Anna Starkey is a Bafta-nominated writer for children’s animation Charlie and Lola, having previously worked as a producer at the BBC, and became At-Bristol‘s first ever creative director in May.
Here are Anna’s top-five Bristol favourites:
Moon Street graffiti
“When I was looking for a flat I encountered a graffiti Einstein on the side of a flat in Moon Street just off Stokes Croft. Clearly a sign from the universe for where an At-Bristol employee should live. Or not. The flat didn’t work out, but I still love that Bristol is a place where Einstein turns up in graffiti. On closer inspection it might be an image of Des Lynam in a masquerade mask – Des and Albert are unexpectedly similar, but both are legends and either way it’s a win.”
Amazing cultural spaces
“In only two months here I’ve wept and had my heart filled with joy all over the city – in the impossibly ancient and embracing Bristol Old Vic, the beautiful chamber music space of St George’s, and the rocking Lantern and main stage of Colston Hall.”
Puppet Place
“I’ve been inspired in the wonder emporium that is the Puppet Place and I’m looking forward to discovering so many more places in Bristol to get excited about.”
Colourful houses on the harbour
“They cheer me every time I see them. There’s something about the colours and the curve they follow over the hill that makes me feel like I’m living in a really well illustrated picture book.”
Reclaimers Reclamation
“Slightly bonkers and possibly dangerous. Reclaimers Reclamation on Gloucester Road feels like Diagon Alley might open up at any moment if only you light up a cigarette in the right corner. I now have a table with a red wooden abstract shape sticking out of the table top, which means you can only seat three people at the table instead of four. Apparently there was a hole in the table and the reclamation yard found a red thing that fitted it and stuck it in. A very silly solution, I love it. “