People / My Bristol Favourites
My Bristol favourites: Ruth Sidgwick
Ruth Sidgwick is arts programme manager at Southmead Hospital, which will welcome choirs, writers, artists and dancers for its second community Fresh Arts Festival on September 18 and 19.
Here are Ruth’s top-five Bristol favourites:
The Lido
is needed now More than ever
“I swam at the Lido when I first came to Bristol as a student in the early 80s – it was like living a Hockney painting. And now I swim there again. Every other morning, I start the day in this outdoor pool. It’s my exercise and my meditation, a space to think or not to think – and the coffee’s good too!”
Book Arts
“This year I’ve taken a step back to studying, one day a week on a year-long Artists’ Books course run by UWE at Spike Print Studios. Bristol is such a brilliantly creative city and one of the best places in the world if you’re interested in artists books! Angie Butler has been guiding us through an inspiring range of tutors, techniques and challenges to support our own production of unique books – watch out for our end of year exhibition in December.”
Sustrans
“I’ve always commuted by bike but another first for me this year has been enjoying the National Cycle Network set up by the visionary John Grimshaw and Sustrans. I’ve become a bit of a cycling bore about the enjoyment of getting about by pedal power although my ulterior motive in cycling from Bristol to Land’s End in June was to help raise funds to buy a grand piano for the enjoyment of patients and staff at Southmead Hospital, now being played by a gorgeous group of volunteers – thanks guys!”
Shakespeare at the Tobacco Factory
“When I was choosing what to do after A-levels, it was a toss-up between visual art and English literature. Art won out but I’ve had a lifelong love of reading, poetry and theatre since and the very BEST way to experience Shakespeare is at the Tobacco Factory. Andrew Hilton, artistic director of Shakespeare at the Tobacco Factory, is a genius as a director and some of the most thrilling theatre I’ve ever experienced has been on that little stage in Southville.”
Gloucester Road
“How could you live in Bristol and not love poking about the Gloucester Road? The best for charity shops, baking, coffee, presents, toys, arts and crafts, books and gin. Sarah at Room 212 (click on the photo above to explore inside the shop), selling work by dozens of local artists, will always have something in store that you didn’t know you needed until you saw it.”