Listen: Bristol Unpacked with Tom Morris, artistic director of Bristol Old Vic

Listen: Bristol Unpacked with Neil Maggs 30th June, 2022

Neil Maggs kicks off a new podcast series with a chat on theatre, who ‘the arts’ are for and what role the Kings Street institution plays in the city.

Aphra Evans, Neil Maggs and Adam Cantwell-Corn

Latest stories

Reports

‘It’s not pro-life, it’s pro-misogyny’: Bristol marches on abortion rights

A protest on Saturday saw speakers bring to light the murky legal picture around abortion in the UK, just two weeks after the US Supreme Court effectively banned abortions for millions.

Aphra Evans

Police and Crime bill

5 key moments in history that led to the Police and Crime Act

Matt Foot

Callouts

Share your experiences of living in a high-rise

Do you have a positive story about the social aspects of living in a high-rise apartment building? Are you having problems with crime or antisocial behaviour, or with maintenance in a tower block that’s in disrepair?

Have your say

The Bristol Cable

Features

Carers strike to protest pay cuts at St Monica’s Trust care homes

Staff, who in two years could lose up to thousands of pounds in wages, report colleagues are leaving amid 'intimidating' behaviour from management.

Aphra Evans

Reports

‘This house became the gate to hell’: Bristol modern slavery victims tell of horrific abuse as ringleaders are jailed

Maros Tancos and Joanna Gomulska’s sentencing brings an end to a case charities say highlights the need to address immigration system failures that stop survivors coming forward.

Sean Morrison

Co-op Community

Bristol’s mayor shouldn’t cherry pick which journalists attend his briefings

Local democracy reporters have been banned from attending Marvin Rees’ press conferences, sparking a boycott from local media outlets.

The Bristol Cable

Reports

Bristol trial tackling drink spiking is hailed a nationwide success

A pilot project in Bristol has seen reports of drink spiking cases skyrocket – meaning the recent awareness campaign might have made people feel more able to speak out.

Adam Postans (Local Democracy Reporter)

Reports

Decision over Bristol strip club ban to be made within weeks

The fate of sexual entertainment venues in Bristol will be determined at a licensing committee meeting on 28 July, the group's chair has confirmed.

Adam Postans (Local Democracy Reporter)

Read more ···

Cable Community

The Bristol Cable is more than just a newspaper, it's a community of 2,800 people

Bristol Mayoral Referendum

The Cable view: Time to build a new political system in Bristol

After voting to scrap the mayoral system, Labour and the Greens have the opportunity to form a progressive alliance. But Bristol’s political culture needs work, too.

The Bristol Cable

Callouts

Barton Hill and Redfield in focus

Do you live in Barton Hill or Redfield? Tell us what you want the Cable to investigate.

Have your say

Will Franklin

Bristol Mayoral Referendum

‘I feel so uninformed’: Cable readers on Bristol’s mayoral referendum

Does the mayor have too much power and exclude councillors? Or is having a mayor the best way to overcome stalemates in a politically divided city? Here’s what Cable readers had to say.

Matty Edwards

Read more ···

In Disrepair: Bristol’s broken renting system

This series will tell the stories of renters in Bristol, dig into how the pandemic has affected the crisis, and, crucially, what can be done about it.

In Disrepair: Bristol's broken renting system

Is there such thing as an ethical landlord?

Simon Broadhead rents out 10 properties in Bristol, and claims to be an ethical landlord. But what does that mean and what’s on the horizon for reform of the private rented sector?

Gavriel Hollander

In Disrepair: Bristol's broken renting system

Bristol campaigners and politicians welcome ‘long overdue’ reforms for private renters

Scrapping no fault evictions, better standards and a potential landlord registration scheme could become law. But more needs to be done on the city’s renting crisis in the meantime.

Matty Edwards

In Disrepair: Bristol's broken renting system

Revealed: The Disabled Bristolians waiting months and years to live in accessible homes

Housing adaptations for Disabled people should offer independence – but for many it's a prolonged bureaucratic nightmare.

Matty Edwards

Read more ···

Bristol Unpacked Podcast

Fascinating and challenging conversations from characters on big topics facing the city and beyond.

Listen: Bristol Unpacked with Neil Maggs

Bristol Unpacked Paul Hassan, the community sector leader who says a mayor is best for the city and the vote is ‘self-indulgent’

The last of four episodes in a mini-series dedicated to understanding what’s at stake in Bristol’s upcoming mayoral referendum on 5 May.

Neil Maggs, Adam Cantwell-Corn and Aphra Evans

Listen: Bristol Unpacked with Neil Maggs

Bristol Unpacked Nicola Bowden-Jones, the ex-Labour councillor who says the mayoral system is 'sexist and anti-democratic'

Part three of four episodes in a mini-series dedicated to understanding what’s at stake in Bristol’s upcoming mayoral referendum on 5 May.

Neil Maggs, Adam Cantwell-Corn and Aphra Evans

Listen: Bristol Unpacked with Neil Maggs

Bristol Unpacked Ellie King, the Labour councillor coming out to bat for the mayoral system and take on critics

Part two of four episodes in a mini-series dedicated to understanding what’s at stake in Bristol’s upcoming mayoral referendum on 5 May.

Neil Maggs, Adam Cantwell-Corn and Aphra Evans

Listen to more ···

Investigations

Uncovering injustice and wrongdoing

Investigations

From exclusion zones to convictions: How Bristol’s rough sleepers can be criminalised under controversial notices

The government has promised to scrap the Vagrancy Act, but campaigners fear this long-awaited reform could mean the use of other powers to target homeless people will become more widespread.

Sean Morrison

Investigations

Revealed: Parents taking legal action over mistreatment of son at special needs school

A former worker has also shed light on what happened before St Christopher's closed in 2019 and police investigated child cruelty.

Matty Edwards

In Disrepair: Bristol's broken renting system

Would a database that names and shames rogue landlords help protect renters?

London renters can access a searchable database of enforcement actions against landlords. Could something similar help people navigate the minefield of finding somewhere to live in Bristol?

Alex Turner and Matty Edwards

Read more ···

Video

Race, language and labels: what do people really think about the term ‘BAME’?

The government announced last month it was dropping the problematic term, but is it still useful in certain situations and are diversity initiatives still needed?

Priyanka Raval, Aphra Evans and Omar Powell

Video

‘People are scared’: A Russian who opposes war speaks out on state-controlled media and economic collapse

With the war in Ukraine entering its third week, this is what's happening on the other side of the border.

Aphra Evans

Video

Watch: The new documentary celebrating Bristol’s inner-city walks

The film profiles a grassroots project called Slow Ways which hopes to get more people walking further – with all the associated benefits.

Aphra Evans and David Mathias

Watch more ···

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Bristol and the Climate Crisis

Bristol Airport expansion case highlights loopholes in national climate policy, say campaigners

Lawyers bringing the anti-expansion case to the High Court want to emphasise that no one is considering the cumulative impact of regional airport expansions.

Aphra Evans

Bristol and the Climate Crisis

‘Nobody was talking to people in the Mosque about climate change’

Abdul Malik’s ‘Muslim Guide to Climate Change’ has been recognised by Bristol’s project on community level climate action.

Adam Corner

Reports

‘It’s what God is asking of me’: Bristol reverend, 80, will risk arrest again to raise awareness of climate crisis

Supporters cheered as Reverend Sue Parfitt had a conviction overturned by a judge.

Sean Morrison

Read more ···

Popular series

A piece of the puzzle

Vibrant debates and big ideas, inspiring tales of innovators and people champions, and realistic solutions to some of the most pressing issues on our streets.

Addicted Bristol: Life and Death

Bristol’s drug problem is threatening lives more than ever. We’re launching a series of stories about the people fighting addiction, treating it and pushing for reform.

The Ice Cream Slavery Case

A five year investigation Thousands of Bristolians and tourists have bought ice creams from Lopresti ice cream vans at iconic city landmarks over the decades.

Bristol History Podcast

Bristol History Podcast is dedicated to exploring various aspects of Bristol’s history, hosted by Tom Brothwell. Produced in partnership with the Bristol Cable since April 2018.

Bristol History Podcast

Listen: Ann Yearsley, the working class Bristol poet who took on the slave trade

Brycchan Carey, Professor of English at Northumbria University, talks about the life and work of 18th century Bristolian poet and milkwoman, Ann Yearsley.

Tom Brothwell

Bristol History Podcast

Listen: Meet Bristol’s ballooning pioneer Don Cameron

Cameron Balloons created the first modern hot air balloon in Western Europe, and it has since become a beloved symbol of the city.

Tom Brothwell

Bristol History Podcast

LISTEN: Telling the stories from Bristol LGBTQ people going back 300 years

Andrew Foyle from Outstories Bristol, a volunteer community history group, discusses the stories of LGBTQ people throughout Bristol’s history from the 17th century to the present day.

Tom Brothwell

Listen to more ···

Listen: Bristol Unpacked with Tom Morris, artistic director of Bristol Old Vic

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Latest stories

‘It’s not pro-life, it’s pro-misogyny’: Bristol marches on abortion rights

5 key moments in history that led to the Police and Crime Act

Get the essential stories you won’t find anywhere else

This week in Bristol: Coroner’s rulings ‘unfair and unjust’

Share your experiences of living in a high-rise

Carers strike to protest pay cuts at St Monica’s Trust care homes

‘This house became the gate to hell’: Bristol modern slavery victims tell of horrific abuse as ringleaders are jailed

Bristol’s mayor shouldn’t cherry pick which journalists attend his briefings

Bristol trial tackling drink spiking is hailed a nationwide success

Decision over Bristol strip club ban to be made within weeks

Cable Community

The Bristol Cable is more than just a newspaper, it's a community of 2,800 people

The Cable view: Time to build a new political system in Bristol

Barton Hill and Redfield in focus

‘I feel so uninformed’: Cable readers on Bristol’s mayoral referendum

In Disrepair: Bristol’s broken renting system

This series will tell the stories of renters in Bristol, dig into how the pandemic has affected the crisis, and, crucially, what can be done about it.

Is there such thing as an ethical landlord?

Bristol campaigners and politicians welcome ‘long overdue’ reforms for private renters

Revealed: The Disabled Bristolians waiting months and years to live in accessible homes

Our new print edition is out now!

Bristol Unpacked Podcast

Fascinating and challenging conversations from characters on big topics facing the city and beyond.

Bristol Unpacked Paul Hassan, the community sector leader who says a mayor is best for the city and the vote is ‘self-indulgent’

Bristol Unpacked Nicola Bowden-Jones, the ex-Labour councillor who says the mayoral system is 'sexist and anti-democratic'

Bristol Unpacked Ellie King, the Labour councillor coming out to bat for the mayoral system and take on critics

Investigations

Uncovering injustice and wrongdoing

From exclusion zones to convictions: How Bristol’s rough sleepers can be criminalised under controversial notices

Revealed: Parents taking legal action over mistreatment of son at special needs school

Would a database that names and shames rogue landlords help protect renters?

Got a tip off?

Video

Race, language and labels: what do people really think about the term ‘BAME’?

‘People are scared’: A Russian who opposes war speaks out on state-controlled media and economic collapse

Watch: The new documentary celebrating Bristol’s inner-city walks

Join 2,800+ Cable members redefining local media

Bristol and the Climate Crisis

Bristol Airport expansion case highlights loopholes in national climate policy, say campaigners

‘Nobody was talking to people in the Mosque about climate change’

‘It’s what God is asking of me’: Bristol reverend, 80, will risk arrest again to raise awareness of climate crisis

Get the essential stories you won’t find anywhere else

Popular series

A piece of the puzzle

Addicted Bristol: Life and Death

The Ice Cream Slavery Case

Bristol History Podcast

Bristol History Podcast is dedicated to exploring various aspects of Bristol’s history, hosted by Tom Brothwell. Produced in partnership with the Bristol Cable since April 2018.

Listen: Ann Yearsley, the working class Bristol poet who took on the slave trade

Listen: Meet Bristol’s ballooning pioneer Don Cameron

LISTEN: Telling the stories from Bristol LGBTQ people going back 300 years

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