10 questions: Ani Stafford-Townsend

Ani Stafford-Townsend is a theatrical milliner and costume maker with more than a decade’s experience. Her work has most recently been seen on the small screen in Poldark. She owns The Milliners’ Guild in St James Arcade, Broadmead, which features work by milliners and hat makers from all over the UK. Ani – who is also the Green Party leader in Bristol and councillor for Cabot ward – worked on the sorting hat for Harry Potter & the Philosopher’s Stone and earlier this month created a replica for a special event in St James Arcade. 

What was your earliest ambition?
“As a child I wanted to be a plumbing engineer like my dad, but I chose to study textiles in order to learn tailoring. It was really the only creative sewing job I’d heard of, so I aimed for that but then I discovered the world of other options. It’s funny really, as being a ginger I have always worn hats but I hadn’t realised it could be a job or career.”

How physically fit are you?
“I would say fairly fit. I’ve never been into the gym, but I walk or cycle everywhere. Also hat making is surprisingly labour intensive and it takes a lot of upper body strength to block felt.”

If you were the mayor of Bristol for the day what would you do?
“I would focus on the Bearpit, which is an area which has seen heightened tensions in recent weeks. I walk through it every day and also as a city councillor it is in my ward. Not all the issues there stem directly from homelessness, but the issues that cause homelessness also impact on other issues such as drug use. I would put funds not only into funding the agencies that that assist with substance use and refuges, but also into converting empty buildings into apartments that have a social rent level. Homes not only for those that cannot afford the private rental market but also those that are ready to move out of emergency accommodation and hostels. The single most pressing issue in this city is the lack of stable homes, so many more of the issues we have stem from that singular problem.”

Where is your favourite holiday destination?
“I don’t get much time to holiday but when I do, I like to go to quiet locations. We recently stayed in a little cottage on the edge of the Breacon Beacons. Blissfully quiet and with no mobile reception whatsoever!”

What is your biggest extravagance?
“Buying vintage millinery things. I am a magpie, I just can’t help it. I sit all day in a shop surrounded by hats, but I can’t resist buying more in charity shops and in flea-markets. I have banned myself from eBay.”

In what place in Bristol are you happiest?
“At home! I don’t spend enough time there.”

What ambitions do you still have?
“World peace? End poverty? None of that is looking that achievable at the moment. But on a more localised level I would like to achieve some amount of headway on housing in the city whilst wearing my councillor hat. And with my millinery hat on, if you mind the pun, I would like to encourage a more sustainable view of fashion and clothing.”

What is the greatest achievement of your life so far?
“I honestly can’t choose one thing. There are the really tangible, obvious things like making a living from a skill that I love, and being elected as a councillor earlier this year. Those are huge achievements that I have worked hard hard for. But I am proudest of having an amazing child who is confident, kind, and loving, as well also having a wonderful and supportive family unit – that also takes hard work to achieve but is so much more of an achievement and so much worthwhile than any accolade or high profile position.”

Can you sum up Bristol in a sentence?
“Bristol is an amazingly diverse and vibrant city, but it also needs to learn to share its wealth with the whole city in order to reach its full potential.”

What’s your favourite secret spot in Bristol?
“I love going into Narroways, between St Werburgh’s and Lockleaze. It’s walkable to from my home, so quiet, and with very good blackberry picking.”

Read more interviews here.