Terri Cramer

As Bristol enters the festive season, it’s time to wrap up warm and venture out to enjoy the many brilliant things our lively city has to offer during the colder months. A great place to start is Eat Drink Bristol Fashion’s answer to the Christmas market. A Winter Tale, based at Yurt Lush and the surrounding space down at Temple Quay, will be transformed into a festive market with loads of foodie, craft and boozy stalls to warm the even the most Scrooge-like of hearts. Between December 14 and December 20, guests can enjoy the Christmas cheer and – as it’s the indulgent time of year – an array of fantastic food, including the epic sounding Raw Cheese Power’s Holy Cheese Mountain – a mountain of fine cheeses available for tasting. On the booze front, The Cider Box are teaming up with Eat Drink Bristol Fashion to create some proper Bristolian hot spiced cider, made from organic Somerset apples and Eastern spices. In keeping with Bristol’s famed creative spirit, there'll be handmade gifts and vintage items on offer from local traders, plus real British Christmas trees on sale on site. And of course, there'll be plenty of live music and Christmas carolling to get that festive spirit soaring!    A Winter Tale. December 14-17 (4pm-8pm), December 18-20 (midday-9pm). Yurt Lush, Temple Meads Ferry, Temple Quay, Bristol BS1 6DG. More info here.   Support our other local traders this season and shop local at Bristol's Christmas markets.

Bristol is a city that's renowned for its independent traders, creative individuals and thriving food scene - and these all come together at the city's many regular markets. Here are a few of our favourites:    Tobacco Factory Market   A photo posted by Lucy Critchley (@lucillescaravan) on Feb 1, 2015 at 4:48am PST   The Tobacco Factory Market on Bedminster’s quirky North Street has around 40 stalls and promotes eco-friendly, local products. You’ll find great produce, tasty baked goods and a range of crafts from the Bristol area. Plus, for the vintage lovers, every first Sunday of the month there's an extended vintage market showcasing jewellery, clothing and homeware items at very reasonable prices. The Tobacco Factory itself also has a great bar, and if you’re feeling like a boozy Bristol Sunday afternoon you can work your way down North Street and visit some of the city’s finest pubs. Tobacco Factory Market, North Street, Every Sunday 10am-2.30pm.   Market at the Moon <img id="a4a66467-7b8e-06a3-8e08-394313dd06b7" data-caption="" data-credit="Jen Walsh, Knots & Shots" data-width-class="" type="image/jpeg" total="429873" loaded="429873" image_id="102806780" src="http://media.timeout.com/images/102806780/image.jpg" class="photo lazy inline"> Jen Walsh, Knots & Shots   As we all know, Stokes Croft is an eccentric haven for creative minds and independent traders in Bristol, and the Market at the Moon exemplifies all this. Here, you'll find print

This Sunday Montpelier is hosting its very own Jumble Trail – a jumble sale with a twist. Locals will be opening their gardens up as pop-up stalls and selling whatever takes their fancy. Clothes, cakes, furniture and crafts are all welcome, as are stalls of any shape and size.  The trail is a great opportunity to get to know your neighbours, have a little nose at what they’ve had stashed away and, of course, pick up some bargains.  Jumble Trail has already been successful in many UK locations and it’s fairly easy for anyone to get the ball rolling in their local area. One person (the ‘champion’) chooses an area, a date and a time, then it’s as simple as choosing whether stall owners pay a fee or not. In Montpelier’s case there is a £4 fee for printing costs of flyers. Once you’re all signed up and paid up you will be added to the map and then all that’s left to do is spread the word.  So on Sunday June 21, between 11am and 5pm gather your pennies and explore your local neighbourhood. In typical Bristol fashion this event is all about community spirit and sustainability and everyone is welcome to have a root around on a lazy summer afternoon.                      Ready to hit the pub after all that shopping? Check out these quirky watering holes nearby.

Do you like your furniture to tell a story? Been searching for trinkets from years gone by to brighten up your home? Look no further. Bristol is teeming with vintage and second hand furniture gems. So forget the flat-pack nightmares and go get stuck in. After all, it’s good for the environment, good for our local businesses and good fun.  Here are some of Bristol’s best vintage furniture finds to get you started.  Reclaimer’s Reclamation, Gloucester Road The Reclaimer’s yard is like the Aladdin’s cave of the furniture world and it’s easy to get lost in here, so take your time. From kitchen sinks to beautiful wooden doors, garden ornaments to antique writing desks, they have so much on offer you’ll be spoilt for choice. This is an absolute favourite with Bristol residents.     <img id="3323bc78-d9a1-bd07-5ee1-7eaf634c9582" data-caption="" data-credit="" data-width-class="100" src="http://media.timeout.com/images/102505291/image.jpg" type="image/jpeg" total="3333669" loaded="3333669" align="middle" class="photo lazy inline">   Dig Haüshizzle, Christmas Steps Grown out of two people’s passion for vintage furniture, Dig Haüshizzle almost feels like a museum. Antique furniture, taxidermy and lighting are their main focus. They often have some beautiful collections of drawings and you can expect a friendly welcome. This place is worth a visit even if you’re

With the General Election only weeks away, on May 7, it’s almost decision time. So for those of you who are still on the fence or just want to find out more before you cast your vote, here’s a rundown of some local events that might help you make up your mind.   Cycling and Active Travel Hustings, April 21, 1 Redcliffe StreetLife Cycle UK have organised for politicians from the Greens, Labour, Conservatives, UKIP and Lib Dems to come together and present their positions on cycling in Bristol and other forms of active transport.  Thirst for Knowledge presents… The General Election Special, April 28, Trinity CentreThirst for Knowledge is offering you the chance to put your questions to a panel at Bristol's answer to Question Time. On the panel there'll be representatives from six of the main political parties. The event is privately organised and prides itself on being completely unbiased and impartial. Any questions are welcome. Bristol Post Hustings, April 28-30, various locationsThe Bristol Post has organised three debates before the election. They will offer people the chance to quiz the panel in three of the most contested seats in the Bristol area. This includes Shirehampton, Cotham and Kingswood. Don’t forget, if you want to vote you need to be registered before April 20. Polls open on May 7 and you can find your local polling station here.