with fresh produce, “We will be opening this space on Wednesday to Friday, with menus that re e ts the land and waters that surround the ony We’ll also present spe ial e ents throughout the month, su h as a fish and shellfish dinner. Our steak night will have everything cooked over wood and coal; at the Sunday roasts expect a lamb leg for your whole table, or a whole chicken and a forerib to share. Veggies will be catered for too, with specialist nights and options on the menu. This way of dining invites you to experience dishes down to ingredient level. “Every element of the menus will be grown locally or have a provenance which is traceable, putting food education and sustainability at the heart of the experience. We are looking to create food experiences that bring people together in a place to inspire joy, family connection and collaboration.”
The group has now launched a Kickstarter campaign to help bring uilding to ompletion, o ering e lusi e perks su h as private dining experiences with Root’s Rob Howell and Bianchis’ Ben Harvey, dinner at a o’s apas, artwork y Inkie, a alley est east and the han e to ha e the ony hew alley team ook or you at home With a bit o lu k, and may e help rom you, the ony hew alley ould open at the end of the summer. Get involved: theponychewvalley.co.uk
DESIGNEPSTUDIOPEARMANEMILY©ILLUSTRATIONSALL SCHOFIELDED©
BELOW: The new restaurant, cookery school and wedding venue – building is now halfway through, and the family have launched a kickstarter to complete the rest
ABOVE: Josh in his happy place; INSET: Ingredients will be grown locally, including fruit and veg from the Pony garden), or have a traceable provenance
Centrale launched with a party on 31 July, followed by Konni’s Naughty Sarnies on 7 August, with DJ Mike Cross bringing the Hot Buttered Soul; eyes on instagram for up-and-coming events. Also: Bianchis have also teamed up with The Mount Without as their exclusive wedding caterers, but that’s another story…
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While Josh and Holly were busily reinventing the hospitality wheel in Chew Magna, exciting things were brewing in Easton, as the mighty Bianchis family made plans to open new venue Centrale, which sees the group’s kitchen hub being developed into a multi-faceted venue.
To take just one example, energy bills have quadrupled at the family’s eponymous restaurant Bianchis on York Road.
And so they looked again at Easton, which seemed to o er a multi purpose enue or menu tastings, music events, chef nights, weddings… “We had this big space, in an industrial area, o er two oors, says Dom. “Ben and I stripped back the upstairs area, added curtains and plants and spotlights, and a big cinema projector for cinema and sports screenings; a bar downstairs, a DJ booth, a deli counter.”
The family acquired the site back in February 2020, with the idea of running it as a kitchen, freeing up chefs from basic prep work. Then lockdown hit; along with Josh at the Pony and Shona at Emmeline, Bianchis used the Easton site to cook meals for the Cheers Drive initiative, which delivered food to vulnerable people at hotel hubs.
Centrale by Bianchis, Unit 7 St Gabriel’s Business Centre, Easton @centralebybianchis on Instagram Absolute scenes at the Centrale launch party: ABOVE: Evi the Pomchi and owner Lorna King; INSET: Mitch and Dom at the pumps; BELOW: Summer vibes, with Felix Joy on decks
Fast-forward to 2022, when everything was looking relatively normal; but then executive chef Ben Harvey came up with another concept. With a big spike in mental health issues, the group took a are ul look at the well eing o its sta “We thought it would be a great idea to cut hours and increase wages in order to help everyone’s work/life balance,” says co-owner Dom Borel. And quite apart from being the right thing to do, it made good business sense: “Cut hours, increased wages and better wellbeing equals better performance.“Thenafew months went by, energy costs went up and profits dropped dramati ally We had to find ways of making more money without spending more money. We increased opening hours again, but the bottom line was still diminishing.”
At the same time, they’re committed to the charitable work that’s become such a huge part of the group’s ethos. “We’ll be working closely with a variety of charities and community projects, to keep the love going,” says Dom. We always try to enefit harities su h as a i, aring in Bristol, Square Food, Full Circle…” Indeed, a i student evenings are on the Centrale wish-list. For now, there’s a provisional calendar, with events being announced each week on social media, the main focus eing on the ood o ering and amily riendly e ents, su h as BBQs and music, with supper clubs, movie nights and collaborations, many with music by “local legends”. A deli launch is also planned this month; the Loft will be available for private hire and a market is on the cards for September.
“It’s about looking how we can twist into hard times and reinvent ourselves again, in a way that’s central to our sustainability,” says Ben. the heat o the kit hen, and been the engine room of what we do; but now our restaurants were carrying Easton, and we needed to make money out o it We’re still finding our eet it’s not e a tly a restaurant ut we ha e a total o sta , and we’re struggling to fill our other enues, and we ha e a massi e pool of people to draw upon.”
RIGHT: No, it’s not a Money Heist prequel, it’s the new Brewdog on Harbourside; BELOW: The garden-like Wiper and True taproom THERE
REDCLIFFESIMPLY
Nicely timed, Brewdog he indie craft brewers launched their second Bristol site on Millennium romenade o er a ery sunny Harbourfest weekend, a whole week earlier than planned. hey’ e taken their time to ollow up their first ristol ar, which opened ten years ago, but it’s been worth the wait; the new space is strikingly good-looking, with industrial i es We’re ery e ited about this one, being just on the Harbourside,” they say. “Our latest bar is kitted out with taps pouring the ery est craft beer from BrewDog and friends, with 30 draught taps to hoose rom We’re ser ing up our stacked burgers and infamous [sic] wings as well.” an y ha ing some of that lo ely resh eer and ider, not to mention the ‘infamous’ wings, deli ered to your home? o problem at all; the new BrewDog ow ser i e will on ey whate er you want to where er you want Oh, and the Harbourside bar follows the ‘BrewDog Blueprint’, in whi h o the profits are shared directly with the sta , aligning with rew og’s commitment to raising the bar for hospitality. brewdog.com
he new Wiper & True brewery and taproom has opened in Old Market and it’s a beauty: a ast, plant filled oasis with a riendly, in lusi e i e It’s welcoming and accessible, it’s dog-, baby-, family- and e erything else riendly, and you’ll find the freshest pints brewed mere metres away from your seat. Dumplings come from Bristol legends Eatchu, there are Bristol-made spirits, and local natural wines. Brewery tours and e ents, too wiperandtrue.com
BREW GOES
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Michelin-starred Casamia will wind up its fun but wildly pricey, 20-plus course, ‘weird gig with food’ concept at the end of the month; the Sanchez-Iglesias family plan to replace it with a new, more a orda le traditional Italian restaurant. But what of the rest of the site that’s owned by the group, on the ground oor o he eneral? he answer is that Paco Tapas, which also holds a Michelin star, plans to extend into the middle room – you know, the bit that used to house pizzeria Pi Shop –there’s also a new waterside dining terra e o ering o ers Just in case you needed an excuse or a re isit pacotapas.co.uk
EMISSIONS ADMISSIONS
Bristol-based vegan charity Viva! has launched a partnership with The Canteen and My Emissions to trial the inclusion of carbon footprints on menus instead of calories* – something Viva! Feels should take an urgent priority as the climate crisis grows. It’s the first time a Bristol restaurant has taken part in a trial of this nature, and they hope to raise awareness of the impact of our food choices on the planet. * We always think calorie counts on menus are a total buzzkill anyway. For more viva.org.uk
Stay up to date by following @kitchenbykask
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DINNER AND A SHOW?
The menu, cooked up in partnership with Bristol Event Catering – a local independent company that’s quickly building a reputation for its modern approach to food creativity – features a vibrant range of delifresh food from breakfast right through to dinner.
Actually, the secret’s now out: Bedminster favourite (and Bristol Life Award-winner) Kask wine bar is are about to open a restaurant.
KITCHEN CONFIDENTIAL
Many ingredients are sourced locally; Arthur David supplies the fruit and veg, meat is from Walter Rose, New Wave delivers ethically sourced fish from Cornwall, and Forest Produce supplies everything from cheeses to charcuterie and fresh We also hear exciting rumours of mojitos on tap.
New espresso and wine bar Starlings has just opened on ueen’s oad he o ering is lo ally roasted ristol o ee, fresh British produce and a warm atmosphere from sunrise to sunset… a humble menu to eat and drink both inside and out.”
COMING SOON… These patootiespastelcanshortlybeyours... All-day dining; no
. . . or hey, just dinner? Bristol Old Vic is the obvious spot for a pre-show meal, but also a superb hangout in its own right –especially now that it’s launched its new Kitchen + Bar, serving both the indoor and outdoor café areas.
Castle Farm Midford isn’t ready for Stranger Things to be over, and frankly neither are we, so we’re jumping headfirst into a spe ial supper lu inspired by the series. Pick your character, plan your costume and book for an evening of fantastical escapism as the renowned kitchen prepares a menu of Stranger Things/1980s food, cocktails and a whole lot of Kate Bush, on 27 August and 3 September. Book at castlefarmmidford.co.uk
North Street Cheese Shop –All we know is that (a) it’s a cheese shop and (b) it’s on North Street. Thinking about it, that’s probably all you need to know. (is North Street the foodiest of all Bristol’s high streets? Got to be near the top, surely. @northstreetcheese shop Does the photo on the right resemble your idea of heaven? Know then that Portuguese baker Nata & Co is due to open on The Triangle. What’s it to be: original, apple, lemon or peanut butter pastel de natas? nataco.uk ticket
bristololdvic.org.uk/eat-drink
Check ‘em out: starlingsuk.co.uk
The new, constantly changing dining hall at Kitchen by Kask will be “part-restaurant, part-event space, part-community kitchen, partsun-trap garden”, as well as being the new home of The Mazi Project – the initiative that challenges food poverty in the city by connecting disadvantaged young people to Bristol’s rich food culture. We’re promised residencies with Bristol’s best-loved street-food traders, with a drinks menu created by the team at Kask to pair perfectly with the food – all without the usual pairing-menu price tag.
taking with him, as food for the journey. He popped the other half of the baguette on the dashboard, told me it was from the Guild of Dough (which we were just driving past), then remarked that it was the closest thing to a real French baguette he had ever tasted in Bristol. As we drove along, I found myself sneaking bites from the spare half of the baguette. Turns out, he was right. It really was like the real French thing. Even to the point of feeling slightly stale, the way French bread does halfway through the afternoon. Not that I cared. I was too busy conjuring up images of lightly toasting it, rubbing on some raw garli , may e topping it o with a bruschetta-style salsa of fennel, onion and tomato., along with a light drizzle of lime juice and honey dressing. Mmm. By the time I’d finished daydreaming, we had arrived at the airport and I’d eaten all the baguette. Which is why I had to pop along and get another one. Still not sure what exactly this place is; bakery, cafe, or portal into a foreign dimension, where pleasure rules and time stands still? Don’t really care either way. I’m going back for croissants. n
CAFÉ SOCIETY CULLIMORESTAN “I’m not sure what exactly this place is: bakery, café, or portal into a foreign dimension, where pleasure rules and timestands Baguettes?still?” He’s had a few... …but very few as good as the ones served at The Guild of Dough… www.mediaclash.co.uk I BRISTOL LIFE I 43
Former Housemartins guitarist Stan is now a journalist and travel writer stancullimore.com Road, turn right onto Ashley Down Road then stroll along for a ew minutes, you will find yoursel standing outside a modest little shop ront At first glan e it looks like an extremely artisanal bakery, with shelves of interesting loaves ready to tempt the eye and tease the tastebuds. But if you venture through the front door, you will be rewarded by the sight of a few tables lining the back of the premises.Whenmy companion and I popped in, I had to ask the bloke behind the counter if they did o ee hey do o we ordered a couple of Americanos, along with a couple of baguettes to take away. Had to do that, as they were the main reason for my visit. While the friendly bloke behind the counter went in search of o ee ups, I noti ed they also had a menu on the counter. A short but intriguing selection of sandwich and sausagey type snacks. Never one to pass up an opportunity, I went for the spiced chicken, roasted red pepper and smoky whatnots combo, whilst my mate went for a vegan sausage roll. Very good it all was too. Most marvellous.Butbefore I get carried away, back to the reason for our visit. A few days earlier, I had given my son a lift to the airport. He arrived in the car carrying half a filled aguette whi h he was his issue’s o ee shop of choice is an awrappedenigmaincroissant, stu ed inside a allbaguette,hidden away beneath a sweet crust of crumbly sourdough. That’s not its name. Obviously. That would be ridiculous. No. Its name is The Guild of Dough. If you head up the Gloucester
T
Viva la REvolucion!Viva Brunch! Whether you love sipping on Aperol Spritzes, drinking delicious Strawberry Daiquiris or popping Prosecco, bring your besties to Revolución de Cuba on the harbour for the best Bottomless Brunch fiesta in Bristol! For £35 enjoy 90 minutes of bottomless boozy beverages, 11am until 4pm every single day of the week! EXTRAORDINARY Experience Book now via the email:www.revoluciondecuba.com/bar/bristolwebsite:Forgroupenquiriesofover8people,bookings-bristol@revoluciondecuba.com Drinks included: - Aperol Spritz - Pints of house lager - Strawberry Daiquiri - Prosecco - Disaronno Fizz - Bloody Mary - Spanish Shandy With regular DJ sets, the Latin brunch vibes run high!
THE BRUNCHWILD is the most important meal in the day is probably getting up too early… www.mediaclash.co.uk I BRISTOL LIFE I 45
Brunch. Hands-down the best meal of the week. You can enjoy a long, lazy lie-in, then tuck into a proper, boozy meal from as early as 11 am in the morning –because at brunch, drinking from late morning onwards is not merely permitted, it’s mandatory. Obviously you can wave bye-bye to productivity for the rest of the day, but who in their right mind wants to be productive on a weekend? So, where’s the best place in town to get stuck in? It’s a hotly contested issue, which is why, in addition to speaking to a wide range of restaurants for their take on things, we’ve included a further round-up at the end of this feature.
la orning ino r o li run an oo a li ai fin
What’s the thinking behind your brunch? “We don’t want to do the classic ‘fry-up’ style brunch, so it’s fun to play with classics, and do it Canteen-style. “
PREVIOUSPAGE: French toast, Bank style
ARNOLFINI CAFÉ BAR Whether you’re dining al fresco on the covered deck or tucked up cosily indoors, locations don’t get more picturesque than this one, directly on the Harbourside gazing over to M Shed. It’s managed by Bristol Beer a tory, osh ggleton o ersees the ood o ering while skar ong and team bring it all beautifully to fruition with a cracking brunch menu –all through the day, every day.
Where and when? 16 Narrow Quay, seven days a week; Monday-Saturday 9am-5pm, Sunday 9am-3pm. So, what makes brunch the best meal of the day? “A lazy morning with no stress, complete with brunch and booze. hat’s li e at its finest What makes your brunch offering so special? “Cracking local produce cooked with passion and served with enthusiasm, in a gorgeous ar ourside lo ation Give us a top recommendation from the current brunch menu “Our vegan full-English, which consists of tofu scramble, tempeh ‘bacon’, Portobello mushroom, smoky beans, avocado smash, potato and parsnip rosti, tomato relish and toasted sourdough; or our Turkish eggs – two poached eggs in a rich tomato sauce with spinach, peppers, ried onions, reek yoghurt, aatar, suma and toasted sourdough a ar
What makes brunch the best meal of the day? “Brunch is such a brilliant meal as there’s a really lovely casual feel to the whole a air With it eing at a more so ia le time o day, it makes the whole meal feel super-accessible to everyone, whether you have young children or just prefer to get an early night. It’s also a great e use to en oy a o ktail in the middle o the day
arnolfini.org.uk
THE CANTEEN
What makes your brunch offering so special? We work hard to keep our run h o ering a little di erent to what you’d usually find As with our e ening ood, we ele rate the est o seasonal produce, while taking inspiration from all over the world. We like to o us on reating uni ue dishes that you won’t find on any other run h menus
BANK his otterdown restaurant first laun hed as a ar, ut soon added an e ellent ood o ering hey’re still serious a out o ktails, though the brunch option of banana and coconut rum iced latte sounds particularly incredible. Where and when? 107 Wells Road; Wednesday to Sunday, 10am-2:30pm.
Oh and guess what; some of them do brunch every day of the week . . .
The Canteen has Stokes Croft running through it like a stick of rock. It’s as much a community resource as a food destination, but the latter definitely isn’t a se ondary onsideration it’s renowned as a pla e to meet, eat, drink, and listen to some of Bristol’s best live music. Oh, and it’s 100% vegetarian. Where and when? Hamilton House, 80 Stokes Croft; open for a lunch-style menu Tuesday to Friday, with more brunchy options from 11am on Saturday and Sunday, particularly with the specials.
Brews with a view: take your time at Arnolfini, where brunch is served until fashionably late
Give us a recommendation from the current brunch menu “If I had to choose right now, I’d choose our Moroccan lamb hash: braised lamb shoulder with Moroccan spices, served with fried potatoes, kale, poa hed eggs, dukkah, and homemade yoghurt ank ri ol. o
Give us a top recommendation from the current brunch menu “Leek and potato rosti with black garlic ketchup and Bristol Fungarium mushroom a on canteenbristol.co.uk
What makes brunch the best meal of the day? ost o time, reak ast is something we rush or skip as we dash o to work or the s hool run ut run h is a leisurely treat it’s a out taking time to savour something delicious while catching up with friends – the per e t way to ki k o a ra king weekend
PIEMINISTER
What makes your brunch offering so special? “It involves pies! Everyone knows that a pastry pie case makes whate er’s inside it taste twi e as good o fill it with reak ast a es like free-range British sausages and bacon and top it with a baked egg, cheesy bechamel sauce and the option to add sticks of halloumi or pigs in lankets, and you’re onto a winner ur egetarian and egan ersions are e ually as good hen there’s the bottomless drinks; it’s every pie-loving weekender’s ood hea en antasy Give us a top recommendation from the current brunch menu he egan anger A red onion and rosemary vegan sausage pie with béchamel sauce and vegan cheese, topped with garlic potatoes, crispy kale and roast ine tomatoes And smoky aked eans on the side Any o the ottomless drinks go well with this, whether you choose the ie A our own lager or a mimosa
Breakfast, which includes a hearty helping of Jolly Hog treacle-cured back bacon and smoked streaky bacon, Proper Porker sausage, black pudding, hash brown, mushrooms, roast tomato, scrambled eggs, aked eans and toast theforges.co.uk
“For those with a sweet tooth, the crumpets are a must, featuring banana and Nutella or bacon and maple syrup, while those who fancy something a bit more substantial can tuck into the Mighty Forge
www.mediaclash.co.ukBRUNCH I BRISTOL LIFE I 47
What makes brunch the best meal of the day? “Brunch always feels like a bit of a treat, and whether you’re after something sweet or a lassi ry up, we’ e got you o ered What makes your brunch offering so special? “We source the best local produce from across Bristol and the South West, to ensure your brunch is not just incredibly tasty, but in line with our e o riendly, lo al ommitment rom trea le ured a on and handmade sausages from the Jolly Hog, artisan black pudding from Ferrous and honey from the beehives on our roof, the brunch menu oasts an impressi e array o lo al goods Give us a top recommendation from the current brunch menu
ABOVE: Forge & Fern don’t mess about with the full-English; BELOW: Sometimes, lush things in a bun are all you want (Spicer & Cole); INSET: The full vegan at Arnolfini
If you’ve never considered pie for brunch, it’s time to think long and hard a out your li e de isions When and where? Every Saturday in both Stokes Croft and Broad Quay branches, from am the last sitting is at pm
THE FORGE AND FERN Let’s bring it bang up to date, with this just-opened neighbourhood bar and restaurant on Staple Hill, from a new local food group with a strong en ironmental and sustaina le ethos Where and when? 76 Broad Street, Staple Hill; traditional breakfast and brunch served seven days a week, from 8am-11:30am, with a selection of brunch lassi s and sandwi hes ser ed midday pm
What makes your brunch offering so special? “Our sourcing policy and the fact that we’re a veggie/vegan restaurant means you know everything is sustainable, local and organic where possi le, as well as something slightly di erent to other pla es
What makes brunch the best meal of the day? “Saturday is a special day, and there’s nothing like taking your time over a leisurely run h a ter a usy week with a o ee and tea, or i you’re feeling adventurous, a boozy cocktail.”
BRUNCH 48 I BRISTOL LIFE I www.mediaclash.co.uk
STEAM If there’s a more promising word than ‘brunch’ it’s ‘bottomless’… and if their inexhaustible supply of prosecco, beer and cider isn’t enough, know that this Whiteladies Road favourite has teamed with Fattso, who make some o the finest urgers in the West ood times When and where? li ton own tation ottomless run h runs aturdays midday pm rom o em er there’ll e a hristmas run h on hursday aturday keep an eye on so ials or updates steam ristol What makes brunch the best meal of the day? “It allows you to sleep in, but still have breakfast choices at an unconventional time of day paired with a glass of bubbles.”
Give us a fun brunch-related fact Our Stokes Croft customers enjoy on average an extra two drinks per person per brunch compared to our Broad Quay customers. pieminister.co.uk
The Red Church opened in autumn 2020, and the populace of St eorge, edfield and aston re oi ed at gaining su h a good looking, ool i ing enue When and where? hur h oad, edfield e ery aturday rom am until pm
“The mushroom, halloumi and roast cherry vine tomato ciabatta with aioli and sundried tomato pesto is a winning om o napkins definitely needed, its messy. . .” spicerandcole.co.uk
THISPAGE: Wayland’s Yard: try The Warrior, if you’re hard enough
What makes your brunch offering so special? “We are a cool neighbourhood bar with interior design by the fantastic owlands, who sour e ama ing mid entury urniture rom all o er urope he i e is super rela ed, and we play a , aleari and other hill tunes o er our inema uality intage inewood sound system to a ompany your run h I you want to, you an walk it o in t eorges ark whi h is right opposite us Give us a top recommendation from the current brunch menu “We have lots of options to suit all tastes but for a proper brunch e perien e it’s got to e a ull nglish theredchurch.net
What makes your brunch offering so special? “We have put a lot of thought into the meat, veggie and vegan options, whether you ome or the u y White lo ally red a on, A ots eigh halloumi or smoked to u they are all deli ious espe ially with our homemade spicy beans.”
THE RED CHURCH
SPICER & COLE pi er and ole now ha e fi e ran hes, with a slightly di erent o ering at ea h a Where and when? ull run h menu at the ran hes in li ton illage, ueen uare and in els ea h the lou ester oad and WA a s ser e a lighter breakfast menu, including homemade granola, pastries and toasted sandwiches. Opening days and times vary from branch to branch, so check with the restaurant. What makes brunch the best meal of the day? “It showcases the best parts of breakfast and lunch, and as it’s usually a su stitute or oth meals, we tend to make more e ort to go to town it’s rarely a functional meal, and more something to be savoured with friends or family.”
“The most expensive brunch in the world is at Norma’s restaurant in the Le Parker Meridien Hotel in New York – It’s called the Zillion Dollar Lobster Frittata and includes a pound of lobster and 10 ounces of Caviar and costs around $2000! Brunch at the Arnolfini is a lot easier on the wallet” – Ally Cave, Arnolfini
Give us a top recommendation from the current brunch menu
Pies with a Pieministersmile: “Everyone knows thata pastry pie case makeswhatever’s inside it taste twice as good”
– Dan O’Regan, Bank
What makes your brunch offering so special? “Our brunch is special because our venue is special; we have a fantastic team serving the bubbles and a great pop-up kitchen dishing out tasty food. We also have a DJ pumping out the tunes for our brunchers every Saturday.”
What makes your brunch offering so special? rom triple sta ked eggy rumpets to ry ups that o er the ull works, we guarantee a ours that wow ea h and e ery time ur menu in ludes options or egetarians and egans, and orders an e made gluten ree on re uest I you’ e got a sweet tooth, you ha e to try out our innamon uns the per e t treat to pair with your o ee order
ABOVE: Expect the unexpected at Bank: tarkha dahl and smoked cauliflower, perhaps?; BELOW: Full veggie ahoy at Canteen; INSET: Waffles with oyster mushrooms at Steam
50 I BRISTOL LIFE I www.mediaclash.co.uk
WAYLAND’S YARD Wayland’s Yard describes itself as “Clifton’s go-to café to enjoy proper ood and o ee with proper people n oy run h inside, or outdoors on the yard terrace when the weather plays ball.
When and where? Whiteladies oad all day, se en days a week onday riday am pm, aturday am pm, unday am pm
BRUNCH
Give us a top recommendation from the current brunch menu he Warrior reak ast you an’t eat it ausage, streaky a on, hori o, eggs, hash rowns, house eans, herry tomatoes, mushrooms, toast: this breakfast has been with us since the day we opened back in esigned to keep e en the hungriest satisfied, ased on am’s insider knowledge of how much food the Warriors can put away in a single sitting When we first put this on the menu it was suggested that two ould share, ut we ha e yet to see that happen ou guys aren’t afraid of a good old proper breakfast. And neither are we.” n waylandsyard.com “Juliet’s Quality Foods in Tooting really embody the same ingredient-led approach as ours at Bank, to create some unbelievably delicious and interesting dishes. When I went, I had their Smoked Pork Neck Pastrami Everything Bagel with a set egg custard and Lincolnshire Poacher cheese…”
Give us a top recommendation from the current brunch menu “Our Fatt Mack with sriracha mayo.” steambristol.co.uk
arnolfini@bristolbeerfactory.co.uk | 01179179715 From a full on meat feast to vegan delights & everything in between, we cover all bases with our locally & responsibly sourced brunch menu! ON THE HARBOURSIDE breakfast, lunch, coffee & cake www.spicerandcole.co.uk
MAINPIC: Spicer & Cole; INSETS, FROMTOP: Build a little Dirty Martini birdcage in your soul; Stranger Things’ Eleven would adore the waffles at Quay St
Burra; Lower Redland Road and Whiteladies Road Antipodean-flavoured cafés run by three guys from Bristol Bears; 8am-4pm Mon-Sat, Sunday 9am4pm, serving classic brunch dishes along with feta and eggs, rice bowls, mezzes etc. burrabristol.co.uk
www.mediaclash.co.uk I BRISTOL LIFE I 53 BRUNCH
The Bristolian; Picton Street Classic fry-ups in this quirky, boho Montpelier café; try The Bristolian Fusion with eggs, local chorizo, minty yoghurt, garlic mushrooms, grilled sunblush tomatoes, sesame spinach and crispy potatoes. Open 8am to 6pm; thebristolian.co.uk Rosemarino; York Place A Clifton institution; the Italianinspired brunch offers everything from eggs Benedict to ricotta pancakes with cured salmon. Tuesday-Sunday, 9am-3pm. rosemarino.co.uk Klosterhaus; The Friary Building The Haus Brunch offers classic dishes such as eggs and avo, along with Germanic treats such as Bauernfrühstück – sauté potatoes, with Nürnberger sausage – served in glammy surroundings. Ideal preshopping fortification at Cabots; Saturday and Sunday from 11am, klosterhaus.co.uk
The Bristol Loaf; Bedminster Parade, Church Road and Bristol Beacon Try the weekend brunch at Bedminster, 9am-3pm for truly creative alternatives such leekchi toastie with kimchi, or sourdough crumpets with smoked Chalk Stream trout. thebristolloaf.co.uk Caper and Cure; Stokes Croft Lovely light-filled café; Saturday brunch 10am-midday, eschewing the obvious with delights such as poached eggs with buttered greens and dukkah or brown crab mayo on toast. caperandcure.co.uk
Primrose Café; Boyce’s Avenue Ideal for people-watching in Clifton’s café quarter. Breakfast every day, brunch Saturday 9am3pm. Sunday 9.30am-3pm; choose between The Montys fry-ups, savoury muffins, waffles and more; not bookable. primrosecafe.co.uk Quay St Diner; Quay Street Laidback Cali sunshine in a cool diner setting; choose thick-cut smoked bacon and eggs or fried chicken and waffles (“a hug on a plate”), huevos rancheros and churro. Saturdays 9am-3pm and Sundays 9am-5pm, with a smaller brunch menu served during the week; bottomless option every day. quaystreetdiner.co.uk Souk Kitchen; North Street and Apsley Road A Middle Eastern and North African alternative – the shakshouka, poached eggs in tomato sauce, is the stuff of legend. Open for brekkie and brunch from midday2.30 Thurs-Sun; soukitchen.co.uk Brace and WhiteladiesBrowns;Road Bristol’s OG prosecco brunch, Sat midday-4pm. Large groups flock here, lured by the formal threecourse brunch and classic cocktails . Plan ahead; it gets booked up way in advance; braceandbrowns.co.uk
Dirty Martini; Corn Street The Martini Brunch is served 4pm until very late on Mon-Thurs, from 2pm Fri and Sun and 12.30 Sat, with bottomless (for 90 mins) summer cocktails, prosecco and beer, and food served in a brunch birdcage. dirtymartini.uk.com Aztec Hotel; Almondsbury Book via Yuup for a spa day, brunch and treatment for just £65 on Friday or Saturday; brunch served 10.30am-1pm; yuup.co WE COULD HAVE STOPPED RIGHT THERE… But we didn’t. Here are a few long-established and some newer favourites:
NEVER MISS AN ISSUE TODAYSUBSCRIBENevermissanissueof Bristol Life – get your own copy posted to you on the Friday the magazine comes out Get yours for £30 for UK subscriptions (17 issues) www.mediaclash.co.uk/subscribe £3017ISSUESFOR
Welcome to Koocha, a friendly, cosy escape that brings a taste of Persia to Bristol. Experience plant powered food as you never have before. Vegan or not, you’ll love our fresh, colourful and creative dishes. Step inside for a taste of mouth-watering Persian mezze and a signature gin cocktail. Serving lunch and dinner and everything in between, come visit us for good times and great food! 203B Cheltenham Rd, Cotham, Bristol BS6 5QX. koochamezzebar.com | 0117 9241301 Reach the best in the west A uent, active and influential and just a call away Bristol Life team 01225 475800
4. Add the borlottis and 200 ml stock and bring to a gentle simmer, then cook for another 8–10 minutes until the beans are just beginning to fall apart.
5. Serve, pouring a little olive oil over each dish and scattering with the remaining herbs.
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
2. Heat the oil in a heavy pan and fry the onions gently until soft but not coloured. Add garli and hilli akes plus whole sage leaves, then cook for a few minutes more. Add the tomatoes. Bring to a simmer, stirring until reduced a little, maybe 7 or 8 minutes.
HAUGHTONPHILRECIPES
CASSEROLEBEANBORLOTTI www.mediaclash.co.uk I BRISTOL LIFE I 57
I adore fresh borlotti beans. For the past five years I’ve been growing them at home and now would never not grow them. An end-of-summer salad with fresh borlotti beans is like heaven. Get creative with them and use whatever else you have in the garden to complement them. When the evenings start to draw in, and you want a warming supper, these beans make fabulous casseroles. It’s great to cook them in vegetable or chicken stock, and I like lots of ground coriander with them. If you grow coriander, you’ll find it often goes to seed so, for the best flavour, grab a fistful of green seed and mash it up to add to the casserole. Carrots, garlic and onion are the staples of a good casserole, helping to lend it a rounded, sweet flavour.Here’s a very quick recipe, but have a play and add to it what you like. Ingredients About 1.2 kg fresh borlotti beans, shelled (600 g shelled weight) 100 ml extra virgin olive oil, plus extra for drizzling 2 onions, sliced 3 garlic cloves chopped ood pin h hilli akes optional Small bunch fresh sage leaves, half left whole, half roughly chopped 600 g vine tomatoes, roughly chopped Pinch sugar (optional) 200–300 ml vegetable stock Small bunch fresh oregano leaves, roughly chopped Method 1. Put the shelled beans in a large pan of water. Bring to the boil, then turn down the heat and simmer for 15–30 minutes or until tender. The time they take can vary quite a bit. Drain and set aside.
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, contributionstipsrecipes,temptinghelpfulandinsightfulfrom
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ED’S CHOICE www.mediaclash.co.uk I BRISTOL LIFE I 59
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The UK Government has awarded £9.5m to a British consortium to build a worldfirst ad an ed ele tri ight e osystem and ristol Airport has agreed to support two test ights y The project will include demonstrator ights o ristol ased erti al Aerospa e’s ele tri erti al ake and anding e air ra t etween ristol Airport and another airfield in the region, and a simulation ight etween ristol and ondon ity airports he new group, alled the Ad an ed o ility osystem onsortium, will de elop key te hnology and in rastru ture in a pro e t that will signifi antly a elerate the introdu tion o the ero emissions air ra t, o ten re erred to as ying ta is’ hese air ra t o er a new orm o tra el, ena ling ost e e ti e onne ti ity into ongested ur an areas and a ross regions under ser ed y e isting in rastru ture he two test ights supported y ristol Airport will allow the onsortium to resear h and take learnings rom the opportunities and hallenges o operating in di erent airport en ironments For more: bristolairport.co.uk
Flight club ristol port has onfirmed a renewed partnership with ledger whi h will see the loud ased so tware ompany not only enhan ing its sponsorship, ut e oming its o ial finan e solutions pro ider The partnership has always een a out aligning two ristol ased organisations with a shared ethos and ulture, and now ledger has e panded its partnership to uni y its position as a k o shirt sponsor or ears en, ears Women, ears A ademy and ristol lyers, along with a uni ue commercial deal with the sporting group itsel We are delighted to see our partnership with ledger ontinue to grow, said ark elly, o ristol port ledger talks a out empowering am ition and that is e a tly what they ha e done with us o see the ledger logo ement its pla e in one united position a k o shirt a ross our o our sporting teams, and or us to em ark on this a ounting partnership, is testimony to the strength and dynamism o our relationship For more: bristol-sport.co.uk; xledger.com
PROFITCLUBANDPURPOSE
64 I BRISTOL LIFE I www.mediaclash.co.uk
A s the Socius website explains, a big part of the company’s mission is alan ing profit and purpose, while delivering inspiring and sustainable mixed-use places. o ki k o the on ersation, Greg asked Luke why this is such an important part of the process. Simple answer. “It’s the right thing to do,” says Luke. “There’s no reason you an’t deli er profita le mixed-use developments and also do some good for the city. “The starting point for us with any of the developments is, OK, we’re building a new community – how can we improve the existing one, and provide opportunities and try to bring more value to them? “A small example is the retail we’ll ha e on o er at oapworks our focus is on local independent businesses, who really have an opportunity to grow and ourish within the new community.” At Soapworks, Luke explains, there will e new homes, o es and a generous public realm. “In that part of Bristol, there are a lot o homes and o es, ut there’s not really a community or a place which people can actually go to enjoy,” says Luke. “And that’s what we think we’ll deliver.” Co-working will be part of the model or the new o e spa e ou want to ha e that e i ility of, say, ‘I might want to set up my own development company and take some co-working space in this building, but eventually I might grow and have 20, 30 employees and need to take more space above. “Post-pandemic, it’s not about cramming people in, cramming desks in it’s more a out how that environment works and what it’s for. In simple terms you might go into an o e spa e where there are ery few desks, but there are a lot more sofas and meeting tables and spaces for people to collaborate. What that means is that we work with slightly lower o upan ies within o e buildings when we’re designing them, and today there’s quite a strong emphasis on air quality, and the environment as well, In a crowded field, one of Bristol’s most exciting new developments is Soapworks –Socius’s £175m scheme in Old Market, which will deliver new homes, workspaces, a food hall and public areas. At the last Bristol Life Business Club, Greg Ingham spoke to LUKE MARTIN, who is leading the project BUSINESS
FORSOMEANDDEVELOPMENTSPROFITABLEDELIVERALSODOGOODTHECITY” @JONCRAIG_PHOTOS©
Established last year, Socius sprang out of a company called First Base. Today it’s a developer of mixed-use urban regeneration projects, focused on seeking out opportunities where the team can creatively reimagine and rethink places to deliver longlasting change. The company is in the process of achieving B Corporation status to secure external certification for its socially and environmentally responsible practices such as energy, waste, diversity and corporate transparency. For more socius-dev.com “THERE’S NO REASON YOU CAN’T e ause learly that was a thing that was uite important during the pandemiAlso,when we’re uilding the apartments now, we’re taking into onsideration a lot more people working rom home wenty per ent o the apartments will e a orda le el ing into the entral A o the elie s asso iated with the ompany, we understand that a orda le housing is needed in the ity, says uke uild to rent s hemes are air, and pro ide high uality rental a ommodation, ut you need a orda le homes or those who an’t a ess that sort o a ommodationneomy ig ug ears, not dire ted at ristol ne essarily ut aul’s et and it’s gi ing them an en ironment where there will e lower osts, so it wouldn’t e a traditional lease it an e short term hen we’ e got another retail unit within the site, where they ould then mo e into on a longer term asis I think it’s going to e really ool I you’re there with your amily you an go to stalls rom di erent parts o the world and then gather the ta les and hairs in the middle Again, it’s really putting a o us on pro iding a spa e or lo al usinesses to grow and test ed their produ t The Business Club took place over lunch at Harbour Hotel. To see our upcoming events, go to bristol-life-business-clubmediaclash.co.uk/events/
The £175 million Soapworks development will drive Bristol’s inclusive and sustainable recovery by delivering a mix of modern workspace, affordable homes and a vibrant food and drink offer close to the city centre. The Grade-II former soap factory, dating back to the 1860s, will be brought back to life with a sensitive restoration, alongside two new buildings, a public square and Bristol’s first purpose-built food hall. The Soapworks, which is set to deliver over £200 million in long-term community benefits, will provide 240 sustainable homes. In addition, new flexible and future-proofed workspace will meet demand in the city centre, where vacancy has been squeezed over the past 12 months as businesses shift to a huband-spoke office model. thesoapworksbristol.co.uk
www.mediaclash.co.ukBRISTOLWORKS I BRISTOL LIFE I 65 IN SUMMARY...
INSETANDOPPOSITEPAGE: CGIs envisage the mixed-use development; BELOW: Luke in conversation with Greg
WHO ARE SOCIUS?
generally, is how di ult it is or young people to a ess rented a ommodation, let alone uying their own home near impossi le or any ody that’s on a graduate salary ur starting point with any de elopment is, how an we get the right alan e in the mi o uses? he ity entre has definitely hanged hat model o ha ing all your o es o er here, all your residential o er here, your retail o er here it’s pro en that’s a model that hasn’t worked ook at the de elopments around ristol now, the genuine mi ed use s hemes Wapping Whar , the alleries is oming orward, you ha e in els ea h and you ha e oapworks la es o a ti ity, pla es where people an work you’ e got the ustomers or the retail, so you’ e got a little e osystem that in theory should workWhetherwell this will last the test o time, and whether that will e the ase in say years is really di ult to tell, ut we strongly elie e it will that’s why we approa h our de elopments that way When we’re de eloping ommunities like oapworks, we want them to eel organi , we want them to eel as i they’re pro iding something or the people who already li e and work there, not ust hu king up loads o ats and pushing e ery ody out ristol is a good e ample where you ha e lots o small distri ts where people want to li e in little illages ut it’s making those little distri ts appealing that a tually pulls people rom your illage to my illage I think that’s really pre alent in ristol, and I think that model is one we should e aspiring to FOOD AND DRINK At the heart o the s heme is the oodWe’llhall e working with lo al, up and oming independent restaurateurs who want to try and test their produ ts it ould e a stall o er in ld arket, t
Specialist Solicitors in Residential Property Law we propertytalk
TOP OF THE PROPS
If money was no object, which of these incredible homes would you choose? 69
www.mediaclash.co.uk I BRISTOL LIFE I 67 PROPERTY Logan Road; see page
Our property showcase on page 75 started us dreaming a little, and wondering this: if budget was no object, what would we choose? A new-build penthouse with waterside views? A Clifton classic? Or would we live in a house, a very big house, in the country? Well, we an’t help you with the finan ing, ut to make the theoretical choice a little easier we asked a bunch of local agents handling top-of-the-range properties to choose one killer home on their books. Lottery ticket in hand, we’re going in…
1HAMPTONS Chris Firth, senior head of sales for Bristol, chose a classic four-storey town house on King Square; price in excess of £1m Chris says: “Forming part of a Grade-II terrace, the home takes pride of place in this renowned garden square. An exquisite Georgian town house, it’s een sympatheti ally finished throughout, lending characterful period features with contemporary elegance and luxury, and omes with a eauti ul pri ate garden and o street parking or four cars.”
2GOODMAN LILLEY Henleaze branch manager Duncan Cleave has chosen the well-named Longwood, on Tickenham Hill; guide price £1,5m Duncan says: ongwood is a magnifi ent and su stantial deta hed family residence set in private grounds of around 3.5 acres, ending in bluebell woodland. There’s superb potential to create a stunning home here, with great access to Bristol and panoramic views of the coast.”
3CITYCOUNTRY& Director of comms Alex Reid has chosen this third-floor apartment at landmark development The guideGeneral;price£995k Alex says: “A apartmentSovereignHospital.ofEdwardapartmentthree-bedroomsuperbduplexlocatedintheVIIWing,parttheconvertedGeneralPartoftheCollection,theisarranged a ross two oors and has a magnifi ent dou le height living/dining room with a curved wall.” For more cityandcountry.co.uk
1 2 3
“The house is quintessentiallyCliftonwood, with all the vibrancyof a wonderful family home”
68 I BRISTOL LIFE I PROPERTYwww.mediaclash.co.uk
More at goodmanlilley.co.uk
More at hamptons.co.uk
4 6 5
Vicky Dudbridge, a director of Savills residential development sales, picked out the same apartment in The General as Alex Reid at City & Country (opposite page, 3) Vicky says: Apartment is one o only two final opportunities to buy new at The General, one of Bristol’s most prestigious developments of recent years. Set within the Edward VII Wing of the former General Hospital, this oversized three-bedroom duplex is beautifully arranged, and with double-height ceilings and windows in the living space, has incredible wow-factor.” n For more savills.com
www.mediaclash.co.uk I BRISTOL LIFE I 69
For more hydes.co.uk
5HYDES Partner Marcus Cryer has chosen a Cliftonwood classic on Bellevue Crescent; guide price £995k Marcus says: “This property is quintessentially Cliftonwood, and as such oozes all the vibrancy of a wonderful family home while re e ting the ohemian harm o this uni ue ommunity It has een painstakingly renovated by the owner, who was going to stay here forever, so has done everything to the highest quality. This really is a fabulous family home.”
6SAVILLS i hard roo head o a i re identia o e in i ton has chosen what may be the ultimate Clifton pad; an apartment within the well-named Bridge Corner on Gloucester Row; guide price £1.595m Richard says: “This apartment has it all; spacious and light, stylishly presented and fitted with the utmost attention to detail throughout in luding in the ommon areas o the uilding upying the top oor of this prestigious building, the large roof terrace provides panoramic views including over the Clifton Suspension Bridge and Avon Gorge. Put simply, an exquisite apartment in an iconic location.”
For more savills.com
4ELEPHANT Director Alec Jupp has chosen a classic Victorian home on Logan Road; guide price £1.4m Alec says: “It’s a beautiful, and elegant home which combines Victorian character with a stylish bohemian-inspired interior. It also has a lovely south-west facing garden, too, perfect for al fresco dining.”
For more elephantlovesbristol.co.uk
SPONSORED CONTENT 70 I BRISTOL LIFE I www.mediaclash.co.uk
M ode is a consultancy offering project management and cost consultancy services within the construction industry. Here at Mode we always go the extra mile for all our clients and treat everyone we work with like family and friends. Based in Bristol, we are in a perfect location to serve the South West, London and the rest of the UK. Gary Fisher set up Mode with a view to offering both project management and cost consultancy services in a better way for our clients. We work with our clients, not for them and live and breathe their issues every day, 24/7. We generally find we can offer a combined service which is more cost-effective but can also offer separate service lines if required. Moving forward we can offer other services within the industry as we steadily grow. We put together really strong construction project teams through the wider Mode family which is set up from a series of consultants and contractors that we work with in the industry and know will go the extra mile as we do. Clients have started using our Mode family philosophy and attending our workshops and nights out to drive that team ethic and getting to know the construction project teams better. The quality of our people is our major differentiator within the marketplace. We know without a good team a project is destined to go off course and fail clients’ expectations. Our people are what makes Mode and as we grow, we will be concentrating on attracting the right people and working for the right clients. At Mode we have always had a different approach to consultancy and that is why our marketing slogan is #bethebluefish. We work with our clients, working from site, clients’ offices, wherever we are required and from this gain a real understanding of our clients’ problems that we can help them with. We recognise that every client and every project is unique, so we do not work to predetermined formulas or rely on ‘off the shelf’ solutions. We offer a truly bespoke service in consultancy, tailored specifically to the client’s exact requirements, with the vision and flair to come up with the right answer each time. We are fully flexible and responsive, with our teams just as happy to work embedded in the client’s organisation or we can co-ordinate and manage the whole project or programme externally from one of our offices. n “ MODE ADDED VALUE TO THE PROJECT TEAM. AND I THINK IT’S IMPORTANT TO HAVE AGAINWORKDEFINITELYTOTALASINTHAT’SCONSULTANTPROFESSIONALAINTERESTEDTHEVISION,WELLASTHECOST...WE’DLIKETOWITHGARY -299 Lighting Fully flexible and responsive, the consultancy team at MODE work WITH clients, not FOR them, creating a truly unique and bespoke service THE EXTRA MILE
Tel: 07581 189 083; modeconsult.com Email: GaryFisher@modeconsult.com A night out with the Mode family Mode Consult Ltd give back to the local community, sponsoring local teams and events.
”
GOING
# BETHEBLUEFISH MODE CONSULT IS A NEW TYPE OF CONSTRUCTION CONSULTANCY CHALLENGING THE NORM IN THE INDUSTRY. AN AWARD WINNING COMPANY, BASED IN BRISTOL. 07581 189083 | MODECONSULT.COM | GARYFISHER@MODECONSULT.COM
THE KITCHEN DEN can help with every stage of the process SYNC Contact us today to challenge us to create your dream space... The Kitchen Den Design Studio. 11 - 12 Podville, Great Park Road, Bradley Stoke, BS32 4RU Call: 0117 450 5280 | thekitchenden.co.uk Email: Facebookkitchendenbristol@gmail.com&Instagram:@thekitchendenuk worktops and appliances all selected for their quality, aesthetics and function.
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The Kitchen Den offers 19 door styles in 22 painted colours, with a choice of 11 cabinet colours. Also on offer are fitted bedrooms and flooring solutions.Their excellent reputation is built on service, quality products and obviously their flair for designing beautiful kitchens ■ LIFE I KITCHEN DEN ETHOS... “We’re not interested in just placing boxes against walls, and we’re not a run-of-themill company. Each design is unique and planned to deliver the best-quality design in order to optimise your space. We are inspired and excited by the products we use in our kitchen designs, planning each aspect and every corner of your kitchen with care, so that not only will you love it, but we will be proud to put our name to it. We have travelled and continue to travel, researching new trends and products to ensure that we are able to offer our clients the best of the best”– Joe and Adam. Joe and Adam of The Kitchen Den offer unique designs and honest advice based on their wealth of experience “ Client testamonial
T he Kitchen Den was established by Joe and Adam, sharing over 30 years experience in kitchen design and project management. Throughout their careers they have always had service and quality at the heart of everything they have done. Their extensive experience as kitchen designers allows them to plan kitchens which are functionally excellent but at no point compromise on style. So often, customers have been thinking about a new kitchen for some time but they just don’t know exactly how to deliver their own vision. That is where their expert team comes in. It might be a single idea that has inspired you, a tile, an appliance or the colour of a worktop. They will work with you to inspire you and develop your ideas in order to deliver a stunning kitchen that you will love for years to come. The Kitchen Den is a local family-owned business which has been helping clients realise their kitchen dreams time and time again. They love to create sociable spaces; whether you’re baking with family, or dancing around the island, they can help you create your dream space. Establishing The Kitchen Den has allowed Joe and Adam to select fantastic products from the best British suppliers and local businesses, and provide these to their clients in one seamless transaction. They offer a vast range of kitchens, Planning a new kitchen? Not sure where to start? Joe and Adam of
KITCHEN
SPONSORED CONTENT www.mediaclash.co.uk I BRISTOL
73 THE
HOME ON THE GRANGE Palladian glory: what’s the story? Deri Robins visits a spectacular and historically significant manor house in Bitton
AGothic core, with a central buttress. A gabled, two-bay wing with blind Romanesque arches; a second wing that’s pure Palladian classicism. An 18th-century interior modelled by one of the greatest architects of the 18th century: does any home reveal its history through stone more vividly than The Grange in Bitton?
The house has only been a listed building since 1953, but some kind of dwelling has stood on this spot for a full millennia. It was originally built as a hall house for the clergy in the 12th century, with the Norman inner building being converted into a hall and house in the Middle Ages. Parts were rebuilt in Tudor times, and reworked again during the mid-1700s by the renowned John Wood the Younger, famed as one of the major movers and shakers of Georgian Bath. In fact, Wood fil leased The Grange himself for a while. His interventions were typical of his architectural vision, combining classic Palladianism with a distinctly British sensibility. While renting the house, he added the new wing of limestone and slate, while two of the ground oor rooms were panelled and on erted into one li ing spa e Gables, quoins and mullions abound, while history confronts you at every turn. A plaster panel depicting part of the Seymour family crest has een ound a o e one door, making he range the stu o e ery ol all fan’s dreams. It’s thought that the manor was bequeathed to the Seymour family by the Crown following the death of Jane, Henry VIII’s third, least contrary, most beloved queen, who bore him his much-longed-for son. It’s a cliché to say “if only walls could talk,” but in the case of The Grange, these would be conversations well worth hearing; this was a family with a troubled history from the Reformation until 1770. Lean in close, and listen hard; those walls doubtless have a few choice things to say about Thomas Cromwell and his successors.
PROPERTY 76 I BRISTOL LIFE I www.mediaclash.co.uk
“It’s a cliché to say “if wallscould talk’, but in the case ofThe Grange these would beconversations well worth hearing”
Since John Wood Jnr’s time, the house has been fortunate enough to have a series of sensitive owners who have lovingly eased it into the 21st century without detracting from its sense of history and grandeurToday, basking in the aura of its own august beauty, the house gazes serenely over three acres of grounds. A private drive leads up to a gra elled ore ourt and a harming agged area leading up to the front door. Don’t be in too much of a hurry to go inside; the façade is arrestingly lovely and a fascinating meld of architectural styles.
www.mediaclash.co.ukPROPERTY I BRISTOL LIFE I 79
All our o the spa ious first oor edrooms ha e e eptionally high eilings and under oor heating, while two urther edrooms at the top of the house have their original beams. All rooms gaze over The range’s a enue o trees, and the open fields eyond In the three bathrooms, two of which are en-suite, there’s that seamless blending o old and new that typifies he range ath stone himneypie es mi happily with modern hardware and roll-top baths.
The three-acre grounds, with the Grade-I St Mary’s church at the back, set o he range to per e tion, with gardens designed by Arne Maynard. Arne’s practice is to create a garden with ‘a sense of place’, and his designs for The Grange seamlessly envelop the house, creating wonderful views from every window. Finely manicured elements are interspliced with more naturalistic planting. Doors open from the garden room to an area that really can’t be dismissed as a mere ‘patio’; there’s a large agged dining area, en losed and defined y a long bench. Topiary hedging is combined with plantings of Corsican mint, whose scent blends with that of the climbing and rambling roses, which vie in turn for space with clematis along the garden walls. There’s more Tudor-inspired topiary further along, this time sternly ordered and ormal, in ontrast to the raised ower eds with their alliums, o glo es, lavender and shasta daisies.
“Behind a mediaeval doorway – and clearlyevery kitchen shouldhave one of those – lies awalk-in pantry”
Having duly allowed The Grange’s sense of history to wash over you, now enter through the front door beneath its stone pediment; you’ll find yoursel in a long hall that rea hes all the way to the a k o the uilding, eering o in the middle into an L-shape that leads to the dining and kitchen areas. A deep stucco arch, probably where the original back wall stood, divides the hall; beneath your feet, polished by centuries of use, are an ient limestone ags To the right of the hall, the main 34ft reception runs the full depth of the house. Out of two original smaller rooms, Wood reated a magnifi ent single spa e while employing a lavish use of panelling and cornicing, he opted for the simplest and unfussiest of mouldings, creating a truly resplendent interior – classical style at its purest and most restrained. He also introduced the four large multipaned sashed windows, and French windows that open to the garden. he dining room is a omparati ely simple a air, with e en plainer o ing all the etter to set o the starring attra tion in the orm o the de orati e th entury ren h limestone firepla e whi h adds so much interest and symmetry to the room. The kitchen is almost unreasonably beautiful for a mere utilitarian room; wooden panelling topped with dentils lines the walls, the ceiling still has its eams, while the oor is herring one par uet A si door
Aga occupies a pedimented alcove, there are charming nooks, arches and window seats, while behind a mediaeval doorway – and clearly every kitchen should have one of those – lies a walk-in pantry. Naturally there’s a garden room, which lies on the other side of the inner passage to the dining room. It’s another lovely space, with a pit hed roo and e posed eams, and a dou le ath stone sink or arranging owers
DESIGNED WITH CONSIDERATION, INSTALLED WITH CARE Our Showroom 36: Woodborough Road, Winscombe, Somerset, BS25 1AG Contact us: www.idesigninteriors.co.uk | 01934 844144 Home Renovation Project Management That WORKS Every Time www.jasbuildingservices.co.ukCall us today on: 01454 877520 FAMILY-RUN MULTI-AWARD-WINNING BUILDING SERVICES COMPANY WHO SPECIALISE IN HOME RENOVATION “We are so proud to be this year’s winners of the Bristol Life Awards” - Andrew Sperring, CEO WINNER
www.mediaclash.co.ukPROPERTY I BRISTOL LIFE I 81 HOUSE NUMBERS Bedrooms 6 Bath/shower rooms 4 Reception rooms 2 plus garden room/office Acres 3 Price £3m Where Bitton What else? Fascinating 1000-year history Contact The Modern House; 020 3795 5920 themodernhouse.com
At the edge of the gardens, a stone garden pavilion is fronted by a bank of medlar trees, while at the front of the house an espaliered quince grows between the windows, underplanted by box hedging.
A agstone path, a ompanied y urther planting, leads to a large lawn with an avenue of lime trees, which frame a vista beyond the ha-ha to a two a re field ordered y the an ient i er oyd It seems almost redundant to talk about the area surrounding this sel ontained sli e o hea en, ut itton itsel is a rural harmer with a strong community atmosphere, local shop, pub and a primary school; for those reluctant to relinquish the joys of the city, it’s just 20 minutes’ dri e rom ristol and rom ath More steeped in antiquity than any home we’ve ever had the privilege of featuring on these pages, yet as immaculately turned out as any newly uilt home, the awless and as inating he range is unlikely to stay on the market for long. While you can’t put a price on history, the owners and agents have been obliged, of course, to settle on a sum; if you have a mere three mill, it’s yours for the asking. n
*MattWill Ltd trading as Oriental Rugs of Bath Free Rug & Interior Design Advice 01275 319950 www.orientalrugsofbath.com 1 Westway Farm BishopBS39BristolSutton5XP
Buying and selling property is one of the most stressful things you will ever undertake, but choosing the right legal help can make all the difference SPONSORED CONTENT MEET THE CONVEYANCER
ROBERT MCLEAN HCB hcbgroup.com/site/contact/bristol-office07814SOLICITORS790350;
REBECCA ISAAC AMD SOLICITORS 0117 9744100; amdsolicitors.com
Robert McLean
What do you find most rewarding about your role? I enjoy working with clients on a long-term basis and getting to know them and their business.
What is your favourite thing about Bristol? Everyone is extremely friendly and I enjoy having good discussions with my clients as well as getting the work done.
Why should readers use your services?
How has the pandemic changed how you work? We were already in a good position to utilise remote working so our working practices aren’t materially different. That being said, while some clients like to work remotely, a lot of our clients like the flexibility of being able to call into one of our offices to drop off documents or ask a question if passing. It is great to have this option return and to see our clients, in person, in the office again, something our solicitors have really missed over the last few years.
What bespoke services do you offer clients? Everything I do is individual to each client and my services are matched to what you want.
Service – I pride myself on offering exceptional service. I offer a bespoke service and work swiftly for a reasonable price. I proactively work to get the job done for you and I simplify things wherever I can to make things as easy as possible for you.
What sets you apart from other firms?
LUCY MASON INSIGHT LAW 0117 925 6257; insight-law.co.uk
What sets you apart from other firms? We are specialist property lawyers – it’s all we do! We strive to provide a first-class client service and deliver results for our clients. We continue to improve the way we work and how we interact with our clients. We are very hot on our communication – not just with our clients, but with everyone involved so information can flow freely ensuring everyone knows what’s happening. We aim to make our clients’ experience as stress-free as we can!
SPONSORED CONTENT www.mediaclash.co.uk I BRISTOL LIFE I 85
We have a highly experienced property team who have worked together here at AMD for many years, some for over 20 years. As a full-service law firm we are also able to draw on support from our other departments when needed, for example, commercial property or corporate where a property portfolio is held by a limited company. Our model places client relationships at the heart of our service, rather than volume. We enjoy advising clients with a first-time buy right through to developing and managing a sophisticated property portfolio.
How has the pandemic changed the way that you work? The pandemic was a very challenging time for all businesses, not just Insight Law. It changed how we work as a business, by enabling us to implement a flexible / hybrid working style, but also the workflow and the constant unpredictability of the property market. During the height of the pandemic, work levels dropped significantly, however contrast this with the high volume of work that came in from June 2020. Managing this was difficult, but we pulled together as a firm and have weathered the storm.
Do you specialise in residential or commercial property? I specialise in all aspects of commercial property and development. I also cover more complex residential property where clients appreciate my high level of service.
Rebecca Isaac
What do you find most rewarding about your role? It is impossible to eliminate all stress for clients when moving home but it is our job to make our experience count for our clients when leading the conveyancing process. Helping clients realise a property dream is continuously rewarding, particularly so in such a competitive Bristol property market.
Why should readers utilise your services? Service, speed and cost-effectiveness – if you want high quality, please don’t hesitate to contact me.
Do you specialise in residential or commercial property? Or both? We have three specialist property teams – residential, commercial and also, a specialist buy to let team that handles investment sales, purchases and refinance work for professional property clients. What do you find most rewarding about your role? Firstly, I feel very lucky to say that I love my job at Insight. The most rewarding part is having an amazing team around me. We have the same work ethic and provide the best possible service for our clients, agents and referrers. It’s challenging, but a great place to be. Why should readers utilise your services?
Insight Law is a well established law firm, having been operating in the Bristol area for the last eight years. We have built a great reputation in both client service and high-level communication which we pride ourselves in. If clients wish to experience a five-star level of service, please give us a call!
Instagramhannahbroadway.com@hannahkbroadway
a bit as if Bristol was a Tuscan hillside village – just with a bit more grunge. We aren’t far from Easton; as a Sweetmart fan, this is good news. Also worth a visit is BAM Store + Space. It’s a gorgeous little indie shop as well as being an amazing place which hosts an array of workshops.
I also have a range of prints and cards which I sell in shops across the city and online. A favourite at the moment is Beautiful Bristol, which I made during lockdown; I was missing going out to the theatre, mooching around charity shops and people-watching so I made a picture about our lovely city. I live in Eastville, between St Werburgh’s and the Muller Road. I love it. We have the best neighbours – I mean, I ate honey made by the bees from one side this morning, and I have broad beans and kale for my dinner tonight from the other side; we have green spaces close by, and town isn’t far either. Making our home here has given me a real community and sense of belonging. One of my favourite spots is Purdown, the big green bit above the M32 as you enter Bristol. Looking across to the city, it feels
Even if you don’t know the name, we bet you’ve spotted Hannah’s vibrant illustrations around the city, from largescale public art projects to her own prints of Bristol street scenes both performing and designing posters. I did art and drama A levels and then went onto do an art foundation course, followed by an illustration degree – with a small foray into setting up a theatre company in between! When I was growing up, Quentin Blake was my illustration pin-up, along with Maurice Sendak. As a teenager, I was really seduced by Graham Rounthwaite, who did lots of style and fashion illustrations for I-D and The Face magazines. I also fell for David Hockney’s line drawings around the same time. Mr Hockney remains a ery important in uen e on me check out my Instagram for my month-long homage to him every October.
I was brought up in quite a creative household; my dad was an architect and my mum a keen maker/knitter/stitcher, so I guess that ru ed o ut when I was little, I actually wanted to be an actor. I went to an amazing youth theatre, where I met Felix, and got involved in
the brochures of Bristol Old Vic – a place to which Hannah has a personal as well as a professional relationship, with husband Felix Hayes acting lead roles in many of its prestigious shows.
BRISTOL LIVES 90 I BRISTOL LIFE I www.mediaclash.co.uk
“It’s as if Bristol was a Tuscan hillside village, just with a bit more grunge”
I guess my style has been influenced by all of the artists I’ve mentioned. I love colour, and find it a onstant sour e o inspiration. I also love drawing and combining texture and words, so my style is a melting pot of all of those things. I also love working to a brief, so I often let the project inform my way of working.
I’ve worked with some brilliant and exciting clients across Bristol and beyond. Highlights include work with Bristol Old Vic, Bristol University, We The Curious, and Made in Bristol Gift Fair. Last year, I did a big project with University Hospitals Bristol and Weston NHS Foundation Trust, creating a huge wall artwork. I really love making art or pu li spa es, and find the connection between art and health really exciting.
Over enliveningartworkHannah’salsoyears,pastthefewwe’veseen
BROADWAYHANNAH
The wonderful Bristol Old Vic – what a glorious place it is! Felix is actually there this week, working on some research and development for a future show. I’ve just illustrated their new season programme; in fact, I created illustrations for the last two. They are all peppered with people and faces, some drawn, some collaged in from posters –see if you can spot some familiar Bristolians. My philosophy for life is to enjoy making it up as you go along. I think as a pair of freelancers and parents, Felix and I have had to embrace this little mantra. Most of my hobbies and skills are connected to art. I love making and customising clothes. I also run a ‘Grown Up Craft Club’ at BAM. The emphasis being on ‘making’ being good for your mental health. If I were to do it all again, I might train to be a midwife; I think they are superheroes. While working, I listen to music or Radio 6 in my studio in the morning, then I often listen to some podcasts in the afternoon. Immediately after answering these questions I’m going to read it to Felix to ask if I sound like an idiot . . .
