Each week Bristol Business News gives a prominent member of the city’s business community the last word on its weekly e-bulletin. This week Claire Menzies, chairwoman of Bristol creative business collective Istoria Group, answers our 10 questions.
What was the LAST: 
Film you watched? The Wisdom of Trauma – a documentary. The film follows Dr Gabor Mate, a leading expert in the field of trauma, who has dedicated his life to understanding the connection between illness, addiction, trauma and society.
Book you read? The Barn at the End of the World: The Apprenticeship of a Quaker, Buddhist Shepherd by Mary Rose O’Reilley. I’d read reviews of this book before reading and was slightly worried about the combination of potential patriarchal religious influence and sheep farming (!) – but Mary Rose delighted me. A beautifully written book.
Music you bought/downloaded? The triple-Grammy-nominated debut album Outside Child by Allison Russell – really lush folky vibes from this Canadian singer-songwriter. The track Nightflyer is magnificent.
Concert or play you went to? The Rolling Stones in Hyde Park last year. It was epic – the fifth time I’ve seen them in concert. Midnight Rambler always takes my breath away.
Sporting event you attended? A local pétanque league match – one of the ‘boules’ family of games, which was both highly competitive and enlightening!
Holiday you went on? A surf, yoga and gateless writing holiday in Santa Teresa, Costa Rica, last December. I would go so far as to say it was life changing.
Restaurant you ate in? The Blakeney Hotel in North Norfolk. Excellent local ingredients and a perfect view of the harbour and marshes. What’s not to love?
Thing that annoyed you? Finding a large hole in my favourite (25-year-old) cashmere cardigan. I darned it rather well and sent the annoyance packing!
Thing that made you laugh out loud? Mousseline, my French Bulldog, doing a mega roly-poly down an embankment. She received an ovation from delighted onlookers, too!
Piece of good advice you were given? To stop overthinking and get on with it! That is, to swim in the very cold North Sea last weekend. I dithered and then went for it. Afterwards I was back on track and feeling fabulous.
Claire Menzies has 30 years’ diverse creative and management expertise of industrial design, sustainability, marketing and business strategy. She is a visionary leader and her infinite enthusiasm drives our commitment for going above and beyond the call of duty.
