People / My Bristol Favourites
My Bristol Favourites: Ian Reed-Downs
Ian Downs, better known as Downsy, is a Sam FM presenter, and announcer at Ashton Gate Stadium for both Bristol City and Bristol Bears match days.
He is also a patron for It’s in the Bag, a testicular cancer charity, and ambassador for Children’s Hospice South West.
Here are his top-five Bristol favourites:
is needed now More than ever
Ashton Gate Stadium
The Bristol Bears squad gather under the floodlights at Ashton Gate – photo by JMP
“I spend quite a considerable amount of my time here. It’s like my weekend office. It’s a bit like being a player; just before kick-off is so exhilarating.”
Lockside
Lockside is a cafe and restaurant located underneath the Cumberland Basin flyover
“Lockside serves the best coffee in Bristol. It’s between my work and my home, and the people there are amazing. We used to do the breakfast show and then head straight there afterwards.”
SS Great Britain
2020 is the 50th anniversary of the return of the SS Great Britain to Bristol
“The history, the stories and as a visitor attraction the SS Great Britain has come on leaps and bounds since it arrived back in Bristol as a rusting hulk. It’s just like stepping back into the 1800s.”
Wills Memorial Building
Officially opened in 1925, the Wills Memorial Building houses the University of Bristol’s School of Law and the School of Earth Sciences, in addition to hosting graduation ceremonies twice a year and a whole host of public events.
“I was going to propose up here. That was my initial idea. The views are spectacular. But then we went to New York where I proposed on Brooklyn Bridge. I did still do a a second proposal here though.”
Vauxhall Bridge
“This bridge was in Skins and that meant Bristol to me before I moved here. That and Purdown tower. I still walk across the bridge pretending I’m Tony Stonem.”
Read more: My Bristol Favourites: Anna Hubble
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