Birdgirl: "Lyrical, poignant and insightful" – Margaret Atwood

This week, Dr Mya-Rose Craig – who, at the age of 17, received the doctor of science degree from the University of Bristol, becoming the UK's youngest recipient of the award – published her new book Birdgirl. 

The 20-year-old environmentalist and diversity activist, also known as Birdgirl, delivers a mindful, reflective and uplifting account of a life devoted to avian observation and how her passion has enabled her to cope with challenging life situations and unexpected trauma. Margaret Atwood, author of The Handmaid's Tale, describes the book as "lyrical, poignant and insightful".

In 2015, Mya-Rose set up Black2Nature to help engage more children from minority ethnic backgrounds (BAME) in conservation in 2015, which quickly attracted millions of followers.

On 2 July, visitors to Slimbridge Wetland Centre can attend a special talk in their exciting new Living Wetland Theatre to hear all about the book and how Slimbridge features within it. Buy a ticket at: wwt.org.uk

OUR JULY ISSUE: OUT NOW

Our July 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 £3.95. UK mainland prices. For Euro and World zone subscription prices – see our website. 

Gamba Cole: Meteoric Rise

As the second series of the BBC hit comedy The Outlaws returns to our screens, we chat to Bristol-born Gamba Cole about pursuing dreams and learning from the greats…

Read the full feature on our website: thebristolmag.co.uk

Featured image credits: Photography: Lee Malone
Styling: Michael Miller @ Stella Creative Artists
Grooming: Nadia Altinbas

Grand Prix weekend - Tag Heuer Formula 1 Chronograph Gulf edition

The TAG Heuer Gulf Formula 1 chronograph is a special tribute to two of motor racing’s greatest sponsoring legends. The brushed shield-blue dial sports Gulf's orange and blue stripes, as did Steve McQueen’s car in the 1971 classic race movie, Le Mans. 

In the film McQueen famously sported a Tag Heuer square cased Monaco - and wore a Gulf sponsored jumpsuit but this sporty colourful timepiece brings the story up to date and is every bit as cool. Looks great too.

With a 43mm brushed steel case, blue baton dial, with three sub dials for precision timings, a blue Aluminium Tachymeter bezel on a blue calfskin leather strap with an added touch of orange stitching. On the caseback, there is a further nod to the brand with a racey design bearing the Gulf logo and Tag Heuer shields. The movement is quartz and it is water resistant to 200m. £1,400

NEW! Jo Malone London collaborates with Michelin starred chef, Jean-François Piège

Launching on 4 July, Jo Malone's new Violet Leaf and Bergamot candle brings together three key ingredients to create an elegant, welcoming atmosphere. A bright burst of bergamot — reminiscent of Earl Grey tea — is dressed with the green freshness of violet leaves, cocooned in a unexpected note of warm, fluffy rice.

"When the scent travels through the room it has the same fullness and overall experience of a perfectly executed dish, where the individual ingredients transcend into one exceptional experience," says Jean-François Piège. Violet Leaf and Bergamot Home Candle, £63

Three Weeks to Go: Cinema Rediscovered (20 – 24 July)

The sixth edition of Cinema Rediscovered kicks off on 20 July with a talk from award-winning journalist, writer and broadcaster Samira Ahmed for a reflection on her journalistic journey through cinema in our annual Philip French Memorial Lecture.

Tickets for this, and 50+ other events and screenings at this year's festival are on sale now. Don't forget, you can still use our Multi-Ticket Package deal to get 20% off when you book 4-10 Cinema Rediscovered screenings / events.

Find out more at: wshd.to/ticketingvenues

Curated by Daniel McCabe

It's always great to see an ambitious new literary journal, and The European Review of Books is just that. It's been in the works for some time, not the least because its scope is so broad – the publishers themselves describe as 'an impossible project'. But what a carefully layered and many stranded thing it is. Delivering multi-lingual short and longer fiction, poetry, essays, visual art, reviews and more in a bookish looking 256 pages bound in a French fold (the one where you have to separate perforated pages) with a two colour silkscreened cloth cover, it's a good deal more than just book reviews. £15

Exploring: New Collections by Nancy Pickard and Ellie Preston, Clifton Contemporary Art, 2 July – 20 August

For summer, the gallery is focusing on two artists who pursue their own unique exploratory paths. Not from A to B, but into the personal, the archetypal, the instinctive and emotional.

Nancy Pickard’s inscrutable mixed media paintings are rich with ideas and symbolism. Blurring the borders between animal and human, they are also inspired by the concept of migration that has defined and driven our culture for millennia. 

In Ellie Preston’s layered, contemplative abstracts, the creative process is a material exploration that begins with a formative under-painting onto which she builds depth and harmony. Each gesture, form and colour contributes to the whole, where the balance of thoughtfulness and spontaneity creates presence
and power.

Complementing Nancy and Ellie’s work will be a selection of pieces by gallery artists including: Masako Tobita, Tom Hughes, Elaine Jones, Andrew Hood, Carl Melegari, Sally Stafford and Lynne Cartlidge.

cliftoncontemporaryart.co.uk

Main image: All at Sea by Nancy Pickard

Theatre School at The Tobacco Factory

School's out for summer. Join Tobacco Factory Theatres for a week of creativity and perform on the main stage. What to expect? Fun and energising games, craft and art work, puppet and mask making, acting and ensemble movement skill development, trust and team building exercises, dressing up and trips to the park for outside games. Each group will create a brand new performance, which they will share with family and friends at the end of the week

Monday 25 July – Friday 29 July; 4–6, 7–10 & 11–13 year olds

Monday 1 August – Friday 5 August; 14–19 year olds

FOR ADULTS – 1 August: A Play In A Week: Working intensively and collaboratively with a theatre director, you will go on a journey of creativity and discovery and perform your work to family and friends at the end of the week.

tobaccofactorytheatres.com

Bristol Sport and Xledger empower ambition with new three-year deal

Bristol Sport has confirmed a renewed partnership with Xledger, which will see the cloud-based software company not only enhance its sponsorship but will also support the sporting group across its accounting systems, becoming Official Finance Solutions Provider.

Xledger’s partnership with Bristol Sport has always been about aligning two Bristol-based organisations with a shared ethos and culture. The accounting software company, which has seen exponential growth over the past two years, has now expanded its partnership to unify its position as back-of-shirt sponsor for Bears Men, Bears Women, Bears Academy and Bristol Flyers, along with a unique commercial deal with the sporting group itself.

Bristol Sport uses the collective power of the sporting group to drive sustainable success and promote access to sport across all ages and capabilities. This partnership has matched Xledger’s interests of wanting to invest in and support the local community, recognising the positive impact and influence that sport has on the breaking down of social boundaries, age groups and inequalities.

Bristol Sport first unveiled Xledger as principal sponsor of Bears Academy in 2019. It was followed by a two-year front-of-jersey deal in 2020 for Bristol Flyers along with a long-term sponsorship of the South Stand at Ashton Gate, and last year stepping up to become Bears Women principal partner.

bristol-sport.co.uk

Tobacco Factory Theatres granted 999-year lease

In an historic moment for Bristol charity Tobacco Factory Theatres, George Ferguson, who regenerated the iconic Tobacco Factory building in South Bristol, has granted a 999-year lease of the whole first floor to the Tobacco Factory Arts Trust.

George Ferguson bought the abandoned Tobacco Factory building in 1993, to save it from demolition and to experiment with a mix of uses with theatre at its heart, to demonstrate the power of culture led regeneration.

Born out of that experiment, Tobacco Factory Theatres have brought theatre to new audiences, achieving national acclaim. Run as an independent charity Tobacco Factory Arts Trust since 2005, it has grown to accommodate two theatre spaces – the Factory Theatre and Spielman Theatre. It presents a programme of excellent in-house and touring productions as well as engaging directly with the wider community through its ‘Get Involved’ programme: tobaccofactorytheatres.com

This generous gift from Tobacco Factory owner George Ferguson is a very significant commitment to Bristol’s rich cultural offering. After a tough period of uncertainty for the whole theatre industry in the wake of the Covid-19 pandemic, it helps secure TFT’s plans as it reaches its 20th anniversary in September 2022.

Get stuck into THE PIG’s food and music festival this summer: an open-air party for the whole family set in the grounds and fields of THE PIG near Bath.

The Smoked & Uncut festival is a classic English summer party with a with a rock ‘n’ roll twist; a home-grown countryside carnival for music-lovers, foodies and family.

THE PIG is bringing out the big guns (and big brass) with headliners Jools Holland and his Rhythm & Blues Orchestra and disco legends Sister Sledge. There will also be a line-up of local bands; DJs until late; street food stalls dishing up seriously tasty festival fodder; bars serving cocktails, wine, fizz, cider and beer; The Den kids’ area; boutique market stalls; and The Field Spa. Visitors can also enjoy Pop Up Feasting experiences hosted by Chef Angela Hartnett and her chef friends and THE PIG’s Field Kitchen hosted by Chef Director James Golding and PIG Chef Apprentices.

Smoked & Uncut at THE PIG near Bath is taking place on Saturday 9 July, midday to 11pm. Click here to visit the Smoked & Uncut website.

To be in with a chance to win two tickets, enter the competition on our sister magazine's social media via Instagram or Twitter | *Competition closes at midnight 1 July*.

Winners will be chosen at random and notified via direct message on social media. The prize is not transferable and no cash alternative will be offered.

Sion Hill, Clifton, Bristol, BS8

Offered for sale by Ocean estate agents

This is a spacious three-bedroom, two-reception room duplex apartment overlooking the green of Suspension Bridge Road and offset views of the bridge itself. It’s a superb location and just a short walk from Clifton Village and a beautiful mix of great shops and restaurants.

Currently vacant, it has a great layout. Spread over two floors of a period building, the living accommodation is on the second floor with a lounge and a bay window. To the rear, another reception room with a bay window and a separate kitchen. On the top floor, there are three bedrooms – the master bedroom is at the front with an en-suite shower room while the two further bedrooms are to the rear and are served by a family bathroom.

The two large receptions rooms would work well as living and dining spaces. They also offer flexibility in terms of layout and use. The front reception room would work well as a dining space off the kitchen with high ceilings and a front-facing bay window with views directly down to the suspension bridge. The rear reception room also with a bay window has elevated views. Both rooms offer a cast iron period fireplace.

A good sized separate kitchen with plenty of storage and worktop space, with built-in white goods and large window, is to the front of the property.

 Guide price £539,950

For more images, details and to view the floorpan, visit: oceanhome.co.uk