Meet the 365Bristol Team

Meet the 365Bristol Team

 

The 365Bristol team comprises of experienced writers, digital specialists and business development managers, dedicated to telling people about what’s happening in our city.

 

We’re always on the lookout for talented writers and photographers to join our team of contributors. To find out more, visit our Jobs page. 

 

Business Development

 

Brendan Murphy, Managing Director

Bristol born and bred despite the name, Brendan has been working in the digital media sector for the last 15 years and advertising for the last 25 years. He has a wealth of knowledge about the city, and more importantly, he knows how to help businesses get as much online exposure as possible. Call him on 07876 735153 or email info@365bristol.com.

 

 

Contributors and Reviewers

Kate Hutchison

Kate is a University of Bristol Philosophy graduate and freelance writer. 

 

 

Paul Holbrook

Born and bred in Bristol, Paul is a creative, freelance writer who contributes articles and entertainment reviews. Paul is also an established screenwriter making headway in the competitive world of the spec screenplay; a film producer, a movie & music buff, an animal lover, and a father to two kids.

 

 

Sam Rowswell 

Fashion influencer Sam Rowswell has recently switched focus after discovering the diversity in Bristol's buzzing food scene. Originally from Essex, Sam has realised that there's a whole lot of West Country in her since her move 8 years ago. You can find Sam on her website, Twitter and Instagram. 
 

 

Harry Burton

Harry is a digital marketing consultant and freelance writer based in the South West. Find him at www.albionmarketing.com.

 

 

Seb Reilly 

Born in the North, but now calls the South his home, Seb graduated from the University of the West of England in Business Management with Accounting in 2016. Since then, he's done whatever work he can to subsidise his two real passions - video games and music. When not listening to records or playing video games, Seb enjoys poetry, cooking, baking and playing his guitar.

 

Richard Purdon

After a short spell in Mexico working with crocodiles, Richard studied journalism and professional writing at university before writing for several South West newspapers and online publications. He subsequently wrote and co-edited an online magazine, was a freelance and technical writer for websites and worked with SEO, social media and digital marketing projects for international organisations.

 

Martin Allen-Smith

As a lifelong music obsessive, Martin brings his extensive journalism experience to bear on reviewing some of the many gigs that make Bristol's music scene one of the liveliest in the country. Originally from London, he spends his time following AFC Wimbledon, tormenting his children with Dad Jokes, and getting out to see as much live music, comedy and theatre as possible.

 

Sam Dawe

A lifelong Bristol resident and pop culture enthusiast, Sam is a movie buff who loves reading, running, travel and “nerding out” online. A short film director, screenwriter and freelance video editor, Sam loves his city.

 

Sam Coles - a.k.a. The Bristolian Gamer

Sam has lived in Bristol all his life. A keen cyclist, he speeds around the city, but video games are his bread and butter. Sam runs his own gaming blog called Bristolian Gamer where he's been reviewing indie games, writing retro reviews and venting his anger at the industry when it does wrong since 2010.

 

Alvin Dube

Born in Zimbabwe but a Bristolian at heart. Alvin's longest love affair has been with music, and he's always strived to be the cat amongst the pigeons to revitalise the music scene. A true music junkie with an eclectic taste, he enjoys dancing, loves his son and is partial to a spot of cider. "I mean, who isn't?"
 

Josh Coulson 

Josh was born in Bristol and returned here after ten years in Cornwall to study Journalism at the University of the West of England. Since graduating in 2014, he has sought out any opportunity to write about the things he loves. His love of music and comedy means most of his time is spent at gigs and concerts across the city.
 

 

Nick Clay

Nick currently works in the private security industry in Bristol, but is currently studying to move into Health & Safety. Nick enjoys most music, but is a diehard metalhead. He also loves Football (he supports Hull City, for his sins) & he's a bit of a Movie buff (also known as a Geek). He enjoys training Boxing with friends, and the outdoors -  getting out in nature, stuff like that! He practices meditating and breathwork when not listening to death metal or watching obscure 80's horror movies, or taking care of his pet  Snakes, Tarantulas and Scorpion. 

 

Sarah-Jane Howard

Sarah-Jane is an aficionado of film, theatre, culture and the arts. A voracious reader and avid crafter, she can be found volunteering her face painting talents at Bristol Zoo when she's not cementing her reputation as Coalpit Heath’s cake maker extraordinaire. Known to have an opinion on everything, she’s never happier than when sharing these thoughts with the good folk of Bristol!
 

 

Jonathan Eve

Born in Nottingham and raised in rural Lincolnshire, having nothing but music to keep him occupied, Jonathan moved to the South West in 2007 after backpacking around Europe and fell in love with Bristol after joining the local American Football team. When he’s not contributing to the entertainment reviews he spends most of his time developing software (i.e. just listening to music all day), cycling through the Cotswolds or can be found at Five Guys with his face in an All-The-Way Cheeseburger.
 

 

Lee Gitsham

A Bristolian born and bred. By day the Regional Manager for Advanced Imaging Systems Ltd. By night (and weekends) a keen follower of most sports especially rugby and football. Musical tastes vary and cover a wide range of genres from Punk to Motown and Swing to R&B - see my reviews! Also partial to a quiet spot of fishing followed obviously by a not so quiet pint.

 

Tom Wickens

Originally from the Hampshire town of Winchester, Tom has lived in Bristol for four years. He decided it was a city worth staying in after graduating in Cyber Security at UWE last year. Tom has a passion for technology as well as keen interests in film, food, music, sports and photography. He spends a lot of his time engaging in the abundant offerings of a vibrant city at the forefront of British culture. 

 

Mike Headington

Born and bred in Weston-super-Mare, Mike has played in bands over the last 30 years and has an avid interest in a wide range of music genres. With a passion for live music he spends endless nights watching all types of bands, both famous and not so famous. With a love of Bristol’s infamous venues and the thriving music scene he also follows the local football club in red with a passion. His mission statement is...Keep it real, keep it live and Keep on Rocking!

 

Andrea Martin

Andrea was born and raised in Bristol but moved to Weston-super-Mare as a teenager, around the same time the punk scene hit Britain and was right in the thick of it. Embracing the music and bands of that time, she has been a regular at most of the Bristol gigs ever since. Music, especially live, is in her veins and after performing in bands of her own over the years she continues to sing in a local choir. “Music has and always will be a massive part of my life, and I will be a party girl ‘til the day I die.”
 

Talicza Stevens

Talicza has only lived in Bristol for three years, but has been reviewing gigs, shows and albums for years as well as writing her own true-crime podcast ‘Transatlantic Crime’. 
 

 

 

Ollie Horne

Ollie graduated from Bristol University in 2015, and apart from completing one winter ski season in Austria in 2016, he has stayed in the city ever since. He is a writer and musician, playing regularly with Bristol bands Cousin Kula, Feelgood Experiment and Tungz. His other interests include travel (most recently to Rajasthan in India) and reading, especially stories from far-flung places. 
 

Liam Holmes

Liam is a student studying maths at the University of Bristol and a local to the area having grown up in Clevedon. Passionate about music and film, as well as an avid writer, Liam is regularly found in one of Bristol's many music venues. 
 

 

 

 

Sam Farley

Sam moved to Bristol for University and loved the place so much that he ended up staying. Big into sport, music and culture he can be found on Twitter at @FarleyWrites.

 

Katie Sanghera

Katie is a Drama and Theatre Arts graduate and has lived in Bristol for two years now after growing up and studying in Birmingham. She is a bookworm that also loves cooking, eating and drinking out with lovely people.

 

 

Jacqui Barton

Raised in Bristol, Jacqui has been an active resident of this great city for most of her life. Passionate about travel and exploring different cultures, she enjoys exotic cuisine and is an avid fan of musical theatre, comedy and dance. With a truly eclectic love of music, she attends many gigs throughout the year, from up and coming local artists to large international festivals.

 

Hannah Lewis

I work as a full time Radiographer, but I am passionate about blogging, including fashion and lifestyle content. I can be found on Instagram, Twitter and at www.hannahjlewis.com.

 

Jamie Plumley

My name is Jamie, and I've promoted gigs within Bristol for many years. I have a passion for music, theatre and food! I am no rock - you'll find me out and about, and always a bit loud and brash. Let's live life. 

 

 

Harry Irons

London-born but now a South West dweller, Harry moved to Bristol after graduating with a design degree from UWE in 2017 to pursue a career in the industry. With a keen interest in music, art and the outdoors, Harry has found his home away from home. 

 

 

Maria Lopez

Twenty-something girl living in Bristol for a year, who likes to define herself as a 'flaneuse' exploring and taking in everything the world has to offer. Studying English literature at the moment; enjoys live music, writing, embroidering and art galleries.
 

Anna Kilcooley

One of the many Stroudies who felt the effects of West Country gravity, Anna now happily lives up to the Bristolian stereotypes of a cider only diet, hanging out in her campervan, climbing and sewing her own clothes. She’s a walking event diary and there aren’t many corners of Bristol she hasn’t explored. 

 

Steffan Davies

Having come to Bristol to study but never leaving, Steffan has been involved in the Bristol music scene for 10 years and has been in various local bands throughout that time. Can often be found at the pub.

 

Holly Nicholas

Holly is a freelance content writer and editor who enjoys writing about music, food and floristry. Originally from Hertfordshire, she moved to Bristol a couple of years ago for its fantastic music scene (particularly drum and bass). In her free time she enjoys going to festivals, practising aerial hoop and pottering about at the allotment. You can find her at www.hollynicholas.co.uk.

 

Jackie Russell

A Bristolian from birth, Jackie has fond memories of trips to the theatre dating back to ‘Fiddler on the Roof’ in the ‘70s alongside every opportunity to watch Les Mis and The Rocky Horror Show (outfits taming a little as the years passed!). With careers in banking and education, Jackie lived in London a while taking every opportunity to visit the capital’s theatres and their diverse offerings. From Hamilton to Moulin Rouge to The Mousetrap, she approaches every show with an open mind and a great deal of respect for the cast and production team on their challenges and achievements. Now semi-retired and back ‘home’ in Bristol, Jackie manages the accounts of a local design firm and, alongside family and travel, continues to enjoy the amazing benefits of living in our fabulous city

Naomi Weeks

Naomi is the Marketing and Publicity Manager at b small publishing, a children's book publisher specialising in dynamic young fiction. In her spare time, she enjoys writing, life drawing and finding weird and wonderful events to go in and around Bristol.

 

Alys Marshall

Alys is a full-time copywriter, avid reader and podcast enthusiast currently based in Henleaze. As a recent transplant from the North, she’s keen to explore everything the South West has to offer, but is especially interested in exploring the food, art and culture scene in Bristol.

 

 

Gareth Owen

Gareth is director of Raw Space Coworking on Gloucester Road and loves to write about the city’s art and culture

 

 

Huw Bendon

Huw runs On Point Copywriting, a Bristol-based copywriting agency, helping businesses with their messaging, tone of voice and getting their marketing comms done. He enjoys cooking, watching and playing sport, camping and spending time with his family.

 

Alice Macleod

Alice lives and works in the Bristol area and is the founder of SYUK Development. She enjoys all that Bristol has to offer and regularly contributes to webinars, podcasts and articles on social issues and current affairs.  

 

 

Max Crowe

Max is a writer, photographer and artist who has lived in Bristol since 2018. When he isn't creating impactful content for businesses, Max enjoys teaching yoga, making/listening to music and absorbing Bristol's rich and diverse culture. Contact him for enquiries at maximcrowe@gmail.com

 

Craig Thomas

Craig is the co-founder of Twimp, the company that's bringing outdoor adventures and education to the green spaces of Bristol.

 

 

Xavier Ellis

Xavier - born in Italy, raised in Spain, and now calls the UK home. Co-owner of La Scala, an Italian Deli-Coffee hub in Bristol. Sommelier trained with a passion for the West End. 

 

 

Colette Hand

Colette Hand, BA graduate of Bath Spa University and retired primary school teacher. Now an avid crafter for charity and volunteer shop assistant for SENSE charity. Enjoys time spent with twin grandchildren.

 

 

Laura Durrant

Laura is a self confessed theatre addict, and is particularly partial to a good musical. She studied English and Performing Arts at University, and after working in journalism and PR is now a freelance writerIn her spare time Laura volunteers for her local hospital radio as a presenter, and reads a lot!

 

 

Kate O'Malley

Kate O’Malley is Bristol-based Recruitment Manager and Irish Dance teacher who enjoys writing about live music and interesting eateries. Hailing from Manchester, Kate set up home in Bristol over 20 years ago and fell in love with this city, despite its lack of top flight football. She has two teenage boys and a lab/springer cross. You can find more about her dance school here www.omalleyirishdance.co.uk.

Olly Boyce

Sports-mad A-level student with his heart set on a career in football journalism. He’s played in Bristol’s top level of youth football, the Junior Premier League and years at Bristol Rovers Academy. Olly is hoping to secure a job/apprenticeship/trainee-ship in any kind of sports media. He can be contacted at ollyboyce09@gmail.com.

 

 

Grufudd Hobday

Gruff is a Welsh speaking, Bristol based chartered surveyor. As a former chef (or kitchen porter!) and self proclaimed bedroom DJ, he is passionate about music, food and Bristol night life.
 

 

 

Digital Media Specialists

 
Somerset Design

Somerset Design are a professional website design agency and creative team based at Aardman Animations in Bristol with further offices in Ilminster in Somerset. As our digital media partner they keep us up to speed with the fast paced changes in technology so that our sites are properly indexed by all of the major search engines and ensure content is delivered in the correct format to our readers devices. Visit www.somersetdesign.co.uk.

 

Through our partnership with Somerset Design we are able to offer their outstanding web development and creative services to our clients.