The Bristol Cable

Home
United Kingdom
Bristol
The Bristol Cable

Pioneering investigative local media co-op, owned by thousands of people in Bristol, UK 🗞️

🔦 This is only made possible by people like you.

Together we hold power to account through groundbreaking investigations, campaign for change, and amplify marginalised voices. We are rooted in local communities, but a leader of the global movement to reinvent local media. Join the Cable co-op to support quality media in Bristol and beyond. thebristolcable.org/join

11/08/2025

This week Bristol Unpacked welcomes back Helen Godwin.

Last time Neil interviewed her, in 2020, she was a Southmead councillor and recently defeated Labour contender for the West of England Combined Authority (WECA) mayoral election.

Now she’s the WECA mayor, after winning May’s election in a tight five-way contest to become one of the South West’s most important politicians.

With the Bristol mayor role abolished and the Labour government pushing a devolution agenda to spread power to the regions, we ask Helen about:

* Election pledges and fixing our shocking public transport
* Doing leadership differently
* Putting the West of England on the map

Click here to listen to the full episode: https://share.transistor.fm/s/d1670146

08/08/2025

Edition 41 of The Bristol Cable tackles one of the most pressing issues of our time.

As tensions over migration flare again, mainstream media pushes the narrative that "Britain is full" and migrants are to blame. But we're digging deeper.

One year after the riots that shook our city, this edition examines what they meant for Bristol and celebrates those who stood against racist hatred. We feature:

- A rare interview with Bristol Antifascists
- Award-winning author Nikesh Shukla's reflections
- Olu Osinoiki's photo essay on Stapleton Road's vibrant food culture
- Stories of q***r migrants navigating the UK's hostile visa system

This is journalism with skin in the game - many of our board and staff have lived these stories as refugees or first and second generation migrants.

It's time to challenge the scapegoating and look at the real root causes.

👉 Explore the context, Bristol's migration history, interactive media & glossary: https://migrationbythebristolcable.carrd.co/ #

28/07/2025

The Bristol Cable is PROUD to be hosting a bold live episode of our podcast People Just Do Something (PJDS) — and you wouldn't want to miss this one.

Three brilliant q***r activists of colour will dive into the hard truths about Pride: its lack of diversity, racism within its institutions, and how Black-led events continue to be sidelined. Expect honesty, passion, humour — and no holding back.

This is a space for everyone. Come curious, come open.

📍 The Cube Microplex (Dove St, Bristol BS2 8JD)

⏰ Tuesday 29th July, (Door opens 7.30pm) 8-10pm

💷 £5 for Cable members, £8 for general (concession available)

🎟️ BUY YOUR TICKETS @ https://hdfst.uk/e134262

22/07/2025

THIS SATURDAY — THE CITY COMES ALIVE 🎤🎪 Mini Festival. Major Fun. 🥳

The Bristol Cable wants to celebrate the joy that Sound Systems bring to our lives with this all rounder event where there will be fun for EVERYONE. 🎲🎼🎥

Expect games, live photography, freen cinema and plenty of good energy. As the sun sets 🌅, the bass gets heavier… night session for the ravers!

📅 Saturday, 26th July 2PM- 2AM
📍 The Pickle Factory, EASTON. BS5 0HH
🎼Reggae and Dub, and other surprises
💶 £10 General/£8 Members/Discounts and Concessions/Pay what you can!
🍽️ Drinks and Food available for affordable prices

Buy your tickets: https://hdfst.uk/e132212

In the meantime enjoy a taster:
https://open.spotify.com/playlist/3RUv1cV9EaZkiJYz5E7XlY?si=uJ-8SiiLTbGaUjSEga5Vug&pi=C8m50CCQSxu0A

17/07/2025

"Unapologetic, joyous and celebratory"

Witness the 2025 Bristol Pride through the lens of our freelance collaborator Emli Bendixen, who emphasises the need for the Pride to return to its roots of protest!

Click here to see the essay: https://thebristolcable.org/2025/07/photo-essay-booty-bass-at-bristol-pride/

Also, shoutout to , , , and .

17/07/2025

This week Bristol Unpacked welcomes Muslim chaplain Rizwan Ahmed to get into a subject that’s sparked fierce debate of late: Islamophobia – and in particular, the government’s intention to lay out an official definition of it.

Neil Maggs gets deep into religion, identity and politics with Rizwan Ahmed of Bristol Muslim Cultural Society.

Listen to the full episode now: https://bit.ly/46MDymS

Content warning: includes discussion of hate crime and grooming gangs

04/07/2025

📣 Thrilled to announce bestselling author and screenwriter Nikesh Shukla is joining The Bristol Cable as a regular columnist 🎉 💪

His monthly column, Hope Is Around The Corner, follows his curiosity about Bristol and its people. From race and inequality to climate, community, arts, and culture, he'll explores what it means to be Bristolian through a warm, funny, and occasionally spicy lens.

Read his excellent first piece "Look Up" here: https://bit.ly/3U0u4Ne

Better yet, sign up to our newsletter and get it straight to your inbox.

28/06/2025

It's been almost a year since racist riots affected Bristol and dozens of other UK cities in August 2024. These events - from confrontations in Castle Park to attacks on refugee accommodation - represent some of the worst civil unrest in a generation.

As community-focused journalists, we're investigating the lasting impact on Bristolians' relationship with their city. Recent global events suggest this wasn't an isolated phenomenon, making this research even more relevant.

We're seeking Bristol residents willing to share their experiences:
→ Has your sense of safety changed?
→ Are you more or less engaged with your community?
→ How do you view Bristol differently now?

If you witnessed these events or have thoughts on their impact, we'd value your perspective.

Please fill out the form in this link: https://bit.ly/4l2w7wn

27/06/2025

Neil Maggs chats to Bristol Northern Soul Club’s Levanna McLean and Eve Arslett about the scene’s resurgence – and how the Eastville Club has become an unlikely place of pilgrimage.

Click on the link to listen to the entire episode!
https://bit.ly/4kaM2Yg

If you'd like more such content, support us by becoming a member of The Bristol Cable.

24/06/2025

The Bristol Cable's first ever Newspaper Club was launched earlier this month exclusively for its members. Providing a detailed insight into the workings of the newsroom, the Newspaper Club went through articles from our latest print edition in forensic detail.

The Newspaper Club is one of our many initiatives that enables our member community to access and participate in journalism, making it a community friendly endeavour.

Click on the link to become our member today!
https://bit.ly/3u9j6vn

19/06/2025

As we countdown to our next live episode of People Just Do Something podcast, here's a quick recap of the last one with Bristol's nightlife campaigner Annie McGann!

Get tickets for the next episode today! https://bit.ly/3FQQZqW

Video Credit: Doug (https://bit.ly/442Fipi)

19/06/2025

Featuring on the cover of our previous print edition, here's Adam Quarshie's extensive yet highly insightful investigation on Bristol's Sound System culture.

He writes: "Sound system culture has shaped Bristol since the 1970s. Rooted in the Caribbean communities of St Paul’s and Easton, it fostered belonging and resistance during times of economic struggle and over-policing. These social frictions exploded during the St Paul’s uprising of 1980, when local young people fought battles with the police following a raid on a cafe on Grosvenor Road."

Click here to read the article: https://bit.ly/4jZxhaK

Photography: .tography

Address

Bristol

Website

https://thebristolcable.org/, https://sprout.link/thebristolcable

Alerts

Be the first to know and let us send you an email when The Bristol Cable posts news and promotions. Your email address will not be used for any other purpose, and you can unsubscribe at any time.