A specially curated guide to help you enjoy the next 48 hours (or more) in Bristol

RETURNING THIS MONTH  |  ANNUAL NATURE EVENT

Over the last year we’ve had the chance to explore our local areas like never before and now the people of Bristol and Bath are being asked to share what they have discovered and take part in the annual City Nature Challenge.

The challenge, which is taking place between 30 April and 3 May, is a global event in which people are invited to take pictures of wildlife in their local communities to help scientists and conservationists build up a picture of the nature that is flourishing in urban areas.

It’s free to take part and open to everyone, whether you are an expert, a seasoned City Nature Challenge participant or getting involved for the first time.

All you have to do to join in is download the iNaturalist app, take a photograph of nature in your local area, whether that’s a tree, plant or insect or animal, and upload.

You don’t even need to know the name of what you are photographing as the app will guide you through some simple questions. A network of experts will review and update the information so you can log back in later and learn more about what has been spotted in your local area.

This year 400 cities will be taking part in the four-day challenge, all competing to see which can record the most observations of urban wildlife.

Last year individuals and groups in Bristol and Bath made more than 8,897 observations during the Challenge including a young grey seal that took advantage of the quiet of lockdown to explore upriver as far as Netham Park, and exotic looking Wall Lizards in the Avon Gorge.

The information collected on iNaturalist is available to individuals, organisations and businesses across the world and used for a huge variety of purposes including supporting conversation projects, tracking how nature impacts on the health of communities and finding out how new developments are affecting the natural world.

To find out more, visit: citynaturechallenge.org.uk and to see what observations have been made so far across Bristol and Bath: inaturalist.org

MAY ISSUE  |  A MESSAGE FROM THE TEAM

WHAT'S ON  |  COMING SOON

Drawing is a wonderful way of engaging with the world. Spend time drawing at locations in the city and meeting other students in real life!

Discover new approaches to drawing objects in the landscape. Each day will feature structured drawing activities exploring different materials and processes. We will work in sketchbooks and on more experimental surfaces. With opportunities for group discussion and individual feedback.

Suits all levels of experience.

Starts 9 June; Wednesdays, 10am - 3pm; 4 weeks; £145; rwa.org.uk

FASHION  |  CAN A BAG SAVE THE WORLD?

To mark Mulberry's 50th anniversary year, it has announced the launch of the Made to Last Manifesto, laying out an ambitious commitment to transform the business to a regenerative and circular model, encompassing the entire supply chain, from field to wardrobe by 2030.

Launching on World Earth Day, 22nd April 2021, with an open letter and digital campaign, the Mulberry Made to Last Manifesto asks a series of bold, challenging, and sometimes uncomfortable questions, that we respond to with honesty and intention, even if we don't have all the answers.

The Made to Last Manifesto promises that the Mulberry business and a Mulberry bag represent a commitment to regeneration, renewal and reimagination. Keeping this promise requires a culture change across the industry, the supply chain and amongst customers, a radical shift in both the way things are made and the way they are used, and it ultimately leads us to ask the question: 'Can a bag save the world?'. We know real change is born from a willingness to ask ourselves the hard questions and to keep seeking meaningful answers. Can a Mulberry bag come with a promise of regeneration, renewal and reimagination? If it can, and we believe it can, then yes, a bag can truly be part of making things better.

mulberry.com

OBJECTS OF DESIRE  |  TIMELESS DESIGN

Rolex classic watches have been beautifully redesigned to be current and covetable - but still maintaining the heritage and the historic links between Rolex and exploration. 

Shown here is the über-stylish diver's watch, the 41mm Oystersteel Submariner. Water-resistant to 300m and featuring the excelent 3230 Calibre perpetual, self winding movement with a power reserve of approximately 70 hours – it is precision, strength and elegance all in one. Price £6,450

Mallory Jewellers – Bath’s official Rolex retailer – has many models available to view. For further details see the Mallory website: Mallory Jewellers

BEAUTY MUST-HAVES  |  THE EYES HAVE IT

HOURGLASS  Unlocked Instant Extensions Mascara £29.00

The look of lash extensions in an instant. The Unlocked Mascara by Hourglass is the ultimate formula for when more is more: more definition, more lift and more length to transform lashes with impossibly real results. Using film-forming technology, it coats each lash in lightweight fibres that lock in place for a high-impact, fanned-out finish and smudge-proof wear. For effortless removal, the tube-like film slides off with warm water.

TOM FORD  Cream and Powder Eye Color £51.00

Inspired by an opulent, golden sun at its zenith, blazing over private islands, Tom Ford’s two-tiered eye colour creates a dramatic and deeply seductive eye look. Sweep the ultra-pigmented, black cream base colour over the lid and discover its molten glow made of golden-pearl shimmer, sparkling like glimmering rays warming naked skin.

Available in store at Harvey Nichols Bristol or online - click here

ON THE BOX  |  ENTER NETFLIX'S LATEST FANTASY WORLD

Dark forces conspire against orphan mapmaker Alina Starkov when she unleashes an extraordinary power that could change the fate of her war-torn world.

Starring Freddy Carter, Jessie Mei Li, Archie Renaux and Amita Suman, Shadow and Bone has been dubbed Netflix's best fantasy show since The Witcher.

Watch it on Netflix today

RECIPE ROSTA  |  FENNEL IT UP

Fragrant new season fennel starts creeping into the farmers' markets any moment now and thrives throughout the summer. Make the most of it with this light, supremely elegant spring/summer ragout that brings moist chicken, white wine, cream cheese and fresh dill together in a luxurious broth packed with seasonal flavours.

I've suggested accompanying this ragout with fennel-roasted new potatoes, but it works equally well teamed with fettuccine, boiled rice or even crusty fresh bread.

Ingredients (serves 4)

750g new potatoes, larger ones halved
1 tsp fennel seeds
Juice and zest of 1 large lemon
6 large, skinless chicken thigh fillets, chopped into bite-sized cubes
2 tbsp plain flour
2 large fennel bulbs, thickly sliced, fronds reserved for serving
175ml dry white wine
300ml chicken stock
100g frozen garden peas/petits pois
125g full or half-fat cream cheese
A generous handful chopped fresh dill, chopped
Olive oil for roasting/frying

Method

1. Preheat the oven to 220ºC/gas mark 7. Toss the new potatoes (halving any particularly large ones) with the fennel seeds, lemon zest and approx. 1 tbsp olive oil. Tip into a large roasting tin, season well and roast for 40–50 minutes until crisp on the outside and soft within, shaking the tin to turn the potatoes halfway through the cooking time.

2. Meanwhile, dust the chicken with 1 tbsp plain flour and season well. Heat approx. 1 tbsp olive oil in a casserole dish or large lidded frying pan over a medium-high heat and sear the chicken until golden. Transfer to a plate and set aside. Add another glug of olive oil to the pan and fry the fennel for around 5 minutes.

3. Scatter the remaining 1 tbsp flour over the fennel and cook for a further minute. Add the wine and stock, scraping up any meaty bits from the bottom of the pan with a wooden spoon as you go. Return the chicken (plus any juices that have settled on the plate) to the pan and bring to the boil briefly before reducing the heat, covering and simmering gently for 20 minutes, adding the frozen garden peas to the mix halfway through the cooking time.

4. Take the pan off the heat, remove the lid and stir the soft cheese, lemon juice and a smattering of freshly ground black pepper. Add the dill, replace the lid of the pan and leave the dish to stand for 5 minutes, during which time the sauce will thicken slightly.

5. To serve, divide the roast new potatoes between 4 warm serving plates and top with the chicken, plenty of sauce and the reserved fennel fronds.

WINE TASTERS  |  DISCOVER JUAN GIL

GARDEN PARTIES |  GATHER AROUND THE KADAI

BRISTOL PROPERTY  |  ON THE MARKET

This two-bed bed semi-detached house is finished to an exceptional standard and forms part of an exclusive later-living development.

It is very spacious with around 1,296 sqft of floorspace. Featuring: two bedrooms, two bathrooms, a large open-plan lounge leading to a lovely kitchen area, there's a large sit-out balcony overlooking the beautifully manicured gardens and lovely views across Redland and beyond. 

Also the on-site amenities include an amazing restaurant, private lounge, landscaped gardens, wellness spa, gym and Hydrotherapy pool, and with all of the wonderful services available on Whiteladies Road and Durdham Down just a few minutes walk away – this is quite simply the ultimate way to live and enjoy your later years. Guide price: £925,000

For more details click here to visit oceanhome.co.uk