Have you read February's issue?

Slapstick Festival is gearing up to deliver a programme of events crammed with side-splitting laughs, and we managed to snag some of comedy legend Ben Elton’s time ahead of his appearance collecting his, well, Comedy Legend Award. He tells us who his own comedy legends are, and what it means for his lifetime’s work to be recognised.

For anyone chasing love, prioritising self love, cherishing their friends and adoring their pets, we have a packed gift guide to make sure your Valentine feels thoroughly spoilt this year.

Elsewhere, writer Florence Grieve meets with Ad Infinitum to learn about the theatre company’s efforts to put Deaf artists centre stage; journalist Simon Horsford heads to the studio of graffiti artist Tommy (known as Vandalist) for a masterclass in all things street art; we hear from the stars of Dear Evan Hansen ahead of its run at Bristol Hippodrome; and we reflect on some of the best ways to make the most of mirrors in your home. All that, and so much more!

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Recipes by Melissa Blease

You forgot the date, didn’t you? Raid the store cupboard, the freezer and the fruit bowl (!) and rustle up this simple, sophisticated, speedy Valentine’s Day menu for two.

The set-the-scene cocktail: Cupid’s Arrow

Mix 150ml cranberry juice, 50ml vodka and 1 tsp grenadine (optional) together in a large jug or cocktail shaker with a handful of ice. Add a spritz of fresh lime and stir or shake again. Drop 2-3 raspberries into the bottom of two chilled Champagne glasses, add the cocktail mixture and top up with Champagne, prosecco or sparkling wine. Serve immediately.

The sensual starter: Garlic and Chilli Prawns

Peel and crush 3 cloves of garlic, finely slice 1 red chilli (deseed if you can’t stand the heat) and sauté together in a small, oil-drizzled frying pan over a medium-high heat for 30 seconds. Add 12 large raw king prawns (defrosted if frozen) to the pan with 1 tsp smoked paprika and a splash of dry sherry (optional) and fry for 2-4 minutes or until the prawns turn pink. Sprinkle with finely-chopped fresh parsley and serve on warm plates with lemon wedges for spritzing and crusty bread to mop up the garlicky juices.

The main event: Truffle Carbonara

Gently fry 150g fatty pancetta or plump bacon lardons (smoked or unsmoked; it’s up to you) in a large frying pan over a medium-high heat for around 10 minutes or until the fat has rendered down and the meaty morsels are golden and crisp, adding 1 whole clove of garlic (unpeeled but bashed with a rolling pin) for the last 5 minutes or so of cooking time. Remove and discard the garlic clove, take the pan off the heat and set to one side. In a large saucepan, cook 200g spaghetti, linguine or fettuccine for 2 minutes less than the instructions on the packet. Meanwhile, whisk 2 egg yolks in a small bowl. When the pasta has cooked, use kitchen tongs to lift it into the pancetta pan and muddle it around, adding small ladlefuls of pasta cooking water as you go until there’s only a little bit of pasta water left in the bottom of the pan. Tip the beaten egg yolks into the pasta and stir vigorously (the egg yolks will cook and turn silky in the residual heat from the pasta and pasta water). Add 50g finely grated Parmesan and keep mixing, adding a little more pasta water if necessary (you’re aiming for a smooth sauce with the consistency of double cream). Serve immediately in warmed bowls scattered with plenty of ground black pepper, a little more parmesan and drizzles of truffle oil.

The sweet treat: Chocolate Dipped Strawberries

Melt 100g dark chocolate in a bowl over (but not touching!) a pan of simmering water or in short blasts in the microwave. Holding individual strawberries by the leafy top, dip each one into the chocolate, rolling to cover and tapping any excess back into the bowl. Lay each chocolate-dipped strawberry onto a serving platter as you go, and leave them in a cool place (not the fridge) until the chocolate has set. Serve drizzled with melted milk or white chocolate.

Valentine’s Day is one week away! Skip the high street queues and surprise the love of your life, your family and friends or your palentine with a box of handmade truffles made with indulgent ingredients and a whole lotta lurve. All the chocolates will keep in a (well hidden?) airtight container in the fridge for up to 10 days.

The day of love has arrived! It's time to crack open the very best of the bottles and say 'I love you' in style.

For those in need of some last minute vin-spiration, here's a list of the most romantic reds on the market, available to buy right here in Bath from The Great Wine Company.

Old Vine Field Blend Malbec/Carmenere 'Las Cruces' – De Martino
Hailing from Chile, this blend is incredibly deep in aroma and flavour with notes of crushed black cherry, pencil lead and herbs. Fine and delicate on the palate, exuding the amazing balance that comes from old vines. £38.50

Terrior Exclusivo Tannat – Casa Valduga
A Brazilian red with notes of leather and vanilla integrated into the ripe red and black fruit character. On the palate, the tannins are firm, supporting the acidity and ensuring long persistence. £25

Iscay Malbec Cabernet Franc – Trapiche
From Argentina, this wine is almost black, with concentrated blackcurrant, damson and black cherry fruit flavours, complemented by complex nuances of black olives, savoury herbs, charred padrón pepper and cream. £42

Amarone Classico DOCG – Bertani
Looking to splash the cash? World-renowned winery Bertani's 2010 Amarone Classico is the perfect place to do so. This Italian red has deep garnet colour which witnesses the long barrel ageing. Fresh black cherry aromas, leading into notes of maraschino cherry and plum on the nose, with immense depth and complexity on the palate. £195

Douro Old Vines Reserva – Quinta Do Crasto
This Portuguese Decanter World Wine Award-winner is hugely complex, with concentrated aromas and flavours, married to wonderful freshness. It is lively and juicy, yet far from straightforward, with intriguing nuances of spices, Mediterranean herbs, olives and well-integrated oak. £37.50

Discover all of these and more romantic reds at greatwine.co.uk

While Bristol is currently revelling in its culinary achievements, the excitement for the south west doesn't end there...

Chef Hywel Jones, the Executive Chef at Lucknam Park, has retained the restaurant's Michelin star for a 20th consecutive year. 

Restaurant Hywell Jones takes gastronomes on a tantalising journey using only the finest ingredients to ensure the fullest of flavours. His culinary creativity has afforded his restaurant the reputation as one of the best in the UK, and for the 2025 season guests can continue to expect new, innovative dishes to take centre stage.

Lucknam Park, Colerne, SN14 8AZ
lucknampark.co.uk

Introducing the TAG Heuer Aquaracer Professional 200 Solargraph

The latest addition to TAG Heuer’s legendary Aquaracer collection, the Aquaracer Professional 200 Solargraph, is engineered for sport, adventure and perfect for travel. With a 40mm case size, this new model's strength lies in its ultra-light yet rugged construction, crafted from titanium it ensures durability and all-day comfort.

At the heart of the Solargraph is its revolutionary Calibre TH50-00 solar-powered movement. The watch's semi-translucent dial allows light to the solar cell movement below, charging the on-board battery and eliminating the need for battery replacements for 15 years. Just one minute of sunlight provides a full day’s power, while a complete charge will power the timepiece for up to ten months.

The sleek, sporty aesthetic of the TAG Heuer Aquaracer Professional 200 Solargraph is the perfect companion from daybreak to nightfall with the markers and hands coated with Super-LumiNova® lacquer for maximum visibility even in total darkness.

With 200m water resistance, a unidirectional rotating bezel & screw-down crown, an ultra-light titanium case and bracelet, and case back with stamped compass motif, this feature-packed, über cool timepiece is the ultimate acknowledgement to unrestrained wanderlust and exploration.
£2,950.

The Solargraph also comes in a steel collection, with either a 34mm or 40mm case size and a range of coloured dials available.

For more information, click here to visit Mallory.

Curated by Daniel McCabe

DUST is a German fashion magazine with a provocative streak and a heightened political awareness. You might reasonably think that fashion magazines are not the obvious forum for thinking on global issues, but this doesn’t stop the latest issue of DUST. It declares that our future is vanishing because we gave up imagining it. ‘What was once a realm of endless possibilities has turned into a source of anxiety, a fractured extension of the present that we can neither confront nor see beyond. Neoliberal capitalism, obsessed with short-term gains, has flattened the future into a stagnant present, trapping us in nostalgia and eroding our belief in transformation.’ But the tone is positive and the issue title is defiant (‘Uncancelling the Future’), arguing that hope isn’t passive but a tool to reclaim our agency. | £25

magalleria.co.uk

New Martin Parr documentary screening at Watershed

One of the most controversial photographers of his time, Martin Parr’s images often have the power to both amuse and leave us ever so slightly uncomfortable, caught between laughter and the uneasy recognition of ourselves in his uncompromising portrait of consumer society.

I am Martin Parr is the definitive portrait of an extraordinary photographer who revolutionised contemporary photography by inventing a political, humanist and accessible photographic language.

Parr is now based in Bristol, and he established The Martin Parr Foundation at Paintworks in 2017, supporting and promoting photography from the British Isles through events and exhibitions.

Watershed is hosting a preview screening on 20 February that will include a Q&A with Martin Parr and the film's director, Lee Shulman. Tickets for the Q&A are now sold out, but you can join the waitlist here. 

Visit watershed.co.uk to find out more about the documentary and book tickets. 
Screening at various times until 27 February. 

Last chance to see Perfect Days – Watershed's longest-running film

Perfect Days, a Japanese drama about a humble toilet cleaner, has been capturing the hearts of Bristol's cinephiles for a whole year, officially marking it as Watershed's longest-running film. 

Wim Wenders’ Perfect Days, which follows the daily routine of Tokyo toilet cleaner Hirayama, explores life’s small, meaningful moments, and has struck a chord in the city, with over 8,000 people having watched it over the course of its year-long run. 

Now, exactly one year to the day since it first graced Watershed’s screens, it’s time for a final farewell. The last screenings of Wender's meditative masterpiece will take place on Sunday 23 February, and the cinema is inviting audiences to embrace Hirayama's appreciation of life's small pleasures with their very own 'perfect day'. Take a stroll along the Harbourside, listen to the film's classic-packed soundtrack in Watershed's Cafe & Bar, and watch the film at any one (or more!) of their four time slots. 

The film will take to the big screen for its final Watershed screenings on Sunday 23 February at 10.50am, 1.50pm, 5pm and 7.50pm. 

Click here to book tickets on the Watershed website. 

Formed in Bristol in 2011, Cut Capers is a dynamic nine-piece band from Bristol, UK, known for their energetic fusion of swing funk, soul, hip-hop, and ska. Since forming, the group has gained a reputation for their high-energy performances, combining live brass, funky rhythms and socially conscious lyrics.

Cut Capers will take to the streets of Bristol on Saturday 15 February where they'll perform three pop-up, acoustic ‘Street Sessions’ and encourage Bristol locals to join the party. To wrap things up, there will be an intimate performance from the wider band at The Old Duke – Bristol's world renown jazz pub.

1pm – Cabot Circus (outside British Heart Foundation)
2pm – Cascade Steps (Fountains)
2.30pm – Arnolfini
3pm – The Old Duke

Check out their Instagram – @cutcapers – to follow their movements and find information about their upcoming tour!

Mr Brunel's Big Day Out at Brunel's SS Great Britain

Ahoy! All aboard the SS Great Britian this half term for Mr Brunel's Big Day Out.

Experience the sights, sounds and smells of a Victorian voyage as you explore the 42 authentic cabins and saloons of the world’s first great ocean liner. Be sure to try out the bunks for size.

Meet Mr Brunel and costumed characters in the historic dockyard before heading beneath the ‘glass sea’ for a 360-degree walk around the SS Great Britain’s awe-inspiring hull in the original dry dock.

Uncover the mind behind the ship, Isambard Kingdom Brunel. Find out how the famous engineer pushed boundaries with innovative feats of engineering. Step into his office, sit in a broad gauge carriage and compare your drawing skills with Brunel’s.

15 – 23 February, 10am – 5pm
SS Great Britain, Gas Ferry Road, Bristol BS1 6TY
Free with admission, book now at ssgreatbritain.org

Victoria Art Gallery's new exhibition, Mirror of Mirth, takes a look at the finest satirical works in the gallery's collection.

The exhibition features the work of Georgian satirists Thomas Rowlandson and John Nixon, who together laid bare the follies and foibles not only of Georgian high society, but the lower echelons bobbing in their wake as well.

Alongside Mirror of Mirth, there will be a display of work by local cartoonist and landscape artist Perry Harris.

Just a 10 minute train from Bristol Temple Meads, Mirror of Mirth at Victoria Art Gallery is a must-see, and with an exhibition trail and colouring sheets available for younger visitors, it's the perfect family activity this half term.

Showing until 21 April, click here to see ticket prices and to book. 
Victoria Art Gallery, Bridge St, Bath BA2 4AT

In a career marked by performances in iconic spaces and collaborations with esteemed orchestras such as the LA Philharmonic and London Philharmonic, singer, songwriter, musician and producer RY X's artistic journey reflects a commitment to expression and vulnerability. 

The multifaceted artist has not only accumulated over a billion streams online but has also received platinum and gold records for his recordings. His presence has graced prestigious events like the Nobel Peace Prize ceremony and venues like Notre Dame and St. Paul’s Cathedral.

For his concert in Bristol, he will continue to explore connection to nature, spirit, and the human experience, for a performance that will be deeply emotional and based in a reflection of what it ultimately means to be human. 

22 March, Bristol Beacon. Click here to book tickets.

Bears are going head-to-head with Bath Rugby tomorrow, Saturday 15 February (3pm KO), in the final pool stage game of the 2024/25 Premiership Rugby Cup with plenty still to play for.

The game sees powerhouse wing Siva Naulago return to action, joined by Kalaveti Ravouvou in the back three and Rich Lane at full back. 

Benjamin Elizalde switches to outside centre where he partners Benhard Janse van Rensburg in the midfield, and Harry Byrne and Kieran Marmion lining up at half back.

In the pack, Fitz Harding captains the side from the openside, with Viliame Mata and centurion Steven Luatua completing the back row. Josh Caulfield and Joe Owen join forces in the engine room, with Yann Thomas packing down in the front row.

Click here to buy tickets

The Genge Fund has announce it has raised £22,000 to support five youth charities in Bristol following a successful fundraising campaign.

The Genge Fund primarily aims to address the challenges faced by young people in the city, including limited opportunities, the lure of crime and social inequality. Born and raised in Bristol, renowned England and Bristol rugby player Ellis Genge is passionate about giving back to the community that shaped him, and the launch of this foundation is the next step in his ongoing commitment to making the city a better place for all.

The donations were raised following a highly successful gala dinner held soon after the foundation was officially launched by Genge towards the end of last year.

With the help of the Quartet Community Foundation, from the total funds raised, £4,000 will be donated to each of the following organisations: Young Bristol, Youth Moves, Grassroots Communities, Lansdowne School, and the Bristol Bears Foundation, with the remaining funds to be used towards community activities/fundraisers.

These generous donations will support a variety of initiatives aimed at improving young people’s access to sports, education, and wellbeing across the city.

To find out more about the foundation, visit thegengefund.com

Creative Connex CIC, a Bristol-based social enterprise, has announced the launch of the ‘Finding Your Roots’ project, a unique initiative designed to empower a local family to explore their Caribbean and African ancestry.

The ‘Finding Your Roots Bristol’ project will provide a chosen Bristol family with a comprehensive bursary of £3,000 to support their ancestral exploration, covering a range of expenses, including travel and accommodation to the Caribbean or Africa for research; in-depth genealogical resources and research conducted by experts; DNA testing; and support for a creative project documenting the family’s journey (photography, film or artwork).

The chosen individual will not only embark on a life-changing adventure of self-discovery, but their journey will also be documented and shared with the wider Bristol community. This project aims to foster a deeper understanding of heritage and cultural identity in Britain today.

Applications are now open for the ‘Finding Your Roots Bristol’ project. Interested participants are invited to submit an application form outlining their family history, research plans, travel destinations, and proposed use of the bursary funds. The deadline for applications is 12 noon 21 February 2025. Shortlisted families will be contacted for interviews on 5 March 2025.

Please visit creativeconnex.org to download an application form and submit your completed application by email to infocreativeconnex@gmail.com by 12 noon 21 February 2025.

An interior designer's dream in Clifton, BS8

Offered for sale by Rupert Oliver Estate Agents

8 Bedrooms | 3 Bathrooms | 4 Receptions | Guide Price: £2,250,000

7 Pembroke 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. Over the past few years the house has been meticulously refurbished and redecorated by the current owners; sensitively reconfiguring the layout to provide family accommodation suitable to 21st Century needs whilst installing a new kitchen and several new bath / shower rooms.

Approached via a pillared entrance with off-street parking, a flag stone path leads up to the front door, with gated access to the rear garden and steps down to the self-contained lower ground floor flat. 

Here the refreshed and refurbished style of the house blends in with the original features, with stripped back and distressed wooden floorboards (a feature throughout the house) blending with the retained plasterwork, shuttered sash windows and original features. An arch opens up leading into the open plan kitchen, dining room and sitting room. 

The recently fitted DeVol kitchen overlooks the garden, with a Bert & May tiled splashback and refurbished Everhot range cooker still allowing plenty of space for a large central island and generous family dining table. The whole rear kitchen / dining space opens up to the front, with a warm and welcoming cast-iron stove recessed into the fireplace providing a central feature with a period fire-surround and a triple sash shuttered bay window flooding the room with natural light. 

Adjacent to this is a charming family room, and also accessed from the hall floor is a separate boot room, leading out to the garden, a separate cloakroom and access from the house down to the lower-ground floor flat.

A sweeping stone staircase leads to the light-filled first floor landing, with the whole floor redesigned to provide an exceptionally spacious master-suite comprising a sitting room with woodburning stove, master bedroom, dressing room, beautiful bath / shower room and a home office. This creates a wonderful “owner's” suite with no expense spared; including a sumptuous “Paris” twin ended bath and bow fronted double basin both by Water Monopoly; with Lefroy Brooks tapware and accessories along with an oversize walk-in shower with Petra Palumbo delft tiles. 

Across the top floor lie three further double bedrooms as well as a second home office / study (or an extra bedroom if required) served by a well-appointed shower room. 

Accessed either independently from the front of the house, or internally from the entrance hall is a large three-bedroom self-contained flat.  The flat comprises three double bedrooms, a sitting room, galley kitchen and a shower room. To the front of the flat are a serious of barrel-ceilinged storage vaults, along with space and plumbing for a utility room. 

Outside, the south-facing and deceptively spacious garden is fully walled and catches much of the day's sun; with pleached holly trees providing privacy and shade, along with a mature apple tree and wisteria climbing up the rear elevation of the house. In addition there is a stand-alone wooden summer house currently dressed as a gym complete with power and light.

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