The Bath Magazine October 2016

BATH Cover OCTOBER .qxp_Layout 1 22/09/2016 17:56 Page 1

thebathmag.co.uk

ISSUE 169 | OCTOBER 2016 £3.95 where sold

WINTER IS

COMING

OUR FASHION PHOTOSHOOT PLAYS GAMES WITH THRONES

THE CITY’S BIGGEST MONTHLY GUIDE TO LIFE AND LIVING IN BATH

graham and green fp.qxp_Layout 1 23/09/2016 09:29 Page 1

Aston Bath.qxp_Layout 1 22/09/2016 18:21 Page 1

Intoto Kitchens fp.qxp_Layout 1 20/09/2016 16:38 Page 1

Sofas & Stuff_Oct 16.qxp_Layout 1 20/09/2016 16:40 Page 1

contents October.qxp_Layout 1 23/09/2016 17:51 Page 1

THE | CONTENTS

OCTOBER 2016

20 10 5 THINGS TO DO October’s essentials in Bath

14 MY BATH

Charity founder Christine Snow

16 GUEST COLUMNIST Dr Alan Kerbey, appeal director of Genesis Trust

20 WINTER IS COMING Our fashion shoot with a twist

30 FACE THE MUSIC Trombonist Dennis Rollins

34 WHAT’S ON Bath’s cultural calendar

44 BATH FILM FESTIVAL We preview this year’s programme

49 ART LOVER’S GUIDE The best art galleries in the area

60 BATH AT WORK Neill Menneer’s portrait of the month

62 FROM THE ARCHIVE Spooky sightings in historic Bath

Even more great content online: thebathmag.co.uk 6 TheBATHMagazine

|

OcTOber 2016

49

88

62

66

66 RESTAURANT REVIEW We visit The Mint Room

70 FOOD HEROES Fussels rapeseed oil

72 BEHIND THE MENU Richard Knighting, head chef at Corkage

74 ANGELA ON WINE Wine inspired by the warmth of the southern hemisphere

76 BOOKS PAGE The best new fiction

84 MOTORING Driving Kia’s first hybrid vehicle

88 ESCAPE TO THE COUNTRY Discover the local countryside’s hidden treasures with Bath’s newest tour group

90 FAMILY DIARY Fun for all the family in October

92 EDUCATION NEWS The latest news from Bath’s schools

Follow us on Twitter @thebathmagazine

98

WOOL CRAZY Why knitting is cool

104 THE WALK One of Roman Britain’s best kept secrets

108 GREEN WITH ENVY Graham & Green’s cosy interiors collection

112 INTERIORS

On trend colours and textures for autumn from Woodhouse & Law

118 GARDENING How to keep your garden soft and gentle in the colder months

121 PROPERTY The best homes to buy or rent

ON THE COVER Our Game of Thrones inspired fashion shoot with photographer Marc Aitken, see page 20

Follow us on Instagram @thebathmagazine

r ou il f y nt r of ll u be % bi to 10 tal Oc to 1st 3

Barefoot comfort with style

Avonvale.indd 1

23/09/2016 09:25

Editors Letter Oct.qxp_Layout 1 23/09/2016 13:11 Page 1

IT’S A SMALL WORLD: one of the first things I’d do if I were to win on my Premium Bonds would be to commission a bespoke miniature house by Wiltshire couple Kevin Mulvany and Susie Rogers. For 30 years they’ve been making scaled down versions of real houses and palaces. This latest project saw them create a jewel box of a small stately home, a perfect miniature of The National Trust’s Ham House in Richmond, Surrey. The miniature, like a jewel box with secret compartments, opens to reveal the sumptuous 17th century interior, perfect down to every detail of gilded barley-sugar design columns, inlaid floors and richly painted ceilings. Visitors to Ham House can view this masterpiece until Sunday 9 October.

from the

EDITOR

W

hat theme should we take for our autumn fashion shoot, we idly wondered? Reading the fashion news that military jackets and berry colours are back in vogue again – well did they ever really go away? – left us underwhelmed. How about, we wondered, if we staged something really dramatic and different?

So, after assistant editor (and fellow Game of Thrones fan) Jessica Hope and I had a chat with London Fashion Week photographer Marc Aitken, who has many years’ experience of dealing with editors with imaginations that out-reach themselves, we came up with our Game of Thrones shoot. As you can see, we’re not going into winter meekly and mildly – for more drama and some simply gorgeous clothes, turn to Page 20.

Having set our sights so high we had to make sure the rest of the editorial content didn’t let the side down. We’ve got an exclusive preview of this autumn’s Bath Film Festival (Page 44) which serves as a reminder of all the films coming that have never been seen in Bath before. If you don’t want to miss out you really need to book soon. You have been warned.

Our resident historian Catherine Pitt, on being tasked to find some ghost stories for Halloween, has come up with some really spine-chilling tales from people in Bath who’ve had eerie encounters in some of the city’s landmark buildings (Page 62). The intrepid Jessica Hope put her trust in tourist guide Jules Mittra who runs Around and About Bath, a chauffeur-driven trip with a twist – in that he doesn’t tell you where you’re going. This turns into the most delightful mystery tour of some of Somerset, Wiltshire and Bath’s less travelled spots, with Jules proving an erudite and entertaining guide – see for yourself on Page 88.

If staying at home is more your style, read Catherine Mallorie’s feature, on Page 98 – about how the old homespun craft of knitting is now all the rage – and it can actually be more expensive to create your own bespoke knitwear than to buy ready-made sweaters and scarves. And Melissa Blease meets food hero farmer Andy Fussel, a man on a mission to get us to try cooking with locally produced rapeseed oil, Page 70.

Top jazz and funk trombonist Dennis Rollins, currently running workshops in Bath schools, picks his favourite sounds for Face the Music, Page 30. As well as all the above we’ve compiled an art lover’s guide – inspiration for buying beautiful pieces (Page 48), plus a What’s On offering, from Page 34, that’s as crammed full as a blackberry and apple pie with rich, tempting content.

There’s plenty more besides, but I’m keeping you from finding out for yourself.

We’ll be back next month with more ideas and inspiration.

Georgette McCready Editor 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.

8 TheBATHMagazine

|

OCTOBeR 2016

EDITOR’S PICKS

LIGHT UP: a house can never have too many candles – candlelight is so forgiving, both to the face and the dust. I love these delicate porcelain votives in Verve, London Road. They are handmade in London by Leonora Richardson and look even more beautiful when a candle is lit inside them, from £20.

STRUT YOUR STUFF: I’m on a mission to prove that footwear can be cool without having to wear heels. Bang on trend for warm metallics are these Zipp irridescent ankle boots, £225, from ChaniiB shoe and boot shop in Milsom Place, Bath.

your exercise using the same criteria ❝ Choose you’d apply to choosing a date – that is,

❞

attractive to you and able to hold your interest for an hour VICTORIA MORAN

American author and life coach

The Mall fp.qxp_Layout 1 22/09/2016 15:58 Page 1

5 things October.qxp_Layout 1 20/09/2016 17:24 Page 1

ZEITGEIST David O’Doherty brings danger to the party

5

things to do in

October

Listen Find yourself a child this month to take to one of the myriad events being held as part of the nine-day Bath Children’s Literature Festival, which runs until Sunday 9 October. Along with tributes to Roald Dahl and The Gruffalo, a chance to jump inside the world of Beatrix Potter and Peter Rabbit, or see CBBC presenters Sam and Mark, there’ll be events where grown-ups will want to be. Broadcaster Clare Balding has written a book for pony mad young people, while historian Lucy Worsley has penned a novel for young adults which explores the life of one of Henry VIII’s doomed wives.

The author of Skellig, David Almond, will be giving a writing masterclass and comedian David O’Doherty will join illustrator Chris Judge for a joyful exploration of danger.

There’s much, much more in this festival which brings the written word bursting off the page and igniting young readers’ imaginations.

Feast

Visit This October half-term, visitors to museums in Bath and North East Somerset can enjoy more than 100 events and activities as part of Museums Week, which runs from Saturday 22 – Sunday 30 October 2016. Museums Week is organised by Bath & North East Somerset Council, it’s the new name for Heritage Open Week, which has been running for more than 30 years. If you live in B&NES you qualify for a free Discovery Card, which gives you free access to a number of events including; The Big Draw at Victoria Art

The first nine days of October are dedicated to the Great Bath Feast, as Bath’s restaurants, cafés, pubs and food producers vie to tempt our tastebuds with a series of gastronomic treats.

On Saturday 1 October there’s the Great Bath Bake Off cake sale inside Bath Abbey, while outside there’s a food market with different stalls each day selling food to go and to take home. Even the most jaded palate may be seduced by the pop-up Champagne bar that the Roman Baths Kitchen in Cheap Street is hosting. Bubbles in Bath, anyone? For more events see our food news on Page 62.

Book

Gallery where you can make a life-size drawing of yourself, learn some Latin and make a Roman bookmark at the Roman Baths, or use technology from the 1960s to make a short film at Museum of Bath at Work. Visitors can enjoy free tastings at Sally Lunn’s Buns, where there will be a different Bath bun topping on offer every morning, or follow the clues on the Children’s Trail and collect stickers at each museum. For more details and full listings of events visit: bathmuseumsweek.co.uk.

Buy tickets for the annual Bath Fireworks display on the Recreation ground, which takes place on Saturday 5 November – it’s cheaper to buy them in advance and every ticket sold helps organisers Rotary Club of Bath raise funds for charity. Tickets: £5 adults, £3 for children (but they’ll each be £1 more on the night). Gates open at 5.30pm, with hot drinks and food on sale, and the firework display is due to start at 7.30pm. It’s a traditional night out for all ages and, for the 41st year, it’s supported

by Bath Building Society, which is selling tickets from its branches, or from the Bath Rugby Club shop.

Shop It’s time. No, really. We only have a couple of pay-days left until Christmas is upon us. Time to start searching for some beautiful and original presents – and if you can help a good cause at the same time, even better. Bath based charity the Charitable Foundation for the Education of Nepalese Children is holding its autumn sale of Nepalese made goods over the weekend of Friday 14 and Saturday 15 October at 5 OId King Street, next to Hall and Woodhouse, 10.30am – 4.30pm. Charity founder Lisa Whitehouse-Foskett has imported cashmere shawls, scarves, blankets and ponchos from Nepal in rich colours, and will be selling these alongside silk and cotton mix pyjamas and dressing gowns, handbags and gifts for children. The charity builds schools in earthquake-struck areas of remote Nepal and sponsors children so they can attend school.

10 TheBATHMagazine

|

OCTOBeR 2016

Shaker & May.qxp_Layout 1 20/09/2016 17:38 Page 1

P14.qxp_Layout 22 22/09/2016 12:53 Page 1

Follow us on Twitter @thebathmagazine

See more online thebathmag.co.uk

Contact us: Publisher Email:

Steve Miklos steve@thebathmagazine.co.uk

Editor Tel: Email:

Georgette McCready 01225 424592 georgette@thebathmagazine.co.uk

Financial Director Email:

Jane Miklos jane@thebathmagazine.co.uk

Production Manager Email:

Jeff Osborne production@thebathmagazine.co.uk

Web Editor Email:

Jessica Hope jessica@thebathmagazine.co.uk

Contact the Advertising Sales team tel: 01225 424499 Advertising Sales Email:

Liz Grey liz@thebathmagazine.co.uk

Advertising Sales Email:

Jake Horwood jake@thebathmagazine.co.uk

The Bath Magazine and The Bristol Magazine are published by MC Publishing Ltd. An independent publisher.

The Bath Magazine is distributed free every month to more than 20,000 homes and businesses throughout Bath and the surrounding area. We also have special distribution units in the following city centre stores and coffee shops

2 Princes Buildings, George Street, Bath BA1 2ED Telephone: 01225 424499. Fax: 01225 426677 thebathmag.co.uk Š MC Publishing Ltd 2016 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.

12 TheBATHMagazine

|

OcTOber 2016

Nicholas Wylde fp.qxp_Layout 1 22/09/2016 18:41 Page 1

Cityist October.qxp_Layout 1 22/09/2016 10:59 Page 1

ist

THE CITY THE BUZZ

Bake

The Fabulous Baker Brothers, otherwise known as Tom and Henry Herbert, have put their might behind this month’s Ted’s Big Bake Off challenge, which is encouraging us all to bake to raise funds for the Royal United Hospital. Between Monday 17 and Friday 21 October, friends, family and colleagues are being urged to magic up a meringue, bake some biscuits, cook a cake or even levitate a homemade loaf into life then ask people to give a little as they sit down to enjoy it. Last year’s Ted challenge raised in excess of £20,000 but more is needed if the people of Bath and the surrounding area are to get our much-needed new cancer care unit at the hospital. Sign up at foreverfriendsappeal.co.uk and raise some dough for this good cause.

Sign up

Now is a good time to pick a great cause and sign up to run in the Bath Half Marathon on 12 March 2017, while raising money for charity. One of the local charities with places for runners is the Greenhill House care home for disabled people, based in Timsbury and run by Leonard Cheshire Disability. Even if you’ve never run for more than a bus there’s time to train and be ready to tackle that 13.1 mile course in the spring. Visit: leonardcheshire.org/bathhalf or text Run to 80878 for more information.

Book of the month Dyslexia Rules KO by Annette Dolan, published in paperback by Pegasus, £7.99 Annette Dolan is one of Bath’s most prominent businesswomen. Creative, intelligent, articulate, funny, warm and hard-working – but how many of us knew that she has endured a lifelong battle with dyslexia? A battle which from her early days left her in dread of having to produce any written work, for fear that her mistakes would be picked up by others. This biography tells her story, from learning to be a

Twitterati 14 TheBATHMagazine

|

OCTOber 2016

My BATH

We ask Christine Snow, founder of Bath-based charity Kerala Crafts what she’ll be doing this month

Christine, right, receiving her south west Fairtrade award from beauty entrepreneur Liz Earle

What brought you to Bath?

I was born and brought up in Bath and have been fortunate to have remained in our beautiful city all of my life.

What are you reading?

I’m just about to start reading The Fishing Fleet

by Anne De Courcy, recommended by a friend.

This novel tells the story of husband-hunting in the Raj based on unpublished memoirs, letters and diaries, which will surely bring this forgotten era vividly to life.

What are you listening to?

I rely on good old Classic FM or playing CDs. I enjoy listening to choral music and classical music but for easy listening, my choice is Michael Bublé and I also love a bit of gypsy swing.

Which café or restaurant takes your fancy?

One regular favourite is The Hop Pole on the Upper Bristol Road. I like the food and the atmosphere and my husband enjoys the choice of real ales.

Which museum or gallery will you be visiting?

The Tunnel Tour of the Roman Baths (26 October) and its hidden history sounds intriguing. I remember in the 70’s dressing up in a toga and bathing in the Roman Bath during a Roman Rendevouz. I will be popping into Bath Abbey for the Methodist Modern Art Collection.

Our beautiful Bath Abbey is hosting an exhibition of 32 paintings from 6 – 30 October.

What are your hobbies and interests?

I enjoy cooking and sewing. I’ve recently completed a patchwork quilt for my seventh grandchild, so will give sewing a little rest for now. I’m working my way through Rick Stein’s India, which is a fantastic book – with gorgeous illustrations and chatty recipe intros. Made all the more special, because I managed to discover his favoured ‘bungalow on the lagoon’ on my last visit to Kerala, which was his kitchen base

for the series. I have scoured the streets of Bath for fresh curry leaves, but to no avail.

What outdoor activity will you be enjoying?

I’m venturing out of Bath for this – because for years I’ve been planning on visiting the Westonbirt Arboretum and this month is the ‘peak leaf-peeping time’ so the website says, which promises to be spectacular.

Theatre or cinema, which will it be?

I’m planning to see Felicity Kendal at the Theatre Royal in A Room with a View. I loved the Merchant Ivory film adaptation in 1985. Felicity is a Patron of Kerala Crafts and I met her on her last visit to the theatre. Stepping Out at the theatre is also beckoning.

What project are you working on?

I’m back to fundraising again. A few years ago I was raising funds to build a replacement orphanage for the girls in Kerala we support – mission accomplished. Now I’m trying to raise funds for improvements to the small workshop in Ponnani, Kerala, India. The ladies make our fair trade knickers and PJ’s and this Malabar project has gone from strength to strength. As a self-help project this is exactly what we hoped for. To keep up with the sales demand, a re-arrangement of the existing premises is planned. Stitching jobs are highly sought after and daily requests are received from women seeking work. The impact of these improvements will enable the project to be sustainable and will mean more marginalised women can be employed. Much of the work consists of stitching garments brought in by local women, and although the manufacturing for Kerala Crafts is a bonus, it is more significant in terms of fiscal value. We are looking forward to highlighting the Fair Trade Breaks Poverty campaign during Anti-Poverty Week, 16 – 22 October as we seek to do our bit for the underprivileged. Visit: keralacrafts.co.uk. n

good fighter at school, to finally building her own successful business, Bath Aqua Glass and finding happiness with her family and husband Adrian. The last chapter is devoted to Annette’s tips for others who have dyslexia and are determined to succeed. It is told in an easy chatty style, filled with honest admissions about her life and yet optimistic that she can also move onwards and upwards.

Annette is also passionate about changing the education system so that all barriers for dyslexics are removed and dyslexia to be considered part of neurodiversity. She believes

that Prime Minister Theresa May should be addressing this issue on the back of her grammar school campaign. Meet Annette and hear more about her campaign at Waterstones bookshop, Milsom Street on Thursday 27 October from 6.30 – 8pm.

GMc

We’re following @findanotherbath – an art project and a book that explores the alternative, often ignored side of Bath. Watch this one, we think it’s a creative movement that’s going to be a grower

P 15.qxp_Layout 23 23/09/2016 16:04 Page 1

9ct Rose Gold, with rare Rose Cut pear-shaped Diamond ring.

HAVANA Beautiful hand-blown glass shades.

Available in a range of colours, sizes and fittings.

LIGHTING SPECIALIST 8 BATH STREET, FROME. TEL: 01 373473555 WWW.FIATLUX.CO.UK TUESDAY – FRIDAY 9.30AM – 5.30PM, SATURDAY 9.30AM – 5.00PM

THEBATHMAG.CO.UK

|

OCTOBER 2016

|

ThEBATHMagazinE 15

guest column Oct.qxp_Layout 1 23/09/2016 13:18 Page 1

GUEST | COLUMNIST

HOMELESS BUT NOT HOPELESS DR ALAN KERBEY, appeal director of Genesis Trust, reflects on the charity’s work and its plans for the future

I

t is often said that we are all just two steps away from homelessness. It’s not just those with a bad start in life who can be affected. The loss of a job, the lack of affordable housing, a catastrophic marriage breakdown, mental illness and addiction, and getting behind with the rent are just some of the factors which can have devastating consequences for a growing number of individuals who suddenly find their lives spiralling out of control.

From financial security, a promising career and a nice house, lives can suddenly implode as circumstances, often beyond our control, wreak havoc with jobs, health, homes and relationships.

For those who find themselves in such desperate situations in Bath, the Genesis Trust is there to provide support and renew hope.

Behind Bath’s elegant façade of affluence and wealth, the reality is that there are many marginalised individuals and families in our city.

You will see some of them sleeping in doorways in the city centre; others are less visible but still highly vulnerable. For the last 21 years, Genesis has been working, often behind the scenes, giving support, security and hope to these individuals.

We do this through ten inter-linked, community-based projects which are delivered by more than 700 local volunteers. For those who are homeless, a haircut and a fresh set of clothes can make all the difference; for a family struggling to cope on benefits, a food parcel can save the day; for someone who has lost their confidence and is long-term unemployed, guidance and a work placement can offer a way forward.

Last year, Genesis helped more than 4,000 people to get their lives back on track by providing stepping stones to the future – from the provision of food, to friendship and personal support, to help with re-housing, to training in life skills, work experience, gaining qualifications, and to ongoing support when they enter voluntary or paid employment. All the services we offer are designed and structured with one aim in mind – and that is to help people regain their dignity and purpose in life and, for some, to step away completely from a lifestyle of homelessness and addiction.

In 2015, Genesis projects provided 16,000 meals, 300 items of camping equipment and 1,880 items of clothing to homeless people and those on low incomes. We also ran 30 courses in

16 TheBATHMagazine

|

OCTOBeR 2016

CONCERN AND CARE: Genesis Trust volunteers offer generous listening and careful advice our Life Skills programme, which ranged from healthy eating and budgeting, to art and creative writing, from which 150 adults benefited. At our Furniture Project in Oldfield Park, we not only sell donated furniture at affordable prices to those on benefits, but we also offer useful work placements to adults as part of their journey back into employment.

BUT WHAT ABOUT THE NEXT 21 YEARS? The Genesis Trust has never had a permanent home. For the last 21 years, it has worked out of rented accommodation in various locations across Bath with all the uncertainty and disruption that such a nomadic existence brings.

Last year, Bath and North East Somerset Council gave Genesis the opportunity to acquire and develop a dilapidated building in Walcot Street for which we now have planning permission.

As well as providing a much-needed permanent home, this new facility – which will be called The Genesis Centre – will enable us to develop new ways of working with a much larger number of adults who want to acquire new skills and gain work experience. The Genesis Centre will offer a training centre and a retail outlet selling up-cycled furniture. We are excited about the opportunities it will offer to our clients who are ready to move towards regular employment and self-sufficiency. The educational and skillsbased courses which are planned will help people regain their self-confidence and a real sense of direction.

The building in Walcot Street is in need of substantial restoration and a fundraising campaign is underway to raise the £1.1m needed for its re-development. We hope that building work can start next year.

Genesis has had a remarkable journey over the past 21 years, enjoying enormous public support alongside the generous help of over 700 committed and dedicated volunteers of all ages.

Our new building will give us a permanent home in the city in one of Bath’s most vibrant streets.

Our ambition for the next 21 years is to help many more hundreds of marginalised people in Bath to find a renewed purpose in life.

In the words of one Genesis supporter: “Genesis is a remarkable gift to those in our city who are among the poorest and most marginalised. Through Genesis projects, I have witnessed a constant flow of love, concern and care in an environment which is warm and welcoming; in food and a cup of tea or soup, in generous listening and careful advice, the use of a name, the handshake and embrace, the firm discipline, the tears of shared sorrow and laughter are a step towards restoration. Genesis changes lives!”

CHANGING LIVES FOR THE BETTER One of five children, 25 year old Stewart Angell, pictured, left school at 16. He had ADHD but lack of support meant he didn’t achieve. After leaving school, he went off the rails for a few years, getting into drugs and petty crime. He moved into a hostel and had his first child when he was 17. He had various short term jobs working on farms and as a street cleaner. Three years ago, he came to Genesis Furniture Project on a work placement organised by the Job Centre. He stayed on as a volunteer and this year he began a customer service apprenticeship with us in conjunction with Bath College. He’s also brushing up on his maths and English skills. His ideal job would be as a delivery driver.

Now married with three more children, Stewart says involvement with the Furniture Project has helped him turn his life around: He said: “Before, I was very shy and withdrawn. The Furniture Project has brought me out of my shell and I’m much more confident and that’s key to everything. I’ve made good friends, my people skills have improved and I really like the fact that I’m helping others too.” n To help the Walcot Street Appeal, visit the Genesis Trust website: genesistrust.org.uk and donate via Virgin Giving.

P 17.qxp_Layout 23 23/09/2016 15:01 Page 1

Icarus Jewellery

Jewellery as Art

Icarus Silver 27 Broad Street, Bath, BA1 5LW 01225 489088

Icarus Gallery 1 Queen Street, Bath, BA1 1HE 01225 319777

www.icarusjewellery.com

THEBATHMAG.CO.UK

|

OCTOBER 2016

|

ThEBATHMagazinE 17

Clarks Village fp.qxp_Layout 1 20/09/2016 16:43 Page 1

dents fp sept.qxp_Layout 1 22/09/2016 10:29 Page 1

Winter is Coming.qxp_Layout 1 23/09/2016 15:54 Page 1

WINTER IS COMING

OUR UNIQUE FASHION SHOOT WAS INSPIRED BY GAME OF THRONES

PHOTOGRAPHY: MARC AITKEN

WHO’S QUEEN: Jo wears shimmering gold and green Muntha tunic, £294, from Grace and Mabel, Broad Street; Angelica on the Iron Throne wears Core champagne Biba gown, £149, from Jollys, with large vintage crystal Anton Heunis necklace, £395 from Alexandra May, Brock Street, and Flora wears Core berry Biba gown, £149, from Jollys with Peter Lang necklace, £340 and Konplutt limited edition necklace, £795, worn as diadem, also from Alexandra May

Winter is Coming.qxp_Layout 1 22/09/2016 17:11 Page 2

AUTUMN | PHOTOSHOOT

THE INSPIRATION Editor Georgette McCready and assistant editor Jessica Hope wanted to create a fashion shoot with a difference. To take clothes and accessories from local shops that could be worn by all types of women, and to give the whole shoot a Game of Thrones twist.

We shared this idea with experienced fashion and music Bath based photographer Marc Aitken, and stylist and artist Felicity Keefe who took the idea and ran with it. With sumptuous, textured clothing and three regal women as our models we just needed a throne to complete the shoot . . . cue expert model maker Mark Chappel who painstakingly built an Iron Throne.

SCHEMING AND DREAMING: Flora wears Siyu oatmeal merino wool coat, £445, Blue at the Loft with leather gloves, £17.50, Marks & Spencer, Serene faux fur scarf, £69, Jigsaw and Fuller black overknee boots, £295 Ted and Muffy and Angelica wears Elemente Clemente Celia Tunisian wool coat, £289, Blue at the Loft, leather gloves, £17.50, Marks and Spencer, dark faux fur stole, £499, Blue at the Loft, Richmond jeans, £89, Jigsaw and Midnight knee length tan riding boots, £225, Ted and Muffy, with Konplutt clip-on earrings from Love Me Tender Love Me Sweet collection, Alexandra May

THEBATHMAG.CO.UK

|

OctOber 2016

|

theBATHMagazine 21

Winter is Coming.qxp_Layout 1 22/09/2016 17:02 Page 3

HOLDING COURT: Angelica wears Poetic Oriental ivory blouse, £59, Biba at Jollys, Richmond jeans, £89, Jigsaw, Midnight riding boots, £225, Ted and Muffy, Konplutt Love Me Tender Love Me Sweet necklace, £680 and earrings, £320 from Alexandra May Props: throne courtesy of Shakespeare at the Tobacco Factory, Bristol.

Velvet designer cushions, urns and candles loaned by Savannah Home of Milsom Street Original paintings as backdrop by Felicity Keefe

Winter is Coming.qxp_Layout 1 22/09/2016 17:02 Page 4

AUTUMN | PHOTOSHOOT

THE LOCATION A lack of a Gothic castle in Bath wasn’t going to deter us from finding the right location for our Game of Thrones inspired story – creator George RR Martin inspired himself by the medieval Wars of the Roses.

For the interior shots of our mythical seat of power we created a throne room inside the dance studio housed in the imposing former chapel building at the Royal High School at Lansdown. Its high ceilings and blackout curtains made it ideal for Marc Aitken’s special lighting effects, enhanced by moody smoke and candles. Our exterior shots were taken on the summit of Lansdown, courtesy of the Bath Preservation Trust which runs Beckford’s Tower and museum. With thanks too to the Lansdown Cemetery Trust for the use of the site.

Beckford’s Tower is a 120 feet tall folly built in 1827 for the eccentric William Beckford. It is open at weekends, from 10.30am until 5pm until the end of October.

CROWNING GLORY: Angelica wears Seed fan dress, £260, Sisi and May Props: Shakespeare at the Tobacco Factory, Savannah Home and Bath Theatrical Costume Hire in Frome

THEBATHMAG.CO.UK

|

OCTOBER 2016

|

ThEBATHMagazinE 23

Winter is Coming.qxp_Layout 1 23/09/2016 15:56 Page 5

Winter is Coming.qxp_Layout 1 22/09/2016 17:06 Page 6

AUTUMN | PHOTOSHOOT

THE DIREWOLVES If we were going to give this shoot an authentic Game of Thrones ring we’d either need dragons or direwolves.

These proved harder to source, but dog handler Mandy Patridge agreed to bring her own wolf-like dogs for the shoot. Ace, on the opposite page, along with his kennel mate Moon, is a working member of Surrey Search and Rescue service. This is a volunteer rescue service which helps seek out the 2,100 people who go missing in Surrey each year and ensure they’re brought home safely. On this page is young Nook, who is related to the Inuit breeds used in filming Game of Thrones. He is a trainee rescue dog. Find out more about search and rescue dogs at: sursar.org.uk.

CANINE PROTECTORS: opposite page, Angelica wears pom pom scarf, £20, Instant Vintage, long sleeve charcoal top, £15, Instant Vintage, George Street, faux fur tippet, £129, Blue at the Loft.

This page, Flora wears faux leather biker jacket, £55, leather gloves, £17.50, top, £25 and leggings, £17.50, all from Marks & Spencer. Boots, as before, from Ted and Muffy which offers 21 calf width fittings in many of its boots

THEBATHMAG.CO.UK

|

OCTOBER 2016

|

ThEBATHMagazinE 25

Winter is Coming.qxp_Layout 1 22/09/2016 17:13 Page 7

AUTUMN | PHOTOSHOOT

WITH THANKS TO: THE DOGS: with thanks to canine handler Mandy Partridge for loaning Ace, Nook and Moon from their duties with Surrey Search and Rescue Service THRONE MAKER: Mark Chappel of Firebrand Furniture: facebook.com/firebrandfurniture

PROPS: Savannah Home, Milsom Street for urns, vintage trunk, candles and velvet cushions Shakespeare at the Tobacco Factory, Bath Theatrical Costume Hire and Mark Ranaldi, video maker, for helping make it happen on the day.

EDITORIAL TEAM: Georgette McCready and Jessica Hope THE PHOTOGRAPHER: Marc Aitken, portrait photographer and a regular photographer at London Fashion Week, who is also a lighting director for shows and music gigs.

Visit: marcaitken.com @MarcAitkenPhoto PHOTOGRAPHER’S ASSISTANT: Sarah Lillywhite, on Twitter @SarahLBath

THE MODELS: Flora Katsouris from Mustard Model Agency Tel: 0117 955 1964 Visit: bigmustard.co.uk Angelica Baines, @AngelicaBaines Jo Wright, who also runs homeware business Ginger and Tweed and is a photographer Visit: gingerandtweed.com or joannawrightphotography.co.uk CLOTHES AND ACCESSORIES: Thanks to Marks & Spencer, Jigsaw, Ted and Muffy, Sisi and May, Instant Vintage, Jollys, Blue at the Loft, Grace and Mabel and Alexandra May.

THE STYLIST: art direction, styling and original paintings by Felicity Keefe, visit: felicitykeefe.com and for the collaborative website of work by Marc and Felicity: shoot-the-cherry.com HAIR AND MAKE-UP: Jessica Ayliffe, graduate of Bath Academy of Media Make-up, who specialises in TV and film work, weddings and proms, body painting and special effects, Facebook and Instagram: AyliffeJessica.mua.

PRODUCTION ASSISTANT: Hope Taylor, visit: hopetaylorphotography.co.uk

26 TheBATHMagazine

|

OCTOBeR 2016

THE VENUES: With thanks to Dr Amy Frost of Bath Preservation Trust for use of Beckford’s Tower and to the staff and pupils at the Royal High School at Lansdown. The magnificent Royal High School grounds on both the Senior School site in Lansdown and the Junior School site in Weston make the perfect location to host an event. For more information please contact Rebecca Barrell at r.barrell@rhsb.gdst.net.

McArthur Glen fp.qxp_Layout 1 20/09/2016 16:48 Page 1

P28.qxp_Layout 22 23/09/2016 16:33 Page 1

Gold & Platinum Studio Handmade and Bespoke Jewellery

Beautifully crafted engagement rings, wedding rings and fine jewellery designed and traditionally handmade on the premises. All types of jewellery remodelled. Efficient repair service. Established 1970

All pieces individually designed and hand made on site by Mike and his team

19 Northumberland Place, Bath BA1 5AR | Tel: +44 (0)1225 462 300 visit our new website: www.goldandplatinumstudio.co.uk | email: mike@goldandplatinumstudio.co.uk

RECEIVE THE BATH MAGAZINE BY POST NEVER MISS OUT

ANNUAL SUBSCRIPTIONS FROM JUST ÂŁ30

We deliver to over 20,000 addresses every month. But if you live outside our distribution area or would like us to send a copy to friends or family, we offer a magazine mailing service.

SUBSCRIBE ONLINE AT www.thebathmag.co.uk/subscribe or Tel: 01225 424 499

28 TheBATHMagazine

|

OCTOBeR 2016

Circus Restaurant fp.qxp_Layout 1 20/09/2016 16:44 Page 1

Face the Music October.qxp_Layout 1 22/09/2016 13:29 Page 1

FACE | THE MUSIC

THE GOOD VIBES OF BADBONE

Georgette McCready talks to trombonist Dennis Rollins, who is currently artist in residence at the Wiltshire Music Centre, and he picks his favourite albums

S

ometimes great things happen by accident. And if it hadn’t been for a matter of chance the jazz world might not have been blessed with the talents of trombonist Dennis Rollins. Dennis has played at the forefront of the UK jazz, funk and pop scene for 25 years. He has performed with some of the world’s leading jazz and pop artists including Courtney Pine, Jamiroquai, Blue and Maceo Parker, as well as leading his own groups, BadBone & Co and the Velocity Trio.

But the young Dennis started out as a schoolboy in Doncaster taking not trombone lessons, but learning guitar.

He takes up the story: “I wasn’t that great at the guitar to be honest. I didn’t read the music but picked up the tunes by ear. Then one day my teacher called me out to the front of the class to play a piece and he’d changed the music. I couldn’t read it, so I was exposed.

“I didn’t feel like playing the guitar much after that.”

Dennis grew up, one of eight children born to Jamaican parents who’d emigrated to Britain in the late 1950s.

The family home was filled with reggae, ska and mento, which Dennis describes as the father of ska.

One of Dennis’ brothers, Winston, 30 TheBATHMagazine

|

OcTOber 2016

was learning the trombone and when he upgraded to a new one the teenage Dennis was given his hand-me-down.

The rest, as they say, is history. Dennis remembers the hours of music practice that helped set him on his future career.

His brother Winston plays with Jools Holland’s big band and his brother Erroll is a drummer and a music teacher.

Do the brothers ever get to jam together, I wonder?

“We like to but no it doesn’t happen all that often because we’ve all taken different paths.”

Dennis’ playing career began with the Doncaster Youth Jazz Association, and his music took him to London in 1987.

From there his distinctive trombone sound joined some other greats, including Courtney Pine and Maceo Parker on stage. It was Courtney Pine who gave him the nickname BadBone, one he used for his band BadBone and Co, going on the tour circuit, before taking a more thoughtful direction in his music making.

Dennis has played at the great British jazz festivals, such as Cheltenham and Malvern. In recent years he has used his experience to mentor and teach young musicians, going in to schools and universities.

How did the Midlands man get

involved as the Wiltshire Music Centre’s artist in residence for 2016?

“I was lucky enough to get a phone call from James Slater [artistic director at the Wiltshire Music Centre]. We have some musical friends in common and I had played in the area before. I was delighted to be asked. I have done a bit of this kind of thing before, in Harrogate and Norwich.”

Among the projects he’s worked on in Wiltshire was in the spring when he rehearsed and performed as a soloist with the Wiltshire Youth Jazz Orchestra – the county level jazz orchestra now managed by Wiltshire Music Centre for young musicians aged 16 and over. This provided an opportunity for the young players to learn from and perform alongside a leading performer on a professional stage, and for Dennis to offer performance tips and techniques to improve their playing.

He says the jazz scene is very much alive and kicking in this country at the moment, despite financial cutbacks which have affected services including peripertetic music teachers.

“It means yoing people have to seek out where they are going to learn an instrument, we have created hubs for people to go to.” Hubs like the excellent Bradford on Avon based Wiltshire Music

WOWING THE AUDIENCE: main picture, Dennis Rollins on stage at the Wiltshire Music Centre in Bradford on Avon, where he is artist in residence

Face the Music October.qxp_Layout 1 22/09/2016 13:29 Page 2

FACE | THE MUSIC

FAVOURITE MUSICIANS: Maceo Parker and the late, great Prince

Centre with its pin-sharp acoustics and programme which encourages young players and young audiences too, offering concert ticket deals such as Take Your Kid for a Quid.

Dennis is very impressed at how young musicians have adapted to changing times. “They’re fusing other genres, they’re using electronics and now that we don’t have so many big bands they’re learning how to use electronic stuff to make a small band sound a lot bigger. They’re clever at it – I always learm something new when I’m working wth young people. Sure, I have the experience but they are creative and resilient.”

He also has the challenge, as an educator, of persuading young people that the hours of practice needed to become an expert on an instrument.

“It’s too easy just to turn to an electronic way of doing things, you sometimes have to use technology to grab their attention.”

❝

Now that we don’t have so many big bands they’re learning how to use electronic stuff to make a small band sound a lot bigger

❝

Dennis is playing some gigs locally this month but he’s also working on two other projects. One is Poetry, Beat and Bones, a collaboration with British jazz singer Cleveland Watkiss. “We’ve been taking vocals, abstract soundscapes and beatbox and exploring stuff. It’s been great fun, really creative and Cleveland is a beautiful person to work with.”

The duo are hoping this will be a recording project that leads to live performances.

The other project is the formation of Dennis Rollins’ Funky Funk Band – putting the funk back into the party as they plan to go out and get audiences on

their feet and grooving.

Does he like to get audiences dancing, I ask? “Well yes, of course. We played the Bristol Jazz Festival a while back, which was kicking. Really great.”

And when he’s not making music or encouraging others to do so, where will we find Dennis? “In the garden,” he laughs. “No, really. I could be out there happily from six o’clock in the morning then you’d have to drag me in at night. I love the maintenance, trying to grow stuff. I’ve grown tomatoes, peppers have been really good – but my melons, they were going so well and then . . .

“I love my garden, I feel a strong connection to the earth.”

He takes me through his favourite – mostly jazz based – albums from his life.

DENNIS’S TOP TEN ALBUMS: JJ Johnson – The Eminent (1953) This is a classic album amongst jazz trombone players. JJ was a pioneer of the be-bop style of playing. He introduced dexterity to jazz trombone.

Raul De Souza – Don’t Ask My Neighbors (1978) A Brazilian trombone player with a big expressive sound! It was my first introduction to the funk style of trombone playing.

Herbie Hancock – Mr Hands (1980) An album featuring jazz and funk masters such as Jaco Pastorious, Harvey Mason and Ron Carter, this album continues to surprise me.

Prince – Sign of the Times (1987) This is my rock album. Tinged with a heavy dose of the funk groove, sometimes dark and moody, Prince delivers an undiluted portrayal of the current times (mid 1980’s) in his world.

Wayne Shorter – Speak No Evil (1965) Another classic. This album demonstrates the freedom of mind from one individual amongst composers in the be-bop era. The compositions are daring and free.

Maceo Parker – Life on Planet Groove (1992) A live album featuring the brass (horn) section of Pee Wee Ellis, Maceo Parker and the great trombone playing of Fred Wesley. Every trombonist playing funk music today should listen to this album for style interpretation.

Me’Shell Ndegeochello – Bitter (1999) Me’Shell is a chameleon of the arts.

Here, her blunt but poetic descriptions of an unjust love is presented with a backdrop of only bass, drums, guitar and strings.

Curtis Fuller – Blues-ette (1959) This album comes from a ‘bone player famed for his work with the great John Coltrane among others. He plays with a sumptuous sound, almost velvet. The songs are classics of the swing era. n

Catch Dennis in action

Frank Rosolino – Thinking of You (1976)

Dennis Rollins is leading a day-time brass workshop on Saturday 8 October at WMC which is a jazz improvisation workshop for any brass jazz instrument at grade 5 equivalent and above.

He’s also performing as part of Jean Toussaint’s Roots & Herbs concert at WMC on Saturday 8 October; a big-band showcase celebrating the life of one of jazz’s most important leaders – Art Blakey. Evening concert, tickets: 01225 860100, visit: wiltshiremusic.org.uk.

There will also be schools workshops.

A retrospective album release, this collection shows a great trombone artist playing ballads with beautiful serenity.

Stevie Wonder – Songs in the Key of Life (1976) A treasured album in my collection. It reminds me of the importance of melody in my own compositions. Here, intricate harmony structures in the songs sound simple and easy listening.

THEBATHMAG.CO.UK

|

OctObEr 2016

|

thEBATHMagazinE 31

Watch digest Oct 2016.qxp_Layout 2 23/09/2016 14:16 Page 1

CITY | SHOPPING

NOT SO SQUARE

Is it hip to be square? Although square case watches have been in the minority to their rounder cousins for many years, in recent times and especially since the launch of a certain smart-watch; square and rectangular timepieces are returning to vogue, and... in some style.

We ask Mallory Jewellers to pick out five of the front-runners.

TIME ON TREND

CARTIER - DRIVE

Perhaps the most famous square case of all is the iconic Heuer Monaco, as worn by Steve McQueen in the 1971 film, Le Mans. This year’s Hollywood A-listers, football coaches, and all round style gurus are leading the square revival...

After years of searching for a men’s watch which truly personifies Cartier design, the Drive has arrived.

Conveying smooth style, an in-house movement and options in steel or gold, Cartier finally have a watch that delivers everything the sophisticated gent requires. Price: £5000

PATEK PHILIPPE – GONDOLO Mixing tradition with modern style, the new white gold Gondolo is a piece de resistance from one of Switzerland’s most iconic watch manufactures. The beautiful matt blue sunburst dial perfectly combines 8-day power reserve measurement with day and date indication to provide its owner with an aficionado’s timepiece to treasure for a lifetime. Price: £40,090

JAEGERLECOULTRE – REVERSO TRIBUTE DUO The 85th anniversary of the iconic Reverso sees the arrival of a collector’s dream.

With dual time capability, silver and blue dials and representing true 1930s style this watch is a must for any enthusiast of in-house manufacture. A true celebration of Swiss watch making expertise. Price: £9150

32 THEBATHMAGAZINE

|

OCTOBER 2016

PANERAI – RADIOMIR 1940 Mixing utilitarian readability with retro style this 1940s Radiomir is perfect for something a little different for the watch connoisseur. Internally the inhouse micro rotor P.4000 movement allows a thin case 45mm diameter watch to adapt to many wrist sizes and is simply cool. Price: £7600

TAG HEUER – MONZA This really is special… under the retro Heuer logo this new Monza is the revival of vintage style the TAG collector has been calling for.

The 42mm black titanium coated case houses the calibre 17 movement powering this very cool numbered special edition chronograph… keep an eye out for similar releases over the next few years. Price: £4000

BANES fp.qxp_Layout 1 22/09/2016 16:00 Page 1

whats on 1 October.qxp_Layout 1 23/09/2016 15:57 Page 1

WHAT’S ON in October EVENTS ARE LISTED IN CHRONOLOGICAL ORDER

The Gruffalo: one of the stars of this year’s kids lit fest

BATH CHILDREN’S LITERATURE FESTIVAL Saturday 1 – Sunday 9 October n Various venues around Bath Proving once more that children do love reading and books, many of the events sold out quickly. At the time of writing you’ll still be able to get tickets to see astronaut Chris Hadfield, cyclist Chris Hoy, broadcaster Clare Balding, historian Lucy Worsley and comedian David O’Doherty, who have all written books for children. There are events suitable for tiny tots right through to almost adults, covering topics from Kipper the dog to writing for Dr Who. There is a strong theme of workshops surrounding writing and developing young people’s talent in this area.

Parents and teachers may be interested in attending a free forum at the Guildhall on Tuesday 4 October which examines how we can keep creative writing alive in our schools in a session organised by Paper Nations, which is dedicated to this cause. Find out more events at the festival, visit: bathfestivals.org.uk. For tickets tel: 01225 4633632.

EDITOR’S PICK POP-UP OPERA: THE BARBER OF SEVILLE Thursday 6 October, 7.30pm n Bath Function Rooms, Green Park Station, Bath For something completely different, enjoy opera as you’ve never seen it before, as the Pop-Up Opera company returns to Bath with an incredibly fast-paced comical farce by Rossini. It will be sung in Italian with English captions. Tickets: £20 from: brownpapertickets.com.

Amanda Holden at the Theatre Royal

Tamsin Outhwaite at the Theatre Royal

Philip Henry and Hannah Martin will play at the Chapel Arts Centre

A ROOM WITH A VIEW n Theatre Royal, Sawclose, Bath Wednesday 28 September – Sunday 8 October, times vary Felicity Kendall, one of the country’s favourite actresses, stars in this adaptation of EM Forster’s tale of truth and beauty. It also stars Imogen Sage. Tickets, tel: 01225 448844 or visit:theatreroyal.org.uk.

Also at the Theatre Royal this month STEPPING OUT Wednesday 12 – Saturday 22 October, times vary Amanda Holden, Angela Griffin, Tracy-Ann Oberman, Tamsin Outhwaite and Nicola Stephenson make this an all-star cast for this lively tap dancing comedy, which opens in Bath prior to a run in the West End. RAMBERT Thursday 27 – Saturday 29 October, times vary The ballet company Rambert celebrates its 90th anniversary with a programme of exciting contemporary, professional dance. Tomorrow explores Shakespeare’s witches, while other pieces look at the subjects of migration and the nature of unity and individualism.

LEONARDO DA VINCI: PATHFINDER OF SCIENCE Monday 3 October, 7.15pm n Bath Royal Literary Scientific Institute, Queen Square, Bath Guy Rooker gives this lecture for the Bath Evening Decorative and Fine Arts Society. Leonardo would say nature must be his guide and that art was based on a scientific understanding of everything depicted. He used his powers of draughtsmanship and observation in his drawings making an incredible contribution to our understanding of aspect of life. Visitors £8, students free, tel: 01225 742989 or 742819. Visit: bedfas.co.uk.

STAGS AND HENS Wednesday 5 – Saturday 8 October, 7.30pm n The Rondo theatre, St Saviour’s Road, Larkhall, Bath Bath Drama present Willy Russell’s irreverent comedy Stags and Hens.

Entertaining, lively and very funny. Tickets, tel: 0333 6663 366, visit: ticketsource.co.uk/rondotheatre.

Singer-songwriter and author Tracey Thorn will be at the Wiltshire Music Centre 34 TheBATHMagazine

|

OCTOBeR 2016

EXHIBITION: FULLY ALIVE Thursday 6 – Sunday 30 October n Bath Abbey

whats on 1 October.qxp_Layout 1 22/09/2016 11:37 Page 2

Folk singer Nancy Kerr at the Wiltshire Music Centre An exhibition of art from the Methodist Modern Art Collection, including works by leading names in the art world, such as Edward Burra, Eric Gill, Patrick Heron and Graham Sutherland. The exhibition will include lectures, lunchtime recitals and education material. Visitors will be offered an opportunity to reflect on the meaning of humanity.

KNOW-HOW EVENTS: KNOWLEDGE CABARET Thursday 6 October, 7.30pm n The Edge, University of Bath, Claverton Down, Bath Knowledge is power. A fun packed variety evening of knowledge sharing, featuring cabaret performers and researchers on stage together.

Share in the research of local experts and discover fascinating information to take home. Free admission, Box Office: 01225 386777, visit: edgearts.org Also at The Edge this month PRACTICES FOR FUTURE HABITATION Friday 14 October, 2pm – 5pm Led by artist Emma Smith, a round table discussion asking what future practices might we develop for co-habiting the world anew? Practices for Future Habitation is a public cross-disciplinary gathering to consider future capacities for human habitation through body, environment, structures and thought. This free event brings together experts across the fields of art, architecture, engineering, psychology, sociology, computer science and health.

KNOW-HOW REPAIR CAFÉ Saturday 15 October, from 11am Bring your broken or unwanted electronic goods along for a team of volunteers to fix, including computers and games consoles. You can also join in with kids activities themed around Global Climate Change Week. Free admission.

NANCY KERR AND THE SWEET VISITOR BAND Friday 7 October, 7.30pm n Wiltshire Music Centre, Ashley Road, Bradford on Avon Hugely talented contemporary folk musician and singer Nancy Kerr is joined by some top musicians for an evening to showcase her solo album Sweet Visitor. Tickets: £18 / £9 under 18s.

Visit: wiltshiremusic.org.uk or tel: 01225 860100.

Also at Wiltshire Music Centre this month THE BLACK FEATHERS Sunday 9 October, 7pm Award-winning alt-country duo makes its Wiltshire Music Centre debut following a tour of the United States. Their perfectly paired voices echo America’s wide open spaces and country music heritage. Tickets: £10 / £5 under 18s.

SINGING WORKSHOP AND CONCERT Saturday 15 October, from 10.30am A chance to join singers from Bath’s Sassparella choir and a live funk band to enjoy singing songs from the disco era. Have fun and make harmonies all under the expert leadesrship of Marius Frank and Cindy Stratton. Top the day off with an uplifting concert celebrating the day’s work. Places need to be booked, £45 / £40 concessions for the workshop and concert.

TRACEY THORN ON A LIFE IN SONG Wednesday 19 October, 1pm The Everything But the Girl singer and writer Tracey Thorn will be in conversation with bookseller Nic Bottomley of Mr B’s bookshop to talk about her life and her new book, Naked in the Albert Hall: The Inside Story of Singing. Tickets: £9 / £8 concessions.

THE PIRATES OF PENZANCE Saturday 22 October, 7.30pm A concert production of Gilbert and Sullivan’s Continued page 36 THEBATHMAG.CO.UK

|

OctOber 2016

|

theBATHMagazine 35

whats on 1 October.qxp_Layout 1 23/09/2016 12:02 Page 3

comic opera performed by the Bath Choral Society and the Bristol Ensemble. Tickets: £24 / £12 under 18s.

A NIGHT OF ORBISON Saturday 8 October, 7.30pm n Chapel Arts Centre, St James’ Memorial Hall, Lower Borough Walls, Bath Roy Orbison was one of the most successful singer-songwriters of his era recording such hits as Only The Lonely, Oh, Pretty Woman, Running Scared and Crying. A Night of Orbison is brought vividly to life by New Yorker Lars Young.

With support from his band, this is a concert event that will have audiences singing along. Tickets: £13 (£15 on the door), tel: 01225 461700 or visit: chapelarts.org.

Also at Chapel Arts Centre this month BEN REEL AND TONY MCLOUGHLIN Booker Prize winner Margaret Atwood Sunday 16 October, 7.30pm is coming to Bath Expect a great night of roots, Americana and blues from two accomplished Irish singer-songwriters Ben Reel and Tony McLoughlin. Tickets: £8 ( £10 on the door).

PHILIP HENRY AND HANNAH MARTIN Thursday 27 October, 7.30pm Winners of 2014’s BBC Radio Two Folk Award for Best Duo, Devonians Phillip Henry and Hannah Martin, have recently released their third studio album, Watershed. It explores the idea of the modern folk tale.

They’re mesmerising to listen to live and Philip’s lap steel guitar playing is genius. Tickets: £12.50 (£14 on the door).

MARGARET ATWOOD Saturday 8 October, 8pm n St Mary’s Church, Bathwick Literary giant Canadian writer Margaret Atwood, comes to Bath to discuss her new latest novel, Hag-Seed, a reimagining of Shakespeare’s The Tempest. A tale of enchantment, revenge and second chances, this is a phenomenal opportunity to listen to one of the world’s most renowned writers. Tickets: £16.99 to include a copy of the book, from Topping & Co, the Paragon, Bath, tel: 01225 428111.

LUNCHTIME SIGNING WITH SIR TONY ROBINSON Wednesday 19 October, 12,30pm Topping & Co bookshop, the Paragon, Bath A chance to meet a much-loved British actor at the bookshop as he launches his autobiography, No Cunning Plan. Tony Robinson reveals how the boy from South Woodford went from child stardom in the first stage production of Oliver! to comedy hero Baldrick, the loyal servant in Blackadder. Tickets: £20, to include book and admits two people.

Also hosted by Topping & Co this month SARAH RAVEN Thursday 27 October, 7.30pm n St Mary’s Church, Bathwick, Bath Sarah Raven is a gardener, a cook, deviser of recipes and writer. She’s also a trained doctor and brings her knowledge of why certain foods protect our bodies to her new book Good, Good Food. It contains 250 colourful and tempting recipes, from spiced aubergine salad with pomegranate raita to basil yogurt ice cream. Tickets: £7 / £8, to include a glass of wine and voucher off the price of the book. Tel: 01225 428111 or from Topping & Co bookshop, the Paragon.

THIS IS AN ASTRONAUT IN SPACE: MIKE MASSIMINO Friday 28 October, 8pm n Christ Church, Julian Road, Bath We know from past experience that Bath audiences of all ages love the chance to listen to astronauts talk about their space explorations. This promises to be a highly exciting evening with Mike Massimino former NASA Astronaut as he shares stories and experiences from his aweinspiring life and discusses his new book Spaceman: An Astronaut’s Unlikely Journey to Unlock the Secrets of the Universe. Tickets from £6.

36 TheBATHMagazine

|

OCTOBeR 2016

Bath Phil page 1.qxp_Layout 1 20/09/2016 17:41 Page 1

whatson 2 october v2.qxp_Layout 1 23/09/2016 15:58 Page 1

WHAT’S | ON BATH SOCIETY OF ARTISTS’ MEMBERS EXHIBITION Saturday 8 – Saturday 22 October, 10am – 4pm n BRSLI, Queen Square, Bath Exhibition of drawing, painting, printmaking and sculpture co-curated by David Simon Gallery. The Bath Society of Artists was founded in 1904 and has grown over the years to a membership of around 120 diverse, talented artists.

Former deputy Prime Minister Nick Clegg is coming to Bath

LEWIS CLARK Sunday 9 October, 7pm n Komedia, Westgate Street, Bath The Bristol band launches its new album Vinyl Love, built on its trademark folk, soul and blues sounds but also captures its shifting dynamics, energy and poignant lyricism and which can be experienced first-hand in this one-off album launch show. Visit: lewisclark.co.uk.

Tickets: £8, tel: 0845 293 8480.

Also at Komedia this month NELL BRYDEN Thursday 13 October 7.30pm Nell Bryden has become a Radio 2 favourite for her powerful, soaring vocals and accomplished songwriting. After a career that has seen many ups and downs, she is to many the true definition of musical independence, dedicating her life to touring and producing material full of integrity and truth. Her most recent album Wayfarer is brimming with uplifting tracks, celebrating life, love and finding happiness. Tickets: £15.

THE SMYTHS: TRIBUTE BAND Thursday 20 October, 7pm The Smyths are more than a tribute band they recreate what is was to see and hear The Smiths live focussing on the sound and spirit of The Smiths live. Some 500 shows and worldwide appearances later and they are now in the in the top tier of tributes globally. A great way to experience the music of bands no longer with us played by artists who are as passionate and dedicated to their shows as actors and actresses. Tickets: £12.

MP Jacob Rees-Mogg at the American Museum in Bath

Nell Bryden at Komedia

EDITOR’S PICK INSIDE POLITICS WITH NICK CLEGG Saturday 8 October, 8pm n Christ Church, Julian Road, Bath After reading reviewers and other politicians’ views of Nick Clegg’s recent book Politics: Between the Extremes, now is the chance to hear the man himself speak candidly about his experiences in the coalition government as deputy Prime Minister. Tickets: £7 / £8 from Topping & Co, the Paragon, tel: 01225 428111.

TRACKING NELSON THROUGH BATH Monday 10 October, 7.30pm n St Mary’s Church Hall, Bathwick Louis Hodgkin is the lecturer for this fascinating talk tracking Nelson through Bath, 1771 – 1798, hosted by the History of Bath Research Group. Visitors are welcome to attend the group’s regular talks. A donation of £2 is suggested.

Portrait painter Harriet Bouchard at the Victoria Art Gallery

A HISTORY OF FASHION IN 100 OBJECTS Daily until January 2018 n The Fashion Museum, the Assembly Rooms, Bath This is a fascinating display of 100 star items from the museum’s collection. One of the earliest garments is an intricately embroidered waistcoat worn by an aristocratic woman from the time of Shakespeare.

The exhibition also includes an appliqué embroidered jacket by Paris couturier Lucien Lelong, worn by Vivien Leigh in 1948. Tickets: £8.75, £7.75 concessions, £6.75 children. Free with Discovery Card or Art Pass.

SYMPOSIUM: WAGNER’S THE KING OF THE NIBELUNG Saturday 15 October, 9.30am – 5.30pm n Bath Royal Literary and Scientific Institution, Queen Square, Bath Richard Wagner’s The Ring of the Nibelung, played out over four evenings, is widely considered a major work of art of the 19th century. In this day-long symposium, three leading experts from Royal Holloway College, the University of London, will shed new light on to Wagner’s masterpiece. Advance tickets for the day: £15 / £10 students, tel: 01225 463362.

The Bookshop Band is launching its new album in Kelston

38 TheBATHMagazine

|

OCTOBeR 2016

whatson 2 october.qxp_Layout 1 23/09/2016 12:04 Page 2

WHAT’S | ON PARAGON SINGERS Saturday 15 October, 7.30pm n Church of St Alphege, Oldfield Lane, Bath Director Keith Bennett will conduct his last concert in Bath with the Paragon Singers. The choir will be singing Bach’s motet Singet dem Herrn and pieces by Hildegard of Bingen, Silver cup and saucer from the Holburne Museum Josquin des Prez, Robert Fayrfax, Tomas Luis de Victoria, Dobrinka Tabakova, Gabriel Jackson and Francis Poulenc. Tickets: £12 and £6 from Bath Festivals Box Office or on the door.

BATH CONCERTINO CONCERT Saturday 15 October, 7.30pm n St Bartholomew’s Church, King Edward Road, Oldfield Park Bath Bath Concertino Concert in aid of the Dorothy House Foundation. The programme consists of two Mozart horn concertos, soloist Stephen Macallister, Haydn’s Symphony No 86 and the overture to his opera Armida. Entry is by programme on the door £10. Accompanied children free.

PLANNING FOR PEACE: REDESIGNING BATH DURING THE FIRST WORLD WAR Until 27 November n The Museum of Bath Architecture, the Paragon, Bath A fascinating exhibition that shows paintings completed in 1916 of ambitious plans for the centre of Bath, in which large public spaces would have been created. Free with entry to the museum. Entry £5.50, concessions £4.50 children £2.50. Visit: museumofbatharchitecture.org.uk.

LECTURE: JACOB REES-MOGG Thursday 20 October, 6pm n The American Museum, Claverton Manor, Bath The fourth Sir Winston Churchill Memorial Lecture at the American Museum in Britain is The UK’s Role in the World post-Brexit and will be delivered by North Somerset MP Jacob Rees-Mogg. Pro-Brexit Jacob Rees-Mogg will explore the advantages and challenges of Great Britain being independent from the bureaucracy of the European Union. He will cover the various implications leaving the European Union will have on Great Britain’s economy and governance, and its relationships with countries still in the EU, as well as America and the rest of the world. Tickets: £7, to include drinks reception, tel: 01225 820866.

CONCERT: THE BOOKSHOP BAND Thursday 20 October, 6.30pm n The Old Barn, Kelston Roundhill, Kelston A most literary entertainment, in the form of The Bookshop Band, will be recording its new album in front of a live audience. Two of the founding members of the group, Beth Porter and Ben Please, will be joined by other musicians for this recording on behalf of new, independent label Kelston Records. The old barn is a renovated Victorian threshing barn, 200 metres below the clump of trees at the top of the hill, accessed by a track from the A431, on the Bath side of Kelston. Visit: kelstonrecords.co.uk.

SILVER: LIGHT AND SHADE Saturday 22 October – 22 January 2017 n The Holburne Museum, Great Pulteney Street, Bath This exhibition brings together historic and contemporary silver masterpieces to investigate the texture, form and colour of this precious metal. It includes objects on loan from UK museums and private collections, alongside highlights from the Holburne. It will explore how silversmiths transform silver by creating a range of surface textures and patterns, highlighting the continuity between techniques used for centuries and those of today’s makers. Showcasing silver of historic and artistic importance alongside the work of skilled contemporary makers including Hiroshi Suzuki, Malcolm Appleby, Rod Kelly and Adi Toch.

THE BIG BIG DRAW Saturday 22 October, 10.30am – 12.30pm and 2 – 4pm

Bath Royal Literary and Scientific Institution Forthcoming Talks: How We Think and How We Ought To 4 October

English Shell House 10 October “Wagner Symposium” Saturday 15 October 2016 Bath Box Office

Women Artists 10 October

Diamond Applications 20 October

Symposium – The Colour Blue

Saturday 19 November 2016 Bath box office www.brlsi.org 16 – 18 Queen Square, Bath, BA1 2HN 01225 312 084

Continued Page 40 THEBATHMAG.CO.UK

|

OctOber 2016

|

theBATHMagazine 39

whatson 2 october.qxp_Layout 1 22/09/2016 12:12 Page 3

WHAT’S | ON

MAGICAL MUSIC FOR ALL Bath’s Mozartfest, which runs from 11 to 19 November, brings us its annual array of big name artists playing inspirational classical music Knitted poppies in Corsham

EXHIBITION: ABOVE AND BEYOND Saturday 22 – Sunday 30 October, daily 9.30am – 4.30pm n Corsham Town Hall, High Street, Corsham, Wiltshire Corsham Town Hall is travelling back in time with an exhibition honouring the Red Cross Hospital which took up residence in the town during the First World War, from 1914 to 1919. The exhibition will recreate what the hospital looked like and explain how the people of Corsham took it to their hearts. There will also be events and activities, including music, drama, a chance to Knit for the Troops, a family history workshop and more. Yarn-bombing artist Emma Leith will be covering the Town Hall in poppies and decorating the High Street with a poppy trail. Entry is free, but donations for the Red Cross, Royal British Legion or SSAFA can be made. Visit: corsham.gov.uk.

BATH CAMERATA: 30TH ANNIVERSARY CONCERT Saturday 22 October, 8pm n The Pump Room, Bath The award-winning Bath Camerata has been making music for the pleasure of audiences in the UK and abroad for 30 years, performing with the Three Tenors, the Tallis Scholars, Britten Sinfonia, Joanna MacGregor and Brian Eno. The ensemble sings regularly at the Bath International Music Festival, and has been invited to perform at major venues in the UK and worldwide. Under its new musical director, Benjamin Goodson, it continues to receive rave reviews. Tickets: £20 (£10 under 18s); £40 VIP tickets from: bathcamerata.co.uk and Bath Box Office: bathboxoffice.org.uk or tel: 01225 463362.

ANNETTE DOLAN: BOOK SIGNING Thursday 27 October, 6.30pm – 8pm n Waterstones bookshop, Milsom Street, Bath Bath businesswoman Annette Dolan, founder of Bath Aqua Glass, has written a candid autobiography about her lifelong struggle with dyslexia. She’ll be signing copies of Dyslexia Rules KO and offering advice and inspiration to other sufferers at this free session.

BATH PHILHARMONIA: AVEC ORGUE Friday 28 October, 7pm n Bath Abbey This is a concert designed to lift the roof on Bath Abbey. The mighty Klais Organ is to go under wraps for several years as part of the Abbey Footprint Project so this will be the chance to experience its full glory.

Debussy’s Faune is one of the most iconic and atmospheric pieces in the orchestral repertoire. The Poulenc Organ Concerto is a piece of colour, virtuosity and power. Saint-Saen’s Third Symphony marks the high point of French Romanticism. Joining Bath Phil as organ soloist is Shean Bowers, acting director of music at Bath Abbey. Tickets £25 / £20/ £15/ £5 (under 16s) from Bath Box Office, 01225 463362.

PLANNING AHEAD . . .

A HANDFUL OF SINGERS: THE SOMME REMEMBERED Sunday 6 November, 3.30pm n St John the Evangelist Church, South Parade, Bath Marking the centenary of the Battle of the Somme with readings and music by four English composers of the period: Parry’s choral masterpiece, Songs of Farewell, written in the aftermath of the Somme; Nunc Dimitis by Holst – a moving setting of Simeon’s farewell to the world; Howells’ Requiem, from the 1930s; and Vaughan’s Williams’ Lord, Thou hast been our Refuge. Tickets £10, £5 u25s, from Bath Box Office, tel: 01225 463362 or visit: ahandfulofsingers. n

40 TheBATHMagazine

|

Narrator Samuel West

n Victoria Art Gallery, Bath Whether you’re three or 103, take part in the public gallery’s Big Draw challenge to create a larger-than-life portrait of yourself. Drop-in and join in.

Also at Victoria Art Gallery PORTRAITURE MASTERCLASS Sunday 23 October, 11.30am – 4pm Harriet Bouchard gives a masterclass in portrait drawing, working from a model. Free drop-in session.

OCTOBeR 2016

M

usic-lovers know that they are always well-advised to bag their tickets early, and with The Hallé orchestra conducted

by Sir Mark Elder, pianist Angela Hewitt, the Emerson Quartet from the USA and what promises to be an outstanding performance of Schubert’s Winterreise from baritone Roderick Williams and accompanist Roger Vignoles, this year is no exception.

Lurking in the depths of the programme, though, there is a small musical treasure which should not be overlooked. It is a 3pm Family Concert – although we would bet that there will be more grown-ups than children in the audience – featuring two classic stories set evocatively to music: Prokofiev’s Peter and the Wolf and Poulenc’s Babar the Elephant.

Telling the tales will be the actor Samuel West and pianist Tim Horton, who will use his pianistic skills to enthralling effect.

In 1936 Sergei Prokofiev was commissioned by the Central Children’s Theatre in Moscow to write a musical symphony for children. Its aim was to cultivate ‘musical tastes in children from the first years of school’ – a concept that is still nurtured today.

Prokofiev allegedly wrote the words and music for Peter and the Wolf in just four days – telling the story of Peter, a country boy and his adventures with some animals, whose sounds would be interpreted by the members of the orchestra.

Over the decades this much loved work has been narrated by a rolecall of names from Alice Cooper to Dame Edna Everage, via Sir John Gielgud and Bill Clinton, and accompanied by some of the world’s greatest orchestras and solo musicians. Disney has made a movie, and there was even a punk music ballet version in the 1980s.

For Bath it has been paired with another enduring and endearing story set to music: Poulenc’s Babar the Elephant.

In 1940, it is said, Francis Poulenc was living in the countryside outside Paris composing work that veered towards the atonal, a style then considered appropriate for French concert halls. It did not appeal, however, to the small daughter of a cousin who came in, declared herself bored by his music and placed her copy of The Story of Babar the Elephant on his piano and said ‘play this’. So he did, she approved, and he rest, as they say, is history – and encompasses film, TV, and an elephantine merchandising empire. But still the live narrated performance enthrals audiences.

The captivating character of Babar the Elephant was created by Jean de Brunhoff a writer and illustrator, based on the stories his wife Cecile made up to entertain their children, The Story of Babar was the first of seven. Their son, Laurent, continued the tradition after his father’s early death from TB, creating a complete elephant world with Babar the dapper, green suited, King of the Elephant Nation. Poulenc’s music vividly paints scenes from Babar’s life: slow and low to depict lumbering beasts, high and staccato for jungle bird calls, jaunty for the city. Prokofiev’s Peter and the Wolf and Poulenc’s Babar the Elephant with Samuel West (narrator) and Tim Horton (piano) will take place at The Guildhall, Bath at 3pm on Saturday 19 November. It is a concert for all the family, although recommended for those aged seven and over. Children must be accompanied by an adult. Tickets are £10, £15 and £20 – and all at half price for children.

Full details of all Bath Mozartfest concerts in November are at: bathmozartfest.org.uk, or from Bath Box Office, Abbey Chambers, Abbey Churchyard Bath, tel: 01225 463362. n

Bath Philharmonica fp.qxp_Layout 1 20/09/2016 16:39 Page 1

P 42.qxp_Layout 22 22/09/2016 19:19 Page 1

42 TheBATHMagazine

|

OCTOBeR 2016

Bath Festival fp.qxp_Layout 1 23/09/2016 09:37 Page 1

Bath Film Fest.qxp_Layout 1 23/09/2016 15:56 Page 1

FILM | FESTIVAL

YOU SAW IT HERE FIRST

We take a sneak preview at some of the highlights of November’s Bath Film Festival

F

rom the regional film festival that brought the world the F-rating system for film-goers, comes the new and exciting programme for the 2016 Bath Film Festival.

If you recall, last year’s previews included a screening of the Tilda Swinton/Ralph Fiennes move A Bigger Splash, which Bath audiences got the chance to enjoy long before the film went mainstream. And this year’s festival, which runs at venues throughout the city from Thursday 3 to Sunday 13 November, promises more treats in store.

True to form the selection panel have continued to flag up films in which female characters talk to each other about something other than the male characters, and in which women play key roles on the other side of the camera. When you read the programme listings look out for F-rated films that meet this criteria.

The F-rating has also inspired two new strands for this, the 26th year of the festival, both championing equality, Queer Films and Pan Asian.

Holly Tarquini, the executive director of Bath Film Festival, says: “We are always keen to broaden our view of the world, to bring audiences a diverse selection of different voices and views that perhaps we don’t see in Bath.”

As you read through the programme you’ll notice that many of these films have never been screened in Bath before.

It is a thoughtfully curated programme, with offerings about Iraq, Japan, Chile, Israel, France and Germany.

As you might expect too, there’ll be some well known stars in the line-up.

Emma Thompson stars in Alone in Berlin, a brave film which tells the true – and seldom heard – story about the Germans who secretly resisted Hitler while living under his rule. Thompson and Brendan Gleeson play bereaved parents whose son was killed in France in 1940. Their silent act of rebellion is to leave postcards in public places urging people to rise up against the oppressor.

The always watchable Audrey Tautou stars in The Odyssey, a French film celebrating the life and work of the great underwater naturalist Jacques Cousteau.

Tautou plays his wife Simone, together with him on so many of his oceanbound adventures.

Other familiar faces include British actor Russell Tovey who, in The Pass,

44 TheBATHMagazine

|

OCTOBeR 2016

One of the most unusual events at this year’s Bath Film Festival will be a screening of The Duchess, starring Keira Knightley, which will take place in the Assembly Rooms, Bath – the precise location used in one of the film’s most powerful scenes.

The screening, on Thursday 10 November, will include a presentation by the cult Finnish duo known as Fan Girl Quest. This is a pair of adventurers who travel the world looking for locations used in films and then screenframing them. The screening of The Duchess will give the audience the chance to have a go at screenframing themselves, using a tablet or phone as they look up at the gallery in the Assembly Rooms which the HOW TO SCREENFRAME: find the film’s real-life location Duchess used to make a key speech in the film. then screen grab your favourite character and impose You can see more of Fan Girl Quest’s adventures them on your actual surroundings on their blog: fangirlquest.com. tackles what has been described as football’s dirty secret. Namely, that the levels of homophobia in the so-called beautiful game are so rabid that players can only come out as gay once their playing days are over. Director Ben A Williams, who made this film from an original play on a tiny budget, is due to come to Bath to talk about this sensitive topic.

Laura Carmichael, who played Lady Edith in Downton Abbey, is one of a star-studded cast, along with Nigel Planer, Alison Steadman and Jane Asher, in a new and funny British road movie.

The premise of Burn Burn Burn is that Dan is dead, but before he died he left step by step directions for his friends to go on a road trip.

On the festival’s theme of encouraging audiences to walk a mile in another’s

shoes to understand different views and lives, comes A United Kingdom, a true story about Seretse Khama, heir to the throne of Bechuanaland (now Botswana), who came to the UK just after the Second World War. Here he fell in love and married a white woman.

South Africa, with its new apartheid laws, wants him dethroned; and the British government obliges. David Oyelowo and Rosamund Pike star in this drama, which was chosen to much acclaim to open this year’s London Film Festival.

Fans of the horror genre will want to check out the 2016 Japanese film Creepy. It tells the story of a detective who wants to get away from his work investigating psychopathic criminals, so he becomes a teacher and tries to live a quiet life. But in the hands of cult horror

HOW TO BUY TICKETS: if you sign up for Bath Film Festival’s free email newsletter – at: bathfilmfestival.org .uk – you qualify for priority booking from Friday 7 October when the first tickets go on sale. Sales of tickets to everyone else begin on Friday 14 October

Bath Film Fest.qxp_Layout 1 23/09/2016 15:57 Page 2

FILM | FESTIVAL

DIVERSE VOICES: clockwise from top left, A United Kingdom starring David Oyelowe and Rosamund Pike; Audrey Tautou plays Jacques Cousteau’s wife Simone in The Odyssey; the Natural Theatre Company will be leading a series of walks, Bath the Movie, and Brendan Gleeson and Emma Thompson play subversive Germans living under Hitler’s dictatorship in Alone in Berlin

director Kiyoshi Kurosawa I think we all know that’s unlikely to happen. The Japanese Times said of this movie: “Keep telling yourself none of it could really happen, ever, ever. It’s too creepy to think about otherwise.”

Among the documentary gems are Sonita about a young Afghan woman living in exile with her mother and family in Iran who has ambitions to become a rap star – while her family want to sell her off as a bride. Forever Pure is a devastating film about a Jerusalem football team whose racism represents a disturbing element in Israeli society while Cameraperson is a mutli award winning doc about one of the world’s best cinematographers, Kirsten Johnson.

There’s another documentary, this time about a Hollywood star. Ingrid Bergman: In Her Own Words uses home movies along with readings from her letters and diaries. There are also interviews with the Swedish born actress’s children, including actress and model Isabella Rossellini. It says much about the changes in society that 1950s America would not tolerate her leaving her husband – TV show host Ed Sullivan stooped as low as to get his viewers to vote on whether Bergman should be a guest on his show.

Bath Film Festival will also be adding two innovative new ways for the public

to engage with cinema.

The first addition is a comedy celebration of Bath in celluloid being staged at regular intervals throughout the weekend of Saturday 5 and Sunday 6 November in collaboration with the city’s internationally beloved Natural Theatre Company.

Actors from the company will lead regular hour-long walkarounds to Bath places which have featured in on screen scenes, with the added twist of weaving the locations and their characters into an as yet unmade Bath movie.

Holly says: “We’re delighted to be including these extras alongside our hugely popular programme of new-toview and classic feature films, shorts, documentaries, director talks and talent awards. The Naturals are always good fun for all the family and Fan Girl Quest’s work is so exciting – an unusual and inventive way to capture a scene from a favourite film or TV show in the exact place it was shot.

“And Bath is, of course, the perfect spot for these new forms of film exploration; the city and its surrounds feature in so many movie and television dramas, including Les Miserables, Persuasion and Sherlock, as well as the one we’re showing, The Duchess.”

There are a handful of bright gems from cinema’s past. These include David Lynch’s legendary 1986 movie Blue

THEBATHMAG.CO.UK

Velvet, starring Laura Dern, Dennis Hopper and Isabella Rossellini. A very young Jodie Foster can be seen in Freaky Friday, a showing in collaboration with the Bath Children’s Literature Festival, and there’s more nostalgia with a re-run of the recent screen version of Swallows and Amazons. That screening will include a question and answer session with director Philippa Lowthrope and, hopefully, scriptwriter Andrea Gibb.

The film festival promises lots of opportunity for film lovers to get together and chew over themes, meanings and interpretations in the corridors of Bath’s Odeon cinema, which is where the majority of screenings will take place. And, as always, there’ll be the chance to meet the people who make film and ask them about the truths behind the fiction.

Tickets for the Natural Theatre Company’s Bath the Movie walks and The Duchess screening with Fan Girl Quest are on sale now from: bathfilmfestival.org.uk. Tickets to subscribers to the newsletter go on sale on Friday 7 October, when some titles are sure to sell out in hours. General ticket sales are from Friday 14 October.

The 11 days of the festival provide some unique viewing opportunities to see the world in all its diversity from the comfort of an Odeon cinema seat with the best acoustic sound in town. n

|

OCTOBER 2016

|

ThEBATHMagazinE 45

P46.qxp_Layout 22 23/09/2016 15:05 Page 1

HIMAL Fashion and Accessories from the Himalayas

4TH ANNUAL AUTUMN EVENT Following our hugely successful previous events and by demand we are pleased to announce this years event date as…

Friday 14th October and Saturday 15th October 2016, 10.30am - 4.30pm at: 5, Old King Street, Bath

(Health & Beauty Centre and Bath Chiropody Clinic; next to Hall and Woodhouse)

We will have many beautiful items, including:

Pure Cashmere Shawls • Pure Cashmere Scarves • Pure Cashmere Ponchos • Pure Silk Handprinted Scarves

Silk & Cotton Mix Dressing Gowns • Silk & Cotton Mix Pyjama Sets (beautifully presented in matching presentation bags)

Pure Wool Rugs • Handmade & Hand Printed Wrapping Paper • Handbags • Fun gifts for children & gifts for family & friends too Come along, bring a friend, enjoy a glass of Prosecco with us, shop!

All profits from the event will be donated to

The Charitable Foundation for the Education of Nepalese Children Reg’d No. 1140503 (A local charity, supporting and funding the education of children throughout Nepal.)

46 TheBATHMagazine

|

OCTOBeR 2016

Beaux Art fp.qxp_Layout 1 20/09/2016 16:40 Page 1

Art lover's guide pages 1-2.qxp_Layout 1 22/09/2016 16:53 Page 1

ART | GUIDE

Dreams of Tomorrow

by Paul Bennett

Essence by Ione Parkin

INVESTING IS AN ART FORM Jessica Lloyd-Smith from Modern ArtBuyer reveals the secrets of making the most of your money when purchasing a piece of art

T

he recent highly-acclaimed Stubbs and the Wild exhibition at the Holburne Museum in Bath prompted me to look into the investment value of a painter of Stubbs’ stature. In 2011, his painting Gimcrack on Newmarket Heath fetched an impressive £22.4m at a Christie’s auction, which was a new record for the artist. At the time of the sale, this painting was the third most valuable Old Master ever sold – 250 years after it was painted.

In reality most collectors are looking to spend somewhere in the hundreds – perhaps thousands – rather than the millions, but with headlines like this it isn’t surprising that the question of investment in art comes up again and again.

During these ground-breaking auctions, the right collectors are present, their coveted artworks are available and the market is made.

There is no real financial benchmark for valuing art as there is for gold, for example. A work of art is worth what the market is currently willing to pay for it. It is interesting to note that many leading works of art at the very same auctions will go unsold. The quality of the art or artists is unquestionable, but sometimes collectors simply may not be interested in those particular pieces at that time.

Art owners or potential buyers often ask me whether the piece they own or are planning to buy is a potential investment. How can they guarantee a return on their purchase or at least not lose money buying art?

48 TheBATHMagazine

|

OcTOber 2016

Just like financial markets, the simple fact is no one can guarantee any investment in the art world. That is why most galleries will advise you to buy art you love. Even if you are hoping for a return on your initial spend, investing in the art market is usually a long-term plan, as we have seen with Stubbs’ auction record, so you need to love and appreciate your artwork regardless.

On top of that, buying art as an investment goes against the ethos of the art world somewhat, which is why it isn’t strongly advocated by galleries. Your reasons for buying art should be more of an emotional attachment than pure profit.

It is true that investment value is important to some buyers, so what factors should collectors consider that may affect your long-term return?

Firstly is the reputation of the artist. A wellestablished artist who has received awards and critical acclaim is a good start. Conversely, a new emerging artist that everyone is talking about, either locally or globally, could also be a promising opportunity. The better the artist’s reputation, the more chance your artwork stands of becoming an investment piece.

Secondly, rarity is a factor. A unique piece is more likely to increase in value than a print by an artist of a similar reputation. Look for unique or very limited edition artworks.

Provenance should also come into consideration. Buying from a reputable gallery, dealer or auction will hold weight so keep a record of where and when you bought it.

Similarly, for any works bought on the secondary market, i.e. art that has been sold at least once before, it is helpful to gather details of who owned the painting previously.

Aesthetics and style are also significant. The more striking and handsome the artwork, the more demand there will be for it which will impact the value. An artist’s trademark style is relevant too. Works in an artist’s signature style tend to be more recognisable and therefore more desirable. Collectors want a great example of that artist’s work at that particular time in their career.

In terms of ownership and care of your collection, condition is really important.

Obviously artworks in mint condition will be more sought after. Also, make sure you keep all paperwork to prove whom the piece is by and to confirm your ownership. This is important if you decide to sell.

Finally, the market environment is a key factor when buying or selling art, particularly at the high end of the market, so the buoyancy of the economy and art world is worth consideration.

In addition, artist’s work can flow in and out of favour with collectors so it’s important to get the timing right.

In a nutshell, quality is crucial – a strong signature piece by an acclaimed artist from a reputable gallery and in mint condition is a good start. But let’s be honest, if you had something that good on your wall would you ever want to let go of it? n

Art lover's guide pages 1-2.qxp_Layout 1 22/09/2016 16:53 Page 2

ART | GUIDE

THE ART LOVER’S GUIDE With Bath being a creative hub for artists, sculptors and curators, The Bath Magazine has created a guide to the best galleries in the area

ARTGALLERY.CO.UK Spencer House, 34 Long Street, Tetbury, GL8 8AQ Tel: 01666 505152 Web: artgallery.co.uk The Art Gallery is a contemporary gallery in a splendid Georgian property in Tetbury. It is home to ArtGallery.co.uk, one of the UK’s leading online art galleries with more than 2,500 active artists and over 30,000 artworks on-line.

Since 2008, Aileen Mitchell and her team have built ArtGallery.co.uk up to the very successful business it is today. You are sure of a warm reception both online and in the gallery – Aileen and her team strongly believe in the gallery’s ethos of “original art for everyone”. Aileen manages the online and high street businesses from Tetbury with the help of a small team, and personally selects a rotation of 15 or so artists from the website whose works are exhibited in the gallery. These include the award-winning Mariusz Kaldowski whose vibrant interpretations of nature are bursting with vitality and colour, and the wonderful work of Paul Burgess who uses his unique style of connecting blocks of colour to create his stunning landscapes.

Aileen is very proud of the success of the business, and its membership of the Arts Council’s Own Art scheme is testimony to its reputation – this means customers can buy artworks with the help of interest free loans from £100 to £2,500 over 10 months, subject to status.

The gallery’s team are also proud of their five star artwork and customer service ratings as awarded by feefo, one of the world’s leading ratings and reviews platform providing genuine responses from real customers.

If you are in Tetbury, do take the opportunity to pop in to The Art Gallery and say hello to Aileen and her staff. Visit: artgallery.co.uk and search out that special piece of art for your home or office.

Fish and Figs by Relton Marine

Waterlilies by Mariusz Kaldowski, acrylic on canvas, £995

THE ART SALON 21 Broad Street, Bath, BA1 5LN Tel: 01225 422220 Web: artsalon.co.uk The latest arrival to Bath’s thriving art scene opens its doors in October, offering fine art, design and furniture served with a large helping of oldfashioned excellence in service. The ART Salon exhibits British modern and contemporary art alongside key pieces of 20th century design and furniture from the Georgian period to the modern day. In 2017 the Salon lecture series will begin, inviting key figures in the art and design industry to discuss their expertise and opinions further in the informal setting of the Salon.

The ART Salon’s approach is to offer a more complete experience, from one off purchases to complete collection management and interiors advice. Its framing service and educational courses will complement this.

It will encourage and nurture talent and promote craftsmanship by working with young designers and artists from around Britain, placing their work amongst the established masters. The shop is predominantly an art gallery, but will display work from all periods in many different forms – ceramics with furniture, paintings with lighting – alongside excellence in craftsmanship.

Representing over 30 artists, The ART Salon regularly exhibits in the UK, US and Asia. Under the direction of Jeni Weinberger, who has worked in the art world for over 20 years, these collections will often be previewed here in Bath, before being shipped to global art fairs.

Historically The ART Salon holds a studio exhibition in November in the run up to Christmas. Selling work from the artists’ studios that are perhaps studies or smaller work, with the price reflected. They also showcase the best of British design, craftsmanship and emerging talent at affordable prices. Handpicked quirky design pieces, prints and one-offs will ensure a Christmas with a difference and in the knowledge that you are supporting young talent.

THEBATHMAG.CO.UK

|

OctOber 2016

|

theBATHMagazine 49

Art lover's guide pages 3-4.qxp_Layout 1 22/09/2016 16:55 Page 1

ART | GUIDE

IMAGIANATION 5 Terrace Walk, Bath, BA1 1LN Tel: 01225 312996 Web: imagianation.com

BLUESTONE GALLERY 8 Old Swan Yard, Devizes, SN10 1AT Tel: 01380 729589 Web: bluestonegallery.com The Bluestone Gallery was established in 2000 by Guy Perkins, who had spent the last 20 years as a studio potter. Over that time he had sold his work to scores of galleries which gave him a very good idea of what he wanted to set up. One expensive piece taking up a whole shelf was not a gallery model he aspired to. So jewellery, glass, wood, ceramics, printmaking and much more all feature at Bluestone Gallery.

The most recent addition has been necklaces and bracelets by Tessa Tyldesley, whose work features brilliant combinations of unusual beads like amazonite, dumortierite and various agates. And if silver and gold appeals you will appreciate the work of Anna Latham and Helen Neve.

But it’s not all about jewellery. You will find copper bowls by Steph Hopkins, who finishes the fine bowls with extraordinary patinas that make them look as though they have just been retrieved from a round barrow on the Wiltshire Downs. The charming little sculptural pieces by Frances Noon combine metal and wood featuring animals and trees. And the ceramic sculptures by Karen Fawcett are astonishingly lifelike – they literally stop passers-by in their tracks.

With autumn already in the air, fresh work will be arriving thick and fast. A stand out will be the automata of Robert Race, well known for his brilliant and amusing wooden inventions. More work will be arriving from Cath Hill whose unusual enamelled silver pieces proved a hit earlier this year. Nancy Pickard also works with enamel and silver in a very different style, and her legion of fans will have lots to choose from.

With two floors the gallery has the space to display a lot of lovely work and the atmosphere in the Bluestone is relaxed, informal and welcoming.

Hare by Karen Fawcett

50 TheBATHMagazine

|

OcTOber 2016

Imagianation is a popular gallery, with its upbeat, colourful, everchanging collections of art inspired by the natural world. “We love our role in bringing artists’ finest work to the gallery for people to fall in love with and treasure,” says co-owner Nicola Murphy. “We support artists from Cornwall to the Cotswolds and our beautiful spacious gallery is the biggest independent in Bath.”

Here are some hints of what you can expect to find when you visit: Jon Tremaine’s unforgettable wildlife; Dick Smith’s tactile oils of bluebell woods and meadows; John Horsewell’s vivid landscapes; and the famous Yvonne Coomber’s gorgeous dream meadows, as seen on Countryfile.

Local artists’ visions include haunting impressionist oils from Shane Feaney; fine illustration from Kate Davies; dreamlike landscapes from Jan Nesbitt, Carolyn Carter’s stunning colours, and Janet Jordan’s enchanting etchings. Ben Rothery’s quirky and beautiful animal illustrations hang alongside Jon Tremaine’s latest work, now in wonderful 4ft canvases of badger, fox, puffin and running hare.

Imagianation offers both affordability and collectability: fine originals from £300 – £3,000+, collections of prints from £18 and other art forms such as Cornish raku vases from £56 by Chris Hawkins, little raku animals by his partner Chloe from £23 and handmade jewellery.

Each month the gallery features a theme of new work. This autumn’s celebration of the landscape and wildlife features new arrivals to Bath: powerful watercolours by Rod Craig, graphic landscapes by Lucy Dunnett and oils of Bath’s beauty spots by Ron Adams. December will feature art warmly depicting human life. Enjoy the observations of Bath’s most delightful artist and art historian Jasper Rose and the seasonal battiness of Rowan Barnes Murphy.

A warm welcome awaits you from the charming staff, with mince pieces at Christmas time. Why not find unexpected Christmas gifts at this lovely gallery. And don’t miss out on Imagianation’s festive gift to you – a bottle of Champagne to toast the magical original painting you just brought home.

THE HOLBURNE MUSEUM Great Pulteney Street, Bath, BA2 4DB Tel: 01225 388569 Web: holburne.org The Holburne Museum, Bath’s Centrepiece by first public art gallery, opened in Theresa Nguyen its permanent home at the top of Great Pulteney Street 100 years ago. To celebrate 100 Years Here the museum has put together three unique exhibitions, the final of which Silver: Light and Shade opens on 22 October. The Holburne’s winter season is inspired by this beautiful display of historic and contemporary silver masterpieces. Workshops for all ages have a silvery theme so you can make your own jewellery, embroider in silver thread, write poetry or attend talks and handling sessions to learn more about this precious metal. The venue hire team has also created sparkling party packages to celebrate Christmas at the museum with colleagues, friends and family.

The Holburne has a particular strength in 18th century portraiture with works by Gainsborough, Ramsay and Zoffany.

The museum is open late on the last Friday in the month, from 5 – 9pm on 28 October, 25 November and 27 January. This offer includes exclusive after hours access to the galleries combined with music, drinks and light bites in the garden café. The Holburne also has plenty to offer families and children with early years workshops for under fives, Saturday art club for under 13s and art masterclasses for under 18s.

Art lover's guide pages 3-4.qxp_Layout 1 22/09/2016 16:56 Page 2

ART | GUIDE

DAVID SIMON CONTEMPORARY 4 Bartlett Street, Bath, BA1 2QZ Tel: 01225 460189 Web: davidsimoncontemporary.com David Simon Contemporary represents contemporary painters, ceramicists, sculptors and printmakers from all over the British Isles, through a programme of monthly exhibitions. Exhibitions often showcase emerging talent alongside wellestablished artists such as Peter Randell-Page, Hugh Buchanan and Julian Bailey.

The gallery prides itself on collectible and accessible art available to all pockets. This year the gallery is sponsoring the Royal West of England Academy’s annual autumn exhibition and Bath Society of Artists’ annual members exhibition. It is also presenting an auction of contemporary art to support Bath Abbey’s Footprint project on 23 November.

Exhibition summary for 2016: 8 – 31 October – Jackie Philip: From Studio to Shore. Painting in raw pigment and oil on canvas, this new exhibition explores still life and landscape paintings of the Scottish Inner Hebrides. Each piece is a study of colour and luminosity of light.

8 – 31 October – Sara Ingleby MacKenzie: Moments in Time. Full of character, humour and life, this new range of bronze sculpture captures the female figure in everyday activities. Patinated in striking colour, there are bronze figures of ladies of style and attitude on the catwalk and in their party outfits.

4 – 29 November – Lydia Corbett: La Danse de la Vie. Coinciding with a major exhibition by Pablo Picasso at London’s National Portrait Gallery in November, this exhibition shows the paintings by one of his models, Lydia Corbett, or Sylvette David as she was then known. Featuring some 40 paintings in pen and ink as well as oils, this collection showcases both new paintings of figures and English and French landscapes as well as previously unseen work from her studio. A biographical book on Lydia Corbett’s life and work will be launched at the exhibition.

2 – 24 December – Mixed Winter Exhibition. An eclectic showcase of paintings and original prints by gallery artists.

2 – 24 December – Solo exhibition of miniature ceramics by Yuta Segawa. Yuta Segawa is a Japanese ceramic artist specialising in producing miniature pottery.

He learned fine-art ceramic skills in Japan and China and developed techniques in producing miniature pots in London. All miniature pots are thrown individually by hand and he uses more than 500 original glazes. These exquisite vesseles range between just two – seven cm. “Miniature pottery relates to the issue of the relationship between artists’ bodies and their works. It is a challenge to test the limits of what a human body can make on such a small scale,” Segawa says.

Delphinium, Camaret Courtyard

by Lydia Corbett

LANE HOUSE ARTS 5 Nelson Place East, Bath, BA1 5DA Tel: 07767 498403 Web: lanehousearts.co.uk

A design by Bath Spa University graduate Charlotte Street

Lane House Arts’ first permanent gallery opened in May 2013 in Bath’s artisan quarter at the top of Walcot Street. This small, beautifully curated exhibition space specialises in contemporary art, ceramics, sculpture and prints carefully selected by director Jenny Pollitt. Lane House Arts has a commitment to encouraging and supporting artistic endeavour and promoting new talent.

In its series of gallery takeovers, guest artists are given the space to curate shows. The gallery represents a growing number of contemporary artists and makers based in the UK. It aims to create strong supportive relationships with the artists and to nurture creativity.

Through a changing programme of exhibitions, the gallery displays a unique design aesthetic. It welcomes new collaborations and partnerships – earlier this year it handed the space over to Fringe Arts Bath (FaB) and Forest of Imagination, and co-curated its first exhibition with the Hardy House Gallery in Box. Throughout October, the gallery celebrates the talent of Bath Spa University’s School of Art and Design in its season, Past, Present & Future. The

gallery introduces you to its pick of this year’s BA graduates in Contemporary Arts Practice, Creative Arts, Fine Art, 3D Design, Photography and Textile Design for Fashion and Interiors.

The gallery follows this with work from this year’s postgraduate shows and former masters, then spotlights the current talent with paintings from continuing students. The last weekend of October brings all the work together in a final celebratory party. The gallery’s show throughout November coincides with the fabulous Walcot Winterfest weekend and includes new paintings by Susanna Lisle and ceramics from Hannah Tounsend. Exquisite paintings by American Leslie Glenn-Damhus closes 2016 with a beautiful Christmas show to dazzle and delight.

THEBATHMAG.CO.UK

|

OctOber 2016

|

theBATHMagazine 51

art lover's guide page 5.qxp_Layout 1 22/09/2016 17:23 Page 1

ART | GUIDE

CATHERINE BEALE PORTRAIT STUDIO

The Attwell family

by Catherine Beale

9B Margarets Buildings, Bath, BA1 2LP Tel: 01225 319197 Web: gallerynine.co.uk

Tel: 07891 409490 Web: catherinebeale.com Catherine Beale is a portrait and landscape artist who loves helping her clients to capture special family moments. “As a mother myself I understand how fleeting childhood can be,” says Catherine. “A lot of my commissions are from parents who want to capture their families before they grow up, or whose children are about to fly the nest. They either want a lovely portrait of their child to stay in the family room, once they’ve left home for university, travel or work, or to capture the whole family together.”

Her work as a highly regarded local landscape artist means many Bath residents have also asked Catherine to incorporate some of Bath’s famous landmarks into their portraits. “It’s wonderful when I get to paint people and buildings together. It makes the painting so much more meaningful if it is set in a special place. A mother recently asked me to paint her son in front of Prior Park College, so he’d always have something special to remember his time at school by.”

“I’ve painted siblings against the backdrop of the church where their weddings were held and captured young children on the daisy bank of the canal where they most enjoyed walking their dog. I even included the dog.”

Instead of working in oils, Catherine uses her trademark watercolour techniques to create vibrant luminous paintings that work wonderfully with modern interiors.

NICK CUDWORTH GALLERY 5 London Street, Bath, BA1 5BU Tel: 01225 445221 Web: nickcudworth.co.uk The Nick Cudworth Gallery specialises solely in the work of artist Nick Cudworth who works in a studio at the rear of the gallery. Nick has an international reputation with works in countless public and private collections across the world.

From a career stretching from 1968 to the present day, there is a large array of hand made cards and giclee prints in various sizes always available alongside original new works as they are completed. The artist’s technique of high realism allows the range of subject matter to be very expansive highlighting his many interests in still life, music, landscape and cityscape and portraiture. This variety is clearly shown in the next proposed three shows: October: Autumn Glory – paintings and prints of autumn foliage featuring paintings set in Henrietta Park and Westonbirt Arboretum.

November: We Are What We Wear – paintings and prints centred around the artist’s collection of shoes and hats.

December: Making Faces – paintings and prints celebrating the world of comedy featuring a new piece of work of the many faces of Tommy Cooper.

John Peel by Nick Cudworth

52 TheBATHMagazine

| OcTOber 2016

GALLERY NINE

Gallery Nine houses one of the finest collections of handmade British arts and crafts in the city.

Artists with work on permanent display include leading jewellery designers Jane Adam and Guy Royle. Jane has an international reputation for creating unique jewellery in dyed anodised aluminium as well as a precious metal range.

Guy Royle, who spent 25 years as an apprentice to Breon O’Casey, uses the simplest of tools and methods. His metal work compliments his use of of natural pebbles and semi precious stones, which are ground, shaped and drilled into beads.

Studio ceramics feature strongly in Gallery Nine, covering the whole spectrum from functional to sculptural, exemplified by the traditional styling of Richard Batterham and the highly decorative works of Lara Scobie to the sculptural pieces of local artist Paul Philp.

The gallery also specialises in original limited edition prints, including lino prints, engravings and lithographs by artists such as Richard Bawden, Breon O’Casey, Paul Cleden and Howard Phipps.

Side by side with the aforementioned contemporary artists can be found the much coveted works of 20th century artists such as Edward Bawden, Bernard Cheese and Michael Rothenstein. A range of textiles can also be found, in particular Margo Selby, Wallace/Sewell scarves and cushions in silk, cashmere and lambswool.

The Christmas exhibition which runs 7 November – 31 December features the highly decorative works of the ceramicists Katrin Moye and Derek Wilson. Katrin Moye is a mostly selftaught ceramic artist specialising in making tableware using the traditional technique of slip painting on earthenware. Print maker Merlyn Chesterman, who specialises particularly in woodcuts, returns to the gallery supported by new work by Gail Brodholt.

Jane Adam, Silver and Gold Bangle

James Campbell, Platter

page 53.qxp_Layout 23 22/09/2016 10:35 Page 1

THEBATHMAG.CO.UK

|

OctOber 2016

|

theBATHMagazine 53

art lover's guide page 6.qxp_Layout 1 22/09/2016 16:58 Page 1

ART | GUIDE

BEAUX ARTS 12 – 13 York Street, Bath, BA1 1NG Tel: 01225 464850 Web: beauxartsbath.co.uk First opened in 1979, Beaux Arts is the longest established and a highly renowned commercial gallery in Bath and is the sister gallery to Beaux Arts in Maddox Street, London. It specialises in the very best in contemporary painting, sculpture and studio ceramics. Works by well-known 20th century artists, such as Elisabeth Frink, Lynn Chadwick and Paul Mount, rub shoulders with new luminaries such as Nathan Ford, Anna Gillespie, Sarah Gillespie and Simon Allen. The gallery has a programme of eight annual exhibitions, half of which are dedicated to promoting new talent.

Beaux Arts was established by Reg and Patricia Singh when they moved to Bath from St Ives, bringing with them the work of artists they knew who were based in Cornwall and who formed the vanguard of the British post-war art scene. These included Barabara Hepworth, Peter Lanyon, Roger Hilton and Terry Frost.

Nowadays there is a new generation of talented sculptors, painters and potters making a name for themselves at Beaux Arts. Among these is the 2015 Sunday Times watercolour artist of the year Akash Bhatt, also a winner of the Villiers David Prize and the BP travel award.

Sculptor Nick Mackman is the current holder of the David Shephard British wildlife artist of the

year award.

Nathan Ford is another artist of talent and promise.

He was frequently lauded by the late Brian Sewell in his Evening Standard column, and his most recent sell-out exhibition drew an audience from far and wide.

There is also a wealth of local talent to be seen at Beaux Arts, among them the hugely popular Bath-based Anna Gillespie, with her indefatigable bronze figures. Painter Helen Simmonds also lives locally and her wonderful, tranquil still lifes are among the most highly sought-after works in the gallery.

Beaux Arts gallery is a wonderful space where you can depend on your work being curated beautifully. With the gallery’s high ceilings and old fireplaces, there is a relaxed and unhurried atmosphere, where a visitor is free to be inspired by the high standard of work on view.

Forthcoming shows: 10 October – 8 November: new paintings by Helen Simmonds, new sculpture by Christopher Marvell, new ceramics by Eddie Curtis. 17 November – 24 December: new paintings by Jo Oakley, new ceramics by Chris Keenan, new sculptures by British wildlife artist of the year Nick Mackman.

VICTORIA ART GALLERY Bridge Street, Bath, BA2 4AT Tel: 01225 477233 Web: victoriagal.org.uk The Victoria Art Gallery is Bath and North East Somerset's most popular public art gallery with over 150,000 visitors a year. The council-owned collection covers three centuries of British art, from Gainsborough to Sickert and Peter Blake to Turner.

Marvel at the display of 1,500 decorative art treasures, browse its collection of Bath images in the top floor draw units, and relax with a cup of coffee in the upstairs rotunda.

VAG’s current exhibition is the Kenneth Armitage 1916 – 2002 Centenary sculpture exhibition which runs until 27 November. This exhibition celebrates the work of an artist intimately connected with Bath.

Just in time for Christmas, the gallery welcomes back one of our favourite local artists, Peter Brown, with his exhibition A Bath Painter’s Travels which runs from 3 December 2016 – 29 January 2017. This exhibition features over 100 new oil paintings and drawings which celebrate the streets and green places of Bath including locations such as Widcombe, Hedgemead Park, Lansdown and Milsom Street, as well as lesser-known but equally beautiful corners of the city.

The permanent collection in the upper gallery is free of charge. The gallery opens daily from 10.30am – 5pm.

Absolutely chucking it down, George St

by Peter Brown

54 TheBATHMagazine

|

OcTOber 2016

ART AT THE HEART OF THE RUH South Corridor Gallery, Royal United Hospital, Combe Park, Bath, BA1 3NG Tel: 01225 824987 Web: artatruh.org The award-winning art and design programme at the RUH is displaying two new exhibitions this winter. The Open Square celebrates some of the 2D artists who contribute to the ongoing creativity of FaB (Fringe Arts Bath). FaB are working with Art at the Heart of the RUH to showcase these artists as part of our commitment to local and community activities and our underlying belief of art’s role in our health and wellbeing.

Florals and Landscapes exhibits Jessica textile art’s transformation of drawing where she has added elements of paint, print and embroidery, creating a unique range of textile art wall pieces. This collection of work has been inspired by local Bath scenes, spring/summer florals and also a trip to Vienna. Since graduating from Bath Spa University, Jessica has exhibited her textile art work at the RUH, Stroud Textile Festival, Thread 58 in Bristol and Church House Designs Gallery in Congresbury.

The Open Square and Florals and Landscapes will be on display until mid February 2017.

Bath’s Best Crescent by Jessica Textile Art

page 55.qxp_Layout 23 22/09/2016 15:35 Page 1

FINE ART DESIGN FURNITURE

21 BROAD STREET | BATH | BA1 5LN Tel: 01225 422 220 team@artsalon.co.uk www.artsalon.co.uk

THEBATHMAG.CO.UK

|

OctOber 2016

|

theBATHMagazine 55

art lover's guide page 7.qxp_Layout 1 22/09/2016 16:59 Page 1

ART | GUIDE

BATH SOCIETY OF ARTISTS Web: bsartists.co.uk Exhibition at BRLSI, 16 – 18 Queen Square, Bath, BA1 2HN Bath Society of Artists has been established for over 100 years and has been at the forefront of British modern art and dedicates its annual members’ show at BRLSI in Queen Square to the art of drawing.

This is doubly significant since the discipline of drawing is at the structural heart of fine art and draws together the various styles and processes employed by nearly 130 members of the society.

On show you will find traditional approaches to image making as well as more contemporary methods employing a wide range of media representing the work of painters, sculptors, printmakers and ceramicists.

Many of the artists exhibiting are academicians of the Royal West of England Academy, including David Inshaw, whose famous painting The Badminton Game is in The Tate collection. David Cobley’s work is featured in the National Portrait Gallery with many other members having exhibited in prestigious shows including The Royal

Academy Summer Exhibition and at the Royal West of England Academy.

Line, shading and compositional structure show how artists think and how they develop their art. The Italian Renaissance critic Vasari called drawing the father of the arts. It is the fundamental visual vocabulary of the plastic arts and it is particularly welcome that in what is the first themed exhibition by the membership the cause of drawing is given free rein to celebrate and express members considerable talents.

If the Bath Society of Artists wish to uphold traditional standards whilst participating in the debate surrounding contemporary art then focusing on drawing is surely the best way to do it. The exhibition will introduce all manner of artists to the public through representing the language that underpins all forms of artistic expression.

The private view of the exhibition Drawing – Technique and Purpose will take place on Friday 7 October, 6 – 9pm at BRLSI. It will be open to the public from Saturday 8 – Saturday 22 October, 10am – 4pm. The exhibition is generously supported by David Simon Contemporary, Bath.

MUSEUM OF EAST ASIAN ART 12 Bennett Street, Bath, BA1 2QJ Tel: 01225 464640 Web: meaa.org.uk Incongruously placed just a stone’s throw from two of Bath’s iconic attractions, The Circus and The Royal Crescent, is a hidden gem of a museum. The Museum of East Asian Art is the only museum in the UK solely dedicated to the understanding and appreciation of East and Southeast Asian arts and cultures.

The museum is a sanctuary of tranquillity in a bustling World Heritage city: ceremonial jade objects as luminous today as they were over thousands of years ago sit alongside imperial household items, Ming vases, bronze Buddhas, Chinese blue and white porcelain and other artefacts representing over 7,000 years of artistry and craftsmanship.

Currently on show until 12 February 2017 is the exhibition Red – History, Culture and Craftsmanship, which explores the significance of the colour red in Chinese heritage, from the materials used to produce red to the symbolism of the colour, and the rapid advancement of red wares during the Ming dynasty (1368 – 1644).

The new permanent display is arranged into four different themes – Chinese symbols, East Asian life, stunning craftsmanship and dynamic world – providing fascinating new perspectives on the collections. A total of 588 objects are now on display, including 261 objects which have not been displayed in the past four years.

Exhibition Ways of Seeing – Drawings by Chloe Regan opens from 1 October 2016 –

56 TheBATHMagazine

|

OcTOber 2016

12 February 2017. Chloe, who graduated from Royal College of Art with a MA degree, created a series of drawings based on the collection, showing how to engage with unfamiliar works of art by focusing on their shapes, surface decoration and texture. The public is invited to celebrate the opening by sketching their favourite object from the museum’s displays. Guided by the museum’s education team, sketching workshops run from 1.30 – 4pm on 1 October.

There will be a series activities for local residents to enjoy during Museums Week from Saturday 22 October – Sunday 30 October: Museum trails (free, suitable for all ages).

These include three different trails for families, children aged six and over and toddlers.

Family fun – Red crafts, Wednesday 26 October, 2 – 4pm (free, suitable for all ages).

Tea ceremony demonstration, Friday 28 October, 6 – 7pm (free).

Celestial Bodies by Malcolm Ashman RWA

MODERN ARTBUYER Tel: 07941 301 687 Web: modernartbuyer.com Bath-based Modern ArtBuyer is a contemporary online art gallery and consultancy. Its varied portfolio of artists includes painters, skilled printmakers and digital artists, all selected for the fine quality of their work. A number of the gallery’s artists are based in the south west, and many are awardwinning or have received accolades in their field.

Art collectors can buy directly through the website, or they can browse and buy works in person at the gallery’s regular pop-up exhibitions and art fair stands in London, Bristol and Bath.

In addition to this, the gallery offers friendly, complimentary art consultancy to anyone looking for artworks either for their home, business or commercial space. The gallery helps buyers source great artworks, suited perfectly to their taste, budget and environment.

Modern ArtBuyer offers two things: exceptional, contemporary artworks for sale in a carefully-curated spectrum of styles and price bands, and friendly, sound guidance on buying art. The gallery focuses on helping potential buyers – whether they are new to art buying or established collectors – to find the right pieces for their space. The gallery is passionate about great art and is there to help anyone wanting to immerse themselves in the artistic world.

P57.qxp_Layout 23 23/09/2016 09:41 Page 1

nick cudworth gallery

Henrietta Park – Oil painting on linen

AUTUMN GLORY 1 – 29 October

A variety of paintings and prints of Autumn foliage featuring paintings set in Henrietta Park and Westonbirt Arboretum

5 London Street (top end of Walcot Street), Bath BA1 5BU tel 01225 445221 / 07968 047639 gallery@nickcudworth.com www.nickcudworth.com

Nothing Is Ours Except Time by award winning artist Emma Rose

An ongoing exhibition mounted by Emma Rose Art Works featuring Original Art . Limited Edition Signed Giclée Prints . Canvas Prints

First Floor Gallery 78 Walcot Street . Bath

www.emmaroseartworks.com

THEBATHMAG.CO.UK

|

OCTOBER 2016

|

ThEBATHMagazinE 57

art lover's guide page 8.qxp_Layout 1 22/09/2016 16:59 Page 1

ART | GUIDE

EMMA ROSE ART WORKS

Land of My Heart

by Emma Rose

78 Walcot Street, Bath, BA1 5BD Tel: 01225 424424 Web: emmaroseartworks.com

BATH CONTEMPORARY 35 Gay Street, Bath, BA1 2NT Tel: 01225 461230 Web: bathcontemporary.com Bath Contemporary selects work from painters, sculptors, printers and ceramicists, which it feels displays intelligence and curiosity. The team actively searches for artists who push boundaries, who refuse to sit still and who continually question themselves and their work.

This autumn the gallery is showing collaborative work from British painter Malcolm Ashman and Norwegian digital printmaker Inger Karthum. Collaboration is an exercise of trust between two (or more) artists; it asks that each must lower barriers and break from the security of the familiar in order to create something new and unexpected. Bath Contemporary is really excited about this body of work, which explores notions of memory and shared experience.

Following on the gallery has a solo exhibition of work from Bristol artist George Tute, which spans 60 years of work. Better known for his intricately carved wood engravings, Tute’s paintings are laden with symbolism and reveal layer upon layer of hidden meaning. His sculpture, by comparison, is all about story-telling, sometimes allegorical but always with humour.

Rounding up the year, the gallery relaxes with a winter show of work from artists including Norma Stephenson PS, Corinna Button RE, Frans Wesselman RE, Ben Kelly, Moira Huntly PPPS and Louise Davies RE.

Paths by Malcolm Ashman and Inger Karthum

58 TheBATHMagazine

|

OcTOber 2016

Expect to be delighted and uplifted when you enter this charming little gallery. Bursting with colour and life it specialises in Emma Rose's awardwinning land and seascapes. Here you can see original work, limited edition giclée prints, canvas prints and cards. She also works to commission and is very happy provide personalised paintings with exactly the right colour, size and style. Having been voted Best Artist in Bath’s Independent Awards and made it to the final of the Society of Woman Artists at London’s famous Mall Galleries, this year has been an exciting one for Emma.

Emma specialises in contemporary, semi-abstract painting with an emphasis on colour and texture. Her style is distinctive and original, and she uses Indian inks and acrylics to produce vibrant and arresting work.

Landscape, sky, sea, nature and memory are the inspirational core reflecting. Paintings often reflect Bath architecture, visions from travels abroad, or flight’s of fancy.

Each month she brings in new work to the gallery, mounting a different exhibition – this autumn will see work reflecting the changing seasonal colours. Between 3 – 6 November Emma is curating and exhibiting The Art Of Interiors with Louise Rushford of Lux&Bloom – showcasing art, textiles, furniture, pottery, etched glass, candles and rugs at Rook Lane Chapel, Frome.

At Emma’s gallery look out for the Walcot Winter Extravaganza on 19 – 20 November, when the street will open late and there will be festivities and mulled wine. On 24 November, Emma is also donating work to support the Bath Abbey Footprint Fundraising Auction.

ONE TWO FIVE GALLERY 4 Abbey Green, Bath, BA1 1NW Tel: 07803 033629 Web: onetwofivegallery.co.uk One Two Five Gallery is the showcase for the work of its artist/directors Carole Waller and Gary Wood. Carole specialises in hand painted and printed clothing, see right, paintings and glass works. Her work has been exhibited internationally for many years and pieces of her unique painted textiles and clothes are to be found in the collections of the V&A. Gary’s expertise is ceramics: pots for food and drink, wall pieces and sculpture in stoneware and porcelain. Also on show is a beautiful collection of contemporary jewellery.

One Two Five hosts regular exhibitions throughout the year of new collections of work by Gary and Carole, alongside work by visiting guest artists. There is also a project space in the basement of the gallery which is occasionally given up to more experimental work: collaborative projects, interactive installations; a test bed for new ideas still in development, improvisation and multi-media.

The gallery’s new exhibition Fall will run from 19 October – 20 November and includes works by sculpture Patricia Volk, precious jewellery by Holly Belsher and new work by Carole and Gary.

In the run up to Christmas the gallery has a wonderful collection of colourful printed aluminium and silver jewellery by Annie Beardsley – earrings are £25 and make great Christmas presents. Carole’s painted silk scarves and Gary’s stoneware shot cups or candleholders are also very special gifts.

Single page.qxp_Layout 1 20/09/2016 18:15 Page 1

CITY | GALLERIES

A SENSE OF TRANQUILITY

Aidan Quinn of Beaux Arts gallery talks to still-life painter Helen Simmonds ahead of her exhibition in Bath

H

elen Simmonds is a Wiltshire based artist who has won national acclaim and legions of fans for her beautiful still-life oil paintings. Ahead of her exhibition at the Beaux Arts Gallery, which runs throughout October I spoke to her about her work.

As a gallery fortunate enough to be hosting a collection of some 40 pieces of work by Helen, there is a certain anticipatory warmth in the commonly heard remark: “I don’t usually like still lifes, but. . .”

This may signal a short silent moment of chin-stroking circumspection – a dawning recognition that these predominantly small, modest paintings have an evocative or emotive air about them that is not readily describable.

Slow in creation, they are invested with deliberation and long hours of looking, their contemplation engendering a similar, rewarding sense of lasting calm.

Slowing down to look is a natural reaction.

Helen’s works mainly feature selections from the artist’s collection of small ceramics, bottles and enamelled vessels. The jug and ladle are recognisably Victorian; other preferred objects are oriental porcelain cups and vases, their surfaces decorated with musicians, dancers and temple visitors.

These various objects are, it seems clear, beloved, imbued with significance as heirlooms or gifts, as well as their whispered depictions of other worlds.

At times the pottery and enamel shimmer among the shadows with their soft china blue and light orange detailing. Other plates and bowls slice

A STILL SMALL VOICE OF CALM: top left, Shelf With Bottles and Roses, right, March Inset, Cup and Saucer

and upset the background hush with a humming crescent or blazing splash of irridescent saffron glaze.

Helen’s Calne studio is a bright attic overlooking a townscape criss-cross of rooftops. The Marlborough Downs are visible in the distance and the chatter of workers on a break audible outside the window. Within this capsular space the ceramics and flowers are slowly choreographed into her familiar compositions. Behind the closed studio door she comes to terms with the outside world’s restlessness and bustle, making peace with it through the hardwon discipline and freedom of painting.

Helen was born in Hertfordshire and gained a fine art degree in sculpture from Bath Academy of Arts in the early 80s. During this time she was awarded The Gains Trust, Fine Art Student Travel Scholarship, which she used to study at the Rijksmuseum in Amsterdam. She also won The Royal West Of England Academy Public Choice Award, at the RWA autumn exhibition of 2011. Her work has become much sought after.

THEBATHMAG.CO.UK

She is the epitome of Girogio Morandi’s description (of himself) as ‘essentially a painter of the kind of still life composition that communicates a sense of tranquility and privacy, moods which I have always valued above all else.’

Despite its long intertwining with the history of art and its currents of wealth, religion, patronage and power, still life is perhaps overly-familiar as a genre in our noisy world and is too often served cold and hyper-real. We have evolved in terms of medium, subject matter and concept. It is the antithesis of our voracious, image-hungry zeitgeist.

Why contemplate and get to know the depiction of simple objects within an arms-length of space on a table, when one can instead binge on a knowing and graphic digital firmament?

It is this that makes an artist like Helen Simmonds a revolutionary. We are looking at a quest for, if not an exercise in, equanimity and her work leads us, rapt, into silence.

She is capable of re-enchanting the everyday ordinary utensil, revivifying and suspending for us the short precious lifespan of a beautiful flowering plant.

To look at this work is to be guided from a viral, hurried world to a simple non-knee-jerk, non-reductive essence, aptly summed up by writer Patrick McGuinness. ‘Less is not always more.

Sometimes it is everything.’ n Helen Simmonds exhibition is at the Beaux Arts Gallery, from Monday 10 October to Saturday 12 November. The gallery in York Street, Bath, is open Monday to Saturday 10am to 5pm.

| OCTOBER 2016 |

ThEBATHMagazinE 59

Bath at Work October.qxp_Layout 1 20/09/2016 17:54 Page 1

Bath at Work October.qxp_Layout 1 20/09/2016 17:54 Page 2

BATH @ WORK Our series of photographic portraits by Neill Menneer shows Bath people at work. View a gallery of Bath@Work subjects at: thebathmag.co.uk

Simon Watson Upholsterer

I

’m from London originally. Born in ‘59 at Hampton Court Hospital and lived in Teddington nearby. I left school at 15 and worked in a butcher’s shop until I was 19. Then I got the old itchy feet and went to live on a kibbutz in Israel. Quite a normal thing to do in those days as working on the land made foreign adventures affordable.

On my return to the UK I went back to what I knew and found myself back at the butchers. I still yearned for something more exciting though and so travelled to Gaza and another kibbutz at Nurium. From there I travelled around Europe for a while but before I left the kibbutz a friend told me to check out Malmesbury in Wiltshire. He said it was a great place to live, and so I did and it was! I found a local butchering job with Michael Harts.

My life was about to change however as I got a slipped disc and this made the physical work impossible. Life is curious though as it led me down another direction. There was an old drop head sofa in the house where I lived and I had begun to restore it but realised I didn't have the skills. My father had always had an eye for good furniture and maybe this was why I was drawn to it; he came from good stock and used to appreciate quality and buy stuff all the time from Kingston Market.

I enrolled on a City and Guilds upholstery course in Devizes run by Yvonne Harding. I really enjoyed it and finally got the home sofa finished. While working as a carer I started to get a bit of private repair work. Some of you might remember Hook and Lear upholsterers founded in Bath in 1972. Well, Gary Hook, son of the founder, asked me to help him out with the business in 2000. The rest, as they say, is history.

I've been here in Walcot Street ever since. In 1998 we bought the London Road premises from which to sell period furniture that we have restored. It’s a good fit with the service and reupholstery side of the business. Our highly-skilled craftsmen use traditional methods to repair and restore any upholstered item. Sometimes we provide a cup of tea or even a hug when required. I’m even doing a bit of teaching now through the Love to Learn programme at Bath College. I enjoy teaching people the skills I have learnt over many years.

I love Bath actually. The people are friendly, it’s very cosmopolitan and the café culture nowadays is great.

I do have one issue about my line of work though – I often have to employ Europeans because France and Poland have excellent apprenticeship models. There are so few English upholsterers now because the support and educational structures are just not there. I’d like to see that changed so we can retain these original crafts, but Bath you can stay as you are – I’ve got no plans to leave. n Walcot Upholstery, 91 Walcot Street, Bath, BA1 5BW. Tel: 01225 460483, email: walcotup@supanet.com, web: walcotupholstery.co.uk

PORTRAIT: Neill Menneer at Spirit Photographic.

Visit: capturethespirit.co.uk, tel: 01225 483151.

THEBATHMAG.CO.UK

|

OctOber 2016

|

theBATHMagazine 61

Archive Oct.qxp_Layout 1 23/09/2016 10:12 Page 1

BATH | ARCHIVE

VISITORS FROM THE PAST With Halloween almost upon us historian Catherine Pitt takes a look at some recent ghost sightings in Bath – and asks, can we really see dead people?

I

n a city as historic as Bath one expects a few spooky sightings to be had, and it certainly doesn’t disappoint. But, whether you’re a believer or not these more recent terrifying tales will get you thinking the next time you walk past some of these familiar buildings.

THE GAINSBOROUGH BATH SPA HOTEL The new – five star – kid on the block, Gainsborough Bath Spa Hotel opened its doors only a year ago. It’s sited over three Grade II listed buildings, two of which date to the 1800s. Previously housing the United Hospital, and then becoming Bath Technical College, the hotel has a rich history. It seems that when the site was under development it was more than just a Roman mosaic pavement, and the Bath Hoard of silver coins, that were disturbed.

During the construction period of the hotel, the site only had two exit and entrance points – at Beau Street and on Lower Borough Walls. At night the area was patrolled by two security guards contracted in from outside the city. One evening the guards were undertaking their separate patrols of the building when one urgently radioed the other. One of the guards had spotted an intruder in the basement, walking along a tunnel, dressed in what was probably fancy dress – a helmet, leather tunic and boots, plus a sword. A student perhaps on a night out or a lost reveller from a stag party?

The guards went to check that the site was secure and once confirmed that no one had broken in and both doors were still locked, the guards met up and went back down to the tunnel to investigate further. There was nowhere the man could go, he had to be on site.

They continued looking but to no avail.

In the morning the guards recounted their story to the site contractors. The guard who had seen the man described to everyone the intruder’s appearance. Everyone agreed that it tallied with the costume of a Roman soldier.

The discovery of the coin hoard, and the Roman mosaic, confirms that the hotel lies within part of the Roman city. In fact the tunnel where the man was seen is at what is believed to be the street level of Roman Bath.

Whoever, or whatever, was down in the tunnel that night has not, to anyone’s knowledge, re-appeared. We’d like to think that it was simply the spirit of a Roman soldier having one last quiet walk around before the hotel opened to the public.

ABBEY CHURCH HOUSE This building is reputed to be the oldest surviving Elizabethan house in Bath, dating to around the 1560s when it was built for the Bath MP, Edward Clarke (although damaged in the Second World War, the house was restored). It was later acquired by Dr Robert Baker in 1590

62 TheBATHMagazine

|

OCTOBeR 2016

for housing wealthy patients seeking a cure at the springs; and by the 17th century it was the home of Sir Edward Hungerford.

Today Abbey Church House contains offices, storage space and accommodation; although beneath the building lie the remains of a 12th century leper hospital. With such a long history it is unsurprisingly believed to be haunted.

Those that work in the ground floor offices often report cold spots appearing and disappearing through the day. The office lights also frequently go on and off with no rational explanation and despite checking by electricians. There have been many independent reports from staff, and outside contractors, who have been in the building and experienced feelings of not being alone when they are the only (alive) person inside.

The most frightening experience, however, occurred around the time that work was going on opposite Bath College. Many workmen were housed in the city so they could be near the site.

One engineer working on the project was given an attic room in Abbey Church House but he didn’t stay for long. One morning he emerged

from his room terrified and relayed to his colleagues that he was woken in the middle of the night to find a woman’s face staring at him from above. Petrified, he said it felt she was actually sitting on his chest and he was unable to move. As he lay there he watched the figure gradually disappear. He refused to stay another night in Abbey Church House, as did some of the other contractors on hearing this tale. Who was the mysterious woman and is she responsible also for the cold spots and electrical faults? Perhaps she was a leper seeking a cure, or maybe one of Dr Baker’s wealthy clients; or maybe simply a figment of the imagination.

THE ASSEMBLY ROOMS Much loved, and much visited, the Assembly Rooms built in 1769, house not only beautiful Georgian rooms of entertainment that royalty and fashionable Bath society enjoyed; but today they also contain the important collections of The Fashion Museum.

Having once worked in this building, I have talked to security guards and colleagues who revealed a number of spooky sightings and

Archive Oct.qxp_Layout 1 23/09/2016 10:13 Page 2

BATH | ARCHIVE

Below, the Beau Street hoard of Roman coins found lying beneath what is now the Gainsborough Hotel Opposite page, no of course we couldn’t bring you concrete evidence to back these stories – this image is from the Shutterstock library

many unexplained occurrences over the years.

A ghostly figure of a stately lady in her Georgian finery has been spotted on many occasions floating serenely between the Tea Room and the Ballroom, as she would have done 300 years ago. On another occasion a white lady, perhaps the same one, passed directly through a terrified security guard on the narrow staircase that leads up to the Octagon Room’s Minstrels’ Gallery. He was to coin a phrase – as white as a ghost – when he eventually made it downstairs again.

One night when cleaning the museum one of my colleagues found he couldn’t complete his vacuuming in the central exhibition gallery as the plug kept being pulled out of the wall socket for no reason – despite ensuring he had plenty of cable out. He became so afraid that he had to leave it and run upstairs.

Although one could argue this was a good excuse to get out of the housekeeping!

However the most frightening experience reported here was what occurred in what had been a ticket office, near the main entrance to the Assembly Rooms. Here security guards could relax at night when not patrolling the building. The office had one window out on to the street, and one internal window that looked out on to a corridor.

It was here in the early hours of one morning that a security guard was sitting quietly when he felt as if he was being watched. He looked outside but no one was there. He turned to the internal window and there was the disembodied head of a man staring at him from the corridor. Fear rooted the guard to his spot and he quickly radioed for assistance.

When his colleague arrived confirming there was no one else in the building except the two of them, the guard who had seen the head promptly quit, never to return.

huge complex of monastic buildings was pretty neglected by the 15th century, which is when Bishop Oliver King’s vision of a new Abbey kickstarted the building of the church we see today.

Although the Dissolution of the Monasteries in the 1530s under King Henry VIII saw the closure of the Monastery, his daughter, Queen Elizabeth I rescued the abbey and the building project continued into the 17th century. There have long been rumours of monks said to haunt the precinct and courtyard around the Abbey, where once the cloisters, refectory and other monastic buildings stood, an amateur photographer believes he is the first to capture a confirmed sighting.

In August 2005 Russell Cribbs was heading home when he paused to take a photograph outside the abbey doors. It was 9.53pm according to his phone and with the abbey lit up he thought it would make a great picture. He waited until the few people who were milling around had moved on and then took his picture.

About half an hour later he arrived home and decided to take a look at it.

Sadly he realised that he had taken it in a hurry and that it was blurred, however he suddenly spotted in the centre of the photo, in front of the abbey doors there was a dark figure that was certainly not there when he took the picture. Looking closer he realised he could see no shadow and that it looked very much like a figure in a cowled long coak – almost like a monk’s habit.

He knew there was no one there when he took the picture as he had made sure that everyone had moved on before he took it. So who was this person and where had they appeared from? Is this proof that the monks of Bath Abbey still haunt the area to this day or was it simply a person who ran into shot? We’ll let you decide for yourself. There is a fairly grainy shot online at: flickr.com/ photos/rustysea/2587825581. n If you’ve seen something spooky or unexplained in the city, drop a line to The Bath Magazine at 2 Princes Buildings, George Street, Bath, BA1 2ED or email: editor@thebathmagazine.co.uk and we’ll pass them on to our ghostbusters.

❝

He turned to the internal window and there was the disembodied head of a man staring at him from the corridor

❝

HIGH SPIRITS: left to right, vacuum cleaners have been unplugged and a Georgian lady floats along the corridor at the Assembly Rooms, a construction worker staying at Abbey Church House said he saw a woman’s face floating above him as he lay in bed, and visitors to Beckford’s Tower report having seen a ghost spaniel sniffing round the graveyard

BECKFORD’S TOWER Built as an architectural folly by the wealthy and eccentric William Beckford atop Lansdown Hill in 1827, the Tower was once Beckford’s private retreat and library; but is now a museum.

Lansdown Cemetery adjoins the site, but burials only began here after Beckford’s death in 1844. Beckford’s body was moved from the Bath Abbey Cemetery in 1848 and buried here in his own self-designed pink granite tomb overlooked by the tower he loved. It is unsurprising really that it is said that his ghost is sighted walking the cemetery at night.

The tower not only houses a museum but also rental accommodation. Past guests have recorded in the Visitors Book of seeing a ghostly spaniel sniffing around the graveyard. This is believed to be Beckford’s pet dog, Tiny, who was once buried here. Now its remains have been removed it is said it still haunts the area where it once was buried.

BATH ABBEY The abbey and surrounding area is a hot spot for tourists during the daytime but during the evening it’s a lovely area to wander around. You’re usually alone albeit with a few people hurridly heading between bars or home via the Abbey precinct, so night is the perfect time to get a great shot of the abbey all lit up.

The building you see today is the third incarnation of this holy place of worship. Originally built as an AngloSaxon monastery in 757AD, the Normans replaced these buildings with their own magnificent abbey and monastery. Today’s abbey would fit comfortably within the nave of the Norman church if it still existed. This

THEBATHMAG.CO.UK

|

OCTOBER 2016

|

ThEBATHMagazinE 63

food news OCT.qxp_Layout 1 23/09/2016 12:44 Page 1

FOOD | NEWS

TITBITS

COFFEE, CAKE AND CRAFT BEERS

STREET FOOD: Bath Bites food and drink fair

■ Savouring Bath is hosting an after work drinks and tasting tour on Tuesday 4 and Thursday 6 October, from 5pm, as part of The Great Bath Feast, to discover some of the unique watering holes of the city. Meet Bath’s modern drinks heroes and enjoy sample sizes of Somerset perry, cider, and local ales, while learning about the rise in British drink history along the way. There will be an emphasis on food and drink pairing, with tasters of savoury and sweet bites to accompany the drinks. At the end of the tour the party will be taken to a surprise location to enjoy a bespoke Great Bath Feast cocktail. The tour is £25 per person, including tastings of food and several drinks over three hours. To book, visit: savouringbath.com or email: hello@savouringbath.com.

■ We’ll be able to graze our way round Bath Abbey courtyard from Saturday 1 to Sunday 9 October at the Bath Bites food and drink fair, which is part of the Great Bath Feast. The fair will feature a mix of 12 vendors serving hot and cold food. There’ll also be a gin palace with more than 100 gin and tonic brands to sample including local favourite Bath Gin. ■ Artisan chocolatier, Nick Shearn of Seven Hills Chocolate will be leading an evening workshop and talk into the dark art of chocolate at Newton Farm Shop on Wednesday 5 October. Become savvy about real chocolate, understand the difference between low-grade ‘fast’ chocolate and the precious commodity that can range between 50% and 70% cocoa. Learn to make a fine ganache, practice the skill of piping, and master the art of filling truffles like a professional. All chocolate created can be taken home to enjoy. Places are £25 per person. Includes a welcome drink, hands-on masterclass and chocolate creations to take away. Tel: 01225 873707 to book.

■ A date for your diary is Great Western Wine’s splendid Portfolio Tasting evening, which takes place from 5pm on Thursday 3 November at the Assembly Rooms. In addition to 150 wines to sample and talk about there’ll be cocktails, beer, cheese and cocktails too. The evening, which is always convivial, will offer the chance to mingle with some food and drink experts and there’ll be music from Stylus Vinyl, a music and wine pairing club. For tickets (£20 a head) tel: 01225 322810, or visit: greatwesternwine.co.uk.

64 TheBATHMagazine

|

OCTOBeR 2016

FRIENDLY HOST: James Hunter of Hunter & Sons James Hunter, who runs a speciality coffee and craft beer café bar in Milsom Place, has rebranded his business from Hunter and Colonna to Hunter & Sons.

James, who currently has just one young son, has set up an individual independent business which manages to satisfy different types of customers. It means groups of people can visit its cool, comfortable interior and one of them have a cup of coffee from a choice of beans on offer, while the other members of the party take their choice from a series of five ever changing craft

beers. A row of blackboards provides easily digestible tasting notes.

The cafe is open from 9am until 11pm Monday to Saturday, serving food from brunch through to 6pm. Brunch dishes include such favourites as savoury waffles, avocado toast and bacon with sourdough. Lunch dishes include items such as confit duck with wild mushrooms, pickled beet and fried egg. For the sweet toothed there is always homemade cake.

Hunter & Sons is also open on Sundays from 10am until 6pm.

MICHELIN STAR GUEST CHEF

Bath’s food scene has lost one of its finest chefs as Michelin starred and all-round good guy Sam Moody has left The Bath Priory after ten years at the helm in the kitchens.

Sam said, as he left :“I have had an amazing journey at The Bath Priory and will be forever thankful for the opportunity given to me by Andrew Brownsword, who appointed me as head chef seven months after arriving at the hotel as sous chef. I leave behind an amazing team.”

Andrew Brownsword’s Bath hotel has now appointed Michelin starred chef Adam Simmonds to act as guest chef until the end of December.

Adam won his first Michelin star at Yynshir Hall in Wales in 2006 and his second at Adam Simmonds at Danesfield House in 2010. Known for dishes which are delicate and fresh, but intensely flavoured, Adam appeared on the 2013 and 2014 series of the Great British Menu, and has also worked alongside Marco Pierre White, Raymond Blanc and Paul Heathcote.

Adam said: “Dining out should be an

NEW TO BATH: Adam Simmonds experience which engages all of your senses. You eat with your eyes first, then the aroma and burst of flavours hit you. But as a diner your experience is enveloped in the ambiance and service, and I look forward to working with the team at The Bath Priory to deliver all components to serve memorable meals during my time as guest chef.”

For further information or to book visit: thebathpriory.co.uk or call 01225 331922.

LUNCH DEAL EXTENDED

The Gainsborough Restaurant has extended its two-for-one lunch offer, after much acclaim for the deal, which was launched in the summer.

Guests can continue to enjoy two lunches from the kitchens of head chef Daniel Moon at the five star hotel for the price of one person from Monday to Friday through to Wednesday 23 November.

Following an upsurge in mid-week custom, particularly from local residents, the restaurant took the decision to extend its lunch offer. The set menu offer includes two courses for £22.50 or three courses for £29.50 with a choice of three starters, mains and puddings, all of which are created using local and seasonal ingredients.

Mint Room Page - JUly.qxp_Layout 1 23/09/2016 10:26 Page 1

A Cut Above...

Fine Indian Dining

Try our Tour of India tasting menu Longmead Gospel Hall, Lower Bristol Road Bath BA2 3EB Tel: 01225 446656

www.themintroom.co.uk

info@themintroom.co.uk

THEBATHMAG.CO.UK

| OCTOBER 2016 |

TheBATHMagazine 65

Food review October.qxp_Layout 1 22/09/2016 15:58 Page 1

RESTAURANT | REVIEW

THE MINT ROOM Longmead Gospel Hall, Lower Bristol Road, Bath BA2 3EB. Tel: 01225 446656, web: themintroom.co.uk, twitter: @TheMintRoom

R E V I EW

PACKED WITH FLAVOUR: main photo, The Mint Room’s fresh take on Bombay mix Top right, biryani with a traditional pastry lid to keep the moist, rich flavours intact Bottom right, inside The Mint Room

TAKE YOUR TASTEBUDS ON A TRIP

I

f you were to take someone on a culinary tour of the best of British regional dishes what would you offer up to your guests? A starter of a succulent dressed Devon crab perhaps, then some slices of perfectly pink tender Somerset reared beef with a rich, gravysoaked Yorkshire pudding, finishing with a Sussex pond pudding or a crumble made from apples grown in Kent, the garden of England?

I’m sure you’ll have your own suggestions and as various series of Masterchefs have demonstrated, there is no definitive Great British Menu.

But what about your favourite Indian dish?

Please don’t say chicken tikka masala, which was a dish invented in Birmingham to appease British tastebuds. Bath’s award-winning modern Indian restaurant The Mint Room could provide you with a dizzying choice of delicious dishes to test your loyalty.

We were invited to try The Mint Room’s latest culinary adventure, the Tour of India tasting menu (£55 per head), so we headed off beyond Green Park Station, gastronomic visas in hand. It may not be a glamorous building from the outside but inside all is stylish, contemporary and cool. In a big space, divided by a silver shimmering screen, even on a busy Tuesday evening it doesn’t feel crowded or noisy. And not an inch of flock wallpaper in sight.

The waiting staff are attentive and friendly, but it is host Moe who’s our guide for this tasting tour of his beautiful country.

We set out in the bustling noisy streets of India’s main cities, where street food is freshly prepared and scents and sights assault the senses. In succession we’re served three 66 TheBATHMagazine

| OCTOBeR 2016

beautiful small appetisers. The first, in a tall glass, is a pani puri, a crisp little ball of puff pastry, stuffed with chickpeas, potato and pomegranate. Simply pour the mint and tamarind sauce over the top and down in one.

Next came a banana leaf cone of a fresh take on Bombay mix – warm, crispy and yet, above all fresh and zinging with fresh herbs.

We were quickly learning that Mint Room head chef Soyful Alom, who trained at the Taj in Mumbai, is a master of flavour. He manages to present you with the main ingredient, full in itself of subtle taste, and then set it singing with a sauce or a serving of herbs and spices that give a double whammy.

After a few moreish spoonfuls of creamy, umami aloo papadi chaat from Delhi we sip some chilled, aromatic Sauvignon Blanc (£19.95 a bottle). The Bath Magazine’s wine columnist Angela Mount has curated The Mint Room’s wine list and her tasting notes allow you to choose a perfect match according to whether you’re eating a lamb dhansak or a chicken vindaloo. Traditionalists will be happy that cold Cobra beer is also available, as is that favourite snack, the poppadom, here served in small crispy bites with both a sweet and a chilli dip.

The pace for our tour gives us time to enjoy the views along the way and savour the different flavours from the regions, from the rich, tomato and lamb based dishes of north and east to the delicate coconut milk and mustard seed fish dishes from the beaches of Kerala.

Stopping at a metaphorical dhaba, a roadside café, we gnaw on tender baby lamb chops marinated in Punjabi spices, accompanied by a veggie take on a Scotch egg, filled with cheese.

A word about the ingredients used on this Indian journey. Pretty much all of them are supplied from the Bath area. In the five years since Moe opened The Mint Room, he and his team are proud that the meat comes from Bartlett and Sons, vegetables from the Bath Bus Station Fruiterers and fish from Charles Saunders of Bristol. He jokes that he’s sorry our tender breast of Bengali duck (my favourite dish of the evening) is actually a Creedy Carver duck from the west country. It’s served with a creamy coconut and cashew nut sauce.

All our main courses arrive at once, from Rajasthan, Bengal and Kerala. There’s a rich butter chicken from Delhi and then, most suprising, a pot with a pastry lid arrives.

This, Moe explains, is a traditional way of cooking biryani which keeps all the moist, spicy flavour intact until the moment of serving. And it’s not usual in India to serve this with a side serving of vegetable curry. The biryani is the best I’ve ever had, with hunks of tasty lamb studded in the tender, tasty rice.

Everything was multi-layered with flavour and warmth. The only dish that challenged my palate – I only go up the Scoville chilli scale as far as madras – was a fiery lamb lal maas spiced with powerful Kashmiri red chillies. Luckily the cucumber raita had an instant soothing effect.

We finally arrived at our pudding destination, a delicate trio of chilled kulfi, including strawberry ice cream and a dark chocolate ganache with a dash of avocado mint sauce.

Should you have the urge to drag yourself from your usual dishes from an Indian menu, I would recommend you push the boat out and take a Mint Room journey that’ll broaden your horizons. n

GMc

P67.qxp_Layout 23 23/09/2016 11:50 Page 1

THEBATHMAG.CO.UK

|

OCTOBER 2016

|

ThEBATHMagazinE 67

hudson fp.qxp_Layout 23 23/09/2016 10:18 Page 1

Olive tree fp.qxp_Layout 1 20/09/2016 16:45 Page 1

Food heroes Oct.qxp_Layout 1 23/09/2016 11:00 Page 1

FOOD | HEROES

FARMER WITH A HEART OF GOLD Melissa Blease talks to food hero and farmer Andy Fussel

T

here are few times in our lives when we thank the powers that be for a downpour. For had it not been for the fact that the heavens opened just as we were approaching our magazaine deadline (in the middle of a heatwave, too), this feature might not have made it to our pages at all. For whatever Andy Fussel of Fussels Fine Foods – purveyors of high quality, single cold pressed extra virgin oil (and related products) and the brains behind the Fussels Kitchen initiative – represents as a Food Hero, he will always be a farmer. And on the day we spoke, he should have been out in the fields, harvesting. But it rained. So here we are.

He told me as we sheltered from the deluge: “As a a farmer, my rotation of crops around the farm every year is very important because it allows the soil to gain organic matter and build up nutrients – and that pretty much goes on whatever the weather.”

“As my land – at Rode in Somerset – is predominately wet, heavy and claybased, oilseed rape allows me to make the most of that crucial time between the cutting of the crop and the planting of the next crop – ie, wheat. A dozen or so years ago, oilseed rape was a key part of our farming strategy, but the price suddenly dropped so dramatically that it became unviable to grow. I had to add value to my crop, and so I settled on pressing it myself and selling it directly to the general public . . . and Fussels Fine Foods was born.”

Although the concept was wellreceived, cold pressed oilseed rape oil

70 TheBATHMagazine

|

OCTOBeR 2016

was relatively unheard of at the time, as most of us associate cold pressed/virgin oils with olives. But not many of us were aware that oilseed rape oil contains half the saturated fat of olive oil, has ten times the amount of essential fatty acid Omega 6 and tolerates heat to a much higher temperate than olive oil is capable of. This makes it ideal for a variety of different cooking applications including baking, frying, roasting, salad dressings, dipping oils, mayonnaise and even pastry.

Who knew? Well, thanks to Andy, lots of people know all this and more now. “Once we get people to understand our oil, they use it for everything and keep coming back for more,” he says.

“The fact that we directly sell a quality product from a crop that we grow, process, bottle and label on our own farm adds to the all-round appeal; it really does do exactly what it says on the tin (or in this instance, the bottle!) and we're very proud of the fact that our customers love it as much as we do.”

So far, Andy’s making it all sound so easy. “If there’s any secret to what we've done, it really is a very simple one,” he says. “From the off, our branding

depicted honesty, locality and simplicity; our labels feature the little Andy character wearing his overalls . . . and it’s actually me. That personal identity hopefully denotes the trust and reliability behind the brand. We get around too, supporting local farmers' markets and shows both big and small, and I regularly give talks to groups, clubs and food-related organisations, doing seminars or cookery demonstrations with leading chefs. It’s a busy life, but I love it.”

And love it he most certainly must, because his hard work doesn't stop there.

The Fussels Fine Foods Kitchen opened in new premises on the A361 between Rode and Beckington last year.

Offering cookery demonstrations and courses on all manner of themes including bread and pasta making, Indian and Mediterranean menus and specialised courses in fish, game and chocolate hosted by guest chefs, it’s the kind of facility that makes foodies excited at the prospect of going back to school.

“I wanted to create a space where people can experience how and what to create using our oil,”says Andy. “We’re even able to offer visits and trips for parties, groups and schools to see how we press, bottle and label the oil – the full journey from field to crop to bottle.

It’s all really exciting to me, because I’ve always been on a bit of a mission to bring the world of farming and what farmers actually do to the general public. And it turns out that people really do want to know what we do, and why and how we do it, but it’s up to us

MAN ON A MISSION: main picture, farmer Andy Fussel who’s spreading the word about the virtues of rapeseed oil Inset, the rapeseed harvest Opposite page, Fussel’s range of Somerset grown oil keep food miles low and foodies are enjoying learning how to use the oils in the Fussels Fine Foods Kitchen, far right

Food heroes Oct.qxp_Layout 1 23/09/2016 16:51 Page 2

FOOD | HEROES

as farmers to do as much as we can to engage that interest.”

Before long, we’re discussing our indoor menus for autumn, with Andy waxing lyrical about the game season: “that gamey flavour, served with late spuds, carrots and parsnips from the garden, and thick gravy made from the juices of the bird – one taste and I’m all set to settle down and enjoy the long dark nights ahead. Blackberries, raspberries and apples from the tree at the bottom of the garden are also big favourites for me this time of year, as are pears and plums. Oh, and don’t forget the wild mushrooms – just make sure you know what you’re doing if you’re going foraging; you really don’t want to pick the wrong ones.”

So when he’s not in the field, hosting a seminar or turning his own non-oil related crops into an autumnal feast, where might

Andy go for a blow-out prepared and cooked by somebody else? True to form he keeps it local, recommending The Talbot at Mells (“fantastic food with great atmosphere”), the Longs Arms at Monkton Farleigh (“steaks that make my mouth water just thinking about them”) and his local, the Cross Keys in Rode: “a really great pub with a wonderful atmosphere at the heart of village life.”

He’s keen to big up his own food heroes too: “Lesley Waters is a wonderful chef, and has the really important ability to engage and translate cookery of all types to an audience on a one-toone level with humour and sincerity at her Abbots Hill Cookery School just outside Yeovil – she inspires folk to go out and try ideas and recipes for themselves with confidence. My mum was a food hero for me too – I’m sad to say that she’s no longer with us, but her ability

as a cook was phenomenal and she was never afraid to take on a challenge. Whether she was cooking just for the family, a massive party or a wedding, she excelled and seemed to do it with consummate ease (oh OK, and perhaps the odd little panic). Rachel Demuth is also a legend in the cookery world – her Vegetarian Cookery School in Bath is a fantastic place.”

Andy Fussel really is a local food hero with his wellies firmly on the ground. Go on, Andy: tell us you’re as proud of yourself as we are of you? “I have to admit that I love going into a shop, pub, restaurant or market and see that they use or sell Fussels,” he says, quietly; “That will always be a very special for me.”

Fussels: you’re fabulous.

Fussels Fine Foods, Church Farm, Parkgate Lane, Rode, Somerset BA11 6AA. Tel: 01373 831286; web: fusselsfinefoods.co.uk. n

READER OFFER ENJOY A COMPLIMENTARY BOTTLE OF WINE WITH LUNCH OR DINNER AT NEW LEBANESE RESTAURANT COMPTOIR LIBANAIS

F

resh and healthy Lebanese restaurant group Comptoir Libanais is opening in the Southgate Centre this October, bringing healthy, fresh and affordable Middle-Eastern food to the heart of the city centre. To celebrate this exciting opening, The Bath Magazine has teamed up with Comptoir Libanais on a very special reader offer!

The first 100 people to redeem this offer can enjoy a complimentary bottle of house wine with every meal for two or more booked between the opening date (18th Oct) and 31st October.

Please e-mail: offers@thebathmagazine.co.uk to redeem your voucher and then book your table at Comptoir Libanais by e-mailing: kasia.dziadura@levant.co.uk or valerie.price@levant.co.uk Open from 8am to 11.30pm on Monday to Saturday (and until 10.30pm on Sunday), Comptoir Libanais provides a great opportunity to experience authentic, wholesome and healthy Lebanese food in a relaxed, souk-like setting. Open for breakfast, brunch, lunch, afternoon tea and dinner, the restaurant also offers a range of cocktails, wines, soft drinks and their signature home-made lemonades. And with a treasure trove of middle-eastern foodie gifts, hand crafted accessories, spices and sweets, alongside our great welcome and hospitality, the experience is truly Lebanese..

Terms & Conditions: • Offer available to the first 100 people to redeem via offers@thebathmagazine.co.uk • Diners must present their code from the voucher and book a table to redeem the offer. • One complimentary bottle of house wine (white or red) will be given per table (of at least two) when ordering at least one main course each. • The offer can be used Monday – Sunday until 31st October. • No cash alternative.

THEBATHMAG.CO.UK

|

OCTOBeR 2016

|

TheBATHMagazine 71

behind the menu Oct.qxp_Layout 1 21/09/2016 18:12 Page 1

SIMPLICITY AT ITS FINEST Melissa Blease goes Behind the Menu with Richard Knighting, head chef at Corkage, to talk about his favourite ingredients, slow cooking and pairing dishes with the perfect tipple

F

rom a Michelin-starred kitchen in London (Marco Pierre White’s Mirabelle) to street food served at Bath Christmas Market, via assignments for celebrated chef Jean-Georges Vongerichten, and six years at the highly acclaimed Bath gastropub The Marlborough Tavern, chef Richard Knighting’s journey to Corkage has given him reason to tick off all the boxes on a very illustrious, very “cheffy” CV. Corkage is a small bistro on Walcot Street that’s earned itself a big reputation as a harmoniously tasteful, cultivated destination diner since opening its doors towards the end of last year.

So, does Richard have stars in his eyes, an infusion siphon in his hand and espumas on his mind? To the contrary, his feet are firmly on the ground.

He says: “Ultimately, I’m aiming to serve the kind of food that matches the general vibe of Corkage and the clientele we appeal to: gregarious, convivial and unpretentious, offering food and wine flavours together in perfect harmony in a casual, easily-accessible environment.”

To this end, Richard’s menus – served from a small open kitchen to the rear of the chic but cosy bar – bring classic themes based around simplicity and flavour together with style, with every 72 TheBATHMagazine

|

OcTObeR 2016

dish infused with his trademark knack for delivering big flavours on small plates.

“I look for happy marriages of flavours from wherever in the world they may hail, but probably my most influential styles would be Mediterranean, Iberian and French. You could say it’s simple food from a simple kitchen – there’s not enough space for gadgets or a deep fat fryer, and my dishes offer an escape from the dreaded foam. I suppose it’s all largely food that people are familiar with, perhaps adding the odd unusual ingredient to compliment the main element; it’s never possible to be all things to all people but I think the menu has a broad appeal, and there are always a few vegetarian dishes on the menu that can be easily tweaked for vegans, too.”

But what about the abstraction of considering fashionable food – the Corkage concept is, right now, bang on trend, but does Richard ever concede to such notions when rustling up new dishes for, say, a new season?

“Not at all – in fact, quite the opposite”, he says. “I like to look back to what people were eating decades or centuries ago – food that has stood the test of time, and has a certain romance to it. Fashion comes and goes, but

traditional, solid cooking is omnipresent and always will be – with very good reason. The fact that certain foods or ways of cooking may not be considered fashionable doesn’t condemn it to the mundane – it usually means it has history, tradition and a simplicity that allows the ingredients to remain the focal point of any given dishes.

“I like working with seasonal, locallysourced ingredients and traditional cuts of meat that require slow cooking at low temperatures, just like all cooks, from domestic to professional, have enjoyed doing for years. Traditional cuts of meat may be more challenging to work with, but they’re so rewarding when you treat them properly, and the flavours evoke strong memories for so many people.

Forgotten cuts also come at a more affordable price which allows me to keep the menu prices keener – and that’s very important to us as well.”

By ‘us’, Richard is referring to his business partner Marty Grant, who has owned the thriving city centre restaurant, bar and pub Gascoyne Place for a decade and is renowned for his encyclopaedic knowledge of wine.

Marty is responsible for sourcing the extensive wine list at Corkage, all of which is available in tasting measures, by the glass, by the carafe or by the

COOKING UP A STORM: main picture, head chef Richard Knighting, right, and wine expert Marty Grant Opposite, Corkage serves delicious small plates and partners them with the perfect glass of wine Photos by Mike McNally

behind the menu Oct.qxp_Layout 1 21/09/2016 18:12 Page 2

BEHIND | THE | MENU

bottle, and from an off-sales section too.

“Basically, Marty aims to remove the mystique or fear of wine, and demonstrate how there’s something for everybody, regardless of budget or experience,” says Richard. “To this end, we don't have a house wine, as such – all our wines are our house wines. In keeping with such an ethos, I don’t have a signature dish, although the crab (served very simply on toasted bread), the belly pork and the cavolo nero are incredibly popular – I’ll keep them on the menu as long as all the ingredients are in season.

“When it comes to my personal favourite dishes on my own menu, I have no choice but to choose the crab – it’s one of my favourite ingredients, and I spent many a childhood summer on the north Northumberland coast with family buying crab from the incoming

boats and taking them home to prepare. Red mullet is a great ingredient too, as it can take flavour really well.

“But I like to keep dishes moving on, to feed my need to create and to keep things interesting for our regular guests. With autumn upon us, game will be featuring soon – I won a national game award in 2010 judged by Tom Kerridge, and I haven’t worked with it for a while so it will be an exciting time for me. I’m already thinking venison loin with wild mushrooms.

And then of course we’re into Christmas, which will be a great challenge – we'll be open for lunch and dinner, and I’ll be considering the big question: to turkey or not to turkey?”

Whatever Richard’s decision, it’s a safe bet that his little plates of big scrumptiousness will continue to be gobbled up with gusto throughout the festive season and beyond.

Try a taste of Corkage at home: Cavolo Nero Strip and wash a bunch of cavolo nero and wilt with a finely chopped, deseeded red chilli and slivers of fresh garlic. Wash and thinly dice a conference pear (which Richard has recently been substituting with watermelon to very positive feedback), and crumble a handful of feta cheese with mint, dill, lemon juice and zest.

Mingle the warm cavolo nero with the pear and the feta, dress with a simple honey mustard dressing and top with toasted flaked almonds.

Serve with a glass of lightly fruity, gently spicy Pinot Noir. n Corkage, 132a Walcot Street, Bath, BA1 5BG. Tel: 01225 422577; web: corkagebath.com.

Booking is highly recommended and opening hours change regularly. Visit the website for up to date information. Follow @corkagebath on Twitter.

THEBATHMAG.CO.UK

| OCTOBER 2016 |

ThEBATHMagazinE 73

Angela wine Oct.qxp_Layout 1 23/09/2016 11:16 Page 1

THE WINE COLUMN Angela Mount, wine and food critic is inspired by the warmth of the southern hemisphere

A

s nights draw in, the last memories of summer days fade, replaced by the more pressing thoughts of the imminent festive season.

Simultaneously, our Antipodean cousins will be basking in late spring sunshine, as they move into southern hemisphere summer. It’s too early to write about wines for Christmas, so I’m revelling in some sunshine wines. Over 25% of all wine sold in the UK is from Australia, but the plethora of supermarket chardonnays and shiraz cabernets, has risked denting Australian’s reputation for top notch, world class wines.

However, there is a veritable treasure trove of vinous delights out there, if you look in the right places.

Australia is exciting as an explorative, vibrant zeitgeist, sweeps through the vineyards, seized on by established winemakers and the new generation as they experiment with grape varieties from all over the world, but frequently from Europe. Australia’s love affair with riesling is well known, but the surge of wines made from Italian, Spanish, Portuguese, and lesser-known southern French grapes is less so. So, why not join the voyage of discovery?

One of the most colourful winemakers in the world is Chester Osborn, of D’Arenberg Wines, known for his loud shirts and love of stories. With wines named as obscurely as the Cenosilicaphobic Cat, Three Blondes, he brings fun to the experience. His D’Arenberg Money Spider Roussanne 2015 ( £13.95 at Great Western Wine) is a case in point. Made from the white Rhone grape, roussanne, it’s a bold, fleshy white with ripe apricot, melon and mango fruit, a sprinkle of sweet spice, and a lick of grapefruit. It’s great with richer fish dishes, roast chicken, and Middle Eastern tagines. Why the name?

The first year Chester picked roussanne, he found the grapes covered in tiny money spiders. Popular belief is that being kind to these creatures will bring financial luck, so the spiders were left alone and the first vintage of roussanne came one year later. He also makes a fruit-packed gem from another Rhone grape variety, the grenache, in the form of D’Arenberg The Derelict Vineyards Grenache 2011 (£17.95 at GWW).

This is an ode to the magic of the undervalued grenache grape, grown on gnarled old vines, in several overgrown and derelict vineyards that Chester purchased last decade. “The vines should have died,” he told me “but grenache is tenacious, and held firm.” A riot of rich, intense red berry and violet flavours are backed up with a brooding, spice and smoky depth. This is grenache with style, and will last for years. If you can’t wait, serve it with chargrilled lamb cutlets, rich venison, or slow roasted spiced lamb.

Another emerging success in Australia is the Italian grape fiano, which manages to produce fragrant, bright whites even in the heat. Ex-Kooyong winemaker Sandro Mosele is creating magic with this grape at his new home, Chalmers, a family-run, forward thinking wine producer, recognised for championing Italian grape varieties in south Australia.

Chalmers Fiano 2012 (£19.95 at GWW) is full of wild herb and lemon peel aromas, with flavours of ripe apples, and baked pears, as well as a tangy freshness and depth. Try this with oily fish, chilli-spiced seafood, or mild Thai dishes.

A perennial favourite of mine, which never fails to delight guests, is the Heartland Dolcetto Lagrein 2013 (£10.95 at GWW). This unusual, Italianate blend is produced by winemaking legend Ben Glaetzer. It’s a glossy, silky delight, bursting with cherries and plum, aromas of roses, and a soft, velvety texture – lighter and more elegant in style. Perfect with gammon, braised beef, and charcuterie.

Great Western Wine will be showcasing its award-winning Australian range throughout October, with up to 25% off all the wines, and Australian-themed events and tastings happening in store. n

74 TheBATHMagazine

|

OCTOBeR 2016

Gww Bath.qxp_Layout 1 20/09/2016 16:57 Page 1

6 books for Oct.qxp_Layout 1 21/09/2016 11:18 Page 1

CITY | READING

THE BEST NEW FICTION

As the season starts to change and the nights begin to draw in, what could be better than curling up with a good story beside the fire?

POLITICAL RIVALS

GHOSTLY GOINGS-ON

From the best-selling author of Fatherland, Robert Harris now turns his attention to the politics of the Vatican. With the Pope dead, 118 cardinals from across the world are locked within the walls of the Sistine Chapel.

Over the next three days one of them will take the seat as the most powerful spiritual leader in the world.

However, there is rivalry between these ambitious men and they will not stop until they achieve what they set out for.

With Halloween upon us it seems appropriate to delve into the gothic world of Susan Hill – the author who created The Woman in Black. This new selection of ghost stories takes readers from the eerie streets of Victorian London to the unnerving world of the 1950s suburbs. The title story – The Travelling Bag – follows the tale of a paranormal detective recalling his most memorable case to a bishop where the horrifying outcome took place in the very building where they sit. Hill’s other stories tell the tales of a lonely little boy who finally makes a friend but questions this unsettling relationship in later life, and of a devoutly religious mother who tries to protect her children from the mysterious powers of their grandmother when she is alive and deceased.

Conclave by Robert Harris, hardback, Cornerstone, rrp £20

The Travelling Bag: And Other Ghostly Stories by Susan Hill, hardback, Profile Books Ltd, rrp £9.99

A DANCE TO REMEMBER

The Ballroom by Anna Hope, paperback, Transworld Publishers Ltd, rrp £7.99 Set over the summer of 1911 when Edwardian Britain experienced a heatwave and the countryside blossomed, Anna Hope tells a different kind of story that you would not expect in this setting.

While the sun shone outside, in an asylum in the Yorkshire Moors the male and female inhabitants are separated by high walls and bolted windows. However, once a week they are allowed to meet and dance. For John and Ella, their first dance will change their lives forever. This is a story of obsession, power and life changing decisions.

BUILDING BLOCKS

A Boy Made of Blocks by Keith Stuart, hardback, Little, Brown Book Group, rrp £12.99 This debut novel by Keith Stuart which follows the life of thirty-something dad Alex who is a little lost in his life and has an autistic son, Sam. One day Sam and Alex decide to play Minecraft, which allows them to connect with each other and themselves. One block at a time, their small, complicated family discovers how they can build their relationship again.

THRILLS AND CHILLS

I See You by Clare Mackintosh, hardback, Little, Brown Book Group, rrp £12.99 If you were on the edge of your seat for Clare Mackintosh’s debut novel I Let You Go, then you are set for another gripping psychological thriller in this new publication. One day Zoe opens a newspaper to find her photo in the classifieds section. Zoe’s family thinks it’s just a photo of someone who looks like her, but she doesn’t believe them. The next day, the photo shows a different woman, and the day after that the face changes again. Fearing she is being tracked, Zoe begins her investigation . . .

CELEBRITY DEBUT Holding by Graham Norton, hardback, Hodder & Stoughton, rrp £20

Graham Norton’s writing debut follows the lives, loves and losses of the inhabitants of the secluded Irish village of Duneen. The villagers are battling their own demons – Sergeant PJ Collins isn’t happy with his weight, Brid Riordan is an alcoholic mother of two, and the sophisticated Evelyn Ross can’t see the point in life anymore. Village life passes by as per usual until, one day, the remains of what is

76 TheBATHMagazine

|

OCTOBER 2016

believed to be Tommy Burke – the previous lover of both Brid and Evelyn – turn up and the dark past of this sleepy village comes to the fore. It’s Sergeant PJ Collins’s job to find out what really happened to Burke, much to his frustration.

Norton uses dark humour and a poignant writing style to explore the mystery surrounding these characters past lives. WHSmith is hosting An Evening with Graham Norton at Bath Forum on Friday 7 October, 7.30pm. Tickets: £20, which includes a signed copy of Holding.

Visit: blog.whsmith.co.uk/events to find out more.

Mowberry Woodwards fp.qxp_Layout 1 23/09/2016 09:31 Page 1

Nicholas Wylde Event Bath .qxp_Layout 1 23/09/2016 17:43 Page 1

The Colourful World of Sapphire Sapphires of every size and colour on show in our free in-store events coming this November at Nicholas Wylde Bath Showroom – 10th & 11th November Bristol Showroom – 8th & 9th November Following the success and popularity of last years’ Opal Events, we’re delighted to announce that booking is now open for our new in-store events celebrating the timeless beauty of one of the most precious gems of all – sapphire.

These special free events, designed to

Nicholas Wylde is the South West’s leading jewellery designer, creating

be educational as well as entertaining,

beautiful bespoke jewellery in his unique and visionary manner.

will see an abundance of stunning

One of the few jewellers in the world to have a registered, patented

every

diamond (The Wylde Flower Diamond ®, containing more cut facets than

imaginable colour, including star

any other brilliant cut diamond), Nicholas continues to explore new

sapphires and their glorious natural

frontiers in designer-led jewellery – all crafted with skill and love.

sapphires

on

display

of

designs.

You’ll be able to hear talks on their history, folklore and about some of the

For more information and to reserve your place contact: David Currie: david.currie@nicholaswylde.com or call the Bath or Bristol branches

most famous sapphires in history.

You’ll never see so many gorgeous sapphires collected together in one place. It’s also a great opportunity for you to select and buy your own precious gem for that perfect jewellery item – just in time for Christmas!

These events are designed to be small, intimate gatherings to ensure everyone is well looked after.

The dates are 8th and 9th November in the Bristol store and 10th and 11th November in the Bath store. There will be two events organised each day – an afternoon one that runs from 3pm to 5pm and an early evening one from 7pm to 9pm.

As well as a wonderful display of sumptuous sapphires, you can bring along your own gem to get care and cleaning tips, as you enjoy afternoon tea, cake and nibbles in the day and canapés and a glass of bubbly in the evening!

All November sapphire events are completely free and if you wish to reserve a place please contact us and specify which store (Bath or Bristol)

THE CAROUSEL COLLECTION Brand new for Christmas 2016 Our events will also be an opportunity to see Nicholas’ new collection ‘Carousel’, which he has designed especially to incorporate the vast range of coloured sapphires. The collection consists of Pendant, Ring and Earrings which can be designed in any colour combination you choose

and time of day (afternoon or early evening) that would suit.

BATH SHOWROOM

12 NORTHUMBERLAND PLACE BATH | BA1 5AR | TEL: 01225 462826

78 TheBATHMagazine

|

OCTOBeR 2016

BRISTOL SHOWROOM

6 THE MALL CLIFTON BRISTOL | BS8 4DR | TEL: 0117 974 3582

Infiniti fp.qxp_Layout 1 23/09/2016 09:33 Page 1

Business Oct.qxp_Layout 1 23/09/2016 12:55 Page 1

CITY | PEOPLE

CITYNEWS News in brief

n Public opinion in Bath has swung decisively against further large scale student accommodation developments in the city according to commercial property specialists at Bruton Knowles. Its team believe the decision to reject plans to convert the Wansdyke Business Centre could mark a significant change of attitude on the part of the public and planners.

Paul Matthews from Bruton Knowles said: “Converting Bath’s commercial and industrial stock into student accommodation has reached a point where many residents are saying ‘enough is enough’. While we welcome the emergence of creative industries in the new waterside hotspots it seems the transformation of the city’s commercial landscape is being delivered at the expense of traditional artisan and blue-collar businesses. New technologies have overtaken established businesses to such an extent they are diluting the employment mix.” Paul said BANES’ decision to reject plans for more student accommodation at the Wansdyke Business Centre reflected a wider view that the city had more than enough student accommodation. He said: “The physical geography of Bath is accentuating these effects – some businesses are being pushed out to the commercial estate at Peasedown St John – some six miles outside the city. Bath is crying out for business space and the land just isn’t there now.” Wansdyke Business Park in Oldfield Park is home to a mix of businesses, including gyms and training centres, a martial arts school, metalworkers and courier firms.

NEW CHAPTER AS LAW FIRMS MERGE Law firm Withy King LLP and city of London practice Royds LLP have merged and will from now be known as Royds Withy King.

The newly-combined firm, Royds Withy King, employs around 450 people in London, Bath, Oxford, Swindon and Marlborough and is projected to generate revenues of around £33m in 2016 – 17.

Graham Street, managing partner, said: “The merger between Royds and Withy King signals the start of an exciting new chapter which will see Royds Withy King establish itself as a sustainable UK Top 100 law firm.

While it will be very much business as usual for many of our clients, there are others who will be looking forward to accessing the enhanced services and new opportunities which the merger will bring. Royds and Withy King have complementary strengths and share a similar client ethos, vision and culture, making them a really good fit.”

“By retaining the names of both firms, our aim is to protect and build on the goodwill which Royds and Withy King have built up

Partner Stewart Wilkinson and managing partner Graham Street of newly merged Royds Withy King over many years, and through the combination, provide clients with an even better offering. This includes access to enhanced services, greater choice and a wider geographical reach.”

Visit: roydswithyking.com.

GRANT BOOSTS PLANS FOR BATHS

n A new independent businesses’ guide to Bath has been launched in a project between Visit Bath and Bath and North East Somerset Council.

The guide, which includes a London Underground style map to encourage visitors to get out and about to explore more areas of the city, came about following a meeting of business people who were invited to come up with positive ideas to improve life in the city.

STUDY CENTRE: image courtesy of Feilden Clegg Bradley Studios

Plans for a learning centre next to the Roman Baths have moved one step nearer fruition with a grant of £75,000 from the Garfield Weston Foundation, a major milestone in funding for the building which will allow visitors more space to study one of the country’s most important Roman sites.

The Bath Archway project will be installed above the old spa laundry in Swallow Street.

The new centre will increase the space dedicated to education at the Roman Baths by 400 per cent. Two new classrooms will enable the Roman Baths to develop learning programmes, for all kinds of visitors. The new centre will be connected to the Roman Baths by an undercroft under York Street.

PROFESSOR INVITED TO GIVE TV LECTURE

INSPIRING: Professor Saiful Islam

80 TheBATHMagazine

|

OCTOBeR 2016

Professor Saiful Islam from the Department of Chemistry at the University of Bath will present the 2016 Christmas Lectures on BBC Four on the subject of energy. Prof Islam, who is Professor of Materials Chemistry at the university will be presenting the lectures in BBC television’s 80th anniversary year.

His series, Supercharged: Fuelling the Future, will focus on energy as its scientific theme. The Christmas lectures are the world’s oldest televised science series.

Prof Islam said: “I’m excited that our celebration of energy offers a wonderful opportunity to explain how current cuttingedge research on clean energy technologies is founded on the Royal Institution’s rich heritage of discovery by greats such as Michael Faraday.

And I’m also looking forward to recreating some memorable moments from previous

lectures with the help of some very special guests.”

Demonstrations will be inspired by classic television moments from past lectures which include Sir David Attenborough’s The Language of Animals in 1973, George Porter’s The Natural History of a Sunbeam and Danielle George’s Sparks will Fly from 2014.

Prof Islam will take viewers on a journey through scientific history, ending by exploring his area of expertise – the materials needed to create next-generation clean energy devices such as lithium batteries, solar cells and hydrogen fuel cells. The big question will be posed: how can we generate the vast amount of energy our modern society needs and still protect our planet for the benefit of future generations?

The 2016 Christmas Lectures will be filmed live on 10, 13 and 15 December.

Royd Withy King fp.qxp_Layout 1 23/09/2016 09:28 Page 1

Mogers Drewett fp advertorial 1.qxp_Layout 23 22/09/2016 15:20 Page 1

ADVERTISEMENT FEATURE

THE ROAD TO PARENTHOOD Anne Marie Hamer, Family Lawyer at Mogers Drewett, outlines its new surrogacy and fertility specialist legal advisory service

82 TheBATHMagazine

|

OcTOber 2016

We ensure that all parties fully understand how the law applies to your situation, the implications of your decisions and ultimately give you peace of mind as well as reassurance throughout your decision making process.

Adoption is now one of the most well recognised forms of family building for those who cannot conceive traditionally and we specialise in helping single parents and step parents with adoption as well as international adoption.

parental orders, pre-conception agreements, donor co-parenting agreements, donor disputes, embryo storage and ownership disputes as well as adoption.

Contact Anne Marie Hamer to find out more.

Office: 01225 750000, mob: 07702 802122, email: ahamer@md-solicitors.co.uk.

Mogers Drewett, 24 Queen Square, Bath, BA1 2HY. Visit: www.md-solicitors.co.uk

â??

Fertility treatment and embryo storage is a very complex area of law

â??

F

or some people deciding to have a family can be a more complex decision process than for others. The road to parenthood may involve fertility treatment, adoption, or surrogacy but whatever your circumstances it is important to consider if there is a need for you to take some specific legal advice in advance of your decision making process.

Surrogacy in particular is now becoming a much more mainstream pathway to parenthood and this means there is an increasing need for questions and legal advice associated with surrogacy arrangements such as acquiring parental rights and bringing children who are born abroad back into the UK. Our team of family lawyers provide a full surrogacy legal planning service including advice on international surrogacy and is experienced in matters involving surrogacy disputes.

Currently, around 1,750 babies are born using donated sperm, eggs or embryos. The law in this area can sometimes favour a parent who is not biologically related but wishes to raise the child over that of a donor. Our pre-conception and donor-co-parenting agreements help ensure that your family is protected in the light of any disputes that may arise.

As many as one in ten British babies will soon be born via IVF. Fertility treatment and embryo storage is a very complex area of law and one that can be very emotionally challenging so obtaining sympathetic, supportive and specialist legal advice at the beginning of the process is vitally important.

Whether you are considering donor, coparenting, surrogacy, fertility or adoption what is vitally important is to ensure in the early planning stages is that you fully understand your parental rights, implications of your actions and that you have robust parental agreements in place.

Mogers Drewett’s surrogacy and fertility team will be able to assist with; surrogacy legal planning including international surrogacy,

Clare Webb

P87.qxp_Layout 23 23/09/2016 14:50 Page 1

THEBATHMAG.CO.UK

|

OCTOBER 2016

|

ThEBATHMagazinE 83

Motoring Bath SEPT.qxp_Layout 1 22/09/2016 09:02 Page 1

The new Niro by Kia – images courtesy of KIA and TBM

MOTORING | TEST DRIVE

84 THEBATHMAGAZINE

|

OCTOBER 2016

Motoring Niro Bath.qxp_Layout 1 22/09/2016 15:54 Page 2

MOTORING | TEST DRIVE

THE NIRO IS WAITING...

Kia’s first hybrid vehicle and compact SUV, the new Niro, challenges not one market but two.

Could this be the manufacturer’s most impressive car to date? Words by Dara Foley

T

he new Niro adds to Kia’s impressive line-up of models. It is its first hybrid vehicle, but what is more impressive is that Kia hasn’t settled for merely dropping in a hybrid powertrain into an existing model. The Niro has been completely designed from scratch to create what the company describes as an HUV (hybrid utility vehicle). It’s a compact SUV: smaller than a Sportage, but bigger than a Cee’d, and in a global market where multi segments create increased choice for car buyers, the Niro is an all-new offering that will not only compete in the new, popular compact crossover category, but is also a much smarter looking vehicle to challenge at the heart of the more established hybrid brands.

Peter Schrayer (the designer of the Audi TT) who joined Kia in 2005 to oversee design, styling and development of cars to appeal to a European market, introduced the trademark Kia ‘tiger nose’ grille along with many other styling elements, and although the Niro is unmistakably a Kia – familiar in every way, it nonetheless holds its own personality and really is a very attractive car indeed.

As a hybrid, the Niro has just one engine option – a 1.6-litre petrol engine paired with a mighty 32kw electric motor to deliver 139bhp. Official figures quote a fuel economy of 74.3mpg and CO2 emissions of just 88g/km. The top speed is a decent 101mph and 0-60 can be reached in just over 11 seconds – it may not be a racer but the six-speed automatic gearbox is certainly ‘chauffeur smooth’ and really very capable.

On the motorway the Niro is sure-footed, velevty and refined – there is some tyre noise, but good acoustic dampening in the panels helps to mute wind noise and most of the outside world. Inner-city handling is superb – light steering, great stability, and very little roll through corners, which all harks back to

why Kia designed a unique and dedicated chassis specifically to take the hybrid drivetrain.

Around town the Niro is also super quiet, using only the electric motor in crawling traffic and at low speeds, but when appropriate the petrol engine takes over – the engine will then either commence cell charging or combine with the electric motor for added liveliness. The process is fully automatic, but you can watch an animated infographic on the display which helps to visualise the status of the various power options being used, and the charging of the cells. There’s also a tree animation which displays your eco driving performance by adding green pixel leaves to the tree graphic – a little offbeat maybe, but something for the passengers to admire as you help to save the planet with your economical driving style.

Although the engine options are fixed, there are four trim options – for the basic £21,295 price tag you get a lot of very fine toys fitted as standard, such as 16-inch alloy wheels and dual zone air conditioning, DAB radio, Bluetooth with voice recognition, and Lane Keep Assist as well as many more.

However Kia anticipates that the second edition model, priced at £22,795, will prove the most popular with UK drivers as it comes with all the impressive added extras, but adds a seven-inch touchscreen satellite navigation system, partial leather seats, reversing camera system, rear parking sensors and privacy glass.

The third option, at £24,695, offers even more specifications such as 18-inch alloys, bigger touchscreens, heated leather seats and steering wheel, wireless mobile phone charger, and front and rear parking sensors.

Meanwhile the fourth option (called the First Edition) is priced at £26,995 and adds

electrically adjustable memory driver seats, smart entry, push button start stop and more. The higher specifications do impact slightly on the economy figures – a plug-in hybrid version is expected to be introduced in 2017 and is likely to be even more economical.

Inside, the Niro has a familiar look. Kia may not do walnut dash and the like, but what they do make, with a mixed use of textured and smooth plastic-based materials, they do very well. The dash is modern, the instrument cluster is very clear, with the LCD and central display all multifunctional and easily controlled. The gear shift is smooth and substantial, all knobs and buttons feel substantial, and the contrasting glossy panels give an unexpectedly pleasant muted sound when tapped. Although there has to be a scale to economy, clearly every effort has been put into this new car and the Niro is remarkably well built.

It is also a roomier car than many of its hybrid or compact SUV competitors; passengers have good leg room, width and head height and the generous 400-litre boot will easily take all the family luggage.

When compared to other hybrids and compact crossovers, the Niro has a very stylish design and offers lots of added kit – all included in the price – and as well as being very frugal on fuel, it is also qualifies for free road tax, and there is that famous Kia seven-year warranty. The nice thing is, that if you are considering buying a car in either of these segments, you now have a very strong contender that will offer what you want... and something more. ■ Test car courtesy of Kia. For more information contact Bath Kia, Lower Bristol Rd, Bath BA2 3EW; 01225 435918; dealers.kia.co.uk/allenkia

THEBATHMAG.CO.UK

|

OCTOBER 2016

|

THEBATHMAGAZINE 85

Mozartfest.qxp_Layout 1 23/09/2016 15:15 Page 1

ocl A C C O U N TA N C Y

141 Englishcombe Lane, Bath BA2 2EL Tel: 01225 445507

www.oclaccountancy.com

Don’t let the date of your company’s year end add to your cashflow problems!

There are a couple of small but useful hints of which company owners are often unaware: • the ability to change the date of a company’s financial year end, and

• the ability to change its VAT return dates.

Corporation tax is payable nine months and a day after the end of the company’s accounting period and given that many companies have 31st March as their year end, the tax is payable by 1st January – a bad time for many businesses which are seasonal or simply suffer poor cashflow over the Christmas period. Changing the year end date, and so payment date, can be a good cashflow management idea – and it’s easy and quick to do. For example, choose 31st May for the year end and payment will become 1st March.

Changing the VAT reporting / payment dates can be useful when, for example, the annual corporation tax payment date falls alongside a VAT payment date. You can change the VAT reporting dates and therefore stagger payment timing – and again, it’s easy to do.

For tax saving tips contact us – call Marie Maggs, Mike Wilcox or Hannah Bratten on 01225 445507 for a no-obligation meeting.

We look forward to meeting you - and see our website for more, including FREE download guides.

What our clients say:

“Thank you for your excellent customer service, OCL has been one of the best things we have done as a business” “For us, in our 30 years experience, OCL Accountancy is the best fit we have found”

Boost your profits - Reduce your tax Maximise your wealth

Call Marie Maggs, Mike Wilcox or Hannah Bratten on 01225 445507 to arrange a no-obligation meeting

86 THEBATHMAGAZINE

|

OCTOBER 2016

ASTON MARTIN AND DICK LOVETT LAUNCHES IN BRISTOL

O

n a beautiful late summer evening, Aston Martin CEO Dr Andy Palmer hosted the official opening of Dick Lovett’s Aston Martin Showroom in Cribbs Causeway.

Aston Martin has opened its latest new dealership in the UK in Bristol, with the first Aston Martin dealership for partner Dick Lovett.

The purpose-built state-of-the-art facility features a 25-car luxurious showroom for new and pre-owned Aston Martin sports cars and a separate lounge where customers can tailor their new car to the exact specification of their choosing using “Q by Aston Martin” elements.

The dealership also has a dedicated aftersales team and a 10 bay workshop staffed by world-class Gaydon-trained technicians. Aston Martin Bristol offer a convenient “Collection & Delivery” service using their covered vehicle transporter and a “Roaming Technician” service to assist with minor repairs and original diagnostic work.

Speaking at the VIP customer reception yesterday evening, Aston Martin President and CEO Dr Andy Palmer said: “I am delighted to open this outstanding new facility here in Bristol, which sets the benchmark for all dealership showrooms worldwide.”

“We are confident the passionate and dedicated Aston Martin Bristol team will draw upon their extensive experience and knowledge of the Aston Martin brand to provide our valued customers an exceptional service in the South West and Wales. We are excited to be working with new partner Dick Lovett who share our passion for Aston Martin.”

Lynn Campbell, Managing Director, Dick Lovett commented: “It was great to see over 400 Aston Martin owners and enthusiasts this evening. The opening of our new state-of-the-art facility, in our 50th year, has made 2016 a fantastic year. The facility has been uniquely designed and reflects Aston Martin’s core design philosophy and craftsmanship. We are dedicated to providing new and existing Aston Martin owners with a service which surpasses their expectations.”

Located in a prime position at Cribbs Causeway, close to Junction 17 of the M5, the showroom opening was attended by invited guests and key members of the Aston Martin senior executive team.

On display at the opening event was the new DB11. The first product launched under the company’s ‘Second Century’ plan, the DB11 is the bold new figurehead of the illustrious ‘DB’ bloodline and an authentic, dynamic sporting GT in the finest Aston Martin tradition. Also included in the display was the new Vanquish Zagato, a DB4 Convertible, the Aston Martin Racing #99 V8 Vantage GTE plus a host of other Aston Martin special project vehicles. In addition to this were examples from the company’s current line-up, and a selection of heritage models, including the Aston Martin A3, the oldest surviving Aston Martin in the world.

Visit the new showroom at: Aston Martin Bristol, Vantage Point, Cribbs Causeway, Bristol BS10 7TU. Tel: 01179 007 007. astonmartinbristol.co.uk

P87.qxp_Layout 23 23/09/2016 18:42 Page 1

THEBATHMAG.CO.UK

|

OCTOBER 2016

|

ThEBATHMagazinE 87

around and about bath tour.qxp_Layout 1 22/09/2016 13:12 Page 1

THE PATH LESS TRAVELLED Jessica Hope discovers some hidden treasures on a new tour of the quintessential English countryside and villages surrounding Bath

O

ne could argue that tourists are rather spoiled when they visit Bath, as there is a plethora of local tour groups to help visitors explore the city and the neighbouring areas. And while there is something rather handy about hop-on, hop-off types of tours, these often feel quite regimented and can miss out important historical or local facts that tour-goers are looking for.

This is certainly not the case with new local tour company Around and About Bath, headed by ex-history and politics teacher turned tour guide extraordinaire Jules Mittra. Jules takes groups of up to eight on a local tour of the Somerset countryside, stopping along the way at some of England’s most picturesque villages and giving his guests a superb insight into the history of the area.

This is a personal tour like no other, where guests can get to know each other and where Jules is happy to accommodate anyone’s particular interests and answer any questions.

And while one may assume that this kind of tour would only appeal to tourists, if you are a Bath resident like me then you will certainly walk away feeling like your knowledge of the local 88 TheBATHMagazine

|

OcTOber 2016

area has been enriched and you have explored places you have never seen or heard of before – Jules doesn’t call this the Stonehenge and Secret Somerset tour for nothing.

And in order to retain the element of wonder for Around and About Bath participants, Jules likes to keep most of the locations of the tour under wraps so guests are surprised when they arrive at the next village. So, just to keep you on your toes, we won’t be revealing any locations (apart from Stonehenge of course, as it’s in the title of the tour) that we visited during our recent tour. . .

Beginning our day in the city centre, the group of guests and I jumped into Jules’ mini van (which is rather roomier and more comfortable than usual tourist transport), and we headed out of the city via Great Pulteney Street, allowing us one last look at the city’s marvellous architecture before exploring the green countryside.

First stop on the tour was a small village where we admired at the rolling scenery and visited one of the oldest pubs in England, originating from the 1390s. While this drinking house may date back to the time of Richard II, its connection with the 17th century fascinating.

From the offset you can tell that Jules has certainly done his research. Using portraits, woodcuts, artefacts and readings from the time, he revealed the pub’s extraordinary connections with the Restoration diarist Samuel Pepys and the Duke of Monmouth – Charles II’s illegitimate son who led a rebellion against his uncle, James II, in 1685.

Sitting in the space where these historical characters once sat was remarkable, and Jules’ storytelling brought their lives and experiences to life.

After a cup of coffee, Jules takes his guests to Stonehenge where they are allowed straight past the ticket queues and begin their personal tour around the site and exhibition centre. No audio guides are needed here as Jules’ knowledge of the site and the theories behind it is extensive and informative.

Guests are able to wander around Stonehenge at their own leisure, or can be guided along the way by Jules – either way, he’s flexible about what his guests would like to do.

Next stop was a village that has been referred to by many, including Radio 4, as the prettiest village in the country – and it certainly lives up to its reputation. With its quaint cottages,

EXPLORING SOMERSET: main image, one of the scenic villages on the tour Opposite: tourists exploring some of the hidden gems near Bath with tour guide Jules, pictured bottom right, and a map of the route of the tour

around and about bath tour.qxp_Layout 1 22/09/2016 14:36 Page 2

INTO THE | COUNTRY

most prominent names from the 20th century, including the Bloomsbury Group, Herbert Asquith and even Winston Churchill.

To passersby, this church may seem like any country church across the UK. However, what Jules made clear to the group is its strong connection with the First World War. Inside is a memorial dedicated to Edward Horner, the son of the landowner at the time who died in battle at Cambrai in 1917. This particular memorial was designed by Edwin Lutyens, who later went on to design The Cenotaph in London.

❝

Sitting in the space where these historical characters once sat was remarkable . . .

❝

small streets filled with flowerbeds and a stream trickling through, you would have never have thought this area was once under threat of being torn down after being considered a slum in the early 20th century.

Right at the heart of this quiet village is its very own castle that was built in the 1370s by a local knight, Sir John de la Mare, now maintained by English Heritage and is free to enter. While there is a board outside the entrance with plenty of information about the fortress, Jules’ knowledge about its construction, the part it played during the Civil War and the people who once lived there surpasses this. As we explored the castle, some of the other visitors were even asking if they could listen in on Jules’ tales, especially a particularly haunting tale about a local murder in the 19th century and the investigation around it that gripped Victorian Britain.

Before we stopped off at our next village, Jules pointed out a particular medieval manor and told us about its unexpected links to Nelson Mandela and the end of apartheid – you would never expect a secluded building in the middle of the Somerset countryside to have connections with such a significant part of 20th century history.

After a spot of lunch at a local pub (the fish and chips went down very well), Jules showed us around the medieval village before visiting the church. It was here that we discovered the local landowners’ connections with some of the

As Jules took us into the churchyard, he went into greater detail about the First World War and described how the literature of the time was changing to reflect the horrors of warfare. Little did we know that beside us, surrounded by faded paper poppies and wooden crosses, was the grave of the war poet Siegfried Sassoon. Standing next to his grave, Jules played us a recording of Sassoon reading

one of his poems about trench warfare, making this a particularly poignant part of the tour which seemed wholly appropriate in this centenary year of the conflict.

To conclude the tour, we explored a secret garden and enjoyed a cup of tea and a selection of cakes overlooking the countryside in the glorious sunshine. This serene end to the tour perfectly reflected the feeling throughout the whole day – rather than being rushed around from place to place and having to stick to time restrictions, it was relaxed, enjoyable and allowed us to take the time to absorb the surroundings and the enlightening stories Jules had to tell us about the area.

This tour promises to allow guests to discover the hidden treasures of Somerset’s countryside, and it certainly delivers.

Tours are £99 per person in October and November (usually £120), which includes all refreshments, lunch and admission to Stonehenge. Get an extra 10% off by entering ‘Bath Magazine’ into the discount box at the checkout online. Private tours are also available from £250 per group and can be based on a variety of different themes – whether it’s a local food tour, a snoop around the film sets of the likes of Poldark and Wolf Hall, or a visit to the vast English countryside, Jules is incredibly flexible about meeting his group’s wishes. Tours are suitable for over 12s.

Visit aroundandaboutbath.com or call 07500 925202 to find out more. n

THEBATHMAG.CO.UK

|

OctOber 2016

|

theBATHMagazine 89

family fun oct 16.qxp_Layout 1 21/09/2016 18:18 Page 1

FAMILY | EVENTS

FAMILY DIARY IDEAS FOR THINGS TO DO WITH THE CHILDREN THIS MONTH DEER PARK WALK n Dyrham Park, near Bath Daily throughout October, 11.15am & 2pm Autumn is the perfect time to wrap up warm and join a park ranger for a free guided walk to discover the beautiful Cotswold landscape. The ranger will take you to the key view points across to Wales and the Black mountains and to see the herd of fallow deer in their natural surroundings. Please meet by the visitor centre.

Normal admission applies.

BATH CHILDREN'S LITERATURE FESTIVAL n Various locations across Bath, times vary Saturday 1 – Sunday 9 October The 10th Bath Children's Literature Festival kicks off in October, with talks by some of the best names in the business, including Chris Hoy, Clare Balding and Lucy Worsley. There’s also a whole host of workshops for children of all ages across the city. Booking early is advised as some events are already sold out. Visit: bathfestivals.org.uk or call 01225 462231 to book tickets.

THE BIG DRAW – WE DO MEAN BIG n Victoria Art Gallery Saturday 22 October, 10.30am – 12.30pm & 2 – 4pm Children and adults can make use of the vast space at the Victoria Art Gallery and make a larger than life drawing of themselves at this workshop. Suitable for ages three to 103. Free event and children must be accompanied by an adult. Visit: victoriagal.org.uk.

Also at Victoria Art Gallery this month ANIMAL ART TRAIL Monday 24 – Friday 28 October, 10.30am – 5pm Children can explore the gallery and find the animals hiding among it. Free event, no need to book.

PLASTICINE PETS Friday 28 October, 10.30 – 11.30am & 12 – 1pm Be inspired by the animals in the gallery’s collection and create mini sculptures out of colourful plasticine. Free event, no need to book.

KNOW HOW FAMILY DAY n The Edge, University of Bath, Claverton Down, Bath, BA2 7AY Saturday 15 October, 10am – 4pm Creative, informative and practical workshops for all the family. Find out more about climate change, get creative with drawing and storytelling workshops or discover how to grow your own ice cream flavours.

Also at The Edge this month THE GINGERBREAD MAN Saturday 29 October, 11am & 1pm A pair of bakers get the shock of their lives when their delicious gingerbread man jumps off the baking tray and runs down the road screaming “yippee!” Will they ever see him again? Will someone or something get their paws or claws in him first? And how do you catch a runaway biscuit? A fun family performance using animated puppets, plenty of music, trickery and adventure. £6 children, £10 adults, £8 concessions. For ages three – six. Box office: 01225 386777 or visit: edgearts.org.

90 TheBATHMagazine

|

OcTOber 2016

Children can draw larger than life pictures at Victoria Art Gallery TALES FOR TOTS Saturday 29 October, 11am An interactive workshop designed to introduce young children to some of the most popular stories around. It's the perfect way to fire children’s imagination, spark a love of reading and encourage their creativity. In this session participants will be setting out the china for The Tiger Who Came to Tea by Judith Kerr. To take place in the Ensemble Room. £6 per parent and child, £4 for each additional child. For three – six year olds.

AN AMERICAN TOY STORY n The American Museum in Britain, Claverton Manor, Bath Until Sunday 30 October For fans of film and toys, this exhibition takes us on a time journey from Mickey Mouse through to Frozen via Star Wars, Superman and James Bond. Take your little Spiderman and Elsa in costume and they can let off steam on the museum’s wide lawns. The cakes are good too. Visit: americanmuseum.org or call 01225 820866.

BOWOOD HOUSE AND GROUNDS n Bowood House, Derry Hill, near Calne, Wiltshire Daily, 11am – 6pm There are acres of grounds for children to race about and one of the best adventure playgrounds in the south west, complete with pirate ship, big slides and treetop walkways.

There’s also Tractor Ted’s little farm, featuring animals and diggers to sit on. Bowood also has a café and a restaurant, but you can take a picnic. This is a beautiful spot in the Wiltshire countryside with a lake and picturesque follies.

Tickets: adults £12, pensioners £10, children five to 12 £9 and two to four-year-olds £7.

Also at Dyrham Park this month TODDLER TRAILS Throughout October, 10.45 – 11.30am Children can learn about shape, colour and numbers while exploring the great outdoors.

Children must be accompanied by an adult.

This event is free, but normal admission prices apply for the house and garden. Wear suitable clothing for outdoor activities. You will need to arrive in the car park by 10.30am to catch the first shuttle bus down to the house. Trails may be cancelled in bad weather.

GHOSTLY HALLOWE’EN TRAIL Saturday 22 – Sunday 30 October, 10am – 4pm Take part in Dyrham Park’s ghostly Halloween trail in the parkland. £1 per trail, includes a spooky prize. Normal admission applies. Visit: nationaltrust.org.uk/dyrham-park for more information.

OWL PROWL Saturday 22 October, 6 – 8.30pm Meet a real barn owl and learn more about these remarkable birds before taking a guided walk around the park to listen to our tawny owls and maybe catch site of a swooping barn owl. Run in association with The Hawk and Owl Trust. £5 per person. Please bring a torch.

Booking essential as spaces are limited, please call 0117 9371333. Not suitable for very young children or pushchairs.

DISCOVER SILVER CLAY n The Holburne Museum, Great Pulteney Street Friday 28 October, 10am – 12.30pm Discover the magic of silver clay and create lasting memories by making beautiful finger print pendants, friendship bracelets or silver pebbles. Suitable for children over five. All children must be accompanied by an adult – no more than two children per adult. Work will be fired on the day and available for collection from 1.30pm in The CLORE Learning space. £10 adults / £5 children. Visit: holburne.org.

Also at The Holburne Museum this month SILVER CAROUSELS Monday 24 – Tuesday 25 October, 10.30am – 12.30pm & 1.30 – 3.30pm Children can learn how to make a moving carousel toy inspired by a fountain in the

family fun oct 16.qxp_Layout 1 21/09/2016 18:18 Page 2

FAMILY | EVENTS

museum’s latest exhibition Silver: Light and Shade. Free workshop.

APPLE AND PUMPKIN DAY n Bath City Farm, Kelston View, Twerton, Bath Tuesday 25 October, 11am – 2pm Head to the farm for a day of apple and pumpkin related fun, including apple tasting, bobbing and juicing, and pumpkin carving. Free entry. No need to book. Visit: bathcityfarm.org.uk.

Macbeth at The egg – An unforgettable introduction to Shakespeare

Also at Bath City Farm this month FRIGHTFUL HALLOWEEN FUN Saturday 29 October, 1 – 4pm The farm is hosting an afternoon of spooky games, and you can learn how to make a paper and willow lantern and dress to scare for the 3.30pm lantern-lit parade. Free entry. No need to book.

FANTASTIC FOSSILS n Wiltshire Museum, Long Street, Devizes, SN10 1NS Throughout October Wiltshire Museum’s family exhibition Fantastic Fossils is ready and waiting to be explored.

Could you be a paleontologist? The whole family can discover the museum’s fossil collection and learn about dinosaurs found in Wiltshire. Admission: adults £5.50, concessions £4.50. Children under 16 go free. Call 01380 727369 or visit: wiltshiremuseum.org.uk.

MUSEUM TRAILS n The Museum of East Asian Art, Bennett Street, Bath, BA1 2QJ Saturday 22 – Sunday 30 October In association with B&NES museums week, MEAA is hosting four different family fun trails so both children and adults can engage with the museum’s new displays. Join the Fun Animal Trail and spot the variety of animal decorations in the museum’s collection. Free entry for

B&NES Discovery Card and seasonal ticket holders. Visit: meaa.org.uk or call 01225 464640 to find out more.

THE BOY WHO CLIMBED INTO THE MOON n The egg, Sawclose, Bath, BA1 1ET Friday 7 – Sunday 9 October, times vary Based on the book by David Almond, this tells the funny story of Paul, a boy who thinks the moon is a big hole in the sky and one day he decides he’s going to climb into it. Tickets: adults £8.50, children £7.50. Children under 12 must be accompanied by an adult. Visit: theatreroyal.org.uk or call 01225 823409.

Also at The egg this month MACBETH – BLOOD WILL HAVE BLOOD Monday 17 – Tuesday 18 October, times vary With razor sharp storytelling, eerie projections and a heart-stopping soundtrack, this is an unforgettable introduction to Shakespeare’s blood-soaked world of Macbeth. Suitable for ages nine – 13. Adults: £8.50 / Children: £7.50.

Children under 12 must be accompanied by an adult.

THE BIG DRAW: LEG-ROOM n The Fashion Museum Tuesday 25 – Thursday 27 October, 1 – 4.30pm Be inspired by the museum’s collection and create leggings with amazing patterns. Included in admission price, free entry to Discovery Card holders. n

THEBATHMAG.CO.UK

|

OctOber 2016

|

theBATHMagazine 91

education Oct.qxp_Layout 23 23/09/2016 14:26 Page 1

EDUCATION NEWS NEW HEAD FOR COLLEGE Norland College, based in Bath and with a worldwide reputation for training nannies and nursery nurses, has entered its 125th year with its largest ever intake of students – 92 – and a new principal Dr Janet Rose.

Dr Rose takes over from Mrs Elizabeth Hunt, who retired earlier this year. Dr Rose, an author and researcher in the field of early years education, joined from Bath Spa University, and arrives with experience across academia and teaching. Her first lecture to the new students was What Neuroscience tells us about Early Development today.

With a strong academic and publishing background, she is keen to

instil a research focus at the college.

The 125th anniversary of the college will be marked in 2017 with a series of activities. Norland’s final year undergraduates recently participated in the College’s first inclusion in the National Student Survey. The group, who achieved a 100% pass rate scored Norland with an overall satisfaction rating of 90%, citing strong career prospects as a key advantage.

Pictured is new principal of Norland College Dr Janet Rose with students from the Bath area, back row: Katie Godfrey, Anna Taylor and GeorgiaMay Campbell and in the front row: Ellie Knights, Olivia Collyer and Sally Sayers.

NATIONAL FUNDING FOR CREATIVE ARTS PROJECT The newly-formed Bath Cultural Education Partnership (BCEP) has won a national grant to promote and improve creative and cultural learning in Bath and North East Somerset.

The BCEP consists of four partners, who have worked together on creative learning projects for more than 15 years and have a successful track record of bringing about change, especially with vulnerable children and young people. The four are: 5x5x5=creativity, an arts research charity which supports children’s and young people’s creativity; the egg theatre, professional theatre

for children and young people; Bath Festivals; and Mentoring Plus, a charity which works with vulnerable young people.

The partnership has received funding from the Paul Hamlyn Foundation, which has distributed £1m nationwide through the Teacher Development Fund. The key focus for the BCEP’s funding will be to continue the successful School Without Walls project, launched at the egg six years ago. This has seen entire classes and year groups relocating to the egg theatre, effectively turning the theatre, rehearsal rooms and public

spaces into a classroom for up to a whole school term. This process offers an arts-based, residential experience in the heart of a cultural setting, where children and adults can explore all the traditional subjects of the curriculum beyond the confines of the classroom. To date, St. Andrews Primary, St. Michael’s Primary and Writhlington Secondary have experienced School Without Walls with resounding results. The funding will allow ten more schools from across Bath and North East Somerset to take part in School Without Walls.

BUILDING LINKS WITH COMMUNITY The headteacher of St Mark’s secondary school in Fairfield Park, Bath, Barnaby Ash has ambitious plans for the future development of the school, building on its status as a Good school from Oftsted.

He has outlined some of his plans: • Further improve the educational experience of the school’s young people.

• Share and receive expertise and skills from other educational establishments including universities and further education providers; • Create modern, technology-driven facilities that provide the very best learning environment.

• Become firmly established as the school of choice for local families.

St Mark’s was judged to be a Good school across the following areas: leadership and management, behaviour and safety of students, quality of teaching and achievement of students.

Prospective students are welcome to visit on one of the following sessions: Friday 7 October, 9am – 11am. The New Sixth open evening is Thursday 20 October, 6.30pm – 9pm. Visit: st-marks.org.uk, tel: 01225 312661 or email: info@st-marks.org.uk.

ACADEMY PROVIDES A LINK TO WORK Bath College has launched a new business academy to give students valuable industry experience at a variety of businesses across the south west. The Bath Academy of Business will bring together students who want working experience with companies looking for talented individuals.

Companies have been asked to support students to gain experience in the fields of legal practice, HR, event management, retail, business administration, management and finance. In turn, the Bath Academy of Business will boost the local economy in Bath by creating a pool of talent for companies to recruit from.

Students will be encouraged to improve their skills to make them employable and businesses are invited to forge a long-term relationship with the college. Companies at the launch included: Sirona Care & Health, Curo, Royds Withy King and the Bath Spa School of Business.

92 TheBATHMagazine

|

OCTOBeR 2016

A BRIGHT ACADEMIC FUTURE OXBRIDGE BOUND: Lily Bayntun-Coward, Pip Harrison, Monkton Combe School Principal Chris Wheeler, Sam Watt, Hudson Hovil and Jo Male Students at Monkton Senior School near Bath have taken up Oxbridge offers as the school celebrates another year’s strong performance at A level. Every Oxbridge applicant at Monkton has gained a place at their chosen university.

All five candidates with offers for Oxford and Cambridge met their targets and many students will also be heading for the UK’s top universities including UCL, Imperial, Durham, and Nottingham.

A number of departments were particularly successful with 92% of chemistry students, 93% of art

students, 83% of physics students and 100% of DT students scoring an A*, A or B grade.

Lily Bayntun-Coward gained three A* grades and both Sam Watt and Hudson Hovil gained three A* grades and an A grade.

Deputy head academic, Joe Sidders, said: “Alongside the commitment of our teachers in the classroom, there’s no doubt in my mind that our sector-leading pastoral care is what underpins this excellent academic performance, because our students know they’re valued for who they are and what they do.”

Beechen Cliff fp.qxp_Layout 1 23/09/2016 13:46 Page 1

Sixth Form Open Morning Saturday 15th October 9:00am – 12:30pm • A large Sixth Form of 400 students • An unpretentiously academic Sixth Form offering a choice of 26 A Levels and EPQ • Excellent academic results – over a quarter of students gaining AAB grades or better in the core academic A Levels • A well-developed Oxbridge programme • A high proportion of students gaining places at Oxbridge and Russell Group universities • An unrivalled range of super-curricular, extra-curricular and leadership opportunities • A strong tradition of sporting excellence, including the Bath Rugby AASE partnership programme • An impressive careers and higher education programme

P94.qxp_Layout 22 23/09/2016 12:13 Page 1

SIXTH FORM OPEN EVENING Thursday 1st December 2016

For more information, please contact the Sixth Form Office on 01249 766036 or email sixthform@sheldonschool.co.uk

94 TheBATHMagazine

|

OCTOBeR 2016

THE

6.30-9.00pm

ROUTE to your

future success

page 95.qxp_Layout 23 22/09/2016 12:43 Page 1

One-to-one tutoring, at home, in and around Bath Free in-home educational consultation Expert, screened, well-matched tutors 60 day money back guarantee Tailor-made, flexible programme, for every student l l l l l

Primary and secondary All subjects Gifted and talented Common entrance exam (11+ and 13+) Organisation and study skills through our unique Academic Game Plan

Call us today on 01225 680654 www.tutordoctorbath.co.uk

THEBATHMAG.CO.UK

|

OctOber 2016

|

theBATHMagazine 95

P96.qxp_Layout 22 23/09/2016 11:58 Page 1

96 TheBATHMagazine

|

OCTOBeR 2016

The New Sixth Form fp.qxp_Layout 1 20/09/2016 16:46 Page 1

Knitting V2.qxp_Layout 1 21/09/2016 12:44 Page 1

CREATIVE | CITY

THE NOW OF KNITTING Ready to discover knitting 21st century style? Catherine Mallorie unpicks the surprising truth

98 TheBATHMagazine

|

OCTOBeR 2016

are aspirational: shot in beautiful locations and using beautiful models.

“The internet means knitters can see more knitting designers all the time, allowing them to find a brand that expresses who they are.”

And forget shapeless jumpers: “Knitting design nowadays is much more tailored to the human form,” says Laura. And the pastime definitely has nothing to do with economy nowadays.

❝

Some knitters I know don’t even care what they’re making, they just love the process. Nothing eases the troubled mind like knitting

❝

W

hat do you think of when someone mentions knitting’?

Baggy jumpers in a bilious shade of green? Grannies in corners their needles clicking, notions of haute couture a million miles away? If so, prepare to be surprised. In the last 20 years, knitting has transformed itself, from shabby relation to stylish Cinderella, a pastime enjoyed by the likes of Uma Thurman, Sarah Jessica Parker, Christopher Walken and Ryan Gosling.

But how did this dramatic turn-about take place? How did knitting navigate itself into the 21st century and secure the attention of the rich and famous?

Bath – with its offering of dedicated wool emporia – is the perfect place to get answers to questions such as these.

Back in 2012, Laura Shipley opened the doors of her shop Wool in Orchard Street, having previously travelled to Bristol to get yarn to feed her knitting habit. When she decided there might be demand for a quality wool shop in Bath, however, she underestimated the amount of enthusiasm from knitters in the city.

Within three days of opening, Laura says, she sold what she’d expected to sell in a month. And since then she’s seen the popularity of knitting increase with every year.

Things in the world of knitting have certainly changed. Laura says: “Knitting nowadays is designer-and fashion-led.

With beautiful shapes, luxury fibres and design that has nothing half-hearted about it. Knitting pattern books today

“There’s a big resurgence in luxury fibres now. And that means buying a pullover from M&S might even be cheaper than knitting your own.”

Traditionally, knitting was the economy option, with many women routinely knitting clothes for their family before the coming of cheap, mass-produced clothing at the end of the last century. Now, however, women – and increasingly men – knit because they

enjoy the process, not just to get results from their work.

American born Carmen Schmidt, who opened her shop A Yarn Story in Walcot Street last year, agrees that knitting today is very different from 50 years ago. She says: “In the ‘60s, people moved away from home-knitting to the ease of shop-bought woollens. But now, the ‘necessity knitter’ no longer exists.

And instead of ‘home-made’, we should think ‘hand-made’. Knitting is a contemporary hobby for people who are discerning, – often demanding – shoppers, people who use the internet to find exactly the yarn and knitting designs they want, wherever they are in the world.

“At A Yarn Story we see knitters who want to make something that’s special.

With really high quality yarn, in great colours and hard-to-come-by materials.”

That could mean materials such as silk, mohair or alpaca, as well as wool from rare sheep breeds, perhaps handdyed by specialist dyers, which gives yarn vibrant depth of colour.

“One of our most popular wools is hand-dyed by an independent dyer in Ireland,” says Carmen. “The yarn is a blend of mohair, silk and merino wool, and the different colourways use speckled colour that’s really fun, like graffiti. It’s very of the moment and our customers love it. Nowadays there are even trend yarn dyers and knitting designer celebrities with worldwide reach.”

Knitting designer Stephen West is one of these, a game-changer in the world of

DESIGNS ON YOU: Above left, inspired to knit? - then make your own beautiful creations Above centre, a riot of colour at A Yarn Story in Walcot Street and (below) the shop owner; Carmen Schmidt Above right, King of colour, designer Stephen West.

Picture courtesy of Darren Smith Opposite page, fair right, successful British knitwear designer Kim Hargreaves creates contemporary and alluring styles for the modern knitter, her latest book is Wilder For more inspiration and pattern books visit: englishyarns.co.uk

Knitting V2.qxp_Layout 1 21/09/2016 12:45 Page 2

CREATIVE | CITY knitting design, who encourages knitters to make bold colour combinations, taking knitting from its functional past right into the avant garde.

Laura agrees that people today knit for the experience, as much as the results, of knitting.

“Personally, I may spend £50 on yarn and then I get the pleasure of the activity of knitting as well,” she says. “Some knitters I know don’t even care what they’re making, they just love the process. Nothing eases the troubled mind like knitting – and it’s good for the untroubled mind as well! When you knit, you put aside external stuff. It really makes you focus on the ‘now’.”

This mindful aspect of knitting helps explain how making things in general has been on the rise in recent years, as more people look for ways to unwind, discovering their personal creativity in the process. “The great thing about knitting is that it’s extremely portable, as well as sociable,” says Carmen. “Previously I’d been interested in sewing, but my sewing machine never made the journey from the States. With knitting, all you need is a pair of needles and you can knit anywhere.” Even the feeling of yarn running through the fingers is soothing and therapeutic, says Carmen: “There’s nothing better than being complimented when you wear your own work. It’s personal creativity that’s lasting and very satisfying.”

For many, however, discouraging early experiences of learning to knit have left them believing knitting is not for them. “Many of our customers come to the shop when grandchildren are on the way, even though they

haven’t knitted for years or even at all,” says Laura. “Then on the other hand, a young girl came in because she’d got a book on knitting for Christmas. Knitting is technical and projects take time to complete, but all that beginner knitters need is the chance to develop. There absolutely isn’t a knitting type: good knitters are simply more experienced. But I’d recommend anyone to experience the joyous feeling of knitting itself.”

Carmen agrees: “Anyone can learn to knit,” she says. “At the start, we’ve all knitted strangely shaped scarves with holes, and many knitters are ridiculed by people round them at the beginning. But keep going. Try something really simple like a scarf and then progress, choosing designs you love to keep you motivated to finish. And you can visit your local yarn shop or knit group to find so much knowledge and support.”

“Knitters are generous-spirited people,” agrees Laura, “And there’s a great sense of camaraderie with other knitters that comes from understanding the amount time and effort you invest in creating things, each one of which marks a moment in the history of your life.”

Homefront Interiors in Margarets Buildings has recently launched its Knit and Natter series of classes to pass on needle skills to others.

“As you progress,” says Carmen, “you start to make beautiful gifts for friends, knowing that what you’ve made is completely unique. When I knitted my niece a hat as a present she was amazed to think she she had the only hat like it in the world. “‘So no one else has this hat?’ she asked. ‘That’s the coolest thing ever’.” n

THEBATHMAG.CO.UK

|

OCTOBER 2016

|

ThEBATHMagazinE 99

health and beauty October.qxp_Layout 1 23/09/2016 17:32 Page 1

HEALTH | BEAUTY

&

HEALTHY

HAPPY DR HILARY JONES’ SECRETS FOR GETTING THROUGH THE WINTER

A

s the temperature drops and the days become darker, it can be easy to eat more, do less and go into hibernation mode. But being proactive about our health is key to feeling great as well as looking great too, says popular TV doctor Hilary Jones as he offers tips to getting through the winter by staying happy and healthy.

Regular teas and coffee count towards your fluid intake, but caffeinated versions shouldn’t make up your full quota so try a hot water with a squeeze of lemon or fresh mint as a hydrating alternative. *Ed’s tip: Thinly sliced fresh cucumber kept in a jug of water in the fridge is delicious – change daily.

EVERYTHING STARTS WITH BREAKFAST

WINTER WORKOUT It can be hard to find the motivation to make it to the gym when it’s cold outside, but it’s important to remember that keeping active during the winter is essential. Any activity that contributes to overall fitness can boost wellbeing and mood. If you really can’t find the incentive to brave the elements and have access to an indoor pool, then swimming is a great exercise for boosting mental as well as our physical health, with research showing that swimmers tend to live longer and have better moods than people who don’t exercise. *Ed’s tip: Bath Leisure Centre has plenty of adult open swimming sessions as well as sessions dedicated to the over 50s. It also runs aerobics, zumba and circuits classes.

DRINK UP The cold weather and drying radiator heat can lead to dehydration and fatigue. Aim to drink eight glasses of water a day. This will help to boost your energy levels, improve blood circulation and flush out toxins from the body.

When we wake up in the morning our muscles and brain need fuel to face the day ahead. I love eating bircher muesli with oats, nuts, apples and berries or a smoked salmon omelette packed with protein, vitamin D and omega 3 essential fatty acids. Researchers from Harvard University have also confirmed that eating a healthy breakfast regularly can help to reduce the risk of high blood pressure, diabetes and high cholesterol – factors which can give rise to heart disease. *Ed’s tip: Harvest in Walcot Street sells oats and other cereal loose by weight so you can buy as little as you need to make up your own museli.

Sainsbury’s sell mixed size free range eggs for 80p, which are ideal for breakfast omelettes, poached or scrambled eggs.

OCTOBeR 2016

Did you know that staying warm is a surprising secret to feeling merry? Being cold can make us feel sluggish because our bodily functions slow down in attempt to retain heat. So bundle up to feel recharged! Hot drinks help to raise our core temperature but try to avoid adding your favourite tipple as this actually drops our body temperature so skip the ‘hot toddy’ and opt for your favourite herbal tea instead. *Ed’s tip: On really cold days wearing a warm hat indoors and some wrist warmers can help the body retain heat. The Bubble at St John’s runs drop-in knitting sessions for the over 55s on Thursday afternoons from 2pm. Just turn up and meet leaders Betsan and Linda, who can remind you of your forgotten skills, so you can knit your own scarf for winter.

Socialising and spending quality time with friends and family is a central part of the run-up to Christmas, so having a hearing check is key to ensuring you or a family member doesn’t miss out. People with mild to significant hearing loss are between two and five times more likely to develop dementia so there’s ever more reason to seek help sooner. Take advantage of a free hearing test at Bath’s Hidden Hearing’s high centre. Visit: HiddenHearing.co.uk for more information or to book a free hearing test. *Ed’s tip: To boost your social life why not join an activity at The Bubble, St John’s Hospital, Chapel Court (opposite the Westgate Buildings bus stops). These are free or for very little payment, for example a six week Pilates course for the over 55s is £6. Drop-in sessions include a free beginners’ class in using an iPad. That’s on Monday 10 October from 2.30pm.

Gobbling down a large meal diverts blood from the rest of our body to our digestive system in order to break down food. This can leave us feeling sluggish, so try sticking to normal-sized plate portions and chewing slowly. Not only

|

WRAP UP WARM

GET CHECKED

AVOID THE FOOD COMA

100 TheBATHMagazine

will this ensure that you digest your food properly, but also give your brain the chance to tell your belly that it’s full. Sensible snacking throughout the day can also help you to avoid over-eating at dinner times. Try a handful of unsalted nuts or a small bowl of plain yogurt with sliced banana as these provide a great source of protein to help slow stomach emptying.

CATCH SOME ZS A good night’s sleep is vital for refreshing and repairing our mind and body. Next to washing our hands, getting enough sleep might be one of the most effective ways to avoid a cold or the flu. Getting a good eight hours of sleep each night keeps your immune system strong, so you’re less likely to catch whatever it is that’s making its way round your office or home. n To download a copy of Dr. Hilary’s 50 Tips to a Healthier You, visit: HearstoHealth.co.uk.

The Orangery fp October.qxp_Layout 1 23/09/2016 09:48 Page 1

the orangery l a s e r

&

b e a u t y

Dermapen™ Revolutionary micro-needling treatment Before and After Treatments

DERMAPEN™ AIMS TO TIGHTEN, LIFT AND REJUVENATE THE SKIN AND IS IDEAL FOR TREATING:• fine lines • wrinkles • open pores • • surgical, acne and trauma scars • pigmentation • • stretch marks • collagen induction •

c l i n i c

Specialists in Ellipse IPL Permanent Hair Reduction Treatments

• Permanent Hair Reduction • • No more shaving, waxing or depilatory creams • • Safe and effective, even on fragile or delicate areas • • FREE CONSULTATIONS AND PATCH TEST •

Contact us for your FREE consultation

Dermal Fillers and Anti Wrinkle treatments Treatments performed by an associate doctor of the Dr Rita Rakus Cosmetic Award Winning Clinic Featured In Tatler Clinic dates: Mon 10th & 31st Oct, Mon 21st Nov & 12th Dec

New & Exciting ULTHERAPY is now available in Bath.

The latest non-surgical skin tightening treatment using state-of-the art ultrasound technology – “Uplift Not A Facelift”

No.2 Kingsmead St. Bath • Tel: 01225 466851 www.theorangerylaserandbeautybath.co.uk

P102.qxp_Layout 22 23/09/2016 13:28 Page 1

Removal of moles, skin tags, cysts and other skin lesions

“I can’t believe it was so quick and easy... wish I’d done it sooner” Mole removal – same day, minimal scarring and pain-free!

Cosmedics Skin Clinics’ doctors and surgeons have treated literally thousands of skin lesions and blemishes. You’d be surprised how many patients say they wish they’d done it sooner!

‘Lumps & Bumps’ - Advanced Treatments for Skin Blemishes: • Same-day removal of unwanted moles, skin tags, warts, verruca • Pain-free treatment – minimal scarring methods including laser • Latest techniques – laser, micro-cautery, cryotherapy or surgery • Qualified and experienced doctors

BRISTOL SKIN CLINIC

Litfield House Medical Centre, 1 Litfield Place, Clifton Down, Bristol, BS8 3LS Cosmetic Treatments Advanced anti-ageing skin treatments - facial fillers, lip enhancement, wrinkle-relaxants with flattering and natural-looking results.

10 Years’ Experience Established 2003 - over 10 years’ experience offering the very best in aesthetic, dermatology and beauty treatments in CQC registered clinics.

COSMEDICS SKIN CLINIC Telephone: 020 7386 0464 • Email: info@cosmedics.co.uk • Website: www.cosmedics.co.uk 102 TheBATHMagazine

|

OCTOBeR 2016

page 103.qxp_Layout 23 23/09/2016 12:22 Page 1

Winner of Best Hair Salon & Best Day Spa in Somerset 2016

Buy 2 Clarins Tri-Active facials get 3rd FREE in October

The NEW Clarins Tri-Active facial treatments are high performance, result-driven facials personalised to you and your skin’s needs – ‘restores the skin as if you have had a full nights sleep.’

Book online www.frontlinestyle.co.uk

4/5 Monmouth Street, Bath BA1 2AJ T: 01225 478478

11 Broad Street, Wells BA5 2DJ T: 01749 672225

CLARINS - CAUDALIE - PHYTOMER - CACI - IPL - ELECTROLYSIS - OUTBACKS ORGANICS WAX - INTIMATE WAXING IONITHERMIE - HOLLYWOOD LASHES - ST TROPEZ - WELLA - PHILIP KINGSLEY - LIVING PROOF GREAT LENGTHS HAIR EXTENSIONS - NIOXIN - WIGS SPECIALIST

THEBATHMAG.CO.UK

|

OctOber 2016

|

theBATHMagazine 103

Walk October.qxp_Layout 1 22/09/2016 11:13 Page 1

IN SEARCH OF THE ROMANS Andrew Swift visits one of Roman Britain’s best kept secrets, some 30 miles outside of Bath

B

ath’s Roman Baths are one of the finest historic sites in northern Europe. Walk around the city streets, though, and there is hardly anying to indicate the Romans were ever here, and what they left has consequently disappeared beneath newer buildings.

Thirty miles to the north, however, is a Roman city whose subsequent history has been somewhat different. Although it receives only a tiny percentage of the visitors who beat a path to Bath, Caerwent is, in the opinion of many, the best preserved Roman city in Britain.

Its walls are largely intact, rising to over five metres in places, and within them it is still possible to get a sense of what life was like almost two millennia ago. Even today, far less people live in Caerwent than lived there during its imperial heyday. Much of the land within the walls is given over to grass, as it has been for centuries, and the village consists of little more than a church, an inn, a derelict manor house and a handful of houses.

When the Romans came to this part of Britain, they had to deal with the warlike Silures. After establishing a legionary garrison at Isca – modern-day Caerleon – to keep them in check, the Romans built 104 TheBATHMagazine

|

OcTOBeR 2016

a new town called Venta Silurum, or ‘market town of the Silures’, on the road from Glevum (Gloucester) to Isca.

After the Silures were granted semiautonomy in the 1st century AD, a forum-basilica was built and Venta Silurum became an administrative centre.

Earthen ramparts topped with timber palisades were thrown up to protect it. A grid of streets was laid out. Large villas appeared, with tessellated flooring, bath houses and underfloor heating. A new temple was built, new shops and workshops opened. The ramparts were replaced by stone walls with fortified towers and gateways. The area within the walls amounted to around 50 acres, making this a good-sized provincial centre – the walls the Romans built around Bath enclosed only around 23 acres.

However, by the late 4th century, Venta Silurum, like the rest of Roman Britain, was in decline. By the 5th century much of it was ruinous.

Thereafter, it was largely forgotten. A monastery seems to have been established here by the 10th century, and the Normans later built a motte in the southeast corner, but that is about all.

Chepstow to the east and Newport to the west, both protecting important river

crossings, were where commercial and political activity was concentrated in the middle ages. Venta Silurum – or Caerwent as it was known by now – remained a grass-grown ruin. When John Leland came this way in the 16th century, he found little more than a church, 16 or 17 cottages built from the ruins, and ‘pavements of the old streets’ in the fields.

It is not that different today. Fields – many of them still untouched by archaeologists – predominate, and the feeling that this is a place that time forgot hangs heavy. When Time Team came here in 2008, they discovered, in just three days, a row of shops in one part of the site and a large villa in another.

Somewhat surprisingly, Caerwent is not a World Heritage Site, nor is there a museum, or even a visitor centre. Entry and parking is free and, if you visit, you will probably have this astonishing place almost to yourself. For the moment at least, this must surely be one of Britain’s best-kept secrets.

DIRECTIONS To get to Caerwent, head west along the M4 and turn onto the M48. Once across the Severn Bridge, leave at Junction 2, head north along the A466, and at the

INTO THE PAST: main image, part of the Roman site at Caerwent Opposite: the view from the south side of the site’s walls

Walk October.qxp_Layout 1 21/09/2016 11:27 Page 2

THE | WALK next roundabout bear left along the A48 for four miles. Don’t take the first turning for Caerwent (just past the speed camera), but carry on for another mile and turn left at a sign for the Roman City. After half a mile, turn left into the car park.

Having parked, turn right out of the car park and follow the road through the old west gate.

After 50m, cross and either go over a slab stile or through a gate a little further along. Walk alongside the west wall, turning left after 150m along the south wall.

After passing the site of the south gate, through which a grassy track still leads into the village, carry on along the top of the wall. After passing the Norman motte in the south-east corner, turn left along the east wall. After passing the garden of the Coach & Horses pub, drop down to the site of the east gate. Cross the road and carry on along the road past the Burton Homes. (Note: if you continue along the grassy bank, you will have to retrace your steps.)

After 175m, just before the main road, turn left.

After 250m, you come to Northgate House – until recently an inn – and the site of the old north gate. Another 100m further on, by the pelican crossing, turn left to enter the city.

After 150m, go through a kissing gate on the left and head past the forum-basilica. You can, if you wish, divert into the field on the left to see the walls in the north-east corner of the city.

Otherwise carry on, bearing right past the temple. After going through a gate, turn right along the road past the derelict shell of 16thcentury Caerwent House. Cross over to visit the

church, where some Roman artefacts are preserved, before carrying on along the road for 100m and turning right past a row of Roman shops. Bear left across the grass to pass the site of a villa known as Courtyard House. Carry on through a handgate to follow an overgrown path as it bears left and left again round the perimeter of the field where Time Team uncovered another villa, before turning left along a footpath to return to the car park.

Nine miles to the west lies the Roman legionary fortress of Caerleon, with a Roman amphitheatre and barracks, as well as a museum where finds from Caerwent are on display.

Alternatively, you can take the minor road north of the A48, opposite the Roman City turning, to Wentwood Forest. ■

FACT FILE ■ Length of walk: two miles, plus diversions ■ Approximate time: two hours ■ Facilities: Coach & Horses pub; disabled toilet in car park ■ Level of challenge: Straightforward; some grassed areas and uneven ground.

The site and car park is open daily from 10am – 4pm; dogs on leads welcome ■ Map: Ordnance Survey OL14

THEBATHMAG.CO.UK

|

OctOBER 2016

|

thEBATHMagazinE 105

Property October.qxp_Layout 1 21/09/2016 11:46 Page 1

A FOOT IN BOTH CAMPS A delightful Victorian villa in Sydney Buildings, Bathwick, has enviable waterside gardens beside the Kennet and Avon Canal

F

or anyone who knows Bath, Sydney Buildings is a street that’s highly desirable. While it has superb views over the city, it’s not too much of an uphill trek from the centre. A brisk walk down the lower slopes of Bathwick Hill can take you into town in ten or 15 minutes.

Commuters have a healthy, and enjoyable, stroll along the towpath of the Kennet and Avon Canal down to Bath’s main station and, on their days off, can disappear up a country lane that leads off the street and up into Smallcombe, one of Bath’s loveliest and most peaceful spots.

If you’re interested in local history you can even spot the names of former residents of the houses in Sydney Buildings on the gravestones that lie among the wildflowers and butterflies of Smallcombe Cemetery. The one-time

106 TheBATHMagazine

|

OCTOBeR 2016

residents of Number 9, which is currently for sale, lie at peace here. One was Lt Colonel Frederick B White, who died in 1872, the other James Galsworthy, who died in 1889. It is thanks to the diligence of Sydney Buildings’ residents that we know so much of this community’s history, as they have meticulously researched and written about it, sharing their findings on sydneybuildingshistory.org.uk.

Walkers and cyclists can hop on the towpath and explore the waterways of Bath in either direction from Sydney Buildings, while the more prosaic will be delighted to see there’s a Tesco Express just a few hundred yards away – the 21st century equivalent of the corner shop. So Sydney Buildings seems to have a foot in both city and countryside.

There is still a real sense of community along this street. For special occasions, such as royal weddings and

jubilees, the residents have thrown street parties with tables and chairs brought out and food shared and passed round.

If you’d like to see photographs of what Sydney Buildings – and some of the people who lived there – used to look like, it’s worth exploring some of the old photographs taken by George Love Dafnis. He and his wife and children lived at Number 32 and between 1904 and the 1950s he took thousands of photographs of Bath and the area. These delightful insights into the city’s past can be seen in the archives of Bath in Time, available online at: bathintime.co.uk.

Bath agent Carter Jonas has Number 9 Sydney Buildings on its books – although we don’t think this Victorian Grade II listed villa will be on the market for long.

It’s an end of terrace home, sensibly designed that its big bay windows

STEP ASHORE : main picture, Number 9 Sydney Buildings and inset, views from the terraces of its canalside gardens

Property October.qxp_Layout 1 21/09/2016 11:50 Page 2

BATH | PROPERTY

PLENTY OF CHARACTER: above, the Aga adds a cosy glow to the kitchen/breakfast room and there’s a fireplace in the bay windowed sitting room

overlook the canal and the panoramic views of Bath. The west facing gardens which run right down to the canal’s edge are a particularly attractive asset. One can imagine dropping a light rowing boat down into the water and heading off for little potter on the canal. Or, one could simply sit, glass in hand, under the vine covered pergola and watch all of canal life pass you by.

But, back to the house. On the ground floor there’s a wide reception hall, leading to stairs up and down. To the right, and facing the canal, is the big sitting room with a fireplace and double doors which open on to the sun terrace.

On the other side of the hall is

another sitting room, which could make a third bedroom, or a home office. Its French doors leading to the garden might prove a distraction from work, or an inspiration.

Downstairs on the lower ground floor there’s a lovely cottage style kitchen/breakfast room fitted with a cream Aga. Next door is the utility room and beyond that lies a shower room. Up on the first floor we find the two main bedrooms, both of them doubles, the main one enjoying those fabulous views. There’s also the family bathroom up on this floor.

Offers are invited in excess of £895,000. n

THEBATHMAG.CO.UK

FACT FILE ■ Location: Sydney Gardens, Bathwick ■ Special features: Beautiful canalside setting with views over Bath ■ Accommodation: two/three bedrooms, sitting room, kitchen/breakfast room, utility, bathroom and cloakroom, gardens ■ Guide price: £895,000 ■ Agents: Carter Jonas, Bath.

Tel: 01225 747250

|

OCTOBER 2016

|

ThEBATHMagazinE 107

page 108.qxp_Layout 22 23/09/2016 17:12 Page 1

GRAHAM | AND GREEN

GREEN WITH ENVY Stylish homeware brand Graham & Green has relocated its head office from London to Bath and opened a new store in Walcot Street. Time to get cosy with its latest collection

Gardenia Ocean Quilt and Cushion, £45 – £95

108 TheBATHMagazine

|

OcTOber 2016

page 109.qxp_Layout 23 23/09/2016 17:13 Page 1

GRAHAM | AND GREEN Moroccan Tyre Floor Lamps, £135 – £195

Faux Fur Beanbags, £79

Luxe Faux Fur Throws and Cushions, £38 – £99 Chevron Ikat Cushions, £45

Visit the new Graham & Green store at 92 Walcot Street, Bath, BA1 5BG. Tel: 01225 418 300, web: grahamandgreen.co.uk.

THEBATHMAG.CO.UK

|

OctOber 2016

|

theBATHMagazine 109

P110.qxp_Layout 22 23/09/2016 12:21 Page 1

“such an attractive, original and beautifully creative space”

f u r n i t u r e – a r t w o r k s – a c cessories l

vintage and contemporary pieces option to customise to suit all sourced exclusively in Britain l

l

15 walcot buildings. london rd. ba1 6ad free parking opposite and in weymouth street verveliving.uk | 07785 332536 110 TheBATHMagazine

|

OCTOBeR 2016

Project1.qxp_Layout 1 20/09/2016 16:42 Page 1

Interiors OCT.qxp_Layout 1 22/09/2016 16:06 Page 1

INTERIOR | TRENDS

Jardin Des Plantes Designers Guild

NATURAL MATERIALS: black marble creates an abstract mystical backdrop

112 TheBATHMagazine

|

OCTOBeR 2016

Interiors OCT.qxp_Layout 1 22/09/2016 16:06 Page 2

INTERIOR | TRENDS

AGE OF ELEGANCE

Autumn’s new mood sees rich and dramatic colour, tactile textures and lustrous metallics hitting the interiors scene for the season ahead, writes Bath designer John Law

VELVETY COMFORT: the Gubi Beetle Chair

T

he winds are changing, and we, for one, love the sense of freshness that autumn brings, from the colours in the landscape to an excuse to stockpile the red wine, and in our line of work, new season interiors collections aplenty. And while you might not be in the market for a whole house interior overhaul, a great way to revamp and refresh your home comes in the form of soft furnishings and fabrics. Some new cushions in a jazzy fabric, feature wallpaper, or reupholstering a much-loved item of furniture can completely transform a space. We’ve been lucky enough to have trawled some of Europe’s biggest design shows over the last few months, so here’s what’s been catching our eye along the way. . .

ROMANCE IN THE STONE One of the key trends that caught our attention at Maison & Objet this year, was fabric or wallpaper that’s masquerading as stone, and

particularly marble. We’re big fans of Dôme Deco’s reinvented take on this theme, with their abstract marble wallpaper backdrop to their new ‘mystical’ collection for winter, which sees high gloss bronze items mixed with velvet and various shades of blue, or Zoffany’s exuberant malachite-inspired Serpentine fabric.

VELVET OVERGROUND It’s the fabric that epitomises luxury and grandeur and always seems so apt when temperatures start to plummet. While jewel colours from bright emerald to earthy russet and warm plum will always be popular at this time of year, we’ve also seen a move towards embossed and printed velvets and jacquard weaves too. If you’re looking for a statement, design-led piece of furniture to add wow factor to any room, you can’t go wrong with the beautifully-crafted and aesthetically-pleasing Gubi beetle chair, or more decadent still, their gently-curved grand piano sofa...

GENTLY CURVING: the Gubi Grand Piano Sofa

THEBATHMAG.CO.UK

|

OCTOBER 2016

|

ThEBATHMagazinE 113

Interiors OCT.qxp_Layout 1 22/09/2016 16:06 Page 3

INTERIOR | TRENDS

HEAVY METAL We’re seeing a move away from greys to richer, warmer, wheaten tones as base fabrics, combined with metallic detailing in gold and copper for the season ahead. These fabrics are ideal at this time of year as they add allimportant warmth and lustre to your room scheme when it needs it most, a feeling which is only enhanced by careful attention to lighting.

Similarly, soft, muted Gustavian colours, such as gentle pinks, putty and smokey blue are also inclined to really pop against a backdrop of gold.

BLUE IS THE WARMEST COLOUR Every shade from turquoise to cerulean is well represented among AW16’s soft furnishing collections, though from what we saw in Paris last month, cobalt definitely seems to be leading the way. Gorgeously vibrant with inky depths, it’s the perfect shade to pep-up the current obsession with neutrals..

SCANDI IS STILL CHIC It’s the trend that refuses to go away, mostly because large swathes of calming neutral colours and the pursuit of ‘hygge’ – the Danish approach to creating a cosy atmosphere – makes for an incredibly relaxing interior space.

We’ve been using Ferm Living’s gently colourful cushions and throws – think pale pink, blush, grey and light green – to add character and warmth to spare Scandi schemes.

114 TheBATHMagazine

|

OCTOBeR 2016

Interiors OCT.qxp_Layout 1 22/09/2016 16:07 Page 4

INTERIOR | TRENDS

ELEGANT LIVING: Opposite top, Zoffany's gold Willow Song wallpaper really makes muted velvets pop Left, cobalt was leading the way at this year's Maison & Objet, as shown here with Dome Deco's new Glorious collection This page top, one of Woodhouse & Law's room schemes, using pink to create an opulent master bedroom and right, a little shimmering paisley fabric goes a long way, as shown by Dedar

PRINTED LOVE Fabrics with an almost luminescent liquid sheen have been popular for a while now and new for 2016 is the added element of texture and print on sheer fabrics to opalescent paisley. A little goes a long way when it comes to shimmering silks and voiles, so a set of curtains, a selection of well-placed cushions or a focal-point piece of furniture will be plenty to add a sense of joyfully playful, head-turning interest.

THINK PINK Pink was the unlikely star of spring, and shares the joint top spot as Pantone’s colour of the year in its sugary Rose Quartz guise. As autumn falls, it’s the pastel peachy hues, corals, dusty pinks and nudes which seem to have made the cut as favourites of designers. Us included, as shown in one of our latest designs to create a luxurious and opulent master bedroom. We suggest you crack open a bottle of that red and contemplate your interior motives.

John Law is a director at Woodhouse & Law, the well-established full service interior and garden design partnership, based at the showroom and studio on Bathwick Hill. woodhouseandlaw.co.uk THEBATHMAG.CO.UK

|

OCTOBER 2016

|

ThEBATHMagazinE 115

P116.qxp_Layout 22 23/09/2016 15:53 Page 1

GRASSE

Luxury Items for Home and Garden | Truly Tempting Skincare A unique shopping experience with fresh style and approach 3 Argyle Street, Bath BA2 4BA 01225 444260 | www.grasse.me.uk

Hans J. Wegner Elbow Chair, designed 1956. Dining Table, designed 1960

S annon F U R N I T U R E LT D 116 TheBATHMagazine

|

OCTOBeR 2016

Contemporary Nordic furniture from Carl Hansen and Son, Fritz Hansen and Swedese. Our homewares include Marimekko, Iittala, Rorstrand, with lots of Moomin mugs, fabric and throws from Denmark, Sweden and Finland.

68 Walcot Street Bath BA1 5BD 01225 424222 www.shannon-uk.com

P117.qxp_Layout 23 23/09/2016 12:26 Page 1

THEBATHMAG.CO.UK

|

OCTOBER 2016

|

ThEBATHMagazinE 117

Gardening October.qxp_Layout 1 23/09/2016 09:47 Page 1

GARDEN | NOTES

THE GRASS IS SINGING Make your garden soft and gentle as we slip into autumn says Jane Moore

M

isty mornings are the mark of October – it’s all dewy footsteps on the lawn and soft golden light slanting through the turning foliage of the trees. I’m a big fan of autumnal light and it’s one of the main reasons I love this time of the year. A lot of people see only the nights drawing in and an ending to the summer but it seems to me it’s the final act of the play, that part where everything seems to come together rather lyrically: the mixture of late, last blast flowers, autumn leaf tints and the new beginnings that is the autumn planting of bulbs. It has a mellow joy all its own and that is the very essence of that soft golden light.

But, enough of my earnest waffling, that light has to land somewhere and the clever gardener will make sure it lands on a lovely patch of something, ideally something still flowering, artfully illuminating it beautifully for that last blast of seasonal wow. Step forward all those late, late perennials such as asters and the frantically flowering half hardies including dahlias, cosmos and a whole host of other pretties. But also stepping shyly onto the centre of the stage we welcome the grasses. Yes they’ve been there all summer long doing a super job of filling in spaces in the borders and providing a lovely backdrop to the more showy of the flowers, but now is their moment to shine.

Really it’s better described as a gentle glow, a soft focus, a subtle drama that they provide in the garden. None of those vibrant colours of the summer or bold, positively brazen blooms here. No instead all the grasses do is give the border a little harmonious lift in the spirits, combining with the autumn leaf colours and the dewy lawn to create a serenity that is so very John Keats ’s ‘season of mists’.

STARTING OUT There are those among you that are not fans of grasses, I know. Frankly there is nothing I can do to change your mind but suggest you try one or two out. My beginners’ grass as such is probably miscanthus although it’s a tough call between that and stipa.

Anyhow we’ll start with miscanthus, especially the beautifully named Morning Light, which does exactly as described and looks as if it’s touched by gleaming morning light all the time thanks to a fine stripe of silvery variegation on each leaf. This is a versatile and forgiving grass which, like a good friend, has the habit of making

118 TheBATHMagazine

|

OCTOBeR 2016

those plants around it look all the better for being associated with it. Combine it with tall late asters such the rich blue arcturus or stately rudbeckias like Herbstonne and you have a winning corner. It’s tolerant of soils, light and well drained to somewhat moist and boggy – I told you it was forgiving – but it does need full sun to do well. I’m also rather fond of zebrinus with its exotic looks of green leaves banded with gold but there are loads of miscanthus to choose from so take your pick.

SUN LOVERS Another sun lover but one worth finding a spot in your garden for is the stipa.

I’m going to mention a few because they’re all lovely and are fab for all sorts of garden styles. I love stipa gigantea with its glorious golden oats wafting, nay shimmering, in the autumn evening sun. September and October is when it really does its golden oaty thing to

splendid effect – as long as it’s not too windy a spot. I planted it in my own garden to find it was in something of a wind tunnel and every single one of the one metre plus long stems snapped – I was gutted. However all was not lost as the giganteas were re-located to The Priory where they still thrive and I promptly replaced it at home with stipa tenuissima, its far more diminutive cousin which still has rather nice golden

SOFT FOCUS: main picture, stipa giganteas catching the low autumn sun Inset, echinacea with stipa arundinacea also known as pheasant grass Opposite page, a late summer border in the Priory Hotel gardens shimmers in the light and far right, white swan echinacea in the foreground are set off by egg yolk yellow rudbeckia and soft pheasant grass

Gardening October.qxp_Layout 1 23/09/2016 09:48 Page 2

GARDEN | NOTES

wafty plumes but more in the way of a pony tail and less of the oaty look. This little stipa is a treasure for the smaller garden with lively little tussocks of green in spring followed by these plumes and all a less than half a metre in height.

SHADY CUSTOMERS If you’re strapped for a sunny spot then my last stipa is for you. Stipa arundinacea is a broad rather than tall swatch of green tinged with autumnal tints of copper and russet which has earned it the common name of pheasant grass.

While it won’t cope with dense deep shade the dappled sort is fine and it’s as forgiving about soil as its relations. Having said that, the

botanists have recently – rather annoyingly – re-named it as anamanthele lessoniana. Yes, I won’t be bothering either and nor I dare say will most of the nurserymen over a certain age, so stick with stipa and you’ll be fine. I’m also a fan of luzula nivea, a nice mounded spikiness of tufted green leaves which will cope with shade either wet or dry which makes it an absolute treasure. The fact that it’s topped with creamy flowers earlier in the summer only adds to its appeal especially in a gloomy spot.

WINSOME AND WINDSWEPT But the final word has to go to the hakonechloas, which I’ve taken some time to

appreciate fully. But now I do expect to see them featuring at The Priory with some abandon. I thought they were a bit dull, truth be told, but once I saw them planted en masse at the Bishops Palace in Wells I realised I was sadly mistaken. Not only do they make a well behaved mound of fine, lush foliage but they also look wonderful en masse, their leaves brushed and windswept like the unruly moptop of a 1960s Beatle. What’s not to like? n Jane Moore is the award-winning gardening columnist and head gardener at the Bath Priory Hotel and presenter on BBC’s Gardeners’ World. Follow her on Twitter @janethegardener.

INSERT IT INTO OUR MAGAZINE AND YOU WILL REALLY REACH GREAT QUALITY READERS EVERY MONTH THE BATH MAGAZINE IS PERFECTLY DELIVERED TO OVER 20,000 HOMES AND BUSINESSES

CALL FOR DETAILS 01225 424499 EMAIL: SALES @ THEBATHMAGAZINE.CO.UK WE CAN ALSO HELP WITH GREAT DESIGN AND PRINT SOLUTIONS

THEBATHMAG.CO.UK

| OCTOBER 2016 |

TheBATHMagazine 119

THE BATH DIRECTORY - OCTOBER 2016.qxp_Layout 31 22/09/2016 15:47 Page 1

the directory Electricians

to advertise in this section call 01225 424 499 House & Home

Health, Beauty & Wellbeing

Bored of feeling Anxious?

Sick of feeling depressed?

Solution Focused Hypnotherapist Viv Kenchington

HPD, DHP, MNCH (Reg), AfSFH

provides a relaxing space for clients to discover their real potential, find solutions and accelerate positive change

EFFECTIVE AND PROFESSIONAL TREATMENTS BATH FREE INITIAL CONSULTATION & PARKING

IN ATWORTH WILTSHIRE AND

t: 07974 153487 e: info@hypnotherapyandhealth.co.uk w: www.hypnotherapyandhealth.co.uk

Introduction Agency

Just Somerset Introductions

Retired Bath gentleman

Bringing People Together Call today 07584 250285

Interests - Croquet, music, gardening, country, travelling, cruising.

Just Introductions Group is a personal and confidential introduction agency that offers you the chance to meet your 'someone special’

Warm person with a sense of humour, romantic and easy going.

rw7@thebathmagazine.co.uk

TEL: 01225 424499 www.justintroductionsgroup.co.uk

KEIKO KISHIMOTO Holistic Treatments for Wellbeing

Aromatherapy Deep Tissue Massage Japanese Cosmo Facelift Reflexology/Facial reflexology

Tutorial Advertise your Business in this space for as little as £55 per month and get 2 FREE.

One-to-one tutoring, at home, in and around Bath Free in-home educational consultation Expert, screened, well-matched tutors 60 day money back guarantee Tailor-made, flexible programme, for every student

For more information, please visit:

www.keikokishimoto.co.uk 07739 827186

contact@keikokishimoto.co.uk

Trowbridge & Neal’s Yard Bath 120 TheBATHMagazine

|

OCTOBeR 2016

Advertising that keeps working

TEL: 01225 424499 Advertising that keeps working

l

Primary and secondary All subjects l Gifted and talented l Common entrance exam (11+ and 13+) l Organisation and study skills through our unique Academic Game Plan l

Call us today on 01225 680654 www.tutordoctorbath.co.uk

Pritchard PIF October 16.qxp_PIF Full Page 23/09/2016 11:24 Page 85

PROPERTY | HOMEPAGE

C

old Ashton is situated within the Cotswold Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty and close to the village of Marshfield which has plenty of amenities including a good primary and pre-school, shops, restaurants and pubs. The location means that the M4 is only four miles away giving excellent access to Bristol, Swindon, London and of course Bath itself. April Cottage is a charming detached period property with breathtaking far reaching views of open countryside. Much love and care has been spent on refurbishment in recent years to create an uncluttered, light-filled and highly versatile home. The accommodation is on three floors and includes a master bedroom with en suite, snug and dressing room, two further bedrooms, two bathrooms and a cloakroom. On the ground floor the large country style kitchen/diner with Aga is open plan to the living room and there is also a sitting room/fourth bedroom, office, utility, store room and outbuildings. There are beautiful landscaped gardens which back onto rolling countryside and the property has an integral garage as well as plenty of off road parking. For those seeking character, wide open spaces and commuting options this individual family home is a must see.

APRIL COTTAGE COLD ASHTON NR. BATH • Charming detatched cottage • Three/four bedrooms • Open plan Kitchen with Aga • Two Bathrooms, en suite, cloakroom • Breathtaking views • Commuting options

Price: £1,100,000

Pritchards, 11 Quiet Street, Bath. Tel: 01225 466225

THEBATHMAG.CO.UK

|

OCTOBER 2016

|

THEBATHMAGAZINE 121

Pritchards October.qxp_Layout 1 22/09/2016 15:44 Page 1

pritchards-bath.co.uk

Freshford An individual detached property dating back to 1930, set in a substantial corner plot with outstanding views.

• 4 bedrooms, bathroom & cloakroom • Large east facing garden with far reaching views • Double garage & ample off road parking • Summer houses & outbuildings • Walking distance to train station • Floor area approx: 3231 sq ft (300 sq m) (inc.garage) • EPC Rating D

Guide Price: £995,000

Norton St Philip An individually designed, new build 4 bedroom, 3 storey townhouse situated within a popular development in this desirable village. The owners purchased this property with just 4 walls standing & have tastefully refurbished it to a high standard throughout.

• Master bedroom with en suite bathroom & dressing room. 3 further bedrooms • Spacious kitchen/diner, utility room & ground floor shower room • Stunning views from the sitting-room & master suite • South facing, low maintenance rear garden & carport • Int house area approx 2582 sq ft/240 sq m)

Price: £739,500 11 Quiet Street, Bath BA1 2LB

Tel: 01225 466 225

Follow us on

Pritchards October.qxp_Layout 1 22/09/2016 15:44 Page 2

pritchards-bath.co.uk

Rockliffe Road, Bathwick A superior quality 3 bedroom bay fronted Edwardian property retaining many of its original features and situated on a sought after road within easy walking distance of the city centre and well regarded schools.

• 3 bedrooms, 2 reception rooms, kitchen - open plan to breakfast room, bathroom • Approximately 80ft level, predominantly lawned rear garden & Well located for city amenities • Stunning views towards Camden Crescent • Int area: 1194 sq ft/110.9 sq m

Price: £650,000

Camerton A charming spacious double fronted Grade II Listed detached period house dating back to the 1700’s and standing in large attractive mature gardens enjoying wonderful open country views. On the market for the first time in nearly 40 years.

• 4 bedrooms, 2 reception rooms, kitchen/diner • Ground floor bathroom, 1st floor cloakroom • Large garage & substantial parking • Impressive gardens with well stocked vegetable patch • Internal floor area approximately: 3087 sq ft/287 sq m • Plenty of storage throughout including a large easily accessible attic space

Guide Price: £595,000 11 Quiet Street, Bath BA1 2LB

Tel: 01225 466 225

Follow us on

P124.qxp_Layout 22 23/09/2016 09:45 Page 1

BATH PROPERTY SPECIALIST JOINS ROYDS WITHY KING

Ready for lift off!

Duncan Nash, of Bath estate agents Nash & Co asks a big question

I

Nicky Banks, Senior Associate in the Residential Property, Farms and Estates team at Royds Withy King

A

solicitor who knows Bath’s property scene inside and out, has joined the Residential Property, Farms and Estates team at Royds Withy King.

Nicky Banks, who has almost 30 years’ practical experience of property law, joins Royds Withy King’s Bath office from Mogers Drewett. Before that, she was at Thrings.

Commenting on her appointment, Nicky said: “I’m delighted to be joining Royds Withy King which has the breadth and depth of services my clients are looking for. I enjoy meeting people and working with them to achieve their end goal. Increasingly that involves the acquisition of investment properties or substantial family homes. Bath, its quaint surrounding villages and beautiful countryside are understandably popular with local, national and foreign buyers.”

She added: “Buying and selling property is not without its challenges and so I work hard to meet my clients’ timescales and make the process as painless as possible. I always have an eye on the bigger picture and work closely with other professionals, including estate agents, surveyors and accountants, to achieve the best outcome for my clients.”

Nicky deals with all aspects of buying and selling property, including advising on investment properties. She has particular experience of dealing with issues relating to complex title deeds, listed buildings, country properties and city apartments.

She moved to Bath in 1987 after completing her law degree at Exeter University. Her love affair with Bath started much earlier though, when she used to travel into the city with her father from their home in Chippenham.

During school holidays, she would accompany him to the fruit and vegetable wholesalers in Bath to source fresh produce for his green grocer’s business. Even as a child, Nicky said she loved walking through the city and soaking up the history and atmosphere.

Nicky enjoys working with people and their properties. She says she is always happy to help and is up for a challenge. In her spare time, Nicky’s interests include hill walking, pilates, music, reading, cooking and spending time with her three cats and cocker spaniel.

To contact Nicky, please email nicky.banks@roydswithyking.com or call 01225 730 100. www.roydswithyking.com

124 TheBATHMagaziNe

|

OCTOBeR 2016

often think what a wonderful place Bath is to live in; we are truly blessed with stunning and beautiful architecture which surrounds us in abundance. Our forefathers certainly knew how to build houses!

The population of Bath are not only fortunate aesthetically, but wider afield the City captures the imagination of many other folk located all across the UK, and internationally. It has often been said that Bath has its own property “micro climate” which appears less adversely impacted by National property slumps, in comparison to other towns and cities.

So, after a testing 'post-Brexit' summer and with families enjoying a well-earned break, it is good to hear that there are ever increasing positive signs in the Bath property market.

I am confident that as we enter what is historically known as the 'busy' Autumn season (second only to the Spring market) and as the leaves begin to drop off the trees, that the property market will start to grow in confidence again. In fact, we are already noticing positive signs that the brakes are off, with multiple offers and over asking price sales being achieved... I can report of two this very week as I write (It is Tuesday!).

It would seem that the dust of the referendum has well and truly settled behind us, as viewing numbers and general enquires continue to increase.

Likewise, increasing numbers of homeowners are starting to invite Nash & Co out to value their prized assets once again, with many going one step further and asking us to sell their homes. Normality seems to have returned to the market and our 10-12 hour days are yielding the results our effort was intended for. It is with confidence that I write that now is a great time to be selling!

Will you be looking to sell before Christmas? This is the time to start marketing should you want to move before the end of 2016. If so, please call NASH & CO on 01225 444800 for a free no obligation market appraisal from your City centre based local independent estate agent.

We would be delighted to meet you!

P125.qxp_Layout 23 23/09/2016 15:28 Page 1

We deliver to over 20,000 addresses every month. But if you live outside our distribution area or would like us to send a copy to friends or family then we are able to offer a mailing service for only £15.00 (6 issues) or £40.00 Euro zone; £30.00 (12 issues) or £70.00 Euro zone World Zone 1 £95.00 World Zone 2 £120.00 To subscribe to receiving the magazine go to our website; www.thebathmag.co.uk and scroll to the bottom of the page where you can click to an instant link Alternatively send a cheque payable to MC Publishing Ltd 2 Princes Buildings, George Street, Bath BA1 2ED or Telephone 01225 424 499 for card payment

Subscription FORM Mr/Mrs/Ms ................Forename ..............................................

Surname ..............................................................................

Address ............................................................................ ..........................................Postcode ............................

Daytime telephone No ..............................................................

THEBATHMAG.CO.UK

|

OCTOBER 2016

|

ThEBATHMagazinE 125

Midford Lane, Limpley Stoke A beautiful four bedroom detached family home, recently refurbished to an extremely high standard throughout, located on the outskirts of the picturesque village of Limpley Stoke. The property occupies an enviable elevated position and commands stunning views over the surrounding countryside.

Rent: ÂŁ3,250 pcm* light and spacious dual aspect living room | bay windows | fully fitted kitchen | utility room | dining room | conservatory | breath-taking views | terrace | private gardens | garage | 4 double bedrooms | en-suite bathroom | contemporary shower room Reside Bath | 24 Barton Street Bath BA1 1HG | T 01225 445 777 | E info@residebath.co.uk | W www.residebath.co.uk

*An administration fee of ÂŁ420.00 inc. VAT applies.

RESIDE October.indd 1

22/09/2016 10:50

Beyond your expectations www.hamptons.co.uk

Hawkeridge Farm, Westbury

ÂŁ2750.00pcm

An exceptional part furnished Grade II listed former farmhouse on the fringes of Westbury. The house has recently undergone extensive refurbishment & is presented to a fine standard, offering a classic yet contemporary feel throughout. The house offers fantastic living accommodation & includes a quality bathroom & a well equipped kitchen. Throughout the property you will find many period features such as decorative fire places, exposed beams, parquet & flag stone floors. This unique property offers so much more that a average family home with stables on site & paddock by negotiation. If you enjoy the countryside, you’ll find fantastic opportunities for walks & hacking on your door step. EPC Listed

Bath Office

Lettings 01225 458546 | Sales. 01225 459817

Hamptons Letting October.indd 1

22/09/2016 10:49

The Apartment Co -OCT .qxp_Layout 1 23/09/2016 09:41 Page 1

THINKING PROPERTY Peter Greatorex, managing director of The apartment Company

Why it’s important to not let technology dominate estate agency

I

was chatting to a friend of mine over the weekend and he was telling me about a food festival he had been to. “Our family had a wonderful time, it wasn’t just the stalls but at the heart of the festival was a large field which had a selection of circus skills for the kids to try. There were unicycles, spinning plates, hula-hoops and more. The children were running around playing in the sunshine without a tablet or any technology insight,” he told me. Technology is key to our lives, businesses and education but it has its place, but its great to have the childlike freedom to just enjoy and explore and connect.

As a business it would be easy just to rely on technology, with so many advances in the proptech sector, there seems to be a tool, which can almost do everything. It is exciting to see such developments and how they can enhance our business for the better.

So why are we cautious?

Crafting beautiful homes in stunning locations Bath | Somerset | Wiltshire | Cotswold | Dorset

Let’s look at what is happening in society, the 80’s and 90’s saw a boom in technology, which found us turning into gadget geeks. The age of convenience led to a rise in us being able to purchase faster, easier and cheaper. But as we in many ways have tech overload we have also been rebelling. There has been a rise in the number of people growing their own fruit and vegetables, indulging in home baking and also a desire for our children to experience the kind of innocent experiences we did as children.

There is no doubt that technology is essential and it does allow us to do certain things better, but there is also a danger that you can rely on it so much you loose one of the most crucial hearts to estate agency, and that’s people.

It was the people who ignited my passion for this industry, there is nothing more rewarding and humbling than to see the look on buyers faces when they find that property they wish to call home. The challenge and joy of assisting a landlord in growing his/her property portfolio, and seeing the ‘thank you’ on the face of a tenant when we have resolved an issue swiftly in their rental. No piece of technology in this world can replace this.

The essential need for balance Balance is important in all our lives, and I believe in business it’s crucial. We have plans to introduce some fantastic new technological systems, which will allow us to connect to you in new and fascinating ways. But no matter how appealing the systems that are presented to us I am always conscious that we ensure there is a balance. Technology should always support what we do and nothing should ever replace that most natural and crucial part of our business – personal connections.

01225 791155 ashford-homes.co.uk

128 TheBATHMagazine

|

OCTOBeR 2016

Discover the company who understand the importance of balance, experience the service of Bath’s apartment specialists.

For advice and guidance on selling your home, or if you are looking to find an apartment in Bath, use the specialist agent with specific expertise in the local apartment market, The Apartment Company.

Tel: 01225 471144

Wentworth October.qxp_Layout 2 22/09/2016 11:18 Page 1

Bathwick, Bath

Guide Price £850,000

A beautiful example of an extended and renovated semi-detached house in the heart of Bath City Centre. The property benefits from an abundance of natural light due to its open plan layout, as well as off street parking and a level rear garden.

• Fully Renovated, Modern, Four Bedroom Home • Highest Standard Finish Throughout • Open Plan Kitchen/Diner & Living Room • Off-Street Parking & Level Rear Garden • 1874 Sq Ft of Accommodation • EPC Rating D

Crest Nicholson dps.qxp_Layout 1 22/09/2016 10:36 Page 1

Crest Nicholson dps.qxp_Layout 1 22/09/2016 10:41 Page 2

Andrews - Bath - October.qxp_Layout 3 22/09/2016 10:43 Page 1

Bear Flat Kipling Avenue, Bath, BA2 ÂŁ600,000

Conscientiously restored over the past 14 years, this traditional four bedroom Edwardian family home includes a utility extension on the ground floor and a dormered loft conversion with double bedroom and shower room. Period detailing includes original-design marble fireplaces and corniced ceilings. The configuration of the ground floor comprises two reception rooms, a kitchen/diner with glazed rear doors, a side utility room and cloakroom. The rear garden is mainly laid to lawn. Energy Efficiency Rating: E

Camden Road Seymour Road, Bath, BA1 ÂŁ525,000

A three bed, period terrace house on the Camden slopes, offering spacious and flexible accommodation. On the ground floor is a sitting room with attractive period fireplace, bedroom and family bathroom with separate shower. On the lower ground floor is an impressive 42ft kitchen/diner/family room. This great space is ideal for family life and entertaining and features an additional reception area. On the second floor there are two further double bedrooms. Energy Efficiency Rating: D

Andrews - Bath - October.qxp_Layout 3 22/09/2016 10:43 Page 2

Bath Central Marlborough Buildings, Bath, BA1 ÂŁ525,000

A two bedroom apartment situated in a grade II listed Georgian townhouse adjacent to the world famous Royal Crescent. Internally the apartment is well presented. There is a spacious entrance hall with various store cupboards and a skylight. The sitting room has two sash windows taking in the views across allotments and the parks. There is a kitchen/dining room and two double bedrooms. Finishing off the apartment is a well-appointed bathroom with separate shower cubicle and further skylight.

SOLD STC

Newbridge Timsbury Road, Farmborough, BA2 Guide Price ÂŁ725,000

On the edge of Farmborough village, and with rural views to three sides, this detached home has space to spare! Four double bedrooms (master with en-suite, walk-in wardrobe and balcony), 37'2 by 13'7 kitchen/dining/living room, snug, office, two garages and impressive gardens. Absolutely stunning!

Energy Efficiency Rating: E

NASH DPS Style October.qxp_Layout 1 22/09/2016 10:42 Page 1

Gloucester Road, Bath

£350,000 Leighton Road, Bath

£563,500

Lansdown Road, Bath

£695,000 Lansdown Heights, Bath

£529,000

● Charming 3-bedroom cottage with Georgian facade ● Close proximity to Larkhall Village and Alice Park ● Circa 900 sq ft of accommodation ● Grade II listed end-of-terrace property ● No onward chain

● 4 double bedroom fantastic townhouse ● 4 large reception rooms ● Situated touching both the city centre and Lansdown ● Courtyard garden ● Grade II Listed

enquiries@nashandcobath.co.uk 2 Princes Buildings, George Street Bath, BA1 2ED

● 4 double bedroom detached family home ● Open plan kitchen breakfast room ● Off street parking and garage ● Well-presented gardens to front and rear ● Beautiful views over the Cotswold Way

● Four bedroom townhouse ● Situated in Lansdown on a secluded private road ● Sitting room with separate dining room and fitted kitchen ● Off-Street parking and a garage ● Buyers Incentive - £10,000 payment available towards Stamp Duty

NASH DPS Style October.qxp_Layout 1 22/09/2016 10:42 Page 2

Fairfield Terrace, Bath

£529,950 Newbridge Hill, Newbridge

£650,000

Otago Terrace, Larkhall

£435,000 Minerva Court, Bath

£250,000

● 4 Bedroom Victorian terraced home ● Open plan kitchen into family room leading onto rear garden ● Beautiful rural views ● Northern slopes of bath ● Character and Charm throughoutide

● 3 bedroom Victorian, mid-terrace, family home ● Situated in Larkhall with close proximity to amenities and schools ● Beautiful period features with sunny west facing rear garden ● Circa 1,000 sq.ft. ● Potential to extend

● 4/5 Bedroom detached family home ● Southerly facing garden ● Beautiful sitting room with fabulous views ● Private sunny atrium with separate dining room ● Garage with electronic door and off-street parking

● 2 bedroom ground level apartment for over 55’s ● Bathwick, close to city centre ● Large living area with separate contemporary kitchen ● 60% Ownership, Joint Equity with Curo (40% Ownership) ● Resident’s parking

www.nashandcobath.co.uk Tel: 01225 444 800

NASH & CO

Mark Naylor - October.qxp_Layout 7 22/09/2016 12:29 Page 1

Longfellow Avenue • In sought after location at Poets’ Corner • Three bedrooms • Character home with high ceilings and big windows • Generous reception rooms • Verdant well planted gardens • Good community on the doorstep • Price guide: £595,000

oets’ Corner at Bear Flat is one of the city’s top property hotspots for families looking to move to Bath or upgrade from a smaller home. The Edwardian and Victorian villas on these streets are big, light and airy and full of character.

This mid-terrace villa, on Longfellow Avenue is a good example of a much-loved three bedroom family home. It has stripped back floorboards, big bay windows in the sitting room and main bedroom, and high ceilings. The entrance hall has a nice terracotta tiled floor and some stained glass and the sitting room has a handsome period style fireplace fitted with a living flame gas fire.

Behind the sitting room is the dining room, which overlooks the rear garden, and next door is the fitted kitchen. The new owners may wish to get permission to knock these rooms into one to meet the needs of contemporary life, where cooking and eating together are social activities. Behind the kitchen is a long garden room which opens via French windows into a lush, verdant well stocked garden with decking for sitting out while admiring the fruits of one’s labours.

On the first floor are three good sized bedrooms and a family bathroom. There’s also a handy ground floor cloakroom.

Other houses in Poets’ Corner have extended accommodation up into the attics, but in any case, this house has all kinds of potential for the new owners to stamp their own mark.

Bear Flat is a great community, a healthy walk down the hill to the city centre and the main Bath Spa Station. There are good schools nearby, Alexandra Park at the top of the hill and there are shops and restaurants all on the doorstep.

What a great place to bring up a new generation.

P

Mark Naylor, 1 Hayes Place, Bear Flat, Bath. Tel: 01225 422224

Mark Naylor - Oct.qxp_Layout 7 22/09/2016 12:30 Page 1

k Mar r o l y a N

local • trusted • independent

Devonshire Buildings

Price Guide £595,000

This house is part of an elegant Edwardian terrace of similar properties built in the early 1900s and situated opposite a fabulous rank of Listed Georgian townhouses.

• An elegant Edwardian terraced house • A range of period features

☎ 01225 422 224

• 3 good sized bedrooms • Convenient access to train station and City Centre

• Useful, unexploited cellarage • Sought-after family location

Beyond your expectations www.hamptons.co.uk

NEW INSTRUCTION

Bath Office

Sales. 01225 459817 | Lettings 01225 458546

Hamptons Sales October.indd 1

22/09/2016 10:47

Beckington

Guide Price £2,200,000

An exceptional Grade II Listed 17th Century village home with beautifully proportioned rooms including three receptions rooms, six bedrooms plus a two bedroom annexe. The house is situated on the edge of Beckington, an extremely sought after and active village, and enjoys commanding views amidst delightful mature Gardens and Grounds of just over 3 acres. EPC:Listed

• • • • • •

Hamptons Sales October.indd 2

6 Bedrooms 3 Reception Rooms Grade II Listed Garages and Outbuildings Gardens & Grounds of just over 3 Acres Beautiful Views

22/09/2016 10:48

Fine & Country October.qxp_Layout 1 22/09/2016 10:50 Page 1

GRANGE FARM, Bath

ÂŁ1,400,000

Situated only 2 miles from the centre of Bath, Grange Farm’s farmhouse nestles in 10 acres of its own fields. With far reaching countryside views, the house offers versatile accommodation to include four bedrooms and two reception rooms, annexe and outbuildings. Offered for sale chain free.

EPC Rating: E

Fine & Country October.qxp_Layout 1 22/09/2016 10:50 Page 2

THE GRANGE, Bath

£1,179,950

‘Regency’ style house built in 1989 of Bath stone in desirable village of Bathampton. Comprising four reception rooms, four bedrooms, master en-suite, double garage, parking, conservatory, lovely gardens.

EPC Rating: D

Selling & Letting Bath’s finest apartments

Brunel Crescent Penthouse apartment

Offers in Excess of £895,000 •

Stunning gated development

•

Lift access to all floors

•

Large private balcony

•

Approx 831 Sq Ft

Nestled in the heart of the countryside surrounded by rolling hills and a tranquil atmosphere we are delighted to offer this stunning apartment in the most high end development set to appeal to the over 55 ‘s. Offering a wide range of facilities to enhance quality of life including; Residents Pavilion, lift access, security, landscaped gardens, private allocated parking and finally a private storage room. The apartment itself is accessed via the second floor and comprises: large entrance hall, a beautifully appointed sitting room with double sliding doors leading to a high end kitchen/ dining area, and doors opening onto the spacious private balcony. Furthermore, there is a master bedroom with en-suite and walk in wardrobe, two double bedrooms one with en-suite and fitted wardrobes. A wet room and useful utility room complete the accommodation.

Selling & Letting Bath’s finest apartments

Brunswick Place Grade II Listed

•

Garden Maisonette

Offers in Excess of £750,000 •

Three bedrooms

•

Stunning interior

•

Shower room & bathroom

•

Approx 1,319 Sq Ft

We are delighted to bring to the market this exceptional maisonette with a private south facing garden. The property has undergone total high end refurbishment as has the entire building. The interior comprises: open plan sitting room and kitchen overlooking and opening onto the garden, three bedrooms, family bathroom, shower room, storage space/cupboards. The garden has been landscaped and has an all weather ‘lawn’, bespoke lighting and a patio area for dining. There are private vaults for storage. With its superb central location this apartment is expected to generate a considerable amount of interest.

Selling & Letting Bath’s finest apartments

Lansdown House Two double bedrooms

Offers in Excess of £595,000 •

Private balcony

•

Stunning presentation

•

Communal garden

•

Allocated parking

•

Approx 970 Sq Ft

Sitting at the top of an impressive Georgian house in the sought after Lansdown area, the apartment has stunning views across to the South West of the city and beyond. High ceilings, large windows and design-led interiors that include wooden paneling, Georgian style architraves and detailing create an ‘open living’ atmosphere throughout. The apartment comprises: an impressively large ‘statement’ hallway with cloakroom, a large sitting room, kitchen, master bedroom, second bedroom currently used as an office/study and a fully tiled bathroom. The apartment also has a private balcony terrace accessed from the kitchen and perfect for alfresco dining.

Selling & Letting Bath’s finest apartments

Russel Street Grade II Listed Well presented

• •

Offers in Excess of £400,000

Georgian • Third floor • Two double bedrooms Central location • Approx 714 Sq Ft

•

A beautifully presented two bedroom Georgian apartment located in a prime position in central Bath close to the Assembly Rooms and The Circus. The property has a delightful bright sitting room with a charming outlook, a dine in kitchen with room for a table, two good sized double bedrooms one with an en suite and a family bathroom. A charming apartment with excellent space that we believe will have strong appeal to buyers. Close to all the amenities, restaurants and historic attractions, viewing is highly recommended – one not to miss.

Henrietta Street

Offers in Excess of £375,000

Grade I Listed Georgian Lower ground floor • Courtyard apartment • One bedroom • Stylish kitchen • Modern shower room • Well presented Central location • Approx 683 Sq Ft •

•

•

A stunning one bedroom apartment situated in the heart of the City, with all Bath has to offer on your doorstep. Accessed via the lower ground floor where you will find the most charming courtyard with its own entrance into the apartment itself. The entrance hall leads to a spacious sitting room, galley style kitchen with ample room for dining, double bedroom, utility room and a bathroom. With its superb location and well presented accommodation throughout, with the advantage of outside space, this apartment is one not to miss!

THE AP.qxp_Layout 1 22/09/2016 10:46 Page 1

THE AP.qxp_Layout 1 22/09/2016 10:47 Page 2

Mallorys fp.qxp_Layout 1 22/07/2016 15:44 Page 1