CALL OF THE WILD THE BEST NATURE PHOTOGRAPHY IN THE WORLD CAN YOU FEEL IT? WE’RE TALKING BRISTOL’S SOUL-FUNK INTERCULTURAL JAM
TOP CLASS COURSES TO SIGN UP FOR RIGHT NOW IS HE HAVING A LAUGH?
MEET THE FOUNDER OF THE BRISTOL COMEDY FESTIVAL LET IT SHINE IF IT’S NOT SPARKLY, WE DON’T WANT IT FINISHING TOUCHES
HOW TO FALL IN LOVE WITH YOUR HOME ALL OVER AGAIN
And that, as they say, is a wrap. Our 2024 issues are done and dusted, and this one, bridging as it does the last hurrahs of December and the freshly minted beginnings of January, will take you merrily up to Christmas, soothe you as you go cold turkey during the come-down week that follows, and tip you gently into 2025. So Merry Bristmas, a happy new year, does anybody fancy a bit more cheese, and what day is it, again?
I feel a bunch of end-of-year thankyous coming on. Firstly, to our columnists: this magazine would be a poorer thing without Storysmith Dan’s elegant literary ruminations, Colin’s celebratory sideways look at the city, Stan’s genial enthusiasm for all things caffeinated and cakey, Kirsty’s experienced interiors eye and Charlie’s engagingly unstuffy take on the world of wine. Oh, and sorry for all the panicky Christmas-schedule chivvying, everyone! Thanks to anyone who picked up a copy of Bristol Life this year, with bonus points if you actually read the thing; everything we do, we do it for you. And endless thanks to Bristol itself, for its gleeful spirit and endless creativity, meaning there’s always something fresh to write about. It’s a challenge to stay on top of it all, but my little birds (they know who they are, and that they are loved) help to keep me posted.
If this was a real awards ceremony speech I’d end by thanking my family, but given that I’ve spent the last few weeks bombarding them with increasingly frantic WhatsApps screeching “I need your Christmas wishlists now!!!” I think they’re all a bit fed up with me, to be honest.
Obviously an Inkie is for life, not just or Christmas, but a piece from his new collection would make a great gift, too
DERI ROBINS Bristol Life editor @BristolLifeMag
Issue 362 / Winter 2024
ON THE COVER
Ink Nouveau on gold foil; feature page 10
ARTS
10 ART We’re enchantéd by Inkie’s new collection
16 WHAT’S ON From Bristmas to New Year and beyond
20 PHOTOGRAPHY Our annual visual gift to you as Wildlife Photographer of the Year rolls back into town
30 BRISTOL HEROES That quintessential Bristol soul funky intercultural jam
35 BOOKS It’s Storysmith’s books of the year
FOOD &
DRINK
36 FOOD & DRINK NEWS Catching up with the culinary craic
43 CAFÉ SOCIETY Italiano, Italiano
45 WINE A happy accident
SHOPPING
46 FASHION Sparkly clothes are for life, not just for Christmas
50 INTERIORS Fall in love with your home all over again
EDUCATION
54 COURSES AND CLASSES From hobby-ish crafts and cooking to serious learning shizzle
BUSINESS
63 BRISTOL PROPERTY AWARDS How it all went down: the winners and the schmoozing PROPERTY
They’re not quite ready for you yet, though; you’ll have to be patient. owe er, we ha e een offered a taster of ust a few of the scul tures which will e released on une ne t year, when the rand eal’s Gromit Unleashed 3 trail takes to the city’s streets and we’ e learned that this ti e there’ll e a new kid on the lock ying in with the new allace ro it feature l Vengeance Most Fowl, which screens on ne on hrist as ay, the tea ha e introduced a rand new scul ture or ot the s art gno e n fact, a o ie the e e tends right through the trail, with scul tures ins ired y cine a, fa ous l s and the stories which ins ired the he oney raised fro the trails goes, as e er, towards hel ing ristol hildren’s os ital ong the rst scul tures re ealed is King of Diamonds y ily olden a eathers c raw who a ears to ha e u ed straight out of lice’s Adventures in Wonderland allace returns in e ic Gladiator sword and sandals style, in a design created y local scenic artists awford rts, while ro it is ready to light u the dance oor la Saturday Night Fever, Boogie Nights and Pulp Fiction, in a glitter all rei agining y osaic artist i ie ucker nd or ot ell, you’ll ust ha e to wait and see, www.grandappeal.org.uk
Charity SOAP WITH HOPE
ere’s a nice little stocking ller earing a uni ue lue and gold wra er designed y ristol artist nkie, a li ited series of oa with o e ars y he o erset oiletry o any are eing sold in aid of illy hi a ristol social enter rise which su orts rough slee ers en of the , ars will contain a golden ticket, which can e e changed for a signed nkie rint oa with o e ars of soa which will ro ide i ortant funding for ristol’s ho eless of all oney raised goes to charity and e ery acket gets a ho eless erson a hot eal and a drink lus if you win a golden ticket you’ll get an nkie rint worth hat’s not to lo e asks nk solutely nothing, we say he soa costs ust fro www.thesomersettoiletryco.co.uk
GROUND CONTROL
ristol ity entre usiness ro e ent istrict , along with ristol egacy oundation and ristol ity ouncil, has announced a new u lic art ro ect as art of the re italisation of the entre ro enade
he large scale iece is set to e a centre iece of the transfor ation of the s ace into a i rant, inclusi e hu t’s eing en isioned y ultidisci linary ristol artist shii ictured to cele rate the city’s di erse heritage and i rant co unities tentati ely entitled Common Ground, it will transfor the surface of the ro enade with i rant colours, layful sha es and sy olic otifs to cele rate ristol’s ulticultural identity and historic har our esigned to e interacti e and engaging, the artwork will include ele ents such as ga es and ollinator friendly lanting, in iting eo le of all ages to e lore and en oy the s ace n engage ent eriod will now take lace, in iting the co unity, key stakeholders, le y ayers and local usinesses to ro ide feed ack and hel sha e the artwork’s nal design u lic session recently took lace on ece er at ristol eacon to infor the nal design of the artwork, re ecting the alues and as irations of the local co unity
For more www.bristol.gov.uk
Public art
WILL IT? WON’T IT?
Oh, it probably won’t. But just imagine if it did….
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NEW NOUVEAU
All we want for Christmas is something from Inkie’s new Enchanté collection . . .
Words by Deri Robins
People who are down with their street art are able to walk through the city streets and identify the work of many local all-stars. “Look over there, a Jody; there’s a Cheba! Ooh, I spy a Cheo, a Silent Hobo, an Alex Lucas, an Andy Council! Is that an Acerone?” Etc etc.
If you really know your street art you ight e a le to reel off the names of numerous others, too. Epod, Goin, Hazard One, Lemak, Squirl, and a bunch of guys whose tags, made up of letters and numbers, could be mistaken for a brand of car oil.
But if we had to place a bet on the one artist whose work and name absolutely everyone in Bristol recognises, it would be Inkie.
A major player right from the start on the Bristol art scene, now
painting internationally, his style is so unmistakable that you don’t get any cool points at all for recognising his work, because simply everybody does.
In the past, Inkie has described this style as “New York classic wildstyle meets Art Nouveau”, and while he has never veered far from that unique mash-up, his brand-new collection manages to bring something fresh to the canvas.
Many Inkie fans came out to view Enchanté, the launch of this latest work, at Harvey Nichols last month. If you needed an example of how street art has emerged from the semi-illegal shadows of the 1980s, when Inkie along with Banksy and 3D were mentored by youth worker John Nation at Barton Hill club The Dugout, into the full respectability it enjoys today, you only needed to glance around the genteel surroundings of the Second Floor Restaurant, where guests tucked into a three-course meal while Inkie introduced his work.
t rst glance, all the ieces see to e classic nk, with their central image of a beautiful, Mucha-like wo an you can see the re a haelite in uence too, although instead of serene, o an ro les his girls have punky, rebellious little faces and retroussé noses.
Inkie’s said in the past that he likes drawing women because the female form and hair can be worked into an intricate organic form. “I’m obviously fascinated with Art Nouveau, as you can see from a lot of my work,” Inkie told us at the launch,
“If you come through the hallway into the restaurant you can see some of my earlier pieces that’s y classic nk ou eau he rst ti e started doing it, it was a o e fro gra ti into street art; it was a bit of a fuck-you to street art really – I lo e gra ti, ut this was a way of doing so ething that looked nice ut could e assed off as street art still do gra ti he’s said he’s ne er ha ier than when painting wildstyle with friends – “but to me this is more like illustration.”
ART
MEET THE ARTIST
Born Tom Bingle, the son of an architect, Inkie grew up on the not especially mean streets of Clifton. He first picked up a spray can in the early ‘80s as part of the Crime Incorporated Crew, forming a holy graffiti trinity with Banksy and Massive Attack’s 3D. In 1998, Inkie and Banksy collaborated on what was then the UK’s largest graffiti event, Walls on Fire, at the docks, with the council’s blessing.
Inkie has also worked in the video game industry, including a stint as creative director for Sega. In 2011 and 2012 he created the See No Evil festival around Nelson Street; Europe’s largest street art festival at the time.
After many years in London Inkie moved back home to Bristol, where he continues to bring beauty and joy to the city’s streets, and the walls of discerning collectors.
nkie talked us through the style and in uences of the ieces here are large new can ases with swirls and atterns one in ol es the golden ratio y father was an architect, and ought e u on illia orris and l honse ucha, loads of re a haelite stuff, too, he says e know hi est for his work at fest, ut he’s tra elled widely o er the ast years, creating urals in all corners of the world ecently he’s worked at the chool of eau rts in ancy for at the e ent y useu in sterda at Kar ach rewery for rt tudios in ouston, and created the world’s longest ainting across two countries on the hine e’s ainted urals for harity in ierra eone at the r an ature street art festi al at ristol’s twin city of anno er, and, nearer to ho e, eston all in eston su er are ainting huge ice crea s near the each is always fun e’s also een art of a u lic arts ro ect with edro os alerie in ia i hile others ay ring ack a iece of local ottery or a fridge agnet fro tri s a road, nkie rings ack ins iration ou can see these references in the new work, in the atterns in the ackground ne has owers fro ahiti one has a o an ine so e ha e architecture fro ew ork here er tra el, try to take so ething and ut it into the aintings o ing forward, ’ trying to do ore arts and crafts, with osaics and re ouss a etalworking techni ue in which etal is sha ed y ha ering fro the re erse side to create a design in low relief lot of this ca e a out during earlier gra ti tri s to aris, where saw a lot of rt ou eau stuff nd also, in articular, to russels there’s a style of loo do, which is ased on work y a guy called ictor orta, who ade rt ou eau staircases i it all in, rehash it, and then it’s done in a kind of gra ti style o e of the ieces in the Enchanté collection, he tells us, are a tri ute to a real life wo an hey’re ased on y rst e er art teacher, and the rst ti e got recognised in y art did a icture of a rose for her when was se en or eight, and it won the lifton i rary art co etition he was a ati e erican the collection is called Hiawatha and is dedicated to her he new rints start at , rising to , to osaics ut you can also get your hands on so e of classic nkie rints fro n
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WHAT’S ON
20 December 2024-10 January 2025
EXHIBITIONS
Until 22 December
SING THE BODY ELECTRIC
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 5 January
RWA OPEN
The annual Open returns for its 171st edit, 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 is celebrating its 60th anniversary. At Bristol Museum and Art Gallery; bristolmuseums.org.uk
SHOWS
Until 5 January
GOLDILOCKS AND THE THREE BEARS
It’s the Hippodrome panto, and this year’s face off the telly is Brian Conley; atgtickets.com.
JACK AND THE BEANSTALK
Polka Dot are here with the panto we’ve all bean waiting for, at Redgrave; redgravetheatre.com
A CHRISTMAS CAROL
The inimitable Living Spit bring us
LEFTTORIGHT: The Little Mermaid at BOV; Wake the Tiger brings all the retro feels; Jimmy discovers It’s a Wonderful Life again, at Bristol Film Fest
their LOLworthy two-man take on the tale of the miserly miserabalist; at TFT; tobaccofactorytheatres.com
Until 12 January
THE LITTLE MERMAID
You know the story, now see what BOV have done with it. Expect a gentle eco message with new songs, circus and dance; bristololdvic.org.uk
Until 18 January
NOTTING HELL
Bloody Hell! It’s the Wardrobe’s 2024 festive mash-up! Think Kaos meets Richard Curtis... thewardrobetheatre.com
Until 19 January
HANSEL AND GRETEL
It’s Grimm at the TFT this year, as the Factory Theatre transforms into a magical land for the classic fairytale; tobaccofactorytheatres.com
Until 21 December
I SAW MOMMY KILLING SANTA CLAUS
When the family wakes up on Christmas morning, the last thing they expected to find under the tree was Santa’s dead body... At Bristol Improv, improvtheatre.co.uk
COMEDY
Ongoing
CLOSER EACH DAY
All the drama of Succession. The grit of EastEnders. The rumpy-pumpy of Sex Education. Not remotely like Slow Horses; the world’s longest-running
to bubble away amusingly at The Wardrobe; thewardrobetheatre.com
Until 28 December
BRISTOL COMEDY CAVE
Expect names off the telly, local legends, club classics, but above all, expect it to be bloody funny. Basement 45; thebristolcomedyclub.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
20-21 December
CHRISTMAS WITH DOREEN DOREEN
A spectacular double-header featuring legendary Bristol party band Doreen Doreen: two nights of glitter, glamour, and unbridled entertainment, with special guests,. At SWX; swxbristol.com
21 December
FESTIVE FIESTA
Join in with the 100 voices of City of Bristol Choir to sing some of your favourite carols, accompanied by professional orchestra the Bristol Ensemble. At St George’s; stgeorgesbristol.co.uk
CRAIG CHARLES
The ultimate funk and soul house party: enter Craig’s living room as he delves into his record collection to bring you straight up groove bangers, exclusive funk and soul cuts. At O2; academymusicgroup.com
UJIMA END OF YEAR CELEBRATIONS
Local station Ujima Radio CIC are throwing a party featuring Sandra Cross, one of the UK’s lovers’ rock queens, with a live band and other entertainers; Beacon, bristolbeacon.org
23 December
HANDEL’S MESSIAH
Performed by Bristol Ensemble and the Choir of Royal Holloway, at St George’s; stgeorgesbristol.co.uk
28 December
LWE PRESENTS CONDUCTA
Saving the city from the Twixmaswhat-day-is-it? feels, LWE presents a high-energy night with UK garage sensation Conducta on the decks. At Prospect; theprospectbuilding.com
BRISTMAS
Ongoing BRISTOL FILM FESTIVAL
The year-round fest with the something-for-everyone remit, often at site-specific venues, has every imaginable Christmas movie in its programme; bristolfilmfestival.com
Until 21 December
SPIEGELTENT
The wooden tent returns to Bristol with its multifaceted music and party offerings; check out the website for the full and eclectic list; christmasspiegeltent.co.uk
A CHRISTMAS CAROL DRONE LIGHT SHOW
What it says on the tin. At Seat Unique Stadium; book at yuup.co
ELF ON A SHELF CLIFTON TRAIL
Santa’s oversized helper is perched on various buildings in Clifton; spot all 20 and you’ll get treats. discoverclifton.co.uk
Until 22 December
WINTER AT THE HARBOURSIDE MARKET
A festive take on the regular weekend market; buoyevents.co.uk
Until 23 December
CHRISTMAS COLLECTION
A range of handmade gifts chosen by The Stradling Collection from local makers; pop in, no obligation to buy. stradlingcollection.org
BRISTOL CHRISTMAS MARKET
Gifts, glühwein, you know the score; it;s the mega chaletfest down Broadmead; bristolchristmasmarket.com
CHRISTMAS AT AEROSPACE
Visit the Christmas Planetarium, explore the Christmas Workshop and sing carols under Concorde; aerospacebristol.org
THE FATHER CHRISTMAS EXPERIENCE
One of many venues featuring the ubiquitous Santa, this time at Ashton Court Mansion. ticketsource.co.uk
SAIL WITH SANTA
The ferries get festive once again, as the elves help the kids find Santa; bristolferry.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. eventbrite.co.uk
SANTA SPECIALS AT AVON VALLEY RAILWAY
What it says on the tin: special festive steam-train jaunts with the big man in red on board. This year’s gift for kids of all ages is a bespoke Avon Valley Railway reindeer plush toy! Want!! quaytickets.com
CHRISTMAS EXPERIENCE AT AVON VALLEY PARK
A festively curated day, with a theatrical show and many themed activities and entertainment areas; their Christmas light trail runs until 3l December. avonvalley.co.uk
SHOP BRISTOL
New indie pop-up at Cabot Circus where you can find over 35 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
TOP: Living Spit take on miserly miserabalist Scrooge at TFT
: Joy Orbison is here to help you see in 2025 at Prospect
: Doreen Doreen somehow becomes even sparklier for Christmas at SWX
ELF ON A SHELF
Not to be confused with the Clifton Elf (and trust Clifton to have its own elf), this is Brunelf, and he’ll be up to his antics in the city centre and the Redcliffe area. Better watch out, better take care, etc; redcliffeandtemplebid.co.uk
BRISTOL POP-UP SHOP
Lovely gifts from 100 local makers, artists and designers, at The Galleries;
Until 2 January
BRAILSFORD LIGHTS
The Brentry family threatens to blow the national grid once again with its OTT light display in aid of the Grand Appeal. brailsfordlights.co.uk
VINTAGE WINTER WONDERLAND
The fag end of the city centre fair, with it’s old-school rides, decent food and drink and the après-ski bar. facebook.com/vintagewinterwonderland
Until 3 January
curling, VR sleigh rides, classic ride like waltzera and dodgems, a balloon ride carousel, bungee trampolines, etc etc; bristolshoppingquarter.co.uk
Until 5 January
RETRO-MEGA-MAS
A nostalgic, typically off-the-wall look at Christmases past at Wake the Tiger; www.wakethetiger.com
Until 12 January
GLOW YOUR MIND
Bambalan’s throwing it back to a pre-Millennium neon wonderland, with ’90s bangers, excellent cocktails and entertainment; bambalan.co.uk
LABYRINTH
Enter the Goblin King’s Realm: at the reliably occulty The Raven, it’s all curious creatures, shimmering lights and enchanted décor as walkabout performers draw you deeper into the maze of music and mystery; theravenbristol.com
THE GARDEN OF EARTHLY DELIGHTS
Meanwhile at Milk Thistle, there’s an ethereal paradise where the natural world meets decadence and opulence’ milkthistlebristol.com
NEW YEAR’S EVE HOUSE PARTY
Dial-up your New Year joy to 11 at BOV: there’s a mirrorball dance floor, a boogie-inducing live sax player accompanying huge ’80 and 90’s singalong hits, live music from The ZuZu Men, magic from Kieron The Mighty, a non-stop silent disco in Coopers’ Hall and food from Souk Kitchen – plus confetti cannons; bristololdvic.org.uk
NYE AT RACKS BAR & KITCHEN
FIND THE FLOCK
It’s all happening down Castle Park this Christmas: there’s rollahub, bristolpopupshop.co.uk
BRISTOL CHRISTMAS VILLAGE
Good ewes for Grand Appeal fans: Shaun the Sheep has arrived at the Bristol Zoo project with a special supersized festive trail. Gotta catch them all (shouldn’t be too hard, there’s only 12 of them). Plenty of other lovely stuff on, too, with the Festive Woodland running until 5 January. bristolzoo.org.uk
NEW
YEAR
31 December
A NEW YEAR’S REVOLUTION
Ladies, gentlemen, neither and both: Trinity has teamed up with trailblazers of post-lockdown Queer nightlife, Crotch, to bring you Bristol’s loudest queer NYE party; trinitybristol.org.uk
This annual all-inclusive extravaganza is a local legend, with its three free bars, casino, buffet and live music. Order a glass of wine and you’ll be handed a bottle; that’s how they roll at Racks. racks-bristol.co.uk
NYE AT THE SQUARE CLUB
Another local legend, this Bristol’s private members club is an allinclusive, all-night soirée of dancing and revelry; this year’s theme is Midnight in New Orleans. With casino; thesquareclub.com
BOTTOMLESS BRUNCH
Fancy getting the party started early? Steam kicks off its bottomless brunch at 4.30 and carries on until late; steambristol.co.uk
NYE WITH JOY ORBISON
NYE BEAUTIFUL PEOPLE
Death Disco is hosting all-night vocal house music with Hed Kandi and ’90s Strictly Rhythm classics from Beautiful People residents Thrilogy, Emski and special guests; deathdiscobristol.com
The Prospect Building welcomes one of the biggest names in electronic music, Joy Orbison, for a high-energy send-off as Bristol counts down to the new year; theprospectbuilding.com n
LEFT: Lovers’ Rock queen Sandra Cross at Ujima’s Christmas bash at Beacon
LEFT: Milk Thistle transforms into a Garden of Earthly Delights for your NYE pleasure
Winner, Animal Portraits
Location: Yukon, Canada
John frames a lynx resting with its fully grown young sheltering from the cold wind behind it. He had been tracking this family group for almost a week, wearing snowshoes and carrying light camera gear to make his way through snowy forests. When fresh tracks led him to the group, he kept his distance to make sure he didn’t disturb them.
WILD AT HEART
Much more than just a set of pretty pictures, the annual Wildlife Photographer of the Year exhibition is a call to action – a plea to protect the plant’s fragile habitats and threatened species
On Watch by John E Marriott
Funny Animals. Pixar-level cute animals. Animals you probably wouldn’t want to be left alone in a room with. Bizarre, spooky looking animals; furry ones, feathery ones and scaly ones. Animals you could swear looked worried about their endangered environments; the fact that we might be anthropomorphising doesn’t mean they don’t have anything to worry about.
Every year, the Natural History Museum’s Wildlife Photographer of the Year exhibition seems to carry a more urgent subtext. In a perfect world, photographers would return from unspoilt locations with rolls of images showing animals leading their best lives – and if ‘best lives’ means a cheetah running down an antelope for its dinner, or a penguin being attacked by a faster, bigger ocean predator, so e it we ay nd the shots u setting, ut that’s the natural world for you.
Far more distressing are images showing the knock-on effect of hu an eha iour on the lanet’s fauna and ora the anishing coral eds, shrinking rainforests, o er shed oceans, melting ice caps, and – the ones we guiltily tend to walk past quickly – wild animals in captivity.
And yet, due to organisations such as UNESCO and its World Heritage List, there are glimmers of hope. It’s not irreversible. If we stop doing the damage, nature will return.
Taken from every corner of the globe, the photos are thought-provoking, sobering and technically brilliant. While a lot of them are disturbing, we’ve chickened out as usual and chosen the softer ones. But do go along and see them all; the exhibition always lands in Bristol at this time of year, offering the ideal e cuse to haul yourself out of your ost Christmas stupor, take a brisk walk along to Bristol Museum and check in to see how the world looks through the lenses of the best nature photographers in the world right now.
Admire their technical skill, dedication and sheer bloody perseverance; and feel suitably humbled that while you struggle to get a photo of your cat into focus, some of these pics have been taken by kids under 10 years old. hile the o cial winners ha e now een na ed, the winner of the People’s Choice category won’t be announced untll next October. n
Between a Rock and a Hard Place, by Larry Taylor
Highly Commended, Animal Portraits ocation ellowstone ational ark, Wyoming, USA
arry s otted a ash of white against a canyon in Yellowstone National Park. It was an ermine ursuing rey, rocketing u the crack in the cliff wall with incredible speed, darting in and out of the shadows”. Larry watched as the ermine leapt towards a bushy-tailed woodrat but missed its mark and fell into the snow. Unperturbed, it raced back up the rock wall to try again.
Twist and Jump
by Jose Manuel Grandío Highly commended, Mammal Behaviour
Location Athose, BourgogneFranche-Comté, France
On the last day of his trip in the French Alps, Jose braved belowzero temperatures to witness a stoat hurling itself about in a fresh fall of snow, in what Jose saw as an “expression of exuberance”. Scientists refer to this behaviour as ‘dancing’, although opinions are divided about what motivates it; some think it is an attempt to confuse prey.
Aspen Shadows by Devon Pradhuman
Shortlisted, People’s Choice
Location: Yellowstone National Park, Wyoming, USA
Four grey wolves cross a minimalist landscape of naked aspens and snow in Yellowstone Park. It was early spring in the Lamar Valley, and this pack was in search of its next meal. Watching from a distance, Devon saw them heading towards this patch of aspens and thought it would make a compelling image. The wolves walked right past these trees and then continued to follow the tree line, eventually disappearing over the hillside.
Sneak Attack by Erlend Haarberg
Shortlisted, People’s Choice
Location: Svalbard, Norwegian archipelago
A Svalbard polar bear cub was having fun diving under the water and resurfacing, playing with the seaweed and kelp. The northern fulmar resting on the surface of the water awakened the cub’s desire to hunt; it attempted several underwater surprise attacks on the bird, only to fail each time.
Play- hunting like this is essential learning for a young bear. Eventually it will have to survive in the Arctic without its mother.
Free as a Bird by Alberto Román Gómez Winner, 10 Years and Under
Location: Near the Sierra de Grazalema Natural Park, Cádiz, Spain
Watching from the window of his father’s car at the edge of the Sierra de Grazalema Natural Park, Alberto found this young bird tricky to photograph as it was uickly ying ack and forth, gathering insects. To Alberto, the stonechat displayed a sense of ownership, as if it were a young guardian overseeing its territory. In the shot, Alberto contrasts the delicate stonechat with a hefty chain.
Frontier of the Lynx by Igor Metelskiy Winner, Animals in their Environment
Location: Lazovsky District, Primorsky Krai, Russia
Igor shows a lynx stretching in the early evening sunshine, its body mirroring the undulating wilderness. It took more than six months of waiting to achieve this relaxed image of the elusive cat, and the remote location and changing weather conditions made access to this spot – and transporting equipment there – a challenge. Igor positioned his camera trap near the footprints of potential prey.
Scanning the Realm by Aaron Baggenstos Shortlisted, People’s Choice
Location: Torres del Paine National Park, Chile
A puma stands on a windswept outcrop in the rugged mountain terrain. It is a symbol of hope. A successful conservation movement led to the creation of the park and a rise in ecotourism in the region. his has also hel ed to reduce con ict etween pumas and local gauchos (sheep farmers). The gauchos view pumas more positively because they’re attracting tourists, which is good for income. The change has been gradual but has gained momentum over the past 20 to 30 years. There is hope that humans and pumas can live alongside one another.
Practice Makes Perfect by Jack Zhi Winner, Birds Behaviour
Location: Los Angeles, California, USA
Jack captured a young falcon practising its hunting skills on a utter y, a o e its sea cliff nest e’d been visiting this area for the past eight years, observing the constant presence of one of the birds and photographing the chicks. On this day it was a challenge to track the action because the birds were so fast. If this youngster survives to adulthood it will be capable of dropping down on its prey at speeds of more than 186 miles per hour.
Stormy Scene by William Fortescue Highly Commended, Mammals Behaviour ocation a iri lains, erengeti ational ark, an ania
illia used a ackdro of stor clouds lit y the setting sun to show ating lions t was the rainy season in the erengeti ational ark e watched the lions ate se eral ti es efore the fe ale roke it off ions can ate throughout the year, ut ha ing cu s at the sa e ti e i ro es the ride’s chances of successfully raising the e ale lions work together to raise cu s and ensure they sur i e into adulthood
Edge of Night by Jess Findlay
Shortlisted, People’s Choice
Location: Outside Vancouver, Canada
A ghostly barn owl exits the hayloft window of a derelict arn to hunt in elds outside ancou er Jess quietly watched the owl for several nights to understand its ha its e set u an in isi le ea so that his ca era ash would trigger when the owl ew out of the arn is ca era took a series of long e osure shots, ca turing a ient light cast on the clouds and arn t was a co licated setu ut, to ess’s a a e ent, it worked the rst ti e
Late Night Fishing by Geoffrey Reynaud Highly Commended, Animal Portraits
Location: Yukon, Canada
eoffrey recorded a gri ly ear hunting for sal on in the free ing night his was his second isit to see the Yukon ‘ice bears’ during the winter. A few years before, he’d built a den and spent 20 days looking for tracks and fresh kills to learn how bears and wolves take advantage of late-spawning salmon. This time, after setting up camera traps, he returned to his car to sleep. Temperatures plummeted to -10°C (14°F), resulting in the ear’s fur free ing as it searched for salmon in the shallows.
The Demolition Squad by Ingo Arndt Winner, Invertebrates Behaviour
Location: Hessen, Germany
‘Full of ant’ is how Ingo described himself after lying next to the red wood ants’ nest for just a few minutes. Ingo watched as the ants carved an already dead eetle into ieces s all enough to t through the entrance to their nest. The ants are capable of killing insects and other invertebrates much larger than themselves through sheer strength in numbers
The Swarm of Life by Shane Gross Winner, Wetlands: The Bigger Picture
Location: Cedar Lake, Vancouver Island, British Columbia, Canada
Shane looks under the surface layer of lily pads as a mass of western toad tadpoles swim past. He snorkelled in the lake for several hours, through carpets of lily pads. This prevented any disturbance of the ne layers of silt and algae co ering the lake bottom, which would have reduced visibility.
No Access by Ian Wood
Shortlisted, People’s Choice
St Leonards-on-Sea, East Sussex
An ambling Eurasian badger appears to glance up at adger gra ti on a uiet road esidents had een leaving food scraps on the pavement for foxes, but Ian noticed that badgers from a nearby sett were also coming to forage.
After seeing a badger walking along the pavement by this wall late one night, he decided to photograph it. He set up a small hide on the edge of the road to take his picture. Only the light from a lamppost illuminated the creature as it ambled along, see ingly glancing u at the adger gra ti ust in front of it.
Wildlife Photographer of the Year is developed and produced by the Natural History Museum, London. The exhibition runs at Bristol Museum until 27 April 2025
Standard ticket £8, concessions apply, under 16s go free www.bristolmuseums.org.uk
THE IMPACT OF COLD AND DAMP HOMES ON MENTAL WELLBEING
When we think about home improvements, we often focus on how they look or how much they’ll increase our property value. But did you know that making your home more energy-efficient can also improve your mental wellbeing? Recent research sheds light on the relationship between mental health and the conditions of our homes, particularly how improvements such as better heating and insulation can make a huge difference.
UNDERSTANDING THE PROBLEM
Living in a cold, damp home isn’t merely just uncomfortable – it can seriously affect your mental health. Studies regularly show that these conditions contribute to feelings of anxiety, depression, and stress. High energy bills and worries about health problems from poor housing create constant pressure that can affect even the most resilient people. It’s especially tough for vulnerable groups like the elderly, young children, or people with existing health issues. For them, staying warm and safe can be a daily struggle that adds even more emotional strain.
THE TRANSFORMATIVE POWER OF ENERGY EFFICIENCY
The good news? The solution might be simpler than you think. Upgrades like better insulation, modern heating systems, and improved windows don’t just lower energy bills – they create a more stable and comfortable living environment. Research shows that homeowners who upgrade their heating or insulation often report better mental health. Benefits include reduced anxiety, better sleep, and an overall increase in happiness. It’s not just about feeling warm; it’s about reducing the ongoing worries that come with a home that’s hard-to-heat or prone to dampness.
A BROADER PERSPECTIVE
The benefits of an energy-efficient home go beyond solving problems – they create positive change. Think of it as a ripple effect: When you’re warm and comfortable, you’re less worried about your health or finances. This frees up mental space to focus on other areas of life, like family, work, or hobbies.
Plus, an energy-efficient home often feels more secure and reliable. Knowing your home can stay warm without costing a fortune gives you a sense of stability, which is essential for good mental health.
PRACTICAL STEPS FOR HOMEOWNERS
So, what can you do if you’re living in a cold or damp home? Start with an assessment. This will show you where improvements can make the biggest difference, from loft insulation to upgrading your boiler. Retrofit West offer 70% off a range of home surveys. You can apply for vouchers on their website: retrofitwest.co.uk/vouchers.
Investing in these improvements isn’t just about long-term savings; it’s an investment in your mental and physical health. If you’re planning renovations, considering energy efficiency from the start can help avoid stress later.
The connection between our homes and our mental health is undeniable. Cold and damp conditions can lead to anxiety and depression,
but energy-efficient improvements can turn your home into a place of comfort and stability. By addressing the root causes of poor housing conditions and implementing simple upgrades, we do more than create a warmer home. We create a supportive environment where mental wellbeing can thrive. Sometimes, improving your mental health is as simple as turning up the heat.
For free advice on making your home more energy efficient contact the Retrofit West advice team on advice@retrofitwest.co.uk or 0800 0386733. Alternatively, you can visit their website retrofitwest.co.uk where you can apply for a 70% off assessment voucher, read real stories, find a local professional or engage in their forum. Retrofit West is funded by the West of England Mayoral Combined Authority. n
Dance like nobody’s watching, love like nobody’s judging, and connect like Lego. It’s the Bristol way
Words and pics by Colin Moody
BRISTOL HEROES
M1
aybe it’s time we stopped telling all our London friends how good the living and loving is here in Bristol, ‘cos we don’t want that quintessentially Bristol soul funky intercultural jam we got going on spoiled, right? This town is amazing, but the best way to know it is to feel it, deep down.
Like this kid at the Grand Iftar last year. You come here, get involved, and let the wonderful things happen around you, sure, but see if you can synchronise with it, not just hit that post button. Linger a while. Feel it.
2
Caught on CCTV, Hanham. First bit of snow. This early in the year –mad, innit.
So what’s more Bristol than a midnight snow angel in the car park? Here we dance like nobody’s watching, love like nobody’s judging and connect like Lego. People sometimes ask if I photograph cool people. I always reply I never photograph people who think they look cool. I only photograph people who are cool.
Yeah baby!
3 Taken from my next book, Up All Night. Pre-production time at the mo.
While the lads bumble together like beer bottles on an indie brewing bottling line, some of the pioneers of freedom get one open and stash another in the hold for later, and live their best life.
This one taken from Love Saves, back in the day. One of those glorious mud-free days that seemed to go on and on, deep into your heart
4
So someone puts on some great jams, and a tune comes on that has that loose hip-hop summer-breeze vibe, and before you know it people are stepping into the middle. Dancing. Prancing. Romancing. If only we could hold on to moments like this forever. Impossible, but until we are all downloaded into Meta let’s see if photography can just hold us there for a moment.
5
Backstage at the Hippodrome and The Nutcracker crew are gonna try not to let the 50kg of stage curtains fall and crush the ballerina who hasn’t chosen her starter yet.
Every corner of this city is amazing. en the i ing osters are looking out for each other hile the whole world picks tribes and spits hatred on the socials we just… hold… on.
3 2 4
6
Star and Garter. Generations.
No homogenised monocultural cultists here, please. We want every mini-disc DJ Derek used up on the wall for all to see. These things have energy and we recharge… together.
7
Chat GPT, whatever your name is. You know how to write 10 reasons why it’s cool to hang out in Stokes Croft. But you will never understand the simple pleasure of standing on your mate’s shoulder to get a photo of baby pigeons, or whatever he’s doing. You are the person at the party who knows everyone but never gets a round in. Do one.
8
Recent cultural events, and some police-esque dancers and movers recreated the Banksy mural Mild Mild West. The one where the bear is throwing a Molotov cocktail as a line of riot-shielded police.
Loved the energy of the recreation, but for me it was after with friends and family, I got to thinking. If the police lowered their shield and had a chat and listened instead of deploying, if they tapped their feet along to the drum and bass the protesters sometimes bring on those portable speakers, just imagine.
I see a future where police in full riot gear hear that drum and bass, and just get down. And the only thing thrown is shapes. As everyone gets out of their lane and feels it, really feels it.
EMILY & DAN ROSS STORYSMITH BOOKS OF THE YEAR 2024
Being res onsi le eo le, we’re sure you’ e already sorted out your hrist as sho ing and e eryone you know will shortly e unwra ing their new reading aterial ongratulations, and you’re welco e o rather than cra ing in yet ore last inute stocking ller solutions, we thought we should share a little taste of our annual torys ith ooks of the ear list ot to get too ogged down in inter ookseller olitics, ut let us assure you that the horsetrading that goes on to for ulate e eryone’s indi idual shortlist and therefore the colla orati e u er list has ore than a whiff of olitical lo ying a out it see you’ e ut XXX in your to cellent, that eans
can lea e it off ine and won’t feel guilty nyway, after a lot of wrangling, we get there s we write this last colu n of the year, the wrangling is in fact still ha ening, ut we’re delighted to share ust a handful of the ooks with an assured lace on the hallowed list
James by Percival Everett
ith James, the e er a itious erci al erett takes u on the task of recon guring one of the reat erican o els ark wain’s Adventures of Huckleberry Finn or anyone unfa iliar, the original no el follows the recocious youngster uck as he e arks on an ad enture down the ississi i i er with his friend, the ensla ed i ’ his full na e is reclai ed in erett’s ersion In James, howe er, the lot takes a ra id turn once the two friends are se arated, and a es lans
his esca e to the free orth e had the uni ue enhance ent of actually hosting erci al hi self in ristol ack in ril if you were there on the night, you’ll know what a thoroughly gracious yet elligerently s art resence he is en without the e tra insight he descri ed our ooksellers as trou le akers’, of which we are inordinately roud , this would e on our list a solutely any year
Alphabetical Diaries by Sheila Heti hese are uite literally eti’s al ha etical diaries’ each cha ter is titled , , etc e cluding , with eti’s thoughts, ru inations and ra lings listed out in al ha etical order, sentence y sentence cri led worries a out rent ay ents and ad oyfriends, as well as dee er editations on the art of writing, fuse together to create a asterful e loration of the inner ind he creati e rocess is ust as fascinating as the content itself eti organised years’ worth of ournals, efore tri ing it down to ust , words hrough her editorial work, what was initially the e eryday, the anodyne, eco es the curious, the layful, the accidentally rofound a co letely fresh and unforgetta le reading e erience
Mammoth by Eva Baltasar (trans. Julia Sanches) Mammoth is a gut wrenching e loration of the fe ale e erience, of the ull to otherhood and a longing for freedo ri en y a desire to create, the narrator eco es o sessed with getting regnant, in e eriencing the hysical sensations of irth hasing this desire, she lea es the con nes of the city for the wild anish countryside ut far fro eing a fairytale idyll, this is a world of rutality and riotous
un redicta ility ntering a life of isolation and drudgery, our narrator reduces her life to the are essentials, collecting rewood, nursing la s, and trying to ake her own read n a alstasar’s e act and oetic style, this short yet e losi e ook ulti ately asks what it eans to create a no el, a child, a ho e in a world of loneliness and cruelty
Where We Come From by n e o oudo was a standout year for e cellent usic ooks, ut Where We Come From ust edged it, ostly ecause it’s the usic ook we’ e s ent the ost ti e thinking a out since we read it e were ery lucky to host nie ok in the sho ack in anuary to discuss the ook, where he was illu inating and ada ant on the i ortance of sitting with’ his su ects rather than si ly inter iewing the his ore languorous a roach endlessly dee ens the ook’s effecti eness in detailing the irth, growth and fruition of gri e in the K, fer enting these s all, ersonal narrati es so that in the retelling they feel a ro riately e ochal and that’s all to say nothing of the elli uous, rich rose itself, orid yet recise and erfect
o that’s ust a taste of this year’s ost ookseller elo ed titles the full list should e e inently nda le on our we site y the ti e you’re reading this or now though, that’s us signing off for the year, ho efully ha ing left you a little ore clued u on how to s end the seasonal downti e reading, in case that wasn’t clear
Visit Storysmith at 36 North Street, Bedminster; 0117 953 7961 www.storysmithbooks.com
FOOD & DRINK
TASTY BITES FROM AROUND THE CITY
We’ve been stockpiling lots of tasty titbits for you; let’s get straight into it.
It raised a shedload of cash last year – £117k, to be precise – directly funding 21 local foodinsecurity causes through the Bristol Local Food Fund, and now the ANTI-BANQUET guys have announced they’ll do the whole damn thing again on 27 March 2025. And while it’s hard to imagine how the inaugural event could possibly be improved upon, its ever-ambitious organisers have promised it will be even bigger, bolder and more impactful than ever.
In case you missed last year’s, know that the Anti Banquet isn’t your typical charity dinner. ather than digging out the tu , ristol’s s and usiness leaders will e gra ing a rons to help out in the kitchen, while they donate the tickets they’ve bought to charities, or colleagues who rarely get to attend such shindigs.
Last year’s event saw 60 companies, 50 volunteers and 25 chefs stepping in; the organisers hope to raise at least another £100k this year, allowing Bristol’s food charities to continue their life-changing work.
Leading the kitchen once again are Josh Eggleton of the Pony Group, Peter Sanchez Inglesias (Paco Tapas), Ben Harvey (Bianchis Group) and Hannah Catley (Catleys) – guest chefs will doubtless be announced soon.
Jayde Adams and Joe Sims will also return with their inimitable form of hosting.
More when we know more, logically enough. www.antibanquet.co.uk
And because he never, ever sleeps, Josh Eggleton has also managed to get leading chefs on board to fund THE PONY FARM BUS – a vintage double-decker converted into an interactive ‘mobile farm’, complete with live chickens and hydroponics. The bus will travel across the nation and inspire a crosssection of communities to engage in a fun and playful way with the true provenance and journey of the food that they eat. £100k is needed to launch the bus in spring 2025, and The Pony Group has set up a Crowdfunder page for anyone who wishes to donate.
The Pony’s plan is to visit 25 schools a year, reaching 2,500 school children over the course of 2025 along with community groups and festivals. Anyone can apply to use the bus once it’s up and running, with no charge for schools and charities.
Angela Hartnett and Tom Kerridge (pictured above), Sally Abé and Jude Kereama will host a series of fundraising six-course dinners to raise cash for the bus, which they’ll serve along with Josh at The Pony Chew Valley. Tickets cost £130. More at www.theponyfarmbus.co.uk
Apparently all good things come in threes – or omne trium perfectum, if you paid attention to your Latin lessons in school – so here’s one more story this month from the industrious Eggletons.
Josh and sister Holly (middle of pic, above) have acquired The Pelican pub in Chew Magna. Working with lifelong friends and fellow publicans Lottie and Josh Bryant –another pair of siblings – the relaunch is being completed in two phases; phase one has seen the opening of the bar, serving Pony-level bar snacks and sourdough pizza along with beers, ales and ciders led by Bristol Beer Factory and Wilding Cider, and wine from neighbours The Wine Room. Live music nights and events are also planned. In phase two, 10 bedrooms will be launched in spring or summer 2025.
s he elican is ust a e inute dri e or 40-minute walk from the The Pony, guests will be able to move between the venues (there are bicycles and a complimentary shuttle service), making full use of the latter’s lovely restaurant, gardens and cookery school.
The Pelican has been a hostelry since 1615. As well as being restored and renovated, the pub has gained a glass-walled, terracottaoored e tension the ain ar is full of delightful original features, and lined with local vintage photos showcasing moments in Chew Magna’s history.
“We have always wanted to have accommodation as part of The Pony family,” say Josh and Holly. “We used to go to The Pelican as kids and have fond memories of it, so it’s a natural e tension for us to gi e it a new lease of life, while growing The Pony e erience eyond the restaurant www.butcombe.com/the-pelican-pub-somerset
FOOD & DRINK
here’s no alley est for oo ut there is an exciting brand-new festival for the South est called hooray and tickets are now on sale.
o ining usic, food, co edy and camping, Homestead will take place between uly at ernhill ar , inutes fro ristol t ro ises an inti ate weekend for ust , o er s the is the ‘all-inclusive’ ticket, which includes breakfast and loody arys, camping, access to all entertainment, talks and worksho s there’s no added ay ent for arking and ca er ans, or anything as elitist as a area
Homestead is the brainchild of ristol cou le ill and ess ardner, who ha e worked across any of the country’s ost revered festivals for over a decade hey’ e now turned their expertise, skills and connections to a project of their own, bringing together a line-up of outstanding co edy, li e usic and DJ talent while curating a arty that feels personal and welcoming.
o estead will ery sensi ly ha e a ig focus on food and the role it lays in bringing people together, with their Kitchen a le s ace a cosy arn s ace with lenty of co fy seating, which will lay host to a s ecial unday oast feast, as well as a wide range of food from expert chefs available all weekend.
ickets cost to see the full line-up and book, go to: www.homesteadfestival.co.uk
The road that leads from tentative pop-up to permanent bricks-and-mortar is a well-trodden one, and the latest local business to tread it is Ah-Ma’s, known for its superior Canontese cuisine.
Just opened in St Werburgh’s, CLOUDS is a dedicated dim sum restaurant, café and bar, founded and head cheffed y h a’s nita Cheung. The evening service has indie/low intervention wine pairings, there’s a weekend Yum ha hinese reakfast runch and an afforda le lunchti e offering and takeaway collection nita and her team will also continue to run their market stalls and catering service.
Oh, and the name? Clouds refers in part to the steam used to cook the dumplings, but also the illowy softness of the aos on the enu aos www.cloudsbristol.co.uk
he nal e er ro a ly e isode of Gavin & Stacey airs on hrist as day, so here’s a to ical arry a story you’re welco e orget rewdog it was all a out oodog, says , telling us with no s all hint of triu h that of rits are returning to cow’s milk after exploring lant ased alternati es n honour of this oo erang’, they artnered with arry to o en he oo nn in lagdon really ust he ew nn in cow’s clothing a icro ooery’ pop-up serving organic milk on tap, along with ilk ights with gastrono ilk’ tasting notes he o u is now closed, ut o iously eo’s la elessly organic ilks are still a aila le er ing ints of the white stuff at the launch, arry was clearly unfa ed y the grisly fate that once efell hi as a u landlord in EastEnders t’s a fa iliar role for e, and ’ e cited to e ack ehind the ar to o cially o en he oo nn, he said, ce t, instead of eer, ’ ser ing refreshing pints of milk, which taste as good as they look
Also except, instead of having his head bashed in with a bust of Queen Victoria, he was able to call last udders with no ominous doof-doofs whatsoever. www.yeovalley.co.uk
This one’s been in the pipeline for a while, but here’s a recap and an update.
Former prisoners will be hired to run KEY CAFÉ when it opens next year. The café is being set up with the aim of helping those recently released from jail to reintegrate into the community, offering them a fresh start and a chance to learn new skills in a supportive, practical setting.
The new café will be located on Gloucester Road, close to Bristol Prison (a handy daily reminder of the price of crime).
It’s a collaboration between Horfield-based social enterprise charity The Restore Trust and local businesses including Canton Tea and Triple Co Roast, who will fuel the café’s food and drink offering.
Preserves company Singe Variety will provide the jam as well as running hands-on jam-making workshops – you can also buy their Jail Jar Jam at Papadeli, with all proceeds going toward funding the project.
We’re not sure at this point whether porridge will feature on the menu, but all will surely be revealed when Key Café opens next April.
www.thekeybristol.com
PHOTO:MATTHEW HORWOOD/PINPEP
SPECIAL BRANCH
Openings from new people are always fun, but with a new branch of an established favourite you know exactly where you stand. Rush with impunity, then, to….
… the latest branch of the FED cafés, which have opened their fourth location –this time on Westbury-on-Trym’s Canford Lane. You know the USP: the most insanely tempting range of baked goods in ristol, ser ed in delightful, lant lled rooms with the delights chalked up on a big blackboard. You can order whole cakes and buy gift vouchers, too. www.fedcafe.co.uk
Is it the 1980s again? It must be, because simply everyone is opening a wine bar! It’s hard to keep up with TARE at Cargo. First they opened the really rather good Tare Restaurant, then they closed it, but opened Tare Bistro upstairs. Now they’ve opened Tare Bar on their original restaurant site still with us , offering carefully selected wines, cocktails, locally sourced spirits and superior bar snacks. Owner Matt Hampshire is pinning it as the place on the harbour where people can unwind, come together and tuck into so ething a it different to what else is on offer in the area www.tarerestaurant.co.uk
Wapping Wharf vegan burger joint VEBURGER is also opening a second, bigger site, on Whiteladies Road. Look out for mad giveaway deals such as 100 free burgers on opening day – stay tuned to their Instagram page for the date, but be warned: in Bristol, any announcement of free burgers tends to lead to a un ght n the eanti e, wra your laughing gear around one of their Christmas limited edition burgers, just landed: “Honestly, it’s all you guys are ordering,” they say.
@veburgeruk
MARMO has also opened a wine bar, underneath their very lovely Bib Gourmandrated restaurant on Baldwin Street. It’s an intimate and informal space, open on Friday and Saturday evenings, serving a regularly changing ar enu the rst one included puntarelle alla romana, smoked cod’s roe and crisps and taleggio toasties.
“We will be pouring an eclectic selection of wines by the glass, spontaneously selected from the cellar each night. Come for an apéro before your reservation upstairs, stay for a night cap afterwards or settle in for the evening,” say owners Lily and Cosmo, temptingly.
www.marmo.restaurant
PHOTO:
Meanwhile, with the help of investment by the Heineken-owned Star Pubs chain, Bristol landlord Sam Gregory has reopened the historic Hotwells hostelry THE ROSE OF DENMARK. Sam’s an old hand at the pint-pulling game, with neighbouring Hotwells pub Nova Scotia, Bank Tavern in Old City, The Bell in Kingsdown, The Sugarloaf in Easton and The Crown in St Jude’s in his growing portfolio.
The newly opened Rose describes itself a “neighbourhood pub for merriment, sports and food from our regular pop-ups”, which sounds suitably jolly. On Instagram @theroseofdenmarkpub
Meanwhile, the landlords of Redland’s The Shakespeare pub are preparing to open new wine bar TAPPS on Whiteladies Road, next to Pazzo. Scant details yet, but you know, it’s a wine bar. Follow their progress on Instagram at @tappswinebarandkitchen
The sourdoughnuts are back! Following the re that closed their Park Street bakery in 2023, PINKMANS are busily crowdfunding a new site in Stokes Croft. They’ve recently taken over the café in Bristol Cathedral, too, with an all-day menu in a space that opens to the tranquil cathedral gardens. Pop in for prayers (optional), stay for a toastie (recommended). www.pinkmans.co.uk
Finally, celebration cheese ‘cakes’ all round for the Wapping Wharf turophilles at THE BRISTOL CHEESEMONGER, who have now opened a second shop at 123 Gloucester Road. With far more room to play with than they have at their tiny Cargo site, there’s even talk of a pop-kitchen. They sell cool T-shirts, too. www.bristol-cheese.co.uk
You’ve heard of cup-a-soup, you’ve probably had a pot noodle in your time, but have you ever come across a mug biryani? This new addition to the BANDOOK menu is a one-cup wonder which comes with a choice of chicken drumstick or duck leg sealed within an edible pastry lid. The concept came to founder Moe Rahman while he was browsing through images of the Indian Sepoys, who fought alongside British soldiers during World War II. The Sepoys were pictured outside the Shah Jahan Mosque in Woking, bearing huge mugs of tea. And so the idea for The Mug Biryani was born… get it now at Bandook down Cargo; www.bandookkitchen.com
PHOTO: HARDIE GRANT BOOKS
Perfectly timed for Christmas is the opening of new deli ROOT AND , ust off he riangle on Bruton Place: a luxury food emporium dedicated to provenance and sustaina ility, offering gour et cured and smoked foods along with local produce and artisanal pantry supplies. Run by Jane Jago and son Freddie, the shop also has a smokery which yields the likes of smoked duck, chicken and enison the sho is also stuffed with the kind of tempting produce that would be a cinch for both the Christmas ta le and for stu ng stockings f you’re wondering what to get us we’ll take the sweet and savoury strawberry balsamic vinegar and a chocolate salami. We’re not sure what the mince pie caramel Christmas crackers are, but we think we want those too. www.rootandember.com
et ore e citing new a ours in store for s oiled Stokes Crofters as chef Oluwaseun Odunlamin prepares to open a Nigerian restaurant developed fro her e isting deli ery ser ice t’s called BEYOND TASTEE, which hopefully does what is says on the tin; the food on the website looks delish; and where else are you going to nd the likes of bitterleaf soup, moimoin, gidzdodo and goatmeat jollif without actually travelling to Lagos? www.beyondtastee.co.uk
he elsh are co ing again t’s not the rst time we’ve seen them staging a benign invasion of the local food scene – the team behind Bar 44 and The Clifton, for example, came from across the e ern and now oining the a a co es award winning ardiff street food ur eyors & FLANK, who have just taken over the kitchen at Kongs on King Street.
Fire & Flank cooks steak using the sous vide method, ensuring it comes out tender and medium rare; we’re guessing from the name that it’s then seared o er re, ut don’t uote us, inally it’s drizzled with chimichurri sauce, the recipe for which is jealously guarded. .fir an ank. o
AND BECAUSE IT’S ALMOST CHRISTMAS…
Just checking: got all your presents sorted?
If not, nil desperandum! This is a city of foodies, and who wouldn’t love to receive a voucher for one of Bristol’s top restaurants, a cake from FED, cheese from Bristol Cheesemonger or a basket of goodies from new shop Root and Ember? All covered in this feature, you’re welcome. Fancy a sneaky bit of self-gifting? The Ivy Collection has launched a limited edition £100 Sparkling Gift Card which gives back to the gift-giver, sending them a free bottle of The Ivy Cuvée. They’ll never know! www.gifts.ivycollection.com
There are loads of truly great Bristol recipe books, too; our favourites include Root by Rob Howell, Bar 44’s Tapas y
Copas, Eat Share Love by Kalpna Woolf, Let’s Eat! By Ellie Pear and all of Genevieve Taylor’s BBQ titles. Romy Gill’s recently published India: Recipes from Home takes you on a charming journey through the ancestral kitchens of the Bengal and Punjab region, where Romi discovered the true essence of home-cooked Indian cuisine. One for them, one for you?
Finally, how about gifting a cooking class at Pony Chew Magna, where Josh Eggleton and a bunch of Bristol allstars teach techniques in the purpose-built demo kitchen? www.theponychewvalley.co.uk/vouchers More classes ideas on page 54!
PHOTO: HARDIE GRANT BOOKS
CAFÉ SOCIETY STAN CULLIMORE
The Italian job
There’s a reason places like this win awards, you know
This issue’s coffee shop of choice is ocha ocha, sitting at the top of t ichaels ill, retty uch ne t door to the hite ear u eason the crew went along was because someone told me the place won Best Café in ristol in the ngland’s ational usiness wards
arently it was the second year they had won the award and I wanted to see if all the fuss and cele ration was warranted ell, and ’ ad ittedly gi ing it all away in the rst e
o fin a a r o an oo ar r a ingl superb and where the prices are decidedly modest is enough to make your day. Or your year”
sentences, ha e to say it de nitely was a ing isited a fair few of the ne caf s on offer in this e cellent old town of ours, can honestly say this place is at the tip-top of the game. alking in the door, you nd yourself enfolded in the war e race of a ty ically welco ing talian caf ull of hustle, ustle and fantastic s ells o, ig tick there e t thing you notice is the staff uick to s ile, eager to hel and full of friendly lo eliness nother ig tick nce you’ e gi en your drinks order, ne t order of usiness is nding the food to kee it co any hich is where the real fun egins hen we went, we were only looking for ele enses, so we settled for a nice slice of le on and lue erry loaf to go with our coffees All of which hit the bullseye eautifully et another tick f we had een e en the tiniest it hungrier, well, then the world of caf delights would ha e een our oyster irst thing you see when you look for food is a ountain of assorted baguettes and focaccia at eye le el ll of the stuffed to the ri with what look like fa llings ll a aila le to e eaten as they are, or toasted for e tra added tastiness o e honest, it’s uite hard to tear your eyes away fro the , ut you really ha e
to. Because high on the wall ehind the s iling staff, are a unch of oards offering fa alternati es to toasties aked otatoes, o elettes and reakfast co os asically, the food all looks and s ells scru tious nd we will e going ack to taste it h, yes nother assi e ig tick, right there If all of that was not enough to ake you wee with oy and congratulate the udges of the est af wards on their choice, you then notice the rices hich are ost reasona le or ally these days, in y e erience, a coffee is a it ore than three uid n this wonderful esta lish ent howe er, ost of the coffees see ed to e riced at a it under that ow, know it’s only a few ennies er cu ut still, to nd a caf where the coffee and food are screa ingly su er and where the rices are decidedly odest well, it’s enough to ake your day r your year ooks like we’ e got our work cut out in , eo le, trying to nd another caf as good as this – CS is open to suggestions… n
Former The Housemartins guitarist Stan Cullimore 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
When you pop your favourite bubbles this New Year’s Eve, offer up a quick prayer of thanks to the 16th-century monks of Limoux
Some of the most worldchanging inventions were happy accidents. Penicillin immediately springs to mind. Or X-Ray images. Then there’s the pacemaker, matches, icrowa e, s oke detector, elcro, dynamite, Post-It Notes, the potato crisp, chocolate-chip cookies. And how would millions of us start our day if John and Will Kellogg hadn’t accidentally left a pot of boiled grain on the stove for too long, thus creating the world’s rst corn ake
In 1531 near Limoux, France, Benedictine monks were busily making wine. In those days, all monks did was pray and make
wine. They needed wine for religious rituals; it was their duty to provide pilgrims with food and drink, and wealthy landowners would donate vineyards to abbeys in the hope of increasing their chances of getting to heaven.
One of the monks noticed that a batch of wine bottled and sealed a few months before had formed bubbles. The wine had stopped fermenting in the cold winter, but when the temperatures rose with spring, fermentation had started again. This was not good – surely the wine had spoiled. But when he opened it, it tasted great! And all those bubbles created a lovely sensation on his tongue. And so,
sparkling wine was invented. That way of getting into wine is now called Methode Ancestrel.
Champagne’s method is more complicated. A white wine is made in a barrel or tank then transferred to a bottle with more yeast and sugar, creating a second fermentation. The yeast that’s trapped in the bottle breaks down, releasing tiny amounts of sugar, fatty acids and amino acids. We sense these compounds as texture and inter ret aro as and a ours as toast, biscuit, brioche and bread. Through a process called riddling re ned y ada e eu e Cliquot, but that’s too long a story for this article’s word count), the bottle is very slowly moved from its hori ontal osition to a ertical one, gradually moving the dead yeast to the neck of the bottle. he neck is then fro en, creating a plug of iced yeast – the bottle is popped (disgorged) and that plug pops out. A small amount of sugar and water may be added to the wine to replace that popped-out ice and to add sweetness. And there, in one paragraph, is the Methode Champenoise, aka Methode Traditionnelle, aka Traditional Method.
The Traditional Method is used to make other great wines including Cava (fantastic value), Crémant (a great alternative to Champagne if you want more bang for buck), Franciacorta (an Italian sparkling wine you should seek out), and many English sparkling wines. f you refer your fruitier and fresher, go for Prosecco. Called either the Charmat or Tank Method, that second fermentation takes places in a big stainless-steel tank, and the wine is then bulkltered, taking out all that dead yeast (German Sekt is also made
this way). Though it has its critics, a good Prosecco is fresh, fruity and y what’s not to like
So which sparkling wine should you e drinking this hrist as If you’re hosting the whole family y reco endation is to nd a good value bottle for everyone (Aldi has some really good low-price options), and splash out on a treat for yourself to enjoy either before they arrive, or once you’ve turfed them out and you’ve got the house back to yourself. For example:
I Wish I Was A Ninja, Testalonga (Methode Ancestrel)
The perfect bottle for Christmas morning. At 9.5% it’s low in alcohol (don’t go too big too early), has a lovely sweetness, and beautiful wrapping with that label! In terms of taste, think Appletiser for grownups. This is a Pet Nat, which is the modern-take on the Methode Ancestrel (those monks back in Limoux).
Blanc de Noirs, Ancre Hill (Methode Traditionnelle)
Wales’s answer to Champagne is a Christmas cracker. This is 100% Pinot Noir (hence Blanc de Noirs – white of black) and has sensational nutty and biscuity aromas, with fruity notes of apple and citrus.
Col del Lupo Prosecco Superiore Extra Dry (Charmat Method)
We don’t stock much Prosecco at KASK, so when we do, you know it’s a good one. Elegant and harmonious, this has notes of apple, fresh pear and peach, and a hint of acacia that makes it sing.
Buy all these wines from KASK this Christmas, either by popping into the bar or heading to www.kaskwine.co.uk
FASHION
THE GLITTERATI
Because sequins are life, not just for New Year’s Eve
By Marianne Cantelo
With our alarm clocks rudely waking us while the sulky, somnolent sky outside is dark and unwelcoming, it’s a struggle to resist the cocooning comfort of the bed covers. Facing the weather lottery and twitching aside the curtains, you may reveal driving, drenching rain or hair whipping wind. Even on the brightest of days, quick surveillance spots treacherous ice on mirrorlike pavements and leaves frozen to a crunch, scattered recklessly by the trees to trip, trap and thwart your movements.
Unfortunately the option to hibernate isn’t open to us humans and instead of hopping back into bed and nestling in ourbed linen until spring, we need a few psychological tricks to make us feel ready to go outside. Materials and textiles that are as appealing as duvets and pillows, keeping us safe against the elements but
often lack lustre, colour or style. As always, we can learn lessons from nature to help us decorate and warm ourselves, during these bleak mid-winters when frosty winds make moan.
Like raindrops on a spider web, sequins return to our clothing, year after year – practically useless, but brightening our clothes and mood like little solar shards. Do you dare adorn yourself with them during the day? To maximise what diminishing sun we have, it seems like a moral obligation to spread happiness by wearing them as much as you can. If you pair a gold sequin jacket with cobwebby soft wool or jersey trousers in tau e or crea , it’s effortlessly casual glamour. Reverse the look and try a sequin trouser or skirt and enjoy the swish as you walk, evoking the sound of whisking your way through fallen leaves, and scattering sunshine in your wake. If the thought of being a walking disco ball isn’t your thing, a mini-bag with over-
sized sequins is a great nod to that Paco Rabanne giant sequin mini dress (Google if you aren’t sure – you’ll know the one ), instant luminosity without projecting attention seeking vibes.
“Like raindrops on a spider web, sequins return to our clothing”
While most of the trees have shed their leaves, they compensate with icy, gem-bedecked ranches are eauty enhanced e ect this mood and don’t reserve your statement sparkling earrings for the New Year’s Eve party; wear them day and night and atter your skin with your own portable lighting. Add more colour and dimension to your wintry knits by stacking bangles on your arms, or if you are more minimalist, add a simple gold and crystal bracelet for a subtle twinkle. Necklaces are big and bold this winter and the you can literally capture the sunshine in pendants and necklaces with huge gold discs referencing Mayan art, these look radiant juxtaposed with otherwise moody, earth tweeds and inky night-sky blacks.
Consider the beauty of evergreens in the winter, and let art imitate life by crowning your hair with a bejewelled head band or tiara, frosting your owntresses and bringing a little more joy to the everyday.
Embellishment shouldn’t be restricted to jewellery, and if you prefer to keep your hands and hair free from annoyance, opt for a beaded belt or bag. Oversized belts are everywhere this season and you can elevate and update your old winter coat by cinching it in with a brazen and blingy buckle that brightens and blazes out into the dull world.
So for those walks through the woods on these cold winter days, to witness the tender last offerings of oss and lichen that te er the hard crisp ground and shrubs, think cosy and opulent – wrap yourself in rich velvet and fake fur in forest green,berry like dark blues, and damson-y ur les hen, for that agical nishing touch, just add a little sparkle.
Marianne Cantelo is the business development project manager for Dorothy House Hospice Care. The charity has 25
shops across the region selling fantastic pre-loved items, which provide a large part of its income, plus it also has an online shop. For more: www.dorothyhouse.org.uk your own
Photograph: Egle Vasi; www.eglevasi.com
Hair and make up: Chantelle Moody
Models: Tash Kings and Angelica Baines
Styling: Marianne Cantelo and Eleanor Tasker
Clothes: Sourced from Dorothy House charity shops; www.dorothyhouse.shop
MBST: HELPING PATIENTS WITH HIP ARTHRITIS
We’ve been using MBST in Bristol for almost 8 years now and have treated over 2,000 patients.
The principles are the same as MRI, using the same energy and method to get energy into cells. Where it differs is that MRI uses a much higher dose and extracts 10% of the energy to form an image.
MBST however (using much lower doses over longer periods) tunes the energy into damaged cells which has been proven to create an environment of resetting and re synchronisation of the abnormal and in ammatory functions of these stressed cells. This leads to cell healing, which leads to healthy cell production and tissue healing.
Here we have 2 examples of treatment for mild to moderate hip arthritis...
An award-winning innovative treatment for: osteoarthritis | back & disc problems | bone conditions & fractures | cartilage damage | ligament, tendon & muscle damage | sports & accident injuries.
Alan is currently mid way through the process of treatment. In 50% of cases it takes a few months for the healing to bring results, but in the other 50% people notice changes far more quickly. Here’s what he has to say.
“Half way through my course of MBST therapy, I am already noticing changes in my arthritic right hip as it starts to respond to the treatment in a number of ways. The dull ache has reduced and the joint feels more relaxed. Freedom of movement is better and the tell-tale limp is less pronounced. Even the simple act of putting on my socks is noticeably easier. I am so excited about the longer term benefits this regenerative treatment is going to bring.”
At the other end of the treatment process: Jennifer came to me with an X-ray report showing mild to moderate osteoarthritis of the hips giving her 4-7 out of ten pain and was limiting her standing, getting in and out of the car and walking. It also hurt at night. I’ve just discharged her pain free 8 months after hip cartilage treatment. She’s been good for the last 5 months and doesn’t really think about her hips. Over 90% of cases I take on respond like this. It definitely steers people away from more significant interventions.
to us today
STRONGER BONES, SAFER TESTS
Echolight
The cutting-edge bone health assessment tool, Echolight, is coming to Bristol.
Using revolutionary R.E.M.S Technology, Echolight delivers an instant, radiation-free ultrasound to assess bone mineral density (BMD) and quality in just 80 seconds for the spine and 40 seconds for the femur.
Safe for Everyone
Whether you’re at risk for osteoporosis, have a history of cancer treatments, or are pregnant, Echolight is a safe and effective choice for assessing bone health.
We go beyond diagnosis with tools to help reverse osteoporosis through:
Tailored nutrition plans ✓
Expert exercise advice ✓
Groundbreaking MBST therapy ✓
FDA-approved
Proven precision for reliable bone health assessments
Radiation-free
Safe for all – even during pregnancy and illness
Fast and accurate
Faster and more accurate than DEXA scans and results in seconds
THE BIG FINISH
Want a home that lives up to the pictureperfect images you see in magazines like, well, this one? Then we have, I’m afraid, a wake-up call: you can’t, at least not consistently. But you can get close. The secret’s in the styling, the fun stuff you do in the last week of a project, or when prepping for a sale. Here’s how…
By Kirsty Lake
Interior styling isn’t quite the same thing as interior design, but the Venn diagrams certainly overlap – and everyone gets confused etween the anyway he ig difference, of course, is that what I do as an interior designer is permanent – or semi-permanent. It’s certainly designed to last. Styling, however, is transitory, here for a day or a week or a season; if you think of it in terms of fashion, I make the clothes, then the stylist pairs them with models or hairstyles or makeup or accessories to have them look their very best. n the ho e, styling lies in the nishing touches those additions and rejigs that brings a room alive. It is, you could say, the fun stuff
Here at The Curator’s House life’s been following a common mid-winter path: we’ve been tidying up last year’s ro ects, and working on the rst stages of this year’s nd so, as we wra u a few large installs, we’re now nally getting to the styling phase, after all those long months of work, rocure ent, endless deli eries to e taken in and so much packaging to be got rid of…
But hurrah, the rooms are now pretty much complete; just a little soulless, ay e fter all, no ody’s actually li ing there yet ith one last layer added, however – all those plants, pictures, accessories and ooks each sche e will nally tie together he result ho e, not a series of hotel rooms.
Some clients, of course, have a wealth of interesting pieces they’ve collected over the years, telling of travels and hobbies, work achievements and family stories; if so, great – they’re an excellent place to start. Others, however, have very little of that, providing a completely blank canvas for us to curate.
e use te ture, colour, for and light to ring e erything to life, alongside a series of hand-picked pieces to make your eye travel around the room; the idea is not to dominate, but rather to create small vignettes and areas of interest. These accessories should act together as a collective, creating a look and feel that complements the furniture.
Much of this is common sense, really. Rattan boxes will rarely work in a sleek, high gloss space; equally, gleaming polished metal trinkets and cut crystal may not sit comfortably in a cosy cottage aesthetic. Though, of course, never say never: some rules can be pushed and pulled at more than others – and I’ve yet to meet one that can’t be broken entirely, if you’re brave, bold and lucky. (Having been born with su re e, ground reaking good taste hel s here too, of course
The rule, then, is that there are no strict rules – but there are wise things to bear in mind.
s with clothing accessories, don’t add too uch less is often ore, and as you minimise how much clutter there is in each space, individual elements start to have room to breathe.
Sculptural pieces add a high-end hint of luxury; the more unique they are, the more likely they’ll become a talking point. So give them space, and give them light. This can easily be forgotten, but one of my mantras is: if you’ve invested in a piece you love, light it well.
Styling isn’t just for the days before you move in, of course – or for those rare occasions when you’re trying to sell a house. Indeed, if you’ve lived in your property a long time, it may be the perfect moment for a reshu e, ust to freshen e erything u and erha s hel you fall in love with your home all over again.
Move that vase that’s been in the bedroom for years across to the lounge; switch the plants around; make a new space for books in the dining room or hallway. Just jiggle things about, without necessarily buying any additional items, until it all starts to feel fresh and new again.
o nd out a little ore a out styling, had a chat with to ristol ased ho e stylist ollie Kingston, which you’ll nd o osite
Kirsty Lake is Creative Director at The Curator’s House; 01225 696996 www.thecuratorshouse.co.uk
Create small vignettes and add areas of interest. As with clothing, less is often more
CAUGHT MY EYE
Kirsty’s interiors edit for February
1. Bloomingville Toscana Throw by Mon Pote, in blue stripe, £29; www.monpote.co.uk
2. Blue Splatterware Enamel Pitcher Jug by The Bristol Artisan, £57; www.thebristolartisan.com
3. Astell Crystal Amber Vase (Medium) by Liang and Eimil at Sweatpea & Willow, £380; www.sweetpeaandwillow.com
THREE’S COMPANY
A trio of top tips for styling your home…
1 Use a tray
This is a great way to cut down on visual clutter, while grounding your decor at the same time. And it works in the same way that a picture looks best in a frame: you put a tray (or basket, or bin) on a table, say, then place items within it. On a coffee table, for instance, one tray might hold candles, reading glasses and remotes, and another books and magazines. In the kitchen, a tray by the hob might contain oils, spices and wooden spoons, and another by the sink house all your soaps and sponges.
2 Create visual triangles
This really comes into its own when taking photographs of a room, but works amazingly in ‘real life’ too. It’s basically a way of grouping items so they relate to each other and hang together in a pleasing fashion, creating a frame of sorts and leading the eye around a space. Staggered heights and differing sizes work best, as does overlapping and odd numbers: group items in threes, or fives. (After all, most of your furniture is four-sided and at least a little boxy, so simple triangle shapes can add variety.)
3 Asymmetry is your friend
It’s also a great pal to the rule of triangles, above. By playing with shape, scale, height, even texture, a room starts to sing. So: a large sofa looks great alongside a smaller, off-centre chair; one big picture works well opposite several little ones with a similar combined visual weight; a small bright red item can balance out a much larger taupe one. Balance creates harmony, yes – but it doesn’t mean everything has to look the same on both sides of the room.
“REALLY GET TO KNOW WHO A SPACE IS FOR”
For Hollie Kingston, a freelance stylist working across the south of England from her Bristol base, houseplants are heaven and natural light is key
Hollie has a background in textile design, show homes and visual merchandising, and works with clients fro ukka er s to u i l these days she combines her art direction and styling services with developing Formé, her range of art pieces for the home – key pieces include desktop mobiles in soft shapes and muted colours.
So, you’re styling a property, Hollie. What are the first things you do?
I really get to know who the space is for. Does it need to lend itself to a wide demographic, or can it e ore ersonal and s eci c tend to look at lighting early on, too ’ really drawn to spaces with lots of natural light and so, on a ersonal le el, it’s often the rst thing notice f there isn’t a huge a ount of light co ing in, ’ll focus on how can est illu inate the s ace, using irrors to re ect where light is li ited and otherwise create warmth. This can be as simple as introducing plenty of soft furnishings where it might feel overly bright or stark.
Who instructs you to style a property, and why?
My background is mainly in styling homes to make them ready for sale, having worked in-house styling show homes for several years. But I love seeing spaces that are loved and lived in y clients too, so it’s not ust ho e staging’, as we call it.
Once you get going, what does the process look like?
fter getting a clear icture of y clients’ needs and budget, I generally start by creating a mood board of images and key pieces to source for the space, including lighting, artwork, soft furnishings and accessories. I start by highlighting the main function of the room, pick the key features to use as the focal oint, and work fro there s ’ very conscious of the impact my work has on environmental consumption, I try to incorporate a range of old and new pieces where possible. Houseplants have become such a key feature in all our homes, and I rarely do a scheme where there isn’t so e greenery as it uite literally brings life into a home. Real plants are preferable ut, where needed, a good su lier of arti cial foliage can e a ga e changer here’s so uch oor uality stuff out there that needs swer ing
How would styling an interior for living in differ to styling it for a photoshoot?
hen styling for a li ed in s ace, it’s i ortant to prioritise functionality and longevity as well as aesthetics. Styling for a photoshoot, you think less
a out how that s ace ight e li ed in o there’s little need for durability in the fabrics and soft furnishings, for example – the focus will be purely on creating the most visual impact.
After styling show homes for years, it took some adjustment to work on editorials for magazines, where the space is only ever seen on the page. In some ways this can be easier, of course, as you don’t need to consider the natural ow of the room and can focus purely on creating the best composition for an image. And you have skilled photographers on hand, who know how to work magic with lighting themselves, completely transforming the outcome.
Our homes, and the ways we use them, are changing: has this impacted on what you do?
Styling a property can really highlight the multiple functions of a room, particularly where space is limited. We are now using our homes as workspaces more and more, and making extensive improvements more often than we’re u si ing and this often in ol es really maximising the space, and highlighting the otential that’s already there es, it’s often a out increasing a ho e’s alue, ut what do is becoming more than that – though, of course, still eet ost of y new clients when they’re selling their house, a time when styling services become key.
Finally, what tips would you give to someone looking to style their property for sale?
would say declutter t sounds o ious, ut it’s y far the easiest and ost cost effecti e thing you can do when ho ing to sell your ro erty, so it’s still the best place to start. Remarkably, though, it often gets o erlooked hen you’re uying a ho e, you’re looking at the o erall s ace so that’s e actly what you need to see
Our homes are often deeply personal (as they should e , ut that eans they’re full of stuff learing the clutter fro the kitchen and athroo surfaces, coffee ta le, windows and shelves – and leaving just a few larger pieces in the living area, like a fruit bowl, books, a plant or a ase can ake a huge difference, and allows potential buyers to see themselves in the space that much easier.
For more, www.holliekingston.com
Table styling shots: Gabriella Jackson www.gabriellajackson.com
Open plan white marble and wood kitchen: Daniel Wright Photography, @danielwrightphotography
CLASS ACTS
Fancy learning a new skill in 2025? Whether you fancy something arty or foodie, or straight-up educational, you won’t struggle to nd a course that ts the ill
It’s a it of a clich , ut the new year is an ideal ti e to take stock and decide what you want from the next 12 months. A new career? Or ay e a new interest or ho y here’s no etter way to kickstart change than to sign up for a course or class – the city has far too many options for us to cover in a few pages, so here’s just a taster.
ART AND CRAFTS
1. Bristol Folk House
a on offer Daytime, evening and weekend workshops in arts, crafts, languages, ottery, usic, dance, writing and well eing
They say: “Our motto is Learning for Pleasure. We provide a welcoming environment for anyone aged over 18 wishing to explore their creativity and learn new skills; for most of our courses you do not need any previous experience, and we hope to inspire people to enjoy the creative learning rocess here are also ore ad anced classes on offer a a e e e a As an institution, BFH has existed for o er years t has o er tutors, all e erts in their eld and is ery acco odating to different a ilities and learning styles tudent nu ers are limited to ensure small classes. ny n e e he onsite caf ar ser es egetarian food, drinks and cake a cosy s ace to get together efore and after classes
Good to know: On 9 March BFH will host a free open day. 40a Park Street; www.bristolfolkhouse.co.uk
2. Bristol Improv Theatre
a on offer heatre chool at the K’s rst full ti e theatre dedicated to the art of i ro isation, offering worksho s and courses
They say: hether you’re looking to oost con dence, unleash creati ity or ust ha e fun, our classes are the erfect lace to start hey’re o en to anyone o er , fro a solute eginners to seasoned erfor ers ro isation isn’t ust for the stage it’s a rilliant way to de elo co unication, colla oration and creati ity, all while ha ing a laugh a a e e e a ourses are taught y rofessional i ro isers with years of e erience, who are assionate a out creating a fun, supportive environment in which participants can thrive. Good to know he ristol ro heatre uilds co unity you’ll lea e not only with new a ilities ut also new friends and connections 50 St Paul’s Road; www.improvtheatre.co.uk
3. Bristol Upholstery Collective
a on offer A team of expert tutors and guest lecturers, who along with owner eigh nne readwell share their creati e u holstery skills
They say: e elie e in deli ering high uality, en oya le education in heritage craft skills with a sustaina le focus through a rogra e of courses, masterclasses and events we welcome all to the world of creative u holstery
a a e e e a hey host the K’s ost s ecialist guest lecturers, allowing the extra-geeky and craft-curious to expand their range. ny n e e he studio offers a well e ui ed and colourful learning en iron ent at ristol’s new raft ell eing estination, tudios
Nice to know: They’re celebrating their 10th anniversary with special events, exhibitions and masterclasses and all students will receive a thankyou gift when booking onto a course during 2025.
Unit 26, Barton Hill Trading Estate, www.bristolupholsterycollective.com
4. The Makershed
a on offer Woodwork and furniture-making classes focusing on the use of traditional hand tools and joinery techniques.
They say: “Our mission is to help people discover what they can make and what they can do, to ena le the to e erience the ow of aking by hand and the achievement of having made something useful and tangible or creative.”
a a e e e a Classes are open to all adults and are suitable for both complete beginners and more experienced makers wanting to hone their joinery skills.
Good to know hey offer a friendly and inclusi e teaching en iron ent and a wide range of class o tions at afforda le rices St Paul’s Leisure Centre, 94 Grosvenor Road; www.themakershed.co.uk
5. Royal West of England Academy
a on offer Art classes, unsurprisingly.
They say: he rawing chool is a ur ose uilt studio offering everything from drawing to painting, sculpture, printmaking, and mixed media for all abilities. With over 30 classes each term, within the inspiring surroundings, you’ll nd no etter lace to s ark your creati ity o are ey or Anyone from complete beginners to artists, art students or hobbyists. While most classes are term-time courses designed for adults, there are also creative sessions for under 18s during school holidays.
a a e e e a Every class is taught by artists with extensive expertise and a passion for teaching. Class sizes are small, typically 10–12 participants, and in most cases, materials are provided. ny n e e Prefer to stay at home? There’s also a selection of Zoom classes available next spring term.
Good to know: RWA has been delivering art classes for over 100 years. Queen’s Road; www.rwa.org.uk
6. Zed Alley Clayhouse
a on offer Pottery classes within a restored Georgian building between Bristol Beacon and the Christmas Steps. Courses run from halfday taster sessions to a 12-week general course.
They say: “Our aim is to provide a nurturing environment for people to get messy and creative, and to enjoy being part of a community of claylovers. Our courses are for over-18s who are enthusiastic to try something creative, make time for themselves and escape screens and busy lives. We welcome complete beginners, but the courses are all structured to allow those with some experience to go at their own pace.”
a a e e e a Classes are taught by professional local otters in eautifully tted out and dedicated learning s aces, and grou sizes are small. They also have a spacious and well-equipped members’ studio for anyone ready to work independently.
Good o no Pottery is becoming increasingly popular as people recognise the hysical and e otional ene ts of working with clay I Host Street; www.zedalleyclayhouse.com
COOKING
7. The Pony Chew Magna
a on offer: A range of classes taught by top chefs. o e or Anyone – there are even dedicated classes for kids. They say: e offer a range of e eriences, fro worksho s and classes to tasting evenings, with chef demos and hands-on classes. We’ll teach you how to hone your cookery skills and learn new kitchen tricks.”
a a e e e a The calibre of the chefs and the range of the classes, held in the purpose-built demo kitchen. ny n e e The Pony is set in the idyllic surroundings of the Chew Valley. The restaurant’s not too shabby, either.
Good to know: You can buy vouchers for the classes – the perfect Christmas gift for the foodie in your life, no?
a on offer Cookery classes at The Mazi Project’s new kitchen in Bedminster. Recent classes have focused on Sudanese, Egyptian and Turkish cooking.
They say: “Our mission is to support and celebrate migrants on their journey to employment and integration. We believe in harnessing the unifying power of food to bridge divides and promote unity.”
a a e e e a There’s no better way to learn the secrets of authentic, global home cooking.
Good to know: Next up is Kurdish Cookery Class with Ali on 23 January. Whitehouse Lane, www.migrateful.org
9. The Global Larder
a on offer Chef Peter Lien runs morning and afternoon courses for both adults and children, from pasta-making to sushi-making, Mexican food and ‘curries of the world’.
Pete says: “My Chinese and Indian heritage fuels my love of spices and e citing a our co inations erything teach is designed for the ho e cook; above all else, I love teaching enthusiastic cooks with open minds and adventurous taste buds.”
a a e e a Pete studied the Leiths School of Food & Wine, where he graduated as the Laurent Perrier Student of the Year. He went on to work for some of the biggest names in cookery, running the Women’s Institute’s cookery school, and more recently teaching for Gordon Ramsay. He even picked up a national teaching award along the way.
Good to know: You can also take online classes from the comfort of your own kitchen; there are ‘supper clubs’ too, where cooks from around the world guide you through a new recipe, all in real-time. Westbury Road, www.globallarder.com
EDUCATION
10. Bristol Adult Learning
13. Partners in Bristol
a on offer Independent training for adults, designed to give them skills to progress their career in the right direction.
a on offer One of the biggest providers of adult leisure learning in the area with a huge range of day, evening and weekend courses. They say: “There are hundreds of courses, from one-day workshops to term-long programmes. Our classes are fun and friendly, and human connection is a big part of the learning experience.”
a a e e e a The main base at Stoke Lodge is a GradeII building buzzing with activity but surrounded by peaceful green space. Good to know: hey ha e een offering courses for o er years Shirehampton Road, www.bristolcourses.com
11. University of Bristol short English courses
a on offer Part-time short courses in creative writing for adults. They say: “We aim to support, inspire and create opportunities through courses for anyone wishing to develop their skills in a friendly and enriching environment, explore their potential and meet likeminded people.
Good to know: Most of the courses are open to all with no prior e erience or uali cations re uired
a a e e e a The opportunity to study at Universitylevel with expert tutors at a time that suits you. School of Humanities, 3-5 Woodland Road; www.bristol.ac.uk/english
12. Greenhouse Learning & Bristol Tutors
a on offer reenhouse earning offers tutoring and entoring to support children and young people who may be struggling to engage with ainstrea school ristol utors offers ri ate tuition to students who might be looking to catch up at school or prepare for exams.
They say: “Our tailored approach is what makes our classes special. e carefully select the est t tutor or entor for the student, based on their interests and personality as well as their academic needs, and then plan a personalised programme to suit the requirements of the individual.”
ny n e e hey are a le to offer su ort for a wide range of SEND and SEMH needs.
84 Gloucester Road; www.greenhouselearning.co.uk
They say: “The majority of the courses are completely free and designed to t around your needs he classes ro ide eo le with a rilliant opportunity to progress their careers and transform their futures thanks to its skill ased training offering across a ultitude of sectors
a a e e e a Partners in Bristol delivers independent, solutions-focused training designed to help people retrain, reskill and enter the workforce, as well as providing crucial skills that businesses need.
Union Gallery, www.partnersinbristol.co.uk
14. South Gloucestershire and Stroud College
a on offer A wide range of educational full-time and part-time courses, apprenticeships, university-level degrees, and professional training, for learners of all ages and backgrounds – no matter where someone is in their educational or career journey.
They say: “Our mission is to inspire and empower individuals, helping them achieve their personal, academic, and professional goals. SGS is about more than just education—we’re about community, opportunity, and transformation. Whether you’re just starting your journey or looking to take the next step, SGS College is here to help.”
a a e e e a The diverse range of opportunities, from entry le el uali cations to degree rogra es
ny n e e The campuses have industry-standard workshops, labs, and state of the art s aces, offering real world learning e eriences
Good to know: Their partnerships with local and national employers enhance learning and create job-ready graduates.
Filton Avenue, www.sgscol.ac.uk
ABSOLUTELY EVERYTHING ELSE
15. Yuup
hate er your interest you’ll nd a class to suit you at uu , the ristol online e erience site offering inde endent courses on arts, crafts, cooking, exercise, health and wellbeing; with hundreds of classes, courses and e eriences on offer we can ’t e en egin to co er the range, so head o er to www.yuup.co – ideal for last-minute Christmas gift ideas, too. n
SNAPPED
ACROSS BRISTOL, ONE SHINDIG AT A TIME
STARRY, STARRY NIGHT
Eleanor Tomlinson, cast, crew, friends and press freeloaders all celebrated the opening night of Reverberation at Bristol Old Vic with a suitably exuberant bash
by Ben Robins www.benrobinsphoto.com @ benrobinsphotography
Bernard Donaghue and Matthew López
Gabrielle Sheppard and guest
Eleanor Tomlinson Caitlin Anniss and Helen Couchman
Jack Gibson and Verity Thompson Jack Sain and James Graham
Photos
Michael Ahomka-Lindsay and Sopé Dìrísù
Nancy Medina, with the cast, director and writer of Reverberation
Leila Sykes, Louise Rippley Duggan and Bebe Sanders
Reverberation press night party
RAISE THE ROOF!
Another year, another massive celebration at the Bristol Property Awards
Back for another year, and with hundreds of leading gures fro the sector in attendance, the Bristol Property Awards returned to Ashton ate tadiu on o e er to recognise achie e ents fro a restigious array of property professionals in the region. Here’s a look at the day’s proceedings.
With the largest set of categories to date, ranging fro ci ic and sustaina ility to rising stars and national powerhouses, and a quality nu er of no inations and nalists, this year’s ristol ro erty wards were older and ore rilliant than e er efore as hundreds descended u on shton ate to cele rate this thri ing local sector
The day launched with networking, social drinks and lunch efore the cere ony got underway. This year our hosts were edia lash anaging director te h odd and DIY SOS’s Mark Millar, with a fantastic
o ening s eech fro ick icer on ehalf of Your Eco, the headline sponsor.
n ehalf of Bristol Life, a huge congratulations to the a a ing winners a di erse and dyna ic asse lage of co anies and usiness leaders, all of who are shaping Bristol’s property course with outstanding e ciency
ecial recognition goes to the ins iring tea at e elo ents, who won not only the e elo er ward, ut also the o erall inner of inners ward for the ost uni ersally agreed u on achie e ent of the year he udges had this to say lans to last ristol onto the a ts work at ra a on is argua ly the city’s ost a itious ro ect and will e worth the wait
s is traditional at the wards, the cere ony was ust one ele ent of the e ent he ro erty industry is renowned for its energy and socia ility, and this cere ony was no e ce tion colleagues, clients and co anions ca e
together, uilt contacts and laid the foundation for future plans.
Bristol Life was a ong any usinesses supporting these Awards, which are of i ense ene t to the co unity and the organisers ha e a itions to ro ide an e en larger i act on the sector in
On the following pages you will see the full set of winners along with attendee ics fro the day Kee an eye out for ore ro erty e ents fro us, with not only the ne t wards returning in autu n , ut the annual ro erty y osiu , featuring s art cities, ne t ril e ho e to see e eryone there
For more: www.bristolpropertyawards.co.uk
BRISTOL PROPERTY AWARDS 2024 WINNERS!
The judges faced some tough decisions, but after much debate, here are their choices…
ONE TO WATCH – COTTERELL AND COTTERELL COMMERCIAL FINANCE
RESIDENTIAL DEVELOPMENT –MCARTHURS YARD BY NASH PARTNERSHIP, HILL GROUP AND GUINESS PARTNERSHIP
RISING STAR – LAURA STEPHENS, INTERACTION (HIGHLY COMMENDED: JACK DAVIES, RIDGE AND PARTNERS)
TRANSFORMATION – BRISTOL DENTAL SCHOOL BY BUILDING DESIGN PARTNERSHIP
PARTNERSHIPS – VISTRY GROUP (BRISTOL REGION) AND PARTNERS (HIGHLY COMMENDED: BRISTOL CITY COUNCIL CAPITAL PROJECTS STRATEGIC PARTNERSHIP WITH ARCADIS, ARUP & MOTT MACDONALD)
RESIDENTIAL DEVELOPMENT –THE OLD BREWERY BY ABRI HOMES
SUPPLIERS AND SERVICES –ALIDE HIRE
WORKSPACES – SQUARE WORKS
RESIDENTIAL AGENT – MISSIATO ESTATES
RESIDENTIAL INTERIOR DESIGNER – IVYWELL INTERIORS
SUSTAINABILITY –AUTOGRAPH HOMES
WINNER OF WINNERS –YTL DEVELOPMENTS
HOT PROPERTY!
Bristol’s property professionals descended on Ashton Gate Stadium on 29 November for the return of the prestigious Bristol Property Awards. This celebratory event was hosted by MediaClash managing director Steph Dodd, and Mark Millar. Guests enjoyed a champagne reception, threecourse lunch and the awards ceremony. Thank you also to the amazing judges: Ben Giles, Dan Haines, Joe Oksien, Katie Corbett, Matthew Edis, Melissa Haskell and Rachel Lillie.
Photos by Jon Craig Photography (p67) and
JOURNEY TO THE JOB
ROBERT TAYLOR-SOUTHALL
The director and store manager at Zebel Bristol has been working in the menswear/tailoring industry for almost a decade.
“Istarted in Zebel way back as a part-timer when the company was rst concei ed, says Rob. “As of anuary , was rought on as a director and gi en the honour of creating and leading our latest store here in the heart of ristol
How and when did the company begin?
e started ack in in ondon, fro hu le eginnings, as isiting tailors making use of hotels and coffee sho s to ser e our custo ers From there we opened our two original stores in Soho and Exeter –
and now our latest endea our, the Bristol store which opened in June last year.
How many people does it employ?
di erse tea of indi iduals, hailing fro countries as aried as taly, ong Kong, oland, and ri anka ’ ri ileged to work alongside such a wonderful bunch of people.
Zebel is an intriguing name –where does it come from? Originating from the Farsi language, loosely translating to s art, cheeky, agile o ething our teams embody!
What is Zebel’s mission statement?
We are a luxury suiting company that cares rst and fore ost a out our customer experience. Our dedicated team is committed to ro iding ersonalised guidance throughout your entire tailoring journey. From the initial consultation to the nal tting, they’ll e there e ery ste of the way, ensuring co lete satisfaction
How do you manage to deliver high-quality tailoring at a competitive price?
ur ricing is on the fairer side, so you won’t e walking away with a , ill unless you want to, of course ricing for a ade to measure suit starts from just £550 using 100% Australian wool. We also offer choices fro the est collection of fabric merchants the world has to offer ricing ranges fro , , lus
How does it benefit Zebel to be part of a small chain?
Being an independent/small chain is a big thing for us. We elie e e eryone deser es a es oke e erience, and that’s what we try to offer e o ing the cor orate uff allows us to focus on our customers as well as being co etiti e with our ricing
What’s in the range at the Bristol store?
ur off the eg collection includes a di erse range of colours and weights, fro lightweight linens to hea ier annels and tweeds e also offer a curated selection of ele ated business and dinner suits if time is of the essence. When it comes to our made-to-measure and bespoke ser ices, the ossi ilities are endless, with o er , fa rics at your disposal.
Do you have a favourite suit from the range?
ff the eg ’d ha e to say the aletta is y fa ourite ich, crea y tones i ed with accentuated talian styling n the world of custo suiting ’d ha e to say y idnight na y annel fro iella, taly is the frontrunner ay e iased ecause it’s the suit kee ing e war est at this time of year.
Do fashions in suits change very much over the years?
Suits are a style staple and quite ti eless in design, ut that’s not to say as ects of the ha en’t changed he t changes ore than the style e’ e li ed through the skinny suit era and ha e o ed ack into ore comfortable silhouettes and drapes.
Women’s suits seem always to be either trouser suits or mini-skirt suits – can we hope to see the return of more kneelength suits?
ur wo en’s range far e ceeds the restrictions of the traditional asculine suit hether that’s a skirt of any length, or wide illowy trousers, cro ed ackets, aired with i rant colours and te tures, the possibilities are endless.
Does Zebel have its eyes on further expansion?
e er say ne er e’re always thinking a out new entures and opportunities so if the timing is right we could de nitely see ore stores in our future.
Anything else you’d like to tell us about Zebel Bristol?
e’re o en se en days a week and are always happy to see new faces. We can look a bit intimidating from the outside ut e eryone is welco e Zebel, 12 Philadelphia Street, Broadmead www.zebel.co.uk
Along one of the most picturesque high streets in Somerset sits a beautifully reimagined Grade-II town house, in which the old meets the new in the most delightful way
Words by Ursula Cole
Obviously, all homes are ‘architect-designed’ to some extent – even formulaic, cookiecutter housing estates presumably began their life on a drawing board or computer screen somewhere.
However, when the term is pressed into use to describe a property, it usually means something a little out of the ordinary, and so it is for Long House in Bruton.
The name you need to know about here is Prewett Bizley – an award-winning London and Somerset practice known for producing well-crafted, exceptional architecture with a ery low energy use he r akes engaging, atmospheric spaces that are responsive to the needs of their users and which bring lasting improvements to the quality of people’s lives; having pioneered some of the lowest energy retro t ro ects to date in the K, they are passionate about the need to reduce the impact of buildings on the environment.
he r has drawn on its skills and know how to rilliantly rei agine this elegant rade e edroo house in ruton while also creating a striking inc clad e tension t’s ery s acious if stats ean anything to you, know that the interior e tends to o er , s ft s read across its three storeys tyle wise, it airs odern detailing and aterials with original eorgian features ocation wise it’s ideally ositioned on ruton’s enchanting high street, with iews fro the ack onto a ri ate garden ong ouse is a few inutes’ walk fro the town’s highlights if you need to co ute to ristol, it’s an easy walk to the train station et’s take the tour hought to ha e een uilt in the early th century, the house, for erly a doctor’s surgery, lends eautifully into the ernacular of the eorgian high street and looks dece ti ely co act fro the front nside, howe er, the interior unfolds into a series of i aginati ely concei ed li ing s aces riginal agstones ground the entrance, which also has a eriod re lace and sash windows with their original shutters et centrally, uite literally in the heart of the ho e, the kitchen is de ned y clean lines of white ca inetry, solid ti er workto s and an original
re lace with gla ed red tiles large skylight has een added to the roof, drawing an e cellent uality of natural light down into the roo it o ens on one side to the dining roo , to a reakfast roo on the other elgian rickwork adds character to the e tended li ing roo at the ack of the house, where gla ed i folding doors o en to the terrace, nicely dissol ing the oundary etween inside and out wood urner for s a natural focal oint in winter onths, while es oke oinery oosts the generous a ount of storage stairs, a series of edroo s are s read across s lit le els ne right dou le edroo has iews down to the high street, with a green tiled rt eco re lace adding ags of character wo ore edroo s lie off the hallway, along with two athroo s there’s also a laundry roo wo further edroo s are ositioned on the second oor utside, elegant ale elgian rick has een used widely in the garden to foster a clear aesthetic connection with the interior of the house rick laid terrace e tending fro the li ing s ace akes a wonderful s ace for entertaining and al frescoing, with a series of landsca ed le els unfolding ehind it
te s lead u to a uilt in ar ecue area, with workto s ade fro natural slate offering s ace for cooking eyond this area a lawn is ordered y ature owers and shru ery, while right at the ack a large stone garage
o ens onto a uiet ack lane
o why consider a o e to ruton hy not, is the ore salient uestion this s all town with its une ectedly so histicated offering has een increasingly aking wa es in recent years s well as eing icture ostcard retty, it’s full of e cellent inde endent restaurants, caf s and sho s, including ichelin starred si , he ld har acy, t the ha el, he ewt and also oth ar at auser and irth oodies will a reciate the ro i ity to estco e airy for award winning cheese and charcuterie, and andrace akery for the all i ortant daily dose of sourdough read ade fro stoneground K grains illed at andrace ill here’s also a good selection of far sho s for organic roduce near y, including he low ar ing o any, a local distillery, and for eld grown owers and her s, e ooting is also near y ristol and ath are res ecti ely and iles away, with ro e ust iles down the road
his little town has attracted an unusually high nu er of artists and creati es looking for a uieter life eyond the ig cities, which is ossi ly why it has such a stylish i e h, and, it’s also ho e to the internationally renowned auser and irth gallery
ay e o down o er the hrist as reak to check out its lentiful char s
HOUSE NUMBERS
Where Bruton, Somerset
What? Grade-II town house
Guide price
£800,000
Receptions 4 + kitchen/diner
Bedrooms 5
Bath/shower rooms 2
Outside
Landscaped terraced garden
Call my agent: The Modern House www.themodernhouse.com
BRISTOL & CLIFTON’S PREMIER COMMERCIAL PROPERTY AGENTS
Keep up-to-date with our latest news, deals, testimonials and market comment at our website: www.burstoncook.co.uk
St Mary Street Thornbury TO LET – £15,000 pa
905 sq ft (84.07 sq m)
Positioned on a popular retail parade in Totterdown the premises is next to national retailers such as Tesco. This Use Class E premises offers space over ground floor with ample customer parking.
Eagle House, BS1 TO LET – POA
5,565 sq ft – 11,840 sq ft (517 – 1,100 sq ft)
A landmark building in the heart of the city centre offering Grade A accommodation. Exceptional break-out spaces, to include auditorium, bookable meeting rooms, showers, and bike storage.
Mariner House, Prince St TO LET – £23.50 psf
1,242 sq ft (115.38 sq m)
Loft style office accommodation located in the city centre benefiting from passenger lift, shower facilities, and excellent bike storage.
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, therefore suitable for a variety of uses.
Bath Road, BS4
INVESTMENT FOR SALE – POA
3,018 sq ft (280.48 sq m)
A newly refurbished, fully let investment comprising a ground floor retail unit let to Subway Realty Ltd, plus 2x twobedroom flats. An excellent letting location for both retail and residential occupiers.
Central Park, Bristol TO LET - £15,000 pa
1,572 sq ft (146.04 sq m)
Located on the popular Central Park Industrial Estate in Hengrove. The property is situated over ground and first floors and comprises storage / workshop space at ground floor.
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.
Durdham Park, BS6 TO LET – POA
1,042 – 2,948 sq ft (274 – 97 sq m)
Two self-contained buildings located within close proximity to Whiteladies Road and Clifton and Durdham Downs. The properties can be available as a pair or separately. Currently benefitting from educational use although would suit other uses (STP).
College Green, BS1 TO LET - £23 psf pax
900 – 2,938 sq ft
A stunning Georgian building in a central location which is due to be refurbished throughout to provide open plan accommodation on each floor. Car parking available plus basement bike storage.
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.
BRISTOL LIVES
HARRY ALLMARK
We already have the Comedy Garden and a steady stream of stand-ups visiting various Bristol theatres. So why does Bristol need a new comedy festival? Harry knows . . .
Harry’s the artistic director of The Bristol Comedy Club, formerly known as The Room Above.
“I’ve been working on the fringe circuits of comedy for years now, and Bristol has always been a city that has been crying out for a comedy festival,” he says.
My journey into live comedy and developing nights in Bristol started with The Room Above. We reopened as a comedy club in the autumn of 2021 with about one show a month, and eventually worked up to seven a week adding multiple venues across the city. Since starting out in comedy we’ve grown a great reputation and worked with incredible acts, who have all jumped at the opportunity to e art of the rst e er ristol Comedy Festival.
“I live above a fish shop near Whiteladies Road – if that doesn’t scream success, I don’t know what does”
encourage it, it’s no surprise Bristol is constantly developing some of the best acts in the country.
Is there a ‘Bristol sense of humour’ ? Well, we all do love a good laugh at ourselves…
Currently, as it stands, the new festival will have an average of six to seven show a day, featuring everything from polished tour shows to new work in progress, game shows, roast battles, pop-up gigs, charity nights, the Bristol Comedy Competition and even a comedy rave. We’ve got it all! We’re really trying to start off with a ang and set so ething up that can run for years. Keep an eye out for some special guest appearances, as well.
time is Norm MacDonald, but when growing up the stand-up who made me want to work in live comedy was Russell Howard, who hea ily in uenced y co ing to ristol in the rst lace think it’s all about developing an act that feels fresh, new and exciting – for whatever reason that may be
e abo e a o near Whiteladies Road – if that doesn’t scream success I don’t know what does. For anyone who doesn’t know, there are regular gigs happening in this area at The Robin Hood, The Kingsdown Vaults and The Barrel House.
It’s clear from seeing all the huge names who constantly bring shows to Bristol that this is a great city which comics wish to play. But I think the real excitement comes from the South West comedy scene, the collective of comics who are setting up every night in pubs and bars, developing their craft in this amazing city. Our aim is to continue to work with the local scene, helping people to sharpen their skills and go on to have amazing careers as stand-ups.
Bristol is known for its creative side and brilliant artists, and the sa e is re ected in its live comedy. The city is proud of its arts scene, and continues to support it. It’s backing like that which makes comics desperate to play these wonderful crowds – with the combination of their wanting to entertain and a city that wants to
We have Bristol stand-ups like Mark Watson and Jayde Adams, which is something to look forward to. Then also the new work from the best comics currently on the circuit, as well as so e different things oe Kent Walters is bringing his awardwinning character of Frankie Monroe to the city for a pub-quiz style show which sounds really fun! I’m also looking forward to watching the local acts succeed in the festival, and curious to know who will eco e the rst winner of the Bristol Comedy Competition.
The competition is a bit of fun – give it a try! Comedy competitions can often feel daunting and scary, but this one is s eci cally uilt to show off the incredible acts currently coming out of Bristol. This city has the potential to be one of the best places in the world for live comedy, so let’s help us all get there.
Who, in your opinion, are the funniest stand-ups in the UK right now?
My favourite comedian of all
Working in live comedy doesn’t make you the richest, so it’s always good for comics to know what gigs offer free food and drink for the acts – a free sandwich, a pint of cider and telling jokes, it doesn’t get more special than that.
My most regrettable habit is that I eat way too much chocolate. I’m always constantly trying to sneak a bar, which is very cheeky. So either that, or arson.
How would my nearest and dearest describe me? Usually late for everything.
Do I have any secret skills? Yes, I can actually onfi n ial
If forced at gunpoint to come up with a New Year resolution? To be held at gunpoint less.
My favourite short joke: “Billy Corgan, Smashing Pumpkins.” “Homer Simpson, smiling politely.”
a ed oogle it
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