THE BRISTOL LIFE AWARDS 2023
ALL THE WINNERS AND ALL THE ACTION!
GROUND CONTROL
IT’S HIGH TIME YOU RECLAIMED YOUR GARDEN
C’EST CHIC
AQUA GRAND CAFÉ: IT’S ALL
RATHER MAGNIFIQUE
FEST DRESSED
COME RAIN (PROBABLY)
COME SHINE (YOU NEVER KNOW!)
WE’RE FESTIVAL-READY
THIS IS STAN
OUR CAFÉ COLUMNIST WITH THE ROCK’N’ROLL PAST
IS UP, UP AND AWAY
Ilove an April issue, I do. Whatever the weather’s actually doing (checks view from window: yep, still raining), in Bristol Life world, at least, it’s all about springtime positivity as we look forward to festival season and other al fresco joys. It’s also the time of year that we reacquaint ourselves with our own outdoor space (I’m really not sure that the bit of neglected scrub behind my house can be dignified by the word ‘garden’). You’ll find big features on both in this issue, along with a review of The Bristol Life Awards, held at Ashton Gate Stadium last month. They do say that, like Woodstock, if you can remember the Awards you weren’t there, but we’ve done our best under difficult circumstances.
Moving, rather randomly, on. We found ourselves reading yet another of those ‘Bristol is one of the best places to live etc etc’ votes of confidence recently, this time in The Sunday Times. Another Bristol periodical has taken umbrage at its findings, as people automatically do when national papers dare to talk about their ’hood. Personally I rather liked it; it was refreshingly free of the usual gaffes you find in such things, such as placing Upfest in Henleaze, or calling Bristol Old Vic ‘The Old Vic’, or not noticing that the Zoo has closed.
“It’s urban and rural, posh and gritty, homely and highbrow, even ugly and beautiful,” wrote the journalist. “From some angles it looks like Watford’s undistinguished cousin, from others it’s a multicoloured steampunk Venice.” I wish I’d written ‘multicoloured steampunk Venice’. I will, Oscar, I will.
The other random thing relates to a current preoccupation among us journalists: will AI eventually nick all our jobs? For fun, I asked ChatGPT to write a piece on Bristol. It even cracked a little joke: “Why did the Bristolian cross the road? To get to the other cider”. Fair play, bot.
So there you have it. My days are numbered; by 2033 Bristol Life will be edited by machines making gags about the local beverage. You’ll miss me when I’m gone.
DERI ROBINS
Bristol Life editor
Follow us on @BristolLifeMag; @BristolLifeMag
Bristol’s festival organisers are nearly ready for you...PHOTO BY LOUIS SMITH @STUDIOWHISK
Bristol Balloon Fiesta by Colin Moody. aking this, what, olin’s fourth cover for us r fifth olin...
15 ART PAGE To the Moon, with love
16 WHAT’S ON hree weeks filled with e traordinary stuff
32 PHOTOGRAPHY Festival heroes
22 SIMPLY THE FEST hether you’re a otilla fancier, greedy foodie or happy camper, or simply want to dance like nobody’s watching, we have a festival for you
44 RESTAURANT Le Grand Café. C’est chic!
47 FOOD AND DRINK NEWS Openings, special events, you know the drill
51 CAFÈ SOCIETY Stan, roaming unfettered in the wild
52 ED’S CHOICE Festival clobber! Can you detect this issue’s theme?
54 GARDENING The plot thickens. Time to dig out the secateurs
69 THE BRISTOL LIFE AWARDS All the winners and all the action. At least, the bits our lawyers say we’re allowed to show you
82 BUSINESS WORKS Say farewell to the pink pages; it’s all change from our ne t issue onwards
85 SHOWCASE Go Easton; everyone wants to live in BS5
9 SPOTLIGHT
13 BRIZZOGRAM
90 BRISTOL LIVES It’s our Stan, from page 51!
Editor Deri Robins deri.robins@mediaclash.co.uk Senior art editor Andrew Richmond
Graphic design Megan Allison Cover design Trevor Gilham Contributors Colin Moody, Stan Cullimore Commercial manager Neil Snow neil.snow@mediaclash.co.uk Business development manager Craig Wallberg craig.wallberg@mediaclash.co.uk Business development manager Jake Horwood jake.horwood@mediaclash.co.uk Production/distribution manager Sarah Kingston sarah.kingston@mediaclash.co.uk Deputy production manager/production designer Kirstie Howe kirstie.howe@mediaclash.co.uk Chief executive Jane Ingham jane.ingham@mediaclash.co.uk Chief executive Greg Ingham greg.ingham@mediaclash.co.uk Bristol Life MediaClash, Carriage Court, 22 Circus Mews, Bath, BA1 2PW 01225 475800 www.mediaclash.co.uk @The MediaClash © All rights reserved. May not be reproduced without written permission of MediaClash.
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Hot on the heels of Daisy May Cooper’s enjoyably twisted BBC comedy-thriller-whatever Am I Being Unreasonable? comes her new series Rain Dogs, made by Sid Wild – the new development arm of the award-winning Sid Gentle Films, based at Bottle Yard Studios.
Written by Cash Carroway, Rain Dogs – and yes, the name comes from Tom Waits’s album about the lives of chaotic people – follows the considerable tribulations of one Costello Jones (Daisy), a workingclass single mother trying to stay off the booze while hustling to make a better life for her daughter Iris (Fleur Tashjian, cute) with the help of equally hopeless mates Selby, Iris’s gay pseudo-father (Jack Farthing, rather mesmerising), and Gloria (Ronke Adékoluejo). Surprisingly under the radar of social services, Iris is hauled from pillar to post while Costello and co swagger from one disaster to the next; a devoted if toxic family bound by a complex but deep-rooted love and defiance towards a system built against them.
“Making Rain Dogs in Bristol was a great experience,” says Sam Wild producer Ciara McIlvenny. “It’s an incredibly film-friendly city; it felt like everyone really wanted us to be here. We were lucky to have a brilliant, talented and hardworking crew, around 70% being based locally. The shoot had 78 locations in total, which is an extraordinary amount. We did just two days in London; everything else was filmed in Bristol and the South West.”
Rain Dogs is the blackest of black comedies – indeed, it’s barely a comedy at all. Though thoroughly entertaining, it’s bleak, menacing and despairing; as with Am I Being Unreasonable?, Daisy appears to be inventing hard-to-classify new genres as she goes along. She’s excellent, and it’s a great debut for Sid Wild; we can’t wait to see what they come up with next.
All episodes are currently available on BBCiPlayer
Bristol Harbour Festival returns this July – of course it does, it’s not 2020! – with an even greater emphasis of putting local talent right up front. Expect newly imagined entertainment zones, with the Circus Playground at College Green, and an inclusive programme that celebrates the city’s harbour alongside the usual music and dance, and oh yes, boats. The Jelli Shack will take over Millennium Square, providing chillout beach-bar vibes with an acoustic programme by Jelli Records; the Amphitheatre will host the Food Court, with music from Access Creative College, Ujima Radio and BCFM Radio, while Queen Square will become the Music Quarter, curated by programming legend Tony Benjamin, ft. bright new talent from Access Creative College alongside established acts.
Mayor Marvin Rees gamely took an oar at this year’s launch event.
“Bristol’s Harbour Festival is a big part of our city’s calendar, and an incredible platform for aspiring artists and local talent to perform in front of huge audiences,” he said.
“The Festival is an event for all communities, and is an opportunity to showcase the diverse Bristol we’re proud to call home.”
Bristol Harbour Festival
14-16 July 2023
www.bristolharbourfestival. co.uk
ardman and the uropean pace gency ) have officially celebrated the return of astronaut haun the heep following his successful Artemis I mission to the oon.
fter representing the on the first ight of ’s Orion spacecraft with an uropean ervice odule, the woolly one safely splashed down to arth on ecember, and after a debrief and much needed rest has now returned home to ardman before continuing his astronaut duties on a post ight tour.
avid arker, ’s director of human and robotic e ploration, formally congratulated haun at ardman tudios before haun set off to various space centres across urope to share his learnings about the wider programmes the uropean pace gency have to offer the future of space e ploration. is achievements are also being marked with the unveiling of a new astronaut portrait of haun and a commemorative pla ue at the studio. livid allace and romit were unavailable for comment.)
can hardly believe ’m writing this, but haun the heep has ust returned from a trip around the oon, said ardman’s co founder eter ord. veryone at the studio is bursting with pride as we celebrate his historic ourney from ossy ottom arm to the vast emptiness of space. nd we’re e ually delighted and proud of our partnership with , who trained him for the ight and made the whole adventure possible. o sheep has ever seen so much or travelled so far.
t is always a special pleasure to greet uropean astronauts when they return from space, and today am delighted to welcome haun the heep, alive and wool after a well deserved rest on the farm, said avid arker. s the first sheep to y to the oon and back, he’s got a lot to teach us about the ambition, talent and diversity needed for urope’s e ploration of space. am sure everyone will ock to meet him during his post ight tour. we couldn’t make it up. ell, you could, but now you don’t have to. For more: www.aardman.com
Whether you’re a staunch royalist, casual The Crown watcher or devout republican, you can’t really avoid the coronation in May; after all, it’s the first one to take place in many people’s lifetime.
To mark both this historic event and Bristol’s 650th birthday as a city, 650 singers will perform in the unique free live event Sing for the King, jointly organised by St George’s Bristol and Bristol Cathedral. The concert takes place at the Cathedral on 1 May, and
everyone is welcome to join, either as a singer or as part of the audience. The event will be filmed, and presented to HRH as Bristol’s tribute to the new monarch.
The concert will feature Zadok the Priest, performed by several local choirs; the piece was composed by Handel for the coronation of King George II in 1727, and has been performed at every British coronation since.
Oh, and as well as the coronation and Bristol’s 650th, it’s the 200th birthday of St George’s Bristol, along with the Bristol Museum and Art Gallery, and Bristol’s Chamber of Commerce. All in all, 2023 would be an excellent year to buy shares in cake candles.
For more: www.stgeorgesbristol.co.uk
rnolfini has launched its first crowdfunder through rt und’s rt appens. he gallery will be working with renowned te tile artist lice ettle to create inspiring e hibition Threads, featuring work by over international artists who work with te tiles, including nya aintsil, Yinka honibare, brahim ahama, arwa oledina, aisa abir, ubaina imid and Young n ong.
rnolfini needs to raise , to deliver an ambitious engagement programme to bring Threads to life for as many members of the community as possible, while celebrating te tiles as an art form that can create important connections across cultures. Get involved at www.artfund.org/ rnolfini hreads
Yes, it does tend to rain a bit around these parts. But without a bit of rain you’d never get to enjoy nature’s most spectacular special effect . . .
@elliotwilliams__
On 27 April, Jimmy Galvin – Bristol’s neo-classical composer, pianist and artist – will be performing at The Mount Without, headlining a concert in aid of The Bristol Drugs Project. As well as Jimmy’s solo piano set, the programme will feature harp-and-voice duo Reverb, singersongwriter Ketibu, and Mark Ely, with a 20-piece choir made up of people who use the BDP as part of their recovery process. here will also be films by olin oody, re ecting on Bristol’s experiences under lockdown.
The name of the concert, Love Letter to the Moon, comes from one of Jimmy’s solo pieces. “I felt in these fractured times we need to start a deeper dialogue within ourselves,” he says. “Mobile phones have made our world smaller; in
so many ways the conversation has narrowed and made our thoughts and interactions more disposable, which is, ironically, detaching us from ourselves and each other. Love Letter to the Moon is a plea to mankind that the Moon is far more fascinating and important than obsessing about trends being force-fed to us on social media platforms.
“The concert is also about reminding us that the shared experience of being together in a room creates something that technology never can, with people playing in real time creating a one off event that does not respond to the technology remit of pause/stop/rewind/play again.”
Book at www.eventbrite.co.uk; www.jimmygalvinart.com
SNAPSHOTS OF BRISTOL’S CULTURAL LIFE21 April-12 May 2023
Until 1 May
PHOTO OPEN EXHIBITION
A celebration of contemporary photography in all its forms, at RWA; rwa.org.uk
JEM SOUTHAM: A BEND IN THE RIVER
Dusk and dawn riverbank photography, taken by Jem over five years e pect lots of swans to feature. RWA; rwa.org.uk
Until 21 May
HOWARDENA PINDELL: A NEW LANGUAGE
n e hibition surveying the hilly artist’s si decade career, from early abstracts to more political works; at Spike Island; spikeisland.org.uk
where histories of colonialism, industrialisation and labour collide; Faluyi looks at familial legacy and mysticism in ancestral lands. Spike Island; spikeisland.org.uk
Until 28 May
GARRY FABIAN MILLER: ADORE
One of the most inventive and original photographers of his time, who uses a ‘cameraless’ practice which e periments with darkness and light, and weaves in work by other creatives; at rnolfini arnolfini.org. k
Until 29 May
WILDLIFE PHOTOGRAPHER OF THE YEAR
Nature red in tooth and claw: the world’s best wildlife photography shows at M Shed; bristolmuseums.org.uk
Until 2 June
THE DYNAMIC
The story of Wales’s distinctive but short lived local newspaper, as told by the paper’s former staff photographer, Sebastián Bruno. Lovingly covered in our last issue. martinparrfoundation.org
Until 10 September
THE CAVE ART OF LASCAUX
This sounds fun: step back 21,000 years in time and visit the Stone Age cave art of ascau in immersive . bristolmuseums.org.uk
28-30 April
OPEN STUDIOS
The popular Spike Island
weekender returns, offering a chance to beard dozens of the resident artists in their lairs; spikeisland.org.uk
28 April-8 May
NORTH SOMERSET ARTS WEEK
Over 200 artists open up their homes and studios or gather in shared venues to show you their latest work; northsomersetarts.org
29 April-21 May
TRAVEL PHOTOGRAPHER OF THE YEAR
rilliant photos, in a free to view outdoor e hibition set between oyal hotographic ociety and artin arr oundation rps.org
Until 22 April MADE IN DAGENHAM
“Sometimes in your life, you got to stand up for what you know is right and be prepared to fight . lay based on the true story of the 187 women who went on strike and brought the agenham ord factory to a standstill, a landmark moment which triggered the passing of the ual ay ct. t edgrave redgravetheatre.com
THE KING OF REGGAE
rom a government yard in Trenchtown to Rastafarian icon, this new narrated musical by Rush Theatre charts the life and times of Jamaican superstar Bob Marley and the impact his music had worldwide. BOV; bristololdvic.org.uk
25 April SILENT HEROINES DISCO
An immersive audio and live theatre piece in which a range of Bristol women from different generations and cultures share their real life stories and e periences of being a women at Trinity; trinitybristol.org.uk
MOSCOW DRUG CLUB
magine staggering, half cut, into a dark Eastern European bar, where Django Reinhardt and Tom Waits are having an after hours am with the local Tziganes. That. At Wardrobe, thewardrobetheatre.com
25 April-5 May
ONE MAN AND HIS COW
A rural romp, written and performed by ‘the Morecambe and ise of eston super are,
SHOW ME THE WORLD MISTER wo new film commissions shot on location in Nigeria. The Fist is a portrait of the Guinness brewery in Lagos,ABOVE: How lame do your own holiday snaps look next to this? Travel Photographer of the Year at Paintworks
LEFT: Nice guns: Manbo at The Wardrobe
BELOW: Planning a Moscow Drugs Club gig is a serious business. May as well do it in the comfort of (unless we’re very much mistaken) The Milk Thistle
featuring a multitude of agricultural antics and farmyard frolics, at BOV; bristololdvic.org.uk
26-28 April
THE MAGIC FLUTE elsh wi ards give o art’s classic their usual modern twist; at ippodrome. ew to opera his one is famously entry level. thewardrobetheatre.comk
26-29 April
MANBO
tep aside tallone... am ugmore is locked and loaded as the greatest action hero of all time, unearthing his ruthless man skills to confront his worst nemesis himself. oin the award-winning clown and comedy performer for a dead-sexy mission filled with chaos, ’ s tunes, dancing and workout montages, explosions, evil Russians, suppressed raw male emotion and a dog called luffy, at Wardrobe; thewardrobetheatre.com
28-29 April
THE BEAST IN ME
Imagine a world where the lines separating humanity and animals have blurred, in which dark forests contain refuge as well as danger, and blood is not always thicker than water. tapestry of stories and music about our perception of beauty and the value of kindness, at TFT; tobaccofactorytheatres.com
2-6 May
COULROPHOBIA
Take your seat, relax but don’t get
too comfortable, as clowns Dik and Adam take you on a 80-minute trip of slapstick, mime, puppetry, existential angst and big shoes; at Wardrobe; thewardrobetheatre.com
3-4 May
VENUS
Quadruple bill of new work by Bristol dance company Impermanence, at Bristol Old Vic; bristololdvic.org.uk
3-6 May
FISHERMAN’S FRIENDS: THE MUSICAL
he musical of the film of the true story of the Cornish sea shanty singers who ended up playing the Pyramid Stage at Glastonbury; a tale of friendship, community and music which smashed box office records in ornwall. ell, it would, wouldn’t it? Bristol Hippodrome, atgtickets.com
8-20 May PRIDE AND PREJUDICE* (*SORT OF)
t’s the s. t’s party time. et the ruthless matchmaking begin . en, money and microphones are be fought over in this ustentatious adaptation. With karaoke; at BOV; bristololdvic.org.uk
9 May RICHARD E GRANT
Hopefully now recovered from presenting the BAFTAs – and what a thankless job that was – the thesp who will be forever Withnail is at Hippodrome, telling stories from his life and times to tie in with the publication of his new book A Pocketful of Happiness atgtickets.com
12-13 May FAUN
”Sofa owners are delicate creatures, skittish. You need to lure them in. ike a horse with a sugar cube. Ace is 22, trans, queer and sofa surfing. o keep a sofa re uires you to act small, smiling, and polite. ut eventually everyone messes up –which would be a lot easier for Ace if they weren’t also unexpectedly growing uffy ears, and a tiny tail. It turns out people-pleasing has a price… A celebration of queer community, full of heart, and pan pipes, at BOV; bristololdvic.org.uk
Ongoing
CLOSER EACH DAY
The world’s longest-running
improvised comedy soap continues to bubble amusingly away at The Wardrobe; thewardrobetheatre.com
Until 23 April
RUSSELL HOWARD
Bristol’s comedy king puts the world to rights in his own unique way at Hippodrome; atgtickets.com
IMPROMPTU SHAKESPEARE
Piqued that Shakespeare hasn’t written anything new for over 400 years? Hold onto your doublets and ruffs, as the ard is back sort of), with story and verse improvised on the spot. pril is his birthday, by the way. t ardrobe, thewardrobetheatre.com
22 April INSTANT WIT
ongs, gags and general silliness based on audience suggestions: you know the drill. lma avern, almatavernandtheatre.co.uk
GENDER REBELS
Slapstick Festival presents a day-long programme looking at ways in which 20th-century movie-makers explored and disrupted gender roles. Screening for your edification and delight are Ernst Lubitsch’s I Don’t Want to be a Man ), idney ranklin’s Beverly of Graustark ) and lake Edwards’ Victor/Victoria ). here’s a panel discussion, too atershed, watershed.co.uk
29 April
PAUL MCCAFFREY
The award-winning stand-up brings his natural, utterly uni ue storytelling schtick to the en hicken, henandchicken.com
NICK MOHAMMED PRESENTS THE VERY BEST AND WORST OF MR. SWALLOW
Yes, it’s him he one who did the dirty on Richmond AFC in Ted Lasso ut hold the boos, as double Emmy nominee Nick brings his alter ego Mr. Swallow to Redgrave with a mi of new, old, very old and previously unusable material. pect noise, maths, magic and the whole of Les Mis; redgravetheatre.com
30 April
MARK SIMMONS: QUIP OFF THE MARK
This year Mark’s parents have sold the house he grew up in and he’s had to collect his bo of stuff from the loft. Come discover what’s in the box in this top-level one-liner show structured in a way you’ve never seen before at , tobaccofactorytheatres.com
4 May
SCHALK BEZUIDENHOUT –I’LL MAKE LAUGH TO YOU n offer you can’t refuse right there from chalk, fresh from his et i special at the en hicken, henandchicken.com
5 May
ROSIE HOLT: THE WOMAN’S HOUR
Rosie’s at The Hen & Chicken in her blue suit for another “chilling realistic take on a dissembling rising Tory star”; henandchicken.com
6 May
FERN BRADY: AUTISTIC BIKINI QUEEN
ot off the heels of her ne show, ern is back in ristol for two final dates of her e tended tour to record a very special hour long show; at Tobacco Factory heatres, tobaccofactorytheatres.com
12-13 May
THE SHADE PULLERS & LASH STACKERS SOCIAL CLUB
’ y up lad, the drag show within a drag show’s back. Here’s the premise year old aul arsden has been running a northern working men’s club since the s. he place was fraying at the edges, until Paul’s son got into the family business, transforming himself into drag ueen o ytocin, giving the nicotine-stained club a fresh coat of lip gloss...Watch the family drama unfold, from false eyelashes to at caps, from tinsel to tombola. n e travagan a, and proper good at ardrobe, thewardrobetheatre.com
22 April
THE TALLEST MAN ON EARTH e’s ’ , he’s not even the tallest man at Trinity this month; but he is Swedish singer-songwriter ristian atsson, and he’s bringing his charismatic stage presence and soulful indie folk to town; trinitybristol.org.uk
23 April
JOE MARTIN
Joe and the band bring the newwave Americana of their Empty Passenger Seat tour to Hen & Chicken henandchicken.com
24 April
MADDY PRIOR & THE CARNIVAL BAND
o, you’re not going mad, it’s not Christmas; moving away from their usual festive preoccupations,
Maddy and the band bring their new tour Chapel and Tavern, celebrating the lives and culture of ordinary folk, to St George’s; stgeorgesbristol.co.uk
26 April
LULU: FOR THE RECORD
The apparently age-defying Lulu brings her throaty powerhouse vocals and stories about working with all the greats, to t eorge’s. stgeorgesbristol.co.uk
27 April
LOVE LETTER TO THE MOON
Jimmy Galvin headlines a concert at The Mount Without, in aid of ristol rugs ro ect see page . jimmygalvinart.com
HENRIK JENSEN TRIO
A new constellation of three remarkable musicians who are exploring the compositions by bassist Henrik Jensen; at the Hen & Chicken, henandchicken.com
28-30 April
BRISTOL FOLK FESTIVAL
With headliners including Eliza Carthy, Angeline Morrison, The Longest Johns, Lady Maisery and Nick Hart; at various venues, bristolfolkfestival.org
4 May RÍOGHNACH CONNOLLY AND HONEYFEET
Combining the vocal melodies of frontwoman Ríoghnach with dirty blues grooves, Ethio-sax, elevated ute, heavy beats, and killer on stage charisma, Honeyfeet can wow any crowd; come and join the party, at Trinity, trinitybristol.org.uk
7 May
THE SCHMOOZENBERGS
Conjuring up the mood of s aris, fused with avours of Eastern Europe and a liberal sprinkling of high energy folk, with roots in gypsy jazz; at Wardrobe; thewardrobetheatre.com
9 May
ICHIKO AOBA
The Japanese folk singer brings her acoustic sound, inspired by her dreams, to Trinity, trinitybristol.org.uk
11 May THE ALLERGIES
The Bristol band’s feel-good funk and hyped-up hip-hop has been delighting dance oors since check them out at Trinity, trinitybristol.org.uk
12 May LANKUM
Dublin bros Ian and Daragh Lynch, with Cormac MacDiarmada and Radie Peat, bring their contemporary Irish folk to Trinity; trinitybristol.org.uk
THE PROCLAIMERS
The Reid twins are at Bristol Hippodrome with their timeless songs, running the gamut of human emotions, political fire and wit. A tenner says I’m Gonna Be is the encore. atgtickets.com
Ongoing
BRISTOL FILM FESTIVAL
The year-round fest with the something-for-everyone remit screens at various venues; bristolfilmfestival.com
Until 30 April LYRA
Nowt to do with Philip Pullman’s resourceful heroine, but the Bristol poetry fest, featuring both inperson and online events: readings, performances, workshops, panel discussions, a lecture, a walking tour, open mic, poetry slams and a film. lyrafest.com
23, 30 April & 7 May
BRISTOL TRANSATLANTIC SLAVERY WALK
Walking tour providing a history of Bristol as a port, how it came to participate in the slave trade, and Colston’s divisive legacy to Bristol; bristoltours.co.uk
1-31 May
BRISTOL WALK FEST
Fairly self-explanatory, but more imaginative than you might imagine, as the month-long walking festival offers a variety of ways e plore the city and its surrounds on foot, for all ages, interests and levels of fitness. bristolwalkfest.com
11-14 May
CRIMEFEST
A convention both for people who like to read an occasional crime novel as well as die-hard fanatics; crimefest.com
12-14 May
FOODIES FESTIVAL
The UK’s biggest touring gourmet food festival heads back to The Downs, featuring MasterChef champions, Bake Off favourites and Great British Menu stars among the heady selection of food and drink. foodiesfestival.com
Stand by: tent inspection incoming. Festival season is comprehensively underway, and we know exactly what’s going down, and where, and with whom, and what to expect . . .
By Deri Robins
Of course, the Bristol festival season never really sleeps. The Festival of Ideas and Bristol Film Fest run all year round, and by the time we send this to press, Slapstick and a clatter of food and drink fests will already have been and gone. However, when it comes to gurt big outdoor events, it’s only now that Bristol starts to wake up and show off its guns. There’s a typically eclectic line-up of delights, so whether it’s a flowers-in-your-hair weekend of lurrve at LSTD, tasty feasts and friendly beats at Valley Fest, or stuff involving boats and balloons, it would be churlish not to succumb to festival fever...
Nobody Shindigs like a Shindigger
“When it comes to outdoor fests it’s only now that Bristol starts to wake up and show us its guns”
We thought about dividing this feature into themed sections – ‘music’, ‘food’ and so on – but over the years, these distinctions have blurred. It would be a pretty dull food fest that didn’t offer live music nowadays, while the best music fests take their edibles very seriously indeed. Instead, we’ve listed them all consecutively; and for added flavour we’ve asked some of our favourite Bristol events producers to share some of their own festival memories and wishlist headliners, which range from a reunited Oasis to a magically resuscitated Sinatra . . .
LYRA: 22 April-1 May
Nowt to do with Philip Pullman’s redoubtable heroine, but Bristol’s annual poetry fest. This year there’s a hybrid programme, featuring in-person and online events including readings, performances, workshops, panel discussions, family activities, open mic, poetry slams, and a film screening, walking tour and lecture. Various venues, www.lyrafest.com
BRISTOL FOLK FESTIVAL: 28-30 April
This year’s headliners include Eliza Carthy, Angeline Morrison, Fay Hield, Lady Maisery, Nick Hart and The Longest Johns; the main venues are Bristol Cathedral, Trinity, Bristol Folk House, St George’s Bristol and The Architect, though more concerts and ceilidhs will be announced for the Glass Studio at St George’s and Bristol Folk House. www.bristolfolkfestival.org
Arcadia’s Afterburner is back spitting out fire, flames and beats at Valley Fest
“Field Manoeuvers
2016 – a small, creative, DIY experience, but unapologetically fun. For me, it embodies everything which makes festivals what they are, at their most basic form” –Ben Jackson, Love Saves The Day
“Tucking into the Valley Fest Friday Feast with Root and Sonny Stores; gathering round the Afterburner to watch Faithless; meeting my partner Lou at my very first Valley Fest in 2018!” –Nell Robins, Valley Fest
BRISTOL WALK FEST: 1-31 May
Hundreds of themed, informative walks to prise you off the couch, whatever your age, interests or fitness level. Choices include heritage tours, nature walks, explorations of street art and statues, wild food forays, walking sports tasters and woodland story times. Are you ready, boots? Start walking… www.bristolwalkfest.com
CRIMEFEST: 11-14 May
A convention for people who like to read an occasional whodunnit as well as die-hard fanatics, drawing top crime novelists, readers, editors, publishers and reviewers from around the world to the Mercure Bristol Grand Hotel; www.crimefest.com
FOODIES FESTIVAL: 12-14 May
‘Gastro-Glastonbury’ pitches up at Little Stoke Park for a three-day event featuring live cooking demos, with top names from MasterChef, Great British Bake Off and Great British Menu, plus top-rated Michelinstarred and award-winning chefs . And as you simply can’t have a food fest without a bit of feelgood music, Scouting for Girls and Blue are all booked for your aural delectation. www.foodiesfestival.com
FIRE IN YOUR SOUL: 13-14 May
A cooking over fire fest down at beautiful Chew Valley Lake, with live country and soul music, demos, workshops, competitions etc. Join the fire starters in a celebration of farm-to-fork, sustainable farming practices and good, good food. www.yuup.co
“It would be a pretty dull festivalfood without live music . . .”
WOW! BRISTOL:
13-14, 20-21, 27-28 May, 3-4 June
The acronym stands for Weekends of Wonder, as Invisible Circus bring a touch of magic to Broadmead with a free outdoor street performance festival spread over four weekends. www.eventbrite.co.uk
BRISTOL COMEDY FESTIVAL: 14 May
Not to be confused with Bristol Comedy Garden, but a one-day event at Basement 45 and Bristol Folk House, packed with comedy previews from TV names, circuit legends and new acts; www.ticketsource.co.uk bristol
BRISTOL JAZZ FESTIVAL: 19-21 May
Back for its full outing for the first time since the pandemic, and celebrating its 10th anniversary, the Jazz Fest takes over Bristol Beacon’s foyer spaces for three days, opening with a star-studded tribute to the late Pee Wee Ellis. www.bristoljazzandbluesfest.com
DOT TO DOT: 27 May
One day of innovative, groundbreaking musical acts performing in intimate city spaces; among the 60+ performing are minimalist post-punk Yard Act, Toronto indie-popsters Alvvays, along with The Murder Capital, Finn Foxell, Kofi Stone, yunè pinku, Hamish Hawk, High Vis, 86TVs, Grove, Beka, Fat Dog, Cryalot, Opus Kink, Nieve Ella, Benefits etc; www.dottodotfestival.co.uk
WELLS COMEDY FESTIVAL: 26-28 May
Punching above its weight as per, with a line-up ft. Phil Wang, John Robins, Mark Watson, Tim Key, Richard Herring, Paul Foot, Sikisa, Jen Brister, Chloe Petts and more; www.wellscomfest.com
SHINDIG: 26-29 May
At the Dillington Estate, with a terrific line-up headlined by dance-pop legends Sister Sledge, satirical news reporter Jonathan Pie, post-punkers Warmduscher, reggae queen Dawn Penn, DJ legends Norman Jay and Huey Morgan, and more. www. shindigfestival.co.uk
“De La Soul playing Shindig’s Ghetto Funk Nightclub. Andrew and Dave from the band have since died, so we were very lucky to experience two legends at our very own festival”– Will Lardner, Shindig Festival
“Camp Bestival. I was playing the kids’ stage, so a whole bunch of our kids and grandkids came along and we camped in the backstage area. Best thing of all was getting my son to dress up as a 6ft squirrel and jump on stage with me”– Stan Cullimore, The Housemartins
“First-ever Glastonbury, heading up to the sign and being blown away by the scale of it” – Ben Jackson, Love Saves the Day
“Sneaking into Glastonbury in the back of my mate’s old ambulance in 1985. In those days you just presented your tickets at the gate as you drove in – we had enough for three tickets, but I drew the short straw and had to hide under blankets“ – Conal Dodds, Bristol Sounds
FESTIVAL OF VOICE: 26 May-29 June
“Singing is like a celebration of oxygen,” once quoth Björk, and St George’s are bringing back their, monthlong tribute to the power, beauty and universality of the human voice to prove it, with a mix of internationally renowned artists, grass-roots choirs anchored in their local communities, notable classical singers and everything in between. www. stgeorgesbristol.co.uk
LOVE SAVES THE DAY: 27-28 May
The biggest Bristol party of early summer returns to Ashton Court with its usual eclectic, dance-slewed programme; headlining this year are Fatboy Slim, Years & Years, and the original Sugarbabes line-up of Keisha, Mutya and Siobhan. Dozens more acts; as a rule of thumb, the more you’ve heard of, the younger your age. www.lovesavestheday.org
ROYAL BATH & WEST: 1-3 June
Hunters and Barbours to the fore; it’s time to get your rural kicks at the West’s best Great British agriculture, entertainment, food and drink show. At Shepton Mallet; www.bathandwest.com
UNICORNFEST: 1 June-31 August
A new public art trail of unicorn sculptures across the city, painted by Bristol artists, celebrating Bristol’s 650th anniversary as a city (unicorns feature on the coat of arms) while raising funds for Leukaemia Care. www.theunicornfest.co.uk
FOREST LIVE: 8-11 June
Open-air gigs at Westonbirt, with an eclectic line-up – this year it’s Paul Weller, Tom Grennan and Jack Savarotti – playing against a spectacularly beautiful forestry setting. Income from ticket sales helps look after the nation’s forests sustainably, so it’s a win-win. www.forestryengland.uk/music
It’s all hands to the pumps at Lloyd’s, with a huge variety of the finest beers from local breweries alongside those of national and international big hitters. Look out for winners from Raise the Bar, the national new brewers’ competition, and drinks from other craft producers making cider, spirits and cocktails. www.bristolcraftbeerfestival.co.uk
Good tunes, good rides, good times. If it has even the most tenuous link to a Volkswagen, expect it to be celebrated here, along with films, demos and a fun music line-up at the fest’s 30th anniversary year. “Brace yourselves; it’s going to be a big one,” they say. www.bristolvolksfest.co.uk
It’s the 20th anniversary of the UK’s biggest free celebration of the natural world, with around 50 events across Bristol and Bath, encouraging us all to take positive action to help local wildlife. bnhc.org.uk/festival-of-nature
After a couple of years t the Downs the fest returns to its original home at Queen Square with its usual gobsmackingly impressive line-up: this year we have Jack Dee, Ed Gamble, Sara Pascoe, Dylan Moran, Nina Conti, Alan Davies Tim Key, David O’Doherty, Jayde Adams, Phil Wang, Bridget Christie along with a bunch of rising stars. www.bristolcomedygarden.com
“Prince. I know that’s impossible, unless they hologram him in (please no! Don’t do that!). I wore out his 1999 tape on my Walkman, walking cul-desac streets to nowhere, realising I needed to get out of my one-horse town. I want the early Prince please, the down-and-up with the scissor kicks and the newly formed band. Please” – Colin Moody, photographer
“Freddie Mercury, RIP”–Steve Hayles, Upfest
“I’d love to see Frank Sinatra headlining”– Ben Hardy, Bristol Balloon Fiesta
“It’s a basic-as-f*ck answer, but I would love to see an Oasis reunion on the Pyramid Stage” – Will Paintin, Dot to Dot
What’s your favourite bit of Harbourfest? Here’s our bit
GLASTONBURY: 22-26 June
Guess by now you’ll know whether you’re in or not, and if the latter we probably shouldn’t taunt you. As per, anyone who’s anyone will be playing Worthy Farm, from Arctic Monkeys to Guns’n’Roses, Elton John, Lizzo, Lana del Ray and on and on.... Didn’t bag tickets? Some of the same acts can be seen in Bristol this year, at Love Saves and Bristol Sounds. www.glastonburyfestivals.co.uk
PUB IN THE PARK: 16-18 June
Marco Pierre White, Matt Tebbutt, Jimi Famuwera and Leyla Kazimhead head up this Bath-based summertime celebration of food and music, with award-winning restaurant pop-ups and banging live tunes, the latter courtesy of Example, Judge Jules, McFly, Badly Drawn Boy, Björn Again, et al. www.pubintheparkuk.com
BRISTOL SOUNDS: 21-25 June
A unique way to see top acts en route to, or from, Glastonbury playing small gigs at Lloyd’s: announced so far this year are Jacob Collier, James and Mika; on 24 June it’s A Beautiful Day out with Levellers, The Selecter, Black Grape, Peat & Diesel, Goldie Lookin Chain, Gaz Brookfield and Emily Breeze, while on 25 June Self Esteem will close the series with the help of special guests; www.facebook.com/BristolSoundsOfficial
ST PAUL’S CARNIVAL: 22 June-1 July
Back for the first time since 2019! The theme of Bristol’s annual celebration of African and Caribbean culture this year is Learning from Legends; the event kicks off with a series of fringe events marking the Windrush 75th Anniversary, and culminates in the day-long traditional street carnival on Saturday 1 July.
www. stpaulscarnival.net
QUEER VISION FILM FEST: 24 June-10 July
A diverse programme of new-release LGBT+ films from around the globe; expect tears of joy and heartbreak, conversations started, DJs, dancing and empowerment. At Watershed; www.bristolpride.co.uk/queervision
BRISTOL PRIDE: 26 June-9 July
The year’s most fabulous fest returns in all its rainbowcoloured, sparkly, feather-festooned glory, with a fortnight packed with eclectic delights. Headliners at Pride Day on 8 July include Jake Shears and Nadine Coyle, Sophie and the Giants, Ladyhawke and Alison Limerick, following two weeks of such heady delights as the Dog Show, Comedy Night, Circus Night, Theatre Night and Queer Vision (see above).
www.pridebristol.co.uk
BRISTOL SHAKESPEARE FESTIVAL
“The 3 Ws: water, walking boots, what3words” –Ben Price, Forwards
“Don’t drink all your beers on the first night” –Ben Jackson, LSTD
“Jäegermeister for breakfast” –Steve Hayles, Upfest
“Get sufficient sleep to enjoy the bits while you’re awake”– Chris Allcock, Bristol International Balloon Fiesta
JEKKA’S HERBFEST: 30 June-2 July
An absolute bonanza for herb fans – and who among us, etc? – at Jekka’s Farm on Shellard’s Lane. There’ll be expert talks, workshops and demos, with gardeners, top local chefs and writers covering the topics of food, gardening and medicine. www.jekkas.com
CHIPPENHAM FOOD & DRINK FESTIVAL:
8-9 July
Good food, good drink, good times, with an eclectic range of chefs demoing away and a laidback folky feel to the music offering at Monkton Park. wwwchippenhamfooddrinkfestival.co.uk
BRISTOL HARBOUR FESTIVAL: 14-16 July
Much more than a treat for flotilla-fanciers, this is a celebration of the heart and soul of a city, covering the waterfront from Underfall Yard to Millennium Square, over to Queen Square and Castle Park and beyond. It generally attracts over 250k people, effectively turning the city centre into a three-day festival of music, dance, circus and, oh yeah, boats. See also page 9. www.bristolharbourfestival.co.uk
WESTON WALLZ: 23-31 July
29 June-1 July
“Medicate yourself with whatever floats your boat, be it drink or vibes. Don’t waste your days arranging to meet your friends by certain stages, if they’re there, great, if they’re not, make new friends” – Conal Dodds, Bristol Sounds
No Upfest this yea; instead, lucky Weston-super-Mare will benefit from the talents of Insane51, Aspire, Caryn Koh, Curtis Hylton, Sian Storey, TeaOne, Vee, Acerone, Bev G Star, Bex Glover, Damien Jefferies, David Puck, Emily Joy Rich, Sophie Long and Paul Monsters, whose work will add to Weston’s 2022 street art trail. So grab yourself a bag of chips, dodge the gulls, and get trailling... Follow on instagram @westonwallz Expect fabulousness:
Looks like being a truncated version of the normally month-long fest, with only The Tempest: The Musical at Loco Klub billed so far (though tbf that sounds like a goodie); if you crave more, know that Julius Caesar: The Musical is also playing at Bath’s Mission Theatre 21-22 July. www bristolshakespearefestival.org.uk
CINEMA REDISCOVERED: 26-30 July
Unmissable treats for film buffs, with classics, rare movies and new restorations up on the big screens at Watershed, Curzon Clevedon, 20th-Century Flicks and Arnolfini. The full line-up won’t be released until June, but includes some of the early British work of the Bristol-born director J Lee Thompson, plus screenings and discussions inspired by the recent shake-up at the top of the BFI’s Sight and Sound mag’s Greatest Films of All Time list .www.watershed.co.uk
SIREN: 27-28 July
A couple of absolute stellar nights, as Fabio & Grooverider & The Outlook Orchestra to take to the stage at Lloyd’s on the Thursday, and Sean Paul brings the ultimate dancehall set on Friday. www. sirenbristol.com
HOSPITALITY ON THE HARBOUR: 27-29 July
Following last year’s sold-out event, Hospitality returns with a stacked line-up headlined by Wilkinson, Link and many more stellar names in d’n’b. www.theblast.co.uk
HAM FARM FESTIVAL: 28-30 July
The annual cross-genre music festival ft. amateur, professional and young musicians, including soulful Bristol songstress Lady Nade, returns to the half-acre private site in Emerson’s Green. www.hamfarmfestival.com
“Worldwide at Sète in the south of France. Nothing better than live music in an ancient amphitheatre with a sunset over the Med. And no mud!” – Ben Price, Forwards Festival
“The original Isle of Wight Festival – having grown up there and heard the stories”– Steve Hayles, Upfest
“Woodstock. Either the original one, or the 1994 reunion where the fences came down and over 350,000 people ended up getting in” – Tom Hoyle, Siren Festival
We rise at dawn! Harbour Festival in full swing. Only kidding. It’s obviously Love Saves the Day
CIDER SALON: 2-5 August
Welcome to the world of speciality bottled cider; on Saturday, Trinity hosts a major tasting event with 20 producers pouring a total of 60 speciality ciders following a week of talks, tastings and dinners in independent venues. www.cidersalon.co.uk
VALLEY FEST: 3-6 August
The best-tasting fest in the West! Fun tunes combined with seriously excellent, sustainable food down at Luke Hasell’s farm, as he invites you to get on his land. The Kooks, Scouting for Girls and Bananarama headline the music stage, Arcadia’s Afterburner is back spitting fire in the second field, and there’s the usual fabulous feasts and demos from an all-star line-up of chefs; new for this year is the Sunday Regen Roast from Yeo Valley’s Ali Pumfrey and Rob Howell from Root, with every ingredient produced using regenerative farming methods. www.valleyfest.co.uk
BRISTOL BALLOON FIESTA: 10-13 August
Mass dawn and evening ascents (we hope) and night glows (ditto), with family fun laid on in case the unthinkable happens and the wind doesn’t play ball. Eyes up on the skies; and down on Instagram. www.bristolballoonfiesta.co.uk
FORWARDS FESTIVAL: 1-2 September
Back for its second year, courtesy of Team Love, who seek to challenge what an urban festival can be, and how it can spark positive change. Headlining the main stage this year are Aphex Twin, Erykah Badu, Primal Scream, Bonobo, Arlo Parks, with special guest Goldie, while at The Information, a space for debate and understanding on today’s current affairs and cultural issues. www.forwardsbristol.com
WINGFEST: 8-9 September
Poultry in motion at Lloyd’s, with chicken wings (an estimated 100,000), 25 different food vendors, beer, bourbon and music. www.wingfest.co.uk
BRISTOL OPEN DOORS: 15-17 September
Fancy a sneak peek? It’s the 30th anniversary of the fest, which has moved to a biennial format; it’s the usual fascinating programme in which hundreds of doors and
stories are unlocked across the city. Loads of events are already fully booked, so licketty-split. www.bristolopendoors.org.uk
TOKYO WORLD: 16-17 September
The Eastville Park bash returns, so it seems we didn’t need to panic over year’s ominous-sounding ‘Chapter 2: The Final Gathering’ title, then. Line-up yet to be announced. www.tokyoworld.org
ENCOUNTERS: 26 September-1 October
We’re moving back indoors now, as Bristol’s celebrated festival of film, animation and virtual reality returns with screenings, talks and generally the very best of cinegeekery. www.encounters-festival.org.uk
All year round – various venues
BRISTOL FESTIVAL OF IDEAS
Big names, big ideas. An ongoing, brilliantly stimulating brantub of talks on politics, philosophy and culture; you name it, they cover it. www.ideasfestival.com
BRISTOL FILM FESTIVAL
Crowd-pleasing movies in quirky venues. Look out for the Clifton Summer Screenings in The Mall gardens in July, with plenty of family films, musicals and other feelgood shizzle. www.bristolfilmfestival.com
“Team Love seeks to challenge what an urban festival can be, and how it can spark positive change”Arlo Parks – or Anaïs Oluwatoyin Estelle Marinho, as she’s known to her mum – brings her sweet vocals to Forwards Fest
Life is a rollercoaster, you just gotta ride it –so why not take the ride looking bodaciously Bristabulous?
Words and pics by Colin Moody
Tick follows tock, follows tick follows tock. Sun just crept round that tree; now you get sun in the front room in the mornings again. It’s getting warmer, longer days and there is a part of the Bristol brain that gears at this point to thoughts of freedom, of beer and purpose in the hazy afterglow of live performance and conversations. How sweet we suddenly remember the hot bleached grass smells when we lie on it and listen to the band, the speaker, and fall away from trouble for a few hours. The festivals these moments are taken from are not named (though feel free to have fun guessing them). In this photo story they exist as one moment, an attempt to catch the edge of the rainbow. Festivals. Stand together as the cider and smoke machine evaporations sparkle in a hundred golden sunsets.
1
First image, the idea that we can be held. The concept that at the right festival or march, the whole world can be reshaped to make a space for you. And to be held in that space lights up possibility.
2 ny age is a good age, the highs and lows of spinning to infinity with your mates in a cornfield south of nowhere for a few days, sitting back in your middle aged easy in atable chair and passing the Prosecco, but what gets me excited is to see the seeds being planted for another generation of raving wondersouls. Bet the bass still comes through those ear defenders. “I can hear the beat and I think I like it,” face.
3Are we dancers? Or are we human?
You can wake up and go for the bus and do the same old same old. But maybe one day you will have some old Ikea cardboard lying around and the local haberdasher is doing a special on red velvet. Life is a rollercoaster and you just gotta ride it, so why not take the ride looking Bristabulous?
4 tage one. You get an outfit. r, if you do festivals properly, you already have the clobber, and it’s time to take you out on show. Stage two. Someone puts a wig on ya. Stage three. Face rainbow. Can you feel the old you slipping sideways? Embrace it. You may end up asking yourself. This is not my life? But right now, right now my friend, it is.
5
Every moment at a festival you can lock your body into expression. Today you are Taylor, Miley, Scary, Barbie or who ever you want to be.
Get your fancy pants on and dance until the break of dawn. Come tomorrow, all this will be gone. People stay in and watch other people’s lives slowly slide by, one et i series at a time, but say know what you want, what you really really want…
6
Bass, reggae, soca, what’s your beat?
At nearly every festival this summer you will have the choice of at least a dozen vibes. And this music comes from a higher place. Doesn’t matter how many wires and how much foam insulation it takes to protect the decks from the bass vibrations, there will always be a way to get the sound into your life.
7
t’s a bittersweet symphony, this life.
So where it looks like it’s just a protest, it’s really a festival. Festival of freedom. ree from those daily concerns that you filled your head with as you kept on down that one way road. But you can change.
Festivals are where ever people gather, a few watts of power and you can smell it. reedom. t’s a power that transforms our city ever summer. You are here in this moment, surrounded by a million different reasons to stay on the same old same old, but why not change the tune? Set sail for a summer of festivals and ideas, it will change you if you let it. And you will thank me of you let… it… in.
8
ay by day, we all fade to grey. f we let it. Aren’t we all supposed to lean more to the right as we get older? But not here in festival city. How can you move to the right when your world is on wheels and your partner is spinning you round, right round, like a record baby?
Colin Moody; content creation, online images Twitter @moodycolin; Instagram @colinmoodyphotography colinmoodyphotography.wordpress.com
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BADMINTON SCHOOL
0117 9055200; www.badmintonschool.co.uk
What did you look for in your first school?
I was looking for a small school with a supportive environment so that I could really get to know my students. I have a mentor and a tutor at Badminton who I meet with weekly. I also really like that the department is quite small: this makes it so much easier to share ideas and means I feel like I still have a say and make an important contribution as an ECT.
What advice would you give to other teachers starting their careers?
Be picky about the school you choose! It’s so much easier working in a school that is a good fit and helps avoid a lot of potential stress so be clear with yourself about what you want in a school, and when you go for interview make sure people are friendly and helpful. Also, be flexible about lesson plans; if something isn’t working then stop, rather than feeling like you need to slavishly stick to the plan. Finally, socialise with your colleagues – make time to chat at lunchtime so you get to know the people beyond your own department.
What makes a great teacher?
There’s much more to it than prepping for exams: it’s also about building confidence and encouraging children to reach their full potential.
Meet some of the dedicated people inspiring the next generation...
TEACHER OF SCIENCE
BADMINTON SCHOOL 0117 9055200; www.badmintonschool.co.uk
What did you look for in your first school?
I wanted to find a school that offered lots of different opportunities, like trips and competitions, as I was keen to get involved in the extra-curricular side of school life. Science is a big subject at Badminton and there are lots of exciting things to get involved in such as the pioneering Science Outreach Programme. I also wanted to teach in a school that is well-resourced in terms of practical equipment.
What advice would you give to other teachers starting their careers?
Firstly, observe lessons and be observed; sometimes it can be hard to find the time, but it is so important and can help to provide answers to some of the things you might be struggling with. It also gives you new ideas of how to teach certain things. Being observed can feel daunting at first but the feedback is invaluable. Secondly, decide on your routines and expectations from the start and stick to them! You make it a lot easier on yourself in the long run and it’s important for your students to know what’s expected of them.
CLEVE HOUSE SCHOOL & PRESCHOOL
0117 9777 218; www.clevehouseschool.com
How does your school differ from others?
Cleve provides a warm space in which pupils who need a quieter environment can focus and flourish within small classes. Each student is well supported by experienced teachers. From September, we will be offering secondary education for the first time, by going into partnership with Wotton House International School in Gloucestershire. Cleve House International School will be unique in Bristol in offering the International Baccalaureate Middle Years Programme for 11 to 16-year-olds.
What do you enjoy most about teaching?
I love learning about our pupils, laughing with colleagues and relaxing on the Easter break - the first time in the academic year when I can really unwind! As a teaching head, with over 30 years’ experience, it is still a pleasure and an honour to work with pupils every day and to witness those ‘light bulb moments’ - you can’t beat that feeling when ‘the penny drops’ and a student realises that they now understand. I also love bringing the school production from page to stage and our residential tripsboth make lasting memories for all!
What key piece of advice would you give to parents when choosing a school?
I would say that you must visit the school and ‘feel’ what it is about. However good it looks on paper or online, nothing beats being there in person and meeting the head and staff.
01600 710433; www.habsmonmouth.org
Does your school have any exciting plans?
From September 2024, Haberdashers’ Monmouth Schools will become a fully co-educational senior school for boys and girls in Years 7 to 13. The merger of our two senior schools will create an outstanding co-educational setting throughout Haberdashers’ Monmouth Schools, for children aged 3 to 18 years. This completes the move to co-education, which began with our fully co-educational Sixth Form from September 2018 and our Prep School, which became co-educational in September 2021. Both are flourishing. Pupils of different ability levels will be challenged, nurtured and inspired and there will be a rich diet of co- and extra-curricular activities for all key stages.
How will the work be funded?
With generous support from the William Jones Foundation, considerable investment is to be made to refurbish and extend our existing buildings, including a standalone Sixth Form Centre, which will be a very exciting addition for our most senior students.
How will your new school differ from others?
Haberdashers’ Monmouth will stand out from other schools because of the quality of our teaching and learning, pastoral care and co-curricular provision. Boarding will continue to be central to our ethos because of the diversity that it adds to the pupil body and the strengthening of relationships and family atmosphere which the boarding community brings.
SAM MORGAN HEADTEACHER PRE-PREPARATORY CLIFTON COLLEGE www.cliftoncollege.comHow does your school differ from others?
Clifton College Pre-Preparatory is a key phase of the full educational journey we offer. Our part of that journey sees us teaching pupils from Reception to Year 3. We are of course proud of the forest and pool, specialists, resources and curriculum, but those aspects of our school are brought to life by what I think are an incredible team of people who care deeply about our pupils. Small classes of up to 16 mean that we really know our learners as individuals. We know our children and their families inside out. We know their needs and how to meet them. We know how to give them a sense of purpose, and ultimately, we know what it takes to fill their journey through childhood with wonder.
What extra-curricular activities does your school offer?
Within the school day children engage in an extensive range of activities that take them beyond the average curriculum. Children have weekly
sessions with specialists who are experts in music, sport, swimming and foreign languages. After school there are a broad range of clubs for children to take part in and these change each term based on our children’s interests. Examples of clubs this year include karate, ballet, football, watercolours, film, golf, dance, construction, forest school, coding, model-making, animation, tennis, ukulele and cricket. There are many more.
What key bit of advice would you give to parents when choosing a school?
As a parent of young children I would want to get a sense of how pupils feel during a day in that setting. Does it celebrate the best bits of childhood? Can I envisage my child skipping into that school each day? When visiting, I’d be looking at how the children are interacting with one another, and the relationships between the staff and pupils. Children learn best when they are happy, so I would be seeking out signs that the school champions its pupils, encourages marvellous mistakes, and that opportunities to be kind and curious are evident in abundance.
01453 822432; wycliffe.co.uk
How does your school differ from others?
We are in a beautiful part of the Cotswolds with a timeless and quintessentially ‘rural Boarding School’ feel. Yet we are progressive, harness technology, have a relentless and authentic focus on developing a global perspective in our pupils, and gratitude for all the opportunities enjoyed. Our pupils are lovely, truly engaged, and passionate about their studies and their additional activities. Our Headmaster knows every pupil by name, what they are doing, and what they excel in. We achieved ISI ‘Excellent’ in all areas of our Senior School inspection in 2022 and exam outcomes are consistently high. We also continue to punch above our weight in sport with national achievements in Rowing, Squash, Biathlon, and more.
What would you say to parents looking to send their children to the school?
We encourage you to book a visit to see our school in action, meet the Head of Prep and the Headmaster and talk to current pupils. The Admissions Team are always available to do individual tours at a time to suit you.
What key bit of advice would you give to parents when choosing a school?
If you can visit, then do. A tour will show you why Wycliffe is so special. You can speak to pupils to see what they enjoy about the College, meet the staff and see our facilities. Our life skills programme helps prepare pupils for essential skills they will need later in life. These include debating, analysing, developing responsibility, and working as a team.
Describe your teaching style
0117 965 5207 collegiate.org
How does your school differ from others?
Currently at Collegiate Prep we offer a music programme for pupils in Years 3, 4 and 5. The programme lasts for 15 weeks where a specialist instrumental teacher will teach the class music on an instrument. In Year 3 the children have been learning to play the Ukulele; in Year 4 it’s violins and then in Year 5 the flute. From these classes, children are selected to be part of the ensemble and have the opportunity to perform at key events throughout the year. Not only can music help with building confidence and self-esteem, but there are known academic benefits too, and the changes we’ve seen through the pupils in these areas since introducing this initiative is just brilliant.
What do you most enjoy about teaching?
There is definitely lots I enjoy about my job and no two days are the same! One day I could be teaching Ocarina’s to my Year 2 class and the next day I might be dressed up as a Giraffe as it is World Book Day. What really makes me smile about my job as a music teacher is hearing children sing. For example, a group of boys singing a song that you have taught them whilst on the coach heading to a match, or a young child singing their heart out in church when you know that they are usually shy. I feel like I have imprinted and passed something onto them - a part of their school journey which they will carry on.
I use lots of visuals, objects and ‘acting out’ to encourage questioning, discussion and deeper thinking. I like learning to be fun, so children want to find out more, but I also have high standards.
What are your views on homework?
For young children, it is their parents’ weekly link to knowing and sharing what their children are learning at school. I try to keep it short but meaningful and throw in a family activity or challenge every few weeks. By doing something together, it often surprises parents just how much their children know.
What extra-curricular activities does your school offer?
YEAR 2, TEACHER
TOCKINGTON MANOR SCHOOL
01454 613229; tockingtonmanorschool.com
What do you most enjoy about teaching?
Being in the classroom is FUN! I am constantly evolving and the Year 2s that I teach really keep me on my toes. Even after 20 years, every day brings something surprising.
We have such a vast array of clubs and activities for our children – and many not your average sports or games. My Year 2 pupils can choose from things like model making club, gardening, street dance or Mandarin. For older children there is horse riding, golf, archery, ornithology, podcast club and debating among many others. We have over 40 different clubs across the school – extracurricular activities are a big draw card and create such a rich experience for the children.
What advice would you give a newly qualified teacher?
On my first teaching practice, my Key Stage 1 mentor said “Both you and the kids can only do one all-singing, all-dancing lesson a day. Any more, and you will all be exhausted and won’t achieve anything.” It really stuck with me - be kind to yourself and the children.
Plan your WOW lessons over the week but also allow for some simpler lessons with familiar activities that let you and your students reflect and which calmly reinforces their understanding.
What key bit of advice would you give to parents when choosing a school?
Visit. Take a tour and go with your gut. Do you get the right feeling in that setting? You’ll know it when you do - I did! TMS is always open for tours because we know this is the best way to see a school in action and show off how the children experience school every day.
Fancy a bit of Parisian café culture, but can’t face the faff of airport travel? Let Paris come to you instead . . .
By Deri Robins
Bristol, proud foodie city that it is, has most of the bases covered. Fine dining, cheap and cheerful dining, every kind of dining in between. Food served in pubs, shipping containers, from vans and on oating barges. Cuisine from all corners of the globe – a curious phrase, when you come to think of it, unless you’re a at arther surely that should be curves, not corners nyway. hat it has been deficient in, or at least it has until very recently, is a genuine slice of Grand Café culture. True, we had Klosterhaus bringing the glamour for a while, with its Art Deco décor, stellar service and reliably good food, but then it upped and left. oo many covers to fill rohibitive business rates r merely a reluctance on Bristol’s part to embrace a heavily capitalised Germanic menu of chnit els, chupfnudeln, chweinsha e and urst
Sweetening the bitter pill of its closure was the almost simultaneous announcement that the Aqua group were converting their Whiteladies oad branch into a similar offering but rather than emulating the alles-mit-Sahne mitteluropean formula, this grand caf would be firmly la rancais. uch are the swings and roundabouts of hospitality.
a few economical facial gestures, that nothing will be too much trouble, that your food order reveals impeccable taste, and that pandering to your every whim will be a privilege and a pleasure. Such are the skills of the consummate maître d.
f course, there are plenty of places in ristol which look pretty on instagram and have admirable wait staff, but all this slickness would be for nothing if excellent cooking didn’t come as a matching set. No amount of panish ustrian charm can compensate for a sou that has fallen at, or a ichyssoise that has split. nowing ua’s past form, however, we’d have been amazed if this had been the case, and our trust was well-founded.
A generously portioned starter of dressed crab was delicate, immaculately presented and fresh off the boat sweet and briny, without any betraying crunch of shell. Your Man had opted for a heartier baked mushroom pot a tureen of rich, indulgently creamy soup beneath melted cheese that packed an almighty savoury punch.
Aqua Grand Cafe, 153 Whiteladies Road, 0117 973 3314; www.aquagrandcafe.com
hen last visited aris, hartier was still setting out typewritten bills of fare, and every other restaurant in St Germain required you to chummily share your table with strangers. I’m guessing a lot has changed since then, but I’m reliably informed by those who still have the funds and stamina for uropean city breaks that it remains as effortlessly stylish as ever. You have to wonder why its café culture is not replicated more often over here why have we spent so many years being palmed off with ersat copies such as te and af ouge when we could have had the real deal
Opening hours Open 7 days a week from 7.30am for breakfast to lunch, dinner, afternoon tea and cocktails
Prices starters £7-15; mains £16-£35; puds and pastries £1.50-£9; prix-fixe £22-£27
Atmosphere Elegant but busy Service Smoothly professional, informed, friendly Veggie Limited but tasty options
Bring the kids? Sure, there’s a children’s menu
Clearly the same thing occurred to Aqua’s MD, the delightful Ben Smithson, who’s done time at London’s swellegant Savoy Grill as well as restaurants across urope. en’s dream was to bring back an all day offering of timeless rench classics, served by seamlessly professional staff in lu urious surroundings.
There’s been no stinting on the refurbishment, and it’s easy to see where the £400k investment has gone. There’s an imposing new tiled entrance, oak ooring, lu urious ban uettes, a long, sparkly bar and a gurt big ft chandelier. arble topped tables are laid with snowy linen bespoke crockery is monogrammed with the Aqua Grand Café initials. Gently-playing jazz mingles with an agreeable hubbub from chattering guests and the ice-clatter of shakers being jiggled by mixologists, smart in bowties, behind the bar.
f you’re lucky you’ll be greeted on arrival by liver, who sounds French despite being Spanish-Austrian, and who somehow conveys, via
nto the plats principau , and once ’d espied the calves liver I had eyes for no other dish. nce featuring regularly on menus, this seems to have fallen out of favour one bite had a similarly nostalgic effect on me as madeleines allegedly had on roust, transporting me back to Le Bistroquet in Camden in the 1980s. It was pink and tender, while the accompanying pomme purée was as blamelessly smooth as the service.
A list of superior-sounding patisseries and friandises – yes, including madeleines –compete jealously for your attention, but on hearing that Chef recommended the rhubarb pot and the chocolate bombe, we parked the pastries for another occasion for a leisurely breakfast, perhaps, when we would drink e cellent coffee, and read newspapers on wooden poles while attempting to channel the spirits of Sarte and de Beauvoir.
The rhubarb pot combined the juicy, sweet-sharp fruit (yes, I know it’s a vegetable, but that just sounds weird) with custard and chantilly cream, the soft crunch of meringue, and some other topping I can’t quite recall, because by now I’d sunk two Grand Café Daiquiris (cocktails are dangerously two-for-one, all day, every day), a large glass of ros and a smaller one of sauterne. ually blurred, though definitely favourable, are our oint recollections of the deeply chocolatey bombe. Honestly, who’d be a pudding chef, when your exquisite concoctions are dismissed with such shameful perfunctoriness
The Aqua Grand Café is a class act, whose loveliness works its magic from the second you arrive to the moment you regretfully leave. We’d been well-fed, thoroughly cossetted, and the only anti-climax lay in the realisation that we now had to go home to the dogs rather than sweeping off to the alais arnier. ant pis c’est la vie.
Experience menus using British ingredients with a touch of nostalgia, combined with complex heritage cooking techniques by Executive Chef Ricki Weston and his team
Choose either the Michelin-starred restaurant The Dining Room, or Grey’s Restaurant.
Linger longer to enjoy a one-night break with dinner in Grey’s Restaurant from £531. Or the Michelin star experience with dinner in The Dining Room from £861. Full use of Aquarias Spa is included.
Book online whatleymanor.com or call reservations on 01666 822 888
Whatley Manor Hotel & Spa Easton Grey Malmesbury SN16 0RB whatleymanor.com
Happy birthday to the aMAZIng Mazi Project, founded by Melanie Vaxevanakis two years ago in response to the 2021 Free School Meals Scandal. Following the uproar against the meagre food hampers provided by the government to families in need, Mel was galvanised into taking action herself. Since launching, Mazi has supported hundreds of care leavers, young asylum seekers and young people recovering from homelessness or eeing domestic violence, by providing them with weekly boxes of recipe kits and fresh produce.
Now, working with long-time supporter Sonny Stores, Mazi has launched its new initiative Givea-Box: a pay-it-forwards recipe box curated by some of the city’s top chefs. Claire Thomson, Elly Pear, Pasetti & Boote and Anna Shepherd are all set to host a box, which for £45 includes everything you need to make three veggie recipes for four people, with another being donated by Mazi to disadvantaged youth in Bristol.
As a taster, here’s what to expect from Claire’s inaugural box this April: black bean and beetroot burgers; new potatoes with halloumi, turmeric, green olives, preserved lemon and capers; tomato, date and chickpea tagine. Mmmm. www.themaziproject.com
In fact, we’ll be queuing round the block between Fridays and Sundays, because Michelin Green-Starred Wilsons on Chandos Road has opened a new bread shop a few doors down from the restaurant, selling home-baked bread, patisserie and desserts. The site has stood as a bakery for over 100 years; there’s a large HOVIS sign outside, testifying to its history.
Wilsons’ famously sustainable ethos is reflected in head baker Ben Martin’s sourdough bread baked with Wildfarmed regenerative flour; two-day proved slabs of focaccia; an Icelandic-style rye bread; chewy, rumspiked canelés de Bordeaux; Koji bacon rolls using bacon cured in-house, and Bloody Marys made with fermented home-grown tomatoes.
Any veg that the restaurant can’t use will also be sold here; it’s grown just five miles away on Wilsons’ own smallholding. Depending on the season you can expect anything from squash to cabbage, bitter leaves and mushrooms.
www.wilsonsbristol.co.uk/the-bread-shop
Hort’s Townhouse on Broad Street has just reopened as a pub with rooms. The Grade-II Young’s pub has been refurbished into a town house full of reassuringly traditional features such as glass etchings and vintage leather chairs; a chandelier hangs in the panelled dining room, and there are 19 boutique bedrooms to retire to after last orders.
Head chef Michael Pooley’s all-day menu focuses on seasonal ritish plates, in uenced by nostalgic, hearty pub classics, from plaice with brown shrimp to Gressingham duck breast with watercress; Sunday serves roasts of West Country beef, Dingley Dell pork belly, Shropshire chicken breast, wild garlicstuffed elsh lamb shoulder, or celeriac and blue cheese pithivier. www.hortstownhousebristol.co.uk
Harvey Nichols Bristol is holding a suitably elegant Spring Artistic Soirée on 12 May.
During the dinner, the latest collection by artist Eric Haacht will be unveiled at the Second Floor Restaurant; it’s part of a series of art-focused events hosted by Harvey Nichols and curated by Fluorescent Smogg. Eric is a selftaught artist from the South West, whose paintings fall into the realm of portraiture yet remain ambiguous, with features only emerging unintentionally through swirling brush strokes and vivid colours. He describes his work as being like diary entries, a repetitive daily process through which he captures certain moods or emotions.
The launch dinner includes cocktails and canapés followed by a bespoke three-course menu, while Eric discusses the art in the show and the concept behind his work. After dinner, guests will have a chance to meet Eric, and/or boogie down to live DJ sessions. www.harveynichols.com
Every autumn seems to bring a new cocktail event (we’re not imagining this, are we?) and 2023 is set to be no different, when Bristol Cocktail Weekend comes to the city centre between 28 September-1 October. Curated by Living For The Weekend with Bristol City Centre BID, the event will see a selection of the city’s best bars serving up a signature cocktail using new and innovative flavours for six quid each. Tickets go on sale this month; keep your eye on @bristolcocktailweekend on Instagram.
Spanish beer brand Estrella Galicia is bringing back its month-long celebration of Spanish food this May, with 22 nationwide masterclasses, tasting menus, tapas tours and panish fiestas. n ristol on ay, the baton will once again be taken up by Bar 44, who will be reprising their beer-tasting paired with seasonal tapas; throughout Gastronomy Month you can also pop in for a Beer and Bite – an Estrella Galicia beer and tapas dish. www.estrellagalicia.com
Bristol Beer Factory is bringing a ‘classic British pub’ to the heart of Harbourside, at the site that previously housed Wild Beer. And OK, maybe the brave new world of glass and stone that is Wapping Wharf may not immediately conjure up the cosy vibes of a traditional boozer, but the brews themselves will be absolutely on-point.
Junction is the latest site from BBF, joining the ap oom, he arley ow, and the rnolfini af ar all the beer is proudly brewed in .
“As Bristol’s longest-standing independent brewery, we couldn’t become part of the Wapping Wharf community without making a nod to history,” says BBF’s MD Sam Burrows, explaining that Junction references the historical Bristol Harbour Railway,
“We’re creating a pocket of BBF in the city centre, using the space to champion fellow independent producers through food suppliers, guest Bristol beers, and other locally produced drinks. Expect a proper pub; think Scotch eggs and ploughman’s lunches, and roasts on Sundays; we’re also working with Josh Eggleton on a menu of classic pub grub dishes.” www.bristolbeerfactory.co.uk
Is it a café, a flower shop or a collective? All three? Either way, they do damn fine coffee . . .
This week’s coffee shop of choice is oam ild. t’s tiddly, tasty and super cute, located on the hiteladies oad ust past lifton own hopping entre, opposite ittle obbies garden centre you can’t miss it. here’s an enormous great pedestrian crossing right out in front. know this because when was there, trying to take a picture for this piece, cars kept on stopping, thinking wanted to cross the road. ot surprised they didn’t notice the caf . t is rather discreet.
ust have walked past the place myself loads of times, never spotted it. n truth, first time it came to my attention was one evening when was scrolling through socials on the hoof. picture popped up of some people staring out of a caf window on a rainy day. as intriguing, so clicked and the image changed. uddenly was staring at a slice of picture perfect chocolate cake, built like a teeny tiny enga tower. nly tastier. ll topped off with a sprig of baby blue ower petals, it looked, well, it looked good enough to make your tummy button rumble. ight then and there, dear reader, ust knew had to find out for myself if it tasted as good as it looked. spoiler alert it does.)
ll of which is why, the very ne t morning, round about elevenses time, rs af ociety and made our way along the hiteladies oad. egular readers might recall my tickbo list of attributes for a top notch caf . ela ing vibes, friendly staff, superb coffee, cake to match. ell, can confirm that this place ticks every bo . nd then some. s they also do some fine savoury stuff.
ne shelf is filled with a bunch of fancy looking cakes. ancy tasting, too. hey’re like the cocktails of the cake world.
i ed up avours to make the
tastebuds tingle. Apple cake with chai and iscoff frosting, with chopped pecans on top, for instance. ot forgetting the four layered chocolate cake, tower of power, so good we had to share, neither of us wanting to miss out on the tastebud tingles.
ccording to the friendly and decidedly cheerful sisters behind the counter, the cakes are all baked in house, but not by them. h, no. That business is handled by the whi who runs bakery in the kitchen out back. pparently, she also bakes cakes for other establishments. ucky blighters.
f all of that wasn’t enough e citement for one bi ou coffee shop, they do a fine line in ower bou uets, too. ot ust a caf , more a collective endeavour of talented ladies. Might explain why the whole place has such a friendly feel. t’s the sort of spot where you feel at ease very uickly. o add to the niceness, dogs are welcome.
o if you are in the market for some superb baked goods, e cellent coffee and friendly service, can thoroughly recommend this place. ust roam wild across the pedestrian crossing.
Former Housemartins guitarist Stan is now a journalist and travel writer @stancullimore on instagram
“The four-layered chocolate cake was so good we had to share, neither of us wanting to miss out on the tastebud tingles”
MERI MERI WOOL TASSEL GARLAND, £18
ot everyone can hack four days in a field. imply drape this aunty garland around the home, get the lasto highlights up on i layer, and voila Instant festival vibes
From Mon Pote, 217a North Street monpote.co.uk
HOFF PHUKET SANDALS, £99
Like most of the things on these pages, these cool, quality sandals with their soft-to-touch suede details and ultra-comfy memory foam inserts will take you effortlessly from festival to beach
From Grace & Mabel 32 The Mall graceandmabel.co.uk
OBEY BUCKET HAT, £19.99 (FROM £39.99)
Even if the 1990s weren’t back in style, few things are handier at a fest than a classic bucket hat
From Cooshti, Park Street; cooshti.com
Planning on going full-on feral at Glastonbury? Or maybe just a nice day out at Forwards before heading home to your own comfy bed? Either way, here’s how to elevate your festival style to a whole new level
HELINOX SUNSET CHAIR, £149
ith a supportive high back, side pockets and a headrest holder – oh, and the bag does double duty as a pillow this is destined to be your favourite camping buddy
From Ellis Brigham, 160 Whitelaides Road ellis-brigham.com
RAINKISS PONCHO, £69
Rain at a UK festival unthinkable o better cover up than a lightweight, fully waterproof ainkiss poncho, which folds up to the size of a small handbag. e’re loving this hippietastic ainbow x Smiley design
From Grace & Mabel 32 The Mall graceandmabel.co.uk
24 BOTTLES URBAN BOTTLE, £20
Festivals are meant to be fun, so why choose a plain water bottle when you could have this Pink Paradise design?
From Fig1, Unit 9, Gaol Ferry Steps fig .co. k
BUTCHI + GOSMOS ‘NEFERTITI’ BUMBAG, £33
Butchi & Gosmos make some of the best bumbags in ristol. erfect for hands-free fun, whether festival frolicking or about town as an everyday bag
From That Thing 45-47 Stokes Croft thatthing.co
ECOSTARDUST BIODEGRADABLE GLITTER, £6
Glitter without the litter! Eco Stardust produces a dazzling range of sustainable glitter; being plant-based rather than plastic, it biodegrades naturally From ecostardust.com
LOVE SPECS, £15
We’re channelling Daisy Jones and the Six with these sunnies, which feature UV protective lenses on the main body, and diffraction lenses which ip up From That Thing, 45-47 Stokes Croft thatthing.co
FOLK SOFT COLLAR SHIRT, £125 100% garment-washed linen, comfy, lightweight and rela ed with a cool, bo y s fit
From Maze, 26-28 The Mall mazeclothing.co.uk
TRACTOR TED KIDS’ WELLIES, £25.99
Start ’em young on the festival circuit! Sadly these Baby Animals wellies only go up to kids’ size 10, so no point trying to squeeze in your adult tootsies, Cinderella sisters-style
From Tincknell Country Store 4 Brinsea Road, Congresbury tincknellcountrystore.co.uk
SABRINA KIMONO, £89
Instant boho-chic: sling over cutoffs, team with oral wellies and be prepared for the official event photographers to single you out from the crowd…
From Mint Velvet 44 Regent Street mintvelvet.co.uk
ANNI LU SECRET BEACH NECKLACE, £110 Secret Beach, or Secret Garden? Both! This pretty necklace adorned with glass beads, turquoise, amethyst, jade and rhodonite will be equally at home in your festival or holiday wardrobe
From Harvey Nichols 27 Philadelphia Street harveynichols.com
CAMPERVAN HIRE, £POA
Quirky Campers hire vans in many shapes and sizes. Rae of Sunshine here is the work of Simon and Em at Vanfolk in Bristol; no danger of missing the street art while you’re camping, thanks to the painted design by local artist Sophie Rae From quirkycampers.com
Hot diggerty! If it’s late April, it must be time to reclaim the wilderness at the back of the house, and get it match-fit for spring and summer...
April, according to TS Eliot, is the cruellest month, breeding lilacs out of the dead land. That’s probably why he wrote poems instead of gardening columns. Cheer up, Tom; our local experts are here to put an altogether more positive spin on proceedings, and whether you aspire to a romantic bower buzzing with bees, a sociable terrace for dining, or simply a clever way to maximise your tiny urban space, they have top advice for you…
“Outdoor living has been on the rise since the start of the pandemic –remember the queues at B&Q!?”, says Charlotte of Nuttgens Garden Design. “There’s a big appetite for outdoor dining, from luxury kitchens by Grillo to Big Green Eggs on wheels, tabletop cooking and pizza ovens.
“Making an outdoor space an extension of the indoors continues to be a huge trend,” agrees Sheldon Wressell of Eden Garden Design. “We see sofas, rugs and cushions dressing our terraces in the same way they would living rooms, with built in outdoor sofas and firepits.
“There’s been a huge surge in those who like to cook and entertain regularly by adding outdoor kitchens with all the mod cons, and dedicated areas for dining outside. As attention to our outdoor spaces has grown, clients are wanting to stamp their particular personalities on their outdoor spaces, and favouring brighter coloured planters and materials, groovy tiles as well as industrial and reclaimed materials”.
If you have space for it, why not build a garden room?
aurence ole of anwell arden uildings is finding that people want a garden that not only looks great and provides somewhere to relax and unwind, but also one that provides space for lots of other activities, such as a garden gym, art studio, music room or entertainment space.
f course, for those working from home, a dedicated office has become essential. A garden building will also provide somewhere out of sight to store items such as lawnmowers, bikes and gardening tools.”
“Small gardens don’t have to be boring,“ says Isabel Devaney of Ammil Garden Design– good news for most of the city-dwellers reading this feature.
“Even in tiny spaces, you can create special moments and features that bring the element of surprise. Breaking up the space with larger shrubs or trees means the garden isn’t revealed all in one go; don’t be afraid of bigger plants.
“It’s more important in smaller spaces to plan carefully; prioritise what you want your garden to deliver, and make clever use of space. Planting veg in among ower borders is a great way of growing your own without giving up lots of space for a dedicated vegetable bed; or you could upgrade your bin store with a green roof.
“I’ve helped design a garden on a roof top, with a tree emerging from a gap in the flooring, which was fun,” says Dan of DRJP.
“City gardens can often be a challenge, design-wise,” says Tabitha Tarling. “They can be small, and often further encroached by kitchendiner extensions, making the garden feel even tinier. They can seem like difficult, uninspiring spaces, but there are a few tricks of the trade to overcome this. A great tip is to continue the same or similar ooring you’re using inside to the outside, as this will instantly make the space feel more cohesive and larger. Choose large pavers to make it feel spacious, or if you have wooden ooring inside then choose a plank-style paver or invest in a good-quality decking material.
“This garden needed planters on wheels because there are building restrictions on having fixed objects against the boundary, such as planters, which in this case had an 8ft drop the other side of it, because it acted as a step.”
“Seasonality is key, too. Creating a garden which has different areas of interest throughout the seasons helps keep the space interesting, no matter the time of year. And if you’re in a busy area with the noise of roads and neighbours, then introducing water can be a great for background noise, making your garden an oasis of calm.”
“Much like a kitchen, more compact outdoor spaces require an elevated focus on details,” says Will Cooke of Artisan Landscapes. “Dividing the space with intersecting planting beds or strips can beautifully complement the hard landscaping. Introducing multi-stem trees will create height, adding another dimension to the garden. They are also fantastic at providing subtle screening, breaking the line of sight, creating intrigue and a visual journey around the garden.”
“I also recommend zoning the garden, and perhaps choosing to focus on a particular area and dedicating it to either dining or relaxing, rather than trying to squeeze too much in, which will only make the space feel cluttered. A lovely seating area in a sunny spot will give the garden focus and a destination.
“In my own small garden, I’ve taken out the lawn, and installed a slightly stepped-up terrace surrounded by planting, with a view to making it a secret space from the house, giving it a hidden feeling to be discovered from the kitchen patio.”
Sheldon Wressell actively prefers designing a small garden. “It can provide much-needed privacy and a sense of intimacy, making you feel held in the space. ome of the elements would include are fi ed, static planters and in-built benches, horizontally slatted fences, a thoughtful range of planting and hidden storage solutions.
omething that also appears counterintuitive is adding different levels, that create additional interest; a sunken lounge, for instance, or a raised terrace.”
“A big mistake people often make, especially in smaller gardens, is not having wide enough borders or limiting the amount of planting,” says Charlotte of Charlotte Payne Garden Design. “Having a border of at least 1m wide allows you to create layers and depth, and will create a lovely green, textured backdrop which will actually blur the boundary and make the garden feel much bigger. Using taller shrubs and trees can also create an illusion of a bigger area, as this will blend with the surroundings and create more of a private, enclosed space.”
“TV programmes tend to make it look easier than it actually is to design a garden, and I think people tend to throw everything at it, squeezing in too much into too small a space,” says Tabitha Tarling. “Homeowners also often make the mistake of plonking a terrace right outside the back door, but this isn’t necessarily the best spot; check the path of the sun, and see where it’s pleasant to sit; think about your privacy as well and whether you can make a little haven further into the garden.”
“It’s so easy to get carried away with redesigning your garden,’ says Will Cooke of Artisan Landscapes. “After all, it’s such fun and so inspiring to get stuck into planning, but trying to pack in every idea you love can result in a garden that feels like a patchwork, disjointed and lacking cohesion.
“Take inspiration from your property and the surrounding area, and use this as the foundation for the design. ‘Less is more’ couldn’t be more apt! Allow the planting to be the star, rather than an abundance of features. To get the most out of your garden, and avoid any potential pitfalls, working collaboratively with a garden designer is the best way to get the most out of your outdoor space.”
“For me it’s all about the planting,” says Tabitha. “So many people go to garden centres and buy a car-full of plants which they know nothing about, and put them in and hope for the best! This is such a waste. Good planting is a real art, and to get it right you need a little knowledge about your plot before heading to the garden centre.
heck your soil first is it chockful of clay, does it drain properly, do you need to add organic material to help plants establish? Look at the aspect is it open and sunny, or is partially in shade or deep shade It’s really worth doing some research into which plants will work, and where they will thrive in your garden. The RHS has a very good website which will help you make the right decisions.”
“Trying to emulate a garden seen online or on an app like Pinterest can lead to mistakes,” says Dan Payne of DRJP Designs. “There are so many factors to consider before trying to achieve your ‘look’: weather exposure, soil condition, drainage, etc. I see a lot of planting of herbaceous perennials that die back in the winter as well, leaving the garden bare for four to five months. mi of winter owering and evergreens will solve this.”
“The designer Luciano Giubbilei believes that gardening is, to a large degree, performance art,” says Sheldon Wressell. “Like all great music and theatre, gardens need to be constantly reinterpreted to retain their relevance and vitality, while preserving the original fabric.
“He suggests that the understated elegance and serenity found in the gardens he creates are defined by light, and influenced by the classical Italian design heritage of proportion and balance. The gardens evolve through an exploration of spacing, rhythm and the repetition of single elements. Luciano creates timeless spaces, multi-layered environments where culture and nature are in close communication.”
The need to protect insect life is high on every responsible gardener’s agenda – so how do we make our gardens wildlife-friendly?
“Well, allow plants to be plants, and just grow wild; but an overgrown garden isn’t really what anyone wants,” says Dan of DRJP.
“The less hard landscaping you can have, the better, every time we dig out good topsoil and replace it with concrete we’re taking away a bit of nature’s goodness.”
“Consider simple measures such as introducing water to the garden – anything from a large pond to a small bird bath,” says Isabel Devaney of mmil. lant choices also make a huge difference and you can introduce lots of colour and variety while remaining pollinator-friendly.
“If your tastes are more formal, wildlife-friendly doesn’t have to mean wild. A good garden design can integrate more traditional features and environmental ambitions into one cohesive design.”
Anyone seeking further inspiration should hie them to The Newt on the first day of every month, when you can book in for a tour of the incredible gardens – the result of 200 years of planting by enthusiasts such as Margaret Hobhouse, who elevated them to a Victorian ideal, introducing colour, a greenhouse and many trees of beech, oak, pine, walnut and cedar. Penelope Hobhouse came after, in the 1970s, followed by Nori and Sandra Pope, whose experiments with colour delighted and inspired thousands of visitors in the mid-1980s. The latest incarnation is by Italo-French architect Patrice Taravella, who believes a garden should be both beautiful and useful; at their core sits the Parabola, a walled garden concealing an apple tree maze; at their edges, diverse woodland, providing a sheltered habitat for native wildlife. For more thenewtinsomerset.com
Kirk, Matt & Tom have just finished our garden and we are over the moon. Our garden was in a state as we hadn’t really touched it since moving into our house 2 years ago and it wasn’t our vibe at all. It was messy, hard to maintain and needed an update to suit us. I contacted Kirk and he was more than happy to pop round and give us a quote. Throughout the whole process the communication was great and we didn’t have to worry about a thing.
Kirk, Matt & Tom have totally transformed my back garden! It’s now a lovely place to unwind & relax. Nothing was too much trouble for them & so helpful with ideas to maximize the space we had. A great big thank you for all.
We had been previously let down by another company and in hindsight I am so glad we were, as we then contacted Scott Bros. Kirk, Matt & Tom worked tirelessly in 31 degree heat with no shade, and rain and nothing was too much trouble. We are so pleased with the final result and actually want to spend time in our garden now. The workmanship is so neat and exactly what we wanted, if not better. Thank you so much Kirk and the team, we will definitely have you back in the future and wouldn’t hesitate to recommend you to anyone. Thanks again
“The workmanship was so neat”
“Nothing was too much trouble”Testimonial, Mrs R - Bristol Testimonial, Mrs H - Bristol
Ammil Garden Design www.ammilgardendesign.com
Artisan Landscapes www.artisanlandscapes.co.uk
Banwell Garden Buildings www.banwellgardencentre.co.uk
DRJP Design www.drjpdesigns.com
Eden Garden Design www.edengardendesignbristol.co.uk
Nuttgens Garden Design www.charlottenuttgens.co.uk
Tabitha Tarling www.tabithatarling.co.uk
“Low-maintenance gardens have always been popular, but perhaps it now carries an additional meaning,” says Charlotte of Nuttgens.
“With the decrease in wildlife, and more severe weather and heatwaves, low maintenance doesn’t just mean lawns and hedges any more. My clients often want naturalised borders and specimen trees that attract birds, bees and insects but also don’t need a lot of care, and this all comes down to using the right plant in the right place. You should always pick plants that suit your soil type, moisture and aspect; however, with hotter, drier summers the future lies in creating resilient gardens with plants that are drought-tolerant. Mediterranean plants, ornamental grasses, salvias, nepeta, agapanthus, eryngium and erigeron are among my favourites.”
“Most gardens I’m currently being asked to design fall into two main categories,” says Dan of DRJP. “Small makeover gardens, emphasising one key area which is multifunctional, with seating and eating areas and room for socialising and working from home; with light and shade, and low-maintenance planting.
“The other is a sustainable garden, with sustainably sourced materials, installed vegetable beds, pollinating plants and less lawn; more wildlife-friendly planting with less emphasis on straight lines and formality. ater features seem to be making a comeback, and fire pits are still very popular.”
“I’m enjoying the emergence of crazy paving again!” says Dan Payne. “It was at Chelsea a lot a couple of years ago, and is now making its way back into domestic gardens. It’s not the crazy paving of old, though; it’s being laid with larger slabs, often just laid occasionally in gravel or through some low-level planting.
“Bamboo will also continue to come on strong, with less invasive varieties grown as screening, planting to walk through, but also as a material for decking or walls; it’s very fast-growing and so more sustainable than pine, with no plastic or chemicals – but it’s currently very expensive.”
Gardens should be a space to enjoy, whether you love socialising with friends and family, growing your own, or simply sitting and watching the seasons change. Ammil Garden Design was founded through a shared love of green spaces and the impact they can have. The studio prides itself on creating gardens that aren’t just beautiful, but deliver a harmonious space, whatever your needs.
How could a garden design or consultation benefit you and your garden? Designers Suzy and Isabel from Ammil Garden Design answer some questions about the process.
My garden is a mess but I don’t know where to start!
It can be overwhelming, as there is so much choice out there. We come and meet you at your home and really ‘dig’ into what you want from your garden. Once we understand what is important to you and how you want to use your garden, then we can start designing a space bespoke to you.
I want to encourage wildlife, but I still want my garden to look neat – is that possible? Absolutely! Pollinator-friendly plants can be incorporated into more formal designs – it isn’t all about letting the garden run wild. Wildlifefriendly gardens are often more economical too, with less emphasis on hard paved surfaces.
How do you decide which plants to use?
In gardening there is a saying, ‘right plant, right place’ – we are always guided by your garden’s location, soil type and pH. We want to ensure your garden looks good for years to come, so it is important we select plants and trees that are going to thrive.
I don’t want a full garden design, just some guidance – can you help?
Not everyone wants a full design, but we can help you get started. We can spend a few hours with you in your garden doing a one-off
AMMIL GARDEN DESIGN OFFERS:
• Free introductory meeting to discuss how we can help you
• Full garden design service
• One-off consultation on design or sustainability
• Planting design for one or more borders
consultation. This will give you a basic plan of how to zone your garden, a soil test to help you choose plants that are going to work, and an idea of where to source what you need to make it happen. You can choose the focus of your consultation, whether that be design or sustainability.
Web: www.ammilgardendesign.com
Telephone: 0117 441 4649
Email: info@ammilgardendesign.com
Instagram: @ammil_garden_design
Bristol-based studio AMMIL GARDEN DESIGN works with clients to make beautiful, tailor-made gardens that will enhance any home.
In recent years, there has been a sharp rise in the number of will disputes. Most cases are settled using mediation but around 180 cases are taken to the High Court each year. This number is expected to rise because:-
• People are living longer. More people are changing their wills later in life, perhaps as their family dynamics change.
• Adult children are facing greater financial struggles and they depend upon an inheritance to get by.
• High property prices means that people’s estates are worth more and so it can be worthwhile to make a claim against an estate.
• During the Covid pandemic new measures were introduced to enable people to witness wills by video. It is harder to assess whether someone has testamentary capacity remotely and this could result in more will disputes.
If you find that a relatives’ will leaves their estate in an unexpected way, it may cause you to question whether they knew and approved the contents of their will.
Example of where a will failed for lack of knowledge and approval:
Mr Reeves was a successful businessman who created a £100m fortune during his lifetime.
When he passed away, he was 71 years old. He had four children; Mark, Bill, Lisa and Louise. Mr Reeve’s last will was made in 2014 and highly favoured his daughter Louise. She was left 80% of his residuary estate, the remaining 20% passed to Lisa. Their brother Bill opposed the application for the 2014 will being admitted to probate. He argued that their father did not know and approve the contents of the will and was unduly influenced. Bill asked the court to uphold an earlier will made in 2012, which left the estate 26.67% to Bill, Lisa and Louise and the remaining 20% equally to Ryan and Ria (Mark’s two children).
In deciding whether the 2014 will was valid, the court considered the following:
• It’s terms were a dramatic departure from 2012 will with Bill, Ryan and Ria being almost entirely excluded as beneficiaries;
• Evidence whether the 2014 will reflected Mr Reeves’ true wishes;
• Evidence whether Mr Reeves was illiterate.
The Judge found the 2014 was invalid, despite being signed and witnessed correctly, because Louise had been unable to prove that her father had knowledge and approved the terms of distribution.
How do I challenge a will?
If you believe that a will is invalid then you should seek legal advice immediately. It is
better to investigate the validity of a will before probate has been applied for. These cases can be very emotional and appointing a solicitor to represent your interests will help to minimise the stress and time involved in dealing with a dispute.
For advice on contentious probate matters, please contact Sarah Burgess or another member of our team on 0117 923 5562, email info@amdsolicitors.com or call into one of our four Bristol offices. www.amdsolicitors.com
100 Henleaze Road, Henleaze BS9 4JZ
15 The Mall, Clifton BS8 4DS
139 Whiteladies Road, Clifton BS8 2PL
2 Station Road, Shirehampton BS11 9TT
Sarah Burgess of AMD SOLICITORS looks at challenging a Will if it does not reflect the testator’s true intentions
But the memories linger on, like a beautiful Bristol d’n’b melody . . .
The 2023 Bristol Life Awards at Ashton Gate Stadium last month had it all going on. We celebrated much-loved veterans, out-ofnowhere heroes, an uncommon cavalcade of ordinary people doing extraordinary things. And fashion, glamorous fashion, so much fashion that other cities could just genuflect or curtsey in respect at the shimmering glory of it all. Respect, Bristol; this is a city that knows how to party.
This year, sports pundit and former English Rugby player David ‘Flats’ Flatman joined Greg Ingham up on stage to co-host the awards, occasionally making forays into the crowd to terrify the punters. Flats’s day job ranges from presenting the weekly Gallagher Premiership highlights show on ITV to acting as a co-commentator for BT Sport; he’s been part of ITV’s Rugby World Cup team as co-commentator on its live matches, and an integral part of its Six Nations and Women’s Rugby World Cup coverage. It’s a rich tapestry of experience, he’s well-versed in dodging tackles on and off the field, so handling Bristol’s best and brightest at their, err, happiest was no problem to him at all. It was a night of great bustle and greater excitement, with the Awards ceremony itself at its heart. So much went on, so many
emotions were spilled, that you’d forgive anyone for heading home afterwards, shattered and exhausted, but it turns out Bristol is made of sterner stuff, and the afterparty rocked on till the small hours in the Sports Bar.
This isn’t the place to list all the winners – check them out over the next few pages – except to give special kudos to Wake the Tiger, a double winner who topped off their Leisure and Tourism Award category award by bagging the-best-of-the-best Platinum gong. Never been to Wake the Tiger? Put that right immediately; you’ll soon see why this new attraction for the city wowed our judges. Incidentally, a huge thank you to our judges, and our sponsors – we literally couldn’t do it without you – along with everyone who was shortlisted, or simply turned up to witness it all – you’re the brightest stars in the Bristol firmament.
Bristol, as we know, is the coolest,most creative and independent city in the West, the alt-capital of the UK, but it’s nothing without all the people living and working, sometimes struggling and sometimes succeeding, in the city right now. Here’s to all of them (which is to say, all of us), and to next year, when we get to do it all over again.
With love, thanks and slightly self-conscious high-fives from Deri, Steph, Claudia, Jane, Greg, Neil, Jake, Craig and Kirstie.
For more, bristollifeawards.co.uk
ARTS & CREATIVE
WINNER: UPFEST
Sponsored by BAR
Sponsored by
WINNER: HARBOUR HOUSE
BUSINESS SERVICES
WINNER: COSGROVE & DREW
Sponsored by CHARITY
Sponsored by
WINNER: EMPIRE FIGHTING CHANCE
CIVIC
Sponsored by
WINNERS: OURCITY2030 BY BABBASA AND THE ONE CITY OFFICE
EDUCATION
WINNER: BOOMSATSUMA
EVENT
Sponsored by
JOINT WINNERS: BRISTOL PRIDE & PROPYARD
FINANCIAL
WINNER: MONEYHUB
HAIR & BEAUTY
WINNER: NUALA MOREY SALON
HEALTH & WELLBEING
WINNER: ACTIVE TEAMS
HOMES & INTERIORS
WINNER: CHAUNCEYS TIMBER FLOORING
LEGAL
WINNER: BEVAN BRITTAN
LEISURE & TOURISM
WINNERS: WAKE THE TIGER
PEOPLE SERVICES
WINNER: BALTIMORE CONSULTING
NEW BUSINESS
Sponsored by
WINNER: THE FORGE & FERN
RESTAURANT
Sponsored by
WINNER: THE FORGE & FERN
PROPERTY
Sponsored by
WINNER: JAS BUILDING SERVICES
RETAIL
WINNER: SINGLE VARIETY CO
SUSTAINABILITY
Sponsored by
WINNER: PEEQUAL
TECHNOLOGY
Sponsored by
WINNER: STRIPE OLT
WINNER: WAKE THE TIGER
PHOTOS BY JON CRAIG
Now: Nominations are now open
June: Finalists revealed live at EntreConf on June 22 (all finalists invited)
28 September: The inaugural EntreConf Awards
Following its successful first two years as a virtual event, ntre onf returns on une at atershed, with a host of fresh inspiration for start ups and established businesses alike.
he first keynote will be the remarkable illah yng horne, who has transformed uture from a valuation of a few million to over . billion. t’s a great e ample of a radically entrepreneurial approach. he live version of the event will e pand on previous versions, and include keynotes in depth interviews with successful entrepreneurs sharing insights on their biggest motivations, failures and successes in business. revious keynotes have included nn iatt oogle), hris nderson owner), ale ince
cotricity), eorgia tewart umelo), evi oots eggae eggae auce) and hil arrison oogle and lay tation).
Expert insights: ractical insights from e perts in their field in supporting growing businesses financing, legal structuring and protections, marketing, partnering and more.
Panel sessions: ntrepreneur focused discussions, from business models to ethics and e its. eaturing e perienced e perts and real life e amples.
Round tables: reakouts with an inner circle for intimate problem solving sessions with top advisors and entrepreneurs.
ALSO, NEW THIS YEAR, WE HAVE – DRUM ROLL PLEASE – THE ENTRECONF AWARDS!
The new Awards are designed to reward entrepreneurial excellence and recognise the vital roles of advisors. The ceremony will be held at Bristol Museum & Art Gallery on 28 September, when 17 winners chosen by a panel of experts will be presented with their Awards.
The Awards will include the following categories: eCommerce, Employer, Entrepreneur, Female Entrepreneur, Financial Advisor, Fintech, Health & Wellbeing, Hospitality, Legal Advisor, Media, Property, Scale-up, Science, Small Business Entrepreneur, Sustainability, Technology and Young Entrepreneur.
If you would like to talk to the team about EntreConf, please email Annie for commercial, Claudia for content and Greg for concept.
For more: www.entreconf.com/entreconf-awards
Bristol hoteliers claim the Government has left them out in the cold again after the budget offered nothing to ease their concerns over soaring energy costs.
The Bristol Hoteliers Association (BHA) says members feel as if hospitality is the ‘forgotten sector’ despite the substantial contribution it makes to the nation’s economy.
t’s all fine and well for the hancellor to e tend the energy price guarantee for households, but there was no mention of e tending any support for businesses, and our energy costs have been soaring, too,” said Raphael Herzog, BHA chair.
verall, the lack of support in this budget was a real blow to the sector. e have been working so hard to get things back to some sort of normality following the impact of both re it and the pandemic.
n numerous occasions during the pandemic, we felt that hospitality was often the forgotten sector. oteliers repeatedly called for the Government to maintain a reduced rate of VAT to help get our businesses back up and running post pandemic, but those pleas fell on deaf ears. ow it feels as if we have been forgotten again and fear this could cause some severe difficulties for the sustainability of some hospitality businesses in ristol. For more: www.bristol-hoteliers.co.uk
oldsmiths, one of the ’s leading lu ury watch and ewellery retailers and part of the atches of wit erland roup, has relocated to a lu urious new showroom in the heart of abot ircus.
he new showroom is more than double the company’s former retail location, with an elegant wraparound glass frontage and fresh lu ury interior concept which includes an s m ole hop in hop, with two closed private areas, a large sales area with two sales desks and a counter branded areas for prestige lu ury brands mega, udor, enith and ongines, and a runway of the finest watch brands featuring ris, ado, remont, ucci, o a and issot. here’s also a new hospitality bar and lounge space, which offers the ideal meeting place for true connoisseurs.
he new showroom is also home to ewellery from oldsmiths’ own diamond collections, with a large back wall dedicated to branded ewellery from ope, enny ackman and Messika.
he light, open plan showroom features a monochrome palette of whitewashed oak timber white terra o and blackened steel have been combined with visual architectural forms that include repeating vertical lines and soft curves inspired by the Goldsmiths logo.
e are e cited to bring this new, significantly larger oldsmiths showroom to our local client le in ristol, said raig olton, president of the atches of wit erland roup, , and urope. he elevated lu ury showroom will deliver a more contemporary environment, to rela and e plore the latest collections. t has always been paramount to deliver great brands, in the best environments and in the best locations. his year, abot ircus will see a significant local investment and this oldsmiths showroom is the start of our elevated presence in the shopping centre.”
For more: www.thewosgroupplc.com
By Ursula Cole
Like it or not – and your attitude is probably linked to your income – Easton has been in the grip of gentrification for a good while now. Time Out named it as one of the coolest neighbourhoods in the world, while St Mark’s Road was voted the best high street in the country. BS5 house prices are currently among the steepest-rising in the UK; despite this, the famous Easton community spirit is still strong, with locals clinging fiercely to their ’hood’s distinctive character and independence.
Given all of the above, this classic terraced home on Belle Vue Road, a typical Easton street with nicely proportioned Victorian houses, is sure to attract a lot of interest – particularly among families with school-age kids, given that the house is a ten-minute walk away from Whitehall Primary School, consistently rated as ‘outstanding’ by Ofsted. There’s a wealth of green spaces nearby too, including the Bristol to Bath cycle path, the parks at Eastville and St George, and riverside walks along the Frome Valley.
The house itself is awash with period features, beginning with the original black-and-white tiled path within the gated front garden. Inside, the ground oor has been opened up to allow the living space to ow from the sitting room into the dining room, and onwards into the kitchen-diner – a lovely room with its butler sink, metro tiles and rustic shelving, with a bright extension naturally lit by a sky lantern.
Large French windows in the kitchen open up onto a south-west-facing garden, with a decking area that
Where? Easton
Bedrooms 2 plus loft room
Receptions 2
Outside SW-facing garden
Guide price £450k
For more Boardwalk 0117 9898 222 www.boardwalkpropertyco. com
leads down to a patio with borders of trees and plants, all lavishly sun-soaked when the sun deigns to shine. Upstairs are two double bedrooms, a bathroom and stairs to a huge loft room with ample eaves storage.
“We knew this was the house for us after searching for months for a home with real charm,” say the current owners. ”It was just what we were looking for: openplan, great proportions and large, light filled rooms. Since then, we’ve poured much love and hard work into the house, emphasising its handsome Victorian features.
“The community feeling in the street is extraordinary: sharing childcare duties, feeding neighbours’ cats while they’re on holiday, and there’s always someone to give you a hand getting a sofa up the stairs or lend you a screwdriver. The house has been a perfect place for a growing family, and a perfect socialising spot. The garden is quiet and secluded, and there are lovely parks nearby. he house is cosy in winter, with the open fire, making happy Christmas memories.”
With its bright. immaculate interior waiting for the new owners to make their mark, the only question is: will you go Easton?
Situated just off Queen Square and benefitting from harbourside views. Currently available are the second and third floors which are due to be extensively refurbished to provide bright and airy office accommodation with roof terrace!
A self-contained period office building with stunning views across the square. The property has been refurbished throughout and offers high quality office accommodation with patio terrace and useful basement storage.
A ground floor suite offering contemporary and modern studio space, benefitting from its own entrance, glazed frontage, secure bike storage and shower facilities.
Loft style office accommodation located in the heart of the city centre close to Queen Square and The Waterfront. There is a passenger lift, shower facilities, and excellent bike storage with end of journey heated lockers.
Our estimable Café Society reviewer has quite the rock ’n ’roll backstory…
e’d better let Stan introduce himself in his own words; it’s what he does best,
“Hello dear reader. You may know me as the boring old bloke who visits coffee shops and writes about it in this magazine. ut that’s not all do. ar from it. I also go on amazing adventures around the world where I wrestle gorillas, swim with sharks and often wear the same pair of bo er shorts for up to five days at a time.
Back in the day, though, you played guitar in a properly famous band called The Housemartins... rue. an’t deny it. ell, could. ut with oogle around it would be pretty pointless. hough do have less hair now, so maybe I could get away with it. Hmm. Maybe it’s time to consider a wig.
WWhy the name Housemartins? Long story. And as they say in caf s when you ask for the recipe of their best selling drop scones, “I could tell you, but then I’d have to kill you. nd possibly deep fry you afterwards.
You co-wrote many of the songs, we think?
I did indeed, with Paul [Heaton]. hink or a Min te is one of my top five faves.
How would you describe the band’s musical style? armly pleasing. o some.
How many years did you play together?
About three or four. Same length of time you spend getting a degree. Quite similar e periences, come to think of it.
Share a highlight...
We were doing o of the o s with hink for a Min te. aul c artney came over
afterwards and told me he rather liked it. Which, as a long-time eatles fan, found rather pleasing.
And any less exalted memories you might share?
o. y lips, like a bag of freshly roasted coffee beans sourced from a single estate, are sealed. acuum packed, too. What did you do immediately after the band, and what do you mostly do now?
hen moved to ristol, my wife and I became owners of a wholefood shop in lifton. rie y. urns out, the world of dried fruit and pulses is not as racy as I had been led to believe. As for what I do now. I refer you to my answer above, “why the name
How did you come to be a café reviewer for Bristol Life?
an’t uite remember how fell into this rather glorious gig. [We irted over witter d . ut am eternally grateful and love every single little thing about it. owever, do know first got into ournalism when a paper wanted to do a phone interview with me about a kids’ TV show I was on. We couldn’t make the time work, so they sent a list of questions instead, bit like these ones, e cept more kid centric. ith emphasise on pets, favourite colours and avours of ice cream. I answered the questions, a bit like this, and bi arrely, the editor offered me a regular writing column. Which, looking back on it, was most trusting of them.
You’ve reviewed dozens of Bristol cafés – any favourites? I have indeed reviewed dozens, but picking favourites would be like doing a kiss-and-tell. Gentlemen don’t do that sort of
thing. And nor do I. Well, unless there’s a bit of cake in it for me. Or biscuits, obviously.
What brought you to Bristol?
When I was in the band, I always liked visiting here. My brother lived in a shared at up by the Downs, and I used to stay with him whenever possible. ack then, I thought the Downs were amazing. Still do.
And what keeps you here?
Where else could you go in the UK that delivers such a great living e perience f such a place e ists, haven’t found it. t helps that all the kids and grandkids are here too. Turns out the clichés about being a grandparent are wildly accurate.
Which area do you live in?
We live in a quiet little corner by the Downs. Everything about it is e cellent. ocal shops, lots of them and more loveliness than you can shake a stick at.
Do you have any secret skills?
I refer you once again to the above, why the name
And what is your most regrettable habit?
Life is short, facts are boring. Why let the truth get in the way of a good story o don’t. rives my family wild. ut since they’re all werewolves, who cares
We’ll let you get on; what are you doing immediately after answering these questions? inishing my beer, iper and rue, tonight’s tipple of choice) then letting the dogs out for their evening wee. After which I may stand in front of the boiler and remember the good old days when it used to be switched on every now and then.
@stancullimore on instagram
“The world of dried fruit and pulses was not as racy as I had been led to believe ”©JON CRAIG
