
Spring 2022

I did not expect to make UK BBC News , thank you to BBC Radio Bristol & Jonathan David Holmes for piecing this together and getting men talking! 📰 🇬🇧 👨🏻
Ten years ago, Jimmy Ladgrove’s friend Deek took his own life in Albury, Australia.
The event had a profound effect on Jimmy, from Bristol, who recently shaved his 15-inch (38cm) long beard off to raise money for the male health charity Movember.
Before the trim, Jimmy hadn’t shaved his beard for some five years.
The facial hair which was cut off was then proudly mounted on a plaque by his parents.
If you have been affected by this story, the BBC Action Line has guidance and support on suicide and bereavement.
It had been almost 10 years since I’d seen Britney in concert & her Piece of me tour didn’t disappoint. What a lovely time in Paris I had with Chloe.
Bath, England August 2018
I was cast for season 17 of Coach Trip on E4 in the UK. For me this was a huge life achievement. A whopping 15,000 Brits applied to be apart of this amazingly fun show. Before I applied I had never actually seen the show. I don’t own a TV and all I knew about it is that it was a travel show. Sounds dreamy. I went right ahead and applied.
Having never seen the show before meant I had never heard of Brendan Sheerin, one of the most famous faces in the UK, a British gem. Brendan has hosted the show since 2003. He is so dedicated to this series he said he would never do any other program, even though he has been approached before.
Although I hadn’t heard of him before I was genuinely excited to be going on an adventure with probably one of the most well travelled people in the world. Brendan now 58 has explored the world over.
I enjoyed every moment I had with Brendan, He is the funnest most sassiest kind man I’ve ever met. He is also the most inspiring celebrity I’ve met. His attitude & excitement towards travel was contagious. I’ve always asked myself if I will ever stop travelling, wondering if I will hit a certain age and just settle. Brendan reassured me that maybe the free spirit adventurous nature we both share may just last a life time. I’m so grateful for every day I got to spend with Brendan. I would have loved to last the whole trip, although I am proud of how far I made it.
Theres a lot of chat on that coach that will never make it to the final cut, Brendan would fill us in with amazing and interesting facts and stories about places we were travelling to or through. These fuelled my spirit and got me so excited on all the possibilities and adventures to be had in this life, Theres just so much to learn about the world. The amount of knowledge this man has is truly inspiring.
I also had the privilege to get to know Brendan on a personal level. He took time to tell me a lot about his life and past loves, I would share my stories and struggles I’ve had in my life with my sexuality. It was almost like a counselling session, I felt so comfortable opening up to Brendan.
Coach Trip Road to Tenerife has honestly been the most amazing life experience I’ve ever had. I’m so grateful for the whole experience and its even better that it was captured. I’ll look back on these memories my whole life.
Watching back the series I got to see a whole new side to Brendan, his commentary, and attitude towards the tourist’s is not only hilarious, I also found it heart warming. I only hope I am as fun, positive & as beautiful as Brendan when I’m his age.
You’ve bought so much joy to people over the years bringing smiles to millions & you’ve inspired me like no other person I’ve met before. Where do I see myself in 20 years? Hopefully guiding fun loving tourists around the world!
I’m sure its not the last time I’ll see Brendan. Brendan is originally from Leeds, England & now lives in Malaga in Spain.
Coach Trip Road To Tenerife continues without me Mon-Fri at 7.30pm on E4
Lining up for our next activity on the Road To Tenerife with our legendary host Brendan
The coach arrives in Gijón, in Spain, where Brendan takes the gang to a traditional cider pouring class and a lesson with some local folk dancers.
Coach Trip Road To Tenerife Day 5
I was honoured to be cast to be a face of Contiki’s new advertising campaign for 2018. Contiki is a great travel brand that has inspired me to travel since I was around 14. Contiki have a range of tours to suit all sorts of travellers. Whether you like sight seeing or partying. They are also great for solo travellers.
Contiki is a great Travel Corporation-operated coach tour company operating in Europe, Russia, Egypt, Australia, New Zealand, North America, South America, and Asia. They organise trips for 18-30 year olds. I highly recommend you follow their social media accounts to get inspired!
Video is now online on Facebook, youtube, instagram and on their website from January 2018
Travel will change you.
I spent 6 nights in Budapest, Hungary’s capital. Budapest has to be the most beautiful city in Europe I’ve ever been to.
I attended THE British Beard championships on the weekend. This was my first ever competition. The comp started back in 2012 in Brighton, this year it was in Liverpool. I travelled from Bristol to attend.
It is now one of the biggest in the world coming second to the one in the USA. People come from all corners of the globe , although mainly Europe. I was the only one who was entering from Australia.
Hundreds of hairy hopefuls like myself battled it out in 20 categories including Musketeer, Amish/Whaler, Handlebar, Fake and Freestyle. They even have a category for women & children.
Upon entering the amazing St Georges Hall my beard was measured for the first time. It was right on 12inches. It meant I had a few categories I could choose from. one being full natural beard over 12 inches with styled moustache , or full natural beard under twelve inches with styled moustache. Although I don’t normally style my moustache I thought I would for the special occasion. I was going to go into over 12 inches styled moustache but learnt there were only two other competitors in that category. That meant I had a guaranteed place. I thought theres not much fun in that so entered into the one with 15 other men.
Although I didn’t get a place, I had a really great weekend which starts on the friday at the pre party, continues all day saturday well into the night, and then another gathering on the sunday. People gathered from all around the world and there were around 150 competing.
I wasn’t disappointed that I didn’t get a place as I got to meet a lot of really interesting people including my idol Michael Legge who is the current British championship holder. Liverpool is also a city I’ve wanted to visit since moving to the UK its a great vibrant, beautiful city with a lot of interesting history.
I made page four news in the Bristol post Wednesday 19th October 2016.
Visiting Munich for one of Europe’s largest festivals was an absolute dream come true! Since I was 18 I had dreamed of going. It has been on my bucket list, and it was so nice to tick it off at the ripe age of 25. It certainly didn’t disappoint! The 18 day festival attracts over 6 million visitors from all around the world!
It is like an adults disneyland! There are over 10 massive tents representing all the different breweries. Each tents fit around 10 thousand people in each.
The atmosphere is incredible. Although the weather wasn’t the best when we were there. The crowds still poured in. I attended Monday-Wednesday. I felt that this would be enough time. If you go on the weekend you can be waiting up to 6 hours to get into a tent. A lot of people start queuing around 9am just to secure a table!
I was lucky as I was meeting my best friend there. Brooke was also meeting some of her friends also , so before we knew it there were about 8 of us.
Beers are served in the steins which fit around 2 pints in each. They are around 10-11euros and you are suppose to tip around 1euro to the server.
Each tent has live music going all day well into the night, playing a variety of german Oktoberfest classics as well as some known english songs. The tents are free to get into.
Outside the tents there are rides, loads of amazing german food stalls, tobacco stalls, gift shops ect. Nowhere really takes card so you’ve got to be carrying cash on you.
People come from all round the world and a ready to have a good time. Everyone is in good spirits, and I would absolutely return again. I think its a good idea to get a group of friends and make a day of it. I do think 3-4 days is enough for this , although a lot of people stay for a week or more. I guess it depends on how far you are traveling from.I caught a bus from Prague to Munich.
Thinking go going? Here are some tips.
Book in advance!! Some people book their accommodation a year in advance! Munich is an expensive city to live in and the prices of up for this festival. Air b&b was cheaper for us then a hostel dorm!
Use rome to rio website to see the cheapest route there. Flights to Munich go right up, It was cheaper for me to fly to Prague and spend a few nights there and then catch a bus!
IF you make it to the festival pace yourself, some of the german beer is quite high alcohol volume. You will be day drinking and may be exhausted by 8pm!
Upfest is Europes largest Street Art and Graffiti Festival. In 2016 over 700 artists registered their interest for a spot in the festival. 300 are chosen. It is held in Bedminster which is south of the river. About a 15 minute walk from the centre of Bristol.
It’s my favourite festival in Bristol, It runs for 3 days is at the end of July. The artists basically paint over the whole street, from humungous landmark Buildings such as the Tobacco factory , to shop shutters. It’s great as you get to watch the artists live. It’s a great atmosphere and there is loads of street vendors, selling all sorts of tasty treats and merch. As well as great live music
UPfest 2016 , Bristol England from james ladgrove on Vimeo.