Santa experiences launched in Cribbs Causeway

From November 22, John Lewis will be offering customers the chance to meet Santa and create a Christmas moment for the whole family, even your four legged friends.

With Santa visits proving to be as popular a tradition as ever, John Lewis are giving customers the choice of different experiences: 

Santa Paw Experience | £20
Following a hurry of hounds last year, John Lewis are excited to launch pre-booked tickets to Santa Paws for the first time. Four legged friends can meet Santa and enjoy a special gift from pet brand Rosewood.

Santa's Grotto - Mission: Meet Santa | £20 
Children are invited to become 'Secret Santa agents’ and with the help of Santa’s elves are tasked with cracking the code needed to unlock the door and meet the man himself.

Relaxed Grotto experiences are available too for those who need or prefer a calmer experience, with reduced noise or lighting. 

For more information click here.

OUR NOVEMBER ISSUE IS OUT NOW!

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

This month, we learn all about Evolution, the incredible drone display coming to Bristol, we check out Josh Dury's amazing astro-photography, and get to know Alexandra Pickford, the globe-trotting ballet dancer. Elsewhere, we chat with journalist Polly Toynbee about her new book and get ready for the long-awaited re-opening of the Bristol Beacon. We really hope you'll 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. 

Words by Melissa Blease

Autumn soup, four ways

Parsnip, Chestnut and Smoky Bacon Soup (serves 4-6)

Tip 200g smoked bacon lardons into a large dry saucepan over a medium heat and sauté until golden. Remove the lardons from the pan and set to one side. Add 1 peeled, chopped onion to the pan and sauté in the bacon fat until tender. Add 6 peeled, diced parsnips, 1 clove of garlic (peeled and crushed) and a sprinkling of dried thyme and continue to sauté for 5 minutes. Add 600ml chicken stock, 400ml whole milk and 200g cooked, chopped chestnuts (the vacuum-packed variety come in very handy here!). Bring to the boil then simmer for around 30 minutes, or until the parsnips are completely tender. Remove from the heat and blitz with a stick blender until smooth. Season to taste, reheat until piping hot and serve in warm bowls, topped with the smoky bacon lardons.

Creamy Cauliflower Soup (serves 4-6; vegetarian)

Heat around 1 tbsp olive oil into a large saucepan over a medium heat and sauté 1 peeled, chopped onion until just turning translucent. Add 1 tbsp butter followed by the florets and chopped stalk from 1 medium-sized cauliflower and 1 medium-sized potato (peeled and chopped into chunks). Stir together, then partially cover the pan and cook over a low heat for around 10 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the vegetables have softened but not coloured. Add 1l vegetable stock and 500ml whole milk and bring to a gentle boil. Add the leaves from the cauliflower (chopped) and simmer uncovered for 12-15 minutes, or until the vegetables are soft. Add 150ml double cream or crème fraîche, season to taste, remove from the heat and blitz with a stick blender until smooth. Reheat until piping hot and serve in warm bowls topped with plenty of freshly ground black pepper.

Maple-roasted Carrot, Celeriac and Parsnip Soup (serves 4-6; vegetarian)

Preheat the oven to 180°C/gas mark 6. Peel 6 medium-sized carrots, 1 large celeriac (or swede) and 3 medium-sized parsnips and chop into equally-sized cubes. Toss the chopped vegetables with 2-3 tbsp olive oil, season well, tumble onto a baking tray and roast for around 30 minutes, or until the vegetable are tender and just starting to caramelise. Add 2 tbsp maple syrup to the tray, give everything a good shake and roast for another 10 mins until the vegetables are golden and glazed. Pour 800ml vegetable stock into a large saucepan and add the roasted vegetables. Blitz with a stick blender until smooth, season to taste, add a smattering of freshly-grated nutmeg and bring to a simmer. Serve in warm bowls topped with a swirl of thick plain yoghurt and a little more freshly-grated nutmeg.

Curried Swede Soup (serves 4-6; vegetarian)

Heat 2 tbsp olive oil and 2 tbsp butter in a large saucepan over a medium heat. Add 1 peeled, chopped onion and 2 finely-chopped celery sticks and sauté for around 10 minutes or until the onion and celery is soft and starting to caramelise. Add 1 thumb-sized knob of fresh ginger (grated), 2 cloves of garlic (peeled and crushed), 1 tsp ground cumin, 1 tsp ground coriander, 1 tsp ground turmeric and 1 tbsp medium curry powder and sauté for 2 minutes until the spices are releasing their fragrance. Add 800g peeled, diced swede and 1.8l vegetable stock. Bring to the boil then partially cover the pan and simmer gently for around 1 hour, or until the swede is soft. Remove from the heat and blitz with a stick blender until smooth. Reheat until piping hot and serve in warm bowls topped with thick plain yoghurt and a drizzle of chilli or curry oil.

Discover Spain's Finest Rosé

Spain has the greatest area under vine of any wine producing country and the varying climate gives way to an immense diversity of wine styles. It also produces some of the best rosés on the planet, each with their own distinct personality. Here are some of our favourites:

Lalomba Rosado 'Finca Lalinde' - Ramon Bilbao
This wine displays delicious juicy blush pear fruit, tempered by savoury bay leaf aromas, electric-bright acidity and a genuine impression of 'minerality'. Bone dry, yet with fabulous flavour intensity and sustain, this is a masterpiece. | £25

Journey Collection Rosé - Ramon Bilbao
Beautifully delicate pink. The aroma is of raspberries and rose petals - delicate and yet with lots of personality. Just the same in the mouth, with superb juicy fruit character, refreshing acidity and superb length on the finish. | £15.50

Solidarity Rose - Care
Bright pale pink colour with violet reflections. Fresh aromas of red fruits and cream caramel. On the palate, the wine is fresh with a great balanced acidity. Wide and enjoyable mid-palate, remembering the fruits that appeared on the nose. | £10.50

Lalomba Rosado 'Finca Lalinde' - Ramon Bilbao
This wine displays delicious juicy blush pear fruit, tempered by savoury bay leaf aromas, electric-bright acidity and a genuine impression of 'minerality'. Bone dry, yet with fabulous flavour intensity and sustain, this is a masterpiece. | £25

Más Amor Rosado - Franck Massard
Light, elegant complex and dry with vibrant freshness in the glass and a powerful fruity, herby nose. In the mouth there is subtle minerality with a refreshing finish. | £14.75

Shop these and more Spanish wines at greatwine.co.uk

New Thatchers Apple and Blackcurrent Cider

Thatchers Cider has introduced a delicious new Apple and Blackcurrant flavour.

A rich, refreshingly fruity cider, created with the sweetest dessert apples, a fresh berry aroma and bold natural blackcurrant flavour, welcome Thatchers Apple and Blackcurrant Cider.

New from the Somerset cider maker, this latest addition to their award-winning range has an ABV of 4% and is available in both 440ml and 330ml can packs, as well as single 500ml glass bottles.

Joining Thatchers best-selling Blood Orange, Cloudy Lemon and Rosé in their fruit range; Gold, Haze, Vintage and Katy in their apple cider selection, Thatchers Apple and Blackcurrant is crafted at Myrtle Farm in Somerset.

Fourth generation cider maker, Martin Thatcher says, “We know this is a flavour style that is sought after by British cider lovers, so we’ve worked hard to give it a Thatchers twist that will help it stand out!”

Thatchers Apple and Blackcurrant is currently available in selected Tesco stores across the UK, as well as online from thatcherscider.co.uk. Look out for further stockists in early 2024.

The Relax into the Night Ghost Fragrance Set | £34

Special offer: 50% off the Relax into the Night Gift Set

This set is exclusive to Boots and offers an indulgent self-care fragrance set that comes in a premium soft touch bag. 

The set features the iconic Ghost the fragrance, Sweetheart fragrance and Deep Night spray pen, plus a luxurious Orb of Night votive candle and soft eye mask.

Contents:
1 x 30ml Ghost The Fragrance EDT (boxed) (worth £29)
1  x 30ml Ghost Sweetheart EDT (boxed) (worth £29)

Free gifts include:
1 x Ghost Eyemask
1 x 9.5ml Ghost Deep Night Spray Pen EDT
1 x Ghost Orb of Night Votive Candle
1 x Makeup Bag

The set retails for £68, but until 27 November there is an amazing 50% off, at £34!
Shop now at boots.com

Chocolate Salami Collection

Unwrap the Magic of Christmas with help from your Local Luxury Chocolatier. 

The kitchen at Coco Chemistry is buzzing at this time of year, with their expertly trained team of chocolatiers super-busy hand crafting all kinds of enchanting Christmas delights.

Coco Chemistry’s unique meat-free Chocolate Salamis are perfect for a post-Christmas dinner sharing treat. Inspired by old Italian Salame al Cioccolato recipes, these Chocolate Salamis have a velvety smooth soft truffle centre packed with all kinds of tasty treats.

They are dipped in chocolate, hand-decorated and dusted with icing sugar. Available in seven mouthwatering flavours, from Rocky Road to Millionaire’s Caramel Shortbread; one is never enough.

Get 10% off all Christmas gifts online with the code XMASCHOC*. Available up until 20 December. 

You can purchase your own chocolate salami for £13 each or 3 for the price of £35. 
For more information visit cocochemistry.co.uk

Colmar Women's Thermal Sweatshirt | £179

Women's thermal sweatshirt with a full-zip, made from soft teddy-effect fleece.

The matte thermal nylon pocket on the chest adds character to this feminine and comfortable piece that can be paired with urban or sporty outfits.

Its thermal range will keep you extra warm as well as provide you with lots of pocket space. A thermal and versatile piece that is perfect for facing cold winter days.

Shop now at colmar.com

Cristina Zani Gold Plated Silver with Blue and Red Wooden Oval Earrings

Gold Plated oval studs hold an asymetrically set wooden oval disc. Hand-painted in vibrant blue with red on the back providing pops and flashes of red as they dance in the wearer's ears. £156

Visit dianaporter.co.uk to shop

The Explorer 36mm or 40mm?

If you are looking to acquire a classic sports Rolex, then the Explorer is often considered as very the best options to introduce you to the brand. While the case size has traditionally been 36mm since the early 1950s, this year, at the Geneva Watches and Wonders expo, a new 40mm Explorer was unveiled adding a grander scale to the range.

Offering enhanced legibility, both the 36mm and new 40mm versions carries all the qualities that have made the Explorer – one of the brand’s first tool-watches – a benchmark for over 70 years. Simple, robust and corrosion resistant, the 36 and new Explorer 40 is crafted from a solid block of Oystersteel an alloy specific to Rolex.

The Twinlock winding crown, fitted with a double waterproof system, screws down securely against the case. The crystal is made of virtually scratch-proof sapphire and benefits from an anti-reflective coating.

The iconic black dial has excellent legibility in all circumstances, thanks to its Chromalight display that emits a long-lasting blue glow in dark conditions and, even in daylight the luminescent markers and arabic numerals at positions 3, 6, and 9 are particularly bright.

A 36mm Rolesor edition was introduced in 2021, this has been a popular choice that looks great on any wrist - mixing Oystersteel and 18k yellow gold in the bracelet and bezel to create a two tone look, shown below.

Standard to all Explorer models is the manufacture Rolex 3230 self winding perpetual movement that provides approximately 70 hours power reserve and is waterproof to 100 metres/330 feet.

So, 36 or 40mm whichever one you choose, these are Rolex classics, and an investment that will bring joy to your wrist for many years to come.

Still can’t choose? Click here to visit Mallory for expert advice, see the models and to find out more.

Curated by Daniel McCabe

Mildew is a new biannual US/Mexican magazine focused on vintage fashion and the creative reuse and reworking of second-hand clothing. It’s printed both in Mexico and (sensibly) over here so it does feature some excellent UK content, and is part of becoming an increasingly common magazine genre given this is a burgeoning phenomenon on the high street (and needs must, with inflation and all that) but Mildew does feel original and genuinely steeped in ‘treasure-hunting’ which it extends beyond apparel to things such as charity shop paperback finds, portraits of antique shop owners and even one man’s odd quest to preserve Gap in-store playlists. £16.99

An Artistic Soriée with Harvey Nichols

Join Harvey Nichols for a launch dinner as Bristol based street artist, Sickboy, presents ‘Optical Delusions’, an exhibition of artwork and light sculptures.

Developed over 10 years and shown in galleries across the world, the Optical Delusions series focuses on the artist’s broad range of symbolism, signs and semiotics. 

The Second Floor Restaurant will be transformed with brand new paintings; luminous light boxes and sculptural works. 

The launch dinner will include a welcome cocktail, followed by a bespoke three-course menu, while Sickboy discusses the artworks within the show and the concept behind his work. 

Thursday 23 November | 7pm
27 Philadelphia Street, Quakers Friars, Cabot Circus BS1 3BZ
For more information click here.

Lead singer from the Prodigy releases new collection with Studio 74

Studio 74 is proud to represent Maxim who now joins their exciting and eclectic portfolio of award-winning artists.

The socially charged collection explores Maxim's unshakeable faith in human nature in the face of division and conflict. Through his innovative use of unconventional materials, vibrant colours and technology, he allows the shocking and the gentle to converge and create a surreal message about life, love, and the positive outcomes we can create with our own actions and attitudes. 

Find out more about Maxim at studio74contemporaryart.com

Rapunzel - A Tangled Tale

Get ready for a hair-raising adventure about the girl with the magical golden hair as Polka Dot Pantomimes and the Redgrave Theatre present Rapunzel - A Tangled Tale! 

This festive extravaganza about the lonely princess with the super hair trapped in a tower but longing for a life of adventure in the outside world will keep audiences of all ages amused, entertained and enthralled. As always there will be plenty of audience participation, modern songs to sing along to, huge amounts of laughter and spectacular special effects including an incredible flying jet pack. 

So let your hair down this Christmas at Bristol's biggest and brightest pantomime. 

15-31 December; varying times, see website for details
Redgrave Theatre, Percival Road, Clifton, Bristol BS8 3LE
To book tickets click here.

Duruflé: Requiem, Messe Cum Jubilo

Bristol Choral Society perform at Clifton Cathedral for the beautiful Duruflé Requiem. 

The Requiem is one of the most beloved choral compositions of the 20th century. Reminiscent of Faure’s Requiem, which the choir presented a year ago in the same venue, Durufle’s text intentionally focuses on inner peace and eternal rest. 

The audience will also be treated to Durufle’s Messe cum Jubilo, a work for lower voice parts only, and will also have a chance to hear the great organ in Clifton Cathedral, with the solo Prelude et Fugue sur le nom d’Alain.

7pm | Tickets £5 for under 25s
Clifton Cathedral, Clifton Park, Clifton, Bristol BS8 3BX
For more information click here.

Bristol Bears V Bath Rugby

Bristol Bears to face Bath at The Recreation Ground tonight (7.45pm KO).

Ed Holmes will make his 100^th appearance for the club in tonight's West Country derby against Bath in round six of the Gallagher Premiership.

The newest Bears centurion returns in the second row where he partners Joe Batley, while in the front row, England international Ellis Genge makes his return at loosehead. So, tune in, whether that be on the TV or at The Rec, don't miss out!

Find out more at bristolbearsrugby.com

Tobacco Factory Theatres present 'Oliver Twist'

Following the huge success of last year’s The Snow Queen, Tobacco Factory Theatres return with a glorious re-imagining of Charles Dickens’ Oliver Twist.

Written by Olivier Award-Winning Bristol playwright Adam Peck and directed by TFT’s new Artistic Director Heidi Vaughan, in her first production for the company, this classic story will come alive in a riotous fashion as Oliver escapes the workhouse to join the outrageous escapades of Fagin and co.

A brighter, bigger-hearted production you will not find, as Tobacco Factory Theatres brings a festive adaptation of this famous tale to Bristol. 

1 December – 21 January; times vary, check website for details:
tobaccofactorytheatres.com

Fairfield's Winter Gala

On Wednesday 13 December, Fairfield High School are hosting their Winter Gala.

This special event showcases the fantastic work of Fairfield's students and features a number of stalls selling a variety of gifts, together with a halal barbecue and festive treats. 

Stallholders are welcome; just £10, available on a first come, first serve basis.

Free entry | 6pm - 8.30pm
For more information visit fairfield.excalibur.org.uk

Redmaids' High Head Girls wearing tradition dress for the 2022 Founders' Commemoration Day

Redmaids’ High students commemorate the schools’ Founders

Girls from Redmaids’ High in Bristol will mark the founding of their school today as they march through Bristol and take part in a spectacular tradition which dates back hundreds of years.

Led by the school’s two Head Girls Maddie and Muznah, today over 700 students aged 7 to 18 will process from Welsh Back to Bristol Cathedral for a special service.

Students in the first few rows of the procession are dressed in traditional Red Maids’ boarder attire, a red cape and bonnet, which is a nod to John Whitson, their founder, who as a merchant imported red dye to the city and on founding the school, said that the students should be 'apparelled in red'.

In 2016 following the school’s merger with Redland High, Founder's Day became Founders' Commemoration Day, and the important occasion now recognises the founders of both schools; Whitson, Reverends T G Rose and Urijah Thomas.

The unique event attracts people from across the country as alumnae, parents and members of the public line the route to watch the historic spectacle. 

Visit redmaidshigh.co.uk for more information. 

Queen Square, Bristol BS1

Offered for sale by Bristol estate agents, Rupert Oliver.  

The accommodation follows a traditional Georgian plan, with the hall and upper floors providing four storeys of versatile family accommodation. 

The kitchen has underfloor heating, a mezzanine dining room and an internal courtyard to the rear, juxtaposing the retained period details of the original house with sumptuous modern architecture. 

Upstairs, the tranquil south facing sitting room overlooks Queen Square with three three-quarter height sash windows, opening up onto the canopied refurbished balcony.

Across the second floor lies an exquisite master bedroom suite; with a fullwidth double bedroom to the front with recessed storage and views over the Square; along with a “hidden door” leading to the fabulous en-suite bath and shower room – which is also accessible from the landing. 

The en-suite is beautifully finished, with a contemporary twin-ended bath and an oversize walk-in shower along with a w.c, wash basin and wall mounted towel ladder.

The new one bedroom annex can be reached internally if additional family / guest accommodation is required or kept separate if used in a self-contained capacity. The latest iteration of this home; retaining the lower ground floor's original stone barrelled ceiling with underfloor heating and introducing touches of beautiful cabinetry works and a luxury en-suite bathroom complete with a repurposed “safe” door; a remanent of the property's former use as a private bank. 

Outside crafted into the rear of the building is an internal courtyard, accessed via oversize glazed doors and truly “bringing the outside in”. A lovely space to stroll into in the morning for breakfast or to open up in the evening if entertaining friends. 

Above, accessed from the mezzanine dining room is a roof terrace, also linking the dining room to the first floor half-landing. To the front is access to an allocated off-street parking space on the square; along with residence parking available. 

Whilst the front of the house itself is accessed via a pedestrian gate and an attractive cast-iron railed south-facing courtyard, with steps down the lower ground floor annex. | Guide price £1,650,000.

Click here for more information and images and to see the apartment on the Rupert Oliver website.