The sixth edition of Lyra – Bristol Poetry Festival takes place 12-21 April, themed around ‘Poetic Futures’

There will be readings, performances, writing workshops, slam competitions, children's activities, film screenings, audio events, a visual and sound exhibition, panel discussions, installations and more.

Lyra has BSL, captioned, free and live-streamed events. Highlights include Bristol Bonds: Poetry Exhibition at Bristol Beacon; We Will Read U: Queer Futures; Family Poetry Workshop – Letter Writing; Black Writers, Reflections on the Road; and Romantic Bristol Walking Tour, Women Writers.

lyrafest.com

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

Asparagus Tart

Vibrant asparagus, a rich, creamy savoury custard and a super-short, crumbly pastry base: a heavenly combination indeed!

You can, of course, rustle up your own shortcrust pastry to make this tart, but ready-made versions have already done an excellent job on your behalf – do make sure, though, that you choose an all-butter brand for a perfect end result.

Ingredients (serves 4-6)

1 x 375g pack ready-rolled, all-butter shortcrust pastry
300g asparagus, woody ends snapped off and discarded
300ml double cream
2 eggs, beaten
50g Gruyère or nutty cheddar, finely grated
4 spring onions, peeled and finely sliced

Method

1. Preheat the oven to 180°C/gas mark 5 and lightly grease a round, 22cm loose-bottomed tart tin.

2. Line the tart tin with the pastry and trim the excess overhang. Cover loosely with baking paper, fill with baking beans (or uncooked rice) and bake blind for 15 minutes. After 15 minutes, carefully remove the baking paper and baking beans (or rice) and slide the pastry case back into the oven for another 5 minutes, or until the pastry has turned light golden brown. Set to one side to cool.

3. Meanwhile, blanch the asparagus in boiling water for 2 minutes, then refresh under cold water. Chop the spears into short lengths and set the tips aside for later. Put roughly half of the spears into a food processor or blender and blitz to a thick purée.

4. Pour the double cream into a large bowl along with the eggs and beat until thoroughly combined. Stir the asparagus purée and grated cheese into the mixture and season to taste.

5. Arrange the remaining asparagus pieces across the base of the pastry and cover with the egg mixture. Arrange the asparagus tips across the top, scatter with the chopped spring onions and bake for around 35-40 minutes, or until the tart filling has set (but still slightly wobbly in the middle) and the top has turned golden-brown.

6. Leave to cool slightly (or completely, if preferred) before serving accompanied, perhaps, by steamed new potatoes and a well-dressed salad.

Circumstance Distillery unveils its first organic single grain whisky.

This new release, available from today (5 April) marks a significant milestone for Circumstance Distillery, as it becomes the only distillery in England to produce an organic whisky.

“Just because it’s organic doesn’t mean we have changed the way we make whisky,” says head distiller Andrew Osborne. “This release used organic malted, unmalted and roasted barley and had a super long 14-day fermentation on three types of yeast. It was then aged in ex-bourbon, new Spanish oak and oloroso conditioned casks until it was ready for bottling.”

The result is a rich whisky with caramel and sherry fruits on the nose. On the palate there is spiced plums, roasted nuts, dark caramel and hints of milk chocolate and lemon. 

Click here to buy a bottle

Chilean wines: putting the right grapes in the right place

With the majestic Andes to the east, the choppy Pacific to west, an arid desert plateau to the north, a host of Antarctic snow-capped volcanoes to the south, and finally a lush alluvial fertile valley sandwiched somewhere in the middle, Chile is renowned for its interesting and delicious variety of wines.

The consistency and quality of Chilean wine comes not only from its breathtaking geography, but as a result of an eager and enthusiastic group of winemakers who have begun to truly understand their terroir by establishing the right grapes in the right place.

Visit greatwine.co.uk to explore more

Sideral - Viña San Pedro | £24

The aromas are ripe, inviting and complex: black cherry, blackcurrant, roasted red pepper, worcesterberry and treacle. In the mouth, it is rich and soft, with rounded, velvety tannins and lovely juicy fruit character.

Merlot - Primera Luz | £9.25

Fresh raspberry and strawberry nose, with a light and juicy palate bursting with forest fruit. Straight-talking, easy-drinking, moreish - this is fantastic value Chilean Merlot.

Pedro Ximenez - Elki | £12.95

This wine exhibits a delicious balance of peachy lusciousness with crispness and length, which allows it to be enjoyed with a variety of foods or on its own. There is a crisp texture and exciting, bright fruit character.

Carménère Gran Reserva - Viña Falernia | £19.50

The colour is brilliant and deep, the nose intense with aromas of brambly black fruit, espresso, spice and sweet pepper. Robust and dense on the palate, super-velvety tannins, fine oak nuance and positively bouncing with blackcurrant fruit. 

Engaging Times

Classic and timeless, solitaire engagement rings hold a significant meaning for couples, the centre stone being the main focal-point of the ring symbolising love, commitment and loyalty, as well as representing strength and purity. Here are just a few from the Mallory bespoke collection and many have a variety of stone weight options to suit all budgets.

From left to right:

Victoria platinum solitaire, round brilliant-cut diamond ring with tapered shoulders. Total diamond weight 0.50ct, £3,750.

Amore 18ct yellow and white gold solitaire, round brilliant-cut diamond ring with knife edge shoulders and diamond grain setting on the Collet. Total diamond weight: 0.33ct, £2,250.

Elizabeth 18ct yellow gold and platinum solitaire, round brilliant-cut diamond ring with tapered shoulders. Total diamond weight: 0.60ct, £4,250.

Venise platinum solitaire, round brilliant-cut diamond ring with knife edge shoulders. Total diamond weight: 1.01ct. £11,450.

Find out more by visiting the Mallory website

Bathroom Classics Duo | £60

Post-Poo Drops 

A botanical bathroom deodoriser that effectively neutralises disagreeable smells with crisp notes of citrus peel and discreet florals. 100ml. £27

Resurrection Aromatique Hand Wash

A gentle formulation containing oils of Orange, Rosemary and Lavender to effectively cleanse the hands without drying them out. 500ml. £33

Click here to visit the Aesop website and purchase.

LG Outdoor Casa Mia Alto Chiminea Firepit | £329

Get ready to spend more time outside, without worrying about early spring's unpredictable temperatures.

The Alto chiminea firepit from LG Outdoor is a contemporary steel take on a traditional chimney, in a powder-coated matt black finish. Ideal for a patio, there's a removable tray to take out and empty cooled ashes. The smoke is directed upwards to keep the air cleaner for people seated in front of the fire.

Available to purchase from John Lewis

Curated by Daniel McCabe

HÅNDVÆRK from Denmark is becoming the established go-to journal for people interested in or actually moving their craft or artisanal activity to a more commercial level.

It portrays the living, changing practice of design and craft through in-depth interviews and portraits in a more technical way than the ‘lifestyle change’ nature more common to this publishing genre (i.e. ‘I gave up my job at the bank to become a potter’). Published by writer, designer and photographer Rigetta Klint, it focuses on craft in its own right and the necessary basis for architecture, art, fashion and interior design. Each issue takes on a specific theme, with the latest (Issue 10) looking at ‘The Artist’, so expect plenty of clay, bronze, glues and pigments, textiles, wood, stone and more.

magalleria.co.uk

Image shows 'Lemons in Black Bowl' by Lucy Mckie

Lime Tree Gallery presents the art exhibition 'Affinity'

A two-person exhibition of strength and beauty by Lucy McKie ROI and Peter Wileman FROI RSMA FRSA from 13 April–4 May. 

Two of Lime Tree Gallery's most-collected artists, both are distinguished members of the Royal Institute of Oil Painters. Their work is in complete contrast, yet has a natural affinity and great presence.

Visit limetreegallery.com for more information
84 Hotwell Rd, Hotwells, BS8 4UB

Welsh National Opera performs at the Bristol Hippodrome

Welsh National Opera (WNO) returns to Bristol Hippodrome for a packed programme of classics between the 24–27 April.

Starting with two evenings of Mozart’s comic opera Così fan Tutte, then a night of opera favourites featuring a selection of the best-known pieces in the operatic world. The WNO season closes on Saturday evening with a haunting performance of Benjamin Britten’s dark and magnificently atmospheric Death in Venice - based on the novella by German author Thomas Mann.

Cosi fan Tutte: 24, 26 April, 7pm
Opera Favourites: 25 April, 7.30pm
Death in Venice: 27 April, 7.30pm

Click here to purchase tickets. 

BS3's full line-up revealed

Taking place on Saturday 22 June, Ashton Gate Presents BS3 will deliver a full day and evening of back-to-back hits as 10 incredible artists perform across two stages.

Joining Ne-Yo, Craig David Presents TS5, DJ Spoony Presents Garage Classical, Jess Glynne and host Fatman Scoop for the first one-day festival to be promoted by Ashton Gate will be Dizzee Rascal, Stefflon Don, Roni Size, Damage, House Gospel Choir and Krush.

BS3 will be the ultimate one-day stadium festival, packed with the best artists, with more than 20 number one singles and almost 70 top ten singles between them – this is the place to be. 

Click here to purchase your tickets

Kings of Leon perform at Ashton Gate Stadium

Kings of Leon are headlining Ashton Gate Stadium on Sunday 23 June and joining them will be The Vaccines and Holly Humberstone.

Winner of the prestigious Rising Star BRIT Award in 2022, 24-year-old Humberstone has established herself as one of the most exciting alternative pop stars of her generation.

English indie rock band The Vaccines also take their place on the line-up with their huge sing-along choruses and infectious guitar riffs, having previously been announced as special guests for select dates on Kings of Leon’s Can We Please Have Fun world tour.

Click here to buy your tickets

Bristol Memorial Woodlands host workshop on loss, grief, and bereavement

Local funeral venue Bristol Memorial Woodlands is holding a workshop dedicated to the exploration and understanding of loss, grief, and bereavement, specifically designed for healthcare professionals, on 25 April between 2pm-5pm. 

The half-day workshop will be run by grief expert Mireille Hayden, who has held similar sell-out events at the Woodlands in previous years.

The workshop is aimed at healthcare and end-of-life professionals and will help participants understand the impact of grief with the aim of helping others navigate the healing process. It will also look at the current theoretical approaches to loss and gain insight into the diversity of experiences in relation to bereavement.

For more information click here

Clifton Wood Road, Bristol, BS8

Offered for sale by Rupert Oliver estate agents

No. 12 occupies an attractive end-of-terrace position with a charming balcony to the front and a west facing garden to the rear. Internally, the house has been much loved and improved by the current owners and provides flexible accommodation over three floors, with three bedrooms and two bath/shower rooms. 

Access to the house is via the side, creating a superb open plan reception hall leading with an arch into a beautiful family space, with west facing views and a high quality Karndean stripped oak effect floor. 

The sitting room is a lovely space, with an original tiled fireplace and coal effect fire, triple sash bay window expanse of ceiling plaster work and a useful fitted bookcase. Off the entrance is access to a well-appointed cloakroom, compete with a toilet and wash basin. Also on the hall floor is a versatile third double bedroom, providing potential use as a further sitting room or home office.

Stairs lead down to a lovely semi-open plan dining room and kitchen, with a part-glazed door leading out into the west facing garden. The kitchen is well-appointed with plenty of floor and wall mounted storage along with a NEFF five-ring gas hob, NEFF electric oven and warming drawer, NEFF microwave and oven and integrated dishwasher, fridge and freezer. 

Upstairs, across the top floor lie two double bedrooms. The master bedroom has a triple sash bay window and its own canopied balcony, walk-through dressing room and a fully tiled en-suite shower room. 

Bedroom two has charming west facing views and lots of natural light and is served by its own bathroom complete with a panelled bath with a shower over, w.c and wash basin and an opaque sash window. 

The charming rear garden is low maintenance and sun-filled with a west facing orientation. Recently landscaped and with a garden shed it provides an array of year ‘round colour and form, with mature beds, herbs, trees and shrubs dotted around its gravel base and screened discreetly from the neighbours to maximise the day's sun. | Guide Price £850,000

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