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Shipshape autumn 2010
www.shipshapebristol.co.uk
Celebrating the very best of Bristol’s historic harbourside
Bridges over the Harbourside Inside Underfall Yard l
Interviews
Features
Events
Encounters’ Mireia O’Prey BrisFest’s Oliver Mochizuki
The Brunel Institute opens Arnolfini’s secrets
Wildscreen at Watershed Fish Fest at Glassboat
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The Rummer Hotel
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Sun
Wagyu Beef night 29 September
All Saints Lane Bristol BS1 1JH Tel: 0117 929 0111
This iconic beef makes a spectacular return to The Rummer Hotel on 29 September. Bookings are essential for this evening, so please call us to reserve your table.
Game Season Dinner 27 October Celebrate the start of the local game season with our special Game Tasting Menu. A mixture of traditional dishes and modern preparations. Bookings are essential for this eagerly anticipated event.
Tucked away in the back alleys of the Old City, The Rummer Hotel not only boasts the most extensive spirit collection in the region, fine wines and local ales, but an eclectic menu of modern British dishes prepared by Head Chef Greg McHugh from the freshest local ingredients. Just remember to make a reservation during busy times... email: info@therummer.co.uk | www.therummer.co.uk
Bridges over troubled water...
contents
Welcome...
page 10
Pic: © Hakes Associates
...to the autumn issue of Shipshape. While the Shipshape team is unwavering in its affection for the Harbourside, there’s one topic that polarises us more than any other: bridges. Strange thing to get all hot under the collar about, you might think, but while one argues that more bridges would equal a more united Bristol, another will say that they’re a big fat obstruction to folks working on the water. So who’s right? Turn to our investigation on page 10 for more. Elsewhere, we talk to houseboat dweller James Stuart-Wigley (p19) and discover some little-known facts about Arnolfini (p26). And don’t forget to visit us at www.shipshapebristol.co.uk for archives or articles and exclusive online content
Jay Redmond-Stainer, an apprentice rigger, working on new replica rigging and blocks for HMS Warrior, an 1860 warship based at Portsmouth Dockyard.
Pictured top to bottom: Artist’s impression of the Mobius Bridge at Finzel’s Reach; Arne Ringner’s Kitchen Garden; Carol Vorderman helps Brunel open the new Brunel Institute.
Contents Arts & events 4
Things to see and do this quarter
A bridge too far? 10 A Shipshape investigation
Getting around 14
Harbourside map & ferry guide
Yard times 16
Inside Harbourside boatyard Underfall Yard
I ❤ Harbourside 19
Houseboat dresser James Stuart-Wigley
From polytunnel to plate 21 Digging around Arne’s Kitchen Garden
Harbourside directory 22 The very best of the waterside
10 things you never knew… 26 …about Arnolfini
Shipshape Magazine Issue 3, autumn. Shipshape is published by The Group of Seven Editorial, design and production: thegroupofseven.co.uk Advertising enquiries: The Clifton Agency: peter.robinson@thecliftonagency.com or 01179 064060 Want to get involved in future issues of Shipshape magazine? Call us on 01225 448891 or email us on info@shipshapebristol.co.uk Disclaimer The information contained in this publication is provided as a general guide only. While every care is taken to ensure that the details are as accurate as possible, we make no warranty or representation, express or implied, about the accuracy or completeness of the information contained in this publication. The views or opinions expressed in this publication are strictly those of the authors. The publishers and/ or any of its associated companies or business partners accept no responsibility for damage or loss, howsoever caused, arising directly or indirectly from reliance upon any information obtained from this publication.
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arts and events
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Encounters International Film Festival
The Encounters International Film Festival (16-21 November) welcomes the return of Animated Encounters and Brief Encounters to celebrate the best short film and animation from around the world. Here, Festival Coordinator Mireia O’Prey chooses five must-see events. Animated Encounters, 17-21 November, Arnolfini Brief Encounters, 16-21 November,Watershed
1 BAFTA Presents A Brief Encounter with Andy Serkis Andy Serkis (pictured left) will be appearing for ‘A Brief Encounter’ presented by BAFTA. Andy Serkis is best known for his brilliant performance-capture roles as King Kong and Gollum in ‘Lord of the Rings’, and for his recent Best Actor BAFTA nomination in ‘Sex & Drugs & Rock & Roll’. 2 Desert Island Flicks This year the festival is very excited to welcome on stage the comedian, actor, composer, songwriter, musical director and celebrated sceptic Tim Minchin, together with director DC Turner, to discuss their new animated short film ‘Storm’, which will see its festival premiere during this event. 3 Films in the Attic Encounters rediscovers the past with Bristol University to present a series of events that examine the importance of archiving, and how accessing archive material is changing with the use of digital technology. 4 Get creative at The Cube Take part in an enchanting day of animation at The Cube with Haiti Kids Kino Project (HKKP) and Nanoplex animators, and learn how to create hand-cut silhouette animations, followed by a charming selection of ‘The Fairy Tale Films’ by pioneer Lotte Reiniger. 5 Shorts 2 Features Encounters is proud to celebrate the achievements of those short filmmakers who have made the leap into feature filmmaking. Don’t miss a conversation with Irish director Ken Wardrop, talking about his experience of expanding his unique and personal documentary style to feature length with the award-winning ‘His and Hers’. s More
encounters-festival.org.uk
Book Shlomo’s Boxed/ Swallows & Amazons The Times called this performance “effervescent, energetic and audience grabbing” so how could we resist? In ‘Shlomo’s Boxed’ (above), which runs from 16-20 November (£5-£15) at the Bristol Old Vic, a colourful bunch of beatboxing talents take us on a riotous journey to the future and back via outer space, showcasing a mind-boggling range of vocal wizardry while they’re at it. “The all-vocal versions of Stevie Wonder’s ‘Superstition’ and OutKast’s ‘Hey Ya’ [are] both roaring, rousing show-stoppers,” says The Times. We’ll see you at the front! And a quick heads up about BOV’s Christmas Show, ‘Swallows and Amazons’ (1 Dec-15 Jan). All aboard The Swallow as Captain John and his crew set sail to Wildcat Island on a swashbuckling adventure. See our feature on Swallows and Amazons in the winter issue More
bristololdvic.org.uk
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Explore Harbour Works This event has half term outing written all over it as the Floating Harbour hosts Harbour Works (28-30 October), offering sailing sessions, treasure hunts, pirate activities and a sneak peak behind the scenes at the Pump House. Mini mariners and pint-sized pirates will be thrilled. More
Shipshape
visitbristol.co.uk
Get out!
BrisFest
Shipshape talks to Oliver Mochizuki, Publicity Director for BrisFest, which takes place on the Harbourside on 24-26 September. Tell us a little bit about BrisFest... BrisFest started as the Bristol Festival in 2007 after a group of like-minded individuals came together to ensure that whatever happened, Bristol would still have an annual music and arts festival with strong community links, which maintained an independent spirit. We all believe this is very important. It’s also, simply, all about the collective love of music and art that was shared by the whole team. How long does it take to plan the event from start to finish? Planning and developing the festival is an ongoing process and continues throughout the year, as there is so much to do and manage. Fundraising and creating new partnerships takes up a lot of time as well. Volunteering is essential to the running of the festival – how do you convince so many people to give up their time for free? We are lucky enough to have been approached by literally hundreds of amazing people over the past three years who work on every conceivable level at the event. To be honest, it’s not really a case of having to convince people, as
having a local independent festival is of major importance to so many people in the city. Over 300 volunteers will be involved in stewarding and managing different areas within the festival and over 1,000 artists, DJs, bands, performers and dancers will make up the line-up. You’ve got a huge line-up for the 2010 event. Any favourites? I’m really looking forward to the Fenchurch Recursive Function Dome. This is a cutting-edge projection installation featuring 360-degree visuals and label showcases. The city-wide nightclub takeover on Saturday night is looking really strong again and we will be broadcasting live from the Acoustic stage in Anchor Square on BCFM for the first time. What’s new for 2010? This year we have really tried to add little touches to the overall look and feel of the festival, including a turfed meadow, futuristic, medieval, ocean and Aztec zones (in keeping with a ‘Brystal Maze’ theme), and, once again, the whole site will be decorated by street artists with all sorts of art, sculptures and audio visual installations. s brisfest.co.uk or turn to page 15. To read our complete interview with Oliver, visit www.shipshapebristol.co.uk
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Nosy, curious or just plain inquisitive? Visit Bristol’s historic buildings for free on Doors Open Day, 11 Sept. More
bristoldoorsopenday.org
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The Ultimate Undersea Safari Anchor Road, Harbourside, Bristol, BS1 5TT - 0117 929 8929
www.bluereefaquarium.co.uk
KIDS GO
FREE with this voucher
*
Enjoy an unforgettable day out at Britain’s newest aquarium Over 40 naturally-themed habitats including two giant ocean displays with spectacular walkthrough underwater tunnels. Come face to face with tropical sharks, stingrays, giant octopus, seahorses, piranhas and thousands of other incredible • Daily talks and feeding programmes • Admission includes free entry to the stunning four-storey tall IMAX 3D cinema
*Terms and conditions: One child (aged 3-14) admitted free with two full paying adults with this voucher. Not to be used with any other offer or family ticket. Photocopies not accepted. Valid until 31/03/11
arts and events
LEARN
The Brunel Institute Grand opening 29 November 2010, Great Western Dockyard It cost £6m to complete and Director of the ss Great Trust, our generous funders and the people of Bristol’s new Brunel Institute Britain Trust’s Museum Bristol. It is only fitting that Professor Winston The Institute at the Great Western and Educational Services has agreed to officially open the Brunel in numbers Dockyard is opening to the Rhian Tritton said: “The ss Institute, as he shares our passion for Brunel’s public this November with Great Britain Trust has two ss Great Britain and for science.” 6,000 The number of maritime engineering and ship-building maritime history lovers and objectives. The first is to care She added: “The Brunel Institute is a nationally books... £1m Creates and runs curious residents at the head for the ss Great Britain, which significant specialist conservation and learning the archive and conservation of the queue. has been achieved through the centre, second only to the National Maritime suite for five years... 35,000 maritime photographs have The official grand opening ambitious conservation and Museum in London, so it makes for a great been collated... £500k Extends will be on 29 November, with restoration programme. The addition to the Harbourside. It will appeal to their education work to more Professor Robert Winston second is educational. The academics and Bristol residents alike, and with than 125,000 people... 2,500 ship plans and 100 ship models (best known for BBC’s ‘Child Brunel Institute allows the the feedback we have had from children to date are on display of Our Times’), while a ‘soft Trust to encourage learning at I am sure that they will really enjoy, and learn launch’ is taking place in every level and to provide an from, our storytelling, Brunel Badge loans box October (date to be announced). invaluable resource and service to academics, as scheme, and of course one of the most exciting The Brunel Institute, located next to well as those with a passing interest in Brunel, educational programmes, the Future Brunels.” the ss Great Britain, houses an extensive plus school children and the under-fives. Admission to the Brunel Institute is free of collection of historical engineering, “We are delighted with what has been charge, but people are asked to bring personal archaeology and maritime books, achieved and the support we have received ID and leave biros at home! s photographs and papers, which have been from our partners, especially the University More ssgreatbritain.org/BrunelInstitute.aspx pulled together from establishments across of Bristol and the Clifton Suspension Bridge the country and made available to the public for the very first time. Want to see Brunel’s own drawings? They’re right there alongside the letters from the ship’s passengers and crew. Like to see the surviving walls of Brunel’s Engine Building Factory? Find them in the archive, library and reception spaces. In addition to the historical artefacts, the Brunel Institute is also running a Rhian Tritton, Director of the ss Great Britain Trust’s range of educational courses for students Museum and Educational Services of all ages. Highlights include: ‘SeaHear’ – maritime storytelling for pre-school children, a passenger’s travel box packed with scientific experiments for groups, including after-school clubs, and the Brunel Badge scheme. The innovative ‘Future Brunels’ programme, meanwhile, aims to cultivate and inspire the science and engineering stars of the future through hands-on projects, problem-solving tasks and field trips. This programme will recruit talented secondary school pupils to help encourage more young people to follow careers in science, engineering and maths.
“It is only fitting that Professor Winston has agreed to officially open the Brunel Institute, as he shares our passion for Brunel’s ss Great Britain and for science”
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Italian-inspired food and wine, great coffee, local beers and ciders and heavenly cakes at the heart of the Harbourside. Eat in or take out; free wi-fi. Open daily from 10.00 am. www.arnolfini.org.uk 0117 917 2300 Follow us on Twitter @finicafebar
pen ’til 23/12 /10 Winter all-in-one deal Garlic bread, main course, drink. All for £10.00
christmas 2010 on the water Cocktails Afloat, Wine Tasting, Festive Food cruises, cosy heated boats and of course, Booze Cruises! For more details go online or come and see us at The Harbourside Bistro & Boathouse
Spyglass Barbecue & Grill Welsh Back Bristol BS1 4SB Tel 0117 927 7050 www.spyglassbristol.co.uk 0117 927 3416 | trips@bristolferry.com | www.bristolferry.com
*Choice of six main courses, 125ml glass of house wine, Peroni or soft drink. **available Mon-Thurs 12pm-10pm 1st Sept-30th November. ***Maximum 6 persons.
Pic: Patrick Rouxel
VISIT organic food festival Enjoy more organic morsels than ever before at this year’s Organic Food Festival, with over 150 food and drink producers, chef demos, live bands and livestock. But you’ll need to have picked up your copy of Shipshape early – Bristol’s Organic Food Festival takes place on 11 and 12 September. More
organicfoodfestival.co.uk
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Listen Kodo Drummers “Dynamic, electrifying vision… nothing will prepare you for the 1,000lb drum assault, the precise timing or the wall of sound,” says Time Out of Colston Hall’s upcoming guests. The Kodo Drummers (19 October, £20£27) travel all the way from Sado Island in the Sea of Japan and bring with them a mesmerising fusion of percussion and theatre. This close-knit community of performers put on a spectacular show, full of inventiveness, that Time Out describes as “an essential experience”. More
colstonhall.org
See
Wildscreen Wildscreen’s free public screenings take place at Watershed on 9-17 October. Here are three highlights: 1 The Blood of the Rose A gripping investigation into the remarkable life and shocking death of filmmaker-turnedconservationist Joan Root, who was murdered in her home on the shores of Kenya’s Lake Naivasha in January 2006.
This heart-breaking documentary follows Green, a female orang-utan fighting for survival in the Indonesian rainforest as deforestation continues inexorably around her. More
3 Love in Cold Blood A reptilian love story following the courtship of Henry and Mildred, two ancient tuataras in New Zealand, who have just mated for the first time at 111 and 80 years of age.
wildscreenfestival.org
barbecue
Winter at Spyglass Fans of barbecued food get a boost this autumn as Spyglass announces it’s to stay open until 23 December. “Customers have been asking us to open for Christmas since we began nine years ago,” says Operations Manager Nathan Lee. “We’ve finally caved in and postponed our winter holidays in the sun to keep the barbie burning!” Alongside the Spyglass classics, diners can enjoy winter comfort foods like Hungarian beef goulash, baked winter squash, spicy Spanish chicken casserole, Portuguese seafood rice and lamb tagine. Tables of eight or more will also be able to enjoy the all-in-one package, offering three courses, mulled wine or a winter Pimm’s and coffee or tea for £17.50 per person. And if that’s not enough to give you a warm glow, staff will be handing out cushions and blankets to keep customers toasty. Turn to page 25 to see our autumn Spyglass offer. More
Shipshape
2 Green (pictured)
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Proposals in detail
Furthest upstream of the current proposals is a bridge that will, in fact, become reality over the next two years. The Mobius Bridge (named for its striking design – see picture) will link the new development at Finzel’s Reach – the former Courage brewery site – with Castle Park. The bridge will be provided by the developers of Finzel’s Reach, American outfit HDG Mansur, and is due to be delivered by December 2012. A little further down, there are proposals for a bridge connecting Redcliffe with Welsh Back. This one would span from the centre of Welsh Back – around the bottom of King Street – to Redcliffe Quay opposite. The leading design, by architect Keith Hallett, would use floating pontoons instead of pillars at either end, and its middle part would be removable to allow high-masted boats through and to allow the floating restaurants Spyglass and Glassboat, moored just upstream, to head downstream for maintenance. An alternative design comes from Arne Ringner, owner of the two restaurants, who proposes re-using two former Bristol bridges – Brunel’s former Swivel Bridge (of which more later), currently lying in the Cumberland Basin, and another structure currently mouldering in mud banks on the Portway. Keith Hallett has been pressing for a bridge linking Redcliffe to the city centre for over a decade. “Bristol Bridge [the next crossing upstream] is such an unpleasant bridge, with its narrow pavements and great baulks of concrete separating you from the road,” he explains. “This new bridge would form part of an interesting route from Temple Meads station to the centre, taking you through some very attractive, historic parts of Redcliffe. It would be a great way of connecting Redcliffe, a very central but somewhat little-known part of town.” Some £600,000 has been set aside for the bridge from developers on the Redcliffe side, who have made contributions as part of their planning permission negotiations. Keith is confident that a bridge can be built for that sum, and indeed has had a proposal costed at £630,000. But the consultation process with the Council is, he says, slow. And, crucially, £200,000 of that £600,000 fund will have to be returned to companies by December 2011 if the bridge hasn’t been built. Nathan Lee is operations director at The Glassboat Company, who run both the Glassboat and Spyglass. “Bridges have always helped commerce in cities,” he says. “Look back at the illustrations of the original, medieval Continued on page twelve
A too
Pic: © Hakes Associates
What does the Floating Harbour mean to you? A beautiful, fascinating and historic expanse of water, crammed with revealing windows into Bristol’s maritime past? Perhaps it was a big part of what brought you to the city? Or is it simply a mild inconvenience, a windy great stretch of water crossed blearily every morning as you power your way to work? Your answer to this question will have some bearing on your thoughts on a centuries-old Bristol debate. Ever since the Floating Harbour was created in 1809, the question of how many bridges to build over it, and where to build them, has been a constant source of discussion – with the needs of both land users (wanting to get to the other side) and water folk (wanting to steer their boats upriver without fear of obstruction) needing to be heard. The section of the harbour as it snakes through the city centre is well stocked with bridges, most of them of a decent vintage: think about the teeming, traffic-thronged Bristol Bridge, for example, or Prince Street Bridge with its well-organised ranks of walkers, cyclists and cars pouring into and out of town morning and evening. Leave Prince Street behind, though, and the harbour enters its last, long, unbroken swathe, with no crossing between there and Merchants Road, nearly two kilometers down. This lack of bridges makes for a very different landscape: less walkable, less readable perhaps, yet arguably more of a truly maritime setting – more like the working port city Bristol once was. There are, currently, a series of proposed sites for additional bridges over the Floating Harbour. One bridge, as we’ll see in a moment, will be added to the cityscape within the next two years; others remain hypothetical. But opinions vary on what more bridges would actually do for Bristol’s Harbourside. Some point to the brilliant additions they have made to the city’s walkability – how Pero’s Bridge, for example, has opened up the previously windswept and forgotten Canons Mash area. More bridges, that argument goes, equal a more ‘readable’ city. More pedestrian bridges, in particular, make for a vastly more pleasant place for walkers and cyclists to get around. And yet, others insist we mustn’t forget where all this water came from in the first place, and where Bristol gets its heritage and riches from – as a trading port, a place for boats to gather and sail unimpeded. Slapping too many bridges over the harbour risks stifling that salty, sea-breezy activity that gave Bristol its livelihood and, even today, still gives it its atmosphere.
Main pic: Artist’s impression of the Mobius Bridge at Finzels Reach. It’ll be illuminated at night, opening up uninterrupted views of the ruined churches of St Peter’s and St Mary Le Port in Castle Park. Designed by Hakes Associates Architects with Buro Happold, the bridge is being manufactured in Holland and will be shipped across the North Sea to Bristol.. This pic: the Bristol Dock Shuttle (see panel on p13); Right: Keith Hallet’s proposal. Shipshape
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More bridges for Bristol’s Harbourside? Mark Sayers assesses the various proposals up and down the water
A bridge o far? Shipshape
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Bristol Bridge – it was crowded with shops, markets and all sorts going on. They’re an important part of the city, joining up different areas of trade.” Would it really make such a difference, though, given the near proximity of both Bristol and Redcliffe Bridges? “We’re talking about encouraging pedestrians by making it easier for them to walk around the harbour. If it’s easier for people to stay on that side of the river, they’ll stay there – we’re all inherently lazy!” The scene downstream
Further down, there’s been much talk of crossings over the harbour’s widest stretch. As things stand, there is no way of crossing the water for almost two kilometres between Prince Street and Cumberland Basin, the harbour’s eventual opening into the River Avon. The Harbourside regeneration has brought many proposals for bridges along this expanse: joining Canons Marsh and the Museum of Bristol site, for instance. Or, in particular, linking the ss Great Britain with Porto Quay, near the junction of Anchor and Hotwell Roads. The lack of a crossing is an inconvenience for pedestrians and cyclists – but this also happens to be one of the busiest parts of the waterway. It’s where sailors and windsurfers do their stuff, the beautiful wooden ship The Matthew cruises, Bristol Ferry Boats ply the waters and, of course, dozens of tall ships, tugs and others heave into view for the annual Bristol Harbour Festival. A new bridge anywhere on this extent would risk hampering all that activity. Richard Holden, from Bristol City Council’s City Design Group, knows the various debates intimately. “With its great engineering inspiration, Brunel, Bristol is bound to look on bridges as an expression of its ambition, innovation and determination to overcome obstacles. And so, yes, bridges over the harbour are an enduring subject for debate here.” Bristol gets its very name from being a crossing point on the River Avon [‘Brigstowe’, Anglo-Saxon for ‘place by the bridge’]. As it was also a port city, though, there was immediately a tension between moving around the quays on land, and the movement of ships as far upstream into port as possible. With the UK’s growing love affair with the car, however, we lost sight of the importance of walking as a means of navigating the harbour. “During the 1960s and 70s pedestrians were relegated – threaded over, under and alongside roads,” Richard explains. “We now recognise the importance of a walkable and legible city, where movement is easy.” Pero’s Bridge, opened in 1999, was the first twelve
pedestrian bridge over the harbour for over 60 years. Initially regarded with some scepticism (why build a bridge a mere 100 metres from dry land at the Centre?), Pero’s is now one of Bristol’s most popular pedestrian routes. Looking at the logistics
So, what are the logistics involved in bridge building? “All new bridges must be constructed with a mind to the craft that use the waterways,” Richard explains. “Downstream of Bristol Bridge, especially, any crossing also needs to allow tall vessels to navigate. This means either a high-level bridge, or one that can open to let ships through. “High-level bridges are not generally an option, both because of the costs involved and their visual impact. The new bridge at King Street, therefore, will need an opening section. This, inevitably, means more money – the bridge structure will be more complicated and a mechanism will have to be maintained, or brought in at great expense every time the bridge needs opening.” Moving downstream, there are currently no concrete plans for the proposed crossing near the ss Great Britain. The location, Richard explains, has navigational issues: being on a bend in the harbour, it makes passage through any opening section by larger vessels more hazardous. The visual impact of a bridge there is also a concern. Finally, a 1999 study concluded that a cross-harbour ferry was probably the most cost-effective solution, taking into account the lack of sufficient funding opportunities at that time – and, says Richard, that situation is a great deal worse now. Potential problems
Opinions vary on the desirability of all these bridges. Broadly, the consensus seems to be that the further downstream, the more problematic the bridge – both because of the obstruction to larger vessels and, for many, the danger of eclipsing the dramatic, unbroken sweep of water from Arnolfini to Cumberland Basin. Rob Salvidge is one of those most opposed to changes. This is partly down to his hefty stake in Bristol’s water culture, both as co-owner of the Bristol Ferry Boat Company and skipper of the Matthew, the beautiful replica of the wooden ship John Cabot sailed to Newfoundland in 1497. Shipshape meets Rob on board the Kathleen and Maym tallship. Right next to us is Prince Street Bridge, across which thousands of commuters stream back and forth from south Bristol. “It’s a piece of fantastic Victorian engineering that still works,” Rob enthuses. “People like the fact that it’s a lovely, chunky old piece of architecture where
blokes have to come and fiddle with levers. And by and large, people are pretty patient about waiting when ships are coming through – it’s all part of the Bristol experience. And personally, I love the fact that I can call up the Harbourmaster and sail a big ship through it, and stop the traffic and get really close to the centre of Bristol, and park it outside a restaurant. And no one minds.” So far so good, then. But a bridge across the harbour further down would, says Rob, be disastrous for larger boats. “It’s one of the very few things I would campaign vigorously against. There’s no way you could build anything that would accommodate all the current activity around the Harbourside. We’re sitting on a three-masted ship, right in the centre of Bristol – that couldn’t happen easily with a big bridge further down. The section between Prince Street and Hotwells is a fantastic stretch of water, and you can do amazing things with it because it’s unimpeded. I don’t think you could build a bridge that would retain that freedom.” He’s not, though, utterly opposed to any crossing further down. “You could have a lowlevel pontoon in place at non-peak times. That’s quite different from a bridge: it’s about using intelligent processes to move people around at different times. As soon as you go for a fixed structure, you change the character of the place.” He cites the case of Dublin, a city that has gone ‘bridge-mad’. “They have definitely spoilt the character of the city centre. There are loads of bridges over the Liffey, and it’s now a dead river – there are virtually no boats on it.” Rob’s not that convinced, either, by the proposed Welsh Back-Redcliffe crossing. “I don’t think a new bridge across Welsh Back is necessary, when other bridges are just a few minutes’ walk away.” Ah, but the current walk from Temple Meads to the Centre is pretty unattractive – all main roads and a busy bridge. “Change the route, then. Get rid of the cars, make it more attractive to walkers. Do more creative things with urban transport. Why not build a proper tram system from the station? Prioritise pedestrians, buses and bikes: we’re spending lots on cycling but we’re not radical enough. To me, the solution is not more bridges. My manifesto: price the car out of the city centre, and make it really attractive to come in by other means.” For Rob, ferries are a crucial part of the harbour’s navigation equation. He found the boat that currently plies from north to south on a muddy Cornish shore, overgrown with blackberry bushes. “I was emphatic that if you put a ferry there, people will use it and grow to love it. The Shipshape
fact that you arrive at the water’s edge, wait a while, gaze at the water, take in what’s happening and recognise that you are part of a process, is terribly important. You don’t always have to get people from A to B as quickly as possible. It’s also important that they appreciate what’s involved in their journey, and what gives Bristol its character.” He’s got ideas for enhancing the ferry experience, too. “You could have really interesting boats doing the crossing, and great little coffee shops opening at 7am. It takes five minutes to wait for the boat – but your journey to work is an experience. And the costs would be much lower than a bridge.”
“As a walker and cyclist, I find it a real impediment not being able to cross anywhere between Prince Street and Cumberland Basin ... we now have two pedestrian bridges next door to each other down at Temple Quay, and none for that whole length of the Harbour” George Ferguson
Pod almighty
The north-south connection
Architect and entrepreneur George Ferguson, meanwhile, sees a clear need for more bridges. “I’ve always advocated a bridge near the ss Great Britain,” he confirms. “It would be vital to north-south connections, and would increase activity around the harbour. As a walker and cyclist, I find it a real impediment not being able to cross anywhere between Prince Street and Cumberland Basin. It’s ironic that we now have two pedestrian bridges next door to each other down at Temple Quay, and none for that whole length of the Harbour. “There are so many brilliant examples of where a pedestrian bridge has made a massive difference to a place. The Millennium Bridge in London has changed the way pedestrians use and perceive London. Here in Bristol, Pero’s Bridge has enormously changed the way people have used the harbour, accessing Canons Marsh in ways they never did before.” Bridging such a broad expanse of water would present some engineering challenges, though? “Yes – but it’s challenges that produce great solutions. I know that some of the best architects, engineers and designers are champing at the bit to have a go at that crossing. It should be a very light, elegant and flexible structure – perhaps a pontoon bridge with floating supports.” As a former president of the Royal Institute of British Architects, George knows his British cities well. And Newcastle, he says, has probably the strongest range of bridges of any provincial European city. “The so-called ‘blinking eye’ bridge [Gateshead Millennium Bridge] has transformed both Newcastle and Gateshead. And I believe a bridge in this location could be equally transformational to north and south Bristol. In many ways the south is in the same position as Gateshead, as the more challenged Shipshape
area – and I can say that as a south Bristolian. A bridge could be a very big contributor to future regeneration. It might cost £5 or £6 million – but, in contemporary development terms, that’s not unreachable. It’s just the sort of thing that Lottery money was set aside for.” Go west
Bristol-based Springboard Design has come up with the Bristol Dock Shuttle, an innovative proposal for a pedestrian crossing linking AtBristol and Watershed with the ss Great Britain and the Museum of Bristol. The Dock Shuttle is essentially a floating glass and aluminium passenger pod, based loosely on the London Eye, and capable of carrying up to 50 passengers, with access for wheelchairs and pushchairs, and space for bikes. It’s linked by an arm to a central island hub, placed in the centre of the harbour, around which it revolves. The pod is propelled by marine electric motors, which are virtually silent and pollution-free. “Unlike a fixed bridge, the Dock Shuttle allows unobstructed access for boats up and down the dock,” explains Springboard’s Mike Hoddell. “Smaller craft and passenger ferries can pass easily under the arm, while larger craft can pass through the open side of the hub.” more
springboard-design.co.uk
Further west again, the Bristol-based UK cycling charity Sustrans is hoping to reinstate a piece of historic Brunel architecture for the benefit of walkers and bikers. The Brunel Swivel Bridge is a wrought-iron tubular structure, designed by Brunel himself to cross the harbour’s very final reach, where it opens out into the River Avon. There it sat until 1967, when the road above it – the busy A370 dual carriageway, or Brunel Way – was built, with its swinging Plimsoll Bridge passing over the harbour. The Swivel Bridge now sits unused, a familiar sight, on the quayside underneath the Plimsoll. Sustrans plans to restore and reinstate it as part of its Connect2 Bristol project, which will create a safe, attractive route across the harbour for walkers and cyclists, without the need to tackle the busy, fast-moving A370. As Sustrans’ Jon Usher explains, it’s not just about more bridges: more careful planning of the existing infrastructure is also crucial. “We should look at how existing crossings are used, and at reallocating road space from cars to pedestrians and cyclists. The change in use for Prince Street Bridge has worked pretty well: Redcliffe Bridge is another possible candidate for greater pedestrian and cycle space. Rather than building dedicated new bridges, use the ones you’ve got better. That’s a far better use of money – especially in this financial climate.” s eleven
harbourside map & ferry guide
getting around the harbourside... If you’re not familiar with the area (or even if you’re just looking for a little inspiration), our map will help you plan your trip and move around the Harbourside with ease. Use it to find where you are in relation to some of the area’s best-loved landmarks, identify which ferry stops are the most convenient for your journey and locate some of this season’s most exciting events
Sightseeing
Sunday 3 October, 10am-4pm, Welsh Back Yet more gastronomic events for the region’s gluttons as Glassboat welcomes back Fish Fest, its wonderful festival of seafood. Find a huge catch of traders, including Bigbury Bay Oysters, Valley Smokehouse, Great Western Wine, Uig Smoked Salmon, Red Mullet, Bols Genever, Ty Gwyn Cider, Real Olive Company, Lahloo Tea, Masa Sushi, Fish in a Box and Arne’s illustrious Swedish Crayfish & Schnapps stall. Don’t miss Freddy Bird of The Lido’s cookery demos or try your hand at casting with the Welsh Back Fishing Club. MORE
City Sightseeing Bristol runs open-top bus tours of the city, from the historic harbourside up to Bristol Zoo in Clifton and beyond. Running from mid-March to the end of October, the tours last for an hour and a quarter but you can hop on and off as you please. Harbourside stops can be found at the CREATE Centre, Baltic Wharf, Brunel’s ss Great Britain, At-Bristol, Prince Street and Bristol Bridge MORE
autumn highlight Fish Fest
Brunel’s ss Great Britain – world famous
Capricorn Quay l
citysightseeingbristol.co.uk Mardyke l
l Pump House (for Suspension Bridge)
glassboat.co.uk/events
l Grain Barge
l Marina
Brunel’s ss Great Britain (for Spike Island) l
Marina l
Blue Reef – aquarium & 3D cinema
cross harbour ferry
Jacks Brasserie l
l Nova Scotia (for Create Centre, Lockside and Tobacco Factory)
l The Cottage
l Olive Shed
Hotwells Route Temple Meads Route Sightseeing – see panel At-Bristol – interactive science centre
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Shipshape
harbourside map & ferry guide
Bristol Ferry Boat Co
autumn highlight BrisFest
Daily service on both the RED (Hotwells) and the blue (Temple Meads) routes. RED departures from 10.30am at the city centre and blue departures from 10.10am at Temple Meads until end of Sept, then winter timetable applies. Commuter departures Monday to Friday, start at 7.25am.
24-26 September, Lloyds Amphitheatre
Our ferries are like a bus (a waterbus even), so use us to jump on and get to your favourite attraction, cafe, restaurant, pub, place of work or to enjoy a circular tour enjoying the great sights and sounds of this amazing historic harbour. There is lots to see: swans, geese, a whole array of unusual boats of varying shapes and sizes, St Mary Redcliffe’s spire, Cabot Tower, stunning views towards Ashton Court and Clifton – a vista feast, in fact! See also our entry on page 22 For full details and timetable visit: bristolferry.com Castle Park (for Cabot Circus, Broadmead) l Bristol Bridge (for St Nicholas Market) l
Just when you thought festival season had come to a close, along comes BrisFest to squeeze the last bit of fun out of the summer. Taking place at Lloyds Amphitheatre, BrisFest is a three-day “urban spectacular”, featuring live music, food, art installations, dance classes, theatre, kids’ entertainment and more. It takes place on 24-26 September and costs £15 for a three-day ticket. It’s organised by The Bristol Festival Community Group, a registered charity set up in October 2007 to ensure the long-term survival of a community festival for the city. All but one member of staff and performers work for free to ensure that any profits made are channelled straight back into the festival. Artists were still being confirmed at time of going to press but highlights from the 500-strong (rather eclectic) line-up include The Heavy, Aquasky, the Ragga Twins, Get the Blessing and the Correspondents. And since this is a Harbourside festival, you’ll want to arrive by water, non? Bristol Ferry Boat Company is doing a combined festival return ticket for £3 for adults and £2 for children. brisfest.co.uk or turn to page 5 to read our interview with BrisFest’s Publicity Director, Oliver Mochizuki
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The Rummer – cocktail bar and dining rooms
City Centre (for Colston Hall, Cathedral, Park St and main bus routes) l
Glassboat l
Source – food hall & café
Temple Bridge l l l Redcliffe Back Welsh Back (for Old Vic and Renato’s)
Temple Quay (for Temple Meads train station) l
l Spyglass
l Watershed Bristol Visitor Information Centre
l The Apple
River Grille l l Shore Bordeaux Quay l
Glassboat – fine dining and spectacular views Spyglass – Mediterranean barbie
l Architecture Centre
Millennium Square (for At-Bristol and Blue Reef) l
l Arnolfini
l Mud Dock
l Thekla
l Myristica
Severnshed l l Riverstation Myristica – award-winning
l Prince Street (for The Louisiana)
l M-Shed
Olive Shed – tasty tapas
Shipshape
l Bathurst Basin The Ostrich l
Arnolfini – contemporary art centre
Look out for the winter issue of Shipshape - available across the Harbourside from 6 Dec thirteen
feature
Yard times all pics: james@thegroupofseven.co.uk
Despite the recession, the craftsmen and apprentices at the Underfall Boat Yard are busy and much in demand. Alf Perry wrote the words
The craftsmen at the yard train young people in the skills required for traditional and high-tech boat construction and maintenance, and a succession of people trained at one of the UK boat-building schools have worked at the yard and gone on to start their own businesses.
Pictured above, inset: Dennis Platten of ‘Traditional Rigging’ is currently working on rigging for HMS Warrior, the 1860 warship now in Portsmouth, and HMS Victory. The refurbished wooden blocks are original and would have been made on the machines invented by Marc Brunel. Pictured top: The yard works mainly in British and tropical hardwoods, which are cut and dried out in the stacks in the main workshops. Main image: Ben Punter stands on the deck of a brand-new 45ft Bristol Channel pilot cutter. It was designed by John Raymond-Barker, one of the shipwrights working in the yard, and is based on boats built in Pill in the early 20th century. It is the third pilot cutter produced by the yard over the last four years, and this one is intended to operate out of Bristol for charters in the Bristol Channel and beyond. The Bristol pilot cutters have a worldwide reputation for speed and seakeeping ability. The buildings at the yard date back to the 1870s and the roof above the boat was made by William Lysaght on the Feeder Canal – an identical roof can be seen at Severnshed on the Grove. sixteen
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feature
All pics: james@thegroupofseven .co.u
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The yard is at the western end of the Floating Harbour and, looking out over Clifton Wood and Hotwells, boats are seen awaiting repair and refurbishment.
This pic and below: John Perks is the yard blacksmith operating the Waterside Forge. As well as domestic work he repairs steelhulled boats and narrowboats, and is seen holding one of the hand-forged eyes he made for the rigging on the ss Great Britain.
“The yard is one of Bristol’s hidden gems and has developed a national reputation among the classic and historic boat community in the UK� More
underfallboatyard.co.uk
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Showing you Bristol until 31 Oct 2010
Christmas 2010 Champagne Breakfast Available on 16,17, 23 & 24 December £17.50 per person, includes a glass of Bucks Fizz on arrival Glassboat Christmas 2010 Lunch 2 courses: £20 per person 3 courses: £25 per person Dinner 3 courses: £30 per person Tel 0117 9290704 Fax 0117 9277006 Email restaurant@glassboat.co.uk Glassboat Welshback Bristol BS1 4SB www.glassboat.co.uk
• Discounts to great attractions • Kids go free (1 per adult) • Free kids pack
Tel: 0333 3210101 Web: www.citysightseeingbristol.co.uk
Join us at Bristol's home of world class, groundbreaking, heart-stoppingly great classical music Season openers: London Symphony Orchestra, Thursday 23 September Valery Gergiev conducts Mahler’s Adagietto-adorned Symphony No. 5 Bournemouth Symphony Orchestra, Thursday 7 October Frank Braley performs Ravel's piano concerto in G Philharmonia Orchestra, Sunday 17 October A special afternoon performance conducted by Vladimir Ashkenazy
box office +44 (0)117 922 3686 www.colstonhall.org
interview
How long have you lived on Bristol’s Harbourside? I have lived down on Phoenix/Redcliffe Wharf, right next to Redcliffe Caves and the Benjamin Perry Boathouse, for the last 10 years (before this, I lived on the Kennet & Avon Canal) and have very much enjoyed it. As city living goes, it’s a very enjoyable and interesting place to live. Is there a very strong community among houseboat dwellers? The people down here are a close-knit lot but still open, helpful and friendly. We all look out for one another and the diversity of the boat dwellers is great – we’ve got computer programmers, ferry drivers, social workers, shipwrights, fitness instructors and so on.
i ❤ harbourside Pic below: james@thegroupofseven.co.uk
What’s the best thing about living on the Harbourside? A brilliant aspect is being so close to nature and all the animals – from cormorants, swans, ducks and geese, to bats, rats and foxes. Undoubtedly the historical nature of the harbour and its fascinating history is very engaging and I have recently begun to research this more closely.
Shipshape talks to yoga teacher and houseboat dweller James Stuart-Wigley about living and working on the river
What’s your favourite spot on the water? I absolutely love Che’s Bistro on Welsh Back and the fantastic Queen and Millennium Squares for early morning yoga practice. What one thing would significantly I teach daily under the trading name of improve your quality of life on the www.yogicyogis.com at various venues around Harbourside? the Harbourside, including the Benjamin In my opinion, the harbour could be Perry Boathouse, next to the Redcliffe Caves improved with lots more greenery, trees – it’s a 150-year-old, ex-sailmaker’s loft. I and also more craft units and genuine also teach on the roof terrace of the office boat-building activities. This seems to be building adjacent to Bristol Bridge, which what both visitors and occupants enjoy has very exciting views, and at the Lloyds and benefit from the most. Building on Canon’s Marsh. I also love to practise outside Clockwise from top: James on the various pontoons limbers up on the Harbourside; rooftop Yoga next to Bristol and quayside spaces. Bridge; boat-painting.
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You also have a boat-painting business… I work with Katy-Jane Richardson, who’s the managing director of the business, painting boats in a variety of styles, from the traditional roses and castles look to the more contemporary, one-colour modern liveries. Is it important to you to both live and work on the Harbourside? The Harbourside environment is integral to both work and leisure. I have had the opportunity to meet so many characters over the last decade here, such as Alan the caves expert, who leads regular tours of Redcliffe Caves, and Betty and John, the caretakers of the Scout hut. The Harbourside is definitely changing, sometimes for the better, although there seems to be more and more apartment-style housing and bars and restaurants emerging everywhere. Personally, I think the harbour needs to retain as much of its original feel as possible as this is what Bristol’s growth and development is all about. s nineteen
Bristol Harbourside – better by bike!
feature
After struggling to find decent, locally sourced produce to supply his restaurants, Arne Ringner did the next best thing and grew his own instead. Juliette Phillips met him
from polytunnel to plate
‘All our produce is locally sourced, seasonal and/or organic.’ These days, such an edict is almost a statutory requirement on even the most average contemporary restaurant menu. But such a worthy mission statement may not always be a true representation of the produce on your plate. “I’m not saying that there might be a deliberate deception to attract customers, but a ‘locally sourced’ salad leaf may still have been grown in a hydroponic fertiliser solution before being cleansed with bleach to improve storage,” says Arne Ringner of the Lido Spa and Restaurant, Glassboat and Spyglass. “Locally sourced produce is something we all talk about in the restaurant business, but in reality we struggle because there are no market gardens around Bristol these days. So the obvious answer was to do it ourselves.” And that’s exactly what he did. Situated just across the Clifton Suspension Bridge, near the village of Pill, Arne’s Kitchen Garden supplies his restaurants with salads, vegetables and herbs. While a degree in horticulture and a former career in botany provided him with the technical knowhow to get the project off the ground, Arne recognised that the key to success was finding a working partner with green fingers and bagfuls of enthusiasm. Shipshape
Enter Head Gardener Luke Quinn, the man responsible for maintaining the site. Luke introduced one of the first consignments of top-grade compost from the new Bristol kitchen compost scheme to the project, and today the soil is humming with chemical-free, mineral energy. “The produce is picked each morning and delivered straight to the restaurants for use that day,” Arne explains. “Everything tastes far better than anything we can buy, and we have more control of our menus as a result, allowing our chefs total freedom and creativity.” The gardens (and the polytunnel at the heart of the action) currently produce 40 to 80 kilos of leaf produce every week and there are plans to bring in chickens to supply eggs. When it comes to Arne’s menu mission statements, the phrase ‘you reap what you sow’ results in a very palatable plate indeed. s Top of the crops
Exotic varieties found in Arne’s Kitchen Garden...
Clockwise from this pic: Arne Ringner is his kitchen garden polytunnel at Pill; salad leaves; the finished article.
Top trips Going hyperlocal According to trend-spotting website springwise.com, ‘hyperlocal’ looks set to become the next big thing in gastronomy. Put simply, it refers to the growing number of establishments who choose to grow and sell their produce on site. For example, upmarket grocery store Fortum & Mason has been keeping bees on the roof of its flagship Piccadilly store and selling the honey inside, while London grocer Thornton’s Budgens piles its shelves with the organic fruit and veg grown in their rooftop garden. If you know of any local restaurants doing the same, let us know.
Agretti A tender, leafy green with Italian roots, also known as Monk’s Beard or ‘Barba di Frate’... Tomatoes Or, more specifically, Costoluto Fiorentino, Tomato Principe Borghese da Appendere and the Ligurian di Bue... Salad leaves Including mixed mustards, land cress and confetti coriander fifteen
shipshape directory
Arnolfini Arnolfini Contemporary Arts Centre 16 Narrow Quay, Bristol BS1 4QA Tel: 0117 917 2300/01 www.arnolfini.org.uk Opening times: Exhibition Spaces: Tue - Sun 11am - 6pm & Bank Holidays; Bookshop: Tue 11am - 6pm, Wed - Sat 11am - 8pm, Sun 11am - 7pm; Café Bar: Daily from 10am
At-Bristol
Anchor Road, Harbourside, BS1 5DB 0845 345 1235, at-bristol.org.uk Opening hours: weekends and holidays 10am-6pm; weekdays during term-time 10am-5pm. Open every day except 24-26 December
Blue Reef Aquarium & IMAX 3D Cinema Anchor Road, BS1 5TT 0117 929 8929, bluereefaquarium.co.uk Opening hours: daily from 10am. Closed on Christmas Day.
Bristol Ferry Boat Company
For full details visit: bristolferry.com For a map of the service – complete with ferry stops – and more information, turn to pages 14 & 15.
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Based at the heart of Bristol’s harbourside, in a fantastic waterside location, Arnolfini is one of Europe’s leading centres for the contemporary arts. Arnolfini features a regularly changing programme, presenting visual art, live art and performance, dance, music, cinema, poetry and literature events and a busy education programme of tours and talks. Arnolfini boasts one of the best arts bookshops in the country and a stylish, lively café bar featuring an Italian inspired and children’s menu. Free admission to the building, exhibitions and café bar.
One of the country’s leading interactive science centres, At-Bristol boasts over 300 exhibits (from becoming an animator for the day to building your own flying object), live shows and a Planetarium, in which you can discover how to spot seasonal constellations and learn more about the science behind the stars. At-Bristol also has a unique venue hire space boasting a dedicated top-floor area with terraces overlooking Millennium Square and Bristol Cathedral. It can be used for any style of event including conferences and weddings. This year marks At-Bristol’s 10th birthday in July with activities running throughout the month so check the website for more information.
The spectacular new Blue Reef Aquarium in Bristol’s Harbourside takes visitors on a spectacular undersea safari. The £4m redevelopment of the former Wildwalk building showcases native and tropical marine and freshwater creatures from around the world in naturally themed habitats. Highlights include a life-size recreation of a sunken ship (home to native sharks, rays and huge shoaling cod) and an open-top giant coral seas display (home to tropical sharks and stingrays). The aquarium also boasts its own IMAX 3D cinema, where visitors can watch a selection of marine-themed films on a fourstorey-tall screen as part of the admission price.
Services travel between Temple Meads and the city centre (calling at Cabot Circus) as well as Hotwells and the city centre on their distinctive yellow and blue boats. Autumn and Winter public trips include ‘Gorgeous Gorge’, ‘Wildlife’ and their famous ‘Sail with Santa’. For all their popular Christmas-themed cruises see the ad on page 18. Their private charters are very popular for all your events, with birthdays and booze cruises proving top of the list. Quote ‘Autumn edition of Shipshape magazine’and receive a 10% discount off any of their three-hour charters. Shipshape
shipshape directory
E Shed, 1 Canons Road, BS1 5TX 0333 321 0101 (calls charged at national rate), ticharbourside@destinationbristol.co.uk Opening hours: open daily all year round (except Christmas day and Boxing day). 10am-6pm (April-September), 10am-5pm (October–March)
Brunel’s ss Great Britain Great Western Dockyard, BS1 6TY 0117 926 0680, ssgreatbritain.org Opening hours: from 10am Closing: 5.30pm (27 March-31 Oct); 4.30pm (from 1 November) Last ticket sales: one hour before closing Open every day except 24 and 25 December, and 1 January
Colston Hall
Colston Street, BS1 5AR 0117 922 3686, colstonhall.org Opening hours: Box Office: Mon–Sat 10am6pm; H Bar café: Mon-Fri 8am-11pm, Sat 9am-10pm, Sun 10am-9pm; H Bar Bistro: Daily 11.30am-3pm and 5-11pm
Glassboat Welsh Back, BS1 4SB 0117 929 0704, glassboat.co.uk perfect sunday menu Two courses – £15; Three courses – £20 Sundays at the Boat – Bloody Marys, chilled-out soul tunes, Sunday papers, all-day brunch, roasts, freshly roasted coffee, home-baked cakes & pastries. 10am-4pm Opening hours: lunch: Tues-Fri 12-2.30pm; dinner: Mon-Sat 5.30-10.30pm; Sunday brunch: 10am-4pm
Shipshape
Bristol’s Tourist information Centre is located in E-Shed, next to the Watershed Media Centre. Services include accommodation bookings, ticket sales for events and attractions, and general advice and assistance on how to make the most of visiting, living in or travelling around Bristol. Find a range of gifts, souvenirs, books, maps and travel guides, and work by local artists. You can get up-to-the-minute travel information from Bristol City Council’s transport team and a wide range of travel leaflets and timetables are also available. A unique drop-in information point has also been created by the University of the West of England.
Descend under the glass ‘sea’ and step back in time in the Dockyard Museum! See, hear, touch and even smell what life was like for Victorian passengers and crew on board Brunel’s ss Great Britain. There’s plenty to do to keep everyone entertained at this multi awardwinning and fully accessible visitor attraction. Join the 40th anniversary celebrations of the ss Great Britain’s epic salvage from the Falkland Islands and return to Bristol. Events range from ‘The Incredible Journey’ exhibition and family trail to Ratcatcher’s Halloween and Victorian Christmas. Tickets provide free return visits for a year. To find out more, visit ssgreatbritain.org
Pic: David Noton
Bristol Tourist Information Centre
Colston Hall is Bristol’s premier live music venue hosting a varied and regular programme of rock and pop, classical, leftfield and comedy events. In the past year Snow Patrol, London Symphony Orchestra and Grace Jones have all played at the Hall. In 2009, Colston Hall’s new foyer building was opened to the public. Built with £20 million from Bristol City Council and the Arts Council, the new foyer has improved the customer experience of visiting the Hall with audiences now able to enjoy their new café bar, restaurant and interval bars in light and spacious surroundings.
Well-established and much-loved floating restaurant that’s been serving Bristol’s food fanatics for nearly 25 years and now boasting an entirely glass aft section. Beautiful views of Bristol Bridge and beyond, knowledgeable staff, an extensive wine list and a locally sourced, seasonal menu can all be found here. The lower deck can also be hired out for breakfast, lunch, dinner and half- or full-day events for up to 40. Take advantage of their Express Lunch menu: two courses for £10 (Tuesday to Saturday).
offer perfect sunday menu
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shipshape directory
The Harbourside
1 Canons Rd, BS1 5TX 0117 929 1100
Lido Restaurant, Spa & Pool
Oakfield Place, BS8 2BJ 0117 933 9530, lidobristol.com Opening hours: restaurant: 12-3pm and 6.3010pm; spa: 7am-10pm; poolside bar: all day
The Matthew
When in Bristol check website for mooring location 0117 927 6868, matthew.co.uk
Myristica 51 Welsh Back, BS1 4AN 0117 927 2277, myristica.co.uk now available Tiffin boxes of Indian food to takeaway – £4.95 per box Opening hours: Mon-Fri 12-2pm (lunch), Mon-Sat 5.30-11.30pm (dinner), Sunday 5.30-10.30pm (dinner, last orders at 10pm)
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The Harbourside is a contemporary new addition to the wonderful waterside environment. Customers can relax in the comfortable surroundings and listen to classical music while enjoying a locallysourced meal and a glass of wine. Boasting a prime location on Bristol’s city-centre waterfront, the bistro offers a contemporary menu using the freshest ingredients as well as an oyster bar – unique to the area. The riverside lounge is open daily from 9am for great quality coffee, specialist sandwiches and much more. The Harbourside also has a shop selling teas, herbs and remedies.
A 21st century spa, restaurant and alfresco pool housed in beautifully renovated 19th century surroundings. The Lido originally opened its doors in 1850 and remained in business for over 100 years before falling into disrepair in 1990. The Glassboat Company saved the building from developers (who wanted to turn the site into flats) and restored the buildings to their former glory, reopening in November 2008. Find a heated, low-chlorine infinity pool, sauna and steam room, restaurant and poolside bar, and luxurious spa.
A magnificent replica of a Tudor merchant ship that recreated the Atlantic crossing by explorer John Cabot. He was searching for a sailing route to Asia but ended up “discovering” Newfoundland. Get the best views of Bristol harbour from the deck on one of their regular public cruises – fish and chip suppers on board are extremely popular – or you can venture down the scenic Avon Gorge under the Clifton Suspension Bridge. There are also offshore sailing opportunities and the ship is available for private hire – check website for sailing programme.
Having recently taken up residence on Bristol’s Welsh Back, Myristica joins a host of wellknown establishments delivering a five-star food experience along Bristol’s waterfront. You’ll find a delicious range of authentic, delicious regional Indian food served up by chefs from some of India’s top hotels. Specialities include pista murgh (chicken breast cooked in a mild cream sauce with ground pistachios and saffron) and prawn chettinad with Kerala paratha (black tiger prawns cooked with a roasted blend of fennel, peppercorns and curry leaves).
tiffin boxes to takeaway available now
Shipshape
shipshape directory
the rummer
All Saints Lane, Old City, BS1 1JH Email: info@therummer.co.uk General Enquiries: 0117 9290111 Bookings: 0117 9294243
Spyglass Welsh Back, BS1 4SB 0117 927 7050, spyglassbristol.co.uk Spyglass offer Starter, main & drink for £10. ‘Late summer’ deal: garlic bread, a choice of 6 delicious main courses and a drink (a 125ml glass of wine, a bottle of Peroni or a soft drink), all for £10. This deal is available from 1 Sept to 27 Nov, for groups of 6 and under, Mon-Thurs 12-10pm. No need to book – just wave your copy of Shipshape at your waiter! Opening hours: daily 11am-11pm
Source food hall & café
1-3 Exchange Avenue, St Nicholas Market, BS1 1JW 0117 927 2998, info@source-food.co.uk
Watershed
1 Canons Road, BS1 5TX 0117 927 5100, info@watershed.co.uk, watershed.co.uk, dshed.net Cafe/bar opening hours: Mon 10.30am-11pm, Tues-Thurs 9.30am-11pm, Sat 10am-midnight, Sun 10am-10.30pm
Shipshape
One of Bristol’s favourite cocktail bars and dining rooms, The Rummer Hotel is a sophisticated venue serving a discerning clientele. An independent bar and restaurant with a passion for quality, the kitchen produces some of the best food to be found in Bristol, and the bar holds over 300 premium spirits from around the globe – the largest collection in the region. Boasting a classic, stylish interior, the Rummer provides a wonderful ambience and an intimate drinking venue. Open every day, with Head Chef Greg McHugh serving modern British food on his lunch and evening menus.
Contemporary 170-seater alfresco-style restaurant split between a converted barge and quayside with ample heaters, should the British weather not be playing ball. Serves simple, tasty, well-priced Mediterranean fare, including a selection of main courses from the barbecue (average price: £7), salads, tapas and desserts. Groups of eight or more can order a party menu, which includes mezze to share and a choice of mains and desserts. Also plays host to a range of food-related events and live music.
Offer Starter, main and drink for £10.00
Taking up residence on the edge of St Nicholas Market, Source is a gastronome’s paradise where quality, locally sourced produce is key. Head for the rustic dining area and enjoy a lunch of scrumptious seasonal dishes or set yourself down on the benches outside, order a glass of wine and while away an hour people watching. When you’re done, head for the food hall to stock up on the week’s groceries: the Cobb chickens from Bradford-on-Avon are a Shipshape favourite, as is the sustainably caught, Cornish cod. Grouse, onglet, bavette, ox cheeks and grouse are available now; venison season starts soon.
Watershed is the perfect social space on Bristol’s historic Harbourside, showing the best independent films from across the world. With three cinemas to choose from and a welcoming, relaxed café/bar enjoying unique waterside views, it’s the ideal place to meet friends, enjoy a meal and watch a film. Come and try their Plot to Plate organic menu showcasing the tastes of the South West, or tempt yourself to a drink before or after a film. For detailed film and events listings, visit watershed.co.uk or head to dshed.net for an online gallery and creative content. twenty-five
and finally
1
The first exhibition to be held at Arnolfini was of works on paper by Josef Herman and paintings by Peter Swan in 1966 (below).
2
you never knew about Arnolfini
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3
In 1984 Arnolfini featured on a postage stamp, part of a series that celebrated urban renewal. The transformation of Bush House by JT Group from a derelict warehouse to a contemporary arts centre proved an early catalyst in the redevelopment of Bristol’s harbourside.
In 1985 Arnolfini’s exhibition ‘Graffiti Art’ showcased works by some of the UK’s finest graffiti artists, including 3D – or Robert Del Naja, later of Massive Attack.
4 Arnolfini is 50 in 2011
5
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Magnum photographer and Bristol resident Martin Parr had his first solo show at Arnolfini in 1974.
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Bush House was originally built as a warehouse and offices for Acraman’s Ironworks. It is rumoured that several sledgehammers were ‘borrowed’ from Acraman’s main ironworks, on Guinea Street in Bathhurst Basin, in October 1831, during the Bristol Riot to break down the doors of the prisons.
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Arnolfini was the venue for The Sky News Debate, the second of the three historic Leaders’ Debates, on Thursday 22 April 2010.
In 1975 the cinema at Arnolfini presented the ‘First Festival of British Cinema’.
Pic: www.lookingatbuildings.org.uk
10 things
It’s named after Jan van Eyck’s 15th-century painting ‘The Arnolfini Portrait’, which hangs in the National Gallery.
Arnolfini has played host to many writers, including Allen Ginsberg in the 1960s, and features in novels by both John Le Carré and Iain Sinclair. The author Will Self will return to Arnolfini to read from his latest novel on 13 September.
Look out for the winter issue of Shipshape – available from 6 December throughout the Harbourside
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Call 0845 676 0127 or visit lindenhomes.co.uk *On selected homes only, subject to scheme rules. Price correct at time of going to press.
GREAT WESTERN DOCKYARD
At Brunel’s ss Great Britain, Bristol.