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This blog is intended to provide information, news, updates and comments about the eckhoBristol website. Also a place to share what is going on behind the scenes and our plans for the future, we encourage visitors to join in and comment on any of our posts, enjoy reading.

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Bristol International Balloon Fiesta launches campsite for 2013

Posted on June 18, 2013 by Simon Fewkes

Bristol International Balloon Fiesta 2011Bristol International Balloon Fiesta has announced the launch of an official campsite for this year’s event, which takes place from 8th – 11th August on Ashton Court Estate, Bristol.

For the first time in the event’s 35 year history, organisers will offer an official Bristol International Balloon Fiesta campsite with partners Camping Ninja, set within walking distance of the main arena. Visitors attending for the whole weekend or overnight can enjoy camping in close proximity to Europe’s biggest annual ballooning event.

Katie Astbury, Partnerships Manager at Camping Ninja explains;

“We are working with the organisers of the Bristol International Balloon Fiesta to give visitors a base nearby the event where they can enjoy the whole weekend. Once they have established their base, they can enjoy everything the four day Fiesta has to offer from the spectacular night glows to the mass ascents with up to 150 hot air balloons rising majestically into the skies over Bristol.”

Chris Hathaway, Chairman of the Bristol International Balloon Fiesta Committee explains;

“The Bristol International Balloon Fiesta is one of the UK’s best loved events with thousands turning out at 6am to see the balloons take flight from the estate. This idea gives a cost effective option for our visitors travelling to the event from miles around to stay nearby and stroll onto the event site for our balloon launches and glows or just pop their head out of the tent to see them take off nearby, providing the wind is in the right direction”

Over 150 hot air balloons will take off from Ashton Court Estate at dawn and light up the skies at night with evening glows with fun activities on the ground to keep the family entertained.

The event features four days of extravagant hot-air balloon displays with half a million visitors gathering in the gorgeous grounds of Ashton Court to watch balloons of all shapes and sizes lift off over the City of Bristol. Entertainment for all the family includes fairground rides, delicious food stalls and bars, face painting and acoustic music stage.

The campsite opens on Thursday 8th August at 12 noon and closes on Monday 12th August at 10am. Bookings can made with Campaign Ninja by visiting: www.campingninja.com/theofficialbristolballoonfiestacampsite

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Get the holidays off to a wonderful start with the end of term Love Food Festival

Posted on June 13, 2013 by Simon Fewkes

The end of the school term is fast approaching and here at Love Food Festival we are excited to be celebrating the break from school runs and endless homework. Come along (hungry) to our colourful Paintworks home on Sunday 21st July and join in the fun as we bring together some of the finest producers in the South West, some superb street food, cookery demonstrations and a fun filled children’s area.

Browse along the market stalls and you’ll find; handmade pies by Lovett Pies, artisan cheese, freshly baked bread from ‘The Thoughtful Bread Company’, hot sauce, jerk rub, light and airy cakes, local ice cream, fruit and vegetables, and deliciously filled hampers by the award winning Arch House Deli. Glenhalme Herbs will be on hand too with their incredible array of culinary and medicinal herbs and salads. As exceptional local growers, they will provide you with the tips and advice you need to create your own edible garden.

To help you get in the mood for the weeks ahead there will be cookery demonstrations taking place throughout the day with a holiday theme. Topics will include; coastal foraging, how to fillet a fish, how to pick a crab, cooking outdoors, the wonder food that is seaweed, how to pack a perfect picnic and some deliciously refreshing drink ideas.

Having sampled and bought some of the finest local food around make room for some outstanding street food delivered with enthusiasm and care. Prepare to be overwhelmed as you choose between; authentic Spanish paella, Niangs Thai snacks, Sausage Fest, some lip smacking ribs from Ribstreet, Agnes Spencers legendary Jerk chicken or some mouth-watering vegetarian dishes from Minno Kitchen. You can wash your food down with some local rose petal wine from Fieldbar Wines, or some of Dick Willows’ award winning cider.

With an exciting opportunity to make sandcastles, boats, flags, bunting, ice cream, and to take part in fishing games, the seaside holiday theme we’ve got in store is guaranteed to keep your children happy. These fun and educational activities means that the whole family can take away something from this festival; whether cider for later, cheese for next week, a hamper for the next month, some inspiration for holiday food adventures or simply a very full tummy; you’ll be sure to have relished this special day out.

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“Yurt Lush” cafe from Eat Drink Events comes to Bristol’s Temple Quarter

Posted on June 13, 2013 by Simon Fewkes

C www.joncraig.co.uk (4)From Monday 17 June, Yurt Lush – a one-of-a-kind café – will open its doors in Temple Quay at Bristol’s re-launched art and events space, Creative Common.

In a typically Bristolian collaboration, the team behind Eat Drink Bristol Fashion have joined forces with Creative Common to provide Bristol’s Temple Quarter Enterprise Zone high quality, sustainably sourced food in an amazing venue.

Best known for transforming Queen Square into a spectacular tipi village once a year, Eat Drink Events have constructed Yurt Lush from three adjoining Mongolian yurts. The café includes a bar, kitchen and seating for up to 70 people.

Featuring a menu designed by renowned Bristol chef, Josh Eggleton, Yurt Lush will be open to all from 7am to 4 pm daily. Yurt Lush will also open on selected evenings to cater for special events and support Creative Common’s extensive performance programme throughout the summer.

In keeping with the Eat Drink Events “field to fork” ethos, Yurt Lush will use sustainably sourced, organic produce from a trusted network of suppliers including The Story for organic meat and The Community Farm for organic veg.

The café will be serving a mouth-watering menu that includes Organic Full Englishes for breakfast, steamed mussels with fries for lunch and takeaway salads, noodles and sandwiches for those on the go (see full menu below).

Commenting, Co-founder of Eat Drink Events, Josh Eggleton said:

“Yurt Lush will give Eat Drink Events a permanent presence in Bristol and we are delighted to be part of Creative Common 2013. It’s another exciting venue to be working in and allows us to fulfil our goals to provide high quality, sustainably sourced food in interesting spaces”

“We are pleased to offer a different food offering to Temple Quay and hope that both residents and workers in the area will enjoy our daytime menu.

“Over the coming months we’ll be promoting a number of exciting evening and weekend events including one of our Story Organic Sunday lunches. We’re also pleased to be able to offer the venue for hire to those who wish to host their own interesting parties. Just get in touch!”

For more information visit www.eatdrinkevents.co.uk

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A Very ‘Special’ Exhibition Coming to Bristol

Posted on June 12, 2013 by Simon Fewkes

panterHorace Panter, the art loving bass guitarists for The Specials, opens his stunning new solo art exhibition ‘Obvious Pop’ with 1LOVEART at Bristol’s The Square Gallery on Thursday 13th June. The opening night starts at 18:00 with drinks, nibbles and tunes – with Bristol’s VERY own DJ Derek at 10pm!

Horace is about to go on the road yet again for another sell‐out tour with The Specials, but he found time recently to speak to 1LOVEART who are organising the exhibition which stays in the city until 10th September. “2013 has been a very busy year for The Specials”, said Horace. “It began with us gigging with Iggy Pop in Texas earlier in the year, then we had the recently completed UK Tour and are back in States in July, playing the East Coast.

“When I tour, I’m a musician and when I’m not, I’m a full‐time artist. So, I must be one of the luckiest guys on earth! The artistic highlight of my year, so far, was seeing my work rubbing shoulders with that of Sir Peter Blake and Andy Warhol at the Royal Academy in London! “People always ask me if my music influences my art and the answer is, well, yes and no. “For instance in my Chicago Blues paintings, I didn’t just want to paint a portrait of Muddy Waters – I wanted to explain how his music impacted upon me… these guys are my heroes! “I think that everything about my life informs my art, including music.”

We then went on to ask Horace about his collection and his favourite new works. “I’m very happy with my Blues series”, replied Horace. “But my favourite piece has to be ‘Hound Dog Taylor’ because he’s my favourite Bluesman! “I’m also very pleased with the way

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Love Food Festival returns to Dyrham Park for a day of summer food loving

Posted on June 10, 2013 by Simon Fewkes

dyrham-july-2013Love Food Festival will be returning to the gorgeous Dyrham Park in July for a summer celebration of food love.  With a market of carefully selected producers, a sizzling street food scene, and the entertaining children’s area where they can enjoy the great outdoors, this is set to be a thoroughly enjoyable day for food lovers of all ages.

With this day set amongst acres of greenery, you can create your own picnics after a venture around the market stalls. Amongst our carefully selected producers you’ll see; Greens of Glastonbury cheese, fresh bread from Oxfords Bakery, Upton Cheyney’s chilli sauces, cakes from Beach House Bakery, and much more. Or if you’d rather visit a street vendor (or have both!) there’ll be a huge array of global cuisine on offer.

Amongst many you’ll find Pizza Monkey, Chomp with their outstanding burgers, and we are excited to be joining forces with Bristol’s well loved restaurant Poco and their delicious Morroccan fare for the first time. This can all be enjoyed and taken in with a pint of award-winning Dick Willows cider.

The TaxPayer’s Alliance will also be putting up their stall as they prepare to get less tax charged on a pint of cider. And, we must say here at Love Food, there is no better way of enjoying local produce out in the beautiful English countryside than this.

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Bristol Harbour Festival announces State of Happiness

Posted on June 5, 2013 by Simon Fewkes

State of Happiness Launch for Harbour Festival 2013 L-R Simon Howlett, Danielle Shingler, Simon Cook, Mike Zeidler and Mike Richmond to sendScientists are predicting the brief appearance of the world’s 207th nation, the State of Happiness, rising like a volcanic island in the amphitheatre at Bristol Harbour Festival, 26th – 28th July.

The Amphitheatre area at this year’s festival will be run by ‘Happy City’ and their ‘Agents of Happiness’, with interactive performance, music, theatre and creative activities for all the family, designed to create a happier planet that needn’t cost the earth.

‘Envoy for the State of Happiness’, Simon Howlett, said ‘We’re inviting the people and places with the ideas and activities which make Bristol such a great place to live, to show the world what would happen if power was with the people. Everything about the State of Happiness will be created by local people over two months for one weekend of glorious existence. Thanks to the extraordinary power of collective action when many people do small things, the world is a better place.’

Early signs suggest people run a severe risk of entering a personal State of Happiness, should they enter the amphitheatre area, where the new nation is expected to emerge.

Organisers are inviting volunteers to join the country’s government and become Agents of Happiness, highly trained in the arts of sharing, caring, connecting, supporting and kindness.

Visitors will be able to try their hand at leading the country themselves in The Forum where the constitution will be created Live, and to contribute to the Innovation Lab where new solutions to age old problems are created with support from the Ministry of Curiosity.

Happiness is a shape shifting State, where buskers, performers and public entertainments pop up in the midst of the crowd, adults and children alike can soak up fascinating facts and new understanding from dozens of interactive hands-on games and creative activities staged by trail-blazing Bristol based projects and community groups.

Visitors to the area will be able to exchange money to Bristol Pounds at the Bureau de Change.

Rock stars, musical prodigies, minstrels and anyone with a knack for a catchy tune are now being invited to write a National Anthem for the State of Happiness. A Mystery Superstar will judge the results, and the winner will have their song played at the event – and in the spirit of optimism – get a recording contract (that’s just a prediction, not a guarantee). Write to mike@happycity.org.uk if you would like to take part.

This event is a Weekend Uprising of Happiness, produced by Happy City and local partners from all walks of life.

So for a taste of what happiness is really about make your way to the waterfront, join the party and be inspired! Find out more at www.happycity.org.uk and www.bristolharbourfestival.co.uk

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Russell Brand’s Messiah Complex comes to Colston Hall

Posted on June 5, 2013 by Simon Fewkes

russell_brand_imageRussell Brand’s World Tour comes to Bristol’s Colston Hall on Monday 28 October 2013.

The infamous lothario will be bringing his quick wit and humour to Colston Hall later this year. Tickets go on sale on Saturday 8th June at 10am and those wishing to become a member will get priority booking two days ahead, with member tickets on sale at 10am Wednesday 5th June.

The show focuses around the ‘Messiah Complex’ a mental disorder where the sufferer thinks they might be the messiah.

Did Jesus have it? What about Che Guevara, Gandhi and Malcolm X? All these men have shaped our lives and influenced the way we think. Their images are used to represent ideas that often do not relate to them at all.

Would Gandhi be into apple? Would Che Guevara endorse Madonna?

All great people are flawed, all of us, flawed people are capable of greatness and for every identifiable icon there is an anonymous mob of unrecognised bods doing all the admin and heavy lifting.

Members can book priority tickets on Wednesday 5th June at 10am and general tickets are on sale this Saturday 8th June at 10am. Tickets cost £27.50 plus booking fee and can be booked from Colston Hall’s booking line on or online www.colstonhall.org 0117 922 2686.

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Upfest Bristol gets underway

Posted on May 24, 2013 by Simon Fewkes

C215-paints-Upfest-2013Upfest, crafted by POSCA is underway with international artists arriving to paint the shutters on North Street Bedminster today from 6pm, ready for the festival which runs all weekend 25th – 27th May with 300 artists painting live and over 450 pieces of art for sale.

French urban artist C215 is well underway on the Masonic pub, while Masai and End of the Line Crew can be seen painting on Redpoint Climbing Centre. Festival artist My Dog Sighs brings his project Free Art Friday to Bristol today dropping off unique pieces around the city for lucky collectors and Bristolians to find.

New for 2013

Upfest has announced a brand new area for this year’s festival, Dean Lane Skate Park will feature a NY style subway train painted by graffiti artists curated by Bristol legend Turroe to the soundtrack of King Kong SoundSystem, a heady mix of Old Skool Hip Hop spliced with smooth funk and reggae.

Redpoint Climbing Centre will have huge feature murals for the first time ahead of its opening by DALeast, Masai, Jody and End of the Line Crew.

Bar BS3 will complete the festival at the other end of Bedminster with its beer garden open for te first time with artists including 20/20, Agent Provocateur, Id iom, Johnman, Kfiatek, Kzak84, Mos, NME, Process, Punkc, Scrage, T.wat, Tankpetrol, Yasb, Zeezee and Twentytwo.

Interactive activities

Budding artists can take part in the POSCA Public Doodle Wall on Saturday and Sunday from 11am-7pm in the Tobacco Factory carpark.

This year the NACOA kid’s area is bigger and better than ever. The team will take over the top floor of the Hen & Chicken on the Saturday and Sunday, so children can partake in everything sticky and colourful from badge and hat making to giant paintings.

Join Miss C on North Street Green for children’s workshops for budding artists to learn the spray skills for an hour (£7 per child).  For the big kids amongst you there will be an adult session Sunday 2pm.To book prior to the festival email emma@upfest.co.uk.

Music and live battles

The Tobacco Factory is the original Upfest venue with the festival taking over the building for the whole weekend. There will be live activities in the Cafe Bar and Theatre Foyer throughout the weekend, POSCA75 – a live Illustration Battle on stage, music from Womad Presents, MCs and DJS.

North Street Green will feature Invader.FM presents… bringing you the finest selection of cosmic tunes by DJs from the best little radio station in the galaxy! Upfest weekend sees them broadcast live with interviews with writers, painters and punters thrown in the mix too. 

Venues and information

For a complete list of activity at each venue http://festival.upfest.co.uk/.

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Love Food Festival to close Eat Drink Bristol Fashion

Posted on May 10, 2013 by Simon Fewkes

eat-drink-bristol-fashionLove Food Festival are delighted to be closing the wonderful Eat Drink Bristol Fashion on Monday 27th May. Two of Bristol’s favourite foodie events combine to provide a food loving, fun filled bank holiday to remember!

Expect a market selling some of the regions finest produce including fresh bread, fruit and vegetables, artisan cheeses, cakes, pies, charcuterie, ice cream, local meat and much more.

There’ll be some superb street food adding to the wonderful array of British tapas on offer in the Tipi Village, included in the tasty line up are, amongst others ‘Niang’s Thai Snacks’, ‘Dorset Sushi’, ‘Ribstreet’ and new kids on the block ‘Stuffed’, purveyors of some mighty fine South African influenced street food.

To wash some of this super grub down you can choose from a fine array of liquid refreshment including local cider and ale, a glass of fizz or afternoon tea. Your ears will be entertained for the day by Love Food’s resident DJ’s who’ll be playing their well loved blend of laid back grooves.

The children’s tent will host a series of activities themed around Neverland. Let your children’s imaginations run riot as they make pirate hats, fairy dust, wings, swords and much more. The Love Food Face Painter will be on hand to make the transformation to fairy or ‘lost boy’ complete. There’ll be archery lessons and plenty of outdoor play to burn off some of that energy.

All in all, this event provides the perfect place for food lovers of all ages to spend a wonderful day with friends and family to celebrate our fantastic food community in true Bristol fashion!

I do hope you’ll join us!

Lorna Knapman – Founder, Love Food Festival.

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Vegan Festival Pioneer Awarded Prestigious Green Award

Posted on May 9, 2013 by Simon Fewkes

vegfest wins pea awardBristol-based organiser Tim Barford was recognised for his outstanding community work during the glittering PEA Business Awards ceremony in central London last night.

As founder and organiser of the wildly successful VegfestUK events, Tim Barford was recognised above his fellow nominees and awarded the Working in the Community honour. Sponsored by The Earth Foundation, this award recognises an individual or a team for outstanding community work within an environmentally conscious activity.

An elated Tim said of the award:

“VegfestUK was awarded first place in the Working in the Community category and I am thrilled to accept it as I lead our festival though its tenth year. Our shows have all been 100% vegan, showcasing the best of a plant-based lifestyle to an ever-curious public over the last decade.

I would like to send heartfelt thanks to our supporters, especially all the people who have believed in the validity of the vegan lifestyle as a genuine green option. I would like to dedicate the award to the memory of our vegan forerunners such as Donald Watson and Arthur Ling. I’m certain they would be delighted to know a vegan festival has won a major award in 2013!”

Tim continued:

“I would also like to express my gratitude to all those tireless campaigners working hard to spread the vegan message. I hope this award is inspirational to you in your efforts. Please keep up the amazing work you do for the people, the animals and the planet.”

The People and Environment Achievement Business Awards (PEABs) celebrate the many ways in which green initiatives can be good for business, as well as the planet. The awards showcase the excellence and innovation demonstrated by an individual or team within an organisation making genuine and effective contributions to the “greening” of UK businesses.

Additional information

VegfestUK continues its tenth birthday celebrations by staging a mammoth music, food and entertainment event in Bristol on May 24th, 25th and 26th, 2013. Full details including musical guests, opening times, admission costs and the festival programme can be found here: http://bristol.vegfest.co.uk/

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