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 Bristol Junior Chamber president Emma Carter answers our 10 questions.
What was the LAST: 
Film you watched? I’m not great with films, but the last one I watched at the cinema was It Ends with Us. I’m excited to go and see Wicked and Paddington 3 soon though.
Book you read? I’ve been picking it up and down for a while, but I’ve finally finished Friendaholic by Elizabeth Day (I have the biggest girl crush on her and love anything she writes). It’s a candid deep dive into friendships, including an exploration of the albeit little research there is on friendship and platonic love with Elizabeth sharing stories of her own friendships from primary school to recently having to deal with infertility whilst other friends are growing their own families Elizabeth’s own friendships. Despite a seemingly niche topic, it is a Sunday Times number one best seller and for any female thirty something navigating changing friendships, it is well worth a read!
Music you bought/downloaded? American band The Red Clay Strays. They weren’t on my radar until recently but their music is incredible and they are selling out venues globally. Their first UK and Europe tour sold out and they have just had to upgrade their Australian venues for their upcoming tour. They have been described as ‘electric rock and roll with southern soul’ and are the nicest group you could meet!
Concert or play you went to? I love how accessible music, plays and musicals are in Bristol – we are spoilt for choice! I went to see Come from Away in the summer, I wasn’t sure what to expect but I was blown away by it – I laughed, and cried. For those of you who haven’t heard of it, it is musical based on the days after 9/11 in a small Newfoundland town – Gander – where 38 international aircraft carrying 7,000 passengers (almost double the population) landed at Gander Airport after being grounded due to the airspace being closed. It’s a true story of humility, and community spirit with some humour thrown it.
Sporting event you attended? I’m not a massive sport viewer so it was a while ago. The Bristol Junior Chamber is twinned with the Hannoverian equivalent and each year we take it in turns to visit. On their last visit we took them to see a Bristol Bears friendly match – most of them had never seen a game of rugby as it isn’t popular in Germany!
Restaurant you ate in? I feel like I’m jumping ahead to the next question here but Gourmet Sensi in the gothic quarter in Barcelona. The gourmet tapas and small plates were incredible and it has been described as the best tapas experience in Barcelona. Despite the gourmet food, the restaurant itself feels homely and warm with colourful murals on the walls. Oh, and the service is just as good as the food!
Holiday you went on? I recently went to Barcelona with a group of friends to celebrate two of them turning 40. It was my second time visiting and I just love everything about the city – the food, the architecture, the culture and the weather! We visited during the Americas Cup so the buzz in the city was amazing.
Thing that annoyed you? It’s definitely a Bristol first world problem, but the bridge near me being closed meaning I can’t just ‘pop’ to the harbour. I think it’s another two years until it re-opens too.
Thing that made you laugh out loud? Recounting an awkward moment with a friend, I’ll leave it at that!
Piece of good advice you were given? BJC vice president Connor Jones reminded me of the importance of taking time to stop and reflect on achievements, especially when things are super busy!
Emma Carter is the president of Bristol Junior Chamber, Bristol’s leading social networking organisation for young professionals in Bristol, representing the city’s future leaders. In her day job, she is head of income generation for Air Ambulances UK, the national air ambulance charity.
