The Bath Magazine August 2024 by MC Publishing Limited

NISH KUMAR talks

comedy, showing

oﬀ, politics and bread rolls

PARTY PIECE

ON THE BALL

TOWERING GLORY

Jane Horrocks takes on Pinter’s Absurdist classic, The Birthday Party

Bath FC manager Jerry Gill on why kick-oﬀ still keeps his pulse racing

The enlightened reincarnation of the picturesque Beckford’s Tower FLOWERPOT POWER

Hear from a Natural Theatre Company character each month in our new blog

Plus, The Best Little Shops of Bath and even more Delicious places to eat

46 F

W hat spritzes to sip, how to magic up a tasty carbonara and . . more delicious local food and drink experiences to sample

48 U N CO R K E D

Kate Hearst talks to the owners of Corkage, Richard Knighting and Marty Grant, about their route into restaurants

56 P O R T R A I T O F B AT H

Joe Short captures the smiling Tony Jones at Manhattan

58 R E - E M B R AC I N G T H E TO W E R

Beckford’s Tower has been regenerated for a new audience

60 O N T H E B A L L

Simon Horsford chats to Bath FC’s football manager Jerr y Gill

66 PA R A LYM P I C D R E A M S

Dan Bethell on his hopes for what he could achieve in Paris

74 T H E WA L K

Andrew Swift visits Pierceﬁeld Park near Chepstow

76 H O L I DAY S T YL E

Jane

Emma

Interior products to bring back the atmosphere of your travels

82 G A R D E N S

Jessica Stokes shares practical advice around the August garden

Wool is…

• Naturally insulating

• Hard-wearing

• Easy to care for

• Sustainable

• Hypoallergenic

• Fire resistant

• Available in a variety of designs

F

D I T O R

When people achieve recognition in their lives, it ’ s invariably about vision, hard work and a willingness to face obstacles positively

Take Jerr y Gill who has been manager of Bath City FC for almost seven years – in an industr y notorious for short-term tenures – and who boasts a 45% win record He defines success in terms of small percentage gains, which build up and have an impact See Simon Horsford’s inter view with Jerry on page 60 as the new football season looms

Stand-up Nish Kumar, on the other hand, gives a more trial-and-error account of his rise to comedic success on page 16. “I was practising tr ying to make people laugh for a long time”, says Nish “I have friends who I knew from school who are not surprised at my current career Maybe the only surprise is the relative level of success ”

Jane Horrocks, the unforgettable Bubble in the BBC sitcom Absolutely Fabulous, was only 18 when she took that role, but it ’ s clear that she needed to branch out to reach her career potential She has done that masterfully since, from the stage play The Rise and Fall of Little Voice in which she sang all the songs, to the voiceover of Babs in the film Chicken Run Now she’s taking on the role of Meg in Harold Pinter’s The Birthday Party at the Ustinov. See page 32.

With the Paralympics starting this month, we secured some time with Bathonian Dan Bethell who won the silver in the men ’ s SL3 badminton singles in Tokyo and is hoping for gold in Paris. He tells us on page 66 how his dreams of becoming an athlete didn’t seem possible until badminton was introduced into the Paralympics four years ago, which allowed him to aim, and achieve, high William Beckford, who commissioned Beckford’s Tower in 1827 and built up a precious collection within its walls, has more shadows than ‘ success ’ around his name, because it was his family ’ s investments in the transatlantic slave trade that funded his lifestyle and all his projects The tower’s reopening last month sees a sensitive representation of his creative vision, alongside an open recognition of the source of the funds, and the millions who paid the price See page 58

For some, the definition of success is simpler – just be yourself. On page 14, meet F lowerpot Head, the first in our series of blog inter views with The Naturals.

Emma Clegg, Editor

The Bath Magazine 2 Princes Buildings, George Street, Bath BA1 2ED; 01225 424499 www thebathmag co uk

Editor Emma Clegg 01225 424592; emma@thebathmagazine co uk

Financial Director Jane Miklos jane@thebathmagazine.co.uk

Assistant Editor/Web Editor Maria Robinson maria@thebathmagazine co uk

Production Manager Jeff Osborne production@thebathmagazine co uk

Advertising Sales Liz Grey liz@thebathmagazine co uk To advertise tel: 01225 424499

Publisher Steve Miklos steve@thebathmagazine co uk

The Bath Magazine and The Bristol Magazine are published by MC Publishing Ltd We are independent of all other local publications

The Bath Magazine is delivered free, every month, to more than 15,000 residential addresses as well as businesses throughout Bath and the surrounding area We also have special distribution units in many of Bath’s supermarkets

Disclaimer: Whilst every reasonable care is taken with all material submitted to The Bath Magazine, the publisher cannot accept responsibility for loss or damage to such material Opinions expressed in articles are strictly those of the authors This publication is copyright and may not be reproduced in any form either in part or whole without written permission from the publishers.

All paper used to make this magazine is taken from good sustainable sources and we encourage our suppliers to join an accredited green scheme Magazines are now fully recyclable By recycling magazines, you can help to reduce waste and contribute to the six million tonnes of paper already recycled by the UK paper industry each year Please recycle this magazine, but if you are not able to participate in a recycling scheme, then why not pass your magazine on to a friend or colleague

City updates

T RACK D OWN T H E WYLDE CREAT URES

If you have visited Bath Abbey recently, you may have oticed a small painting of a butter fly, a bird, or maybe a bee on one of the benches. These are part of a trail of 24 ‘ Wylde Creatures’ hidden around the benches by the Abbey, and in Broad Street Place Community Garden This started as a project to refurbish the benches by Bath Abbey, and developed to include a discreet trail of animals as a point of interest, an activity for children and a celebration of Bath’s biodiversity. Firstly the BID rangers, with help from volunteers from the Apex Hotel, cleaned and painted the benches black. Meanwhile, Bath BID team member Miriam was designing animal paintings in her sketchbook, using acr ylic pens to achieve bold colours on black With advice from Avon Wildlife Trust, 24 animals local to the Bath area were chosen. The paintings, including mammals, birds and insects, were in place in June. Support from Nicholas Wylde of Wylde Jewellers also enabled the provision of the ‘ Wylde Creatures of Bath Trail’ with all 24 animals also hidden in shop windows

BRITISH BIRD OF PRE Y DAY

V isit the Bird of Prey Project in Newton St L oe, Bath on 17 August to see native species flying displays, guest speakers and interactive activities. The programme inc ludes two flying displays as well as talks about Raptor Aid by Jimmi Hill, L ong-Eared O wls by broadcaster Chris Sperring MBE, filming Golden Eagles for BBC W ild Isles by producer Lily Moﬀatt and the W hite Tailed Sea Eagle by Eagle Re-introduction Wales

The Bird of Prey Project is a multi-award-winning visitor attraction in Bath, home to 24 resident birds of prey and owls, multiple active conser vation programmes and an accredited Rehabilitation Hospital. British Bird of Prey Day, Bird of Prey Project, Newton St L oe, 17 August, 10am–4pm. birdofpreyproject.org

ROMEO AND JULI E T I N T H E ABBE Y

This summer, award-winning Bath-based theatre company Antic Disposition invites you to experience Shakespeare’s iconic love story like never before. In a bold reimagining of the timeless tale, audiences will embark on a promenade journey around Bath Abbey, tracing the tale of the star-crossed lovers through the breathtaking building From the soaring majesty of the nave to the quiet corners and hidden nooks where secrets are shared, prepare to be drawn into the passion, conflict and heartbreak of the story like never before

“Our aim with this production is to transport audiences into the heart of Shakespeare’s world,” say directors Ben Horslen and John Risebero. “Bath Abbey provides the per fect backdrop for the emotional intensity of Romeo and Juliet, and we’re thrilled to be bringing the story to life in such a beautiful setting.”

Per formed by a talented cast of ten actors, Antic Disposition’s Romeo and Juliet promises to be a landmark event in Bath’s cultural landscape and an unforgettable theatrical experience 12–31 August, tickets £35/£45 (and there’s an exclusive oﬀer for Bath Magazine readers – enter BATH5 for £5 oﬀ )

bathshakespeare co uk

BOXI NG CLUB RECEIVES CHARI T Y STAT US

The Roman Boxing Gym in Twerton has just been awarded charit y status, which makes the process of getting funding more straightfor ward, an essential part of ensuring that this vital outlet for children and young people in the cit y continues to operate.

The c lub has around 160 members, but it oﬀers a home and a communit y for kids from disadvantaged areas Currently operating out of two hospitalit y suites at Bath Cit y Football Club where the equipment has to be constantly taken down and reassembled, the g ym needs a permanent base Darren S ullivan, who runs the g ym (Bath’s only boxing c lub), says: “Boxing could be big in Bath, it ’ s needed, we ’ ve got the demand – we just want a home.”

Run on a voluntar y basis, making ends meet isn’t easy –grassroots communit y boxing c lubs receive almost no funding from government Evidence suggests that boxing has a positive eﬀect in areas of crime, health, fitness and education Joining a boxing c lub can bring structure and a sense of camaraderie and can help young people avoid the negativit y engendered via social media and the glamorisation of gang violence and knife carr ying

The g ym has been receiving advice from a group of Bath businessmen, who helped facilitate the move to charitable status and are helping to seek potential investors Events such as the hugely successful boxing show the c lub put on last year at the Assembly Rooms will take place again this autumn If you would like to get involved with the c lub or donate do get in contact: romanboxing.co.uk

Miriam at work

5 things to do

Join in with S ummer S undays

Back for its four th year, Summer Sundays is a celebration of family-friendly ac tivities happening in the city centre over the summer holidays. I t ’s Rec ycle Repair Week on 4 August with Share and Repair, 18 August brings ideas from Transition Bath around creating a sustainable and carbon-free future for our city, and 25 August sees a mass dog with Bath Cats and Dogs Home (from 10am–12pm) and a celebration of the sun with the Herschel Museum of Astronomy and Bath Astronomers. welcometobath.co.uk/summer-sundays

Become en-Light- ened

An Evening with Lucinda Light at the Forum on 15 August brings to the stage a radiant beacon of love and light, dedicated to sharing her compassionate heart and profound insights on Emotional Intelligence (EQ) Her infectious z est for life has garnered her the title of Mar ried at First Sight Aust ralia’ s season 11 breakout star. Born on the day of the stor yteller, Lu practices kindness, conscious communication, inc lusivit y, empathy, and forgiveness and is committed to sharing her own wild-hearted journey and the insights it ’ s taken to develop her own EQ T ickets

Create, play and dance...

Create, play and dance all summer at fantastic family events, and fill your days with activities and adventures at the American Museum & Gardens Enjoy special LEGO build and play weekends (10-11 and 24-25 Aug), a new museum adventure trail (3-26 Aug), outdoor theatre (8 Aug) and an epic k ids’ rave with Super Pirates (18 Aug), as well as the interactive American Road Trip exhibition and the new woodland walk See What ’s On for more details of the events. americanmuseum.org

Picnic and soak up the sounds of jazz

V isit If Opera ’ s P icnic Prom at Belcombe Cour t on 26 August, br ing your par t y picnic, head to the pop-up bar and relax with a dr ink while music fills the air. You c an also explore the secret pathway s and hidden nooks of the magnificent grounds Per formances by The James Tay lor Q uar tet, who have set the standard for cool sounds in funky jazz, and by jazz voc alist Emma S mith who has per formed in venues ranging rom the O2 to the jazz c lubs of Ne w York Cit y T ic kets £48 Gates open at 5pm for picnics, garden music star ts at 5.30pm. If Opera, Belcombe Cour t, Bradford on Avon. ifopera.com

£20/£50

Bath For um, 15 August, 7 30pm (doors 7pm); bathfor um co uk

Embrace the countr y

The Wiltshire G ame & Countr y Fair on 10–11 August is an unbeatable family day out in the stunning grounds of Bowood House, near Calne, Wiltshire. M ain arena attrac tions run throughout the day suppor ted by countr y spor ts arenas and workshops and the best in countr yside ac tivities and ener tainment I ncludes dog displays, fishing demonstrations, clay shooting and a selec tion of food producers and food demos. Tickets from £6. Wiltshire Game & Countr y Fair, 10–11 Aug 10am–6pm, Bowood House, Bowood, Calne SN11 OLZ; livingheritagecountr yshows.com

Bath proﬁle

ESTHER MCMORRIS

Esther is the founder and CEO of Nine Feet Tall management consultancy. Esther describes herself as a straight talker who prefers conversation to email. Esther is a hockey player and coach and a novice surfer

W hat is your relationship with Bath? I moved to Bath from Holland in 1994 to study physics at Bath Uni Bath for me has ever ything – city life, countr y life and an amazing range of coﬀee shops, wine bars and restaurants! We live in Bathampton, so turn left and it ’ s the city, turn right and it ’ s the countr y! Growing up in Holland involved lots of cycling – all flat, though although an e-bike solves that in Bath!

W hat do you like to do on a weekend? I do like to go out for a drink –The Bird has a beautiful outside terrace and also Beckford Bottle Shop, catching the sun in the window seats or even a bit of rugby at The Curfew! I’ ll also play a bit of tennis in Sydney Gardens with my family and go on bike rides with my husband My true passion is hockey and I play with City of Bath Ladies 1st XI on a Saturday during the season

You run a management consultancy W hat led you to specialise in this? I’d just finished a MS c in Operations Management at Nottingham University before coming back to Bath where I started working at RAC near Bristol doing what ’ s called ‘ business analysis’. Basically, looking at a business and seeing what I could do to make things run better I realised I was actually pretty good at it – I liked working with people, finding out what the problem was and helping them fix it In 2004 I decided to build a business based on the sound principles of ‘doing the right thing for businesses’,which large consultancies struggle with Trading for 20 years is testament to our approach and to those who have helped to build the company into what it is today

Nine Feet Tall was recentl y recognised on the S unday T imes ‘Best P laces to Work’ list. W hat is your strength in this area? My team say it

is our culture of being kind, helping each other, working smart and playing hard We invest a lot of time and money into learning and developing, so ever yone can grow their skills and broaden their knowledge O ur L&D and social budgets are both higher than the industr y average We encourage ever yone to be themselves and make sure that wellbeing is taken seriously Consultancy isn’t for ever yone, but we tr y and make it a meritocratic environment which people can make mistakes and be supported in being successful.

Your business talks about harnessing the power of technolog y and people. How can this be powerful? We see digital transformation as two parts: 1 Making sure the technolog y works and is ready for the people and 2 Making sure the people are ready for the technology, so they know how to use it and benefit from the features and functionality In simple terms, if you are building a new airplane, you want to make sure the pilots are trained and know how to fly and land the plane.

W hat is important to you away from your work? Hockey. I love it. I’ve been playing since I was 13 I’ve lived in Bath long enough to have played for both Bath Buccaneers and City of Bath hockey clubs – we are so lucky to have two great teams in the cit y Both my kids play hockey and it ’ s been a joy to play on the same team and pitch as my daughter My son has just become a qualified hockey umpire as well, so it ’ s ver y much in the blood! Having played for the West of England (veteran status!), my goal this year is to tr y and play for (ahem!) England.

Name someone you admire. Anna Jar vis, who is personal trainer and fitness instructor at the Bath L eisure Centre Anna truly champions women ’ s health and supports many women in their journey to become strong and healthy and take pride in who they are She has helped me get back to full fitness post injur y and is always positive and can-do, and an all-round great person

W hat quote that sums up your attitude to life? There is an old D utch saying on the wall in my kitchen, ‘ T is nait aal doag ‘ n kovvie mit kouk’, which translates to ‘ you can’t have coﬀee and cake ever y day ’ . I have put a line through the ‘ can’t ’ – because I think ever y day should be about coﬀee and cake, so you should always tr y and get the best you want out of ever y day! ninefeettall.com

City of Bath Hocke with Kelly Hor ton and Esther McMorris with their daughters

Handmade in the Heart of Bath

Naturals b l o g . . . by Flowerpot Head

Here is the first in a new series of blogs for The Bath Magazine by characters from the Natural Theatre Company

Let us introduce you to Flowerpot Head who has lived in Bath for an impressive 38 years

Hello, there! – let me introduce myself I am F lowerpot Head It is great to be able to type this on my computer, because I so seldom get to chat about my stor y what with me not having a mouth.

So, what is my typical day like? Well I get up ear ly and face the sun for morning exercise. Have a quick drink of water, stroll around my local neighbourhood of Widcombe and pay my respects to the statue of my great uncle outside the Natural Theatre Building in W idcombe

I always take a brolly with me, but never put it up because I love the rain I use it more as a walking stick, because I don’t have eyes so can’t really see where I am going. I also like the little click noise it makes when I walk around.

I usually wait for the bus with my friend and then we make our way to work Work is fun We are advisors for Bath In Bloom However, because we can’t actually say anything they never really take our advice

I am hoping to visit lots more places in the near future – four members of our family are oﬀ to Gothenburg later this month and I am sure you will see me in and around Bath – if you do, please come and shake my hand and take a selfie with me!

The flowerpot lineage started in 1986 at the Gateshead Garden Festival Tens of thousands of visitors shook our hands and posed for photos with us We brought big smiles to people’s faces – we even delighted the late Queen Elizabeth and made her laugh out loud!

So this is where we grew up, surrounded by gardens and beautiful foliage in a fantastic celebration of all things plant-based

Growing up was fairly easy as I always felt

happy and my foliage just got better Below is a picture of me with my parents as a baby We were on holiday in Amsterdam

You can also see one of me at school with my friends We are on our way to biolog y

W hen I got a bit older, I started to travel the world and found ever yone was ver y friendly to me. L ots of my family have also travelled –below is my sister and her first husband in Eg ypt enjoying one of the seven wonders of the world That ’ s the Pyramids, not the camel

Oh and we all love celebrities We have been snapped with Q ueen Beatrice of the Netherlands, Margaret Thatcher, Boris Johnson and Tony Blair. We are hoping to get a snap with Kier Starmer as soon as possible!

O ur family is now ver y big. I have some cousins who, clad in white tails, are constantly invited to people’s weddings My niece and nephew like wearing red or blue suits and hobnobbing in the business world at conferences They say nothing but hear ever ything, even though many companies think they are just wallflowers

My non-binar y step child has got ver y into art and likes to express themselves with interesting c lothes, and hangs about in galleries We are hoping they might become a great artist, however they have yet to actually produce any art

Then there are my my sister’s cousin and her husband (twice removed) who loves music, but they are terrible dancers

That ’ s a bit about my life. And what ’ s it like being a F lowerpot Head? Frankly it ’ s bloomin’ mar vellous! n

naturaltheatre.co.uk

Don’t kill my vibe!

That’s the name of Nish Kumar’s new tour, but there’s just no need because he has got our city sussed – Bath is fancy and full of millionaires. *Shrug shoulders* What more do you need to know? The post-electoral honeymoon will have dissipated in October, but expect debonair, outraged conviction and a quota of political commentary. Just don’t throw any bread rolls. Words by Emma Clegg

Ifeel nothing but sympathy towards anyone who saw me perform before about 2015”, says Nish Kumar The stand-up comedian, television presenter, political commentator and podcast host has been performing on stage since 2006, so that ’ s quite an induction.

“I’ve been doing stand-up professionally since 2013, but it ’ s really only from 2015 onwards that I can stand by a lot of the work that I did Much of what I did in my twenties was dubious at best The funny thing about being a comedian is that you have always been going five years longer than people think, and that ’ s a good thing ”

Some over-dramatisation may be at play here, although it ’ s true that Nish first became well known in 2017 as the host of satirical comedy The Mash Report, later Late Night Mash He has also presented BBC Radio 4 Extra’s topical comedy show Newsjack, the Comedy Central series Joel & Nish vs The World (with Joel Dommett), BBC Radio 4’s The News Quiz and is the co-host of the political podcast Pod Save the UK. He also appeared in Series 5 of Channel 4’s Taskmaster.

I ask if Nish was the sort of child who would show oﬀ in the classroom to make his friends laugh “You have asked two diﬀerent questions there”, he says in his distinctive sardonic drawl “ Was I tr ying to do that, and was I successful?

I’ ll say yes and no I think I was practising tr ying to do it for a long time Whether I was successful or not I’m afraid that is simply not for me to say. I have friends who I knew from school who are not surprised at my current career. Maybe the only surprise is the relative level of success ”

Nish was immersed in the comedy world as a child “I loved going to stand-up when I was a kid and I really was a big fan of various sit coms and sketch shows like Goodness Gracious Me and The Fast Show So I was a huge comedy fan and I was smuggled into comedy clubs from when I was around 15 by my uncle. I was just impressed with the idea that it seemed like the funniest thing to do It ’ s just a hobby that got out of hand

“I think I get closer to the style of comedy I imagine ever y year Around 2014 I started to do stuﬀ that felt as if it was narrowing the gap between intention and execution It ’ s also the kind of stand-up I do – as I get older what I do on stage is changing. That ’ s interesting, but it means that you ’ re always chasing something that you might never catch up to. Part of doing standup for a long time is realising that I’m actually doing OK But chasing down the dream is what makes it interesting ”

Nish is known for the political commentar y within his material, which isn’t always a safe way of winning people over “Using politics definitely opens yourself up to a diﬀerent type of criticism Comedy, if you don’t enjoy it, is in itself a deeply

frustrating experience In comedy an audience will not say ‘that ’ s bad comedy ’ , they will say ‘it ’ s not comedy ’ So you start from a position where if it doesn’t work it frustrates people If you then layer political references on top that they don’t agree with you are adding fuel to the fire. And then if you super-charge your stand-up with the broad tension of Brexit and the 2019 election, that ’ s when it happens ”

“Part of doing stand-up for a long time is realising that you’re doing OK. But chasing down the dream is what makes it interesting”

The allusion here is to a charity gig in December 2019 where Nish was heckled by the crowd and had a bread roll thrown at him when he was making jokes about Brexit during the Lord's Taverners’ Christmas lunch at Grosvenor House in London, and was eventually booed oﬀ stage “In my defence, it was only one bread roll and it missed me, ” Nish says

“I had become a lightening rod for somebody else. A focal point for anger with a particular group of people – and it got out of hand. The thing that was strange was the fallout and why it was so much in the press the following day The pressure was enormous and with the benefit of hindsight that feels absurd ”

Absurd is definitely a recurrent motif for Nish W hen he appeared on Taskmaster – which specialises in absurd tasks – he never won an episode, but did excel on his prize choices, including bringing in 14kg of curr y in a giant wok for ‘most awkward item to take home’ Nish says, “ The sort of impact of Taskmaster globally has been unreal James [Acaster] and I have both found that the number of people that come to see our stand-up as a result is incredible

“James and I also believe we are the only competitors that have been taken away from the set to have a personal telling off by [presenter] Greg Davies. Greg said to me, ‘ you ’ re not a bad guy Nish’, and then took me off the set to bollock me And the same thing happened to Acaster I think James was tr ying to get told off and he was ver y jealous that I got a specific bollocking I guess we both hold the distinction of being two spectacularly bad contestants Not even bad, but bad with flair ” Nish Kumar: Don’t Kill My Vibe –“ The title is

a Kendrick Lamar song and to the stand-up I do where the subject itself is not intrinsically funny

But hopefully the jokes are!” – is Nish’s new show and the content is indeed politically charged

There are likely to be jokes about climate collapse, income inequality and the emotional sensation of being a British Indian man who won’t vote for a British Indian Prime Minister. “It ’ s 80 minutes of sweet, sweet vibe killing”

Nish prepares most of his material well in advance: “I like to have a 60-70 minute chunk that is solid, and then I leave 20 minutes open for rewriting and reworking whatever is going on when I’m touring ”

Expectations are high. “ You are going to stand there on your own with your stupid f*****g opinions so you ’ ve got to make sure it ’ s good and that it works But one of the things I like about stand-up is that there are no rules and you can find an audience and work out how you get from point A to point B where they laugh ”

Nish has performed in Bath before and is looking for ward to freshening up his image of the stereotypical Bathonian. “ You have to mock specific places for their wider reputation and obviously it ’ s ver y enjoyable to make fun of Bath because ever yone is a millionaire W hich obviously isn’t true, but you pretend it is ” “ You are always tr ying to narrow the gap between what you ’ re actually doing and what you think you ’ re doing,” says Nish Based on his current form, perhaps what he actually does is all that matters.

Nish Kumar - Nish, Don't Kill My Vibe, The For um Bath, 12 October, 7.30pm. T ickets: £22.50; bathforum.co.uk.

Women’s Anella Reversible, Crop Bikini Top, £55, and High Waist Bikini Pant, £45, in Osmosis/Willow Green0

Women's Eldon Long Sleeve T-Shirt. in Willow Green, £40. and Apex 5-Panel Cap, £40s

Men's Lapwing Shirt. in Olive, £150s

Men’s Basset, Chore Jacket, in Ecru, £1350

Men’s Coverack Shorts in Pine Shado £650

Women’s Bailey T-Shirt. in Pink Smoke/Rouge £35s

Women’s Nieuwland 2e Yulex®, Long Sleeve Swimsuit, in Teal/Khaki/Aqua, £150,

The coast is clear

ome rain or shine, there’s still nty of time to swim, surf, hike d camp your way through late mer days. Our favourite picks om Finisterre will ease you nto early autumn perfectly.

7 High Street, Bath BA1 5AJ finisterre.com

Atlas Print Swim Shorts, in Folk Print, £650

Kelson Stripe Sock, in Sangria Marl/Red Stripe, £180

MiiR 12oz Flip Traveller Bottle, in Black Paisley, £340

Women’s Yarrel Jean. in Washed Indigo. £110.

Men’s Balance T-Shirt. in Pine Shadow 0 £350

Nautilus Crossbody Bag. in Dark Rosewood. £51e

Men’s

Vean Changing Robe in Navy. £55.

A city of great shops

Great cities need great shops, and this is a primary reason why people love to shop in Bath, work in Bath and choose to live in Bath Interesting, designer, luxurious, cool, or just quirky Our independent shops sell beautiful things with an unparalleled customer ser vice. And while market forces, shifting city priorities and high operating costs are a challenge to all retailers – Bath remains one of the ﬁnest shopping destinations in Europe. In this special feature The Bath Magazine celebrates many of those contributing to our cherished retail economy

MALLORY

1–5 Bridge Street, Bath BA2 4AP Tel: 01225 788800 Web: mallory-jewellers.com

HOLLOWAYS OF LUDLOW

37 Milsom Street, Bath BA1 1DN

Web: hollowaysofludlow.com

Situated in the heart of Bath on the beautiful Milsom Street, Holloways of Ludlow is a retailer of the finest lighting, furniture and homeware Oﬀering a network of over 400 international brands it has been the leading provider of quality design for nearly 40 years The showroom spans two floors presenting beautifully curated spaces while oﬀering advice and guidance for choosing the perfect piece for your home At the ver y heart of the business is the enduring belief that good design should look beautiful, function well and last a lifetime

Open: Monday – Saturday 9 30am–5 30pm and Sunday 11am–5pm

Mallor y is renowned as Bath’s destination jeweller Now in its fifth generation, it is one of the countr y ’ s oldest family-owned and run jewellers, established for 125 years in its original Bridge Street premises Today it boasts one of the largest in-house workshops in the UK, employing goldsmiths trained to the highest calibre, who create the most exquisite bespoke jeweller y, as well as fully accredited watchmakers, who are qualified to maintain the finest of timepieces. Inside the showroom you will find a majestic emporium of fine and contemporar y jeweller y, watches, and luxur y gifts and accessories from the world’ s most exclusive brands The imposing frontage may look daunting, however Mallor y ’ s oﬀerings encompass something to suit all pockets, with international names such as Patek Philippe, Rolex, Omega, Tudor, Fabergé, Chopard, Marco Bicego, Montblanc, Tag Heuer, Longines, Breitling, Georg Jensen, Fope and Mikimoto, as well as an extensive collection of jeweller y designed by Mallor y.

UBER CLOTHING

6 Margaret’s Buildings, Bath BA1 2LP Tel: 01225 464737 Web: uberview.co.uk

U ber Clothing is an independent boutique which has been trading for nearly two decades It oﬀers European high-quality accessories and clothing in natural fabrics, with a quiet luxur y for both men and women of discerning taste with more than a flicker of fun The business is well known for its personal ser vice and love of helping clients find the perfect piece for them Nestled in a fabulous location, with other exciting independents, on a pedestrianised street between The Royal Crescent and the Circus, a warm welcome awaits you.

JODY CORY GOLDSMITHS

9 Abbey Churchyard, Bath BA1 1LY Tel: 01225 470072 Web: jodycory.co.uk

Jody Cor y is an independent jeweller and member of the National Association of Goldsmiths with more than 25 years ’ experience From her shop and workshop in Abbey Churchyard, Jody and her team create beautiful, unique pieces which are the perfect way to mark any special occasion Friendly advice is available seven days a week from a team of highly skilled goldsmiths working in extremely covetable silver, gold and platinum and using personally selected rare gemstones Old or broken treasures can be repaired or remodelled to become exciting new pieces to be enjoyed all over again and a free design ser vice is available. Jody also oﬀers restringing, rhodium plating and valuations. Her shop in the Abbey Churchyard oﬀers skilfully crafted handmade jeweller y from inexpensive silver pieces to diamond-set engagement rings and wedding rings in traditional and contemporar y styles to suit all tastes as well as a variety of highly interesting work from other UK designers

UP TO SEVEN

ALWAYS SUNDAY

9 Broad Street, Bath BA1 5L Web: alwayssunday store

Always Sunday is a proudly independent, woman-owned homewares and luxur y gifts store championing local artisans and small makers to bring you limited edition finds you won’t encounter anywhere else Discover signature coloured enamelware, exclusive luxur y candle scents like ‘Miss Havisham’ (smells like the faded grandeur of antique mahogany and patchouli potpourri) and ‘Man of My Dreams’ (warm tobacco, rich sandalwood and the leather back seat of a vintage cor vette), alongside an impressive rainbow wall of tapered candles as you enter this aesthetically pleasing boutique

6 Pulteney Bridge, Bath BA2 4AX Tel: 01225 422333 Web: uptoseven.co.uk

Have you found this beautiful shop on Pulteney Bridge? Here the team makes and sells lots of dresses, reversible dungarees, hand-knitted woollies and of course the store’s famous and incredibly cute hats; strawberr y, Christmas pudding, Bath Rugby and more Up to Seven is a major stockist of Frugi and Kite, organic cotton, fair ly traded c lothes for babies and children and always has lots of appliqued T-shirts, dresses, hats, baby gif ts and dinosaurs. If you haven’t been in or if you are looking for a baby gif t, a frock for a special occasion or comfy c lothes for ever yday, then pop in to Up To Seven to find the perfect solution

9–11 Walcot Street, Bath BA1 5BN Tel: 01225 339009

Web: thebathhatcompany com

The Bath Hat Company has been a reputable provider of exceptional hats for the past three decades and has an extensive collection that will cater for ever y occasion

The bespoke hats are craf ted with meticulous care and attention to detail by a team of skilled artisans, and are designed to make you stand out from the crowd. For women, choices inc lude elegant accessories for a formal aﬀair, functional hats for a sunny outdoor excursion, or cosy headpieces for the colder months For men there is a diverse array of top-notch caps, from the timeless appeal of fedoras to panamas and trilbies The shop also provides professional hat-stretching ser vices to guarantee a perfect and comfortable fit.

WYLDE JEWELLERS

12 Northumberland Place, Bath BA1 5AR Tel: 01225 462826 Web: nicholaswylde.com

The south west ’ s leading designer jeweller, awardwinning Nicholas Wylde has been designing original, highquality jeweller y since first opening his Bath store in 1987 He has built up a reputation for designing outstanding pieces; from one-off commissions to larger corporate orders – all handmade, with great passion, in the workshop on the premises An added cool factor: Nicholas Wylde offers his own patented diamond cut, the dazzling Wylde F lower Diamond®, with more cut facets than a brilliant cut diamond for that extra-special sparkle You won’t find this gemstone anywhere else in the world. For vibrantly unique designs and excellent ser vice from knowledgeable and helpful staff, Nicholas Wylde is a perfect destination for anyone looking for that truly unique piece of jeweller y

HOMEFRONT INTERIORS

10 Margaret’s Buildings, Bath BA1 2LP Tel: 01225 571711 Web: homefrontinteriors.co.uk

Homefront Interiors is an independent gif t and homewares store – though small in size it packs a punch with its wide range and regular ly updated stock. The store follows a simple ethos to source ethically made and sustainable products with as many local brands as possible W ith a c lever mix of work by local artists and makers, displayed alongside handmade fairtrade products from around the wor ld, Homefront aims to support the small producers and minimise environmental impact. The shop is a treasure trove of beautiful things –handmade, fair trade, recyc led, or made from sustainable materials The aim is to be the destination store in Bath for hand-picked special gif ts and unique finds for your own home

ALFRED’S

27 Walcot Street, Bath BA1

Are you looking for great quality clothes for men at an aﬀordable price? Alfred ’ s, the pre-loved men ’ s clothing shop on independent Walcot Street has what you ’ re looking for. After launching a store in Bradford on Avon, the next stage was a second store in Bath. If you have clothes to sell, the store will pay 50% of the sale price once an item has been sold There are a wide range of brands and vintage pieces, all at an aﬀordable price Give the shop a call if you’d like to discuss your own items, or pop in to check out the current range

WADSWICK

1 Pulteney Bridge, Bath BA2 4AX

Tel: 01225 462300

Web: wadswick co uk

On the pretty row of shops on Bath’s iconic Pulteney Bridge, Wadswick has in its collection of men ' s and women ’ s fashion and accessories some of the world’ s best-loved countr y brands including Holland Cooper, Barbour, Schöﬀel, Fairfax & Favor, R.M. W illiams, Ariat and Yeti. Wadswick specialises in countr y lifestyle and their new boutique in Bath builds on over 30 years of countr y heritage from their flagship store near Corsham, the popular market town seven miles east of the city There you will find a large clothing collection, a huge range for equestrians and pet lovers, a shooting simulator and a smart, contemporar y restaurant. In Bath, their chic range of clothing is perfect for those looking for that smart-casual feel that will take you around the city and into the countr yside in style

CHAPTER 22 ROOTS AND RECORDS

8 Broad Street, Bath BA1 5LJ

Tel: 01225 780230 Web chapter22rootsandrecords.com

Proudly Independent, Chapter 22 Roots and Records is a ray of sunshine in the beautiful streets of Bath, having won the ‘Best ’ shop front display in Bath for the past two years, its unique floral and plant displays are a sight to behold This is truly a unique concept that combines plants, vinyl records and a coﬀee shop It ’ s not just a shop, but also a visual experience with walls adorned with graﬃti artwork from local artists

A YARN STORY

128 Walcot Street, Bath BA1 5BG Tel: 01225 429239 Web: ayarnstory.co.uk

This is not your average wool shop. The shelves of A Yarn Stor y are full of hand-dyed yarns, luxur y fibres and the hard-to-find. L ocated on Walcot Street in the heart of Bath’s artisan quarter you ’ ll find a beautifully curated selection of yarns from around the world as well as several proudly British brands including the store’s own range, Walcot Yarns W ith a staﬀ as knowledgeable as it is passionate about knitting, crochet and yarn you'll be welcomed into a world of vibrant colours and exquisite textures W hether you are looking to start knitting or you ’ ve been doing it for decades, you ’ ll be sure to find something that delights. A must visit for yarn lovers.

3 Abbeygate Street, Bath BA1 1NP Web: hauslife.co.uk

Founded by Bath local Kate in 2017, Haus has moved from the online space into a physical store, catering to Bath residents looking for unique and carefully-sourced homewares, gifts and furniture Starting as a pop-up in 2022, the store has now found a more permanent home on Abbeygate Street, adjacent to M&S, where visitors can browse a seasonal curation of beautiful products. From sumptuously soft cotton pyjamas, beautifully crafted furniture, thoughtful gifts and one-of-a-kind homewares, make sure to pop in to take a look and have a chat with the knowledgeable team

GOLD & PLATINUM STUDIO

19 Northumberland Place, Bath BA1 5AR Tel: 01225 462300 Web: goldandplatinumstudio.co.uk

Goldsmith and gemmologist Michael Parsons and his team run a delightful independent studio on Northumberland Place. The highly skilled team specialise in hand making bespoke engagement rings and wedding rings, as well as oﬀering a wide range of individual pieces to buy The studio welcomes all types of commissions, including remodelling. They also oﬀer a fine jeweller y repair ser vice. The studio has been in Bath for over 50 years and has a reputation for quality ser vice and craftsmanship A visit is a must for jeweller y lovers and anyone looking for a special gift or thinking of having a piece of jeweller y made.

COOPERS HOME APPLIANCES

13–15 Walcot Street, Bath BA1 5BN Tel: 01225 311811 Web: coopershomeappliances com

Coopers Home Appliances is a store not to miss Coopers has been a popular entr y in the city ’ s ‘Best of Bath’ list for many years and it ’ s easy to see why W ith over 70 years ’ experience, Coopers is a highly acclaimed and award-winning kitchen appliance retailer with an eye for the unusual The large showroom has undergone an exciting transformation and displays an extensive array of range cookers, refrigeration, laundr y, dishwashing, built-in appliances, small appliances, and much more The showroom provides customers with a unique live experience where you can physically interact with the appliances before you buy them. The store frequently holds demonstrations and events, and often collaborates with other local specialist traders. The expert team at Coopers is always on hand and is competitive when it comes to purchase, deliver y, and installation. W ith so much choice, the team will help you choose the right product to complement your taste and home environment W ith superb customer ser vice, Coopers aim to make buying home appliances a personal and pleasurable experience – independent retailing at its ver y best

THE BATH FRAMER

14–15 Walcot Buildings, London Road, Bath BA1 6AD Tel: 01225 920210

Web: thebathpictureframer.co.uk

If you ’ re travelling in and out of the city along the L ondon Road, you may well be distracted by the beautiful, stylish window displays at The Bath Framer O wner Kelly has poured her enthusiasm and creativity into this friendly boutique picture framers that has a quirky, tastefully decorated front of house and an amazing naturally lit workshop It ’ s a joy to visit for customers wanting to see how frames are created Since opening, the business has gone from strength to strength, building a client list of local residents and businesses based in Bath, Bristol and beyond. The bespoke framing ser vice is tailored to suit all individuals’ needs and you may well be tempted by the carefully selected range of gorgeous cards, gift wrap and stationer y which perfectly reflect Kelly ’ s taste and eye for design - and check out these framed, super cool old bus route signs for a great treat to take home

THE PIANO SHOP BATH

1&2 Canton Place, London Road, Bath BA1 6AA Tel: 01225 427961

Web thepianoshopbath.co.uk

The Piano Shop Bath is a charming, specialised store l ocated in the heart of Bath It oﬀers a diverse selection of new and pre-owned pianos, catering to all levels from beginners to professional musicians The shop provides expert advice, piano tuning, restoration, and repair ser vices, ensuring each instrument meets high standards of playability and sound quality. The inviting atmosphere, knowledgeable staﬀ, and a dedicated on-site workshop make it a haven for piano enthusiasts. Additionally, the shop is known for its creative projects, such as creating pianos for bands like Coldplay, and is situated within the creative quarter of the historic city of Bath

GALLERY NINE

9B Margaret's Buildings, Bath BA1 2LP Tel: 01225 319197 Web galleryninebath com

Founded in 2005, Galler y Nine’s current director Bo Collier whose galler y experience spans 30 years specialises in studio ceramics, jeweller y, textiles paintings and original artists’ prints. Pieces are selected for their quality, originality and craftsmanship. The galler y is frequented by collectors, tourists and local customers alike. The galler y curates an exciting exhibition programme three times a year in spring, summer and at Christmas focusing on unique and aﬀordable original British craft and contemporar y works of art

The galler y supports the future of its artists, established artists and the wide-ranging potential of emerging and new talents The Summer Show features wood engravings by Howard Phipps and watercolours by L ouise Young, jeweller y by Caroline Reynolds and Elizabeth Chamberlain Ceramics are represented by Rachel Peters and Yo Thom Galler y Nine can be found in Margaret ’ s Buildings, a charming Georgian street with independent shops and galleries. Open Monday – Saturday, 10am–5pm.

TAKE CHARGE BIKES

TILLIUS

4–5 Pulteney Bridge, Bath BA2 4AX Web: tillius.co.uk

Tillius is a family-owned business dedicated to curating eclectic homewares for those who appreciate the unusual in life This one-of-a-kind shop, situated on the picturesque Pulteney Bridge, oﬀers a unique shopping experience W hether you ’ re searching for that perfect gift for a friend or a distinctive item to enhance your home, Tillius is the place where you ’ ll find something that will make your guests ask, “ W here did you get that?!” Beyond homewares, Tillius embraces the unconventional with their intriguing room of curiosities This special area showcases ethically sourced taxidermy and entomolog y The shop also features a carefully selected range of clothing, catering to those who favour distinctive styles, as well as an exclusive jeweller y range Tillius invites you to explore its world of the extraordinar y and discover the joys of finding truly unique treasures that reflect your taste for the unusual Instagram: @tilliuslifestyle

1 Victoria Buildings, Lower Bristol Road, Bath BA2 3EH Tel: 01225 789568 Web: takechargebikes.co.uk

No one would argue with the fact that switching from using a car to riding a bike creates a host of benefits for both you and your surrounding environment. Exercise, even at moderate levels, helps to reduce stress and depression, as well as improving your mood and self-esteem But could it be that the idea of pedalling up all those steep hills around Bath is putting people off ? This is where the electric bike comes in, with all of the benefits of a regular bicycle, but with the added bonus of not arriving at your destination needing a shower Take Charge Bikes is an awardwinning company based in Bath with additional stores in Exeter, Woking and Cheltenham. They offer the widest selection of quality electric bikes from commuting bikes, tourers, leisure, folding, cargo bikes, tandems, and mountain bikes. Take Charge offers ser vice and maintenance on all types of bikes too. Anybody who is considering an electric bike is encouraged to pop along and tr y a demo bike An electric bike works like a regular bicycle but with power assistance when you want it Take charge of your life – you too can really benefit from an electric bike

What’s on

MUSIC AT GREEN PARK BRASSERIE

n Green Park Brasserie, Green Park Road

Enjoy live jazz/funk/soul/swing at Green Park Brasserie on Weds and Thurs from 6 30–8 45pm and Fri and Sat from 6 30–9 45pm Music includes dynamic duos, modern trios and a Hot Club style quintet

You can also watch the world go by with 2 for £15 cocktails 7 days a week on the 2 terraces located at the old railway station. greenparkbrasserie.com

PANE E VINO SUPPER CLUBS

n Pane e V ino, 5/6 St James Street, Bath

Pane e V ino is open ever y Saturday evening for intimate and delicious cand lelit dinners Chef Darix prepares three-course set menus priced according on what's on oﬀer –inc luding coﬀee and limoncello, prices can range between £34–£45 per person. Book by calling 01225 698063 as the dining room only seats 22 people For more information and menus follow Instagram @panevinobath, or pop in for a chat

B RL S I KI D S S U M M ER H O LI DAY

AC T I V I T I ES

Until 30 August, Monday to Fr iday, 10am–4pm n BRLSI, 16-18 Q ueen S quare, Bath

Join BRLSI for free, fun activities in the exhibition space and lecture rooms Each day offers a ne w activit y, plus the ‘ Name the Jurassic Crocodile ’ competition Highlights inc lude explor ing ar tefacts using your sense of touch to decide if it ’ s treasure; and collecting seeds, beetles, and worms with tools representing different beak shapes You c an also create a display c abinet to showc ase your key messages or create a 200-year-old optic al illusion For more information visit br lsi.org/aboutus/families/

I O P H I LI C B AT H – T H E G REEN

C I T Y YO U S EE

Until S eptember

n T he Countess of Huntingdon’s Chapel, T he Paragon, T he V ine yards, Bath

A ne w exhibition from the Museum of Bath Architecture presents creative visions for engaging with nature in ur ban areas It features designs by innovative architects, engineers and designers, which show future ‘ biophilic ’ visions of the cit y A var iet y of radic al ideas to inspire the future sustainabilit y and c limate resilience of the cit y. S tandard museum entr y. Weds to S at, 10am-4pm. museumofbatharchitecture.org.uk

S I S T ER AC T

6-17 August

n Theatre Royal, Saw Close, Bath, 7 30pm plus matinees Weds, Thurs and Sat

Don’t miss this eager l y anticipated ne w production of the Broadway and UK smash hit music al S ister Act direct from L ondon, starr ing Wendi Peters as the Mother S uper ior and L andi Oshinowo as Delor is Van Car tier T ic kets from £37 50 theatreroyal.org.uk

O P EN - A I R C I N EM A AT C LA RKS

V I LLAG E

6–18 August

n Clarks Village, 12 Farm Road, Street BA16 0BB

Enjoy an alfresco movie af ter a day out shopping at Clarks V illage The Open-Air Cinema will host three screenings a day (12pm, 3 30pm and 7pm) ranging from bloc kbuster hits to famil y favour ites and ’80s c lassics T ic kets from £8 for under 12s, £12 for adults and VI P tic kets with a

dec kchair and treat box for £20 The dail y 12pm movie is discounted to £5 per person or £18 for a famil y of four Under ones are free G uests c an also enjoy Clarks V illage ’ s unique mix of brands at discount outlet pr ices, its stunning landsc aped gardens, wide paved malls, restaurants and adventure play park for families c larksvillage.co.uk/summer-cinema-2024

G A RD EN G RO OV ES

9 August, 5 30pm–9pm

n The American Museum & Gardens, Claverton Down

An e vening of music with The Barrelhouse V ipers, a voc al-led jazz tr io with an authentic, intimate, ear l y-jazz sound, and a reper toire of songs from the ’20s to ’40s Choose from light supper and refreshing dr inks options at the Amer ic an Garden Deli amer ic anmuseum org

SUMMER FAMILY F UN

Var ious dates from 3 August n The American Museum & Gardens, Claverton Down

• Lego Build & Play Weekend (10-11 and 24-25 August) with brick model inspiration from the American Road Trip exhibition

• Summer Museum Trail (3-26 August) –spot as many animals as you can find, complete puzzles, and build a barmy bird ’ s nest from objects you discover on the trail.

• Outdoor Family Theatre: Little Women (8 August) L ouisa May Alcott ’ s coming-ofage stor y with costumes and a musical score

• Kids' R ave with Super Pirates (18 August) Jump into the star disco stor ytelling tent, and enjoy circus play and an epic dance to a c lassic American playlist amer ic anmuseum.org

Open-Air Cinema at Clarks Village

Summer Family Fun at The American Museum & Gardens

RO M E O & J U LI E T

12–31 August, 8pm, Mon to Sat

n Bath Abbey

Bath-based Antic Disposition invite you to experience Shakespeare’s iconic love stor y in a reimagining of the timeless tale Audiences embark on a promenade journey around Bath Abbey, tracing the tale of the star-crossed lovers through the breathtaking building Prepare to be drawn into the passion, conflict and heartbreak of the stor y like never before Directed by Peter Brook Award-winning Ben Horslen and John Risebero. Tickets £45/£35 under 18s. (And an exclusive oﬀer for Bath Magazine readers – enter BATH5 for £5 oﬀ ) bathshakespeare.co.uk

ALDRI D GE’S OF BAT H AUCT ION

13 August, 10am (viewing Sat 10 August)

n Online

Fine art and antiques sale, including silver, jeweller y, ceramics and glass, oil paintings, watercolours and prints, European and Asian works-of-art, clocks, rugs, antique and later furniture and furnishings aldridgesofbath.com

I F O RD S U P P ER C LU B: S I X - CO U RS E TA S T I N G M EN U 16 August, 6.45pm–10pm

n Iford Manor, Iford, Bradford-on-Avon Book a table for a fantastic foodie exper ience, with exper tl y craf ted food and dr ink largel y sourced and made on the Iford Manor Estate and live accompaniment from a jazz pianist. Optional paired wine flight available. £65pp (tasting menu, welcome dr ink, tea and coffee and live music) ifordmanor.dig itic kets.co.uk

BATH PRIDE 2024

18 August

n City centre/Holburne Museum/Komedia

Bath Pride starts at the Holburne Museum with a family picnic from 12pm-5pm, including live music acts and charity stalls The Pride march goes through the city centre from 1pm-2pm – ever yone is welcome to join to celebrate the local LGBTQ+ community, raise awareness, and advocate for equal rights for queer and trans individuals Larger groups can sign up on the Bath Pride website The oﬃcial afterparty will be a WIG! drag cabaret from 6pm at Komedia, featuring local drag performers bathpride org

GARDEN THEATRE COMPANY: AS YOU LIKE IT

21 August, 7pm Gardens of the Holburne Museum

The ancient Forest of Arden ser ves as the

backdrop for Shakespeare’s most famous and quotable comedy by the D uke’s Theatre Company. Music, mayhem and madness thrill as we are shown that “All the wor ld ’ s a stage” Director Kevin Bennett T ickets £16/£18 gardentheatrefest.co.uk

JAMES KIRBY

22 August, 8pm–10 30pm

Chapel Arts, St James’s Memorial Hall, Lower Borough Walls, Bath Award-winning singer songwriter and multiinstrumentalist James Kirby has captivated audiences wor ldwide with his mellow voice and distinctive percussive guitar playing Blending elements of folk, pop, blues, indie rock and piano, his compositions range from fast and furious to heartfelt and melodic, with James finding new and unorthodox techniques to make music from ever y part of the acoustic guitar. £17.50/£19. chapelarts.org

I F O P ERA S U M M ER S E A S O N 23–31 August

n Belcombe Cour t, Bradford on Avon

A season of sensational opera, funky jazz and revolting rhymes from If Opera, with productions of Lucia Di Lammermoor, Di Fledermaus, and Little Red Riding Hood along with a Picnic Prom with a performance of funky jazz by The James Taylor Q uartet. F ind out more at ifopera.com

B RI S TO L V E G A N FAY RE

24 August, 11am–6pm

n Document, 30-64 Pennywell Road, St Jude’s, Bristol

The Br istol Vegan Fay re br ings a selection of music, talks and food Music inc ludes loc al acts such as Albex Acoustic D uo and Emaline Delapaix There ’ s comedy featur ing Ishi Khan, L ee Brace and Cheekykita along with uplif ting talks Inc ludes a kids’ area

There will be lashings of plant-based food, inc luding 10 vegan street food c aterers. T ic kets £5. veg fest.co.uk/br istol-veg anfay re-summer-24

B AT H RE C I TA L S – B A N K H O LI DAY

P RO M

24 August, 7 30pm

n St Michael’s Without Church, Broad Street, Bath

A magnificent c and lelit programme of music with award-winning soprano Emilie Parr y-W illiams Parr y ’ s majestic I was Glad is followed with a selection of Br itish

7 August, 12 30pm for 1pm Booking essential

T H E S TO N ES

9 August, 6pm for 6 30pm Talk by Jeremy Key-P ugh Two-course supper to follow the talk.

S U N DAY CA RV ERY

11 August, 12.30pm for 1pm

FAREWELL TO SUMMER DINNER

31 August, 6 15pm for 7pm Three courses

Event venue: Q ueens Parade,Bath BA1 2NJ. For more info and to book, email secretar y@bathandcountyc lub.com or telephone 01225 423732. B

James Kirby at Chapel Ar ts

Aldridge’s of Bath auc tion

All screenings will take place at BRLSI

16-18 Queen Square, Bath BA1 2HN at 7 30pm on Fridays

Screenings take place ever y second Friday, starting 13 September 2024

For more information contact our membership secretar y on mail@bathfilmsociety.org.uk

We are a sociable film club that has run for over 30 years and we welcome new members

Our season of fers 14 films from September to April We aim to show thought-provoking and enter taining films from around the world as well as much-loved classics and award-winning documentaries

Members are invited to join us from 7pm before the film for a glass of wine at a nominal price, giving them the oppor tunity to socialise, meet fellow members and talk films

Film Screenings 24/25 Season

13 September 1976 (Chile)

27 September Manon des Sources (France)

11 October Family Romance, LLC (plus AGM) (Japan)

25 October Cairo Conspiracy (Egypt)

8 November Lunana: A Yak in the Classroom (Bhutan)

22 November The Blue Caftan (Morocco)

13 December Mid August Lunch (Italy)

10 Januar y Hyenas (Senegal))

24 Januar y Under the Fig Trees (Tunisia)

7 Februar y The Commitments (Ireland)

21 Februar y An Autumn Afternoon (Japan)

7 March Pain and Glor y (Spain)

21 March Land and Freedom (UK)

4 April The Worst Person in the World (Nor way)

folk-songs, anthems, and opera ar ias, culminating in a complete per formance of Handel’ s Coronation

A nthems. bathrecitals.com

F REE CO M M U N I T Y M U S I C F ES T I VA L:

T H E RO C K ED I T I O N VO L. 2

25 August, doors 5 45pm, music until 10 15pm n Komedia, 22–23 Westgate Street, Bath

Presenting five bands across two stages, this mini festival is open to all ages (under 16s to be accompanied by an adult). Featur ing Buzz ard Buzz ard Buzz ard, Alien Chic ks, OH T H EKI NK!, Hy pothetics and Bible Club Full y stoc ked bar and festival fare all night long Free, but book online komediabath.co.uk

A RT

3–7 S eptember, 7 30pm and Weds and Sat at 2 30pm n Theatre Royal Bath

A seemingl y simple purchase of contemporar y ar t – an all-white painting –ignites a hilar ious debate amongst three c lose fr iends W hat begins as a lighthear ted discussion about ar t quic kl y descends into a r iotous exploration of the blurred lines between ar t and realit y A brand-ne w production of Yasmina Rez a ’ s hilar iousl y funny play, starr ing comedian S eann Walsh, Chr is Har per and Aden Gillett, directed by Iqbal Khan and presented by Joshua Beaumont and O r iginal Theatre T ic kets from £30 theatreroyal.org.uk

W ES T O F EN G LA N D YO U T H

O RC H ES T RA

30 August, 7 30pm; 31 August, 3pm n W iltshire Music Centre, Ashle y Road, Bradfordon-Avon

Celebrating 20 years under the baton of muchloved conductor T im Redmond, The West of England Youth O rchestra per form S travinsky ’ s epic and re volutionar y ballet score The Rite of Spr ing and will be joined by soloist Alice Near y for Elgar ’ s rhapsodic Cello Concerto Alumni players from the orchestra will be welcomed bac k for this spectacular per formance of these iconic works T ic kets £16/£8 wiltshiremusic.org.uk

BAT H P RESERVAT ION T RUST EVEN TS

No1 Royal Crescent brings a range of family fun craft activities ever y Wednesday from 31 July–28 August, 10am–12 30pm Activities are drop-in, and are free with museum entr y (children free, accompanied by a paying adult.)

No1 Royal Crescent also has late openings on 15 August (6pm-9pm) when guests can wander around the twilit museum and take in the stor y of the house (standard admission prices, free for children)

The Hershel Museum of of Astronomy hosts a Starr y Sk ies Constellation Trail where embroidered constellations are hidden for a summer challenge. Drop in until 1 September (closed

LOOKING AHEAD

LI S T EN I N G I N O N H I T LER’S

P LA N S

4 S eptember, 10.30am–11.30am

n T he Pavilion, Nor th Parade Road

L ecture by Dr Helen Fr y, the foremost authorit y on the ‘secret listener ’ who worked at special eavesdropping sites operated by British Intelligence during WWII. Her groundbreaking research has shed light on one of the greatest intelligence deceptions of the war : the bugging of Hitler ’ s generals at Trent Park in North L ondon, and thousands of prisoners of war at Latimer House and W ilton Park in Buckinghamshire Doors open at 9 45am for coﬀee Free for members, and a donation of £2 for nonmembers. u3ainbath.uk n

Mondays), from 10am-4pm Free with museum entr y (children free, accompanied by a paying adult)

On Sunday 11 August at 3pm and 7pm

The Grotto Paddock (a field just south of Beckford’s Tower) welcomes an outdoor family circus show by Pirates of the Carabina. Tak ing place in, on and around an old-school London cab, with live music, an ingenious set, humour, and air bound per formances Bring a blanket/ folding chair Refreshments available

• no1royalcrescent.org.uk

(1 Royal Crescent, Bath)

• herschelmuseum.org.uk

(19 New King Street, Bath)

• Grotto Paddock, BA1 5TL

Seann Walsh, Chris Harpet and Aden Gillett in Ar t at Theatre Royal Bath

Starr y Skies Constellation Trail at The Hershel Museum of Astronomy

Free Community Music Festival at Komedia

Following the party lines

Take a play by Harold Pinter and shape it into a production that resonates with an audience That’s what director Richard Jones has done with The Birthday Party, with the help of a cast of six Jane Horrocks, who plays Meg, tells Emma Clegg about the appeal of Pinter and how she connects with her stage character

The plays of playwright, screenwriter, director, actor and 2005 Nobel-Prize winner Harold Pinter are not known for their uplifting narratives That ’ s because there were no rose-tinted spectacles in place Critic Ir ving Wardle used the term, “Comedies of Menace” to describe Pinter’s dramatic works, typically combining the ominous and humorous. “ The essence of his singular appeal is that you sit down to ever y play in certain expectation of the unexpected ” , says haroldpinter.org. Or in playwright David Hare’s words, “ you never know what the hell’s coming next ” Such summaries will strike a chord if you ’ ve ever encountered stage

productions or screen adaptations of a Pinter play, which include over 30 plays from a career spanning more than 50 years

Pinter himself described his works as an analysis of “the powerful and the powerless”, antithetical groupings that characterise so many of the confusions, injustices, vulnerabilities and inequalities within societies, communities, and households past and present.

This tussle of the powerful and powerless defines Pinter’s 1957 play, The Birthday Party, which is coming to the Ustinov Studio from 2-31 August, starring Jane Horrocks, Caolan Byrne, Carla Harrison-Hodge, John Marquez, Sam Swainsbury and Nicolas Tennant The fact that it is directed by Oliver Award-winning director Richard Jones was instrumental in Jane Horrocks’ decision to take the role of Meg Jane says, “I just love the work of Richard Jones – I’ve worked with him five times and I was intrigued to see what he would do with Pinter

“Richard is ver y forensic in the way he works with the text, and the direction and the play are always the stars of the show. I think sometimes an audience come away seeing an actor as the star, but with Richard, who is such a beautiful storyteller, it ’ s the play, the production and how it ’ s staged that you are left with It is quite tiring being in rehearsal with him because there is no stone unturned, and he’s relentless in his discover y of each line ” Jane – best known for her role of the charming but dim fashionista Bubble in BBC sitcom Absolutely Fabulous and for the lead role in the stage play The Rise and Fall of Little Voice, which later became the film Little Voice – takes on the role of Meg in The Birthday Party. The action follows the stor y of Stanley, a guest in a seaside lodging house owned by couple Meg and Petey. Two unknown men appear for Stanley ’ s birthday party, and the story descends into Pinteresque disorientation, confusion and paranoia The questions being asked are how do we exist in a world where nothing makes sense, nothing is clear and ever yone is scarred by the past?

So given that confusion is inescapable, how is it possible to make the play read to the audience? “ The challenge”, explains Jane, “is to find some sort of reality in the characters that you are playing It ’ s a bit like Shakespeare, really – there are no back stories. W hat ’ s on the page is what ’ s on the page – there is no place for another back stor y, apart from what is implied. A lot

Jane Horrocks in rehearsal

S am Swainsbur y and Jane Horrocks

“That’s what you either like or don’t like about Pinter – the fact that you come away with a lot of questions”

of it is about creating an atmosphere and all the characters are ver y, ver y present all of the time. Nobody switches oﬀ – you are aware of what a character is doing at ever y given moment.

“Meg is an intriguing character because she comes from a diﬀerent class – her father was a doctor – but there is also something a little on the spectrum about her, in that the script indicates that she wasn’t raised by her father and may have gone to a special school So that ’ s what I’ve been bearing in mind in rehearsals She’s not the brightest button, but there is something about her that loves domesticity and it seems that keeps her safe because she’s not felt safe in her younger life and she relies on her regular routine of breakfast and having food ready for Stanley and Petey. These are habitual things that she’s latched onto as safety measures for her sur vival.”

The attachment between Meg and the household’ s lodger Stanley is a strong one: “She has found a deep love for Stanley – even though he is horrible and disrespectful towards her, she absolutely loves him She is kind of in love with him really; he’s just the best thing in her life – her husband Petey is more like a rock, whereas Stanley is on a pedestal for Meg Petey, too, has taken on a fatherly role towards Stanley, but it ’ s because he sees how much he means to Meg and they probably weren’t able to have children – so this childless couple invest all this energy into this ‘ son ’ that isn’t theirs.”

Many of Jane’ s past roles have had strong comic elements, always enhanced by her broad Lancastrian accent – Bubble in Ab Fab (BBC/1992–2012), Fifi Forget-Me-Not in Fifi and the Flowertots (20052010), Julie in Trollied (Sky/2011-2018), and Babs in the film Chicken Run (2000) W ill the character of Meg have the same comedy? Jane is guarded in her answer : “ Well you never know the potential until an audience is there, and you see whether they laugh or not There are definite comic parts to Meg in her innocence and slight lack of intelligence – but I don’t like to say that until the play is in front of an audience!”

Communication is another recurrent theme in Pinter’s work, and in this play. “Meg’ s routine around the domestic world becomes her way of communicating. But it ’ s not communication, just repetition. Her husband understands that and he is also locked into the routine patter. The material for the two strangers, Goldberg and McCann, is very complex and wild but this uses the language of interrogation, breaking somebody down by repetition and confusion, rather than violence It ’ s the language to disorientate and confuse where all sense of reality has been lost ”

The play follows the format of Absurdist Theatre of the 1950s and ’60s, exploring the existential and the illogical nature of the world “ This play does not have an easy story and nothing is explained”, says Jane. So Richard [ Jones] in turn is not tr ying to explain what the play is about. That ’ s what you either like or don’t like about Pinter – the fact that you come away with a lot of questions, sometimes feeling quite bemused because it ’ s not a clearcut stor y and so much is left to the audience’s imagination W hy is Stanley so tormented? W ho are those two men? W hy is Stanley afraid of them? It ’ s important not to overexplain a play like this Creating answers is what it ’ s all about – that ’ s the whole point of Pinter ”

The Birthday Party, 2–31 August, Ustinov Studio, 7.30pm (Thurs and Sat 2.30pm). Tickets from £36.50; theatreroyal.org.uk.

Clockwise, from centre: S am Swainsbur y, John Marquez, Jane Horrocks, Carla Harrison-Hodge and Caolan Byrne

Nicolas Tennant and Jane Horrocks

Early photos of Bath @ BRLSI

The Reverend Francis Lockey’s calotypes are some of the oldest photographs of Bath. You can see 11 of them on display in BRLSI’s exhibition, The World Revealed.

In 1849 the Reverend Francis Lockey began experimenting with W illiam Henr y Fox Talbot ’ s process for creating printable negatives on waxed paper, which Talbot had patented in 1841. Lockey and his family lived in Swainswick near Bath, in a house known then as Swainswick Cottage The building sur vives today, complete with Lockey ’ s purpose-built photographic printing studio (now used as a conser vator y)

Bath Royal Literar y and Scientiﬁc Institution care for 86 of Lockey ’ s paper negatives, as well as 39 framed prints developed from them by contact printing in the 1980s by Michael Gray For the Institution’s bicentenar y exhibition 11 of these calotype negatives have been digitised, inverted, and displayed to give an impression of what Bath looked like in the 1850s, alongside the same view as seen today. brlsi org

Above: Weir below Pulteney Bridge, 1853. The Empire Hotel, which now dominates this view, was built almost 50 years after Lockey made his photograph. Only the roofline on New Market Row (on the right) is still recognisable. An old lane led down to the medieval East Gate and Boat Stall Quay, now under the colonnades, where a ferr y across the river to Bathwick once operated

Below: Coal whar f on the Kennet and Avon Canal, 1856. The buildings at the Somerset Coal Canal Company whar f at Sydney Buildings are still there today. At the time of Lockey ’s photograph, the coal merchant was Frederick Spencer – his barge is moored along the quay

It’s All Greek to Me

A beautiful Greek scene by the distinguished Victorian artist and traveller Edward Lear (1812-1888) is to be offered at Lawrences in Crewkerne on September 24th

The oil on canvas, 37 x 23cm, depicts Corfu from the village of Ascension (now called Analipsi) and it was painted in 1856-1857

Lear travelled to Corfu in December 1855. He stayed until 1863 and then returned in 1877 Having been swiftly enchanted by Corfu (‘it really is a paradise ’ he raved to his sister Ann), Lear found much to adore on the island Early in the Summer of 1856, Lear determined this theme from above the village of Ascension looking across to the Citadel of Corfu and the distant but clearly defined mountains of Albania

“Lear delighted in the pleasing blend of trees, the coastal landscape and the distant snow-capped mountains He adored the rampant wildness of the olive groves, ” explains Lawrences’ specialist, Richard Kay “The subject is scrupulously realistic and yet imbued with a sense of poetic wonder: Lear was quickly enraptured by splendid panoramas such as this He worked with an exacting and accomplished technique in thinned oil, with no detail proving to be too trivial to be deserving of his meticulous brushwork. We are really delighted to be offering this for sale.”

The picture will be included in the auctioneers’ major Autumn Fine Art auction, comprising silver, ceramics, decorative arts, pictures, jewellery, watches, furniture and clocks across four days of sales This fine picture by Lear is estimated at £25,00035,000

Lawrences are welcoming consignments for their Autumn Fine Art sales to include:

Silver | Vertu | Pictures | 19th/20th Centur y Design | Ceramics

Books | Maps | Manuscripts | Photography

Free valuations are available online at lawrences.co.uk.

Home visits also available throughout Bath and the West Countr y without charge or obligation.

A U C T I O N E E R S

South Street, Crewkerne, Somerset TA18 8AB T: 01460 73041 E: enquiries@lawrences co uk

1A Woodlands Estate, Westbur y, BA13 3QS T: 01373 822337 E: wessex@lawrences co uk

Gold, Silver & Platinum in any form or

1 1 Pulteney Bridge, Bath BA2 4AY

Wed-Fri 10.00 - 4.30pm | Sat 10.00 - 1.00pm (by appointment only) Tel/Fax: 01225 464013 www.nigeldando.co.uk

WMirrors are Artwork

CYNTHIA WIHARDJA Beau Nash Antiques, Bath

hen faced with the choice of decorating a wall with a mirror or artwork, it’s important to recognize that a mirror can be a form of art in itself. This perspective can help resolve the dilemma by appreciating the artistic and historical value that mirrors bring to a space

Craftsmanship and Frame Design: Mirrors are not just functional objects; they are often crafted with a high degree of artistry. The frame of a mirror can be a work of art, showcasing intricate designs, carvings, and materials Antique mirrors, in particular, are prized for their handcrafted frames, which may feature detailed woodwork, gilding, or other decorative elements that reflect the era in which they were made. Such frames can add a touch of elegance and history to any room, making the mirror a focal point of the decor

Historical Significance: Many mirrors have a rich history, which can add depth and character to your home. For instance, a vintage or antique mirror may have been part of a grand estate or a historic home, carrying with it stories from the past The craftsmanship of older mirrors often reflects the artistic trends and materials of their time, offering a glimpse into history. Owning such a piece allows you to bring a part of that history into your living space, creating a unique and storied atmosphere

Foxed Glass and Patina: The glass itself can also tell a story. Over time, old mirrors often develop a characteristic known as “foxing,” where the glass shows signs of aging, such as spots or a slightly tarnished appearance This patina can enhance the mirror’s charm and authenticity, providing a sense of antiquity and depth that new mirrors lack. Foxed glass can evoke a nostalgic feeling, making the mirror not just a decorative piece, but a conversation starter

Mirrors as Artistic Elements: Just like artwork, mirrors can be chosen to complement your home’s style and your personal taste. A mirror with a baroque frame can add drama and opulence, while a minimalist, frameless mirror can enhance a modern aesthetic. Mirrors can also be strategically placed to reflect and amplify other elements of your decor, such as artwork, creating a cohesive and dynamic visual experience

So when deciding between a mirror and artwork, consider the artistic merit of the mirror itself. Its craftsmanship, historical significance, and unique characteristics can make it a valuable and meaningful addition to your home decor A well-chosen mirror can be just as expressive and enriching as any piece of artwork, adding both beauty and history to your space. n

beaunashbath com; info@beaunashbath com; 07535137808 @beaunashbath

Arts & exhibitions

Toulouse Lautrec and the Masters of Montmartre, until 29 September, Victoria Art Gallery, Bridge Street, Bath

From troupes of cancan dancers to the legendary 'Chat Noir,' and the unforgettable characters of the Moulin Rouge, ToulouseLautrec & the Masters of Montmartre will feature 100 original posters from 1890s bohemian Paris in a fresh look at this era of artistic fervour and social revolution. This is the only chance to see Lautrec’s complete collection of posters exhibited together in the UK before it moves to its permanent home at the Musée d’Ixelles in Belgium, following a five-year international tour. victoriagal.org.uk

Steve Philbey at sandrahiggins.art

Steve Philbey (19 June 1942 –31 August 2022) Sandra Higgins Art is delighted to be featuring original paintings from the estate of Steve Philbey, many of which have never been publicly exhibited.

Steve’s subject matter is often political and always thought provoking. His use of colour and symmetry produces paintings that are both dramatic and beautiful.

To view Steve’s paintings, visit the online gallery or email Sandra to arrange a private view. sandrahiggins.art; sandra@sandrahiggins.com

Saturday 7 & Sunday 8 September

Combe Down Art Trail opens on Saturday 7 and Sunday 8 September. This is a bumper year with 44 artists taking part, including many new to the trail. As well as paintings, prints, photography and ceramics there are sculptures, wire and wooden animals, pottery, jewellery, box art and textiles. This year visitors can have a portrait photo taken, watch demos of stone carving, 'gravity painted' watercolour and collage and enjoy refreshments including lunch at the Peggy Dodd Centre.

There are venues throughout the village, with artists at the Community Centre, Museum of Bath Stone and Peggy Dodd Centre, as well as in their own studios and homes in the village. The street gallery on railings and in windows shows oﬀ artwork created by Combe Down schoolchildren and toddlers.

The Holburne Museum, Great Pulteney Street, Bath

Mr Doodle! Museum Mayhem, Until 1 Sept

The first ever UK museum exhibition of artist and internet sensation, Mr Doodle. Mr Doodle’s graphic style conjures up a mesmerising world of quirky creatures and anthropomorphic forms.

Henry Moore in Miniature, Until 8 Sept

Presented in partnership with the Henry Moore Foundation, Henry Moore in Miniature will include over 60 of Moore’s works that can fit in the hand. The first exhibition of its kind, it will include works from the 1920s to the 1980s. holburne.org

Combe Down Art Trail aims to encourage art across our community and to do as much as possible to protect the environment by reusing and recycling the red and green lanterns, venue numbers and arrows along the route. www.cdarttrail.com

BELOW: Caudieux by Toulouse Lautrec

Recumbent Figure (1938) by Henry Moore

Buster’s House by Steve Philbey

Combe Down Art Trail,

Combe Down, Bath

Loving Hares by Sally Gardiner

Lake reflections by Catherine Beale4

Kimono: The Making of a Cultural Icon, until 14 December, Museum of East Asian Art, 12 Bennett St, Bath

A series of woodblock prints tracing the development of the kimono from ever yday wear to high fashion, along with a collection of Japanesse objects from the Royal Cornwall Museum asssociated with the wearing of kimono. Open 10.30am-5pm, Tuesday to Saturday meaa.org.uk.

Paintings, Sculpture, Ceramics, 29 June – 31 August, Beaux Arts Bath, 12-13 York Street

D uring the laz y month of August take a stroll round Beaux Arts, where you can find an ec lectic selection of paintings, sculpture and ceramics There is a distinctive collection of ceramics by Tricia Thom

New sculptures which feature prominently are by Beth Carter, Anna Gillespie and Roger Hardy. On the wall are paintings by Jo Barrett, Linda Felcey, Ruth Brownlee, as well as galler y favourites Andrew Crocker, Nathan Ford and Helen Simmonds beauxartsbath.co.uk

Summer Exhibition, Gallery Nine, 9B Margaret's Buildings, Bath, until 30 September

Work by ceramicists Yo Thom and Rachel Peters, artists Louise Young and Howard Phipps, and jewellery by Caroline Reynolds and Elizabeth Chamberlain

Yo Thom’s wheel-thrown, functional tableware is influenced by Japanese folk textiles and the Dorset landscape Inspired by Danish design, ceramicist Rachel Peters hand builds her coiled clay vessels Louise Young presents intricate, contemporary botanical still-life studies Howard Phipps specialises in wood engraving, a method of relief printmaking Caroline Reynolds creates sustainable jewellery from precious metals inspired by botanical structures, and Elizabeth Chamberlain uses traditional jewellery techniques to create bespoke pieces informed by ancient relics and the Durham countryside. gallerynine.co.uk

Bath Contemporary Artists’ Fair, Sunday 11 August 10am–5pm Green Park Station, Green Park Road, Bath

The award-winning monthly Bath Contemporar y Artists’ Fair (BCAF) is committed to bringing the best of contemporar y art to the heart of Bath. It has created a regular space where artists can network, share ideas, connect with the public, and where the public can connect with art V isitors can see the works of local artists and admire fine art, photography, sculpture, textiles, ceramics and much more, all under the vaulted glass roof of Green Park Station. For updates and exhibiting artists visit the website: bcaf.co.uk

BA2 4EU

Bringing together over 70 of the most innovative and exciting professional independent artists from all over the countr y from Scotland to Cornwall (with many from the south west), the Bath Art Fair is the perfect setting for customers to discover new original art All artists are happy to explain their inspirations and processes and discuss commissions – visitors enjoy meeting the artists and find an emotional connection with their work

T ickets £6 online, £7 on the door.

bathartfair.co.uk

Bath Art Fair, 14 & 15 September, Bath Pavilion, North Parade Road, Bath,

Stoneware Vessel by Rachel Peters

Ar twork by Gill Cox

Ar twork by Monica Ceullar

Valuing our cultural spaces

Further to the announcement of a new basement gallery at the Holburne to open in 2025, Emma Clegg considers the value of cultural spaces, the region’s precious collections, and welcomes any increase in public engagement

Art and artefacts from ancient histor y until the present day document the stor y of mankind in a myriad of ways, and give us insights into civilizations and societies as well as into the human condition

Sometimes, however, these valuable stories are lost forever The wars in Ukraine and Israel-Gaza continue to wreak massive damage on these regions’ culture sectors. According to UNESCO there has been verifiable damage to more than 400 cultural sites since the Russia/Ukraine war began Aerial tracking in Gaza indicates that a significant part of the Palestinian territor y ’ s cultural heritage, including museums, built heritage and archaeological sites, has been looted, damaged or destroyed.

This was brought into focus recently with news of how dozens of artworks from Ukrainian cultural institutions were smuggled out of the countr y (crossing the continent uninsured) in an unprecedented operation that has now seen them go on display at the Royal Academy in London Works by artists such as Ukrainian-born French artist Sonia Delaunay, Ukrainian American artist and sculptor Alexander Archipenko, Russian avant-garde artist Kazymyr Malevych and Ukrainian painter Tymofiy Boychuk made the journey In the Eye of the Storm: Modernism in Ukraine, 1900–1930s, runs until 13 October at the Royal Academy Cultural treasures can also be taken from

us through lack of access Cast your mind back to the time in lockdown when we couldn’t visit museums and galleries. Gerie Herbert wrote about this in our Summer 2020 magazine: “ W hile all cultural institutions sense their fragility and many communities feel excluded from the wider cultural conversation, it would be easy to get downhearted Yet this is a moment for collective optimism, because the public desire for creativity deepens. We might be struggling to monetise theatre online or live lectures, but people are watching them, and we might have our head in our hands about how we move traﬃc through museums, but there is little doubt people want to engage with culture and this is why the arts will not only recover but resurge with greater vigour ”

Four years on, arts, culture and the celebration of the past is ver y much back on the agenda in Bath and beyond, although times remain hard for many. The unchanging reality for all museums is that galler y space is at a premium, and there is a need to oﬀer temporar y exhibitions with associated entrance fees It ’ s also true that it has always been standard for museums and galleries to have collections that are in permanent storage

“A wooden Asante stool from Nigeria or a small harbour scene by Paul Klee... these are all strands of our story ”

V ictoria Art Galler y has over 1,500 decorative arts treasures in its collection, including works by Thomas Gainsborough, Thomas Jones Barker and Walter Sickert, and space to show around 100 of them in the upper galler y BRLSI has an estimated 150,000 objects in its collection, eﬀectively oﬀering a magnificent resource for a city museum, and yet it only has a small temporar y galler y – although it has longterm plans to develop a permanent display to share more of its resources. The Holburne Museum has a collection of around 9,000 objects, with at its core Sir W illiam Holburne’s original collection, including bronze sculptures, silver, porcelain and D utch landscapes, which after his death in 1882 was

Above: Maiolica plate, An Allegory of the Power of Eloquence, Urbino or Venice, Holburne/Schroder collection

Women at the Apple Tree (c.1919–1921) by Tymofil Boichuk

Mechanical Celestial Globe commissioned by the Landgrave Wilhelm IV of Hesse Holburne/Schroder Collection

gifted to the city of Bath. The collection was later augmented with a collection of 18thcentur y paintings by artists such as Gainsborough, Lawrence, Ramsay, Stubbs and Zoﬀany

D uring and since the pandemic many of our arts spaces have developed digital platforms and ways of viewing work online that ’ s not on public display But physical space matters, and, so, cheering is the news from the Holburne of its new galler y opening in 2025. Architect Eric Parr y, who designed the museum ’ s 2011 modern extension, has come up with innovative plans for converting the archive and picture stores on the lower ground floor into a new galler y underneath the extension

The space will house one of the finest private collections of silver ware in the countr y, as well as paintings, bronzes, maiolica and gems. The pieces are on longterm loan to the Holburne from the estate of late British banker Bruno Schroder by his daughter Leonie, who is funding the £2 5 million project costs of the building work Highlights include masterpieces of silver such as The Schwarzenberg Nef (an elaborate table decoration in the shape of a ship), a

Mechanical Celestial Globe, The Aldobrandini Tazza (one of a set of 12 once owned by Pope Clement VIII); paintings by artists such as Lucas Cranach the Elder and Hans Holbein the Elder an inc luding Hans Burgmaier ’ s important portrait of the great Augsburg banker Jak Fugger and his wife Sibille Artzt; and masterpieces of 16th-centur y Italian maiolica and bronze sculpture, inc luding Giambologna’s Nessus and Deianeira.

The works in the museum will also open more generous circulation space on the low ground floor, with a new display area for many previously unseen works from the Holburne Collection Work will start in summer 2024 and will be complete in 2025 The museum will remain open throughout the project, but some areas will be closed temporarily from autumn 2024.

Returning to Gerie’s words during lockdown: “ That ’ s the power of art Humans turning to the arts in times of crisis or joy, whether those crises be personal or political, enforces just how central to our sense of core well-being creativity is ”

In recognition of this, let ’ s keep visiting and investigating our arts spaces, share them

with our children, and follow the voyages of discover y that await W hether it ’ s a wooden Asante stool from Nigeria, a 16th-centur y mechanical celestial globe or a painting of a small harbour scene from the ear ly 20th centur y by Paul Klee, these are all valuable strands of our national and local stories holbur ne.org

Stool car ved from a single piece of wood by the Asante in Ghana (from BRLSI’s collec tion)

Summer sippin’ spritz

Recommendations by

Tom Bleathman

from the Great Wine Company

The Great W ine Company is renowned for oﬀering wines from around the world, but did you know they also sell a large array of spirits? A fantastic, summer y way to enjoy these is in a spritz cocktail To make a spritz, just remember the simple 3:2:1 rule: 3 parts sparkling wine (I recommend the delightful Ruggeri Argeo, £16.65), 2 parts spirit (this will be the main flavour of your drink) and 1 part soda water. Here’s a few of my favourite spritzes to make at home, all available from The Great W ine Company Discover more at greatwine.co.uk

St Ger main is a French elderflower liqueur craf ted with up to 1,000 fresh, hand-picked elderflowers in ever y bottle, har vested each spring throughout Europe. Beloved by bartenders wor ldwide, it boasts notes of elderflower, peach, pear, and grapefruit Wonderfully refreshing

£32.50

Specialising in high-qual liqueurs, Vedrenne is fam owned and has been base in Nuits-Saint-Georges, Burgundy for over 100 years The Vedrenne Crème De Peche is perfumed like peach skin the nose, while the juicy l texture of the flesh mes through in the taste s like summertime in a ottle! W hen made into a pritz, it ’ s known as the famous Bellini cocktail £18

The Nonino family has been distilling since 1897, when Orazio Nonino first established the distiller y O ver 100 years later, the fif th generation remains at the heart of the business. The Nonino Aper itivo is made with 16 botanicals finely craf ted together, resulting in a lovely citrusy spritz with just a hint of bitterness

£22.50

Recipe

CHICKEN AND LEEK CARBONARA Ser ves 2

This lighthearted version of traditional Carbonara is great for using up leftover roast chicken and moves from hob to table in around 20 minutes. To make a vegetarian version, replace the chicken with 200g sliced, pan-fried mushrooms and opt for a vegetarian alternative to Parmesan

Whatever you do, don't waste those egg whites! Seal them in an airtight container and either store them in the fridge for up to 3 days or freeze them for when the next meringue-mood hits

• 1 tbsp butter

• 175g leeks, finely sliced

• 1 large garlic clove, peeled and crushed

• 150g roast chicken, shredded

• 150g linguine or spaghetti

• 3 medium egg yolks

• The zest of ½ lemon

• Dijon mustard (to taste)

• 30g Parmesan, finely grated, plus extra to ser ve

Melt the butter in a large fr y ing pan and gentl y sauté the leeks for around 5 minutes, or until sof t but not coloured. Add the gar lic and the chic ken to the pan and sauté for a fur ther 5 minutes, stirr ing occ asionall y, until the chic ken is piping hot.

Meanwhile, cook the pasta according to the instr uctions on the pac ket and whisk the egg yolks with the Parmesan

D rain the cooked pasta, reser ving 3-4 tbsp of the cooking water S lowl y whisk the reser ved pasta water into the egg yolk mixture Take the sauté pan off the heat, add the pasta to the chic ken and leek mixture, then add the egg mixture, the lemon z est and the mustard. Toss with tongs for a couple of minutes until a glossy sauce has coated the strands of pasta (the residual heat in the pan will cook the egg yolks)

Divide between warm bowls and ser ve straight away, topped with extra Parmesan and plent y of freshl y ground blac k pepper

Recipe by Melissa Blease

Take Two

Richard Knighting and Marty Grant’s route into restaurants has been far from traditional, which makes their food and wine experience at Corkage all the more exciting for the journey Words by Kate Hearst

Step inside Corkage on Chapel Row and you feel like you ’ ve arrived in the cosy surrounds of a friend’s house Rich velvet curtains, acres of warm wood, artfully peeling paint and an instant sense of fun from aﬀable owners Marty Grant and Richard Knighting provide the perfect welcome. Light floods in through skylights in the restaurant space and at this time of year you ’ ll want to make a beeline for the twinkly terrace and secret suntrap garden

The weather plays a key role in what ’ s cooking “ There’s a lot to be said for eating the seasons, ” says Richard, who leans towards the restaurant side of the business “I’ve always liked the idea of cooking what ’ s around, as it ’ s the way I grew up It ’ s lovely to have the world as a market to choose from, but it ’ s important not to lose sight of what we produce ourselves and what ’ s coming fresh out of the water or the land.”

The ever-evolving menu focuses on a key seasonal ingredient – maybe crab, cauliflower or pigeon – cooked simply but always packed with flavour You’re advised to order a bit of everything to share so as not to get food envy as mismatched yet beautiful plates waft past your table “The foundation is simple, classical cooking with influences from all over, using the best ingredients we can get with our own innovative twist,” says Richard

With a name like Corkage, the wine list is no afterthought – it is one of the biggest in Bath, with around 200 bottles, more than 60 available by the glass. The team are walking wine lists, handy if you don’t know your

Burgundy from your Bacchus, or fancy a steer towards something new

As the self-proclaimed ‘original winehead’, Marty handles much of the vinous side of the business. “One of the most interesting things are the people who make the wine,” says Marty, who loves a good backstor y. “You have to be a ver y special breed to care enough to make a really good wine that ’ s artisan, made with love and is a genuine expression of the terroir and where it comes from The best compliment you can pay a winemaker is that when you drink their wine, you close your eyes, and it transports you to that place The recognition of signature is the success of the wine It ’ s quite visceral, almost emotional when that happens ” Marty and Richard’ s own route to hospitality stalwarts was far from easy. A born performer, Marty grew up in rural Ireland and was on the stage from age four. He went on to gain a degree in environmental science and was on his way to start a research doctorate in Africa when he thought better of it “I decided to bail and run away and join the circus!” laughs Marty A self-taught acrobat and part of a physical comedy trio playing all over the world, it was a back injur y which put paid to his stage career “It was like starting all over again,” he says “I always enjoyed wine and when I was convalescing, I would often go to chateaus and vineyards and hang out with winemakers It reignited my passion for the grape ” Richard grew up in the north-east and has fond memories of picking mussels and eating crab at the beach. “If you ’ re eating mussels at that age,

“You have to be a very special breed to care enough to make a really good wine that’s artisan and made with love”

you

’ re fairly fearless,” he says Cooking runs in his family, so he went against the grain with a degree in languages before taking various roles in heavy industr y to allow travel to far-flung places to experience the local cuisine A career break saw a stint as a divemaster and chef in central America before he finally came back to London to take the plunge into professional kitchens. It was a chance encounter on a job that led him to Marco Pierre W hite’s Michelin-starred Mayfair kitchen at Mirabelle to meet its executive chef, aged 28. “Phil oﬀered me a job starting the next week and that was that; the oldest commis chef in town,” says Richard From there, he went on to open the Soho Hotel and worked in private members’ club 50 St James running a three-star menu for high-end guests before his wife Emma brought him to the West Countr y

The Bath end of things started at The Marlborough Tavern, when then owners Joe and Justin were on the lookout for a head chef “ We had a good time,” says Richard, “ we went to L ondon and won national competitions, got the rosettes and made the Michelin Guide.” He stayed for six years. Marty was running Gascoyne Place on Saw Close before the two joined forces

Corkage’s original pop-up space on Walcot Street opened its doors in 2015 and sad ly c losed for good with the advent of the pandemic

The duo is rightly proud of the impact it had on the Bath dining scene “No-one was doing small plates then, certainly not in the way we were doing,” says Marty “ This is a restaurant,” says Richard, indicating the surroundings of Chapel Row, “ whereas Walcot S treet was more of a bodega, with an open, experimental kitchen. “ The wine oﬀering was shooting from the hip in a dynamic way, ” adds Mart y. “It was like a sweet shop of wine and the cooking happened in the room, so you got all the bustle and smells It was a ver y active and intimate set-up ” These day s, while Corkage 2 is a little more polished, it ’ s no less for ward-thinking There’s a new head chef, Rob Thomson, conjuring the likes of tandoori poussin with coriander and coconut sauce; silky homemade venison ravioli; and old school comforting c lassics such as chic ken livers en croute with smoked lardons and vel vet y Riesling cream sauce The team are young, hip and truly passionate about food and wine. “ We couldn’t do it without a great team behind us, ” say s Richard. “O ur work famil y is extremel y impor tant and the dynamic behind our success ”

W ith a busy programme of tastings, a new Wednesday wine c lub, a steal of Friday set lunch to ser ve hungr y punters and a newly revamped outside space to complete, Richard and Mar t y aren’t planning on standing still anytime soon “ We’re keen to do a new project, in addition to Corkage, and we ’ re actively looking,” says Marty If it ’ s anything like as good as its central Bath counterpart they ’ ll be on to a winner Watch this space.

Corkage, 5 Chapel Row, Bath BA1 1HN Tel: 01225 724386; corkagebath.com

OAK

2 North Parade Passage, Bath BA1 1NX

Tel: 01225 446059 Web: oakrestaurant.co.uk

Oak restaurant is an independent vegetarian restaurant in the heart of Bath’s historic Abbey quarter Oak focuses on local seasonal cooking with a menu that is ever changing in response to what is available from local suppliers and their garden

As growers, grocers and cooks they sell, produce and ser ve food that is simple and thoughtful, with vegetables that not only look and taste great, but also come from land that has been farmed proper ly, without chemicals or over cultivation The wine list is made of natural wines that tell a stor y, from growers that use low inter vention methods Oak ser ves lunch and dinner seven days a week.

PANE E VINO

5/6 St James St reet, Bath BA1 2T W

Tel: 01225 698063

Instag ram: panevinobath

Pane e vino, located just behind the famous Royal Crescent in the lovely St James Square, oﬀers the most delicious coﬀee, breakfast, lunch and weekend dinner, all with Italian flair. There are scrumptious panini, bruschetta salads, pasta, pies, cakes and much more for all of your lunch needs (takeaway available)

Open Monday to Thursday 8am–3 45pm, Friday 8am–3pm, and 5pm – 8pm for happy hour

Saturday 8am–3pm and from 6pm for dinner

MONTAGU'S MEWS AT THE ROYAL CRESCENT HOTEL

The Royal Crescent Hotel, 16 Royal Crescent, Bath BA1 2LS

Tel: 01225 823333

Web: royalcrescent.co.uk

Montagu’s Mews invites you to enjoy dishes that celebrate the best of local ingredients W ith its glamorous bar and stylish yet relaxed restaurant, it ’ s a great place for creating special dining moments that become lasting memories Head Chef Martin Blake and his team create seasonal dishes and tasting menus that oﬀer a new take on c lassic favourites, and on sunny days, the outdoor terrace, with cantilever parasols and seasonal heaters, provides an idyllic setting for alfresco dining with delightful garden views

THE ELDER AT THE INDIGO HOTEL

The Indigo Hotel, 2–8 South Parade, Bath BA2 4AB Tel: 01225 530616 Web: theelder co uk

The Elder is a truly elegant restaurant and bar situated in the historic centre of Bath and is the place to enjoy authentic, honest and timeless cooking that uses the British countr yside and seas as its larder W ith the expertise and passion of Mike Robinson and Exec Chef Liam Goldstone at the helm, the focus is on sustainability, seasonality and British wild produce The constantly changing menu is a celebration of seasonality, featuring ingredients sourced locally and prepared with care. W hether you enjoy meat or prefer a vegetarian option, there’s something for ever yone. At The Elder, you will be treated to a unique dining experience like no other, indulge in bespoke cocktails before heading upstairs for a seven-course dinner showcasing the best of British wild food

THE ABBEY TEA BAR – ABBEY HOTEL

North Parade, Bath BA1 1LF

Tel: 01225 461603 Web: abbeyteabar com

CLAYTON’S KITCHEN

15a George St reet, Bath BA1 2EN Tel: 01225 585100 Web: claytonskitchen com

Clayton’s Kitchen is a firm favourite with locals and a must for visitors to Bath seeking a wonderful culinar y experience. This charming, relaxed and stylish restaurant is led by chef-patron Robert Clayton, who has achieved two Michelin Stars while running retaurants in Bath Inspired by Mediterranean and modern French cuisine, Robert creates uncomplicated but sublime dishes; prepared, cooked and perfectly presented using the freshest, highest quality ingredients To reflect this, the beautifully compiled menu changes seasonally and is accompanied by an excellent wine list. Enjoy a fantastic lunch or dinner – you ’ ll want to return. Open Wednesday to Sunday. Weds–Thurs: 12–2.30pm and 6–9 30pm Fri–Sat: 12–2 30pm and 5 30–10pm Sun: 12–3pm and 5 30–8 45pm

W hether seeking a moment of relaxation or a sophisticated social gathering, The Abbey Tea Bar promises an experience like no other Combining the timeless elegance of the Abbey hotel with the exceptional quality of the Hope and Glor y 100% organic, award-winning tea brand, The Abbey Tea Bar promises a unique and unforgettable experience for tea enthusiasts and connoisseurs alike. Guests can enjoy the opportunity to indulge in a curated selection of premium teas –sourced from the finest tea estates around the world – to partner with a delectable slice of cake or a tasty sandwich or two The full afternoon tea experience makes a wonderful occasion – priced at £30, it oﬀers a selection of finger sandwiches, warm scones (ser ved with preser ves and clotted cream) and a delightful selection of mini cakes Open daily from 11am–5 30pm, with an evening menu ser ved from 5 30pm – 9pm, The Abbey Tea Bar invites guests to embark on a journey of discover y through the world of fine tea.

COMPTOIR + CUISINE

5 George St reet, Bath BA1 2EJ Tel: 01225 684733 Web: comptoir pluscuisine.com

Comptoir+Cuisine is oﬀering a casual dinning experience in a coz y French spot There is an extensive and impressive wine list, featuring a changing selection of 100+ wines sourced from France For lunch and dinner, alongside nibbles and snacks, we ser ve cheese and charcuterie boards, inc luding our hugely popular baked camembert cheeses! We are pleased to oﬀer a delicious range of tapas style dishes with meat, fish and a wide variety of vegetarian options, always with an original and unique touch in our cuisine O ur experienced team will make your visit memorable Come and discover a little piece of France in the heart of Bath

DOS DEDOS

Edgar Mews, Bartlett St reet, Bath BA1 2QZ Web: dosdedos.co.uk

Dos Dedos is a lively Mexican cantina in the heart of Bath, with a focus on tequila, mezcal and creative cocktails You’ ll also find signature street food staples of Mexico City, with a small selection of tacos and nachos, which are great to share A cool city hangout, with a reclaimed vibe, bartenders are supremely knowledgeable, there’s a dogs-allowed policy and children are welcome ’til 6pm. There are no advance bookings due to the size of the venue, so simply rock up to get your margarita and taco fix.

THE COCONUT TREE

36 Broad St reet Bath, Bath BA1 5LP Tel: 01225 258855 Web: thecoconut-t ree com

The Coconut Tree team is passionate about sharing uniquely Sri Lankan flavours with the world. Small plates are ser ved in a relaxed, island vibe setting, mixed in with unrivalled hospitality and some great tunes. Experience an explosion of flavours with numerous vegan and vegetarian options, as well as meats and fish, all freshly prepared just as they would be back home Popular dishes include Cashew Nuts, Cheesy Colombo, Black Pork and Kotthu And nothing captures the island vibe quite like a ‘Cocotail’ W ith low- and no-alcohol options too, there’s something for ever yone! Good Food, Good People, Good Times

E xclusively for Bath Magazine readers, enjoy 20% oﬀ food in August! Include the code TCTBATH in the special requirements section when booking through the website.

ROBUN – everyday Japanese cuisine in Bath

Welcome to Robun, Bath’s hotspot for authentic Japanese food Enjoy sizzling meats, seafood, and veggies grilled over a robata charcoal fire, paired with the freshest sushi, sashimi, tempura, gyoza, and bao buns

LUNCH

Looking for a quick, delicious bite? The Bento Boxes, complete with miso soup, steamed rice, and more, offer meat, vegetarian, and seafood options bursting with Japanese flavours If you’re in the mood for sushi and sashimi, our chefs use sustainable, top-quality fish to create beautiful, edible art Enjoy your meal with sake in the outdoor seating area.

TEISHOKU MENU

A highlight is the Teishoku set menu, presented in an adorable Bento tray This delightful selection includes Hosomaki sushi rolls, a crisp mini garden salad and Miso soup For the main course, choose from Tempura chicken, Tempura prawn, or Vegetarian Gyoza, each packed with rich, vibrant ﬂavours.

YAKINIKU

The Robata grill is at the heart of Robun, where chefs create signature Yakiniku dishes Inspired by traditional Japanese cooking methods, this grill sears meat, seafood, and veggies to perfection. Complement your meal with small plates such as crispy tempura, savoury gyoza, ﬂavourful skewers, and bao buns

THEATRE OF FOOD

Robun adds a dash of theatre to dining The lamb cutlets, glazed and smoked to perfection, and the Grade A Japanese Wagyu Ribeye Steak, known for its marbling and tenderness, are must-tries For an adventurous choice, opt for Omakase, where you will be surprised with creations such as the 20-piece Sashimi and Nigiri Set.

Whether for lunch, a shopping break, or a date night, Robun welcomes you daily from 12pm onwards.

50% OFF IN AUGUST

This August, enjoy your favourite dishes at Robun with 50% off your food bill.Valid Sunday to Thursday throughout August* – book a table today, quoting ‘ROBUN 50’

* Terms and conditions Valid on a la carte menu only, valid any Sunday to Thursday in August 2024, booked tables only, cannot be used in conjunction with any other offer or voucher, max 4 guests per booking

Portrait of Bath

Tony Jones, co-owner and manager of Manhattan Burger Bar in Widcombe

Tony Jones has an outstanding, dazzling smile, oﬀset by his brilliant sapphire Manhattan branded shirt and his blue-and-white oversized check chef ’ s apron This vision in blue takes ser vice with a smile to new levels in the ser ving of burgers W ho wouldn’t want to sweep by on an evening, when feeling a bit peckish, to order a c lassic American burger and perhaps some tomato relish, a gar lic bap or some chunky chips from the take-out menu af ter a sociable night at the Ring O Bells or The Ram?

You’ ll find a c lassic oﬀering of burgers, pizzas and chips at Manhattan Tony explains that the runaway bestsellers are the Cheeseburger and the Manhattan and Chicken Nuggets with Gar lic Mayo, but you can also treat yourself to Jamaica Jerk Chicken Burger, Chicken W ings, Cod F illet Burger, Bacon Bap and Onion Rings. Those wanting to avoid meat can opt for the Manhattan Vegeburger or the Spicy Beanburger.

“Tony describes Widcombe as a village with a supportive local community full of independent businesses who take care of each other”

Tony ’ s parents, Chester and Audrey Jones, secured the lease on the building at 23 Claverton Street in W idcombe for him in 1989 af ter he finished his Business Studies course at Bath College (then City of Bath College) They bought it from friends of theirs, Mr and Mrs Wong, the owners of Peking Chinese Restaurant whose son Kit was Tony ’ s school friend, and helped Tony build up the business in the ear ly years. He had previous experience working in the food business, inc luding at Old Or leans Restaurant on Alfred Street and KT ’ s restaurant on Grand Parade Manhattan has traded successfully as a family business for 38 years – with a hiccough in lockdown – and, now run by Tony and his sister Melanie, is W idcombe’s longest standing business

Tony, who is a Bath boy through and through (attending Bathwick Juniors and St Gregor y ’s), talks glowingly of W idcombe and the ear ly days of the business when they used to welcome hoards of regular customers from the old W idcombe Social Club. But the sociable atmosphere still remains in the district that Tony describes as a village, with a supportive local community full of independent businesses who take care of each other

Manhattan, 23 C laver ton Street, W idcombe Parade, Bath BA2 4LD; manhattanburgerbarbath.co.uk

Photog raph by Joe Shor t, an award-winning photog rapher based in Bath. joeshor t.com

The exc avated Grotto in the grounds

Beckford’s Tower through the landsc ape

Visitors in the museum

The tower roof terrace with the solar panels

The spiral c antilevered stairc ase that Dr Amy Frost believes was inspired by the interior of a nautilus shell

Beckford: the reincarnation

Beckford’s Tower on Lansdown Road was the creation of William Beckford who inherited a fortune generated by the transatlantic slave trade. Its restoration ignores none of these realities, and is more rewarding for it, says Emma Clegg.

The profits of Britain's transatlantic slave trade funded so much of our countr y ’ s infrastructure and taking a look at individual lives in this period can unravel the reality The story of William Beckford (1760-1844), who inherited the immense fortune generated by the family’ s sugar plantations which provided him with a liberal income over his lifetime is a good example This money funded the building of Beckford’s Tower in 1827 and the purchase of the collection of precious paintings, furniture and other objects housed there.

The £3.9 million restoration project, which saw Beckford’s Tower reopen in June this year, has been at pains to recognise this association and all its unsettling realities The three-year project has gone beyond essential repairs to encompass reimagining the museum and creating new interpretation, as well as installing renewable energy sources

Dr Amy Frost, Senior Curator at the Bath Preser vation Trust, explains “Fundamental to the project has been bringing the stor y of W illiam Beckford’s complex and controversial life to a wider contemporary audience. Beckford’s behaviour was inexcusable – that amount of money gave him a level of privilege which allowed that behaviour. So we ’ ve tried to create a balance between celebrating this unique building and the extraordinar y collection, alongside talking about what funded it One was made possible because of the other, and that ’ s what makes it such a fascinating, challenging and dramatic stor y ”

“The clear-sighted interpretation of the past follows through to the restoration work”

The shadows of Beckford’s past do not just lurk within his family’ s wealth He also had an abusive relationship with William Courtenay, the future Earl of Devon of Powderham Castle, who was ver y young when they met The exposure of that relationship led to Beckford leaving the countr y and living in exile for 10 years – not because it was abusive but because they were both male. “So that is a problematic stor yline and its one that we had to tell and tell safely for visiting young people and families ”

Beckford’s exile was important because his buildings and collections were driven by his need to create a safe space “ The tower building was built for one person – he doesn’t sleep here, it ’ s a retreat, where he keeps his favourite things, where he can walk and be in nature But it ’ s built on Lansdown Road, the busiest road in and out of Bath, so he also wants ever ybody to talk about him and know that he’s got the power to come and preside.”

New displays showcase pieces from Beckford ’ s varied collections, including furniture, such as an oak coﬀer cabinet and stand commissioned by Beckford for the tower; design objects, with over 30 silver teaspoons bearing the Beckford family crest; and fine art, such as a Willes Maddox painting commissioned by Beckford’s daughter after his death, depicting a combination of rare historic pieces and new designs by skilled craftspeople

The clear-sighted interpretation of the past follows through to the restoration work “ The thing that has linked the whole project together is

the idea of honesty ” says Amy “How we tell the stor y of the tower is ver y linked to the building itself – we wanted to tell it with honesty and integr it y and through multiple voices S o with conser vation and constr uction we ’ ve tr ied to show where it ’ s ne w so you c an see the changes ”

The conser vation work has removed the building from the Heritage At Risk register and secured its sustainable future. This inc ludes the restoration of the external window grills and significant work to the top of the building, replacing rotten timber and adapting the building to cope with increased rainfall The building has also had solar panels and air source heat pumps installed to conver t the Grade I listed building to renewable energ y sources O utside, visitors can see the excavation of a hidden grotto in the landscape, and accessible footpaths reconnecting the tower to its surrounding landscape There is also a step-free accessible inter pretation space in the tower ’ s vault and digital enhancements allowing the visualisation of some of the spaces and objects

The spaces in the museum have a new presentation. “ The museum used to have red carpet and red walls, and the idea of honesty is significant here too Bec kford ’ s building had these elaborate inter iors, r ichl y furnished with his collection Af ter his death the building was stripped and many of the contents were sold There was also a fire in 1931 which took out what remained, so we can never restore the original interiors That meant from the beginning we could treat it like a museum and invest in infrastr ucture so that the stor ies we tell c an continuall y be changing ”

The one original interior at the top of the tower, which has never been open to the public, was created as a viewing platform for Beckford to sit and read and view the landscape, a space for just one person. Amy says, “ We have worked to create an expansive, interesting and inc lusive experience; this tower used to be a space reser ved only for one privileged man, now we want ever yone to feel welcome here ”

Beckford ’ s Tower Museum, Lansdown Road, Bath; beckfordstower org uk

The interior of the tower vault

Photo by Watson Media

As the 2024/25 football season approaches, we look back at Bath City FC’s record and their aspirations for the future. Simon Horsford visits long‐serving manager Jerry Gill at Twerton Park and finds out how he evaluates success – and how a manager’s challenge is to take on the role of schoolteacher, dad and counsellor.

All images courtesy of Simon Howe (@BathCityFCPhoto)

On

ball with Jerry Gill

It’s not me, it’s we,” says Bath City’s long-serving manager Jerry Gill as he talks about the club’s philosophy – one epitomised, perhaps, by the ‘We Are The Bath’ flag that hangs outside the bar area in the car park. It’s a sentiment that captured the spirit and togetherness of the team – and the fans – last season when they reached the play-offs in Vanarama National League South.

We are meeting in Gill’s small office at Twerton Park (a white board denotes the team’s pre-season friendlies: Bristol City and Rovers, Cardiff City and Port Vale, among them) ahead of the 2024/25 season, which kicks off on 10 August. Gill, 53, is in a relaxed mood ahead of a holiday in Greece and the day before had been helping his brother with some plastering, a job he says he really enjoys as it’s a break from the intensity of managing, which is “a part-time job but I do it full-time. I only get the lads Tuesday and Thursday evenings [for training and then for match-days] but in between I’m always watching games and doing something involving the squad, which is always revolving because of budgets and the leagues, which get tougher and tougher.”

I wonder what he might have done differently last season to get Bath City over the line (they lost in the first play-off eliminator against Braintree Town), “Well I guess two years ago we put a hand grenade into the squad – it was ageing a bit, had probably done its time and the level was starting to run away from them, so I had to make some crucial decisions and we came up with a three-year plan.” In the first year, they finished seven points outside the play-offs, but last season was deemed a success “as the in-house target was the play-offs. We also hit really good goals off the pitch too, such as averaging a crowd of 1,400 at Twerton Park, which is mental.”

“The atmosphere at the club is the best I have felt in six years, as is the connection between staff, fans and players which, I think, is because of the [more exciting] style of football, and also by bringing in more local lads.” [All the more pertinent at a club where the majority shareholder is the Bath City Supporters Society].

“Gill’s passion for the game is clear and surely explains his longevity –‘you can’t replace that moment at three o’clock and kick-off time’ ”

Last February, Gill hit the 300-game milestone as manager of the club – a role he has held since October 2017 with a 45% win record – a testament to the board’s belief in him. To put that in context, this is an age when a football manager’s role is a perilous one – according to one recent report, of 1,209 serving top-flight managers in the UK and the continent only 5% have been in the job more than five years.

Nevertheless, Gill admits there is pressure in the job: “It’s a results-based, cut-throat business, but I’ve got chairmen in Nick [Blofeld] and Paul [Williams, football chairman], who say it’s not all about winning all the time.” The National Leagues are very, very competitive, adds Gill. “It’s tough, with the London-based teams and some highly paid players and a lot of hybrid and full-time clubs.”

I wonder then what success looks like at Bath City? “We have probably over-achieved as regards finance, but there are always things to learn, and myself and Nick have also talked about creating leadership groups to reflect

on last season and to ask what we’ve done well and what we can do better. These will include the captain and the most vocal players, but the introverted ones, too, giving them a voice. It’s all about small percentage gains, such as whether we had a break for the players on a long away trip.” Another introduction was a post-training gym session, which contributed to an injury rate drop of 50%. Analytics play a big part in how the team is structured now, says Gill, who is also full of praise for the close-knit, “multidisciplined” team around him, including his assistant, Jim Barron, now 80. Success, says Gill, can also be seen in a number of other ways, such as in the increase in the crowds and also selling a player such as Jordan Thomas. The 23-year-old was something of a star last season but moved to Cheltenham Town earlier this year. “If we have a young player who sees us as a stepping stone we are comfortable with that and the board never put me under pressure to sell or keep players. If he gets a move to a higher level, which we believe he will, then we get a percentage of the sell-on fee.”

Gill’s passion for the game is clear and surely explains his longevity –“you can’t replace that moment at three o’clock and kick-off time”, he muses. He had an extensive career as a player (right back and midfielder) – playing for Bath City (more than 200 games between 1990-96) and Yeovil Town – but hit the heights during his five years with Birmingham City when they were promoted to the Premier League in 2002 and reached a League Cup final the year before. Among other clubs, Gill played for Cheltenham Town where he spent four seasons and was part of the side that reached promotion via the play-offs to League One. He then honed his coaching acumen with various roles at clubs including Forest Green Rovers, Birmingham City, Norwich City and Wolves; there was even a brief period coaching in India in Delhi, “a real life experience.”

The Clevedon-born Gill (where he still lives) continued playing until he was nearly 40 thanks to keeping fit and being relatively injury-free, aside from rupturing his ACL and later having a titanium plate inserted after fracturing a cheekbone. “When I went from [non-league] Yeovil to Birmingham City, being on top of your fitness and playing at clubs you’d seen on Match of the Day was the best feeling in the world – my last game for Birmingham was in front of 43,000 at Anfield [Liverpool] – ridiculous.

Odei Martin Sorondo (Hampton and Richmond) and Scott Wilson (Bath City) in a match played earlier this year

I’ve got a picture at home of me and Michael Owen.”

“I can’t imagine playing now, but managing is the next best thing. To sit and watch your team perform in such a confident way makes you feel really proud. I was excited watching them [last season], it put a smile on my face. I am ‘active’ on the sidelines, something I need to improve. I only got booked three times [last season], which is good for me,” he jokes.

Being a manager entails so much more than it used to. “Empathy, understanding and recognising each individual is crucial. There’s so much to learn – you have to be a schoolteacher, a dad, a counsellor, helping the players build relationships within the group and making sure the environment is right.”

Nothing, however, prepared anyone at the club for the horrific injury to Alex Fletcher in November 2022 when the player crashed into a concrete advertising hoarding at the ground and suffered multiple fractures to his skull and sustained substantial swelling on the brain. “It went from a game of football to a really serious situation that was life-threatening. I was the port of the call and had to stay in touch with the group wondering how they were feeling. I was the first to go and see Alex in hospital in Southmead. It wasn’t Alex, he was all wired-up with scarring across his head and the muscle wastage but credit to him, what an inspirational young man to come back from that and then go and play.”

Fletcher left the club to play for Weston-super-Mare and then went on loan to Tiverton Town and is also working for the Professional Football Association in the Brain Health Department. It was a tough call to let him go, a fact that still has an effect on Gill. “No-one wanted him back more than us but we recognised he wasn’t going to get to the level that he was before – there was trepidation and fear in the medical team, are we sure about this? Even though we had been given the all-clear, to be honest I was never comfortable with Alex playing again.”

because that wasn’t the case. As a football club we supported him in the best way we could and thank God he was all right. I don’t think I will ever be as challenged as I was then.”

I ask who he most admires as a manager in the game. It’s maybe not surprising that being a Liverpool fan, he jumps in with Jurgen Klopp. “Jurgen is my man. He’s passionate on the side[lines]. Always in the game and he embraced the culture – he was a Scouser. I felt that here last season – they are not an easy crowd to please and that’s fine and sometimes it’s been difficult, but I really felt there was a roar and I want to continue that.” One of the keys to that relationship is that “we make a point of win, lose or draw, I do a post-match interview in the bar and have a few beers.”

The most important thing, adds Gill, is that Fletcher got married and had a baby and has got a really good job with the PFA. “But it was difficult because we didn’t want the perception to be that we tossed him to one side,

He also points to former Cheltenham Town manager, John Ward, who signed Gill late on in his playing career [aged 33]. “He was a great manager… he drilled us tactically, a bit like [former England boss] Roy Hodgson. I learnt so much then, even more than under [the late] Trevor Francis [at Birmingham City], but I’ve got much to thank Trevor for because he took the punt on me from non-league [at Yeovil] when I was 26, straight to the Championship.”

Does he have any faults? “I go over-the-top sometimes,” he admits, “and am probably a little bit too demanding at times,” but he clearly sets standards via a style of play – the ‘Bath City Way’ – which he wants to instil at all levels at the club and by promoting a winning mentality. “Last season we won an award for being the nicest team in the league [the National League South Fair Play Award] and Gill says with a smile: “I’m not sure about that.” Watch him on the touchline and you’ll witness that commitment.

For the new season the aim is an FA Cup run “because that is something I haven’t been able to achieve and to get us into the National League, but the Cup is something we need to do for the fans and the club.” Roll on a cup tie against Arsenal, Liverpool or Manchester City at Twerton Park.

bathcityfc.com

Jim Barron and Jerry Gill

In striped shirts, from left: Tom Smith, Kieran Parselle, Ben Morgan, Elliott Frear, Dan Hayfield (behind) and Ewan Clark

Washed Character Oak

Bath business

LOCAL BUSINESS AND COMMUNITY ORGANISATION UPDATES

A QUARTET OF PORTRAITS

Bath Preser vation Trust has acquired four Thomas Gainsborough paintings of the Tugwell family

The portraits will go on display for the first time as part of Being There, the inaugural show of the relaunched exhibitions programme in The Galler y at No 1 Royal Crescent, running from 14 September until 23 Februar y 2025

It is rare for such family groups of paintings to remain together and especially by such an exceptional artist as Gainsborough, who was commissioned by a prosperous provincial

ROYAL HIGH IB RESULTS

Royal High Bath students who received their International Baccalaureate (IB) diploma results this summer once again outper formed their peers worldwide Their average score was 36 out of 45, higher than the global average of 30, and the UK average of 34 6

This year ’s cohort received a 100% pass with seven achieving the 39 points required for Oxbridge and medicine oﬀers, and Head Girl, Jess gaining the full marks of 45 Jess is heading oﬀ to Exeter University in September to study Medicine

Other top achievers include: Annabel who scored 42 points and heads for York to study Biomedical Sciences; Katharina who has secured her place at UCL to study French with Management Studies; and Sofia who heads to the US to take up an athletics scholarship at the University of North Carolina Pembroke Two A Level students took advantage of the school’s IB oﬀer and studied Mandarin and Spanish at standard level, both securing certificates royalhighbath gdst net

manufacturer in around 1760 to undertake this group of portraits They depict four members of the Tugwell family from provincial Bradford on Avon Clothier Humphrey Tugwell, his wife Elizabeth and their sons W illiam and Thomas, all were painted some three years after Gainsborough established himself in nearby Bath The portraits have until now remained with the sitters’ descendants and never been sold The set is received as part of the Acceptance in Lieu scheme, administered by Arts Council England

The four Gainsborough paintings will be presented as key components of a kaleidoscopic group exhibition of portraiture featuring 18 contemporar y British artists (including works by Paul Graham and Joy Labinjo) selected by guest curator Ingrid Swenson MBE. The title Being There is intended to invite visitors to reflect on the experience of artists and their sitters in the act of making the artwork, and to consider what similarities and diﬀerences there may be for the role of the artist in Gainsborough’s time and today bath-preser vation-trust org uk

NEW CEO AT ST JOHN’S FOUNDATION

David Hobdey, has stepped down after six years as CEO of St John’s Foundation, a community charity in Bath and North East Somerset Catharine Brown has been appointed as Interim CEO in a move that coincides with the charity ’s 850th anniversary and as it enters the second half of its 10-year strategic plan.

Having joined St John's Foundation in 2016, Hobdey became CEO in 2018 He was instrumental in launching a new 10-year strategy for the charity in 2020 This extended the organisation’s work to help under-served children in the region with the ambitious goal of narrowing the academic attainment gap

Catharine Brown joined the charity as a trustee in 2023 and has more than 20 years experience in leadership roles, as well as marketing, fundraising, Board and Trustee positions within local, national and international charities including as CEO. stjohnsbath.org.uk

NEW AP POI N T MEN T FOR WH I T WORT H LAW

Bath-based independent legal practice W hitworth Law has appointed highly experienced lawyer Samantha Taylor to lead

the probate arm of the team

Samantha, who lives in Bath, said: “I’m excited to be joining the team here at W hitworth Law One of the firm’s core values is to ensure all c lients receive a truly personal, tailored ser vice – something I believe in wholehearted ly.

“Dealing with an estate af ter a family member has passed away is an emotional period in someone ’ s life My aim is to take the stress out of the process at this diﬃcult time I want to ensure our c lients are given the choice to deal with matters in a way which suits them, and to guide and support them ever y step of the way ”

Samantha, who joins as a Senior Associate, will be working alongside David W hitworth, who founded W hitworth Law in 2021 and Jenny Davies, David ’ s Executive PA. whitwor th-law.co.uk

Jenny Davies, David Whitwor th and S amantha Taylor

Elizabeth Tugwell , c.1763

Humphrey Tugwell , c.1763

Automatic PAYE refunds will no longer be issued

HMRC has stopped posting out automatic cheques for tax refunds in the mail, forcing individual employees to reg ister a claim online to ensure they receive repayment of PAYE

As par t of the move to dr ive online usage and reduce potential fraudulent behaviour, HMRC has withdrawn automatic PAYE cheque refunds While cheques will still be available if requested, it will take up to 42 days or six weeks to issue a cheque refund

HMRC is now reminding employers with PAYE staff that it will no longer issue cheques automatically to anyone claiming a PAYE refund for overpayment of tax

Under the old system, all employees who received a tax calculation letter, known as a P800, which included details about a PAYE overpayment, but did not claim the repayment online, would automatically receive a cheque in the post after 21 days

Since 31 May, HMRC has stopped issuing these cheques automatically, leaving taxpayers responsible for making a claim P800 letters are sent out between June and the end of November. Now, taxpayers have to take action to receive their repayment, even though they are entitled to the money due to overpayment of tax

There seems to be low levels of awareness about the change and HMRC has included the infor mation at the top of this month’s HMRC employer bulletin HMRC stressed: ‘Customer s can claim their repayments [online] at tax over payments and under payments They will also be able to request a c heque through this process if preferred ’

In future taxpayers will receive instructions in the P800 letter explaining how to claim a repayment when they are sent a tax calculation letter by HMRC

Employees will need a P800 tax calculation letter to claim as the reference number from the letter is required to submit a claim as well as a national insurance number

Repayments are then made by HMRC using the online bank transfer ser vice which takes five working days or if requested online, a cheque will be sent within 42 days or six weeks

HMRC stressed that there will still be non-digital routes for taxpayers who cannot use online ser vices so that they are able to claim their repayments

It is also possible to claim a refund through your per sonal tax account, the HMRC app or by contacting HMRC and asking them to send you a cheque

Bath’s badminton champion

Paralympian Dan Bethell’s dreams came true after winning ParalympicsGB’s very f irst badminton medal with silver in the men ’ s SL3 singles at Tokyo 2020. He is also a two-time world silver medallist and four-time European champion in his category Dan shares his thoughts on his sport and training at Team Bath Sports Training Village (ST V) ahead of the Paralympics in Paris this month.

This will be your second Paralympic Games. Do you feel at an advantage because of the experience you gained at Tokyo? There are definitely advantages of having prior games experiences Many of the Tokyo exper iences such as living within the village and the intensity of the security and media at a games mean that I know what to expect. However, the impact of the pandemic meant that many elements were sad ly lost in Tokyo, such as having full stadiums and large crowds So I’m keeping a ver y open mind going into Paris as there’s still much I’m yet to experience

Does achieving silver in Tokyo inspire you more to achieve gold in Paris?

W inning a sil ver medal at Tokyo was the fulfilment of a childhood dream, and to do it as par t of the first Para-Badminton squad from Britain to attend a Paralympics and to be the first medalist made it extra special W inning silver was amazing, but it was also bitter sweet, falling at the final hurd le It has definitely inspired my recent form and I always use the memor y of the disappointment I felt losing the final as motivation to train hard ever y day, so that when the time comes in Paris I’m in the best shape possible to win gold

Was badminton your ﬁrst choice of sport?

My first sport was tennis. However, after being inspired by the 2008 Beijing Paralympics and wanting to get involved I found that the only category in tennis at the Paralympics was for wheelchair athletes Badminton suited me as I could transfer some of my tennis skills, such as hand-eye coordination My best skills are my control and touch, particularly around the net My category is half-court singles, which can aptly be described as the ‘marathon event ’ in badminton It ’ s a highly physical event, and I believe that this plays into my strengths as a player

Did you always intend to be an athlete?

I’d always dreamt of being an athlete but for a long time it never looked possible W hen I first star ted play ing Para-badminton was not a Paralympic sport, so there was minimal funding available. I studied a law degree and a masters degree at the University of Bristol with the idea of becoming a lawyer, with badminton something I could continue alongside It wasn’t until badminton was introduced into the Paralympic programme for Tokyo and the sport received UK Sport funding back in 2018 that my dream could become a reality

What has been your experience at STV?

I first started playing tennis when I was 10 at the Sports Training V illage and I did this for a couple of years. W hen I became interested in badminton, my tennis coach put me in contact with the badminton coach. I started attending the Team Bath futures sessions in 2012 until 2018 when I went full time This was invaluable, giving me a core understanding of the sport

In recent years, I have often used the training facilities when I’m not in Sheﬃeld – where I train full-time with the British Para Badminton Squad –and have sparred with the university team The facilities and services at Bath are second to none, and it has been amazing to use the world-class badminton training, strength and conditioning, and physio ser vices. It has enabled me to maintain the high standard of training that I need.

How do you balance training in Sheffield with the British Para Badminton Squad with training at the STV?

My team in Sheffield have put a lot of time and hard work in to create an individualised programme for me that we know keeps me injur y free and performing at my best It has taken years to get right and takes a lot of effort to implement effectively One of the best things about the team

at Bath is their willingness to talk to my team up in Sheffield, and really buy into my ambitions and goals and adapt as best as possible to make sure training in Bath is as good as it is in Sheffield There are obvious differences in the way that the two programs operate, so this communication and buy in from Bath has been crucial for me to train effectively and safely when at the STV

How do you plan your game tactics?

There so many good players in my categor y, and the depth is growing year on year. We do a lot of analysis of all my opponents, as they all have different strengths and weaknesses. In Para-Badminton players with different disabilities compete against each other at the highest level This adds an extra element as there is such a broad range of physical capabilities among the athletes that can influence how I approach a match Each game plan is different and no two matches are ever the same My biggest rival going into Paris is Nitesh Kumar from India We’ve had lots of c lose matches over the last year and he’s a ver y good player, with exceptional racket skills, and I always need to make sure I’m on it when playing him.

How much has the sport changed over the time you have been involved?

Para-Badminton has changed hugely Back in 2010 para-badminton was ver y much an amateur sport You went because you enjoyed playing, but also there was a great social environment oﬀ court You’d of ten go out for dinners and drinks with players from other nations Since Para-badminton entered the Paralympics, the sport has become much more professional Despite this the sport remains friendly and inclusive and I have made great friendships with athletes from all over the world. I would encourage anyone to come along and tr y it!! n

Athletes selected for the Paralympic GB team from the University of Bath (teambath.com)

ParalympicsGB para-badminton squad: Dan Bethell

ParalympicsGB swimming squad: Suzanna Hext

ParalympicsGB wheelchair fencing squad: Gemma Collis, Dimitri Coutya, Piers Gilliver, Oliver Lam-Watson

ParalympicsGB para-triathlon: Michael Taylor

Paralympic Games Paris 2024: 28 August – 8 September paralympic org/paris-2024

Wheelchair fencers

Piers Gilliver and Oliver Lam-Watson

Inspiring young lives

Mentoring Plus has partnered with Kingswood School to create a Peer Mentoring Programme between older students at Kingswood and those from Years 6-8. The results have brought clear benef its for pupils and for the school community.

A collaboration between Kingswood School and local youth charity Mentoring P lus has led to the introduction of a Peer Mentoring Programme in the school. This helps young people of all ages and from diﬀerent communities to connect and is so popular that it is consistently oversubscribed.

The project was launched in Januar y 2022, following the disruption and isolation caused by the pandemic The idea was to harness Mentoring Plus’ 25 years of experience training volunteer mentors and supporting young people, and equip Kingswood pupils with the skills to mentor their fellow students in Year 7 and 8, and Year 6 students of neighbouring primar y school, St Andrew ’ s

"We are delighted to have partnered with Mentoring Plus to provide our students with the opportunity to learn important life skills”, explains Kingswood’ s Headmaster, Andrew Gordon-Brown. “ We’d heard about the positive impact Mentoring Plus had made with similar programmes for other schools, and we felt they aligned with our own ethos ”

Kingswood, which prides itself on the outreach opportunities it oﬀers its students within the local community, hoped the programme would prove popular, and indeed it is consistently oversubscribed – this year Kingswood had to run a ballot, with 80 students applying for 50 places

“The skills our students learn through peer mentoring and the enjoyment they get from spending time one-to-one with young people is so valuable inside and outside of school”, says Barney Stuttard, Assistant Head of Sixth Form “ The communication, independence and emotional intelligence skills learnt benefit them hugely and they enjoy the sessions immensely The celebration events we hold at the end of the programme are such joyful occasions, seeing the connections and bonds the students have formed ”

The ethos behind the programme is for students to create connections, have fun and engage with a mentor who is empathetic and kind. For children, this often lends itself to having a playful time together, which for a child experiencing challenges at school can be just what they need.

“ Young people find it much easier to chat about what ’ s on their mind if they are doing something with someone they trust, such as playing a game or going for a walk A simple activity takes the pressure oﬀ and

creates the space for a young person to open up if they want to,” explains Mentoring Plus’ Head of Practice, Helen Goodchild.

Each weekly mentoring session lasts for one hour, with Kingswood peer mentors either mentoring in school or travelling to one of the partner primar y schools, St Andrew ’ s or Abbot Alphege Academy

St Andrew ’ s Deputy Head, Tamsin Stephen says, “ There are no set objectives – mentors are trained thoroughly and supported by both schools and after that, the process is beautifully organic The children and mentors attune and play alongside each other in really meaningful ways that we, as adults, could never plan for.”

Peer mentors are trained by Mentoring P lus in the basics of safeguarding and learn how behaviour is a form of communication, whilst exploring how to work alongside mentees, building their confidence to be a trusted older role model Peer mentors are supported by a member of staﬀ, who manages the matching of mentors and mentees and provides super vision and support

One Year 12 Kingswood mentor commented, “Mentoring Plus was an amazing experience – the course helped me to develop my communication skills, including empathy, which allowed me to support my mentee better. O ver the time period, you feel a real bond with your mentee which makes it an unforgettable experience.”

Kingswood School’s ethos is dedicated to supporting its students and the wider community and the programme is achieving these goals Andrew Gordon-Brown says, “ We have realised that peer mentoring has the potential to connect and inspire a whole generation of young people in Bath If more schools could join us in partnering with Mentoring Plus, together we could create a kinder community ”

Kingswood is set to continue its partnership with Mentoring Plus, with a further round of training planned for October. Mentoring Plus, a local charity which depends on the support of its community to continue the deliver y of life-changing support for young people aged 5-25 years old, is now seeking more schools in Bath & North East Somerset to partner with and extend the impact of peer mentoring in the local community

To find out more about peer mentor ing or how you can suppor t the vital work of Mentor ing P lus, visit mentor ing plus.net or contact r uth.keily@mentor ing plus.net; kingswood.bath.sch.uk

Go to your Dream University with Bath Academy

Results Day can be a day full of joy However, for those who do not achieve the grades they were hoping for it can be a very stressful period: university rejections, fear of failure and uncertainty of next steps

Bath Academy continues to guide prospective families through these difficult times, and has done so for over a decade Below is an overview of steps to consider on Results Day on the 15th of August:

• Examination results will be released by schools early in the morning, typically via email

• Universities will have updated their decisions for each student on UCAS at the same time:

• Those that meet the entry requirements will be offered a place

• Those who do not receive an offer from any of their chosen universities will be informed

• Students who have not received an offer have the option of applying through Clearing (a process which can present an opportunity for students to gain a place on a course at another university if they have unfilled spaces)

• Students can speak with their school or college about further options, however, they can also ring and speak with universities that they had hoped to gain entrance to and ascertain whether there are spaces still available on other similar degree courses

• Other students who wish to stick to their first-choice top-ranked university will choose to Resit their A Levels

Bath Academy continues to offer impartial advice to families who are unsure of their next steps, on, and following, Results Day each year This can be done over the phone, or by booking a time to visit the college to speak with the Principal, Mr Naylor, who will discuss a wide-range of potential options with families at 27 Queen Square.

For those who choose to come to Bath Academy, they will undertake a One Year A Level Resit programme, are taught in small class sizes of (no more than) 8 students and the teaching style is specifically tailored to apply student knowledge to examination questions The average grade improvement over the past three years has been two grades (or more) for students who Resit their A Levels

You can contact Bath Academy on 01225 334 577 or via admissions@bathacademy.co.uk www.bathacademy.co.uk

Beauty notebook

CHANEL Blush and highlighter duo, Light and Berr y, £60 New releases with captivating colours and fragrances...

CHANEL

Stylo Ombre et Contour eyeshadow/ liner/kohl, Nuage Bleu, £34

CHANEL Le Vernis, Reveuse, £29

CHANEL Jardin Imaginaire: Summer 2024

makeup collection

LIMITED EDITION

CHANEL Baume Essentiel, Solar Glow, £38

This season, Global Makeup Creative Partner Ammy Drammeh explores the power of colour and infuses a creative energ y into CHANEL makeup Steeped in the hues of luxuriant nature, her incredible maze of colour designed for this collection is rich in varied shades and imaginative nuances chanel.com

PENHALIGON’S

Liquid Love Eau de Parfum

A passionate eau de parfum to set hearts a-flutter Spicy rushes of pink pepper, ginger and turmeric lock in fier y embrace with chilli and musk Be warned: one spritz too many may cause swooning 100ml/£195 penhaligons.com

JO MALONE LONDON

Orange Marmalade Cologne

LIMITED EDITION

O ur favourite Paddington Bear has inspired a limited-edition collection Here is a cologne that celebrates his favourite snack, a marmalade sandwich This is in the great tradition of marmalade making –warm woods are blended with orange zest to create a mar vellous, golden fragrance A refined take on this most British preser ve 100ml/ £124 jomalone.co.uk

APPOINTMENTS

Routine check ups

Invisalign

Hygienist appointments

Teeth whitening

Implants

Hassan Sheikh - Dentist DBS

ADVANCED BLEMISH REMOVAL & REDUCTION

Do you have any of these?

All of these blemishes can be successfully reduced or removed by Advanced Electrolysis

SEMI PERMANENT MAKEUP

is for ever yone Anti-age your brows

Specialising in creating the natural look for eyebrows, eyeliner, lip line & lip blush

Non-invasive body sculpting treatments to help reduce cellulite, lift, firm and tighten the skin and help break down body fat.

The lost gardens of Piercefield

Unlike Prior Park or Stourhead, Piercefield Park, near Chepstow, is now a shadow of its former self

The reason it was such a Mecca for fashionable visitors was because of its unrivalled location. On the eastern side, its rolling acres came to an abrupt end on the edge of precipitous cliﬀs high above the River Wye In 1752, af ter an Antiguan plantation owner called Valentine Morris inherited the estate, he laid out paths along the escarpment, winding past grottoes, caves and vertiginous viewing platforms

Morris was a lavish host, eager to show off Piercefield’s picturesque glories, and it was soon one of the most popular tourist attractions in the countr y So extravagant was he that he eventually had to sell it off to pay his debts Piercefield’ s fame was revived, however, when a wealthy socialite called Nathaniel Wells took it over in 1802 Wells’s father owned sugar plantations on St Kitts, but his mother was an enslaved worker on one of his estates. As his father ’ s only son, however, in 1800 he came into an inheritance worth around £120,000, most of which went to pay for Piercefield Dividing his time between his new acquisition and a town house in Bath, Wells’s hospitality was as lavish as Morris’s, and he was appointed Deputy L ord Lieutenant and Sheriff of Monmouthshire

By the time he died in 1852, however, the estate was already in disrepair Thereafter things went from bad to worse Nature reclaimed the once celebrated walks, part of the park disappeared under Chepstow Racecourse, and the great house was finally abandoned. Today there is open access to much of the park and the woods along the escarpment – now designated ancient woodland – are managed by Gwent W ildlife Trust

Some of the paths can still be followed, although tall trees hide many of the viewpoints and some sections are perilous At times, the path runs along a narrow ledge with a sheer drop below. At others, were you to lose your footing – and the paths are rough and narrow – there would be little to prevent you sliding down towards the cliﬀ edge

Given such hazards, it is not surprising that the Visit Monmouthshire website has removed Piercefield from its list of suggested walks until such time as a safer route bypassing the worst sections can be found. The walk outlined here, however, while it is has rough and occasionally steep sections, should pose no such dangers. W hile it doesn’t include some of Piercefield’ s more spectacular landscape features, it gives a good idea of why it was once such a Mecca for seekers after the picturesque

To start the walk and get to Piercefield, head west along the M48 across the Severn Bridge,

leave the motor way at junction 2 and head north along the A466 for two miles, carr ying on at the first roundabout but turning right at the second to take the B4293 for Chepstow

As you drive round the roundabout, you pass some imposing gates which today lead into Chepstow Racecourse but were originally the entrance to Piercefield Park After 300m, turn left into Chepstow Leisure Centre and park at the far end of the car park

Walk back to the road and turn right – look out for the cottage-style turnpike house a little way along on the left After 350m (immediately past the entrance to the Cloisters) turn right up a path which leads though a gateway onto a woodland path. Keep to the main path, and after 450m, as it starts to descend, look to the right to see the foundations of a complex of small buildings, no information on whose origins seems forthcoming

Af ter dropping downhill, the path leads through a gateway into Piercefield Park, across whose rolling acres lie vistas of distant hills. You should be able to spot the Severn Bridge. On your left is the racecourse, laid out in 1926. As you carr y on, the ruined shell of Piercefield House comes into view As you draw near, a waymark on the right directs you along a grassy track past its south front, passing equally splendid but ruinous stables over to your left

Piercefield House

Edgeworth Church

This month’s walk from Andrew Swift features a visit to what was once one of Britain’s most celebrated landscape gardens – Pierceﬁeld Park, near Chepstow.

Carr y on past the house, following a track into wood land, with a barbed wire fence on your lef t Af ter crossing a stile, carr y on in the same direction, heading down a steep trac k which leads to the path along the edge of the esc ar pment Turn r ight to follow a path through the woods, with occasional glimpses though the trees of the Wye winding far below.

Af ter 350m the path cur ves and star ts heading downhill, passing a grotto built into the side of an Iron Age fort Originally it was lined with glitter ing cr y stals and glass and looked out upon ‘ a point of view exquisitely beautiful’ Today, its decorations have long vanished and the view, although magnificent, is of the ancient wood land

Carr y on downhill, following a waymark to the right and another to the left. After passing another waymark – for the Wye Valley Walk –the path starts to c limb again to the next feature – a large and lofty platform which once commanded a particularly splendid view south to Chepstow Castle and north to the cliﬀs of Lancaut As with the grotto, unfortunately, all you can see from here today are trees

Carr y on along a rough path through deep woodland for another 700m. W hen the path forks, just past a wooden post on either side,

take the left-hand fork, and, a little further on, you will come to the last feature This is the Alcove, where at last you can enjoy the same view that 18th-centur y visitors enjoyed.

A little further on, climb a flight of steps and turn left through a gap in the wall at the top to return to the car park

Length of Walk: 2.5 miles

Time: 2 hours

Terrain: Rough paths with steep sections

Map: OS Explorer OL14

Online information: thegardenstrust blog gwentwildlife org/nature -reser ves

View from the Alcove

Bring home the holiday vibes

Wherever you are taking time out this summer, there’s always a way of building in the positive memories within the style of your home. From seaside holidays to urban breaks and palm trees to marble tiles, here are our favourite picks.

Italianate marble

Violetta Nouveau Gloss Marble Effect Porcelain, £70.80m2 and Rosso Tumbled Marble, £54.90m2, Mandarin Stone, 15-16 Broad Street, Bath; mandarinstone com

Electric Coast Palm Tree Tray, Rossiters, £30, 38-41 Broad Street, Bath; rossitersofbath com

African adventure

Hand Carved Plant Pot,, Dancing Triangles, made in Ghana,, Homefront Interiors, £17, 10 Margaret's Buildings, Bath k0

Deep Teal Check Cabin Wool Blanket, Piglet in Bed, £89 (sale), 20 Old Bond Street, Bath pigletinbed.com

Relaxing retreats

Vera Lotus-Shaped Wax Candle, Anthropologie, £12 (sale), 1-4 New Bond Street, Bath; anthropologie com

Taste of the Orient

Katsura Cabinet, OKA, £1795, 26-27 Milsom Street, Bath; oka com/uk

Tropical paradise

Cabin escape

‘Sainte Rita’ Framed A4 Print, Tillius, £24.99 4-5 Pulteney Bridge, Bath; tillius.co.uk 0

Continental breakfasts

At the seaside

Bone China Beachcomber, Dinner Plate,, Cream Cornwall, £29, 29 Milsom Street, Bath; creamcornwall co uk

Countr y weekend

Smeg Citrus Juicer, Coopers Electrical, £149.95, 13-15 Walcot Street, Bath coopersappliances com

Trailing Flowers Crewel Cushion, 45 x 45cm, , Cotswold Company, £39, 2 Northgate Street, Bath; cotswoldco com

your garden

Premium Sirenuse Red Beach Parasol, Always Sunday, £300, 9 Broad Street, Bath0 alwayssunday.store

Italian culture

English

Beach chic in

We specialise in design, manufacture and installation of bespoke kitchens, bathrooms, bedrooms, home studies and media cabinetry

www skyinteriors co uk

E: enquiries@skyinteriors co uk

T: 01225 707372

Melksham SN12 8BZ

Showroom viewing Mon-Fri 8am-5pm Saturday via appointment only

The future of sustainability starts with your home

As the UK aims to meet its net-zero targets by 2030, innovative solutions that address environmental concerns and enhance daily living are becoming essential A recent report commissioned by the National Trust and Historic England has spotlighted the signiﬁcant impact of our homes, which currently contribute a staggering 40% to the nation’s greenhouse gas emissions. The key to addressing this issue lies in retroﬁtting our homes

At its core, retrofitting is about making our homes more energ y-eﬃcient, a cr ucial aspect of our journey towards sustainabilit y The simple yet impactful act of upgrading insulation, windows, and heating systems can significantly slash energ y consumption This not only plays a vital role in curbing the overall environmental impact of our structures but also translates to lower energ y bills

“ We ’ ve set ambitious targets for a net-z ero future, so addressing the carbon footprint of our homes is non-negotiable. Retrofitting provides a practical and eﬀective solution that allows us to preser ve the historical charm of our buildings while aligning them with the demands of the 21st centur y ” Says Simon Andrews at Retrofit West

Retrofitting your home is also about improving comfort and wellbeing Comfort isn't just about improving warmth and reducing draughts, it ’ s about the air we breathe. Old buildings of ten play host to unwelcome guests like dampness and mould, causing respirator y issues and a general feeling of discomfort. Retrofitting combats these issues with improved ventilation systems and insulation

W hile the upfront costs may seem daunting, the long-term savings are proven Homeowners stand to benefit from reduced energ y bills, and the increased energ y eﬃciency adds value to the property Additionally, the retrofit industr y itself can become a source of job creation and economic growth, supporting the development of a sustainable green economy.

Increased Government funding may be on the horizon as the new Labour government inc luded commitments to invest an extra £6 6 billion to upgrade 5 million homes for increased energ y eﬃciency and lower bills, alongside the mission to make Britain a clean energ y superpower in their manifesto On a local level, the West of England Mayoral Combined Authority is funding the Retrofit West advice ser vice through its Green Recover y Fund, a £60m pot to help meet the region’s climate and ecolog y ambitions. This provides homeowners in Bristol, South Gloucestershire, Bath and North Somerset with free impartial retrofit advice as well as discount vouchers on energ y eﬃciency sur veys.

Retrofitting is not a one-size-fits-all approach but a tailored solution for each property, considering its unique charm and structural nuances It is especially important in a city like Bath which is built primarily of listed and historic buildings full of period features that impact the character of a home W hile there are extra considerations in listed buildings, retrofitting is still achievable.

If you ’ re consider ing retrofitting your home and don’t know where to star t, contact Retrofit West. Retrofit West is a communit y interest company funded by the Author ity to help householders plan, desig n, and deliver energ y-eﬃcient and sustainable home improvements. You can contact their free advice ser vice, get a voucher for a discounted sur vey or use their free home plan builder to see what changes you could make at retrofitwest.co.uk.

F lower and Land

Thoughtful,

Jess Stokes: floral desig ner and garden wr iter www.flowerand land.com flowerand land@g mail.com 07850 518858

The August garden

August sees the garden in full swing, says Jessica Stokes, as we cut armfuls of ﬂowers and harvest fresh fruit and vegetables Despite this, the garden is on the turn, and production will soon begin to slow and take a different pace. Here are some of the practical things to focus on in the garden this month.

While August c an be a peaceful and productive month in the garden, of ten displaying the fruits of your labours throughout the past year, it ’ s not a month for having a break and simply luxuriating in your garden either.

F irst of all if you are going away on holiday, remember to plan ahead and make sure you have someone in place to water your garden –other wise you will return home to a garden which has wilted and succumbed to August ’ s hot and dr y conditions

Summer pruning

This is the ideal time to prune W isteria, once it has finished flowering Pr une it now, to control the ne w whippy grow th and stop it from growing into gutter ing, in order to maintain its str ucture and shape. Prune this year ’ s new growth, to five or six leaves or buds. This will also encourage flower buds to form instead of green growth

S ummer pr une formall y trained apple and pear trees, grown as espaliers, fans or cordons This will reduce overcrowding and allows air and light to circulate Once this year ’ s current grow th star ts to turn woody, pruning can begin I use the Modiﬁed L orette pruning method, which consists of pruning new laterals longer than around 20cm to the third leaf/node.This encourages a spur system to form.

O ver vigorous laterals can be removed completely, and side shoots on mature laterals should be cut back to one bud. W hile pruning, you can also take this opportunity to tie in any loose branches into the structure

Harvesting and cutting ﬂowers and veg

Little and of ten is the best approach for both har vesting and cutting

This will sustain the growing season for vegetables such as beans, courgette and spinach The same goes for garden ﬂowers such as dahlias and sweet peas. This will prevent plants from going to seed, and will ensure you have a continuous supply of produce from your garden well into September.

Take cuttings of plants that won’t survive the winter

Take cuttings of Pelargoniums (geranium), Salvia (sage) and Penstemon, which will not sur vive the winter outside You c an also take your established plants inside later as the season changes to protect them from frost, wet and low temperatures

Taking cuttings allows you to grow more stock to use in your garden for next year. Start by choosing non-ﬂowering shoots, as they will root more easily. Cut a stem around 10cm long, just above a bud. Remove the lower leaves, and place cuttings into a square 9cm pot, ﬁlled with grit and a potting-on compost (peat-free) I place my cuttings in the corners or around edges to help them take root Water when the soil is dr y and keep in a warm, well-lit protected place – either in a glasshouse or inside your home on a warm windowsill Pot them on as they increase in size, and they will be ready for use next summer

Freshly har vested green beans

Geranium plants grown from cuttings

Cutting dahlias from the garden

To harvest in August

Tomatoes

Ar tichokes

Cucumbers

Second early and maincrop

potatoes

Runner beans

Aubergines Plums and damsons Blackcurrants Raspberries Black berries

August garden favourites

Dahlia Salvia

Rudbek ia Phlox

Hydrangea

Helenium

Grasses Cosmos Echinacea Cornflower Sunflower

Feeding regime

Delphinium Aster Calendula

This stage of the summer is a good time of year to feed your pots This will encourage ﬂowers and fruit and vegetables to keep producing until the end of the season I opt for a plant feed high in phosphorus, to add to my watering can, such as an organic seaweed liquid feed. n

Jessic a S tokes, g ardener and sustainable floral desig ns. Instag ram: # flowerand land; flowerand land.com

S alvia

Rudbeckia

Phlox

Quality care in Bath you can trust

Rush Hill Mews is managed by award-winning provider Care UK - one of the UK's most highly successful care home operators* with over 40 years' experience of delivering high quality care to older people

Living at Rush Hill Mews is all about quality of life Every colleague in the home is passionate about enabling residents to enjoy a fulfilling lifestyle, tailored around their unique needs and preferences The lifestyle team organises a huge variety of group and one-to-one activities, with plenty going on each day.

With the extra support that our care home offers, new residents are often surprised at what they can do, whether that’s being able to continue with an activity they’ve enjoyed in the past, or even discovering new hobbies with our daily activities.

The purpose-built home is designed for enjoying a luxury lifestyle, with ensuite rooms and facilities including a cinema, café, hair and beauty salon, and comfortable lounges and dining rooms The home also boasts stunning gardens with wheelchair friendly pathways – the perfect place to spend some time when the weather allows

Whether your loved one enjoys a quiet cup of tea in bed before starting the day, loves going for strolls in the landscaped grounds, or enjoys a chat over a glass of wine, the team at Rush Hill Mews will spend time to enable them to continue living life the way they want to

Church Farm is a collection of 12 beautiful homes in an eclectic mix of designs ranging from three to five bedrooms. The development is located in the charming village of Hilperton, on the north-easterly edge of Trowbridge Hilperton has a thriving community with regular events held in the village hall, a traditional 18thcentury pub, and a popular garden centre with café The village is ideally positioned on the attractive western stretch of the Kennet & Avon Canal; part of a waterway joining London to Bristol, providing fishing, recreational boat hire and picturesque walks There is a regular and reliable bus service into the county town of Trowbridge, a bustling town with a historic past. Trowbridge has been connected to weaving for over a thousand years which has left a rich and notable architectural legacy, ranging from the late sixteenth century to the mid-nineteenth century. The town has a wide range of independent shops, restaurants, cafés, a multi-screen cinema complex, several supermarkets including a Marks & Spencer Foodhall, leisure centre with swimming pool, a thriving arts scene, and park Trowbridge is also proud to be a Fairtrade town

Cobb Farr, 35 Brock Street, The Circus, Bath; Tel: 01225 333332

Church St, Hilperton

• Selection of 3-5 bedroom properties

• Sustainable air source heat pump

• Underfloor heating throughout

• Only four remaining Bath is approximately 11 miles away

Prices from £685,000

Wingfield

£775,000

An exceptional, detached 4/5 bedroom family home offering substantial lateral space and situated in 0 8 acres of beautiful garden, affording wonderful scenic views over vast countryside

• 0 8 acres of landscaped garden

• Home office

• Newly remodeled kitchen

• 4/5 bedrooms with 2 en suites

• Garage and parking for 4/5 cars

• Rural setting

Bathwick, Bath

OIEO £1,250,000

A superbly appointed, handsome townhouse offering fine views toward the city centre and Lansdown Set to 3 storeys with ample room sizes, parking and private garden

• 4/5 Bedrooms with 2x ensuites

• Open plan kitchen/dining/family room

• Upgraded from original specification

• First floor sitting room

• Cloakroom and utility

• Parking

Leigh Road, Bradford on Avon