Bristol celebrates its 650th birthday with giant hopscotches

A giant hopscotch trail celebrating Bristol's 650th anniversary as a city will hop into parks and green spaces throughout the city centre this summer.

The colossal artworks will take Bristolians back to their childhood, and offers a free activity for families throughout the school holidays. 

Three 650 tile hopscotch locations are located in Queen Square, Castle Park and College Green. Sprayed onto the grass in these iconic green spaces, each hopscotch will incorporate 650 individual tiles and also be brought to life in the shape of the numbers: 6 5 0.

The trail will be in the city's green spaces from the final week of July and throughout August.

Our August issue is out next week!

Our August issue is out next week, and we can't wait for you to get your hands on it! Get ready to read about everything from Aardman's creation of Star Wars: Visions Vol. 2, to artist Marla Allison's arrival at Rainmaker Gallery, and so much more!

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. 

Words by Melissa Blease

Cherry Clafoutis

“Kla-foo-tee”: it may sound fancy and complicated but in fact, this classic French cherry- and custard-laden summertime pud is an absolute doddle to rustle up.

Okay, so you've got to take the pits (stones) out of a lot of cherries, but once you get into a rhythm, it doesn't take that long at all: just slice each cherry in half, twist one half off altogether and remove the pit from the other half with the tip of a pointy knife. Or, invest in a cherry/olive pitter (they only cost around a fiver) and go pro.

Ingredients (makes one large Clafoutis, serves 6-8)

1 tbsp caster sugar
300g ripe, de-stalked, pitted cherries

For the batter:

60g self-raising flour
3 large eggs
60g caster sugar
300ml whole milk
1 tsp vanilla extract

To serve: icing sugar (for dusting); thick cream or vanilla ice cream

Method

Preheat the oven to 180°C/gas mark 4. Put all the ingredients for the batter into the bowl of a food processor or a large blender and process until smooth. Set aside for 20-30 minutes.

Lightly grease a round baking dish (25cm-28cm approx) with softened butter and sprinkle with the caster sugar. Scatter the pitted cherries across the base of the dish, then slide into the oven for 5 minutes to allow the fruit to start to soften.

Remove the dish from the oven and pour the batter over the warm, soft cherries. Return to the oven to bake for about 30-35 minutes, or until the Clafoutis looks puffy and golden.

Dust the Clafoutis with icing sugar and serve warm with thick cream or vanilla ice cream... et voilà! Cerise paradis.

Discovering the Leyda Valley

The Leyda Valley wine region represents Chile's determined, confident strides into cold-climate production. Located just 14km from the Pacific, the vineyards planted in the rocky soils of the valley are subject to rolling ocean winds that cool the grapes and retain their complex aromatic structures. 

The broad variety of wines that come out of this very particular climate, however, is outstanding. The Sauvignon Blancs, Chardonnays, Pinot Noirs and Syrahs planted here express a crispness, minerality and fine-boned acidity not found elsewhere in Chile's viticultural paradise, and proudly represent the intricacies in the art of winemaking. 

Chardonnay Lot 5
Delicious, bold yet refined Chardonnay with toasted sesame, golden kiwi, butterscotch, honeycomb and a zesty tang. Just a hint of 'struck match' character, like old school white Burgundy | £22.00

Syrah Reserva
With an expressive and complex nose, this Syrah seduces with primary notes of crushed blackcurrants, blueberries alongside mature hints of leather and liquorice. The palate is concentrated with a silky texture and berry juiciness. This is definitely a food wine and would be delicious with roast lamb | £13.30

Coastal Vineyards Sauvignon Blanc
Ripe gooseberry and citrus aromas such as grapefruit combine with fresh green lime and hints of green peppers, peas shoots and asparagus on the nose. On the palate this wine is fully concentrated and fresh, with mineral tones at the front, a rich mid palate and a well balanced grapefruit and lime character on the finish | £16.65

Cabernet Sauvignon Reserva
This Cabernet Sauvignon, from a cool Chilean valley, tastes of plums and cherries, with a frond or two of tobacco and a perfume of mocha | £13.30

Pinot Noir Las Brisas
Pinot Noir Las Brisas Vineyard has a clean and direct fruity nose with red cherries, hints of raspberries and a subtle wild herb note. Delicate and refined on the palate. Juicy with ripe flavours of berries combined with mineral notes and a lively acidity | £17.75

Head to greatwine.co.uk to discover more Chilean wines

Whistles x The Longing

Whistles announce their high summer swim collection with lifestyle brand The Longing!

Whistles x The Longing is a collaboration born from a desire to create considered, design-led styles for in and out of the water. The capsule will launch 2 August 2023.

The limited edition collection comprises 10 modern swim styles to instil wearers with confidence, wherever the summer may take them. Each piece has been thoughtfully designed in enduring fabrics, with a renewed focus on fit and how swimwear can make us feel.

To shop, go to whistles.com

Hay Pao portable rechargeable lamp | £118.15

The Pao Portable Lamp is an ingenious and stylish light designed by Naoto Fukasawa and named after the soft glowing shape or traditional Mongolian Pao tents. 

This is an everyday object that is designed for outdoor use but is also of great beauty and utility when used inside the home. The aesthetics are modest yet this gives the portable lamps a natural ambience that allows them to be in harmony with their environment. 

The lamp is available in a variety of colour options which compliment each other to create a wonderful set.

Visit hollowaysofludlow.com to shop

Gentlemen's Fragrance Collection | £40

Get acquainted with Penhaligon's with this set of miniature 5ml fragrances: Quercus, Blenheim Bouquet, Endymion, Halfeti and Juniper Sling. Perfect for discerning gents.

Visit penhaligons.com

Be inspired by vintage pieces at Mallory

Apart from specialist collectors and aficionados, not too many people know but Bath’s emporium of luxurious wonders: Mallory Jewellers, also has a spectacular collection of vintage jewellery and beautiful fine art pieces from bygone eras. 

With interesting and sometimes forgotten designs there’s plenty to draw inspiration from and most pieces will be skillfully handcrafted using traditional tools as well as being particularly rare and highly individual. Here’s a few highlights we found that are current available.

Antique Victorian Yellow Gold and Silver Cut Down Set Diamond Star Brooch. Circa 1880, £5700. Total Diamond Weight: 2.00-2.30ct (Estimated Weight)

Antique Victorian Yellow Gold and Silver Diamond Crescent Brooch. Circa 1880. £4,600. Total Diamond Weight: 1.20 - 1.30ct (Estimated Weight)

Antique Art Deco Platinum Milgrain Edge Grain Set Mixed Cut Diamond and Trilliant Cut Sapphire Necklace. Circa 1925. £5,250. Chain Length: 15 Inches. Total Diamond Weight: 1.55 - 1.65ct (Estimated Weight)

Antique Edwardian Yellow Gold White Enamel Rose Cut Diamond and Pearl Open Heart Pendant. Circa 1910. £2,500

To browse the full collection of vintage and antique jewellery at Mallory - click here

Curated by Daniel McCabe

To Think is a magazine published by the Made Thought agency that puts a pertinent question to an expert panel of ‘provocateurs, entrepreneurs, designers and mavericks’. Each member tackles a particular aspect of the dilemma posed in the expectation that the whole exercise will throw useful light on things and hopefully signpost a way forward. For this third issue, which is titled ‘To Think Tomorrow’, the question is ‘How do we accelerate towards a new future when we're shackled to today?’ The assembled thinkers are Robin Maynard, Ambassador Peter Thomson, Jeremy Oppenheim, Arthur Wood, Dr. Greg Bailey, J.B Mackinnon, Jose Manuel Moller, Ernst Van Orsouw, Dr. Luke Haverhals, Vaitea Cowan, Ajaz Ahmed and Dr Vandana Shiva | £21

store.magalleria.co.uk 

Photo: NASA

NASA astronaut returns to University of Bristol for public talk and Q&A

A NASA astronaut who spent 204 days in space will talk about her life and career in a special event at the University of Bristol.

Col Anne McClain’s glittering career has led to her becoming part of the Artemis programme, a NASA-led mission to put astronauts back on the moon by 2024, thereby making her the first woman to step on the moon.

On Monday, July 31, she returns to her former University to receive an honorary degree, and will that evening present a public talk and Q&A. 

At the event, Col McClain will share her personal experience of space and insights into the next decade of space exploration.

31 July | 6pm - 7.30pm | Priory Road Lecture Theatre, 12 Priory Road, Bristol BS8 1TU
Tickets are free on a first come, first serve basis and are available at eventbrite.com

Studio 74 Contemporary Art crowned 'Best Art Space'

Studio 74 Contemporary Art, Bristol, has been crowned the overall winner for 'Best Art Space' in the National Muddy Stilettos Awards 2023!

The Muddy Stilettos Awards, in their 10th year, are known for celebrating and championing outstanding local businesses and have gained immense popularity. The awards are the ultimate celebration of the best of the best independent businesses. 

Ellena Norman, business owner and director of Studio 74 comments 'At Studio 74, we have always strived to create a vibrant and welcoming space for both established and emerging artists to showcase their work, and this recognition motivates us to continue pushing the boundaries of artistic excellence'

If you haven’t already, make sure to visit this welcoming gallery and delve into the world of contemporary art.

Find out more at studio74contemporaryart.com

Wiltshire Game and Country Fair

The Wiltshire Game & Country Fair returns to the Bowood Estate over the weekend of 12 - 13 August.

The event is chock-a-block with country sports and pursuits, and there’s also arena entertainment running throughout the day. Watch Falconry, Gundogs, Horse Boarding, Scurry Driving and Sheepdog Displays, and so much more!

Enjoy a number of demonstrations and Give it a Go events, specialist street food and drinks, and children’s entertainment that all make for a great family day out.

Visit livingheritagecountryshows.com to find out more

Wake the Tiger

The world's first amazement park, Wake the Tiger, invites you to step through a portal into the parallel world of Meridia. 

Enter an old abandoned factory once inhabited by a mysterious community of adventurers staging wild experiments. With 27 unique spaces, this art walk-through experience encourages you to explore, discover and connect. 

Plus, this summer, Wake the Tiger has the Re-Creation Station. Save your loo rolls, milk bottles and anything else from landfill, and bring it to the Re-Creation Station where you get to arts and crafts them into treasure. 

Bring a copy of our July issue with you to get a free coffee per cake purchased in the Wake the Tiger cafe, valid until 3 September!

Visit wakethetiger.com for more information

Study part-time at the University of Bristol

Apply now to the BA in English Literature and Community Engagement (ELCE). Gain a University of Bristol degree as an adult learner alongside work or other life commitments. No prior qualifications needed.

Study one night a week for a lower tuition fee. Learn with students from a wide range of ages and backgrounds. Study literatures in English from across the globe and throughout history. Explore the role of literature in society through a community-engagement project.

Applicants with no prior educational experience or returning to education encouraged. Student Finance available. Apply by 20 August 2023 for entry in September 2023.

To find out more, go to bristol.ac.uk/elce or email elce-ptp-director@bristol.ac.uk

The Haw Wood, Henbury

Offered for sale by Autograph Homes

Set in beautiful woodland surroundings, The Haw Wood is a new low-carbon housing development on the edge of Bristol, showcasing a ground-breaking, eco-friendly community of three and four bedroom luxury family homes. 

The homes are beautifully architected, with generously sized light-filled bedrooms and masters with luxury en-suite bathrooms. 

The kitchens have contemporary designs with modern, state of the art fittings, including handleless units; side-by-side Neff ovens and five zone induction hob; integrated, double width, Neff fridge-freezers and dishwashers. 

All properties have spacious kitchen/dining spaces, large separate living rooms, and are built around low-carbon energy systems enabling potential net zero energy costs and net-zero carbon emissions. 

Simon Taylor, managing director of Autograph Homes, says: 

“We’re delighted to have opened the show home, and be able to demonstrate to buyers exactly how they can reduce their energy usage with the technologies we’ve installed. The reaction from potential buyers has been so positive, they really appreciate the opportunity to choose a home that not only looks good, is built to exacting standards, but is importantly kind to the environment"

Their eco-credentials mean that the new family homes are selling fast, so book an appointment to view the show home:
call 07469 277641 | email thehawwood@autograph-homes.co.uk | thehawwood.co.uk