06.06.2015 Views

Winter 2010 - Shipshape Magazine Bristol

Winter 2010 - Shipshape Magazine Bristol

Winter 2010 - Shipshape Magazine Bristol

SHOW MORE
SHOW LESS

Create successful ePaper yourself

Turn your PDF publications into a flip-book with our unique Google optimized e-Paper software.

<strong>Shipshape</strong><br />

winter <strong>2010</strong><br />

www.shipshapebristol.co.uk<br />

free<br />

Celebrating<br />

the very best of<br />

<strong>Bristol</strong>’s historic<br />

harbourside<br />

Trading Places: do more markets make sense?<br />

Interviews<br />

Fuel delivery man Gary Grizzell<br />

<strong>Bristol</strong> Ferry Boat’s Rosie Dee<br />

Features<br />

At-<strong>Bristol</strong>’s Toddler Takeover<br />

Fascinating Finzel’s Reach<br />

Events<br />

Eat Cheese at Glassboat<br />

Breuer in <strong>Bristol</strong>


Sunday Roasts - 1pm-5pm<br />

The<br />

Rummer Hotel<br />

Cellar<br />

bar open,<br />

Friday and<br />

Saturday<br />

late<br />

All Saints Lane <strong>Bristol</strong> BS1 1JH<br />

Tel: 0117 9290111<br />

Tucked away in the back alleys of the Old City,<br />

The Rummer Hotel not only boasts the most extensive<br />

spirit collection in the region, fine wines and local ales, but<br />

an eclectic menu of modern British dishes prepared by Head<br />

Chef Greg McHugh from the freshest local ingredients.<br />

Just remember to make a reservation during busy times...<br />

email: info@therummer.co.uk | www.therummer.co.uk


contents<br />

Welcome...<br />

...to the winter issue of <strong>Shipshape</strong>.<br />

At the time of going to press, <strong>Bristol</strong><br />

City Council was concluding its<br />

Markets Review, a study into the<br />

health of the city’s markets and the<br />

desirability of allowing more markets<br />

to take place in the centre. Its findings<br />

will be hotly anticipated by a number<br />

of key local business people who<br />

believe that more markets will make<br />

for a better <strong>Bristol</strong>. Mark Sayers dons<br />

his fingerless gloves and dives into the<br />

debate on page 10. There’s plenty<br />

more inside, of course, and at<br />

www.shipshapebristol.co.uk. Enjoy!<br />

Trading<br />

Places<br />

page 10<br />

Inside<br />

Arts & events 4<br />

Things to see and do this quarter<br />

Trading places 10<br />

<strong>Shipshape</strong> looks into the Markets Review<br />

Getting around 16<br />

Harbourside map & ferry guide<br />

Coal porter 18<br />

How Gary Grizzell is keeping us warm this winter<br />

I ❤ Harbourside 21<br />

Rosie Dee from <strong>Bristol</strong> Ferry Boat Company<br />

Miniature marvels 25<br />

At-<strong>Bristol</strong>’s Toddler Takeover day<br />

Harbourside directory 26<br />

The very best of the waterside<br />

10 things you never knew… 30<br />

…about Finzels Reach<br />

Pictured clockwise from top: Josh from Hand Picked Shellfish at Corn<br />

Street’s Farmers’ Market; The old George Brewery on the Finzels Reach<br />

site; ss Great Britain – the book; wide-eyed wonder at Toddler Takeover;<br />

<strong>Bristol</strong> Ferry Boat’s Rosie Dee.<br />

<strong>Shipshape</strong> <strong>Magazine</strong> Issue 4, winter. <strong>Shipshape</strong> is published by The Group of Seven<br />

Editorial, design and production: thegroupofseven.co.uk<br />

Advertising enquiries: The Clifton Agency: peter.robinson@thecliftonagency.com or 0117 906 4060<br />

Want to get involved in future issues of <strong>Shipshape</strong> magazine? Call us on 01225 448891 or email us on info@shipshapebristol.co.uk<br />

Disclaimer The information contained in this publication is provided as a general guide only. While every care is taken to ensure that the details are as accurate as possible, we make no warranty or representation,<br />

express or implied, about the accuracy or completeness of the information contained in this publication. The views or opinions expressed in this publication are strictly those of the authors.<br />

The publishers and/or any of its associated companies or business partners accept no responsibility for damage or loss, howsoever caused, arising directly or indirectly from reliance upon any information obtained from this publication.<br />

<strong>Shipshape</strong>


arts & events<br />

explore<br />

<strong>Bristol</strong> & Bath Unlocked<br />

Saviours of beleaguered parents<br />

up and down the country, Emily<br />

Kerr and Joshua Perry (pictured)<br />

present their fourth days out guide<br />

for children. They were designed<br />

with the help of over 200 children<br />

and are packed with illustrations,<br />

stickers, photos and suggestions<br />

like where to ride a donkey, walk<br />

around a tractor graveyard or<br />

climb a clock tower. Here, Emily<br />

and Joshua pick their favourite five<br />

watery days out:<br />

1 Float on a boat around<br />

<strong>Bristol</strong> Harbour<br />

It’s one of the best ways to see<br />

<strong>Bristol</strong>, there are awesome historic<br />

ships such as the Matthew and the<br />

ss Great Britain, and it’s a ferry nice<br />

way to spend a day!<br />

2 Take a trip on the Waverley<br />

paddle steamer<br />

It’s a lovely leisurely way to spend<br />

a day, and we think it’s rather<br />

heroic that the Paddle Steamer<br />

Preservation Society bought the<br />

Waverley for one pound and has<br />

now fully restored it.<br />

3 Canoe down the<br />

Kennet & Avon Canal<br />

Kids love canoeing and<br />

we’re basically kids – this is<br />

as good a place to do it as<br />

any and you can hire bikes<br />

and other boats nearby.<br />

4 Ride the <strong>Bristol</strong><br />

Harbour Railway<br />

steam train<br />

We both went on the train<br />

as kids with our families,<br />

and have particularly fond<br />

memories of Brunel’s<br />

Buttery, where you can buy<br />

excellent bacon sandwiches on a<br />

Sunday morning.<br />

5 Open up a lock at the<br />

National Waterways<br />

Museum, Gloucester<br />

We love museums that have handson<br />

exhibits, and we think it’s great<br />

that this museum doesn’t just tell<br />

you about locks, they actually give<br />

you a chance to work one<br />

More: <strong>Bristol</strong> & Bath Unlocked,<br />

£8.99, unlockedguides.com<br />

read<br />

The Incredible Journey<br />

‘The Incredible Journey’ charts the wonderful story of the ss<br />

Great Britain from 1970 to the present day. Written by 78-year-old<br />

Captain Chris Young, the book describes the events leading up to<br />

the ship’s salvage, charts her years in the Great Western Dockyard,<br />

follows the remarkable sequence of events that led to the Heritage<br />

Lottery-funded conservation and restoration project, and<br />

celebrates its ‘relaunch’ as an award-winning museum in 2005.<br />

The official book launch with Captain Chris Young takes place on<br />

16 December at 3pm at Brunel’s ss Great Britain.<br />

More: ssgreatbritain.org<br />

four


arts & feature events<br />

celebrate<br />

<strong>Bristol</strong> wins<br />

Purple Flag<br />

<strong>Bristol</strong> city centre has become<br />

one of the first UK cities to be<br />

awarded the prestigious Purple<br />

Flag. The award, which is<br />

given to ‘well managed and<br />

vibrant places to visit and<br />

enjoy’, was announced on 3<br />

November <strong>2010</strong> and follows<br />

a joint bid by <strong>Bristol</strong> City<br />

Council, Avon and Somerset<br />

Constabulary and Destination<br />

<strong>Bristol</strong>. “Just as the Blue Flag is<br />

an indicator of a good beach,<br />

the Purple Flag indicates a<br />

centre that is vibrant and a<br />

pleasant place to be,” says<br />

John Hirst, Operations Director<br />

for Destination <strong>Bristol</strong>. “We<br />

are delighted to have won the<br />

award and it will bring positive<br />

publicity for our city centre<br />

and allow us to build on our<br />

success.” Special praise was<br />

given to the development of the<br />

waterfront by the Watershed,<br />

which the judges felt was<br />

exemplary in returning this<br />

critical area to diverse use.<br />

More: purpleflag.org.uk<br />

❉<br />

shop<br />

made in<br />

bristol<br />

xmas fair<br />

Get a gift for your granny, a<br />

stocking-filler for your sister or a<br />

treat for yours truly at the Made<br />

in <strong>Bristol</strong> Christmas Fair, Colston<br />

Hall, 11 & 18 December<br />

<strong>Shipshape</strong><br />

More: colstonhall.org<br />

Eat<br />

Cheese please<br />

In the run-up to Glassboat’s Eat Cheese festival, which takes<br />

place on 30 January from 10am to 4pm, Alex Te-Strote, of St<br />

Nick’s wonderful Trethowan’s Dairy, tells us why we should all<br />

be eating more cheese this winter<br />

Looking after the wholesale business for<br />

Trethowan’s Dairy means constant contact with<br />

some of the top chefs in <strong>Bristol</strong>, and one of the<br />

elements that excites them all is seasonal food.<br />

Few people, however, would include cheese in that<br />

category. The fact is, when dealing with artisan<br />

cheeses, even those that are available all year will<br />

change with the seasons depending on what the<br />

animals are eating. With daylight at a premium,<br />

our bodies crave comfort foods and, as a stored<br />

product, cheese has always been an important<br />

winter protein source. Here are some of my<br />

favourites to turn to as the days close in:<br />

Our own Gorwydd Caerphilly will increasingly be<br />

made with silage-fed milk, giving concentrated<br />

flavours and creaminess. The melting buttery-ness<br />

and mushroomy earthiness from the rind make it<br />

perfect for cheese on toast. Seek<br />

out a good sourdough loaf for<br />

the perfect snack.<br />

Ogleshield is another great one<br />

for melting. Made by Jamie<br />

Montgomery of Cheddar<br />

fame, we use this West Country<br />

Jersey milk cheese on our<br />

raclette machines. It also makes<br />

wonderfully rich pommes<br />

dauphinoise or pasta bake. Add<br />

a salad of winter greens and<br />

supper is done.<br />

Ordinarily I would classify<br />

goat’s and sheep’s milk cheeses as late-spring/earlysummer<br />

cheeses, when they first reappear after<br />

lambing or kidding. But Dorstone, an ash-rolled goat’s<br />

cheese made by Charlie Westhead in Herefordshire,<br />

has a meatiness at this time of year that satisfies. Look<br />

out for the apricot and cider chutney that will be<br />

paired with it at Christmas.<br />

Everybody thinks of stilton as Christmas draws<br />

near, but Stichelton, an unpasteurised blue cheese<br />

made by Joe Schneider on the Welbeck Estate in<br />

Nottinghamshire, is supreme in my opinion. The<br />

balance of sweet milk and salty blueing will win<br />

over any doubters.<br />

Finally, Vacherin Mont d’Or was designed for winter<br />

eating. Made with milk from Alpine cattle that<br />

graze in high mountain pastures, these first become<br />

available around mid-October until they run out in<br />

February/March. Trethowan’s<br />

carries one of the few handmade<br />

versions still available. Intended<br />

for high calorific intake to survive<br />

mountain winters, it’s a great<br />

sharing cheese. It can be baked<br />

in the box and scooped like a<br />

fondue. So do your bit for the<br />

planet, turn down the heating<br />

and eat more cheese this winter.<br />

More: trethowansdairy.co.uk.<br />

Eat Cheese takes place on 30 January,<br />

glassboat.co.uk<br />

five


thursday 27 january<br />

bournemouth symphony orchestra<br />

Yan Pascal Tortelier conducts<br />

Tchaikovsky's violin concerto and<br />

excerpts from Prokofiev's Romeo<br />

and Juliet<br />

wednesday 9 february<br />

vienna tonkunstler orchestra<br />

'The miracle of Vienna' Andres<br />

Orozco-Estrada conducts Mozart,<br />

Brahms and Beethoven<br />

Join us at <strong>Bristol</strong>’s home of<br />

world class, groundbreaking,<br />

heart-stoppingly great<br />

classical music<br />

thursday 3 march<br />

bournemouth symphony orchestra<br />

The orchestra of the South West play Don Juan<br />

and Mahler's 7th symphony<br />

thursday 17 march<br />

bournemouth symphony orchestra<br />

Nicola Benedetti performs Szymanowski's violin<br />

concerto no 1<br />

wednesday 27 april<br />

philharmonia orchestra<br />

Lorin Maazel takes us on a journey with Mozart<br />

and Mahler<br />

box office +44 (0)117 922 3686 www.colstonhall.org<br />

Discover one of<br />

Bath’s hidden gems...<br />

bud.<br />

our community<br />

is your business<br />

the Moon & Sixpence<br />

and<br />

The Moon Bar & Cafe<br />

‘There is only one<br />

thing in life worse<br />

than being talked<br />

about, and that is not<br />

being talked about’<br />

Oscar Wilde<br />

Get people talking about your business<br />

Bud UK Ltd<br />

Public Relations<br />

Contract Publishing<br />

Marketing<br />

Business Development<br />

27 Milsom Place, Bath BA1 1BZ<br />

01225 320088 / reservations@themoonandsixpence.com<br />

themoonandsixpence.com<br />

For an informal chat about our services, please call 01225 317175<br />

email: nigel@bud.uk.com or christina@bud.uk.com<br />

www.bud.uk.com<br />

six<br />

<strong>Shipshape</strong>


arts & events<br />

arts & events<br />

See<br />

Maefla<br />

The Maelfa Shopping Centre,<br />

situated on the outskirts of Cardiff,<br />

was built around a block of<br />

high-rise flats in the mid-1970s.<br />

Once a thriving centre in the local<br />

community, it steadily declined<br />

over the years and was soon<br />

earmarked for demolition. Before<br />

its destruction, artist Sean Edwards<br />

took up residence in the centre,<br />

creating this series of poignant<br />

works inspired by this functioning<br />

yet near derelict space.<br />

More: Maelfa, Spike Island, 21<br />

Jan-10 Apr, spikeisland.org.uk<br />

❉<br />

watch<br />

Swallows<br />

& Amazons<br />

What do you get when you<br />

team Neil Hannon of the<br />

Divine Comedy, the director of<br />

the West End hit ‘War Horse’<br />

and the writer of the National<br />

Theatre’s ‘Coram Boy’? <strong>Bristol</strong><br />

Old Vic’s new musical ‘Swallows<br />

and Amazons’, of course. Such<br />

is the excitement surrounding<br />

the project that a number of<br />

mutinous stunts have taken place<br />

around the city in the run-up to<br />

opening night – the latest being<br />

a riotous hijacking of <strong>Bristol</strong>’s<br />

very own Matthew by <strong>Bristol</strong><br />

Old Vic’s Young Company.<br />

But none of this compares to<br />

the adventures the crew will<br />

face as they follow Captain<br />

John on his exotic expedition to<br />

Wild Cat Island. Get into the<br />

spirit of things by booking a<br />

‘houseboat’ (aka a box at <strong>Bristol</strong><br />

Old Vic) and enjoy a voyagers’<br />

picnic, complimentary grog,<br />

programmes and ice cream, all<br />

for £200. All together now: yoho-ho<br />

and a bottle of rum!<br />

More: <strong>Bristol</strong> Old Vic, until 15 Jan,<br />

bristololdvic.org.uk<br />

ASK<br />

Liz Payne<br />

After working at the awardwinning<br />

Clarke’s restaurant in<br />

London for 18 years, Liz Payne<br />

came to <strong>Bristol</strong> in 2006 to take<br />

the role as head chef at Bordeaux<br />

Quay. She joined Glassboat in<br />

October <strong>2010</strong>. We caught up with<br />

Liz between sittings to talk about<br />

her career in the kitchen.<br />

How long have you been in<br />

the industry?<br />

Quite some time, thank you!<br />

Was it always your dream<br />

to become a chef ?<br />

I’ve always had a passion for<br />

cooking and remember cooking<br />

for my family as a child (from<br />

the age of about nine onwards).<br />

It was just my love of food that<br />

inspired me to become a chef.<br />

What are you hoping to<br />

bring to Glassboat?<br />

I’d like to bring seasonal,<br />

well-sourced food, simply<br />

cooked, whose flavours speak<br />

for themselves. I think the food<br />

will match the stunning dining<br />

environment.<br />

Head chef, Glassboat<br />

What did you think about<br />

Glassboat before you arrived?<br />

Unfortunately, as head chef of a<br />

busy establishment, I didn’t get<br />

the opportunity to dine out very<br />

often. However, I did manage to<br />

enjoy the odd meal at Glassboat<br />

and also heard good things. Apart<br />

from anything else, its longevity is<br />

a testament to the restaurant. It’s a<br />

serious <strong>Bristol</strong>ian icon.<br />

What five ingredients<br />

couldn’t you live without?<br />

I couldn’t live without lemons!<br />

Also, bitter chocolate, garlic,<br />

fresh chillis and fresh herbs.<br />

What’s your top tip for<br />

creating the perfect<br />

Christmas dinner?<br />

A time-plan: work ahead where<br />

possible and be nicely organised<br />

on the day. And always have a<br />

gin and tonic in your hand!<br />

Which chef do you most<br />

admire?<br />

Sally Clarke [owner of Clarke’s<br />

Restaurant, Shop and Wholesale<br />

Bakery] has had the greatest<br />

Don’t miss Arnolfini’s 50th anniversary<br />

celebrations, which begin on Sat 19 Feb with<br />

a new exhibition of work by Cosima von<br />

Bonin (pictured) plus talks, free activities for<br />

the family and more. We’ll be running a full<br />

feature on Arnolfini’s anniversary next issue<br />

influence – she’s a friend, mentor<br />

and inspiration.<br />

If you could cook in any<br />

kitchen in the world, where<br />

would it be?<br />

The Chez Panisse Cafe in<br />

Berkeley, California.<br />

Turkey or goose on<br />

Christmas day?<br />

It’s turkey in our house because<br />

it’s really traditional (and the kids<br />

prefer it).<br />

What’s your signature dish?<br />

From our current menu, the dish<br />

that really reflects what I do is a<br />

starter of grilled pigeon breast<br />

and watercress with sweet and<br />

sour blackberries.<br />

Anything else you’d like to add?<br />

I consider it a great honour to<br />

cook at Glassboat. I hope that the<br />

food I inspire my team to create<br />

is something that customers will<br />

want to come back for regularly.<br />

Come and see us!<br />

More: glassboat.co.uk.<br />

<strong>Shipshape</strong><br />

seven


the<br />

pigguide<br />

.com<br />

Speak to your GP about the flu jab today<br />

It’s life, Bath... but not as you know it.<br />

Upcoming events<br />

at Glassboat<br />

Plenty of fun events to keep you<br />

going during the cold, dark months!<br />

Tuesday 25 January Burns Night Whiskey-matched menu,<br />

readings & reeling. £35 a head Sunday 30 January Eat<br />

Cheese! Back for it’s second year. Eat Cheese festival brings<br />

a host of stalls, tastings, live music and family fun & games<br />

to the dockside. Special Sunday menu onboard First Sunday<br />

of every month Soul Food Lazy Sunday menu, brunch and<br />

proper roasts, free Bloody Marys, laidback soul tunes Sunday<br />

13 February, 10.00am–4.00pm Valentine’s Brunch Special<br />

Valentine’s set menu with free pink bubbles and live music. £25<br />

per person 12 & 14 February, 5.30pm–11.00pm Valentine’s<br />

at Glassboat Special Valentine’s set menu. £45 per person,<br />

inc. three courses and arrival cocktails<br />

For more information please contact Kirstie on<br />

0117 9290704 or restaurant@glassboat.co.uk<br />

Glassboat Welsh Back <strong>Bristol</strong> BS1 4SB 0117 929 0704<br />

E bookings@glassboat.co.uk W www.glassboat.co.uk<br />

eight<br />

<strong>Shipshape</strong>


arts & events<br />

feature<br />

<strong>Shipshape</strong><br />

BOOK<br />

richard ii<br />

Shakespeare at the Tobacco<br />

Factory celebrates its 12th<br />

season with a brace of<br />

plays – ‘Richard II’ and ‘The<br />

Comedy of Errors’. Running<br />

from Thursday 10 February until<br />

Saturday 19 March, ‘Richard<br />

II’ is Shakespeare’s theatrical<br />

account of the eponymous<br />

king’s last days after he takes<br />

the disastrous decision to exile<br />

his cousin Henry Bullingbrook<br />

and seize his Lancastrian<br />

estates. Bullingbrook returns to<br />

England, overthrows Richard<br />

and takes the throne for himself<br />

as Henry IV, setting the stage<br />

for the bloody Wars of the<br />

Roses. We’ll be previewing<br />

‘The Comedy of Errors’ in the<br />

spring issue.<br />

More: sattf.org.uk<br />

❉<br />

discover<br />

all about us<br />

Launching in March, All<br />

About Us is At-<strong>Bristol</strong>’s new<br />

£1.5million permanent<br />

exhibition. As the name<br />

suggests, it’s a veritable<br />

celebration of the human body<br />

and how it works. There’ll<br />

be more than 50 new or<br />

siginifantly improved hands-on<br />

science exhibits – including real<br />

body parts, for your little CSI in<br />

the making. Hear music through<br />

the vibrations of the bones in<br />

your jaw, look at your veins<br />

under infrared lights, watch<br />

food run through a skeleton’s<br />

body, see your own blood cells<br />

move through the capillaries of<br />

your eye, and much more!<br />

More: at-bristol.org.uk<br />

visit<br />

Breuer in <strong>Bristol</strong><br />

You’ve only got until Christmas Eve to see the<br />

Architecture Centre’s fascinating exhibition about<br />

one of <strong>Bristol</strong>’s most unlikely friendships. Breuer<br />

in <strong>Bristol</strong> is the story of the partnership between<br />

Bauhaus master Marcel Breuer and Crofton Gane,<br />

<strong>Bristol</strong> furniture manufacturer, which resulted in one<br />

of the most important examples of early Modernist<br />

architecture: The Gane Pavilion 1936 (pictured).<br />

The exhibition will reveal the reasons behind<br />

laugh<br />

<strong>Bristol</strong>’s Slapstick<br />

Silent Comedy Gala<br />

Laurel & Hardy, Buster Keaton, Charlie Chaplin, Harold Lloyd: all the<br />

greats are present and correct at the seventh annual Slapstick Silent Comedy<br />

Gala, taking place on Friday 28 January at Colston Hall (£16-£20). Special<br />

guest hosts Barry Cryer, Ian Lavender and Bill Oddie will be introducing<br />

four classic short films, including Buster Keaton’s ‘Neighbors’ (1920)<br />

and Charlie Chaplin’s ‘One A.M.’ (1916), and each of the shorts will be<br />

accompanied live by either the European Silent Screen Virtuosi or 25-piece<br />

youth big band Jazz Train. There’ll also be special guest vocal performances<br />

from Neil Innes (Bonzo Dog Doo-Dah Band) and Paul McGann (pictured).<br />

The night forms part of <strong>Bristol</strong>’s Slapstick Festival.<br />

More: colstonhall.org<br />

<strong>Bristol</strong>’s dalliance with Modernism at a time<br />

when the Arts and Crafts movement was the<br />

driving force in design. Find rare archive images,<br />

artefacts, Breuer-designed and Gane-manufactured<br />

furniture, and a specially made model of the Gane<br />

Pavilion. You can also hear what <strong>Bristol</strong>’s residents<br />

thought about this key moment in the city’s history.<br />

More: Architecture Centre, until 24 Dec, architecturecentre.co.uk<br />

Impress your peers with your new-found knowledge of<br />

art – What Is… Contemporary Art? A Beginners Guide,<br />

Arnolfini, Sat 26-Sun 27 Feb, 2-5pm (£20/£15)<br />

eleven<br />

Gane’s Pavilion, <strong>Bristol</strong> , England , ca. 1936 / Courtesy of the<br />

Marcel Breuer papers, 1920-1986, AAA, Smithsonian Institution


feature<br />

The <strong>Shipshape</strong><br />

winter investigation<br />

✺<br />

Trading<br />

places<br />

They help boost the local economy, are good for the environment and<br />

make for a better shopping experience all round. So why are there so few<br />

markets around the Harbourside? Mark Sayers investigates<br />

“We’re ready. We’ve got the producers, we’ve got the landlords’<br />

consent. I would hope to be up and running as a permanent<br />

Harbourside market by Easter. I just need the green light from the<br />

Council.” This is Bryony Morgan, Director of Love Local, an events<br />

organisation showcasing locally produced art, crafts and artisan food<br />

via regular markets at Paintworks and Colston Hall. Bryony also runs<br />

the Tobacco Factory’s weekly food and crafts market and, last June,<br />

managed a successful four-week trial market on the Harbourside.<br />

She’s now hoping to reintroduce the latter on a permanent basis from<br />

next spring. Bryony is just one of a group of voices calling for more<br />

street markets around <strong>Bristol</strong>, with the Harbourside cited as a prime<br />

spot for a big weekly or even daily food and craft event. Markets, goes<br />

the argument, carry all sorts of benefits.<br />

Continued over...<br />

ten<br />

<strong>Shipshape</strong>


feature<br />

They help start-up traders get a foothold on<br />

the commercial ladder; they cut food miles<br />

and packaging by sourcing local produce;<br />

they make for a more inviting, sociable and<br />

varied shopping experience, for city-dwellers<br />

and visitors alike, than the corridors of your<br />

average identikit hypermart. Bryony and<br />

others see a Harbourside market as a crucial<br />

step in turning <strong>Bristol</strong> into a market city – the<br />

eventual aim being perhaps a dozen weekly<br />

neighbourhood markets across town.<br />

Before this can happen, though, they must<br />

wait for the findings of the Markets Review, a<br />

study commissioned by <strong>Bristol</strong> City Council into<br />

the city’s markets landscape (and whose findings<br />

have just been published – have a look at<br />

bristol.gov.uk/retailcentres for details). BCC<br />

– which runs the city centre’s only regular<br />

market, St Nicholas – commissioned the Review<br />

to investigate the current health of the city’s<br />

“I want to offer a<br />

living, breathing, sensory<br />

experience of all that<br />

makes living in the<br />

South West so fantastic”<br />

Bryony Morgan, Director of Love Local<br />

markets, and the desirability of allowing further<br />

markets to develop in the centre of town.<br />

Bryony’s Harbourside Market would be a prime<br />

candidate if any further markets were allowed.<br />

The Markets Charter<br />

So why is the Review so crucial to <strong>Bristol</strong>’s<br />

market future? A quick history lesson, if you<br />

don’t mind. Through its 650-year-old Markets<br />

Charter (granted by Edward IV in 1462 as a<br />

reward for <strong>Bristol</strong>’s support during the Wars<br />

of the Roses), the Council has strategic control<br />

of markets throughout the city. Most crucially,<br />

it has the power to prevent any person<br />

operating a market within 6.7 miles of any<br />

council-operated market (ie. St Nick’s) without<br />

Council permission. Thus far, BCC has used<br />

these rights with discretion, allowing a clutch<br />

of privately run markets to spring up at areas<br />

including Whiteladies Road, Fishponds Park<br />

Common Loaf Bakery<br />

and Christmas Steps. Now, though, there is<br />

growing pressure from Bryony and others<br />

for markets around the Harbourside, one of<br />

<strong>Bristol</strong>’s most historic and most visited areas<br />

and also one of the zones most in need of<br />

‘animation’ – a new lease of life and activity.<br />

Those who consider that the Harbourside<br />

would benefit from a street market (and we’ll<br />

look more closely at the reasons why very<br />

shortly) question the Council’s adherence to,<br />

they say, an outdated piece of legislation.<br />

Hence the newly published Markets Review,<br />

for which BCC asked consultants Market<br />

Squared (one of the founders of London’s<br />

hugely successful food market, Borough<br />

Market) and Roger Tym & Partners to<br />

examine <strong>Bristol</strong>’s market landscape in detail.<br />

The Review has studied a range of factors,<br />

including current and future prospects for<br />

markets in <strong>Bristol</strong>, public demand for more<br />

markets, and whether the Council’s use of<br />

the existing Charter is in the best interests<br />

of consumers and stallholders.<br />

Put simply, the findings may (or may<br />

not) recommend allowing more markets<br />

to develop around town, and it may (or<br />

may not) find that the Council’s use of the<br />

Charter is no longer appropriate.<br />

“If the consultants find that there is room<br />

for other markets in the city, I’d hope that<br />

the Council would then look at our proposal<br />

on the Harbourside,” Bryony continues. “A<br />

Saturday food market in the eighth biggest<br />

city in the country – how hard can that<br />

be? Every market town in Somerset and<br />

Gloucestershire has a Saturday food market.<br />

And we know – from the trial back in June<br />

– that we’ve got the food producers to make<br />

it happen.”<br />

The big idea<br />

So when, where and what would the<br />

Harbourside Market be? It would be sited<br />

on Bordeaux Quay, the covered walkway<br />

outside Watershed and the Tourist<br />

Information Centre, although it could<br />

also spill onto Narrow Quay opposite<br />

and, on occasions, BQ’s neighbour,<br />

Anchor Square. The initial proposal is for<br />

a Thursday, Friday and Saturday food,<br />

art and craft market, perhaps introducing<br />

Sunday for a non-food browsers’ market<br />

– antiques, books and records, plants,<br />

etc. Opening hours would be 10am-3pm,<br />

with the possibility of further opening<br />

days and perhaps a late opening to catch<br />

home-from-work shoppers.<br />

“We don’t want to duplicate St Nick’s,<br />

so we’d ensure that the food market would<br />

be on a different day from Wednesdays<br />

[when St Nick’s holds its farmers’<br />

twelve<br />

<strong>Shipshape</strong>


feature<br />

market],” Bryony explains. In fact, she believes<br />

<strong>Bristol</strong> could support a market every day<br />

of the week in different parts of town. “For<br />

markets to catch on, they have to be accessible.<br />

And one farmers’ market, one morning a<br />

week, isn’t enough for a city of <strong>Bristol</strong>’s size. I<br />

admit that I shop in supermarkets, because I<br />

don’t have enough access to locally produced<br />

food to suit my schedule. I’d love to go the<br />

farmers’ market every Wednesday but I won’t<br />

always have time that day.”<br />

And what would be on sale? “A varied<br />

programme, with quality being the main<br />

criterion. I want to offer a living, breathing,<br />

sensory experience of all that makes living in<br />

the South West so fantastic. And, of course, to<br />

support local traders and provide a useful and<br />

affordable shopping experience.”<br />

But what’s so great about markets in the<br />

first place? There are several tiers, Bryony<br />

explains, to the pro-markets argument. For<br />

one thing, they present brilliant trading<br />

opportunities for hard-working local food<br />

producers, who’d otherwise find their profit<br />

margins squeezed by the supermarkets.<br />

“For a local economy, markets are an<br />

incredibly useful, immediate way to grow your<br />

business – especially in a tough economic<br />

climate like this. Markets are hard work, but<br />

they are an immediate way to get your products<br />

out there and test demand. Not providing those<br />

opportunities stifles the local economy.”<br />

But it’s not just down to economics. The<br />

South West can also draw on huge reserves<br />

of knowledge, expertise and natural wealth<br />

to support its market culture. “We are lucky<br />

enough to live in a very rich farming region,<br />

and it seems daft not to use the amazing<br />

produce grown here. We’re also a very well<br />

equipped, knowledgeable city when it comes<br />

to food. And there are huge benefits from<br />

feeding yourself from your surrounding<br />

countryside – it’s healthier and fresher,<br />

it makes you much more aware of the<br />

natural wealth of your region, and it<br />

associates you much more closely with<br />

where you food comes from.”<br />

A market would also, she says, bring a muchneeded<br />

lease of life to the ‘Waterfront’ area<br />

– ie. Anchor and Millennium Squares, areas<br />

that have been blighted by a concentration<br />

of big drinking venues, somewhat forbidding<br />

to visitors in search of a more relaxed night<br />

out. “The Waterfront has been associated in<br />

recent years with ‘vertical drinking’ [large chain<br />

bars where alcohol is sold relatively cheaply].<br />

That’s changing, though – thanks, ironically,<br />

to the economic climate. Bars like Baja and<br />

Chicago Rock have closed, buildings are lying<br />

empty and the area’s desperately in need of<br />

a new lease of life. It now needs venues that<br />

can welcome all sorts of people.” She cites<br />

fledgling venue The Harbourside, further along<br />

the same Bordeaux Quay strip that houses<br />

Watershed, as an example: as well as serving<br />

locally sourced food, TH has a small shop<br />

where customers can browse, an oyster bar and<br />

sofas outside. It also acts as a ticket desk for the<br />

<strong>Bristol</strong> Ferry Boat Company.<br />

“That sort of animation is immediate,<br />

relatively simple, and can bring an area to life. But<br />

if you want to keep an area alive, you have to put<br />

life in it. That’s especially true when businesses<br />

are failing in a recession – empty buildings make<br />

an area feel far less welcoming, while markets are<br />

a brilliant way to animate a street.”<br />

Market shopping shouldn’t be seen as a<br />

middle-class preserve, either. “The enormous<br />

farmers’ market in Turin [admittedly a city<br />

with twice <strong>Bristol</strong>’s population] runs six<br />

days a week and the whole city is there<br />

– there is a price point for everyone,<br />

from ultra-organic stuff downwards.<br />

You’ll find the same in countless<br />

European cities. Paris has 80 markets,<br />

most of them huge on our scale." ➳<br />

Market<br />

forces<br />

Grab your reusable bags and head to one<br />

of these fabulous markets<br />

Christmas Steps Artisan Market<br />

Taking place on the first Saturday of the month<br />

Eastville Market<br />

Huge outdoor market every Friday<br />

and Sunday<br />

Farmers’ Market<br />

The award-winning weekly<br />

market on Corn Street, where<br />

you can buy delicious produce<br />

direct from the producers<br />

every Wednesday<br />

Fishponds Farmers’ Market<br />

Small outdoor food market open for business<br />

every second Thursday of the month<br />

Fruit Market<br />

Outdoor market selling more than just<br />

fruit every Sunday in St Philips<br />

The Nails Market<br />

This weekly crafts market takes place<br />

every Friday and Saturday on Corn Street<br />

and Wine Street<br />

Slow Food Market<br />

Takes place the first Sunday of every<br />

month on Corn Street<br />

St Nicholas Market<br />

Independent retailers sell their wares (from<br />

records to olives) from Monday to Saturday<br />

Tobacco Factory Market<br />

Lovely outdoor market with around 30<br />

traders selling food and crafts every Sunday<br />

Westbury-on-Trym Local Produce Market<br />

Food and crafts on offer every fourth<br />

Saturday of the month<br />

Whiteladies Road Farmers<br />

and Fair Trading<br />

Food market open for business every first and<br />

third Saturday of the month on the corner of<br />

Whiteladies Road and Apsley Road<br />

Woolies Indoor Market<br />

Find 34 stalls over two<br />

floors at the top of<br />

Whiteladies Road.<br />

Open Monday to<br />

Saturday<br />

<strong>Shipshape</strong><br />

thirteen


feature<br />

The Ferguson factor<br />

Another crucial activist in the markets movement<br />

is George Ferguson – architect, owner of the<br />

Tobacco Factory (Sunday market and all) and coowner<br />

of the aforementioned Harbourside bistro.<br />

“<strong>Bristol</strong> has, along with most UK cities, a<br />

pathetic market culture,” George reflects. “UK<br />

markets tend to be a relative pinprick compared<br />

with the staple food provider they are in many<br />

European cities, where supermarkets have not<br />

taken the same stranglehold they have here.”<br />

The latter, he says, are driven by an obsession<br />

with growth and market share. “This has the<br />

inevitable effect of damaging the independent<br />

providers and retailers, and supermarkets’<br />

centralised distribution systems militates against<br />

regional and smaller suppliers who can benefit from<br />

cutting out the middle men and selling direct.”<br />

And the solution? “We could give up, admit<br />

that the big chains have won the battle and that<br />

markets are for a fringe middle class – or we<br />

could work with our regional food providers<br />

and makers to provide a real challenge. There<br />

is plenty of potential for a market culture in<br />

<strong>Bristol</strong>, but we need to work hard at helping<br />

producers who feel trapped by the supermarkets’<br />

ruthless purchasing methods.”<br />

The benefits of markets aren’t confined<br />

to stallholders’ pockets, either. “Street<br />

markets that bring provider and consumer<br />

together have a great educational role – they<br />

demonstrate that apples, for instance, come<br />

in hundreds of local varieties, shapes and<br />

flavours, rather than the bland, largely foreign<br />

varieties on supermarket shelves.”<br />

Magnus Macdonald is another interested party<br />

in the markets debate. Chairman of the Glassboat<br />

Company, Magnus co-founded the floating<br />

restaurant on Welsh Back; he’s also a hugely<br />

experienced markets man, having run markets<br />

Pictured clockwise from top: Vincent<br />

Castellano of Castellano’s Charcuterie<br />

and Traiteur; Helen Brent-Smith and<br />

David Kasper of Day’s Cottage Apple<br />

Juice; Sandra Paget and Terry Duncan<br />

of Paget 4th Generation Grocers.<br />

twelve<br />

<strong>Shipshape</strong>


feature<br />

at festivals including Glastonbury, V<br />

Festival and The Big Chill. Recently, he’s<br />

introduced a series of successful themed<br />

markets along Welsh Back, including Fish<br />

Fest, Eat Cheese and Summer Fayre.<br />

“I’m a passionate believer in the future<br />

of <strong>Bristol</strong>’s docks, and I see markets<br />

as a central part of the docks’ future<br />

wellbeing,” Magnus observes. “But it’s<br />

fiendishly difficult to get things moving<br />

in <strong>Bristol</strong>. The Council’s Markets<br />

department does a perfectly good<br />

job, but is hiding behind a 650-yearold<br />

piece of legislation [the Markets<br />

Charter] that no longer has a function.<br />

“Steve Morris [<strong>Bristol</strong> City Council<br />

Market Manager] is actually a very<br />

good market manager – he looks after<br />

St Nicholas Market and its traders<br />

very well – but it’s only on a limited<br />

scale. The general view is that any new<br />

markets would compete with St Nick’s –<br />

but, in fact, other markets will only bring<br />

benefits, because you get people into<br />

the market habit, get them thinking, ‘OK, it’s<br />

cold and wet, but at the market we can get<br />

interesting, good-quality stuff.’”<br />

He also underlines Bryony’s point about<br />

markets’ crucial role in getting small businesses<br />

moving. “Everyone’s asking, ‘Where are all<br />

these jobs going to come from?’ You’d create a<br />

few hundred jobs just by getting markets going<br />

in <strong>Bristol</strong>. The current climate is bringing mass<br />

redundancies – one way people can take back<br />

control of their lives is through market trading.<br />

Overheads are cheap, you’re in direct contact<br />

with buyers: markets are the rawest and most<br />

immediate way of learning to manage your<br />

own venture. Some will fail, others succeed,<br />

“I’m a passionate<br />

believer in the future of<br />

<strong>Bristol</strong>’s docks, and I see<br />

markets as a central part<br />

of the docks’ future<br />

wellbeing. But it’s<br />

fiendishly difficult to get<br />

things moving in <strong>Bristol</strong>”<br />

Magnus Macdonald,<br />

Chairman of the Glassboat Company<br />

others will go off and think about how to do<br />

things differently – but at least you sow the seeds<br />

of people’s future independence.”<br />

Magnus has similarly ambitious plans for<br />

the parts of town (Welsh Back, King Street<br />

and Queen Square) adjoining Glassboat, as<br />

Bryony does for the stretch of harbour further<br />

west. “The pedestrianisation of King Street<br />

would be a brilliant idea. Regular events there<br />

would animate this area and give <strong>Bristol</strong> a<br />

whole extra two miles of quayside to generate<br />

visitor income. King Street is a dead end at<br />

the moment – one of the most beautiful streets<br />

in <strong>Bristol</strong>, yet one of the least used. Ten years<br />

ago it was home to various drinking clubs, but<br />

these have all died off and it’s in urgent need<br />

of a new lease of life – partly to take advantage<br />

of such a gorgeous street but also to ensure it<br />

doesn’t become derelict or intimidating.”<br />

What might be the template for a modern<br />

market in the area? “You could have a weekly<br />

CD/book market on King Street and Welsh Back.<br />

And King Street is just asking for a Christmas<br />

Market. Pedestrianise the street to create a regular<br />

market area, move the bins between Spyglass<br />

restaurant and The Apple cider bar and<br />

install a bandstand in their place, where<br />

you’d invite buskers to play. Combine that<br />

with some sensitive traffic management, and<br />

you have an inexpensive way to animate an<br />

underused gem in the heart of <strong>Bristol</strong>.”<br />

But, warns Magnus, markets aren’t<br />

plain sailing. “They need hard work to<br />

succeed. You’ve got to give people reasons<br />

to come to markets, and numbers take<br />

time to build up. If it’s cold and wet<br />

people won’t come. And if traders don’t<br />

make money they won’t come. Markets are<br />

delicate things – they need nurturing.”<br />

Back to the Charter<br />

Magnus is less than enamoured of the<br />

650-year-old Markets Charter – or, at least,<br />

of its modern application. “The Markets<br />

Charter is a wonderful historical anachronism.<br />

But in today’s shopping environment, it’s<br />

damaging rather than benefiting <strong>Bristol</strong>. It<br />

gives the Council the right to decide who has a<br />

market within six miles of the city centre – but<br />

I would argue that Tesco, Sainsbury’s and so<br />

forth are basically indoor markets. Worse, they’re<br />

not bringing any of the benefits that markets<br />

would – livelihoods, animation of an area, social<br />

interaction, using local producers and makers. It<br />

would be interesting to see what happened if the<br />

Markets Charter was put up against Tesco!”<br />

George Ferguson is yet more adamant on<br />

this point. “Why they did not think of using the<br />

Markets Charter to restrict the domination of the<br />

supermarkets is beyond me. A thriving market<br />

culture is a major attractor at a time when cities<br />

have to compete for attention, tourism and outside<br />

investment. They’re also a fundamental element<br />

in the greening of cities, in terms of reducing food<br />

miles and all sorts of wasteful energy practices.<br />

They are also extremely sociable places.”<br />

The Council was unwilling to comment in<br />

depth before the findings were made public, but<br />

Steve Morris issued this comment: “The City<br />

Council has an excellent market track record, with<br />

nationally recognised and award-winning markets.<br />

We are currently conducting an independent<br />

review of markets in the city and are also looking<br />

at the potential for developing additional,<br />

sustainable markets in <strong>Bristol</strong>.<br />

“The Council and its partners such as<br />

Destination <strong>Bristol</strong> know that sustainable<br />

and viable markets bring many benefits to<br />

residents and the wider region. This review<br />

will inform a markets policy and examine<br />

potential future opportunities for markets in<br />

the city. The review will also help to shape<br />

a robust business plan for the Council’s own<br />

market operations at St Nicholas.<br />

“The Council believes that markets will play a<br />

key role in <strong>Bristol</strong>’s future sustainable economic<br />

growth. We are aware of the huge economic,<br />

social and environmental benefits markets bring<br />

to the city, from creating small-scale, start-up<br />

opportunities for burgeoning businesses to<br />

attracting more visitors and from providing a<br />

platform to showcase locally sourced goods and<br />

services to encouraging reuse and recycling in its<br />

widest possible sense.”<br />

Last word to Bryony, back on the<br />

Harbourside. “We want the harbour to be<br />

a focal point of our city again, rather than<br />

somewhere people should feel scared to go.<br />

It’s <strong>Bristol</strong>’s USP – we are a port, a centre of<br />

commerce, and what better way to show that<br />

than by putting commerce right back onto the<br />

waterfront, where merchants have unloaded<br />

their goods from boats for centuries?” s<br />

For more on the Market Charter and a detailed analysis of the Markets Review,<br />

see www.bristol.gov.uk/retailcentres. <strong>Bristol</strong>’s first Christmas Market takes place<br />

in Broadmead West until 19 Dec, selling arts, crafts, food and drink from<br />

across the region. The German Christmas Market also returns to Broadmead<br />

East until 22 Dec. See http://tinyurl.com/39mdku4 for more info on both<br />

<strong>Shipshape</strong><br />

fifteen


harbourside map & ferry guide<br />

getting<br />

around the<br />

harbourside...<br />

If you’re not familiar with the area<br />

(or even if you’re just looking for a little<br />

inspiration), our map will help you plan your<br />

trip and move around the Harbourside with<br />

ease. Use it to find where you are in relation<br />

to some of the area’s best-loved landmarks,<br />

identify which ferry stops are the most<br />

convenient for your journey and locate some<br />

of this season’s most exciting events<br />

Sightseeing<br />

City Sightseeing <strong>Bristol</strong> runs open-top bus<br />

tours of the city, from the historic harbourside<br />

up to <strong>Bristol</strong> Zoo in Clifton and beyond.<br />

Running from mid-March to the end of<br />

October, the tours last for an hour and a<br />

quarter but you can hop on and off as you<br />

please. Harbourside stops can be found at<br />

the CREATE Centre, Baltic Wharf, Brunel’s<br />

ss Great Britain, At-<strong>Bristol</strong>, Prince Street<br />

and <strong>Bristol</strong> Bridge.<br />

Brunel’s ss Great Britain – world famous<br />

Capricorn Quay<br />

l<br />

don’t miss<br />

pirate walks<br />

Swashbucklers and scallywags, ahoy! Want<br />

to know how Blackbeard met his end? Eager<br />

to learn more about Italian explorer John<br />

Cabot? Fancy taking a trip into a smuggler’s<br />

cave? Then Pirate Pete’s your man. His<br />

hour-long Pirate Walks around <strong>Bristol</strong>’s<br />

Harbourside are something of an institution,<br />

packed with historical facts and fascinating<br />

stories of pirating pursuits in the 17th and<br />

18th centuries. Suitable for pirates of all ages<br />

(including those of the canine kind), the walk<br />

is flat and wheelchair accessible.<br />

MORE piratewalks.co.uk<br />

MORE citysightseeingbristol.co.uk<br />

Mardyke l<br />

l Grain Barge<br />

Brunel’s<br />

ss Great Britain<br />

(for Spike Island)<br />

l<br />

Marina l<br />

Blue Reef – aquarium & 3D cinema<br />

l Pump House<br />

(for Suspension Bridge)<br />

l Marina<br />

cross<br />

harbour<br />

ferry<br />

Jacks Brasserie l<br />

l<br />

Nova Scotia<br />

(for Create Centre,<br />

Lockside and Tobacco<br />

Factory)<br />

l<br />

The Cottage<br />

l Olive Shed<br />

Hotwells Route<br />

Temple Meads Route<br />

At-<strong>Bristol</strong> – interactive science centre<br />

Sightseeing – see panel<br />

sixteen<br />

<strong>Shipshape</strong>


harbourside map & ferry guide<br />

<strong>Bristol</strong> Ferry Boat Co<br />

Throughout the winter their RED Hotwells service is out on the<br />

water daily – departures start at 10.30am from the city centre and<br />

Temple Meads. Their blue service is out on the water at weekends<br />

only with departures from Temple Meads starting from 10.10am.<br />

Their ferries are like a bus (a waterbus even), so use them to jump<br />

on and get to your favourite attraction, cafe, restaurant, pub, place<br />

of work or to enjoy a circular tour enjoying the great sights and<br />

sounds of the historic harbour. There’s lots to see – swans, geese, a<br />

whole array of unusual boats of varying shapes and sizes, St Mary<br />

Redcliffe’s spire, Cabot Tower, stunning views towards Ashton<br />

Court and Clifton – a vista feast in fact! See also entry on page 26.<br />

For full details and timetable visit: bristolferry.com<br />

Castle Park<br />

(for Cabot Circus, Broadmead)<br />

l<br />

Festival<br />

eat cheese<br />

Sunday 30 January, 10am-4pm, Welsh Back<br />

If you like cheese (and, let’s face it, who<br />

doesn’t?), then you’ll have made your way<br />

to Glassboat’s irresistibly moreish Eat Cheese<br />

festival last winter. (<strong>Shipshape</strong>, heavily<br />

pregnant at the time, wept through the whole<br />

thing, unable to sample many of the stinky<br />

delights on offer.) Well, they’re at it again,<br />

and this time they’ve invited along the West<br />

Country’s finest cheesemongers (including<br />

Trethowan’s, who we’ve talked to over<br />

on page 5) to show off their wares. Find<br />

demonstrations, chutneys, woodwork, livestock,<br />

games, competitions and a ‘taste off’ battle<br />

between three well-known local producers. Live<br />

music, canon-firing fun from The Matthew and<br />

an all-round party atmosphere will complete<br />

this lactose loving day.<br />

MORE glassboat.co.uk<br />

<strong>Bristol</strong> Bridge<br />

(for St Nicholas<br />

Market)<br />

l<br />

The Rummer – cocktail bar and dining rooms<br />

Bordeaux Quay l<br />

Millennium Square<br />

(for At-<strong>Bristol</strong> and<br />

Blue Reef)<br />

l<br />

<strong>Shipshape</strong><br />

City Centre<br />

(for Colston Hall, Cathedral,<br />

Park St and main bus routes)<br />

l<br />

l Watershed<br />

<strong>Bristol</strong> Visitor<br />

Information Centre<br />

River Grille<br />

l<br />

l<br />

Shore<br />

l<br />

Architecture<br />

Centre<br />

l<br />

Arnolfini<br />

l<br />

Prince Street<br />

(for The Louisiana)<br />

l<br />

M-Shed<br />

Olive Shed – tasty tapas<br />

Bordeaux Quay – ethical eatery<br />

l<br />

Mud Dock l<br />

Thekla<br />

The Ostrich l<br />

l<br />

Welsh Back l Redcliffe Back<br />

(for Old Vic and Renato’s)<br />

l<br />

l<br />

Riverstation<br />

Glassboat l<br />

Severnshed<br />

l Bathurst Basin<br />

l<br />

Spyglass<br />

l<br />

The Apple<br />

l Myristica<br />

Source – food hall & café<br />

Myristica – award-winning<br />

Arnolfini – contemporary arts centre and café<br />

Glassboat – fine dining and spectacular views<br />

Temple Bridge l<br />

Temple Quay<br />

(for Temple Meads<br />

train station)<br />

l<br />

Look out for<br />

the spring issue<br />

of <strong>Shipshape</strong><br />

- available across<br />

the Harbourside<br />

from 7 March<br />

three


feature<br />

Shipwright Gary Grizzell<br />

invites <strong>Shipshape</strong> aboard<br />

his burgeoning waterbased<br />

business, Floss’s Fuel<br />

Delivery Service<br />

The fuel-delivery service is a spin-off, really.<br />

My main job is as a shipwright at the <strong>Bristol</strong><br />

Classic Boat Company on Redcliffe Boat<br />

Yard. It was my first job out of marine school<br />

and I was lucky enough to be part of the team<br />

that built the <strong>Bristol</strong> Channel Pilot Cutter for<br />

the Island Trust. Daytime work is building,<br />

repairing and maintaining boats that people<br />

bring in – we’ve got nine boats in for repair at<br />

the moment and have just taken delivery of a<br />

big yacht for a refit for winter. We do all the<br />

maintenance for <strong>Bristol</strong> Ferry Boat Company<br />

too. I do my wood and coal delivery at the<br />

evenings and weekends.<br />

The idea for the Floss’s Fuel Delivery<br />

Service came about after a conversation I had<br />

with Mark [Rolt, director of <strong>Bristol</strong> Classic<br />

Boat Company] about selling the spare wood<br />

produced on the yard as fuel. We produce a<br />

lot of wood waste on the yard so I thought it<br />

would be a good idea to chop it into logs and sell<br />

it on. I did a census around the docks and got<br />

pretty positive responses – before I knew it I was<br />

buying coal wholesale. I also do waste collection,<br />

picking up old batteries and used oil.<br />

I’d had my eye on Floss for quite a few<br />

years, when I was living down in Cornwall.<br />

I begged the owner to sell her to me but he<br />

refused. I got her in the end though. I didn’t<br />

buy the boat with fuel in mind – I just bought<br />

it because I really wanted it. I absolutely<br />

haemorrhaged cash doing it up and then had<br />

to come up with a way of paying the bills.<br />

I started delivering in December 2009<br />

after a bit of delay in getting Floss ready. But<br />

this year we’ve hit the ground running. I’ve<br />

got the boat here, the coal here, last year’s<br />

customer base to work off. Were thinking of<br />

offering a general recycling service too but<br />

there are quite a few hoops to jump through.<br />

We’d need a bigger boat too.<br />

I reckon I’m up to about 100 customers now.<br />

And I’m starting to get random calls about<br />

collecting waste oils and batteries. There have<br />

also been enquiries from Saltford and Hanham<br />

too, so that’s something I’m looking into. The<br />

business has developed into a nice thing but<br />

it’s all down to Mark’s generosity and patience.<br />

I operate out of the yard and can store<br />

everything there so it’s really down to him.<br />

If I do have any spare time, I don’t go very<br />

far from the habour – there’s everything you<br />

need down here: the Old Duke, Grain Barge,<br />

eighteen<br />

Shakespeare Tavern, Nova Scotia – nice<br />

pubs, good food, great music venues and a<br />

good community spirit.<br />

The redevelopment of some of the dockside<br />

is a benefit to the city. I’m a big fan of<br />

interesting architecture and new design but I<br />

don’t see a lot of that going on. I think the city<br />

should be doing more to encourage boats in,<br />

making it a more interesting and inviting place<br />

for big commercial yachts. We’ve got bags of<br />

space, after all. A lot of the boats that are fitted<br />

out in France and Spain should be coming<br />

here – we’ve got the skills and infrastructure<br />

but they’re enticed away. The facilities abroad<br />

are taken care of and looked after and I think<br />

the Council has taken its eye off the ball a<br />

little bit here. If you’ve got big privately owned<br />

yachts coming in, it brings the money in.<br />

I’ve lived and worked on the Harbourside<br />

for about 12 years. I live on boats, work on<br />

them and deliver door-to-door so you could<br />

say that I live and breathe boats, really. The<br />

people who I’ve been nodding<br />

and saying ‘all right’ to I’m now<br />

having conversations with. It’s<br />

definitely a very friendly place to<br />

be – everyone living the same way,<br />

slap-bang in the middle of the city<br />

centre, not that you’d know it. It’s<br />

a different way to live. Not freezing<br />

cold in the winter, like everyone<br />

thinks. Once you get the woodburner<br />

going it’s lovely and cosy.<br />

More: bristolclassicboat.co.uk,<br />

07530 173989<br />

s<br />

Coa<br />

<strong>Shipshape</strong>


feature<br />

“I think the city<br />

should be doing<br />

boats in, making it a<br />

more interesting and<br />

inviting place”<br />

more to encourage<br />

l porter<br />

<strong>Shipshape</strong><br />

nineteen


Cosima von Bonin, detail of ENGLAND (SLOTH BEARDSLEY VERSION & MVO’S COSIMOS<br />

SONGS), 2007 / <strong>2010</strong> Courtesy the artist, Galerie Daniel Buchholz (Cologne) and Friedrich<br />

Petzel (New York) Installation photo Witte de With 2009: Bob Goedewaagen<br />

Bookshop<br />

Café bar<br />

Dance<br />

Events<br />

Exhibitions<br />

Film<br />

Music<br />

Performance<br />

Free admission to exhibition spaces<br />

open from 11am Tue – Sun<br />

café bar open daily from 10am<br />

16 NARROW QUAY, BRISTOL BS1 4QA<br />

WWW.ARNOLFINI.ORG.UK<br />

twenty<br />

<strong>Shipshape</strong>


interview<br />

feature<br />

I ❤ Harbourside<br />

This issue, <strong>Shipshape</strong> caught up with <strong>Bristol</strong><br />

Ferry Boat Company skipper and educational tour<br />

operator Rosie Dee to talk seagulls, the M Shed and<br />

what she’d miss if she got a “proper job”<br />

Why did you decide to get a job<br />

working on the ferries?<br />

Having finished my MA I was desperate to<br />

escape the silence of lonely rooms and the<br />

artificial air of a centrally heated building:<br />

I needed the outdoors. My best friends had<br />

worked the boats for years and, as it was familiar<br />

territory for me, having lived with my mum on<br />

a barge, it seemed an ideal way of scraping a<br />

living. It was just supposed to be a stopgap before<br />

getting a ‘proper job’ but I fell in love with it.<br />

Then I got my ticket, started learning all about<br />

the history of the harbour, met my partner Steve<br />

(who’s also a ferry skipper), made loads of great<br />

friends and that was it – I was totally hooked.<br />

What’s the best part of your job?<br />

Interacting with the passengers, helping them<br />

out, witnessing their pleasure, sharing our<br />

passion. And we get everyone on the ferries, of<br />

all ages and from all walks of life, from tourists<br />

to commuters – it’s a mini microcosm of society.<br />

The commuters are my favourites – there’s<br />

a sense of camaraderie between us because<br />

we’re all at work; we see them first thing in the<br />

morning and last thing at night so they become<br />

almost like friends. And we love the couples<br />

from the Caravan Club up at Baltic Wharf<br />

– you get to know them over the week and<br />

hear what they’ve been up to and what<br />

they’ve discovered and then they’ll recognise<br />

you when they return the year after! The<br />

hardest part? <strong>Winter</strong> and the long hours<br />

being cold and damp – wet ropes are never<br />

a joy, particularly first thing in the morning.<br />

What’s your favourite spot around<br />

the Harbourside?<br />

The ferries, without a doubt – no single spot<br />

can beat perambulation. Out there you’re<br />

in the centre of it all; you get to shelter from<br />

the rain under the bridges or chase the sun<br />

as it goes down, and watch all the little events<br />

unfold around the harbour while listening<br />

to the splash of the bow waves (if you’re lucky<br />

enough not to be stuck by a noisy engine).<br />

Do you go out on the Harbourside much?<br />

Most of the ferry crew spend their spare time<br />

around the harbour; quite a few are sailors and<br />

live on boats or help on the Matthew and the<br />

other tall ships that enter the docks, so it’s our<br />

stomping ground in or out of work. For me it’s<br />

the Grain Barge: I like that it was built just across<br />

the way from its present mooring at Charles<br />

Hill’s yard in 1936. It’s one of those little signs of<br />

<strong>Bristol</strong>’s trading history you can find all around<br />

the harbour, plus the food is exceptional and<br />

affordable, there’s always a crossword in one<br />

of the newspapers to do, and it’s just a really<br />

comfortable place to sit and watch the water. ➳<br />

<strong>Shipshape</strong><br />

twenty-one


Sail with<br />

Santa!<br />

rem plan and run every type of event...<br />

Carefully.<br />

Creatively.<br />

Meticulously.<br />

Maybe the secret is little more than the<br />

years of experience or maybe it’s an<br />

obsession with getting things right.<br />

Event Organisers of the Year<br />

2006/2007/2009<br />

Richmond Event Management Ltd 59 Prince Street <strong>Bristol</strong> BS1 4QH<br />

Tel 0117 9276614 Fax 0117 9221497 Email info@rem-events.com<br />

www.rem-events.com<br />

clifton<br />

kitchen<br />

Modern British food<br />

Traditional Sunday roasts<br />

Relaxed and sociable dining<br />

Stylish and comfortable interior<br />

112 Princess Victoria Street Clifton BS8 4DB Tel. (0117) 9467870<br />

www.cliftonkitchen.com<br />

twenty-two<br />

<strong>Shipshape</strong>


interview<br />

Rosie and owner Jane<br />

Salvidge (right) aboard<br />

<strong>Bristol</strong> Ferry Boat HQ<br />

What one thing could significantly<br />

improve life around the Harbourside?<br />

I can’t think of one big thing really – it’s hard<br />

to complain about such a great environment.<br />

I suppose I’ve always thought that St<br />

Augustine’s Reach should be reopened and<br />

extended to its original length, but I know<br />

that’s never going to happen. Otherwise I<br />

think they need to throw a bit more money<br />

at rubbish clearance on the water. They’ve<br />

got a cool little boat that comes and clears<br />

flotsam away that’s floated down from upriver<br />

or that’s gathered after big events – they need<br />

to clone it. Oh, and fewer seagulls wouldn’t<br />

go amiss either, or at least a better class of<br />

seagull that ate fresh mackerel rather than<br />

people’s burgers and so didn’t suffer ADHD<br />

and anger management issues as a result.<br />

“I think they need to throw a bit more<br />

money at rubbish clearance on the water.<br />

They’ve got a cool little boat that comes<br />

and clears flotsam away that’s floated down<br />

from upriver or that’s gathered after big<br />

events – they need to clone it”<br />

Are Harbourside workers a closeknit<br />

bunch?<br />

Yes, I’d say so. Everyone knows everyone out here<br />

and if you don’t get a chance to meet during the<br />

working day the likelihood is you’ll see them in<br />

the pub in the evening. There are of course some<br />

‘office politics’ with lots of businesses sharing<br />

the same territory, but on the whole it’s a great<br />

dynamic and we all try to help each other out.<br />

How do you feel about the new-build<br />

flats around the area?<br />

It’s hard to be polite about some of the most<br />

recent additions. I fear that in some instances the<br />

Harbourside authorities may have fallen victim<br />

to the plague of short-termism and mercenary<br />

ends. I believe that, on the site of the present<br />

Crest Nicholson flats, there was a plan for a<br />

sort of Little Venice with extended waterways<br />

reaching in among low-level housing. I think<br />

in the long-term it would have been a far<br />

more profitable venture, not only providing<br />

good quality housing in a stunning setting but<br />

also bringing more tourism to <strong>Bristol</strong>.<br />

What about the M Shed?<br />

I know there’s been a lot of controversy over<br />

the amount of money they’ve spent on this<br />

project but I give it my full backing. It will be<br />

a great new attraction for the Harbourside,<br />

bringing more people down to the water who<br />

mightn’t otherwise have come, and because<br />

it’s free anyone and everyone will be able to come<br />

and learn more about <strong>Bristol</strong>’s fascinating history.<br />

I’m particularly excited by the focus<br />

on people’s stories they’ve taken on<br />

this new museum – I can’t wait!<br />

Why do you love the Harbourside so much?<br />

Wow, what a question – loads of things. The<br />

sky! There’s so much sky around here, above<br />

you and below you reflected in the water, so<br />

despite being in the middle of the city you<br />

never feel enclosed. I also love the way it<br />

changes over time, through the ebb<br />

and flow of the day and the seasons<br />

of the year. The light and immense<br />

peace first thing in the morning when<br />

the water’s like glass is unbeatable,<br />

even the way the raindrops hit the<br />

surface of the water in heavy storms<br />

is something I’d miss if I got a proper<br />

job. When you work indoors you lose<br />

contact with all this stuff but out here<br />

you can’t miss it, you’re part of it. s<br />

twenty-three


lido<br />

restaurant, spa & pool<br />

Pre-wedding<br />

pampering<br />

An alternative to the traditional<br />

hen party, the Lido’s Pre-Wedding<br />

Pampering Package is the perfect<br />

indulgence before the big day<br />

For full details and special offers visit<br />

www.lidobristol.com<br />

Oakfield Place, Clifton, <strong>Bristol</strong> BS8 2BJ<br />

Reception 0117 933 9530 Restaurant 0117 933 9533<br />

www.lidobristol.com<br />

twenty-four<br />

<strong>Shipshape</strong>


feature<br />

feature<br />

Far left: At-<strong>Bristol</strong>’s<br />

cavernous Flight Zone.<br />

This pic: Morph proves<br />

a crowd pleaser<br />

Miniature<br />

marvels<br />

Jason Ewing took his son to At-<strong>Bristol</strong>’s Toddler<br />

Takeover… but, he asks, is it better than chucking him in<br />

the Learn and Groove and putting the football on?<br />

Any new parent has the same set of anxieties: your<br />

baby’s health, sleeping through, eating like a horse<br />

and so on… and just as important is making sure<br />

that you’re doing enough so they don’t get bored.<br />

So At-<strong>Bristol</strong>’s latest innovation – the Toddler<br />

Takeover day – was welcomed with open arms in<br />

our household, even if our little fella wasn’t quite<br />

old enough to partake in all that was on offer.<br />

Spread over two floors, there are enough knobs<br />

to twiddle, water to splash and shiny bits to whack<br />

to ensure even the most demanding tyke puts<br />

down his Nintendo DS for a couple of hours. We<br />

arrived (late – nappy logistics) at around noon<br />

and things were already in full swing with the<br />

buggy parking areas full-to-bursting and each<br />

of the exhibitions well thumbed, gummed and<br />

drooled over. We ventured into the aircraft<br />

hangar-like main exhibition area, where Dexter<br />

bared his teeth (two, bottom row, just visible)<br />

to an over-zealous mum<br />

hogging the ‘build a body<br />

with plastic bits’ installation.<br />

Mission accomplished – she<br />

took the hint and threw<br />

in the towel – we took in<br />

a whistle-stop tour of the<br />

Archimedes’ screw (splash,<br />

smile), model lock gates<br />

(wide-eyed wonder) and<br />

some shiny things to hit with<br />

a hammer (the undisputed champion).<br />

Out in the Flight Zone, Dexter was happy<br />

to roll around with stuffed dinosaurs and perch<br />

triumphantly on the full-size aeroplane wheel<br />

while the older children launched flying objects,<br />

burned off some calories (and shifted buckets of<br />

Hands-on fun<br />

for the family.<br />

The next Toddler Takeover<br />

days take place on 14<br />

January (with a theme of<br />

Crazy Creatures), 25 March<br />

(Super Senses) and 6 May<br />

(Wonderful Weather). They run<br />

from 10am-4pm. Admission<br />

(including Gift Aid) is £6.90<br />

for adults and £5.90 for 3-<br />

to 4-year-olds. Members and<br />

under-3s go free.<br />

water) in the huge treadmill and<br />

mucked about in the sandpit.<br />

The afternoon brought more<br />

fun for tiny scientists as they<br />

learnt how to paint butterflies,<br />

helped birds catch bugs, made<br />

giant rainbows and sifted through<br />

autumn leaves. While most of this may have<br />

been lost on Dexter (who was content watching<br />

Morph doing cartwheels in the praxinoscope),<br />

we saw plenty of families settling in for the day,<br />

safe in the knowledge that tears and tantrums<br />

were off the menu… for now.<br />

At-<strong>Bristol</strong> prides itself on its hand-on<br />

approach to learning, and while Dexter<br />

might not have been quite up to some of the<br />

lessons on offer, we know there are plenty<br />

of educational (and fun) afternoons out just<br />

waiting for us in this cavernous kids’ paradise.<br />

And even if we weren’t oblivious to Dexter<br />

filling his undergarments after only 10 minutes of<br />

arriving, as another brightly coloured plastic body<br />

part was thrown around the room, he was.<br />

s<br />

More: at-bristol.org.uk<br />

<strong>Shipshape</strong><br />

twenty-five


shipshape directory<br />

Arnolfini<br />

Arnolfini Contemporary Arts Centre<br />

16 Narrow Quay, <strong>Bristol</strong> BS1 4QA<br />

Tel: 0117 917 2300/01<br />

www.arnolfini.org.uk<br />

Opening times: Exhibition Spaces: Tue - Sun<br />

11am - 6pm & Bank Holidays; Bookshop: Tue<br />

11am - 6pm, Wed - Sat 11am - 8pm, Sun<br />

11am - 7pm; Café Bar: Daily from 10am<br />

Based at the heart of <strong>Bristol</strong>’s harbourside, in a<br />

fantastic waterside location, Arnolfini is one of<br />

Europe’s leading centres for the contemporary<br />

arts. Arnolfini features a regularly changing<br />

programme, presenting visual art, live art and<br />

performance, dance, music, cinema, poetry and<br />

literature events and a busy education programme<br />

of tours and talks. Arnolfini boasts one of the best<br />

arts bookshops in the country and a stylish, lively<br />

café bar featuring an Italian inspired and<br />

children’s menu. Free admission to the building,<br />

exhibitions and café bar.<br />

At-<strong>Bristol</strong><br />

Anchor Road, Harbourside, BS1 5DB<br />

0845 345 1235, at-bristol.org.uk<br />

Opening hours: weekends and holidays<br />

10am-6pm; weekdays during term-time<br />

10am-5pm. Open every day except 24-26<br />

December<br />

There is so much to discover in At-<strong>Bristol</strong> - one of<br />

the Country’s biggest and most exciting interactive<br />

science centres! With over 300 hands-on exhibits<br />

(from becoming an animator for the day to walking<br />

through a tornado), live science shows and a<br />

Planetarium, where you can take a trip to the stars<br />

and learn how to spot beautiful constellations!<br />

At-<strong>Bristol</strong> also has a unique venue hire space with<br />

terraces overlooking the iconic Millennium Square<br />

and <strong>Bristol</strong> Cathedral. 2011 sees Wallace & Gromit<br />

Inventor weekends, Toddler Takeover days and much<br />

more! Check the website for more information.<br />

<strong>Bristol</strong> Ferry<br />

Boat Company<br />

For full details visit: bristolferry.com<br />

For a map of the service – complete with<br />

ferry stops – and more information,<br />

turn to pages 16 & 17.<br />

Services travel between Temple Meads and the city<br />

centre (calling at Cabot Circus) as well Hotwells and the<br />

city centre on our distinctive yellow and blue boats. Their<br />

most famous Public Trip for the winter is ‘Sail with Santa’,<br />

voted one of the top ten best venues to see Santa in the<br />

Guardian (2009). Christmas themed cruises provide a<br />

fun alternative for that office or group of friends, festive<br />

do and are all on covered heated boats. Private charters<br />

are very popular with birthdays and booze cruises<br />

proving top of the list. Quote ‘<strong>Shipshape</strong> <strong>Winter</strong>’ and<br />

receive a 10% discount off any of our 3 hour charters<br />

(excluding food- and drink-inclusive packages).<br />

<strong>Bristol</strong> Tourist<br />

Information<br />

Centre<br />

E Shed, 1 Canons Road, BS1 5TX<br />

0333 321 0101 (calls charged at national<br />

rate), ticharbourside@destinationbristol.co.uk<br />

Opening hours: open daily all year round<br />

(except Christmas day and Boxing day).<br />

10am-6pm (April-September), 10am-5pm<br />

(October–March)<br />

<strong>Bristol</strong>’s Tourist information Centre is located in E-Shed,<br />

next to the Watershed Media Centre. Services include<br />

accommodation bookings, ticket sales for events and<br />

attractions, and general advice and assistance on<br />

how to make the most of visiting, living in or travelling<br />

around <strong>Bristol</strong>. Find a range of gifts, souvenirs, books,<br />

maps and travel guides, and work by local artists.<br />

You can get up-to-the-minute travel information from<br />

<strong>Bristol</strong> City Council’s transport team and a wide range<br />

of travel leaflets and timetables are also available.<br />

A unique drop-in information point has also been<br />

created by the University of the West of England.<br />

twenty-six<br />

<strong>Shipshape</strong>


shipshape directory<br />

Brunel’s Buttery<br />

Wapping Wharf, BS1 6DS<br />

0117 929 1696<br />

Opening hours: Monday-Friday 8am-4pm;<br />

Saturday-Sunday 8am-5pm<br />

Situated on the water’s edge between the ss<br />

Great Britain and the new Museum of <strong>Bristol</strong>,<br />

Brunel’s Buttery is something of a <strong>Bristol</strong><br />

institution, serving up cheap, cheerful and<br />

very tasty lunches and stomach-filling snacks<br />

to the ravenous hordes. They’re famed for<br />

their chunky bacon sandwiches but you can<br />

customise your buttie by adding sausage, egg,<br />

cheese or mushrooms (or all of the above,<br />

if you’re particularly peckish). There’s also a<br />

selection of cakes and hot drinks for after. Take<br />

your food away or eat on the tables outside.<br />

Brunel’s ss<br />

Great Britain<br />

Great Western Dockyard, BS1 6TY<br />

0117 926 0680, ssgreatbritain.org<br />

Opening hours: from 10am<br />

Closing: 5.30pm (27 March-31 Oct);<br />

4.30pm (from 1 November)<br />

Last ticket sales: one hour before closing<br />

Open every day except 24 and 25 December,<br />

and 10 January<br />

Descend under the glass ‘sea’ and step back in time<br />

in the Dockyard Museum! See, hear, touch and even<br />

smell what life was like for Victorian passengers and<br />

crew on board Brunel’s ss Great Britain. There’s plenty<br />

to do to keep everyone entertained at this multi awardwinning<br />

and fully accessible visitor attraction. Join the<br />

40th anniversary celebrations of the ss Great Britain’s<br />

epic salvage from the Falkland Islands and return to<br />

<strong>Bristol</strong>. Events range from ‘The Incredible Journey’<br />

exhibition and family trail to Ratcatcher’s Halloween<br />

and Victorian Christmas. Tickets provide free return<br />

visits for a year. To find out more, visit ssgreatbritain.org<br />

Pic: David Noton<br />

Colston Hall<br />

Colston Street, BS1 5AR<br />

0117 922 3686, colstonhall.org<br />

Opening hours: Box Office: Mon–Sat 10am-<br />

6pm; H Bar café: Mon-Fri 8am-11pm, Sat<br />

9am-10pm, Sun 10am-9pm; H Bar Bistro:<br />

Daily 11.30am-3pm and 5-11pm<br />

Colston Hall is <strong>Bristol</strong>’s premier live music venue<br />

hosting a varied and regular programme of rock<br />

and pop, classical, leftfield and comedy events.<br />

In the past year Snow Patrol, London Symphony<br />

Orchestra and Grace Jones have all played at the<br />

Hall. In 2009, Colston Hall’s new foyer building<br />

was opened to the public. Built with £20 million<br />

from <strong>Bristol</strong> City Council and the Arts Council, the<br />

new foyer has improved the customer experience<br />

of visiting the Hall with audiences now able to<br />

enjoy their new café bar, restaurant and interval<br />

bars in light and spacious surroundings.<br />

City<br />

Sightseeing<br />

Information Hotline 09067 112191<br />

Hop on one of our bright red City Sightseeing<br />

buses with our 24 hour ticket (or 3-Day ticket) and<br />

let us show you the sights of this fascinating city,<br />

which is full of vitality and variety. Operating daily<br />

every 30, 45 or 90 minutes our guides will regale<br />

you with stories from pirates & princes to paupers,<br />

show you great churches, cathedrals and museums<br />

and our exciting harbourside, the jewel of which is<br />

Brunel’s ss Great Britain. A popular stop over is<br />

the gleamy gold Colston Hall entrance building,<br />

with it’s mix of eating and performance places,<br />

it’s certainly the ‘place to be’.<br />

<strong>Shipshape</strong><br />

twenty-seven


shipshape directory<br />

Glassboat<br />

Welsh Back, BS1 4SB<br />

0117 929 0704, glassboat.co.uk<br />

january sale<br />

Two persons, Two courses each,<br />

One bottle of House Wine,<br />

Tea/Coffee only £30!<br />

Valid from 13th Jan-10th Feb from<br />

5.30pm-7pm on our early evening menu.<br />

Opening hours: lunch: Tues-Fri<br />

12-2.30pm; dinner: Mon-Sat<br />

5.30-10.30pm; Sunday brunch: 10am-4pm<br />

Well-established and much-loved floating<br />

restaurant that’s been serving <strong>Bristol</strong>’s food<br />

fanatics for nearly 25 years and now<br />

boasting an entirely glass aft section.<br />

Beautiful views of <strong>Bristol</strong> Bridge and beyond,<br />

knowledgeable staff, an extensive wine list<br />

and a locally sourced, seasonal menu can<br />

all be found here. The lower deck can also<br />

be hired out for breakfast, lunch, dinner and<br />

half- or full-day events for up to 40. Take<br />

advantage of their Express Lunch menu: two<br />

courses for £10 (Tuesday to Saturday).<br />

offer<br />

dine for<br />

less in our<br />

january<br />

sale<br />

The Harbourside<br />

1 Canons Rd, BS1 5TX<br />

0117 929 1100<br />

The Harbourside is a contemporary new addition<br />

to the wonderful waterside environment. Customers<br />

can relax in the comfortable surroundings and<br />

listen to classical music while enjoying a locallysourced<br />

meal and a glass of wine. Boasting a<br />

prime location on <strong>Bristol</strong>’s city-centre waterfront, the<br />

bistro offers a contemporary menu using the freshest<br />

ingredients as well as an oyster bar – unique to<br />

the area. The riverside lounge is open daily from<br />

9am for great quality coffee, specialist sandwiches<br />

and much more. The Harbourside also has a shop<br />

selling teas, herbs and remedies.<br />

Lido Restaurant,<br />

Spa & Pool<br />

Oakfield Place, BS8 2BJ<br />

0117 933 9530, lidobristol.com<br />

Opening hours: restaurant: 12-3pm and 6.30-<br />

10pm; spa: 7am-10pm; poolside bar: all day<br />

A 21st century spa, restaurant and alfresco<br />

pool housed in beautifully renovated 19th<br />

century surroundings. The Lido originally<br />

opened its doors in 1850 and remained in<br />

business for over 100 years before falling into<br />

disrepair in 1990. The Glassboat Company<br />

saved the building from developers (who<br />

wanted to turn the site into flats) and restored<br />

the buildings to their former glory, reopening in<br />

November 2008. Find a heated, low-chlorine<br />

infinity pool, sauna and steam room, restaurant<br />

and poolside bar, and luxurious spa.<br />

The Matthew<br />

When in <strong>Bristol</strong> check website for mooring location<br />

0117 927 6868, matthew.co.uk<br />

A magnificent replica of a Tudor merchant<br />

ship that recreated the Atlantic crossing by<br />

explorer John Cabot. He was searching for a<br />

sailing route to Asia but ended up “discovering”<br />

Newfoundland. Get the best views of <strong>Bristol</strong><br />

harbour from the deck on one of their regular<br />

public cruises – fish and chip suppers on board<br />

are extremely popular – or you can venture<br />

down the scenic Avon Gorge under the Clifton<br />

Suspension Bridge. There are also offshore sailing<br />

opportunities and the ship is available for private<br />

hire – check website for sailing programme.<br />

twenty-eight<br />

<strong>Shipshape</strong>


shipshape directory<br />

Myristica<br />

51 Welsh Back, BS1 4AN<br />

0117 927 2277, myristica.co.uk<br />

now available<br />

Tiffin boxes of Indian food to takeaway –<br />

£4.95 per box<br />

Opening hours: Mon-Fri 12-2pm (lunch),<br />

Mon-Sat 5.30-11.30pm (dinner), Sunday<br />

5.30-10.30pm (dinner, last orders at 10pm)<br />

Having recently taken up residence on <strong>Bristol</strong>’s<br />

Welsh Back, Myristica joins a host of wellknown<br />

establishments delivering a five-star food<br />

experience along <strong>Bristol</strong>’s waterfront. You’ll find<br />

a delicious range of authentic, delicious regional<br />

Indian food served up by chefs from some of<br />

India’s top hotels. Specialities include pista<br />

murgh (chicken breast cooked in a mild cream<br />

sauce with ground pistachios and saffron) and<br />

prawn chettinad with Kerala paratha (black tiger<br />

prawns cooked with a roasted blend of fennel,<br />

peppercorns and curry leaves).<br />

tiffin<br />

boxes to<br />

takeaway<br />

available<br />

now<br />

the rummer<br />

All Saints Lane, Old City, BS1 1JH<br />

Email: info@therummer.co.uk<br />

General Enquiries: 0117 9290111<br />

Bookings: 0117 9294243<br />

One of <strong>Bristol</strong>’s favourite cocktail bars and dining<br />

rooms, The Rummer Hotel is a sophisticated venue<br />

serving a discerning clientele. An independent<br />

bar and restaurant with a passion for quality, the<br />

kitchen produces some of the best food to be found<br />

in <strong>Bristol</strong>, and the bar holds over 300 premium<br />

spirits from around the globe – the largest collection<br />

in the region. Boasting a classic, stylish interior,<br />

the Rummer provides a wonderful ambience and<br />

an intimate drinking venue. Open every day, with<br />

Head Chef Greg McHugh serving modern British<br />

food on his lunch and evening menus.<br />

Spyglass<br />

Welsh Back, BS1 4SB<br />

0117 927 7050, spyglassbristol.co.uk<br />

Spyglass has a non reservation policy for groups<br />

of less than 8. To book a table for a group of 8 or<br />

more please contact spyglassmgr@glassboat.co.uk<br />

or 0117 9277050<br />

Spyglass closes for it’s <strong>Winter</strong> Break on 23<br />

December and reopens in the Spring on 10 March<br />

Opening hours: daily 11am-11pm<br />

Spyglass is <strong>Bristol</strong>’s only Seasonal restaurant. Set on a<br />

contemporary 170-seater converted barge on <strong>Bristol</strong>’s<br />

Harbourside it is probably the busiest restaurant in<br />

the city during the summer months. In the <strong>Winter</strong> the<br />

powerful heaters come on and the menu reflects the<br />

change of season with plenty of winter warmers such<br />

as Hungarian goulash and Spanish chicken & chorizo<br />

casserole alongside Spyglass classics like lamb kebabs<br />

with harissa and cous cous and whole sea bass with<br />

lime chilli and coriander. Spyglass is currently taking<br />

bookings for Christmas Parties – starting at £15 for the<br />

set-menu (meze, main course & dessert).<br />

Watershed<br />

1 Canons Road, BS1 5TX<br />

0117 927 5100, info@watershed.co.uk,<br />

watershed.co.uk, dshed.net<br />

Cafe/bar opening hours: Mon<br />

10.30am-11pm, Tues-Thurs<br />

9.30am-11pm, Sat 10am-midnight, Sun<br />

10am-10.30pm<br />

Watershed is the perfect social space on<br />

<strong>Bristol</strong>’s historic Harbourside, showing the best<br />

independent films from across the world. With<br />

three cinemas to choose from and a welcoming,<br />

relaxed café/bar enjoying unique waterside<br />

views, it’s the ideal place to meet friends, enjoy a<br />

meal and watch a film. Come and try their Plot to<br />

Plate organic menu showcasing the tastes of the<br />

South West, or tempt yourself to a drink before or<br />

after a film. For detailed film and events listings,<br />

visit watershed.co.uk or head to dshed.net for an<br />

online gallery and creative content.<br />

<strong>Shipshape</strong><br />

twenty-nine


and finally...<br />

1The Finzels Reach<br />

development covers<br />

an area of over<br />

1,000,000 square<br />

feet and is located on<br />

the former Courage<br />

brewery site<br />

2Courage brewery<br />

closed in 1999,<br />

prompting an<br />

10 things<br />

8,000-name<br />

petition from members<br />

of the Campaign for<br />

Real Ale (Camra)<br />

3Before Courage<br />

took over the site ... you never knew about the<br />

in 1961, George’s Harbourside’s latest multi-millionpound<br />

development, Finzels Reach6Archaeologists 4As reported in <strong>Shipshape</strong>, 5The site is named after<br />

from Oxford<br />

had been brewing<br />

there since 1788<br />

the development<br />

Conrad Finzel, the<br />

Archaeology, CgMs and <strong>Bristol</strong><br />

includes a state of the<br />

German-born owner<br />

City Council have discovered a<br />

art pedestrian and<br />

of the Counterslip<br />

13th-century wood-lined well,<br />

cyclist bridge – Mobius Bridge Sugar Refinery that was based a crossbow trigger and a 12th-century<br />

(left) – which will link Finzels on part of the site. The refinery string instrument called a rebec<br />

Reach with Castle Park. The was said to be the largest in on the site. The excavation was<br />

bridge is expected to be finished the country and, at its peak, the largest archaeological dig ever<br />

by December 2012<br />

employed over 700 men undertaken in the city centre<br />

7 It will cost over £250m to complete<br />

8<br />

The Generator<br />

Reach donated 500 mugs to St Peter’s<br />

building, a historically<br />

Hospice to be sold for £1 in stores across the city<br />

protected part of the<br />

– following in the footsteps of ‘The Good Conrad<br />

site, powered <strong>Bristol</strong>’s<br />

Finzel’, who reportedly gave at least £10,000 every<br />

trams until the 1920s 10Finzels<br />

year to Muller’s Orphanage in <strong>Bristol</strong><br />

9The scheme<br />

includes 92<br />

affordable<br />

housing units<br />

thirty<br />

<strong>Shipshape</strong>


CITY CENTRE<br />

LIVING FROM<br />

£127,500 *<br />

GREAT<br />

WESTERN<br />

DOCKYARD<br />

At Brunel’s ss Great Britain, <strong>Bristol</strong>.<br />

• With Easy Start you only need 5% deposit to get an<br />

affordable mortgage*<br />

• You own 100% of your home – and pay just 85% of the price now<br />

• We’ll give you an interest free loan for the remaining<br />

15% for 3 years<br />

1 & 2 BEDROOM APARTMENTS<br />

FROM £127,500 WITH EASY START*<br />

GREAT WESTERN DOCKYARD<br />

Gas Ferry Road, <strong>Bristol</strong> BS6 6TY<br />

Sales & Marketing Suite and Show Home<br />

open daily 10am to 5pm<br />

Call 0845 676 0127 or<br />

visit lindenhomes.co.uk<br />

* On selected homes only, subject to scheme rules. Price correct at time of going to press.

Hooray! Your file is uploaded and ready to be published.

Saved successfully!

Ooh no, something went wrong!