Art / bedminster

A Bristol chocolate Advent calendar

By Martin Booth  Monday Nov 20, 2017

Forget Father Christmas, snowmen and skiing reindeer, for your Advent calendar this year you can find your chocolates underneath the SS Great Britain, Cliftonwood’s colourful houses or the Cabot Tower.

If you’re after a bit of Christian symbolism, there is an angel – but it’s the angel that Banksy left behind in Bristol Museum after his 2009 exhibition, featuring a pot of pink paint on its head.

The Bristol Advent calendar is the work of Bemmie, a husband and wife team who for Christmas this year have also designed two types of wrapping paper featuring Bristol scenes as well as cyclists and carol singers.

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“We really love this city and wanted to celebrate that, and we wanted to do something a bit Christmassy,” says Francis Richards (pictured top), who along with his wife Emma-Jane grew up on the tiny island of St Helena before moving to Bristol five years ago.

“Bristol is just so damn colourful with so many opportunities. There’s something creative around every corner. We love the freedom of expression, where everything is always slightly different and you don’t have to conform.

“You can have a play and see where it takes you. And there is always somebody there to help, you jut have to ask.”

For more information about the work of Bemmie, visit www.bemmie.co.uk. Find their Advent calendar, wrapping paper and other works for sale in their Etsy shop or at markets including Made in Bristol at the Colston Hall, the Tobacco Factory Sunday Market, Tyntesfield ad Henleaze.

Read more: Dozens of art banners installed on Gloucester Road

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