Bristol Zoological Society completes the big bird move

This week marked the final stage of the big bird move to Wild Place Project – including the arrival of seven turtle doves, just in time for Christmas.

So that the Bristol Zoological Society can focus on its mission of ‘Saving Wildlife Together’, a new Zoo for Bristol is being created at its Wild Place Project site, where around 80% of the species will be linked to its conservation programmes around the world, living in spaces more closely reflecting their natural habitats.

The society has chosen those birds most in need of conservation to take with them from Bristol Zoo Gardens – which closed to the public in September 2022 – including seven turtle doves, two Mindanao bleeding heart doves, two Visayan tarictic hornbills, two Socorro doves and one Sumatran song thrush.

All of these birds are classed as vulnerable, endangered or critically endangered on the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species, while the Socorro dove is extinct in the wild.

A newly-created Conservation Breeding and Learning Centre will be created at Wild Place Project, which will provide purpose-built facilities for undergraduate and postgraduate conservation degrees. A Conservation Medicine Centre will provide modern veterinary facilities to ensure the highest standards of animal welfare.

wildplace.org.uk

THE DECEMBER ISSUE: OUT NOW

Our December magazine features a collection of great reading by our team of wonderful writers as well as beautifully presented advertising by Bristol's best businesses. We hope you enjoy the read!

15,000 copies are delivered door to door, and you can pick up a copy at many places around town – including our stands at Waitrose, John Lewis, House of Fraser and Harvey Nichols.

Read the digital version of our current issue here!

And if you would like to have a copy sent in the post every month, then we offer a postal subscription for just £33 for 12 issues, £18 for six issues or buy a copy for just £4.25. UK mainland prices. For Euro and World zone subscription prices – see our website. 

Tangerine Dreams

Tangerines, clementines and satsumas: Christmas just wouldn't be Christmas without them. These colourful, juicy, vitamin C-packed fruits (still, for many families, a toe-of-the-Christmas-stocking tradition) are a seasonal snacking treat in their own right, just as they are. Or you could...

Chocolate-dipped tangerines

Peel six seedless tangerines, clementines or satsumas. Divide into segments, remove any stringy pith and dip each segment into melted dark chocolate. Put each chocolate-dipped segment onto a baking sheet lined with parchment and refrigerate for around an hour (or until the chocolate has set) and serve as an accompaniment to ice-cold Cointreau.

Fruity possets

Make 6 fruity possets and keep them in the fridge for glamorous dessert 'emergencies'. Heat 600ml double cream with 200g golden caster sugar, stirring continuously until the sugar dissolves. As soon as the mixture comes to the boil, remove from the heat and allow to cool slightly for a couple of minutes before adding the zest and juice of 1 lemon along with the zest and juice of 4 tangerines, clementines or satsumas. Whisk together, divide between 6 glasses and allow to chill for at least 2 hours before serving topped with more citrus zest and shortbread biscuits on the side.

Orange cake

This one couldn't be easier! Preheat the oven to 180ºC/gas mark 4, and lightly grease and flour a 20cm cake tin. Crack 2 large eggs into a blender and blitz with 125ml vegetable oil, 225g caster sugar and 3 peeled, deseeded tangerines, clementines or satsumas (or whisk the whole lot together using an electric hand whisk). Weigh 225g self-raising flour into large bowl and add the blended mixture. Stir well to thoroughly combine all the ingredients, pour into the prepared tin and bake for 25–30 minutes, or until golden-brown on top and a skewer inserted into the centre of the cake comes out clean. Allow to cool for 10 minutes before removing from the tin and serve warm, with plenty of whipped or clotted cream.

Orange festive fizz

For each serving, pour 60ml tangerine, clementine or satsuma juice and 20ml Campari into the bottom of a Champagne flute. Top up with around 60ml Champagne, Prosecco or any other dry, sparkling wine, stir briefly, and serve immediately. Cheers!

From honey-like Muscats and Moscatos, Sauternes, sweet Reislings, to luxurious Tokaji – dessert wines are the perfect finish to a celebratory meal, or maybe a sweet little treat to savour. Here's just a few of the greats. 

Clay club pottery making with Yuup

Make pottery with a choice of clays in this self-directed ceramics workshop on North Street. In this open studio guests have access to all the tools, equipment and a pottery wheel to make whatever takes their fancy (£20 per adult).

Find this and many more gift ideas at: yuup.co

The linen bread bag by Lauren Holloway

Every baker needs a home for those prized loaves. This breathable linen bread bag hand printed by designer Lauren Holloway will become an essential kitchen accessory, available in mustard, green or grey (£32).

See this and many more fabulous, sustainable bags and accessories by Lauren Holloway on her website: laurenholloway.uk

Classic gift ideas from Chopard

Le Petit-Fils de L.U. Chopard & Cie S.A., more commonly known as Chopard, is a Swiss manufacturer and retailer of luxury watches, jewellery and fine accessories.

Founded in 1860 by 24 year old Louis-Ulysse Chopard, the son of a farmer in Sonvilier, Switzerland, Chopard's innovative designs helped him gain a reputation by making watches for 19th-century nobility such as the court of Tsar Nicholas II of Russia. The precision and reliability of his pieces were highly sought-after qualities, and remain the foundation of the business today. Louis-Ulysse Chopard has been owned by the Scheufele family of Germany since 1963 and the brand is one of the most respected houses of highly desirable luxury items across the globe.

As well as an excellent range of ladies' and gentlemen's watches, here are just a few of Chopard's most popular and wanted pieces. (See more at Mallory).

• Chopard Ice Cube black quilted calfskin leather mini bag | £740
• Chopard Ice Cube pouch in Bordeaux calfskin leather | £875
• Chopard Il Classico black leather / blue cloth 6CC mini wallet | £161
• Chopard Animal World Stole in black silk chiffon | £39
  

Mallory have an extensive range of Chopard luxury gifts and treasures.

Click here to shop Mallory. 

Sapphire & Diamond Crossover Ring

The principal stone weighs 0.62ct. A flawless round-cut sapphire set with brilliant-cut diamonds. These 16x complimenting diamonds weigh approx.

Platinum, 0.62ct sapphire & 0.16ct diamond.0.16ct in total and assessed as clarity Si1, colour G/H | £1,990

nicholaswylde.com | 6 The Mall, Clifton, Bristol BS8 4DR

Curated by Daniel McCabe

With six brilliant releases under its belt, Bristol-born film mag Beneficial Shock has kindly put out another in time for Christmas. Each themed issue (somehow) mixes top-rank graphic illustration with an in-depth, sideways and humorous look at the world of film, this time highlighting how movies have explored the notions of ‘togetherness’ and ‘apartness’. So find out why twins and doppelgängers often scare us silly, meet the unconventional ‘family’ at the heart of Duncan Jones’s Moon, confront aliens and alienation in Greg Araki's Queer LA of the 1990s and, if you’re not hard enough, cry at the saddest movie goodbyes. And much more, of course. £10 

Click here to browse Magalleria's website 

The Snow Queen, Tobacco Factory Theatres, running until 15 January

Adapted from Hans Christian Andersen's much-loved tale of courage, adventure, and friendship, The Snow Queen took to the stage at Tobacco Factory Theatres this week to bring a magical masterpiece to the people of Bristol.

Set somewhere in “Norway or Denmark” as the prologue explains rather amusingly, audiences join Gerda on her quest to the frozen north as she tries to save her best-friend Kaj – played by Joey Hickman, who also composed the musical numbers – from the icy, wicked clutches of The Snow Queen.

From the prologue to the epilogue, the theatre is flooded with rich acoustic music. The six members of the multi-talented cast, who seem to switch roles as many times as they switch instruments, are an utter joy to watch as they craftily navigate the central performance space. The multi-purpose props cleverly transport the audience from the suburbs of Copenhagen, to the humble abode of an unnerving old lady, to the howling abyss of the frozen north.

Throughout this co-production between Tobacco Factory Theatres, the award-winning New International Encounter and Cambridge Junction, every member of the family is sufficiently entertained. From a bicycling reindeer to a flock of intelligent crows, The Snow Queen takes audiences on a truly unforgettable journey full of heart, laughter and forgiveness.

Ultimately, as the festive season gets underway, The Snow Queen is guaranteed to get you into the Christmas spirit. 

Book your tickets at: tobaccofactorytheatres.com/shows/the-snow-queen

Image credit: Mark Dawson Photography 

New partnerships set to take centre stage at Bristol Old Vic

Bristol Old Vic is set to begin 2023 with a series of blockbuster titles, produced in partnership with some of the UK's leading theatre companies.

Collaborations with Complicité, The Royal Lyceum Theatre Edinburgh, Paines Plough and Extraordinary Bodies fill the theatre with world premieres and returning hits, while the Weston Studio has a packed season for the first time since returning out of the pandemic; hosting work by some of the best and brightest theatre makers from the region and across the UK.

Bristol Old Vic's award-winning Engagement team presents a major summer production, bringing together more than 140 participants aged 8 – 80 to tell a uniquely Bristolian tale of Orpheus and Eurydice. This production is just one of the ways Bristol Old Vic continues to strengthen connections across the city, providing for those with limited access to creative opportunities in Bristol and beyond. New and ongoing initiatives include working with groups across Bristol's migrant community, those with experience of homelessness, young people struggling with belonging, and inter-generational connections to find common ground across the ages. 

The year also sees the start of a new partnership for the organisation as Executive Director Charlotte Geeves is joined by New Artistic Director Nancy Medina, taking up her post full-time from 1 March 2023.

Check out what's on at: bristololdvic.org.uk

Featured image: From 24 February, Bristol Old Vic presents the welcome return of Paines Plough with You Bury Me, an explosive, political debut from Ahlam, directed by Katie Posner and winner of The Women's Prize for Playwriting 2020.

Bristol Sounds returns for 2023

Bristol Sounds has revealed the first acts on the bill for the return of this harbourside gig series, with Jacob Collier, James and Leveller’s Beautiful Day Out making up three nights of the action at Lloyds Amphitheatre. The event returns from 21 – 25 June 2023.

Dubbed one of the most innovative musicians of his generation, Jacob Collier will hit the stage on Thursday 22 June. Since his self-made Youtube videos achieved legendary status in the music world, he has been renowned for his stellar collaborations with the likes of John Mayer, Lizzo and Mahalia.

Expect the ultimate singalong when James plus Guests take over the stage on Friday 23 June. The legendary Manchester rock band follow a huge pedigree of artists who have graced the stage at Bristol Sounds over the years including Noel Gallagher, Elbow and The Kaiser Chiefs.

Saturday 24 June will see an all day festival take over the Lloyds Amphitheatre. A Beautiful Day Out with Levellers will feature The Selecter, Black Grape, Peat & Diesel, Goldie Lookin Chain, Gaz Brookfield and Emily Breeze perform throughout the day, with a second acoustic stage to be revealed in the new year.

An additional two nights of shows are still to be announced for Bristol Sounds, as well as support artists across all the shows.

Tickets on sale now! Book yours at: seetickets.com

Slapstick Festival announces 2023 line-up

Europe’s biggest celebration of silent and classic screen comedy – the Bristol-based Slapstick Festival – is introducing a new strand for its 19^th annual edition (14 – 19 February) celebrating entertainers with a gift for combining comedy and music.

In all, Slapstick 2023 will present 32 events at venues across Bristol and host live appearances by Rob Brydon, Graeme Garden, Harry Hill, Robin Ince, Stephen Mangan, Stephen Merchant, Sir Michael Palin, Nigel Planer, Lucy Porter and all three members of The Scaffold, among many others.

As ever, live music will accompany the festival’s traditional package of rare, rediscovered &/or re-issued silent comedies, including films featuring Charley Bowers, Marlene Dietrich, Raymond Griffith, Buster Keaton, Harry Langdon, Laurel & Hardy and Harold Lloyd.

Full details of the Slapstick 2023 programme and booking options are available at: slapstick.org.uk

Christmas Spectaculars, 17 & 19 December at 7.30pm, St George’s Bristol

Bristol Ensemble takes to the stage with City of Bristol Choir (Saturday 17 December) and Exultate Singers (Monday 19 December) to bring Christmas cheer and festivities in this Christmas Spectacular. Under the baton of the inimitable David Ogden, this is always a wonderfully entertaining and uplifting evening of Christmas music and readings, with some wonderful Christmas music with choir items, audience participation and festive orchestral music. Tickets £15 to £30 for adults, concessions available for students and under 18s. 

Book your tickets at: stgeorgesbristol.co.uk

NYE at the Second Floor Bar

Join Harvey Nichols Bristol for DJs, cocktails and celebrations at the Second Floor Bar.

9pm – 1am; £20 per person, includes complimentary cocktail.

For more information visit: harveynichols.com

New year, new menu

Alternatively, join Harvey Nichols Bristol for an evening of celebrations with Champagne, dining, music and more. You’ll be welcomed with a glass of Harvey Nichols Champagne, before enjoying four mouth-watering courses to the sounds of a live saxophonist.

The Second Floor Restaurant, 7pm – 12.15am; £90 per person, includes Champagne on arrival, four courses and live music.

Book your tickets at: harveynichols.com

Keep a Bristolian's heating on this winter

The Bristol Emergency Winter Fuel Fund is the culmination of amazing generosity from Bristolians and others. It's a pot of money distributed through an established referral system and trusted community partners, specifically to help people with their energy bills over the colder months between 2022 and 2023.

Who's involved?

Five community partners, known as anchor organisations (because they're rooted in their communities and know their communities the best) are distributing the Bristol Emergency Winter Fuel Fund. They are: Ambition Lawrence Weston, Eastside Community Trust, Lockleaze Neighbourhood Trust, Re:work, and Heart of BS13. CHAS (City-Wide Housing Advice Service) and Bristol Disability Equality Forum are also supporting the Fund's efforts too. Bristol Energy Network is helping the community partners to organise things and spearheading the comms effort to get Bristolians donating!

What's the referral process?

You need to be referred in order to receive help from the Bristol Emergency Winter Fuel Fund. That might be through one of the five community partners directly, a GP or district nurse, another community or religious organisation, a councillor or MP, or a foodbank. You can access referral forms here. Each community partner is distributing the Fund according to their own GDPR and data security processes, which are also described in the link.

How you can help

In order to reach as many Bristolians as possible and help communities through the winter months, Bristol Emergency Winter Fuel Fund needs your help. 

If you can, donate to the fund's JustGiving page at: justgiving.com, where you can also find more information about how the fund will work in practice.

AJ MacGinty starts at fly-half for opening European Challenge Cup pool fixture

AJ MacGinty starts at fly-half for Bristol Bears' opening European Challenge Cup pool fixture against Perpignan. 

The USA international partners Will Porter at half-back, while in the midfield there’s a first European appearance for Academy centre Joe Jenkins.

The 19-year-old lines up alongside Semi Radradra, who marked his return from injury with a fourth minute try against Leicester Tigers, while in the back three, Luke Morahan is back from injury to join the in-form Gabriel Ibitoye and Charles Piutau.

Up front, Yann Thomas starts at loosehead alongside hooker Harry Thacker and Max Lahiff, with Joe Batley and Chris Vui continuing in the second row.

Fitz Harding returns at number eight, with Jake Heenan and skipper Steven Luatua completing the back row.

Among the system players, Elliott Stooke is set for his Bears debut while there is a welcome return from injury for Ioan Lloyd.

Bristol Bears team to face USA Perpignan in the European Challenge Cup at Stade Aimé Giral (9pm KO) | bristolbearsrugby.com

Hotwell Road, Bristol, BS8

Offered for sale by Rupert Oliver estate agents. 

90 Hotwell Road is a wonderfully proportioned and recently renovated period townhouse, arranged over four floors and presenting some 1383sq. ft of modern, high specification and versatile accommodation. It comes with an independent self-contained studio apartment on the ground floor.

Tastefully modernised from top to bottom and with stunning views over the water towards the SS Great Britain, the complete renovation includes the addition of a rear extension, double glazing, modern insulation, rewiring, plumbing, four bath / shower rooms and high specification fixtures and fittings, resulting in a beautiful modern finish throughout. 

As you enter the house, a useful entrance porch to the right is access through to a self-contained studio flat, complete with kitchen, en-suite bathroom and it’s own boiler system. Up to the first floor, are two double bedrooms, one en-suite, and there’s also a separate bathroom.

The second floor is home to a beautiful open-plan kitchen and living room area which spans the full depth of the property creating a beautiful space. 

To the front, the living room features two large, double-glazed windows with breathtaking views across the waterside. 

The kitchen is modern and perfect for those who like to cook or entertain, boasting an array of high specification fixtures, as well as an abundance of worktop space which includes a kitchen island and ample storage. 

A pair of French doors open out from the kitchen to an intimate walled terraced courtyard which is a cosy and private outside space; there’s ample room for a table and chairs or some outdoor furniture and features a full width awning to offer shade on a summer’s day.

On the top floor is a sizeable master bedroom with wall-to-wall storage and en-suite bathroom. 

The current owners have enjoyed the convenience of off-street permit parking a stone's throw from the property. Guide Price, £795,000

For more images and details click here to see the property on the Rupert Oliver website.