What's on this February in Bedminster

Now that Dryanuary is over we can all come out of hiding and enjoy Bedminster without the worry that our resolutions will be broken. And if Dryanuary just wasn’t your thing, you might see the pubs a little bit fuller starting this month, which can only mean better times!

But Bedminster is more than just amazing pubs and there’s no short list of exciting things going on even if February is the shortest month of the year!

Here’s a round-up of some of the events that have us excited, from health and wellness to live music and family events, BS3 has you covered for February.

Family

The Tobacco Factory Theatres Half Term Sessions @ Zion Community Arts Centre

8-12 years: 18 February, 5-7 years: 19 February, 8-11 years: 20 February, 10:00am-3:30pm

An exciting day of drama games and activities that explore what makes a hero and a villain. Build your own costumes and dream up your best character with the help of experienced facilitators.

Mini Pizza Making Workshop @ Windmill Hill City Farm

21 February, 1pm-3pm

Families will be able to design and cook their very own mini pizzas in Windmill Hill City Farm’s wood burning oven! Drop-in session, no bookings required.

BS3 Repair Cafe @ West Street URC

23 February, 1:30pm-4:30pm

Do you have a broken toaster? The kid’s bike could use some TLC? Come and get it repaired by some expert volunteers who will give your broken pieces new life. Stick around for a nice cuppa and homemade cake and rummage through the jumble sale while you’re at it.

Health and Wellness

Yoga Workshops @ Trika Yoga

Various dates throughout February

Whether you’ve been looking for the place to start or you’re a die-hard yogi looking to improve your practice, Trika Yoga has a wide variety of workshops and courses for exactly what you’re looking for.

UV Boulder Party @ Redpoint Bristol

2 February, 12pm-2am

A day and night of climbing, dancing and fun under a UV light and an Outer Space theme! Kids and adults alike can participate in the climbing competition or just come by and enjoy the fun and watch some of Bristol’s best climbers take on the showcase finale!

How to be Lonely @ The Albatross Cafe

The second of a series of four discussion evenings where The Albatross explores a negatively perceived word from the other side, aiming to prove that anything we feel or are can be a truly positive thing. Free to come, but you’re encouraged to support The Albatross by buying your favourite hot or cold drink.

February Gig Feature

Dorian Concept (Brainfeeder) & Jameszoo @ Fiddlers

15 February, 8:00pm

Spend your Friday night with electronic jazz artists Dorian Concept and Jameszoo. This double bill will bring some heat to the cold February nights. Tickets are £15.26 and available here.

Window Wanderland Returns to South Bristol!

The streets of Bedminster, Southville and Ashton will soon be turning into a community-wide art gallery with the return of Window Wanderland to BS3 this 22-24 February.

The windows and gardens of neighbourhood homes will be transformed into fairy tale scenes, abstract art and statements for happiness and inclusion. All are encouraged to participate as we fill the streets with colour and wonder.

 To register your window, simply email bs3windowwanderland@gmail.com with your house number, street and postcode to be added to this map.

The final event on 22-24 February encourages families, neighbours and friends to take a walk through the area and admire the community art, mingle and enjoy a brilliant outdoor evening.

For some inspiration, have a look back at last year’s Bedminster windows!

Inspiring free game design workshops for young girls in Bristol

Calling all girl gamers!

Grrrrl Games and Bristol Women’s Voice are holding inspiring free game design workshops in Bedminster on Saturday 20th and 27th October 2018.

The gaming design project works with young women and girls aged between 13-18 who are looking to break into the world of game design. Supported by Bristol Women’s Voice, the workshops use Bristol Suffragette stories to inspire young girls to design and build their own computer games. The workshops will be hosted by Dr Constance Fleuriot, a writer and game developer who creates spaces that encourage more young women to join the gaming world.

Taking place each Saturday at the Acta Community Centre between 1pm-3pm, the workshops are free and open to all girls aged between 13-18. The project is aimed at anyone who enjoys drawing, writing stories, recording sounds and playing games. Other workshops are happening in local schools at lunchtime and after school.

What next for Bedminster's shopping streets?

The heart of any community is often played out on the local high streets or town centres. This is certainly the case in Bedminster where we are fortunate to have some of the best traditional shopping streets and many outstanding independent traders. 

The traders work together to improve Bedminster via a partnership called a Business Improvement District (BID) which renews every five years and is currently consulting on plans for the next phase which should see over £600,000 of investment in marketing, promotion, events and street enhancements.

But what would you like to see happen - the local business partnership (the 'BID') is interested in hearing from local residents and shoppers about what if anything is missing and what could be improved on North Street, East Street , West Street and Bedminster Parade? 

Let us know your views at business@bedminster.org.uk

Bedminster’s gardens reveal their green and beautiful secrets

What does Bedminster make you think of? Long terrace of red brick houses, old factory buildings or rows of cafes and shops? This summer you can discover another hidden side of Bedminster when local gardeners open their ‘secret’ private gardens for you to visit. 

Over the weekend of Saturday 2 and Sunday 3 June more than 30 gardens will be open for you to visit. You’ll be able to get inspiration, enter a world of plants and see creative, productive and beautiful gardens that are normally hidden from the public eye.

This year the Bedminster’s Secret Gardens guide and map is available free from the Southville Centre, Riverside Garden Centre and lots of other local venues - or you can download it from www.bloomingbedminster.org.uk When you visit your first garden you’ll be asked to make a suggested minimum donation of £2 per person - you’ll then get a sticker to show you’ve donated. Children are welcome to visit for free but must be supervised by an adult.

All the proceeds raised will go to supporting projects that help reduce loneliness and isolation among local older people.

HELP US MAINTAIN THE MOMENTUM OF IMPROVEMENT

Bedminster businesses urged to vote ‘Yes’ in BID vote to keep area moving forward

Bedminster businesses are being urged to vote ‘Yes’ in the ballot to renew the Business Improvement District (BID) that covers the area. Set up to increase the profile of the area, improve the visibility of local businesses and reduce anti-social behaviour, the BID has enjoyed some notable successes over the past five years.

Over £600,000 has been invested in the area to improve the experience for shoppers, businesses, residents and visitors. Shop vacancies are down by a third, and the local business community has come together for multiple events.

Now the BID is up for renewal, and the local group that oversees it has put together an ambitious plan covering the next five years which includes ongoing support of local community groups such as The Lantern Parade, a push to fill vacant shops, investment to attract more independent retailers to the area and a move to incentivise landlords to invest more in the area.

Clearly signposted priorities specifically address targets for East Street, North Street and West Street, along with overall priorities for the area.

Simon Dicken, BID  chair, said: “We started our journey six years ago by becoming one of the first Mary Portas ‘Town Teams’ which evolved into a Business Improvement District. But there is much more we want, and must do, so this ballot will ensure the work of the BID continues and is probably the single most important issue for us. We hope businesses and residents are in favour of the BID and recognise the efforts of the last six years such as the events and street enhancements like Ebenezer Pocket Park and The Great Bemmie Banquet.

“We can only go forward if we mobilise our community to get a "YES" in the upcoming ballot”.

The timeline for the vote is as follows:

February 22nd: Ballot papers sent out

March 22nd: Deadline for ballot papers to be returned.

Bemmie Xmas Gift Inspo

Get in the festive spirit and check out our Bemmie Christmas Gift Guide.

We've pulled together some of this years hottest gifts from retailers throughout Bedminster, to make your 2017 Christmas shopping so much easier.

As well as as giving you all the gift inspo you need, you'll also find a rundown of all the festive events, gigs, markets and more. All you need to do is click the button down below