People / My Bristol Favourites
My Bristol Favourites: Roger Brady
Reggae artist Jah Garvey is also known as First bus driver Roger Brady, who often regales his passengers on the 48 and 49 services across Bristol with his songs.
Roger was born in Jamaica and moved to Bristol in 2001, where he combines his work as a bus driver with his music career.
His latest album, Brand New Day, was released in 2020, with the video accompanying the title track celebrating the keyworkers who have carried on working through the coronavirus pandemic.
These are Roger’s top-five Bristol favourites:
Easton
St Mark’s Road in Easton – photo: Yvonne Deeney
“Easton is one of my favourite places in Bristol. Not only does it have a brilliant music scene, which obviously is important to me, it’s also a lively hub of independent businesses and vibrant individuals. Being in Easton is being a part of a diverse, friendly multicultural community where people go out their way to help each other.”
The city centre
One of Roger’s colleagues passing We The Curious on Anchor Road – photo: Martin Booth
“One of the routes I drive regularly is the 48, which loops around the city centre. Because I drive nights, I get to see a different side to the city and how it changes. I love the creative spaces that are in the centre of Bristol. We The Curious, Bristol Hippodrome, Arnolfini and Bristol Beacon all contribute to our city’s cultural, artistic and musical heart.”
St Werburgh’s
The veiw over St Werburgh’s and Bristol from Narroways – photo: Martin Booth
“Last summer was when everyone in Bristol rediscovered the green spaces that were on their doorstep. St Werburgh’s is a bustling community, but for me it is also a Bristol favourite because of the outdoor spaces on offer. Narroways and St Werburgh’s City Farm are both top spots to visit with my family.”
Filton
“Whenever I am (or whenever I was!) returning home after travelling for my music, I always pass through Filton on my way back into Bristol. As well as being a familiar sight on my journey and a reminder that I’m nearly home, it’s a place that is rich with the history of British engineering and aerospace industries, being home to Airbus and Rolls-Royce.”
Oldland Common
https://www.instagram.com/p/CJi9w35hSBx/
“On the very outskirts of Bristol, Oldland Common is a good place to escape the busyness that you feel in the city centre, but it still has independent shops and businesses that remind you of the people and places that make Bristol unique.”
Main photo: First Bus
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