15 people who made the news in Bristol in 2017

What a year it’s been for Bristol – bestowed with accolades and widely considered a great place to live. But it is the people who make the city and as the year draws to a close, we honour the faces that have had the biggest impact, for all the right (and some of the wrong) reasons.

Anna Starkey

A varied career has seen the Anna flit from roles with the BBC’s Parallel Universes Documentary, to the Proms, before landing the position as director of We The Curious. Under her leadership, the science centre, formerly known as At Bristol, has undergone a dramatic transformation with much more still to come.

Arron Banks

The Thornbury-based millionaire was the biggest donor to the leave campaign during the EU Referendum. In November, the Electoral Commission announced he was being investigated for rule-breaking with regard to loans and donations made in his name.

Asher Craig

The St George West councillor was promoted to the position of deputy mayor in March. She has been in the spotlight for work in tackling hate crime and addressing inequality across the city, but came under fire for the council’s proposed budget cuts to parks, libraries and more. Following consultation, the extent of cuts in certain areas has been scaled back or stalled.

Brenda from Bristol

As news broke that Theresa May had called a snap General Election, one local woman summed up the mood of the nation. The Bristol resident immediately became an internet sensation with her incredulous reaction of “you’re joking? Not another one,” in a BBC interview.

China Fish

Sick of the catcalls, groping and harassment that are a daily reality for many women, the campaigner contacted the police and crime commissioner to address the issue. Now working with Bristol Zero Tolerance and Avon and Somerset Police, the force became only the third in the country to recognise gender-based hate as a crime.

Darren Jones

The MP, who grew up on a council estate in Lawrence Weston, ousted Tory Charlotte Leslie from her Bristol North West seat in the June General Election, meaning that Labour now holds all four Bristol seats.

Jasper Thompson

Bristol businessman Jasper made national headlines when he began converting shipping containers into homes for Bristol’s homeless. He featured on Channel 4’s Grand Designs Live and now plans to convert a double-decker bus into overnight accommodation for up to 12 rough sleepers.

Lando Norris

At only 17, the Bristol-born teenager has an enviable job. In November he was named as the McLaren Formula One team’s official test and reserve driver, after winning the FIA European Formula 3 Championship on his first attempt.

Louise Mitchell

The eyes of the UK media were on the chief executive of Bristol Music Trust when she announced that the Colston Hall would be re-opening in 2020 with a new name. The decision followed years of campaigns and marks a new era for Bristol’s most prestigious venue.

Nura Aabe

After the diagnosis of her son’s autism, the campaigner struggled to be accepted in her community. She founded Autism Independence, a Bristol-based organisation which works to help transform the lives of children with autism and starred as a keynote speaker at TEDx Bristol 2017.

Peaches Golding

Peaches not only landed the prestigious role as Lord-Lieutenant of the City and County of Bristol, making her a personal representative of the Queen, but she has also used the position as a force for good, addressing inequality in the city.

Peter Sanchez-Iglesias

The chef had a brilliant year. After being voted UK best chef in The Good Food Guide 2018, Paco Tapas was awarded a Michelin star in October, with sister restaurant Casamia retaining its star. Bristol now has four Michelin starred restaurants.

Rosie Morgan

Cheese lovers of Bristol will be only too familiar with the dairy delights on offer within her Wapping Wharf shop, but Rosie’s skill gained national recognition when The Bristol Cheesemonger was named the UK’s best speciality retailer at the Great British Cheese Awards 2017.

Stuart Hatton

The director of Umberslade, the developers behind Wapping Wharf, has had an amazing year as the site has continued to develop into one of Bristol’s most exciting spots for eating and drinking. Cargo 2 opened in May and eight extra units were promptly added.

Tim Bowles

Former South Gloucestershire Conservative party councillor Tim Bowles became the West of England’s first metro mayor. The businessman beat Labour’s Leslie Mansell by 5,000 votes in May and is now in charged of a multi-million pound budget.