Bristol Beacon announced as a host venue for the world’s greatest classical music festival BBC Proms

The South West’s newly transformed and reopened concert hall, Bristol Beacon, has been announced as the region’s first ever host of full-scale orchestral concerts at the world-renowned BBC Proms from 24–26 August. 

The 2024 BBC Proms will run from Friday 19 July to Saturday 14 September, playing 90 concerts – 73 at the Royal Albert Hall and at 17 venues across the UK.

Proms Bristol will see four concerts taking place over the August bank holiday weekend: The Virtuous Circle; BBC Singers at 100; Evelyn Glennie plays Jennifer Higdon; and CBeebies Prom: Ocean Adventure. 

For those unable to get tickets to experience the concerts live, every note will be broadcast on Radio 3, BBC Sounds, and 24 programmes will be available to watch on BBC iPlayer. 

The concerts will be open for booking on Saturday 18 May. For more information or to book Proms Bristol tickets, visit bristolbeacon.org. 

OUR MAY ISSUE IS OUT NEXT WEEK!

You'll love our marvellous May 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 an exclusive interview with crime-writing legend Lynda La Plante ahead of her appearance at CrimeFest, a review of the newly refurbished Browns Brasserie, a look ahead to a choral performance at Bristol Cathedral, our special festival guide for 2024 and so much more!

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

Asparagus Carbonara

Speedy, seasonal and elegant, this super springtime supper is perfect for either a casual affair or a celebration dinner.

Don't discard those unused egg whites! Store them in the fridge for a light omelette the following morning, use them for making meringues or pour each one into separate compartments of an ice cube tray, freeze until solid and then transfer to a freezer-safe container or zip-top bag. To thaw, defrost in the fridge overnight.

Ingredients (serves 4)

1 large bunch of asparagus (you'll need around 350g pre-trimmed weight in total)
320g dried linguine
3 tbsp olive oil
60g smoked bacon lardons
6 egg yolks
A pinch of dried red chilli flakes (optional)
80g Parmesan cheese, finely grated (plus extra to sprinkle)

Method

1. Snap the woody stems from the asparagus spears and set to one side. Finely chop the remaining stems, keeping the asparagus tips intact.

2. Put a large pan of salted water over a high heat and add the woody stems. When the water starts to boil, lift out and discard the stems, then add the linguine and cook according to the instructions on the packet.

3. Meanwhile, lightly beat the egg yolks together in a small bowl, then add the Parmesan, chilli flakes (if using) and a generous sprinkle of freshly-ground black pepper.

4. Heat the olive oil in a large frying pan over a medium heat. Add the lardons and sauté for 2-3 minutes until the fat starts to render down and begins to colour. Stir in the asparagus stems and tips and continue to sauté for about 3 minutes or until the asparagus has softened.

5. Drain the cooked linguine (reserving a cup of pasta water) and add to the frying pan. Mix the pasta, lardons and asparagus together well, and add a splash of the hot pasta water (while stirring continuously) to bind everything together.

6. Remove from the heat and quickly add the egg mixture, which will cook in the residual heat in the pan. Stir well until all the ingredients are thoroughly combined.

7. Serve immediately in warm bowls topped with extra black pepper and more grated Parmesan.

With the weather getting warmer and the days getting longer, Rosé wine becomes more appealing. This fresh, crisp wine is the perfect drink to accompany you on a cool, sunny evening and The Great Wine Co. has us spoiled for choice. Here are our top 5 from The Bristol Magazine:

Visit greatwine.co.uk to explore more.

Celebrate the rich culture of Italy with Grano

Join the team at Grano restaurant for a celebration of fine wine, exquisite cuisine, and the rich culture of Italy on Sunday 28 April.

Embark on a walk-around tasting that not only delves into the timeless classics, but also uncovers the hidden and unique gems of this beautiful country. What better day to indulge in this experience than on a Sunday, the quintessential day for spending quality time with family and friends, accompanied by a glass of exceptional wine? Fifty carefully curated wines, delectable small bites, exclusive offers and complimentary treats await you. Seize the opportunity to savour the best of Italy and create lasting memories.

Grano 48-49 Old Market St, Bristol BS2 0EX
Click here to book online. There are two sessions available: 1-3pm and 4-6pm

Fitting for all occasions, Chopard offers luxury leather and canvas bags for women to suit all activities, from a romantic evening to a day out shopping to a casual weekend brunch or day at the races. The perfect everyday accessory to carry all your belongings.

Mallory Jewellers have a superb range, here’s a few styles that caught our eye. From top left, clockwise.

Chopard Ice Cube, calfskin leather shoulder bag in Camel £1,840.

Chopard Happy Hearts Love calfskin leather mini bag £1,200.

Chopard Chopardissimo canvas mini pouch bag in Brown canvas £580.

Chopard Chopardissimo canvas mini tote bag in camel £815. Matches with the Chopard Classic brown Canvas Continental wallet Continental wallet: £374.

To see a collection of beautiful Chopard bags and accessories at Mallory click here. 

Colmar Down Gilet | £229

Gilets are the ultimate transitional piece, both stylish and practical, they keep you warm and dry in the unpredictable British summer weather.

Super versatile, Colmar’s SS24 gilets are made from ultra-light recycled fabric with water-repellent treatment and padded with light natural down and are available in a range of colours. They are ideal for layering, whether you’re enjoying walks in the countryside or just need an extra layer over a jumper and jeans on cooler Summer days.

Click here to purchase. 

New Almond Delicious Shower Cream | £17.50

For the ultimate moment of self care, L’OCCITANE has launched a creamy, rich alternative to the iconic Almond Shower Oil.

The new Almond Delicous Shower Cream has a nourishing, whipped texture and is enriched with sustainably sourced sweet almond oil from Provence. Great for all skin types, the shower cream envelopes the body in a hydrating and delicately scented cocoon.

loccitane.com

Veja V-10 Leather Trainers - Gravel Parme Menthol | £140

The V-10 model is made out of ecological and sustainable materials. 

The panels are made out of suede, leather; the logo V made of rubber. Lining is 100% recycled polyester; insole made out of wild rubber and other synthetic materials; sole made of wild rubber from the Amazonian forest (40%). The perfect touch for your spring outfit. 

Click here for more information and to purchase. 

Anatomicals ‘And Ain't That The Tooth’ Toothbrush & Case | Blue £4.50

Anatomicals’ And Ain’t That The Tooth toothbrushes are made with Binchotan charcoal blended into each bristle, which helps give off negative ions, deodorises, removes plaque to prevent bad breath and reduces harmful bacteria growing in the brush. Each toothbrush comes in a specially designed, colour-coordinated travel case.

Click here to buy from Harvey Nichols.
Visit the store at 27 Philadelphia St, Quakers Friars, Broadmead, Bristol BS1 3BZ

Curated by Daniel McCabe

Ursula is an art magazine published by the Hauser & Wirth gallery organisation. It’s a serious and impressive journal and much more than a brand extension, but predictably luxurious all the same. It features essays, profiles, films, interviews and photography by some of the most thought-provoking writers and artists around and when it went on hiatus a few years back we really missed it. 

This latest issue (No10) is focused on Pierre Huyghe, Berlinde De Bruyckere, Anna Maria Maiolino, Josh Kline and Will Arbery. Each copy includes an exclusive, limited edition flexi disc featuring two previously unreleased compositions from the film score of Wu Tsang’s Moby Dick; or, The Whale. | £26

magalleria.co.uk

Bristol Pride announce line-up

Bristol Pride has announced synth pop legends The Human League will headline its 15th festival, taking place this year on Saturday 13 July on The Downs.

Alongside The Human League, the LGBT+ Charity have released the rest of the Main Stage line up including dance star Georgia, 90s legend Rozalla, MantarayBryn, synth band CatBear, Basement Jaxx singer and Ronnie Scott’s resident Vula Malinga, Sing Out Bristol, Swedish pop royalty Charlotte Perrelli and BBC Project Ikon winner Dylan and The Moon. Bringing euphoric pop to the stage Claire Richards from Steps also joins the festival this year along with global icons and electro band Ladytron.

For more information on this year’s event, visit bristolpride.co.uk

Image: © Bill Phillips

Bristol 1904 Paintings Exhibition

Every year in the last week of April and first days of May (27 April–5 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. Free entry.

Click here for more information. 

Asian Arts Agency present Niladri Kumar

Asian Arts Agency present acclaimed sitarist and musician, Niladri Kumar, who will be accompanied by the talented tabla player Yashwant Vaishnav on 19 May at 7.30pm. 

Niladri Kumar, a true maestro of the sitar, is known for his innovative and dynamic approach to playing the sitar and Indian classical music. With his unique blend of traditional techniques and contemporary influences, he has garnered a global following. Niladri has since gone on to create his own instrument, the zitar. An electric sitar created with the aim of modernising the classical sitar and drawing in a wider audience to Indian classical music.

During this performance, Niladri Kumar will showcase his exceptional talent and immerse the audience in a unique musical experience.

Click here for more information and to book tickets. 
St George's Bristol, Great George Street, Bristol BS1 5RR

Image shows Amy Gledhill

Plosive presents Wells Comedy Festival

A stellar line-up graces this year’s Wells Comedy Festival between 24–26 May, including QI and Taskmaster stars Alan Davies and Lou Sanders, James Acaster, Harry Hill, Nish Kumar, Rich Hall, Sophie Duker, Tim Key, John Kearns, Sara Barron, Kemah Bob and many more. 

Most of the big names are sold out at the time of going to press, but there is still plenty of choice available, so snap up those tickets now. You can still catch a selection of festival favourites at the Friday and Saturday Night Gala shows and enjoy huge laughs in the country’s smallest city. Ticket prices start from £9.

Click here to purchase tickets.

Atyeo Stand open and headliner announced for Summer Session

The Atyeo Stand will be open for the final home game of the regular season on 11 May as Bristol Bears welcome Saracens to Ashton Gate Stadium for the Summer Session party.

A bumper crowd is expected in BS3 as Pat Lam’s men face one of their main rivals in the race for the Gallagher Premiership semi-finals at 3.05pm. 

It has been confirmed that Easy Sundays will headline the Summer Session with a set in the Fan Village after the final whistle.

The entertainment on the day will also include a live DJ set, live music pre-match, food stalls, pop up bars, player signing sessions and Family Area fun. 

Click here for more information and to book your tickets. 

Richmond Park Road, Clifton, Bristol, BS8

Offered for sale by Rupert Oliver estate agents

13 Richmond Park Road is an elegant semi-detached Victorian townhouse, built in the late-Georgian style and Grade II Listed. With a handsome dressed limestone façade the house exudes period charm; with an abundance of retained period features both inside and out. 

Approached via a gated drive with off-street parking for several vehicles, a narrow drive leads down to a detached garage/workshop with a screened private front garden and enclosed rear garden. 

Internally, the house is accessed via a glazed porch, with plenty of space to kick-off coats and boots. A part-glazed front door leads into the welcoming entrance hall, with its stunning curved balustrade stone staircase winding up to the first floor and access underneath to the lower ground floor. Also off the hall is a useful utility room, housing the boiler and further storage. 

The hall leads to the fabulous open plan kitchen, dining and family room. The natural light in these rooms is fantastic; with a combination of flat and round arches leading through from one room into the other with a stripped wooden floor and each with oversize sash windows and working shutters. 

The family room catches the afternoon light, with a period stone fire surround and open hearth with a gas fire below. The kitchen and breakfast room are flooded with light from a south-easterly orientation and an attractive pair of oversize French windows overlooking the rear garden. The kitchen is fitted with a range of floor and wall-mounted storage cupboards with a recessed range cooker, under-counter fridge and integrated dishwasher. A peninsular island houses a Belfast sink and overlooks the breakfast room, with its own marble fireplace and open hearth below.

From the hall, a sweeping stone balustrade staircase leads to the first floor with a lovely galleried landing illuminated by an oversize sash window. To the front of the first floor is a charming sitting room; with a stripped wooden floor, arched oversize sash windows and working shutters, marble fireplace with a coal effect gas fire and fitted recessed storage cupboards. 

To the rear lies the main bedroom with twin sash windows overlooking the rear garden and plenty of space for free-standing wardrobes, or room to build-in a suite of wardrobes if required. This is served by a separate shower room accessed from the landing with a corner shower cubicle, w.c, wash basin and opaque sash window. 

From the landing, wooden stairs lead up to the top floor. Across the front is a full-width bedroom with twin sash windows, fireplace and fitted wardrobe whilst to the rear is a further double bedroom with a period fireplace, a sash window overlooking the rear garden and a fitted wardrobe. These bedrooms share a family bathroom, with a twin ended panelled bath, oversize shower cubicle, vanity basin, w.c and opaque sash window. 

From the entrance hall, stone steps lead down to the lower ground floor, also accessible via a side door from the drive. This has a lovely quarried stone terracotta tiled hallway with generous vaulted storage rooms. At present, the accommodation is arranged with two double bedrooms, a kitchenette (with access out into the garden) and a shower room but could equally pivot to a self-contained one bedroom annex – utilising the second bedroom as a sitting room. | Guide Price £1,850,000

For more information and images click here.