IT’S PEAKY BLINDERS, BUT NOT AS YOU KNOW IT WONDER WOMAN THE COOKSON TOUCH THAT MEANS SO MUCH
IT’S CALLED FASHION LOOK IT UP (SPECIFICALLY, ON PAGE 68)
SPROUTS OUT IT’S OUR BRISTMAS PARTIES FEATURE! (YEP, THOUGHT THAT’D WIND YOU UP) RISE AND INFLATION THE BEST OF THE FIESTA
Ialways give an evil little inward cackle while compiling a Christmas parties feature for a September issue. It seems to annoy so many of you so very much. I can picture you now, hurling the magazine across the room in disgust, muttering “Too early! We haven’t even had Hallowe’en yet!” If it makes ou feel an better m currentl fielding PR shots about Valentine’s Day and Easter, about hich m finding it er hard to care.
So yes, true, it’s only early autumn, but if you know what’s good for you you’ll pick up the magazine from wherever you chucked it and turn to page 47, because if you want an icicle’s chance in hell of securing your favourite Bristol venue for a party this Bristmas, now is the time to sort it out.
Just look at the guy on the left in his festive paper crown! How happy does he look? Dare we say smug, even? He’s allowed to be; he’s managed to bag a table at Gambas for his crew at Christmas! As he tucks into his pil pil and croquetas, and downs his third margarita, he may glance up at the window and see less organised Bristolians glaring enviously through the glass as they trudge past, en route to Nandos. Do your future self a favour, and be like this gu find our dream enue hit u the bookings line, then forget all about it for three months.
That done, you can get properly stuck into the Bristol autumn and all its myriad joys. New shows in the theatre and concert halls, new art in the galleries, a cast-iron excuse to wear jumpers, coats and boots again, and practically an obligation to consume your own body weight in comfort food – at Bokman, perhaps, the subject of this issue’s restaurant review? I’m all about the seamless links. Hopefully that will tide you over until our late September issue, at which point I’ll be enthusing about new interiors trends. This is always fun. ale co ee colours are in for great ne s for anyone prone to spilling their morning brew on the sofa). There again, so is yellow. And red. And green. And pastels. Patterns are hot, but so are plains. Soft, luxurious textures are in, but for some indefinable reason fau fur and boucl are not. tc.
So that’s all good, then. Wish me luck. Too early?
That largely depends on how much you care where you’ll be holding your Bristmas party
The greatest group ever to have come out of Bristol, Massive Attack returned to Clifton Downs on 25 August for a rare home gig. When we say rare, we mean rare – the boys last played the city in 2019 in Filton (probably best forgotten, that one) and before that, their epic 2016 gig on the Downs. They say the August one might be the last; we all turned up in case they meant it.
The all-day event, entitled Act 1.5 was a marker of the band’s commitment to climate activism; measures in place included pre-sales for locals, rail travel incentives to limit car travel, a site powered by 100% renewable energy; meatfree food-stalls, and a commitment to zero landfill waste.
“In terms of climate-change action there are no excuses left; offsetting, endless seminars and diluted declarations have all been found out,” said Grant Marshall and Robert del Naja. “Working with pioneering partners on this project means we can seriously move the dial for major live music events and help create precedents that are immediately available.”
So, how did it all go down? Was it as biblically rainy as the 2016 gig? (Yes). Were the food queues just as long? (Also, yes). Were the renewable efforts a success? (Mostly). But was the actual gig everything we’d dreamed? (Most def). Tune into our 27 September issue for the full lowdown. www.massiveattackbristol.com
SAFE FROM HARM
Two accolades for Bristol in recent weeks.
First, the Benefact Group’s Movement for Good Awards named Bristol as the most caring city in the UK. To celebrate, the Christmas Steps sign was transformed into a giant floral heart a thank ou to the people of the city for showing so much love for causes they care about. The thousands of yellow tulips and roses in the installation were given out to Bristolians to reward them for supporting local charities.
Secondly, in news which has admittedly been greeted ith sarcasm in some disa ected quarters, the city has been named the safest city for cycling in the UK. Possibly unaware of the endless otholes and hard to see a ement
IN THE STEPS OF GIANTS
Well, to be fair, The Merchant is pretty tall.
If you loved The Outlaws, and enjoy a spot of location spotting, it’s now easy to combine the t o thanks to Bristol ilm O ce hich has partnered with Visit Bristol and Bristol UNESCO City of Film to create ‘The Outlaws in Bristol’ movie map.
ll three series ere filmed at he Bottle Yard Studios and across Bristol, with assistance from the film o ce. he ma oins a growing collection based on many other Bristol filmed sho s and mo ies.
o o e fil b istol co u b istol o ie a s
markings, the ALA insurance group insists that Bristol scores a perfect 100, based on an analysis of factors which include the condition of roads and the number of cycle repair shops. Well, to be fair, it does ha e loads of the latter. omebod has to fi those othole torn t res.
“Bristol Council has recently accepted schemes to pedestrianise two key roads in the city centre, banning vehicles from The Horsefair, too,” said the report. “This is the hope of making the city even safer for cyclists and pedestrians alike. Whether you’re a daily commuter or a weekend cyclist, Bristol s ell maintained roads and ibrant c cling community make it a top choice.”
Beat the evil algorithms! Follow us on instagram and tag us with your pics: @bristollifemag
@mjballooning
@pod16
LIFT THEM UP WHERE THEY BELONG
Hmm. Wonder if anyone posted any pics of the Balloon Fiesta last month? Oh yeah, looks like there may have been one or two…
@eddslens
@travel_monkey78
@aishling_jana
@aaronpjsims
@eddslens
@aishling_jana
@zoe.fj
@facesofclevedon
@mjballooning
@gothick
THE ARTS
SNAPSHOTS OF BRISTOL’S CULTURAL LIFE
DON’T LIKE JAMAICA . . .
We love it! That’s a reference to Dreadlock Holiday by 10cc, by the way. Too young? OK, Gen Z: moving on.
The Jamaica of which we speak here, of course, is the excellent Jamaica Street Studios; that colony of talented artists which inhabits the Grade-II former carriage-works at 39 Jamaica Street in Stokes Croft. It’s the lair of 35 creati es in all hose ork s anning ainting film sculpture, etc, is held in collections from Tate Britain to the V&A. One artist took part in Dismaland.
JSS has been in the news recently due to its crowdfunder, which raised £107,021 from over 1,000 supporters; this will hopefully allow the studio to buy the building from the current owners, securing its future as an art studio in perpetuity; a rather lovely thought.
Every year, JSS opens its doors to the public for one weekend – and the next one takes place at the end of the month.
“It’s our way of sharing what we do with our supporters, friends and the wider community,” says studio manager Rosie Bowery. “It’s an amazing opportunity to see what takes place here, showcasing a central art of Bristol life. t s also our flagshi annual fundraiser – every artist here donates a piece of work which anyone can bid on – it’s an entertaining live highlight to our weekend.”
JSS is also launching its own collaborative beer with Arbor Ales, with all funds raised going towards the building purchase.
This year’s Open Studios takes place 20-22nd September; www.jamaicastreetstudios.co.uk
JSA artist Elaine Jones and her paint-splattered Roberts radio await your visit
WOMAN WONDER
Known for her awardwinning family shows, director Sally Cookson is a veritable magician of make-believe – so let our fingers do the walking to the Bristol Old Vic ticket page when her production of Wonder Boy returns this month
Words by Nancy Durrant
Growing up is hard enough; growing up with a debilitating stammer is catastrophic.
That’s the plight of 12-year-old Sonny, the protagonist of Ross Willis’s play Wonder Boy Sonny, who struggles to say his o n name finds a certain amount of su ort from his imaginary comic-hero friend Captain Chatter. However, the Captain’s solution is to stop him speaking at all; in the real orld language is o er and onn must find a a to be heard – especially when he’s cast in the lead role in a school production of Hamlet. Ross described the play as “mischievous and surprising and full of playfulness and pain and a great hope. Perhaps a little bit like a John ughes film on acid.
In a creative match made in heaven, enter director Sally Cookson. All the familiar Cookson elements are present in Wonder Boy – it’s accessible and heart-warming, and there’s even a family tragedy at the heart of the story that recalls her Olivier-winning staging of A Monster Calls. It’s laughout-loud funny, beautifully staged and acted, while music is by Sally’s long-time collaborator Benji Bower. It became one of Bristol Old Vic’s biggest hits of 2022, and won the 2023 Writers’ Guild Award for Best Play.
o ho did she first get on board
“I was invited to a new writing festival at the Bristol Old Vic Theatre School pre-pandemic, in which Ross Willis’s la as resented she sa s.
“It jumped out at me as a piece of unique writing, and I was attracted to the way Ross combined an absurd world with the very real. It made me laugh and cry. I contacted him and went to see his production of olfie at Theatre 503, which I loved.
“Tom Morris, then artistic director of Bristol Old Vic, agreed to programme Wonder Boy the following year but it got postponed due to Covid. Ross and I got to know each other during the pandemic, via delightful phone calls. Chatting with Ross is like being in one of his plays. Wonder Boy finall got erformed in a cou le of ears later than intended, but by which time we’d had a chance to dream u ideas together about the sho .
Sally explains that Sonny’s stammer is at the heart of the piece. “Ross calls it ‘the great inner operatic pain that comes from not being able to be seen or express yourself’. It was essential that we found a way of bringing all elements of the production together to illustrate and highlight Sonny’s plight. Music is especially important in helping with this, and Benji Bower’s composition manages to get right inside the character s head.
Casting an actor who is able to portray the character’s trauma is key, she says. “Understanding what causes Sonny to behave in the way he does, and identify every
moment of his thought process, is vital. Some of Sonny’s darkest moments happen when there is no text, so being able to identify how his pain manifests physically is important, too. Ross has written it into the structure of the show, those big absurd moments when Shakespeare comes to life to torment Sonny, or when vowels and letters attack him, all tap into his inner operatic pain.”
Creative Captioning – think words and phrases projected on stage – is used in the show, adding much to the overall aesthetic – what was the idea behind this?
“The play is about what happens when a person communicates di erentl and the challenges the face hen fluent s eech is the e ected societal norm. t felt entirely natural to include Creative Captions as part of the overall design of the show to tap into the major theme of communication.
"Creative Captioning involves incorporating the entire text into the world of the play. We don’t just display the words on a small digital strip positioned either to the left or right of the stage, we ensure that all the words spoken are visually central to the piece. Designed by Tom Newell, they provide another creative layer and are not only an access tool for deaf or hard-of-hearing people but an important part of the imaginative world of the play.”
t s a er funn ultimatel u lifting sho but one which also has a dark side, with extreme mental health issues including suicide. Sally feels that theatre is the ideal forum to explore this kind of story.
“My experience is that theatre is a wonderful place to interrogate the stu hich frightens us as humans. nd to ask those questions safely in a rehearsal room, and to share that with an audience, is what theatre does best.
n Wonder Boy, Sonny experiences complicated feelings of guilt, shame, grief and anger as a result of his mother’s death. lot of la s ritten for oung eo le sh a a from themes such as this, but Ross approaches the subject with honesty and integrity. He understands what young eo le endure and gi es oice to their su ering in an imaginative way. Theatre is a space to gather together to explore human behaviour, and hopefully come away with a bit more understanding of why we do the things we do.”
Like all Sally's shows, it's an ideal play to take young people to – as long as you don’t mind a bit of swearing. Has she received much stick about that?
“Oh, we had so many discussions about the sweariness. t has taken us around and about and back to here e started, which is why we’ve changed very little of it. Ross is quite right when he says that most young people swear a lot. t has become art of the a the communicate.
“Some adults get quite upset about the amount of s earing in the sho no oung eo le do. nd the la really is for teenagers. Getting teenagers into the theatre is er di cult and think oss has absolutel found a a of engaging them, by telling a beautiful and important story and using an extreme version of the language they identify with.”
t s hard to imagine all ookson multi a ard winning doyenne of the family show, skilled adaptor of novels, whose shows practically guarantee a West End transfer – not being academic from the word go,. However, she says, her schooldays mirrored Sonny’s far more closely than you’d imagine – and just as with Sonny’s e erience theatre o ered a a into the light hated school. as reall miserable. hen m mum sent me to the local youth theatre; that’s where my journey into the arts started. nd it s here suddenl felt alued here had a oice so feel er strongl about it. nd now more than ever, with a curriculum starved of the arts – hopefully this will soon change – theatre is essential in engaging young people’s imaginations, allowing them space to dream and think big.”
“Theatre is a wonderful place to interrogate t e stu which frightens us as humans”
all sa s theatre can o er man things to oung eo le struggling to be heard or find a oice .
t s not ust about encouraging oung eo le to ork in the arts. By joining a youth theatre, being part of an audience regularly, partaking in drama, it can make you feel more connected, less alone; it can inspire your imagination make ou think bigger think di erentl it can encourage empathy by helping you understand why other eo le beha e like the do. t can ta into our o n artistic talents and hel ou find things out about ourself that you never knew you had.
t can also ust be a good laugh. he list is endless. n
Wonder Boy plays Bristol Old Vic 6-21 September; www.bristololdvic.org.uk
Production shots from the 2022 show at Bristol Old Vic
CAREFUL
WHISPERS
Enter the magical world of ROSIE EMERSON
When Bristol gallery Smithson Projects announces an exhibition we know there’ll always be something we want on our walls.
In recent years it’s brought us Jayson Lilley’s glorious gold-leafed cityscapes, and his witty series based on the Bristol Monopoly board. It also introduced us to Dave Buonaguidi’s Bristol is a Good Idea, series, before we saw the phrase used everywhere across the city; there’s still a semipermanent exhibition of the prints on the walls of Cotham Hill salon Hair at 58.
Given all of the above, when we saw the gallery was curating the magical work of contemporary British artist Rosie Emerson in a solo show, entitled When Other Worlds Whisper, at the new exhibition space 17 Midland Road in Old Market, we sat up and took note. Rosie is an experimental printmaker who was shortlisted for the Young Masters Art Prize last year; her work was last exhibited in Bristol as part of the RWA Photo Open in 2023, and the Annual Open Exhibition in 2021.
“Rosie creates opulent and otherwordly scenes, embracing a spectrum of techniques”
LEFT: Sirona; ABOVE: Elara
OPPOSITEPAGE: Adalia; monoprint with screenprint and 22crt gold leaf
Rosie creates opulent and otherworldly scenes on paper. Embracing a spectrum of techniques, she combines and transforms traditional printmaking processes, incorporating natural materials and hand finished elements to achieve her signature aesthetic.
When Other Worlds Whisper o ers the ie er glim ses into unseen worlds at many scales. Inspired by the opulent grottoes of e tra agant aristocrats the orks are the flambo ant embodiment of microscopic life, the mysterious communication patterns of coral, and the secret drawers of ornate Victorian cabinets.
“The exhibition o e s t e ieweglimpses into unseen worlds at many scales”
“Focusing on this solo show has given me the space and freedom to experiment with new materials and processes, and to lose myself in research which allowed me to uncover the most magical hidden worlds,” says Rosie. During the exhibition she’ll be in residence at 17 Midland Road, giving visitors a behind-the-scenes glimpse into her multi-dimensional process. n
When Other Worlds Whisper shows at 17 Midland Road, Old Market between 19-26 September; www.smithsonprojects.com
Take a little walk to the centre of town, and go across the tracks to Bristol Hippodrome, to discover how the story of our favourite flat-cap-wearing Brummie crims translates into Peaky Blinders : the ballet
Words by Ursula Cole
How – and also, we guess, why – does the creator and producer of a hit crime series end up collaborating with Britain’s oldest dance company to bring his creation to life via ballet?
Written and adapted for the stage by Steven Knight, and choreographed and directed by Rambert’s artistic director Benoit an ou er Peaky Blinders: the Redemption of Thomas Shelby certainly looks amazing. We were treated to a scene from the show at this year’s BAFTAS, the dancers moving moodily to Nick Cave’s Red Right Hand – surely, along with True Detective’s Far From Any Road, the most atmospheric music ever used for a TV credit sequence.
Once you’ve seen the clip, it seems entirely reasonable that Blinders should be put to dance; what’s harder to imagine is how it came about.
“It was a gradual process,” says Steven Knight. “Someone at the BBC suggested that we created a 12-minute dance piece as part of a Peaky Blinders festival. Rambert were brought on board, and it was brilliant. as riting series fi e at the time and so rote a scene in which Tommy Shelby invites Rambert to his house; in the 1930s the company used to tour the country and put on shows under the ethos of bringing dance to the people.
“In Peaky Blinders, the music, the way people move and the way they dress is really important, so I think it really lends itself to dance, and“]
“In the words of Cillian Murphy, ‘there is music that is Peaky, and there is music that isn’t Peaky. You can’t always define it but you can tell when you hear it’ ”
ARTS
Benoit and I decided that we could create a full show together. I was shocked when the company asked me to write it, but I could imagine the set and the stage, so I wrote what I thought would be good for that.
“We started working together and it began to snowball. We brought in some great collaborators, and got really good music for it. I saw the sho in rehearsals and couldn t belie e ho great it as. first sa it performed to an audience in Birmingham, where it raised the roof with standing ovations, and now it’s going all over the place.”
Steven admits he hadn’t realised how direct the relationship was between dance and audience. “I work with dialogue and plot, within scenes where people act the roles, whereas in dance it feels more subtle in the e ecution but more direct in the e ect. n interaction bet een two people can be very stylised, but you get to see that very quickly, and the music continues to amplify that.”
He wrote the book for the ballet, he says, as though it was a long script without dialogue, with slight inclusion of narration. started o ith and soldiers coming out of a tunnel and imagined how they would look and move, while thinking about how that would make them feel, too. The way I tend to write is quite
instinctive; I write whatever comes into my head at the time, so I just wrote it while imagining it through dance and music. I wrote it almost like a dream, rather than a script. It felt dreamlike, not like forcing the imagination, but writing what comes to you at the time.”
Blinders has always been Steven’s baby, and it’s still perhaps the show for which he’s best known. So how did it feel to share the creative process? “When there’s somebody as good as Benoit, it’s a relief,” he says. “It’s like giving the script to a good director, as you know they’re going to take hat ou e done and enhance it. m a firm belie er in doing things you haven’t done before, otherwise it’s boring, so the idea of telling people that Peaky Blinders will be presented through dance is great. Working with Benoit has taught me that sometimes words cause a jam. Instead you can present something quite quickly in dance, and it teaches you the power of a look.
“The thing about dance is that all of us are experts in it, because we all live our lives in a dance. For example, if someone walks into a room you can tell instantly if they are in a good or bad mood because of their body language. Dance takes that and puts it to music.”
Which is live, incidentally; there’s a band on stage.
“The music is central to the TV show,” says Steven, “and music is the stepping stone between the series and the dance piece. Roman ian rthur ho did the ballet score absolutel got hat Peaky Blinders was about. It isn’t exactly a particular style of music – it might be folk, or heavy metal, but it does need to have a certain swagger or a certain attitude to it. In terms of the style of music, and in the words of Cillian
That’s Steven . . .
Murphy: ‘there is music that is Peaky, and there is music that isn’t Peaky ou can t al a s define it but ou can tell hen ou hear it . te en is keen to get across that the ballet isn t highbro or inaccessible. t s from a cross section of eo le from di erent backgrounds and it a eals to di erent eo le too. eo le ma not al a s alk through a door marked dance but the ma alk through a door marked ‘Peaky Blinders’, and so it’s the idea that you can connect ith ne audiences b elcoming them through that setting. a ing that the BB s most o ular sho across all demographics is Strictly Come Dancing, so audiences clearly love atching eo le dance. t isn t like it s restricted to certain eo le of a le el of education or income as eo le ha e been dancing for lus ears. sn t it great that something like this can ork and challenge the idea that there are these rigid barriers bet een class and entertainment?
he stor is clear and e aren t lanning on ba ing eo le. e are being as clear as e can about hat s going on and that in itself is uite m sterious. t ties into hat ambert s original remit as in the s and s of taking dance to orking class eo le ho lo e dance. hat doesn t come ith a clause of being atronising but think this sho does that in the true s irit of ambert. or me ou re getting to see hat human beings can do the a the dancers move and the way they interact, as they throw themselves into it. think it s incredible that ou can see human bodies ushing themsel es to the limit to tell a stor it s brilliant. n
QUICK-FIRE WITH STEVEN KNIGHT
Describe Peaky Blinders: The Redemption of Thomas Shelby in three words Romantic, tragic and uplifting.
Name a favourite moment
Any moment when it’s Tommy and Grace together is brilliant.
What do you want audiences to feel at the show?
It’s a live experience, and that’s one of the things that I really like about it as, in comparison, television isn’t a communal experience.
How is it different from watching the TV show?
If you get people in a room together, and you get them all in the same space hearing and watching the same things, it’s just totally different. If you go into a room and watch the work, and you hear the music, and you are part of a standing ovation, you have a beginning, middle and end to that experience. You can then take it out into the cold and talk about that experience together.
Peaky Blinders: The Redemption of Thomas Shelby comes to Bristol Hippodrome 24-28 September www.atgtickets.com . . . and that’s Benoit
PROTECTION
Let’s take a look at what happens when Bristol shows up and says, no. Not today
Words and pics by Colin Moody
Bit of a change from your usual Heroes in this issue. Let’s talk about the streets, where I shoot regularly. Don’t know about you, but I like to walk them; a lot. And you know what? I’ve never once, in all my time in this city, felt unsafe walking down one of them. But a short while ago things got a little bit stoked up in the press. They went a little bit strange there, for a few days.
Wind the clock forwards to a particular Wednesday, and there was a story circulating that the far-right were headed for a firm in Old arket. o ha e colleagues ho ere afraid to walk the streets on this particular day. Afraid to walk the streets. nd it got me thinking. ould document ho things ent do n On this particular Wednesday, during an ordinary week in our city? I was pleasantly surprised by what I found.
o here is a hoto stor of hat ha ens hen Bristol sa s o a not today,” in a big way.
To put it into context, the criminals who attacked hotels and expensive bath-bomb emporiums were starting to get prison terms – but here is a story, a sweet-smelling story, of what happens when we show up and stand together.
3 2 4
“Then the energy changed, and out came the music speakers, and people started to talk to each other”
1
A pizza box, or whatever it was, and a Sharpie – and here you have a classic Bristol response.
2 he first thing found hen arri ed at Old arket as a flotilla of police with their gear getting ready. I call this shot ‘protection’.
3
Here is the last shot of the law, ready near Trinity. Because from this point on in the story, it was about the people. Police horses don’t pose for photos but if they did, they might look like this.
4
By now, there were rumours circulating, mouth to ear, that there might be some trouble at x, y and z, but a large group made up of all parts of our city was walking around in a column, to and fro. Then someone called out that the far-right had not shown up. That was the moment the energy changed, and out came the music speakers, and people started to talk to whoever was around them. Some were still masked up, but most were now starting to smile.
5
As you walked now, you found people starting to hug and laugh. Local people seeing friends in the crowd would rush over and put arms around each other. The mood had suddenly shifted. One man, still masked up walking beside me, said, “This is what makes our city, people from all parts of our city together; look what we can do, meet new people, makes us strong, safe…” and then he walked on.
6
Quick note to all the street photographers who were out in force on this night. Some looked a little disappointed. But the energies on this night needed documenting. Remember, there were many people afraid to go outside on this night. Local refugee groups had cancelled meets that day, and it didn’t sit right with so many in the crowd, so as lads on BMX weaved in between blue lights and counter protesters it felt like we ere all sending a strong message. One of unit and firm lo e.
7Now I’m not gonna tell you here what sparked the rise of the right to attack m not gonna talk about rhetorics fl ing around but am gonna tell you something straight. We don’t get photo stories any more, e get sna shots flashed in the media taken b ress hotogra hers who know what the editors and owners go for. And you can’t tell a stor in a shot. t needs to feel like it ha ened that it flo ed it had beats. That’s life. And we need a return of the photo essay by open and interested media like Bristol Life. It’s what we need. And every day we don’t have it, we’ve failed.
Some of the people I met at the Wednesday gathering, while people played music and stared to chat, smoke, mix. The police dealt with one guy who threw a bottle and then it all just mellowed, as we realised that together we are better. As you can see, all the shops boarded up their windows on Old Market.
8
ou kno hat s cool ou can see o fascists sa b a all ith a bottle of Oasis in your hand.
And we are all immigrants. My name is Colin Moody. And I’ve not found any trace of Moody as an old English name. They think it comes from Moodysen, a Scandinavian name; they were ship builders, sailed all
BRISTOL HEROES
over the world. Heck, I’m probably Viking. Add to that mix the Norman invasion, grandparents living in India. We have always been from all places. All my family look white, they live in cul-de-sacs for some reason. But ou kno that if the dig dee enough the re gonna find the are from many places.
Be more Bristol.
And to all my friends and colleagues who stayed home out of fear, we hear you, we see you. You are loved. Let’s work on this together.
Found in translation: make this the season you discover books written by women, not in the English language
August as hands do n one of our fa ourite reading months of the ear because it s o ciall omen in ranslation month. hen alifornia based academic e tal ad inski kicked o this initiati e back in the goal as sim le make this the month ou fill our reading diet ith books ritten b omen not in the nglish language and that sim licit remains leasingl intact. o ithout further ado here s hat our booksellers ere reading last month in honour of this er moment all of them ublished this ear
Mammoth by Eva Baltasar (trans. Julia Sanches) he final art of a loose trilog of e ce tional ualit Mammoth is a brutal and uncom romising book. ri en b a desire to create the narrator becomes obsessed ith getting regnant and in e eriencing the h sical sensations of birth. hasing this desire and lea ing the confines of the cit for the ild anish countr side she enters a life of isolation and drudger . er life is reduced to the bare essentials collecting fire ood nursing lambs and tr ing to bake her o n bread. But far from a fair tale id ll this is a orld of brutalit and riotous
un redictabilit . n a Baltasar s e act and oetic st le this short et e losi e book ultimatel asks hat it means to create in a orld of loneliness and cruelt .
Butter by Asako Yuzuki (trans. Polly Barton) his delicious combination of a anese culture food and murder has been tem ting so man customers since its ublication earlier this ear and e re ha to re ort that the h e is ustified. t s the stor of a ournalist ika ho becomes er in ol ed in the case of con icted murderer anako a ii a gourmet chef ho is belie ed to ha e oisoned her ast lo ers. he food that a ii cooks and consumes becomes integral to the in estigations and as ika del es more dee l into a i s stor and the rich and indulgent reci es that ins ired her her o n a etite starts to a aken. u uki e amines erce tions about the female bod and the links bet een bod shaming and female desire in a anese culture. t s a sensual read that left me feeling hungr and greas in e ual measure.
of ranco dictatorshi . ritten ith a nonlinear narrati e oig s lot slo l re eals itself carefull ea ing together di erent character ers ecti es. ebelling against the sli age of time oig is able to un ick a countr s muddled and com le ast unthreading its changing relationshi s to consumerism desire religion and gender.
“It’s a sensual read that left me feeling hungry and greasy in equal measure”
The Time of Cherries by Montseratt Roig (trans. Julia Sanches) ublished in atalan in but onl ust ublished in nglish The Time of Cherries follo s se eral generations from the time of the anish i il ar to the final da s
Of course reading omen in translation needn t be confined to the month of ugust alone es eciall as e re no into e tember. here are ider issues at stake the general underackno ledgment of female translators for e am le or the a erage reader s a areness tending to begin and end ith lena errante not that e ould dream of com laining for she is a genius . f ou re ins ired b our little selection then e ha e oodles more laces e can take ou indeed e ha e ust elcomed the or egian do enne of com licated famil fiction igdis orth to the sho for a er s ecial in con ersation ith her longtime translator harlotte Barslund. rouble is it might not be enough to sustain us right through until ne t ear
Visit Storysmith at 36 North Street, Bedminster BS3 1JD 0117 953 7961 www.storysmithbooks.com
We are a 24 hours service provider, Domiciliary Care Services. We are a CQC registered care provider; our services range from:
Domiciliary Care: We are committed to providing care which we would like to receive ourselves at the comfort of your home.
Live-in Care: Full-time care in the comfort of your own home. A popular and viable alternative to residential care, especially for individual and couples.
Respite Care / Night care: We are always there to step in, when you need to make time for yourself from caring for your loved ones.
Home Care / Supported Living: 24 hours homecare support in the comfort of your own home.
Community Care / Support: We are always there to step in, to support you with all community activities such as shopping, attending medical appointment and all social activities within the community.
Extra Care / support: We provide specialist care service for people’s special needs / complex care while recuperating / having treatment at home.
Our staff include: Registered Nurses (RN) / Registered Mental Health Nurses (RMN) / Registered Learning Disabilities Nurses (RLDN) /Senior Support worker (Medication competent) / Support Worker.
We believe in treating the Mind, Body and Soul. Whether you're in need of some you time or need some general beauty tidy ups, we'd love to welcome you to our salon We pride ourselves on using products that are cruelty-free and a large number of our products are also vegan.
STEP INTO AUTUMN! As the seasons change, give your body and mind a boost. Get ready for the cosy season with a restorative treatment and relax your body as you unwind into autumn. Why not treat yourself, or a loved one? Vouchers make a fabulous gift.
To book in for a therapy or buy vouchers: jotovey@hotmail.co.uk or call Jo on 07828 174776 166 Gloucester Rd BS7 8NT | jojobeautysalon.co.uk
A DIFFERENT WAY OF CARING
Discover LOVELL PLACE – a warm and welcoming care home with a unique approach in award-winning care
“Our care is different,”say the team at Lovell Homes. “We believe it’s better.
Our leading Homemaker model makes the experience for residents more like living in their own home. Within a family environment, typically everyone shares responsibility for looking after each other and this creates a natural, nurturing, and caring way of life.
“OUR HOMEMAKER MODEL MAKES THE EXPERIENCE FOR RESIDENTS MORE LIKE LIVING IN THEIR OWN HOME”
In many care homes, this feeling is lost. In Lovell Place, residents experience a unique form of care through its Homemakers.
“The dedicated Homemakers support residents to continue living their best life, with just the right amount of support they need; above all, they are friends and companions, providing emotional support and a sense of community, which is vital for overall happiness and wellbeing. Instead of multiple staff members each carrying out a singular role, our Homemakers support all the needs of the resident, from personal care to housekeeping, as well as time for companionship and activities.”
Situated in Charlton Hayes, just north of Bristol, Lovell Place has bright and spacious en-suite bedrooms, plus contemporary suites for couples with separate lounge/ diners and private patios overlooking colourful gardens. There’s also a deluxe cinema, a private dining suite for residents to
entertain family and friends, a well-stocked bar, and a wellbeing and beauty salon offering a range of pampering treatments.
As a nurse-led service, Lovell Place also has a dedicated memory care suite, with highly trained staff, to help those to live well with dementia. n
Experience Lovell Place for yourself. Call 01172 350240, search ‘Lovell Place Care’ online, or call in to Sparrowbill Way, Patchway, Bristol BS34 5AU where a warm welcome awaits
WHAT’S ON
6-27 September 2024
EXHIBITIONS
Until 8 September
DONALD RODNEY: VISCERAL CANKER
Major exhibition of the late British artist, whose work is known for being incisive, acerbic and evocative in its analysis of the prejudices and injustices surrounding racial identity. Spike Island; spikeisland.org.uk
Until 28 September
I’M COM’UN HOME IN THE MORN’UN
Elaine Constantine presents her dynamic, full-colour photos of the Northern Soul scene of the 1990s at Martin Parr Foundation; martinparrfoundation.org
Until 29 September
ADÉBAYO BOLAJI: IN PRAISE OF BEAUTY
Enter the kaleidoscopic and multidisciplinary world of Adébayo, whose solo exhibition explores and questions notions of beauty through ainting scul ture film and riting. t rnolfini a nolfini o u
NENGI OMUKU: THE DANCE OF PEOPLE AND THE NATURAL WORLD
Journey into the lush landscapes of Nigerian artist Nengi Omuku, hose human figures blend
seamlessly with nature, exploring the relationship between individual and collective thought, belonging, and psychological spaces which transcend traditional Western landsca e ainting. t rnolfini a nolfini o u
A HOME FOR ART/ACADEMY
A Home reveals some of the secrets of the RWA building and stories of refugee artists who exhibited from the 1940s to today; Academy shows pieces from the collection, charting the evolution of the building and some of the people who have contributed to it; rwa.org.uk
Until 17 October
POLLY LUCE
The North Somerset contemporary artist’s work is a response to experiencing a landscape, focusing on how it feels to be within a place rather than depicting a realistic representation; at Square Club; thesquareclub.com
Until 26 October
250 THOUGHTS ON SLAVERY
250 years ago a pamphlet was published by John Wesley highlighting the inhumanity of enslavement within the TransAtlantic Slave Trade. This exhibition marks the anniversary of his publication and shares ‘250
thoughts upon modern slavery’ from campaigners, charity workers and justice professionals from across the world. At John Wesley’s New Rooms; newroombristol.org.uk
14 September-5 January RWA OPEN
The annual Open Exhibition returns for its 171st year, with over 600 artworks along with work by this year’s invited artist, Rana Begum; rwa.org.uk
SHOWS
Until 7 September AN OFFICER AND A GENTLEMAN
Stage musical based on the Richard Gere Oscar-winner, full of ’80s-tastic tunes; get ready to sing along with Up Where We Belong etc at Bristol Hippodrome; atgtickets.com
SCAFFOLDING
Sheridan is having a bad day. Her church is closing, social care is on her case and she can’t work out what ingredients she needs from Homebase to make a bomb. With no one else to turn to, she climbs the sca olding around the leaking church steeple with a few questions for Whoever Is In Charge. From Documental Theatre, at Bristol Old Vic; bristololdvic.org.uk
THIS IS YOUR MUSICAL Broadway, your way. Inspired by your stories, Bristol’s improvised musical theatre company creates an original and spectacular musical right before your very eyes, at Wardrobe; thewardrobetheatre.com
6 September PROCREATE
A show for ’90s babies, people who are thinking about having children, people who don’t want kids, mothers, or anyone who was a former baby. It’s is the debut solo show from Bethan Screen, and probably the last one because combining parenthood and performing sounds a mare; Alma Tavern; almatavernandtheatre.co.uk
6-21 September WONDER BOY
Another chance to see Bristol playwright Ross Willis’s funny and heartwarming play about communication:; see page 12. Bristol Old Vic; bristololdvic.org.uk
10-14 September
SIX
Tudor queens turn pop princesses, as the six wives of Henry VIII take to the mic, remixing 500 years of historical heartbreak into an 80-minute celebration of 21stcentury girl power. These queens may have green sleeves but their
Someone here at the Hippodrome is doing something on crutches that we couldn’t do on two legs: Peaky Blinders: the Redemption of Thomas Shelby
lipstick is a rebellious red; Bristol Hippodrome; atgtickets.com
DESTINY
Florence Espeut-Nickless’s solo show follows Destiny, a teenage girl growing up on a rural Wiltshire council estate. If J-Lo can make it out of the Bronx then Destiny can make it o the ill ise estate in Chippenham – yeah? At Wardrobe; thewardrobetheatre.com
13 September
FLAMENCO EXPRESS
Pretty much what you’d expect: the best flamenco from a touring company dedicated to bringing audiences this most exciting dance form. Trinity; trinitybristol.org.uk
16-21 September
GREASE
f ou re among the of the populace who’s never seen it, or if you have and it’s the one that you want, Hippodrome is the place for you; atgtickets.com
17-18 September
IT’S THE ECONOMY, STUPID!
Joe Sellman-Leava and Dylan Howells embark on a quest to uncover how the economy wins elections, and why the force that dominates our lives is so bloody complicated; at TFT; tobaccofactorytheatres.com
THE SPANKING GODDESS
& Other Discarded Tales. Storyteller Clare Murphy exhumes the Celtic
canon to bring the wild women who never made the cut back into the light. A shapeshifter spanks her opponents, a queen balances on the point of a spear, a goddess is caught in a face o ith death heroes are defeated by motherdaughter warriors, and we witness the first di orce the oman on . Wardrobe; thewardrobetheatre.com
17-21 September
HOW I LEARNED TO SWIM
Jamie can’t swim. Bit awkward when you’re 30. Fuelled by guilt and a need to mend her broken family, she’s taking on her biggest fear: the ocean. At BOV; bristololdvic.org.uk
18 September CLOWNFISHING
The everyday dysfunctional family is turned upside down by three clowns who know absolutely nothing about matters of the heart. Alma Tavern; almatavernandtheatre.co.uk
19-20 September WHAT’S NEXT?
Weight Theatre’s one-woman show shines a light on the life of Harriet uimb a trailbla ing figure in a iation ho defied societal norms b becoming the first oman to earn a pilot’s licence in the United States and conquer the skies solo; she was also the first female ilot to cross the English Channel. So why haven’t we heard of her? Alma Tavern; almatavernandtheatre.co.uk
19-21 September WOMEN WHO GAVE NO F**KS
You wait ages for a show about forgotten feist omen see also e tember and t o come along as once; in this case Story Jam’s tales of WW2 spies, secret statuebotherers, naughty goddesses and sword-wielding queens who didn’t let giving a f**k stand in their way. Who will you crown supreme giver of absolutely none? At TFT, tobaccofactorytheatres.com
24-28 September
PEAKY BLINDERS: THE REDEMPTION OF THOMAS SHELBY
Ballet Rambert take Steven Knight’s post-World War I Brummy gangsters into the world of dance. Hippodrome; page 24. atgtickets.com
DREAMS OF THE DARK
Haunted by disturbing dreams, a troubled woman seeks help to unravel the mysteries that lie within.
TOPTOBOTTOM: Lines of beauty: Adébayo Bolaji; Elvis may not want to go to Chelsea, but he’s fine about coming to Bristol; thrill your friends and family by learning to cook like Ottolenghi
A series of supernatural tales of ghosts, demons and curses unfolds – but are they merely dreams, or dark memories of her past? PreHalloween spookiness at Alma Tavern; almatavernandtheatre.co.uk
COMEDY
Ongoing CLOSER EACH DAY
All the drama of Succession. The grit of EastEnders. The rumpy-pumpy of Sex Education. Not remotely like Slow Horses; the world’s longest-running improvised comedy soap continues to bubble away at The Wardrobe; thewardrobetheatre.com
6 September
SALLY-ANNE HAYWARD: EGG SHORTAGE
Sally’s approaching a certain age when getting sweaty at night no longer involves someone else having to be there. But if she’s worried about being over the hill, it’s not enough to stop her rolling playfully down the other side. At Bristol Beacon; bristolbeacon.org
EXPLODING HEADS: COLIN FROM PORTSMOUTH
Former professional footballer turned pundit Ian Fiveankles thinks he’s doing ‘an evening with’, but Colin from Portsmouth has other ideas. He’s loud, he’s angry and he’s more confused than ever. Online and
podcast stars Exploding Heads are “Consistently the funniest people on the whole internet,” according to Marcus Brigstocke. At Redgrave; redgravetheatre.com
THE NOISE NEXT DOOR
The quickest wits in comedy and twelve-time sell-out veterans of The Edinburgh Fringe are here to take you on a totally improvised tour around your weirdest and wildest ideas; at Bristol Improv Theatre; improvtheatre.co.uk
7 September
JONATHAN KAY: KNOW ONE’S FOOL
The fool performer and teacher presents the unexpected in the most magical, anarchic and delightful way, in a night of improvisation and theatre of immediacy, at Wardrobe; thewardrobetheatre.com
8 September
DANNY BEARD: STRAIGHT EXPECTATIONS
A evening of scandalous behaviour from the Drag Race UK winner, along with an honest insight into what life’s really like as a Z-list ‘celeb’. At Redgrave; redgravetheatre.com
11 September
SHANE TODD: FULL HOUSE
Northern Ireland’s self titled prince of comedy – to be fair we’re struggling to think of a rival, raising
the big question: are stand-ups from the Republic intrinsically funnier? –comes to Redgrave; redgravetheatre.com
12 September
BEN ELTON: AUTHENTIC STUPIDITY
The godfather of stand-up is back, and he’s still not taking any prisoners. “Since my last live tour a whole new existential threat has emerged to threaten humanity,” he sa s. arentl rtificial Intelligence is going to destroy us all. Well I reckon our real problem isn t rtificial ntelligence it s good old fashioned Authentic Stupidity we need to be worrying about.” At Beacon, bristolbeacon.org
15 September
SERENA TERRY: ALL TIED UP
The Derry girl (lower-case ‘g’) brings her Mammy Banter schtick to Redgrave; redgravetheatre.com
19 September
ALAN RESNICK: ONE FUNNY HOUR
LA’s favourite funny man is a truthteller who tells it like it is and pulls no punches; come and hear his fractured take on society’s ills at The Wardrobe; thewardrobetheatre.com
19-21 September
LLOYD GRIFFITH: BAROQUE AND ROLL Welcome to Lloyd’s midlife crisis,
or ‘renaissance’ as he’s insisting on calling it; complete with bodyhair removal, head-hair additions, teeth-whitening and obviously the obligatory half-marathon sign up. Hen & Chicken, henandchicken.com
24-25
SU POLLARD: STILL FULLY CHARGED
rom first beginnings on s Opportunity Knocks (where she came second to a singing dog), through her years in BBC sitcom Hi-de-Hi!, to West End and national touring roles, Su’s been in the biz we call show for 50 years. She says she’s just getting started. Redgrave; redgravetheatre.com
26 September
AMY GLEDHILL: MAKE ME LOOK FIT ON THE POSTER
The multi-award nominee comes to Wardrobe with a new show about self confidence romance and bin bags; thewardrobetheatre.com
NISH KUMAR: NISH, DON’T KILL MY VIBE
The BL favourite’s back, with jokes about climate collapse, income inequality and the emotional sensation of being a British Indian man who isn’t going to vote for a British Indian prime minister. If we had to see just one comedy show this month, etc. At Beacon; bristolbeacon.org
GIGS Ongoing
BRISTOL BEACON
With daily gigs, encompassing orchestral, folk, world, indie, jazz and less easil classifiable shi le for full programme see bristolbeacon.org
ST GEORGE’S BRISTOL
Classical, world, folk, talks, more, at St George’s; stgeorgesbristol.co.uk
13 September
BETHANY LEY
The artist formerly known as STANLÆY, along with visual artist lfie er is erforming ne Sundial as an audio-visual live show; at Strange Brew; trinitybristol.org.uk
14 September
LEE MEAD: THE BEST OF ME uick someone tell ulia o of Motherland! The former Any Dream will Do winner and subsequent musical star brings his live band and very best tunes to Redgrave; redgravetheatre.com
LEFT: Lee Mead! Lee Meeeead!!!; RIGHT: Epod comes to Weston Wallz
WHAT’S ON
14 September2 November
IN:MOTION
Motion – voted by DJ Mag as 11th best club in the world and the UK’s best large club – has announced its line-up of all-stars; motion-bristol.com
17 September
ELVIS COSTELLO
Declan Patrick Aloysius Macmanus – you didn’t really think he was christened Elvis, did you? – returns to the Beacon, this time with longterm collaborator Steve Nieve, to bring you the back catalogue; bristolbeacon.org
19 September
MARC ALMOND
Shock revelation: he wasn’t really after a nice little housewife who’d give him the steady life after all! Still, come and say hello, wave goodbye at the ’80s legend when he comes to Beacon; bristolbeacon.org
19 September THE ALLERGIES
DJ Moneyshot and Rackabeat have been delighting dance floors and lighting up radio airwaves; discover why at Trinity, trinitybristol.org.uks
22 September
PP ARNOLD: SOUL SURVIVOR
Music and conversation with the soul legend, at Redgrave; redgravetheatre.com
BEVERLEY KNIGHT
The queen of British soul has embarked on her biggest ever UK tour and it’s headed straight to Beacon; bristolbeacon.org
FESTIVALS
Ongoing
BRISTOL FILM FESTIVAL
The year-round fest with the something-for-everyone remit; various venues; b istolfil esti al co
Until 7 September
WINGFEST
More fowl play at Lloyd’s as the world’s most popular chicken wing festival rolls back into town with fairground rides, live music, competitions, masterclasses, cooking demonstrations and games. If you’ve always yearned for a trucker hat, know that this is included in the ticket price; win est co u
Until 15 September
WESTON WALLZ
Upfest goes to WSM, with plenty of
DOGFEST
Displays from athletic canines; free expert advice and workshops; breed meet-ups; big dog walks; dog shows where the focus is fun; fastest dog competitions; shopping, food and drink, and hopefully a few tasty dog treats. Ashton Court; do est co u
14 September
BRISTOL COFFEE FESTIVAL
Back at the Beacon after its first inaugural year, with an expanded programme; b istolco ee esti al co u
21 September
BRISTOL SEA SHANTY FESTIVAL
Various salty people play venues across the city; b istols anty esti al co
OTHER
9 September
VANESSA KISUULE
In conversation with Max Porter, at Gloucester Road Books; gloucesterroadbooks.com
13 September
YOTAM OTTOLENGHI: THE COMFORT TOUR
Live on the Beacon stage, Yotam shares expert tips emulating the unmistakable Ottolenghi flair. bristolbeacon.org n
TOPTOBOTTOM: Queen Bev comes to Beacon, and so do Marc and Nish
Bristol faves along with Upfest Artist 2024, Mister Samo; u est co u
Stag & Hen Party?
BOKMAN
Seoul food, Stokes Croft-style
Words by Deri Robins; photos Ben Robins
If it’s not too hubristic to couple our name with the esteemed Jay Rayner’s, and I’m pretty sure you’ll say it is, you might say that great minds think alike. Or at least, great minds and... ours. Either way, it seems we had the same idea in the same week: viz, to run a review of Bokman. Not because it’s a new opening; in fact it’s been around since 2019. My best guess is that just like us, Jay received a press release about Dongnae, the new Korean restaurant that Bokman owners Duncan Robertson and Kyu Jeong Jeon will shortly be opening on Chandos Road, and with visions of banchan, tteokbokki and tongdak dancing in his head he’d found himself irresistibly drawn to their OG gaff in Stokes Croft to get his kimchi fix. He beat us to it by two days.
As it’s mid-August, it’s raining. It’s the kind of grim, dark night that would make The Ritz look down at heel, let alone graff-covered Nine Tree Hill. Blithely unaffected either by the weather or its scruffy neighbours, however, Bokman radiates a cheerful welcome, the golden light from the dining room pooling on the outside tables where a couple of hardy diners are al frescoing.
Being made of far weedier stuff, we scuttle indoors, safely out of the Brizzle drizzle, well pleased with ourselves for reserving a table. Bokman do take walkins, but it’s a gamble because the place is tiny; the room you can see in the photo is more or less it for upstairs, with a few more tables down below. We’ve bagged window seats, because not being able to people-watch from a Croft restaurant feels a bit like going to Bristol Old Vic and having a blocked view of the stage.
good and ready. First to materialise are a trio of banchan, meaning ‘side dishes’ – three very moreish sharing portions consisting of strips of squid with walnut, anchovy with peanut and chilli, and garlic stems. “People walk around chewing squid like jerky, after it’s been marinated and flattened,” says my adviser.
Slow-roasted pork is great in any cuisine; Bokman’s comes in slices revealing strata-like layers of tender flesh, succulent fat and crackling that’s everything crackling should be, all set off by a tangy fermented shrimp dip.
“Order the ttokbolki,” a Bokman regular of my acquaintance had insisted, a glittering look in her eye. The translation – essentially, spicy rice cakes – didn’t sound especially alluring; I’d pictured those puffed health food things that people eat on glum diets. In fact, the ‘cakes’ are like long, fat noodles, served in a spicy tomatoey stew with a boiled egg, not unlike ramen. “It’s a staple street food,” says my adviser between appreciative munches. “You buy it in polystyrene bowls and eat it wandering the streets in the middle of winter.” It’s really excellent.
DINING DETAILS
Bokman, 83 Nine Tree Hill www.bokman.co.uk
Opening hours Tues-Fri 5-11pm; Sat midday-3pm, 5-11pm
Price Plates range from £8-28; puds £6.5-8
Veggie Possibly not their spiritual home
Service Friendly and helpful Atmosphere Cosy, cheerful and buzzy
I’ve brought along a Korea adviser in the form of the eldest son, who spent six years in Seoul subsisting mainly on bibimbap. He also knows all the steps to the Gangnam Style dance – with mingled pride and horror I once watched him perform them at a wedding – but since Bokman plays non-Korean-specific music he’s not tempted to throw any shapes. Instead, he offers me a nugget of information: purely by chance, we’ve chosen the National Liberation Day of Korea for our visit. He then kindly reads me the Bokman menu, because everything is chalked up on blackboards and I haven’t brought my glasses.
Although Bokman has a lot of lovely sexy low-intervention wines on offer, my adviser insists we kick off with soju; a Korean vodka that is, he tells me, sneakily potent. “It’s the downfall of many a foreign visitor. It’s very cheap, it doesn’t taste especially alcoholic, but four bottles later you’re in trouble. Everyone has their soju story – mine was when I tried to mix it with whisky.” It’s crisp, clean and smooth, and slips down far too easily.
The food menu is reassuringly brief. There are five main plates, along with rice dishes, salads and pickles (Bokman makes its own, along with soy sauce, kimchi, marinades and kombucha); there are also a few specials, and a short list of puds. The great thing about this – and you’re probably way ahead of me here – is that it means you can try practically everything.
Cooked in the tiny back kitchen, by a head chef bearing the wonderfully Shires-like name of Sam Manyweathers, the dishes come out when they’re
There’s gochu twigim – crisply coated tempura chillis stuffed with mince to dip in a soy-like sauce and pop into your mouth. The Bokman salad – a medley of Chinese leaf, toasted seaweed and pine nuts, which could easily have made a meal on its own. But whatever you do, don’t miss out on Bokman’s hero dish: the tongdak chicken. This sticky rice-stuffed, rotisserieroasted poussin is cooked on an oven imported from Korea; it comes with a honey mustard dip and peppery, spicy gochujang paste, and sweet and crunchy mooli – pickled radish, to you. You can, if you like, do as the Seoulites do, tearing off chunks of meat and stuffing them into ssam – green leaves you effectively fashion into wraps. However, as my adviser has neglected to order these, we get stuck in with hands and chopsticks instead; mostly, admittedly, hands.
Puds are a toss-up between matcha tiramisu or ice-cream with a choice of toppings, including honey butter chips which look a bit like Frosties. I’m tempted by the magic shell, because who doesn’t need a touch of sorcery in their life, but as I’m a sucker for mochi, which are somehow marvellously soft yet chewy, this is the path I choose. Drizzled with strawberry sauce, the Mr Whippy-esque soft-serve has a retro seaside café look to it; along with the cubes of mochi it’s adorned with a kitsch pair of pastille cherries.
We’re done and dusted after about 90 minutes, which feels about right, because you don’t go to Bokman to lounge about; those wooden chairs are about as comfy as those in a primary school classroom. However, this only adds to the authentic canteen-like vibe; it’s cosy, chummy, lively and atmospheric, with bags of charm.
It turns out that Jay Rayner loved Bokman, too. I’m not quite so sure about his recommendation for a post-prandial stroll to Turbo Island, mind, but if it inspires a bunch of DFLs to earnestly head down the Cheltenham Road in search of stimulating intellectual debate, I’d definitely go down and watch. Apart from anything else, it’s always nice and toasty down there; but I may take a pot of ttokbolki with me, just to be on the safe side.
SPROUTS OUT!
DID THAT WAITER JUST SAY ‘COLLIE’ CHEESE?!
Yes, we know. It’s not remotely beginning to look like Bristmas. Hell, it barely resembles autumn. But in terms of booking up your festive bash, ’tis most definitely the season…
Words by Deri Robins
That’s Toby, the Pieminster dog. And yes, we’ve featured him in a Bristmas parties feature before, but honestly, can you blame us for doing so again? Look at his little face!
See Toby there, pictured on the previous page? This is a dog who neglected to book his big o ce hristmas bash in e tember last ear. As a result, all the best (and even the dodgy) places were booked up, and Toby had to break the news to his colleagues that it was going to be a eli eroo order al desko or nothing.
Onl kidding his is a su remel ise and organised dog, who knows that an incredible festive feast is about to be laid on his table because he sealed the deal months in ad ance
Be like ob . et our first Bristmas art enue choice booked u no before some other hound beats ou to it. f ou re still not feeling the uletime ibe stick Feed the World u on otif ork our a through the suggestions on the following pages and take one shot of sherr e er time ou read the ord festi e . ou can thank us in ecember hen e er one otes ou the o ce to dog.
1AQUA
The class act hristmas at ua is all about large-scale celebrations and art ing. ect st lish classy vibes as you tuck into e uisite traditional treats such as gra la roast turke stri loin of beef from lannaborough arm Bri ham cod hristmas pud etc, all brought to you by su er rofessional sta ho kno e actl ho to make ou and the team feel festi e and s ecial. www.aqua-restaurant.com
1
2BAMBALAN
Up on the roof
Bristol s best roofto bar transforms into a s arkling inter onderland com lete ith heated covered terraces, DJs and all those funk Bam ibes. e er one to follow the crowd, the kitchen will be laying on Mediterraneaninspired sharing dishes with a festive twist, including crisp pork bell ith romesco sauce fried cauliflo er ith rose harissa and ooh cinder to ee bro nie. www.bambalan.co.uk
2
3BAR
44
¡Feliz Navidad!
At Clifton’s favourite Spanish tapas bar, Christmas cocktails, cava and red berry sangria kick off a relaxed party in the invitingly candlelit restaurant and bar, followed by tapas and sharing menus featuring the likes of jamón croquetas, manchego salad with cecina and chicken with sobrasada and spiced yoghurt.
Fancy the luxury of privacy? Book one of the two dining rooms in the bank vaults, where groups up to 14 can have their own music and bespoke menus; exclusive use of the main restaurant, for up to 150 guests, is also an option during the week. www.grupo44.co.uk
CHRISTMAS PARTIES
4BERWICK LODGE
Escape to the country Twinkly candles, roaring fires and the aroma of mince ies a ait ou at this elegant countr side sanctuar here for the first time ou ll be able to oin an e clusi e hristmas art night ith decadent t o rosette catering un aralleled ser ice and li e music. ela ing re hristmas sta s and creati e orksho s are also a ailable. www.berwicklodge.co.uk
5THE BIANCHIS GROUP
Talking Italian hile each of the famil s restaurants class trattoria Bianchis in ont elier intimate asta i iena and otto on t te hen s treet a o on hiteladies ha e a di erent menu and ibe the all share a assion for classic talian cuisine ith a touch of the Bianchis s ecial sauce. udging b last ear e ect ust a hint of hristmas in the d cor ith talian classics on the menu. Basicall it s all going to be icked . ou kno it. www.bianchisrestaurant.co.uk
7BOMBA TAPAS
Da Bomba his rela ed neighbourhood lo oad restaurant ith colourful murals b local artist ina aines
o der fennel com te and orange marmalade follo ed b mains such as turke then it s onto to hristmas ud or ou can choose the bo l food o tion in hich the likes of confit duck in orange and cranberr salad an seared sea bass in lobster bis ue sauce and stick to ee udding all circulate the room so that the art ne er needs to sto . www.bristolmuseums.org.uk
11BRISTOLHARBOUR HOTEL
Grand hotel rom rela ed festi e lunches to large scale dinners and s eakeas ins ired cocktail arties arbour otel has ou co ered catering for grou s u to or standing. esti e menus include three course ban uets or for a more rela ed a air ou can en o a selection of festi e bo l and finger food. arties include the ser ices of the resident ith the o tion to add further entertainment. www.harbourhotels. co.uk/bristol
sets the scene for a celebrator e ening of ta as classic and original cocktails. e re talking cro uetas fried aubergines in molasses and atatas bra as and a great selections of meats and cheeses sho sto ing rgentinian ra ns confit lemon butter cod resa iberica tuna tartare ork and black udding. um. www.bombatapas.com
8BRAVAS
The tapas OG ot merel one of Bristol s original and fa ourite ta as bars and the first from Bristol s estimable eason aste grou but one of its cosiest and most atmos heric little Bra as on otham ill is a ailable for full hire on unda s or grou lunches during the eek. ect ta as classics such as gildas in tos cured meats cro uetas and seasonal egetable s ecials. www.bravas.co.uk
9BRISTOL MUSEUM & ART GALLERY
A night at the museum elcome to he isco Ball chic and glamorous art ith da ling glitter balls festi e delights and a one of a kind museum ambience. classic hristmas dinner sees eg chicken t ith grilled sourdough smoked bacon
6BOCABAR
Feeling in-tents?
Both Bocabar Finzels Reach and Bocabar Paintworks are set to bring maximum joy to your festive celebrations, with their large gorgeous spaces, including the huge fairylit stretch tent at Finzels, glitzed up with plenty of sparkle, a buzzy, festive dress-up vibe, banging Christmas cocktails, mulled cider and Christmas dance tunes. www.bristol.bocabar.co.uk 7
10BRISTOL PACKET
Push the boat out Everything’s more fun on a boat! Each one is covered and heated, has a fully licensed bar and music facilities, with catering to order, and will be done up to the nines with fairy lights, garlands and Christmas trees; food- wise, choose from festive nibbles to Christmas cream tea or a Christmas buffet by Emmeline. Take in the Christmas atmosphere of Bristol’s Floating Harbour as the lights reflect and dazzle on the water; you can even stop off at a Harbourside pub or two along the way, if you like. www.bristolpacket.co.uk
12CANTEEN
Plant-based heaven
Belting Bristol food and booze followed by free live music, all with a fun, friendly, and relaxed party vibe in the Croft. The fully veggie menu includes such delights as celeriac dauphinoise with braised red cabbage and quince, roast beets and leek with blue cheese sauce, chicory and candied walnuts, and Penang pumpkin curry. www.canteenbristol.co.uk
13CARGOCANTINA
Loco in Acapulco Fancy making it Mexican? Cantina know how to throw a party: along with tacos, tostadas, margaritas and mezcal, there’s a fi e course e ening menu ith cured trout tostadas, roasted sirloin with mole (not the rodent), and bunuelos with chilli chocolate and me cal butter to finish. www.cargocantina.co.uk
16DEATH DISCO
Disco inferno
A taste of downtown Manhattan circa 1985 – think Studio 54 – in the heart of the Old City. Underground and glamorous with a disco-tiled bar and DJ booth, it’s the ideal destination for anyone wanting to let their hair down this Christmas, with space for up to 180. Expect frozen cocktails along with favourite classics and some typically creative Hyde & Co concoctions. Food can be supplied from sister venue Four Wise Monkeys (see 17) if you need something to soak up the booze. www.deathdiscobristol.com
14CHRISTMAS STEPS
A Christmas carol
The most Christmassy pub in Bristol. Not only is it on the Christmas Steps, which look insanely Dickensian even in midJuly, never mind a frosty night in December, but the pub itself is over 400 years old and heaving with character. Last year’s festive menu included confit duck breast with potato rosti, kohlrabi and shallot purée, along with ’70s kitsch classics such as prawn cocktail and a meringuey spin on Black Forest gateau. www.thechristmassteps.com
15CONDESA
¡Ándale, ándale!
From the same team as Cargo Cantina, but in the slightl more rarefied candlelit atmospheric setting of their new ga on hiteladies oad. hare small plates such as the beef tartar tostada, trout ceviche and Hereford picanha – and obviously check out the mezcal den. www.condesabristol.co.uk
CHRISTMAS PARTIES
18GAMBAS
¡Viva España!
Have you seen Gambas’ sexy, intimate private dining room, next door to its main restaurant in Cargo? Head here for some of the best (and best-priced) Spanish food in the city, from a traditional Spanish Christmas meal to classic tapas dishes: we’re talking pan con tomate, Iberico cured meats, palourde clams, arrocina beans, candied walnuts, Picos Blue cheese, wet seafood bomba rice, Belmont Estate beef canelones, padron peppers, pisto manchego, mushroom fideua, shall we go on…? You can also add an optional curated wine pairing, focusing on naturals and biodynamics.
The vibe is intimate and personal to you and your crew, and the staff are beyond helpful and charming.
If you’re taking the team and have a spare seat to fill, we’re free that night… www.gambasbristol.co.uk
17FOUR WISE MONKEYS
Bao wow wow
Vibey, bustling and in the centre of Old City, 4WM channels downtown Tokyo izakayas while adding a Bristolian twist, with live DJs, arcade games and plenty of space for big groups wanting to do hristmas di erentl . ood ise the kitchen takes Asian-inspired fla ours and uts its o n stam on it, with a range of small plates including filled bao buns atchu s gyoza, loaded fries and plenty more crowd-pleasers, all washed down with punchy cocktails and ice cold ints of sahi beer. www.fourwisemonkeysbristol.com
19GATSBY’S
Cheers, old sport
A beautifully appointed 1920s-style speakeasy bar no dance floor no loud music – with professional table service and creative cocktails –ar ickford Old ashioned South Side, etc – made by great bar sta . his is e clusi e and ou ll need a ass ord to get in. un fact cott it gerald s novel The Great Gatsby, the ins iration for films and enues across the world, and a byword for s fla er st le celebrates its centenar ne t ear. www.gatsbysbristol.co.uk
20GOLDBRICK HOUSE
Boujie wonderland
Glamorous Goldbrick has several separate bars, all available for ri ate hire the roof terrace is perfect for small and large gatherings, with fabulous cityscape views; dance the night away in Boujee Wonderland, the retro clubroom, under the golden glitter ball or rela in cos oldie s our ub on ark treet . enus feature succulent roasts and decadent desserts; try the festi e latter for four eo le. www.goldbrick.house
21HARBOUR HOUSE
Boogie in a boatshed
Brunel’s beautiful boatshed comes alive with large parties and man man es resso martinis any size or style of party can be accommodated, while the snug waterfront winter terrace is fully covered, fully decorated, heated and furnished with plenty of blankets. There’s turkey, of course, although the slowcooked shoulder of lamb with dauphinoise potatoes makes a perfect alternative. www.hhbristol.com
22THEHIDEAWAY
BS9’s little secret
Swaggering service and top food from the Michelin-trained head
21
chef, serving everything from hand-dived scallops to grouse ballotine. They can cater fsor 50+ guests, with complimentary prosecco and mince pies, if you book early enough. www.thehideawaybs9.com
23THEMANOR HOUSE
Swellegant, elegant party
Set in Castle Combe, one of the UK’s most beautiful villages, The Manor House has a fairytale magic all year round, but never more so than at Christmas. Expect traditional festive decor, trees and fairy lights, where private dining spaces can be transformed to your tastes.
Executive chef Robert Potter, who runs the hotel’s Michelinstarred Bybrook restaurant, will
24THE MILK THISTLE Club class
Bona-fide institution the Milkie brings a touch of festive class to groups of up to 120, serving up elegant opulence this Christmas. Spread across four floors – the look being gentleman’s club meets quirky speakeasy – there’s plenty of space for shindigs of all kinds, including a private dining room, hidden whisky vault and the leather-upholstered lounge space.
Cocktails are always on point, while the festive menu is supplied by sister restaurant The Ox, so expect succulent steaks and top-notch British fare. Choose from a threecourse private dining menu; for larger groups, buffets and canapés are also available.
www.milkthistlebristol.com
be cooking up seasonal classics hich go all out on fla our there’s also festive afternoon tea, Christmas stay packages – you can even take over their nearby village pub. www.exclusive.co.uk/the-manor-house
25M SHED
Harbour lights
Christmas at M
Shed begins with festive cocktails on the terrace, as you gaze appreciatively at the twinkling Harbourside panorama and think ‘Boy, what a city!’ Next, tuck into Christmas dinner before hitting the dancefloor in a s irit of arm joyful holiday cheer.
Options range from smaller parties from 40 guests, larger gatherings of up to 500, and shared parties starting from 10 people. Choose the festive finger food bu et or a full lated Christmas menu which includes garlic roast turkey and gnocchi in romesco sauce followed by dessert sharing platters: think e ermint ti n and s iced orange and cinnamon posset. www.bristolmuseums.org.uk
26No.1HARBOURSIDE
On the waterfront Christmas cocktails and special little extras at both lunch and dinner make your relaxed party at o. go o ith a bang. t brunch, there’s smoked salmon or cured beetroot followed by classic
dishes with Christmas twists. The evening menu brings stacked burgers with vegan, veggie and meat options, all sourced as locally as possible. There’s live music at the weekends, too. www.no1harbourside.co.uk
27OLD MARKET ASSEMBLY
The crowd-pleasers
Whether you’re thinking small or having it large, the friendly O uts a cos s arkl and delicious s in on festi e a airs with exclusive wines paired with the ethicall sourced food. fter sharing starters you’ll tuck into mains including squash and chestnut Wellington or salt-cured confit leg of duck follo ed b desserts for the table – maybe a rich chocolate delice, or a salted caramel cheesecake?
www.oldmarketassembly.co.uk
28THE OX
Raising the steaks
Within its secretive, speakeasy-style basement on Corn Street, The Ox feels festive and opulent all year round with its deep red walls, retro lighting, Pre-Raphaelite murals and dark wooden panelling – perfect for boujee entertaining and cosy celebrations. s one of Bristol s original steak houses, for Christmas they’ll naturally be serving outstanding locally reared meat, along with classic cocktails. www.theoxbristol.com
CHRISTMAS PARTIES
30PONY CHEW VALLEY
Top Magna chews
With the lovely old Chew Magna pub decorated by Stone Barn, Josh Eggleton’s festive menu will feature his signature modern British dishes along with a special festive afternoon tea.
Fancy something more active? he ne cooker school o ers a variety of workshops and classes, from wreath-making to turkey cookery. You can also click and collect a Christmas Day or Boxing Day ‘cook at home’ box. We have tried these in the past and can 10,000% recommend. www.theponychewvalley.co.uk
31THE RAVEN
The dark side
Sultry and clandestine, hidden from view at the to floor of its to n house on Clare Street, The Raven brings you outstanding cocktail concoctions along with burlesque, magic and tarot-reading, in a very special ambience that’s ideal for festive drinks or larger parties, with two hireable spaces for up to 100.
he a en can also o er Christmas catering from sister venue Four Wise Monkeys two floors do n o ering a ariet of sushi and Asian fusion dishes designed for sharing. www.theravenbristol.com
32SALT & MALT
Festive fishies
Fancy a pescatarian option? At everyone’s favourite arbourside fish and chi ie the Fish Tank private dining room is
available for exclusive hire for a Christmas party, seating up to 28. www.saltandmalt.co.uk
33SPIEGELTENT
The time-machine
When you enter the Spiegeltent, you’re transported to a mesmerising, magical bygone era. That’s not just press blurb, by the way; we know from experience that the décor and carefully chosen acts make you genuinely feel as if you’ve stumbled into a time warp. Made of wood with intricately carved panels, stained-glass windows and bevelled mirrors, these handhewn pavilions have been used as travelling dance halls, bars and bohemian entertainment salons since the early 20th century; Marlene Dietrich famously sang in one back in the day, and you wouldn’t be surprised in the least if she suddenly appeared. One of the tents always pitches up on Harbourside over the festi e eriod o ering a ide range of parties which always sell out; head to the website now and start making memories. And dig our your boujiest, most outré gear; you simply can’t be overdressed.
www.christmasspiegeltent.co.uk
34SPIRITED
Spirited away
As you’d imagine from the name, this unique, very Bristol bar and shop on North Street infuses its own spirits. For a Christmas bash with a di erence book for the hisk rum, etc tastings for groups of up
29PIEMINISTER
Eyes on the pies
Christmas at Pieminister is all about getting together with friends, family, whoever, to kick back and relax in a warm and twinkly pie emporium.
What’s on the menu? Pies! Pies! Pies! You’ll find all the festive faves you’ve craved since last winter, plus, new for 2024, a glutenfree version of the veggie Christingle.
There’s a pie for every palate, taste and budget, from a full-on pie and all trimmings for £14.50 right through to the signature bottomless festive feast for just £40 each – that’s two hours of pies, sides, puddings and pints, people! And beer’s not the only free-flowing tipple – there’s also fizz and deliciously Christmassy cocktails including martinis, sours and spritzes. www.pieminister.co.uk
to 30, or cocktail masterclasses for up to 10; alternatively you can hire the whole event space for groups of up to 40, with a menu of Christmassy cocktails and festive food-sharing boards. www.spiritedbristol.com
35WIPER & TRUE
Tap into Christmas
Looking for a beautiful space with Bristolian-Japanese fusion food and drink? Head to the Wiper and True Taproom in Old arket a huge lant filled s ace decked out with unique design features, not least the colossal,
shining stainless-steel brewery in the room behind the bar..
In-house kitchen Eatchu have dreamed up a Japaneseinspired street-food menu with a festive twist; think miso butter sprouts, soyglazed pigs in blankets and so on. Alongside their beautiful beer, W&T has curated an exquisite selection of festive cocktails, wine and soft drinks. You don’t even need to worry about entertainment; if you book your Christmas party on a Thursday or Friday, there’ll be popping tunes courtesy of local selectors taking over the decks. www.wiperandtrue.com
36WHATLEY MANOR
Far from the madding crowd
e re talking roaring log fires and classic manor-house Cotswold comfort, with a huge Christmas tree and twinkly lights.
ick o dinner ith mackerel or salmon, orzo with Jerusalem artichoke or chicken, cranberry, date and granola; follow with venison haunch, turkey, hake or potato and chestnut, with decadent puds to follow. n www.whatleymanor.com
• GIANT PLANETARY CEILING INSTALLATIONS
• FUTURISTIC PERFORMERS
• 3 ZONES, BAR, DINING & DJ
• RECEPTION DRINK & THREE COURSE DINNER
• FUN PACKED PHOTO BOOTH
• 7PM TO MIDNIGHT
FRIDAY 13TH DECEMBER
SATURAY 14TH DECEMBER
THURSDAY 19TH DECEMBER
FRIDAY 20TH DECEMBER
SATURDAY 21ST DECEMBER
CAFÉ SOCIETY STAN CULLIMORE
Finders keepers
Small is beautiful at the Not
Found Kitchen, which houses its own in-house bakery
confused. eemed er di erent this time around. Couldn’t work out if the management had changed or if e ere ust bamboozled by the alteration in the seating arrangements.
This issue s co ee shop of choice is a splendid little café hunkered down on the Whiteladies Road, pretty much opposite the Everyman Cinema. I’d like to say that you can’t possibly miss it, though it’s such a tiny shop front that ou definitel could. a well be why it is called the Not Found Kitchen. Hmm. Possibly. Either way, I’ve written about the lace before and en o ed our last visit so much that the CS crew and I went back for seconds. For another bite of the brownie, if you will.
Mind you, once inside the doorway we all got a wee bit
“I’d like so say that you can’t possibly miss it, t ou you definitely could
Main thing is, it all looked mighty fab and the seats were a huge improvement on our last visit. So we sat down and got ready to tickle our tastebuds with some top-notch treats.
The cakes and brownies on display, baked on the premises by the café’s own 404 Bakes, looked tasty and seductive, and while the savoury menu seemed rett banging it s all eggie and egan incidentall as e were on a sweet-toothed mission we plumped for a slab of passion fruit and banana bread to share. I think. To be honest, by this stage of the game I wasn’t really focusing on details as ust en o ing being ali e. t s that sort of place.
A very pleasant young waitery person bought over a cakey, creamy slice of heaven for us, along ith a air of might fine co ees. But e en these e cellent edibles and drinkables could not compete with the main attraction: Roo, the café dog. Or Rhu, the café dog. Not entirely sure of the spelling. It comes from rhubarb. So I shall leave you to make up your own mind. Don’t think she actually cares which it is, so long as you give
her a stroke and some love. The next few minutes were mainly given over to nibbling, sipping and sighing with delight, though we also spent some time trying to make friends with Roo, who as well as being gorgeous and flu is slightl reser ed and camera-shy. So, no pics. Sorry. Anyway, after all this excitement, I decided to go for a look around the place. Turns out the front of the café is not the only parlour on the premises; there’s also another, cosy, welcoming seating area downstairs beside the in-house bakery, which along with the tast bites on o er in the caf make beautiful flo er adorned celebration cakes, meaning ou get to si our co ee hile watching bakery business up close and personal. It also gives you a chance to inhale all the gorgeous smells that go with it. Mmm. If that wasn’t enough to supercharge your smile, there’s also a delightful garden out the back which makes you feel you’re on the Med. In short, there’s a lot of stu here ust aiting to be found. n
@notfoundkitchen
Former The Housemartins guitarist Stan is now a journalist and travel writer; @stancullimore on instagram Google up Stan’s daily substack blog: Diary of an Urban Grandad
LIFE ON THE EDGIE
EDGIE EATS is an independent supplier of baked goods and tasty treats based in Bristol and Bath
In the space of 2.5 years, Edgie Eats has grown from a lockdown hobby working out of her parents garage to a wholesale bakery supplying four universities and 12 independent cafés, including the opening of its first physical location –Edgie Eats Cake Shop and Cafe in Westbury Park, Bristol.
Hannah, or Edgie as she’s generally known, was studying biomedical sciences at the University of Bath when the pandemic began. Having been sent home from university, Hannah found a passion for baking, cooking for friends and family in the lockdown, and began posting recipes and videos on Instagram.
She continued to bake on her return to Bath and in her final year at university decided to launch her business. She ran her first pop-up stall at the university, which proved to be a huge success, selling out in just under two hours. Following graduation, Hannah decided to take a gap year to give the business a go. She
deferred her masters in paramedic science and rented her first commercial kitchen in Bath. From there, things began to grow rapidly. She started supplying cafés with wholesale bakes, including that at her first University, Bath Spa, while running regular market stalls, including a cake stall at Bath Rugby on game days.
Following this success, Hannah decided to find a larger unit to expand the business in the summer of 2023. With two grants from Bristol Council and SWEF, Hannah converted a former plant shop into a fully functioning commercial kitchen in Bristol. The business moved over from Bath to Bristol in September 2023, and the team began to grow.
Hannah quickly realised the space could also be used as a café. So, during her evenings and weekends, while continuing the wholesale business and market stalls, with the help of her family and friends, Hannah transformed the rest of the building into a café, which opened on 30 March this year.
The Edgie Eats team is now 10-strong and growing. The company now supplies Bath Spa, the University of Bath, University of West England (UWE) and The University of Bristol with their sweet treats as well as 12 independent cafés across Bath and Bristol.
The café is open seven days a week, serving up homemade cakes, breakfast, lunch, Triple Co Roast coffee and other beverages. There’s a lovely courtyard garden to enjoy, as well as inside seating. Hannah sources as much as she can from local businesses and much of the furniture and equipment is second-hand. n
12a North View, Westbury Park, Bristol, BS6 7QB
info@edgieeats.com; www.edgieeats.com
OOOH… FASHION
Style mavens take note: the new Bath Fashion Festival launches this month
ade a fitt s ot
clusi ely o istol and at i e by Rankin (yes: that Rankin)
Bath may be a mere 25 miles or so from Bristol city centre – just 20 minutes by train, if you’re lucky – but in many ways it’s another world. While Bath is small and contained, nestling complacently between the seven hills that so attracted its ancient Roman settlers, Bristol sprawls. While Bath has magically retained its homogenous 18th-century architecture, heavilybombed Bristol has had to rebuild – and rebuild. But erha s the biggest di erence re ol es around the relative importance of fashion – in both interiors and clothing – to the cities. Fashion has been at the heart of Bath for centuries – you only need to read the diaries of the wide-eyed teenage Jane Austen, who was, initially at least, dazzled by its 18th-century high society. In Bristol, there are surprisingly few high-fashion independent stores for a city of this si e there are mar ellous a ordable ones of course and lent of vintage, but dedicated followers of fashion have typically needed to visit our little eorgian neighbour to get their to end label fi .
And now here’s a fresh reason to make the trek: the new Fashion Festival, a groundbreaking two-day event organised by model and resenter ade arfitt. he idea of the festi al is to in igorate the global fashion industr b bringing together reno ned designers influencers and fashion enthusiasts for an immersi e and unforgettable e erience.
Already on the schedule is a showstopping catwalk, interactive e eriences orksho s including a hotogra h ortrait masterclass a chance to be featured on Getty’s popular Street Style page, pop-up designer shops, and panel discussions focusing on current fashion trends and sustainabilit . tar contributors ho ha e so far confirmed include i ienne est ood O cial cam and ude rin O onnor Ba arnett uth rill anolo Blahnik lice em erle and k iamond ith more names to come.
And here’s an aspect which may appeal to eco-conscious Bristol: the festival is committed to promoting environmentally responsible fashion practices, with discussions and an education area all focused on sustainable fashion. Also on the agenda, and chiming with Bristolian values, is a commitment to celebrating and boosting the local economy, with a programme dedicated to championing local fashion students, providing them with a platform to showcase their work to a broad audience and gi e some aluable o cam us e erience. hinking about it ma be the t o cities aren t so di erent after all. n
The Bath Fashion Festival comes to the Holburne Museum 21-22 September
To buy tickets for what will inevitably be a sold-out event, please visit the website: www.bathfashionfestival.com
TAKE FIVE
The snappiest of chats with Jade Parfitt, the model and presenter who’s organised the festival
HOW HAVE YOU EVOLVED YOUR OWN FASHION STYLE?
My core fashion has definitely simplified over the years. I know what I like and I’m not trying on different characters so much any more.
WHAT’S YOUR KEY OUTFIT?
A nice black cashmere rollneck jumper, a lovely skirt or a great pair of jeans, and some cool trainers.
AND YOUR FAVOURITE OUTFIT?
Alice Temperley gave me an incredible white sequin dress which I wore for the party part of my wedding. It shimmers in my wardrobe, and I’m so happy every time I see it.
BEST-EVER SECOND-HAND FIND?
An amazing black chiffon dress I bought in a New York vintage shop. I remember it because I’m normally not very good at finding pieces like that.
WORST FASHION MISTAKE?
Pretending to myself that my size 8 feet were actually size 7. A painful and silly thing to do, but I was convinced size 7 sounded so much more ladylike, in that mad way you do when you’re twentysomething..
WHAT ARE YOU LIKE AS A SHOPPER?
I’m quite fast, but not online usually, because I do like to physically be in a shop. I love to see the fabrics, and because I’m so tall I need to try things on to make sure the legs and sleeves fit.
NAME A RECENT SHOOT YOU’VE SEEN AND LOVED
The Mulberry campaign which came out about six months ago.
SHARE A TOP TREND TIP
I’m quite into jumpsuits at the moment; I’ve got a lovely one from Cos and a denim one from Scamp & Dude. I’ve also recently rediscovered Ghost, and have a beautiful silk bias skirt of theirs I wear all the time.
FAVOURITE SUSTAINABLE BRAND?
The Re–Pete Project make beautiful trench coats made from recycled plastic bottles and banana skins. Just incredible.
“Here’s an aspect which will appeal to eco-conscious Bristol: the festival is committed to environmentallypromoting responsible fashion practices”
photographer: Rankin model: Jade Parfitt hair and make-up: Sophie Cox using Lisa Eldridge styling
As a new term begins, we hand over the reins to some of our best local schools, and let them tell us about some of their standout achievements from the past year.
BADMINTON SCHOOL
Day and boarding school for girls aged 4-18; www.badmintonschool.co.uk
Achievement: return to the Fringe “Badminton students performed at the Edinburgh Fringe Festival again this year. Six of our pupils put on After Troy, a play based on the Ancient Greek tragedy The Trojan Women – a powerful story of women left behind after the Trojan War, delicately intertwined with stories of female sur i ors of conflict in more recent history.
“The threads of each story were thoughtfully woven together, both in the writing and with physical threads throughout the production. Each character had her own piece of thread, and when the characters shared their experiences, they wove a tapestry of survival on the stage.
“Lower Sixth student Tabitha co-wrote the piece and took charge of the technical aspects of the performance. The grou erformed fi e sho s at the festi al and received hugely positive press reviews.”
BOOMSATSUMA
Career-led college for the creative industries; www.boomsatsuma.com
Achievement: creative collaboration
Student Barney Congdon was selected by UAL Awarding Body to exhibit his work at Origins Creatives 2024 at the Mall Galleries in London this July. Barney’s piece was chosen from over 500 nationwide entries; his work, Working with Waves, was part of the Creative Collaboration project, produced while studying a diploma in photography at boomsatsuma.
“I used various photographic slides and filters to ca ture the ater in abstract a s says Barney. “I then used online software to turn m final selection of images into audio and collaborated with a multi-instrumentalist, cross-genre songwriter, The Warden, to turn the audio files into abstract sound ieces .
Congratulations to Bristol Steiner School, recently saved from closure; INSET: Forget Kaos, here’s After Troy, performed and created by by Badminton pupils
EDUCATION
BRISTOL STEINER SCHOOL
Alternative co-ed school for 3-11 year-olds; www.bristolsteinerschool.org
Achievement: saved from closure
“Our biggest achievement this year has been saving our school after it was put into administration in December. We launched a huge parent-led campaign, raised £1 million pounds and have ultimately been successful.”
CLIFTON COLLEGE
Independent co-ed day and boarding school for 3-18 year-olds; www.cliftoncollege.com
Achievement: wins in national enterprise competitions
“For this year’s national Peter Jones Tycoon in Schools Enterprise Competition, business ‘Revive’ developed an impressive range of jewellery and clothing aimed at raising awareness about the importance of sustainable fashion. By transforming their initial start-up loan of into in rofits it as the fourth most rofitable business from o er schools which had successfully secured start-up funding. long ith financial achie ement the pupils demonstrated commendable social responsibility by donating £100 of their
rofits to the charities committee in support of the Ocean Conservation Trust.
“The Year 11 enterprise students also achieved remarkable successes in another prestigious national competition, the Young Enterprise 10X Challenge. Competing against over 19,000 students from more than 400 schools, the ‘Clifton College Candle Company’ won Best Sales Pitch, and ‘Paperco’ won Best in Sustainability. The teams won £200 for the school, which will also be donated to the charities committee in support of sustainability.”
COLLEGIATE
Co-ed school for 3-18 year-olds; www.collegiate.org.uk
Achievement: U14 National Rugby Cup Finalists
“Collegiate’s Under 14 rugby squad narrowly missed out on lifting the National Cup in March, going down 29-19 to ing s acclesfield despite a stirring second-half comeback. Trailing 19-0 at the interval, the boys put on a brave second-half performance, mixing determination and skill in equal measure to leave their opponents rocking. However, despite three superb late tries, their Lancastrian foes hung on to be cro ned cham ions the first team to defeat Collegiate’s U14 side in the entire season.
THE DOWNS PREPARATORY SCHOOL
Preparatory school for pupils aged 4-13; www.thedowns.school
Achievement: perfect placing
“The Downs takes a personalised approach to guiding students toward the right senior school, ensuring each child finds a lace here the will thrive. A shining example of this is a Year 8 student who recently received a tailored Design & Technology (D&T) scholarship at Sidcot School in Somerset – the er first of its kind.
“Our achievementbiggestthis year was saving the school from closure ”
ell done to the bo s coaches and sta for a fantastic season that will live long in the memory for all concerned.”
FAIRFIELD
Co-ed primary school for children aged 2-11; www.fairfield.school
Achievement: pupils composing and performing their own school song
“The School Council helped launch the New School Song project in the autumn term and children from across the school added their lyric ideas to the suggestion box.
“In the spring term, pupils from KS2 attended a masterclass in songwriting and composing, organising the lyrics and creating
CLOCKWISE: Future entrepreneurs at Clifton College; ruck and roll at Collegiate; Working with Waves by boomsatsuma student Barney Congdon
EDUCATION
vocal melodies and chord sequences. The summer term saw the introduction and erformance of the finished song I Am, I Can –taken from the school’s motto, ‘I Am, I Can, I Ought ill .
usic is an integral art of the curriculum the Infant and Junior Choirs are very popular, along ith a ide range of indi idual musical instrument tuition. This year, in addition to the unior Orchestra e also en o ed the first erformance from airfield s ock Band.
QEH
Independent junior and senior and school for boys; co-ed from sixth form www.qehbristol.co.uk
Achievement: Bristol’s only independent school accredited in Values-based Education (VbE).
his globall recognised mo ement infuses the QEH Juniors curriculum and daily life with positive human values such as respect, reflection resilience and kindness. B rioritising character de elo ment alongside academics, QEH equips its pupils with essential life skills for holistic gro th.
he feedback re ort commented that the inspectors left QEH Juniors ‘…with a suitcase of passionate stories that capture the care, kindness and compassion that QEH Junior chool brilliantl role models for their oung learners.’
s alues based ducation ethos em o ers our u ils to de elo integrit em ath and resilience setting them u for lifelong success and ositi e contributions to societ .
SIDCOT
Co-ed day and boarding school for pupils aged 3-18; www.sidcot.org.uk
Achievement: success for the Sixth “Over the summer holiday, Year 13 students celebrated e cellent results in their e el B and nternational Baccalaureate studies. s a non selecti e school, Sidcot is particularly proud of these results.
Sidcot is one of the onl schools near Bristol to o er the nternational Baccalaureate to i th orm students. ith its broad curriculum and emphasis on study skills, community service and internationalism the B s ethos aligns seamlessl ith idcot s uaker alues.
TOCKINGTON MANOR
Achievement: opening a revamped nursery garden with education at its heart n the summer the nurser garden transformed from a sim le grass and beds s ace hosted a feast of acti ities and learning opportunities for children.
n kee ing ith the school s outdoor ethos the s ace as oned into areas for learning nature e loration la communication and physical skills.
“QEH equips its pupils essentialwith life skills for growth”holistic
Independent co-ed for pupils aged 2-13 www.tockingtonmanorschool.com
“Many of the materials used were sourced on site, meaning the ne garden ears both an educational and sustainabilit hat. mini illage features a sho a house and garden store hile the long stone all has been transformed with the addition of a music area and discovery space with a water chute.
he nature area features a bug hotel mud kitchen and lent of o ortunities to rela ith a book or a friend. n
ABOVE: Learning through play at Tockington; BELOW: Values-based Education at QEH
Prior to my professional life as a psychotherapist and counsellor, I spent over a decade in the field of education. Having graduated in English, I was a mainstream English teacher – but I’d also qualified in Deaf Education, and held the rewarding post of Head of Deaf Services in Schools locally. My career then led me to work in Great Ormond Street Hospital for Children, as an education advisor.
Every aspect of my various roles over the years has required me to informally support and counsel my students, patients, families and colleagues. While I felt privileged to work in the field of education, I made the decision to undertake training
NEW BEGINNINGS
It's the beginning of a new academic year, and you may already be feeling overwhelmed. Whatever your situation, Bath-based Psychotherapist and Counsellor LUCIE COLLINS is here to support and help with those difficulties
in psychotherapy and counselling, where I also feel very privileged working with clients to improve the quality of their mental health and everyday life and well-being.
The start of a new academic year can inspire feelings of stress, anxiety, pressure and inadequacy, thus causing unhappiness and lack of confidence. It should and can be a time for excitement and a sense of promise.
If you are a student, a parent feeling concerned for your child, a teacher (or you hold any other position in a school or university), or you simply need support for yourself, please reach out. The courage it takes to do so can be the beginning of better times.
I will be pleased to hear from you, and we can go from there. n
“ LUCIE’S THERAPY ROOM FEELS LIKE A SAFE CAVE” – ALISON
The EntreConf Awards are just around the corner! The ever-growing event, which has seen its sister conference running since 2021, is the most anticipated, most tightly contested entrepreneurial ceremony in the region, with an incredible variety of innovative companies involved. The future is most definitely unwritten…
By Greg Ingham
The nominations closed in June and we were blo n a a b them not ust b the sheer number of entries b far e ceeding our e ectations but b their strength ualit and de th. e re constantl astonished b the genius inno ation creati it and determination within the South West. he finalists ha e no been announced on the ebsite and all categories from e commerce to fintech health ellbeing to hos italit scale u to technolog are bursting ith fast gro ing ambitious organisations. he shortlist re resents a sna shot of the best that Bristol and the surrounding areas ha e to o er and at the ceremon
itself we experience that feeling in real life. With everyone dressed in their finer gathered at eros ace Bristol the ositi e antici ator ibe and the strong feeling of community underneath it all is al able.
So who will win? Our independent anel of restigious udges hom ou can meet on age all chosen from arious sectors of business life for a balanced arra of minds and oices ill decide.
t s a ainstaking rocess each entr ored o er discussed and debated. t s ne er an eas decision but that s art of the com etiti e nature of entrepreneurship.
inners ill be announced li e at the ntre onf ards on e tember at eros ace the home of Concorde.
cross all of the industries e er ear e disco er fresh talent celebrate e cellence and create meaningful connections as we come together to recognise the achie ements of this boundar ushing grou of fantastic finalists and raise a glass to the winners. Everyone comes along hoping to in of course but hether the go home ith a tro h or not the lea e ith a sense of ride and something gained. his might be the otential for a ne business artnershi or simply a reminder of the vital role we all play in the evolution of the region.
t s time get suited and booted and re ared to celebrate the er best of Bristol and the outh est.
For more: www.entreconf.com/awards-home
WHEN: The EntreConf Awards 2024 take place on Thursday 26 September
WHERE: Aerospace Bristol AWARD SPONSORS AND PARTNERS: Cazenove Capital (Headline), Creative Bath, Link Stone Advisory, MediaClash, Storm Consultancy, University of Bath School of Management and The Visa Office. Partners include Barclays Wealth, Babassa, Blake Morgan, Bristol Creative Industries and Your Eco/Vindico.
Partnerships still available, please contact Annie Kelly (annie.kelly@mediaclash.co.uk) for more details.
TICKETS: Available on our website now, and selling out fast with huge demand.
The EntreConf Awards 2023 were held at Bristol Museum & Art Gallery
THE JUDGES WILL DECIDE
Every year, a fresh panel of impeccably impartial and independent judges is chosen for the EntreConf Awards. It’s a diverse and knowledgeable group from a wide variety of sectors and sizes of business. They, and they alone, decide who the winners will be . . .
JOEL DUNNING
Associate director, GS Verde Corporate Finance
GS Verde Group is a multidisciplinary advisory group specialising in M&A advice to business owners across legal, finance, tax and communications. Joel advises on accounting, tax, financial management and financial advisory matters through the lens of ‘the next transaction’ – whether that be start-up, growth through capital or acquisition, or exit.
KATIE CALVERTJONES
Alumni relations and external engagement professional, University of Bath School of Management Katie is responsible for the Universiry of Bath business school’s strategic collaborative partnerships: locally, nationally and internationally. This includes working across multiple stakeholder groups, but focusing largely on alumni and industry connections.
ALEX LLOYD
Partner, Burges Salmon
Alex works in all areas of corporate finance, and is also a member of Burges Salmon’s technology sector group. He has a particular focus on technology sector M&A, venture capital and private equity and leads the firm’s BScale initiative aimed at supporting high-growth tech businesses and their investors.
KIMBERLEY BROOK Director, SETSquared Bristol Kimberley has a background in commercial and contract law and began supporting innovation in 2016 when she started teaching researchers at University of Bristol about the value of IP. She went on to be the programme manager for the successful Quantum Technology Enterprise Centre before moving to SETsquared in 2022.
NAABIL KHAN
Author, Skin For All Naabil is a dedicated and innovative fourthyear medical student at the University of Exeter. Alongside her rigorous medical studies, Naabil hosts the podcast Very Junior Doctors, created the website Skin For All, founded the newsletter Future Dr, and is a prominent activist for representation and diversity within the medical field.
NATASHA MCKENZIE Founder & CEO, Talisman Sparro Natasha has over 25 years of marketing experience working in global agency and brand consultancy firms. As a Fellow at the University of Bristol, she is an active investor in the local ecosystem, reflecting her commitment to making a positive impact.
RICHARD POTTER Director of digital strategy, Microsoft Richard advises business leaders around the world on a range of digital transformation challenges. He is passionate about building innovative enterprises. Richard works with Microsoft’s customers giving them clarity and confidence about their digital journeys, helping them turn their aspirations into transformational business results.
RICHARD SPILSBURY Founder & CEO, Link Stone Advisory Richard founded Link Stone Advisory to deliver advisory, finance, people, legal and IT support from experienced professionals. He provides advisory services for middle-market clients and corporate development transformation for accelerated transition across M&A, fundraising and strategic delivery. Richard previously worked for Future, PlaySports Group and PwC.
ROSIE BENNETT Chief operating officer, Mystic AI
Rosie has a professional foundation in media and technology having held senior positions at Liberty Global (UPC) and the BBC. Before joining Mystic, she was the investment lead at SETsquared Partnership and entrepreneur in residence at the University of Bath.
THANH QUAN-NICHOLLS
Innovation manager, Future Space Bristol
Thanh provides support to a community of high-tech highgrowth businesses in life sciences, health tech, digital, advance engineering and robotics. She mentors early stage start-ups to reach their full potential, has over 20 years of senior experience and is co-founder of Women’s Tech Hub Bristol.
HIT REWIND
t as the first ntre onf ards nobod kne full hat to e ect but it sur assed all e ectations an e ening acked ith insights and ins irations led b the entre reneur of the ear finalists anecdotes and e cellentl hosted b a ine aceb of bsolute ollagen. t s one of the biggest net orking e ents in the area ith unlimited otential connections and relationshi s to be gained. Bring on the ntre onf ards e tember. ickets a ailable no .
www.entreconfawards.co.uk
Matt Crisp, Nathan Baranowski of Digital Wonderlab
University of Bath
Greg Ingham welcomes everyoneClaire Ladkin
EntreConf Awards judge Glyn Blaize
Photos by Jon Craig Photography and Future Proof Creative
CLUB CLASS
Square Works is the only high-end serviced office and co-working space in Bristol with a private members’ club – let’s find our what else makes it special
Words by Ursula Cole
Square Works is an awardinning orks ace hich goes be ond ust desks and chairs o ering a uni ue blend of lu ur and creati it .
We asked marketing manager annah raham to tell us more.
e ro ide the onl high end ser iced o ces and co orking s ace ith a ri ate members club in Bristol she sa s. ombining eorgian architecture ith modern interiors e e created a uni ue and ins iring orking en ironment our members lo e filled ith contem orar art and natural light.
Situated on Berkeley Square, uare orks is ideall located for businesses seeking an o ce outside the lean ir one ith e cellent trans ort links to the cit centre and nearby train stations.
a ing ust celebrated our fifth anni ersar e re looking for ard to ro iding the same e erience to members for man more ears
ith a ide range of membershi o tions from high end ser iced o ces to art time hot desking ackages sa s annah.
ith the o tion to ersonalise our membershi to suit ou and your business, Square Works o ers com lete fle ibilit . e ha e a range of meeting rooms and resentation s aces a ailable to both members and non-members, all e ui ed ith ideo conferencing s stems anasonic s and com limentar refreshments ith the o tion to ha e food from the a ard inning uare itchen deli ered right to our desk. n addition to free su er fast i i regular e ents and a arm communit atmos here members also ha e unrestricted access to the uare lub.
stablished in as Bristol s first ri ate members club for creati es the ibrant uare lub no has a net ork of o er
We’re not sure how any work gets done around here, but we’re assured that it does
members. t s home to a bouti ue lounge the a ard inning uare itchen restaurant o er eck cocktail bar and the full heated and co ered outdoor ecret arden. uare orks also has an e tensi e e ents calendar o ering members the o ortunit to entertain, network and relax, hether at one of the seasonal soir es or the business de elo ment seminars. he uare lub is also art of the onato lliance hich means members can access the highest ualit members clubs across the globe at no e tra cost. uare orks is art of uarter an inde endent hos italit grou ith o er ears of e erience in Bristol sa s annah. his e ertise has allo ed us to ioneer a co orking s ace hich feels like a home for indi iduals and businesses of all si es ith fi e star hotel like ser ice integrated into the e er da . embers can take ad antage of a ide range of artner benefits and discounts including e clusi e rates at our hotels and restaurants hich are located ust moments a a from Square Works. Our corporate rates ro ide a com lete ackage for com anies hich re uire fre uent tra el to Bristol and our dedicated reser ations team ro ide bes oke
“SQUARE WORKS IS MORE THAN JUST A WORK SPACE; IT’S A COMMUNITY”
packages to suit your business.
Last year, we expanded into No. 19 Berkeley Square, introducing fi e ne floors of lu urious o ces meeting rooms and a state of the art fitness suite.
And sustainability matters: “We belie e in creating a orks ace hich not onl meets the resent da needs of our members but contributes to a sustainable future for our communit . Bike storage solar panels and local sustainability initiati es are ust the beginning. Our commitment extends to ecofriendl ractices from energ e cient lighting to aste reduction rogrammes.
o hat else makes uare orks stand out among other co orking spaces in Bristol?
“At Square Works, we listen to our members and regularly elcome feedback from them sa s head of communit e in o les. rom the co ee to the lighting e er detail is designed ith our members in mind.
Our strong sense of communit sets us a art. rom the friendl elcome our members en o e er morning to the li el members arties that continue into the night we encourage connections beyond the traditional ork en ironment. uare orks is more than ust a orks ace it s a communit read to collaborate and ins ire and e re e cited to elcome ou.
For more information or to book a tour, email hello@squareworksbristol.com, or call 0117 322 6635 www.squareworksbristol.com
FRESH THINKING OVER A FINE LUNCH
Unique social business occasion: live interview with Don & David Cameron, Cameron Balloons
TICKETS HERE JOIN US Thursday 24 October from 12pm
RESOLVING MATTERS
Katie Andrews, trainee solicitor at AMD SOLICITORS explains the importance of Non-Court Dispute Resolution and the introduction of Form FM5
Recent changes to the Family Procedure Rules in respect of NonCourt Dispute Resolution (NCDR) came into effect on 29 April 2024. Changes were made to encourage the use of NCDR to assist more family matters to settle outside of court.
As a part of the amended rules, it is now mandatory for the parties to complete Form FM5 in private law children proceedings and financial re e y procee ings he for allo s the parties to set out their position on NCDR and must be submitted to the court at least se en or ing ays prior to the first hearing in a matter. Form FM5 encourages the use of NCDR and allows the parties to explain their position on if, and when, this has taken place.
If you have not attended any NCDR prior to yo r first hearing or as s yo to set out why this has not happened and whether any exemptions apply, such as domestic abuse or where there are child protection concerns. he i ple entation of these changes has given courts a new duty to encourage parties to undertake at least one form of NCDR prior to the first hearing ges no ha e the power to adjourn the matter, if there is appropriate time, to ensure the parties have the opportunity to try a method of NCDR. While the judge is not able to enforce the parties to attend NCDR, if the parties refuse to do so it can be taken in to consideration by the judge when considering whether to make
a costs or er herefore not atten ing could put you at risk of cost implications. he ost co on etho of is e iation an any clients fin this to e a useful tool in negotiating points of dispute. o ay fin it eneficial to see legal a ice alongside mediation, particularly before agreeing to, or making any offers.
Our family department is well experienced in supporting and assisting clients through their mediation journey. We can provide legal advice alongside mediation to help guide you through the process and offer advice on any suggested offers.
A further method of NCDR is collaborative law. Collaborative law involves joint meetings between both parties, where each party will have their lawyer present. During these eetings financial isclos re ill ta e place an financial options can e consi ere his method supports a more transparent approach and encourages the parties to resolve their iss es in an open an a ica le ay o Morris, Head of our Family Department, is an experienced collaborative lawyer and would be happy to discuss this option further with you during an initial consultation.
Other methods of NCDR include arbitration an pri ate financial isp te resol tion hearings. If you would like to know more about NCDR, please contact us to arrange an initial consultation with one of our team and we would be happy to assist you. n
Period charm meets contemporary style at this wonderfully renovated Cotham
home
Words by Ursula Cole
Some owners of period homes opt for fully traditional interiors which match the age of the building. Others chuck out the rulebook and opt for a thoroughly modern makeover. But the best ones steer a middle course: flattering the old bones of the house by retaining its loveliest features, while carefully introducing something fresh and new, yet wholly complementary. One ideal example is this wonderfully restored Victorian villa on Cotham’s Arley Hill – a tranquil, lightfilled ha en hich has been reno ated ith enormous style by its owners, both professional creatives: from the traditional lounge to the spectacular openplan kitchen-dining area, the boutiquey master bedroom suite to the new bathrooms fitted this ear e er thing is beautifully balanced.
To begin at the beginning. Beyond a stone pillared entrance, the garden path leads to the original panelled front door, which opens to a wide central hall with high-ceilings, plaster mouldings, ooden floors and the original turning staircase.
On one side lies the sitting room with its deep bay window, yet more original ceiling mouldings and olished floors and a cast iron fire lace. On the other sits the snug – though that’s possibly a misnomer, given that it’s a sizeable 13ft, and rather than the dark little burrow the name implies, is fully open to the dazzling 31ft kitchen/diner. Partly housed within a modern extension, the latter room stretches from the back of the house to a bay in the front. Set beneath an atrium roof
with six inset windows, with a further apex window, and bifold glass doors at the far end just in case the odd beam of light should fail to penetrate, the room has underheated tiled floors an island sleek handleless units and e er integrated a liance and gadget ou could think of along with a few you might not have – such as the colourchanging remote-controlled light feature. There’s ample space for dining, lounging and entertaining, aided by a ired in Bose sound s stem and s eakers.
There’s a utility room, with a clothes airer on an pulley s stem a sho er room and a stud at the back hich opens to the garden; this could also serve as a fourth bedroom if the three abo e don t su ce.
o of these are on the floor abo e sharing a famil bathroom filling the entire to floor the master bedroom has sole possession of a luxurious bathroom suite. From the vantage point of this eyrie, there are panoramic views across the rooftops of the city.
Finally, at lower-ground level a media room (or extra bedroom) is wired for surround-sound.
There are three gardens; the small, pretty front lawn, screened from the road by established hedging and mature trees; the lower front courtyard, a charming editerranean st le s ace ith decorati e tiled flooring
reached from the media room; and the landscaped back garden with its lawn and patio area with its porcelain tiles, providing a seamless connection to the dining area. o ooden clad seating areas o er the ideal s ot for relaxing: one, a herb-lined dining area, the other a lounging ‘room’ with a low built-in table whose top can be remo ed to re eal a stone fire it. fter dark remote controlled lighting creates a glamorous atmosphere.
rle ill is onderfull situated for shopping and dining, with the independent businesses of Cheltenham Road on the doorstep; what a pleasure it must be, after an hour or so spent among its bustle, to return to such a green and charming oasis.
HOUSE NUMBERS
Where Cotham
Guide price
£1.1m
Receptions 3/5
Bedrooms 3/5
Bath and shower rooms 3
Outside Three garden spaces
Call my agent: Richard Harding; 0117 946 6690 www.richardharding.co.uk
BRISTOL & CLIFTON’S PREMIER COMMERCIAL PROPERTY AGENTS
Keep up-to-date with our latest news, deals, testimonials and market comment at our website: www.burstoncook.co.uk
Amberley Hall Day Nursery, BS8 FOR SALE – £750,000
3,091 sq ft (287.16 sq m)
An exceptional freehold opportunity in the heart of Clifton, just a short walk from Durdham Downs offering a prime business location or opportunity for residential conversion subject to planning consent.
Whiteladies Road, Clifton TO LET – £17,750 PAX
1,027 sq ft (95.44 sq m)
A ground floor retail shop with glazed frontage prominently positioned at the top of Whiteladies Road and next to Clifton Downs benefitting from basement storage and one parking space.
Mariner House, Prince St TO LET – £23.50 psf
1,242 sq ft (115.38 sq m)
Loft style office accommodation located in the city centre benefiting from passenger lift, shower facilities, and excellent bike storage.
Bath Road, BS4
INVESTMENT FOR SALE – POA
3,018 sq ft (280.48 sq m)
A newly refurbished, fully let investment comprising a ground floor retail unit let to Subway Realty Ltd, plus 2x two-bedroom flats. An excellent letting location for both retail and residential occupiers.
Barley House, Oakfield Grove, BS8 TO LET – POA
16,640 sq ft (1,546 sq m)
Offices to let with 23 car parking spaces. Available as a whole or on a floor-by-floor basis and suitable for a wide variety of alternative commercial uses (STP).
Whiteladies Road, Clifton TO LET - £23.75 psf pax
1,860 sq ft (173 sq m)
A three-storey Use Class E building prominently positioned on Whiteladies Road and due to be redecorated throughout to provide modern, attractive accommodation.
Queen Square, Bristol, BS1 TO LET – POA
326 – 2,099 sq ft (30 - 195 sq m)
A charming, self contained office available with 2 allocated car parking spaces, due to be refurbished. Use Class E therefore suitable for different uses to include offices, medical etc.
College Green, BS1 TO LET - £23 psf pax
900 – 2,938 sq ft
A stunning Georgian building in a central location which is due to be refurbished throughout to provide open plan accommodation on each floor. Car parking available plus basement bike storage.
St.Thomas Street, BS1 TO LET - POA
10,907 – 26,945 sq ft (1,013 – 2,503 sq ft)
HQ office building with secure parking for 21 cars. To lease as a whole or floor by floor. Would suit other commercial uses. Highly competitive quoting rent.
Eagle House, BS1 TO LET – POA
5,565 sq ft – 11,840 sq ft (517 – 1,100 sq ft)
A landmark building in the heart of the city centre offering Grade A accommodation. There are exceptional break out spaces, to include auditorium, bookable meeting rooms, showers, and bike storage.
BETH ROBERTS
Why be part of just one creative group when you could be part of many?
In Beth s o n ords rite songs and la music and hel other eo le rite songs and la music s ecificall through the follo ing numerous ro ects.
Hedera is a mostly instrumental project in hich la iolin and double bass along ith fello musicians amsin lliott ulu ustin aisie Brett and sis olf ight. e erform original and traditional ieces ins ired b music from ngland cotland rance Bali eorgia Bulgaria thio ia and be ond translated through a rism of e erimental minimalism and contem orar classical influences.
The project came about by accident during s inter lockdo n hen the rule of si as in lace. e began to meet u for outdoor moon ams teaching each other folk tunes ith a focus on dee listening slo la ing and im ro ised arrangements. e realised it as too good not to become a band.
“The Bristol arts scene is driven by collaboration; everyone is genuinely excited about each other’s music”
Cuculi is an anglicisation of the Greek word for cocoon, reflecting m riot heritage as ell as the s ace e need in order to transform oursel es and other eo le through music.
ome and hear us at Bristol ree raft on e tember
I moved to Bristol in 2011 to study music at university. ome of it lo ed but b the time graduated ith m felt disillusioned ith the culture and com etition of classical music.
I started exploring a folk and e erimental music and in found m self icking u a mandolin and riting songs. his instigated an une ected fora into making the original music that s no the defining e erience of m life. ince then e taught m self ban o guitar double bass and roduction ins ired b the contagious do it ourself attitude of the Bristol folk scene.
I founded Cuculi Records in ith m bandmates from ands of the eron to release our second album along ith our solo ro ects and those of other artists on the folk scene. s ell as releasing music e run immersi e gigs e er month in di erent ast Bristol enues.
Hands of the Heron is a collective psychfolk project bet een me Bec arth aite and laire ine. t s here e all learned to rite sharing fledgling com ositions and graduall honing our kaleidosco ic ocal harmonies o er the course of three albums and countless gigs. ecentl e e been ado ted b the rog scene and e re as sur rised and leased as the are about it. e re heading out on a date tour soon to launch our third album Quiet Light including a sho at he reenbank on Oct ith nna nise.
I’m also part of theatre project House of Figs, a oetr and music collaboration ith Beth al erle . Beth uses e er da language to describe the human e erience in a a that s er o erful and im ro ise ocal la ers around her ords. t s e ol ed into a theatre sho called The Awkward Guide to Friendship it s at Bristol m ro heatre on e tember.
My proudest career moments ha e been sho casing m ne solo ro ect at he allimaufr ith a full band la ing huge gigs ith r ani ollecti e and edera at ire in the ountain olk ast and hambala and kno ing that e re gi ing other communities a tin indo into the eclectic and collaborati e s irit of Bristol.
It feels like a golden moment in the local arts because
the scene is so dri en b collaboration and e er one is genuinel e cited b each other s music. ast Bristol here li e is home to ildl original musicians and it s such a o to see friends getting ides read recognition and et still being so in ol ed in local net orks.
However, the scene is seriously threatened by the economy. unding is limited burnout is high and e er one is a ected b slo ticket sales and rising rents. e need radical in estment to kee the grassroots scene ali e in this climate and at the moment it s not clear here that s going to come from.
My work has a strong community focus, and e need su ort ome to a gig and if ou can bu ad ance tickets. i e music is incredibl recarious and although our gigs al a s sell out e entuall it s e tremel challenging not to kno hether eo le are coming until the da . ou can usuall sell our ticket if ou can t make it es eciall if ou bu ia eadfirst. Bristol has one of the best inde endent li e music scenes an here and eadfirst la s a huge role in that.
My most regrettable habit is that read books in the rong order. ll com ulsi el read ahead um for ard a fe cha ters randoml and then go back to here as ith un anted s oilers and a sense of guilt. need a su ort grou so if an one ants to be in a reall unsatisf ing book club lease get in touch. e ll mostl be reading rsula le uin.
For more: www.cuculirecords.com Instagram: @bethroberts.music
