Shindig Festival announces line up for 2023

Shindig Festival, which takes place on 25 to 28 May in Dillington Estate in Somerset, has just announced its line-up and it's the best yet!

This year's headliners include dance-pop legend, Sister Sledge featuring Kathy Sledge, so expect much-loved disco classics such as We Are Family, Greatest Dancer, Lost In Music and Thinking Of You; and satirical news reporter (and comedy genius), Jonathan Pie, known for his a potty-mouthed, highly quotable parody of a journalist. Other main acts include London post-punk band, Warmduscher; the original queen of reggae music who is best known for No, No No, Dawn Penn; London based artist, producer, remixer, DJ and founder of Phantasy, Erol Alkan; top dog in the bass heavy-atmosphere of Britain's reggae dance halls and BBC regular, David Rodigan; one of the most celebrated and accomplished DJs in Britain, Norman Jay MBE; and BBC 6 music's, Huey Morgan!

Tickets are on sale now, with a pay in instalments option. Presale tickets sold out in under 24 hours and general release tickets are flying out of the door – so be quick. For the full line-up and to buy tickets, visit shindigfestival.co.uk.

THE FEBRUARY ISSUE: OUT NEXT WEEK

Our February magazine features a collection of great reading by our team of wonderful writers as well as beautifully presented advertising by Bristol's best businesses. We hope you 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. 

Prawn and Chicken Pad Thai

A little bit spicy, a little bit sweet and always deeply, deeply satisfying, Pad Thai is probably Thailand's best-known dish, extremely popular as both a street food fast-fix or a sit-down supper.

The recipe is, ostensibly, a super-speedy concoction, ready in a flash. But as is the case with most stir-fry dishes, the key to success lies in the preparation: pay attention to each distinctly non-complicated stage, and prepare to wok'n'roll.

To make a vegetarian version, simply replace the chicken and prawns with tofu and the dried shrimps/fish sauce with a mixture of dark soy sauce and malt vinegar.

Ingredients (serves 2)

200g medium-thick flat rice (or Udon) noodles
1–2 tsp sesame oil
2 eggs, beaten with 1 tsp dark soy sauce
1 chicken breast (around 175g), skinned and sliced
250g cooked king prawns (defrosted if frozen)
2 garlic cloves, peeled and crushed
1 pinch dried chilli flakes (or to taste)
2 tsp shrimp paste
100g beansprouts
6 spring onions, peeled and finely-sliced

For the sauce
2 tbsp Thai fish sauce
2 tsp palm or soft brown sugar
1 tbsp tomato ketchup
1-2 tbsp fresh lime juice
3 tbsp roasted peanuts (finely-chopped), plus extra to serve
To serve: freshly-chopped coriander; lime wedges

Method

1. Start prepping! Cook the noodles according to the instructions on the packet before rinsing with cold water and tossing with the sesame oil. Put to one side. Meanwhile, mix all the ingredients for the sauce together in a medium bowl and set aside with the prepared noodles.

2. Heat 2 tsp vegetable oil in a wok or large frying pan. Add the egg/soy sauce mixture and cook for around 1 minute to make a large, thin omelette. Flip over, cook for a further few seconds, then slide onto a board, roll up and slice into pieces.

3. Add another 2 tsp of vegetable oil to the frying pan/wok and stir-fry the sliced chicken over a medium-high heat for 5-6 minutes, until golden. Remove with a slotted spoon and add the cooked chicken to the sauce.

4. Add a little more oil to the wok/frying pan if necessary and stir-fry the prawns for a couple of minutes before adding the garlic, dried chilli and shrimp paste and continuing to stir-fry for 1 minute. Add the sauce (with the chicken), the noodles and the beansprouts and toss together over the heat until all the ingredients have mingled with the noodles and the whole lot is thoroughly coated in the sauce.

5. Add the chopped omelette and spring onions and briefly toss the whole lot together again, to heat all the ingredients through. Serve in wide, warm bowls topped with the coriander, the reserved chopped peanuts and fresh lime wedges, for spritzing.

Vegan and Vegetarian Wines

If you’ve made the switch to veganism or vegetarianism it can be quite a surprise that not all wines are suitable for your new diet.

This is not usually anything to do with the growing, organic or fermenting process but traditionally the addition of various gelatins, milk proteins, even bone marrow, fish guts, sea shells and blood proteins can be used in the filtering stages to help clarify the wine as well as reduce tannin levels. 

Good news, though: most wine producers have specially adapted their fining process to eliminate any animal or dairy products, choosing mineral based agents such as the clay derived bentonite and carbon.

We’ve explored the vast cellars at the Great Wine co and found these excellent vegan and vegetarian wine; there are now over 600 to choose from. 

Winemaker's Reserve Awatere Valley Pinot Noir – Yealands Estate £14.95 | Decanter World Wine Awards 2021 Gold medalist
This is an an elegant yet complex Pinot Noir, showing ripe red fruit and floral character, enhanced by well-integrated oak and a velvety texture.

Las Fincas Rosé – J. Chivite Family Estates £11.75
Another Decanter winner, this delicious rosé (in a beautiful bottle!) has intense aromas of strawberry, pomegranate, raspberry and rose petals. It is smooth-textured, rounded and balanced, with persistence of flavour on the finish with lingering notes of cherry pie.

Melodias Winemakers Selection Chardonnay – Trapiche £8
This Chardonnay exhibits crisp pear, lemon blossom, crème brulée, lemon pie and brioche flavours, which are enhanced by refreshing acidity.

d'Arry's Original Shiraz Grenache – D’Arenberg £13.30
This wine displays a vibrant, deep plum colour with a dark brick-red edge. The nose is packed with berries and spice with a darker background of black olive and freshly turned earth. There is a luscious plum, blueberry, blackberry and raspberry core with secondary notes of clove and nutmeg.

Chardonnay – Les Mougeottes £10.95
If you love white Burgundy and are looking for something delicious and much less expensive then this is just the wine for you. Les Mougeottes Chardonnay is one of the best impersonations of white Burgundy that we have ever seen, and it's a fraction of the price!

Explore vegan and vegetarian wines currently with great savings at The Great Wine Co.

New: The Omega Speedster X-33 Marstimer

Made with assistance from the European Space Agency (ESA), the Omega Speedmaster X-33 Marstimer looks forward to humankind’s next giant leap.

Cased in grade 2 titanium, this unique 45 mm chronograph tracks time on Earth as well as time on Mars. When the dial displays the planet’s symbol above the letters MTC the watch is in Martian time, tracking the solar date and time at Mars’ prime meridian: making adjustments for the 39 extra minutes that is a day on Mars. The watch also features an innovative solar compass to find true north on Earth and Mars.

With ESA accreditation on the case back and even the lining of leather watch roll, features a reproduction of Hebes Chasma, a unique steep-sided canyon on the surface of Mars.

Omega were the makers of the first watch on the moon; this is one small step closer to exploring the mysteries of the red planet. Or for most of us, just another really cool instrument by Omega | £6,000

The X-33 Marstimer has recently landed at Mallory: click here to find out more.

The Whistles New Season Edit

Designed in a host of modern silhouettes, the Whistles New Season Edit comes in bright, vivacious colours – from apple greens to hot pinks – as well as more pared-back palette cleansing tones. Whether styled in tandem or separately, these timeless pieces are infused with a new energy and optimism for the new year.

whistles.com | Whistles, 1 New Bond Street Buildings, Bath BA1 1BL

Ethica Sports Gel with CBD and CBG – as used by 'Beefy' Botham

This game-changing formula combines CBD & CBG with an infusion of therapeutic botanicals, to create a product like no other.

The cooling effect provides instant relief to the desired area whilst the more complex benefits of the formula begin to reduce inflammation and deeper physical tensions. 

The gel worked for Sir Ian Botham OBE, who said: “to get me through the Dunhill [Links Championship] I used the Gel 2-3 times per day. To be quite frank, without the gel, I wouldn’t have gotten round. This gel gives me the opportunity to get active again, quicker."

Available at Wild Oats Natural Foods, 9–11 Lower Redland Road, BS6 6TB, woats.co.uk, and online at ethicacbd.com

Curated by Daniel McCabe

Hamaka is a new, lush and chunky ceramics magazine from Vancouver, Canada. Although the content draws on the cultural heritage of the Americas, Hamaka works to illuminate the intricacies of this particular craft and to bring the stories of those who have chosen to master it to a broad audience. There’s a big effort to reach out not only to ceramic practitioners but to a wider craft community of makers, artists, entrepreneurs, small business owners and to anyone with an interest in the subject. While it’s fresh and informative, the photography and production values make this one attractive on the coffee table as well | £23.50

magalleria.co.uk

Preview Screening: Joyland, Watershed, 9 February 5.45pm

A conservative family in Pakistan is torn apart when a son falls in love with a transgender erotic dancer, in director Saim Sadiq’s riveting queer drama.

Set in bustling Lahore, the Ranases are, on the surface, a functional, patriarchal family. The household is made up of Abbas, the elderly father, the older brother, Saleem and his wife Nucchi, and younger brother Haider and his wife Mumtaz.

Much to the embarrassment of his traditional father, Haider is the one in his relationship who stays at home, whilst Mumtaz goes to work at the salon every day- a job that she loves.

When Haider gets a job in an erotic theatre as a backup dancer for trans starlet, Biba, and starts secretly dating her, everything changes, and the cracks that have always been there tear the family apart.

Watershed are holding a preview screening of Joyland on 9 February, 5.45pm; tickets available at watershed.co.uk

Experience Smeg at Coopers Home Appliances, Bath

Join the team at Coopers Home Appliances for a cookery demonstration that will excite the senses and showcase an array of culinary craft; get advice on the best appliances for your needs and also how to get the most from them. See, taste and enjoy what Smeg appliances can do. 

The Smeg Home Economist will demonstrate the cooking functions, cleaning options and up to date technologies such as steam, microwaves, and induction, the demonstration will enable you to decide which appliances are right for your lifestyle and cooking style. The delicious food prepared will be available to taste, and there will be plenty of time to have any of your individual questions answered after the demonstration.

There will also be some fantastic offers and promotions exclusively for those attending on the day!

There will be two demonstrations: 11am and 2pm, Thursday 9 February. Entry free but subject to availability – booking is advised, but drop ins welcome. To reserve your spot, either pop into the Coopers shop or register at eventbrite.co.uk | Coopers Home Appliances, 13/15 Walcot Street, Bath BA1 5BN

The Baby & Toddler Show, Bath & West Showground, 18–19 February

The Baby & Toddler Show is returning to the South West at its new home at the Bath & West Showground – PLUS, you can book a free pair of tickets worth £32 with code BATH40 today!

Don’t miss the incredible pop-up shopping event with an unbeatable line-up of big name brands, unique innovative products, local services and free baby-first aid workshops with the Royal Life Saving Society to give you a helping hand in parenthood and make sure you and your little ones are happy, safe and on-trend too.

At the show you’ll be able to save money with unbeatable deals on 150+ of the top baby brands and find 100s of unique and useful products which aren't available on the high street. Test, try, compare and buy – watch demonstrations from knowledgeable experts and get fully informed to find the right products for you and your baby all under one roof.

babyandtoddlershow.co.uk

CJ Hole, part of The Property Franchise Group, expands

Chris Hill is pleased to announce that Attwoods Sales & Letting Agents are now part of CJ Hole. This will be Chris's fourth acquisition in recent years.

"We are proud to be taking over such a reputable business, set up and ran by Lisa Attwood and Daughter Shannon Attwood for over a decade". 

With Lisa taking a well-earned retirement, Chris and his team will continue to service Attwoods' clients under the CJ Hole brand. The office, based in Kingswood will remain in good hands, as Lisa's daughter Shannon will too join CJ Hole as an experienced lettings manager. Chris now has a portfolio of over 2000 managed properties across Bristol, South Gloucestershire and North Somerset, being serviced by his network of over 9 offices.

The recent acquisition of Attwoods, coupled with organic growth and team expansion, enables CJ Hole to uphold their reputation as Bristol's leading Sales and Lettings Agent.

cjhole.co.uk

24 hour swim to raise funds for Bristol’s first community ran Swimming Pool

Friends of Jubilee Pool (FoJP) are hosting a 24 hour sponsored swim event to raise funds for Jubilee Pool in Knowle, South Bristol.

Over 24 hours – from 12pm on 28 January to 12pm on the 29 January 2023 – FoJP be joined by as many participants as they can safely gather to try and swim continuously – with at least one person in the water at all times – nearly 10,000 lengths or the equivalent of swimming from Bristol to London.

FoJP are excited to introduce champion swimmer Alex Edwards, member of GB Paralympic Squad, to open the 24 hour swim. Alex is 23 and a member of the Downs Syndrome Swimming GB Squad. Jubilee Pool is well known to Alex, as she trains there on Wednesday mornings.

There are still swimming slots left. Participants are invited to sign up for the swim to help raise funds and have some fun. Funds raised will help with winter fuel costs, to secure professional bid writing expertise, improve customer experience and start the work on the major repairs that are required to improve the pool after many years of neglect by Bristol City Council.

Sign up for the 24 hour sponsored swim as an individual or gather friends and family for a team effort. Entry open to competent swimmers. Anyone under the age of 8 must be accompanied by an adult ticket holder in the water. Full details at eventbrite.co.uk. 

Donate directly to FoJP: localgiving.org/donation/friends-of-jubilee-pool-bristol | savejubileepool.org

Steven Luatua returns to captain Bristol Bears

Steven Luatua returns from injury to captain Bristol Bears as they travel to the StoneX Stadium to take on league leaders Saracens on Saturday (3pm KO).

• Steven Luatua returns to captain the side
• Gabriel Ibitoye back in the starting XV
• Andy Uren set for 150th competitive appearance for the club

The skipper lines up alongside Jake Heenan and Magnus Bradbury in the back row, with Joe Batley and Chris Vui in the engine room.

With Ellis Genge and Kyle Sinckler away on Six Nations duty with England, Yann Thomas and Max Lahiff start either side of Harry Thacker in the front row.

Gabriel Ibitoye is recalled in the back three after recovering from injury, while James Williams makes his first Premiership start for the club in the midfield.

On the bench, Andy Uren is set for his 150^th competitive appearance for the club – the 12^th player to hit the milestone and the second youngest | bristolbearsrugby.com

City & Country Prospective Buyers' Mortgage Workshop

Award-winning heritage developer City & Country is hosting a prospective buyers’ mortgage workshop in partnership with mortgage specialist at FLH Mortgage Services, Fiona Harris.

With recent research finding that mortgage affordability is seen by potential homebuyers as the biggest barrier to buying a property, this helpful event will offer hopeful buyers the opportunity to speak to expert mortgage advisors for advice and support about purchasing a home in 2023. Also on hand will be City & Country’s sales advisors to provide practical information about the latest phase of new homes at the development.

The Mortgage Workshop will take place at the Factory No.1 development, located on East Street, Bedminster on Saturday 28 January, 10am–5pm.

Recipient of a ‘Gold Award’ win for the ‘Best Starter Home Scheme’ category at the coveted WhatHouse? Awards, Factory No.1 has proved particularly popular with first-time buyers. Prices start at £270,000 for a one-bedroom apartment, ranging up to £775,000 for a two-bedroom apartment.

To find out more, call 01173 219 729 or visit cityandcountry.co.uk.

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