Am I Being Unreasonable? BBC Drama filmed in Bristol and the South West returned this week!

A new series of the critically acclaimed Am I Being Unreasonable? is now available to watch on BBC iPlayer.

The comedy drama, created by and starring Daisy May Cooper and Selin Hizli, was filmed at Bristol's Bottleyard Studios and on location in the West country. 

The second series starts off with a bang, landing us right in the middle of the panic of last season's finale. We'll avoid spoilers, but let's just say that all familial and friendly relationships have been thrown into chaotic dissaray... 

The production team behind the twisted comedy thriller returned to The Bottle Yard Studios to film series two on purpose-built sets for the interior of the family house belonging to lead character Nic (Daisy May Cooper) and the caravan she goes on to share with her best friend Jen (Selin Hizli) in the new series. Filming also took place at West Country locations including Wookey village in Somerset and Chavenage House in Gloucestershire.

With guest stars including Chelsea Peretti (Brooklyn Nine-Nine), Tom Davis (Wonka, King Gary), Denise Black (Queer as Folk), Jamali Maddix (Never Mind the Buzzcocks), British rapper and poet Kojey Radical, and Daisy May Cooper's real-life brother Charlier Cooper, this season is upholding its reputation as a perfectly juicy, jaw-dropping, enthralling show.

Watch now on bbc.co.uk; thebottleyard.com

Image credit: BBC/Boffola Pictures/Lara Cornell

Our February issue is out!

Slapstick Festival is gearing up to deliver a programme of events crammed with side-splitting laughs, and we managed to snag some of comedy legend Ben Elton’s time ahead of his appearance collecting his, well, Comedy Legend Award. He tells us who his own comedy legends are, and what it means for his lifetime’s work to be recognised.

For anyone chasing love, prioritising self love, cherishing their friends and adoring their pets, we have a packed gift guide to make sure your Valentine feels thoroughly spoilt this year.

Elsewhere, writer Florence Grieve meets with Ad Infinitum to learn about the theatre company’s efforts to put Deaf artists centre stage; journalist Simon Horsford heads to the studio of graffiti artist Tommy (known as Vandalist) for a masterclass in all things street art; we hear from the stars of Dear Evan Hansen ahead of its run at Bristol Hippodrome; and we reflect on some of the best ways to make the most of mirrors in your home. All that, 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 and John Lewis.

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 £35 for 12 issues, £20 for six issues or buy a copy for just £4.95. UK mainland prices. For Euro and World zone subscription prices – click here to subscribe on our website. 

Valentine's Day Truffles

Recipes by Melissa Blease

Valentine’s Day is one week away! Skip the high street queues and surprise the love of your life, your family and friends or your palentine with a box of handmade truffles made with indulgent ingredients and a whole lotta lurve. All the chocolates will keep in a (well hidden?) airtight container in the fridge for up to 10 days.

Prosecco Truffles (makes approx. 25)

Break 100g dark chocolate and 50g milk chocolate into a bowl. Gently heat 150ml double cream with 25g unsalted butter in a small saucepan (stirring continuously) until the butter has melted and the mixture just starts to simmer. Pour the hot cream mixture on top of the broken chocolate and stir until all the chocolate has melted. Add 50ml prosecco, stir to combine and chill the mixture for a minimum of 4 hours (or overnight). Line 2 baking trays with greaseproof paper. Shape the chilled chocolate mixture into 25 small balls and freeze for a minimum of 1 hour. Melt 150g dark chocolate in a bowl over (but not touching!) a pan of simmering water or in short blasts in the microwave. Drop each frozen truffle into the melted chocolate and quickly roll around with a spoon to coat before placing back on the lined tray to set for around 10-15 minutes. Serve dusted with sieved icing sugar… and a glass of fizz, of course!

Nutty Vegan Chocolate Truffles (makes approx. 40)

Break 300g dairy-free dark chocolate into a bowl with 3 tbsp coconut oil. Gently heat 240ml coconut milk in a small pan and pour over the chocolate and coconut oil, stirring gently to combine. Add 1 tsp vanilla bean paste or vanilla extract, stir again, cover with cling film and chill in the fridge for at least 4 hours (or overnight). Lightly toast 2 tbsp desiccated coconut in a dry frying pan and tip out onto a large plate. Return the pan to the heat and lightly toast 2 tbsp mixed chopped nuts (eg. hazelnuts, pecans, macadamias) and tip out onto a second large plate. Using a teaspoon, scoop out little balls of the truffle mixture and roll in the palms of your hands before rolling alternately in the toasted coconut or chopped nuts (or, for a simple finish, simply roll them all in cocoa powder). Return the decorated truffles to the fridge for around 10 minutes to firm up before serving.

Sweet’n’salty Peanut Butter Truffles (makes approx. 40; use dairy-free chocolate for a vegan alternative)

Beat 340g smooth peanut butter in a bowl until softened. Melt 150g white chocolate in a bowl over (but not touching!) a pan of simmering water or in short blasts in the microwave. Gradually combine the melted chocolate, 100g sieved icing sugar and a pinch of salt with the beaten peanut butter and put the mixture in the fridge for 30 minutes to firm up. Using slightly damp or lightly oiled hands, roll the chilled mixture into around 40 balls, placing each one onto greaseproof paper-lined baking sheets as you go. Freeze for at least 20 minutes (or overnight). Tip 200g pretzels into a sturdy plastic bag, bash with a rolling pin to create crumbs and tip the crumbs onto a plate. Melt 300g chocolate in a bowl over (but not touching!) a pan of simmering water or in short blasts in the microwave. Using two teaspoons, drop and roll each frozen truffle into the melted dark chocolate followed by the pretzel crumbs, placing each truffle back onto a lined baking sheet when done. Allow the truffles to thoroughly defrost and the coating to set before serving.

Celebratory (or commiseratory) Six Nation tipples

The Six Nations have officially begun! While our Rugby all-stars may not be drinking too much over the next five weeks, we can certainly revel in the festivities with drink picks from the six participant countries. So if you can, put your loyalties aside and try bottles from across the six nations. 

Starting at the geographic top, Scotland may not be known for its wine but it's undeniably famed for a different alcoholic beverage. Scotch Whisky is some of the finest on the market, and we've chosen this 16yo Single Malt Whisky by Lagavulin as our celebratory Six Nations pick. The barley used to distil Lagavulin is malted at nearby Port Ellen and has a super-strong peat aroma. £77.50.

Crossing the border down into England, we're back to the grapes for some English wine. With southern England now possessing the perfect climate for making Champagne, the wine industry here is rapidly growing. For England, we're going for Devonshire's Shoreline, made by Lyme Bay Winery.This white is crisp and refreshing, made to match the seafood caught along the Lyme Bay coast. £28.50.

Moving westward, we're back on the hard stuff with this Welsh Botanicals Gin from Brecon Botanicals. Wales may not be renowned for its distilleries, but this gin is definitely worth a try. With a herbal palate, earthy juniper and Eastern spices, and a touch of bergamot, clove oil and cinnamon, it's truly unique in flavour. £25.

Hopping over the Irish sea, we're back on the hard stuff with a Redbreast 12yo Irish Whiskey by Jameson Irish Whiskies. The nose is nutty and rich, rye like with dried peels and spice, an oily resiny honey note too. Classic pure pot still - silky, full bodied with nuts, citrus fruits and peel with firm grain, oily liquorice and sweet wood. £55.45.

The celebrations are really kicking off in France, and as the home of celebration royalty – Champagne – there's no better place for it. Let the fizz flow with this award-winning Champagne Blanc de Blancs by Champagne Jacquart. With green apple, lemon zest, rising bread dough and Brie rind, this eight year old bottle is a must-try. £66.50.

In Italy, we've decided to take a trip town to Lazio, the home of Italian Rugby. After all that Whisk(e)y and gin, we're looking for something a bit lighter,  and we've found it in this Anima Umbra Grechetto by Arnaldo Caprai.  It's fragrant and fruity, with elements of yellow peach and light freesia, and mineral notes with a lovely almond finish.

Discover all of these and more wines from the Six Nations at greatwine.co.uk

Aqua Restaurant's pizza van is rolling into Portishead
this Saturday, 8 February

The beloved Bristol restaurant's classic HY Citroen van is rolling into Portishead this Saturday 8 February!

Get ready to enjoy tasty Neapolitan pizzas using hand-stretched dough and the finest ingredients, made fresh right in front of you. 

The van will park up right outside their waterfront restaurant at Martingale Way, Portishead, and fire up the wood burning oven ready to serve you delicious takeaway pizzas from 6.30pm.

Work up an appetite with a stroll around the marina, then reward yourself with a delicious Double Pepperoni for just £11! Other pizzas include Margherita, Sweet & Spicy, Four Cheese and BBQ Chicken. 

aqua-restaurant.com

The Ivy launches its Valentine's Day Set Menu, available between
12 and 16 February

This Valentine's Day, enjoy a beautifully curated menu at The Ivy complete with a Forever Rose to take home, for just £65pp. 

The menu comprises a starter, main, sides to share, and a dessert per person, and provides the perfect array of dishes for celebrating the day with a loved one. 

The cuisine pulls on decadent flavours and seasonal ingredients, and options include a Stilton and Walnut Cheese Soufflé, Classic Prawn Cocktail, Foraged Wild Mushroom and Truffle Linguine, and Chicken Supreme Milanese, as well as Blackened Cod Fillet and a Fillet of Beef. For desserts, choose between the indulgent Cupid’s Love Heart (pictured), the iconic Ivy Chocolate Bombe, or the tempting Crème Brûlée. 

The Valentine’s Day set menu will be available at The Ivy Clifton Brasserie between 12 and 16 February, visit theivycliftonbrasserie.com to book.

The Ivy Clifton Brasserie, 42-44 Caledonia Pl, Clifton, Bristol BS8 4DN

Cubitus by Patek Philippe

In the biggest horology launch since the Twenty~4 in 1999, and to mark the birth of its new Cubitus collection - a range of time pieces embodying a unique blend of boldness and elegance, Patek Philippe unveils an all-new model featuring novel displays combining instantaneous grand date, day and moon-phase and small seconds indications.

The distinctive design of the square platinum case, with its 45mm diameter and elegantly slender profile, is accentuated by the contrast between polished and vertical satin-brushed finishes. Like all platinum Patek Philippe models, this timepiece is adorned with a diamond – for the first time baguette-cut – set on the bezel at 6 o'clock. The horizontally embossed sunburst blue dial features white gold applied baton-style hour markers with white luminescent coating.

The modern style is enhanced by a strap in navy blue composite material with fabric pattern, contrasting cream stitching and platinum Cubitus fold-over clasp.

Water-resistant to 30m, the Calibre 240 PS CI J LU movement is an all-new self-winding mechanism and can be enjoyed through the sapphire crystal case back.

For prices, information and to register your interest visit Mallory, or click here to view the website.

Whilstles' new SS25 Collection is out now

Whistles Limited Edition Spring Summer '25 represents an exploration into classic Americana, where timeless designs are modernised through distinctive shapes, colours, and details. 

The silhouette is distinct and contemporary, with lacing and corseting used to give sculptural shapes to classic pieces. Western-inspired shirts and dresses are cinched at the waist to create an hourglass shape, while knitwear features pronounced shoulders and curved sleeves to further the contemporary look. 

Fringe is used sparingly and in unexpected forms, worked into suede and knitwear to create pieces which are distinctively modern, yet offer a refined nod to the enduring aesthetic of Americana. The suede Western Jacket perfectly represents this: it's cut from navy suede, detailed with fringing across the front and back, and accented with contrasting seams. 

Deep indigo denim is used as a further nod to the Americana influences, with a jacket, skirt, and jeans all cut to modern shapes. The result offers versatile styling options, creating elevated double denim looks and pairing beautifully with the collection's red, white, green, and navy colour palette. 

Shop now at whistles.com 
Whistles, John Lewis, The Mall at Cribbs Causeway, Bristol BS34 5QU

Get Western with DuoBoots

Cowboy boots are bigger than ever after Beyoncé's Grammy win on Monday for her latest album, Cowboy Carter!

By seamlessly blending Western style with modern flair, she has transformed the cowboy boot into a statement piece, elevating it from a momentary trend to the start of a boot renaissance.

Once confined to country-core fashion, these boots have now emerged as symbols of versatility, merging timeless design with chic accents that effortlessly combine rustic charm and urban luxe.

Dynamic and stylish, DuoBoots Saffron design is the perfect cowboy boot for anyone seeking to embrace the Western aesthetic. With a variety of colours and materials, it offers something for every personal style...

Browse the selection at duoboots.com, or click the images to view the individual designs online

The Look of Love avec Chanel

There are countless ways to show your love with Chanel this Valentine's day. 

For her, give the Coco Mademoiselle Eau de Parfum: an ambery fragrance, a spirited and voluptuous scent. Sparks of fresh and vibrant orange immediately awaken the senses. A clear and sensual heart reveals the transparent accords of jasmine and rose. Finally, the trail unfurls with vibrant accents of Patchouli and Vetiver.

For him, discover the Bleu de Chanel Eau de Parfum: an ode to masculine freedom expressed in an aromatic-woody fragrance that teams New Caledonian sandalwood with notes of amber cedar and tonka bean. Its trail is warm and sensual.

On our wishlist is the N°1 de Chanel Massage Accessory, designed to address the signs of youth. Its popularity means it’s currently sold out, but you can request to be notified when it’s back in stock on the Chanel website. The massager complements the effects of the Revitalising Serum Duo on wrinkles, elasticity, pores and radiance.

chanel.com

Curated by Daniel McCabe

Forgotten Worlds is an Australian magazine about old video game magazines. It’s published by Mikolai Napieralski who recalls growing up in the late 80s/early 90s and having to make do with a handful of video game releases every year. 'Maybe you got a game for Christmas, another for your birthday, and scraped together some pocket money in-between. Magazines helped fill the long gaps in-between. They allowed us to access a world of games and systems far beyond our modest suburban lives. Which meant the monthly release of your favourite magazines was a big deal.’ Forgotten Worlds looks back at that era with the benefit of hindsight to put the games, the reviews, and the people behind it all in proper context. | £25

magalleria.co.uk

September 5 now showing at Everyman

During the 1972 Summer Olympics in Munich, Germany, an American sports broadcasting team must adapt to live coverage of the Israeli athletes being held hostage by a terrorist group. This 2024 historical drama thriller the film chronicles the Munich massacre of 1972 from the perspective of the ABC Sports crew and their coverage of the events. Directed by Tim Fehlbaum, and stars Peter Sarsgaard, John Magaro, Ben Chaplin, and Leonie Benesch.

Visit everymancinema.com to book your space

Beethoven+: Symphonies 2 & 7
Saturday 8 March

Bristol Classical Players return for the second concert in their 15th anniversary series BEETHOVEN+ (all nine Beethoven symphonies over five concerts, each including a new work by a composer from the Bristol area).

Beethoven’s 2nd Symphony is bursting with wit and originality, constantly wrong-footing any listener but charming them throughout. 

The 7th remains one of the most thrilling and popular works in the entire orchestral repertoire, from the relentless tread of its famous second movement (used in The King’s Speech) to the ecstatic outpouring of the finale with its whooping horns. Wagner called this work “the apotheosis of the dance” – and he was right! The evening begins with a performance of Dream Sequence: A Life on Repeat by Liam O’Connell.

Programme
O’Connell Dream Sequence
Beethoven Symphony No 2 in D Op 36
Beethoven Symphony No 7 in A Op 92

Saturday 8 March, 7.30pm | St George's Bristol, Great George Street, Bristol BS1 5RR
Buy tickets at stgeorgesbristol.co.uk

Exultate Singers Grand Tour of Italy
1 March, 7pm

Join Exultate Singers and the internationally renowned instrumentalists of His Majestys Sagbutts & Cornetts for a captivating journey through the rich tapestry of Renaissance Italy, showcasing a wide array of sacred and secular works from cathedrals, convents, and courts across the peninsula. 

The programme includes rarely-performed, expressive and flamboyant music by the 17th century female composers Chiara Cozzolani and Rafaella Aleotti. 

Tickets £16 to £28 from St George’s Bristol on 0117 929 4929 or online at stgeorgesbristol.co.uk

Bristol Bears Women are set to go head-to-head with Exeter Chiefs this Saturday, 8 February!

Bristol Bears Women's rearranged PWR (Premiership Women's Rugby) clash with Exeter Chiefs will be played at Ashton Gate on Saturday, February 8th (12.15pm KO).

The West Country derby, which was initially postponed in December due to Storm Darragh, will now be the Bears' penultimate game of the regular season, as Dave Ward's side target a spot in the end of season play-offs.

With all to play for in the PWR, Bears are currently sat just two points behind the third-place Exeter Chiefs. 

Click here to buy your tickets today and get stuck into the action!

Wrap up a bumper weekend of sport with a late-night viewing party of the NFL Super Bowl, kicking-off at 11.30pm GMT on Sunday!

Super Bowl LIX will be available to watch live on ITV1 and ITVX from 10.45pm, and is expected to finish at around 3.30am on Monday.

Happy watching!

Clifton Vale, BS8

Offered for sale by Rupert Oliver Estate Agents

5 Bedrooms | 2 Bathrooms | 5 Receptions | Guide Price: £1,750,000

12 Clifton Vale is a fabulous Grade II* Listed townhouse, forming part of an iconic terrace of Limestone fronted family homes, each with a west facing balcony, deep front gardens and far-reaching views. 

The house is beautifully appointed, retaining many period features over its five floors, and is completed with a stunning architect designed glazed rear extension, really bringing the “outside in” and flooding the kitchen with light. 

Inside, the entrance hall is finished with refurbished stripped wooden floors, a feature continuing through much of the house. Across the hall floor lie two charming reception rooms; a full width sitting room to the rear and an elegant study / family room to the front. Both benefit from reclaimed marble fire-surrounds, with the study enjoying a suite of bespoke fitted bookshelves. 

Down a short flight of stairs lies the exquisite open-plan kitchen / dining room; beautifully designed with a cutting edge extension with a fully glazed rear wall with oversized sliding doors opening out into the garden.  The kitchen itself is practically laid out, with an expanse of stainless steel worktops, an extensive range of floor and wall-mounted storage complete with multiple integrated appliances. 

Across from the kitchen lies a useful family room complete with secondary access to the front garden. In addition there is a fitted cloakroom with a w.c and wash basin, as well as a generous internal storeroom / workshop.

Accessed via the stunning balustrade staircase, the first floor boasts a superb full-width drawing room; west facing with twin sash windows opening up onto a decked and canopied balcony. From here are views across the garden to Ashton Court; a perfect spot for a sundowner and balloon watching.

To the rear is a lovely full-width guest bedroom, complete with its own en-suite shower room. Upstairs, across the upper two floors, lie four further double bedrooms; with an impressive master suite with far-reaching west-facing views, served by a well-appointed en-suite shower room.

The third bedroom, to the rear, shares the family bathroom with bedrooms four and five above. Conveniently arranged over the top floor is a generous utility room, with space and plumbing for a washing machine and dryer along with a Belfast sink and excellent fitted linen and clothes storage.

The top floor itself is illuminated by a pitched ceiling lantern, flooding the top floor landing and stairwell with natural light; whilst the top floor front bedroom enjoys some of the best views in the house. The pretty front garden catches much of the day's sun and, with the front gate closed, provides a lovely safe and private sunspot for the family to enjoy. To the rear, accessed from the stunning glazed dining room, is a landscaped garden arranged over a series of terraces. 

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