The Bath Magazine April 2022

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ISSUE 230 | APRIL 2022 thebathmag.co.uk | £3.95 where sold

HELLO POSSUMS! The colourfu l wor ld of Barry Hum phries

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S O M U C H M O R E I N T H E C I T Y ’ S B I G G E S T G U I D E T O L I V I N G I N B AT H

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Contents 5 THINGS

April 2022

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10

Great things to look forward to this month

NOTES ON A SMALL CITY

ART, COINS AND MAGIC

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Emma Clegg talks to artist David Lawrence, who moved from scientific illustration to painting surreal homages to the English countryside

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12

Richard Wyatt remembers his first radio and a ride on a pirate ship

TYING THE KNOT

GIGASTAR TIME

Getting hitched sometime soon? Plan your big day with help from our wedding special

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Emma Clegg meets comedy legend Barry Humphries and is surprised to discover that Bath is the land of his forefathers

BY THE BOOK

WHAT’S ON . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .20 Our monthly guide to what’s happening in and around the city, including on page 26 a selection of Easter-time family fun

GO RONDO

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50

Shared humanity and life stories feature strongly in The Bath Festival’s line-up this year. Here are six great reads for starters...

TASTE FOR THEATRE . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 56 24

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Including theatre, comedy and music, here are some highlights of the upcoming performances at The Rondo Theatre

THE ART OF EXPRESSION

38

Melissa Blease reports on new ways of learning for youngsters at the Egg and reminds us that a trip to the theatre can change a life forever

COME WALK WITH ME 28

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60

Andrew Swift discovers the lost roads of the Mendips

Georgette McCready offers a taste of the Bath Festival events taking place at The Holburne Museum in May

ASIAN DELIGHTS

LET THERE BE JAZZ . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .30

Artefacts from the East can provide a stunning focal point in the interior.

Ma San Auction House guides us through some recently sold items

Daisy Game catches up with Empirical’s double bassist Tom Farmer ahead of the jazz band’s planned and pop-up appearances in May

NATURAL RECHARGE

62

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66

How to find a restorative sanctuary in your garden

DRESS TO REDRESS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .32 ROCK OF AGES

An exhibition at the American Museum & Gardens presents five outfits that revise male-dominated historical narratives

ARTS AND EXHIBITIONS

Elly West takes a look at the rock garden

34

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To admire, inspire and delight – here’s our monthly round-up of artistic goings-on

Follow us on Twitter @thebathmagazine

More content and updates discover: thebathmag.co.uk

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ON THE COVER

Barry Humphries as Dame Edna Everage. Barry is still approaching 70 from the wrong direction, but he’s back on tour and is coming to Bath – see page 16

Follow us on Instagram @thebathmagazine

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FROM THE EDITOR

Follow us @thebathmagazine

See more online www.thebathmag.co.uk

Contact us:

D

ame Edna Everage once described her chat shows as “an intimate conversation between two friends, one of whom is a lot more interesting than the other”.

My interview with Barry Humphries – of whom Dame Edna is the most famous of his alter-egos – felt much the same (see page 16). Barry didn’t disappoint, although he made a point of asking me a fair few questions too – it must be the ever-present chat show host in him. The news is that Barry is coming to Theatre Royal Bath on 17–18 April as himself in Barry Humphries: The Man Behind the Mask. He wouldn’t be drawn on exactly what to expect – although he was emphatic about there being no talk of alimony payments – but there is an indication that some of his much-loved character creations may be making an appearance, and there is an underlying concern they might disrupt proceedings.

We’d expect no less.

As we continue to uncover what’s happening at the Bath Festival in May, Daisy Game speaks to Empirical Jazz’s double bassist Tom Farmer on page 30 and learns all about why playing jazz is like a team game where you have to think beyond the edge of the stage.

Georgette McCready offers a summary of festival events at the Holburne Museum on page 28 – from classical music with violinist Irene Duval and pianist Sam Armstrong to art historian and critic Ruth Millington talking about the women who have inspired masterpieces across the centuries, each one has a connection to the museum’s collections and themes.

We’re in the chill zone this month – what with the daffodils and cherry blossom – and we’ve taken this outdoor uplift a step further by looking at the idea of a garden sanctuary on page 66. You’ll find inspiration in the form of Hampton’s Sanctuary Garden, to be unveiled at the RHS Chelsea Flower Show this year, which was created under a canopy of pine and birch trees, and we have some practical advice from the experts on creating a physical sanctuary in your own garden.

We’ve also been looking at the theme of strong women, the cornerstone of the American Museum & Garden’s current exhibition Dress to Redress. Anishinabe artist Celeste Pedri-Spade has produced a series of five wearable art pieces, shown along with personal artefacts, photography and historical items, to celebrate the importance of visual and material culture, and demonstate how this can provide a more relevant commentary than established historical narratives – see page 32.

There’s also interiors inspiration from Asia on page 62, an interview with local surrealist artist David Lawrence on page 38, and an uplifting overview by Melissa Blease on page 56 about what Bath’s Egg Theatre is doing to increase access, opportunities and life chances for children and young people.

From Edna to Celeste Pedri-Spade, it’s strong women all the way.

And a few other things too!

Emma Clegg Editor

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Publisher Email:

Steve Miklos steve@thebathmagazine.co.uk

Editor Tel: Email:

Emma Clegg 01225 424592 emma@thebathmagazine.co.uk

Financial Director Email:

Jane Miklos jane@thebathmagazine.co.uk

Assistant Editor/Web Editor Email:

Daisy Game daisy@thebathmagazine.co.uk

Production Manager Email:

Jeff Osborne production@thebathmagazine.co.uk

To Advertise tel: 01225 424499 Advertising Sales Email:

Liz Grey liz@thebathmagazine.co.uk

The Bath Magazine and The Bristol Magazine are published by MC Publishing Ltd We are independent of all other local publications The Bath Magazine is delivered free, every month, to more than 15,000 residential addresses as well as businesses throughout Bath and the surrounding area. We also have special distribution units in many of Bath’s supermarkets

2 Princes Buildings, George Street, Bath BA1 2ED Telephone: 01225 424499. Fax: 01225 426677 www.thebathmag.co.uk © MC Publishing Ltd 2022 Disclaimer: Whilst every reasonable care is taken with all material submitted to The Bath Magazine, the publisher cannot accept responsibility for loss or damage to such material. Opinions expressed in articles are strictly those of the authors.

This publication is copyright and may not be reproduced in any form either in part or whole without written permission from the publishers.

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

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ZEITGEIST

things to do this

April

Spot Sir Bradley

Laugh at Bath Comedy Festival

Sir Bradley Wiggins is taking part in a team cycle charity ride, ‘A Ride with Sir Brad’, from Dunskey Estate in Scotland down to the Isle of Wight, and on 28 April he is stopping off in Bath. Cycling over five days, and organised by LeBlanq & MR PORTER, the 500-mile route aims to raise funds and awareness of Health in Mind, promoting a positive attitude towards mental health and the benefits of exercise.

Sir Brad will ride and chat with celebrities on topics such as family, career, pressure and anxiety, with coriders set to include Monica Dew, Kenny Riddle and Gareth Winter. These conversations will form the basis for a series of MR PORTER podcasts to publish in May. leblanq.com

Henning Wehn is at Bath Forum on 9 April and Sarah Millican is at Bath Forum on 6–7 April

With hundreds of comedians performing across Bath, the return of Bath Comedy Festival (running until 21 April) will have Bath roaring with laughter this month. There will be performances from some of the biggest names in the comedy world, including Josh Widdicombe, Henning Wehn, Sarah Millican, Russell Kane, The Guilty Feminist, Jess Robinson, Ed Gamble, Jasper Carrot and Sandi Toksvig.

Highlights include: • 1 April: April Fools’ Gala starring Russell Kane, Jess Robinson, Silky, Les Bubb and John Moloney at Bath Forum • 3 April: top immersive experience The Wine Arts Trail (T.W.A.T.), accompanied by Absolutely Fabulous guest clippie, Helen Lederer • 6 and 7 April: Sarah Millican packs Bath Forum for two consecutive nights • 8 and 15 April: Friday night line-ups with top circuit comedians at Widcombe Social Club • 9 April: Henning Wehn brings his new tour show It’ll All Come Out In The Wash to Bath Forum • 12 April: screening of Ian Cognito: A Life And Death On Stage, the much-lauded documentary tribute to one of the most extraordinary live comedy performers • 14 April: Josh Widdicombe at Bath Forum • The Rondo Theatre features a varied programme including a solo performance of Warhol: Bullet Karma by celebrated actor Garry Roost (2 April), and a rollercoaster mixture of dialogue, music and audience interaction from The Rev Dr Clive Thomas Jackson, singer of Doctor and the Medics (9 April) • 18 April: Walcot House hosts the Bath Comedy Festival New Act Competition Final which always finds a new star in the making. bathcomedy.com

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Weigh up the look-a-likes Komedia is bringing a Look-aLike Bath Tribute Festival to Bath on 17 April (3pm). With the line-up including The Beatles, OASIS, Queen and ABBA, it will be your job to assess the most convincing live act in this festival style event. £15. komedia.co.uk

Go antiquing Visiting The Spring Vintage Bazaar in Frome is a wonderful way to indulge in a bit of eco-friendly retail therapy. At this unique event you can purchase from some of the country’s best dealers in vintage textiles, decorative antiques and French brocante as well as a handpicked selection of designer makers. The Vintage Bazaar has been running for over ten years and has earned a reputation for providing the best quality vintage.

The event will take place at the Cheese and Grain, Frome on Saturday 23 April. thevintagebazaar.co.uk

Discover the greatest British songwriter you never knew you knew Anthony Newley was the man behind such greats as Pure Imagination, Feelin’ Good, The Candyman, Goldfinger and Once in a Lifetime – hits which moved both hearts and feet in the ’60s. 20th Century Foxes has sniffed out the best of Newley’s lesser-known gems to give them their own flamboyant razzamatazz in a live stage show. 30 April, 8pm, Chapel Arts. £19.50/£20 chapelarts.org

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SPEND MORE TIME ENJOYING THE GARDEN THIS EASTER

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CITY | NOTEBOOK

Richard Wyatt: Notes on a small city Columnist Richard Wyatt remembers his first cat’s whisker radio, his early experiences of television with Muffin the Mule, and a ride on a hand-built pirate ship that had its top sawn off

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Richard Wyatt with his elder sister in the mid-1950s

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The cat’s whisker was a coil of wire that touched the crystal and helped tune in radio channels

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chanced upon a copy of journalist and broadcaster Justin Webb’s current autobiography on display in a Bath bookshop.

It’s called The Gift of a Radio and although his childhood takes him back to the 1970s, the title took me and my memories much further into the past.

My father wasn’t around too much during the first few years of my life – being an engineer in the Merchant Navy and employed on the Bristol City line. However, whenever he came home on leave I was able to boast the sort of presents that my peers could not match. A Micky Mouse car, chewing gum, instant powdered coffee – the sort of things only available on the other side of the pond, known more geographically as the Atlantic Ocean. But it’s the memory of my first radio that came to mind while admiring that book cover. My first attempt at tuning into the BBC was via a cat’s whisker radio my father brought me. The first gadget I ever owned, and probably the one responsible for putting me on a slippery and, lately, moreexpensive appliances path.

Those of my generation will no doubt be aware that such a radio was not powered by a battery or mains electricity. It received broadcasts via an internal crystal – hence its other name, a crystal wireless. The cat’s whisker was a coil of wire that touched the crystal and helped tune in radio channels. I remember it being a small black bakelite object with a tuning knob and, because the signal was so weak, a crude pair of earphones plugged into the device. My father managed somehow to get an aerial wire deployed across the roof of our house. There I sat in my bedroom, a copy of The Radio Times beside me, tuning into Home Service programmes, especially plays, that I had underlined to listen to. I also remember a neighbour called Mrs Venn who was the first person in our part of Worle near Westonsuper-Mare to own a television. She would let a group of us local children in on a regular basis, calling us off our street playground to marvel at Muffin the Mule. Everything was of course in black and white. I remember that ITV didn’t switch to colour until I had joined HTV West in the early 1970s!

When we finally got our own set there was never really an opportunity to collapse in front of the telly. My father was constantly

on his feet slapping the top of that boxed cathode ray tube to stop the horizontal hold slipping. However, my formative years were not all black and white by any means. I was three and a half when the Queen was crowned and remember the coronation fête in which us village kids were all given spoons tied with red,white and blue ribbon.

Back in those days we were living with our maternal grandparents who just happened to be landlord and lady of The Lamb Inn at Worle. Every year the pub entered the local carnival and constructed giant floats for the procession that would wind its way out of the village and as far as Winscombe on the western edge of the Mendip Hills.

I was allowed to ride on board a pirate ship my grandfather’s regulars had helped build through Worle High Street. Then I was taken off while the carnival parade made its way out into the countryside. There was, at the time, a rather low railway bridge at Winscombe which proved to be an obstacle in terms of the galleon’s main mast proudly flying the skull and crossbones. There was only one thing for it – they had to saw the top off to allow it through.

I am sure I was told a cannon ball had seen it off! My grandfather passed away too young at 56, just days before my 16th birthday.

I was doing GCEs and helping my grandmother keep the pub going until she was able to hand over the business to a new tenant. I remember the sections of that pirate ship had been stored behind the skittle alley and were still there at that time.

All these years later I rang the current landlady of The Lamb Inn to ask if the ship was still in situ. We still have the skittle alley she said but nothing is hidden behind it. Memories are the place where things remain unchanged. Thank God for them! n Richard Wyatt runs the Bath Newseum: bathnewseum.com

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CITY | THEATRE

Aussie returns home

Barry Humphries – whose alter ego is the sparkling diva Dame Edna Everage – is coming to Bath this month. Emma Clegg discovers some interesting facts while chatting to the comic performer: his father was born in Bath, he wanted to be a painter, and (unexpectedly) how her own name is the 757th most popular in the UK

M

y name is actually Emma Haystack, Barry Humphries tells me – this is, he explains, because he’s looked it up and my surname means ‘small haystack’ in Old Norse.

He also says that when he comes to Bath for two nights from 17–18 April for his Man Behind the Mask tour he will be returning to the land of his forefathers. These two comments were an unexpected part of my interview with this celebrated comic performer, best known for his satirical alter egos of ‘refined’, acid-tongued Melbourne housewife Dame Edna Everage and inebriated, uncouth cultural attaché Sir Les Patterson.

“My paternal grandfather came from Lancashire – he always spoke with a strong Lancashire accent – and then he settled in Bath as a builder, and my father was later born there. But then things were tough, so the family went to Australia because we’d had the Gold Rush and Melbourne, my home town, was the richest city in the world. Apart from Buenos Aires.”

My head spinning with talk of the Gold Rush and Bath (not an association I’ve made before), I ask Barry why he has decided to take on this tour, after his 2012 announcement that he was retiring from show business. “I haven’t ever officially retired,” exclaims Barry. “All I’ve done is around three farewell tours. I kept calling the shows ‘farewell tours’ because that sells more tickets, but it tends to wear off a bit if I keep on saying ‘farewell’. So this is a kind of ‘hello’ tour.”

Barry – atypically for an interviewee – is intent on talking about me,

in particular my surname – and he’s done some careful research. I discover that the name ‘Clegg’ is the 757th most popular name in England, but mostly in Rochdale, which is, Barry asserts triumphantly, “clogged with Cleggs.” Guiding him back to the topic of himself, he admits he’s missed being on stage: “Although I never took acting terribly seriously it’s taken over rather – it’s in my blood, and having been absent from the stage for two and a half years I’m so keen to get back again.”

There is an air of secrecy on what the tour will bring (it’s called Man Behind the Mask, after all), but it’s clear that Barry will be the star. “This new show is really an autobiographical show. You will of course hear much about the origins of Edna and Les Patterson, and perhaps about me, because I’ve decided, Emma, that I am a rather interesting person. I never really thought about myself, but I think the audience will quite enjoy some scorching revelations. And it will be encouraging, probably, to the odd senior citizen that you can still leap around on the stage if you are an octogenarian.”

I establish that there may be some surprise appearances from his other characters such as Dame Edna and Sir Les. “I sincerely hope they don’t interrupt the show,” comments Barry. “But I think we’ll see some excerpts of their lesser-known work.”

Guiding Barry back from his ruminations about whether I’d thought of ghost-writing – because I have a ‘knack’ with words, and “so many people are totally ignorant and unable to put two words together” – I enquire about whether he feels more British than Australian, having lived in the UK for over 60 years.

“No,” he says. “I used to go back to Australia in pre-Covid days twice a year so I never really felt I’d left. At the same time I never joined the Australians in London gang. And even friends of mine like Germaine Greer or Clive James, I never saw much of because we were all so busy carving out a career for ourselves.

“But as a matter of fact when I was a boy in Melbourne I always felt a bit foreign. My mother used to say, ‘Barry we don’t know where you came from.’ Now that sounds funny to us, but then it was scary because it convinced me that I was some kind of alien.”

Barry is talking here about his artistic sensibilities. His Wikipedia entry – which I explain (to his surprise) is extensive, requiring much scrolling down – says, “Humphries was sent to Melbourne Grammar School where he spurned sport, detested mathematics, shirked cadets ‘on the basis of conscientious objection’ and matriculated with brilliant results in English and Art.” “Artistic didn’t mean then what it means now,” Barry explains.

“For a while it implied effeminacy and then it meant interested in music and poetry, which young Australians in the late 1930s and 1940s weren’t meant to be. We were meant to be sporty types. And as a matter of fact, Emma, I attribute my very long life to total abstinence from athletic activity. It’s a waste of time really. And also an invitation to injury.”

At the University of Melbourne, where Barry studied Law, Philosophy and Fine Arts, he dabbled in theatre, but it was not his focus. “I was in university shows and I was somewhat distracted from my studies by the dramatic society, but I never thought it was my future. I was more interested in being a painter.”

Originally conceived in 1956, Dame Edna Everage – described by journalist Caroline Overington as “A perfect parody of a modern, vainglorious celebrity with a rampant ego and a strong aversion to the audience” – has become a long-enduring comic personality. I wonder if the transition from Barry to Dame Edna is an easy one. “You don’t prepare,” says Barry. “All you do is acquire the appearance, the glasses, the mauve hair, and Edna visits you. She takes over and

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“Edna takes over and honestly it’s automatic.

I don’t even have to think my way into it. It is as though I am inhabited by this woman who represents all that I couldn’t stand about Australia”

honestly it’s automatic. I don’t even have to think my way into it. It is as though I am inhabited by this woman who represents all that I couldn’t stand about Australia. But one has a sneaking affection for her, which takes the curse off the character. So she is not just a woman who insults you, because she does it in a caring way.

“You will find lots of answers to questions like this when I step onto the stage of your beautiful theatre in Bath. I have always wanted to perform there, in the land of my forefathers. My grandfather talked about Bath a lot. I’ve never done a show there and I’ve always wanted to come to your beautiful town.”

Barry is categoric about one thing on the content of his tour. “Those who have enjoyed John Cleese’s one-man shows will be disappointed because I make no mention of my alimony, so it might disappoint a lot of people. I’m not referring in any embittered terms to any of my former wives. I hope that won’t upset people. I don’t think it’s fair to an audience of hardworking people to hear about the billions of dollars

some comics have to give their ex-wives. It’s not endearing, is it?”

Barry has three former wives, but since 1990 has been married to Elizabeth ‘Lizzie’ Spender, the daughter of British poet Sir Stephen Spender and concert pianist Natasha Spender. “I even married an English girl in the end. My wife Lizzie is very, very English,” he asserts proudly. Barry says he never felt in control of his own career: “My disadvantage was that I never had much ambition. So I didn’t make much happen; things happened to me.” However he has another aspiration: “I’ve lived in London since 1960 and I’ve just acquired British Citizenship. Now I am a British Citizen I am able to accept a knighthood. So we just hope that the right people read The Bath Magazine. The long wait is over, so get moving monarch!” n

Barry Humphries: The Man Behind the Mask is at Theatre Royal Bath from 17–18 April; theatreroyal.org.uk 2020 2010 THEBATHMAG.CO.UK THEBATHMAG.CO.UK THEBATHMAG.CO.UK | january | nOVeMber | april 2022

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Easter at our Museums Make Easter Bonnets and Bicorns at No. 1 Royal Crescent, free with your museum ticket At the Herschel Museum of Astronomy it’s all about the full moon and we’re making spinners that reveal the moon’s phases, free with your museum ticket At Beckford’s Tower a bunny trail is being set in the landscape, free of charge All activities will run from Sat 9 April – Sun 24 April www.bath-preservation-trust.org.uk/museums/

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LOCAL | EVENTS

What’s on in April Georgina Hayden at Topping & Co. Bookshop

Jazz at Green Park Brasserie

LIVE MUSIC AT GREEN PARK BRASSERIE n Green Park Brasserie, Green Park, Bath Enjoy live jazz/funk/soul/swing at Green Park Brasserie on Wednesday and Thursday from 6.30–8.45pm and Friday and Saturday from 6.30–9.45pm. Music varies in style from dynamic duos to modern trios to a Hot Club style quintet. The Brasserie kitchen will be open from 5–10pm Wednesday–Friday, and 12–10pm on Saturday, serving up local produce including steak, fish, chicken and burgers. greenparkbrasserie.com MR HANDEL’S JUBILEE CELEBRATION 2 April, 7.30pm n Bath Abbey Join Bath Minerva Choir at Bath Abbey for a Jubilee celebration as only Mr Handel can provide: three of his magnificent Coronation Anthems, including Zadok the Priest, his celebrated Hallelujah Chorus and the epic final chorus from Messiah, plus a selection of his most ravishing solo arias for female voice. With Bristol Baroque providing stylish accompaniment and two extraordinary soloists on the verge of major careers, this will be an uplifting and truly celebratory paean to Her Majesty in this, her Platinum Jubilee year. Tickets bathboxoffice.org.uk; bathminervachoir.co.uk U3A: FROM BARROW TO BAGHDAD AND BACK AGAIN 7 April, 10.30pm–12.30.pm n Bath Pavilion, North Parade Philip Caine will describe his fascinating career, beginning with him leaving school and ending with the writing of his first

Mr Handel’s Jubilee Celebration at Bath Abbey

novel. He has worked in the hotel industry and on offshore oil rigs. At the end of the Iraq War in 2003, Philip went to Baghad where he directed the operations and project management of multiple accommodation bases for the American Coalition. Admission to the talks is free for members and asks for a donation of £2 for non-members. u3ainbath.org.uk

n BRLSI, Queen Square, Bath Sue Boyle selected this year to focus on The Waste Land, the poem by T. S. Elliot that many of us may have studied with varying degrees of comprehension. In this talk, Sue Boyle and others provide highlights from their Waste Land journey, exploring its many interpretations, its spurs to the imagination and its food for thought. £2–£5. brlsi.org

GEORGINA HAYDEN FOR NISTISIMA 7 April, 7.30pm n Topping & Co, The Bookshop, Friends Meeting House, York Street, Bath Georgina Hayden, award-winning cook and food writer, comes to talk about her latest book Nistisima, a celebration of 120 delicious vegan recipes from the Mediterranean and beyond. A wonderful evening of talking and tasters. £26, including book. toppingbooks.co.uk

HAMELIN 12–14 April, 6.30pm, plus matinees n The Egg, Bath When a mysterious stranger comes to Hamelin, promising to solve the town’s troubles, will the townsfolk hold up their end of the bargain? Join the Theatre Royal Bath Theatre School in their quest to uncover the truth in stories we think we know. Tickets £10, Theatre School members £8. theatreroyal.org.uk

ANTIQUE AND VINTAGE FAIR 10 April, 10am–3.30pm n Ashton Court Mansion House, Long Ashton, Bristol An Aladdin’s Cave of fine jewellery, china, ceramics, glassware, clocks, watches, furniture, pictures, paintings, militaria, retro items, kitchenalia, vintage clothing, furniture, vintage toys and much more.

All indoors, 40 stalls in Georgian lounges and the beautiful grand music hall.

Café serving refreshments. £2 entry, under 16s free. anniehawksley@blueyonder.co.uk

BILL AND BETTY BLOCKHEAD IN LEMON SQUASHt 12–17 April n 44AD Artspace, 4 Abbey Street, Bath An absurd contemplation of life, art and lemons, with a wide variety of artwork for sale from PAnon Associates. Performance party: 14 April, 6pm onwards. 44ad.net

T. S. ELIOT’S THE WASTE LAND REVISITED 11 April, 7.30–9pm

BACON IN MOSCOW WITH JAMES BIRCH 13 April, 7.30pm n Topping & Co, The Bookshop, Friends Meeting House, York Street, Bath James Birch comes to the bookshop to recall his brilliant account of his quest to mount a Francis Bacon exhibition in the Continued page 22

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Children’s yoga in the gardens at the American Museum & Gardens

Tankus the Henge at Chapel Arts

Lightning and climate lecture at BRLSI

Soviet Union. Come along for vodka shots and tales of the Soviet art world. £17.99, including book. toppingbooks.co.uk BARRY HUMPHRIES: THE MAN BEHIND THE MASK 17–18 April, 7.30pm n Theatre Royal Bath National treasure Barry Humphries will take you on a revelatory trip through his colourful life and theatrical career. The UK welcomed Dame Edna with open arms, and she immediately became a household favourite, filling our living rooms with many years of laughter. This intimate, confessional evening is seasoned with highly personal, sometimes startling, and occasionally outrageous stories. theatreroyal.org.uk ALEXANDRA DARIESCU & BATH PHILHARMONIA 22 April, 7.30pm n The Bath Forum This concert features Alexandra Dariescu, an enchanting and ground-breaking pianist, performing Maurice Ravel’s Piano Concerto No. 1, a light-hearted and ravishing masterpiece of orchestral colour with one of the most tender and beautiful slow movements of all piano concertos.

Illuminating the programme are composers Eleanor Alberga, Claude Debussy, Paul Dukas and Maurice Ravel. Tickets: £35/£30/£25/£5. bathboxoffice.org.uk LIGHTNING & CLIMATE 27 April, 7.30–9pm n BRLSI, Queen Square, Bath, and online Speaker Dr Martin Fullekrug from the University of Bath will explore the phenomenon of lightning flashes as a diagnostic tool for key driving processes of climate variability and their contribution to positive feedback. £2–£5. brlsi.org WORLD HERITAGE: ITS IMPORTANCE TO BATH AND OUR LOCAL ECONOMY 27 April, 7pm n Sophie Cameron Centre, Royal High School Local resident and World Heritage expert 22 TheBATHMagazine

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Professor Barry Gilbertson, Chairman of the UNESCO Bath World Heritage Site Advisory Board, will be the speaker at this talk. Tickets £12.50 including a glass of wine, with additional glasses of wine available for purchase. Advance booking only. All profits from the event go towards the upkeep of the St. Stephen’s Millennium Green. For booking and more information go to millenniumgreen.org.uk/tickets

LOOKING AHEAD: U3A: LANDSCAPE DESIGN IN AN AGE OF CLIMATE CHANGE 5 May, 10.30am–12.30pm n Bath Pavilion, North Parade Road Andrew Grant is a director of pioneering Bath-based Landscape Architecture Firm, Grant Associates. He will explain that one of his firm’s aims is to steer people towards nature-based solutions to landscape design problems, reconnecting them with nature in insightful, delightful and distinctive ways whilst addressing the global challenges of urbanisation, the climate crisis and biodiversity extinction.

Admission to the talks is free for members and asks for a donation of £2 for non-members. u3ainbath.org.uk THE CLARIDGE LECTURE: ADRIAN TINNISWOOD Thursday 5 May, doors 6.15pm, lecture 7pm n American Museum & Gardens, Claverton Manor, Bath Join Adrian Tinniswood OBE FSA, renowned social and architectural historian, for a talk about his new book Noble Ambitions: The Fall and Rise of the Post-War Country House. As the sun set on the British Empire in the years after the Second World War, the nation’s stately homes were in crisis. Capturing the spirit of the age, Tinniswood proves that the country house is not only an

TANKUS THE HENGE 29 April, 8pm n Chapel Arts, Lower Borough Walls Tankus the Henge have built their reputation on unforgettable song writing and spectacular live performances. Their funk-fuelled repertoire is wildly eclectic, ranging from New Orleans inspired swing to heavy rock riffs. £18/16. chapelarts.org

iconic symbol, but a lens through which to understand the shifting fortunes of Britain in an era of monumental social change. Tickets £10 (includes welcome drink). americanmuseum.org CHILDREN’S YOGA Saturdays from 7 May, 11–11.45am n American Museum & Gardens, Claverton Manor, Bath Children (ages 4+) can enjoy the uplifting surroundings of the gardens in the museum, with these classes, organised in partnership with Bath YMCA, designed to introduce yoga and mindfulness around a story or a theme that changes each week, ending with relaxation. £7.50 per session. americanmuseum.org TOUCHED 4–7 May, 7:30pm n The Rondo Theatre, Bath It’s 1945 – meet a Nottingham family of women over the 100 days from VE Day on 8 May to VJ (Victory in Japan) Day on 15 August. A story of celebration, love, gut-wrenching grief, and that great British Institution, a pot of tea.

Momentous events, including the landslide victory of the Labour party, are seen through the everyday experience of those who lived through the turmoil of WW2. They dreamed of a New World and a better future. How have those dreams turned out 77 years later? By Stephen Lowe, presented by Bath Drama. £14/£12. ticketsource.co.uk

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CITY | THEATRE

Rondo revelations

The Rondo Theatre’s programme over the next few months is packed with delights – here are a few highlights including a combination of theatre, comedy and music DONE TO DEATH, BY JOVE! 6 April, 8pm A cast of six brings a comic flurry of suspects and sleuths together to discover whodunnit, and how… Except… four of the cast are stuck by the side of the M6 in the van, and only those two knights of the Theatre – Sir Gavin and Sir Nicholas – have managed to get to the venue… but ‘the show must go on’… what could possibly go wrong!? It’s not a new idea – it’s been Done to Death, By Jove – but not like this! By Gavin Robertson and Nicholas Collett.

Louisa & Jo (& Me)

Sophie Duker

questions she’s had about her past sexual experiences begin to surface. Through poetry, she begins to explore questions about bad sex, drunk sex, and the grey areas of consent. MANIC is a solo show that combines spoken word, puppetry, and theatre to ask whether it is possible to say you were violated without implicating a partner. Written and performed by Raina Greifer and directed by Rondo Theatre Deputy Director, Pippa Thornton.

The Silence of Snow

THE SILENCE OF SNOW: THE LIFE OF PATRICK HAMILTON 26 May, 8pm Mark Farrelly’s riveting, kinetic solo show portrays one of the great English writers of the inter-war years. Covering the entire sweep of Hamilton’s thrilling life and writing, The Silence of Snow entertains and challenges, asking: why do so many of us get through life without feeling we ever truly knew another person? Written and performed by Mark Farrelly and directed by Linda Marlowe.

LOUISA & JO (& ME) 17 June, 7.30pm Part one-woman adaptation of Little Women, part journey on the road to selfdiscovery, part ’90s romp, Louisa & Jo (& Me) is a show about childhood, nostalgia, and growing up in Boston, set to live folk music. Written by Sasha Wilson and presented by Out Of The Forest Theatre.

MANIC 23 June, 8pm When Raina arrives at her spoken word gig to see her exes in the audience, all the 24 TheBATHMagazine

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BE. 30 June, 8pm “Feminine? Masculine? Why can’t we just… be?”

Be. follows three characters trying to break out of their boxes, in a story intertwined with the authentic collective experiences of over 60 real people. With enchanting music and provocative, poetic storytelling, Be. gives a voice to those made restless by the constraints of gender and asks why sometimes it’s so difficult to just… be.

Written by Gabrielle Finnegan and presented by Greedy Pig Theatre Company.

SOPHIE DUKER & JACOB HAWLEY 15 July, 8pm Sophie Duker is a comedian and writer whose favourite things include breaking hearts, taking names and telling jokes with the confidence of a cis straight middle-class white man. Since being shortlisted for the Funny Women award, she has appeared on 8 Out of 10 Cats (E4), Mock the Week (BBC2) and Frankie Boyle’s New World Order (BBC2). Jacob Hawley is the presenter and creator of BBC Sounds’s Jacob Hawley: On Drugs. Jacob has rapidly generated interest as one of the boldest new voices on the circuit with his astute observations and political passion.

GLENN MOORE & ANIA MAGLIANO 16 July, 8pm Edinburgh Comedy Award nominee Glenn Moore is a comedian, actor and one of the best and most prolific joke writers in the country. Glenn is a regular face on TV, having appeared on Mock The Week (BBC), Rob Delaney’s Stand Up Central (Comedy Central) and The Stand Up Sketch Show (ITV2).

Ania is a rising star on the comedy circuit and has written for Frankie Boyle’s New World Order (BBC2), Newsjack (BBC R4), The Now Show (BBC R4) and is one of the four regular writers on the Have I Got News For You Twitter account. n Rondo Theatre, St Saviour’s Road, Larkhall, Bath; 0333 666 3366; rondotheatre.co.uk/whats-on

Anja Magliano

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Family diary IDEAS FOR THINGS TO DO WITH THE CHILDREN THIS MONTH SMELL YOUR WAY BACK IN TIME AT BRUNEL’S SS GREAT BRITAIN Throughout April, Monday – Sunday, 10am–6pm n SS Great Britain, Great Western Dockyard, Gas Ferry Road, Bristol Brunel’s SS Great Britain uses smell as a stimulus for time travel, transporting visitors right into the experience of life on board. If a 19th-century emigrant gagged at the smell in crowded cabins, then so can you! The award-winning museum already includes hundreds of sights, sounds and smells on board the historic ocean liner and throughout the two adjacent museums, and now there is a taster menu of new scents for visitors to rate and review over the Easter holidays. Tickets: children, 5+ £12, adults 17+ £19.50, age 4 and under free. tickets.ssgreatbritain.org

demonstration of Concorde’s famous droop nose! Tickets adult £18, children £10, under 4s free. aerospacebristol.org

EXPLORE SOUTH WEST LAKES Throughout April, and beyond n Wimbleball Lake (Exmoor), Roadford Lake (Devon), Siblyback Lake (Cornwall), Stithians Lake (Cornwall), and Tamar Lake (Cornwall) Camping, walking, fishing, sailing, kayaking, paddleboarding, watching wildlife and exploring scenic retreats, South West Lakes offers many options for a magical spring family break. At Wimbleball and Roadford, you can also enjoy an aerial adventure on the high ropes course or hit the bullseye on the archery range. There’s something for all ages and abilities. swlakestrust.org.uk

EASTER FARM TRAIL 9 April, 10am–4pm n New MacDonalds Farm, Closes Farm, Kingsdown, Corsham Enjoy a walk around New McDonald’s Farm while looking out for Easter clues along the way. Solve the puzzle and claim your prize at the end. There will also be story-telling at 11am, 12 pm and 1pm, an opportunity to get to know the animals from Chloe's Farm, a bouncy castle and face painting. Food and drink will be available from the café. When booking tickets select the time slot you wish to start the trail. A family ticket is for 2 adults and 2 children. Children under the age of 2 go free. £4–£18. Book through eventbrite.co.uk

STEP ABOARD CONCORDE Throughout April, Tuesday–Sunday, 10am–4.30pm during term time and 7 days a week during school holidays n Aerospace Bristol, Hayes Way, Patchway, Bristol Enjoy a supersonic family day out and step aboard Concorde at Aerospace Bristol. The museum has plenty of activities to enjoy throughout the school holidays, including Science Shows, Easter trails, and even a

TAKE EASTER PHOTOS 2–18 April n Upside Down House, The Mall, Cribbs Causeway, Bristol Join Upside Down House Cribbs Causeway for amazing Easter opportunities at their Easter photo station. The most creative photo will receive a goody bag full of surprises and a free entry for four to Upside Down House Cribbs Causeway. Enter the competition by posting a photo to Facebook or Instagram and tagging them in: @upsidedownhouseuk and #UDHEaster22 Full T&Cs apply. Tickets £4 per person during the week, £5 per person at weekends and bank holidays. upsidedownhouse.co.uk

EASTER FAMILY TRAILS 9–24 April n Bristol Zoo Gardens, College Road, Clifton Wild Place, Blackhorse Hill, Bristol Bristol Zoo Gardens and Wild Place Project are calling upon eggsplorers to take part in their two Easter family trails. Giant eggs will be hidden around both visitor attractions for families to discover. There

will be stickers for all and the chance to win a top prize. At Bristol Zoo Gardens spot 300 incredible animal species from gorillas and lemurs, to red pandas and penguins and explore 12 acres of award-winning gardens bursting into bloom. At Wild Place Project explore over 50 acres of woodlands, wildflowers, gardens and meadows and see animals including bears, giraffes, zebras and cheetahs. Book tickets online for both locations (under 2s are free but need an online booking): bristolzoo.org.uk; wildplace.org.uk EGGCELLENT EASTER ADVENTURE 9–24 April, 10am to 5pm n American Museum & Gardens, Claverton Manor, Bath Come and join in throughout the school holidays for an outdoor trail. Hunt for the creative and colourful nest installations throughout the gardens and parkland. Pick up an activity pack and join the scavenger hunt (additional fee applies). Visit the crafting station for some fabulous Easter crafts. Get your wellies on for a cracking good time! Normal admission. americanmuseum.org EASTER ACTIVITIES 9–24 April n No. 1 Royal Crescent, Herschel Museum of Astronomy and Beckford’s Tower Make Easter Bonnets and Bicorns at No. 1 Royal Crescent, free with your museum ticket. At the Herschel Museum of Astronomy it’s all about the full moon, so come and make spinners that reveal the moon’s phases, free with your museum ticket. At Beckford’s Tower a bunny trail is being set in the landscape, free of charge. no1royalcrescent.org.uk; herschelmuseum.org.uk; beckfordstower.org.uk ANIMAL MAGIC 11 April, 10am–12.30pm and 1.30pm–4pm n Roman Baths, Bath

Experiencing the SS Great Britain

Easter Family Trails at Bristol Zoo Gardens and Wild Place Project

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Step aboard Concorde at Aerospace Bristol

Take part in this Easter holiday activity – investigate how the Romans used animal images in decoration and make an animal fridge magnet. Included in admission price, no need to book. romanbaths.co.uk HOLBURNE EASTER ART CAMPS 11–14 April, 9am–4pm n Holburne Museum, Bath The daffodils are here and the Holburne Museum has four days of creative day camps for children aged 6–11. Different artists and activities each day (see website for details).

Tickets £40 per day, per child. Maximum of 15 children in a group. Booking essential. holburne.org

Family Takeover Day at the Holburne

FACES AND FLOWERS WORKSHOP 13 and 20 April, 10.30am–12.30pm and 1.30pm–3pm n Victoria Art Gallery, Bath Create a design using collage and textures and use it to make a print through rubbing.

Free activity, no need to book. victoriagal.org.uk/events BRILLIANT BEASTIES: CREATIVE SESSIONS FOR PRE-SCHOOLERS 26 April, 24 May, 21 June (Tuesdays during term-time), 10.30–11.30am n American Museum & Gardens, Claverton Manor, Bath Join these monthly sessions for pre-schoolers

Easter Farm Trail at New MacDonalds Farm

during term-time. There will be singing, rhyming, storytelling and making, while learning all about the Brilliant Beasties, our animal friends. Children will be encouraged to explore their creativity, while building confidence to join in with the fun. Early booking is recommended. Members £2.50 Non-members £10 (includes garden entry). americanmuseum.org n

Please confirm with organisers that events are running. See our website for updates and new events added throughout the month: thebathmagazine.co.uk

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The art of expression

The Bath Festival in May is putting on a series of events especially suited to the collections and themes found in The Holburne Museum. Georgette McCready takes a look along Great Pulteney Street to find out more...

The rising stars of classical music You can begin your Bath Festival day at 11am each morning, with a series of exhilarating concerts by young performers. British cellist Laura van der Heijden – who won the BBC Young Musician of the Year in 2012 – begins the week at the Holburne playing Bach, American composer Coleridge-Taylor Perkinson and Imogen Holst.

16 May, 11am.

Pianist Jeneba Kanneh-Mason is the third member of the KannehMason family to reach the final stages of BBC Young Musician of the Year. Her programme includes the elegance of Mozart to the virtuoso fireworks of Scriabin’s Piano Sonata No 2 and Liszt. 17 May, 11am.

Pianist Ariel Lanyi emerged as a major musical talent as a prizewinner in the Leeds International Piano Competition in 2021. He will be playing Schumann’s Kinderszenen, Op.15 and Beethoven’s Piano Sonata No. 29 in B, Op. 106 (Hammerklavier). 18 May 11am.

On Thursday, violinist Irène Duval and pianist Sam Armstrong pair up for a ravishing French programme which includes Francis Poulenc, Gabriel Fauré and Camille Saint-Saëns. 19 May, 11am.

On the Friday, accordionist Ryan Corbett mixes baroque, romantic and contemporary music. 20 May, 11am. And violinist Joanian Ilias Kadesha completes this galaxy of rising stars on Saturday.

21 May, 11am.

Perspectives on art and design Gaze from the other side of the canvas at the models of art as art historian and critic Ruth Millington talks to Holburne Museum director Chris Stephens about the women who have inspired masterpieces across the centuries. 16 May, 3.30pm.

In English Garden Eccentrics landscape architect and author Todd Longstaffe-Gowan reveals a fascinating array of English garden-makers who, between the 17th and 18th centuries created idiosyncratic gardens incorporating miniature mountains, exotic animals, caves and topiary. 17 May, 3.30pm.

In 2003 writer Helen Rappaport discovered the lost painting of British-Jamaican nurse Mary Seacole that now hangs in the National Portrait Gallery. With an illustrated talk she’ll unravel the enigma of

the unknown artist and detail her journey. 18 May, 6pm.

Wimpey homes, Millennium monuments, wind farms and skyscrapers. Self-confessed architecture geek John Grindrod, author of Iconicon, takes us on an enthralling journey round the Britain we have created since 1980: the horrors and delights, the triumphs and failures. 17 May, 6pm.

The 19th-century landscape painter John Constable is one of Britain’s best-loved but perhaps least understood artists. Art and cultural historian James Hamilton (Constable: A Portrait) reveals a complex, troubled man, explodes myths and establishes him as a giant of European art. 19 May, 3.30pm.

Acclaimed painter Celia Paul has felt a lifelong connection to the artist Gwen John. Letters to Gwen John is a combination of

Violinist Jonian Ilias Kadesha. Photograph

by Kaupo Kikkas

Jeneba Kanneh-Mason.

Photograph by John Davis

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imagined correspondence and insightful artistic biography, interspersed with original art. She talks to Chris Stephens about the parallels in their lives and work. 19 May, 6pm.

Art critic and biographer Frances Spalding (The Real and the Romantic) looks at English art between two world wars, focusing on artists including Stanley Spencer and Eric Ravilious and painters such as Winifred Knights and Evelyn Dunbar. 20 May, 3.30pm.

Creative game-changers DH Lawrence’s Lady Chatterley’s Lover, which he’d originally called Tenderness, was condemned as obscene on publication in 1928. Alison MacLeod talks to Richard Owen (former Times correspondent and author of DH Lawrence in Italy) about her novel Tenderness based around Lawrence’s story, from its creation to the infamous indecency trial of 1960 and its subsequent success.

16 May, 6pm.

Patrick Mackie’s Mozart in Motion allows us to look at this extraordinary composer anew. The biographical narrative is illuminated by examination of the composition and social environment of masterpieces through Mozart’s life which reveals a musician in dialogue with culture at its most sweepingly progressive. Alistair Hogarth performs musical examples to set Patrick’s beautiful writing in context. 18 May, 3.30pm.

Author and Time Out publisher Peter Fiennes (A Thing of Beauty) tells of his journeys on the trail of the Greek myths, exploring the modern relevance of Theseus, Hera and Pandora and the places where heroes fought and gods once quarrelled. 20 May, 6pm.

Authors in conversation Finally, there are two author events at the Holburne on Saturday 21 May. Contemporary novelists Claire Fuller and Sarah Moss will be

taking about their work and how the world has changed since March 2020. Tackling themes ranging from rural poverty, otherness and isolation to resilience, human connection and hope, this is guaranteed to be a conversation full of empathy, insight and intelligence. By contrast Judith Robinson and Scott Pack will inspire us with ten international titles, many of them published in translation, helping you to discover amazing writers and stories from around the world.

The Bath Festival, celebrating music and books in a beautiful city, runs from 13–21 May with a series of citywide live events. Find out more and purchase tickets by ringing 01225 46336 or by visiting bathfestivals.org.uk

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CULTURE | MUSIC

Into the heart of jazz

The course of good jazz never did run smooth: Daisy Game catches up with Empirical’s double bassist Tom Farmer ahead of the jazz band’s appearance at the Bath Festival

J

azz: it hasn’t got the most likeable of reputations. Often associated with a kind of intellectualism, many consider the music to be a little showy: intent on impressing – as opposed to moving – its listeners. Cue Tom Farmer: double bassist for Empirical – and champion of jazz for the 21st century. “I try and think of it like it’s a team game”, says Tom: “you have to think beyond the edge of the stage. We’re all in this moment together. We’re all sharing in this thing. Even if someone comes in for a moment and leaves, they’ve still been part of it.”

But even Tom didn’t exactly plan on joining Team Jazz. It was only after some gentle encouragement from the members of his secondary school jazz band that the young musician dropped not only his original genre (classical) but also his original instrument (piano). A few years and a “very enthusiastic teacher” later, Tom enrolled to study jazz full time at the Guildhall School of Music and Drama, London.

“The Guildhall is a brilliant place”, Tom reminisces: “Everyone is there for the same reason: to play music at a higher level. London was like a massive campus for us: we went to all the jazz clubs and the venues.” It was a campus education which paid off. In 2005, Tom joined Empirical: a multi-award winning jazz band soon to make an appearance at The Bath Festival 2022.

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What you hear when you come and see Empirical play is a unique thing: it will never be like that again. It’s a moment in time that you’re experiencing that’s just for us in this room

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Since settling on its four-man line up in 2008 – made up of Nathaniel Facey (alto sax) Lewis Wright (vibraphone), Shane Forbes (drums) and Tom (double bass) – the group have marched to the beat of their own (perfectly timed) drum: striking the fine balance between tradition, and innovation. Empirical, suggest The Guardian, are “devoted to remaking jazz for a contemporary audience”. In 2016, the quartet lived up to their trailblazing reputation with the introduction of a Pop-up Jazz Lounge; lugging their instruments down (and down – and down again) to Old Street Underground Station, London, Empirical played for early morning office-workers and late night grocery-shoppers alike. Over the course of six days, 20 sets were performed for close to 3,000 listeners. The band followed their first Pop-up with several similar above-ground events: playing in a London bookshop, a Berlin shopping mall, and – come May of this year – on the streets of Bath city centre.

The thinking behind Empirical’s Pop-up Lounges, says Tom, is twofold: “If you look into the history of jazz – in the ‘50s and ‘60s, when the music that Empirical are interested in was at its heyday – these musicians and bands would play three or four sets in a club for three weeks. That doesn’t happen in the modern industry: you do one-off gigs. So we wanted to create a situation where we could play together a lot – not just rehearse, but also perform in front of people. So that was for our own artistic development”, the musician explains.

Not only do the Pop-ups allow the band members to spend more time with one another, but they also offer passers-by the opportunity to spend some quality time with jazz.

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admits, acknowledging that many listeners are put off by their (mis)undertanding of the music as ‘highbrow and difficult’. Jazz, says Tom, is too-often thought as something which can only be understood – and enjoyed – by fellow musicians. It is this preconception that Empirical aim to tackle head-on with their Pop-up performances.

“We specifically wanted to target people who might not want to come to a jazz club”, Tom tells me, before explaining that, in his experience, a live set played in an unexpected location is the best way to reach the sceptics: “As soon as you hear live music out on the street, you immediately look to see what’s going on. Because it’s so unusual, isn’t it? You don’t expect to hear it. That was a big part of why we choose to do the Pop-ups in the underground, or in shopping centres”.

As soon as passers-by turn to see what all the musical-fuss is about – “Then we’ve got you!”, the musician declares, triumphant, suggesting that “when you listen to a young band, it’s like – oh, this is cool! It’s not aloof at all”. The proof of his theory is in the pudding: “The number of times people have come into a Pop-up and said, ‘I don’t really like jazz – but I like what you’re doing!”, the double bassist recalls.

As for the small matter of understanding jazz – Tom is adamant that listeners needn’t worry: “There’s nothing to ‘understand’. You’re sharing a moment with someone; that’s the only thing. You don’t have to know anything about the technicalities of the music. You don’t listen to The Beatles and think about the construction of the songs. So I would say it’s a bit of a preconception – or a self-imposed barrier”, the musician muses.

The Pop-up Lounges do more than dismantle ‘self-imposed’ barriers: they also break through those of the financial kind. “Jazz tends to happen late at night in jazz clubs. Not everyone can do that, or wants to do that. It’s also often expensive to go to some of these places too – and sometimes it’s not a nice environment. We wanted to give people access to jazz”, Tom explains.

Having addressed the ‘highbrow’ elephant in the room, I’m keen to talk about a second jazz-buzzword: improvisation. Free-form jazz musicians are known for their ability to make up and perform tunes on the spot: jamming their way through a set without any strict plan in mind. Or so the story goes; Empirical, Tom tells me, like to strike a healthy balance.

“Some of our pieces are very structured. We’ve practised them, and they have to be performed in a certain way for it to work”, he explains. On other occasions, however, things remain of-the-moment: “Large parts we deliberately leave open. The structure is like a skeleton – a suggestion of what the piece could be. Then each time we play it, we decide in the moment: how are we feeling today? Is it going to be loud, or is it going to be soft? Is it going to be a gentle, reflective mood – or is it going to be full on shouting? The longer we play together, the more sophisticated we are at going after those things. We’re really in tune with each other”, says Tom. But what happens, I have to ask, if Tom or one of his band mates gets player’s block? Well – just as there was nothing to ‘understand’ about jazz, so too is there nothing to fear. More challenging performances simply act as a form of emotional education, says Tom. “Of course, the natural reaction is to try harder – to try and do it better in the moment. But actually, that can be quite negative on the music. It’s better to be humble, and say ‘okay – that’s not happening today. Tomorrow is another day’. They are opportunities for humility, those moments. ‘This isn’t going how I wanted it to go, so I’ll pass over – I will accept in this moment that someone else can do it’”.

It’s the music’s changeability – its unknowable character – which makes jazz so unique, Tom tells me: “Improvisation is a risk.

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The members of Empirical, from left to right: Tom Farmer, Shane Forbes, Lewis Wright and Nathaniel Facey

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Each time we play, we decide in the moment: how are we feeling today? Is it going ot be loud, or is it going to be soft? Is it going to be a gentle, reflective mood – or is going to be full on shouting?

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Sometimes you’ll be going in a direction you haven’t been in before.

You don’t know whether it’s going to be better or worse than it was yesterday. So that’s why we always say to the audience – what you hear when you come and see us is a unique thing: it will never be like that again. It’s a moment in time that you’re experiencing that’s just for us in this room.”

Or – as in the case of The Bath Festival – just for us in this city. In May, Emprical will take to the the streets of Bath with a new instalment of their Pop-up Lounge; “In between sets, we’ll have some music playing, and it’ll feel like a jazz club”, Tom tells me: “It’ll be a place to hang out and talk about music”. Well – there’s nothing ‘difficult’ about that. n

Other musical events to look forward to at The Bath Festival: KARINE POLWART AND DAVE MILLIGAN 15 May, 7.30pm, Komedia, Bath Seven-time winner at the BBC Radio 2 Folk Awards, Karine Polwart’s latest project is a collaboration with renowned jazz/folk pianist Dave Milligan.

BATH FESTIVAL ORCHESTRA 16 May, 8pm, Roman Baths An ocean-bound journey: four countries – all separated by water – bring forth a composer each, with four different seainspired musical pieces.

JESS GILLAM ENSEMBLE 17 May, 8pm, Komedia, Bath Jess Gillam is a musical force of nature. Passionate about inspiring and bringing joy to people through music, Jess invites audiences on journeys of musical discovery.

MAD DOG MCREA 20 May, 7.30pm, Komedia, Bath In constant demand and having played just about every festival and two-bit, jibe-arsed dive in Christendom, Mad Dog Mcrea are, in every sense of the word, a live band.

In addition to their series of free performances around Bath city centre, Empirical will perform at Walcot House on 18 May at 7.30pm. bathfestivals.org.uk 2020 2010 THEBATHMAG.CO.UK THEBATHMAG.CO.UK THEBATHMAG.CO.UK | jAnuARy | nOVeMbeR | APRIL 2022

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CITY | EXHIBITIONS

The land remembers

Anshinabe artist Celeste Pedri-Spade is bringing her vision of strong women in community to The American Museum & Gardens, using fashion to explore how stories and experiences of Indigenous and European women both connect and disconnect, and using her work to remedy the past

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ress to Redress is an exhibition of the work of contemporary Anishinabe artist Celeste Pedri-Spade.

Featuring a series of spectacular wearable-art pieces, personal artefacts and photography, alongside historical items, the exhibition will demonstrate the continuing legacy and profound importance of visual and material culture.

‘Ashinabe’ describes a collective group of First Nations peoples belonging to that particular cultural and linguistic family. Celeste, from Lac Des Mille Lacs First Nation in Northwestern Ontario – who has a PhD in visual anthropology and is an Associate Professor at Queen’s University – is committed to honouring the women in her life through her art practice and exploring the tactile and sensuous meanings made possible through creative entanglements with our material environments. The exhibition focuses on the role of strong

women in community, using fashion to explore how stories and experiences of Indigenous and European women both connect and disconnect. Exhibition curator Kate Hebert says, “The honouring of strong and powerful women is one one of the things that really attracted me to the work and that’s why they are all outfits for women – in this form Celeste combines traditional indigenous techniques from indigenous nations across North America.”

REVERSING HISTORICAL NARRATIVES Inspired by designs and materials, Celeste uses her work to remedy the past, revising male-dominated historical narratives that fail to recognise the powerful role that women have played in their respective communities. Five fashion art pieces from Celeste’s ‘Material Kwe’ series – ‘Kwe’ being Anishinabeg slang for woman or girl – were launched at the Indigenous Fashion Week Toronto in 2020, and these form a centrepiece for the exhibition.

Also featured are photography and personal objects from Celeste’s collection, and a selection of items from the American Museum & Gardens’ permanent collections. These are designed to provide historical context and will showcase the breadth and beauty of Native American culture and heritage. These objects demonstrate ‘traditional’ materials and techniques that were used by those who walked this earth before Celeste, and that she continues to combine with modern techniques as a way of honouring her community and addressing the past. There will also be interactive components in the exhibition encouraging visitor participation.

Kate Hebert explains that it was necessary to sensitively translate the themes within this work into an exhibition. “Celeste’s work addresses issues of decolonisation, which is always going to present a challenge to me as a European white woman, and we had to bring that to a Bath audience. So getting that balance between ensuring that our visitors understood and were able to engage with the work but not take away the artist’s voice was an interesting process.”

A VISUAL HISTORY The exhibition makes the point that written history is often used to impose colonial views of past events, ignoring and overwriting Indigenous teachings. Through her Material Kwe outfits Celeste introduces us to the act of making as a way of telling and understanding history, just as the Anishinabeg use material culture to record and share their history. This way of communicating was unfamiliar to colonial settlers and was consequently dismissed and often violently destroyed. Through her work, Celeste invites us to reconsider how we document and convey stories of the past and share our values and our culture.

Anti-PiPeline Society Kwe (above) the ribbon skirt is worn by indigenous women from several different nations and gives the wearer strength by reminding her of women’s collective voice, courage, and the resurgence of the matriarch. Here celeste has adapted her ribbon skirt by adopting the wide skirt shape common in mid-17th-century european dress.

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SURROUNDING LANDS Another key theme in the exhibition is the importance of the lands around communities. Throughout Anishinabeg history women have served as stewards and protectors of their ancestral lands. The land offers up materials, such as the birchbark within the exhibition.

Women then make those materials into objects that carry with them a rich visual and material culture of the land itself. It is impossible to ignore the link between land and people because it is right there, on the bodice of a dress or in the wood of a club.

Kate Hebert says: “As part of the exhibition we’re playing some footage from the models on the catwalk from the Indigenous Fashion Week Toronto. It’s really wonderful to see them being worn and lived in and moved in. I was struck by how Celeste had chosen the backdrops in the photographs, positioning them outside, with a strong

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LonG LiVe tHe matriarCH (above) the power and nobility of women is reflected with the beaded top hat and eagle claw stick in this outfit, both reminiscent of the crown and sceptre worn by european queens. the heavy necklace of many strands of horn pipe beads and meegus shells reminds the wearer that with this wealth comes a weight of responsibility.

BiBoon na Kwe (winter woman) (right) Biboon na kwe acknowledges the close relationship anishinabe women have with the land they live on. wiigwas (birch bark) is a material that is central to the anishinabe ways of life. By combining this material with Colonial european fashions, Celeste questions how contact between these cultures may have been different if indigenous culture had been privileged.

relationship between the landscape and the garment. We’ve tried to recreate that in the gallery, creating backdrops that mirror the ways the models are looking, almost like vignettes, so each outfit is given breathing space, as if they have been reunited with their environment.”

This exhibition offers a visual language through which both Anishinabeg and settler women can see themselves in relation to each other. It is a call to see the Anishinabeg women as stewards of their people and their land. n Dress to Redress is at the American Museum & Gardens until 3 July. Celeste Pedri-Spade will be visiting the museum at the end of May. americanmuseum.org THEBATHMAG.CO.UK

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ART | EXHIBITIONS

The Holburne Museum, Great Pulteney Street, Bath

People Make Museums, until 2 May A celebration of the importance of people in museums, who charge them with stories, memories, and ways of seeing.

Mick Peter: Old Ghosts, until 15 May Old Ghosts takes a wry and affectionate look at the idea of history as an industry. In several surprising interventions, inside and outside the Holburne Museum, visitors will encounter amusing tableaux which appear to be cartoons that have come to life.

The Tudors: Passion, Power and Politics, until 8 May Come face-to-face with the five Tudor monarchs – Henry VII, Henry VIII, Edward VI, Mary I and Elizabeth I and other significant figures of the time.

Sir Thomas More after Hans Holbein the Younger

holburne.org

Roses in a Jam Jar by Mike Service

David Simon Contemporary 37 High Street, Castle Cary BA7 7AW In Arcadia, until 16 April Exploring the British landscape through a wide range of contemporary painters, this uplifting exhibition brings a refreshing vision from both gallery and guest artists: Andrew Lansley, Ben Lowe, Mike Service, David Brayne, James Lynch, John Piper (1903–1992) and Brian Rice.

Solo Exhibition by Jake Sheppard Widcombe Social Club, Widcombe Hill, Bath, until 26 June Jake Sheppard is an artist from Bath who creates abstract and impressionistic work in oil paints and inks. Jake uses a mix of geometry, colour theory and dynamic symmetry to form the structure of his work.

Born in 1990, Jake has painted since the age of two and recently began an online business printing his work on clothes and accessories. Find out more on the website. jakesheppard.co.uk

Victoria Art Gallery, Bath

Landscape Observations by George Dannatt, until 16 April George Dannatt was an outstanding and inspirational figure in the story of the St Ives School. The paintings in this exhibition are a retrospective selection dating from

The Arborist by Jake Sheppard, ink and thixotropic resin on paper

ARTS & EXHIBITIONS

1961–2007, rooted in his observation of the landscape of Wiltshire, Somerset and Dorset. davidsimoncontemporary.com

Jean Rose: People, Parks and Plants Until 4 May This show demonstrates the painterly energy of artist Jean Rose, once a student at Bath Academy of Art and, now in her 90s, still producing a painting a week.

From Hogarth to Hodgkin: Our Best Prints, until 4 May

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Gallery Nine’s exciting spring exhibition brings together a mixed range of artists featuring oil paintings by Malcolm Ashman inspired by the everchanging landscape, seascapes by Melvyn Evans and Angie Lewin’s linocuts which are influenced by contrasting environments.

Ceramicst Elizabeth Renton returns with her wheel-thrown stoneware and porcelain, alongside jewellery by Carla Edwards and Elizabeth Chamberlain. A show not to be missed. galleryninebath.com

This showcase of the best of the gallery’s print collection features prints by old masters such as Cranach and Durer, right up to present-day works by Grayson Perry and Paula Rego. victoriagal.org.uk

For Jack by Howard Hodgkin, 2005

North Sea by Melvyn Evans

Spring Exhibition Gallery Nine, 9B Margaret's Buildings, Bath 12 April – 31 May

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Last chance to see

Closes 8 May

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ART | EXHIBITIONS

Swimming Amongst Waterlilies, Adam Gallery, 3 Northumberland Buildings, Bath Until 21 April

Richard Cartwright aspires to create art that is spiritual, transcendent and mysterious. He has long believed that a picture requires a melody of colour, light and form, evident in his landscapes, nocturnes, nudes and interiors. Working predominantly in pastel – an unusual medium for such large paintings – each piece is characterised by an intense feeling of colour and atmosphere radiating from the careful layering of the medium.

Swimming Amongst Waterlilies at Nightfall by Richard Cartwright

Outfit from Material Kwe by Celeste Pedri-Spade. Photograph by Linda Roy

The American Museum & Gardens presents Dress to Redress, an exhibition of the work of contemporary Anishinabe artist Celeste Pedri-Spade. Featuring a series of spectacular wearable-art pieces, personal artefacts and photography, alongside historical items from the Museum’s collection, the exhibition will demonstrate the continuing legacy and profound importance of visual and material culture. See also page 32.

americanmuseum.org

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Bath Abbey’s Great East Window by Shelley Ashkowski

Let There Be Light, Bath Abbey 18 April – 31 May

bathabbey.org

Saturn Bowls

by Harriet Porter

adamgallery.com

Dress to Redress: Exploring Native American Material Culture The American Museum & Gardens, Claverton Manor, Bath Until 3 July

Here is an exhibition of over 20 pieces by local artist Shelley Ashkowski, celebrating the history and beauty of churches, cathedrals and abbeys. Each piece is inspired by the stunning architecture of these buildings, and there are also intricate studies of stained glass windows including one of Bath Abbey’s Great East Window which tells the story of Jesus’ life.

Much of the collection uses acrylic gouache paint, chosen for its high pigmentation and matt finish to provide vibrant colours. Visitors will be invited to make a donation at the door.

Harriet Porter and Sara Moorhouse, Beaux Arts Bath, 12-13 York Street, Bath, throughout April

This exhibition sees a pairing of still life painter Harriet Porter and ceramicist Sara Moorhouse. In her still life paintings, Harriet Porter strips away distractions to focus on the glimmer of light as it falls on her subject and its surroundings. Strong emphasis is given to the gradations of tone within a limited palette, allowing her to concentrate on the play of light and shadow. Sarah Moorhouse’s hand-thrown, hand-painted ceramics are bright, perfectly formed, colourful and uplifting. beauxartsbath.co.uk

David Ringsell: Bath Scenes Local painter David Ringsell’s work is being exhibited at The Artery Art Café in Richmond Place and at The Claremont Pub, 5 Claremont Road, Bath. He also has prints available at The Art Cohort, 13 Chelsea Road, Bath.

David loves to share his artistic impressions of Bath, his home city. His unique and contemporary art prints of Bath show a different, sometimes darker side of the city and his paintings of the architecture relish the stained stonework and peeling paint. Custom prints are available in a range of sizes – see the website: real-images.com Image: Water’s Edge, A2 framed giclée print. Light and shadow add drama to these former Bath warehouses on the River Avon. This stunning composition offers a different perspective on Bath’s classic architecture. This print is on display at The Artery Art Café.

Original artworks by Emma Catherine

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Bath Contemporary Artists’ Fair, Sunday 10th April, Green Park Station The Award Winning Bath Contemporary Artists’ Fair is back in April for their Spring /Summer season. The fair is committed to bringing the best of contemporary art from the city and beyond right to the heart of Bath. Following on from the successful and popular fairs last year, the next event on 10th April, where visitors can browse the brilliant works of local artists and admire fine art, photography, sculpture and textiles all under the vaulted glass roof of Green Park Station.

For updates and exhibiting artists visit the website bcaf.co.uk

A CHARLES II "FROST FAIR" TREFID SPOON inscribed along the length "boughte att frost faire** kept upon y' London River of Theames y' 4th February. £6,875

A Rare Silver Souvenir of the 1684 Frost Fair.

Eight frost fairs were held on the Thames between 1607 and 1814; the first recorded frost fair was in the winter of 1607/08.

By 10 to 15 January the ice between Lambeth and Westminster was firm and thick enough to allow a large number of people to walk on it in perfect safety. Booths were set up for the sale of fruit, food, beer and wine and shoemakers and barbers plied their trade on the ice. Fires were kept going in many of the tents or booths and people enjoyed all sorts of sports on the ice, such as bowling, shooting and dancing.

During the winter of 1683/84 the frost lasted from December to early February but the fair was confined to the second half of January. The number of shops, booths and people on the frozen river made it appear like another city. The booths, which sold all sorts of goods and merchandise and covered a variety of trades, were arranged in formal streets from the Temple to Southwark. A printing press was set up on the ice and the practice of having their names printed with the date and the phrase “printed on the Thames”.

They became so popular with the people that the printer made a small fortune....... People indulged in practically every sport including dancing, skating, sledging, bull-bating, bear-bating, fox-hunting, football and skittles...King Charles II and his family visited the frost fair and had their names printed on a quarto sheet of Dufra paper by “G Groom on the ICE on the River Thames January 31st 1684”.

T: 01460 73041 E: enquiries@lawrences.co.uk FREE VALUATIONS AVAILABLE: In Person | Online | Email | Phone | WhatsApp Home visits available on request.

Lawrences AUCTIONEERS The Linen Yard, South Street, Crewkerne, Somerset TA18 8AB.

lawrences.co.uk

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David Lawrence.qxp_Layout 1 23/03/2022 09:49 Page 1

CITY | ARTS

From medical to mystical “

From Orpington to Bath and from scientific illustration to surreal homages to the English countryside, artist David Lawrence has made big strides in his artistic and personal journeys – Emma Clegg listens to his story

I

always say that I have been untroubled by success,” David Lawrence tells me. I express scepticism, because this comes from an artist/illustrator who has been making a living through his artwork for almost 40 years. What he means, I establish, is that he is not represented by a Gallery as an Artist. Until now this has been at his own direction because his pathway required a focus on commercial commissions to earn a living. The result is a highly versatile artist, equally able to create pastiches of Old Masters, editorial cartoons, and adverts for airlines, as fulfil regular commissions from The Royal Mint, and – most enduringly and memorably in more recent years – offer his own style of surrealist painting, which is dramatically informed by a romantic sense of the English landscape.

David went to art college in the 1970s, doing a degree in scientific illustration (drawing images of scientific subjects to inform and communicate) at Middlesex Polytechnic. “I just wanted to learn some skills,”says David. “But when I finished art college I suddenly realised that if I did this all my life I’d never actually get to draw any goblins or fairies – all I’d be drawing was ducks and fleas, which involve lots of patience but not a lot of imagination.” While the shift from medical to mystical artwork was not immediate, it was obvious that the gnomes were in his blood and they would come out!

On graduating David went into commercial art and his work since then has had to adapt constantly to the times. “I’m very much a chameleon,” David explains. “In the days before Photoshop in the ’80s and ’90s, if you wanted to have a painting that looked oldfashioned – a pastiche painting in the style of Rembrandt, say – you had to get someone to paint it in that style. Or if you wanted something to look like a woodcut, you had to create one. So I developed a portfolio of old-style oil paintings and scraper-board drawings and I did editorial cartoons and adverts for beer and bread, and airlines and brochures for hemorrhoid cream.”

With the advent of fax machines in the late 1980s, David was able to move out of London to Taunton, but then in the mid-1990s came the widespread use of computers, which in David’s words, “rubbed out illustration for 10 years.” So he became a sculptor, creating a range of ‘Green Man’ sculptural face plaques – based on the mythological LEFT: The £1 coin, the design of which David interpreted from the winning competition drawing

RIGHT: The Year of the Tiger commemorative coin 2022, produced for the Royal Mint

Bath Contemporary Artists’ Fair, Green Park 10 April, 10am–5pm; bcaf.co.uk; davidlawrenceart.com

Images © The Royal Mint

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character and representing our deep connections with nature – which are still selling after 25 years. “The green men kept me alive and then I got in with a company called Harmony Kingdom who made little giftware items, which kept me going until about 15 years ago.”

David found his way back to illustration and then he met his second wife, Karen: a reunion which he describes as “one of the great romantic stories”, because they had first known each other when they were three, and then as youngsters “in Orpington, a dull suburb of London”, and had lost touch for 35 years. His marriage coincided with a move to Bath, and allowed David a significant new focus on his personal artwork, a dramatic transition: “When I started doing my own work, initially it was wilfully weird because all my life I’d been told what to do by an art director ...and now I was free at last!” he says.

So what inspires David and how does he direct his practice? Artist Samuel Palmer (1805–1881) has been a big influence, he explains; Palmer lived in Shoreham, not far from where David grew up, and his drawings and paintings of Kent – in turn influenced by William Blake – were a visionary depiction of rural England. “I love the way Palmer played with shape, and his romantic, dream-like view of the world.” You can certainly trace the mystical, symbolic and imaginative, as well as the bountiful power of the English countryside, in David’s own work.

“People always ask me where my ideas come from. I think it’s the subconscious, really, that plays a large part, because most of my ideas come to mind fully formed. In my head I file copious images drawn from stained-glass windows, medieval illuminations, folklore, 1970s TV and Prog Rock”, says David.

David’s media is mixed, nowadays combining acrylics, oils and oil pastels, which give a grainy texture. “Every painting has a different evolution – they can look quite different, but there is a coherence: an art nouveau love of rich colours, a strong sinuous line and wellobserved anatomical elements. This goes back to my art school training, where we spent much time drawing body parts and going to hospital museums.”

Nowadays David’s forays into commercial projects are rarer. He has, however, continued an association with the Royal Mint for the past 10 years. With each project, a brief is received by three artists, who submit a minimum of two designs to a panel of experts, who choose a winner. David produced a series of commemorative World War One coins from 2014–18, the new £1 coin in 2016 (developed from the winning drawing by 14-year-old David Pearce following a national competition), the Britannia Sovereign in 2018 and 2019 and this year’s commemorative Year of the Tiger Coin.

David regularly exhibits with the monthly Bath Contemporary Artists’ Fair in Green Park, which starts again on Sunday 10 April.

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The Miracle, 470 x 562mm, oil on board.

“A painting from my Absurdist phase when I was creating images that were wilfully bizarre. An understandable reaction against a lifetime of oppressive art directors.”

The White Bird, 493 x 506mm, oil on board.

“Boy seeks bird in tree.one of those ideas that just pops into your head.”

Terra Sol Invictus (Land of the Unconquered Sun) 508 x 488mm, oil on board.

“A visionary interpretation of Castle Neroche.

There are definite touches of Samuel Palmer and medieval stained glass here.”

2020 2010 THEBATHMAG.CO.UK THEBATHMAG.CO.UK THEBATHMAG.CO.UK | january | nOVeMber | april 2022

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Inflation & Silver DUNCAN CAMPBELL Antique silver specialist

Tipping the scales awkwardly Anyone might be forgiven for assuming that, as the price of an ounce of silver rises, as often happens in times of economic upset, silver dealers are rubbing their hands with glee.

There are undoubtedly things made of silver so ugly and/or useless that melting them down is a distinct benefit to posterity. A rising silver price certainly makes recycling the uglies even more attractive.

On the other side of the trade, among useful things, forks, spoons, dishes etc., there is naturally a limit to how much customers are prepared to spend.

When I began dealing, the Hunt Brothers’ rigging of the market in the early 1980’s was over and the price of silver so low, ( about £2.50 per oz. troy) that nothing was ever valued by its weight.

These low values remained for over 20 years.

At that time, a good quality Georgian table fork cost about £4050. Fast forward to today and the same fork is worth slightly more than that as bullion. As a buyer of fine antique silver, I find myself in competition with scrap metal merchants. Since I can’t bring myself to melt down useful Georgian silver, above a certain price per oz., it tends to remain unsold.

I take no pleasure in weighing up antique silver and I have encountered some pretty disapproving raised eyebrows when doing so in front of the owner of said silver. What I have to explain, though I’m not always believed, is that for certain classes of silver, the ‘scrap value’ is more than most folks want to pay.

The other, and even more maddening, feature of a bull silver market is that the antiques trade - those who aren’t silver dealers won’t sell me anything weighing more than a few ounces on the assumption that prices will go on rising and as we all know, they never do. n beaunashbath.com; 01225 334234

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For a Stylish Period Interior 31 Brock Street, Bath, BA1 2LN 01225 334234 | info@beaunashbath.com | www.beaunashbath.com

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Food news apr.qxp_Layout 1 25/03/2022 09:26 Page 1

FOOD&DRINK NEWS AWARD-WINNING BROWNIES

Chatley Farm Brownies based near Norton St Philip have won four Gold Taste of The West Awards 2021.

The award winning flavours are Rich Chocolate Brownies, Salted Caramel Brownies, Chocolate Orange Brownies and Amaretto Chocolate Brownies.

Handmade at Chatley Farm by creator and professional chef Jo Pobjoy and her team, the win is the first for the brand, which has been established since 2002.

Chatley Farm are currently offering special Easter Chocolate Brownie Hampers to tempt brownie lovers. Choose from the Mini Hamper for £20 (two packets with eight brownies) or the Lux Hamper for £35 (four packets with 16 brownies). There’s a special 20% off offer for Easter hampers to Bath Magazine readers – see details opposite. Simply pick your flavourites and Chatley Farm will present them in a Pink (mini) or Yellow (lux) Easter box, with tissue and your own personal note. All brownies are made using the best Belgian chocolate and locally sourced ingredients to create delicious squares of heaven. chatleyfarmbrownies.co.uk

NEW SPRING MENU AT IVY BATH

The Ivy Bath Brasserie has launched a delectable new menu embracing the flavours of spring. With a sense of freshness and renewal, guests will be taken on a journey of rediscovery with a selection of delights featuring ingredients of the new season. The new menu will feature a number of artisanal British suppliers, with new dishes including Garden Pea & Nettle Soup (£6.95), Grilled Asparagus with Szechuan mayonnaise, capers, flaked almonds, quail’s egg and watercress (£8.50), and a renewed selection of steaks, all truly capturing the essence of the changing seasons.

Those with a sweet tooth will be able to enjoy a new Black Bee Honey and White Chocolate Cheesecake (£9.25), shown right, featuring UK-based Black Bee Honey and accompanied by mango sorbet, honeycomb and edible flowers. The Ivy Bath Brasserie will also be offering a limited-edition dessert this Easter. The Easter Nest (£9.95) is a sumptuous dark and white chocolate mousse, accompanied by Kataifi pastry, chocolate sponge and lemon balm, available on Easter weekend only from 15–18 April. theivybathbrasserie.com

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ALCOHOL-FREE APERITIFS ANON spirits, launched in 2021 by south west-based Alfresco Drinks, combines natural botanicals and flavourings to create delicious non-alcoholic libations. Bittersweet Aperitif is the first in a new range of alcoholfree spirits, a take on the Italian liqueur Aperol, which is great for summer spritzing, mixing and negroni-making. A refreshing, aromatic blend of orange, vermouth, wormwood, gentian and quassia extracts, its palate profile is complex and developed with hints of orange, citrus and herbs. Best served as part of a mocktail if wanting to go all out non-alcoholic, with lemonade, tonic or soda water, the Bittersweet can also be mixed with alcoholic accompaniments if you are simply wanting to reduce alcohol consumption rather than remove it altogether.

Anon Spirits, the winner of the Caterer Supplier Awards 2021, offers its nonalcoholic spirits for £20 for a 70cl bottle, and £12 for a 20cl bottle. anondrinks.com

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WEDDING SEASON

Saying ‘I do’

Are you planning on tying the knot? Our little guide to local wedding-based businesses is full of folk who can help get you ready for the big day

HERITAGE PARKS Web: heritageparkweddings.co.uk It has just been announced that outdoor civil weddings and partnerships will be legalised permanently in England and Wales.

During the pandemic couples were able to hold their ceremony outside under temporary measures. From April the temporary measures will be made permanent. They will still need to be held at licensed venues such as Heritage Park Weddings, who held ceremonies on the lawn in Parade Gardens, overlooking Pulteney Bridge and the weir, and within the Botanical Gardens next to the Temple of Minerva last summer.

Manager, Jess Taylor at Heritage Park Weddings said “The change will allow our couples to hold a more personalised ceremony within truly magnificent parks in Bath.”

HAMSWELL HOUSE Botanical Gardens by Deborah Grace Photography

Hamswell, Bath BA1 9DG Tel: 07720727773; Web: hamswellhouse.co.uk The romantic orangery and gardens of award-winning Hamswell House make the ultimate setting for your wedding.

You will be surrounded by 50 acres of gardens and private land with breath-taking panoramic views over the Hamswell valley. Yours will be the only marquee wedding held that weekend, so it is truly, exclusively yours. And you will have access to the marquee the day before for set-up and styling.

The venue is situated in the Cotswold Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty near Bath. No corkage charge.

PITCH UP AND PLAY

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hello@pitchupandplay.co.uk; Pitchupandplay.co.uk

Hello@sweetpeach.co.uk; sweetpeach.co.uk

Headed up by Isabella Passafaro, who works as a private nanny and has been in the Childcare Industry for 12 years, Pitch Up and Play is made up of highly qualified and highly awesome Pitch Nannies. All of the lovely team are DBS checked, fully referenced and experienced with little ones. From Bell Tent Creches to Mini VIP Corners, they provide a variety of packages that can be tailored to your children’s ages from 0–12 years old. If you think the children at your event deserve to feel like Mini VIPs then do get in touch, the Pitch Up and Play team would love to hear from you!

Full of creative flair – although anything but fussy – Sweet Peach, led by cake designer Helen Stewart, delight in designing and making beautifully crafted, artistic, allergy-friendly wedding cakes. This is a small, personal company who are passionate about helping you and your guests to connect and celebrate together. Their delicious vegan and ‘freefrom’ cakes are naturally more inclusive and, with their allergy-friendly focus, it feels amazing to be able to include a wide range of dietary needs without compromising on the taste, texture or style of cake. Tempt yourself with the year-round menu of delicious flavours.

You can enjoy a sample box, either delivered to your door or at their in house tasting, where the design and consultation process begins. Sweet Peach Cake Studio offers simple, relaxed and contemporary styling, a little slice of laid-back luxury for your day.

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Clare Lloyd Clare Lloyd creates beautiful and intricate bridal hair accessories and jewellery inspired by all things floral and botanical. From her studio in Frome, Somerset, Clare creates exquisite and luxurious headpieces entirely by hand for modern brides all over the world who are looking for something feminine and romantic to wear on their wedding day. Using recycled precious metals and the finest pearls, crystals and glass seed beads, choose from a gorgeous collection of hair adornments and jewellery, or commission Clare to create a bespoke design unique to you.

Silk Mill Studios, Frome, Somerset Web: clarelloyd.co.uk

Desdemona statement pale gold and white crown £895.

Image by oxiphotography.co.uk

Honey Willow Honey Willow hand crafts meaningful jewellery for loved ones and life's milestones. Elegant wedding day jewellery for the bride, bridesmaid and mother of the bride and groom, along with keepsake gifts to commemorate the special day. All jewellery is handmade to order in central Bath.

Visit the website to see the full range, or visit the shop on Pulteney Bridge where some of the wedding range is on display. Open Tuesday-Saturday, 10am – 4.30pm

9ct Gold Extra Petite Hoops with Keishi Pearls £ 270

Cami-Lou jewellery Jewellery is generally given as a memento, something to treasure and remind us of a special person or time in our lives. Weddings are the perfect occasion to gift a piece of jewellery or buy a piece that will hold a memory of a wonderful day. Cami-Lou has a wide range of jewellery that would be perfect for the bride herself to wear or make the perfect bridesmaid gift. The jewellery created is sustainably made using precious metals, semi-precious and precious gemstones, making it a piece that you will want to wear again and again.

Web: camiloujewellery.co.uk Or email: camilla@camiloujewellery.com

Diamonds from Mallory

8 Pulteney Bridge, Bath BA2 4AX Tel: 01225 822339 Web: honeywillow.com

18ct white gold pear cut diamond cluster pendant and chain £3,195

Hats by Nancy Rose Truly beautiful handmade headpieces and hats for weddings and all other special occasions. Nancy Rose will create for you your own unique, fabulous design to make you feel and look amazing. Email Nancy Rose for all enquiries and to book a consultation. View her ready made collection @Sumptuous Designerwear boutique on Walcot street.

Web: nancyrosehats.com Email nancyrosehats@yahoo.com Nancy Rose Hats in store at Sumptuous Designerwear, 68 Walcot Street, Bath BA1 5BD An exhibition of her work will be on show in Devizes from 23 April - 21st May @ Tundra Jewellers.

Platinum round brilliant-cut Diamond set wedding ring £1,495

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

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CITY | NEWS

CITYNEWS DOROTHY HOUSE WORLD TOUR hospices in Somerset and Wiltshire, covering about 360 km and climbing about 4,000m in a single day. He will be going west to Keynsham, north to Malmsbury, south east to Salisbury and south to Shepton Mallet, visiting around 30 places. “It will a tough day in aid of a super cause,” says Paul.

“It is about as tough as a day’s cycling can be and right on the edge of what I’m capable of. I will start at 5am and I will be supported by family and the great riders from Bathford CC.” Visit Paul’s Just-giving page: Justgiving.com/fundraising/PaulVosper

Paul Vosper of Fairfield Park is taking on a ‘world tour’ of the Dorothy House shops and hospices to raise funds for the charity. Paul lost his wife Jean in April 2021 – Jean had breast cancer and was supported through the terminal phase of her illness by Dorothy House, and Paul now wants to give something back.

On 7 May Paul will cycle to all 26 Dorothy House shops and

HUBOO PARTNER WITH BATH RUGBY Leading eCommerce fulfilment technology provider Huboo has been announced as the Official eCommerce Partner of Bath Rugby.

Huboo has also become the eCommerce fulfilment provider for all Bath Rugby clothing and merchandise within its online shop, and the club’s official training wear sponsor.

CEO and Co-Founder of Huboo Martin Bysh, who lives in Bath, said: “We felt that this was a truly authentic partnership for us, given that we first breathed life into Huboo from a garage in Bath. Bath Rugby is so central to the city and its people and it has a great ethos with a focus on community, teamwork and solidarity, which match our core values.” Huboo, which is headquartered in Bristol, is a fulfilment technology provider which enables online retailers of all sizes to access a complete end-toend fulfilment operation within minutes in order Martin Bysh, Tarquin McDonald to speed up their and Paul Dodd processes. huboo.co.uk

CREAM CORNWALL IN BATH Cream Cornwall is expanding out of Cornwall and into Somerset with the opening of its third shop at 29 Milsom Street, Bath. The shop will offer a wide range of exclusive designs in homewares, fabric and furniture that are inspired by the coast. Like the others, this shop will display mirrors, lighting, throws, decorative objects, glassware, tableware and kitchenware.

Owners Rebecca Heane and Allison Hughes state, “Cream Cornwall is about classic, timeless products with a contemporary twist.” Allison Hughes says, “We’ve got a product that people love and so the expansion to Bath seemed a very natural progression for us.” creamcornwall.co.uk 46 TheBATHMagazine

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LEGAL ADVICE PODCASTS No one wants to think about what would happen if they were no longer around or diagnosed with a life limiting illness but having these conversations really can help you and your loved ones in the future. That’s why Dorothy House and Mogers Drewett Solicitors have joined forces to create a series of four podcasts to tackle the topics we avoid discussing in the hope that if we encourage just one family to have ‘that’ conversation we will have made a difference and made life that little bit easier for them at an emotional time.

Join Sarah Dodd Head of Legacies at Dorothy House Hospice Care and Private Client Partner David Hill as they tackle the tricky issues around making a Will, Lasting Powers of Attorney, what to do when someone is dying and after a death in a series of podcasts. dhpodcast.podbean.com

OUT OF THE BLUE SALE Out of the Blue Gallery at 6 Upper Borough Walls, Bath, showcasing some of the best British artists and ceramicists, is having a sale before moving on, with 10% off everything on the ground floor and 33% off everything in the basement. Set across two floors, the gallery is packed with great pieces – and 5% of takings go to Julian House. Open Thursday, Friday and Saturday, 11–5pm. outofthebluegallery.com

LEGAL ADVICE TO UKRAINIAN REFUGEES Lawyers from Stone King Julie Moktadir are giving free legal advice to the Ukraine Advice Project UK. The project was set up by a group of immigration lawyers to provide pro bono advice to Ukraine nationals following the Russian invasion. The project has been inundated with enquiries since it opened, with Stone King’s immigration team joining lawyers around the country in offering expert legal advice.

“Whilst the immigration rules have been slightly relaxed for family members of Ukraine nationals, there is a backlog of applications and a sense that the visa system is not currently fit for purpose,” said head of immigration Julie Moktadir. “There are a large number of people fleeing who do not have identity documents or the resources to seek safety or assistance which makes it all the more complicated. We are seeking to help both Ukrainian nationals and other nationalities fleeing Ukraine.”

To request advice, email: ukraine@freemovement.org.uk with details of your circumstances and the advice you need. advice-ukraine.co.uk; stoneking.co.uk

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ocl A C C O U N TA N C Y

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

www.oclaccountancy.com

The importance of getting your affairs in order

Tax planning and IHT – an opportunity You may be aware that if you make gifts to family, friends or others but die within seven years, those gifts may be added back to the value of your estate for inheritance tax (IHT) purposes, unless the gifts are exempt; although many exemptions aren’t generous, there is one with no limit.

Gifts made from surplus income are exempt from IHT regardless of value or beneficiary. Understandably HMRC impose conditions & before you review the situation you need to determine your “surplus” income.

For a gift to be exempt it has to come from income left over after you’ve paid normal living costs, such as food, energy, household costs, etc. The rules don’t allow you to artificially create surplus income by living off savings – that’s not within the exemption. The rules say the exemption only works if you have sufficient income to maintain your “usual standard of living” after making the gift.

Another condition means that one-off gifts out of income won’t qualify for the exemption, as it requires there to be a ‘pattern of gifts’ so that they become part of your “normal expenditure”. There is no definition of how many gifts have to be made before this condition is met although HMRC do accept that a series of gifts over three years is sufficient.

The exemption isn’t tied to tax years and the rules state that HMRC must review “one year with another”. However, HMRC also state that income that you accumulate (by not spending it) becomes capital after a couple of years and gifts from those funds won’t qualify for the exemption.

It’s always best to make the gifts in cash and not by way of assets, and it’s important to keep records of your gifts, such as date, amount and beneficiary so they are available to your executors.

Finally, although normally a pattern of gifts has to exist before the exemption can apply, this can be short circuited if you can show that it’s your intention to make regular gifts, for example by writing to the person you intend as a recipient, advising that you intend to gift them some of your excess income each year. As an alternative, you could arrange to pay a regular expense for them, for example child’s school fees.

For tax saving tips contact us – call Marie Sheldrake, Matt Bryant or Samantha Taylor on 01225 445507

Talking about what would happen if we were no longer around or diagnosed with a life limiting illness is not an easy conversation to have but taking the time now to get your affairs in order will help your family and loved ones in the future.

To make that conversation a little easier Dorothy House and Mogers Drewett Solicitors have joined forces to create a series of four podcast to tackle the topics we avoid discussing.

In the first episode Sarah Dodd, Head of Legacies at Dorothy House chats to David Hill a partner in the Private Client team at Mogers Drewett Solicitors about what ‘getting your affairs in order’ actually means and why it is so important.

Where to start?

A blank sheet of paper! Often just writing a list of assets, pensions, properties, bank accounts and savings is a good place to start. It can help us to understand exactly what we have and, in many cases, highlight the need for guidance on minimising our tax liability to ensure loved one’s benefit.

Is drafting your own Will a good idea?

When thinking about drafting your Will it is important to ensure that what you think will happen when you die, does happen.

We are lucky to live in a society where all sorts of relationships and blended families are commonplace but things that might require some extra consideration when it comes to drafting your own Will include second marriages, living together but with no civil partnership or marriage, young children and ownership of property.

What do Lasting Powers of Attorney (LPA’s) help us with?

LPAs are like insurance policies. In the event you are no longer able to manage things for yourself (for whatever reason), you have insured that a person who you trust will step in to ensure important decisions are made and invariably this saves time, costs and emotional upset at a difficult time.

LPAs are quite daunting to most of us, so who do we talk to?

A Private Client lawyer, who specialises in these matters is best placed to give you advice concerning LPA’s and other documents to get your affairs in order. We understand that having these conversations can be daunting and emotional, but we often find that after these discussions families feel a huge sense of relief that wishes are known and plans have been made.

Listen to the full conversation between Sarah and David here https://dhpodcast.podbean.com/ and start getting your affairs in order today.

Call Marie Sheldrake, Matt Bryant or Samantha Taylor on 01225 445507 to arrange a no-obligation meeting

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BOOKS

Moving memoirs A collection of memoirs forms a strong strand at The Bath Festival in May. Here’s our pick of half a dozen (see also opposite page), which emphasise a sense of shared humanity

The Red of My Blood by Clover Stroud The death of her beloved sister, Nell, of Giffords Circus, who died of breast cancer aged 46, inspired this visceral book, written about the first year of her grief. Nell’s sudden death split Clover's life apart. About what life feels like when death interrupts it, and about bearing the unbearable and describing an experience that seems beyond words, this book sharply evokes the colours, smells and sounds of a lifetime shared – although the pain of bereavement is a tough read, her story is inclusive and uplifting.

Doubleday, £16.99. Saturday 14 May, 10.30am, Assembly Rooms.

Write It All Down by Cathy Rentzenbrink A down -to-earth, wise book for anyone who has talked about committing their life story to paper but doesn’t know where to start. Cathy is the author of the bestseller The Last Act of Love, which tells her own family’s story of her teenage brother Matty who was hit by a car and suffered serious injury. Hers is a kind, wise and knowledgeable voice that will help equip you to write your own life story. Pan Macmillan, £12.99.

Cathy will be joined by Nikesh Shukla (Your Story Matters) for a two-hour writing workshop on Saturday 14 May, 12.30pm, The Assembly Rooms.

My Mess is a a Bit of a Life by Georgia Pritchett Successful screenwriter (Succession, The Thick Of It, Miranda) Georgia Pritchett knows a thing or two about anxiety. From worrying about the monsters under her bed as a child (Were they comfy enough?), to embracing womanhood, (“One way of knowing you have crossed from girlhood to womanhood is that men stop exposing themselves at you from bushes and start shouting things at you from cars. It’s a beautiful moment.”) worry has accompanied her at every turn.

Pritchett is a self-confessed worrier but also an entertaining storyteller.

In her adventures in anxiety, she recounts hilarious stories with an endearing self-deprecating voice which provokes some laugh-outloud moments which will get you stared at if you’re reading it on the train. Faber £9.99. Georgia will join Abi Morgan (This is not a Pity Memoir) on Sunday 15 May, 5.30pm, Literature Lounge, Alfred Street.

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BOOKS

Outside the Sky Is Blue by Christina Patterson When Christina Patterson’s brother Tom died very suddenly, she faced the harrowing task of clearing out his house. Tom had always been the one who held on to the family treasures and memories, but now Christina had to sift through box after box of letters, papers, photos and belongings, not just of Tom's, but of their parents and their older sister, Caroline. A beautifully drawn, heart-breaking yet also joyful memoir of growing up, of living with mental ill health and cancer, and of working out what it means to be in a family, and what it means to lose a family.

Reading about another family’s struggles is to experience a shared humanity. Christina writes beautifully about her family, about growing up with parents who had relocated from a glamorous life in Rome to Surrey and about growing older, to find you’re the only one left alive.

Tinder Press, £16.99. Sunday 15 May, 3pm, The Assembly Rooms.

Unforgettable: Rugby, Dementia and the Fight of My Life by Steve Thompson In 2003, England won the Rugby World Cup. Steve Thompson was in England’s front row, at the heart of the match, and at the heart of the scrum – one of sport’s most violent battlegrounds. But triumph came at a cost. Today, he remembers nothing about playing in that final. In his words, watching the tape back is like watching a ghost.

Steve Thompson was diagnosed with early onset dementia in his 40s. His story is part sports memoir, with contributions from former teammates, and partly a tale of one man’s struggle against this cruellest of conditions, robbing him of his memories, both of his sporting career and his own family. Bonnier Books, £20. Tuesday 17 May, 8pm, Walcot House: Steve will be talking to Bath Rugby Club President John Hall.

The Life Inside by Andy West Andy West teaches philosophy in prisons. He has conversations with people inside about their lives, discusses their ideas and feelings and listens as the men and women he works with explore new ways to think about their situation. He also has inherited guilt as his father, uncle and brother all spent time in prison.

He has built a different life for himself, but he still fears that their fate will be his. As he discusses questions of truth, identity and hope with his students, he searches for his own form of freedom. This book is a compassionate exploration of the different ways people find their own freedom. It’s honest but also funny, a mixture of philosophical questioning, storytelling and autobiography. Pan Macmillan, £16.99. Saturday 14 May, 4pm, Forum Ballroom. n For tickets visit: bathfestivals.org.uk THEBATHMAG.CO.UK

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MIDNIGHT WALK On the night of Saturday 11 June, the streets of Bath will be aglow with hundreds of women dressed in neon, walking to remember loved ones and support Dorothy House Hospice Care.

After a covid hiatus, the much-loved Midnight Walk is returning, this year raising vital funds for the Hospice at Home service at Dorothy House. Providing compassionate free of charge care to those at the end of their lives, Dorothy House carers are there for loved ones throughout the small hours of the night, and this year women from across Bath and surrounding areas will be walking 5km through the night to fundraise for them.

Maggie Matthews, who has been a Dorothy House carer for thirty years, shared with us: “Almost every family we go in to support always say they can cope in the day, but it’s the nights they struggle with on their own. We make the patient comfortable, chat to them, and get them all they need during the night so their loved ones can have a good night’s sleep.”

Dorothy House’s emphasis has always been on caring for people in their own homes. To continue to fund this exceptional service, women aged 14+ are invited to sign up and take on the challenge of this fun midnight walk around the beautiful city of Bath. Everyone who signs up is asked to raise a minimum of £40 in sponsorship, or they can make a donation in lieu of sponsorship.

Sue Spanswick, a Hospice at Home carer at Dorothy House who has taken part several times said: “It’s the camaraderie of women that makes the Midnight Walk so special! The event is always well received in Bath and such a fun thing to do. The Midnight Walk raises awareness of Dorothy House – and as the Hospice is caring for people in their homes through the night, it’s great that the walkers are out at night fundraising for this excellent Hospice care! It’s a wonderful way for women to give back and you get that feelgood buzz from taking part.”

Every participant will receive an exclusive and free Midnight Walk tshirt to wear on the night. The theme this year is ‘Get glowing in neon’ so dress as groovy, crazy or colourful as you like – or just come as you are.

Emma Aiken-Jones, whose mother was cared for by Dorothy House, said: “It definitely adds to the atmosphere, the fact it takes place at night in 52 TheBATHMagazine

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the dark. The Midnight Walk is a really nice celebratory way of remembering someone that has benefitted from the work of Dorothy House, while supporting the charity. It’s fun and uniting – and a celebration of our loved ones. And actually, walking and talking with other women is really therapeutic.”

The walk kicks off at Bath Pavilion at 10pm with drinks, food, games and glowing event merchandise on offer. Then, after a funky group warm-up, it’s time to head off into the city at midnight to walk, talk… and shine!

Heather Cox a previous participant, is encouraging every woman to take part this year: “All of Dorothy House services are entirely free of charge, everything!

When my mother was cared for it was free of charge - all the therapies, the treatments, everything. I wanted to give something back and the Walk lets me do that.

It’s so special to walk at night. Everyone is there because they want to do some good, or because they are walking for a loved one, which is really special. So don’t hesitate – just do it and encourage everyone you can to join you. You will have an amazing time and you’ll want to do it again because it is just so magical!”

The Midnight Walk finishes with refreshments and celebrations at the Pavilion before the participants head home for a well-earned rest at 2am.

So why not walk through the night for Dorothy House and help make a real difference in your community?

Visit dorothyhouse.org.uk and search Midnight Walk

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Successful, well-established year-round language school in the centre of Bath requires

HOMESTAY HOSTS IN BATH to host both short-term and long-term students.

We teach adults and teenagers, and need both single and twin-room accommodation.

For further details, including rates of payment, please contact our Student Services Manager:

Sarah Wringer Kaplan International Languages Bath, 5 Trim Street, Bath, BA1 1HB Direct Line (01225) 448840 Email: sarah.wringer@kaplan.com

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EDUCATION

EDUCATION NEWS HE’S A HISTORY FELLOW

Chris Eldridge, Head of History at Wells Cathedral School, has been made a Fellow of the Royal Historical Society (RHS) in recognition of the unique work he and his team have been doing in promoting the study of medieval history in the Sixth Form at Wells. He is thrilled to have been made a Fellow, especially as it is normally university level academics who receive the recognition.

“When I first arrived in Wells I was captivated by our 10th-century origins and the medieval heritage that we live and work within. Not studying medieval history in this context looked to me like a lost opportunity. Yet medieval history tends to get neglected in British schools. A lot of teachers think it’s either incomprehensible or irrelevant to modern students. I hope the work we do at Wells studying and promoting it dispels this myth.” wells.cathedral.school

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TREES AND TREES FOR THE QUEEN There are so many trees being planted as part of the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee celebrations!

Pupils at Bathwick St Mary Church School have planted a commemorative oak tree at Bath’s new Holburne Park development, arranged by BECT, the company overseeing construction at Holburne Park. The site of the tree overlooks the Kennet and Avon Canal and the views across Bath beyond.

The Royal High School Bath has planted two Ginkgo Biloba (Maidenhair) trees during a tree planting event. One tree was given pride of place in the grounds of the Royal High Senior School campus while the other was planted in the grounds of the Prep School’s Cranwell House site.

Pupils at King Edward’s Junior and Senior Schools planted two very special trees. The High Sheriff of Somerset, Thomas Sheppard, together with The Mayor of Bath Councillor June Player, joined pupils as their special guests to help plant a silver birch and a beech tree, donated by Bath & North-East Somerset Council.

All trees are being planted as part of The Queen’s Green Canopy, a UKwide tree planting project to mark Her Majesty’s Platinum Jubilee. The Queen’s Green Canopy also aims to highlight the educational aspects of trees and to inspire young people as the future custodians of the UK’s green spaces, forests and woodlands.

The trees have been added to the UK Tree planting at King map on the Queen’s Green Canopy Edward’s School website. queensgreencanopy.org

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CITY | THEATRE

A new way of learning

“The Egg Theatre isn’t just a theatre you go to to watch plays”, says James Moore, Head of Creative Learning at the Egg. “It’s a new campus for a new way of learning.” Melissa Blease talks to the movers and shakers at this innovative hub of theatrical activity and uncovers all the opportunities available for our youngsters

T

he backstory of Hamelin’s infamous Piper is set to be revealed on a Bath stage this month. Later on in April, we’re all invited to bring our parents, children, friends and lovers to The Family Sex Show, described by the show’s designer Josie Dale-Jones as “a series of artistic responses and conversations to help make it easier for anyone, of any age, to talk about certain sticky, tricky topics.” Elsewhere...

There’s glorious gelato and the coolest cocktails in town on the menu at the stylish Brozen cafe, and a flurry of activity around the imaginative, immersive experience The Living Tree (produced in partnership with the Forest of Imagination) which returns to Bath by popular demand in June. Meanwhile, it’s just been announced that the Wonderfund – a uniquely bold initiative – has garnered enough traction and support to extend its remit beyond the realms of original possibility.

All this and much more is going on at The Egg Theatre, which first opened its doors on St John’s Place in October 2005 and has since become an established, internationally recognised centre for creativity and innovation. “The Egg isn’t just a theatre you go to to watch plays,” says James Moore, Head of Creative Learning. “It’s a new campus for a new way of learning, and our doors are open to people of all ages.”

Alongside all manner of ambitious, innovative ongoing initiatives to deepen the quality of art that’s available to young people and make engagement accessible to all, The Egg is also home to The Bath Theatre Academy (a working partnership with Bath College to deliver the two-year Level 3 Performing Arts course) and the Theatre Royal Bath Theatre School (TRBTS), which offers an inclusive program of workshops for those aged between 5–25, covering all

School children watching a show at The Egg

disciplines of theatre-making including a backstage programme that’s unique to the South West.

Are The Egg team a merry band of modernday Pied Pipers, wooing the creative industry superstars of the future and offering them the kind of experiences, skills, inspiration, selfbelief and empowerment that shapes limitless possibilities?

“One of our key ambitions at TRBTS is to offer our members exceptional experiences,” says the School’s Director Sophie JacobsWyburn. “For some, this is the opportunity to work alongside specialist industry professionals; for others, it’s being offered opportunities to perform in our venues, or using our support and contacts to seek out ways in which we can present their work in other venues – or simply just make friends and memories. For me, no experience is as exceptional as seeing our young people empowered, joyful, and invested in their own creative lives.”

The TRBTS’s latest production is entirely devised by company members aged between 14–16, and features 22 cast members supported by 10 of the school’s backstage crew. “Hamelin is a theatrical investigation into the many theories around the truth behind the Pied Piper story,” says Sophie, who started to plan the production last autumn. Working collaboratively, the company pulled the disparate threads of the multiple historical theories woven into the fable together, incorporating fairy-tale whispers and mischievous humour into their version of the story and resulting in a kind of love letter to the elements of folk horror that runs through traditional tales right up to the Grimm brothers. In Sophie’s words, “Hamelin is a kaleidoscopic experience of a story we all think we remember well. It shows not only a remarkable level of maturity in the young

Exploring The Living Tree at the Egg Theatre

people who created the show, but the curiosity and playfulness which they employ to engage their audience is an absolute joy. We couldn’t be prouder of the results.” And yes, Hamelin offers broad appeal across multiple generations – no grown ups are too grown up to enjoy it. Back to The Egg’s overall ethos: “The notion that you have to bring – or ‘borrow’ – a child to enjoy The Egg is a constant challenge for me,” says Kate Cross MBE, Director of The Egg. “The Egg is a creative hub that’s open to all ages, at all times. Why would you not give children the same quality of experience that theatres offer to adults? To my mind, that sends a message to both children and parents that children don’t really matter. And we must never forget that a trip to the theatre can change someone’s life forever. It can mould a career or define leisure time. It can help them in their exams or in their relationships. At The Egg we’re so sure of this, through testament, data, instinct and years of experience, that we urgently want to give this opportunity to as many young people as possible. In our young communities, we’re witnessing a happiness deficit and we want theatre to top that up.

But resources are needed to take a child to the theatre.” And so...

Established in autumn 2021, The Egg’s Wonderfund campaign originally aimed to help schools come back to The Egg in the post-Covid climate. In February of this year, the Theatre hosted a magical event to celebrate the initiative and acknowledge the charities, trusts and individuals who have supported the Wonderfund journey. But looking back, nobody could have predicted just how much there would be to celebrate.

“We started to see that, with ongoing support, we could extend The Wonderfund

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Bath school children taking part in a theatre workshop

happiness deficit and we want theatre to top that up

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programme beyond 2022,” says Andrea Harris, Head of Development at Theatre Royal Bath. “New partners are emerging all the time, and we’re looking at ways that we can work with community-minded corporates, the local authority and fellow charities to layer up opportunities that give the best impact for children and teachers.”

To date, the Wonderfund has raised the funds needed to offer up to 4,000 Egg Theatre tickets to state schools over the next 12 months and alleviate barriers such as transport and teacher cover for the schools facing the greatest hardship. A schedule of Wonderfund activities will soon be announced, starting with The Living Tree installation and including details of a dance tour designed for school playgrounds alongside wonderful opportunities for school groups to see live performance.

“A full theatre programme and enhanced support to teachers has become a tangible

goal,” says Kate Cross. “Thanks to the hugely positive reception and support that our local community has so readily offered us, our aim is to establish the Wonderfund as an ongoing feature of Bath life, making sure that every school is supported to embrace the arts and bring their children to the theatre.”

Why wouldn’t you want to support the Wonderfund? Who wouldn't want to meet the Pied Piper, or take the family along to a family-friendly show that takes the guilt out of talking about sex... or just sit at a table in

the sunshine on a historic, traffic-free lane at the heart of Bath, sipping a cool cocktail?

“We never condescend to children,” says Kate Cross. “People think that children don’t have taste, but they do.” People think that they know all there is to know about The Egg... but unless you can say that you visited just yesterday, you really don’t. n The Egg Theatre: theatreroyal.org.uk/ your-visit/the-egg; Wonderfund: theatreroyal.org.uk/wonderfund

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ADVERTISEMENT FEATURE

Seeing in the Spring As we get older, cataracts affect many of us, but acting early can reduce the impact they will have on your life. Here, we focus on the signs to look for, and what can be done to alleviate the problem.

C

ataracts are a very common eye condition, and many people aged over 60 will have at least some amount present.

A cataract is a clouding of the lens in your eye, which causes your sight to become misty. Cataracts slowly get worse and your sight gets cloudier over time, but the vast majority can be treated successfully. If cataracts have been limiting your ability to do the things you enjoy, surgery to remove them can be a truly lifechanging experience.

How does your eye work?

Light enters your eye through the cornea (the clear window at the front), and the lens ensures this light is focused correctly to form an image when it reaches the retina. Just like glasses lenses, in order to see clearly, the lens in your eye needs to be clear. Throughout your life, your lens changes shape to help you see things clearly in the distance and close up. This is called “accommodation of vision”. However, as we get older, the lens isn’t able to change shape as well as it used to. When this happens, most people can see clearly in the distance but need reading glasses for close work.

How does a cataract affect your sight?

Cataracts could affect your sight in a number of ways. Your vision may become blurred or appear misty; you may be dazzled by lights; or your coloured vision may seem washed out or faded.

Most people will eventually develop a cataract in both eyes, though one eye may be affected before the other. If a cataract isn’t removed, over time it will be like trying to see through a frosted window. Even if your cataract gets to this stage, it can still be removed and your sight will be almost as it was before the cataract developed.

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What causes a cataract?

The most common reason is ageing. Most people over 60 have some amount of cataract and this gradually worsens with age. Apart from getting older, other common causes of cataracts include diabetes, medications such as steroids, and longstanding eye conditions. They can also be present at birth (congenital cataracts).

What treatment is available?

The only effective treatment for cataracts is surgery to remove your cloudy lens and replace it with an artificial clear lens implant. New glasses will not help if the cataract is too advanced, and cataract surgery is one of the most successful operations performed.

In the past, eye surgeons often waited until the cataract became “ripe” before removing it, but with modern surgical precision and techniques, the operation is usually done as soon as your eyesight interferes with your daily activities, such as reading and driving.

What does the operation involve?

Cataract surgery is usually done with a local anaesthetic and takes around 20 minutes. Small cuts are made and the cataract is removed in small pieces using sound waves (phacoemulsification) so you don’t need stitches. The artificial lens implant is then simply placed inside the eye.

What should I expect to see after the operation?

Usually, everything in the distance will be clear, but your reading vision in the operated eye may be blurred. This is because the standard lens implant isn’t able to provide clear vision for both distance and near. However, premium lenses are also available at Nuffield Health Bristol Hospital, and offer the potential to see clearly at more than one point of focus.

Premium lenses are not available on the NHS, and are not suitable for everybody, but your surgeon will help you make the best decision, based on your individual needs.

Consultants specialising in cataract surgery at Nuffield Health Bristol Hospital include Mr Kieren Darcy, Mr Adam Ross, Mr Mo Majid, Mr Sidath Liyanage, Mr Michael Greaney, Mr Richard Haynes, Miss Rani Sebastian and Mr Rafik Girgis.

Furthermore, if you have any additional health concerns but are struggling to book an appointment with your GP, Nuffield Health Bristol Hospital also offers a private GP service, with minimal waiting times for appointments, prescriptions and referrals. Call our Enquiries team on the number below, who will be able to assist you in booking a consultation.

If you would like to book an appointment with one of our Consultant Ophthalmic Surgeons, or a member of our private GP team, call 0117 911 5339, or visit our website.

How soon will I recover?

After surgery, you can usually go back to your everyday activities within a few days.

You will be given eye drops to use for up to four weeks, but the majority of people have no problems following cataract surgery and are up and about the next day.

Nuffield Health Bristol Hospital 3 Clifton Hill, Bristol BS8 1BN nuffieldhealth.com/hospitals/bristol

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THE | WALK

The Old Bristol Road

Beacon Hill Wood

The lost roads of Mendip

Andrew Swift heads to Oakhill, the starting point for a springtime ramble that seeks out the lost roads of Mendip – the walk takes in wild wood and the highest point in East Somerset

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n the spring of 1913, the poet and travel writer Edward Thomas was on a cycle tour of the west country when he stopped for lunch at the Oakhill Inn on Mendip. It was, he wrote, “a good inn”, where he enjoyed “the best possible fat bacon and bread fried in the fat, for a shilling; and for nothing, the company of a citizen of Wells, a hearty, strong-voiced man who read the Standard over a beefsteak, a pint of cider, and a good deal of cheese ... and praised the stout of Oakhill.”

You can still take lunch in The Oakhill Inn today, accompanied by local ale or cider, although it will cost rather more than a shilling (5p in today’s money). Oakhill is also the ideal starting point for a springtime ramble in search of the lost roads of Mendip, on a five-mile walk that also takes in a seriously wild wood – complete with standing stone and neolithic earthwork – and the highest point in east Somerset.

Oakhill lies 16 miles south-west of Bath on the A367. Although there is limited parking at the inn, if you’re planning to walk you’ll need to park in the High Street, which is on the right, just past the zebra crossing, as you enter the village.

Having parked, head back to the main road, cross and turn right up to the Oakhill Inn (ST635472), before turning left along Fosse Road.

The village is soon left behind and after 500m you come to Fosse Toll Cottage, which, despite its name, was not a turnpike house but a lodge (ST640471). It stands on an abandoned section of one of the most important roads in Roman Britain, the Fosse Way, which ran from the south coast near Axminster to Lincoln.

Turn right opposite the cottage to follow part of the Fosse Way which still survives, albeit as a muddy byway. Almost immediately it starts to climb, entering a deep holloway and curving right to circumvent a particularly stiff gradient. As it reaches higher ground, it emerges into the open and, a little further on, curves back to resume its southward course. The views from here, with the 55m tower of Downside Abbey rising above distant woods, give a foretaste of what lies ahead.

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For the next 500m, the Fosse Way continues south as a tree-lined green lane, ending at a busy road. In Roman times, this was an important junction, for the road which crossed the Fosse Way here linked the lead mines at Charterhouse near Cheddar with Old Sarum.

As you cross the road and go through a gap in the fence into Beacon Hill Wood, all trace of the Fosse Way disappears. Its course for the next 300m or so is a matter of speculation. The only thing that most people agree on is that it didn’t carry straight on. If it had, anyone heading south along it would have tumbled down a precipitous bank a little further on.

The wood was a busy place long before the Romans arrived, however. Burial mounds and ancient quarries abound, and if you turn left you can follow a rough track leading to a circular earthwork with a standing stone at its centre.

To continue with the walk, however, turn right and after 75m you’ll come to an information board (ST637461). The map on it shows that, from here, the main track through the wood heads south. Unfortunately, there has been a lot of tree-felling recently and forestry vehicles have scoured deep ruts which have filled with mud.

So, instead of taking the main track, bear right to follow a path to a bench with views westward to Glastonbury Tor, before heading back into the wood to pick up the ‘preferred route’ shown on the map – a sunken track curving gently downhill. At the bottom is a boundary stone with the initials WMFM, erected by William Melliar FosterMelliar, who acquired the land here in 1838 (ST637458). As you head south past another boundary stone, you are back on the Fosse Way, following another muddy green lane.

After 650m, when you come to a lane, however, the Fosse Way peters out once more (ST635451). There is not even a right of way through the fields ahead, so turn right along what the OS map informs us is Yelling Mill Lane. After 1300m, when you come to a main road, cross with care and bear left along the pavement for 75 metres before turning right along a lane (ST624454). This is the Old

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Bristol Road, turnpiked in 1753 but abandoned around 1840 when traffic was diverted along the road you have just turned off.

For the first 300m, the old road is tarmacked, but, when a lane branches off left, the tarmac ends. As you carry on, you are walking along a road that has been left to its own devices for almost two centuries. Grass grown, worn down by weather and time, it is an evocative survival and a suitably windswept way to reach the highest point in east Somerset, where another road – still very much in use – cuts across its course (ST621467).

In 1919, in the aftermath of World War One, there were plans to build a Somerset war memorial at this lonely crossroads, in the form of an imposing monument which would have been visible from high ground across the county. The idea was dropped after insufficient funds were raised, and a communication mast now stands on the site.

Cross and carry on along the Old Bristol Road, which here survives as a country lane, with Oakhill below you on the right.

After 300m, just past the second gate on the right, the course of the Roman road from Old Sarum to Charterhouse cuts across the lane, but, as you will see if you scan the fields, little trace of it survives (ST621469).

After passing the entrance to a golf club, turn right along a lane.

At the main road, cross with care and continue along the lane opposite. When you reach a crossroads, cross and carry on, and at a T junction turn right (ST625477). At the next crossroads, turn right down Galley Batch Lane. At the bottom, turn left along the High Street, past the former maltings of the Oakhill Brewery. The brewery, which was much larger, was further on, its site now covered by housing. All that remains is to head back to your car or carry on up to the inn where that hearty citizen of Wells praised the local stout. n Many more walks can be found in Andrew Swift’s Country Walks from Bath, published by Akeman Press; akemanpress.com.

THE

KI TC HEN PAR TNER S DESIGN STUDIO

Islay the Westie on the Old Bristol Road

Fact file n Starting point: Oakhill Inn (ST635472; BA3 5HU) n Length of walk: 5 miles n Approximate time: 2.5–3.5 hours n Level of challenge: Largely straightforward, although with muddy stretches near the start and two very busy road crossings n Map: OS Explorer 142 n Refreshments: Oakhill Inn; open 12–3pm and 5–10pm Mon-Fri, all day Sat and Sun; food served 12–2pm and 6–9pm Mon–Fri, 12–9pm Sat, 12–7.30pm Sun (theoakhillinn.com; 01749 840442)

www.thekitchenpartners.co.uk 102 Whiteladies Road, Clifton, Bristol BS8 2QY 01179 466433

Founders and Lead Designers - Fiona & Clinton

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CITY | INTERIORS

Asian favours

Looking for a focal point for your room that’s infused with attitude? Then consider leaning towards the East for ideas – artefacts from this part of the world have powerful cultural resonance and are wrapped in fascinating stories of their era and geography.

Leon Ma, owner of Ma San Auction House chooses some of the most inspirational items recently sold under the hammer

A

statement piece will focus the dynamic of a room; capturing attention, it helps to create a strong visual flow around a living space. And if the piece has a back story, even better.

The pieces shown on these pages all have an Asian provenance and will provide a powerful central presence in a room. And unlike many

attention-grabbing purchases created for market, the future value of these authentic items and sometimes rare collectables is likely to grow rather than diminish. From a Chinese Tang Dynasty figure to a gilt wood Buddha and a panelled screen to glazed figures of Bactrian camels, find an Asian piece to be the star of your interior show.

RED POTTERY FIGURE OF A STANDING COURT LADY ...with hair dressed in elegant coiffure, Chinese Tang Dynasty (618-907AD), 37cm height.

Sold £2,210

PAIR OF CHINESE ZITAN HORSESHOE-BACK ARMCHAIRS Quanyi. Middle of Qing dynasty (1644–1912). Sold £26,040 62 TheBATHMagazine

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CHINESE 18THCENTURY BLUE AND WHITE PORCELAIN JAR AND COVER Decorated with phoenix, Qing Dynasty/Kangxi period (1662–1722).

29cm height.

Sold £975

CHINESE 18/19TH-CENTURY CELADON AND RUSSET JADE BOULDER Carved in high relief with two cranes beside a pine tree on a carved zitan stand. 28cm height.

Sold £13,000

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CITY | INTERIORS THAI 19THCENTURY GILT WOOD FIGURE OF BUDDHA Seated on a raised tier base decorated with glass and red lacquer.

47cm height.

Sold £1178 PAINTED POTTERY FIGURE OF A SADDLED HORSE Chinese Tang Dynasty (618–907AD).

32cm height.

Sold £910

CANTONESE 19TH-CENTURY CELADONGROUND FAMILLE ROSE PORCELAIN VASE Decorated with figures in a court scene, late Qing Dynasty/Guangxu period (1875–1908). 63cm height. Sold £650 with slight condition issues PAIR OF SANCAIGLAZED POTTERY FIGURES OF BACTRIAN CAMELS Chinese Tang Dynasty (618–907AD).

58/59cm height.

Sold £11,830

CHINESE EIGHT-PANEL WOOD SCREEN Carved in relief with inserted gilt-lacquer painted panels depicting figures farming and fishing in a coastal landscape. 205 x 133cm.

Sold £1105

Ma San Auction, 2 Princes Buildings, George Street, Bath; 01225 318587; masanauction.com

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b c f bath carpets and flooring Flooring for your Home: www.carpetsandflooringbath.co.uk

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O

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OOK L W E N Call in and view our extensive range of rugs.

4 Kingsmead Street, Bath, BA1 2AA 01225 471888

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CITY | GARDENS

Outdoor sanctuaries

Have outside space; will be free. Extend beyond the four walls of your home by opening things up, living the natural life and building a recharging escape for yourself.

Get your pulse running with a heavenly sanctuary garden soon to be launched at the RHS Chelsea Flower Show, and take advice on creating a sanctuary from local design and construction experts...

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anicured lawns, tidy flower beds, exotic blooms, fenced patios and hanging display baskets are absolutely not on the agenda for the new Sanctuary Garden by Hamptons, to be created for the RHS Chelsea Flower Show from 23–28 May. Hamptons is the principal sponsor of the show garden – a tranquil and sensory garden in which to relax and unwind – partnering with award-winning designer Tony Woods from Garden Club London and working in collaboration with Koto, an architectural and design studio.

The concept draws on the rise in flexible working and working from home, which has brought an increased desire for space, especially outdoor and garden space. This garden sanctuary has been designed to reflect the desire to incorporate the garden as a living area, a place to step away from the home environment into the outdoors where you will be distracted by the sights, scent and sounds of nature, nurturing creativity, positivity and calm. Tony Woods from Garden Club London comments: “The garden will be a celebration of the small domestic green spaces which have taken on extra importance in the last few years. Designed with sustainability at its heart it’s a tranquil and sensory garden with a work/leisure space that creates separation from everyday life while increasing living space and adding extra value both in terms of lifestyle and property value.

To complete the scene, Koto Design has created an iconic carbon neutral garden cabin nestling into the garden setting as a space to read, work or just sit and enjoy. The small, sculptural structure is designed to function as a place of seclusion and meditation, an immersive space to connect with the surrounding power of nature and plants. Zoe Little, co-founder of Koto Design, comments “Working collaboratively with Tony and his team we have sensitively paired the stunning garden with a considered space designed for multi-uses. A sanctuary that ultimately connects you nature while delivering a carbon neutral building.”

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Under the canopy of pine and birch, the sound of water gently trickles through the garden

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Under the canopy of pine and birch trees the sound of water gently trickles through the garden. The charred timber exterior (shou-sugiban) draws from Japanese design influence and the ancient Japanese philosophy Wabi Sabi, focused on accepting the transient nature of life and the beauty in imperfection. The structure frames immersive views of the garden.

Rounded glacial boulders and natural stepping stones contrast with the building and provide an intentional way to slow the journey to the cabin, through the planting and across the moving water. Boundaries of Fagus sylvatica (beech) hedging and charred larch panels provide a foil to show off the stunning bark of the Betula nigra (water birch) and Pinus sylvestris (Scot’s pine).

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The garden is rich in pollinating plants with water for wildlife and densely planted trees to encourage birds. Sweetly scented favourites including phlox and Syringa (lilac) repeat through the planting to provide clouds of scent as the visitor meanders through.

Turning the vision into reality Sam Selby, Selby Landscapes; selbylandscapes.com

“Our business has seen a dramatic increase in people wanting to use the garden as an extension of their home or as an alternative working space as more people appreciate the benefits of working from home.

The last two years have opened people’s eyes, too, to what’s right in front of them. In this case it’s gardens: open space, fresh air and calm.

“A garden workspace means that here are no noisy commutes, no polluted road rides, just a 30-second walk, coffee in hand, through plants and fresh air to a peaceful sanctuary where your productivity is likely to be way better than in a busy office. On your way you can take a moment to stop and crush the lavender between your fingers, watch the birds hopping down the fence and take some deep breaths of fresh air before you start your working day. These spaces can also be used

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A Garden Sanctuary by Hamptons, for Chelsea Flower Show 2022

to exercise in or to relax in after hours, and lunch breaks can now be spent with family or in the fresh air, rather than queueing up for the office microwave.

“We often get asked to build outdoor rooms or sheltered entertainment areas, whether that’s for al fresco eating with friends on a balmy summer’s afternoon, somewhere private to play your drum kit or a fire pit to gather round on a cold winter’s evening.

“The possibilities of these spaces are endless, and very rewarding, and there are many construction options. Many of our big suppliers do offthe-shelf shelters with built-in lighting and electric blinds. Bespoke madeto-measure buildings can also be installed so whatever space you have, something amazing can be done to maximise usage. You can try cladding the outside with local timber or green walls to blend in with the surroundings, or go for a contrast with composite tongue and groove.

“The garden sanctuary project at Chelsea Flower Show this year sums up this growing trend perfectly. A green nook, nestled in the dappled shade of overlooking birch trees, reached by a peaceful stroll through the garden. This should be a lesson to all of us to slow down, breathe, work with what we’ve got and appreciate what is right in front of us.”

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Crisp contemporary blends perfectly with Georgian history in this walled garden.by Selby Landscapes

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CITY | GARDENS

Create a sanctuary with a summerhouse Ben McPhee, Garden Affairs; gardenaffairs.co.uk

Octagonal Summerhouse

by Garden Affairs

“Managing the constant demands of a fast-moving world, many of us are looking for a place of escape, somewhere to embrace the simple comforts of nature, reflect on the good things in life and restore our energy. So what better way is there to do this than with your own peaceful retreat, tucked away from the hectic pace of indoor life? If you’ve got a garden with some extra space to be creative with, then now could be just the time to embrace the onset of spring and find your own summerhouse garden sanctuary.

“The beauty of the summerhouse is its ability to add a charming aesthetic to your outdoor space, without dominating it. Our small and unpretentious garden buildings, with echoes of the Victorian folly or oriental pavilion, will bring an eye-catching yet subtle extra detail to your garden. Because of their diminutive size (a footprint of around five square metres is typical), it’s easy to tuck them away, almost unnoticed, in a tranquil, perhaps forgotten, outdoor spot, the perfect location for your garden sanctuary.

“With a pleasing symmetry and built from natural materials, the summerhouse is a popular choice for a garden retreat – it’s easy and relatively inexpensive to set up, and fits so comfortably with a natural environment.

“These exquisitely crafted buildings come in a selection of shapes and sizes, from rectangular and corner to the eight-sided Prima Lilac summerhouse (ideal for smaller gardens), or the ten-sided Wraysbury, if you’re after a larger entertainment space.

“A summerhouse is a perfect space in which allocate some precious time to yourself, giving you that enervating yet chilled feeling of being inside in the outdoors, protected by timber and glass, immersed only in your thoughts and the warm aromas of the wood surrounding you.”

Choosing the right summerhouse Ben McPhee, Garden Affairs; gardenaffairs.co.uk

It’s not difficult to find a low-priced summerhouse, but if you’re after something that looks good and has a long life, then there are a few important guidelines:

Garden design by Selby Landscapes

• Choose the right timber – slow-grown is more durable.

• Invest in double-glazed windows and doors – they’ll help reduce moisture levels.

• Generous double doors will allow you to let the outside in when the weather permits.

• Add some style with a tongue and groove floor.

• Remember: location, location, location. Be sure to find the best spot in your garden, with a view to inspire and restore you, and as much privacy as you can get.

• Get professional help where necessary – our summerhouses can be installed by our in-house experts.

Find out more about Garden Affairs summerhouses: gardenaffairs.co.uk

Prima Fifth Avenue Classic Summerhouse by Garden Affairs

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HOMES | GARDENS

Garden NOTEBOOK

KADAI FIREBOWLS

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The red hot garden accessory of 2022 - These are great for generating heat, cooking on and just for helping you find some joy all year round. Original Kadais are up to 100 years old. Each one completely unique with a rich heritage from years of use as cooking bowls at weddings and festivals across India. Hand-picked in Rajasthan and available in sizes from 60cm – 170cm diameter. The Kadai can be raised to the perfect cooking height with a handmade iron stand or can be used as an impressive fire bowl to enjoy evenings under the stars throughout the year. Visit the Boniti showroom on the A46 to see an impressive selection of Kadais and accessories.

Boniti, Dunsdon Barn, Nr Bath SN14 8JA. Tel: 01225 892200 Web: boniti.com



SET OF THREE TALL DOLLY TUB PLANTERS From Graham and Green, this is a set of three tub planters with a ribbed design and crafted from galvanized zinc.

Perfect for potting-up herbs or small trees for stylish greenery. Sizes are: small - 30cms high, medium - 35cms high, and the largest of the set is 41 cms high.

Price £210 for all three.

For these and more garden ideas visit Graham and Green, 92 Walcot Street, Bath, BA1 5BG Web: grahamandgreen.co.uk

PRIVACY WIREWORK TRELLIS MAYFORD GARDEN SETS IN FLINT This is superior quality garden furniture from top maker, Mayford. Featuring a contrasting weave of deep brown and warm grey, hand-crafted from high-quality virgin Polyrattan with powder-coated aluminium frames. All tables come complete with toughened safety glass neatly recessed to the table top. Cushions made in Olefin fabrics and are 'All-Season'and are UV protected, with zips for easy removal and cleaning. The cushions have piped edges for an elegant finish with Textaline bases and all fabrics and fillings UKFR certified. The Olefin fabric is showerproof, colourfast and rot resistant. Shown here is the Hayford Grande at £3999 which features a height adjustable table. The sets come with a winter cover included and there is also a large parasol available to buy separately. To find out more and see the full range visit TR Hayes.

TR Hayes, 15-18 London Street, Walcot, Bath BA1 5BX. Tel: 01225 465757 Web: trhayes.co.uk



Create the perfect screen with locally made, hand woven wirework panels from Garden Requisites. Flowering, evergreen climbing plants help to create a very stylish year round screen to aid privacy for your city courtyard or country garden. Made from high quality, hot dip zinc galvanized steel, standard sizes and bespoke designs are available.

Unlike cheap, chunky timber trellis, these zinc galvanized panels and posts won’t rot or require maintenance and won’t need replacing a few years’ time – a truly sustainable solution.

Easy to install and with nationwide delivery, why not contact Garden Requisites for a quotation today.

Visit Garden Requisites, BATH BA1 7RA. Tel: 01225 851577 Web: garden-requisites.co.uk

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GARDENING

60º East: A Garden Between Continents at RHS Chelsea Flower Show 2021

Rock of ages

After falling out of favour as fussy and old-fashioned, rock gardens have officially made a comeback. Elly West takes a closer look at the carefully planned, naturalistic spaces that create a thriving home for alpine plants and wildlife

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In a shady spot under trees, rocks can provide places for ferns and moss to grow, creating the effect of a mini-woodland dell

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I

’m fully on-board with the notion that rockeries are making a comeback. After all, gardening is about harnessing and bringing order to nature, cultivating a space and making it our own. Gardens based on the natural landscape, with rocks, waterfalls and outcrops, have become a common theme at RHS Chelsea Flower Show, proving that the modern rock garden doesn’t have to be a pile of stones set haphazardly into a mound of soil, planted with old-fashioned conifers and heathers. Don’t get me wrong, I’m more than happy for these to stay in the latter half of the last century where they belong.

However, carefully planned as a naturalistic space providing habitats for wildlife and somewhere to showcase beautiful alpine plants, and you have a winning combination. I also have a natural affinity for a little bit of order in a garden, so a rockery with spaces and pockets and nooks and crannies to tuck away individual specimens appeals to my love of compartmentalisation.

The idea of a rock garden has been around for centuries if we look to the Far East, with Japanese zen gardens using rocks to symbolise mountains or islands, and raked gravel to represent water, creating a place for quiet reflection and calm. However, the popularity of more colourful rockeries as we know them dates back to the late 19th century, when collectors brought alpine plants to the UK and wanted a way to showcase their findings. The Victorians also created shady rockeries exclusively for ferns, known as ferneries (funnily enough), appealing to the love of collections during those times.

The Royal Botanic Gardens Kew has one of the oldest and largest rock gardens in the world. I spent many years living in west London with Kew just down the road, and the rock garden was always a highlight on my many visits, offering drama and structure with

something to look at all year round. Originally built in 1882, it’s over an acre in size and includes waterfalls and a large stone, grotto-type bridge.

Privately owned Friar Park in Henley-on-Thames, former home of The Beatles’ George Harrison, has a large alpine rock garden dating back to 1896, complete with a scale model of the Matterhorn, tin mountain goats and a mini-Swiss chalet. While the Victorians were creating rockeries on this grander scale, inevitably the ideas filtered down to our suburban gardens, with rockeries becoming a common feature in the 1960s and 1970s, before falling out of favour as fussy and old fashioned. Until now!

Rock gardens can be incredibly versatile and suit many different styles of gardening. In a shady spot under trees, rocks can provide places for ferns and moss to grow, creating the effect of a miniwoodland dell. Rocks and boulders are also well-suited to Mediterranean-style gravel gardens, where they will sit happily amongst lavender, olive trees and spiky architectural plants. Many herbs thrive in the dry conditions of a rock garden, such as creeping thyme, sage, chives, lavender and rosemary. Coastal-type planting such as low-

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GARDENING growing pink thrift (Armeria maritima), sea lavender (Limonium latifolium), small grasses and sea kale will also work well.

Plants typically found in rockeries are tough-growing perennials that don’t need much maintenance, well adapted to cope with hostile conditions and drought, making them perfect for low-maintenance gardeners. Succulents such as houseleeks hold water in their fleshy leaves and need little soil for their roots, so can be tucked into crevices in rocks where other plants might struggle. Alpines tend to be small and low-growing, and so are ideal for smaller gardens where space is at a premium. There are plenty to choose from, including primulas, saxifrage, pulsatilla, sedums, campanulas and dianthus.

Now is the perfect time to start building a modern rock garden, big or small. Plants will have a chance to establish through the summer before the enemy – winter wet – sinks in. Take some time planning your space and choose a free-draining site that gets plenty of sun if you want to grow traditional alpine-type plants. Use local stone where possible as it will fit with your surroundings and the carbon footprint will be lower. Try one of the local quarries around Bristol and Bath, have a look on Gumtree, or see if your neighbours have any going spare, especially if they are having some building work done.

Try to find a mix of stones of varying sizes for a more natural look. Larger rocks should be used at the bottom, and then you can build up your rock garden in tiers, backfilled with topsoil.

Alternatively, an existing dry stone wall or rocky area of the garden may provide missed opportunities for planting if you can infill spaces with soil and squeeze in some small plants.

Top dress bare soil with grit or fine gravel to help drainage around the crowns of the plants. Water is also a great addition to a rock garden, especially if you can create a cascading waterfall, with a simple sump and pump to circulate the water around. n

Project of the month: make an alpine trough If you fancy having a go on a smaller scale, why not create a minirock garden in a container such as an old ceramic sink, stone trough or tin bath? Choose an open and sunny spot, preferably somewhere visible such as on a wall, so you can admire the small, often jewellike plants close at hand. Drainage is key, so make sure your container has plenty of holes in the base and use a soil-based compost mixed with equal parts coarse grit. A layer of crocks in the base of the container will also help improve the drainage. Once you’ve added the soil, arrange a few rocks to suit the scale, then fill it with plants such as sedums, sempervivums and small bulbs. Top dress with grit or some other decorative aggregate to help conserve water in the soil, suppress weeds, and also to make the whole display more attractive. Remember to water during dry weather, particularly in the first season while the plants establish themselves.

• ellyswellies.co.uk

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the directory

to advertise in this section call 01225 424 499

Electricians

House & Home

Chauffeur/Private Hire

ONEMAGAZINEONECITYONEMONTH

M&J

Building Services AIRPORT TRANSFERS AND TOURS We provide Executive Bath Airport transfers to and from all major airports in the UK. We use only HI spec vehicles and give a near on chauffeur experience at less than regular taxi prices.

Airport transfers • City to city travel • Hi spec vehicles 1-8 seat vehicles available • Wifi available Card payments taken • Prices start from as little as £42 Call or email us for a quote now!

@Romanbathprivatehire

Web: romanbathprivatehire.co.uk Email: Info@romanbathprivatehire.co.uk Tel: 01225 484346

Health, Beauty & Wellbeing

Extensions and Renovations M: 07969 469 082 E: Martyn.brooks@mail.com

GCS

ONEMAGAZINEONECITYONEMONTH

Graham’s Cleaning Services Ltd

WINDOW CLEANING IN BATH AND THE SURROUNDING AREA

Specialist in commercial & retail and large domestic properties Traditional and Reach & Wash window cleaning services

Trusted, professional and fully insured.

Tel: Office: 01761 433123 or Moble: 07989 302299 grahams.wcsltd@gmail.com grahamscleaningservices.co.uk

Holiday Rental

60+ luxury properties for lets 2 nights to 5 months Holidays – For business – Friends & family Temporary accommodation during renovation/relocation Contact: 01225 482 225 alexa@bathholidayrentals.com www.bathholidayrentals.com Providing 4 & 5 star self-catering properties since 2006

72 THEBATHMAGAZINE

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Jewellery

Nigel Dando WE BUY Gold, Silver & Platinum in any form or condition.

Nigel Dando 11 Pulteney Bridge, Bath BA2 4AY Tel/Fax: 01225 464013 www.nigeldando.co.uk

Cobb Farr PIF.qxp_PIF Full Page 24/03/2022 10:15 Page 1

PROPERTY | HOMEPAGE

C

levedale is a handsome mid terrace bay-fronted Victorian family home, one of 5 in an attractive elevated terrace with a stunning riverside location and enjoying wonderful open leafy views towards Kelston Round Hill, a nearby local landmark.

This beautiful family home has well presented, spacious accommodation arranged over 3 floors and is entered into via a large reception hall from which all ground floor rooms lead. To the front, with a charming aspect overlooking the river, there is a generously proportioned bay fronted drawing room with a central period fireplace and exposed floorboards. To the rear there is a dining room that leads through to the well-appointed kitchen and breakfast room that spans the width of the property to the rear.

On the first floor there are 2 generous double bedrooms, the master enjoys a lovely open aspect to the front and has plenty of built- in bespoke storage. In addition, there is further smaller bedroom to the front and an impressive bath and shower room with a feature claw foot bath.

The loft space has been converted into a large double aspect bedroom with lots of built-in eave storage and a well fitted ensuite bathroom.

Externally to the front there are stone steps that lead to the front door along with a pretty well-manicured level lawn and small paved sun terrace. To the rear, conveniently accessed from the breakfast room, there is a secluded paved sun terrace that spans the width of the property with steps that lead to a well-stocked terraced garden with raised beds and a timber framed garden shed.

In addition, there is gated access from the garden and a right of way across the neighbouring property for pedestrian side access to the front for bins and bikes etc.

The Shallows, Saltford • 4 bedrooms • Desirable riverside village location • Well presented accommodation • Access to the garden from the breakfast room • Arranged over 3 floors

£750,000

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

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New King Street, Bath OIEO £1,100,000

A superbly appointed period Grade II listed townhouse situated on a quiet street in a wonderful central location and with the benefit of a most attractive garden to the rear.

•

Grade II townhouse

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5 bedrooms, 4 reception rooms

• • • •

Superbly presented throughout Central location

Stunning drawing room Landscaped gardens

01225 333332 | 01225 866111

Cobb Farr April.qxp_Layout 1 24/03/2022 11:10 Page 2

London Road West, Bath £1,495,000

Four substantial town houses crafted to impeccable standards in a prime and commanding location. The houses have generous accommodation arranged over five floors with 5 bedrooms, 4 bathrooms, cinema room and benefits from underground parking with south facing terrace gardens.

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3739 sq ft

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5 bedrooms, Master with sliding doors to terrace

• • •

Large living space with bi-fold doors

Internal photographs are from House Four Bespoke Schmidt Kitchens

01225 333332 | 01225 866111

Peter Greatorex fp APRIL.qxp_Layout 1 24/03/2022 16:49 Page 1

How to plan for your next move… only homes available to you, when in reality there are far more opportunities that buyers are unaware of. The UK had record sales of 1.5 million transactions in 2021, and interestingly, 300,000 of those properties were sold offline – that’s a staggering 20% of the entire market.

So how do you go about finding out about these properties…?

M

ost people when considering to sell their home do so in the same way: they begin by doing some research online to get a sense of the market and, of course, to get an understanding of the potential value of their home.

Their next move is to have their property valued by two or three agents, from which they make the big decision on who they believe will best represent them in their home’s sale. Then there is the rush to get the property marketed and on the internet to reach potential buyers.

But is that the best approach?

The internet and website property portals, such as Rightmove, are fantastic for sellers, buyers and agents alike. But what many buyers and sellers do not realise is that they are not where every home is listed, and it’s not necessarily the place to start a marketing campaign.

In this highly digital age, there is a revolution happening that sees more and more sellers turning the clock back to the pre-internet solutions, preferring a more person-centred form of selling that involves a focused matchmaking approach for property and people.

You may be one of those buyers who is continuously frustrated by the lack of available properties online, believing that these are the

Firstly, you need to be in a position where you can proceed immediately, either having sold your property or having cash or funding available to execute a purchase. There has been in increase in the number of buyers that are employing the services of property search agents to help find their ideal home and negotiate deals.

Another option is to work with an estate agent who will sell your home and also proactively help you with your property search, informing you as soon as new properties come to the market. Note, however, that most estate agents act solely on behalf of a seller, and they will represent their client’s best interests in the negotiation.

So, how do you go about selling your home offline...

In some ways the process of selling offline is the same, and one of the most important decisions you need to make is choosing an agent experienced in offline sales – the one you feel will best represent you and your home.

What are the main benefits of selling offline?

• The experience and skill of your agent will undoubtedly guide and influence your final sale price, and being offline certainly puts you in a stronger negotiating position.

• Your agent will have confirmed all potential buyers introduced to your home are in a good buying position and expect to pay a little more to secure the right home.

• If it’s a sensitive sale, your neighbours need not know your intentions to sell.

• Buyers are more likely to give extended time for you to find your next home, so you’re more in control of timings…

• At worst, you’ll receive invaluable buyer feedback ahead of listing online.

At Peter Greatorex Unique Homes, we’ve listed some beautiful homes that we’re actively promoting offline. To find out more, call us 01225 904999

Scan here and see what the market is like for your home

www.petergreatorex.co.uk

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MARDAN, BATH’S BESPOKE REMOVALS AND STORAGE COMPANY, DEVELOPS NEW TALENT

Mardan have a wealth of experience within the removals and storage industry, spanning over 30 years, ensuring customers have a stress-free and seamless move. Mardan are family run and bespoke with the experience, knowledge, skills, equipment and capacity to complete removals of any size; locally, nationally for domestic or commercial customers.

Marcus, Mardan’s founder, has always held fast, with confidence, to his belief that he can deliver a high standard of removals, exceeding that of his competitors. Marcus knows to do this he must have trust and confidence in the skills of his staff, which he does. So when a new office position was required within Mardan instead of recruiting externally Marcus looked to develop a team member which he already had extreme confidence in and who he knew would develop into the role seamlessly, Nik. The role would include; liaising with customers, completing quotes, emailing quotes, planning the removals diary, logistics and managing the storage yard. Nik, had worked with Marcus within removals for over 10 years having a strong knowledge of all aspects of removals and with the skills necessary to lead a team from Mardan on removals.

Nik has risen to the challenge and is thriving. Marcus and Nik work extremely well as a team thus ensuring all customers have a personalised service and a positive move experience.

Both Marcus and Nik enjoy completing the physical removal and Marcus truly believes that to do the ‘office’ role well it’s important to continue to complete removals, thus maintaining

the in depth knowledge developed throughout their earlier careers. Marcus and Nik are able to be flexible with their roles and keep their ‘hand in’ the hard physical work of removals.

Mardan continue to grow their self-storage facility, offering safe, secure and reasonable storage to upward of 100 domestic and commercial customers.

“We used Mardan following a recommendation from a friend.

They moved us in and out of storage and then into our renovated house. I would highly recommend them. The service was super efficient and the guys were quick, polite and courteous. Nothing was too much trouble and all of our possessions arrived safe and sound” Emma Webster, Moon Client

Mob: 07899 847857 Tel: 01225 317645 www.mardanremovals.co.uk

DOMESTIC & COMMERCIAL MOVERS • packers • STORERS • SHIPPERS

Crafting innovative, thoughtfully designed homes with generous living spaces across Bath, Somerset and Wiltshire.

Visit our website for more details.

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N

EW

Great Pulteney Street

O.I.E.O

£1,250,000

Georgian garden maisonette · Two spacious bedrooms · Drawing room · Kitchen/dining room · Bathroom and shower room · Private garden · Storage vaults · Level walk to City Centre · Period features · Approx. 1534 Sq. Ft. · EPC: C

SALES

01225 471 14 4

LETTINGS

01225 303 870

sales@theapartmentcompany.co.uk

®

N

EW

Widcombe Crescent

N

O.I.E.O

£400,000

Grade l Listed · Georgian · Beautiful private garden · Amazing views over Bath · Double bedroom · Recently renovated to a high standard · Private storage vaults · 10-minute walk to the town centre · No chain · Approx. 658 Sq. Ft. · EPC: C

N

EW

Kensington Place

O.I.E.O

£300,000

N

EW

N

St Georges House

£500,000

Modern Build · Two double bedrooms · En-suite · Private roof terrace · Under-croft parking for two vehicles · No chain · Central location · EPC: B

N

Grade ll Listed · Georgian townhouse · Top floor apartment · Modern décor · Two double bedrooms · Close to local amenities · Great views · Approx. 590 Sq. Ft. · EPC: C

EW

EW

Walcot Parade

N

Park Street

O.I.E.O

£270,000

EW

Victoria Bridge Court

Listed · Georgian · Private front door · Maisonette · Three bedrooms · Three bathrooms · Unique property · Storage vaults · Short level walk to city centre · Close to transport links · Approx. 835 Sq. Ft. · EPC: D

Two bedrooms · En-suite · Ground floor · Riverside location · Gated access · Allocated undercroft parking · Visitor parking · Secure bike storage · Private patio · Communal garden · No onward chain · Approx. 749 Sq. Ft. · EPC: C

O.I.E.O

£350,000

£390,000

EW

Henrietta Street

O.I.E.O

£360,000

Georgian · Grade I Listed · Second floor apartment · Spacious master bedroom · Central location · Beautiful period features · No onward chain · Approx. 509 Sq, Ft. · EPC: D

N

Great Stanhope Street O.I.E.O £480,000

O.I.E.O

Grade ll Listed · Georgian · Two double bedrooms · Beautiful views · Newly refurbished · Private area of a large garden · Close to local amenities · Ground level bike storage · Approx. 609 Sq. Ft. · EPC: D

N

Georgian · Grade ll Listed · Beautiful views · Newly refurbished · One bedroom · Top floor · No chain · Central location · Approx. 355 Sq. Ft. · EPC: D

EW

EW

Paragon

O.I.E.O

£280,000

Grade ll Listed · Georgian · Top floor apartment · One bedroom · Beautiful views · Spacious bedroom · Central location · Approx. 596 Sq. Ft. · EPC: C

www.theapartmentcompany.co.uk

Peter Greatorex dps.qxp_Layout 1 23/03/2022 16:05 Page 1

Wrington, Somerset - £1,375,000 A beautifully presented former coach house and stables, quietly situated on the edge of the popular village of Wrington on the north side of The Mendip Hills. This attractive stone L-shaped family home, which dates from the mid 19th Century, has 3 reception rooms, 6 double bedrooms, 3 bath/shower rooms and scope for adapting the accommodation to incorporate a separate annexe. EPC rating: D

Peter Greatorex Unique Homes 01225 904999

www.petergreatorex.co.uk Peter Greatorex Managing Director

Sharon Clesham Head of Sales

SO ST LD C

Peter Greatorex dps.qxp_Layout 1 23/03/2022 16:05 Page 2

Englishcombe Lane, Bath - £1,850,000 Detached house • 7 Bedrooms • 4 Reception Rooms • 4 Bathrooms • Generous gardens to front and rear • Period Features • Gas central heating •

SO ST LD C

Solar panels • Off street parking • Alarm system • Edge of city location • Council tax band G • EPC rating D

The Lodge, Bath - £690,000 Detached house • 3 Bedrooms • 3 Bathrooms • Sunny garden • Underfloor heating • Modern interior • Off street parking • Close to transport links

Peter Greatorex Unique Homes 01225 904999

www.petergreatorex.co.uk Peter Greatorex Managing Director

Sharon Clesham Head of Sales

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