People / My Bristol Favourites
My Bristol favourites: Jack Ashton
Jack Ashton is an actor who grew up in Bedminster and has appeared in television shows including Broadchurch and Call the Midwife, and films including the Bristol-based 8 Minutes Idle. Jack will be reading at Bristol Cathedral’s Carols by Candlelight concert on Friday, December 18. Tickets are available at Opus 13.
Here are Jack’s top-five Bristol favourites:
Greville Smyth Park
is needed now More than ever
“My spiritual home and a place that had as many memories for my father as it does me (he told me stories of watching American GIs play baseball there during World War Two). My memories of Greville Smyth Park, or Ashton Park as it’s known by the locals, are a little less glamorous stretched over my formative (teenage) years. This place reminds me of playing and watching Saturday football, first romances, first scraps, first ciders, sunny summer holidays and bitterly cold winters, just existing or trying to be cool or make girls laugh or learning the lyrics with mates to Oasis songs. I have seen it change beyond recognition but I know every corner and it has the ability to trigger memories both awkward and joyous, and now somewhat cyclically it will always be the place I go to to remember my wonderful dad – he has a bench on the hill looking down over the play area and football pitches and beyond towards fortress Ashton Gate!).”
The Zig Zag
“Connecting Clifton to the Portway, this path is a leg burner going up and a breeze to go down. As a child my sister and I would buy ice creams at the top, walk down and then lament our courage as we’d struggle back up. I love that path and love the views of the bridge and the river.”
North Street
“North Street is in Bedminster (you can call it Southville if you’re feeling fruity). This road has been gentrified beyond all recognition but it really needed it and has brought wonderful people and interesting shops with it. The Tobacco Factory is my favourite building and I remember when it was empty and crumbling. North Street is now a viable option for socialising and it’s giving Gloucester Road a run for its money. As long as the pubs keep making everyone feel welcome I can only see it going from strength to strength.”
Blackboy Hill
“This little stretch with its tiny nooks and crannies and local shops is the most picturesque of Bristol’s streets. Again, this is as much to do with nostalgia as anything else as I spent my earlier life (up to 11) living here. I love the hills in Bristol and you have to leave it to realise they are something to cherish.”
The Downs
“There is nothing better than a sunny day’s walk around the Downs, from the windy views at the Sea Walls, to the water tower, to the randomly erected exercise equipment. I love this place!”