Bristol Life - Issue 325 by MediaClash

ISSUE 325 / NOVEMBER 2022 / BRISTOL, YOU’RE A FIREWORK

DOG’S DINNER

ISSUE 325 / NOVEMBER 2022 / £3

BRISTOL PROPERTY AWARDS 2022: THE PREVIEW!

PICS YOU’LL WANT TO LICK: THE PINK LADY FOOD PHOTOGRAPHER OF THE YEAR EXHIBITION RETURNS TO THE ROYAL PHOTOGRAPHIC SOCIETY (AND YES, WE KNOW THAT’S A BIT OF A MOUTHFUL…)

CABINET RESHUFFLE

NO, NOT THAT KIND, THE FUN KIND

OUT OF AFRICA

THE SOUTH WEST’S BIGGEST CELEBRATION OF AFRICAN CULTURE RETURNS

EVERYONE WANTS TO BE CARY GRANT

WELL, YOU CAN’T. BUT YOU CAN COME ALONG TO THE FESTIVAL IN HIS HONOUR…

TEL US ABOUT IT

TERRY THE ODD-JOB MAN’S BRISTOL LIFE

THE COSY CLUB

WRAP UP WARM, NOW

EDITOR’S LETTER

Keep calm and Cary on

You wait ages for a well-loved festival to return, then two come along at once. This is one of them.

e are always of the opinion that a new Bristol Life is cause for citywide rejoicing, so we’ve laid on a few celebrations. If you see all the fireworks lighting up the sky this weekend, you’re welcome; you can thank us later. In fact, this issue represents the calm before the storm. Our next edition hits the streets on 25 November, and I don’t need to tell you what that means. But before you yield to the inevitable – the shopping, the planning, the decorating, the cooking and all the other faintly ridiculous amount of effort we pile into Christmas, placing far too much heavy lifting on what really is only one or two days of the year – maybe aim for a chilled November, taking advantage of the many pleasures this city has lined up for you this month. Thought festival season was over? Not a bit of it; they’ve just taken the party indoors. There are two excellent ones to choose from over the coming weeks; fans of classic movies will be delighted that the biannual Cary Comes Home for the Weekend has rolled around again, and there’s a new edition of the brilliant Afrika Eye. This month also sees the return of the Pink Lady Photographer of the Year Awards. Thought that brunch snap you took last weekend was pretty tasty? A quick mosey around the halls of the Royal Photographic Society will soon put that into perspective. Oh, and by the way, how’s your kitchen looking? Yes, ours too; which is why we’ve been fascinated to hear from local specialists about the best ways to update, and, if you’re lucky, plan a new one from scratch. That’s it from me; we now have to spend the rest of the day driving manically around the city to sort those damn fireworks...

DERI ROBINS Bristol Life editor Follow us on

@BristolLifeMag;

@BristolLifeMag

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Issue 325 / November 2022

ON THE COVER Ponyo and Kiev by Casey Lazonick; on show at The Pink Lady Food Awards exhibition at Royal Photographic Society (page 11)

ARTS 11 12 20 26 30 35

ARTS INTRO A feast for the eyes WHAT’S ON It’s starting to look a tiny bit like Christmas FILM Cary’s back for the weekend FESTIVAL Out of Afrika BRISTOL HEROES Pose... BOOKS “The macabre, the unsettling, the darkly

fascinating and the slightly squelchy”

FOOD & DRINK

38 RECIPES Winter warmers from Romy 40 FOOD & DRINK Which do you want first, the good

news or the bad news?

45 EAT BRISTOL NEW: Joe from Source shows us how to

eat and buy better

47 CAFÉ SOCIETY In which Stan is perpetually surprised

SHOPPING

50 EDITOR’S CHOICE Cosy things. What did you expect

in November, bikinis?

BUSINESS

55 BRISTOLWORKS White-collar Bristol

PROPERTY

63 BRISTOL PROPERTY AWARDS PREVIEW What it

says on the tin, basically

80 KITCHENS See above 92 SHOWCASE Grade-II grandeur in Cotham

REGULARS

7 SPOTLIGHT 9 BRIZZOGRAM 106 BRISTOL LIVES It’s only Terry the Odd-Job Man!

TOP: When they were still fab – hell, when they were all

still alive: A Hard Day’s Night re-evalued at Slapstick

MIDDLE: Hamlet goes all fanboy over the travelling players BOTTOM: Rooms with a hue on Cotham Road

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, Joe Wheatcroft, 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 Production/distribution manager Sarah Kingston sarah. kingston@mediaclash.co.uk Deputy production manager/production designer Kirstie Howe kirstie.howe@mediaclash.co.uk Chief executive Jane Ingham jane.ingham@ mediaclash.co.uk Chief executive Greg Ingham greg.ingham@mediaclash.co.uk Bristol Life MediaClash, 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

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The kitchen you have been searching for.

SPOTLIGHT

Prepare to watch your comedy heroes coming over all starstruck by their own comedy hero...

Animation

FEATS OF CLAY

Not one, but two delightful announcements last month from Aardman Animations. Firstly, there’s the launch of a new collection of eight Royal Mail stamps featuring their most famous characters, including Wallace and Gromit, Feathers, Shaun, Robin and Morph. Gotta catch them all; buy at www.royalmail.com Also, news that three Aardman projects – Robin Robin, Shaun the Sheep: the Flight Before Christmas and The Very Small Creatures – have been nominated at the BAFTA Children and Young People Awards 2022. Huge congratulations to our crew, and fingers crossed for the ceremony on 27 November. www.aardman.com

LOLs

ALWAYS LOOK ON THE BRIGHT SIDE OF LIFE

More stars than there are in heaven . . . OK, maybe that’s a slight exaggeration; but there’s no denying that Slapstick has booked an incredibly tasty line-up for February 2023, when it returns to brighten our dark, cold little midwinter hearts. It’s the 19th outing for the UK’s biggest festival of silent and classic screen comedy, and the headline news is that the famously nice Sir Michael Palin will be joined by Rob Brydon and Stephen erchant for the final two events at ristol Old ic. The revered and beloved former Python will look back with Rob on a long and distinguished career as a comedy writer and performer, from penning gags for Ken Dodd and Roy Hudd to the Michael Sheen/David Tennant lockdown project Staged. That’s right: sorry to break it to you folks, but all those delightful spontaneous chats between those two charmers were scripted. Sir Mike will also team up with Stephen Merchant for an introduction to a screening of the movie they both rank as the best in the Python canon– and frankly, who doesn’t? – The Life of Brian. Other highlights of lapstick unday at ristol Old ic will include Stephen Mangan sharing his love of Laurel & Hardy, and a screening of the Richard Lester movie which reinvented the pop-star movie wheel, The Beatles’ A Hard Day’s Night, with an intro from Mike McCartney – younger brother of Paul and a former member of The caffold. Slapstick returns Tuesday 14- Sunday 19 February 2023; tickets now on sale. For more www.slapstick.org.uk FAREWELL, THEN TURBO ISLAND . . . The diggers are in, and plans are underway for a paved area with seating and bike racks. The redevelopment of this dodgy yet perversely beloved Stokes Croft corner has divided opinion, between those fearing the gentrification of Bristol is now complete and who will miss the bonfires, and those who are just happy to have a peaceful walk home at night. Either way it’s the end of an era.

Eats (left) and Fats

Music

RAVE ON, AVON

The news broke at 6pm on 12 October that superstar Bristol DJ Eats Everything and his pal Fat Boy Slim would be throwing a free pop-up rave at Lakota at 7pm, to celebrate the release of their new track, Bristol to Brighton. Although the short notice gave Bristol exactly one hour to get its act together, hundreds of people did just that, and managed to catch around one hour of the set played from a Homebass van in Lakota’s car park. Just an hour, mind. Dozens of people clambered over the wall after the 8pm lock-in, meaning that security were forced to close the gig down. And this is why Bristol can’t have nice things. @eatseverything

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SPOTLIGHT

PLAY BRISTY FOR ME

Autumn is our favourite season for photos; here are some of the best misty pics we’ve spotted on instagram, some of them old, some new

@lewis_mhill

@thebristolnomad

@thepropertyphotographerltd

@ellez.bristol

@kirk_purnell

@pod16

@emiliafuller

@sambinding

@greengingerlane

@alexfiddian

@madam_shark

@pod16

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

FAVOURITE DINING SPOT

As any chef will tell you, the way food looks is almost as important as how it tastes you eat with your eyes first of all is a frequently quoted adage. Obviously, there’ll be no actual tasting at the Pink Lady Food Photographer of the Year Awards exhibition at The Royal Photographic Society this month – you can’t lick the photos, however much you want to but they certainly offer plenty of food for thought. Tortuous mixed metaphors aside, here are the details. The Pink Lady is the world’s leading awards for food photography, and this year’s haul features 170 images, with more than 25 categories, ranging from the Politics of Food to Street Food, capturing the great sweep of stories and cultures from across the world. There’s also an Award for Women Photographers, which seems a tiny bit retrograde to us; but hey, at least the category yielded our great cover image for this issue, Ponyo and Kiev by Casey Lazonick. It wasn’t an outright winner, but it is a spotty dog at a dinner table, so it automatically got our vote. The exhibition runs at the RPS from 19 November to 11 December. Entry is free, no booking required. Don’t arrive hungry; though if you do, neighbouring Bocabar is very nice. www.rps.org www.pinkladyfoodphotographeroftheyear.com

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W AT’S ON

Where be your gibes now? Billy Howle as a superbly angsty Hamlet at BOV

4-25 November 2022

EXHIBITIONS Until 18 December

KAVI PUJARA: THIS GOLDEN MILE Kavi began to photograph the neighbourhoods close to Leicester’s Golden Mile as a way to reconnect with the city, its residents and his own past after 30 years in London. At MPF; martinparrfoundation.org

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 enslaved staff; now, at the same site, Lebohang re ects on the legacy of colonialism as a shared history; bristolmuseums.org.uk

Until 8 January

JOHN AKOMFRAH: MIMESIS: AFRICAN SOLDIER John uncovers the undiscussed story of Commonwealth soldiers who volunteered to fight in World War – the war of their colonial masters... Bristol Museum, bristolmuseums.org.uk RWA ANNUAL OPEN The venerable Annual Open

Exhibition returns to the Royal West of England Academy for its 169th year; rwa.org.uk

Until 15 January

LAWRENCE ABU HAMDAN: THE 49TH PARALLEL A major new film commission focusing on the Haskell Free Library and Opera House – a unique municipal site between the jurisdictions of Canada and the USA. Telling stories of permeable borders and impermeable laws, the work re ects on how free movement, free knowledge and free space are under threat; pike sland, spikeisland.org.uk ROSEMARY MAYER: WAYS OF ATTACHING Rosemary is mostly known for her gauzy and colourful fabric sculptures named after historical women; it;’s her first show in the , and it’s at pike sland, spikeisland.org.uk

Until 29 January

BHARTI KHER A collection of sketches, drawings, paintings, sculptures and installations, including a body of previously unseen drawings created

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during Bharti’s time in Somerset. Arnolfini, arnolfini.org.uk

7-15 November-20 December

MORE THAN A NUMBER Thought-provoking work by 12 photographers from Africa, caught between modernity and tradition; part of Afrika Eye; at Trinity, afrikaeye.org.uk

19 November-20 December

PINK LADY® FOOD PHOTOGRAPHER OF THE YEAR The world’s leading awards for food photography premières its 11th exhibition at Royal Photographic Society; see page 11. rps.org

19 November-29 May

WILDLIFE PHOTOGRAPHER OF THE YEAR One of our favourite annual shows: the exhibition of the year’s best international nature photography returns to M Shed; bristolmuseums.org.uk

SHOWS

Until 12 November

HAMLET Very hot property indeed Billy Howle plays the role that made Peter

O’Toole’s name on this very same Bristol Old Vic stage in 1957. No pressure, Bill! bristololdvic.org.uk ADOLF & WINSTON Two actors. Two world leaders. One black dog. t’s oward and tu of Living Spit, walking the tightrope of taste and decency with yet another slice of poorly-researched history. TFT; tobaccofactorytheatres.com BEAUTY & THE BEAST Disney’s tale as old as time comes back to Bristol Hippodrome, making a nice little pre-Christmas treat for y’all; atgtickets.com RADIUM GIRLS An un inching tribute to a group of women racing against time in 1900s New Jersey; written with warmth, humour and dignity, and performed by the BOVTS students at BOV; bristololdvic.org.uk

8-12 November

A LIFE IN THE THEATRE From the prizewinning author of Glengarry Glen Ross and Speed-ThePlow, David Mamet’s love letter to the theatre marks Misplaced’s return to The Alma Tavern. almatavernandtheatre.co.uk

WHAT’S ON live dance intervention, countering many of the generic African dance styles with his innovative approach to contemporary practice. Part of Afrika Eye; afrikaeye.org.uk

19 November

ABOVE: Casabalanca: not the Movie at Trinity; don;’t miss this exhibition, photo fans LEFT: THE Pink Lady Food Awards return to RoPhoSoc (as we’re sure they never call it) BELOW:

A touch of Class at the TFT

9-10 November

THIS IS THE LAND What exists in the ‘thin places’ where the distance between the living and the non-living is closer? A mysterious journey of the British Isles and beyond, at Arnos Vale Cemetery; marysteadman.co.uk

11-12 November

KIOTA Showcasing Black and People of Colour (BPOC) creatives from various artistic disciplines, in an evening of performance followed by networking opportunities at Wardrobe; thewardrobetheatre.com

16 November

MUGABE, MY DAD AND ME Tonderai Munyevu brings an adaptation of his critically acclaimed play to Wardrobe as part of Afrika Eye; thewardrobetheatre.com

16-17 November

BROWN GIRLS DO IT TOO: MAMA TOLD ME NOT TO COME Fierce, funny and frank, Poppy and Rubina have sex and they aren’t ashamed to talk about it, as they navigate life and relationships as British Asian women; at TFT, tobaccofactorytheatres.com

17 November

THERE WAS A LITTLE GIRL Millie is not like other girls. She’s traded in fairytales for mud, cut off all her golden ringlets and created her alter-ego, Michael... A witty, un inching and truthful insight into growing up opposing the female narrative, at Wardrobe; thewardrobetheatre.com BOY’S KHAYA awren Tava iva brings the film of his latest work to Arnolfini with a

CLASS Growing up in the ’90s, on a North London council estate, Scotee was surrounded by other kids like him. But after a chance meeting with some posh kids from the other side of the tracks he knew he didn’t want to be common, and set about trying to forget his past. A show about what it’s like to be embarrassed about where you’re from, how you can pretend to be posher than you are, and why you should never answer the door. This is a show for the middle classes. At TFT, tobaccofactorytheatres.com

23-26 November

ENGLISH NATIONAL BALLET: RAYMONDA Taking inspiration from the spirit of Florence Nightingale and the women of the Crimea, Tamara Rojo of ENB creates a new version of the classic ballet. Bristol Hippodrome, atgtickets.com

24 November

DRUNK WOMEN SOLVING CRIME Winning the uno cial yet highly coveted Bristol Life Best Show Title of the Issue award comes this true crime podcast with a twist of lime from a boozed-up Hannah George, Catie Wilkins and Taylor Glenn. Count us in. Hen & Chicken, henandchicken.com

24 November-7 January

THE NUTCRACKER Ooh, it’s time for the Christmas shows! This should be a cracker at BOV, directed by Lee Lyford with former Kneehigh faves Tristan Sturrock and Patryja Kujawska among the cast; bristololdvic.org.uk

25 November-2 January

ROBIN HOOD AND MARION ... meanwhile, it’s off to herwood Forest at Redgrave for swordwielding, highly inauthentic dragons, venison pasties and archery; redgravetheatre.com

25 November-22 January

MDH: PUPPETS DO A MOVIE Wardrobe fans will know that MDH stands for Muppets Die Hard; they will also know what to expect, viz. a fast, smart, lo fi action thriller parody full

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WHAT’S ON of LOLs, plastic machine-guns and a talking pig; thewardrobetheatre.com

pop star, shifting easily between the two; Trinity; trinitybristol.org.uk

MUSIC

19 November

BRISTOL KEYBOARD FESTIVAL The keyboard has shown a genius for evolution; it’s the harpsichord to Handel, the grand piano to Clara Schumann, the upright to Scott Joplin, the E-mu Emulator to Depeche Mode, and the Novation Ultranova to Totally Enormous Extinct Dinosaurs. It’s this rich variety and deep impact on music that St George’s aims to capture in the Keyboard Festival.”We’re only just scratching the surface. The keyboard will always be close to the heart of music. It deserves its own festival. We hope you enjoy this one,” they say. stgeorgesbristol.co.uk

COMEDY

MARCEL LUCONT: LE BEST OF Britain’s favourite French comedian presents his greatest oeuvres from the past decade; expect deadpan wit, supreme sex poetry, soaring miserablist chansons and Gallic superiority, at Wardrobe; thewardrobetheatre.com

Until 12 November

Ongoing

CLOSER EACH DAY The world’s longest improv comedy soap has recently performed its 200th episode, and continues to bubble away amusingly twice a month at Wardrobe; thewardrobetheatre.com

4 November

6 November

COULD BE NOWHERE, PROBABLY EVERYWHERE reat mates Alfie eale and arki Monno bring their vivid lyricism and electric live performances to The Louisiana; thelouisiana.net

JESSICA FOSTEKEW: WENCH A show about sexy things (awkward), private things (oh no!) and a woman trying to sit on the face of time to keep it still (hot, right?); at BOV, bristololdvic.org.uk

8 November

ZEAL & ARDOR Ranging from blackened metal to soaring gospel, country to the darkest blues, and even electro, in a masterful blend of assorted sound. Trinity; trinitybristol.org.uk

JON UDRY’S VARIETY BUNGALOW A cabaret night of circus, comedy and all things unusual from the British Young Juggler of the Year; at Wardrobe, thewardrobetheatre.com

10 November

9-10 November

ISHMAEL ENSEMBLE This Bristol band blur the lines between experimental jazz and electronic beats, casting stirring, ambient spells; at Trinity Centre; trinitybristol.org.uk

ROB AUTON: THE CROWD SHOW A comedy/theatre/spoken word show about crowds, from the poetical, philosophical, humane, charming and funny Rob. At Wardrobe; thewardrobetheatre.com

13 November

THE WAY DOWN WANDERERS The five piece from llinois bring their charismatic, intricate, hypnotic sound to Hen & Chicken, henandchicken.com

12 November

SARA BARRON The relentlessly honest and very funny Sara relates brutal and sometimes filthy truths in a warm and welcoming way; at Stand-up for the Weekend at the Hen & Chicken, henandchicken.com

16 November

VIVALDI BY CANDLELIGHT St George’s whisks you back to Venice’s Chiesa di Santa Maria Della Pieta, where Antonio Vivaldi worked and performed many of his compositions; stgeorgesbristol.co.uk

17 November TOP:

Ladies with lamps: Raymonda at the Hippodrome MIDDLE: Marcel Lucont at The Wardrobe – yes, he’s as deadpan as he looks BOTTOM: All the way from Illinois to the Hen & Chicken: give a big Bristol welcome to the Way Down Wanderers

13 November

NINA NESBITT With her pop-inspired melodies, part-acoustic instrumentation and indie vibe, Nina has the honesty of a singer songwriter and the air of a

JEN BRISTER: THE OPTIMIST If Jen Brister has learned anything in the past few years, it’s that she’s no good in a crisis. Has the pandemic changed her for the better? And can she be funny about the answer? Only one way to find out. At Tobacco Factory Theatres, tobaccofactorytheatres.com

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WHAT’S ON 16 November

MIKE WOZNIAK: ZUSA Ever wondered how Mike’s GreatAunt Zusa made it from Poland to Luton with a war nipping at her heels? Even if you haven’t, it could be fun to come along. Alma Tavern, almatavernandtheatre.co.uk

OTHER Ongoing ABOVE: You talking to me? It’s the other Taxi Driver LEFT: Bharti Kher at Arnolfini BELOW:

If you’re a fan of photos of Cary Grant on a Bristol bridge, you’ll love page 20

BRISTOL FILM FESTIVAL The almost-year-round fest with the something-for-everyone remit, many of them at site specific Bristol locations, rumbles on. ri olfil i al. o

Until 5 November

LUXMURALIS: SPACE VOYAGER Last chance to see the immersive light show at Bristol Cathedral, designed to take you on a journey of light and sound to the edge of the universe and back; yuup.co

Until 23 December

CHRISTMAS MARKET Unbelievably ’tis already the damn season, as Bristol Shopping Quarter’s streets play host to the familiar wooden chalets. The Jäger Barn Bar and the igloos are back; a ook. o ri ol a

5 November

RECORD FAIR Doing what is says on the tin: the biggest record fair in the SouthWest, spread over all five oors of the Bristol Beacon; r or air . o.uk

6 November

BRISTOL GOTH AND ALTERNATIVE MARKET III Come along to support Gothic and alternative small business, artists, makers, second hand sellers and lots more, at the suitably atmospheric The Mount Without; on Facebook

7-17 November

AFRIKA EYE The South West’s biggest celebration of African cinema and culture; see page 26, a rika .org.uk

13, 20 November

FILM NOIR PRESENTS... On the 13th it’s a i ri r. No, not that one, no ‘You talkin’ to me?’ De Niroisms here, but Dev Anand’s unique entry in the classic Hindi film noir canon. Then, on the th, it’s , one of the most popular film noirs in s world cinema. At Arnolfini; arnolfini.org.uk BEARPIT FESTIVE MARKET With up to stalls, music and live music and all the festive vibes; bearpitmarket.co.uk WINTER CRAFT & FLEAMARKET More opportunities to buy local, artisanal and idiosyncratic for Christmas, this time at Bristol Folk House; ri ol olk ou . o.uk

15 November

BRISTOL LIFE BUSINESS CLUB Stuart Hatton of Umberslade tells us about his plans for the final stage of Wapping Wharf over lunch at Bristol Harbour Hotel; eventbrite.co.uk

18-20 November

CARY COMES HOME Bristol’s festival in honour of its most famous son is biennial, and back for ; see page . carycomeshome.co.uk

19-20 November

THE BRISTOL BRICK SHOW Amazing models and displays built using LEGO, with plenty of traders so you can buy some to take home; all proceeds to charities. ri ol ri k o .g r lug. o.uk n

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ARCHIVE PHOTOS COURTESY OF BRISTOL EVENING POST

FILM

“There’s a frightening side to Cary that no-one can ui u ir fing r on

CLASS ACT Witty, stylish and debonair; complex, unreadable and slightly dark – who was the real Cary Grant? We’re all still trying to work it out . . . Words by Deri Robins

ew of the megastars of golden-age Hollywood varied their screen image very much. Bogart was always tough, Hepburn always arch, Tracy always Irish, Harlow sassy, Gable ironic, Monroe. . . well, Marilyn could probably have run the full gamut of emotions from A to Z given the chance, but that’s another story. Despite his invariably suave veneer, however, Cary Grant was something of a chameleon. Few were ever permitted to glimpse the real man beneath the mask he adopted in order to morph from working-class Archie Leach from orfield to one of the most sophisticated of all cinema’s leading men – and this complexity and unreadability transmitted into his screen performances. Equally at home in a screwball comedy as a suspenseful drama, his characters were often thrillingly ambiguous. He excelled in roles involving intrigue, deception and hidden identity; his most interesting directors discerned the dark and tormented side to Captain Handsome, and put it to excellent use. In Notorious, for example, he’s our hero, debonair and fearless – but he’s a little too chilly for comfort, ruthlessly allowing doped-up love-interest Ingrid Bergman to languish in the bed of an evil Nazi while it suits his purpose. No wonder Hitchcock adored him. “There’s a frightening side to Cary that no-one can quite put their finger on, said itch. t’s this ambiguity that’s re ected in this year’s ary ome ome festival, Bristol’s biannual tribute to its most famous son. The theme for 2022 is ‘class’, in its broadest sense – high life, low life, changes of status, identity swapping, people pretending to be someone/something other than they are, and so on, inspired by Archie/Cary’s real life and on-screen experiences, and the famous quote “Everybody wants to be ary rant. Even want to be ary rant . Let’s take a look at the heady delights in store.

THE BISHOP’S WIFE

(Director: Henry Koster, 1947) Where and when? 18 November, pm t ary edcliffe. Cary plays an angel using devilish wiles to bring harmony back into the lives of a bishop (David Niven), his wife (Loretta Young) and those around them. Winner of the Oscars for best film and best director, and much enjoyed, it’s said, by the future Queen Elizabeth II after she attended a royal gala screening in London. This event will also include an introduction from festival director Charlotte Crofts, and a video message from the last surviving member of the cast, 80-year-old arolyn rimes, who appeared in this film and the similarly feel good It’s a Wonderful Life at the age of six.

SYLVIA SCARLETT

(Director: George Cukor, 1936) Where and when? 19 November, 10am: Watershed. A rom-com with shades of drama and enough hints of queerness and criminality to upset the Catholic League of Decency on its release. Katharine Hepburn adopts the guise of a boy to help her crooked father (Edward Gwenn) escape embezzlement charges. She keeps the disguise when they team up with a Cockney rogue (Cary, entirely believable) for a series of cons, when she attracts the attention of a woman, but is forced to choose which identity to keep when handsome artist (Brian Aherne) confesses to experiencing queer feelings

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FILM “Those woods are named after Vivien Leigh”, he lied

LOOKING FOR ARCHIE/ FINDING CARY

Where and when? 19 November, 2pm:

meet outside Bristol Marriott Royal Hotel. A walking tour of Bristol city-centre sites exploring the early life of Bristol boy Archie Leach, and the reasons he stayed in touch with his roots long after his transformation into the Hollywood star and style icon Cary rant. Easy pace, mostly at, lasts mins approximately.

CHARADE

(Director: Stanley Donen, 1963) ovember, . pm for 8pm: Curzon Cinema, Clevedon. A gala screening in one of the UK’s oldest cinemas of a film many describe as the best Alfred Hitchcock thriller Hitchcock didn’t make. Featuring a glamorous settings in the French Alps and Paris, it co-stars Audrey Hepburn as a widow thought to know the whereabouts of a fortune stolen by her dead husband. But are any of those on the track of the money – Cary Grant, James Coburn and Walter Matthau among them – really who they claim to be? As a prelude to the 8pm screening, there will be live music, a chance to enter a best-dressed contest, a photo booth and bar; there’s also the option of travelling from Bristol aboard a vintage bus. Where and when?

NONE BUT THE LONELY HEART

(Director: Clifford Odets, 1944) Where and when? ovember, am Watershed. Cary Grant was so keen to play the lead in this film he bought the film rights to the book on which it was based, even though the original story was about a very much younger man. In it he’s the feckless Cockney (again!) son of an ailing woman shopkeeper (Ethel Barrymore, in an Oscar-winning turn), straying into crime and in a love with the wife of a gangster. Cary later said the story was especially meaningful because he saw in it the man he could have become if he had never left Bristol.

BORN TO BE BAD

(Director: Lowell Sherman, 1934) Where and when? ovember, pm former IMAX screen, Bristol Aquarium. In a stark contrast to her later appearance with Cary Grant as the well-behaved wife of a bishop, Loretta Young is such a bad ’un here that original versions of this film ran into all manner of trouble with the censors, even before the Hays morality code came into full effect, due to her scanty clothing, her status as an unmarried mother, seducer of Grant and blackmailer.

BLONDE VENUS

(Director: Josef von Sternberg, 1932) Where and when? ovember, pm former IMAX screen, Bristol Aquarium. Another e ample of a pre ode film ie one made before the ays O ce cracked down on behaviours of which the USA morality crusaders disapproved. Here the taboo topics include serious illness, marital breakdown, adultery and sex for favours. Marlene Dietrich plays the woman at the centre of it all, with Cary Grant as the wealthy playboy she meets while she’s performing in a nightclub to earn enough money to fund life-saving treatment for her husband.

ARSENIC & OLD LACE

(Director: Frank Capra, 1944 Where and when? ovember, pm former IMAX screen, Bristol Aquarium. A black comedy in which Cary Grant plays a writer famed for his rants against marriage, who risks his career by taking a bride (Priscilla Lane) and then faces further turmoil when he returns to his childhood home to tell his maiden aunts (Jean Adair and Josephine Hull) about his nuptials. Once there, he discovers his aunts have adopted an unexpected method of curing loneliness in old men and that his younger brother thinks he is President Roosevelt (John Alexander). Could the plot possibly get any crazier? Of course it could... n Cary Comes Home for the Weekend, 18-20 November at various venues www.carycomeshome.co.uk

www.mediaclash.co.uk I BRISTOL LIFE I 23

SPONSORED CONTENT

GO WITH THE GRAIN A KITCHEN CASE STUDY This beautiful kitchen in Mangotsfield has been magnificently transformed by one of the experts at GARDINER HASKINS Words and photography by Carine Butcher

s soon as you walk up to the door you know you’re entering a special space. Now transformed into a modern country kitchen with dramatic high ceiling beams, this beautiful kitchen in Mangotsfield has been magnificently transformed from an old cattle shed with some nifty modern gadgetry included. Originally, the kitchen space was a section of the old grain stores which also housed cattle carts, becoming part of a mammoth project to renovate the entire house into a modern country home while keeping some of its old charm. Liza, the home owner, knew exactly the look she wanted, having the vision, passion and ideas to achieve a light, airy kitchen with amazing high wooden beams that make the space visually huge. Exposed uneven, original stone walls and traditional country Shaker-style units, difficult to shape and fit into the uneven wall spaces, add character to this stunning fitted kitchen. With lots of interior design experience, Liza says she knew the colours she wanted, matching the flooring to the green-grey cupboards and the orange-gold in the granite 24 I BRISTOL LIFE I www.mediaclash.co.uk

worktops too. A cream 1940s Aga has been lovingly restored and works so well, contrasting with the deep green traditional Shaker-style fitted kitchen, keeping the vast room warm through the colder months. Cosy underfloor heating adds more warmth to the room, making it even more snug. The original farmhouse sink has also been restored to its former glory. Storage was also on the wish list, and there is plenty of it. Deep, stylish drawers for pots and pans, a huge pantry with chalkboards on the inside for handy shopping lists and plenty of shoe storage by the back door to keep clutter at bay. There’s even a special drawer rack for the red wine just above floor level so it stays at room temperature, with help from the underfloor heating. Designer Alec really has ensured space is there for everything in a thoughtfully planned and well fitted kitchen, with special attention to Liza’s requirements plus a few other modern tech features that just look super-cool. A minisink installed on the kitchen island has boiling water to hand literally on tap, without the need to boil a kettle. The Neff extractor fan rises majestically from the back of the kitchen island hob like a control panel in a spaceship. Liza talks excitedly about Alec as a ‘brilliant’ kitchen designer and Paul – the kitchen fitter

‘a gem’ both with their attention to detail. Furniture was hand-carved to fit the curvature of the walls – no mean feat. Favourite feature? The Neff extractor fan rising up out of the hob. It’s a great talking point when entertaining. Overall, this kitchen has the wow factor, not just because of the huge space but the way Liza has worked with Alec and Paul to pull together a unique fitted kitchen in a class of its own. n

Looking to modernise your kitchen? Make it happen with Gardiner Haskins. Book your free planning and design consultation at Gardiner Haskins Interiors www.gardinerhaskins.co.uk or visit our Bristol showrooms for some creative inspiration or call us on 01179 292 288.

ARTS

OUT OF AFRIKA

Afrika Eye, the South West’s biggest celebration of African culture, returns for its 16th year with a theme of ‘untold stories’

A highlight of this year’s festival: More than a Number features photos from 12 African countries, including these by Fatoumata Diabaté

ABOVE: Benda Bilili: from the streets of Kinshasa come the hypnotic grooves of a group of musicians like no other; at Watershed BELOW: Bawren Tavaziva brings his film Boy’s Khaya to Arnolfini with a live dance intervention

nto your Afrobeats? Loved Tsotsi? Got a couple of novels by Chimamanda Ngozi Adichieon knocking about at home? Well, it’s a start; but if you have a sneaking suspicion that there’s a lot more to African culture than this, you’d be right. This month offers the ideal opportunity to dive a little deeper, when Afrika Eye returns with its familiar mi of new and classic film screenings, talks, exhibitions and live music. It’s curated once again by festival organiser Annie Menter, who previously worked with WOMAD for over 20 years. During her career, Annie has organised both national and international educational projects and artist residences with musicians, visual artists and dancers from around the world; today, she draws on her wide range of global experience to create the South West’s biggest celebration of African culture.

Annie, has your past experience helped you curate Afrika Eye?

Absolutely. ’ve worked with many different artists from across Africa and the diaspora, and have brought much of that experience into the festival, aiming to broaden our audience demographic. By reaching into the riches that all the arts from Africa offer, we can provide a wider conte t to the subject matter of the films. For example, the regular feature of our opening night at Watershed moves on from a film screening in the cinema to a live session with an African band in the café bar, and there the party begins. Over the last six years we have developed a wide-reaching programme across the city, taking film, music, dance, poetry and food into different sections of the community.

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

We know that the festival is 16 years old this year, but how did it originally begin?

Filmmakers Ingrid Sinclair and Simon Bright started the festival back in 2006, when they returned from Zimbabwe bringing a programme of films that were previously not being shown in the outh West. Operating on a shoestring, they secured venues and managed to attract and build an audience for films from Africa and the diaspora. Later they partnered with Watershed, and this relationship has been at the heart of our film programme ever since, but with an always e panding programme across the city and in local communities. rom the beginning, their aim was to raise the profile of African directors, producers and artists whose work e emplifies the richness and diversity that represents Africa and the diaspora, but seen from an African perspective. or too long these stories have been told through western eyes, and as a festival we endeavour to redress that perspective and allow the protagonists to tell their own story. This year’s theme is untold stories’ Share a few personal highlights from past festivals

Each year there has been a film, performance or workshop that brings a shiver of e citement, rea rming for me the value of what the festival brings to the city. oments that stay in the memory are our Feast for Mandela, to celebrate what would have been his 100th birthday; dance workshops with Rachel Nanyonjo, Ripton Lindsay and the inimitable drissa amara. E traordinary films Lingui, Beats of the Antonov, Thank ou or ain u i r an afiki u ak a and archive treasures like Daughters of the Dust. believe we have only begun to scratch the surface of what Africa has to offer, and that we are the richer for the opportunity to engage with the arts and culture from this vast continent. What did the festival get up to during lockdown?

Like others, we hunkered down and took time out to re ect on our vision for the festival, and what might be possible once the craziness had subsided. As a small organisation we were not in line for government funding or furloughing, but with the support of Film Hub outh West we created some small scale events online. W is a fantastic regional branch of the BFI, providing support for independent organisations and cinemas throughout lockdown there were regular meetings online, keeping members connected and aware of government guidelines. We also raised the funds and embarked on our first Afrika Eye production, the documentary, Rooted in Bristol. Ooh yes. Please tell us more about that…

Rooted in Bristol was a joy to make, and all possible because of being able to film outdoors throughout . With a small team, which included co director, anu aunganid e, filmmaker Tay A i and producer, Esther Afikuruweh, the film celebrates the contribution that people of African heritage have made to the allotment movement here in ristol over many decades. t e plores personal histories and e periences, and raises the question: who has access to green spaces, and how can we make that access more equitable? It premièred to a full capacity audience at Watershed, and has also been shown at other venues and festivals since. Give us the lowdown on the 2022 programme

This year’s festival runs from ovember in venues across the city, and runs the gamut of creative arts with feature films, documentaries, photography, music, dance, African cuisine and song, a omalian celebration, and a host of speakers and visiting directors to engage with audiences in post screening discussions. …and pick out a few events and screenings that you’re especially excited about

We are very e cited to be showing More than a Number, a fabulous and arresting e hibition of photographs by African photographers, curated by ynthia itai.

ABOVE: Millicent Chapanda, Mugabe, My Dad and Me; at The Wardrobe

With Windmill ill ity arm, we’re co hosting a omali celebration with the award winning film The Gravediggers Wife, music from the renowned oud duo abra, and traditional food cooked by eeqo. Tava iva ance ompany will be with us from London with a screening of their latest dance project, Boy’s Khaya, with live dance intervention, choreographic forum and participatory workshop at Arnolfini. We’ll also be showing a stash of fantastic films from over ten countries, with a regional première of Tori & Lokita from the Dardenne brothers, Tug of War from Zanzibar, Benda Bilili from DRC and Le Bleu du Caftan from orocco, to name a few. Then you have to dance the night away at our opening night party at Watershed with the wonderful rhythms of marimba maestro uda utimba and arare. Look out for Afrika Ear too, a soundtrack created by the people of ristol with their favourite tracks of African music; you’ll hear selected playlists at events throughout the festival and can find all the tunes by searching for Afrika Eye on potify. In a city offering a plethora of competing cultural treats, why should we find time for Afrika Eye next month? The question is, why would you not find time to take the opportunity to e perience the wealth of creative and cultural treats on offer at this year’s festival? Please come, and guarantee you’ll find something to oat your boat. n Visit www.afrikaeye.org.uk for full programme and to buy tickets.

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POSE Strike a pose, there’s nothing to it. Right? Words and pics by Colin Moody

BRISTOL HEROES

his set of Heroes goes out to some random people who just made me believe we can soar again. While the world pushes on and on into the future at its usual new-normal pace, I wanted to shoot and share eight people who just said to my lens, “here I am, this is me, this is my time”. Maybe watching Top Gun has me thinking about people being awesome and pushing through. But here they are. Watch them shine.

eff. This image means so much more after ovid. Well, who needs a hug? Err, all of us. When I see people having a hug in the street it’s so much more than it was before. It’s like coming back up for air after a deep dive. Not sure any of us had much left in the tank when we broke through and were able to do this again. Powerful.

2 2 3

For the punks and the way they dance, spitting out lyrics like nails in the air. Love it. Might not be the way we are all going when it comes to planning a night out, but if the saying that we all get more rightwing as we grow older is true, we are gonna need more punk action so we can snap back to reality. The sweet smell of smoke and sweat is kind of refreshing for me here at this gig at Strange Brew. It’s free from the more mainstream dance-house boxes around town, which have a more Lynx Africa particulates taste to the air. So let’s hear it for the punk heroes who remind us that we won’t all be start-up entrepreneurs creating crowdfunded wonderlabs from laptops in corner caf s for the price of a at white. The photo needs a lot of out of focus, so we can complete imagining this feeling inside our own heads.

“For the punks and the way they dance, spitting out lyrics like nails in the air” www.mediaclash.co.uk I BRISTOL LIFE I 31

BRISTOL HEROES 6

7 8

Róisin Murphy at Forwards festival. Actually so into the dance and the moment she was able to levitate. Can’t quite get it – they keep cutting the arts in schools, but we need art. It’s in the performance, the clothes, the music. And all you have to do to connect with it is to dance. Maybe strike a pose yourself. Feels good, right? Whatever music is your jam, go put some on now. Not that ambient rubbish you hear in the cafés. No, something that bites. I don’t care if it’s Aphex Twin or Meatloaf. Do it. Feel it. Yassss Queen!

Even the dog gets it. Sun, music and freedom. Maybe we could do with a little more of that sun again, given the change in the weather, but come rain or shine you grab the lead, get near the speaker and do your thing. Isn’t Bristol the ‘dance like no one’s watching’ capital of the world? Taken at Upfest.

The Paraorchestra rehearsing at Propyard. They are often performing in Bristol. And they are awesome. They dance and play pieces in a full orchestra that make you feel. Really feel.

One minute you’re running the corner shop, the backbone hub of your local Easton community, next minute you are dancing ollywood with all the local kids in the middle of the playing field. We can have both these lives. Here in Bristol, the city of dreams.

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Woman at the Harbour Festival. Waving to a friend? Showing appreciation to the jet riders? Or just being awesome?

Bristol. You don’t need to try to understand it. You don’t want to try and present it as being one thing or another. Just grab a can and put on some tunes, and let’s have it.

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

“Isn’t Bristol the ‘dance like no one’s watching’ capital of the world?” Large. We will dance in the nightclubs We will dance on the street. We will dance in the fields and in the houses. And we shall never surrender the beat. Colin Moody; content creation, online images Twitter @moodycolin Instagram @colinmoodyphotography colinmoodyphotography.wordpress.com

EMILY & DAN ROSS STORYSMITH BOOKS Argentinian history: it’s got everything you could possibly want from a book with a gigantic claw on the cover.

Hallowe’en may be over – but the nights are still long and the days dark, so in Storysmith’s book (see what we did there) it still really is spooky season…

t’s a good thing too, because we are armed and prepped with recommendations galore: regardless of the time of year, you see, we are always drawn to the macabre, the unsettling, the darkly fascinating and slightly squelchy. One of our most popular requests from customer is for a book that might lift the spirits or rea rm the reader’s belief in all things good and true – and we can do that. We truly can. But if you want to get to the cold marrow of our literary sensibilities, ask us for something a bit wrong, a bit horrible, a bit nasty. We don’t bite.

Our Share Of Night – by Mariana Enriquez (trans. Megan McDowell) It might be 700 pages long, it might be deliriously, psychedelically gruesome, but it is also one of the most deeply involving novels you’re likely to read. The sheer length and extremity of the material only serve to highlight what a work of intense craft and construction it really is. Gaspar is a special boy, born into a family bound by a generations-long occult obsession, one that his father has tried to protect him from across a period of decades. Intergenerational drama, shocking outbursts of nightmarish violence, trippy Jodorowskian visuals, an ingenious weave through modern

Hell House – by Richard Matheson Lovingly reissued from the original 1971 text, this is the cult classic haunted house novel to top all haunted house novels. It ticks all the boxes. We’ve got an unlikely cast of strangers (a mixture of dyed-in-the-wool sceptics and supposed clairvoyants) hired by an eccentric dying millionaire, hoping to solve the question of life after death conclusively before the end of the week by staying at the Everest of haunted houses: a building once owned by the satanic, perverted cult leader Emeric Belasco, and a history so deeply depraved that few have since entered and lived to tell the tale. Read if you dare!

that music himself for a global audience. We mostly find the young Braithwaite on buses heading down the darkened country roads of Lanarkshire on his way to or from catching legendary bands in Glasgow (Nirvana, The Jesus & Mary Chain, The Cure etc), but the rock anecdotes from his life as a professional musician are also first rate, and whole book hums with a deep love of music. Tarot: The Library of Esoterica An absolutely mammoth book of all things Tarot, and maybe one of the most deliciously indulgent books to buy for yourself at this time of year. This is both an extremely thorough reference book and guide (you’ll find notes on all the cards’ meanings, associated elements, symbology, histories, practical tips) and an eye-wateringly beautiful coffee table book to gaze at by candlelight, ick through, while sipping some sort of herbal tea, black cat on lap… you can picture it.

“Regardless of the time of year, we are always drawn to the macabre, the unsettling, the darkly fascinating and slightly squelchy”

Spaceships Over Glasgow – by Stuart Braithwaite The content might not be explicitly horror-derived, but this memoir from Stuart Braithwaite (founder member and guitarist of one of the most in uential alternative bands of the last 25 years, Mogwai) is custom-built for the lengthening evenings. Braithwaite regales us with warm tales of youthful delinquency, idolising Iggy Pop and the hedonistic rush of discovering the music that stays with you for life - and how he began to make

Whether you need something comforting or confronting as the nights draw in, we hope there’s something here to help protect you from the encroaching darkness. And if you’re more inclined, like us, towards something less than wholesome, just remember: you can always close the book… Storysmith, 236 North Street storysmithbooks.com

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

Reach the best in the west Affluent, active and influential and just a call away

Bristol Life team 01225 475800

EAT YOUR GILL

Bristol chef ROMY GILL has created the ultimate wintry feast – and she’s kindly shared the results with us

ull disclosure omy originally came up with these recipes in collaboration with aldon alt for a iwali celebration. ut just as turkey’s not just for hristmas, kebabs aren’t just for Eid and latkes aren’t just for Hannukah, we thought these winter warmers would be equally ideal for ovember...

HOT AND SPICY WHOLE ROASTED CHICKEN Serves 6

Ingredients 1.5 kg whole chicken 2 tsp tandoori masala 1 tsp chilli powder tsp reek yoghurt 3 large cloves garlic, grated

tsp honey A few small stem of thyme ½ juice of lemon 5 tsp olive oil . tsp aldon salt

Method . n bowl add tandoori masala, chili powder reek yogurt, grated garlic cloves, honey, thyme stems, half juice of a lemon, oil and salt and whisk it together, and then apply the paste to the whole chicken properly, leave it in the fridge to marinate for at least two hours before roasting. 2. After 2 hours take the marinated chicken out and leave at room temperature for while the oven is getting hot. Preheat the oven at . Place the chicken on a baking tray and cover the chicken with foil, make sure to seal the tray on all the sides. Put the chicken in the oven and cook for one hour 30 minutes. Leave to rest for 10 minutes before eating. . erve with sweet roasted potatoes chips and a leafy salad.

STUFFED COURGETTES WITH LAMB MINCE Serves 4

Ingredients 4 courgettes, cut into half 300g lamb mince 3 large cloves of garlic, grated 1 banana shallots, diced small 1 tsp paprika 1 tsp ground black pepper 1 tsp turmeric

2tsp ground coriander . tsp aldon salt 2 tsp tomato puree Small handful of mint, chopped Large handful of panko bread crumbs if you love the crispy crunch, do add more) 6 tsp olive oil

Method . ut the courgettes into half and scoop the esh. ash the esh and mix with the lamb mince, garlic, diced shallots ground black pepper, paprika, turmeric, ground coriander, 1tsp salt, tomato purée and chopped mint. 2. Heat 3 tsp oil in a pan and add the mixture to the oil, then cook the mixture for 6-7 minutes on a high heat. Once the mixture is halfcooked, set aside to cool down. . eat the oven to . While it’s heating up, fill the courgettes with the mixture. Sprinkle on the rest of the salt, the panko bread crumbs and the rest of the oil. Cook until golden brown, for 10 minutes. . erve with at bread and a leafy salad. 38 I BRISTOL LIFE I www.mediaclash.co.uk

RECIPES ORANGE AND COCOA CAKE Ingredients 100 g butter, melted, extra to apply inside the cake tin 50 ml butter milk 200 g dark muscovado sugar 2 medium eggs

Method 1. Preheat the oven to 170ºC, prepare a 20cm baking sheet, grease with the butter, and then place a baking sheet in the tin. Set aside. 2. In a bowl, add sugar and melted butter. Whisk, then crack in the eggs and beat the mixture all together. Sift the our, baking powder, cocoa powder, tsp salt, peanut butter, juice of oranges and half the orange zest, and combine. 3. Spoon the mixture into the prepared tin, spread evenly. Bake the cake for 25 minutes, or until well-risen (oven temperatures can vary). 4. Remove, and leave the cake in the tin until cool. arefully turn the cake of on to the wire pack and peel off the parchment. 5. Before eating sprinkle rest of the salt and orange zest.

MOONG BEAN DAL Serves 6

Ingredients 250g moong beans 1&1/2 tsp Maldon salt 1 tsp turmeric Ingredients for the tadka 4 tsp ghee (or use half-butter, half-oil) 6 spring onions, chopped with greens 15 g ginger, peeled and grated

g plain our 1 tsp baking powder 3 tbsp cocoa powder 1 tsp Maldon salt 2 tbsp smooth peanut butter Juice of two oranges and zest of one orange

2-3 green chillies, chopped (bird’s eye or similar) 1 large tomatoes chopped 10 g fresh coriander, chopped with stems 1 tsp garam masala 4 tsp natural yogurt

Method 1. Soak the lentils for a couple of hours or overnight. Wash and drain the water from the soaked lentils. Add the lentils to a medium-sized saucepan with the salt, turmeric and water. Cook the lentils until soft for about 40 minutes on medium heat and occasionally stir. 2. While the lentils are cooking, make the tadka. Heat the ghee in a frying pan; once melted, add chopped spring onions and cook for a minute. Add the grated ginger, chopped green chillies, and cook for 3 minutes. Add chopped tomatoes, chopped coriander and cook for another 4 minutes. Lower heat, add yogurt and garam masala, combine, and add the tadka to the moong dal. Add as much water as needed. . i , cook on low heat for about minutes. Leave to rest before eating with at bread or rice.

ROASTED BROCCOLI STEM WITH ZAATAR, CHILLI FLAKES AND SALT, SERVED ON CREAMY FETA Serves 4

Ingredients 12 broccoli stems 1 heaped tsp of zaatar spice blend tsp chilli akes 1/2 tsp Maldon salt 2 tsp olive oil Small handful of toasted almond akes Method Preheat oven to 170ºC. On a baking tray add all the ingredients, mix together and roast for 8-10 minutes.

Ingredients for creamy feta 1 packet of feta 6 tsp of chilli sauce 20 ml olive oil 10 ml milk Sprinkle of Maldon salt

ABOUT ROMY

Method for creamy feta 1. Crumble the feta in a food processor and add all the ingredients to make it into a fine paste. 2. To serve spread the feta on a large plate, and then place on the roasted broccoli. prinkle with toasted almond akes.

Romy Gill MBE is a British/Indian chef, food writer, author and broadcaster. She was the owner and head chef at Romy’s Kitchen in Thornbury; in 2016 she was appointed an MBE in the Queen’s 90th birthday honours list.

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

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

USE THEM OR LOSE THEM

NOW THE GOOD NEWS

But there’s plenty to celebrate this month, too!

We normally focus on the positive stuff on these pages – think of us as Bristol’s good news bears. However, we couldn’t let the sudden closure of Woky Ko’s three main restaurants – both of the sites at Cargo, and the one on Queen’s Road – pass without comment. The deadly combo of increasing costs and staffing shortages are, as ever, to blame, though a drop in revenue also plays a part – a situation not aided by the closure of Gaol Ferry Bridge. Of course, Woky Ko, which plans to keep its St Nick’s site open as a base to plot its next move, isn’t the only victim of the times; we’ve also been saddened by the demise of Jamaica Street Stores, Bomboloni and others. The message is pretty clear; support your favourite small indies, or they may not be there when you next need them.

LIFE ON THE VEG

Larkin. We’re missing Woky Ko already

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

We were thrilled – thrilled! – to hear that following the success of its inaugural branch at Cargo, mostlyplant-based restaurant Root is opening a second site in Wells. “Our new restaurant will celebrate omerset’s finest produce, sourced from the surrounding farms, market gardens and dairies,” says head chef Rob Howell. “The team’s aspiration is to create a welcoming, comfortable and relaxed environment. A frequently changing menu will offer

a good selection of small sharing dishes, with a strong emphasis on seasonal ingredients. A few meat and fish options will appear on the menu, also being sourced sustainably from Somerset and the South West.” Root owners Josh Eggleton and Luke Hasell will continue to support and guide Rob and (wife and Root manager) Meg with the opening of this second site. Thumbs-up emojis all round. www.rootbristol.co.uk

HOT PLATES

BOX FRESH

Finally, a bit of news from Boxhall – remember them? The new food hall on Welshback, originally destined to open this year, is now on track for 2023 – and they’ve announced a search for seven Bristol-based independent food traders to make up the initial food line-up. The search will be spearheaded by the team’s food ambassador, Josh Eggleton. Each selected trader will be provided with a fully fitted plug and play commercial kitchen, worth around £100,000, allowing businesses to start trading without the concerns of significant financial outlay. For more www.wilsonsbristol.co.uk

NO DIGGERTY

EARTH TO BRISTOL… Meanwhile on Chandos Road, Michelin Green-Starred restaurant Wilsons has just taken its field-to-fork ethos up a further notch with the expansion of its smallholding. Helping to guide the hyperseasonality of the menu, co-founders Jan Ostle and Mary Wilson’s farm now serves as the sole supplier of vegetables, fruits and herbs to the kitchen. The farm doesn’t strive to meet the demand of the menu, but instead informs it, creating a balance between producer and restaurant, ensuring that waste is low and the

harvest can thrive. If there’s any surplus, it’s used for bread and bakery items, sold at the neighbouring Wilsons bread shop every Saturday. Jan and Mary’s ‘no-dig’ farm sits on two acres of land, supplying the kitchen along with the small network of local producers that Wilsons have been using since 2016. Beef from biodynamic farm Three Pools is utilised in a no-waste capacity, along with poultry from Woolley Park Farm. Venison comes from Grove Game Larder, and pigs from the Belmont Estate supply both the menu and the home-cured charcuterie. www.wilsonsbristol.co.uk

Tasty collab alert! On 8 and 15 November, Totterdown’s BANK is teaming up with Josh Eggleton*’s Pony Bistro to raise money for Action Against Hunger. BANK’s head chef Jack Briggs-Horan and The Pony’s Hugo Harvey will work together to create a five-course tasting menu that celebrates the best of each restaurant. Each dish will also include a drinks pairing of cider, wine and cocktails to showcase the different approaches of their respective venues. For more www.actionagainsthunger.org.uk; www.bankbristol.com (* Chants, Ted Lasso style: “He’s here. He’s there. He’s every ***where....”)

Boxhall CGI (and a random burger denoting street food)

AMUSES BOUCHES... The historic King’s Head on Victoria Street, with its original arches, glass panels and ‘tramcar bar’, is the only pub in Bristol to be recognised as being of national importance by CAMRA’s heritage listed interiors. And now the pub, which has welcomed the thirsty folk of

the city since the 1660s, has acquired new owners – Kelly Sidgwick and Bob Cary, who also have Good Chemistry Brewery and Redland pub The Good Measure in their portfolio. Expect cask and keg beer from local and national breweries, as well as

permanent Good Chemistry beers, spirits, wines and nonalcoholic drinks. Find them on Facebook. Muse (the brasserie, not the band) is taking over the site of the old Prince Street Social. It’s the second opening for the group, whose Cheltenham

restaurant is the town’s most highly rated on Tripadvisor. The menu is French/Indian fusion, with “traditional European and Asian ingredients combined with modern cooking techniques, and beautifully presented with love and passion”. They say. www.musebrasserie

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

FOOD & DRINK

22 CLIFTON Too young to remember wine bars back in the ’eighties?

That’s OK, because they’re back! And this time, they’re not full of yuppies shouting into mobiles the size of a brick... ABOUT 22 CLIFTON

The bar is located in a Georgian cellar beneath the Clifton Club, with original vaulted ceilings, exposed brickwork and stone flooring dating back to the early 1800s. Behind the traditional facade lies a sophisticated contemporary interior with high-backed comfy booths, small intimate tables and copper pendant lighting. Everything was designed in house by the team, from small details such as the Suspension Bridge which spans the shelves in the wine shop to a large table handcrafted from 300-yearold reclaimed timber. For more www.22clifton.com

Clifton was originally conceived as a shop by Bristol Fine Wine founder Charles Lucas, who considered a retail outlet to be a natural extension to his wholesale business. However, a chance message in a friendship chat group led to discussions about a wine bar, and the vision for 22 Clifton emerged. The original concept was simple: embrace the heritage of the building, and combine with entrepreneurial vision to redefine the notion of a modern wine bar. We asked general manager Emily Green to tell us more. Firstly, are wine bars having a bit of a comeback? There’s a definite resurgence in people being interested in wine,” says Emily. “At 22 Clifton we ensure customers don’t feel intimidated when ordering, and encourage them to try grapes and varietals they would not normally expect to enjoy.” Emily is proud of her team of highly trained professionals t’s not just a bar job; staff undergo extensive cocktail masterclasses and regular training to ensure they focus on the experience of tasting wine and clearly communicate what to expect,” she says.

lifton also offers sharing platters of food, with options for group bookings and parties. The bar also holds regular events, with live music performed most weekends. “Monthly wine tastings at 22 Clifton sell out regularly, and have developed almost cult status, while remaining casual and relaxed. Aimed at providing an immersive experience as much as an education, tastings are centred around themes such as Winter Winederland in October, when warming wines for the winter months were embraced, followed this month by wines to pair perfectly with Christmas dinner. “It’s exciting to witness guests surprising themselves by sampling wine from an emerging vineyard, or rediscovering a traditional vintage they didn’t think they would enjoy. It’s the natural progression that people want to attend tastings guided by an expert.” Champagne, prosecco, beer on tap and cocktails complement the offering, at the most competitive and affordable prices in the local area. The shop also offers a vast range of red, white, rose, orange, champagne and other sparkling options, magnums, gin, vermouth, port and much more. For more www.22clifton.com

“There’s a fini r urg n in o l ing interested in wine”

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

FOOD & DRINK Gorwydd cheese from Trethowan Bros, hogget from Hartlake squash from Farrington’s = autumn on a stick

EAT BRISTOL

NEW! In a regular column, JOE WHEATCROFT, director of local online food shop Source, encourages us to eat the seasons. First up, it’s autumn….

ith the planet under pressure to produce more and more food for an ever-growing population, it’s more important than ever to eat food which is in season and comes from local, sustainable sources. Here are some seasonal foods we could all be enjoying this autumn. Hogget. What even is hogget? Well, in a nutshell, it’s a teenage lamb and is absolutely brilliant at this time of year. With more avour than lamb but not as strong as mutton, it’s perfect in a wide variety of dishes. You can enjoy hogget as a lighter, summer-style braise or as a warming, slow cooked affair. Why not pair with Persian avours such as pomegranate molasses, coriander and dates and serve with couscous? Or opt for a one-potwonder and use British ingredients like pearl barley, rosemary and leeks for a really warming feast. Our hogget comes from Hartlake Farm near Glastonbury, where the animals graze for 18 months on Somerset grass before being selected for Source, where we ensure nothing is wasted from the prime cuts to the offal; we even make our own sausages. Squash. There’s so much more to squash than the big, bland pumpkins on sale at Hallowe’en. There are loads of varieties grown in the UK,

with lots of colour and brilliant names such as Heart of Gold or – a Stokes Croft favourite – Lakota; although the name has more to do with North America, where it originates, than the Bristol club! These slow-growing vegetables bring a splash of colour to our kitchens along with various uses. Remove the skin either before or after cooking, then chop and roast with olive oil, garlic, rosemary and thyme, or skin and steam to make a velvety soup. They are also fairly cost effective and keep for months, doubling up as a decoration at the same time. Squash are also great for our farmers as they are low-maintenance and provide good water retention. We sell organically grown Kuri squash from Farrington’s farm shop just up the road, whose annual pumpkin festival is a great family event. Gurnard. These often overlooked fish are superb, as they offer versatility to the chef. At ource we offer filleting fish for frying or steaming along with the bones to make a stock or sauce which can be avoured with ginger,

lemongrass or lemon and thyme for pouring over the cooked fillets. If you fancy something a little more hearty, create a fish soup or stew making full use of the bones and fillets to provide a avour of the Mediterranean to brighten your day. Gurnard are plentiful around the UK, and can be found inshore, meaning our eet of smaller boats can catch them and send them to Bristol quickly, ensuring they are super-fresh on arrival. Gorwydd. Somerset grass is some of the best in the world, and what better way to use it than to make it into cheese? Near Weston-Super-Mare in Hewish, that’s exactly what Trethowan Brothers are doing with milk from Puxton Farm. They produce two excellent kinds of cheese: their Pitchfork cheddar and multi-award-winning Gorwydd Caerphilly. I think their Caerphilly is perfect in autumn as it brings a full avour with an edible rind which has notes of mushrooms. It’s delicious on its own or with a British apple or pear, but it’s superb as Welsh rarebit! n Source is a sustainable, local, seasonal alternative to supermarket shopping, with a network of small producers and suppliers. www.source-food.co.uk

www.mediaclash.co.uk I BRISTOL LIFE I 45

CAFÉ SOCIETY STAN CULLIMORE

Mellow yellow

Well, it was either going to be a Donovan or Coldplay header, wasn’t it?

his week’s sweet and slinky spot of choice is the Little Yellow af , a coffee shop on orth treet, just down the hill from the ristol eer actory. Turns out to be a place full of surprises. or a start, it’s based on the ground oor of Workout Ashton, a gym. ut it’s not actually part of the gym. Well, that surprised me, anyway. aybe ’m just easily surprised. To be honest, ’ve pootled past this caf loads of times in the

“It’s a bijou, bite-sized beauty box, full of delicious delights”

past, always presuming it was just a sideshow, a place for gym folk to feed up after fitness sessions, with a fridge full of energy drinks and maybe a bo full of protein bars ne t to the coffee machine. Which is why never stopped to give it a whirl. Turns out, dear reader, was wrong. ery wrong. t is so much more than that. t’s a bijou, bite si ed beauty bo , full of delicious delights. They do a whole range of stuff, with plenty of breakfast, brunch and lunch options on the menu. don’t normally talk too much about menus in these columns, but in this case, just have to. t’s full of surprises. There’s plenty of full on healthy vegan and veggie stuff on offer, which is fine. ut then there are a sprinkling of bacon based goodies too. Which is a tri e une pected. urprising, even (there I go again!). asically, whatever your food groove, it’s got you covered. Another nice thing is the number of glorious goodies to choose from. y mate and were genuinely stuck. ot sure which, or what, tasty treat to go for. was tempted by the porridge section, and the sourdough with something on it options. ut then noticed the really interesting stuff. Like, spicy cauli ower tabbouleh, roast butternut squash with bacon

quinoa. Or squashti. Whatever they are. You get the idea. There’s lots on offer. All of it tempting. n the end, stumped by so much of a good thing, my coffee companion went for a plain and simple poached egg on sourdough, while plumped for a toasted pitta with sriracha slaw and, joy of joys, barbecued jackfruit. ust admit, find it impossible to resist the stuff. Ever since first sampling it, long ago and far away in alaysia, find my tastebuds fi ated by it’s fruity eshiness. mm. When our food arrived, my companion announced that her poached egg was the probably the prettiest one she had ever seen and the best cooked one, too. ut here’s where the final and most superb tiny surprise hit home. When she broke into the yolk, it e ploded open, like a gorgeous, golden burst of sunshine. Which pretty much sums up the whole e perience. elicious, delightful and full of pleasant surprises. o if you are down that way and in need of refreshment, can thoroughly recommend this place. t’s not just for gym bunnies. Or surprises. n Find the café on insta at @thelycnorthst Former Housemartins guitarist Stan is now a journalist and travel writer www.stancullimore.com

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

BOHEMIA BABOUCHE SLIPPERS, £26 (REDUCED FROM £52) Cosy Moroccan slippers handcrafted from natural leather and vintage Boujad fabric, a traditional handwoven Moroccan textile, here in a vintage rose check From Fox + Feather 41 Gloucester Road foxandfeather.co.uk

JAKKE FAUX-FUR FINGERLESS GLOVES, £60 Cute, cosy and chic at the same time, making your hands look like adorable little leopard paws From Harvey Nichols, 27 Philadelphia Street harveynichols.com

LIEWOOD SILAS SOCKS IN CAT & STRIPE, £14 Designed for kids up to 24 months, so don’t make like Cinderella’s evil stepsisters by trying to squeeze your size fives into them From Maze Clothing 26-28 The Mall mazeclothing.co.uk

WRAP STARS

Head, shoulders, hands and toes – get those toasty, and the rest will follow. We’ve gone for the softest hues and the cuddliest fabrics…

HORSEBIT FEDORA HAT, £59 For the city slicker look when a beanie or bobble just won’t do; made from luxurious wool with a gold-tone horsebit trim. Pair yours with a favourite blazer and loafers From Mint Velvet, 44 Regent Street mintvelvet.co.uk

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

JURA GLOVES, £18 Made by traditional Scottish knitwear maker Robert Mackie, creator of knitted accessories in Stewarton, Scotland, since 1845. Made to last in 100% wool From Peregrine Clothing peregrineclothing.co.uk

FALKE COSYSHOE SLIPPERS, £34 Comfy house slippers made of fine, soft merino wool; due to the cut they are very easy to put on and take off From Grace & Mabel 32 The Mall graceandmabel.co.uk

ED’S CHOICE BERET WOOL MIX HAT, £9.50 The kind of thing that Emily in Paris might misguidedly wear, but don’t let that put you off – it’s a super- comfortable timelessly chic French classic that’s never gone out of style From That Thing 45-47 Stokes Croft thatthing.co

BURBERRY CASHMERE AND LAMBSKIN LONGLINE GLOVES, £450 Italian-knitted cashmere and soft lambskin gloves that almost reach your elbows, for when you really feeling like spoiling your wrists From Harvey Nichols 27 Philadelphia Street harveynichols.com

KNITTED STAR SCARF, £18 Knitted from the softest yarn; the neutral tones make it a perfect everyday winter staple, while the sparkly stitched detailing adds a hint of luxury From Mint Velvet 44 Regent Street mintvelvet.co.uk

BECKSONDERGAARD BONNA GLOVES, £42 Teddy gloves with a gripping surface – we’re thinking ‘snowman-building’, you? From Maze Clothing 26-28 The Mall mazeclothing.co.uk

UGG MAXI CURLY SHEARLING SLIPPERS, £95 According to the description, the rubber soles make these ‘suitable for outdoor wear’. We’re assuming this means ‘popping to the shops for a pint of milk’ rather than ‘stomping through Leigh Woods in torrential rain’. From Harvey Nichols 27 Philadelphia Street harveynichols.com

MAX MARA TEDDY FABRIC MITTENS, £165 With a leather strap – because while we like to think we’re all grown up, we’re still quite likely to lose the occasional glove From Harvey Nichols, 27 Philadelphia Street harveynichols.com

FALKE SOCKS, £15 Luxurious CosyWool socks, here in the charmingly Rosewater, made from a soft and warming material including wool and alpaca. The inside plush makes them very cuddly – for insane levels of cosiness team with the Falke slippers opposite From Grace & Mabel, 32 The Mall graceandmabel.co.uk

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

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CHRISTMAS wrapped up

It’s the city’s business

BRISTOLWORKS Room to grow Celebrating a local success story…

haunceys Timber Flooring celebrated the completion of its new showroom in St Philips with a launch week for retail and trade clients from 10 14. October – a hugely successful events featuring inspirational speakers, outstanding hospitality and behind-the-scenes access. While this family business has been around for over 34 years, originally being located at The Old Chapel in St Philip’s, with multiple warehouses, the company has now moved into a new premises just around the corner, to support their continued growth and bring the team under one roof. Their new home offers a showroom that is five times the si e of their old one, with a much larger warehouse to house more stock. The showroom was fitted out by haunceys’ own in house team and features many of its most popular ooring products and finishes and reclaimed timber cladding, The space brings together the latest in interior design, including luxury furniture from BoConcept, reclaimed tiles from Maitland & Poate, and a bespoke kitchen from long-standing client and local architect, Moon Design and Build. What was the idea behind the full-week launch? “It was a chance for clients to come in and see our showroom in all its glory, and for us to show off our upgraded production facilities, says MD Ian Tomlinson. “With all the changes and challenges over the last year or so, it was also the perfect time for an overdue celebration of all our recent achievements and the e citing opportunities that lie ahead. During the launch, sales director Chris Tomlinson took guests on a journey of wood ooring, from raw materials through to the creation of their finished ristol Tectonic engineered oak planks. In a Q&A session with Jojo Barr, the creative director and founder of acclaimed interior design practice House Nine Design, Ian kicked off the conversation by e ploring ojo’s design ethos, their joint collaborations, current trends, challenges, and future plans. In partnership with Bristol-based environmental organisation Ecologi, Chaunceys also used the launch week to establish the haunceys orest, and kick off their new tree planting initiative. Each visitor was given a card with a What3Words location, pinpointing precisely where in the UK their tree was planted. After a successful event and such positive feedback from guests about the behind the scenes tour, haunceys plan to offer the same experience to any showroom visitors, from retail customers looking for inspiration to trade clients involved in specifying wood ooring. For more www.chauncey.co.uk

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

PRIVATE CLIENT - FAMILY - PROPERTY - COMMERCIAL

BRISTOLWORKS

Screen time

A PLACE WHERE PEOPLE WANT TO BE Design and build company Paramount has created a new workspace on Welsh Back that’s designed to re ect ristol’s maritime history. The idea for ock ouse was to transform a tired o ce space in Bristol’s historic harbourside into a destination workspace that is the very definition of a place where people want to be, they say. Bristol-based architects AWW were responsible for the creative concept of the regeneration. The design revolves around the historical context of the area, namely the docks, harbour, boating and materials usually found within these environments. Archways are a key feature

of the space, mimicking the architecture of the area along Welsh ack. These are then enhanced with materials such as rust, burnt timber, rope and metalwork, tying the design back to the docks in which they stand. The focal points of the workspace are the boardroom, accessed through a hidden, slatted door, and the teapoint bar, which resembles a boat like shape with a rusted cage structure above, named the Portcullis. Paramount’s is in ardiff, whose own bay regeneration has retained very little of the city’s maritime heritage. “We are privileged to be able to call ristol’s famous oating harbour the setting for our new

o ce, because it’s an area that’s steeped in history, said areth avies, Paramount’s senior designer. We’ve gone back to the future’ for inspiration to create a hybrid working environment that celebrates the bygone days of Welsh ack. “A workspace that encourages professional collaboration and helps build team dynamics with a nod to the storied past of Bristol’s dock area was our priority, and we’ve worked hard to turn that vision into a reality. The new workplace signals the acceleration of Paramount’s growth and will create up to 20 specialist jobs in the city as it targets a £50-million turnover within three years. For more paramountinteriors.com

ristol and ath’s first Carol... ever creen ummit, showcasing the city region as a leading global production community, took place in Bristol on 2 and 3 ovember. The WE ristol event, hosted by broadcaster Carol Vorderman and The Outlaws’ amba ole, celebrated the significant cultural and economic contribution of the screen industry to the area, as well as e ploring the action needed to further boost its development and e pansion. The creation of the creen ummit is a key recommendation from research by UWE Bristol’s Digital Cultures esearch entre, which found that while the screen industry in the cityregion is booming, more could be done to overcome the political and economic challenges it’s facing. www.uwe.ac.uk ... and Gamba

ANY COLOUR AS LONG AS IT’S GREEN

At London Fashion Week; RIGHT: brand ambassador Deb Falke

Bristol-based vegan designer handbag brand Amschela has secured a si figure investment. Self-taught designer and former lawyer Keri Andriana created the brand in 2017 to capture ‘the fusion of lu ury vegan fashion’. ince then, the brand has gone from strength to strength, featuring in high end magazines such as Vogue, GQ , Marie Claire and Tatler, appearing at London Fashion Week and receiving growing popularity across the globe. Amschela has partnered with Greenspark to work towards a ero carbon footprint, and is a member of the government’s E limate ub. The brand vows to plant a tree or remove one piece of plastic from the ocean for every purchase made through its website. For more www.amschela.co.uk

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

BRISTOLWORKS

SAVE THE DATES!

The Bristol Life Awards returns to Ashton Gate Stadium on 16 March 2023. To find out how you can benefit from sponsoring an award, see the webinar on our website, or email neil.snow@mediaclash.co.uk or harriette.dixon@mediaclash.co.uk. You can also read top tips for submitting a cracking nomination on the website. THURSDAY, 17 NOVEMBER Nominations open! WEDNESDAY, 25 JANUARY Grand Reveal Day

BRISTOL LIFE AWARDS 2022

MONDAY, 13 FEBRUARY Bristol Life Awards Finalists’ and Sponsors’ Reception

Huboo Technologies, an eCommerce fulfilment company helping online sellers grow their business by taking care of all their fulfilment needs, impressed our judges so much that they gave them the Platinum Award. Below, Huboo head of brand David Hill, helps to explain what makes the company so special . . . TECHNOLOGY & INNOVATION WINNER SPONSORED BY

PLATINUM WINNER

uboo was founded in 2017 by Martin Bysh, a serial entrepreneur,and Paul Dodd, a global logistics troubleshooter. After a chance meeting, they started talking about the unique ‘Hub’ model that Paul was creating. “This model sought to address the balance in e ommerce fulfilment by making it easy, more accessible and more cost effective for online retailers of all si es, says avid. “After successfully testing the prototype, Martin and Paul rented space in a self-storage facility after securing their first clients. As demand for their revolutionary fulfilment model increased, they soon outgrew the space, and after seed funding they opened the first of our fulfilment centres in ristol. “What is unique about Huboo is our Hub model, breaking down warehouses into smaller microwarehouses called hubs, run by a hub manager. This creates greater e ciencies, a much

more humancentric approach to warehousing, and is incredibly scalable so that as the retailers business grows, so does the hub. It has transformed and democratised fulfilment. How has Huboo grown and changed over the years?

Starting from two people to now employing a workforce of just under 800 employees spread across our European locations demonstrates the rapid growth we’ve experienced. Our projections see this rising by over 1,500 in the next 12 months. We now also work with over 1,000 clients globally, and this continues to rise each month. Our forecast revenue for the full year is £52m, up from £14m last year. Having started in co-founder Paul’s garage, we will soon have a fulfilment network that spans over 700,000 sq ft across all our locations.

market. Secondly, our success would not have been achieved without our great people, who are at the heart of our business. And finally, we’re grateful to be backed by some really committed investors who share our exciting vision for Huboo. What’s the work culture like?

Our commitment to creating a culture where people love coming to work is something we’re very proud of, and is highly important to us. Recently we were accredited as one of the best places to work in Europe, a testament to the focus we put on creating a culture where people can come in and thrive.

“THE HUB MODEL HAS TRANSFORMED AND DEMOCRATISED FULFILMENT ”

To what do you attribute Huboo’s success?

There are a number of contributing factors. Firstly, we own and develop all our software, meaning we can always innovate and optimise to provide the best technology in the

Why do you think Bristol has become such a huge tech hub?

Bristol is blessed with great tech talent, two great universities, and various tech networking groups like TechSpark, so it’s no surprise to see it becoming such a hotspot. We’re also home to tech incubators and innovation centres. We’re proud to be part of the annual Bristol Tech Fest each October. Tell us about a few standout recent successes

One of our successes was delivering

THURSDAY, 16 MARCH 2023 Bristol Life Awards For more bristollifeawards.co.uk

first unique partnership with ristol port that saw, for the first time ever, a unified front of shirt sponsor across all five teams. This demonstrates our pride in, and commitment to, Bristol, also marking a key milestone in our journey. Also, our Series B funding raise was one of the largest-ever in the UK at £60m. The round was led by Emirati investment powerhouse Mubadala, and we’re pleased to see that they and are other investors are just as excited about our future as we are. What made 2022 a good year?

A combination of impressive growth statistics, our commitment to building a brilliant culture, and creating lots of opportunities for the local community in a short space of time made it a really successful year. Where do you see the company in five years’ time?

A truly global brand with a multibillion-pound valuation, operating across the Americas, Europe, Asia and more. With the continued development of our software and products we see Huboo being at the heart of eCommerce, working with tens of thousands of brands to help them succeed. We’re really excited by the journey we are on and unrelenting in our desire to make Bristol proud. For more www.huboo.com

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MORE THAN A WORKSPACE Dog friendly and ‘free prosecco’... book office space at SQUARE WORKS and you’ll be longing for Mondays to come around...

quare Works offers the only high-end serviced offices and co-working space within a private members’ club in Bristol – and it’s about to expand next door into 19 Berkeley Square. Head of Community Kevin Vowles explains what makes Square Works such a popular (and unique) workspace. “Since we opened in 2019, we’ve been growing at an astonishing rate. In the last twelve months, the Square Works community has almost doubled to 700 members, so we’ve had to expand to meet demand. “There’ll be more office spaces, more meeting rooms, more hot-desking facilities – and there’ll also be a brand-new fitness suite. We’re really excited about what this new expansion will add to the Bristol co-working and workspace market.” What’s so special about this latest expansion? The building is stunning: lots of natural light, greenery and an environment that is both professional and personal. We can’t wait for people to see it. Our team have done a fabulous job restoring its features – from intricate cornicing to original fireplaces, it’s definitely going to be one of Bristol’s most beautiful places to work. It really has to be seen to be believed, so we’d definitely recommend people come and take a tour.

What’s the background to the building? 19 Berkeley Square is a beautiful Grade-II Georgian town house, and our team have done a great job restoring it to its former glory. We are so excited to bring a piece of Clifton’s history back to life – especially since the building has such a rich story. According to records, it was a private residence for years before becoming the home of the YWCA, the site of the American Red Cross Service Club and then the office of the Ministry of Labour and National Service. What’s your favourite feature? It has to be the cupola skylight at the top of the building. It’s original and we’ve restored it back to the Georgian style. It lets in so much light which just floods through the building down the sweeping staircases. What makes Square Works unique to the Bristol co-working market? We’re the only workspace within a private members’ club in Bristol. Membership includes full access to The Square Club with its restaurant, cocktail bar and network of 700 members. There’s also an extensive events calendar, with something on almost every night, ranging from comedy nights to yoga sessions. We’re proud to call ourselves the luxury option in the co-working scene, with high-end perks included such as restaurant food from

The Square Club delivered directly to the desk, free prosecco, baked treats and other goodies. Square Works membership also includes benefits such as special reduced rates on rooms at the Berkeley Square Hotel and Berkeley Suites. Community is at the heart of what we do – many people remark on the atmosphere and how we provide the highest levels of service with friendliness rather than formality. We have monthly members’ lunches and breakfasts to facilitate networking, and our regular members’ parties are legendary! We’re also committed to supporting the wider community and have bi-annual charity weeks to raise funds for local charities through a whole host of fun events. Thanks to our location at the top of Park Street, we are well situated for easy access to the rest of the city, making us a great central meeting hub. This will be our last expansion and the last chance to join our community. There are only a handful of offices left - for more information or to enquire about a tour, please contact us at hello@squareworksbristol.com. n

Square Works. 17-18 Berkeley Square, Bristol BS8 1HB. squareworksbristol.com Tel: 0117 322 6635 www.mediaclash.co.uk I BRISTOL LIFE I 71

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A CALMING IMPACT When Ellie Wright and her husband bought their apartment in Clifton, it may have had the dream location but it was far from the dream home. Luckily 102 KITCHENS was there to help...

“

hen we bought the property it consisted of bedsits, so it really had to be a full refurbishment, and we didn’t have a choice but to start from scratch with the kitchen,” says Ellie. “I had quite big plans, as I could see the potential of the space. I knew we could create something quite unique with a real wow factor”. Ellie came to 102 Kitchens and met with designer Tim Baber to begin the process of

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

bringing her dream kitchen to life. She had a clear idea of how she wanted the kitchen to look “I’d made a mood-board of how I wanted the space to look and feel. I wanted the whole apartment to ow and all the spaces to sing together.” She knew she wanted a light and airy feel with a clean aesthetic and calm colour scheme “The living room is north-facing, so it doesn’t get much light. I wanted it to be quite light and airy; this then carried through into the colour choice in the kitchen.”

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“I WANTED THE WHOLE APARTMENT TO FLOW AND ALL THE SPACES TO SING TOGETHER”

Ellie wanted to keep the space open, with room to entertain and not feel cooped-up. The space itself offered both opportunities and challenges for Tim. “The door to the hall, opening into the living room and corridor into the back of the property, left limited wall space,” said Tim. “Keeping all the main appliances in the tall units meant that there was space for lots of storage in the rest of the kitchen.” Tim made the most of clever storage solutions and integrated appliances to make the kitchen both visually clean and open while accommodating the couple’s culinary and storage needs. A tall unit on the back wall houses all the key appliances, such as the fridge-freezer and double oven, along with a pull-out larder and a hideaway for the toaster.

A boiling water Quooker tap removes the need for a kettle, freeing up worktop space, while an integrated Neff induction hob and boxed-in Faber Inca Lux extractor offer practicality without spoiling the clean lines of the design. The impactful island is the focal point of the kitchen, made in Unistone Ceppo Quartz stone. “The mitred edges make it appear like one block of stone” said Tim “so it has a really seamless finish”. The deep drawer units have internal drawers and dividers to give all the practicality of smaller drawers, with the visual style of larger slab doors. To the side of the island is the pantry unit, nestled into the corner between the hall door and the opening into the living space. This unit comprises a practical tall pull-out larder and double pantry unit with internal drawers for maximum storage exibility. Although the kitchen and the living room are open-plan, Ellie was keen to make sure that the spaces were zoned. “I wanted to keep everything quite soft and calming, but also feel like the kitchen was a separate zone, so it didn’t just feel it was inside the living room. Painting the walls and ceiling

in a darker colour helped to do that.” The cabinetry was sprayed in custom-mixed colours in a matte finish to continue that soft feel, while the pantry unit and underside of the island was finished in washed oak I wasn’t sure about how the wood would fit in with the rest of the space, but it really works,” said Ellie. The final result is a kitchen which complements the living room but offers a practical and separate space for cooking. “It’s great to cook in” Ellie said “I love to cook, but I’d previously been stuck in small kitchens. Here I have lots of space and the layout just works really well ergonomically.” The social aspect is also covered with the island offering extra seating and a place to gather as well as a place for an additional appliance “The wine fridge is a bit of a luxury,” she admits. With Ellie’s vision and Tim’s design the kitchen is a real hub for the home “When we have people over they are blown away by it; it’s quite unusual in terms of colour combinations and the wood. Everyone hangs around the island, and it’s an easy entertaining space. I love it.” n

102 Kitchens showroom is now open within NE Appliances at Unit 3, Enterprise Trade Centre, Roman Farm Road, Hengrove, BS4 1UN. Browse the range at www.102kitchens.co.uk www.mediaclash.co.uk I BRISTOL LIFE I 79

CABINET RESHUFFLE …no, we don’t mean all the in-out Westminster shenanigans, we’ve heard quite enough about those. Instead, let’s chat about the most important room in the home – the kitchen

KITCHENS

“As we’ve become more and more involved in food and food cultures, we’ve had to evolve with our appliances”

ho loves a statement kitchen? Everyone, it turns out. This autumn, all our favourite elements – island units, hot water taps, teppanyaki cooktops (oh yes) – are present and correct, but with added va-va-voom in terms of colours and te ture. To find out how the smart money is being spent on the most important room in the house, we asked local kitchen experts for their hot take. WHY ARE KITCHENS SUCH A BIG DEAL ANYWAY? “Over the years, the kitchen has evolved into a social, multi-functional area, not just a cooking space, where people gather to talk, dine and, in more recent times, work,” says Graham Craig of Hobson’s Choice. “Contemporary kitchen design allows the homeowner to create a space that goes well beyond the traditional view of ‘the kitchen’. igh quality materials and surface finishes, more sociable layouts, incredibly e cient and quiet appliances and a focus on eyecatching design are all factors that have increased the accessibility, comfort and, subsequently, homeowners’ time within the room.” “The kitchen is the heart of any home,” agrees Jordan Fellows from Kutchenhaus. “If you imagine a well-oiled machine, the kitchen is what keeps the cogs turning.” TODAY, EVERYONE’S A FOODIE. HOW HAS THIS AFFECTED WHAT WE WANT FROM OUR KITCHENS? “How a client desires to improve or enhance their recipe repertoire often begins with the worktop, says raham raig. ifferent materials can be more suitable for specific types of cooking; for example, cool-to-thetouch stone is good for pastry-rolling, while an easy-to-clean laminate might be more appropriate for mixing curry spices that could otherwise stain. “Modern kitchen appliances can provide homeowners with professional-level cooking capabilities, and helpful systems that guide the user and closely monitor the dish for perfect results. For those looking for options beyond the conventional oven and microwave, there are steam-combination ovens, induction and teppanyaki cooktops and sous-vide vacuum drawers.” “As we have become more and more involved in food and food cultures, we have had to evolve with our appliances,” says Jordan Fellows. “Every year there is a new gadget or feature which allows us to cook or prepare food in a different way. itchens are truly becoming more creative.” Cook’s delight: a bulthaup b3 kitchen from Hobson’s Choice

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KITCHENS THE GREAT COLOUR COMEBACK The days of 50 shades of grey are a distant memory, with some really vibrant options available. “Many of our clients are looking for custom-mixed colours,” says Sophia Haden of NE Appliances. “Earthy tones are making an appearance, with wooden doors; the naturalistic feel goes hand in hand with the trend toward eco-friendly kitchens, making a look that can stand the test of time.” TWO-TONE IS NOT JUST A SKA MOVEMENT “One trend that’s on the up is two-toned kitchen cabinets,” says Simon Douglas of Schmidt. “Two-tone kitchen cupboards and cabinetry break up monotone blocks and create an exciting dynamic in a space. This design option opens up many more different colour combinations, but in the end, the goal is still to create a cohesive space with just the right amount of contrast.” ABOVE: Walls don’t need to be boring: design by Schmidt; OPPOSITE: classy colourways from Benchmarx

LIVING IN A MATERIAL WORLD “The combination of two contrasting material finishes is very popular, says raham raig. or e ample, tall units finished in aluminium, solid wood or book-matched veneer can create a beautiful backdrop to a kitchen space, with lower cabinetry finished in a complementary colour laminate or lacquer. “A island breakfast bar or wall units, finished in the same material as the tall units, can tie the kitchen colour scheme together. For extra visual interest, think stone worktops with intricate veining and pattern.” APROPOS, WHAT ARE THE BEST OPTIONS FOR WORKSURFACES? “It depends on how you intend to use and look after your kitchen. If you want a hardwearing surface that can be easily cleaned and is resistant to knocks, then, for example, we recommend a bulthaup laminate worktop,” says raham raig. “Alternatively, if you’re willing to take care of the worktop to avoid staining, chips and scratches, stone or quart can offer a more visually interesting surface. If you’re looking for an even tougher surface there’s stainless steel, but bear in mind that over time it will form a patina of light scratches.” “If your go-to is a nice red with a good curry on a Friday night then chose your worktop with care!” says Simon Douglas. “Stain-resistance is an essential consideration

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in your worktop choice. Natural stone countertops, when not properly sealed, will start to feature lovely reminders of forgotten spills. Such maintenance can be timeconsuming so choose a non-porous countertop material like quartz, or even better, Dekton.” “Porcelain and ceramic worktops, especially those made with recycled glass are very in demand, says ophia aden. ustomers

“Large-format slabs lend real drama to a space” are also becoming more environmentally minded, and so recycled and sustainable options are becoming more popular.” IT’S PROBABLY TIME SOMEBODY MENTIONED TILES… ... and who better to comment than olin Roby-Welford of Fired Earth. “It’s amazing how some new tiling and a couple of coats of paint can completely refresh and transform a kitchen,” he says. “If you’re working to a

really tight budget, even just an eye-catching new splashback will revitalise a scheme. “Whereas new kitchen cabinetry is a large investment, tiles and paint are relatively quick and affordable to update, so be bold olours that might feel a bit too much for an entire kitchen could be perfect in the form of tiled accents, creating a warm and characterful backdrop to pared-back cabinetry. “Imaginative tiling can transform even the simplest and most inexpensive tiles into a really special wall or oor. lassic white metro tiles can be used to create different patterns, such as chevron, basketweave or herringbone designs, instantly giving walls a sense of texture and a real point of interest. Patterned tiled ooring is a really forgiving choice for kitchen oors, too. “Large-format slabs lend real drama to a space, and slabs that can be used for both backsplash and door fronts are popular,” says Sophia Haden. LET’S TALK A BIT MORE ABOUT FLOORING . . . “If you don’t want to be constantly scrubbing away – and who does? – low-maintenance ooring is vital in the kitchen, says olin Roby-Welford. “Porcelain tiles are an ideal choice, since they’re really hardwearing and easy to clean. Being virtually non-porous, most won’t need sealing to protect them from

KITCHENS stains, so they’re particularly quick and easy to install, too. People now want ooring which is more serviceable and ticks lots of boxes,” says ichelle ill of Astra esign and uild. t must be waterproof, hardwearing, scratch and stain resistant, comfortable under foot and hygienic while also looking good arndean and Amtico is always a good choice hardwearing, with lots of colour and pattern options available.” IS OPEN-PLAN STILL POPULAR, AND ARE WE ALL STILL DOING ISLANDS? “People are keen to open up their space for entertaining and make their spaces multi functional; banquette seating and breakfast nooks, for e ample, which can be used for both entertaining and working from home, are gaining popularity, says ophia aden. f there’s space, then islands are a great option. They’re perfect for more sociable kitchens, and can accommodate a range of hidden storage solutions and appliances, making the most of the space. itchen islands are still a must have in many people’s dream design, says uth Lavender of enchmar itchens. There was once a perception that an island unit must be of an impressive si e and carry an impressive price tag and indeed, that you need a kitchen of endless proportions to match. owever, with clever planning, an island or peninsula can be installed in many kitchen spaces within reason The great thing about an island is that it offers a focal point to a kitchen and allows you to introduce a mi ture of worktop and cabinet te tures and heights, giving your design an individual edge. An island can be the feature piece in a kitchen,” says Jordan Fellows, “whether you use the island as your cooking station or you have a breakfast bar to create a more social environment. We truly believe that islands create a modern and sleek look to a kitchen.

Islands are still big news: NE Appliances

WHAT ONE LUXURY KITCHEN ITEM WOULD YOU NEVER BE WITHOUT? “An induction cooktop with integrated downdraft re-circulating extraction. It removes the need for a cooker hood that would takenup wall space or obstruct ceiling space over an island” – Graham Craig

and the ability to stir while cooking” – Simon Douglas

“The Thermomix – a set-and-forget all-in-one food/meal preparation appliance with a timer

“A boiling water tap, the perfect mix of luxury and practicality” – Sophia Haden

“A Quooker tap – the only company that allows their taps to boil to 100 degrees, which is true boiling water” – Jordan Fellows

ANY COOL NEW TRENDS WE SHOULD KNOW ABOUT? eating nooks have grown in popularity as they are an ingenious way to save space and provide additional seating in your kitchen, says uth Lavender. ecause they are often installed in bay windows, corners or built into surrounding cupboards, they don’t take up much space, and can also double up as additional storage if you so wish. They provide a great space for children to sit and play whilst you prepare food, as well as an additional entertaining space for when friends and family come over. Open shelving, another feature that has grown in popularity, can create a beautiful visual and add personality to your space. There is so much e ibility in the design of open shelving, and it can be incorporated as

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KITCHENS little or as much as you like, depending on the look and functionality you prefer. You can create an airy, open feel in a smaller kitchen, or showcase a minimalist and rustic style. This feature can also communicate modern sophistication, with clean lines and simple crockery.” “Hidden spaces, pantries or walk-in wardrobes are an under-considered but growing trend,” says Simon Douglas. “This taps into our obsession for order inside the home. Pantries are often disguised behind cabinet doors, blending seamlessly into the kitchen aesthetic. It’s the perfect inconspicuous solution for homeowners who prefer a clean, sophisticated space.” “Banquettes and breakfast nooks are more in demand now – multi-use spaces that can be used for socialising, family life and working from home,” says Sophia Haden.

“Sometimes less is more; avoid having too much going on, and stick to clean lines” HOW DO WE MAKE A SMALL KITCHEN LOOK BIGGER? “Appliances are a great way to start; opting for slimline versions is an excellent way to make the kitchen feel bigger and a practical solution to fit more storage into tight spaces, says Simon Douglas. “They also potentially decreases your energy use.” “Take units to the ceiling to draw the eye up and keep cabinetry colours light,” says Sophia. “Mirrored elements like mirrored splashbacks can help give the illusion of more space.” “Sometimes less is more – avoid having too much going on, and stick with clean lines,” advises Michelle Hill. PEOPLE KEEP TALKING ABOUT THE IMPORTANCE OF ‘NEGATIVE SPACE’. IS THAT A THING? “Yes,” says Simon Douglas. “Sometimes this lack’ is an easy and cost effective way to balance space and make the other elements pop more powerfully. Create some negative space in your room by ipping your starting point on its head and talking to your designer about what you will leave out rather than what you will put in. “Although it’s tempting to use every kitchen nook and cranny for storage, it can lead to overfilled spaces and give the impression of clutter. Also, upper kitchen cabinetry can sometimes be hard to reach. Be brave, and leave the upper parts of your kitchen cabinetry as negative space. This can give your kitchen

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Start planning your kitchen with a mood board, says Kutchenhaus

breathing space to enhance other features in the room.” “The two have to work together,” says Sophia Haden. “Clever storage can make the most of a space, but the best designs leave space for the room to feel light and welcoming, so there has to be a balance.” HOW DO WE PLAN A KITCHEN FROM SCRATCH? “The perfect kitchen should match your household needs, so begin by evaluating how you currently use your kitchen, what you want it to offer, and how often certain appliances are used,” says Ruth Lavender. “This will allow you to identify creative solutions in your designing stage which will eliminate the day to day challenges you’re finding in your current kitchen. “With more of us following hybrid work patterns between home and the o ce, our kitchens are at times requiring e ibility to also serve as daytime o ces, particularly for those without the benefit of a spare bedroom. With this in mind, maximising storage space and finding new solutions has never been more important.”

“The best way to start planning your kitchen from scratch is by identifying your likes and dislikes about a kitchen,” says Jordan Fellows. “Create a mood board with all your favourite features within a kitchen. Take this to a kitchen designer and find something you like in the showroom.” “Start with the basic proportions of the room, work from the outside in and figure out how much space you need to move around, what depth of cupboard you have room for, and if you have space for an island,” says Sophia Haden. “People tend to think about the appliances they want first and this can lead to problems with the layout and space, think about your space first then work out from there. n

YOU HAVE BEEN READING www.astradesignandbuild.com www.firedearth.com www.home-design.schmid www.hobsonschoice.uk.com www.uk.kutchenhaus.com www.neappliances.com

BRISTOL’S LEADING INDEPENDENT BATHROOM AND TILE SPECIALIST Within our large showroom we showcase the industry’s leading brands and more importantly we have an experienced, warm and friendly team to help you choose your dream bathroom. With over 30 Five Star Google and Facebook reviews come see what the fuss is about!

6 Eldonwall Trading Estate, Bristol BS4 3QQ

Email: sales@ttabw.co.uk Telephone: 01179 770011 

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KILL THE BILLS

SCHMIDT KITCHENS BRISTOL offers practical tips to reduce your cost of living

Make your microwave work Microwaves use less energy than ovens (the Centre for Sustainable Energy estimates that the cost to use an oven for 10 minutes is around 8-9p, compared to 3-6p for a microwave), so if you have one, it’s worth using it more. Microwaves are also energy-efficient because they only heat the food itself rather than warm the air around the food, and don’t use energy to warm up.

ith the cost-of-living crisis in full swing, and energy bills rising again, we’re all feeling the pressure. If you are considering a new kitchen and trying to reduce your energy usage around the home, good design can help you lower your bills through creating an energy-efficient kitchen. Start with lighting Natural light is free! If you can increase the amount of natural light that floods into your kitchen, this results in fewer lighting fixtures. Kitchen redesign is usually a result of an extension, so build in skylights, additional windows or glass doors where you can. Consider your appliances Around 16% of a household’s energy use is in the kitchen, according to figures produced by the Energy Saving Trust. Manage your cooking and cooling costs and reduce your bills. Beyond choosing A-rated appliances that are energyefficient, choose those that meet your needs correctly. Your lifestyle may mean a small single oven will do; a vast range oven may look good, but will you be spending money on something you won’t really use? You’ll also regularly spend more money heating it. Invest in a boiling water tap Taps that produce instant hot water for the kitchen can use up to 50% less energy than

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Reduce waste with good design Practical and effective storage solutions designed around the way you live are a great way to reduce waste in the kitchen and save money. Good design and easy access to each cabinet can help you avoid the annual spring clean of out-of-date jars, tins, and packets, and save hundreds of pounds yearly in food waste. If it is an energy-efficient dream kitchen that you are looking for, then why not chat it through with one of our designers? n traditional kettles. Using them to start cooking food such as pasta on a hob will cost you less when it comes to your bills. Release the heat Open your oven door after cooking to utilise the heat from the cooking process – this may save you from turning on the heating for a little evening boost. NEFF has a popular ‘hide and slide’ model, which means the door can be safely hidden away and maximise heat gain.

Bristol 170-172 Whiteladies Road, Clifton, Bristol BS8 2XU. Call us on 0117 301 8888 Be inspired: www.home-design.schmidt; Email us: info@schmidt-bristol.com

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Joe and Adam of The Kitchen Den offer unique designs and honest advice based on their wealth of experience

KITCHEN SYNC Planning a new kitchen? Not sure where to start? Joe and Adam of THE KITCHEN DEN can help with every stage of the process

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

THE 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. 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,

“WE COULDN’T RECOMMEND THE KITCHEN DEN HIGHLY ENOUGH!” - Client testamonial

worktops and appliances all selected for their quality, aesthetics and function. 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 ooring solutions.Their excellent reputation is built on service, quality products and obviously their air for designing beautiful kitchens. n

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: kitchendenbristol@gmail.com Facebook & Instagram: @thekitchendenuk www.mediaclash.co.uk I BRISTOL LIFE I 91

PROPERTY

OT A OA

eorgian splendour abounds at this lovely rade home in one of ristol’s most popular postcodes Words by Ursula Cole

hese days, given the gentrification of all ristol’s central postcodes and yes,we know gentrification is a controversial word; if you have any grievances kindly take them up with arvin rather than us we have become a city of desirable neighbourhoods. or e ample, when we first launched this maga ine, lifton was by far the most sought after place to live although a few home buyers went for edland if they were feeling edgy . Well, that’s all changed. lifton’s still gorgeous it always will be but many other ’hoods can now give the illage a serious run for its money. Among them is the otham area. Even if it wasn’t chock full of pretty terraces and historic buildings, you’d choose it for its central location; as long as you don’t mind the hills or are able to navigate a oi, all the fun bits of the city are just a walk or scoot away. There’s also the not inconsiderable matter of the food scene; some of ristol’s best restaurants are found here, on

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PROPERTY Chandos Road and Cotham Hill in one direction, and the Gloucester Road in the other. There are no shortage of lovely homes in the area, but this gorgeous Grade-II Georgian house on Cotham Road, with its surprisingly large gardens and all-important driveway, is a rare find, and is just a few minutes walk from the eclectic shops found on St Michael’s Hill and Whiteladies Road. Lovely Georgian features abound – there are cornices, fireplaces, panels, dados and fully working shutters, including some beautiful oor to ceiling ones in the drawing room. And while few people would shell out over a million on a house just because they liked the colour of the paint, it has to be noted that the current owners have done a blinding job here, with dark, bold hues in many of the rooms, adding drama and panache without compromising the brightness of the space. Cool in summer but cosy in winter (say the current owners), it’s wonderfully spacious – and while many Georgian houses are of the two-up (and up, and up, and up) variety with punitively steep stairs that virtually require you to pack for the day when descending from the bedrooms in the morning, this lovely home spreads in a far

“Dark hues in many of the rooms add drama and panache, without compromising the brightness”

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PROPERTY

“It’s the kind of place more frequently spotted in the pages of glossy interiors magazines than estate agents particulars” more accessible way across two main storeys. There’s also a cellar; one of those bonuses, like boot rooms, utility rooms and pantries, that you only appreciate once you’ve had one. There is, of course, a utility room and boot room here, leading off the good si ed kitchen, which shares the ground oor with a lovely ft drawing room with the aforementioned full height windows, shutters, elaborate cornicing and ceiling rose; there’s an open gas fireplace and e posed solid wood ooring, all complemented by a sunny, secluded outlook over the front gardens. A further star reception room is the jade green dining room overlooking the back garden. There’s yet more Georgian plasterwork on the ceiling, wood panelling on the walls, and working shutters on the sash windows. ead up to the first oor, where four large and symmetrical bedrooms are served by a family bathroom and one en suite. There’s a fifth bedroom, too, reached by a separate staircase with ack and ill access to the en suite. The si eable outdoor space is unusual for a home in town, with a driveway offering parking for three vehicles and a beautifully designed front garden. The private and substantial rear gardens are around 76ft, planted with a mature shrubbery and level lawn, with side access to a garage that has been recently converted, and which can now be used as a large gym or home o ce space. This exceptional home has real personality, it’s the kind of place more frequently spotted in the pages of glossy interiors maga ines than in a set of estate agents particulars. It has everything going for it – location, location; style; period charm; spaciousness – and if it’s within the budget, we’d be beating the path to the agents’ door.

HOUSE NUMBERS Bath/shower rooms

Where Cotham Road What? Grade-II Georgian house

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Outside Substantial gardens, big driveway, converted garage

Guide price

£1.495m

Receptions

Bedrooms

Contact Knight Frank, 27a Regent Street, Clifton BS8 4HR 0117 911 6813; www.knightfrank.co.uk

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t: 0117 279 0980 | m: 07956 846307 e: simon@bristolcityroofing.co.uk

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BRISTOL LIVES

“With its new-look Arnside shopping area, Southmead’s looking good. Don’t tell the London lot, though”

TERRY THE ODD-JOB MAN

Bristol’s funniest odd-job man is about to set off on a world Bristol tour. We thought we’d better have a chat. Proper like.

’m from Southmead, my love. Born ’n bred in the Mead. My greatnan moved into our council house in ; me muh still lives there now. Me accent is a north Bristol accent. Though the Southmead accent does come close to a proper south Bristol accent, like Knowle West. But mine is a lot softer than say, me muh’s, cos I hung out a lot up Filton.” What was the best thing about growing up in Bristol in the ’80s and ’90s?

Strong music scene, clubs, amazing mix of creative people and that, way before all the London lot came in their droves buying up half a’ Bemmie. Your top five Bristol areas?

Weston-super-Vegas – sea so far out you can drown in the sand before reaching it.

emmie East treet perfect for people-watching, fairly untouched considering what Southville has become. On that note, what on earth IS Southville? It’s so far up its own a**e it’s unreal. Kingswood, again full of character and still the same really. Is Chasers open? Or closed? I can’t keep up. Yate where everyday people call themselves posh ’cos they bought a new-build house. No mate, you ain’t posh, you’re teve who fits aerials on people’s houses. Southmead, of course. With its new-look Arnside shopping area, it’s looking good! Don’t tell the London lot, though. Has the city changed much over the past decade?

Oh yeh. Half a’ Bristol is moving to Wales, cashing in on the Londoners ashing

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the £££s to the estate agents. Bristolians are selling their ex-council houses and buying 20 acres of land in Wales for £150k and the rest left over to buy a Lambo. I mean, Bristol’s proper gentrified, innit. Every time it’s mentioned in the bleedin’ Times newspaper, the Fulham lot are on their way. I say no more. Which bits still feel like proper Bristol to you?

emmie East treet; outhmead; nowle West; ingswood; Yate the posh people of Yate won’t agree . Where do live in now?

Southmead, ’cos it’s cheap innit, mind. What job would you be really rubbish at?

Athlete. I can’t stand exercise, unlike me mate Steve, who’s down Fitness First seven days a week mind.

What’s your most regrettable habit?

Eating late night takeaways, Miss Millie’s ’n that. Got to stop.

Joking aside; are there any issues you’re keen to support and promote?

Men’s mental health. I had a few followers who took their lives and it really affected me. t’s getting a lot more attention now but still not enough. I recently came across Andy’s Man Club – a support group for men who want to talk. If you’re reading this and feeling low and helpless, reach out to them, there’s a group in Bristol. Poverty – I’ve always supported foodbanks and raised quite a bit over the years. It makes me angry how we can let people be so on the breadline

that they need to queue for food donations. It’s wrong, and something needs to be done about it right now. Tell us about the new tour

Never will you see such a mix of people in one room. It’s lush. From builders to gamer types, metal heads, hipsters and posh elderly women from Henleaze. Me shows centre around the history of Bristol and the working-class areas which don’t get mentioned at all. And obviously all the in-jokes and catchphrases over the years that my followers will recognise. Oh and ‘bung me cacks’ will be back – we throw a pair of undiz around the audience. But with a twist this time! OK that’s probably put your readers off. That’s alright, I guess. Fellow Bristolian Jayde Adams, took part in Strictly this year. Ever fancy that?

I think Jayde did great and Strictly suited her. I’m not a fan of reality TV, though I did take part in a sort of reality show back in 2008 – a BBC 3 show called Upstaged which was in Bristol. There was massive glass boxes in Millennium Square, and you had to entertain the viewers for six hours non-stop with the camera constantly filming. There was bands, pole dancers, singers, magicians, a guy dressed as a badger and me. I think the more I went mad in there the more entertaining it was. We were allowed to invite guests. At one point I had me muh vacuuming the oor and me aunt polishing the windows. It was proper nuts, and all paid for by you, the licence payers. Terry the Odd-Job Man is on tour – get yer tickets at www.terry.show