We’re not quite sure what artist Morag Myerscough will be creating for Bristol Light Fest, but we do know she’s famed for her immersive spatial artworks that transform places and champion community and public interaction, so we’re excited...
It’s the time of year that most messes with our heads. We’re sending this, our 6 January issue, to press on the same day that our Christmas edition comes out. Meanwhile, in the non-magazine real world, Christmas is still nine days away. Our work brain has fully segued into new-year mode – technically, at least, we’re all about the healthy eating and exercising – while our home brain is panicking because we haven’t made even a sliver of a start on all the Christmas shopping and decorating we’ve been banging on about in these pages for months. It’s a classic case of the cobbler’s children going unshod.
Since we (if not you) have one foot in 2022 and one in 2023, it seemed an excellent excuse to take a look back at the last 12 months. It wasn’t a half-bad year, was it? Compared to 2020 and 2021, I mean? Not that those set the bar terribly high. Everything was back – festivals, gigs, shows; there were fewer face mas s, fewer shop staff brandishing thermometers like guns, and we all made the most of the return to normality. On page 12 we remember some of the highlights. lapstic used to be the first big festi al in the new year, but these days it’s been pipped to the post, with the Bristol Light Festival sneaking into an early February slot. It’s back with an extended 0 day edit for 0 3, and we offer a hint of what’s in store on page 22.
And now I really must press ‘send’ on this issue, and cloc off for the year, as there s not a mince pie or cracker in the house. See you in three weeks time (actually, six weeks IRL... oh, never mind) when hopefully life will be a little less confusing...
DERI ROBINSFollow us on @BristolLifeMag; @BristolLifeMag
Bristol Life editorIN REVIEW Yes, it’s mostly last January’s ‘2022 preview’, but with the tense changed from ‘future’ to ‘past’. Because amazingly, for the first time in two years, e erything we were told would happen, happened...
It’s still only January (you don’t get much past us!), but Bristol Sounds has already revealed the first acts for its arbourside gig series this June.
In for the 22nd is Jacob Collier, one of the most innovative musicians of his generation. Jacob’s achieved legendary status, thanks in part to stellar collaborations with the likes of John Mayer, Lizzo and Mahalia.
On the 23rd you can expect the ultimate singalong when Manc rockers James hit the stage, while on 24 June there’s an all-day festival takeover with
A Beautiful Day Out with Levellers, featuring The Selecter, Black Grape, Peat & Diesel, Goldie Lookin’ Chain, Gaz roo field and mily reeze. A second acoustic stage is due to be revealed shortly.
All of which still leaves two nights of shows still to be announced, along with support artists across all the shows.
Bristol Sounds runs 21-25th June 2023. Tickets now on sale at www.seetickets.com www.facebook.com/ bristolsoundsofficial
Looks like A Beautiful Day Out, with Gaz Brookfield, The Selecter and Levellers
Bristol’s beloved street art festival Upfest has announced it will be skipping 2023, and moving to a biannual model due to the rise in costs.
Upfest regularly attracts over 50,000 visitors to the streets of BS3 across its main weekend, and as one of the city’s largest free-to-attend festivals, it’s important to the team that it remains that way for everyone.
“We’re gutted to not be putting on the festival in 2023, but the risk to the organisation is just too great,” said co-founder Steve Hayles. “We know our visitors love the festival, and it’s played a big part in making Bedminster a street-art hub for the city, and become known internationally for it.
“With rising infrastructure costs, site fees and without funding, we won’t be able to raise the money we need in 2023 to keep the festival free, so instead we will turn our attention to 2024. Anyone who would like to support or sponsor the festival next year would be very welcome, so please do get in touch.”
The Upfest team will focus on other projects and interventions throughout 2023, including artist exhibitions at their North Street gallery.
For more www.upfest.co.uk
We do love a trail, and can’t wait to see a herd of mythical horned beasties tripping across the city when Unicornfest unleashes its sculptures in July.
The aim of the trail is partly to celebrate Bristol’s 650th anniversary (unicorns have been a symbol of the city since the 17th century), while also raising funds for Leukaemia Care.
So, if you were going to paint a unicorn, what design would you go for? Serious question: there’s a callout both to potential artists and sponsors until the end of the month.
Sponsors and artists will be matched in February, and a giant herd of around 50 blank unicorns will arrives at Stables HQ for painting to start in March. Foals will be painted by local schools, with the ‘lifesized’ versions by established artists.
The finished unicorns will be revealed in late June, with the public art trail going live between 1 July-3 September.
The Farewell to the Unicorns auction preview festival runs 22-24 September, after which a charity auction will be held in aid of Leukaemia Care on 5 October.
For more information see www.theunicornfest.co.uk
It snowed! It pitched! And OK, it was mostly a light dusting, as opposed to deep and crisp and even, and it was a bit too early for Christmas, but boy did we make the most of it. PS: this page is being sent to press on 16 December, so if between now and then we have 3ft of snow, please do not laugh at it
So, farewell 2022 – you had a few casualties, there were a few bumps in the road, but compared to the previous two years you were outstanding. Not that the bar was set particularly high . . .
2022 wasn’t just ‘back to normal’ – it was immense! Here are just a few highlights from the previous 12 months.
JANUARY – the one with the LOLs 2022 marked the return of proper, honest-to-goodness, we-don’t-just-mean-watchingshon y online stuff at home festivals. First out of the traps was Slapstick; this year’s gala host was the affable tephen angan, who we interviewed in issue 311. he food scene got off to a cautious start, perhaps unsurprisingly, but we were instantly wowed by the new Cow & Sow on Queen Square.
FEBRUARY – the one with the superstar actor Theatre was very much back for 2022. Having been postponed for reasons too tedious to repeat, Sir Mark Rylance’s new play Semmelweis sold out even before it was formally announced. Bristol Life had a memorable exclusive Zoom chat with the great man over breakfast, in an interview that appeared in the theatre’s programme. Colour us proud.
The galleries had fared better than most during the lockdowns, with the cunning deployment of big social-distancing arrows on the floor, but 0 was a further step in the right direction. This month rnolfini brought us the rather awesome Subversive Stories, a collection of wor by figurati e artist Paula Rego.
Oh, and a little feelgood story, courtesy if etflix, who placed an After Life bench in Ashton Court, to mar the final season of the Ricky Gervais series. The bench has a QR code leading to suicide prevention charity CALM.
The Bristol Light Festival returned for its second outing, illuminating the city centre from 1-6 March; around 170,000
people turned out to bask in the LEDs. Speaking of light, this month people across the city also came together for a night march to shine a light on the harassment of women. A further Reclaim the Night march took place in November.
Hands-down the best story of the month, though? Jason ono an finally ordering a doner from Jason Donervan.
APRIL – the one with the trippy exhibition
Launched as a multi-purpose venue, Propyard really showed us what it could do when it hosted the Van Gogh: the Immersive Experience exhibition. The big main room was dreamy, but the VR headset trip (we use the word in its legal sense) was a highlight for us.
It was also a big month for RWA, which celebrated the completion of its ambitious Light and Inspiration renovation with Me, Myself, I, an exhibition taking a look at self-portraiture in art.
On the food scene, a serious player emerged when the Bianchis group opened Cotto,
with an emphasis on classic Italian home cooking in a relaxed, family setting. Was it any good? Does Bristol enjoy a hot-air balloon and a pint of Thatchers?
MAY – the one when the city looked and sounded great Massively back for 2022 were live gigs, festivals and other outdoor shindigs (including actual Shindig). Bristol’s theatre festival Mayfest took place for the first time in four years, with a truly trailblazing line-up. Upfest returned in its new May slot, with a big weekend of live painting at Greville Smyth Park following weeks of muralling on the streets of BS3. It’s now moved to a biannual mode, so fingers crossed for a 2024 return.
he illers finally made it to Ashton Court, and the decibel levels of the crowd singing along to Mr Brightside eclipsed even the roar of Bears fans on a BristolBath derby day. All the greatest hits in this crowd-pleasing set.
On a political note, the mayoral referendum voted to
abolish the role of an elected Bristol Mayor, ten years after the post was reintroduced. Bristol’s first mayor, if you re interested, was Roger Cordewaner in 1216.
JUNE – the one with the Rocket Man
He says it’s his last-ever tour, and yes, he’s said it before, but we all turned out anyway to hear Elton John play us all the best songs from his extraordinary career. What a showman.
Meanwhile, across the water, Bristol Sounds launched its 2022 series with a hugely eclectic roster of top-drawer acts, from lbow to aolo Nutini, Noel Gallagher, Jungle, First Aid Kit and The War on Drugs.
o e a es the ay finally got to show us what it could do at its new shton ourt home, and Craft Beer Fest was back, too –though remar ably, o id or no Covid, this one never went away.
JULY – the one with the boats (etc)
You could argue until the ethically reared cows come home whether it s the arbour Fest or the Balloon Fiesta that’s the most ristol festi al of all either way, we were thrilled to
see the harbour filled with craft of all ind for the former, along with all its attendant music, dance and waterfront stunts.
ristol ride returned in its usual shy, understated fashion with a full fortnight of all your fa ourite e ents, from the dog show to the march to the big old party on the Downs.
And while The Killers, Elton and Bristol Sounds had all been epic, the most purely enjoyable gig of the year, in our book, was the funktastic set by Nile Rogers and Chic at Harbourside, brought by Bristol Beacon.
Just ask anyone who was there. They’ll tell you.
AUGUST – the one in which we had lift-off Balloons, of course, continued to rise during the loc downs, from small, secret locations, but this was the first time the full blown Fiesta was able to take place since 2019 at Ashton Court.
Just like the Harbour Festival, the weather was glorious – a bit too glorious, as the hot air prevented evening ascents – but the morning mass launches were a sight to behold.
here was more inflatable joy to be had on College Green, when Bristol Light Fest brought
us uminarium, a multi coloured blow-up structure that made you feel you were standing in a stained-glass window. Or maybe the ames ond title sequence, if you stood in the red and black bit.
Valleyfest brought all the lovely rural laidback vibes once again, with the customary top food line-up curated by Josh Eggleton, an equally tasty musical programme headlined by Travis, Clean Bandit and oni ize, a residency from fire spitting arachnoid festi al faves Arcadia and those beautiful Chew Valley lakeside views.
We weren’t sure what to expect from permanent new exhibition Wake the Tiger – we knew it was from the Boomtown Fair crew, so was likely to be good fun – but we were entranced by its sheer level of creativity, detail, wit and imagination. If you haven’t been, go. No, we mean now.
Meanwhile a strange looking golden thing appeared outside M Shed, resembling an Airstream in a puffa ac et. he Martian House was here to ask whether human life could be sustained in Mars – and even if the answer was ‘probably not’, this didn’t detract from its fascination, or its usefulness in researching ways in which we could be more sustainable on the planet we already have.
And while with all that going on it was hard to find time to stay in, we obviously tuned in to season two of Stephen Merchant’s The Outlaws. Even if it failed to reach the dizzying heights of season one, it was still the best thing on the box.
SEPTEMBER – the one in which the Zoo closed Bristol Zoo closed its Clifton site for good on 3 September. To mark this historic end-of-an-era moment we ran a big souvenir feature and put a gurt, strangely green, gorilla on the front cover.
A new festival for Bristol, Forwards brought a bunch of musical A-listers headed by The Chemical Brothers and Jamie xx to a two-day gig on the Downs, Tobacco Factory
Theatres made a triumphant post-lockdown comeback; Revealed gave us a memorable new play, a family three-hander set against a political uprising.
The striking but slightly ba ing ee onster finally opened to the public in Westonsuper-Mare. Many left feeling puzzled, although we knew it was something to do with the weather and sustainability; but we loved the waterfall, and the pictures on Instagram were great.
Meanwhile, the makers of ristol filmed, ou ube iral,
CLOCKWISEFROMLEFT: SeeMonster; it looked great but we’re not sure what it wanted; Yori’s awesome image at Afrika Eye; an inauthentically green gorilla on the cover; Howle play at BOV
North Street. At time of going to press, the revamped Pony Chew Valley was also poised to open.
short film hit The Fence launched a full feature-long version starring a host of familiar names, with a première at Showcase Cabot Circus.
OCTOBER – the one with Billy and the Queen
Obviously the national news was dominated by the death of HRH Queen Elizabeth II on 8 September. Bristol duly marked the moment and shared memories in many ways.
Bristol Old Vic’s biggie for autumn was Hamlet, with a stellar cast headed by Billy Howle. Bristol Life ran an exclusive interview with Billy, and ever so slightly fell in love.
After a relatively uneventful year on the food scene, October brought us two notable, toptier openings: Casa, the new Italian restaurant from the Sanchez Iglesias family at the former Casamia site, and Cor, a neighbourhood restaurant from Mark and Karen Chapman on
NOVEMBER
Once Halloween and Guy Fawkes were out of the way it was straight into pre-Bristmas, with many big festive shows opening, along with the Bristol market, at the end of the month.
e ecting the tinsel, fri a Eye, the South West’s biggest of African cinema and culture showed at several venues. So did Cary Comes Home – no explanation required, surely.
In other news, the Clear Air one was finally rolled out across the city.
DECEMBER – the one with bells on It’s still only 16 December as we send this issue to press, so we guess anything could happen between now and January.
Our own highlight was chatting to our Christmas issue cover star Maisie Williams about her role as the new ambassador for Bristol’s brilliant The Mazi ro ect. he s proper lush.
Otherwise we were happy to report that the city was ingling with markets, Christmas shows, wonderlands and what have you – a proper, normal-looking ristmas for the first time since 2019. Onwards, upwards, etc.
JOHN AKOMFRAH: MIMESIS: AFRICAN SOLDIER
John uncovers the undiscussed story of Commonwealth soldiers who olunteered to fight in orld ar I – the war of their colonial masters. Bristol Museum; bristolmuseums.org.uk
The Annual Open Exhibition is bac at the for its th outing rwa.org.uk
LAWRENCE ABU HAMDAN: THE 49TH PARALLEL ma or new film commission focusing on the as ell ree ibrary and pera ouse spikeisland.org.uk
ROSEMARY MAYER: WAYS OF ATTACHING osemary is nown for her gauzy and colourful fabric sculptures named after historical women; Spike Island, spikeisland.org.uk
ART SCHOOL PRE-’92 s ristol celebrates its 30 years of university status, the School of Art
esign loo s bac to pre with an exhibition of posters taken from the archi es at rnolfini, arnol ni or u
BHARTI KHER collection of s etches, drawings, paintings, sculptures and installations, at rnolfini arnol ni or u
WE WERE EVERYWHERE orld ar experiences from pre partition India at Bristol Museum rt allery, combining archi al material with objects from the British Empire and Commonwealth Collection; bristolmuseums.org.uk
Tony T from Sweet Patootee Arts has crafted this series of four short films inspired by oral histories about the Black Caribbean experience after orld ar . t ristol useum, bristolmuseums.org.uk
he world s best nature photography shows at M Shed; bristolmuseums.org.uk
A
ery local and nostalgic exhibition, this one artin shot the images himself, immersing himself in the illage bac in . t , martinparrfoundation.org
THE NUTCRACKER ritten by om orris, directed by ee yford, with fa es ristan Sturrock, Patrycja Kujawska and wyneth erbert oined by grad enzel aidoo. on ers and fabulously festive. bristololdvic.org.uk
BELLE AND SEBASTIEN ristol ld ic and ra elling ight s festi e show for children absolutely guaranteed to bring the magic, at bristololdvic.org.uk
THE SNOW QUEEN n the s festi e biggie this winter, erda once again heads to the frozen north to save best friend Kaj from the icy clutches of the Snow Queen; tobaccofactorytheatres.com
MDH: PUPPETS DO A MOVIE
ardrobe fans will now what to expect, iz. a fast, smart, lo fi action thriller parody full of lols, plastic machine guns and a tal ing pig thewardrobetheatre.com
urrently celebrating its th anniversary, the critically acclaimed ballet company comes to the UK for the first time with a pair of classics: Swan Lake on the th and The Nutcracker on the th at ristol ippodrome, atgtickets.com
he true life story of he our easons four boys from the wrong side of the tracks who wrote their own songs, in ented their own uni ue sound, and sold 00 million records worldwide; at Bristol ippodrome, atgtickets.com
THERE’S NOBODY ELSE IN THE WORLD
Set in an isolated bunker a few hundred metres below the earth, the
Stu’s new version of Puss in Boots promises frolics, festivities and foolishness, plus the answers to such burning questions as: is Stu’s Irish dancing actually any good? How are they going to do the Ogre? And what’s the refund policy? At Wardrobe, thewardrobetheatre.com
Do you believe in life after Christmas? If so, get along to Hippodrome where the goddess warrior of pop turned Hollywood royalty is celebrated in a new musical; atgtickets.com
latest
from
Old Vic’s Young Company explores power, punishment and the current state of young people’s mental health; at BOV, bristololdvic.org.uk
The story of Marie Lloyd, the beloved queen of the music hall who died 100 years ago; at the Hen & Chicken, henandchicken.com
A new work from Complicité, based on Nobel Prize-winning author Olga Tokarczuk’s darkly comic, anarchic novel, which caused a seismic reaction in her native oland due to its defiant attac on the authorities. A thoughtprovoking, wry and otherworldly murder mystery. At BOV, bristololdvic.org.uk
Told entirely through song and rhyming couplets, Howard and
A one-woman play about Caitlin Thomas, wife of Dylan, and her turbulent life with the poet, told from her perspective, revealing insights into their mutually destructive behaviour and Caitlin’s unfulfilled ambitions lma a ern, almatavernandtheatre.co.uk
The world’s longest-running improvised comedy soap continues to bubble frothily away at The Wardrobe; thewardrobetheatre.com
A late-stage work-in-progress of Rhys James’s new tour; expect jokes that work, jokes that really work, and the added jeopardy of jokes that may or may not work, presented by Chuckle Busters at Wardrobe; thewardrobetheatre.com
The year-round fest with the something-for-everyone remit brings you the Oscar-winning Korean black comedy Parasite for January, at Averys screening room; bristol l sti al co
Halo lights up and plays music when touched; find it at Broadmead
The Bristol Light Festival has morphed from being an ‘ooh, what’s that all about then, that sounds fun!’ new event to an eagerly anticipated fixture on the ristol winter calendar.
Kindly brought to us by Bristol City Centre BID, supported by edcliffe emple and roadmead – and seriously, does any city have more creative and energetic business improvement bodies? –the 0 3 edit will bring us an expanded 0 day illuminated spectacular between 3 ebruary. Created by local, national and internationally renowned light artists, the captivating installations will create a trail through the centre of the city, brightening up the dark and chilly winter nights from dus till 0pm.
Ophelia is going to look fabulously spooky in the Gothic surroundings of St Mary Redcliffe
“Once you’ve had a go on the lighty-up swings and a gander at poor drowned Ophelia, sto o and s nd a bit o dos in t stor s ca s and restaurants that line the trail”
This year’s installations will shine a light in a few unexpected places as well as at some of Bristol’s most famous landmarks. And it’s not just about gratuitous fun and games; the BIDs hope very much that once you’ve had a go on the lighty-up swings on College Green, and had a gander at poor drowned Ophelia at t ary edcliffe, you ll stop off to spend a bit of dosh in the city centre stores, cafés and restaurants that line the trail.
The organisers are already in a position to re eal some of the confirmed installations more are bound to have been announced by the time this magazine comes out. Here are the ones we currently know about:
An absolute coup for the event is a bespoke commission from internationally acclaimed artist Morag Myerscough, she of the invariably strong visual approach.
Obsessed with the sense of ‘belonging’ and fascinated by how colour, pattern and words can change urban environments, Morag’s brightly coloured, eye-catching pieces have been displayed around the world, and it’s a real honour for Bristol Light Festival to have a special work created for the event. Further information about the new artwork will be announced as it takes shape and is created by Morag; eyes on the event’s social.
OPHELIA BY DAVY & KRISTEN MCGUIREA showstopping addition to this year’s Bristol Light Festival, Ophelia is a fabulously spookylooking lifesized hologram of Shakespeare’s doomed heroine. The installation references John Everett Millais’ famous Pre-Raphaelite painting of the drowned Ophelia, and in recreating her watery grave, as described in Hamlet, with intense colour, gentle movement, air bubbles and swimming fish, promises to be emotive and mesmerising.
Ophelia will be placed in the suitably Gothic surroundings of t ary edcliffe, offering a rare opportunity to access this historic venue at night – an experience that’s sure to cause goosebumps.
Bristol Light Festival is working with Guide.AI to create a free audio guide app for visitors to download. The guide is easy to use, and includes a map showing all the locations of the art installations along with directions to reach them. Once at an installation, the user can choose to either read or listen to the information.
Everyone loves an interactive installation, right? Enter Illumaphonium, a duo of artists based in the South West who specialise in large-scale installations which transform public spaces into a place for music and discovery. Bringing fun and playfulness to the festival, their dynamic Halo lights up and plays music in response to touch. Created as a series of towers, it offers isitors a sensory experience and an ever-evolving pattern of light and sound as they interact with the piece. This installation will be in Broadmead, and is perfect for families to enjoy.
Release your inner kid! A star of last year’s festival, Swing Song returns for 2023, bringing childhood fun and playfulness to all those who hop on, allowing even hardened, cynical grown-ups to relive their playground memories as they swing back and forth on the illuminated swings.
Powered by cutting-edge technology, the colours change and music plays as you swing back and forth, triggered by the motion.
Bristol Light Festival runs 3-12 February For more information, a map of the installations and location and more: www.bristollightfestival.org
“
We are absolutely thrilled to have so many incredible artists involved with the 2023 event,” said Light Fest creative director Katherine Jewkes.
“It’s a programme that feels really special, and is reflective of the city’s creative spirit. Each year we bring new and exciting artworks to Bristol, creating spaces for people to play, explore and enjoy new experiences. Visitors can take in each installation across one evening or come over multiple nights, and really explore the city.”
“Bristol Light Festival demonstrates the importance of free-to-attend events to support city-centre businesses, encouraging people to spend leisure time in the city during the quieter months,” said Vicky Lee, head of Bristol City Centre BID. ”Its positive impact was evident earlier this year, with £3.4m additional revenue in local businesses reported across the 2022 event, providing an economic boost for businesses when they needed it most.
“By increasing the length of the event in 2023, we hope to give even more opportunity for locals to enjoy the city centre, and attract visitors from outside of Bristol to come and experience everything the city has to offer. The event embodies everything that Bristol represents ,and showcases it as the vibrant, playful and creative city that we know and love.”
1
Ikeep my visions to myself.” Fleetwood Mac, I think. And then I realise as a photographer that would be a rubbish life philosophy.
I’ve been honoured to shoot at dozens of amazing cultural events this year. This is the point where someone’s bound to mention that Bristol punches above its weight in art and culture. But it’s not like that here, is it? Imagine, if you will, London art and culture, people all punching away, under the beautiful white pure light of some contemporary arts cube, probably in Shoreditch, with people watching it all, agreeing they are part of something amazing. That’s not Bristol. Even if it’s at Harvey Nichols in the golden dining zone it’s still earthy and real.
That’s Xenz, explaining how the art intersects with reality, here, here and here. Because if you’re a Bristol artist you know that life intersects with other people’s reality here, here and here. We get out of the gallery and introduce art into life, and life into art, wall by wall, moment by moment. It’s the way the city is made up, tribes flow through each other. e seen orchestras playing through the streets of Knowle, I’ve seen young Southmeaders taking photographs and showing them in central galleries. All these moments change the game. Anyhow. Hero 1 away; let’s go on to look at the year we just had.
March of the Mummies.
You can’t get childcare. No places. Or it’s so expensive, or you need to put down a deposit. Argh! But hang on; if you need to raise a deposit to put your child into childcare, but you don’t have the spare spondoolies, then how are you going to go to work and raise the money with a child that needs to be in childcare to allow you to be in work at all in order to… And boom! Insert exploding head emoji here.
‘RIP my career’ this mum has written on her shirt. Surely common sense tells us supported mums would in fact save, err, the entire economy. Anyhow. So hero 2 has to be all the mums who have always held up more than their fare share of the sky load.
Hero 3 is everyone who gets up – what is it, two, no, three hours?
– before sunrise, to make the Balloon Fiesta the fun and colour fix we need on our city s social calendar.
o, that s li e am or something. nd here is how that goes down. Beep beep!
our alarm goes off, and you reach o er instincti ely and hit the snooze button, because you have never gotten up this early in your life before. idn t you finish watching Newsnight and hit the hay just moments before t s so early, it feels li e getting up before you e en finished going to bed.
You drag on the clothes you left ready, and if you are super-lucky someone else is dri ing.
our car bounces o er the grass at shton ourt to a stop, and you step out into morning dew, moist grass on undiscovered shores of a new world it feels li e and the deer loo at you. thin that expression they ha e is what the hell are you doing here at this hour re you o nd then out come the bas ets and the crews and then the whole thing heats up. o pun intended.
t s a lot of effort you can sum it up best, feel, that am feeling, with the smells. ropane, coffee, and wet grass.
4oreen oreen about to come on bac stage at the arbour festi al.
ou now it s gonna be a good set when the energy is high before they e en get to the stage.
air play to the acts this year, when the heat pea ed at 0 degrees.
The feeling you get from this festival is like you landed on another planet, and it s all good brilliant music and good ibes. hen on the way home afterwards, you can get into a dance craze at the tra c lights when the green man wal ing comes on the little box and beep beep beep feel the beats of life. pend time at o e a es. t will top you up for the year ahead.
pfest.
f all the festi als, arbour is special. t s open to e eryone, it s free, it s got boats, and it s a right laugh. ee you there in 0 3. 5
Even the feeling you get with your mates when you get to the sign to tell you you re in the right par for the gig is next le el. nd it s nice that it s not saying stuff about o id or di ersions.
now, no art in this photo but it s not ust the amazing artists from all over the world, and our own backyard wall-lovers, who ma e pfest. t s also the people who come to feel it, dance to the rhythm of it all, running a rainbow ribbon through the air. here s always loads to do for the ids, getting the next generation prepped to go mural instead of pebbledash on the sides of their semis or terraces.
ut this photo is for the big ids. o large
7There’s a reason so many interesting music and art genres have grown out of the Bristol scene.
One day you can be at a pub, having a pint, probably local beer, all good, and then a few hours later you find yourself dancing at a niche club with a man whose face is an LED screen which seems to convey his feelings.
So many starting points to a night out, and so so many potential ending places. Dive in, see where the wind blows you.
8I had the honour of photographing hundreds of businesses all over the city for the Where’s It To? campaign this year. eeting new people and finding out their story of growing a business has been humbling. Take the family at Mubarak Jewellers in Easton as an example, sharing their love and passion for jewellery and explaining how it all began, selling door-to-door. Is there any greater joy than doing a good job and serving your community? There are a few celebrity politicians who could spend more time out of the jungle and get back to the urban spaces.
I’m drawn back to Love Saves again. We’re in the deep midwinter now. Getting the good food to bolster us up against the dark and the forces that swirl around cold frosted corners.
But as a photographer, when Deri the editor asks for my review of the year, I go on the hunt for images that show that during 2022 we grooved, baby. We grooved hard.
We got together and we basked, we enjoyed our post-Covid freedoms, and let it shine. So as I look back and pick out some of my favourites I’m doing this for the sake of reconnecting to that energy and also to bolster against those aforementioned bad vibes.
Hope it helps you. Remember on the other side of this moody season there are rainbows, and face paints and… hang on why wait? ee you on the dance floor.
‘Woke Up Gay Again’ says the T-shirt. Side stage at Bristol Pride this year.
And I’m so glad we live in a city where we can live and love as we want. Have a good time. Have a party. Because we are only free if we are all free. Right? Now let’s dance.
Why, do you ask, are we back with Doreen Doreen again for this end of the year review?
I will tell you. ’Cos they bloody rock! They mash up tunes, and if you haven’t heard them segway from Mamma Mia! by Abba into the bit in Queen when they go “Mamma Mia let me go,” then you need to.
They pack a burst of joy and mischief on a level that slips beautifully into our scene. Sticks its tongue out at pomposity and drags you to a better place, where sequins and leopard print were always meant to meet.
Ooh. More next year, please.
Finally for this year, a slice of real life between us and those weird, time-twisting times when the world stopped – a last hero, or heroes.
arah opper, lead firefighter on lue atch, top and centre here with her colleagues, was one of the first people on the scene helping eff ohns after the fire at his home. eff, who ust recently was able to leave Southmead hospital and build on his recovery
from the foundations of this crew’s brave actions when fire bro e out. e is a legend on Bristols music scene. Let’s add a few more legends to the roster now.
I strive to bring you new heroes every issue here at Bristol Life, but every now and then I realise that there are people who work in our fire ser ice, our , our food ban s and community spaces, who have this built-in sense of duty, for doing the right thing, and do what ever is needed.
It gives me hope.
Colin Moody; content creation, online images Twitter @moodycolin; Instagram @ colinmoodyphotography colinmoodyphotography.wordpress.com
“Doreen Doreen sticks its tongue out at pomposity and drags you to a better place, where sequins and leopard print were meantalways to meet ”
Our warm and welcoming private dental practice offers a bespoke range of treatments to meet our patients’ individual needs. From routine care to specialist treatments, our highly experienced, knowledgeable and caring team are able to cater for our patients’ every need.
“Patient care and quality of our treatment is at the heart of everything we do. Our team is committed to providing exceptional care and treatment every step of the way.”
Ediz
2022 was a mixed year for hospitality.
On the one hand there were some truly exciting new openings – Cotto, Cor, Casa and Kitchen by Kask, just to list those that begin with a C (or at least sound like they do); at time of going to press the new Pony Chew Valley was also poised to take bookings.
On the other hand there have been casualties. Jamaica Street Stores, Loch Fyne, Glassboat, Wild Beer brewery, the Glo Road’s Spicer & Cole. Two branches of Woky Ko (a shock). Casamia (although the new Casa Italian has already risen from the ashes at the same spot). We’re not including the Pony Bistro because it was only ever meant to be temporary, and it’s all part of the Eggleton family’s master plan.
But we are where we are – and where we are right now looks a bit like this…
Easton-based East Bristol Bakery opened a second site at Wapping Wharf just in time for Christmas. The collaboration between the East Bristol Bakery team, The Public Market and Brockley Stores has moved into the unit formerly occupied by Bakers & Co, bringing homemade breads, pastries and cake to Cargo.
EBB serves up food and drink to take away, including their famed cinnamon swirls, all using locally sourced produce: sourdough loaves made with Shipton Mill flour, sausage rolls using locally reared free-range pork, Extract Coffee etc. For more www.eastbristolbakery.co.uk
Following the closure of his three Woky Ko restaurants, Larkin Cen is back at his original Cargo unit with new opening Daily Noodles – a fun, casual, no-reservations diner serving baos and – well, you can guess what else.
“Daily Noodles will be where we were six years ago,” says chef. “I feel excited that I can deliver the original concept, and the original price point, by stripping out the complexity in the business and focusing on creating great food that doesn’t leave you feeling guilty.” Follow them on insta @dailynoodlebar
As fans of Matt Hampshire’s restaurant Tare, we were excited to hear about his new venture, Picole (the French word for drinking).
The second venture for the team has moved into the old Woky Ko Rooftop site in Cargo 2 (honestly, it’s like musical chairs down the Wharf these days).
The venue has more of a drinks focus than its sister restaurant, with guests able to choose from a selection of sustainably-produced snacks and small plates to accompany their natural and low-intervention wines.
Picole was born out of the team’s growing passion for excellent wine. “We’ve been hoping to do something more wine-focused alongside Tare for the last couple of years,” says Matt.“As we expanded our wine offering, built relationships
with suppliers and, most importantly, shared our passion for wine with our guests, Picole started to take shape. When this beautiful unit in Cargo 2 became available, we jumped at the opportunity.”
For more www.picolebristol.co.uk
… because The Cheese Platter, a restaurant that pretty much manages to incorporate cheese into every dish, has opened in Queen Victoria House as part of The Vincent in Redland (see page 52). Oh, and there’s more. Have a favourite cheese? The Platter allows you to choose it, creating customised dishes for brunch, lunch and dinner.
“By forging meaningful connections, not just with local cheese manufacturers but also breweries, distilleries, vineyards and cider mills, The Platter ensures that ‘local’ and ‘British’ are at the heart of everything it does,” they say.
For more thecheeseplatter.co.uk
Another expanding indie is steakhouse and bar Pasture. Sam Elliott and his team are poised to open Prime & Pasture, a new butchers’ shop, café and burger joint close to the original mother ship on Portwall Lane.
Prime & Pasture will be based on the corner of St Thomas Street and Cross Street; it’s the first commercial unit to be sold within the much aunted edcliffe uarter de elopment.
edcliffe has undergone a ma or transformation since we first opened our doors in 0 , says am. oth residential and o ce blocks are being constructed all around us and it’s fast becoming a stylish and sought after central location for Bristol.”
For more www.pasturerestaurant.com
As Umberslade head honcho Stuart Hatton fine-tunes his proposal for that very tall tower in the heart of Wapping Wharf III, Canada Life Asset Management is making plans for a rooftop bar that would gaze at the Wharf across the harbour. Its proposed moniker would be the unequivocal Harbour View.
The group are hoping to remodel the south-east corner
of Building 11, currently the home of Rainbow Casino among others. Plans include adding a mezzanine floor opening to a new food and drink venue, giving views of Harbourside across Millennium Square and the Lloyds Building; the existing outdoor area on top of the building would be transformed into an accessible roof terrace and garden.
© JAKE EASTHAM
Robin Hutson started his career with Claridge’s Hotel as a waiter before going on to found the Hotel du Vin chain in 1994. Since 2011, Robin has owned the hotel group The Pig, which has a branch just outside Bristol near Pensford.
“Mellow is the word for everything about Somerset,” says Robin. “It’s surely the only county in England where a dairy farmer would invent the world’s most famous music festival, where cutting-edge galleries sit amid
Serves 4–6
“This pie is packed with veg from the kitchen garden and is light and wholesome. The vegetable filling can be adapted to whatever is in season, and this mix is a firm favourite. Don’t hold back on the spices – they’re what help to make it so tasty.”
You’ll need a 22cm x 26cm pie dish or 6 individual 16cm pie dishes
2 tablespoons rapeseed oil 1 large white onion, diced 3 garlic cloves, crushed 1 celeriac, peeled and diced (you want to end up with 00g flesh 3 large carrots, diced
4 medium sticks celery, diced 1 tablespoon mild curry powder ½ teaspoon turmeric ½ teaspoon chilli powder
Salt and pepper
1 x 400g tin chopped tomatoes 120g fresh spinach 120g chard 3 0g puff pastry shop bought is fine 1 large egg yolk
dreamy meadows, and one of the local herdsmen used to play with The Kooks,” says Robin. “Oh, and the cheese, cider and cream aren’t bad either. And you wonder why it’s our kind of place?”
Below Robin selects a few winter warmer recipes from his new book, snappily titled The Pig: 500 Miles of Food, Friends and Local Legends: 2 which celebrates the artisans, growers, farmers, foragers and fishermen who ma e each Pig hotel special.
minutes (you may need to add a splash of water at this point .
3. Taste the mix and, if you’re happy with the seasoning, add your spinach and chard – this will take just a minute to cook, so take care not to overdo it. Remove from the heat and allow to cool.
1. Heat the oil in a large saucepan and sweat the onion and garlic without colouring. Once it’s fully softened, add the celeriac, carrot and celery.
2. Cook until everything has softened then add spices, salt and pepper and cook for a few minutes more. Add tomatoes and cook for 5
. eat your o en to 00 0 fan , 00 , as ar . nce the mix has cooled, fill your pie dish or dishes . oll out the pastry to fit. Brush the inside edge of your dish with eggwash, then place the pastry on top, pinching it around the edge to seal. Using a pastry brush to egg-wash the lid; this will give the pastry a nice glaze when it’s cooked. Poke a hole in the middle to allow the steam to escape. Bake for 15-20 minutes or until the top is golden brown.
Serves 4–6
“We’re not sure exactly when the poor old knobbly quince fell out of favour, but we’re big fans, and have some lovely old trees in the kitchen garden,” says Robin. “Unlike apples and pears, the quince has to be cooked to reveal its fragrant glories– but one taste of this and you’ll be a convert. The long, slow cooking time allows the honey and spices to really do their job.”
4 quinces, cleaned of any brown down 1.8 litres stock syrup (made by heating together 700g sugar and 1.1 litres water until the sugar is dissolved; cool to room temperature)
200ml lemon juice (you’ll need 4 large lemons)
70g runny honey
2 cloves
1 star anise
400ml dry white wine (whatever you have lying around – since it gets cooked out, it doesn’t need to be anything special)
4 medium eggs, separated 160g caster sugar Pinch of salt 160g pecans 30g plain flour
1. Peel the quinces, quarter and remove the cores. Place in to the stock syrup and add the lemon juice. Bring to the boil and simmer for 40 minutes. Remove the quinces from the syrup and place in a baking tray (the cooking syrup can be kept and used with yogurt and fruit). Drizzle over the honey and add the spices and wine.
2. Heat the oven to 180ºC, 160ºC fan (350ºF), Gas Mark 4.
3. Cover the quinces with a piece of greaseproof paper and gently cook in the oven for 30 minutes. Then turn them over and ladle the juices on top (add more white wine if necessary). Return to the oven for a further 30 minutes. They should be soft and crimson coloured.
4. In a food mixer, whisk together the egg whites, 100g of the sugar and a pinch of salt to
form a meringue; set aside.
5. Whisk the yolks and remaining sugar until the mixture is light and fluffy.
6. Heat the oven to 200ºC, 180ºC fan (400ºF), Gas Mark 6.
7. In a mini food processor, grind the pecans finely, add the flour and blitz for a few seconds longer to combine.
8 Fold the meringue into the yolks gently so as not to knock the air out, followed by the pecan flour.
9. Spread onto a lined baking tray (about 22x22cm) and bake for 15-18 minutes. Remove from oven and leave to cool before cutting.
10. To serve, place a slice of the pecan sponge on a plate, put 3 or 4 quarters of warm quince on top of the sponge and drizzle the cooking liquor over the fruit. You can always add crème fraîche or ice cream.
The Pig: 500 Miles of Food, Friends and Local Legends: 2 is available to order at bookshops and also at www.thepighotel.com
It s that time of the year again, dear reader. he post yuletude wixmas lull. t least, thin it is. aybe it s already anuary. an ne er uite wor out the print schedules at this time of year. ither way, thought it was about time we got oursel es a slice of midwinter comfort here at af ociety .
ll of which is why two of us toddled off to he ristol otel, down on the harbourside at the far end of the horny bridge. he o ce lad and myself put on our poshest glad rags and set off, arri ing ust in time for afternoon
tea. r rather, afternoon ea. wonderful combination of two rather wonderful things. fternoon tea and a coc tail. f course, being a most sophisticated and splendid hotel, they didn t do things by hal es. he staff were as perfect as you could possibly wish for. ttenti e, polite and, in the case of mma, the young lady who showed us to our table by the window, full of helpful hints and cheerful pleasantries. ade sure my companion and were happily settled before bringing us our chosen tipples. went for the asmine lossom . delicate and most delicious mix containing, among other things, ristol in gin and peachy paradise. he o ce boy went for the aormina.
s we sat, chatting, sipping and watching the world outside wal on by, we were pretty close to nir ana. an t beat a spot of people watching, and this is the perfect spot for it. eeing the bright lights of the big wheel turning o er illennium uare is enough to o ertop the senses of any sensiti e soul, too.
o ma e a sweet thing e en sweeter, mma arri ed with a three tiered tray for the table. he bottom layer was laden with finger sandwiches, with all the crusts
cut off. nd yes, some of them contained cucumber. ou really can t ha e a sophisticated and ci ilised afternoon tea without cucumber sandwiches with the crusts cut off. ust wouldn t be cric et. igh.
o be honest, could ha e stopped there. ife was lush and the world was fab. ut there was more. brace of scones apiece, followed by a tier filled with tiny but perfectly ba ed finger ca es. m ashamed to report that when we finished up our feast with a cup of coffee, there were still a few mouthfuls of ca e left on the tray. e were too full, too o erflowing with the oy of li ing, to lea e our plates clean and empty. h, but what an afternoon delight we d had.
o, if you are in the mar et for a rather fine afternoon filled with fun, frolics, finger food and fantastic ser ice, can thoroughly recommend this place. thin they re doing the eas throughout anuary. ut may be wrong. ither way, it s one for the buc et list.
Former Housemartins guitarist Stan is now a journalist and travel writer www.stancullimore.comCue the raised pinkie: Stan will be taking gin with his tea this month
Veganuary is now a thing, and I totally support those who are conscious of their diet and the origin of the ingredients we all eat. I do struggle with the concept of veganism as, for me personally, it isn’t the right diet. I also see the part animals play in our food systems and cannot see a way for us to feed the population.
If we are all responsible about the type of food we eat and the footprint it leaves on the planet, I don’t see anything wrong with that. By all means go vegan but be aware that it isn’t the end of the conversation. My philosophy is that we could all eat a much wider variety of food, and the list here reflects ust that. ource is based on a nose-to-tail way of eating so that nothing is wasted and ultimate respect is paid to the animals whose lives we have taken.
Venison. Venison is very underrated and has changed a lot over the past few years. Back in the day, game used to be hung for a long time to de elop the fla our, but these days we generally eat it without hanging, which means it has a lighter, milder fla our. ouple this with the fact that venison is low in cholesterol, and it starts to sound like healthy meat. Environmentally, venison is great too as, since humans shot the last of their natural predators (wolves) in the UK in 1680, we have a healthy population of deer which en oy eating trees, ma ing regeneration of grasslands in flood areas a little tric y.
t ource, we buy our wild enison from a responsible hunter who takes certain animals from areas ust a few miles outside the city. f you believe, as I do, that eating a small quantity of good-quality meat is a good way forward, maybe try wild venison.
and sauces, or simply drin it and get the benefit as well as a warming drin . sing the bones fits nicely with the ource ethos of eating e ery part of the animal, ensuring nothing is wasted.
Oysters. Another of nature’s superfoods for humans, packed with goodness and a burst of fla our reminiscent of sea swimming. ysters ary a lot according to their surroundings ust as wine changes according to the terroir, we call this merroir when we refer to the difference in their watery habitat.
Leeks, onions and shallots. Alliums are very good for us without feeling worthy or forced. Try adding halved shallots when you’re roasting eg, or alongside a unday roast. dd to stews, soups and even on toast with a splash of orcestershire sauce. he strong fla ours help to kickstart our digestive system, which is sometimes needed at this time of year when we may feel as if we’re in partial hibernation.
Bone marrow. A superfood if ever there was one; I always feel amazing after eating bone marrow. Grill or roast the bones, and either spread the marrow on sourdough toast with sea salt and chopped parsley, or make a bone broth (aka a stock) and use it as a base for soups, stews
I have a few golden rules for those trying an oyster for the first time. . elect a trusted source for your oyster; never forage for them, they are filter feeders and can be harmful if untreated. . pen with care, or get your friendly fishmonger to do it for you. 3. niff the oyster this gets your tastebuds going and prepared for what s coming. . ip the uice, ust a little.
5. When you’re ready, pour the whole oyster in your mouth and hold it there, chew it, breathe and allow some air into your mouth to get the full fla our of the oyster. . wallow. epeat. a e a loo at our online shop and en oy 0 off your first order when you use this code. bristollife10% I look forward to hearing from you. oe and eam ource.
Source is a sustainable, local, seasonal alternative to supermarket shopping, with a network of small producers and suppliers. www.source-food.co.uk
It’s the time of year for stopping indoors and doing some proper wintry cooking, reckons JOE WHEATCROFT of SourceSeafood, root-to-shoot veg, nose-to-tail meat: is a responsible, widely varied diet better for the planet than veganism?
“By all means go vegan; but be aware it’s not the end of the conversation”
MBST stands for Molecular Biophysical Stimulation.
It uses exactly the same technology as MRI scanning, just without the detectorcoils and imaging software. MBST was discovered by a German doctor who noticed that some of his MRI patients had reduced symptoms following their MRI scans.
Since then it has been adapted, updated and improved to acheive remarkable results for patients with varying conditions such as osteoarthritis, muscle tears, tendon/ligament damage and bone injury in all areas of the body.
It is growing in popularity in the UK as a safe, non-invasive and natural way of tangibly healing our bodies and, as more and more people are seeing real results, its acceptance in the medical profession is also increasing significantly.
Knees were where I mostly starting using MBST and I’m still seeing great results in 90% of the patients who are appropirate candidates for the therapy. I now also see a lot of spinal arthritis, shoulders, hands, hips and ankles, really helping patients for whom there were few other options.
Alex was diagnosed four years ago with arthritis of his knees. He came to me off the back of three years of coping using cortisone. In his words he was “eating naproxen!” Stairs and more than nine holes of golf were a real problem. He was referred to me by a friend who’d responded well to MBST with his hip, and four months post-MBST Alex has responded equally as well. He can now play a full 18 holes of golf without Naproxen and stairs aren’t a problem any more. A great example of the positive effect MBST has on cartilage.
Albert is such a lovely chap who was also really struggling with advanced arthritis in both knees. MBST has had a really positive effect on his life, reducing his pain and allowing him to walk two to three miles without any major issues. When he originally came to see me in February he had to sit down soon after walking 100 yards! Brilliant outcome.
James Scrimshaw of CURA CLINICAL explains how new technologies are providing effective answers to people’s pain and suffering
Pantone has decreed that its 2023 Colour of the Year is magenta: a vivid shade described as being both powerful and empowering. Do we take such proclamations seriously? We do not. Is it a fun theme to hang a shopping feature on? Oh, most def.
Annie Sloan Capri pink chalk paint; local stockists include Surroundings, 26 St Mary Street, Thornbury www.surroundingsonline.co.uk
Frnch Fleur short dress, £99; from Fox + Feather, 41 Gloucester Road; www.foxandfeather.co.uk
2. EbbFlow Cornwall Chappie hammam towel, £28, from Frankly Store, Cargo; www.frankly.store
3. Rice melamine cup, £8.50, from Fig1, Gaol Ferry Steps; www.fig1.co.uk
4. Handprinted wallpaper by Addicted to Patterns, £POA; www.addictedtopatterns.uk
5. Lulu Copenhagen enamel hoops, £40, from Grace & Mabel, 32 The Mall; www.graceandmabel.co.uk
6. Swole Panda recycled plastic belt, £35, from Frankly Store, Cargo; www.frankly.store
7. Nora Grid Throw, £115, from Fig1, Gaol Ferry Steps; www.fig1.co.uk
8. Notch handmade leather wallet, £18, from Bristol Artisan, 3 Lower Redland Road; www.thebristolartisan.com
9. Tulip velvet lamp shades, from £78, from Graham & Green, 92 Walcot Street, Bath; www.grahamandgreen.co.uk
10. Charles Farris pair of tapered candles, from Fig 1, Gaol Ferry Steps; www.fig1.co.uk
11. Jakke Bertha pink faux bag, £110, from Harvey Nichols, 27 Philadelphia Street, Quakers Friars; www.harveynichols.com
12. Cole & Sons Rajapur wallpaper, RRP £106.00 per roll, from Bracey Interiors, 15 Waterloo Street; www.braceyinteriors.co.uk
13. HK Living vase, £25, from Mon Pote, 217a North Street; www.monpote.co.uk
14. Wool-mix beret, £9.50, from That Thing, 45-47 Stokes Croft; www.thatthing.co
15. Resin earrings, £11.50, from Mon Pote, 217a North Street; www.monpote.co.uk
Bristol Bears director of rugby Pat Lam pronounced it “an incredible night” after the team downed South Africa XV in front of a stadium-record crowd at Ashton Gate last November.
26,387 supporters – the biggest crowd for a sporting event at the revamped stadium – packed in to watch the Bears take on
international opposition, and Pat said it had been a privilege to be a part of it.
“What I’m most proud of is that when you have a crowd that comes like this, they deserve a performance,” he said.
“It was deafening down here at times. After 19 years of having no international team [in Bristol]...–I’d love to have the All Blacks here, Australia here.”
“It’s another level, but it
forced us to be really focused on getting the little things done well. Whether you’re in the scrum, whether you’re in the maul [defence], whether you’re chasing kicks – all those little bits and working as a team – it was a great experience for the guys.
“There are a lot of things we can take forward. I’m sure the crowd can see slight subtleties and changes that we’ve been working on.” ust fi e years ago on this day, Bristol Rugby travelled to Yorkshire Carnegie in the Championship in front of 2,000 spectators,” said chief operating o cer om Tainton.
“Since then, in a relatively short space of time, the club has been on an incredible journey of progress, winning a European title and topping the Premiership
since rebranding as the Bears. We’ve enjoyed derby wins, lastminute elation (and despair!) and a whole host of players earning international recognition for their performances in a Bristol jersey.
“And that evening – with the eyes of the rugby world upon us – signalled yet another milestone in the Bristol Bears journey.
“As always, we are grateful to our supporters who, irrespective of the ups and downs on the field, continue to back us in fantastic numbers. To be averaging over 20,000 in the Premiership at a time when attendances are falling across the competition is a testament to the appetite for rugby in Bear Country, and long may it continue.”
For more: bristolbearsrugby.com
The historic victory over South Africa XV last November was an important marker point in Bristol Bears’ incredible journey of progress
“To be averaging over 20,000 in the Premiership is a testament to the appetite for rugby in Bear Country”PHOTO BY JMPUK
The phrase ‘retirement home’ has slightly sad, dowdy connotations, that wholly fail to reflect the high, often luxurious standards to be found in many of Bristol’s best later-living establishments.
It’s easy to see the appeal; downsizing releases ample funds to enjoy your retirement, while home-maintenance costs and worries become a thing of the past.
We asked those working at two of Bristol’s largest and most upmarket apartments to talk through the pros and cons of moving to a contemporary over-60s community.
Pegasus creates luxurious, independent, later-living apartments where residents can live on their own terms, with beautiful outside spaces and top-notch wellness facilities. These sociable and inspiring communities are specifically designed to help residents to pursue their passions, deepen connections and make new ones.
People over 60 who are looking to downsize, seeking a lower maintenance home, or wanting to become part of a community. “The unique personalities and interests of the people who live in our developments help to shape the inspiring and thriving communities,” they say.
The Vincent consists of a mixture of new-build apartments, plus 25 apartments located in the refurbished 19th-century Queen Victoria House, carefully restored to complement its period features. All the apartments offer open plan li ing areas and large itchens. here s also a wide variety of high-quality on-site facilities, including a wellness spa, communal lounge, gym and stretch studio; a new addition is The Cheese Platter restaurant, showcasing the best of British cheese; it’s open to all, but offers an exclusi e menu for residents.
The face of retirement living is changing; our current elderly population expects a high standard of life, whether it’s their own home in a carefully curated community, or a residence offering full time careOld meets new at The Vincent
Has
“Most people are experiencing the impact of rising costs in running a property. Many of our owners and rental members are downsizing from larger properties, so naturally there is an element of reducing running costs. Our apartments are very well-built and insulated, making them more e cient to run. n addition you can en oy a maintenance free lifestyle, where all of the communal facilities, grounds and gardens are looked after as part of your service charge.”
What’s the secret to a successful and happy retirement home?
“In the words of our homeowners Jill and Ray Lockhart, ‘people often leave it too late to downsize; we feel this has been a gift at this stage in our lives’.” Location is also important; The Vincent is close to the countryside for weekend walks, but also a short trip into town; everything is right on the doorstep.
What are the main worries and concerns you hear from potential residents?
Downsizing can be daunting when you own a lifetime of possessions. We have an inclusive Homemoves service, which primarily deals with decluttering and fitting your existing furniture into your new home. he ser ice helps you to isualise the space through floorplanning, where measurements will be taken of the furniture you would like to keep.
The Vincent, Redland Hill, Bristol BS6 6BJ
For more www.lifestory.group/pegasus
Originally the home of Fry’s chocolate, The Chocolate Quarter is a series of refurbished iconic buildings offering the ery best of
independent retirement living. Located close to the River Avon and within the thriving community of Keynsham, it’s perfectly placed for both town and country living, with beautifully designed apartments, elegant communal spaces and a wealth of amenities on residents’ doorsteps. “Anyone who moves here will feel part of something special,” they say.
Who is it ideal for?
Couples or individuals over 55.
What makes you special?
“Aside from living in iconic buildings, residents can enjoy a wealth of impressive on-site facilities, such as restaurants, a cinema, hairdressers, arts studio, spa and gym. What really makes The Chocolate Quarter special is that these facilities are open to the public, meaning people of all generations came come together to create a stimulating atmosphere.
“There’s a real vibrancy and buzz to The Chocolate Quarter, and it’s wonderful that these buildings remain the focal point for the local community, as they have done for almost a century. Although it’s open to the public, there are still private, residents-only areas for the sole enjoyment of the occupants and their families – an atrium with a bandstand, a play area for grandchildren, roof gardens, terraces and private lounges.
ur expertise in care pro ision means we can offer a range of support, from an occasional helping hand with jobs around the home to more complex care. If the time comes when longer-term care is required, The Chocolate Quarter has its own care home as part of the wider village complex. This continuity of care means that whatever the future brings, residents will still be able to enjoy life and continue living within their community of friends.”
the cost-of-living crisis affected people’s decision to move into retirement apartments?
Has the cost-of-living crisis affected people’s decision to move into retirement apartments?
“We’ve yet to experience this as a major contributor for people. Key factors such as feeling safe, secure and well-supported remain the most important criteria for those looking to move into our retirement villages.”
What’s the secret of a successful and happy retirement village?
“The Chocolate Quarter is owned and run by the Bristol charity, St Monica Trust. Our outstanding reputation is built on over 100 years’ experience and a passion for taking the time to understand what matters to every individual, so that everything is done just the way they like it.
“From our experience, we feel successful retirement villages must be places where older people can flourish by continuing to li e happily and as independently as possible. It’s also important for all residents to feel valued and listened to – after all, we run the retirement villages that our residents call ‘home’.”
What are the main worries and concerns you hear from potential residents?
“The main worries we hear from them are concerns about moving from their family home. Homes which people may have lived in for some time, and which can hold many memories.
ur friendly sales team offer reassurance and support throughout the entire sales process, from the initial enquiry right through to the day of the move and beyond, as we welcome new residents into the community. They can recommend organisations which can help make the move as stress-free as possible, from packing and unpacking to storage and disposal of items no longer required. The team can also help residents personalise their new apartment with decoration, carpet choices, curtains blinds and fitted furniture.
e also offer try before you buy , where potential purchases can meet residents and be involved in social events. This helps people understand what life is like in our retirement villages, and is a valuable tool as people are making the decision to move.”
The Chocolate Quarter, Trajectus Way, Keynsham, Bristol BS31 2GJ
For more www.stmonicatrust.org.uk
MCCARTHY & STONE
Opened in 2019, McCarthy & Stone’s new retirement living development, Magpie Court, is located on Hanham High Street.
Magpie Court is designed for the over 70s, and homeowners benefit from having an etate management team on-site 24 hours a day.
Tailored care packages and domestic support is available for those who need a helping hand. Social spaces include the homeowners’ lounge, bistro and function room and landscaped gardens www.mccarthyandstone.co.uk
ABBEYFIELD
Abbeyfield’s focus is to support older people and enable them to remain independent. It’s the ideal option for stress-free retirement for those who are struggling to live alone; many residents still drive their own cars, and continue to be active in the community. Abbeyfield sees its role as helping them to do this for as long as possible. abbeyfield-bristol.co.uk
In Fishponds, Yate and Staple Hill, the retirement apartments provide everything you need to enjoy your retirement years. Whether you’re befriending the other residents in the communal owners’ lounge or relaxing in the gardens, everything is designed to make you feel at home. Facilities are second to none, with a dedicated lodge manager always on hand to answer any questions www.churchillretirement.co.uk
Southmead’s luxury care home provides long- and shortterm residential, nursing and dementia care, giving families reassurance that their loved ones can stay living at the home should their needs change.
The Hall is part of award winning provider Care UK – one of the UK’s most successful care home operators, with over 35 years’ experience in delivering high-quality care to older people. www.care.uk.com/trymview-hall
Michael Legge
Amy Lammont
Lewis Wright, Jon Lewis and Jo Emery
Asuka Murayama, Roberta Garbarino, Andrea Usai and Alex Nunns
Mélanie Stevenson, Nick Jones and Melissa Toney
Tristan Chalmers, Peter Gibbons, Samantha Jenkins, Jane Gibbons and Niki Facey
Bristol Life held a winter drinks reception for colleagues, clients and friends at the beautiful The Mount Without. Thanks for coming!
Photos by Jon Craig @joncraig_photos
Jon Horwood, Leigh-Anne Treadwell and Zoe Hewett
Julian Pyrke, Claudia Butler, Dylan Pepler, Nick Smith, Charlotte Strang and Fraser Conway
It takes a special kind of lawyer to handle this sensitive aspect of law: here are two of the best
INCE; 07849 834 094 www.incegd.com/family
What sets you apart from other law firms in your field?
As an international firm, we have clients worldwide and we care about each of them and want to do the best job we can. We have clients who come to us from other firms who have had a bad experience and are relieved by our personal, attentive and professional approach. I have clients from 15 years ago who still refer me work, be it from their children, family or friends, and this speaks volumes.
What is your favourite part of the job?
Without any doubt, the people I meet every day, all of them with a different story to tell. However complex their stories may be, we find a solution.
If you weren’t working in the legal world, what would you be doing?
My mum was an antiques dealer, and that world is in my DNA, so I would be doing just that, bidding at auctions, travelling the countryside in search of lost treasures and wheeling and dealing.
What key bit of advice would you give to somebody considering a divorce?
Many couples stay unhappily together as the thought of being alone is far more frightening. If you do take that next step and want to progress a divorce, do your homework on who you would like to instruct to represent you, meet face to face, and try to get to grips with your finances, which will help us to help you.
STONE KING LLP 01225 337599 www.stoneking.co.uk
Tell us a little about Stone King Although we are a national law firm we operate locally with offices in Bristol and Bath. We’ve been independently ranked in many areas, including our private client work as well as for the education, charity and social enterprise, and business sectors.
What areas do you cover as a family lawyer? I’m part of Stone King’s family and mediation team, helping clients with matters concerning children and finances. I’m a trained mediator and in addition I am trained to meet children and hear their voice. I am passionate about the benefits of mediation – it can have such a positive impact upon children and couples when dealing with issues following separation.
What advice do you have for someone considering a divorce? Take legal advice! All too often couples believe that they can do it themselves; however, in my experience, it pays to check with a lawyer. We often see cases where people have divorced but not finalised their financial affairs. This means some people are left worse off financially than they should be. Knowledge goes a long way; even if you don’t want to involve lawyers, just knowing about the process and getting some advice can really help you both now and in the future. Ask yourself, where do I want to be in the immediate future, and a few years down the line? This can really help you to make informed decisions both in the immediate future and long term.
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South Gloucester Council approved plans for the transformation of Bristol Parkway on 5 December –and they look like the CGI above.
“We want to turn the station into a major destination that can become the gateway to the north of Bristol and wider region,” said Steve Reade, South Gloucestershire’s cabinet member for transport.
Plans for the site include creating better connections with neighbouring communities such as to e ifford, arry to e and radley Stoke, initiatives to improve walking, wheeling (such as wheelchairs and mobility scooters) and cycling routes to and from the station, along with improvements to local bus services.
To make better use of available land, and to better connect the station to local communities, proposals also include the creation of new retail
and leisure facilities, community spaces, housing and o ces. he customer experience and facilities at the station would also be spruced up, all the while attracting and retaining the best talent and investment, and responding to the climate and nature emergency.
The masterplan consists of four areas: the creation of a new community park named St Michael’s Place; a building and public space called Station Square; a nature reserve called Stoke ifford ar , and a new employment area named The Brickworks.
Designed in collaboration with Network Rail, GWR and the West of England Combined uthority, the proposals follow six wee s of public engagement over the summer, with the intention to transform one of the s first par and ride stations into a ‘living station’, placing Bristol Parkway as the centre of movement for people,
supporting inclusive growth, and at the heart of healthy communities.
“This masterplan reimagines Bristol Parkway as a place where people can work, meet friends and family, as well as providing new parks where residents can enjoy the outdoors,” said Steve Reade.
“I’m pleased to see that the masterplan is leading from the front in respect of climate change, moving away from car-based travel and encouraging public transport and active travel, which will help to reduce air pollution.
“The new vision for the station will also help in the council’s response to the climate and nature emergency through the development of green spaces, supporting biodiversity and encouraging sustainable travel.”
Full details at www.beta.southglos.gov.uk
Prioritising wellness and wellbeing is a core value at Origin.
“Our wellness programme offers a broad range of options for our members, from gym sessions to free wor shops, they say. “Participating in our programme is also a great way for indi iduals to networ and meet other members, inviting collaboration and support into our wor space.
et s brea down the programme and ta e a loo at what it consists of, how it benefits members and what rigin is planning for the future.
rigin s dedication to wellness starts from within. e wouldn t be able to supply our extensi e wellness pac age if it weren t for the input and enthusiasm of our own employees. ur , ob ingston, is particularly passionate about running. ot only does he pro ide a wee ly running club and two yearly par runs for rigin members, but he is also a big supporter of the ristol 0 and half marathon.
recent addition to the team, operations manager arm ory ones, also has a big interest in wellbeing. unning a wellness company of her own, arm is planning to help us create more wellbeing opportunities for our members. t was partly the current programme that attracted Parm to join Origin.
was drawn in by seeing how the rigin wellness and fitness programme benefits its members, says arm. m passionate about mental health, and building a lifestyle that represents balance between home life and wor . o support the team, would li e to bring in new acti ities to help our members grow their companies and see more collaborations locally in ristol and nationally.
omething rigin is ery proud of is its on site gym, which comes fully e uipped with cardio machines, weight machines, dumbbells and e erything else you need for a good wor out. embers are free to use the gym for independent training sessions throughout their wor ing day, and we see many members ta ing a well deser ed brea from their screens and recharging their energy with a uic session. ut those who prefer group exercise needn t worry. ith se en in house personal trainers, we host a wide ariety of fitness classes free to members, from yoga to circuit training and body conditioning. e also deli er further paid classes, such as lower , upper and full body strength.
for their mental health and wellness.
Our on-site personal trainers are also available for one to one training sessions perfect for those wanting to achie e their personal fitness goals. ot a member of the wor space, but local to the area? No problem: non-members are also welcome to use the gym and boo sessions with personal trainers.
HEALTHY MIND, HEALTHY BODY
he rigin wellness programme doesn t ust include the gym and fitness classes it also runs sessions where members can focus on caring more
ery fortnight we run a session on mindfulness. his is a method of meditation that has been extensi ely researched and pro en to reduce anxiety, increase energy, and gi e more peace of mind. dditional sessions are also arranged throughout the year, focusing on different wellness areas, such as nutrition, lue ealth and other meditation techni ues such as eart ath.
embers are also able to boo in with a massage therapist, who comes to the space on a regular basis. hese sessions can help reduce stress, help sleep and increase wellbeing.
f the rigin wellness programme sound li e something you d li e to get in ol ed with, contact commercial manager Caroline Hamilton at caroline.hamilton originwor space.co.u
For more www.originworkspace.co.uk
“MANY MEMBERS TAKE A BREAK FROM THEIR SCREENS TO RECHARGE THEIR ENERGY WITH A GYM SESSION”TOPANDMIDDLEPIC: Gym bunnies in action at the on-site gym BOTTOMPIC: Running man: MD Rob Hingston
You can enter your business into one or more of these categories
Arts & Creative Bar
Business Services
Charity Civic Education Event
Financial Hair & Beauty Health & Wellbeing Homes & Interiors
Legal Leisure & Tourism
New Business People Services
The Bristol Life Awards are roaring back on 16 March. Planning is well underway for the vibrant, joy-filled 2023 ceremony, the business highlight of the year, at which pretty much any and every local organisation – big or small, from shops to restaurants, salons to galleries, and charities to schools – can win one of our coveted awards.
If you are a part of Bristol’s amazing community of businesses, enterprises and organisations, and want to showcase your venture, talent and efforts, along with supporting and meeting other top business people, then nominate yourself – it’s a free, quick and easy process.
2022
errific wor from this smartly run business. Sales up 28% to . m, record profits, 0 staff retention and an additional 13 people employed plus numerous national awards.”
Baltimore Consulting, People Services winner, 2022 Awards
There are a number of ways to get involved: • Enter the Awards
It’s free to nominate your business or organisation. Just head to the website, choose the categories you’d like to enter (you can enter as many as seem relevant) and answer just seven questions. Use the Q&A to tell us about your biggest achievements over the past year, your highlights, and what you are most proud of. Need a bit of help? Take a look at the ‘top tips’ page on the website,
Property Restaurant Retail Sustainability Technology (And then the ultimate Platinum award is chosen by us!)
With more and more interest in being closely associated with the most prestigious event in the Bristol business calendar, sponsorship opportunities are going fast. Already signed up are Close Brothers, JAS, Lexus, SLX, Thatchers, VWV, Bristol Life, Bristol Property Awards, Crumbs and Entreconf; feature sponsors are Ashton Gate and Triangle. Sponsors reap the benefits of powerful marketing and exposure in the build-up to the Awards, and they also bag guaranteed tickets. To find out more, please contact mark.george@mediaclash.co.uk
Nothing beats being there – and tickets invariably sell out! Anyone can attend the event, whether they’re up for an award or not. Among the company of nearly 700 people, the networking and collaboration opportunities are on another level, and the party, well, that speaks for itself. What goes on at the Bristol Life Awards stays at the Bristol Life Awards. . .
For more: www.bristollifeawards.co.uk
On Friday 25 November, the 2022 Bristol Property Awards, hosted by Sam McAlister, took place at Ashton Gate.
Around 500 industry experts gathered to acknowledge, praise and celebrate the achievements of this vital commercial sector in and around Bristol, from planners to entrepreneurs, deal-makers, architects, engineers, consultants, developers, builders, suppliers, landowners, designers, lawyers, accountants, con eyancers, financiers, mortgagers, underwriters, marketers, agents and indeed all manner of specialists all reflecti e of the vibrancy and breadth of the local property industry, all deserving to have their monumental achievements recognised.
Property matters to us all. It matters in financial terms how we li e, how we wor and experience Bristol daily, and how exactly we navigate the city from our base. It matters practically – where our companies are based, and what retail and o ce spaces we ha e.
It matters professionally – how the city houses and encourages clever expanding enterprises.
And it matters aesthetically – we are all the beneficiaries of extraordinary creati ity that has bequeathed a visual legacy that enriches all our lives on a daily basis. It is for all these reasons and more that the Bristol Property Awards have always been received with such enthusiasm, and invoke such strong support.
As always, the winners were just one aspect of the day. This industry is known to be lively and sociable and this event was no exception –colleagues, clients and friends networked, buzzed and chatted away with aplomb in a festive preChristmas atmosphere.
We thank all who backed and sponsored these wards we hope you benefited from the e ent and its marketing, the organisers of the Bristol Property Awards have plans for it to have a yet bigger impact on the sector in 2023.
n the following pages you ll find the full set of winners, along with snapshots from the day. Keep reading Bristol Life’s regular property pages to be ahead of the game for next year’s Awards, when we’ll be celebrating with you all over again. See you there!
For more www.bristolpropertyawards.co.uk
THE BRISTOL PROPERTY AWARDS AT ASHTON GATE STADIUM 25 NOVEMBER 2022
Local property professionals descended on Ashton Gate on 25 November for the return of the Bristol Property Awards, hosted by Sam McAlister – the former interviews producer on s flagship news programme Newsnight uests en oyed a a champagne reception, three course lunch and the awards presentations. Thank you to our udges lice roo s, ominic etts, eorge ardale, r ooman oroughmand raabi, ames all, asmine ain, athan heppard, am arbato, achel olmes and Simon Peacock. ere s a snapshot of how it all went down photographers contact details below.
Photos p 78-79 by Ben Robins; www.benrobinsphoto.com
Photos p 81 by Soul Media Photography; www.soul-media.co.uk
The Young Carers Development Trust was created following the incredibly low statistics of young carers in West Wiltshire accessing higher and further education. Today we operate across the South-West and beyond, with webinars that reach across the UK.
We aim to inspire and nurture young carers to achieve their potential. Our approach is to work with local young carers services to identify young carers with real potential who are unlikely to succeed without targeted support. We empower young carers to strive for ambitious goals, to advance in life and to become active, inspiring role models for others from backgrounds similar to their own.
Young carers are at the centre of everything YCDT do, from involving them in the future direction of the charity to ensuring we have Trustees and staff with first-hand experience of life as a young carer.
Tilly shares her experience of working with her Development Mentor.
“Thank you for everything you’ve done for me. I know I wouldn’t be where I am now if it wasn’t for YCDT”Sammy
“It’s been really nice to have someone to talk to and get advice from outside of my family. It’s good to know there’s someone there just for me”
Aturret is the kind of architectural feature you d expect to find in an older property. As in, around 600 years older. They generally come as part of a set that also includes things like ‘crenellations’, ‘moats’ and ‘murder holes’.
At the Garden House in Leigh Woods, however, you can enjoy all the charm of this quirky architectural feature without the inconvenience of living in a draughty mediaeval pile; indeed, even by 21st-century standards, this is an exceptionally energyconscious home.
Like many properties found across the bridge, The arden ouse has an idiosyncratic one off design, a generous plot (as you’d hope from its name) and a private tucked-away setting. During its extensive renovation, full advantage has been taken of its south-facing position, with newly installed solar panels aiding the remarkably low running costs and creating a cosy vibe all year round. There are also heavily insulated elevations under hanging tiles, while the windows are double-glazed.
From the front, it’s quite hard to guess which era this unusual stone-built home with its red tiled roof dates from; in fact, it dates from 1877. It’s a very spacious home, ideally laid out for optimum family flow, with
four bedrooms, two large receptions and a major bonus in the form of a big conservatory and garden room which spans the whole of one side, and opens to the dining room and Shaker-style kitchen – an adaptable space for formal entertaining as well as casual family meals. An extra touch of luxury comes in the form of the andarin tone flooring that lin s these three areas, while further lightness and brightness comes from the large Velux window over the kitchen.
The drawing room brings all the traditional charms, with an oa floor and stone fireplace with delightful blue and white Dutch tiles. Big double doors open to the dining room, conservatory and garden room.
Situated just to the right of the entrance, the turret, you’ll be unamazed to hear, houses an enchanting spiral staircase leading to the upstairs landing. Here are four bedrooms, all but one of which has windows on two sides; the main also basks in the luxury of its own ensuite shower room, the others sharing a rather lovely
main bathroom. There’s a versatile attic room on the top floor, too, with an unusual bulls eye gable window this is presently used as a store, but could undoubtedly be put to more romantic use.
he beautifully maintained walled garden ma es full use of its sunny position, with a wide terrace leading down to the lawn there s an arbour, an apple tree, acers, ferns and dozens of other plants.
double garage offers plenty of wor storage space, and is fitted with a charging point for electric ehicles.
really lo ely period home, with great architectural character and uir as well as strong ecological credentials, poised on the edge of the on orge and the shortest of wal s to both eigh oods and shton ourt. ust thin of the lo ely hot air balloon spotting parties you could hold in the garden . . .
Where? Bannerleigh Road, Leigh Woods
Guide price OIEO £1.5m
Reception
For more: Savills Clifton, 20 The Mall, Bristol, BS8 4DR; 0117 463 4258; www.savills.co.uk
Situated just off Queen Square and overlooking the River Station. Due to undergo an extensive refurbishment. The building is approx. 4376 sq ft GIA, orsuites are available from 793— 1,727 sq ft. Freeholdoffers considered! Suitable for an owner occupier or investor with resi-potential (STP).
This impressive Queen Square property is due to be refurbished to a very high and contemporary standard and will suit owner/occupiers to purchase, or to rent with suites ranging from 313 sq ft — 2,106 sq ft.
A ground floor office suite which has been newly refurbished to offer modern space benefitting secure bike storage and shower facilities. Could suit a range of uses under Use Class E!
A top quality, contemporary office which has been refurbished to a high standard offering studio-style space with exposed services, bike storage, showers and up to 6 car parking spaces in a secure under-croft car park.
Portishead, BS20
TO LET – POA
1,395 - 4,964 sq ft (130 - 461 sq m)
Two new-build commercial units forming part of the Harbour Crescent development to be fitted to a high standard. Use Class E –would suit a range of uses.
Queen Square, BS1
TO LET - £26.50 psf pax
2,728 sq ft (253 sq m)
A modern, newly refurbished, open-plan office. The specification includes air conditioning, bike storage, shower facilities, and two car parking spaces, and the common areas are being fully refurbished.
Bath Business Park, BA2
FOR SALE £900,000 excl. 5,580 sq ft (518 sq m)
A fully let investment opportunity with a well-established tenant offering a Gross Initial Yield of 7.4% and rising to 8.6%. The building comprises a modern, two storey office building.
St Augustine’s Parade, BS1
TO LET – POA
1,363 sq ft (127 sq m) Stunning offices located in the heart of the city centre, which have undergone extensive refurbishment and benefit private entrance, bike storage, shower facilities, and basement storage.
Queen Charlotte Street, BS1
TO LET £17.50 psf pax
1,741 sq ft (161.65 sq m)
A modern, ground floor office suite located in Bristol’s Old Quarter. The suite is predominantly open plan and benefits air conditioning, shower, bike storage, and car parking.
Sheene Road, BS3
TO LET - £10.00 psf pax
2,859 sq ft (266 sq m)
A well-presented first floor office with air conditioning. There is excellent on-site car parking, and the property is situated within 1 mile of Temple Meads Station.
Queen Square, Bristol
TO LET (MAY SELL) – POA 3,539 sq ft (329 sq m)
An impressive Georgian office building with a triple window façade and attractive views across the Square. Currently used as offices and due to be fully refurbished. Available to sell or for sale by way of the long leasehold!
Unit 2A Quedgeley, GL2
TO LET - POA
1,870 sq ft (173 sq m)
A ground floor retail unit in a popular retail park, with neighbouring occupiers to include Aldi, Boots, and Dominos. The property benefits from a predominantly glazed frontage, and customer parking.
Queen Square, Bristol
TO LET – POA 313 – 2,106 sq ft (29 – 196 sq m)
An attractive, self-contained office building benefiting a corner position on the Square and which is due to be fully refurbished to a high standard. Potential for two car parking spaces!
Warminster, BA12
FOR SALE - £850,000 exl.
7,810 sq ft (729 sq m) on 0.4 acres
An income-producing commercial investment opportunity with future development potential, subject to necessary consents. Situated in a stunning, rural setting with river frontage and large parking.
and theatre in the community, which enabled me to develop skills and experience in running practical drama-based workshops for young people. I was fascinated by the potential impact the subject could have on them and where, if facilitated well, it could benefit the wider community. The more workshops I ran, the more I fell in love with teaching and education.
Ialways loved performing,” says Jon. “As a young person, it was a major outlet for me to develop my self confidence and my friendship circles, and begin to take creative risks in supportive and nurturing environments.
“I love theatre and music in particular; they have always been a passion of mine. I owe drama everything. Finding my confidence through creati ity as a teenager enabled me to stretch myself and excel. Through my love of performance, I found a passion for sharing creativity with young people, which led to me becoming a teacher, and eventually to where I am today.”
I have a pretty diverse performance background, having performed in new writing,
fringe festivals, Shakespeare, pantomime, murder mysteries and training role plays for local businesses. I have also performed in more established pieces such as the The Crucible, A Midsummer Night’s Dream and musical theatre pieces such as Annie and Oklahoma
I also enjoy directing, writing and performing at local festivals. I founded a new theatre company, Journeyman Theatre Productions, with my father, a published playwright, and my uncle, a respected actor. We’re always seeking new and exciting ways of getting our work out there, having been regularly showcased on BBC Upload.
While studying for my drama degree, we started exploring the use of drama in education
As head of centre, the absolute best bit of my role is coming to work every day and seeing students and staff wor ing together. e have a wide curriculum at the college ranging from vocational courses in music performance to games art and technology, film, media, photography and software development. My role is to coordinate these amazing experiences for students.
Access took over the Bierkeller a few years back. It’s played a massive part in many Bristolians’ lives, and we’re working every day in a building that’s absolutely steeped in history. Nirvana played in this very building – how inspirational is that? We have students creating work within the very same building as many legends before them. Not only that, but the teaching spaces and resources here are stateof-the-art, giving students the best possible chance of making exciting creative discoveries and fulfilling their potential, be this production studios, rehearsal spaces, tech labs, games labs or our incredible performance venue. We’re surrounded by influences from the industry.
As an independent training provider, Access is part of a large network of campuses across the
UK. This means we work with colleagues and learners across the country for the benefit of learner experience and our regions. To be able to share practice and creativity with them is invaluable.
Bristol is world-renowned for its creativity and diversity. The creative and digital sector is pivotal to the economy, and we know that companies such as Aardman and the BBC make up something like 10% of the economy. We are surrounded by incredible creative organisations from small- and medium-sized enterprises to larger scale employers. The South West is known for its collaborative nature and ingenuity, and aspires to lead the way in innovation. To be able to work with employers and young people on developing talent pipelines of the future is a real honour in such an amazing city and region.
Some up-and-coming Bristol artists to be aware of include Droogs, a band which left us a couple of years ago having studied our artist development course. They have been featured on the BBC and given a shoutout by Idles. Lakedown are another band who studied with us and are doing some amazing things.
If I wasn’t doing this job? I discovered a passion for cooking in my twenties and have followed it through ever since. lo e to try stuff out in the kitchen so becoming a chef would be something that I would look at. It’s another way of being creative, that’s for sure. For more www.accesscreative.ac.uk
The head of centre at Access Creative College is South West born-and-bred; a passionate advocate of the creative arts here in the city, who’s trodden a few boards of his own in his time . . .
“Nirvana once played in our building – how inspirational is that?”
