People / My Bristol Favourites
My Bristol Favourites: Richard Kennett
Richard Kennett is a history teacher and assistant headteacher at two secondary schools in Bristol.
He has lived in the city since 2000 and during the last year, as well as teaching remotely he has been writing a new school textbook on Bristol and transatlantic slavery with other Bristol history teachers.
These are Richard’s top-five Bristol favourites:
is needed now More than ever
Perrett’s Park allotments
Perrett’s Park allotments – photo: Rich Kennett
“I’m quite a keen (if inexperienced) gardener and before lockdown we were offered an allotment at Perrett’s Park. Shielding for the last year, this was one of the only places we went apart from my own house. It’s a sanctuary. Full of flowers, fruit, veg, wildlife (in particular slow worms), peace and quiet. The views over the city are also exquisite.”
Lost & Grounded tap room
“The craft beer scene in Bristol is remarkably good and I love all the tap rooms in the city. But my absolute favourite is a little further down the Avon in Brislington at Lost & Grounded. Their brewery is massive and sitting there drinking their delicious beers (the Helles is best) surrounded by fairy lights with a slice of pizza is one of the best ways to spend an afternoon or evening.”
The Broad Quay painting in the M Shed
The oil painting of Broad Quay is attributed to Philip Vandyke
“Bristol Museum services do a fab job and my favourite item in their collection is in a dark corner on the ground floor of M Shed – the Broad Quay painting. Bristol’s history is rich and fascinating but often controversial and shameful. This painting encapsulates that. It shows 18th century Bristol thriving with ships and trade booming. Yet this is 1760 so many of these items and ships will have been involved in transatlantic slavery. It makes me think about our past and the history our city is built upon.
Dundry
“Cycling up the steep Highridge Lane from Withywood to Dundry is easily one of my favouite things to do. I swear the view from here is one of the best in the West Country. On one side there are great views of the city and on a clear day the Welsh mountains, the Forest of Dean and the large snaking line of the Cotswold escarpment. On the other side is the view down to Chew lake and up to the Mendips beyond. It is beautiful.”
Storysmith
Storysmith on North Street – photo: Martin Booth
“The return of independent bookshops in Bristol is ace and the best (in my humble opinion) is Storysmith on North Street. For such a tiny space, Dan and Emily have an excellent selection of books and know their stuff. It is rare I walk out without having bought something. With the addition of Roy the shop dog, what more could you want?”
Main photo: Rich Kennett
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