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From our Editor,

Bristol Bites: Books, booze and blouses

Just when you thought this most creative of cities couldn’t be more imaginative, it comes up with a corker. Quite literally. 

The Book Cellar has opened on Stokes Croft. It pairs wines with reading matter. The late, great comic genius Peter Cook would have been down there like a shot.

The founders are Claire and Tom Bartley. They have partnered with Bristol-based DMB wines. An example? The novel Circe, by Madeline Miller, is paired with a wine from Greece, where her book is based. Those of us who nursed horrific hangovers thanks to Greek plonk consumed on Inter-rail holidays will shiver. But standards have clearly improved. 

And The Book Cellar is dog-friendly. The Bartleys have two dogs of their own - Bertie Wooster and Gromit, the latter named after Bristol’s famed, filmic scamperer. Word to the wise. The number one Wooster in Bristol is a black spaniel cared for by my publisher. Ask anyone at The Royal Oak in Clifton. Easily the most popular pooch on The Downs on a sunny morning.

So, hounds and hooch while you read. Sounds pretty cool. The promised Monday silent reading nights may present a challenge, however. The howling could be a problem. Not the dogs, you understand. Just the humans who mutter “perhaps just one more glass of the Pomerol”. 

Smart Works Bristol, this newsletter’s favourite charity, is at it again. Led by the irrepressible Imogen Franklin, SWB aims to help women into work through a combination of clothing and coaching.

SWB’s latest endeavour is an exciting event at Clifton Down Shopping Centre. It’s on Monday 18 May, 10.30am to 4.30pm. 

It’s an opportunity to learn more about the organisation and its fantastic work. And your chance to pick up a fabulous piece of fashion at a bargain price.

Unemployed women can come along and sign up for free career coaching. Then feast on the fashion. It’s up to 70% off RRP on top brands.

All of the proceeds go towards funding the Smart Works mission to place women in work.

And a word for the menfolk. This is your chance. Remember those Christmas Eve panic attacks when you haven’t bought the perfect present for she/he/they? So get down to SWB and spend. Then lie. Just say you went to Selfridges on a whim.

Rhidian Wynn Davies | Editor in Chief

This week, we focus on the National Trust’s brilliant work in beautiful Bristol and its surroundings.

The Trust supports three main attractions:

An ornate, Victorian Gothic Revival house, boasting extensive gardens and parkland, situated in Wraxall BS48 1PA. 

The Gibbs family bought a modest Regency manor, Tyntes Place, in 1843 and transformed it into Gothic grandeur. Its many highlights include The Cloister, The Library (thousands of books) and the unassuming Ante Room. Unassuming, until visitors spy a gem of a painting - The Madonna and Child with St John the Baptist by Giovanni Bellini. A Venetian, Bellini (1430-1516) possessed real Renaissance pedigree. 

Visit Tyntesfield | Somerset | National Trust

for information on prices, opening times and (everyone’s favourite) car parking.

A hamlet of nine cottages laid out around an open green. Four miles north of the city centre (Henbury BS10 7QY), the dwellings were built in 1811 to house retired staff from the Blaise Castle estate. 

For more information, visit Blaise Hamlet | Somerset | National Trust

Blaise Castle Estate (BS10 7QS) is free to visit and boasts 650 acres of pristine parkland, a museum and, of course, the castle itself.

A great place to take the kids. Visit www.bristol.gov.uk for further information. 

Ah, Leigh Woods. Just over Britain’s best bridge, built by Brunel. A nature reserve and a magical place.

Take time to stroll among its tremendous trees. Let your dog off the leash (if well behaved). Leigh Woods is a lovely location. Breathe the air, listen to the birds and generally feel a bit better about life.

For more information visit The National Trust website and search for Leigh Woods.

So, there you have it. Three jewels in Bristol’s glittering crown. The National Trust must be highly commended for its sterling efforts. The organisation is a national treasure from which Bristol and the wider world are rewarded with immense knowledge and pleasure. 

Get the nippers out to soak up some culture and nature. If they whinge, just buy them an ice cream.

Scroll down for best of Instagram, sport, property news and more things to do in Bristol this weekend…

Top 10 Stories · 7–14 May 2026

Former Refugee Becomes Bristol's First Somali Lord Mayor

BBC News  ·  12 May 2026

Yassin Mohamud, a Green Party city councillor representing Lawrence Hill, was officially inaugurated as Bristol's Lord Mayor at City Hall on Monday — becoming the city's first Somali Lord Mayor. Mohamud arrived in Bristol from Somalia as a refugee twenty years ago, later volunteering in the community and earning a degree before going on to hold public sector roles with Bristol City Council. He was elected to represent Lawrence Hill ward in 2021. In his inaugural address, he pledged to champion 'unity, collaboration and mutual assistance,' saying he wanted to build 'a city where everyone has the chance to prosper.' He succeeds Conservative councillor Henry Michallat.

Read more at BBC News

Bristol Ambulance Firm Facing Collapse Over £1m Tax Bill

BBC News  ·  14 May 2026

Bristol Ambulance EMS, a private service responsible for transporting critically ill and vulnerable patients across Bristol and the South West, is facing the prospect of being wound up after HMRC filed a petition over an alleged £1 million unpaid tax bill. The potential collapse has raised serious patient safety concerns, with reports of staff already walking out over wage disputes. A court hearing to review the winding-up petition is scheduled for Wednesday, 20 May. Patient transport services are said to be continuing as normal for now, with eligible patients advised to keep booking through the Patient Transport Hub.

Read more at BBC News

Construction of Bristol's New £500m University Campus Complete

BBC News  ·  11 May 2026

The final phase of construction on the University of Bristol's landmark Temple Quarter Enterprise Campus has been completed, ahead of its planned opening to students in September 2026. The £500 million development near Temple Meads represents the largest investment in Bristol's built environment in a generation, expected to create thousands of jobs and attract global research talent. West of England Mayor Helen Godwin hailed it as 'a significant step towards unlocking the broader potential of Bristol Temple Quarter.' The campus will also deliver a new eastern entrance to Temple Meads station and new harbour walkways.

Read more at BBC News

Thousands Take Part in the Annual Great Bristol Run

BBC News  ·  10 May 2026

Tens of thousands of runners and spectators took to the streets of Bristol city centre for the fully booked AJ Bell Great Bristol Run. This year's event introduced new start times, with half-marathon participants setting off before 10K runners — a timetable change designed to avoid the midday heat. Among the participants was Marcos, who completed the course in support of his partner Isabella, almost a year on from her recovery from a serious brain bleed. The event raised significant funds for local charities and featured a reversed route for 2026.

Read more at BBC News

St Paul's Carnival Scaled Back Amid Cost and Safety Concerns

BBC News  ·  12 May 2026

Bristol will not host a full-scale St Paul's Carnival in 2026, with organisers confirming the traditional procession and street celebration will be significantly reduced to manage costs and mitigate what they described as 'unnecessary' risks. The event normally attracts around 150,000 people to St Pauls each summer, making it one of the UK's largest outdoor street celebrations. The St Pauls Carnival CIC Board described the decision as a 'necessary reset to help ensure its long-term future,' following discussions with Bristol City Council and Avon and Somerset Police.

Read more at BBC News

Youth Clubs at the Heart of Bristol's Knife Crime Strategy

BBC News  ·  13 May 2026

Bristol has been identified as one of the UK's knife crime hotspots and is set to receive new Home Office funding to back youth clubs as a frontline prevention strategy. Bristol will receive a share of £2 million in government funding, targeted at youth services in the most affected neighbourhoods, with organisations including Empire Fighting Chance and Creative Youth Network involved. The programme runs through to 2029. Separately, Avon and Somerset Police reported that knife crime figures in the region are already falling, attributing the decline to ongoing knife crime education.

Read more at BBC News

Man Charged with Murder After Body Found on Bristol Rooftop Garden

Avon & Somerset Police  ·  10 May 2026

Nigel Lubban, 50, of no fixed abode, has been charged with murder following the death of Anthony Clemmings, 54, known as Tony, whose body was discovered on the rooftop garden of a block of flats on Redcliff Street, Bristol, on the morning of 5 May. Lubban was arrested in the West Midlands on 8 May and appeared at Bristol Magistrates' Court on 11 May, remanded in custody. Tony's family described him as a 'wonderful man' and are being supported by specially trained officers. The Major Crime Investigation Team is leading the investigation.

Read more at Avon & Somerset Police

Police Officer Drowned in Bristol Harbour After 'Normal Night Out', Inquest Finds

BBC News  ·  12 May 2026

An inquest has concluded that PC Rehaan Akhtar, a 28-year-old South Wales Police officer from Llanelli, drowned in Bristol Harbour after falling from the jetty near the Arnolfini arts centre on 23 November 2025 after a day of drinking with colleagues. His body was recovered by divers the following morning. Toxicology reports showed his blood alcohol level was approximately three times the legal driving limit. His family have called for improved safety measures at Bristol's harbourside, and the Bristol Harbourmaster has committed to a written review of existing safety provisions.

Read more at BBC News

Man Jailed 16 Years for Rape and Sexual Assault of Two Children

Avon & Somerset Police  ·  13 May 2026

Callum Waterhouse, 27, of Nelson, Wales, was sentenced to 16 years in prison at Bristol Crown Court on 7 May after being unanimously convicted of nine offences of rape and sexual assault against two children. Waterhouse moved to Bristol in 2016 at age 18, where he groomed and assaulted one victim, before later offending against a second victim in Wales. The case came to light in 2018 and went to trial at Bristol Crown Court in 2026. He must serve a minimum of nine and a half years before being eligible for parole and will be placed on the Sex Offenders' Register for life.

Read more at Avon & Somerset Police

University of Bristol Develops AI Emulator to Run Million-Year Climate Models in Minutes

University of Bristol  ·  13 May 2026

Researchers at the University of Bristol have published a breakthrough method in Nature Communications for running million-year climate simulations at a fraction of the cost and time of traditional methods. Led by Dr Charles Williams, the team trained a rapid statistical emulator that can simulate three million years of climate change in approximately ten minutes on a standard laptop — a task that would otherwise take 60 years of real-time computing. The emulator successfully reproduced the timing and scale of major ice-age cycles and opens the door to testing complex climate hypotheses at previously impractical timescales.

Read more at University of Bristol

Man injured after 'nasty assault' in Bristol

Yahoo News - May 11, 2026

Police in Bristol are seeking the public's help to identify a man captured on CCTV following an assault on November 29, 2025, that left a victim with a serious head injury. The incident occurred near Little George Street around 3:20 AM, and authorities believe witnesses from the large crowd may have crucial information; anyone with details is urged to contact them referencing case number 522.

Read more at Yahoo News (2 mins)

Rivals Cast & Creatives Join Disney+ and the West of England Mayor in Bristol to Celebrate Regional Production

UK Press - May 14, 2026

On May 14, 2026, Bristol hosted a special screening and panel for the Hulu Original series "Rivals," based on Dame Jilly Cooper's Rutshire Chronicles, featuring cast members and the creative team, highlighting the region's significant role in the production. The event showcased local initiatives that support the film industry, with the series set to stream on Disney+ starting May 15, emphasising Bristol’s vibrant creative ecosystem.

Read more at UK Press (10 mins)

South West's top 10 mega-wealthy revealed in new Sunday Times Rich List

Bristol Live - May 15, 2026

James Dyson's wealth has plummeted from £20.8bn to £12bn amid a significant revenue decline at his consumer electricals group, yet he remains the richest man in the South West. Despite challenges, including a nearly halved profit and workforce reductions, Dyson's business is still valued at £8bn, while other notable figures in the region include Chris Dawson and the Perkins family of Specsavers.

Read more at Bristol Live (4 mins)

Bristol Beer Factory launches ‘A Summer to Remember’ with Clear Head

British Guild of Beer Writers - May 15, 2026

Bristol Beer Factory is launching "A Summer to Remember" campaign, featuring their popular alcohol-free beer, Clear Head, at UK festivals to support mental health charity Talk Club. Festival-goers can enjoy refreshing drinks while engaging in meaningful conversations about well-being, with events planned at Shindig, Bristol Pride, and more.

Read more at British Guild of Beer Writers (4 mins)

Extra 1,000 people for Bristol Downs festival despite 'human rights' noise row

Bristol Live - May 14, 2026

The Feast On food festival at the Downs is set to expand its capacity to 6,000 attendees and will now feature a second weekend of concerts in July, despite local residents voicing concerns about noise disturbances. Organizers have committed to limiting sound levels and using smaller speakers to address these issues while offering a vibrant lineup of food stalls, cooking classes, and live performances.

Read more at Bristol Live (4 mins)

Bristol Joins London, Birmingham, Manchester, Edinburgh and More UK Cities with Airline Routes from Seville: How easyJet, Ryanair, British Airways Stepping Up

Travelandtourworld - 

Starting in 2026, Bristol will become the fifth UK city to offer direct flights to Seville, joining London, Birmingham, Manchester, and Edinburgh. This new route will enhance connectivity and boost tourism, making it easier for travellers to explore the vibrant Spanish city's rich history and culture.

Read more at Travelandtourworld (1 min)

Van dwellers leave Clifton Downs in Bristol after court order

BBC - 

As a legal deadline looms, only about 10 vehicles remain in the area, indicating that most owners have prioritised compliance with new regulations. This shift highlights how regulatory pressures can significantly influence vehicle presence and owner behaviour.

Read more at BBC (1 min) 

Bristol Bears

The Bears really needed to beat Saracens at Ashton Gate on Saturday in their quest for a top four spot in the Prem. But they suffered a 26-41 defeat at the hands of the Londoners. The only crumb of comfort was a bonus point for scoring four tries.

The result leaves Bristol in fifth, five points adrift of Exeter with three games to go. The next one couldn’t be a tougher test. Away to table toppers Northampton Saints at Franklin’s Gardens tonight (Friday) at 7.45pm. 

City and Rovers

The season is over for Bristol’s two league sides. Mid table in the Championship for The Robins. Mid table in League Two for The Pirates. All a bit ho-hum, but credit to Rovers. They were at real risk of relegation midway through the campaign.

Leather on willow

The cricket season is well underway. Let’s check up on our nearest counties, Somerset and Bristol-based Gloucestershire. 

Somerset are middling along in 6th place in Division One of the County Championship. Two wins, two defeats and one draw. Unspectacular but solid. They welcome Sussex to Taunton today.

Gloucestershire. Oh dear - a very poor start to the Division Two season. Rock bottom of the table with a solitary win in their first five matches. They welcome Northants to Bristol today.

Lost Track of Time – Day Festival (Sat 16 May)
House‑ and disco‑lovers can explore an abandoned sawmill transformed into a 3,000‑capacity day festival with open‑air stages, immersive set‑design and local food stalls. The event runs 1pm–10pm at Sawmills in east Bristol and is 18 +.
https://www.skiddle.com/whats-on/Bristol/Sawmills/Lost-Track-of-Time-Day-Festival/41989081/

Where We Belong Festival (Sat 16 May)
Set by the harbourside in Canon’s Marsh Amphitheatre, this new boutique festival celebrates Bristol’s love of house and disco. Expect a daytime‑to‑evening celebration with headliners Soul II Soul, Masters At Work and David Morales alongside a carefully curated lineup and a friendly, inclusive atmosphere.
https://wherewebelongfestival.co.uk/

Max Cooper at Bristol Beacon (Sat 16 May, 7.30 pm)
Electronic composer Max Cooper brings his immersive live show to Bristol Beacon’s Beacon Hall. Expect emotive, audio‑visual electronica at this seated show; tickets start around £39.
https://concerts50.com/show/max-cooper-in-bristol-tickets-may-16-2026

The Spring South Glos Food & Drink Festival (Sat 16 – Sun 17 May)
A free weekend of street food, bars, live music, a funfair and a producer market takes over the Bristol & Bath Science Park (BS16 7FR). Entry is free (tickets required for capacity control), with different arrival slots available each day.
https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/the-spring-south-glos-food-drink-festival-sat-16th-sun-17th-may-2026-tickets-1984566071543

Upfest Festival (Fri 15 – Sun 31 May)
Europe’s largest street‑art festival returns to Bedminster and Southville. Over 250 artists will paint new murals during the 17‑day programme, alongside workshops, live events and community projects. Head down this weekend to catch artists in action.
https://www.upfest.co.uk/

Bristol Walk Fest (1 – 31 May)
This free, city‑wide celebration of walking continues all month. The festival offers inclusive walks and events across Bristol for people of all ages and abilities – perfect for exploring hidden corners on your own or with others.
https://www.bristolwalkfest.com/

Billy Lockett at Strange Brew (Sun 17 May, evening)
Singer‑songwriter Billy Lockett brings his raw, piano‑led ballads to Strange Brew. Fans of Lewis Capaldi and Sam Fender should enjoy his heartfelt set.
https://dice.fm/event/billy-lockett-strange-brew-bristol-17-may-2026

Mark Watson: Before It Overtakes Us (Sun 17 May, 7.30 pm)
The Bristol‑born comedian’s new stand‑up show at the Tobacco Factory Theatres mixes existential questions about humanity’s future with quirky observations (and occasional sausage‑based musings). The 1 hour 50 minute show is recommended for ages 14 +.
https://tobaccofactorytheatres.com/shows/mark-watson-before-it-overtakes-us/

The Fantasy Orchestra – This Woman’s Work (Sun 17 May, 7.30 pm)
Bristol’s playful orchestra salutes Kate Bush and other trail‑blazing female singer‑songwriters at St George’s Bristol. Expect big arrangements and a 50‑strong orchestra covering songs by Kate Bush, Joni Mitchell, Björk and more.
https://www.ents24.com/bristol-events/st-georges-bristol/the-fantasy-orchestra/7455633

Tricky + special guest at Bristol Beacon (Sun 17 May, 7 pm)
Trip‑hop pioneer Tricky returns to his home city for a live show at Beacon Hall. The concert begins at 7 pm and tickets (from about £100 on resale sites) are selling quickly.
https://concerts50.com/show/tricky-in-bristol-tickets-may-17-2026

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