Sir David Attenborough portrait unveiled at BBC's Natural History Unit in Bristol

The BBC is unveiling a new portrait of Sir David Attenborough at the BBC's Natural History Unit (NHU), in Bristol, celebrating his extraordinary contribution to broadcasting and capturing his passionate sense of wonder and engagement with the natural world.

The portrait was commissioned by former BBC Chairman Sir David Clementi in 2019 and captures Sir David Attenborough's character, evoking some of his great broadcast moments as well as referencing his work to raise awareness of climate change.

It's painted by artist David Cobley and is being unveiled following Sir David Attenborough presenting major new natural history series 'Wild Isles' on BBC One and iPlayer.

The 7ft x 5.5ft portrait will be hung in the events area at Bridgewater House, in Bristol, home of the world-renowned Natural History Unit (NHU) which has made many of Sir David Attenborough's landmark programmes and where visitors will be able to see it on display.

Click here to read about 'Wild Isles' at bbc.com

OUR MAY ISSUE: OUT NEXT WEEK

You'll love our fabulous May magazine which features a great collection of 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. 

Recipe by Melissa Blease

The Ultimate Steak Sandwich

Sunday 23 April is St George's Day and, across the UK, British beef is on the menu. But the Patron Saint of England (and, by the way, Bulgaria, Georgia, Portugal and Romania too) wouldn't want you to spend the day slaving over a hot oven now that spring is in the air... so chill out and treat yourself to the ultimate Steak Sandwich instead.

Bavette (or flank) steak is the loose-textured, fast-cooking flat cut of beef often called the chef or butcher’s cut, reserved for their own pleasure due to its highly flavoured personality, but skirt steak offers a similar end result. Both bavette and skirt tend to be a lot more wallet-friendly than traditional sirloin too, making either of them perfect for a celebratory sarnie party, best served in the garden with a bottle of British ale.

Ingredients (serves 4)
400g bavette (or skirt) steak
2 large onions, peeled and sliced
A generous knob of butter
A glug of olive oil
70g soft dark brown sugar
125ml red wine vinegar
1 French stick or large ciabatta loaf

To serve: English mustard or creamed horseradish sauce; fresh watercress (or mixed salad leaves of your choice)

Method

Remove the steak from the fridge for around an hour before cooking, to allow it come to room temperature.

Meanwhile, heat the olive oil, butter and and sugar into a large, non-stick, lidded frying pan over a medium heat. As soon as the butter has melted and the sugar dissolved, add the onions to a pan (preferably in a single layer) and allow to sauté for 5 minutes until just starting to soften. Pour the vinegar over the onions, pop the lid on the pan, reduce the heat to low and simmer gently for around 30-35 minutes (adding splashes of water to loosen, if necessary) or until the onions have turned golden on top and caramelised underneath.

While the onions are cooking, preheat the oven to a medium heat ready to warm the French stick or ciabatta loaf through and place the room temperature steaks between two layers of greaseproof paper before bashing with a rolling pin or the base of a heavy pan to tenderise and make all the beef roughly the same thickness (around 1cm thick works well).

Season the steak all over and place a large, non-stick, heavy-bottomed pan on a high heat. When the pan is smoking hot, put the bread into the oven, and drizzle the steaks with olive oil before flash-frying: around 3 minutes on each side will offer a medium result, but adapt cooking times according to your preference.

Remove the steak to a warm plate, cover loosely with foil and allow it to rest for around 4 minutes before slicing it into roughly 1cm thick strips at a slight angle across the grain (for maximum tenderness).

Slice the warm loaf in half vertically and smear the top underside of the bread with English mustard or creamed horseradish sauce. Drizzle the resting juices from the steak across the base of the cut-side bread followed by the caramelised onions, the steak strips and big handfuls of watercress (or mixed salad leaves). Top with the other half of the bread and press down lightly before carving into four chunks and serving immediately.

Afternoon Tea

There is no better way to spend an afternoon than indulging in a decadent afternoon tea. Catch up with friends in the sumptuous surroundings of the Aqua Grand Café and enjoy exquisite sandwiches, scones and delightful cakes created by their patissier. Add a glass of Laurent Perrier champagne and raise a toast!

153 Whiteladies road | 0117 9733314
email: hello@theaquagrandcafe.com
instagram and facebook: aquagrandcafe
Or click here for more information at aquagrandcafe.com

Think Pink

May officially heralds rosé season – although with so many delicious rosé doing the rounds, we’ve been enjoying off-season guzzling for some time. While we love Idris Elba’s excellent Porte Noir, or Brad and Angelina’s Miraval, there’s nothing quite like celebrating the artisan, independent producers with a rich history of great winemaking.
Here are six superb rosés and rosados from truly fabulous indie growers.

Rosado – Juan Gil

Full-flavoured rosé from Jumilla in Spain, scented with nuts, toast and apricots while the mouth fills with red plums, cherries and cranberries. £17.50

Salice Salentino Rosato Le Pozzelle - Francesco Candido

This is one of the Salento region's famous rosé wines, which are among the world's absolute finest. Bright coral pink in colour, rich, opulent and floral with fine fruit on the nose. On the palate it is harmonious, rich and delicious with a pleasantly bitter aftertaste. £14.95

Las Fincas Rosé – J. Chivite Family Estates

Intensely aromatic, with strawberry, pomegranate, raspberry, blackberry and rose petals. Smooth and delicious… nice bottle too. £16.95

XF Rosé – Vinedos Sierra Cantabria

XF is a delicate shade of pink, like the inside of a seashell. The aromas are beautiful and expressive: juicy ripe pear, lemon zest and white peach. £29.50

Journey Collection Rosado – Ramon Bilbao

Beautifully delicate pink. The aroma is of raspberries and rose petals -- it’s delicate, but with lots of personality. Fabulous wine! £12.20

Lux Venit Rosé - Chaffey Bros. Wine Co.
A delicious, dry, structural and textural premium rosé. Think bright cherries and berry aromas; peaches and cream with a hint of savoury spice on the palate, the French Oak maturation and malolactic fermentation contributes to the indulgent mouthfeel and creamy finish. £18.50

Click here to see a wonderful selection of rosés, rosatos, and rosados at The Great Wine Co. greatwine.co.uk

Olivine Enamel Wave Ring in Gold

As we begin the journey into the summer months, Treasure taps into nostalgia; those precious childhood memories at the beach, emulated through gorgeous shell shapes and brightly coloured gemstone pieces. Colour is key with this collection; featuring uplifting purple and green hues across a variety of statement and stackable pieces.

Click here to see more at astridandmiyu.com

This World Earth Day, Neal’s Yard Remedies are offering £5 refills within their stores!

To make Earth Day, on Saturday 22 April, Neal's Yard Remedies customers can enjoy refills of some of the brand's best-loved products for just £5 (at participating stores). Customers just need to bring a clean, dry Neal's yard Remedies bottle into their nearest store to be topped up with Geranium & Orange Hand Wash or Bee Lovely Shower Gel at a refill station.

To find out more about Neal's Yard Remedies sustainability initiatives visit nealsyardremedies.com

Click below to buy.

Stepping into Spring with TOAST

TOAST’s soft workwear jackets, checked cotton or ikat shirts and cotton knitwear are perfect for the turn in season. Pictured here are a few of our favourites, but you can also check out their SS23 lookbook which explores this season’s theme of ‘Open Water’ which inspired the collection’s nautical designs.

Click here to see the full Men's New In collection

The Glow Getter Multi-Oil Hydrating Body Wash, 500ML, £18.00

Bring a sensuous touch to bath time with the Naturium The Glow Getter Multi-Oil Hydrating Body Wash, a luxurious body wash that helps cleanse, hydrate and nourish the skin.

The body wash is formulated with a luscious blend of linoleic-rich oils. Smoothed over the skin, this indulgent oil transforms into a milky foam that provides a gentle lathering action to cleanse the skin without stripping it of moisture, and rinses away without residue.

It is formulated with 50% glycerin, upcycled apple extract and plant-derived squalane, providing humectant-rich skincare that delivers intense hydration and nourishment. Helping to maintain the skin barrier, this step in a bath and body routine will help leave the skin nourished and hydrated with a healthy glow.
Click here to see see more at spacenk.com

The world's most beautiful pearls

In 1893, Kokichi Mikimoto successfully created the world's first cultured pearls.

His obsessive love for these precious organic gems has become known world over as Mikimoto – the Japanese jewellery house associated for with cultivating the finest quality cultured Akoya, South Sea, Tahitia and freshwater pearls and turning them into sophisticated and iconic pieces of beautiful jewellery. Highly sought-after, a Mikimoto piece is a pleasure to wear and a timeless statement of elegance.

There’s a fabulous range or Mikimoto earrings, necklaces, pendants and bracelets on display at Mallory, we love this Akoya cultured pearl bracelet in 18ct yellow gold with three grade A, 6 - 6.5mm fine pearls. It’s approx 18cm and is priced at £2,100. It’s from the new M Code range - The M is a playful combination of Mikimoto with a morse code theme.

To see this and the full range click here and visit the Mikimoto collection at Mallory

Artful Interiors Show

Experience the fusion of art and interior design at Studio 74's upcoming Artful Interiors Show on Sunday 30th April, 12pm to 4pm.

Studio 74 will be launching their highly demanded Interior Art Curation Service, to help you discover the perfect artwork for your home.

Partnering with two outstanding interior companies, with contemporary furniture from BoConcept and Ivywell Interiors on hand to offer advice.

Enjoy a glass of fizz whilst viewing the bespoke curated room sets and range of acclaimed UK & International artists. Plus, take advantage of exclusive offers and advice from art and interior consultants.

This is a ticketed event and spaces are limited - contact Studio 74 to secure yours:
studio74contemporaryart.com
tel: 01174 350270
email: info@studio74gallery.com
social:  @studio74contemporaryart
@boceonceptbristol @ivywellinteriors

Depp V Heard: The Unreal Story

Depp V Heard: The Unreal Story is the definitive account of the infamous court battles between Johnny Depp and Amber Heard, written by Nick Wallis, which publishes on 17 May.

In 2020, movie star Johnny Depp sued The Sun newspaper at the High Court in London for calling him a wife-beater. His ex-wife Amber Heard was the star witness. Depp lost. In April this year, Depp sued Heard in the US for claiming she was the victim of domestic violence. This time Depp won. Which raises a fundamental question: after two exhaustive trials, how did the outcomes differ so widely?

Nick Wallis was the only journalist on the ground at both the UK and the US trials. In London he live tweeted from inside the court, securing and publishing daily transcripts of proceedings. In doing so he connected with millions of people on social media. Nick was the first to tell the world that Depp had lost against the Sun and that he’d failed in his application to appeal. Nick then crowdfunded his way to Virginia for the second trial as an independent reporter. As coverage of the trial snowballed, turning Depp v Heard into the first “Trial by TikTok”, Nick experienced the effect it had on everyone involved.

The book seeks to tell the definitive story of the saga, one that transfixed millions of people. In an engaging, page-turning style Nick sets up the legal drama, weaves his own reportage through the story and analyses the evidence to unearth the real truth.

Nick Wallis is an award-winning freelance journalist and broadcaster and the author of The Great Post Office Scandal (Bath Publishing, 2021)

Depp V Heard: The Unreal Story, Bath Publishing, £12.99;
Click here for the bathpublishing.com website

Curated by Daniel McCabe

Edition 13 of the massively popular car mag The Road Rat is something rather special and unique – a collaboration with the architect Norman Foster that will, we guarantee, take you somewhere else. This issue looks at the Porsche 356, auto design’s obsession with aerodynamics (going back to Chrysler’s employment of Wilber Wright), homes for cars, the great car factories, the E-Type Jaguar, Fiat 500, Mini and BMW 600, the world’s most famous artists and their work with cars, plus how to professionally stage a magnificent car show. | £17.50

store.magalleria.co.uk

One Fine Morning

Léa Seydoux shines in Mia Hansen-Løve's (Father of My Children, Bergman Island) newest film - a sweet, thoughtful and understated drama about a young Parisian navigating her father’s illness, single parenthood and a potential new love.

Sandra (Seydoux) is a freelance translator and single mother whose busy life is thrown into disarray when her father’s degenerative illness worsens. No longer able to live independently, former academic Georg (Pascal Greggory) must go into care, plunging Sandra and her family into the administrative nightmare of securing a suitable home for him. It’s not an ideal time for a complicated new relationship to present itself, but – in the form of her old, married friend, an urbane cosmochemist (Melvil Poupaud) – it does.

Returning to the thematic and narrative sensibilities of such acclaimed previous films as Things to Come and Father of My Children, and featuring a career-best performance from Seydoux, Hansen-Løve’s latest is a gently poignant romantic drama exploring the beauty and limitations of romance and family bonds, shot through with the director’s characteristically charming touch.

Visit the Watershed website to purchase tickets at watershed.co.uk

Bristol Bears take on Exeter Chiefs in away game

The Gallagher Premiership match will take place Saturday 22 April 3 pm at Sandy Park in Exeter.

Click here for tickets at exeterchiefs.co.uk
Available to watch on PRTV Live from 2:45 pm

Book now! Hamilton to play eight week set at the Bristol Hippodrome

Producers Jeffrey Seller and Cameron Mackintosh are delighted to announce that the multi award-winning HAMILTON will play an eight week season at The Bristol Hippodrome from Tue 30 Apr to Sat 22 Jun 2024. Tickets on sale 15 May.

The Olivier, Tony, Grammy and Pulitzer Prize-winning musical opened at the newly re-built and restored Victoria Palace Theatre in London in December 2017 where it continues to play to sell-out houses and is currently booking until 2 March 2024. The production continues to play to record breaking houses on Broadway at the Richard Rodgers Theatre, throughout North America, in Toronto, Australia and Germany with forthcoming seasons in New Zealand an International tour also planned.

A brand new company for the UK and Ireland tour is currently being assembled from over 3000 hopeful artists. The cast for the UK and Ireland tour will be announced soon.

HAMILTON is the story of America then, told by America now. Featuring a score that blends hip-hop, jazz, R&B and Broadway, HAMILTON has taken the story of American founding father Alexander Hamilton and created a revolutionary moment in theatre—a musical that has had a profound impact on culture, politics, and education.

Click here for tickets at atgtickets.com

SABOTAGE by NoFit State Circus

13 May - 02 June
The NoFit State Big Top, Wilson Street, St Pauls, Bristol BS2 9HH

SABOTAGE is a full–on, boisterous, and audaciously fierce performance, bringing a darker, grittier, and more subversive edge to NoFit State’s trademark large scale contemporary circus spectacular. Back in the Big Top with incredible new acts, original music, new apparatus and a more theatrical feel, SABOTAGE challenges the status quo. This is an energising, uplifting and socially relevant contemporary circus production. SABOTAGE explores our separation, and our belonging. Saboteurs stand out. They stand up. They challenge the establishment. They are heard. Directed by Firenza Guidi.

SABOTAGE has nothing in it that makes it unsuitable for children, but it is not made for them specifically. SABOTAGE is roughly 2 hours long (including a 20-minute interval). Matinee and evening performances and Relaxed Performance at 2.30pm Tuesday 30 May. Tickets £24/£17.

02921 321 021 / nofitstate.org
Email: boxoffice@nofitstate.org

Belmont Road, St. Andrews, Bristol

Offered for sale by Ocean Estate Agents in Bristol

This generous and impressive four-bedroom, semi-detached home is located between St Andrews Park and Gloucester Road and is just one of only four houses of this style on this sought-after road with the arched entrance and deep round bay windows adding to the external appeal.

Thanks to the arched entrance and decorative plasterwork the entrance hall has a feeling of grandeur and leads to a spacious and light lounge, there is a working fireplace adding to the characterful feel.

The second reception room has an equally spacious feel and opens via a set of bi folding doors to the side return extension. This modern addition connects to the kitchen and out into the rear garden.

The kitchen/family room is at the rear of the house and again connects to the rear garden via a set of French doors. This is a bright and social space with room for a dining table and sofa. A handy WC and plenty of under stair storage complete this level.

On the first floor, there are four bedrooms, a family bathroom and an additional shower room.

The bedroom at the front has the same large bay with double glazed sash windows as the lounge downstairs.

Bedrooms two and three are good sized double bedrooms, both of which overlook the back garden.

Bedroom four is currently being used as an office/spare bedroom but is a decent fourth bedroom.

Outside is a private rear garden with two areas, the first is an ample patio flowing directly off of the back of the property. A couple of steps lead up to another level space currently housing the obligatory trampoline! The entire garden is walled giving a private feel, and accessed additionally along the side of the house. Guide price £775,000

For more images and details click here to the property on the Ocean Homes website oceanhome.co.uk