The Weekend | March 6

bathchronicle.co.uk

6 March 2014

FROM DARK TO LIGHT SWAN LAKE

Win tickets for the ballet

BACK TO BLACK

STRIKE A POSE 48 pages of lifestyle food home music theatre books art

INNOVATION VATION by VA d es i g n At Stephen Graver we will often pick one outstanding feature in the design process. In this kitchen we felt it was the clever design touches such as the tall planked timber cabinet doors which open up to reveal a tea and coffee station and an abundance of storage space.

The hand-painted cabinets are fitted with heavy duty pull handles and the large central island is ideal for food preparation and informal dining alike.

STEPHEN GRAVER ORIGINAL KITCHENS

Tel: 01380 871746 www.stephengraver.com 2

THE WEEKEND

INSIDE

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Thursday, March 6

Homes

24/7 updates online: www.bathchronicle.co.uk

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24 Big Read ’

8 Health & Beauty

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10 Competition

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12 Homes

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16 Food

38 Music

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20 Drinks 23 Chick Flic

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Fashion

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Are you fabulous? Or do you know someone who is?

Now you have the perfect chance to show someone just how great you think they are.

You may have noticed in last week’s The Weekend that we have joined with jewellery store Fabulous to offer a prize every month, to Bath’s most deserving women.

Every month we want you to nominate someone who you think is simply “fabulous.”

They could be fabulous in business, at home or in the community. They could be a fabulous relative, friend, colleague or carer, it really doesn’t matter as long as you think they are

EDITORIAL Lynne Fernquest someone special.

The winner will have their story and picture featured in The Weekend and receive a £50 gift card to treat themselves at Fabulous in Southgate with a glass of bubbly and styling tips while they browse.

All you have to do to nominate is go online to www.bathchronicle.co.uk/promotions and fill in the form. It couldn’t be easier! the first winner will be announced in The Weekend on March 27. Good luck!

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Trend setting in the big smoke

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Discover London Fashion Week’s highlights for the season ahead.

Lisa Haynes rounds up the action from the front row

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he style merry-go-round of clothing collections has stopped spinning for another season.Over five whirlwind days, 77 designers showcased their Autumn/Winter 2014 collections at London Fashion Week. And an estimated 5,000 show-goers braved stormy weather (in sandals and bare legs) to be there.

These are the 10 moments that stopped us in our high-heeled tracks:

Putting on the glitz

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Ruffling feathers

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mhzopvu Supermarket sweep

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Mix & Match

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have been really inspired by the gorgeous Chanel Couture Spring 2014 collection. I just love the collection’s mix of tweed suits and dresses worn with none other than running trainers, moving away from the traditional Chanel pumps.

It’s a look you would relate to walking to the office in rather than high fashion, but I think it looks modern and vibrant and it’s easy to recreate with clothes available on the High Street.

I love the fresh pastel colours Chanel chose for the season, mouth watering pinks, blues and violets.

This Chanel-esque pink skirt suit from Topshop caught my eye and I have chosen two coloured trainers to team it with, a choice between embellished white and silver.

This athletic look is great to work with, have fun matching or mixing the colour of the suit with the trainers and the same goes for the handbag.

A pastel blue suit would look great too; worn with a pair of skin coloured tights while the weather is still chilly, put your hair up in a messy top knot and wear silver glittery eyeliner and the look is complete!

So step into the future this spring

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Bath fashion blogger Christina Sim, from Just So Fashion, creates a look inspired by the catwalk with a refreshing new look inspired by the catwalk!

For more fashion ideas visit justsofashion.blogspot.co.uk Follow Christina on twitter @justsofashion

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From darkness came th Emma Dance talks to clinical psychologist Linda Blair from Circle Bath to find out more about Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD)

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here’s no doubt that the grey skies and seemingly endless rain is starting to get everyone down. But for some people a prolonged spell of dull and miserable weather can have a very real affect on their mental health.

With today’s fast pace of life it’s not unusual to go to work in the dark, and return home in the dark and to barely see a glimmer of natural light in between.

But it’s not just the long hours that could be having a damaging effect on your health according to clinical psychologist Linda Blair.

“Daylight is really important for everyone,” she explains. “Your body needs natural light.

“People with Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD) have an extra sensitivity and need for this light.

“It is a real physiological condition.

“People who suffer from it can find themselves feeling really low and tired and lethargic in the winter. It’s often misdiagnosed as depression.

“In Northern parts of the world it is especially common because the days are so short during winter.”

The good news however, is that it’s a problem that can be easy to fix.

“You don’t need an official diagnosis,” says Linda. “And there are treatments that need not be prescribed by a doctor.

“It’s important that everyone, but especially those who feel that their mood goes down in the winter, goes outside in

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e the light daylight hours, for example in their lunch hour. Even if it’s cloudy some of the light that you need will get through. I recommend at least 20 minutes to my patients, although if you are very fair or sensitive then you will need to check with your doctor first.

“Another tip is to take your main holiday in the winter rather than the summer and to try to go somewhere where there is more light.

“The special lights are great too. Not many people have the time to spend sitting half an hour in front of a light box every day, but the light alarms are great.

“Around 20 to 30 minutes before the alarm goes off they start emitting light until it is the same intensity as a natural sunrise.

“In the past, before electric lighting, we slept far more in winter and very little in summer because we lived with the natural light.

“Of course that’s not practical now, but we should be aware of our need to live with natural light cycles, and try to sleep more and enjoy more early nights during the winter.

“It’s very simple to improve the way you feel, so try not to live a fast-paced life which completely ignores nature.”

Linda Blair will be speaking about her book The Key to Calm at Topping and Co on March 20.

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Win a special spa treat

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he Weekend magazine has teamed up with Aqua Sana Longleat Forest to offer one lucky reader a spa day for two. The prize entitles the winner plus a guest to experience the World of Spa from 9am until 6pm, refreshments on arrival, a scrumptious lunch at Vitale Café Bar and complimentary towel and robe hire.

In the World of Spa guests can try more than 15 different spa experiences from wet, to dry, to herbal or meditative.

The benefits of spa have been known

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Discover If the winter weather is getting you down, a pamper session could be just the thing to give you a pick-me-up

for centuries and are even more essential with today’s hectic lifestyles.

The spa experiences in the World of Spa are drawn from around the world, and include a Japanese Salt Steam Bath, Greek Herbal Bath, Turkish Hammam, Tyrolean Sauna, Finnish Sauna, Indian Blossom Steam Room and a Balinese Multi-Steam Bath. All have been designed to calm the mind, improve the body’s strengths, lift the spirits and rejuvenate the body.

All you have to do to be in with a chance of winning is to answer this simple question: From which country does the hammam at Aqua Sana Longleat Forest draw its inspiration?

Entries should be emailed to promotions@bathchron.co.uk with Aqua Sana Competition in the subject line by noon on March 12.

Entries must include a full name and contact telephone number to be eligible.

Entrants must be 18 years old and older.

The prize must be taken by August 31 2014, subject to availability, excluding

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bank holidays, Valentine’s Day and Easter. The prize is not valid in conjunction with any other offer.

Spending money, travel, meals other than stated, beverages, additional spa treatments or other expenditure is not included.

No cash alternative is offered, no amendments or changes can be made to the prize content and the prize is non-transferable. Once booked, Aqua Sana normal terms and conditions apply to spa days.

For full terms and conditions see the classified section in the Bath Chronicle or visit bathchronicle.co.uk/houserules.

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Decorative grand designs

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picture-perfect home decorated by a leading designer is beyond the pocket of most of us.

Luckily we have interior gurus Kelly Hoppen and Nina Campbell to help us get the look.

Kelly is currently one of the dragons on BBC Two’s Dragons’ Den whose new book is Kelly Hoppen Design Masterclass: How To Achieve The Home Of Your Dreams, says the importance of home cannot be underestimated.

“The moment we cross our threshold, we should feel the cares slip from our shoulders and be able to enjoy being cocooned in comfort, safety and warmth,” she says.

“Our homes are, after all, our greatest asset, not just financially but also for our sense of wellbeing and happiness.”

Good planning is essential, she says.

“Write a wish list for your home.

Don’t worry about colour palettes, fabric choices or furniture at this stage – rather describe the atmosphere, the style of decoration you like, the things that will make you most happy, and how you want others to feel when they walk through the door.”

Nina Campbell is an interior designer with a portfolio of celebrity clients, including Rod Stewart and the Duchess of York, Sarah Ferguson. Her new book is Nina Campbell Interiors.

“A home should be finished to the point that it is comfortable and is somewhere that you can live and entertain, but it must always have a

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Gabrielle Fagan asks industry experts Kelly Hoppen and Nina Campbell to reveal their secrets so you can make that stunning interior a reality

few spaces yet to be filled,” says Campbell, summing up her view of design and interiors.

“If nothing ever changes, a house can become stagnant. I think it’s always good to be open to new ways to display pieces and to subtly change decor to suit the season.

“First of all, I think you need to consider a property and its location and thoroughly understand what you are working with. Then you need to decide how you want to live in the house,” she says.

“Then be honest about how you really want to live in the

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house – do the dogs live on the bed, do you want to lie full length on sofas or simply tucked up in an armchair?

“Finally, create your own style. One of my biggest pleasures is sourcing furniture, bespoke pieces and art so that every home is unique. One client summed up this perfectly by saying about his interior, ‘Nothing matches but everything goes together’.”

Nina Campbell will be appearing at Bath in Fashion in May. For more details visit www.bathin fashion.co.uk

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Is Katie your regular hair stylist?

We are delighted to welcome Katie Groves, from a well-known Bath Aveda salon, to our Aveda cutting and colour team at Artizan George Street.

As part of our team, Katie is now offering the full Aveda experience.

This includes a complimentary stress-relieving neck and shoulder or hand massage for all clients. Mood-lifting flower and plant essences are used as part of this Aveda Sensory Ritual.

Iâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;m excited to be joining George Street because it gives me â&#x20AC;&#x153; the opportunity to offer my clients that little bit extra. I love the relaxing environment and believe my clients will too.

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mvvk / kypur Pigging Out

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Emma Dance catches up with the Somerset-based writer and journalist Sophia Waugh ahead of her appearance at the Bath Festival of Literature on Sunday

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hese days it’s not unusual to see a cookery book topping the bestseller list but cookery writing is not a new phenomena. In her new book, Cooking People, Sophia Waugh takes a look at some of the women who have revolutionised home-cooking through the centuries.

It was the discovery of an old recipe for a favourite childhood dish that prompted writer Sophia Waugh to write a book looking at the

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Cooking queens of days gone by

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cookery writers of the past.

“I read a recipe for rice pudding by Eliza Acton who wrote one of the first cookery books for the home cook,” said Sophia. “It got me thinking about real English home cooking. We are laughed at so much abroad for our cooking but our food is very interesting.

“The book is split into two halves. The first part focuses on five domestic cookery writers spanning five centuries and in the second half I

mvvk / kypur have taken recipes from all of them so people can try them at home.”

Anyone who has watched Heston Blumenthal’s Fabulous Feasts might think that food from hundreds of years ago is full of weird and wonderful ingredients, but Sophia says that it’s not necessarily the case.

“Bizarrely, home cooking has actually not changed as much as one might think,” she said. “We are a lot more feeble about offal but we are still best at low, slow cooking and of course we are famous for our puddings. And the way we make things is much easier.

“What has surprised me the most is the combinations of ingredients.

“In the early days you just shoved sugar in everything, but now they are talking about sugar being the enemy rather than fat.

“Mace was used a lot in savoury dishes. I think mace is used in Christmas cake these days and that’s about all. It was quite an eye opener.

“I’ve included recipes that I think people will want to eat now.”

And to prove the lasting popularity of the dishes Sophia has tested many of the recipes on her family.

“Sometimes they say ‘Not another one of your old recipes mum. Can’t we just have sausage and mash?’” she said. “But actually they are very good and they will eat just about anything.”

Putting the book together was a real labour of love for Sophia.

“It has become quite personal,” she said. “I have loved doing it and it has really reignited my love of cooking.

“I’m not a chef or anything, I am a

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“ [vwoph _h|no ~pss il h{ Issp|t Jyhzzlypl h{ {ol Iiil Pv{ls vu [|ukh writer but I have always been interested in food.

“I come from a greedy family and we all love food.

“If you are greedy you just learn to cook because you want to eat well.”

Sophia will be talking about her book Cooking People: The Writers Who Taught the English How to Eat at Allium Brasserie at the Abbey Hotel on Sunday. Tickets cost £35 and include lunch, wine and coffee.

For more information or tickets visit bathfestivals.org.uk/literature.

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mvvk / kypur

The ideal fish dish for a sophisticated supper

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Preparing anything en croute always looks impressive, but it doesn’t have to mean spending hours in the kitchen.

The Alaska Seafood Marketing Institute has shared this recipe for Wild Alaska Salmon En Croute, which is an ideal dish for a dinner party or a special supper at home. Using wild Alaskan salmon makes this dish extra special and much tastier than using farmed salmon and wild Alaska salmon contains more Omega 3 oils and is quicker to cook, plus it’s such a vibrant colour it makes for a fantastic centrepiece on the table.

This recipe also has the added advantage that the majority of the preparation can be done in advance, leaving popping it in the oven the only thing left to do.

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Opening

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UNDER THE COUNTY HOTEL, 18-19 PULTENEY ROAD, BATH, BA2 4EZ 01225 481188

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Weekday white

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The Weekend’s wine expert Angela Mount picks a couple of new discoveries, and two old favourites

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Everyone’s a critic

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e’re in the midst of the fabulous Bath Literature Festival, and by now, I will have appeared at an event entitled The Night I Died – where authors and comedians discuss their most appalling public humiliations.

There is, presumably, something slightly wrong with anyone who willingly climbs into the stocks and welcomes the throwing of mouldy cabbages at their heads.

Yet every time I publish an article, write a book, or speak on the radio, I’m tacitly inviting every passing idiot with a grudge to have a go.

It’s not so bad when it’s my opinion they don’t like – back

Flic Everett is a journalist and author who has written for The Sunday Times, The Guardian, Cosmopolitan, Elle, and Red magazine

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when I was a weekly news columnist, I lost count of the green ink letters (one threatened to shoot me for my views on vivisection – if that had happened now, I’m pretty sure Special Branch would have been dusting for fingerprints. Back then, the news desk had a good chuckle and threw it in the bin).

But when it’s personally directed at me, it’s essential that I crawl into my portable rhino hide and appear to laugh it off, even when inside, I’m wailing “you don’t even know me! How can you be so mean?” like a five year old in the playground.

We’re all taught that sticks and stones are worse than words, which is rubbish – in fact, the pen is far mightier than the sword, and I’d hazard that historically, more dictators are brought down by the written word than by the mob outside the palace.

And that’s why criticism hurts – even when it’s hopelessly unjustified.

Because it has the power to make us question ourselves and our fragile opinions.

There was the time I wrote a piece exploring my faults – I thought it was charmingly honest and quite funny, but one online comment read: “I hate Flic Everett even though I’ve never met her,” and another told me it was “time I climbed out my Islington bubble and joined the real world.”

Then there was the book review for my first novel – after a series of glowing, five star reviews on Amazon, one person wrote: “I’m only giving this two stars because I didn’t get past the first chapter.”

Obviously, that was the one that kept me up half the night, wondering what they’d hated about it, and whether it would be bad form to track them down and beg them to explain.

In fact, now that everyone has an opinion, and is free to express it anonymously yet publicly, writers are subject to more scrutiny and abuse than ever before, from online forums to review blogs to Twitter.

And I’m still not sure why we invite it, when most writers are sensitive petals who have to take to our beds with a cold compress and a box of chocolate kittens at the first sign of dislike.

Still, no matter how bad the insults, nothing will ever be quite as brutal as Dorothy Parker’s famous review: “This is not a book to be tossed aside lightly.

It should be hurled with great force.”

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Twenty years ago no-one had heard of a WAG. But the likes of Victoria Beckham and Cheryl Cole have catapulted the wives and girlfriends of premiership football players into the limelight and giving them celebrity status .

Bath may not have a

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Name: Lauren Humphrey Partner: Rob Webber (Bath Hooker and the England Saxons squad) Age: 26 Profession: Luxury branding, project manager and editor of a fashion and lifestyle blog

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y wags premiership football club, but it does boast one of the best rugby clubs in the country.

We meet Bridget Whelan who got engaged to Dave Attwood last month, Rob Webber’s girlfriend Lauren Humphrey, Webber to find out a bit more about life as a rugby WAG.

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Name: Bridget Whelan Partner: Dave Attwood (Bath Rugby Lock and England Elite Player Squad) Age: 28 Profession: Business project manager for Clarks ’

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Portofino, Florence & Tuscany

This wonderful, week-long touring holiday combines a three-night stay overlooking the glorious Bay of Naples with four nights in the Tuscan Hills. Included guided tours to some of Italy’s greatest sights and renowned cities, including Vesuvius, ancient Pompeii, The Amalfi Drive, Florence, Orvieto and Rome, all make for a memorable holiday.

Based in one of Tuscany’s most celebrated spa resorts, this wonderful holiday includes unforgettable excursions to the famous resorts of Santa Margherita and Portofino, and to exquisite Florence.

Our price includes:

• Return flights to Italy direct from Bristol • Return airport to hotel transfers • Seven nights’ half-board accommodation at the three-star Hotel Belvedere, Montecatini (upgrade to the four-star Grand Hotel Regina

Departing May to October 2014

Departing May to October 2014

• Return flights to Italy from Bristol • Included visits and attractions • Three nights’ half board at the three• Return airport to hotel transfers star Hotel Villa Serena, Castellammare • The services of a tour manager di Stabia • Four nights’ half board at the three-star Hotel Santa Chiara, Chianciano Terme

Our price includes: available for a supplement) • Visit to Santa Margherita and Portofino, including boat trip • Visit to Florence • One suitcase allowance per person • The services of a tour manager

5

6

days from

days from

£439 per person

£499 per person

Highland Railways

Cannes & the French Riviera

Fly to and from Scotland, stay in the heart of the Highlands and enjoy three spectacular railway journeys while you’re there: the famous West Highland Line from Fort William to Mallaig, the charming Strathspey Steam Railway and the breathtaking stretch between Inverness to the Kyle of Lochalsh.

Enjoy a marvellous few days of rest, relaxation and exploration in one of the world’s most celebrated playgrounds. Based in captivating Cannes, this wonderful-value six-day escorted holiday includes an excursion to fabled St.Tropez and glittering St.Raphael, and also offers exciting optional tours to elegant Nice, sun-kissed Antibes and fabled Monte Carlo.

Our price includes:

Our price includes:

• Return flights to Edinburgh from Bristol Fort William to Mallaig on the famous West Highland Line, plus a trip on the • Four nights’ dinner, bed-and- Scottish Strathspey Steam Railway breakfast accommodation at either the Highlander or the Carrbridge Hotel • Touring and airport transfers by coach • Rail journey from Inverness to Kyle • The services of a tour manager of Lochalsh, a 42-mile journey from

• Return flights to Nice direct from Bristol • Five nights’ bed and continental breakfast accommodation at the three-star Abrial Hotel, Cannes (upgrade hotels are available for a

Departing March to October 2014

Departing April, June, July, September and October 2014

supplement) • A full day excursion to St Raphael and St Tropez • Return airport to hotel transfers • One suitcase allowance per person • The services of a tour manager

0843 487 5822 Quote WWN www.newmarket.travel/wwn Calls cost 5ppm from a BT landline. You may also be charged a connection fee. Mobile and other providers’ charges may vary. Operated by Newmarket Promotions/Air Holidays Ltd. ABTA V787X/V7812, ATOL protected 2325. Prices are per person, based on two sharing.

Subject to availability. Single supplements apply. Terms and conditions apply. These suppliers are independent of Local World. When you respond, the holiday supplier and Local World may contact you with offers/services that may be of interest. Please give your mobile or email details if you wish to receive such offers by SMS or email. We will not give your details to other companies without your permission.

26 THE WEEKEND

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Bath Academy of Musical Theatre Bath Academy of Musical Theatre will be holding a free taster evening on Monday, March 31 at Hayesfield School’s Roper Theatre.

The evening will give an opportunity for prospective applicants wanting to experience what it is like to train on the foundation course in musical theatre at BAMT. The session will consist of workshops in singing, dance and acting led by the academy’s performing arts tutors.

The course is designed for talented and dedicated students, aged 16 and above, wishing to develop their performing skills, whilst also focussing on audition preparation for full time drama and musical theatre courses.

Bath Academy of Musical Theatre is the only specialist musical theatre foundation course in the Bath/Bristol area, and was founded by Rob Hickmore (senior singing tutor at Arts Ed London) and Tim King (Musical Director of Vocal Works Gospel Choir).

Students can attend BAMT alongside regular school or college commitments

Today Baby Time

Free drop-in for parents of under-1s, 10am-noon.

Barnardo’s Children’s Centre, Kings Avenue, Corsham. For details call 01249 716254

Bath Clubnight Come and play skittles, 8pm.

The Devonshire Arms, Wellsway, Bath

Bradford on Avon & District Flower Club Nick Heal with his Weaving Winding Wonders, 7.30pm.

Holt Village Hall, Holt

Golden Oldies 2.30-3.30pm. Quebec, off Dominion Road, Twerton, Bath

Golden Oldies 2.30-3.30pm. Community Room, St John’s Road, Bathwick, Bath

Royal Scottish Country Dance Society Bath Branch For all levels, 1.30-4.30pm.

Bathampton Village Hall

Mr Wilkins’ Shilling Women’s Northwest Morris 8-10pm. Methodist Church Hall, Northend, Batheaston. New dancers always welcome. 01225 869086

Bath Good Afternoon Choir No auditions, everyone welcome, 2-4pm. Argyle Hall, Central URC, Grove Street, Bath. £2.85

- and they can benefit from being taught by expert practitioners from the theatre world who also work at top schools including Bristol Old Vic Theatre School, Guildford School of Acting and Arts Ed London.

Since opening in 2011, Bath Academy of Musical Theatre has already had great success with students gaining

Daytime Singing Group

Sun Mar 9

11am-12.30pm. Rush Hill United Reformed Church, Frome Road, Odd Down, Bath.

07592 016878

Decorative, unusual and inspirational art and antiques on display, 11am-5pm. The Pavilion, North Parade Road, Bath.

Admission £3

Bath Healing Drop-in Centre

Women’s World Day of Prayer

11am-1pm. United Reform Church Hall, Grove Street, Bath.

Donation basis

Praying for Egypt, 2.15pm.

Methodist Church, Batheaston

Rubber Bridge (ACOL)

Articulate Arts and Crafts Group

2-6pm hosted by Dennis Bernard in Weston. Stake 50p a hundred. 01225 484523

6-9pm. Hillside Hall, Hillside Road, Oldfield Park, Bath. £3 per meeting

Bath Bridge Club

Memory Cafe

Duplicate Bridge with Masterpoints, 7.15pm. Bath Football Club Rooms, Twerton High Street, Bath. 01225 310326

Knit Club at Great British Yarns All knitters welcome. 7-9pm.

Unit 9, Brassmill Enterprise Centre, Brassmill Lane, Bath.

01225 462776

Songways Community Choir Fun, rewarding and open to all, 10am-noon, term time. St Swithin’s Church, The Paragon, Bath. £8. songways.co.uk

Bath Spa Band Brass players and percussionists welcome. Rehearsals 8-10pm.

Elim Pentecostal Church, Charlotte Street, Bath

Tomorrow Bath Decorative Antiques Fair - until

Professionals are available to assist with any information, signposting with any concerns about memory loss and/or dementia, 2-4pm. Hawthorns Court, Extra Care Scheme, Keynsham. For details Caroline Heslop 07773385171

Avonside Bridge Club Duplicate Bridge, 7 for 7.15pm.

Southdown Community Centre, The Hollow, Southdown, Bath. £3 table money

Rubber Bridge (ACOL) Hosted by Dennis Bernard, stake 50p a hundred, 2-6pm.

01225 484523

Reiki Courses Weekly For all levels, 2 day courses.

Reiki Treatment also available, 10am & 4pm. Corsham area. To book 01249 715179

Saturday Astronomy & Art

William Herschel Society

places at prestigious drama schools, courses and universities including Central School of Speech & Drama, Lipa, Urdang, NYT and PPA. Students wishing to attend the free taster evening or audition evening (Monday, April 21) should register by email to admin@ba-mt.com or calling 07570 016877.

Annual Lecture by Prof David Hughes FRAS, 7.15pm. BRLSI, Queen Square, Bath. £5, students £4

plenty of countryside activities for 8s and over, 10am-4pm.

Carlingcott, nr Peasedown. To book 07595034383

Cercle Francais De Bath

Reiki Courses Weekly

Un probleme social qui preoccupe vraiment les Francais, 2.15-3.45pm. BRLSI, Queen Square, Bath. Visitors £5/BRLSI £2.50/Students £1

Saturday Cafe 10am-noon, coffee, pastries and papers, supporting Langridge Church. Langridge Village Hall, opp Bath Racecourse

Freshford Primary School PTA Jumble Sale Sale 2-4pm. Also unwanted goods needed, please bring on the morning from 10am.

Freshford Memorial Hall, Freshford. Entry £1

Youth Activities Galaxy Zoo, ‘Hands on’ astronomy workshop, 1-4pm. £6 per child. book on coolbookings@brlsi.org. BRLSI, Queen Square, Bath

Bath Cycling Club 9.15am from Cadence Bike Shop, Chelsea Road, Bath and take in a circular route of 25 easy miles

Bath Organic Community Garden Beginners and experienced gardeners welcome, 10am-1pm.

Royal Victoria Park, Bath. 01225 311699

Nature Club/Daycare Animals to care for and enjoy

www.bathchronicle.co.uk

For all levels, 2 day courses.

Reiki Treatment also available, 10am & 4pm. Corsham area. To book 01249 715179

Bath Saturday Antiques Flea Market Antiques, collectibles and vintage clothes, 7.30am-5.30pm.

Walcot St, Bath

Green Park Market 9am-4.pm including Baths Farmers’ Market 9am-1.30pm.

Green Park Station, Bath

Sunday

Somerset Storytelling Festival Richard Selby telling Wonder Tales, 1.30pm. Bath Central Library. Suitable for family audiences

Bath Cycling Club Wotton under Edge, The Edge Cafe, 8.30am. Club run starts from Cleveland Bridge, aim to return by 1-1.30pm. 01225 426467 or 07944550933

Dry Arch Growers Bathampton Community co-op producing food for the local area. Volunteers and helpers required, 11am-4pm. End of Holcombe Lane, Bathampton.

07972 564641

Spiritualist Meeting 6.30pm service. Corston Village Hall, Sanctuary of the Cross Spiritualist Church

THE WEEKEND

27

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DollyPop theatre

DollyPop is a new all-female company that strives to present modern problems from a feminine perspective.

The company comes to Bath next month to give their first show at Green Park Station of April 10,11 and 12.

Says Hannah Ford, from the company, said: “We are 21st century story tellers on a mission to reassure our generation that you don’t have to be a ‘success’ by the time you’re 25.

“The company are formed from students and recent graduates, they give as many opportunities to young women as possible and are working with Bath Spa and Bristol Universities.”

DollyPop was founded by Jade Berks a recent Bath Spa Graduate and Louise Marie Bowen a young director.

Both women work in the theatre industry and feel the struggle that all graduates now face. Everyone has a degree and creative jobs are hard to come by.

Jade said:“We met doing a show with Engage at the Theatre Royal which was an amazing opportunity for me to come straight out of university and work in a professional theatre setting.

“We wanted to create a company for young women to gain experience and create theatre together for women our Quiz Night Cross keys, Midford Road, Bath 8pm. In aid of Dorothy House

Reiki Courses Weekly For all levels, 2 day courses. Reiki Treatment also available, 10am & 4pm. Corsham area. To book 01249 715179

Monday

Bath Afternoon Decorative and Fine Arts Society Lecture The Glasgow Boys, lecturer Julian Halsby, 1.40pm.

Banqueting Room, The Guildhall, Bath. Visitors welcome £8

Poetry & A Pint Linda Saunders, She River, Stephen Payne, The Probabilities of Balance, open floor spots: bring your own poems, 7.30pm.

St James Wine Vaults, off Julian Road, Bath. Admission £2/£1

History and Culture Amina Wright - Joseph Wright beyond Derby, 7.30pm. BRLSI, Queen Square, Bath

Bath Women’s Probus For the retired and semi-retired, 10.30am-noon. St Lukes Church Hall, Wellsway, Bath. For details 01225 463697

28 THE WEEKEND

age around the issues that we face in today’s society.

“We wanted to write, create and reassure young people that you don’t have to have your dream job straight away; we wanted to almost take the pressure off our generation.

“A lot of this pressure we found is generated by social media – Facebook seems to be a self indulgent competitive platform to boast about your life and this isn’t helpful to anyone.”

So from this idea Jade wrote

Golden Oldies

10.30-11.30am. Community Room, Blagdon Park, Whiteway, Bath

Golden Oldies 2.30-3.30pm. Community Room, St John’s Close, Peasedown St John, Bath

HumBugs Singing Group Love to sing? Bring your baby or toddler along too! 9.30-10.30am term-time only. St Saviour’s Church, Larkhall, Bath. 07940 597427

Masonic Museum Guided tours throughout the year, also on Wed and Thurs, 11am or 2.30pm. Sat 2.30pm only. 12 Old Orchard Street, Bath. 01225 462233

310232

01249 716254 for details

Bradford Bridge Club

City to Countryside Walk (Bath Skyline Event)

Come and play duplicate bridge, 7-10pm. The Swan Hotel, Bradford on Avon. 01225 865669 or 01225 863072

Meditation Classes in Bath 7-8.30pm. John Williams Room, United Reformed Church, Grove Street, Bath. £6 per class

Sing & Smile Creative Links Singing Group 2-4pm. United Reformed Church, Grove Street, Bath.

01761 438852 to book

Tuesday

Bath Centre National Trust Lecture

Meet every Monday, 6.30-8pm.

The Ascension Church, Oldfield Park, Bath. 01761 416515

Talk entitled A Day in the Life of a Beekeeper, speaker Malcolm Jago, 2.30pm. Ground floor, Salvation Army Citadel, Green Park Road, Bath

Bath Spa Band

University of Bath

Brass players and percussionists welcome. Rehearsals 8-10pm.

Elim Pentecostal Church, Charlotte Street, Bath

Professor Roland Jones, Looking at the Brain: Brain scans and brain waves, 7.30pm. BRLSI, Queen Square, Bath. Free entry

Social Bridge

Mum2Mum

1.30 for 1.45pm (not bank holidays). Museum of Bath at Work, Julian Road, Bath. 01225

Barnardo’s breast feeding support group, 10-11am. Church House, Church Street, Corsham.

2nd Bath Girls Brigade

We.are.young which is a fast-paced multimedia comedy, which depicts the lives of three young girls struggling in a world where jobs are scarce, everyone has a degree and Facebook determines your happiness.

The company is self funded through fundraising events that the marketing team manages. It is currently putting together a kickstarter video to raise the rest of the funds they need, this will available on their Facebook and Twitter Pages.

www.bathchronicle.co.uk

A free 6 mile guided walk of the Bath Skyline, 10am-2pm. Meet outside the Bath Tourist Information Centre and bring a packed lunch. No need to book, simply turn up

Golden Oldies 10.30-11.30am. Community Room, St Nicholas Court, Bathampton, Bath

Bath & District Advanced Motorists Group Annual General Meeting, 7.30pm. Wessex Water, Claverton Down, Bath

Beaufort TG AGM, 10.30am. Pulteney Room, Manvers Street Baptist Church, Bath. 01225 444726 for details

Salsa Classes Complete beginners, 8pm. No need to bring a partner.

Revolution, George Street, Bath. £7/£5

Sakya Buddhist Group Selfless motivation for inspiring us to practise on the spiritual path, 8pm. The Museum of Bath at Work, Julian Road, Bath

Royal Scottish Country Dance Society Bath Branch For all levels, 7.30-9.30pm. Ralph Allen School, Bath

Meditation on Twin Hearts 7.45-9pm. Funky Monkey Studio, 18 St Peters Terrace, Lower Bristol Road, Bath. 07516 500 569

Quilting Bee Quilting groups from all over the region demonstrate their talents in the Textiles Room, noon-4pm. American Museum, Claverton Down, Bath

Singing for the Brain Singing to bring people with dementia and their carers together, 2.30-4pm. West Free Church (Moravian), High Street, Weston, Bath. 07540 921035

Songways Community Choir 10am-noon, term time. St Swithin’s Church, The Paragon, Bath. £8. songways.co.uk

Sing Alive Community Choir 10am-noon (term time). United Reform Church, Bradford on Avon. All welcome

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Bath Organic Community Garden

01225 462965

Beginners and experienced gardeners welcome, 10am-1pm.

Victoria Park, Bath. 01225 311699

Duplicate Bridge with Masterpoints, start 7.15pm. Bath Football Club Rooms, Twerton High Street, Bath. 01225 310326

Art Group Age UK B&NES 10am-noon. St Michaels Centre, St Michaels Place, Bath. £1.50 per session. 01225 484510

Avonside Bridge Club Duplicate Bridge, 7 for 7.15pm.

Southdown Community Centre, The Hollow, Southdown, Bath. £3 table money

Bridge Club 1.15-4.30pm. Village Hall, Bathampton. £1 per session.

Bath Bridge Club

Wednesday Barnardo’s Play Sessions

Free fun for under-5s and their families, 10.30-11.30am.

Crumpets Cafe, Rudloe, Corsham. 01249 716254 for details

Mind and its Potential What is mind? Is it just the brain or is there more? Explore such questions through talks,

discussions and meditations with Andy Wistreich, 7.30pm. New Oriel Hall, Larkhall, Bath. £5

Scottish Country Dancing For beginners and improvers, 7.30-9.30pm. New Oriel Hall, Larkhall, Bath. 01225 319991 for details

Sahaja Yoga

Bath Bridge Club

Two afternoon sessions, 1.40pm start. Venue at Bath Football Club Rooms, Twerton High Street, Bath

Social Duplicate Bridge 7.15pm. Randalls (Bath City FC) Twerton Park, Bath. Visitors table money is £4

Bradford Bridge Club

Free meditation, 7.30-9pm. 2nd floor URC Halls, Grove Street, Bath

Come and play duplicate bridge, 7-10pm. The Swan Hotel, Bradford on Avon. 01225 865669/863072

Drop-In Meditation

Boules/Petanque

An opportunity to learn a simple type of meditation, 10.30am.

Museum of Bath at Work, Julian Road, Bath. £3. 07966 365633

11am to 1pm Queen Square (off when raining).

Whist Drive

7-9pm, £2 including a raffle,

www.bathchronicle.co.uk

Weston Parish Hall, Weston Village, Bath

Knit Club at Great British Yarns All knitters welcome, 10.30am-12.30pm. Unit 9, Brassmill Enterprise Centre, Brassmill Lane, Bath. 01225 462776

Greensprouts Parent and Toddler Session Craft, singing, storytime, snack and lots of play, 10am-noon.

Laurel Farm, Carlingcott, nr Peasedown. £3 a session. 01761 420204

Bath Welcome Choir No auditions, 7.45-9.30pm.

Upper Hall, Culverhay, Bath. £4

THE WEEKEND

29

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Party at the Pantry

The Bath Priory officially launched its new Pantry at a chic and stylish soiree last week.

The Pantry is a new informal bar and restaurant in the Bath Priory where people can enjoy food and drinks in a relaxed atmosphere throughout the day and evening.

General manager of the Bath Priory, Andrew Foulkes, said: “We are thrilled to have opened The Pantry.

”We didn’t want to call it a bar because it is more than that, and we didn’t want to call it a restaurant because we already have our wonderful Michelin-starred restaurant, but The Pantry seemed like the perfect name because it really encompasses everything we will be doing here.

“In the mornings people can come and enjoy breakfast, or a cup of coffee and some cake, then at lunch we will be

serving light bites, burgers, salads and sandwiches, then a casual menu lead by seasonal produce in the evening.

“To accompany all the food we also have a wonderful mixologist and beverage expert who has created some bespoke cocktails for all our guests.

“We have already had some great feedback from guests and we hope that the people of Bath will come and enjoy what we have created here.”

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30 THE WEEKEND

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THE WEEKEND

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Taste of things to come Chef Martin Blunos invited friends and family to a special pre-launch party of his new restaurant, Blunos, which will be opening at The County Hotel on Pulteney Road on March 28.

Guests were able to get a sneak preview of the restaurant and sample some of the fresh seafood dishes which will be on offer.

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32 THE WEEKEND

www.bathchronicle.co.uk

PICTURE SPECIAL THURSDAY MARCH 20TH

Featuring every child from the Baby & Toddler photo sessions

Free to enter photography contest. Terms and conditions apply.

See Bath Chronicle classified section for details.

THE WEEKEND

33

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34 THE WEEKEND

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Celebration of Shakespeare

T

he three-week Shakespeare Unplugged Festival continues apace in Bath until March 22 as the work of the Bard is celebrated in a wide range of performances at the egg theatre and other venues across the city.

New adaptations of Shakespeare’s plays, specially commissioned new work and fascinating insights into the contemporary relevance of his writing, feature in live performances and events for children, teenagers and adults.

At the start of the Festival’s second week, Hammerpuzzle Theatre Company visits the egg to stage two performances of King John on Sunday. This 60-minute, high-energy adaptation captures the dynamic realism of the tragic story.

www.bathchronicle.co.uk

From Thursday, March 13 to Saturday, March 15, the Theatre Royal Bath’s Young People’s Theatre (YPT) stages The Winter’s Tale, a thriller and fairytale rolled into one.

Charming, wild and magical, Shakespeare’s masterpiece is imagined afresh in this bold production presented by the YPT. Performing ‘in the round’ at the egg theatre, the 18-strong cast features YPT members aged 14 to 17 years.

On Saturday, March 15 and Sunday, March 16, Hammerpuzzle Theatre Company returns to the egg to lead Breaking Bard, a two-day workshop exploring our relationship with Shakespeare today.

At the end of the festival’s second week, on Saturday, March 15, Midnight At The Boar’s Head – The Return! takes to the stage at The Bell Inn on Walcot Street.

This free event offers an evening of foot-stomping, folk-fuelled storytelling and live music presented by Fine Chisel.

Visit www.theatreroyal.org.uk for full details.

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Moscow City Ballet’s return visit to Bath

M

oscow City Ballet accompanied by the Moscow City Ballet Orchestra returns to the Theatre Royal Bath next week on its Silver Anniversary Tour to perform two stunning full-scale ballet classics, Prokofiev’s Romeo and Juliet and Tchaikovsky’s Swan Lake.

These ‘big story ballets’ are the essence of Russian culture – composed, choreographed and premiered in Russia and combining virtuosity, technique, narrative and live music to create the ultimate dance experience.

The wonderful spectacle of a large cast of supremely skilled dancers, gorgeous costumes and magnificent staging combine to make a truly magical performance.

Romeo and Juliet is probably the world’s most famous love story, following the fate of Shakespeare’s star-crossed lovers from their first meeting to their tragic deaths. Set to Prokofiev's dramatic score, the vibrancy of Renaissance Verona is brought to life in this powerful ballet.

One of Moscow City Ballet’s signature pieces, Swan Lake is one of the great romantic stories, filled with drama and exquisite choreography.

When Siegfried, a dashing young prince, falls in love with Odette, the beautiful Queen of the Swans, the sorcerer Von Rothbart is determined to use his evil magic to thwart their happiness.

Accompanied by Tchaikovsky’s sweeping score, this is one of the world’s most evocative and beautiful ballets.

Moscow City Ballet features a company of gifted young dancers, outstanding principals, stunning soloists and a sublime corps de ballet, accompanied by the dynamic vitality of a live orchestra.

The company’s many international tours have long-established its reputation as one of Russia’s leading ballet companies and previous visits to Bath have been greeted with delight from packed audiences of ballet lovers and newcomers alike.

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www.bathchronicle.co.uk

THE WEEKEND

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A captivating two-hander about two individuals who, on the surface appear to be happy, diligent employees.

However, in the midst of the claustrophobia of the interrogation room and the persistent questioning of two sharp-witted detectives, cracks in their façade begin to appear – cracks

Above Bored which plays at the Rondo Theatre Bath on Saturday is an original psychological drama directed by Simon Harvey.

A captivating two-hander where the actors double as both cops and suspects the ‘Owdyado company presents a character-driven piece

Theatre Royal

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Fri Mar 7 Protest

Sawclose, Bath Tel: 01225 448844 To Sat Mar 8 Arrivals & Departures, Time of My Life & Farcicals

A dreamlike theatrical experience in a magical interactive Forest of Arden...

Ages 3+, 10am, 11am, noon, 2pm. £6 admits one adult and 1 child To Fri Mar 7 Romeo and Juliet: Unzipped

A play with a heady mix of emotional conflict, heart-warming friendships and a challenging examination of issues very much of our times, 8pm. Tickets £12/£10 Sat Mar 8 Above Bored

Three thrilling works. Arrivals & Departures, Sat 8pm. Time of My Life Thurs & Fri 8pm, Sat 4pm. Farcicals Sat 11.30am.

Tickets £17.50-£33.50 Mon 10-Sun Mar 16 Moscow City Ballet Romeo and Juliet, Mon 7.30pm & Tues 7.30pm and Swan Lake, Wed 7.30pm, Thurs 2.30pm & 7.30pm, Fri 7.30pm, Sat 2.30pm, & 7.30pm, Sun 3pm. Tickets £18-£36.50

Ustinov Monmouth Street, Bath Box Office 01225 448844 Thurs Mar 6-Sat April 5 The Big Meal An exhilarating story that takes five generations of a modern family on a rollercoaster ride through life, from first kiss to final goodbye, Mon-St 7.45pm, Matinees Thurs (not Mar 6) & Sat 2.30pm. Tickets £19.50/£14.50

the egg Sawclose, Bath Tel: 01225 448844 Thurs Mar 6 Beneath the Trees (Where Nobody

36 THE WEEKEND

Shakespeares’ story of young love and its endless possibilities, Age 11+, Tues & Fri 10am & 1pm, Wed & Thurs 1pm & 7pm. Tickets £7.50/£6.50 Sun Mar 9 Shakespeare Unplugged Festival - King John High-energy adaptation of Shakespeare’s history play captures the dynamic realism of the tragic story, 6pm & 8pm, 12 years and over. Tickets £8/£7

An original psychological drama, 8pm. Tickets £12/£10 Wed 12 & Thurs Mar 13 We Will Be Free!

A true story of George and Betsy Loveless and the Dorset farm labourers that were convicted and transported by an oppressive Government for swearing a secret oath and forming a Trade Union in 1834, 8pm. Tickets £13/£10

Komedia

Mission Theatre Corn Street, Bath Tel: 01225 463362 Wed 12 & Thurs Mar 13 Mid-Somerset Drama Festival

that hint at underlying disillusionment and resentment.

From the company that brought you About A Bench and Wrong-Doings and Wake-Up Calls at the Stop-Off Motel.

Tickets, costing £12, can be booked at www.rondotheatre.co.uk or by calling 01225 463362.

22 to 23 Westgate Street, Bath. Box office 0845 293 8480 Fri Mar 7 Great Big Comedy Night!

A joyous night celebrating women and comedy in association with What The Frock! 7.30pm. Tickets £15 adv/£12 Sat Mar 8 Krater Comedy Club Comedy, 8.30pm. Tickets £45/£28.50/£18/£14.50/£10

Pound Arts Pound Pill, Corsham. Box Office 01249 7016280 Sat Mar 8 Howard Read Little Howard’s Big show for kids Animated stand-up comedian Little Howard with live animation on stage and lots of jokes and songs, for all the family, 3pm. Tickets £7.50/£6.50/£24 family

ICIA University of Bath Bath University ICIA Arts Theatre Box office 01225 386777 To Wed April 16 Art Classes in Bath A range of exciting and eclectic classes and workshops in music, dance, theatre and visual arts for all levels, aged 16+.

Sat Mar 8 Vietnamese Culture Night Discover the beauty of Vietnamese traditions in an ancient folk tale, 7pm. Tickets £10 To Fri Mar 21 Parasite A fascinating audio-visual experience with the potential power to unsettle, Mon-Fri 10am-5pm. Free admission

Bath University Student Theatre The Museum of Bath at Work, Camden Works, Julian Road, Bath Tickets 01225 386777 or www.bath.ac.uk/icia Thurs 6-Sat Mar 8 The Miracle Worker

Speech and Drama events

The Rondo Larkhall, Bath Tel: 01225 333844

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www.bathchronicle.co.uk

Based on the true story of Helen Keller, this play charts the enormous changes in Helen as she gradually learns how to contact the external world, 7.30pm. Tickets £8/£5

saturday 12 april

7.30pm

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The original Rude Girl: meet 2-Tone’s leading lady Pauline Black, lead singer of The Selecter, talks to Gina Baksa before their gig at Bath’s Komedia

F

ormed in the midst of the post-punk 2-Tone musical explosion of the late ’70s The Selecter, from Coventry, alongside Madness, The Specials and The Beat, mixed danceable ska with the energy and attitude of punk to devastating effect.

The fusion of punk, ska, and reggae provided the perfect backdrop for The Selecter’s frontwoman Pauline Black whose defiant vocals and lyrics tackled the twin themes of racism and sexism in ’80s Britain.

She was the original Rude Girl – a lone female among a brace of rude boys.

“Well, I didn’t really think that at the time,” she admits. “What women there were making music back then just got on with it. There’s a famous photo of myself, Chrissie Hynde, Viv Albertine, Debbie Harry, Poly Styrene and Siouxsie Sioux. All at the top of our game – and we’ve all got our clothes on – that’s a first. Not a twerk in sight!”

The Selecter split at their zenith in 1981, and Pauline turned to theatre, including an award-winning portrayal of Billie Holiday in All Or Nothing At All and a TV presenting stint on Black on Black.

Reforming in 2010, the band has been busy.

“We’ve had two albums out, Made in Britain (2012) and last year’s String Theory, both of which we toured,” says Pauline. “Last year we had dates in Europe, America and Australia.

“It’s our 35th anniversary this year, so our playlist will include our debut album, Too Much Pressure, and an extended encore of old and new songs. “You can’t be in a band like ours and not do the hits.”

Original fans

38 THE WEEKEND

www.bathchronicle.co.uk

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must be bringing their own children to gigs now? “Yes they are!,” Pauline laughs.

“We’ve been around for 35 years, so you can do the maths!”

Does she bemoan the rise of X-Factor-pop?

“There have always been manufactured bands, so that’s nothing new. The industry hasn’t changed much, it’s still male-centric,” she says. “A lot of women are just there to pretty it up, which is demeaning and doesn’t move women on in terms of acknowledging their own songwriting and performing skills.

“Fortunately there are plenty of young female singers out there who are brilliant. I love The Delegators and I also enjoy Beyoncé, Alicia Keys and Ellie Goulding – women in charge of their own destinies.

“And our young support band, By The Rivers, has a very fresh take on reggae which I like a lot.”

The daughter of an Anglo-Jewish teenage mum and Nigerian student dad, Pauline was adopted by a white couple and grew up in Essex. She documented her upbringing and search for identity in her 2012 autobiography Black by Design: A 2-Tone Memoir.

Racism, coupled with sexual abuse made her feel like “A cuckoo in someone else’s nest”. She later changed her name by deed poll so “people would have to call me Black”.

Pauline waited until her mum had passed away before she made contact with her birth mother, who was living in Australia.

They finally met when Pauline was 42.

“There’s always that thing inside you that asks: ‘Why did my mum and dad give me away?’ It gives people a lot of issues in their tender teenage years – I was no different and you work through it. So meeting my birth mum was not a completion, it was just a beginning.

Both sides have such tremendous expectations. The main thing you’re worried about is being rejected again.

“Remember, the last time your mother saw you, you were a little baby, with all that unconditional love that comes with it. In those intervening years quite often that’s all they’ve thought about, whereas the child has grown up and had an entirely different life.

“So leaping into each other’s arms is probably not going to happen.

But the journey is interesting and it’s still ongoing. You don’t just find your mum or your dad, you find all the people who surround them too, each of whom will have their own thoughts and feelings about you.

“But I think things are a lot better now.

Adoptive families and children are given more support than in my day.”

Proving that enduring relationships are possible, Pauline and husband Terry have been together since 1972. “That’s about 42 years! So it can be done. Maybe it’s because we both come from Essex.”

So what’s her secret of continuous creativity?

“It’s more a question of keeping yourself engaged and having an interest in what’s going on in the world,” Pauline reveals. “And using some of that as source material and honing your own thoughts and attitudes about the world – not just accepting someone else’s.

“It’s very easy to get cynical as you get older, so I fight against that. But the main thing that keeps me connected is being out on tour and performing for people; talking to fans. That’s what keeps me engaged.”

The Selecter play the Komedia tonight and tickets cost £16.50.

www.bathchronicle.co.uk

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THE WEEKEND

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The serene songs of Bach The highlight of the Paragon Singers’ concert on March 8 in St Alphege Church, Bath will John Tavener’s serene Song for Athene, which was composed in 1993 in memory of a friend and became instantly famous when it was sung at Princess Diana’s funeral.

The group says: “We complete our

Today Blow

A mix of new and classic Indie rock and pop, 9.30pm. Moles, Bath. £4/£3

Acoustic Oak Music Club 8pm, Singers night. Floor Spots.

The Royal Oak, Corsham. Entry £2

Bath Cantata Group Evening practices, 7.45pm. New singers welcome. St Stephen’s Church, Lansdown, Bath

series of Bach motet performances with the initially elegaic Komm, Jesu, komm; the lively and confident Fürchte dich nicht, also for double choir; and finally, to end the concert, the exuberant and popular Lobet den Herrn.”

Spread through the programme are three impassioned settings of the

Clark, 8pm. St James Wine Vaults, Bath. Tickets £5/£4

North Sea Gas 7.30pm. Chapel Arts Centre, Lower Borough, Bath. Tickets £8.80

The Selecter 2-Tone legends, 7.30pm.

Komedia, Bath. Tickets £18.48

Tomorrow Implode Live Music Night

8.30pm every Friday. Belushis, Bath

Tickets £4

Emily Maguire Singer/songwriter, 7.30pm.

Chapel Arts Centre, Lower Borough Walls, Bath. Tickets £11

The Smyths Tribute band, 10pm. Moles, Bath. Tickets £11

Saturday

The Derrick Oldroyde Trio plus Special Guest

Folk, 8pm. The Village Pump, The Lamb Inn, Mortimer Street, Trowbridge. Tickets £5

Concert, 7.30pm. The Magdalen Chapel, Holloway, Bath. Free admission, retiring collection

Sarah Clough Music

Keynsham Orchestra

Funky and vibrant Brazilian grooves, 8.30pm. Free

Concert, 7.30pm. St John the Baptist Church, Keynsham.

Tickets £7.70-£9.90

Jazz at The Vaults Nick Langston, vocals with the JazzHouse Trio plus DJ Tony

40 THE WEEKEND

Limelight Classic rock covers, 9pm. The George Inn, Bradford-on-Avon. free

Kilter

8pm. Burdall’s Yard, Bath.

The Chandos Singers

Acoustic Showcase An evening of fantastic live music featuring an array of local musicians, doors open 7.30pm

Curfew Inn, Cleveland Place, West, Bath 8pm. Free

Wednesday

Sublime Blues

Sing B4 Supper A friendly choir conducted by Jane Lilley, all abilities catered for, 6.15-7.45pm term-time. The Huntsman, Bog Island, Bath. £5 per session. For details Susanna Downes 07717173799

Tuesday The Big Cheese

Trowbridge Symphony Orchestra

Every Tuesday. Expect all the cheesiest tunes, from 10pm.

Moles, Bath. £4/£3.50 NUS

7.30pm. Wiltshire Music Centre, Bradford-on-Avon. Tickets £14/£6

Damian Clarke, great songsmith

www.bathchronicle.co.uk

& player of the hurdy-gurdy & hammer dulcimer. Floor spots, 8pm. The Cellar Bar, Swan Hotel, Church Street, Bradford-on-Avon. Free entry

Monday

Love to sing? Join us at 7.45pm.

Manvers Street Baptist Church, Bath

Every Friday from 9pm. The Huntsman Inn, Bath

8.30pm. Swan Hotel, Bradford-on-Avon. Free admission

Every Sunday, amazing acoustic music, all performers get drink and food offers, 7-10pm. The Tramshed, Beehive Yard, Bath

Beer’s musical army bring ‘folk and roll’ to Bath, 8pm. Chapel Arts Centre, Lower Borough Walls, Bath. Tickets £15 adv, £16.50 on the door

Live Music

Blues Night

Open Mic

The Silver Ring Choir

With DJ Jay, 8pm-3am.

Mandalyns, Fountain Buildings, Bath

Chris Pearce, clarinet & soprano sax, 8.30pm. The Inn at Freshford

Sunday

Phil Beer Band

Karaoke

The Yirdbards

Crucifixus, all written at about the same time and providing an intriguing comparison. Antonio Lotti’s setting in eight parts is well known, but equally fine are another setting by him in ten parts and Antonio Caldara’s 16-part version.

Four motets by Tomàs Luis de Victoria complete the programme.

Bradford-on-Avon Folk Club

Discord

A host of DJs playing a mix of Rock, Punk and Metal, 9.30pm-2am. PoNaNa nightclub, Bath. £5 entry

Karaoke With DJ Jay, 8pm. Mandalyns, Fountain Buildings, Bath

Old Crown Quiz 9pm. Old Crown, Weston Village, Bath

Bath Songwriters Group Anyone who has ever written a song or would like to join us, 7.30pm. Upstairs at The Ram, Widcombe Parade, Widcombe, Bath. For details go to www.bathsongwriters.co.uk

PETER BROWN

KEEPING THE HOME FIRE BURNING 8 February – 27 March 2014 Victoria Art Gallery

Buskers’ morning meeting, the Abbey, 2013 (detail)

by Pulteney Bridge, Bath BA2 4AT T. 01225 477233 www.victoriagal.org.uk Tue. to Sat. 10.00-5.00 Sun. 1.30-5.00, closed Mon. £2 inc. audioguide

In association with Messum’s

Exhibition generously sponsored by Knight Frank

THE WEEKEND

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Three fantastic exhibitions

T

hree fantastic new exhibitions have opend at the Holburne Museum in Bath, two of which can be seen free of charge. For the first time anywhere, the owner of a remarkable collection of colour photographs of Picasso, taken in 3D, is allowing them to be viewed at The Holburne. The exhibition runs until the end of May and admission and viewing is free.

These amazing photographs of Picasso were taken in 1957 at his request. He was at the height of his fame and wanted to know how his works would look in 3D. The photographer, Robert Mouzillat, was a celebrated French publisher, brilliant inventor and captivating eccentric who had, with Museum of East Asian Art Exhibition, Eastern Voices in the West Country and Treasures, to Sun June 29. Bennett Street, Bath

Victoria Art Gallery Exhibition, Anna Dougherty, What’s Inside, explores how everyday objects hold many kinds of meanings and Peter Brown, Keeping the home fire burning, over fifty new oil paintings and drawings

42 THE WEEKEND

his engineer father, perfected a ground-breaking 3D camera in the 1940s. This small part of Mouzillat’s much larger collection of celebrated people and events provides a unique, intimate and vivid record of Picasso at home, in his studio and garden, and at the bullring in Arles, France.

In another free exhibition A Ballroom Banquet by Kathy Dalwood continues a series of contemporary interventions which juxtapose the traditional and modern to create unique and surprising interpretations which reference the Holburne’s history.

Spectacular displays using the museum’s Ballroom Table have to date included work by Bouke de Vries and Junko Mori. Dalwood’s work is a contemporary response to

celebrating the streets of Bath, to Thurs Mar 27, Tues-Sat 10am-5pm, Sun 1.30-5pm, closed Monday’s. Pulteney Bridge, Bath

The Pound Exhibition: Bath Textile Artists.

The Artists have been inspired by the wealth of the Wiltshire landscape and history to create pieces using a variety of different techniques, to Sat Mar 22. Pound Pill, Corsham

Bath Contemporary

Featured artist for February, Victoria Gamberoni’s figures float suspended in a tapestry of soft brushstrokes, to Sat Mar 8.

35 Gay Street, Bath

University of Bath Exhibition, Louisa Fairclough, Flecks of a Brighter Colour, to Fri May 30, Mon-Fri 10am-5pm.

ICIA Art Space 1 and 2, University of Bath, Claverton, Bath

www.bathchronicle.co.uk

the traditionally sculpted figurative statues and busts of the 18th and 19th centuries where unexpected relationships of theme and scale are an important element of the sculptures.

Joseph Wright of Derby: Bath and Beyond runs until the beginnin of May and is a paid for show which costs £6.97 to see.

Joseph Wright ‘of Derby’ (1734-1797) lived and worked in Bath between November 1775 and June 1777. This brief episode in Wright’s life marked a crossroads in his career. Joseph Wright of Derby: Bath and Beyond will place Wright in the context of the many artists, musicians, writers, business people and scientists living and working in the Georgian spa and present for the first time a comprehensive view of his life and work during those 18 months. The exhibition will also go ‘beyond’ Bath to examine the effect of his time in the city and his travels in Italy on Wright’s later work.

The Holburne Museum Exhibition, Stereoscopic Photographs of Pablo Picasso

by Robert Mouzillat, to Sun June 1. Great Pulteney Street, Bath

Hilton Fine Art Exhibition, Selected Artists from the New English Art Club, Sat 8-Sat March 29. 5 Margarets Buildings, Bath

Bhongy-Bo Exhibiton, Art For Heart’s Sake, paintings and Giclee Print by

local artist Yasmin Mozafari. A selection of oil paintings in aid of Cardiac Risk in the Young, March 6, 6-8.30pm. 2-3 Barton Court, Upper Borough Walls, Bath

Nick Cudworth Gallery Windows of Opportunity, Exhibition of paintings and prints by Nick Cudworth, to Sat March 29 . 5 London Street, Bath

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‘Dangerous jugs’

T

he Rostra Gallery in Bath is holding another solo exhibition by popular artist Amanda Popham. The exhibition will showcase more than 28 new pieces by this highly collectable British

artist.

Amanda’s sculptural pottery is unlike anything you will ever have seen, “dangerous jugs”, creatures with huge sharp teeth, distinctive toby jugs with searching eyes, pieces inscribed with quotations that make you ponder – animal shaped bottles, articulated birds.

Her people and vessels are the product of a lifetime’s devotion to drawing and sculpting as a means of expressing an idea or emotion, and to the tradition of ceramics itself.

From the earliest years of her art career, her reputation was established with an exhibition at Liberty of London in the ’90s.

Since then she has gone on to exhibit in various London galleries as well as Rostra Gallery and is a member of the Devon Guild of Craftsmen. Amanda’s imagination drives her work and this creative mastery has attracted many international collectors – with the high demand for her pieces reflecting her expertise and style.

With a waiting list of collectors all over the world and sell out solo shows, her work sells sight unseen.

Nick Cudworth

’

www.bathchronicle.co.uk

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Books of the week The team from Topping & Co booksellers give their pick of what’s on the shelves this week

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Lit Fest

Joanna Rossiter

Morning Walk: The Georgian City

Kate Williams Josephine

Thurs Mar 6

10am start. Streets of Bath (meeting place on ticket).

Tickets £8.50/£7.50

Miranda Seymour 11.15am-12.15pm. Guildhall.

Tickets £8/£7

Theresa Lloyd: The Psychology of Giving 11.15am-12.15pm. Guildhall.

Tickets £7.50/£6.50

Countess of Carnarvon Noon-1pm. Theatre Royal, Bath.

Tickets £10 (listen only). For £23.50 ticket including lunch visit theatreroyal.org.uk

Gyles and Saethryd Brandreth 1-2pm. Guildhall. Tickets £8/£7

44 THE WEEKEND

Fee but ticketed

1-2pm. Guildhall. Tickets £7.50/£6.50

Steve Richards - Rock ‘n’ Roll Politics 8-9pm. Guildhall. Tickets £8/£7

2.45-3.45pm. Guildhall. Tickets £8/£7

A L Kennedy 2.45-3.45pm. Guildhall. Tickets £7.50/£6.50

Pushkin House Prize 4.30-5.30pm. Guildhall. Tickets £7.50/£6.50

Writers’ Surgery 6-7pm. Roscoff Deli. Free

Tim Harford 6.15-7.15pm. Guildhall. Tickets £8/£7

Olivia Laing: Bliss is...

Drinking 8-9pm. Guildhall. Tickets £7.50/£6.50

Fri Mar 7 Dream Breakfast 9-10.30am. Hall and Woodhouse. Free but ticketed

Morning Walk: A Georgian Pub Crawl 10am start. Streets of Bath (meeting place on ticket).

Tickets £8.50/£7.50

Getting under their skins - Art, history and fiction 1-2pm. Guildhall. Tickets £8/£7

Anna Pavord: Bliss is... a perfectly ripe pear

Mark Hix

Literary Lunch with Mr Darcy - Pen Vogler

Sarah Dunant and S J Parris

12.30 for 1pm-3pm lunch and event. Allium Brasserie. £35 (two course lunch, two glasses of wine and coffee)

6.15-7.15pm. Guildhall. Tickets £7.50/£6.50

Sonic Wonderland Trevor Cox

Alex Clark’s Rising Stars with Darragh McKeon

2.45-3.45pm. BRLSI, Queen Square, Bath. Tickets £8/£7

8-9pm. Guildhall. Tickets £7.50/£6.50

Great Big Comedy Night! With Gemma Whelan, Mary Bourke, Mark Watson

Mark Watson - The Knot

6.15-7.15pm. Guildhall. Tickets £7.50/£6.50

11.15am-12.15pm. Guildhall.

Tickets £8/£7

2.45-3.45pm. Guildhall. Tickets £8/£7

Sandy Osborne: Self-Publishing Q&A

Turkish Awakening

Viv Groskop - I Laughed, I Cried

www.bathchronicle.co.uk

4.30-5.30pm. Guildhall. Tickets £8/£7 6.15-7.15pm. Guildhall. Tickets £8/£7

Rowan Williams: Bliss is ... Tolstoy

7.30-8.15pm. Radstock Library.

Josh Cohen: Privacy

1-2pm. Guildhall. Tickets £7.50/£6.50

Boris Akunin

11.15am-12.15pm. Guildhall.

Tickets £7.50/£6.50

£7.50/£6.50

4.30-5.30pm. Komedia. Tickets

Doors 7pm for 7.30-10.30pm event. Komedia. Tickets £15/£12

25 January — 5 May 2014

‘ b illi t exhibitio ’ Richard Dorment

✪✪✪✪✪

The Telegraph

SUPPORTED BY:

The Paul Mellon Centre for Studies in British Art ‘Vesuvius in Eruption, with a View over the Islands in the Bay of Naples’, Joseph Wright c.1776-80 Oil on canvas. © Tate, London 2013

THE WEEKEND

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Good read for all ages Clare Furniss, who lives in Larkhall, recently secured a “six figure advance” for her first two books written for young people.

Clare, who at one time worked as a press officer for Ken Livingstone when he was Mayor London, lives with her husband David with their three children Marianne, nine, Joe, eight, and Ewan, five. The family moved to Larkhall seven years ago and since then it has been a bit of a dream for Clare to write a book.

“But it just wasn’t possible while the children were all so young,” said Clare.

But she always had a clear idea of the book she wanted to write and so when the children got just a little older she joined the prestigious MA writing for young people course at Bath Spa University.

The Year of the Rat, which has so excited the publishing world and which will be published next month was written as part of her course but a bit over a year ago Clare decided to get in touch with an agent she had met through the course to ask what she thought.

Said Clare: “She said she loved the book and would be pleased to represent me. There were all sorts of meetings which ended up in this eight way bid for the book.

“It really has been a dream come

Christopher Hansford talks to Clare Furniss who had eight of the top publishing houses fighting over her first book true and I still can’t quite believe it is happening,” says Clare.

The Year of the Rat follows a year in the life of 16-year-old Pearl coping with the heartbreaking loss of her mother and the arrival of ‘the Rat’ her baby

Sat Mar 8

Austentatious

How to be a Booker Judge

2.45-3.45pm. Guildhall. Tickets £15/£12 includes a glass of fizz

11.15am-12.15pm. Guildhall.

Tickets £8/£7

The Independent Foreign Fiction Prize

Jessica Fellowes Behind the Scenes at Downton Abbey 11.15am-12.15pm. Old Theatre Royal. Tickets £8/£7

The Very Hungry Caterpillar 11.30am-12.15pm. Radstock Library. Free but ticketed (Ages 2-5)

4th Estate Literary Salon: A Woman’s Place Is...?

1-2pm. Guildhall. Tickets £8/£7

Tim Richardson 1-2pm. Guildhall. Tickets £7.50/£6.50

2.45-3.45pm. Guildhall. Tickets £7.50/£6.50

Berlin: Imagine a City 2.45-3.45pm. Old Theatre Royal. Tickets £8/£7

Kirsty Wark: Fact to Fiction 4.30-5.30pm. Guildhall. Tickets £9/£8

Firestation Book Swap 4.30-5.30pm. Old Theatre Royal. Tickets £8/£7

Great War Salon 6-8pm. Holburne. £9/£8

Simon Jenkins

Firestation Children’s Book Swap

6.15-7.15pm. Guildhall. Tickets £8/£7

1-2pm. Old Theatre Royal.

Tickets £5 (Family event/Age 7+)

Knackered Mother’s Wine Club

Hanged for Love: The Trial of Edith Thompson and Freddie Bywaters 1-2pm. Guildhall. Tickets £15/£12

46 THE WEEKEND

6.15-7.15pm. Guildhall. Tickets £7.50/£6.50

Hanged for Love: The Trial of Edith Thompson and Freddie Bywaters 6.15-7.15pm. Guildhall. Tickets £15/£12

Red Cocktail Party

sister – a constant reminder of why her mum is no longer alive.

No one can possibly understand Pearl’s grief. Not her dad, not her best friend and certainly not her gran who never really approved of her son’s choice of wife.

Feeling completely alone Pearl struggles to find her place in what feels like an empty and pointless world.

Clare says that although the publishers are aiming the book at young people in fact she simply wrote it as a story and hopes that adults will read it too. The second book will be for a similar readership and she has already started work on it. “It is a bit different writing the second one,” Clare admits.

“With the first one while you hope that it will be published you actually have no way of knowing whether it ever will be and so you have to do it for love. Now it is a bit different but it is really very exciting to be starting on a completely new project.”

■ The Year of the Rat by Clare Furniss is published by Simon & Schuster on April 24 at £12.99.

Cooking People: The Writers Who Taught the English How to Eat, with Sophia Waugh 12.30 for 1pm-3pm. Lunch and event Allium Brasserie. Tickets £35, two course lunch, two glasses of wine and coffee

7-9pm. The Pump Rooms. £20, includes drinks reception, Call The Midwife canapes and a goody bag. To 1-2pm. Guildhall. Tickets £8/£7 book visit: redonline.co.uk/red-women/red-events/bath-festival Celebrating British

Lionel Shriver, chaired

by Natalie Haynes 8-9pm. Guildhall. Tickets £9/£8

James Mullinger - Bad boy of Feminism 8-9pm. Guildhall. Tickets £7.50/£6.50

Sun Mar 9 Joanna Trollope: Bliss is... Jane Austen (Part I) 11.15am-12.15pm. Guildhall.

Tickets £9/£8

Turner and the Sea 11.15am-12.15pm. Old Theatre Royal. Tickets £8/£7

A Celebration of Game of Thrones

Red Network Event: How To Get Published

6.15-7.15pm. Old Theatre Royal. Tickets £7.50/£6.50

Noon-1.30pm. The Francis Hotel. Tickets £25.

Cycling

1-2pm. Guildhall. Tickets £7.50/£6.50

£15/£12

Patricia Hodge 4.30-5.30pm. Guildhall. Tickets £9/£8

Chrys Salt and Ghareeb Iskander 4.30-5.30pm. Guildhall. £7.50/£6.50

Natalie Haynes 4.30-5.30pm. Old Theatre Royal. Tickets £8/£7

Val McDermid: Bliss is ... Jane Austen (Part II) 6.15-7.15pm. Guildhall. £9/£8

Mark Lawson

Maureen Freely

1-2pm. Old Theatre Royal.

Tickets £8/£7

6.15-7.15pm. Guildhall. Tickets £7.50/£6.50

Penelope Lively

Emily Mayhew

2.45-3.45pm. Guildhall. Tickets £8/£7

6.15-7.15pm. Old Theatre Royal. £8/£7

Shaun Usher

Hanged for Love: The Trial of Edith Thompson and Freddie Bywaters

2.45-3.45pm. Guildhall. Tickets £7.50/£6.50

Tom Rob Smith 2.45-3.45pm. Old Theatre Royal. Tickets £8/£7

Hanged for Love: The Trial of Edith Thompson and Freddie Bywaters 2.45-3.45pm. Guildhall. Tickets

6.15-7.15pm. Guildhall. Tickets £15/£12

Quite Literate 8.30-10pm. The Belvoir Castle, Lower Bristol Road, Bath. Free

Jazz with Jeff Williams 8pm. The Porter. £8/£7

online • print • mobile bathchronicle.co.uk

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