Bristol Life - Issue 345 by MediaClash

ISSUE 345 / JANUARY 2024 / WELCOME TO THE FUTURE

5 4 3 2 1 HAPPY

NEW YEAR, BRISTOL!

IS S UE 3 4 5 / JA NUA RY 2 024 / £ 3

PUCKER UP: IT’S TIME TO WELCOME

2024!

(IT’S LIKE 2023, BUT EVEN BETTER)

SQUARE DEALS

WHAT WOULD YOU PUT ON A BRISTOL MONOPOLY BOARD?

EATS SHOOTS AND LEAVES

THERE’S A V IN THE MONTH

WE’RE ON A BREAK LUXURY HOTELS: THE BEST IN THE SOUTH WEST

WINNER, WINNER

THE BRISTOL PROPERTY AWARDS 2023

EDITOR’S LETTER

A 46

5...4...3...2...1...2024! So, who will you be kissing at the stroke of midnight on New Year’s Eve, and where? We don’t have any suggestions for the former, but how about a bar in a luxury hotel for the latter?

s we assemble this, our final issue of 2023, we still have one foot in the old year while taking tippy-toe baby steps into the new one with the other. Rather than compiling one of those ‘that was the year that was’ retrospectives – you can probably remember what went down in 2023 anyway – we’ve gazed into our Brystal ball to discover what will be coming up in 2024. I can almost guarantee there’ll be a whole bunch of stuff that even we don’t know about yet, but after checking our NDAs and embargo lists, and checking them twice, we’ve bundled the best of the rest together on page 6. If you’re really not ready for all that, how about fleeing to a luxury hotel for a bit? It might seem a tad indulgent straight after Christmas, though who are we to say? If you were the chief cook and bottle-washer, or if the family was particularly trying over the turkey this year, it might be just the ticket; otherwise you could cut out and keep the feature on page 46 until funds are replenished. Better still, keep the whole issue. Nothing graces a coffee table more pleasingly than a Bristol Life. Or maybe you’re one of those virtuous souls who prefer to give up things during January – booze, meat, chocolate, luxury hotels, etc. Fancy giving Veganuary a whirl? On page 32 we chat to six Bristol businesses who make it a doddle to cut back on meat, fish and dairy. And that, babbers, is 2023 mostly wrapped from our point of view. Happy new year! See you on the other side for more of the same, but even better!

DERI ROBINS Bristol Life editor @BristolLifeMag

www.mediaclash.co.uk I BRISTOL LIFE I 3

Issue 345 / New Year 2023

ON THE COVER Artist Residence: boutiquery in the heart of the city. Read our full winter hotels feature on page 46

SPOTLIGHT... 6

HELLO 2024! Coming to a theatre/gallery/concert hall

field near you soon

ARTS

13 ART PAGE Trouble at pit. Yes, we thought a nice photo of

Maggie would sober you up.

14 WHAT’S ON Bristol takes a bit of a breather before the 2024

caravan roars into town 20 BRISTOL HEROES Hey, let’s play Alternative Bristol Monopoly!

FOOD & DRINK 26 28 31 32

RESTAURANT The spice is right FOOD AND DRINK News, openings, award-winning pizza CAFÉ SOCIETY Stan won’t be budged from North Street VEGANUARY Six local businesses give us the whys and

wherefores

LIFESTYLE

41 SHOP INTRO All the kids with the pumped-up kicks 42 FASHION It’s time to break up with your wardrobe 44 HEALTH & BEAUTY A glow-up for winter skin

TRAVEL

46 WINTER HOTELS Look, we’re on a break.... 56 GREAT ESCAPES And if lounging around in luxury hotels

sounds far too indulgent, you can always go mountain biking like Rachel did in Wales

BUSINESS

61 NETWORK The Bristol Property Awards 2023

PROPERTY

72 SHOWCASE The best from last year’s haul

REGULARS

82 BRISTOL LIVES Sing when you’re winning: Jeremy Avis

Editor Deri Robins deri.robins@mediaclash.co.uk Senior art editor Andrew Richmond Cover design Trevor Gilham Contributors Colin Moody, Stan Cullimore Commercial manager Neil Snow neil.snow@mediaclash.co.uk Business development manager Craig Wallberg craig.wallberg@mediaclash.co.uk Production/distribution manager Kirstie Howe kirstie.howe@mediaclash.co.uk Chief executive Jane Ingham jane.ingham@mediaclash.co.uk Chief executive Greg Ingham greg.ingham@mediaclash.co.uk Bristol Life MediaClash, Carriage Court, 22 Circus Mews, Bath, BA1 2PW 01225 475800; www.mediaclash.co.uk @The MediaClash © All rights reserved. May not be reproduced without written permission of MediaClash. We’re a West Country-based publisher, creative agency and event organiser Magazines Our portfolio of regional magazines celebrates the best of local living: Bath and Bristol. Agency From the design and build of websites to digital marketing and creating company magazines, we can help. Events We create, market, promote and operate a wide variety of events both for MediaClash and our clients Contact: info@mediaclash.co.uk

4 I BRISTOL LIFE I www.mediaclash.co.uk

...ON 2024 The boys are back in town: see page 10

Strap yourself in, Bristol; next year is going to be quite the ride

PHOTO BY WARREN DU PREEZ

SPOTLIGHT...

SPOTLIGHT

o, what delights does 2024 hold for us? Well, obviously the Bristol Life Brystal ball can only project so far, and we know that wonders hitherto undreamt of will continue to be revealed as the year goes on, but at time of going to press, right at the fag-end of the old year, these are the things we can confidently predict* will be happening.

* That said, we used these identical words in a similar feature in January 2020, and look what happened then.

HEAR THEM ROAR WAKE THE TIGER From 2 February We already thought the world’s first Amazement ark was a pretty mega day out, and soon you’ll get even more bang for your buck as a major expansion promises a whole new dimension of the experience; more deets as and when we get them. www.wakethetiger.com

MAD HYBRIDS JOHN HOYLAND AND CONTEMPORARY SCULPTURE 3 February-12 May R A’s spring exhibition challenges the boundaries of what both sculpture and painting can be, and how they speak to each other, with ceramic sculptures made by abstract painter John Hoyland RA in dialogue with a spectacular international assembly of contemporary sculpture from the likes of hyllida Barlow and Hew ock. he artists work with materials ranging from cement or synthetic fabric to glitter, creating human and animal bodies, furniture, everyday objects and architecture in playful, bold, new sculptural hybrids. www.rwa.org.uk

ALL THE LIGHT WE CAN SEE BRISTOL LIGHT FESTIVAL 2-11 February Shining like a beacon (as opposed to the Beacon) into the dark winter nights comes the ight Fest, kindly brought, as ever, by Bristol City Centre BID and

Redcliffe emple BID. ou know the drill; artists create incredible light installations around the city centre, inviting us to play, ponder and marvel. The one BL is most excited about so far is the interstellar installation Ascendance by the always amazing duo Studio McGuire. www.bristollightfestival.org

www.mediaclash.co.uk I BRISTOL LIFE I 7

SPOTLIGHT 4

HEAD ‘EM OFF AT THE PASS THE ANTI-BANQUET 29 February, 2024, Ashton Gate Stadium, Bristol Unstinting with their time as ever, Bristol’s top chefs are holding a big, ambitious fundraiser at Ashton Gate with the goal of raising £150,000 for The Bristol Local Food Fund. In a Hell’s Kitchen-esque turn of events, business chiefs are invited to join the chefs in the kitchen, donating the cost of the tables to their team members, charities and those who don’t usually get out much. TV chef Simon Rimmer will join Bristol’s Josh and Holly Eggleton, Peter SanchezIglesias, Ben Harvey, Hannah Catley, Toby Gritton, Dominic Borel and Cornwall-based Jude Kereama; Jayde Adams and Joe Sims will MC, and the Invisible Circus will perform www.antibanquet.co.uk

GET YOUR LOLS ON SLAPSTICK FESTIVAL 14 – Sunday 18 February 2024 Hugh Bonneville is this year’s Gala host; there’s the usual smattering of classic silent comedy movies accompanied by live music, regional film premières from Harry Hill and Tim Vine, and a look at the political clout of The Goodies. This year’s Slapstick award goes to Robert Lindsay [shown in Citizen Smith, above], who also appears with Sir Michael Palin to revisit the classic Alan Bleasdale series GBH. There’s a medal for the most darkly clownish episode of Doctor Who; if you’re wondering which Doctor is featured, it’s the seventh one... There’s also a new strand this year in the form of comedy horror flicks, starring such scare stars as Lon Chaney Jnr. Oh, and director and animator Terry Gilliam – you know, ‘the American Python’ – will be introducing cult classic Brazil, sharing insights into his career and receiving the Slapstick Award for Visual Comedy. There’s loads more, obviously, more anon. www.slapstick.org.uk

IT WAS ACCEPTABLE IN THE ‘80S STARTER FOR TEN 29 February – 30 March Fingers on buzzers! David Nicholls wrote the novel, James MacAvoy starred as Brian Jackson in the film, and now the droll 1980s tale of a Bristol student with eyes on the University Challenge prize gets a brand new rom-commusical treatment at Bristol Old Vic. And while we don’t remember Brian’s mum as being a major character in the book, the casting the theatre seems most excited about is actress/comedian Mel Giedroyc playing Irene Jackson. Mel says the show takes her right back to the ’80s. “The sights and smells of student life: Impulse body spray, backcombed Robert Smith hairdos, questionable food from a one-ring hob, cheap cigarettes, dance floors sticky with snakebite and black... I’m ecstatic to be a part of bringing this brand-new musical version, full of heart, comedy and Strongbow to a brand-new audience.” www.bristololdvic.org.uk

MOMMIE DEAREST ACTS OF CREATION: ON ART AND MOTHERHOOD 9 March - 26 May Arnolfini’s springtime biggie, the Hayward Gallery Touring’s major exhibition plunges us into the joys and heartaches, mess, myths and mishaps of motherhood through over 100 artworks, by more than 60 modern and contemporary artists, from the feminist avantgarde to the present day. www.arnolfini.org.uk

TALKIN’ ‘BOUT A REVOLUTION HAMILTON 30 April-22 June A massive one for the Hippodrome this year. Lin-Manuel Miranda’s Olivier, Tony, Grammy and Pulitzer Prize-winning musical tells the story of American founding father Alexander Hamilton with a score which blends hip-hop, jazz, R&B and Broadway. Go and see what all the fuss is about. Oh, and nearly as exciting: putting the JC in JCS, Julian Clary’s playing Herod in Jesus Christ Superstar, 11-16 March. www.atgtickets.com

SPRAY FOR BRISTOL UPFEST 1 June (festival day) It’s just an optimistic twinkle in the crowd-funder’s eye at

IN VITRO VERITAS A CHILD IN

present, but we’d be amazed if Bristol didn’t get behind the team at Europe’s largest live street art festival, which needs us all to help them if they’re to stage the 16th edition of the now-biannual festival this year. The crowdfunder is now live, with a target of £20,000; it’s vital they hit it to help them tackle rising costs this year. www.fundsurfer.com

SCIENCE 5 June-6 July We’re heading back to Bristol Old Vic, for Gareth Farr’s new play about the pioneers of IVF – a procedure which has supported the birth of over 12 million babies worldwide over the last 45 years. Oh, and you should probably know that it stars Tom Felton. www.bristololdvic.org.uk

CRANK UP THE VOLUME BRISTOL SOUNDS 22-30 June No slouch when it comes to getting its 2024 announcements out of the traps, Bristol Sounds

PHOTO BY NEIL JAMES @NEIL JAMESB

has already announced a tasty line-up of legends from rock, reggae, punk and dub. It’s celebrating a decade of its open-air concert series at Lloyds Amphitheatre with the help of headlining ragga-metal heavyweights Skindred, an all-day ska, reggae and dub day with that nicely-dressed Gentleman’s Dub Club, reggae torchbearers The Skints and American ’90s icons The Breeders. More dates and artists are still to be announced, including another fullday party and three evening shows. www. crosstownconcerts. seetickets.com

www.mediaclash.co.uk I BRISTOL LIFE I 9

SPOTLIGHT Loved or hated the Archie bio? Hear what the writer has to say at next year’s Cary Comes Home fest

15 12

ACT NOW MASSIVE ATTACK: ACT 1.5 25 August Not only are Bristol’s finest headlining an all-day-event on he Downs – their first show in five years – but the gig intends to trial new standards for the decarbonisation of live music. It’s the lowest carbon show of its size ever staged, marking the culmination of 25 years of climate activism on the part of the band; we’ll take a more in-depth look at the stats in a later issue. www.massiveattackbristol.com

KEEP CALM AND CARY ON CARY COMES

10 I BRISTOL LIFE I www.mediaclash.co.uk

AND FINALLY, SOMETIME EARLY IN 2024… Bristol’s beloved science centre We The Curious will reopen this spring following the extensive fire damage of 2022. Expect all the hands-on experiences you know and love, along with some new surprises, including more than 200 interactive exhibits and new shows in the 3D lanetarium. www.wethecurious.org + all the usual festival suspects – ove Saves, Forwards, Siren, Balloon Fiesta, Harbour Fest – more details on those coming closer to the time.

HOME November/ December It’s Cary Grant’s 120th birthday in January, so expect something special this year. Given the recent airing of the ITV fourpart biopic Archie, it will be interesting to say the least to listen to the online Q&A with writer Jeff ope on 4 December. www.carycomeshome.co.uk IF THEY’RE FUNNY.. . . .THEY’LL BE PLAYING THE BEACON Coming up over the next 12 months are the likes of Ross Noble, Stewart Lee, Jonathan

ie, Romesh Raganathan, Tommy Tiernan, Sarah Millican, Julian Clary, Jimmy Carr, Sally Anne Hayward and – best of the bunch, for our money – Rhod Gilbert [left]. Oh and while not a stand-up show per se, David Sedaris, one of America’s greatest satirists, is here in July. www.bristolbeacon.org

…AND IF THEY CAN HOLD A TUNE . . . . . .THEY’LL BE AT BEACON, TOO We’ve tried and failed to select just one key act from Bristol Beacon’s gigtastic line-up for 2024, but does R is n urphy, he retenders, John Cooper Clarke, James Blunt, aul eller, aloma Faith, es, ladys Knight, Squeeze and The Damned sound good to you? All genres, including of course the classic series, will be having a go on the incredible new acoustics. www.bristolbeacon.org

THE ARTS

DURHAM MINERS GAL A, 1984 ©CHRIS KILLIP

S N A P S H O T S O F B R I S T O L’ S C U LT U R A L L I F E

TROUBLE AT PIT

he repercussions of the 1984-5 miners’ strike – one of Britain’s longest and most bitter industrial disputes – can still be felt throughout the country today. To coincide with the 40th anniversary of the strike, a new exhibition at Martin Parr Foundation takes a look at the vital role photography played during the year-long struggle against the Thatcherite government and pit closures. Supported by ephemera such as posters, vinyl, badges and publications, much of the imagery is familiar – the lines of police, violent confrontations, etc – but the photos also depict the extraordinary degree of community support.

“The exhibition is an attempt to commemorate and reflect on the strike – a seismic, yet often overlooked event in recent history,” says curator Isaac Blease. “By focusing on the complex role photographs played during the struggle, we hope for the show to transcend the purely historical or nostalgic, to reconnect and consider it again in relation to the present. “The works tell a story of the battle against the pit closures, but what ultimately shines through is the unity and imagination of people coming together in defence of the basic rights to work and to survive.” One Year! Photographs from the Miners’ Strike runs 18 Jan-31 March 2024; www.martinparrfoundation.org www.mediaclash.co.uk I BRISTOL LIFE I 13

WHAT’S 29 DecemberON 19 January 2023

The last gasp of the Christmas shows, a classic bit of ballet and a sprinkling of LOLs; the Bristol arts season takes a comparative breather until 2024 gets into its stride (see page 6) for that).

Are you as cool as this couple? Probably not, but you can still come along to Hyde & Co’s NYE bash

EXHIBITIONS Until 7 January

ALSO ARTISTS A diverse exhibition showing over 80 pieces created by 43 members of the RWA admin team; rwa.org.uk

Until 14 January

ANNUAL OPEN The South West’s biggest annual open exhibition, currently on its 170th outing, at RWA; rwa.org.uk DISABLED PHOTOGRAPHERS’ SOCIETY ANNUAL EXHIBITION Showcasing winning entries from this years DPS member competition, at RPS: rps.org OFELIA RODGRIGUEZ: TALKING IN DREAMS A major exhibition by Colombian artist Ofelia; at Spike Island, spikeisland.org.uk

Until 18 February

ELIAS SIME: EREGATA he first major solo uropean museum exhibition for lias, one of thiopia’s leading contemporary artists, at Arnolfini; arnolfini.org.uk

14 I BRISTOL LIFE I www.mediaclash.co.uk

Until 31 March

ONE YEAR! PHOTOGRAPHS FROM THE MINERS’ STRIKE 1984 / 85 To coincide with the 40th anniversary of the miners’ strike; a look at the vital role photographs played during the year-long struggle against pit closures. See page 13. At Martin Parr, martinparrfoundation.org

Until 21 April

WILDLIFE PHOTOGRAPHER OF THE YEAR The very best nature photography in the world; this year at Bristol Museum. bristolmuseums.org.uk

SHOWS

Until 30 December

PETER PAN Hippodrome’s big panto for 2023 features a moustachio-twirling David Suchet in the role of Hook. Maybe Mr Darling too, if they’re sticking to canon. atgtickets.com CHRISTMAS AT MUM’S Returning to TFT this year without Shesus, who has transcended and left this pair of offbeat twins all

alone. So where do the Sisters go for Crimbo now? Back to Mum’s, the original matriarch, of course. xpect karaoke, a prawn ring and Sister Mary Berry’s festive bangers, at TFT; tobaccofactorytheatres.com

COYOTE UGLY It can only be The Wardrobe’s festive mash-up,. Laugh? You’ll even buy your own beer in the Old Market Assembly saloon afterwards; thewardrobetheatre.com

Until 31 December

KID CARPET The traditional Christmas story gets a radical remix for the young ’uns, with big-beat songs, wonky carols, live special effects, puppetry and animation, at Wardrobe; thewardrobetheatre.com

RAPUNZEL Polka Dot Pantomime bring a tangled tale to Redgrave; redgravetheatre.com

Until 6 January

ARABIAN NIGHTS A daring heroine (didn’t see that one coming) new songs and a talking horse at Nancy edina’s first Christmas show for BOV; bristololdvic.org.uk

Until 21 January

OLIVER TWIST The Dickensian classic, reimagined for TFT by its new AD, Heidi Vaughan; tobaccofactorytheatres.com

Until 7 January

4-6 January

Until 20 January

A SONG FOR US What happens when you embark on a relationship but life gets in the way,

FOUR SEASONS It’s the BOV Christmas show for tinies, from Olivier Award-winning ittle Bulb theatre company. xpect a theatrical love letter to nature for children and their families. bristololdvic.org.uk THE GOOD, THE BAD & THE

VARNA NATIONAL BALLET The Russian troupe bring three immaculate classics, Sleeping Beauty (4th), The Nutcracker (5th) and Swan Lake (6th) to Bristol Hippodrome; atgtickets.com

WHAT’S ON about the guy who wakes up as a giant bug, at BOV; bristololdvic.org.uk

15-21 January

LIFE OF PI he first tour for the Olivier-winning adaptation of ann artel’s novel comes to Hippodrome; atgtickets.com

COMEDY Ongoing

CLOSER EACH DAY he drama of Succession. he grit of EastEnders. he rumpy-pumpy of Sex Education. Nothing remotely like Game of Thrones; the world’s longestrunning improvised comedy soap continues to bubble away amusingly at ardrobe; thewardrobetheatre.com

13 January and you can’t move with it? Can you keep something working without taking care of it in the process? Is love sometimes not enough? Donny and rin thrash it out at Alma avern; almatavernandtheatre.co.uk

9-13 January

THE DRIFTERS GIRL he remarkable story of he Drifters and their legendary female manager, Faye readwell; at Hippodrome, atgtickets.com

10-11 January

MARA One-man show from Dominic elly. Discharged from the army in 6 , orten scrapes a living on the edge of Sweden’s ancient forests where he’s plagued by a ara a possessed person who visits another in spirit form. o free himself, he must discover its identity. But who is it? Find out at the avern; almatavernandtheatre.co.uk

10-13 January

THE ROARING GIRL Bristol Old Vic’s oung Company take on the Decker iddleton classic. oll Cutpurse exists outside the rules of Jacobean society; Sebastian and his father, Sir Alexander, however, need these rules to survive and thrive... at BOV, bristololdvic.org.uk

10-20 January TOP: A bug’s life: Metamorphosis at BOV; MIDDLE: Put another dime in the

juke box, baby: Drifters’ Girl at the Hippodrome; BOTTOM: Yee-hah! There’s still time to round up The Good, the Bad and the Coyote Ugly at Wardrobe

METAMORPHOSIS Combining the fluidity and lyricism of emn Sissay’s adaptation with Frantic’s uncompromising physicality, in afka’s classic allegory

JON RICHARDSON: THE KNITWIT ill the recycling be put out on the right day? ho is going to smooth over the top of the margarine? How many lights are on upstairs when everybody is downstairs? atch Jon pretend that these aren’t his foremost concerns as he leaves home on his first tour since the last one. At Bristol Beacon, bristolbeacon.org

15 January

BLUE MONDAY COMEDY CLUB: Hosted by yet another Bristol boy done good, Stuart oldsmith; raising money for Bristol ind. at the Beacon, bristolbeacon.org

OTHER Ongoing

BRISTOL FILM FESTIVAL he year-round fest with the something-for-everyone remit trundles along. ri olfil i al. o

Until 2 January

VINTAGE WINTER WONDERLAND Still at illennium S uare with all the fairground rides, the apr s-ski bar, the orkshire pudding wraps, etc; facebook.com/ vintagewinterwonderland

NEW YEAR’S EVE

31 December (obviously) BRISTOL OLD VIC HOUSE PARTY hrow shapes on the mirrorball dancefloor to Andy Sax and he

www.mediaclash.co.uk I BRISTOL LIFE I 15

Quote discount code Este25 to receive 25% off all treatments. Call or WhatsApp to book your free consultation. 07856 969 328 | 0117 427 0464

Scan to visit our website

The UK’s leading skin and hair specialists Changing Lives, Empowering Confidence

WHAT’S ON

TOP: Tiger, tiger: The Life of Pi; MIDDLE: Still Open at the RWA;

BOTTOM: Milkie goes to Wonderland

ZuZu Men; marvel at the magic of Kieron The Mighty, and do your own thing in the silent disco. bristololdvic.org.uk DISCO WONDERLAND Bambalan is doing what Bambalan does best, throwing one of its legendary parties to see in 2024 with an ultimate night of all things disco; bambalan.co.uk DANCETERIA Follow the call of the disco ball! Hyde & Co’s new venue, Death Disco, launches on New Year’s Eve with a suitably hedonistic party inspired by iconic NYC nightclub Dancetaria. deathdiscobristol.com THE CABINET OF CURIOSITIES A world of enigma and marvel shrouded in mystery and magic awaits you at The Raven, with curious performances, captivating burlesque and mind-bending magic; theravenbristol.com GAMBAS Say ¡feliz año nuevo! at a special seven-course meal and wine pairing at the Cargo tapas favourite; gambasbristol.co.uk CROFTERS RIGHTS A night of bass-fuelled badness and UKG energy to revel in the chaos

of another trip around the sun; croftersrights.co.uk NYE AT RACKS A Racks NYE is always special, but this year for the first time ever, there’s a theme… and it’s Las Vegas, baby; racks-bristol.co.uk OBSIDIAN NYE Booty Bass joins forces with Shade Cartel to celebrate the end of the year in a space dominated by diverse divas, at Trinity; trinitybristol.org.uk MILK THISTLE Tumble down the rabbit hole for a night of curious and enchanting entertainment and magic, where the Mad Hatter’s mixology draws on Rèmy cointreau. At midnight, confetti cannons will erupt showering the venue in colourful paper streamers as you dance the rest of the night away. Prizes for the best get-up, so dig out the bunny ears; milkthistlebristol.com HYDE & CO Bring in 2023 in elegant style at Bristol’s original basement speakeasy, inspired by the great bars of NYC; this year in partnership with Jameson Black Barrel whiskey. hydeand.co n

www.mediaclash.co.uk I BRISTOL LIFE I 17

MB Mathematics Tuition EXCELLENCE IN MATHEMATICS Former Head of Maths at University College School, Hampstead, Micky Bullock is a highly experienced teacher and tutor. Get the best in private mathematics tuition OFFERING HELP WITH: 11+ Entrance Exams, GCSE/IGCSE Maths, A level Maths and Further Maths, Oxbridge applicants: STEP/MAT and Interview practice

MICKYBULLOCK.COM | TEL: 07886 299175

BOARD DECISIONS If you were compiling an alternative Bristol Monopoly board, which local heroes would you include? Colin has suggestions . . . Words and pics by Colin Moody 20 I BRISTOL LIFE I www.mediaclash.co.uk

BRISTOL HEROES

here are many other words for the word monopoly. I hope you don’t get bored as I read them out. It’s sort of a game. Cartel? Consortium? Ownership? So, so many. Can you think of any more I may have missed out? aybe some you think I should have included? Anyhow, let me take you through some heroes of venues and other places we love, because they are at the heart of our community of cultures.

1 3

First off, the Arnolfini. retty sure this is the rayson erry show. ou know how it is; a big launch, and everyone is politely looking at some speaker, all facing one way, and the really juicy realness of the art gets forgotten for a moment, while somewhere, over there, rosecco dreams and ambitions are being achieved.

Stokes Croft. Another place, a hero of a place, where I broke into my stride in the world of street photography book publishing, sifting through the history of shots from the last 0 years to bring you some of my favourite places. If you walk around freely in this town, you will find yourself in some amazing places which not everyone bothers to notice. Can’t really say that of this view, though, what with that Banksy on the wall, but every now and then the next generation of young minds lights the fuse. he Croft is always worth a visit; not that the vibe is the same since they depopulated the area of artists in a variety of waves.

et’s visit HMP Bristol prison here, just of the loucester Road. I was very privileged to be able to shoot in the prison to include this photo in my last book. ook a while to get all the permissions, to be able to include them, but it was important to me that an important project like ife Cycle runs here at the prison, getting bikes road-ready, and the prisoners learn a life skill in the process as they work them back to life. Now that’s good community work, and everyone wins. ood for so many people the prisoners, and thereby the prison o cers, the bike riders, the locals, the wider Bristol economy; it spiders out into the communities like a spidery cool good thing. hen we look deeper there are some incredible projects happening off the main strips, and it’s vital we take time to find them.

here are your hero places? laces that nourish? hey might even be places between places. ike that tunnel under the hill in St erburgh’s. Sure, it’s full of street art; more specifically, it’s a bed of opportunity for all the wildstyle graff artists. oldie was spraying there just the other week. If you got a cutting tool that was careful enough, you could cut through those layers. he geology of the wild graff scene. No Attenborough re uired. Here’s a few people passing though who decided to come and sing, to play with the acoustics the S nder Choir. ra ti, music, acoustics, freedom. hese are the spaces which can have no retail value, there can never be any smashed avocado options in a place like this, but they have a tremendous space in the hearts of thousands and keep nourishing communities consistently.

oung people having a hug on a table in Hanham. ou know Hanham? ou know when you look at Bristol on those app maps, and it’s that big grey mass in the sea of green that is this tri-county area? here’s a lot of Bristol which is not central. In fact, most of us live in areas outside the city centre. So this photo is included as an embrace for those spaces which many of us ber through without any stops. If we are going to grow as a city it cannot only be the heart that we feed, or we’ll get all these clumps around that heart; doesn’t sound healthy. se your head and include the many others in your hero

www.mediaclash.co.uk I BRISTOL LIFE I 21

BRISTOL HEROES 5

6 selection. These are the places where community is often still taught with a big C. laces whose hubs are not just coffee shops and fancy furniture from Berlin. Photo comes courtesy of the Creative Youth Network project at this youth club.

Hero places. They can be anywhere. Why not Barrington’s kitchen, here in St aul’s? He’s blind, but he plays so beautifully in the Bristol Reggae Orchestra. He invited me back in the day to join him for a jam session with his fellow orchestra players, as shown here. Think I must be sat on the washing machine. Because the good stuff, the gravy, is always coming from these most simple spaces. Maybe you have some musicians in your kitchen jamming right now. Seize that moment and see where the music will take you. It goes deep, deeper than some care to notice. But when it’s right, the music in that kitchen alone is enough, it’s enough for everyone. Here’s to those practicing at home, while the laundry goes into that final spin and adds that hum to which you can almost tune your human spirit.

So many places are heroes. aybe after the match day you wander down est Street in Bedminster. So busy serving chips in Argos Fish Bar that they don’t have time to pause for a photograph.

Darts; great game. Women’s league here in a south Bristol boozer. The Masonic on North Street. hile she aims for the bullseye, it brings me back to my first point. A city is made up of so many parts, and I’ve worked in many of them, and been pleased to find so much pride, even when the last cinema, club or pub shuts its doors for good. So let’s not forget them as we play ‘Living Bristol’. Because if we choose to not see them, see us, see ourselves, we are all the poorer for it.

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

22 I BRISTOL LIFE I www.mediaclash.co.uk

SPONSORED CONTENT

PROJECT INSIGHTS

A beautiful kitchen renovation, perfected by Rob Cash and Ben Gregory of KUTCHENHAUS BRISTOL and interior designer Emilie Heinonen of People & Spaces.

he property, situated in Bishopston, North Bristol is a typical Victorian terrace house which is home to Sophia, Khuram and their son. For this project, the client was looking to extend their kitchen in order to create a modern room which was capable of hosting family gatherings. Khuram has a passion for cooking and from the outset it was evident what he and Sophia wanted from the new room. “Khuram and Sophia had explored options with People & Spaces and settled on an extension which would allow for a larger kitchen space,” explains Emilie. “It was clear from working with them that the kitchen needed to be the heart of the home and a place where guests could gather. “Because of Khuram’s passion for cooking, we knew we’d need to factor in the latest, forwardthinking appliances. The client also wanted to complete the project with speed, which is why they turned to Rob at Kutchenhaus to deliver on this after visiting the Bristol showroom and selecting a kitchen.” With Emilie on board, test fit layouts were produced to find the optimum positioning of

the kitchen and flow, and this resulted in six different options being created based on the brief. His and hers mood boards were produced by Khuram and Sophia and then Emilie worked through a five-point process to develop and run through layouts, resulting in a chosen layout. The kitchen required for the project was one that would both look great but also facilitate regular, intricate cooking. The client therefore opted for a German-engineered kitchen from Kutchenhaus. Kitchen experts, Rob Cash and Ben Gregory of Kutchenhaus Bristol, worked together with Emilie and the client to deliver a space which fit the layout dimensions. The kitchen selected was the Kutchenhaus Easytouch which featured a standout kitchen island and things such as large drawers to store the many pots and pans used in traditional Indian cooking. The new kitchen layout featured a new sink area alongside a dishwasher, with the spaces between different items in the kitchen meticulously planned. Rob says, “We were able to design and deliver a bespoke kitchen, made exactly to fit the client’s demands. The fact that we could do this in a short space of time was very appealing to them and meant the project could progress at pace. “This kitchen features Kutchenhaus Easytouch in mineral green and Havanah oak door fronts. The Easytouch range in particular offers antifingerprint technology which is good for kitchens that are designed to host. It’s also a bonus to counteract fingerprints on surfaces when children are growing up. “The kitchen also features white quartz worktops, an incredibly tough and durable option which is resistant to stains and cracks. Kutchenhaus was able to offer an array of colours and options overall which meant we could fit the taste of both Sophia and Khuram.” A full suite of new Bosch appliances was also

selected for the Bishopston project. Rob explains, “All the appliances chosen were black, which means they really contrast beautifully with the mineral green of the kitchen and the white surfaces too. The fridge in particular is a large, dark product which adds to the contemporary space and brings a modern feel to the entire room.” The biggest challenge for Emilie to overcome when planning the space was the lighting because there were different ceiling levels and skylights. This meant selecting lighting and making sure it was the right lighting was critical for the kitchen to work properly. Emilie says, “I think the big accomplishment with the property was that the finished project showcased perfect scale. The scale of the space is just right, which means using the kitchen is natural and there’s an ease of access to appliances and ingredients, clear views to the garden and the rest of the home. “This makes the entire room very pleasing to the eye and this is possible because the layout was worked on extensively so that we got the scale right. Rob adds, “I think the island is also a standout as it needed to function for a chef, almost. This meant we needed the highest quality product, and with this, very high-spec ovens too. This takes the kitchen to the next level as you know it has both style and substance.” n

For more info visit www.uk.kutchenhaus.com and www.peopleandspaces.co.uk. Photography by: Leighton James – Thepropertyphotographer

NUTMEG STREET KITCHEN

The spice is right at the latest offering from the Nutmeg restaurant group Words by Deri Robins

RESTAURANT

uch is the growing excellence of the Indian food scene that Ms A and I elect to go down the à-la-carte route. We want it all, but it’s a mystery any of the old-school curry houses still survive. over a pair of spicy, te uila-based radesh icantes – the best cocktail hy would you settle for chicken flung into a pre-cooked I’ve been served this year, incidentally, punchy yet refreshing as you base sauce, when for just a few quid more you could have slurp it through crushed ice – we limit ourselves to a hat trick of starters authentic, freshly prepared dishes created by skilful, even and mains to share. I’m not sure when the British public decided to take ichelin-level, chefs? And while flock wallpaper, Bollywood this democratic approach to Indian dining, in which nobody has sole musak and Buddha water fountains have a certain post-ironic appeal, possession of any single dish. aybe it’s because curries are so much wouldn’t you generally prefer something a little, well, cooler? If the easier to divvy up than, say, steak and chips. Or maybe it’s because it’s answer is ‘no’ then maybe don’t bother with the rest of this feature. less of a gamble to order up a few unfamiliar-sounding dishes between he choice of uality Indian restaurants in Bristol is huge. here’s you, like backing a horse each way rather than to win. he int Room in Clifton for fine dining, and its chippy little street-food We begin with a raj kachori chaat, described as being ‘from the streets sister Bandook in Cargo. he excellent rban andoors. Charming little of Delhi’, though I doubt whether many of the food vendors at Chandni Haveli the ard on pper audlin Street. he unassuming Rassasy in Chowk market would take the trouble to create such a beautiful dish, the Hotwells, which many swear serves the best curry in Bristol. And this crispy lentils and potato-packed shell garnished with pomegranates and month has seen the arrival of the promising-sounding Black Cumin in a pink, filigree crown. After a tentative nibble we establish the crown is Clifton, and the latest branch in the funky Mowgli chain in Old City. edible, though it’s really far too pretty to eat. A dish of jinga kali mirch, And, then, of course, there’s the Nutmeg group. ou’d never dream mixing peppery battered prawns with fried onions and capsicums is also there was a hospitality crisis; after winning hearts, very good, while a tawa macchi – that’s a spiceminds and palates with their first restaurant on he marinated, pan-fried fillet of sea bass to you – with DINING DETAILS Mall, co-owners Raja Munuswamy and Arvind nice crispy skin and moist flaky flesh strikes us as Nutmeg Street Kitchen, 23 St Augustine’s awar went on to open Nadu in Stokes Croft, then, excellent value for £9. Parade; 0117 379 0376 a few years later, Kal Dosa on the Gloucester Road, As in every single Indian restaurant from ands www.nutmegstreetkitchen.com and now their latest baby, Nutmeg Street itchen on nd to John o’ roats, many of the tables at NS are Opening hours Mon-Tue 5-11pm; St Augustine’s arade, which I will henceforth refer occupied by groups of blokes. Hopefully none have Wed-Sun midday-11pm to NS to save having to type the extra letters. come to compete in the laddish who-can-eat-the.Price Starters £6.5-£9.5; mains £15-£19; e haven’t checked on the wellbeing of the first hottest-vindaloo stakes, because all the dishes we try puds £7 three in a while, but when we visited NS this are gently warming as opposed to tongue-numbingly Drinks Excellent cocktails, short wine list, month it was rammed, so don’t go gaily turning up hot, allowing the subtle complexity of the spices to local beers and ciders 20 minutes early, as we did, and expect your table shine through. Veggie? Good choice, and vegan too to be ready. They couldn’t have been nicer about it, Incredibly, the mains are even better than the Service Professional, helpful, friendly incidentally, parking us on a pair of window seats, starters. Do try Nutmeg’s murgh makhani, which with menus to peruse and proseccos to sip, as we bears about as much resemblance to butter chicken took in the room with its velvety ban uettes, oriental carpets, glimmering from a mediocre takeaway as a S ueezed burger does to a Big ac. bar and the really rather covetable light pendants. ou know when influencers post things like, mm.... still thinking I’d be fibbing if I said I’d turned up with a completely open mind. about that insert name of dish today ? ell; that. I still am. Along I’m a longtime fan of the original Nutmeg, where the food is always with fragrant king prawns in coconut curry, and plump triangles of tikka interesting and tastes as fresh as a daisy. We’d also arrived armed with paneer in tangy pickle, we mop it up with a cheese and chilli nan that’s as the knowledge that the NS kitchen would be overseen by the lauded fluffy as a duvet. Shishir Sinha, who’s cheffed at the likes of ondon’s ichelin-starred No less excellent are the puds; delicate pistachio kulfi, and gulab Denare. Shinshir, we learned, planned to take inspiration from India’s jamun, deep-fried milk balls in a scented syrup that somehow manage to street-food markets, using traditional cooking methods over wood fire be the sweetest thing imaginable, yet oddly not too sweet at all. and natural smoking, and elevate them into something more refined. e leave NS with two bitter regrets. One, that we haven’t got around The menu is laid out in classic style, with starters, mains and sides. to trying the salted almond lassi. Two, that we haven’t ordered double of Chef clearly expends his creativity on the actual cooking rather than everything and taken half of it home to pop into the freezer, for the next devising one of those puzzling, deconstructed lists that seem to be all misjudged night when we ‘fancy an Indian’ but prioritise the convenience the rage these days, which give no real clue what size the dishes are or in of our local over trekking into the city centre for first-class grub. which order you should eat them. The menu is varied and intriguing, but A meal at NS feels special, yet it’s comparatively affordable; we not lengthy enough to make you suspect that it’s all been batch-cooked could easily have cut back to two starters and mains and still left with our and reheated, and as a gift to the terminally indecisive there are two cockles comprehensively warmed. ith the Beacon newly reopened, tasting menus, one for omnivores and one for vegans, for 4 . anyone else thinking ‘perfect pre- or post- gig treat’?

www.mediaclash.co.uk I BRISTOL LIFE I 27

FOOD & DRINK A TA S T E O F B R I S T O L’ S F O O D S C E N E

ON THE PASS

Here’s Maisie...

.. and that’s Pegs

The tastiest tidbits from the local food and drink scene

DOIN’ IT FOR THE KIDS

SPICE, SPICE BABY In an issue in which we celebrate the latest opening from the esteemed Nutmeg group (see page 26) we bring you news of further Indian openings. Replacing Greek restaurant Elia on Cotham Hill, Black Cumin is co-owned by Ashwani Rana, Tanuinder Singh and Umakant Sharma; leading the kitchen is Arvind Pawar, who previously head cheffed at Nutmeg. xpect a fine-dining contemporary Indian cuisine which promises to take you on “a journey across the majestic sub-continent, ranging from the royal kitchens of the North to the succulent dishes of the Southern shores.” Yum. www.blackcumin.co.uk. Meanwhile, after a very long wait (it’s been on the cards since 2019) comes Mowgli, within one of those grand Old City former banks on Corn Street. In contrast to the more elevated culinary ambitions of Black Cumin, this latest branch of the 18-strong UK chain aims to replicate “the type of food that Indians cook and eat at home, [with] dishes full of fresh, bright, intense flavour. D cor-wise we’re talking hanging vines, trees and lights, mirroring an Indian bygone era. www.mowglistreetfood.com

28 I BRISTOL LIFE I www.mediaclash.co.uk

’s ive-A-Box initiative returns for The MAZI Project’s 2024, with the pay-it-forwards recipe box bringing Bristol icons, organisations and chefs together to feed and support the city’s disadvantaged youth. he recipe boxes aim to deliver a healthy dollop of goodness to people’s doorsteps across the city; each box includes everything you need to make three vegetarian meals for two or four people, and with every purchase, another box will be donated by A I to young victims of domestic abuse, asylum seekers, care leavers and youths recovering from homelessness in Bristol. This winter and spring, Eats Everything, Bristol City FC, Maisie illiams and eo Valley will each host a box, collaborating with top chefs; full details and website in the panel below. MAZI GIVE-A-BOX: January 2024 Dairy company Yeo Valley x Pony Chew Valley’s Josh Eggleton February 2024 Actor and MAZI Project ambassador Maisie Williams x Sonny Stores’ Pegs Quinn

March 2024 Bristol City Football Club x Cor’s Vicky Colsell April 2024 DJ and producer Eats Everything x Harvey Nichols’ Gary Crossan www.themaziproject.com /give-a-box

BIRD FOOD

The rumour mill went into overdrive when Freddy Bird was seen checking out the nowclosed Rosemarino in Clifton, and now it’s been formally announced that Freddy and wife Nessa are opening a new restaurant here – their third venue, joining Little French and Little Shop in Westbury. 1 York Place describes itself as “a cosy 46-seater neighbourhood restaurant showcasing the best in European produce and wine and a few from further afield. Review coming up in the new year. @1yorkplace_bristol Speaking of rumours, given that Season + Taste has now launched an instagram account for its new exican, Condesa, we guess that particular gato’s now out of the bolsa? Follow the fit-out at @condesabristol

HOT PLATES

THE SLICE IS RIGHT

LIFE OF PIE Happy anniversary, Pieminister! It’s been 20 years, 55 million pies and a 9,000-mile-long sheet of pastry, and Bristol’s family piemaking legends are still going strong. Back in 2003, Jon Simon and Tristan Hogg decided to open a pie shop and bakery here in their home town, turning a derelict printworks at 24 Stokes Croft into a little bakery and pie shop. With a tiny start-up budget the bros-in-law did most of the building and DIY themselves, kitting out the bakery with an assortment of second-hand industrial equipment they weren’t entirely sure how to use. On the day they opened in December 2003, they sold 10 pies (mostly to Tristan’s mum), but it wasn’t long before word spread and a lunchtime queue formed most days, especially on ‘Pieday Fridays’. A stall at London’s Borough Market and Glastonbury soon followed, putting Pieminister pies and their now-legendary Mothership feast on the culinary map. The two decades since have been a pie-fuelled rollercoaster ride. In recent history, the vegan version of their original beef Moo Pie has been crowned supreme champion at the British Pie Awards, and Pieminister has become one of the first B Corp certified restaurant businesses in the UK. Jon and Tristan have recently published their second recipe book, Live & Eat Pie, to mark 20 years of ethical and sustainable pie-making in Bristol; you can find both books on the website along with some delightfully witty merchandise. The pies are still made in Bristol, just up the road in Southmead. Jon and Tristan still share a desk at 24 Stokes Croft, and they’re still talking to each other… www.pieminister.co.uk

From pie to pizza, and another local success story: Pizzarova, which opened its fourth Bristol store at the end of November on Whiteladies Road, serving its familiar handmade sourdough pizza favourites along with seasonal specials using ingredients from local suppliers. The new venue features the familiar Pizzarova open kitchen, with a simple eat-in and takeaway menu for lunch and dinner. “Whiteladies Road is such a lively corner of Bristol; as with all our spots in the city, we wanted to get involved in the community and spend some time getting to know the locals,” said Jack Lander, MD of Pizzarova “I’m really pleased with the work we’ve done in the fit-out, to uncover and keep as many of the features of the building as we can while keeping our environmental impact to a minimum.” The Pizzarova story began back in 2013, when Jack and the gang took to the roads of Somerset to serve up fresh sourdough pizzas to family, friends and festival-goers. In 2015, their sourdough-lovin’ fan base convinced them to set down roots in their pioneer restaurant on Gloucester Road, now a familiar favourite among the local community. Ten years later, Pizzarova has stores in some of the liveliest areas of the city: Gloucester Road, North Street in Bedminster, Park Street opposite College Green, and now Whiteladies Road. www.pizzarova.com

OH, AND DID SOMEONE SAY PIZZA…? Independent bar, restaurant and microbrewery Zerodegrees was deemed to be serving up the finest pizza in the , claiming the top prize at the National Pizza Awards 2023. Zerodegrees impressed judges at the -wide event with its signature dish, he Cinghiale, cooked by chef David Hartai featuring fior di latte cheese, wild boar

salami, ‘Nduja, roquito pepper, parmesan, tomato sauce and fresh basil. “I’m completely shocked,” says Dave. I was confident in my pizza, but the competition was really strong.” The plant-based Pizza of the Year went to Raphael Persighetti of Pizzarova [see above – we’re going around in pizza-shaped circles…] www.nationalpizzaawards.co.uk

www.mediaclash.co.uk I BRISTOL LIFE I 29

CAFÉ SOCIETY STAN CULLIMORE

Bears necessities

You just can’t get Stan away from North Street these days . . .

his issue’s coffee shop of choice is Burra on North Street. Although it’s new to BS3, it’s the third branch that they – ‘they’ being Bristol Bears player Jake Heenan, former teammate Luke Morahan, and the Bears’ chief operating o cer Tom Tainton – have opened in Bristol. he first was, and still is, in Redland. The second was, but is no longer, on the Gloucester Road. So the new one is both the second and the third branch, if you get my drift. I do love it when a Bristolbased café combo spreads its wings around the city, bringing

“If both your customers and our a an g noug o what you do, then you must be doing something right”

coffee delight to different corners. A bit of homegrown success is always good. ore power to their collective elbows, say I. ust admit, I’ve visited their other venues and loved every little thing about them, so when news broke about their latest gaff I jumped at the chance to visit. ike a kangaroo in kicker boots. Very glad I did too. It’s a corker. Readers with retentive memories might well remember that our previous column saw us visiting another rather fine coffee shop on North Street, and might wonder what the blue blazes is going on. Normally we try to spread the love, roving around the city centre in search of places to sip and slurp. But since this a slightly crazy time of year, we thought we’d go slightly crazy too, returning to the very self-same street twice in a row. mm. Definitely worth it. The place had only been open for a few days when the o ce boy and I arrived, but already it was bustling with shiny happy customers, most of them looking like it was not their first visit. here was definitely an air of cosy contentment filling the room. Can’t say I was surprised. There is a lot to love about the whole Burra experience. As if to prove the point, turns out some of the staff have come along for the ride, following them

from their place on Gloucester Road. Which is a real thumbs-up, I reckon. If both your customers and your staff can’t get enough of what you do, then you must be doing something right. The menu is a tasty combination of the usual upmarket caf suspects; nglish breakfasts, smashed avo on toast, eggs with just about everything, though there are also a few leftfield lovelies to keep us all on the edge of our tastebuds. nowing how good their cooking is, I went for the sweetcorn and plantain fritters, because, well, why not? They were sublime and crunchy, satisfied the eyes and passed the flavour test with top marks. Gold stars all round. Meanwhile, my companion went for the scrambled egg with salmon which, he reckoned, was palate-pleasing perfection. asn’t just the fab food which attracted the o ce boy’s eye. hey also do a roaring trade in sweet snacks from Down Under; chocolate biscuits, bars and assorted goodies. So if you’re looking for fab, fresh food, smiley staff and a café which leaves you with a warm fuzzy feeling, Burra comes thoroughly recommended. n Former Housemartins guitarist Stan is now a journalist and travel writer @stancullimore on instagram www.mediaclash.co.uk I BRISTOL LIFE I 31

EATS SHOOTS AND LEAVES Whether you’re merely paying lip service to Veganuary or converting to a wholly plant-based diet, Bristol could hardly make the switch easier Words by Ursula Cole

Pieminister’s Filo So Good packs crispy potatoes, tenderstem broccoli, garden peas, pea shoots and tzatziki into a filo crust – for the vegan option, switch out the tzatziki for smoked vegan mayo

VEGANUARY

t’s understandable that people should schedule improving initiatives such as Veganuary and Dry January for the first month of the year. Most of us are guilty of spending, eating and drinking far too much over Christmas, after all; we’re feeling a tiny bit disgusted with ourselves, and in the mood to meekly atone. New year, new us, and all that. On the other hand, you could argue that January and February are dark, cold and depressing enough as it is without having to give up the fun stuff; surely the optimistic, longer days of spring are a better time to embark on a new fitness regime and or saving the planet? But while Dry January is really an all-or-nothing affair – there’s no point in doing Vaguely Damp January – you don’t have to go full-on vegan; you can simply dip a tentative toe into the plant-based waters, if you prefer And Bristol really makes it terribly easy to do so. The city is allegedly the vegan capital of the world, and we could spend the rest of this magazine listing places with a tasty vegan offering, from fully-plantbased Koocha on Cheltenham Road, to veggie-heavy Root in Cargo; there’s Pastan for vegan pastas, Oowee for vegan burgers, while most Asian restaurants offer plenty of vegan dishes. But as we can’t do that, we spoke to just six of them.

PIEMINISTER

Bristol’s B Corp pie-making ninjas, always with a conscientious eye on the wellbeing of the planet, make a wide range of pies, which are sold at nationwide food shops and supermarkets and served at their cosy pie emporiums on Stokes Croft, Broad Quay and St Nick’s. How has your vegan offering grown?

When we started in 2003 we had just one veggie pie in our range. We’ve been steadily growing the offering since 200 , and now over a uarter of the pies are plant-based, half our starters and sharers are plantbased, and we offer a plant-based version of all of our pie feasts. Why is going at least partly vegan so important? We’ve been

measuring our carbon emissions for three years now, looking at

ABOVE: Bristol to Mother Earth: Pieminster’s vegan pie on a bed of champ mash with garden peas, finished with a parsnip and kale fritter BELOW: Pizzarova: lamb, but make it vegan

everything across the entire business, and beef is by far the biggest culprit for us. We’re doing everything we can to encourage customers to swap out our steak & ale Moo pie for the plant-based Mooless Moo. If enough of us make small changes, it can have a really positive impact. Recommend something to convert us

Our new aroc Star filo pie is really warming and full of goodness. Or the vegan version of our Feelin’ Gravy (any pie, with fries, crispy onions, vegan cheese floating in a sea of gravy or the other arth (pie, mash and garden peas with a parsnip kale fritter and gravy . You’ll never look back. www.pieminister.co.uk

PIZZAROVA

Bristol’s pizza palace has long been playing the plant-based game. How much of your food offering is vegan?

“If enough of us make changes it can have a really positive impact”

Over 50% of our menu can be made vegan and it’s been that way for nearly five years now, Our sourdough has always been vegan, containing just flour, salt and water, and with our choices of ‘yours’ toppings you can make thousands of different vegan combinations. Why is going at least partly vegan so important?

It’s better for our health and the planet. Watch Planet Earth 3. Recommend something in your menu to convert us

We use an awesome plant-based mozzarella, from organic soya and coconut oil; we’ve also just added our first meat substitute to our menu in the form of spiced ‘lamb’, which is made from fermented vegetables mixed with spices, with kale and basil chimmi. www.pizzarova.com

www.mediaclash.co.uk I BRISTOL LIFE I 33

UK’s 1st plant-based, vegan Whippy ice cream van.

Our fully vegan ice cream van offers premium plant-based ice cream served in waffle cones, or compostable pots. Based at Narrow Quay on Bristol’s harbourside. DM for private hire and events bookings.

@ the_happy_cow_icecream_van

Reach the best in the west Affluent, active and influential and just a call away

Bristol Life team 01225 475800

VEGANUARY CONSCIENCE FOODS & LIFESTYLE

From its shop in Keynsham, Conscience Foods sells artisan breads, coffee beans, honey, organic fresh produce, household products and more. How much of your food offering is vegan?

Since 2018, when the company was established, the only non-vegan foods we’ve sold are organic, free-range local eggs and locally produced honey – 98% of the foods are vegan. All chocolate, chilled and frozen items are 100% vegan, as well as the rest of our food selection. Why is going at least partly vegan so important?

There’s a huge selection of vegan foods, clothes and household products available now, so it’s easy to save animal lives and protect the environment from mass production, as well as avoiding excessive packaging by bringing your own containers to a shop like ours. Recommend something in your menu to convert us

Cashew-based vegan cheeses; organic homemade risotto; bouillon and English truffle oil; cashew-based strawberry ‘yoghurt’... www.consciencefoodsandlifestyle.co.uk

BUSY V BAKERY

Run by Lorna, who bakes cakes and treats at Sparks in Broadmead. How much of your food offering is vegan?

All of it; I have been making fully vegan food for around six years now, since turning vegan myself. above: A vegan spread from The Hideaway; bottom right: Treats from Busy V Bakery

THE HIDEAWAY

A family-friendly all-day diner on Shirehampton Road. How much of your food offering is vegan?

We always ensure at least 35% of our menu is either vegan, or available as a vegan option, and have done so since we opened back in 2019. Why is going at least partly vegan so important?

Why is going at least partly vegan so important?

Firstly, for the sake of the animals; they don’t deserve to be treated the way they do. Also environmental factors play a huge part. How we consume everything is damaging, but in particular meat is one of the worst factors . Recommend something in your menu to convert us

My carrot cake and brownies; loved by vegans and non-vegans alike. n www.busyvbakery.co.uk

It’s always been important to us to be as flexible as possible about customers’ needs when it comes to allergens and lifestyle choices. Too often, vegans are given an option that’s uninspiring and incredibly boring, so we aim to cook all our dishes from fresh ingredients on site, which allows us to adapt them to suit people wherever possible. Recommend something to convert us

The spiced beetroot and hummus burger... www.thehideawaybs9.com

YAFO

Yafo on North Street in Southville started with the belief that everyone should be able to enjoy truly authentic falafel made on site. The menu has since developed, and now showcases many more traditional Middle Eastern dishes, made with a vibrant, modern twist. How much of your food offering is vegan?

80% of our menu is vegan, and the remainder is vegetarian. We have been offering this since we opened. Why is going at least partly vegan so important?

Eating a well-planned vegan diet, which follows healthy-eating guidelines and contains all the nutrients that our bodies need, is a no-brainer, but it also helps reduce our carbon footprint, and is a great opportunity to learn about different foods and to try new tastes. Recommend something in your menu to convert us

Come and try our falafel! www.yafo.co.uk

www.mediaclash.co.uk I BRISTOL LIFE I 35

ARCHITECTS VEGANUARY

“A well-planned vegan diet o r a gr a o or uni o l arn a ou i r n oo an o r n w a

Yafo: suddenly falafel serves in a wrap seems a bit ordinary... 4 MEDIACLASH.CO.UK

VEGAN CAFE IN BRISTOL OFFERING DELICIOUS CAKES, SANDWICHES AND MORE.

Vegan bakes for everyone Also offering: essential items and sweet treats Find us in sparks broadmead. For more information: busyvbakery@gmail.com

www.busyvbakery.co.uk

EST.

CELEBRATE VEGANUARY WITH US

2018

Vegan Owned. Organic. Local. Vegan Friendly.

with 4 special offers from now until end of January to give people more options to explore Middle Eastern vegan or veggie cuisine: Salad box plus a soft drink £7.95 (Mon - Fri until 4pm) Yafo small plates - buy 4 and get the 5th for free (from 4pm)

Falafel in a pitta plus a soft drink £6.95 (Mon - Fri until 4pm) Vegan burgers with free fries (Mon - Fri until 4pm)

Over 200 Refills. Fresh Artisan Breads. Batch-Roasted Coffee Beans. Organic Veg Boxes. Gourmet Vegan. Local Wines & Beers. 10% off all Vegan purchases over £10 with this voucher in January

Yafo Ltd. 238 North Street, Southville, Bristol, BS3 1JD www.yafo.co.uk

0117 986 5511 1 Bath Hill, Keynsham. BS311EB @consciencefoods&lifestyle

SHOPPING LIVE WELL, BUY BETTER

COOL RUNNINGS

Made in celebration of those 24 humans who have walked on the oon, the Hoff oon trainer is soft but durable, with side pieces in suede leather and textile and a removeable memory foam insole. ith one small, comfy step, let’s begin our journey to the stars . . . o

oon rain r

. r u ro all li on www.gra an

ro ra a l. o.uk

a l

www.mediaclash.co.uk I BRISTOL LIFE I 41

LET’S BRING SEXY BACK ’ is really not the season for sartorial fidelity . . . Words by Marianne Cantelo

oes anyone else get to this time of year and feel like breaking up with their clothes? Or even worse, letting them hang sadly in the wardrobe while conducting a torrid affair with some inappropriate but exciting new thing? Maybe it’s the fact that the days are so short – you leave the house in the dark, you go home in the dark. Those cosy, autumnal

colours just don’t cut it anymore – they seem bland and colourless in the street light – not hygge, just homely. Instead, siren-like, in the deep of night, the shiny, shimmering, hypnotic and colourful clothes you’ve seen in shop windows, call to you. They want you. You want them. It’s an invitation that’s di cult to resist, our magpie-like tendencies exaggerated as winter removes colour from our surroundings and creates a craving for light, contrast, and excitement that we can’t find in what we already have. As much as we know these clothes might not have longevity, the excitement of playing with them outweighs how shortlived and inappropriate that relationship might be. Who will be tempting you away from your reliable, warm but functional padded jacket? It’s that hussy the fauxfur coat. Preferably in lilac, hot pink or green, maybe all three, you’ll walk out with her proudly for two months max, then drop her like a hot potato at the end of January. She’ll go with anything: jeans, midi skirts, pleather pants, maxi dresses, and minis, until suddenly she won’t. She’s gone again until next year. Eye-catching, tactile, transient. You’ll turn your back on that spacious, comfortable, ever-

faithful linen dress, and slither deliciously inside a sequin frock with matching metallic booties. She’ll seduce you into a hem length which denies the existence of cold winds, inspires eyewatering dance moves, and an irrational sense of immunity to hangovers. Then there’s velvet. Corduroy is the comfortable girl next door; velvet is the femme fatale. It’s an intense but short-lived relationship which ends shortly after you take down the Christmas decorations, even if you have introduced her to your knitwear family and they loved her as much as you did.

“Siren-like, in the deep of night, these clothes call to you. They want you. You want them” And who is replacing your pragmatic, versatile and loyal crisp white t-shirt? It’s that floozy, the jewel-toned satin, plunging blouse. Evoking 1990s Tom Ford for Gucci, it’s an item that boosts the ego – she’s slinky and sexy; with jeans, subtly seductive. At the same time, your go-everywhere tote suddenly becomes the dull stay-at-home. It’s left to the embellished, baroque, beaded and blingencrusted clutch to remind us that life’s too short and exciting to carry anything more than a phone, lipstick, keys and credit card. Are you casting off your white capsulewardrobe super-sneakers for seasonally specific sparkly high tops so you can bring the party to the o ce? here’s something in the crisper air that makes us all susceptible to statement pieces which defy our notions of practicality and make us more devil-may-care. Go on, I dare you: go on a break from your wardrobe and defy the cold with some frivolous fashion. It may not last, but it’s definitely love. Marianne Cantelo is the business development project manager for Dorothy House Hospice Care. The charity has 25 high street shops across the region, including Keynsham. selling preloved items; it also has an online shop. For more: www.dorothyhouse.org.uk Photo: Egle Vasi; www.eglevasi.com Model: Olivia Hope Anthony Styling: Anna Power Make-up: Chantelle Moody; instagram @chantellemoody.makeup

FASHION

1 2

7 6

SHOPPING LIST 9

1. Kam sequin tee, £36, from Fox and Feather, 41 Gloucester Road; www.foxandfeather.co.uk 2. Lugano metallic boots, £149.95, from Fox and Feather, 41 Gloucester Road, www.foxandfeather.co.uk 3. T.T Handpicked fluffy teady bear hat, £26, from That Thing, 45-47 Stokes Croft; www.thatthing.co 4. Pica Pica sequin headwrap, £45 from That Thing, 45-47 Stokes Croft; www.thatthing.co 5. Stine Goya Nixa Dress, £345 (reduced from £690), from Grace & Mabel, 32, The Mall; www.graceandmabel.co.uk 6. Stine Goya silver croc Lexie Bag, £180, from Grace & Mabel, 32, The Mall; www.graceandmabel.co.uk 7. Veja Recife leather trainers. £150, from Grace & Mabel, 32, The Mall; www.graceandmabel.co.uk 8. Jakke Katie faux-fur coat, £290, from Harvey Nichols, 27 Philadelphia Street; www.harveynichols.com 9. Satin halter top, £79, from Mint Velvet, 44 Regent Street; www.mintvelvet.com 10. De La Vali Broadway sequinembellished mini-dress, £490, from Harvey Nichols, 27 Philadelphia Street; www.harveynichols.com 11. Stella McCartney Falabella sequin-embellished mini tote, £850, from Harvey Nichols, 27 Philadelphia Street; www.harveynichols.com 12. Beaded tassel jacket, £349, from Mint Velvet, 44 Regent Street; www.mintvelvet.com

www.mediaclash.co.uk I BRISTOL LIFE I 43

DR HANNAH CHAPMAN WINTER SKIN CARE Intensifier by SkinCeuticals is one of my hero products for winter hydration. If you aren’t using a retinoid, then you should be (unless you are pregnant, breast feeding or have very sensitive skin) and winter is a great time to start. Retinoids are one of the few skincare ingredients that change our skin at a cellular level, increasing cell turnover and stimulating fibroblasts to produce more collagen, elastin and hyaluronic acid. Not all retinoids are created equal, so book in a complimentary skin consultation with me to find out more.

2 Hannah has been a GP in Bristol for over 12 years, and is medical director at her doctor-delivered skin clinic, KinDRed Skin Aesthetics. In this article, she shares her insider secrets to help you achieve that elusive winter glow

he cold, harsh weather and central heating can play havoc with our skin during the winter. Almost all of my patients complain of dull, dehydrated skin at this time of year, but there are some simple steps you can take to keep your skin in beautiful, healthy condition.

Key skincare ingredients As a GP, I know that prevention is always better than cure, and the same applies when looking after your skin. 95% of UV radiation reaching our skin from the sun is in the form of UVA, and this can penetrate clouds, glass and is just as strong during the winter.

44 I BRISTOL LIFE I www.mediaclash.co.uk

It damages our DNA, degrades our collagen and is the cause of 80% of skin aging. It isn’t getting older that is aging your skin, it is damage from the sun. A facial sunscreen, rain or shine, summer or winter, needs to be part of your daily morning routine EVERY day. I would advise ditching any makeup or moisturiser containing SPF – it simply isn’t adequate protection. In the clinic, I stock the amazing Heliocare sunscreen range which is super- lightweight and affords the very best protection. Don’t forget your neck and hands! Another key ingredient in your winter skincare routine is hyaluronic acid. This is a natural substance found in our skin which helps to lock in moisture. The HA

In-clinic treatments My favourite winter skin treatments focus on hydration and skin quality. Skinboosters, such as Profhilo, are injectable treatments containing a very high concentration of hyaluronic acid to supercharge skin hydration. If you are new to aesthetic treatments, then skin boosters are perfect because they won’t change your appearance in any way, other than giving you more glowing, supple skin. The stratum corneum, or ‘dead skin layer’, can really thicken up during the winter, leading to a dull appearance. A chemical peel is a great way to remove this layer to reveal the radiant, fresh skin underneath. The Obagi Blue Peel Radiance is a low downtime peel (no hibernation needed) that is universally loved by my patients for an affordable and uick boost. Dermalux LED light therapy is another in-clinic favourite. It uses specific, safe wavelengths of light

to stimulate the skin. It is a lovely winter treatment as it boosts our fibroblasts and gives a glow without the need for any products, needles or downtime.

What to avoid in winter? Winter is full of temptations and threats to your skin. Avoid these common pitfalls and your skin will thank you. • Avoid dehydration by drinking at least 2 litres of water per day. • Avoid hot showers and harsh foaming cleansers that can strip the skin – I always prefer using a cleansing balm at this time of year. • It might feel like your dry skin needs a good scrub, but rough, physical exfoliators are generally bad for your skin barrier. Use a gentle chemical exfoliator instead such as SkinCeuticals Glycolic 10 Renew Overnight. • In the depths of winter, it can be tempting to jump on a sunbed for a quick tan but this is possibly the worst thing you could ever do to your skin. A BMJ study showed that the risk of melanoma increased by 20% for those who had ever used a sunbed. • Finally, alcohol leads to skin dehydration and elevated blood sugar causes protein glycation effectively breaking down your collagen) so a New Year’s resolution of Dry January and signing up for that 10K will actually help your skin too!

“As a GP I know that prevention is always better than cure, and the same applies when looking after your skin”

If you’d like to book a complimentary consultation with Dr Hannah, her website is www.kindredskin.co.uk and Instagram @kindredskinaesthetics

WINTER HOTELS

WE’RE ON A BREAK The South West is positively littered with luxury hotels vying for your custom. So how do you pick the perfect one for your winter staycation? It’s a toughie, we know; but we’ve just made the choice a little easier...

46 I BRISTOL LIFE I www.mediaclash.co.uk

ook. It’s cold out there. We know you’ve already blown the January budget in advance with all the Christmas excess, but if you’re very, very good you may, just may, be able to spring for a luxury break this winter – you know, to recover from all the Christmas excess. The hotels on these pages are among the best in the South West, so you don’t have to drive very far. Some are right here in town; if staying overnight in a hotel just up the road seems unnecessarily decadent, you could always just pop in for lunch, coffee or drinks.

THE COOL ONE NEAR CABOTS Artist Residence, Bristol

Where? Portland Square, a five-minute walk from Cabot Circus. Why? Set in an old boot factory and Georgian town house, the eccentric, intimate, design-led Artist Residence offers 23 individually decorated bedrooms, including two suites, along with The Lookout – a unique two-storey space tucked away in the eaves, with a private terrace overlooking the rooftops. There’s art everywhere, much of it from locals such as Rose Vickers, Annie Clay and street artist Kedals. The all-day food and drink at the industrial-chic Boot Factory – their concrete-and-brick bar, café and kitchen – is pretty special too, crowd-pleasingly Mediterranean and built around pizzas, grilled meat and fish, and hearty bowls of pasta. www.artistresidence.co.uk/bristol

Artist Residence; if you can’t justify staying overnight, how about coming for coffee, dinner or cocktails?

WINTER HOTELS THE ONE WITH *THAT* VIEW Avon Gorge by Hotel du Vin, Bristol

Where? Up in fancy Clifton Village, with unrivalled views across the Gorge and the Suspension Bridge. Why? Once one of the city’s greatest wasted opportunities, now reinvigorated by the Hotel du Vin group, Avon Gorge offers suites, balconies and even garden rooms, a witty-yet-elegant decor, in one of the most spectacular locations you could hope for. There’s a rather special restaurant, Goram & Vincent – imagine a gritty smokehouse with an open kitchen, coal-fired grills and bespoke clay ovens – and the publike White Lion bar, both sharing those sublime views. Alternatively, if you fancy keeping it central, Hotel du Vin’s original Narrow Lewis Mead site is housed in a collection of Grade-II former sugar warehouses, and has a newly refurbished bistro, too. www.hotelduvin.com

THE ONE COMBINING THE BEST OF BOTH WORLDS The Bath Priory, Bath

Where In leafy Weston Park, a 20-minute walk from the centre of Bath. Why? The best British hotels tend to be either country piles – big, beautiful, but essentially isolated – or set in the heart of a city, inevitably a little smaller and a little noisier, but with everything right on your doorstep. Welcome to the best of both worlds: The Bath Priory feels like the first, but it’s just a short wander through a top-notch park to the heart of the world-heritage city. Mosey around the four acres of gardens, sink into a feather sofa in front of a roaring fire, explore the

48 I BRISTOL LIFE I www.mediaclash.co.uk

historic glamour of Bath itself, or pamper yourself in The Garden Spa by L’Occitane – the only one of its type in the UK. Alternatively, just come to enjoy executive chef Jauca Catalin’s all day menu in the 3 AA Rosette restaurant or The Pantry. www.thebathpriory.co.uk

“Bath THE ONE OOZING PALLADIAN GRANDEUR Priory Lucknam Park, Wiltshire feels like a countryhouse hotel, but is a short walk across the park to the city” Bath Priory: the charms of the city await, but you can be forgiven for never leaving the grounds of the hotel

Where? Near Colerne, seven miles from Bath. Why? With a whopping 500 acres of parkland, Lucknam Park really comes into its own in winter. This 42-room Palladian mansion provides an ideal escape for those fancying long country walks in the crisp winter air (dogs welcome, too), perhaps following the trail of statues dotted around the estate. An equestrian centre offers hacks through the woodland; non-riding children will be kept busy with crafts and adventures inside The Hideaway. You can even take part in falconry or archery, before lazing in front of roaring log fires, accompanied by a wide choice of books and board games. There’s an indoor pool, and the Michelin-starred restaurant Hywel Jones, offering wonderful views of the frost-touched gardens. Lucknam re-launched its spa in 2022, along with two new partners: sustainable brand Natural Spa Factory, and global skincare leader 111SKIN, whose premium offering features non-surgical face lifts and an innovative Cryo chamber, designed to mimic the effects of extreme cold on the body’s natural system. www.lucknampark.co.uk

THE ONE WITH THE SPA IN A BANK VAULT Bristol Harbour Hotel & Spa, Bristol

Where? Right in the middle of Old City, on Corn Street, within two grand former 19th-century banks. Why? A hotel with true star quality, from the 42 bedrooms to Sansovino Hall – built in 1850, inspired by a 16th-century Venetian library, and once a banking emporium. Deep underground, within the former bank vaults, lies the HarSPA; there’s also the ultra-luxe Gold Bar in the old bank manager’s office, with its plush velvet armchairs, cocktails, resident weekend DJ and high-end speakeasy vibe. Just coming for lunch or dinner? The Harbour Kitchen will sort you out with its seafood-centric menu. www.harbourhotels.co.uk

THE CROWD-PLEASER Bovey Castle, Devon

To the manor born: evoking Edwardian country house weekends of old, a stay at Bovey castle can be as active or as idle as you wish

Where? Near Moretonhampstead, south west of Exeter. Why? For its extensive and eclectic offering. True, it’s not an actual castle, it’s a neo-Elizabethan manor house on a vast estate in Dartmoor National Park, but it does offer a break which combines action-packed activities with supreme relaxation. Bracing walks come as standard, but there’s also clay pigeon shooting, archery and 4x4 off-roading; for those after something more sybaritic, there’s the Elan Spa, maybe followed by afternoon tea. There’s a PlayZone for younger kids and a TechZone for older ones, while a new wellness studio offers yoga, pilates and meditation. www.boveycastle.com

Escape and unwind at Aquarias Spa in 2024 Experience luxurious new spa treatments and spa days by Sothys and Gaia Wellness lives at Whatley A full day spa experience from £240, which includes full use of the spa facilities, a 30-minute Sothys Tailor-Made Body Treatment and one 90-minute facial chosen from a selection of Sothys facials. Flotation Pod Therapy available from £56 for 60 minutes.

Call Aquarias Spa on 01666 827 070 or email aquarias@whatleymanor.com to make a booking Whatley Manor Hotel and Spa, Easton Grey, Malmesbury, SN16 0RB whatleymanor.com

whatleymanor

t: 0117 279 0980 | m: 07956 846307 e: simon@bristolcityroofing.co.uk

www. bristolcityroofing.co.uk

WINTER HOTELS THE ONE ON THE EDGE OF THE MOOR Gidleigh Park, Devon

Where? Near Chagford, on the fringes of Dartmoor. Why? Tucked away down over a mile of single-track lane, with signs that encourage you to “keep heart, you’re still en-route”, this half-timbered manor house is a magical retreat: turn a corner, the hotel and grounds open up, and you’re transported to a wonderland far from everyday life. Events range from wine dinners to craft workshops, with unique experiences tailored to you: a private wine tasting for two, in Gidleigh’s famed wine cellar, perhaps? After wintry yomps across Dartmoor, or more stately perambulations around the 107 acres of grounds, enjoy open fires, the pretty water garden, the 18-hole putting course. Money no object? The hugely indulgent spa suite includes an in-room sauna and steam room as well as a huge bath in front of double doors, which can be opened to take in treetop views while you soak. Oh, and executive head chef Chris Eden has just been awarded a Michelin Star. www.gidleigh.co.uk

(check out the giant teddy bear, if it’s still there). It’s dog- and family-friendly, with lovely staff. There’s a little spa too, but for us the big winter appeal is the individual dining pods on the terrace, with cosy throws and cheerful winter decorations, where after a glass of Taittinger Champagne, a threecourse dining extravaganza will be served to your very private table. www.homewoodbath.co.uk

“Homewood approaches the serious THE ONE BURSTING WITH BOUTIQUERY Hotel Indigo Bath, Bath matter of hospitality with imagination and mischief”

THE ONE WITH THE DINING DOMES Homewood Park, Freshford

Where? Freshford, six miles south of Bath Why? It may look like a classic country house, but Homewood is the opposite of stuffy, approaching the serious matter of hospitality with imagination and mischief. It loves to create unexpected little moments of delight, such as a collection of glamorous chandeliers or random sculptures around the gardens

The Homewood domes: dine in a cosy private bubble of your own

Where? Between the Abbey and the railway station, central Bath. Why? Perfectly placed in the heart of the city, occupying numerous town houses on South Parade, Hotel Indigo opened its 18th-century underground Vault Rooms last year, completing the final stage of a multi-million-pound restoration project. Each of the 12 rooms is beautiful and spacious, featuring exposed brickwork, soft lighting, timber finishes, vaulted stone ceilings and underfloor heating, with king-size Hypnos beds; the spa-inspired bathrooms come with roll-top baths and walk-in rainfall showers. So that’s the snoozing and abluting sorted; what about supping? Happily, on-site restaurant The Elder is at hand, sumptuous yet informal with an extraordinary menu. Independently owned and run by restaurateur Mike Robinson and executive chef Gavin Edney, it’s widely acknowledged to be one of the most exciting dining options in Bath. www.bath.hotelindigo.com

www.mediaclash.co.uk I BRISTOL LIFE I 51

WINTER HOTELS THE ONE WITH THE MAGICAL RIVERSIDE SETTING Minster Mill, Oxfordshire

Where? Right on the banks of the River Windrush, in the village of Minster Lovell. Why? Venerable Cotswold stone on the outside, cool and modern within, Minster Mill has a small spa, a beautiful restaurant, and the perfect location close to the dreaming spires of Oxford. The rooms are a special treat, each with its own terrace, chimney and marshmallows for toasting. www.minstermill.co.uk

THE ONE THAT HAS EVERYTHING The Newt in Somerset

Where? Bruton Why? It’s been awarded the Carlo Alberto Best Boutique Hotel Award 2023 and was ranked as the 37th best hotel in the world. It’s an all-encompassing luxury getaway with grounds including a kitchen garden, wild-swimming ponds, apple orchards with over 265 types of apple, ancient wood-lands and cow pastures. There’s a cider cellar where guests can watch cider being pressed, a history of gardening museum, butchers, farm shop, ice cream parlour and bakery. The main hotel itself is within a reconstructed classical villa with a working bathhouse, now a luxurious spa. There are 23 guest rooms in the main 17th-century house, with more rooms spread over four other buildings, including a renovated stables and farmhouse. If you can bear to leave, a visit to the Hauser & Wirth’s indoor and outdoor gallery is a must. www.thenewtinsomerset.com

THE ONE WITH THE SWEETIE PANTRY No.15, Bath

Where? On the wide, elegant avenue of Great Pulteney Street, famous as a filming location for Vanity

“The Parador is a little slice of Spanish heaven dropped into the heart of South Wales”

Minster Mill near Oxford: check out the special winter break deals

Fair, The Duchess and Bridgerton. Why? It’s is the perfect place for a winter hunkerdown, right in the middle of one of Bath’s most spectacular roads yet feeling apart from the busy city centre. Hide from the world with sweets and popcorn from The Pantry and a classic disc from the vinyl library to spin on your in-room record player. Then maybe head down to the spa – one favourite option is the Copper Room ritual, best with a carefully chosen plusone – or for afternoon tea curated by the pastry chef. Fancy exploring the city? Why not borrow a Brompton bike from the hotel and explore on two wheels? www.guesthousehotels.co.uk

THE ONE WHERE WALES MEETS SPAIN Parador 44, Cardiff

Where? Cardiff city centre. Why? Dreaming of warmer climes? Just head over the Severn Bridge. While sun is far from guaranteed – Cardiff tends to be even rainier than Bristol, if you can imagine such a thing – you really won’t notice when you’re cosying up with a sherry in the guest lounge, or tucking into the fire-cooked Asturian food. Created by the Morgan family, of Clifton’s Bar 44 fame, the Parador is a little slice of Spanish heaven dropped into the heart of South Wales, with a relaxed atmosphere and nine boutique rooms. There’s even an honesty bar packed with Spanish snacks, and the hotel’s very own sherry, in the guest lounge. Mere months after opening, Parador 44 was named by The Guardian as one of the UK’s top 20 best hotels. www.grupo44.co.uk

THE ONE NEAR THE COAST The Pig at Combe Devon

Where? In the Otter Valley. Why? Two Pigs on our list, but which porker suits you more? All The Pig hotels are really restaurants with rooms, and everything revolves around the working kitchen gardens on-site, where ingredients are grown for both restaurant and bar. What can’t be grown or reared at each Pig is sourced from local suppliers within a 25-mile radius. Whether you want to stay in and play a board game, venture out onto one of the many trails or make the 15-mile hop to the East Devon coastline, this Devon Pig, within its golden Elizabethan gem of a building and 3,500 acres of lush countryside, can accommodate it all. www.thepighotel.com/at-combe

THE ONE WITH THE SPA IN THE POTTING SHED The Pig, near Bath, Somerset

Where? In the Mendip Hills, just eight miles from Bristol (t could just as easily be called The Pig Near Bath, but we’re not one to quibble).

So spa, so good: The Royal Crescent Hotel

Why? So many reasons. Enjoy a treatment in the potting shed spa rooms, where you can indulge while surrounded by nature, then enjoy the best local produce and a couple of glasses of English fizz before stumbling the short distance to your room – either within the elegant 18th-century house or the charming coach house or garden rooms. www.thepighotel.com/near-bath

THE ONE ON THE CRESCENT Royal Crescent Hotel & Spa, Bath

Where In the centre of Bath’s most famous street Why? A classic destination in a classy city. The 45 luxurious bedrooms are all by interior designer Jane Clayton; Bath is just a short stroll away – with the hotel’s concierge team on hand to book the best tables and recommend things to do. Dine or take afternoon tea at the recently refurbished The Dower House Restaurant; pamper yourself in the award-winning spa, with its heated relaxation pool; or enjoy the Taittinger spa garden (perhaps with a blanket over your knees). www.royalcrescent.co.uk

WINTER HOTELS

PHOTO BY TOM DAVIES, @TOMAESH

THE ONE IN THE CITYCENTRE TOWN HOUSE Southernhay House, Exeter

Where? Central Exeter; five minutes from the city’s Gothic cathedral. Why? The Grade II* town house is ideal for wandering around the city, being within easy striking distance of Exeter’s original Roman walls, though the hotel houses so many attractions you could be forgiven for never leaving the hotel; with its open fireplaces, classic cocktails, seasonal menus and superbly comfortable beds, it’s a mini-destination in itself. Southernhay also offers apartments in a large Georgian town house opposite, combining all the hotel’s comforts with a sense of independence; ideal for a longer stay. Alternatively, chose one of the individually designed bedrooms with a decadently deep roll top bath. The public spaces are fun to explore too, with the new Green Room (a former lockdown project) hugging the private garden and terrace. www.southernhayhouse.com

voco St David’s: handy for the Millennium Centre ( and Ianto’s shrine, obviously)

“The elegant design is topped with a feature reminiscent of a boat’s sail”

THE ONE WITH A SAIL ON THE ROOF voco St. David’s, Cardiff

Where? Havannah Street, Cardiff Bay Why? Because it’s THE place to stay on the Bay; a contemporary glass-fronted waterfront hotel gazing across the Bay and Penarth Marina. The elegant design is topped with a feature reminiscent of a boat’s sail; inside, the vertigo-inducing, full-height (we mean, all the way up) lobby soars to the 142 luxurybedrooms with their floor-to-ceiling windows – and the two luxurious, balconied, open-plan suites. There’s a Welsh dining experience in restaurant and bar Tir a Môr, (‘land and sea’), which celebrates local produce, where executive chef David Woodford gives classic dishes a modern twist. Even the cocktail menu reflects the spirit(s) of the country: Coctel sur Bara Brith (Bara Brith Sour) features Devil’s Bridge spiced rum, while the Coctel Hen Ffasiwn Myglyd (Smoked Old Fashioned) is made with Penderyn peated whisky. There’s also a superb spa and fully-equipped gym. Winter wellbeing at its best. www.stdavids.vocohotels.com

www.mediaclash.co.uk I BRISTOL LIFE I 55

TRAIL MIX

Two adults. Two teenagers. Four bikes: The Ifans Four go in search of twowheeled adventure at Bike Park Wales Words by Rachel Ifans

xx I BRISTOL LIFE I www.mediaclash.co.uk

GREAT ESCAPES

lick. A nervous 18-year-old pulls on the knee pads, wondering why she’s here on her only day off work this week. Click. An overconfident 6-yearold rolls his eyes at every minute wasted while his family faffs with loo trips, kit checks, safety advice. Click. A man stands on the pedals bouncing the suspension. He looks half his 53 years – until he has to go uphill. Click. A woman squeezes a full-face helmet over her ample cheeks, and takes a final look back at the sunny café terrace. No, she reminds herself, you will not merely hold the bags any more. These are snapshots of our team when we rocked up at Bike Park Wales in erthyr ydfil during October half term. It was a sunny day, and we had high hopes for our family day out; adventure, togetherness, a new challenge and a day away from the desk out in the beauty of Wales. Bike Park Wales is only an hour from Bristol, and it’s one of the UK’s biggest all-weather mountain biking centres. It has over 40 trails

to choose from and the longest green and blue graded descents in the UK. Being nonmountain bikers, we had to hire all the kit, from elbow and knee pads, to helmets and the bikes themselves. We could have opted for a Ticket to Ride package which gives you all the kit and also a guide, and is great for beginners, but we decided to explore alone. he 6-year-old has been stung by guides before; in his opinion, they go far too slowly. The park is rather like a ski resort, the trails categorised according to level of di culty, with green, blue, red and black options that will be familiar to winter sports fans. You can also choose between Flow and Tech trails; the former are faster bike rides through the woods on generally wider paths, while the latter are slower, more technical and demand more riding ability on specific types of natural terrain, including chunky rocks, drops and roots. The park is set on a hill that is covered by tall skinny pine trees as well as a smattering of firs – and the most magical part of it all is the uplift service. e set off along the green trail that takes you from the reception and café to the place where you lob your bike onto a trailer and hop in a van for a lift up the hill. To be honest, it feels like the most delicious form of cheating. I mean, who really wants to cycle up to nearly 00m altitude when all the fun is barrelling back down on

“If you’re going to be sick, use your helmet” said one sticker. Gulp”

paths through the trees? I could see my daughter’s eyes widen as we tried to hoik our bikes onto the trailer racks; luckily, the van driver stepped in to help. Those almondy peepers opened even further as we read the gra ti and stickers on the inside of the truck. If you’re going to be sick, use your helmet” said one. Gulp. In actual fact, the journey up to the top of Myndd Gethin is bumpy but not sick-making and it’s a joy to be dumped at the top of the hill from where all downhill trails begin. We went for the easiest one – the ermit – although I had the lyric It’s not easy being green croaking in my head as my last-minute nerves increased. As it was, the so-say ‘nervous’ daughter shot off like a natural after my son and husband. It only took a few minutes of cycling through the sun-dappled trees and mossy stumps for her to declare allegiance, and I was very happy to follow behind, trying to keep up. The Kermit takes a beautiful path through the trees and then pops out on the side of the hill where you get an awesome view of Methyr in the valley before you take on a series of switchbacks back down to the café. We arrived exhilarated and ready to hop back in the truck for another go. My husband and son explored other trails like the Melted Welly, Roller Disco and Fforest Bump that day while my daughter and myself perfected the Kermit again and again. We met back at the Woodland Café for some loaded fries and chilli dogs. “Mountain biking makes me feel so epic, I confessed, expecting a teenage eyeroll or two at my dorkiness. But everyone agreed. My son loved how mindful it was because you had to concentrate on what you were doing all the time. My daughter couldn’t believe how good her bike was; comfy, bouncy and with brakes you could totally trust on steep inclines. “And there was absolutely no pedalling uphill,” marvelled my husband, like a man who had found a new religion. I have a feeling we’ll be going back. n or or ik ark al r anai CF48 1YZ; www.bikeparkwales.com

fil

www.mediaclash.co.uk I BRISTOL LIFE I 57

JONCRAIG Photographer Bristol   @joncraig_photos

@JON CR AIG PHOTOS

BRISTOL PROPERTY AWARDS

RAISE THE ROOF! Another year, another massive celebration at the Bristol Property Awards

oaring back for another triumphant year, the Bristol Property Awards 2023 took place at Ashton Gate Stadium on 24 November, recognising myriad achievements from a prestigious array of property professionals in the region. Let’s take a look at how it all went down. With the largest set of categories to date, from Civic to Sustainability; winners from rising stars and national powerhouses, and a record number of high-quality nominations, this year’s Awards were bolder and more brilliant than ever before. As hundreds descended upon Ashton Gate to celebrate this thriving Bristol sector, the event launched with networking, drinks and lunch before the ceremony got underway – this year hosted by TV presenter Gavin Ramjaun and MediaClash chief executive Greg Ingham, with an opening speech from Neil Leitch of Hampshire Trust Bank, the headline sponsor.

On behalf of Bristol Life, a huge congratulations to the amazing winners – a diverse and dynamic collective of businesses shaping Bristol’s property scene with outstanding e ciency. Special recognition goes to the inspiring team at Alide Hire Services, who won not only the Supplier and Services Award, but also the overall Winner of Winners for their achievements. To quote the judges, Alide showed an “admirable bounce-backability from a profound setback that destroyed their premises. Recovering is one thing: thriving so strongly is quite another.” Deserved double winners. As is traditional at the Awards, celebrating the winners was just one aspect of the event. The property industry is renowned for its energy and sociability, and this ceremony was no exception – colleagues, clients and companions came together, built contacts

and laid the foundation for future plans together. Bristol Life was among the many local businesses supporting these Awards, which are of immense benefit to the community, and the organisers of the Bristol Property Awards have ambitions to provide an even larger impact on the sector in 2024. On pages 62-63 you will see the full set of winners, plus all of the attendee pics from the day. Keep an eye on other property events coming up, with not only the Awards returning next autumn, but the annual Property Symposium, featuring sustainability, in April. We hope to see you all there. For more: www.bristolpropertyawards.co.uk

www.mediaclash.co.uk I BRISTOL LIFE I 61

BRISTOL PROPERTY AWARDS 2023 WINNERS! The judges faced some incredibly tough decisions, but after much debate, here are their choices… Photos by Jon Craig

ARCHITECT – STRIDE TREGLOWN (HIGHLY COMMENDED: EJ STUDIO)

CIVIC DEVELOPMENT – GOLDFINCH CREATE & PLAY, EARTHWISE CONSTRUCTION & SEB+FIN ARCHITECTS

COMMERCIAL AGENT – LAMBERT SMITH HAMPTON

COMMERCIAL DEVELOPMENT – ONE HUNDRED, V7 (HIGHLY COMMENDED: EQ, CEG)

CONSULTANCY – HYDROCK

(HIGHLY COMMENDED: RIDGE AND PARTNERS)

CONTRACTOR – JAS BUILDING SERVICES

COWORKING SPACES – DESKLODGE

DEVELOPER – THE HILL GROUP

(HIGHLY COMMENDED: CLOCKWISE) 62 I BRISTOL LIFE I www.mediaclash.co.uk

(HIGHLY COMMENDED: AUTOGRAPH HOMES)

BRISTOL PROPERTY AWARDS

EMPLOYER – COREUS GROUP (HIGHLY

FINANCIAL – BEEWISE FS

INTERIOR DESIGNER – AWW

LEGAL – BEVAN BRITTAN

ONE TO WATCH – COREUS GROUP

RESIDENTIAL AGENT – HYBR AND KPA PROPERTY MANAGEMENT

RESIDENTIAL DEVELOPMENT – ONE LOCKLEAZE, COUNTRYSIDE PARTNERSHIPS & GORAM HOMES

RISING STAR – GEORGE HOOTON, HOOTONS COMMERCIAL

SUPPLIER AND SERVICES – ALIDE HIRE SERVICES

SUSTAINABILITY – CEG (HIGHLY COMMENDED: INTERACTION)

TRANSFORMATION – ONE HUNDRED, V7

WINNER OF WINNERS – ALIDE HIRE SERVICES

COMMENDED: AWW/ CURTINS CONSULTING)

(HIGHLY COMMENDED: RED CONSTRUCTION SOUTH WEST)

www.mediaclash.co.uk I BRISTOL LIFE I 63

Maximise productivity and let us take the stress out of your journey.... Whether you are attending business meetings, going to the airport or planning a special occasion, we will ensure you arrive on time and relaxed. There is no need to fight for a seat on a busy train or stress about driving long distances with our professional and experienced chauffeurs at your service.

WHEN YOU NEED TO MAKE A GOOD FIRST IMPRESSION WHEN YOU NEED TO BE SOMEWHERE ON TIME WHEN YOU NEED THAT EXTRA ATTENTION TO DETAIL

WE DRIVE YOU

NEW TO MARKET: AWARDS 2024 For Early Bird discounts, contact: bristollifecommercial@mediaclash.co.uk

BRISTOLPROPERTYAWARDS.CO.UK | #BRISTOLPROPERTYAWARDS

Pics from the Bristol Property Awards by Adam Clutterbuck Photography www.adamclutterbuckphotography.com

Xxx, Duncan Haddrell and xxx

66 I BRISTOL LIFE I www.mediaclash.co.uk

EXETER PROPERTY AWARDS

Xxx

www.mediaclash.co.uk I BRISTOL LIFE I 67

NETWORK

MD Simon Pyne (right)

THE HEAT IS ON

GREEN DAYS One of Bristol’s leading carbon-reduction advisory firms, reener nergy Futures, has been awarded B-Corp status, boosting Bristol’s reputation as the leading regional hub for sustainable businesses in the UK. The company joins more than 80 other companies in the city to have successfully undergone what is generally regarded to be the gold-standard certification process in organisational social and environmental business practices. reener nergy Futures was founded in Bristol in 2019, and since inception has saved customers more than 1000 tonnes of carbon emissions annually, as well as supporting the raising of £4m in grant-funding and saving nearly £300,000 of annual energy costs. It supports organisations across the public and private sectors throughout the UK, including xperian A, Avon Fire Rescue, Redrock Consulting, and Diocese of Bristol. For more: www.greenerenergyfutures.net

Specialist Bristol-based recruitment agency Heat Recruitment Ltd will join Smart Solutions Group to enable ambitious growth plans. The collaboration will allow both companies to combine synergistic skills and resources, and will be a pivotal step towards market growth and expansion in Bristol and across the UK. With an 50-strong team currently working within the business, the investment from Smart will support Heat’s ambition to build the team further, aiming to double it in size across the next two years and bringing more jobs to the region. For more: www.heatrecruitment.co.uk

Rob Webb of Smart (left) with Steve Preston of Heat

SPIN WHEN YOU’RE WINNING The University of Bristol and deep-tech organisation Science Creates have agreed to launch a £8.5m major new incubator in the heart of the new emple uarter nterprise Campus. The investment has been enabled with a £4.75m award from the Research ngland Development fund. he new incubator, O , is for spin-out companies, formed to apply academic research in a commercial context, which have the potential to provide a major economic boost to the region. This will mark the third deep tech incubator Science Creates has delivered with the university, the first of which opened in 2017. O will provide capacity to incubate approximately 2 new companies, starting from next year. For more: www.bristol.ac.uk

THE STATE OF THE ARTS any leading Bristol’s cultural institutions are due to lose their council funding next year. Bristol Old Vic, St George’s, The Wardrobe Theatre and Watershed are among those not granted funding. hile understanding the financial constraints facing the council, Bernard Donoghue, chair of Bristol Old Vic’s board of trustees said: “We must reframe investment in arts and culture as exactly that: an investment. It delivers not only the welldocumented benefits to social value, but also an economic return at a factor much greater

than the original investment. “Our sector is larger than the telecommunications sector, and on a par with the food and beverages sector. It’s a smart, reliable investment. The culture sector is a key consideration when companies are thinking about relocating or planning investment. It is one of the biggest contributors to civic pride.” Circomedia, Bristol ride Festival, St aul’s Carnival, and Spike Island are among the cultural projects still due to receive funding. For more: www.bristol.gov.uk

Offices in: Henleaze, Whiteladies Road Clifton Village, Shirehampton 0117 962 1205 www.amdsolicitors.com

PRIVATE CLIENT - FAMILY - PROPERTY - COMMERCIAL

HEADLINE SPONSOR

Benefit from Bristol’s biggest business event: March 27 bristollifecommercial@mediaclash.co.uk

NOW!

NEW!

Nominations open:

How to benefit from the Awards: Initial sponsors:

#BristolLifeAwards ︱ bristollifeawards.co.uk A

Production

PROPERTY

A GOOD PLACE TO LIVE Welcome back to the dream homes section of the magazine. Here are a few of the knockout properties we lusted over during 2023 Words by Ursula Cole XX I BRISTOL LIFE I www.mediaclash.co.uk

1BARROW COURT

“Few homes can trace their origins back to a 12th-century nunnery; even fewer come with their own solar and private chapel” One of the most outstanding properties we’ve ever featured [see also main photo, left]. With seven bedrooms, and as many reception rooms, including a Great Hall, this home occupies the main part of a historic pile near Tyntesfield. Valued at: £2.75m Agent: Hamptons

2CANYNGE SQUARE

“A home with an almost unfair quota of charm and elegance sits serenely on one of Clifton’s loveliest squares” For many, a Georgian town house represents the apogee of a Bristol home. This wisteriaclad, golden-stone beauty would be ideal for anyone aspiring to live in Clifton Village. Valued at: £3.25m Agent: Knight Frank

3FLAX BOURTON

“Hold the farmhouse kitchen; cancel the chintz. If we’re to move to the country, make it a 1970s idyll” A personal favourite with us at Bristol Life, this threebedroomed mid-century modern house just off the Clevedon Road proves that country living needn’t be quaint or twee. So cool it doesn’t even have a name. Valued at: £985k Agent: The Modern House

www.mediaclash.co.uk I BRISTOL LIFE I 73

4ABBOTS SHARPHAM

“If these walls could talk, there’d be enough material for a six-part BBC historical drama” Dripping with history, formerly owned by mediaeval abbots, Tudor grandees and Georgian literati, and owned by Roger Saul, the founder of heritage brand Mulberry, since 1977. Valued at: The 270-acre estate with 15th-century manor house, deer park, cottages, orchards, organic farm and mill: £8m. Also for sale in lots. Agent: Carter Jonas Rural

6YORK’S LANE

“It has a tetradecagon-shaped garden room…” A skilful 1960s transformation of an 18th-century stone cottage in Chewton Mendip, by noted midcentury architects; ideal for anyone wanting the best of both eras. Valued at: £1.95m Agent: The Modern House

5MCARTHUR’S YARD

“Harbourside living: it’s not all about Wapping Wharf, you know…” Apartments at the Yard represent one of the final chances to bag a home at a waterfront development; you’d even have the ss Great Britain as your next-door neighbour. Valued at: Apartments from £310k to £725k Agent: Savills

74 I BRISTOL LIFE I www.mediaclash.co.uk

PROPERTY

7QUEEN SQUARE

“Thought you knew what to expect from a house on this venerable square?” They had us at “Regency town house on Queen Square”. They piqued our interest still further with: “It was used for filming Sherlock, y’know”. Then we saw the inner courtyard, and the glorious contemporary extension, and we lost our hearts completely. Valued at: £1.65m Agent: Rupert Oliver

8THE OLD POTTERY

“Looking for a textbook example of how to maximise space in a bijou-sized home?” We adore Princess Victoria Street, which despite being at the heart of Clifton Village has an extraordinarily peaceful back-street air about it, and we loved the home created by civil engineer Tom Freeman and architect Lizzie O’Neill from a tiny former pottery. Not for sale n

www.mediaclash.co.uk I BRISTOL LIFE I 75

WINNER

“We are so proud to be this year’s winners of the Bristol Life Awards” - Andrew Sperring, CEO

Home Renovation Project Management That WORKS Every Time

FAMILY-RUN MULTI-AWARD-WINNING BUILDING SERVICES COMPANY WHO SPECIALISE IN HOME RENOVATION Call us today on: 01454 506108

www.jasbuildingservices.co.uk

BRISTOL LIVES

“I came to Bristol wanting to put down roots in its vibrant music scene”

JEREMY AVIS

Jeremy reckons anyone can sing in a choir; fancy joining him and the crew on a trip to Brussels next year?

hen Jeremy isn’t singing with various contemporary and classical groups, he’s doing session work for films and V. He’s also a university vocal tutor, and runs choirs and events such as Hidden Gems, which combines the pleasure of singing with the joy of visiting wonderful places. I’ve been running community choirs since 2004. When I

moved to Bristol I was tipped off that Bristol Voices was looking for an MD: I sent the chairperson an email, met the committee, ran them a session, and that was it. I first learned to sing standing

next to my grandfather, a church organist; he had me singing hymns before I was tall enough even to see his fingers on the keys of the piano. My dad loved jazz, my mum played the violin and there was always music coming from the Bush record player in the living room.

As a child I remember loving

the recording of the film The Student Prince, and a song that goes Drink, Drink, Drink! sung by Mário Lanza. It amused my parents that as a three year old I would run through the house singing “Drink, drink, drink!” at the top of my voice. I was a loud child! The first record I ever bought

was Remember You’re a Womble by … The Wombles. I lived at that time near Wimbledon Common and was obsessed with one day spotting one. Discovering they weren’t actually real was deeply disappointing. I have a deeply eclectic taste in music; although I love the

choral music of William Byrd and the Elizabethan songs of John Dowland, I also love rock, soul and Afrobeat, and have recently been getting into soul and R&B artist Allen Stone. For the Hidden Gems tours,

Rebecca Askew and I get on a train to visit a city and work

82 I BRISTOL LIFE I www.mediaclash.co.uk

with local tour guides to identify sights and places which would be exciting and acoustically satisfying to sing in, places with stories to tell, often off the main tourist circuit. We then get our singers – typically numbering 30-45 – to gather for up to a week in a special city such as Rome, Bath or Brussels, and spend the time using our unique rehearsal techniques and vocal knowledge to rehearse them as a group, putting together a short programme of songs that are fun and topically relevant to the city. During the trip we also run a wonderful tour with a local guide, and then on the final day we sing the songs we’ve rehearsed in the special venues we’ve identified. The next Hidden Gems weekend takes place in Brussels between 9- 12 May 2024. Rebecca and I compose the music for the events. We’ve

been writing songs together since 2004, and work together to create a lovely new piece of music which captures the stories and atmosphere of the venues we are going to sing in.

Tone-deafness is a misnomer.

The issue is mainly to do with muscle-ear co-ordination, and therefore a teachable skill. On the rare cases we’ve encountered pitching di culties we’ve been able to help people make significant improvements after just a couple of singing sessions. I sing regularly in Bristol

with the Fitzharding Consort and also with my art-funk band The Doomsday Dance Band. This unlikely band are down for headlining the main stage at Longleat’s summer party, though we will probably also pop up at the Old Duke before then. My early music band, Joglaresa,

also has a pencilled date at St George’s in June as part of the Festival of Voice. I came to Bristol wanting to put down roots in its vibrant

music scene and to take part in its rich cultural life. As the years go on, and my friendships deepen, and my love of the place grows each year, I really can’t imagine living anywhere else. I live up near Troopers Hill. I

love the fact that it’s on the cusp of the action downtown but is actually a lovely, quiet, familyorientated neighbourhood. It also has some of the best views over the city and out towards WestonSuper-Mare. It’s also near the river and has wonderful country walks right from my front door.

For a meal out I love Masala Library, because the curry there is so good for a caf you’ll find me feasting at fabulous FED on Gloucester Road, and my favourite pub is still proudly the wonderful Greenbank in Easton. If I had friends visiting Bristol for the weekend I’d take them

for a hike up Kelston Hill above Swineford to see the view of the whole city and all the way to the Bristol Channel and Wales.

Secret skill? I have a very good sense of direction that can help me find my way whether in a forest or in a city. My guilty pleasure is an

unashamed need to watch Strictly. I had felt I was perhaps on a higher path for many years, but these days you just can’t get me away from it. Tell us a new year resolution

Do less… better. For more www.goal-mouth.org/ hidden-gems