On the evening of April 3rd, students from a range of fashion and creative courses at Weston College came together to showcase their talent at Elevate, a spectacular fashion show held in the Regency Suite on the Grand Pier. This event gave learners the chance to present their work on a professional catwalk in front of friends, family, and the public. Also, the £321 raised from ticket sales will be donated to Weston Hospicecare.
The show featured collections and designs from A Level Fashion and Textiles students, Extended Diploma Fashion, Business and Retail students, and Fashion, Theatre, Special Effects and Media Make-Up students. Hair and makeup were also provided by learners from the HE Hair, Makeup, Prosthetics and Production course. We also had a range of volunteer models from across different subject areas, showcasing the amazing collaboration of the entire college.
Each collection was the result of months of creativity, research, and technical skill, developing initial ideas, conducting visual and factual research, experimenting with illustrations and media, and refining their concepts before constructing their final garments in chosen fabrics.
The Extended Diploma in Fashion, Business and Retail students explored themes such as Contrast, Refabrication, and Nostalgia, allowing for various interpretations and unique outcomes. Some examples include explorations of the architectural contrast within the National Trust’s Tyntesfield House, designs focused on the healing potential of flora, and investigations into the psychology of nostalgia through brain scans and synaptic imagery. Others took a more cultural approach, drawing on rock music from the 1970s to early 2000s.
A Level Fashion and Textiles students brought an equally diverse range of ideas to life, exploring cultural heritage, mental health, and ethical issues in fashion. From intricate Sashiko-inspired patterns to visual critiques of the denim industry’s environmental impact, these students demonstrated powerful, individual visions that reflected deep personal engagement with their themes.
The creativity didn’t stop at the garments. Students from the Extended Diploma in Fashion, Theatre, Special Effects and Media Make-Up created stunning looks that carried strong environmental messages. Their work responded to themes such as climate change, the ozone layer, California wildfires, and human impact on the planet—resulting in dramatic, thoughtful, and visually compelling headpieces and makeup designs.
Pat Jones, Principal and CEO of Weston College, expressed her gratitude to both the students and the community for making this event possible, adding, “The Elevate Fashion Show was a true celebration—not just of the incredible creativity and talent of our fashion learners, but also of the community spirit that made it all possible.
“Thanks must go to Michelle Michael and the team at the Grand Pier for so generously providing the Regency Suite free of charge, giving our students the unique opportunity to showcase their work in a truly professional setting. Thanks to this support, every ticket sold will go directly to Weston Hospicecare. We’re also grateful to St John’s Church for their kind loan of a lighting system that helped the show come to life. This event is a great example of what happens when education and community come together to lift up the next generation of creatives.”
Elevate is a great example of how Weston College’s Career Excellence Hubs give our students the career-preparing opportunities to gain first-hand experience in presenting a collection within a professional setting, developing their confidence, communication skills, and understanding of the production and logistics behind a runway event. The evening also offered invaluable exposure to peers, industry professionals, and potential employers which is essential for anyone pursuing a future in fashion or performance industries.
For many of the student models, walking the runway was a transformative experience. Stepping out of their comfort zones, they rose to the challenge with bravery and confidence, contributing to the energy and spirit of the event and supporting their peers on a night that celebrated creativity, courage, and collaboration. Elevate was an amazing reflection of the talent and dedication of our Weston College students, enhanced by community to bring this event to life for a great cause.
Well done to all our students who got involved in designing, creating, and modelling—this night wouldn’t have been possible without your efforts! Also, a big thank you to our fantastic Photography students: Harrison, Ethan, Cerys, Annabel, Taylor, Ellen, Toby, and Cameron for capturing the night perfectly!
Our failures keep us humble. While basking in the sunset of a conference well-hosted last week, a shape appeared on the Bristol skyline as if to remind me that things didn’t always go so well…
It was an old foe, a silhouette of shame, the scene of my worst hosting nightmare many thousands of sunsets ago. I was a student at Bristol University, no more than 19 or 20. As the boffin of our student radio station (and the only one with a real bow tie), I was asked at the eleventh hour if I’d step-in as MC of a charity concert to be held at Clifton Cathedral. The time for rehearsal had passed, but the organisers had faith – and seemingly meticulous notes – so, surely, I’d be fine?
I’d actually been compèring concerts since secondary school and fine I was… until the star piece of the night, performed by a young child with the proverbial angel’s larynx. She was clearly accomplished and the audience was spellbound by her performance – I could see them from the wings, wide-eyed and visibly moved. As her last, long, lingering note faded away into the sugar-funnel roof of the cathedral, I waited for the inevitable applause to bridge my return to the stage… but applause there were none. I paused for a moment longer before spontaneously starting my own enthusiastic applause from the wings, hoping others would follow.
Still there was silence from within in the cathedral. The little girl looked over to me, flushed with embarrassment. I marched onto the stage to mount a rescue, still clapping (and now cheering) as I went, like something from Hi-De-Hi. As I did all I possibly could to whip the audience into the requisite frenzy, the girl calmly and professionally turned away from me… to carry on with her performance. The second movement of her piece…
More than two decades on, I revisit this horror of ill-judgement before every live event I host – and whenever else I need to bring myself to ground. Hosting events has become a major part of my portfolio career, especially since leaving the BBC to become freelance in 2023. Since then I’ve been hosting corporate events, moderating conferences and presenting awards ceremonies alongside broadcasting, podcasting and voiceover work. Last year I hosted more than twenty events, all over the UK – and, let me tell you, every single one was, in some way, fenced-off from potential disaster by the many lessons I learnt that day in the sweet funnel of failure.
Last week’s more triumphant event was Great Western Railway’s Safeguarding Conference in Bristol, which I hosted as their voice of safety (mine is the voice on GWR’s trains and stations which tells you to “Mind The Gap”, amongst other announcements). Although no child performers were present to sing, there would have been plenty of opportunities to, erm, slip up. The subjects were emotive, some of the case studies were tough and we had an unexpected tear or two alongside me on the stage. But my time on both the stage and the radio has taught me how to navigate all of this, how to react when the unexpected happens. As somebody very kindly put it, “you make all this look so easy, and yet I know it’s anything but”.
So, if you’re looking for an experienced (and, these days, dependable) host to bring polish to your event, to give direction to your conference, or to take the pressure off whoever normally catches the mic at your functions, drop me a line. I have a string of successes to my name… but more importantly, I’ve survived a couple of movement-inducing failures, too.
We recently hosted the AHT (Association of Hairdressers and Therapists) Regional Competition for the South West! Students came from across the region including City of Bristol College and Bath College as well as our own students from UCW and Weston College. Higher Education competitors were able to show off their skill in makeup and materials in the ‘Create an Injury’ competition. The learners showed skill in carefully crafting their injury and then blending the injury with the surrounding skin to finish the contest.
Also going on during the day was the Editorial Competition. This tasked learners with creating and executing a makeup look which would suit Vogue Magazine! Following the brief and executing the look to the highest standard possible was essential. Competitors were also able to showcase their creativity through the art of body painting.
Makeup skills were tested throughout the day with the Glam Drag, Facepainting and Theatrical Aging competitions. An exciting competition in the afternoon challenged competitors to create an image based on Moulin Rouge! This was a team challenge, where each member of a team had a set amount of time to do their bit of the makeup and then this would be carried on by their teammate. This helped to build communication and teamwork skills.
Hair, Makeup and Prosthetics for Production lecturer Tara said: “The students from BA Hons Hair, Makeup, and Prosthetics for Production course have showcased incredible talent in the AHT competitions, winning first, second, and third places across categories such as injury simulation, editorial glam, glamorous drag, facepainting and bridal makeup Their creativity and technical skills have earned them gold medals and a place in the finals in Blackpool this May. This is a fantastic opportunity for them to compete at a national level, gain industry recognition, and build confidence in their abilities. We’re incredibly proud of their achievements so far and excited to see them take on the best in the UK!”
Head of Service Sectors Jenna said: “We’re incredibly grateful to our sponsor VTCT who helped to make this event possible. Thanks must also go to the fantastic judges who lent their expertise! Competitions like these have a fantastic impact on our students, giving them the chance to push their limits and show off the skills that they’ve learned.”
This competition forms part of the Performance and Production Arts Careers Excellence Hub. University Centre Weston has eleven sector-specific Career Excellence Hubs, which evidence our dedication to supporting both employers and learners in achieving their future goals. By creating a seamless connection between industry and education, we enable learners to acquire not only the essential skills and knowledge but also the professional networks necessary to excel in their chosen fields.
A huge congratulations to the UCW learners who won medals! You can find a list of them below:
Create an Injury
Glamourous Drag
Bodypainting
Feminine Bridal Makeup
Editorial Makeup
Facepainting ‘Carnival’
The photo above shows the Bristol WordPress team at WordCamp Bristol in 2019 – a moment when the community was thriving. By less than a year later the World had changed and, despite best efforts, Bristol WordPress People had ceased to operate. There has been a void in the city’s WordPress community since.
The exciting news is that a small group of us have been meeting to discuss how we can reignite this once-thriving group. I’m happy to announce that Janice Tye, one of the original organisers of Bristol WordPress People has re-instated the official Meetup and scheduled some networking events at the King William Alehouse, 20 King St, Bristol BS1 4EF. Whether you’re an old friend or a new face, you’re invited to join us:
Tuesday, February 4th – 6:30 PM to 8:30 PM
Thursday, March 6th – 6:30 PM to 8:30 PM
Tuesday, April 6th – 6:30 PM to 8:30 PM
At its peak, Bristol WordPress People was a hub of inspiration – hosting expert talks, lively networking sessions, and delicious food thanks to sponsors like Atomic Smash and 34SP. This was more than just a meetup; it was a friendly, creative community where people shared knowledge, learned new skills, and helped each other thrive.
Whether you’re a seasoned WordPress pro, someone curious to learn, a website owner in search of advice, or someone with tips and stories to share, we need your help to revive our once-loved group.
Let’s rebuild this community together. Join us at the King William Alehouse and help shape the future of Bristol WordPress People.
See you soon!
Nine Tree Studios, Bristol’s biggest independent studio, has launched a WhatsApp Community to give back to local filmmakers, photographers, creatives, and production companies.
Primarily it’s a free loyalty programme offering studio discounts and freebies, including:
There’s also groups for advice and jobs, and private channels for production companies and studios to collaborate and share advice.
“We’ve always wanted our space to be able to support Bristol’s creative community” said Russell Jones, Co-Founder of Nine Tree Studios.
“Nowadays email newsletters feel old and clunky and aren’t really suited to what we wanted, like offering free studio hire to those who need it, and promoting and discussing events.”
“By virtue of having members we also hope it’ll be a space for freelancers, screen professionals, studios and production companies to share advice, post jobs, collaborate, and generally chit-chat.”
You can join the community at https://chat.whatsapp.com/D64qZ5CmnxCASYEevxDFEV and visit https://www.ninetreestudios.co.uk/community for more information and terms.
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Nine Tree Studios is Bristol’s largest independent studio.
Suitable for set builds, commercial productions, photography and HETV, the space features two main studios – a 4,640sq ft soundstage and a 567sq ft infinity cove – plus a podcast suite, green rooms, production offices and a 9,000sq ft backlot.
For more information visit www.ninetreestudios.co.uk or email [email protected].
Looking for a unique and meaningful venue for your next business event or networking session? Weston College’s The Grove Training Restaurant is open on selected Tuesdays in 2025, offering a perfect blend of exceptional food and the opportunity to support the next generation of hospitality professionals.
By hosting an event at The Grove, located at our Knightstone Campus in Weston-super-Mare; you’re giving our Catering and Hospitality students valuable hands-on experience. From food preparation to serving, they gain essential skills in a realistic workplace environment—all while you and your guests enjoy expertly crafted dishes.
With a warm, friendly atmosphere, seated two-course dinners start at just £15 per head. Every dish is prepared using locally sourced, seasonal ingredients, with menus changing monthly to keep things fresh and exciting.
Hosting your business or private event here is not just as a treat for your taste buds – it’s an investment in our learners’ futures.
Contact us today to book your event or to learn more about our menu and services!
The creative sector is rapidly evolving, with new talents and innovative minds shaping industries such as graphic design, media production, games and animation, art, photography, performance, theatre, fashion, and design. To ensure this sector remains vibrant and continues to thrive, it’s crucial that we support the next generation of creatives, offering them the resources and connections to jump-start their careers.
At Weston College and University Centre Weston, we’re dedicated to nurturing the talent of tomorrow through a wide range of creative pathways. Whether learners dream of becoming graphic designers, media producers, animators, or fashion designers, our courses equip them with the skills, experience, and knowledge necessary to succeed in today’s competitive job market. But there’s a vital element that makes this journey complete: real-world engagement from creative businesses.
Looking to the future, and as Sir Peter Bazalgette said:
In every scenario the Creative Industries are set to be of central importance to the UK’s future success. We have two great assets: the English language and our creativity, but the skills and business models of this sector are of increasing importance.
Source: https://www.gov.uk/government/news/bazalgette-review-sets-recommendations-for-continued-growth-of-uks-creative-industries
Employers supporting FE and HE providers offer crucial curriculum overviews which is needed for all learners. Without this, we are unable to prepare them for their future career and, simply put; they will not be industry ready. We value the support from employers who can be involved from a curriculum perspective, who offer projects, workplace experiences and more so we can provide robust, ready and industry savvy individuals. The Creative Sector businesses can inspire learners during their study through this engagement. We have found that this is especially vital for learners unable (or not looking) to go to university; or that want to stay local and contribute to their local economy. They can hear, experience and look to local employers for their next steps into industry.
How Creative Industries Can Get Involved
If you’re a local business in the creative sector, now is the time to step forward and engage with emerging talent. There are countless opportunities to connect with learners and help shape their future careers. We’re calling on creative companies to work with us by offering guest lectures, work experience placements, project work or attending our career events. Your involvement can make all the difference, providing learners with invaluable industry insights and hands-on experience that will give them the edge they need to flourish post-education.
This November, Weston College is hosting its annual careers event, which will bring together over 1,000 FE and HE students. This is a fantastic opportunity for creative businesses to meet fresh, enthusiastic talent and discover how they can contribute to the growth of local industry. Whether you’re looking to exhibit, scout new recruits, or simply share your experiences, we encourage you to take part. The event will be held in Weston-super-Mare on the 19th of November.
Why Partner with Weston College?
Weston College is passionate about supporting learners who want to stay local and contribute to the creative economy in the region. With Bristol 30 minutes away by train, learners are keen to look at exploring careers on offer. By partnering with us, you’re not only supporting the career aspirations of young creatives but also fostering a robust local workforce that can fuel innovation in your own business. Our creative pathways provide a pipeline of skilled professionals ready to make their mark in graphic design, media production, games and animation, art, photography, theatre, and more.
We believe that by building strong connections between education and industry, we can create a thriving creative community in Weston-super-Mare and beyond. We are here to support our learners but we also support business and want to listen, act and implement skills needed.
Let’s Connect
If you’re a creative business eager to inspire and work with emerging talent, we’d love to hear from you. Whether you’re interested in delivering a guest lecture, offering work experience, or promoting career opportunities, there are many ways to get involved. Your support can open doors for our learners and help develop the future of the creative industries.
For businesses interested in exhibiting at our annual careers event or partnering with Weston College in any capacity, please email us at [email protected] to register your expression of interest. Our passion is to support learner and industry so please do get in touch.
If you are looking to recruit a live events tech, Weston College can help businesses access fully funded* apprenticeship training for small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs).
There is still a post pandemic impact on the sector, resulting in disruptions to staffing, increased costs, and significant supply chain delays. As the industry strives to recover, this new apprenticeship provides a timely solution by developing a new generation of talented technicians capable of supporting the growing demand for live events across the UK and beyond.
The exciting Live Event Technician Apprenticeship program, designed to address the critical shortage of skilled professionals in the live events industry begins starts in November so dont miss out!
Live Event Technicians work in a wide range of settings, including concerts, festivals, theatrical productions, exhibitions, and conferences. Their core responsibility is to prepare, build, set up, and operate industry-standard equipment to deliver seamless live performances. In this dynamic role, technicians interact with a variety of professionals, including venue staff, production managers, designers, performers, and producers..
The Live Event Technician Apprenticeship offers a structured pathway for both new entrants and existing employees to gain the necessary technical skills and practical experience. Employers can use this program to recruit new talent or upskill current staff, ensuring that they are equipped to meet the high standards required for live event production.
For those looking to secure the future of their business and contribute to the growth of the live events sector, this apprenticeship is an ideal solution. To find out more, contact [email protected]
*For 16-21-year-olds and up to 25 if a young person has an Education Health Care Plan.
PechaKucha Nights are in-person events, hosting talks that follow a 20×20 presentation format (20 slides, 20 seconds each). They are centered around creative people and creative projects.
They’re coming (back) to Bristol…
The PechaKucha brand and 20×20 presentation format was created in Japan in 2003 (It translates as “chit-chat”). There are now 1,200+ cities worldwide hosting PechaKucha Nights.
I’ve done a couple of 20×20 talks myself in various locations and lived in Tokyo for nearly 6 years where I attended many PKN’s at what I guess is their official ‘HQ’. I’m a Designer / Artist / Inventor but loved learning little snippets and insights from the lives of photographers, illustrators, coders, sculptors, architects…
PKN’s are so fun.
There’s minimal character divide between speakers on stage and people in the audience, everyone’s the same and there to have fun and support each other. No-one’s hard selling or driveling on, they’re just telling mini-stories and sharing their projects, ideas, processes and emotions.The presentations are often imperfect, that’s part of it.
Bristol’s full of creatives but many of the events I’ve attended have been sector specific and business or networking focused. I don’t want to know what great services a company does, I just want to have fun, and maybe make some new pals as a bonus!
Earlier this year I got a bit too excited and thought, you know what? I’m going to bring Pecha Kucha to Bristol. Within a couple of days of my official request, Bristol became an Authorised City and I became the organiser. Only then it dawned on me how much work it is going to be, but still, I’m going for it!
There are three main areas I’m working on and looking for help in;
Speakers, Sponsorship and Attendance
The first event is on 25th November, 18:00~20:15 at Dareshack, Wine Street, and the theme is ‘HAPPINESS’.
Aiming for 8 speakers, 20 sponsors and 200 attendees!
More info : https://bristol-pkn.carrd.co/
Tickets : https://hdfst.uk/e114662/
Mailing list : https://eepurl.com/iX7lk2
Insta : https://www.instagram.com/pkn_bristol/
The government has started a review of the cirruculum to ensure creative subjects are part of education, Lisa Nandy said.
Speaking at the Labour Party Conference in Liverpool, the culture secretary criticised the previous Conservative administration for not supporting arts and culture, and said the new government will “reignite the imagination of the next generation because a complete education is a creative education”.
With education secretary Bridget Phillipson, she said she has launched “a review of the curriculum to put arts, sports and music back at the heart of our schools and communities where it belongs”.
The government will also, Nandy said, launch a review of Arts Council England to “ensure arts for everyone, everywhere because we will never accept that culture is just for the privileged few, to be hoarded in a few corners of the country, and we will never accept there is a trade off between excellence and access”.
Other focuses outlined by the culture secretary included “making the TV industry far more representative of the country”, working with mayors and councils to grow creative sectors such as tourism, film, and gaming, and shortly launching the BBC charter review “to ensure the BBC survives and thrives well into the latter half of this century”.
In his conference speech, Keir Starmer also referenced creativity, saying:
“Everyone deserves the chance to be touched by art. Everyone deserves access to moments that light up their lives.
“And every child deserves the chance to study the creative subjects that widen their horizons, provide skills employers do value, and prepares them for the future, the jobs and the world that they will inherit.”
The creative industries were also discussed in other parts of the conference, including in a pavilion run by Creative UK.
One panel focused on improving working class access to the creative industries, following research released earlier this year which found that in film, TV, video, radio and photography just 8.4% of people identify as being from a working-class background.
On the panel was Line of Duty actress Vicky McClure who said:
“If it wasn’t for the likes of Jed Mercurio [Line of Duty writer] and Shane Meadows [This Is England writer], working class lads from Birmingham and Uttoxeter, I wouldn’t be here.”
The panel discussed the need for funding to be targeted at underrepresented groups wanting to enter the creative industries. Watch a recording of the event here.
A key focus at Bristol Creative Industries is boosting workforce diversity in creative businesses and helping to grow the talent pipeline for our members.
As well as our groundbreaking Bristol Creative Industries Internship Programme with social enterprise Babbasa and Bristol-based agencies, we provide opportunities for members and have committed to an annual programme of round tables with key post 16 education providers in the region including colleges, academies and universities.
Our aim is to promote creative careers to staff and career advisers, drive applications to our internship programme and explore how we can promote the creative industries to students already studying.
By joining the Bristol Creative Industries Talent Programme as a partner, you’ll help to fund all of our activities that support underrepresented groups entering the creative industries. Your support is vital to ensure we have a healthy and diverse talent pipeline.
For more details, contact Alli Nicholas, BCI membership and operations manager, at [email protected], or Lis Anderson, BCI co-chair, at [email protected]
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