If you are interested in learning more about the latest developments in 3D technology,  Knowle West Media Centre is presenting a talk by Open Bionics on the 7th of February at Bristol Central Library. There will be a demonstration of the new technologies used and how high-tech prosthetics are made at affordable prices, including robotic hands for amputees. The talk and demonstration will take place between  3.00 and 4.00 pm on Saturday the 7th of February, 2015.

To find out more visit http://kwmc.org.uk/events/ or contact: +44 (0) 117 903 0444,  enquiries@kwmc.org.uk

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There have been many articles written by cyclists complaining about inconsiderate drivers but maybe it’s a case of the pot calling the kettle black.

I have recently returned to Bristol after a 30 year absence and have been astonished by the transformation of the city’s infrastructure.

We reluctantly moved from the Gloucestershire countryside to the city centre in a bid to avoid my husband’s gruelling daily commute, the anticipated relaxing stroll to work however, hasn’t really materialised.

Instead I have to be extra vigilant trying to dodge bicycles racing towards me on the pavements in their hi-viz, hi-speed, helmeted way which sends pedestrians scattering in all directions.

Some cyclist’s attitude can be inconsiderate bordering on dangerous with pedestrians made to feel like irritating obstructions in their quest to get from a-to-b as quickly as possible.

Visitors to the city will not be aware that some (but not all) of the pavements are for dual use.  The pavement running alongside Queen Square is a good example, if it’s accessed from the square itself, its not obvious that the road side of the pavement is in fact designated for use by cyclists.

I feel it is only a matter of time before an elderly person or unaware child is seriously injured, or worse.

It is  Bristol City Council’s responsibility to implement clearly marked, designated bicycle routes and to stop cyclists breaking the law by using pedestrian only pavements and footpaths.

All cyclists should be required to take and pass a course similar to the driving test before being allowed to venture onto the roads.  There are clear rules for cyclists printed in the Highway Code that include  – cycling on a pavement (footway) Highways Act 1835 sect 72 as amended by section 85(1) of the Local Government Act 1888; & Road (Scotland) Act 1984, sect 129

There are government initiative schemes available, such as Bikeability that offer various levels of training.

https://www.gov.uk/rules-for-cyclists-59-to-82/overview-59-to-71.

Level 3. deals with more challenging road and traffic situations and can be run in groups or on a tailored, one-to-one basis.  On completion you will be awarded a green badge which will mean you have gained the following level of competency:

• Make a trip to work or elsewhere on any roads
• Use complex junctions and road features such as roundabouts, multi-lane roads and traffic lights
• Understand driver blind spots
• Know how (and when) to pass queuing traffic
• Identify and react to hazardous road surfaces
• Plan your route
• Interpret road signs

Find out more from https://bikeability.dft.gov.uk/ and send us your comments.

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Bristol Zoo is offering the chance to get up close to their new arrivals – Jingle and Belle.

You’ll have the opportunity to feed and pet the reindeer, every day between 10.00 am and 3.00 pm – until January the 5^th.

You’ll also be able to visit Santa in his Grotto at weekends until the 23^rd of December.

For further details please visit www.bristolzoo.org.uk

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Come along and join in the fun at the annual Christmas Market being held in Picton Street, Montpelier on Saturday the 13th of December, 2014.

The excitement starts at 11.00 am and finish around 7.00.

Among other things you’ll find:

• Children’s play area
• 72 stalls
• Live music
• Roaming carol singers
• Bar
• Shops and cafe’s
• A steam engine
• Fencing lessons

Free Community Event

Lots of effort has gone into making a fabulous event and EVERYONE is welcome.

Join us at Picton St Bristol, City of Bristol BS6 5QA on Saturday the 13th of December for a great day out.

https://www.facebook.com/pictonstreetfayre.montpelier

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Check this out

Have you tried the  new (found food) dining experience recently established in a donated room at the Crofters Rights Pub, Stokes Croft.

There is no waste

Discarded food is found in various places – predominantly in supermarket’ bins, from where its retrieved (as soon as possible after disposal).  All the food has been assessed as within the best before dates and food safety is a paramount consideration.

No two-day’s menus are  the same, the chef has to think on his feet to utilise whatever food has been found the evening before. The restaurant is run on a ‘not for profit’ basis – customers give what they feel is fair – but if you are hard up then its free.

Opening times are from Mon-Fri and between 9.00 am and 3.30 pm

They are always looking  for volunteers to help out.

Contact – http://goo.gl/forms/ELsa8nKck5. Crofters Rights, BS13PY

Or visit

https://www.facebook.com/bristolskipchen

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Don’t miss this year’s excellent 162nd Annual Open Exhibition at Bristol’s – Royal West of England Academy. There is still plenty of time to attend and you’ll have to chance to vote for your favourite exhibit. The artist to receive the most votes will receive an award of £500.

Exhibition information:

Opening times are from Tuesday-Saturday (10.oo am until 6.00 pm) and from (11.00 am until 5.00 pm) on Sundays.

For further information visit www.rwa.org.uk/visit-us/admission/ or telephone 0117 9735129

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© http://www.gwsmedia.com/

For stargazers who have an interest in astronomy the Autumn event currently showing at the Bristol Planetarium is sure to capture the imagination.

Events are taking place daily, at regular intervals from the 16^th September until 30^th of November so it’s best to check the website in advance for details.

You can expect to see views of the galaxy of Andromeda and discover how astronomers are seeking out planets far beyond our own solar system.

To secure your place check the @Bristol website.

For just £1.50 per person and free to members you can discover which stars are visible in the Bristol night sky this Autumn. Visit https://www.at-bristol.org.uk/2210.html for further information.

Interestingly, NASA are investing in future space travel projects and here is one of their latest developments.

Close up of the Planet Mars

© hubblesite.org/

Man (or woman) on Mars

 It takes 180 days to travel to Mars and keeping astronauts fed, watered and occupied creates obstacles which need addressing.

Stranger than fiction.

Scientists from NASA are researching the possibility of inducing a state of deep sleep to space travellers.

Suspended animation could solve the problem of transporting food, water and other essentials which add significantly to transportation costs, the crew could be put to sleep on departure and re-woken at their destination.

For more information on current space research, visit:

http://www.digitaltrends.com/cool-tech/nasa-funding-research-deep-sleep-transporting-astronauts-mars/

Or visit The @Bristol Planetarium which offers in-depth investigations into the environment, earth and the universe.

https://www.at-bristol.org.uk/2210.html

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Personally, I feel this is something that Bristol really excel themselves with, there’s so much spirit and creativity in bringing communities together and I love the celebration of that- in addition to there being a really high standard of Bristol Indies. It’s all wonderful stuff, really.

The aim of the day, outlined by their site, is to:

1. Encouraging shoppers to shop independently
2. Encouraging retailers to market themselves collectively by high street
3. Encouraging retailers, community groups, Neighbourhood Partnerships/Forums, other businesses and business associations to work together to support our high streets

So, guys. Let’s support everyone and do our bit- go along and just grab some food from one of the participants or just have a check on what they’re up to.

Also, if you head on over to the Independents Day site, you can find recipes and all the necessary information (notable fave: the bubble and squeak cakes with speedy salad).

Please, Bristol- have a marvellous Independence AND Independents Day.

xxx

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A grade 1 listed mansion, cocktails, burlesque and disco, what’s not to love? We certainly won’t forget our night at Maison Paradiso – Return to the Mansion

Upon arriving to the mansion we were pretty excited to get inside and discover what all the fuss was about. Trotting up the grand steps to the entrance, we made our way through King Weston House’s magnificent vestibule to find ladies and men clad in black, foxy dresses (yes, men too), doused with glitter and flowers in their hair. It was pretty magical in a grand old gothic way, surrounded by taxidermy, old paintings and some amazing costumes. We weren’t quite sure what to expect from the night…

Ambling into the next room we found a unique combination of cocktails and oysters- excellent. This room, the heart of the downstairs mansion, later unfolded as the stage for the event’s burlesque. The central passageway for all guests, hosting the dance here fit in with the tone of the night: the very surreal presented in the most casual of ways, there wasn’t any hype or climactic build up to the performances, it just ‘happened’ as if a normal and standard nightly occurrence.

Once watered (with Bellini’s) we made our way through to the second bar area, also decorated with old-fashioned paintings and other pretty hipster-fashioned decorations. We got talking to some other party goers, ogled at the handmade jewellery on display, and the head wear and lighting pictured above.

The night wouldn’t have been complete without some sexy burlesque themed face painting. Resist? We couldn’t.  We got our eyes glammed up with some gold paint and ventured through the party crowd.  What did the party crowd look like? In a word, diverse. From sock and sandal wearing middle aged men and women, ball gown frocks, extremely glamorous drag dress ups, to horse riders in gold-sequin jodhpurs. Eclectic as it sounds (it was), it somehow worked – everyone contributed to the unique disco/burlesque backdrop energy in their own little way.

We indulged in a bit of disco ourselves. Dancing away, we almost forgot to return to the main room for the burlesque performances. We only managed to catch two of them, but they were impressive and mesmerizing.  Around midnight there was a general word of mouth announcement from the DJ instructing disco-indulgers to head outside for a performance. It was a bit cold but we enjoyed a lights display of shining rectangular shapes projected onto the outside of the building against a techno beat. It was a bit random, but this does appear to be the Maison Paradiso way.

After more dancing, burlesque and cocktails we decided it was time to wipe the glitter off and hang up our dancing shoes. Maison Paradiso promised a world of bohemian decadence and revelry, which I’d say we definitely got.

For a first time experience, it was a pleasant surprise and a lot of fun. We’ll be sure to keep our fingers on the pulse for the next event. Our only piece of advice – make the burlesque show times more known so no-one misses their burlesque watching moment..

Many thanks for the evening guys!

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