The Bath Magazine September 2013 by MC Publishing Limited

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THE MAGAZINE FOR THE CITY OF BATH

ISSUE 132 • SEPTEMBER 2013

£3.00 where sold

BACK TO SCHOOL

our annual guide to education

FACE THE MUSIC The man who lit up the Olympics

AUTUMN FASHION Tartan checks in

RESPECTED BY DESIGN Influential interiors by Linda Morey Smith

ROYAL PORTRAIT The artist who painted Kate

RAISE A SMILE Bath: The home of face yoga

WIN A £500 shopping spree at Cabot Circus

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contents

September 2013 40

24 18

SEPTEMBER DIARY

Five things to do and see this month

THE CITYIST Book of the month: Almost English

14 18

44 47

WHAT’S ON

What’s new in the city galleries for autumn 6 THEBATHMAGAZINE

SEPTEMBER 2013

FAMILY FUN Days out with the children

ARTIST PROFILE

ART & EXHIBITIONS

A HELPING HAND The charity helping Nepalese children

KIDS’ LIT FEST Highlights from this month’s programme of more than 100 events for young readers

Celebrating William Scott’s work

RESTAURANT REVIEW Cloisters at Bailbrook House Hotel

Artist Paul Emsley talks about painting ‘that’ picture of the Duchess of Cambridge

A round-up of the cultural highlights in and around Bath for September

EDUCATION SPECIAL Our comprehensive guide to some of the best schools in the Bath area

HEALTH & BEAUTY Putting on a fresh face for autumn with the latest products and yoga for the face

FOOD & DRINK FOOD HEROES

THE WALK Enjoy a wander from Wellow

COMPETITION

WIN

There’s £500 to be won on a shopping spree

BATH’S BEST SECRET? Historic quad is home to communtity of women thanks to a historic legacy

Melissa Blease meets the new kid on Bath’s chopping block, chef Chris Cleghorn

24 ROYAL PORTRAIT

News from the city’s hottest kitchens

AUTUMN FASHION Four key trends for the new season

LIVE THE DREAM Naomi Price tries her hand at being a cowboy on the trail in Montana

FACE THE MUSIC Patrick Woodroffe: the man who puts Mick Jagger and Lady Gaga in the spotlight

BATH AT WORK A portrait of Bath blacksmith Demian Bellaart by photographer Neill Menneer

MRS STOKES The pressures of modern parenting

INTERIOR DESIGN Profiling Linda Morey Smith, one of London’s top creatives who has made her home near Bath

108 PROPERTY Find your next home in the city or country

ON THE COVER Naked Muse by Robbie Wraith at the Quest Gallery, Bath

@ thebathmagazine www.thebathmag.co.uk

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Georgette McCready 01225 424592 georgette@thebathmagazine.co.uk

Deputy Editor Email:

Samantha Coleman sam@thebathmagazine.co.uk

Web Content Editor Email:

Dulcie Carey dulcie@thebathmag.co.uk

Production Manager Email:

Jeff Osborne production@thebathmagazine.co.uk

Commercial Production Lorna Harrington Email: lorna@thebathmagazine.co.uk Publisher Email:

Steve Miklos stevem@thebathmagazine.co.uk

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

Liz Grey liz@thebathmagazine.co.uk

Advertising Sales Email:

Kathy Williams kathy@thebathmagazine.co.uk

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

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 www.thebathmagazine.co.uk

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SEPTEMBER 2013

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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.

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EDITOR’Sletter

t’s back to school time, with a last minute flurry of buying new shoes and sewing on nametapes, and mixed feelings of joy or trepidation for youngsters facing the new term. Finding the right school for your child can be a challenge for parents. As mothers and fathers we want our children to be the best they can, but we also want them to be happy, well-adjusted human beings. If you are a parent, have a look through our guide to schools in the Bath area and see if there’s one that could be right for your family – we’re very fortunate to have so many really good schools on our doorstep. That back-to-school mood pervades through many of Bath’s finest institutions, who’ve been busy planning new events and happenings this autumn. The Holburne Museum is hosting the first portrait of the Duchess of Cambridge – or Kate, as many people are affectionately referrring to our future queen – painted by eminent artist Paul Emsley, whose studio is in Bradford-onAvon. He talked candidly about what it was like to come under fire from the tabloids when the picture first went on show, see our interview on Page 24, then go along to the Holburne and judge for yourself as the printed page can’t do justice to the original. There is a fair smattering of very talented and interesting people in this month’s magazine. International lighting designer Patrick Woodroffe, who lives near Bath, spoke to Mick Ringham about his career, which has included lighting shows for The Rolling Stones and creating the fantastic effects we enjoyed at the opening ceremony of the London Olympics. That’s on Page 18. I met interior designer Linda Morey Smith, who after years of running a hugely successful London agency working with international companies, has moved with her family to an old rectory in the country and has extended her business to include a base in Gay Street, Bath. Have a look at her work on Page 98. There’s lots going on in Bath in the coming month, including the Telegraph Bath Children’s Literature Festival, which has more than 100 events planned for readers of all ages and tastes. Don’t be surprised if you see your favourite author walking down Milsom Street during the festival. Don’t do a double take either if you encounter gaggles of women in long frocks and bonnets as the annual Jane Austen Festival gets under way – and don’t they set off the Georgian architecture nicely? Don’t forget, if you have an event coming up but you’ve missed the deadline for the paper magazine, you can add your event for a small fee on our website: www.thebathmag.co.uk. Like a snowball, it’s gathering pace and getting bigger by the day. It’s a big issue this month with lots to read and it does reflect what a vibrant, culturally rich city we’re lucky enough to live or work in. I’m going to turn to Angela Mount’s column now, on Page 45, to make a selection from her recommendations for the last of the summer wines, then raise a glass and offer you the toast ladies and gentlemen: ‘To Bath.’

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.

WWW.THEBATHMAGAZINE.CO.UK

Crafting beautiful homes In and around Bath

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ZEITGEIST Visit

Every autumn a number of Bath’s historic, quirky, or unusual institutions throw open their doors to visitors, allowing us to peep in behind the scenes where admission is not normally allowed. Bath’s Heritage Open Days 2013, organised by Bath & North East Somerset Council, is being held over the long weekend of Thursday 12 – Sunday 15 September. There will be 20 venues open on one or more of those days, including the Bath Jewish Burial Ground, Cleveland Baths, the tunnels under the Roman Baths and Gilbert Scott’s high Gothic Victorian chapel within Partis College, Newbridge, pictured, behind the central pediment of columns at the old almshouses. Pick up a leaflet from the Tourist Information Centre or visit: www.bathnes.gov.uk/heritage events. To find out more about the past and present of Partis College, see Page 96.

things to do in September

Celebrate It’s the 200th anniversary of Jane Austen publishing Pride and Prejudice and this month will see the city awash with bonnets and fans as Janeites dress up and pay tribute to their favourite author with the nine-day festival dedicated to all aspects of her life, work and times. The Jane Austen festival opens on Friday 13 September and runs through to 21 September, but the most spectacular event promises to be the grand costumed promenade from the Royal Crescent on Saturday 14 September from 11am. If you’ve ever wanted a photograph of what Bath would look like in Regency times, this is the ideal photo opportunity. Events range from a Regency fashion show to historic talks about subjects such as duelling. There’ll be a full read-a-thon of the complete Pride and Prejudice at Bath Central Library from Sunday 15 September and a bizarre event involving zombies. . . Find out more with the Jane Austen Festival programme or visit www.janeausten.co.uk

Marvel

PICTURE: Spirit Photographic

Support

Magical Mandy, owner of Drop Dead Gorgeous, has created a theatre beneath her shop in Seven Dials. The Minerva Theatre – named after the goddess of magic – is open to audiences of up to 30 people on Saturday nights from 7pm for a series of original hour-long shows. Anyone who has seen Bath’s favourite female magician in action will testify that Mandy has the power to amuse, entertain and surprise. Tickets are £12, to include a glass of fizz, call Bath Box Office: 01225 463362. Shows are suitable for those aged 12 and older. 10 THEBATHMAGAZINE

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You can keep you hat on for this year’s Ted’s Big Day Out, the annual event that sees people doing silly things to help the Royal United Hospital’s fundraising appeals. This year’s big day out will be on Friday 18 October in aid of the RUH Cancer Care Campaign. To sign up to wear a wig or raise a hat, call the hotline, tel: 01225 825823 or visit: www.tedsbigdayout.co.uk

Listen

Former Poet Laureate Andrew Motion, pictured, is coming to Bath on Monday 30 September as part of the Telegraph Bath Childrenʼs Literature Festival to talk about his sequel to Treasure Island, Silver. This is one of dozens of events in this yearʼs festival, which has something to appeal to all ages – from tiny tots turning their first pages on Spot the Dog, through to the dark tales of zombies so popular with teenagers and to books that will appeal to adults. Weʼve highlighted a few events in our Family Fun pages, find more on the festival website: www.bathfestivals.org.uk.

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THE CITY

One city . . . one month

The buzz

Launch Actor Ben Miles, star of the TV series Coupling and Lark Rise to Candleford and soon to play Thomas Cromwell for the RSC, will be guest of honour on Tuesday 10 September at the official reopening of two historic almshouses in the centre of Bath owned by St John's Hospital charity. Ben, whose father Peter is a St John’s resident, will declare John Wood House and Fitzjocelyn House officially open after a £3.5 million modernisation programme. The refurbished self-contained apartments provide homes for around 30 residents; each with its own kitchen, lounge/diner, a bedroom and a bathroom. The buildings also have a laundry room, a library, a hairdressing/therapy room, staff facilities and staff sleeping accommodation. Community life is an important integral part of the charity’s ethos so there is a large community room, where residents can meet and join in activities if they wish or use for private occasions. Ben, who lives in London, is taking time out of his busy schedule learning his lines for the RSC production of Hilary Mantel’s award-winning novels Wolf Hall and Bring Up the Bodies. Nathaniel Parker is to play Henry VIII to Ben’s Cromwell. Hilary Mantel is reported to have been excited to see the characters spring to life off the page for this winter’s adapation.

Almost English by Charlotte Mendelson Shortlisted for the Man Booker prize Published by Pan Macmillan, hardback £16.99 This is a novel for anyone who has been embarrassed by their elderly relatives, or who has fantasised about kissing someone but then found the reality disappointing – or when faced with an awkward social situation immediately starts planning suicide. Almost English may be Mendelson’s fourth novel but it reads

Twitterati 12 THEBATHMAGAZINE

BATH

We ask Gill Trueman librarian at Peasedown St John Primary School and finalist in the School Librarian of the Year awards 2012, what she’s doing this month What brought you to Bath? My husband Paul’s job in 1994. I was librarian at St Brendan’s Sixth Form College for three years, then took time out to raise our two lovely girls before starting my job at Peasedown in 2004. What are you reading? I have just finished reading The Boy Who Swam with Piranhas by David Almond as it is the Kids Big Bath Read book for this year. I plan to read it with a book group at school too: I loved its quirkiness. What is on your MP3 player? Bellowhead and the Port Isaac Fisherman’s Friends (two amazing folk groups), music from The Lion King theatre show with fabulous African harmonies and rhythms and The Journey by Stuart Townend. Which café or restaurant takes your fancy? My family enjoys the food at the West Cornwall Pasty Company in Bath. Which museum/gallery will you be visiting? Locally, so far, no plans to visit any. Unless you count the Bath Children’s Literature Festival at venues all over the city. (I’d love to visit Sutton Hoo and Bletchley Park sometime though…)

refreshingly and originally like a first. Teenager Marina is stifled by her Hungarian aunts and grandmother in their London flat, but finds the boarding school she was looking forward to a huge letdown. Her mother Laura is similarly inwardly anxious. While Mendelson makes both characters sympathetic and empathetic, she also manages to inject humour – here is Laura contemplating suicide by jumping into a river: “even now, the thought of a stranger smirking at her awkward climbing, the skirt tangled around

Your passions? What hobbies or interests will you be pursuing? I lead a folk (Christian) worship band, so I’m working on the music selection/arrangements, including some toetapping songs sung by Stuart Townend and the Fisherman’s Friends. I like textile projects too, particularly creative embroidery. The library welcome sign at the school is an example, using Secret Seahorse by Stella Blackstone as an inspiration. What local outdoor activity or event will you be doing or visiting? Walking through the wonderful woods at Westonbirt. I am delighted to have been offered the chance to be on the discussion panel at the opening night of the Bath Children’s Literature Festival on Friday 27 September. For a librarian, it is always very exciting to meet the authors of books you have been encouraging children to read and be captivated by. I look forward to meeting David Almond and Cressida Cowell. The inner child is never far away . . . For more about the Telegraph Bath Children’s Literature Festival turn to Page 58 and for a full list of the 100 plus events, pick up a programme or visit: www.bathfestivals.org.uk

her ugly tights or pulled across her bottom, is shameful.’ Her aunts’ broken English is also delivered with sensitive, warm and funny affection. The author will be at Topping & Co bookshop in Bath on Wednesday 4 September, 7.45pm. GMc

We’re following @MiserableBath. Want to whinge about bad service in a café, moan about other road users, or gripe about the number of tourists/students in the city? This is the platform for you, wittily managed by a Mister Men style avatar

SEPTEMBER 2013

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Mrs Stokes

A testing time for Supermum

©www.robbiddulph.com

takes a sideways look at life in Bath . . .

’m not sure that this is supposed to be a confessional column – or if you really want to read anything about my personal life. But for you to understand what comes next you have to know that I don’t have children. It’s not that I don’t want them, rather that fate’s decided that’s not my path, unless I adopt or foster which is a whole other discussion. But it has left me in an unusual position around here, namely, as an observer of parents of child-bearing age. Being back-to-school time, I’m seeing a lot more of parental life at the moment as Bath once again fills up with early morning 4X4s, ferrying precious cargo on the school run. The conversation’s changed again too – over the summer any mum that didn’t head for Cornwall or Cannes discussed summer activities – who’d organised structured entertainment (star parents), who was taking them into work (stretched parents) and those who were leaving them (‘dumping’ them) with a fellow mum (irresponsible parents). “But you’re so good with little Harry and Amelia,” one says to the other, “Are you sure you don’t mind darling?” “Of course not,” replies the unofficial childminder, who’s later to be found surrounded by screaming children at the Vicky Park adventure playground, assassinating the slummy mummy’s character over a flask of hot organic peppermint tea.

How dare you . . . it’s not your right ❝ to tell my child off, it’s mine ❞ As an outsider who would like to have all the cuddles and cute times with her own kids, it seems that for all the affection, the business of child-rearing does seem to be particularly stressful. Saying goodbye to your sanity and freedom for at least five years is mentally, physically and emotionally draining but on top of that you enter a world where there are as many rules made for you as you make for your kids. Even more confusingly, these directives seem to be unspoken. Here are a couple I’ve gleaned through sitting in on mothers’ death-by-Chinese-whisper coffee mornings. Firstly, you should have bought your child’s school uniform in July, or at least early August, rather than rush round a week after term starts, with just the dregs left in the shops. A friend confessed she’d found herself in that position and was so traumatised she considered putting her son in a little girl’s blouse and telling him to keep his jumper on all term. You can imagine how that would have gone down at the school gates. Secondly, you must never tell a child off who isn’t your own – even if they are causing you grevious bodily harm. I witnessed this at an arts centre recently when a shop owner shouted at a little boy to stop shaking the leaves off an £200 ornamental tree. “How dare you!” shouted the child’s father, not at his errant offspring, but at the retailer, “It’s not your right to tell my child off, it’s mine.” I heard Radio One DJ Scott Mills tell a similar tale once about when a stranger’s child starting hitting him over the head with a metal spoon in front of a restaurant of amused diners. He knew his only option was to laugh it off or become known as an evil child hater, however humiliated he felt inside. Thirdly, your child must progress at the same speed as everyone else’s or you will start to doubt yourself and fellow parents will smile smugly behind their closed, repro Victorian doors that their child is above average, genius even. And that for me, would be the worst feeling, that somehow I hadn’t been blessed with the instinctive knowledge about How to Bring Up Baby Naturally and Brilliantly. So I salute you, mums (and dads) of Bath, because if you can survive the pressure you put yourselves under and be responsible, caring and sane parents, then there’s hope for the next generation yet. ■

@mrsstokeschina

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THE CITY

The buzz My

Tuck in

The Great Bath Feast, which runs for the entire month of October, is little more, frankly, than an excuse to eat, drink and be merry – but that’s no bad thing. Organisers hope that it will Mary Berry draw foodies from outside the city and so boost the local economy as well as highlighting the fabulous range of food produced in the area and the number of great places to eat. Special guests coming to the festival include: Bathonian Mary Berry, who is enjoying more popularity than ever with the Great British Bake Off; Raymond Blanc; Hugh Fearnley-Whittingstall and Prue Leith. Some of the visiting cooks and chefs will merely be talking about food, while others will be overseeing one-off feasts at eateries including the Olive Tree, the Bath Priory and the Allium Brasserie. Independent chef Gordon Jones of Bear Flat will be cooking up a nine-course tasting menu, while the Garrick’s Head will host a themed game evening and the Marlborough Tavern will also hold a series of themed evenings.

High tea – quite literally More than 90 local businesses have got involved in the Great Bath Feast to lay on events including street food, wine tastings and supper clubs. Bath Tourism Plus and the Bath Business Improvement District are the driving forces behind the gastronomic month. In honour of the Sally Lunn bun, the eponymous tea rooms will be hosting a discussion on what makes a perfect bake and there’ll be the chance to win a Sally Lunn’s high tea served in splendour at the top of Bath Abbey’s tower. For full details of the Great Bath Feast events pick up a programme or visit: www.greatbathfeast.co.uk.

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CAREER

As September is our education issue we asked our contributors and interviewees how their education and work led them to the careers/roles they have now Neill Menneer, Spirit Photographic I’ve had a passion for photography ever since I won a Polaroid camera – the first instant print camera – at school. I went to art school to study photography at Guildford. For years I was a freelancer in London and worked for magazines including colour supplements and fashion mags like Harpers and Queen. As a freelance photographer you have to be good at many things: marketing, networking, business, office and studio management, computer skills, social media – oh yes and photography too. In 2007 my wife and I set up Spirit Photographic and we now have a great team. Jane Moore, gardener and garden writer Jane has been head gardener at the Bath Priory for ten years, winning the Relais and Chateaux Garden trophy in 2013. In her early career she spent six years as head gardener at Worth Abbey, followed by several years as a writer for gardening magazines. She then spent a couple of years researching gardening programmes for the BBC working with celebrities such as Alan Titchmarsh and Charlie Dimmock. In 2003 she won a silver medal at the Chelsea Flower Show for a garden she created for fun with friends. She continues to write for leading gardening magazines and for The Bath Magazine. Linda Morey Smith, designer Linda was interested in design from a very early age, attending an art and design college at 16, before transferring to a degree course in 3D design. After graduating she started work as a self employed interior designer. Aged 29 she set up the MoreySmith design studio with a staff of two and a book full of contacts. Her first major contract was designing offices for Capital Radio in Charing Cross Road. Dr Andrew Swift, author and compiler of our monthly walks My work as a writer and freelance journalist came about largely as a consequence of my career dealing in old photographs and picture postcards. In 2003, after devoting an

When I grow up I want to be . . . increasing amount of time to writing books and articles, I co-founded Akeman Press to publish books of local and historical interest. Ten years on, although I still deal in old photographs and picture postcards, most of my time is now taken up with writing and publishing. Mrs Stokes, columnist I was outstanding/keen at primary school, putting my hand up to answer every question, obedient at secondary school, despite being distracted by funny but ultimately time-wasting boys and directionless at university (Nottingham), and just couldn’t make my mind up if I wanted a degree or not. Then I did a postgrad diploma in journalism at the age of 29. The best decision I ever made (academically). Angela Mount, wine writer Angela joined a wine society while studying at university and continued to study wine by working with producers from all over the world. As head of wine buying for supermarket chain Somerfield her tastebuds were insured for £10m. Angela is now a freelance wine and food writer and judge at major wine and food competitions. Mick Ringham, Face the Music columnist I left school at 15 and went to work at the Co-op, I then became a DJ for 13 years, owned a toy shop then a cheese stall in the Guildhall Market. Later I ran Ringhams’ Estate Agents, Bath, serving as President of the Estate Agents and Auctioneers Society. I was also councillor for Lansdown. Lastly, the ed, Georgette McCready I made my first magazine aged about nine for my grandmother, armed with a copy of House & Garden, some scissors and glue. I studied English & American Lit at the University of Kent and then banged on local newspapers editors’ doors until one gave me an apprenticeship as a junior reporter. Then followed a career in newspapers, acquiring sub-editing and computer design skills along the way. After a couple of years in public relations I joined The Bath Magazine in 2010.

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FACEtheMUSIC

The star behind the lights International lighting designer Patrick Woodroffe speaks at his west country home to Mick Ringham about his glittering career designing lighting for big names such as Rod Stewart and Queen and for shows including the opening and closing ceremonies for the 2012 London Olympics

hen the big star arrives on stage, the audience taut with anticipation, the stadium in darkness, there is just one thing everyone is waiting for – and that’s the lights coming up as a cue to the performance beginning. And behind that crucial lighting, which makes the likes of Mick Jagger, Lady Gaga or Take That look their starry best, is the lighting designer. But far from the roar of the crowd and the bright lights, in the tranquility of the countryside near Bath is the home of Patrick Woodroffe, one of the top lighting designers in the business. His glittering CV includes lighting for the Oscars, arena productions of Jesus Christ Superstar and Ben Hur, and, with business partner Adam Bassett, designed the lighting for the opening and closing ceremonies of the phenomenally successful London Olympic Games. But what’s the journey that leads to a job organising the lighting for the biggest Rolling Stones gig ever, on Copacana Beach in Rio de Janeiro? 18 THEBATHMAGAZINE

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The young Patrick attended Marlborough College, which he left, as he says by mutual consent. He then turned up to see his brother Simon (later founder of the Yo! Sushi restaurant chain) who was working as a roadie for the band Queen and he managed to get Patrick a back stage pass. Patrick was immediately attracted to the music and the energy of the band’s performance, and this gradually grew to a interest in the general spectacle and in particular the lighting aspect of productions. Over time he pursued his interest and was hired as a lighting technician by Brian Croft, who he describes as his mentor. Eventually Patrick set up his own lighting company and his big break came when Rod Stewart asked him to join him on a world tour. During 1980s he lived in the States, lighting shows and touring productions for some of the seminal names in rock music including Elton John, Simon and Garfunkel, Stevie Wonder and Bob Dylan. Returning to the UK his work continued to expand with many world tours as well as one-off gigs. He said: “It’s hard work creating, designing

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BRIGHT SPARK: opposite page, main picture, Patrick Woodroffe Stars he has lit include Queen, The Rolling Stones, Lady Gaga and Rod Stewart Above, Van Morrison Hymns to the Silence, Patrick appearing at one of his shows, and Peter Gabriel, Don’t Give Up

and building lighting for artists but it’s also hugely enjoyable and important to get it absolutely right”. He is keen to point out the diversity of his work into other fields such as opera, theatre and dance, as well as lighting the gardens at Buckingham Palace for the Queen’s Jubilee concerts in 2002 and also being involved with the 02 arena, moreover creating the lightscape for Somerset House in London which allows the facades of the building to change colour. He lit the Martin Scorsese Rolling Stones movie Shine a Light and has enjoyed a personal and professional relationship with band for over 30 years, so when Sir Mick called out over the microphone at Glastonbury this summer: “lights up Patrick!”we knew who he was talking to. But it was perhaps the massive undertaking of lighting the opening and closing ceremonies of both the 2012 London Olympic and Paralympic games that brought him to public attention and gained him praise from around the world. Patrick, his wife Lucy and their two daughters live in an idyllic and sleepy valley close to Bath where the family’s former farmhouse is the centre of operations for his global company. Despite his starry client list and and global events he has worked on, he still manages to retain a degree of anonymity – an artist in his own right, however this star’s behind the spotlight.

for the first time in my life I genuinely felt I had ❝ a connection with some kind of movement . . . it still has the ability to move me ❞ Patrick’s top ten: ● Hair – The Age of Aquarius This takes me back to the late 60s when I started to become a proper hippy. It was such a free spirited musical and for the first time in my life I genuinely felt I had a connection with some kind of movement. Even when I hear it now it still has the ability to move me and still feels incredibly fresh. I love the music and know all the numbers off by heart. Occasionally I find myself singing them for no apparent reason, so that connection is still there. ● The Beatles – Here Comes the Sun Like so many kids of my generation The Beatles had such an enormous influence on me. George Harrison was my favourite and this song has such a positive and wonderful vibration. You can play this on a dreary, miserable day when you’re feeling down and it never fails to lift you and give you hope. ● Stevie Wonder – Overjoyed I met my wife Lucy 30 years ago and she has been such a huge influence on my life. At the time I was on tour with Stevie Wonder and Lucy and I would be calling each other all the time. WWW.THEBATHMAGAZINE.CO.UK

I will be honest and say that this is probably the worst song he has ever written and I should have chosen I Just Called to Say I Love You, nevertheless Overjoyed brings back all the sentiments and loving memories that I have about this wonderful lady. ● Monteverdi – Beatus Vir We had this played at our wedding. Lucy is a big fan of early music and sings along with all Baroque classics when they come on the radio. To put it simply this is just a truly beautiful piece of music. ● Van Morrison – Hymns to the Silence I guess most people in the music business have a Van the Man story to tell. I almost chose another track of his called Professional Jealousy and although he is banging on about our business, we’ve all felt like that at some point. He is an amazing songwriter, a poet in many respects and this track shows him at his very best. ● Peter Gabriel – Don’t Give Up I would like the version where his daughter Mel is singing with him. Over the years he’s become a good friend of our family. I don’t really work with him that much but I have done a couple of shows with him. He’s a wonderful guy and the sentiment on this record is extraordinary and can be read on so many levels so it’s a very special song for me. ● Queen – Don’t Stop Me Now They were one of the first bands I ever worked with and I still like them. This record is so uplifting and will always have special memories for me. ● Les Miserables – Who Am I I never worked on the stage version of Les Mis in fact it was lit by a great lighting designer called David Hersy. However I do work quite a lot with Cameron Mackintosh on his shows, out of the theatre as it were. I did the tenth anniversary of this and also the 25th anniversary at the O2. I’m not a great fan of musical theatre but this is such a great piece of art and this particular track sets the mood beautifully. ● The Rolling Stones – Wild Horses I’ve seen them perform this song so many times now and I’ve also seen Mick duet this with various other singers. There is such a huge back catalogue of Jagger/Richards numbers it is really difficult to make a choice, but the lyrics to Wild Horses are special. ● Vienna State Opera – Romeo and Juliet This is the first opera that I had the pleasure of working on. It was one of the most nerve-racking things ever. It is a lush, romantic and captivating opera by Charles Gounod. I had to do this with just lighting and no scenery whatsoever, just a black stage and backdrop. It was an incredible challenge. I used a large automated lighting system that I have for rock concerts and we didn’t even have a balcony, I just did it with a slab of light that came up from the stage. It was a magical production with a superb director and amazing music. After almost ten years the lights are still there and working well. ■ SEPTEMBER 2013

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AUTUMNfashion

AUTUMN TRENDS

Tartan yourself up

The mood for autumn is one of grace and feminity, with womanly silhouettes, tactile fabrics and heritage patterns. We’ve picked four key trends to inspire your post-summer wardrobe

Wild thing PLAID REVIVAL: tartan’s having a major fashion moment, from ladylike tartan skirt suits to oversized coats Main pic, tartan kilt, Marks & Spencer, £35 Left, trench coat, £249, Hobbs

xt, £8

Tartan tights, Ne

NATURALLY INSPIRED: leopard skin took the lead on the runways this season, but subtle pony skin is also a trend front runner and expect to see leather trims on dresses, trousers and skirts Top left, faux fur leopard print Portobello, £199, from Biba, Cabot Circus. Right, silk leopard skin print dress, Jaeger, £250 Below, Guiseppe Zanotti loafers, £655, Cabot Circus

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A late flowering WINTER FLORALS: bloom on into autumn with lush flowers in luxurious fabrics From the top, Erdem floral twill dress, £765, Reiss Lavine dress, £169, Orla Keilly bag at House of Fraser, and floral jumpsuit, £535, Garment Quarter – all available at Cabot Circus, Bristol

Deluxe and delightful A TOUCH OF GLAMOUR: shimmer into the dark with a touch of subtle sparkle, gentle beading and faux furs Main picture, lumiere dress, £350 and faux fur jacket, £125, Coast

Left, jewelled collar, £69, Biba at House of Fraser, Cabot Circus, Bristol Below, shrug, £119, Biba at House of Fraser Left, Tao dress, £350 Reiss

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ROYALportrait

The day the Duchess came to lunch A new portrait of the Duchess of Cambridge is leaving London for the first time to go on show at the Holburne Museum in Bath. Georgette McCready talked to artist Paul Emsley about the challenges and pleasures of undertaking such a public commission

ou might think that if one of the most photographed women in the world got out of a car in your street, undisguised by baseball cap or dark glasses, walked along the pavement and then into a neighbour’s home, that there would be at least a flurry of phone snaps taken, or at the very least a bit of staring as onlookers realised who was in their midst. But the people of Bradford-on-Avon simply went about their business as the Duchess of Cambridge arrived last summer at the studio of internationally acclaimed artist Paul Emsley to have her portrait painted. Paul had accepted an invitation from the National Portrait Gallery to commit the newest member of the royal family – formerly known as Kate Middleton – to canvas for posterity. And although he knew at the time that as he says: “I’d have to please the duchess, the gallery, the palace and myself, I don’t think it really dawned on me then what a challenge this would be.” Paul’s brief from the National Portrait Gallery was to produce an official likeness of the duchess which will be seen by generations to come as the newly wed, one day destined to be Queen of England and mother of a future monarch. “I did get slightly nervous about the whole thing,” said Paul, whose previous subjects included former South African President Nelson Mandela. “The trouble is that everybody thinks they know her. She has been photographed so often, hers is such a well-known, well-loved face.” He had a meeting with the duchess before the sittings, to talk about what she’d wear and how she’d like to be portrayed. She chose a more natural pose as opposed to an official one. And it was this natural, easy side of her personality which impressed Paul as she was at pains not to make him feel rushed in his work, or intimidated by her official role. And so it was arranged that the royal visitor would come to Paul’s home in Bradford-on-Avon, where he works in his studio, and to sit for a series of photographs for him to work on. Paul chuckles about how low-key the visit was: “There were some 24 THEBATHMAGAZINE

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builders working directly opposite our home and they didn’t bat an eyelid or give her a second glance. We have daughters, so maybe they just thought this young woman with long hair was a friend of theirs.” The duchess enjoyed lunch in the family home and stayed for most of the day before returning to Kensington Palace and Prince William. Paul usually spends around six months perfecting a portrait, but he worked night and day to ensure it was finished in three and a half months, emailing his work in progress to the palace as he progressed. Then Sandy Nairne, director of the National Portrait Gallery, came down to see the painting, a few minor changes were made, then the finished picture was unveiled to the duchess and subsequently the waiting world. The painting showed the duchess face on with a smile playing on her lips. Paul wanted to show her smiling, as that reflects her personality, but was aware that no portraits in the National Portrait Gallery show people baring their teeth, as it tends to look unnatural and strained. The artist hadn’t foreseen that its unveiling would launch a tabloid feeding frenzy, as critics and journalists waded in to condemn the picture. It’s a great modern British tradition that any new portrait of a royal becomes public property. As Paul says: “Suddenly everyone’s an expert.” He’s clearly still hurt by the response, as a highly respected and established artist with several national prizes for his work. “I am reliably informed that some of those critics who were so outspoken had not even seen the picture for themselves, all they’d seen were PDFs. This too was the first royal portrait done in the time of social media, and of course electronic images look nothing like the actual painting.” Once the critics had had their say it was time for the public to vote with their feet. The portrait was sought out by so many visitors to the National Portrait Gallery that it had to be moved to stop crowds blocking the way, and more postcards have been sold of the duchess’s painting than of any other image held in the gallery.

PAINTING A WELL KNOWN FACE: artist Paul Emsley working on the portrait at his studio in Bradfordon-Avon PHOTO: Elizabeth Emsley

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ON VIEW: left, right, Paul Emsley at the unveiling of the portrait in the National Portrait Gallery, and his painting of Nelson Mandela Images courtesy of Jorge Hererra

Now it’s our chance in Bath to get an in-the-flesh, as it were, look at the picture. The Holburne Museum is the first venue outside London to host the portrait, which will be hung in the small Wirth Gallery at the top of the museum. Paul is now working on two portraits, of South African conceptual artist Willem Boshoff and the Chancellor of the University of Buckingham and member of the House of Lords, Lord Tanlaw. He looks back at the royal project now saying: “I am just beginning to feel quite OK about it. Let us say history will be the judge.” Naturally, one can’t help asking a man who was born in

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Glasgow and spent much of his life in South Africa before returning to live in the UK, whether he is a royalist. “I am not a royalist, but I am a monarchist, in that I support the notion of a monarch for this country.” And his inbox and mailbox which continue to bring supportive messages for his royal portrait, demonstrates that there is support for the institution of the British royal family from all over the world. ■ Catherine, Duchess of Cambridge by Paul Emlsey, oil on canvas, measuring 45ins x 38ins, will be on show at the Wirth Gallery in the Holburne Museum, Bath, from Saturday 7 September to Wednesday 6 November.

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WHAT’S ON September in Bath Events are in chronological order to try and give the best service to our readers planning their leisure time Bradford-on-Avon Festival of Walks Friday 6 – Sunday 8 September Visit: www.walkbradfordonavon.org. Book through the Bradford-on-Avon Tourist Information Centre, tel: 01225 865797. Walks range from two to eight miles. Two of the longer walks visit Mumford’s Vineyard and Box Stream Brewery. There will be tastings at each venue. Other walks cater for special interests including bat and bird watching and identifying herbs with a qualified medical herbalist.

Seriously Strange Paranormal weekend Saturday 7 – Sunday 8 September The University of Bath, Claverton. Visit: www.seriouslystrange.co.uk The biggest paranormal conference in the UK brings together 30 top speakers on ghosts, UFOs, telepathy, poltergeists and vampires. Aimed at people with an interest in anything strange. There will also be live experiments, debates and a paranormal-themed disco. Tickets from £20.

The Johnny Cash Roadshow Friday 6 September, 7.30pm

DRESSED TO THRILL: a Jackson tribute night at The Forum

Chapel Arts Centre. Visit: www.chapelarts.org Clive John is billed as the UK’s No 1 tribute to the late Man in Black. Cash’s music is currently undergoing a revival, being played at festivals the last few summers and gaining a fresh following. Tickets, £16.

★ Editor’s pick

Frome Cheese Show Saturday 14 September

COUNTRY DAY OUT: the Frome Cheese Show

The Showground, Bunns Lane, West Woodlands, near Frome BA11 5ES If you’re a country person you’ll already know that a show like this brings endless entertainment, from browsing the stalls, watching trick motorcyclists and athletic dogs in the main ring, to riding the fairground rides and admiring the magnificent cheesemakers. And if you’re a townie, days like these provide a tantalising glimpse into country life. The crowning glory is, as you’d expect, a marquee packed with magnificent award-winning cheese. Tickets ordered before 11 September are £10 (£11 after that) from Tourist Information Centres, farm shops or online at: www.bradsons.co.uk.

Michael Jackson tribute show Saturday 7 September The Forum, Bath. Tel: 0844 888 9991 or visit: bathforum.co.uk Jackson Live in Concert sees a lifelong Jackson fan recreate the stage show of the so-called King of Pop. Ben’s perfected the moonwalk and the look and will be joined on stage for hits including Thriller, Beat It and Billie Jean. Tickets from £15.50.

Macmillan Cancer Support walk Sunday 8 September Bowood House, near Calne, Wiltshire www.macmillan.org.uk/miles tel: 0300 1000 200 Choose from a three mile or eight mile route round the beautiful grounds of Bowood House in the family-friendly, supportive atmosphere of this Miles for Macmillan event.

DRESSING UP TIME: visitors to the Georgian evening at the Holburne are invited to don 18th century garb Visit our website for more events and things to do. To promote your event log on and get listed. wwwthebathmag.co.uk

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Nordic Walking Classes Weekly, Mondays, 8.30am, Thursdays, 11.30am, Fridays 2pm Various venues for walks around Bath – some hilly, some flat. Tel: 01225 852634 or email jane_braham@hotmail.com Jane has 20 years’ experience in fitness and wellbeing and leads hour-long group walks using walking poles to protect knees and encourage good posture. Sesssions are £5, plus £3 for hire of walking poles.

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WHAT’Son On Golden Pond Tuesday 10 – Saturday 14 September 7.30pm Next Stage Theatre Company The Mission Theatre, Corn Street, Bath. Next Stage box office tel: 01225 428600 email nextstagebath@aol.com or Bath Box Office, tel: 01225 463362, visit: www.bathboxoffice.org.uk Made as an award-winning film in 1981, with Henry and Jane Fonda and Katherine Hepburn, Next Stage presents Dave Dunn and Joanna Bowman as Norman and Ethel in the first production to use the theatre’s new auditorium layout for 150 people. Tickets £11/£9 concessions.

Tapas Revolution with Omar Allibhoy Thursday 12 September, 7.45pm Topping & Co bookshop, The Paragon, Bath He’s been described as the Antonio Banderas of cooking and his enthusiasm for Spanish food is infectious. Enjoy picking up a few tips on creating pinchos morunos or pollo con salsa.

Talk on Giuseppe Castiglione, painter to the Chinese Emporers Friday 13 September, 6.30pm The Museum of East Asian Art, Bennett Street, Bath. Visit: www.meaa.org.uk, tel: 01225 464640 To mark the 20th anniversary of the museum, Nixi Cura, arts of China course director from Christie’s in London will give a talk on the art of the Jesuit painter who worked in the Emporers’ court. Admission, £4 (£2.50 for museum friends).

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The Jane Austen Festival A Georgian night of entertainment Friday 13 September The grounds of the Holburne Museum, Bath. Visit: www.bathspalive or visit the Holburne Museum for tickets The festival tribute to the great British writer opens today. Musicians and students from Bath Spa University will be re-creating the Sydney pleasure gardens as they were in 1796 when they opened. The Vauxhall Players will play music of the time and there will be other entertainment. Guests are encouraged to enter into the spirit by wearing the costume of the era. Tickets are £12, £10 concessions. Pick up a festival programme from the Jane Austen Centre in Gay Street.

FUNDRAISING: The Bath Churches Walk

Open weekend at Bath Artists Studios Saturday 14 – Sunday 15 September The studios are at Comfortable Place off the Upper Bristol Road, Bath. 11am - 5pm Demonstrations, talks and hands-on workshops throughout the weekend.

The Bath Churches Walk Saturday 14 September, 10.30am Starts from the Elim Chapel, Charlotte Street, Bath and finishes at St John’s Hospital in Westgate Buildings. Visit: www.fsccandc.org.uk You don’t have to be a church goer to appreciate the churches of Bath and this two-mile walk – which costs £10 to take part in – takes in 14 churches, chapels and meeting houses. Money raised will go towards their repair and upkeep. Continued on page 28.

TASTY TAPAS: Omar Allibhoy at Topping & Co bookshop

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WHAT’Son Autumn Leaves Concert Saturday 14 September, 7.30pm St Swithin’s Church, the Paragon, Bath, tel: 01275 370073 or visit: www.pennybrohncancercare.org/autumn The Bristol based Penny Brohn Cancer Care is hosting an evening with Spanish tenor Carlos Alonso and soprano Sarah Phillips, with Lizz Lipscombe, the Noctis Chamber Choir and Conductor Francis Faux. Tickets, £15.

Churchill and the Lessons of History Monday 16 September

A LOACH CLASSIC: The Angel’s Share

The American Museum, Claverton Down, Bath. Visit: www.americanmuseum.org Sir Christopher Meyer, Britain’s former ambassador to the United States and author of DC Confidential, will be giving a lecture on Winston Churchill’s despatches on the 19th century war which took place on what is now the Afghanistan-Pakistan border. Tickets £25 (£20 members), tel: 01225 823014.

The Private Ear and the Public Eye Monday 16 – Saturday 21 September The Theatre Royal, Bath. To book tel: 01225 448844 The New York Times said of Peter Shaffer’s double bill – revived 50 years after the original staging – ‘it is high comedy, sophisicated and wise. It soars and sings with the enchantment of a happy unfettered bird. It’s a trip back to the 1960s from the man who wrote Equus and Amadeus.

Also at the Theatre Royal in September Shakespeare’s Henry VI, Parts 1, 2 & 3 Tuesday 24 – Saturday 28 September, 7.30pm From the historic and acclaimed Globe in London comes this tour version of three of Shakespeare’s history plays – see one, two or all three.

TRIBUTE ACT: Dire Streets

★ Editor’s pick

Bath Midnight Walk for Dorothy House Hospice Care Saturday 14 September, midnight

STEPPING OUT: the women only Bath Midnight Walk

Begins and ends SouthGate, Bath www.bathmidnightwalk.co.uk Join friends and family for this annual women-only sponsored walk through Bath. There’ll be fun from the moment you don your pjyamas and bunny ears and set out on the five mile walk, which begins at midnight. If you hear them passing your house, pop out and cheer them on – there’s always a really warm, party atmosphere around this fundraising event.

Bath Philharmonia Violinist: Jennifer Pike Friday 20 September, 7.30pm The Forum, Bath. For tickets, tel: 0844 888 9991, visit: www.bathforum.co.uk Beethoven’s Symphony No 5 and Brahms’ Violin Concerto, with soloist Jennifer Pike, who comes to Bath after sell-out performances of the Brahms Violin Concerto with the LPO and the Philharmonia Orchestra. One of Britain’s most gifted artists, she has been a rising star since her victory at the BBC Young Musician of the Year competition in 2002. The orchestra’s Jason Thornton will conduct. Tickets £10 – £28.

Dire Streets tribute act to Dire Straits Friday 20 September Chapel Arts Centre, Bath Tel: 01225 463362 Classic versions of Dire Straits’ hits, from Brothers in Arms and Sultans of Swing to Romeo and Juliet and Money for Nothing. Tickets, £12.

Bath Film Society’s new season Friday 20 September, 7.45pm

SOLOIST: Jennifer Pike

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BRLSI, Queen Square, Bath. Contact the membership secretary, tel: 01225 316410. Visit: www.bfss.org.uk. New members are welcome at the weekly screenings, which run throughout the winter. The season kicks off with Ken Loach’s The Angel’s Share set in tough, working class Glasgow. Forthcoming showings include Searching for Sugarman, La Cage aux Folles and The English Patient. Screenings are at 7.45pm, but members usually meet beforehand for a glass of wine and a chat before the film starts. Continued on page 30.

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WHAT’Son Musicals at the Mansion by Opera Sulis Saturday 21 September, gates open for picnics, 5pm, show from 7pm

Convention, bring their combined talents together for an evening of old songs and instrumentals. Tickets £17.

Woodchester Mansion, Nympsfield, Stonehouse, Gloucestershire, tel: Tel 01453 861 541 A history of the musical from the music hall to the glamour of Hollywood and Broadway. Enjoy a picnic inside, or in the grounds, of the mysterious Woodchester Mansion. Transport to the mansion will be provided by minibus from the National Trust car park. Tickets £23.50 to include a drink.

Also at the Wiltshire Music Centre . . . Britton Sinfonia Wednesday 25 September, 7pm

Pennies from Heaven concert Saturday 21 September, reception from 7pm

WWT Slimbridge Wetland Centre, Slimbridge, Gloucestershire, tel: 01453 891223 Join the warden as he walks out to watch the high tide bring hundreds of birds closer to the shore. Also look out for many of the waders who are in the process of making their migrational journey using Slimbridge as a resting place along the way. Tickets, £12.

St Swithin’s Church, the Paragon, Bath. Tickets from www.bathboxoffice.org.uk or tel: 01225 463362 Pianist Marcus Sealy and soprano Lucy Sealey present an evening of musical entertainment from classics to cabaret to raise funds for the Charitable Foundation for the Education of Nepalese Children, a Bath-based charity. The evening will include music from Handel, Elgar, Berlin, Coward amd Puccini and will begin with a drinks and canapé reception. Tickets, £25.

Martin Carthy and Dave Swarbrick Saturday 21 September, 7.30pm Wiltshire Music Centre, Bradford-on-Avon. Visit: www.wiltshiremusic.org.uk, tel: 01225 860100 Two leading lights from 1960s folk, singer/guitarist Carthy – ex-Steeleye Span – and Swarbrick, fiddle player formerly of Fairport

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A concert to celebrate Benjamin Britten’s centenary, with work from Britten and contemporaries who were influenced by him. Tickets £28.

Birdwatch morning Sunday 22 September, 9.30am IMMORTAL DOUBLE ACT: The Cradocks are coming

Fanny and Johnnie Cradock Cook the Great American Songbook Sunday 22 September Pratts Hotel, Bath. For tickets visit: www.showofstrength.org.uk The immortal on-screen double act of English cooks Fanny and Johnnie Cradock is being recreated this month in Bath as actors Kate McNab and John Telfer bring their dinner theatre to Pratts Hotel. A two course meal will be cooked and served, with many a barbed comment to spice things up. Continued on page 32.

FOLK HERO: Martin Carthy

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WHAT’Son Journeys textile exhibition by Materialise, a group of six artists Tuesday 24 – Sunday 29 September, 10am – 4.30pm The West Barn, Barton Manor Farm, Bradfordon-Avon BA15 1LF. Tel: 01225 426421 Half a dozen artists who share a love of working with textiles form the group Materialise.

Bath Royal Literary & Scientific Institution fundraising lecture Saturday 28 September, 3pm Queen Square, Bath. Tel: 01225 312084 Visit: www.brlsi.org Jon Whiteley, historian from the Ashmolean Museum, will give a lecture on the Duncan Brothers, benefactors of the BRLSI and the Ashmolean in the 19th century. They are buried in Weston All Saints Churchyard. BRLSI wants to raise £7,000 to restore and hang the Duncan Brother portraits in the room named after them. Tickets are £10.

Bath Comic & Sci-Fi weekend Saturday 28 – Sunday 29 September The Old Masonic Hall, Old Orchard Street, Bath Visit: www.bathcomicandscifi.co.uk This is the first event of its kind to be held in Bath and is supported by SFX, Tripwire, Pipedream Comics, Roundstone Framing and American Dream Comics. There will be panels, talks, events and guest appearances from the realms of comic books, TV and film. Guests confirmed include Gary Erskine, Mike Collins, Gordon Rennie, Emma Beeby, John Higgins, Lee

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Journeys by Materialise

Garbett, Ian Edginton, Dylan Teague and David Roach.

Planning ahead . . . Kathryn Roberts and Sean Lakeman Friday 1 November The Pound Arts Centre, Corsham. All tickets via: www.kathrynrobertsandseanlakeman.com Winner of the best duo in the BBC Radio2 Fold awards 2013, Kathryn Roberts and Sean Lakeman (brother of Seth) are coming to Wiltshire as part of a nationwide tour.

Gyles Brandreth: Looking for Happiness 17 February 2014 Komedia, Bath, tel: 463362 Former MP, raconteur, author, TV presenter and twinkle-eyed charmer, Brandreth is bound to flirt with the entire Bath audience when he brings his one man show to the city next spring.

RACONTEUR: Gyles Brandreth

For more information about events and what’s happening in Bath visit our website which is updated daily or to promote your event, log on and get it listed.

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CITYart

Bath’s greatest 20th century artist? A major retrospective of William Scott’s work at Bath’s public art gallery invites us to take a close look at his work and embrace him as a significant influence on contemporary art who spent 50 years in the area

nyone who dismisses art as a middle class occupation would do well to study the life and work of the extraordinary William Scott, the subject of a major retrospective exhibition in Bath, where some have dubbed him the greatest adopted artist to have worked in the area. Scott is known to legions of former students of the Bath College of Art, where the taciturn tutor taught for many years, but he was also a major influence on 20th century art. Scott was born in 1913 to a poor family of 15 children who moved to Enniskillen when he was a boy. His father, a house-painter and signwriter let the youngster help him in his work, but tragedy struck when William was just 14 and his father was killed when a ladder collapsed while he was trying to save people from a house fire. Money and indeed food must have been tight for the widowed Mrs Scott but fortunately a philanthropic gesture gave William the chance to study art at the Belfast College of Art. At 15, attending life classes he was felt too young to see the human form in the flesh, so a gauze curtain was hung, enabling him to make out the shape dimly. This may be one of the reasons why he later created such sparce shapes in his semi-abstract pieces. William went to London, where he shared a flat with the Welsh poet Dylan Thomas, and was soon carving out a career as a painter. He and his wife, who was from Bristol, came to the Bath area during the Second World War and bought an old farmhouse at Hallatrow. Here William set up a studio, growing vegetables to supplement his income. In a happy accident he was in Bath one day to sell his produce when he bumped into Clifford Ellis, the charismatic principal of 34 THEBATHMAGAZINE

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the Bath College of Art, who by some sixth sense, saw the potential in Scott and invited him to teach art on a part-time basis. As the years went on Scott’s work became more abstract and he gained a reputation among top galleries and collectors. In 1953 he went to the States where he met Jackson Pollock, Willem de Kooning and Mark Rothko. A photograph taken a few years later shows Rothko, in suit and tie, with Scott, in a casual sweater, at the Scott family home in Somerset during a visit which many art enthusiasts may be unaware of until now. Jon Benington, manager at the Victoria Art Gallery, is an enthusiast supporter of Scott’s work. He has a wealth of knowledge about Scott’s work: “Just as Picasso had his guitar, Scott had his candlestick. Many of his images are taken from memory, of simple interiors and still life paintings. Later career he pared down his work. “All his paintings have a secret, but he never tells what that secret is. There is often some resonance of something tragic.” Scott’s two sons formed the Scott Foundation after his death in 1989 and this year will see a national celebration of his body of work. Jon says: “I hope people will come and enjoy Scott’s work. He has been a huge influence and I think it’s time re-establish his links with Bath, after all he lived and worked in this area for nearly 50 years.” ■ William Scott: Simplicity and Subject is at the Victoria Art Gallery, which is run by Bath & North East Somerset Council, from Saturday 7 September until 17 November. Admission £3.50; catalogue available.

INFLUENTIAL: main picture, Bottle with Fish Slice (1949/50) right, Mary with Blue Bowl (1938/39) Inset, William Scott at work in his Somerset studio

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ARTS&EXHIBITIONS

All change for autumn BATH CONTEMPORARY 35 Gay Street, Bath Tel: 01225 461230 • www.bathcontemporary.com

Kingdom and County 7 – 28 September

hese are exciting times for long-established Bath Contemporary gallery as manager Bridget Stirling takes up joint ownership with Bath businessman David Embleton. In Kingdom and County the first show in her new role, Bridget has chosen to examine urban and rural views of the south west as seen through the eyes of three painters, Mike Bernard ROI, Susan Isaac and Fiona McIntyre. Bath Contemporary will continue to focus on bringing the work of living artists to Bath and in future will also be promoting original prints. Bridget is very keen to work with modern original printmakers and to impress on people the difference between them and the run-of-the-mill prints. The light-filled Gay Street gallery has one of the highest footfalls of any art gallery in the city and passers-by are often drawn in by the sentinel figure of Rick Kirby’s Witness pictured right, who stands in the window. While the exhibitions change every few weeks Bridget’s customers have some favourite artists who make regular appearances in the gallery. One is sculptor Rick Kirby, with his distinctive metal figures, another is Sara Ingleby-Mackenzie. Sara, who is based in Somerset, produces elegant – often witty – slender bronze figures of different sizes. Her work is highly collectable. Sara graduated with first class honours in 1982 from the Bath Academy of Art.

Still Cool by Sara Ingleby-Mackenzie

Pulteney Bridge from Riverside Walk, Bath by Susan Isaac is in the September show, Kingdom and County

Witness by Rick Kirby

DETAIL FROM MOSAIC MUSE by BECKY BUCHANAN Edgar Modern Bartlett Street, Bath Tel: 01225 443746

1 – 29 September An eclectic and energetic range of new painted works from Edgar Modern favourites, Carl Melegari, Henrietta Dubrey, Jessica Cooper, Paul Wright, Mungo Powney and more. Including a selection of light inspired, atmospheric paintings from James Naughton and sculpture by Janis Ridley.

Left: Mosaic Muse by Becky Buchanan, right: Cavalier (After Van Dyck) by Paul Wright, 36 THEBATHMAGAZINE

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ARTS&EXHIBITIONS EVENING LIGHT, SENNEN by BO HILTON Hilton Fine Art 5 Margaret’s Buildings, Bath Tel: 01225 311311

www.hiltonfineart.com Seascapes 21 September – 12 October Three selected artists, Bo Hilton, Peter Archer and Gareth Edwards, concentrate on the subject of the sea, including paintings inspired by the coasts of Cornwall and Wales. Each of these painters brings an individual approach to the subject, reacting to what they take in visually and emotionally as well as using the subject as a vehicle for colour and form.

MEET THE BOUCHARDS

SOPHIE

NAKED MUSE by ROBBIE WRAITH

The Bristol Guildhall Small Street, Bristol, 10am – 5pm daily (4pm Saturdays)

Meet the Bouchards - A Surreal Experience 7 – 29 September Trevor Osborne, property developer and patron of Bath artist Philip Bouchard, is lending the walls of the historic Guildhall in Bristol to show work by Philip and his daughter Harriet Dahan-Bouchard, pictured together with father Philip’s work behind them and one of Harriet’s portraits in front of them. Philip has been painting for some 40 years, while Harriet, who studied at the Charles Cecil Studio in Florence, has recently been commissioned to paint the Lord Chief Justice. Both have studios in Bath.

Quest Gallery 7 Margaret’s Buildings, Bath

Paintings by Robbie Wraith Until 5 October

Philip Bouchard, The Open Debate – Politics is a Game of Chess

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Wraith has work in the private collection of the Queen as well as more than 40 pictures in the collection of the Prince of Wales, and also in the Royal Collection Windsor, The Vatican, Chatsworth, The National Trust, Oxford and Cambridge Universities, Eton College and many others. He is a member of the Royal Society of Portrait Painters.

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ARTS&EXHIBITIONS ATLAS MAQUETTE WITHOUT GLOBE by ELISABETH FRINK

CLEMATIS

Beaux Arts 12 – 13 York Street, Bath. Tel: 01225 464850 www.beauxartsbath.co.uk

Throughout September Dame Elisabeth Frink is one of the key British sculptors of the 20th century and this exhibition of some of her sculpture and works on paper offers the chance to see a major body of her work here in Bath. The show is to celebrate the publication by Lund-Humpries of a new Catalogue Raissoné of Frink’s work. Pictured is her Atlas Maquette without Globe, a bronze from 1983 and below Dark Pulse.

Pulteney Art Society annual exhibition St Michael’s Church, Broad Street Bath. Open 10.30am – 4pm (3pm Saturday)

12 – 14 September

LA MER by NICK CUDWORTH

RAKU by PETER HAYES Gallery Nine 9B Margaret’s Buildings, Bath

Peter Hayes ceramics

Image courtesy of Peter Stone

Quercus Gallery 1 Queen Street, Bath, Tuesday Saturday, 10am – 5pm

Detail from Mary-Jane Evans porcelain

Assembling September and October

Nick Cudworth Studio/gallery: 5 London Street, Bath. Tel: 01225 445221 www.nickcudworth.com

Sescapes, 3 – 28 September A collection of Nick Cudworth’s prints and original oil paintings of the sea mostly painted in the west country, including Clevedon, Dartmouth and the Devon Coastal Path. The exhibition features a painting of Debussy as he sits by his piano possibly being inspired to compose La Mer as he listens to the sea which is seen through an open door and looks above to a picture on the wall of The Great Wave by Hokusai.

The society – formerly known as the Bath and District Group of the Society for All Artists – is holding its annual show and sale of members’ work. Admission free. Public car parking nearby, disabled access and refreshments in the church café.

The distinctive appearance of Peter Hayes’ ceramics come from a technique like raku firing and by the fact that he submerges them in the river beside his studio or sends them to Cornwall to be submerged in the sea for months at a time.

A multi-media show for this new gallery in Bath by artists who each take an interesting approach to assembling different materials and combining techniques in their work. Artists include Joan Doerr, Lauri Hastings and Mary-Jane Evans and the exhibition will change as the weeks go on.

Visit our website for more exhibitions and gallery information To promote your exhibition, log on and get it listed. wwwthebathmag.co.uk Pelican by Lauri Hopkins

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Bath@Work Our series of photographic portraits by Neill Menneer shows Bath people at work

Demian Bellaart Artistic blacksmith and sculptor at The Chapel Forge rom an early age I was surrounded by art and artists and as a kid I grew up with no TV in the sitting room but a big printing press. My mother was a bookbinder and my father a printer and painter, whose family goes back to 1306 where, in Harlem, Jacob Bellaart made the first prints from wood engravings. I attended The Looking Glass School run by the pop artist Sir Peter Blake and his wife Jann Haworth, who lived in the old railway station in Wellow. There were only 18 kids in the school and the emphasis on art was strong, not surprisingly because all the parents were artists. I decided to follow my inclination and enrolled on an art foundation course at the City of Bath College, where I became increasingly interested in working with metal. I soon recognised it was the medium I wanted to work with, due to the vast possibilities this versatile material offered. I attended workshops, undertook blacksmiths courses, all to acquire the additional skills for realising my dream of running my own forge. One day, taking a shortcut on my way home from college I stumbled across two abandoned chapels in St Michael’s Cemetery. Despite the windows being all boarded up I was able to see through a tiny crack in the door and I instantly envisioned what it could be like. After six painful weeks finding out who and how I might get a look inside them, another six weeks to secure a lease for one year, I was at last able within that year to secure a 25 year lease on both chapels. I went on converting the beautiful octagonal chapel into my workshop while using the adjacent chapel as an additional studio and established The Chapel Forge in 1999. People might think that a small cemetery is an unlikely setting for a blacksmith and sculptor, but I find the tranquil surroundings the ideal place for blending design and craftsmanship to transform raw metal into various works of art. Having accomplished my first goal, I divided my work into two areas, both of which I’m passionate about. The forge, which produces high quality bespoke architectural and ornamental metalwork such as gates, balustrades, staircases, railings, handrails, balconies, canopies etc. and Bellaart sculpture. It is fortunate that I am living and working in Bath, with its abundance of listed buildings in constant need of metalwork and its appreciation for artists. Each project coming in, be it repairing, restoring or replacing, presents a variety of challenges which allow me to learn new skills. Today’s blacksmiths not only make, fit and install the work but also visit clients, survey sites, discuss design ideas, provide design proposals and make drawings. With 14 years of practical experience and a vast portfolio of completed projects, I’m now developing a product range and setting up Bella Art Gallery. ■

PORTRAIT: Neill Menneer at Spirit Photographic www.capturethespirit.co.uk Tel: 01225 483151

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ADVENTUREholidays

Round ’em up cowboy Horse lover and Bath resident Naomi Price who contributes travel and lifestyle features to titles including The Financial Times, The South China Morning Post and The Times Literary Supplement, experiences life on horseback on the wide open spaces of a ranch in Montana

uddenly the gate is flung open. Out shoots a steer with the speed of a bullet. Hard on its heels comes a cowgirl on a mustang, acceleration nought to 40 in a second. Before you can say Calamity Jane the lasso whirrs overhead and the youngster is roped, floored and trussed up like a turkey. This is Big Sky country in the state of Montana and work like this is another day in the office to the ranchers of Rocking Z at the foot of the Rockies, half an hour away from the town of Helena. Steers are rounded up from far off the mountain, caught to be branded, or checked for ailments and diseases and then sent off again to meander through the sparkling rivers, alfalfa meadows and rolling uplands that stretch as far as the eye can see.

this is a bit like polo: these ❝horses are agile, able to turn on a dime and jink about as fast as a steer

❞

Want to have a go at roping and wrangling? Well, you can try. First, catch your cow. That is, when the herd is released into the ring, decide on which one to stalk. Your horse will pick up your choice – multicoloured is best otherwise they all look the same. Now rush at it as fast as your horse can carry you. This is a bit like polo: these horses are agile, able to turn on a dime and jink about as fast as a steer. Next, drive it into a corner and make it stand still: this is called cutting and boxing. As for using a rope, I had trouble on the ground with a plastic practice steer at five paces – a sort of stationary bucking bronco. As I flung the lasso ineffectually at a real one, a piebald, it eyed me with long-suffering disdain: ‘You tourist,’ said the eloquent gaze: ‘Leave it to the professionals.’ This is glorious countryside. Besides roping and wrangling, there’s the opportunity of chasing the 60-strong herd of horses back to the ranch through fields, woods and streams as the sun comes up in the early morning – but watch out for the gopher burrows. More sedate 42 THEBATHMAGAZINE

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equine pursuits are on offer at the ranch, where the owners breed quarter-horses, mustangs, Appaloosas, pintos and thoroughbred crosses. The land rolls and rises in a valley between the Missouri and the Great Divide for many hundreds of acres, starting with flat cottonwood copses and rising up into the escarpments above.A day’s Western riding is suffused with the scent of sagebush (artemisia) which grows wild all over the plains, together with amethystcoloured lupins and bright sky-blue penstemons – classics of the English herbaceous border. Alpines like the clove-scented dianthus and the orange rock-rose appear to grow out of nothing from the rocks and scree which the horses tread as sure-footedly as the deer and goats that roam the hills that are home to ospreys and golden eagle. Frequently the killdeer bird (so named to replicate its call) and the curlew wheel and mew overhead. The ranch hosts – who are rodeo champions in the summer and ski and snowboard instructors in the winter – are lavish hosts all year round who think, sleep (but fortunately, don’t eat) horses. Descendants of the German homesteaders who came to Montana before the railroads, their way of life is simple and almost totally self-sufficient. As they say on the ranch:“A man who can twirl a rope is A-OK.” ■

LIVING THE DREAM: childhood ambitions gained from watching westerns can be realised on the ranch, where visitors can try their skills at roping and wrangling

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FACT FILE

BACK TO NATURE: lose yourself in the vast open spaces, with the scent of sagebush in the air

● Ranch stays may be booked through In The Saddle. Rocking Z stays open all year round. Prices start at £1,000 for 7 nights. In the Saddle cover other ranches in North America such as Sweet Grass, in mid Montana and Lucasia in Canada, one and a half hours from Calgary. For a full-on wrangling experience the Colorado Cattle Company offers intense working holidays. For more information contact In The Saddle tel: 01229 272997 or visit: www.inthesaddle.com. ● Other activities on the ranch include fly fishing on Little Prickly Pear Creek, which is well endowed with brown trout. Trips to Yellowstone and Glacier National Parks may also be arranged. ● BA fly direct to Seattle Tacoma airport daily. Plane transfer to the ranch by plane (Helena airport) takes around an hour and a half.

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FOOD&DRINK

A flexible approach

Tasty bites

The wraps have finally come off the former hippy haunt, The Porter in George Street, to reveal a stylish new bar cum restaurant cum club. Simon Dehany, who already owns the sucessful Circo bar and lounge in South Parade, has realised his vision for the new-look Porter, which includes four floors dedicated to eating, drinking and socialising. While drinkers on the first floor can sample real ales and ciders, the ground floor is presided over by double Michelin star chef Rob Clayton – who some will remember from his days at the Bath Priory – running Clayton’s Kitchen and offering casual dining at affordable prices. The website invites us to ‘drop in for breakfast, stay for lunch or book for dinner’, tapping neatly into our busy lifestyles which require a flexible approach to meeting family, friends or colleagues.

■ We know it’s early to be thinking about Christmas, but the Bath & North East Somerset Council owned Roman Baths are offering a Twilight Tour and Dinner package which would be a romantic seasonal date with the steam from the hot waters rising in the cold winter’s air. The evening, which costs £38 a head, includes a tour of the torch-lit Roman Baths followed by two course Christmas dinner at the Roman Baths Kitchen, pictured, with mulled wine or cider on arrival. Book at: www.visitbath.co.uk/ twilighttour or tel: 0844 847 5256. The torchlit experience is available from 29 November to 23 December. ■ Traditional country pursuits have never been more popular, and this month there’s the chance to enjoy them at the seventh annual Wiltshire Game and Country Fair at the Bowood Estate near Calne over the weekend of 28 and 29 September. There’ll be chefs and falconers, an owl show, three main arenas, gun dogs and loads of stalls. Visit: www.livingheritagecountryshows.co.uk. Tickets are £11 adults, £4 children and £10 for over 65s.

Start voting for your favourite foodie

f you enjoy eating out, now you can vote for your favourite café, pub or restaurant as the Guide2Bath launches the Bath Good Food Awards 2013. The awards are designed to showcase Bath’s finest proving the city’s worth as a national foodie treasure. The dining public will vote first and then the five businesses in each category which have the most votes will be independently assessed by a panel of expert judges. Nominees will attend the awards dinner at Bath Racecourse on 27 October. Last year thousands ofpeople voted in the inaugural Bath awards. Head judge, is wine and food critic Angela Mount, who said: “There is a real buzz going on around the city among voters

POPULAR: Casanis won the best restaurant category in last year’s awards

and competitors, and we are really excited to see who the

public show their support for.” The judging panel includes: Xanthe Clay (Telegraph), Martin Blunos (Great Food Live, Food Uncut, Saturday Kitchen), Richard Bertinet (The Bertinet Kitchen), Dhruv Baker (Masterchef 2010 Winner), Emily Knight (Flavour), Hrishikesh Desai (Lucknam Park), Graham Cox (Wine & Spirit Education Trust) and Jenny Chandler (The Real Taste of Spain). So whether your taste is for Michelin-starred fine dining, a healthy lunch on the run, or simply the best full English breakfast in town, you can start voting now. Visit the Bath Good Food Awards website: www.bathgoodfood.co.uk/vote. Voting closes on Sunday 8 September.

Forum set up to promote fresh talent in city kitchens A new branch of the Chefs’ Forum, for chefs, food suppliers and producers to network, and which encourages the catering industry to support student chefs, has been launched for Bath and the Cotswolds. The inaugural event was hosted by Michelin-starred chef Richard Davies at The Manor House Hotel in Castle Combe. Richard has been appointed a forum committee member to lead the regional chapter, along with Sam Moody of The Bath Priory and Bridget Halford of City of Bath College. Forum founder Catherine Farinha spoke of the work the forum does across the south of England. She said: “It opens up the

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INDUSTRY LINKS: Michelin standard chefs Sam Moody, Richard Davies and Martin Blunos lend their support to the new Bath and Cotswolds Chefs’ Forum

communication channels between the catering industry, catering education providers and trade suppliers. Our organisation acts as

SEPTEMBER 2013

a conduit for all three elements to interact seamlessly for the greater good of the industry.” Chef Richard Davies led VRQ

students from City of Bath and City of Bristol College in preparing and serving a Michelin standard barbeque to a tough audience of industry professionals. Michelin-starred chef Sam Moody of The Bath Priory said: “I work very closely with City of Bath College and have a number of very talented students in my kitchen and front of house at The Bath Priory. I regularly conduct cookery demonstrations at the college and involve students in events. I am very much looking forward to hosting The Chefs’ Forum autumn lunch in October for the second year running and am delighted to be heading up the local chapter of this valuable industry organisation.”

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THE WINE COLUMN Angela Mount, wine and food critic, selects the last – but by no means least – of the summer wines

olidays are over, school is back, and life returns to normal but memories of days spent lazing in the sunshine and warm, alfresco evenings with friends are still fresh, so here are a few favourites from Spain and France to bring back the thoughts of summer. Marques de Riscal Sauvignon Blanc, £11.25 Until recent years, holidays in Spain, in terms of wine, meant some good reds, and largely old-fashioned, oaky, or oxidised whites. Marques de Riscal is one of the true pioneers of modern style, unoaked whites. Housed in the northern region of Rueda, Riscal is well known for its Verdejo, a fresh, zippy white, of which I’ve long been a fan. The Sauvignon is made in the same winery, in a similar ilk, but is more intense. Vibrant, mouth-watering, and tangy, it’s an uplifting burst of fresh citrus flavours – brimming over with grapefruit, fresh lime, and passionfruit, with a greengage and gooseberry edge. Enjoy a glass on its own or try it with chargrilled, or pan-fried fish, goats cheese salad, or chilli and coriander marinaded prawns – great with oysters too. Chateau du Donjon Minverois Rosé 2012, £9.75 Bring back memories of Southern France, with this beautifully elegant dry rosé from the Minervois region. This delightful blend of Syrah and Grenache is entrancing. Gently pink, the nose is all about crushed raspberries and strawberries, with a hint of wild lavender and Mediterranean herbs. Flavour-wise it’s a fruitbowl of red summer fruits, with a dry, tangy, lemon zesty edge, with a brush of thyme. One of my favourite rosés of the summer, it’s a great aperitif. I’m a great advocate of pink wines all year round, with all kinds of food – try it with seared tuna, or get the prawns on the BBQ one last time. Cop de Mar Garnacha Tinto 2012, £7.95 I’m always excited to find new wines, especially when they are as ridiculously well priced as this one. It’s from Catalunya, the wine region around Barcelona, and is as vibrant, fun and modern as the city itself. Youthful and lively, and as this is from the most recent vintage there’s no oak, no traditional Spanish barrel ageing, just a young, modern, juicy wine. It’s fruity, medium bodied and packed with wild cherry, loganberry and ripe plum flavours. The character of the wine is enhanced by flashes of licorice, cardamom and wild herbs. Try it with barbecued rosemary spiked lamb, and Thai marinaded chicken; or with lamb chops, lasagne, beef stir fries, and spicy rice. Sincronia Negre 2012, Mesquida Mora, Mallorca, £13.95 I wasn’t sure I’d like this wine; after all, Majorca has a reputation for parties, rather than wine. How wrong I was, and I’m delighted to be so. That being said, it’s an edgy, wild red, with a distinctive style, so I took the bottle round to my neighbours to get their view. They loved it too, and it was perfect with seared, sliced rib eye steak with Parmesan shavings and rocket and wild herb salad. Full flavoured, upfront, with lashings of cardamom spiced fruit – baked plums, figs and cherries; raw, vibrant and bold, it’s young and juicy, with a thyme and sage edge. Definitely worth a try. This will be great with herb dusted lamb or beef, BBQ kebabs, platters of charcuterie, and bowlfuls of pasta with tomato and basil. All of the above wines, plus a special mixed case can be ordered through our website. You can also enjoy a 10% Great Western Wine discount by entering the code on Angela’s wine column. Visit : ww.thebathmag.co.uk

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FOODheroes

A new wizard on the block

Trained under Michael Caines and Heston Blumenthal, Chris Cleghorn is still in his 20s, but already causing a stir on Bath’s culinary scene. Melissa Blease went to meet the chef in his kitchens at the Olive Tree

um, do you think the chef here is some sort of magician?” The little boy, aged about nine, who asked this question was heading up the stairs to his room at the Queensberry Hotel just as I entered the Old Q Bar for a pre-dinner drink. While I didn’t get to hear his mum’s reply, I hazard a guess that she’d probably pondered the very same question herself – after all, there aren’t many chefs who can present a diner with a starter simply called Chicken and Egg and end up reducing the recipient to tears of joy. So, who is the man behind the magic? Chris Cleghorn took to the hob at the acclaimed Olive Tree restaurant some seven months ago, bringing with him the kind of CV credentials, charisma and lashings of that all-important wow factor that allowed him immediate entry into the Bath gourmet gang: a handful of Big Boy chefs who dominate Bath’s prandial playground and vie for the destination dining experience spotlight. And why wouldn’t the Big Boys play nicely and make room for the new kid on the heritage city’s flourishing chopping block? He may be only 28 years old, but he trained under legendary kitchen superstars including Michael Caines and Heston Blumenthal before arriving at one of Bath’s most highly regarded foodie hotspots. But still, while what this clever young newbie puts on the plates that he so confidently, competently constructs in his kitchen set tongues wagging from the moment he took up his residency, he has a lot on his plate in terms of standards to live up to.

it was really important to me to ❝ roll out my own dishes right from the word go because menus are a direct reflection of me as a chef

❞

Former head chef Nick Brodie earned the Olive Tree kitchen three AA rosettes before going off in search of pastures new, and multiple respected critics from the Good Food Guide, the Times, TripAdvisor and all manner of glossy publications have heaped praise upon this luxurious oasis of cutting-edge culinary chic. Chris, however, remains refreshingly calm about the whole situation – and, most importantly, confident enough to live in the now without letting the past dictate to his future. He says: “It was really important to me to roll out my own dishes right from the word go, because the menus are a direct reflection of me as a chef. I would sum up my ethos towards food as maximising the clarity and depth of flavour of ingredients using a combination of classical and modern techniques, but without over complicating the overall dish.” Might Heston still have a strong influence on Chris’s work? “I’ve had the privilege of working alongside some of the UK’s top chefs, and they’ve each inspired me in a different way, Having been lucky enough to work 46 THEBATHMAGAZINE

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CLEGHORN’S CREATIONS: some of Chris’s dishes and, below, the chef at work

closely with them, I’ve seen their ethos, techniques and how they think, and shaped this into my own cooking style. I’m also enthused by Daniel Clifford (the double-Michelin starred chef currently at the helm in the Midsummer House kitchen, familiar to many of us from the most recent Great British Menu season). But looking back, I don’t think there was a defining moment when I decided I wanted to be a chef – it’s just what I’ve always wanted to do, and cooking is my absolute passion.” And it’s a passion that travels all the way from Chris’s initial inspiration for any given dish directly to the end result that the eager diners end up swooning over. By the time this issue hits the press, the AA Rosette team will have made the 2013 list of bouquets public. But rather than obsessing over whether or not he’s retained that much-vaunted three-bud status, Chris remains stoically calm under pressure. “AA Rosettes are not accolades that are given lightly, and I intend to keep pushing the standards even further regardless of whether or not I retain our status,” he says. “Awards aside, the Olive Tree absolutely deserves to maintain its position as one of the top restaurants in the south west, and I know I’m largely responsible for helping to make this happen. By consistently delivering excellent food and service and pushing to be the best we can as a team, we’re determined to achieve this.” A very laudable statement indeed. But as acclaimed Canadian magician Dai Vernon once said: “In magic, the effect is what counts. The method or methods used are always purely secondary.” To a certain nine-year-old boy and to me, Chris Cleghorn is a kitchen magician – we bet he’s capable of pulling both roses and stars from his sleeve. ■ The Olive Tree, Russel Street, Bath BA1 2QF Tel: 01225 447928; visit: www.thequeensberry.co.uk.

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THE THREE GABLES Since its opening in 2011 The Three Gables has become a popular dining destination known for its top quality food, superb wines and the warm welcome provided by manager Vito Scaduto and his team. Chef, Marc Salmon, uses the finest quality ingredients, locally sourced where possible, to create a modern British menu influenced by the classics of Mediterranean cuisine THE THREE GABLES is the ideal venue for all kinds of celebration, from private parties to corporate entertaining or a romantic dinner for two. You can reserve exclusive use of the restaurant for your private function. Book now for the Festive Season! Please visit our website for our Christmas Celebration Menu

September and October Dinner offer: free half bottle of house wine per person ( with 3 courses set dinner or two courses à la carte; not to be used with any other offer or special evenings; subject to availability • Valid Tuesday to Thursday ) The Three Gables, St Margaret's Street, Bradford on Avon BA15 1DA Telephone 01225 781666

www.thethreegables.com

info@thethreegables.com

GUYERS HOUSE HOTEL & RESTAURANT Romantic Winter Wedding Offers January & February 2014

For only £3,500 reduced from £5,000! Invite your closest family and friends to your wedding and reception The package for 50 people includes the following:

Beautiful Beamed Ballroom for your Marriage Ceremony Sparkling Wine for your Reception Drink Wedding and Events Manager and a Master of Ceremonies to assist you on the day Locally sourced and seasonal three course Wedding Breakfast Menu including wine and coffee Personalised Printed Menus Sparkling Wine to accompany the Toast and Speeches Use of our silver cake stand and knife Disco and Evening Buffet

Call 01249 713399 to book a show round and find out more. www.guyershouse.com e mail:events@guyershouse.com Guyers House Hotel & Restaurant, Guyers Lane, Pickwick, Corsham, Wiltshire, SN13 0PS.

WWW.THEBATHMAGAZINE.CO.UK

This offer is for non-exclusive weddings please ask for our rates to book the hotel exclusively. Terms and conditions apply: The above offer includes 1 glass per person for both the reception and toasting drink and 2 glasses of house wine per person for the wedding breakfast. For the evening buffet we will cater for 38 people. This offer does not apply to pre-confirmed and booked weddings. A deposit of £1,650.00 will be required. All prices inc. VAT. Additional guests will be charged at our published rates

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Bailbrook House Hotel

Eveleigh Avenue, London Road, Bath BA1 7JD. Tel: 01225 855100

R E V I EW

A most elegant newcomer

t’s hard to imagine that Cloisters, the beautiful stone vaulted restaurant that’s newly opened at Bailbrook House Hotel on the eastern fringes of Bath, was only a couple of years ago a rubble-filled and neglected space. But the team at Hand-Picked Hotels, which has acquired Bailbrook, has moved heaven and earth to create a stylish and elegant environment for its guests. The thinking behind the opening of Cloisters restaurant under head chef Peter Manner, formerly of the gourmet honeypot of the Cotswolds, the Lygon Arms Hotel, is that this will become a fine dining destination for locals, as well as guests of the four star hotel. The old Mansion House has been given a multimillion pound makeover, so as you sweep up the drive and enter the grand entrance hall, first impressions are good. The drawing room – one of several elegant public rooms – where we’re invited to read the menu while sipping a glass of Champagne, offers a unique view of Bath. We’re locals but we welcomed the chance to see the city from an angle we don’t normally enjoy. Our waiter, Matt, previously head waiter at the Bath Priory Hotel, was attentive and helpful, asking about any dietary requirements. This would be reassuring if you did have an allergy, such as to nuts. A selection of tasty little savouries whet our appetite for the meal ahead. We liked the exhortation in the menu: “You don’t need our permission to be outrageously self indulgent.” I guess that’s like a friend saying, forget the diet, eat what you like and enjoy it. It also reminded me of the quote: ‘A gourmet who thinks about calories is like a tart who looks at her watch.’ It would be rude not to dig in and enjoy. Cloisters may be downstairs but it doesn’t feel like a cellar with its fine vaulted stone ceiling and there’s plenty of space so you can enjoy an intimate dinner a deux. We were in the loggia with views across the lawn. After an amuse bouche of salmon mousse and moreish caviar, along with some fresh bread, our starters arrived. J’s was a slither of baby leek wrapped around wild sea trout, delicious and delicate flavours, while mine was a more robust combination of two creamy Brixham Bay scallops with an unusual butter bean paella with butternut squash, set off with little dice of chorizo. Starters are priced between £8 and £14, while main courses are from £17 to £35, for Scotch fillet steak, vegetables are included. There are vegetarian options, and it was good to see 48 THEBATHMAGAZINE

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the extensive wine list laid out in a consumer-friendly way, by types of wine, eg light white, which makes pairing with food easier. Since we’d both had fish for starters and J had opted for halibut for his main course, a French Semillon-Sauvignon mix was a nice, clean accompaniment (£32 a bottle). The Lackham lamb dish was very good, with a flavoursome red wine jus, one piece of meat tender and pink at centre, the other well cooked to pulling consistency. John’s halibut, bone free and as a fresh as you’d wish, was accompanied by crushed Jersey Royals and spinach. The dining room was blissfully music free, with just the sound of chatter by candlelight creating a fine dining atmosphere. We were well looked after by waiter Gabi, with his warm smile and great sense of humour. He’s Rumanian but is enjoying his new life in Bath after a spell in the Lake District. Some men are just not interested in pudding and will pick cheese any day, so J was happy to find a really good, well kept cheese selection at Cloisters – a board of no less than five varied British cheeses, with some fruit bread, grapes and chutney. The gooseberry sponge sounded good as did the English apple crumble, but Gabi assured me that if I liked chocolate then I couldn’t miss trying the bitter chocolate parfait. He was right, I am a sucker for a chocolate pudding and this one was very good, a small block of perfectly rendered cold parfait, not too sweet or bitter. It was a adorned with a big crispy, chocolate sail and sat in a little pool of pretty peppermint sauce, a glazed cinnamon pear contributing a nice fruity contrast in flavour. Puddings are £9, the cheeseboard, £15. Hand Picked Hotels, which owns Buxted Park Hotel in Ashdown Forest, Sussex, and Etttington Park Hotel in Stratford-Upon-Avon among others, officially takes over the hotel this month, bringing its own customers with their fierce brand loyalty, which can only be good news for Bath. To celebrate the start of a Sunday lunch service at Cloisters from 22 September, Bailbrook House Hotel is offering readers of The Bath Magazine an exclusive 25% saving on their food bill when taking Sunday lunch, valid until 30 November, Bailbrook House Hotel is the perfect place for a leisurely Sunday lunch, followed perhaps by a relaxing time in one of the three new lounges with the papers. Readers need to book in advance and mention The Bath Magazine when calling. Tel: 01225 855100. Visit: www.bailbrookhouse.co.uk. ■ GMc

FINE DINING: Cloisters at the newly refurbished Bailbrook House Hotel The head chef is Peter Manner, formerly of the Lygon Arms in the Cotswolds

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CITYpeople

News in brief ■ Mimi Noor – named as one of the top 100 boutiques outside London by Grazia, Stella and Vogue.com – has moved from its Milsom Street premises to a bigger store in New Bond Street. The boutique, with its funky and stylish branding, now sits on the same street as LK Bennett, Jigsaw, Space NK and Champneys. ■ Sharon Giles, pictured, has joined Sharp Family Law as a partner to provide family law services at the practice’s new office in Gay Street, Bath. Sharon specialises in divorce cases, encouraging people to look beyond their present situation to visualise life after divorce, and make informed decisions to shape it. She promotes constructive communication and negotiation, and works with other professionals, such as financial and mental health counsellors. ■ Somerset footwear label Seven Boot Lane has opened its first store in Milsom Place, Bath. Owners Sebastian and Mais Edwards are hosting a launch event on Thursday 12 September, with a 10% discount and a late opening from 7 – 9pm. Seven Boot Lane’s boots are handmade in a small factory in Elche, Spain. ■ The Box-based web wizards at Aerian are busy rebranding the 18 year old company and launching a new website. The company specialises in designing and building websites, apps and products and currently has a hand in over two per cent of all global internet traffic – some feat for a small business based in a Wiltshire village.

Enjoy an adventure on our doorstep Action man and record-breaking adventurer David Hempleman-Adams, who lives near Bath, is backing the city charity which works with homeless and vulnerable people, by inviting walkers to take part in a sponsored walk. The entire Circuit of Bath Walk extends to 20 miles, but participants in the Julian House event on Sunday 29 September, can choose to walk as little as two and a half miles, thanks to a bus shuttle service being run on the day. Entrance to the walk is free, but walkers are invited to raise money for the charity. To find out more visit: www.julianhouse.org.uk/supportus/events/circuit-of-bath-walk or contact STEPPING OUT: David Hempleman-Adams is supporting Julian House’s Cathy Adcock, tel: 01225 354656. sponsored walk, which takes place on Sunday 29 September

Support for tinies’ workshops Monkton Combe School is to sponsor a programme of theatre workshops for children at the egg at the Theatre Royal Bath. The Dinkies programme at the egg offers children aged from 18 months to four drama and craft workshops, as well as regular monthly fun story time sessions where favourite books are brought to life. Kathryn Morrell, head of Monkton Pre-Prep said: “Dinkies at the egg provides a wonderful range of events for young children, the staff at the

egg are so talented and as drama and storytelling are such a key part of life at Monkton it seemed perfect that we should work together. We hope that this partnership will both support the wonderful work the egg is doing and help to grow the story telling and drama we do in our nursery and school.” Lucy Howell, creative learning producer at the Theatre Royal Bath, said: “We are really looking forward to working more closely with Monkton Combe School.”

Global giant to run city’s spa The YTL group which owns Wessex Water and is building the new Gainsborough Bath Spa Hotel, is to take on the operating contract of Thermae Bath Spa from Thermae Development Company, which has been successfully running the spa for almost seven years. The deal is subject to confirmation by Bath and North East Somerset Council which will continue to own the Thermae Bath Spa buildings and act as

guardian of the natural thermal waters. Jobs at Thermae Bath Spa, which employs more than 170 people, will be safeguarded and the expanded operations will provide opportunities for career development. Henk Verschuur, managing director of Thermae Bath Spa, said: “This heralds the start of a very exciting future. I am extremely proud of what we have achieved at Thermae Bath Spa over the last seven years and am

Producing Resolution Not Prolonging Conflict As the largest firm of solicitors in Bath devoted exclusively to family law, Sharp Family Law helps divorcing clients to protect children, preserve assets, and reach an efficient resolution.

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A new campaign, called Don’t Feed the Animals, has been launched in Bath to try and rid the city of the scourge of gulls. Bath & North East Somerset Council and Bath Business Improvement District’s campaign is endorsed by Keep Britain Tidy and the basic message about not feeding herring gulls, foxes, pigeons and even badgers, either directly in the street or parks, or indirectly through careless food disposal, is being taken to residents and businesses with a poster campaign. There will be a fine of £75 for persistent offenders.

■

confident that its future will be in safe hands.” Thermae Bath Spa will remain a day spa, open to all, with no change in its operations. Thermae and YTL have links dating back to 2003 when the Three Tenors celebrated Bath’s spa revival with a concert in front of the Royal Crescent. YTL is the parent company of Wessex Water, owner of The Gainsborough Bath Spa Hotel and the operator of a number of Spa Village resorts.

sharp F A M I LY L A W 5 Gay Street, Bath, BA1 2PH, UK email: info@sharpfamilylaw.com t: 01225 448955 website: www.sharpfamilylaw.com

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ADV ERT OR I AL FEATURE

BEFORE YOU SAY “I DO”

raditionally people have generally felt uneasy about the concept of Pre-Martial (Pre-Nuptial) Agreements. On the face of it they seem rather unromantic and almost like a way of tempting fate. If a couple are so committed that they are prepared to promise to spend the rest of their lives together they would no doubt question having to sign an agreement to determine what would happen in the event of a break up. However no one can predict a future and given the statistics showing that sadly nearly half of all marriages come to an end, it does therefore seem sensible to have in place at the outset an agreement which seeks to provide some clarity of what was intended should the relationship breakdown in the future.

What is a Pre-Marital Agreement? A Pre-Marital Agreement is a contract entered into by both couples before a marriage or civil partnership takes place. It sets out the way in which prospective spouses will hold their assets when they are married and attempts to define what will happen if the couple divorce.

Will it be of use to me? People normally associate Pre-Marital Agreements with the world of celebrity and the lifestyles of the rich and famous but this is no longer the case. More Pre-Martial Agreements are being used by ordinary individuals to help prevent costly, lengthy and hostile battles at court if the relationship comes to an end. They have proved particularly popular in second marriages where one party is seeking to preserve assets that have built up over the years or where there are inheritance factors to consider.

• The needs of both parties must have been considered in the event of the marriage breakdown. • Neither party should have been under pressure to sign the agreement. • The terms shall not result in an injustice to either party.

Will I be able to enforce the Agreement? Technically such agreements are not binding in English law but they are a factor to be taken into account and recent cases have made it clear that a properly negotiated and drafted agreement may well be upheld or at least be considered highly influential when deciding what type of financial settlement or order to make upon divorce. Recent developments in this area of law have greatly increased the popularity of these agreements and may well lead eventually to their official legal recognition putting us in line with the legal systems in the US and continental Europe where such agreements have been enforceable for years.

Circumstances can change and be very different to those that existed at the time of when the agreement was entered into and at the point at which the relationship breaks down. All the circumstances of each case will need to be considered. The birth of children, the loss of employment, ill health could affect the reliance that is placed upon the agreement.

What would be a good time to enter into such an Agreement?

• There must be full disclosure of both parties’ financial circumstances.

It is advisable to enter into a Pre-Marital Agreement well in advance of the “big day”. Bearing in mind that before any agreement can be signed it has to be prepared and carefully considered which will usually take approximately eight weeks.

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The first step would be to talk to a solicitor to find out more about what a Pre-Martial Agreement involves. As mentioned, both parties to the agreement will need to be independently advised by a solicitor. At Mowbray Woodwards we offer a free, no obligation, half hour consultation to discuss your options. We can also offer fixed fees for PreMartial Agreements in many cases. For further information please contact our Family Law Team on 01225 485700 or via email at family@mowbraywoodwards.co.uk.

What happens if there has been a change in my circumstances from when I entered into the Agreement and at the time of my divorce?

What is required for the preparation of such an Agreement?

• The parties must be independently represented and advised as to the terms and implications of the agreement.

How do I start the process?

Tracey Smith, Head of Family Law and Collaborative Practitioner at Mowbray Woodwards Solicitors

Mowbray Woodwards Solicitors, 3 Queen Square, Bath BA1 2HG www.mowbraywoodwards.co.uk SEPTEMBER 2013

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Incorporate your business and save tax! If you are starting a new business – or own a small business - you should consider incorporating the business (setting up a limited company) to take advantage of the favourable tax situation. Owners of limited companies can pay themselves dividends from the profits of the company and so save paying national insurance at ever increasing levels. The structure of a limited company also provides the opportunity to include other people (particularly family members) as shareholders, allowing them to benefit from dividend payments in addition to perhaps receiving a small salary (and utilising personal allowances that might otherwise be wasted). Corporation tax starts at 20% and is very attractive for higher rate tax payers; amongst other benefits the ‘limited’ structure allows them to ring fence the profits from their higher rates and choose when to distribute them - or to have them available for reinvestment in the business. Incorporating your business is very quick and costs around £100; the savings are available to any business making profits where drawings, by whatever form, are subject to national insurance contributions; the benefits can therefore be seen even with low profit and turnover figures. You might even be able to use losses made as a sole trader against profits / income generated in your limited company. We’ve been looking after small businesses (start up to £5 million turnover) for more than twenty years and have clients who have been with us throughout.

Good advice saves money, bad advice costs....

Call Mike Wilcox or Hannah Bratten on 01225 445507 to arrange a no obligation meeting – we’re pleased to help.

141 Englishcombe Lane, Bath BA2 2EL

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SEPTEMBER 2013

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From Bath: with love A Bath chiropodist runs a charity in her spare time that’s raising smiles among children on the roof of the world in the remote villages of Nepal – find out how you can get involved

it was a little beggar boy, no more than three years old holding out his bowl, his baby sister at his side that turned Lisa Whitehouse from merely a tourist with compassion for the child’s tears and the rocking motion of distress, into the founder of a charity which changes the lives of dozens of children. The charity’s purpose is to provide education for Nepalese children who live in some of the most remote villages in the world. Lisa runs the successful Bath Chiropody Clinic in central Bath, where for the past 17 years she has been making her clients happy by looking after their foot aches and pains. She’s busy running the business but manages to find the time, along with husband Peter, to run the Charitable Foundation for the Education of Nepalese Children. The charity’s current major project is the re-building of a primary school for around 50 children high up in the mountains. Lisa also organises for people in the UK to sponsor individual children so they can go to school. When you hear Lisa talk about how she came to found the charity you can understand that notion of something that was destined to happen. Like many young people the mountains of Nepal were a mysterious place which Lisa was curious to visit – even the name Kathmandu conjured up something in her imagination. But it was a chance conversation with a friend at her home in Colerne which led her as an adult to Nepal. The friend is married to a Nepalese man, Bho, who said if she wanted to visit his homeland he would help her organise the trip and arrange for his brother to meet her at the airport. As the lone traveller got off the plane to be warmly greeted by Bho’s brother, Lisa began a love affair with Nepal which has grown with every visit. “They are a poor people, living at subsistence level, the children helping out on the land and with the animals,” she said. “There is no electricity, most parents can’t read or write and they are so desperate for their children to get an education.” Lisa became friendly with one family by accident, being greeted unexpectedly in English by a boy called Kishor, aged about 11 who approached her in a quiet village and invited her proudly to visit his school, and then to meet his family. 54 THEBATHMAGAZINE

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That little beggar boy who galvanised her into action was actually in Tibet, but the political situation makes it impossible for a small British charity to operate there. Lisa and Peter’s project won official charity status in 2009. Neither of them takes a salary, they pay their own flights to Nepal whenever they visit, to ensure that every penny goes directly to the cause. She shows me photographs of a smiling little boy, who fatherless wouldn’t have been able to attend school without the sponsorship of around £10 a month from his British supporter. Lisa brings back photos showing the children’s progress for those sponsors who want to communicate with their youngsters. Another photograph shows a whole school of children all proudly wearing smart uniforms Lisa has ordered for them. Education is valued by even the tiniest child, says Lisa. “They will walk for two hours to get to school, and that’s after doing their chores at home. Kishor told me his greatest dream was to go to Kathmandu, train to be a teacher and then come back to his village and educate other children.” Fundraising tirelessly takes up a lot of Lisa’s time. She has started importing beautiful, bright bags, slippers, scarves and other hand crafted items from Nepal which she sells around Bath. This month she is organising a gala recital and reception at St Swithin’s Church in Walcot to boost the charity’s funds – see our What’s On pages for full details. She’ll also have a stand at the Frome Cheese Show on Saturday 14 September. “I really enjoy giving talks about life in Nepal and about what we’re doing out there, so if anyone would like me to talk to their club or group, please get in touch,” she said. There is also a 14 minute film on You Tube and viewers are invited to click ‘share’ to help raise the profile of the charity. Lisa doesn’t have any birth children of her own, but when you see the smiling faces of the Nepalese children in their school uniform on the rooftop of the world, you can see that she’s making a huge, life-changing impact on a new generation. ■ Visit: www.nepalchildrenseducation.org.

MAKING A DIFFERENCE: children from the remote rural Nepalese area where Lisa Whitehouse’s Bath charity is building a new school Inset, happy to go to school is Khomeni– often the children will walk up to two hours each way to attend lessons, so valued is their education

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BRIDGE SCHOOL OF BATH Daytime Bridge sessions in Queen Square

LEARN TO PLAY BRIDGE Classes start October 2013 • Beginners classes Wed pm •

• Improvers classes Tues pm •

• Club play sessions Mon pm • Teacher: Christine MacFarlane (EBUTA) www.bathbridge.com/bathschool Tel: 07989 440238

THEBATHMAGAZINE THEBESTOFBATH PERFECTLYCOVERED BATHSBIGGESTMAGAZINE PERFECTLYDELIVERED TOADVERTISETEL: 01225 424499

PAYING YOUR STAFF HMRC NEED MORE THAN BEFORE

eal Time Information (RTI) has been live now for most employers from April 2013, and very soon in October 2013 this new way of routinely reporting PAYE should be mandatory for all employers. As an employer you must submit a Full Payment Submission (FPS) each time you make a payment to an employee. The FPS must be submitted to HMRC ‘on or before’ the pay date each period. If you do not pay any employees in a tax month, and therefore have no FPS to send HMRC, employers must send an Employer Payment Summary (EPS) by the 19th of the following tax month. This will help HMRC avoid incorrectly issuing employers with a penalty for late filing. HMRC have advised that there will be no charge to penalties for late filing of FPS returns for the tax years 2012/13 and 2013/14 but the current penalty regime will continue to apply at the tax year end. HMRC will not charge penalties under the new regime for sending the FPS late but will if it is the final one for the tax year. This means for these two tax years, employers operating PAYE in real time will be in a similar penalty position to employers who were still operating the traditional PAYE. However, time passes quickly in business, and we strongly recommend that employers do not delay and move to Real Time Reporting now in order to refine the payroll process before automated late filing penalties are implemented. Temporary RTI relaxation for some small businesses HMRC has agreed a temporary relaxation of real time reporting to give some extra time to certain small businesses that pay weekly or more frequently but who only run their payroll at the end of the month. This will apply for a transitional period until 5 October 2013, and may be extended until April 2014. It will mean that employers with fewer than 50 employees, who find it difficult to report every payment to employees at the time of payment, may send the FPS to HMRC by the date of their regular payroll run but no later than the end of the tax month. This extra time should enable such employers to adapt their payroll processes, or make arrangements to outsource to a payroll service provider to ensure compliance with new legislation. Richardson Swift can be your outsourced payroll provider and deal with the RTI reporting for your business as part of our dedicated payroll service. If you would like more information on RTI or would be interested in considering us to run your payroll function then please contact Sam Cole or David Hull on 01225 325580 or email info@richardsonswift.co.uk. www.richardsonswift.co.uk 11 Laura Place, Bath BA2 4BL 01225 325 580

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Junior judo lessons

FAMILYfun

Science sessions at BRLSI in Queen Square

Making things at the Holburne Museum

Meet Tractor Ted at Bath Racecourse

Learning through play September sees the start of the new school term and with it the chance to extend your child’s skills and knowledge beyond the classroom with all kinds of events and courses this autumn Penguin day, Bristol Zoo Saturday 7 September Who doesn’t have a soft spot for a penguin? Here’s a chance to spend a day at Bristol Zoo learning all about penguins. There’ll be fun activities, talks and lawn games. Free after zoo entry.

Countryside Festival at Bath Racecourse Saturday 14 – Sunday 15 September, from 11am Bath Racecourse, Lansdown. For tickets tel: 01225 424609 (children’s entry is free) Tractor Ted and falconry displays are just two of the family orientated events taking place at this festival of country pursuits. There will also be horse racing on the Saturday from 2.15pm.

Serious fun science workshops Saturday 14 September, 1pm – 4pm Bath Royal Literary and Scientific Institution, Queen Square, Bath Now that science is cool, BRLSI is hosting children’s ‘serious fun’ science workshops. These are free and open to all families. Just bring a curious mind. Advance booking advised, email: coolbookings@brlsi.org and leave your child’s name and age. Visit: www.brlsi.org/youthactivitiesgallery.

Children’s Judo lessons Saturdays from 14 September, 3.45pm - 4.45pm Combe Grove Manor Country Club Experienced judo teacher and 4th Dan Black Belt, Finn Gleeson is extending the lessons he runs in Bath schools to sessions at the country 56 THEBATHMAGAZINE

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club. The hotel is offering 50% off the facilities, including tennis, swimming and golf, for parents while children are learning judo. Visit: gleesonjudo.com or tel Finn: 07810 790039.

Pound Arts Centre Youth Theatre: ActNoW Saturday 14 September, 12pm The Pound Arts Centre, Corsham, Wiltshire. Tel: 01249 701628 The youth theatre is following a new direction this season led by two new youth theatre directors, Carl Woodward and Paula Willcox, both experienced in this field. The new Young Company group will meet weekly on Wednesdays, 7.15pm – 9.15pm to explore creative and innovative theatre practice. Everyone aged 17 to 25 who is interested in acting, directing or other stagecraft, is welcome to attend this initial session to talk about the way the group will work.

Next Stage Youth Sunday 15 September, 4.30pm The Mission Theatre, Corn Street, Bath. Tel: 01225 428600 This is one of Bath’s most popular youth theatre companies and members of the 60-strong group regularly perform as part of the seniors’ productions. The sessions are open to anyone aged between 11 and 18, there are no auditions, but you will need to register your interest in advance due to popularity. Email: nextstagebath@aol.com.

Collage workshop, the Holburne Museum Sunday 15 September, 2.30pm The Holburne Museum, Bath. Tel: 01225 388569 Mary Caron-Courtney leads this session, ‘I’m a mixed media artist,’ for parents and children using a variety of materials to help young participants create beautiful collages. This will take inspiration from the Rembrandt and his Contemporaries exhibition at the museum. Fee £2.50.

Yer Tiz Saturday 21 September, 11.30am and 3pm The egg theatre at the Theatre Royal, Bath. Tel: 01225 463362. Nick White plays ten characters and uses puppets, song and gentle audience participation in this comedy which celebrates the people and places of Somerset. Tickets £7.50/£6.50 children and students. Suitable for age six and over.

Riding lessons at Wellow Group lessons after school, dates throughout the year Wellow Trekking Centre, Little Hors Croft Farm, Ford Road, Wellow. Tel: 01225 834376. This long-established and popular riding centre offers children the chance to learn to ride. Lessons from £12 for half an hour in a group. Visit our website for more events and things to do. To promote your event log on and get listed. www.thebathmag.co.uk

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Drama, dancing and singing, all under one roof! Call Sarah for details of a FREE trial session for your child 01761 239185 admin@curtainup.org.uk

Schools in Bath & Atworth For children aged from 4 years

Have a look online at the fun we have! www.curtainup.org.uk WWW.THEBATHMAGAZINE.CO.UK

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FAMILYfun

A whole new world Readers of all ages will find something to entertain, educate or enlighten at this autumn’s Telegraph Children’s Bath Literature Festival, which runs from Friday 27 September to Sunday 6 October

avid Almond, author of Skellig and other best-selling children’s books, and guest artistic director of the festival is inviting people of all ages to take part in some of this year’s events to meet the readers and writers who believe that books can change lives. With more than 100 events in the programme there will be plenty to provoke thought, creativity or laughter.

Highlights include: A kids party with Sharky and George Friday 27 September, Guildhall, 4.30pm Aimed at party animals aged seven and over. Come dressed as your favourite book character and find out about Sharky and George’s new book, packed with games and pranks ideas. Michael Rosen Saturday 28 September, 10.30am The former Children’s Laureate is a consummate wordsmith and a very funny man. He’ll fill the Forum with laughter as he talks about mustard, custard and farting fish. Charlie Higson Saturday 28 September, 5.30pm Creator of the successful Young Bond series, the actor, writer and comedian will be talking about his latest zombie series The Fallen. Suitable for stout-hearted tens and over. Lego with Duncan Titmarsh Saturday 28 September, 6pm Duncan is the UK’s only certified Lego professor. Hear about some of the models he’s created and join in the quick-fire Lego building challenge. The Postively Last Performance Saturday 28 September 11.30am, the egg Theatre This is suitable for readers aged ten and over, as Geraldine McCaughrean’s latest book is a chilling ghost story which may cause shivers down the spine. It explores the theme of memories. Judith Kerr talks to David Almond Sunday 29 September, 4pm Generations of children have loved The Tiger Who Came to Tea but this event is not aimed at young readers, but anyone interested in Judith’s fascinating life. She will be talking to festival director David Almond about Creatures, her autobiography. 58 THEBATHMAGAZINE

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Carrie and David Grant: Making Music Sunday 29 September, 10am You like to sing, dance, make music? Then come along to this vibrant interactive session. Carrie and David are voice coaches from Cbeebies Popshop, The Voice and Fame Academy. Suitable age four and over. Sarah Ferguson Sunday 29 September 11.30am, The Paragon School, £5, Age 4 – 8 The Duchess of York reads from her picture books and introduces red-haired Ballerina Rose, Ruby, who needs to brush up on her manners when she is invited to tea with the Queen and the adventures of Budgie The Little Helicopter. Geekathon with Holly Smale and Andy Robb Monday 30 September, 7.30pm. Harriet Manner wants to shed her geeky image in Holly Smale’s novel. In Andy Robb’s Geekhood, Archie’s life is shaken up by a beautiful Goth girl. Join the authors as they discuss their fabulous books and reveal their own inner geek. Suitable for geeks and their friends aged 11 and over. Lord of The Flies Tuesday 1 – Friday 4 October 6pm A drama created from William Golding’s dark classic novel. The young theatre company Next Stage is putting on this production at The Mission Theatre, which is suitable for 11-yearolds and over. The festival is not only about reading books, although favourites like Spot the dog and Horrid Henry will feature. There will also be events

organised by students from Wellsway School for other young readers and events for parents, teachers and professionals. On Tuesday 1 October there will be a whole day dedicated to celebrating the creativity of writers, children and young people. This event is aimed at anyone who works with children. On Friday 4 October at the Guildhall there will be panel event leading a discussion about children and the digital reading experience. ■ For tickets tel: 01225 463362, visit: www.bathfestivals.org.uk

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Inspiring and empowering people through creativity to explore, develop and grow

Creative activities for those living with mental health challenges Creative support and development for Artists Creative commissions Creative fun for everyone from pure artistic creation to thought provoking activities

or support our work.

Call 01761 438852 email info@creativityworks.org.uk or visit www.creativityworks.org.uk Registered Charity No. 1075812 Company No. 3768255 Creativity Works for Everyone is a company limited by guarantee registered in England

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EDUCATIONspecial

The right school for your child

arents facing the prospect of choosing a new school for their child need to do their homework before they make this most important of decisions, say education experts. Study the school’s website, its brochure, the latest Ofsted report and check it’s exam results. But beyond that, the next best thing to do is make sure you visit the school, ideally on one of its open days. This will mean taking the time and trouble to visit several schools to make it easier to select the one that will suit your child best. On arrival you’ll need to start making a mental list of what you see, and, most importantly, what you feel. Could you imagine your child sitting happily among the pupils you see in the school? Do you feel that this is a nurturing environment which will get the best out of your child? If this is your child’s first school you will want to meet the teacher who is going to be such a huge influence on their lives, and who will spend much of each day with your little one. Does that teacher display pleasure in his/her class? Listen out for their genuine enthusiasm in the children and pride in their acheivements. You will want your child to feel comfortable, happy and receptive to learning. The headteacher is also someone you’ll want to meet or at least hear them in person addressing an audience. A good head can make a school, a weak one can bring it down. You don’t have to necessarily like them but you want to feel they have strong leadership skills and a good moral compass. If you feel unhappy with the school’s core beliefs it may be that this isn’t the right establishment for your family values.

You can smell if a school is ❝ going well – Janette Wallis, of The Good Schools Guide – Remember you are choosing a school to suit your child, not you

❞

Think about what your child needs. One mother said: “We were looking round this school, which had a fantastic academic record. The boys all seemd to be high fliers and their rugby prowess was clearly important to them too. I looked at my husband who was clearly impressed, and then down at our son, who does find academic work challenging and is more interested in art and drama than sport. I did wonder if he would fit in here.” What is the school’s policy on help with learning difficulties, if required? Or if teachers find they have a high achiever in their class, how their special needs be accommodated? How does the school clamp down on bullying? Sad to say, but in these recessionary times, it pays to check out the school’s financial status. Take a close look at the state of repair of the buildings, is money being invested in facilities for sport, art and drama. If you’re considering the expense of an independent school find out whether there are scholarships or bursaries which your child could be eligible for. Naturally we want our children to achieve success in the national examination system, since these are the recognised hurdles they have to cross in order to go to university and then as an entrance for many careers. But parents also want offspring who are well-rounded individuals who have been given the opportunity to explore different skills and activities. Find out what else the school offers beyond passing exams – is there a thriving drama group putting on productions? Does the school take part in the Duke of Edinburgh scheme, or encourage its students to work as volunteers in the local community? If your child has the potential to become an Olympic athlete, in whatever field, wouldn’t it be reassuring to know that her teachers might spot this latent talent and nurture it? Music, after school clubs and activities all give students a more rounded WWW.THEBATHMAGAZINE.CO.UK

education. The most enlightened schools recognise that young people need to have a range of skills, from being sociable and well mannered to being able to cook, read a map or change a car tyre as well as recall the names of chemical elements or key dates in British history. Pastoral care is also really important in the school’s culture. If, heaven forbid, something happened to you or your partner, would the school be equiped to give your child the emotional support required? This is all the more vital should you be considering boarding for your offspring. A good school will be able to handle any homesickness issues sensitively, being aware of your needs as well as theirs. The atmosphere of a happy boarding house is almost tangible, so listen to your gut feelings when you are visiting the school. You should be able to walk into a school and you and your child feel at home. Trust your instincts and making the right decision will be easier. ■

The Good Schools Guide five pitfalls to avoid on a school visit ● Don’t base your opinion of the school on the geeky, sullen or charming pupil who shows you round. ● Don’t ask the children what they like or dislike about their school in front of their teachers or other staff – they will lie. ● Don’t focus on last year’s exam results – they could be a blip. Always ask to see the past three years’ exam results and the past three years’ list of leavers’ destinations. ● Don’t let an independent school persuade you to pay a registration fee in order to attend its open day. ● Don’t pass up lunch, tea or orange squash and biscuits in the canteen. Enjoy the refreshment, listen to the sixth form chamber music ensemble and, above all, take advantage of the opportunity to meet other prospective parents.

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Hayesfield Girls’ School Upper Oldfield Park, Brougham Hayes, Bath, BA2 3QU. Tel: 01225 426 151 www.hayesfield.com Autumn Term: 4 September – 18 December Spring Term: 6 January – 3 April 14 Summer Term: 22 April – 18 July 14 Age of pupils: 11 – 16 girls, 16 – 18 co-educational Number of pupils: 1,107 Day Fees: N/A Religious denomination: Non-denominational The curriculum: The school offers a range of stimulating learning opportunities which support the development of good habits of learning – independence of thought, intellectual curiosity, creativity and resilience. A strong emphasis is also placed on developing students’ critical capacity to evaluate their own progress and the skills to support future learning. Cross-curricular and wider learning subjects include Innovate, STEM-based learning for Year 7, Inspire philosophy learning for year 8 and masterclasses for years 7-9. More than 40 A Level subjects are offered in the sixth form, in conjunction with Bath Education Trust partner schools. Extra curricular aActivities: Freshers’ Fairs are held for all year groups, promoting clubs and societies which cover a huge range of areas from the Polyglots and the Drama Society, to the Christian Union and Debating. Choose from netball, athletics and zumba to yoga, hockey, lacrosse and rowing. Students can use the fitness suite in and out of school hours. Pastoral care: There is a strong belief in traditional values at Hayesfield; high standards are set in work, conduct and appearance. Emphasis is placed on developing the skills and values that will enable students to become thinking, informed and confident adults. Each tutor group is part of the house system which consists of six houses, each named after an influential woman. Name of Principal: Ms Erica Draisey Outstanding characteristics: Hayesfield is recognised as outstanding in its leadership and management and the behaviour and safety of its students. New facilities include buildings for PE and performing arts, science, design and technology and a new sixth form centre. Oftsted, 2013 stated: “Teachers have high expectations of what students can achieve and high levels of mutual respect have been established. This has resulted in a positive learning atmosphere across the school.”

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Grittleton House

Oldfield School

Grittleton House School, Grittleton, Chippenham, Wiltshire, SN14 6AP. www.gritteltonhouseschool.org

Kelston Road, Bath, BA1 9AB Tel: 01225 423 582 www.oldfield.bathnes.sch.uk

Autumn Term: 3 September – 19 December Spring Term: 6 January – 4 April 14 Summer Term: 22 April - 3 July 14

Autumn Term: 2 September – 20 December Spring Term: 6 January – 11 April 14 Summer Term: 28 April – 21 July 14

Age of pupils: 2 – 16

Age of pupils: 11 – 18 boys and girls

Number of pupils: 223

Number of pupils: 800

Day Fees: £2,370 - £3,530 per term

Day fees: N/A

Religious denomination: Non-denominational

Religious denomination: Nondenominational

Extra curricular activities: Grittleton House offers a broad range of extra-curricular activities, including; tennis, judo, music, science club, walking club and various sports. Pastoral Care: In the infant and junior school, each class has a form teacher who is responsible for the overall learning and care of each child within their class. Parents are encouraged to visit the classrooms in the infant school when dropping children off to admire their work and keep in contact with the form teacher. As the children move through the Junior School they become more independent. Each pupil also has a home message book which is used to communicate between school and home. Teachers can, of course, be contacted at any time should the need arise. In the senior school form teachers are responsible for the pastoral care of students and the supervision of each individual’s progress. Time is allocated each day for form business, advice and guidance. Name of Principal: Mr N Dawes Outstanding characteristics: Grittleton House School is an independent, family-run coeducational day school. It is set in 30 acres of Wiltshire countryside and has a staff of highly qualified and dedicated teachers. The school believes in traditional family values, courtesy, consideration and responsibility for oneself. The aim is to help each child achieve their full potential in every field, and the school motto To Strive is to Accomplish is, it hopes, a daily fact of life. As a non-selective school additional subjects and activities are offered to the gifted and talented so that they may be stretched, we also ensure that extra support is given where needed so that all pupils have the tools to achieve their potential and in turn gain the highest results. Grittleton House offers high quality education for the whole family. By the time the children leave Grittleton House, the school hopes that not only will they have achieved excellent academic results, but that they will have a feeling of selfworth and the confidence and values to equip them for a happy and successful future.

The curriculum: Oldfield provides a broad and balanced curriculum which celebrates the achievements of each and every individual. At KS4 GCSE courses are offered including business studies, dance, physics, chemistry and biology. In the sixth form students take AS and A-Levels including philosophy and ethics, dance, applied science, photography, psychology and computing. Students can also take the Sports Leaders’ Award, and Food Hygiene Award and the Certificate of Personal Effectiveness. Residential experiences are built into the curriculum so that students may choose to go on outdoor activities in Bude, Oxenwood or Aberdovey, on languagebased visits to France, on World Challenge Expeditions to Morocco, Costa Rica or Cambodia or ski trips. Extra curricular activities: Students have access to an extensive extra-curricular provision including public speaking, creative writing, drama, music, rowing, judo, dance, fencing and Duke of Edinburgh awards. Pastoral care: Ofsted 2012 said: “Students' behaviour in and outside of lessons is impeccable. Students are polite, courteous, helpful and constructive." Name of Principal: Mrs Kim Sparling Outstanding characteristics: Oldfield has been designated a High Performing Specialist School with three separate specialisms: science, arts and sport. As a school rated outstanding by Ofsted it converted to academy status. The headteacher is a National Leader of Education and the school is a National Support School (tasked to help other schools improve). Boys were admitted to Year 7 for the first time in September 2012.

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St Mark’s C of E School St Mark’s Church of England School, Bay Tree Road, Larkhall, Bath, BA1 6ND. Tel: 01225 312 661 www.st-marks.bathnes.sch.uk Autumn Term: 2 September – 20 December Spring Term: 6 January – 4 April 14 Summer Term: 22 April – 22 July 14 Age of pupils: 11 – 18. The New Sixth, the joint sixth form provision for St Mark’s C of E School and St Gregory’s Catholic College, opens September 2013 Number of pupils: 255 Day fees: N/A Religious denomination: Church of England The curriculum: St Mark’s is a co-educational Church of England voluntary aided and comprehensive secondary school founded on Christian values with a strong family and community ethos. The curriculum at St Mark’s is an interesting blend of those subjects which fulfil the national curriculum and those areas of experience which they consider essential for students. Extra curricular activities: Students are encouraged to take part in a broad range of extra-curricular opportunities to promote wellbeing and increase participation in the community. These include residential visits, after-school clubs and community projects, including Duke of Edinburgh awards. Pastoral care: “St Mark’s School is a distinctive caring Christian community with a strong and inclusive family ethos.” SIAS Report. The personal development and well-being of students is paramount and Christian values are central to their educational purpose. The Sanctuary is the school’s own chaplaincy provision and is supported by a full-time chaplain to provide a quiet space for contemplation. Name of Principal: Mr Raymond Friel MA (Hons), NPQH National Leader of Education. Outstanding Characteristics: : St Mark’s is an Outstanding Church of England School (SIAS) and rated good by Ofsted, June 2013. Its Ofsted Inspection in June recognised the very significant improvement at St Mark’s, noting the dramatic increases in the levels of pupil attainment and the very high percentage of good teaching. Ofsted inspectors also commented that ‘students are proud of their school’ and that they feel safe in school, well cared for and part of the ‘school family.’ At capacity, St Mark’s School has around 500 places, well below the national average, making it an attractive option for parents looking for a small, yet distinctive school for their child.

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St Gregory’s

King Edward’s School

St Gregory’s Catholic College, Combe Hay Lane, Odd Down, Bath, BA2 8PA. Tel: 01225 832 873 ww.st-gregorys.org.uk Autumn Term: 2 September – 20 December Spring Term: 6 January – 4 April 14 Summer Term: 22 April – 22 July 14 Age of Pupils: 11 – 18. The New Sixth, the joint sixth form provision for St Mark’s C of E School and St Gregory’s Catholic College, opens September 2013 Number of pupils: 812 Day Fees: N/A Religious denomination: Catholic The curriculum: St Gregory’s has a welldeserved reputation for academic excellence, based on consistently excellent performance in public examinations. GCSE results are among the best in the country with 80% of Year 11 pupils achieving five or more A*-C passes in 2012 and 40% of all GCSE exam entries achieving A*-A. Extra curricular activities: A varied and dynamic timetable of events, classes, and residential trips is available for students to enjoy throughout the year. There is also a wide range of international links with schools in China, Europe and India with opportunities for the students to visit these countries and grow in understanding and respect for their cultures. A vibrant sports culture has resulted in many regional awards for rugby, football, netball and basketball. Pastoral care: St Gregory’s has a high level of pastoral care with an inclusive atmosphere. Not all of the children are Catholic and the school welcomes applications from families who share its values and want their children educated in a high achieving Christian environment. Name of Executive Headteacher: Mr Raymond Friel MA (Hons), NPQH National Leader of Education. Outstanding characteristics: St Gregory’s, in the words of its most recent Ofsted report in July 2013, is an outstanding school. Every aspect of its provision was judged as outstanding, which means that St Gregory’s joins a very small number of schools nationally to be graded as outstanding in the tough new Ofsted framework. The Good Schools Guide 2011 described St Gregory’s as a ‘top choice non-fee paying Catholic secondary in the area, in our view. Long journey times from huge catchment area and hotly contested places are testament to the thirst for this kind of spiritually-led education, which turns out great results and thoroughly nice kids.’

King Edward’s Senior and Junior School, North Road, Bath, BA2 6HU; Pre-Prep and Nursery School, Weston Lane, Bath, BA1 4AQ Senior School tel: 01225 421 681; Junior School tel: 01225 463 218; Pre-Prep tel: 01225 421 681 www.kesbath.com Autumn Term: 4 September – 13 December Spring Term: 6 January – 4 April 14 Summer Term: 23 April – 9 July 14 Age of pupils: 3 – 18 co-educational across sixth form, senior, junior, pre-prep and nursery school Number of pupils: senior school 715, junior 198, pre-prep and nursery school 102 Day fees: nursery £2,340, pre-prep £2,845, junior £3,150, senior £3,985, sixth form £4,050 Religious denomination: Non-denominational. Spiritual development is nurtured by a well developed sense of community, supportive relationships and the vital contribution of tutors and the school chaplain. The curriculum: Every individual is encouraged to strive for excellence and to acquire a life-long passion for knowledge, discovery, creativity and culture. There is breadth in the curriculum as well as academic rigour. A range of subjects are taught at GCSE, AS and A-Level. Extra curricular activities: Pupils’ educational experience is enhanced by an extensive programme of activities including expedition society, Duke of Edinburgh award, Combined Cadet Force, drama, music, sports, Model United Nations, debating society, astronomy, philosophy, society, first aid, literary club and recreational clubs such as modelling, jewellery and book club. Pastoral care: The Independent Schools Inspectorate found the quality of pastoral care, support and guidance to be outstanding. The school offers a strong, caring and supportive pastoral framework, working closely with parents to ensure that all members of the school community feel respected and valued. Name of principal: Mr Martin Boden Outstanding characteristics: The school is in The Telegraph’s top ten independent coeducational day schools based on A-Level and GCSE results.

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Monkton Prep & Pre-Prep

Monkton Prep School, Combe Down, Bath, BA2 7ET. Tel: 01225 837 912 www.monktoncombeschool.com

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Prior Park College Ralph Allen Drive, Bath, BA2 5AH. Tel: 01225 831 000 www.thepriorfoundation.com

Lansdown, Bath, BA1 5RG. Tel: 01225 734 210 www.kingswood.bath.sch.uk

Autumn Term: 4 September – 13 December 13 Spring Term: 6 January – 28 March 14 Summer Term: 22 April – 5 July 14

Open Morning: Sat 5th October 13 6th Form Open evening: Wed 9th October 13 Spring Term: 7 January 14 Summer Term: 22 April 14

Age of pupils: 11 – 18 years Number of pupils: 580+

Age of pupils: 11 – 18 years Number of pupils: 670

Autumn Term: 2 September – 11 December Spring Term: 6 January – 28 March 14 Summer Term: 23 April – 5 July 14

Day fees: Per Term: Years 7-8 £4,345 Years 9-13 £4,795, Full Boarding Years 9-13 £8,875, Weekly Boarding Years 9-13 £7,5454

Age of pupils: 2 – 13 Number of pupils: 365

Religious denomination: Catholic, but all faiths welcomed

Fees: pre-prep £2,782 - £2,980, prep(day) £3,495 - £5,096, prep(boarding) £6,750 £7,275

The Curriculum: The College is thriving and received an ‘Outstanding’ from Ofsted in its most recent inspection, and an ‘Outstanding’ in all areas in its November 2011 ISI Inspection. The school offers 24 AS and A2 subjects while pupils study 10 or 11 GCSE subjects. The school prides itself on the quality of its learning environment, supported by state-of-the-art IT systems, and very strong teacher/student partnerships based on mutual respect and commitment to learning.

Religious denomination: Christian The curriculum: pre-prep: nursery, kindergarten or reception: National guidelines for the teaching of under fives. Year 1 and 2 follow the national curriculum at Key Stage 1. Prep school: year 3 to year 6: national curriculum at Key Stage 2. Year 7 to year 8: national curriculum at Key Stage 3, Common Entrance and scholarship. Extra curricular activities: Riding, fencing, tennis, cub-scout group, swimming, football, drama, choir, art club – the choice of activities at the prep is extremely varied. The activity programme is one of the most exciting parts of life at Monkton Prep. Pastoral care: Maintaining the delicate balance between academic success and personal development is one of the school’s great strengths and the happiness of every child is of paramount importance. The pastoral care system is designed to make each child feel valued and supported as well as identifying any problems at a very early stage. The headmaster and his family and house parents with their families all live on site, creating a warm, family atmosphere. Name of Principal: Mr Chris Stafford (retires December '14) then Mr Andrew MarshallTaylor Outstanding characteristics: Monkton Prep has recently been inspected by the Independent Schools Inspectorate and achieved the most remarkable results of excellent in all five main categories and each of the 15 sub-sections. This means that every part of the school from nursery through to boarding was judged to be at the level of excellence. The school is proud of this but what Monkton Prep stands up for is traditional and lasting Christian family values, defending the right of children to be children, and ensuring that every child who passes through Monkton Prep goes into the socalled real world a decent, upright, moral and emotionally intelligent human being, able to play a part in transforming society.

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Kingswood School

Extra Curricular Activities: The school has outstanding facilities with over 20 music, drama and dance productions held in the magnificent Chapel, John Wood Chapel, Julian Slade Theatre and Mackintosh Studio each year. A broad and balanced sporting curriculum helps to promote sporting excellence and sporting opportunities for all. A new, state-of-the-art Sports Centre will begin construction in January 2014. More than 60 weekday activities along with a popular Saturday Active programme brings the day and boarding communities together with a number of exciting programmes on offer. Pastoral Care: The Pastoral Care programme is classed as outstanding with Housemasters and Housemistresses supported by a dedicated group of tutors who each address the needs of a small group of students.A vibrant and supportive culture exists within each of the Houses. Name of Principal: Mr James Murphy O’Connor, MA Oxon Outstanding characteristics: A happy, purposeful, high achieving community in which talents can blossom without censure from peers.

Day fees: annual senior school fees are; day £12,759 annual boarding £27,498 Religious denomination: Methodist Foundation The curriculum: Kingswood School provides a broad and balanced curriculum to foster every individual’s educational development – spiritual, moral, social, academic, cultural and physical. Kingswood has a tradition of dedicated teachers who give generously of themselves. This results in high academic standards and excellent performances in public examinations. Extra curricular activities: Kingswood offers pupils around 100 recreational activities, clubs and societies. Creative, sporting and musical activities are positively encouraged, providing a high level of fun and fulfilment for all ages. Pupils are also able to take part in the Duke of Edinburgh award scheme and join the local CCF. Pastoral care: pastoral care has been judged as exceptional at inspection and the relationships between staff and pupils in the school are highly regarded by parents. Each senior school pupil has a personal tutor who mentors them. The tutor keeps in close contact with parents or guardians and is responsible for assisting each tutee with their own independent learning plan, so that, through discussion, personal targets can be set regularly and support provided to achieve pupils’ aims. The boarding and day pupils combine throughout the house system which ensures a strong sense of community. Name of Principal: Mr Simon Morris Outstanding characteristics: Kingswood welcomes students from many parts of the world to enrich the learning experience of all pupils. Particular strengths in music and drama enhance the academic reputation. A school that embraces all round excellence and prepares children for their adult lives.

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Beechen Cliff School Headmaster: A Davies

Boys 11-18 School 1180 pupils Popular Co-Educational Sixth Form of 300 Excellent Academic Standards

GCSE 2013: 85 achieving 5 or more A* - C grades 80 achieving 5 or more A* - C grades including Maths and English

Prospective Parentsâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; Evening Tuesday 24th September 6.00pm - 8.30pm Open Morning Wednesday 2nd October 9.00am - 12pm

Beechen Cliff School Alexandra Park, Bath BA2 4RE Telephone: 01225 480466 Fax: 01225 314025 Email: headmaster@beechencliff.org.uk Company No: 07551986 (limited by guarantee) exempt Charity

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The Paragon School

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Calder House

Lyncombe House, Lyncombe Vale, BA2 4LT. Tel: 01225 310 837 www.thepriorfoundation.com

St Brendan’s Sixth Form College, Broomhill Road, Brislington, Bristol, BS4 5RQ. Tel: 0117 977 7766 info@stbrn.ac.uk www.stbrn.ac.uk

Autumn Term: 4 September – 13 December Half Term: 24 October – 3 November Spring Term: 7 January – 28 March 14 Half Term: 15 February – 23 February 14 Summer Term: 23 April – 9 July 14 Half Term: 24 May – 1 June 14

Autumn Term: 30 August – 19 December Spring Term: 6 January – 4 April 14 Summer Term: 22 April – 4 July 14

Age of pupils: 3 – 11 Number of pupils: 265 Day Fees: per term, juniors: Years 3,4,5 and 6, including lunches: £2,930; infants: Years 1 & 2, including lunches: £2,790; reception, including lunches: £2,630; Squirrels nursery: full time, including lunches: £2,510 per term

Thickwood Lane, Colerne, Wiltshire, SN14 8BN. Tel: 01225 742 329 www.CalderHouseSchool.co.uk Head@CalderHouseSchool.co.uk

Religious denomination: Christian

Autumn Term: 9 September – 18 December Spring Term: 7 January – 4 April 14 Summer Term: 28 April – 25 July 14

The curriculum: broad, balanced curriculum, with cross-curricular links and some topic based work. Emphasis on core subjects and attaining high academic standards, with engaging humanities curriculum and crosscurricular ICT. Sport, art, music and outdoor learning are strong. Extra curricular activities: A fantastic choice of extra-curricular activities from pottery and chess to conservation and ballet. Staff run around 70 lunchtime and after school clubs. The majority of clubs focus on enjoyment and exploring new interests. Some of the clubs are by invitation only to provide children with opportunities for their skill levels. There is also a rich mix of school trip and activity days, including a week in France for children in Year 6, visits to local history sites, a residential adventure centre, and many themed days that make full use of the grounds. Pastoral care: Every child at The Paragon should feel secure and affirmed, valued for who they are regardless of their ability. Children feel comfortable about approaching a teacher to talk about something that’s bothering them. Strong relationships with parents help identify problems at an early stage. Each class has a prefect, chosen from the eldest year group, to support and advise them. A school council, with democratically elected representatives from Year 2 up, meets monthly with the headmaster. Name of Principal: Mr Andrew Harvey Outstanding characteristics: The Paragon feels so special: its friendly famil' atmosphere and belief that happy children learn best is at the heart of what they do (with the results to prove it).

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St Brendan’s

Age of pupils: 5 – 12 years Number of pupils: 48 Day fees: £5,075 per term (£15,225 per year) includes all remedial support required to meet each pupil’s individual needs. Religious denomination: Non-denominational The curriculum: Pupils follow the national curriculum in full. Morning lessons focus on reading, writing, spelling and maths while afternoons are spent studying history, geography, science, religious studies, PSHE, information technology, spoken Italian and Latin and in small age-appropriate classes. Pupils are also taught a wide range of sports and activities including swimming, PE, football, touch-rugby, netball and cricket. A specialist approach: Calder House is a small co-educational day school for children who, for various reasons, are out of step with their potential. It offers a friendly, non-competitive environment in which children with dyslexia and other specific learning/language difficulties are encouraged to enjoy school while developing the skills they need to successfully return to mainstream education. Average class size is just eight with a staff to pupil ratio of one to four. Principal: Mr Andrew Day Outstanding characteristics: A typical pupil: - arrives with an unmeasurable reading age or one that is more than two years behind their chronological age - spends just over two years at Calder House - leaves with a reading age appropriate for their chronological age or (in the case of one in three pupils) an adult reading age - returns successfully to mainstream education.

Age of pupils: 16 – 18 years Number of pupils: 1,700 Day fees: No fees for those aged 16 – 18 and resident in the UK. Religious denomination: St Brendan’s is a Catholic college which welcomes students from any religious or non-religious background. It is a diverse community with staff and students from a wide variety of backgrounds and traditions. The curriculum: St Brendan’s offers over 70 different courses at Level 2 (BTEC) and Level 3 (A-level and BTEC) plus GCSEs and The International Baccalaureate. Its courses can be taken in virtually any combination and are all taught on one site. Extra curricular activities: There is a huge enrichment programme available to students ranging from activities to enhance the courses you take (College drama production, CineClub, etc.); or ones that you feel passionately about (Fair Trade,CAFOD, etc.); or that offer a challenge or chance to keep fit (Duke of Edinburgh, gym, rugby, etc.). Pastoral care: St Brendan’s has always been highly praised for the pastoral care that it provides for all of its students – everyone has a Pastoral Support Tutor who is responsible for monitoring and supporting their academic progress and personal welfare. In addition the college has a dedicated team who provide additional learning support which is tailored to individual needs. All of this combined with the college's distinctive catholic ethos, where every individual is regarded as a unique creation of God, in an environment of respect, care and tolerance of each other, means that all of the ingredients are here for students to fulfill their potential and realise their aspirations. If students are ambitious to achieve highly in a more adult atmosphere, we would be delighted to welcome them and guide them to success. Name of Principal: Michael Jaffrain Outstanding characteristics: St Brendan’s Sixth Form College is the only dedicated sixth form provider in the area and our selfcontained campus and state-of-the-art buildings provide a unique community feel.

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Dauntsey’s West Lavington, Devizes, Wiltshire, SN10 4HE. Tel: 01380 814 500 www.dauntseys.org Autumn Term: 6 September – 13 December Spring Term: 7 January – 28 March 14 Summer Term: 23 April – 5 July 14

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All Hallows

Westonbirt School

Cranmore Hall, Shepton Mallet, Somerset, BA4 4SF. Tel: 01749 881600 www.allhallowsschool.co.uk info@allhallowsschool.co.uk Autumn Term: 5 September – 13 December Spring Term: 6 January – 1 April 14 Summer Term: 23 April – 2 July 14

Age of pupils: 11 – 18 years Age of pupils: 4 – 13 years Number of pupils: 790 Number of pupils: 300 approx Day fees: Day pupils: £5,455 per term UK boarders: £9,195 per term

Day fees: Years 3 to 8: £4,425; pre-prep: £2,350; boarding: £6,550 Religious denomination: Catholic foundation welcoming all faiths

Religious denomination: Inter-denominational The curriculum: The curriculum throughout the school is broad and balanced, offering all pupils the opportunity to study an extensive range of subjects. Lessons are delivered by specialist teachers in a challenging and stimulating environment that is conducive to a positive and enjoyable learning experience for the pupils. Dauntsey’s is keen to promote independent learning, enabling pupils to fulfil their potential and develop a range of key skills needed in later life. The timetable offers a great deal of flexibility with a well-structured weekly lesson arrangement and the extensive options system provides well for the different interests and aptitudes of all pupils. Extra curricular activities: All pupils discover a breadth and depth of education that takes them beyond academic achievement. Drama, music, art and sport all flourish and the rural surroundings provide an ideal setting for many outdoor activities which include sailing on the school’s very own Tall Ship, the famous 56’ gaff cutter, the Jolie Brise. Pastoral care: At Dauntsey’s each pupil joins a boarding or day house and is supported by his or her housemaster or housemistress and a team of tutors. Their aim is to ensure each pupil fulfils their potential and makes the most of the varied opportunities on offer at Dauntsey’s. Name of Principal: Mr Mark Lascelles MA Outstanding characteristics: The equal balance of boarding and day pupils, the wide range of facilities, and the excellent pastoral support ensure that everyone feels part of the community. Visitors comment on the happy and friendly atmosphere; the energy, purpose and determination to do well.

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The curriculum: All Hallows is a very special place to grow, live and work, a school radiating warmth and vibrancy. At the heart of All Hallows’ success is a vision aimed at nurturing each individual and developing the whole child through cutting edge education and rich and varied experiences, underpinned by the unswerving certainty that Christian values are paramount. An extensive range of activities is available year round together with an acclaimed Saturday enrichment programme. Both are greatly enhanced by a forest school and tennis academy in the school grounds. Pastoral care: This unique school provides a secure and happy environment where children will develop the inner confidence necessary to flourish in a rapidly changing world. Whilst protected and nurtured, the children are also challenged and stretched in order to build their ability to thrive as adults in the future. Name of Principal: Mr Ian Murphy Outstanding characteristics: All Hallows offers an exceptionally warm and loving environment coupled with excellent facilities and a headmaster who will not rest on his laurels. Non-selective on entry the school is particularly proud that around 40% of pupils each year receive scholarships.

Tetbury, Gloucestershire, GL8 8QG. Tel: 01666 880 333, www.westonbirt.gloucs.sch.uk Autumn Term: 3 September – 14 December Spring Term: 6 January – 28 March 14 Summer Term: 23 April – 5 July 14 Age of pupils: 11 – 18 years Number of pupils: 220 Day fees: £5,650 - £6,960 Boarders: £8,435 - £10,995 Religious dDenomination: Church of England The curriculum: Girls in the lower school benefit from a full range of core subjects plus geography, history, IT, sport, art, drama, design technology, music, textiles and food technology. There are a wide range of GCSE and A-Level options available with the sciences and art amongst the most popular choices. We are also introducing media studies and dance into the curriculum from September 2013. Extra curricular activities: Drama, music and dance are always popular, but there are a wide range of other activities and clubs on offer, from riding and golf to knitting and fencing. Our leisure centre boasts a 25m heated pool, fitness suite, sports hall and aerobics studio. For older girls we have a Leiths cookery school and girls have the opportunity to join the Duke of Edinburgh award scheme and World Challenge, or try their business skills out in Young Enterprise. There are planned activities every weekend including cultural, fun and shopping trips, which are open to day girls as well as boarders. Pastoral care: At Westonbirt we provide a happy, secure yet stimulating environment for all girls. We achieve this through our boarding ethos which is shared by our day girls. The headmistress knows all the pupils individually and they have an excellent rapport with teaching staff and housemistresses alike. Name of Principal: Mrs Natasha Dangerfield Outstanding characteristics: Westonbirt Schools encourage every pupil to realise their full potential, instilling confidence without arrogance, delivered through an education which combines tradition with modernity. The school benefits from outstanding teaching and state-of-the-art facilities including a £3m sports centre, music technology suite and a new business school opening from September. We aim to balance the academic, cultural and recreational within a strong spiritual framework all set in 210 acres of inspiring rural parklands in the heart of the Cotswolds.

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Wells Cathedral School 15 The Liberty, Wells, BA5 2ST Admissions Tel: 01749 834 213 The school has a six-term year, typically running from September – October; November – December 13; January – February; February – April; April – May; June – July 14

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Downside Stratton on the Fosse, Bath BA3 4RJ Tel: 01761 235103 Email: registrar@downside.co.uk www.downside.co.uk @downsideschool

Age of pupils: 3 – 18

Autumn Term: 3 September Spring Term: 6 January 14 Summer Term: 23 April 14

Number of pupils: 700

Age of pupils: 11-18

Day Fees: pre-prep £2,249; junior school £4,164; lower school £5,129; upper school £5,307 per term

Number of pupils: 370 Day fees: £4,718 - £5,249 per term Boarding fees: £7,513 - £9,458 per term

Religious denomination: Christian Religious denomination: Catholic The curriculum: English, maths, science, history, geography, geology, ICT, drama, music, art & design technology, games, PSHE, PE, religious studies, modern languages including French, German, Italian, Spanish and Mandarin. Extra curricular activities: Music, dance, drama, art plus a full range of sports activities including cricket, tennis, athletics, hockey, rugby, netball, swimming and football. Excellent facilities allow for this. Duke of Edinburgh, Combined Cadet Force, choir, computer club, Mandarin, Latin, Green Club, gymnastics, orchestras / ensembles to name a few. The choristers enjoy a full programme of choral practice and performances in the cathedral. Pastoral care: The school prides itself on its good pastoral care. The school motto Be what you are – Esto Quod Es – is strongly advocated; there is great emphasis on nurturing the individual. Name of Principal: Mrs Elizabeth Cairncross Outstanding characteristics: Specialist music school, excellent pastoral care, varied curriculum, strong sporting tradition. Emphasis on the performing and creative arts. Specialist maths scheme started September 2011 for outstanding mathematicians entering year 7.

Ralph Allen School

The curriculum: Outstanding examination results are the priority. All pupils are encouraged to aspire to the highest academic standards and discover intellectual pursuits that will stay with them for life. A thriving academic life stretches the brightest pupils, and provides structured support for the less able. Year group academic societies, subject societies, field trips and overseas tours all encourage the pupils to develop interests far beyond the restrictions of the examination curriculum. Almost all pupils go on to undergraduate study at Russell Group universities. Extra curricular activities: Co-curricular activities provide vital experiences and opportunities and Downside offers an exceptionally wide choice to its pupils. All boys and girls are expected to participate; there are extended time slots for activities, clubs and societies, drama, music and sport on every weekday afternoon, and a huge range of activities also take place outside the formal cocurricular times. The school is particularly renowned for the quality of its music and sport. Pastoral care: Downside is proud of its outstanding pastoral support for all pupils and has long been known for its strong sense of community. Nearly all Downside pupils are seven-day-a-week boarders, 16 per cent of pupils are from overseas. Weekends for boarders are full, busy and purposeful, with a full programme of activities. Name of Headmaster: Dom Leo Maidlow Davis Outstanding characteristics: “Pupils are extremely well educated both inside and outside the classroom.” ISI Inspection Report 2013.

Claverton Down Road, Bath, BA2 7AD. Tel: 01225 832 936 enquiries@ralphallen.bathnes.org.uk www.ralphallen.bathnes.sch.uk Autumn term: Tuesday 3 September - Friday 20 December 2013 Spring Term: Monday 6 January - Friday 4 April 2014 Summer term: Tuesday 22 April - Friday 18 July 2014 Number of pupils: 1080 Extra-Curricular Activities: The school team were crowned Lego Robotics World Champions 2013. As well as Lego robotics, a wide range of extra-curricular activities is available. Opportunities include PE, dance, drama, music, art, science, STEM, maths, foreign languages, debating, photography, rockets, books, Warhammer and girls’ football. The Wednesday Windows project is a menu of timetabled extended curricular activities. The school runs residential and day curricular and non-curricular enrichment trips. Name of Principal: Mr Tim Withers BA (Hons) MA Outstanding characteristics: Ralph Allen School maintains its excellent record in ALevel and GCSE success and is in the top 300 schools in The Times 2013 results. Of the 298 A level entries 35% of grades were A* or A, bucking the national trend, and 84% of all grades were either A*, A, B or C. The overall pass rate is a very healthy 99%. At GCSE 73% gained 5 or more A* - C grades including English and Mathematics. Overall 80% of Year 11 students at Ralph Allen School gained 5 or more A*- C grades which is the highest in the school’s history. 98% of students achieved 5 or more A* - G passes. 28% of the students - almost a third - achieved 5 or more A* to A grades including English and mathematics and 12 students achieved all A* and A grades. Ralph Allen is going from strength to strength and continues to be a very popular choice for Bath parents. Students started using the allweather sports pitch in April 2013 and in September 2013 the new Lee Centre with a focus on STEM is opening its doors to students and the wider community. It will be the centre for our outstanding sixth form, forming an inspirational environment for study. The school is a Science College, a Dyson Partnership School and winners of the World Lego robotics championships in 2013.

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The Bath Studio School The Bath Studio School (opening September 2014) Frome Road, Bath, BA2 5RF Tel: 01225 831933 info@thebathstudioschool.org.uk www.thebathstudioschool.org.uk

The Royal High School Lansdown Road, Bath, BA1 5SZ. Tel: 01225 313877 www.royalhighbath.gdst.net Autumn Term: 9 September - 18 December 13 Spring Term: 7 January - 4 April 14 Summer Term: 22 April - 10 July 14

Autumn Term: 11 September 2014 Age of Pupils: Girls aged 3 – 18 Age of pupils: 14 –19 boys and girls Number of Pupils: 670 Number of pupils: 300 Port Regis, Motcombe Park, Shaftesbury, Dorset SP7 9QA, www.portregis.com, Tel: 01747 857800 Autumn Term: 5 September – 6 December Lent Term: 9 January – 28 March 14 Summer Term: 24 April – 4 July 14 Age of pupils: 3-13 Number of pupils: 345 total (prep and preprep) 230 day and 115 boarding – 180 boys and 165 girls Fees: full boarders and weekly boarders A-D Forms (Years 8-5) £7,835.00 per term E & F Forms (Years 4 & 3) £7,525.00 per term Day boarders (break, lunch & supper included) A-D Forms (Years 8-5) £6,055.00 per term E & F Forms (Years 4 & 3) £5,910.00 per term Religious denomination: Church of England Extra curricular activities: Extensive opportunities are provided for music, drama, and art, with woodwork, electronics, riding, rifle shooting, karate, gymnastics and canoeing included in a list of over 70 hobby options. Major team games are rugby, hockey, soccer, netball, cricket and rounders. Home and abroad expeditions take place. Pastoral care: The high standard of boarding provision is an impressively strong feature of the school, which explains why well over two thirds of the boys and girls choose to board (awarded outstanding by Ofsted following its recent boarding inspection). The tutor system forms a vital link between the family and the school. The tutor’s role is to encourage and assist his or her tutees in all aspects of school life so that parents can be confident that there is a dedicated adult who takes a personal interest in their child’s well being at all times. Name of Principal: Mr Benedict Dunhill Outstanding characteristics: The school’s outstanding facilities are second to none in the prep school world and comprise a dedicated music school, environmentally-friendly academic classroom block, exceptional glassfronted dining hall, nine-hole (18 tee) golf course, extensive playing fields, all-weather hockey pitch (Astroturf), huge sports hall and dedicated gym as well as a glass-fronted indoor 25m swimming pool. The staff, the outstanding facilities and the very strong boarding community are what makes this school so special.

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Day Fees: N/A

Day Fees: per annum £8060(Nursery), £ 8242 (Junior), £11,193 (Senior), £11,685 (Sixth Form)

Religious denomination: Non-denominational Religious Denomination: Non-denominational The curriculum: The Bath Studio School has state-of-the-art facilities where students will choose one of the following specialist areas alongside core subjects: creative media, journalism and broadcasting; business & administration; IT, computing and graphic design. Students will spend a significant amount of time in real work placements each week gaining on-the-job experience. From the age of 16, these placements could include paid work. Extra curricular activities: Students will wear business dress rather than a traditional uniform and will also keep hours similar to the real world of work. All students will have access to physical education, PHSE, team building, careers education, personal finance education and employability skills, either on site or through our partner schools. Pastoral care: Students will be part of a small, supportive and personalised learning environment with a maximum of 300 students. Each student will be assigned a personal coach who will help and support them in their learning, their work placements and their development of a range of skills for life and the workplace. Personal coaches will also work closely with parents to reinforce the vital partnership between school and home. Name of Principal: Mr Colin Cattanach Outstanding characteristics: The Bath Studio School is powered by four leading schools in Bath and North East Somerset – Writhlington, Norton Hill, Wellsway and St Gregory’s Catholic College. As a member of the Wellsway multi-academy family of schools, the Bath Studio School will work with students and parents to ensure that every student achieves his or her full potential and gains the skills and knowledge needed for the next stage of their lives – whether this is going to university, entering the world of work or starting their own business. One of the key pillars of the Bath Studio School is the development of employability skills. Our employer partners will achieve this through writing project briefs, teaching courses, offering work placements, coaching and mentoring. Visit: www.thebathstudioschool.org.uk for more details.

The Curriculum: Each girl is encouraged to achieve a balanced programme of study across the curriculum and beyond it, so that their options for their future education and beyond, are broad and enjoyable. If girls love what they do, they will do it much better, which is why the girls consistently achieve some of the best academic results. As girls progress through the school they will enrich and extend their abilities and broaden their knowledge beyond traditional horizons. Please visit the website for curriculum details. Extra Curricular Activities: To enable the girls to develop fully as independent learners and to strengthen their connections to and understanding of the world around them, it’s important for them to build a healthy balance between academic and non-academic life. Whether it’s fencing or French, swimming or science club, debating or digital photography, the school encourages the girls to take up one or two activities, to develop a passion, have fun and make new friends. Pastoral Care: The school is renowned for its outstanding one-to-one pastoral care. Pastoral care and academic development go hand-inhand. The school knows that girls perform best when they are happy and secure, so have developed a caring and supportive community providing a real sense of belonging. The school recognises the pressures and uncertainties moving from childhood to adulthood so if the girls have any worries at all, there is always someone qualified to talk to. Name of Principal: Mrs Rebecca Dougall MA Outstanding Characteristics: The all-through, girls education is unique in Bath. The school embraces all-round excellence and helps every girl to be happy and to be who she wants to be. This is achieved via a rich curriculum, with every opportunity for girls to focus on their strengths but also to develop their skills and talents across the broadest academic, social and personal spectrum. The school develops the confidence, capabilities and character needed to underpin success at university, and beyond, to achieve ambitions in every aspect of life. The Royal High is the only school within the Girls’ Day School Trust to offer boarding in addition to day provision and the only one to offer the International Baccalaureate at sixth form.

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Beechen Cliff School Alexandra Park, Bath, BA2 4RE Tel: 01225 480 466 www.beechencliff.org.uk Autumn Term: 2 September – 20 December 13 Spring Term: 6 January – 4 April 14 Summer Term: 22 April – 11 July 14

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Millfield Prep

Millfield School

Edgarley Hall, Glastonbury, Somerset, BA6 8LD Tel: 01458 832446 www. millfieldprep.com Autumn Term: 2 September – 6 December Spring Term: 6 January – 28 March 14 Summer Term: 23 April – 27 June 14

Age of Pupils: 11 – 18 years Age of pupils: 7 – 13 years Number of Pupils: 1,180 boys Number of pupils: 360 Day Fees: None (for pupils outside the UK £4,500- £5,500 pa). Religious Denomination: None The Curriculum: A wide-ranging academic curriculum which includes GCSEs in classical civilisation, Latin and psychology. At A Level the school offers more than 40 courses of study, and the AQA Baccalaureate. Extra Curricular Activities: A huge range of extra-curricular activities on offer include cricket, rugby, hockey, football, tennis and shooting. Debating, public speaking, F1 and robotics are supplemented by the Duke of Edinburgh award scheme and the Combined Cadet Force. Pastoral Care: Personal care and guidance is exceptional at the school, with each boy and sixth form student being looked after within the house to which he is allocated on entry. Name of Principal: Mr Andrew Davies Outstanding Characteristics: A school which provides great food, incredible extra-curricular provision and a highly successful academic curriculum. “Beechen Cliff School provides an outstanding education for its boys and sixth form students, which reflects its values of high aspirations and success for all. A significant strength of the school is the way in which it identifies differing ability groups, thus enabling the most-able boys to gain the highest grades possible and yet successfully supporting those who find learning more challenging to achieve examination results of which they can be proud.” Ofsted Report 2011.

Day fees: Boarding pupils: £8,040 per term; flexi boarding, £41.40 per night; day pupils, £4,480 – £5,485 per term

Butleigh Road, Street, Somerset, BA16 0YD Tel: 01458 442291 www. millfieldschool.com

Religious denomination: Inter-denominational

Autumn Term: 2 September – 6 December Spring Term: 6 January – 28 March 14 Summer Term: 23 April – 27 June 14

The curriculum: Millfield Prep offers an outstanding education in a friendly learning environment. The school’s aim is to ensure that every child can reach their full potential and this is achieved through small class sizes, a high staff:pupil ratio and a broad choice of subjects, including three sciences and six languages. Millfield Prep has an extension and enrichment programme for those children who are at the top end academically, and there is a language development centre for those children requiring learning support, which has a well-deserved reputation nationally. Extra curricular activities: Millfield Prep believes that a strong extra-curricular programme is vital for a child's personal development. The school is renowned for its sports programme of over 30 sports, its music, drama and arts programmes and over 50 extracurricular activities on offer. Pastoral care: Pastoral care is second to none. The focus is on the happiness and well-being of each pupil within small tutor groups, supported by houseparents and heads of year. Name of Principal: Mrs Shirley Shayler, BSc(Hons) Outstanding characteristics: With average class sizes of 14, a wide range of subjects, outstanding facilities and the strength of its extra-curricular programme, the school prides itself on the richness and diversity of the Millfield experience.

Age of pupils: 13 – 18 years Number of pupils: 1215 Day fees: Boarding pupils: £10,795; Day pupils: £7,270 Religious Denomination: Interdenominational The curriculum: Millfield provides a broad and balanced education which gives pupils the options and support they need to achieve success. All pupils are taught in small sets of average 12 in size – and classes are streamed by general ability from Years 9 to 11. Pupils may choose from an extensive choice of GCSE, IGCSE, AS and A2 level subjects; BTEC qualifications; the BHSPI equestrian course and Leiths Basic Certificate. Millfield’s ethos is to enable all pupils to achieve their full potential and there are academic enrichment programmes to challenge the most able pupils, alongside a learning support centre which has a well-deserved reputation for helping pupils with specific learning difficulties. This year sees the introduction of iPADs for all pupils to enhance learning in and outside the classroom. Extra curricular activities: Millfield believes that a strong co-curricular programme is vital for personal development. The school is renowned for its sports programme of more than 30 sports, its music, drama and arts programmes and more than100 extracurricular activities on offer. Pastoral care: Pastoral care is second to none. The focus is on the well-being of each pupil within small tutor groups, supported by houseparents and heads of year. Name of Principal: Mr Craig Considine, Med Outstanding characteristics: With average class sizes of 12, an extraordinary range of academic courses, outstanding facilities and strength of its co-curricular programme, the school prides itself on the richness and diversity of the Millfield experience.

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MUSICALyouth

Music: a skill for life Schoolchildren across Bath and North East Somerset are being given music lessons and encouraged to enjoy singing too as part of the council’s pledge to enhance our cultural lives

or most of us, Friday evening heralds the end of the working week and the thought of a much needed morning lie in, but for 200 young musicians, the anticipation of meeting up with friends at the Saturday Morning Music School in Bath adds a different level of excitement to the arrival of the weekend. Many Bathonians are aware that BSYM (B&NES Society of Young Musicians) has recently celebrated 40 years of music making. But most are unaware that the Saturday Music Centre is one of four centres operating in B&NES, managed by the B&NES music service, the lead organisation of the recently formed Bath Music Education Hub.

This year more than 1,500 ❝ children . . . aged between seven and 11, have received free music lessons learning as a whole class

❞

The B&NES Music Hub works with a number of groups including Bath Festivals Trust, Bath Philharmonia, Bath Spa University and schools to ensure that young people throughout the area have access to a diverse range of musical experiences, regardless of social, personal or financial circumstances. For example, the hub has recently supported Bath Philharmonia’s work with young carers and the Therapeutic Media Company with its professional development work. In recent months, hundreds of children and young people have been immersed in a host of music making activities. For some it may have been their first exciting taste of performing to a large audience and for others, who had reached the top of the progressive learning pathway provided in B&NES, the final performance before moving on to further study. For some pupils their first experience of formal music making 78 THEBATHMAGAZINE

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will be in one of the music time sessions offered to four to sevenyear-olds in after school and Saturday Morning Music Centre clubs, where pupils learn about the basic building blocks of music. This year more than 1,500 children in the B&NES catchment area, aged between seven and 11, have received free music lessons, learning as a whole class. This programme, offered to all schools in the local authority, gives students an opportunity to learn an instrument, develop their expertise and engage in performances throughout the year. This is often the first stage on a progressive pathway that will give them a skill – and great pleasure – for life. Hundreds of primary aged children take part in singing festival events throughout the area. Schools perform to each other; share their learning and culminate in a massed sing at the end of the day. These sessions are just a small part of the farreaching singing programme organised by the Music Hub. While at school, musicians can improve their skills through small group or individual lessons and ensembles. The music service team offers expert music tuition to all schools in B&NES which includes a quality assurance programme through a system of monitoring and professional development for all staff. At music centres students meet new friends, rehearse and perform in wind bands, string groups, choirs, orchestras, brass bands, guitar ensembles and chamber groups. At the Rock Band Academy musicians receive contemporary tuition on state-of-theart rock pod stations. Further opportunities are available at annual residential music courses and on foreign tours, all provided by the music service. Any organisation teaching music to young people in the B&NES area can become part of the hub. The hub is keen to advertise music events in the area. Anyone putting on an event or running an ensemble can post it on the new website: www.banesmusiconline.org.uk. For further information on B&NES Music Hub and Music Service activities, visit the website, tel: 01225 395388 or email: music@bathnes.gov.uk. ■

CULTURAL ENRICHMENT: children are being offered a variety of lessons at different levels, from music lessons in schools to taking part in orchestral works

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STUDY LANGUAGES IN BATH

Evening classes starting in September and October

• POLISH • GERMAN • • FRENCH • SPANISH • • ITALIAN • CHINESE •

St Gregory’s Catholic College, Odd Down, Bath, BA2 8PA

For information contact 07894 913322 or email: info@languagesinbath.co.uk

Key Stages 1, 2, 3, GCSE & ‘A’ level Mathematics, English, Science and more!

★ Here to inspire and motivate ★ Tailor-made individual learning ★ ★ Carefully selected and experienced teachers ★ info@onestepaheadtutoring.co.uk www.onestepaheadtutoring.co.uk

Contact Penelope Swift now on 01179 571507

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EDUCATIONnews

News in brief ■ In a break with tradition, one of the south west’s leading Catholic independent schools has appointed a lay headteacher, Dr James Whitehead, pictured, to lead the school into a new era. He will be taking up the post from Easter 2014, succeeding Dom Leo Maidlow Davis who has been headmaster for over 11 years. The Abbot of Downside, Dom Aidan Bellenger, said: "This is a historic moment, the appointment of our first lay headmaster, but I know he has a profound understanding of our ethos and tradition. We are very pleased to welcome him back and could not have chosen a better candidate to pioneer the next period in our school’s history and a new era for the monastic community here at Downside.” Dr Whitehead was head of English and subsequently director of studies at Downside. ■ For some parents and children the new term is a time of excitement, but for others it can be challenging. Maybe the end of term report was disappointing or there is concern about examination grades. One Step Ahead Tutoring has been helping children achieve their potential since 2002. Penelope Swift, who has spent many years teaching in Bristol and Bath Schools, has recently taken over the business from Sandy Hewit. She believes that increasing selfconfidence is central to the learning process. Tutors can help with mathematics, English, science, and other subjects for children aged five to 19. Penelope is also recruiting teachers to add to the team, contact tel: 01179 571507, email: info@onestepaheadtutoring.co.uk,or visit: www.onestepahead tutoring.co.uk. ■ Languages United specialist language school in Walcot Street, Bath, (near the Tram Shed) is celebrating its seventh birthday on Thursday 26 September, the European Day of Languages, with an open evening from 5.30pm to 7.30pm. The school teaches around a dozen languages including Japanese, French, Spanish, Italian, Polish, Greek and Arabic. The open evening will give former students the chance to reunite, for new students to find out about new courses and how to become a host family. Visit: www.languagesunited.co.uk or tel: 01225 580058.

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Doodle helps make maths a doddle An app created by a Bath couple is helping to boost children’s maths ages after just two months use. DoodleMaths was created by husband and wife Tom Minor and Nicola Chilman, who are both teachers. The pair saw how their children learned maths and decided to create an app to make learning inspirational and fun. The app was tested by teachers and pupils in two schools. It features a free assessment for seven to 11-year-olds, with its fun design proving a hit. Nicola said: “The DoodleMaths system works out their strengths and weaknesses, gives them things they are able to

do and then builds up their knowledge. We’ve had children with a DoodleMaths age of eight and a half years and they’ve then made two and a half years of progress in as little as a couple of months. Tom and I have gone into

a Bath school, working with some year 6 children who finding maths a struggle. Now they bound into the classroom wanting to do maths – we almost have to wrestle the iPads off them at the end of the session.” No internet connection is required – children can do their maths anywhere away from home. The app has the appearance of a doodle-book, with a menu of screens offering games, a pet character and a searchable index and bite-sized explanations. It’s been rated 4.5 stars out of five by SmartAppsForKids. Visit: www.doodlemaths.co.uk. King Edward’s pre-prep and nursery school in Bath is celebrating following a review of its Early Years provision by Bath and North East Somerset Council which placed the school in the highest possible category, Category 1. The review noted that the setting had several particular strengths including: learning and development, supporting children’s listening skills, encouraging positive behaviour and environment, engaging and involving parents and leadership and management.

Your flexible boarding friend Millfield Prep in Glastonbury, Somerset, has recently introduced a flexi boarding option to make life easier for families. From two nights per week pupils from aged seven to 13 are guaranteed their own bed in one of five boarding houses. For the remaining days Millfield’s fleet of minibuses run children from the Bath and Frome area to and from the school.

There is also an occasional boarding option, for the times when work, family or school commitments create logistical challenges, where pupils are welcome to spend the night in one of the houses. Millfield Prep’s next open day is Saturday 5 October. To reserve a space visit: millfieldprep.com. The Senior School open day is on Saturday 12 October.

Sixth formers make the grade St Brendan’s Sixth Form College at Brislington is celebrating achieving great exam success for its students, who sat a total of 1,597 A-level subjects, achieving a 96.4% pass rate. More than 67% of students achieving A*– C grades and almost 40% achieving A* – B grades, 2% higher than last year.

College principal Michael Jaffrain said: “These results together with the 100% achievement in the International Baccaulreate and 96% achievement in the Extended Project Qualification, are an impressive set of results. We have been working very hard at ensuring that we have a range of courses and subjects which

stretch and challenge students.” Twenty students have done outstandingly well with A*s or A grades for three or more of their A-level subjects. Michael Jaffrain, said: “I am delighted that for yet another year, our students and staff have worked really well to achieve these fantastic results.”

College gives more choice

The City of Bath College, which has recently achieved its highest Ofsted rating ever – good with oustanding features – is offering students of all ages the chance to choose from 150 different courses. The college ofers a wide range of courses from the academic, including maths, to the professional, such as accounting and marketing, and the practical, such as plumbing, woodwork and languages. The Love2learn series of short and part-time courses are designed to help people who want to learn something either for fun, or to help them get on in life or with work. Part-time courses include a study into vampires and another series on aspects of web design. The college currently has around 6,000 part-time and 2,000 full-time students. Visit: www.citybathcoll.ac.uk.

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ADVERTISEMENT FEATURE

A TRUSTY WAY TO FUND SCHOOL FEES James McNeile, head of the Private Client team at Withy King in Bath, discusses the most cost-effective ways of paying for private school education.

ayment of private school fees out of income has always been expensive and now in many cases is prohibitively so. With fees ranging from £6,000 to £30,000 per annum for one child and a marginal rate of tax of over 50% for those earning over £100,000 a year, funding from what remains may be impossible.

amount an individual may give tax free to a trust to £325,000 in any seven year period but this limit is unlikely to affect many. Where an individual wishes to give more than this, some investment products are available which mirror the effect of a trust without being taxed as one. Savings

The alternatives are well known: 1. Have friends and family help out; 2. Invest capital tax efficiently to build a fund to be drawn on to supplement income; or 3. Talk to your chosen school about bursaries and prepayment discounts. However, given the amounts involved, potential jealousies and lack of flexibility, a trust may be a better option. The Advantage of Trusts The advantage of a trust is the ability for, say, a grandparent to give early during a grandchild’s lifetime. This can enable the grandparent to reduce his or her own inheritance tax liability on death while retaining control of the funds by acting as trustee. It also allows the grandparent to keep the range of potential beneficiaries as wide as possible by including all grandchildren (including ones not born at the time of the initial gift). Capital Gains Tax could also be saved by holding over gains into a trust for grandchildren and then making use of the trustees’ own annual exemption. Income tax savings can be made if the income generated within the trust is used for the benefit of a child and so taxed at that child’s marginal rate of tax (after taking into account that grandchild’s personal allowance). Apart from the tax benefits, the use of a trust allows the donor to enjoy an on-going involvement in the education of his or her grandchildren. It also gives grandparents the ability to scale their support based on the financial and other circumstances of their individual children. Funds remaining after school fees have been met may be used for other purposes, such as university fees or a deposit on a first home. Recent changes to the inheritance tax treatment of trusts have restricted the

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Tax efficient savings, including pensions, premium bonds and cash or investment ISAs, allow parents to build a fund to be used to supplement income in the years in which school fees are likely to be at their most onerous. For further information about trusts or any other aspect of tax or estate planning, please contact partner James McNeile at Withy King, on 01225 730100 or email james.mcneile@withyking.co.uk

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Blake, berries and a barrow Our early autumn walk holds the promise of foraging for blackberries, venturing into the darkness of an ancient long barrow and finishing with a well deserved pint. Andrew Swift plots a circular route from Wellow

ellow, six miles south of Bath, was once the home of one of the giants of British pop art, Peter Blake, who used to live and work in the old railway station buildings. Our walk from this pleasant village features woodland tracks, high-banked green lanes, panoramic vistas and a visit to a Neolithic long barrow, before ending at a country pub. Some of the paths are overgrown, so shorts and sandals are not advisable, and parts of the walk may be muddy. There is also a lack of waymarks in places. Except on the approach to the long barrow, however, there are no stiles. You might want to take a bag or Tupperware containers in the hope of foraging for blackberries, elderberries or hazelnuts. Although there is on-street parking it’s better to use the free car park signposted along Station Road, off the High Street 150 metres west of the Fox & Badger. The Fox & Badger has long been renowned as one of the most unspoilt country pubs near Bath. In June it was taken over by Jo Parson from the White Hart in Widcombe, and, while she aims to make as few changes to its traditional ambience and character as possible, the food and beverages on offer, as you might expect, make the trip worthwhile by themselves. Having parked the car, head east past the Fox & Badger for 100 metres and turn right down Mill Lane. Just before you reach a ford, go through a kissing gate (KG) on the left with a footpath waymark (ST741580). Carry straight on with the fence on your left. Go through a KG at the end of the field, carry straight on through an agricultural yard and continue along a gravel drive. After going through a metal gate, head over to the right and cross a footbridge with KGs at either end (ST747581). Head diagonally up the field to the small metal gate you can see in the hedge. Go through it and carry on in the same direction towards a KG. Go through it and follow a path alongside the hedge on your right. At the end go through a KG and turn left along a lane. After 400 metres, turn right through a gateway (ST752575) and follow a bridleway towards a pylon. Bear left past the pylon and carry on alongside the fence on your right. After 125 metres, go through a gate and carry on along an overgrown path with a fence on your left. Shortly after the path swings round to head towards a house 86 THEBATHMAGAZINE

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at the top of the hill, turn left through two metal gates (ST754571) and carry on along another overgrown path. At the end go through a large metal gate and turn right along a green lane, with views across to Norton St Philip. The green lane leads through Upper Baggridge Farm, where the outbuildings have been converted to dwellings. A gateway leads onto a tarmaced lane, along which you turn left (ST748568). The views along this stretch are even better: on a clear day you can see the Westbury White Horse. After 350 metres, carry straight on past a junction on the right, between hedges luxuriant with ripening elderberries, blackberries, rosehips and hazelnuts. After another 1,000 metres, just before a house, turn right along a byway (ST740558). The woods on your left are home to a pheasant shoot, although shooting doesn’t start until October. As the byway heads steeply downhill between high banks, it becomes increasingly rutted and muddy, with some sections largely wrecked by vehicles. You should, however, be able to negotiate your way past these along the banks on either side. After 750 metres, as you emerge from the woods, turn right at a cross path (ST732560). Carry on with a hedge on your right and extensive views on your left. After passing a ruined barn on the right, the path bears down to the left through a small wooden gate. Go through it and continue downhill with a hedge on your right. When you reach a gate on the right with bridleway waymarks, go through it and bear left (ST734568). After crossing a stream, follow the track as it curves gently uphill. Just after a hedge curves up to meet you on the left, cross a stile in the hedge and follow a sign to Stony Littleton Long Barrow. (Note: The footpaths to the Long Barrow are not shown as public footpaths on the OS Map.) Keep close to the hedge on your right and after 250 metres cross a stile and carry on across another stile to reach the long barrow. Dating back around 5,000 years, this is one of the best preserved and most impressive prehistoric monuments in south west England, and has recently been restored so that access to the interior is once again possible. The passageway leading into it is less than a metre high in places, however, and lined with rough stone, so a hard hat as well as a torch is recommended if you intend to explore. On leaving the long barrow, cross back over the first stile, turn

ANCIENT SITE: main picture, Stony Littleton Long Barrow is one of the finest accessible examples of a Neolithic chambered tomb, with its multiple burial chambers open to view – but you’ll need a torch as it’s very dark inside

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POINTS OF INTEREST: above the railway signalbox that artist Peter Blake – the man who designed The Beatles Sgt Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band album cover – used as a studio Right, the Fox & Badger in Wellow is is new hands

left and follow a well-worn path to a gate (ST735570). Don’t go through it, but turn left alongside the hedgerow. After crossing a field, the path becomes a green lane heading downhill, with views ahead to Wellow church. When you reach a Tarmaced lane, follow it downhill and bear left at the T junction. At the fork, bear left across a packhorse bridge and carry straight on up a footpath by Mill Farm House. This takes you across the old Somerset & Dorset Railway line, past a signalbox which Peter Blake used to use as a studio. The redbrick building on the other side of the line was built in 1884 as a Fuller’s Earth works, and the furnace doors on the side of the building still survive. Carry on between old stone cottages to return to the Fox & Badger, a fitting end to this walk through one of the most alluring parts of north east Somerset. ■

WWW.THEBATHMAGAZINE.CO.UK

FURTHER INFORMATION ■ ■ ■ ■

Length of walk: 7½ miles Approx time: three to 3½ hours Map: OS Explorer 142 Refreshments: The Fox & Badger, Wellow, tel: 01225 832293

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NEWS IN BRIEF ■ The British Heart Foundation is calling on Bathonians to take part in its very first Bath to Bristol Heart City Walk on Sunday 6 October. This event is a 14.5mile sponsored walk along the Bath to Bristol Railway Cycle path and there will also be the opportunity to complete shorter stages of the full distance. Starting at the Brassmill lane access point in Bath, the route will continue along the cycle path to Bristol before finishing up at the Watershed. The walk will be raising funds for the BHF’s Mending Broken Hearts Appeal, an appeal to raise money to help scientists end the suffering caused by heart failure. The registration fee for the walk is £5 per person, including a medal for taking part. British Heart Foundation T Shirts will also be available for a suggested donation of £5. Register at: www.bhf.org.uk/heartcitywalk or tel: 0121 661 5100.

achy and stressed at the end of a hard working day. The class is designed around Pilates and dance release techniques to mobilise and re energise. The classes are run by Lizzie Smith, a professional dancer, fitness instructor and choreographer. For further information visit: www.danceclassesinbath.co.uk. ■ A pioneer in botanical haircare and skincare products, Aveda has been connecting beauty, well-being and the environment for more than 30 years, with products, shops and spas available across the world. And recently opened in SouthGate Bath is a new Aveda Lifestyle Store where shoppers can enjoy sensory journeys and stress relieving rituals with a range of skin, hair and make-up products. Aveda experts will be on hand to offer professional haircare, skincare and makeup advice too. The new Aveda shop in SouthGate

■ If you hate gyms but are looking for a new way to get fit and have fun at the same time, you might be interested to know that there are two new exercise classes in the city: Ragtang is Bath’s new dance fitness workout, for the people who are bored of Zumba. The class is based around charleston, swing, bigband and tango and is an easy to follow, upbeat dance workout, carefully choreographed so that each dance focuses on a major muscle group resulting in a balanced, total body and cardio workout. The Stretch and Release class is for people who are feeling stiff,

New season launches ❶

The latest fragrance from Jo Malone London is perhaps its most feminine and elegant yet – a soft and seductive peony floral scent with delicate hints of juicy apple and opulent jasmine and rose. Peony & Blush Suede is available this month for £39 (30ml) in the new Jo Malone store on Old Bond Street. This is set to be very popular, so be quick.

❷

L’Occitane has launched a new anti-ageing skincare range featuring a new formulation of naturally derived active ingredients that visibly reduce the appearance of wrinkles, helps restore and redefine facial contours and reduces the appearance of dark spots. The range features a lotion, serum, cream and eye gel, from £38, from L’Occitane, New Bond Street.

❸

Enjoy a beauty-boosting quick fix with the new Five Minute Facial Face Mask (£5.99, 100ml) from Good Things, available at Boots. This mask is a designed to make your skin clearer, brighter and smoother. After cleansing, smooth on a thin layer, relax for five minutes while the mask dries, then rinse off. Good Things is a facial skincare line developed by awardwinning beauty writer, Alice Hart-Davis and is free from parabens, sulphates, mineral oils and animal-tested ingredients.

❹

Makeup artist Bobbi Brown says this autumn, chocolate is the new black, and she has designed a new makeup collection called Rich Chocolate featuring a deep lip colour (£19), a smouldering, smokey eye shadow palette (£39.50) and a black-infused brown mascara that instantly opens up the eyes (£19). Pictured, Katie Holmes wears the new collection, available at Jolly’s.

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SKIN DEEP

The latest health and beauty news and product reviews from Samantha Coleman

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Aero-tone-ilates www.aero-tone-ilates.com s aerobic toning pilates £4.50

Royal High Junior School, Lansdown MONDAY 6.30pm-7.30pm St Luke’s Church Hall, Wellsway TUESDAY 10am-11am St. Stephen’s Church Hall, Lansdown THURSDAY 9.15am-10.15am St Bart’s Church Hall, Oldfield Park FRIDAY 10am-11am

Get yourself known!

Pilates Lansdown Grove Hotel, Lansdown mind-b o dy condit MONDAY 9.30am-10.30am ioning St Luke’s Church Hall, Wellsway TUESDAY 9.10am-10am £5.00 St Bart’s Church Hall, Oldfield Park FRIDAY 9.10am-10am

Walking Fit Club & Nordic Walking Classes 45 nt differe 1 hour walks

www.walkingfitclub.com MONDAY - 8.30am & 11am TUESDAY - 12 noon WEDNESDAY - 12 noon THURSDAY - 11.30am & 6.30pm FRIDAY - 12 noon & 2.00pm

walkingfitclub

01225 852634 • jane_braham@hotmail.com Register of Exercise Professionals R0048007

THEBATHMAGAZINE The Bath Magazine has all the treatments and all the wonderful therapies to help your business feel fantastic!

Jane is a qualified instructor in Nordic Walking and has 20 years experience & a Diploma to teach Fitness & Pilates

Health and Beauty advertising in Bath’s brightest & most widely delivered magazine really works.

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Telephone 01225 424 499

Before

After

Anti-ageing, migraine or excessive sweating?

Did you know that Botox is not only used for antiageing. It is also used to treat migraine and for many years has been great at reducing excessive sweating. No more unsightly patches under the armpits ! Treatments can be life changing for some after suffering from repeated migraine attacks for years. Usually just one or two treatments a year can provide relief in some cases of migraine. The Medical Director at Lifestyle Medical Beauty Clinic is a Fellow of the Royal College of Surgeons and will provide the consultations and all treatments for Botox. This September as part of their regular monthly promotions, Lifestyle Medical Beauty Clinic on Chapel Row are offering a £50 voucher that can be used as part payment for either Botox or Dermal Fillers treatment – just cut the voucher out from this page and present it to the clinic to receive your discount. The clinic uses Restylane and Emervel dermal fillers to reduce the signs of anti-ageing instantly. Filters are different to Botox and results generally last a year or sometimes longer and the anti-ageing effect will appear immediately. Full consultations are given before any treatments and in some cases the use of Botox or Dermal filler may not be the most appropriate route to take but this can be discussed during your consultation. There isn’t any obligation to purchase a treatment and the medical practitioners at Lifestyle Medical Beauty Clinic are highly qualified and experienced in these treatments and highly ethical and confidential in their approach. If you are interested, please call 01225 464005 or visit the website to arrange a consultation.

Lifestyle medical beauty clinic

01225 464005

10 Chapel Row, Bath BA1 1HN • The Hall, 4 New Street, Salisbury, SP1 2PH

www.thelifestyleclinic.co.uk

£50 DISCOUNT 90 THEBATHMAGAZINE

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to be used as part payment for anti-ageing (muscle relaxing injections, Restylane, Emervel) and injections for relief of migraine and excessive sweating. Voucher valid until 1st October 2013.

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Jennifer Beauty Clinic

After selling her salon in Hong Kong Claire Lawton returned to England and with her mother Heather Lippiatt bought Jennifer Lucknam Beauty Clinic. The salon celebrated 23 years of trading this June and still offers a genuinely warm and friendly welcome

he salon is situated a few doors away from the Ustinov, just behind the Theatre Royal. The pretty Georgian house has a ground floor reception with a full retail range of Clarins, Thalgo, Orly and Nailtique products. The five individual and beautifully appointed treatment rooms occupy the upper floors and offer a tranquil and relaxing environment in which clients can escape from the frenetic world outside. The therapists are highly qualified in all aspects of beauty therapy and have been with Heather and Claire for many years. This gives continuity to clients, enabling them to feel more comfortable, especially with sensitive treatments such as electrolysis and waxing. At Jennifer Luckham Beauty Clinic all therapists are happy to offer new clients a free consultation by appointment, to discuss any concerns and answer their queries. The client is under no obligation to book an appointment. Ladies of all ages are made to feel welcome and particular attention is given to client care and confidentiality. Apart from the ‘grooming’ treatments such as electrolysis, waxing, manicures and pedicures; the salon prides itself on its wide

range of wonderful facials. Customers can choose from either the Clarins Pro-Active, Personal Blend Aromatic, Extra Relaxing or Mini Facials or if age defying is more of a concern, then C.A.C.I. non surgical facials might be more appropriate. All Clarins body treatments will either relax, invigorate or detoxify and Thalgo’s Indoceane or Marine Body Wrap will allow the seas natural minerals to benefit the skin and enhance the general well being of the client. Reflexology, Massage, Indian Head Massage and Aromatherapy add a holistic element to the treatments available. For total indulgence, the salon offers a Top To Toe Day which is five hours of total relaxation including a Thalgo Indoceane treatment (which incorporates a full body scrub and massage) Clarins facial, luxury pedicure and manicure and a light lunch with herbal teas or coffee. Alternatively, individually tailored packages can be arranged to suit specific requirements. Gift vouchers are available from £10 and can be posted by arrangement. Please phone 01225 428741 to make an appointment or request a comprehensive price list.

Beauty Clinic

JENNIFER LUCKHAM 32 Monmouth Street, Bath BA1 2AN

Mon & Wed 9.30am - 5.00pm Tues 9.30am - 6.00pm Thurs 9.00am - 6.00pm Fri 9.00am - 5.00pm Sat 9.00am - 4.00pm

Special Event On ursday 12 September, Jennifer Luckham Beauty Clinic will be holding an open door event oﬀering an opportunity to experience beauty treatments whilst raising money for the RUH cancer care campaign. Guests can enjoy: A Clarins mini facial for £15, redeemable against any Clarins skin care purchase over £20, autumn makeup demo by a Clarins representative, goody bags, and a glass of bubbly. Phone 01225 428741 to book your mini facial. WWW.THEBATHMAGAZINE.CO.UK

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£10 Voucher

When you spend £40 or more. This voucher must be presented at time of purchase and may only be used once. Valid until 30th September 2013.

IPL Permanent Hair Reduction Treatments A course of 6 IPL Permanent Hair Reduction Treatments on either bikini line, under arm, lip or chin

£199

Teeth Whitening for

Men & Women The latest technology in teeth whitening used in America

Zero Sensitivity • Zero Pain Zero Peroxide

£99

normally £199

Dentist approved BB Cool Technology

A course of 3 Beauté Neuve Facials with a Hydradermie2 Age Logic Facial (Formally known as Hydradermie Plus)

£175

Beauté Neuve is a gentle peeling treatment that removes dead skin cells revealing healthy new ones. _____ Hydradermie2 Age Logic is an anti-ageing, deep cleansing facial resulting in a youthful glowing complexion. All offers are only available until the 30th September 2013

the orangery No.2 Kingsmead St. Bath. Tel: 01225 466851 l a s e r

b e a u t y

c l i n i c

www.theorangerylaserandbeautybath.co.uk

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Why pulling faces makes beauty sense Danielle Collins is the world’s leading expert on yoga for the face, having created a series of exercises to give a natural facelift. Georgette McCready visits her Bath studio to learn more

hen someone invites you to try a face yoga session naturally your first reaction is to raise an eyebrow of surprise – we’re all familiar with yoga for the body, but what benefits can it have to the face? For centuries yoga practitioners have included face exercises, such as the Lion, in their full body workout, but it’s rare to find any attention paid to muscles above the neck in most modern yoga classes. Danielle Collins is a Bath hatha yoga teacher who has created a set of exercises designed to bring oxygen to the face to help brighten the complexion and to smooth out lines and firm the jawline. I visited her at her light, modern home yoga studio in Larkhall for a oneto-one session. Danielle explained: “I have designed this routine so that for just 20 minutes a day, six days a week, you will see a difference in your face. The idea is that we can look the best we can for our age, healthy, glowing and natural. Just as we exercise our bodies to stretch and improve our flexibility, so we can exercise the muscles in our faces to tone them and work on fine lines.” It’s a routine suitable for all ages and can be done sitting down. You may feel a little self conscious at times, as I did gurning away in front of a mirror, but once you have mastered the different exercises you’ll be able to do them while watching television, in the bath or in the car. Danielle has called them things like the Owl, the Puffa Fish and the Giraffe, which act as a reminder for how to do the 18 different exercises, working for ten minutes each on the upper then lower face, and she’s brought out a new DVD, The Ten Minute Natural Facelift to follow at home. Danielle is the world’s leading expert in face yoga and her Danielle Collins Face Yoga method has been approved by the International College of Holistic Medicine and the Register of Exercise Professionals. Danielle has been featured in The Daily Telegraph and the Daily Mail and her methods will be used as a natural beauty aid by Louise Redknapp in the Channel 4 series How Not To Look Old, in an episode due to be broadcast on 11 September at 8pm. Clients can enrol for a one-to-one intensive and personalised class with Danielle at her home, or visit for regular sessions. She is friendly, approachable and warm and you can genuinely feel that your face muscles have been worked after a session with her. Danielle has had success with stroke patients and sufferers of Bell’s palsy. She also runs hatha yoga classes at Sweaty Betty and at the YMCA. Danielle is holding a free taster face yoga session at the Sweaty Betty fitness equipment shop in Bath on Friday 18 October at 6pm, call the store to book a place, or visit her website at: wwwfaceyogaexpert.com. The DVD is easy to follow and Danielle demonstrates the exercises so you can easily copy her, although after a couple of viewings you’ll probably remember how to do most of them. The film also includes a ten minute body yoga session, which is ideal to begin the day. I’ve been pulling faces – as my family will testify – almost daily since my session with Danielle but it’s not been long enough yet to report a difference, although I swear that one of the eye exercises has helped my eyesight so I don’t always need my reading glasses to read in daylight. Like body yoga, you do feel better simply by doing the exercises. ■

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COMPETITION

ADVERTISEMENT FEATURE

£500

WIN A SHOPPING SPREE ristol’s Cabot Circus marks its 5th birthday this month and to celebrate, we are offering one lucky reader of The Bath Magazine the opportunity to win £500 to spend at its many stores and restaurants. As the new autumn/winter collections appear on the high street, there couldn’t be a better time to treat yourself to a day’s retail therapy at this leading retail and leisure destination – the perfect tonic to the summer holiday comedown.

Shop With more than 120 stores, Cabot Circus offers one of the strongest fashion offers outside London and the perfect place to find your new season wardrobe. Retailers include the likes of Harvey Nichols and House of Fraser, LK Bennett, Mango, All Saints, Radley, Hugo Boss, Ted Baker, Zara, Reiss, Urban Outfitters and Topshop. You can also pick up some great gifts at stores such as Oliver Bonas and Pandora, and the Apple store and Curry’s Digital offer the latest in technology.

Eat

Dry Eye? Are you affected by it? Do your eyes ever feel tired, uncomfortable and sensitive to light? Do you get a burning or stinging sensation or perhaps your eyes water at times? Do they look red or feel as if there is something in them at times? If so you may be suffering from ‘dry eyes’ a problem that affects over 40% of the population. The term ‘dry eye’ is self explanatory – eyes that aren’t fresh, moist and comfortable. It can affect anyone but those over 40 and people who wear contact lenses are more susceptible. Dry eye means that you may not be making enough tears, that the tears that are being produced are of poor quality or that the tears that are produced evaporate away faster than they should. The normal function of tears is to keep the surface of the eye wet and lubricated so any shortage of tears or reduction in their quality can produce discomfort and can also disturb vision. What causes it?

After some intensive retail therapy, head to one of Cabot Circus’ restaurants and cafés for a delicious lunch or dinner. Take your pick from Piccolino, Carluccio’s or Raymond Blanc’s Brasserie Blanc – serving delicious French fare that will please even the serious foodie. Or why not treat yourself to afternoon tea with a friend? Harvey Nichols’ chic Second Floor Restaurant offers homemade sandwiches and cakes and scones with Cornish clotted cream with a pot of tea – and a glass of champagne for those special occasions – while Zest Bistro in House of Fraser also has a great afternoon tea offering. The perfect way to relax after hitting the shops.

Relax Cabot Circus is home to some of the UK’s most coveted beauty brands and also boasts an Aveda Spa in House of Fraser – offering massages, facials, beauty treatments and much more for guaranteed relaxation. After some serious pampering, why not get your hands ready for autumn with a blissful manicure at the Nails Inc bar? You could also round off your trip with a visit to the 13-screen Cinema de Lux, and catch a blockbuster in style. The £500 Cabot Circus gift card is valid in all 120 stores, as well as restaurants, cafés and the cinema. So enter our competition now to be in with the chance to win the ultimate new season treat. Bristol city centre is just a 15 minute train journey from Bath Spa Station, with frequent buses running from outside Temple Meads station to Cabot Circus. All you have to do to be in with a chance of winning this £500 prize is answer our fashionista question: Which traditional Scottish fabric, championed by the Bay City Rollers and then the punk movement, is seeing a major revival this season? Send you answer, marked Cabot Circus Competition, to competitions@thebathmagazine.co.uk or by post to The Bath Magazine, 2 Princes Builldings, George Street, Bath BA1 2ED by noon on the closing date of Friday 20 September. The usual terms and conditions apply. The Editor’s decision is final and no alternative prize will be offered.

Laura Ashley and Llangoed Hall competition

We had a fantastic response to our competition in the July issue to win a two night stay at the delightful country house hotel, Llangoed Hall, and two tickets to the Laura Ashley exhibition at the Fashion Museum. More than 100 readers entered the competition, by email and by post and the winner was Anne Pargeter of Saltford.

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SEPTEMBER 2013

There are many contributory factors. Eyes are more likely to become dry in central heating, air-conditioning or in environments where the air quality is poorer, for example airplanes or polluted cities. Long stretches working on computers or driving can also cause problems because you don’t blink as frequently when you are concentrating. General health, hormonal imbalance, LASIK surgery and certain medications can also be linked; for others it is simply ageing. In all cases the causes must be carefully determined in order to safely manage the problem. What treatment is there? If you only have occasional or mild dry eye the following can help: Give your eyes a rest. Take breaks while reading or working on a computer. Look away from the monitor, focus in the distance and blink. Environment. Avoid fans or air-conditioning which send a continuous air current across the surface of the eye. Add water. If the air is dry at home or at work, use a humidifier. Drink plenty of water. Give dryness the drop. Lubricant drops called artificial tears work like natural tears to hydrate and restore the health of the eyes surface. Contact lens wearers can be particularly susceptible to dry eyes as a contact lens can upset the delicate balance of the tear film. Certain lens materials can help to minimize these affects and your optician will be able to advise you which lens cleaning solutions are most compatible with the type of lenses you are wearing. Rewetting drops may also help. For those people with more moderate to severe dry eyes or a more persistent problem it is worth consulting your optician. A thorough evaluation of the cause and symptoms with a structured treatment plan is more likely to give a successful outcome in reduction and control of your symptoms. The good news is that with understanding and treatment most people find that dry eye is relatively easy to manage. If you have any questions local optometrist Kathryn Anthony will be pleased to help and can be contacted on 01225 464433 or further information is available at www.kathrynanthony.co.uk

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A safe haven from the world Hidden away in Newbridge, behind stone walls and trees is a unique community of women. Georgette McCready discovers one of Bath’s best kept secrets – an architectural and philanthropic gem – Partis College

hen President Mugabe’s men arrived at a family farm in Zimbabwe they ordered the British owners to leave. They were stripped of their home, their land and their livelihood and sent back to the UK with literally only what they could carry on to the plane. And so it was that Lorna, then in her 70s, arrived in Bath with just a suitcase and was forced to stay in hostels, unable to afford to rent a flat or buy a home. I met Lorna recently, a sprightly 90-year-old, a little deaf but with a ready smile and pleased to tell me how happy she is in the home she has found in Bath, thanks to the philanthropic act of a husband and wife almost 200 years ago. They set up Partis College in Newbridge, as almshouses for what were then described as distressed gentlewomen. Lorna came here in 1995, where she lives independently in a self-contained one bedroom house, although she says she has to have some help maintaining her small but pretty garden. In Georgian times, when a woman’s husband or father died, she could be left homeless and at the mercy of kind relatives taking her in. Mr and Mrs Partis had the notion of giving such women a safe refuge where they might end their days securely and happily. Mr Fletcher Partis, a lawyer, died before he could see the houses built, but his widow Ann oversaw the completion of a very handsome three-sided quad of classically designed terraced houses in their own walled grounds, tucked away just off Newbridge Hill. To the modern visitor it’s hard to decide which is more impressive – this beautiful architectural gem largely unchanged since it was built in 1825, or the legacy which still allows women a secure and affordable environment in which to make their home. Before you form an orderly queue to sign up for one of the 32 terraced Bath stone houses, or three apartments, you’ll need to meet the criteria. Mrs Partis, a staunch Presbytarian, insisted that only women be housed and that they must be members of the Church of England. She also decreed that they must bring their 96 THEBATHMAGAZINE

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own maids to re-inforce their status as gentlewomen. Times change, and residents no longer need to bring their own maids. They don’t necessarily have to members of the Church of England – although many of them are – but they are encouraged to attend services. I guess there will be many who have sat in the chapel offering up their heartfelt, silent gratitude to Mrs Partis. Residents need to be aged 50 and over and are means-tested to check that they aren’t secretly wealthy. If they should come in to a fortune after they move in the trustees will ask them to leave to make way for someone else who needs a home. The college title is simply an archaic way of saying it’s for like-minded people. Judith Peplar, chairman of the trustees, said: “Residents can live here just as long as they can live independently and look after their homes. We have several residents who have lived here happily well into their 90s.” Outside in the quad where benches are arranged around well kept flower beds, women sit in twos chatting and in the shared common room over coffee I hear some of their stories. Marjorie, a recent widow, moved to Partis College from Coventry to be near her daughter in Newbridge. She lost her beloved husband to Alzheimer’s and was bereft when he died. After a few months at Partis she is settled and embarking on a new lease of life. “How could I ever afford to buy a place in Bath?” she says, “I am very happy here.” Geraldine had a horrible experience in a previous rented flat, when burglars broke in while she was in bed, and so she values the security of Partis. “It has a great feeling of safety, I love it. We can get a bus into town from outside the gates and if you want to have coffee with someone, there’s always someone about.” For visiting family there’s a guest suite and the common room can be booked out if people have grandchildren visiting, or want to host a party. The bursar, Jill Harman, is on hand to deal with administration and the maintenance of the houses and grounds, but she also provides a gentle listening ear for residents. It really is a peaceful spot, secluded behind its mellow stone

CLASSIC BEAUTY: the clean lines of the quad that is Partis College Inset, the view across the residents’ gardens behind the terrace

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AT HOME: residents Marjorie and Geraldine enjoy the sunshine in one of the well tended gardens

walls, the lawns stretching out in the sunshine. When Geraldine was first driven through the gates by her sister and they caught sight of the impressive quad her sister told her: “Wow! You’ve really landed on your feet here girl!” Islay, 81, showed me round her home, with family photos on display, a mantelpiece in the sunny sitting room and her garden is delightful, with space among the flowers to sit and enjoy the peace and quiet. “I had a party recently for my neighbours,” she said, “because I am lucky enough to have a side terrace as well, so we were out there. It was great fun.” Islay is originally from Cheshire but she now considers herself a Bathonian and is one of the Mayor’s guides in her adopted city. Partis College may be one of Bath’s best kept secrets, but there’s a warm atmosphere to this community which seems to have some of the elements of a girls’ school with the portrait of Mrs Partis in the common room looking over them with a benign but stern headmistressy eye. ■

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The chapel at Partis College is of architectural note. It was remodelled in 1863 by George Gilbert Scott, a Gothic revival architect and the man who designed St Pancras Station and the Albert Memorial. What the chapel lacks in size it makes up for in embellishment, with ornate pillars and bright medieval inspired wall paintings and stained glass. The chapel will be open to visitors as part of Bath & North East Somerset Heritage Week, on Saturday 14 September from 11am to 5pm. To enquire about applying for accommodation at Partis College email: living@partiscollege.com or call 01225 421532.

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INTERIORdesign

Shaking up the traditional workplace with her fresh approach to people-centred design, Linda Morey Smith has created some impressive interiors in London over the last two decades. She talks to Georgette McCready about moving her family to the south west and setting up a design practice in Bath HEADING WEST: main picture, Linda Morey Smith with her husband Patrick Burrows at their home near Bath Above, the old rectory has been given a contemporary makeover, making the most of the natural light Inset, The Old Rectory as it used to look Images courtesy of Patrick Burrows and Alexander James

inda Morey Smith’s design portfolio is garlanded with big names she’s worked with – EMI Virgin Music, Cadbury’s, ASOS, Sony Music, Moët Hennessy, Coca-Cola – her design consultancy creating impressively stylish corporate interiors in London. Over 20 years in practise her studio has gained a reputation for breathing new life into old or out-ofdate buildings and for enhancing their commercial value. But, looking more closely at her projects, it’s her understanding of how people work as much as her creativity and sense of design that makes Linda and her company so successful. I spoke to her as her first design book, Renew, had just been published. It’s a beautifully photographed retrospective of some of the MoreySmith projects from the last two decades, including her transformation of her home in Claverton, where she moved from London a couple of years ago. Having brought her three children up in London with husband, art consultant Patrick Burrows, and established a very successful design consultancy employing 23 people, why leave the capital to come west, I asked?

one of her specialities is to ❝ create a sociable space such as a light coffee shop or canteen, where colleagues who might otherwise not meet can come together informally

On a whim she and Patrick looked on the internet to see what they could afford if they sold their London home. Almost immediately they found The Old Rectory, a sprawling 17th century house with 11 bedrooms, a fabulous country setting just outside Bath and with potential. “I fell in love with it as soon as I saw it, it’s got the most amazing light and the rooms are just on two floors rather than over five, which we’d had before.” And although Linda has huge respect for historic buildings and classical architecture she was determined to bring clean contemporary lines and uncluttered colour to the old rectory. The house now has six bedrooms in place of 11, with new bathrooms and dressing rooms installed. The family is now happily settled, with Linda opening a west country branch of her business in Gay Street in central Bath. When Linda goes into a company owned building she is careful to listen to the views of the staff about how they like to work before she draws up her designs. For her the human scale of workspaces is vital, as is sympathetic lighting. One of her specialities is to create a sociable space such as a light coffee shop or canteen, where colleagues who might otherwise not meet can come together informally. “We also like to talk to the staff after we’ve completed the project,” she said, “we run surveys, conduct interviews and sometimes do a time and motion study.” Despite her success – MoreySmith has won numerous awards

❞

“We were living in Clapham in a house with five floors and although we loved London we were fed up with having to have so many bolts on the doors,” said Linda, “We’d had numerous bikes stolen, been burgled, had our car stolen and grown tired of seeing the endless litter being blown about on Clapham Common. It was just all looking a bit dirty and depressing.”

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for her design work – Linda has retained a down-to-earth approach, applying quick humour and warmth to her work. She believes that a happy workforce is a productive workforce, and that this translates into monetary gain was recognised by property magazine Estates Gazette earlier this year when it ran a story about developers putting themselves into her hands to turn round a healthy profit on commercial property. Some of the MoreySmith London refurbishments have been in historic and listed buildings, which brings us on to how differently things are run in Bath. “They are so much stricter here in Bath about what you can and can’t do with a listed building. I really wish there was a guide written down about what’s permitted and what’s not.” She is currently negotiating over the details in the refurbishment of her newly acquired Gay Street premises. “I can’t believe they’re being so restrictive about the colour of the front door and the door furniture we want to use,” she is polite but clearly frustrated. Linda is currently based two days a week in Bath, while back in London she and her team are being kept busy with numerous projects including Coca-Cola’s new headquarters. Aside from her new offices in Gay Street Linda hasn’t tackled a refurbishment in Bath yet, and I wondered if there was a building that she’s like to get her hands on. “Oh yes, I’d love to do something with the Octagon, having been in to Sam’s Kitchen – I love that space. You could really do something with that wonderful space.” ■

Renew, a retrospective of Linda Morey Smith’s work, is published by Artifice, £29.95. The Bath launch of the book is at Mr B’s Emporium on Thursday 26 September. There is currently a MoreySmith Design award challenge for Bath Spa University students, sponsored by ASOS, challenging them to design display rails for the ASOS’ new HQ in central London.

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A NEW LEASE OF LIFE: 21st century family life fits in neatly with the former rectory’s 17th century architecture Behind the original facade the sprawling mansion, which once had 11 bedrooms now has a managable six bedrooms and sumptuous new bathrooms have been installed

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THE BRIGHT STARS OF AUTUMN Keep the colour going in your garden right through into the autumn with a display of colourful asters, says our award-winning gardener and writer Jane Moore

ast year one chance remark really made me think. The woman visitor mentioned that The Priory Hotel was one of the few gardens open late in the summer for the NGS. It prompted me to identify just what makes our garden worth showing off so late in the season. As a rule so many favourite garden plants are concentrated towards the first half of the summer. Most gardens look absolutely fabulous in May and June and then tail off towards the latter months of summer. Yet this is when we often get the better weather, warmer temperatures and perhaps a bit of time off – all very conducive to enjoying the garden. What a shame it’s past it’s best! But it’s my job to inspire and I have a simple solution for continuing the show into August, September and even October, should the frost keep away. Perfect threesome My recipe for success is just penstemons, dahlias and asters. Plant these three in various combinations repeated liberally throughout the garden and the effect will be tremendous. I hear groans of how fiddly dahlias are – prone to slugs, needing staking and a bit brassy. Yes they do need effort and aren’t everyone’s cup of tea so forget them if you insist. But penstemons and asters you really cannot complain about. They’re both easy on the eye and relatively trouble-free to grow. There are some beautiful cultivars of both readily available and new ones are being created all the time. Really I think the only drawback is that neither is available in yellow but I always think of that as more of a spring colour anyway. Picton Gardens I’m going to forget penstemons for the moment – that’s another article at another time – to focus on asters, aka Michaelmas daisies or starworts. This time last year Anna and I skedaddled off for a trip up to Picton Gardens near Malvern, home of the the National Collection of Asters. This was one of our infrequent educational outings and the garden and its adjoining nursery have been on my ‘Must Do’ list for a long time. If you like Asters – and I do, more and more – it was truly inspiring. You can buy plants directly at the nursery but I’d read that Asters prefer to be planted in spring so I put an order in online and this spring I planted about a dozen new Aster varieties to complement our existing half dozen or so. As I write I’m still waiting for the first flowers to 104 THEBATHMAGAZINE

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appear but they’re looking good and I’m more excited about these new plants than I have been since my peony craze a few years ago. While the Picton Gardens aren’t huge, they are stuffed with hundreds of asters, tall, short, double, single, in all shades and variations of blue, purple, pink, rose and white. Some will cope with shade, arching stems studded with dainty starry little flowers brightening up the dappled shade under trees. But most need full sun and are planted with bright rudbeckias and perennial sunflowers as well as the shaggy pink heads of eupatorium. There are so many lovely varieties my notebook is filled with crossings out as one blue supersedes another in terms of height, colour or form as we wandered around. I can see why Helen is the third generation of the Picton family to be involved in the collection and nursery.

some will cope with shade, ❝ arching stems studded with dainty starry little flowers brightening up the dappled shade under trees

❞

Aster types There are broadly speaking four or five type of aster and you do need to know a bit about them as it affects the cultivation. Aster novi-belgii is the largest group with over 1,000 cultivars. These are prone to mildew which is a pain but a moisture retentive soil and a mulch helps as does a spray with Roseclear if you’re inclined. Aster novae-angliae are far more resistant to mildew – hurrah – but do tend to lose their lower leaves as summer wears on, which is not appealing, although planting them behind other, bushier plants, such as penstemon, will hide this disfigurement. Aster amellus is perhaps my favourite type of aster with its shorter growth and large starry flowers. It’s long-lived, not too fussy about soil or site and really very easy to live with. Aster x frikartii is a tiny group of hybrids which are especially strong and sturdy.

DAISY, DAISY: asters flourish in the borders right through to the first frosts of autumn

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LATE ARRIVALS: asters and Michaelmas daisies come in a variety of shades from blues and mauves to pink and white

Small flowered asters are wonderful for lengthening the season in late September and through October with their graceful, many branched sprays of tiny star-like flowerheads. They are not especially prone to mildew but are usually slow growing and require a fertile soil which is free draining over winter. Varieties Little Pink Beauty: Free flowering with bright mauve-pink flowerheads from September into October. Borders and containers. 35 cm. Sandford’s White Swan: Clean white when first opened, the rays assume purple-pink tints with age, creating a bicolour effect. The generous, double flowerheads are produced from early September. Borders and cutting. 100 cm. Oktoberlicht: A lovely small flowered variety with big sprays of excellent white flowers produced from September into October. 100 cm. King George: Aster amellus variety with large, single, purple-

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blue flowers. 60 cm. Brilliant: Another amellus variety with bright purple-pink flowerheads on upright growth. 60 cm. Alma Potschke: Mildew resistant with cerise-pink flowerheads from September into October. More compact, at 90 cm. ■ Jane Moore is the head gardener at the award-winning gardens of the Bath Priory Hotel. Follow her on Twitter @janethegardener.

Picton Gardens opening times

1 – 31 August: Wednesday – Sunday 11am to 5pm 1 September – 20 October: daily, 11am to 5pm 22 October – 31 July: closed Admission: Adults £3.50, children (under 18) free. Address: Old Court Nurseries and The Picton Garden Walwyn Road, Colwall, Malvern, Worcestershire WR13 6QE. Tel: 01684 540416. Web: www.autumnasters.co.uk Email: paulpicton@btinternet.com

SEPTEMBER 2013

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PROPERTYin FOCUS

THE SQUASH HOUSE LANSDOWN • Architect designed, detached family home • Secluded tranquil setting • Quality specification and appliances • Enviable, sought after location • Under-floor heating • Garage, private parking

Guide Price: £1.25 million 108 THEBATHMAGAZINE

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he Squash House is a highly contemporary, architecturally designed detached house with the health and wellbeing of its occupants being at the forefront of its design. The versatile accommodation has been approached with originality and flair so that the house flows harmoniously between inside and outside, upstairs and downstairs. In brief, a covered entrance porch, spacious reception hall leading to an inner courtyard and an impressive bespoke oak staircase up to the first floor. A two storey curtain window pours light into the living room which has recessed sliding doors to the lower courtyard. On the main living floor, the open plan living area connects the modern kitchen to the dining room and adjacent family room, all seamlessly integrated into the upper terrace with sliding pocket doors. There are four bedrooms in total, the principal bedroom having an en suite bathroom and far reaching southerly views over the city. In addition there is a bathroom, shower room, utility room, boiler room and cloakroom. Outside there are stylish upper and lower decked terraces, an attractive lawned garden and children’s play area. The open fronted garage provides secure parking for two vehicles. Full details are available from agents Prichards. Pritchards, 11 Quiet Street, Bath. Tel: 01225 466225

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An impressive barn conversion standing in attractive private gardens. Quiet village location. Retaining wonderful room proportions, charm & character with accommodation mostly on one level. Kitchen/dining room with mezzanine study, charming sitting room, principal bedroom suite with sauna. 2 further bedrooms, 2 bath/shower rms, garden rm/bed 4. Heated swimming pool. Detached garage & driveway parking. Gross int area: 2567 sq/ft 238 sq m.

An outstanding detached period coach house set in the most enviable position enjoying pretty views and with garage with PP to create further accom above.

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Purlewent Drive, Weston

Southgate Street (City Centre)

A fine light and airy, detached house enjoying wonderful open views to the front across the City and beyond and over adjacent countryside to the rear. Elevated position in a small peaceful cul-de-sac.

A modern 1 bedroom, 2nd floor apartment in renowned Southgate Development in the heart of Bath. Communal garden, bike store and a most convenient location within a few minutes’ walk of train and bus stations.

5 bedrooms (1 with shower cubicle), bathroom, 2 receptions, kitchen, conservatory, utility & cloakrm. Attractive mature gardens Garage & ample driveway parking. Int area: 1510 sq ft/140.3 sq m.

Communal hall with lift. Priv ent hall, open plan sitting room/dining room/kitchen, double bedroom & bathroom. Int area: 461 sq ft/42.8 sq m.

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Kitchen/diner, living room, sitting room, 3 bedrooms - master en suite, shower room & utility. Mature gardens. Off road parking for 2. Int area 958 sq ft/89 sq m.

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GETTING THE PREP RIGHT Whether project managing a major refurbishment, or helping an elderly gentleman downsize, Tailormade Moves underlines the importance of preparation for a successful relocation.

ne rainy day last summer the telephone rang. “We’d like you to help us move from Bath to Bristol,” came a voice that sounded farther away than our next door town. “Simply done,” we answered. “Shall we come over to discuss it with you?” “Could be tricky,” came the reply. “We live near Sydney. And we won’t be visiting England until you’ve finished the move.” A few months later, having met our brief and comfortably installed Ann and Ian from Sydney in their Bristol pied-à-terre, we received another call from out of the blue. “We’re moving to Avonpark. There’s building work to be done and we’d like you to project manage everything: building, decorating and moving. Can you do it?” “Certainly,” we replied. “There’s just one thing,” they continued. “We leave next week on a world cruise. Is that ok?” Every move benefits from careful management. But if you’re changing your new home before moving in, precision is needed to ensure everything happens when and how expected. For our client moving to Avonpark, the 15-acre retirement village* on the edge of Bath, this meant organising a diverse group of trades, some appointed by the client, others recommended by ourselves. There was a builder, carpenter, plumber, decorator, curtain and carpet fitter – and top of the range kitchen and bathrooms to be installed. Walls to take down or move. All to be completed by the day the removal men arrived, with minimal disturbance to neighbours. End result – one cold day in January, our clients left their home near London and sailed from Southampton. They returned in April to their new home at Avonpark to find beds made, the heating on, warm towels, furniture arranged, clothes put away and all but the most personal of possessions unpacked – and a vase of fresh flowers to welcome them home. This is obviously infectious! We’ve subsequently worked with another couple merging two flats into one at Avonpark. This was more complex, 110 THEBATHMAGAZINE

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involving building and safety regulations, interior design advice, as well as day-to-day management of the project. And a deadline of just six weeks. We specialise in helping older homeowners relocate from one home to the next. And whatever the size of the project, the principles are always the same. It’s all about advance preparation. For example, what do you do with years of treasured bits and pieces? We always advise one golden rule: take it with you only if you love it or if it is useful! (We were asked if this also applied to spouses but, of course, we couldn’t possibly comment!) Where do you start? How do you decide? What can go to family members? What might go to auction? Or charity? What can be recycled? It can be difficult to decide – but an objective view from a third party can often provide the help you need. Whether stripping out a property and rebuilding it in six weeks, or moving an elderly gentleman a couple of miles down the road, we understand how stressful moving home can be. So no matter how large or small the task, we will ensure it gets done when and how it suits you – providing friendly, supportive and practical help when and where it’s most needed. We’ll leave the last word to Ann and Ian in Sydney. “On the day of the move we were having dinner at home in Australia with friends when my husband announced that, at that very moment, we were moving house in England. ‘How so?’ our friends asked. ‘Tailormade Moves’ was the answer. We had complete confidence that our flat would be ready and waiting for us on our arrival in the UK a couple of weeks later. And we were right!”

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1 Harrington Place Bath The Estate Agents People Recommend BA1 1HF

Widcombe, Bath Guide Price £975,000 A handsome semi-detached, grade II listed Regency house with well balanced accommodation arranged over four floors. Recently modernised throughout, the house has retained a wealth of period charm and character. • Five Bedrooms • Three Reception Rooms • Two Bathrooms • Shower Room • Two Cloakrooms • Gardens • Good Access To Bath Spa Train Station • Sought After Location • Approx 2,725 sq ft

Faulkland, Nr Bath Guide Price £875,0000 Green Gables is a stunning six bedroom detached residence situated in a small cul-de-sac position set back from the main road in the unspoilt village of Faulkland. • Detached Residence • Six Bedrooms • Three Reception Rooms • Beautifully Modernised • Large Kitchen/Breakfast Room • Lovely Gardens • Quiet Village Location • Driveway Parking • EPC Rating: C

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Grosvenor Place A spacious and contemporary two bedroom maisonette occupying the lower two floors of a handsome Grade I Listed former Georgian townhouse. The apartment is beautifully furnished throughout and benefits from a private and picturesque private garden and allocated off-street parking.

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Bloomfield Road

ÂŁ285,000

Fidelis Estate Agents 134 Wells Road, Bear Flat, Bath BA2 3AH

Fidelis sept.indd 2

Email: info@fidelisproperties.co.uk

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Beyond your expectations www.hamptons.co.uk

Combe Hay, Bath Guide Price £1m Uphill is a beautifully presented contemporary village home situated in the most sought after village of Combe Hay just outside of Bath. The interior design of this unique four bedroom home is quite outstanding and attention to detail has been executed both inside and out. Approximate gross sq.ft. 2,906. EPC:E.

Haycombe Lane, Bath Guide Price £1.295m This beautifully and recently crafted detached Bath stone home benefits from commanding views and enjoys an enviable position just on the edge of the city limits but adjacent to beautiful countryside. Using the technology of recent years the house has been designed with excellent green credentials and with four acres of garden predominantly left as meadow, this is a wonderful opportunity to live the ‘good life’ in the city. Approximate gross sq.ft. 3,853. EPC:C.

Bath Office

Sales. 01225 312244 | Lettings 01225 445646

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Beyond your expectations www.hamptons.co.uk

Corston, Bath

Guide Price £1.35m

The Old Rectory is a charming Grade II Listed family home dating back to the 17th Century. This prestigious village home is beautifully presented with many fine period details lovingly restored over recent years. The gardens are of particular note as are the views over the adjacent countryside. Approximate gross sq.ft. 6,748.

Limpley Stoke, Bath

Guide Price £925,000

High Meadow is an attractive five bedroom detached family home dating back to the 1950’s and standing in large level mature gardens. The spacious accommodation is very well presented across two floors and is close to the countryside as well as offering easy access to the city. Approximate gross sq.ft. 2,465. EPC:E.

Bath Office

Sales. 01225 312244 | Lettings 01225 445646

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Central Bath Enter this fine house and immediately one is struck by its genteel opulence. Originally built in the 1870s the house retains all that is unique and exciting. Behind its beautiful Bath Stone exterior we find elegantly proportioned rooms, original mouldings and plasterwork; a house filled with character and charm befitting its era. The house has been passionately maintained and enhanced and its modern luxurious touches meld perfectly with the overall period grandeur. Here is a house that could easily nurture a single family home, capable of providing all that is required for today’s modern lifestyle, or continue its present journey as highly successful and much sought-after boutique self-catering holiday apartments.

Alternatively, the stunning garden apartment could be retained as the main residence whilst allowing the other apartments to realise their potential. Free from listing restrictions, the possibilities for an imaginative entrepreneurial mind are almost endless.

“Take a moment to sit in the gardens, relax and let the cares of the business day melt away.This prestige property is without doubt a unique and rare opportunity and one so beautifully presented it is not easy to pass it by.”

PULTENEY ROAD SUBSTANTIALVICTORIAN SEMI-DETACHED PROPERTY • FLEXIBLE ACCOMMODATION • CURRENTLY ARRANGED TO OFFER HOLIDAY APARTMENTS • OFF STREET PARKING • EPC RATING = D

Contact: 01225 320032

£1,550,000

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Englishcombe Village Inglesview is a converted barn with a long and interesting history. Set within the charming village of Englishcombe, and with beautiful views from several rooms down the valley. The terraced garden features a wonderful space, ideal for eating breakfast al fresco in the morning sun and revelling in the views. Under 4 miles from the centre of Bath. The property has recently been refurbished, making it suitable for contemporary living, while adding rustic features in keeping with the style of its character.The sliding folding triple doors of the lounge open out on to the courtyard helping to bring the outside in. The kitchen and dining room have also been adapted into a large open family

living space, the two areas divided by a wonderful oak beam. Beyond the kitchen is a potential fourth bedroom and cloakroom, which has been used as a home office and study.With its own entrance and privacy from the rest of the house it is ideal for those looking for a quiet space. As well as two bedrooms on the ground floor there is the master bedroom on the first floor in the converted hayloft, a lovely big open space with more stunning views.

“This is a unique property, in a superb location.”

INGLESVIEW DETACHED • THREE/FOUR BEDROOMS • MASTER EN-SUITE • GARDEN • GARAGE • OFF STREET PARKING • EPC RATING – D

Contact: 01225 320032

£679,950

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BLOOMFIELD AVENUE

ÂŁ715,000

This large Victorian semi is beautifully appointed and comes with acres of space, ideal for a growing family. Excellent location, close to the Bear Flat Parade and with easy access into Bathâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s City Centre. Hallway, sitting room, dining room, kitchen/breakfast room, 6 bedrooms and beautiful bathroom. Walled gardens.

1 Hayes Place, Bear Flat, Bath BA2 4QW

01225 422 224

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GREENWAY LANE

ÂŁ750,000

An individual, detached, period home overlooking the beautiful and stunning Lyncombe Vale. All the rooms have a southerly aspect and the property offers great versatility with its accommodation. A highly unique home, to which internal viewing is highly recommended. Hall, 4 reception rooms, large conservatory, kitchen, 4 double bedrooms (1 with en-suite shower room), bathroom and cloakroom. Landscaped terraced gardens and single garage.

www.mark-naylor.com

email: homes@mark-naylor.com

Millennium Court

Prices from £250,000- £495,000

Superb development | High specification | Beautiful Schmidt kitchens | Luxury bathrooms | Exceptional finish | Courtyard garden | Highly recommended | Stamp duty paid A superb development of eight luxury apartments and one truly amazing, stylish penthouse. The apartments are built to exceptional standards with the highest specification used throughout which includes beautiful Schmidt kitchens, luxury bathrooms and a beautifully considered finish throughout plus upper apartments have the advantage of a lift. There are courtyard gardens with some of the apartments and fantastic views that surround the building. A quality development and early viewing comes highly recommended. PLEASE NOTE: THESE PHOTOS SHOWN ARE REPRESENTATIVE OF THE DEVELOPMENT BUT NOT NECESSARILY THE ACTUAL APARTMENT.

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Isabella House

Offers in Excess of ÂŁ335,000

Grade II listed | Top floor | Exceptional renovation | Two double bedrooms | Spacious apartment | Immaculately presented | Viewing highly recommended This fabulous two double bedroom apartment is located in centre of the delightful village of Combe Down. The apartment itself has been completely renovated to an exceptional standard. The property itself consists of two very good sized double bedrooms one with en- suite, a stylish light open plan living area with original floors, a luxurious kitchen with a mix of black granite and beech worktops. The bathroom with large walk in shower and roll top bath. There is also a cloakroom with WC adjacent.

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Portland Place

Offers in Excess of ÂŁ280,000

Grade I listed | Courtyard apartment | Private entrance | Beautifully presented | Two double bedrooms | Contemporary kitchen | Spacious bathroom A beautifully presented Georgian courtyard apartment within easy walking distance of the City Centre. The stylish interior comprises: spacious sitting room with two windows providing a wealth of light, contemporary kitchen, two good sized double bedrooms and a large bathroom. The property also benefits from a well maintained courtyard to the front of the property and a smaller courtyard accessed via the second bedroom, as well as direct access to the communal garden.

14 Connaught Mansions

Offers in Excess of ÂŁ260,000

Georgian apartment | Grade I listed | Spacious accommodation | One double bedroom | Luxury kitchen and bathroom | Close to City Centre | Highly recommended A stylish and beautifully presented one bedroomed apartment in Connaught Mansions, an impressive Grade I listed property on the highly desirable Great Pulteney Street. The well proportioned accommodation comprises: sitting with two ornate pillars, immaculate modern kitchen, spacious double bedroom with beautiful stained glass window to rear elevation and luxury white bathroom suite. The apartment is conveniently located within a short level walk of the City Centre.

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Edward Street

ÂŁ925 pcm

Period apartment | Furnished | Level walk to City Centre | Sought after location | No students | Non smoker | Available Now A spacious, newly refurbished and beautifully presented ground floor one bedroom period apartment. The property has been tastefully furnished, has a light and airy feel and is enviably situated just a two minute walk from the centre of the City. The apartment would suit a professional tenant or couple looking for an immaculately presented apartment. Highly recommended. Available now.

Park Street

ÂŁ995 pcm

Stylish apartment | Prime location | Two good bedrooms | Allocated parking | Communal garden | Highly recommended A super two bedroom second floor apartment in prime location with the rare advantage of a private allocated parking. The apartment offers well balanced accommodation that comprises living room, kitchen/breakfast room, two double bedrooms and bathroom all presented in excellent decorative order. With access to a communal garden, private parking and highly sought position, this apartment comes highly recommended.

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Crisp Cowley Ralph Allenâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Town House York Street Bath BA1 1NQ 01225 789333

www.crispcowley.co.uk

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Crisp Cowley Ralph Allenâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Town House York Street Bath BA1 1NQ 01225 789333

www.crispcowley.co.uk

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