Bristol’s most famous bears come face-to-face at Bristol Zoo Project’s new interactive trail

Bristol Bears rugby players have come face-to-face with their namesakes at Bristol Zoo Project to help launch an exciting new sensory trail.

Members of the squad visited with their families to unveil the We’re Going on a Bear Hunt trail, which brings to life the award-winning animation, based on the much-loved children’s picture book. The themed installations encourage visitors to follow in the footsteps of the book’s characters, braving the elements and recreating the journey taken by the family at the heart of the story.

The trail has been launched to coincide with the fifth anniversary of the zoo’s award-winning Bear Wood, where its four European brown bears live alongside wolves, lynxes and wolverines.

Book tickets to the new trail this weekend at bristolzoo.org.uk.

OUR APRIL ISSUE IS OUT NOW!

You'll love our fabulous April magazine, which features a collection of great reading by our team of wonderful writers as well as beautifully presented advertising by Bristol's best businesses. 

Features include exploring SS Great Britain's new botanical installation; new wedding trends enticing couples to cut ties with tradition; discovering the organisations that provide creative ways to boost Bristolian's wellbeing; plus so much more!

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 – click here to subscribe on our website. 

Words by Melissa Blease

Creme Egg Brownies

Easter comes but once a year... and brings a very specific seasonal confectionery treat with it! Make the very most of both with this indulgent, crowd-pleasing Easter bake.

Ingredients (serves 9-12)

6 Creme Eggs
175g dark chocolate, broken into small pieces
175g butter
2 tbsp cocoa powder
3 large eggs
150g caster sugar
150g light brown sugar
1 tsp vanilla essence
115g plain flour
150g Digestive biscuits, roughly chopped/crumbled

Method

1. Preheat the oven to 180°C/gas mark 4, lightly grease and line a square 20cm cake tin, then unwrap the Creme Eggs and pop them in the freezer (this makes them easier to cut cleanly, and prevents the 'yolks' from melting too much in the oven).

2. Put the chocolate, butter and cocoa powder in a heatproof glass bowl set over a saucepan of gently simmering water, making sure the water doesn't touch the bowl. Stir until completely melted and remove from the heat.

3. In a separate bowl, whisk together the eggs, caster sugar, light brown sugar and vanilla essence until smooth. Pour into the chocolate mixture and stir well to combine. Add the flour and a pinch of salt and stir until smooth. Add the shortbread or Rich Tea biscuits and pour the mixture into the prepared tin.

4. Take the Creme Eggs out of the freezer and, using a very sharp knife briefly dipped in boiling water, slice in half vertically. Nestle the halved eggs into the brownie mixture ('yolks' facing up) and bake for 25–30 minutes or until just set.

5. Remove from the oven and leave to cool completely before slicing into squares.

Browns Brasserie & Bar reopens today

Browns Brasserie & Bar in Clifton is reopening at 5pm today, following a huge refurbishment project.

The latest renovation pays homage to the building's illustrious history with a fresh colour palette and refined interiors. Inspired by luxe art deco, expect a opulent textures, cosy corners and large open windows.

Open all day from breakfast to dinner, Browns serves classic British comfort dishes and fresh seasonal creations, with traditional afternoon teas, fresh lobster on Fridays and Saturdays, decadent weekend Champagne Bottomless Brunches and traditional roasts on Sundays. Guests can the most of any sunshine this weekend on the outside terrace, or snuggle up in the bar.

38 Queens Road, Clifton BS8 1RE
Visit the website for more info and to book.

Champagne alternatives for the Easter Weekend

Recommendations by Tom Bleathman from The Great Wine Co.

Champagne, often associated with celebrations, is considered one of life’s finer pleasures, but not one for the faint of wallet. Consider, then, the wines made using the same method, but from other quality wine regions.

These Champagne alternatives can be equally impressive and, in many cases, more approachable for the less formal occasions you might want to drink them in. These options are all on offer at The Great Wine Company until 14 April. Here are some of my favourites...

Veuve Ambal Cuvée Excellence Crémant

Crémant is a French sparkling wine crafted using the same traditional method as Champagne, but produced outside the Champagne region. In this case, it hails from Burgundy. The Veuve Ambal Cuvée Excellence Crémant is a blend of Chardonnay and Pinot Noir, aged for 24 to 36 months. It boasts flavours of hazelnut, red apple, and citrus, with a lovely, long honeyed finish. | £18.85-15.70

Sauska Sparkling Brut

Hungary may not be the first place you think of for traditional method sparkling, but Sauska Sparkling Brut is a hidden gem. Produced using the local Furmint grape, along with classic sparkling varieties of Chardonnay and Pinot Noir, it offers a fresh style with flavours of ripe citrus, juicy pineapple, and lemon curd. Fantastic value for money if you’re daring enough. | £19.95–£16.62

Discover more sparkling wines at greatwine.co.uk

100 years of the Montblanc Meisterstück

This year sees the 100th Anniversary of the Montblanc Meisterstück Pen. Translated as ‘Masterpiece’ this luxury item epitomises the history and tradition of a brand, more than anything else.

Introduced in 1924, the Meisterstück has gone on to symbolise both personal and historic milestones and has marked everything from a teenager’s graduation gift to the famous signing of the Golden Book of the city of Cologne when German Chancellor Konrad Adenauer didn’t have a pen and used President John F. Kennedy’s personal Meisterstück 149 instead.

With celebrity endorsements - it’s seen in the hands of Johnny Depp, many Presidents including Barack Obama was well as often starring on screen: The film Octopussy shows James Bond given a Montblanc Meisterstuck fountain pen… of course, loaded with all the obligatory extra gadgets. Interviewed later, 007 actor Roger Moore admitted, "Pens. I have hundreds of them - all Montblanc."

Instantly recognisable arguably the best in the market, it is the pen that is loved by writers, statespeople and celebrities and its status, magic and popularity never wains.

These pens are in a league of their own. Shown below , the Montblanc Meisterstück 149 (£860) - a timeless classic, a beautifully oversized fountain pen in Montblanc's precious resin and the finest writing instrument. It will bring joy to the owner and everyone they might connect with. Like JFK, just ask them if they need to borrow your pen. Thanks Montblanc and very happy Centenary to Meisterstück.

See this and many more Montblanc treasures at Mallory.

Hotel Chocolat's Extra-Thick Easter Egg – Patisserie | £29.45

The ultimate Easter egg for those who favour all things baked and beautiful. Updated for Easter 2024 with a refreshed selection of filled chocolates.

A must-try for patisserie fans, both sides of this Easter egg were inspired by two of the nation’s favourite bakes. One half brownie-inspired 50% milk with pecan pieces; the other half cheesecake-inspired salted caramel-milk.

The Patisserie Extra-Thick Easter Egg comes presented in a sophisticated keepsake tin. When the chocolate is gone, the tin can be used again: as a place to stash your favourite biscuits and baked goods.

Click here to purchase.

Piglet in Bed's Warm Clay Somerley Stripe Linen Duvet Cover | £159

Piglet in Bed's heritage-inspired Warm Clay Somerley stripe duvet cover features a terracotta stripe interspersed with a patterned dobby weave for extra dimension.

Made from a blend of European linen and cotton, this wonderfully breathable, comfortable and durable fabric offers the best of both worlds. This duvet cover features coconut shell button fastenings and handy inside corner ties to stop your duvet from slipping.

Click here to purchase.

Les Beiges Water-Fresh Complexion Touch | £55

A first-of-its-kind versatile face makeup formula infused with ultra-concentrated micro-droplet pigments. This product gives off a perfecting veil of coverage for am incredibly natural, flawless finish. 

The Les Beiges Water-Fresh Complexion Touch has a refreshing, lightweight texture and a formula that keeps skin hydrated and protected all throughout the day.

Click here to purchase. 

Image credit: Bill Cooper

Birmingham Royal Ballet brings 'Sleeping Beauty' to Hippodrome

Cursed by a wicked fairy, a beautiful princess pricks her finger and falls into a deep sleep that can only be broken by true love’s kiss... 

Birmingham Royal Ballet's beautiful production of Sleeping Beauty arrives at the Hippodrome 18-20 April, with evening performances at 7.30pm and a 2pm Saturday matinee show. This adaptation of Sleeping Beauty was created by Sir Peter Wright, the genius behind the company’s famous The Nutcracker and Swan Lake. It’s sure to be an enchanting experience for the whole family.

Buy tickets online

Image credit: Bill Phillips

Bristol 1904 Paintings Exhibition, 27 April – 5 May

Every year in the last week of April and first days of May, the Bristol 1904 Arts Society holds its Annual Paintings Exhibition. 

Over the nine-day event, around 100 new paintings for 2024 will be on view together with occasional grand piano music and demonstrations of artists at work on the easel.

The paintings on show in the exhibition are the fruits of sketching excursions and many hours of arduous work during the year. Bristol 1904 Arts is a friendly society, with over 200 members that have common interests in the visual and performing arts as well as in good fun and fellowship. This is the 113th annual paintings exhibition and entry is free. 

bristol1904arts.org; The Red Lodge Museum, Park Row, Bristol BS1 5LJ

Ashton Gate Stadium to host its first Women's Six Nations fixture

This weekend, Bristol will see the Red Roses face a colossal clash against Wales on 30 March, 4.45pm.

This is one of only two home fixtures for England in the tournament, so it’s a rare chance to see some of the best players on the globe take to the pitch at Ashton Gate, and you can immerse yourself in each kick, scrum, and point first-hand from the stands with thousands of fans cheering on.

The day promises fun for all the family in an electric sporting atmosphere, as the Red Roses aim to inspire the next generations of young girls and boys looking to get into the sport. Celebrate a monumental day for women’s sport in Bristol, and you might even find yourself coming back for the 2025 Women’s Rugby World Cup!

Limited tickets are still available online, and every match of the tournament will be streamed live on BBC iPlayer. 

Job vacancy at University of Bristol

Would you like to help hold the University of Bristol to account for achieving positive change?

We are looking for people to help develop our Reparative Futures Programme which aims to tackle racial injustice and inequalities both within the University, and in the local and global communities we work with.

There are five Accountability Partner and up to 20 Accountability Associate roles available.

Partners will be expected to commit to an average of 8 hours per month and Associates will be invited to contribute to set pieces of work.

Successful applicants will be paid for their time.

For more information and to apply visit: University of Bristol
Deadline for both: 7 April 2024

Hall Floor Maisonette Clifton, Bristol, BS8

Offered for sale by Ocean estate agents

A grand 2 double bedroom hall and first floor maisonette with a private walk out balcony, situated on St Paul's Road, Clifton and within the Clifton RPZ.

This grade ll listed end of terrace property is set back from the road and brimming with original features that include: high ceilings with detailed cornicing, and sash windows with original working shutters.

Recently updated throughout by the current owner, this wonderful property also has stripped wooden flooring in the living area, and ample built in storage.

The ground floor accommodation provides: entrance hall with space for utility area, a master bedroom with working shutters, a modern bathroom with a white suite and separate shower, and bedroom two with working shutters.

On the first floor there is a dining room, modern separate kitchen, a living room with coal effect gas fire, floor to ceiling sash window to a private walk out balcony with an open aspect. | Guide Price: £490,000

For more information and images visit the Ocean website by clicking here.