Image credit: Paul Box via BBC

Bristol Harbour Festival begins today!

A weekend of nautical-nights begin today as five stages - including the iconic Circus Playground, Harbour View and the Music Quarter, programmed by local legend Tony Benjamin - take over the city's harbour. 

Bristol's flagship event, the Bristol Harbour Festival, returns to the city this weekend to celebrate another year of the city's biggest and best talents. Organisers have worked around the clock to put on a spectacle of music, circus and children's entertainment filling over a mile of the harbour. 

Five unmissable and family-friendly performance areas will deliver what promises to be a highlight in Bristol's cultural calendar, with a jam packed programme of the city's finest performers, award winning foods, and entertainment. 

Visit bristolharbourfestival.co.uk to find out more

OUR JULY ISSUE IS OUT!

Featuring pieces on Bristol's best artists and exhibitions, city news, and guides on all the best things to do this month, you're sure to find something to get your teeth into. 

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. 

Words by Melissa Blease

Gazpacho

Refreshing, colourful and bursting with vibrant, seasonal flavours, Gazpacho (aka, Spanish chilled soup) is hugely popular across the Iberian Peninsula during the hotter months of summer – and it's really, really simple to rustle up.

There are probably as many recipes for Gazpacho as there are fans of this elegant español tastebud-teaser, but this one pretty much covers all the basics. But take note: tomatoes really are the star of the show here, so use the sweetest, ripest you can get your hands on, along with the freshest red and green peppers you can find. You can, if you so wish, interchange the bread/almonds using just one or the other to make up 100g in total, but a 50/50 mixture of both brings both all-important texture and a subtly nutty flavour to the party. As for the sherry vinegar: honestly, no other vinegar will do. If you prefer to omit the actual sherry in this recipe, use another 2 tbsp sherry vinegar instead.

To serve/garnish, diced black olives, diced hard-boiled egg and tiny pieces of cucumber and peppers add further flair, as does a smattering of finely-chopped fresh basil, mint or parsley.

Fancy making a grown-up version with extra-added piquancy? Add 130ml vodka to the mix.

Ingredients (serves 4 as a starter; 8 as part of a tapas feast)

1kg very ripe tomatoes, diced
1 ripe red pepper, deseeded and diced
1 green pepper, deseeded and diced
1 medium cucumber, peeled and diced
2 spring onions, peeled and chopped
2 cloves of garlic, peeled and crushed
50g blanched almonds
2 tbsp sherry vinegar
2 tbsp dry sherry
50g slightly stale, crusty white bread, soaked in cold water for 20 mins
4 tbsp extra virgin olive oil

To serve/garnish: see note above.

Method

Tip the tomatoes, peppers, cucumber, spring onions, garlic, blanched almonds and sherry vinegar into the bowl of a food processor or a large blender along with 50ml cold water. Drain the bread, squeeze out as much liquid as possible (clean hands are the best utensils here) and add that to the mixture too.

Process or blend until smooth, season to taste and allow to stand at room temperature for 15 minutes before adding the extra-virgin olive oil and blending again. Pass the mixture through a fine sieve, then cover and refrigerate until fully chilled before serving in small bowls as a starter or in shot glasses as part of a tapas feast.

Gazpacho can be stored in a sealed container in the fridge for 3-4 days.

Decanter's Award Winners

While we at The Bristol Magazine fancy ourselves as wine connoisseurs, we thought that this week we'd hand over to the real experts for some recommendations. The Decanter World Wine Awards have given us some fabulous picks for bottles, so come with us as we travel all over the world to give some of them a try.

Syrah ‘The Graduate’ - Mienert
Starting with the reds, we're heading down to South Africa for an attractive and nuanced Syrah. With an exciting bouquet of lilies, cloves and cream, it's reminiscent of a Pinot Noir, with lots to unfold and savour | £15.50

Farvie Frankland River Grenache - Swinney
Staying South, this rich Australian red has rosehip and red cherry character on the nose. The texture is super-supple and refined, with a subtle, integrated acidity | £99.50

Dragonstone Riesling (Off-Dry), Rheingau - Weingut Leitz
Up in Germany, this white is a beautifully-balanced wine, with lovely freshness while not being too dry. It has a wonderful flavour of peaches, cream, clover honey, pineapple and lime, and is made with sustainable practices | £15.50

Signature Barrel-Fermented Torrontes - Susana Balbo
This Argentinian wine is golden in colour with a fragrant and complex nose. It has hints of tropical fruits, especially lychee, and citrus notes, such as lemon peel, with delicate floral aromas | £25

Classic Reserve Brut - Hattingley Valley
If you have reason to celebrate, why not try this British Brut? With hints of baked apple, creamy nougat and brioche on the nose, supported by notes of soft lemon sherbet on the palate, it's perfect for a party | £37.50

Las Fincas Rosé | J. Chivite Family Estates
Despite the recent rain, summer is still here, and so a rosé is definitely in order. With intense aromas of strawberry, pomegranate, raspberry and rose petals, this Spanish rosé is a perfect substitute for the (lack of) sun | £14.12

For more award-winning wines, visit greatwine.co.uk

Competition time!

This week, we're working with Gin in a Tin to offer you the chance to win a free gin, sent straight to your door!

All you have to do is head to our Instagram and follow the rules in the caption to be in with a chance of winning. 

And don't forget to check out the Gin in a Tin website to see all of the delicious flavours to choose from!

Competition ends 21 July when the winner will be contacted via Instagram direct message

TAG Heuer Aquaracer Professional 300 Steel 36mm

Inspired by crystal clear lagoons and diving in warm waters, the wavy lacquered dial design complete with diamond detailing of the Aquaracer Professional 300 series is an elegant, sporty and thoroughly luxurious timepiece that combines beauty with extreme functionality.

This is a professional dive watch, powered by the automatic Calibre 5 movement and water-resistant to 300m it features TAG's instantly recognisable 12 sided black ceramic bezel, and a 36mm steel case with date marker at 6 o’clock. The steel bracelet with folding clasp is extendable to fit over a wetsuit.

Shown here in pink and green, the Aquaracer Professional 300 Steel 36mm timepiece is priced at £3,300.

Find more TAG Heuers and explore the Aquaracer series at mallory-jewellers.com

Curated by Daniel McCabe

OOF is an art and football magazine. Not many of those around, and here we are with issue No 11, described by the publisher as 'its tricky winger, artfully creating chances, delivering moments of sheer beauty, moving with grace and elegance’. As it happens this issue goes full-on – or feet-first – with JJ Guest tackling (sorry) homophobia, Hank Willis Thomas tracing the history of imperialism, Discofoot exposing macho nonsense in the game, Masahide Tomikoshi experiencing drizzle in West Yorkshire, Chantal Joffe’s tender portraits of young boys playing football, Martin Kazanietz's love letters to amateur kickabouts and, as indicated on the cover, plenty of ‘beautiful, complicated, problematic Gazza’. | £8

store.magalleria.co.uk 

Barbie at Watershed

Starring Margot Robbie and Ryan Gosling as one of the many Barbies and Kens, and directed by the ever brilliant Greta Gerwig this is a campy, technicolour homage to the titular Barbara Millicent Roberts (yes, that is her full name!), which begs to be seen on the big screen.

Join Watershed on Premiere Night Fri 21 July from 19:00 in the Café & Bar for pink drinks, photo opps and meet and greet with drag Barbie and Ken, followed by karaoke post-screening! 

Also, on 24 July attend Deaf Conversations about Cinema: Barbie. A screening with descriptive Subtitles and an introduction from Stef Graham, followed by a discussion in the Café & Bar with BSL interpretation throughout. 

Visit watershed.co.uk for more information about Barbie events at Watershed

New August Holiday Art Clubs!

Goldfinch Create and Play is a new art cafe opening soon in Westbury on Trym, Bristol. 

The August Summer Holiday Art Club is for children age 5 - 13 years, open from 9am - 4pm. They are super creative full-day sessions with different programs each day to unlock your child's creativity. Space is limited and they anticipate it booking up quickly, so reserve your place today.

Monday 14 August: Creative Construction
Tuesday 15 August: 3D Creatures and Watercolour
Monday 21 August: Print and Play
Tuesday 22 August: 3D Paper Play

To book, visit bookwhen.com

Vegan Kids Festival

The Vegan Kids Festival is taking place from 11 - 13 August at Woodhouse Park Activity Centre.

The festival has eight activity zones including its creative zone to showcase the talents and acts of young vegans under 25. Plus, a teen zone, tot zone, a retreat and an indoor party room for fun games, live music, disco, entertainment and karaoke. With a focus on all things food and nutrition, there will also be cookery demos and plant-based food lessons. 

Weekend tickets are £85 for adults, £40 for children. Day tickets from £20.
11 - 13 August | Woodhouse Park Activity Centre, Fernhill, BS32 4LX
For more information, visit vegankidsfestival.co.uk

Drive-in cinema with Mollie's Diner

This August, Mollie’s Motel & Diner is hosting a series of pop-up cinema evening events in Bristol. Guests can choose from a selection of crowd-pleasing, big-screen movies for the ultimate cinematic night out.

Priced at £55.00 for one car and two people or £25.00 per deck chair, each ticket also includes food & drink from Mollie’s Americana and retro-inspired Diner.

Guests can choose between a delicious Mollie’s Burger (beef, chicken or plant), a Chilli Cheesedog or tasty Chicken Tenders. Each main dish is served with house fries and a refreshing soft drink. Additional treats such as Soft Serve, Desserts, Cocktails, Mocktails, Milkshakes, wine, beers and coffee are also available to purchase.

Showings:
Point Break | Thursday 17 August 
Dirty Dancing | Sunday 20 August

To find out more, head to mollies.com

Elmwood's Valuation Day

Tired of paying high insurance premiums? Why not sell to a global network of buyers? 

Transparent, trustworthy and reliable: specialist luxury auctions Elmwood's is a house that sells authentic, one-of-a-kind stories, extending their life-cycle, one piece at a time. Sell jewellery, watches, designer handbags & fashion. 

Visit the team at The Club Room in The Clifton Club on 19 July for free, no obligation valuations. 

19 July | 22 The Mall, Clifton, Bristol BS8 4DS
Email info@elmwoods.co.uk for further information

Lived and Loved Repair Workshop

A workshop to gather repair folk and people from the community who have an interest or love for looking after what is in their wardrobe. You do not need previous sewing experience to take part.

In this workshop you will learn the techniques Finisterre uses in their in-house workshop of either darning a knitwear, patching a jacket or a sashiko denim repair.

Thursday 3 August | 6pm - 8.30pm
Tickets: eventbrite.co.uk

7 September | 6pm - 8.30pm
Tickets: eventbrite.co.uk

An evening of fine-dining and performance at Hatch House

A stunning 430-seat dinner theatre gala set in a magical walled garden in Wiltshire.

This year's line-up features some of the greatest names in dance including stars from the Paris Opera Ballet, Staatsballett Berlin and Royal Ballet megastar Francesca Hayward.

Tickets include all world-class performances, a gourmet hamper, wines from Gardner & Beedle and entry to the Parisian cocktail bar. Guests will also be able to explore the beautiful gardens and discover outdoor installations created by guest artist, Hugo Dalton.

Now in its twelfth year, this hugely popular production is a highlight of the summer social calendar. An unforgettable night, every night.

July 27 - 30 | 5.30pm - 11.55pm | Hatch House, West Hatch, Salisbury SP3 6PA
To buy tickets, go to coventgardendance.com

Clifton Contemporary Art

Janette Kerr's exhibition Sea Changes is showing at Clifton Contemporary Art Gallery until 25 July.

Harnessing environmental extremes, instabilities and change, Janette’s work explores the restless edges between place and atmosphere, science and spirit, experience and spontaneity.

Travelling in Shetland and the Far North imbues her painting with a sense of the northern romantic tradition – of embracing the sublime – counterbalanced with the contemporary and an instinct for the experimental.

1 - 25 July | 10am - 5pm | 25 Portland Street, Clifton, Bristol  BS8 4JB
Visit cliftoncontemporaryart.co.uk to find out more

Stand up for Safe Water paddleboarding event raises £12,000 for Frank Water Charity

Bristol-based global charity, Frank Water’s Stand Up for Safe Water paddleboarding event on Friday 30 June raised an incredible £12,000 for communities across the globe who have no access to safe water.

Twenty teams paddled it out in the sun and rain in Bristol Harbour, to bring much joy, entertainment, excitement, and friendly competition all in the name of supporting safe water, hygiene, and sanitation for communities most affected by climate change.

To find out more, visit frankwater.com

Bellevue Crescent Bristol BS8

Offered for sale by Rupert Oliver estate agents

This is a wonderfully proportioned period townhouse, arranged over four floors and presenting some 1834 sq. ft of elegant and versatile accommodation and around 90 ft long private enclosed garden to the rear.

The current owner has lovingly maintained and tastefully renovated the house for well over a decade, which includes (but is not limited to) a beautiful dual aspect kitchen extension with bi-folding doors to the garden, a grand bathroom suite, roof refurbishment works, underfloor heating and double glazing around the property. Internally, there are a host of retained period features, including original pine floor boards, an array of period fireplaces and original window shutters.

On entering the house, a welcoming hallway leads to a sizeable kitchen / dining room and a cosy sitting room and cloakroom.

The dining room and extended kitchen is a spectacular feature of this lovely home with a wealth of wooden work top space, a combination of floor mounted storage cupboards, a freestanding kitchen island, a pantry cupboard and all of the utilities one might expect. A sky light and wall-to-wall bi-folding doors offer both access and uninterrupted views of the beautiful garden beyond. The dining area is open plan, spacious and has plenty of room for a large dining table.

The charming sitting room (currently being used as a home office) is situated at the front of the property and enjoys beautiful views to both the east and south through two large double-glazed windows.

A carpeted staircase leads up to a further three floors and a further six rooms.

The first floor is home to a very impressive bathroom suite which has been beautifully finished to include a walk-in shower cubical, free-standing bath and set of French double doors with views across the garden below and up towards the rolling green hills of Brandon Hill and Cabot Tower. On the first floor is another reception / sitting room with a log burning stove.

On the upper two floors are four generous and light-filled double bedrooms, each enjoying stunning views, The fourth floor features a dedicated guest room which has been tastefully converted to include lovely en-suite shower room and w.c.

Outside is a 90 ft private garden which is landscaped beautifully with a combination of herringbone brick patio for entertaining, a mixture of planting pots and flower beds and a useful decked entertaining space which gets lots of sun.

To the side of the decked area there is gated access to a small lawned communal garden, which is shared between neighbours. A beautiful, large red brick chimney tower stands beyond the garden, which used to service swimming baths in years gone by. £895,000

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