FROM THE EDITOR

The thing about pop-ups is that they wow you every time. Traditional flat-page books might only get one full read, whereas a pop-up book is a guaranteed spirit-raiser to be brought out again and again. This month I talked to master of pop-ups David Hawcock. He’s a paper engineer and he can design things that will pop up dramatically and then pop down again. His latest enterprise is two pop-up games, including a chess set, which he recently took into the Dragons’ Den, with considerable success (see page 44). Our cover star this month is musical theatre sensation Carrie Hope Fletcher. She told me that the thrill of musicals comes from how music can be the soundtrack to everything we are feeling. She’s coming to Bath in June to appear in Carrie Hope Fletcher: An Open Book, performing a selection of her songs as well as telling some engaging stories about her life (see page 16). There’s more music, but of a different kind with conductor and soprano Barbara Hannigan who is performing her own musical magic with the London Symphony Orchestra at The Forum. See page 22. We also have a sweet treat in store because there is a new Queen of Baking in Bath. Her name is Immy and she took part in the most recent series of Channel 4’s Junior Bake Off. She started baking when she was two, would you believe, and her skills in the kitchen at the age of 9 are most impressive (see page 48).

As part of our interiors issue we’ve researched a nuts-and-bolts feature all about flooring, the different types and how to choose the best one (see page 60). This is bolstered by some expert perspectives on the choosing of tiles (see page 80), and our essential spring/summer directory of local interior suppliers (see page 66).

There’s also a piece on the new exhibition at the American Museum & Gardens (page 36) and a flavourful and nutritious White Bean Prawn Saganaki recipe (page 40). Our pages may be flat, but they are pop-ulated with unforgettable content!

Emma Clegg, Editor

fundraiser in the hope that this important part of Bath’s history can be saved.

Pumping station under threat

Bath’s original Georgian Pumping Station with a working 200-year-old waterwheel is at risk of never running again unless major repairs can be funded. Claverton Pumping Station has set up a Just Giving

On the Kennet and Avon Canal, Claverton Pumping Station is home to the giant 7-metre wide waterwheel, which used to power a beam engine capable of pumping over 2 million gallons of water into the canal each day. This water kept the canal functioning as a transport highway from Bristol and Bath to London. An electric pump does the work today, but the original waterwheel and pumping station is open as an attraction with hundreds of visitors each year. A team of volunteers maintain the site and give guided tours.

Earlier this year, cracks started to form on the cast iron frame, threatening its future –this means that the waterwheel can’t be run until the repairs are done.

Just Giving website link: justgiving.com/campaign/claverton-casting-repairs Claverton Pumping Station: claverton.org

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

Editor Emma Clegg 01225 424592; emma@thebathmagazine.co.uk

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