Employee ownership has given us the opportunity to do lots of things at Grapevine we might not have otherwise. It’s also opened a door to fun ideas. Tonight was the latest, holding this year’s Co-owner Meeting at our local cinema, which has just had a beautiful refit. As well as taking over a cinema screen,ContinueContinue reading “Co-owners Annual Meeting at Vue”
Author Archives: Liam
Time at the bar
I took a photo of this beer last Wednesday at Brewdog on Baldwin Street (one of their earliest opened pubs in 2012) as I had a feeling it might be my last visit there. Today’s news has confirmed this. Regardless of your views on Brewdog in 2026, or any of the years before now (trustContinueContinue reading “Time at the bar”
YATM Lunch Club Bristol
It was great to have You Are The Media Lunch Club back in Bristol this week for the first time since 2023. The long overdue event brought together friends old and new from across the south west, Wales and even Manchester (fair play Judith Rafferty!). A few of the usual suspects waiting for guests toContinueContinue reading “YATM Lunch Club Bristol”
Gigs of 2026 (so far)
Tuesday 10th February 2026: Maxïmo Park at O2 Academy, Bournemouth w/ Art Brut Thursday 12th February 2026: Militarie Gun at Kola, Portsmouth w/ The Tubs Tuesday 17th February 2026: Pool Kids at The Joiners, Southampton w/ Sydney Sprague and Get Mendoza Sunday 22nd February 2026: Chloe Slater at The Wight Bear, Southbourne (Matinee) w/ LydiaContinueContinue reading “Gigs of 2026 (so far)”
Foundation year
Time is passing by fast. It’s been a year already since I became a Trustee of the Poole Museum Foundation. It’s been a fascinating experience so far, joining at a time when the museum was preparing to re-open following a £10m Lottery funded redevelopment. This gave time for our new board to settle into theContinueContinue reading “Foundation year”
Beer Tours: Portsmouth
The Brewers Tap, 177 Eastney Road, Southsea, Portsmouth, PO4 8EA Brewhouse & Kitchen Portsmouth, 26 Guildhall Walk, Portsmouth, PO1 2DD HUIS, 62 Elm Grove, Southsea, Portsmouth, PO5 1JG Meat and Barrel, 110-114 Palmerston Road, Southsea, Portsmouth, SPO5 3PT Staggeringly Good Brewery, Unit 10, St Georges Industrial Estate, Rodney Road, Southsea, Portsmouth, PO4 8SS Teds, 61ContinueContinue reading “Beer Tours: Portsmouth”
The magic number
Three years ago I started compiling a monthly playlist of new and recent tracks I’d been enjoying – an 11 track ‘mixtape’. Originally these were to accompany a newsletter I was writing on LinkedIn (one has now long outlasted the other).I liked the idea that they were a modern equivalent to a magazine covermount CD and it scratched an itchContinueContinue reading “The magic number”
February 2026 Mixtape
Tracklisting: 01. The Academy Is… – 200502. Darksoft – Spend Your Days03. Holly Humberstone – To Love Somebody04. MARIS – Body Is On Fire05. Overcoats – heckler06. Arlo Parks – 2SIDED07. Now, Now – About You08. Metric – Victim Of Luck09. The Format – Human Nature10. Ray Bull – All That You Are11. Tyler LyleContinueContinue reading “February 2026 Mixtape”
The EO adventure continues
Photo credit: Marta Handjieva It’s been a busy, but great start to 2026 for me on all things EO. Last week I was honoured to give a talk as part of the fantastic ‘at home’ recreation of November’s eoa Conference, put on by Jen and Jayne at Coda for their team.Mid month Daisy Biggs andContinueContinue reading “The EO adventure continues”
Beer Tours: Dorset
Bournemouth All Hail Ale, 10 Queens Road, Bournemouth, BH2 6BE Brewdog, BH2 Shopping Centre, Exeter Cres, Bournemouth, BH2 5DD The Branksome Craft House, 152-154 Commercial Road, Bournemouth, BH2 5LU Brewhouse & Kitchen Southbourne, 147 Parkwood Road, Bournemouth, BH5 2BW Chaplins and The Cellar Bar, 529 Christchurch Road, Bournemouth, BH1 4AG The Firkin Shed, 279 HoldenhurstContinueContinue reading “Beer Tours: Dorset”
Looking back, moving forward.
It’s generally accepted that the end of a calendar year is the designated appropriate time for reflection, for looking back while we rest, to recharge the batteries and prepare to move forward when January is upon us. Then 1st January happens and you’re torn from the nostalgic slumber and post Christmas haze. It’s go time,ContinueContinue reading “Looking back, moving forward.”
January 2026 Mixtape
Tracklisting: 01. Arkells, Portugal. The Man – Money02. Post Sex Nachos – Supergirl03. Georgia – Be Free04. Allie X – Reunite05. Nicolaas, Brothertiger – Overdrive06. Kristiane – Smoke & Mirrors07. Tigers Jaw – Head Is Like a Sinking Stone08. Loviet – CHEERLEADER09. Hazel English – Gimme10. Softcult – Queen Of Nothing11. Prinze George, AFSHEEN -ContinueContinue reading “January 2026 Mixtape”
Liam Toms 