My Bristol Favourites: Ursula Billington

Ursula Billington is Bristol 24/7’s new Climate & Sustainability Editor.

She has a background in environment charity communications and community engagement, and can often be found in the allotment or on the fiddle with her band, Ushti Baba.

These are Ursula’s top-five Bristol favourites:

Sweet Mart

Sweet Mart is at the heart of St Mark’s Road in Easton – photo: Martin Booth

“A Tardis-like store on of all the good foods you could possibly wish for – and so much more. I find it impossible to visit Sweet Mart without bingeing on exciting bits I didn’t know I wanted or needed. The chaat box is a sweet and crispy yoghurty mess of chickpeas, salad and spicy sauce with a samosa hidden at the bottom. Absurdly good.”

The Chelsea Inn

Ursula has played plenty of gigs with her band Ushti Baba at the Chelsea Inn – photo: Martin Booth

“This neighbourhood pub on Chelsea Road in Easton is a home-from-home for so many local characters, all free to be their unabashed selves within its welcoming walls. It’s authentic, unpretentious, and wears its heart on its sleeve. I have particularly fond memories of playing rowdy, sweaty gigs at the Chelsea Inn – though my folk band is a bit out the ordinary for their typically punk lineups. I’ve also had the pleasure of enjoying many great nights of music there.

“The pub offers new acts a first opportunity to play, but also hosts touring bands from America and further afield. My highlights: the live painter jabbing brush to canvas whilst scissor-kicking to thrash punk; dub vinyl nights with live horns; and a packed-out singalong to a punk-rock RuPaul covers band.”

Sea Mills

Sea Mills station is next to where the River Trym meets the River Avon – photo: Martin Booth

“I love using the local train lines in Bristol to go on mini adventures. Sea Mills is just ten minutes on the Severn Beach Line from Stapleton Road, the nearest station to my home. Stepping off a train at Sea Mills is like gulping down a huge lungful of fresh air. The pretty station feels refreshingly remote, with views of the mouth of the Trym, the winding Avon and green forest canopy as far as the eye can see.

“From there it’s a 40-minute amble through the woods of the river park, following and criss-crossing the water all the way to Blaise Castle Estate – fun to explore in itself with acres of rivers, lush forest and jutting rocky outcrops. A great place to lose yourself in nature.”

Black on White

John Quantick is the owner of Black on White – photo: Where’s It To?

“Despite hipster connotations, I have to give a shout out to this camera repair shop – a rare find and a complete godsend for people like me that can’t resist picking up old, cheap and inevitably broken film cameras from car boots and second-hand shops!

“Just the fact that Black on White on Coldharbour Road in Redland exists renders it worthy of a mention in my opinion. The team are friendly and brilliant, with magical skills for restoration no matter the problem or camera.

“There’s also Mercy In Action just a few doors down, a stand-out boutique charity shop that’s always worth a dig for hidden treasure (lens-based and otherwise!).”

The Jam Jar

“This independent music venue in St Jude’s brings fresh world music lineups to the Bristol scene. The listings are lovingly curated by the team who worked so hard and overcame multiple obstacles to create a community venue with heart.

“The Jam Jar has so many qualities that make it a favourite. It’s hidden down an unlikely backstreet in a former industrial area, with an almost-secret door that makes gig goers feel pleasingly ‘in the know’. Décor is dynamic and colourful but the lighting’s low enough to fully relax. The sound is on point, and crowds are big enough to bring the energy but the room somehow retains its cosy friendliness and the queue at the bar never reaches despair-worthy proportions.”

Main photo: Ushti Baba

Read next:

• ‘Local media can give a voice to grassroots environmental organisations’
• Bristol’s food producers ready to step up
• City gardens buzzing for Get Growing Trail

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