Bristol Life - Issue 360

The name’s Grant...

Joining a troupe of Bristol acrobats didn’t just offer the young Cary Grant his first break into showbiz; the skills he learned enabled him to scale the heights of Hollywood, both as a comic actor and as an action hero who would go on to inspire the creation of 007

We are not a monthly magazine; that would be far too neat and easy. We are a three-weekly. True, for a couple of issues in 2020 we boldly went fortnightly, then Covid happened and we hastily reverted to the original model. Who knows; one day we may move back to a two-weekly again. It’s not like there isn’t enough happening in Bristol to justify it.

But at the moment, we’re not. What this means is that publication dates around the Christmas period vary from year to year, not always ideally. However, this time it’s worked out rather well; our next issue comes out on 29 November, meaning that we can go all-out with the yuletide bells and whistles then, and leave this early November edition where it belongs: lazing among the late-autumn pleasures of new plays and exhibitions, long, languorous Sunday lunches, and the peaceful enjoyment of our cosy homes before we see fit to bury them beneath a pile of festive tat. (Speak for yourself, I hear you say, as you craft this year’s wreath from foraged evergreen sprigs and berries, and dig out the simple fairy lights for a tree which will otherwise remain tastefully unadorned. Good for you.)

n fact, autumn fre uently offers the richest pickings in the theatres. Bristol Old Vic is showing Never Let Me Go, a tale so moving it should probably come with an ‘I am not a rom-com’ warning; see what director Christopher Haydon has to say on page 22.

And over at the Hippodrome, look who’s ying back into town This magazine had just launched when Mary Poppins had its 2004 world première; I took my now-27-year-old daughter to opening night and bad mother on to the aftershow party at Zero Degrees, where she fell asleep in a corner along with the Banks children. These days it would be me pleading for my bed at midnight. Anyway, you can meet the latest Mary on page 26.

So, that’s your pre-Christmas issue respite over. Back at you in three, when you won’t be able to read the features for all the tinsel.

DERI ROBINS

Bristol Life editor @BristolLifeMag

Issue 360 / November 2024

ON THE COVER

Photo by Leighton James @thepropertyphotographerltd Sonny dining table and bench by King and Webbon; see feature page 58

ARTS

12 CINEMA Cary on stilts – and no, that’s not a bawdy British circus-set 1960s comedy

16 WHAT’S ON The word ‘Christmas’ is inescapably beginning to creep in

22 THEATRE Send in the clones. Bit too glib? Oh well, nobody reads the contents page anyway

26 MUSICALS Bristol Life is (just) old enough to remember the Mary Poppins world première in 2004

35 BOOKS How to do all your Christmas shopping in one fell swoop

FOOD & DRINK

38 RESTAURANT It’s heating up down East Street

41 CAFÉ SOCIETY The one Stan’s been waiting for

43 WINE Who else thinks Charlie Taylor from KASK is quite the asset to this section?

SHOPPING

46 ED’S CHOICE Brace yourself Shirley, it’s the first of our Bristmas shopping guides!

INTERIORS

58 KITCHENS Toptipsandtastytrends

BUSINESS

75 BRISTOLPROPERTYAWARDS No,youhaven’t missedthem,it’sjustthepreview 82 NETWORK What’sgoingdownupatBrabazon?

PROPERTY

90 SHOWCASEACanyngeplan

REGULARS

7 SPOTLIGHTRivals,Gromit!

11 BRIZZOGRAM

98 BRISTOLLIVESDavidParkerof CliftonLitFest (best not abbreviate it any further)

Editor Deri Robins deri.robins@mediaclash.co.uk Senior art editor Andrew Richmond Cover design Trevor Gilham Contributors Colin Moody, Stan Cullimore, Storysmith Books, Charlie Taylor Commercial manager Neil Snow neil.snow@mediaclash.co.uk Business development manager Tony Robinson tony.robinson@mediaclash.co.uk Production/ operations manager Kirstie Howe kirstie.howe@mediaclash.co.uk Chief executive Jane Ingham jane.ingham@mediaclash.co.uk Chief executive Greg Ingham greg.ingham@ mediaclash.co.uk Bristol Life MediaClash, Unit 9a, Greenway Farm, Bath Road, Wick, Bristol BS30 5RL 01225 475800; www.mediaclash.co.uk @The MediaClash © All rights reserved. May not be reproduced without written permission of MediaClash. We’re a West Country-based publisher, creative agency and event organiser Magazines Our portfolio of regional magazines celebrates the best of local living: Bath and Bristol. Agency From the design and build of websites to digital marketing and creating company magazines, we can help. Events We create, market, promote and operate a wide variety of events both for MediaClash and our clients Contact: info@mediaclash.co.uk

Bristol on the box

SUPER COOPER

Sex, excess, the ruthless behind-the-scenes shenanigans of independent 1980s TV, naked tennis, an all-star cast – what’s not to love about the new Disney+ series Rivals? Apart from all the ingrained homophobia, sexual exploitation, racism and misogyny, we mean?

Look; this was the 1980s. It was the best of times and the worst of times; to quote Dame Jilly Cooper, who wrote the 1988 book from which the show is adapted, a time of “high fences and low morals”, in which a cheerful absence of wokery prevailed.

Rivals the novel was chock-full of bonking, and so it is with Rivals the TV show. Everyone is shagging everyone else – other than their own wives and husbands, of course. The cast includes Alex Hassell as ultimate alpha-male Rupert Campbell-Black, David Tennant as Corinium TV boss Tony Baddingham, Aidan Turner as fiery Irish T host Declan O’ ara and, stealing every scene in sight, Danny Dyer, on loveable form as self-made millionaire geezer Freddie Jones.

And if that wasn’t enough incentive to tune in, know that Rivals was filmed at The Bottle ard Studios’ premium new TB 2 facility as well as being shot on location in Bristol and the West Country. Oh, and there’s a touch of déj vu for Aidan fans as they see him march into the greystone Elizabethan mansion standing in for O’ ara residence The riory; the house was also used as Trenwith in Poldark

“Bristol and The Bottle ard Studios were the perfect production base for Rivals”, says producer Eliza Mellor. “We were very excited to be the first production to use the two main stages of TB 2, and they certainly lived up to our expectations.

“We were able to build the TV studio, complete with a 1980s control room on one of the stages, and used the second stage for Corinium T interiors, the riory kitchen and sitting room and many other small sets that were needed across the series.

“We also had our production and art department offices on site at The Bottle ard and the staff were on hand to help with all our requirements. We were able to find all the locations within a -mile radius of The Bottle ard. And one of the big attractions of filming in the Bristol area is that there are so many local crew of a very high calibre to choose from.”

At Corn Street near St Nick’s, scenes were filmed with guests arriving for a T awards ceremony, posing for paparazzi on the red carpet. Elsewhere, we were treated to glimpses of Queen Square, while the bonktastic opening scene took place on board Concorde at Aerospace Bristol.

“It was amazing to see dozens of extras dressed like travellers from the 198 s, boarding the supersonic jet as if they were about to take off on a real flight,” says Adam Jones at Aerospace Bristol. “We look forward to welcoming fans of the programme to the museum for a taste of that supersonic passenger jet experience.” Well, maybe not an identical taste. . .

“Rivals has been an incredibly significant scripted title for our regional industry,” says Laura Aviles, Bristol City Council’s head of film. “It’s a truly West Country production both on the page and behind the scenes.”

All episodes of Rivals are available on Disney+. Fancy a drinking game? Take one shot of Cinzano Bianco every time someone has an extra-marital tryst; you’ll be under the table in no time.

Rivals is currently available to binge on Disney+

Animation FOWL PLAY

We’ve patiently waited 16 years for a new Wallace Gromit feature film. Now, with Vengeance Most Fowl coming to the BBC this Christmas and Netflix in January, along with a short theatrical release, the wait is almost over.

The headline news is that Feathers is back. It’s known that all penguins have criminal tendencies, but some are more criminal than others, and among the most dastardly –giving even Gotham City’s Oz Cobb a run for his money – is Wallace and Gromit’s arch nemesis, the inscrutable, dead-eyed Feathers McGraw. After commandeering Wallace’s automatic trews in The Wrong Trousers in order to commit a jewel robbery Feathers was captured and forced to do bird, being sentenced to substantial zoo time following the heist.

Now Feathers is plotting to escape and extract his revenge. Meanwhile, amateur inventor Wallace has come up with yet another new gizmo: a perma-grinning robotic garden gnome called Norbot, designed to help Gromit with his chores. What could possibly go wrong?

The film has just had its cinematic preview; we wouldn’t dream of spoiling the plot, so all you need to know is that we’re firmly back in Wallaby Street territory, with all the familiar cosy W G ingredients safely in place. Nick ark co-directs, there’s plenty of cheese, the jokes are reassuringly silly, puns abound, and despite past disasters Wallace is still heeding the siren call of tech advancement. Once again he fails to prioritise the faithful Gromit over a dodgy new interloper; once again, man and dog find themselves accused of crimes they didn’t commit.

The only (barely noticeable) change is that Ben Whitehead has taken over the voice of Wallace from the late eter Sallis. e’s amply backed up by the cream of British comic talent; such is the national-treasure status of Aardman that they’ve had no problem at all recruiting the likes of Reese Shearsmith (Norbot), eter Kay and Diane Morgan.

Vengeance Most Fowl is imaginative and exciting, nostalgic and warm. It looks much the same as previous W G features, with practically every scene having been hand-modelled and stop-motion-animated, with minimum CGI – if only Wallace would learn that sometimes, analogue is better. Whether you choose to plumb the film for meaningful comment on our over-reliance on technology is up to you; the subtext is optional.

Photography THE STAR TREATMENT

Ever heard of erbert Shergold? Don’t worry, most people haven’t. erbert was a Bristol photographer who ran a commercial studio throughout the 195 s and 196 s. sing glass plate negatives, an already antiquated technique dating back to the turn of the century, he created highly stylised portraits of actors as well as ordinary working-class local people who, through erbert’s lens, acquired the glamour of ollywood movie stars.

erbert died in obscurity in 1982, but this month Bristol hoto Festival is showing some of his work – the first time it’s been exhibited publicly. Even less is known about erbert’s unnamed sitters, but the Festival is hoping to change that. It’s asking for our help to identify the unnamed sitters – so call in, why don’t you, and see if any of the faces ring a bell?

Now Keep Quite Still by Herbert Shergold is at The Launderette on Cheltenham Road (close to Herbert’s original studio) until 17 November www.bristolphotofestival.org

GO NOW…

EntreConf Go is a free, new conference aimed at young entrepreneurs and anyone interested in starting a business; full details on page 87. www.entreconf.com

Vengeance Most Fowl screens on BBC1 this Christmas; date tbc; www.aardman.com

Naturally, puns abound

Beat the evil algorithms! Follow us on instagram and tag us with your pics: @bristollifemag

@matthewpriceartist

@shoot.bangers

@aishling_jana

@sambinding

@bristolboatman

STILL WATERS

“Psst. Bristol Harbour.” “’Sup?” “Can you do that cool reflecty thing you do?” “What, like this?” “That’s the badger.”

@bristolballoon

@helenisbell

@rui_21

@richimal_bristol

@craigderrick40

@richimal_roams

@chrshill

TALL GUY

Just when you thought there was nothing left to say about the biggest star ever to have come out of Bristol, along comes Cary Comes Home with – fanfare! – Cary Grant on stilts!

Words

by Deri Robins

Cary in North by Northwest: when you’re used to performing on stilts, scaling

(a fake) Mount Rushmore is an absolute breeze

120 YEARS AGO, a boy named Archie Leach was born in orfield. ou probably know how it went after that; during an unhappy childhood he found refuge, first backstage in Bristol theatres and then with a band of circus players. The group travelled to America to tour, Archie changed his name to Cary Grant, and well, even if you don’t know the story, you can guess the rest.

To honour Archie’s first days as a professional performer, stilt-walking and circus acts feature in this year’s Cary Comes ome festival, which focuses on how his early career influenced his screen work and led him to become the inspiration for Ian Fleming’s James Bond.

Archie was 1 when he left home to join Bob ender’s Boys – the travelling knockabout comedy company he’d watched while working after school as a gofer at Bristol’s ippodrome and Empire theatres. The Boys were famous for reducing audiences to raucous laughter with acrobatic clowning, eccentric dances and a show-stopping routine featuring the whole troupe on stage in height order on stilts.

This demanded discipline, strength, daring, a strong sense of timing, ease of movement and an exceptional command of body and physical expression – all qualities Cary was

CLOCKWISE: The Pender Boys with Archie far left; second tallest clown; on the Missoulian newspaper’s radar four months after his arrival in Hollywood; a very young Cary, bottom row, far right; Cary in middle; boosting his 6ft frame with stilts; INSET: The Coney Island days

to use time and again in his film work, from his early stunt-peppered romantic comedies to the high-octane action sequences in itchcock’s thrillers, especially North by Northwest

But first he needed the showbiz break that would lead him to ollywood. This proved harder than he expected after he quit the ender troupe in New ork in 1922 following a successful two-year SA tour.

For a time, it even put him back on stilts, drumming up custom for a Coney Island amusement park just to pay the rent on a room in the slum known as ell’s Kitchen and meet the 1 a year subs of the National audeville Artists Club – essential for networking.

Later, Cary recalled this time as a low point, but as festival founder Charlotte Crofts explains: “When coupled with his good looks, natural poise and charm, it was his boyhood enthusiasm for slapstick comedy and action adventure films, and the skills he learned with Bob ender, which turned him into one of the most versatile, physically able and likeable actors in ollywood history.”

One lasting legacy of his appeal is the books and film series, with Bond author Ian Fleming crediting debonair action-man Cary as a major inspiration for the character. e was also the first to be offered the film role but turned it down, thinking he was too old to commit to a multi-picture deal.

is decision denied Bristol the chance to claim a Bond of its own, though obviously without the West Country accent –Archie seems to have shed that while crossing the Atlantic. But the city still has skin in the game: three Bristol Old ic Theatre School graduates, Caroline Bliss, Samantha Bond and Naomie arris, all played Miss Moneypenny.

Oh, and if you see stilt-walkers stalking about in Millennium Square from midNovember onwards, stop them and take a leaflet; they’re re-creating Cary’s Coney Island era to advertise the festival. n

CLOCKWISEFROMTOP: Separate beds for Cary and his Favourite Wife (meanwhile, Casablanca with its more European sensibilities was hinting at all sorts between Bogart and Bergman); in prototype Bond mode in To Catch a Thief and North by Northwest; bikes were hardly a push after the Pender years; INSET: Hitch with his favourite leading man

8-28 November 2024

WHAT’S ON

EXHIBITIONS

Until 9 November

GAIA

It’s that big Luke Jerram Earth balloon again, accurately mapped using NASA technology, in a sound and light installation. This time it’s at Bristol Cathedral; you need to see it at least once, so book your free tickets at bristol-cathedral.co.uk.

Until 17 November

THE FASHION OF FLIGHT

Eight decades of British Airways cabin-crew uniforms, from the 1940s until today, on show for your delectation at Aerospace; aerospacebristol.org

Until 22 November

SING THE BODY ELECTRIC

Moving, touching, seeing and feeling: the first exhibition at Watershed’s new gallery space, Undershed, is all about the body. How do we get out of our heads, into our senses, and meet the world in a new way? watershed.co.uk

Until 22 December

TRENT PARKE: MONUMENT

Images taken over a 25-year period on the streets of Sydney and Adelaide, creating a portal through which we witness the disintegration of the universe. Martin Parr Foundation; martinparrfoundation.org

Until 5 January RWA OPEN

The annual Open returns for its 171st year, with over 600 artworks along with work by this year’s invited artist, Rana Begum; rwa.org.uk

Until 19 January

SOPHIA AL-MARIA AND LYDIA OURAHMANE: GREY UNPLEASANT LAND

Migrants to the UK, Sophie and Lydia examine the myth of England and the stories that have been told about origins and belonging; at Spike Island; spikeisland.org.uk

Until 16 February

RINKO KAWAUCHI: AT THE EDGE OF THE EVERYDAY WORLD

The Japanese photographer’s poetic, dreamlike work often focuses on finding beauty in ordinary moments, imbuing mundane scenes and objects with a sense of wonder. At Arnolfini; arnolfini.org.uk

Until 27 April WILDLIFE PHOTOGRAPHER OF THE YEAR

The NHM’s touring exhibition of award-winning, thought-provoking images from the natural world lands in Bristol for several months; this year it’s celebrating its 60th anniversary. At Bristol Museum and Art Gallery; bristolmuseums.org.uk

SHOWS

Until 9 November THERE’S SOMETHING ABOUT TYPHOID MARY

It’s Living Spit’s latest comic historical bastardisation: a toe-tapping, germ-spreading extravaganza in which the laughter is as infectious as Mary’s toxic meals. At Wardrobe; thewardrobetheatre.com

A TRIO OF TENNESSEE WILLIAMS

A rare opportunity to see three lesser-known Williams plays, at TFT; tobaccofactorytheatres.com

RIKESH

New Years Eve, 1982. Four members of the Greenham Common women’s peace camp have broken into a nuclear reactor and stolen radioactive material. They know they will die. A violent, politically charged feminist psychological thriller from Boogie Nachts Theatre; because the end of the world is worth fighting for. Alma Tavern; almatavernandtheatre.co.uk

Until 16 November

THE WELKIN

Suffolk, 1759. A small rural town awaits the celestial spectacle of Halley’s Comet while a grisly trial unfolds. Commentary on class, wealth, fertility and feminism in

Lucy Kirkwood’s courtroom drama, here tackled by the talented Bristol Old Vic Theatre School students; bristololdvic.org.uk

Until 23 November NEVER LET ME GO

The dramatisation of Ishiguro’s heart-wrencher of a novel challenges what it is to be human; at BOV, more on page 22; bristololdvic.org.uk

Until 30 November MARY POPPINS

This magazine is (just) old enough to have covered Bristol’s world première of the MP reboot in 2004 – and what an afterparty at Zero Degrees that was. Meet the latest Mary on page 26; at Hippodrome; atgtickets.com

12-13 November

CHARLES & DIANA: THE REUNION TOUR

Join Charles and Di for a musical cruise through the cultural commonwealth of the eighties, as they revisit a time when life was tough but the music was brave. At TFT; tobaccofactorytheatres.com

12-16 November

THE BOYS IN THE BAND

In his Upper Eastside apartment, Michael is throwing a birthday party for Harold. As the evening wears on, bitter, unresolved resentments among the guests come to light

Earth to Bristol: there’s still time (just) to catch Gaia at the cathedral

when a game of Truth goes terribly wrong. Arguably one of the inspirations for the Stonewall riots, this groundbreaking, play explores challenging themes that defined the gay ‘way of life’ in the ’6 s. Alma Tavern; almatavernandtheatre.co.uk

14 November-6 December THE FALL OF THE HOUSE OF USHER

Enter the decrepit mansion of the shers in Edgar Allen oe’s macabre tale of dark obsession and crumbling sanity: Red Rope Theatre are back at Arnos ale Cemetery with a performance that’s not for the faint of heart; headfirstbristol.co.uk

16 November STORIES BENEATH THE SKIN

Blue Metaphor Ltd presents the first of a series of themed events bringing all art forms together, with filmmaking at the centre. The event is open to all creatives looking for production support; in particular, those with noisy or misunderstood voices, looking to share their stories for greater impact. At eople’s Republic of Stokes Croft; eventbrite.co.uk

17 November GHOST STORES FOR CHRISTMAS

’Tis already the season at Alma Tavern, as Edwyrdian Tales bring a haunting programme of dark delights during Christmastide, which sounds far spookier and more olde-worldy than just ‘Christmas’; almatavernandtheatre.co.uk

18-19 November

WHISTLE AND I’LL COME TO YOU; A WARNING TO THE CURIOUS

The spooky storytelling continues at the Tavern with a pair of classic ghost stories read by Toby Burchall; almatavernandtheatre.co.uk

20-21 November

GWYNETH GOES SKIING

She’s the goop-founding, doorsliding, Shakespeare-in-Loving, consciously-uncoupling ollywood superstar. he’s a retired optometrist from tah. In 2 16, they went skiing. Come to see the harbingers of queer chaos, Awkward roductions, transform TFT into Deer alley Ski Resort; tobaccofactorytheatres.com

22 November-18 January

NOTTING HELL

Strapline: The Greatest Love Story in the Underworld. In The Wardrobe’s latest festive mash-up, the foppishly

handsome owner of a quaint travel bookshop falls for an international mega celeb; little does he know he’ll soon find himself deep in the fiery pits of the underworld, facing off with the cursed spawn of Satan himself! Oh, bloody hell! This Christmas, finding true love is going to take a lot of sacrifice: human sacrifice; thewardrobetheatre.com

22-23 November

DESPERATE TIMES

Meet Lucky. Teacher by day, petty thief by night. She feels invincible and lives for the drama, until she tells a lie that not even she can charm her way out of. ow long can she keep up the act? From Side eYe Productions; bristololdvic.org.uk

23-29 November

TREASURE ISLAND

Bristol Old ic Theatre School reimagines the epic swashbuckling yarn; it’s Redgrave’s family Chrimbo show; redgravetheatre.om

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

14 November

MARK THOMAS: GAFFA TAPES

If you don’t know what Mark does, ask your parents. In his time, he’s won eight awards for performing, three for human rights work and one he invented for himself. e’s forced a politician to resign, changed laws on tax and protest, holds the Guinness Book of Records record for number of protests in 2 hours and generally had fun upsetting the right people. en Chicken; thecomedybox.co.uk

15 November

TAROT: SHUFFLE

The best show of 2 19, said Chortle The sixth-best show of 2 22 said The Guardian. Come watch them continue their slow descent into mediocrity. proariously live and in-the-room, they’d call it improv but they’ve got some self-respect: this is sketch in nighties. At Wardrobe; thewardrobetheatre.com

DO GO ON

The podcast hosted by Melbourne comedians Jess erkins, Matt

TOP: Orson, being iconic in The Third Man (Bristol Film Fest); MIDDLE: The 502s, being happy at Trinity BOTTOM: Never Let me Go, being heartbreaking at BOV

Stewart and Dave Warneke has reported on myriad issues; now you get to see their voices come out of their faces live! It might be weird at first, but you’ll get used to it. AtTFT; tobaccofactorytheatres.com

16, 30 November

KATHERINE RYAN: BATTLEAXE

Katherine’s on tour. There’s none of the usual helpful idiosyncratic blurb in the show’s description, so you’ll have to head to Beacon to see what it’s all about; bristolbeacon.org

16 November

PIERRE NOVELLIE: WHY ARE YOU LAUGHING?

ierre can’t stress enough that he thinks his thoughts are normal – it’s the rest of you who don’t make sense. e is the normal one, definitely, but that does raise an important question: why are you laughing? Wardrobe; thewardrobetheatre.com

17 November

SHAPARAK KHORSANDI: SCATTERBRAIN

aving reassessed her life through the prism of an AD D diagnosis, the beloved and scatterbrained Shappi lets us back into her mind: warning, it’s cluttered in there. At BOV; bristololdvic.org.uk

GRACE CAMPBELL IS ON HEAT

About to enter her s, Grace has been on a journey to find out who she wants to be as a grown-up. She recently made some huge life changes. She got a dog, she stopped replying to internet trolls, she tried non-monogamy, and then very soon after, celibacy. ead to Beacon to hear answers to big questions about the world, her vagina, and her obsession with making her dog her entire brand; bristolbeacon.org

PHIL WALKER: HAPPY BUNNY

hil’s a man in the middle of life desperately trying to stay relevant in the ever-changing world around him. Warning: may contain jokes about allergies, so if you’re allergic to jokes about allergies please consult a doctor before attending. Redgrave; redgravetheatre.com

23 November

ESHAAN AKBAR: IN THE FLESH

Previously of Barclays Wealth and Merton Council, Eshaan holds a masters in global governance and a degree in economics, finance and

management. e’s also a former Bollywood dance choreographer. Is there anything he can’t do? es. e can’t tie balloons, which made his job as a children’s entertainer very short-lived. Work-in-progress LOLs at Alma Tav; almatavernandtheatre.co.uk

24 November

JOHN HEGLEY: DO HORSES HAVE TEETH, SIR?

Not just a gig by John, comprising 90 minutes of mandolin accompanied by an enquiry into family, mythology, biology and opportunity, curiosity and cardboard modelling, but also a nautical poetry- writing and drawing workshop entitled ShipShape and Bristol-Fashioning, aimed at all strengths and levels and suitable for any one who has been eight years old at some point. At Wardrobe; thewardrobetheatre.com

GIGS

Ongoing

BRISTOL BEACON

Daily gigs, encompassing orchestral, folk, world, indie, jazz and less easily classifiable shizzle; for full programme see bristolbeacon.org

ST GEORGE’S BRISTOL

Classical, world, folk, talks, more, at St George’s; stgeorgesbristol.co.uk

Until 22 November

IN:MOTION

Motion – voted by DJ Mag as 11th best club in the world and the K’s best large club – continues its run of all-stars; motion-bristol.com

8-9 November

PANGEA

A celebration of music and people from around the globe. “We focus on joy”, they say; which is always nice. At Trinity; trinitybristol.org.uk

10 November

CRASH TEST DUMMIES

our favourite ’9 s band providing earworms for decades are back, and they aren’t showing any signs of slowing down; catch them at Trinity; trinitybristol.org.uk

20 November

KNEECAP

The Norn Irn hip-hoppers who rap in both Gaelic and English are brash, controversial and supremely hot right now; they were a sensation at Glastonbury this year. Catch them at SWX before they get even famouser; swxbristol.com

TOP: Parke life continues at Martin Parr Foundation

MIDDLE: Up where the smoke is all billered and curled: Mary and Bert are back

BOTTOM: Kneecap: they’re frighteningly articulate, but you may need subtitles

WHAT’S ON

21 November

THE 502s

The Florida indie folksters refer to themselves as the happiest band on Earth – and who doesn’t fancy a slice of that? At Trinity; trinitybristol.org.uk

THE LIGHTNING SEEDS

Come along for a masterclass in modern pop songwriting from Ian Broudie and the band, at O2; academymusicgroup.com

25 November

POKEY LAFARGE

The improbably named Pokey (actual moniker Andrew Heissler) hails from Illinois; his music, he says, is a “celebration of life and love. It is medicine for the soul”. At Trinity; trinitybristol.org.uk

26 November

ROYEL OTIS

There’s an playfulness at the heart of the Aussie duo’s new record, with a rich, punchy production enhancing the psychedelically sun-drenched nature of the music; hear them at Trinity; trinitybristol.org.uk

28 November

SHED SEVEN

The magnificent Seven, well, five, are on a 30th-anniversary tour and delivering a career-spanning set to O2; academymusicgroup.com

FESTIVALS

Ongoing

BRISTOL FILM FESTIVAL

The year-round fest with the something-for-everyone remit, often at site-specific venues. Given the time of year, expect lots of spooky stuff to be shown in caves, cellars and cemeteries; bristolfilmfestival.com

Until 30 November

SOUTH BRISTOL HISTORY FESTIVAL

There’s plenty to cover: the underground history of Dean Lane Skate ark, Somerset miners, women prisoners transported to Australia and the radical face of Bedminster before and after World War I; the Knowle Wester who tried to kill Oswald Mosley; the launch of aul Smith’s book Hartcliffe Betrayed, and more, courtesy of the Bristol Radical istory Group. Talks, walks and panels, all free; brh.org.uk

OTHER

Until 23 December

BRISTOL CHRISTMAS MARKET

Gifts, gluwein, you know the drill. At Broadmead; bristolchristmasmarket.com

Until 24 December

A CRACKING CHRISTMAS EXPERIENCE

Aardman’s brand-new immersive experience within the old Friary Building at Cabot’s is packed with Wallace Gromit invention, festive spirit, and plenty of cheesy fun; there’s a Cracking Christmas Café too; the experience is ticketed but the caff is open to all. Tickets going fast; book ateventbrite.co.uk

SHOP BRISTOL

NEW! Indie pop-up at Cabot Circus where you can find over 5 stalls selling Bristol-themed gifts, made by Bristol hands, for Bristol people who want to support small businesses this festive season; there are workshops, too; shopbristol.co.uk

14 November

ENTRECONF GO

New, free conference for young entrepreneurs and those curious about starting a business. At Arnolfini; entreconf.com

22 November

BODIES: 2

International best-selling authors convene on the Wills Building to talk about physical and mental wellbeing; eventbrite.co.uk

23-24 November

CHRISTMAS FAIR

Estate of the Arts’ open studios and makers market, with entertainment, hot food, festive shopping and 30 stalls and studios; at Ashton Gate, estateofthearts.co.uk

23 November, 7 & 14 December

MADE IN BRISTOL GIFT FAIR

ou know the drill: the South West’s best designers and makers convene on Beacon for the ultimate indie Christmas shopping experience. madeinbristolshop.co.uk n

TOP: Time to go ooh-ah, then panic about the planet: Wildlife pics at the Museum

MIDDLE: Katherine Ryan’s lipstick’s on point as per usual

BOTTOM Charles and Di have looked better, to be honest

A KIND OF LIVING

What does it mean to be human? That’s just one of the questions asked by Never Let Me Go, directed by Christopher Haydon at Bristol Old Vic this month

Words by Deri Robins

What if you discovered your whole reason for living wasn’t about your life at all, but about making someone else’s possible? How would you live your life if you knew exactly how it ended? And what does it mean to be human?

Those are some of the big themes in Kazuo Ishiguro’s Never Let Me Go, which has just been ranked 9th in the New York Times 100 Best Books of the 21st Century.

Set in an alternative reality of 1980s and ’90s England, the novel begins by introducing a group of fairly ordinary kids, getting up to the kind of stuff all kids do, at their residential school – or is it a home?

So far, so normal, if a little strange. But slowly the horror dawns. These aren’t ordinary kids at all; they’re clones, created with one sole purpose: to donate organs to natural-born humans. Most only survive three transplants before they die. Can they escape their predetermined destiny? Is there a loophole? What or who decides the difference between a clone and a human with a soul?

We may have given away too much already, although if you’re unfamiliar with the book or the 2 1 film adaptation, and the title led you to expect a rom com, we’ve frankly done you a favour. There may be humour, at times, but be warned: this is a tale to break your heart.

Christopher Haydon, who directs the new stage version of the novel, tells us that book-writer Suzanne Heathcote’s adaptation predated his involvement.

“Suzanne has been involved for longer than I have. She was commissioned by a different theatre a long time ago but then it didn’t pan out for various reasons.

“I had a separate relationship with Ishiguro, having directed the first stage adaptation of his Remains of the Day some years ago. When we asked about the rights to do Never Let Me Go we were told that Suzanne was still very keen to do it. She and I get on really well, so continuing with her seemed like the obvious thing to do.

“We commissioned her during the pandemic but it was really last year, during the writers’ strike in America, that the bulk of the work was done. Suzanne mainly writes for big American TV series, though she herself is a Brit. When the strike was about to happen she emailed me and said ‘I won’t be allowed to write anything else, so I am going to focus on this’. We ended up getting through four drafts in three to four months, which is a lot in a short space of time”.

As Ishiguro knew Christopher’s work from Remains of the Day, and was a fan of Suzanne’s he was supportive from the beginning.

“It was a bit nerve-wracking sending him the draft script, but his response was overwhelmingly enthusiastic and he was incredibly generous with his time when it came to discussing it in detail,” says Christopher.

“He came to see the show when it opened at The Rose in Kingston, and said some very

kind things about it. They say never meet your heroes, but Ish completely disproves that – he has always been wonderfully kind, gracious and humble whenever I have spoken to him.”

Did directing such a well-known and revered book feel like a huge responsibility?

“Yes and no. In one respect you just have to approach it like you would any other story or play. If you spend too much time thinking about how other people might feel about the book or the film, you can end up just secondguessing yourself. But I think I did feel extra pressure as the book has meant a huge amount to me for a very long time and I have grown to

“Nothing lasts forever, so we have to live in the present and celebrate what we have right now”

love the story even more as we have worked on it. So it felt really important that I poured as much of my energy in to it as possible to make it the best it could be.”

Christopher says he saw the film when it first came out 2010, but hasn’t rewatched it since.

“I deliberately avoided doing so because I didn’t want it to influence my thinking on the show. I remember really enjoying it at the time, but tonally it is very different – they made a choice to go for something more austere and cooler whereas we have really leaned in to the warmth in the story. Neither approach is inherently better – they’re just different. I think it is a good thing that the play feels very different. It will give people who already know the film a new perspective on the story.”

It’s a bit of a heartbreaker – are there any light moments among the tragedy?

“Yes! There’s a lot of humour in the piece, especially in the first half. I think it’s really important that any story encompasses the full

breadth of human emotion and experience. So laughter and joy are essential in that regard despite the tragedy.

“When we were developing the script and production, my three buzzwords were: fast, fluid, and light. The show has to have a lightness of touch and humour in order to accentuate the tragedy.

“I would also say that while the story is definitely very sad, ultimately, it is not depressing. There’s a real catharsis that comes with the emotional journey. And there’s a hugely important message, too – nothing lasts forever, so we have to live in the present, and celebrate what we have right now. I find that uplifting and inspiring.”

Christopher says he’s loved working on the show. “This has been one of the most joyful and fulfilling creative experiences I have ever had. The creative team and the cast have all been brilliant. The acting company is predominantly quite young, in fact two of them are making their professional stage debuts in this show, but they have all brought such maturity and joy in to the rehearsal room. They are working together so well as an ensemble and I think you can really see that when you watch the show.”

First Remains of the Day, now Never Let Me Go – what keeps drawing Christopher back to the work of Kazuo Ishiguro?

“There is an astonishing depth of feeling in his work that is communicated with such clarity and simplicity,” he says. “He asks huge questions but with a really light touch and I find that really compelling.”

Incidentally, it’s not Christopher’s first Bristol Old Vic rodeo; he directed Pinter’s The Caretaker here in 2017.

“It’s such a beautiful theatre,” he says. “It combines a real sense of history with a very modern sensibility. In fact, that can be said for the city as a whole. I love Bristol’s energy and radicalism. It is a very forward-looking place that retains a strong sense of its historical identity. I am delighted to be back.” n

Never Let Me Go is at Bristol Old Vic until 23 December; www.bristololdvic.org.uk

THERE’S SOMETHING ABOUT MARY

It’s time to get your supercalifragilistic on, as Mary Poppins flies into Bristol again

Words by Deri Robins

Two notable things took place in Bristol in 2004. Firstly, a very superior, glossy new magazine for the city was launched (ahem!); secondly, a major new stage show based on the movie Mary Poppins opened – not in the West End, but right here at Bristol Hippodrome. London referred to it as a ‘tryout’, we preferred to call it a world première. Naturally, thanks to the timely launch of said glossy new magazine, we were all over it. We met the author of the new book, Julian Fellowes; we travelled to London to meet Richard Sherman, who with his brother Robert had written the original music, along with so many other Disney songs, effectively composing the soundtrack of our childhoods. It was extraordinary to chat to someone who had worked directly with Walt Disney, and touching to hear his generous praise for the musicians who had written the show’s additional songs.

The show was spectacular; the after-party at Zero Degrees equally so. Since then, this smash hit of a musical has been round the world several times, with a succession of Marys taking on the role immortalised by Julie Andrews in the 1964 movie. The latest actor to take up the parrot-headed umbrella is Stefanie Jones, who has already played the role in her native Australia.

does just that. It has stood the test of time since it debuted on stage at the Bristol Hippodrome, and it will continue to do so because it is a story with something for everyone.”

As mentioned, the production is celebrating its 20th anniversary, having first opened in 2 in Bristol – a city to which Stefanie happens to have a connection. “One of my great-grandmothers is from here. I’m going to be speaking to my grandmother to find where she grew up, and if she remembers any of the stories from back in the day that her mother may have told her. I have always known that my heritage lay on this side of the globe, and I have a lot of excitement to be in Bristol, and at the Hippodrome where Poppins got its start, where all the magic began. It’s a pinch-me moment, for sure.”

“People will leave the theatre with the same warm fuzzy feeling they had as kids watching the movie”

“Mary really is the gift that keeps on giving” she says. “I was so sad to say goodbye to her in Australia, thinking my time with her was done, so to be asked back is truly very exciting. And the best thing is that now my Poppins family has grown even bigger with this new company; it’s wonderful to share the telling of this story with them.”

As Mary, she obviously has very big boots to fill – was stepping into Julie’s role a huge challenge, and what does she bring to the role?

“Absolutely! I have always loved Julie; there’s something about her, you can’t look away. She is, and will always be, the perfect Mary. But I feel like I really understand Mary in a way that’s unique to me, and I hope that comes through when I play her. I think if you were asking the creative team what I bring to the role, they would probably mention something about my Aussie charm!”

As the West End production is now on tour, Stefanie has found herself back in the rehearsal room, which, she says, “is a bit of a gift because it’s a complicated show”. Also, there have been a few small changes – “which is exciting, as it’s good to keep it fresh. It means I can relax into it, and enjoy getting to know everyone, and watch the new cast.”

Obviously, Poppins is packed with well-loved songs; Stefanie says one of her favourites is Feed the Birds: “It’s a very pared-back and simple song, which compared to the other numbers in the show has a really special message: not to judge a book by its cover. We have the incredible Patti Boulaye playing the Bird Woman, and I think the audience will weep when they hear that one. I really love that number, and I love singing with Patti.”

There has to be a reason why a 20-year-old show, based on a 6 -year-old film and even older novels, has such an evergreen appeal. So why does the world still need Poppins in its life?

“This show is equal parts spectacle and heart. It is visually so entrancing and epic and magical, but its themes are really relatable. It’s just a bit of extra fun that there is all this magic and fantasy surrounding it, but at its core it’s a simple story about a family trying to get by, when someone intervenes who can point them in the right direction. This is one of those stories that makes you go home and hold your loved ones extra close.

“And those are the stories that prove, time and time again, that they touch people’s hearts. This one

Finally, what can audiences expect from this new iteration of the show?

“People will hear the songs the way they remember them, and leave the theatre with that same warm fuzzy feeling they had as kids watching the movie, or even the show if they have seen it before. There are so many audience members I’ve spoken to at the stage door who saw the show years ago, or saw it with their mum as a kid, who are now bringing their own children – it’s multi-generational, which is so perfect because that’s what the show is about.”

One of the standout moments we recall from the 2004 première involved Mary flying across the auditorium. Stefanie won’t be drawn on whether Mary flies again, but admits that “she certainly does something very magical at the end… let’s just say you need to have a head for heights”. So OK, she’s going to be flying, then. n

Mary Poppins the Musical is at Bristol Hippodrome until 30 November; www.atgtickets.com

HOPE YOU KEPT THE FLYER...

In 1993, theatrical producer Cameron Mackintosh met author PL Travers and acquired the rights to develop a stage adaptation of her Mary Poppins books. She only agreed as long as the creators were all English, and hadn’t worked on the 1964 film, which she’d famously loathed. To her, Disney’s Mary wasn’t nearly vinegary enough. PL Travers died in 1996. In 2001, Mackintosh and Thomas Schumacher, head of Disney

Theatrical Productions, opened talks on a possible collaboration, so that the stage play would be able to use the songs from the Disney film. Along with the original music and lyrics by the Sherman Brothers, additional songs were written by George Stiles and Anthony Drewe. Julian Fellowes was brought on board to write the script, having amply proved his understanding of the Edwardian class system in Downton Abbey and Gosford Park

The show was directed by Richard Eyre and Matthew Bourne, who was also co-choreographer. It had its world première at Bristol Hippodrome on 15 September 2004, moved to the West End in December, and won two Olivier Awards, one for Best Actress in a Musical and the other for Best Theatre Choreographer. It later won Tony gongs when it transferred to Broadway.

Saw one of the first shows in Bristol? Hung on to the flyer? Excellent; they now go for around £100 on eBay.

Whatever type of stonework you require in and around Bristol & the South West, we have the local expertise and experience to remedy any issue you may have in a friendly, and knowledgeable manner. For your peace of mind: We are fully insured and complete all work to the highest standard.

FEEL THE FEAR AND DO IT ANYWAY

It’s the season for supernatural ruminations, scare dares, and wholesome pumpkins

Words and pics by Colin Moody

“What if this life is not the end? What if things that are gone can come back to us, and we can be together again?”

F1

BRISTOL HEROES

unny and scary. Scary and funny. Like that famous set of comedy and tragedy masks you see hanging over the door of the Royal Shakespeare Company in Stratford-upon-Avon. . .

Let’s ease ourselves in gently with a non-scary one. It’s a circus, but there are no killer clowns here.

Invisible Circus, to be precise, entertaining us all for one last time at their old home at Unit 15 before the landlord shut them down.

Past and present meet, this realm and that realm.

What if this life is not the end? What if things that are gone can come back to us, and we can be together again?

2

3 2

Fear Scream Park, and it’s like totally OK to pretend you’re not scared, right? Tell you what, you enter the scare attractions like House of Clowns and boom! They got me every time. I’m a jump-outfrom-behind-anything-in-the-dark-and-go-boo-I’m-halfway-up-thewall kind of guy. But this was next-level, like a cross between being in a scare park and halfway out of your body looking down on yourself jumping and jumping.

3You turn up to the pumpkin patch at Avon Valley in your skeleton onesie and find out all these others have done exactly the same thing. It could happen, right?

Looks like a lot of pumpkin-carving will be on the cards for the next few days at this family house. Hope the kids like pumpkin pie, pumpkin soup, pumpkin surprise… yeah you know what that’s gonna be!

“All Hallows’ Eve, being more on the witchy side of things, felt like it wasn’t just larky American imported horror shows. It had a natural element that went deeper than masks”

4

Aim for the biggest pumpkin, yes? And get it to the car asap, you got plans for that there pumpkin.

I’m just trying to guess what’s going through the little fella’s head there; plenty more in the patch, that’s for sure, a sea of orange, this place at Avon Valley.

5

Halloween, when the link between this world and whatever weird shadow realm may exist gets thin. So thin that perhaps if you look at it sideways in just the right way, you might see something, something from… there.

Is that food delivery guy seeing something? And would he be able to tell us… or do we turn round and we might… see… it?

Ooh, scared myself there a bit

6

“ ey Geoff, you were at that impromptu party in the tunnels of The Bearpit last week, remember that creepy guy who kept getting closer and closer in the scream mask? Come on Geoff; much taller than everyone else? Just kept getting closer and closer? Couldn’t quite see his eyes? There was no-one in a scream mask? Don’t be silly. I remember it. Temperate seemed to drop, didn’t it? And the music, it sort of slowed down, time seemed to slow down, and then they reached out and… and…”

That’s what I kind of think we need if we want to be scared – big tall scary mask dude, who as far as I recall at 2am never stopped staring at me… Maybe I’m still in that tunnel. Maybe I never left…

7

I don’t know what’s more scary. The pumpkinesque mask that’s not quite Tim Burton enough, that smile on the guy inside, or the half a bit of each. Are we the guy inside and there’s a secret layer around us that’s something we cannot control? No, we’re the pumpkin paper mâché, and inside is this guy, inside is there has always been this guy. OK, I’m starting to feel weirded out again.

8

“Hey Dave, you’ve got something, just there, stuck on the side of your face…”

What did you go as this Halloween? Or, as we used to call it, All Hallows’ Eve, which if you ask me, being more on the witchy side of things, always felt like it wasn’t just larky American imported horror shows, and always had a kind of natural element that went deeper than masks, energy from ancient times echoing through the beams of old oak trees in ancient forests, just off the road of modern life.

Colin Moody; content creation, online images Twitter @moodycolin; Instagram @colinmoodyphotography www.colinmoodyphotography.wordpress.com

EMILY & DAN ROSS STORYSMITH BOOKS

Someone came into the shop in early October and bought a couple of books. Gosh, you must be thinking, and in a bookshop too; whatever next?

Well, it wasn’t the books they bought as much as their expression of satisfaction as they declared that with this purchase their Christmas shopping was now complete. In October. This might be the earliest we’ve experienced a Christmas completion in our shop’s history, and although we were partly impressed with the organisation, we couldn’t help but think of the present haul that could’ve been. A ghost of Christmas presents, if you will.

What if we said you could do all your Christmas shopping in just a few hours at just one shop?

Anyway, we’re assuming that you’re like us and you haven’t even started yet. As such, we’re spending our next couple of columns stuffing in as many recommendations in as we can – you can always call us or pop into the shop to really pick our brains, but these are just a few of the books we’ll be eagerly pushing this year.

Top of the fiction pile this festive season are big-hitting novels from the likes of Haruki Murakami (a typically enigmatic title: The City and its Uncertain Walls) and Nick Harkaway (Karla’s Secret, starring the iconic George Smiley and continuing the legacy of Harkaway’s father, John Le Carré), but as you know, we like to poke

around much further down the fiction where the really interesting stuff is.

There’s eminently giftable new fiction from Bristol’s own Tessa Hadley, who returns with a gorgeous hardback novella named The Party, and Susanna Clarke’s follow-up to the multi-garlanded Piranesi, a similarly sumptuous little hardback called The Wood at Midwinter which should sate the appetite of anyone who wants something that sparkles darkly in the festive night.

We’re also earmarking a beautiful collection of pleasantly unpleasant short stories called The Haunted Trail, featuring doomed hikes across moors and fens, apparitions and visitations, all curated by the folk at The British Library and featuring classic tales from the likes of MR James and Robert Aickman; we’ve been struggling to keep it on the shelves since it came out, and we’re expecting it to be our sleeper-hit for this year.

If you’re ignoring the omnipresent supermarket-shelf sportspeople biographies – which we mostly are, no offence – then you’ll find an extremely good selection of non-fiction this season, and almost none of it features a glossy photograph of the author on the cover.

Regular customers will know our feelings on Deborah Levy (to be clear, we adore her), so to have a sumptuous new hardback of essays and ramblings in the

“Cuisine on Screen is the cookbook you didn’t know you needed”

shop is a real gift – The Position of Spoons will be indispensable. Elsewhere, there are major new music biographies on ABBA, in the shape of Jan Gradvall’s exhaustive and delightfully titled Melancholy Undercover, and also on the elusive and influential late genius rapper MF DOOM, thanks to SH Fernando Jr’s interview-heavy The Chronicles of DOOM – both essentials for the discerning pop aficionado. Cuisine on Screen, on the other hand, is the cookbook you didn’t know you needed – author Sachiyo Harado has painstakingly assembled the recipes of 30 Japanese dishes from iconic movie scenes, including miso soup from My Neighbour Totoro and katsudon from Tokyo Story. Anyone with an interest in movies or food will be salivating.

We could go on. There’s a real danger of us spooling off into breathless recommendations of more books than any potential gifter could possibly purchase, so we’re probably best to leave it there for this month, but do rest assured that we’ll be back next issue with some recommendations for the more junior recipients on your list. Unless you’ve already done your Christmas shopping, of course, in which case congratulations – just don’t feel you have to tell us about it.

Visit Storysmith at 36 North Street, Bedminster; 0117 953 7961 www.storysmithbooks.com

JON CRAIG

BOMBIL

The spice is right at East Street’s latest diner

Words by Deri Robins

Been down East Street recently? Depending on your point of view it’s either coming along very nicely, or it’s the latest Bristol neighbourhood in danger of having the edges of its authenticity knocked off by a tide of gentrification.

Of course that’s still a long way off; nobody has got around to calling it ‘Eastville’ yet, but it’s moving in that direction. First there was the opening of artisan café and bakery Bristol Loaf, followed by Factory No.1, the new apartments created within the old Wills building. Then came charming café Lucky Strike, currently having a bit of a rethink about its offering, and now we have brand-new Indian restaurant Bombil.

A neon sign signals ‘from Bombay to Bristol’. At the risk of sounding like a Wikipedia entry, Bombay’s name was changed to Mumbai in 1995, but the locals use the names interchangeably; besides, Bombil, which is the marathi name for Bombay Duck, which is not a duck at all but a fish – still with me? – has a much nicer ring to it than Mumbil.

we dutifully opt for a variety of things from the small plates menu –beginning with the kanda bhaji. Don’t expect these to resemble the small snacks purveyed by your local Indian takeaway; Bombil’s are beasts, taking up a full platter and prettily garnished with pomegranate seeds. The gram-flour coating is crisp, the onion innards sweet and juicy.

A dish of Bombay flat fish is equally generous. The fish is treated to a citrussy marinade before being coated in spices and fried; the outer paste is dry rather than greasy, and it’s nicely soft within; a goujon that’s been on its holidays to Goa. A keema ghotala is deconstructed here, served as a ramekin of lamb mince topped with a fried scramble of quails’ eggs. Soft buns are provided so that you can assemble it into a delightfully sloppy burger; we customise ours further with pickles from the fish platter.

DINING DETAILS

Bombil, 31 East Street www.bombilbristol.com

It’s the latest restaurant from Raja Munuswamy, who also has Nutmeg, Nadu, Kal Dosa and Nutmeg Street Kitchen in his stable. We’ve never had a bad meal at any of them. In terms of size, Bombil is an ambitious step up; created within one of those cavernous19th-century banks which now lend themselves so beautifully to hospitality, it has two dining floors, a sexy redlit bar area and a relaxed but upmarket decor. Those huge wonky silver lights could be a bit too bling in fussier surroundings, but the cool retro leatherette banquettes, simple chairs and tables balance everything out.

Baby aubergines stuffed with coconut and cooked in an aromatic, tangy onion and tomato gravy come from an excellent choice of veggie options. The chilli and garlic prawns are irresistible; a simple enough dish, but more gently spiced than the others thanks to the use of relatively mild Sankeshwari chillis. In fact none of our dishes are mouth-searingly hot, but all have a zesty hit, and we’re grateful for the cooling presence of mint raita.

Opening hours Tues-Thu 5-11.30pm; Fri-Sat midday-12.30pm, Sun midday-11pm

Price Small plates £5-7; large plates £17£19; curries £11-16; puds £6-7

Veggie Loads of choice

Service Friendly and helpful

Atmosphere Cheerful and buzzy

Raja’s restaurants don’t follow a cookie-cutter approach, with each offering something slightly different. Bombil’s schtick is small plates inspired by the famous street-food markets of Bombay, whose vendors cook quick bites for office workers or anyone fancying a late-night snack on the way home. They’re aiming to replicate that culture here, though in comfier surroundings. The focus is on sharing – an approach which should appeal to everyone, apart, perhaps, from Gavin & Stacey’s Smithy.

Judging by the mostly full dining room – and on a midweek evening too – Bristol has already taken Bombil to its heart. This could just be the lure of the new, of course, though the reasonable prices may also have something to do with it. The not-so-small small plates begin at £6, so you can dine like a maharaja here for under £25.

The friendly staff hit the sweet spot of being bouncy without being annoying; they know what they’re about, and I have a margarita in my hand ten minutes after being seated. We later move on to a lovely Le Tuffeau rosé, which makes a light and refreshing accompaniment to the spicy feast that’s soon laid before us.

To be honest, what we really fancy is a stonking big chicken tikka masala apiece, but that’s not going to fill many column inches, so

As we swipe the final puddle of sauce with our last bits of chapati we covertly eye a dish of delicate golden puri making its way to a neighbouring couple’s table. Clearly not covertly enough, though, because they clock our covetous looks. “Would you like one?” they ask generously, proffering the plate. Never change, East Street! We decline, of course; we may be terminally greedy, but we’re not monsters.

Not yet incapacitated, we manage to pack away two of the nicest puds we’ve had in ages: angoori basundi – soft paneer sponges in a fragrant, cardomy saffron custard – and dense, fudgy kulfi with pistachio purée.

Even with just five savoury dishes and the abovementioned puds, we leave feeling well-fed. In fact, it’s only now that I realise that the paneer makkhanwala we’d ordered had failed to materialise; we certainly didn’t miss it at the time. Maybe the staff spotted me surreptitiously undoing the button of my skirt and took pity on me. Maybe it was a ploy to tempt us to return in order to try it; if so, well done, we probably will.

Bombil steers a happy course between offering punters something a little different in the reassuring context of the familiar. If you like a standard British Indian you’ll feel on solid ground here; you could bring mates who like their curries served in familiar meat-in-gravy form (though you’d better warn them about the absence of Kingfisher beer), but there’s plenty to intrigue more adventurous foodies, too.

I’d love to say that last night a bhaji saved my life, for the simple reason that I’ve been waiting to make that pun since 1982, though it would obviously be hyperbolic. That said, I can’t think of a more cocklewarming pick-me-up on a cheerless wintry Bristol night than a feast at Bombil. Wondering whether now might be a good time to move to East Street? This might be your sign.

CAFÉ SOCIETY STAN CULLIMORE

Get it while it’s Hotplate

Fresh things are brewing, down at the Croft

This issue’s coffee shop of choice has been a long time coming. A long, long time. Strolling gently through my hopes and dreams for decades, in fact. Might even have been doing the same thing through yours too, dear reader, along with the hopes and minds of many other local folk.

May as well cut to the chase here, give it all away at the opening, throw it out loud and proud. I’m talking about Hotplate down in Stokes Croft. Huzzah and hurray to all involved, for all their hard work and enthusiasm. I salute them. And before going any further, might as well give away the ending right here, right now, as well. The SC crew went, we ate and we were happy. Very happy.

“Stokes Croft has long been many things to many people, with more ups and downs than a rollercoaster ride”

Over the moon. Was definitely worth the wait. It’s an awesome place on many levels.

Just in case you haven’t stumbled across it yet, allow me to elucidate. To paint a picture in words and wild, mild wonderment. It is a newish café, giving out homegrown diner vibes, tucked away in the old Carriage Works, or whatever fine and fancy name that delicious facade is going under these days. It comes to us courtesy of the Left Handed Giant crew, which obviously signals an immediate thumbsup; the food is fine, the coffee is excellent, and the whole place feels just right. As it should, having stood there for years and years already.

By the way, before I forget, reason I say it’s been a long time coming is simple. When I first arrived in Bristol, what seems like a million and one years ago, it didn’t take long to discover Stokes Croft, with its creative, edgy vibe and its mild, mild West attitude. In short, way back when, it seemed to me to be the emotional heartland of Bristol’s crusty scene. Among all this glitter, the star of the show, the biggest and the boldest derelict diva around, was the faded, but still beautiful, building that I later learned was known as the Carriage Works.

Over the years, like the rest of us who call this town home, I have kept a weather eye on this

stretch of Stokes Croft. Long story short, along the way it has been many things to many people, with more ups and downs than a rollercoaster ride.

But that was then. This is now. You can argue until the cows come home whether gentrification is a force for good or for evil: I do not believe Café Society is the correct forum for this debate. All I need to tell you is that this particular building has been lifted up, dusted off and brought to a market place of ideas, where brunchification is the name of the game. And the Hotplate café is the jewel in its sparkly, shiny crown.

If you fancy checking out just how fine and dandy the world can be in that lovely, lively part of town, I can thoroughly recommend giving this pleasant place a visit.

Oh, and if you happen to have a four-pawed fluffy friend, do take them along. There’s a whole wall display of photos devoted to them. Definitely a dog- friendly hotspot. Or rather, a dog-friendly hot, hot, HOT (plate) spot. Love it – hope you will too. n

For more about Hotplate see www.lefthandedgiant.com

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

CHARLIE TAYLOR KASK WINE

The official public advice is to drink responsibly. Charlie would like to add ‘drink better’

In my last (and first) column, I mentioned that it was an odd decision to open a wine bar when I knew nothing about wine. Perhaps it was an even stranger life choice given I’m allergic to alcohol.

In that time before I knew anything about wine, my drink of choice was gin. Anywhere we went on holiday, rather than buying a fridge magnet, I’d buy a bottle of local gin. When on a trip to Barcelona I discovered a two-storey shop that solely sold gin and every kind of bitters you could think of (and some you’d never think of), I found myself paying 200 euros in excess luggage to bring my finds home.

Then the sneezing started. At first, it was a just a couple, the

morning after a heavy session. Then the gestation period shortened to a few hours; I started to get an itchy nose within a few minutes of a drink, followed by a bout of sneezing; and then it got to the point I’d spend the whole of the following day sneezing. It was genuinely debilitating. I had to stay in bed all day. Andrex’s shares went through the roof.

After many days like this (not consecutively, I should add) I had to admit it – I was allergic to alcohol. Not just gin – all alcohol products. So, for a period, I stopped drinking.

And then our friends opened a natural wine bar in Birmingham (Grace & James – you should check it out), we went to the opening night, and they poured me a glass of natural wine. Then

another, and a few more. And the next day I had a mildly groggy head, but not one sneeze. And so the love affair with wine began. Or more specifically, minimalintervention wine. Minimalintervention, organic, natural, biodynamic – there are many terms and it gets complicated. Maybe a topic for a future column. For now, here’s why you should care: wine is not just alcoholic grape juice.

Both EU and USA legislation permits wine made ‘conventionally’ (that’s most bottles in your supermarket) to contain 60+ chemical substances and additives.

It started off with fertilisers. Until these came along, what we now call ‘organic farming’ was just called ‘farming’. Then came pesticides, further reducing the amount of work needed. Now there is a vast lab kit to use as and when needed, in order to boost grape yields, control pests, and reduce work.

Is your wine not crisp enough? Add acid. Is your wine too acidic? Potassium bicarbonate is your friend. Need more body? Add sugar. Need more structure? Powdered tannin. Worried that now you’ve transitioned from harvesting by hand to a mechanical harvester, some rotten grapes ended up in the barrel? Add a load of sulphites into the juice to stabilise it. And/or acetaldehyde, potassium sorbate, dimethyl dicarbonate; the list continues.

This is where we come back to the sneezing. It’s the chemicals and toxins in the glass that get my nose quivering. When I drink a wine made with organic grapes and with minimal intervention in the cellar (that’s without the nasties), there’s no need for a hanky. It’s the

same with industrial beer and gin versus those made in small batches by the likes of Bristol’s own Lost & Grounded, Left Handed Giant, Wiper + True, and Psychopomp. Which is why I can own a bar while being allergic to (industrial) alcohol

Final point. Drinking minimalintervention wine won’t stop a hangover (although I’d argue it won’t be as bad a one). The public safety message remains – drink responsibly. My addition to that is ‘drink better’. If a food product contained 60 additives, it would be labelled ‘ultra-processed’. But looking at a wine bottle, you’d have no idea. Which is why you should buy from a local wine shop or bar which knows its onions grapes.

Three bottles to try right now Samhain, Limeburn Hill

From a biodynamic vineyard in Chew Valley, this sparkling red wine is made as nature intended. For example, sprays made from plants grown in the vineyard do the same job as pesticides.

Furze, Don’t Feed The Ponies

Don’t Feed The Ponies is a new range from Sandridge Barton (nee Sharpham) in Devon, in which they’re experimenting with minimal intervention. This is a light and crisp orange wine.

Ghost of the Navigator, Mayland

As part of the production of this juicy rosé (almost a red) from Somerset’s newest vineyard, green mulch (made from plants) is used to build up organic matter, improving soil health.

Visit KASK Wine at 51 North Street, Bedminster BS3 1EN; 07522 198081 www.kaskwine.co.uk

‘TIS THE DAMN SEASON

GRAND APPEAL CHRISTMAS FIGURINES, FROM £40

Yes, we’ve kicked off our Christmas shopping guide with these again, and we’ll continue to do so until Grand Appeal stop producing them, which will hopefully be never. All profits go to supporting Bristol children’s hospitals www.gromitunleashedshop.org.uk

Well, almost; by the time this issue reaches the end of its shelf life it definitely will be. We’ve eased you in gently with ideas for decorating the home, but any of these lovely things would happily double up as Christmas gifts; who wouldn’t love to find a knitted dodo in their stocking?

CHRISTMAS HANG-UPS

SHOPPING LIST

1. Glass coffee machine bauble, £9.99, from The Pod Company; www.thepodcompany.co.uk

2. Glass London bus, £11.95, from Graham & Green; www.grahamandgreen.co.uk

3. Felt narwhal, £8.50; lobster, from Mon Pote, £9; www.monpote.co.uk

4. House Doctor 70cm paper star, £39, from Fig1; www.fig1.co.uk

5. Retro Santa glass bauble, £14.50, from Cox & Cox; www.coxandcox.co.uk

6. Hand-stitched Mr Brunel Christmas decoration, £13, from the ss Great Britain shop; www.shop.ssgreatbritain.org

7. Ben Badger, £8.99, from The Pod Company; www.thepodcompany.co.uk

8. Pressed metal moon, £3.50 (from £5), from Maze; www.mazeclothing.co.uk

9. Bloomingville glass Christmas cake, £19, from Mon Pote; www.monpote.co.uk

10. Knitted dodo, £9, from Bristol Museum Shop; www.shop.bristolmuseums.org.uk

11. Bristol City bauble, £10.99, from jamie101910191019 on eBay

12. Feathers ceramic ornament, £9.95, from Gromit Unleashed Shop; www.gromitunleashedshop.org.uk

13. Jolly Angel, £10.50, from Bristol Artisan; www.thebristolartisan.com

14. Starburst hand-painted bauble, £10.50, from Toast; www.toa.st

15. Bristol Christmas bauble, £15, from Martha Mitchell Design; www.marthamdesign.com

16. Two fabric woodland animals, £4, from IKEA; www.ikea.com

SHOPPING LIST

1. Four feathered bird clips, £26, from Cox & Cox; www.coxandcox.co.uk

2. Three glass animals, £10, from IKEA; www.ikea.com

3. Fiona Hamilton wooden turkey decoration, £10, from Soma Gallery; www.somagallery.co.uk

4. Skipping Christmas pudding, £9.95, from Bristol Museum Shop; www.shop.bristolmuseums.org.uk

Bloomingville light-up Christmas house, £6.95, from Mon Pote; www.monpote.co.uk

Gromit ceramic ornament, £9.95, from Gromit Unleashed Shop; www.gromitunleashedshop.org.uk

Nkuku Sohni shell bauble, £6, from Fig1; www.fig1.co.uk

Charles and Camilla mice decorations, £19.95, from Graham & Green; www.grahamandgreen.co.uk

Gurt Lush bauble, £4.25, from HappyLaneShop on etsy; www.etsy.com

East End Press set of Winter Birds paper decorations, £12, from Fig1; www.fig1.co.uk

Bloomingville glass Madonna, £7.74 (from £12.90), from Fox + Feather; www.foxandfeather.co.uk

12. Clip-on pheasant, £6.95, from Graham & Green; www.grahamandgreen.co.uk

13. Four glass baubles, £9, from IKEA; www.ikea.com

14. House Doctor Christmas car with tree, £10.80 (reduced from £18), from Fig1; www.fig1.co.uk

CHRISTMAS wrapped up

THE HOME FRONT

Fine, you’ve dressed the tree; but don’t neglect the rest of the halls. As well as adding festive feels, many of these things make ideal presents, too

SHOPPING LIST

1. Winter village set, £15, from IKEA; www.ikea.com

2. Fire red berry spray, £10.99, from The Pod Company; www.thepodcompany.co.uk

3. Vintage-style honeycomb lights, £45, from Cox & Cox; www.coxandcox.co.uk

4. Green glass dala horse, £10, from IKEA; www.ikea.com

5. Boncoeurs star crowns, £39.50 (from £79), from Maze; www.mazeclothing.co.uk

6. Christmas crackers, £45, from Toast; www.toa.st

7. Wooden robin, £14, from Bristol Artisan; www.thebristolartisan.com

8. Trudon Spiritus Sancti candle, £95, from Maze; www.mazeclothing.co.uk

9. Super-soft faux fur throw, £295, from Cox & Cox; www.coxandcox.co.uk

10. LED candelabra, £25, from IKEA; www.ikea.com

11. Holly tin tray, £10, from Bristol Artisan; www.thebristolartisan.com

SHOPPING LIST

1. Bloomingville Wenze advent candle holder, £26.34 (from £43.90), from Fox + Feather; www.foxandfeather.co.uk

2. John Derian Ilex coccifera paperweight, £42.50 (from £85), from Maze; www.mazeclothing.co.uk

3. Stoneware bottle vases, from £32, from Midgley Green; www.midgleygreen.com

4. La Chamba clay cooking pot, £60, from Toast; www.toa.st

5. Walther & Co acorn wreath, £20 (from £40), from Maze; www.mazeclothing.co.uk

6. Bloomingville 90cm faux-tree, £29.94 (from £49), from Fox + Feather; www.foxandfeather.co.uk

7. Hoptimist Bumble Wobble Santa, £27, from Ustudio; www.studio.shop

8. Rusty letters, £1.50 (from £3) each, from Maze; www.mazeclothing.co.uk

9. Ornate candelabra, £175, from Graham & Green; www.grahamandgreen.co.uk

10. Scallop iron candleholder, 10.50, from Bristol Artisan; www.thebristolartisan.com

11. Karim Rachid Cairo cushion, £POA; from Oskar Furniture, www.oskarfurniture.co.uk

12. Moroccan Runner, £198, from cart-house; www.cart-house.com

SHOPPING LIST

1. Fiorira un Giardino ice garland, £9.50 (from £19), from Maze; www.mazeclothing.co.uk

2. Papier-mâché folk bell Christmas garland, £48, from Graham & Green; www.grahamandgreen.co.uk

3. LED lighting chain, £13, from IKEA; www.ikea.com

4. Stacked check patchwork quilt, £350, from Toast; www.toa.st

5. Winter foliage with white berries £9.99, from The Pod Company; www.thepodcompany.co.uk

6. Talking Tables boho candle holder, £14, from Mon Pote; www.monpote.co.uk

7. Jade gemstone garland, £48, from Graham & Green; www.grahamandgreen.co.uk

8. Four olive wine glasses, £55, from Cox & Cox; www.coxandcox.co.uk

9. Rug, £105, from Toast; www.toa.st

We are 3 Dog Obsessed Groomers in Backwell, all City & Guilds qualified.

Regular Grooms

Ultrasonic teeth cleaning

Hand stripping

Nail trims

De-sheds And much more!

CABINET DECISIONS

20 ways to avoid a kitchen sync drama

Words by Deri Robins

Brown is the current hue de jour, though feel free to add extra pops of colour. Oh, and maybe a chandelier? (Farrow & Ball)

opposite page: Who wishes their kitchen was as immaculately curated as this one by deVOL?

And just like that: the temperatures plummeted, the garden ceased to be the most important social space in the home, and we all scuttled back indoors again. And where are we congregating? In the kitchen, of course.

So, how’s yours looking these days? A bit worn around the edges? Maybe not as efficient as it could be? Fed up with all the kitchen sync dramas? Feel it could time for a cabinet reshuffle? Anything else we can do to help with the aid of a dodgy pun? OK, let’s get into it then.

INTERIORS

1REVIEWING THE SITUATION

Let’s start with the bigger picture. In most cases, the placing of the kitchen within the house is a done deal – few people have the cash or inclination to relocate all the plumbing, gas and electrics to a different part of the home.

But let’s say you do – or maybe you’ve inherited a fixer-upper that needs a complete overhaul – where is the best place for a kitchen? Opinions are divided. Some think it’s better at the back of the house, with green views and large glazed doors that open out to the garden, allowing more natural light and better airflow. Others prefer them to be sited in moodier places such as basements. There again, Fred Horlock at Neptune reckons that “Placing the kitchen centrally, near the dining or living areas, enhances flow and prioritises entertainment” – quite literally, as well as metaphorically, at the heart of the home.

2DIVIDED OPINIONS

Luckily, given the time and expense involved in a kitchen overhaul, trends come and go at a snail’s pace. That said, one big style seems to be slowly going out of fashion: the open-plan layout. Karley Coles of Gardiner askins says many clients have recently extended their homes specifically to create a spacious kitchen-dining areas for socialising with friends and family while cooking. “This approach allows for a functional, welcoming area for entertaining without compromising the privacy and focus needed in other parts of the house.”

3ARE WE DESERTING ISLANDS?

Similarly, not everyone is fond of an island. elen arker of de ol Kitchens much prefers a prep table – “airy and more beautiful. Islands so often become a puzzle of how you’re going to fit everything in one large rectangle.”

On the other hand, says Rob Cash at Kutchenhaus, “An island can serve as a great focal point for social interaction while the cook prepares meals. Make sure you place the sink, hob and fridge in a ‘work triangle’ so you can easily move between them. “

4SIZE

DOESN’T ALWAYS MATTER

Not blessed with a ft kitchen? That’s OK.

“Small kitchens can be challenging but fun to design; you have to make use of every little spot and be clever with depths and heights,” says elen arker of de OL.

“A small indent in a wall is a perfect place to fit some slim shelves, and when painted the same colour as the walls almost disappear. Slim shelves can give you good storage for glassware and create a nice visual where wall space and spots for ornamentation are in short supply.

“Staggering the depth of your worktops is another good option as it allows you to create small shallow areas for seating or slim cupboards. If your kitchen is long and thin, this is the perfect solution for creating a little breakfast bar, as galley kitchens rarely have enough width for a kitchen table.

“If the ceilings are high then use this space too, and create storage within tall wall cupboards; they may be harder to reach but the space can be invaluable. Try to stick to a calm and soft colour palette to avoid things feeling busy; it’s surprising how a limited selection of colours creates a more serene and tidy feel to a room. Finally, just get rid of bulky items and things that you don’t use, as storage is tight; make sure everything you keep is used and useful.”

“Light, reflective surfaces such as glossy tiles or mirrored backsplashes create a sense of openness and make smaller kitchens feel more spacious,” says Rob at Kutchenhaus. “Opt for lighter cabinets, minimalist designs, and sleek, integrated appliances. Open shelving or glass-front cabinets draw the eye up, creating an illusion of space, especially when kept minimal.”

ABOVEANDBELOW: Being clever with small kitchens INSET: Island or prep table? All kitchens by deVOL

You can totally transform a room with a lick of paint; we’re slavishly coping this dresser colour by Farrow & Ball

The Traditional Timber Window Co.

Providing a range of window services in Bristol, Bath and surrounding areas. We supply and install Hardwood Windows and doors and specialise in transforming single glazed sash windows into double glazed heat efficient ones while retaining all traditional features. Proudly serving Bristol and Bath for more than 35 years. Our products are lovingly handmade in the UK.

6CABINET RESHUFFLE

Optimise the space you have, advises Rob. “Pull-out pantry units, corner drawers and tall, slim cabinets make the most of vertical space in smaller kitchens. Tambour units [in which the doors roll up rather than outwards] are also becoming popular to conceal appliances and pantry items without taking up additional room. Deep drawers with built-in dividers for pots, utensils and even spice racks also make it easier to keep everything organised and accessible.”

7LIGHT UP… AND INDEED, DOWN

One pieces of advice you’ll hear endlessly from interiors experts is the importance of getting the lighting right. Rob at Kutchenhaus considers it a critical part of kitchen design: “Pendant lights in interesting shapes, colours, or finishes, as well as ambient lighting under cabinets, can change the atmosphere and bring warmth, setting the mood for both cooking and entertaining.”

8PAINT WORKS

If you’re on a budget and/or aren’t contemplating a major overhaul, there’s one simple and inexpensive tweak which can totally transform the feel of the room – and all you need is a few cans of paint. While you have the whole spectrum to choose from, designers are currently swerving cold colours and welcoming the warmth back in.

“We’re seeing a rise in bold, deep palettes such as burgundy, charcoal and forest green, paired with darker wood tones for a rich, luxurious feel,” says Boryana Chalakova of Staged Homes. Rob Cash of Kutchenhaus also finds that “deep, dramatic statement colours such as forest green, navy, and charcoal remain popular for kitchen islands, lower cabinets, or accent walls. They add depth and contrast when paired with lighter hues or natural wood.”

9PALE AND INTERESTING

Strong colours too bold? Luckily, everyone’s still all over pastels. At deVol Kitchens, the new blush ‘Princelet Pink’, named after one of creative director Helen Parker’s favourite East London streets, has become everyone’s new favourite. “The colour is barely there, it’s soft and matches perfectly with black and green – not as a contrast, more of a pairing that just sits so quietly and unassumingly”, she says. “I would say the most popular colours of the moment are definitely along these lines– quite soft and traditional.”

10FIFTY SHADES OF BROWN

Icy greys and stark whites are so out of favour that we’re not sure they’re even legal any more; instead, choose one of the shades of brown interior designers seem so crazy about right now. “Brown, earthy tones have made their way into kitchen design – our clients love the cosy, warm vibe they give,” says Karley Coles of Gardiner Haskins. “These colours are taking the place of the colder grey hues we have seen in recent years, but warmer greys are still popular.”

11THE NATURAL LOOK

Inspired by the growing trend for warm hues and a seamless blend with living spaces, people are looking for kitchens that bring a sense of calm and nature into the home.

“Key trends include natural materials and textures; organic elements like wood, stone and natural finishes,” says Rob of Kutchenhaus, an opinion echoed by Boryana of Staged omes: “Natural finishes like

ABOVE: ‘Princelet Pink’ by deVOL; BELOW: Fortune favours the bold: rich hues at deVOL; INSET: Get the lighting sorted is half the battle: Kutchenhaus

INTERIORS

stone countertops and brushed metallics are also popular, offering a sophisticated yet organic touch to today’s kitchens.”

12GROUND CONTROL

Of course, nothing is earthier or warmer than natural wooden flooring. “The choice of wood teamed with rich, earthy, nature-inspired colours is very much on-trend now, with warm-toned oak flooring becoming a popular way to create inviting kitchens,” says Clare Trigg of Chaunceys.

“Add personality with playful patterns and luxurious colour choices. Choosing wide-plank flooring can help make smaller kitchens feel bigger and more luxurious, while parquet patterns such as herringbone can also draw the eye to create the illusion of space.”

13UNIT VALUE

And a new lick of paint needn’t be restricted to walls, doors, skirtings and ceilings. “ ainting units is a good way to make a tired kitchen feel new”, says atrick O’Donnell of Farrow Ball. “We’re loving yellow units at the moment, especially if you keep the strong colour below eye level; upper units can be painted in the wall colour which can help diminish the weight of all the cabinetry. Add bookshelves for interest; books can really liven any room into a more personal space.”

Oh, and Bristol firm Made by usk cleverly makes new fronts to fit standard cheap IKEA cabinets, too.

14PATTERN UP

“Subtle patterns like marbling in countertops or backsplashes add visual interest without overpowering the space”, says Rob of Kutchenhaus. “Bold, graphic tile backsplashes are also having a moment, often in chevron, herringbone or geometric patterns.”

15THIS TIME IT’S PERSONAL

Sure, kitchens are utilitarian spaces, but if you add a few charming touches – a bit of art, a café curtain to create intimacy, some textiles – they can be as appealing as any other room in the home.

Rob at Kutchenhaus finds that at the moment clients are after highspec kitchens that aren’t too well, ‘kitcheny’. “A key trend we’re seeing is locating the kitchen near living spaces and ensuring it feels like an extension of these areas, rather than just a place to cook. We blur the lines between the kitchen and the rest of the home by incorporating furniture that would traditionally sit in a living room, such as stylish sideboards or softer seating options.

“ andmade ceramics or vintage items add character, while a few plants or even a small herb garden on the countertop add life and charm. pdating cabinet handles and drawer pulls with vintage, handcrafted, or colourful pieces can transform the feel of the kitchen without a major renovation.”

16SOMETHING OLD

Even if you prefer the efficiency of units to an unfitted kitchen, adding one or two vintage finds can transform the space.

“It’s definitely worth spending time sourcing vintage pieces to break up a room; they can really make a difference to the finished look and always add personality and character,” says elen arker of de OL. And if that’s not reason enough, vintage pieces tend to be built to last; they can be a cheaper option; they guarantee your kitchen won’t look the same as everyone else’s – and they’re the most sustainable choice. 15 14 13

ABOVE: Farrow & Ball know that a kitchen can be as charming as any other room in the home; BELOW: Kutchenhaus aren’t afraid to introduce pattern; INSET: Painting units is transformative: Farrow & Ball

17SHOW TIME

ide the ugly appliances and put the pretty stuff on display.

“As kitchens become more multipurpose, concealing appliances behind cabinetry or within sleek designs maintains a clean and cohesive look,” says Rob of Kutchenhaus. “Instead of cluttered cabinets, open shelving with carefully chosen items creates both a practical and decorative element.”

18WE ARE TALKING SMART

Once you’ve got the bigger-picture decisions sorted, it’s time for the fun stuff. We’re in the realm of genius moves here; the ones that elevate a kitchen beyond a basic cooking space.

“Smart appliances are becoming essential, says Boryana of Staged omes. “Everything from ovens to coffee machines can now be controlled via apps, adding convenience and customisation.

oice-activated appliances and motion-activated LED lighting are also gaining popularity, offering a seamless, hands-free experience.”

As Rob of Kutchenhaus explains, their smart appliances are continually evolving, including a ac sealer – “a way of sealing food and drink in bags or boxes to help preserve food for longer.” Also, “ Smart ovens and fridges now come with Wi-Fi, allowing users to control and monitor them remotely. Some fridges

even have interior cameras, so you can check contents while you’re out shopping. Air fryers, steam ovens, and integrated wine coolers are gaining popularity; they save space by combining multiple functions.”

19FOR PEOPLE AND PLANET

These days, every self-respecting business has sustainability on the agenda. “It’s always important to buy locally made and British products if you can,” says elen arker of de OL “It’s also good practice to purchase things of a high quality, things that will last and not need replacing, that are really well made with good materials by craftspeople. This goes back to the way we used to live, where we bought things once and used them every day and did not consider or need to keep replacing them. While the initial outlay can sometimes be more costly it is worth considering that once bought it will serve you well for many years, if not a lifetime.

WE JUST CAN’T LIVE WITHOUT…

“An espresso-style coffee machine. There’s something about the process of making a rich, creamy latte that adds a touch of indulgence to the day” – Boryana Chalakova, Staged Homes

“I can’t think of anything more beautiful than an aged marble sink. Mine turned out to be the most important and pivotal decision in my kitchen” – Helen Parker, deVOL

“A Quooker boiling water tap. You can speed up cooking, quickly prepare hot drinks and you can even get taps which provide chilled or sparkling water” – Karley Coles, Gardiner Haskins

ABOVE: Just put the aesthetically pleasing stuff on display (Farrow & Ball); BELOW: Nobody knows the value of great natural wood better than Chaunceys; INSET: Gardiner Haskins loves a Quooker tap!

INTERIORS

“This way of living has a massive impact on sustainability, avoiding excessive waste, championing British products and labour and offering a feeling of satisfaction at buying things with provenance, quality and longevity. The age-old saying ‘less is more’ has never been more relevant; it’s not always about buying recycled items or sustainable items, it’s always buying less, needing less, replacing less, demanding quality.”

At Chaunceys, too, “Our clients are keen to check where our wood flooring comes from and to ensure that it’s responsibly sourced from managed forests. We still see a lot of interest in our reclaimed timber, which is ideal for creating a calming, close-to-nature aesthetic that’s also ecologically sound. We’ve always been advocates of sustainability and it remains a big part of our ethos.”

20DESIGN FOR LIFE

A well-crafted piece of furniture can be one of the best investments you can make – and it can be bespoke to your home, too

Andy King, founder of Bedminster-based furniture makers King and Webbon, designs and makes contemporary freestanding and fitted wooden furniture tailored to clients’ requirements.

“Our favourite pieces to make are dining tables” he says. “Along with the kitchen, the dining table is the heart of the home, so every kitchen deserves a good one. It forms an extension of the kitchen that can complement its style, and is the place where we eat, play, chat and grow together.

“When made and designed well it will be a thing of beauty to look at and use, will be timeless in design, it will age beautifully, and will last for generations to come.

Andy’s favourite design style is mid-century modern with a contemporary edge – “but I’m always happiest with a design when I’ve delicately combined styles, such as mid-century with a touch of period, Art Deco – and I’d like to think in generations our furniture will become future retro classics.

“We love to combine beautiful British hardwoods such as oak and ash, with heritage materials like Formica and modern innovative materials such as Foresso, a timber terrazzo material made in Birmingham. Combining the two elevates each material so much, choosing colours that really draw out the natural colour variations in the wood we use.

“Each hardwood has its own strengths, from the classic consistency and durability of oak to the rich, luxurious tones of walnut, but I often find myself coming back to British ash. It can vary from pale white to rich pinky-brown, and it’s always exciting to see the grain revealing itself as you start to plane the timber.

“We’ve recently made a large oak version of our Sonny Dining Table and bench. I’m really pleased with this design as it combines delicate mid-century details with a good old-fashioned sturdy farmhouse table style – something I’d like to think is timeless and enduring, and will only get better with age.

“It can work really well in both contemporary and more period settings, which is exemplified perfectly by the beautifully converted and restored Marshfield chapel where this one resides pictured left . We love to think this table will be the heart of the home for future generations to come.

King & Webbon’s pieces are destined to become heirlooms. ABOVE: Formica veneer in a Bedminster home; BELOW: Sonny dining table and bench in a converted Marshfield chapel (photo Leighton James @thepropertyphotographerltd)

INFO:

Designer: Alec Yull

Kitchen Type: Classic

Kitchen Cabinetry: Stoneham

Kitchens Cudham Oak in Sand

Grey & Cashmere

Worktops: Carrara Misterio Quartz

Kitchen Tap: Quooker

Classic Fusion Round

Fridge-Freezer: Fisher Paykel

Wine Cooler: Neff Appliances

Electric Ovens & Induction Hob: Neff Appliances

Drinks Fridge: Neff Appliances

Washing Machine & Dryer: Bosch Home Appliances

LATTUCA KITCHEN

Selina and Carmelo’s new kitchen was several years in the planning, but when it finally became a reality with GARDINER HASKINS they were not disappointed

Written by Annabelle Grundy

Photos by Colin Poole

Selina and Carmelo had been discussing how to revamp their kitchen ever since they moved into their new house eight years ago,

“Although our kitchen had all the essentials, it was small and lacked storage, and the modern style wasn’t really my taste,” says Selina. “There was a separate little dining room, but we’ve both got big families, and we just didn’t have the space to cook and entertain on the scale we wanted to.”

Selina and Carmelo visualised an extension to the back of their house to create a big, multifunctional kitchen-dining-living space that would become the hub of the home they share with their young sons. Planning the new kitchen was a key aspect of the project, so the couple researched thoroughly, investigating numerous options and sources,

“We checked out all the usual places, but we knew that in recent years, some of Carmelo’s family had had new kitchens from Gardiner Haskins,” says Selina, “They all spoke highly of the company and even mentioned Alec Yull, the designer they’d worked with, so we already knew who to look out for when we visited the showroom,”

Selina and Carmelo were soon in conversation with Alec. He quickly tuned in to what they were looking for, and guided them towards the Stoneham kitchen displays,

“We loved the Stoneham furniture’s traditional Shaker styling, painted finish and solid, quality

feel,” says Selina. “We were also impressed by Alec’s technical know-how – he had the answers to all our questions straightaway, which was very reassuring.”

Selina and Carmelo talked over their ideas and kitchen must-haves with Alec. Their list included a French-style double-door fridge-freezer, two ovens, an induction hob and a warming drawer, as well as plenty of workspace and deep storage drawers. When they examined Stoneham’s beautifully finished and thoughtfully designed pantry and bar units, they knew they wanted to include those too.

Working only from building plans, and completely at ease with the challenge of designing for a room that was yet to be constructed, Alec drew up the new kitchen and adjoining utility room. As testament to his knowledge and experience, when the build was complete, the new furniture fitted perfectly, with just one door requiring a minor alteration, Selina and Carmelo chose smart, modern appliances and Stoneham’s classic Cudham cabinetry, in two subtle neutral colours. In the centre is a large freestanding island. The pantry, complete with walnut drawers personalised with the family name, anchors one end of an L-shaped run of wall-units. At the other end, the bar and wine cooler face towards the dining table. There is also a dedicated drinks fridge on the outer side of the island, and the three together create a stylish dining and entertaining zone, distinct from the cooking area,

“The Gardiner Haskins fitting team, led by Paul, was here to offload all the cabinets when they arrived from Stoneham, and make sure everything was correct,” recalls Selina, “They were all so helpful and accommodating, and they clearly took pride in delivering a great finish for us.”

Selina is a keen cook and loves how well her new kitchen fits in with family life and her preferred way of working,

“We enjoy cooking from scratch, trying different foods, and eating together as a family at the table,” she says, “The small kitchen sink is mainly for draining pasta or veg, and rinsing plates before they go in the dishwasher. All the heavy-duty washing-up happens in the bigger sink in the utility-room, and I just close the sliding door, so it’s out of the way if we have guests. Alec encouraged us to have an integrated bin, too, which we hadn’t considered. It’s got recycling sections for bottles and cans,

so it’s super-convenient if we’re entertaining.” She has some favourite gadgets, too. The Neff induction hob is efficient, fast and easy to clean, and the Quooker hot tap is a brilliant time-saver. The electric ovens have ‘hide-and-slide’ doors, a useful safety feature with young children around.

Carmelo loves the bright, spacious feel, the space to sit at the island for a coffee, and the nifty ‘tech drawer’ in which laptops, tablets and phones can charge out of sight.

Carmelo and Selina’s new family-friendly kitchen-diner was completed earlier this year, and they could not be happier with the outcome, “The whole space flows so well, everything is on hand just where I need it, and we can now host those big family gatherings,” says Selina, “Would I recommend Gardiner Haskins, or work with them again? Absolutely!” n

Looking to modernise your home? Make it happen with Gardiner Haskins. Their inspirational showroom features the latest trends in fitted kitchens, bathrooms and bedrooms.

Visit 1 Straight Street, Bristol or their website: www.gardinerhaskins.co.uk

“We are so proud of all our achievements so far...”

- Andrew Sperring, CEO

NETWORK

IF WE BUILD IT…

THE BRISTOL PROPERTY AWARDS returns for another round this month, with the movers and shakers of the region’s property sector coming together at Ashton Gate Stadium to celebrate the finest of our local companies

Thank you to all our sponsors including: Your Eco (Headline), 6 O’clock Gin, Airsat Real Estate, Cambridge & Counties Bank, EntreConf, ETM Recycling, Hydrock (now Stantec), JAS Building Services, Missiato Design & Build, Rappor Consultants, SBS Design & Build and Vyoo, YTL Developments and Bristol Life

And to our partners: Ashton Gate Stadium, Burston Cook, Coreus Group, Dalbergia Group, Hampshire Trust Bank, Pluto Finance, RWK Goodman, Stonewood Builders, Vattenfall Heat UK and Woodstock Homes.

Partner tables and tickets are available. Please check on the website or Bristol Property Awards social media channels for the very latest updates.

Last November, Bristol’s most prestigious property professionals assembled for the Bristol Property Awards, a spectacular event that once again recognised the achievements of this incredible sector. From commercial properties to residential homes, rising stars to dynamic developers, everything was celebrated. This year will surely be another grand occasion.

On 29 November we’ll be crowning the deserved champions of 2024, with hotly contested categories including sustainability –aimed at any business which has delivered an eco-conscious project, pushed the boundaries of design and ethics with consideration to environmental impact, lifecycle and the local community.

The Rising Star Award is also popular each year and is given to an individual in a company who is making a huge industry impact, and is on the path to future success.

There are also new categories this year for perfect property partnerships, classy kitchens and community champions.

However, as in 2023, it won’t be all about the winners. The daytime event will be packed

The Bristol Property Awards has been created, designed, promoted, sold and organised by MediaClash, the South West’s leading events company. It also produces client events, from parties to launches, talks, receptions to conferences. Please contact: harriette.dixon@mediaclash.co.uk

with informal networking opportunities, with plenty of time for socialising and catching up with clients and friends before the three-course lunch and awards ceremony begins, and, indeed, afterwards at convivial chats at the bar.

Huge congratulations and good luck to this year’s finalists, and a big thank-you to everyone involved in this year’s Bristol Property Awards, from our spectacular sponsors to our esteemed judging panel. Speaking of judges, you can turn the page and find the full list, along with the finalists and a handful of pics from our 2 2 Awards; look out for photos from our finalists and sponsors party at The Granary in our next issue. We’ll see you all at midday on 29 November at Ashton Gate Stadium. For more: ww.bristolpropertyawards.co.uk

Proudly independent, proudly Bristolian

Balloon Letting Co are a Bristol based and proudly independent residential lettings and management company in the heart of the city.

We offer services across all things residential lettings, from rent collection to full property management. Whether you’re letting an apartment in central Bristol, a room in a house share or a student property, we have expertise across each area and that along with our core focus of offering the finest level of service, has meant we’re growing rapidly.

Pop in and visit us at our new head office in Westbury on Trym!

30-32 High Street, Westbury on Trym, BS9 3DZ 0117 287 0015 | hello@balloonlets.co.uk www.balloonlets.co.uk f 

THE JUDGES WILL DECIDE…

A panel of independent judges, drawn from all areas of the property sector, will decide the winners of the prestigious BRISTOL PROPERTY AWARDS

BEN GILES, FOUNDER AT BALLOON LETTING COMPANY

Ben is founder of the Balloon Letting Company which launched in 2021 and has had a meteoric rise over the past three years. Prior to that he was instrumental in the management and growth of what is now one of the largest independent agencies in the city.

KATIE CORBETT, DIVERSITY AND INCLUSION MANAGER AT QODA CONSULTING Katie is diversity and inclusion manager at QODA Consulting, a sustainability-led MEP design consultancy. She is also the diversity, equity, and inclusion champion for Women in Property South West, advocating for an inclusive industry that reflects the diversity of our community.

DAN HAINES, LAND DIRECTOR AT THE HILL GROUP UK Dan is a respected senior leader and qualified property professional with 20 years of real estate experience. He has strong expertise in land acquisition and leadership of complicated deal structures to achieve business objectives.

MELISSA HASKELL, REGULATORY AND LICENSING PARTNER AT KNIGHTS Melissa advises and supports professionals and businesses in all aspects of their dealings with UK and EU regulators and other agencies with regulatory enforcement powers across the legal, product compliance, biocidal and healthcare sections. She represents individuals, organisations and corporates providing advice on regulatory compliance, investigations, adjudication, enforcement and prosecutions.

JOE OKSIEN, DIRECTOR AND ARCHITECT AT AWW With experience of leading projects across multiple sectors and a passion for adopting innovative working practices, Joe is a key figure in both the London and Bristol studios at AWW. Since joining the practice in 2015, he has risen to director with duties incorporating quality management and mentoring younger architects.

RACHEL LILLIE, ASSOCIATE LEASE ADVISORY AT JLL Rachel serves as senior surveyor at JLL Bristol having risen through the company ranks, starting out as a graduate surveyor in 2017. She achieved distinction at the University College of Estate Management, the leading provider of supported online education for the built environment, and is a representative at the Bristol Property Agents Association.

any new land opportunities whether that be immediate or strategic, please get in touch via info@woodstockhomes.co.uk www.woodstockhomes.co.uk

Woodstock

Woodstock Homes

•

•

CATEGORY SPONSORS:

OUTSTANDING ARRAY OF FINALISTS:

ARCHITECT

Sponsored by Airsat Real Estate

• Alec French Architects

• AWW

• Nash Partnership

CIVIC & COMMUNITY

Sponsored by SBS Design and Build and Vyoo

• 3SIXTY Real Estate

• Aequus Group & South Gloucestershire Council

• Bristol City Council

Capital Projects Strategic Partnership with Arcadis, Arup & Mott MacDonald

• Bristol Dental School by Building Design Partnership

COMMERCIAL AGENT

• Burston Cook

• Lambert Smith Hampton

COMMERCIAL INTERIOR DESIGNER

• AWW

• Interaction

DEVELOPER

Sponsored by Hydrock, now Stantec

• Abri Homes

• Aequus Group

• Autograph Homes

• Curo

• The Missiato Group

PARTNERSHIPS

• Aequus Group & South Gloucestershire Council

• Bristol City Council Capital Projects Strategic Partnership with Arcadis, Arup & Mott MacDonald

RISING STAR

• Hannah Chappatte, Hybr

• Jack Davies, Ridge and Partners

• Jake McCabe, Host360

• Joe Carroll, Vattenfall

• Laura Stephens, Interaction

CONSULTANCY

Sponsored by Rappor Consultants

• 3SIXTY Real Estate

• Arena Global Management

• AtkinsRealis

• Coreus

• Craddys

• Curtins

• Fulkers Bailey Russell

• Goss Structural

• Hydrock, now Stantec

• Mode Consult

• Nash Partnership

• Pride Consulting IMS

• Ridge and Partners

CONTRACTOR

Sponsored by ETM Recycling

• Woodstock Homes

• YTL Developments

EMPLOYER

Sponsored by Bristol Life

• AtkinsRealis

• AWW

• Coreus

• Craddys

• Curtins

• DeskLodge

• Flagship Consulting

• Fulkers Bailey Russell

• KPA Property

• Vattenfall

FINANCIAL

Sponsored by YTL Developments

• Beewise FS

• Cotswold Design & OSP Architecture

• SBS Design & Build and partners

• Vattenfall, Bristol City Leap and partners

• Vistry Group (Bristol region) and partners

RESIDENTIAL AGENT

• Host360

• Hybr

• Joint Living

• KPA Property

• Miller Independent Property Management

• Missiato Estates

• NEXA Bristol

• Proceed Property

• Marsinta Pasai, Windsor Hill Mortgages

• Tyler Gaston, Vistry Group

SUPPLIERS & SERVICES

Sponsored by JAS Building Services

• Alide Hire

• Antea Photography

• Boxlocal

• Flagship Consulting

• Goss Structural

• Kubiak Creative

• Nola Interiors

• Thirty4/7 Communications

• Vyoo

SUSTAINABILITY

• Autograph Homes

• AWW

• Building Design Partnership

• Cotswold Design

J• AS Building Services

• My Project Group

• NorthDeko

• RED Construction South West

• SBS Design & Build

• Lucra Mortgages

• Mortgage Style

• Windsor Hill Mortgages

KITCHENS

• Irving Sykes Interiors

• The Kitchen Den

• Kutchenhaus Kitchens Bristol

• Poggenpohl South West Design

LEGAL

• Bevan Brittan

• RWK Goodman

• Thrings

• Watkins Solicitors

ONE TO WATCH

Sponsored by EntreConf

• Blokka

RESIDENTIAL DEVELOPMENT

• Bristol O ce Co.

• Cotterell and Cotterell Commercial Finance

• Hewlett Homes Estate Agents

• Miller Independent Property Management

• Missiato Estates

• My Project Group

• Poggenpohl South West Design

• Vattenfall

• Charlton Gate, Brentry by Woodstock Homes

• The Haw Wood by Autograph Homes

• Locking Parklands by Curo

• Manor Gardens, Frenchay by Aequus Group & South Gloucestershire Council

• McArthurs Yard by Nash Partnership, Hill Group & Guinness Partnership

• Metalworks, Bedminster by Blokka and Watkin Jones

• The Old Brewery by Abri Homes

• Paddock Rise, Nailsea by Woodstock Homes

• Westbury-on-Trym Development by Cotswold Design & OSP Architecture

• Building Energy Experts

• Woodlands in Barrow Gurney by Vistry Group and Wates Developments

RESIDENTIAL INTERIOR DESIGNER

Sponsored by Missiato Design & Build

• Hannah Redden Interiors

• Ivywell Interiors

• Marta Rossato Interiors

• Staged Homes Company

• Curtins

• Hydrock, now Stantec

• SCS

TRANSFORMATION

• 18 – 20 Glyn Vale by NorthDeko

• 61 – 64 Edgerton Road, Bishopston by My Project Group

• Bristol Dental School by Building Design Partnership

• Hangar 16U by YTL Developments

• No.1 Westbury-on Trim by Cotswold Design

WORKSPACES

• Bristol O ce Co.

• DeskLodge

• Square Works

CHANGE FOR A QUARTER

Yes, the new Arena will be part of Brabazon – but there’s so much more to this vast new north Bristol neighbourhood than a stage where U2 might play one day

Words by Ursula Cole

For over a century, Filton Airfield was home to innovators, aviators and inventors. Today, at the same site, this spirit of endeavour has infused the creation of Brabazon: Bristol’s biggest and most important contemporary housing, commerical and leisure development.

Created on the disused airfields, Brabazon will be a whole new urban quarter for Bristol. It will have 6,5 new homes, 62 acres of employment space, and create , new jobs. It will be a place for leisure, a centre of learning, a launchpad for business, a hub for industry and invention, with a beating social heart. Brabazon, they say, is “the new playground for Bristol’s next generation”.

At the September Bristol Life Network Lunch, Colin Skellett and Jonathan McDiarmid of TL, the company creating Brabazon, explained how the development hopes to live up to the legacy of those pioneers who built Concorde at Filton, and what opportunities this multi-billion pound investment is bringing for local businesses.

To begin with, Colin helped to put the sheer scale of the Brabazon site into perspective. “It acres, inclusive of the Arena. It’s about three to three-and-a-half kilometres long; at it’s widest point it’s about a kilometre. It’s a huge master plan of visionary proportions – if you look at the likes of London’s King’s Cross development, Wembley ark and Battersea ower Station, Brabazon dwarfs them all.”

About six years ago, Colin says, TL were looking for a hotel site in Bristol. “We couldn’t find one, but we saw a presentation about this airfield that had come on the market. We thought, well, that’s quite big. We like doing big things. So we bought it. Then we suddenly saw these enormous hangers and thought, better have those as well.”

The investment represented TL’s first big venture into the K. “We have hotels, the Thermae Bath Spa etc, but this was a big pitch for us, and it was taking an incredible risk to do it, because the perceived knowledge was: this is Filton. There’s a limit to what you can do in Filton. And we demonstrated that you can, by building something that’s really sustainable, by using the right people to help you steer the master plan, and by building properties that are a good design,

with 25 more space around, you can create a market that’s not far away from a central Bristol market.

“So it’s a big investment for TL, and one we’re committed to seeing through. We are master-planning and delivering the whole of the site, and we are delivering it ourselves.”

To date, the total investment has been about a quarter of a billion (Colin is coy about the original purchase price of the site); the arena will probably be another 25million. Brabazon has already delivered its first phase of around homes, and is currently building the second, along with miles of roads to service the forthcoming train station, and are working on the Arena. They’ll be bringing in local retailers and some of the nationals, lots of community space for art and language classes, and a huge student accommodation scheme.

“DARE I SAY IT, I SEE IT AS A SORT OF CANARY WHARF TO THE WEST END TYPE COMPARISON”

So that’s what’s going in – is there anything that definitely isn’t, that doesn’t fit the vision?

“We are not going to build poor quality”, says Colin. “We are not going to compromise the feel of the place. Creating somewhere that will be a total community is really important to us. So there’s nothing we’ve definitely ruled out, as long as it fits with the ethos of the place and provides benefit to the people who will live and work there.”

Also key to this ethos is employing a local workforce.

“ TL has had a policy for the last 2 years of not employing main contractors. So what we do is to make a great deal of use of local subcontractors, with a sizable direct labour force as well. At Brabazon, we are extending the subcontract force, and creating a new construction company that will bring together the construction skills we already have. We can provide the ultimate long-term security for subcontractors, not merely at Brabazon but for the Wessex Water programme also run by TL too.”

And they are keen to do even more on apprenticeships and skills.

“We already have our own academy within the Wessex Water group and we’re going to do the same thing at Filton. We currently take about

LEFT: Under the Boardwalk: the shop and restaurant precinct BELOW: Colin Skellett and Jonathan McDiarmid from YTL

100 apprentices a year; we want to double that number, because we need to create the skills. The biggest barrier to delivering the government’s new-housing targets is not having the skills to do this, so the best we can do is really grow skills and ensure employment for the long term.”

centre as well. Dare I say it, I see it as a sort of Canary Wharf to the West End- type comparison.”

And obviously Brabazon will offer endless opportunities for business partnerships with the city.

“If you look at the design businesses, the consultancy businesses and the varying different disciplines across property development, clearly, there is a space for those businesses to support Brabazon – and again, as the real estate starts to come to fruition, fundamentally, we need them to come work and live here.

Next, Jon talked us through Brabazon’s impact on Bristol. What, in a nutshell, does it mean for the city?

“I think it means a lot of things to Bristol. Fundamentally, over the course of time, Brabazon should be seen to be an extension of Bristol, bringing more visitors to the city and more job opportunities. We’re also very keen to bring in an education campus to Brabazon in the fullness of time.

“So I guess it offers employment opportunity, a lifetime place to live, but to bring all of that together, the glue that needs it all together, fundamentally the question will be: what will the Brabazon urban centre look like? It needs to be a place that people want to come to, day in, day out. So that’s all about the shops, the cafés, the restaurants, bars, the lake, the park.

“When you look at north Bristol, what surrounds us is already really amazing – not just the employment sector, but the leisure offering, from Aerospace Bristol to The Wave, the ice rink, the golf courses” – there’s also Cribbs Causeway, of course, the soon-to-be-built Bristol Zoo, and the much-vaunted Arena.

“Brabazon brings all these together and says, come to north Bristol for more than just a gig; go for dinner, stay overnight, go to the ice rink, and visitors have plenty of opportunities to visit Bristol city

“BRABAZON IS A PART OF BRISTOL, AND NEEDS TO BE AN EXTENSION OF THE SPIRIT OF BRISTOL”

“Our five-year plan is to start to build the core of the town centre of Brabazon – you know, the retail occupiers, commercial offices, businesses of all sorts that need space, shops, restaurants, bars. We very much see Brabazon having a Bristol take, a regional take.”

“And you know, the reason people want to live in Brabazon, apart from the fact that it’s a great place to live, is that is has a Bristol postcode,” says Colin. “Bristol is a great place. People want to move here. Brabazon is an extension of Bristol, and it needs to be an extension of the spirit of Bristol, which is about localism. It’s about creating and encouraging somebody who’s an expert in doing this, and studying in other places, bringing in the start-ups that will become the bigger businesses in the future.

“There’s an absolute commitment to that, and one of the great advantages we have is that we don’t have to answer to a whole pile of shareholders who are just interested in the financial returns. We have to answer to the spirit of the vision that we are creating, and we will do that. We will not be bringing in lots of chains – we might bring in a supermarket, because there aren’t many local supermarkets – but you know, most of it will be local businesses, and most businesses that will help to create what will be an extension of Bristol, be part of Bristol.

“When the train link is up and running, it’s going to be 12 minutes between Temple Meads and Brabazon. Some people talk like it’s out on the moon – but it will be part of Bristol.”

For more www.brabazon.co.uk

TOP: New apartment block

The Dials – part of (MIDDLE) The residential Hangar District

BOTTOM: Green spaces and leisure is crucial to the Brabazon vision

READY, STEADY…

EntreConf Go! A new conference designed for young entrepreneurs seeks to foster next-generation talent and help with their business ideas

Words by Greg Ingham

Connections, inspiration and mentoring loom for young entrepreneurs at EntreConf Go, a new conference we’re running in Bristol in November. And it’s entirely free for 16-25 year olds.

So what’s the story here?

What does it mean for these young people, and how can Bristol’s business community help?

The aim is to help this cohort of young people with their new business ideas. They’ve got the thinking and also the desire: 60 per cent wish to run their own businesses – way higher than any previous generation.

But they often don’t have the networks, connections, even awareness of the types of relevant, recent business successes; nor some of the practical elements involved in starting and running a business.

Enter EntreConf Go.

It’s open to any young person from whichever educational background or level, and is socially inclusive. We wanted there to be no barriers to involvement. As well as being free to attend, we’re holding it at Arnolfini so that all will feel comfortable attending. Our city’s schools, colleges and unis are exceptional: but for some, particularly if you’ve left education, formal

places of learning can create a barrier.

Similarly we didn’t want a traditional business environment or a co-working space. EntreConf Go is for young people on their terms.

Arnolfini it is.

Next, what would help? Luck, timing, innovation, determination and vision are all central to being a successful entrepreneur. All good. But what about confidence, a dawning belief that what you are thinking of creating might work?

To aid belief, EntreConf Go features young, easily-relatable entrepreneurs talking about their businesses, how they started, what they’ve learned, what they would do differently now –and what advice they would give.

Traditionally, business success stories are told by older, more experienced people who, oddly enough, are often the heroes of their own stories. But rather than hearing about such daunting, distant brilliance, imagine discovering the earlier stage inside story from peers who have created their own companies, almost certainly using similar digital skills, social media channels and refreshingly new business thinking.

“If they can do it, so might I…” That validation, that prompt to action, that confirmation is so important at the earliest stage,

all the more so if you don’t have a business framework or network of contacts or parents who have created start-ups.

Then there will be the emergent businesses themselves. The NextGen creators, talking through their ideas, from side hustles to fullyfledged commercial offerings. This isn’t a pitchoff. Not some performative reality T equivalent with divisive ‘winners’ and – worse – ‘losers’.

No. This is about giving a platform to smart new ideas. For some, this will be the first public articulation of what they do and why they do it. That’s good. ital experiences. And raising profile should help to yield connections and even advice.

And then there are the companies. We’re partnering with a limited few to give practical help on setting up a company; or financing routes; or sales development; or mentoring.

There will be good connections to be made with the rising stars of the future. There’s the bigger strategic picture aiding the NewCos which will add so much to the region in time to come. And there is also the social responsibility of helping the NextGen, the group most affected by the pandemic, educationally and socially.

Imagine that just one young person is inspired at EntreConf Go to start their own business, or to build with greater confidence on what they have already begun. By all means, imagine more than one: we do.

Now, wouldn’t that be a good thing..?

So if you are a young person with at least half an idea for a new business, or a parent or teacher of one, please sign up for free on the EntreConf Go site and come along on 14 November. The doors to a new world might be opening…

For more: www.entreconf.com

ENTRECONF GO: AT A GLANCE

WHAT Free conference for 16-25 year olds with new business ideas

WHEN, WHERE 14 November, 1.30-7pm, Arnolfini

HOW Sign up at www.entreconf.com / entreconf-go

LINE-UP Full details of all speakers are on the site

MORE INFO Contact

claudia.butler@mediaclash.co.uk

EntreConf Go is part of EntreConf, the channel for entrepreneurs created by MediaClash which includes a two day conference, awards, bespoke dinners, and now EntreConf Go in Bristol and Bath

NLEASE VS LICENCE

Janine Harris from BUCKLES LAW tells us why getting it right matters for your business.

avigating commercial property agreements can be tricky. Whether you’re a tenant or a landlord, the type of agreement you sign could significantly impact your business and property rights. The differences between a lease and a licence may seem subtle, but it’s crucial to understand these distinctions. Here’s a breakdown of why it’s important and how you can protect your interests.

LEASE OR LICENCE?

Both leases and licences are written agreements that outline the relationship between a property owner and occupier. They each allow an occupier to use a commercial space for a business purpose and set out the terms for doing so. The rights and responsibilities under each, however, are not the same.

A lease is a legally binding agreement and is proprietary in nature meaning that if the property were to be sold then the new owner would be bound by the terms of the lease. A tenant of a lease will also enjoy exclusive possession of the property. A licence, on the other hand, is simply a permission for the licencee to do something on the property owner’s land and is personal in nature. This means that, unlike a lease, a licence will automatically come to an end if the property is sold. Importantly, the licence also does not grant the licencee exclusive possession of the property and is a temporary arrangement with limited rights. A licence is usually more suitable for short-term use of a space, such as pop-up shops or seasonal businesses or where negotiations of a lease are taking place and early occupation of the property is required.

The upside, however, is that a licence allows for flexibility on both sides, enabling property owners to monetise their space quickly without committing to long-term agreements. It also allows for either party to bring the licence to end on short notice.

In short, a lease grants protection and control, while a licence offers flexibility and ease of termination. But why does this matter?

PROTECTING YOUR INTERESTS

When opting for a licence instead of a lease, it’s important to know that, should a dispute

“ THE DIFFERENCES BETWEEN A LEASE AND A LICENCE MAY SEEM SUBTLE, BUT IT’S CRUCIAL TO UNDERSTAND THESE DISTINCTIONS.”

arise, the courts will evaluate the actual terms and nature of the agreement, rather than simply what it’s called. If certain conditions have been met, such as the tenant enjoying exclusive possession, making regular rent payments, or occupying the premises for a fixed time period, the agreement may be considered a lease, with courts often treating such agreements as leases should there be any doubt as to whether it is a lease or a licence.

The consequences of getting it wrong can be serious, especially for landlords. If the agreement is deemed to be a lease, the tenant may gain security of tenure under the Landlord and Tenant Act 1954, meaning they will have a statutory right to renew the lease once the lease has come to an end. Removing a tenant from property when they have security of tenure can often be complicated and will only be successful

if certain statutory conditions can be met. This can be a lengthy and costly exercise and one that a well-advised landlord will wish to avoid. Because of this, both parties must understand that, while wording is important, the real-world application of the agreement is equally as crucial.

LEGAL EXPERTISE IS KEY

Legal advice should always be sought before entering into a commercial agreement to ensure that the agreement aligns with your intentions and provides clarity that avoids future complications. n

Janine Harris, Partner, Commercial Property

CANYNGE SQUARE

Actually, it’s not a square at all – but who cares?

Words by Ursula Cole

Is anything more pleasing to the eye than a mature wisteria trained over golden 18th-century stone? Admittedly, the one adorning this beautiful Georgian home on Canynge Square isn’t in flower at the moment, but give it another six months and those fragrant racemes will bloom again.

And while we’re at it, is there an address in Bristol to rival Canynge Square? It’s not remotely squareshaped, of course – it’s more of an isosceles triangle – but such pedantry feels petty in the face of such timelessly pretty homes, arranged around their beautifully maintained communal garden. Not only lovely in their own right, but with an unbeatable location – the Downs are a short walk in one direction, the boujie wonderland of Clifton Village in the other.

That established, let’s look more closely at our house of the issue here, which occupies a spot on the north-west side of the square. The interior’s elegance is a perfect match for the lovely facade; it’s spacious, too, with four storeys to spread across, along with a vaulted basement for your wine collection, presuming you’re one of those selfdisciplined souls who can be trusted to keep more than one bottle in the house at any given time.

Original features? It’s awash with them. We’re talking archways, ceiling cornices, panelled doors, architraves, shutters, marble fireplaces and period grates, and a fine ornate cast-iron painted staircase rising from the hallway to the first floor. The drawing room and dining room have those tall shuttered floor-to-ceiling sashed windows the Georgians did so well, letting in so much light and adding so much elegance that it’s hard to fathom why later architects chose to mess with the mojo.

A well-fitted kitchen breakfast room with an Aga opens to the garden, as does the drawing room. There’s a long conservatory, and a clatter of ‘useful’ rooms – a pantry, a boot room, a huge utility room, extra cloakrooms – less glamorous than the ‘hero’ rooms, perhaps, but just try living without them once you’ve become used to their convenience.

BRISTOL & CLIFTON’S PREMIER COMMERCIAL

Keep up-to-date with our latest news, deals, testimonials and market comment at our website: www.burstoncook.co.uk

St Pauls Road, Clifton TO LET – POA

2,618 sq ft (243.21 sq m)

A substantial end of terrace office building providing self contained accommodation over ground and upper floors with excellent on site car parking. The space is due to be refurbished to a contemporary standard.

Paintworks, BS4 FOR SALE – POA

7,929 sq ft (736.6 sq m)

An iconic, landmark building in the heart of the Paintworks development, providing accommodation over ground and three upper floors. Finished to a very high specification,to include auditorium, lift, high quality M & E and 8 car parking spaces.

Whiteladies Road, Clifton FOR SALE – POA

4,300 sq ft (399.47 sq m)

A rare freehold opportunity comprising high-quality office accommodation but with excellent potential for alternative commercial uses or residential conversion. Benefiting from a large forecourt to the front and courtyard garden to the rear.

High Street Thornbury TO LET - £30,000 pax

2,464 sq ft (229.93)

An attractive open-plan commercial unit suitable for offices or retail use, recently refurbished and providing a blank canvas for a new tenant to fit out. Situated on the busy High Street in Thornbury with one allocated car parking space to the rear.

Unity Street, Bristol TO LET

362 sq ft – 2,750 sq ft (33.6 sq m – 255.5 sq m)

A most attractive period office building refurbished to a good standard with attractive rear courtyard garden. E Class use therefore suitable for a range of different occupiers.

Whiteladies Road, Clifton TO LET – POA

1,322 sq ft (123.09 sq m)

A self contained light and airy suite with up to 5 car parking spaces located directly on Whiteladies Road. New lease terms available.

Griffin House, Clevedon TO LET / FOR SALE

5,176 – 10,351 sq ft (480.85 – 961.61 sq m)

A substantial, modern office providing accommodation over ground and first floors due to be refurbished. New lease available. Alternatively, the freehold is available to purchase with Vacant Possession.

Shore House, Westbury on Trym TO LET – POA

2,710 sq ft (251.76 sq m)

A bright and airy, open plan office situated on Westbury Hill within a stones throw of a range of local amenities. The space benefits from a large meeting room and 7 car parking spaces.

Dean Street Works, BS2 TO LET - POA

Approx 700 sq ft (65 sq m)

A ground floor commercial premises centrally located and available to let in the city centre. Due to be refurbished. Use Class E.

Etloe Road, BS6 TO LET – POA

1,273 sq ft (118.27 sq m)

A ground floor, self-contained “Class E” premises available to let in the popular suburb of Westbury Park. May suit a range of uses.

Julian Cook

Finola Ingham

With so much space to play with, the owners have given the lower-ground floor over to leisure, in the form of a cinema room with its own bar area, which opens to the garden. Needless to say, this could just as easily make a self-contained flat; it already has a potential separate entrance and a shower room.

pstairs, one of the first-floor bedrooms has the charming addition of a balcony; however, we’d be tempted to bag the top-floor room, where one of the house’s two bathrooms is effectively en-suite. There are four bedrooms and a dressing room in all, though you may prefer to do as the current owners do, and employ one of the former as a study.

The south-west-facing walled garden is delightful and well-planned, with a level lawn, flagstone terrace areas and deep borders planted with ornamental shrubs and a magnolia. In one corner stands a summer house with seats and heating; there’s also a pergola-style outside kitchen with a flagstone floor and removable covering, fitted with two fridges, BB area, sink and a wine cooler.

In front of the house lies one of Bristol’s best-kept secrets (no longer!): the beautifully maintained public garden, with its lawn and mature borders, regularly used by the fortunate denizens of Canynge Square all year round.

HOUSE NUMBERS

Where Canynge Square, Clifton

What? Georgian town house

Guide price £2.65m

Receptions 2, plus conservatory, cinema room and bar

Bedrooms 4

Bath/shower rooms 3

Outside

Delightful private rear garden with summerhouse and BBQ area; public garden in front Call my agent: Savills; 0117 933 5800; www.savills.co.uk

FOR SALE – FREEHOLD

A prime and sought after residential location offering a peaceful and leafy environment within walking distance of Whiteladies Road, Bristol city centre, and Clifton’s Durdham Downs

INONEACREPLOT!

Ashley Down House, Cotham Park, Bristol

An impressive, Italianate style mansion set within a one acre plot accessed via gravelled drive and benefitting from landscaped gardens, a self-contained 2/3 bed annexe, and a range of additional outbuildings. The property totals approximately 12,700 sq ft dating back to c. 1850 and offers the potential for a fantastic home or a range of development options (subject to consents). Freehold for sale – price on application.

Cotham Park, Bristol

A substantial home featuring a kitchen and four reception rooms on the ground floor, four bedrooms and a bathroom on the first floor, and additional bedrooms and bathrooms on the second floor. The lower ground floor includes a gym, laundry room, bathroom, and various ancillary rooms. Externally, there is a large walled garden at the rear plus an attractive front garden. The property provides for a beautiful family home following light refurbishment. Freehold for sale – Price on application.

ELEVATE YOUR BUSINESS

New boutique development PORTWALL LOFTS offers a workspace to inspire

Imagine offering your team a workspace that combines historic elegance with modern luxury while greeting your clients in an environment that reflects the prestige of your business. That’s the reality at Portwall Lofts, Bristol’s most exclusive boutique office space. Housed in a meticulously restored Victorian red brick warehouse, Portwall Lofts is a space that will lift productivity, inspire creativity, and mirror the high standards of your company.

AN ENTRANCE THAT IMPRESSES

First impressions matter. Portwall Lofts makes a statement from the moment you walk through the private entrance. The lobby’s sumptuous velvet banquette, authentic Crittall windows and terrazzo floor tiles exude sophistication. Antique bronze finishes add a timeless charm, impressing clients and visitors alike.

AN INSPIRING WORK ENVIRONMENT

Inside, the workspace fosters productivity and collaboration. The grand vaulted timber frame ceiling and natural wood floors create a bright, airy atmosphere with natural light flooding through lofty windows. The flexible layout lends itself naturally to breakout areas, meeting spaces, and workstations, allowing the environment to be tailored to suit your team’s needs. Every detail is designed to enhance wellbeing and inspire.

FLEXIBLE LEASING OPTIONS

Portwall Lofts offers flexibility to suit your business’s unique needs. The two expansive

floors, totalling 5,671 square feet, can be let independently or together. Leasing both floors provides a self-contained environment with a private entrance, and the opportunity of your business branding on the high profile and elegant Victorian elevation fronting Portwall Lane, as well as amenities such as showers, lockers and secure bike storage, that would be exclusively yours.

A PRIME LOCATION FOR BUSINESS

Perfectly located at One Portwall Lane in Redcliffe, Portwall Lofts places your business at the heart of Bristol’s vibrant commercial district. Just a five-minute walk from Bristol Temple Meads railway station, it offers unparalleled convenience for travel. Secure indoor bike storage caters to green commuting. During breaks, you can explore the green space of Queen Square, lunch at the independent restaurants of Wapping Wharf, or just enjoy the bustle of Bristol Harbourside. The location presents endless temptations for team bonding and client entertainment.

COMMITMENT TO SUSTAINABILITY

Sustainability is paramount at Portwall Lofts, which holds an EPC A rating and BREEAM Excellent accreditation. The workspace features solar panels, low-flow water appliances, and energy-efficient LED lighting. High-end heating, cooling, and ventilation systems ensure a comfortable environment year-round while reducing your company’s carbon footprint and energy costs.

EXCLUSIVE AND AUTONOMOUS

Portwall Lofts offers complete autonomy with a private entrance and branded signage if both floors are let together. This self-contained space includes all necessary amenities, from showers and lockers to secure bike storage. The flexible workspace layout can be customized to meet your business’s unique requirements. If the floors are let separately, each business will enjoy an exclusive, inspiring workspace designed to enhance productivity.

YOUR NEW BUSINESS HOME

Choosing Portwall Lofts means positioning your business in a prestigious, inspiring, and sustainable environment. The blend of historic charm, modern luxury, and eco-friendly design makes Portwall Lofts the ideal choice for forwardthinking busineses. n

Discover Portwall Lofts Today

Ready to elevate your business to new heights?

Visit www.portwalllofts.co.uk or contact our letting agents, Hannah Waterhouse at 07855 414570, and Roxine Foster at 07834 626024, to book your tour. See firsthand how Portwall Lofts can become the new home for your business in the heart of Bristol.

BRISTOL LIVES

DAVID PARKER

The chair of the Clifton LitFest is particularly busy at the moment, but he’s kindly taken time out to chat to us about this year’s event

It’s nearly time for the estimable Clifton LitFest, and once again a tasty programme of events is set to take place across the Village. Speakers range from young literary gun Moses Mackenzie to the cherishable Carole Vorderman and legendary Chris Packham; you can see the full programme at the link at the end, but first of all let’s hear from the main man behind the scenes.

In fact, David is currently working on two projects and a series of talks. “As well as chairing the Clifton LitFest committee, I’m working with two colleagues alongside Bristol Archives and the Bristol Youth

Orchestra on a gala concert at Bristol Beacon on the evening of 1 December, where 100 musicians will play 100 minutes of music to accompany film archive clips from 100 years’ worth of archives. Try to come along; it should be a terrific evening.”

How long has the LitFest been going, and how did you first get involved?

This year will be our fifth, and it all began when I persuaded the Friends of Clifton Centre and Library to put on a festival of literature as part of their continuing campaign to keep our local library open.

Tell us a about some of the highlights from past years

“Alice Roberts was fabulous last year, and is now our patron. And Kate Adie was ruthlessly honest”

There have been a lot. Alice Roberts was fabulous last year, and is now our patron; Kate Adie was ruthlessly honest two years ago; Nadeem Perera; Edson Burton ‘taking liberties’; Sandie Middleton, superb pianoplaying to superb film archive; Nathan Filer; Sarah Davies’s scriptwriting workshop; Jen Reid talking about why black lives matter; Doug Allan talking brilliantly about the oceans he filmed; so many

Who are the most exciting Bristol authors writing at the moment?

Noreen Masud, a brilliant memoirist. Adam Sisman, biographer. Moses Mckenzie, novelist. Jessica Andrews, whose first two novels have already received acclaim, as have those of Charlotte Philby and Emily Koch. In poetry, Caleb Parkin and Muneera Pilgrim.

Which books did you love the most as a child?

The Secret Seven and Famous Five series when very young, then Orwell, John Wain and Doris Lessing as a young adult

And who are your favourite all-time authors as an adult? That has changed over time, but still Orwell; Anna Funder’s book Wifedom knocked me back a bit; AS Byatt, Arnold Bennett, and in non-fiction, E Thompson.

Books, or Kindle? Books.

What does your role as the LitFest chair involve?

Trying to control and channel the creative ideas of a brilliant group of people.

What part of Bristol do you live in?

I live in Hotwells; it’s on a hill and so keeps me fit.

Share a few of your favourite local haunts

The Primrose Café: it used to be our works canteen. The Bristolian, for its breakfasts. Restaurants: Little Hollows for pasta; Mangosteen, because they serve great food at prices I can afford. Local shops: Five Acre Farm – the staff are brilliant and the produce excellent.

What other Bristol festivals do you never miss?

The Bristol Radical History Festival

Do you have any secret skills? I like cooking and baking, and you won’t get my recipe for scones out of me.

What would you say is your most regrettable habit?

Talking too much, often without thinking first

We’d better let you get on. What are you doing immediately after answering these questions?

Going back to editing clips for the gala concert at Bristol Beacon on 1 December – don’t miss it –or the LitFest, of course.

For more www.foccal.com/litfest To book for the gala concert go to www.bristolbeacon.org