CGI image of new Central African Forest habitat

Approval for new Central African Forest habitat at Bristol Zoo

Conservation and education charity Bristol Zoological Society has secured planning approval to create a new Central African Forest habitat at its Bristol Zoo Project site. With work beginning this spring, the project will create a home for some of the world’s most threatened species. 

The development is a major step forward in the Society’s plan to create a new, cutting-edge conservation zoo, where at least 80% of species will be connected to its conservation work in the UK and around the world.

The existing zoo gorillas will be joined by a new group of mangabeys, and will be living in an area four and a half times the size of the gorilla troop’s current home at the former Bristol Zoo Gardens. The Central African Forest will make the most of the wooded area of the zoo’s 136-acre site in South Gloucestershire.

Also joining the zoo will be critically endangered slender-snouted crocodiles, endangered African grey parrots and several extremely threatened species of West African freshwater fish.

To find out more about Bristol Zoo Project and Bristol Zoological Society’s conservation programmes across the globe, visit bristolzoo.org.uk.

OUR JANUARY ISSUE IS OUT!

You'll love our fabulous January 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. 

In the January issue, we give you our pick of the best low- and no-alcohol drinks for anyone staying dry this month; we chat with TV presenter and author Simon Reeve about his latest BBC series Wilderness with Simon Reeve; and find joy in the old ways of welcoming in good spirits to guide us through the year ahead with Thatchers. 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 – click here to subscribe on our website. 

Words by Melissa Blease

Burns' Night Shepherd's Pie

Burns' Night falls on 25 January – it's time to raise a wee dram to Rabbie! But while unscrewing a bottle of Scotland's finest is an easy route to the tartan-clad festivities, haggis, neeps and tatties can feel a bit like a stretch too far for a Sassenach. So... Burns' Night Shepherd's Pie, then? 

Ingredients (serves 4)

1 onion, peeled and chopped
1 carrot, peeled and chopped
1 celery stick, chopped
1 x 454g haggis (vegetarian and vegan versions are readily available)
400g can of chopped tomatoes
125ml red wine
½ swede (the neeps!), peeled and chopped into chunks
2 large floury potatoes (the tatties!), peeled and chopped into chunks
2 tbsp whole milk
1-2 tbsp butter (plus a little extra for the topping)
100g cheddar (preferably Scottish!), grated

Method

1. Heat a drizzle of vegetable oil in a large, deep frying pan over a medium-high heat and sauté the onion, carrot and celery for around 10 minutes or until softened.

2. Meanwhile, remove all the packaging from the haggis, cut it into chunks, put it into a microwave-safe bowl and cook in the microwave for half the time stated on the microwave cooking instructions on the packet.

3. Add the warm haggis pieces to the vegetables in the pan and sauté for 2-3 minutes. Add the chopped tomatoes and red wine, bring up to a simmer and cook for 30 minutes or until the sauce has thickened nicely.

3. While the haggis/vegetable mixture is simmering, put the swede into a large pan of cold salted water, bring to the boil and simmer for 10 minutes before adding the potatoes and continuing to simmer until both the swede and the potatoes are soft enough to mash. Drain well and return to the hot pan for a few minutes to steam dry. Add the milk, butter, plenty of salt and white pepper and beat/mash until smooth.

4. Preheat the oven to 180°C/gas mark 5. Tip the haggis sauce into a suitably-sized oven-proof dish, top with the mash, brush all over with melted butter and sprinkle with the grated cheddar. Bake for 20-25 minutes or until golden on top and bubbling around the edges. Serve with steamed green vegetables (peas and/or savoy cabbage work well here).

Sicilian Wines

Where tradition meets innovation. Italy's 'boot' enjoys geographical and climatic diversity. Let us escape the gloomy, January days and dream of a hot summer in Italy drinking Sicilian wine. 

Chardonnay - Planeta
Golden yellow with greenish hue. On the nose this wonderful wine comes as layered and delicious, with citrus fruit flavours, chestnut, honey and a spicy complexity. | £35.50

Pedraia Nuragus - Santadi
Brilliant straw yellow tending to golden in the glass. On the nose it has an intense scent of yellow fruit together with buttery notes. Round and delicate, it is beautifully textured in the mouth. | £14.95

Etna Bianco - Planeta
Aromas of white peach, yellow plum, herbal notes. The small percentage of wine fermented in wood softens the refreshing acidity typical of the Carricante and add complexity to the mineral character of this volcanic wine. | £27.50

Cometa Fiano - Planeta
Intense and full of character, with integrated aromatic notes of citrus and tropical fruit, white peach, pink grapefruit and wisteria.  | £36

Bianco - Serra Ferdinandea
Sunny yellow with green highlights: bouquet of acacia, camomile, honey and nuts. The wood is well proportioned but not hidden and increases complexity. | £29.50

To explore more, visit greatwine.co.uk

Alcotraz is coming to Bristol

Alcotraz, the nationwide hit immersive cocktail experience, is due to open on 26 January.

Inspired by TV and film productions that have masterfully brought infamous prison stories to life, Alcotraz promises an immersive, one-of-a-kind theatrical experience. 

‘Inmates’ are tasked with smuggling liquor past The Warden and getting it into the hands of some of Alcotraz’s longest-serving crooks, who then transform the contraband liquor into bespoke, delicious cocktails. This is a fully engaging experience with incredible storylines, actors and sets.

Once in their cells, they will encounter a cast of shady characters and the jail’s notorious bootlegging gang. Participants who manage to win the favour of the guards will gain access to explore otherwise unforeseen areas, such as the Solitary Confinement Block to do deals with inmates on the inside or the Warden’s Office to negotiate parole.

1 All Saints Street, Bristol, BS1 2LZ
Click here for more information. 

Lalique’s '100 Points' Glassware

“Beautiful yet functional” is how internationally acclaimed wine critic, James Suckling, describes Lalique’s 100 Points collection.

With a name referring to the wine scoring system, 100 Points is a hand-made collection that embraces a modern design and precise utility while exemplifying the established style of Lalique: crystal fashioned by the best glass-masters.

The glassware collection features a U-shaped bowl on the tumblers, a distinctive frosted-rib stem on the coupes and all items have a characteristic contrast of clear and satin opaque aesthetic.

Shown above is the Lalique 100 Points, large crystal tumbler (£99) and the clear crystal decanter (£1,190).

With beautiful champagne coupes, wine glasses and a selection of smaller tumblers - see the 100 Points collection and many more Lalique objets d’art at Mallory.

Doghouse Medium Breed Dog Fleece Jumper | £32

Doghouse has designed more of its famous Dog Fleece Jumpers, providing your dog with a cosy extra layer. 

These fleeces are suitable for all medium breed dogs such as Terriers, Spaniels, Cockapoos, any medium 'regular' shaped dog and they are available in one size.

The extra layer comes up beautifully when washed so your dog can keep wearing it for months and years on end. Made from 100% Polyester Polar fleece. Water resistant, these jackets will nicely wick water away from your dog's fur to keep them warm and dry in drizzly weather.

Click here to purchase. 

Sahara Lofina Zip Front Boots | £285

A unique blend of Danish design and Italian craftsmanship, Lofina boots are a staple piece for any outfit. 

This stylish pair features a sturdy but flexible sole for enhanced comfort and mid-calf height with an easy front zip. The capped toe and saturated hue ensure the style stands out while still being effortless for every day.

All the leathers used are from the food industry, fully recycled, and the soles are made of ecological rubber.

Click here to purchase. 

Curated by Daniel McCabe

Catnip is a new US-based 216-page magazine for feline fanatics that goes to ‘the kittiest corners of the world to scratch the surface of cat culture and uncover the many reasons why cats enchant us.’ There’s a lot of cat kitsch for sure, but the magazine takes on a very broad spectrum of stuff, with an interview with a cat behaviourist, the feral cats of Japan, pre-meme internet cats, the art of catnaps, robot cats, hairballs, famous cat ladies and much more, not the least of which is a pull-out ‘mewsletter’ by cats, for cats. | £22

magalleria.co.uk

Don’t miss out on television presenter and author Simon Reeve’s latest BBC series, Wilderness with Simon Reeve, which starts this Sunday 21 January.

In the series Simon Reeve visits four areas of the world where nature is largely still in charge. The four fascinating films cover contrasting eco-systems in different parts of the world: The Republic of Congo and the Democratic Republic of Congo; the Coral Triangle in the Western Pacific; the Kalahari Desert; and Patagonia.

From hanging out with the Bajau (sometimes referred to as sea gypsies) in the Coral Triangle, to meeting a Guacho who spends the year living in a rustic hut on the edge of the South Patagonian ice field in the Andes Mountains, Reeve explores how these communities survive while living within nature.

Simon Reeve will also be appearing at the Bristol Beacon on 7 May with his show Simon Reeve: To The Ends of the Earth, where he will inspire and remind audiences that we all need more journeys in our lives, and plenty of wild experiences.

Read our article as Simon Horsford gets the low-down on this latest series. You can read this by clicking here.

Unique sonic poem to be broadcast with the ocean’s tides

An audio artwork created by British-Namibian artist Libita Sibungu – commissioned for Bristol Beacon’s public art programme – will be broadcast across Bristol at 6pm on Friday 25 January on local digital radio stations BCFM and Radio Amnion.

Sibungu’s unique soundwork, called Undercurrents, is a sonic poem developed in response to recordings gathered during a series of workshops hosted by Sibungu with black artists, writers and historians connected to Bristol.

Undercurrents will invite listeners to re-examine the city’s relationship with the transatlantic slave trade, while offering a place for grief and catharsis. It also connects with the historical undercurrents of Bristol Beacon’s position to the water.

The work takes as its starting point the notion of the 15^th century ruttier, a long poem and map, recited and memorised by sailors to guide them as they navigated across the sea. Its broadcast has been timed to coincide with the full moon and the ocean’s evening tides.

Using a process of generative research, Sibungu explored where and how this grief and catharsis can be experienced collectively in a listening ceremony with water, concluding the workshops shared across a three-day gathering, in and outside of Bristol Beacon. The workshops were co-facilitated with the writer, artist and performer Imani Mason Jordan; interdisciplinary artist, educator and waterways activist Kayle Brandon; and sound artist, composer Felix Taylor.

Radio Amnion will be transmitting the poem through its website until midnight on Saturday 26 January.

Redmaids’ High School announces Visiting Morning for parents

Prospective parents are invited to visit Redmaids’ High at the Junior School's next Visiting Morning on Friday 2 February, although independent tours can also be arranged.

Redmaids’ High School was recently named the highest ranking Bristol school in The Times Parent Power league table 2023, for academic performance for a second year in a row.

The independent school is unique in the city in that its key stage of entry is Year 3, when pupils are seven years old. Headteacher Lisa Brown has put the school’s success down to a ‘Big Girl’ buddy support scheme during new pupils’ first few days of term; an informal fun day out where girls can get to know each other better; sports fixtures kicking off in the first few weeks of term; a thriving extracurricular activities calendar (including caving, choir, fencing, judo, drama and art); outdoor education trips and creative arts workshops; additional weekly PSHE lessons; and drama lessons that focus on improving pupils’ social skills and self-esteem.

Visit here for more information about the next visiting event.

Bristol Choral Society: An invitation to Opera Choruses

Join in with Bristol Choral Society and experience some wonderful opera choruses with their dynamic musical director Hilary Campbell, accompanied by distinguished assistant managing director Steven Kings.

Enjoy an afternoon singing a range of well known and loved choruses, including many favourites and maybe some that might be new to you.

Tickets are £20, under 25s £5.

Click here to book tickets
Saturday 3 February | 1.30pm–5.30pm
Tyndale Baptist Church, Whiteladies Road, Redland, Bristol BS8 2QG

Be Kind Bristol: A day of creativity

A day of creativity celebrates the lives and talents of Bristol’s refugee and asylum seeker community.

An all-day celebration co-curated by members of Bristol's refugee and asylum seeker community will fill Bristol Beacon with music, dance, poetry, puppetry and crafts. 

The day will culminate in a world-premiere performance of Odyssey by Jonathan Dove with Bournemouth Symphony Orchestra, City of Bristol Choir, Bristol Youth Choir and Bristol Windrush Reggae Choir.

Be Kind Bristol takes place at Bristol Beacon and is free and unticketed. Tickets for the performance of Odyssey at 5pm in Beacon Hall cost between £10–£30 including booking fee.

12pm–4.30pm | Sunday 28 January
For more information and tickets click here. 

Artist Craig Alan exhibits first solo show of 2024 at Studio 74

Studio 74 welcomes internationally acclaimed artist Craig Alan as he flies from the US for the official launch of his first collection of the year, Drawing a Crowd, on 7 February (RSVP is essential via website).

The skilful and imaginative artist’s work is now available for viewing and the gallery has already pre-sold a number of originals. This is a good opportunity to see the work up close, and for anyone looking to invest or to browse the gallery in general ahead of the official launch. 

Craig’s art blends remarkable artistic vision, technical expertise, creativity and wit. These extraordinary artworks are meticulously crafted using hundreds of intricately painted exquisite figures.

studio74contemporaryart.com
74 Whiteladies Road, Clifton, Bristol BS8 2QA

Confidence-boosting treatments with Dr Mathewson

Dr Courteney Mathewson launched her aesthetics business one year ago and has gone from strength to strength creating beautiful results and expanding her range of treatments. 

With 13 years of NHS experience, she applies her skills and empathy into delivering comfortable and bespoke injectable treatments. 

Her personal recommendation? “Everyone’s skin is unique, but I personally love using skin boosters such as Profhilo and polynucleotides. They both offer great natural results by improving skin texture, hydration and overall radiance.” 

Dr Mathewson offers injectable treatments and medical-grade skincare from her treatment room at The Bank Fitness in Henleaze.

For more information visit drmathewson.co.uk

Cotham Park, Cotham, Bristol BS6 6BY

Offered for sale by Ocean estate agents in Bristol.

A simply stunning 2 double bedroom hall floor flat with 12ft high ceilings, many period features including original doors and working shutters, direct access to a very large lawned communal rear garden and off-street parking space.

Set within a fine period building on Cotham Park, this wonderful property has a central dining hallway with wooden flooring, under stair storage and further storage, leading to an impressive 22ft x 16ft front-facing living room with marble fireplace, and a Victorian bay window with southerly aspect.

The beautiful, rear-facing master bedroom is 22ft1 x 16ft 2, with feature fireplace and bay window providing pleasant views of the communal garden. Bedroom 2 is also a decent size, rear facing and has useful built-in storage and leafy views.

The modern separate kitchen has wooden flooring, double-glazed front and side windows and space for a breakfast table.

The attractive tiled bathroom has a white suite, airing cupboard housing a Worcester gas combination boiler, double glazed window and glass door providing direct access to the generously proportioned communal garden.

To the front of the building is off street parking (outside the adjacent number 34). This property is also set within the Cotham Residents Parking Zone. | Offers over £500,000

For more images and details click here to view this property on the Ocean website.