Circus Journal Vol 16

An independent journal on style, creativity and community

Volume 16 Early spring 2022 Love

FREE

Things to love in 2022 + Meet the hobbyists + Sexual Health Circus

+ Holm + Spotlight on Tisbury + Events in February and March

People

Hello

Love, love, love. If you strip back the time-worn clichés,

love is the fuel that powers us; propelling us to do what we

do and be who we are.

Who or what will you love this year? For early spring, we

forecast the mood for the rest of 2022, from home trends

and travel to food and technology.

The way we teach young people about sex is evolving. Take

your seat at the world’s first Sexual Health Circus – where

nothing is taboo and awkwardness is fully embraced.

Meet a gaggle of dedicated hobbyists, including a motherdaughter

dance duo and a fire-fighting metal detectorist.

And then take a tour around terrific Tisbury.

Lunch is served at Holm, Somerset’s hottest new

restaurant, and we round up the best seasonal events.

Happy reading.

Emily Payne, editor

AN EMPORIUM OF TREASURES FOR YOUR HOME

FIND US ON 92 WALCOT STREET, BATH, BA1 5BG

WWW.GRAHAMANDGREEN.CO.UK

circusjournal.com @circusjournal 5

Affordable garden rooms built from quality,

sustainable materials. Crafted by hand in Bristol.

Contents

Regulars

The Edit 9

Design, community + lifestyle

Directory 63

Brilliant local businesses

The Guide 67

Events in February + March

People

Meet the hobbyists 16

Did someone say penny farthing?

A class act 27

The Sexual Health Circus

Ideas

Mood forecast 35

Ten things to love in 2022

Places

Spotlight on Tisbury 50

Art, history + shopping

Food + drink

Solid FSC Timber doors and

windows with double glazing

and 5-pin mortice lock

Green sedum living roof

Ply-lined, Farrow & Ball painted,

internal walls and ceiling

Review 57

Somerset’s Holm hits the right note

FSC Larch or

Composite cladding

Ethical sheep’s wool

insulation

800w Premium WIFI

controlled wall heater

6 Circus

www.ukworkroom.co.uk

Journal Early spring

0117

2022

287 0197 @ukworkroom


FIVE EXPLORE

THE NEW

Contributors

We asked the Circus team for their first loves

DARTMOOR LINE

Dave Watts

Photographer (p16)

Michaela Strachan

Tammy Kerr

Illustrator

Sean Astin in The Goonies

Rich Pelley

Writer (p16)

Betty Boo

Jennifer Barton

Writer (p50)

Ballet

Sonia Zhuravlyova

Writer (p35)

Russian ‘potato’ cake

Priyanka Raval

Writer (p27)

My grandmother’s rotis

Emily Payne

Editor

Lion-0

Kate Monument

Creative director

My Barbie collection

THE FAMOUS FIVE © 2021 Hodder & Stoughton Limited. All rights reserved.

*Price based on an Anytime Day Return between Exeter Central or Exeter St Davids

to Okehampton. Not all services call at Exeter Central. Railcard restrictions apply.

Pricing correct as of 20 November.

Experience the new train service today

Exeter to Okehampton

Vishaka Robinson

Writer (p57)

New Kids on the Block

Rosie Yates

Illustrator (p50)

Terry’s Chocolate Orange

Simon Tapscott

Publisher

Subbuteo

Camilla Cary-Elwes

Sub editor

Les Dennis

With thanks to Valentina Hernandez Gomez and Rebecca Frank

£8 Return *

Save 1/3 with a Railcard

Book now at GWR.com,

on our app or at a station.

Discover the new route at DartmoorLine.com

ADVENTURES START HERE

On the cover

Illustration by

Tammy Kerr

The team

Creative director + founder

Kate Monument

kate@circusjournal.com

Publisher + founder

Simon Tapscott

simon@circusjournal.com

Editor

Emily Payne

emily@circusjournal.com

Sub editor

Camilla Cary-Elwes

Instagram: @circusjournal

circusjournal.com

Advertising

To advertise in Circus, please

call Simon on 07816 322056 or

email simon@circusjournal.com

Stocking

Circus is available to pick up for

free at over 330 locations across

Bath, Bristol and the south-west.

To find your nearest stockist

please visit circusjournal.com.

This issue of Circus was first

printed in January 2022 by Zenith

Print Group, in Pontypridd, Wales.

Thank you to the advertisers,

whose support and encouragement

enables this project to happen.

© Circus Journal 2022. All

information contained in this

publication is for entertainment

purposes only. Circus is published

by Do Good Things Limited who

do not accept any responsibility

for errors or inaccuracies that

occur in such information. While

every reasonable care is taken with

all material submitted to Circus,

the publisher cannot accept

anyresponsibility for loss or damage

to such material. All rights reserved.

This publication is copyrighted and

no part of this publication may be

used or reproduced without the

written permission of Do Good

Things Limited.

DARTMOOR RAILWAY

ASSOCIATION


The Edit

Updates on design, community + lifestyle

Words: Emily Payne. Photography: Sarah Louise Shorrock

Life

lessons

“If you see someone

without a smile today,

give ‘em yours,” Dolly

Parton once wisely

said. We love Dolly and

we love this gorgeous

print of her by Molly

O’Donoghue. Available

from Good Store Studio

in Old Market, Bristol.

thediysupermarket.co.uk


The Edit

Chouette Design

Simple tees dedicated to Toots

Hibbert of ska band Toots and the

Maytals, who died in 2020. “He

accompanied me through the good

times,” says creator Ben Menter.

chouettedesign.co.uk

Neptune

The new season at Bath

interiors store Neptune

feels light, easy and quietly

elegant. We’ve got our

eyes on the oak and marble

Wycombe dining table.

neptune.com

Floragy Skincare

Spring clean your beauty rituals with

Floragy’s affordable, all-natural and

cruelty-free skin and hair oils.

floragy.co.uk

WATCH

LIST

Big

screen

romance

Three indie cinemas

give us their top love

films from across

the globe

Amour

Michael Haneke

Louise Gardner, Watershed

The devastating story

of Anne and Georges, a

happy Parisian couple

in their 80s whose lives

are thrown off course

when Anne suffers a

series of strokes. How

do you cope with the

sudden deterioration of

a loved one, and what

role does love have

in it all?

watershed.co.uk

These Two Hands

Stock up on handmade gifts at

this cute shop in Brislington.

Nature-inspired earthenware jug by

ceramicist, Wendy Calder, pictured.

thesetwohands.co.uk

THIS SPRING

WE LOVE...

Milagros

Mexican tiles, baskets and recycled

glassware in jolly colours and

traditional patterns, as seen at Soho

Farmhouse and Wahaca.

milagros.co.uk

Bee&Sons

Covetable cardis made in a field in

Somerset by Bee&Sons, a knitwear

brand emphatic about circular clothing

production. Behold the navy, coral and

bubblegum pink loveliness.

beeandsons.com

Hope

Maria Sødahl

Emma Ingledew,

Little Theatre

Anja and Tomas have

grown apart, their

careers taking them

in different directions.

When Anja receives an

unexpected diagnosis,

their life begins to

fracture, exposing years

of neglect. The two

embark on a journey in

which they rediscover

themselves and

each other.

picturehouses.com

In the Mood for Love

Wong Kar-wai

Oliver Treasure-Smith,

Curzon Clevedon

Two married couples,

alienated from their

partners, slowly fall in

love while living in a

cramped apartment

building in Hong Kong.

Gloomy corridors

contrast with the neon

lights of the city and the

soundtrack immerses

you in the tiny but

tumultuous world of

the main characters.

curzon.org.uk

10 Circus Journal Early spring 2022


The Edit

A workplace powered by social purpose

Opening February 2022

Visit hosj.co.uk to book your tour

Photography: Jon Craig © Bristol City Council

WHAT’S

ON

Art from

the heart

Have you been to Grayson’s Art

Club: The exhibition at Bristol

Museum yet? It’s a must – and

packed with powerful art made

during the pandemic.

“I grew up as a Muslim kid

who couldn’t go to the pub,”

says actor Mawaan Rizwan of

his painting, Favourable Chicken

(pictured above).

“In a chicken shop, you buy a

packet of chips and sit in there

for two hours to do all your

catching up. I just love that they

went for ‘Favourable’.”

Fellow celebrity artist Boy

George describes his work (left)

as depicting his ‘disco family’.

He says: “When I got on the

train to the West End my world

became more colourful and

more bohemian. I’d never been

anywhere really glamorous.

We’d never eaten prawns or

courgettes. We were quite a

basic family. This is the family

that I’ve created. My nightclub

family. My fake family. My

fellow weirdos.”

Catch Grayson’s Art Club: The

exhibition at Bristol Museum

until September 2022

bristolmuseums.org.uk


The Edit

Loving Humanity founder

Amy Peake in Kibera, Kenya

GENERATIONS:

PORTRAITS OF

HOLOCAUST

SURVIVORS

27 JAN – 27 MAR 2022

An exhibition bringing together over 50

contemporary portraits of Holocaust survivors and

their families, shining a light on their lives and our

collective responsibility to cherish their stories.

In partnership with the Imperial War Museum, Jewish

News and Holocaust Memorial Day Trust.

Free Admission

Thurs – Sun

10:00 – 17:00

RPS Gallery

337 Paintworks

Bristol

BS4 3AR

© Tom Hunter

Photography: Joe Short

COMMUNITY

Strong girls’ clubs

Sabbara

Bristol

Founded in 2012 by

human rights activist

Manya Elendary,

Sabbara supports

Syrian women and

creates employment

through knitting

clubs and the sales

of embroidered

handicrafts. “It’s

satisfying to make

something with your

hands and know

you did it well,” says

Nariman, a maker

based in Lebanon.

“Sabbara gave me

strength in myself.”

sabbara.org

Lovewell

Bristol

Lovewell gives

women who have

experienced trauma

from trafficking and

exploitation the

opportunity to build

new skills, through the

making and selling

of natural beauty

products. Says one

trainee: “I have learnt

to see that I’m not

hopeless, I am a

precious person and

it’s not impossible for

me to get a job in the

near future. I never

thought I’d get a job.”

lovewelluk.com

Loving Humanity

Bath

Over 100 million girls

across the globe don’t

go to school – in part

due to period poverty.

Loving Humanity sets

up at-cost period pad

micro-factories in

some of the world’s

poorest communities.

In 2021 it sent 500

washable pad kits

to schoolgirls in

Burundi, 310 kits to

girls living in care

in Sierra Leone, and

500 kits to a refugee

camp on the Greek/

Macedonian border.

lovinghumanity.org.uk

rps.org/generations

@royalphotographicsociety


People

Words

Photography

Rich Pelley

Dave Watts

Meet the

hobbyists

We tracked down an assortment

of enthusiasts living in the

south-west to find out why they

really love what they do



People

What’s the hardest bit?

L: Learning the moves, it gets harder

and harder. And at competitions you

have to smile the entire time, which

makes your mouth hurt.

Who’s the best?

L: Me!

A: I find it hard to remember the

steps. My brain is full of managing

my business and family stuff. By the

time it gets to the evening class, I’m

often tired.

What do you do when you’re not

Irish dancing?

A: I’m a nutritionist and help people

with gut problems.

L: And I’m in year 7.

Do you enter competitions?

A: Yes. My poor husband has to watch

us Irish dancing all day.

Can’t Dad join in too?

A: It’s just not his sort of thing.

L: He prefers playing his guitar.

Nutritionist Anna Mapson

and her daughter Leila go

to the same Irish dancing

class in Bristol

ANNA AND LEILA MAPSON,

IRISH DANCING DUO, BRISTOL

What is your hobby and why

do you love it?

Anna: We love Irish dancing!

Leila: I like winning trophies and

learning new moves.

How did you get into it?

L: I started with my friend when

I was five.

A: My mum’s parents were both

Irish. My nan really wanted me to

learn when I was a child. It looked

like good fun, and it keeps me fit.

Do you mind your mum joining

your class?

L: It was OK when she was in a

different class. Now she’s joined

my class, it’s a bit weird.

A: No one else has their

mum there!

Are you always dancing?

L: My school friends say, “Stop

dancing!” when they see me practising

under the table. Our guinea pigs get

scared because all they can hear is

bang, bang, bang.

A: Sometimes I rehearse my dance

steps in my sleep.

What’s the best way to get involved?

A: Just come to a class and give it

a go. Anyone can start as an adult

– men too!

Michael Flatley is the most famous

Irish dancer and he’s male.

L: I saw Riverdance when it came to

Bristol a few months ago. My hands

were sore from all the clapping.

Are you the next Michael Flatley?

L: Maybe if I practise!

dancestation.org.uk

@goodnessme_nutrition

My school friends say

‘Stop dancing!’ when

they see me practising

under the table.”


People

LOVE

glam!

YOURSELF

What’s the best thing you’ve ever found? A medieval

gold ring, a couple of months ago, on a group dig in

Evesham. It’s from the 14th or 15th century, and has an

inscription in French Latin that means “I am

here in place.”

STEVE PRICE, METAL DETECTORIST, STROUD

What is your hobby and why do you love it so much?

I go around with my metal detector looking for

treasure. It gets me out of the house, it’s good exercise

and it’s good for your mental health. As soon as I put

on my headphones, I forget all my worries.

What’s the worst? Modern belt buckles, doorknobs,

ring pulls, costume jewellery and chewing gum

wrappers… 90% of what I find is rubbish.

So, what are the rules? Finders keepers? No. Anything

that is over 300 years old is classed as treasure. So, in

the case of my gold ring, the Crown owns it and I have

to report it. The coroner decides whether they want

to sell it to a museum. If not, I have to get a quote and

offer 50% to the landowner so I can keep the ring.

CLICK & COLLECT

BATH | BRISTOL JEWELLERS

www.nicholaswylde.com

PERSONAL APPOINTMENTS FACETIME & ZOOM HOME VISITS BESPOKE

You’re known as The Dapper Detectorist. Which

came first, the dapper or the detectorist? The dapper.

I grew the moustache to go as Freddie Mercury to a

fancy-dress party. My wife said: “Maybe you should

keep it going?” I shaved it off a year ago and my friends

went: “You need to bring it back.”

How did you get into metal detecting? It started seven

years ago after watching the Detectorists TV show with

Mackenzie Crook. I said to my wife: “I’d like to do that.”

What do you do when you’re not detecting? I’m

a firefighter.

How can people get involved in metal detecting?

You can’t detect anywhere without permission from

the land owner. So, the first thing is to see if you can

acquire land to actually detect on. The best thing is to

join the National Council for Metal Detecting (NCMD)

for £10 a year.

@the_dapper_detectorist


Stroud firefighter Steve Price

took up metal detecting after

watching Mackenzie Crook’s

cult TV show, Detectorists

People

It’s good exercise and it’s good

for your mental health. As soon

as I put on my headphones,

I forget all my worries.”



Alberto Bona runs the Bath arm

of the Penny Farthing Club, a

community of riders, racers and

polo players, which offers training,

private hire and team building

People

People

ALBERTO BONA, PENNY FARTHING

ENTHUSIAST, FROME

What is your hobby and why do you love it

so much? I joined the Penny Farthing Club in

2016 because I thought, why not? I now run

the Bath franchise. Going around on these

strange bikes has become a healthy addiction,

full of passion and adrenaline. It’s the closest

thing to a feeling of flying because you are

higher than usual, hovering over the floor.

Is it hard to learn? It can take anything

between two minutes to two hours. It really

depends on confidence, balance and agility.

Have you ever fallen off? A few times, in

slippery weather. We play an annual game

of penny farthing polo between England,

Scotland, Wales and the Rest of the World,

which I am lucky enough to captain as I

originally come from Milan. But you don’t

really get injured when you fall on turf.

Do you wear a helmet? When I race, I always

wear a helmet. For the tours, the guests wear

helmets but I prefer the classic protection of

my bowler hat.

How do other road users react? Usually cars

slow down, take photographs and get very

excited. But the odd cretin will try to overtake

you before a corner. It’s just envy, really!

Should they have penny farthing racing in

the Olympics? They have mountain biking

and BMXing, so I don’t see why not. I’ve done

the London Nocturne race around St Paul’s

Cathedral, which was a bit of bone-shaker.

Could you enter the Tour de France on a

penny farthing? No. It’s too hilly! Bath is

challenging enough. Although I would love

to invent the penny farthing pedalo to cross

the channel.

What do you do when you’re not riding

your penny farthing? I make films and music

videos using old-style film. I’ve just made a

video for The Darkness – featuring a penny

farthing, of course.

Would Boris Johnson be any good on a

penny farthing? Penny farthings are all

about balance – so I think he should stick

to Boris bikes.

@pennyfarthingbath

arepofilms.com

Going around on

these strange bikes

has become a healthy

addiction… It’s the

closest thing to a

feeling of flying.”


25

Sixth Form at

Words

Photography

Priyanka Raval

Mark Dawson

A

class act

Where the individual matters

Stonar is a small, hard-working school where everyone matters and no one is

overlooked. We have a track record in closely supporting students to gain the

university place they desire and providing truly tailored careers advice, in addition

to excellent academic outcomes.

We offer a broad range of A Level subjects, as well as Level 3 Diplomas in Sport

& Exercise Science, Fashion & Textile Design and Equine Management.

The Sexual Health Circus is a radical new initiative

in Bristol, plugging the gaps in our sex education

curriculum. We meet its founder, Jess Herman

Co-educational day and boarding from 2 to 18 years old | Atworth, SN12 8NT

www.stonarschool.com | E: admissions@stonarschool.com | T: 01225 701744


People

In September 2020, a new relationships and sex education

(RSE) was launched. For the very first time, it made

relationships education compulsory in primary schools,

and relationships and sex education compulsory in

secondary schools. The acronym changed from SRE to RSE

– an indication that the relational element would now take

priority. Staggeringly, this was the first time that sex education

guidelines had been reviewed in 20 years.

Think of all the things that have happened since 2000: social

media, porn on-demand, dating apps, incel culture and the

#MeToo movement… the list goes on. The landscape within

which young people are expected to navigate their sexuality

has become more complex, and yet they have been no better

equipped to handle it.

No wonder some turn to pornography for guidance (65% of

15-16 year olds have seen pornography, according to the NSPCC),

with all of the unhealthy expectations and insecurities that come

with it. The 2019 Netflix series Sex Education was an instant hit,

somewhat capturing the zeitgeist. In it, the protagonist Otis, son

of a sex therapist, sets up as an underground counsellor himself

– muddling through the myriad complexities of teenage sexuality

with his peers.

What’s a circus got to do with it?

Jess Herman is the founder of the Sexual Health Circus (SHC).

Seven years ago she was in Nicaragua, teaching circus skills with

Performers Without Borders. Having previously worked as a

sexual health educator, she decided to hold a few sex-ed sessions.

“I did a condom demo on a juggling club and thought, ‘I wonder

if there’s a way of pulling this together?’”

And so she did, along with her fellow performers, Jake Hirsch-

Holland, Emily Ball and Winston Pyke. In 2020, with funding

from the Arts Council and the Paul Hamlyn Foundation, Jess

launched the pilot of the Sexual Health Circus to tour around

schools in Bristol.

Using an incredible array of aerial silks, tandem balancing

acrobatics and juggling, each act explored themes from the new

RSE curriculum. It was a resounding success.

Since then, Jess and the team have created a new and

improved live show, and an educational film, along with five

relationship and sex education lesson plans for teachers. These

cover gender and sexual orientation, consent and healthy/

unhealthy relationships, pornography and nudes, contraception

and STIs, as well as pleasure, rights and responsibilities.

In November, the SHC did a tour of five schools, for years 9,

10 and 11. Again, the show was met with overwhelmingly positive

feedback. “Every school in the country should have a Sexual

Health Circus!” one teacher told them.

Sex-ed:

a timeline

1920s

Girls in senior school are

taught “self-reverence, self

control and true modesty”.

WW2

Schools begin to teach

about the prevention of

syphilis and gonorrhoea.

1950s

Sex is taught via the

reproductive systems of

rabbits. Boys warned about

‘dangers’ of masturbation.

1970s

Students learn about

contraception, puberty and

reproduction. Gender roles

are explored.

1988

Section 28 states

that the teaching of

the acceptability of

homosexuality as

a “pretended family

relationship” should

not be promoted.

1990s

Momentum to improve sex

education grows, amid

concerns of teen pregnancy

and STI rates.

2000

The first SRE guidance

is published – but is not

compulsory.

2010

After a decade of

campaigning for SRE to

be made compulsory, the

new government discards

the legislation.

2020

RSE becomes statutory

from September 1.

Source: Open University & Sex Education Forum

*Taken from anonymous feedback forms given after the show.

What the

kids said*

“We learnt about our

bodies in a funny and

safe environment.”

“The circus part of the

show takes away the

awkwardness of the

sexual health part.”

“It’s a lot better than

sitting in a classroom

and having discussions

with your teacher.”

“It discusses serious

topics with humour,

while not compromising

the facts.”


People

Nurturing wellness amongst nature

When you become a member of The Club at Combe Grove, you are joining so much more than just a gym.

Set in 64 acres of woodland we offer unrivalled views of the Limpley Stoke Valley. Members have

access to a well-appointed nature-inspired gym, studios, indoor and outdoor pool and tennis

courts, all of which benefit from space and natural light. Join our volunteering opportunities,

drop into an event or take part in a mindful movement class.

01225 834644

newmemberships@combegrove.com

www.combegrove.com/memberships

We look forward to welcoming you.

Combe

Grove

HEALTH & WELLBEING

Getting

it right

The Netherlands

provides sexpositive

education

to children from the

age of four. They

have the lowest

teen pregnancy

rate in the world.

Love, actually

“There are two sides to the sex and relationship

curriculum – there’s the facts, the biology and the law

– but we have to teach that alongside the relational,

social side,” says Jess

“You can know the laws around consent, but how do

you have the actual conversation? There are skills there,

body language you can pick up on and ways to ask if

someone is into it.”

The same is true for gender and sexual orientation,

Jess goes on to say, which goes beyond just learning

the terminology. “It’s how to put into practice

accepting people and the nuances of how to really

embody and demonstrate a way of being in society –

not being judgemental.”

SHC is there “to make people feel comfortable and

respected and accepted – which is love, actually.

And not just romantic love, but also for one’s

friends and self. One section asks the audience

how they would help a friend in an unhealthy

relationship. Another explores how self pleasure

can also be an act of self love.”

“We always – every show – get asked about

penis size,” Jess laughs. But on a serious note,

she adds, this does highlight the insecurities

and damage done by turning to pornography for

instruction. It has created a mess of expectations

and fantasies, often far removed from self or

partner love, or even kindness. This is why good

sex education is so vital, says Jess, to provide a counternarrative

more grounded in reality.

“We teach young people so that they can go on to

make informed and empowered choices. To respect

themselves and their partners – with communication

at the heart of it.”

What Sex Education and the SHC have in common is

not that they avoid the cringe, but that they fully lean

into it. They blend the serious and the silly, the tender

with the titillating. They take sex education out of the

biology lab and into the relatable lived reality – the

crazy, confused, hormone-filled context within which

humans scramble towards sexual maturity.

Jess has big plans for 2022: expanding the team,

getting the video out to schools far and wide

and performing another live tour. As she says,

“Our aim is to share the love. And the education.”

sexualhealthcircus.co.uk


Advertising feature

Switched on

A new Truespeed survey reveals the need

for speedy broadband in the south-west

“The internet has

become so ingrained

in our day-to-day lives

that many of us don’t

realise just how much

we rely on it.”

James Lowther,

CEO of Truespeed

he average adult in the south-west

spends four years of their life streaming

TV shows and films online, according to

a recent study. They’ll also spend around

three years on social media, two years online shopping

and a further three years on video calls for work.

Streaming music accounts for another three years,

while checking emails amounts to an average of two

years and four months over a typical lifetime.

The study, which polled 2,000 adults across the UK,

found that 73% consider the internet to be part of their

daily life. And 49% couldn’t imagine going a whole day

without it.

“The internet has become so ingrained in our

day-to-day lives that many of us don’t realise just

how much we rely on it,” says James Lowther,

CEO of Truespeed, the broadband provider which

commissioned the study. “It has become almost

impossible to function without it.”

Founded in 2014, Truespeed delivers ultrafast fullfibre

broadband to hard-to-reach homes and businesses

across the region. By building a new infrastructure, it

can provide ten gigabit-capable broadband directly into

homes, ensuring high-performance and reliable, futureproofed

connectivity.

The Bath-based firm also provides free broadband

for life to more than 80 schools and community hubs,

including village halls, libraries and sports centres –

allowing vital funds to be put back into curriculums and

activities that are lifelines to local residents.

How Truespeed

works

1.

Visit truespeed.com and

enter your postcode.

2.

Place your order for

ultrafast broadband.

3.

If we’re not live in your

area, register your

interest and we’ll keep

you updated with plans

for your area.

The research found people across the southwest

are logging onto the internet at least four

times a day, and over half believe they will

become more reliant on the internet over the

next few years. Despite this, only around a

third of those polled via OnePoll have reliable

broadband, and 42% experience problems with

their connection at least once a week – wasting

on average 12 minutes a day.

James added: “In this internet age, we can

get most things in an instant without really

having to think about it. To keep pace with

people’s internet expectations, which are only

going to continue to rise, we need to ensure our

broadband is reliable and up to the job for our

internet lifetime.”

Sign up now

truespeed.com

01225 233 060

@thetruespeed


www.truespeed.com

33

10

things

to

love

in

We forecast

the mood

for the

year ahead

Words

Sonia Zhuravlyova


Ideas

DESIGN

Unbridled

colour

This year, go with what you truly love,

rather than following a formula. Blocking,

coordinating or clashing – anything goes.

That’s certainly the approach chosen

by kaleidoscopic colour enthusiast and

designer Adam Nathaniel Furman. “I

am gearing towards richer and warmer

tones: burgundy, deep ocean blues and

dark ochres. But my preference is that

people mix and match with abandon,

according to their own whims and desires

at any given point in time,” he says. His

eye-popping ceramic murals at Bristol’s

Everards Printworks, open from February,

will be hard to miss.

adamnathanielfurman.com

Nagatachō Apartment in

Tokyo, designed by Adam

Nathaniel Furman

Photography: Jan Vranovsky

36 Circus Journal

Early spring 2022


Ideas

BOOKS

Moses

McKenzie

Illustrations by Tammy Kerr

GARDENS

Weeds

“For me, it’s all about going

wilder,” says south-west-based landscape

designer and gardener Steve Williams.

An increase in extreme weather will call

for more tolerant plants, he forecasts.

“But without being too doom and gloom,

this opens up opportunities to look at

things differently and creatively.” Species

that are commonly thought of as weeds

can be great garden plants in the right

scenario. Budding gardeners should

try planting purslane, a leafy weed that

is high in vitamin C and has a tangy,

peppery flavour. Wild carrot, fennel and

thyme will also liven up even the most

unpromising patches of land, while giving

local biodiversity a welcome boost.

stevewilliamslandscapes.com

Young author Moses McKenzie’s

star is on the rise. His debut, An

Olive Grove in Ends, is a gripping

and tender portrait of Black-British

life in and around Stapleton,

Bristol. “I’d always written bars

and song lyrics from a yute, but I

started writing prose in my initial

year of university. I was reading

all the classics for the first time

and thought I could do better,”

Moses tells us. “I quickly found

that I couldn’t. But by then I

loved writing and decided I’d

do it forever.” The novel “allows

Black-British young men to see

themselves in literature; teenagers

in the present and olders upon

reflection”. McKenzie’s lyricism is

already drawing comparisons with

Zadie Smith and James Baldwin.

The novel launches at Bookhaus,

Wapping Wharf, on April 27.

bookhausbristol.com


Ideas

WELLBEING

Mushrooms

Tom Baxter, founder of the Bristol Fungarium, harvests

some 450kg of mushrooms per week at his farm in

Somerset. Most of the crop, which includes lion’s mane

and maitake varieties, is used for organic mushroom

tinctures. “There’s an increase in awareness of the myriad

ways mushrooms can be used from a health perspective,

and also the ecological benefits,” says Tom. The world

of fungi is ripe for discovery – from mycofiltration

systems that filter pollutants out of river water to fashion,

courtesy of mushroom ‘leather’, a carbon-neutral, grownto-order

product that has recently hit the runways. “Since

Covid, people are looking for a connection or a way to

feel more integrated with the natural world,” says Tom,

“and mushrooms are a big part of the story.”

bristolfungarium.com

Illustrations by Tammy Kerr

TECH

NFTs

“Non-fungible tokens have always

been nonsensical to a lot of people,”

says Bath-based creative director

and technology expert Stuart O’Neil.

“But what happened in 2021 that

made me go ‘aha’ was Balenciaga

putting its new collection on Fortnite.

So you can now be a character [in

the game] wearing a Balenciaga

hoodie.” Essentially, it’s about digital

ownership. Big brands like Nike will

start to give out codes, so when you

buy a pair of trainers, you can wear

them anywhere in the digital world.

“It’s very nascent at the moment but

when you connect the virtual with

the physical, that’s when it starts to

become interesting,” says Stuart.



Ideas

ARCHITECTURE

Prefabs

Frequently touted as an

easy fix to our housing

crisis, prefabrication is often

thought of as utilitarian and

merely temporary. But it

doesn’t have to be. Recent

advances in construction

mean that modern prefabs

are smart, ecologically

sound and beautiful. “With

prefabricated homes being

showcased on global

stages such as COP26,

awareness of this kind of

net-zero design is growing

at a fast pace,” explains Zoe

Little, co-founder of Koto,

a firm that makes designled

prefabricated homes.

Its latest project is Falcon

House, a cosy family home

in the Cotswolds (pictured).

Its USP? “It requires much

less energy to run, the

construction time is far

quicker [than bricks and

mortar] and material waste is

kept to a minimum.”

kotodesign.co.uk

42 Circus Journal


Ideas

Part-Time Leisure Courses

INTERIORS

Patchwork

“Simple objects made from

quality materials will never

go out of fashion,” says Alice

Paling, who runs Object Story,

an online store and pop-up

in Stroud, selling beautiful

household accessories. But,

she adds, the era of stark

minimalism is over. She’s seeing

a rising demand for lampshades,

wall hangings, comfy throws,

cushions, luxurious curtains

and tablecloths. The desire

to add warmth, colour and

texture to homes has even led

to some people giving it a go

themselves. “What could be

better than using our hands

again to create a quilt using

offcuts of fabric?” says Alice.

Prefer to shop? Check

out the Leinikki gingham

embroidered quilt in

pistachio from Dorsetbased

textile brand,

Projektityyny.

objectstory.co.uk

projektityyny.com

We offer :

Italian • Spanish

French • Advanced

Design Craft Fine Metal

Adobe Suite • Floristry

Jewellery • Creative Writing

Gardening • Interior Design

Woodworking • German

Japanese & more!

Discover a course

that kindles your

love to learn

circusjournal.com

@circusjournal

45

Happy New Year

We are excited to open the doors of our museums

and welcome all visitors.

We are busy preparing No.1 Royal Crescent and the Herschel Museum of

Astronomy for re-opening on Tuesday 1 February. Plus we have exciting news...

Beckford’s Tower opens at weekends from March.

Did you get engaged over Christmas? Maybe you are looking for the perfect

wedding venue or planning ahead for half term fun, then do take a look at our

websites for more information.

We look forward to welcoming you in 2022.

www.bath-preservation-trust.org.uk

TRAVEL

Art stays

“This year will be all about renting

unforgettable houses,” says

travel editor Kerry Smith. In the

UK, Living Architecture, founded

by Alain de Botton, provides

rentals including the fantastical

House for Essex, designed by FAT

Architecture and Grayson Perry,

which is a setting for a number

of works by Grayson. While

further afield in Morocco, Dar El

Sadaka is part-villa, part-gallery

and the home of French artist

Jean-François Fourtou, known

for his animal sculptures. There’s

a giant sheep by the swimming

pool, a giraffe in the dining room

and orang-utans in the living

room. Says Kerry: “Sip cocktails

overlooking Fourtou’s House Fallen

From the Sky – a full-size upsidedown

house in a field – and dine

under the Tree of 1,001 Candles.”

darelsadaka.com

living-architecture.co.uk

Ideas

Photography: Jack Hobhouse

47

Ideas

Fearlessness for life

Nursery | Prep | Senior | Sixth Form | Day | Boarding

Girls making their mark

Come along to one of our Prep and Senior Open Houses

01225 313877

Seaweed print from Cornish ethical

lifestyle brand, Sustain Studio.

thesustainablestudio.com

circusjournal.com

FOOD + DRINK

Seaweed

Josh Eggleton is head chef of The

Pony Chew Valley, which is due

to relaunch in April, with baking,

foraging and fermentation courses

alongside its regular dining.

For him, it’s all about seaweed.

“We’re on an island and we have

an abundance of seaweed.

People should start to get into

natural mother-fermented cider

vinegar, too – it is indigenous

to our country. Cider vinegar

cuts through things nicely,” says

Josh. “We make a tossed salad

with everything from our garden

and season it with Cornish sea

salt, Cornish seaweed and cider

vinegar. It will be one of the best

salads you’ve ever tasted.”

theponychewvalley.co.uk

@circusjournal

MUSIC

Avon

Terror

Corps

Avon Terror Corps is the

“most exciting movement

in Bristol for years”, says

Adam Reid of Schwet,

an events company that

champions new acts. The

hugely talented 25-person

musical collective

experiments with different

styles and groupings,

and covers everything

from techno and metal

to trip-hop and dub.

They’re riding the rising

wave of experimental

music, defined by its

rawness and relatability.

Also tickle your earbuds

with sounds coming from

Nyege Nyege Tapes, a

Tanzanian-Ugandan label

specialising in frantic,

future-shock dance music,

and experimental folk

and punk bands from

Gothenburg, like Loopsel

and Monokultur.

headfirstbristol.co.uk/

checkout/schwet

49

Spotlight on

Tisbury

Historical charm, independent

shops and a thriving contemporary

art scene. What’s not to love?

Words Jennifer Barton

Illustrations Rosie Yates



Places

Pythouse Kitchen Garden

West Hatch

Wander among fruit and vegetable

patches, pick your own flowers, shop

for baked goods and scented soaps,

or sample Pythouse’s non-alcoholic,

shrub-infused spirit, Sprigster, made

with five ingredients found locally. The

18th-century, three-acre walled garden,

opened by Piers Milburn in 2016 with the

mission of delivering seasonal produce

to customers. It is famed for its delicious

charcoal-cooked meat and fish dishes

piled high with abundant veg. Want

to stay longer? Book into the boutique

glamping village on-site, with bell tents

and a shepherd’s hut available from

March to October.

pythousekitchengarden.co.uk

Old Wardour Castle

Wardour

You’re never far from an English

Heritage site in Tisbury, and Old

Wardour Castle is an alternative to

Stonehenge, with plenty of drama

and fewer crowds. The 14th-century

castle may be a ruin, but still has

plenty to inspire (fans of Robin Hood,

Prince of Thieves will notice its distinct

similarities to Locksley Castle in

the film). There are castle rooms to

explore, winding staircases to climb

and a grotto with plenty of hiding

nooks. Take a picnic to the dreamy

lake or, if you’re feeling energetic, try

the circular walk and amble through

over five miles of atmospheric

woodland and countryside.

english-heritage.org.uk

Messums Wiltshire

Place Farm, Court Street

Provenance

2 The Square

Every ingredient at Tisbury’s field-to-fork deli – from

the meals, cakes, cold-pressed juices and pantry items –

are made less than 30 miles away. “You can’t get more

Provenance than that,” laughs co-owner Sam Rosen-Nash.

After 15 years as senior buyer at Fortnum & Mason, Sam

opened Provenance with Anna Hayward (co-founder

of Verve, the Wiltshire wellness festival), just over

a year ago. Customers can’t get enough of the

handmade quiches and tarts, rainbow-coloured

salads, Winchester-brewed coffee and

homegrown jams and chutneys – and the jars

of kimchi apparently “walk off the shelf”.

provenanceonline.co.uk

Sean Henry’s giant bronze Seated Figure

– which has been compared in likeness

to Jeremy Corbyn – looms

invitingly (or intimidatingly)

outside Tisbury’s contemporary

art space, Messums Wiltshire.

In addition to large-scale

sculpture you’ll find paintings,

photography and ceramics.

The gallery is headquartered

in the Tithe Barn, a restored

13th-century building, the

biggest of its kind in the

UK. Explore the gardens,

enjoy a midweek lunch

or book into a Friday night

banquet. Sitting at one long

table, you’ll dine on head chef Ana

Ortiz’s South American-inspired fare –

think potato tortilla, beetroot salsa

and pork frittatas.

messumswiltshire.com

52

Circus Journal Early spring 2022

circusjournal.com

@circusjournal

53

Places

Tisbury Skatepark

3 Dunworth Rise

Even before Tokyo 2020’s inspiring Olympic

skateboarders had us all dreaming of a new set

of wheels, Tisbury Parish Council commissioned

a state-of-the-art concrete skatepark for the

village. The £105,000 facility has been enjoyed

by Tisbury teens (as well as a middle-ager or

two) since opening in summer 2020, and was

constructed by the company behind London

2012’s BMX race track. You don’t

need to be Sky Brown to have a

go, as the skatepark boasts a

unique ‘mousehole’ feature (a

doorway and tunnel running

through one of the ramps),

meaning it’s accessible to

skaters who haven’t yet

mastered those elusive drop-ins.

facebook.com/tisburyskatepark

ANNUAL RING EXHIBITION

Showcasing the work of eight leading designers

January 17 - March 31

9:30am - 5pm

| 33 Park Street Bristol BS1 5NH |

0117 909025

Traditional Gentlemen's Barber

U S - T E DAY FRIDAY 9 . 3 0 A P M M

- 6

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D D N A E N I F . W W W

The Refill Station

London House, High Street

The village’s first bulk store was

opened by Claire and Mike Simpkins

in April 2021. The Refill Station’s

laundry liquids from ethical brands

Sesi and Bio-D are already firm

favourites, as are natural bath

and body products from Bramley.

You can top up your weekly food

shop, filling glass bottles with

olive oil, jars with British Black

Bee Honey, and stock up on seeds,

legumes, grains and fresh herbs

(all wholefoods are sourced from

Essential Trading Co-operative in

Bristol). “We are proof that refilling

can have a cost benefit as well as an

environmental one,” notes Mike.

therefillstation.co.uk


P_Circus_winter2021_vertcial.indd 1 12/01/2022 16:22:15

Words Vishaka Robinson

Photography Ed Schofield

Holm sweet

Holm

Award-winning creators

of handmade kitchens

since 1990

Putting pretty South Petherton firmly

on the map with its urban take on

farm-to-table dining, Holm should be

the place on everyone’s to-eat list

01225 312003

bathkitchencompany.co.uk


Food

ON THE MENU

Westcombe cheddar fries,

pickled walnut

Lobster brioche, elderflower,

hibiscus

Lobster bisque, kohlrabi

Smoked mackerel, burnt

apple, salsify

Sourdough bread, whipped

butter

Celeriac raviolo,

chanterelles, dashi butter

Venison, spiced carrot,

molasses

Venison ragu, savoy

cabbage

Apple, brown butter, cider

brandy caramel

Petit fours

n an enchanting village in south

Somerset, something is afoot. Littleknown

South Petherton was namechecked

in Sunday Times Style magazine in January as

one of the coolest postcodes to move to in 2022, and

the reason can be found at the heart of its high street.

It’s here that you’ll discover Holm, the new rural

outpost from the team behind three of London’s most

fêted eat spots: Salon, Larry’s and Levan.

The striking double-fronted pile Holm now occupies

was once the village’s only bank, but had lain empty

for six years and was in a sorry state – it had no heating

for two years and was fast deteriorating. But for chef

Nicholas Balfe, who was approached by the building’s

forward-thinking new landlord, it was a chance too

good to turn down. “I wanted to open a banging

restaurant that wasn't in London or Manchester or a

big city, but slap-bang in the middle of the Somerset

countryside,” he explains.

After selling-in the idea to his co-directors Matt

Bushnell and Mark Gurney, the restaurant took shape

at pace. They signed the lease in April last year and

served their first customers in November, opening

with a menu laden with the best from local producers:

just-picked radicchio from Twelve Acre Farm (seven

miles away); spelt from Sharpham Park; Black Down

ham from Somerset Charcuterie Company; and

Wood Blewit mushrooms from The Happy Forager

in Frome.

The ageing exterior was restored and its

woodwork painted a vibrant teal. For locals who

remember popping in to cash a cheque when the

Georgian building was a NatWest six years ago, its

transformation is eye-popping. Inside, there are

polished cement floors, spindle-backed seating, and

raw plaster and bare brick walls spotted with abstract

art and an occasional hay wreath.

At its heart is the constant thrum of the kitchen,

which greets you as you enter. “We have open-plan

kitchens in all our restaurants,” says Nicholas. “It’s so

important and connects you with your customers. This

one is immediately in your face as you walk in. I love it

because I can be working and see everyone. I can greet

them and say goodbye and thank you as they leave.”

Although the interiors are swoon-worthy, the

limelight-hogger is, of course, the food. Because who

even cares about the AEAND studio prints on the walls

when you are ladling black truffle brioche pudding into

your mouth or inhaling Westcombe cheddar fries?

58 Circus Journal Early spring 2022 circusjournal.com @circusjournal 59

Bath Ad Circus Journal Half page horizontal 2022.pdf 1 12/01/2022 16:16:48

Food

C

M

Y

CM

1 - 3 April 2022

11AM - 5PM

MY

CY

CMY

Trade Preview

Thursday 31 March 12 - 5PM

K

The Pavilion, Bath

BA2 4EU

Complimentary Tickets

bathdecorativeantiquesfair.co.uk

01278 784912

Image | Kore Purchase

BADMINTON GET BADMINTON GET INTO IT IT

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Nursery & Junior School Open Morning

Wednesday 18 September (ages 3-11)

Senior & Sixth Form Open Morning

Badminton School is an independent day and boarding school for

Friday 20 September (ages 11-18)

girls aged 3-18 and offers holistic education in the leafy suburbs of Bristol.

Book your place online now | admissions@badmintonschool.co.uk | badmintonschool.co.uk

For Nicholas, the cheek-by-jowl proximity

to the people who grow and make and tend

the food is the key to its deliciousness (the

team planted their own field of onions in the

field of one of their suppliers, Pitney Farm,

and will harvest them in the spring). “I spend

so much more of my time on farms, talking to

the people who produce all these incredible

ingredients that end up on our menu.

That connection means everything.”

First-timers are advised to succumb to the

six-course tasting menu (£55 per person),

which floats out of the kitchen in the hands

of Albam-clad waiters. During our visit, we

coo over dishes like artfully stacked celeriac

raviolo, and a lobster bisque that tastes like

some sort of distilled magic.

Every plate comes with nuggets of

satisfying intel. The venison (which arrives

alongside delicately spiced carrot and Savoy

cabbage) was “shot near Sherborne by

NICHOLAS'S

MOST-LOVED

INGREDIENTS

Thyme

An incredibly

deep, grounding

flavour and one

of the building

blocks of so many

savoury dishes

I create.

Vinegar

Adding acidity

to dishes is a

given, but what

makes vinegars

so interesting is

their ability to

carry complex,

aromatic flavours.

Miso

One of my

favourite ways

to add umami

to sweet and

savoury dishes.

We’ve been

experimenting

with homemade

misos and the

potential is

endless.

Ed White from The Gamekeepers Larder”;

the fragrant elderflower vinaigrette gracing

our Lobster brioche was “harvested canalside

Peckham and brought to Somerset in

the move”; and the beautiful steak knives are

made by a local blacksmith using 200-yearold

elm salvaged from the building.

Despite the Michelin-star-worthy food,

the vibe is unstuffy. “Do whatever floats your

boat,” says our waiter kindly, when we quiz

him on the cutlery etiquette during our multiplate

lunch marathon, “We just want you to

enjoy your meal.” Parents also take note: they

have a six-pound-a-pop kid’s pasta on the

menu. Even an ace chef like Nicholas knows

that sometimes only tomato fusilli will do.

Your only bump may come when deciding

who gets lumped with designated driver

status at the end of the meal – there’s a stellar

line-up of more than 80 organic, biodynamic

and Jura region bottles in the cellar, housed in

the old bank vaults.

Thankfully, there are seven guest

bedrooms in the pipeline for upstairs, which

are due to be ready by May (along with an

east-facing garden complete with outdoor

kitchen, vegetable patch, work pods and

seating for 50). So soon you can tuck into one

of the best meals of your life before crashing

out and dreaming of breakfast. Unless you

happen to live in this once-secret village. In

which case, lucky you.

holmsomerset.co.uk


“Have nothing in

your house that

you do not

know to be

useful

or believe to

be beautiful”

William Morris

Directory

Showcasing independent creative

businesses in the south-west

FIND US ON 20 WELLSWAY, BATH BA2 2AA

WWW.JULIADAVEY.COM

WOULD YOU LIKE

TO BE INCLUDED IN THE

CIRCUS DIRECTORY? EMAIL


Photography: Article Studio

SHOPPING

Potters

This Bristol co-operative shop

was founded in 1996 by its

members, for its members.

Over 25 makers from across the

south-west and Wales create

unique handmade ceramics, with

special guest potters exhibiting

throughout the year.

pottersbristol.com


Directory

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PROMOTED CONTENT THE EDIT

CREATIVE STUDIO

We Are The Loves

A creative studio offering branding,

film, design and photography.

We Are The Loves was founded

by Jules and Emma Love, who

use their 40 years’ experience in

creativity and business to boost

any brand. Their pool of freelancers

provide everything under one roof.

wearetheloves.co.uk

WELLBEING

VERVE Wellness Festival

Unwind by day with yoga, sound

healing, forest bathing and

meditation. Relax in the spa, enjoy

the best in local food and drink,

and listen to expert talks on health

and wellbeing. Then, at night,

party to Huey Morgan and Will

Streetwise. September 17.

feeltheverve.com

WORKSPACE

Cassia Bath + Bradford on Avon

Cassia’s mission is to change

how we work, eat and socialise;

to create somewhere people can

grab a coffee, work at a desk for

a few hours, take a yoga class

or attend a talk, all in one place.

Whatever you do there, you’ll leave

feeling connected and uplifted.

cassiacommunity.co.uk

SHOPPING

BAM Store + Space

A non-profit independent shop

in Easton selling art, cards, gifts,

books, vinyl, toys, games and

other treats designed to provide

a mood boost. Shop in-store or

online, and check out the creative

workshops with local makers in

this happy, colourful space.

bambristol.co.uk

ART

Emma Rose Art Works

Exhibiting in the south-west and

London, Creative Bath Awards

winner Emma Rose paints to

commission, selling original

paintings, limited-edition giclée

prints, art cushions and cards.

Her beautiful Wellow studio is

open by appointment.

emmaroseartworks.com

SHOPPING

These Two Hands

Nature-inspired gifts and

homeware made from natural,

sustainable materials by over 60

independent makers in the southwest.

Founder Naomi Evans has

just opened a physical shop in

Brislington, alongside the online

shop and running craft workshops.

thesetwohands.co.uk

WEB

Manage My Website

A Bath-based team of approved

Squarespace experts who build

great websites, train people to use

Squarespace and advise on SEO/

online marketing. They’d love to

hear from anyone that needs a

new website, a refresh, or would

like to learn to build their own.

managemywebsite.com

ART

Sandra Higgins Art

Sandra provides a personal service,

helping to build art collections to

suit any home, office or commercial

project. As well as sourcing work

from established artists, she

arranges studio visits, hosts art

talks and curates the walls of

The Drawing Rooms in Bath.

sandrahiggins.art

FOOD + DRINK

Nook

An Australian-influenced cafe

bringing nourishment to the Bath

food scene. Think cold-press

juices, superfood smoothies, poke

bowls, açaí smoothie bowls and

Aussie coffee – alongside laidback

vibes, lo-fi beats and modern

Scandi decor. Speedy takeout too.

nooktheshop.co.uk

SHOPPING

Truce

An independent lifestyle store

based in Clifton Village, Bristol

and Nailsworth, Gloucestershire.

It features a curated selection

of modern design pieces, from

Scandinavian homeware and

statement furniture, to home

scents, accessories and artwork.

truceonline.co.uk

WORKSPACE

House of St John’s

A new place to work, connect and

grow. The building, at 1 Queen

Square, Bath, offers co-working,

dedicated desks, offices, meeting

rooms and a stylish event space.

High-end fittings and ultra-fast

broadband are complemented by a

relaxing members’ bar.

hosj.co.uk

ART

Chandos Atelier

A fun and experimental art

room with a passionate ethos in

Redland. Chandos Atelier offers

children’s art parties and creativity

clubs in a colourful, well-stocked

workshop. Its aim is to build

confidence and resilience through

the exploration of art materials.

chandosatelier.co.uk




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ON THESE PAGES,

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The

Guide

20 awesome things to in February + March

Designer Hook Me Up at

The Frome Independent

1

SHOPPING

The Frome Independent

Frome

March 6 + April 3

The ever-popular street market

reclaims Frome’s high street on

the first Sunday of each month,

from March to December. Expect a

lively atmosphere and the region’s

best independent craftspeople,

designers, makers, food producers

and vintage traders. Plus live

music, DJs, street performances

and activities for all.

thefromeindependent.org.uk

Directed by the Olivier Award-winning Sally Cookson and written by the “fresh and fearless” (Evening Standard) Ross Willis

5 – 26 Mar bristololdvic.org.uk

AGES

12+

Photography: Alice Whitby

2

MUSIC

Bristol Beacon presents

Transatlantic Sessions

The Forum, Bath

February 12

An intermingling of folk music

traditions from Ireland, Scotland

and the US, this enchanting

evening features an all-star cast

of singers, songwriters and

instrumentalists. Soak up the

atmosphere as legendary Irish

musician Paul Brady is joined by

American multi-instrumentalist

and singer Dirk Powell, a revered

exponent of Appalachian and

Cajun traditions.

bristolbeacon.org

#WonderBoy

A Bristol Old Vic production

Photo Ben Robins

Charity No. 228235



3

ART

Emma Wharton Love

Bath Art Fair, Bath Pavilion

February 25-27

Highly acclaimed Bath-based

artist Emma Wharton Love

exhibits at the Bath

Art Fair. Emma’s arresting

works are influenced by her

background in graphic design,

with playful placement of bold

colours, inspired by different

landscapes. Emma will be

displaying original paintings

and limited-edition giclée prints.

emmawhartonlove.com

4

Emma Wharton Love

MUSIC

The Cuban Brothers

Cheese & Grain, Frome

March 5

From sold-out tours, festival

spots and support slots for rock

royalty, to crazy club nights, film

roles and fashion shows, The

Cuban Brothers’ unparalleled act

is ingrained in pop culture. Two

decades since their inception,

Miguel and his sidekicks are

known the world over for their

party-starting skills, B-boy

moves and funk-fuelled music.

cheeseandgrain.com

5

WORKSHOP

How to become your own

interior designer

Prior Shop, Bristol

February 12

Why hire someone else when

you can become your own

interior designer? During this

two-and-a-half-hour masterclass

with Rebecca Claire Designs,

you’ll create a mood board

for your chosen room, while

learning about design, colour

and selecting furniture. A fun and

easy way to get to grips with

the fundamentals.

priorshop.uk

6

ART

Intersectional Geographies

Martin Parr Foundation, Bristol

Until April 3

This new exhibition, curated

by Jacqueline Ennis-Cole, brings

together a selection of exciting

contemporary artists and

photographers. The diverse work

raises awareness of the complex

relationships between the most

pressing concerns of our time,

from gender to climate change.

martinparrfoundation.org

7

JEWELLERY

RING exhibition

Diana Porter Jewellery, Bristol

Until March 31

Diana Porter Jewellery holds

its annual RING exhibition.

The event brings together a

specially curated mix of eight

leading independent designers

showcasing their most exclusive

rings. Each collection delivers

a range of one-of-a-kind,

alternative pieces, created

especially for the exhibition.

dianaporter.co.uk

Reginald D Hunter

8

COMEDY

Reginald D Hunter:

Bombe Shuffleur

Komedia, Bath

March 3

Reginald D Hunter is back with

a brand new show, and there’s

no time for niceties. Unafraid to

tackle head-on the subjects the

rest of us skirt around, Reginald

is the voice of his generation.

He’s searingly honest, brutally

funny and uniquely placed to

commentate on the unfolding

meltdown of life as we know it.

komedia.co.uk/bath

IF YOU WOULD LIKE

TO PROMOTE YOUR EVENT

ON THESE PAGES,

PLEASE EMAIL


9

THEATRE

Beautiful: The Carole

King Musical

Theatre Royal, Bath

March 17-26

The inspiring true story of

Carole King’s remarkable rise to

stardom. From being part of a

hit songwriting team with her

husband Gerry Goffin, to her

relationship with fellow writers

and best friends Cynthia Weil

and Barry Mann, and becoming

one of the most successful solo

acts in popular music history.

theatreroyal.org.uk

10

ART

Bath Decorative

Antiques Fair

Bath Pavilion

April 1-3

A vibrant mix of exhibitors from

across the UK and Europe.

Get your fill of English country

house antiques, period Swedish

furniture, mid-century design,

industrial chic, vintage portraits

and iron garden furniture. Or

look to more recent history

as you admire a selection of

decorative staples of the 1980s

and 1990s, which are now very

much back in demand.

bathdecorativeantiquesfair.co.uk

11

Bath Decorative

Antiques Fair

ART

Bath Art Fair

Bath Pavilion, Bath

February 25-27

The fifth Bath Art Fair secures

this fabulous event’s place as the

premier independent art fair in

the south-west. Featuring over

90 creative talents from across

the country, it’s the perfect relaxed

environment to meet the artists,

discuss their creative processes

and buy something beautiful and

original to adorn your walls.

bathartfair.co.uk




Sean McConnell

Wed 2 Feb

The Louisiana

Arooj Aftab

Thu 3 Feb

Redgrave Theatre

Lady Nade

Sun 6 Feb

St Stephen’s Church

Lucy Gooch

Fri 11 Feb

Arnolfini

Josh Rouse

& Vetiver

Sat 12 Feb

Fiddlers

Transatlantic

Sessions

Sat 12 Feb

Bath Forum

Nubiyan Twist

Tue 15 Feb

Marble Factory

The Tonic Sessions

— Beth Rowley

Thu 17 Feb

Bristol Beacon

Bob Log III

Thu 24 Feb

Exchange

Douglas Dare

Fri 25 Feb

Bristol Beacon

LALA LALA

Sat 26 Feb

Strange Brew

Master Peace

Wed 2 Mar

Rough Trade Bristol

This Is The Kit

Wed 2 Mar

Rough Trade Bristol

Efterklang

Thu 3 Mar

St George’s Bristol

Breabach

Sun 6 Mar

Folk House

Keeley Forsyth

Thu 10 Mar

Strange Brew

Sam Amidon

Sat 12 Mar

Folk House

Blair Dunlop

Sun 13 Mar

Folk House

Vincent

Neil Emerson

Sun 13 Mar

Crofters Rights

London Symphony

Orchestra and

Sir Simon Rattle

Mon 14 Mar

Bath Forum

Melt Yourself Down

Tue 15 Mar

Jam Jar

SOLD OUT

Amadou & Mariam

and Blind Boys

of Alabama

Wed 16 Mar

Bath Forum

John R Miller

and JP Harris

Wed 16 Mar

Crofters Rights

The Tonic Sessions

— Emily Breeze

Thu 17 Mar

Bristol Beacon

Dom Flemons

& JD Wilkes

Sun 20 Mar

Folk House

Basia Bulat

Tue 22 Mar

Rough Trade Bristol

KOKOROKO

Wed 23 Mar

Marble Factory

John Carroll Kirby

Wed 23 Mar

Rough Trade Bristol

Ulrich Schnauss

Thu 24 Mar

Arnolfini

Full listings and tickets at bristolbeacon.org

Photography: Emily Poole. Ida Applebroog, ooze/whose, 1991

© Ida Applebroog. Courtesy the artist and Hauser & Wirth.

Generations: Portraits

of Holocaust Survivors

Ida Applebroog at Hauser & Wirth


12

ART

Ida Applebroog. Right Up

To Now 1969-2021

Hauser & Wirth Somerset, Bruton

Until May 2

Feminist pioneer Ida Applebroog

has explored the interconnected

themes of power, gender, politics

and sexuality throughout her

career. Now in her 90s, this

exhibition reflects Ida’s radical

introspection as a woman and

an artist, presenting life as it is,

along with the repetitive patterns

of our existence.

hauserwirth.com/somerset

13

MUSIC

Will Lawton and the

Alchemists

Chapel Arts Centre, Bath

March 25

An intimate performance from

singer-songwriter and pianist

Will Lawton and his full band of

Alchemists. The band blends

eloquent jazz moves, elegant

progressive grooves, classical

charm, ambient indie cool, digital

soundscapes, deft musicianship

and sweeping cinematics.

chapelarts.org

14

PHOTOGRAPHY

Generations: Portraits of

Holocaust Survivors

The Royal Photographic Society,

Paintworks, Bristol

Until March 27

A new exhibition bringing

together more than 50

contemporary portraits of

Holocaust survivors and their

families, shining a light on

their lives and highlighting

our collective responsibility to

cherish their stories. Free entry,

but advanced booking required.

rps.org


Bristol Beacon presents

London Symphony

Orchestra with

Sir Simon Rattle

Fondue at Marston Park

Paula Rego

at Arnolfini

Mon 14 Mar, 7pm

Bath Forum

Conductor Sir Simon Rattle

Hannah Kendall The Spark Catchers

Antonín Dvořák American Suite

Robert Schumann Symphony No. 2

Sir Simon Rattle and the London Symphony

Orchestra present a concert that will transport

you to other worlds, taking you on a fantastic

emotional journey.

Tickets

bristolbeacon.org / 0117 203 4040

bathboxoffice.org.uk / 01225 463 362

LOOP MASSAGE

Massage. Facials. Reflexology.

A beautiful, purpose built, purpose led

boutique studio in central Bristol

offering bespoke treatments.

Use code CIRCUS10

for 10% off your first treatment

Book online at loopmassage.com

Loop Your Shoulders

Courtesy Paula Rego and Cristea Roberts Gallery, London © Paula Rego

15

FOOD

Fondue at Marston Park

Marston Park, Frome

Until April

Fancy some lakeside fondue?

Visit the Terrace at Marston

Park on Fridays, Saturdays and

Sundays, and choose from

delicious traditional or vegan

fondue, served with crusty

bread, pickles and cornichons.

Charcuterie and vegetable sides

are also available. Pre-booking

essential, ski gear optional!

marstonpark.co.uk

16

TALK

LGBTQ+ History Month:

Girls on stage

M Shed, Bristol

February 24

From Classical Greece to

Shakespeare and beyond,

restrictions on women appearing

in the theatre resulted in men

taking female parts in plays.

What did this cross-dressing

mean to the male actors who

performed these roles, and

to those who watched them?

Cheryl Morgan explores some of

theatre’s queerest moments in

this fascinating online talk.

bristolmuseums.org.uk/m-shed

17

MUSIC

Ulrich Schnauss

Arnolfini, Bristol

March 24

With an impressive career

stretching across two decades,

German electronic composer

Ulrich Schnauss inhabits an

otherworldly space with his

resplendent, atmospheric

soundscapes. His brilliantly

mind-boggling retrospective

collection, Now is a Timeless

Present, was released last year.

bristolbeacon.org

18

TALK

The James Webb: The

next generation of

Hubble Telescope

Bath Royal Literary & Scientific

Institution, Bath

March 4

Over the last 30 years, the

Hubble Space Telescope has

become an icon of astronomy,

but the James Webb Space

Telescope will soon extend

our frontiers of observation.

Professor Martin Ward is involved

in this exciting project, and

during this lecture provides an

insight into what is to come.

brlsi.org

19

ART

Paula Rego: Subversive

Stories

Arnolfini, Bristol

February 5 – May 29

Venture into the extraordinary

imagination of Paula Rego, one

of the leading figurative artists of

our time. Rego returns to Bristol

almost 40 years after her first

exhibition in the city, creating

the perfect opportunity for a new

generation to explore her rich

and ingenious world.

arnolfini.org.uk

20

MUSIC

London Symphony Orchestra

with Sir Simon Rattle

The Forum, Bath

March 14

Sir Simon Rattle and the London

Symphony Orchestra make a

triumphant return to The Forum

with a spine-tingling concert to

transport audiences to another

world. Showcasing Hannah

Kendall’s The Spark Catchers,

Antonin Dvořák’s playful American

Suite, and Robert Schumann’s

most personal work, Symphony

No 2 – this programme will be

both emotional and uplifting.

bristolbeacon.org


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roomytown.com

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