People / My Bristol Favourites
My Bristol Favourites: Nick Hand
Nick Hand keeps the craft of letterpress printing alive and well in the heart of Bristol.
Nick, who lives in Redland, is the founder of The Letterpress Collective on Leonard Lane in the Old City. Previously a jobbing graphic designer, he now works using traditional methods and equipment that was previously kept in the M Shed’s stores.
On Sunday afternoon, Nick will (Covid-permitting) be taking part in the inaugural Cycle Fair at One Portwall Square, where he will be letterpress printing on his specially adapted printing bike.
is needed now More than ever
Nick outside the Letterpress Collective HQ on Leonard Lane – photo: Letterpress Collective
These are Nick’s top-five Bristol favourites:
The Bristol Bike Project
“I met Colin and James, who founded the Bristol Bike Project, 12 years ago. The idea was to do up bikes and give them to people who most need them. It enabled refugees in the city to gain confidence and explore the city by bicycle. I thought it was the clearest example of what Bristol does best and I still do.”
Whiteladies Road Market
https://www.instagram.com/p/Ce6zwulsUrb/?hl=en
“I get up early and down here on a Saturday morning. I love Whiteladies Road Market. Farro, Leigh Farm, the cheese stall and the brilliant lady who cooks samosas and always tells you to keep the bag open.”
Small Street Espresso
Small Street Espresso is Bristol’s original speciality coffee shop – photo: Martin Booth
“I’ve been a regular at Small Street Espresso since day one almost a decade ago. I’ll tend to bring some weird technical letterpress book down and read for a bit. I have no idea why anyone buys take away coffee. Sitting and pausing for a bit is the best thing ever.”
The sculpture of Victoria Hughes by Getting up to Stuff
Victoria Hughes always kept a kettle in her small office – photo: Martin Booth
“I recently read a little book, Ladies Mile, written by Victoria Hughes. She was the toilet attendant at a toilet block on the Downs for 40 years. Victoria befriended the sex workers and made tea and space for them in her office close . The statue by Getting up to Stuff is heart-warming. Victoria retired in the 1970s but I believe her office remains untouched.”
The view as you descend St Michael’s Hill
https://www.instagram.com/p/BxnWawgh0YF/
“I’m a born and bred Bristolian from generations of Bristolians. It’s a great walking and cycling city (why would anyone need a car here!). St Michael’s Hill in Kingsdown is my walk to work on the raised walkway going down into town. I have taken loads of photos of the spot on the bend where the city opens up before you. You can see the sun rise and work out the weather for the day here. It’s a brilliant place to see Bristol.”
Main photo: Martin Booth
Read next:
- Retelling the story of Bristol’s most famous toilet attendant
- Businesses old and new celebrated in unique handprinted billboard
- Newspapers to no longer be provided in Bristol libraries
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