Do you know a Bristol Young Hero deserving of an award nomination?

Bristol’s biggest annual awards that shine a light on young people across the city are once again open for nominations.

Organisers are calling on everyone locally to think about an inspiring unsung hero who deserves to be recognised and celebrated. Now in its 11^th year, the Bristol Young Heroes Awards have supported more than 300 much-deserving local young people, showcasing those who have overcome difficult circumstances, made a difference to the lives of others or achieved something extraordinary.

Nominations are open until 14 March, giving people a month to write and submit their entries online. They are open to anyone living in a BS postcode aged 11-19.

As well as the boost of being announced as a finalist and attending the gala awards ceremony (held on 5 July at Bristol Harbour Hotel), all finalists also now benefit from the 12-month Purposeful Pathways programme. Following the awards night, finalists embark on a year-long journey of increased resilience, confidence and genuine opportunity where they learn about goal setting, values and purpose supported by guided personal mentors.

To enter the awards, go to the website and fill in the online form.

HAVE YOU READ FEBRUARY'S ISSUE YET?

You'll love our fabulous February magazine, which has a slightly new feel and format, and 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 delving into the creative minds at Wake The Tiger who designed its newest walk-through fantasy, the OUTERverse; an exclusive interview with one of Britain’s most versatile and celebrated actors about his career in comedy, Robert Lindsay; and we chat with Chris Pirie from Green Ginger and Puppet Place who tells us about a very special studio on Bristol’s Harbourside.

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

Jerusalem Artichoke Soup

Sweet, nutty Jerusalem Artichokes are at the peak of their season right now. Make the most of them with this simple but luxurious soup, guaranteed to warm you up on a cold, late winter's day.

Ingredients (serves 4–6)

50g butter
1 tbsp sunflower oil
1 large onion, roughly chopped
1kg Jerusalem artichokes, peeled and cut into cubes
1 garlic clove, peeled and crushed
800ml chicken or vegetable stock
150ml whole milk (or vegan alternative)
3-4 tbsp double cream (or vegan alternative)

Method

1. Melt the butter with the oil in a large saucepan and gently sauté the onion for around 10 minutes until soft but not browned. Add the artichokes and garlic to the pan, partially cover and continue to sauté until the artichokes start to soften.

2. Add the stock into the pan, bring to the boil and simmer gently, stirring occasionally, for 35-40 minutes or until the artichokes are completely soft.

3. Remove the pan from the heat and allow to cool slightly before adding the milk and blending with a stick blender (or in a food processor) until smooth and velvety. Season to taste, add the cream and, when ready to serve, gently reheat, stirring continuously.

4. Serve in warm bowls sprinkled with crumbled shards of crispy smoked bacon or crispy croutons, a drizzle of cream and a smattering of freshly chopped parsley.

Fine Wine from South Africa

South Africa is one of the world's most exciting wine-producing countries. Its warm climate is cooled by sea breezes from the Atlantic and Indian oceans on either side resulting in a climatic range fit to accommodate the ripening needs of vines as diverse as Grenache to Sauvignon Blanc and Merlot. Here are our top 5:

Rabelais - Thelema Mountain Vineyards
The aromas of this wine draw you in, evincing succulent black cherries and blackberries alongside a subtle yet complex herbal/spice edge - black pepper, fine oak, curry plant and witch hazel. | £59.50

The FMC, Chenin Blanc - Ken Forrester Wines
Layer upon layer of pineapple, candied lemon, dried apricot, ginger and vanilla, with touches of honey, spice and crème brûlée; effortlessly supported by gentle oak and lovely freshness. | £49.50

Synchronicity - Meinert
Fabulously rich, complex and chocolatey, this is the deepest and most powerful of Martin Meinert's wines, and yet it retains the hallmark 'family likeness' of beautiful elegance and balance. | £55

White Merlot 'The Italian Job' - Meinert
This wine is rich and sumptuous, with creme anglaise, pineapple, butter and delicate wood character. Intense, with a sustained, flavoursome finish. | £35

Semillon Straw Wine 37.5cl - Meinert
Amazing copper-gold colour. Gorgeous, complex aromas of apple sauce with cinnamon, apricot jam, marmalade, hay bales and green Chartreuse. Sweet and tangy on the palate, with quite amazing delicacy and refinement. | £29.50

Visit greatwine.co.uk for more.

Taste On Ground at Harvey Nichols Bristol

Join Harvey Nichols Bristol for a flavourful evening of discovery with expert food experiences, winning wines and the finest spirits. 

Enjoy a complimentary drink upon arrival, canapés and live music as you indulge your way around interactive demonstrations, mini masterclasses and tastings.

Don't miss the opportunity to Spin the Wine to be in with a chance of winning a prize. Tickets are £15, redeemable on food, wine, and spirit products on the evening of the event. Show your ticket at the Second Floor Restaurant or Bar to receive 10% off all food and drink orders pre or post-event.

22 February, 6pm–9pm, Harvey Nichols Ground Floor
Tickets are available in-store and via Eventbrite.

Woky Ko and Daily Noodles founder to appear on BBC's Great British Menu

Bristol chef Larkin Cen, known for his popular restaurants Woky Ko and Daily Noodles, will appear on the 19th series of BBC's Great British Menu, airing on 20 February.

Cen (pictured, second from right) will be representing his home country Wales in the competition, alongside three top chefs vying for a spot at the final banquet.

He is no stranger to the competition, having represented Wales in series 17 of the acclaimed cookery show in 2022.

The former MasterChef finalist opened his first restaurant at the Celtic Manor Resort in Newport in 2016, before going on to open the Woky Ko and Daily Noodles restaurants in Bristol. He is currently back at Celtic Manor for a two-month residency called Monkey King at the resort’s PAD Asian restaurant.

Paul Smith Sunray Crochet Cardigan, Ecru | £280

Dreaming of warmer days? Bring the sunny colours of spring a little closer this weekend with a cosy crochet cardigan for sale at Grace & Mabel. 

Made from 100% soft, organically grown cotton, this crocheted cardigan features a striped, 'Sunray' pattern throughout, in summery shades of yellow, orange and pink. The perfect, lightweight layering piece to wear while we wait for milder spring weather, this cardigan is complete with a contrasting intarsia texture.

Visit Grace & Mabel to purchase.

OMEGA Seamaster Aqua Terra 150m

This 43 mm Worldtimer, cased in brushed grade 2 titanium, has an integrated strap in black structured rubber, with additional decorative link and clasp in brushed titanium.

At the centre of the black and grey dial, framed by a brushed black ceramic bezel, OMEGA has produced a vision of Earth, viewed from above the North Pole, by laser-ablating continents and colours on a grade 5 titanium surface. Circling the topographic map is a 24-hour indication, indicating night and day across the globe. On the outer ring are cities from around the world with London highlighted in red to indicate Greenwich Mean Time.

To complement the matte look of the dial, OMEGA has opted for blackened hands and indexes, filled with white Super-LumiNova to emit a blue glow in the dark.

Powering the watch is OMEGA’s Co-Axial Master Chronometer Calibre 8938 self-winding, anti-magnetic movement which can be viewed and enjoyed through the crystal glass caseback. The master chronometer meets the highest standards and is water resistant to 15 bar (150m). Model shown £11,700

Visit Mallory Jewellers to view and find out more.

Curated by Daniel McCabe

We’re big fans of Vogue Portugal, the one truly innovative and radical non-Condé Nast variant in the Vogue stable. The February issue is the The Kitsch Issue, created as a eulogy to guilty pleasures and all things tacky, or in its own words, "a tribute to everything that doesn’t fit within the parameters of the minimalist and clean aesthetic of recent decades. Yes, it’s time to get the china dogs out of the cupboard." They’ve roped in the masters of dreamy and theatrical kitsch exotica, Pierre et Gilles, for this one and it’s already sold out at the publisher so don’t miss it. | £16

magalleria.co.uk

Upfest announces new format for 2024 and opens artist applications

In place of its weekend festival, Upfest will return in 2024 in a new guise, with many new artworks being painted across two weeks (18 May to 2 June). 

Upfest Presents will pop-up at multiple venues across Bedminster and wider BS3 with free to attend workshops, live painting, artist talks, arts activities, panel discussions, theatre, comedy and tours exploring the area.

With more than 100 artist spots available, registrations are now open (closing 25 February) to attend and paint the walls of Bedminster, mentor, showcase artwork, live paint and collaborate with other artists throughout the event. 

Visit the website to register.

St Peter's Hospice charity cycle 'Tour De Bristol' returns

Bristol's biggest charity bike ride, Tour de Bristol, is returning to the streets of Bristol and South Gloucestershire on Saturday 13 April. 

The event, in aid of local charity St Peter’s Hospice, challenges riders to use their pedal power to raise funds to support patients and their families during the most difficult of times.

Cyclists choose from three different routes – 40km, 65km or 100km – all starting at UWE’s Centre for Sport before heading into the Gloucestershire countryside. Or, riders can take on a virtual challenge by choosing a route and date that suits them.

Tour de Bristol is sponsored by the Bristol Port Company. Join in to ride in memory of a loved one, for fun and fresh air, or to smash a personal goal. 

Visit stpetershospice.org for more information and to register now. 

A fascinating talk on how to achieve successful relationships.

The Dance of Love will see psychotherapist Pushan Bhatia present a talk on partner relationships (including those of a romantic, intimate and sexual nature), which will take place at Redland Quaker Meeting House on Saturday 16 March. 

During the talk many of the perspectives presented will apply generally, and will also be useful in relationships such as parent-child, friendships, collegiate, and family groups. Bhatia will base his talk on 30 years' experience working with individuals and couples, and 50-plus years experience of being in relationships.

Topics include; how we choose partners, communication, how to deal with conflicts, how relationships fail, power-dynamics, what it means to relate, the real meaning of intimacy, wider contexts of relationships, how to achieve lasting changes and deep connections, the significance of dreams and other means of transformation, the importance of self-inquiry, and the foundations which solid relationships are built on.

There’ll be time for questions and discussion during the presentation, and afterwards. Tickets are £10.

Pre-booking is essential – for more information or to buy your ticket, please contact Pushan: pushanbhatia@yahoo.co.uk / 07973864877

1.30pm-4.30pm, 16 March, Redland Quaker Meeting House, 136 Hampton Road, BS6 6JE

Image credit: Bristol Flyers

Bristol Flyers v London Lions

Bristol Flyers face the London Lions, who are enjoying a five-game winning streak, at SGS College Stadium on Saturday 17 February, 8pm. 

The Flyers won their last match against the Lions, but can they repeat this performance and put a stop to the London team's winning ways? Watch all of the action live and exclusive on British Basketball League's YouTube channel.

Don't miss out and support the Flyers!

Click here to watch live. 

Bristol Old Vic Theatre School presents 'Julius Caesar'

Don’t miss Bristol Old Vic Theatre School’s inventive take on the Bard this spring, where deception and desire wreak playful havoc at Malcolm X Community Centre.

In a realm where political power lies in errant hands, what cost comes with the struggle for change? Bristol Old Vic Theatre School tackles these timeless questions in Shakespeare’s chilling tragedy, Julius Caesar.

Through intimate staging that draws the audience into the heart of the action, this production examines whether violence can ever serve noble ends. As competing factions wrestle fiercely for the soul of Rome, director Tanuja Amarasuriya explores the brutal chaos that results when hasty leaders lose their sight on the greater good.

7–9 March | Thursday–Saturday 7pm. Showing also at 2.30pm on Saturday.
Malcolm X Community Centre, 141 City Road, St Pauls, BS2 8YH
Click here to book tickets.

Bristol Choral Society presents Verdi's 'Requiem'

Bristol Choral Society raises the roof with Verdi’s spectacular, operatic Requiem. Under the baton of star conductor, Hilary Campbell, with orchestral drama provided by the British Sinfonietta and a cast of stellar soloists, this is an unmissable concert.

Verdi’s Requiem triumphs over death, by sheer force of its virtuosity and musicality. You will leave the hall feeling triumphant and inspired by the genius of this work.

Tickets range from £15–£30, under-25s priced at £5.

16 March | 7.30pm | Bristol Beacon
Click here for tickets. 

Electricity House Colston Avenue, Bristol BS1

Offered for sale by Rupert Oliver estate agents

Electricity House is a stunning Art Deco building in the heart of Bristol city centre, constructed of Portland Stone and designed by renowned architect Sir Giles Gilbert Scott. 

In 2014, the property was converted into 85 luxury apartments, winning the “Best Refurbishment of the Year” award at the 2016 Housebuilding Awards. 

Perfectly positioned near the city centre, the first impressions of Electricity House are dramatic; the beautiful exterior architecture, while a welcoming spectacular communal entrance hall, has been refurbished to reveal its Art-Deco splendour – with a central desk for the seven-day-a-week concierge and private post-boxes for each apartment. 

The option of two lifts (or the stairs) takes you up to the fifth floor, the two-storey duplex penthouse apartment is accessed from a communal hall that overlooks the dramatic full-height central atrium below. The property enjoys underfloor heating and air conditioning across each floor (for the very hot days) to add to the apartment's long list of creature comforts. On the fifth floor are three double bedrooms, including a principal bedroom with ensuite shower room and fitted wardrobes. There’s also a luxurious, fully-tiled bathroom with a three-piece suite.

A striking oak and glass staircase leads to the sixth floor and opens up into a spectacular light-filled sitting room, with a full-width wall of windows overlooking the cityscape. This room also benefits from its own independent air conditioning, along with an oversized sliding glazed door opening that really brings the outside in, and protects from the inside with a glazed safety screen.

A peninsular island separates the sitting room from the kitchen, while also providing a breakfast bar and casual dining space. 

The kitchen itself is fully fitted, with an expanse of stone work surfaces, and fitted floor and wall-mounted storage with a fabulous range of integrated appliances.

Accessed from the communal hallway is a useful private and secure storage pod. Situated on the lower ground floor are two privately allocated off-street parking spaces with lift access to the floors above. Offers in Excess of £550,000

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